Chapter 47

Chapter 47

The commotion among the nobles caught the attention of the Empress, who sent the Crown Prince to inquire about what had happened.

As soon as the Crown Prince arrived, he noticed Yun Shuang’s anger and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Before Yun Shuang could speak, Qin Yan interjected, "Yun Shuang bought some organic food that turned out to be contaminated, so she’s probably upset about it."

After hearing Qin Yan's explanation, the Crown Prince did not immediately draw a conclusion and instead asked Yun Shuang directly, "Is that true?"

The Crown Prince's respect and regard for Yun Shuang made Qin Yan seething with jealousy.

She couldn’t fathom Yun Shuang’s luck—not only was she engaged to the Crown Prince since childhood, but she also had the fortune of him being such a kind and dependable partner.

He had a good personality, high status, and kept his distance from any woman who approached him.

Qin Yan had worked tirelessly just to become familiar in the Crown Prince's eyes, yet she still hadn’t made an impression on him.

She thought that only if Yun Shuang stepped aside would others have a chance to get close to him.

At this moment, she had to seize the opportunity to undermine Yun Shuang without sparing any effort.

Of course, she wasn’t foolish enough to expose herself; just a few veiled suggestions would naturally lead others to add fuel to the fire.

Soon, a young woman from a collateral branch of the Lu family opened her smartphone to show everyone the information she had found online about the incident.

"Many people are saying there's a problem with the vegetables from Shennong Star! It even made it to the trending topics!"

As soon as these words were spoken, many people started mocking Yun Shuang, standing by and making sarcastic remarks.

"It’s okay, Yun Shuang, you’re still young, it’s easy to be fooled!"

"Yes, but as the future Empress, you really need to learn how to better judge character! Continuing like this won’t do."

These people usually couldn’t speak up in front of the Yun family, but today's incident gave them a sudden sense of superiority, and everyone wanted to have their say.

The people the Yun family has raised are not so impressive after all!

Listening to the unfounded criticisms and lectures from the crowd, Yun Shuang didn’t get angry; instead, she smiled.

As a qualified future royal, her crisis management skills had been cultivated since childhood, and she was fully capable of controlling the situation now.

After everyone had said what they wanted to say, she finally spoke calmly.

"All of you are noble elites. I had thought that you would have your own opinions, able to see through the surface to the essence, and not hastily jump to conclusions about things you don’t understand."

Yun Shuang spoke word by word.

Her voice was moderate, neither hurried nor slow, and her calm and composed demeanor instantly quieted the banquet hall.

"What do you mean?"

Yun Shuang looked at the person who asked the question, a collateral relative from the Yun family, "Uncle, you can try searching again with different keywords, like 'Shennong Star' and 'spiritual energy'!"

The guests were puzzled—what did Shennong Star have to do with spiritual energy?

Curiosity drove them to open their smartphones and search, and the results left them utterly astonished.

As core members of the nobility, they could confidently say that they had seen more storms in their lives than the number of nutrient solutions they had consumed, and they were certain that they wouldn’t be easily stirred by anything.

At that moment, they all stared wide-eyed, speechless from the shock they felt.

For interstellar citizens, spiritual energy is even more crucial than mechs. And Shennong Star is the only place in the entire galaxy capable of nurturing spiritual energy!

What does this mean?

It means Shennong Star is a priceless treasure!

The nobles remained silent, and the same thought emerged in their minds:

In the future, the interstellar realm might see the rise of five major noble families!

The Crown Prince glanced at his subordinates’ findings, barely able to contain his delight.

He repeated "A royal must not show emotion" three times in his head, maintaining his princely composure and resisting the urge to spin Yun Shuang around.

"Why didn’t you tell me?" he asked dotingly.

"I wanted to surprise you, but they had to crash the party!"

Yun Shuang would never gift the royal family something of dubious origin! The moment she received the sweet potatoes, she had the royal testing agency rush the analysis and safety tests, which is why she defended Yun Wan online.

The Crown Prince gave Yun Shuang’s hand a discreet squeeze: "I hope this helps Brother Huai—his episodes have been worsening lately..."

Not only were Shennong Star’s vegetables safe, but they also had incredible benefits, leaving the nobles who’d mocked Shennong Star red-faced, especially the Qin Family, its harshest critics.

Many nobles who’d trusted the Qin Family now resented them, hurling sarcastic remarks their way.

"Your Qin Family really needs to be more careful—don’t believe everything you read online!"

"Honestly, what were you thinking, still trashing Shennong Star online? Take a look at this!"

Qin Mother and Qin Yan’s faces darkened.

They’d cut ties with Shennong Star and ignored the issue—who could’ve guessed the so-called evidence would backfire!

Qin Mother was furious—Yun Wan hadn’t warned her about such a major development, even after she’d called to check on her!

Qin Mother tried to call and confront her, but the line just rang busy.

Then she remembered Yun Wan had blocked her.

"Speaking of which, you did fund her—surely she wouldn’t hold a grudge, right? Why not help us get some Shennong Star vegetables?"

Someone quipped this, shattering Qin Mother’s composed smile.

With the crowd’s taunts ringing in their ears, the mother and daughter couldn’t bear to stay, slipping out early and returning home to smash vases.

Qin Mother would never forget the mocking voice she heard as they left: "The Qin Family really fumbled a golden opportunity this time!"

The Ji Family, who’d been involved the whole time, stayed quiet, hoping no one would uncover their "brilliant plan," but of course, their worst fear came true.

"Wait, the Ji Clan tried to buy it out for ten million? Are they dreaming?"

"The Ji Family head isn’t being honest!"

"What a pity, if the bid had been higher, maybe it could have been bought!"

"Trying to cut corners and ending up worse off!"

The more Ji Wei listened to the guests' analysis, the angrier and more regretful he became.

Didn't he know that? He had fainted countless times because of it! He was filled with deep regret!

Now that Shennong Star is under the watchful eyes of the Yun family and the royal family, it's becoming increasingly difficult for them to act! A golden opportunity was squandered!

Consumed by rage, Ji Wei passed out yet again.

*

Capital Star, First Rehabilitation Center.

The Crown Prince, in plain clothes, came to visit Lu Huai, who had just had an episode.

Lu Huai lay still in bed, radiating a shattered void.

The man had been trapped under the hospital's collapsed structure several times, with severe bruises and twisted, patchy scars covering his body.

Lu Huai's ward was made of military-grade materials, but even as sturdy as they are, they couldn't withstand the outburst of 3S-level mental energy.

"How is he doing?" After seeing Lu Huai's condition, the Crown Prince stood outside the ward and asked the doctor.

"His condition is deteriorating. His mental energy has been rapidly declining over the past two days. Recent tests indicate that General Lu's mental energy has plummeted to the average B-level, with a clear trend of continuing to decline..."

The doctor didn't explicitly say what the consequences of further decline would be, but anyone in the galaxy knows that below B-level is considered a disability.

The Crown Prince's thoughts drifted back to the days he fought alongside Lu Huai, when they were brimming with energy and drive, unlike the shell of a man now lying in the hospital bed...

No one ever imagined that a prodigy like Lu Huai would end up like this.

"How is the research on Shennong Star vegetables? Is there any hope for a breakthrough treatment soon?" the Crown Prince asked, pursing his lips.

"It will take time, but long-term consumption of Shennong Star vegetables is proven to improve General Lu's condition..."

"Can it cure his illness?" the Crown Prince interrupted the doctor, asking the question he most wanted to know.

The doctor was silent for a while, his voice somber: "Currently, there is no known cure for genetic defects..."

Genetic defects are not ordinary diseases; they are genetic disorders caused by mutations. Once mutated, it's hard to reverse them.

It's like the saying, "You can't unspill milk."

The hope from Shennong Star vegetables was swiftly dashed by the relentless grip of disease.

The Crown Prince and the doctor exchanged equally somber looks.

"Your Highness, Dr. Lin, what brings you out here?" Lu Ran approached from the end of the corridor, backlit.

His voice brought the two dispirited men back to their senses. After learning about Lu Huai's condition, his outlook was more optimistic than theirs.

Lu Ran comforted them: "Genetic defects have existed for centuries, and no one has yet found a cure. There's no need to rush! Besides, it's better now than before; at least we can manage my cousin's condition, so there's still hope."

The Crown Prince knew Lu Ran was right, but when it came to Lu Huai, he couldn't help but be overly concerned.

To him, Lu Huai was both an admirable older brother and a capable minister under the emperor. Regardless of the role, he didn't want to lose this partner who had grown up and fought alongside him since childhood.

"With Shennong Star vegetables, Huai's mental energy should stabilize, shouldn't it?" the Crown Prince asked.

Upon hearing the crown prince’s reference to Lu Huai, Lu Ran’s gaze sharpened momentarily, but he quickly masked it.

"It should stay at a B level," Dr. Lin dared not guarantee.

This was the first time he had encountered such a situation. If he could develop a treatment or drug for genetic defects using Shennong Star vegetables, it would likely leave a significant mark in medical history.

"Dr. Lin, you are the top expert in our Kess Empire, and only you can solve the genetic defect problem," the crown prince said solemnly.

"I wouldn’t presume to claim such a title."

After listening to their conversation, Lu Ran suddenly asked, "I heard that the production of Shennong Star vegetables is limited... Wouldn’t it be more practical to set up a sanatorium there directly?"

His proposal caught the crown prince’s attention.

The production of Shennong Star vegetables is a real issue, and with Lu Huai’s frequent illness episodes, the capital star’s media network is extensive. If this continues, it’ll be hard to keep the bombing of the sanatorium under wraps.

If the public were to know that a 3S genetic defect patient is on the capital star, it could probably trigger protest marches, even riots, which would be even more detrimental to Lu Huai’s condition.

"It would be better, and the environment of Shennong Star is also more suitable for recuperation," Dr. Lin chimed in.

The doctor’s endorsement gave the crown prince’s decision more credibility. However, he still wanted to ask for Lu Huai’s opinion.

The three stepped into the ward, where Lu Huai’s eyes remained closed. At the sound of their footsteps, he frowned and gradually stirred awake.

The doctor tried to help Lu Huai sit up, but he brushed it off.

"I’m not that weak yet."

His voice was icy, tinged with a sickly rasp.

"What’s wrong? Why do you look so grim?" he asked the crown prince.

"Is it because I’m about to die?"

At the mention of death, his expression remained indifferent, as if he were discussing the most mundane matter, even with a hint of self-mockery.

The eternal mysteries of life and death, which have haunted humanity for ages, seemed to mean nothing to him.