Chapter 50: Chapter 45: Shattered Restoration Potion

"Okay, I understand."

"I’ll go now. Thank you."

Even though her heart was filled with unease.

But Yu Lan still thanked the male researcher who had come to deliver the message in a gentle voice.

The female’s soft, gentle voice, paired with her beautiful, bright smile, made the elite researcher blush instantly. He shot a quick glance at Shen Zueran, who was standing nearby.

He answered in a hoarse voice:

"No, no, it’s nothing."

"I’m just the messenger. Lanlan, you should hurry down. Don’t keep the Royal Guard waiting."

It was just a little strange.

’Why does the Queen only want to see Yu Lan and not Shen Zueran?’

The question flashed through the researcher’s mind, but he quickly shook his head, pushing the thoughts away.

’Perhaps the Queen has other plans.’

"By the way, Director, what were you about to say just now?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Yu Lan watched the researcher leave, then turned to Shen Zueran beside her.

The man had clearly wanted to say something to her, but the researcher’s sudden appearance had interrupted him.

’What did Shen Zueran want to say?’

He was thinking about the upcoming day off and wanted to ask Yu Lan out for coffee and a movie.

If he didn’t seize this chance to ask her out while she was in the lab...

Once Huo Zhanting and Su Xingye showed up, he might not get another opportunity.

’As if he didn’t know those two were itching to get closer to Yu Lan recently.’

What unfortunate timing.

Shen Zueran shook his head, his dark eyes smiling:

"It’s nothing. You should go see the Queen first."

"I’ll tell you after you get back."

"Alright."

Yu Lan agreed. She thought Shen Zueran wanted to discuss something related to the experiment.

That was the most important thing right now, after all.

She never would have guessed that the seemingly cool, aloof, and indifferent high-IQ director standing before her was preoccupied with how to ask her on a date without being rejected.

And so, with a heart full of unease, Yu Lan followed the Royal Guard toward the Imperial Palace.

「In a corner of the Science Research Institute」

Louisa, who had witnessed the scene, had unconcealable jealousy and panic in her eyes.

’What do I do?!’

’What do I do?!’

She knew better than anyone that Yu Lan was Belina’s only true daughter.

Everything she had now—her lofty, revered status as a princess—was built on the condition that Yu Lan was a useless female.

But now, Yu Lan had demonstrated her extraordinary talent for research.

The Hope Potion she developed could completely replace a female in soothing a male.

It was sought after by countless males.

’If that’s the case...’

’...is there still a chance the throne will pass to me?’

Wouldn’t everything she had sacrificed for that throne come to nothing?

Louisa bit her lip tightly. In that instant, a thousand thoughts raced through her mind.

’If all else fails, I’ll just have to stage another accident.’

Just then...

...a researcher carefully pushed a small cart past her. It was topped with a transparent protective cover, and in the center sat a single, golden test tube.

A liquid like flowing gold swirled within the clear glass tube, refracting a mysterious light.

Something flashed through Louisa’s mind, but before she could fully grasp the thought, the researcher was already about to pass her with the cart.

She grabbed the researcher’s arm, her face fixed with its usual gentle smile.

"Is this a new type of potion?"

"How come I’ve never seen it before?"

The wary researcher’s expression instantly brightened into a smile upon recognizing Louisa’s face.

His tone was cheerful:

"Greetings, Princess."

"This is the Human-shaped Recovery Potion that the Li Family commissioned our Science Research Institute to develop."

"They invested a hundred billion, and we used countless rare materials, but we were making no progress for so long that we were about to give up."

"But then Yu Lan’s Hope Potion gave us some inspiration. Around the same time, the front-line legion seized a rare material, and we were finally able to create this one vial of Human-shaped Recovery Potion."

"This is the only one in existence. We’re just waiting for the Li Family to come and retrieve it."

Louisa’s heart began to pound wildly.

The Li Family, a top-tier plutocracy, was in the arms business. They maintained a private army and had their own weapons research lab.

Throughout the entire interstellar space...

...even the notorious Dark Planet didn’t dare to make an enemy of them.

They were afraid that if they caused any displeasure, an endless supply of explosives and munitions would be shipped to the front lines and blow them to kingdom come.

But for some reason, the Li Family had been searching for and researching a potion that could turn a beast form into a human one for many years.

Rumor had it that the current head of the Li Family had an accident and could no longer transform into his human form.

’How laughable.’

’A male beast who can’t take human form can only live in his beast form. Aside from having reason, what’s the difference between him and a Beastman?’

A flash of mockery crossed Louisa’s eyes.

But soon, a vicious plan formed in her mind.

She couldn’t get her hands on Yu Lan herself anymore.

’But what if the Li Family made a move?’

Louisa’s eyes reflected the image of the flowing gold potion—the Human-shaped Recovery Potion that the Li Family had sought for so many years, the only one of its kind in the entire interstellar space.

’If it were to be smashed...’

’...they would probably tear Yu Lan apart alive.’

’And if it was smashed by Yu Lan, right in front of the Li Family...’

’Their only hope, turned to ash before their very eyes.’

’Their rage would reach its peak.’

’Yu Lan would be finished!’

’Not even Belina could protect her.’

With these thoughts...

...Louisa’s gaze toward the Human-shaped Recovery Potion grew fervent.

Her voice became even more gentle and considerate, and she even gave a small smile to the common researcher she would normally never deign to look at.

"So where are you taking the potion now?"

The researcher stammered in his reply, pointing ahead:

"N-not far. Just to Lab Three up ahead. The Li Family will be here soon and can take it directly from there."

"Ah, what a coincidence," Louisa said, her face beaming with delight.

"I was just heading to Lab Three myself. It’s on the way, let me take it for you."

"Ah, b-but the Director instructed..."

Before the researcher could finish, control of the small cart was already in Louisa’s hands.

The noble Princess gave him a slight nod. "Rest assured, I will be very careful with it."

"O-okay."

The researcher meekly swallowed the worries he was about to voice.

’Princess Louisa is such a gentle and considerate female. She must know how precious the Human-shaped Recovery Potion is. Nothing will go wrong, right?’

*

「Meanwhile」

Under the escort of the Royal Guard, Yu Lan arrived at the Imperial Palace.

Belina sat on the throne at the very top, high and mighty, her gaze fixed on a distant point, her thoughts unknown.

The captain of the Guard Team knelt on one knee and reported:

"Her Majesty the Queen, Princess Yu Lan has been brought."

The Royal Guard was clearly well aware of Yu Lan’s identity.

Only upon hearing the guard’s report did Belina slowly withdraw her gaze and turn her head to look at Yu Lan.

Her voice was sharp and cold:

"I heard you developed the Hope Potion. It can take the place of a female in helping a male safely navigate his mating period and prevent the collapse of his spiritual power."

This was the matter causing a huge stir on the Star Network.

Everyone was lauding and eagerly awaiting the Hope Potion.

Yu Lan nodded, her reply composed, her voice cool.

"Yes."

"Heh. I never expected that, having lost your Healing Power, your research ability would be so impressive. You’ve earned a bit of my respect."

This was the first time Belina had ever looked closely at Yu Lan, standing below the dais.

Ever since she was brought back from the Garbage Star and tested as a useless female with no Healing Power, Belina had completely given up on paying her any attention.

Looking closely now, she finally realized that Yu Lan had inherited the best features of both her and her male consort.

A palm-sized face, thick, seaweed-like black hair, ink-dark brows, eyes brimming with emotion, the curve of her nose sharp and smooth, and her lips soft and rosy.

An appearance that males found extremely attractive.

After a moment’s pause, Belina’s voice, bestowing a reward, echoed through the vast, empty hall.

"Since you have this ability, then on the day the Hope Potion is released, I will consider publicly announcing your identity."

This was what Belina considered the best possible reward for Yu Lan, and what she believed Yu Lan wanted most.

Yes, to the outside world, Yu Lan was still just a destitute female from the Garbage Star.

The Royal Family had found their princess, but they hadn’t publicly revealed her identity or photo. She wasn’t even given the right to live in the Imperial Palace, so naturally, no one would connect Yu Lan with the title of princess.

’How arrogant!’

’Even her reward drips with such high and mighty arrogance.’

Yu Lan lowered her gaze, hiding the coldness in her eyes, and bowed her head.

"Yes."

Little did she know...

...when this news was secretly passed to Louisa by an attendant, the woman’s face changed drastically, and an overwhelming, bone-piercing chill seized her heart.

Louisa turned her head, her gaze fixed on the Human-shaped Recovery Potion resting silently within its protective cover.

She bit down hard.

"Yu Lan!"