Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence

By the time they returned to Red Tide Territory, the sunset was already low, casting a rosy glow over the layered stone bricks, warm and familiar.

And the moment Louis stepped through the Lord's Castle gate, that trace of fatigue in his heart quietly dissipated.

Before he could say anything, he was tightly embraced by Emily, who rushed up to him.

"...Welcome home."

Her voice was not loud, yet carried undeniable joy and a hint of grievance that had been suppressed for a long time.

Louis paused for a moment, then smiled slightly and hugged her back, leaning close to her ear: "I'm home."

Before he could finish, he swiftly and cleanly picked her up horizontally.

"Ah—" Emily let out a gentle exclamation and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

A blush appeared on her cheeks, but she didn't resist. Instead, she buried her head in his shoulder, breathing lightly.

The two returned to the familiar bedroom, and the next few hours naturally became a passionate production phase.

The curtains were lightly brushed by the evening wind, and the familiar blue-haired silhouette swayed amidst the dim light and shadows, their breaths like music, rhythm like tides.

Between them, there was no need for contrived greetings or artificial reminiscence.

Only the tacit trust and understanding between them, like the perfect ember in the deep night, igniting without haste.

Until midnight, curtains drawn, and the fire dimmed down.

Emily's upper body was leaning against Louis's thigh, lazily biting a piece of candied fruit to replenish energy, her hair scattered, her posture as languid as a well-fed cat.

"Did you finish everything over there?" Emily asked softly, her tone calm but tinged with a bit of weariness.

She was referring to matters in Mai Lang Territory.

Louis responded lightly, his fingers threading through her hair, combing through it: "Spring plowing and the granaries are sorted, just waiting for the harvest, and there were some unexpected findings this trip..."

"Oh?"

"We found an ancient tomb at Rift Hill in the northern part of Mai Lang Territory."

Emily immediately widened her eyes, about to look up, but Louis gently pressed her back down with one hand.

"Listen to me first." He continued with a smile, "That tomb should be an early ritual site from Snow Country, perpetually influenced by magic power inside, forming a natural growth area for Shadow Moss, along with... over sixty Soul-devouring Lizard Beasts."

Emily stared at him for a few seconds, then burst into laughter, her head resting back on him, brimming with relaxation and fondness: "Really... You're not just a lord but also working part-time as a tomb raider?"

"You haven't heard the main point yet."

"The main point is...?"

"Shadow Moss."

Louis briefly explained to her the characteristics of Shadow Moss, from its catalytic effect on Fighting Energy willpower to its potential as a psychological interference device and breakthrough aid.

He spoke succinctly, but each word could ignite the passion of any nobility listening.

And Emily was certainly not ordinary.

She listened, widening her eyes while glaring at him: "You mean... you've excavated a complex ecosystem for energy and consciousness enhancement?"

"That's pretty much it."

"You actually said that so calmly." She gave him a glance, "That's a key material for breakthroughs in the knight system! Many people are desperate for it! If it were other lords, such a thing would be kept as a fiefdom secret for at least ten, twenty years."

Louis curved his lips in a confident smile: "And for me, it's nothing much."

"Hmph, compliment you a bit, and you start showing off... Should I reward you, then?" Emily smiled ambiguously, her fingers naughtily sliding down his abs.

The atmosphere immediately became mischievous.

But Louis promptly held her hand, sighing helplessly: "Let me rest for a while."

"Pfft." Emily laughed, her eyes forming crescents, lying back on his leg, "Then wait until you're fully charged to get your reward."

She rubbed her face, gently patted his thigh, her tone shifting to seriousness: "Let's talk business, during your absence, things in Red Tide Territory were fairly stable."

"Spring plowing went well?" Louis asked, his hand brushing through her hair, returning to the lord mindset.

"Very smoothly." Emily hugged the pillow, nodding, "All our plots have been subdivided, the irrigation, drainage systems, and magical temperature control had no major issues.

The geothermal area's terrains have been converted to greenhouse planting. Though initially troublesome, the experienced farmers in Red Tide Territory almost lost no time."

She paused, her eyes carrying a shade of pride: "Now the second batch of sowing has begun, and the first batch's some plots have already sprouted. Given stable temperature, we could harvest two weeks early.

Bradley said, as long as the autumn grains are normal, we will become the top grain-producing territory in the Northern Territory."

Emily shifted her body slightly, changing to a more comfortable position, still resting her head on his leg.

"...But there's one troublesome matter during your absence."

"Hmm?"

"It's the population issue." She said softly, "Most refugees have been dispersed to Mai Lang Territory per your arrangement, but some remain on Red Tide Territory's mainland."

Louis remained silent, his fingertips gently drawing through her hair, indicating for her to continue.

"These people mostly fled from the northern insect disaster areas and heavy frost-hit zones, bringing the elderly and caring for the young, without any substantial skills... At first, we opened the granaries for relief, they were truly grateful. But over time, issues began to surface."

"The natives started complaining?"

"Not exactly open conflict." Emily's voice remained calm, "Just some rumors, like relief lasting too long, territories being squeezed, or habitual thieves sneaking into recruitment grounds... These words are still hidden but are ultimately spreading."