Chapter 2672: Chapter 2672
Lin Fengzhi thought to himself that having Ye Liuyun as a son-in-law wouldn’t be a bad deal for his daughter. At the very least, it would bolster his own strength and solidify his standing.
But these things depended on fate. Besides, Ye Liuyun hadn’t shown the slightest interest in that regard.
Instead, Lin Fengzhi simply asked about Ye Liuyun’s gains from the hunt.
"I caught quite a few savage beasts, including the apex predator of this world," Ye Liuyun replied casually, omitting any mention of what had happened beyond the planet.
"I captured a first-level Heavenly Realm beast all by myself—no help from my Brown Lion!" Lin Xiaoxiao chimed in eagerly, not wanting Ye Liuyun to think less of her.
"Impressive!" Ye Liuyun praised without hesitation. Challenging a beast above her own level was no small feat, and she deserved the recognition.
Lin Xiaoxiao beamed at his words, her heart swelling with delight.
But Ye Liuyun quickly shifted his attention back to Lin Fengzhi, asking when the beast-taming session for the Sixth Prince and the princess would begin, leaving her standing awkwardly to the side.
Soon after, he retreated to his own tent to rest. Lin Xiaoxiao, too self-conscious to follow him under so many watchful eyes, stayed behind.
These days, Lin Xiaoxiao spoke of nothing but Ye Liuyun, and her obvious infatuation hadn’t escaped Lin Moyu’s notice. Even the slightest criticism of Ye Liuyun from Lin Moyu would earn a sharp rebuke from Lin Xiaoxiao, fueling Lin Moyu’s simmering resentment. She had been biding her time, waiting for the right moment to eliminate this romantic rival.
By now, most of the competing teams had returned. All that remained was to wait for the official announcement of the results the following day.
Ye Liuyun couldn’t care less about the competition’s outcome—he wasn’t even in the running for prizes. Had he participated, first place would have been his without contest. Instead, he focused on cultivating in his tent, patiently awaiting the beast-taming session after the awards ceremony. That was where the real profits lay.
The Sixth Prince had returned long ago. After single-handedly defeating a second-level Heavenly Realm beast, he had called it quits, refusing to rely on his entourage to take down stronger prey.
Now, several black-clad figures stood around him, heads bowed in silence.
The prince sighed in disappointment. "What a wasted opportunity. Utterly useless. Change out of those uniforms—there won’t be another chance to strike."
"Yes!" The black-clad men responded in unison before withdrawing.
Meanwhile, the Sixth Prince turned to a royal elder beside him and asked, "You’re saying Yun Yao returned with that beast tamer?"
"Indeed. I saw it with my own eyes—they arrived not long ago," the elder confirmed.
"So, my sister has already tried to win her over in advance?" The Sixth Prince, Liu Yunfei, furrowed his brow in thought. "Could it be that the assassins were also eliminated by that beast tamer?"
"Perhaps they only just met. There’s no guarantee the princess succeeded in recruiting her. That beast tamer left right after the competition began and hasn’t been seen since. It’s likely she only just returned," the elder reasoned.
"Perfect!" The prince’s eyes gleamed with calculation. "This woman is invaluable—capable of subduing Dominator-level beasts to bolster my forces. Return ahead of me and prepare ample resources. I must secure her allegiance. And arrange assassins—if persuasion fails, she must not fall into anyone else’s hands."
"Yes!" The subordinate bowed and immediately departed the planet to make preparations.
Had Ye Liuyun overheard their conversation, he would have been stunned—the maid accompanying him these past days was, in truth, the real princess.
Meanwhile, aboard her starship, Liu Yunyao had bathed and changed into casual attire. The maid who had posed as the princess now stood by her side, having set aside the royal garments and mask.
Lost in thought, Yunyao finally instructed the decoy, "Discreetly find someone to bribe that young man by Lin Xiaoxiao’s side. Have him poison her brown lion—make sure it dies."
"Here?" the maid asked cautiously.
"Too late for that now. Just arrange it—no need to rush," Yunyao replied coolly.
"Yes," the maid acknowledged.
"Also," Yunyao added, her voice distant, "postpone the beast-taming after the competition until we return to the palace. That Dominator-tier Flame Lion can wait. Father mentioned a new batch of high-realm magical beasts arriving soon, didn’t he? We’ll deal with it then."
"But what if the beast tamer leaves by then?" the maid ventured. "From what Lin Xiaoxiao said, she might not stay at the Commandery Governor’s residence indefinitely."
Upon hearing the mention of the beast tamer, Liu Yunyao couldn’t help but laugh. "That money-grubber! We’ll see about that later!"
The maidservant was momentarily stunned by her reaction.
"Your Highness?"
"Hmm? What is it?" Liu Yunyao had drifted off again.
"You seem... different somehow! Is it because of that beast tamer...?" The maidservant ventured cautiously.
"Don’t talk nonsense!" Liu Yunyao’s cheeks flushed slightly as she cut her off.
But the maidservant immediately understood—Liu Yunyao had taken a liking to the beast tamer. Smirking, she leaned in and whispered, "Your Highness has quite the competition, you know. Many women fancy him! Skilled, wealthy, and handsome—who wouldn’t?"
"You insolent girl, you’re getting bolder by the day... But he’s more than just a beast tamer. He knows alchemy, forging, and formations. Even my traps couldn’t hold him! And his roasted meat is absolutely delicious!" Liu Yunyao pretended to scold her but soon couldn’t resist gushing about Ye Liuyun. After all, as a young woman, she couldn’t keep her feelings bottled up.
"So... how long have you two been... together? What have you been up to?" The maidservant wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.
"What nonsense are you thinking? You’re really asking for it now..."
Blushing furiously, Liu Yunyao raised her hand as if to strike, playfully tussling with the maidservant before finally recounting her time with Ye Liuyun. She even had a fire lit to roast some meat, eager to let the maidservant taste the seasoning he had used.
To her surprise, the maidservant devoured the meat enthusiastically, declaring it delicious.
"This is nowhere near as good as his!" Liu Yunyao sighed wistfully.
Shaking her head, the maidservant said helplessly, "I think you’ve really fallen for him. Just choose him as your consort!"
"Sigh, I don’t think he feels the same way about me. I don’t even know his background—he always seems so... unfathomable," Liu Yunyao replied dejectedly.
"That’s because you haven’t made it clear! He doesn’t even know your identity. You’re a princess—just reveal your status, and that money-grubber will surrender in a heartbeat! Hahaha!" The maidservant laughed.
Liu Yunyao chuckled along but then sighed. "Do you really think someone like him... would ever be short on money?"
