After the two finished discussing the Yunding Empire, Shen Tang changed the topic, complaining, "Ah Xiao, how could you secretly feed them those things? Where did you get them? Wonât they harm their health?"
Lu Xiao didnât expect her to find out, and touched his nose, feeling slightly embarrassed for once, "Donât worry, the Lu Family has special connections across the nation. Although those drugs havenât been legally certified by the Empire, the pharmaceutical experience is quite mature, and the harm to the body is much less than illegal drugs... I only used them during your heat period, and it doesnât affect body functions much."
"Moreover, they are High-level Beastmen. Even potent poison wouldnât threaten their lives. The effects of those drugs are metabolized quickly and wonât have much impact."
He explained quite calmly.
Shen Tangâs face was still smeared with facial cleanser, and she leaned close, pouting, "What about you? Have you taken them?"
"Cough... Tangtang, itâs still early. Wanna go back to sleep for a bit?" Lu Xiao didnât want to answer and simply changed the subject.
This reaction already explained everything. Shen Tang grinded her teeth. She never expected that Lu Xiao, who she thought was the most honest, actually had such thoughts!
"Humph, no wonder you didnât dare to see me for half a month!"
Previously, Lu Xiao always said the Lu Family had things to attend to, and he was nowhere to be seen for half a month, unreachable. Turns out it was because he hadnât taken the medication, fearing she might accidentally get pregnant.
He sure could endure, putting all the attention on those two.
Lu Xiao waited for her to finish washing, gently drying her face with a towel, and explained a bit helplessly, "My duty is to follow your wishes. Youâre not ready for kids now. Those two are young and impulsive, unable to resist temptation. I can only do this, otherwise..."
He glanced down, suggesting that if not handled this way, given the strength of the other Beast Husbands, she might already have had her first child.
Shen Tang couldnât say anything against him this time.
He indeed considered things more thoroughly.
Xue Yinzhou usually behaved well but insisted on taking half the time during heat periods.
Xiao Jin, needless to say, was impulsive and constantly had those thoughts, seizing opportunities to get amorous.
She really didnât want to have little ones so soon.
Theyâd just have to bear with it.
"Does Xiao Jin know about this affair?"
"He doesnât know, but eats quite heartily."
"..."
In an instant, two days passed, the spaceship formally entered the Floating City State, landing on the Central Floating Island where the Sky King Palace is located.
Sky King had long received the message and was waiting there with the reception team.
Shen Tang also spotted some familiar facesâthe Yunding Empireâs Cloud Peak General Feiyu, dressed in platinum armor, towering and majestic, standing on the Monarchâs left.
On the right stood the Second Prince and Third Princess.
The Second Prince folded his arms, wearing an unpleasant expression, clearly reluctant to be there for the welcome.
Especially when he saw Lu Xiao, his eyes immediately showed wariness, obviously unwelcome to his arrival.
Which was to be expected. After the Eldest Prince was deposed, the one with the highest chance of inheriting was the Second Prince, Tian Chen, who was most likely to ascend.
Lu Xiaoâs presence clearly made him feel threatened.
But he was overthinking it.
Lu Xiao had long declined the Sky Kingâs invitation.
His ambition didnât lie here, he just wanted to manage the Lu Family well and take care of the Female Master; other power or status didnât hold any allure for him.
Compared to him, the Third Princess Tian Xi had a much better attitude.
Since their last meeting, her exquisite beauty had matured, showing more courage and nobility, vaguely resembling a younger Sky King, with the only unchanged feature being the lollipop in her mouth.
She warmly came forward to greet, "Hello, Brother Xiao~ Hello, Sister-in-law Tangtang, itâs been so long since we last met!"
"It indeed has been a while, got some things on the way to gift you." Shen Tang knew she loved sweets, specially bought a box of delicately packaged high-end candiesânot too expensive, but Tian Xi accepted them happily, "Hehe, thank you, Sister-in-law! You must be tired after traveling, the feast is ready, come and have some food!"
Tian Chen, watching his sisterâs eagerness, snorted disdainfully and left under some excuse, clearly not interested in hosting guests.
Sky King Tian Hui seemed slightly displeased with his second sonâs attitude, but couldnât say much either.
Shen Tang wasnât bothered by the formalities; she originally came for serious business.
After the meal, Shen Tang seized the chance to speak privately with the Sky King, inquiring about the Rift Sky Kingâs situation.
The Sky King snorted coldly, "Why would she have any reason? Weâve been at odds since childhood; sheâs doing this just to give me a hard time!"
"What do you mean?"
"Sigh, Xiao Tang, I apologize for implicating you. You probably heard that the Rift Sky King and I have always had a poor relationship, with many frictions over the years. And since youâre my daughter-in-law, due to this relationship, thereâs no way sheâd easily join the Dawn Alliance; sheâs using this to force me to personally plead with her before she might agree." Sky King explained helplessly.
Shen Tang was astonished, never guessing this was the reason.
It was truly unexpected.
"If my temperament were that of my youth, I surely wouldnât beg her. But now, for you, Iâm willing to say some nice words... Unfortunately, things have gotten complicated, even if I go now, she probably wouldnât agree." Sky King sighed again as he spoke.
Shen Tang was curious, "What happened?"
"Ugh, this affair involves the youngest, you guessed itâTian Xi."
"The Rift Sky King has four children, but unfortunately all male, not a single female. However, her sons have decent talents, and she most values the Second Prince Xing Ye, initially intending him for succession." Sky King recounted, "But then, during a recent excursion, Xing Ye met our youngest, Tian Xi, and fell in love with her at first sight."
"Two talented young people liking each other normally wouldnât be a problem."
"But traditionally, males of equal status typically marry into the femaleâs family. Xing Ye, as the Rift Sky Kingâs chosen successor, would usually marry a noble female from their tribe into the Royal Family. She certainly wouldnât want her heir son marrying out of the tribe, nor breaking relations herself, so she previously asked me to persuade Tian Xi to end the relationship herself."
"However, despite both familiesâ attempts to block it, Xing Ye kept longing for Tian Xi, claiming heâd marry no one but her in this lifetime or remain unmarried forever."
"In the end, the Rift Sky King couldnât find a way and wanted me to marry Xiâer off."
Sky King grew more indignant, "How is it possible for a royal female to marry into another tribeâs male on this earth? Especially Xiâer, so smart and the apple of my eye. How could I possibly send her away? Later this matter just fizzled out."
"The Rift Sky King was helpless when news of the alliance came from your side. She wanted to use this affair as leverage, forcing me to agree to send Xiâer away."
Shen Tang was dumbfounded, completely caught off guard by this hidden family feud!
This truly sounded... challenging indeed!