Chapter 107

This emperor is unlike any of his predecessors.

As far as Xia Youzu knows, this emperor has a gentle temperament. No one has ever seen him angry. He always wears a smile, occasionally cracks a joke with his ministers, and does unexpected things.

—For instance, when frustrated by a minister to the point of insomnia, he'd have a table full of dishes sent to their house in the middle of the night, finding solace and then returning to sleep.

But he was the crown prince favored by the previous emperor and supported by the Senate, an emperor who seemed to have nothing but ended up wearing the crown.

The only emperor in the empire with a psychic power rating of just C.

This emperor is a brilliant conversationalist. Xia Youzu didn't realize he had so much to discuss with such a prestigious figure.

Initially, Yuzu was nervous and on guard, but as the conversation flowed, he gradually relaxed, passionately expressing his thoughts with a twinkle in his eye.

When asked if he'd consider providing psychic treatment for the White Tiger, he immediately agreed.

Xia Youzu hadn’t thought it through much; his initial intent in seeking out the White Tiger was to test the effects of his upgraded psychic power on the beast.

Lu Jiuzhu's tail was sore from wagging, but he couldn’t stop him. Silently sighing, he lifted his paw to his tiger head in resignation.

“Your Majesty, instead of idling in the garden, perhaps it would be better to attend to more affairs in the palace.”

A long-lost voice, which seemed somewhat unfamiliar, echoed in the distance. Yet, the moment it sounded, it brought an overwhelming sense of security to Xia Youzu. Simultaneously, a sharp and potent psychic force spread out.

Xia Youzu paused, looking in the direction of the voice.

A sleek black panther, gleaming in the sunlight, leapt out from around the flowerbed corner, charging towards Xia Youzu with its golden pupils shining brilliantly.

Xia Youzu was enthusiastically pounced on by the panther. Embracing the large feline tightly, he nuzzled it with his cheek, his eyes and brows alight with surprise and joy: "Yuan Yuan!"

"Roar!"

"Yuan Yuan!"

"Rooaar~"

"Yuan Yuan Yuan Yuan Yuan Yuan!"

"Rrrroaaarrr~"

Clasping the black panther's head, Xia Youzu vigorously rubbed its body. The affectionate display made the watching Emperor both envious and amused, a trace of pettiness evident in his expression.

Noticing the White Tiger observing the panther, the Emperor stealthily extended a hand to touch it, only to have his hand swatted, leaving a red mark from the tiger's tail.

Xia Youzu had wanted to see Yuan Yuan earlier, but Meng Wenxuan mentioned that the spiritual energy fluctuations in the familiar were abnormal. If Xia Youzu made contact, it could potentially lead the Marshal's consciousness back into the familiar's form.

In the end, Xia Youzu could only press against the isolation room's window, staring at the slumbering black panther for over an hour.

Holding Yuan Yuan tightly, Xia Youzu nestled his face next to the panther's ear, his chin resting on its head, as he looked towards the approaching footsteps.

Apart from the black panther nestled, albeit awkwardly, in Xia Youzu's arms, the two men and the tiger all turned their gaze in the same direction.

Lu Yinghuai approached, dressed in simple and comfortable home attire, his slender figure moving with a deliberate pace. A ring with the Lu family crest refracted subtle glints in the sunlight.

As he drew near, Xia Youzu noticed that Lu Yinghuai had changed his attire, having discarded the previously crumpled and hastily straightened white shirt. The slightly open collar was no more.

—The shirt's buttons were meticulously fastened up to the very top.

It perfectly matched the Marshal's usual distinguished image.

Handsome, majestic, and extraordinary.

Feeling a touch guilty, Xia Youzu averted his gaze, his grip on the panther tightening.

Wishing he could hide completely behind the panther.

However, after a mere two seconds, he cautiously peeked out, his deep blue eyes peeking from between the panther's ears, looking at Lu Yinghuai, filled with concern and a silent query.

Behind the golden-haired youth bloomed radiant roses, and under the warm sunlight, his clear eyes shimmered with a brightness surpassing even the most dazzling of gems.

Lu Yinghuai's heart skipped a beat, his steps momentarily faltering.

"There hasn't been much official business in the palace lately. Being an emperor isn't about endless toil. It's alright to take a break occasionally," the Emperor said, a hint of relief crossing his face as he looked at the approaching Lu Yinghuai. Patting the ground beside him, he added, "You've just awakened. This garden is the perfect place to relax and clear your mind."

Lu Yinghuai bowed respectfully to the Emperor, locked eyes with his sister for a brief second, then gracefully diverted his gaze. Ignoring the Emperor's invitation, he chose to sit next to Xia Youzu instead.

The Emperor gave a soft, amused click of his tongue but didn't seem to mind. Instead, he observed the two, who were rather forcibly paired by destiny.

As Lu Yinghuai sat down, Xia Youzu's gaze followed. Between them, there was the slight gap of a half-panther, ensuring they weren't touching.

Lu Yinghuai's gaze shifted downward, momentarily pausing.

Xia Youzu felt the ring on his pinkie finger grow subtly warm. Curling his finger, he hid it within the embrace of the panther.

Sensing something, Lu Yinghuai mentally commanded, and Yuan Yuan yawned, sliding out from between Xia Youzu's arms to lie beside them, resting its head on Xia Youzu's lap.

With the panther now away from his embrace, Xia Youzu felt an uneasy tension. He slowly lowered his arm, unconsciously picking at the grass beside him.

The corner of his eye and all his attention were entirely focused on the man next to him, forgetting the promise he'd just made to the Emperor.

Xia Youzu's gaze roamed over Lu Yinghuai, noticing a new black collar around his neck, embedded with a special energy stone, capable of absorbing spiritual power, that he hadn't seen in a long time.

The suppressor was concealed within the collar of the black shirt. Xia Youzu's eyes briefly caught a glimpse of the exposed corner of a ruby.

Why has His Highness worn the spiritual suppressor again?

Does he still feel discomfort in his sea of consciousness after awakening?

Is his spiritual power somewhat unstable?

Is he in pain?

And... when did His Highness wake up?

Did he... remember anything from his time in the stasis chamber?

A barrage of questions crowded at the tip of Xia Youzu's tongue. Wanting to ask but unsure how to broach the topic or if it was the right time, he began to unconsciously bite his lower lip.

The young man believed his gaze was discreet, perfectly concealed.

The elder under the gaze struggled to bear such an intense stare, his eyes slightly narrowing.

As Xia Youzu was lost in his thoughts, the back of his hand, which had been pulling at the grass, suddenly felt warm.

Lu Yinghuai held the still hand of Xia Youzu in his palm, and just like that, neither of them dared to move.

An unknown amount of time passed, or perhaps just a few seemingly endless seconds, before Xia Youzu's fingers twitched, the tips curling slightly.

The young man's fingertips were slightly cold, moving over the elder's warm palm and disturbing still waters.

Lu Yinghuai's fingers tightened incrementally, his actions slow, as if he were testing the waters, as if he were waiting.

With his head bowed, Xia Youzu appeared to be intently observing the black panther lying on his lap. Yet, his fingers traced along Lu Yinghuai's, intertwining bit by bit.

Their fingers interlaced.

Two rings, symbols of power and status, radiated a fervent presence between their fingers.

Perhaps it was the intensity of the afternoon sun, but a slight damp warmth seeped down both of their backs.

Xia Youzu's attention wavered momentarily, as he curiously wondered why His Highness had originally placed that ring on his pinkie.

They were married after all. Such an important ring should be worn on... on...

"Ahem—"

The Emperor, who had never been so blatantly ignored, cleared his throat emphatically.

Lu Jiuzhu, engrossed in the scene and wishing he could capture the moment, became instantly irritated and, with his tiger paw, pushed the man aside.

Seizing the opportunity, the Emperor playfully pinched his Empress's paw pad.

Only then did Xia Youzu remember the white tiger beside him and the Emperor, and instinctively wanted to pull his hand back.

However, in contrast to his earlier gentleness, Lu Yinghuai gripped Xia Youzu's fingers firmly, leaving no room for refusal. Looking up with a smile at the Emperor, he remarked, "With Your Majesty not overseeing the palace, An Hong's return to the capital star would be quite challenging."

"With the head of the Fan family unexpectedly removed and the Senate elders preoccupied guarding their own territories, they barely have the time, yet they aim to cut in line for the Blue Star Base and target Xia Youzu—how hard could it be for him?"

The Emperor huffed lightly.

"Back then, the situation Jiuzhu and I were in was countless times harder than it is now."

Xiayou tried her best to concentrate on the conversation between Luyinghuai and the Emperor.

Luyinghuai had long been familiar with the two-sided nature of His Majesty, occasionally showing a touch of childlike innocence.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "The centennial celebration of the alliance between the Federation and the Empire is approaching. Does the Emperor intend to display Anhong's power during the ceremony?"

The Emperor gave Luyinghuai an appreciative glance and nodded, "Ahong, raised by both of you, is strong and vigorous. Like a young fierce tiger, it's time for him to go out and bite."

Xiayou: "..."

He really couldn't gauge the temperament of this Emperor.

Despite every gesture exuding the elegance of royalty, he displayed none of the arrogance typical of the royal lineage. Even though his laughter always set off alarms in his heart, he spoke with genuine sincerity.

Could an Emperor truly utter words about sending out his sole heir to "bite" others?

Moreover, can he really remain unperturbed after hearing the Emperor say such a thing?

Xiayou wished she could stuff her ears with cotton.

Thinking this, Xiayou subtly squeezed Luyinghuai's fingers.

Luyinghuai, engrossed in his conversation with the Emperor, paused and turned to look at her.

Xiayou hesitated to meet Luyinghuai's gaze and used her other hand to point at the large white tiger lying on the grass.

Luyinghuai understood and slightly nodded in acknowledgment.

Xiayou smiled and, with her free hand, grasped the paw of Baihu A'jie.

Lu Jiuzhu blinked in surprise, then stretched his tiger tail and closed his eyes, muscles tense, ready for action.

Sensing the extremely gentle surge of spiritual energy, the Emperor, who had been keeping the white tiger in his peripheral vision, settled down and quietly observed Xiayou treating the white tiger.

"He has changed a lot," the Emperor commented with a light laugh, "How come you didn't have this patience before?"

Luyinghuai, on the surface, seems warm yet reserved, but in essence, he is cold and proud. Lu Jiuzhu has taught many with his temperament, but only Luyinghuai rarely even instructs others.

To put it nicely, he's prideful. To be blunt, he's impatient.

"He's certainly different." Luyinghuai said with a smirk, "Brother-in-law, please don't tease him."

The Emperor chuckled, his gaze landing on the evident bite mark on Luyinghuai's lip, jesting, "Seems I've interrupted your honeymoon phase, haven't I?"

Luyinghuai laughed lightly, "All the more reason for Your Majesty to return to the Imperial Star soon."

Caught off guard by the sharp retort, the Emperor took a moment before replying slowly, "I've left some individuals for Ahong, all of them aptly suited in both status and capability to assist him. With my presence, it's inconvenient for Ahong to interact with them."

"Moreover..."

The Emperor, noting Luyinghuai's thoughtful expression, blinked, "Given the thick affection between you and your little friend, you surely wouldn't want to see me and your sister separated, would you?"

"The Marshal's Mansion is vast, brother-in-law guarantees no disturbances for you two."

Luyinghuai: "..."

After a prolonged silence, Luyinghuai asked slowly, "Have you thought of a way to appease my sister, brother-in-law?"

A direct hit on the raw nerve.

The Emperor took his time and, while Xiayou was administering treatment, touched the white tiger's ear for the first time, playing with it affectionately.

"How long do you think it will be before Jiuzhu regains her senses and cuddles with me again? She nuzzled Xiayou earlier, which she never used to do..."

Luyinghuai pointed out, "Your Majesty, perhaps you should consider what you've done?"

"I might have kept Ahong away, but I'm here now!" the Emperor proclaimed, "Being as imposing as I am, don't I offer a better sense of companionship than Ahong?"

……

Xiayou opened her eyes, and by the time she released the white tiger's paw, the tiger had drifted off to sleep.

The sun had shifted to the other side; it was getting late.

The two looked at the Emperor, who was engrossed in petting the tiger, their interlocked fingers still tight.

Luyinghuai whispered, "We should head back."

Xiayou nodded, bowing in respect alongside Luyinghuai.

As he fondled one of the white tiger's paws, the Emperor remarked, "Why call me 'Your Majesty' here? There's no emperor in this place. Just follow Luyinghuai's lead and call me 'brother-in-law'."

Xiayou: "...Excuse me?"

"Oh yes, Xiayou." The Emperor's expression turned solemn, causing Xiayou to hold his breath in anticipation.

"You did well."

Xiayou froze.

The Emperor looked at him with a playful smirk, "For all these years, his sister and I have been hoping someone would give this cheeky lad a bite, just to temper his obstinate nature."

Luyinghuai felt the gentleman he held by the hand transform, starting from his fingertips, into a cute, petrified statue.

With a blank expression, Xiayou slowly turned his head, setting aside all his embarrassment and unease to look straight at Luyinghuai's face.

Perhaps from excessive sleep, Luyinghuai's complexion wasn't the best. There was a trace of fatigue around his eyes and eyebrows, and his lips were pale.

However...

Against the backdrop of the pallor, the bright red mark on his lips seemed even more strikingly conspicuous.

What was this?

The sunlight made Xiayou's head spin, his thoughts muddled.

He touched his lips.

Did he bite?

He... did bite.

Feeling a pinch on his finger, Xiayou looked up with an expression of aggrieved innocence.

Luyinghuai chuckled softly, whispering, "Don't worry, no one else saw it."

Xiayou's mind was still a tangled mess, but he instinctively pinched back.

Luyinghuai couldn't help but laugh, lifting his hand to ruffle Xiayou's hair affectionately after a long time.

The soft strands of hair slid between the elder's fingers.

"I won't let others see."

Such ambiguous marks, when seen by close ones, invoke teasing, but to outsiders, they may come off as somewhat disrespectful.

In that moment, Xiayou's heart settled, as if he, who had always felt as light as a feather, finally found his ground.

Cherished and protected in the palm of someone's hand.