Grandpa Tong was over the moon seeing Ivy Shen arrive—he started slaughtering chickens, pigs, and geese, running around in pure joy.
Ivy was genuinely surprised—since when did Grandpa Tong start raising so many animals here?
"Nothing outside compares to what you raise yourself! My chickens lay fresh eggs for Little Tian to eat—so much better for him." Grandpa Tong beamed. Ever since Elena and Ruby moved in, he hadn't felt lonely at all. Later, Clara showed up too, bringing Little Tian, and life just got even more fun.
He raised all these animals just so everyone could eat the best.
"Hey, Grandpa Tong, where's Big Sis Elena?" Ivy asked. She hadn't seen Elena or Ruby anywhere, not even General Nee.
"Sis, they went to the temple." Clara smiled and took Little Tian from Ivy's arms.
"Temple? When did we get a temple around here?"
"After the last martial conference, so many people died here that the locals pooled money and built a temple to honor the dead. It's a way to comfort their spirits," Clara explained.
Hearing that, Ivy nodded, then quickly asked, "So, any progress?"
"Huh?" Grandpa Tong and Clara were both stunned. "Progress on what?"
"Oh come on, you can't tell me you haven't noticed they're totally into each other!" Ivy frowned. Grandpa Tong couldn't really be this clueless, right?
Clara just chuckled. "Of course we know. General Nee is head over heels for Big Sis Elena."
Grandpa Tong nodded in agreement.
"Wait—did my sister and General Nee actually make progress?" Ethan Chu jumped in, suddenly anxious. Ivy had put him in charge of this match while she was pregnant, but after the baby arrived things got so busy he totally forgot to follow up.
"Pfft!" Clara couldn't hold back her laughter. "You guys seriously think they're still just friends? Or, like, super innocent or something?"
"Huh?" Everyone froze. What did that mean?
"You're Ethan Chu, right? Well, you're about to be an uncle," Grandpa Tong announced with a grin.
"What?!" Everyone gasped. Ethan Chu was about to become an uncle—did that mean Big Sis Elena was pregnant? With General Nee's child?!
"What the heck—Nee Jun didn't tell me anything! That's outrageous!" Ethan Chu was both stunned and delighted.
"Seriously? For real?" Ivy was just as shocked. She never expected things to move so fast—wow, General Nee really didn't let her down. Not bad, he's got potential.
Just then, a voice called out from outside, "Is the Chu Emperor here? Is it really the Chu Emperor?" Before the words even faded, General Nee rushed in.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty, and the Empress," General Nee said, bowing deeply. Even with his relationship to Elena, he still had to keep up proper court etiquette.
"You can get up," Ethan Chu waved his hand quickly.
"Xin'er..." came a gentle call, and just then, Elena appeared, soft and graceful as ever.
"Big Sis Elena!"
"Blessings to the Empress!" Ruby quickly smiled and bowed.
"Alright, enough with the formalities," Ivy waved her hand, totally casual. Next second, she grabbed Elena's arm, "How many months along are you?"
"Just over a month," Elena admitted, a little embarrassed. General Nee's face turned red too.
"Nee Jun, what do you have to say for yourself?" Ethan Chu asked in a deliberately stern voice.
Hearing that, Nee Jun immediately dropped to his knees again. "Your humble servant truly loves the princess. I beg Your Majesty to allow our union."
"General Nee, you sure work fast, huh? Not bad—you didn't let me down." Ivy grinned slyly. Very nice.
"The kindness Her Majesty showed me, I'll never forget. To repay it, I vow to spend my life taking care of the princess and never let her suffer even a little," Nee Jun declared solemnly.
Everyone smiled at that, and Elena's cheeks turned even redder under all the teasing.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. The princess is truly happy now—really, really happy." Ruby was so moved she started crying. Ever since she was married off to the Song Crown Prince, she'd thought her mistress would never be happy again. She never imagined Ivy would change Elena's fate so completely.
"No need to thank me. Next New Year, Elena should help you find a good guy and get you married off too."
"Ah, Your Majesty..." Ruby blushed furiously at that. "I want to serve the princess for life!"
"Silly girl, who spends their whole life like that? Ivy's right—once my baby is born, I'll help you find a good man to marry," Elena said softly. Ruby had been with her all these years; Elena truly wanted her to be happy.
"Princess..."
"Alright, enough with the tears! This is supposed to be a happy occasion," Lucian Vane jumped in.
"Exactly! It's so lively today—we need to celebrate properly!" Caleb Miles chimed in, grinning.
Everyone nodded. It’s true—happiness really is waving at us!
Arong, Arong, hurry and whip up lots of delicious food—we’re throwing a huge banquet today! Grandpa Tong snapped out of his daze and bustled off, grinning from ear to ear. Today was lively, and he wanted to celebrate in style.
Grandpa Tong, you don’t need to rush," Ivy said, grabbing his arm.
I’m just so happy! Wait—Xin’er, why didn’t you bring any of the kids for Grandpa to see? Suddenly Grandpa Tong remembered and grew a bit unhappy.
Ivy smiled sheepishly. "The trip’s a bit far, so I didn’t bring them. Don’t worry—when the weather warms up, I’ll definitely bring them to see you."
Really?
Of course.
Then Grandpa will be waiting!" he said, and hurried off, still smiling.
Ethan Chu said, "My sister and Nee Jun are so in love now—I think we should throw a proper wedding!"
No," Elena quickly waved her hand. "Meng, I know you mean well, but I don’t want anyone to know. The old princess is gone. Now I’m just an ordinary woman, and I don’t want that kind of status—I just want a quiet life."
Yes, Your Majesty, the princess and I truly love each other. We cherish each other deeply and have already pledged our lives together. We don't want..." He trailed off, but everyone got the idea.
But Sis, I want to give you the very best.
I know. Letting him come to me is already the greatest gift. Honestly, I'm really happy.
That's right, Ethan. Elena's got a point—if she goes back to Chu, there'll be endless gossip. Actually, happiness doesn't have much to do with wealth or status. As long as you truly love each other, even plain meals can be bliss," Ivy said.
If that's the case, we won't let the people of Chu know, but you can come back with me—I'll give you the finest residence." Ethan was always grateful; she was kind to him as a child, so he wanted to repay her.
No need, Ivy. Thank you for sending me here—I really, really love this place, and Grandpa Tong loves having us. I want to stay here for life. If Grandpa Tong is ever gone, I'll guard this place for him.
Elena...
Ivy, the people here are so genuine and kind, and the scenery is beautiful. It's the people here who helped me open up, and nature healed my wounds. I've grown deeply attached. Nee Jun and I have already agreed to stay. Grandpa Tong hopes we'll stay too," Elena smiled.
That's right, Your Majesty. We love this place, but... it's yours, and we...
What, you’re still acting like guests? I bought this place because it’s beautiful. If you like it, just stay! Grandpa Tong gets lonely by himself, but if you all stay, he’ll be so happy.
We won’t be lonely—we’ve got Qingqing, Xiao Tian, and, oh, Ke Liang too," Elena smiled, clearly enjoying life here.
The mansion was huge, with plenty of rooms, and now that everyone had moved in, the place felt so much more alive. It was wonderful.
That’s right—happiness isn’t about having everything, just loving what you have!" Bai Linghe smiled. "Since we’re all here, why don’t we have your wedding tonight? No outsiders, just us.
Great idea!" Ivy nodded. "Marriage is sacred—you can’t just skip the ceremony!
Uh...
Sis, let us witness your happiness," Ethan Chu said quickly.
Alright!" Elena nodded.
Everyone got busy preparing for the wedding. How wonderful—to witness another couple’s happiness!