Chapter 53: Short Absence Sweetens Reunion

The moon shone brightly in a star-sparse sky. By the time Xu Feng returned to his own manor, it was already the lantern-lighting hour.

Entering the inner courtyard, he saw a breathtakingly beautiful face—a stunning visage in no way inferior to that of the Duke's Daughter. Even the loose mage robe couldn't conceal her graceful and alluring figure.

"Nana!"

Xu Feng was overjoyed and hurried over, pulled the girl into his arms, and without a second thought, gave her a passionate kiss.

"You're so annoying."

After their lips parted, Corona glared at Xu Feng reproachfully. "We've only just seen each other again, and you're already misbehaving."

"Whose fault is it that you didn't come back for three whole days?"

Corona sighed. "There's been an incident in the palace recently. I've had to stay with Princess Ailiya."

To the outside world, Corona was known as the Ice Maiden, but with her boyfriend, she cast off that icy demeanor. For a woman like Corona—cold on the outside but warm on the inside—once you've won her heart, you could enjoy a tenderness as gentle as water.

"An incident?"

"Yes." Corona nodded. Although the news had been kept under wraps, there was no need to hide anything from her boyfriend. She began to recount what happened.

It happened three days ago. An assassination attempt occurred in the imperial palace. Though the guards reacted swiftly and no one was hurt, the fact that such an incident could occur in the very imperial palace naturally infuriated Baphia XV. He ordered a thorough investigation, and security was heightened.

"So that's what happened." Xu Feng nodded. No wonder Nana hadn't returned home for three days straight.

Fearing the assailants might strike again, she had stayed in the palace these past few days to accompany Aelia. As a Court Mage, Corona's usual duty was to ensure the princess's safety. Moreover, the two were close personal friends. Both publicly and privately, Corona couldn't possibly leave at such a time.

For these three days, she was practically inseparable from the young princess—eating together and sleeping in the same room. She didn't dare be the least bit negligent regarding Aelia's safety.

"Then why did you come back?"

Seeing the smile on Xu Feng's face, Corona was overcome with shyness. She buried her head in his chest and lightly pounded on it. "Annoying, it's just that I missed you."

As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Although Corona hadn't officially married into the family yet, by now, the two were already like a newlywed couple, sweet as honey. A single day apart felt like three years. After these three days, even Princess Aelia couldn't help shaking her head.

"Sister Corona, enough with the sighing. I'm fine. Go back. I know you miss Xu Feng."

"What are you talking about?" Corona's face flushed red.

"No? I don't know who's been spacing out and sighing constantly. Could it be I was mistaken? Sister, go back." The little princess wore an earnest expression, but the look in her eyes was full of teasing. "I don't want Sister Nana to get lovesick!"

"You little brat, talking nonsense."

Corona couldn't take it anymore. She pounced to tickle the little princess. Though their titles were ruler and subject, they were actually good friends, used to horsing around like this.

"Haha, Sister Nana, I was wrong. I won't dare again." Laughter filled Aelia's bedchamber, mixed with the little princess's pleas for mercy.

Once they had laughed and played enough, Corona finally heeded the little princess's advice. First, after three days with no further incidents, danger seemed unlikely. Second, although she wouldn't admit it, she truly missed her boyfriend.

After seeing Corona off, Aelia's curiosity grew stronger. She knew very well what a proud and outstanding woman Sister Corona was. Just how exceptional must the young man who occupied her thoughts be? The little princess felt a strong urge to understand Xu Feng deeply.

And many beautiful romances begin with curiosity. In the future, there would be heart-stirring stories between Princess Aelia and Xu Feng.

This was a little interlude before Nana returned. Of course, this girl was quite strong-willed and refused to tell her boyfriend the details. But even so, Xu Feng could feel her deep affection.

"Sweetheart, have you eaten?"

"I have. I ate at the palace before coming back."

"Is that so?" Xu Feng smiled slightly and suddenly slipped one arm under Corona's knees, lifting her up.

"What are you doing?" The girl was startled.

"Carrying you to take a bath." Xu Feng leaned close to her ear. "Sweetheart, it's been three days. Do you miss me?"

How could she say it out loud? She could only cast a charming, sidelong glance at her boyfriend and bury her blushing face in his chest...

A mandarin duck bath, and the ensuing heart-pounding intimacy in the boudoir. After three days apart, once her shyness faded, Corona was as passionate as fire. It wasn't until midnight that Xu Feng, holding the warm, fragrant, and soft jade-like figure, fell into a deep sleep.

The sunlight was glaring. When Xu Feng woke, he found the beauty beside him had already vanished. Sensing movement, the door was gently pushed open, and Xiao Yun and Xiuer walked in.

"Where's Nana?"

"Miss left for the palace early. She told us not to wake you." As she spoke, Xiao Yun handed over the wrung-out face towel, while Xiuer fetched his clothes. Together they helped him dress and freshen up. Xu Feng was truly satisfied with his current life.

After breakfast, he realized it was nearly noon. And early that morning, Walter had sent another large batch of gifts—gold coins, gemstones, even a luxurious mansion. Xu Feng roughly calculated its worth at nearly five hundred thousand gold coins.

Dizzying. Given this world's purchasing power, he was already filthy rich. Life was full of surprises. Thinking back to his destitution when he first arrived on Hailan Star and looking at his status now—an Imperial Viscount, a disciple of a Saint Expert, surrounded by beauties, with wealth flowing in... transmigration really had great prospects.

Although the gifts were lavish, Xu Feng understood the Duke was sincerely thanking him for saving his beloved son. He didn't refuse. He wrote a letter for Powell to take back, expressing his gratitude.

Well, beauties are what I desire; gold coins are also what I desire. Now that I have both, Xu Feng's mood was excellent.

"Congratulations, young master. Congratulations."

Xu Feng had acquired a huge fortune, so Xiao Yun and Xiuer were naturally very happy too.

While sorting the gifts, Xu Feng discovered the mansion wasn't in Alsace, but in Rotterdam Castle, about fifty kilometers from the imperial capital.

As the empire's capital, Alsace City's prosperity was beyond doubt. Surrounding it were several medium-sized cities, scattered like stars around the moon. Rotterdam Castle was one of them. It was about fifty kilometers from Alsace, with convenient transportation—only two hours by fast horse—and a population of three hundred thousand.

Rotterdam Castle's location was excellent, nestled against mountains and bordering a river. Through waterways, specialties from across the empire converged here, then were sold to the capital and the northern Orc Kingdom. It was a typical port city. Thriving trade promoted economic development. Although its scale couldn't compare to the capital, its prosperity even surpassed it.

It was a shopper's paradise. As long as you had money—delicacies, beauties, antiques, gemstones—whatever you could think of, you could buy it.

The scenery in Rotterdam Castle was also elegant. Many nobles owned estates there, and property prices were even higher than in the capital.

Looking at the property deed, Xu Feng's mind became active. He had been in the capital for months but had never visited that legendary shopper's paradise. Why not go today...

First, to see the mansion the Duke gifted him. Second, naturally, to experience and have some fun.

"Where's Sha Sha?"

During the day, Corona had to return to the palace, so Xu Feng thought of Yu Sha. Going out to play, of course, he should bring his girlfriend.

"Miss hasn't come." Xiao Yun smiled slightly. "Miss's family business has been doing very well. This morning, another batch of elven specialties arrived from the Green Sea Forest. They're short-handed, so Miss said she needed to help."

Dizzying. Xu Feng was speechless. He wanted to go out, but not a single girlfriend was by his side. He glanced back at the two women. "Xiao Yun, Xiuer, then you two accompany me!"

"Let Sister Xiuer accompany the young master." Xiao Yun smiled and shook her head. Of course she wanted to go, but besides being the young master's handmaiden, Xu Feng had entrusted the entire inner courtyard to her management. With such a large household, there were naturally many matters.

Seeing the look in her eyes, Xu Feng understood her reason for refusing. He reached out and stroked her lovely face. "Yun'er, you've worked hard."

"Not at all."

Xiao Yun smiled slightly. "The young master treats this servant so well. I'm not tired."