Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1263 - 417: Yanze Lake and Blood Miasma Plain, Wang Yuxiu, The Xiang Family’s Turnaround_4

Living life as they do today is something that was entirely unimaginable; she never even dared to dream of such comfort while back in Lower River Village.

Wang Yuxiu pulled herself from those thoughts, her gaze falling upon the five delicious dishes spread across the table. Turning to her sister-in-law, Xiang Rong, she offered a gentle, reproachful look: "You really shouldn't be doing the cooking. If you keep preparing meals in my home, people are bound to think I'm treating you poorly..."

The two maids standing nearby couldn't stifle their giggles, while the second brother, Xiang Yan, burst into open laughter, pointing his finger at his sister.

"Hahaha..."

"Quiet, you silly second brother, what are you even laughing about..."

Xiang Rong immediately shot a glare at her brother before turning toward Wang Yuxiu, her expression shifting to one of grave importance: "Sister-in-law, Mom and Dad said that since elder brother has been made a viscount, our family's standing in the Sect Temple is secure. We are now recognized as a Sect of Great Xia, not just some common, small household anymore.

Elder brother is gifted, and a Ninth Rank Xuanling Viscount title is surely just the beginning. His status will rise ever higher, and the Xiang Family is destined to become one of the premier families in Xia City. The child you are carrying is the first-born son of the Xiang Family, the one who will inherit elder brother's title and heritage. Ensuring your health so this child is delivered safely is the single most vital task for our family now."

As Xiang Rong spoke, her tone grew notably stern. She paused for a moment before adding, "Mom mentioned that if your health allowed for it, she would have moved in here herself to look after you. Since she couldn't, she sent me—a small soldier—to stand guard and serve you instead."

Hearing such earnest words from her sister-in-law, Wang Yuxiu felt both amused and deeply touched. Instinctively, she reached down to cradle her belly, a look of profound maternal tenderness washing over her features.

"Why is everyone just sitting around? Why aren't we eating?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from the doorway, and everyone inside rose to their feet, their faces lighting up with joy.

"The master has returned."

"Brother, you're back so early today!"

"Enough, enough, you with the heavy belly—stay seated."

Xiang Liang, the head of the house, stepped inside. He wasn't surprised to see his younger siblings, but noticing his wife’s attempt to get up, he quickly closed the distance and gently eased her back into her chair.

"Elder brother, have you had some good news today?"

"What has you in such high spirits?"

From the moment he crossed the threshold, a smile remained fixed on Xiang Liang’s face. Xiang Yan and Xiang Rong had picked up on this immediately, and as soon as he was seated, they couldn't suppress their curiosity.

Wang Yuxiu, equally intrigued, looked toward her husband with a soft smile.

"Hahaha, your brother is set for another promotion!"

Facing the three pairs of expectant eyes, Xiang Liang could no longer keep his secret and laughed as he broke the news.

"Another promotion!"

"Brother, you are truly incredible! It’s barely been half a month since you were named a Silver Order Prison Warden, and now you’re climbing the ladder again?"

Seeing the genuine admiration in the eyes of his wife and siblings, Xiang Liang felt a swelling sense of pride and couldn't hide his satisfaction.

This elevation in rank had come quite unexpectedly.

Just a short while ago, in the Prison Department’s main hall, the Minister had issued a stern warning regarding the incident with Chu Yan’er, cautioning him against mingling with people whose origins were unknown. At the time, anxiety had gripped him, as he fully expected a harsh reprimand or even punishment to follow.

Instead, after the scolding, Xia Chuan had pivoted to praising his recent performance, ultimately asking if he would take on the role of Deputy Chief of Punishment for Hongmen City.

A promotion—how could he refuse?

At the start of the year, the staffing structure of Great Xia underwent a reform, now categorized into six distinct ranks: The First Rank is the Minister; the Second Rank includes the Eight Departments Directors; the Third Rank is the Vice Directors; the Fourth Rank encompasses the Outer City District Directors and critical posts like Long Mountain, Wuyuan, East Ridge, and Military Commanders; the Fifth Rank covers Vice positions in the Eight Departments, Defense Envoys of smaller posts, and Military Vice Commanders; finally, the Sixth Rank includes Colonels and select additional roles in Xia City.

A Prison Envoy is assigned to the Prison Department, further split into Gold, Silver, and Iron orders. Originally, these held no formal rank, but in June, Xia Chuan mandated a reclassification: Silver Order is now Sixth Rank, and Gold Order is Fifth Rank. Being promoted from a Sixth Rank Silver Order Prison Envoy to a Fifth Rank Deputy Chief of Punishment at a bustling, strategic post like Hongmen City was a massive leap for his career.

Xiang Yan was clearly fascinated, leaning in with enthusiasm: "Brother, what is your new rank, and what are your responsibilities?"

"Deputy Chief of Punishment at Hongmen City!"

"Fifth Rank, overseeing the law in Hongmen City... Brother, that is prime territory!"

Listening to his younger brother effortlessly rattle off the details despite the complexity, Xiang Liang cast him a look of surprise: "You are remarkably well-informed for your age."

Xiang Yan smirked with a hint of vanity: "Hehe, you shouldn't underestimate me, elder brother. I’ve made some new acquaintances in the North Fifth District. They keep me informed, and they say Hongmen City is the most vibrant of the Nine Towns right now—a melting pot where something monumental happens every single day. That sounds like just the sort of place for someone in the Prison Department."

The smirk faded from Xiang Liang’s face. He set down his bowl and chopsticks, his tone turning sharp: "Do you even know who these people are? Are you honestly wandering into the North Fifth District to mix with unknown outsiders?"

The sudden shift in the room silenced them instantly. Xiang Yan recoiled in fear, and Xiang Rong, rarely having seen her brother display such temper, was at a loss for words.

Wang Yuxiu intervened, sensing their panic and attempting to lighten the mood: "We're sitting down for a meal, must you raise your voice? Can we not discuss this calmly?"

Softened by his wife's words, Xiang Liang’s intensity retreated somewhat. The truth was, his recent brush with disaster regarding Chu Yan’er—where his superior, Hou Ming, had warned him he was on the brink of a life-altering error—had left him deeply unsettled. His own Cold Resistance Level cultivation was only at six powers, and while it had been manipulated by Chu Yan’er, the thought of his younger brother, still struggling at the Earth-digging Realm Limit, getting tangled up with potentially dangerous strangers in the North Fifth District terrified him.

"From this day forward, you are barred from stepping foot in the North Fifth District. Do not involve yourself with people of questionable background. If I find you there, you will face the consequences!"

Xiang Yan, realizing the gravity of his brother's demand, bowed his head: "I understand perfectly, elder brother!"

Xiang Liang then turned his stern gaze toward his younger sister, but before he could speak, Xiang Rong quickly tapped her chest in assurance: "Brother, don't you worry. I'm not like the second brother. I listen to everything you say, and I promise not to associate with any suspicious characters!"

Seeing her pretend to be so docile brought a weary smile to Xiang Liang’s face. He shook his head and gestured to the food: "Enough, then. Let’s eat."

The memory of the disaster at Hefeng Camp remained vivid—it was Xiang Liang who had discovered the Cold Marrow Iron and traded it with Great Xia to secure their survival. His siblings had held him in high regard since they were children. With his bold actions fundamentally changing the trajectory of the Xiang Family, his authority was absolute in their eyes.

To the siblings, even their parents' words didn't have as much weight as his. They understood that when their brother forbade something, there was no room for negotiation.