Chapter 201: Extra — Wedding Chapter

Danse Royal Palace.

The outer grounds of the Second Auxiliary Shrine were packed with guests attending the ceremony.

Adorned with fresh flowers and lush green foliage, this ancient, solemn shrine glowed with new life. Even the moss in the stone crevices released vibrant vitality; shedding its usual cold, oppressive air, it now bore a subtle touch of romance.

Accompanied by a deep, resonant toll of a bell, ceremonial music resounded inside the shrine, marking the successful completion of the wedding ceremony.

The onlookers cheered in unison, tossing various plant seeds symbolic of good fortune into the air.

The festive atmosphere of the Auxiliary Shrine failed to infect the Main Palace, which remained as quiet and austere as usual.

Li Xiao, wearing the king’s daily uniform, stood on the terrace outside his office, looking out at the distant Auxiliary Shrine and enjoying a moment of peace away from his duties.

A knock sounded from behind him. Li Xiao set down his coffee cup, knowing instantly who it was just from the approaching footsteps.

The middle-aged Alpha wearing a Vice Admiral’s uniform walked over to Li Xiao’s side at an unhurried pace and reported respectfully, “Your Majesty, Shengya has replied.”

Li Xiao offered a faint reply, his eyes fixed on the newlyweds being escorted out of the shrine.

Jiang Hao followed his gaze, but it was too far; with his eyesight, he could only catch a vague outline.

“Two months of preparation, and it’s finally over. Getting married is such a hassle.”

Li Xiao: “It’s been a long time since the palace was this lively.”

Hearing this, Jiang Hao looked at Li Xiao, not missing the fleeting desolation in his eyes. He couldn’t help but recall Li Su and his partner, who had passed away early, and Li Ji, who had been killed by the Meng faction.

Every single one of Li Xiao’s closest family members was gone.

Over all these years, quelling the civil war, cleaning up the bureaucracy, and reforming the system—Li Xiao had poured all his energy into fixing the mess left by his father and brother, remaining completely alone the entire time.

Years ago, many ministers had explicitly or implicitly urged Li Xiao to marry. In response, he simply announced that he would look among the branch families to select a crown prince.

Back then, the Meng faction had used the name of the Bique Clan to carry out a large-scale assassination campaign against the royal family. Many royals died tragically, leaving less than a tenth alive—and all of them distant relatives. Among the candidate princes, they were either too old, too young, or failed to meet the intellectual standards.

Li Xiao had personally conducted the evaluations and selected a fourteen-year-old boy, keeping him by his side to raise and mentor.

In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed. That boy was now getting married, yet Li Xiao’s time remained frozen in the coup of that fateful year, unable to move on after all these years.

Jiang Hao thought for a moment: “How about—I accompany you to make an appearance at the wedding banquet? You can soak up some of the joyous atmosphere, and they’d be thrilled to see you there.”

Li Xiao shook his head, turning back toward his office.

“Arrange my itinerary to Shengya.”

Jiang Hao’s expression stiffened as he sullenly agreed: “Yes.”

Watching Li Xiao walk away, Jiang Hao took one last look toward the Auxiliary Shrine.

There are so many wonderful things in this world; why couldn’t a single shred of it be spared for Big Brother?

Less than a month after the prince’s wedding, Li Xiao publicly announced his abdication into seclusion, simultaneously setting the date for the new king’s coronation.

The news came so abruptly that it sent shockwaves through the entire nation.

It was Li Xiao who had personally led Danse out from the shadow of years of civil war, finally restoring stability and turning everything back toward a prosperous direction. No one could have imagined he would choose to abdicate at a time like this.

In an online poll, 95% of netizens voted against Li Xiao’s abdication. Countless people voiced their heartache, saying that Li Xiao had only just begun to enjoy good days, was nowhere near retirement age, and was now simply handing the throne over to someone else.

Regarding the inner details of Li Xiao’s abdication, media outlets big and small offered wildly differing theories. Many speculated that during the civil war, when Li Xiao personally led the corps into battle, he had been wounded by the Meng faction, leaving him in poor health and forcing him to abdicate early to recuperate.

The heavyweights of the military and political sectors were beside themselves with anxiety, unable to sleep. They queued up outside the king’s office in the middle of the night, trying every conceivable way to persuade Li Xiao to change his mind.

With Li Xiao’s capability, if he could extend his reign by just ten years, the empire would undoubtedly reach another pinnacle of prosperity.

Yet, no matter how reluctant they were to let him go, Li Xiao still departed.

Three days after the new king’s coronation.

Capital Planet of Shengya, inside Song Yang’s private workshop.

Jiang Hao accompanied Li Xiao through the labyrinthine underground passage for a long time, as past events surged uncontrollably before his eyes.

The Snow Leopard unit was wiped out; his brother was murdered. Following his brother’s dying wish, he left N2781 alone, meeting Li Xiao in a state of aimless panic.

During those days of fighting and learning on the frontlines, he had said goodbye to fellow comrades one after another. He had thought that was the darkest period of his life, never expecting that once everything finally settled down, he would be seeing Li Xiao off as well.

No matter how long the passage was, it eventually came to an end.

They finally stopped before two metal doors several dozen meters high.

A small metal orb descended to verify Li Xiao’s identity. Once approved, Li Xiao turned to Jiang Hao behind him and said, “Just see me off to here. From now on, everything relies on you.”

The metal doors slid open. Li Xiao took a step forward, only to hear Jiang Hao call out to him.

“Big Brother!”

Jiang Hao hadn’t used this title in years. Li Xiao paused slightly and turned around, only to see that the other man’s eyes were already rimmed with red.

With a chest full of words lodged in his throat, Jiang Hao took a deep breath before asking sullenly, “Have you really thought this through?”

Li Xiao didn’t answer directly. He patted his shoulder and asked, “I remember you mentioned that your brother was killed by a pirate crew controlled by the Meng family. What was the exact date, time, and location?”

Hearing the implication in Li Xiao’s words, Jiang Hao opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

Li Xiao glanced inside the metal doors and said in a low voice, “The time of your brother’s death should be after the point in time I’m returning to. If things go smoothly, I will go save him.”

Jiang Hao wiped his face and, with a raspy voice, recited the date, time, and location to Li Xiao.

“That night, Youlong was hosting a ‘kill party.’ Brother brought the guys from our crew to rescue the hostages, but the Raven happened to bomb Youlong right at that moment, causing the rescue target to slip out of sight. The entire plan was thrown into chaos, and on the way back, they were ambushed and killed by Youlong.”

Li Xiao: “Roughly what time did the Raven attack Youlong?”

Jiang Hao: “Between 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM local time.”

Li Xiao: “Alright. I’ll go.”

“Thank you, Big Brother.”

Seeing that his mind was made up, the countless words Jiang Hao wanted to say boiled down to just one sentence: “May you surely achieve your heart’s desire.”

Li Xiao nodded and, without a moment’s hesitation, turned and stepped through the metal doors.

Watching the doors slowly close before his eyes, Jiang Hao felt as if all his strength had been sapped in an instant, and he slid down to sit against the wall.

“You must succeed…”

Hearing the metal doors seal behind him, Li Xiao surveyed the massive space, following the direction indicated by the metal orb. Passing through five heavy security gates, he finally saw Song Yang calibrating a machine.

Even though Song Yang was the monarch of Shengya, he was dressed in a pair of coveralls, making it seem as though this were his primary profession and being a king was merely a side gig.

“How are the preparations for the machine going?” Li Xiao walked over.

“Almost done.”

Song Yang checked the system parameters without looking up. “The storm has settled. Why cling to the past? Isn’t it good to just be your king in peace?”

Li Xiao looked up at the massive instrument: “Then why did you build this thing? Isn’t it good for you to just be your king in peace?”

Song Yang didn’t answer, giving a light snort instead: “Why am I surrounded by such stubborn idiots who insist on seeking out hardship? I need to go to a temple later to pray for better luck.”

Li Xiao walked over to a pod, looking through the protective shield at Li Ji lying inside.

“What’s the success rate?”

Song Yang: “After modifications, at most one in a thousand.”

Li Xiao: “What about a severely injured patient?”

At this, Song Yang stood up straight, a trace of gravity entering his eyes: “The same. But if he lacks the will to survive, he might die before succeeding.”

Silence fell over the space; neither spoke for a moment.

Li Xiao was thinking of Li Ji, while Song Yang was thinking of Rong Mian, who also lay critically injured in a hibernation pod.

Moments later, the machine emitted a series of beeps, and the virtual screen indicated that the self-check was complete.

Song Yang opened another pod and gestured with his chin toward Li Xiao: “One final reminder: whether it succeeds or not, you won’t wake up again.”

Li Xiao lay inside: “Don’t worry, I won’t ask you for a refund.”

“You’d need to be alive to ask.”

Song Yang walked over to the pod, looking down at Li Xiao. “Then again, you brat are notoriously hard to kill. You won’t die that easily.”

Li Xiao: “Is that a compliment?”

Song Yang fell silent for a moment, his expression even graver than before: “If on some day in the past we have the chance to gather again, we’ll sit down for a drink, and I’ll listen to you vent.”

Li Xiao: “Aren’t you going to make me listen to your post-breakup complaints instead?”

Song Yang clicked his tongue, amused and exasperated: “At least I actually had a breakup. You don’t even have a partner—you’re in no position to mock me.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Indisputable.

The heavy atmosphere dissolved completely. Li Xiao simply closed his eyes: “Stop wasting time. Close the pod door; the auspicious hour is almost passing.”

“I’ve never seen anyone so eager to go die,” Song Yang grumbled.

As he pressed the close button, Song Yang paused slightly and asked in a low voice, “What if the answer isn’t what you want?”

Li Xiao reopened his eyes and looked toward Li Ji in the other pod: “Even if I die, I want to die knowing the truth.”

The pod door sealed completely, and his ears filled with various prompts from the equipment.

Li Xiao watched the progress bar appear on the protective shield. The surrounding sounds faded entirely, leaving only his own breathing.

His consciousness blurred, and gradually, even his breathing became inaudible. A sense of overwhelming loneliness swept over him like a tide.

The cold was bone-chilling; Li Xiao felt as though he were encased in ice.

In his daze, he recalled that night when he was jolted awake by a sharp pain in his neck, only to see his brother choking him. He had been too terrified to think, his survival instinct driving him to struggle frantically.

Looking back now, the hand gripping his neck had been trembling even harder than he was.

Through his blurred vision, his brother had repeatedly looked toward the doorway, seemingly on guard against someone.

Before Li Xiao could ponder it further, the suffocating grip on his neck vanished, and morning arrived.

Having returned from his study tour, his brother carried the less-than-three-year-old Li Xiao around the palace, pointing at the pet crocodile in the pond and saying, “When you’re older, I’ll find you a pretty fox-raccoon. I definitely won’t let you raise a hideous thing like this,” tossing handfuls of meat into the pond as he spoke.

They played all the way to the Main Palace, where their parents had just finished work.

His father-consort remarked that his brother had grown taller again, while his father proposed taking a family photo, though they squabbled endlessly over who got to hold him.

In the end, his brother won.

His father scolded his brother for being clingy, saying that every time he came back, he clung to his little brother and wouldn’t let go.

The four of them stood in the small garden. Yan Qing held a professional camera and smiled at them, saying, “Please look at the lens and smile.”

He saw his brother smiling radiantly, though his eyes were fixed on Yan Qing behind the lens.

Before losing consciousness, Li Xiao’s jumbled memories settled on that family photo.

Even today, he remained deeply confused.

What exactly did his brother mean by “protection” before he died?

Having endured years of warfare, peace had finally returned, yet he was about to plunge back into the storm. It was bound to be an unpleasant journey.

However, if he didn’t take this step, he would sink deeper and deeper into his obsession. Even living to two hundred years old would hold no meaning for him.

“Li Xiao… Old Man Li?”

Song Jin’s voice sounded in his ear, startling Li Xiao awake.

The handsome face zoomed in before him had shed its baby fat, becoming even more striking.

Li Xiao reached out and pinched his cheek.

Even the texture was perfection.

Song Jin slapped his hand away and straightened up: “Did you go play thief last night? You can fall asleep sitting up?”

Li Xiao noticed a fresh cup of coffee by his hand, likely just brewed by Song Jin. He picked it up, took a sip, and surveyed his surroundings as his scattered thoughts fully returned.

This was Planet T811 in the Tianjiang System—the very planet his brother had prepared for him back then, though he hadn’t lived in it for a single day.

Two days ago, he and Song Jin had managed to secure a rare long vacation and came here together to look around.

This region experienced distinct four seasons. On an early summer afternoon, a cool breeze blew in through the window, carrying the fresh scent of mountain forests and easing much of the exhaustion brought on by work.

Six years had passed since the day he made that risky decision to be reborn back to the age of eighteen.

A journey destined to be unpleasant had grown increasingly joyful, developing step by step in a direction he could never have imagined before.

Song Jin leaned against the edge of the desk, watching Li Xiao zone out again, and waved a hand in front of his eyes.

“If you’re really tired, go lie down. Don’t sleep sitting here—what if you fall and disfigure your face?”

Li Xiao looked up at him: “Is the only thing you care about this face of mine?”

Song Jin gestured with his chin toward the desk: “We’re about to hold the wedding—what do you think?”

Li Xiao looked over.

The large desk was covered in all sorts of details: invitation card designs, firework varieties, guest lists, attire styles, accessory options, the wedding day schedule, and so on.

Li Xiao took one look and felt a headache coming on again.

When the crown princes of two nations marry, neither side could afford to be careless.

The wedding etiquette and customs of the two countries were vastly different, presenting far too many issues to consider. Previously, just deciding on the wedding date had taken months of back-and-forth discussion. They not only had to consider auspicious meanings, but also had to avoid major holidays, important celebrations, royal events, and the like. Once everything was excluded, very few choices remained.

In the end, out of helplessness, they decided to pick the month first, allowing each country to select the best date within that designated month to hold a separate ceremony.

In short, for one marriage, they had to hold two weddings—and both were home grounds.

Recalling what Jiang Hao had once said, Li Xiao couldn’t help but sigh: “Getting married really is a hassle.”

As an onlooker, it had seemed merely festive; only by experiencing it himself did he realize how tedious it was.

“If you think it’s a hassle, then let me not get married?”

Song Jin turned to leave, but Li Xiao grabbed his hand.

“It’s a hassle, but it’s happiness,” Li Xiao looked at him with utmost sincerity.

Song Jin raised an eyebrow: “Don’t give me that. Happy to the point of nodding off?”

Li Xiao: “This place is just too suitable for sleeping. You can’t blame me.”

“Suitable for sleeping.”

Song Jin nodded deliberately. “No wonder you wouldn’t let go of me last night.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Not that kind of sleeping.

Seeing the kitten-like youth showing a displeased face, Li Xiao pulled him down to sit, picked up a fresh-baked cookie from nearby, and held it to his lips: “You rest first; I’ll keep reviewing.”

Song Jin took a bite with his teeth, resting his chin on his hand as he stared at Li Xiao.

“Staring at me every single day—don’t you ever get tired of it?” Li Xiao asked casually while flipping through the invitation designs submitted below.

After finishing what was in his mouth, Song Jin picked up another piece and said leisurely, “If I ever get tired of looking at even you, then my life really won’t be worth living anymore.”

Li Xiao: “…Nonsense again.”

Song Jin: “You’re the type who looks good at first glance, but grows more appealing the more one savors you.”

Praised, Li Xiao turned to look at him: “Appealing like what?”

Song Jin leaned into his ear and whispered, “Like an old man.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Seeing Li Xiao narrow his eyes, Song Jin burst into loud laughter, only to be promptly disciplined by Li Xiao, who kissed him until he was nearly breathless.

Li Xiao frowned: “So sweet. Did you sneak extra sugar into the batter again when I wasn’t looking?”

Song Jin clicked his tongue: “Just a few extra grains. Don’t be so sensitive.”

Li Xiao: “Fist-sized ‘grains’?”

Song Jin: “…”

People with sensitive taste buds really are hard to fool.

His terminal vibrated, and Song Jin opened it to take a look: “The sample attire for the ceremony and evening banquet has been made.”

Saying this, Song Jin projected the images into midair.

After repeated revisions, the final version of the sample attire consisted of ten designs. Four of them were based on the Shengya military uniform, intended for the wedding ceremony, making them grander than the rest.

Originally, the attire for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had strict regulations. However, Li Xiao was a special case—being both the Crown Princess of Shengya and the Crown Prince of Danse—so several modifications were made to the design.

Song Jin: “Isn’t it a bit too flashy?”

Li Xiao: “It’s alright.”

Song Jin: “We also need to consider adding sashes and other accessories. Which one do you like?”

Li Xiao: “Options two and three are fine.”

Song Jin: “I like two and three as well.”

As they spoke, Li Xiao’s terminal vibrated too—it was sent from the palace.

Without looking closely, he projected it directly into the air; it was a set of jewelry photos.

The ornate jewelry was draped on a fabric model wearing a white robe, making the ensemble look extraordinarily regal and imposing.

Song Jin set down his coffee cup, thoroughly stunned: “This isn’t the jewelry you’re wearing for the wedding, is it?”

Li Xiao: “…Mm.”

Song Jin: “A gift from your brother?”

Li Xiao nodded: “It should have been gifted by Father, but since Father still requires regular treatment, Brother did it on his behalf.”

“The taste is decent, but ear cuffs, ear chains, necklaces, armlets, waist pendants… Is this a jewelry display rack? Isn’t this way too much?”

Song Jin zoomed in on the photo. “Armed to the fingers—three rings on a single finger?”

Song Jin looked at Li Xiao: “If you’re wearing all this, where are we going to put the rings when we exchange them—on your toes?”

Li Xiao pulled a booklet from the stack of materials on the desk and placed it in front of Song Jin: “The Danse royal wedding does not have a ring exchange segment.”

Song Jin looked at it, and indeed, it was true.

Li Xiao: “The Shengya wedding is held first; exchanging rings once is enough.”

The terminal vibrated again, and another set of images was projected into midair.

Song Jin: “There’s more?”

“This set is yours.”

Li Xiao spread out all the photos.

Song Jin recognized some familiar design elements and suddenly realized something: “Did you design all of these?”

Seeing Li Xiao nod, Song Jin’s eyes flickered. Instantly losing his previous disdain, he liked them more and more the longer he looked.

When Li Xiao had taken him to Snow Planet to see his father, Li Xiao had given away a whole load of jewelry, except his set wasn’t finished yet. After that, he had completely forgotten about it.

He hadn’t expected it to take four full years to make.

Even if Song Jin didn’t understand the intricacies, he could tell from the craftsmanship of these accessories that they were immensely time-consuming.

Li Xiao: “According to tradition, the wife’s accessories on the wedding day are provided by the husband.”

Song Jin looked at Li Xiao: “You were already planning the wedding back then?”

Li Xiao looked at him: “I told you when I was eighteen that I wasn’t playing a dating game—I was serious about being together. Did you think I was joking?”

Song Jin chuckled, unable to stop the corners of his mouth from curling up.

His bad mood from being dismissed earlier evaporated completely.

Thinking about how Li Xiao had quietly put so much thought into this behind his back, Song Jin found this guy overwhelmingly adorable.

“Happy now?” Li Xiao asked with a soft laugh.

Song Jin put an arm around his shoulder like a buddy: “I thought I was the only one looking forward to the wedding. Who knew you had been plotting this years in advance? You closet romantic.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Song Jin excitedly zoomed in on the photos, asking Li Xiao to explain the special details of these accessories.

Suddenly remembering something, Song Jin asked, “By the way, how heavy is this set?”

Li Xiao: “Around twenty kilograms.”

Song Jin: “…”

Song Jin: “How much?!”