For a fleeting moment, the smile on Song Ning's lips froze.

Didn't he say he'd never liked a girl before? How come he's spouting such eloquent nonsense now?

I've learned how to dig a hole for her.

Isn't she talking about what happened last time? Just because she thinks he's good, does that mean she has to be his wife?

She thinks there are plenty of good people out there.

"General, are you still thinking about this?"

Although Xie Linzhou had never liked any other girls before, he became more studious after the last time and has learned a lot in the past two years.

"This concerns whether I can get married in the future, so of course I remember it."

If he wasn't afraid of scaring the person, he would have taken them home long ago.

The books all say that to win a girl's heart, you have to be shameless; if you're too thin-skinned, you'll never get a wife.

Zhang Ping found him quite a few sketchbooks, and surprisingly, what was written in them made a lot of sense.

Thinking of how to dissuade Xie Linzhou from this idea, Song Ning said, "General, you are twenty-three this year, and I am fifteen, isn't that...?"

"Age is not a problem. Don't worry, I'm in good health and I'll definitely live to be a hundred."

Is this something that leads to a long and healthy life?

"There are so many noble ladies in the capital, has the General really not taken a fancy to any of them? Why don't you let Sister Jiang introduce you to a few?"

Xie Linzhou gave her a disapproving look: "No."

I can tell, Xie Linzhou is a stubborn mule.

"General Xie, this is a response to what you did two years ago. We are not a good match."

How do you know it won't suit you if you haven't even tried it?

"Look, let's start by stating our identities..."

"Don't worry about my background. You've met my mother and grandmother, and they're very satisfied with you. With my family's current status, I don't care about social standing. When I'm looking for a wife, I just need to find someone I like."

"But I'm used to being free and don't like the constraints of living in a grand mansion, I..."

"Don't worry about that. I have my own residence, and it's just the two of us who are in charge. From now on, you are the rule, and you can do whatever you want without any restrictions."

“But I’m still running a business. With a general’s status, your people must be handling internal affairs, and I…”

“My household affairs are managed by my steward. What does marrying me have to do with doing business? There is no such rule in our Jin Dynasty. As long as you want, don’t worry, do whatever makes you happy. I will support you.”

Song Ning: ...I'm completely unresponsive, there's nothing more to say.

All the emotions were waiting for her to express.

Two years have passed, and your verbal skills have certainly improved.

Xie Linzhou's smile deepened, and facing such a face, Song Ning couldn't bring herself to say anything unpleasant.

Xie Linzhou has helped her so much, and the Duke's Mansion and the Princess have also taken good care of her; she can never repay this debt of gratitude.

Since she couldn't get through to him, Song Ning simply stopped talking and started changing the subject.

"General, you are an honored guest. Please stay for dinner today."

Xie Linzhou wasn't in a hurry and smiled, "Okay."

When Xiangyunlou opened in the evening, many customers flocked to the outside.

Song Ning served Xie Linzhou food and drinks and was about to leave when the man behind her asked, "The guest is still here, where are you going?"

"There are still guests outside, I need to go out and check."

Xie Linzhou lowered his head, somewhat disappointed: "I thought you would at least have a meal with me."

Look at her, who did she learn this manner from? She was so embarrassed that she didn't want to leave.

She would rather Xie Linzhou talk back to her like before.

She looks like she's unfaithful and heartless now.

He sighed and smiled, "General, please have a seat. I... will come back to have dinner with you later."

This makes Xie Linzhou even more difficult to deal with.

After checking that everything was in order, she prepared to go back upstairs. Just as she reached the top of the stairs, Xiao Cui came down from above, pulled her aside, and whispered, "Master, someone has entered General Xie's private room."

"who?"

"I don't recognize her. She's a young woman with a maid."

Upon hearing this, Song Ning quickly headed upstairs, anxiously asking as she went, "Why didn't you stop her?"

Xie Linzhou is a difficult person to please. I heard that a girl once tried to get close to him and was thrown more than ten meters away, breaking her ribs on the spot.

There was also the time at a banquet when the other woman winked at him. He asked her if she had an eye disease and even thoughtfully found her a doctor.

This girl must never mess with this ancestor.

"Don't worry, sir. This time, the girl didn't go in on her own. General Xie saw her and called her in. The two should know each other. Judging from the girl's appearance, she came to see General Xie."

Song Ning paused as she went upstairs, and asked in confusion, "Did they let you in on their own?"

Xiao Cui nodded: "Yes, after the people outside reported, they let us in."

Song Ning was relieved. That's good. It seems there's nothing serious.

Who said Xie Linzhou doesn't like girls getting close to him? Aren't they already in the same room?

"Should we send some more food?"

"No need. We'll let you know if we need anything. Tell the people above to take good care of them and not to bother them."

"yes."

He just said he wanted her to have dinner with him; if she actually goes, she might ruin his plans.

Since she didn't need to eat with him, she finally got some peace and quiet.

She didn't take it to heart and forgot about it after being busy for a while.

There was no need for her at the front, so she went to the back to look at the ledgers. A little while later, Zhou Ling'an came in.

He held some food in his hand and placed it aside.

Hearing the noise, Song Ning looked up and asked with a smile, "What brings you here?"

"There's nothing to do at the academy today, so I came back to see you... to see my father."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!