Healing S-Class Beasts Made Me the Empire's Treasure

The return gift, jointly prepared by the Empire’s top tycoon, its renowned Marshal, the Genius Lieutenant General, the Director of the Science Research Institute, and the Jade Star Lord, was naturally impeccable.

Yu Lan only had to glance at the gift list to be taken aback by how expensive everything was.

How could she possibly be dissatisfied?

"This is perfect. You all did a wonderful job."

But at the same time, an apologetic look couldn’t help but cross Yu Lan’s face.

"I’m sorry for making you spend so much money."

If it had been up to her, she could never have prepared such an expensive gift, not even if she sold herself.

The men exchanged a look.

’Their beautiful wife actually felt sorry for spending their money. This wouldn’t do.’

’What was the point of them earning so much money, if not for their beautiful wife to spend?’

’If Yu Lan didn’t spend it, they’d lose their motivation to earn more.’

Shen Zueran stepped forward and wrapped an arm firmly around Yu Lan’s shoulder. The man’s calm, gentle voice rang out.

"Lanlan, look up at me."

Yu Lan stared blankly for a moment before looking up, her eyes meeting Shen Zueran’s dark gaze.

Shen Zueran said,

"First of all, it’s only natural for males to spend money on their female. Once married, the female automatically shares all of the male’s assets."

"Besides, even though we haven’t had the wedding ceremony, we already consider you our wife."

"We’re a married couple, right?"

"And since we’re a married couple, we should share our burdens and face things together. What’s wrong with that?"

Shen Zueran gazed intently into Yu Lan’s eyes, his cool, clear voice continuing:

"So you can freely use all of our resources, connections, and power."

"We’re not just willing—we’d be delighted."

"If you really feel that sorry, how about you show us a little more affection?"

Cold, hard assets were useless to these proud, privileged men.

They paled in comparison to the sweet-scented kisses of their beautiful little female, or the shiver that shot through them when her fingertips brushed against their skin.

That was the greatest pleasure in the world.

And only they were lucky enough to have it.

*

A warship laden with treasures departed from Central Star, heading straight for Deep Sea Star.

「It had been three days since Yu Lan left.」

「Inside the Deep Sea Palace」

Pei Shiyi was lounging on his throne, idly twirling a lock of long hair around his finger.

His expression was as handsome, pale, and cold as ever, making it impossible to discern whether he was in a good mood or a bad one.

Pei Shiyi had been like this ever since he’d watched Yu Lan leave.

The attendants in the Deep Sea Palace exchanged cautious glances before quickly lowering their heads, mimicking their clan leader’s cold indifference.

This continued until an attendant ran in from outside, a joyful expression on his face.

"Reporting—"

"Clan Leader, visitors from Central Star have arrived."

"They’ve brought a great deal of treasure. The warship is currently docked at the shore, awaiting our decision."

The deep sea was Pei Shiyi’s domain. Without his permission, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to charge straight in.

What if they angered Pei Shiyi and ended up meeting their demise in the deep sea?

Pei Shiyi raised an eyebrow. The tail fin resting on the floor began to tap unconsciously against the ground.

After a moment, he spoke.

"Let them in."

’He wanted to see just how precious the betrothal gift from Yu Lan was.’

The attendant who had delivered the news raised his eyes in shock, then quickly lowered his head a moment later.

His eyes were wide with unconcealed shock.

This was the first time Imperial People had been allowed into the Deep Sea Palace in all the years since Deep Sea Star and the Empire had fallen out.

Chest after chest of treasures—the kind that would spark a bidding war at any auction—was carried inside.

The representative from the First Legion, who was leading the delegation, wore a smile as he spoke with sincerity.

"We thank you, Lord of the Deep Sea, for your selfless contribution during the Garbage Star plague."

"This is a small return gift we have prepared."

"It’s a small token of our appreciation."

"We hope that the Empire and Deep Sea Star can..." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Before the man could finish, Pei Shiyi cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand.

Pei Shiyi, who had been watching expectantly from the moment the delegation began to enter, his gaze sweeping over each person’s face, could finally no longer contain himself. He asked in a cold voice,

"Where’s Yu Lan? Why didn’t she come?"

"What?"

The First Legion representative in charge of the delivery was completely stunned.

After a long moment, he finally spoke.

"Princess Yu Lan is currently on Central Star with Marshal Huo."

"If you need to speak with her, I can..."

"So, she’s too busy with another male to come, is that it?" Pei Shiyi interrupted again, his face turning livid.

"Er..."

The representative froze.

’That was the gist of it, but the way he put it sounded so strange.’

As a member of the First Legion, he naturally had to defend his Marshal.

"Princess Yu Lan and Marshal Huo have a marriage contract bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen herself. It’s only natural that they’re deeply in love and inseparable."

He was met with another cold sneer from Pei Shiyi.

’As if he didn’t have a marriage contract with Yu Lan himself.’

Looking at the chests of jewels arrayed before him, the image of the other males gathered around Yu Lan on the shore that day inexplicably flashed through his mind.

’The females from Central Star were nothing like the Merfolk of Deep Sea Star, who chose one partner and remained faithful for life.’

’So many males... With her small frame, could Yu Lan even handle them all?’

"Take this stuff and get out!"

Growing angrier by the second, Pei Shiyi waved his hand fiercely.

The next moment, a massive wave enveloped all the Central Star People and the chests of treasure, sweeping them all back to the shore.

「Ten minutes later」

Yu Lan, who was in her lab developing a method to purify contaminated seawater, received an urgent message.

After listening to the report, the beautiful little female’s brows furrowed tightly.

"Pei Shiyi kicked you all out and refused to take anything?"

"Why?"

’How could anyone refuse treasures that were delivered right to them? Did Pei Shiyi not like the gifts? Or...’

"Did you do something to anger him?"

’Subconsciously, Yu Lan didn’t think Pei Shiyi would get angry and kick people out for no reason.’

’If they weren’t welcome, he wouldn’t have let them into the Deep Sea Palace in the first place.’

"Princess Yu Lan, I swear we did absolutely nothing."

The First Legion representative on the other end of the line sounded like he was about to cry.

"There’s no way we’d act arrogantly on someone else’s turf. We’re not fools."

"It seemed like his expression changed after he realized you hadn’t come. Your Highness, did you have some kind of arrangement with Pei Shiyi?"

"No, I didn’t!"

Yu Lan was even more baffled, her brow slightly furrowed.

’She had promised not to treat Pei Shiyi unfairly, and she had kept her word.’

’It was just that she had more important things to do right now, so she hadn’t gone to thank him in person.’

’Was he angry about that?’

Yu Lan’s lovely brows knitted together.

「Meanwhile」

After driving the people from the First Legion away, Pei Shiyi coldly made a decision.

"I’m going to Central Star!"

’Yu Lan, since you’ve provoked me, don’t even think about getting away.’