Edwan sighed lightly,

"You know, Ming once told me something I always took as a joke, and I never thought he'd actually go down this path."

"What?"

"He wants to become the Imperial Duke."

"Uh," Emilia pouted, "A Duke of the Luofeng Empire can also be an Imperial Duke."

"Hahaha! When we speak of the Empire, we refer to the Sherman Empire!"

Edwan said calmly, "What I've told you, don't spread it around; it's all just baseless speculation... Alright, go change clothes and dress less conspicuously."

"Are more Imperial Nobles coming?"

"The Imperial Foreign Affairs Bureau has sent a few vampires to demand benefits again," Edwan smirked, "If it weren't for Princess Luna also arriving, I wouldn't want you to show your face at all."

"Rest assured, my dear brother," Emilia laughed, "The time I opened the belly of a Mensa family noble, I earned the reputation of the Violent Princess. Tonight, I'll just sit with a long sword, and they'll be trembling in fear."

Despite saying this, Emilia still dotted her face with freckles and applied special ointment to make her skin appear sallow.

She truly looked down upon those young noblemen of the Empire.

Regarding such boring gatherings, she would rather return to her chambers and lie down, gazing at the ceiling.

...

The fifth day since the Prince Case occurred.

"Sigh, the patrol work lately is truly exhausting."

Catherine complained softly, taking off the heavy exoskeleton armor to reveal the perfect figure outlined by her tight combat suit.

Yang Ming embraced her slender waist and smiled, "Freshen up, and guess what delicious meal the great chef has prepared for you tonight."

"You still have time to cook?"

Catherine complained with a mix of amusement and exasperation,

"Isn't it all your fault? Unable to close the case and catch the culprit, yet you insist on reporting that someone in the Elder Court has major issues, forcing us Supermodified people to patrol outer space!"

Yang Ming laughed, "That's not up to me; it's all the Emperor's decision."

Catherine playfully hit him twice, then slipped into the bathing room before Yang Ming could react.

Over ten minutes later, Catherine emerged from her shower, wearing the silk nightgown Yang Ming had prepared for her, with her long hair down her back, and she couldn't help but salivate at the sight of the delicious feast spread across the table.

The room was dimly lit, with nearly all electronic devices turned off, and two layers of fixed shielding devices spread out against the walls.

All was for the sake of confidentiality and security.

"I'll start now! Thank you for the hospitality! I can't find your kind of cooking outside!"

"Eat slowly, I'm not going to steal it from you," Yang Ming chuckled.

Just a taste of hometown cuisine.

Yang Ming opened a bottle of a potent drink, poured himself half a cup, and softly asked, "How did the Supermodified people react?"

Catherine pouted, "No particular reaction; no one knows what's really going on with the Elder Court. It seems there are indeed many issues, and most Supermodified people can't stand the conduct of those nobles. A few of them dying... it's probably good for the Empire."

Yang Ming appeared to be lost in thought.

Catherine asked, "When do you plan to solve the case?"

"Haven't found the culprit yet," Yang Ming smiled faintly, "The Emperor's intention is to wait and see. Tomorrow there will be an internal election at the Elder Court, and I intend to attend as an observer."

Catherine looked even more confused.

Yang Ming benevolently said, "This internal election will decide three seats in the legislative meeting of the Elder Court. If the Emperor's appointments successfully rise, then the culprit is someone outside. If the Emperor's appointments do not succeed, and those put forward by the Great Elder rise instead, then the culprit... is among these three elders."

Catherine slightly opened her mouth, her gaze a bit vacant, "Is that possible?"

"Why not?"

Yang Ming laughed,

"The motive for the crime was the Prince's long-standing humiliations of the bodies of these three elders. They bore a grudge, carefully planned before the gathering began, and ultimately killed the Prince."

"They're all old men; how could they... alright," Catherine couldn't help but raise her hand to her forehead, then looked up at Yang Ming, "You must be careful, don't get too deeply involved."

Yang Ming shrugged, "Don't worry; even if the Emperor wants to use this case against me, he wouldn't find any evidence; none of the information I provided the Emperor includes my biological data."

"Uh, so why does the Emperor still trust you?"

"Would he really go check that biological data?" Yang Ming countered.

Catherine blinked, pondering for a moment, before sighing lightly.

She felt as if not only her physical strength and prowess were outmatched by her boyfriend, but her intellect too.

"Don't worry about me; just keep an eye on the reactions of the Supermodified people," Yang Ming smiled softly, "If the Old Emperor summons me now, then maybe I'll be a bit concerned. But once tomorrow passes and the case settles, the binding between the Emperor and me will be formally established."

"I'd better focus on eating; there's really nothing I can do to help you."

"Let's have a drink!"

Yang Ming raised his glass, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

Catherine had no idea how charming she looked with a slight tipsiness.

Just as Catherine raised her glass, a notification buzzed from the shielding device, indicating an incoming message. As Yang Ming turned off the shielding, his communicator suddenly buzzed twice, displaying a text message from the personal maid of the Old Emperor.

[The Emperor summons, come to the Imperial Palace swiftly.]

The two exchanged a look; Catherine gripped Yang Ming's right hand with a trace of nervousness.

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