Mid-April.
Chen Jiuyang returned from Mount Shu, his aura much steadier, and his temperament had changed once again.
By the river in Qingzhu Town.
Chen Jiuyang held Yao Zixuan's hand in one, and with the other, he had her by his side as they went for a stroll.
Yao Zixuan was five months pregnant, her belly increasingly prominent, and her disposition had also changed considerably.
The good-natured Zhang Xiuzhen had called Chen Jiuyang multiple times, scolding him:
"You're not home, and your wife misses you terribly. She's secretly shed tears several times. Hurry home and accompany your wife. If anything happens to my unborn grandson, don't even think about coming home."
Upon hearing Zhang Xiuzhen say this on the phone, Chen Jiuyang felt as if struck by lightning. He remained silent for a long time.
For some reason, his heart suddenly began to panic.
Even Chen Jianmin spoke up, saying, "Jiuyang, we know you're busy outside, but we have everything we need at home. Can't we just live a stable life? You're rarely home now, and our daughter-in-law waits for you to return every day."
"You are the pillar of this family; we can't do without you."
At that moment, the thought of Yao Zixuan, waiting for him at home with her belly swollen, silently shedding tears, made Chen Jiuyang's nose sting inexplicably. He immediately rushed back home from Mount Shu.
Looking back at the path time had trodden.
The happiness he had once desired had never been so close.
He could no longer allow his loved ones to wait for his return in solitude.
Perhaps it was time to slow down his pace.
He had returned from the Sharp Blade Legion, having experienced too much hardship in over half a year. Rising from a humble farmer to the Sixth Heavenly Realm King of Long Country in just six months was a feat others couldn't achieve in a lifetime.
If not for the calls from Zhang Xiuzhen and Chen Jianmin, Chen Jiuyang wouldn't have noticed that there were several women at home who loved him deeply and were waiting for him.
Along the way, he had spent little time with his confidantes.
Now, with Yao Zixuan several months pregnant, no matter how high his status or great his power, it was ultimately no match for the comfort and peace of mind of being with his wife by a warm hearth.
Holding Yao Zixuan's hand as they walked, Chen Jiuyang felt an unprecedented sense of peace and contentment.
He would be willing to do this every day.
Yao Zixuan's lips curved into a blissful smile, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons. She said, "I didn't expect Qingzhu Village to become Qingzhu Town in just half a year. It has changed so much."
Chen Jiuyang looked up. Qingzhu Town unfolded before his eyes, with its towering buildings, welcoming all who passed by. In such a short time, the backward and impoverished Qingzhu Village had transformed into a high-end affluent district, resembling a resort.
Cars like Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces, and Bentleys, once considered unattainable by ordinary people, were commonplace here.
Billionaire bosses could be found in abundance, with one easily stumbling upon ten or eight with a single brick.
These dignitaries, upon seeing the Qian King Chen Jiuyang strolling with the Princess Consort Yao Zixuan, bowed respectfully from afar, daring not to offend them.
Even if the news of Yao Zixuan's pregnancy was kept highly secret, it would eventually reach the ears of the people of Qingzhu Town.
The Qian Yuan Army had been disbanded at the beginning of the month, and the Forty-Six Marquises of Feng Province had regained their freedom. However, they had not left; they had all settled within Qingzhu Town. They were on the same side as Chen Jiuyang, and who wouldn't want to ascend to the Heavenly Realm and glimpse the scenery from a higher vantage point?
With the presence of forty-six Marquises presiding over Qingzhu Town, along with the Qingzhu Spirit Immortal, who would dare cause trouble here?
Within Qingzhu Town, Chen Jiuyang was an invincible existence.
The Sword-Wielder of Longjing had visited Qingzhu Town after it was promoted to the Spirit Domain. His battle power, at the Venerable Realm, was directly suppressed to the same Heavenly Realm combat power as Chen Jiuyang.
Within a Spirit Domain, the Domain Lord was invincible; no one could unleash combat power exceeding that of Chen Jiuyang.
This was the primary reason for the ancient traditions of the Five Great Sacred Lands.
Considering many factors, Chen Jiuyang decided to take Yao Zixuan out of the royal residence for a walk. Staying cooped up at home all day was not good for a pregnant woman.
Chen Jiuyang held Yao Zixuan's hand and smiled, saying, "It's a good thing that Qingzhu Town has developed so well."
Yao Zixuan smiled and said, "My sister Yuexian's family has sent some elder scholars to teach at the new school established in town."
As Qingzhu Village transformed into Qingzhu Town, it attracted many dignitaries and wealthy individuals, leading to the construction of new primary, middle, and high schools.
The county seat was also commencing the construction of a new university town, with renowned institutions like Fengcheng Medical College planning to establish new branches here.
Even if Chen Jiuyang abdicated his title, the Qingzhu Spirit Domain alone could continuously foster the prosperity and population growth of Qingzhu Town.
Chen Jiuyang smiled and said, "This is a good thing. When our child is born, they can study here."
As they continued walking, they encountered Hong Baichuan, the magistrate of Ziyang County, and his secretary, Ji Fanghua.
"Jiuyang (Your Highness Prince Qian)!" Ji Fanghua, due to her relationship with Ji Lengyue, addressed him by name, while Hong Baichuan had to respectfully call him Your Highness Prince Qian.
"Sister-in-law."
"Greetings, Princess Consort Xuan."
Chen Jiuyang asked, "What are you doing?"
Ji Fanghua replied, "We just met an entrepreneur investing in Ziyang County and are taking him to see Qingzhu Town."
Hong Baichuan chuckled, "Thanks to Your Highness Prince Qian, the entire Ziyang County has become a sought-after destination. We are so busy that our feet barely touch the ground, with countless enterprises eager to invest in Ziyang County."
"We are almost short of labor in the county. There are over thirty large construction sites, fifty medium-sized ones, and hundreds of small ones currently underway, with a total investment reaching hundreds of billions. In all my years in Ziyang County, I've never seen such a bustling and prosperous Ziyang County."
Chen Jiuyang was somewhat surprised, "So many?"
Ji Fanghua said, "These are just the construction sites currently in progress. Your sister-in-law's pharmaceutical company alone has thousands of employees, with good salaries and benefits, which has led many people who previously worked elsewhere to choose to stay and work in Ziyang County this year."
"If this continues, Ziyang County will change its name next year, from a county-level unit to a city-level unit."
Yao Zixuan smiled softly, "Then you two will be promoted, won't you?"
Hong Baichuan's smile was uncontrollable, "I will never forget your kindness."
Chen Jiuyang looked at the busy, bustling construction sites, feeling a sense of profound emotion, "It's not a wasted life to be able to bring benefits to my hometown."
The Yao family alone is worth hundreds of billions. With a few more wealthy families and large enterprises like the Yao family, the economic development of Ziyang County would truly soar like a rocket.
Chen Jiuyang looked at Hong Baichuan and Ji Fanghua and said, "I have only one request: don't engage in demolition and price gouging. If the local people are left homeless, unable to afford housing, and without a place to live, no matter how high you stand, I can bring you down."
Hong Baichuan's smile froze instantly, and he quickly said, "Your Highness Prince Qian is right. Please rest assured, such a thing will never happen."
Chen Jiuyang looked at Ji Fanghua and said, "Come to our home for dinner tonight. Lengyue doesn't have many relatives here, so feel free to visit our home often when you have time."
Ji Fanghua's smile became even more uncontainable, "Yes, I'll come over after work."
To be invited to the Prince's residence for dinner was something many dignitaries couldn't achieve.
Even Hong Baichuan, the county magistrate who was currently thriving in Ziyang County, could not.