Xiao Yun's Plans for the Future

Morning light filtered through the window lattice, spilling a wash of gold across the dining table.

Xiao Yun lifted his bowl of porridge and was about to drink when he suddenly remembered something. Looking at Liu Erlong across from him, he asked, "By the way, how is the estate coming along?"

Liu Erlong's eyes lit up. She set down her chopsticks, unable to hide her excitement. "Everything has been built according to the plans you gave us! The entire landscape has been prepared—the lake has been dug, the hills have been piled up, and all the flowers and trees have been planted. Only the main buildings haven't been put up yet."

After a pause, she added, "All the construction materials are ready too—timber, bricks and tiles, Column Base Stones, everything. They're all piled up at the site. Uncle Fu guards the place every day, just waiting for your word. Construction can begin anytime."

Xiao Yun nodded, satisfied.

He knew Liu Erlong's temperament. If she said everything was ready, then it truly was; she would never be careless in the slightest.

Just then, a set of footsteps sounded from the stairs.

"What estate?"

Ning Rongrong's voice came from the stairway. Immediately afterward, she appeared at the dining room entrance, her hair still somewhat messy, clearly having just gotten up. Behind her, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, Xivia, and Shenghua came down one after another.

Tang Yuehua was the last to appear.

Today, she wore a moon-white gown, her hair piled high and adorned with the Fire-Flame Coiled Dragon Hairpin Xiao Yun had given Liu Erlong yesterday—though naturally not the same one. She had asked Xiao Yun for it herself some time ago. She appeared elegant and noble, utterly unlike the woman who had cried in Xiao Yun's arms last night.

The young