Chapter 119: An Unexpected Twist

Chapter 119: An Unexpected Twist

The Empress gazed at Shen Zhixue's dark blue eyes with a playful expression, propping her chin on her hand as she spoke leisurely, "Is that so? I thought that since you and Xisi are so at odds, you must have already devised a foolproof plan."

Shen Zhixue was sweating profusely but still kept up a calm exterior. He didn’t know how the plan had been leaked, and judging from the Empress's detailed knowledge, she must know the full extent of the plan—at least part of it.

The omega, previously intimidated by Shen Zhixue's pheromones, stood up, her face pale, and said, "Your Majesty, Shen Zhixue's pheromones..."

She quickly summarized the incident, and the Empress looked over with interest, "Oh?"

Shen Zhixue managed an awkward smile, "It was probably just an accident."

Xisi, seated next to the Empress, murmured softly, "Mother, you previously arranged a marriage between me and the young Duke. As a royal princess, how could I share a husband with an omega of such inferior status? Moreover, federal law stipulates that an Alpha can only mark one omega!"

The Empress replied, "Weren’t you the one who previously demanded to annul the marriage with the young Duke?"

Princess Xisi quickly defended herself, "That was due to my immaturity at the time and I wanted to reject the engagement. But now I understand how difficult it is for you, Mother, to shoulder the vast Federation alone. I am willing to marry the young Duke to ease your burden, but Shen Zhixue's presence is deeply troubling to me..."

Several omegas, who had earlier conspired with Xisi, chimed in, "Exactly! For someone of Shen Zhixue's standing to humiliate Princess Xisi in this manner is a capital offense!"

"Such an individual should be arrested and hanged as a warning to all omegas in the Federation!"

"No, that's unacceptable!" The omega who had been frightened by Shen Zhixue suddenly spoke up, "As an omega, his pheromones can exert dominance. In the entire Federation, only Your Majesty's pheromones can do that! Shen Zhixue's pheromones are strikingly similar to Your Majesty's, suggesting his identity is extraordinary!"

Shen Zhixue's heart dropped.

Xisi laughed mockingly, "Ha! Are you implying that Shen Zhixue is my mother's descendant? A lowly, despicable Imperial—how could such a coincidence be possible? Besides, this is all just your one-sided claim. There's no evidence to prove that having aggressive pheromones makes him the Empress's kin!"

"The Empress's child disappeared over two decades ago, something all Federation citizens know. Shen Zhixue's age aligns perfectly. Such coincidences do occur! Your Majesty, you've longed for your child for years. Since Shen Zhixue has pheromones similar to yours, why not conduct a genetic scan?!"

Xisi rose from her seat, her eyes blazing with anger, "How dare you! This is the royal palace. Who gave you the authority to speak and make decisions here?"

"I only have the Empress's welfare in mind!"

The Empress lifted her hand and murmured softly, "In that case, let's conduct a genetic test."

"Mother!" Xisi's anger surged, and she clenched her fists tightly, "Fine, let's do it. But if he's not your child, what then?"

The Empress lifted her eyelids, "What would you like to do?"

"I'm not a cruel person, but this commoner has insulted the royal family and attempted to taint the royal bloodline. If he's not your child, according to federal law, he should be hanged and his body sunk!"

Shen Zhixue gave Xisi a speechless look.

Thinking to himself, "You're 'not a cruel person'? Even the King of Hell would kneel and call you an ancestor."

The Duchess of Fidel held Shen Zhixue's hand and whispered, "Zhi Zhi, this place isn't fun at all. I want to go home."

Shen Zhixue knew he had likely stepped into a trap someone else had set. He probably wouldn't be able to leave, but the Duchess had nothing to do with this matter, and it might still be possible for her to escape.

Shen Zhixue stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the Duchess seems unwell. May she leave early?"

Xisi sneered, "What, scared now and trying to run?"

Shen Zhixue put his hands in his pockets, looking indifferent, "I just want the Duchess to return home sooner. Besides, Princess Xisi, you should know that the Duchess of Fidel and her husband are deeply in love. He would be worried if he hasn't seen her for so long."

The Duchess of Fidel's position in the military was significant, and it wasn't something a powerless royal princess like Xisi could meddle with.

The Empress glanced at the Duchess and waved her hand, saying, "In that case, have her escorted out."

Shen Zhixue nodded, taking the Duchess's hand and saying, "I'll walk you to the car. The hovercar will drop you right at the Duke's place."

The Duchess held his hand, looking at him with concern, "What about you?"

"I'll be fine," Shen Zhixue shook his head, "I'll be back in no time."

The Duchess ducked behind him, whispering, "I'm coming back with you."

Shen Zhixue was about to persuade her further when the Empress spoke up, "Since the Duchess is unwilling to leave, then let her stay. Someone, get the genetic testing equipment ready!"

Soon, someone brought a genetic scanner and scanned Shen Zhixue's forehead, then did the same to the Empress.

"Everyone, hold tight," the Empress picked up her wine glass, "The results... should be here any minute."

Shen Zhixue had no choice but to hold the Duchess's hand and take things as they come.

Xisi glared at Shen Zhixue with a sneer.

The genetic test results only took three minutes. Before the Empress even finished her wine, someone handed her the test report.

Xisi jumped up, eager to see the results first.

But she was stopped by the Empress, "Xisi."

Xisi paused, forcing a smile, "I’m just worried for you, Mother."

The Empress stepped down from her throne, picked up the thin two-page report, and looked at Shen Zhixue, "Tell me, is this the result you were hoping for?"

Shen Zhixue sighed softly, "The result doesn’t really matter. Your Majesty must already know the truth."

The Empress tilted her head, "You don’t look scared."

Shen Zhixue smiled, "Honestly, I’m terrified."

The Empress chuckled, "I can’t tell... Hmm, you seem more honest than him."

"No matter what happens today, the Duchess is innocent and got caught up in this by chance. I hope Your Majesty can show leniency."

"You brought her here to protect yourself, didn’t you?" the Empress said, "You know I dare not easily move against Fidel, and this Duke cherishes his wife dearly. As long as she is with you, I won't do anything to you, right?"

Shen Zhixue nodded honestly, "That’s exactly what I was thinking before I came."

"Oh? So what changed your mind now?"

"I don't know," Shen Zhixue shook his head, "My gut tells me this is the right thing to do."

After hearing this, the Empress was silent for a long time, then clapped her hands and laughed, "Well, well, you’re certainly an interesting one."

Xisi, watching the Empress's reaction, became anxious, "Mother, you haven’t even seen the results yet."

"No need to see it," the Empress laughed, tearing the test report in her hands on the spot!

Xisi's heart tightened, "Mother, what are you doing..."

"Shen Zhixue is indeed my long-lost kin. Secretary, come! Draft the decree: from today, Shen Zhixue is the sole legitimate heir of the Federation, the Crown Prince second only to me!"

Everyone at the banquet was stunned, even Shen Zhixue was taken by surprise!

Xisi’s face went pale: "Empress, what do you mean by this? You clearly didn’t look at the paternity test report!"

"Wouldn’t I recognize my own child?" The Empress turned her gaze to Xisi, and a scent of magnolia instantly filled the grand hall. It was an omega’s scent, but unusually strong and aggressive.

Xisi and the other omegas in the hall turned pale and dropped to their knees without thinking.

"Your Majesty… you’re right."

"Look at his eyes, his nose, his pheromone—he’s my son." The Empress walked toward Shen Zhixue, patted his shoulder, and her eyes were filled with maternal love: "So, what’s your pheromone smell like?"

Shen Zhixue, looking confused, stammered: "...It seems to be tea, the smell of tea."

"No, it’s magnolia."

"But, it doesn’t seem quite like magnolia..."

"You’re mistaken, it’s magnolia."

"But, I..."

"It’s a new thing—magnolia tea."

Shen Zhixue: "..."

Who even comes up with something like magnolia tea?

Shen Zhixue: "Alright."

From now on, his pheromone was magnolia tea!

"Look at this child, even the scent of his pheromone is exactly like mine." The Empress exclaimed: "We’re definitely mother and son. Chamberlain, get the Crown Prince changed and bring him to my chambers."

The chamberlain bowed: "Yes."

Xisi wasn’t buying it, glaring at Shen Zhixue like a poisoned dagger.

Shen Zhixue still had doubts but quickly settled himself. He didn’t know what the Empress was up to, but things seemed to be working in his favor. Once he was done here, he had to rush back to the Duke’s place to see how Jiang Huizhou was doing.

The Duchess stayed by his side, silent and clearly worried.

After changing, Shen Zhixue sent the Duchess back and was taken to the Empress’s chambers.

The Empress, now in casual clothes, sat on the throne, playing with her nails.

Shen Zhixue stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty."

"Isn’t it time you called me something else?" The Empress glanced down at her nails: "You look confused."

Shen Zhixue paused, his intuition telling him to be honest. The woman before him was no ordinary person, her thoughts were unpredictable, and it was better not to lie in her presence.

"Yes, Mo—Your Majesty."

The Empress chuckled softly, stood up, and patted his shoulder: "Don’t be so stiff—call me what you should. Jiang Huizhou mentioned you to me once, and I was intrigued. Oh, but don’t blame Jiang Huizhou—he kept quiet because the Duchess of Fidel had him watched, and he was worried about your safety."

Shen Zhixue: "Wait, what???"