Free Web NovelChapter 226: Chapter 203: Origin Revealed
"What did you say? The Chief Medical Officer has gone wandering?"
「White Sand Star Governor Mansion」
When Isha heard from Arturo that the Chief Medical Officer who had delivered her baby all those years ago was now off wandering, she found it utterly absurd.
"The Chief Medical Officer was already old when she delivered my baby."
"She’d only be older now."
"Do you really think she’s just ’wandering’? Or was she threatened somehow?"
If Isha and Arturo had only been slightly suspicious before, then at this moment, upon discovering the Chief Medical Officer wasn’t on Central Star, that suspicion skyrocketed.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!
Marquis Isha felt as if her heart would leap out of her chest.
Her gaze fell upon Yu Lan, who stood on a high platform not far away, announcing to the people of White Sand Star that she was now taking over and would lead them to a better future.
"Lanlan!"
A soft cry escaped her lips, an uncontrolled whisper of the name.
Instinctively, Marquis Isha took a step toward Yu Lan.
An intense desire surged wildly within her, a longing to stand by her side, to hold her tight.
"Isha! Don’t."
Arturo grabbed Isha’s hand just in time, stopping her.
The man’s thin lips were pressed into a firm line, his expression one of absolute reliability.
"We haven’t gotten to the bottom of this yet."
"Our people on Central Star are still investigating. Don’t be rash."
"Besides, would Lanlan even want to acknowledge us?"
Beyond the blood tie...
An eighteen-year gap of estrangement separated them.
Including today, they had only met a mere three times.
The daughter of Marquis Isha, exiled to a Remote Star, versus the daughter of the current Empress.
Would Yu Lan really choose them?
"Let’s just wait for now, Isha. Don’t rush."
Arturo held Isha, his strong, reliable arms a safe and steady harbor.
He patted her back gently, one slow tap after another.
"We can’t rush this. Let’s take it slow."
"Her wishes must come first in all this."
"We can’t force her, alright?"
’It’s alright.’
’It’s all alright.’
’Things are good enough as they are now.’
’It’s okay if she doesn’t acknowledge us.’
’It’s more than enough to be the reliable, sincere ’aunt’ and ’uncle’ that Yu Lan can respect.’
As Arturo comforted her, Isha could no longer contain the sorrow in her heart.
Fat tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Arturo, she wasn’t an abandoned child."
"She was a child born into love and anticipation."
"Why did this happen? Why? Why would Belina do this!"
Stealing her child, then abandoning her on Garbage Star to stumble through life.
Family bonds defy logic.
Even now, without any more proof, Isha just knew that Yu Lan had to be her daughter.
Her very soul trembled with a frantic sense of familiarity and connection, but for now, Isha and Arturo could only force themselves to stay put, silently watching Yu Lan on the platform in the distance.
"Isha, it’s almost your turn to go on."
"You’ll do great, right?"
"We won’t let Lanlan down."
Arturo was trying to remind Isha not to lose her composure in a sudden fit of emotion.
Discovering the truth about Yu Lan was just the barely perceptible beginning.
The mystery of the past was like a giant, tangled ball of yarn, waiting for them to unravel it.
Revealing things too soon would be a mistake for everyone involved.
"I know."
"Don’t worry, Arturo."
Just a second ago, she had been sobbing uncontrollably.
But in the next moment...
Marquis Isha took two deep breaths. Aside from the slight redness in her eyes—a faint hint that this gentle, powerful noblewoman had just been weeping—there was no other trace of her distress.
Meanwhile, on the platform, Yu Lan had just finished explaining her governance strategy and short-term plans for White Sand Star.
But the people of White Sand Star attending the banquet didn’t seem particularly impressed.
"Promises, promises. Every new Star Commander says the same thing when they take office."
"They’ll make White Sand Star better and better, turn it into a rising jewel of the Empire."
"And the result?"
"White Sand Star just gets poorer and poorer. We do the hardest work for the lowest pay."
"The only ones who actually follow through on their words are Gu Deming from Garbage Star and Marquis Isha from Rose Star. What a pity!"
One of the attendees sighed.
A pity that one died early, his name disgraced.
And the other failed to become the Empress.
Such a pity!
Years of hardship had left them almost numb.
They were no longer moved by empty promises. Now, they were just waiting for the appointed time to pass, when they could throw themselves into the arms of the Federation.
Just then, Marquis Isha, who had quietly appeared beside Yu Lan at some point, began to speak.
"From this day forward, Rose Star and White Sand Star will enter into a cooperative partnership for mutual construction and aid."
"Rose Star will assist White Sand Star’s reconstruction to the fullest extent, providing jobs and generous wages for its Star Citizens."
"What?!!!"
The people of White Sand Star below the stage were stunned.
"Marquis Isha is really willing to work with White Sand Star?"
Marquis Isha’s character and competence were renowned throughout the major border star systems.
If she said it, it must be true.
White Sand Star is really going to get better!
With Marquis Isha’s appearance, quite a few people on White Sand Star began to have a change of heart.
No one wants to be a traitor.
But the final decision would still depend on the real changes on White Sand Star in the coming days.
With this in mind, people started heading toward Yu Lan and Marquis Isha in the center of the hall, one after another, wine glasses in hand.
"Princess Yu Lan, about what you said earlier—opening commercial routes, building factories, mass hiring—how exactly would that work?"
"Marquis Isha, will Rose Star really help White Sand Star rebuild?"
"Can we come to White Sand Star to find work, too?"
Countless people surrounded the two, asking questions.
Yu Lan and Marquis Isha, both in good spirits, nodded and answered each question with earnest patience.
Someone standing not far off saw this scene and, as if in a daze, suddenly spoke up:
"Looking at them like that, if you didn’t know better, you’d think Marquis Isha and Princess Yu Lan were mother and daughter."
Arturo, who was standing nearby, glanced at the guest before looking back toward Yu Lan and Marquis Isha.
Suddenly, a chord was struck in his heart.
Even he had to admit that, standing together, though there were slight differences in their faces, the aura they exuded from within was practically identical.
Resolute, decisive, kind, and sincere.
These two remarkable females were the most dazzling presence at the banquet tonight.
「In the shadows」
Fu Chenhan, who had secretly infiltrated the banquet, saw this scene as well.
