My Mother is the White Moonlight of a Tyrant - Chapter 50: She Has Eight Hundred Tricks Up Her Sleeve

Chapter 50: She Has Eight Hundred Tricks Up Her Sleeve

The young servant noticed the man staring unblinkingly at the notice, then saw his lips part without uttering a sound.

Not only was his face ugly, but his temperament was strange too—truly an odd one, the servant thought inwardly.

The innkeeper, having weathered many storms, asked calmly, Sir, are you interested in this?

Seeing the man standing woodenly before the counter, the innkeeper assumed he was illiterate but too embarrassed to speak up, and kindly explained: The person who posted this notice is searching for a child. The child is nine years old, named ‘Qin Yanzhou,’ with short hair, fair skin, peach blossom eyes, and approximately five chi seven cun tall. Ah… the lower half is missing, so we can’t see the reward offer details or where this missing person notice originated from.

After a moment, the innkeeper saw the young man finally stir. He reached out again and took hold of the notice in his hand.

The crumbled mulberry bark paper turned around.

The young man lowered his head, reading the contents word by word, his scar-covered fingers repeatedly tracing over that name.

The handwriting was inelegant, with much of the ink having bled.

As the mulberry bark paper had been wet and dried, the characters for Qin Yanzhou had become somewhat blurred, requiring effort to decipher, yet they undeniably existed.

Others had seen it, read it aloud, and he had seen it too—could even touch it.

It wasn’t a dream.

So, it really wasn’t a dream!

The only one who would search for him using this name and description could be…

A small teardrop suddenly bloomed on the mulberry bark paper, dampening an ink-spot-sized area.

Ah, sir, why are you… the innkeeper exclaimed in surprise.

Where did this notice come from? Quan Jie looked up, fixing his gaze intently on the two.

His face remained expressionless—wooden and rigid, as if carved into a mask. Were it not for the redness around his eyes, one would never guess he had just shed hot tears.

The young servant still feared him, but now, looking into those dark eyes again, they seemed vastly different from before.

How to describe it?

It was as if spring had returned to the earth, and sweet rain had fallen from heaven.

Thus, a tender blade of grass had sprouted in the desolate wilderness. The sprout was delicate—easily broken, easily uprooted with the slightest force. But it had indeed emerged, adorning that barren and lonely world.

I… I found it in the courtyard earlier. Last night was windy and rainy—it must have been carried here from elsewhere by the storm, the servant whispered.

Quan Jie carefully rolled up the mulberry bark paper and, without a word, walked out of the Courier Station holding it.

Ah, sir! Aren’t you going to eat your noodle soup?

Uncle Ping, since he didn’t want his noodle soup, can I have it?

*

The heavy rain had washed away the stifling atmosphere of the past two days, leaving the morning air exceptionally fresh and cool.

The commandery was bustling early in the morning. The market was crowded, shops had their doors wide open, street vendors lined the roads, and customers streamed in continuously.

Quan Jie walked through the noisy streets. At first, he tried unfolding the mulberry bark paper to inquire, but people avoided him like the plague upon seeing his face—often fleeing before he could even speak.

Standing still, Quan Jie suddenly felt a wave of confusion.

The passersby seemed cloaked in gray garments, the shops were gray and black, everything resembled an ink-wash painting.

Everywhere was the same—nothing distinctive, nothing to break through.

Are you waiting to buy something from my shop? If not, then don’t stand here blocking my business. A merchant who had arrived late today spotted a human post planted before his shop and immediately waved to shoo them away.

Quan Jie snapped out of his daze and shuffled two steps aside.

He remained somewhat numb, his gaze unconsciously following the merchant. He watched as the man unlocked the shop door, then produced a piece of burlap and paste from somewhere, slapping it onto the door with a sharp thwack.

Two bold characters were clearly written on the burlap: CLEARANCE.

No one noticed that the merchant’s slap had shaken not only the door beneath his palm but also the young man standing not far away.

Quan Jie’s pupils contracted sharply, his mind reeling as long-forgotten scenes resurfaced.

The pitch-black night, patrolling guards and night watchmen on the streets, figures clad in black moving through darkness. When he had stood pressed against a door that night, there seemed to have been a notice posted right behind him.

Following his memory back to the street from last night – that lane crowded with shops – he could only recall the general location.

Clutching the notice, he first went to a rice shop.

This? I know about it – Old Gao next door put it up. Just yesterday, actually. I asked him in the afternoon why he posted it. He said he’d received advice from some expert, claiming he might turn small stakes into great gains, even get a gold mountain for free. Probably yesterday’s strong wind blew the notice off, and you happened to pick it up. Asking where Old Gao’s shop is? Exit and turn right, it’s the Gao’s Condiments shop next door. Just a few steps away. The rice merchant laughed.

Quan Jie thanked him and left with the notice.

It truly was just a few steps. He spotted the neighboring condiment shop flying a Salty Stone banner.

Merchant Gao had opened early to welcome customers. Having just seen off several wealthy servants purchasing Salty Stone, he was about to drink some water to soothe his throat when he noticed another arrival from the corner of his eye.

His heart lifted – hey, probably another Salty Stone customer. Since stocking this item, his business had been getting better and better.

So good, truly wonderful.

Merchant Gao was smiling as he prepared to greet the customer, but he got an unexpected fright upon seeing the visitor’s face. Before he could adjust his expression, he heard the guest ask:

Did you post this notice?

Merchant Gao’s eyes followed the words downward, landing on the familiar mulberry bark paper. When he’d opened shop this morning and found the notice missing from his door, he’d felt quite sorry about it. Never expected it to return so soon.

Yes, I posted it. Merchant Gao reached out to take it back.

Quan Jie didn’t hand it over, instead unfolding it to show the incomplete notice. Who issued this notice?

Merchant Gao replied: The Northern Territory issued it.

This answer was too vague, making Quan Jie unconsciously frown.

Merchant Gao didn’t forget to promote his Salty Stone. You know about Salty Stone, right? Top-quality goods, highly favored by noble families in the commandery. This treasure comes from Ying Commandery in the Northern Territory. When we first sourced it, there was an official from Ying Commandery – I heard them call him Commandant – who entrusted us merchants to gather information. Said they’re looking for a nine-year-old child. Anyone who can bring the child back will receive heavy rewards…

As for how heavy these rewards were, Merchant Gao could recite them backwards.

Reciting the heavy rewards, he felt tempted. Customer, could it be you have information about that child?

What’s the Commandant’s family name? Quan Jie countered without answering.

Merchant Gao: I think it’s Yan.

Quan Jie calculated silently in his heart.

From here, riding day and night with whipped horses, one could reach Ying Commandery in five days at fastest.

Seeing him persistently inquire about the gold mountain while only asking questions without answering, as if money had blinded his eyes, Merchant Gao sighed and said, I was just like you before, thinking that finding this child would make me rich overnight and secure my life. For this, I even went to the Slave Market in our county, but found nothing. Later, I realized how difficult this task is—if it were truly easy, the Northern Territory wouldn’t offer such a heavy reward. I might as well focus on selling my Salty Stone.

Quan Jie turned to leave.

Hey, leave that notice with me! I only wrote it yesterday. Though it’s a bit torn, it can still be used if I patch up the back, Merchant Gao shouted.

Suddenly remembering something, Quan Jie stopped, but instead of returning the notice, he asked again, You’ve been selling Salty Stone for more than a day, so you must have returned from the Northern Territory earlier. Why did you only post the notice yesterday? Is it as the rice merchant next door said—that all this was guided by some expert? Who is this expert? Does they hold an official position?

If the expert held an official position, it would mean there was someone in Guoyun County who knew more about the situation. Perhaps he could inquire about his mother’s recent circumstances.

A barrage of questions left Merchant Gao stunned. After a moment of daze, he scratched his head and said, What official? It was a woman—the expert is a woman, and her mind is sharp! I hadn’t even thought of this move at the time.

An indescribable feeling stirred in Quan Jie’s heart, and his words unconsciously quickened, A woman? What did she look like?

Merchant Gao recalled, She was wearing a veil at the time, so I couldn’t see her face, but her voice was very pleasant, like a spring breeze. I remember she was dressed in cloud-patterned brocade, and just one gold hairpin on her head was enough to cover a common family’s expenses for years, not to mention the several sword-bearing attendants she had. With such an entourage, she must be a lady from a wealthy family.

Quan Jie fell silent.

Merchants are usually eloquent and rarely introverted. With no customers in the shop at the moment, Merchant Gao decided to chat with him, hoping this person would, like the lady yesterday, buy something after their conversation.

I heard her attendants call her ‘Madam,’ so she must be married, Merchant Gao said, spreading one hand and counting off on his fingers, There are only a few prominent families in the county: Governor Feng’s Feng family, the Zhang family with connections to Chang’an, and…

Quan Jie.

Both men paused. Quan Jie turned and saw Wang Jiang.

Wang Jiang was the companion who had infiltrated the Qin residence with him last night—his only remaining companion.

So it really is you. What are you doing here? Wang Jiang stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Merchant Gao with suspicion.

Could this man be some kind of contact?

Quan Jie had no intention of explaining further and turned to leave. Wang Jiang followed him out.

Seeing them leave one after another, Merchant Gao muttered, How strange. Why are they all so interested in that child the Northern Territory is looking for? They came in and immediately started talking about it.

The young man’s departing footsteps hesitated slightly.

Wang Jiang said in a low voice, Quan Jie, when are we returning to Gaoling County? After last night’s failure, even though the county hasn’t imposed curfews or searches yet, there’s no guarantee they won’t. This place isn’t safe to stay.

Not returning.

Without the slightest hesitation, almost before Wang Jiang had finished speaking, Quan Jie threw out those two cold, hard words.

Wang Jiang froze for a moment, his expression turning peculiar. You want to go for a second round? Don’t say I didn’t warn you—it’s just the two of us left now. After last night, the guards over there will surely be heavily fortified in the coming days. Charging in recklessly would only mean throwing your life away.

Quan Jie remained silent.

His attitude irritated Wang Jiang. What exactly do you want? You won’t return to Gaoling, nor will you continue with the mission. Don’t tell me you’re planning to betray our benefactor?

Quan Jie cast a cold sidelong glance. Why not?

Wang Jiang was stunned by that look. In his memory, Quan Jie was like a cold, efficient blade—obedient to his master’s every command, more reliable than a dog. After all, even dogs sometimes had unnecessary thoughts, but Quan Jie never did.

Now, however, this blade seemed to be developing distractions.

If you dare betray our master, you’ll die without a burial place! Wang Jiang exclaimed, both shocked and furious.

If Quan Jie betrayed their master, what was he to do?

As if reading his mind, Quan Jie said indifferently, Do as you please. We part ways here.

Sensing a flicker of killing intent, Quan Jie met his gaze directly. Whether you report my departure to Fan Yanzhou is up to you. But if you plan to take my head back for a reward, you’d better weigh whether you have the ability to do so.

A shadow crossed Wang Jiang’s eyes, and he suddenly laughed. Quan Jie, you’ve misunderstood. If you want to leave, then leave. What does it have to do with me? From now on, you take your path, and I’ll take mine. Let’s never meet again.

Quan Jie offered no response.

The two parted at the crossroads ahead—Quan Jie heading east, Wang Jiang going west.

After a few steps, Wang Jiang glanced back, a strange smirk twisting his lips.

Quan Jie’s betrayal couldn’t have come at a better time!

Since the mission had failed, there had to be a reason. Why not pin everything on Quan Jie? That way, their benefactor’s wrath would be directed solely at him, sparing Wang Jiang from severe blame.

Unconcerned with Wang Jiang’s sudden change in attitude, Quan Jie walked through the streets, surveying the surrounding residences. The words of the merchant surnamed Gao still echoed in his ears.

The married young lady, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, was concerned about the person sought in the Northern Territory…

That inexplicable feeling grew stronger, transforming into invisible threads that entangled his legs, preventing him from leaving Guoyun County immediately.

Let alone in a county—not even in a prefecture—how many households could afford to assign blade-wielding attendants to their women? He would stay in Guoyun County for two more days, investigate the prominent families here, and then proceed to Ying County.

Qin Residence, side room in the main courtyard.

…You said there were assassins last night? Dai Li asked in surprise.

Nian Xia nodded emphatically. Yes, madam. Just now, I overheard the patrolling guards saying that several assassins in black arrived late at night. They sneaked into Battalion Commander Bai’s room, attempting to take his life. Fortunately, heaven was watching—last night, Battalion Commander Bai happened to get up to use the privy, so the two groups ran into each other in the room.

Dai Li: Was Battalion Commander Bai injured?

Bi Po: His life is not in danger, but I heard he suffered some minor wounds. The county has been rather unsettled lately, madam. Please refrain from leaving the residence. If there’s anything you wish to purchase, just instruct me to buy it for you.

Dai Li recalled someone visiting Qin Shaozong late last night—it must have been about the attack on the residence. As for things to buy, there was indeed something.

The rain last night had come at a most inconvenient time, drenching all the fish maw she had laid out on the winnowing basket.

She would have to prepare the fish maw all over again…

Madam, from now on no matter what happens, this servant should still sleep in the small side room. If we encounter attackers, Nian Xia and Bi Po can buy you some time, Nian Xia said earnestly.

Not only did she have enough to eat and wear with light work, but she also received a generous monthly reward. Serving such a mistress, her life was more comfortable than many ordinary young women.

The noble person’s advice had indeed been correct back then—just kneel once, and the madam would immediately soften.

Beside her, Bi Po nodded, Madam, this servant and Nian Xia have actually served married couples before and know what to do.

Dai Li: …

No, that wasn’t the reason at all.

Just as the atmosphere grew somewhat stiff, a tall figure entered from outside.

As soon as Qin Shaozong arrived, Nian Xia and Bi Po tacitly withdrew.

My Lord, why aren’t you going to the military camp today? Dai Li looked at him. Although someone had infiltrated the residence, he didn’t seem angry at all.

Not for now. Have you heard about the attack in the residence? Qin Shaozong sat down beside her.

I’ve heard, Dai Li asked him, How many did you capture?

Qin Shaozong: One was captured alive, two escaped. After interrogation, he claimed to be from Qingzhou.

How is that possible?! Dai Li instinctively questioned.

Does Madam find it impossible? He smiled slightly.

Dai Li: Of course it’s impossible. Nangong Qingzhou invited you here to form an alliance against the Azure Lotus Sect. Why would he turn around and attack your men at this critical moment? It’s not like he’s secretly allied with the Azure Lotus Sect.

But as she finished speaking, Dai Li grew somewhat uncertain, They shouldn’t have secretly joined forces, right?

On the surface, they were clearly separate—black was black, white was white. But with so many installments of Infernal Affairs made, some things were hard to say for sure.

Qin Shaozong’s eyes curved with a hint of smile, What does Madam consider as ‘secretly’?

With only the two of them in the room, Dai Li suddenly realized the atmosphere had turned dangerous and immediately looked at him warily, If they were being secretive, they certainly wouldn’t do it in broad daylight. Isn’t that right, my Lord?

Qin Shaozong chuckled softly.

This fox always had eight hundred tricks up her sleeve when she came to him.

He first said something similar to Bi Po, The commandery has been unsettled lately. Two of the thieves who infiltrated the residence last night escaped, and there’s no guarantee they won’t return. Madam will move in with me.

Dai Li was stunned, her first reaction being refusal, They won’t come back, will they? Having failed once, the residence’s defenses will surely be strengthened. Moreover, with only two left, they’re outnumbered and weak—how could they succeed?

Assassination attempts can’t be judged by normal logic. Besides, only two escaped—we don’t know the total number of assassins. Who knows how many more are hidden in this commandery yet to reveal themselves? Qin Shaozong said calmly.

Fortunately, those black-clad men from last night had entered other courtyards. If they had slipped into her side room through the eastern window, the distance was too far and he had already been asleep—he truly wouldn’t have heard any commotion from there.

Dai Li opened her mouth to speak.

But he made the final decision, This matter is settled.

Currently, Qin Shaozong had the final say in the entire residence. With his order, Nian Xia and Bi Po quickly moved Dai Li’s belongings to the main room.

There weren’t many belongings—mainly pillows and a few pieces of clothing.

Dai Li tried to salvage the situation: This isn’t appropriate, it’ll disturb your rest.

Just for a few days. Once the army sets out, you’ll have plenty of time to sleep alone, Qin Shaozong suddenly smiled, Besides, Madam sleeps quite peacefully. It won’t be a disturbance.

It’s just that when she hadn’t slept enough, her temper could be quite fierce, and she’d extend her fox claws to scratch people.

Author’s Note: I actually want to update earlier every day too – 11 PM is a bit late. But I never finish writing on time melting face emoji, and after finishing I still need to carefully proofread to ensure the best reading experience for official readers. So there’s really no way to post earlier loudly crying emoji

By the way, since you keep asking when the reunion will happen – all the groundwork has been laid. It’s tomorrow shy face emoji