Si Yuting stared at the system prompt on the screen, his whole person slightly stunned, and a nearly imperceptible frown creased his brow.
Upon clicking for details, the photo displayed a tender, fair face, precisely Qu Tong's attire for her visit to the Imperial Palace that day; a shoulder-baring, elegant gown complimented by a hollowed-out knit sweater, her soft, voluminous hair draped over her shoulders—only the left side adorned with a pale green maple leaf hair accessory, her clear, almond-shaped eyes exuding vivacity and obedience, stray strands of hair by her ears adding a unique charm.
On the right, some of her information was listed.
Exiting the page, Si Yuting directly called the Empress's communicator.
As soon as the connection was made, the Empress's joyful voice came through first, "My child! Have you seen the bride your father and I have found for you? Do you like her?"
"Didn't I say to call off the marriage? And now you used the main brain to control both parties' permissions and registered us directly?" Si Yuting's tone was cold, carrying clear displeasure.
"I didn't control Tongtong's side; she applied on her own. Your father and I just helped you agree," the Empress said boldly, unfazed by Si Yuting's cold demeanor.
Upon hearing that the other party had applied on her own, Si Yuting was momentarily taken aback but still replied coldly, "I'm not joking, cancel our marital status before it's announced publicly."
Gong Lingyu of course knew her son never joked, but she wouldn't compromise, "Military marriage protection law of the Empire stipulates that once a marriage is approved, one can only submit a divorce application after half a year, and it requires the consent of both parties. Your father and I can't manage that."
Si Yuting's forehead twitched. They managed to arrange his marriage, and now they were telling him about Imperial Laws?
Seeing her son's increasingly dark expression, the Empress guiltily touched her nose, "My child, your mother quite likes her, and Tongtong really likes you too. It's not very nice to make someone carry the title of being divorced right after getting married. If you really don't like her, you'd better explain it to her in person. Oh, and since she's now your wife, since Tongtong's family isn't very well-off, share your assets with her."
"That's all, we'll take care of your bride first. Your father and I have other things to attend to, goodbye." The Empress blurted everything out and then immediately hung up the communicator.
After disconnecting, the expression on the Empress's face dispersed completely, revealing a trace of worry.
"Doing this, Yuting might be angry with me," the Empress lamented as she leaned into the Emperor's embrace.
"If he dares, if he dares to be angry with you, I'll break his legs and freeze all his assets," His Majesty the Emperor comforted, seething with rage.
The Empress chuckled, "What are you saying; if you freeze the assets, what will Tongtong have to use?"
The two were just joking around and didn't take it seriously.
"I consider my life fulfilled, but the only unsatisfactory part is, I wish Yuting would not continue to be so solitary, we owe him too much."
His Majesty the Emperor couldn't help but sigh. Indeed, Yuting was too outstanding, and unlike the Crown Prince with his frail constitution, Yuting, with his SSS-grade physique, had been on the battlefield since the age of fifteen, fighting the Insect Clan and tirelessly defending them, protecting the entire Canaan Empire.
Initially, the fertility score also stood at 10, and with higher spiritual power came longer life, so they weren't in a hurry.
Now, the fertility score has dropped to 0; how could they possibly agree to him not marrying, how could they bear to see him living a solitary life for the rest of his days?
In the aircraft, Si Yuting was glaring at the screen where the portrait had disappeared, his brows knitted tightly. His finger touched the redial button but then he gave up, returning to the marital status interface and scrolling to the last page. He hesitated for a second before clicking on wealth sharing and, when a dialogue box popped up, he clicked yes.
Then he continued reviewing the information sent by Cheng Feng.
On the other end, Qu Tong hadn't noticed this section.
Today, she had browsed the Star Net again, her eyes shining but also feeling heartache.
It was another day filled with longing for the vast wealth of her previous life.
"Ding~" A message popped up.
Qu Tong casually clicked on it and sprang to her feet!
The Empire's annual tax notice!
An inventory in three months!
The tax system for remote stars is different from general commercial activities since taxes are not settled at the end of the year but rather paid in one lump sum at the beginning of the year, based on the assessed value of the planet for that year, at a rate of 10%.
For the following year, the Planet Master has ownership of all the land on the planet, including all resources mined and all revenue from commercial activities.
Of course, resource-rich planets are owned by the Empire or certain specific institutions, and would never fall into private hands.
MD! I've been here less than a week and am instantly in debt by a hundred million.
A pillow was thrown far away.
I*******!!!
After venting, Qu Tong silently picked up the pillow and placed it back on the bed.
He opened the interstellar network and posted an anonymous question.
Question: "How to make a hundred million within three months?"
With the developed interstellar internet, netizens can go online anytime and anywhere, and soon there were many enthusiastic responses under the post.
"The host has grand ambitions, which I admire. I am not talented, but I can point you in the right direction. Imperial Laws 345-579, the most profitable methods are all there. You're welcome."
"Same question, how to get rich overnight?"
"The simplest method: just prop your pillow up higher at night!"
"As everyone knows, the most profitable industries in the Empire are potions, energy plants, and mechas, but unfortunately, we're doomed to be the chives for our entire life."
"Pffhaha, above commenter speaks the truth."
"The newly released purified exotic beast meat by the Alchemist Association also has great potential for development."
"That's something only the nobles and gentry can afford. Even if it becomes common, ordinary people can only crave it occasionally. I'll just stick with my nutrient solution."
"Not to hide from the host, if I had such a great trick, I wouldn't be here chatting with you today."
"Who says we can't do it, it doesn't necessarily mean the host can't either. It's always good to have dreams, maybe one day the host will realize them."
....
Soon enough, the post was filled with comments, most of which were jokes, but there were also some serious replies and ridicule.
Curious, Qu Tong searched the interstellar mall for the potions from the Alchemist Association that were mentioned the most.
The colorful array of potions that popped up, with zeroes lining up behind their prices, made Qu Tong's mouth drop open wide enough to fit a goose egg.
Each product description in the upper left corner boasted the words "Produced by the Alchemist Association, guaranteed high quality" in bold, brazenly asserting their confidence.
They mainly sold nutrient solutions and Spirit Power Stabilizing Potions. Just the nutrient solution alone had dozens of grades and flavors, and their prices were higher than some of the potions available on the market.
For instance, a low-grade Spirit Power Stabilizing Potion that Qu Tong had previously bought from a non-branded source cost him only 5,000 Star Coins, but the one from the Alchemist Association required 50,000 Star Coins. However, they guaranteed it was the best among the low-grade potions for stabilizing spiritual power and offered a variety of flavors to choose from.
The Advanced Mind Stabilizing Potion, needless to say, was even more outrageous at 500,000 per dose and still in high demand.
Every citizen of the interstellar space suffered from mental power outbreaks, and the Spirit Power Stabilizing Potion could effectively soothe their spiritual power and help them get through periods of instability.
As of yet, there is no complete cure for this condition.