My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 2: You Shall Serve Tonight

Chapter 2: You Shall Serve Tonight

The blade hummed with vibration, and Dai Li’s nerves trembled like a tightly drawn bowstring.

The curtain separating the inner and outer chambers was broken, leaving the space unobstructed, but she stood by the window on the opposite side, thus remaining hidden from the man’s view in the outer room.

At any moment, he could enter. Without overthinking, Dai Li immediately slipped into the role of a servant: I beg your forgiveness, esteemed sir. I am no evildoer. I was ordered by the Lord to tidy the bedchamber and lost track of time, hence the delay. There are still unfinished tasks in the room. I humbly ask you to wait a moment.

Unseen by Dai Li, the man in the outer room slowly raised his brows at her first words.

Her voice was pleasing—uniquely and naturally gentle, like warm water or a spring breeze. Though tinged with dryness from nervousness, it was remarkably captivating.

Qin Shaozong strode into the inner chamber without a word.

It was the hour of the setting sun. Outside the window, the Golden Crow blazed fiercely. The woman, clad in a short top and long skirt, stood with her back to him. Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on her nearly bare arms, which gleamed with a milky whiteness so bright it dazzled the eyes.

Her hands braced against the windowsill, elbows slightly bent, she appeared poised to climb out.

Just as Dai Li prepared to leap, an overwhelming sense of danger surged like a tidal wave, drowning her already taut nerves and sending an inexplicable chill down her spine.

The next instant, a large, well-defined hand reached from behind and clamped around her upper arm.

The grip was firm. As his fingers splayed and then tightened, the plump flesh of the woman’s arm swelled slightly between them.

Dai Li’s pupils contracted sharply. The strained thread in her mind snapped with an audible crack, freezing her in place.

His rough palm was scorching, as if wrapped in blazing fire, jolting her into tremors and searing away most of her rationality.

Sh-she’d been discovered…

In moments of extreme fear, sometimes the voice fails. Dai Li felt as if her throat were stuffed with straw—unable to utter any defense, each breath stinging with discomfort.

Where did you plan to go? The deep male voice betrayed no emotion.

Dai Li stood motionless, offering no reply, while the hand gripping her arm did not loosen.

Receiving no answer, Qin Shaozong turned her around.

Her skirt swirled as their gazes met across less than an arm’s length. Both were momentarily stunned—one frozen in terror, the other struck by her beauty.

Dai Li stood at 168 centimeters, not short for a woman, yet the man before her towered nearly a head taller, at least 188 centimeters or more.

Dressed in black robes, his hair tied high in a crown, he had a prominent nose and deep-set eyes. A small break at the end of his left eyebrow lent him a fiercer air than most.

Faint traces of time marked the corners of his eyes, clearly past the restless years of youth. Yet age had left no decline in his bearing or gaze; instead, it had precipitated the authority of deep seas and an elusive depth. When his amber-brown eyes fixed unblinkingly on a target, he resembled a tiger awaiting its moment.

The sense of oppression from his height made Dai Li’s heart stutter. He stood like a towering pagoda, its shadow engulfing her completely.

She recognized his voice—earlier, someone outside had fawningly addressed him as Lord, followed by his conversation with that person.

She had encountered the leader of the opposite side. How was she going to talk her way out of this?

In Qin Shaozong’s vision, this strangely dressed woman was truly beyond his expectations. She possessed a pair of exceptionally striking peach blossom eyes, with pupils as dark as ink and whites as pure as fresh snow. The creases on her upper eyelids were distinct, forming a delicate pale pink fold.

Modern women’s short-sleeved tops typically featured waist-cinching designs, and Dai Li’s blouse was no exception. Its folded collar created a small V-shape, revealing a glimpse of her crescent-moon collarbones.

The form-fitting short outfit clearly outlined her graceful figure—full, elegant curves that were neither too slender nor too plump. Her skirt was half-damp, occasionally gathering one or two droplets that quietly fell onto her shoes, which were merely connected by several dark green straps and leather.

The woman’s toenails were painted with rouge, so vibrant they resembled red plum blossoms blooming on snow. Perhaps sensing his gaze, her fair feet retracted slightly, attempting to hide in the shadow of her skirt.

These moments seemed to stretch into individual frames, all surrounding sounds fading into isolation.

As the man before her scrutinized her from head to toe, Dai Li felt his gaze was peculiar yet intensely invasive—as if it had transformed into blades, while she became meat being meticulously dissected on a chopping board.

His hand still gripped her upper arm firmly—rough, scorching, and undeniably present. This burly man, clearly a military general, could likely snap her neck with one hand.

Dai Li dared not move, frozen like a stone sculpture.

How could she explain her bizarre attire and soiled clothing appearing in the guest of honor’s chamber?

If mistaken for an assassin and interrogated, how could she account for her origins?

Zhou Zhou was still waiting for her—she couldn’t die.

Before Dai Li could devise a strategy, a sudden pain shot through her hair as the kerchief fastened with a bobby pin was torn away.

Qin Shaozong had assumed she covered her face knowing her peach blossom eyes were exceptionally captivating, thus playing to her strengths. Hence, he held little expectation when removing the kerchief, merely acting on curiosity.

The result, however, far surpassed his expectations.

With a gracefully straight nose and naturally crimson lips, the woman’s stunning features against her flawless, delicate skin resembled a masterfully painted scroll saturated with vivid colors. Unlike girls in their teens or twenties, she was a peony in full bloom—voluptuous, mature, and beautiful, carrying a hint of habitual languor. Her elegance embodied the magnificence of a peony, as radiant as gleaming jade and pearls.

Yet, perfection bore a flaw. Qin Shaozong suddenly raised his hand.

Dai Li instinctively retreated, her back quickly pressing against the windowsill—nowhere left to escape. Behind her was the cold, hard edge of the window; before her, the imposing man. Trapped in this confined space under his restraint, she shuddered uncontrollably as his hand passed near her neck.

Contrary to her fear of a broken neck, the man’s calloused thumb brushed across her forehead, wiping away the mud that had soiled her face.

With the grime cleansed, a cinnabar mole was revealed between her brows.

If she had been the epitome of beauty—a peerless peony in a golden pavilion—this crimson beauty mark elevated her allure to ethereal heights, adding an untouchable, icy elegance.

Qin Shaozong slowly narrowed his eyes.

The abrasive sensation on her forehead made Dai Li break out in goosebumps at the nape of her neck. Though his hand was warm, she felt as if plunged into an ice cellar.

Gazing into the man’s desire-filled eyes, Dai Li recognized something not entirely unfamiliar—and it struck her with sudden clarity.

Initially, she had misunderstood.

Perhaps due to this era’s disdain for women, or perhaps due to his confidence in his own capabilities, rather than viewing her as an assassin sent to claim his life or a spy stealing secrets, he placed her in another category altogether.

That gaze of his just now was less an examination of an enemy by an ally, and more a man’s intense stare at a woman.

Dai Li had never been subjected to such a potent, devouring stare before.

Back in school, the boys were fervent but innocent; once caught staring, they’d shyly look away. Later, at work, given the nature of her workplace, the men were highly educated and refined, polite even in their admiration, always knowing where to draw the line.

Qin Shaozong hooked a few stray strands of her disheveled hair, tucking them behind her ear, his fingers brushing intentionally or not against her soft earlobe. Did you just take a tumble in the pond?

Dai Li found it hard to articulate the whirlwind of emotions in those fleeting moments—like a sudden break of radiant sunlight after oppressive storm clouds, or an island rising beneath her feet to lift her from the abyss after a tsunami.

She had thought of a plan, a brilliant strategy to escape certain peril and retreat unscathed for now.

Lowering her gaze to avoid those intensely oppressive brown eyes, Dai Li said, News of the esteemed guest’s arrival spread quickly. Everyone wished to serve you, leading to some minor friction today. This humble one had no choice but to soil your honorable residence. I beg your forgiveness.

Qin Shaozong stood much taller than Dai Li. As the woman before him bowed her head demurely, the ink-black hair cascading over her shoulders slid like water to the side, revealing a glimpse of her pale, slender neck.

Utterly submissive and controllable.

Qin Shaozong didn’t withdraw his hand. Instead, following her bowed head, his large palm moved from her ear to the nape of her neck, as if measuring or soothing a small animal with a gentle stroke. Since you don’t get along with them, you need not return from now on.

Dai Li trembled uncontrollably—this time, it wasn’t an act. The hand on her neck was overwhelmingly invasive, like a heavy shackle clamped around her throat. Had she not kept her head lowered, the panic on her face would have been unmistakable.

Secretly pinching her palm to steady herself, Dai Li timidly looked up after adjusting her expression and asked uncertainly, But didn’t this humble one overhear you saying you’re unaccustomed to having attendants by your side?

As soon as she finished speaking, Dai Li heard a soft chuckle—whether laughing at her feigned ignorance or her genuine foolishness, she couldn’t tell.

Exceptions exist for everything; it all depends on whether it’s worth making one. Qin Shaozong withdrew his hand, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together as if still feeling the delicate, warm texture. What is your name, miss?

Fengchun, Dai Li gave a random name.

As a servant without registered household status, one’s name was bestowed by the master. She was certain he wouldn’t doubt it.

Qin Shaozong’s gaze swept over her from head to toe once more, his long eyebrows lifting slightly. Fengchun—’meeting spring,’ a fitting name. Go wait in the main chamber. You’ll attend to me later.

Both being adults, especially in such a context, Dai Li understood perfectly what kind of attending he meant.

Thank you for your appreciation, sir. I shall spare no effort to satisfy you tonight. The beauty smiled, her radiance like warm spring sunshine that seemed to brighten the entire room. Yet her delight soon faded as she collected herself: My dress has been soiled. May I have your permission to return and change into fresh garments? I shall come back to serve you after making myself presentable.

Granted. He approved.

Dai Li felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart. She didn’t conceal her relief, her smile curving the corners of her eyes into lovely arcs, brilliant as spring blossoms. The slight aloofness she’d maintained melted away, leaving only a dazzling radiance that could make one dizzy.

Qin Shaozong glanced at her for a moment longer.

With permission secured, Dai Li hurried outward. As she passed by him, the subtle fragrance of freesia drifted in varying intensities, refreshing and delightful.

The damp hem of her skirt brushed lightly, and a drop of water fell from her moving form onto the man’s black boot, leaving a faint, barely noticeable spot.

Just as Dai Li was about to step out of the inner chamber with joyful anticipation, the man behind her suddenly spoke: Halt.

Dai Li froze. The heart she had just settled instantly leaped to her throat, her palms growing clammy with sweat.

Had he discovered her lie? Had he changed his mind? Or had she inadvertently revealed her deception somewhere…

Author’s Note:

Update time tentatively set at: 9:00 Morning

Lovely to see so many familiar readers! Happy to have you here, love you all heart