My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 39: Stranded in the River of Time...

Chapter 39: Stranded in the River of Time…

Dai Li followed Qin Shaozong to the salt harvesting area by the salt lake.

The final step of the five-step salt production method was shoveling – a purely physical labor compared to other steps, requiring only the stacking of crystallized salt onto salt piles for subsequent transportation.

Looking around, numerous snow-white ice cream cones of varying sizes stood on the ground. The pure whiteness was pleasing to the eye and utterly captivating.

After tasting the refined salt, everyone – whether Qin Shaozong or the Dark Valiant Cavalry he had deployed for salt production – was exceptionally pleased.

Anyone could see this represented immense wealth.

The world would be shaken by refined salt, the nobility of Chang’an would become obsessed with it, and even foreign tribes from the Western Regions and Northern Kingdoms would offer beautiful gems, precious furs, and fine warhorses in exchange.

Under the intense gazes fixed upon her, Dai Li subconsciously paused her steps, only now realizing that perhaps, like with the Dragon Bone Waterwheel, he hadn’t concealed that the refined salt came from her hands.

While everyone was discussing the refined salt, he suddenly asked: Is the Peach Blossom Garden my lady mentioned located near Nankang County or Qiantang?

His tone was casual, as if merely chatting with a friend. But Dai Li knew better – after the refined salt’s appearance, he had developed an unusually strong interest in the Peach Blossom Garden she mentioned.

First the Dragon Bone Waterwheel, now refined salt – why couldn’t there be more…

What he was asking about might not be limited to just the Peach Blossom Garden.

Dai Li replied calmly, My Lord, I too would like to know the answer to that question.

Just when she thought he would press further or simply lift that thin veil of concealment to ask what other unprecedented objects might exist in the Peach Blossom Garden besides refined salt…

He said this instead: Not finding the way doesn’t matter. After you reunite with your son, anywhere can be home, right?

Qin Shaozong automatically ignored the husband she mentioned who had conflicts with her and wasn’t brought up by her.

Even if she couldn’t find the Peach Blossom Garden temporarily and couldn’t see old acquaintances, should those old acquaintances come looking, he could ensure they’d never return.

My lady, what price do you think would be appropriate for selling refined salt elsewhere? Qin Shaozong asked.

Dai Li glanced at him, not believing he had no opinion himself. The more expensive the better initially. After all, the salt field is too large, requiring many workers. This method won’t stay secret long.

Unlike closed-door research, the salt field’s vast area was openly accessible from all directions. Once refined salt appeared, various forces would inevitably trace its origins. Dai Li privately believed the refined salt production method couldn’t remain secret for long.

After a pause, Dai Li expressed doubt: But are you sure you can sell it? Selling illegal salt is prohibited – be careful lest local authorities confiscate your entire operation.

Qin Shaozong only smiled: I have my methods.

Ahead lay a small salt pit – not large, but two palms deep. Seeing her about to step into it, Qin Shaozong reached out to steady her.

His action was natural, but Dai Li was startled by it. By the time she reacted, the familiar restraint around her waist had already disappeared. Looking at the man beside her, his expression remained ordinary, as if he had merely offered casual assistance.

Dai Li: …

The successful production of refined salt indicated that all previous processes were problem-free, so the two spent considerably less time at the saltworks today than before.

When leaving, Qin Shaozong took a bag of refined salt back to his residence to improve their meals. Dai Li thought to herself that the man had finally done something decent.

Yangzhou, Congnan County.

Counties were smaller than commanderies, and among all counties, Congnan County ranked among the least developed. Its already sparse population had decreased by nearly a third after a minor plague outbreak three years prior.

Creak.A rickety wooden door opened, and a limping, elderly figure hobbled into the thatched cottage.

Old Sun, look who’s here? his wife’s voice rang out enthusiastically from inside, warmly greeting the entering Old Sun.

Old Sun looked up.

Well, it was their married daughter returning with her husband.

Old Sun grinned—clearly delighted—but insisted on making a few sarcastic remarks, Haven’t seen you in two years. Thought you’d died out there. What wind blows you back today?

He turned and instructed his wife, Wang Shi, We’ve got two extra mouths to feed today. Go buy two extra flatbreads from Old Li at the end of the street.

No need for trouble—I brought wine and meat. The daughter stopped her mother, then gave her husband a meaningful glance. Understanding, he opened the hemp bag he was carrying.

Sure enough, it contained a small pot of Yellow Rice Wine and a roasted duck.

The elderly couple was overjoyed at the sight.

The family gathered around the table and began their midday meal.

After her husband and Old Sun had shared two rounds of drinks, the daughter finally said, Father, I have a question for you. Back when you worked at the Broker Guild in Qiantang, did you ever see a fair-skinned, nine-year-old boy with short hair?

Her husband, Li Aniu, added, The child had Peach Blossom Eyes and a light brown, teardrop-shaped birthmark on his back shoulder.

At this point, the daughter held little hope.

The trip back to her parents’ home came about because Aniu remembered her father had once worked at the Broker Guild in Qiantang and wanted to ask for information. She, reflecting on how long it had been since her last visit, agreed—hence their mutual decision.

She was aware that the Qin family in Qiantang was searching everywhere for someone and knew her husband was tempted by the staggering reward. After all, not only was there a heavy bounty for finding the person, but even providing verified, crucial clues could earn a substantial sum.

Privately, however, the daughter didn’t believe this trip would yield any results.

Her father hadn’t worked at the Broker Guild for many years and had left Qiantang long ago. The child the Qin family was searching for had only been missing for six months—the timelines didn’t match up.

Brokers flocking to the Qin residence had nearly worn out their doorstep, yet all returned empty-handed—even Zhao Tietou, who had the most extensive connections. In her opinion, the child had likely died quietly elsewhere. With wind and rain eroding the remains, the body might have become unrecognizable, perhaps even carried off by wild wolves outside the city.

Her husband, blinded by money, was acting recklessly, now desperately turning to her father as a last resort. Still, she genuinely wanted to visit her family, so she wasn’t foolish enough to object.

After Li Aniu finished speaking, he stared anxiously at Old Sun.

Old Sun held a ceramic cup in his left hand and wooden chopsticks in his right, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the roasted duck before him, as if pondering which piece of meat to pick.

The silence stretched on so long that Li Aniu grew despondent. He averted his gaze, intending to drown his sorrows in a sip of millet wine, when suddenly he heard—

I’ve seen him.

Li A’niu’s body jolted, and he fired off a rapid series of questions: Uncle Sun, are you sure the child you saw is the one I just mentioned? When did you see him? Where? What was he like at the time? And where did he go?

Wang Shi was equally bewildered. Father, didn’t you stop working for the Broker Guild seven years ago?

Old Sun didn’t look at either of them, as if lost in his own memories. That was many years ago. Eight years, nine years, maybe even ten—I can’t remember exactly. I came across that child by the river outside the city. He was soaking wet, his hair was very short, about this length…

Old Sun set down his wooden chopsticks and gestured toward his own head, his palm hovering less than half a foot from his scalp.

I’d never seen a child with hair that short before. And his clothes were strange—short sleeves and short pants, like what a farmer wears to work in the fields. But his skin was delicate and fair, unusually pale. Seeing him all alone by the windy riverbank, I worried he might catch a chill. I happened to have a flint on me, so I told him to take off his clothes so I could dry them by the fire.

What happened next? What then? Li A’niu pressed. Did he have a light brown, teardrop-shaped birthmark? And it had to be on his right shoulder!

Old Sun took a sip of wine but didn’t answer Li A’niu directly, instead continuing with his recollection. He called me ‘uncle’ and asked me to take him to some sort of ‘bureau.’ He said something he was holding had broken, and he couldn’t contact his mother. He even asked to borrow something from me. The child even volunteered a long string of numbers and a name—I suppose that name was his ‘mother.’

Wang Shi listened in utter confusion.

What was her father talking about? What bureau? What broken thing in his hand?

And what did mother mean? Was it another word for mom?

Could it be that the child’s nonsensical ramblings had stuck in her father’s memory all these years?

The child was about this tall, Old Sun said, raising a hand to indicate the height beside him. He was small, but he seemed clever and polite, even though his words were hard to follow. He wasn’t foolish, though. At the time, I guessed he was the son of some wealthy family. Helping him dry his clothes was just my way of hoping to get a reward when I returned him home.

Li A’niu leaped up from his chair in shock. Neither Wang Shi nor he had mentioned the detail five chi and seven cun earlier.

But Old Sun’s casual gesture had just indicated that exact height.

Wang Shi stared, dumbfounded, before finally repeating her husband’s earlier question. Th-then, did he have a teardrop-shaped birthmark on his right shoulder?

Old Sun nodded, then shook his head. It seems like there was a birthmark, but then again, maybe there wasn’t. How could I remember clearly now?

I’ve lost my appetite, Li A’niu declared, throwing down his chopsticks. He was in no mood to eat. Uncle Sun, come with us to Qiantang right away! Let’s claim the reward! A grand estate, prosperous shops, fertile fields, and hundreds of taels of silver—they’ll all be ours!

Old Sun had downed several cups of wine by then. Whether he was slightly drunk or still lost in his memories, he remained motionless.

Though he showed no reaction, his wife, Wang Shi, lit up at the news. Old Sun, go to Qiantang and claim the reward! Hundreds of taels! And shops that’ll keep making money! Even if your other leg breaks, you’ll have nothing to worry about for the rest of your life. With that much, won’t you be able to buy all the fine wine you want?

Old Sun jolted upright and hurriedly rose to his feet. Let’s go, let’s head to Qiantang immediately.

The entire family was visibly excited, except for Madam Sun. She had remained silent throughout, a small furrow forming between her brows.

The encounter her father spoke of had happened at least seven years ago, while the noble’s child had only been missing for half a year. The timelines simply didn’t align.

Qiantang, Qin Residence.

Ever since receiving Qin Shaozong’s handwritten letter over half a month ago, Qin Ran had not returned to Fanhua County. Using Qiantang as his base, he traveled between various counties, eventually settling primarily in Qiantang.

With less than seven days remaining before the one-month deadline, Qin Ran was so anxious that several blisters had formed on his lips.

What if we still can’t find him after seven days? How will we explain this to that lord? He paced restlessly in the room, accompanied by his eldest son Qin Yishang, who had been assigned to assist in the search in Qiantang.

Qin Yishang felt his father was overly anxious. If we can’t find him, then we can’t find him. We’ve done our best and can report truthfully. The Lord’s magnanimity is as vast as the ocean—surely he won’t blame us.

Qin Ran sighed in frustration. It has been exactly thirty-five years since your grandfather moved our branch of the family from the Northern Territory to Yangzhou.

Outsiders viewed the Qin clan as united. When Lord Song from Fanhua County shared tea with him and occasionally mentioned Marquis Wu’an from the Northern Territory, Qin Ran would put on a proud expression. But internally, he knew well that their Yangzhou branch had maintained little connection with the main family over these thirty-plus years.

Apart from sending someone north with New Year’s gifts annually, there had been no other communication.

Now that an opportunity had finally presented itself, this feeling of helplessness was utterly maddening.

Just then, a servant came to report, Benefactor, an old broker from the guild is here, claiming to have important clues to provide.

During the initial stages of the search, Qin Ran had grown tired of hearing such claims. People showed up daily, each insisting they had crucial information, all fixated on the reward money in his pocket. He didn’t mind the silver, but he resented being deceived with false leads, which only hindered the search.

It wasn’t until Captain Hu Bao suggested a solution that the endless stream of troublemakers was curbed.

Father, the last person who claimed to have important clues exhausted me completely, Qin Yishang recalled with lingering dread. He had traveled day and night across several counties, even wearing out a horse, only to discover it was all fabricated. His fury and frustration at the time had been entirely justified.

Qin Ran rubbed his temples. Fewer people have been coming lately. Regardless, we must see this old broker.

As the Qin father and son entered the main hall, Hu Bao happened to return with his men from outside. Seeing people approaching from both sides, Old Sun’s family grew visibly uneasy. Madam Sun, in particular, couldn’t resist tugging at her husband’s sleeve.

She still felt the whole matter was unreliable.

No matter how many other details matched, the timeline was wrong! It wasn’t a matter of one or two months—it was several years, enough for a nine-year-old child to grow into a youth.

No matter how confused the noble might be, he wouldn’t mistake the disappearance of a young boy for that of a teenager…

Hu Bao’s gaze swept over them, noting Madam Sun’s subtle gesture, but for the moment, he said nothing.

Qin Ran looked at Old Sun standing below. So you’re the one with important information? Make it brief. If your lead proves true, you’ll be duly rewarded. But if I discover you’re here to swindle us with lies, don’t blame me for having the guard captain throw you in prison.

The hall was brightly lit, furnished with exquisite ornaments that clearly spoke of immense value. The two men seated at the head wore luxurious attire, each adorned with a Jade Ring at their waist. Behind them stood several towering, broad-shouldered men dressed in black, each equipped with…

swords, presumably.

Old Sun began trembling like a sieve. The long journey from Nanjun to Qiantang had long since sobered him up. Now standing in this grand hall, his heart filled with trepidation: Honored sir, I’ll only share what I know, and you can judge for yourself. If you don’t believe me, could we pretend this never happened and just give me a few coins for my journey home?

Qin Yishang burned with anger.

Merely a slight intimidation had already made the man reveal his cowardice—this was likely another swindler coming for reward money. In his opinion, why even grant him an audience? They should just drive him out directly.

The corner of Qin Ran’s mouth twitched, suspicion also rising in his heart. But since the man was already here, they might as well hear this so-called lead. Speak, he said.

Old Sun started stammering at first, keeping his head lowered and not daring to look anyone in the eye. But as he continued speaking, he became immersed in his memories.

He specified the exact location, described how he’d encountered the child by chance, detailed the child’s clothing and appearance, mentioned a birthmark on the body, and recounted the strange things the child had said.

His parents must have been exceptionally handsome people. In all my years, I’ve never seen such a beautiful child. It’s just that his mind seemed confused—he kept spouting nonsense, Old Sun said.

The Qin father and son had initially held little hope, but as they listened, they exchanged glances, inexplicably feeling a flicker of anticipation.

The story contained no major inconsistencies. Moreover, unlike other swindlers who desperately tried to tailor their information, this old man still hadn’t revealed the child’s name.

Whether Old Sun had forgotten or subconsciously found it too absurd, he didn’t immediately mention the timeframe this time.

Until later…

When did you see this child? Qin Ran asked.

The hall fell silent instantly. Old Sun, who had been looking up, lowered his head again. This silence felt like a bucket of cold water being poured over the heads of the Qin father and son.

Something was wrong.

Had they been mistaken earlier?

Ten years ago, someone whispered.

Not only the Qin father and son, but even Hu Bao standing nearby, turned pale with shock.

Ten years ago?!

Do you realize what you’re saying? Even the most absurd claims have their limits! You stand here spouting lies, attempting to deceive us—do you believe I won’t have the guard captain throw you in prison immediately?

At the mention of prison, Old Sun’s earlier timidity vanished, replaced by a desperate resolve. The words poured out of him: I’m truly not lying! I really did meet that child ten years ago. His height, hair, and appearance all matched. He even told me… possibly his mother’s name. His relative was called… called…

Old Sun choked, sweating profusely in his anxiety.

The only reason he remembered this incident after ten years was because that child had been so peculiar. But some of the terms the child had used, including that string of numbers and the name that followed, had long been lost to the river of time, leaving no trace behind.

Father, don’t listen to his nonsense. Hurry up and drive him out to save us time. Qin Ran’s eldest son Qin Yishang said indignantly.

Qin Ran happened to share the same thought. You should leave…

You said the child was by the river, and his clothes were completely soaked at the time? Hu Bao, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke.

Old Sun, seeing that someone was still asking him for details, felt like a drowning man clutching at a straw. Yes, yes! It was as if he had just swum a lap in the river—soaked from head to toe.

Hu Bao fell into deep thought.

Mo Yanyun had a loose tongue, and after drinking, it became even more unguarded—he would spill anything.

He had once heard Mo Yanyun say that the reason Madam Dai was discovered by the Lord back then was because the Lord heard movement in the side chamber while in the courtyard and went in to catch them. The two had been in the room for less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before Madam Dai emerged, draped in a man’s long robe.

Why had Madam Dai been wearing a man’s long robe at that time?

Why couldn’t she appear in women’s attire? Could it be that there was something wrong with her own clothes?

Hu Bao hadn’t been present then, so he had no answers.

But faintly, he felt a subtle, indescribable connection between these two events, like spider silk tangling around his nerves, tugging at them again and again.

Think carefully! What was the name of the child’s mother at that time? Hu Bao demanded sternly.

Old Sun broke out in a sweat, trembling and unable to utter a single word.

Qin Yishang was about to speak but was silenced by a look from his father, who shook his head slightly, signaling him not to interfere.

Time passed slowly, and the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense. Old Sun and his family began to feel like retreating.

Old Sun still couldn’t say anything. Hu Bao sighed. Forget it, you may lea…

The word leave drifted into Old Sun’s ears like an invisible hammer striking his temples, shaking off all the dust and rust-covered memories of bygone years.

And so, in the long river of time, a tide appeared—rising and then receding. And as the water retreated, the abandoned past on the riverbank resurfaced.

Li… Li Dai, or Dai Li… Old Sun only remembered two characters. Just these two characters. As for the order, I’ve forgotten.

Hu Bao’s pupils contracted to pinpoints, and a tidal wave surged in his heart. Not only him—the other four members of the Dark Valiant Cavalry also looked astonished.

The old man had actually uttered Madam Dai’s name.

Could it be that the strange child he spoke of was truly Madam Dai’s son?

But…

The old man said this happened ten years ago!

Madam Dai had been desperately searching for her son. The timing of her son’s disappearance was so crucial she couldn’t possibly have misremembered it.

Just where had things gone wrong?

Author’s Note: Here it is shy

Chapter 35 is unlocked. Waiting for the right moment, Deng Deng will make some revisions Deng’s stubbornness.jpg.

Begging for nutrient solution green heart