What an unexpected turn of events!
Cheng Xiaofan's words sent Luo Shu and the other ministers scrambling to their feet, their faces draining of color.
"My apologies, Your Excellency! We harbored no such intentions!" Luo Shu quickly explained. "We were merely overwhelmed by your unparalleled prowess on the battlefield, Your Excellency. Your might against the desert beasts and sea monsters was so formidable, their souls scattered to the winds! We were simply overcome with emotion!"
"Our kneeling to welcome your triumphant return, Star Lord, was entirely from the depths of our hearts!"
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled. "Very well, I was only joking. I appreciate your sentiments. While the food is still warm, let us dine!"
"Indeed! We must drink to our hearts' content tonight!" Luo Shu exclaimed. "Star Lord, please take your seat!"
Immediately, Cheng Xiaofan sat down next to Xing Xi. Gan Xiao Tang and Yue Jia, however, remained seated with the female guards.
The feast continued until past ten o'clock before concluding. Everyone was aware that Cheng Xiaofan would be returning to Earth beyond the cosmos soon. Currently, he and Xing Xi were in their honeymoon phase. No one dared to interrupt their private time, and they dispersed promptly.
Gan Xiao Tang understood in her heart that while she was Cheng Xiaofan's woman, she was a step below Xing Xi. Xing Xi was truly the empress. Moreover, Xing Xi would officially ascend to the position of Star Lord tomorrow. Gan Xiao Tang wouldn't dare to cling to Cheng Xiaofan. However, for her, being Xing Xi's personal guard was quite fulfilling.
"Xing Xi, tomorrow you will officially become the Star Lord of Yanhuang Planet. I hope you won't feel any psychological pressure!" Cheng Xiaofan said, holding Xing Xi tightly in his arms back in the sleeping quarters. "I recall identifying your capabilities over a decade ago. The future of Yanhuang Planet rests on your capable governance!"
Xing Xi's voice choked with emotion. "Star Lord, are you saying this because you will be leaving here in the next couple of days?"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled. "Don't be sad, I'll stay a couple more days!"
"Also, stop calling me Star Lord. Just call me 'Husband' directly!"
"That way, it sounds much more intimate!"
Xing Xi nodded. "Alright, I'll call you Husband!"
"Husband, Xiao Tang is a fine girl. In these coming days, don't forget to spend more time with her!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled. "Alright, I understand!"
"After your ascension ceremony tomorrow morning, I was thinking of visiting Chang'e on the moon this afternoon. Would you like to come with me?"
Xing Xi shook her head. "That wouldn't be right. Having just taken the throne, it's not appropriate for me to leave without cause!"
"After the Chen Xi rebellion, Yanhuang Planet is in ruins and needs to be rebuilt. There are many matters that require urgent attention. I have too much to do!"
Cheng Xiaofan nodded. "Alright, you make the decision yourself!"
"Honestly, when I return to our Earth, the thought that I have a peerless beauty for a wife here who controls an entire planet will fill me with immense pride!"
"Husband, please don't tease me!" Xing Xi said shyly. "If you hadn't meticulously nurtured me over a decade ago, how could I possibly become Star Lord!"
"Regardless, without your guidance, Husband, I would have achieved nothing!"
Cheng Xiaofan burst into laughter and lightly pinched her exquisitely delicate nose. "I never expected my wife to be so humble!"
"They say an hour of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. We shouldn't waste this beautiful night!"
"Wife, we should do something!"
"Mmm-hmm!" Despite her blushing face, Xing Xi nodded in full cooperation. For her, Cheng Xiaofan would be leaving in a few days, and she didn't know when they would meet again. Every moment, every second, was precious. The two immediately embraced.
...
Roar!
At precisely nine o'clock the next morning, a horn sounded from the ramparts of the Star Lord's Palace. The clear, resonant blast, accompanied by music, reminded Cheng Xiaofan of the sounds that echoed from the depths of the universe during his time on the dragon boat. How many times had he heard such a sound and felt a profound sense of familiarity, as if his homeland lay within the cosmic abyss! Now, he finally understood that this sound originated from Yanhuang Planet. Over a decade ago, when another version of himself attended court, a horn would always be sounded from the ramparts. Around the Star Lord's Palace, designated musicians played the most beautiful music of Yanhuang Planet in synchronization with the rampart's horn. At this very moment, Cheng Xiaofan sat on the throne in the Star Lord's Palace. Outside the palace, Luo Shu and a contingent of important ministers, upon hearing the horn, formed neat, orderly ranks and slowly advanced towards the throne room. Upon entering the hall, Luo Shu and the others automatically divided into two rows, standing on either side. The horn fell silent, and the music ceased. The ministers on both sides immediately knelt on the ground, shouting in unison, "We, your humble ministers, kneel before the Star Lord!"
Cheng Xiaofan raised his hands and smiled slightly. "My dear ministers, rise and be at ease!"
... As soon as the words left his lips, a momentary daze washed over him. How could he feel as if he had traveled back to ancient times? How could there be such a melodramatic ceremony on Yanhuang Planet? When he realized this was a preserved tradition of Yanhuang Planet, he accepted it naturally.
"My dear ministers," Cheng Xiaofan said with a serious expression, "after the chaos of Chen Xi, I am fortunate to be reunited with you all here. The thought of so many loyal subjects and righteous individuals being harmed, their souls separated from their bodies, fills me with unbearable grief! It is a regret that I was too weak at the time, leading to the Chen Xi rebellion and this regrettable situation. I believe all the ministers present are aware of the matters concerning me personally. Due to various reasons, I will now recommend my wife, Xing Xi, to succeed to the position of Star Lord. If anyone has any objections, you may voice them now!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Shu stepped forward from the ranks and replied, "To the Star Lord, we, your humble ministers, have already discussed this matter amongst ourselves and will abide by your every arrangement!"
Hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan nodded slightly. "Since there are no objections, let the new Star Lord ascend the throne!"
Gan Xiao Tang and Yue Jia, who had been standing at the rear, shouted in unison, "The new Star Lord ascends the throne!"
At that moment, cheerful music began to play from behind the screen. More than a dozen female guards, escorting Xing Xi, emerged in dazzling attire, as vibrant as a display of neon lights. Cheng Xiaofan moved from the Star Lord's seat, stepped forward, and took Xing Xi's hand, leading her to the main seat. He smiled and said, "Star Lord, please be seated!"
"Thank you, Star Lord!" In such a formal setting, Xing Xi could not address him as Husband.
Cheng Xiaofan laughed heartily. "Star Lord, from this moment onwards, you are the Star Lord. You should change your address to my name, Cheng Xiaofan!"
"Yes, Xiaofan!" Xing Xi replied cooperatively.
Although this was a solemn occasion, the assembled ministers could not help but burst into laughter upon witnessing this. As soon as Xing Xi took her seat, Luo Shu and the other ministers immediately composed themselves, their smiles vanishing. With a swift movement, they all knelt on the ground, shouting in unison, "Congratulations to the new Star Lord on your ascension!"
"Long live the Star Lord!"