Chapter 190: Chapter 190: Marriage Stone

Translator: 549690339

This thing had no markings, and no obvious way to open it.

What is it?

After spending some time examining it to no avail, Zhuang Qingning had no choice but to ask Mr. Five for answers.

“This is a Marriage Stone, it sets you on your path to matrimony.”

What on earth is that?

Zhuang Qingning tried to keep her jaw from dropping, and it took some time for her to recover from the shock.

This… this can’t be right, right? She was still a single woman in her last life, yearning for a sweet and romantic relationship, true. But here, she’s merely a teenage girl. Discussing my fate this early, is that appropriate?

It’s not!

“The Marriage Stone doesn’t mean you should immediately start considering marriage. It is auto-generated by the system because it detects the potential relationship in your future.”

“The Marriage Stone will not affect your daily life or any other tasks. It will only give you certain love-related tasks at the right time and place.” “Similarly, romantic tasks, like any other missions given by the system, will bring rewards for you. Given that these tasks might be special occasions, the rewards may also be more significant.”

It’s cool that this could bring hefty rewards, but what if this Marriage Stone messes things up?

Wouldn’t it end up getting me killed?

Zhuang Qingning furrowed her brows, weighing her options between achieving life’s peak early and the matter of marriage.

Can it be smashed?

Earning money and reaching the peak of life is the most important thing, as far as “marriage,” it’s merely icing on the cake, not an essential lifeline. She would, or would not, whatever.

“You can.”

Bring me a hammer!

“But after being smashed, the Marriage Stone will regenerate once the system detects your love path again and will continue to assign tasks…”

So it’s impossible to smash it in the first place, and you had the nerve to say it could be smashed?

“Yes, it can be smashed, and could be smashed, it’s just that it can regenerate after it was smashed. You just asked if it could be smashed, you didn’t ask if it will reappear after being smashed.”

That’s true, there’s no problem with that!

She did not ask it that way. Mr. Five scored full marks in reading comprehension, huh!

So this thing.

Zhuang Qingning pondered for a moment and then temporarily abandoned the idea of looking for a hammer.

Since she can’t get rid of it, she might as well see what kind of person is on the other end of this relationship line. If it’s not good, then just don’t do it. Not doing the task only means losing some progress towards the peak of life. She could crawl to it slowly like a snail if needed.

“Ahem, friendly reminder…”

If it doesn’t work out, she could just self-destruct. Go to hell with this stupid Marriage Stone.

Mr. Five nearly choked on his words and swallowed back his statement after some thought.

Enforcing relationship tasks would be a destructive decision, especially when dealing with a host who’s a thorn in the side. It would be the first system to push a host to death!

Then where would it put its face? Perhaps it won’t be able to hold its head high…

Anyway, there’s plenty of time. What if the other end of the relationship line is just the host’s type? What if she saw the light someday? What if the host was swayed by the task rewards….

So, before the last step, there is no need to mention all of these “unnecessary” tips to avoid affecting the system, oh no, the host’s journey to the top of life. What were you about to say just now?

Zhuang Qingning mentally sent the inquiry when she came back to her senses.

“No, nothing, I just wanted to remind the host to remember to unlock the primary recipe for fried tofu skin to avoid missing the daily refresh time.” Hmm, this is the real thing; as for the “relationship path”, we will leave it for later. Let’s see.

Zhuang Qingning put away her random thoughts, unlocked and redeemed the recipe for fried tofu skin, and started thinking about adding new products to the tofu shop.

Qingzhuyuan.

During lunchtime, Chu Jinnian, Chu Jinzhou, and Fan Wenxuan were dining in the flower hall.

The meal included tofu meatbail soup, celery and ham braised tofu, simmered shredded dried tofu, cold mixed soybean sprouts and Enoki mushrooms, stir-fry spicy sour mung bean sprouts, and a dish of steamed sea bass.

All were home-style dishes with relatively light flavors.

“Hmm, it’s the tofu from the shop we usually go to.” Fan Wenxuan took a sip of the tofu soup and smacked his lips, “I heard from Steward Ning that the shop had closed a few days ago. Did it reopen recently?”

Considering the strange incidents that only Ning Feng and himself were aware of, he had told Wenxuan the truth. Supposedly to avoid further complications, he only mentioned that the shop had been closed, and they couldn’t get any tofu.

“It seems so.” Chu Jinnian lowered his head to eat, “I saw the shop was open when I was in town. Knowing that Jinzhou and Sir love it, I asked him to buy some.”

The word “Sir” was apparently added reluctantly.

Hearing this, Fan Wenxuan couldn’t help but smirk.

If that’s so reluctant, there’s no harm in not adding it. After all, with his reputation, it’s not like he doesn’t know what’s going on, he won’t be fooled.

Upon hearing this, Chu Jinzhou, on the other hand, was over the moon.

The underlying meaning in Chu Jinnian’s words was simply passing by the town. The servants had said that he had left in a hurry after breakfast for the town. Clearly, he had gone to the town intentionally.

Saying he got the food knowing Jinzhou and Sir’s preference for it was proof that he was not mad about the incident from last night anymore.

He was not mad at him or Sir.

Chu Jinzhou breathed a sigh of relief and picked up a piece of ham and put it into Chu Jinnian’s bowl: “Big brother, have some food.”

“Hmm.” Chu Jinnian’s mouth hinted at a warm smile, but it faded right away.

He wasn’t sure if this considerate action was because he went to the town to buy their favorite food to satiate their cravings, or because he didn’t resent Fan Wenxuan anymore due to last night’s incident?

Chu Jinnian glanced at Fan Wenxuan.

Fan Wenxuan, who was happily munching away at his food, chewed the mung bean sprouts loudly, occasionally remarking, “This Ruyi dish tastes very good.” Well, his future is bound to be full of obligations, and he will hardly have time to keep Chu Jinzhou company. Given that Chu Jinzhou respects Fan Wenxuan like this, Fan Wenxuan being there will make Chu Jinzhou feel less lonely, which would be a good thing.

Besides, Chu Jinzhou’s defense of Fan Wenxuan shows that Fan Wenxuan takes good care of him and indulges him on a daily basis. Although Fan Wenxuan sometimes acts a bit out of line, he genuinely cares for Chu Jinzhou. At least when he leaves Qingzhuyuan, he can be somewhat relieved.

“Big brother, how long are you planning on staying this time?”

Chu Jinzhou asked with his face upturned.

“This time, I am heading to Shouchun by Imperial decree to investigate the bribery and capital offenses committed by the Magistrate of Shouchun. My companions are en route to Shouchun. Jing Zhao and I have returned early. Considering the timeline, we must leave by tomorrow evening at the latest.” Chu Jinnian said, “This journey to Shouchun will take at least half a month, if not longer, to resolve everything. On our way back to the capital, I can visit you..”