442: Increased favorability

The warm sun outside gradually climbed higher, stretching the shadows of the window lattices long and thin across the smooth blue bricks of the hall, interweaving with the dancing flames in the brazier, warming one's heart until it trembled.

The charcoal fire burned vigorously, making soft crackling sounds. The scent of pine mixed with the Begonia fragrance from Jiang Yan's hair, permeating the air as thick as honey that could not be thinned.

Jiang Yan, with a smile still lingering on her lips as she nibbled on a Plum Blossom Crisp, lifted her eyes to look at Situ Jun. Those misty eyes were filled with tenderness, like the warmest sunlight of a winter day in the Northern Frontier, capable of melting even ice and snow.

Situ Jun was gazing at her unblinkingly. At the moment their eyes met, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something, turning completely soft.

He reached out to hold her hand resting on the table, his thumb rubbing against her slightly cool fingertips. The warmth of his palm was transferred bit by bit, and the doting in his eyes almost overflowed, thick and inseparable.

Li Danying, seeing the two of them so affectionately engrossed in each other as if no one else were there, covered her mouth and chuckled twice, intentionally drawling her words with a teasing tone:

"Oh my, should I, the invisible third wheel, be more sensible and go to Sister Embroiderer's place to see the Dudou she's embroidering? Lest I stay here and get in the way of your private talk."

Before she had even finished speaking, she stood up, carrying the mostly empty food box outside. Upon reaching the door, she didn't forget to look back and wink, smiling mischievously:

"Sister Jiang, Husband, take your time chatting. I'll take some Plum Blossom Pastries for Sister Embroiderer to taste and just happen to ask her to make some little clothes for your baby!"

Situ Jun gave a helpless smile and called out to her departing figure:

"The snow on the road hasn't melted yet, so walk slowly and don't fall."

"I know!"

Li Danying replied crisply, leading her maidservants toward the Embroiderer's courtyard with light steps. Her clear laughter drifted from afar, startling several sparrows perched on the scholar tree in the corner of the courtyard.

The Warm Chamber suddenly fell silent again, leaving only the soft crackling of the charcoal fire and the sound of their intertwined breathing.

The scents of pine and Begonia wafted once more, becoming several degrees thicker than before, as if they wanted to brew all the tenderness of this room into the slowly flowing time.

Just then, a clear, cool voice rang out deep in Situ Jun's mind without warning, sounding somewhat mechanical and flat, yet unmistakably clear:

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Your Dao Companion Jiang Yan's favorability toward you has increased to 80. Rewards: ten bolts of Begonia Brocade, one Grade Five Meditation Medicinal Pill, and daily heavenly luck value increased to 68.]

Situ Jun was startled, a flash of imperceptible surprise crossing his eyes before turning into a deep smile. When he looked up at Jiang Yan, the curve of his lips became even more tender.

He quietly tightened his grip on her hand and mentally called out, "Eye of Detection."

In the next second, a translucent light screen appeared before his eyes, clearly listing Jiang Yan's various data. The handwriting was a cold silver-gray, yet it made Situ Jun's heart feel slightly warm:

[Name: Jiang Yan]

[Age: 42]

[Identity: Former Empress of Tianqi, Dao Companion of the City Lord of the Northern Frontier]

[Appearance Score: 94 (Peerless beauty, elegant and refined, with a hint of sorrow between her brows that adds to her charm)]

[Cultivation: First Layer of Foundation Establishment]

[Physique (Spiritual Vein): Awakening (Progress 20%, awaiting a catalyst for full Awakening)]

[Favorability: 80 (Deeply in love, trusting and dependent, willing to face the storms with you and never part until their hair turns white)]

[heavenly luck value: 5500]

[Current Evaluation: Harbors deep resentment toward Li Xuan, her obsession gradually fading; her feelings for Situ Jun have risen from intimate to deeply in love, having already viewed him as her lifelong destination, willing to hold hands with him and spend their lives together.]

As expected.

Situ Jun breathed a secret sigh of relief, a flash of gratification in his eyes.

Jiang Yan's Physique or Spiritual Vein was indeed Awakening as he had guessed. Once the catalyst arrived, she would be able to undergo a complete transformation. She would no longer be a frail woman without the strength to even truss a chicken; in the future, even without his protection, she could protect herself.

While this made him feel relieved, he was also genuinely happy that Jiang Yan could improve her Cultivate Aptitude.

Situ Jun's gaze slowly shifted down, finally landing on the line "Favorability: 80 (Deeply in Love)."

Eighty.

What did this number represent?

It meant that the hurdle in Jiang Yan's heart had finally been cleared; it meant she had let go of past grudges and truly fallen in love with him, the husband who had appeared out of nowhere; it also meant he had truly walked into her heart, which had been under an ice seal for so long, becoming her reliance and her destination.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he leaned forward and gently pulled Jiang Yan into his embrace.

His embrace was broad and warm, carrying a faint scent of pine, enveloping her entirely.

With his chin resting on the crown of her head, feeling the softness and smoothness of her hair, he did not speak. He only tightened his arms with a gentle yet firm strength, as if to meld her into his own flesh and blood, silently expressing the joy and pity in his heart, as well as the unspoken affection hidden deep within.

Jiang Yan was slightly startled, then relaxed her body and leaned against his chest. By her ear was his steady and powerful heartbeat, like the most beautiful drumbeats striking her heart.

She raised her hands and gently wrapped them around his waist, her cheek pressed against his warm lapel. The smile on her lips was so tender it seemed as if it could drip water.

The fire in the brazier burned even brighter.

The tenderness in the room flowed quietly through time; the years were quiet and good, likely looking just like this.

"By the way,"

Jiang Yan seemed to suddenly remember something and looked up at Situ Jun:

"Princess just said she wanted Sister Embroiderer to make little clothes... Husband, don't listen to her nonsense."

As she spoke, her cheeks turned completely red again, like a ripe Cherry that made one want to take a bite.

Situ Jun chuckled, reaching out to pinch her soft cheek, his tone carrying a bit of playfulness:

"I, on the other hand, think Princess's suggestion is quite good."

Jiang Yan's face grew even redder. she gave him a reproachful glare but couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.

While they were talking, Aunt Xu's gentle voice came from outside:

"Husband, Sister Jiang, the lumber for the Greenhouse is ready. The craftsmen are asking which courtyard it should be built in?"

Just as she finished speaking, she walked in.

Situ Jun stood up, took her hand, and sat her down, saying:

"Aunt Xu, warm yourself by the fire first."

Then he stood up and walked to the window, pushing open half of it.

The cold wind blew in, carrying fine snow flurries, but it was instantly baked by the heat in the Warm Chamber, turning into slightly cool water vapor.

He pointed to the open space in the corner of the courtyard, which was directly across from Jiang Yan's sleeping quarters, visible just by opening the window:

"Just have the carpenters build it there. It's next to Yaner's sleeping palace, so it'll be convenient for her to check on it every day."

"Alright, Husband."

Aunt Xu replied and nodded.

Then, remembering something, she said:

"Sister Yun Niang has already sent someone to the Royal Capital to buy flower seeds; they should arrive in about three to five days. However, begonias are delicate and will likely require some care to look after."

"No matter," Situ Jun said. "Have the oldest gardener in the manor, who knows plants best, take care of them. Just say if anything is needed."

Aunt Xu smiled and agreed.

After leaving the room, she gave a few more instructions to the servants to be careful while moving the lumber so as not to disturb Madam Jiang, and then she turned to leave.