Chapter 106

The next day, the first thing Xia You did upon waking was to glance beside him.

His Highness still slept peacefully beside him, the tiny tendrils curled around the man's neck, twirling a couple of strands of black hair.

Xia You turned on his side, bundled in the covers, and watched Lu Yinghuai intently for a while. Then, he buried his face into his palms, rubbing hard to wake himself up.

Normally, Xia You would linger in bed each morning, but today there was an additional presence. Although His Highness weighed much less than a leopard, it made Xia You feel oddly self-conscious.

Rising to freshen up, Xia You, wrapped in a bathrobe, entered the walk-in closet, searching for an outfit for the day.

This space was originally reserved for His Highness's apparel. Now, it had been invaded by Xia You's clothes and jewelry. Garments of different sizes hung side by side, turning it into a shared wardrobe.

Xia You looked around, his attention not on the clothes but on the glass cabinet Lu Yinghuai had opened previously.

With a hopeful thought of trying his luck, Xia You approached and reached out.

[Iris Recognition Successful]

[Fingerprint Recognition Successful]

[Access Granted]

The collection room door opened to reveal the winding staircase Xia You had once traversed.

Xia You crouched at the entrance, the joy and delight of feeling favored unmistakable in his lips and brows.

He carefully retracted his spiritual tendrils and descended the stairs, turning on all the lights in the collection room.

Lu Yinghuai's collection room wasn't vast. The previous time Xia You visited, all the lights were off, revealing only the faint glow of energy stones, reminiscent of a starry night, seemingly boundless.

The room lacked shelves, glass cabinets, or any typical displays for gems.

This sanctuary was crafted piece by piece by Lu Yinghuai. Given his busy military and family affairs, compounded by his spiritual disorder, Lu Yinghuai had little time to adorn the place.

Thus, he chose the simplest and most convenient method.

He created small recesses in the walls, ceiling, and floor, embedding fragments of collected energy stones.

These energy stones were of premium quality, albeit small, looking as if they had been chiseled off something larger.

Most recesses were tiny, save for one on the ceiling that looked as if it once held, then lost, a stone of size comparable to a high-grade energy stone.

Xia You stood on the last step, avoiding the scattered energy stones. The last time he visited, he was unaware of them and unknowingly absorbed some, leaving many recesses with remnants of the energy stone powder.

Retrieving the deep-sea blue gem from the spatial node—a prize from the auction house, Xia You carefully cradled it with his spiritual tendrils, embedding the radiant jewel into a large recess in the ceiling.

It fit perfectly, seamlessly.

With the lights turned off, the night's sky, previously speckled with pale golden starlight, now bore a tranquil shade of deep-sea blue—a twinkling star surrounded by many.

The golden-haired youth stood on the steps, gazing upward at the vast blue star.

It didn't matter if His Highness didn't fancy shiny things; he could cherish them.

One day, they'd lie beneath this private galaxy, silently admiring its myriad of shimmering colors and breathtaking beauty.

The collection room lacked temperature control, and after a while, it became chilly. Xia You, wrapped only in his bathrobe, shivered and quickly ascended the steps.

The outfits that Uncle Zhou arranged in the wardrobe were all well-coordinated. Xia You randomly chose one and wore it, casually tousling his golden locks afterward.

Standing before the full-length mirror, Xia You tiptoed, feeling as if he had grown taller.

Pleased with his perceived escape from short stature and entry into the tall world, Xia You couldn't help but chatter while tending to Lu Yinghuai's face and hands.

After tucking Lu Yinghuai in, and bolstered by last night's boldness, Xia You stared at the sleeping beauty's lips for a moment. Hesitating for barely two seconds, he leaned in and stole another kiss.

After the act, a delayed blush crept over Xia You's face.

Always considering His Highness as a paragon of nobility and restraint, he felt no one would dare to act so audaciously towards him.

The sleeping man's face, stripped of its stern aura, emanated a gentle beauty.

Xia You realized he hadn't spent much time truly studying that face.

In Xia You's heart, that visage still symbolized the high-ranking, reliable, and authoritative figure.

But now, the once-unattainable, whom even the slightest inappropriate thought felt blasphemous towards, had not only descended to the mortal realm but also nestled in his bed.

For some reason, Xia You recalled the moment, not long after his arrival at the Marshal's Mansion, when His Highness, seated in a wheelchair, removed his glove to tend to his wounds.

Young hearts flutter in mere moments. It's just that this fleeting affection, separated by vast differences, was suppressed.

Watching the videos featuring the always composed and dazzling Marshal of the Empire, Xia You's hidden little canine teeth began to itch.

Crouched by the bed, she activated her neural device. Xia You secretly sent a message to Meng Wenxuan.

Even though the room only contained her and the sleeping Lu Yinghuai, Xia You's actions felt somewhat sneaky.

[Dr. Meng, how much longer until His Highness wakes up?]

[It varies by individual, but roughly another two or three days.]

Xia You abruptly shut off her neural device, stood up, and with a practiced confidence, she leaned down again, capturing the sleeping beauty's lips with her own.

“What’s there to fear…”

The young man whispered, bolstering his own courage.

“After all, I am... legally…”

*

As Xia You stepped out and descended the stairs, she vigorously rubbed her earlobe.

“Xia You?” Uncle Zhou, who happened to be passing by, looked in surprise at Xia You, whose earlobe was red from rubbing. “Is your ear bothering you?”

If there was one person Xia You was most afraid to encounter now, it would definitely be Uncle Zhou.

After all, the kind-hearted old butler always had a way of making startlingly accurate remarks.

“No- Uncle Zhou, I'm going for a morning run and will look for Sister while I'm out!”

Saying this, Xia You, feeling guilty, dashed down the hallway.

Uncle Zhou: “...?”

That child, going for a morning run without having breakfast?

*

Following the route Baihu had patrolled earlier, Xia You searched everywhere but didn’t even catch a glimpse of the tiger's fur. Resigned, she activated her neural device to directly check Baihu's coordinates.

Hmm?

The Rose Garden?

Xia You was somewhat taken aback.

To be honest, most residents of the Marshal's Mansion were aware of the special significance of the Rose Garden. There were dedicated robots tending to its flora. Aside from Xia You and Lu Yinghuai, few ventured there.

Upon her arrival, Xia You saw the massive white tiger lazily sprawled at the entrance of the Rose Garden, dominantly occupying a space that was not inherently narrow, indifferent to the man crouched before it, trying to persuade it to move.

Yes, in front of the white tiger was a man.

Startled, Xia You briskly approached and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty."

Xia You had only met this emperor once in the royal palace. Later, when retrieving three companion beasts from the conservation area, her attention was solely on the hibernating Lu Yinghuai, causing her to miss the emperor, who had been discreetly present on the warship.

The man turned, offering Xia You a warm and familiar smile. "Little Yu, it’s been a while."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Xia You replied.

Her gaze then briefly swept over the emperor, who was adorned as if he were a jewelry stand.

During their previous conversation at the palace, the emperor’s aesthetic choices seemed... rather conventional.

It was only when Xia You witnessed the emperor dangling a gemstone necklace from his wrist to catch the white tiger’s attention, and the previously indifferent tiger indeed glanced his way, that she raised an eyebrow, piecing something together.

Xia You recalled a mischievously shared tidbit from a friend named Latiao: the last time the emperor visited, he’d nearly had his hand bitten by the tiger when trying to approach Sister. Had he dressed this lavishly now in an attempt to appeal to the tiger's tastes?

Oh dear.

The emperor seemed blissfully unaware of any incongruities in his actions, continuing to crouch and coax the mistress’s companion beast, yearning for a mere touch of the white tiger.

Xia You opened her mouth, wanting to interject, but was met with a seemingly casual glance from the white tiger.

Xia You: "?"

Oh, wow.

Sister must have awoken but was deliberately ignoring His Majesty, right?

Xia You always had a keen sense of social boundaries, and naturally sided with Sister. What puzzled her was the reason behind Sister’s deliberate avoidance of the emperor after such a prolonged separation. Why did she seem to feign ignorance at their reunion?

Witnessing the delightfully cooperative demeanor of his younger brother's adorable companion, Lu Jiuzhu leisurely shifted his posture. He raised a paw to snatch the glittering bracelet from the man’s hand, securing it beneath him, and continued to lick his tiger paw.

The Emperor suffered another loss of his bracelet without gaining his lover’s affection. He sighed in disappointment, remaining crouched, chin propped in hand, gazing at his wife.

Xia You felt caught between staying and leaving.

At that moment, Lu Jiuzhu rose, stretching languidly like a feline, abandoning the pile of jewels beneath him. He approached Xia You, settling down beside her. Flicking his tail and placing his paws beneath his head, he signaled for Xia You to pet him.

The previously thwarted Emperor slowly turned, casting a deep and meaningful glance their way.

Xia You: "..."

To touch or not to touch, that was the question.

The esteemed man stood, gathering the scattered jewels with a resigned gesture into a spatial node, then joined Xia You, sitting across from her with the white tiger between them.

A chill ran down Xia You's spine.

Sensing her discomfort, the Emperor spoke gently, "Little Yu, you weren’t this nervous the last time we met."

Xia You had to admit she was nervous then too; after all, it was her first visit to the royal palace and her first encounter with the Emperor.

However, back then, a loyal black leopard had stood guard by her side, providing a sense of security.

Now, having realized that the Emperor wasn’t wholly the gentle and magnanimous elder he appeared to be, Xia You became even more cautious in her words and actions.

Lu Jiuzhu nuzzled Xia You's hand with his head, giving her a reassuring look, wondering why Lu Yinghuai was taking so long and had left their young gentleman vulnerable to a "smiling tiger."

Indeed, while Lu Jiuzhu's companion beast was the ever-bold and undefeated white tiger, the Emperor, with his mere C-rated psychic power, was essentially a dangerous and deceptive smiling tiger.

Birds of a feather flock together; those who differ cannot coexist.

Observing the white tiger's affection towards Xia You, the Emperor huffed lightly, “Little Yu, you could call me ‘brother-in-law.' No worries, we'll have plenty of time together as a family in the future. You'll get used to it."

Pondering his words, Xia You felt an unsettling undertone.

"Your Majesty, do you mean..."

"With Ah Hong handling the affairs in the Imperial Capital, I've decided to take a vacation here on Blue Star."

The Emperor mentioned casually.

"Ah Hong has grown up; it's time he took over the state affairs."

Xia You: "..."

The Emperor intends for the Crown Prince, who has never been publicly active before, to directly confront the Senate and Military Department and oversee administrative duties?

So, this is the real reason you're so insistent on sending messages for La Tiao to return to the Imperial Capital Star?

Does the Senate and Military Department know you've taken refuge at the Blue Star Base?

Wait a moment.

To the Senate, a young Crown Prince, inexperienced and with shaky foundations, would be easier to control.

Xia You slowly looked down at the white tiger.

Lu Jiuzhu rested his head on his front paws. As the man beside tried to discreetly touch him, he lifted his head and snapped at the man's hand.

Xia You thought she might now understand why her sister was so cold towards the Emperor.

***

After handling the household affairs, Uncle Zhou encountered Meng Wenxuan pacing restlessly at the stairwell.

Upon seeing Uncle Zhou, Meng Wenxuan quickly said, "The Marshal's psychic energy is fluctuating abnormally."

Even without Meng Wenxuan mentioning it, Uncle Zhou could feel the sharp and piercing aura of psychic energy emanating from above.

Meng Wenxuan, although highly skilled in psychic abilities, had taken a few steps up the staircase but retreated under the oppressive weight of the dominant psychic force.

Uncle Zhou's ascent was hesitant as he could sense Lu Yinghuai's psychic pressure had intensified considerably.

Is this the power of an SSS-ranked psychic energy?

Uncle Zhou raised his hand, knocking on the door three times in a steady rhythm.

"Enter."

The voice of the room's occupant sounded, bearing a raspy undertone.

Upon entering, Uncle Zhou saw Lu Yinghuai leaning against the head of the bed, his lashes lowered and a weary look on his face. However, a faint smile lingered at the corner of his lips.

Uncle Zhou raised an eyebrow.

Lu Yinghuai looked up.

There was a tiny mark on his lower lip, where it had been bitten.

The author has a note:

Yuzu: It's permissible, take a bite.