Celia’s lips twitched as she could only say, "It’s to be expected, I hope Major General will continue to pay such close attention to Lin Fu. As her classmate, I can only be happy for her."
"Thank you for your understanding, Duke. Please come in."
Celia strained to straighten her back, embracing the resolve and courage of going into battle.
The fact that the butler had just addressed her as Duke had made everything clear—her and Lance’s scheming had all been under Major General Fu Xing’s watchful eye.
He knew her purpose as well.
Celia had only been inside for ten minutes before she left quietly without a trace, with no one knowing what they had discussed.
In the morning, after eating at the restaurant, Lin Fu and Xu Jinglan came out just in time to see everyone gathered in front of the screen, loudly discussing something.
As they approached, they saw only one line of text on the screen.
[Galaxy Empire Notification: Duke of Glirward passed away last night, let us mourn deeply, wishing the Duke a peaceful journey. As one of the Seven Guardian Dukes of the Galaxy Empire, the Duke of Glirward has made outstanding contributions to the Empire’s politics, military, and culture. Starting today, the Empire and foreign embassies will lower flags to half-mast in mourning.]
[Imperial Decree of His Majesty, Emperor of the Galaxy Empire: Effective immediately, Celia Glivard becomes the youngest Duchess of the Galaxy Empire and the Guardian of the Glehuward Star System, the Empire’s Honorary Admiral...]
The long list of titles left people dizzy, Lin Fu had never realized that inheriting a dukedom came with so many titles, even an Honorary Admiral title.
Did that mean Fu Xing had another Admiral’s honorary rank?
Xu Jinglan muttered to herself, "Celia’s father has died? So suddenly?"
"Yes, and now she’s a Duchess. Look at all those titles, any one of them is frightening; she’ll definitely be the boss at school now, who would dare to mess with her!"
However, Lin Fu felt that there was definitely more to it.
This was a Guardian Duke, disappearing without a trace, without detailed reports or any mention of a memorial service, funeral plans, etc.
Indeed, the surrounding people also criticized how lackluster the notification was, and some even said this generation’s Duke of Glirward was extraordinarily mediocre, covering everything under the veneer of "outstanding performance."
Among the Seven Guardian Dukes, who wouldn’t have their accomplishments elaborately described in a lengthy document? Otherwise, they wouldn’t earn numerous people’s respect and support.
"This Duke didn’t have many accomplishments; no wonder he seized his position through dishonorable means originally."
"Come on, spill some noble secrets."
Just then, a cold voice behind them said, "The biggest accomplishment of that old man was aiding Joseph V in a coup, and that’s something you can’t openly brag about."
The voice wasn’t loud, but the implication chilled to the bone.
The people who had been enthusiastically discussing suddenly went silent, turning around in fright to see who had spoken.
Finding it was Lin Fu, they stopped panicking.
It seemed normal, whatever she said.
Xu Jinglan, usually so calm, was startled and quickly dragged Lin Fu out to Elbert’s exclusive resting area.
Lin Fu remained silent throughout, simply letting Xu Jinglan pull her along.
"What’s wrong?" Ivan asked, puzzled.
Xu Jinglan explained what had happened, and Ivan was both amused and bewildered.
"Lin Fu, do you really dislike Celia’s father?"
Lin Fu shook her head. She had just blurted out what came to her mind in that moment.
Lin Fu felt uneasy, feeling as if she had forgotten something important, even distracted during the opening ceremony and her team’s entry. Fortunately, they didn’t have to do anything during the opening ceremony, merely carrying the school flag and walking a lap around the venue after registering the school’s name.
What Lin Fu didn’t know was that a certain person was furious.
Because of the opening ceremony, Fu Xing also attended.
As Lin Fu made her round, she even passed by Fu Xing.
But she didn’t glance at him once.