My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 48: I Have a Big Appetite, Madam Knows This Well

Chapter 48: I Have a Big Appetite, Madam Knows This Well

Guoyun County.

Dai Li stared at the open booklet before her, but her thoughts drifted far away.

On the morning after that night, Qin Shaozong and a group of military generals had gone to the suburban military camp and remained there for two consecutive days without returning.

She slept alone at night with no one disturbing her early in the morning. But Dai Li knew this was only temporary. With a one-year agreement set, he wouldn’t be satisfied with just that one time.

Drinking birth control medicine would only make her suffer. Rather than suffering herself, it would be better to make Qin Shaozong bear the inconvenience – she needed to create some condoms.

Condoms already existed during the Tang Dynasty, typically made from cleaned and dried fish maws that were soaked in warm water to soften before use. This was why extramarital affairs were later referred to as stealing fishy.

Besides fish maws, highly elastic sheep intestines and pig bladders could also be used. However, considering which was most convenient to process, fish maws remained the preferred choice.

Having made up her mind, Dai Li declared, Nian Xia, Bi Po, accompany me on an outing.

Though unaware of her purpose, the two maids quickly prepared to leave the residence. However…

At the side gate of the residence, Dai Li was stopped.

Madam Dai, are you planning to go shopping in the market? The guard appeared somewhat nervous.

Dai Li, wearing a veiled hat, nodded. Yes, I should return in about an hour.

The guard thought for a moment. Please wait while I make arrangements.

Dai Li didn’t ask what arrangements he meant, standing inside the side gate as she watched him hurry away. Soon after, Qiao Wangfei arrived hastily with several soldiers.

As the saying goes, a bone fracture takes a hundred days to heal. Nearly three months had passed since Qiao Wangfei’s serious injury, and he was now in the final stage of recovery. To avoid leaving hidden ailments, Ding Lianxi had repeatedly warned him against overexertion, which Qin Shaozong also agreed with. Thus, while the other generals busied themselves at the military camp these days, Qiao Wangfei had become the one left to guard the residence.

As for why he wasn’t left in Ying County – it was entirely because he was the leader of the Dark Valiant Cavalry’s Eastern Battalion. If the Eastern Battalion lacked its head, it would cause considerable inconvenience in subsequent battles for the Dark Valiant Cavalry’s Eastern Battalion. Therefore, Qin Shaozong had simply brought him along to recuperate during the journey.

Qiao Wangfei said respectfully, Madam Dai, I shall accompany you out of the residence.

Dai Li was indifferent. That would be troublesome.

Not at all, Qiao Wangfei quickly responded. I’ve been cooped up in the residence for days anyway. This will be a good opportunity to take a walk.

Guoyun County, bearing the County in its name, was naturally quite large. Its several markets were clearly distinguished by what they sold, all orderly arranged.

Dai Li headed straight for her destination – the fish market. Under Qiao Wangfei’s puzzled gaze, she bought many fish and specifically asked the fishmonger if he sold fish maws separately.

Unfortunately, he didn’t.

In this era, commoners couldn’t afford to waste anything, especially since fish maws could be made into pickled fish maw, which was particularly appetizing.

Then I’ll take both baskets, Dai Li said, purchasing an extra basket of fish. There was no such thing as too much food – those military generals in the residence were all gluttons. Even these several baskets of fish thrown into their stomachs would likely not make a sound.

The fishmonger beamed with delight.

Madam Dai, is there something special about these fish maws? Qiao Wangfei couldn’t help but ask.

He had been saved by Dai Li personally and had subsequently participated in the refined salt matter. Now he regarded her with near reverence. Seeing her particular interest in fish maws, he couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild.

It was almost like the Midas touch – wherever Madam Dai pointed would turn to gold. Most likely, these fish maws could also be sold for a good price after processing!

Dai Li: …

There was indeed something special about them, but they couldn’t be sold, nor was it appropriate to publicize their use.

Dai Li decided to change the subject and casually remarked, There are quite a few fish baskets here. Perhaps we should find someone to send them back first.

To her surprise, Qiao Wangfei’s expression shifted dramatically upon hearing this. He spoke with earnest concern, Madam Dai, the Lord truly treats you exceedingly well. After capturing Ying County, all the finest jewelry and ornaments from Li Zan’s treasury were sent directly to your chambers. And when you fell ill earlier, Mr. Ding advised that you needed quiet rest to recover your vitality. The Lord delayed the army’s departure, waiting until you had fully recovered before marching south…

Dai Li was momentarily stunned, then realized what was happening. Her earlier tactic of using fish deliveries to slip away from guards in Nankang County had apparently left Qiao Wangfei as jumpy as a startled bird.

I haven’t found my son yet. I have no intention of doing anything else, Dai Li said helplessly.

The tension visibly drained from Qiao Wangfei as he let out a relieved sigh. It’s good that you have no other ideas.

Mention of her son reminded Dai Li of another matter. Given Guo Yun County’s considerable size, Qin Shaozong’s promotion of refined salt, and merchants’ profit-seeking nature, it was quite likely someone here was selling Salty Stone.

She immediately inquired with the fishmonger.

The fishmonger actually knew about it. …You’re asking about Salty Stone merchants? Yes, there is indeed a merchant selling Salty Stone in the county. His surname is Gao, I heard he recently returned from the Northern Territory bringing expensive Salty Stone specifically for large restaurants and county nobility. Madam, if you plan to buy Salty Stone, remember to bring plenty of silver—he sells it at no small price.

After thanking the fishmonger, Dai Li followed the directions he provided.

Merchant Gao’s shop wasn’t difficult to find.

The merchant had previously been a traveling trader dealing in sauces and had his own shop. The Gao Family Sauces signboard hung prominently, but unsatisfied with just that, he had personally made a Salty Stone flag planted high above, letting it flutter in the wind.

Welcome! What would you like to purchase? Merchant Gao’s shrewd eyes scanned Dai Li’s clothing, and his smile immediately widened by eighty percent. Noble customer, I have Salty Stone sourced directly from the Northern Territory—white and fine-textured, even purer than salt. According to those foreign merchants, regular consumption of Salty Stone helps expel troublesome accumulated ailments from the body, thereby achieving longevity effects.

Many nobles in the county are quite taken with it. Would you care to purchase some, noble customer? Merchant Gao rubbed his hands together.

Dai Li was astonished.

Longevity effects? Selling something that isn’t a health product as if it were one—if this were modern times, consumers would immediately file complaints for false advertising.

However, Dai Li’s purpose wasn’t to buy Salty Stone. She glanced around the shop and asked, I heard the Northern Territory is searching for a child named ‘Qin Yanzhou,’ and has commissioned many traveling merchants to gather information. Are you aware of this?

Merchant Gao hesitated before nodding. I am aware. To be frank, when I first returned from the Northern Territory, I visited the county’s Slave Market and inquired with several Broker Guilds, but none knew anything about that child. Later I realized that reward money was like flowers in a mirror or the moon’s reflection in water—unattainable for someone like me.

His initial inquiries with the Broker Guilds had been entirely motivated by the Northern Territory’s promised reward.

However, after questioning several Broker Guilds with no results, the merchant’s agile mind made him realize—

This matter was extremely difficult to resolve.

The Northern Territory merely stated they were searching for a child, providing a name, age, and general appearance, but nothing else. No knowledge of whether the child was alive or dead, no information about whereabouts. This was no different from fishing for a needle in the ocean—how could anyone find him?

Simply impossible to locate!

Rather than wasting time on that elusive reward money, it would be better to focus on selling more Salty Stone – the latter brings tangible silver coins straight into one’s pocket.

Observing Merchant Gao’s expression, Dai Li understood his unspoken thoughts and fell silent. When she first traveled south with Qin Shaozong, she had worried things might develop in this direction.

And now it had come to pass.

Profit-driven merchants were gradually losing interest in rewards as illusory as the moon reflected in water.

Noble guest, why do you mention this matter? Merchant Gao asked in confusion. His gaze shifted backward, landing on Qiao Wangfei.

This glance startled him – the man actually carried a sword at his waist. Looking further outside, the several men guarding his shop entrance were all burly and tall, unlike ordinary retainers of wealthy families!

Could she be a female relative of Lord Feng’s household? Or from the Zhang family…

Wait, he had heard that Nangong Qingzhou had been staying in the county for some time. Could she be one of Nangong Qingzhou’s people?

Just as he was secretly speculating, he heard the young lady before him speak.

Let me offer you a suggestion. Write a notice, paste it outside your door with paste, but omit the information about the birthmark. Then wait for the Broker Guild to bring children to your door. If there’s indeed a match, you’ll exert minimal effort while claiming the largest reward. What do you think?

Excellent, excellent, you speak wisely, Merchant Gao repeatedly nodded.

Not only was this noble guest’s reasoning sound and considerate of his interests, but given her elusive and prestigious status, even if she were speaking nonsense, he would still have to agree at this moment.

To show he wasn’t being perfunctory, Merchant Gao immediately took out a large mulberry bark paper, swiftly wrote a missing person notice, and then slapped it onto the outside of his shop.

Dai Li didn’t make him work for nothing – she later made a symbolic purchase of some seasonings from his shop.

Having obtained what she needed to buy, and with matters weighing on her mind, Dai Li didn’t linger outside and returned to the residence with Qiao Wangfei.

By coincidence, upon her return, she encountered Qin Shaozong at the entrance, who had been staying at the military camp outside the city for two consecutive days.

Where has my wife been?

The burly man sat astride a tall horse, blocking large swathes of sunlight before Dai Li. The golden Gluttonous Helmet cast shadows across his face as he lowered his head.

His brown eyes were hidden within the shadows, making them difficult to discern clearly, yet one could vaguely sense the burning intensity concealed within.

Dai Li averted her gaze while stepping aside to distance herself from the overly perceptive chestnut horse. I went to the market to buy several baskets of fish. Tonight, I’ll have the kitchen prepare a full fish banquet for you all.

Qin Shaozong dismounted from his horse. My wife craves fish? You don’t care for heavy meats, but love these river delicacies that don’t have much substance.

Dai Li couldn’t help muttering softly: How is there no substance? It’s just that you have a large appetite yourself.

The seasonings in this era were far inferior to later generations – there were no chili peppers, let alone white sugar and industrial flavorings. Steamed fish was so convenient – just add a couple of ginger slices to remove the fishy taste, and you’d have a delicious fish dish.

Qin Shaozong said meaningfully: Fine, I do indeed have a large appetite, as my wife knows deeply.

Dai Li: …

She hoped he was talking about the same thing.

Dai Li ignored him, had the guards deliver the several baskets of fish to the kitchen, then instructed the cookhouse to separately save the fish maw in a small basin.

After washing, cutting, sorting, and finally sun-drying on winnowing baskets, the busy work brought them to mealtime – time for the evening meal.

Tonight’s full fish banquet was set with individual tables in the main hall. Dai Li mingled among the Military Generals, eating while listening to their casual conversation.

When Old Mo returns with the topographic map of the Huai’an County vicinity, it’ll be about time for us to act.

Sigh, if the terrain around Huai’an County weren’t so complicated, we wouldn’t need to go through all this trouble. The waiting is truly agonizing.

I’ve heard the Azure Lotus Sect is just a motley crew with few regular troops. The battle should be easily won. I plan to earn the merit of being first to scale the walls.

Mr. Nalan said it would rain in the coming days. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain on the day of the battle, or it would cause complications.

Indeed. This isn’t a surprise attack where we need to conceal the sound of hoofbeats. Heavy rain would greatly reduce the range and accuracy of arrows, and the Cloud Ladders would be difficult to climb.

Shall we wait until after the rain?

We’ll see what the Lord decides then.

While eating fish, Dai Li silently calculated the time in her mind.

They had arrived in Guoyun County three days ago. Since Mo Duwei was dispatched that same day, he had been away for three days now. She didn’t know exactly where this Huai’an County they mentioned was located, nor how far it was from Guoyun County.

It probably wasn’t too far – long distances would exhaust both men and horses. By this calculation, Mo Duwei should return soon…

Hopefully he’d arrive before bedtime tonight. If so, Qin Shaozong would surely need to go to the study.

After the meal, Dai Li left the main hall and wandered around the residence to aid digestion. Night had fallen, with only a handful of places in the estate lit by lanterns. Most pavilions and courtyards were plunged into darkness.

There was neither moon nor stars tonight, the sky so oppressively black it seemed ready to collapse at any moment.

Whoosh—

The wind had picked up.

The lantern in Nian Xia’s hand swayed violently from side to side, the flame inside flickering wildly.

Madam, it seems like rain is coming. Perhaps we should return, Nian Xia whispered softly.

As if in agreement with her words, a dull thunder suddenly rumbled across the sky.

Madam, let’s go back. Summer rains can be torrential once they start, and with this wind, you might catch a chill, Bi Po also advised.

Dai Li looked up at the sky. For now, only thunder could be heard, with no lightning dancing among the clouds yet.

For some reason, though the sky was as dark as yesterday – too dark to distinguish any clouds – she felt inexplicably suffocated.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something would happen tonight…

Let’s return.

Back in her main room, Dai Li spread open her mulberry bark paper booklet and began writing down improvement ideas.

Simply relying on merchant caravans to spread messages wasn’t enough. They needed to post notices, preferably at shop entrances or on prominent shelves.

The purchased cloth garments would spread from ten people to a hundred…

What is Madam writing now? a deep male voice sounded by her ear.

Dai Li started violently, her whole body shaking from the fright.

A large, dark hand first landed on her shoulder, then slid down to pat her back as if soothing a frightened animal. Qin Shaozong laughed: You who’d dare anything before, with the courage of a leopard in every fiber – why so timid today?

That he would frighten her then blame her for it left Dai Li speechless: It’s clearly because you walk without making a sound.

How could there be no sound? Those two maidservants greeted me just now. Qin Shaozong’s long arm suddenly tightened around her waist, and amid Dai Li’s startled cry, he lifted her from the chair.

Clatter. A small charcoal pencil fell to the floor, rolling away alone in solitude.

In the blink of an eye, Dai Li found herself no longer seated on the soft chair but on him. His body radiated intense heat, warm as a furnace. On chilly spring nights, he could get by wearing only a thin robe, and now, though the summer rain had yet to fall, the stifling evening air made her feel trapped within a scorching net the moment he held her.

It’s hot, Dai Li attempted to rise.

The long arm encircling her waist tightened slightly, while a large, clearly-knuckled hand spread open and pressed against the sensitive dip of her spine. He knew this spot was particularly tender—gripping it would instantly sap most of her strength.

Sure enough, the woman in his arms went limp at once.

Qin Shaozong gazed at the blush spreading to her earlobe and let out a low chuckle. He nuzzled her pale neck with his nose bridge, his thin lips occasionally brushing against her elegant collarbone. Madam, Mo Yanyun will be back soon.

Dai Li understood his implication perfectly.

Mo Yanyun’s return meant everything was ready—they would immediately enter wartime.

During wartime, women were forbidden in the military camp.

Pressed tightly together, his physical reaction was unmistakable. Enveloped in this web of heat, Dai Li herself grew restless.

She tried to pry the large hand from her waist, but those long fingers seemed cast from iron, holding her firmly as if displeased by her resistance. The thumb stroking the hollow of her back pressed down with added force.

A tingling sensation shot up from her tailbone, growing more intense. Dai Li trembled faintly, her voice quivering at the edges. Did you drink at the banquet?

Only a little, Qin Shaozong replied. Since it wasn’t yet wartime, how could a gathering banquet lack wine jars?

As if recalling something, he asked, Feeling dizzy again?

He remembered her mentioning a few days prior that the smell of alcohol made her lightheaded.

Dai Li nodded immediately—so quickly that Qin Shaozong narrowed his eyes. His tone was unreadable as he said, Madam, is your dizziness real or feigned?

His oppressive aura was already formidable, and when he deliberately unleashed it, it grew even more intense. His sharp gaze seemed to slice through her, determined to uncover her deepest secrets.

Dai Li couldn’t withstand it and instinctively turned her head away.

The next moment, a rough hand cupped her jaw, forcing her to face him again.

Those brown eyes were right before her, clear as mirrors.

Disgusted by me? The two words seemed gritted out between his teeth.

Dai Li longed to lie and deny it, but her conscience wouldn’t allow it. If she tried to deflect, his gaze was too piercing—he’d see right through her.

Unable to do either, she could only remain silent, blinking slowly at him.

Qin Shaozong laughed in exasperation, his words biting. The bathtub in the main chamber is quite spacious. Bathing alone is far too lonely—would you accompany me, Madam?

Though phrased as a question, he imperiously scooped her into his arms without waiting for an answer.

I’ve already bathed!

The night is long, and time is plentiful. I’ll trouble you to bathe once more.

Deep into the night, a curfew had fallen over Guoyun County.

In a room on the first floor of a certain Courier Station within the county, a faint candlelight still flickered. Had the station attendant been present, they would have been astounded—the guest who had previously registered as a merchant was now clad entirely in black night-walking attire.

Black clothes, black trousers, and a face covered by a cloth mask—everything about him suggested he was off to engage in some shady business.

The young man extinguished the candle, pushed open the window, and slipped out with practiced ease.

The same scene unfolded simultaneously across different Courier Stations within the commandery. Viewed from above, dark specks departed from the stations and converged uniformly toward a single location, gathering there as if by design.

Moonless tonight, the commoners along the streets had long surrendered to slumber. Darkness, like a serpent rousing from hibernation, gaped its bloody maw to devour every glimmer of light.

The patrol’s footsteps dissolved into the rumble of thunder, obscuring their precise whereabouts, yet this squad clad in black deftly evaded them at every turn.

They advanced in fits and starts, occasionally veering into alleys or dispersing—breaking formation to press against shopfronts individually, eluding patrols passing by the alley mouths.

Quan Jie likewise leaned against a shop door, its plaque reading Gao’s Sauces, with a banner snapping briskly in the night wind above. On it, the characters for Salty Stone were boldly inscribed.

The wary figures of the patrol gradually receded into the distance.

As Quan Jie stepped forward, he caught faint rustling—the sound of fabric brushing against paper.

It came from behind him.

The young man instinctively turned, barely discerning a mulberry-bark paper affixed to the shop door, resembling some sort of notice.

Author’s Note: Here’s the update! Begging for nutrient solutions [orange heart]