Chapter 25

The Emperor looked at this son, who was insolent and unruly toward everyone else, but was exceptionally obedient and compliant before him, like a loyal dog. He became increasingly satisfied and said in a good mood, “That‘s right.”

Everything in the morning court continued as if nothing had happened.

But the story of how Auston doted heavily on Ruan Tang, breaking Duke Feidiya’s youngest son’s leg for him, defying the Emperor, biting at anyone he caught, almost digging up all the secrets of the Fedia Family, and seeking justice for Ruan Tang relentlessly, spread throughout the entire imperial star…

Following that, the news that Auston had changed his long-standing habits for Ruan Tang, restoring the natural environment of his Yongye Mansion, and that Ruan Tang had everything he could want at the Auston Ducal Palace, also spread.

In an instant, all the nobles of the imperial star knew that Ruan Tang was Auston’s heart‘s darling…

Although they didn’t know how this black-hearted lotus, Ruan Tang, had made Auston devoted to him to the death.

But they knew that offending Ruan Tang was no different from angering Auston, and Auston didn’t care about anyone’s status or position; for Ruan Tang, he would bite anyone he caught, dare to investigate anything, and expose it upward.

For a time, everyone was panicked.

Ruan Tang’s reputation soared even more, directly ascending to the top of the ranking of Omegas in the imperial noble circle that should not be offended, all because of this psychotic husband.

Everyone was filled with awe and fear of him, afraid that if Ruan Tang attended any event, no one would dare to slight him again…

Even the unruly juniors in their families were strictly restrained and disciplined.

After all, none of them wanted to follow in the footsteps of the Fedia Family; Duke Feidiya was one of the Seven Dukes and still ended up like this… They did not have the courage or power to provoke the wrath of the Bluebeard Duke!

Auston crushing them was completely like crushing a grasshopper.

……

“Remarkable, truly remarkable. This Omega is truly remarkable!” Duke Feidiya exclaimed as soon as he returned home. “I never imagined an Omega could change that madman to such an extent.”

Eldest Young Master Fedia was confused and immediately asked, “Change? Changed what?”

He didn’t understand what his father was saying. The madman referred to Auston, that was correct, but as for change, he truly hadn’t seen any…

Isn‘t Auston still as mad as before?

Where is the change?

“Do you think if he hadn’t changed, your brother would have come back safe and sound?” Duke Feidiya looked at his eldest son as if looking at an idiot. Having reached the position of one of the Seven Dukes, he was also a cunning old fox.

He knew Auston’s nature well and had seen the fate of those who had offended Auston in the past—they all ended up dead without intact bodies.

And Owen only had his leg broken; a broken leg, with medical devices, the nobles could repair in just a few seconds, restoring him completely, as if nothing had happened at all—wasn‘t that considered safe and sound?

If Auston hadn’t changed, he probably wouldn’t have needed to feign rage and be forced by the Emperor to lodge a complaint; instead, he would have been truly enraged and gone to the Emperor to complain himself…

Duke Feidiya understood this very well.

Eldest Young Master Fedia was not slow on the uptake; upon hearing the Duke‘s hint, he immediately understood something.

“Tomorrow, send your brother to Lanhai Star tomorrow, let him cultivate his character properly, and not set foot on the imperial star for several years.” Duke Feidiya suddenly thought of something and said coldly, “In recent years, the various conflicts on the imperial star have been too intense. I don’t want to see him causing trouble everywhere and becoming a pawn, offending those who shouldn‘t be offended and bringing disaster to the family. I also don’t want to wade into the muddy waters of the imperial family anymore.”

As a cunning old fox, he could tell that Auston, the seemingly insane Bluebeard Duke, was no pushover and not a simple person.

He also knew that what Auston said at the morning court was deliberately chosen to warn him, not because he truly wanted to fight to the death.

But as long as his own interests were not truly infringed upon, he did not want to point this out.

As an old aristocrat, no matter who was fighting whom, he only wanted to remain neutral, observe the situation, and not get involved.

If it weren‘t for Owen stirring up trouble this time, he wouldn’t have gotten involved.

“Yes, Father, I understand. From now on, I will strictly restrain my younger brother.” Eldest Young Master Fedia immediately responded.

This conversation between father and son also sealed the fate that Owen Fedia, this little playboy, would not appear on the imperial star for a long time.

……

Zhou Yao also heard the rumors about Auston being infatuated with Ruan Tang at the first moment, and for an instant, he was somewhat dazed.

When Ruan Tang got married, although Zhou Yao felt both hatred and anger toward him, thinking he had brought it on himself and deserved to taste hardship.

But when he thought that Ruan Tang, out of spite, had actually married such a terrifying Alpha, he regretted it and hoped that Ruan Tang would be all right and safe.

He worried that something would happen to him, so he prayed day and night that Ruan Tang would be fine.

But now, knowing that Ruan Tang not only was doing well as he had wished, but also enjoyed great favor with that terrifying Bluebeard Duke, he felt an inexplicable bitterness in his heart.

Zhou Yao didn‘t know what was wrong with himself.

Clearly… clearly, the person he liked was Ruan Xi.

But why did he care so much about Ruan Tang’s matters?

Why?

Zhou Yao was perplexed, so he could only shake his head with some pain and force himself not to think about it anymore.

And Shen Mozhi was the same; he also didn‘t know what was wrong with him. Whenever he heard news related to Ruan Tang, he felt an inexplicable palpitation and his heart ached terribly…

Clearly, Ruan Tang was just a black-hearted lotus who impersonated and bullied his beloved, yet he cared about him damnedly.

This feeling of suspected emotional infidelity made Shen Mozhi extremely uncomfortable. As soon as he saw Ruan Xi, he couldn’t help but feel guilty, wanting to make it up to him and be good to him, but deep down he was very clear about his own feelings. He could only force himself to ignore this strange feeling toward Ruan Tang…

“How could this be? How could this be? Why? Why?” Ruan Xi, after Ruan Tang‘s prestige and status rose again, discovered that the fake Protagonist Halo he had painstakingly accumulated and fought for over so many years had once again unknowingly fallen behind Ruan Tang’s real Protagonist Halo. He immediately went crazy with rage, destroying and smashing everything on his table to the ground.

And his System, the voice sounding in his mind, was still as cold and ruthless as before: “Two days left. Host must win Auston‘s affection as soon as possible, otherwise your Protagonist Halo will develop cracks!”

As an emotionless machine, it would not comfort people or help them dispel negative emotions.

It only brought reminders and notifications to Ruan Xi.

“I know, I know.” But this kind of reminder was like a death knell to Ruan Xi, and he threw another object abruptly.

Because Ruan Tang’s reputation value had soared, he even forgot his fear and dread of that perverted Duke.

Seeing Auston‘s immense favor for Ruan Tang, Ruan Xi thought frantically: since he could fall in love with someone, it meant this villain still had human emotions and desires.

If he had human emotions, he had the ability to make him forget Ruan Tang and transfer his affection to him…

Why could Ruan Tang achieve what he could not?

The moment Ruan Xi thought of Ruan Tang, he squeezed out words through his teeth: “I will, I will definitely make him fall in love with me within two days.”

What did it matter that Ruan Tang had the Protagonist Halo? He had items; how could a person compete with items? At worst, he would exchange his own lifespan with the System for the items that could beguile people.

As long as he made Auston love him, then killed Ruan Tang, seized this world’s luck, and replaced Ruan Tang as the protagonist—

He would have everything he desired.

Meanwhile, Ruan Tang knew nothing of all this. However, the Empress and Ruan Ming, having learned of Auston‘s deep love for him, each called him.

“Good child, you are indeed a good child! I knew Auston would like you. Take advantage of this opportunity and quickly conceive a child with him, give birth to the Crown Prince… then force him to strive for your child’s future. Then the entire empire will be ours…” Because of Ruan Tang‘s outstanding performance, the Empress’s expectations for him had risen even higher.

She not only expected him to bear a child but also hoped to manipulate Auston through him.

And Ruan Ming said with some surprise, “I didn‘t expect you to have such good ability. If you had been like this earlier, you wouldn’t have… But anyway, it‘s good now. Keep it up.”

After connecting with him emotionally, Ruan Ming generously gave another planet to Ruan Tang, intending to further please and win over this son.

“Yes, Mother.”

“Yes, Father.”

Whatever the Empress and Ruan Ming said, Ruan Tang obediently agreed. Whatever they gave him, he accepted without fail. But as for doing anything, Ruan Tang had no intention of being their pawn to carry out their orders.

This was actually one of the benefits of being open with Auston: no matter how big the matter, now that it was out in the open, Auston could bear it and be pushed forward to take the blame.

With Auston protecting him, Ruan Tang no longer feared the pressure from Ruan Ming and the Empress. If they asked why he hadn‘t had a child, he could completely blame it on Auston. Ruan Tang felt he could completely and safely be a salted fish.

After all, as a boss, Auston, who had no demands on him, seemed much more reliable than the constantly pressuring Empress and Ruan Ming…

Compared to the uncertain future and hopeless life right after marriage, Ruan Tang felt it couldn’t be more comfortable now.

Auston did not come to see Ruan Tang for a whole day. Ruan Tang stayed alone in his room, peaceful and quiet, doing whatever he wanted, no longer needing to be on tenterhooks.

Feeling very happy, he couldn‘t help but think, this was probably the benefit of being open with Auston.

Now that he knew Auston was a normal person feigning madness, he thought Auston wouldn’t come to scare him anymore.

Unexpectedly, Ruan Tang had only been peaceful for a day. In the middle of the second night, he was again dazedly woken up by someone touching and nibbling on him, as if snuggling a cat.

He abruptly opened his eyes, and in his daze, recognized the force and the sensation—it was Auston, no mistake…

Well, looking at this pitch-black figure, Ruan Tang began to doubt again. Perhaps this Duke‘s normalcy was intermittent.

Even if they had talked things out, he still had moments of abnormality where he treated him like a cat to snuggle.