Chapter 69

Lu Yinghuai regaining consciousness was news that could shake the entire Blue Star Base.

Lu Yinghuai's recent dormancy was quite concerning. The Sleep Center's report to the Emperor was pessimistic, but now, after merely two months in the hibernation pod, Lu Yinghuai had awakened within his companion beast.

For a moment, all those in the know turned their attention back to Xia You.

The First Legion had many soldiers of noble origin. After observing for a few days, a flurry of letters like snowflakes landed on Xia You's desk.

Xia You hadn't even finished opening the letters from a few days ago when, glancing up, she saw Uncle Zhou bringing over more.

Xia You slumped into her chair, looking somewhat despondent.

Uncle Zhou smiled as he placed the letters on the edge of the desk, then organized the already opened ones. He selected a few and placed them before Xia You, softly saying, "These individuals have had some dealings with Sir and are generally decent in their actions, much like the current Fan family that supports the military. But they also have some marital ties with noble families in the Senate."

Reviewing a few letters was simpler than going through them all. Xia You mustered her energy and accepted the letters handed by Uncle Zhou.

Among them were invitations, visitation notes, and some were greetings on behalf of individuals or families. The main intent wasn’t necessarily to meet Xia You but to make their presence known to her.

Xia You's current office wasn't her previous small study but the main study on the same floor as their bedroom, where Lu Yinghuai often resided.

The once perpetually drawn thick curtains had been fully opened by Xia You, letting sunlight flood in through the bright floor-to-ceiling windows. The balcony door was also open, welcoming any fuzzy visitors.

The previously somber, organized desk now had many trinkets: on the left, a half-finished leopard fur mat; on the right, a chubby-looking cup with a big belly, inside of which was a small spoon Xia You used to scoop jelly from freshly squeezed juice.

Clearly, Xia You didn’t have Lu Yinghuai’s strict posture. She easily nestled into the large chair, clutching a soft pillow, frowning in patience as she perused the mountain of letters on the table.

The study had changed significantly, even though only one more person now shared the space.

Uncle Zhou was heartened by this transformation.

The Marshal's mansion had never been this lively.

The old butler was quite certain of that.

"Perhaps Sir could assist with these," Uncle Zhou suggested with a beaming smile.

However, Xia You made a wary expression, "Hmm... His Highness is currently tutoring La Tiao (a spicy snack)."

Uncle Zhou: "…?"

The Little Prince is but a young tiger, what kind of lessons is he receiving?

Cultural studies?

However, the Prince's previous education should have been comprehensive.

And given that both nephew and uncle now inhabit the bodies of companion beasts, isn't communicating through a screen always a bit cumbersome?

Perceiving Uncle Zhou's confusion, Xia You, supporting her cheek with her hand, expressed her own bafflement: "Right? I too feel that His Highness might be setting a bit too demanding standards for La Tiao…"

Putting aside who La Tiao was previously, now he's just a young tiger whose primary task should be to grow and develop properly. Isn't it enough for him to be happy every day?

Uncle Zhou paused for a moment, then inquisitively asked, "What is the subject matter of these lessons?"

Xia You was genuinely stumped.

"Perhaps the same things he taught me before…?" Xia You said uncertainly.

Uncle Zhou shook his head.

Though Prince’s development was delayed due to innate reasons, he's only a few years younger than Xia You. The royal curriculum would only be more rigorous than what Lu Yinghuai experienced in his younger days.

Realization dawned on Xia You.

Indeed, why had the Prince been so occupied with teaching La Tiao recently? What lessons were so urgent and vital?

The young man sat up straight, stuffed the cushion behind him, pushed away his work, and decisively stood up, "Let's go, Uncle Zhou, let’s do a little sneaky investigation!"

Uncle Zhou, sensing Xia You’s attempt to evade work, chuckled, "When I came up just now, I didn't see the Sir or His Highness."

"They’re in my small study," Xia You grew more suspicious, "acting all secretive with the door shut tight."

Uncle Zhou kindly replied, "If it helps, I can compile these letters into a spreadsheet. There are your favorite pastries in the small living room on the second floor to the west. However, our new little guest also seems quite fond of these sweet treats."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhou! Oh, you're a lifesaver!" Without reservation, Xia You gave the ever-capable old butler a big hug, whispering, "What would His Highness and I ever do without you?"

The former mercenary, once a formidable figure in the black market, was now heartwarmingly coddled by his sweet young charge. His silver hair gleamed with affection.

Xia You took the opportunity to slip out of the study.

Cheng Zhi Nian and Fan Yu Xin entered different sanctuaries with their own companion beasts, hoping to attract more for Xia You. Now, only three big cats remained in the marshal's mansion.

The smaller study was on the floor below, but Xia You didn’t head there. Instead, she went to the small living room that Uncle Zhou had mentioned.

As expected, the pastries Uncle Zhou had left out attracted a red panda. The reddish-brown bundle was sneakily eating on the table, its soft body leaning against the plate's edge, legs spread apart, its fluffy tail sweeping across the table surface.

Seeing this, Xia You couldn’t resist. She tiptoed over and quickly petted the little red panda.

Startled, the red panda jumped, twirling in mid-air, its arms outstretched in a cute and menacing gesture towards Xia You.

The pastry it had been nibbling on tumbled from its furry belly and rolled onto the table.

With her mischievous prank successful, Xia You laughed and kindly offered a piece of apple to the red panda.

The red panda, familiar with Xia You, gripped the apple slice with its tiny black paws. It shot Xia You a glare, then leaned back and sat on the table, nibbling the apple while sneaking glances at Xia You, who sat on a small sofa nearby.

Every time this bipedal creature approached, there had always been a pleasant, comforting touch. Why not this time?

It was curious but decided to observe a bit longer.

The red panda munched on its apple, making soft crunching sounds. Its ears twitched; if Xia You were to see, she'd likely be tempted to cuddle the fluffy ball.

After all, companion beasts without awakened human consciousness could be treated like animals. Just be careful when petting them.

However, Xia You's attention wasn’t nearby.

Her mental tendrils sneaked through the floor, stealthily approaching the study below. To avoid detection by Lu Ying Huai, Xia You even activated a psychic barrier she'd learned just days before.

The tendrils first pressed against the study door, but all was quiet inside.

Xia You grew suspicious.

Could the prince really be using a light-computer screen to tutor Latiao?

Something felt off, but even if she were caught spying, it wouldn’t be a big deal. So, Xia You boldly let her tendrils slip through the door's crevice.

Inside the study, the uncle and nephew were indeed communicating via a light-computer screen. A black panther, several times its normal size, sat upright, facing a serious-looking little tiger. A magnified screen was laid out in front of the two cats.

Xia You's mental tendril crept along the skirting board, climbed the back of the sofa, and peeked over its edge, trying to see the screen's content.

The black panther, oblivious to all else, typed away on the light screen, his face stern.

The text on the screen was tiny. The tip of the tendril leaned in to discern the central theme written at the top of the screen and then curled into the shape of a question mark.

Overwhelmed by disbelief and shock, a crack appeared in Xia You's psychic barrier. Her psychic presence was immediately detected by Lu Ying Huai, who swiftly turned his head to look behind.

Recognizing the familiar psychic tendril, Lu Ying Huai's first instinct was to swipe his paw and shut off the light-computer's screen projection.

But Xia You had already seen it.

Seen it very clearly.

[Noble Household Etiquette Among Relatives]

Xia You had also read the first line.

The tone clearly belonged to Lu Ying Huai, but the content suggested that for a nephew of Qin An Hong's age, lingering in an elder's bedroom was rather improper according to noble household etiquette.

Especially after his intellectual awakening.

It was evident that Latiao still had the duty to guide and restrain his mother.

Marshal of the Empire, Lu Ying Huai, had a steady demeanor that easily inspired trust. He always spoke calmly and was very persuasive.

Such a charismatic individual, when he truly intended to coax someone, seldom failed.

Thus, the young tiger, after being lectured for two days, bore a serious expression, looking every bit the educated youth ready to shoulder his responsibilities.

Xia You was at a loss for words to describe her emotions.

The tendril transformed from a question mark to an exclamation point.

Lu Ying Huai stiffened, nonchalantly turning his head and growling softly at the little tiger.

The young tiger: "??"

Was Uncle intending to end the lesson early because his little nephew had arrived?

Lu Ying Huai, frustrated with his inattentive nephew, swatted him with his paw.

The young tiger dragged its tail to the study door, stood upright, and, with a lift of its paw, pressed the doorknob, opening the door to step out.

Lesson's over then.

Feeling a bit hungry, I should seek out Uncle Zhou for some snacks.

The tendril reached out, resting alongside the panther's neck, its tip slightly elevated as if looking up at him.

Lu Yinghuai wasn't certain how much Xia You had seen but seemed to have no intention of explaining. He stood up and, following Xia You's scent, made his way upstairs.

As Lu Yinghuai approached, Xia You wore a perplexed expression, scrutinizing him from left to right.

Meeting Xia You's gaze, Lu Yinghuai nonchalantly leapt onto the couch across and lay down, resting his head atop his crossed paws.

The robust panther body exuded a predatory presence, yet its movements bore a distinct elegance and restraint.

Xia You found it harder to inquire given Lu Yinghuai's calm demeanor.

After all, asking the Prince if he wanted to stay alone with him seemed rather...

Scratching his head, Xia You couldn't help but steal another glance at Lu Yinghuai.

Lu Yinghuai had never appreciated his companion-beast form this much before.

The black panther is superb.

With its dense, deep-colored fur, one couldn't discern the flustered blush on its ears and neck.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Xia You's gaze wavered, finally resting on a red panda sneakily observing them.

Lu Yinghuai, avoiding Xia You's gaze, turned to the red panda as well.

Suddenly in the joint focus of both man and panther, the red panda, clutching an apple, widened its eyes in surprise.

"I believe the red panda's condition isn't serious. After all, the area corroded inside General Jiang Nan was minimal," analyzed Xia You. "Your Highness, my psychic power is fully restored and stable. Should we try it out today?"

The pale golden energy stone Xia You absorbed previously didn't provide a significant boost in psychic power. Only Xia You knew the importance of the memories from that slumber.

Regarding the zombie virus, Xia You planned to tell Lu Yinghuai but never found the right moment. Of course, his inner conflict played a major role.

Watching the red panda discard its apple piece to cling to his psychic tendril, Xia You turned to ask Lu Yinghuai, "Your Highness, should we summon Doctor Meng?"

Lu Yinghuai nodded and then activated the holographic computer on his claw, typing:

[Xia You, would you mind continuing the live broadcast of the treatment?]