"Oh?" Ke Lian indeed hadn’t been to eat there. He only had the Insect Clan meat made by Du Xixi the day before he set off for the front lines. As for how much the canteen had improved the food after that, Ke Lian really didn’t know. "Then if I go, is there a backdoor I can take? Will our beautiful and capable Xixi help make some more delicious food for me?"

Chen Yin chuckled lightly, the wine glass in his hand already empty, as he laughed nonchalantly, "Marshal, it’s not right to use public office for personal gain! Be careful, I might report you to your Minister of the Military!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Tsk." Finding the backdoor route wouldn’t work, Ke Lian gave Chen Yin a stealthy glare, but when facing Du Xixi, he put on a look of grievance, pouting as he called out, "Xixi, I want something tasty to eat..."

"Shameless!" The open sparring between Chen Yin and Ke Lian was not yet over. When Du Xixi was at a loss, unsure of how to respond to Ke Lian, Chen Yin deliberately pinched his voice to say these four words, which instantly darkened Ke Lian’s face!

"Who are you calling shameless!"

"Whoever responds is who I’m talking about!"

"Your Majesty, that’s too much!"

"I’m just being too much, what’s it to you!"

"..."

Every time Chen Yin and Ke Lian met, they were at each other’s throats, rarely getting along harmoniously. Du Xixi took another sip of fruit wine, indicating that she was already used to this bickering scene akin to elementary school children.

And while Ke Lian and Chen Yin were going back and forth, the remaining courtiers finally walked away. They understood that when the Marshal and Your Majesty were together, it was best not to join in for gossip.

They might not hear the gossip, but they would definitely be scared by these two bickering kids. If this scene were shown publicly, even the netizens on the Star Network might find it unreal, right?

Who could imagine that the ones exchanging jabs here would be the dignified Marshal and Your Majesty of the Blue Star Empire?

Du Xixi received it well, even applauding at the peak moments of their quarrel, prompting everyone watching her calm demeanor to secretly wipe a sweat for her.

Princess, you truly are a brave warrior!

In fact, Du Xixi wasn’t worried at all. Although Chen Yin and Ke Lian were arguing more fiercely, occasionally bringing up each other’s past embarrassments to provoke one another, she understood very well that the relationship between Chen Yin and Ke Lian was rock solid!

The two grew up around the same time, both shining figures of their era. If they both entered politics or the military at the same time, their excellence would definitely stir up a storm. Fortunately, one pursued politics and the other the military, one maintaining stability with authority, the other defending borders against foreign enemies.

With internal and external coordination, even though their temperaments and dispositions clashed in every way, they were more compatible on certain fronts than others. They could place their backs in each other’s hands because they were this empire’s steadfast guardians, each other’s best partners.

The sharpness of their arguments and the cutting edge of their words didn’t necessarily mean their relationship was bad. On the contrary, it might be that their relationship was so good that they knew so many of each other’s embarrassing stories, thus they quarreled without restraint.

Chen Yin regards Ke Lian as a partner, a confidant, even though he never admitted it aloud. But Du Xixi knew that Chen Yin acknowledged Ke Lian’s role as her brother-in-law. He had transitioned from initially resisting Du Xixi and Ke Lian being together to now supporting them.

Because Chen Yin believed in Ke Lian’s character, knowing he wouldn’t do anything to wrong Du Xixi, he supported Du Xixi and Ke Lian continuing their relationship.

Of course, Du Xixi had some misunderstanding on this matter. After all, she didn’t know that Chen Yin had been secretly observing the suitable young talents of the Blue Star Empire, occasionally sending lists over to provoke Ke Lian, even spreading rumors on Ke Lian’s side about introducing even more handsome and capable partners for Du Xixi.

As Du Xixi appreciated this verbal sparring, the bickering between Chen Yin and Ke Lian had reached a fever pitch. Seeing every word he said being refuted by Chen Yin, Ke Lian finally decided to play a trump card: "Speaking of which, many people seem to like Miao Miao. Your Majesty, being too old, wouldn’t it be a bit inappropriate?"

Chen Yin: ... Thanks for the invite, my fists are clenched!

Chen Yin gritted his teeth with a smile, his voice cold, "Oh? Even if the age gap between me and Miao Miao is large, doesn’t Marshal Ke Lian and dear Xixi have an age gap of over forty years? Wouldn’t that also be a bit inappropriate?"

Ke Lian: ... Thanks for the invite, my fists are also clenched!

As they continued their mutual torment with great zest, Rob came over at this time. Hesitating for a moment without disturbing them, he turned to Du Xixi and said, "Miss, the Iron-eating Beast Empire has sent a diplomatic envoy. They have matters to discuss with our Blue Star Empire."