Abyss Solo

Chapter 130: 078 Emilia’s Invitation

Yang Ming waited silently for a few days, but the Third Prince’s thugs never showed up.

To cooperate with the Third Prince’s plan to “teach him a lesson,” Yang Ming repeatedly invited Miss Windsor out for shopping and meals, making full use of his off-duty time.

The result was that before the Third Prince’s men arrived, his relationship with Windsor had skyrocketed.

They walked hand in hand, leaning on each other in the streets, and during meals, they chose to sit on the same side; as long as their eyes met for more than ten seconds, her heartbeat would quicken, and his mind would wander.

All signs indicated.

They could begin a more intimate interaction.

Late at night, before going to bed.

Yang Ming sent Windsor the words “sweet dreams,” closed his eyes with a smile, but couldn’t help complaining,

“The Third Prince’s side is so slow; it’s been three or four days now, and my promotion process is almost complete, yet he hasn’t made a move.”

Lyu’s image appeared on the watch dial.

“Boss, why don’t we just wipe out the Third Prince’s faction?”

“Don’t rush; we should enjoy the fun of fishing. In a prince’s rivalry, whoever strikes first is at a disadvantage.”

Yang Ming turned his head and said, “I can feel someone watching me these past few days; it might be the Third Prince or the New Federation agents, so keep an eye on that.”

“Okay, boss. The New Federation Agents have upgraded their encrypted communication system. I’m intercepting less and less information.”

Lyu expressed his concern.

“The rebellion on the Fifth Administrative Star continues, and the military’s response is as sluggish as ever. The Sherman Empire delegation has left, and I worry that the New Federation Agents will come back for more.

“The main cannons on those three sets of Mecha they have could pose a real threat to you, boss.”

Yang Ming calmly said, “This tough battle will need to be fought sooner or later. Don’t worry. How’s the counterattack going?”

“Boss, I’ve already anonymously sold the Third Prince’s detailed information to the New Federation Agents. They’re starting to approach him. Once the Third Prince cooperates with the New Federation, he’ll hit a wall with the Sherman Empire.”

Lyu murmured, “This might be the efficiency gap between a puppet state and a superpower.”

“How much did you sell it for?”

“Three hundred thousand New Federation Coins.”

“Oh, so the Third Prince’s personal privacy is worth so much?” Yang Ming was slightly taken aback.

Lyu grinned proudly, “Just rest up, boss. When you open your eyes again, it’ll be another busy day.”

After pondering for a few minutes, Yang Ming dialed a voice call with Edwan,

“It’s been confirmed, the Third Prince is planning to have someone deal with me. I will counterattack appropriately.”

“Hmm?” Edwan puzzled, “How does my presumptuous younger brother plan to deal with you?”

“Reportedly, he plans to break my leg in front of Miss Windsor,” Yang Ming said with a slight frown.

Edwan asked, “Do you want me to send some people to protect you?”

“Just protect my uncle, and that’ll be enough,” Yang Ming replied with a smile.

“Alright, I’ll add more manpower to Uncle Haton’s side,” Edwan said solemnly, “Come over tomorrow, Ming, I have something I want to discuss with someone.”

“You lost too badly to me in the game a couple of days ago and want to reclaim some dignity?”

“This is serious, I swear,” Edwan cursed fiercely, “Next time we play a match, I’ll swallow an entire hockey puck!”

…

Clang!

In the strike training ground, the crisp sound of hitting balls echoed back and forth.

Yang Ming and the Second Prince continued to bat away high-speed balls coming at them.

They weren’t competing, just practicing strikes.

Miss Windsor was accompanying the Fourth Princess Emilia, sipping afternoon tea brought by the maid.

“Ming, what do you want most right now?” Edwan asked casually.

A complete Planet Transformation System.

Yang Ming really wanted to give that answer.

Upon deciding to execute the Dark Star Plan, Yang Ming started worrying about the Planet Transformation System.

This system referred to the combination of hundreds of large machines, automatically operated according to a set program, for transforming planetary terrain, building bases, surveying and collecting planetary minerals.

Naturally, it’s something that is better prepared earlier.

However, to acquire a complete Planet Transformation System requires not only over a billion in funds but also finding the right seller.

(Kolev’s secret base was only the base part of the Planet Transformation System, and it also cost the old man tens of millions of New Federation Coins.)

Edwan turned to look at him, confused, “Is it that hard to answer?”

Shoo! A fast-moving ball whizzed past Edwan’s ear, startling him into quickly turning off the projector.

Yang Ming mumbled, “I’m thinking about what things can be cashed out easily; I just lack money right now.”

“You’re so materialistic,” Edwan laughed, “At least talk about a noble title. Aren’t you already making money from the chemical factory?”

“That little money isn’t enough to support my dreams,” Yang Ming sighed softly, hanging the club on a nearby rack, and slowly taking off his gloves, “Didn’t you want to discuss something? What is it?”

Edwan glanced at Windsor and Emilia and whispered, “I got word that Father intends to arrange a marriage for me, like my older brother, to marry a noblewoman from the Sherman Empire.”

“Wow.”

Yang Ming blinked, feeling as though green blades of grass were sprouting from Edwan’s neat hairstyle.

“Are they grooming you to be the Crown Prince?”

“It’s strange, isn’t it?”

Edwan frowned and said,

“I was just a marginal figure before, just because I expressed strong support for the Sherman Empire in the last meeting? Father’s change in attitude is too drastic.”

Yang Ming thought for a moment and sincerely said, “I need to give you some advice, Your Highness.”

“Go ahead.”

“You need to stand unwaveringly on the Sherman Empire’s side,” Yang Ming said, “At this stage, or rather in the next decade, this goal absolutely must not change. You have to fight against the New Federation Agents and contend with them to the end; you also have to learn to occasionally cry poverty, seek aid, and request a reduction in the annual silver from the Sherman Empire.”

Edwan frowned and pondered, “I understand what you’re saying, but… Ugh, it’s not a pleasant feeling.”

“We have to endure,” Yang Ming chuckled softly, “Since you can’t reject this marriage, why not suggest to your father to choose a younger, prettier Sherman noble for you? At least you can gain some happiness.”

Edwan shook his hand vigorously, squeezing a few royal profanities through his teeth.

Yang Ming snickered beside him.

“Second Brother! I’m heading back to the palace!”

Emilia’s voice rang from afar.

Yang Ming and Edwan ceased their conversation, a smile exchanged between them, and their actions in walking with their hands behind their backs were perfectly synchronized.

Miss Windsor asked with a smile, “Although it may seem rude to ask, I’m curious… Do men also have endless topics to chat about?”

“Ha ha ha,” Edwan affectionately wrapped his arm around Yang Ming’s neck, “This is my stress-relief minister.”

Yang Ming pushed the guy away with a disgusted look, “We were just talking about politics and economics, and some techniques in hockey—there’s no man who can refuse such topics.”

“Indeed,” Windsor’s pretty face was filled with agreement, “My father is pretty much the same.”

Emilia quietly said, “Hmm… Tomorrow is my birthday in the Wind Calendar, can you both attend my small party at the palace? It’s not big, just about a dozen people, and it’s private. Second Brother will also come, right?”

“Hey! Emilia!” Edwan reminded, “You just had a birthday two months ago.”

“That was on the Galaxy Calendar, or more precisely, the Sherman Empire Emperor Star Calendar,” Emilia raised her chin, “Forcing one’s calendar on civilizations in different Constant Star Systems is essentially cultural invasion. Our Luofeng Empire’s calendar should be determined by Ilando Star’s orbital path.”

“Alright, I can’t argue with you,” Edwan frowned, “But the situation is quite chaotic right now; we’re the latest battleground between the New Federation and Sherman, so keep those words to just me, understand?”

“Alright.”

Emilia pouted slightly.

The little princess appeared a bit upset.

Yang Ming laughed and asked, “Is it okay if I don’t bring a gift? You know, Your Highness, I’m just a poor officer.”

“Sister Windsor is excused, but you must prepare something!” Emilia warned, “You have extorted me before.”

Windsor looked curiously, “Extort?”

“She’s slandering me!”

Yang Ming glared at Emilia, “Children shouldn’t talk nonsense. You voluntarily offered to pay for your rescue, and I merely accepted your gratitude with the principle of earning a little where I can.”

Emilia rolled her eyes but didn’t further overthrow Yang Ming’s words.

She knew her Second Brother relied heavily on Yang Ming, and since Miss Windsor was in a heated romantic phase with Yang Ming, she had to save some face for him.

Emilia held up a projection screen,

“I want a cake from this shop! You must deliver it! The biggest size!”

“Oh, a cake for tens of thousands of Wind Coin? They could just as well rob us but instead offer us a chunk of edible chemical additives.”

“Tens of thousands of Wind Coin is equivalent to just over a thousand New Federation Coins! Can’t you act generously in front of Miss Windsor?”

“Of course, the savings I make could buy her gifts; why would she mind?”

Windsor watched with amusement as Yang Ming and Her Highness Emilia bickered while picking out a birthday cake, and particularly at Yang Ming’s obvious child-pacifying tone…

Such a princess was actually quite adorable.

However, by the following noon, when Yang Ming left the palace to buy the cake, picked up Windsor, and drove that ‘monster’ back to the Imperial Palace, Edwan proactively sent a video call.

Windsor, in the passenger seat, immediately bowed her head, and Edwan smiled and nodded.

“Ming, please tell Emilia that I won’t be coming tonight.”

“Why?” Yang Ming was puzzled, “You agreed yesterday.”

“I thought about it. If it were an official birthday party, I’d definitely attend.”

Edwan murmured a few words and explained,

“But as a private event, a gathering of Emilia’s family and friends in her name, without invitations to the other two brothers, it’s best if I stay absent.

“She is Father’s most beloved child, representing political capital. I don’t want to involve her in the competition among us three, or to use her as a chip either actively or passively.”

Yang Ming and Windsor exchanged a glance, the latter couldn’t help but say, “Emilia will be heartbroken, Second Prince, as she relies heavily on you.”

“I know, but… it’s for her own good,” replied Edwan somewhat glumly.

Yang Ming said, “I’ll explain it to her properly, if she’s willing to listen.”

“She will, she’s a hundred times smarter than me,” Edwan concluded before ending the call.

Windsor couldn’t help but murmur softly, “In this aspect, the Second Prince is much better than the Third Prince.”

“Let’s not discuss those things between us, Windsor,” Yang Ming seriously stated.

Windsor raised her hand to tidy up her slightly permed hair, smiling gently at Yang Ming.

…

It was the first time Yang Ming entered the Imperial Palace as a guest.

Dressed in an ordinary suit, he deliberately chose Gate 15, where the fourth brigade was on duty, and let Windsor hold his arm in front of his team members.

A group of fourth brigade officers and sergeants watched with envy.

The Fourth Princess’s residence was next to Princess Dana’s chamber. When Yang Ming appeared with the cake, a festively dressed Emilia let out a bell-like laugh.

But when Yang Ming mentioned that Edwan had an urgent meeting and couldn’t come, the little princess’s expression immediately drooped.

“Really, is he busier than Father?”

“That’s not quite right,” Yang Ming gently explained, “The vile New Federation Agents have become active again. The Second Prince needs to strategize thoroughly, minimizing their negative effects and protecting our citizens.”

“But…”

Emilia’s big eyes turned slightly red as she bit her lip.

Suddenly, a somewhat aged male voice sounded from behind Yang Ming, “Let me see who dared upset my little princess.”

Windsor paused in surprise, but Yang Ming immediately pulled her aside and bowed towards the entrance.

“Imperial Majesty·Intelligent Machine!”