Chapter 112: Harmony and Joy

The few of them, covered in wounds, rode their horses slowly, chatting along the way until they reached Duanqing Ju.

Hearing the sound of hooves, Youruo and the others rushed out the door and caught sight of the group returning.

The few of them tethered their horses, then walked toward Youruo and the others, their bodies covered in scars.

Youruo's eyes were red, tears streaming down uncontrollably, and she said pitifully:

"You've finally returned.

If something had happened to you, what would the baby in my belly and I have done?"

Duan Fengyun hurriedly stepped forward to embrace Youruo and said:

"Youruo, look, haven't I returned safe and sound?

I'm sorry, I made you worry.

Stop crying now, it's not good for the baby in your belly."

Hearing that it was bad for the baby, Youruo immediately stopped crying; she held onto Duan Fengyun tightly, unwilling to be separated from him.

Seeing this, the others laughed at the couple, then left the room to them and returned to their own rooms.

After seeing the others leave, Duan Fengyun reached out to wipe away Youruo's tears, held her, and said:

"Alright, alright.

I won't do this again in the future. Are you hungry?

I'll go make you something to eat; it's been a long time since you tasted Chef Duan's cooking, hasn't it?"

Youruo nodded and said:

"Yes, because of you, I haven't had an appetite for tea or food.

If it weren't for the baby in my belly, I wouldn't have been able to eat anything at all."

Youruo said it casually, but Duan Fengyun felt heartbroken after hearing it; he had actually made the lively and cheerful Youruo almost depressed, and he felt very self-reproachful.

Filled with guilt, he went to the kitchen, where he chopped wood, lit the fire, cooked rice, and stir-fried dishes all by himself, busy as a bee.

After Nie Feng and the others returned to their rooms to wash up, they changed into new clothes and walked out.

They saw Youruo sitting there all by herself in the main hall, looking relaxed and carefree.

Nie Feng asked:

"Youruo, where is Junior Brother Duan?"

Youruo said mischievously:

"I told him I hadn't had an appetite for tea or food lately, so he dove headfirst into the kitchen; he should still be busy cooking right now."

Qin Shuang laughed and said:

"It really takes the two of you, mother and child, to carry such weight.

It looks like we'll have a treat for lunch today."

Qin Shuang and Bu Jingyun helped clear the table, while Nie Feng ran to the kitchen to wash the bowls and chopsticks and brought them out to set the table.

Soon, Chef Duan's dishes were laid out on the table, and Duan Fengyun pointed at the chicken soup and said:

"This chicken soup is specially brewed for Youruo and Chuchu; you all aren't allowed to touch it."

Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun each brought out two jars of wine, and the group sat together in harmony, drinking wine and chatting—it was truly complete and perfect.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the four junior brothers and their respective significant others sat around the table, discussing Qin Shuang's wedding in a few days.

Duan Fengyun looked at Nie Feng and Di Er Meng and said:

"Brother Feng, Meng, look at Brother Shuang and Ding Ning, they are about to get married.

Look at you two; you should find an opportunity and get your wedding settled as soon as possible.

I think the elder is going crazy wanting to hold a grandson; you two must quickly let the old man have his wish."

Upon hearing Duan Fengyun's words, Nie Feng was instantly filled with regret.

He had gone through so much trouble and nearly sacrificed his life to save this guy, only for him to come back and annoy him.

Qin Shuang and Bu Jingyun joined Duan Fengyun and said:

"Junior Brother Feng, Junior Brother Duan is right.

You and Meng really should find a time to settle it."

Unable to withstand the group's persuasion, Nie Feng turned his head and said affectionately to Di Er Meng:

"Meng, would you be willing to marry me?"

Di Er Meng's face flushed red, and she murmured:

"I am willing."

"Hahahaha, Brother Feng, look, isn't it done now?"

Duan Fengyun egged them on from the side.

Duan Fengyun took an almanac from the side and began to seriously flip through the dates.

"Hey, the 30th of this month is not bad.

Brother Shuang finishes his ceremony on the 15th, and then you hold yours on the 30th.

Our Duanqing Ju will be lively for a few days.

When the time comes, we'll call Senior Wuming, my master, and Senior Daohuang over, and everyone can have a lively time."

After checking the almanac, Duan Fengyun shouted excitedly.

Coincidentally, Nie Renwang walked out at this moment, saw the jittery Duan Fengyun, and asked:

"Kid Duan, what are you being so jittery about?

Could it be that you're about to fall into the demonic path again?"

Duan Fengyun stepped forward, put his arm around Nie Renwang, and said impudently:

"Uncle, congratulations to you."

"Feng just checked the almanac with us and plans to get married on the thirtieth of this month."

"Uncle, you will be able to hold a big grandson very soon."

Nie Renwang looked at Nie Feng excitedly and asked for confirmation:

"Feng'er, is what that Duan kid said true?"

Nie Feng did not know how to answer for a moment; seeing Nie Renwang's excited appearance, Di Er Meng answered considerately:

"Yes, Senior."

"Feng and I will be married at the end of the month."

Nie Feng looked at Di Er Meng with emotion, and Di Er Meng smiled gently at Nie Feng.

Having received confirmation, Nie Renwang was overjoyed and ran off happily to share the news with his old brothers.

Duan Fengyun spoke up:

"Since that is the case, I will go write the wedding invitations immediately, and then I will personally go to Zhonghua Lou and Xiewang Dong to deliver them."

Watching this eager beaver Duan Fengyun, Qin Shuang and Nie Feng both had a bad feeling in their hearts.

Duan Fengyun took out the wedding invitations that Qin Shuang had already prepared, then wrote out the invitations for Wuming, Xiehuang, and Daohuang with fluid, practiced strokes.

After saying goodbye to Nie Feng and Qin Shuang, Duan Fengyun jumped onto his horse and headed straight for Zhonghua Lou.

Having not seen Wuming for a long time, Duan Fengyun actually missed that "keep strangers at a distance" feeling of Wuming's.

Familiar with the route, he rode the horse to the stables of Zhonghua Lou, and after tethering the horse, Duan Fengyun swaggered into Zhonghua Lou.

When the waiter saw that it was Duan Fengyun who had arrived, he walked up with immense enthusiasm to greet him:

"Young Master Duan, it has been a while since you last came."

"Where have you been making a fortune lately? You haven't graced our Zhonghua Lou with your presence for a long time."

What Duan Fengyun liked most was this waiter's sycophantic spirit.

Duan Fengyun reached into his robe and pulled out the gift he had already prepared for the waiter—a large silver banknote for one hundred taels.

The waiter said "I really shouldn't" while taking the banknote and tucking it into his robe.

The waiter mocked in his heart:

"You all say I am a shameless dog, but I will prove to you now what is wrong with being a dog."

"While you are still working yourselves to death serving other guests, my marriage fund has long since been earned."

Having accepted the banknote, the waiter welcomed Duan Fengyun into Zhonghua Lou and shouted toward the kitchen:

"Hurry up and cook a few good dishes; Young Master Duan is here!"

Hearing the waiter's fawning voice, the kitchen staff knew that the waiter's benefactor had arrived.

Several of them mocked:

"Truly a shameless dog."

Though they said that, they still began to stir-fry the dishes according to the waiter's instructions.

One reason was that Duan Fengyun was a friend of Wuming, and they dared not offend him.

The second reason was that every time the waiter received money, he would treat them to a meal, so their name-calling for the waiter was also just a joke.