The Vicious Female Supporting Character Just Wants to Cuddle with the Heroine - Chapter 20

The room was decorated in warm, soft colors, making it look very comfortable. But Shen Qingzhi felt anything but comfortable. Ning Xin had always shared a room with her. So why would she suddenly prepare a separate room? There could only be one reason: Ning Xin might have figured something out.

If Ning Xin had realized her feelings and wanted to keep a distance, it all made perfect sense.

Shen Qingzhi gave a wry smile. She had always thought her disguise was flawless, but it turned out her feelings had been discovered long ago.

However, Ning Xin said nothing during their meeting today, not a word about the new room. So could she pretend she knew nothing and stay with Ning Xin for one last night? Shen Qingzhi couldn’t quite describe her current mood. She only knew that she couldn’t bear to be away from Ning Xin. So she returned to Ning Xin’s room to wait, pretending not to know anything. She wanted to see if Ning Xin would tell her to go to the new room.

Ning Xin returned after preparing the meal and saw Shen Qingzhi waiting obediently. She felt a mix of emotions. Now that she knew Shen Qingzhi’s feelings, she still had to pretend she didn’t and act as if everything was normal. She felt like she was becoming a master actress.

“Sister Shen! Dinner’s ready!”

“Okay.”

Shen Qingzhi watched Ning Xin intently, trying to read something from her face, but she couldn’t find anything.

Ning Xin ate and strolled with Shen Qingzhi as usual, then they went to bed together. But this time, lying in bed with Shen Qingzhi, she felt a little nervous.

Shen Qingzhi was waiting. Ning Xin said nothing during dinner, nothing during their walk, and now that they were in bed, she still hadn’t said a word. Why? She had a separate room prepared, yet she didn’t mention it. Was she worried about her? Did she not have the heart to say anything because she knew Shen Qingzhi was about to go to war? If that was the case, could she dare to hope for a little more? Ning Xin’s eyes were closed for a long time, but she couldn’t fall asleep. Shen Qingzhi was still and silent. Ning Xin couldn’t just tell her not to like her. Forget it, she decided. It’s better to sleep and deal with everything after Shen Qingzhi leaves. She needed to sort things out.

Shen Qingzhi watched Ning Xin from the side. She knew Ning Xin wasn’t asleep because her brows were slightly furrowed. But it didn’t last long, and Ning Xin eventually fell asleep. Maybe she was trying to figure out how to reject her, then gave up and went to sleep. She was so soft-hearted and defenseless toward her, really treating her like a good person.

Shen Qingzhi looked at Ning Xin, wanting so badly to bite her, but she had to hold back. No matter what happened between them, she would never take advantage of Ning Xin. If one day she kissed Ning Xin, it would be openly and with mutual affection. Otherwise, she would never touch her.

Before leaving, Shen Qingzhi placed her personal token and handkerchief beside Ning Xin’s pillow. She knew she might not even get a chance to say goodbye. With her token, the people she left behind would obey Ning Xin’s orders and protect her.

Back in the imperial city, Shen Qingzhi began to arrange everything for her departure. Shen Jue’s plan was also going very smoothly.

At first, when Shen Jue proposed that Shen Qingzhi take his place, the entire court was in an uproar, and the Emperor naturally disagreed. But when he appeared leaning on a crutch, the tide began to turn.

Marquis Ding’s leg was broken, so he couldn’t go to the battlefield. The border conflict was urgent, and several letters of distress had already been sent to the court. If Marquis Ding didn’t go, one of them would have to. The border was a desolate land, and the battlefield was a place of certain death. None of the pampered officials wanted to go to such a place. Now that there was someone willing to go, even though she was a woman, she was the granddaughter of the old Marquis Ding. Since she had volunteered, they certainly didn’t need to fight for the job.

The Emperor had his own considerations. Sending a woman, though it went against tradition, posed no threat to him. The court was filled with tangled factions, and he had only just managed to balance them. Even a small change could disrupt the balance.

Now, someone had volunteered, and she was a woman who hadn’t yet taken a side. Her presence wouldn’t upset the balance. Letting her go might be the best option for everyone.

The Emperor pretended to be hesitant for two days, then agreed to the decision. He even asked Shen Jue to bring Shen Qingzhi to the court to meet him.

Shen Qingzhi changed into a simple, sharp outfit, tied her hair back, and went with Shen Jue to see the Emperor.

This was Shen Qingzhi’s first time meeting the Emperor. Huangfu Lianxiang was over fifty, with a touch of gray at his temples. He looked spirited, but his eyes lacked the clarity a ruler should have, and instead were filled with calculation.

“This subject’s daughter, Shen Qingzhi, greets Your Majesty.”

Shen Qingzhi performed the court etiquette as Shen Jue had taught her.

Huangfu Lianxiang raised his hand and said, “Rise quickly and let me see what kind of girl you are, to dare to go to the battlefield.”

“Yes!”

Shen Qingzhi stood up, allowing everyone in the court to size her up. Since she had made this decision, she wasn’t afraid of anything.

Shen Qingzhi was beautiful, and even in her simple clothes, she was still eye-catching.

When Huangfu Lianxiang saw her clearly, he also felt it was a shame. Such a beauty was going into war, what a waste. “Since you have volunteered, I bestow upon you the rank of third-class Yunhui General. Tomorrow, you will lead fifty thousand troops to reinforce the Northern Desert.”

“Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Shen Qingzhi bowed again and received the general’s seal.

Shen Qingzhi knew that the reason Huangfu Lianxiang immediately made her a third-class general was because of her special mission. To lead troops to reinforce the great general, she had to have a rank. If she succeeded this time, she would be promoted. If she failed, all the blame would fall on her alone.

The risk of failure was far greater than success. But even so, Shen Qingzhi wanted to take the chance. She knew that to be with Ning Xin, she would have to face countless open and hidden attacks. Instead of fighting in the imperial city, she might as well openly fight her way to a new path.

Ning Xin hadn’t slept well since Shen Qingzhi left her. She even dreamed of Shen Qingzhi getting injured on the battlefield. No, she couldn’t just worry without doing anything.

Since Shen Qingzhi was going to war, it was bound to be dangerous. She still had many things to do and couldn’t go with Shen Qingzhi, but she could prepare some excellent medical supplies for her. This was more practical and useful than anything else.

With that thought, Ning Xin immediately left the estate to make preparations. She was determined to get the supplies into Shen Qingzhi’s hands before she left.

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