Chapter 13: The Grand General’s Mansion
1326 Words
Yoshua Brave looked at the imposing mansion before him. His eyes moved to the plaque reading “Grand General’s Mansion.” Although he had mentally prepared himself for the fact that Lanya’s family was noble, he did not expect them to be this noble—a Grand General!
He suddenly turned to Hong and asked, “If her family is headed by a Grand General, then what does your family do?”
Hong replied proudly, “My father is the Empire’s Minister of Personnel.”
Yoshua nearly fainted. In this western-style fantasy world, they were actually using a Six Ministries system! The so-called Six Ministries—Personnel, Rites, Works, Justice, Revenue, and War—were a political system from China’s Sui and Tang dynasties. He never thought he would encounter such a familiar thing here.
Hong grabbed Lanya’s hand. “Lanya, I should head back. I’ll come play with you tomorrow. Oh, and be careful not to let this wolf take advantage of you! If he dares try anything, just tell me—I’ll deal with him!” She shot Yoshua a fierce glare.
Lanya laughed and nodded. When she thought back to when they had first met, this girl hadn’t even dared talk to Yoshua like this.
Yoshua felt wronged—this girl had been completely spoiled by him. Just wait, he thought. After I win Lanya over, I’ll settle things with you later. With that thought, he secretly grinned.
After Hong said goodbye and left, Yoshua leaned toward Lanya’s ear and teased, “Little Lanya, why aren’t you taking me inside? I still have to greet my future father- and mother-in-law.”
It was the first time he openly said something like this. Lanya let out a small gasp, her face flushing scarlet as she hurried toward the mansion.
Yoshua chased after her. “Lanya, wait for me! How am I supposed to get in if you leave me behind?”
They entered the Grand General’s Mansion together. The servants had already gone to report that the young lady had returned.
A middle-aged woman came out to greet them. The moment Lanya saw her mother, she ran straight into her embrace.
Yoshua clicked his tongue in amazement: Lanya’s mother was very well-maintained—she looked like she was barely in her twenties. No wonder Lanya was so beautiful; her mother was stunning too. Like mother, like daughter indeed. Her father was a lucky man… but he was lucky too, because Lanya was going to be his. Hahaha.
After mother and daughter finished their emotional reunion, Lanya introduced Yoshua.
“Mom, this is a good friend I met in Herod City. We were able to return safely this time entirely thanks to him. Yoshua, this is my mother.”
Yoshua bowed respectfully. “Auntie, my name is Yoshua Brave, but you can just call me Yoshua. To be honest, a moment ago I thought you were Lanya’s older sister. You really don’t look like her mother. If I didn’t know Lanya never lies, I would have thought she was teasing me.”
Shameless. Utterly shameless.
But Lanya’s mother, Aisha, was delighted by the disguised compliment. She laughed. “Nice to meet you, Yoshua. You’re quite the talker. I bet children really like you, don’t they?”
Yoshua replied even more shamelessly, “Auntie, you flatter me. I’m only stating the truth. Anyone who disagrees must either be blind or jealous of how young you look. Yes… definitely jealous.”
Aisha and Lanya couldn’t help laughing.
After they sat down in the living room, Lanya asked, “Mom, where are Grandpa, Dad, and Qiya?”
Aisha smiled. “Your grandpa is cultivating, your father went to the military camp, and Qiya’s at your grandfather’s house. She should be back soon. Oh right—have you two eaten yet? We’ll wait for your father to come home and have lunch together.”
Lanya glanced at Yoshua.
He thought for a moment. This was a perfect chance to impress his future in-laws. He immediately said:
“To be honest, Auntie, I don’t want to brag, but my cooking is known across the continent. If I say I’m second, no one dares claim first. Since this is my first visit, I didn’t prepare a gift, so how about I cook a full meal for Uncle and Auntie to try?”
Lanya nodded eagerly. “Yes, Mom! Yoshua’s cooking is really good! I’ve eaten so well this whole trip!”
Aisha’s interest was piqued. “Really? Then I’ll trouble you. I’d love to try it. Lanya, take Yoshua to the kitchen.”
As they walked, Yoshua cracked his knuckles and grinned. “I’m going to make such a good meal that my future in-laws will be delighted. Who knows—they might be so happy they’ll marry you off to me right away. What do you think, Lanya?”
Lanya’s face instantly turned red. “Nonsense! My parents won’t marry me off just because you made a few dishes. No wonder Hong calls you a wolf—you really are one. Big bad wolf!”
Yoshua grabbed her small hand and laughed. “Because if a man isn’t a little bad, he isn’t attractive.”
Lanya struggled a little but didn’t pull away. Her face was so red it looked like it would drip.
Yoshua rejoiced—this was progress! Hand-holding today, then an arm around the shoulder, then the waist, then kissing her cheek, then her lips… then into bed—wahaha!
In the kitchen, several chefs were preparing lunch.
Lanya told them, “Everyone, you don’t need to cook today. Please take a break.”
The chefs didn’t know why, but they left.
Once they were gone, Yoshua immediately took out various seasonings from his storage and began cooking. After graduating, he had spent a full year studying culinary arts. Given his intelligence, one year was enough.
In an hour, he made eight dishes and one soup.
Lanya observed closely and was practically drooling.
Servants carried the dishes to the dining hall. Yoshua and Lanya returned to the living room, where her grandfather and father were already talking with Aisha.
Seeing the two enter, Aisha smiled. “This is the interesting young man I was just telling you about. Yoshua, let me introduce them. This is Lanya’s grandfather—just call him Grandpa Bolut. And this is her father—call him Uncle Pursler.”
These were his future grandfather-in-law and father-in-law!
Yoshua quickly bowed. “Yoshua Brave greets Grandpa Bolut and Uncle Pursler.”
Pursler laughed. “Since you’re Lanya’s good friend, don’t be so formal. Now we really want to try this ‘second-best in the Empire’ cooking of yours.”
Lanya tugged Bolut’s arm. “Yoshua already finished cooking! Let’s go eat!”
They entered the dining hall, and immediately the aroma hit them. The three adults’ eyes brightened. They sat down eagerly and began eating.
Soon, they understood: if Yoshua claimed to be second, no one dared claim first.
The meal was joyful—every dish and even the soup was finished completely.
Yoshua didn’t eat much; most of it was devoured by Lanya’s family.
Bolut sighed. “This is amazing. Better than the palace feasts I’ve had. Even His Majesty has never eaten something this delicious! I’m truly fortunate—thanks to Lanya.”
Pursler chuckled. “I wonder if I’ll ever get to eat something this good again. Lanya, think of a way for your father, will you?”
He clearly already knew about Yoshua and Lanya. With Aisha’s sharp intuition, their relationship didn’t stay hidden long.
Lanya’s face turned red again—she’d blushed more times today than she could count. “Mom, look! Dad’s teasing me!”
In front of her parents, she was still a little girl.
Yoshua felt delighted. It seemed her family was open-minded and had no objections to their relationship.
His heart soared with joy.
- Writer
