Volume One, Chapter Six: I Fear I May Never See You Again

Su Yi’an’s heart tightened, her eyes stinging with tears as she quickly rose and pulled the little tiger into her arms.

“My fault, my fault. I left the city last night, but that’s no excuse. It’s my fault, I’ll accept the punishment, okay?”

The little one clung to her neck, crying with utter distress.

“I was so scared, boo hoo…”

Feeling the little tiger’s cold body against her, her heart ached with sharp pangs.

“Good boy, don’t be afraid anymore. Let’s eat some buns first. Once you’re full, big sister will take you out to play, alright?”

Through tear-filled eyes, Xiao Tiger devoured two baskets of small steamed buns.

Watching him eat so ravenously, Su Yi’an’s heart broke into pieces.

Such a tiny child, enduring hunger and cold waiting for her all night—how dangerous that was. How on earth did he survive?

Tears still shimmering, Xiao Tiger looked back at her, sobbing pitifully.

“All the other kids have mothers telling them stories, but I don’t. I’m going to punish you by making you tell me a story.”

Su Yi’an’s heart tightened, a twitch at the corner of her mouth.

How did this little fellow know exactly how to pull at her strings? Who taught him to talk like that?

What sins had she committed in a past life to have to mother without respite in this one?

As she silently grumbled, Xiao Tiger made another request.

“Tell me a story about when pretty big sister was little.”

“You little rascal, you’re ordering the menu now?” Su Yi’an half-teased, yet inwardly struggled.

My childhood stories were nothing but brutal, inhumane training as a secret agent—no child should hear them.

As for this body’s childhood, there were no memories left, only the endless torment suffered in this household over the past three years—hardly stories fit for telling.

Su Yi’an forced a smile.

“Sister is clumsy with words and can’t tell stories yet. How about we go to the book pavilion to listen to stories first? When I learn to tell stories, I’ll tell you then, okay?”

“Okay!”

Hand in hand, the two of them went to the book pavilion.

They reserved a private room on the second floor, enjoying tea and snacks while listening to the storyteller below in the main hall.

The storyteller vividly recounted the tales of the Northern Duke’s battles against the Northern Barbarians on the northern frontier.

He was a master strategist, winning decisive victories from afar, swift and resolute in action—unconquerable and invincible.

Xiao Tiger propped his elbows on the table, resting his chin in his hands, but soon his eyelids began to droop and flutter.

Having just returned with his father from the northern frontier, he had heard these battle stories from soldiers so many times, he had no interest and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Although Su Yi’an found the story somewhat intriguing, her weak body succumbed to drowsiness, and she too fell asleep sitting there.

At noon, as the event ended, a waiter gently woke her.

Su Yi’an rubbed her sore neck and patted the sleeping child beside her.

“Hey, hey, little tiger, time to get up for lunch~”

They went to a small restaurant just across the street from the book pavilion.

Xiao Tiger was undemanding and praised every dish as delicious.

Seeing he liked the food, Su Yi’an waved her hand and bought the small restaurant.

“Little tiger, from now on, whenever you’re hungry, come eat here anytime. It’s on my tab.”

Xiao Tiger couldn’t smile and immediately welled up with tears again.

“Are you not going to eat with me anymore?”

Su Yi’an didn’t understand why his crying tugged at her heart so deeply.

She had always lived carefree and unencumbered—how could a little child from another family tie down her steps?

Besides, he didn’t even meet her standards of beauty!

Still, she couldn’t bear to hurt the child’s feelings directly, so she gently deceived him.

“I mean, sometimes I’ll go out to earn money.

You know, everything—clothes, food, shelter—needs money.

If I’m away making money and not in the capital, you can come here to eat by yourself.

When I’m back, I’ll still eat with you.”

He wiped his tears, pouting but nodded, clearly trying hard to suppress his emotions.

“Come on, big sister will take you to see new clothes~”

Su Yi’an took Xiao Tiger to the Zhen family’s cloth workshop to try on cotton-padded jackets and pants made by Manager Zhen, all fitting perfectly.

“This shop is mine too. From now on, if you need clothes, come here and it’s on me.”

Xiao Tiger stayed silent, his eyes misty, no longer speaking.

Su Yi’an felt uneasy seeing his pitiful look, but she also knew she had no regrets.

Little one, we’ve only known each other for less than two days, yet I’ve already taken care of your food, clothing, and medicine for life.

Even your own birth mother wouldn’t do so much—what do you have to complain about?

Be thankful to your parents for giving you such good looks; if you were ugly, I wouldn’t be bothered with you at all.

Just as Su Yi’an returned to the Su residence, Su Huairen appeared in her courtyard, putting on the guise of a kindly father.

“Yi’an, where were you last night?”

Su Yi’an played dumb.

“I don’t remember~”

“Sigh!”

Su Huairen sighed heavily.

“Yi’an, in ten days you’ll marry into the Prince of Chu’s household. Don’t go out to play these days.

We can’t afford any scandals that would disgrace both our families.”

Su Yi’an was surprised.

“My face is already ruined—would the Prince of Chu still want to marry me?”

Su Huairen spoke earnestly.

“Wan’er has volunteered to be your accompanying concubine.

Given our Su family’s status, Wan’er could easily marry as a primary wife into any official family.

You should be grateful for your sister’s sacrifice.

Your health isn’t good; once you’re at the Prince of Chu’s residence, Wan’er will take care of everything and even help you have children.”

Su Yi’an inwardly scoffed.

Would she be that kind-hearted? No doubt she thinks I’m naive and easy to deceive and wants to marry into that household with me, then find a chance to replace me.

I don’t believe this creature’s father, a learned grand scholar, can’t see through such schemes.

Anyway, as long as the Prince’s consort is his daughter, it doesn’t matter which one.

But since I’m about to run away, there’s no point wasting energy arguing with him.

Su Yi’an coldly replied with a perfunctory tone.

“Thank you, father, for arranging everything for me~”

When the three-day deadline arrived, Su Yi’an went to the Rejuvenation Hall to collect medicine.

In recent nights, she had already moved most of the valuable betrothal gifts from the warehouse to sell at the ghost market.

After picking up the medicine for Xiao Tiger, she could leave the capital and roam freely.

Su Yi’an arrived at the Rejuvenation Hall in high spirits.

“Shopkeeper, is my medicine ready?”

The shopkeeper produced a large bundle, avoiding her gaze.

“It’s all here.”

Su Yi’an sniffed the scent and knew it was no problem. She placed a silver note on the counter.

Just as she turned, a tall, muscular man in military uniform blocked her way, followed by two squads of fully armed soldiers.

Wu Er spoke in a formal, precise tone.

“Miss, please come with us.”

Su Yi’an looked at him leisurely.

“And who are you? Where are you taking me?”

Wu Er’s voice was deep and steady, betraying no emotion.

“You’ll find out once you go.”

Su Yi’an glanced back at the shopkeeper, who quickly lowered his head, looking guilty.

Turning to face Wu Er again, she quickly counted: twenty-one people in total.

In her previous life, she could have easily fought off twenty-one alone.

But now, this body was covered in wounds and chronically malnourished—she was weak.

Taking on twenty-one armed soldiers meant she was asking for death.

Su Yi’an decided to fight with words instead.

With wide, watery eyes and a pitiful tone, she spoke softly.

“General, you must have mistaken me. I never leave the main door or the back door and have never caused any trouble.

Today, my family member fell ill, so I went out to buy medicine. I’m just waiting to return and save them.

Please have mercy and let me go~”