Chapter 409: Taming the Goose

Chapter 409: Domestic Harmony

Shen Changze removed his outer robe and sat on the edge of the bed, allowing Cheng Jinchu to help him wash. Exhausted, he leaned against the bedpost and drifted off.

Cheng Jinchu inadvertently looked up and saw Shen Changze's peaceful sleeping face. A smile unconsciously crept to the corner of her lips.

This was the life they shared.

After carefully washing Shen Changze up, Cheng Jinchu dried his feet with a towel and softly reminded him, "Husband, lie down and rest."

Shen Changze murmured in response, feeling for the pillow as he drowsily lay down.

Cheng Jinchu drew the quilt over him, took away the basin, extinguished the candle, and quietly removed her shoes and slipped into bed.

"Jinchu..." Shen Changze murmured, half-asleep.

Cheng Jinchu's heart fluttered at his words. Overjoyed yet fearing she had misheard, she held back her excitement and leaned in closer to Shen Changze to ask, "Husband, what did you say?"

"Jinchu..." Shen Changze murmured again, as if dreaming, reaching out to pull her into his arms.

Now that Cheng Jinchu was close, she confirmed she hadn't misheard, and Shen Changze's actions further confirmed it.

If Shen Changze's soft call had pleasantly surprised Cheng Jinchu, this embrace filled her with joy.

It had been so long since Shen Changze last held her that she could barely remember.

"Husband..." Cheng Jinchu wept tears of joy, gently embracing Shen Changze back and nestling in his arms.

This embrace was warm and firm, making her feel deeply attached.

Shen Changze remained silent, only tightening his arms around Cheng Jinchu as they fell asleep together.

After a day of intense fighting, both were utterly exhausted. Without a word, this embrace spoke volumes.

From then on, their relationship seemed to revert to its former state, yet an unspoken distance lingered between them.

Shen Changze treated Cheng Jinchu much better than when they were in Shang Jing, but it still didn't reach the level of intimacy they had shared at the border.

Though time could soften the past, it could never be entirely erased.

Cheng Jinchu understood this well and found contentment in it. Even if they couldn't achieve complete intimacy, mutual respect and care sufficed.

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Yicheng was graced with a rare snowfall.

Ren Dong blinked, doubting her eyes. She tilted her head, letting the snowflakes fall on her face. The gentle, cool touch filled her with delight and excitement.

"It really is snow."

Lian Qiao caught a snowflake in her hand and smiled, "It's snow. Yicheng is snowing."

It wasn't surprising they were so amazed, as Yicheng's climate was usually too warm for snow, making it a rare occurrence.

Seeing their reactions, Jiang Shu chuckled, "Haven't you seen snow before?"

Ren Dong replied, "The last time I saw snow, I was just a child. I almost forgot what snow looked like, though I see frost and ice every year."

Lian Qiao added, "Your Highness, don't listen to her. The last time it snowed in Yicheng, she was already fourteen, just a few months away from her coming-of-age ceremony."

Ren Dong pouted and retorted, "But there are still a few months to go."

Lian Qiao was about to reply when Yu Zheng returned.

"My Lord," the two hurriedly bowed.

Yu Zheng asked Ren Dong, "How's the goose training coming along?"

After their discussion two nights ago, Yu Zheng and Zhou Boxu had Ren Dong bring Da Bai over yesterday for an initial meeting.

Da Bai, who Ren Dong has raised for over ten years, stands half a person tall. It held its head high, fearless of anyone, looking majestic and powerful. When it saw someone threatening its owner with a weapon, it fearlessly stepped forward to peck and protect.

A goose like that could scare off snakes, and Yu Zheng and Zhou Boxu were sure of it.

However, most domestic geese are only raised for two or three years, and very few are raised as long as Da Bai. Geese like Da Bai, which often go out and up the mountains, are even rarer.

Yesterday, Yu Zheng ordered a city-wide search but only found about a dozen geese, each five or six years old.

While these geese were big enough, they lacked Da Bai's boldness and grandeur. They panicked at the sight of armed people, rendering them useless in battle.

So, Yu Zheng turned them over to Ren Dong, telling her to step up their training.

But just like kids, geese are easier to train when they're young. Trying to train them as adults is tough.

The main issue is that Ren Dong didn't raise these geese, so they don't listen to her. In fact, when they saw Ren Dong alone, they all pecked at her.

Luckily, Ren Dong had Da Bai to back her up, sparing her from being pecked.

"Da Bai is incredible, taking on seventeen geese single-handedly. Not a scratch on him, and he sent them all running."

Ren Dong told the story with flair, her face animated, beaming with pride.

After a moment, Yu Zheng frowned and asked, "So what's the situation now?"

Ren Dong figured, "I think if Da Bai roughs them up a bit more, they'll fall in line."

Geese are very intelligent birds. Not only are they loyal and protective of their owners, but they can also understand simple commands. They are fierce and aggressive, and if trained properly, they make excellent guards.

No matter the species, there are always stronger and weaker individuals within the same kind. Training halfway is not easy, but with the help of a goose king, it can be more effective.

And Da Bai is the king of these geese. Ren Dong believes it won't be long before Da Bai can subdue them.

Animals cannot speak, and humans cannot communicate directly with them, so training naturally takes time.

Yu Zheng also knew that this matter could not be rushed, so he let Ren Dong proceed. After all, this method was just an attempt and could not be relied upon.

The Nanyan beast army is vast, and no matter how powerful these geese are, they cannot completely eliminate the venomous snakes, not to mention facing threats from tigers and weapons. Therefore, they could not place all their hopes on the geese and had to think of other methods.

Perhaps with the help of heaven, Yicheng, which had not seen snow for many years, actually started to snow. No matter how heavy or light the snow was, it would be cold for a while, preventing the Nanyan venomous snakes from fighting and giving them more breathing room.

Although they understood that Nanyan was buying time to deplete Daizhao's provisions, without finding a way to counter them, they dared not attack rashly and could only wait.

Seeing the snow falling heavier, Ren Dong remembered something and said, "I'll go check on the geese; they might freeze."

Although geese have thick feathers to withstand the cold, it doesn't mean they are not afraid of the cold. The temperature on a snowy night is extremely low, and these geese are now treasures, so they must be taken care of.

Ren Dong hurried to the side courtyard where the geese were kept, had someone bring several bundles of dry grass to make nests for warmth, and checked the doors and windows to ensure they were secure before feeling at ease.

As the sky darkened and the temperature dropped, the geese stopped moving, lying down on the grass to rest.

Only Da Bai was excited to see Ren Dong, waddling after her as she moved around.

Ren Dong bent slightly, gently stroking Da Bai and saying, "Good Da Bai, keep an eye on them and get them to behave sooner."

Da Bai honked, as if responding.

Ren Dong smiled warmly and gave Da Bai an affectionate pat on the head, pointing to the flock and saying, "Go rest, I'll come back tomorrow."

Da Bai honked again, watching Ren Dong leave without following.

After Ren Dong left and the door was closed, Da Bai walked towards the flock. The flock, previously quiet as if asleep, stirred slightly when Da Bai approached.

Da Bai called out once, found a spot at the edge, and settled down to rest.