Chapter 581 - 382: Shen Garden

In the bridal chamber, the red candles burned brightly.

Duan Rong had already fallen asleep on the bed.

Xiao Yu sat beside him, using a cotton towel to wipe the fine sweat from his forehead.

She held the towel, staring blankly at Duan Rong, who was full of alcohol and sleeping in a less than elegant posture.

The guests seemed to have all left, and outside it was already quiet.

At this moment, Xiao Yu had no desire to sleep, her heart was filled with a certain happiness.

This happiness was so real and abundant that she thought she could be this happy for the rest of her life...

Sitting by the bed, Xiao Yu thought of many past events.

The first time she saw Duan Rong.

At her sister’s funeral, at the city gate, Duan Rong suddenly stood before her, blocking her.

And when she was kidnapped by Wei Yutian, in the smoky secret room, that vague yet warm silhouette...

It was not until she heard the roosters crowing outside that Xiao Yu snapped back to reality, got up to extinguish the red candle, and lay down by Duan Rong’s side. She knew dawn was approaching, but she slept very soundly.

After the wedding, Xiao Yu became even more attentive, making various pastries and soups for Duan Rong.

Although they often went wrong, with practice, her cooking skills did improve.

Of course, whether tasty or a failure, Duan Rong ate everything clean, always encouraging Xiao Yu, saying she was perfect both in the drawing-room and in the kitchen—he couldn’t find a better wife even with a lantern.

As for the Escort Agency matters, Duan Rong only occasionally inquired. A month had passed, and Yang Zhen was managing it quite well.

Indeed, employing people is the foremost priority.

If you use the right person, things go smoothly and naturally; if you choose the wrong one, everything falls apart and becomes irreparable.

In the half month since the wedding, Ximen Kankan and Shen Mizi would occasionally send letters, inviting them to visit Yuanyang Prefecture and Ruyang Prefecture.

Ximen Kankan wrote to Duan Rong. Shen Mizi wrote to Xiao Yu. But neither party intended to leave just yet, only replying that they would consider it in a few days.

One day, Shen Mizi wrote to Xiao Yu again.

In the room, Xiao Yu held the letter, reading it to Duan Rong. In the letter, Shen Mizi complained about how bored she’s been lately and implored Xiao Yu to visit her for a few days.

After reading, Xiao Yu smiled at Duan Rong. "What do you think? This girl makes herself sound quite pitiful. Should we go?"

"Well..." Duan Rong was hesitating, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice outside, shouting his name.

It was Ximen Kankan’s voice.

Duan Rong laughed, "Looks like they’ve come to us."

The two got up and went outside to welcome the visitor, indeed seeing Ximen Kankan charging in from outside, holding a horsewhip.

Seeing the couple, Ximen Kankan first made a respectful bow to Xiao Yu, calling her "sister-in-law," then straightened up and pointed at Duan Rong, saying, "Duan Rong, what’s the deal? I’ve written several letters to you, and now that the three-month family leave is almost over, have you decided to come or not? My dad gave me a tough task, and if you don’t go, I won’t return either."

"It’s up to you. From now on, I’ll eat and sleep at your place, and drain you dry, little rich man." Ximen Kankan said, then sat on the side veranda, crossing his legs.

Ximen Kankan’s comical look made both Duan Rong and Xiao Yu burst into laughter.

Duan Rong went over and tapped his leg. "Get up!"

Ximen Kankan asked, "Why?"

Duan Rong laughed, "Your sister-in-law made some white fungus and lotus seed soup. Get up and let me serve you a bowl to try."

Ximen Kankan immediately jumped up, "Sister-in-law’s cooking? I must taste it properly!"

In the room, Xiao Yu divided a bowl’s worth into two smaller bowls, filling them to seventy percent for Duan Rong and Ximen Kankan, each holding a bowl.

Seeing the translucent white fungus and the milky lotus seeds, Ximen Kankan’s eyes lit up. "It looks quite nice!"

Duan Rong said, "Of course."

As Duan Rong spoke, he began eating, savoring the taste.

Ximen Kankan, skipping the spoon, directly tipped a large sip into his mouth from the bowl.

As soon as it entered his mouth, Ximen Kankan’s expression changed. If not for Xiao Yu standing right there, he might have spit it back into the bowl. Fortunately, he swallowed it down in one go, turning his head to see Duan Rong holding back laughter.

Ximen Kankan might have choked as he was coughing heavily.

Duan Rong patted his back, saying, "Take it easy, it’s okay. Tonight, we’ll have your sister-in-law cook more dishes for you to welcome you!"

"Ah, there’s more tonight!" Ximen Kankan’s coughing stopped immediately.

Duan Rong mischievously smiled, "Of course there is! Now that you’re here, you have to taste your sister-in-law’s cooking, don’t you?"

"Of course, I must taste it." Ximen Kankan agreed repeatedly.

That evening, Xiao Yu prepared a large table of dishes for Ximen Kankan—this was the longest meal Ximen Kankan had ever eaten in his life.

Duan Rong kept adding food to Ximen Kankan’s plate.

Every time Duan Rong added food, Ximen Kankan would give him a glare.

Ximen Kankan, somewhat miserable, looked at his bowl, already piled high with dishes. When he bit into a piece of dry chicken, he felt like crying but had no tears. Honestly, he felt he could even have killed someone.

Early the next morning, Duan Rong and Xiao Yu took a carriage to Yuanyang Prefecture with Ximen Kankan.

In the carriage were some gifts that Xiao Yu had instructed Zhu Xiaoqi to buy from the market the previous day.

Arriving at Yuanyang, they entered the courtyard of the West Gate Mansion, where Ximen Yong greeted them warmly.

Ximen Yong took Duan Rong by the arm, speaking in a familiar and enthusiastic manner, calling him "nephew" affectionately each time, making Xiao Yu bewildered, as if they were really relatives.