Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1262 - 417: Yanze Lake and Blood Miasma Plain, Wang Yuxiu, The Resurgence of the Xiang Family (Part 3)

Hearing these words, Xia Chuan’s expression turned graver. He nodded solemnly, stating, "Rest assured, brother, I shall order every department to maintain ironclad discipline among their subordinates immediately!"

"Given that Chen Cang will be unable to march south for some time, we must exploit this opening to bolster our camp's defenses. I am entering seclusion now; Xia City is in your hands. Do not disturb me unless a crisis arises."

"As you command!"

Xia Chuan bowed deeply, his face bright with fervor. He recognized that Li Xuanling was on the verge of a breakthrough, meaning Great Xia would soon boast its fourth Xianyang Level powerhouse.

"What is the situation regarding Xiang Liang?"

Xia Hong was preparing to depart when he caught sight of a Silver Order Prison Warden hovering outside the hall. Sensing it was Xiang Liang, he felt a spark of curiosity.

Xia Chuan noticed as well and explained promptly, "Last month, when Chu Yan’er’s party arrived from the north bank of the Xing River, they used deceptive tactics to get close to Xiang Liang. Chu Yan’er secured entry into the Inner City tonight thanks to his recommendation. He is likely outside to plead guilty, fearful that I will reprimand him."

Considering Chu Yan’er’s prowess and cunning, it was unsurprising that Xiang Liang had been deceived. Xia Hong offered a subtle shake of his head, remained silent, and exited the Prison Hall.

Once Xia Hong had departed, Xia Chuan stepped out as well. Observing Xiang Liang standing within the hall with a look of visible anxiety, he shook his head and walked in his direction.

......

"Sister-in-law, the meal is served. Please come down to eat!"

Inner City, Xiang Mansion

Having finished the preparations, Xiang Rong called out upstairs, then swiveled around to find her second brother, Xiang Yan, already pilfering a bite to eat. She crossed her arms, scolding sharply, "Second brother, if you keep stealing food, I am telling mother the moment we return. You won’t be welcome at big brother’s house anymore!"

Xiang Yan hurriedly dropped his chopsticks and swallowed the morsel in his mouth, flashing a sheepish grin at his sister. "Rong’er, don’t be angry. I just returned from a hunt outside and I’m starving. I swear I won’t take another bite until big brother returns for supper, okay?"

"No need to wait. Your big brother is handling business in the Outer City, so there is no telling when he will return. We three should just eat!"

As a gentle voice drifted down from the upper floor, Xiang Rong and Xiang Yan quickly turned their attention upward.

On the second floor, a pale-skinned woman in a blue gown, visibly pregnant, slowly descended the stairs with the assistance of two maids before taking her seat.

This woman was Wang Yuxiu, the oldest daughter of Wang Chuan, who once led Lower River Village in Qinghepu.

As a daughter of Lower River Village, Wang Yuxiu’s fortune was immense. By the end of April, almost every inhabitant controlled by Dajue Temple had consumed the Primordial Soul Pill and recited the Rebirth Mantra, only to perish in the end.

Lower River Village was the sole exception, as the Xia Army had secured it that very night, ensuring the survival of all fifty thousand villagers. Wang Yuxiu was among them. Following the destruction of Dajue Temple and the revelations regarding its treachery during the finale at Bashang, Wang Yuxiu and the other villagers had completely renounced their old faith.

One could call it a blessing in disguise. These fifty thousand individuals became the first population integrated into Great Xia after the migration from the north of the Xing River. Due to their status as early adherents, they felt far less psychological baggage than the residents of Town City, even as they numbered fewer than the hundred thousand who arrived later from Bashang. They remained deeply grateful for their salvation and integrated seamlessly into the prosperity of Great Xia.

Without question, Wang Yuxiu was the luckiest of all. Her father, Wang Chuan, and her third brother, Wang Yuwen, had perished. When she first arrived in Xia City, she was shell-shocked and convinced that Xiang Liang’s previous interest in her had been a mere ruse for his deep-cover mission. She had resigned herself to living a quiet, solitary life in the city.

She never expected Xiang Liang to track her down immediately upon his return from Wuyuan in mid-May and declare his intent to marry her.

Overwhelmed by Xiang Liang’s devotion, she realized her earlier suspicions were mistaken; she had found a sanctuary at last. She had yet to grasp the magnitude of her fortune in becoming his wife. Given the massive credit he earned for the Dajue Temple operation, Xiang Liang had been granted the title of Ninth-Rank Xuanling Marquis in early May. Earning such a noble title at only twenty-four years old—combined with his exceptional Battle Body and Cold Resistance Level cultivation—had caused a massive commotion.

It is no exaggeration to say that after his mid-May return, hundreds of people sought marriage alliances with him; the thresholds to his home were nearly worn down by high-ranking families hoping to betroth their daughters to him. Yet, through it all, Xiang Liang chose to wed someone with such humble origins, a choice that left Wang Yuxiu eternally moved. Even better, his family—parents Xiang Ping and Zhou Ying, as well as his siblings—offered no resistance, making the match all the more cherished.

Life in Great Xia was far superior to that in Lower River Village. Married by the end of May, Wang Yuxiu was now four months pregnant. Thanks to the union, she resided in the Inner City with the title of a ninth-grade lady, attended by two maids for her needs. Neighbors throughout the district could not help but envy her success.