Chapter 23: A Formal Introduction

After Luo Fei finished his coming-of-age reflections, the atmosphere of the entire birthday banquet was pushed to a climax. Thunderous applause filled the hall. The Royal Band performed a live rendition of the birthday song. The custom-ordered, five-tiered birthday cake was personally wheeled into the banquet hall by the Royal Guard Captain, Major General Mond.

In previous years, the princes’ birthday banquets had simply followed a set procedure. The main purpose was to use the occasion for the princes to meet officials from various sectors and become familiar with imperial affairs ahead of time. But today, His Majesty Xize specifically added the segments of making a wish and cutting the cake. It was because the 18th coming-of-age ceremony was particularly special, adding a greater sense of ceremony. He wanted his two children to experience the atmosphere of a real birthday celebration.

Atop the five-tiered cake, 18 candles were lit.

All the electric curtains in the great hall were lowered, and the main light switch was cut off. The room plunged into darkness, only the dancing candle flames illuminating the surrounding area.

Luo Fei and Luo Ning walked shoulder to shoulder before the birthday cake.

Bathed in the candlelight, the eighteen-year-old youths’ handsome features appeared even more sharply defined. Exquisite brows, high-bridged nose, faintly curved lips—this face’s appearance was in no way inferior to the Empire’s super-popular celebrities. The image of them pressing their palms together in a wish was exceptionally picturesque. If filmed, it could serve as a poster for a coming-of-age idol drama.

Even knowing Luo Fei was fundamentally a bit silly, Mo Han had to admit he maintained his poise impeccably on the surface. Anyone who didn’t know him might very well be charmed by the First Prince’s outward appearance.

However, while Luo Fei maintained an elegant demeanor on the surface, his mental world painted a vastly different picture. “Can birthday wishes really come true? If they can, I hope Mo Han won’t be angry with me. I didn’t mean to deceive him; I really, really like him. Just let me successfully pursue Mo Han and make him my Prince Consort. My biggest wish right now is for him to fall in love with me too.”

Luo Fei recited this wish silently in his heart. Chongming simply refused to engage with a master so hopelessly entangled in love.

After making their wishes, the two princes blew out the birthday candles together. They then cut the birthday cake, though naturally they only needed to slice the top tier as a symbolic gesture before handing it over to the chefs for further cutting. The cake would be served to all the guests present.

What followed was lunchtime.

Unlike the Mo family’s banquet, which used a buffet format, the Royal Banquet was meticulously ordered, its etiquette deeply solemn. The menu alone was highly particular—appetizer, soup, main course, dessert, fruit—all brought out one course at a time and placed before each guest. Everyone had the same meal. This menu, it was said, had been personally determined by Queen Lin Yuan. The variety of dishes was incredibly rich, but each plate contained only a small, exquisitely arranged portion, prizing rarity and artistic presentation. It was a feast for the palate and the eyes.

Numerous long tables filled the banquet hall, providing ample space without feeling overcrowded.

Seated at the head table were, quite naturally, His Majesty’s immediate family.

Besides His Majesty, Queen Lin Yuan, and the two birthday princes, there was also Marshal Rosen, General Ling Yu, Major General Ling An, as well as Princess Xiya and Imperial Uncle Xiwei, who had traveled from afar. Of these, Xiya and Xiwei were His Majesty’s own older sister and older brother; Rosen and Ling Yu were the Queen’s parents; and Ling An was the Queen’s younger brother. All were elders of Luo Fei.

His peers, like cousin Emile and the various royal cousins, were seated at a side table.

Mo Han wasn’t particularly familiar with the Royal Family members. He glanced at the head table before withdrawing his gaze, which just happened to meet Emile’s from the side table.

Compared to Luo Fei’s collected composure, Emile was clearly far less steady. The moment he spotted Mo Han, he looked as if he’d seen a ghost. His eyes instantly widened to the size of copper bells, his mouth gaping open enough to fit an egg.

Mo Han, with great poise, offered him a slight smile.

Emile’s mouth twitched. He immediately ducked his head, pretending he didn’t exist.

Everyone who could attend such an occasion naturally understood table manners. They maintained the politeness of “silence while dining,” concentrating purely on savouring the exquisite and delicious food. The clinking of cutlery occasionally echoed softly through the hall. The entire meal proceeded in extraordinary quiet.

After the meal ended, the tableware was swiftly cleared away. The guests within the hall were then invited into the adjacent side hall.

The official journalists departed after capturing all the key ceremonial moments. The side hall naturally became a more open area, free from the need for excessive ceremony. Here, an array of fruits, snacks, and precious vintage wines were laid out. Guests could freely mingle and converse. His Majesty, meanwhile, had withdrawn in advance with the Queen and the two princes to the neighboring conference hall, clearly intending to receive certain individuals.

His Majesty was, after all, the monarch. He couldn’t mingle in the crowd greeting everyone individually. The list of people he was to receive had been decided well beforehand. It included certain military and congressional officials, as well as some high-ranking officers from the Mecha Association, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Education, and, naturally, several standing directors of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce.

Mo Qiming leaned over to whisper to his son, “We’ll also go to the next room to see His Majesty shortly. You and Luo Fei already know each other. Just be careful not to be discourteous.”

Mo Han smiled. “Father, rest assured.”

—Of course I won’t be discourteous. What you should worry about more is whether His Highness, the First Prince, will be discourteous. He nearly just had a complete mental crash.

Moments later, an etiquette official approached and respectfully ushered the Mo Qiming father and son into the conference hall.

Joining them in being received by His Majesty were, besides Chairman Mo Qiming of the Fengyang Group, the heads of the Empire’s largest entertainment conglomerates, network companies, food enterprises, shopping mall chains, film and television firms, and other mega-corporations. These individuals were all standing directors of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce. It was no exaggeration to say the stable development of the Empire’s economy owed a great deal to these people.

Therefore, His Majesty Xize was exceptionally gracious towards them, exchanging a few pleasantries with a smile before beginning the official commendation of their contributions to the Empire.

Second Prince Luo Ning had already departed with the Queen. As an Omega prince, his presence wasn’t required for this segment. But Luo Fei, as the designated heir apparent, had to stay to meet the officials from various sectors alongside his Royal Father. Thus, he remained in the conference hall.

Seated beside his Royal Father, Luo Fei maintained his smile throughout the entire event. After the initial mental reboot earlier, he seemed to have largely steadied his mindset. Even when meeting Mo Han’s gaze head-on, his expression barely flickered.

…Though his mental world was on the verge of collapse…

But he absolutely could not embarrass his Royal Father in such a setting.

Xize chatted with the business magnates about some plans for future economic development. Several of the heads of commerce also put forward some suggestions. The atmosphere of the talks was amicable and pleasant.

After finishing the business discussions, Xize smiled warmly. “Some of the young people who accompanied their elders today… I would like Luo Fei to use this chance to get to know them formally. They’re close in age to him, but Luo Fei’s real-world experience is woefully lacking. He has much to learn from them.”

His Majesty’s gaze swept across the room, pausing on Mo Han. He said gently, “This must be Chairman Mo’s son?”

Mo Qiming introduced, “Yes, Your Majesty. He is precisely my Alpha eldest son, Mo Han.”

Mo Han stepped forward and bowed respectfully in salute. “Your Majesty.”

Xize smiled faintly, noting that this youth showed not a trace of timidity before him. He was impeccably polite, neither servile nor arrogant. He was also very handsome—tall, with refined features. A cream-colored suit paired with a light blue tie, elegant but not frivolous. He bore none of the spoiled arrogance common to wealthy heirs; instead, his manner was graceful and poised. The first impression was indeed excellent.

Xize’s gaze towards him held a hint of admiration. “I hear you are a hacking prodigy, the one who cracked the Locke Virus, and also participated in the R&D for the new-generation intelligent spaceship. A truly rare young talent.”

Mo Han said modestly, “Your Majesty flatters me.”

Xize turned back to Luo Fei. “Luo Fei, Mo Han is only two years older than you, yet so young and accomplished. You should learn more from him. Go and introduce yourself properly.”

Luo Fei felt like crying.

Royal Father! We’ve already known each other for ages!

I pretended to be his university senior and schemed around him for so long… I even told him my family background was ordinary, and that I was honored to be his friend…

Under his Royal Father’s watching gaze, Luo Fei stiffly walked before Mo Han, forced calm onto his face, and extended his hand. “Hello, Mo Han. Very pleased to meet you.”

Mo Han looked at him, the depths of his eyes brimming with mirth. He reached out and shook Luo Fei’s hand. “The First Prince truly lives up to his reputation; a distinguished presence.”

Luo Fei: “………………”

Stop teasing me!

Listening to Mo Han’s polite praise, Luo Fei’s mind was total chaos.

The calmer Mo Han acted, the more Luo Fei felt awkward and humiliated. He had been performing so earnestly, and the other man had just been calmly watching the show. He truly felt he’d been unbelievably stupid.

Xize completely failed to notice Luo Fei’s anomaly. Seeing Luo Fei and Mo Han shake hands and get acquainted, he felt a sense of gratification. His son just lacked real-world experience. Getting to know more people his own age would certainly be good for him. He never imagined that Luo Fei had the audacity to set his sights on Mo Han, and had even played out such a grand and foolish drama before Mo Han.

Therefore, in Mo Han’s eyes, the First Prince—even if he carried the outward manner flawlessly—was, at his core, just a simple, silly boy.