The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the villa, casting large patches of light across the carpet. The only sounds in the dining room were the soft clinking of utensils.
Tinia gripped a silver fork, poking holes into the fully cooked fried egg on his plate until it was riddled with punctures. Dark circles hung beneath his eyes as his gaze locked across the long table onto Kharon, who was calmly spreading butter on a slice of bread.
Kharon wore a light gray shirt today, its sleeves rolled up to his forearms, exuding an air of effortless ease. He placed the buttered bread on the plate beside Jiang Lijin and then casually poured a glass of warm milk.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Kharon asked, his tone gentle.
“Pretty well,” Jiang Lijin replied, taking a bite of the bread with a vague murmur.
Tinia let out a cold snort, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Some people like to act all aloof and detached, but behind closed doors, they lock their security doors faster than anyone else. Really makes you wonder if they’re guarding against thieves or ghosts.”
Kharon didn’t even look up, cutting the sausage on his plate with deliberate precision as he replied, “Guarding against a child throwing a tantrum in the middle of the night.”
“You!” Tinia was so furious he nearly bent his fork.
Jiang Lijin’s head throbbed from the bickering. She set down her milk glass, picked up a golden-brown mini sausage, and dropped it directly onto Tinia’s plate.
“Eat your food and shut up,” she said irritably.
Tinia stared at the sausage on his plate. His volatile temper, which had been flaring like a wild beast, deflated like a punctured balloon. He picked up his fork, shoved the sausage into his mouth, and his blue eyes brightened two shades. He even shot Kharon a defiant glance.
Tian Yan, sitting diagonally across, took in the entire scene.
He elbowed his companion Tian Que beside him and lowered his voice. “This golden-haired rich kid is way too easy to handle. One little sausage and he’s pacified. If Yunlan Group ever goes bankrupt, I’d hire him to guard the entrance of the black market any day.”
Tian Que swallowed his food and replied flatly, “You’d go bankrupt before Yunlan does.”
Tian Yan rolled his eyes, too annoyed to bother with his taciturn younger friend.
Rowen sat next to Jiang Lijin, quietly sipping her oatmeal porridge. The little girl was dressed in a light blue suit today, her red hair neatly combed. She ate with focus, holding her spoon steady.
Jiang Lijin pulled out a tissue and gently wiped a small smear of milk from the corner of Rowen’s mouth.
“You full?” she asked.
Rowen nodded obediently. “Full. Thank you, big sister.”
Jiang Lijin patted the top of her head. This child was too easy to care for—so much so that it was heartbreaking. She never complained about food and rarely spoke more than necessary.
A low engine rumble came from the courtyard.
Jiang Lijin stepped outside to find a squad of people in black combat uniforms standing at attention, their movements perfectly synchronized.
The man at the front was tall, with a prominent scar above his left eye that marred an otherwise handsome face, adding an air of menace.
When he saw Jiang Lijin, he strode over.
“The Divine Shield Squad reports for duty,” he said, his voice rough and booming.
Jiang Lijin turned to face him. She remembered this man—he had escorted her back when she was retrieved from Valoran to the Sirius Star System.
“What’s your name?” Jiang Lijin asked.
“Reporting, Your Highness. I am Rayne, captain of the Divine Shield Squad,” he answered crisply.
Jiang Lijin paused. “Your Highness?”
The title felt new.
A cheerful ding sounded in her mind, and Xiao Yi’s voice chimed in. 【Host! You’re the hottest topic in the interstellar community now! The late emperor’s will was broadcast across the main network last night. You are now the legitimate Imperial Regent. The top ten trending topics on the Star Web are all about you. Want me to read a few comments for you?】
【Got it, no need.】Jiang Lijin cut off Xiao Yi’s broadcast in her mind.
Imperial Regent. The title weighed heavily on her shoulders, but she couldn’t deny it—it felt damn good.
“Rayne, is it?” Jiang Lijin pointed to Tian Yan, who had followed her out. “This is Tian Yan, my... beast-husband. For the next few days, you’ll handle security here together. I don’t care what methods you use—don’t let even a fly in.”
Rayne turned to look at Tian Yan.
Tian Yan whistled at Rayne. “Federal regulars? I’ve heard of you.”
Though Rayne was put off by Tian Yan’s casual attitude, he gave a respectful nod.
“Alright,” Jiang Lijin said, rising. “Work out your differences yourselves. Just don’t demolish the house.”
She turned to Tinia. “As for the Defense Forces commander, you handle it. Bring his IOU—you’re the best at collecting debts. If he won’t pay... you know what to do.”
Tinia straightened up, his expression serious. “Don’t worry, Sister.”
Jiang Lijin nodded, then shifted her gaze to Kharon. “You’re coming with me to the Imperial compound. I need to personally review the coronation ceremony’s schedule and venue.”
With the old emperor dead, the Cabinet was surely scheming behind the scenes. The coronation was paramount—no mistakes could be allowed.
“Alright,” Kharon replied, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair.
Jiang Lijin bent down and lifted Rowen from her chair.
“Should Rowen stay home?” Kharon asked.
The Divine Shield Squad had taken over security, and with Tian Yan and Tian Que there, the villa was theoretically the safest option.
Jiang Lijin looked down at Rowen. The little girl was staring up at her, her small hands clutching the hem of Jiang Lijin’s clothes. Though she didn’t speak, her golden eyes were filled with anxiety.
The old emperor had just died, and in this world, this child had no one left but her. Leaving her in a house full of strangers—all males—would be too cruel.
“No,” Jiang Lijin said, taking Rowen’s hand. “She’s coming with me.”
Kharon said nothing more and turned to arrange the hovercar.
Thirty minutes later.
A heavy-duty armored hovercar bearing the Imperial family crest drove out of the villa district, flanked by two Divine Shield Squad escort vehicles, all heading in an imposing convoy toward the Imperial compound in the central city.
Inside the spacious cabin.
Rowen sat beside Jiang Lijin, staring through the bulletproof glass at the buildings rushing past. Her small hand stayed tightly clutched to Jiang Lijin’s sleeve.
“Scared?” Jiang Lijin asked, tilting her head.
Rowen looked away, then shook her head, followed by a nod.
“They don’t like me,” she said softly. “Mother Emperor said they all want me dead.”
Jiang Lijin patted her hand.
“That was before,” Jiang Lijin said, her voice calm but carrying undeniable authority. “I’m here now. Anyone who wants you dead will find themselves dead first.”
Rowen lifted her face, staring at Jiang Lijin for a few seconds. Then she rested her head against Jiang Lijin’s arm, like a kitten finding a safe haven.
Kharon sat across from them, scrolling through the schedule on his holographic device.
“The Cabinet has already sent people to secure the outer perimeter of the Imperial compound,” Kharon reported without looking up.
Jiang Lijin let out a disdainful laugh. “The Cabinet’s working fast. They’re planning to spring a trap on me at the coronation, aren’t they?”
“Maybe they’re testing your limits.” Chiron flipped through a document. “The honor guard and protocol officers inside the grounds are still loyal to the royal family, but the perimeter is sealed off. Getting in is easy—getting out, that’s another story.”
Jiang Lijin leaned back in her seat, her fingers absently threading through Rowan’s red hair.
“No rush.” She narrowed her eyes. “Let them run wild for a few days. The higher they climb, the harder they fall.”
The hovercar glided smoothly into the central district.
The royal grounds were an expansive complex of ancient architecture—white columns and towering domes testifying to the empire’s former glory.
The convoy came to a halt before the main gate.
Outside the gate, soldiers in the uniforms of the Third Fleet stood with weapons drawn, barricades blocking the center—no intention of letting them pass.
Rowan sensed the shift in atmosphere and tightened her grip on Jiang Lijin’s sleeve.
Jiang Lijin glanced down at her, gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze, then raised her head, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips.
“It seems getting through this gate won’t be easy today.”
