My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 38: How Could One Claim a Maiden's Merit?

Chapter 38: How Could One Claim a Maiden’s Merit?

Qin Ran examined the seal stamped on the mulberry-bark paper, confirming once more that both the official seal and personal letter were present—there could be no mistake.

But still…

Travel to Qiantang to find a nine-year-old child? And dispatching the Dark Valiant Cavalry to deliver the message? Why would the Lord place such importance on this? What made this child so exceptional?

The surname was Qin—could this child be the Lord’s illegitimate son, cast away from home? Yet in Qin Ran’s memory, the Lord had never set foot in Qiantang ten years ago!

Or perhaps a favored concubine had gone to Qiantang, and the Lord had only recently learned of it…

Qiantang was not a small place, and there was no telling whether the child might have been moved elsewhere. With a one-month deadline, time was exceedingly tight.

This matter posed considerable difficulty.

Though his mind swirled with countless thoughts, one thing Qin Ran was absolutely certain of: this was an opportunity—a chance for his branch of the Qin clan, long estranged from the Northern Territory Qins, to step into the spotlight!

Qin Shaozong’s power had grown increasingly dominant over the years. While others fretted over lacking a cloud ladder to climb, now this azure cloud ladder had been delivered to his doorstep—how could he not seize it firmly?

Hu Bao and his men arrived at the Qin residence near the end of the Chen hour. Without much delay, Qin Ran issued a few commands, then personally led his retinue to depart from Fanhua County for Qiantang alongside Hu Bao’s group.

As for whether news of his departure might leak and reach Lord Song, Qin Ran paid it no mind.

If Lord Song was displeased, so be it—the Lord’s affairs took precedence.

The distance between Fanhua County and Qiantang was not great. Riding at a breakneck pace, Qin Ran reached his destination the following day.

The Qin family’s shops were spread throughout Yangzhou, and Qiantang was no exception. Using one of his estates in Yangzhou as a base, Qin Ran settled in and immediately dispatched all the retainers who had accompanied him.

They were sent to the Slave Market to seek out the Broker Guild. Regardless of gender or age, anyone in this trade was to be lured back with silver.

Hu Bao and his four companions split up, each joining a team of retainers. The Slave Market in Qiantang was not large, with roughly forty brokers. With all retainers deployed, it took less than three hours for the main hall of the Qin estate to be packed with people.

Those in this trade were familiar faces, many sharing some acquaintance. Gathered in the hall, they whispered among themselves.

Why has the Qin family summoned us in such haste?”

Whatever their purpose, as long as there’s silver to be made, it’s fine.”

You always refuse to admit you’re shortsighted. We haven’t even done anything yet—just showing up earns us silver. If we help the Qin family succeed, we might not need to work for years and still live comfortably.”

Hearing this, others agreed it made sense and grew even more eager for the host to appear.

Upon learning that most had assembled, Qin Ran finally emerged from the side corridor and made his appearance.

The present day was vastly different from the early years of the dynasty. In the beginning, agriculture was heavily promoted while commerce was suppressed—merchants were barred from market registration, forbidden from riding carriages or wearing silk, and their descendants were excluded from official service.

But as time passed, especially with the flourishing trade with the Western Regions and Northern Nations, the economy experienced undeniable growth, and the government’s stance toward commerce” gradually softened.

Not to mention, in these turbulent times, collusion between officials and merchants was rampant. Many merchants no longer bowed and scraped as they had centuries before.

Qin Ran wore a deep blue, wide-sleeved robe with a round collar, a headscarf tied around his head, and a jade pendant of exceptional quality hanging from his waist—exuding an aura of wealth and authority.

The crowd in the hall fell silent, their gazes fixed eagerly on him.

Qin Ran declared clearly, I have gathered everyone here today to entrust you with a matter. Our Qin family has lost a young boy in Qiantang named Qin Yanzhou. He is nine years old, approximately five chi seven cun in height, with fair skin, peach blossom eyes, and a light brown teardrop-shaped birthmark on his back shoulder. He is handsome with short hair that reaches his shoulders at most.

Sweeping his gaze across the hall, Qin Ran continued, The misfortune has already occurred, and dwelling on its causes brings no benefit. It is better to accumulate merit through good deeds. Whoever finds our young boy will be rewarded by the Qin family with one hundred taels of silver, five prosperous shops, one residence, and five mu of fertile land.

The hall erupted in murmurs.

The implication was clear: not only was there a substantial reward, but there would be no investigation into how the boy had been kidnapped.

Many of these Broker Guild members had vested interests tied to kidnappers—where there were profits, there were dealings. Now that the Qin family had explicitly stated they would not pursue the matter, it was evident they were truly desperate to find the boy.

After speaking, Qin Ran gave a signal to his attendant, who understood and began distributing silver coins. This was the previously agreed-upon payment for their trouble in coming to the Qin residence, now settled on the spot.

Someone then asked, Might I ask, honored sir, how long has the boy been missing?

Qin Ran recalled the details from the letter. Half a year.

With this information and the silver in hand, the Broker Guild members quickly dispersed.

After they left, Qin Ran turned to Hu Bao. Captain, arrangements have been made in Qiantang. Shall we proceed to the neighboring commandery tomorrow?

Although the letter mentioned a month, Qin Ran naturally preferred to act as quickly as possible. Moreover, the boy had been missing for half a year and might have been sold elsewhere. They could not afford to focus solely on Qiantang, or the chances of finding him would be slim.

Hu Bao nodded in agreement.

For over half a month, Qin Ran traveled with Hu Bao and others through Qiantang and the surrounding commanderies.

They visited every major and minor Slave Market in the commanderies. Countless Broker Guild members, informed of the reward, joined the search, and even some kidnappers voluntarily participated.

During this time, there were those with clever schemes who discreetly learned that Qin Ran’s family was intact and deduced he was searching for a child on behalf of someone else. They brought boys to claim the reward.

At first glance, the hair, height, birthmark, and general appearance seemed to match. Qin Ran initially thought they had succeeded, but Hu Bao needed only one look to shake his head and deny it.

The boy bore no resemblance to Madam Dai, let alone showed any reaction upon hearing the name Dai Li.

It was not him.

After several such impostors were exposed, everyone came to understand—

Oh, even if the boy was not a close relative of Qin Ran’s, someone could recognize him. This was not something to be deceived about.

Gradually, the attempts at false claims dwindled.

As days passed, the search area continued to expand. Qin Ran went from being ambitious and determined to complete the task ahead of schedule to growing increasingly bewildered.

How could they not find him?

There was not even a trace of a clue, as if no matter how large a stone was thrown into the sea, it could not stir the faintest ripple in this enigmatic ocean.

Qin Ran sat alone in his study all night and finally made a decision.

The mobility within the Broker Guild was neither too great nor too small. Some left the trade after finding better opportunities. Since the current brokers had no news, it might be worth asking those who had already retired.

It was worth a try, as there were no better options.

Ying Commandery, Commandery Governor’s Residence.

Dai Li was having her morning meal, eating noodles boiled in water—a dish known as soup cakes in this era, resembling palm-sized dough slices served with mandarin fish meatballs, shrimp, and a sprinkle of scallions. The vibrant color combination was highly appetizing.

My Lady, are you heading to the salt ponds again today? Nian Xia stood before the clothing chest.

Dai Li swallowed the fish ball in her mouth. Yes, I’ll be going today as well.

The refined salt project had long been scheduled. With Qin Shaozong’s numerous capable subordinates, she technically didn’t need to visit the site personally. She could have enjoyed admiring flowers and feeding fish in the residence while relaying instructions from afar.

But Dai Li had a clear understanding of her current position. The crude salt purification project was her initiative, and the more Military Generals recognized her as an advisor, the safer she would be.

Upon hearing this, Nian Xia retrieved a deep cyan riding outfit from the clothing chest. The dark hue concealed stains well, making it perfectly suited for such locations. She then picked out two hair ribbons and a peachwood hairpin, waiting to help Dai Li change after she finished her meal.

Gazing at the rows of clothing chests and the multi-tiered vanity cases adorned with cloud-patterned bronze mirrors, Nian Xia felt a pang of regret. Even without opening the carved vanity inlaid with jade beads, she knew the treasures it held: gold filigree hairpins with bees and butterflies chasing flowers, gold hair ornaments studded with gems, gold and jade hair accessories, pearl earrings, jade bangles that chimed softly…

A single category of jewelry could fill several layers of the vanity. When Nian Xia had initially transported these items back on orders, she had wondered if the finest accessories from the young lady’s storage had all been gathered here.

Unfortunately, over the past half-month, her mistress had frequently visited the salt lakes—places where unclean was an understatement, sometimes even involving stepping into muddy pits.

Nian Xia felt both distressed by Dai Li’s constant travels and regretful for the beautiful clothes and jewelry lying unused in the room.

After her meal, Dai Li changed into the riding outfit and set out. Though she couldn’t ride a horse, she traveled by carriage.

The carriage waited at the main courtyard entrance. As Dai Li emerged from her side chamber, she spotted Qin Shaozong already standing beside it.

For the past half-month, both of them had been frequenting the salt lakes. Refined salt was like a massive bomb dropped into the ocean, its countdown ticking audibly, poised to unleash towering waves from the Northern Territory that would shock the entire world.

It seems you rested well last night, my Lady, Qin Shaozong remarked as Dai Li approached.

Her complexion was radiant, her fair skin glowing with a healthy pink hue. Her eyes sparkled like polished lacquer, bright and lively, the vermilion mark on her forehead vivid and vibrant. She exuded the vigorous vitality of spring plants striving upward.

When had this change begun?

Ah, yes—since over half a month ago, when she had leveraged Wugong’s assistance to carve out a fox’s den among his advisors. From that day onward, her confidence had visibly grown day by day.

She swished her fluffy fox tail boldly before him, occasionally daring to scratch him with impunity—truly audacious.

Dai Li smiled and nodded. Thanks to you, my Lord, I indeed rested well. After our recent efforts, the tiered ponds by the salt lake are now complete, plant ash has been fully collected, and all preliminary work is finished. I believe refined salt will be ready in at most two days.

The salt production method involving trench cultivation and solar evaporation was also known as the Five-Step Salt Production Process.

When she had initially explained the steps to Nalan Zhi, it only covered the early stages of brine collection and evaporation. Subsequent steps included filtration, brine storage, crystallization, and harvesting.

Under ideal preparatory conditions and clear weather, the operational cycle of the ridge-cultivation irrigation and solar evaporation method ranges from five to seven days.

With the recent excellent weather, when Dai Li had earlier stated two more days as the limit, it was the minimum estimate, if not shorter.

Avoiding the tanned hand that sought to assist her into the carriage, Dai Li boarded on her own. Thank you, but I must let everyone know that the advisors under the Lord’s command are not only resourceful but also physically robust. Merely boarding a carriage requires no assistance from the Lord.

As she spoke, she grasped a wooden beam for support and stepped inside.

Qin Shaozong caught only a fleeting whiff of fragrance, and in the blink of an eye, she had vanished before him. The subtle scent still lingered at the tip of his nose, yet she, like the fragrance itself, remained elusive and untouchable.

Her earlier words had let the fox’s tail wag triumphantly once more.

Qin Shaozong stood outside the carriage for two breaths, then stepped in with an unruffled expression.

Once the child was found, there would come a time when she would beg him.

The carriage departed the estate, weaving through bustling streets crowded with traffic, heading toward the southern city gate.

As the distance from the lively markets grew, the clamor gradually faded, and silence settled around them. Like planks stirred up from a riverbed by turbulent currents, every minute detail resurfaced in the quiet, leaving nothing concealed.

The gaze from across the carriage remained fixed on her the entire time—intense, unmistakably invasive. A mere lift of her eyes or turn of her head would meet those large, feline-like brown pupils.

Dai Li cast a fleeting glance but pretended not to notice.

The carriage exited the city through the southern gate.

On the way to the salt lake, they first passed through farmlands. Dai Li lifted the side curtain to gaze outward.

Sow one grain in spring, reap ten thousand in autumn. Spring was the sowing season, and the previously captured defeated soldiers had now been fully deployed to till the fields.

Dai Li spotted the silhouette of a Dragon Bone Waterwheel by the fields. A man in short attire cranked the front wheel, and the dragon-head spout immediately gushed water noisily. The burly man was overjoyed, while others waiting in line—likely farmers hoping to borrow the wheel—watched in admiration.

The spring breeze carried their voices.

It’s like the Dragon King of the waters, flying from the rivers into our fields, blessing us common folks.

Exactly! Farming is truly good. I never liked fighting and killing—one misstep and you’re reporting to the King of Hell. I haven’t lived enough yet.

Following the officials’ instructions, we’re planting more wheat. With this marvel, the wheat is sure to thrive. Once we’ve delivered the required grain, they say we’ll shed our prisoner status and become commoners again.

Then we must work harder. Speaking of which, we owe thanks to that Madam Dai for bringing this marvel to Ying County…

Dai Li froze, but just as she strained to hear more, the carriage had already moved beyond earshot.

For over half a month, she had been shuttling between two points with no detours elsewhere. Only today did she realize that the implementation of the Dragon Bone Waterwheel seemed to have diverged from what she had envisioned.

Turning to the man across from her, she met his brown eyes and asked, When promoting the Dragon Bone Waterwheel, did you inform the commoners about my involvement?

To steal another’s wealth is called theft; how much worse to claim heaven’s merits as one’s own? Qin Shaozong chuckled. The Dragon Bone Waterwheel came to my knowledge because of you, Madam. What harm is there in privately letting them know?

When the notice was posted, Dai Li’s name wasn’t mentioned. Only the city’s carpenters were summoned to urgently manufacture Dragon Bone Waterwheels. The spreading of rumors was separately arranged through discreet agents in teahouses and eateries.

Word on the street claimed: The Dragon Bone Waterwheel was invented by a reclusive scholar surnamed Ma. But the recluse, having exhausted himself with work, saw his health steadily decline. On his deathbed, he entrusted a Madam Dai to bring this invention to the government offices, hoping official channels would promote its use.

Seeing Dai Li staring blankly at him, Qin Shaozong raised his long eyebrows. Why are you gaping at me with those big eyes? A true man stands firm between heaven and earth—how could I steal credit that belongs to a woman? Madam deserves her name recorded in history.

Of course, what he didn’t say was that beyond disdaining stolen glory, he had other plans.

Without the ability to protect herself, a prominent reputation would be more curse than blessing. Given her intelligence, she’d eventually realize that leaving his side recklessly would lead only to death.

Dai Li hadn’t yet grasped these deeper implications. Hearing his words, she smiled and flattered him, How wise you are, Lord. It’s truly a privilege to serve under you.

Qin Shaozong smiled without responding.

The carriage rumbled along the official road, soon arriving at the salt lake.

Due to differences in ion composition and physical factors, salt lakes display myriad colors—blue, green, brown, pink… every hue imaginable.

The salt lake before Dai Li was cyan-green, a strikingly beautiful shade resembling both a washed-clean sky and captivating emerald waves. Its surface lay mirror-calm, occasionally ruffled by wind-borne ripples.

The naturally formed salt crystals around the lake were large-grained and whiter than those produced through sea-boiling and sun-drying methods.

Yet whether from this location or other sources of crude salt, the taste remained intensely bitter, indistinguishable from the strongest bitterness of seawater.

Refined salt is sodium chloride, while crude salt contains numerous impurities alongside sodium chloride—among which magnesium chloride tastes particularly bitter. Purifying crude salt into refined salt essentially means removing these impurities.

Spotting the familiar carriage halt, Feng Feng and Bai Jianping—who had been working at the salt lake for over half a month—quickly approached.

Both wore exhilarated expressions, nearly dancing with unrestrained joy. Lord, Madam Dai—we’ve succeeded!

As they spoke, they extended cloth bags whose open mouths revealed crystalline whiteness pure as snow.

Unlike the salt from the lake, the contents of these small bags were visibly purer and finer.

Dai Li had not expected success ahead of schedule. That’s excellent, she remarked with a smile.

Qin Shaozong reached into a bag, scooped a pinch of white crystals with his long fingers, and brought it to his lips.

An unprecedented purity of saltiness exploded across his taste buds. That single taste told him this small bag of salt in Feng and Bai’s hands held greater value than gold.

What the nobles of Chang’an lacked was never silver, but exclusive luxuries—things nobody else possessed, or superior versions of what others had.

Dai Li didn’t taste it, knowing better than anyone how salty refined salt could be. Perhaps the lakeside winds were strong, but she suddenly felt inexplicably cold, a chill rising up her spine that made her shiver.

She instinctively turned to see their parked carriage, the tall horses harnessed beside it snorting and stamping. Further beyond stretched sapphire skies clear as crystal and jade-like mountain ranges rolling into the distance.

In this era without pollution, everything possessed beauty beyond any painting.

Just as Dai Li was about to turn her head, a small patch of black suddenly intruded into her peripheral vision.

It was the corner of the black robe worn by the man beside her, lifted by the wind. This tiny speck of black became the sole shadow in the otherwise picturesque scene, like the glimpse of a black claw revealed by a tiger lurking in the forest.

Dai Li froze, and in that fleeting moment, she seemed to understand where the chill had come from.

Author’s Note: Green Heart Green Heart Green Heart