Chapter 19: Suspicious Stains

Chapter 19

Suspicious Stains

The Empress Dowager observed Nie Shuang carefully. Though delicate, she carried herself with a grace that rivaled that of a man. The Empress Dowager instructed her to lift her head, and upon seeing her face clearly, she couldn’t help but admire her. Her features were radiant—her forehead smooth and curved, her face strikingly beautiful. It was the look of a woman with great fortune, one who would undoubtedly bring prosperity to her family. The Empress Dowager exclaimed,

“How beautiful!”

“You are indeed fortunate, General Song!”

The Emperor added, also impressed by her face. If he had encountered her first, he would have brought her into the palace without concern for her birth. Among all the concubines in the palace, never had anyone been praised by the Emperor for their beauty. He was curious how someone as delicate as she could fight off a man and save the princess, but there was no doubt she had piqued his interest. The distorted rumors about her also intrigued him, so he invited her for conversation.

“I have heard that you are the daughter of a merchant. During the last war, your father supplied provisions to the army, allowing our Ye Region to achieve victory. Your father did not ask to reclaim those supplies, preventing the royal treasury from running dry. That is a great merit indeed. How should we repay your father?”

Nie Shuang considered this. Her father wasn’t in need of anything. After all, what he had gained from supplying the army was General Song as a son-in-law, which, in his eyes, was a fair trade. If she asked for more, it would only bring trouble.

“Your Majesty, my father is but a merchant who has grown wealthy under the protection of Da Ye lands. Despite the constant wars, the imperial grace spared the people from excessive taxes. It was only right for him to support the imperial army in defense of the realm, and not something that should be considered a special merit.”

“So, your marriage to General Song—was that your father’s doing as well?”

Seeing how eloquently she spoke, the Emperor decided to tease her, curious to hear her response.

Nie Shuang responded with a wide smile, her voice loud and clear.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The General was not willing at all. But for the sake of his subordinates’ lives, he sacrificed himself, demonstrating his greatness as both a noble and a General. My father, being a merchant, naturally presented an offer that benefited him. Luckily, General Song is broad-minded, does not hold grudges, and does not let his noble lineage become a barrier. He graciously agreed to marry me and has treated me with kindness. In truth, it is I who am fortunate, Your Majesty.”

Her answer was honest, showing no shame in admitting she had gained from the arrangement, a truth everyone already knew. Instead of dodging or denying it, she highlighted Song Qilin’s virtues, portraying him as a worthy husband. This was the way to bolster her own position.

Song Qilin felt a warmth spread through his chest as he listened. Despite knowing he had initially treated her with disdain, intending to get back at her and her father, she still praised him in front of the entire court.

The Emperor chuckled. This young woman had a sharp tongue but managed to flatter without being offensive. Her beauty was striking, and even the stone-faced General Song seemed enchanted by her. Clearly, the father-daughter duo of the Nie family was not to be underestimated. Pleased with her demeanor, the Emperor granted Nie Ran the honorary title of ’Chenggong,’ to ensure that no one would ever belittle her family’s background again.

Those who had once mocked General Song for marrying his wife must now be feeling a bitter taste in their hearts. What a blessing it would be to have a wife as beautiful as a flower and a father-in-law as wealthy as a king. No one cared about her low birth anymore; they only knew that she was favored by the Emperor and had saved Princess An Le. Who would dare to mistreat her in the future? A woman who was both graceful and had the fortune to uplift her husband—such a woman was truly a blessing to possess!

When Nie Shuang returned to her seat, the moment she had been waiting for finally arrived—the royal banquet food! Neither the Emperor’s conversation nor the imperial reward given to her father made her as happy as finally being able to eat. Palace maids began bringing out dishes, and the aroma was mouthwatering. Nie Shuang’s stomach instantly growled in response.

Though the event had begun with unexpected drama, the atmosphere had now turned festive and the conversation became lively once more. This time, those seated beside her began to initiate conversation. The tides of court politics certainly shifted quickly.

Song Qilin began serving her food. Noticing what she enjoyed, he even gave her his portion. Nie Shuang glanced at him seriously.

“There’s no need to be grateful, General. I don’t think you’re that kind. What I said earlier was just to help you save face.”

She had to say something! The way he was looking at her with such sweetness—what if he got any ideas tonight? She definitely didn’t want to end up hurt again.

Song Qilin nearly choked on his own thoughts. The warm, sweet feelings in his heart were almost destroyed by her words. Yet, he didn’t get angry at her...

“Eat more. You were targeted because of me.”

He lowered his gaze and responded in a solemn tone, as if to imply that his kindness was driven by guilt. Nie Shuang felt reassured by this, so she nodded and continued eating. The palace food was intricate and beautifully presented, though the flavors were mild. The texture was soft, and each bite was made with the finest, freshest ingredients. She closed her eyes, savoring the taste, and her expression was one of pure satisfaction.

Seeing her like this, Song Qilin couldn’t help but smile to himself...

Nie Shuang drank several glasses of fruit wine, her cheeks turning rosy, making her look even more adorable. Song Qilin’s heart skipped a beat as he watched her, but when she asked a maid to pour her another cup, he placed his hand over her cup, stopping her.

“Too much, and you’ll end up drunk.”

Nie Shuang didn’t argue. She wasn’t sure how this new body would handle alcohol, and if she ended up causing a scene, it would certainly ruin the good reputation she had just built.

On the way back, as soon as they got into the carriage, Song Qilin pulled her onto his lap. Nie Shuang sat rigidly, not daring to move, fearing that any noise from the carriage would be heard outside. Song Qilin leaned down, nestling his face into the crook of her neck, his breath warm against her skin.

“Are you drunk?”

She asked, trying to keep calm. He was silent for a moment before answering in a hoarse whisper,

“Nie Shuang...move to live with me in the Xu Yang Quarters.”

Nie Shuang froze.

“No.”

Was he mad!? If she moved there, she would surely be at his mercy day and night. She wasn’t that foolish.

When he remained silent, creating an awkward tension, she added,

“I’m used to living at Lian Fang Quarters. It’s peaceful and quiet there.”

Song Qilin didn’t respond. He simply held her in silence.

Nie Shuang was a little tipsy. As he held her comfortably in his arms, she quickly fell asleep, unaware of how many times he secretly kissed her smooth cheeks and soft lips. By the time they got off the carriage, her lips were swollen. He carried her, still sound asleep, back to the lonely Lian Fang Quarters.

As they walked, Song Qilin kept thinking about her refusal. He had treated her so poorly, telling her she was nothing more than an outlet for his release. How could she ever agree to move in with him?

Now, he wanted to be with her as husband and wife, to leave their conflicts behind. Even if it meant accepting someone like Nie Ran as his father-in-law, swallowing the harsh words he had once spoken, or having a child for the man he hated—it was all for her. He believed that only by showing her his true intentions could she forgive him. Though he said nothing, Song Qilin was determined to make that happen.

A man like him, once he set his sights on something, would never give up. There was no way she could escape his grasp.

Xiao San, groggy from sleep, came to open the door. Seeing Song Qilin startled her, and seeing Nie Shuang unconscious in his arms made her even more worried.

"What happened to the Young Furen!?"

She asked anxiously, hurrying to lead the way inside.

"She’s only passed out from drinking,"

He said calmly, laying her small figure down on the bed and starting to undress her. Noticing Xiao San’s wary gaze, he ordered sternly,

"Go fetch some water to wipe her down."

Xiao San returned with the water, seeing the Young Furen covered under a blanket and the General still sitting at the bedside. She wrung out the cloth, intending to serve her mistress, but the General took the cloth from her hands.

"You may leave,"

He commanded, then pulled back the blanket. Xiao San, seeing her mistress naked and unconscious, was deeply concerned. But the General showed no signs of lust; he simply wiped her down. Relieved, Xiao San left the room and closed the door.

Once alone, Song Qilin’s breath grew heavier, and his pupils shrank as he stared, entranced by the beautiful figure before him. Her skin was pale and flawless, her breasts full and round beyond her petite frame. Her waist was slim, her hips wide, and her body shaped like an hourglass. Her legs were long, and the delicate curve of her womanhood was as smooth and plump as a ripe peach. He swallowed hard.

Xiao San, unable to sleep, waited for a full two hours. When the lights in the room finally went out and the General left the quarters, she locked the door behind him and peeked into the room to check on her mistress. Seeing that she was still sound asleep, Xiao San returned to bed.

The next morning, Nie Shuang woke up groggily, rubbing her eyes. She noticed her body was covered in kiss marks, even in the most private places. Her face alternated between pale and flushed. She recalled having strange dreams the previous night. Could he have taken advantage of her in her sleep? Yet, her body didn’t feel sore, suggesting he hadn’t gone that far. But her soft hands were red, as if they had been tightly gripped, and there were suspicious stains on the bed sheets...

That pervert! Don’t tell her he used her hands for that!Nie Shuang let out a scream, calling for Xiao San to bring water immediately so she could wash her hands!