My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 18: The Second Game Between Her and Him

Chapter 18: The Second Game Between Her and Him

A smile lingered on Dai Li’s face. That sounds good. But I’ve heard such promises many times before. They can talk until flowers bloom from their lips, yet what arrives are always dead fish and stinking shrimp.

The fishmonger wasn’t offended in the slightest. Nobles and wealthy merchants always had high standards – those who complained about the goods were genuine buyers. How about this: the day after tomorrow at the hour of Wei, I’ll bring a crate of seafood. You can send someone to inspect it then. Would that suit you?

Considering the round trip plus the time needed to receive goods at the dock, even working day and night, the earliest they could return would be the hour of Wei, two days later.

This timing coincided perfectly with Dai Li’s plans.

Agreed.Dai Li paid a partial deposit. I’ll send someone to collect the goods by the end of the hour of Shen at the latest, the day after tomorrow.

Dai Li had previously told Qin Shaozong that her main purpose for leaving the mansion was to inquire with broker guilds about possibly finding traces of her son. This was her stated reason, and something she absolutely needed to do.

Unlike fishmongers who needed to sell their perishable goods quickly to get good prices, broker guilds operated more flexibly. Even as evening approached, some guilds remained active in the market.

Dai Li found an experienced broker and carefully described her needs, only to see him shake his head. I don’t have any child matching that description.

Noticing Dai Li’s luxurious attire – gold hairpins in her cloud-like hair, a dark blue ruqun dress with flowing cloud patterns and subtle shimmering embroidery made of premium fabric – along with her fair and delicate complexion, he recognized she was no ordinary woman.

Let me ask my associates. Perhaps they might have what you’re looking for,the old broker said, secretly determined. Even if none existed, he could try to procure someone matching her specifications.

Dai Li stood motionless for a long while before silently turning and leaving.

*

The setting sun cast golden light as twilight clouds merged like jade pieces.

As dusk fell, a carriage bearing the Jiang Mansion plaque rolled homeward through the sunset glow. This outing had been quite productive.

Upon returning, Yun Rong went straight to her main chamber supported by her personal maid, too exhausted to move. Even when her beloved grandson came looking for her, she sent him away.

Just as she was drifting to sleep, the door opened and Jiang Chonghai entered. Where did you go with Madam Dai today? Did she inadvertently mention anything unusual during your conversations?

Yun Rong felt a headache coming on at the mention of Madam Dai.We visited countless places – she covered all three markets in the east, west, and north. No wonder she’s married to a military general, her energy is remarkable. I didn’t hear her say anything particularly noteworthy. I’ll have Taoxiang come by later to give you a full account.

Jiang Chonghai stroked his small beard without comment.

After all, she was just a woman – what could she possibly know? Any useful information would be a pleasant surprise, but he wasn’t disappointed by the lack thereof.

Ah, from what she implied, she wants to go out again tomorrow and the day after. I’m utterly exhausted – could our daughters-in-law accompany her tomorrow instead?Yun Rong complained.

Nonsense! Absolutely not!Jiang Chonghai’s first reaction was to scold her. In terms of official rank, I’m inferior to Qin Shaozong. How would it look to have our daughters-in-law accompany her? Wouldn’t Qin Shaozong think I’m looking down on him? We mustn’t make any mistakes at this critical juncture.

Yun Rong felt resentful but was too tired to argue with him.

Seeing her complexion was truly poor, Jiang Chonghai softened his tone: You should still accompany her to the market. If you feel too exhausted later, find a teahouse to rest, and have those two maidservants keep a close watch afterward.

Yun Rong had no choice but to nod.

After parting ways with Yun Rong, Dai Li returned to her chamber.

The day’s plan had gone smoothly, and she had even learned that the Hutuo River was nearby—truly a blessing from heaven. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would be able to leave Nankang County the day after tomorrow.

Dai Li’s good mood lasted until she pushed open her door.

The brilliant glow of the setting sun poured into the room as the door opened, casting a warm and gentle hue across the floor. Yet this tenderness seemed to halt abruptly as it reached the depths of the room, barely touching the man’s black robe.

The man inside lifted his head at that moment. His expression was calm, but his eyes were deep, like a bottomless abyss. Madam has returned.

For some reason, Dai Li felt a sudden tension in her spine.

Something felt off.

Dai Li stood still for a moment, then entered the room as if nothing were amiss. Her opening words were laced with sarcasm: Oh my, what wind has blown such a busy man here?

Qin Shaozong, however, did not look at her. Instead, he addressed the two maidservants who had followed Dai Li inside: You may leave. I have some private matters to discuss with Madam.

Dai Li: …

The two maidservants paused, then slowly withdrew.

Click. The door closed gently, and with that soft sound, the room fell into silence. This silence seemed to grow like wild vines, binding one’s legs and rooting them firmly in place.

Sit,he said.

Dai Li lowered her eyes and obediently walked over, taking a seat opposite him. Do you have any important matters to instruct me on, my lord?

Qin Shaozong, however, pointed to the tea set on the table. Do you know how to brew tea?

Dai Li: I know a little.

In this era, tea cultivation and consumption had become quite common. Tea culture was not only regarded as a refined art but was also documented by renowned physicians as bitter tea, long consumed, benefits the mind,highlighting its medicinal value.

From the nobility to commoners, every household kept tea. As for the quality and quantity of the tea and the accompanying tea sets, that depended entirely on one’s wealth.

Dai Li looked at the fruit tray and teacup on the table, feeling somewhat troubled. Her earlier claim of knowing a littlewas no modest understatement. Unlike the modern method of simply steeping tea leaves in hot water, tea in this era was more complex. In addition to tea leaves, ingredients such as dried melon, fruit pulp, mint, salt, and tangerine peel were often added.

How to add them, in what order, and which came first—Dai Li truly had no idea.

Under the weight of his gaze, Dai Li decided not to overthink it. The order didn’t matter; as long as she could brew tea, it would suffice. After all, she had already given him fair warning.

Although Madam need not return to your former residence in the future, your sudden disappearance would surely cause panic among your old servants. They might even report it to the authorities.Qin Shaozong’s voice was as placid as the unboiled water on the table.

Dai Li’s hand, which had been scooping dried melon, froze abruptly. A small piece of dried melon at the edge of the wooden spoon fell onto the table with a soft tap*.

For a moment, she felt as though the table was no longer just a table but had become the outer membrane of her sensitive heart. Otherwise, why would the mere fall of a small piece of dried melon startle her so much that she nearly lost her composure?

No, it had nothing to do with the dried melon. It was the topic itself that was too dangerous…

At the top of her field of vision, a large, well-defined hand suddenly appeared. Its nails were neatly trimmed and rounded, but a faint scar stretched across the back of the hand to the index finger. His skin tone was relatively dark, making the scar stand out—at first glance, it resembled the pale fangs of a wolf.

Qin Shaozong picked up the dried melon slice. At this stage, we cannot afford any mishaps. To avoid alerting the authorities by your former servants, I must trouble you, Madam, to write a letter. I will send someone to deliver it to them.

Dai Li slowly raised her eyes to meet his brown ones. You need not worry about them alerting anyone. How could a few mute women report to the authorities? As for the letter, it is unnecessary—they are illiterate and cannot read it. Previously, there were two able-bodied guards at my humble home who could read and write. However, after my son was abducted, one, perhaps overwhelmed by guilt, was taken by a sudden illness, and the other left a letter saying he was going to seek reinforcements from his master.

Qin Shaozong, however, smiled faintly. No matter. We should still go there. Leave a letter informing that Qin Huali of your whereabouts, so he won’t come to disturb you in the future.

If she had only been worried before, Dai Li now suspected that this man had likely sent someone to the fabricated address ten li west of the city—the one she had previously told him about.

He was suspicious.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have circled back to this topic again and again.

Dai Li’s spine stiffened, countless thoughts racing through her mind. Just then, she saw Qin Shaozong set down the small melon slice and reach out as if to take her hand.

The scene from last night flashed through her mind—this man was sharp. If he discovered her palms were sweaty now…

Dai Li abruptly set down the small wooden spoon and rose from her seat.

Qin Shaozong’s reaching hand stilled. He watched as she moved around the low table and finally knelt beside him.

The act of kneeling required adjusting her skirt and bracing her hands on her thighs. Seizing the opportunity, Dai Li wiped the thin layer of sweat from her palms. My Lord, have you been unable to locate my former residence?

Qin Shaozong’s gaze had been fixed on her hands—those pale, slender fingers with their healthy pink tips, like soft willow catkins in spring or finely carved mutton-fat jade.

But upon hearing her words, he averted his eyes. His long eyebrows arched with interest, and instead of answering, he countered, Why would you say that, Madam?

Dai Li replied earnestly, From my interactions with nobles, I’ve observed that they are cautious and meticulous, planning three steps ahead with every move. Moreover, important people are always busy. You do not seem like someone with idle time, so you wouldn’t bring up my former residence without reason. Thus, I boldly speculate that you may have sent someone to search for it, but your soldiers were thwarted by a maze formation and found nothing, which has left you somewhat puzzled.

For now, he still had use for her. No matter how deep his suspicions ran, he wouldn’t act too aggressively.

Dai Li was certain of this.

Qin Shaozong took the hand she had placed on her knee and enveloped it in his own, scoffing, Maze formation?

Dai Li’s heart skipped a beat.

Qin Shaozong pinched her fingertips, his tone mocking. Are you going to say next, Madam, that some Taoist from who-knows-where set up a maze formation around your home, making it impossible to find?

Dai Li: …

An atheist.

Why did she have to encounter such a rare breed in this ancient era?

A light, persistent rubbing sensation traveled along the inside of her wrist. A fine, tingling itch crept along her nerves, mingling with the warmth of the setting sun outside the window, leaving her unbearably agitated.

Dai Li pretended not to catch the implied meaning in his words. Huali didn’t wish for me to have much contact with the outside world, which is why he built our home outside the city. Still, one needs supplies to live, so complete seclusion isn’t feasible. That’s why we settled just ten li beyond the county. In the first couple of years, hunters would occasionally come by. After it happened too often, Huali grew weary of it and invited a man named Zhengyangzi, who claimed to have received teachings from the Donghua Emperor, to our home.

Dai Li stole a sidelong glance but detected no skepticism, curiosity, or reverence for the Taoist on his face. His gaze remained fixed on his palm, as if he were more interested in her hand.

She continued, Strangely enough, Zhengyangzi merely placed a few stones in front and behind our humble abode, as well as in the southeastern corner, and everything changed. Unless guided by someone familiar, ordinary people simply couldn’t find the path to our home. From then on, we were never disturbed again. If not for my son being abducted during his travels, I likely wouldn’t have left the woods…

Seeing that he still showed no reaction, Dai Li decided to play her final card. If you’re truly curious, perhaps another day I could personally take you there.

The man beside her finally lifted his eyes. The last rays of sunlight from the window fell upon his deep-set brows, casting a brilliant golden glow over them. The unconnected tail of his left eyebrow resembled an unsheathed blade, exuding an aura of formidable authority. Tomorrow, I’ll have Yan San accompany you.

He had clearly agreed to the idea of taking a trip,though he wouldn’t be going himself.

Dai Li furrowed her delicate brows in distress. Tomorrow won’t do. I have plans with the Lord’s wife for the next two days—we’ve arranged to visit many places, and I acted quite eagerly about it at the time. How about the day after tomorrow? I haven’t finalized my schedule for then yet.

Qin Shaozong neither agreed nor disagreed but suddenly asked, You didn’t have a Talisman before. How did you enter the city then?

A Talisman served as an identity pass, necessary for entering and exiting the city gates.

Dai Li replied softly, I offered some silver to a peddler I usually worked with and asked him to find a merchant caravan. I entered the city under the guise of a servant accompanying them.

Qin Shaozong pressed, What is that peddler’s full name, and where does he live?

Dai Li shook her head. I only know his surname is Wang. Beyond that, I know nothing. Previously, dealings with peddlers were handled entirely by those two guards.

And if you can’t find your son after entering the city, how do you plan to leave? Qin Shaozong asked again.

Dai Li stole another glance at him. If I can’t find him, I had no intention of leaving. I’d find some well-off household to stay with temporarily.

Qin Shaozong’s fingers, which had been lightly holding hers, stilled. Noting her cautious expression and the way she kept sneaking looks at him, he let out a soft chuckle. You’ve thought this through quite well, haven’t you? Serving one master is no different from serving another—as long as you pick someone worthwhile, right?

You asked, so I answered truthfully, without a hint of deception or falsehood. But that was all in the past. Now that I have a noble Lord like you, why would I bother with lesser options?Having said this, she observed that his expression remained as cold and unreadable as ever.

Dai Li lowered her head to untie the small bamboo token at her waist and placed it in Qin Shaozong’s palm. I need not elaborate on how deeply those in servitude cling to their Talismans. In the past, my intentions were indeed impure, but those bygones have turned to dust—let them scatter with the wind. Since this object has frequently revealed itself before the Lord’s wife, it will likely no longer be needed. Could you spare a moment of your attention to safeguard this Talisman for me?

As she spoke, Dai Li’s gaze remained fixed on the Talisman, her reluctance plain to see.

The large, distinctly veined hand slowly closed, and the information on the Talisman vanished as if submerged by a rising tide of darkness, becoming entirely invisible.

That night, you already searched my person and know I possess only this one Talisman. You must keep it secure, Dai Li murmured wistfully.

Qin Shaozong replied simply, Rest assured, it will not be lost.

My Lord, I have an important matter to report, Dai Li said, straightening her posture solemnly. Today, while I was out, I visited Ruixiang Silk Emporium, a teahouse, Bright Moon Residence, and other places, spending a considerable amount of silver.

Once again, Qin Shaozong sensed that furtive gaze studying him and found it amusing. If you spent it, you spent it. Is it worth such trepidation? Could it be that Qin Huali was a miserly skinflint who only jingled a few coins from his money pouch for your ears?

Dai Li’s lips twitched.

This man truly…

Author’s Note:
Tomorrow’s update has been moved from 9:00 a.m. to 21:00 (9:00 p.m.). No morning update, folks! cat paw