Chapter 237: Good slave slave, hurry up and take a sniff!

Can I be emperor......?

Another matter.

But at home, of course, doing as one pleases is enough to be comfortable.

Du Shanü's kick startled the two people inside who had been arguing nonstop; they both turned their faces toward the door in unison.

Du Shanü at the doorway, being stared at so strangely, unconsciously touched her nose and asked:

Why are you all looking at me like that?

Although she is eager to return home, she shouldn't have put her clothes on inside out, right?

Du Shanü looked puzzled, completely unaware of what she looked like in others' eyes——

A lovely woman came against the light, her whole body hidden in the afternoon's overlapping shadows.

Though her features were backlit and not very clear, that familiar smile at the corner of her mouth remained just as before.

Some people, just by standing there, are like the blazing sun, dazzling and eye-catching.

Chinu suppressed the soreness in his eyes and let out a soft hum:

...... You still know how to come back.

Before, he had cursed her, but that wasn't truly wishing her dead.

He just, just spoke unpleasantly.

But that trace of hatred and affection blended together, indeed already became one.

He just, he just……

Just truly hate her to the point of unbearable.

Therefore, he only spews harsh words while fawning.

Du Shanü met the eyes of her obedient slave Chinu, filled with rippling grievance; the 'emperor' act lasted less than two breaths before she broke character, she took a few steps to Chinu's side, brought her head close to the neck of the longed-for Chinu, and took a deep breath, the air reaching her lungs.

That breath of fragrance spread, soothing body and soul, directly leaving Du Shanü dazed by the scent.

In a daze, she unconsciously opened her mouth to coax:

"Good slave, don't be angry, I'm back, I really am back."

"It's not that I don't miss you, it's that this time the affairs of Cang Cheng are much more than I first thought: first reviewing old documents, then seeking trade routes, inspecting the militia and girls' school......"

"As the year's end approaches, Dun Cheng this side owes many debts; we must allocate some silver to repay merchants and distribute year-end gifts...... I traveled for several days, borrowing some silver from merchants in Cang Cheng, used some, and brought the rest back......"

The fragrant scent diffused, captivating the soul.

Du Shanü spoke, her tone growing slower and softer.

All her words were true, no falsehood.

These past days, Du Shanü truly exhausted herself to the extreme, not stealing a moment of rest.

From beginning to end, it was all for one thing: to return quickly and accompany her slave Chinu and Afang for the festival.

At that time she missed the Cold Food Festival, but for New Year they always spent it together.

She had long missed Chinu dearly, but perhaps also because the more anxious she became, the more chaotic, and with the year's end approaching, endless matters entangled her, leaving her no time to spare.

Although the two places are separated, of course one can write letters......

But paper is short while feelings are long, and she feared making Chinu merely add to his longing and yearning.

What to do?

What should she do?

She, what exactly should she do?

Smelling that faint cold fragrance of gorgeous bone on her nose tip, Du Shanü finally couldn't help closing her eyes:

"...... Afang, have you prepared the New Year's Eve feast?"

Chen Weifang also didn't expect Du Shanü to return in such a hurried, dust‑laden manner just before the year's end, obviously eager to go home......

Eager to return home.

Chen Weifang silently repeated these four characters; the earlier full-hearted tenderness turned into an expression hard to put into words.

He finally sighed:

"Since the Wise Lord has returned, of course there is."

"What would you like to eat? I'll immediately order it prepared."

Du Shanü giggled and took a bite of her slave's chin:

"I was just about to bring this up!"

"Put other matters aside for now, you eat the New Year's Eve feast yourself first...... I want to go back to the room to sniff the slave!"

Chinu: "......"

Chen Weifang: "......???"

Good, good, good, a perfect case of 'when the bag is empty, the dagger appears'.

"Asking about the New Year's Eve feast, I'm afraid no matter whether he answers having prepared it or not, the answer will be 'first go back to the room to sniff the slave'!"

Is this okay?

Can this really be okay?

How come he returns and before even saying a couple of sentences he runs to the bed?!

Chen Weifang was at a loss for words, but Chinu noticed something, extending his slender fingers, lightly winding his index finger around Du Shanü's sash, and gently pulling her toward him......

Du Shanü, being pulled, felt dizzy and momentarily had a dry mouth.

Chinu stared at the turmoil in her eyes, savoring a few breaths, then suddenly chuckled lightly.

His appearance inherited from his mother; when not angry, he lacks coldness, instead possessing a naturally alluring charm——

Just like an autumn crabapple.

Haihaitang is called the heartbreak flower; legend says it is transformed from the tears of a lovelorn woman, and it has always carried the sorrow of unrequited love.

Thus the blossoms are bright and eye‑catching, yet they happen to be the mournful flower that bears the sorrow of parting.

Brightness and sorrow complement each other....

Beautiful bones hide darkness.

Just like Chinu.

Chinu didn't know what he was thinking, gave a muffled chuckle twice, and asked as if offhand:

"...... He doesn't have it?"

Someone like Du Shanü would never admit to preserving her chastity for anyone.

She won't harshly judge herself because of others' words, nor will she obsess over an illusory purity....

Or rather, she was never a good person from the start.

Thus, Du Shanü refused to answer that, merely asking:

"Are we leaving or not?"

Chinu hesitated not at all:

"Good."

Chen Weifang: "......?"

Chen Weifang, who had been completely ignored on the side, finally couldn't hold back:

"Can't you treat me like a person?!"

Although a brief separation is better than a new marriage, it's still over the top to say in front of him what you plan to do next!

After all this dust‑and‑wind travel back, it's not at all for the New Year's feast—it's to eat Chinu?!

Chen Weifang had a headache; Chen Weifang truly had a headache.

But that familiar 'headache feeling' welled up, and the old three‑person bickering seemed to reappear.

In the study, the former gloom had vanished; his worries and anxieties, his painstaking scheming, turned into helpless amusement.

Good.

Everything is good.

Today, it happens to be a fine day.

Chen Weifang waved her hand, letting the two leave, then casually wrote down a few dishes, preparing to order the shopping later.

Du Shanü had already taken a few steps with her servant, but turned back and smiled:

"Afang, it's wonderful to have you."

She had always known Afang was good, but lately being tormented by fools made her cherish that goodness all the more.

Unlike others who were once refugees, when Afang is with her, he counts as an official.

Having official status means his life is far more stable than most people's; he need not risk his life, for failure would bring the capital crime of execution.

Although Chinu also mediated much, Afang truly accompanied her through hardship, stumbling along to this point, even recommending talent and scheming much for her.

Du Shanü is inarticulate; she can only vaguely outline this gratitude.

Yet Du Shanü is clever; she knows that myriad things boil down to just the four words 'Afang is truly good.'

Behind the desk, the hand that had been holding the brush steadily now trembled slightly.

But it was only a moment, then the brush flowed smoothly.

The scholar behind the desk, whose brows were as ancient as the moon, relaxed a little and only said:

"Treat Saner well, my lord, and it's better than anything."

"If you truly feel uneasy, tomorrow grant me yellow‑intestine soup, so I may die with dignity."

Du Shanü nodded and smiled as well:

"Rest assured, I've always kept you in mind."

"By the way, one more thing—has anything been sent from Jade Prefecture? Spring promised to send a box of interesting devices; I've been looking forward to it......"

Chinu: "?"

Chen Weifang: "?"

Detestable.

He even felt nostalgic earlier......

But she stopped—clearly not because of him!

?? Shasha: Start the party?

? Chinu: Join the party instantly.

? Next chapter likely will have driving, but I don't know how much; if caught we'll need to rectify, so everyone should come early to be safe......