My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 16: Setting the Stage

Chapter 16: Setting the Stage

Dai Li asked, Sister Yun, I plan to leave the manor during the Weishi hour. Will you accompany me?

Going out again? Didn’t we just go out yesterday? Yun Rong hesitated. She was over ten years older than Dai Li, having given birth to four sons in her younger years. Combined with yesterday’s worries about her drunken husband keeping her tossing and turning all night, she felt particularly listless today.

Dai Li pretended not to notice her fatigue and complained discontentedly, Yesterday was just a brief outing – we didn’t even fully explore Nankang County. If I don’t seize the chance to relax now, once we begin marching, I’ll be stuck enduring those tedious days confined to the carriage again.

Yun Rong was initially reluctant, but then reconsidered. During their market excursion yesterday, when she heard Dai Li wanted to visit the eastern ruined temple, she had been unwilling to go to such a filthy place. Yet as the saying goes, a loss may turn out to be gain – that very incident led to her losing the Talisman and subsequently selling the favor to Dai Li.

Very well, an outing it is. Who knows, this trip might bring another opportunity.

The side gate of the county magistrate’s residence opened once more as the carriage slowly departed.

This time, Yan San was absent from the escorting guards, and only one of Qin Shaozong’s guards remained. When Yun Rong casually inquired about the reason, Dai Li simply said her residual anger from last night made her irritated at the sight of the Lord’s soldiers, so she didn’t want so many of them following.

As the carriage wheels turned, the vehicle bearing the Jiang plaque of the county magistrate’s residence slowly entered the bustling marketplace. Commoners automatically made way wherever the carriage passed.

Sister Yun, we didn’t properly examine Ruixiang Silk Store yesterday. How about visiting it again today? Dai Li began making requests again.

What could Yun Rong do but agree.

Most fabric stores in the market typically only sold materials, with merchants displaying various patterned cloths on shelves, selling them by the bolt. They didn’t include tailoring services, as that was the seamstresses’ work.

High-end silk stores were exceptions. These establishments catering to nobility weren’t short of money – they would heavily invest in hiring skilled seamstresses to create several sample garments. These samples could be tried on by customers, not so much for sizing but mainly to let distinguished guests fully experience the fabric’s comfort and patterns.

Ruixiang Silk Store excelled in this aspect.

The journey proceeded smoothly, with Dai Li no longer being distracted by gossip.

However, Yun Rong hadn’t anticipated that this favored concubine of the Lord would be much more shallow than she imagined. Watching Dai Li continuously try on clothes with unconcealed novelty and greed, Yun Rong secretly rolled her eyes.

Hah, indeed newly arrived by Marquis Qin’s side. Having seen limited fine things, she hasn’t yet cultivated any dignified composure.

Initially, Yun Rong had patience to wait, but seeing Dai Li take excessively long each time, combined with her own fatigue, she eventually moved to the resting area in a corner.

The area featured soft chairs and round tables, with maids fanning and serving tea, along with snacks provided by Ruixiang Silk Store. As the esteemed Lord’s wife, why should she stand waiting stupidly outside the fitting room when she could sit comfortably?

Creak

The fitting room door opened again.

Dai Li emerged and threw the dress in her hands to the silk store’s accompanying maid. Her peripheral glance quickly swept the resting area: Taoxiang, Dingxiang, you two go attend to Sister Yun. I have enough help here – don’t stand around getting in the way.

The two women exchanged glances. Considering various precedents, they finally obeyed in silence.

After they left, Dai Li selected one of the silk shop maids to accompany her inside, leaving the other outside.

Creak.

The wooden door closed again.

Dai Li turned to the maid beside her and whispered, I have a business matter to discuss with you. This must be kept confidential. Upon completion, I will give you three taels of silver.

Currently, a single ox costs four thousand coins, equivalent to two taels of silver. Do not think this amount is small—keep in mind that an adult laborer’s daily wage is only about twenty coins.

For an ordinary person, this was a substantial fortune.

The maid was visibly stunned.

The reason I’m telling you this, rather than my own maid, is that I have only recently been favored by the Lord and taken as his concubine. I have no one reliable at my side yet, so I must turn to you—someone unconnected to me and inconspicuous, Dai Li said calmly.

Seeing the maid’s hesitation, she added fuel to the fire, The task isn’t complicated. I only need you to buy a few items and make two deliveries to different courier stations. It involves no shady dealings.

Hearing this, the maid’s hesitation vanished. To earn three taels of silver just for being a messenger—it was an incredible opportunity. Please go on! she said eagerly.

Dai Li mentioned the courier stations she had passed by when leaving the estate yesterday. Bright Moon Residence and Secluded Orchid Courtyard—you know these two courier stations, right?

The maid nodded. Of course she knew them—they were among the top-tier courier stations in Nankang Commandery, not something commoners could afford.

Prepare a package and take it to Bright Moon Residence at the end of the Hour of the Monkey today. Give it to the manager and tell him it was left here by Madam Dai, who will retrieve it no later than the day she checks out. Ask him to keep it safe. Tomorrow, do the same—at the same time, prepare an identical package, but this time deliver it to Secluded Orchid Courtyard and repeat the exact same message to their manager.

Dai Li took some silver from her small purse and handed it over. This is the deposit. I will give you the remainder once the task is completed.

The maid hurriedly received it with both hands, her eyes glued to the money. Noticing this, Dai Li asked, Repeat what I just said.

With the silver at stake, the maid had listened very carefully and now repeated the instructions without difficulty.

Dai Li nodded and said, First Bright Moon Residence, then Secluded Orchid Courtyard—remember, the order must not be mistaken. And the package must be deposited precisely at the end of the Hour of the Monkey; do not deliver it early. As for the contents of the package, include two sets of ordinary, old black-gray ruqun for women, a small jar of rice powder, a piece of charcoal, black paste…

After listing everything, Dai Li added, When you deposit the package, remember to wear a veil hat. If you are unable to deliver the package to Secluded Orchid Courtyard tomorrow, do not force it—just leave with the package. I will return to Ruixiang Silk Shop tomorrow afternoon. If today’s task is successful, simply nod to me as a signal; there’s no need to approach.

Creak.

The fitting room door opened.

Dai Li walked out as if nothing had happened and took another set of clothing inside. After trying on two more dresses in succession, she finished fitting and walked toward the resting area.

Sister Yun, I’m done trying them on. I’ve decided to buy all the fabrics I just tried. The Lord’s favored concubine was extravagant, spending money as freely as flowing water.

Yun Rong was not at all surprised.

Whether a man is serious about a woman is most basically reflected in whether he is stingy with money.

Given how much Marquis Qin doted on Madam Dai, it wouldn’t even make him blink if she wanted to buy a few rolls of high-quality fabric—let alone if she wished to purchase the entire Ruixiang Silk Shop.

Dai Li glanced down at the small pouch tied at her waist, couldn’t resist poking it with her finger, and curled her lips in satisfaction upon feeling its weight.

Whether it was the deposit given to the maid or the payment for the premium fabric, all the money came from Qin Shaozong. The only difference was whether she handed it over personally or had the accompanying servants settle the bill.

Dai Li not only spent it without a shred of guilt but even stashed away a portion as funds for her upcoming journey south. After all, she was currently playing a role in this charade, putting in both mental and physical effort—wasn’t she entitled to some wages?

Dai Li felt no psychological burden whatsoever.

After leaving the silk shop, the two continued their shopping spree, visiting a teahouse, a rouge store, and the Goldstone Studio, which sold jewelry. Upon exiting the studio, Dai Li simply took Yun Rong by the hand and walked, forgoing the carriage altogether.

Yun Rong was exhausted to the point of dizziness, her face faintly pale and ashen. Several times, she nearly blurted out a demand to return to the residence, but she managed to restrain herself each time.

She was here as a companion; how could she speak up when the guest hadn’t had her fill of fun? Moreover, this troublemaker had always been willful. Spoiling her mood now might ruin the hard-won rapport they had built. Fine, fine—she would just endure a little longer.

Just as Yun Rong reluctantly steeled herself, she suddenly heard the person beside her say, Sister Yun, I’m a bit tired. Why don’t we rest at this Bright Moon Residence? The entrance looks clean, and the attendants are well-dressed. It seems like a decent place to stay.

Without exaggeration, Yun Rong felt as if the clouds had parted and the sun had broken through—the dark clouds looming over her head swiftly dispersed.

This troublemaker was finally tired!

Forget the Bright Moon Residence; they should just head straight back to the residence.

Yun Rong hurriedly said, Sister, we’ve been to quite a few places today and have shopped enough. Why don’t we…

Who said we’ve shopped enough? Dai Li interrupted her.

As if oblivious to Yun Rong’s incredulous expression, Dai Li continued, We still need to go to the West Market later. While we were at the Goldstone Studio, I overheard someone say that merchants from the Western Regions are selling Civet Cats there. Those Civet Cats have long, dense fur and large, fluffy tails, quite different from our local ones. I want to take a look.

Yun Rong’s vision darkened, feeling as if the half-dispersed clouds above her head were slowly converging again. Let’s go. We’ll rest at the Bright Moon Residence for a while, have some snacks, and set off again shortly, Dai Li said, pulling her inside.

Courier Stations provided lodging and also served meals to travelers.

As a high-end Courier Station like the Bright Moon Residence, the quality of its food was far superior to that of ordinary inns and could even surpass many dedicated restaurants. However, such upscale establishments had their own rules—meals were not sold separately.

If you were staying at the inn, they would prepare food for you. If you weren’t lodging and just wanted a meal, then apologies—the establishment did not accommodate such requests.

This policy won the favor of many nobles and wealthy merchants. Everyone wanted their living quarters to be tranquil, and turning the first floor into a noisy cafeteria open to all would bring them nothing but disadvantages.

Dai Li first ordered a room for one night to qualify for meals, then placed her food order. After tasting the dishes, she was utterly amazed. With a wave of her hand, she continued to splurge, astonishing Yun Rong by ordering several more days’ stay.

Yun Rong: …

Yun Rong’s face turned frosty. Her concern wasn’t with Dai Li’s gluttony but rather the thought consuming her mind—

Several more days?

Could it be that she plans to leave the residence to shop tomorrow and the day after as well?!

Author’s Note:

It would flow better to combine this chapter with the next one, but merging them would exceed the word count limit and complicate the subsequent rankings. So I had to split them up. Bear with it, sweetie cheek propping..