Chapter 74

Whether the red panda wanted this "great achievement" or not, Xia You followed Lu Yinghuai upstairs. Every time she tried to speak, the black panther sped up, leaving her with mere glimpses of the tip of its tail as it whisked around corners.

Lu Yinghuai used his paw to open the door and entered, leaving it slightly ajar.

Standing before Lu Yinghuai's door, Xia You rubbed her hands together, took a deep breath, and gently pushed the door open, peeking her head inside.

Lu Yinghuai wasn't on the sofa. From her angle, she couldn't see the bedroom, only the elongated and dim light spilling from it, casting shadows on the carpet and tabletop, hiding beneath the sofa.

Xia You stepped in, leaning against the door, thinking for a moment, then with a bit more force, closed the door behind her.

This was Lu Yinghuai's room. Unlike Xia You's room, where the fluffy creatures freely roamed, once this specially ajar door was closed, there would be no disturbances from man or beast.

Even the notoriously bold snacks wouldn't dare to knock on Lu Yinghuai's door.

— A perfect setting for a heart-to-heart.

Leaning against the door, Xia You gazed in the direction of the bedroom, silently contemplating.

A heart-to-heart... was his affection what she believed it to be?

By nature, Xia You was exceedingly optimistic. This was why she'd calmly accepted two reincarnations that might drive any ordinary person mad.

But when it came to matters of the heart...

Xia You bent her left leg, lowered her head, lips pursed, a hint of struggle visible in her shadowed eyes.

Many believe love is an essential part of life, and Xia You once thought so too.

Even now, she still sees love as a desirable luxury, just not a luxury meant for her.

Xia You believes in love, admires love, yet fears love.

She had grown accustomed to the stability and happiness after her arranged marriage with Lu Yinghuai. She strived to become someone who could reciprocate this peace, allowing her to bask in this joy rightfully.

What would become of their marriage if uncontrollable feelings were to intermingle?

Memories of eavesdropped conversations in the Duke's mansion, the meaningful tender words of Bai Xiaoxiao and Xia Qing's mother and son, and the mocking jests behind her back from her schoolmates surfaced in Xia You's mind...

Xia You's fingers clenched the hem of her dress.

What did Your Highness see in Xia You?

Was it her unique mental strength, her healing abilities, or perhaps... her gentle intelligence?

Or is it that anyone who pairs well with Your Highness is granted such an extraordinary treatment?

Xia You knew she was overthinking.

She was also certain that Lu Yinghuai wasn't the type of person she imagined.

But, even though he was still him, the Xia You who was once regarded as nothing but a pretty face—could just possessing a special mental power truly change his entire life?

Xia You gripped the hem of her dress so hard that her hand trembled, pressing her body firmly against the door, her golden hair hanging low.

Suddenly, a warm and rough touch settled on the back of Xia You's hand, pressing gently.

Once, then again.

Xia You swiftly withdrew her hand.

It was then she realized that in her confusion, she hadn't noticed Lu Yinghuai silently emerging from the bedroom, standing beside her.

The room was dim with heavy curtains drawn, making the outside invisible, and time seemed to stretch and slow.

Lu Yinghuai sat beside Xia You, lifting his large paw to comfort her. Instead of confronting her directly, which might be imposing, he sat next to her, his fuzzy presence felt in the darkness.

Xia You, whose thoughts had been scattered moments ago, gripped the thick leopard paw that was too large for one hand. Somehow, she felt instantly calmer.

Xia You's body slid down the door until she sat on the floor, hugging her knees with one hand and still holding the warm paw with the other.

"Your Highness."

Xia You whispered.

Lu Yinghuai responded softly.

Resting her chin on her knee, Xia You looked towards the light streaming from the bedroom and murmured, "Do you... love me?"

Lu Yinghuai, who had been focusing on Xia You's movements, was taken aback by the question, his deep purple eyes suddenly filled with emotion.

Lu Yinghuai wanted to speak but hesitated. He then reached into the special pouch, designed for leopard use by Uncle Zhou, and pulled out a deep purple button.

Perhaps inspired by the behavior of the red panda, Lu Yinghuai likewise altered the code of the button through his holographic computer.

"Yes."

Xia You's question was straightforward, and Lu Yinghuai's response was equally direct and unwavering, without a hint of hesitation.

Of course, he liked her.

In fact, even Lu Yinghuai couldn't pinpoint when this affection began.

But he truly did.

It was this unique affection and concern that made him drop hints to Xia You, like boiling a frog in warm water, nudging the ever-avoidant young man to face the changing dynamics of their matched marriage.

Xia You seemed to shrink a bit more at Lu Yinghuai's answer, but even so, she didn't let go of the leopard's paw she held.

Xia You remained silent, wanting to say so much yet unsure of what to utter.

After a long pause, she spoke with a hint of self-mockery: "What do you like about me, Your Highness?"

Lu Yinghuai was busy typing something on the holographic screen, occasionally finishing a sentence, only to quickly delete it, type a couple of words, then erase them, completely lacking his usual decisiveness.

Xia You watched the black leopard beside her for a long time, her eyes reflecting complex emotions.

Neither chose to turn on the lights, but both could clearly see each other—only each other.

When the button was pressed, Lu Yinghuai's voice echoed in the room, devoid of human emotional inflections, carrying the flat tone characteristic of synthesized audio.

"Initially, upon learning of our successful match, I was indeed curious and perhaps hopeful about 'Xia You'. It was a complex emotion that's hard to describe."

Since leaving the cultivation center, Lu Yinghuai's mental strength was of S-class. Few healers could soothe his mental energy then. They all told him that perhaps only a healer with a high compatibility could truly appease his mental seas.

In his younger days, tormented by his psychic abilities, Lu Yinghuai longed for a healer uniquely compatible with him. But as time passed, with the loss of loved ones and the weight of responsibilities...

So many events happened too swiftly. In a short span, Lu Yinghuai learned to be calm and patient. That once fervent hope faded into a blurred memory, disappearing into the sands of time.

Lu Yinghuai never imagined that just when he felt at his wit's end, that long-forgotten hope would suddenly come crashing back into his life.

"On the way to the Duke's mansion, I was far from the composed figure I presented."

"While reviewing the mundane military affairs, my thoughts wandered to... 'Xia You'. What kind of person might she be? I've looked at your records, but perhaps the only reliable fact there is your identity. After all, humans are innately adept at disguises, and I am no exception."

"I pondered the demeanor I should adopt towards you and how to mitigate the impact of our marriage on the Lu family and the First Legion. Perhaps even how to turn this unexpected situation into a strategic advantage."

"Owing to your mother, upon learning of your predicament, I felt obligated to help. Initially, I merely thought of offering you an opportunity within the First Legion."

"I mentally prepared several approaches. Finally, as the aircraft landed, I entered the Duke's mansion and saw you in the banquet hall."

Lu Yinghuai's typing fingers paused for a moment, seemingly lost in recollection.

The room was engulfed in silence; even the occasional chirping of birds outside vanished.

Xia You listened quietly, waiting.

"Xia You, you were not as I had imagined."

"The banquet hall was brightly lit, and you stood there, appearing like..."

Lu Yinghuai hesitated briefly before continuing to type.

"...a gem veiled beneath layers of gossamer."

Xia You blinked in surprise.

Lu Yinghuai produced several small pouches from a spatial portal, using his fingertips to untie them and poured out their contents before them.

Gemstones of various hues tumbled out, several pale-gold energy stones rolling to Xia You's feet, visibly shrinking before her eyes.

Xia You stared at these sparkling crystals, big and small, recalling Uncle Zhou once mentioning one of Lu Yinghuai's lesser-known preferences.

To the outside world, Lu Yinghuai was an Imperial Marshal without discernible weaknesses or preferences, an unassailable figure with no known vulnerabilities, which was key to his insusceptibility to manipulation.

Yet, in reality, Lu Yinghuai did have tastes akin to any ordinary person.

Tastes that, if known to outsiders, would undoubtedly be deemed as fabricated.

Fine wine and gemstones.

Such preferences, seemingly pedestrian, hardly befit the image of an Imperial Marshal.

Beneath his primary residence at the Blue Star Marshal Mansion, Lu Yinghuai had painstakingly converted a space into a wine cellar, housing exquisite wines gifted by close acquaintances. Adjacent to his dressing room, a collection chamber displayed the dazzling gems he had meticulously gathered over time.

However, as the celebrated Imperial Marshal, Lu Yinghuai could not reveal his preferences. His collection room did not house priceless gems; in fact, most were small fragments of energy stones he'd covertly snapped off for his mech.

The largest and most beautiful piece he ever had was a sapphire, which he removed from the Prince's staff.

Reflecting on Lu Yinghuai's past actions, Xia You suddenly considered a possibility.

"Your Highness, you couldn’t possibly be..."

Even his imposing presence couldn't conceal the evident discomfort in Lu Yinghuai's eyes, "...Yes, to some extent."

Lu Yinghuai, with his fondness for exquisite gemstones, naturally lamented those whose brilliance was obscured.

Regretting the obscured luster of such gems, and considering the irreversible arranged marriage, along with Xia You's mother's history with the First Legion—

Lu Yinghuai, after affording Xia You the respect and honesty she deserved as his wife, didn't merely leave her to her devices. Embracing the duty of a guardian, he devoted a significant portion of his energy to mentor Xia You amidst demanding military responsibilities and his own debilitating ailment.

Xia You represented the first and last time Lu Yinghuai acted on personal whims, post assuming his family and marshal duties.

With her suspicions confirmed, Xia You found herself caught between amusement and incredulity.

She had pondered many factors: psychic energy, compatibility, and even potential benefits she could offer.

However, Lu Yinghuai conveyed that, while those elements played a part, the crux was simply her very being.

Unable to resist, Xia You probed, "Is it because of my hair or eyes?"

Many had praised Xia You’s appearance, especially her golden locks and sapphire-like eyes.

Lu Yinghuai turned to look at Xia You.

"Certainly not."

"Xia You, gemstones come in various colors and shapes. Some are translucent and light; others are dark and profound. Their brilliance lies in their purity and clarity."

Evidently, Marshal Lu was quite the connoisseur when it came to appreciating gemstones.

Xia You lowered her gaze, whispering, "So, at least back then, you didn't really like me?"

"Xia You, while I might have certain preferences, I still pride myself on being upright," Lu Yinghuai chuckled as he typed rapidly, "You looked far too young at that time."

It was subtle enough for Lu Yinghuai to believe that if it weren't for the central brain pairing, some might suspect him, as Xia You's partner, of having certain unspoken inclinations.

At this point, even the system-generated voice seemed to carry a hint of resignation.

"Deputy Marshal Zhu... the one we met who looked like a sun squirrel, he messaged me privately to ask if you really came of age and if you truly chose to be paired with me. The empire's protective measures are stringent; even if I were a marshal, I'd still face a tribunal."

"Pfft!" Xia You burst out laughing, "Did Deputy Marshal Zhu really ask that?"