Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Watching You Act is Quite Tiring
The Spirit Power Stabilizing Potion and the nutrient supplement look similar on the outside, both contained in glass vials with colorful, crystal-clear liquids.
Qu Tong, despite having experienced three psychic power outbursts since childhood, had always toughed it out on her own.
The severity of a psychic power outburst tends to worsen with each occurrence, and in the later stages, one has no choice but to rely on the Spirit Power Stabilizing Potion to survive. In severe cases, even a Special Grade Potion might not save them.
She knew a bit about concocting medicines, but she wasn't sure if the ones she made would be effective.
Qu Tong glanced at her shrunken wallet and then searched for the second most popular keyword, Energy Plant.
Once she clicked in, she was somewhat taken aback.
Aren't these just ordinary fruits and vegetables?
A piece of fruit, not as fresh as her small tomato, was priced at 100 Star Coins, yes, sold per piece.
A cabbage with not-so-great appearances was priced at a staggering 5,000 Star Coins.
Qu Tong felt it was somewhat fantastical — she recalled that in her previous life, cabbages from the farmers were only about five cents per half kilo, and even in the supermarket it was just two or three yuan per half kilo.
After carefully recalling the original body's memories, Qu Tong realized that when interstellar residents transplanted to this star system from the Blue Planet, the land and air here couldn't produce plants suitable for human consumption. They needed to be artificially purified at a very high cost. Additionally, part of the knowledge about this process was lost during the migration, making the purified fruits and vegetables a high-quality food only affordable to the wealthy.
They were called Energy Plants because the agricultural science institute stated that plants with a high degree of purification contain abundant energy, which, if consumed regularly, could subtly soothe the Spirit Sea and reduce the frequency of psychic power outbursts.
Thinking of the tomato seedlings still at the Qu Family residence, Qu Tong's mind began to race.
These past few days, her special ability had been gradually recovering, and she could clearly feel that it was much stronger than when she first arrived here. Unless something went wrong, in about four or five months, it would be fully restored to its level from her past life.
The Qu Family, she had to pay a visit back there, and Star 1757 as well.
The next day, Qu Tong, led by a maid, sought leave from the Empress.
"Won't you stay a few more days in the palace, Tong? Is there something wrong with the food or are you not accustomed to something here?" the Empress asked with concern.
"Not at all, everything here is very good. I have some things to take care of back at the Qu Family, and afterward, I also want to visit the planets," Qu Tong replied with a smile, softening her voice involuntarily in front of such a gentle Empress.
"Then let me arrange for two Royal Guards to accompany you. Managing the planet is not a rush, if there are any problems, you can always contact me or His Majesty, or Yuting as well, although he often doesn't check his communicator because he's busy."
"Empress, don't worry about me, I am very familiar with things on the agricultural star, and there won't be any danger," Qu Tong said, tactfully declining.
The Empress naturally understood what Qu Tong meant and didn't insist. She tried another approach: "Then I'll have someone escort you to the agricultural star and back, to prevent any accidents en route. Should you need anything, don't hesitate to call on them to handle it."
Qu Tong found the Empress's intention in her words rather curious.
When the spaceship had an accident, the Qu Family didn't even inquire, but this stepmother, whom she had only been with for a day, seemed more concerned for her.
Unable to decline further, Qu Tong left the palace with the two individuals personally selected by the Empress.
The Empress personally arranged a lavish spacecraft to send Qu Tong back to the Qu Family, creating quite a stir as the whole clan came out to see.
Qu Tong stepped off the grand spacecraft with a leisurely manner, ignoring Qu Wanwan's envious gaze, and headed straight inside.
No matter how many questions the others had, seeing the straight-standing, unmoving Royal Guards at the door, they held their inquiries back.
Qu Jianwen feigned a concerned expression, "Back already, how did it go with the Empress Dowager?"
With a slight upturn of her lips and a tender white face, Qu Tong appeared more endearing: "Uncle, don't worry, the matter you asked for has been taken care of."
Qu Tong even deliberately shared her own marriage registration proof on her communicator screen.
"Registered that quickly?" Qu Jianwen was a little surprised.
"What else?"
Qu Tong directly bypassed everyone and headed to the guest room where she had previously stayed.
Regarding Qu Tong's rude behavior of completely ignoring them, the group could only silently grind their teeth.
However, the thought that the dowry promised by the Imperial Palace would soon be delivered lifted their spirits considerably.
Having little to collect, Qu Tong quickly returned.
Upon coming out, she saw a group of relatives smiling joyfully; if one didn't know better, they might think they were genuinely happy about her marrying into a good family.
Her second uncle was even trying to cozy up to two Royal Guards with a chrysanthemum-wide grin, but they paid him no heed.
When Qu Jianwen saw Qu Tong about to board the aircraft, he hurriedly called out to her.
"Second niece, where are you off to?"
Qu Tong looked back with a light smile, "Since I'm already married, I'm naturally heading to where I should be. I won't stay here to watch you all put on a show; it must be quite exhausting for you."
Qu Jianwen's face stiffened for a moment, but he still kept his smile, "What are you talking about, second niece? His Majesty mentioned that War God Your Highness is on military duty and isn't in the Imperial Palace. Now that you're back, why not stay at home for a while? I'll ask the butler to clean up the West Garden where you used to live."
At the end, he added, "If you feel lonely, you could also live next to Wanwan in the room beside hers."
"Dad!" Qu Wanwan murmured in displeasure, albeit softly.
She definitely didn't want this useless trash living next to her; that was where she planned to set up her dressing room.
Qu Jianwen simply cast a glance her way, and Qu Wanwan had no choice but to keep silent.
Qu Tong couldn't be bothered to pretend and boarded the aircraft without looking back.
Qu Wanwan watched Qu Tong's departing figure, her eyes nearly brimming with jealousy.
Though she was the one who didn't want this arranged marriage, seeing Qu Tong, a pitiful creature who scavenged for a living on Huangxing, enjoying such good treatment made her feel very uncomfortable.
Humph, what does it matter if it's Royal treatment? With her high fertility value, how could she possibly waste it on a man who can't produce offspring?
Even though he's a prince, he spends all his time at the frontier combating the Insect Clan; who knows when he might die.
"What an attitude? Just climbed up the social ladder and she's already showing her true colors," Li Yuexiang muttered disapprovingly under her breath.
A worthless orphan without parents; without the Qu Family, she is nothing.
Perhaps due to Qu Wanwan's intense gaze, just before the cabin door closed, Qu Tong even grinned at her.
Qu Wanwan bit her tender lip, so angry that she was on the verge of fuming.
Not until the elegant aircraft had disappeared from everyone's sight did they resentfully withdraw their gazes.
"Ah!"
It was then that Qu Wanwan's abrupt scream suddenly rang out.
"What's wrong, Wanwan?" Li Yuexiang looked over with concern.
Qu Wanwan was staring at her light computer, her pupils dilated, clearly losing her composure.
"Dad, Mom!" Qu Wanwan's expression was frantic, her eyes reddening, but cautious of the crowd around her watching the excitement, she could only stomp her feet anxiously.
Sensing something amiss, Qu Jianwen spoke sternly, "Let's talk inside."
Once the door shut, Qu Jianwen dismissed the others, and remembering the mouth shape Qu Tong made at Qu Wanwan before leaving, he asked, "Wanwan, did Qu Tong say something to you?"
"That worthless creature thanked me for giving her Star 1757!"