Chapter 13: Preparing

Chapter 13

Preparing

Elder Furen Xu Shi summoned Nie Shuang to meet her at the Li Shui Quarters, her residence. Upon arriving, Nie Shuang found Xu Shi seated among various items and boxes, surrounded by a large group of servants treating her with utmost respect. Nie Shuang bowed politely, and Xu Shi motioned for her to sit by her side before speaking.

“Nie Shuang, today I’ve called the tailors from Fu Chang Lou to measure you. Choose a fabric pattern you like, and I’ll have them rush to make a gown in time for the banquet at the palace.”

Nie Shuang glanced at the neatly stacked fabrics on the table, reaching out to touch them gently. Each was made of fine material with exquisite patterns. She quickly decided on a light blue fabric, aiming for a fresh look without drawing too much attention. Xu Shi, satisfied with her swift and appropriate choice, then led her to choose jewelry. However, Nie Shuang politely declined.

“I’ll wear the Hetian jade jewelry I received during the tea ceremony. That will be enough.”

“That won’t do,” Xu Shi replied sternly. “You are my daughter-in-law. Attending a grand event like this, you must not be outshone by others. Look at this.”

Xu Shi opened a box of pearl jewelry, revealing large, lustrous pearls the size of cherries. The set included hairpins, dangling pins, earrings, and a matching necklace. Seeing her mother-in-law so eager, Nie Shuang didn’t argue and accepted the gift, refraining from opening any other boxes.

Xu Shi was pleased with her restraint, noting Nie Shuang’s lack of greed or excitement, so she offered several more sets of jewelry.

“In case you need them for other occasions, keep them.”

Seeing that Xu Shi genuinely wanted to give these gifts, Nie Shuang accepted them without protest. She then stood as the tailors began taking her measurements. Once the tailors had left and she was preparing to leave, Xu Shi stopped her.

“Nie Shuang, I’ve heard that Qilin hasn’t been visiting you at your residence?”

Nie Shuang pretended to look uncomfortable, lowering her gaze to the floor as she softly replied,

“That’s correct.”

Xu Shi sighed heavily.

“Sigh, that son of mine, so full of stubborn pride.” Then she turned to scold Nie Shuang, “And you, when he doesn’t visit, why don’t you make the effort to please him? I understand there’s not much you can do about this situation, but as husband and wife, you both must support each other to maintain this marriage. If you continue living separately, how will you ever produce heirs for the family?”

At that moment, a maid entered, carrying a bowl of nourishing soup.

“Nie Shuang, take this soup to him at Xu Yang Quarters. Stay and have lunch with him there. Don’t rush back.”

Nie Shuang frowned slightly. She had no desire to visit that General. Her mother-in-law had many good qualities, but she was overly concerned with meddling in her son’s marital affairs. Yet Nie Shuang couldn’t refuse, so she took the bowl of soup and bid farewell to Xu Shi.

Luckily, Xu Yang Quarters wasn’t far. Nie Shuang had a servant guide her to the study. This was her first time visiting the place. As expected for the eldest son’s residence, it was expansive, well-ventilated, and filled with top-quality furnishings. A servant stationed outside the door went in to inform the man inside.

“The Young Furen is here to see you.”

“I’m not seeing guests!”

He replied without a second thought. The servant leaned in to whisper,

“She was sent by the Elder Furen to bring you nourishing soup, Young Master.”

Song Qilin frowned but reluctantly nodded his approval.

Nie Shuang entered the room with Xiao San, carrying the bowl of soup and setting it down on Song Qilin’s desk.

"General, here is your soup."

Song Qilin didn’t respond, his expression cold and distant, even more so than the last time they had met. In the past, he had at least shown some anger, but this time, there wasn’t even a flicker of emotion. It was as if she were invisible, mere air to him.

Oh...so he wanted to play mind games with her, did he?

Nie Shuang acted as though she didn’t care. As she prepared to leave the room, his deep voice cut through the silence.

“Don’t think that currying favor with my mother will make me pay attention to you.”

Wait! Who said she wanted his attention?

A smile played on her lips as she spoke, without turning back.

“Perhaps you should tell that to your mother. Nie Shuang didn’t want to come here either!”

Song Qilin hadn’t expected her to retort like that.

“Nie Shuang! You!”

But she continued, undeterred.

“It’s better for us to live separately. And if it weren’t for your duties, I wouldn’t want to go to the palace banquet either. Shouldn’t you be the one thanking me for that?”

It would have been fine if she hadn’t said anything, but the moment she uttered the words, he was instantly furious. He had spent a great deal of time and effort on this banquet, even going as far as asking his mother to arrange her clothing and requesting his childhood friend, Chen Yuelan, to help Nie Shuang with etiquette lessons. Yet here she was, acting as if she had done him a favor.

“Nie Shuang. Do you even know what the imperial palace represents? Countless people dream of setting foot inside, and they never get the chance. If it weren’t for your connection to me, a merchant’s daughter like you would never get to step foot in the palace in this lifetime!”

Nie Shuang snorted. The imperial palace? There wasn’t a place on earth she hadn’t been! She had probably seen more of the world than he ever had. Speaking of the imperial palace! She had taken foreign business partners on tours, watched films, and even seen a lot of historical documentaries about palaces. What was there to be excited about!? But she had no interest in arguing with him.

“Fine, then. I won’t go! I don’t want to be indebted to you!”With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Song Qilin standing there, his face as dark as an angry demon guarding a gate.