White Elephant died in Yuyang, and Dai Li anticipated that the Green Lotus Sect would absolutely not let it go. But she hadn't expected them to act so quickly. On the second day after the Northern Army arrived in Chang'an, the opposing side delivered a preemptive warning.
Dai Li opened the mulberry paper. The signature at the bottom right corner was a lotus drawn in traditional ink. The ink on the paper had dried, leaving only a brief line of text:
[The past accounts are complicated; wait for them to be settled in detail.]
Dai Li's eyes darkened.
Obviously, this was a declaration of war. Not only the governors of the surrounding provinces, but even the Green Lotus Sect was determined to wade into these muddy waters.
Fishing in troubled waters, it was still unknown which fish would ultimately be caught and become the meat carved up on the chopping block.
Dai Li asked, "Zhouzhou, where did this letter come from?"
"When the cooks went out to purchase supplies, the letter was slipped into the goods and brought in," Qin Yanzhou said.
Dai Li slowly folded the mulberry paper. Chang'an was not the North; there was no way to make a big show of tracking down the true messenger. She asked about another matter, "Zhouzhou, have you, Qi Nian, and Rongrong had dinner yet?"
This afternoon, she and Qin Changgeng went out to tour Chang'an. Before leaving, she told the three youngsters at home to figure out dinner themselves, but she returned earlier than expected.
Qin Yanzhou shook his head. "Not yet."
Dai Li thought it was perfect timing. "Governor Nangong and his daughter have come to visit the manor. The Marquis and the Sixth Miss's father have matters to discuss. Zhouzhou, you take her to have dinner later."
Then Dai Li turned slightly to introduce Qin Yanzhou to Nangong Ziqin. "This is my eldest son, Qin Yanzhou."
Nangong Ziqin had been observing him from the start. It wasn't that she was overly curious, but it was the first time she had seen such a handsome young master.
The golden sun set in the west, and the brilliant afterglow reflected on the young man's profile. With his high-bridged nose as a dividing line, it cast a soft interplay of light and shadow on half his face.
He was extremely good-looking, with eyes as black as ink and eyelids layered like peach petals. However, his aura was cold and sharp, forcefully suppressing any hint of romantic charm.
Nangong Ziqin curtsied in greeting.
Qin Yanzhou returned the courtesy.
...
"Second Brother, you were gone for so long, how..." Qin Qinian suddenly stopped. It was because he saw that Qin Yanzhou had not returned alone; a beautiful young lady was following behind him.
The youth, who had been lazily sprawling on the table waiting for dinner, immediately sat up straight and adopted proper etiquette.
Shi Rongyue also looked at the guest in surprise. "Brother Zhongle, who is this young lady?"
"This is the Nangong family's Sixth Miss. She came to the manor with her father as a guest. The elders have important matters to discuss, so Mother asked us to entertain her." Qin Yanzhou introduced Nangong Ziqin to Shi Rongyue and Qin Qinian, and then ordered the servants to add a set of bowls and chopsticks.
The few of them exchanged greetings.
Although there was no strict custom at this time forbidding unmarried young ladies from seeing outside men, they were ultimately unfamiliar with each other, and there was a distinction between men and women. Therefore, after the greetings, the brothers didn't speak.
The atmosphere was unsurprisingly awkward.
"Ah, we should have people bring up a few separate tables!" Shi Rongyue realized belatedly.
They usually used a round table, but with a distinguished guest present, to show respect, they should dine at separate tables.
Qin Qinian was about to go arrange it when he heard Nangong Ziqin say, "There's no need for the trouble; a guest should follow the host's convenience. I heard that last year my father and the Marquis formed an alliance to jointly attack the Green Lotus. Now that they meet again in Chang'an, who knows, they might continue their previous connection in the future. Since that's the case, why be so formal?"
Nangong Ziqin had always known clearly why she was able to accompany her father to the capital. Born to enjoy the prosperity of the Nangong clan, it was common for marriage to serve the family.
Since Fan of Yanzhou was defeated and the male members of the Fan clan were slaughtered, her past engagement was naturally void. This time entering the capital, it was highly likely her father would choose a new husband for her.
With the prior alliance to jointly attack the North, and now visiting the manor as guests, Nangong Ziqin privately felt the chances of her future husband coming from the North were quite high.
She looked again at the two young masters of the Qin family.
The older one, though the Marquis's stepson, stood tall and straight like a pine. He had a cool demeanor, a saber at his waist, and picturesque features. He was a top-tier handsome young master.
The younger one's face was not as handsome as his brother's, but his eyes were clear, and he looked easy to get along with, plus he was the biological son of Marquis Wu'an.
Nangong Ziqin nodded in her heart.
Shi Rongyue had attended many gatherings in Nanyu and was very popular among her peers. Now she smiled and said to Nangong Ziqin, "Alright then, we'll sit at the round table, side by side."
*
In the main hall.
Qin Shaozong had just eaten a round and was now only holding a wine goblet, barely touching his chopsticks. "...So it's not some supernatural force, purely the mischief of flour. If you're worried about a next time, just send people to search the houses carefully."
Nangong Xiong hadn't eaten tonight. Now, with a table full of delicacies in front of him, he completely ignored them, listening in a daze.
Mere wheat flour could produce such great power? It was truly unbelievable!
Nangong Xiong hurriedly called in the Qingzhou soldiers waiting outside and instructed his subordinate, "Ba Guang, quickly lead a squad to thoroughly search the houses, leaving no corner unexamined. If you find flour spread on the ground, clean it up and report back."
This order seemed baffling, but the lieutenant clasped his hands in acknowledgment and immediately went to carry it out.
"Marquis Wu'an, to be honest, I have doubts about the house collapse in Yuyang you mentioned earlier. You wouldn't mind if I send a squad to Yuyang right now to verify it, would you?" Nangong Xiong spoke frankly.
Those who could claim a share of power in the current situation of warlord fragmentation were no fools. And Nangong Xiong only half-believed what the man in front of him said.
Verification was also easy; just send someone to Yuyang to check the details.
Qin Shaozong readily agreed, "Sure. But given the several assassinations I encountered on my way south, I will send another squad to accompany yours."
Nangong Xiong had no objections.
Having people from the North accompany them, with tokens in hand, would indeed make travel much more convenient.
However...
Nangong Xiong leaned forward slightly and said curiously, "It doesn't make sense. They say you pick the softest persimmon to squeeze. Even if the Green Lotus Sect hates us for ruining their plans, they have no reason to strike directly at Yuyang."
That was Yuyang, the core of the North. What was the difference between that and entering a tiger's den?
"It's just that human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant," Qin Shaozong said, not mentioning that the other side had lost a core member.
Nangong Xiong, however, felt this matter was not simple. But seeing Qin Changgeng's demeanor, he knew the man was unwilling to tell him the inside story. He simply didn't ask and changed the subject. "Aside from Liu of Jingzhou, all the other warlords have come to the capital. Do you think he'll eventually get involved too?"
"Very likely. Liu Zhan is no fool, why wouldn't he come? The reason he's late is probably that his newly acquired Yizhou still needs more consolidation, plus he's avoiding suspicion." Qin Shaozong drained the wine in his goblet in one gulp.
The golden dragon emerges from near its nest.
The province adjacent to Yongzhou was not just Sizhou, but also Yizhou. Yizhou had changed hands, and Liu Zhan, who had leaped to become the overlord of the south, could also be that golden dragon.
Nangong Xiong picked up the wine jug and poured wine for Qin Shaozong with a face full of smiles. "We formed an alliance last year, so we can be considered to have a life-and-death friendship. Now Chang'an is treacherous and full of dangers. Going it alone makes it easy to be attacked from front and back. I wonder if you, Marquis Wu'an, have the intention to swear a blood oath and continue to be good brothers who share each other's burdens with me?"
Actually, Nangong Xiong initially had no intention of allying with the North.
His previous requests for marriage alliances had been repeatedly rejected. As a dignified provincial governor, he wasn't so lacking in integrity. Whoever won in the end would rely on their own abilities; why did he have to depend on Qin Changgeng?
However, the two explosions from earlier seemed to ring like a great bell in Nangong Xiong's ears, shearing away half of the verdant bamboo forest in his heart.
The Qinglian Cult had always been wicked, skilled at manipulating people's hearts and playing the devil. Their filthy tricks were endless. Today, they could engineer the collapse of two houses to sow seeds of doubt among the provincial governors; tomorrow, who knew what other methods they might use.
If he were to capsize in the gutter due to a moment of carelessness, wouldn't this trip to Chang'an just be making a wedding dress for someone else? The Northern Region had fought many battles with the Qinglian Cult, so they must be the most familiar with their tricks...
Thus, after a brief moment of thought, Nangong Xiong shamelessly spoke up again.
Qin Shaozong allowed him to fill his wine cup. "Oh? That troop hasn't even set off for Yuyang yet, and you are already so eager to be brothers with me, Nangong. Aren't you afraid of being stabbed in the back by your good brother when the time comes?"
Nangong Xiong smiled, showing his ability to yield and adapt. "If it were anyone else, I absolutely wouldn't trust them. But Marquis Wu'an, you are an indomitable man. Once you give your word, a team of horses cannot chase it back. What do I have to fear?"
Qin Shaozong did not accept this flattery, replying leisurely, "Not necessarily. In the past, I once declared that if I were to remarry, I must marry a woman from the Wei family, but I haven't done that either."
Nangong Xiong: "..."
Fabric shops were as common as clouds in Chang'an. The Wennan Fabric Shop, situated on the edge of the bustling market, could only be considered below average and could not catch the eyes of the dignitaries.
However, it was within this very ordinary fabric shop that the third floor held a hidden universe. The top floor used sandalwood for its beams and featured a gold inlaid jade screen carved with landscapes. Beside the window sat an agarwood desk, and along the edges of the room stood treasure racks displaying exquisite and precious ornaments.
But the most special feature had to be the desk in the center of the room, which resembled a sand table. At this moment, two people stood facing each other before it.
The two shared somewhat similar facial features, with only a clear difference in their ages.
The handsome man dressed in a green robe was clearly past thirty. There were two shallow lines of age at the corners of his eyes, and a string of gold-patterned Buddhist prayer beads wrapped around his right wrist, making him look like a man of religion.
The sand table in front of him was like a gluttonous beast, containing a miniature version of Chang'an City. Within the city, there were small cloth pouches, each with a small flag planted on top.
Han, Liu, Xie, Jiang, Li, Nangong, Qin, and... Dai.
Among them, the flag for Han, representing the Emperor, was the most unique. The cloth pouch beneath it was black, while the rest were all white.
"Uncle, after the flour explosion, Marquis Wu'an invited Nangong into his residence. These two collaborated last year, and I'm afraid they are going to collude again now." Diting picked up the Nangong flag and placed it next to Qin.
He was somewhat puzzled. "Why would you let these two get on the same boat? Wouldn't it be easier to defeat them one by one?"
"Those who can form an alliance can also part ways. Moreover, even you feel the threat is intensifying, let alone the impatient Chancellor Dong; he definitely won't be able to sit still. Before Liu of Jingzhou enters the capital, let them fight it out," Liudao said lightly.
Diting suddenly understood.
His uncle was trying to accelerate the development of the current situation while simultaneously using another's knife to kill.
The small cloth pouch with the Dai flag planted in the sand table was suddenly picked up by a pair of slender hands. Liudao traced the character on it with his finger. "How is Concubine Du doing now?"
Diting smiled and said, "She has some intelligence and cannot let go of Marquis Wu'an herself. Therefore, knowing that doing as we say might help her regain her past glory, she is actually quite obedient."
Liudao put Dai down again, but not in its original position close to Qin; instead, he placed it far away. "Let her go and test the waters first. Combining internal and external efforts will yield results."
Qin Residence.
"A wine-tasting banquet?" Dai Li looked at the delivered invitation, her brows slowly furrowing.
The gold-stamped invitation was exceptionally exquisite. Using gold powder as ink, the invitation details were written in beautiful clerical script, inviting her and Qin Shaozong to attend the wine-tasting banquet together.
The host of the banquet was Chancellor Dong Zhou, who held immense power in the court, and the location was arrogantly set at a royal villa in the suburbs.
Qin Shaozong was beside Dai Li. He was much taller than her, and only needed to lower his head slightly to read the words on the invitation. "There has been no movement regarding the conferring of titles, yet a wine-tasting event comes first."
"Qin Changgeng, are we going to attend this banquet?" Dai Li asked.
Qin Shaozong waved his hand to summon Hu Bao. "The Dong family sent an invitation. Go and investigate who else they have invited."
Hu Bao received the order and left. He returned shortly after and reported, "My Lord, the Dong family's attendants have visited several surrounding residences without missing any."
"Everyone has received an invitation, so it seems inappropriate if we don't go," Dai Li said hesitantly.
"Not we, just me," Qin Shaozong corrected her. Meeting the woman's confused eyes, he explained in a low voice, "There will likely be drinking contests during the banquet, and possibly spontaneous martial arts matches. Swords and blades have no eyes, so it is best for you to stay in the residence, Madam."
Since Dong Zhou had also invited others, the Northern Region certainly could not be absent. Otherwise, if they did not even dare to attend a wine-tasting banquet, how could they compete for anything else?
Hearing him mention a martial arts match, Dai Li immediately thought of Xiang Zhuang's sword dance from the past. It was only natural that Dong Zhou could not hold back at this wine-tasting banquet.
"Madam, you don't need to worry. The wine-tasting banquet is held at Changle Villa in the southern suburbs. I will dispatch a team to stand by at the foot of the mountain. If there is any unusual activity on the mountain, we will use a beacon fire as a signal, and the Black Valiant Cavalry will charge up to attack. Besides, I personally believe that Dong Zhou will not easily break the balance." Qin Shaozong guessed that this wine-tasting banquet was meant to test their true strength.
After the dust explosion, Nangong Xiong had questioned him in public, and there were at least dozens, if not a hundred, pairs of eyes in the area. It was not surprising that the phrase "You need to give me an explanation for this" had spread.
"Anyway, just be careful," Dai Li lowered her eyes.
The man, who had just been so imposing and serious, suddenly smiled, revealing a bit of inherent wickedness. He abruptly reached out and pulled her into his arms, bending slightly to rub his slightly stubbled jaw against her soft cheek. "Oh, Madam is worried about me."
The short stubble was prickly, giving Dai Li the illusion of being licked by the barbed tongue of a giant tiger. She leaned to the other side as he rubbed against her, but the iron arm around her waist held her firmly in place.
"Madam is deeply in love with me." The corners of his mouth curled up high.
Dai Li's mouth twitched, and she reached out to push him. "...Qin Changgeng, don't you really think remarrying is troublesome?"
Those words stung his nerves, making them jump. "It is indeed troublesome, so I must ask Madam to remain the wife of the Qin family for the rest of your life."
He paused and added, "And in the next life as well."