374: The joy of the women

Finally, Situ Jun's Divine Sense settled upon the Yuxiu Pavilion located in the bustling eastern district of the city.

A refined nanmu plaque was hung above the vermilion main gate. The three characters 'Yuxiu Pavilion' were written in an elegant, graceful hand, exuding a gentle aura—they were personally inscribed by the Embroiderer.

Inside the pavilion, the front courtyard shop was bustling with noise and activity. The coming and going customers were mostly noblewomen and young misses from the city. Dressed in splendid attire, they moved among the dazzling array of silks and embroideries, frequently exclaiming in admiration. Maids patiently introduced the items to them with gentle smiles.

However, the study in the rear courtyard presented a completely different scene of tranquility.

The Embroiderer sat facing Liu Xuaner. Thick account books and compiled intelligence reports from various sources were spread open on the low table, with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones neatly arranged to the side.

Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, spilling over the two women and outlining their soft profiles. A faint fragrance of ink and flowers floated in the air.

The Embroiderer still maintained her gentle and dignified appearance. She wore a light cyan dress with exquisitely embroidered intertwining peach blossom patterns on the skirt hem, accentuating her snow-white skin and picturesque features.

Yet, compared to her usual soft beauty, there was now a touch of efficiency and steadiness between her brows—a temperament forged and settled through the trials of managing affairs independently.

Her fingertip lightly traced over the numbers in the account book. Her beautiful eyes blinked as she spoke softly, her voice like a clear spring flowing:

"Sister Xuaner, the reserves of silver and Spirit Stones in the estate are still sufficient. Several Short-distance Trade Routes have recently resumed operation, and our Yuxiu Pavilion's Silk Shop has reopened for business. The trade these past few days has been quite good. However... most of the Refugees outside the city have not yet returned to the Southern Border. The long-distance trade routes to the Southern Border remain obstructed. Merchants are full of worries and are unwilling to venture there rashly, causing quite a lot of goods to pile up in the warehouses. What should we do about this?"

Liu Xuaner wore a purple dress with lifelike butterfly patterns embroidered on the skirt hem. A white jade belt cinched her waist, further highlighting her graceful figure and spirited temperament.

Hearing this, her delicate brows furrowed slightly. A sharp glint flashed in her beautiful eyes, and her tone carried a note of decisiveness:

"Ever since Daoist Ming Ya's Immortal Cave emerged, banditry and outlawry in the Southern Border region have grown increasingly rampant. Among those bandits are mixed many Loose Cultivators, and there are even several Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators overseeing them. Ordinary merchants and Escorts simply cannot cope. If we hire Foundation Establishment Cultivators for protection, the cost is too high and not worth the gain. We can only put this matter aside for now and wait until the situation stabilizes in the future."

She paused, her gaze shifting to look out the window, gazing at the familiar sky. Her eyes gradually softened, and her tone took on a trace of barely perceptible longing as she said gently:

"I wonder how our husband is faring in North Border City. Counting the days, he has been away from East Lin City for over three months now. In principle, he should be returning soon..."

As soon as her words fell, the study door was suddenly pushed open gently. A familiar figure stood at the doorway, dressed in simple blue cloth clothes, yet unable to conceal the aura surrounding him. A gentle smile played on his lips as his burning gaze rested on the two women inside the room. His voice was deep and warm:

"I'm back."

The Embroiderer and Liu Xuaner looked up simultaneously. When they clearly saw the face of the person at the door, their eyes instantly flashed with disbelief and joy. They immediately rose and hurried towards the doorway, their skirt hems tracing graceful arcs in the air.

"Husband!"

"Husband!"

Two delicate voices rang out together, carrying long-suppressed joy and longing, like a clear spring in springtime, washing away all the waiting and unease.

The Embroiderer was the first to throw herself into his embrace. Her gentle cheek pressed tightly against his chest, feeling his familiar body warmth and heartbeat. The rims of her eyes slightly reddened, and glistening teardrops trembled on her eyelashes, yet she stubbornly held them back from falling.

Liu Xuaner also pressed close to his arm, her beautiful eyes full of light. Her hands subconsciously grasped his sleeve, her knuckles tightening slightly, as if fearing he might vanish again the very next second.

Situ Jun extended his arms, pulling the two tightly into his embrace. Feeling the warmth and slight tremble of the figures in his arms, his heart was filled with warmth.

He lowered his head and gently placed a kiss on the crown of each woman's hair, his voice so tender it could drip water:

"I've kept you waiting."

Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, spilling over the three of them, warm and cozy. A comforting atmosphere filled the study, dispelling all the longing and worry.

Inside the room, the Calming Incense in the censer burned slowly, its bluish smoke curling upward. Intertwined with the faint clamor coming from outside the window, it composed a picture of peaceful, tranquil days.

At this moment, in a courtyard deep within the estate, Luo Yu was sitting cross-legged in cultivation. As her spiritual power circulated around her, she suddenly detected a familiar and powerful aura. Her eyes snapped open, a flicker of surprise flashing within, quickly transforming into profound delight. With a movement of her form, she sped towards the direction of the study.

In another courtyard not far away, Widow Ya was tending to the flowers and plants in the garden. Her nose twitched slightly, catching that deeply ingrained, unforgettable scent. The flower hoe in her hand quietly fell to the ground as an expression of disbelief and joy appeared on her face. She hurriedly made her way towards the study.

The joyous exclamations from within the study were like a stone thrown into a lake, rippling outward rapidly, soon reaching the neighboring courtyard.

Chen Yufei, who was in the courtyard accompanying Tang Tang and Xiao Rou in their play, heard the sounds. A look of astonishment appeared on her face, followed by sudden comprehension. She hastily instructed the Maids to look after the two little ones and ran towards the study, her red dress particularly dazzling under the sunlight.

Mei Shuang, who was inside a room organizing medicinal herbs, immediately set down the medicine basket in her hands upon hearing the commotion and stepped out quickly. A rare urgency surfaced on her usually cool and aloof countenance.

Jiang Ya and Lan Yanliu were engaged in a game of Go. Before the next piece could be placed on the board, both women stood up simultaneously. They looked at each other and smiled, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Shen Xingwan and Hua Hanxiang were by the window learning embroidery from a Maid. Upon hearing the sounds, the embroidery needles in their hands accidentally pricked their fingertips, but they didn't even notice. They just hurriedly ran towards the study.

In a matter of moments, the figures of the women had gathered inside and outside the study. On each familiar face bloomed the joy of reunion.

Situ Jun looked at the women before him: the lively and spirited Chen Yufei; the cool and ethereal Mei Shuang; the gentle and serene Jiang Ya; the intellectual and elegant Lan Yanliu; the charming and lovely Shen Xingwan; the enchanting and captivating Hua Hanxiang; and the Embroiderer and Liu Xuaner currently nestled in his embrace, along with Luo Yu and Widow Ya standing to the side with smiling expressions. The smile on his face grew even softer, his heart overflowing with a sense of belonging.

He loosened his embrace, reached out to gently wipe away the teardrop at the corner of the Embroiderer's eye, and patted the back of Liu Xuaner's hand. Then, he stepped forward towards the other women. His gaze slowly swept over each one as he spoke in a gentle yet firm voice:

"I'm back, my ladies."

The women could no longer restrain themselves. They all crowded around him, their chattering voices filling the entire courtyard. Joy flowed through the air as if it were a tangible substance.

Sunlight bathed the courtyard, casting long shadows of the gathered figures. Laughter and happy chatter echoed in every corner of the Yuxiu Pavilion, dispelling all gloom and leaving behind only warmth and happiness in abundance.