Part 3
Zong Hao glanced at him. “It’s cured. But for now, don’t let anyone know about this. No one, except you.”
Ichi was stunned for a moment. “What about the brothers with codenames?”
Zong Hao trusted the people he had trained, but the task he had to perform allowed for no accidents. Just in case, he shook his head. “Don’t tell them for now.”
Ichi finally realized the severity of the situation. “…Marshal, is there a tough battle ahead?”
Zong Hao responded with a grave expression. In the upcoming battle, if they lost, then whether it was him, his trusted subordinates, the Ning family, or City Lord Bai’s family… none would remain. But if they won, they would completely change the situation of the entire interstellar society.
He knew very well that as soon as he appeared in the Zong family, the Crown Prince would notice. But having been missing for so long, he needed to slowly reclaim his power.
For now, the Crown Prince didn’t know that he knew the truth. To be safe, the Prince would likely return some power to him. That would be enough.
Zong Hao had guessed correctly. As soon as he returned to the Zong family, the Crown Prince received the news and sent someone to invite him to the palace.
Zong Hao’s previous disappearance was only known to the noble families; the outside world hadn’t heard yet. So, he entered the palace wearing a mask to hide his identity.
He had a pass card and moved through without hindrance.
Before he even reached the palace gates, the Crown Prince personally rushed over, pushing his wheelchair. Seeing Zong Hao, a warm smile spread across his face. “A-Hao, you’ve recovered? This is wonderful news.”
Zong Hao wore a mask that hid most of his emotions. He lowered his eyes and stepped forward, cupping his hands. “Greetings, Your Highness. I haven’t fully recovered, but I’ve been away from the military for so long. Now that I’ve mostly recovered, I thought of returning to continue my service.”
In the past, Zong Hao wouldn’t have explained himself.
Because he suddenly spoke this way, the Crown Prince didn’t suspect a thing.
He sighed. “It’s a pity your mental power is too strong, A-Hao. The healers on the Capital Star have no way to help you suppress your mental riot, otherwise…”
Zong Hao kept his eyes down, his heart heavy. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would never have known that human hearts could be so complex and difficult to read.
He acted as if he had been forced to mature, shaking his head. “Being able to return alive this time is a stroke of luck. I had already prepared for the worst. Unfortunately, I was too badly injured this time, and my mental power is not what it used to be. Although I’ve recovered a lot, it’s clear… I can’t return to the state I was in before the incident.”
The Crown Prince gave an “oh” and then asked with concern, “Should we have someone check on you?”
Zong Hao thought for a moment and replied, “Right now, it’s only at the 3S level. Even when I’ve fully recovered, I doubt it will improve much.”
The Crown Prince comforted him while sending for a healer.
After the examination, the healer reported to the Crown Prince with regret, “The Marshal’s mental power… is indeed only at the 3S level now. However, he hasn’t fully recovered yet. Perhaps it could rise further after a full recovery.”
This comfort didn’t seem to soothe Zong Hao. He lowered his eyes and didn’t speak for a long time.
The Crown Prince was completely relieved. He pushed his wheelchair forward. “A-Hao, you heard him. You haven’t recovered yet, so there’s no rush. If you want to return to the military, that’s fine, but since your body isn’t fully healed, don’t announce the news yet. Otherwise, if you suddenly start high-intensity work and trigger a mental riot, it would be bad. I’m just worried about your health.”
“Your Highness is doing what’s best for me. I understand, and I will follow Your Highness’s wishes.” There was no reason for Zong Hao not to agree, just as he had suspected the other would say.
But the Crown Prince didn’t realize that once mental power reached a certain level of strength, it could be adjusted at will.
His trip today was merely to put the Crown Prince at ease—to show that he was still a “useless” person.
The Crown Prince was relieved but hadn’t given up on his plan.
He wanted the Zong family. Ever since he learned from his father that the Zong family’s wealth was enough to rival a nation, he had been moved. With the Zong family’s help, even if his father woke up, he would have the chips to compete.
The Crown Prince waved his hand. “Go, have the Head of the Herman family and Zong Ling come to the palace.”
Mu Jiayi was ruined; now, the Lyman family was entirely under Zong Ling’s control.
Zong Ling and Zong Hao, his former young uncle, had a decent relationship. Perhaps they could reconnect.
On Ning Yunyi’s side, after “kicking out” Zong Hao, his heart hadn’t completely settled.
He and Zong Hao were now allies, and since the Aloof Cat frequently appeared on the livestream, Zong Hao would likely use that as an excuse to return in the future.
If he saw the cub one day and realized something…
Ning Yunyi thought for a moment and decided to be prepared.
When Eustace received a message from Ning Yunyi, he was quite surprised.
[Eustace: What a coincidence, I was just about to look for you.]
[Bai Yanyu: Why are you looking for me?]
[Eustace: The old man went to the palace. I heard Marshal Zong went to see the Crown Prince not long ago, saying he wanted to return to the military, and the Prince agreed. Calling the old man to the palace at this time, tsk tsk, nothing good. He’s probably going to arrange another marriage for Marshal Zong.]
[Bai Yanyu: Let him arrange it then.]
[Eustace: You should worry about yourself. Last time you showed interest in men, so many noble families are planning to send out their young masters this time. They’re all good-looking. It seems they’re determined to pull a “growth stock” like you into the game.]
Ning Yunyi had originally planned to ask Eustace if there were any shifter cats in the Shifter Alliance, but he wanted to skip over that last sentence.
He had no intention of getting married…
Wait, hold on. If he got married—a family of three—even if Zong Hao found out about the past later, he would be too embarrassed to disturb them, right?
Of course, a real marriage was impossible.
But a fake marriage was doable.
Eustace was about to continue teasing him—after all, the other guy had scared him at the last banquet.
Suddenly, he saw a reply that made Eustace choke on his own spit, turning him instantly wary.
[Bai Yanyu: Hey, buddy, do you have someone you like?]
[Eustace: You… what… what do you want? Don’t get any ideas about me. I’m not into that.]
[Bai Yanyu: Who cares what you’re into? A fake couple, a fake engagement. You in?]
With his current identity and momentum, the noble families would definitely bother him again and again. It was better to form a partnership.
It was a win-win situation, and it would also solve the crisis of Zong Hao trying to snatch his cub.
Most importantly, Eustace was from the Herman family. The Crown Prince wanted to draw him into the game, and the Herman family was the chosen tool.
It was better to just go with the flow and lower the Crown Prince’s guard.
Three birds with one stone: a powerful alliance with Eustace to catch the Crown Prince off guard.
Most importantly, Eustace wasn’t interested in him.
This way, the acting would be effortless and thus even more realistic.
[Eustace: You, you, you! No way!]
[Bai Yanyu: I am a subordinate of Sect’s First Blade. He promised to draw ten fans for ten dishes later. I’ll have him send you a portion too. You can choose the dish.]
[Eustace: !!!]
[Bai Yanyu: Three dishes. (If you’re not up for it, I’ll find someone who is.)]
The other side replied instantly.
[Eustace: Darling Bai, you can act however you want. On the day of the drawing, I want to eat Braised Pork, Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs, and Big Plate Chicken with Noodles. (smiles obediently)]
[Bai Yanyu: OK. Help me check if there are any shifter cats in the Alliance these next few days. If there are, let me know.]
Eustace didn’t ask further and replied with an “okay.”
In the evening, when Big Brother Ning and Professor Ning returned, they brought an invitation.
The Crown Prince was prepared this time. Big Brother Ning was still in his “mourning period,” so he was excluded.
Professor Ning was the same.
Thus, this invitation was for Mr. Bai.
Big Brother Ning said worriedly, “This time it clearly says it’s a matchmaking party, and the invitation was sent directly. Xiao-Di, do you want to go?”
What if it was like last time?
Would Marshal Zong have to save him again?
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thank you for the chapter!