As they headed deeper into the island, Su Xuerong carefully observed the fields outside the castle, where many farmers were working.
Zhao, the wet nurse, said, "These are all poor people who couldn't survive by the sea. They came to Dongli Island because they had nowhere else to turn and no relatives or friends."
Su Xuerong then asked, "Approximately how many people are on the island?"
Zhao, the wet nurse, thought for a moment and said, "There are probably four or five thousand people, but I'm not entirely sure..."
But judging from the size of the castle on the island, Su Xuerong felt that the number of people was far greater than that.
Zhao the wet nurse probably wasn't telling her the truth either.
Xiuchun carried Yuanjie forward, then suddenly gave Su Xuerong a wink.
Su Xuerong turned her head and saw Xiao Shiyan walking towards her in a hurry.
She immediately turned cold and refused to look at him.
"Arong, I was wrong that day. I won't do it again. Please forgive me, okay?" At this moment, Xiao Shiyan was no longer arrogant. His eyes were dark and he looked haggard.
Su Xuerong said coldly, "I have nothing to say to you. We are strangers now. I hope you will not bother my daughter and me again in the future!"
Based on the information she gleaned from Zhao the wet nurse over the past two days, she had deduced that Elder Teng intended to use her as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Xiao Yuan, and therefore would absolutely not allow Xiao Shiyan to harm her again.
Xiao Shiyan grew anxious: "Arong, we're in this together now, we should be standing together..."
Su Xuerong immediately interrupted him: "Who will share your hardships? You stray dog, whoever is with you is doomed!"
She was like this in her past life, and she is like this in this life; she's unlucky whenever she meets him!
"Haha, Madam is right!"
A loud voice rang out from the side.
Su Xuerong turned her head and saw Elder Teng, who had only one eye.
A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly calmed down: "Is this Elder Teng?"
With Zhao the wet nurse's mouth, it's hard not to know Elder Teng's unusual appearance.
Elder Teng laughed heartily, but looked Su Xuerong up and down with great interest. He nodded and said, "Madam, this boy has no real skills. I'll help you find a good husband in the future... Speaking of which, I suddenly remembered that our Dragon King is still unmarried. With your stunning beauty, Madam, you are a perfect match for our Dragon King!"
Su Xuerong's face darkened, and she was about to speak when she heard Yuan'er beside her shout in a childish voice, "No! My mother belongs to my father! No one is allowed to marry her!"
Xiao Shiyan, who was standing to the side, had an even darker face.
That damned old man, how dare he marry Ah Rong off to a pirate?
Elder Teng looked at Yuan Jie'er with a grin: "Little girl, your father is a coward. If he were to face my Dragon King, he would surely lose."
Yuan'er exclaimed in surprise, "You're talking nonsense! My father is incredibly powerful; no one can beat him!"
Elder Teng laughed and said, "But your father can't even find where Dongli Island is, how can he come to rescue you?"
He then looked at Su Xuerong with a smile: "Madam, my Dragon King is a rare young talent. You will surely like him once you meet him."
Su Xuerong had a headache. She didn't dare to say anything harsh to Elder Teng, for fear of angering him and having him throw her onto the Dragon King's bed, which would be terrible.
Xiao Shiyan's face turned green, and he roared, "You old bastard, is my Arong some kind of casual woman? Do you think you can just make her marry you as you please?"
After saying this, he immediately stood in front of Su Xuerong: "Don't worry, Xuerong, with me here, no one will dare to bully you!"
Su Xuerong rolled her eyes at him and walked forward.
Elder Teng narrowed his eyes and stared at Xiao Shiyan, sneering as if he were looking at a clown: "Xiao Shiyan, how could someone like you protect a beauty as stunning as Madam?"
"Don't you have any self-awareness about how she dumped you back then?"
Elder Teng rolled his eyes and walked past him.
Xiao Shiyan was so angry that his face turned red, and he stood there stamping his feet.
After the group entered the castle, Elder Teng immediately arranged for a carriage for Su Xuerong and the other two to ride in, and they swayed and wobbled towards a group of buildings in the very center.
Su Xuerong was extremely surprised.
From the moment we arrived until now, it has taken us about half an hour to travel by carriage to reach the very center of the castle.
You can imagine how big this island is.
After getting off the carriage, Su Xuerong saw the building in front of her and was quite surprised.
This traditional Hui-style building is surprisingly beautiful. From the main gate to the screen wall and covered corridors inside, it is not much different from the gardens in Jiangnan.
Looking at the courtyard in front of her, Su Xuerong suddenly thought of Mingxiu Garden.
The two courtyards are strikingly similar.
Looking at the plaque again, several large, elegant characters were prominently displayed: Dongli Pavilion.
A bold idea suddenly popped into Su Xuerong's mind.
Elder Teng smiled and said, "Madam, this is the Dragon King's residence, and it's the best house on the entire Dongli Island. If you don't mind, you can stay here for the time being..."
"How can this be?" Xiuchun immediately interrupted Elder Teng's invitation. "How can my lady live in the same house as a man from another family?"
If Xiao Yuan finds out, will the Empress still be able to remain the Empress?
Elder Teng smiled and said, "Madam, please don't misunderstand. The Dragon King has not been on the island these days. Please stay here in peace."
He waved his hand, and a group of men in black walked up behind him.
Su Xuerong understood; this was not how one should treat a guest, and she had to stay.
She pulled Xiuchun along and said, "Since we're here, let's make the best of it and settle in first."
Elder Teng said with a beaming smile, "Someone, please invite Madam to stay at the Joyful Garden."
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