Xie Siyu and Hua Linglong's marriage was as good as settled!

Ning Chen talked it over with Hua Junxia, and they agreed the two would spend a few months getting to know each other first.

If things went well, the wedding would be held next spring.

The party stayed at Mirror Moon Fort for a few days, and Ning Chen took the chance to see how the people of Shiba County were getting along.

Shiba County's magistrate was reasonably capable.

The people ought to make it safely through the winter.

With that off his mind, Ning Chen went back to Chongzhou.

Things in Chongzhou were holding up well enough for now. The first shipment of grain had been rushed in.

The officials and the people had pulled together, too, and most of the houses had been repaired.

After a few days in Chongzhou, it was time for Ning Chen to go back to Yangzhou.

The weather was turning cold. He had to collect Yudie and the others there and take them to the capital.

He'd been in this world for five or six years, and every New Year he'd been off at war.

This year, he was going to spend a proper New Year with the Xuan Emperor, no matter what.

The Xuan Emperor was getting old. Every year that passed was one fewer left.

Half a month later, Ning Chen and the others arrived back in Yangzhou.

When Yudie and Zisu heard Ning Chen was back, they came running out to meet him, overjoyed.

Yudie noticed that Ning Chen had brought back a pretty girl with wheat-colored skin. Curious, she asked.

"Ning, dear, is this Miss Linglong, the one Brother Xie can't stop thinking about?"

Ning Chen smiled and nodded.

Hua Linglong looked a little shy.

Xie Siyu still wore his coffin-lid face, standing off to the side and acting cool... Anyone who didn't know better would think the woman had nothing to do with him.

Ning Chen shook his head helplessly. "Come on, let's go inside and talk!"

That evening, Ning Chen had a banquet set out.

Everyone…