Chapter 942

Listening to Jiu Shu's tone, the days before weren't really days at all?" Chen Wuji said with a smile.

Chen Luozi let out a long series of sighs, "How could it be just that? Back then we were like meat bones stuffed into a huge iron pot, with raging flames burning below, and hands occasionally reaching down to grab a few pieces of meat and shove them into our mouths."

"Although the prefecture is now busy with many affairs, to me it's countless times easier than before. Handling prefectural matters has become smooth; it's just a few things, and there aren't many that truly make me stressed enough to bang my head against the wall in the middle of the night."

At the worst times before, Chen Wuji hadn't even experienced them, and even his memories were fuzzy; he truly couldn't understand how Chen Luozi felt back then.

But back then, all the burdens weighed on him and Chen Bushi; even without external troubles, it wasn't an easy matter.

Things will get better; our Chen clan has already risen a little!" Chen Wuji laughed as he patted Chen Luozi's shoulder, "Getting a bit plump is good; everyone should be a bit plump."

You brat, don't mess with my mood; I was feeling pretty good, but your words just brought pressure back." Chen Luozi shook his head in disdain, grabbed Chen Wuji's hand, and walked toward the back.

Come on, come on, let me show you what surprise I brought!

The curtain on one side of the carriage was lifted, revealing Huo Sanniang's increasingly delicate face.

She lightly propped herself on the carriage curtain, her smile blooming like a flower, her eyes full of tenderness.

In an instant, Chen Wuji's eyes held nothing but that smiling face.

Huo Sanniang didn't have a smile that could overthrow a city, but when she smiled, she occupied Chen Wuji's entire heart, and even his heartbeat seemed to vanish at that moment.

San Niang!" Chen Wuji exclaimed joyfully.

San Niang's mouth had just opened a little when another head poked out from under Huo Sanniang's armpit.

It was Xue Hongdou!

How did you two suddenly come?" Chen Wuji exclaimed in surprise and delight.

He was so overjoyed that he forgot his own status, as if he had instantly returned to the days in Xishan Village.

Huo Sanniang jumped down from the carriage, glanced around, a bit shy as she smoothed her sideburns, and said, "The tavern at Jie Jia Zui is already fixed; I've also picked out two shopkeepers to watch over it. Huo Sanniang and Hongdou staying there wouldn't have much to do, and when Jiu Shu passed by, he just came along."

We plan to keep opening taverns in Xinglin Zhen; wherever my husband stations his troops, we'll open a tavern there. In the future, this might become a lovely tale—each Jade Lady Tavern will be a footprint of where my husband once campaigned.

Chen Wuji ignored the gazes of the surrounding soldiers and gently embraced Huo Sanniang, "San Niang, you've suffered; you still have to follow me, eating in the wind and sleeping in the dew."

How could he not know Huo Sanniang's thoughts?

The lovely tale is merely a far-fetched embellishment; what truly drew them to follow was him himself.

His great army marched farther and farther, and the road back grew longer and longer.

Last year he still returned a few times, but from now on the frequency of going home will only keep dropping, possibly even several years without returning home—this is a tremendous torment for Huo Sanniang and the others.

Just as things were beginning to improve, my husband disappeared.

Such days are actually no different from widowhood while the husband is still alive.

It's not bitter at all now; what nonsense is my husband talking about!" Huo Sanniang blushed, lightly pushed Chen Wuji with her hand, and whispered, "There are so many people around; let's hug again when we get back!"

Chen Wuji grinned, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, let me take advantage first."

Don't spout nonsense; those experts could hear." Huo Sanniang lowered her voice, and just as she finished speaking, Xue Hongdou slipped in and gave Chen Wuji a tight hug.

She was quick; the hug was more like a greeting.

What are you running for? Come say hello." Chen Wuji grabbed Xue Hongdou and gave her another fierce big hug, "How are you still thin?"

It's too hot; I have no appetite for food, and I haven't lost weight either—has my husband gotten it wrong?" Xue Hongdou muttered with a flushed face.

Chen Wuji smirked, glanced downward, shook his head, and said, "My feeling is absolutely correct!"

Indeed she has lost weight; there's no longer that soft, pressing feeling.

Really?" Xue Hongdou scratched her cheek, doubtful.

Huo Sanniang, however, had already caught the implied meaning in Chen Wuji's words; she gently tugged Xue Hongdou and chided, "Come on, come on, don't pay him any mind—he's spouting nonsense again."

Third Sister, am I really thin?" Xue Hongdou asked doubtfully.

Huo Sanniang hummed, glanced at Xue Hongdou's chest, and said, "Indeed you've lost weight; your clothes are a bit loose. Tomorrow I'll get you something to nourish yourself, so no one blames me for not feeding you well and making you lose what he loves."

Xue Hongdou pulled at her clothes, looking bewildered, "Where have I lost weight? I can't see it at all."

You're really dense; I'll tell you later.

With so many people around, Huo Sanniang didn't dare speak of this too bluntly.

A group of people chatted and laughed as they returned to Chen Wuji's courtyard.

Chen Wuji was overjoyed; ever since Huo Sanniang and Xue Hongdou got off the carriage, the smile at the corner of his mouth never faded, like a upturned-mouth fish that had stumbled into a nest.

Until he stepped one foot into the gate and saw Yu Yan Chu sitting under the grape arbor, carving.

We're doomed!

Forgot about this matter.

I should have given Huo Sanniang a heads-up beforehand; now there might be a bloodbath!

Whether it's Huo Sanniang or others, adding people to the household is something we've long been used to.

But this time is different.

The Elder Princess is a woman who will fight for rank and status.

According to court precedent from ancient times, whether the Elder Princess marries an ally or is betrothed low, she becomes the sole principal wife. This needs no discussion; both imperial edicts and longstanding custom have practically settled it.

What now?

Chen Wuji suddenly felt a bit light-headed.

He quietly took Huo Sanniang's hand and whispered, "San Niang, I forgot to tell you something: the Emperor has betrothed the Elder Princess to me. I swear I didn't seek this; it was the imprisoned Emperor who secretly sent her out of the palace."

My husband need not explain this to me; gaining more sisters in the household is a good thing, and I have never stopped him from doing so. Moreover, she is a princess—this is my husband's blessing.

That's not the point; wait a moment, don't speak yet—I'll handle it!" Chen Wuji said.

Although he said he would deal with it, he truly feels at a loss now, not knowing where to begin.

Yu Yan Chu brushed off the wood shavings from his body and stepped out from under the grape arbor.

Her attention immediately fell on Huo Sanniang; she stared for a few moments, then gave a perfectly proper smile and a graceful bow, saying, "Yan Chu greets the two elder sisters."