Watching Zhao Chen and the others depart, the three big shots of the Azure Star Domain exchanged glances, utterly shocked by this unexpected outcome.
They had initially thought he was just a minor baron. Little did they know he was connected to so many forces: the North Star Starship Military Academy, the Su Family of the Purple Perilla Star Sector, and even the Chu Family of the Chu River Star Sector, along with a royal princess.
And these were just the ones visible on the surface. If Zhao Chen truly was Chu Changhe's grandson-in-law, one mustn't forget who the Little Princess of the Chu Family's maternal grandfather was—the Governor of the North Wind Star Domain!
"Damn it! I've never felt so humiliated in all these years!" Marshal Huang Zhixiong returned to the booth, grabbed a bottle of wine, and gulped it down. Being bullied by that bastard Chu Changhe was one thing, but now even a junior was stepping on his head. And that guy had even dared to provoke him earlier!
"What can we do? We can ignore the North Star Starship Military Academy and the Su Family of the Purple Perilla Star Sector, but we have to give face to the royal family, don't we? Especially that mad dog Chu Changhe—he's truly capable of anything. In the entire Stellar Glory Empire, only His Majesty can keep him in check. He doesn't give a damn about anyone else." Governor Bilan's professional smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a gloomy expression.
Chairman Feng spoke calmly beside them, "Now, this Zhao Chen has become even more of a target than before. If we move against him again, we might end up burning ourselves. Although he possesses the blueprints and technology for two excellent starships—the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser and the T2 Black Rhino-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigate—it's not enough for us to risk everything. Let's lay low for a while. The Empire's grand show has only just begun. Let the bullet fly a little longer. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
With that, Chairman Feng left the restaurant.
Governor Bilan and Marshal Huang Zhixiong watched Chairman Feng's departing figure.
"That guy has been making quite a stir lately, almost as if he's planning to ditch us and go solo," Marshal Huang Zhixiong said with a dark expression, glancing at Governor Bilan.
Governor Bilan sneered, "Go solo? His Hurricane Consortium was built up with our support. Without the massive starship orders from the Azure Star Domain, could he have developed the later best-selling T2 Griffon-class Heavy Interstellar Destroyer? Don't forget, the core technology for that T2 Griffon-class Heavy Interstellar Destroyer was something I spent a fortune to extract from the Empire's subordinate Starship Research Institute. No matter how impressive the Feng Family may seem, they're just a dog we raised."
Marshal Huang Zhixiong nodded with a cold smile.
...
After stepping out of the Dome Restaurant, Zhao Chen and his group immediately attracted the attention of a large crowd.
When the faculty and students of the two academies saw Zhao Chen walking out, chatting and laughing with the female officers of the Princess's Royal Fleet, their suspicions were essentially confirmed: Zhao Chen was the one being conferred the title this time!
"Sister Wei, with the Royal Fleet personally coming to confer the title this time, what's the reason behind it? Could you enlighten your little brother here?" Zhao Chen stood beside Commander Wei and asked curiously.
Surrounded by the escorting female soldiers, their conversation was quite private.
"You really don't know?" Commander Wei smiled as she looked at Zhao Chen.
"Is it because of my Eldest Sister?" Zhao Chen asked.
Commander Wei smiled without answering.
Zhao Chen tentatively inquired, "My eldest sister has rarely contacted the family since following Her Highness the Princess. I wonder what position my sister holds with the princess?"
"Brother Zhao Chen, you shouldn't pry into matters you shouldn't know about.
As for your reward this time, it's actually reasonable and well-deserved.
It's just that such a grand display is a special case.
All I can say is, don't let down your sister's efforts in nurturing you.
Actually, while serving by the princess's side, I've learned a bit about you too.
I heard before that you weren't very capable and was somewhat annoyed by your family's arrangements, but now it seems the rumors weren't entirely accurate.
A single starship, braving the Zerg's deadliest territory—that's not something an ordinary person can accomplish." Commander Wei looked at Zhao Chen with admiring eyes.
"I was just lucky, that's all," Zhao Chen said with an embarrassed smile.
Since Commander Wei wasn't willing to reveal much about his sister, Zhao Chen didn't press further, and they simply chatted casually.
Soon, Zhao Chen and the others arrived at the docking location of the Royal Fleet's flagship.
"Brother Zhao Chen, you can see us off here. We shouldn't linger too long and must return now.
If you ever have the chance to visit the Imperial Capital Star System in the future, I'll show you around properly." Commander Wei looked at the young man before her, thinking he was promising. Despite his great achievements, he remained neither arrogant nor submissive, which left a very good impression on her.
"Sister Wei, wait a moment. I've prepared some gifts for you to take back to the starship and share with your sisters," Zhao Chen suddenly said.
At that moment, Secretary Officer Lilith arrived with a team of female crew members pushing several cargo containers.
"Gifts?" Commander Wei was surprised, eyeing the boxes.
"Just a small token, perfect for sisters like you," Zhao Chen said, opening one of the boxes to reveal the fruits inside.
Seeing the fruits, Commander Wei's eyes lit up instantly.
Natural ingredients were precious, but female officers serving in the Royal Fleet could generally afford them. However, fruits were something they could only enjoy a few times a year!
And now, this Zhao Chen was giving them several boxes.
"Brother Zhao Chen, these gifts..." Commander Wei hesitated.
"Consider them as gifts for my sister. I'm troubling you, Sister Wei. These fruits are excellent—they help with beauty and skincare," Zhao Chen said with a smile.
Few women could resist the allure of beauty and skincare.
In the end, Commander Wei accepted the gifts and had her female soldiers load the cargo containers onto the starship.
Her impression of Zhao Chen improved even further.
Just before boarding the starship, Commander Wei suddenly leaned close to Zhao Chen's ear and whispered, "About your sister, I can't say much.
But her position is above mine."
With that, Commander Wei bid farewell and left.
This simple sentence carried significant implications.
Commander Wei was one of the ten fleet commanders under the Royal Guard Fleet of the princess, a position held by only ten people in total.
Yet Wei Shishi said Zhao Chen's sister held a position even higher than hers?
The implications of this were extraordinary.
Upon returning to the starship, Wei Shishi immediately headed to the bridge.
On the bridge, in the captain's chair, sat a female officer. Before her was a surveillance video feed, and the figure on the screen was none other than Zhao Chen.
"Yue, aren't you... really going down to see your brother?" Wei Shishi asked respectfully, looking at the officer.
The female officer replied calmly, "This is enough. Prepare for Return to Base."
"Um... your brother sent some fruit gifts, saying they were for you," Wei Shishi reported truthfully.
A faint smile touched the officer's lips as she said softly, "Just leave one portion for me. Share the rest with the sisters in the fleet.
After all, this time, it was for my brother that I troubled you all to come all this way."
"Thank you, ma'am," Wei Shishi replied, inwardly delighted.
The female officer gazed at the young man in the video. She raised her hand, her slender fingers seeming to align with the figure's face on the screen, as if touching him.