Finally managing to soothe all five children, Lu Wanqing felt an immense sense of relief.
The hour was getting late. She walked towards the main hall. In the bedroom, Lu Yang had already bathed. Dressed in a pure white bathrobe, he was reading under the bedroom lights. Hearing the movement at the door, he looked up, and as his gaze fell upon Lu Wanqing, a smile bloomed layer by layer in his dark eyes, like a blooming begonia.
“You’re back?” Lu Yang asked, his voice laced with a smile.
Lu Wanqing’s heart pounded. She could no longer resist, and rushed in, throwing herself into her third brother’s arms.
“Mm, I’m back,” Lu Wanqing said, hugging her third brother, her voice brimming with joy.
Lu Yang put down his book and embraced her.
Lu Wanqing soon lifted her head from his embrace, looking at him with a radiant smile. “I’m going to take a bath,” she said.
With that, she quickly slipped out of his arms, turned, and headed for the bathroom.
In the bathroom, the smart bathtub was already filled with a full tub of warm water. Lu Wanqing undressed and sank into it.
The smart bathtubs of the interstellar era were truly comfortable, not just for bathing but more so for their massage functions. A bath felt like it could wash away the day’s fatigue.
Lying in the bathtub, Lu Wanqing couldn't help but close her eyes and ponder the day’s events: her eldest brother, her second brother, and the paternity tests for Cui Cui and her third brother. As she thought about them, a smile spread uncontrollably across her lips. She was happy.
Despite her happiness, Lu Wanqing was truly exhausted from the entire day. Coupled with the incredibly comfortable massage of the smart bathtub, she unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
Fortunately, the high-tech bathtubs of the interstellar era also had a smart wake-up service. It was a common occurrence for owners to fall asleep while bathing due to the excessive comfort of the smart bathtub. Therefore, the manufacturers had long ago developed a wake-up service to prevent users from sleeping indefinitely in the bathtub.
“Master, you have finished bathing. You may go to your room to rest,” the smart bathtub’s voice echoed in Lu Wanqing’s ears.
Lu Wanqing stirred, startled from her light sleep. She sat up instinctively, looking around before finally registering her surroundings. She quickly got out of the bathtub.
The bathroom was also intelligent. The moment she stepped out, the drying function automatically activated. Within seconds, the water on her body was completely dried by the system.
Lu Wanqing picked up her bathrobe and quickly put it on before exiting the bathroom.
In the bedroom, Lu Yang heard the commotion from the bathroom and stood up, smiling. “Finished?”
Lu Wanqing looked at her third brother, her cheeks inexplicably flushing.
Lu Yang walked over with a smile, scooped her into his arms, and turned towards the large bed.
Soon, the master bedroom was filled with an intimate atmosphere. However, Lu Yang restrained himself before the ambiguity lasted too long.
“Let’s sleep,” Lu Yang said, holding the girl and comforting her.
“Third Brother?” Lu Wanqing looked up at him, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Lu Yang looked at her, almost unable to control himself, but ultimately held back. “You’re too tired today. Rest first.”
Lu Wanqing understood. She couldn’t help but smile and then proactively wrapped her arms around Lu Yang.
Lu Yang’s body stiffened.
In the end, Lu Yang couldn't resist Qingqing’s initiative, and the temperature in the bedroom began to rise.
The next day, Lu Wanqing enjoyed a rare lie-in. Outside, the children were already awake, along with their respective fathers, who had come to visit their mother. Everyone was in high spirits.
Cui Cui was the most conflicted among the children. She was with Wei Xingzhou, but her gaze kept drifting towards her Father Emperor.
Father Emperor was her biological father, and she was happy about it, yet it still felt somewhat surreal.
Lu Yang emerged and was the first to spot Cui Cui. This was his and Qingqing’s daughter, and the smile on Lu Yang’s face was uncontrollable at the thought.
“Cui Cui, good morning,” Lu Yang approached Cui Cui, speaking gently.
Cui Cui immediately tensed, and Wei Xingzhou became wary.
“Dad… Daddy, good morning,” Cui Cui said nervously, standing beside Wei Xingzhou.
Lu Yang smiled. He affectionately patted Cui Cui’s head and nodded. “Mm.”
After speaking, Lu Yang turned to Wei Xingzhou and said sincerely, “Thank you for taking care of Cui Cui.”
“Hmph,” Wei Xingzhou snorted coldly.
Lu Yang chuckled. “If you ever need my help with anything in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Father Emperor!”
“Father Emperor, good morning!”
Mu Lan, Zhong Liyi, Yu Shu, and Little Harvey – the four children approached happily, greeting Lu Yang.
Lu Yang responded to all four children with a smile.
The children’s parents also cautiously came over to pay their respects.
“You don’t need to be so formal with me. Just treat me as a friend,” Lu Yang said with a smile.
Hearing this, the fathers became inexplicably nervous. This was the Emperor of the Empire, a figure they had once feared hearing about, and now he wanted them to interact with him as friends?
“Oh, right. I have something I’d like to discuss with you all,” Lu Yang suddenly said.
“What is it?” Wei Xingzhou was the quickest to respond, instinctively asking.
Lu Yang looked at the children and smiled. “It’s about the children.”
“Qingqing’s children are my children. If you don’t mind, I’d like to give them imperial status to all the citizens of the interstellar.” Lu Yang stated.
What did this mean?
The fathers grew tense, exchanging glances. However, their main concern was Yu Nong and Mu Sijie.
Cui Cui was Lu Yang’s biological daughter, and it was understandable that he wanted to give her imperial status. But what about their children… was that permissible?
“Are you saying you want to register them in the Empire’s household registry as well?” Mu Sijie asked.
Lu Yang nodded. “Yes. From now on, they will not only be citizens of the Federation but also citizens of the Empire. Henceforth, whether in the Federation or the Empire, they will be considered our own.”
Yu Nong was stunned, still processing the information.
Yu Shu’s eyes, however, sparkled. “Father Emperor, if I am both a citizen of the Federation and the Empire, can I open a shop and do business in the Empire?”
Lu Yang had some understanding of Shu Shu and knew she hadn’t had an easy life. However, she was also very intelligent. Perhaps, without the need for adult intervention, she could grow even better if given the opportunity.
“Yes,” Lu Yang nodded.
Yu Shu immediately became happy, but still slightly anxious. She couldn’t help but ask, “After we get our imperial status, will it truly not affect our Federation status?”
“It will not affect it. I have already discussed this with the Federation. You don’t need to worry,” Lu Yang replied.