Gu Qing looked at Milton’s neatly tied silver hair, his gaze lowering slightly, then suddenly spoke, “You said the Marshal helped you a lot, right?”
Milton blinked, “Mm… yes. Why?”
“He’s staying at this same inn.” Gu Qing held Milton’s hand, his tone gentle but resolute. “I’ve prepared a room for him. Let’s go see him.”
Milton froze for a moment, then nodded, but remembered something and whispered, “Our wedding witness… did you specially invite the Marshal?”
A smile flickered in Gu Qing’s eyes. He said lightly, “Yes. He’s the most important elder to my empress.”
Milton’s eyes immediately reddened, a faint sheen of tears forming. He lowered his lashes, lips pressed tight, struggling to contain his emotions.
Gu Qing pulled him into his embrace, leaning close to his ear, his voice soft and teasing: “If you want to thank your consort… then be a good boy in bed tonight and wait for me, alright?”
Milton’s cheeks flared crimson, his ears burning. Embarrassed and flustered, he lightly pushed Gu Qing’s chest. “Don’t… say things like that!”
He turned to walk away, but Gu Qing’s long arms wrapped around him from behind, holding him firmly. Gu Qing rested his chin on Milton’s shoulder, a victorious low laugh in his voice. “Where do you think you’re going? You haven’t answered me yet, and I’m not letting you go now.”
Milton, pinned in his arms, buried his face in Gu Qing’s shoulder. After a long pause, he murmured a quiet affirmation. They remained in that embrace until the flush on Milton’s cheeks faded somewhat, at which point Gu Qing released him and took his hand.
Side by side, they walked out of the room, through the clean, bright corridor. Their footsteps echoed on the polished metal floor, soft lights casting elongated shadows, the air still carrying a lingering warmth and affection.
Soon, they arrived at the Marshal’s room. As the door opened, Ackland Hubert rose from his seat, eyes resting on Gu Qing with a faint smile. “I’ve heard much of you, Gu Qing.”
“Marshal, you’re too kind.” Gu Qing smiled slightly, bowing respectfully, and retrieved a lacquered tea box from his storage, presenting it. “I heard you enjoy tea. This is premium tea from Qingyuan. Please accept it.”
The Marshal’s eyes flickered with surprise as he took the box. “Thank you. Milton often spoke of you. Meeting you today, you truly are extraordinary.”
He glanced at Milton, whose eyes were still slightly red, his voice softening. “This child has always been stubborn, not one to easily speak his mind, but he’s a good boy. From now on… I entrust him to you.”
Gu Qing nodded solemnly, his tone calm but resolute. “I understand. I will cherish him well.”
Meeting the Marshal’s gaze, Gu Qing gave a faint smile and patted Milton’s shoulder gently. “You two have a good talk. I’ll handle some hotel matters.”
Milton hesitated, looking up at him, reluctant to part.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon after dealing with these things.” Gu Qing reassured softly, then turned away.
The door closed lightly, leaving the room in a brief silence.
The Marshal studied the young man with purple eyes before him, his deep voice carrying a rare smile: “You’ve found a very good consort.”
Looking at Milton, he added with warmth and contemplation, “He arranged the entire wedding to protect you. He even called me personally to invite me as your witness—honestly, I was very surprised.”
He paused, recalling, “From the day you met, to coming together, and now entering marriage… Gu Qing amazed me at every step. He’s the only one I’ve ever seen devote himself so completely for an empress.”
The Marshal’s tone softened like a elder’s guidance: “I hope you two will always be this happy.”
Milton lowered his head, eyes misty, voice firm yet trembling: “We will…”
His words caught in his throat as he looked at the face that had led him through darkness. “If not for you, I couldn’t have come this far. When I injured that noble consort and escaped, you found me on the streets, took me in without hesitation, cared for me, and promoted me…”
“I truly… thank you.” Milton stepped forward, embracing the Marshal softly—a restrained yet deeply emotional hug.
The Marshal covered the back of his head, voice gentle. “Good boy. Congratulations.” He paused, voice even lower: “You finally have your own happiness.”
Milton only nodded, throat tight, words failing him.
After a long moment, the Marshal patted Milton’s shoulder, regaining composure. “And this war… you’ve worked hard.”
His gaze sharpened. “You brought victory for the insect species, restoring our position and dignity.”
Milton straightened, composed. “It’s my duty.”
The Marshal hesitated, then voiced the question weighing on him: “But this war… what exactly happened? The new weapons you used—I checked—they’re not from insect technology. Where did you get them?”
Milton’s eyes flickered, voice low and firm: “Provided by Landai.”
He slowly recounted the events of the battlefield, concluding: “We suspect this war was deliberately orchestrated.”
“Deliberate?” The Marshal’s brow furrowed, his expression hardening.
“Internal factions colluding with external civilizations,” Milton said evenly, yet suppressed anger burned beneath, “seeking to destroy our interstellar civilization.”
The Marshal’s gaze sharpened. After a moment, he asked, “And Landai… is he an outside force too?”
Milton nodded shortly: “Yes. But he’s on our side.”
A heavy silence followed.
The Marshal’s tone turned even more serious: “I understand. I will investigate further.”
Then he paused, eyes returning to Milton, suddenly shifting oddly: “But first, I must ask something more important—”
Before Milton could reply, the Marshal squinted, voice like interrogating a criminal: “How are things… in bed with Gu Qing?”
Milton froze, face crimson, ears burning. “M-Marshal?!”
The Marshal’s expression remained stern, serious. “Don’t panic. I mean this sincerely. Gu Qing is famous for doting on his consorts, but you, with your poker face and cold demeanor, if you’re like a dead fish in bed, eventually he might leave.”
Milton’s face blazed. “I-I am not…!”
“Therefore,” the Marshal said, turning to a cabinet, retrieving several vividly covered books, stacking them on the tea table. Milton looked down, his scalp tingling as if his brain was about to overheat:
One Hundred Ways to Entice Your Consort in Bed
Empress’s Pillow Strategies: Keep Him Coming Back Every Night
No More Dead Fish! From Laziness to Climax Evolution Guide
Milton twitched at the corner of his eyes, mortified. How could the officer he respected teach him this?
The Marshal spoke seriously: “This is not a joke. All from other married military consorts’ real experiences. To maintain your marriage, study them. Otherwise, if some young consort seduces your consort, you’ll have no time to react.”
Milton gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to burn the books, voice stiff and embarrassed: “…I’ll refer to them.”
The Marshal stroked his chin, still earnest: “Especially the third one, very practical with illustrations.”
“…,” Milton tried to escape.
“Don’t run; it’s for your own good,” the Marshal called after him. “Never underestimate this. Your future status depends on it.”
His voice then regained its serious military weight: “Also remember—you are his only empress now, but you know how the world is. No matter how doting, without an heir, everything is meaningless. Secure your child soon, only then is your position truly stable.”
Years of military life sharpened his clarity and bluntness: “You’re a military consort. You should understand strategy and timing. Gu Qing spoils and protects you, yes, but if the clan and lineage demand an heir, it’s the one who produces it that matters.”
Milton’s face flushed, murmuring, “…we just married…”
The Marshal raised a brow. “Youth is your advantage. Many empresses start taking tonics, regulating hormones right after marriage. You, as a military consort, have superior physicality. Now is the time; what are you waiting for?”
His gaze softened slightly, rare warmth: “I raised you. I say this for your good. If one day another consort seeks to rise, fear not. Hold your position, have your child, no one can touch it.”
He added: “Review the books I gave you. Military glory alone isn’t enough.”
“Lose the bed, you lose the battlefield.”
Meanwhile, Gu Qing walked along the floor dedicated to the sub-consorts. The hall door appeared ahead. Pushing it open, the warm scene before him stirred his heart:
The hall was spacious and cozy, the air scented lightly with flowers. Windowsills lined with blooms and delicate ornaments. Soft sofas arranged neatly, bookshelves filled with various books. A few sub-consorts sat at the long table; several younger sub-consorts sat quietly drawing nearby, occasionally glancing curiously at the pastries on the table.
Upon seeing Gu Qing, the sub-consorts surged forward, cheering:
“Gu Qing, congratulations on your wedding!”
“The ceremony was magnificent!”
“You and General Milton truly are made for each other!”
Their eyes shone with joy and respect, voices full of admiration.
Gu Qing smiled faintly, calm and gentle, nodding in gratitude: “Thank you for your blessings. With your help, the wedding went smoothly. I appreciate it.”
Loes bowed slightly, smiling warmly. “We’re just doing our duty. Thank you for preparing rooms for each of us.”
The young ones’ eyes glimmered with admiration. Lo Lo, Loes’ younger brother, boldly declared, “I will become your right hand, Gu Qing!”
Gu Qing crouched, gently patting Lo Lo’s head, smiling softly. Lo Lo blushed, shyly biting his lip.
Ais, excited and earnest: “Loes and I plan to operate Qingyuan together, combining it with the intelligence network.”
Loes added calmly: “During the Ares campaign, I expanded the network to border stars. Future plans are underway.”
Gu Qing raised an eyebrow, impressed. “You’ve thought this through more thoroughly than I expected…”
They continued discussing strategies. Loes detailed the network’s structure, financial flow, and integration with Qingyuan; Ais spoke of business avenues, making intelligence flow naturally and discreetly.
Gu Qing listened quietly, fingers lightly tracing the teacup rim, occasionally glancing up, mentally organizing their ideas.
Finally, he spoke, measured: “The direction is correct. But if the network manages both commerce and border stars, don’t spread too thin at first.”
Turning to Ais: “Qingyuan’s commercial side can be a cover. Sensitive info must remain under your full control.”
Ais nodded thoughtfully. “Even if part is compromised, the entire network won’t be exposed.”
Gu Qing turned to Loes: “Your border star layout is solid. But don’t push further inward yet. Stabilize first, then expand. Focus on intelligence flow and anomaly reporting speed. Quick response avoids missed opportunities.”
Loes’s eyes brightened. “Understood.”
The sub-consorts felt Gu Qing’s guidance paving their future. Anxiety eased; breaths lightened.
Discussion ended. Gu Qing stood, ready to leave. He handed Loes some battle tech data: “These are weapon specs from the Ares campaign, adapted for your psychic conditions.”
Loes accepted them, solemn.
Gu Qing placed a small packet in his palm. “This forms a temporary energy barrier. If facing monsters you can’t beat, survive first, wait for my rescue.”
The hall fell silent.
Sub-consorts stared at the unassuming packet, tears brimming. It was a promise.
Loes drew a deep breath, nodding firmly: “We will hold out until you arrive.”
Gu Qing turned to leave, noticing Loes remained, not seeing him out.
His knuckles tightened; after a long pause, he finally spoke, voice low with subtle tremor: “Gu Qing… may I… ask a favor?”
Gu Qing turned calmly. “Speak.”
Loes’s eyes revealed restrained anxiety and an intense desire. The hall fell silent, everyone holding their breath.
“I… want a resource,” Loes said earnestly, “to truly enhance sub-consort combat ability and intelligence value.”
He paused, inhaling sharply: “Our psychic power is weaker than military consorts; our bodies aren’t suited for frontline combat. If we remain forever in the shadows, no matter how far the intelligence network reaches, we remain vulnerable, waiting to be protected, possibly abandoned.”
“I want them—” Loes’s gaze snapped sharp and clear, “to have the ability, when necessary, to protect themselves and the critical intelligence we risked our lives to gather.”
Gu Qing paused. It was not ambition or lust for power, but sober responsibility. Loes refused to let the sub-consorts always rely on stronger ones. He wanted them, even in Gu Qing’s absence, to have teeth to tear through darkness.
Gu Qing silently took several jade tablets from his spatial ring, thin as cicada wings, with delicate runes. Each was engraved with precise, sharp characters:
【Five Poisons】
【Tang Sect】
He placed them carefully on the table, deliberate and unhurried.
“These are not direct combat techniques,” he said calmly but firmly. “They cover poison, interrogation, high-mobility movement, and tactical use of hidden weapons and mechanisms.”
His gaze swept over them, neither condescending nor dismissive.
“Sub-consorts need not rely on explosive psychic power or brute force. Your strength lies in precision, judgment, patience, and skill.”
“Footwork ensures quick retreat or targeting; poison and hidden weapons are your concealed claws, striking decisively.” He paused, clarifying: “This path depends on hard training, not innate talent—survival by skill.”
He surveyed the sub-consorts, finally speaking: “Suitable for sub-consorts.”
The hall was silent except for breathing.
Loes looked at the materials, throat tight, bowing solemnly as he took them.
“…We will study diligently.”
Gu Qing nodded, adding calmly: “If you don’t understand, come to me.”
The sub-consorts were already teary-eyed, some gripping hands, realizing they were valued as individuals capable of independent growth.
Gu Qing stood, elegantly adjusting his sleeve, returning to composed serenity.
“The path is yours to walk. What I give are merely tools.”
Before leaving, his gaze lingered briefly on them, leaving a final steady promise:
“If one day you are forced to fight for your lives—remember, I will come.”
The door closed softly.
Loes looked at the tablets, fingers trembling.
He understood now—Gu Qing gave them not just power, but the authority to shape their own destiny.
Ais remained silent, studying the jade tablets and the expressions of the sub-consorts: from hesitation and anxiety, to shock, to restrained but burning determination. He realized why Loes and the others would follow this man without hesitation.
Not because he was terrifyingly strong, but because he never treated anyone as expendable.
Ais’s fingers tightened. In his heart, he silently vowed: when he becomes strong enough, he will stand before those sub-consorts, confidently declaring—
“This place, I am here.”