The Vicious Female Supporting Character Just Wants to Cuddle with the Heroine - Chapter 35

Ning Xin moved to the new estate, while the people from the old estate remained there. Only Li Niang and her family were brought to the new estate, as Ning Xin was accustomed to Li Niang’s care and didn’t want to change.

Ning Xin planned to expand production, so she asked Zhang Ran and Li Si to hire more workers. She also bought the land next door, intending for the workers to live there. From now on, the main estate would only be for her inner circle. Zhang Ran and Li Si, for instance, could choose where they wanted to live.

At the same time, Shen Qingzhi had finally brought the Northern Barbarians to their knees. Their already impoverished country couldn’t sustain the conflict. Knowing that Shen Qingzhi wouldn’t accept their surrender easily, they voluntarily became a vassal state of the Tian Sheng Empire, offering tribute annually.

Shen Qingzhi was quite satisfied with this outcome. After this battle, the Northern Barbarians likely wouldn’t harbor ill intentions for many years.

Ye Xichang was even more pleased. He’d been fighting the Northern Barbarians for years and this was the first time they’d won so decisively. “Girl, thank you. Thanks to you, we were able to win.”

“If it weren’t for the guidance of all the senior generals, I wouldn’t have dared to do this. It’s your counsel that allowed us to win so beautifully.”

“The girl sure knows what to say.”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

“Hahahaha…” The group chatted happily for a while before Shen Qingzhi returned to her tent.

Lying on her bed, Shen Qingzhi took out Ning Xin’s pouch again. It had been with her for so long that it was a bit worn, but having it by her side gave her a sense of peace.

Soon, she would be returning. It was a wonderful thought.

For the next two weeks, Shen Qingzhi and her colleagues engaged in negotiations with the Northern Barbarians, eventually securing the most satisfactory terms. Only then did Shen Qingzhi and her army depart.

Along the way, Shen Qingzhi was in high spirits. Each day of travel meant she was a day closer to Ning Xin. She wondered how Ning Xin was doing. Knowing how much she loved to get into things and how bold she was, she probably hadn’t been idle.

Ning Xin indeed hadn’t been idle. She had already received news that Shen Qingzhi and the others were on their way back. She was busy preparing their new home, and whenever she had a moment, she’d go out to buy things.

A month later, Shen Qingzhi and her army finally returned to the capital. The Emperor sent Huangfu Zheng to the city gates to greet them, as a sign of respect.

When Huangfu Zheng saw Shen Qingzhi again, his heart was still moved. He had been investigating for a long time but still hadn’t found out who had sent military supplies to Shen Qingzhi. But he had no intention of giving up. With Shen Qingzhi’s return, he was determined to win her favor.

The Emperor did not bestow his awards immediately, instead telling them to rest and return the next day for their commendations. However, he kept Shen Qingzhi behind, and she followed him to the Imperial Study.

The Emperor looked Shen Qingzhi up and down. “You are different from them; you are a woman. I can grant you some special rewards. What do you desire?”

“Your Majesty,” she replied, “I have reached the age of marriage, but I do not wish to marry. So, I would like Your Majesty to grant me permission to leave the Estate of the Marquis of An Ding and establish my own residence.”

The Emperor had expected Shen Qingzhi to ask for a marriage decree. Instead, she just wanted a house, which was an incredibly easy request for him to grant. He was secretly pleased that Shen Qingzhi didn’t want to marry. No matter how capable a woman was, as long as she had no descendants, she posed no threat to him.

Shen Qingzhi now had great achievements, and he would certainly reward her. His sons would all be eyeing Shen Qingzhi, but if she had her own estate, they couldn’t get ahold of her. This was perfect. “I grant your request. Return and await the imperial decree of your commendation.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Shen Qingzhi left the palace feeling overjoyed. With her own residence, she could finally separate from the Estate of the Marquis of An Ding and never have to face those infuriating people again. In the future, she could even bring Ning Xin to live in the capital. It was a wonderful thought.

Ning Xin had already heard the news of Shen Qingzhi’s return. It was inconvenient for her to go to the capital, so she could only wait for Shen Qingzhi to come to her. She knew in her heart that Shen Qingzhi would only come after the commendations were granted, but she was still anxious. The closer the reunion, the longer and more unbearable the wait felt.

Shen Qingzhi was just as anxious, but she had to wait. She could only go find Ning Xin after the commendations were announced and the Emperor gave her time off.

Fortunately, the Emperor acted quickly. The next day at morning court, he began the awards ceremony. Ye Xichang and the other generals received treasures, and their wives were given titles of nobility. Shen Qingzhi, however, was promoted from a General of the Cloud Banner to a General of the Cloud Banner with real authority, able to command ten thousand troops. She was also granted a general’s residence, meaning she no longer had to live at the Estate of the Marquis of An Ding.

Shen Jue had thought he would also benefit, but when he heard the final decree, he realized Shen Qingzhi’s merits had nothing to do with their family. There were no treasures, no titles, and even his daughter was leaving the estate. He wanted to question it, but he didn’t dare. He could only stand there, unwillingly, until the court session was over, when he finally had a chance to grab Shen Qingzhi.

Shen Qingzhi’s official uniform was specially made for her by the Emperor. It was the same color as the other officials’ but completely different in style, a full woman’s uniform. Her hairpins were also a matching set. It was very beautiful, and Shen Qingzhi loved it. When Shen Jue grabbed her clothes, she instinctively frowned. “Father.”

Shen Jue saw her displeasure and knew that grabbing at her was rude, so he let go. He said unhappily, “What’s with the Emperor’s commendations today? Did you ask the Emperor to establish your own residence?”

“If Father has questions, why didn’t you ask the Emperor just now?”

“Don’t change the subject. Did you ask for this? Are you trying to make me lose face?”

“What I do has nothing to do with Father. From now on, we are colleagues in court. I hope Father will not act so rudely again.”

After saying this, Shen Qingzhi left. It was pointless to talk more with Shen Jue. The Emperor’s words wouldn’t be taken back, and besides, this was what she wanted.

Only by leaving the Estate of the Marquis of An Ding could she have a good life. If the family ever fell into ruin, she wouldn’t stand by, but she would only save their lives at most. Shen Qingzhi was unwilling to have too many entanglements with them. All she wanted now was to go see Ning Xin.

The Emperor gave Ye Xichang and the others a one-month leave. Since Shen Qingzhi’s new residence needed to be furnished, the Emperor gave her an additional month. So now, Shen Qingzhi had plenty of time to go find Ning Xin.

Ning Xin was lying in her courtyard. Her mind was completely occupied with thoughts of Shen Qingzhi, so she couldn’t get any work done. She simply gave up and waited with longing eyes. She realized now that she was a little bit of a romantic at heart.

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