My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 14: Night Meeting

Chapter 14: Night Meeting

All eyes converged upon her, the scent of alcohol in the air seemingly condensing into a tangible mist. The surrounding pairs of eyes resembled glowing green wolf pupils—faceless and countless—staring unblinkingly at her as though they would pounce and tear her to shreds at the slightest misstep.

Dai Li felt goosebumps rising on her back.

She remained motionless for a long moment until the man at the head table called out again, Madam…

It seems you’ve grown deaf tonight, Qin Chang Geng. Very well, I shall humor you. Leaving only these words, Dai Li turned and departed under the astonished gazes of the crowd.

Even though Yun Rong had always known of her willful nature, she couldn’t help but change expression.

This wasn’t behind closed doors—they were guests elsewhere now. Throwing such a tantrum was tantamount to trampling Marquis Qin’s dignity underfoot. Yun Rong imagined their roles reversed and felt that if she had done such a thing, she would likely receive a letter of divorce.

My Lord, this… Jiang Chonghai hadn’t anticipated this either.

Qin Shaozong still showed no anger, merely sighing with a laugh, I was the one who provoked her first. I’ll go apologize to her later.

A glint of dark light flashed in Jiang Chonghai’s eyes. For him to even speak of apologizing to a lowly concubine—it seemed he was indeed somewhat drunk.

Meanwhile.

Dai Li returned to her chambers and quickly dismissed the two maidservants after they attended to her washing up, using the pretext of retiring for the night.

Closing the door, extinguishing the lamp, and climbing into bed—all done in one fluid motion.

Lying on the bed, Dai Li’s heart raced wildly.

She had gone out with Yun Rong at noon today, then left the banquet midway with her again this evening. There were too many questions about what had transpired during these intervals—she couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t come to her after the festivities ended.

She needed to sleep quickly, hoping the dark room would deter him from entering. Whatever needed discussing could wait until tomorrow.

A thoroughly drunken man was useless—incapable of rising in every sense. But those merely tipsy or half-drunk—that was far more dangerous.

Dai Li had always enjoyed good sleep quality, but whether from excessive tension tonight, she tossed and turned unable to sleep, constantly feeling as if with every turn she glimpsed the Sword of Damocles hanging over her head.

The banquet in the main hall was already winding down when Dai Li departed, and it completely dispersed not long after.

Everyone was thoroughly intoxicated, with Jiang Chonghai requiring support from two servants to walk. After bidding farewell to Qin Shaozong, he staggered back to the main chamber on unsteady feet.

Yun Rong had long instructed maids to prepare kudzu root soup as a hangover remedy. As soon as he sat down, she brought over a bowl: Husband, quickly drink this hangover soup, or you’ll feel terrible tomorrow.

Having drunk all evening, Jiang Chonghai felt nauseated at the sight of more liquids, inwardly cursing his misfortune.

Tonight’s drinking session had been arranged for Qin Shaozong. They had started drinking before their wives and Madam Dai returned. Before the banquet, he had specifically eaten something to line his stomach, while on the surface everyone drank on empty stomachs, continuing to drink throughout the feast.

Despite drinking from beginning to end, he still failed to make Qin Shaozong dead drunk. The man’s capacity was astonishingly vast—truly enviable and infuriating.

Leave us. Jiang Chonghai dismissed the servants. After the door closed, he turned to Yun Rong: Where did you go with Madam Dai when you left the estate at noon? Did she say anything? And when you left the banquet together tonight, what did you discuss during that time? Tell me everything in detail, leaving nothing out.

Yun Rong began recounting events from noon, starting with the silk shop before mentioning how Dai Li had suddenly gone to the dilapidated temple outside the city. She emphasized Dai Li losing her Talisman and wanting to discreetly replace it through her assistance, as well as accidentally learning that evening that Marquis Qin intended to take her to admire the peach groves.

Jiang Chonghai’s expression shifted repeatedly. Are you certain she said ‘endless peach groves’?

Yun Rong chided, Husband, you previously stressed this matter as utmost importance—how could I dare neglect it? Rest assured, not a single word was altered. That’s exactly how she phrased it.

Jiang Chonghai suddenly let out a cold laugh. Well played, Qin Shaozong. You actually dared deceive me.

After the two women left the banquet, he had taken advantage of his drunkenness to ask Qin Shaozong about strategies for suppressing Li Zan. He inquired about routes, tactics, and whether there was any assistance he could offer.

At that time, Qin Shaozong remained silent for several breaths before launching into an elaborate explanation. He claimed they would adopt a divided forces strategy, splitting into two units to advance through the central and lower routes simultaneously toward Ying Province.

How splendid—it was all fabricated!

Had he not planted an informant near Madam Dai, he would have truly been made a fool.

It seemed Qin Shaozong indeed possessed remarkable tolerance for alcohol. While somewhat intoxicated, he hadn’t been muddled enough to neglect crucial matters. Then again, having held high position for years, his favor toward Madam Dai was one thing, but he would never fully disclose plans to the Governor of Nankang Province with whom he shared no rapport. Such wariness was to be expected.

Husband, should we process those two Talismans for Madam Dai? Yun Rong asked.

Why would she need two Talismans? Isn’t one sufficient? Jiang Chonghai sounded puzzled.

Yun Rong curled her lip disdainfully. She’s scatterbrained—why else would she have lost four Talismans before? She only went to the eastern city once and managed to lose another. Now wanting two likely means she’s preparing a spare in case the new one disappears again, but she doesn’t wish to tell Marquis Qin. So she’s obtaining a backup. Husband, shall we arrange it for her?

Two Talismans aren’t excessive—of course we’ll process them! We’ll still have uses for her later and mustn’t alienate her now. You’ve seen Madam Dai’s Talisman—describe its details to me thoroughly. Jiang Chonghai, grown stout over the years, slumped in his seat after drinking and showed no inclination to move. Later, summon my brother. I have urgent matters to discuss with him. You’ll sleep in the adjacent room tonight.

After Yun Rong finished detailing the Talisman, she reminded him, Husband, remember to drink the kudzu root soup. I’ll take my leave.

Jiang Chonghai closed his eyes to rest and did not respond.

Approximately two quarters later, Jiang Chongjiang pushed the door open and entered.

Elder brother, what did you need? Jiang Chongjiang grumbled incessantly. Dawn is only a few hours away. Couldn’t this wait until tomorrow? One night hardly makes a difference.

He had also attended the banquet and drunk heavily, now yearning only to lie down.

If I summoned you, it’s undoubtedly urgent. Bolt the door securely. Jiang Chonghai held a soup bowl. You’ll personally visit Zhuo Bing’s residence later. Tell Old Zhuo to work through the night producing two Talismans. Inform him they must be delivered to my estate before noon tomorrow. If delayed, he’ll never receive another morsel from us.

Jiang Chongjiang froze, his expression gradually turning grave. Elder brother, what warrants such urgency?

Since his younger brother needed to relay specific Talisman details, Jiang Chonghai saw no reason to conceal the truth. Madam Dai lost her Talisman and wishes to keep it from Qin Shaozong. Therefore, she requested your sister-in-law’s help in acquiring two new ones.

Jiang Chongjiang didn’t think much of it. It’s just a Talisman. What’s the harm in letting Qin Shaozong know? That Qin fellow dotes on her so much—even when she publicly humiliated him at the banquet, he acted as if nothing happened. Forget one Talisman, he’d probably get her ten without batting an eye.

Jiang Chonghai couldn’t be bothered to explain the intricacies. Never mind why. Just make sure you handle this properly. Madam Dai’s value is immense—otherwise, I wouldn’t have you rushing out in the dead of night.

With the curfew in effect, ordinary people were forbidden from going out. Anyone caught wandering outside would face imprisonment at best or be beaten to death on the spot. His younger brother’s face served as a pass, ensuring smooth passage, and that slick Zhuo Bing would recognize the urgency and not dare delay.

Knowing the banquet had been a setup, Jiang Chongjiang decided to ask while he was there: Elder Brother, do you trust the marching route Qin Shaozong mentioned tonight? Should we send word to Ying County?

Jiang Chonghai slowly closed his eyes, his wife’s earlier words flashing through his mind. Finally, he uttered four words: Not fully trustworthy.

Compared to when he first returned to his room, Jiang Chonghai was much calmer now. Qin Shaozong’s claim about marching through the central and lower routes was unreliable—after all, the man hadn’t seemed drunk enough to spill secrets carelessly.

But what about Madam Dai? Could she be fully trusted? Was it possible that her side was also a trap, deliberately set by Qin Shaozong, waiting for him to stumble right in?

The paranoid Jiang Chonghai couldn’t stop wondering.

Elder Brother, what about Ying County… Jiang Chongjiang hesitated.

Jiang Chonghai opened his eyes. Tonight, I’ll send a letter to Brother Li, informing him of the general situation and asking him to await my second message.

Dark clouds veiled the full moon. On this moonless, windy night, a side gate of the governor’s mansion quietly opened, and two figures emerged.

In the deep silence, neither rode a horse. One headed south to knock on a household’s door in the southern district, striding inside under the occupant’s astonished gaze. Soon, the house blazed with light. The other went east, using a token to open the city gate and mounting a swift horse provided by the guards. Rider and steed set off on the eastern official road, the hoofbeats fading swiftly into the vast night.

Beside this road to Ying County, after the hoofbeats had nearly vanished, dense grass rustled abruptly. A figure emerged, brushing off grass fragments as they stood.

Been lying in wait for two days—finally caught that bastard passing by. Now I can report back to the Lord.

Time crept by. Dai Li tossed and turned, unable to sleep no matter how many times she shifted.

After another restless turn, she suddenly heard footsteps and voices outside. Her breath hitched. Instinctively, she pulled the quilt up to cover the lower half of her face, leaving only her eyes exposed.

My Lord, shall I have someone fetch kudzu root soup from the kitchen?

No need. All of you, return to your rooms and rest.

Perhaps because the night was too still, or maybe it was her imagination, Dai Li felt the footsteps growing louder, as if someone was approaching her room.

Moments later, her door thumped softly—the sound of someone trying to push it open but failing due to the lock.

Madam, open the door.

Dai Li’s heart sank.

He’d actually come for her!

At that moment, there came movement from the small side chamber connected to the room. The maid, who had ingrained the duty of serving her master into her very bones, hurriedly rose and passed through the central door into the main bedroom, then swiftly opened the door for the man outside.

In Dai Li’s astonishment, she heard the door creak open.

No need for your services tonight. All of you, leave. The man’s voice was deep and resonant, like a sea whipped into towering waves by the wind, carrying a profound authority.

Author’s Note:

This chapter couldn’t fit here saving it for tomorrow melting emoji