My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 13: Come Here, My Lady

Chapter 13: Come Here, My Lady

If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it. For a moment, Dai Li thought her deeds had been discovered by Qin Shaozong, but she quickly realized he couldn’t possibly know.

Yan San had entered the main hall with her simultaneously. Even if he had seen through her plan, he wouldn’t have had time to report to Qin Shaozong. So this man must have spoken casually.

No, not entirely casually—given her current persona, frequently causing minor troubles was quite reasonable.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Yun Rong watching her, her expression tense. Dai Li knew what she was worried about.

Their secret collaboration had been established, and Yun Rong was concerned that she would use this opportunity to yield to Qin Shaozong. If they reconciled, there would be no place for the Lord’s wife anymore.

Whether there was a chance for her to whisper in his ear depended on now.

Dai Li raised her hand to press against Qin Shaozong’s chest, preventing him from coming closer: What are you saying? In your eyes, am I the kind of person who causes trouble the moment I’m left unattended?

After saying this, Dai Li’s hand suddenly changed from pressing to clutching, grabbing his lapel as she stood on tiptoe, leaned in, frowned, and sniffed: The banquet hasn’t even started, yet you reek of alcohol. How much have you drunk? Drink less—drinking on an empty stomach makes you drunk and harms your health. If you get drunk tonight, I won’t take care of you.

Qin Shaozong chuckled lowly, quite pleased, completely unbothered by being publicly lectured by a concubine. My lady is right.

Yun Rong exchanged a glance with Jiang Chonghai at the head of the table, the former nodding slightly. Knowing they had finally found an opportunity to whisper in his ear, Jiang Chonghai was instantly delighted and ordered servants to bring several jars of wine to the table.

All distinguished guests had arrived, and the evening banquet began.

Qin and Jiang sat at the head of the table, while Dai Li and Yun Rong took the first seats directly across from them.

The banquet table was laden with exquisite delicacies: besides hot dishes like steamed lamb tripe, grilled deer tail, braised crucian carp, and chestnut chicken, there were also cold dishes of mixed wild garlic and asparagus, along with thinly sliced, translucent raw fish. Sweet soup and honeyed pastries were thoughtfully provided as snacks, making it a feast fit for royalty with all flavors represented.

Of course, aside from the various delicious dishes, the banquet also featured mountains of wine jars.

The women chatted and laughed, while the men competed in drinking.

Dai Li noticed one detail: they drank excessively and barely touched the food on the table. Whenever Qin Shaozong picked up his jade chopsticks to eat something, three out of five times he would be interrupted by various situations, eventually giving up and returning to drinking.

Dai Li picked up a piece of chestnut chicken and ate it slowly, guessing that Jiang Chonghai probably wanted to get Qin Shaozong drunk.

Many Military Generals enjoyed fine wine, and countless had made mistakes due to drinking. In the past, Dian Wei became drunk, had his weapons stolen, and ultimately died in battle; later, Zhang Yide lost Xuzhou due to excessive drinking and revelry. It showed that while moderate drinking was acceptable, alcoholism led to trouble.

For now, she and Qin Shaozong were a temporary community of shared interests. Since Nan Kang County hadn’t been thoroughly searched yet and she still didn’t know if her son was there, he couldn’t afford to have an accident at this critical moment.

Slap!

Dai Li suddenly slammed her jade chopsticks on the table.

She had timed it perfectly—right during a lull in their conversation—so everyone heard it.

All eyes turned to Dai Li, but she looked directly at the brown-eyed man at the head of the table, her tone full of dissatisfaction. Qin Chang Geng, the smell of alcohol is making me uncomfortable.

The entire hall fell silent.

Jiang Chonghai was so startled that wine sloshed out of his cup.

She actually dared to address Qin Shaozong by his full name in public, and with such petulant words at that. It seemed just as his wife had said—this Madam Dai was indeed willful and lacked propriety.

The man who had been called out showed no trace of anger, instead laughing vaguely as he replied, Since my lady dislikes it, I shall drink no more. It would be unfortunate indeed if I angered her and found myself barred from the chamber. Attendants, remove these wine jars.

Jiang Chonghai’s brow twitched, astonished by Qin Shaozong’s submission yet inwardly anxious. Today’s banquet was precisely for drinking—or rather, to take advantage of the other’s drunkenness to verify some critically important information.

For the past two days, Yun Shi had been visiting Madam Dai daily for casual chats. Besides building rapport, she had stumbled upon an unexpected revelation.

According to Madam Dai, Qin Shaozong had recently taken on an eccentric strategist. This man excelled at planning and decision-making but detested attention, preferring to remain like a damp mushroom hidden in dark corners. He mostly stayed in his own quarters, rarely showing himself, yet wielded tremendous influence over Qin Shaozong.

For instance, the infamous spy scheme that had shaken the world was actually his proposal. And for this campaign against the salt smugglers, the Mushroom Gentleman had been specifically appointed by Qin Shaozong to accompany them. However, halfway through the journey, he unfortunately fell ill and had to be left behind to recuperate.

This was why there were no strategists among the party that entered the residence—not that none had traveled with them, but one had been delayed along the way.

This information wasn’t obtained all at once. Rather, after grasping a thread of it, his wife had gradually extracted details from Madam Dai, piecing together the fragments.

Paranoia made Jiang Chonghai fear this might be a trap, yet he couldn’t help wondering if there truly was a Mushroom Gentleman.

Noble families possessed wealth and, in turbulent times, the means to raise private armies, establishing regional warlord regimes. Scions of these houses served as lords, recruiting strategists for wisdom and Military Generals for valor.

As the chess masters, these lords needed only to be adept at accepting counsel and possess some decisiveness to fare well—after all, their inherent political backgrounds and military resources provided natural advantages far beyond ordinary people’s reach.

Those who combined both wisdom and courage in this world were as rare as phoenix feathers. Qin Shaozong already enjoyed exceptional luck in rebirth and extraordinary martial prowess—how could he possibly monopolize all advantages?

Three people spreading rumors make a tiger; gossip is fearsome. Perhaps those renowned feats of Qin Shaozong were fabricated to build his reputation. Jiang Chonghai speculated with malice.

After much deliberation, he had arranged this dinner to sound out the truth. Now, with his goal unmet and the plan on the verge of collapse, how could he accept failure? He immediately shot Yun Rong a meaningful glance.

Dai Li had initially worried Qin Shaozong’s drunkenness might spoil their plans, but upon hearing his words, she understood.

Oh, he’s still so clear-headed—his alcohol tolerance must be excellent. Then they could proceed as planned.

Sister, I’m feeling rather stifled too. Shall we take a stroll together? Yun Rong ventured nervously.

She had no confidence in this—this honored lady always followed her own whims, never considering others’ feelings. But this time, it actually worked…

Very well, I’ve eaten my fill anyway. A walk to aid digestion would be pleasant. Dai Li set down her chopsticks, stood up, and addressed Qin Shaozong at the head of the table: You reek of wine. Sleep alone tonight.

After the two women left the main hall together, Jiang Chonghai sighed: Madam Dai resembles peonies under the moon when silent, but once she opens her mouth, she becomes purple ginger—fiery indeed.

This kind she has is excellent. The ordinary ones I find too weak, Qin Shaozong said with a laugh.

Jiang Chonghai tried to urge him on, Madam Dai has already left the banquet. Why don’t we continue?

Qin Shaozong remained silent.

Jiang Chonghai sighed, Ah, my humble wife probably won’t allow me back in our chambers tonight either. When drinking companions meet, we should enjoy ourselves to the fullest. The night is long—why not drink until we’re drunk? Would the Marquis dare accept this challenge?

Why wouldn’t I dare?

After Dai Li and Yun Rong left the main hall, they wandered aimlessly around the mansion.

The Governor’s residence was built with extravagant luxury—pavilions and verandas were everywhere, long corridors twisted and turned, and along the main path, exquisitely carved white jade lantern covers stood at intervals of about ten steps. Just placing a single candle inside would create a soft circle of light.

As the Golden Crow disappeared and the glow on the horizon gradually faded, night fell. Watching the maids skillfully light the lamps, Dai Li thought to herself how lavish this Governor’s residence was—they actually burned candles outdoors.

Sister Yun, about the matter I entrusted to you this afternoon—I wonder if you could have it done for me by tomorrow afternoon, Dai Li whispered.

If commoners lost their Talismans and needed replacements, they first had to report the situation to the government office, then submit various documents like proof and application forms, waiting for approval before receiving new Talismans.

But for the powerful and noble, especially someone like Lord Jiang who held the highest position in Nankang Commandery, replacing a Talisman was effortless. It might only require a single word from him—his subordinates would work overtime to get it done.

Yun Rong’s eyes flickered, Why are you in such a hurry, sister? Is Marquis Qin leaving Nankang Commandery soon?

Of course I’m anxious. What if he discovers I’ve carelessly lost my Talisman again? He’d have plenty of reasons to control me then, Dai Li sighed. As for when we’re leaving, he hasn’t told me. He only said he’d take me to see the peach blossoms when the time comes. I’ve never seen endless peach forests before—I’ll definitely have to look carefully when we go.

Yun Rong froze.

Peach blossom forests?

Marquis Qin had come with a clear purpose—to eradicate the salt smugglers. Nankang Commandery lay directly west of Ying Commandery. There were three routes from here to Ying Commandery.

First: march northeast first, then southeast, circling from above. This was the upper route.

Second: head directly west without changing direction, reaching Ying Commandery straight on. This was the middle route.

Third: march southeast first, then northeast, circling from below. This was the lower route.

Among these three routes, only the upper route would pass by a mountain with peach forests along the way. Locals called it Peach Blossom Peak, where the mountains and fields filled with peach blossoms in spring, creating a spectacular sight.

Sister Yun, will you promise me this?

Yun Rong’s mind was completely occupied with Qin Shaozong’s marching routes and had no attention for anything else, so she only nodded hastily.

Dai Li showed a satisfied smile.

After wandering around for another circuit, Yun Rong spoke up, Sister, let’s return. Although the wine was finally taken away, men are always changeable and can’t resist the temptation of alcohol. They might accidentally mention it and get the drinking urge again. It’s safer to go back and check.

The Marquis has decent alcohol tolerance. He probably won’t get drunk and disorderly, said Dai Li. Having achieved her purpose, she didn’t want to stay outside feeding mosquitoes any longer.

They had left during the middle-to-late part of the banquet. When they returned to the main hall, the evening feast was nearing its end.

The magnificent main hall was filled with a lingering smell of alcohol. Without even looking at the countless wine jars on the tables and floor, just the rich aroma of wine made it clear they had definitely continued drinking afterward.

An exceptionally intense gaze shot over. Dai Li looked up toward the head of the table and saw Qin Shaozong watching her.

His complexion wasn’t fair, so only a faint flush showed on his cheeks, making it hard to tell how intoxicated he was. Only his eyes carried a heavy, shadowy depth like desire, or something else that made one’s heart race.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he beckoned to her: “Madam, come here.

Author’s Note

Two plotlines are currently running parallel: one is Dai Li preparing to flee, and the other is Qin Shaozong setting a trap for Jiang. Both threads are crucial, so the pacing won’t rush ahead—apologies for that heart. Also, putting out a big bowl to ask for nutrient solutions cat paw

As for the VIP chapters, they’ll start around 70,000 words—not happening too soon, so I’ll help everyone save some coins for now let me see.