Qu Tong stood up to greet with a bow, but the Empress spoke first, "Tongtong, take a seat, no need to be so formal."
Qu Tong didn't put on airs and obediently sat down, asking with a touch of surprise, "Empress Dowager, do you know I'm not Qu Wanwan?"
Looking at Qu Tong's innocent expression, the Empress covered her mouth and laughed, her voice gentle, "Marriages are all registered under real names, the Qu Family wouldn't hide it from the Emperor and me."
"Oh," Qu Tong nodded.
Feeling more affection towards such a amiable Empress, Qu Tong asked her own doubt, "Do the Emperor and you have no objections? What about War God Your Highness? You must know I'm a nobody with a physical weakness, F-type, and my parents have passed away."
The Empress sat down across the small table, smiled, and it was the first time she saw anyone so frank about being useless.
"Let me ask you, Yuting's fertility value is zero, do you truly wish to marry him?" the Empress said earnestly, adding, "I have asked Yuting. If you're unwilling, the marriage can certainly be annulled. This is the wish of us three, and we won't make things difficult for the Qu Family."
Qu Tong felt that their Emperor and Empress were very open-minded, not autocratic at all.
Before entering the palace she had imagined being bullied and ridiculed because of her status, maybe even suffering a broken engagement, but in reality, she had thought too much.
Cough! Reading too many novels can give one a bit of a persecution complex.
"I don't mind," Qu Tong answered.
The Empress looked into Qu Tong's eyes, saw the sincerity that didn't seem fake, and smiled, her upturned eyes indicating she was in a good mood.
"If Tongtong doesn't despise my unruly son, what rights does he have to despise you? The original marriage arrangement spoke of the Qu Family's daughter, and it didn't specify Qu Wanwan. In fact, Tongtong, you are more to my liking. As for the physical aspect, don't worry; what our family lacks least is money. We can hire a few experts to protect you, and as for military academy matters, you'll be exempt from assessment—that's a privilege you can have as my daughter-in-law," the Empress said cheerfully.
Qu Tong joined in the laughter, feeling increasingly that the Empress was down-to-earth and easy to get along with.
"However, my unruly son has just left to catch a Star Thief. He's always away from home, which will be hard on you," the Empress said as she took Qu Tong's hand with a look of affection.
"It doesn't matter, War God Your Highness's official duties are important," Qu Tong amiably went with the flow, continuing to play nice.
She likes it when her husband isn't home.
"He was supposed to come back to meet you. With Tongtong being so beautiful and cute, I told him he would surely like you. Yet my unruly son is not a romantic, can't stand our nagging, and ran off, making me so angry," the Empress opened up, with a playful tone that made Qu Tong laugh as well.
"Oh right, have you seen a photo of my son?"
"Uh," Qu Tong hesitated, realizing she hadn't actually seen one but had read the exaggerated praises.
"I have one here, come, Tongtong, take a look," the Empress brought up her light computer and started screen sharing.
In the photo, there was the tall and straight figure characteristic of a soldier, dressed in a military uniform, with a warship in the background as if he had just emerged from the ship when the photo was taken.
There was no excess expression; his whole body exuded the strictness of a soldier. His appearance was indeed otherworldly, with deep-set features and defined contours. Unlike most people, Qu Tong couldn't quite put her finger on it—it just looked hard to get close to.
"What do you think? Handsome, right?"
Qu Tong nodded without hesitation, the looks could indeed kill a thousand young girls—it was no exaggeration.
But she was not a sucker for good looks. Appealing appearance was a bonus, not a necessity.
Being revered and adored by the entire Interstellar's populace, he should have a decent character, she reckoned.
Qu Tong thought this to herself.
The Empress naturally saw the astonishment in Qu Tong's eyes and grew increasingly satisfied with this well-behaved and reserved girl.
"Since Tong Tong is also satisfied, I have no idea when that rebellious son of mine will return. I've heard he's needed back at the Eastern Frontier. In a while, I'll ask His Majesty to come over and register your marriage first. As for the dowry we promised the Qu Family, let's just transfer ownership of the barren agricultural Star 1757 directly to your name," the Empress knew of Qu Tong's difficult situation in the Qu Family and, of course, wanted to support her future daughter-in-law.
Although it is human nature to seek benefits and avoid harm, she couldn't say much about it, but deep down, she felt an increased dislike for the Qu Family.
"Ah?" Qu Tong was somewhat stunned.
So soon? Was the Empress afraid she would back out? She knew that it was customary in the Interstellar to not have wedding ceremonies, and that registrations were typically done online, though many people did go on honeymoons after registering.
And what had she heard?
The dowry was an entire planet?!
Even though it was just a barren planet with no developmental value, even the smallest and cheapest planets started at 500 million Star Coins. And she was getting one for free!!
Goodness gracious, what kind of celestial husband is this!
No wonder the Qu Family chose to substitute someone else instead of canceling the marriage; could it be because of this planet? Even if it had no mineral resources, it could be auctioned off for a huge sum of money.
"Does Tong Tong feel it's too hasty? Do I need to call your great uncle and the others to the palace again?" The Empress, seeing Qu Tong stunned, thought she might have frightened her by being too eager.
"No need, my parents are gone. I can make decisions for myself."
Qu Tong certainly didn't want that bunch of bloodsuckers from the Qu Family to benefit from her good fortune. They were probably still waiting for a pie to fall from the sky. It had to be said, the Empress Dowager was extremely supportive.
Normally, with something as valuable as a planet, under these circumstances, it would be assumed to be for the entire family's common use, or at least placed in the hands of a respected elder in the family. It certainly wasn't something a young girl who had just come of age could manage.
The Empress was delighted upon hearing Qu Tong's agreement, and promptly called for a guard to find the Emperor.
The marriage application was submitted and was almost instantly approved.
Qu Tong, seeing her marital status turn to married, was dumbfounded. Was marriage verification really this fast? Didn't it need confirmation from her fiancé?
And then there was the addition of an entire planet to her assets.
Qu Tong suddenly felt a sense of unreality.
"Tong Tong, from now on, you'll call me Mother along with Yuting. Why don't you stay in the palace today? I'll have someone clean a manor for you, and you can live there in the future. Whenever you want to visit Star 1757, I'll arrange for someone to take you there and teach you how to manage it," said the Empress, looking at Qu Tong with increasing fondness.
The Emperor gave her a Space Button and kindly instructed her a few words before leaving to attend to state affairs.
Qu Tong was thus blissfully escorted to her new residence by the Empress's maids.
For the first time, Qu Tong saw what was called a dreamy princess's room; every detail was of genuine quality and considerable value, with 5 maids and 4 guards waiting outside for her close attendance.
Si Yuting, who was en route to Beisha Interstellar, heard a "ding" on his light computer and casually clicked to open it.
Fireworks and colorful ribbons burst forth instantly on the virtual screen.
"Marriage registration successful, congratulations on your wedding!"