Chapter 18
“Three days later, the title will be officially conferred?”
Just after finishing his livestream, Shi Xiaowang received this message.
“Yes,” Uncle Ye said with a smile.
“In the next few days, the royal family will prepare the formal attire you’ll need for the ceremony. Someone will also be assigned to explain the entire process, so you don’t need to worry. All you have to do is attend three days later.”
“Oh, okay. Got it.”
Although he’d already been mentally prepared for this, having it suddenly set on the schedule still made him nervous.
Even though he often faced thousands of viewers while streaming, that was in his own space — he couldn’t actually see anyone, so it didn’t feel real. But attending a royal ceremony, and being the main figure of it — just thinking about it made his heart race.
The royal family soon released an official announcement:
In three days, Shi Xiaowang would officially inherit his title — and the entire event would be broadcast live.
The internet exploded in celebration. Everyone rejoiced that the young duke had finally endured his hardships and was being rewarded.
For the next few days, the entire Federation seemed to be immersed in a festive mood — even more joyous than when they had finally eradicated the Zerg.
Although that past victory had ended three hundred years of war, the passing of the old marshal had cast a shadow of grief over what should have been a triumphant moment.
By contrast, the celebration of Shi Xiaowang’s investiture was purely joyous — not only a rare, grand royal occasion, but also a heartfelt tribute from the people to the young man who had made the flowers bloom again.
Everything about it inspired only excitement and delight.
But Shi Xiaowang himself didn’t feel the same festive atmosphere outside. He was completely frazzled.
The ceremony procedures were way more complicated than cultivating flowers. Even though someone was helping him go through the steps, there were just too many tiny details — he kept forgetting one thing while remembering another.
At times like this, Da Meow the lion was his best stress-relief tool — constantly caught and squeezed by Shi Xiaowang.
After several days of this, his fur was a mess, looking like a scruffy stray dog who’d just come home.
Jian Da Meow was exasperated.
But helpless, too.
Whenever he tried to leave, Shi Xiaowang would immediately start pestering him — and always sneakily, only when no one else was watching, as if secretly bullying just him.
After two days, Shi Xiaowang had already developed the full air of a spoiled, annoying young master.
The poor lion, like an exhausted babysitter, was worn out.
“I think I make a great flower-streaming anchor… Maybe I should just give up the title…”
At the end of yet another tiring day, Shi Xiaowang lay sprawled on the carpet, resting his head on Da Meow’s belly, too lazy to even lift a finger.
Uncle Ye was sorting through the newly delivered ceremonial outfit and glanced at the drowsy pair on the floor.
“Well, it’s not impossible, but you’d have to go through multiple departments, write a thousand-word statement for each explaining your reasons for renouncing the title, and then hold a public press conference. If needed, I can arrange all that…”
Shi Xiaowang’s face scrunched up immediately, and he waved his hands frantically.
“No, no, no! Forget it! I was just joking!”
Uncle Ye chuckled softly but didn’t say anything.
Shi Xiaowang sighed heavily, staring up at the ceiling.
After a long silence, he asked, “Uncle Ye, will he come to the ceremony?”
Uncle Ye paused, exchanged a brief glance with the lion, and replied, “He will. For such an important event, the Marshal will definitely attend.”
Shi Xiaowang’s eyes curved into a smile.
“Then I’ll finally get to see him.”
The lion’s ears twitched, and its tail tip moved slightly.
Watching their little exchange, Uncle Ye smiled knowingly.
“Little master, are you really looking forward to meeting the Marshal?”
“Of course!” Shi Xiaowang nodded exaggeratedly, making the lion flinch a little from the ticklish movement.
“I’ve been married to him for so long and haven’t even seen my husband’s face. What kind of marriage is that?”
The words slipped out before he thought them through.
As soon as he finished, the air went quiet.
He suddenly realized — they weren’t really married. It was just a political union, a temporary contract.
Once he inherited the title and became independent, that contract would end.
And then… he and Jian Mo would have no relationship at all.
Shi Xiaowang lowered his gaze and leaned back against the lion.
Suddenly, he didn’t feel so excited anymore.
The lion also froze, fur bristling slightly, wanting to bolt.
It was the first time he’d ever heard Shi Xiaowang call him “husband” — it startled him half to death.
But he couldn’t show it. He just lowered his head and started intently studying the carpet pattern.
After a while, Shi Xiaowang turned to him, puzzled.
“Da Meow? Are you not feeling well? Your heart’s beating so fast.”
The lion stiffened, hearing Uncle Ye chuckle in the background, and promptly shut his eyes, pretending to be dead.
“All right, it’s getting late. Time to rest,” Uncle Ye reminded.
“The ceremony’s tomorrow, young master — you’ll need your energy.”
“Mm, okay.”
Shi Xiaowang stretched lazily, patted the lion’s head.
“Come on, Da Meow, let’s go upstairs and sleep.”
Watching them walk slowly up the stairs, Uncle Ye shook his head, smiling.
Back in Shi Xiaowang’s room, as soon as the door closed, the lion was suddenly pounced on and hugged.
He froze — he was used to Shi Xiaowang’s sneak attacks by now, though still a little helpless.
“Da Meow…”
His muffled tone made the lion pause.
“If I move out of here, will you come with me?”
The lion didn’t move for a long time, then slowly sat down and looked at the person clinging to him.
“Come with me, okay? I can make money — I can take care of you.”
Shi Xiaowang looked up, eyes shining.
Even if he couldn’t take Jian Mo, he could at least take Da Meow.
“Think about it — your master hasn’t come back to see you all this time, but I’m with you every day. I like you so much, and I treat you so well. You can feel that, right?”
Shi Xiaowang started to sow discord.
“You’d definitely be happier with me than with him. If you come with me, I promise I’ll treat you even better! Okay?”
He looked so sincere and hopeful that Jian Da Meow found it both funny and exasperating.
“If you don’t come, I’ll drug you, carry you off, and hide you in my Duke’s mansion so Jian Mo won’t find you,” he threatened.
The lion raised an eyebrow, amusement gleaming in his eyes.
So fierce, huh?
Shi Xiaowang laughed sheepishly, knelt up in front of him, and kissed his nose bridge.
“Then I’ll feed you until you’re all plump and happy. Whatever you want to do, I’ll do it with you. That way, even if someone finds you, you won’t want to leave me.”
The lion didn’t dodge. He looked at him seriously, eyes filled with tenderness — and something deeper that Shi Xiaowang couldn’t quite read.
After a moment, Shi Xiaowang wrapped his arms around his neck and murmured, “Da Meow, I’m really going to miss you…”
The next morning, Uncle Ye woke him early.
Royal staff came to give him a light touch of makeup and help him into the ceremonial attire delivered the day before.
The white suit was embroidered with subtle rose patterns, and a dark red rose freshly picked from his greenhouse rested in the chest pocket.
The already fair and clean boy now looked even more exquisite — the soft pink tint at his eye corners made him resemble an elegant yet delicate little prince.
Having been woken up too early and fussed over for hours like a doll, his initial nervousness had faded into sleepy yawns.
The lion lay beside him with eyes closed, already half-asleep.
“Uncle Ye, really can’t I bring Da Meow with me?” he asked, still unwilling to give up.
“That wouldn’t be proper, young master,” Uncle Ye said with a smile.
“Fine…”
Shi Xiaowang patted the lion’s head.
“Then wait for me at home, okay? I’m heading out.”
The lion opened his eyes, stared at him for a moment, and gave a low growl.
Only after Shi Xiaowang left did he jump off the sofa.
“The uniform’s been prepared — it’s in the room,” Uncle Ye told him.
The lion nodded and went upstairs.
Ever since Meng Zhan had developed a stabilizing serum from the plants purified by Shi Xiaowang, Jian Mo had been able to safely take human form again from time to time.
Knowing he’d be attending Shi Xiaowang’s ceremony, Meng Zhan had even suggested, “Why not take this chance to tell him who you are? He’s not afraid of the lion now, nor of the Marshal.”
Jian Mo had no real argument against it — yet he still chose not to reveal his identity.
That one time Shi Xiaowang had seen Major Xin’s berserk form had already given the boy enormous stress. If he learned that Jian Mo had nearly lost control himself and was forced to live as a lion, it would only burden him more.
After living together for so long, Jian Mo knew Shi Xiaowang was strong — but softhearted.
He didn’t want to see him upset or forcing a smile.
For Shi Xiaowang, today’s event wasn’t just about receiving a title. Before meeting the Emperor, he would first walk a stretch of road near the palace and accept the people’s cheers — and only afterward would he proceed to the royal audience, with the formal investiture scheduled for noon.
Compared to online comments, the enthusiasm of the crowd in person was overwhelming. Shi Xiaowang smiled and waved, drawing even louder cheers.
He’d never experienced such a huge event before — though he looked calm and composed, his heart longed desperately for the safety of his greenhouse.
By the time he went to meet the Emperor, he was so tense he was practically numb.
This was, after all, the Emperor. A big deal.
The Emperor, cousin to the late Duke and much older, had silver at his temples from years of state affairs.
When he saw Shi Xiaowang approach, his eyes were filled with both pride and affection.
For a moment, Shi Xiaowang felt dazed — reminded of the old man who had taken him in back in the apocalypse.
“Good child,” the Emperor said softly, motioning for him to sit. “All these years, it was your uncle’s poor judgment that caused you to suffer.”
Shi Xiaowang took his hand and shook his head.
“But from now on, I’ll only get happier. And the whole Federation will, too.”
The Emperor smiled, full of warmth and approval.
“You’re right.”
After leaving the Emperor, he finally got a short break.
A royal attendant guided him down a corridor.
“There’s still some time before the ceremony begins, sir. You may rest here for now. The Marshal is already waiting inside.”
Shi Xiaowang froze mid-step.
“Who?”
“The Marshal, Jian Mo,” the attendant explained, surprised at his reaction.
So he was coming.
Shi Xiaowang stood still for a moment before replying, “Okay,” and continued walking.
His earlier surprise and small complaints quickly turned into anxious tension.
He tugged at his already-perfect clothes unconsciously — his heart beating faster than when he’d met the Emperor.
When the attendant pushed the door open, Shi Xiaowang could only hear the pounding of his own heartbeat.
A man in formal military uniform sat on the sofa. At the sound, he looked up, expression cool and distant.
But when he saw Shi Xiaowang behind the attendant, he set down his teacup — and those deep amber eyes, once aloof, softened like honey, lips curving into a faint smile as he stood and walked toward him.
“Sorry,” Jian Mo said in his clear, steady voice. “I couldn’t accompany you through the earlier part of the process.”
Shi Xiaowang looked up at him, momentarily speechless.
Maybe… this marriage contract didn’t have to end after all.
