After their cultivation was finished, the two of them washed up simply, threw on some outer garments, and headed to the dining room.

The morning sunlight finally broke through the thin clouds, casting into the room and illuminating the warm wooden dining table, as well as the simple yet meticulously prepared breakfast upon it.

Emily had personally instructed the kitchen yesterday, saying she didn't want greasy food, so today it was fish soup and bread, with a bit of salted butter and lightly fried mushrooms.

"Not luxurious," Louis tore off a piece of bread, dipping it into the soup and chewing slowly.

"But still quite good," Emily replied with a smile, taking a spoonful of the fish soup into her mouth and squinting her eyes slightly.

The soup was made with the signature white-finned eel from the Red Tide area, with tender and delicate meat, the fish bones removed, leaving only a warm and fresh taste.

"This fish soup, really isn't bad."

The two quietly ate their breakfast, occasionally exchanging a few softly spoken words, as a sense of long-lost stability filled the whole room.

After all, the noisy wedding had already passed several days ago.

Those lively noble guests and the clamorous banquet scenes seemed like a corner of a dream, all now scattered, leaving only this newlywed couple to return to their routine.

Even Duke Edmund and his wife had set off for Frost Halberd City yesterday.

But compared to their farewell, another departing figure left a more lasting impression on Louis.

Eduardo Calvin, his third brother.

As he was leaving, he patted Louis's shoulder with a smile and said, "I just thought I'd take a look around, maybe I can help you find some clues about the Nest."

Louis didn't reveal Eduardo's identity, after all, the more forces involved, the more it would benefit him.

Halfway through breakfast, Emily suddenly seemed to recall something, looked up and asked, "By the way, how many gifts did we finally receive for our wedding?"

Louis paused his chewing, then smiled slightly, "Hm...not many, given the sensitive situation, it was deliberately kept low-key, and not many were invited."

But he knew the so-called "low-key" just meant not extravagantly inviting guests to the feast.

The nobles of the Northern Territory, which one of them isn't keenly observant?

Which one didn't immediately send gifts to Red Tide upon hearing the news?

The gifts were varied but could be roughly categorized into three types:

The first type was the most common "expression of sincerity" — Gold Coins and Magic Crystals, which are never considered too much.

The second type was the rare treasures with some thought from a few truly considerate nobles, like the one from Count Grant, who personally sent a "Fighting Spirit Magic Stone" that contained rich fighting energy, said to allow knights to quickly recover their fighting energy.

The heaviest ones, of course, came from the two family clans:

The Calvin Clan, being Louis's own kin, sent almost entirely resources for living and construction.

There were plenty of luxury items: top-grade grains, spices, high-quality wine, and silk from the Southern Territory.

A large batch of skilled personnel: experienced furriers, tanners, artifact makers, experienced pharmacists and veterinarians, and even fishermen skilled in fishing in cold regions.

More importantly, these people were not "exiled peoples", but elite selected by the family, willing to serve the new domain.

This was the first time the Calvin Clan used a "wedding" as an excuse to lean such a scale of resources towards him.

This was not merely a simple dowry, but a change of attitude, a hint: "You are no longer an outlying branch, but a core worth supporting."

On the other hand, the Edmund Clan continued their "robust military spirit":

Hundreds of pieces of weaponry and equipment: spears, swords, axes, warhammers made of Cold Iron, matching chainmail and studded leather armor;

A batch of rigorously trained warhorses, and even exclusive armor and training knights for the warhorses;

The key gift, knights:

Aside from the two Extraordinary Knights who came with Emily,

There were thirty Elite Knights left stationed directly at Red Tide.

Despite losing three in the recent battle against the Nest, there were still twenty-seven ready to serve.

Before departing, the Duke personally promised to dispatch an additional fifty Elite Knights, two Extraordinary Knights, and seventy Official Knights for support.

This...was quite extravagant.

Louis recalled blurting out, "No wonder you're the Lord of the North, just handing out knights like they cost nothing."

Of course, that was just a joke, not "randomly dispensing resources."

The real reason was probably his performance in that battle against the Nest.

Leading a team of merely dozens, they uprooted the Nest, an achievement even Duke Edmund couldn't ignore.

Besides, he married Emily, Duke Edmund's most beloved daughter.

Louis knew that this time he had received Duke Edmund's true "acknowledgment".

Though it was indeed a bit excessive, directly boosting his knight forces by more than two or three times.

Louis thought, if he married Emily a few more times, he might dominate the Northern Territory!

"This time...we've gained quite a lot," Louis put down his spoon, looking at Emily, with a somewhat cheerful tone.

Emily was slicing a piece of bread; she smiled at his words, "Sounds like a merchant who just won a big victory."

"Pretty much," he shrugged lightly, but his eyes grew a bit serious, "But no matter how much stuff there is, if it doesn't transform into real 'strength', it's just sitting in the warehouse waiting to be taken."

Emily paused, looking at him, "You think someone will come to take it?"

Louis didn't answer immediately, but finished the last bit of fish soup in his bowl, as if pondering, and then said, "It's not that someone's coming to take it, but I have a bad feeling..."

Emily looked at him seriously, but didn't question further, just watched him.

"You were born and raised in the Northern Territory," Louis spoke with a calm tone but carried a hint of probing, "Has this place ever been calm?"

Emily was silent for a moment, and nodded.

"Yes. The Northern Territory has never been 'stable'. Just in the past ten years, I've experienced three large-scale turmoils and countless minor conflicts."

She paused, with an indescribable emotion in her eyes, "You're right, we should implement these resources now. Otherwise, when the real blizzard hits, it will be too late to build anything or raise anything."

Louis looked at her, joking, "So you support me in squandering?"

"I support your foresight," Emily's face showed a faint smile, "To be honest, you have more foresight than most Lords I've seen. I only knew you were smart before; now I know you... actually have a lot of patience too."

"Hm?"

"...and pretty good-looking," she finished her words, took a sip of water, avoiding his gaze intentionally.

Louis coughed lightly, though a smile appeared in his eyes.

The breakfast ended amidst such casual and not-so-casual conversations.

Even though the topic wasn't light, the atmosphere wasn't oppressive.

The two seemed to be gradually adapting to each other's pace.

After a little rest following the meal, Louis got up and moved his body.

"What's your work later?" Emily casually asked.

"Catching snakes."

"...Catching snakes?"

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