All the guests had left, and the massive estate instantly fell quiet. The servants deftly cleared away the leftovers, striving to quickly restore the front courtyard and main hall to their usual tidiness.
A bright moon hung high in the sky, its lustrous light spilling over the upturned eaves and neatly paved blue bricks, as if draping them in a layer of soft white gauze.
Dai Li had come out with Qin Shaozong tonight to entertain the guests, originally just wanting to keep an eye on her son so he wouldn't get drunk.
Although distilled liquor had not yet appeared in this era, and the alcohol content of brewed wine was limited, drinking too much would still leave one intoxicated.
In the end, while chatting and laughing with the guests, she had unknowingly drunk quite a bit herself. The tipsiness was like a mischievous kitten, diving headfirst into her thoughts and tangling the threads of her mind into a messy ball of yarn.
When Qin Shaozong returned from seeing off the last batch of guests, he saw Dai Li sitting in a chair in a daze. "Is my wife drunk?"
"I'm not drunk," Dai Li flatly denied.
Seeing her misty, rippling eyes and the bright pink flush on her cheeks, Qin Shaozong thought she looked very much like some exceptionally soft and white steamed pastry, making one's appetite stir.
Staring at her intently for a couple of breaths, Qin Shaozong ultimately couldn't resist reaching out to pinch Dai Li's cheek.
It was indeed incredibly soft.
With just a little pressure, his fingertips sank into the smooth, white flesh. It felt even better than he had imagined.
Smack—
Qin Shaozong's hand was swatted.
The sound was crisp and loud. Whether it was Qin Qinian and Qin Yunce not far away, or the surrounding servants of the Marquis's mansion who were cleaning up, everyone heard it clearly.
Someone visibly shrank their neck back.
Qin Shaozong nonchalantly withdrew his hand.
"Where is Zhouzhou?" Dai Li looked around.
Qin Shaozong swept his gaze around and indeed did not see Qin Yanzhou. "Where is Qin the Second?"
Qin Yunce, standing to the side, said at this moment, "He seems to have gone to the side corridor with Rongrong?"
"Oh, it should be about going out to play in a few days," Qin Qinian burped from the alcohol.
"Yunce, go and call Qin the Second back," Qin Shaozong ordered.
Qin Yunce went as ordered.
Shortly after, he returned with Qin Yanzhou, followed by Shi Rongyue, whose hair bobbed up and down on her head.
The young man had inherited his mother's fair skin and was similarly prone to blushing when drinking. At this moment, his cheeks were flushed red, and his brow had lost its usual coldness, appearing exceptionally lazy and casual under the influence of alcohol. Coupled with his brightly colored, wide-sleeved robe, he looked like a romantic noble young master who had never experienced hardship.
Qin Shaozong was concise: "Greet us."
Qin Yanzhou stood in front of the two. It was unknown whether the alcohol had clouded his thoughts and he didn't understand the words, or if he was simply unwilling, but regardless, he did not move.
Seeing this, Qin Yunce hurriedly stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands to the two seated above, "Congratulations to Uncle and Aunt on your newlywed."
Qin Shaozong gave an "Mm," and his gaze shifted back to Qin Yanzhou. "Qin the Second."
Qin Yanzhou's eyes shifted, and finally, just like Qin Yunce a moment ago, he slowly cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations to Father and Mother on your newlywed."
Qin Shaozong smiled in satisfaction.
Not wanting to fall behind, Qin Qinian also came over to pay his respects. Shi Rongyue lined up behind him.
After the younger generation had all paid their respects, Qin Shaozong stood up from his seat, conveniently scooping up Dai Li next to him. "Madam, let's return to our room to rest."
Qin Qinian watched the two figures leaving together, then looked at the young man beside him, suddenly realizing, "Qin Yanzhou, so Father waited here for so long just for you to call him that!"
As soon as the words fell, the youth's forehead was flicked.
Qin Yunce calmly withdrew his hand. "Don't be unruly. From now on, you must call Chongle your second brother."
Qin Qinian clutched his head and muttered, "I've been calling him that for half a year, how can I just change it like that... Hey, hey, eldest brother, stop hitting me, I didn't say I wouldn't change it."
*
Before walking out of the long corridor and completely leaving the sight of the younger generation, Dai Li walked slowly, her steps unsteady, holding onto Qin Shaozong's hand.
The moment they turned out of the corridor, Qin Shaozong wrapped one arm around Dai Li's waist and swept the other under her knees, lifting her completely off the ground.
Carrying her, Qin Shaozong strode back to the main courtyard.
Dai Li had drunk quite a bit of wine, and now that she had left the main hall and was blown by the wind, her head felt dizzy. "Qin Changgeng, put me down, I'll walk by myself."
"You called me the wrong thing," he said only these words.
Dai Li sluggishly asked, "Called what wrong?"
He got straight to the point, "You should call me Husband."
Dai Li: "..."
Seeing her play deaf and dumb, a dark fire flared in the depths of Qin Shaozong's eyes. "I'll deal with you when we get back."
Dai Li was too familiar with this look of his. Every time he revealed such a gaze, a wild and passionate session was inevitable, and he wouldn't stop until he was fully satisfied.
Dai Li narrowed her eyes, deep in thought.
...
Inside the master bedroom.
The pair of festive red candles had long burned out and had been replaced with a new pair by Nianxia right on time. The incense burner in the corner silently gave off a faint fragrance, and the lamplight cast a long shadow from the carved folding screen.
At some point, a dark silhouette approached from the outside, merging with the shadow of the screen, as if forming a greedy Taotie beast.
"Not back here," Dai Li suddenly said.
"My wife has dined with me and performed the wedding cup ritual, having already married me as my wife. If not back here, where else do you want to go?" Qin Shaozong chuckled, setting her down by the bed, and then beckoned Bipo over to help remove her head ornaments.
Dai Li, however, answered irrelevantly, raising her hand to point not far away. "There needs to be a soft chair over there."
Qin Shaozong followed her gaze and glanced over, then turned back to look at her, knowing she was referring to the chair that used to be in the inner room of the master bedroom at the Qin residence. "Tomorrow I'll have someone add a long chair."
Dai Li: "I want to drink water."
Bipo was just about to call Nianxia, but saw that Qin Shaozong had already stood up and personally went to the outer room. When he returned, he heard Dai Li say that the spring chill was biting, and she needed a hot water bottle stuffed into the blankets.
After tossing and turning back and forth several times, just as Dai Li wanted to speak again, Qin Shaozong sat beside her, pulled a small object out of his sleeve pocket, and slipped it directly around Dai Li's neck. "Stop making a fuss, and you're not allowed to take it off."
Dai Li looked down nonchalantly.
Previously, Qin Changgeng had also given her many things, mostly jewelry given by his own hands: bracelets, necklaces, rings, and various earrings. He would give them to her that night, and the next day the jewelry would be left in her dressing case; this kind of thing was very common.
However, at the first glance when she looked down, Dai Li almost thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.
It was a piece of suet white jade strung on a black cord. It was as solid as white fat and incredibly delicate. The entire piece was carved into the shape of a tiger, with its mouth slightly open, its front and hind legs drawn together, front low and back high, with a slightly curled long tail.
On the tiger's body, there were slightly sunken patterns colored with either black ink or some other special pigment. These patterns formed individual characters, covering the tiger's back like a garment.
She had seen something of the exact same shape in a museum before, and the plaque hanging next to it at the time was called a "Tiger Tally."
However, Tiger Tallies were made of bronze and could be split and joined using an internal mortise and tenon structure. The piece of jade currently hanging around Dai Li's neck was a single, solid piece and could not be taken apart.
"It wouldn't be very good if others saw this," Dai Li flicked the white jade with her finger.
"What does the business between you and me have to do with anyone else?" He was unconcerned.
The last hairpin was removed, Dai Li's hair bun and jeweled pins were all taken out, and the heat of the gaze that had been fixed on her all along rose to another level.
"All of you, step down," his voice was hoarse.
The two servants obeyed the order and withdrew.
“Creak.” The door outside closed.
The massive shadow drew near, first climbing onto the footstool, then ascending the bed to envelop her. The scorching breath cascaded downwards, licking at her straight, long eyelashes like a snake's tongue.
Not only his breath, but his initial kiss also truly landed on her eyelids. He first kissed her eyes, deliberately making her long eyelashes wet.
Stimulated, Dai Li's eyes trembled, and a few meaningless physiological tears were forced out from the corners of her eyes, only to be swallowed by him as well.
Only when the spark-like burning sensation moved away from her eyes did Dai Li open them. The close-range eye contact allowed her to clearly see the turbulent waves surging in those brown eyes.
The surging waves seemed to transform into a terrifying whirlpool capable of sweeping up and swallowing a person whole. Before she could look further, he leaned over, pinning her to the bed like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey.
He bit her red lips, his slightly pointed canine teeth sinking into the soft flesh, bringing Dai Li a slight, itchy pain akin to an electric shock.
In an instant, he released her and drove straight in.
Dai Li slightly tilted her head back, always feeling that every part of her was forcefully patronized by him. He nibbled and bit, making loud smacking sounds. A strand of silver thread, sparkling in the candlelight, fell from the corners of their mouths. It was extremely vivid at this moment, yet failed to attract anyone's attention.
The belt loosened, the collar opened a sliver, and that dark color with thick calluses took the opportunity to enter, first patrolling in circles, then wreaking havoc.
Dai Li's breath grew heavier, like duckweed tossing in the wind and rain at sea. With her back pressed against the brocade quilt and her field of vision mostly occupied, she closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again.
As Qin Shaozong gradually shifted his position, Dai Li hooked her arms around his neck, taking the initiative to lean forward and kiss his thin lips. "Husband, could you promise to let me take the lead tonight?"
That voice was as sweet as honey, as if it had turned into invisible long threads, wrapping around his heart circle by circle.
Just as the first two words fell, the breath above seemed to stagnate for a moment.
By the time he heard the rest, Dai Li clearly saw the dark fire in his eyes burning ever more vigorously, like a pot of boiling water, ready to steam and eat her at any moment.
Dai Li tried to reach out and push him.
The man full of muscles was pushed away by a force that wasn't considered heavy.
A gleam of light flashed past the bottom of Dai Li's eyes. As soon as he retreated, she sat up. Seeing that Qin Shaozong was still sitting, she raised her hand to push him down.
He raised his long eyebrows, not resisting, and fell down following her force. Dai Li smiled at him, leaned over to kiss him again as a reward, and conveniently sat on his lower abdomen.
Almost at the same time, his long arm reached over to clamp around her waist. The apricot-colored silk inner garment was very light and thin, clinging to the woman's waistline, faintly revealing a bit of flesh color in the candlelight.
He clamped onto her, secretly rolling her and shifting backward.
Dai Li just pretended not to know. She took the belt that Qin Shaozong had previously torn off, first grabbed his left hand, and tied the belt around his wrist.
"What is the meaning of this, Madam?" he asked.
Dai Li didn't look at him, busy with her own affairs. "Based on the Lord's poor credit on the bed, I have no choice but to resort to this bad plan."
The beds of this era all had bedframes. Dai Li passed the other end of the belt through the hollowed-out carved bedframe, and then tied two knots.
After tying his left hand, Dai Li went to get Qin Shaozong's belt, and then took down his right hand that was circling her waist.
When she tugged the first time, she couldn't move it. Dai Li looked down at him from a commanding height, but her tone was extremely gentle. "Is Husband going to break his promise?"
Qin Shaozong's Adam's apple rolled up and down. "Madam, leave me one hand..."
Dai Li didn't say yes or no, continuing to pry his right hand. This time she moved it, and she used his own belt to tie him to the bedframe.
When both of his hands were fully tied, Dai Li curled her lips in satisfaction. "I am the Northern Inspector specially appointed by the current Emperor, bearing the duty of supervising local officials. After my undercover investigation, I found that the Marquis of Wu'an in the North bullies men and oppresses women, committing many evil deeds. Now his official position is temporarily dismissed, and his right to ask 'Who in the hall is suing this official' is stripped."
This phrase "Who in the hall is suing this official" was said by Qin Shaozong on the night of the winter hunt, and now Dai Li brought it out exactly as it was.
Qin Shaozong revealed a bit of sharp canine teeth. "Oh? Then what does Inspector Dai want? How about punishing me to be a little jailer, working hard every day to administer the whip."
He was quite obedient in his words, but his hipbone pointed upward, approaching boldly and presumptuously.
Both of their belts were removed, Dai Li's inner garment was open, and the peony bellyband inside had been pulled loosely by Qin Shaozong earlier, the thin strap wrapping around her fair neck, on the verge of falling off.
Dai Li raised her hand to hook the thin strap, and under the man's burning gaze, pulled the bellyband down another section.
The length of the rope for the tiger-shaped mutton-fat jade had not yet been adjusted. The tiger jade dragged the overly long black rope, hanging heavily and stopping on the undulating fullness.
Dai Li picked up the black rope, and under the gaze of those brown eyes that seemed about to burn out sparks, she leisurely hid the tiger jade into the snow-white depths. "This is a treasure given to me by my husband. How could I let a nameless pawn like you see it?"
The muscles at his waist and abdomen instantly tightened severely, urging, "Madam, hurry up..."
The more he urged, the less Dai Li hurried.
She slowly shifted backward, only softly pressing against him. "I am an official appointed by the imperial court. Who is your madam? Don't shout nonsense."
Veins popped on Qin Shaozong's forehead. "Then I ask Inspector Dai not to delay, hurry up and interrogate me."
Dai Li smiled. Her beautiful face was extremely bright under the candlelight, carrying an indescribable charm, as if there were several invisible fox tails wagging behind her.
Her slender fingers stroked the man's neck, teasing that dark Adam's apple to roll up and down incessantly. "Since you took the initiative to mention the word 'interrogate', then tell me yourself, what other crimes have you committed besides bullying men and oppressing women? Speak well, and this official has a reward."
Her fingers moved down, as if curious about every part. Whenever she touched something she found interesting, she would stop and study it seriously.
That fire burned so much that the veins on the side of Qin Shaozong's neck stood up, and the bottoms of his eyes turned red. "Madam!"
Dai Li glanced at him, not speaking.
She did what she had to do, continuing to set her fires.
He took a deep breath. "I intend to commit insubordination."
This sentence had more than one meaning if listened to closely, but leaving those aside, Dai Li sitting on him right now was indeed "above."
He really wanted to "commit insubordination."
"Mhm, what else?"
Dai Li removed the barriers between them one by one, observed the position, and then carefully sat down.
His pupils contracted for a moment.
"Hey, why are you sweating? Although you are now a prisoner, I am a reasonable and good official. I will find a handkerchief for you." With that, Dai Li propped herself up a little with her knees, slowly getting up.
Not only did she get up, but she also specifically went to get the handkerchief placed by the pillow.
Seeming unable to reach it, Dai Li leaned over.
The two flaps of the inner garment opened wider with her movements. The mutton-fat jade-like skin glowed white and moist. A bundle of long hair split into several strands, like the open claws and teeth of some beast, spreading open to cover that secret place.
A rich fragrance lingered around the tip of the nose. Qin Shaozong only felt that the white was white, the fragrant was fragrant, like a piece of fragrant meat dangling in front of him.
His canines itched, his mouth watered; he could see her but could not touch her. The man instinctively tried to raise his hand. The sashes binding his wrists stretched to their absolute limit, letting out a sharp snapping sound.
Dai Li was startled. She carefully inspected the two sashes and only relaxed when she saw they were perfectly intact.
Not bad at all; the fabric used for wedding garments was indeed sturdy.
Taking a handkerchief, Dai Li casually wiped the sweat from his brow, then sat back down. Speak. That is not your only crime.
Seeing him remain silent, merely staring at her with predatory, wolfish eyes, Dai Li lightly scratched his chest. Little soldier of the Qin clan, have you ever forcefully taken another man's wife?
It was as if the downy feathers of a baby bird had brushed against him. An agonizing itch exploded from his heart. Qin Shaozong's throat was as dry as a scorching fire. ...I have.
Dai Li looked down at him from her vantage point. Do you plead guilty?
I do not. He answered without a moment's hesitation.
Dai Li gave a soft snort.
After that, she moved entirely at her own pace, taking her time, drawing it out like a slow-flowing stream. When she was tired, she rested for a bit; when she felt like it, she rested even longer. Whether he exhausted every sweet word or spouted shameless obscenities, she ignored him completely.
She was so comfortable that the corners of her eyes curled up in a tiny, pleased arc, but it tormented Qin Shaozong as if he were burning in roaring flames.
It was not just missing the edge by a little, but by a massive margin, leaving him scratching his heart and clawing his lungs in frustration, his eyes red-hot with desire.
That inferno rolled and roared through his limbs and bones. Before it could be extinguished even a fraction, a large bucket of oil was poured over it, making the flames surge even more violently.
A faint tearing sound echoed.
Dai Li paused, looking suspiciously at the sashes binding Qin Shaozong's arms.
The quality of these sashes was truly excellent, and the knots she had tied were no ordinary knots. Logically speaking, it should be impossible for Qin Changgeng to break free. And looking at it now, his hands indeed showed no signs of escaping.
Dai Li resumed her enjoyment.
Qin Shaozong gnashed his teeth. Madam, if you untie me within half a quarter of an hour, we can end things early tonight. Otherwise...
Dai Li chuckled. Just a moment ago you said within a quarter of an hour, and in the blink of an eye you have actually cut the time in half. Not only are you not treating me with honesty, but you actually dare to threaten me. That is an added crime!
Madam, be careful not to play with fire and get burned. The last few words seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
You talk too much for a little soldier. I should gag your mouth. Dai Li paid his warning no mind. She even grabbed her own silk bellyband, casually crumpled it into a ball, and stuffed it into his mouth.
Qin Shaozong not only did not resist, but he actively bit down on it. His slightly pointed canines dampened the peony-embroidered silk with a trace of moisture.
Dai Li was just about to feel satisfied when she suddenly heard a loud crack.
It was a massive bang, completely incomparable to the sound from earlier. She stared dumbfounded as the openwork carved edge of the bed frame, where the sashes were originally tied, suffered a complete decapitation, it had actually been ripped off entirely by Qin Shaozong.
When Dai Li was grabbed by the waist and flipped from the top to the bottom, her mind buzzed. Her first reaction was that she was doomed. Her second reaction was...
The bed was broken on their wedding night. If word of this got out, she would never be able to show her face in public again.