Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

On the other side, Yin Ying smiled and ladled a bowl of soup for her, placing it in front of her and saying, "Sister, you've just entered the manor, so you must be getting used to it. Our manor has always been very casual, and my husband has never cared about those formalities. Just make yourself at home, don't be shy."

Upon hearing this, Cai Wan's tension eased considerably.

She quickly thanked him, blushing, and took small sips of the soup, feeling a warm glow in her heart.

Liu Ce couldn't help but laugh when he saw how reserved she was, almost curling up into a ball.

He put down his chopsticks and said, "They're right. Once you're in this family, you're all family. You don't need to act like a proper young lady from a noble family every day. Just be comfortable. From now on, if you need anything in the manor, just tell Steward Wang, tell the ladies in the back courtyard, or tell me directly."

His voice was gentle, lacking any of the imposing presence he displayed in the imperial court, completely unlike the ruthless and decisive Prince Yan that Cai Wan had imagined.

Cai Yan smiled and said, "Yes, sister, just treat yourself like you're at home. In our household, we've always been open and honest, there's no need to hide anything."

Zhang Ning chimed in, "That's right! If you're being too polite with the older sisters, you're being too formal! We won't allow that!"

Zhen Jiang smiled and said, "What would you like to eat, little sister? I'll get it for you. The chefs in this manor are quite skilled, especially the fish dish. You should try it."

As he spoke, he placed a piece of fish into Cai Wan's bowl with his chopsticks.

Ren Hongchang smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, little sister. We're all easy to get along with. I was nervous when I first arrived, but I'm used to it now, aren't I?"

Zou Yu said directly, "That's right! Don't worry, little sister, just let us know if you need anything, and we'll take care of it perfectly!"

Zhen Mi nodded and said, "From now on, we're sisters, no need to be so formal."

Cai Wan looked at the table full of her sisters, and her eyes welled up with tears.

She grew up in Jingzhou, where there were strict rules at home. People weren't allowed to talk while eating, let alone have a lively meal like this.

Surrounded by so many people, showing concern and offering food and soup, she suddenly felt that this Prince's Mansion felt more like home than the Cai family home.

Another weight was lifted from Cai Wan's heart.

She quickly raised her head, gave Liu Ce a proper curtsy, and whispered with a blush:

"Thank you, Your Highness. I...I understand."

Liu Ce smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Call me husband."

Cai Wan blushed even more, and after a long while, she managed to squeeze out a barely audible "Husband."

The crowd laughed.

During the meal, with Yin Ying and Feng Yu chatting with him, and Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Zhen Jiang and others occasionally chiming in, and Liu Ce occasionally making a joke, the atmosphere became more and more relaxed.

Cai Wan gradually relaxed and was no longer as restless as she had been at the beginning.

She finally understood why her younger brother said that His Highness the Prince of Yan was kind and generous.

Life in this mansion is even more comfortable and carefree than it was in her old house in Jingzhou.

After dinner, Yin Ying and Feng Yu took Cai Wan for a stroll in the courtyard for a while.

They told her about the daily rules of the manor: ...when to eat, which courtyard's flowers were in full bloom...even which chef made the best pastries, they told her clearly. There was no hint of exclusion, they were as close as sisters.

By the time I got back to my own courtyard, it was already late at night.

After the maidservant helped her finish washing up and changing into a soft, plain-colored nightgown, she quietly slipped out and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

Cai Wan was left alone in the room.

The warm yellow candlelight illuminated the exquisite room, yet she began to feel restless again.

She sat on the edge of the bed, clutching a silk handkerchief in her hand, twisting it back and forth until it was almost twisted into a pretzel.

My heart was pounding.

She was thinking about what she should say when Liu Ce came over.

A moment later, she remembered what her younger brother had told her during the day.

She was nervous because it was her first time and she didn't know anything. She wondered if she would upset His Highness.

She lived in a secluded mansion in Jingzhou until she was eighteen, studying poetry and learning needlework. She had never even touched a man's hand, let alone experienced such a thing.

I had only heard my old nanny mention it vaguely before, but when I actually got there, I was so flustered that even my toes curled up.

She stood up every now and then and paced back and forth in the room.

After a while, he sat back on the edge of the bed, staring at the doorway, his ears perked up.

Hearing footsteps outside, his heart jumped into his throat, but it turned out to be just a night patrol guard walking by, and he returned to his original spot.

He went back and forth several times, his face turning red from holding it in.

Just as she stood up for the nth time to check if the door was closed properly, the door creaked open.

Liu Ce walked in.

He changed into casual clothes, which still carried the slight chill of the night.

Seeing Cai Wan standing in the middle of the room, her face flushed and at a loss, he couldn't help but laugh and closed the door behind him.

When Cai Wan saw him enter, she froze in fright, quickly lowered her head, and gave a proper curtsy. Her voice was so soft it was almost a mosquito's buzz, and it trembled slightly as she said, "Your...Your Highness..."

"Still call me Your Highness?" Liu Ce stepped forward and gently took her hand.

When my fingertips touched her hand, it was ice cold and trembling slightly, and I knew that this girl was extremely nervous.

He softened his tone, smiling as he whispered, "Forgot? You should call me husband."

Cai Wan's face instantly turned bright red, the redness extending all the way to her ears, and even her neck turned pink.

She lowered her head and after a long while, she managed to squeeze out a soft and light "husband" from her throat. After saying it, she wished she could bury her face in her chest and dare not look up at him.

Liu Ce was amused by her shy appearance.

He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, lifting her face so she could look at him, and said softly, "Don't be nervous, I don't eat people."

His hands were broad and warm, and his tone was full of gentleness, without the slightest hint of coercion.

Cai Wan looked into his eyes, which held none of the sharpness she displayed in court, only tenderness and pity.

The tension and anxiety I felt earlier dissipated almost instantly.

Liu Ce laughed and picked her up horizontally, walked to the bedside, sat down, and placed her on his lap.

He took her hand and said to her, word by word, "Once you've stepped through this door, you're mine. From now on, with me by your side, don't be afraid or reserved. Just stay peacefully by my side, and you won't have to worry about anything."

Cai Wan leaned against him, listening to the strong heartbeat in his chest, her nose tingled, and tears almost fell.

All the anxiety I felt before entering the mansion vanished at this moment.

She looked up at Liu Ce, her eyes glistening with tears, and whispered, "My lord, this is my first time, I know nothing. If I've done anything wrong, please don't be offended..."

"Silly girl." Liu Ce lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, chuckling softly, "With me here, take it slow."

He gently kissed her lips, tenderly and lingeringly.

Cai Wan was initially so nervous that her whole body was tense, and she even breathed very softly.

Under Liu Ce's gentle guidance, she gradually let down her guard and responded to his kiss with a mix of awkwardness and courage, gently wrapping her arms around his neck.

The curtains slowly fell, blocking out the warm light that filled the room.

It was her first time, and her movements were tinged with awkwardness and restraint, but more than anything, they showed complete surrender to the man before her.

Soft whispers and moans mingled with warm breaths in the quiet bedroom.

Liu Ce's actions were always gentle and full of pity, and he did not let her suffer any grievances.

A night of tenderness, a warm spring night in the tent.