Seeing her son standing before her whole and unharmed, Yun Rong's face was filled with immense relief, though she chided him, "If I hadn't come, who knows how long I would have waited to see my son again."

Zhong Yun managed an awkward smile, unsure of what to say. For the past three years, he had been trapped in the mysterious "Trial Space," completely cut off from the outside world. He wondered how worried his family must have been.

The moment he emerged, he urgently contacted Xiao Ling. Fortunately, Xiao Ling's emotional intelligence had greatly improved, and she had managed to impersonate him and contact his family, successfully hiding the truth until now. Otherwise, Yun Qi would surely have come looking for him already.

"It's a pity Xiao Shan is too young to bring along," Yun Ruo said, shaking her head.

Hearing the unfamiliar name Xiao Shan, a sharp pang struck Zhong Yun. Who was Xiao Shan? Had his parents, after successfully having Xiao Yu, doubled down and gifted him a younger brother? Afraid of revealing a crack in his facade, he dared not say much.

But the next sentence from Yun Rong sent him into complete stupefaction. Seeing Zhong Yun’s perfunctory look, Yun Rong completely misunderstood, her expression instantly shifting to anger. "How can you be a father? I'm telling you, whether you acknowledge this son or not, Xiao Shan is our grandson."

Zhong Yun had never seen his mother so furious since childhood. What was more critical was the meaning of her words: son? I have a son?

Completely unprepared, Zhong Yun was suddenly hit with the news that he had a son, and the shock was unimaginable.

Seeing that her son still showed no reaction, Yun Rong’s anger flared anew. "Fine, you've become an Emperor and grown mighty, haven't you? If you have the guts, then don't acknowledge me as your mother either." With that, she turned and left.

Zhong Yun’s heart seized. He knew the situation was dire. His mother had always doted on him, never even willing to utter a harsh word. For her to speak such a decisive statement now proved she was infuriated beyond measure. Flustered, he nearly panicked and rushed after her. "Mom! Mom, please don't be angry. Let me explain."

Yun Rong stopped at the high platform of the teleportation point and turned around, clearly still fuming. "I won't listen to anything you say. If you have an explanation, take it home to explain." Then she stepped into the jump gate.

Watching his mother’s figure vanish, Zhong Yun stood there stunned, his mind a complete muddle. His family were the most important people in his life. His mother, who never raised her voice, had been this angry and spoken such harsh words. Coupled with the sudden existence of a son, his mind was chaotic, unable to sort things out immediately.

"Yun."

Zhong Yun felt a sudden grip on his arm. He looked over to see Yun Qi watching him with a complex gaze—a mixture of gratitude, worry, and a trace of sadness. Zhong Yun had never seen her wear such an expression before, and his heart tightened.

"I know. It was all for me," Yun Qi whispered tenderly, resting her delicate head on his shoulder, her voice like a soft breeze passing his ear.

Yun Qi’s words completely scrambled Zhong Yun’s thoughts, yet he dared not ask anything.

Not only had the people of the Galaxy Empire arrived, but they had also brought vast amounts of equipment and raw materials. The Galaxy Empire lacked nothing more than resources and machinery. As the crowds poured in, they first sectioned off the land and erected defensive turrets all around.

Zhong Yun had experience from the Andu Empire; to prevent attacks from large numbers of formidable beasts, their defensive systems were built to be incredibly solid.

In reality, the first to arrive was the Royal Guard, directly under Zhong Yun’s command. In his absence, command fell to Liu Yunqi.

Following them was the Mecha Squad. The Galaxy Empire was now mass-producing Four-Star Mechas, equipping some of their elite units. These personnel were also personally selected by Zhong Yun, who had personally helped them advance their strength—they were the elite core troops, all Level Ten Masters, totaling two thousand people.

Even though Zhong Yun was not physically present in the Galaxy Empire, the nation's military construction proceeded according to his intentions. He issued orders to the military system via Xiao Ling. Without his direct command, any military movement involving more than a hundred personnel was illegal.

He deeply understood the importance of the military, especially modern armies, whose destructive power was beyond imagination. He had absorbed numerous factions, and the domestic composition was quite complex. To prevent unforeseen trouble, he established an extremely strict military command system. Without his order, even his father—now the Prime Minister of the Galaxy Empire—could not move a single soldier.

During Zhong Yun’s absence, Xiao Ling held proxy authority.

It wasn't that he distrusted those around him, but the reins of the nation could not simply be handed over. To do so would spell disaster for everyone involved.

With a continuous stream of supplies and personnel, the base construction proceeded rapidly. While the quality could not match that of the Andu Empire, given the vast difference in civilization levels, the sheer speed far surpassed their opponents.

Zhong Yun spent that night in the newly established command center of the base. Yun Qi, separated for three years, seemed like a different person, abandoning her usual reserved demeanor for an unusually clinging affection. In their passionate reunion, she uncharacteristically fawned over him, her captivating allure driving him wild.

As the rain subsided and the ecstasy faded, Zhong Yun held Yun Qi’s limp body, watching her drift into sleep. The lingering wetness slowly dried, and he let out a soft sigh.

The events of the previous day gave him a headache.

He hadn't communicated with his family for three years, and so much had happened.

A son? I actually have a son?

Amidst the utter bewilderment, a faint joy surfaced. Being a father for the first time brought a complex emotion.

Judging by his mother’s reaction and Yun Qi’s behavior, this son couldn't be theirs. The child's mother was already obvious.

Zhong Yun had only been intimate with two women: his wife, Yun Qi, and Weiwei. If the son wasn't Yun Qi’s, it must be Weiwei’s. The thought that a brief affair with Weiwei had sown a seed filled him with a mild guilt for not being by her side while she was pregnant.

Lost in his thoughts, Zhong Yun gradually fell asleep.

"Yun."

The moment Zhong Yun opened his eyes, he heard his wife’s call. He tightened his hold on her delicate body and answered with a thick, sleepy voice, "Mmm."

For three years in the "Trial Space," he had constantly faced the threat of death, one eye always slightly open even when sleeping. Last night, having slept cradling his wife’s soft, yielding body and learning he had a son, he felt this was the sweetest sleep ever. Now that he was awake, he was reluctant to get up.

"Let's go back," Yun Qi’s voice sounded somewhat ethereal, betraying no obvious emotion.

Zhong Yun opened his eyes and met his wife’s gaze. A thousand unspoken words hung in that moment of mutual looking.

"Mm," Zhong Yun nodded, then rolled over and pressed down on her, burying his nose in her neck and sniffing deeply. Yun Qi gasped softly in arousal, wrapping her arms around his neck and gently pulling him down.

"Wife, give me a baby,"

Zhong Yun seized her earlobe, nibbling softly.

Yun Qi’s body trembled violently, hardening beneath him. Zhong Yun keenly registered her change, lifting his head just in time to see her eyes tightly shut, her expression sorrowful, two tears tracing paths from the corners of her eyes.

Zhong Yun panicked. Yun Qi had always been composed in front of him, as if nothing could shake her. Tears in his presence were extremely rare.

"I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" Zhong Yun completely lacked the easy composure he displayed with other women. Seeing her tears flow faster, he was consumed by regret. You idiot, why bring that up now? He truly wanted to slap himself twice.

Which woman didn't get jealous? Even if Yun Qi never voiced it, did she truly have no lingering resentment? Her husband was having an affair with another woman and had fathered a son. What was most unforgivable was that, judging by the child’s age, the conception had occurred right around the time of their wedding. Thinking of this, Zhong Yun’s face went pale; he was utterly despicable.

He saw Yun Qi shake her head, murmuring mournfully, "It's not your fault, it’s mine."

The more she said that, the clearer it was that she hadn't forgiven him. Zhong Yun gritted his teeth, a hint of resolve flashing across his face. "Don't worry, I know what to do."

"No, please don't," Yun Qi realized the implication of his words and, forgetting her tears, grabbed his hand. "Promise me, absolutely do not do it."

Her reaction confused Zhong Yun. Her expression seemed genuine, and knowing her as he did, she wasn't one for manipulation. Could it be that she wasn't speaking ironically, but truly didn't mind?

Thinking this, he still dared not reveal his disbelief. Was there really such an understanding woman in this world?

While wrestling with this thought, Zhong Yun dared not show it, maintaining a look of self-reproach. "I already made one mistake; how can I make another?"

Yun Qi shook his hand. "I truly don't blame you at all; if anyone is to blame, it's only myself."

Hearing her say that made the scalp tingle on Zhong Yun’s head. He couldn't grasp her true feelings but dared not speak carelessly, terrified that one wrong word might make her cry again.

Then Yun Qi sighed softly. "I know your intentions, but you cannot do this. I do not wish for you to be a fickle person."

Even with Zhong Yun’s thick skin, his face flushed crimson. He managed a bitter smile; having done wrong to her, what was a single accusation of being unfeeling?

Then Yun Qi continued, "Actually, I’ve been quietly looking for other women for you, waiting for you to return, and then... but now it seems unnecessary."

Zhong Yun listened with utter astonishment. This was outrageous. His wife finding other women for her husband? That kind of arrangement probably wasn't even common in feudal society.

"Actually, there is something I’ve been hiding from you. I..." As Yun Qi spoke, a shadow of sorrow crossed her face again.

Zhong Yun’s heart tightened. His wife’s words gave him a dreadful premonition. In fact, Yun Qi’s behavior during this reunion had been far too strange. If he hadn't been intimately familiar with her soul and body, he might have suspected an imposter.

"I cannot bear children."