Chapter 127

By the time Xia You descended from the upper floor, having tidied up, it was just past ten. Lu Yinghuai had already left for the training base.

Seated at the dining table, Xia You gazed at the hamster-shaped buns, lost in thought.

Uncle Zhou was still wearing his apron, and from a pocket in the middle, bulged the unmistakable shape of a hamster ball.

The strikingly handsome butler approached and asked with a smile, "What's on your mind, Xia You?"

Xia You cleared her throat, "Uncle Zhou, the buns you've shaped... they're a bit too lifelike..."

Today's buns even had tiny paws carved into them and a faint blush painted on, making them look like several hamsters sitting neatly on a plate. Xia You felt guilty even thinking of touching them.

A live hamster darted from Uncle Zhou's apron pocket, agilely hopping onto the table, then generously offered one of the hamster buns to Xia You.

"I'm this adorable, eat up!"

Xia You: "..."

Since the real hamster seemed perfectly fine with it, Xia You hesitantly took the bun, stared at it for a while, and then broke off the hamster bun's head.

Uncle Zhou then placed a bowl of Tremella soup in front of Xia You.

Xia You observed the soup, which had a peculiar reddish hue. Tentatively taking a sip, her eyes lit up.

Delicious!

As the soup touched her lips, Xia You felt a warm surge melt away within her mind's ocean, bringing immense comfort.

Hamster D pulled up a screen and typed: [Apologies for yesterday. That darn bird and I have some personal grievances.]

While sipping her soup, Xia You asked with curiosity, "Mr. D, do you know that impersonating hawk-owl?"

Hamster D nodded, displaying a pained expression: [I once took a job that involved taking something from him. Regardless, it was something he'd stolen from somewhere else. I don't understand why he can't handle losing on merit.]

Tsk, the youth these days.

Hamster D yanked an ear off a hamster bun and chewed with gusto.

Xia You empathized for a moment, sensing that given the hawk-owl's extreme agitation at the sight of Hamster D, whatever was stolen probably wasn't just some trivial item...

Tang Gao appeared seemingly out of nowhere, his eyes heavy with sleep. Spotting Xia You dining at the table, he scurried over and sat beside her hand.

Looking at the little hamster and the red panda by her breakfast, Xia You's mood brightened, and she indulged in two more buns.

Tang Gao stretched out a tiny black claw, lifting his fluffy adorable head towards Uncle Zhou.

Uncle Zhou handed him a gold chain pocket watch, smiling, "Thank you, Mr. Zhuo."

Tang Gao waved, pocketing the watch. He rubbed against Xia You's wrist, nabbed a bun from the table, and while munching, hopped down and sauntered off.

Recently, Orange and Snow Cake went to the reserve. If he wanted to go to the training base now, he'd have to walk.

Tired, he thought of stepping out later to hitch a ride.

At that very moment, outside the Marshal's Mansion, a husky about to change shifts and head back to its dormitory shivered, immediately scanning its surroundings with alertness.

It felt as if something had set its sights on him...

After finishing her breakfast, Xia You didn't leave. Instead, she hovered around Uncle Zhou, watching him with eager eyes.

Clearly, the young lady had a favor to ask but was too shy to voice it. Uncle Zhou continued his tasks smoothly, unperturbed by Xia You's pacing around him.

Hamster D perceived this teasing nature, squeaking loudly, with tiny black eyes full of reproach.

The golden curly-haired hamster climbed up Xia You's arm and settled on her shoulder, patting Xia You with its tiny paw.

[Let's go. If you need anything, ask Uncle D. He'll help you.]

Uncle... D...

Xia You's expression twisted momentarily.

Unlike Uncle Zhou's prior guise, Xia You had seen D, cloaked entirely in black. Just from his exposed fingers, she could guess that Mr. D wasn't the typical "uncle" type in appearance.

Though this hamster is essentially a walking arsenal, Xia You intuitively felt that Mr. D's appearance wasn't that of a buff hunk but more in line with... well, the soft-cute-contrast of a hamster.

However, Hamster D did provide Xia You with an opportunity to broach a topic. She glanced at Uncle Zhou, leaning by the kitchen door, and whispered, "I'd like... to forge a mental energy sample of a Bug Queen."

Uncle Zhou paused, and Hamster D's claws twitched.

What the heck?

Hamster D quietly hopped off Xia You.

This child from the Golden Eagle clan isn't easy to please. Other kids can be appeased with trinkets, or with a bit of effort, but when this child speaks, she goes all out.

Uncle Zhou pondered for a moment, surprisingly not inquiring about Xia You's intentions or outright refusing. Instead, he seemed to have quickly figured out a feasible approach, asking, "The Bug Queen's mental energy is different from the rest. Using regular bug mental energy samples for forgery is tough. Do you have a solution, Xia You?"

Xia You nodded vigorously, producing a nail-sized crimson crystal, "This is the crystallized mental energy of a Bug Queen. It's old, but it should work."

Uncle Zhou reflected, "When I took a sample from the Bug Queen, she was still alive, so the mental energy was active... It's been years, but the Federation doesn't have the means to maintain that activity. We can give it a try."

Xia You's eyes instantly lit up.

The mental energy sample from the Federation was taken from a live subject for research purposes. The crystal Xia You had bitten off from Lu Yinghuai's core didn't exhibit any activity.

Nor was it research-worthy.

But with the same mental energy, if Uncle Zhou, who had experienced the real samples, could cooperate, creating a short-term decoy seemed feasible.

Hamster D remained silent, casting a reproachful and disapproving gaze at the indulgent eagle-ancestor.

You don't even ask what he's up to before helping!

Uncle Zhou produced a spherical isolation shield, allowing Xia You's tiny mental tentacles to flick the crimson crystal into it.

"I'll go chat with Officer Meng. You both stay here and play. There are snacks and juice in the kitchen," said Uncle Zhou. He cast a stern glance at Hamster D, emphasizing, "No blowing things up."

Xia You hugged Hamster D, who seemed like he wanted to give Uncle Zhou a playful punch, and stood still, nodding obediently.

Nestled in Xia You's embrace, Hamster D squeaked loudly.

Uncle Zhou looked around, noticing the absence of the leopard that usually clung to Xia You and found it rather peculiar.

Xia You, with Hamster D in tow, sneaked into a small corner and pulled out a handful of sunflower seeds from her pocket as a treat for Hamster D.

Hamster D felt that the child in front of him was scheming something, his eyes warily fixed on Xia You.

Lately, he couldn't afford to upset that eagle; otherwise, he might find himself locked up in a room.

In the next moment, the seemingly obedient Xia You flashed a sweet smile and offered Hamster D a peeled sunflower seed.

"Uncle D~"

Warmth spread through Hamster D, making him feel so relaxed that he wanted to scamper around gleefully.

Be it in the Federation, the lab, or his days as a mercenary, he had never encountered such an openly sweet child.

"Uncle D," she echoed, emphasizing the name.

Oh, that title!

With a wave of his rosy little paw, Hamster D gestured for Xia You to continue.

Xia You's eyes sparkled, "Uncle D, do you have a way to bypass the Royal Guard and help me sneak someone out?"

Hamster D felt the sunflower seed in his paw suddenly turn scalding hot.

Seeing Hamster D's hesitant expression, yet sensing hope, Xia You quickly pressed on, "Uncle D, I am only trying to steal away my lawful spouse. It's legal and reasonable. Can you help me?"

Hamster D wondered what this young couple was up to; always together and yet, why this talk of sneaking around...

Dodging the Royal Guard? Clearly, Xia You had a scheme in mind.

Hamster D quickly deduced that Xia You probably intended to offload Lu Yinghuai's official duties onto the lovey-dovey, honeymooning Emperor.

But to offend the empire's emperor with such antics...

Once exposed, the emperor might seek to punish him. He could be disciplined by that hawk again.

"Uncle D."

"I've arranged everything perfectly, Your Majesty will most certainly not be angered."

And he absolutely won't have the energy to be upset.

Xia You eagerly looked at the hamster D seated in the palm of her hand.

The hamster boss held on for several seconds but couldn't resist. He lifted a paw, scratched his ear, and typed: [If you can ensure the Marshal's personal guards turn a blind eye and only deceive those few accompanying the emperor, it shouldn't be hard.]

[But there's one condition.]

Hamster D held up a single finger.

[I want to flee with you.]

Being supervised by that hawk feels wrong. Since Xia You, the healer, is escaping, he felt it justified to accompany and protect the child, right?

Xia You's eyes sparkled for a moment. Two seconds later, she nodded in agreement.

Hamster D was pleased. Now, he found Xia You more and more agreeable, admiring her knack for mischief.

[When do we act?]

Xia You calculated the timing and said, "In a week."

Hamster D nodded: [Alright, I'll prepare the supplies. You just sneak the people out.]

Xia You nodded firmly, making a gesture indicating 'no problem at all.'

***

On the other side, entirely unaware of the plan to spirit him away, Lu Yinghui activated his holo-computer to send a message to Meng Wenxuan.

Xia You's apparent demand for the psychic crystal of the insect queen aroused Lu Yinghui's curiosity.

However, with only a few people around, Lu Yinghui's thoughts immediately turned to Meng Wenxuan.

Meng Wenxuan looked at the inquiry sent by the Marshal and slowly turned his head to gaze at the steward of the Marshal's mansion.

Uncle Zhou opened the isolation sphere containing the psychic crystal of the insect queen, smiling radiantly.

Recalling Xia You's words, that if the plan succeeds they'd have a sample of the Federation's insect queen psychic power, Meng Wenxuan gritted his teeth, didn't reply to the message, and reached out to pick up the crimson crystal.

"Alright, I'm in!"