Chapter 131

Qin Yanzhou finished reading the letter. "Mom, rest assured, I will definitely keep this agreement safe and sound. I won't give the Marquis of Wu'an any chance to exploit it. If the day ever comes when the Marquis betrays you, not only will I take you away, but I will also make him regret it bitterly."

"I will do this at any cost." A shocking coldness flickered in the young man's dark eyes.

Dai Li smiled and patted her son's shoulder. "That's a long way off. Perhaps such a terrible situation will never happen."

Looking at her son in front of her, a memory suddenly popped into Dai Li's mind.

"Qin Yanzhou is about to reach adulthood. It is natural for young men and women to marry when they come of age... I'm not saying he needs to get married immediately, but I think we can start planning for this major life event..."

Qin Changgeng's words still echoed in her ears.

Dai Li suddenly asked, "Zhouzhou, what did you think of the winter hunt this time?"

The topic shifted so quickly that the young man clearly hadn't grasped Dai Li's underlying meaning. He nodded and said, "It was quite good."

Then Qin Yanzhou added, "Very smooth."

Obtaining the Divorce Agreement meant his mother had not only won the bet but also struck while the iron was hot to exchange the prize. As for the rest, Miss Shi and Qin San were not held accountable, and all the personal guards of the Shi family were released.

So, in summary, everything went smoothly.

Dai Li knew her son had misunderstood. She coughed lightly, "I didn't mean in that regard. Mom just wanted to ask you, Zhouzhou, did you meet any girls who caught your eye during this winter hunt?"

Qin Yanzhou was slightly taken aback, a hint of confusion in his eyes, and then he shook his head.

Dai Li wasn't surprised. She chose her words carefully, "Mom isn't asking this to pressure you into marriage. It's just that it's normal to have crushes at your age. In the modern world, Zhouzhou, you would be in college by now, and perhaps, like many other boys, you would have already started dating. But here..."

Dai Li sighed, her helplessness and sorrow hard to put into words.

Worried about putting pressure on her son, Dai Li added, "It's different here from modern times. They emphasize 'the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers,' and it's not customary for young people to date on their own. If you have a favorable impression of a certain girl, I would probably need to step forward and invite her and her elders to our home as guests."

"Mom, there's no need." The young man shook his head again. "I don't have any intentions like that."

Dai Li sighed again in her heart.

That meant he hadn't met any girl he liked at the winter hunt. Well, Zhouzhou was still young. He wouldn't turn twenty until his birthday in the winter, so there was no rush.

"If you ever find someone you like in the future, just tell Mom, and Mom will help you arrange everything," Dai Li instructed.

Although he didn't really think he would need it, Qin Yanzhou still nodded and thanked his mother.

By the time Dai Li returned from her son's place, the noodle soup she had ordered earlier had been delivered to the main courtyard.

Just earlier, Qin Shaozong had unilaterally flown into a thunderous rage. Now that Dai Li was back, she acted as if she completely forgot they had a conflict, her expression gentle as she took the initiative to chat with him:

"A timely snow promises a good harvest; it looks like next year will definitely be a prosperous one. Wheat has a short growth cycle and its yield is much higher than millet. Everything about it is good, except it requires more water. Since the trend of using square-pallet chain pumps has now spread all over the North, my Lord, you might as well have the farmers plant more wheat next year."

If she had talked about anything else, Qin Shaozong might have sulked for a while and ignored her, but when it came to food...

"What you said, Madam, is exactly what I am planning. We absolutely cannot lack provisions for marching and fighting. Next year, I plan to issue an order in the North for the farmers to change their crop seeds," Qin Shaozong said.

There was nothing more direct than issuing an order.

Once a decree was handed down, supervised layer by layer by local officials with both rewards and punishments, it would yield results very quickly.

Dai Li immediately flattered him, "My Lord is truly far-sighted. Paired with the curved-shaft plow, you will get twice the result with half the effort. I imagine that in just two or three years, the North will become a massive granary that the whole world will envy. By then, who in the world could compete with you, my Lord?"

Seeing her smiling like a flower, Qin Shaozong felt the anger suppressed in his chest was stuck—he couldn't dispel it, nor could he hold it in, and it rampaged inside him like a disobedient beast.

He simply reached out a long arm, pulling her directly into his embrace. With his other hand, he supported and pinched her chin, forcing her to look up, and then kissed her heavily.

Dai Li wrapped her arms around his sturdy waist and back, beginning to accommodate him.

The unspoken anger transferred over like a burning fire through their lips and tongues. Dai Li could sense all of his fury, displeasure, and faint frustration as he bit and sucked on the tip of her tongue.

Her goal had been achieved, so now she needed to stroke his ego.

Thus, Dai Li catered to him to the utmost. Unfortunately, she still underestimated his anger. Later on, the tip of her tongue ached from his sucking, yet the man had no intention of letting her go.

Dai Li tried hard to turn her head away, pretending to be dizzy.

Qin Shaozong pinched her soft cheeks, causing those moist, glossy lips to pop open slightly. "Madam's mouth is truly formidable. It can ignite a raging wildfire in a paddy field, and it can also summon rain clouds over parched land for a heavenly downpour."

With her cheeks pinched by him, it was inconvenient for Dai Li to speak, so she merely blinked at him innocently.

Qin Shaozong suddenly thought of something and released her cheeks. "When you were abducted by the Green Lotus Cult, did they threaten you into doing anything else?"

A glimmer of light flashed in Dai Li's eyes.

For Qin Changgeng to ask this meant that the matter of the Divorce Agreement from earlier was officially over.

The noodle soup was already set on the table, so Dai Li simply sat down first. "No. I told them about the curved-shaft plow purely to gain their trust and prepare for my subsequent escape. Even if they had plans, they didn't have time to implement them."

Because she had run away during the festival.

Qin Shaozong twisted his jade thumb ring.

It was pretty much as he had guessed. When he had found her and brought her back, she had no injuries on her body.

He suddenly changed the subject. "Madam, you personally chose Qin Yanzhou's courtesy name. How about letting Nalan Wugong perform his capping ceremony? On the day the two boys come of age, the prominent families of Yuyang will all come to observe the ceremony. Nalan Wugong is renowned far and wide; having him personally cap the boy will bring him many benefits in the future."

Dai Li thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Qin Shaozong sat beside her, watching her eat the noodles, his eyes a deep, dark green. When Dai Li set down her jade chopsticks, he scooped her up with his long arm again. "The wildfire is not yet extinguished. Please, Madam, do not be stingy with the heavenly downpour."

Dai Li: "..."

The sun set and rose, and a new day arrived as promised.

Early this morning, an express dispatch from the south crossed thousands of miles and was delivered to the Qin Manor.

Qin Manor, Study.

Qin Shaozong looked at the secret report on his desk, his face expressionless, the atmosphere around him heavy and oppressive.

Several strategists residing in the Qin Manor exchanged glances, all seeing solemnity in each other's eyes.

"...My Lord, this Liu of Jingzhou rose to power relying on his wife's family. His brother-in-law later died inexplicably. Regardless of whether there was foul play, just looking at how Liu Zhanguo subsequently became the leader of his wife's Sun family, and then defeated numerous competitors to become the Governor of Jingzhou, one can tell that this man is ruthless and extremely calculating. Now that he has taken Yi Province into his pocket, and also recruited the venomous strategist Shi Wuji, formerly under Fan Tianshi's command, it is no exaggeration to say that Liu Zhanguo, Liu of Jingzhou, is unmatched in prominence in the south," Sheng Ran said in a deep voice.

Cui Shengping nodded. "Indeed. Not to mention that Governor Ye of Yangzhou also has intentions of forming a marriage alliance with Liu Zhanguo. Once the Liu and Ye families are united in marriage, the south... will likely become the Liu family's domain."

The three provinces of Jingzhou, Yizhou, and Yangzhou covered a vast expanse of land. If they were to connect into a single territory, their sheer size would be unmatched by any three random provinces in the north.

Qin Shaozong held a tiger-shaped brush rest, absently stroking the tiger's back. "The situation of the realm is now largely clear."

Emperor Han was young. The imperial court was currently controlled jointly by Prime Minister Dong Zhou and Empress Dowager Wang, who were subtly standing in opposition to each other.

Regardless of how fiercely they clashed in the shadows, and regardless of whether the surrounding provinces harbored disloyal intentions or alternate plans, at least on the surface, the neighboring Liangzhou, Sizhou, and Yuzhou still deferred to the imperial court. Their level of obedience was much higher than that of the other provinces.

A year ago, he had swallowed up Bingzhou, and from then on, the northern lands were entirely under the surname Qin. And now, the power dynamics in the south were also becoming clear.

The imperial court, situated in Chang'an of Yongzhou, connected with the surrounding Sizhou, Yuzhou, and others to form a long east-west belt, which perfectly separated the north from the south.

Whether he wanted to march his army south or Liu Zhanguo wanted to push north, they would inevitably have to pass through this buffer zone in the middle.

"My Lord, the imperial court is now facing enemies on both fronts. Prime Minister Dong and the Empress Dowager must be struggling to eat and sleep in peace. I personally believe this situation will not last much longer." Cui Shengping stroked his long beard.

The reason he said it would not last long was because the current Emperor Han was young and sickly. Word had it that he had fallen severely ill just last winter.

With a weak ruler and strong ministers, the surrounding provincial governors definitely had their own ambitions, even if they feigned submission on the surface. The imperial court's buffer zone was teetering on the edge of collapse, and once it fell, both the north and the south would likely make their moves simultaneously.

After all, it was easier to fish in troubled waters. The more chaotic the situation, the better. As for how much meat one could ultimately secure, that would depend entirely on their own abilities.

Nalan Zhi remained silent for a moment. "My Lord, what are your thoughts on Governor Nangong's proposal for a marriage alliance?"

The letter from Qingzhou had been delivered the day before yesterday, but Qin Shaozong had set it aside on his desk at the time, and it had not been mentioned since.

"Let us wait and see," Qin Shaozong said in a calm tone.

With the marriage letter previously shelved and this phrase let us wait and see, the men could all tell that he was not very enthusiastic about the proposal.

As strategists, they could not merely plan for themselves; they also had to plan for others. And others in this context specifically referred to their superior.

Often, they had to swim against the current. Thus, Cui Shengping said, "My Lord, you and Governor Nangong took Yanzhou together, splitting it in two, which means Governor Nangong is no longer the governor of just one province. If the northern lands form an alliance with Qingzhou, not only will it strengthen our side, but we can also use Qingzhou as a boundary to form another buffer zone. I personally believe this marriage should be arranged. May I be so bold as to ask what concerns you have, My Lord?"

If the marriage truly went through, the layout from north to south would be the northern lands, Qingzhou, the imperial court, and the southern factions.

Sheng Ran nodded in agreement. "Governor Nangong's legitimate daughter has a noble status and is fit to be the primary wife of the Third Young Master. Should there be other noble ladies in the future..."

He thought about it for a moment. There did not seem to be many who had yet to clearly choose a side, and even if there were, they could not rival Nangong Xiong's power.

"...they could serve as concubines for the Third Young Master," Sheng Ran finished.

Nowadays, the inner courtyards of noble young masters were filled with women at most, and had at least a few at the bare minimum. This was not solely due to personal lust, but also a result of political alliances.

Especially for a regional overlord, their children were either marrying into one family or forming an alliance with another faction. Ranked in order of importance, those from a powerful maternal clan who arrived early became primary wives, while those who were less powerful or married later became concubines.

Someone like Qin Shaozong, whose two sons were both still unmarried, was incredibly rare.

But Qin Shaozong suddenly said, "Yunce is not yet married and is older than Qin San. Why did Haiqing and Zhongliang coincidentally bypass him to suggest Qin San?"

Both Cui Shengping and Sheng Ran were taken aback.

Their Lord's tone remained calm, and at first glance, the words did not sound harsh, but the implications within them made their hearts skip a beat.

It was a difficult statement to respond to. Cui Shengping chose his words carefully, "My Lord, the Eldest Young Master's capping ceremony is approaching in a few days. Has he ever revealed to you... any intentions of acknowledging his biological father?"

Qin Shaozong replied that he had not.

Cui Shengping's mind raced.

He had not?

If the Eldest Young Master did not acknowledge his biological father, then he would remain under their Lord's name. Following the order of seniority, since the Eldest Young Master was not yet married, it would indeed be inappropriate for the Third Young Master to marry first.

But the Eldest Young Master...

"My Lord, do you wish for the Eldest Young Master to marry Governor Nangong's legitimate daughter?" Sheng Ran asked hesitantly.

Qin Shaozong cherished his words like gold. "We shall see."

None of them could figure out what their superior meant.

To say he wanted to support the Eldest Young Master, he had not agreed to let him marry Governor Nangong's legitimate daughter. To say he did not want to support him did not make sense either, because he had clearly just interrupted Sheng Ran's words.

However, one thing was certain. It seemed their Lord—

Was not too keen on the Third Young Master having an overly powerful wife's family.

Qin Shaozong suddenly called out Cui Shengping's courtesy name. "Haiqing, for Yunce's capping ceremony, could I trouble you to crown him?"

Cui Shengping quickly sat up straight. "It would be my utmost honor."

There was more than one young man coming of age this winter, so Cui Shengping asked again, "My Lord, for young Master Qin's capping ceremony..."

Qin Shaozong said, "I will entrust Qin Yanzhou to Wugong. What do you think, Wugong?"

Nalan Zhi cupped his hands and bowed, accepting the task as well.

After a few more words, the men finally bowed and took their leave, but Qin Shaozong spoke up at that moment. "Wugong, please stay for a moment."

Nalan Zhi remained behind.

Cui Shengping and Sheng Ran paused briefly before exiting the study together. Once they had walked a distance away, Sheng Ran asked in a low voice, "Haiqing, what do you think our Lord means by this?"

Cui Shengping was older than Sheng Ran, and also older than Qin Shaozong. But at this moment, he stroked his beard repeatedly before finally shaking his head. "Our Lord's thoughts have always been as deep as the ocean abyss, impossible to fathom. We might as well wait until after the capping ceremonies to see; everything will become clear then."

"You make a good point..."

*

Inside the study.

The door closed once more. Qin Shaozong looked at Nalan Zhi standing nearby and gestured to a seat beside him with an open palm. "Wugong, sit."

"I wonder what instructions you have for me, My Lord," Nalan Zhi said, confusion in his eyes.

Qin Shaozong said in a deep voice, "Haiqing comes from the Cui clan of Hedong. Let us leave Zhongliang aside for now, but both of them have already been overtly and covertly plotting and calculating for Qin San. Wugong, this boy Qin Yanzhou is an uncut jade. Since he has taken you as his master, I hope you will carve this jade in the future and help him plan more."

Nalan Zhi's pupils contracted slightly.