He slightly turned his body to avoid the claws reaching out from behind.

"No need, I can change my clothes myself."

Seeing his wife's shyness, Ning Qing had no choice but to regretfully withdraw his hand.

"Then I'll fetch a basin of water so the general can wash up."

Before Meng Zhengxi could refuse, Ning Qing turned around and walked out of the tent with light steps.

Ignoring the guard's curious gaze, I followed the route map provided by the system and fetched a basin of water.

Ning Qing carried water into the tent and saw Meng Zhengxi wearing a white nightgown, sitting on the couch.

Ning Qing placed the basin of water on the footstool, wrung out a towel, and handed it to the person on the footstool.

"General".

She looked up and met Meng Zhengxi's complicated gaze.

Meng Zhengxi reached out and gently patted the seat next to her.

"Come sit down, let's talk."

Ning Qing sat down next to him.

Meng Zhengxi then spoke.

“I redeemed you from your servitude not so that you would serve me.”

"I just want you to regain your freedom and not have to live that... old life anymore."

He gazed intently at Ning Qing.

"I see that you are a good candidate for martial arts training. If you are willing, you can train with the new recruits. In the future, you may be able to earn some merit on the battlefield and bring honor to your ancestors."

Ning Qing... I don't want to bring glory to my ancestors, I just want to be with you...

She lowered her little head slightly.

Her voice carried a hint of grievance.

"General, I have no great ambitions, I only wish to serve you."

She raised her head and glanced at him furtively, then lowered it again.

"I would be content to see the general every day, and I have no other desires"—that's impossible!

Meng Zhengxi's gaze toward Ning Qing became even more complicated.

He sighed softly and spoke earnestly.

"Xiao Qing, we are both men, we shouldn't have any other feelings for each other."

His gaze fell elsewhere, deep and lingering.

"Such feelings are not tolerated in this world. I hope you can put aside your personal feelings and devote yourself to your career as soon as possible."

Ning Qing secretly rolled her eyes at him.

"General, everyone has their own ambitions, and we cannot force them."

She raised her eyes and looked at him intently.

"not to mention……".

"Moreover, we have been intimate, so you are the one I will spend my life with."

Meng Zhengxi blushed slightly and looked away.

"Ahem, that one time I got drunk and acted recklessly, don't take it seriously."

Ning Qing blinked and leaned closer.

"If the general was too drunk to leave an impression last time, I can serve the general again."

As he spoke, he began to undo his belt.

Meng Zhengxi caught a glimpse of her movements out of the corner of his eye.

He quickly reached out to stop him.

"No, no."

"What we're doing is wrong."

Ning Qing stared at Meng Zhengxi with innocent eyes.

"It's consensual, it's love between a man and a woman, what's wrong with that?"

Meng Zhengxi met his innocent and sincere gaze, opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a word in rebuttal.

Finally, he had no choice but to speak.

"Fine, if you want to stay here, then stay."

"However, I still hope that you can devote yourself to your career and make something of yourself, so that you will not fail as a man and live a life of integrity."

Ning Qing stared at him intently.

"If I achieve great success, will you agree to be with me?"

Meng Zhengxi was deeply moved by the earnestness and determination in his eyes.

It seems that the next moment, all I need to do is agree with a "yes".

He can make a name for himself immediately.

Meng Zhengxi hesitated before speaking.

"These are two different things and should not be confused."