My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 36: She Ran Out from the Fox Cave...

Chapter 36: She Ran Out from the Fox Cave…

When the Golden Crow had climbed to the zenith of the heavens and begun its westward descent, a carriage escorted by a team of cavalry entered Ying Province through the northern city gate.

Amid the rhythmic clatter of hooves, the unadorned carriage moved steadily along before finally halting before the wide-open gates of a lavish mansion.

The carriage door swung open, and a figure clad in a long green robe stepped out. Mo Yanyun, Feng Feng, and the others waiting at the mansion’s entrance broke into smiles.

It’s been over a month since we last met. Nalan, your complexion looks much better than before. It seems you have recovered as before.

Congratulations are in order.

The figure in green raised his head, revealing a man around fifty years of age with a pale complexion, long ears, and a scholarly air accentuated by his long beard. Contradicting his gentle demeanor was a black mark on his right cheek.

It was not a natural birthmark, but a stark, clearly defined black imprint with sharp edges—the mark of a man who had once been subjected to facial tattooing as punishment.

Nalan Zhi smiled and said, I wouldn’t say I’ve fully recovered, but I can manage long journeys now. When the Lord’s strategy for suppression was relayed back, it truly lifted my spirits. Even nine parts of illness could instantly vanish by seven. Feng Feng laughed heartily, Then when you see the Dragon Bone Waterwheel later, Nalan, won’t the remaining two parts of your discomfort turn into wispy clouds, scattered by the wind without a trace?

What is this Dragon Bone Waterwheel? To think it has even excited a well-traveled Dark Valiant Cavalry captain like you, Nalan Zhi asked curiously.

The Dragon Bone Waterwheel—what an ingenious name.

Feng Feng gestured with his hand, inviting Nalan Zhi to enter the mansion first. The latter smiled, stroked his long beard, and stepped inside alongside him.

As they walked, the two vividly recounted the events of the previous day to Nalan Zhi.

Mo Yanyun began from the time he went to report on his duties, describing how Dai Li used a tree branch as a brush to draw in the courtyard, and how Qin Shaozong had ordered over a dozen carpenters to work through the night to construct the Dragon Bone Waterwheel.

Feng Feng took over the narrative, Just half an hour ago, the Dragon Bone Waterwheel was delivered to the mansion’s rear garden. The Lord is there now as well. Nalan, would you like to go and see it?

Nalan Zhi naturally nodded.

Having just arrived at the mansion, it was only proper to pay respects to the Lord first. Moreover, without seeing it for himself, the itch of curiosity in his heart would remain unscratched.

The afternoon sun was just right. The rear garden of the mansion was spacious, adorned with rockeries and strange stones as scenery, with pavilions and waterside towers rising from the ground.

A breeze swept through, carrying the subtle fragrance of flowers from the garden. Amid the fresh, pleasant scent, the sound of water was particularly distinct—not the gentle trickle of a spring-fed stream, but a loud, gushing noise like a sluice gate being opened.

Mo Yanyun, caught off guard, accidentally stepped into a small puddle. Strange, how is there water here? Could the pond be leaking?

You blockhead, it must be the Lord testing the Dragon Bone Waterwheel, Feng Feng retorted impatiently.

Nalan Zhi quickened his pace toward the sound. After rounding a rockery draped with flowering vines, his view suddenly opened up.

The pond, as vast as a lake, was exceptionally wide. A pavilion-style waterside tower stood on the lake, connected to the shore by a zigzagging plank bridge. Snow-white cranes could be seen flapping their wings by the water’s edge. Yet, none of these sights could capture Nalan Zhi’s attention.

His gaze was fixed unblinkingly on the wooden dragon by the pond.

The wooden dragon was about two zhang in length, its tail submerged in the pond, while its body, formed by linked wooden boards, curved upward. As a burly man at the top cranked the dragon’s horn at the head, the dragon’s mouth continuously spewed water.

The powerful rushing sound from moments ago originated precisely from this.

A dazzling light appeared in Nalan Zhi’s eyes, like a meteor streaking across the night sky. He even forgot to exchange pleasantries with Qin Shaozong, whom he hadn’t seen for over a month, merely bowing briefly before saying: My Lord, where is the creator of this Dragon Bone Waterwheel? May I meet her?

Even though Mo Feng and the others hadn’t explained the waterwheel’s water transport capacity or how animal power could replace human labor, Nalan Zhi had seen through it all at a glance.

He saw even further—

More water, more farmland, and subsequently increased grain production. Food reserves in the Northern Territory, surplus grain in the homes of Northern commoners, and the Lord’s greatly enhanced prestige.

Extending further, all common people under heaven would widely benefit.

This was undoubtedly an invention that would leave its mark in history, and correspondingly, history would reserve a place for its creator.

When the Dragon Bone Waterwheel arrived, I already sent someone to notify Madam. She will arrive shortly, Qin Shaozong said with a laugh, addressing Nalan Zhi by his courtesy name. Wugong, you need only wait.

After Dai Li threw down her brush, she stared at the book on her desk for a long while. Recalling last night’s events, she finally took a deep breath and picked up the wolf hair brush again.

She had barely finished tracing one character when Bi Po entered the room. Madam, a squad leader has come to the courtyard. He says the Dragon Bone Waterwheel has been delivered to the rear garden. The Lord requests your presence to inspect it.

Dai Li’s eyes widened in surprise. So soon?

She had drawn the Dragon Bone Waterwheel just yesterday noon. In this short span—merely twelve shichen—the physical object had already been constructed?

How many craftsmen had he mobilized simultaneously?

Very well, I’ll go now, Dai Li said, setting down the increasingly heavy wolf hair brush.

Madam… Nian Xia spoke softly.

Dai Li turned to look at her. What is it?

Nian Xia whispered, Many beautiful dresses have just been delivered. Would you like me to help you change into one?

Dai Li was still wearing her plainest gray dress. Judging by this attire alone, eight out of ten ordinary women in the marketplace dressed similarly.

While commoners wouldn’t mind such clothing, within these high walls—especially in the premier residence of Ying County—even the lowest-ranking dancer would far outshine her.

Nian Xia knew well that aside from the principal wife, all women in the rear courtyard depended on the master’s favor for survival. She had seen concubines in wealthy households fall from grace, transforming from cherished flowers into trampled mud.

Favor brought influence, while neglect meant decline.

Now that she served this Madam Dai, her mistress’s prosperity meant her own advancement. She genuinely hoped this madam would maintain lasting favor.

Dai Li, however, said, No need. This will do.

Though Nian Xia and Bi Po wished to persuade her further, Dai Li had already stepped out the door.

Taking the shortcut, the distance wasn’t far.

As she reached the arched gateway connecting to the rear garden, Dai Li overheard Qin Shaozong conversing with someone.

The voice was unfamiliar—one she hadn’t heard before—but judging by Qin Shaozong’s casual tone as if chatting with an old friend, this person was undoubtedly an important minister under his command.

Dai Li thought of that Nalan gentleman. It seemed this heavyweight strategist had finally arrived.

A smile touched her lips, and her footsteps immediately lightened.

From their Lord’s account, Nalan Zhi learned that Madam Dai was the messenger. Their Lord said the actual inventor of the Dragon Bone Waterwheel was someone else, asking if he knew of Ma Jun.

But though he searched through all the renowned scholars—great and small—that he had ever heard of, he couldn’t find any mention of this Ma Jun in any corner of his memory.

There is no such person—no, it should be said that he was unaware of such a figure.

Thus, this Madam Dai became the key.

Apart from when she first entered the estate, Nalan Zhi had heard no further news of Dai Li. In his imagination, this Madam Dai ought to be a simple peasant woman.

She might be in her forties or fifties, her skin darkened from years of labor, living in the reclusive village where Ma Jun resided. One day, the great hermit invented this extraordinary creation but happened to be unable to leave, so he entrusted Madam Dai to take the blueprint out of the village and deliver it to the Lord, who happened to be nearby.

However, when that figure in gray and black entered his sight, Nalan Zhi was uncharacteristically stunned for a long time.

Some people’s beauty cannot be concealed by clothing. Even dressed in old and simple garments, it was as if an aura of grace shimmered around her, illuminating features that were already transcendent.

The vibrant spring scenery of the entire garden seemed to dim considerably upon her arrival.

Dai Li noticed the inked characters on Nalan Zhi’s face. The fierce, dark marks looked, at first glance, like a black insect crawling across his face.

Setting aside the myriad eccentric tattoos of the modern era—this was child’s play in comparison—she knew she would need this Nalan to keep Qin Shaozong in check later on, so she absolutely could not show any aversion or disdain.

Dai Li offered a polite smile, as if the ink marks did not exist. “Earlier, I overheard Mo Duwei and the others mention that a rare talent, well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge, would be visiting the estate today. I presume that must be you. Nalan, I’ve long heard of your esteemed reputation.”

From the moment Dai Li stepped into the rear garden, Qin Shaozong’s gaze had been fixed on her.

He watched as she swept a light glance over everyone present, including him, a slight curve at the corner of her lips serving as a greeting, before she directly engaged Nalan Zhi in conversation.

Starting off with such lavish praise, and claiming to have “long heard of his reputation”? If she hadn’t previously admitted to living in the secluded Peach Blossom Garden, her words would have sounded quite convincing.

Hah, she must be up to some other scheme.

Qin Shaozong twisted the jade thumb ring on his finger, watching coldly as Dai Li exchanged pleasantries with Nalan Zhi, his gaze dark and unreadable.

In the eyes of Nian Xia and Bi Po, everything was utterly unbelievable, like a thousand-foot tidal wave rising in the vast ocean, crashing fiercely toward the shore, obliterating all their past understanding in one fell swoop.

In their limited experience, even the official wives of bureaucrats were expected to show respect to their husbands’ subordinates and others of official rank.

If even the principal wives were bound by such decorum, let alone secondary wives and concubines…

Yet now, they stared wide-eyed as Dai Li, dressed in old clothes, conversed with the gentleman in the blue robe as if no one else were present.

Everyone in the rear garden watched them—whether it was the Lord said to rule the entire Northern Territory, the duwei, xiaowei, or military officers nearby—not a single one interrupted. The vast garden centered around the two of them, with everyone waiting in silence.

Though she wore no splendid attire or golden hairpins, she was like a luminous pearl radiating brilliance, still strikingly eye-catching.

Nian Xia felt somewhat dazed, wondering if she was still dreaming. How else could she witness such a bizarre scene?

To hit it off instantly with someone like Nalan Zhi was, in Dai Li’s view, not a difficult task.

Such renowned scholars, who served as advisors to the powerful and occupied important positions, possessed vast knowledge as a basic requirement, followed by skills in strategy and insight into human nature, among others.

Given Qin Shaozong’s high standards and the respectful attitude of those around him, Dai Li surmised that aside from the aforementioned qualities, this Nalan likely possessed both pride and compassion.

His heart was set on the well-being of the common people, taking the peace of the realm as his personal responsibility.

As someone standing at the far end of the river of history, especially since she worked for a state-level publishing house and had edited, compiled, and reviewed books mostly on history and agriculture—fields that aligned perfectly with the topic—it was hardly difficult for Dai Li to impress a renowned scholar from a thousand years ago.

After all, the gap in information lay squarely between them.

Feng Feng stood beside Qin Shaozong. As time slowly passed, he felt an inexplicable chill, though he wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination.

He glanced around. The Dragon Bone Waterwheel, having completed its test, had stopped working. The wind it had stirred up earlier had died down, so there was no breeze carrying moisture. Moreover, the Golden Crow in the sky remained unobstructed by clouds.

Feng Feng had risen from a refugee to his current position largely due to his sharper and more perceptive mind than most. After scanning the surroundings, he kept his head still but quickly shifted his gaze sideways toward his superior, then followed his line of sight to the woman not far away.

In that moment, it seemed Feng Feng understood something.

Dai Li used the Dragon Bone Waterwheel as a starting point and went on to discuss crops with Nalan Zhi.

The primary crop of this era was millet, valued for its short growth cycle and tolerance for poor, arid soil. Even though its yield was relatively low, millet remained central to agriculture, as it could survive even in newly cultivated wasteland.

Later, as large-scale water conservancy projects were implemented across various regions, wheat—which required more water—gradually spread across the north. Winter wheat, sown in autumn and harvested in summer, could be rotated with other crops. Moreover, compared to millet, wheat yielded significantly more.

Dai Li carefully moderated the conversation, not lingering too long with Nalan Zhi. Just as he was clearly becoming intrigued, she suddenly seemed to remember that the garden held more than just the two of them. She quickly turned to Qin Shaozong, who stood a few steps away, and said, Lord…

Her words caught in her throat, for the faint, knowing smile on his face made her suspect he had seen through her plan.

He might have guessed that she intended to use Nalan Zhi to counterbalance him.

If I recall correctly, the last time my lady was this enthusiastic and instantly befriended someone, it wasn’t long before she schemed against that ‘friend,’ nearly costing him everything, Qin Shaozong remarked meaningfully.

Dai Li: …

Such a fine man, yet he had to have a mouth like that.

It seemed he had indeed guessed.

But it didn’t matter. Even if he had figured it out, she could still proceed openly—this was something she absolutely had to do!

Nalan Zhi looked surprised, his gaze shifting thoughtfully between the two.

Since Nalan has only just arrived at the estate today, I’m sure you have much to discuss. I won’t disturb you any further. Dai Li decided to retreat for now, avoiding direct confrontation and waiting for a more opportune moment to act.

She turned to Nalan Zhi, still smiling politely. Nalan, until we meet again.

After Dai Li left, the garden fell into a brief silence, the atmosphere carrying an indescribable strangeness. Finally, Nalan Zhi cleared his throat lightly, My lord, this Dragon Bone Waterwheel far surpasses the well-sweep and bucket by immeasurable degrees. As it is now the spring plowing season, why not gather all carpenters to produce a small batch first? Then distribute these Dragon Bone Waterwheels across the counties of the Northern Territory, while posting public notices in cities to widely disseminate their manufacturing methods. I believe within a year, this device will spread throughout the entire Northern Territory.

Remembering Dai Li’s earlier mention of wheat, Nalan Zhi smoothed his long beard, If water extraction becomes significantly easier, higher-yielding wheat will blow into thousands of households like the spring breeze.

When common people fare better and have ample grain reserves, collecting grain taxes from them would become more convenient.

Qin Shaozong nodded, I was thinking the same.

Implementing the Dragon Bone Waterwheel was imperative. The initial expenditure of silver and manpower, regardless of amount, would become negligible compared to the subsequent results.

Nalan Zhi couldn’t help asking, My lord, this Madam Dai is quite extraordinary. Where does she actually come from?

Qin Shaozong chuckled lightly, She crawled out from a fox den.

Nalan Zhi’s hand trembled, nearly pulling out one of his own beard hairs. Even knowing his lord sometimes spoke with sharp sarcasm, he still felt astonished.

His lord rarely commented on women before. Such an unusual and subjective description was, to his knowledge, the first time.

His gaze shifted toward Mo Yanyun, who wore a complicated expression. Judging by his look, Madam Dai’s origins and deeds couldn’t be explained in just a few words.

Returning to her room, Dai Li planned to take a nap before casually encountering Nalan Zhi later, reasoning that by then they would have finished discussing important matters and that Nalan would be free.

But as she turned and sat on the couch, Dai Li looked up to meet two pairs of eyes – one round like a cat’s, the other more slender. Though differently shaped, both held identical fiery intensity.

Dai Li asked in surprise, What’s wrong with you two?

Madam, you… Nian Xia’s face flushed red, finally squeezing out three words, So impressive!

Beside her, Bi Po nodded repeatedly, This servant has never seen anyone as majestic as you before.

Though their words were vague, Dai Li understood perfectly. They had never encountered such a nonconformist woman like her, hence found it extremely novel.

Dai Li sighed and said something they couldn’t comprehend, In the future’s future, everything will get better.Ultimately, it was the limitations of the era – this oppressive feudal age had severed their paths to education and official positions, binding countless women like them, trapping them in inner courtyards where they could only live at others’ mercy.

If only…

Some thoughts barely surfaced before Dai Li dismissed them.

Impossible. Unrealistic.

The dust of era falls upon everyone like a great mountain. How could she, alone, contend against the entire age? She was currently like a clay Buddha crossing a river – unable to save herself, let alone possess the capacity to rescue others.

Nian Xia and Bi Po truly didn’t understand, but that didn’t prevent them from nodding at whatever Dai Li said now: Madam speaks wisely.

I’m taking a nap. Please wake me in half an hour, Dai Li said, lying on the couch and pulling the quilt over herself.

The two maids assented.

Listening to the insect chirps outside the window, her mind gradually calmed, and Dai Li soon fell into deep sleep.

Nian Xia timed it precisely—not a single minute off from the agreed half-hour. When Dai Li was awakened after her nap, she felt even more refreshed and decided to go out to coincidentally run into Nalan Zhi.

Perhaps luck was on her side today. Not long after leaving the main courtyard, Dai Li noticed people coming and going from a pavilion courtyard in the distance. Her intuition told her that someone might have moved in.

Approaching for a closer look, she found her guess was correct—not only was she right, but she had also stumbled upon her target.

A slight curve touched Dai Li’s eyes as she entered uninvited.

By then, the other idle bystanders in the courtyard had mostly dispersed, leaving only a young man in his early twenties, dressed as an attendant, organizing chests and boxes.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around. After a moment of stunned silence, a blush crept across his face. Who—who are you?

Is Nalan here? I have business with him, Dai Li said.

Hearing the commotion, Nalan Zhi emerged from inside and personally invited Dai Li in. Madam Dai, please come inside. Musen, stop organizing for now and go boil water to prepare tea for the lady.

Dai Li followed him into the house.

Nalan Zhi’s room was exceptionally well-lit. The furnishings were not overtly luxurious but rather elegant and tasteful, clearly arranged with care.

Once seated, Dai Li did not beat around the bush. She got straight to the point: Nalan, I would like to ask you to act as a mediator—to persuade the Lord to allow me to join his council of strategists.

Author’s Note: Nalan Zhi, courtesy name Wu Gong (No Merit) a very humble name orange heart

Today marks the end of a minor story arc. Next, we’ll introduce another main storyline centered on family ties pink heart

Yesterday’s chapter got flagged around half past midnight, I received a site notification. Some reader proactively contacted the authorities and specifically reported my update…

It’s terrifying. In just about a month and a half since I started posting, I’ve already been reported twice. This second report came even faster than many regular readers could catch up like they finished reading and immediately flipped the switch. Combined with my last book, I’ve received nearly ten reporting notices. Could it be that some shady fellow writers are keeping tabs on me? burst into tears melted.