Phi-Fic Chapter 87 Auster
Chapter 87 Auster
Yue Haoran's dislike for the eldest prince, Auster, had a long history. This was not only because Auster had shown extraordinary intelligence since childhood, but also because of his chillingly deep and calculating nature.
Any scheme or plot seems to be exposed in front of Auster, a skill that is both admirable and untrustworthy. For Yue Haoran, such a clever person is inherently the most unpredictable.
Moreover, it's unclear when it started, but Auster no longer showed any respect for his grandfather, and even made sharp remarks on many important occasions, embarrassing him in public.
As the dean of the Holy Light Noble Academy and the emperor's father-in-law, Yue Haoran held a prestigious position and valued his reputation above all else. However, Auster's behavior repeatedly embarrassed him in public. This undoubtedly added fuel to the fire in Yue Haoran's heart.
He had long since seen through it all: if Auster succeeded in ascending the throne, the Moon family would have absolutely no chance of gaining any benefit from this power struggle.
It is foreseeable that after he takes power, the Yue family will not only find it difficult to benefit, but will also likely be ruthlessly marginalized.
At that point, whether the Yue family could still maintain its position among the five great families would be uncertain. This was a situation that Yue Haoran could not tolerate under any circumstances.
This is why he placed even more bets on the Second Prince, Oscheng. He even went so far as to personally travel to the Third War Zone to meticulously plan this "marriage opportunity" for him, striving to ensure that he could gain a foothold in the future power struggle and acquire greater leverage.
In Yue Haoran's eyes, Auster was a threat—a threat who was too intelligent and had no emotional ties whatsoever. He didn't deny Auster's abilities; in fact, he knew perfectly well that Auster was the most suitable person in the royal family to become the future ruler of the empire.
However, precisely because he was too intelligent and too ruthless, Yue Haoran knew that such a ruler, while suitable for the empire, would never be suitable for the Yue family.
In comparison, although Oscheng was slightly less capable, he was more gentle, kind, and honest, especially towards his maternal grandfather, whom he always treated with utmost respect. This made Yue Haoran feel very at ease.
Unlike Auster, Oscheng was neither elusive nor ruthless; he was easier to guide and control. Yue Haoran firmly believed that only if Oscheng ascended the throne would the Yue family have a chance to maintain its current status, or even go further.
This is the ideal ruler in Yue Haoran's mind—a loyal and benevolent yet capable empire ruler, a royal heir who can share the Yue family's fate and glory. This is also the real reason why he poured his heart and soul into Oscheng.
The tent fell eerily quiet, the atmosphere so awkward it seemed even the air itself had frozen. Auster lowered his eyelids, his face expressionless, but his mind raced as he pondered the "opportunity for marriage" Yue Haoran had mentioned.
The fact that this proud and arrogant grandfather went to the trouble of personally traveling to the Third War Zone to push this matter forward suggests that the people and interests involved behind the scenes were anything but ordinary.
Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, a look of understanding flashed across his eyes. Then, he raised his eyes, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up, revealing a meaningful smile. The smile contained a hint of mockery and disdain, as if he had everything under control, or as if he was silently mocking someone.
Upon seeing his expression, Yue Haoran felt a surge of anger welling up inside him, almost uncontrollable, his blood rushing to his head.
He stared intently at Auster, cursing inwardly: This wretched child was born to ravage the Yue family!
From childhood to adulthood, Auster has never shown any affection for the Yue family. He was indifferent to other members of the Yue family, and he never showed the respect he deserved, even towards his maternal grandfather. Now, he is too lazy to even maintain a superficial politeness.
What angered him even more was that Auster also treated his mother with a distant and indifferent attitude, showing almost no affection whatsoever.
But this grandson of his treated his eldest daughter, Yue Linlang, completely differently. He looked down on the rest of the Yue family, but treated Yue Linlang with utmost respect. This caused Yue Haoran a dull ache in his chest every time he thought about it.
"What a wicked creature! What a wicked creature!" Yue Haoran gritted his teeth inwardly, but forced himself not to lash out.
Just as the atmosphere was tense, a slightly coquettish voice suddenly came from outside the tent.
"Second brother, I heard that Grandpa is with you?"
The voice was clear and cheerful, with a touch of liveliness. The person who arrived was none other than the Third Princess, Onanxi.
The curtain was lifted, and Ao Nanxi stepped in with a bright smile on her face and a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
It was obvious that they had heard that Yue Haoran had personally come to the Third War Zone, so they came here specifically to find out what was going on.
"Second brother, it turns out not only Grandpa came, but eldest brother is here too. Why didn't you invite me when you all got together?"
She walked naturally to Yue Haoran's side with a smile, her tone intimate.
Her words finally broke the tense atmosphere in the tent.
Oscheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but maintained a gentle smile on his face. He quickly turned around and winked at O'Nanxi.
"Third Sister, what brings you here? Did you rush over as soon as you heard Grandpa was here? Did you finish your training today?"
"of course."
Ao Nanxi pouted and said with dissatisfaction, "Second brother, you're so unfair! Grandpa's coming and you didn't even tell me. If I hadn't just heard about it from someone else, I would have been kept in the dark!"
Oscheng shook his head helplessly and explained to her with a wry smile.
"Grandpa just arrived, and I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. Besides, Grandpa didn't come here for us; he's here to take care of important business. Once he's done with that, he'll naturally come to find you."
"Hmph, we don't need to wait until we're done with the important business," Ao Nanxi retorted, pulling on Yue Haoran's hand and acting coquettishly. "I can visit Grandpa myself now, isn't that the same?"
Looking at his granddaughter's coquettish manner, Yue Haoran's anger finally eased a bit, and he even felt a rare touch of affection.
He gently patted Ao Nanxi's hand, his tone softening as he said with a smile, "Nanxi is the most filial girl! Are you settling in well here? Are your older brothers taking good care of you?"
"I'm adapting quite well, it's just that they're both too busy to take care of me!"
Ao Nanxi frowned and deliberately pouted exaggeratedly.
"Especially my second brother, he's always busy running around, he's almost forgotten he has a sister like me! As for my eldest brother—"
She looked up and glanced at Auster with a teasing look.
"Not to mention, they're not close at all!"
Upon hearing this, Auster raised an eyebrow slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips, and said calmly, "Third Sister, that's not very kind of you. I haven't forgotten you. But you have to understand, the military camp isn't a palace. I can't be with you every day, can I?"
Upon hearing this, Ao Nanxi rolled her eyes and retorted without any politeness.
"You didn't spend much time with me even when you were at the palace! Stop making excuses. Humph, Grandpa still loves me the most, no one can compare!"
Hearing this, Yue Haoran patted Ao Nanxi's head affectionately.
"Of course, Nanxi is my favorite. But you, don't just act cute. Train hard here, no slacking off, understand?"
"Okay, Grandpa!"
Ao Nanxi smiled sweetly, her eyes curving into crescents, and immediately pulled Yue Haoran to sit down.
"Grandpa, you're a rare guest here. Tell me, is there anything particularly important that brings you here?"
Yue Haoran's smile froze slightly, but he quickly masked it, coughed lightly, and said in a muffled tone, "Of course there are important things, but they have nothing to do with you. Nanxi, you just need to complete your training well, and you don't need to worry about anything else."
Ao Nanxi pouted, clearly not satisfied with the answer, but she didn't ask any further questions.
The atmosphere in the tent immediately became relaxed, and the tense atmosphere that had been on the verge of conflict dissipated considerably due to Aonanxi's intervention.
Oschen glanced furtively at Auster, a few thoughts swirling in his mind: He still needed to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with his older brother about what his grandfather had said.