Three days passed in a flash.
The sun rose, brilliant and golden, on this day.
The entire city of Songhai was on high alert, a state of readiness not seen in nearly a century.
At Songhai Airport, countless people were waiting.
As the head of the Security Bureau, their primary mission was to ensure the safety of important guests.
At this moment, Shangguan Yi patted his clothes and checked his hairstyle in his phone.
Lin Feng quickly straightened his sleeve. "Director, I heard the Princess has just reached the age of twenty, in the prime of her youth. If you can win her over, I believe the entire nation will cheer for you!"
"You understand me best, Brother Lin!"
Shangguan Yi smiled faintly. His current focus was on ensuring security and catching the attention of the Queen and Princess of Great Britain.
With their support, he was no longer bothered by Su Yang.
After offering his compliments, Lin Feng produced a painting from his sleeve and handed it to Shangguan Yi.
"Director, I heard the Princess has a fondness for Chinese landscape paintings. So, I commissioned Master Zhao to paint one a few days ago."
Shangguan Yi was overjoyed and clapped Lin Feng on the shoulder. "Excellent, you are indeed meticulous. You are truly my right-hand man!"
The painting bore Shangguan Yi's signature.
"Naturally, I hope you will rise through the ranks and perhaps give me a hand in the future!"
"Rest assured, this Director will not forget your loyalty!"
While the distinguished guests from Great Britain had yet to arrive, the two were already envisioning a bright future.
Su Yang found it amusing. The Queen and Princess of Great Britain had seen it all; to think a painting could win them over was the height of naivete.
About half an hour later.
A plane slowly descended onto the tarmac.
Shangguan Yi adjusted his attire and gestured for everyone to proceed for the welcoming.
As the plane settled, a ramp was lowered, and British bodyguards lined up on both sides.
Following them, a noblewoman wearing a crown and holding a scepter descended.
She was the new Queen of Great Britain, who had ascended the throne at thirty and had reigned for eleven years.
Under her leadership, Great Britain had experienced rapid development in economy, military, and education, becoming the fifth strongest nation globally.
Su Yang observed the Queen of Great Britain closely. With golden hair and blue eyes, she wore a flowing gown that billowed around her.
Her fair skin, illuminated by the morning sun, was like exquisite, uncarved jade.
Her slender eyebrows and high, slightly pointed nose gave her a natural beauty that no amount of cosmetic surgery could replicate.
The Queen, holding her long skirt, gracefully walked down the ramp. The Princess followed behind her.
The Princess bore a striking resemblance to the Queen, appearing as a younger version of her mother.
Shangguan Yi stepped forward, placing his left hand over his right chest and bowing.
"I, Shangguan Yi, Director of the Security Bureau, welcome Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness the Princess to Songhai!"
Great Britain retained its monarchy, so all officials referred to themselves as "subjects" before the Queen.
While Shangguan Yi's self-designation as "foreign subject" was technically correct, it also carried a hint of sycophancy.
The Queen smiled faintly. "I recall that in every city of Longguo, the Chief Executive is the highest authority. Why is it a Director leading the welcoming party?"
At this, Chief Executive Situ Guan stepped forward with a smile. "Director Shangguan is young and capable. This is the will of the people of Songhai. With him here, your safety and that of the Princess will be better assured."
Shangguan Yi straightened his chest, a hint of pride in his smile.
The Queen looked at Shangguan Yi intently. The renowned Shangguan family of the capital, she had certainly heard of them.
It would not be an exaggeration to say they held immense power.
"Very well, then Director Shangguan, we shall trouble you!"
"It is no trouble at all! Please, Your Majesty and Your Royal Highness, board the vehicles. This humble servant has prepared fine wine and delicacies at the Tianhua Supreme Hotel."
Lin Feng took the wheel himself, with Shangguan Yi in the passenger seat.
The spacious rear seats were occupied by the Queen and the Princess.
Shangguan Yi spoke into his earpiece, "The escort vehicles will proceed one hundred meters ahead. No stops will be made en route!"
At the forefront, seven blue and white motorcycles led the way, moving rapidly in a triangular formation.
Along the route, relevant personnel directed traffic, ensuring all vehicles yielded to the VIP motorcade.
Following the motorcycles was the vanguard vehicle, typically used for "mine sweeping."
If anyone were to attempt an attack on the Queen's car, the vanguard vehicle would absorb all damage, such as artillery shells.
The welcoming procession was grand and lengthy, the motorcade stretching for a hundred meters. Two helicopters hovered overhead, monitoring everyone in the vicinity.
In the center of the motorcade, inside a modified Maybach.
The Queen and the Princess chatted and laughed, occasionally gazing out at the passing scenery.
"The scenery in Longguo is quite beautiful, Lily. Do you like it?"
Lilianne was the Princess's name. Her full title, including her family name, was as long as a bolt of cloth.
"It's alright. Compared to the scenery, I'm more interested in Longguo's traditional culture and martial arts competitions."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yi's spirits lifted. "This humble servant has studied calligraphy, chess, music, and painting since childhood and has a rudimentary understanding of these arts. I heard Your Royal Highness is fond of collecting landscape paintings, so I took the liberty of presenting a humble work. I hope you will like it."
Shangguan Yi presented the painting given by Lin Feng. Lilianne accepted it and unrolled it.
"A fine painting. The skill displayed suggests at least fifty years of practice. Director Shangguan, you are truly talented!"
Shangguan Yi smiled proudly, as if he had indeed painted it himself.
"Not at all, not at all. Your Royal Highness's appreciation for art is far superior!"
The Queen and the Princess exchanged a knowing smile. They understood he was flattering them, but they chose not to expose him.
As they chatted, the Princess suddenly asked, "I heard Su Yang also holds a position in the Security Bureau. Why haven't I seen him?"
"Your Royal Highness, he is busy with other matters. Perhaps he is with his women?"
"Oh, what a pity. I had hoped to meet him personally and discuss poetry and literature."
Shangguan Yi quickly interjected, "I also compose poetry. Would you like me to compose one for you now?"
The Queen and Princess, slightly surprised, nodded, agreeing to a live poetry recital.
Shangguan Yi pondered for a moment and then slowly began to recite: "Having traveled ten thousand miles across rivers and mountains, where can I find a kindred spirit? I search high and low, but find no trace; only in dreams does the soulmate's fragrance linger."
"This..."
The Queen and Princess were dumbfounded. Although not native to Longguo, they had encountered and heard many poems.
The verse composed by Shangguan Yi was not a proper poem at all, but rather a doggerel.
It lacked artistic conception, and a short poem would generally not repeat the same sounds or characters.
The two were immediately disappointed but still smiled politely and applauded.
"Not bad, not bad..."
Shangguan Yi stood tall. "This poem is called 'Kindred Spirit,' and I hope Your Royal Highness will enjoy it."
"Director Shangguan, I still prefer Su Yang's poem, 'Thinking of Linglong.' Especially the line, 'Linglong dice, red beans embedded; deep-seated longing, do you know?' This line is particularly memorable!"
The Princess of Great Britain, upon first hearing this poem, had stayed awake for three days and three nights.
Women in Great Britain matured early; by the age of twenty, eight or nine out of ten were married.
Upon hearing such a deeply affectionate poem of longing, the Princess marveled at Su Yang's talent.
This was one of the reasons she and the Queen had come to Songhai.
Shangguan Yi felt somewhat embarrassed. He understood that his poem was inferior to Su Yang's, but he was unwilling to admit it.
A brief silence was broken by a sudden, unpleasant sound.
"Pah pah pahlala... oh..."
Seconds later, the Queen and Princess hastily covered their noses.
The smell was unbearable!
Someone had farted and defecated in the car. They clutched their noses and mouths, almost retching.
Shangguan Yi, in the front, was the most mortified. He had no idea why such a foul smell had suddenly filled the car.
The entire vehicle reeked. Her Majesty the Queen could no longer bear it and let out a few "oh oh..." sounds before vomiting.