Daphne grew up in a competitive environment, seeking power, fame, and status. Ultimately, what she cared about was her own dignity and respect.

Pretty as she was, Yang Ming only wanted to keep his distance from such a girl.

The only comfort Yang Ming had was that Daphne, just newly an adult, hadn't fallen into depravity, and Yang Ming didn't sense any impurities in her.

Reject this marriage?

Wouldn't that be too naive?

By marrying the princess, he could establish himself firmly in the Sherman Empire, becoming the Emperor's son-in-law and also the heroic figure of the Empire, gaining immense power in a short period.

Moreover, Yang Ming had a premonition that after the Old Emperor dealt with the Elder Court and restored his right to adjudicate and intervene in daily political affairs, he might next assert his presence in the Military Department.

Otherwise, why would the Old Emperor send Atro to take over the Military Intelligence Bureau?

The problems within the Military Department must be significant too, possibly involving widespread corruption, but the Old Emperor's aim likely wasn't to cause turmoil within the Military Department but to have his confidants gain substantial military power.

Complete military power under imperial control?

"He was alarmed by the Imperial Defense System."

Director Eno's words made question marks pop up in Yang Ming's mind like mushrooms after a rain.

What on earth was happening?

Buzz, buzz!

Yang Ming's communicator vibrated a few times.

He picked up the communicator with a hint of unease.

Catherine sent a video invitation. This was their exclusive communication device, incredibly expensive but allowing instant communication across the Milky Way.

Yang Ming cleared his throat, sat upright immediately, and a smile formed at the corner of his lips.

As the call connected, Catherine appeared before Yang Ming, wearing her Golden Mask.

She was sitting by a porthole, likely just returning from a mission. She slowly removed the mask, glanced around to ensure no one was there, then breathed a sigh of relief.

Before Yang Ming returned to the Emperor Star, she had already been reassigned by the Supermodified Organization.

"Hanton, how is it on the Emperor Star?"

"Still alright."

Yang Ming pondered for a few seconds, deciding to tell Catherine about the Emperor's marriage decree, but the words came out differently as he spoke:

"I went to the Dimension Ascension Laboratory today and witnessed the Ascension experiment."

"Uh, very brutal, isn't it?" Catherine sighed, "That is the fate of the Supermodified people."

"Indeed, very brutal," Yang Ming said in a deep voice, "I also encountered a rather tricky matter, the Emperor wanted me to completely submit, offering me some conditions."

Catherine thought carefully but didn't say much, instead saying, "You told me that sometimes we must choose to endure, even if it means doing something against our conscience, if it's for our longer-term goals."

"Catherine, what's wrong with you today?"

"Nothing, I just suddenly felt a bit sentimental," Catherine laughed, "Politics is the art of compromise."

Yang Ming wondered aloud, "Why do you seem strange, did something affect you again?"

Catherine smiled gently, "I'm on a mission, wasn't supposed to be chatting with you, just suddenly wanted to see you... get some rest early, they're calling for me now."

"Alright, you stay safe too."

"By the way, Hanton," Catherine suddenly said, "If necessary, I would like to discuss our relationship once you leave the Emperor Star."

"Our relationship… isn't everything going well?"

"I mean, I have my mission, and so do you, if possible, we might have to put aside our feelings to focus on our ideals... for now, they're urging me."

Catherine reached over and ended the call.

Yang Ming frowned at Catherine's remaining image, noticing her slightly downturned mouth.

What was going on?

Yang Ming sent a message to Catherine to check in, waited for over half an hour, feeling drowsy, only to receive a text from Lyu.

[A news trend appeared across the Empire saying the White Ghost is about to enter into a political marriage with a daughter of the Emperor.]

Yang Ming's mouth twitched slightly.

Was the royal family already so eager to stir things up?

The Emperor really had given him a great dilemma.

He held the communicator, looking at Catherine's avatar, his fingers lightly caressing it, pondering what he could say to her. Yet, unless he directly opposed the royal family, there was no way to console her wounded heart.

The empire's power, his own feelings.

Yang Ming sighed softly, staring up at the ceiling absent-mindedly.

Even a Quasi-Ancient God Life Form needed rest to maintain a good mental state, and processing so much information today made Yang Ming feel a bit dizzy.

Unconsciously, Yang Ming fell asleep, and that night he dreamed of a civilization of mimetic humans.

The most vivid image in the dream was of a mimetic human slowly emerging from a mercury-like lake, with metallic liquid dissipating to reveal Catherine's beautiful face and exquisite figure. Just as he was about to approach her, she drew a Ship-Slicing Blade from behind...

Ding dong, ding dong~

The doorbell of the guest room suddenly rang.

Yang Ming awoke alertly, immediately jumping to the side of the bed, the scene of his dream instantly fading.

"Who is it?"

His voice was directionally captured, transmitting through the door.

Han Xiang's timid voice immediately responded, "It's us, your personal maids, Han Yin and Han Xiang."

Yang Ming heaved a sigh of relief, grabbing a shirt and trousers, and went to open the door.

"Aren't you alright... why are there so many people?"

Han Yin and Han Xiang bowed their heads to greet Yang Ming, then shifted their bodies sideways. Two teams of court maids in high-slit long skirts simultaneously curtsied, afterwards bringing in several trays and rows of clothes, gently entering the room.

Han Yin and Han Xiang peeked in from the doorway.

Yang Ming found himself surrounded by the maids, who began measuring his body dimensions.

"Earl, this is the breakfast personally cooked for you by the princess, please enjoy."

"Earl, what color scheme do you personally prefer? Of course, it's not important, our princess prefers plain colored clothes. You may choose one set from these as your outfit for today."

"Earl, if you are ready, please initiate a call to the princess, you can use this device."

"Earl..."

Snap!

Yang Ming snapped his fingers, red light flaring in his eyes, causing the maids to hold their heads and fall to the ground in disarray.

Han Xiang and Han Yin's eyes widened in shock.

Han Xiang hurriedly said, "These are Princess Daphne's most trusted maids, how could you..."

"She's really spoiled!" Yang Ming frowned and cursed, "I haven't even talked to her about the trending topic, and now she's already pulling this on me! Why are you two still standing there? Come and help lift them."

"Ahem, ahem!"

Several dry coughs came from the hallway, and a beautiful girl in a princess dress appeared outside the door frame, holding a fan made of some cloth-like material, covering her pink lips.

"Is this mental shock?"

Daphne asked with a hint of curiosity.

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