After a long and brutal war, the Rong Kingdom finally saw the dawn of peace. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er led the Rong Kingdom's army back in triumph amidst the cheers of the people and surrounded by flowers.

The city gates of Luo'an were wide open, colorful flags fluttered, and drums resounded. The people, dressed in their finest attire, lined the roads early, their eyes gleaming with excitement and reverence. Children, perched on their parents' shoulders, excitedly waved their small flags, shouting incessantly, "General Xiao! Miss Lin!"

Xiao Yichen rode a tall horse, his posture upright as a pine tree. His armor still bore the marks of battle, but this did not diminish his majesty or heroic bearing. His gaze was firm and steady as he swept over the cheering crowd, his heart filled with satisfaction and pride. Beside him, Lin Wan'er, dressed in a light blue dress, her long hair flowing in the wind, looked like a fairy descended from heaven. A gentle smile graced her face, a smile that seemed to dispel all gloom from people's hearts.

The army marched slowly through the city streets, the soldiers all in high spirits. The sound of their synchronized steps echoed through the city like a powerful war drum. Having survived countless life-or-death trials, they felt, amidst the cheers of the people, that their sacrifices and efforts had been worthwhile.

Inside the General's mansion, lanterns and decorations were already adorned, creating a joyous atmosphere. Servants bustled about, preparing to welcome their masters home. Steward Li Bo stood at the mansion gate, eagerly anticipating their return, his eyes filled with anxiety and expectation. When he saw Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er appear at the street corner, a bright smile immediately spread across his face, and he hurried forward to greet them.

"General, Miss Lin, you're finally back!" Uncle Li said excitedly, his voice trembling slightly.

Xiao Yichen dismounted and gently patted Uncle Li's shoulder: "Uncle Li, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. These past few days, the manor has been well taken care of by you."

Lin Wan'er smiled and nodded, "Uncle Li, thank you for your hard work."

Li Bo quickly waved his hand: "General and Miss Lin, what are you saying? This is what this old servant should do. Please come in. Everything in the manor has been prepared, just waiting for the General and Miss Lin to return."

Upon entering the General's Mansion, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were deeply moved by the sight before them. The courtyard was adorned with red lanterns, resembling a sea of ​​red. Inside the main hall, a huge round table was laden with various delicacies, emitting an enticing aroma.

"General, Miss Lin, this is something I specially instructed the kitchen to prepare for you. These are all your favorite dishes," Uncle Li said with a smile.

Looking at the table full of delicious food, Xiao Yichen felt a warm feeling well up in his heart: "Uncle Li, thank you for your kindness."

Lin Wan'er gently sniffed the aroma in the air: "Mmm, it smells so good. It's been so long since I've had such a sumptuous meal."

However, amidst this joyous atmosphere, Xiao Yichen frowned slightly. He thought of the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives in the war, who could never return to their hometowns, reunite with their families, and share in the joy of peace.

Lin Wan'er seemed to sense Xiao Yichen's thoughts. She gently grasped Xiao Yichen's hand and said, "General, don't be too sad. The soldiers' sacrifices will not be in vain. Our current peace was bought with their lives. We must live well, for Rong Kingdom and for them."

Xiao Yichen nodded slightly and took a deep breath: "Wan'er, you're right. We can't let them down."

At this moment, Uncle Li stepped forward and said, "General, Miss Lin, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you go wash up and rest first, and then relax properly after dinner?"

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er nodded in agreement and, led by the maid, went back to their rooms to wash up.

Xiao Yichen entered his room, looking at everything familiar, his heart filled with emotion. He took off his armor, changed into clean clothes, and sat on the edge of the bed, his thoughts drifting back to the battlefield. The fierce battles, the brothers who had shared life and death with him, seemed to be right before his eyes.

In Lin Wan'er's room, the maids had already prepared hot water. Lin Wan'er soaked in the warm water, closed her eyes, and enjoyed this rare tranquility. Her mind drifted back to every moment since she met Xiao Yichen, from their first encounter to fighting side by side, and now to their triumphant return; they had gone through so much together.

After dinner, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er went for a walk in the courtyard. The moonlight, like water, shone on them, draping them in a silvery veil.

"Wan'er, although the war is over, we cannot let our guard down. There are still many things that Rong Kingdom needs us to do," Xiao Yichen said slowly, gazing at the bright moon in the sky.

Lin Wan'er raised her head slightly and looked at Xiao Yichen: "General, I know. We must rebuild Rong Kingdom and let the people live a better life. We also cannot ignore the matter of that mysterious ruin."

Xiao Yichen nodded: "That's right. That mysterious ruin contains immense power. We must uncover its secrets and ensure that it is not exploited by those with ill intentions."

As they strolled, the two discussed the future of Rong Kingdom. They knew they bore a heavy responsibility and that the road ahead was fraught with challenges, but they were fearless. They had each other's companionship and support, and the trust and expectations of the people of Rong Kingdom.

Just then, a soldier rushed over: "General, news has come from the palace that the Emperor will summon you and Miss Lin to court tomorrow, presumably to reward you for your merits."

Xiao Yichen frowned slightly: "Rewarding merit? Protecting our country is our duty, and we don't need excessive rewards."

Lin Wan'er smiled and said, "General, this is His Majesty's intention. Let's go to the palace tomorrow and make further plans."

Xiao Yichen nodded helplessly: "Alright. I hope His Majesty won't be too extravagant."

Back in his room, Xiao Yichen lay on the bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time. He thought about his audience with the emperor the next day, and also pondered the future development of Rong Kingdom. Lin Wan'er also tossed and turned, silently praying that Rong Kingdom would always be peaceful and prosperous, and that she and Xiao Yichen could always protect this land.

On this peaceful night, the entire General's Mansion was immersed in the joy of peace, but Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er knew that their mission was far from over and a new journey was about to begin.

The morning light streamed softly through the window, bathing the general's bedroom in gentle light. Lin Wan'er slowly awoke, lying on her side on the bed. Her gaze first fell upon Xiao Yichen, who was still fast asleep. The general's face was slightly softened in his sleep, the coldness and majesty of his battlefield appearance gone. His sword-like eyebrows were slightly relaxed, and his breathing was even and steady. Lin Wan'er couldn't help but smile slightly, her eyes filled with doting affection.

She rose quietly, not wanting to disturb Xiao Yichen's sweet dream. After quickly tidying her long hair, Lin Wan'er quietly left the room and headed towards the general's mansion's kitchen. Along the way, the servants in the mansion bowed and greeted her, and she responded with a smile and a nod, her gentle demeanor inspiring a sense of closeness.

Upon entering the kitchen, Lin Wan'er saw the chefs busily preparing breakfast. Flames licked the bottom of the pots in the stove, and the water inside was already boiling, steaming hot. Various fresh ingredients were laid out on the cutting board: tender vegetables, fish meat that was still trembling slightly, and brightly colored fruits.

Lin Wan'er walked up to the chefs and said softly, "Today I would like to cook for the General myself. You can assist me from the side."

Upon hearing this, the chefs were taken aback at first, then nodded in unison: "Miss Lin, please tell us what you need, and we will do our best to assist you."

Lin Wan'er smiled and nodded her thanks, then began selecting ingredients from among the many available. Her gaze fell upon several fresh crucian carp, and an idea formed in her mind. She would make a delicious crucian carp and tofu soup for Xiao Yichen.

Lin Wan'er first cleaned the crucian carp, removing its internal organs and scales. She then made several cuts on the fish to help it absorb the flavors. Next, she poured a little oil into a pan and, once the oil was hot, placed the crucian carp in to fry. The moment the crucian carp hit the pan, it sizzled, gradually turning golden brown and releasing an enticing aroma. Lin Wan'er skillfully used a spatula to flip the fish over and continued frying the other side until both sides were golden brown.

Next, she added an appropriate amount of water, along with ginger slices, scallion segments, and other seasonings, and brought the water to a boil over high heat. While waiting for the water to boil, Lin Wan'er selected a piece of tender tofu and cut it into small cubes. After the water boiled, she put the tofu cubes into the pot and turned the heat to low to simmer slowly.

Lin Wan'er stood in front of the stove, her eyes focused intently on the fish soup in the pot. She stirred it gently with a spoon from time to time to prevent it from sticking. As the soup simmered, it gradually turned milky white, and a rich aroma filled the entire kitchen.

Besides fish soup, Lin Wan'er also planned to make braised pork belly, a dish Xiao Yichen liked. She selected a piece of pork belly with a good balance of fat and lean meat and cut it into evenly sized cubes. First, she blanched the pork belly to remove blood and impurities. Then, she put a little oil in a pot, added rock sugar, and slowly caramelized it over low heat. When the sugar turned caramel color, she added the pork belly to the pot and stir-fried it, ensuring each piece was coated with the caramel. Next, she added soy sauce, cooking wine, star anise, cinnamon, and other seasonings, stir-fried it evenly, added an appropriate amount of water, covered the pot, and simmered it over low heat.

While the braised pork was stewing, Lin Wan'er busied herself preparing other dishes. She stir-fried a plate of vibrant green vegetables, which were refreshing and delicious, and also made a steamed egg with shrimp, the custard was smooth and tender, and the shrimp were fresh and flavorful.

The servants of the General's Mansion watched Lin Wan'er's busy figure with admiration. They had never seen a woman cook so skillfully and attentively in the kitchen, and so carefully prepare each dish.

With the last dish finished, a sumptuous breakfast was laid out on the table. The crucian carp and tofu soup was milky white and had a wonderful aroma; the braised pork was bright red and tender; the green vegetables were fresh and tender; and the steamed shrimp and egg was smooth and delicious.

Lin Wan'er looked at her work with satisfaction. She instructed the servants to bring breakfast to the dining room, and then went back to her room to wake Xiao Yichen.

Xiao Yichen slowly opened his eyes and saw Lin Wan'er standing by the bed with a smile, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

"Wan'er, why are you up so early today?" Xiao Yichen sat up and stretched.

Lin Wan'er smiled and said, "General, get up quickly. I've made some food in the kitchen. Try it and see if my cooking has improved."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yichen immediately perked up. He quickly got up, washed up, and went to the restaurant with Lin Wan'er.

When Xiao Yichen saw the table laden with a sumptuous breakfast, his eyes were filled with surprise and emotion.

"Wan'er, did you do all of this?" Xiao Yichen asked.

Lin Wan'er nodded: "General, please try it."

Xiao Yichen first picked up a bowl of crucian carp and tofu soup, gently blew on it, and then took a sip. The deliciousness of the fish soup instantly spread in his mouth, and the rich flavor made him close his eyes and savor it carefully.

"Wan'er, this fish soup is absolutely delicious! Your cooking skills are getting better and better." Xiao Yichen praised it highly.

Lin Wan'er was delighted. She picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it in Xiao Yichen's bowl: "General, try this braised pork again."

Xiao Yichen took a bite of the braised pork belly. The pork belly melted in his mouth, rich but not greasy, with a perfect balance of sweet and salty, and its unique aroma lingered in his mouth.

"Delicious, delicious!" Xiao Yichen said between bites. "Wan'er, being able to eat your cooking is truly the blessing of my life."

Lin Wan'er watched Xiao Yichen eat happily, and her heart was filled with happiness. She knew that in these peaceful days, being able to cook a delicious meal for the one she loved and see his satisfied smile was the most wonderful thing.

Beside the dining room, the servants of the General's Mansion were also quietly watching this scene. Seeing the General and Lin Wan'er so affectionate, they were happy for them. Steward Li Bo stood in a corner, a gratified smile on his face. Looking at the happy scene in the General's Mansion, he silently prayed that such days could continue, that the General and Lin Wan'er could be happy forever, and that Rong Kingdom could prosper under their protection, free from war and turmoil.

Sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, casting golden patches across the courtyard of the General's Mansion. Inside the dining room, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er sat facing each other, the dishes on the table emitting an enticing aroma, as if telling of Lin Wan'er's care and love.

Xiao Yichen's gaze lingered on each dish, his heart filled with amazement and emotion. The braised pork belly was a vibrant red, like a burning flame. Each piece was perfectly stewed, with a beautiful balance of fat and lean meat, the marbling clearly visible. The skin was soft and tender, breaking apart with a gentle bite, while the lean meat retained a certain chewiness, yet quickly dissipated in the mouth, the rich aroma of meat mingling with the fragrance of spices, bursting forth on the taste buds.

The crucian carp and tofu soup is served in an exquisite porcelain bowl. The milky white broth, like silken satin, rises steaming hot. Tender tofu cubes float in the broth, as smooth as white jade, trembling slightly with each scoop. The umami flavor of the crucian carp is completely infused into the soup; every sip is like savoring the essence of rivers, lakes, and seas. The delicious taste dances on the tongue, sliding down the throat, warm and comforting.

The vibrant green vegetables were neatly arranged on the plate, resembling a piece of green jade. A few glistening water droplets clung to the leaves, shimmering in the sunlight. Upon tasting, the freshness and crispness of the vegetables instantly dispelled any greasiness in the mouth, bringing a sense of natural vitality—a gift from the earth, pure and simple.

Steamed shrimp with egg is like a delicate work of art. The golden egg liquid solidifies into a delicate custard, its surface smooth as a mirror, without a single air hole. Tender shrimp adorn the top, the pink shrimp meat contrasting beautifully with the yellow custard, resembling a beautiful painting. Scooping up a piece with a spoon, the custard melts in your mouth; the freshness of the shrimp and the richness of the egg blend perfectly, creating a unique, delicate, and complex flavor in your palate.

Xiao Yichen first picked up a piece of braised pork, put it in his mouth, and slowly chewed, savoring its flavor. A satisfied expression appeared on his face as he said, "Wan'er, the cooking time for this braised pork is absolutely superb. The soft and tender skin complements the chewy texture of the lean meat perfectly, and the use of spices is just right, enhancing the flavor without masking the natural freshness of the meat. Every bite is intoxicating, as if I can feel the effort and passion you poured into it in the kitchen."

Lin Wan'er smiled at him, her eyes full of tenderness: "General, I'm glad you like it. When I was cooking, all I was thinking about was making a delicious meal for you, so that you could fully enjoy the pleasure that food brings in these peaceful days."

Xiao Yichen scooped up another spoonful of crucian carp and tofu soup, blew on it gently, and put it in his mouth. He closed his eyes, feeling the deliciousness of the soup spread in his mouth: "This fish soup is incredibly delicious. The freshness of the crucian carp is fully brought out, blending with the tenderness of the tofu to create a unique taste. Every flavor in the soup is so harmonious, as if a symphony of nature is playing on the tip of my tongue."

Lin Wan'er took a sip of tea and said, "I chose fresh crucian carp, carefully pan-fried it, and then simmered it over low heat to allow the fish's flavor to fully infuse into the soup. The tofu, on the other hand, absorbs the essence of the fish soup, making it even more delicious."

Next, Xiao Yichen tasted the greens and nodded in praise, "These greens may seem simple, but they best bring out the original flavor of the ingredients. They are refreshing and crisp, without too much embellishment, yet they leave a lingering aftertaste. After tasting these rich dishes, the refreshing taste of these greens perfectly balances the flavors in your mouth, making the whole dining experience more comfortable and pleasant."

Lin Wan'er smiled and said, "Vegetables are a gift from nature. They only need simple cooking to bring out their deliciousness. I hope this dish can bring you a sense of freshness and tranquility."

Finally, Xiao Yichen tasted the shrimp and egg steamed dish, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "The texture of this shrimp and egg steamed dish is delicate and smooth, and the freshness of the shrimp adds rich layers to the egg custard. The steaming time is very precise, and it melts in your mouth, as if a cloud is spreading in your mouth. Wan'er, your cooking skills have truly impressed me."

Lin Wan'er's cheeks flushed slightly: "I'm just doing it according to my own wishes, hoping to make a flavor that the general likes."

As they dined, the restaurant was filled with a warm and happy atmosphere. Sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing them in a golden veil. The servants of the General's mansion quietly attended to them, their hearts filled with joy as they watched the General and Lin Wan'er so affectionate.

After finishing his meal, Xiao Yichen took Lin Wan'er's hand and said, "Wan'er, this breakfast was the most delicious meal I've ever had. It wasn't just because the food was delicious, but also because it contained your love and care. In these peaceful days, having you by my side to share these wonderful moments makes me feel incredibly happy."

Lin Wan'er leaned gently on Xiao Yichen's shoulder: "General, as long as you like it, I am willing to cook for you for the rest of my life. We were able to go through the baptism of war together and usher in the dawn of peace. Now we can enjoy this peaceful and happy life in the general's mansion. This is God's blessing on us."

Xiao Yichen embraced Lin Wan'er: "Wan'er, we must cherish this hard-won peace and happiness. In the future, I will continue to protect Rong Kingdom and you, so that you can always live such a carefree life."

Lin Wan'er raised her head and looked into Xiao Yichen's eyes: "General, I believe in you. Let's work together to make Rong Kingdom more prosperous and strong, so that the people can live a happy life."

On this bright and sunny morning, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, enjoying a delicious breakfast at the General's Mansion, felt an even deeper connection between them and were filled with beautiful hopes and expectations for the future. They knew that the road to peace still required them to walk hand in hand, and that the love and strength they had accumulated in their ordinary lives would become their solid support in the face of all challenges.