Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 702 - 700

Chapter 702: Chapter 700

Walking through a garden that resembled a heavenly scene on earth, the two of them returned to their room.

Yang Liu and Yang Mei tactfully retreated hastily and closed the door behind them.

Xiao’er: "..." Was this really necessary?

Shangguan Xuanyi promptly picked Xiao’er up in his arms.

Xiao’er, taken aback, quickly grabbed his neck to prevent herself from falling: "What are you trying to do?"

"We hardly slept at all last night and spent all day with Mother today. You must be both tired and weary, Madame. Let’s clean up and go to bed early, and get up early tomorrow to meet my parents at Marquis Shengping’s place," said Shangguan Xuanyi, as he strolled towards the bathroom.

Are we truly going to bed early? Isn’t it more than meets the eye? Xiao’er didn’t believe him and deliberately played coy: "But I’m not sleepy, and it’s still early. I can’t sleep."

"In that case, we should do something meaningful."

Xiao’er: "..." Never before had she seen someone so shameless.

...

Several bouts of their intimate encounter later, the moon had already risen halfway into the sky.

Looking into each other’s eyes, Shangguan Xuanyi smiled contentedly at Xiao’er: "Tired? Shall I carry you to bathe, and then we can go to sleep early?"

Could she really have a proper bath if he carried her there?

Xiao’er promptly shook her head: "No, I’m hungry."

They had eaten early that evening and there were many formalities when dining with the Empress Dowager. Xiao’er hadn’t eaten her fill; she was genuinely hungry.

"My fault for not feeding you enough. In that case, let’s go again," Shangguan Xuanyi misinterpreted her words and turned around, intending to start another round.

Xiao’er squealed, pushed him away, quickly jumped off the bed, but was caught mid-way into his arms.

"Ah... Brother Shangguan, no, no, I’m really hungry," Xiao’er quickly grabbed his wandering hand and pleaded for mercy.

"Call me ’my lord’ or ’Xuanyi,’ then I might consider letting you go."

"My lord, husband, darling, hubby, sir, dearest, Husband, Echtgenoot, Mari, Ehemann, Marito, that’s all okay, right? I’m really hungry." Xiao’er promptly gave in and offered various alternatives.

Husband is understandable, as he had learned some English. But what the heck are Echtgenoot, Mari, Ehemann, and Marito?

Xiao’er was so talented, he was really proud to be her man!

...

After bathing, the two sat at a round table, having a midnight snack. Xiao’er was enjoying some bird’s nest soup while Shangguan Xuanyi was having antler stew.

These were especially prepared by the kitchen according to Aunt Rong’s instructions.

Looking at Shangguan Xuanyi’s stew that seemed ominous no matter how she looked at it - wasn’t it for enhancing male virility? She absolutely must remind the kitchen not to prepare such a soup for Shangguan Xuanyi so often.

As soon as Shangguan Xuanyi saw Xiao’er glancing at his stew, he instantly read her thoughts: "Let’s make this soup a regular dish for every night banquet from now on!"

Xiao’er: "..." How come she hadn’t realized he was such a scoundrel before their marriage? Can she return him now?

Him: It’s too late!

After their meal, Shangguan Xuanyi stopped teasing Xiao’er and they started discussing some serious matters. He told her about the king-making ceremony soon to be held for him and his brothers.

As for their fiefs, the emperor wanted to transform the wastelands into prosperous areas, making the Minze Dynasty the wealthiest among the three countries. Therefore, the three fiefs were all barren; none were more fertile than the others!

Transforming three barren lands into flourishing cities was the ten-year task the emperor had set for the three brothers.

The emperor gave them three maps, allowing them to select their respective territories. He asked for clear answers after considering their choices.

Shangguan Xuanyi asked Xiao’er: "Which piece of land would you like, my lady? Shall we show our mettle together?"

Indeed, it was time to spread his wings and show his capabilities. He knew that Xiao’er, unlike ordinary women, wouldn’t prefer a life confined to the backyard, raising children and supporting her husband. What’s his, was hers – together, they could build a prosperous capital city!

"Which three places?" Xiao’er understood Shangguan Xuanyi’s intention and asked curiously.

A person’s life must involve doing something meaningful. It cannot be limited to raising offspring and teaching them. Of course, it also shouldn’t be entirely immersed in work, devoid of fun.

Xiao’er didn’t want Shangguan Xuanyi to be the Emperor, managing too many affairs. Busy, indeed, terribly busy. Although an Emperor was the most respected person in the world, they spent most of their lives within the confines of the Imperial Palace. Even going out for a stroll could be challenging. What kind of life was that?

The world was full of vibrancy - of course, they needed to wander and explore it.

But, if they wanted to enjoy life, they certainly needed the preconditions for enjoying life. They needed authority, power, and silver. Without these, everything was mere wishful thinking.

Xiao’er thought it would be appropriate to be a Prince.

Being a Prince was prestigious enough; apart from the Emperor, who would dare to offend them? Yet, there were far fewer official duties than the Emperor’s, only needing to handle the political affairs of one’s fief.

This way, they had power, authority, and wealth, and they had time to have fun.

Xiao’er felt sympathy for the Emperor. Except for the 3,000 beauties in his harem, he did not have the opportunity to enjoy life. Besides dealing with memorials, his days were spent staring at a golden cage, which brought him no delight.

"Two places are in the northwest, and one is in a remote southern region." Shangguan Xuanyi replied.

"Is one of them Xiyue City?" Xiao’er guessed immediately after hearing this.

The Emperor was indeed an ambitious and wise ruler! He genuinely loved his people and ruled them justly. He also managed to raise several well-bred sons. Xiao’er admired him silently.

"Indeed. Xiyue City is one, the northwestern border town is the second, and Cangwu County is the third."

Cangwu County? Xiao’er remembered from the records she’d read that it was mostly just a large mountain, quite the remote mountainous area!

Nevertheless, Xiao’er got the impression that the Emperor had reserved Cangwu County for Shangguan Xuanhao, who was so fond of running off to the mountains!

The Emperor had said they could choose their territories, but he had already made the arrangements.

Xiyue City was the former Xiyue Country captured by Shangguan Xuanyi, so it made sense to choose it as their fief.

Shangguan Xuanjun had once been stationed in the northwestern border town, so he was very familiar with the area. It was only natural that he would choose this place.

"Is the second prince holding onto Cangwu County?"

Shangguan Xuanyi nodded: "But if you want to go to the south, it’s not impossible."

Shangguan Xuanhao was not as intellectually or physically gifted as himself, to please his delicate wife, he could only relent and let his big brother have his way—after all, he was always enjoying the meals prepared at home. As the saying goes, "gifts blind the eyes."

Xiao’er shook her head: "A gentleman does not snatch another’s favorite, besides, I don’t like the climate there."

Cangwu County was likely to have a plum rain season, which Xiao’er truly disliked.

But since it was just about choosing a fief, and they didn’t necessarily have to live there, it didn’t matter much.

"Then let’s choose Xiyue City! It’s the most challenging!" If you were to choose, you should aim for the place with the most gold!

"Good!" Shangguan Xuanyi had guessed Xiao’er would choose this.

Now that business matters were settled, it was time to enjoy a holiday.

"Brother Shangguan, let’s go on a honeymoon!"

A honeymoon? What’s that? Shangguan Xuanyi expressed confusion.

"In Western countries, the first month after a wedding is called the honeymoon. Going on a honeymoon means that newlyweds immediately go on holiday with their beloved, marking the beginning of a lifetime of love and commitment," Xiao’er explained.

The beginning of a lifetime of commitment?

"Good!" Shangguan Xuanyi nodded.