But as expected, with Louis's current status, it is impossible for him to casually meet a stranger like a wandering merchant.

After some brief pleasantries, the conversation quickly returned to the main topic.

Sif walked to the side of the wagon, her gaze lightly scanning over the displayed goods.

Several pieces of silk with decent colors, fragrant spice packages, some dried medicinal herbs, and a few bags of dried fruits and oils from the South, all common merchandise.

Her fingers casually brushed the edge of a silk piece, and she said lightly, "These... look like good things, but they are not urgently needed by us in Red Tide Territory at the moment."

Emily smiled slightly, not seeming surprised, "Indeed, this trip is merely passing through the Northern Territory, and the goods brought are just routine supplies, nothing rare."

Sif looked up at her with a polite smile at the corner of her lips, "We won't be making any purchases for the time being."

The conversation reached this point, yet the atmosphere did not become awkward, as everyone knew in their hearts that this "business" wasn't the main focus this time.

Sif suddenly remembered Louis's instructions earlier and added, "But tomorrow is the Spring Festival of our Red Tide Territory. If you and your caravan are interested, you can stay and have a look."

Emily, who was still secretly pondering how to boldly ask to stay, didn't expect the invitation to come so readily.

Her eyes lit up, and she quickly replied, "Really? Thank you so much for your kind invitation. We will definitely stay."

She replied with politeness, but let out a silent sigh of relief in her heart.

Great, not only can they stay, but also have a chance to witness the festival of Red Tide Territory...

Perhaps there might be a chance to catch a glimpse of that fiancé in person.

Seeing everything settled, Sif made a gesture: "Please follow me, and I'll take you to your resting place."

Walking through several alleys along the street, soon, semi-subterranean small houses came into view.

The houses were half-buried in the ground, with just the low door frames and thick earth walls exposed.

Sif pushed open the door of one of them, "You will stay here for now, let me know if you need anything."

Several people went inside, and Emily looked around.

Though the room was simple and didn't have much furniture, the corners were tidy, the wooden beds were covered with thick animal skins, and it was much warmer inside than outside, giving a sense of comfort upon entering.

A thick pottery water jug and several cups were placed in the corner, simple but considerate.

Emily scanned the room with a touch of novelty in her gaze, "This kind of house... I've never seen before, it seems very suitable for the Northern Territory's environment, probably especially warm in winter."

Her hand lightly touched the wall, feeling the faint warmth through the thick earth layer, nodding to herself.

"Thank you for the hospitality." Emily politely nodded towards Sif.

"You're welcome." Sif smiled slightly and then turned to leave.

When the door closed, it became quiet inside the room.

Emily sat down by the bed, fingers absentmindedly toying with the cups on the table, reflecting on this eventful day.

Although she hadn't met her fiancé today, the surprises from Red Tide Territory were already overwhelming.

But thinking about tomorrow's celebration, her heart filled with more anticipation.

"I hope this 'Red Tide Lord' won't let me down..." she murmured to herself, filled with an irresistible curiosity and anticipation in her tone.

......

The first ray of morning sunlight had yet to pierce through the thick clouds when Emily opened her eyes.

Vague voices could be heard from outside, carrying a warm fragrance.

It was the scent of bread and porridge, spreading in the slightly chilly air like a foretaste of the Spring Festival, making one involuntarily look forward to it.

She donned her cloak, and as she opened the door, sunlight happened to fall onto the freshly swept street.

People were gradually coming out of their homes from every corner of the street.

Everyone was wearing their cleanest and best outfits.

Although most were still in coarse cloth and cotton clothes, they were cleanly washed and neatly ironed, and that seriousness made Emily unconsciously slow her steps.

"Is it because there is a festival today?" she muttered to herself, looking at the bustling crowd in the square, and couldn't help but follow their steps.

She then arrived at the square with a few guards and Nora and found that people were already queuing here.

There were several lines, and although there were many people, the order was unexpectedly well-maintained, completely unlike the chaotic scenes she imagined of Northern Territory refugees.

Emily initially thought it would take a long time to get her turn, but to her surprise, it only took less than ten minutes.

When she accepted the wooden bowl and bread handed over by a soldier, she was stunned.

The bread was baked golden, crispy on the outside and soft inside, clearly made from high-quality rye flour.

And the porridge in the bowl made her almost doubt if she was dreaming.

Not only were the grains distinct, but there were also bits of vegetables, minced meat, and even a little sprinkling of spring onions.

The porridge was richly colored and glossy with a faint sheen of oil.

With one sniff, her stomach started to growl.

"Isn't this food too luxurious for commoners?" she mumbled, staring blankly at the food in her hand, her mind instinctively questioning.

Winter had just passed, and supposedly, the territory's granaries should have been depleted by now. How could they make such quality porridge?

She turned her head slightly and softly asked the middle-aged woman beside her, "Excuse me... do you eat this well every day?"

The woman glanced at her, seeing her neat attire and probably recognizing her as a visiting merchant, then explained with a smile,

"No, today is the festival, so we have such hot porridge and big bread. Lord Louis said everyone should eat a little better and have fun."

Emily exhaled slightly in relief, so it was indeed just a special day.

As she thought, in this season, many places are still gritting their teeth through the days; having such porridge daily would be too extravagant.

"However," the woman continued slowly while drinking her porridge, "we get to collect rations from the grain station once a week, and there's quite a lot. We have enough to fill our bellies for three meals."

Emily paused in her movements.

She looked up, staring blankly at the woman, almost thinking she heard it wrong.

Seeing the woman's unabashedly satisfied expression, she was at a loss for words momentarily.

This... really isn't a lie?

In Frost Halberd City, residents being able to eat two meals, even if only partially filled, in late winter and early spring would already be considered affluent.

Yet these people before her... had rosy faces, relaxed expressions, and even had the energy to banter and laugh.

This place... is rich like a dream.

"T-three meals a day?" she repeated softly, even with a hint of hesitation in her voice.

"Yes, that's right." The woman chuckled, "Eat well, stay warm, and the kids no longer cry from hunger."

The woman slowly sent the last spoonful of porridge in her bowl to her mouth, her voice full of genuine gratitude, "Thanks to Lord Louis... if not for him, how could we have today's life..."

As the woman spoke, she smiled, a smile interwoven with past hardships and new hopes, leaving Emily somewhat stunned.

Emily originally intended to discreetly, with some curiosity and skepticism, see what kind of person her yet-to-meet fiancé truly was.

After all, as she heard, he was just a young noble, illustrious in battle, and exceedingly prominent...

She wasn't sure if that was mere pretense or if he genuinely had some skill.

But she never expected to be greeted with not a cold military record, not hollow praise, but rather such a town.

She looked down at the hot porridge, and the warmth through her hands birthed a peculiar sense of reassurance in her heart.

"Make sure to eat your fill," the woman reminded with a smile, "There's a competition later."

"What kind of competition?" Emily looked up, curious to ask further.

"Hmm." The other person scratched the back of their head, seemingly unsure how to describe it, "Just... a rope, and people pulling each other... well, just... seeing who can pull whom."

Emily listened, puzzled, trying to piece together a mental picture but couldn't quite envision what kind of "competition" it was.

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