Chapter 123

Dai Li didn't know the origin of this Hetian jade ring, nor did she know what it meant.

But she wasn't blind, she could see the gorgeous box containing the treasure, and she could also see Wei Congmu's tightened, slightly trembling pupils and the unconcealable shock on his face at this time.

Dai Li looked down at the jade ring, picked up the lanyard and plucked it with her long fingers. The jade ring turned, and it could be seen that it was flawless, delicate and oily, as if it was condensed from milk fat.

It was indeed a rare treasure.

Dai Li's hand rested on the knot of the jade ring, vaguely aware that Qin Shaozong's peripheral vision was looking at her.

Not long ago, she accepted his "Marriage Certificate", okay, it's not much worse.

Dai Li withdrew her hand.

The curve of Qin Shaozong's lips deepened a bit, and he continued to deal with Wei Congmu in front of him.

Wei Congmu tried hard to put away the shock on his face, pulled out a stiff smile, and some polite words had to be said: "Time flies, before I know it, Feiniang has been dead for fifteen years. The road ahead is very long, how can you be trapped in the past and live a depressed life? My father asked me to return the jade ring, hoping that you will find a beautiful woman in the future and stay with her until your hair turns white."

Qin Shaozong's smile became a bit more genuine, "Thank your father for his good words for me."

The big stone in Wei Congmu's heart fell, the foundation was laid, and he turned to talk about other things, "I heard that recently there are some petty thieves causing trouble in the county, and it seems that they are in cahoots with the people in Laimo Bookstore. A few days ago, under my order, my family slaves went to the bookstore a few times, and they must have talked with them. But I can swear that the Wei family is loyal to the North and has absolutely no second thoughts."

Qin Shaozong said "hmm" and didn't immediately answer.

With his attitude, the huge stone that Wei Congmu had just moved away pressed back.

What does Marquis Wu'an mean? Does he not believe him?

Dai Li glanced at Qin Shaozong, feeling that this person was probably holding back some trick.

As the in-laws of the Qin family, the Wei family couldn't possibly not know that Qin Shaozong himself deeply hated the sect. And the hotter the Qin family was, the less necessary it was for them to take risks and do things like pulling hair on a tiger's head.

"That boy Qin San is not young anymore, it's time to start a family. Your father is also getting old, there is a saying 'People over sixty, four don't think', you go back and tell him that Qin San's marriage doesn't need his old man to worry about." Qin Shaozong said so.

Wei Congmu was taken aback, and then his expression changed drastically.

Marquis Wu'an not only wanted to get back the token, but also wanted to solve his son's matter together.

Wei Congmu opened his mouth to speak, but heard Qin Shaozong say: "The Chief Clerk just said that the Wei family has no second thoughts about the North, how is this loyalty after all? I'll wait and see."

Speaking of the end, it was already a vague threat.

A servant of the Wei family was taken away not long ago, and his life or death is unknown now, and it is unknown whether he was forced to confess anything.

Obedience is loyalty. Disobedience is treason.

It's all in their thoughts.

...

Wei Congmu left absent-mindedly.

Dai Li sighed a lot, "Qin Changgeng, you are really good at taking advantage of the fire."

Qin Shaozong had a half-smile, "Madam, you are wrong."

Dai Li originally thought he would refute the unpleasant title of "taking advantage of the fire", but unexpectedly he said: "I set the fire, not taking advantage of the situation. This time is to invite the Lord into the urn, an eye for an eye, and also complete a karma of the year."

Dai Li: "..."

This person is actually proud of it.

"So Madam should know that my memory is very good." He changed his tone, "Remember to give me Madam's 'Reply to Marriage Certificate' after the winter hunt."

With a bet ahead, Qin Shaozong always felt uneasy if he couldn't get her "Reply to Marriage Certificate".

Dai Li got up and walked in, "Got it."

He followed, "Madam has broken her promises too many times in the past, making me always feel that this 'got it' carries no weight."

"Oh? Since you think it carries no weight, then let it go, just pretend I didn't say it." Dai Li didn't look back.

But as soon as she said this, her arm was clasped, an irresistible force pushed her, forcibly turning her around.

Previously facing away from Qin Shaozong, now she and he were face to face, and were blocked against the wall of the side corridor. Those slaves who served in the main hall did not enter the side corridor, and at this time there were only the two of them in the corridor.

His brown eyes were heavy, seemingly displeased, "If Madam breaks her promise..."

Dai Li raised her eyebrows, "Then what?"

In more than an hour, Zhou Zhou's treatment would be over. To put it bluntly, medicinal materials were no longer a threat, and her son could go anywhere in the world.

There was a bit of provocation in her eyes, and a bit of pride, as if that invisible fox tail was cocked up.

Qin Shaozong felt like his heart was scratched by a small paw, a bit itchy, and a bit crisp. He picked up a few uncoiled broken hairs from her temples and poked her soft cheeks, "Madam take back that sentence just now."

Dai Li went against him, pursed her lips and said nothing, the provocation in her eyes became stronger.

Qin Shaozong lightly clicked his tongue when he saw this, "Okay, since Madam insists on asking what to do, it's not impossible to tell you, of course..."

He bent down slightly, close to Dai Li's ear, and finished the second half of the dirty talk.

Dai Li became numb.

At this time, out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly caught a glimpse of something. Dai Li subconsciously turned her head to look, only to see Qin Qinian and Shi Rongyue standing at the other end of the corridor.

The cousins both had their mouths slightly open, with a sluggish expression.

Dai Li: "..."

Just listening to Qin Shaozong's dirty talk, Dai Li didn't blush, after all, this person not only had many tricks on the bed, but could also say anything, she was used to it.

But now, meeting the eyes of the two juniors who seemed to have suffered some kind of impact, Dai Li instantly felt the shame of poisoning minors.

A layer of bright pink quickly appeared on her cheeks, and spread to her neck. Dai Li pressed her hands on Qin Shaozong's waist and abdomen, pushed him and said, "No respect for the old."

The golden winged step shake of the phoenix holding a pearl on the woman's bun swayed, and the drooping pearl string rarely swayed out a violent arc. And putting this sentence, Dai Li turned around and walked in the other direction.

I don't know if this sentence was too lethal, or Qin Shaozong was caught off guard, he was pushed back a step.

The man's face darkened, and at this time he also noticed the two juniors not far away, he looked over expressionlessly.

In Qin Qinian's perspective, the surroundings suddenly became extremely dark, gloomy winds blew all around, a huge shadow was pulled out in front, and a pair of terrifying beast pupils shooting red light looked over from the shadow.

The young man shivered, subconsciously stepped back, moved another step to the side, and stood behind Shi Rongyue.

Shi Rongyue: "..."

"Qin San."

This move of his undoubtedly made Qin Shaozong quite displeased, and that anger suddenly had a place to go: "A manly man is timid, hiding behind a girl, what kind of decency is this? Roll over and follow me to the martial arts arena."

Qin Qinian was struck by lightning, his heart was like dead ashes.

*

Dai Li walked around the mansion, and when the golden crow was about to fall into the horizon, she came to Qin Yanzhou's pavilion.

Waiting for less than a quarter of an hour, Dai Li saw the door not far away open.

The first one to come out was Ding Luying. Having not seen him for three days, Dai Li only felt that he was a little haggard, and even his white beard seemed to have lost its luster.

Of course it is understandable. It has been highly tense these three days. Although he sleeps less when he is old, he inevitably worries a lot.

Dai Li curtsied to Ding Luying, "I will engrave Old Mr. Ding's great kindness to Yanzhou in my heart and never forget it for the rest of my life. In the future, if you ever need any assistance, I will not refuse anything within my power."

Ding Luying's face wrinkled with a smile. He didn't exchange polite pleasantries with Dai Li, but accepted her gratitude, "I hope there will never come a day when the Ding family needs to trouble Madam."

Smiling, Dai Li shifted her gaze to the side, only to see a tall, slender figure walking out of the room right behind Ding Luying.

Having not seen him for three days, Dai Li could tell at a glance that her son had lost a lot of weight. His face was pale, his facial bones more pronounced, and his whole being exuded a kind of frail thinness.

Yet his eyes shone brightly, as if a heavy mountain had finally been lifted from his back, or like a dust-covered sword that had been wiped completely clean, revealing a lightness and brightness distinct from the past.

Ding Luying stroked his beard and smiled. Not wanting to disturb the mother and son, he left with his grandson, Ding Lianxi.

"Zhou Zhou..." Dai Li was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, feeling as though her son had only truly come alive in this very moment.

"Mother, I am fully recovered." The corners of Qin Yanzhou's mouth curled up slightly. He was a little shy, but also harbored an unspeakable joy. Compared to his stiff smiles in the past, he now possessed a rare touch of youthful spirit.

After saying that, the young man lowered his eyes, "I'm sorry for making you worry."

Dai Li playfully patted her son's shoulder, pretending to be angry: "What silly things are you saying, child? What is there to apologize for? Before, you were controlled by others and had no choice, but all of that is in the past now."

Dai Li's expression turned serious: "Today is the beginning of winter, and more importantly, it is Zhou Zhou's rebirth. From now on, my son will surely have everything go his way, and live a life full of joy, peace, and health."

These words seemed to carry immense weight, enough to part the clouds and reveal the sun. The young man stood stunned for a long time before tilting his head up to gaze into the distance.

The afterglow of the setting sun covered the entire sky, spreading out like an oil painting—gorgeous and aesthetic. The warm orange light was very gentle, like a pool of warm spring water without any sharp edges.

Before long, night would fall, and darkness would swallow the light, shrouding the earth.

But Qin Yanzhou knew that every day of his future would be bright and clear, without a single shadow of a cloud.

...

"Qin Yanzhou, you're out of seclusion!" Seeing Qin Yanzhou, the previously dejected Qin Qinian instantly perked up. His gloominess was swept away, and he ran over happily.

The teenager circled him twice. Instead of the smell of blood, he caught a fresh scent of soap locust mixed with spices. "Is it just my imagination, or have you lost a lot of weight? I heard earlier that your treatment required bloodletting. You must have bled buckets, otherwise why would your face be as pale as a little lady's... Ouch!"

Qin Yanzhou slowly retracted his hand. "You are the son of a marquis, how can you not even speak properly?"

Clutching his stomach, Qin Qinian didn't refute this. He tilted his head and suddenly let out an "Ah." "I remember more than two months ago when you first arrived in Yuyang, you completely ignored me when I talked to you, at most giving an 'Mhm.' You're vastly different now compared to back then!"

Qin Yanzhou ignored him and continued walking towards the main hall.

Before returning to Yuyang, he lived in the side room of the main courtyard, and at that time, he and his mother dined together in the main room.

After all, there were only three of them back then, and they couldn't be bothered to move elsewhere.

Later, after arriving in Yuyang, the number of people grew. First came the brothers Qin Yunce and Qin Qinian, and later the mother and daughter pair, Qin Hongying and Shi Rongyue.

With more people, it was no longer suitable to dine in the main room, so they moved to the main hall.

Qin Qinian was still chattering away, trying to sling an arm around his shoulders. "Thanks a lot for that day in the passageway. If you hadn't reacted so quickly, in a few days it would be the seventh day after Rongrong and my death! Actually, you already consider me a friend, don't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have risked your life to save me back then. Tsk, if you ask me, you just have a cold face, but your heart is quite warm."

"You're covered in mud, don't touch me." Qin Yanzhou dodged his hand, too lazy to explain.

"I fell in the martial arts arena just now. A real man doesn't need to be so clean." Qin Qinian didn't care at all. He suddenly remembered something, "Qin Yanzhou, what do you like to eat?"

The topic changed so abruptly that the young man tilted his head, a trace of confusion in his peach blossom eyes. "Why do you ask?"

Qin Qinian scratched his head, unsure of how to reply for a moment.

By this time, the two had already walked into the main hall.

They arrived neither late nor early; apart from Dai Li and Qin Shaozong, everyone else was already present.

"Yanzhou is here. I see your spirit is much better than before. Congratulations," Qin Yunce smiled.

Qin Hongying, who knew all the inside details, also nodded: "The bitterness is over and the sweetness begins. From now on, it's a new life."

Shi Rongyue quickly glanced at the young man, lowered her eyes, and also offered her congratulations.

In response to their words, Qin Yanzhou nodded, "Thank you."

Not long after, Dai Li and Qin Shaozong arrived as well.

Seating in the hall had always followed strict etiquette. The head seat facing the door was the most honorable position, generally reserved for the master of the house.

However, Dai Li disliked individual dining portions, so she set up a large round table.

Initially, this large round table didn't have a Lazy Susan. Later, when the mother and daughter Qin Hongying and Shi Rongyue arrived, it made seven people dining together.

Without a rotating tray, the dishes were placed far away, making it inconvenient to reach for food.

Thus, Dai Li had a carpenter make a rotating tray for the table. The tray, two sizes smaller than the round table, held the dishes. Except for Qin Yanzhou, no one else had ever seen such a thing, and even Qin Shaozong found it extremely novel.

After sitting at the round table, their current seating arrangements had changed slightly, but overall remained more or less the same.

Facing the outside of the main hall sat Dai Li and Qin Shaozong. On Dai Li's other side sat Qin Hongying, and next to Qin Hongying was her daughter, Shi Rongyue.

On Qin Shaozong's other side was Qin Yunce, next to whom sat Qin Yanzhou; meanwhile, Shi Rongyue and Qin Qinian sat next to each other.

Everyone had gathered, and the food and wine on the table were ready. But the people in the head seats didn't immediately pick up their chopsticks. Instead—

"Before we eat, I have an important matter to announce," Qin Shaozong said.

Dai Li's brow inexplicably twitched.

Sure enough, the next moment she heard the man beside her say: "Madam and I plan to get married on the Beginning of Spring next year."

As soon as these words fell, Qin Yanzhou abruptly turned his head to look at Dai Li.