Chapter 31: The Escape

Chapter 31

The Escape

The next morning, the Hou sent for Song Qilin. He kissed the still-sleeping Nie Shuang gently before getting dressed and going to meet his father.

"You want me to visit Ninth Uncle?"

Song Qilin furrowed his brows. Ninth Uncle lived in a different city, and the round trip would take three days. He didn’t want to be away from Nie Shuang for that long.

"Of course! You’re about to get married. If you don’t personally invite Ninth Uncle, how would that look?"

Hearing his father mention the marriage, Song Qilin hid his emotions. After all, he was already planning to run away. If he didn’t go invite the elder, his father might get suspicious. So, he agreed and hurried back to Xu Yang Quarters to prepare for the journey.

When Nie Shuang woke up and saw him busy packing, she immediately knew he was leaving. Tears welled up in her eyes uncontrollably. Song Qilin saw her awake and came over to embrace her.

"Shuang Shuang, I must travel to another city. Father ordered me to invite Ninth Uncle to the wedding. If I don’t go, Father will be suspicious."

Nie Shuang forced a smile.

"You should go. Be careful on the journey."

She warned him with concern, her voice trembling slightly, and her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Seeing this, Song Qilin’s heart softened, and he tightened his embrace, feeling a deep pity for his wife.

"I’ll be back as soon as I can. When I return, we’ll escape together, and we won’t have to part ever again."

He comforted her gently, stroking her soft hair with deep affection. Hearing his words, Nie Shuang couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. She sat up and kissed his face, covering him with her tear-streaked kisses. Song Qilin chuckled softly at her actions, finding them endearing.

"Why are you crying? It’s only three days, and then I’ll be back. Just wait for me here."

After some tender exchanges, Song Qilin finally left. Nie Shuang watched his tall, graceful figure disappear from the room, feeling an emptiness she couldn’t explain. She would never see him again. As soon as he was out of sight, she broke down in uncontrollable sobs.

After a long while, she wiped her tears away and stood up. There was still much to be done.

Once Song Qilin left the manor, the Hou’s men reported to her in full force. Now, she could move her belongings out of the manor openly. Initially, Nie Shuang had arranged six carriages through Da Shi, but now, with the fortune she had received from the Hou, her assets had grown significantly. The Hou himself had provided her with another ten carriages. He even offered her all the servants in Lian Fang Quarters. It could be said that he was very generous to her.

Nie Shuang asked the maids if they wished to follow her. Those who didn’t want to could stay at the General’s manor. Many had no family in the capital and were willing to follow her. Nie Shuang had always been a fair employer, giving tasks based on their abilities. They were valued based on their achievements without any flattery. However, some chose to stay, feeling that life in the General’s manor offered more stability.

Before leaving, Nie Shuang went to bid farewell to Xu Shi. Seeing her delicate, pretty face, Xu Shi felt a deep sense of pity. She gently stroked Nie Shuang’s head with affection, wondering what her daughter-in-law had discussed with the Hou that led to such a sudden departure. Poor Song Qilin—he had grown so fond of this girl in recent months. If he knew she was fleeing in such a secretive manner, how heartbroken he would be.

Nie Shuang respectfully bowed to the Elder Furen with heartfelt gratitude. Though they hadn’t known each other for long, Xu Shi had been kind to her. As she was about to leave, Xu Shi gently held her back.

"Nie Shuang, are you sure you truly want to leave? When Qilin returns and doesn’t find you, he’ll be heartbroken."

Nie Shuang held back her tears, replying without turning around,

"I am not a good person. I am not right for him."

With that, the long line of carriages moved out of the General’s manor.

At the city gates, Da Shi, Wang Dongpo, and the hired guards were already lined up, awaiting her arrival. When Nie Shuang arrived, they reorganized the procession and quickly departed the city. She knew well that three days might not be enough for her to escape. Song Qilin was a General with many eyes and men at his command. If he wanted to investigate, even with the Hou’s efforts to cover her tracks, there was no guarantee she could flee without being found.

For three days, Nie Shuang found no peace of mind. Whenever she had a moment, her thoughts turned to him. She imagined what it would be like when he returned to the manor only to find her gone. Would he be furious with her? Would he think she had deceived and betrayed him? The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.

As for Song Qilin, he traveled without rest, following his father’s orders. Upon reaching his Ninth Uncle’s mansion, he delivered the invitation. Ninth Uncle, who hadn’t seen his nephew in a long time, wanted to chat, but Song Qilin cut him short, explaining that he was in a hurry. He excused himself and quickly set off to return.

On the third day, Song Qilin returned to the manor early in the morning, his heart full of excitement. How overjoyed Nie Shuang would be when she saw him? Just the thought of her smile made him want to fly straight to Lian Fang Quarters. Typically, if he had taken some break along the way, he would have arrived the following day at the earliest. When he reported to his father, the Hou seemed shocked.

"Why are you back so soon? Did you really go to see your Ninth Uncle?"

Song Qilin smiled at his father, his face showing signs of fatigue.

"Yes, I did. Ninth Uncle promised to attend the wedding, and he asked after your health."

The Hou pondered for a moment while Song Qilin started to feel uneasy. He was desperate to return to Nie Shuang, but his father remained silent.

"Qilin, your wife has gone to visit her natal family. She’ll be back in a few days. In the meantime, why don’t you visit Master Chen? The wedding is approaching. See if there’s anything they still need."

Song Qilin agreed easily before excusing himself. In his mind, he didn’t believe his father’s words for a second. On the contrary, suspicion began to creep in.

Nie Shuang wouldn’t have gone to visit her family at this time. His father had never shown interest in such matters before—wherever the daughter-in-law went was usually known only to his mother.

He had only been gone for two days. What had happened while he was away...? Could Shuang Shuang have been wronged in some way?

His handsome face darkened as he hurried toward Lian Fang Quarters.

The small quarters stood alone, evoking feelings of regret every time he saw it. He had once bullied her there, humiliating her so cruelly, even though she was clever and endearing. Reflecting on it now, he felt deeply ashamed.

As he neared the quarters, Song Qilin furrowed his brows.

The quarters was eerily quiet, as if no one lived there. Even if Nie Shuang had gone to visit her natal family, shouldn’t there still be servants around?

He pushed open the door. The quarters was empty, with no sign of anyone. Her bedroom held none of her personal belongings, as though the place had become abandoned.

Song Qilin’s heart constricted with worry. Where had she gone? Was she safe? What had his father done to her...?

Barely able to contain his fear, he rushed back to confront the Hou.

"Father! Where is Nie Shuang!? She didn’t go to her natal family, did she!?"

His voice was harsher than it had ever been when speaking to his father. The Hou, being a man with a temper himself, flared up at his son’s demanding tone.

"Where she goes is none of your concern. You’re about to marry a new principal wife, yet you’re still worrying about that merchant’s daughter!?"

"I’m not marrying anyone! I only want her!"Song Qilin declared fiercely, not caring who might hear him. If anything had happened to Nie Shuang, not even his father would be forgiven!