Chapter 21: Can’t Wait Any Longer

Chapter 21

Can’t Wait Any Longer

Nie Shuang wanted to cry, but no tears came...

She ate her meal without tasting it, only noticing after Xiao Tong cleared the table that Song Qilin had been quietly watching her.

He was dressed in a bright blue robe, exuding a clean, fresh scent. His handsome face, like a finely sculpted statue, carried the natural aura of a warrior. Just his presence filled the room with an undeniable air of authority, making it impossible for people to ignore him. But no matter how desirable he might be to other women, Nie Shuang knew this life wasn’t for her. She preferred making her way in the world, using her talents to the fullest.

"General, you’re done eating. Aren’t you going back to your quarters to rest?"

She asked, indirectly telling him to leave. He stood up to his full height, making the room feel significantly smaller, and extended his hand toward her.

"Let’s go to bed,"

He said vaguely, his low, velvety voice full of allure. Nie Shuang ignored his hand and stood as well, meeting his gaze with a serious expression.

"General, let’s make things clear between us!"

"Alright,"

He agreed easily. She led him into the bedroom for more privacy, but as soon as they crossed the threshold, he wrapped his arms around her from behind. Startled, Nie Shuang instinctively threw the tall man to the floor.

Thud!

Song Qilin, now lying on the floor, looked up at her in surprise.

"How did you do that?"

He was a large, strong man trained in martial arts, and she, a delicate woman, had just thrown him down!

"Show me again."

He stood up and embraced her from behind once more.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! ...

Each time he got up to hug her, she threw him down again without him asking, considering it to vent her frustrations. Xiao San, standing outside the room, widened her eyes.

Oh heavens! W...What is the General doing to the Young Furen? Why is it so intense? She couldn’t hear the Young Furen at all. Could it be...

Before Xiao San’s thoughts could run wild, she heard Nie Shuang’s laughter.

"Had enough, General?"

He stood up, stretching, and muttered to himself softly.

"So, it’s all about the balance of weight. You used your hips as the pivot point. No wonder you could throw an opponent with such little effort. This must be the same technique you used to help Princess An Le that day, isn’t it?"

Nie Shuang merely smiled faintly, offering no further explanation. But her expression carried a hint of pride, as if daring him to try touching her again!

Song Qilin smiled secretly, having memorized the moves in his mind. In fact, he had memorized it after the first two throws. But he had allowed her to toss him a few more times just to stay close to her. Seeing her look so triumphant amused him, but he said nothing to ruin the moment.

"Alright, I think we can get to the main point now, right?"

Nie Shuang began, slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed from exertion. She walked over to sit at the table and calmly poured herself some tea. Song Qilin followed her, sitting across from her. He naturally took the tea she had poured for herself and sipped it, as if expecting such service. Nie Shuang felt a pang of annoyance but quietly refilled her cup, maintaining her composure. Then, with a businesslike tone, she spoke again.

"General, my background is in no way suitable for someone like you. You are a General, the heir of Yong An Hou..."

Nie Shuang began, but before she could finish, he interrupted.

"That’s right. Marrying me is a blessing for you,"

He stated, as if this were a fact beyond dispute.

Arrogant fool! She cursed inwardly but kept her tone pleasant as she continued.

"But you never agreed to this marriage willingly. It was my father who took advantage and pressured you. So..."

"Exactly as you said. I’m generous, so I don’t hold it against you,"

He replied, sipping his tea with a small smile, as if playing the role of a forgiving elder. Nie Shuang frowned. What’s wrong with him? She was offering him an out, giving him a reason to divorce her and marry someone of noble birth.

"If you’re thinking of divorcing me..."

"Nie Shuang..." He cut her off again. "It seems your lineage has always been a burden on your mind. I understand that. But don’t belittle yourself. I don’t hold it against you, so you can rest easy."

Your father might! This isn’t my inferiority complex! I have no problem with my origins at all. It’s obvious that you’re the one who had looked down on me from the beginning!

Nie Shuang felt the urge to shout, but she forced herself to swallow her anger.

"To be honest, I don’t wish to stay with you, and I certainly don’t want to follow you to the border. You should give up on that idea."

His hands clenched under his sleeves, but his eyes remained soft.

"You are my principal wife. I know I’ve caused you pain, but when a husband and wife live together, there are conflicts. I apologize for making you feel inferior, and when I said you were nothing but a relief for me, that wasn’t how I truly felt."

In truth, Song Qilin had been shocked when she mentioned divorce but had tried to hide his reaction. Previously, he had wanted nothing more than to drive her away. Now, just hearing her say she would leave him was unbearable.

"As for serving me, if you’re still not comfortable with it, I won’t force you. And about going to the border—if you don’t like it once you’re there, you can return. Why not give yourself a chance? You’ll have more freedom there than here in the capital. You could explore new places; wouldn’t that be better?"

He was using the tactic of retreating to advance. His original plan for the evening had been to get close to her, but her firm stance changed that. Forced affection wouldn’t make her open up to him.

Nie Shuang knew then that he wouldn’t let her go. If he had agreed to a peaceful divorce, it wouldn’t be a problem. But since that wasn’t the case, she would have to run away and live her own life. Outwardly, she pretended to agree so as not to raise his suspicions.

Seeing her calm down, Song Qilin stood up.

"I won’t pressure you. If you change your mind, you can find me at Xu Yang Quarters."

With that, he turned to leave. Once he was gone, Nie Shuang stuck her tongue out at his broad back.

Hah! As if that’s ever going to happen. She had already decided to escape for sure.

The next day, she went to pay her respects to the Elder Furen to ask permission to visit her family. When Xu Shi saw Nie Shuang coming to see her, she engaged her in pleasant conversation. She asked about the events in the palace and congratulated Nie Shuang on her father’s receiving an honorary title.

"Nie Shuang is here to see you regarding that, actually. Since His Majesty bestowed such an honor upon my father, I haven’t had the chance to tell him in person. So, I thought I’d bring a gift to congratulate him myself."

Xu Shi, upon hearing this, ordered her servants to bring out gifts for Nie Shuang and also conveyed her congratulations to Nie Shuang’s father. This time, Nie Shuang left the manor without having to summon a carriage—just stepping out of the gates, she found a luxurious carriage from the General’s manor waiting for her. Leaving the manor today, she carried more prestige than when she had entered as a bride.

Nie Patriarch had been busy since the previous day. Somehow, word had spread, and people kept bringing gifts to congratulate him. When he saw Nie Shuang visiting, he was overjoyed. He didn’t even mention the honorary title he had just received but instead asked about his daughter with concern.

"Is the General treating you well?"

Seeing his daughter looking well, Nie Ran was reassured. He didn’t know the details of what had happened in the palace, only that his daughter had been given the opportunity to meet the Emperor, exchanged several words with him, and that her father had been bestowed an honorary title.

After speaking with Nie Ran for a while, Nie Shuang excused herself to visit her mother. Xiao Yi Niang was overjoyed to see her daughter, gently helping her sit down and lovingly stroking her hair. Once her mother had calmed down, Nie Shuang spoke.

"Mother, I’ve brought the deeds to some shops for you to manage."

As she spoke, Nie Shuang handed over the deeds to the shops she had received as part of her dowry. Xiao Yi Niang had only one daughter, and with Nie Shuang planning to run away, she felt deeply guilty toward her mother. At the very least, she thought leaving her mother with profitable shops would give her something to rely on in the future. However, Xiao Yi Niang simply smiled and pushed her hand away.

"My dear, I know you’re worried, but you’re overthinking it. Your father has already taken care of everything. Even after he’s gone, I won’t be left in hardship. You keep these for yourself."

Nie Shuang, unwilling to say more and raise suspicion, took back the deeds. After leaving the Nie family mansion, she instructed the coachman to head to Tianfu Restaurant. As soon as the carriage of the General’s manor arrived, the waiter rushed out to greet her. Seeing her, he bowed happily.

"Young Furen, this way, please."

It was none other than Da Shi! He eagerly led her to a private room on the second floor. Once seated, Xiao San couldn’t help but whisper.

"Young Furen, coming here today—you aren’t planning something again, are you?"

Nie Shuang smiled and playfully scolded in a low voice,

"You think you know everything!"

After finishing her meal, she continued sipping tea, waiting for the lunchtime crowd to die down. Once it was quieter, she called for the bill. Da Shi reappeared, and since the restaurant was no longer busy, she asked him to sit down for a conversation.

"Da Shi, what are your life goals?"

Da Shi was a quick thinker. As soon as he heard her question, he understood her intent and immediately bowed his head to the floor.

"Thank you, Young Furen, for your kindness. Though I’m lowly, I don’t plan on being a waiter for the rest of my life. If Young Furen is willing to support me, I’ll gladly face any challenge you set before me."

Having met her only a few times, Da Shi already knew that she was generous and clever. Looking back, he finally understood why she had ordered so much food from Tianfu Restaurant that it sparked rumors back then. As someone who worked in a renowned establishment, he was privy to much of the gossip in the capital. The Young Furen was a skilled woman, and in a short while, her status made no one dare looking down on her. Following such a master would surely lead to a prosperous future. Staying at Tianfu Restaurant, on the other hand, would only keep him as a waiter for the next ten years.

"You are right. I intend to bring you on board to work for me. Do you have a family? If you decide to follow me, you’ll need to leave this capital city. Are you still willing?"

Da Shi considered for a moment before replying,

"I have many siblings. If I leave, they can still take care of our parents. As long as I can send money back, they won’t be in any trouble."

"You don’t need to worry about that. If you decide to work for me, this sum of money will be yours, a guarantee for those you leave behind."

Nie Shuang placed a promissory note on the table and slid it over to Da Shi. He took it, his eyes widening in surprise. This much money! Even if he were to die, he wouldn’t have to worry about his family! He quickly bowed to her repeatedly, expressing his gratitude.

Nie Shuang then took an envelope from her sleeve.

"This is the first task I need you to complete. Prepare everything thoroughly. I will see how well you handle it. Since you’ve decided to work for me, as long as you remain loyal, I will ensure your success. Your future will not be difficult."

Da Shi reached out to take the envelope and promised,"Young Furen, rest assured, Da Shi will not disappoint you."