A strange partnership was thus formed. The Emperor of the Empire was willing to grant Xavier and Harvey, as well as any other members of the Undying Star Pirates who wished to retire from their outlaw lives, a normal identity. They could all go to the Empire, and His Majesty the Emperor promised to give them a chance to start anew as ordinary citizens.
The development of events far exceeded everyone's expectations. Not a single member of the entire Undying Star Pirate group had ever imagined they would have the opportunity to shed their identities as space pirates and live as normal people.
At first, everyone felt it was unreal. It wasn't until they left the Federation, truly entered the Empire, and, under Lu Yang's protection, made their way unimpeded into the Empire's capital, Haiqing City, that they finally confirmed that this was not a dream; it was real. They could truly live as humans again.
Several people couldn't help but tear up, their eyes welling with emotion. Tears fell, yet their lips curved upwards in joy.
"Boss, everyone online is saying Miss Lu is a lucky star. Wherever she goes, people there have good fortune. It turns out it's true!" someone exclaimed happily.
Xavier looked at Lu Wanqing, a woman who was very intelligent, but whose luck was also extraordinarily good.
"Mm," Xavier agreed.
His Majesty the Emperor had finally returned!
The Empire's Four Great Elders were thrilled and hurried out to welcome him.
Heaven knew how anxious they had been during this time. How many years had it been? Decades, at least? His Majesty had never vanished so silently for so long. They had almost died of fright.
However, they were even more curious about Lu Wanqing!
This was Lu Wanqing, a resurrected Ancient Earthling from the Federation. Like His Majesty, she was a human from the Ancient Earth era! 138 Reading Network
Lu Wanqing felt extremely uncomfortable being stared at by the four men.
"These are the Four Great Elders. If you need anything, you can speak to them directly and have them handle it," Lu Yang said to Lu Wanqing, turning to her.
Lu Wanqing quickly nodded, "Mm-hmm."
Lu Wanqing, being a person from the Ancient Earth era and having lived in the Federation previously, was not very familiar with the Empire's affairs. But just because Lu Wanqing wasn't familiar didn't mean others weren't.
The Four Great Elders were stunned. What did His Majesty's words mean? Was Lu Wanqing now also their superior? If Lu Wanqing needed anything, she could directly command them? This... was Lu Wanqing's status not too high?
Xavier was even more shocked. With Lu Yang's casually spoken words, he found it unbelievable. The Empire's Four Great Elders, figures who would require the highest levels of the Federation to greet them if sent on an envoy, were now, in Lu Yang's eyes, like domestic servants whom Lu Wanqing could casually order around? Lu Yang was too good to Lu Wanqing!
"Mu Yang, arrange accommodations for them," Lu Yang commanded again upon reaching the Imperial Palace.
Elder Mu Yang, who was called, quickly agreed, "Yes."
Lu Yang then looked at Lu Wanqing. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Lu Wanqing will stay next to me. The others can be arranged as you see fit."
Lu Wanqing: "???"
Xavier and Little Harvey: "???"
Others: "???"
"I want to be with Mommy!!" Little Harvey realized what was happening and quickly ran over, grabbing his mother's clothes anxiously.
Lu Yang looked at Little Harvey, his brow furrowed slightly. He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lu Wanqing and asked, "Do you want to be with this... child?"
Lu Wanqing seemed to like children a lot.
Lu Wanqing also became nervous upon hearing this. She quickly said, "Your... Your Majesty, Harvey is my child. He is still young. If he is separated from me, he might be scared. Could he stay with me?"
"Not in the same room, just adjacent to our rooms," Lu Wanqing quickly added.
Little Harvey was older now, and there were differences between males and females, so they would still need separate rooms.
Lu Yang looked at Little Harvey.
Little Harvey quickly said, "Daddy too! I want to be with Daddy too!"
"Uncle Emperor, can you let me stay with Daddy and Mommy? Daddy and Mommy are husband and wife, they can share a room and it won't take up extra space," Little Harvey quickly added.
Husband and wife?
A pang of inexplicable pain struck Lu Yang's heart. He looked at Lu Wanqing.
Lu Wanqing also panicked and quickly explained, "No, we're not husband and wife. We..."
"We only pretended to be husband and wife on Mu'ai Planet out of necessity. We are not truly married."
"We don't need to share a room. If possible, could we please have separate rooms?"
Lu Yang listened to her explanation, and his mood inexplicably improved. He nodded, "Mm."
Lu Yang looked at Xavier and Little Harvey and said, "The child can stay next door. The adults, however, will not."
Xavier: "???"
If they hadn't already entered the Empire and the Imperial Palace, he would have suspected this man was an imposter. Leaving the woman and child alone on another side, he would have been worried about their safety!
"Go arrange for those people," Lu Yang said to the elders.
The next moment, Lu Yang looked at Lu Wanqing again and said, "Come with me."
Lu Wanqing: "..."
Although speechless, the title of Emperor sounded very impressive. He probably wouldn't lie, right?
Lu Wanqing, with Little Harvey, bid farewell to Xavier and then entered the Imperial Palace.
Xavier, still worried, instinctively wanted to follow, but was stopped by Uncle Wu.
Xavier turned to look at Uncle Wu.
Uncle Wu shook his head slightly at Xavier.
Being able to enter the Imperial Palace and being recognized by the Empire's Four Great Elders, the person in front of them was undoubtedly the Emperor of the Empire. Since he had come for Lu Wanqing, he likely wouldn't harm them. Most importantly...
They had received a promise: they would have new identities and live as normal people in the Empire from now on!
This was their opportunity, and also a rare chance for Harvey. If they missed this, Harvey might end up like them, wandering space for his entire life as a space pirate whose life could be forfeit at any moment.
Xavier quickly calmed down. His reason told him that everything was good... it was just too good, and it felt somewhat unreal.
On the other side, after parting ways with Xavier and the others, Lu Wanqing, with Little Harvey, followed Lu Yang deeper inside. For some reason, as Lu Wanqing walked, looking at Lu Yang's retreating back, she felt a sense of familiarity. Her eyes welled up, and she felt an urge to cry, to shed tears.
Lu Yang walked to his own palace and pointed to the adjacent one, indicating it to Lu Wanqing. "You will live here from now on. Is that alright?"
The simple "Is that alright?" was remarkably considerate. Qingqing, the intelligent AI in his optical computer, which had been feigning death, was almost scared silly. When had its master become so gentle?
It had followed its master for hundreds of years. When had its master ever asked for anyone's opinion? Hadn't everyone always listened to his opinions?
"Okay," Lu Wanqing agreed.
In fact, Lu Wanqing was surprised and delighted. She had originally thought Lu Yang would only give her and Harvey one room each. She hadn't expected to be given an entire palace! How impressive! As expected of someone who was Emperor, he was generous!