Chapter 47: Visiting the Manor

Chapter 47

Visiting the Manor

Feng Ying accompanied the General to Huangjing City with a sense of unease. The horse trade was an urgent matter, and if negotiations failed this year, it would make the next battle far more difficult. Moreover, there had been no progress in the search for the Furen in recent days. The General was even more anxious about leaving the military camp, fearing that any clues might be delayed. Throughout the journey, his face remained tense with worry.

The current military situation between the two regions was at a stalemate. The Wei Region had suffered heavy losses in the previous battle, with many of their soldiers wounded or killed. On the Da Ye Region side, the soldiers were unaccustomed to the cold weather, and most of the horses came from the south, causing both the men and the animals to become ill. This led to a temporary ceasefire, with plans to resume fighting next year.

Because they hurried without stopping, they arrived in Huangjing City within twenty days. Song Qilin headed straight to Kang Wang’s palace. On the way, he noticed a tea house adorned with red lanterns, which seemed new to him. Last time he visited Kang Wang, this wasn’t here. Glancing at the sign that read Xiangyun Tea House, he furrowed his brows, thinking it might be the tea house he had heard about—the one selling the expensive Lü Cui tea that he intended to use in the horse negotiations. He might need to ask Kang Wang to help.

Kang Wang was just about to visit the Lady Boss’s mansion. This month, the Qixi Festival, the festival of love, was approaching. Nie Shuang planned to hold a gathering for the teachers and students from the academy. The festival, also known as the Qiqiao Festival or the festival of wisdom, was a perfect opportunity for those pursuing knowledge to pray for wisdom and success in their exams. Upon hearing this, Kang Wang suggested hosting the event at his palace instead.

"The tea house is too small; it can only accommodate a few teachers and students. Why not hold it in my palace, and invite the entire academy? You can manage the tea and food."

Kang Wang understood Nie Shuang’s motives well. She was a delicate woman, but her business acumen was sharp. Seeing the Qixi Festival as an opportunity, she likely intended to link the tea with the seven virtues of wisdom, possibly creating a trend where families with sons entering the academy or preparing for exams would buy her tea as a good luck charm. Today, he was heading to her mansion to discuss this matter. He didn’t mind visiting her—it was, in fact, his idea to offer his assistance. Given her status, Nie Shuang would never be the one to ask to visit him at the palace.

Nie Shuang knew well enough what Kang Wang had in mind, but as long as he didn’t make any overt moves, she remained indifferent. With her wealth and expanding business plans, he was more useful to her as an ally.

When Song Qilin finally arrived, Kang Wang greeted him with a smile. The General still looked weary from his journey, but his eyes were sharp, as if they could pierce into one’s heart.

"Don’t expect me to help with that matter. How could I force someone to sell their goods at a lower price?"

Kang Wang cut in before Song Qilin could even speak. Song Qilin laughed broadly.

"Wuqian, can’t you wait for me to speak first?"

"I’m heading out on business. You’ve just arrived, so rest in the palace. I’ll have accommodation prepared for you."

Song Qilin eyed Kang Wang’s attire with curiosity.

"Going to see a woman?"

This time, Kang Wang laughed.

"Exactly. I’m going to see the person you’re eager to meet."

"The owner of the Lü Cui tea?"

"That’s right."

Song Qilin’s sharp eyes gleamed with interest.

"I’ll go with you! Wuqian, I was in such a hurry this time that I didn’t bring appropriate attire. Can I borrow some of yours?"

Kang Wang smiled and walked over to sit and wait. Before long, Song Qilin emerged, transformed from a travel-worn soldier into a dashing and dignified gentleman. Though his face still bore the tan from the sun, he looked sharp and handsome in his sleek black outfit, walking out with long strides.

"Qilin, let me warn you," Kang Wang said with a grin as they rode in the carriage. "Even if you go yourself, don’t think you’ll succeed in negotiating with her. You’re still far behind her in terms of business acumen."

"Her?"

Song Qilin raised his eyebrows, surprised.

"The one dealing in tea isn’t a man?"

Kang Wang smiled knowingly.

"Don’t underestimate her just because she’s a woman. Her business insight is far sharper than the most seasoned merchants in Huangjing."

Song Qilin scoffed lightly, not feeling worried at all. When it came to wit in talking, no one in the world could outmatch his Shuang Shuang. Before he met her, he thought he was unmatched, but she had defeated him utterly.

The thought brought a sharp pain to his chest. If she hadn’t been so clever, she wouldn’t have outwitted him and escaped. She even orchestrated everything perfectly, using his father, the Hou, to assist her. The Hou had been left with no choice but to hand over a great deal of wealth to her. She wasn’t the weak little lamb he’d thought. If only he’d treated her better from the start, maybe Shuang Shuang wouldn’t have left him. By now, they might have been together with a child...

His eyes grew hot with unshed tears.

"How is your wife?"

Kang Wang asked. The last he’d heard was that Song Qilin had married, but the wedding had been quiet, with hardly anyone invited. Rumor had it that he despised his bride, and people pitied him for having to marry a merchant’s daughter.

"She’s well, waiting for me at the border..."

Song Qilin’s voice trailed off, a lump forming in his throat. Even his closest friend couldn’t know the truth. How many days and nights had he dreamed of seeing her again? Yet in every dream, though she stood before him, he could never reach her.

Seeing his friend’s melancholic expression, Kang Wang didn’t press further. He assumed Song Qilin’s marriage hadn’t gone smoothly. It was a pity—Song Qilin was a perfect man but had ended up with a wife unsuitable for his status. She must have caused him much grief. Kang Wang gave his friend a comforting pat on the shoulder.

They remained silent until they arrived at the mansion. Upon stepping out of the carriage, they learned that the Lady Boss had just left.

"There was an urgent matter at the tea house, so she had to leave unexpectedly. She asked me to offer her apologies to Your Highness and wasn’t sure when she’d return."

The gatekeeper reported the news before they even entered. Kang Wang thought it would be inappropriate to follow her to the tea house. If there was some commotion, his presence would only get in the way and prevent her from handling her business smoothly. Besides, they had already arranged a meeting. She would likely return as soon as her business was finished, so he waved his hand dismissively and said,

"Since I’m already here, I’ll just wait at the pavilion and enjoy some tea."

Song Qilin followed Kang Wang into the mansion, his eyes scanning the surroundings. This Lady Boss was clearly wealthy—this mansion was vast. He imagined she must be a seasoned businesswoman, possibly middle-aged. He guessed that Kang Wang might have his eye on her daughter, given how meticulously he had dressed today.

They arrived at a pavilion by the pond, where Nie Shuang usually receives guests to avoid any scandal. Being a woman on her own, she knew that even the slightest rumor could harm her business, especially in an era when society was strict about traditional customs. She had to be particularly cautious. The pavilion was surrounded by lush greenery, with a nearby pond and a gentle breeze cooling the air. On a hot afternoon like this, the pavilion was far more comfortable than the main building. The Wang and the General sat relaxed, sipping tea served by the maids. It was Song Qilin’s first time tasting this particular tea, and he furrowed his brows.

"This is...?"

"Hong Bao tea,"

Kang Wang replied.

"It’s strong. I’ve never had tea with such rich flavor before."

Song Qilin took another sip of the tea.

"I suppose you haven’t tried Lü Cui tea yet?"

"I’ve only heard people rave about it."

Kang Wang grinned, hinting,

"You can help me evaluate it when the time comes."The underlying meaning was for Song Qilin to also assess the woman he was interested in. The General laughed at his friend. He had never seen Kang Wang behave like this before. If someone could make him act this way, the women of this family must truly be special.