Chapter 20: Moving Forward

Chapter 20

Moving Forward

This wouldn’t do!

Her escape plan couldn’t be delayed any longer. The General was acting stranger by the day.

Nie Shuang had never shared her escape plan with anyone, not even with Xiao San and Xiao Tong. But now, she needed to prepare them mentally for what was to come. The two maids were wide-eyed with shock upon hearing her thoughts, never imagining any woman would think of such a thing.

"But, Young Furen...living here is quite comfortable, isn’t it? And the General...hasn’t been bothering you lately, has he?"

Xiao San timidly objected. She wanted to tell her mistress that the General seemed to care about her quite a bit. But Nie Shuang, hearing Xiao San’s words, snorted in response.

Not bothering her, huh!? The marks on her body weren’t proof enough!? Nie Shuang blushed, not wanting to explain the situation to her maids.

He had only been leaving her alone for now, but what about later!? Sure...he was an incredibly handsome man and skilled in certain things, but he was too big and too...uh...strong. If she stayed, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to handle him. Besides, his family didn’t seem particularly fond of her. The servants were all two-faced, pretending to be respectful but full of deceit. And there were the two concubines, not to mention other women he might marry in the future. She had no intention of sharing a husband. However, seeing her two old-fashioned maids looking disapproving, she decided to recount yesterday’s events with a bit of embellishment.

"Look at it this way, the life of a merchant doesn’t usually involve this much danger. The General’s manor isn’t the place for me. If it weren’t for my good fortune in running into Princess An Le yesterday, who knows what would have happened to me? Wouldn’t I be branded a loose woman and thrown out of the house in disgrace? These highborn people see my life as nothing more than an ant’s. Even if I were truly innocent, no one would fight for my justice. In fact, they’d be glad to see me crushed."

Xiao San and Xiao Tong were silent. In truth, aside from the hollow prestige, the General’s manor wasn’t much better than the Nie family mansion. As long as they had enough money to live comfortably, why risked their lives and stayed in a place where they were looked down upon? Both girls were still young, and their views weren’t deeply ingrained like those of the older generation. However, the idea that a woman could leave and fend for herself was still shocking to them.

"Will you inform Nie Patriarch about this, then?"

Xiao Tong asked, thinking that Nie Patriarch would never agree. Getting this son-in-law had come at no small cost.

Nie Shuang shook her head.

"You two must promise to keep this a secret and help me."

Though they didn’t fully agree, the young maids dared not refuse and nodded their heads like chickens pecking at rice.

The next day, news of what happened in the palace spread throughout the manor. It was said that the Young Furen had saved Princess An Le and had earned the Emperor’s favor. Her father, Nie Ran, was even bestowed the honorary title of ‘Chenggong’ by the Emperor.

Though the high-ranking members of the household had yet to react, the servants had already started behaving differently. That morning, Nie Shuang’s breakfast included a special addition of bird’s nest soup. The cook sent word through Xiao Tong that if she needed anything special, she could ask anytime. After finishing her breakfast, there was a commotion outside. When she went to see, she found a procession of servants carrying fine furniture and expensive decorations. It was by order of the General to redecorate the Young Furen’s quarters.

Nie Shuang raised her hand to her forehead.

What should I do...?

She sent A’Yi to find out when the General would be returning to the border. He had been in the capital for quite a while now, hadn’t he? It had been nearly three months since their marriage. The answer she received brought her relief.

In just a month and a half, he would leave. Once he was gone, she would find a way to escape this place.

Nie Shuang was in a good mood all day.

That evening, Song Qilin, freshly bathed and smelling fragrant, came to her quarters.

"I’m here to have dinner with you,"

He said in his usual calm tone, showing no particular affection toward her. It was as if coming to dine here was part of his daily routine.

"General, I didn’t inform the kitchen. I’m afraid there won’t be enough food."

"I’ve already ordered it. From now on, dinner will be served here every day."

He sat elegantly at the dining table, uninvited. Nie Shuang had no way to refuse. Even though she sulked and glared at him, Song Qilin was completely unfazed. During dinner, she deliberately ignored him, and he remained silent, adhering to the old saying that one should not talk while eating. However, out of the blue, he spoke up as if something had just crossed his mind.

"In a month and a half, I’ll be returning to the border."

"Oh,"

Nie Shuang replied indifferently. Whether he stayed or left had nothing to do with her.

"I’m taking you with me."

Pfffftttt.

“Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough.”

She spat out the food in her mouth, coughing so hard she thought her lungs might burst. Her table manners were completely thrown out the window, yet he didn’t seem irritated in the slightest. In fact, his handsome face held a hint of a smile as he pretended to pat her back gently.

What kind of joke was this!? Going to the border with him? In his dreams! There was no way she was following him!

As if he could read her thoughts, Song Qilin spoke in a calm, steady voice.

"There’s nothing to be afraid of. The city there is safe, not far from the military camp. I’ll be able to come back and see you often."

Nie Shuang coughed until her eyes watered, her expression like someone who had just been tormented by him.

This was exactly why she didn’t want to go.It seemed she would have to move her escape plans up even sooner!