39: Chapter 39 Let's skip the betrothal gifts, shall we? I've already packed myself up.

Outside Listening to Rain Pavilion, at the Jiang Family estate.

Although the banquet was still ongoing, the main characters, Xu Chen and Jiang Liuli, had already left early.

For Xu Chen, what fun was there in clinking glasses with those old men compared to helping his wife pack? Moreover, this was the Jiang Family Divine Maiden's boudoir; hidden inside were all of Jiang Liuli's "private savings" from over the years.

“Husband, should we bring this?”

Jiang Liuli held an exquisite jade pillow, her eyes showing a trace of reluctance. “I've slept on this since I was a child. It has a ten-thousand-year-old Warm Jade sealed inside, which is very good for the body.”

“Bring it!”

With a large wave of his hand, Xu Chen directly swept the jade pillow into his storage ring.

“What about this? This is the Phoenix Zither my father gave me. Although I'm not very good at playing it, it's very beautiful.”

“Bring it!”

“And this...”

Watching Jiang Liuli flit around the room like a busy little bee, moving everything she could see to Xu Chen, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

“Stop, stop, stop.”

Xu Chen reached out to catch Jiang Liuli, who was still rummaging through chests and cabinets. He pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head and gently nuzzling her.

“Liuli, do you plan to empty out the entire Listening to Rain Pavilion?”

“If your father sees this, he'll probably be clutching his chest and crying about his heartache again.”

Jiang Liuli looked up, her eyes—which had regained their spiritual aura—full of seriousness.

“But... a wife should follow her husband wherever he goes.”

“I'll be a member of the Xu Family from now on. If these things stay here, they'll just gather dust. It's better to take them to Changshang Island. Maybe in the future, our... our children can use them.”

At the mention of children, Jiang Liuli's cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes were full of longing.

Since experiencing that night of "treatment," not only had her body recovered, but her mindset had also undergone a world-shaking change.

Before, because she was burdened by severed meridians, she lived day by day and never dared to hope for a future.

But now, she had a lover and a healthy body; she even began to fantasize about a future of supporting her husband and teaching their children.

This sense of happiness regained made her want to give everything she had to Xu Chen without reservation.

“Children?”

Xu Chen's eyes lit up, and his palm slid down to her flat lower abdomen, gently stroking it.

“Wife, your awareness is quite high.”

“Since you're thinking about children, shouldn't we... work a little harder?”

Feeling Xu Chen's gradually heating gaze and that unruly large hand, Jiang Liuli's body went soft. She leaned into his chest, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

“Don't... we haven't finished packing yet...”

“And... it's broad daylight right now...”

“What's wrong with daytime?”

Xu Chen gave a wicked grin and leaned in to blow air into her ear. “When we did that night's treatment, wasn't it also daytime?”

“Besides, this is your boudoir; the soundproofing is excellent.”

Jiang Liuli was so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

The memories of that night instantly flooded her mind, making her whole body feel hot.

“Husband... you're bad...”

Though she called him bad, her body was honest and didn't resist. Instead, she submissively allowed Xu Chen to carry her to the large carved bed that still carried a faint medicinal fragrance.

“Liuli, you must remember.”

Xu Chen pressed down on her, looking into her hazy eyes, and said seriously:

“The best dowry isn't these external possessions.”

“It's yourself.”

“As long as you are here, to me, you are the most precious treasure in this world.”

For Jiang Liuli, who had lacked love since childhood and was sensitive by nature, these sweet words were a total knockout.

Her eyes reddened as she proactively wrapped her arms around Xu Chen's neck and offered him a fragrant kiss.

“Husband...”

“Liuli... is packaging herself for you.”

Inside Listening to Rain Pavilion, the noisy sounds of organizing things gradually subsided, replaced by waves of blushing, heart-pounding low moans and soft singing.

...

Two hours later.

When a refreshed Xu Chen led a flushed and unsteady Jiang Liuli out of Listening to Rain Pavilion, they happened to run into Jiang Wudao, who had come to urge them along.

Jiang Wudao looked at his daughter's bashful appearance of having been "over-nourished," then glanced at Xu Chen's satisfied and comfortable expression. As someone who had been through it, how could he not understand what had happened?

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Jiang Wudao coughed heavily twice to cover his embarrassment and heartache.

She hasn't even crossed the threshold yet!

This kid really doesn't know any moderation!

“Nephew, is everything packed?” Jiang Wudao forced a change of subject.

“Father-in-law, don't worry, it's all packed.”

Xu Chen patted the bulging storage ring at his waist—which contained more than half of Jiang Liuli's belongings—and smiled. “Liuli is very sensible; she didn't leave any burden for the Jiang Family.”

Jiang Wudao's mouth twitched.

She didn't leave a burden, alright; she probably didn't even leave a single hair behind!

“Since you're packed, then set off early.”

Jiang Wudao waved his hand with an expression that said "get lost quickly." “The Xu Family's Nine Dragon Carriage is already parked at the entrance. Don't miss the auspicious hour.”

He was afraid that if they stayed any longer, he would be driven to a heart attack by this shameless young couple.

“Many thanks, Father-in-law!”

Xu Chen didn't stand on ceremony. He directly picked up Jiang Liuli and strode toward the estate's main gate.

...

Outside the Jiang Family's main gate.

The Nine True Dragons were already fully prepared and looked majestic.

Xu Chen carried Jiang Liuli onto the carriage and was about to give the order to depart.

Just then, Jiang Liuli suddenly broke free from Xu Chen's embrace, ran to the edge of the carriage, and waved to Jiang Wudao below.

“Father!”

Jiang Liuli cried out, her eyes slightly red. “Your daughter is leaving! You must take care of your health!”

“I will come back to see you often in the future!”

Standing below the steps, Jiang Wudao looked at his daughter, who used to be sickly but was now full of vitality, and his eyes also grew moist.

“Go on, go on!”

“A married daughter is like spilled water. Once you're at the Xu Family, follow the rules and don't be temperamental!”

Though he spoke harsh words, his trembling hands betrayed his inner feelings.

“Father-in-law, rest assured!”

Standing behind Jiang Liuli, Xu Chen said loudly, “At the Xu Family, Liuli will only be a Young Mistress enjoying her blessings. If anyone dares to wrong her, I, Xu Chen, will be the first to disagree!”

“Also...”

The corners of Xu Chen's mouth curled up as he added:

“Next time we come back, we'll strive to bring you a grandson!”

Hearing the word "grandson," Jiang Wudao's old face instantly bloomed like a chrysanthemum.

“Good! Good! This old man will be waiting!”

“Scram quickly! Don't come back if you don't produce a grandson!”

Amidst the laughter and joy.

“Ang!”

A dragon's roar rose.

The Nine True Dragons pulled the golden carriage, turning into a streak of golden light that soared into the clouds, racing toward the direction of the Eastern Wasteland.

Inside the carriage.

Jiang Liuli leaned against the window, watching Shennong City grow smaller until it was out of sight before reluctantly withdrawing her gaze.

“Reluctant to leave?”

Xu Chen pulled her into his arms and asked softly.

“A little.”

Jiang Liuli nodded, then looked up at Xu Chen, her eyes full of determination.

“But as long as I am where my husband is, that is home.”

“So good.”

Xu Chen kissed her forehead, then took out a jade slip from his storage ring and handed it to her.

“What is this?” Jiang Liuli asked curiously.

“These are the Xu Family 'House Rules'.”

Xu Chen said solemnly, “Even though you are a Divine Maiden, once you're at the Xu Family, you still have to follow the rules.”

Jiang Liuli's heart tightened, and she quickly took the jade slip, sending her divine sense into it.

However, when she saw the contents clearly, she was stunned.

She saw only one line written in the jade slip:

【Xu Family House Rule Number One: Listen to your husband in everything. What the husband says is the heavenly law; the husband's decisions are imperial edicts.】

“This...”

Jiang Liuli looked at Xu Chen between laughter and tears. “These are the House Rules?”

“What? Think it's too few?”

Xu Chen raised an eyebrow. “Then let's add another one.”

“House Rule Number Two: If the husband wants 'that', the wife must cooperate unconditionally and cannot refuse for any reason.”

“Ya!”

Jiang Liuli's face turned as red as an apple as she threw the jade slip back at Xu Chen.

“What kind of House Rules are these! These are clearly... clearly your rogue terms!”

“Hehe, this is called an overbearing clause.”

Xu Chen grabbed her hand and pulled her to sit on his lap.

“Since you've signed the deed of sale, you have to act according to the rules.”

“Now, this Family Head is going to enforce House Rule Number Two.”

“No! We just...”

“Protest overruled!”

Inside the carriage, the sound of blushing, heart-pounding frolicking could be heard once more.

And that golden carriage, symbolizing the majesty of an Emperor Clan, swayed slightly above the clouds as it traveled toward the distant East.

As for Jiang Liuli's tiny bit of protest, it had long since been drowned out by Xu Chen's overbearing doting.