Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Li Ke

Given her age, Teacher Ai Li’s expression changed the moment Admiral Hans finished speaking. She immediately knew what he was talking about. So many years had passed that she’d nearly forgotten, but with his reminder, the memories came flooding back as if it were only yesterday.

“Is it about Prince Li Ke?” Teacher Ai Li’s voice trembled slightly.

Seeing she remembered, Admiral Hans nodded. “The old lady herself asked me today if I still remembered Prince Li Ke. How could I forget? He was an exceptionally outstanding male. If Her Majesty the Queen hadn’t taken a liking to him, he’d probably be at the Marshal Level by now.”

“So Her Majesty the Queen refused to see you because she can’t accept the Shelter’s current success, is that it?” As soon as she heard Hans mention the past and Prince Li Ke, Teacher Ai Li instantly understood the crux of the matter, finding it utterly ironic and absurd.

Hearing this, Teacher Sherry asked uncertainly, “Prince Li Ke… wasn’t he the male Her Majesty the Queen favored most?”

She wasn’t young, so she had some recollection of the events. Although she hadn’t been at the Fifth Research Institute as long as Teacher Ai Li, she had heard a few things.

“That’s him.” At this, Teacher Ai Li sighed. “The entire reason our institute and the S-Class Shelter were founded was to find a cure for Prince Li Ke’s mental disorder. He was only in the Early Stage back then, but his condition progressed too quickly. He passed away less than a year after the institute and the Shelter were established. He could have…”

“If it was just the Early Stage and Her Majesty treated him so specially, why didn’t she perform Spiritual Soothing for him herself?” Lu Xiao asked, genuinely confused. “Wouldn’t that have been far more effective than establishing the Shelter and the Fifth Research Institute?”

At her question, both Teacher Ai Li and Admiral Hans had strange expressions on their faces.

Then, Teacher Sherry suddenly remembered something. “I remember now! At the time, even though Prince Li Ke was sick, I think Her Majesty the Queen was still expanding her harem. When she heard the news, she just ordered the creation of the Shelter and the Fifth Research Institute. And after word of that got out, she even earned a reputation for being exceptionally devoted, didn’t she?”

The room fell silent after she spoke.

Lu Xiao scoffed. “So, is this display of deep affection from the Queen her way of atoning for what she did back then?”

’Another case of belated devotion. Worth less than dirt.’

’Not worthy of an ounce of sympathy.’

No one could answer Lu Xiao’s question, but she wasn’t expecting an answer. She continued, “So, Her Majesty refuses to see Admiral Hans now because she feels the Shelter and the Fifth Research Institute failed in their mission to save Prince Li Ke in time? And because they ended up benefiting the general public instead, she just can’t get over it?”

It had to be said that despite her youth, Lu Xiao was exceptionally sharp, grasping the heart of the matter from just a few remarks.

Admiral Hans nodded. “I believe that’s the case. That’s why I came over. I wanted to suggest that, regardless of the recent public announcements, it would be best for everyone to keep a low profile. None of us knows what she’s truly thinking, and it’s not wise to speculate. Let’s just hope she comes around soon.”

“Now that we know the reason, we know how to handle it. However, things will be more difficult for the S-Class Shelter than for us.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. The Shelter is now well-established and completely self-sufficient. Even if Her Majesty cuts off our resources, the Shelter can continue to operate normally. Actually, we have Lu Xiao to thank for that, for developing Release Therapy so early on.”

“I can’t take all the credit. It was all thanks to Admiral Hans and everyone at the Shelter,” Lu Xiao said, waving her hand dismissively. ’If my words alone could claim such an achievement, what would that make of everyone else’s hard work?’

“By the way, Regal has been doing great ever since your last visit. Not only has his beastification stalled, but the data shows it’s slowly starting to reverse. It’s a very gradual process, though.”

Lu Xiao’s eyes lit up. “In that case, I’ll make another trip over tomorrow if I have time.”

Seeing her reaction, Admiral Hans smiled. “There’s no rush. His condition is very stable at the moment.”

“I’ll make arrangements and head over then.”

Having achieved his purpose, Admiral Hans didn’t linger and departed in a hurry.

Once he was gone, Teacher Sherry couldn’t hold back. “Seriously, what is going through the Queen’s head? Back when Prince Li Ke was with her, she didn’t seem to cherish him at all. Then, after he dies, she moves into his old manor, dismisses her entire harem, and acts like she’s the picture of devotion. What was she doing before? Does it take someone dying for her to learn how to appreciate them?”

“It’s fine to say things like that in here, but be careful what you say outside.” Teacher Ai Li gently patted Teacher Sherry’s shoulder as a reminder. Even though she agreed, speaking ill of Her Majesty the Queen was never a wise thing to do.

“I know. I’m just venting to you guys.”

“Maybe she only realized it was ’true love’ after he was already dead?” Lu Xiao summarized with a cold smirk. ’She had no sympathy for people like that. They don’t appreciate someone when they’re alive, only starting after they’re dead. It’s nothing but a performance to move themselves.’

Hearing that, Teacher Sherry rubbed the goosebumps on her arms. “I don’t get it, and I don’t want to respect it.”

“You know, Prince Li Ke actually rejected Her Majesty at first,” Teacher Ai Li couldn’t help but add with a sigh. “It was the Queen who insisted. After they were married, she wouldn’t even let him work. He was an exceptional man—he had a prominent background, yes, but his own skills were remarkable. Such a waste.”

The name Li Ke had been brought up so many times that Lu Xiao couldn’t help but ask, “Are there any photos of him?”

Teacher Ai Li paused for a moment. “I don’t think so. I remember when Prince Li Ke passed away, Her Majesty the Queen ordered all images and recordings of him destroyed. The rumor was that she couldn’t accept his death and didn’t want to be reminded of him—that whole ’out of sight, out of mind’ thing. So, there’s nothing left now. But… I do vaguely recall that he was quite handsome. And now that I think about it, his disposition was a lot like your Ares. They both have that distant, aloof air about them.”

At the mention of Ares, a smile appeared in Lu Xiao’s eyes. She quickly retorted, “My Ares isn’t cold and distant in the slightest. Don’t be mistaken, Teacher Ai Li.”

“Yes, yes, my mistake,” Teacher Ai Li teased, amused to see Lu Xiao, who was normally so nonchalant, get so defensive about this one thing. “Your Ares is as passionate as a wildfire, right?”

Lu Xiao nodded. “That’s true. But only with me.”

Seeing this, Teacher Sherry chimed in, “I can’t take this anymore! Who’s being all lovey-dovey over here!”

Lu Xiao laughed. “I am, I am! Happy now?”

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