194: Feelings in the morning light

Meanwhile, in the study of the East Courtyard, Yang Feng had already been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Situ Jun push the door open and enter, he immediately stood up. His black armor glinted coldly in the morning light, and the metal plates clinked crisply as he cupped his fists in salute.

"Manor Lord."

The ripples of emotion from last night had vanished from Situ Jun’s voice, returning to its usual steady and cold tone as he raised a hand to signal.

"Sit."

"Thank you, Manor Lord."

Yang Feng sat down as instructed. The morning dew on his black armor had not yet dried, and his eyes bore the weariness of a sleepless night—evidently, he had just returned from stationing defenses at the dangerous shoals upstream of the Canglan River.

Situ Jun’s fingertip tapped lightly on the desk, the red sandalwood surface producing a dull echo.

"How is the fortification of the Canglan River pass coming along?"

Yang Feng stood up again, strode to the desk, and presented a Jade Slip shimmering with a faint spiritual light with both hands.

"Reporting to the Manor Lord, the sentries and early warning arrays at the three dangerous shoals upstream of the Canglan River have been set up according to your instructions. Their positions are concealed and the coverage is excellent. Once any unidentified vessel approaches within ten miles of the Azure Dragon Gorge pass, the array will be triggered. The brothers at the hidden posts will immediately send a signal via special whistling arrows, allowing the pass guards to be alerted and deployed half a quarter-hour in advance."

In just a few words, he clearly explained the defense details and response strategies, displaying the characteristic efficiency of a soldier.

"Very good."

Situ Jun took the Jade Slip, a hint of spiritual energy flowing from his fingertips. He instantly read the detailed defense maps and feedback within, a satisfied glint flashing in his eyes.

Shen Xingwan's casual remark last night had indeed resolved a significant concern for him. He was somewhat surprised that Yang Feng had managed to arrange everything in just one night.

"You've worked hard."

He rubbed the edge of the Jade Slip with his fingertip and continued in a deep voice.

"Tell the brothers on duty to stay alert; there must be no slackness. Furthermore, pass down the order to re-examine and mark all possible infiltration paths and shoals around East Lin, regardless of whether they are navigable, and submit the report within three days."

"Yes!"

Yang Feng took the order and was about to withdraw when his gaze inadvertently brushed past a strand of black hair on the daybed. He quickly looked away, lowered his eyes, and bowed.

Situ Jun noticed Yang Feng's momentary pause. He glanced up at him but said nothing more, only stating indifferently:

"Go."

"This subordinate takes his leave."

Yang Feng bowed out and gently closed the door.

Silence returned to the study. Situ Jun twirled the Jade Slip between his fingers, but his gaze fell upon that strand of black hair on the daybed.

The dark hair carried a faint scent of rouge, clearly belonging to a woman. Shen Xingwan had rested here last night; it must have been left behind then.

He reached out and picked it up. The hair was fine and soft, gently winding around his fingers.

Shen Xingwan... this woman always managed to bring surprises.

First, she had pointed out the oversight in the Canglan River's defenses, and then she had bravely expressed her feelings.

He recalled her flushed cheeks from last night and her shy expression this morning. The corners of his mouth twitched upward almost imperceptibly before returning to normal.

"Someone, come in."

The voice of an attendant immediately came from outside the door.

"Manor Lord."

"Have a maid come and tidy the daybed later," Situ Jun tucked the strand of hair carefully into his sleeve, his tone returning to its usual indifference. "Also, water the flowers and plants in the courtyard thoroughly."

"Yes." The attendant responded and withdrew.

Situ Jun rose and walked to the window, pushing open the carved wooden frame.

The morning breeze blew in with a touch of moisture, mingled with the dampness of the distant Canglan River. He gazed at the pale horizon in the east, a profound look flashing in his eyes.

East Lin appeared calm, but in reality, undercurrents were surging.

Fortifying the Canglan River was only the first step. The hidden forces in the shadows were the ones that truly required vigilance.

He turned back to the desk, spread out a sheet of Xuan paper, and dipped his brush in ink.

The brush tip glided across the paper, leaving behind vigorous strokes that formed a topographic sketch of the area surrounding East Lin.

As he sketched the details, he pondered Yang Feng's report—sorting through all the paths and shoals within three days wasn't a generous amount of time, but it was sufficient.

As long as he could master all possible infiltration points, he would remain invincible.

After finishing all this, he remembered the Heavenly Dao System messages he had blocked last night and mentally commanded them to open.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for gaining a new Dao Companion. System rewards have been deducted.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host's Dao Companion, Shen Xingwan, for obtaining a Low-grade Water and Wood Dual-attribute Spiritual Root. The Host's rewards have been deducted.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host's Dao Companion, Shen Xingwan, for her Cultivation Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Stage. The Host's rewards have been deducted.]

[Ding! Congratulations, the deduction of the Host's owed rewards has been completed. Future additions of Dao Companions will allow for normal reward acquisition.]

Seeing this, Situ Jun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He was originally a grassroots Cultivator; without the System's help, he would have been unable to quickly obtain Opportunities and Cultivation. He even had to think twice before using heavenly luck value to exchange for Breakthrough Medicinal Pills for his subordinates... When Shen Xingwan opened her eyes again, the sun outside the curtains was already shining obliquely on the carved pearwood bedposts, casting mottled shadows.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and sat up. The brocade quilt slid off her shoulders, revealing ambiguous red marks on the side of her neck.

Just as she was about to call for someone, the bed curtains were gently pulled aside. Her personal Servant Girl, Little Lotus, entered carrying a copper basin. Seeing her awake, a submissive smile appeared on her face.

"Is Madam awake? This Servant Girl will attend to your washing."

Shen Xingwan gave a soft "mm." As she was about to get up, a wave of soreness suddenly hit her waist, and last night's passion flooded her mind like a tide.

Her fingertips tightened around the edge of the quilt, and the tips of her ears suddenly flared with heat, while even her neck turned a light shade of red.

Little Lotus had already brought over neatly folded clothes: a moon-white soft silk inner garment, topped with a light purple Beizi embroidered with magnolias. The stitching was so fine that not a single thread end could be seen, and the petals were adorned with tiny pearls that shimmered with a soft glow in the sunlight.

"These clothes..."

Shen Xingwan lightly stroked the magnolias on the collar, her fingertips touching the slight coolness of the pearls.

"The Manor Lord had someone fetch them from the storehouse,"

Little Lotus smiled as she helped gather the hair scattered over her shoulders, then continued:

"He said Madam's previous clothes were too plain. These fabrics are soft and perfect for you to wear."

Shen Xingwan's fingertips brushed over the cool satin, and a wave of warmth rose in her heart. Glancing down at her loose inner garment, her cheeks grew even hotter as she hurried Little Lotus.

"Hurry and help me wash up."

...Little Lotus finished attending to Shen Xingwan's washing and then styled her hair into a gentle Dangling Bun, pinning in a pearl Buyao Hairpin.

As the Buyao Hairpin swayed, the pearls clinked against each other with a crisp sound, adding a touch of liveliness to her.

The woman in the mirror had curved brows and eyes, her skin as supple as if it could drip water. Her lip color was also more enchanting than usual, and even the corners of her brows were tinged with an indescribable softness.

Only the faint red marks on her neck were hidden by her collar, leaving only a lingering shyness.

"Madam looks in such high spirits today."

Little Lotus held up the copper mirror for her to look closely, her tone full of joy. "This light purple dress is so beautiful and suits your temperament perfectly. The Manor Lord has truly excellent taste."

Shen Xingwan looked at herself in the mirror, her fingertips gently stroking the pearl at her temple, and that bit of warmth in her heart spread once again.

Recalling Situ Jun's rare tenderness last night and his low breathing when he held her in his arms, her ear tips couldn't help but burn again.

"Don't talk nonsense."

She gave a light scolding, but there was no strength in her voice; instead, it carried a bit of charming innocence.

When she stood up and walked out of the inner chamber, her steps were still elegant, but upon closer inspection, there was a slight, imperceptible stiffness in her movements, as if she were afraid of straining a certain sore spot.

Just as she was about to tell Little Lotus to prepare some snacks, steady footsteps were heard outside, approaching from a distance.