Chapter 66
The smoke of battle gradually cleared, and the Iron Throne base entered a period of intense repair and recuperation. For the first time since the war, the lights in the living quarters returned to their warm, bright colors, and the aroma of real food wafted through the air, replacing the monotonous taste of nutritional supplements.
Ah Yuan, sleeves rolled up, bustled about in the reopened public kitchen, thinly slicing the new tuber variety Lao Chen had cultivated and stir-frying it with the last of the bacon in stock, while a thick vegetable porridge simmered in a large pot nearby.
"I'm exhausted. Nutritional supplements alone won't do the trick," she said, smiling at the young technician helping sort the dishes. "It's only after I've eaten the hot food that I feel alive again."
The technician nodded shyly, but couldn't help glancing towards the corner——
His Highness Wen Ling was sitting with Minister Miao, who had just been allowed to move around briefly, with the same plate of food in front of them as everyone else.
Miao Weizhen's face remained pale, and his fingers gripping the spoon lacked strength, but he sat upright. Wen Ling quickly finished his portion of food, occasionally whispering to Miao Weizhen. The content had nothing to do with the battle situation, but rather with Lao Lin's preliminary assessment report on the captured "Judgment" class battleship.
"Susie said its energy circuit design is ingenious, but it over-focuses on output power at the expense of stability." Wen Ling casually shifted a piece of stewed tuber onto Miao Weizhen's plate. "This contradicts some of the ancient energy concepts we've analyzed from Xinglan... from that space station."
Miao Weizhen didn't refuse the food. He slowly scooped it up, put it into his mouth, and chewed it a few times before speaking. "Federal style. The pursuit of extreme, controlled violence."
He paused and looked at Wen Ling. "Your 'Mirror Flower' takes advantage of this."
This wasn't an evaluation, more like a tactical discussion. Wen Ling understood his meaning, and the corners of her lips curved slightly: "Use their spear to attack their shield."
There is a silent understanding between the two of them. Without too many words, a glance can convey complex information.
The people dining around them, whether Han Zhong's booming officers or Luo Yan's silent, efficient team members, were all accustomed to this scene. The Minister and His Highness together were as natural a part of this base as an engine needs energy or a warship needs shields.
After dinner, Wen Ling pushed Miao Weizhen's wheelchair slowly along the circular corridor on the upper level of the base. From here, the view was wide, and one could see the flashing maintenance lights of the port area, like a scattering of stars.
"Several mining groups within Sailiang are beginning to waver," Miao Weizhen said suddenly, gazing at the starry sky outside the window. "They've sent word through intermediaries, offering to provide rare metals in exchange for future trade concessions."
Wen Ling's hands were as steady as a rock as she pushed the wheelchair. "What are the conditions?"
"We won't hold them accountable for their 'cooperation' during Federation rule, and we'll preserve their assets in the new regime." Miao Weizhen's voice was tinged with sarcasm. "You can smell the fence-sitters even from across the star field."
"But they control the resources needed for reconstruction," Wen Ling said calmly. "Temporary compromises are sometimes made for the sake of longer-term goals."
Miao Weizhen didn't object. In the face of real politics, they'd all long since learned to make deals with the devil. He leaned back slightly, feeling the steady movement of the wheelchair, and suddenly felt that the feeling of having someone to weigh the pros and cons alongside him wasn't a bad one.
At that moment, a moderate commotion erupted from the workshop below, mingled with Susie's exasperated shouts and Ye Lan's helpless attempts to dissuade them. Soon, Lao Lin's gruff voice blared over the communicator: "Minister! Your Highness! Control those two girls! They nearly overloaded the newly repaired Converter 3 while testing that damned ancient energy diverter!"
Wen Ling and Miao Weizhen exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of helplessness and a barely perceptible sense of relief. This "trouble" with a touch of life, compared to the federal artillery fire, actually gave people a strange sense of peace.
"Got it," Wen Ling replied, a hint of indulgence in her tone. "Tell them to write a 5,000-word accident report and analysis and hand it in to my desk tomorrow."
Susie's distant wail could be heard from the other end of the communication.
Miao Weizhen tilted his head slightly and looked at Wen Ling's smiling profile. He suddenly felt that this base covered with scars now had a bit of a feeling... like "home".
However, this tranquility did not last long. When Wen Ling pushed Miao Weizhen back to the command center, Luo Yan was waiting there, holding a newly deciphered encrypted intelligence.
"Your Highness, the Minister," she said, her voice still calm, though a bit faster. "It's confirmed. His Majesty Wen Xunyi's condition has deteriorated rapidly, and the entire royal medical team has been replaced. At the same time, His Majesty has signed an imperial edict accusing you of... patricide, usurpation of the throne, and conspiracy with the Minister to betray the country."
The smile on Wen Ling's face disappeared instantly, and his green eyes became calm, like the sea before a storm.
Miao Weizhen slowly opened his eyes, with a cold light in his eyes.
"The imperial edict is fake," Wen Ling's voice was soft, but with unquestionable certainty, "but someone needs it to be real."
"It seems," Miao Weizhen said softly, his voice cold and murderous, "someone doesn't want us to have a smooth 'return home'."
The base during the restoration period is like a giant slowly awakening.
The tense atmosphere in the command center eased slightly, and the coordination meetings between departments finally lost the smell of gunpowder. That evening, Wen Ling had just finished a meeting on energy rationing. Rubbing her swollen temples, she walked out of the conference room and found Miao Weizhen waiting in the shadows of the corridor.
"Keith said you didn't go for a follow-up check today." Miao Weizhen's voice was as calm as ever, but he was holding a familiar insulated box in his hand.
Wen Ling finally remembered this and took the insulated box, opening it. Inside was A Yuan's specially made medicinal porridge, still steaming. "The meeting has dragged on for far too long."
He scooped up a spoonful and it was just the right temperature.
"Han Zhong got mad at the training ground because a new recruit broke the simulator." Miao Weizhen walked beside him. "Old Lin secretly gave District Three an extra 3% of their energy quota, and Susie and Ye Lan started arguing again over the disassembly plan for the Arbitrator."
Wen Ling stopped and looked at him in surprise. These were trivial matters that should have been handled by him as the coordinator, but Miao Weizhen knew everything about them.
"How did you..."
"I heard Han Zhong cursing as I passed the training ground. Lao Lin was exposed when he applied for quotas. I heard them arguing as I passed the laboratory." Miao Weizhen said casually, "Eat your porridge."
Wen Ling lowered his head to drink his porridge, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. It turned out that while he was concentrating on the overall situation, Miao Weizhen had been paying attention to these details for him.
They walked into the living area and happened to see Ayuan distributing the newly developed moon fruit cakes. Seeing them, Ayuan's eyes lit up: "Your Highness, Minister, come and try it! We've adjusted the recipe this time!"
Wen Ling picked up a piece and handed it to Miao Weizhen, then took another piece for himself. The sweet fruity aroma melted in his mouth, and he narrowed his eyes in satisfaction: "Delicious."
Ah Yuan looked at Miao Weizhen expectantly. Minister Miao tasted the food slowly and said calmly, "There's still too much sugar."
"I knew it!" Ah Yuan stamped his feet in frustration, "Next time I'll reduce it by another 5%!"
Watching Ah Yuan running back to the kitchen, Wen Ling nudged Miao Weizhen with her elbow: "It's actually quite delicious."
"She knows the standards." Miao Weizhen picked up another piece, "but it can be better."
At this time, Han Zhongfeng hurriedly passed by and saw them eating snacks together. He said in a gruff voice: "Your Highness, control your minister! He scared two new recruits to tears again today!"
Wen Ling laughed: "General Han, the training is your responsibility."
"What do I care?" Han Zhong glared. "When he glared, those guys couldn't even hold their guns!" After saying that, he left angrily.
They continued walking forward and met Su Xi and Ye Lan arguing at the corner. Seeing Wen Ling, they immediately surrounded her:
"Your Highness! Do you think the main guns should be removed?"
Before Wen Ling could speak, Miao Weizhen glanced over and the two technical geniuses fell silent.
"Tomorrow morning," Miao Weizhen said calmly, "I want to see the complete analysis report."
"Yes! Minister!" The two said in unison and quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Wen Ling couldn't help but chuckle: "They actually listen to you."
"Because they know," Miao Weizhen looked at him, "there's no room for bargaining with me."
Returning to the lounge area, Wen Ling spotted a pot of newly cultivated silverleaf grass on the table, its leaves gleaming softly under the light. He looked at Miao Weizhen, who was flipping through a data pad as if it had nothing to do with him.
"Luo Yan gave it to me." Miao Weizhen said without even looking up. "He said it helps with sleep."
Wen Ling gently touched the leaves of the silverleaf grass, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. These seemingly cold and hard companions were actually expressing their concern in their own way.
Late at night, Wen Ling sat at her desk, sorting through materials for tomorrow's meeting, while Miao Weizhen checked the weapon system data. The rest cabin was quiet, with only the occasional chime from the databoard.
"Tomorrow's meeting with Lao Lin has been moved to the afternoon." Wen Ling said suddenly.
"Um."
"Susie agreed not to dismantle the main gun yet."
"Know."
"Ayuan said that new sedative herbs are ready and asked you to remember to soak them before going to bed."
This time, Miao Weizhen finally raised his head, and Wen Ling's figure was reflected in his deep brown eyes.
"You talk a lot today."
Wen Ling smiled and closed the data tablet: "Because today I finally don't have to think about how to convince anyone."
He walked up to Miao Weizhen and leaned on his shoulder naturally.
Miao Weizhen paused and put his arm around his shoulders.
Outside the window, the lights of the base glowed softly, like a sea of stars descending upon the mortal world. In this tranquil night, they could finally put aside their burdens for a moment and be an ordinary couple.
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