Chapter Forty-Eight: I Want to Marry You and Take You Home

Qin Cheng looked up, and the beauty before him could be none other than Bai Xinxi. As Qin Cheng raised his head, Bai Xinxi withdrew her delicate hand from the copper hammer shaped like a phoenix's head, standing quietly, her beautiful eyes fixed on him. The light in her gaze seemed to flow with secret emotions, speaking of feelings yet unspoken. Today, Bai Xinxi was dressed again in deep crimson, her red garments highlighting her porcelain skin, as tender as flower buds awaiting bloom. Her hands folded at her waist, her breath as gentle as an orchid, and just a glance seemed to convey a thousand words, endless feelings—she need not move, for allure radiated from her naturally.

Qin Cheng, a man of two lifetimes, would be remiss in his status as a kingpin of the underworld if he had not seen his share of beauties. He had already met Bai Xinxi once before, but the sudden glimpse now stunned him anew, his breath catching unconsciously. He felt that today, Bai Xinxi's aura was subtly different from before; the same breathtaking beauty, but now tinged with a mature charm and a faint, alluring mystique emanating from her, captivating and irresistible.

“Xin’er,” Qin Cheng said, smiling wryly at his own momentary daze as he rose to his feet.

“General,” Bai Xinxi nodded, her every movement brimming with grace, her voice soft as she addressed him, offering no more words.

“It’s been some time since we last met, and Xin’er is even more enchanting now,” Qin Cheng said sincerely, though there was an ineffable feeling to his words, a restless stirring in his heart that left him less than composed, even with two lifetimes behind him. “Such a scene—I hope you won’t laugh at me, Xin’er.”

Bai Xinxi saw Qin Cheng’s awkwardness, and couldn’t help but laugh softly. Her exquisitely painted brows, close up, were like mountains, seen from afar, like ribbons. Every frown or smile was beauty itself. “General, you need not be so formal. Xin’er came uninvited; I hope I haven’t disturbed you.”

Qin Cheng prided himself on his composure, but faced with this new, subtle charm in Bai Xinxi, he realized that the cultivation of the heart truly has no end. The dim lamp cast a veil of mystery over her, impossible to say if she was seductive or enchanting. Qin Cheng had never believed in innate charm before, but in this moment, he was forced to admit it.

He sighed inwardly. The memory of Bai Xinxi’s radiant beauty from that day surged back, recalling her gentle call as he departed, and his heart grew more confused. Seeing Bai Xinxi’s graceful posture before him, it seemed that day was but a dream, and Qin Cheng’s expression finally relaxed as he stepped closer, speaking gently: “Xin’er, let’s not stand on ceremony. Speaking this way feels uncomfortable to me.”

Hearing this, Bai Xinxi’s heart fluttered. She gazed at him, then smiled sweetly and said softly, “General, your words warm my heart.”

Qin Cheng laughed freely. “Xin’er, let’s take a walk in the rear garden.”

“Yes!” Xin’er replied, her smile as delicate as blossoming flowers.

Qin Cheng then instructed Zhao and Wei, the guards waiting outside, to look after Wei Qing and handle other matters, before leaving the private chamber with Bai Xinxi and heading toward the garden.

With a moment to compose himself, Qin Cheng realized the inner conflict behind Bai Xinxi’s earlier formality, and felt a wave of helplessness. He saw her struggle; with Bai Xinxi’s intelligence, how could she not see the same conflict within him?

As the only official songstress establishment in Qiansang City, Linxiang Pavilion was grand, its rear garden comprised of several independent pavilions, each some distance apart, connected by quiet paths bordered by greenery. The night was deep, so the plants were barely visible, and there were no lanterns, but the moonlight was bright enough for Qin Cheng and Bai Xinxi to see their way.

“Has your wound healed completely, General?” Bai Xinxi walked beside him, disregarding worldly etiquette. She knew of his arrow wound from their previous romantic encounter.

“It’s long since healed. Today I hunted with General Wei Qing at Old Horse Plain and felt no discomfort,” Qin Cheng replied easily. In the small courtyard, both had regained their composure and their conversation flowed naturally.

“That’s good,” Bai Xinxi said softly, without any shyness despite the intimate nature of her question. She was indeed extraordinary. “Xin’er has never heard General speak of his past. Why not share it today?”

She added, “And tell me about the lady of your household. I imagine she must be as remarkable as you.”

Qin Cheng was past the age of maturity; by custom, a man his age would be married, and in Bai Xinxi’s mind, such a good man should have wed early.

Qin Cheng understood what Bai Xinxi was thinking and laughed, “I’m not married yet—how could there be a mistress of the house? That position is vacant for now, to be filled later. Ha!”

“Is that truly so?” Bai Xinxi exclaimed with delight, then caught herself, realizing her reaction seemed presumptuous, as if she aspired to be the mistress. Even if she wished to become Qin Cheng’s woman, her status would never allow her to hope for such a role.

“Why would I lie to you about such a thing?” Qin Cheng smiled, moved by her manner. The problem that had troubled him for days seemed to have an answer, though he feared it was too hasty, so he said no more, instead sharing his background—though only the prior history of this body, omitting details he could not explain. It wasn’t that Qin Cheng didn’t want to be honest, but the truth about transmigration would be meaningless. As for Xiao Linglong, he decided to tell the truth.

As Qin Cheng spoke, Bai Xinxi listened attentively, her bright eyes fixed on him, unbearably charming.

When he finished, Bai Xinxi sighed and said with gentle reproach, “I imagine Miss Xiao is not truly heartless; perhaps she faces family pressure. Still, since you’ve made your decision, Xin’er supports you. I am not experienced in such matters, but I know that some things, missed once, are missed for a lifetime. Perhaps there is no right or wrong—what matters is the final choice. Miss Xiao chose wrongly; you have no obligation to do more. If it were Xin’er...”

She stopped here, her eyes lingering on Qin Cheng.

Qin Cheng was moved, but did not ask further, saying lightly, “The past is gone and need not be dwelled upon. There are many bitter things before me, and much I must accomplish!”

“Mm!” Bai Xinxi nodded, looking at him earnestly. “General, will you not ask about Xin’er’s past?”

“I’ve told you of my twenty years; when you wish to speak of yours, you will. There’s no need for me to ask. If now is not the time, I won’t press you,” Qin Cheng said sincerely.

Bai Xinxi nodded and, after all, did not share her history.

They wandered the garden, talking as they pleased, and time slipped by unnoticed; before they knew it, dawn approached and they had talked through the night.

“Deputy Commander, Deputy Commander, the General is awake and looking for you!” Zhao came running from somewhere, calling out to Qin Cheng.

“Go ahead, I’ll follow shortly,” Qin Cheng replied.

“Yes, sir!” Zhao answered, knowing the setting was not suitable for lingering, and turned to leave, muttering to himself, “Deputy Commander really has good fortune—such a beauty, tsk, I wouldn’t dare even dream…”

After Zhao left, Bai Xinxi gave Qin Cheng a complex look and said softly, “General, you’re leaving now? Time passes so quickly—dawn is almost here.”

“It really does,” Qin Cheng nodded. “Xin’er, you should go back too; the morning is cold, don’t catch a chill.”

“Yes!” Bai Xinxi responded, flustered, her heart congested. She wanted to say or do something, but didn’t know how. She had spent the night talking with Qin Cheng, yet he had never hinted at the topic, not even a gesture. Faced with this choice for the first time, she was at a loss. Understanding is one thing, action another. “If you must go, General, Xin’er will see you off here.”

Qin Cheng smiled, turned, and walked toward the front hall.

Behind him, Bai Xinxi bit her lip, trembling, watching Qin Cheng depart, struggling to hold back tears. She knew that if she missed today, she and Qin Cheng would miss a lifetime.

But what could a woman like her do?

Her vision blurred, body trembling, yet she stood firmly, watching him.

In her sight, Qin Cheng was only a silhouette, receding into the distance.

She covered her mouth with both hands, afraid to cry aloud.

But thinking of all that had happened, her fate, those conversations with Qin Cheng, and the future, how could she restrain herself?

If blame must be placed, it can only be on cruel fate, Bai Xinxi thought painfully.

General. She called out to him one last time in her heart.

Suddenly, Qin Cheng stopped at the bend in the path.

Bai Xinxi was startled.

Qin Cheng turned abruptly and strode back toward her, his steps resolute.

“General!” Bai Xinxi called, unable to express more.

“Xin’er!” Qin Cheng reached her, pulling her firmly into his arms.

“General,” Bai Xinxi whispered.

“Xin’er, I, Qin Cheng, will marry you!” Qin Cheng cupped her tear-stained, breathtaking face in his hands, his voice unwavering.

“General!” Bai Xinxi was shaken, stunned as if struck by lightning, gazing at him for a long moment before throwing her arms around him. At that instant, her heart relaxed, and tears she had held back poured forth. Her cry was hoarse and desperate, yet filled with boundless happiness.

Far away, hidden in the vegetation, a young girl who had watched them all night—nearly unable to restrain herself—saw this scene and danced with excitement, paying no heed to her hands scratched by the branches.

After a long time, Qin Cheng released Bai Xinxi. He, who disliked making promises, now made his first one in this era: “Xin’er, give me one year. I will redeem you from here!”

“Yes!” Bai Xinxi nodded vigorously, her smile full of faith. “Xin’er trusts you, General!”

“From today, you are mine, Xin’er. Your concerns are mine. If anyone dares show you the slightest disrespect, even if he is the king of heaven, I will drag him to the grave!” Qin Cheng declared solemnly. “Remember this, and live by it!”

“Xin’er remembers!” Bai Xinxi’s smile was as radiant as a flower, enough to enchant the world.

...

To take Bai Xinxi from Linxiang Pavilion was not merely a matter of money, but of status and power. In this era, a songstress’s status was lifelong and hard to change; even Li Guang, unless he risked all, could not bring home a songstress so renowned in the city. As for Zhang Du’s earlier jest about carrying her home if she consented, it was but a joke.

One year—to gain such power—was almost impossible for Qin Cheng now. But a year was his utmost limit; if not for his reason, he’d have burned Linxiang Pavilion and taken Bai Xinxi by force. Fortunately, songstresses were not courtesans; so long as she did not consent, she need not fear violation. This was the only premise Qin Cheng could endure for a year.

As he steeled himself inwardly, he felt a burst of warmth.

Delayed by this, Qin Cheng arrived at the front hall with daylight fully broken. Wei Qing was already seated, waiting for him.

“Ha! Brother Qin, I hope I didn’t interrupt your good fortune?” Wei Qing greeted him warmly. “When I awoke, I didn’t know where you’d gone, so I sent Zhao to find you. Later, Wei told me you were with a stunning beauty, and I wanted to call Zhao back, but he ran too fast…”

Qin Cheng smiled, at ease with Wei Qing’s warmth, and joked, “Wei, there’s no need for such formality. Even if I were in bed, at your command, I’d run out with my trousers in hand!”

“Haha!” Wei Qing laughed heartily, “I never realized you were so witty, Brother Qin! If that’s so, I’d have to worry not only about you cutting off my head, but also about your woman’s temper!”

“Get out of here!”

Qin Cheng and Wei Qing bantered for a while, then left Linxiang Pavilion together, had a casual breakfast, and parted ways. During this time, Wei Qing and Qin Cheng were close and jovial.

Over the next two days, Wei Qing lingered in the military camp at Qiansang City, focusing his attention on conversations with Li Guang and Qin Cheng. The three often spoke for hours, forgetting meals. Others had no idea what military affairs they discussed, and even Li Gan was not welcome at such times; Li Guang, though wanting his protégé to learn, had to consider Wei Qing’s feelings.

Wei Qing had stayed nearly ten days. One day, while discussing with Qin Cheng and Li Guang, he announced his intention to return to Chang’an the next day. Li Guang, as governor of Shanggu Prefecture, needed to be informed in advance.

Upon hearing this, Li Guang and Qin Cheng exchanged a look and formally shared their plan to develop cavalry in Shanggu, seeking Wei Qing’s personal support.

“Since His Majesty took full control of the army, he’s been vigorously developing cavalry in the southern and northern forces, which everyone knows. But due to various constraints, elite cavalry are still few. For Shanggu to develop cavalry, I cannot say whether His Majesty will support it, but it shouldn’t be hard to gain his approval. The extent of support depends on his arrangements, which I cannot predict. If General Li wants me to take a memorial back, I will do my duty and report Shanggu’s military situation truthfully…” Wei Qing answered seriously.

“Thank you, General Wei!” Li Guang knew Wei Qing couldn’t provide concrete support, but sending Shanggu’s request through him would carry weight and attract Emperor Liu Che’s attention.

After all arrangements, Wei Qing led the imperial delegation out of Qiansang City with Li Guang and others seeing him off.

Before leaving, Wei Qing rode up to Qin Cheng and said gravely, “Brother Qin, I don’t know when we’ll meet again in Chang’an. But with your abilities, it won’t be hard to make your mark here. When you are titled and ennobled, we’ll meet in Chang’an and drink deeply together—and I’ll show you its finest wine and beauties.”

“If Wei can complete your mission and return, I’ll be glad for you. Someday I dare not presume…”