Part 2
Because Zong Hao had taken off his mask to eat, the little meow cub had wandered over to his side at some point. Tipping his head up to curiously examine Zong Hao’s face, he was thoroughly amazed. “Wow, you and Granduncle both look so young. Are you really very, very old?”
The little meow cub’s words amused everyone present, prompting them to look at Zong Hao’s face. For those who didn’t know Zong Hao was a shifter, it was indeed strange. After all, Marshal Zong was rumored to be quite old, so how did he still look so youthful?
Zong Hao touched his own face. Looking down at the curious little guy staring at him, he simply picked him up, letting Ning Xiaomiao sit on his lap. “Isn’t it good to look a bit younger? Do you want to touch and see if it’s real?”
The little guy was clearly curious, his eyes wide open. “Can I really?”
Zong Hao leaned in a bit closer to let him touch his face. The little guy wasn’t shy either, reaching out his small hand and giving it a pinch. The tactile sensation made him let out a “Wow.” “It’s just like Father’s. It’s real.”
Ning Yunyi lowered his eyes, unable to hold back a laugh. Anyone who didn’t know better would think Zong Hao’s face had always been fake. But the little guy was genuinely curious and spoke his true thoughts. Zong Hao wasn’t annoyed; instead, holding the little guy, he gestured to the roast meat in front of them and asked, “What do you want to eat? I’ll grill it for you, okay?”
The little guy thought about it and nodded. “Okay!”
He felt that the aura on this person was very comfortable, identical to the feeling when he snuggled with the cat. However, since the cat was often not home recently, letting this person substitute for a bit would be fine too.
Ning Yunyi watched this scene with complex feelings, but he didn’t say anything.
After the housewarming banquet ended, during his next livestream, Ning Yunyi confirmed that Director Gu had finally managed to grow Chinese roses. He connected with Director Gu via video link to show everyone the results, instantly causing a massive uproar on the Star Network.
Director Gu took the opportunity to invite more friends interested in planting to join the research and cultivation efforts. Through the physical demonstration, a huge number of people signed up all at once.
Next, Director Gu needed to cultivate more species for Ning Yunyi. While the Ancient Research Institute had a fair number of staff, it was still far from enough. Thus, they needed more fresh blood, but this also required strict background checks. Once assembled, they would conduct specialized closed-door research. If successful, it would mark a new, epoch-making milestone in interstellar history.
After all, successfully cultivating and even widely planting so many long-extinct species from Ancient Blue Star… Just imagining the flourishing and prosperous scenes of the future moved Director Gu to tears. Without another word, he hurried off to continue his research.
Ning Yunyi was naturally in a great mood as well. When the Second Prince came over that evening, Ning Yunyi invited him to stay for dinner. It was only when the Second Prince was leaving that he brought out the gift he had brought with him—a rectangular box.
The Second Prince really liked the little meow cub, perhaps because the little guy was also a shifter. Squatting in front of the cub, he said to the curious Ning Xiaomiao, “Want to know what’s inside? Open it and see.”
The little guy looked at his father. Getting an affirmative nod, he immediately took the box. Leaning against the Second Prince, he used his small hands to pry open the clasp. As the exquisite box opened to reveal its contents, the little guy couldn’t hold back a “Wow.” “So amazing! This is me, these are Grandfather and Grandmother, and here are Uncle and Father!”
Unable to resist, he took out the little figurine of himself. It was a very small pearl, yet when placed in his palm, it was a remarkably lifelike humanoid shape. Because the features were so distinct, it was obvious at a glance who it was.
The little guy couldn’t put it down. Thrilled, he repeatedly told the Second Prince how much he loved it, and even generously hugged the squatting prince’s head to plant a kiss on his forehead.
After his initial surprise, a gentle light appeared in the Second Prince’s eyes. It was as if this heartwarming moment was enough to wash away all the traumas of his past. He watched with utmost patience as Ning Xiaomiao took the pearls out to inspect them one by one.
Ning Yunyi leaned in, only then realizing it was a carving of their family of five made from pearls. He was full of admiration, never expecting the Second Prince to have such craftsmanship. For them to resemble the family so closely proved that a great deal of heart had been poured into them.
While the father and son admired the five pearls, the Second Prince gently rubbed another pearl hidden in his sleeve. It was carved in his own likeness. It was as if, by doing this, he too was a member of the Ning family.
The Second Prince waited until the little guy finished looking before turning to Ning Yunyi. “The palace is hosting a banquet tomorrow. All the aristocratic families and high-ranking generals will be notified.”
Ning Yunyi had a suspicion. “Is it His Majesty’s intention?”
The Second Prince didn’t hide it from him. “Yes. At the banquet tomorrow, it will be announced that I am to be made the Crown Prince.”
Ning Yunyi wasn’t surprised. After all, the former Crown Prince was currently locked up, and His Majesty couldn’t possibly let someone who wanted to kill him remain the heir. Otherwise, someone who could try to kill him once could definitely try a second time.
The Third Prince blindly followed his eldest brother’s lead, and furthermore, he was entirely too useless to be a good candidate. That left the Second Prince as the only option.
The reason His Majesty was in such a rush was likely out of fear that news of the Crown Prince’s deposition spreading would affect the palace’s political landscape. Thus, he simply decided to name the Second Prince in advance. As for whether he would be replaced later, that was a problem for another day.
Ning Yunyi looked at the Second Prince. From the moment he arrived this evening until now, his emotions had been perfectly calm without the slightest ripple. After some thought, he finally asked, “Do you truly want the position? If you don’t want it, you can refuse.”
The Second Prince hadn’t wanted to return to the palace before, indicating that the palace clearly wasn’t a good place to be.
The Second Prince replied with a question of his own, “If it were you, would you want to be the Crown Prince?”
Ning Yunyi shook his head repeatedly. “No. I’m very lazy. I just want to take good care of my cub and peacefully keep him company as he grows up. There’s too much conflict in the palace; it doesn’t suit me.”
He much preferred being the Second Young Master Ning who didn’t receive too much attention, doing a good job working behind the scenes, rather than being thrust onto the front stage, constantly worrying about people coveting his position.
After that, the Second Prince didn’t say much more before leaving to return to the palace. The next day, before the banquet began, Zong Hao came to the Ning residence first, intending to enter the palace with them.
Big Brother Ning and the others could see through Marshal Zong’s intentions. After all, the man had been visiting the Ning family frequently lately, and he was only willing to spend time with Ning Yunyi. They had their suspicions but didn’t explicitly point it out.
Furthermore, since there was still some time before the palace banquet started, they simply yielded the space to the two of them.
Ning Yunyi was once again wearing matching parent-child outfits with the cub. The white suit accentuated his already handsome face, making him look even more striking. Seeing Zong Hao, he was quite puzzled. “Instead of heading straight to the palace, what are you doing running over to the Ning house?”
Even if he had something to say, it wasn’t like they wouldn’t see each other at the palace shortly.
Hearing this, Zong Hao looked at Ning Yunyi but hesitated, as if wanting to speak but stopping himself.
Ning Yunyi said, “If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, I’m heading into the palace.”
Only then did Zong Hao speak up. “I received news yesterday that insect tides have been appearing one after another at the border. The commotion isn’t small. I might be sent to the battlefield at any time.”
Ning Yunyi, who was adjusting his cufflinks, paused. Hearing this, he looked up at Zong Hao. “Wasn’t it already suppressed before?”
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thank you for the chapter!