Chapter Thirteen: The Imperial House

Although he tried hard not to focus his attention on the table across from them, Chen Ziang found his ears involuntarily catching snatches of conversation while he spoke with Suzuna Tsukimiya.

He wasn't concerned with the idea that "Xia Qingyu might be on a date with a man," but rather with the fact that "someone actually dared to sit across from Xia Qingyu to eat."

Was that person a masochist? Using mockery and sarcasm as a side dish, were they?

"This fish tastes quite good," Tsukimiya said, raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed," Chen Ziang nodded, just as he heard Xia Qingyu across the way utter a sharp, "Impossible."

What was impossible? What couldn't be? Was the other person begging her to be more polite?

"I recall that little sister likes the fish belly?" Tsukimiya sliced a piece of the belly and fed it to Chen Xiaozhu.

"Yes, she enjoys fatty meats," Chen Ziang said distractedly. "But to keep her weight in check, I rarely let her have too much—after all, she gets almost no exercise every day."

Then, he heard Xia Qingyu across the way sneer, "Are you an idiot?"

This particular remark didn't pique his curiosity, as you could get that response from her no matter what you said—though the young male elf clearly knew nothing of her atrocious personality, as he simply looked sullen and said something back.

His voice was neither as cool nor as distinct as Xia Qingyu’s, and the distance made it hard to hear, so one could only barely make out sporadic words like "exchange," "agreement," and "respect."

Once the male elf finished speaking in a low voice, Xia Qingyu coldly spat out two words, which were exceptionally clear: "Moron."

Well, while he didn't know what they were talking about, in terms of aura and aggression, the human side was clearly crushing the elf.

Tsukimiya sighed and said, "Would you like me to help you listen to what they're saying, Senior?"

"Ahem, no need," Chen Ziang said, feeling a bit embarrassed. After a moment of hesitation, he added, "I’m just curious because... look, Xia Qingyu is a very difficult person to get along with, right? Unless someone is a masochist, I doubt anyone would want to sit across from her, listening to her insults, barbs, and cynical remarks. So, they must be discussing work."

"That makes sense," Tsukimiya said, amused. She laughed, "Do go on, Senior."

"And even in work negotiations, frequently provoking your partner is highly unwise, isn't it? With that intellect she prides herself on, she shouldn't fail to realize that," Chen Ziang continued his analysis. "So there are two possibilities: either Xia Qingyu has no intention of the negotiation succeeding, or the other party needs something from her, which is why she can be so recklessly venomous."

"Spot on," Tsukimiya said, resting her chin on one hand while the other stirred the ice cream in her cup. She smiled. "From what I've heard, it's likely a bit of both."

"Oh?" Chen Ziang became curious.

"That elf..." Tsukimiya said slowly, "seems to be planning some sort of project... and is currently negotiating with her."

"Collaborating with her?" Chen Ziang mused.

"No," Tsukimiya chuckled. "It seems he wants her to stay out of it."

To stay out of it... that was complicated.

Under what circumstances would people "collaborate"? For instance, if there is a task I can't handle and you can't either, we join forces, split the profits; but if I can handle it alone, I certainly wouldn't collaborate with you—in the real business world, most situations fall into these two categories.

The "staying out of it" scenario was even more subtle: for example, if there is something I can handle, but if you intervene, I won't be able to, so I am willing to offer certain conditions in exchange for you not sabotaging me from the shadows—which is to say, first, the two parties are definitely in a competitive or even hostile relationship, and second, Xia Qingyu’s strength is sufficient to make the other party wary, which is why they chose "negotiation" rather than other means.

Hmm... the more he thought about it, the more complex it became.

"Forget it," Chen Ziang waved his hand. "It has nothing to do with us anyway, right?"

"Perhaps~" Tsukimiya said in a light, airy tone. "But in my experience, nothing good ever comes from getting involved with that woman."

"Tsukimiya," Chen Ziang said suddenly. "Although I promised you last time not to ask about your past grievances with her, you were the one who brought it up this time."

"So, if you are willing to tell me... of course, if not, that's fine too."

"Er," Tsukimiya was stunned for a moment, then wore a helpless smile. "I don't even know where to begin..."

"Senior, you know about the Empire's 'Imperial Family,' right?"

"I've heard a little," Chen Ziang replied modestly. "The children and relatives of past emperors, right?"

"Huh?" Tsukimiya looked blank for a moment, then laughed. "No, certainly not."

"The Imperial family is actually a product of genetic engineering," she explained patiently. "The Empire is incredibly arrogant, believing the Imperial bloodline must be superior to ordinary mortals. Therefore, the children of every emperor undergo special genetic optimization while in the embryonic stage."

"Among these genetically optimized royals, only the most capable can become the next emperor; the rest are listed in the Royal Family tree. To prevent the genetic formula from leaking, no member of the Imperial family is allowed to marry without permission, and unauthorized reproduction is an absolute prohibition... Can you understand what that implies, Senior?"

"It implies... er, that they are very cold-hearted?" Chen Ziang said tentatively.

"It implies that the royals are all a bunch of freaks," Tsukimiya said firmly. "They are brainwashed from childhood to be 'noble elite humans' who 'represent the future of humanity,' so they look down on all mortals who aren't royalty. And because they are all in competition with one another, and are not allowed to marry or reproduce freely, they have no familial affection, nor any love or friendship. They view the people around them as tools or pawns, categorizing and treating them solely based on whether they have any utility... Honestly, they are a bunch of bloodless, tearless monsters."

Chen Ziang: ………………

"So, Xia Qingyu is royalty?" he asked incredulously. "A product of genetic engineering? A New Human?"

"That's actually quite easy to judge," Tsukimiya said coldly. "Not everyone with the surname Xia is royalty; that surname isn't uncommon among commoners in the Empire. But... if someone goes around with an arrogant, high-and-mighty attitude, looking at you as if you were an insect, using cold words or even ignoring you when they don't need you, and acting without scruples when they do, as if they lacked morality, conscience, and humanity... and they just happen to be named Xia, then they are almost certainly Imperial royalty."

Chen Ziang began to think seriously.

"High-and-mighty," fits;

"Looking at you as if you were an insect," slightly off, she usually uses the word 'ape,' but it barely holds up;

"Cold words," fits;

"Without scruples," fits;

"Lacking humanity"... I’m a little skeptical, but it doesn't matter.

So, Xia Qingyu is actually an Imperial princess?

Then what about Xia Zili?