The Lady General’s Absolute Indulgence - Chapter 2

Lady Yang reclined lazily on her chaise longue. Knowing Wan Ning had entered, she let her stand by the doorway in silence, keeping her eyes closed as if she were fast asleep.

It was late autumn, and Wan Ning wore only a thin outer robe. Standing in the draft of the doorway, she was already shivering uncontrollably. Not daring to disturb Lady Yang, she could only shift her feet cautiously.

About an hour passed before Nanny Yang led in a woman whose face gleamed with shrewdness. She whispered into Lady Yang’s ear, “Madam, the person is here.”

Only then did Lady Yang slowly open her eyes. She gestured toward the girl and said simply, “This is the girl. Take a look.”

The woman scrutinized Wan Ning from head to toe. The young girl, dressed so thinly, looked delicate and pitiable; her beautiful eyes were filled with a timid, shy light that seemed to plead for mercy. Having been a human trafficker for many years, the woman had never encountered such a peerless beauty.

The woman held up a single finger and nodded with satisfaction. “Madam Shen, she is indeed worth this much.”

Sensing something was wrong, Wan Ning knit her brows and asked indignantly, “Stepmother, what are you doing?”

Lady Yang rubbed her temples and said indifferently, “Wan Ning, go with her today. Your father has already betrothed you to a family. Once you leave, a doctor will immediately come to treat your mother.”

Wan Ning’s eyes widened in shock. “Stepmother, what do you mean ‘betrothed’? I am already engaged to the Fang family! If you do this, are you not afraid of the neighbors’ gossip?”

“Clatter!” A teacup shattered at Wan Ning’s feet. Lady Yang stood up abruptly, glaring at her. “The one engaged to the Fang family is a daughter of the Shen house, but it was never specified that it had to be you, Shen Wan Ning! Does your mother want medical treatment or not? If you don’t marry off, don’t even dream of getting a doctor for her!”

Wan Ning was speechless with rage. Seizing the opportunity, Nanny Zhang stepped forward and forcefully dragged Wan Ning toward the exit, pinching her waist and arms several times as they went.

Wan Ning struggled to break free from Nanny Zhang’s grip. She knelt before Lady Yang and cried, “Stepmother, I will do as you say, but I want to see the doctor treating my mother with my own eyes.”

Lady Yang waved her hand dismissively. “The doctor will be here shortly. You may catch a glimpse from a distance.”

Wan Ning nodded. Followed closely by Nanny Zhang, she walked slowly toward the back courtyard, fighting back tears as she wondered how she would ever explain this to her mother.

Shen Qingqing stepped out from behind a screen. “Mother, I just can’t stand that fragile act of hers. Hmph! Finally, she’s out of my sight!”

Lady Yang patted her daughter’s hand soothingly. “Qingqing, don’t mention her again. She’s just like her mother—low-born and unfit for polite society. Once your Brother Fang passes the imperial exams and returns, I will make the arrangements for you.”

Shen Qingqing stomped her foot, then leaned into Lady Yang’s arms with a blush. “Mother, I knew you were the best to me.”

After catching a brief, distant glimpse of Yun-niang, Wan Ning was led by the trafficker onto a crude oxcart. After a bumpy journey, they arrived at the gates of a certain household.

Seeing them from afar, Sister-in-law Wu approached enthusiastically. She grabbed Wan Ning’s hand and laughed happily, “Oh my, what a handsome little face! Our Huai’an is truly lucky. Come in, come in!”

Lin Huai’an had moved here six months ago. He kept to himself and had little contact with the villagers until he saved the life of Sister-in-law Wu’s husband on the mountain. Since then, she had made an effort to visit him. Gradually, she realized that while he seemed cold on the outside, he was warm-hearted and steady. She had secretly contacted a matchmaker, hoping to find him a wife.

Wan Ning was led into a clean, tidy courtyard. Her heart hammered against her ribs, terrified of what kind of person she was about to face.

Inside the house, Huai’an was about to remove the fake beard from his face when he heard Sister-in-law Wu’s loud voice outside: “Huai’an! Open up! I’ve brought you wonderful news!”

Huai’an stopped what he was doing. Confused, he opened the door. His gaze bypassed Sister-in-law Wu and landed involuntarily on a young girl.

She looked to be fourteen or fifteen, standing in the cold in thin clothing, looking at him timidly. Her fair skin had turned bright red from the chill.

Huai’an asked in confusion, “Sister-in-law Wu, what is this?”

Sister-in-law Wu warmly pulled Wan Ning into the room. “Huai’an, I’ve asked around and found you a wife. This girl is the second daughter of the Shen family nearby; she’s gentle and sensible.”

Wan Ning stood by the door, her eyes rimmed with red. She looked at this tall man with a face full of beard and felt a surge of fear.

The trafficker, noticing Huai’an’s noble aura, realized he was no ordinary man. She pushed Wan Ning forward and rubbed her hands together with a flattering smile. “Sister Wu, I’ve delivered the person. About the silver…”

Hearing this, Lin Huai’an looked coldly at the trafficker. “Who told you I wanted to buy her?”

The trafficker flinched under his gaze, intimidated by his icy temperament. She looked at Sister-in-law Wu and stammered, “Sister Wu, look at this… what do we do?”

Lin Huai’an turned to Sister-in-law Wu. “Sister-in-law, I appreciate your kindness, but I have no intention of marrying for the time being.”

The trafficker was furious. She gave Wan Ning a hateful pinch. “If they don’t want you here, plenty of other places will take a face like yours. Let’s go!”

Sister-in-law Wu pulled at Huai’an’s sleeve anxiously. “Little brother, I only wanted you to have a companion! Look at what’s happening…”

Wan Ning stumbled as the trafficker dragged her away. She looked back at Huai’an with tearful, pleading eyes, terrified of where she might be sold next.

Seeing the despair in her eyes, Huai’an felt a sharp pang in his heart. He remembered his own past desperation; that look was enough to break anyone’s heart.

The trafficker dragged Wan Ning into the yard, pinching her hard. “Behave yourself! I’m taking you to the next place tonight.”

Hearing the shouting and remembering the girl’s pale, terrified face, Huai’an sighed. He stepped outside and caught the trafficker’s fleshy hand in a firm grip.

The woman found herself unable to move. Intimidated by the cold aura radiating from him, she didn’t dare act out.

Huai’an pulled a money pouch from his robe and tossed it into her arms. “Get out.”

Once released, the trafficker was so terrified by his murderous glare that she grabbed the pouch and bolted. She wasn’t about to lose her life over a little money.

Lin Huai’an was the youngest Great General of the Yong’an Dynasty, a man forged in the heat of battle. After his most recent campaign to stabilize the border, he felt weary. He had resigned his post to the Emperor and found this remote town to rest for a while.

Seeing that Huai’an had agreed to keep her, Sister-in-law Wu gave a few instructions and headed home.

Huai’an and Wan Ning stood in the courtyard, silently gazing at each other. Wan Ning noticed that despite his heavy beard, his eyes were exceptionally bright, like stars shimmering in the night sky. Her heart raced. “I… tonight… what happens next?” she asked timidly.

Huai’an rubbed his beard, wondering if it was really that frightening. The poor girl couldn’t even finish a sentence; he would have to find a chance to remove it. He kept his expression neutral, glanced at her thin clothes, and said coolly, “It’s cold out. Come inside.”

Wan Ning followed him inside with her head bowed. Huai’an suddenly turned around, and she walked straight into his chest. A pleasant scent of ink filled her senses. His embrace was so warm she found herself reluctant to pull away. Startled by her own thoughts, her face turned beet red.

Huai’an felt the soft little creature in his arms; she was so thin her bones felt sharp. Seeing her face turn as red as a cooked shrimp, he said calmly, “It’s late. You rest here for tonight. We will make plans tomorrow.”

Wan Ning looked at the small room which had only one bed. Her head dropped even lower as her heart went thump-thump-thump. She didn’t even dare to look up at him.