My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 10: The Lord's Favored Concubine

Chapter 10: The Lord’s Favored Concubine

I have had five husbands in total, just enough to count on one hand.
Dai Li sighed with apparent melancholy: My fate has been fraught with misfortune, otherwise I wouldn’t have gradually traveled north from Jiaozhou. Actually, I deceived you last night – my son’s father wasn’t a commoner. Judging by his speech and demeanor, he likely came from a prominent clan, though I don’t know his exact identity. I only know his name was Qin Yi, courtesy name Huali. He comes and goes mysteriously with no fixed schedule, and doesn’t often stay by my son’s and my side.
This was the new story she had devised after tossing and turning all night.

There was no other choice – no sooner had she claimed her husband was a commoner than he discovered the small iron piece concealed in her undergarments. Common folk would only use iron for blades, never so extravagantly.

Since the commoner husband story didn’t work, she would invent a mysterious nobleman instead. Although men in ancient times could take concubines, they couldn’t do so indiscriminately – the number of concubines was subject to certain restrictions.

For instance, according to records in Duduan: The Son of Heaven takes twelve women, representing the twelve months – three ladies and nine concubines. Feudal lords take nine women, representing the nine provinces – one wife and eight concubines. High ministers take one wife and two concubines. Scholars take one wife and one concubine.①

Simply put, these were the official limits. What if one remained unsatisfied?

Then they would keep women outside, thus creating external households.
After much deliberation, Dai Li decided to change her identity to one that would be difficult to verify even if investigated, and that could barely maintain superficial logic.

After all, she was accustomed to changing husbands, and her current husband was often absent. Having no deep affection for him, she naturally wouldn’t hesitate to climb to a better branch when it appeared – especially when the other party had promised to help find her son.

Qin Shaozong rotated his thumb ring.

Qin Yi, Qin Huali.

There was no such person among the outstanding descendants of either the main or collateral branches of the Qin family. Was this Qin Yi simply too insignificant to be known to him, or was it a false name?

Assuming the latter, was Qin Yi protecting his identity to prevent rumors, or…

Qin Shaozong stared unblinkingly at the woman before him. His brown eyes appeared even lighter in the sun-filled room, like polished blades capable of cutting through all falsehoods.

Dai Li couldn’t calm her panicked heart and ultimately couldn’t help lowering her lashes to avoid his gaze.

He asked: Where is your home?
Dai Li could hear her own accelerating heartbeat: My husband greatly dislikes me appearing in public and interacting with outsiders, so our humble home is located in an inconspicuous wooded area over ten li west of Nankang Commandery. By the way, I previously heard people in your residence address you as Lord. May I ask which territory you govern as Lord?
The last question sounded naive, but it fit perfectly with a woman completely ignorant of current affairs.

A Grand Administrator is an official title prefixed with a place name, indicating jurisdiction over that area. Lord sounded like an official title too, so it should also have a place name before it, right?

Qin Shaozong chuckled: The court hasn’t granted me both a jurisdiction and a noble title together.
No sooner had he spoken than he noticed her subtly furrow her delicate brows, appearing both worried and regretful. As for what she worried about – naturally she feared making a bad bargain, regretting having followed him too easily.

Just moments ago Qin Shaozong had laughed at her naivety, but now the smile vanished from his lips: Since I’m helping you find your son, shouldn’t you reciprocate my kindness, madam?
Dai Li didn’t know how he had steered the conversation in this direction. Had she overacted earlier, provoking him to reassert his authority elsewhere?

She immediately felt her scalp prickle. Of course. My son is my life. I will never forget your life-saving grace. If there is any way I can be of use to you, my Lord, I will not refuse, only…

Here, she pressed her lips together, appearing somewhat embarrassed. Only… with my monthly blood, I cannot share your bed. Could you wait a few days for me?
At this moment, Dai Li’s heart rose to her throat, fearing he might say something like No matter, there are still many pleasures to be had without going all the way. But perhaps he wasn’t that unscrupulous, or perhaps he still remembered she was injured. The situation wasn’t as bad as she had imagined.

Qin Shaozong: Not for bed matters. Last night at Jiang Mansion, I used the pretext of searching for my missing beloved concubine. Lord Jiang showed considerable concern about this matter and may later have his wife engage you in casual conversation. Do you know how you should respond when the time comes?
Though he asked about when the time comes, what Dai Li heard went beyond merely dealing with the Lord’s wife. She understood the deeper meaning behind his words: Rest assured, my Lord, I know what to do. But to avoid exposing our act, please provide me with some information.
I’ve brought three thousand Dark Valiant Cavalry from Weizhou, heading to Ying County to eliminate a major salt smuggler surnamed Li. My stop in Nankang County is merely passing through. Qin Shaozong briefly provided her with information about the salt smuggler Li Zan. Since she would be staying by his side, she would inevitably pick up some knowledge and couldn’t claim complete ignorance about this Li smuggler.

Dai Li’s eyelid twitched.

Soldiers were the most crucial strategic resource in ancient times. TV dramas and novels often portrayed characters commanding armies of millions, which was actually unreasonable or shockingly exaggerated. Even at its peak, the entire Tang dynasty’s military didn’t reach that number.

Taking the early Eastern Han dynasty as an example, the nation’s total military force was only about three hundred thousand. If someone could command even a hundred thousand troops—even if half were padded with the old, weak, sick, and disabled—they could be considered a major warlord. Hadn’t Dong Zhuo once intimidated the central army with just three thousand men?

The Dark Valiant Cavalry—this sounded like cavalry units.

Cavalry were the nation’s most valuable military assets in ancient times. He actually had three thousand with him? How many more had he left behind?

Dai Li secretly drew a sharp breath. She suddenly realized with absolute clarity that the title Lord carried no exaggeration when applied to him. He had undoubtedly advanced from ranked nobility through genuine military achievements.

Qin Shaozong: My surname is Qin—Qin Shaozong, courtesy name Changgeng, ancestral home in Yuyang, Youzhou. A month ago, someone presented a beauty to the emperor, which led to our meeting. Both you and your maidservant fell ill during the journey. She was too weak to survive, while you barely passed through the crisis. However, due to poor spirits and physical discomfort, you remained in the carriage without showing yourself when we entered the mansion yesterday.
He looked her up and down, a hint of amusement in his eyes. You’re simple-minded, jealous, and spoiled. You frequently threw tantrums with me during the journey over unsatisfactory meals. Last night, irritated by your behavior, I deliberately asked Jiang Chonghai for a non-existent dancer and had my subordinate leak the news to you, intending to make you restrain yourself. Unexpectedly, it backfired. After flying into a rage, you secretly left the courtyard. To save face, I only announced publicly that my beloved concubine had gone missing within the mansion while intensively searching for you. As for how I’ll appease you after finding you—that will be our private matter behind closed doors.
Dai Li thought to herself, So he wants me to cooperate in putting on a show. She pondered and said, You wish to borrow my voice to convey this ‘true’ reason and our private demeanor to Lord Jiang’s wife?
Qin Shaozong laughed, You’re not foolish after all.
Dai Li asked him again, My character is spoiled—to what extent should I act? Could you give me some boundaries?
Presuming on favor to act willfully—naturally, the more spoiled the better. Even tearing the roof tiles off would be acceptable, he said thus.

Hearing him speak in that half-smiling, half-mocking tone, Dai Li felt goosebumps rise all over her back. In that moment, she seemed to be in a dense forest, surrounded by lush foliage, while beside her lurked a vicious tiger camouflaged by its fur, glaring fiercely at the outside world.

Only then did Dai Li finally recall the dissonance she felt last night when she encountered two maidservants—one clearly recognized her but ultimately pretended not to see her.

He and that Lord Jiang were merely maintaining surface harmony while harboring discord beneath. Both sides were highly wary of each other, which was why when he sought her earlier, the mansion servants likely feigned compliance while secretly disobeying orders from above.

After pondering for a moment, Dai Li tentatively said, Lord, regarding the overall framework, we’ll follow your plan. But may I freely improvise some minor details?
Qin Shaozong agreed.

Seeing him appear quite amenable at this moment, Dai Li continued, You and I met a month ago. Regarding your assistance in finding my son…
Naturally, it will be conducted discreetly. Noticing her downcast eyes, Qin Shaozong added, If he cannot be found within Jiang Mansion, we’ll search outside. As long as your son remains in Nankang Commandery, even if hidden in the remotest corner, we’ll dig him out.
To make the act complete, why not have someone create a new Talisman for me? I can then flaunt it before Lord Jiang’s wife to make her thoroughly convinced, Dai Li softly suggested.

The Talisman served as commoners’ identification, bearing information like name and place of origin. It symbolized one’s status as neither slave nor vagrant, functioning as credentials—one could hardly travel far without it.

As the Lord’s treasured pearl, how could she allow herself to remain among the ranks of Talisman-less concubines and servants?

Qin Shaozong: Approved.
Dai Li couldn’t help smiling and was about to thank him when he remarked, So happy just to get a new Talisman?
Her heart raced wildly, but she refused to admit it: You misunderstand, Lord. My joy stems from having reached complete consensus with you, and that recovering my son is now within sight. Rest assured—once I step out of this pavilion, I shall become that concubine who presumes on favor to act willfully, leaving them no room for doubt.
Not from leaving this place, but starting this afternoon. I’ll have two maidservants from Jiang Mansion attend to you then. Qin Shaozong rose from the barbarian chair.

Thinking he meant to leave after speaking, Dai Li was about to bid him farewell when she saw him not turn away but step forward.

The barbarian chair had been placed just a step away from the couch. With this step, they stood so close that Dai Li needed only slightly raise her hand to touch his black robe.

The man leaned down, one arm encircling Dai Li’s waist while the other scooped under her knees, effortlessly lifting her up.

Startled, Dai Li instinctively clutched and crumpled the fabric of his belt. The man seemed naturally radiant with vitality—her shoulder blade pressed against his chest and the bend of her knee where his arm circled both grew warm: …Lord?
I’ve had them clear out a side room for you. You’ll be staying there. Qin Shaozong carried the person out of the small chamber.

Dai Li lowered her gaze. This was understandable—after all, what family’s notoriously spoiled concubine would live in such a small room meant for servants?

As they emerged, they happened to encounter Yan San, who was moving his luggage to the adjacent room, and Mo Yanyun, who had just returned from outside. Both men froze at the sight.

Go find the estate physician, Qin Shaozong instructed before carrying the person into Yan San’s former quarters.

Mo Yanyun looked at Yan San. Last night, the Lord told me he had a plan to achieve twice the result with half the effort, and mentioned it required ‘Fengchun’s’ involvement. Has the plan already begun? Otherwise, when has the Lord ever stooped to such condescension?
Yan San turned and walked away without a word.

Hey, where are you going? I’m talking to you, Mo Yanyun complained.

Without looking back, Yan San replied: Finding the estate physician.
Author’s note:

ID obtained, preparing to stir up trouble~

Still begging for nutrient solution (setting out a big bowl) [Let me see]

①: Du Duan