Lu Wanqing had been watching Zhong Li Feiyu's expression, a person's micro-expressions were hard to fake.
"Delicious, isn't it?" she said with a smile, happy.
Zhong Li Feiyu's mood was complicated, then he nodded, "Mm."
They had fought against the insectoids their whole lives, but had never imagined that insectoids could be so delicious.
Zhong Li Feiyu thought, inexplicably recalling the insectoids on the interstellar battlefield. If insectoids were so tasty, perhaps he could consider developing them…
Zhong Li Feiyu didn't control his expression, and Lu Wanqing, seeing his reaction, felt like she guessed something.
"It's best not to eat mutated insectoids indiscriminately," Lu Wanqing said.
"These crawfish are similar to the crawfish from the ancient Earth era. I felt okay about them, and only gave them to Xiao Yi after trying them myself," Lu Wanqing explained.
Zhong Li Feiyu nodded, "Mm."
Lu Yang spoke up, "It's already the interstellar era, and it will continue to be so. It's impossible to always eat non-mutated creatures. We can also find ways to develop the insectoids outside, and perhaps turn them into delicacies."
Just delicacies with a slightly different taste from the ancient Earth era.
Zhong Li Feiyu was stunned, looking at Lu Yang blankly.
Lu Wanqing looked at her third brother, amused, "It's not that easy, is it?"
The technology of the interstellar era was so advanced. If the meat of mutated animals was truly delicious, it would have likely been discovered long ago, not left until now, right?
Although gene mutation made some people less intelligent, the interstellar era's technology had developed to this point, indicating there were many intelligent people in this era. With so many people, she didn't believe no one had ever tried.
"Mm, but it's not entirely impossible," Lu Yang said.
Lu Wanqing froze. What did her third brother mean by that? Did he know how to make mutated animal meat delicious?
Zhong Li Feiyu also realized it, and looked at Lu Yang in shock, "Your Majesty… has a way to turn mutated insectoids into delicacies."
"Mm," Lu Yang nodded.
Lu Yang said, looking at Zhong Li Feiyu, "On Wanqing's behalf, I can give the Federation an opportunity for peaceful coexistence. As a token of goodwill, I can teach this method to the Federation."
Lu Yang then peeled another shrimp and added, "Of course, this is my sincerity, and it doesn't mean I'm afraid of the Federation. If the Federation is foolish and insists on opposing the Empire, I won't be afraid either."
Zhong Li Feiyu sat up straight, nervous. He knew Lu Yang wasn't joking. If the Federation truly refused peaceful coexistence, the Empire would indeed go to war.
"I will do my best to mediate," Zhong Li Feiyu said. He glanced at Lu Wanqing and added, "If possible, I don't want the two countries to go to war either."
Lu Wanqing listened to them and suddenly became happy. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was no war? With so many people, living together harmoniously, just like before, wouldn't that be great?
Little Harvey listened to the adults' babbling and found it strange. Were these words he was allowed to eavesdrop on?
However, although Little Harvey chattered endlessly about small matters, he understood the difference when it came to important issues. When he was with the space pirates, his father and the pirate uncles would not allow him to interrupt or chatter around.
Little Harvey listened to their words, letting them go in one ear and out the other, focusing his attention on eating crawfish.
"Mommy, the crawfish are really delicious. Can I have them again in the future?" Little Harvey had eaten a lot and was almost full. He couldn't help but look at his mommy and ask expectantly.
In the future?
Lu Wanqing nodded, "Mm, there are still some crawfish in the kitchen. We can have them tomorrow."
Little Harvey instantly became happy, "Yay yay yay!!!"
Days passed like this, and soon it was the day Zhong Li Feiyu was supposed to leave. Lu Wanqing felt a little reluctant, but she also knew that Zhong Li Feiyu couldn't stay here forever, and there were many things waiting for him in the Federation.
Her third brother had prepared a peace treaty for Zhong Li Feiyu to take back to the Federation. As long as the Federation was willing to sign and agree, the two countries would no longer have to be adversaries and could coexist more amicably than before.
Lu Wanqing personally saw Zhong Li Feiyu onto the spaceship. Watching the ship take off and fly away, her hanging heart finally settled.
As long as the Federation wasn't foolish, there shouldn't be much of a problem, right?
"Let's go back." Lu Yang saw Lu Wanqing staring in the direction the spaceship had left. He reached out and rubbed Lu Wanqing's head, smiling.
"Mm-hmm." Lu Wanqing quickly nodded.
"Oh, right, Third Brother. Have you arranged for us to go back to Earth to see it, as we agreed?" Lu Wanqing immediately turned to her third brother again, asking expectantly.
No matter how good the interstellar era was, she couldn't forget Earth and wanted to go back to see it.
"It's already arranged. You can go back whenever you want," Lu Yang said indulgently.
"Ahhh!" Lu Wanqing couldn't control herself, hugging her third brother's arm and jumping up excitedly, "Thank you, Third Brother, you're the best!"
Lu Yang reached out and gently pinched her cheek, "Do you miss home?"
Lu Wanqing quickly nodded, "Yes."
"Then let's go back and find it," Lu Yang said.
"Okay." Lu Wanqing happily agreed.
Returning to the imperial palace, Lu Wanqing still couldn't control her inner excitement. Her heart was pounding in her chest, full of excitement.
In the afternoon, Little Harvey returned from school. Lu Wanqing couldn't help but pick him up and say happily, "Harvey, Mommy can go home now. Mommy can go back to Earth to see it. Isn't that exciting?"
"Earth?" Little Harvey's eyes immediately widened, full of curiosity.
Lu Wanqing nodded excitedly, "Mm-hmm."
"I want to go too!" Little Harvey immediately said excitedly.
"I haven't been to Earth yet, Mommy. Can I go back with you guys!" Little Harvey said happily.
Harvey was going too?
Lu Wanqing suddenly fell silent. The little guy still had school.
"But you still have school," Lu Wanqing said.
Little Harvey quickly said, "School will be out for vacation soon. Can we go together during the break!"
Vacation?
Lu Wanqing thought about it, then quickly opened her datapad to check the school holiday schedule for the Empire. As soon as she looked, her mouth twitched.
"No," Lu Wanqing said, looking up and refusing.
The Empire would indeed have a holiday in a few days, but it was only for three days.
What could be done in three days?
It was likely not even enough time for the jump to Earth. Little Harvey had gotten used to not going to school and wanted to skip it.
"We can go during winter break too," Lu Yang said to Little Harvey.
Little Harvey's eyes widened in excitement, "Really? We can go during winter break too?"
"Mm," Lu Yang nodded.
"Ahhh, Uncle, you're the best! I love you, Uncle!" Little Harvey immediately pounced and hugged Lu Yang.
Lu Yang's face stiffened, but he didn't push Little Harvey away.
Lu Yang became more brazen, planting a smacking kiss on Lu Yang's cheek.
Lu Yang's face darkened this time. He quickly raised his hand to wipe his cheek, then looked at Harvey sternly. However, when he met the child's excited eyes, for a fleeting moment, a pair of eyes flashed in his mind – the eyes of Qingqing from a long, long time ago?
Lu Yang paused, and did not lash out.