The Crown Princess Consort

Although the city and the household were unfamiliar, Lily Bai found plenty of familiar faces at the engagement banquet.

His Majesty the Supreme Emperor, Jenny Shaw, Uncle Clark Lan and Auntie, Colin Grant, Angel Ames, and so on.

She didn’t feel lonely at all.

Lily’s uncle, General Clark Lan, was now a full general in the army.

His straight posture, commanding presence, and ever-serious expression all perfectly matched her grandfather.

His wife, though, was much friendlier—a model of warmth and virtue.

As soon as they saw Lily, they asked about Eric Lan.

“I heard he’s off filming another movie?” Auntie asked. “Whenever I call him, he barely says two words before hanging up in a rush.”

Lily nodded. “That’s right, Auntie!”

“Hmph!” Uncle Clark snorted. “He’s all over the place, never serious! If you ask me, he ought to be sent straight to the army—”

Oh, come on! Peter Lan joined the army, isn’t that enough? Does the whole family have to enlist? As for my Eric, I let him do whatever he wants! Auntie retorted firmly.

It’s all your fault! Look at what you’ve turned him into! Dragon City’s Big Four Heirs? He’s a disgrace to the Lan family—

Will you stop already?” Auntie growled under her breath. “He works at Lily’s company—would Lily ever let him get caught up in any scandals? Right, Lily?

Lily nodded quickly. “Don’t worry, Uncle, Auntie! I promise I won’t let him get tangled up in scandals again!”

And last time I saw him, his hair was black again, he was in a suit, and looked so handsome! I almost didn’t recognize my own son." Auntie’s eyes sparkled—she looked like a fangirl.

Uncle Clark shot her a look, but at least gave Lily some face and dropped the subject.

Lily suddenly realized Eric Lan was no ordinary guy.

Despite triple pressure from Grandpa, Uncle, and Big Cousin, he still managed to grow up with such a free-spirited personality...

If it were her, she definitely couldn’t have done it...

During the engagement, Jenny Shaw probably worried she’d get bullied, so she stuck by Lily’s side the whole time.

Watching the couple on stage, Lily whispered to Jenny, “Shaun Fane’s family is in such a mess—your third uncle and aunt really don’t mind?”

His dad’s in prison, his mom’s reputation is in tatters, and Fane Entertainment’s name is mud—only a few old-school stars are keeping it afloat.

Jenny said, “They’ve been together for years. Maybe my third uncle and aunt just don’t want to kick them when they’re down.”

“Seems pretty classy of them...” Lily murmured.

“Those two...” Jenny said. “They’re a little...”

A little what?

To put it nicely, they’re above fame and fortune. To put it less nicely, they’re kind of out there." Jenny said. "They’re obsessed with Taoism, Buddhism, and chasing immortality."

Lily was silent for a moment. “No wonder both of them work at a museum.”

“Exactly!” Jenny laughed.

...

The engagement ceremony was grand and lively.

Both families brought plenty of relatives, and all sorts of VIPs showed up too.

His Majesty the Supreme Emperor was Xena Xiao’s biological second uncle, so of course he attended.

Lily didn’t care much about the couple up on stage.

But thanks to her exceptional hearing, she caught plenty of gossip.

And the rumors weren’t about Shaun Fane and Xena Xiao, but... His Majesty the Supreme Emperor.

Some of the ladies and their friends whispered: the President’s niece is getting engaged, but the President himself still isn’t married.

Maybe there’s something wrong with him?