Chapter 129

"Bang, bang, bang."

The sound of something tapping on the window awakened Lu Yinghuai from his deep slumber on the bed. He struggled to open his eyes, which quickly shifted from drowsy to alert.

Lu Yinghuai scanned the surroundings, not finding Xia You, and realized.

Apart from being severely injured or in hibernation, he wouldn’t sleep this deeply.

Without a doubt, Xia You must have used some psychic power.

Lu Yinghuai got up, approached the window, drew back the curtains, and looked down.

Tonight's sky was devoid of stars, with the moon's light mostly concealed by clouds.

Along the courtyard's path, dim lights glowed at even intervals, casting dancing shadows of plants in the night breeze, creating an interplay of faint silhouettes.

The Marshal's mansion was enveloped by an intelligent control system. Only when Hamster D fired his weapon did it feel as cold as falling snowflakes. On any other day, the plants flourished tirelessly, remaining evergreen all year round.

Xia You stood downstairs, neatly dressed, gazing upwards, her golden hair shimmering as the moonlight slid through it.

Above, Lu Yinghuai was disheveled, his shirt not buttoned all the way up, and even his usually restrictive belt was missing, taken by some mischievous culprit.

Through the window, Xia You waved at Lu Yinghuai, her smile particularly radiant.

Lu Yinghuai sighed in resignation, yet couldn't help but chuckle softly.

His eyes darted to a flying vehicle parked not far away. It belonged to the Marshal's mansion but shouldn't be there at this hour.

The poised and dignified man slid open the balcony door and stepped out. Resting his fingers on the railing, he cast a downward glance at Xia You and playfully inquired, "Planning to run away from home, Xia You?"

From Xia You's insistence over the past week in bringing all the creatures needing treatment to Wei Cheng and secretly healing Lu Jiu Zhu, her intentions to leave were now clear as day.

Thinking about the crimson psychic crystal Xia You took from him days ago, Lu Yinghuai paused, "Planning to head to the Federation?"

Xia You only smiled in response, standing still.

A slender psychic tentacle emerged, snaking in the dim light around Xia You. It whipped up a gust of wind, climbing along a tree to reach the balcony railing, placing its tip next to Lu Yinghuai's hand.

Lu Yinghuai hesitated.

Seeing that Lu Yinghuai resisted the urge to pinch it, the tentacle became more playful, coiling and rubbing against his wrist.

No matter; it could play with humans too, just the same.

Lu Yinghuai looked at Xia You, realizing something, his heartbeat quickening.

In the muted moonlight, even from the floor above, Lu Yinghuai could make out the blush on Xia You's fair face.

Another psychic tentacle emerged, this one more docile. It wrapped around a shimmering object, tracing the path of the previous tentacle. Spiraling, it presented an invitation gleaming like stars, tenderly offered before Lu Yinghuai.

And then... under Lu Yinghuai's gaze, the tip of the tentacle twitched, ringing the little bell attached to it.

The chubby psychic tentacle seemed to absorb its host's shyness, hesitating for a moment before blushing slightly, then demurely swayed.

The gem that Xia You had taken off the waist chain, not yet stored in the collection room, now wrapped in the psychic tentacle, appeared like starlight between the two of them.

Lu Yinghuai reached out and grasped the tentacle with the bell, the cool bell pressed against his palm. The warmth of his hand seemed to scald the tentacle, which became still.

Recalling a past moment when Lu Yinghuai whispered in his ear about wanting to hang a bell on the tentacle while holding him, Xia You blushed but looked at Lu Yinghuai with a direct and passionate gaze.

"If you keep this up, Xia You might not be able to leave tonight."

Lu Yinghuai's voice was low, a bit hoarse, his eyes deep and foreboding.

Despite his admonishing tone, the fingers holding the tentacle gradually tightened.

Xia You tugged at his psychic tentacle, which in turn moved the one in Lu Yinghuai's hand. The bell gave a muffled ring that resonated deeply within Lu Yinghuai.

Xia You hopped in place a couple of times to muster courage, then lowered his voice. Though his actions were stealthy, his privileged status made him seem confident and righteous.

"Here, the cat teaser Your Highness likes."

Xia You was slightly nervous, but his blue eyes shone brighter than any gem or star.

The small tentacle tried hard to peek through the gaps of Lu Yinghuai's fingers, resting on his hand, tilting its tip in eager anticipation of his response.

"So... the most dazzling Juliet of the empire, would you elope with me?"

Due to his nervousness, Xia You's voice wasn't as quiet as he intended, but was instead clear and articulate.

Juliet...?

Elope?

Lu Yinghuai turned his head to look at Xia You below, a rare look of astonishment in his eyes.

……

Hamster D, eavesdropping from the top of the aircraft, nearly slipped and tumbled down.

It then wrapped itself in a leaf and giggled uncontrollably.

Having deliberately turned off all the lights in the house to facilitate Xia You's elopement plan, Uncle Zhou, hiding behind the curtain, sipped his wine with a cheerful grin, enjoying the commotion outside.

When the two children at home fall in love, their awkwardness can sometimes be frustrating, but more often than not, it's endearingly clumsy.

He has witnessed many tales of grudges, love, and hate, as well as life-and-death commitments, yet he's still moved by the pure, straightforward affection shown by the young.

In a corner of the corridor, Wei Cheng quickly covered Meng Wenxuan's mouth as he almost laughed out loud, signaling the importance of silence with his hand.

Meng Wenxuan nodded, and Wei Cheng released him.

However, thinking of the consequences if Marshal and Xia You discovered they were spying, Meng Wenxuan pulled Wei Cheng's hand to his own mouth after just a moment's thought.

In the dim part of the garden, two large cats sat closely side by side, their four eyes intently watching the scene before them.

Xuebing's newly grown wings, still not fully accustomed to being folded, spread out to drape over Quqi.

Quqi grinned and scratched the ground with his paw, implying: [After all, Xia You, being a noble young master, has better manners than the Marshal.]

Xuebing pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

After all, Xia You managed to pet all the fluffy beings in the base, even after keeping a leopard with such strong jealousy and possessiveness by his side.

A little further away in a concealed spot, a juvenile forest serpent hung from a tree branch, its tail wrapped around a telescope, sneaking peeks.

Suddenly, a furry claw reached from below the tree, swiftly snatching the telescope and disappearing in an instant.

Forest Serpent: "!!!"

Darn it! If you want to peek, get your own equipment! Why steal mine?!

Inside the hibernation center, Lu Jiuzhu glanced at the video footage sent by Uncle Zhou, chuckling at his two younger brothers on screen.

The emperor, oblivious to the fact that the Marshal was about to be "kidnapped", walked in, murmured as he hugged Lu Jiuzhu, whispering, "What are you watching?"

With practiced ease, Lu Jiuzhu shut off the display, caressed his husband's hand, and smiled, "Darling, I've been missing the First Legion. Would you stay with me here a little longer?"

The emperor, soon to be engrossed in military duties, nodded repeatedly, giving his queen's cheek a loving kiss.

……

Oblivious to the surrounding audience, Xia You took out a bouquet of roses he had picked overnight from the rose garden through a spatial link. Holding the radiant bouquet, he looked radiantly alluring.

Lu Yinghuai tapped his finger gently, looked down with a hint of amusement in his voice, "Elope?"

Xia You gazed up earnestly at the "Juliet" above, "May I?"

Lu Yinghuai remained silent for a long while before turning to walk into the room.

Xia You sighed, not really surprised.

Lately, the legion's affairs have been overwhelming, and with a new proposal to implement, knowing His Highness's sense of responsibility, he surely wouldn't take a break.

Xia You glanced around, planning her route – if an elopement invitation failed, kidnapping was still on the table.

In less than a minute, a freshly changed Lu Yinghuai emerged to see Xia You, who had climbed up and was straddling the railing. He chuckled, "In such a hurry, my little Romeo?"

Xia You: "!!"

Lu Yinghuai now wore something akin to combat attire, his short boots making a soft noise against the floor.

Gone was the unmistakable demeanor of someone from the First Legion. The man's normally meticulous black hair was swept back messily, revealing a smooth forehead and intense, sharp brows and eyes.

Were it not for being at the Marshal's mansion, seeing Lu Yinghuai like this would make Xia You believe he was a formidable mercenary.

In a daze, Xia You found herself scooped up into Lu Yinghuai's arms, like one would pick up a child. They leapt down from the bedroom balcony.

Lu Yinghuai released Xia You, took the rose she was holding, and clasped her hand, looking at her with a gaze full of love and dependency, reminiscent of a noblewoman agreeing to elope with her lover.

...Dependency?

That particular look had Xia You on her toes, pulling Lu Yinghuai towards the direction where Hamster D had parked the flying vehicle.

Holding the rose, when Lu Yinghuai saw the leopard inside the aircraft, he raised an eyebrow at Xia You.

Xia You smiled, confidently justified.

"After all, eloping means taking both man and leopard completely."

Uncle Zhou chuckled, deactivated the protective shield of the Marshal's mansion, allowing the suspicious aircraft to depart.

Wei Cheng simultaneously tracked the aircraft's path, creating a series of backdoors in the defense system.

Hamster D piloted the aircraft in the direction Xia You indicated, his tiny paws moving swiftly over the control panel, pondering the situation.

Is the defense of this Blue Star Base really this shoddy... tsk!

Lu Yinghuai settled Xia You into his embrace, his palm resting against the small of her back, murmuring, “Is my little Romeo ready to confess?”

Xia You, dazed by Lu Yinghuai's brazen gestures, looked at him with a mockingly defiant glint, “Confess to what?”

"Don't come any closer... I'm on the aircraft..."

Lu Yinghuai's face nuzzled close to Xia You's ear, his breath fanning warmly over her neck, voice husky, “Little You, you mentioned creating a cat toy earlier. Creating without playing seems quite irresponsible.”

Xia You tried to pin down Lu Yinghuai's wandering hands, wondering which button she'd unknowingly pushed tonight that made him act like a caged beast set free, his usually subdued demeanor taking on a cheekier turn.

She hurriedly spoke to distract him, "My sister has been away from the Power Center for a while. She's just awakened, and I fear the Senate and the military wish for her to become a 'fitting' queen, but she won't have it—Mmm!"

Xia You pinched and twisted a certain part of Lu Yinghuai, effectively quieting him down after a muffled grunt.

“In the upcoming days, my sister will make some moves. If His Highness is still around, they'll undoubtedly bother him. It may not affect much, but it’s still bothersome.”

And with the new proposal, letting an aggrieved emperor negotiate with the other legions might just double the effectiveness.

As for whether it would alarm the vice-marshals of the other legions... How was that any of Xia You's concern?

"And what about His Majesty?" Barely two seconds into the silence, Lu Yinghuai posed a serious question while nipping lightly at Xia You's nape.

“I... I’ve contacted Yinwei and Senqiu. Their hidden forces in the Federation are more profound than in the Empire. I plan to swap the psychic sample of the Bug Queen using the ultimate treatment quota…”

“Whether it's the entanglement under the Federation's suspicion or Meng's medical team's research findings, it will keep His Majesty occupied for quite some time—plus, my sister agrees we should take a proper vacation…”

Lu Yinghuai halted his movements.

He had initially thought Xia You wanted to personally visit the Federation.

Xia You reached up, pinching Lu Yinghuai's earlobe and tugging it in retaliation, murmuring, “We can go once His Highness has a suitable successor.”

The thought of taking the Marshal of the Empire to the Federation for personal desires was inconceivable to Xia You.

Their very existence was of utmost importance. Xia You knew what should and shouldn't be done; she wouldn't put Lu Yinghuai in a tight spot, nor would she place herself in danger out of sheer curiosity or whimsy.

Xia You activated her holographic computer, projecting a map in front of them.

"His Majesty toured many places on Blue Star for a honeymoon with my sister. Shall we do the same?"

Lu Yinghuai glanced at the map, noting the distribution of energy stone veins. He chose not to expose the seemingly lazy yet somewhat workaholic Xia You, instead reaching up to ruffle her hair with a smile.

"Alright."

Xia You's fingers delicately threaded through Lu Yinghuai's hair, not mentioning birthdays even once. Yet she perfectly fulfilled the vague longings and anticipations that a younger Lu Yinghuai had harbored deep in his memories.

"Little You?"

"No saying thank you."

Lu Yinghuai hesitated for a moment, then leaned in, his voice deep and magnetic, yet soft and filled with mirth.

"Meow."

Xia You's eyes widened in astonishment: "!!!"

……

The aircraft landed at Xia You's specified location. As Lu Yinghuai disembarked after her, he spotted a familiar tiger grinning rather obsequiously in the distance, prompting him to ponder.

Turning to Xia You, he slowly remarked, "I thought... we were here for a honeymoon?"

Catching the bounding Spicy Strip, Xia You chuckled, "It is our private time! Spicy Strip is just an extraordinarily obedient and utterly adorable fuzzball."

Yuan Yuan, covered in little tentacles, jumped off the aircraft, pausing to stare down the orange-black tiger.

The Spicy Strip enthusiastically bounded over, nuzzling and rubbing against its long-missed 'uncle', showcasing its expert-level prowess in acting cute.

Life on the Imperial Star was utterly stifling for the tiger; perhaps it deserves a break too!

Uncle! Uncle! Uncle!

Lu Yinghuai: "..."

Hamster D rolled out from the aircraft, perching on top, and donned a pair of incredibly stylish sunglasses from seemingly nowhere.

"Where are you headed, Uncle D?" Xia You inquired with a grin, recalling that Hamster D's main body should also be on Blue Star, although its exact whereabouts remained unknown. "Going back to join your main self?"

The wind fluttered through Hamster D's golden fur as it stylishly adjusted its sunglasses. With a cool demeanor, it activated a holographic screen to type out:

[Of course! I am a free—]

In the blink of an eye, a massive golden eagle swooped down, grasping the "free" curly-haired hamster in its talons. After casting a glance at Xia You and Lu Yinghuai, it spread its wings and flew away.

Hamster D's frantic squeaking gradually faded in the distance.

—One could infer from the sound alone that it must be swearing quite profusely.

Lu Yinghuai watched as Hamster D was effortlessly snatched up by the golden eagle. He then turned to Xia You, who stood beside him, her expression betraying no hint of surprise.

Xia·the-instigator·double-agent·You scratched her cheek, feigning innocence with her eyes.

***

Hibernation Center

Learning that Lu Yinghuai was "kidnapped" by Xia You and decided to abandon his duties, the Emperor felt as if he was struck by lightning, ready to order the retrieval of the couple.

However, the Empress suppressed him with her formidable methods, and after delegating the administrative duties to their son, she tearfully took over the military duties initially assigned to her younger brother-in-law.

But learning that Xia You's live broadcast would continue brought much relief to the Emperor. Holding his dearly beloved, he efficiently began to handle the additional responsibilities.

Marshal's Mansion

Hamster D, brought back by the golden eagle, twitched his nose and stood straight, facing the wall.

Uncle Zhou, sitting nearby, plucked two plump grapes from a fruit plate, placing one on each of the hamster's raised pinkish paws.

"Thinking of running again?"

Hamster D wanted to nod defiantly, but in the end, he could only shake his head tearfully.

"Good boy." Uncle Zhou gently stroked the golden-haired hamster's back. "Hold for twenty minutes, and we'll call it even."

The defeated Hamster D nodded obediently while mentally holding a grudge against Xia You.

He knew it; offspring of that eagle couldn't be any good!

Absolutely rotten to the core!!!