The news that Dai Li was returning to the North spread like wildfire through the manor. The entire estate bustled with activity as everyone packed and prepared for the journey.
Inside her room, Dai Li listened to the sounds of carriages being loaded back and forth outside, occasionally glancing at the writing materials on her desk. After a long while, she finally closed her door, sat down at the desk, and began grinding ink.
Once the black ink was ready, she spread out a sheet of mulberry paper.
Picking up her brush, Dai Li wrote a letter to Qin Qinian in one smooth breath. Then, taking out a fresh sheet of paper, she carefully wrote three characters: "Letter of Divorce."
This second letter wasn't long, but it took her quite some time to write, even ruining a piece of paper halfway through.
When the final stroke was laid down, Dai Li set aside her brush to let the ink dry. Her gaze fell on the paper, unfocused, simply lost in thought.
A knock on the door suddenly echoed.
"Madam?" It was Bipo. She had come to fetch something from the room, only to find the door not just closed, but locked.
Startled from her reverie, Dai Li called out "Just a moment," then folded the now-dry letter.
The door opened.
Bipo quickly cast a sidelong glance inside, but seeing everything looked normal, she suppressed her curiosity. Not daring to ask why her mistress had locked the door, she merely asked for instructions. After receiving a negative reply, Bipo resumed her packing.
She muttered to herself, wondering why both her mistress and Nianxia had been acting so strangely lately. Her mistress was one thing—she was a noble lady with many important and busy affairs, so it wasn't surprising if she encountered some tricky matters.
But Nianxia? They were both servants, and their daily tasks were almost identical. Logically, Nianxia shouldn't be acting this way. Could something special have happened without her knowing?
Nianxia had refused to speak earlier, but hmph, she would find time to interrogate her properly.
Bipo mused idly.
This waiting continued until all the luggage was packed and the procession was ready to depart.
"Madam, Qin San will also accompany you back to Yuyang," Qin Shaozong announced as soon as he entered the room.
Dai Li was surprised. "Why? Qinian can help you in Chang'an. There's no need for him to return to Yuyang, is there?"
Qin Shaozong waved it off dismissively. "That boy runs wild all day. It's a miracle if he doesn't cause trouble. We have no use for him here, so he might as well go back with you."
Dai Li frowned slightly, almost imperceptibly. "But Qinian's studies..."
"Without merit to keep him in Chang'an, Qin the Second hasn't been attending classes either," Qin Shaozong cut her off.
Hearing his resolute tone, Dai Li knew there was little room for negotiation. "Alright," she agreed first, then asked, "What about Qinian's own thoughts? Is he willing to go back to Yuyang with me?"
Qin Shaozong let out a soft scoff. "He doesn't have to attend classes for a while. That boy is probably so happy he's forgotten his own surname."
Dai Li: "..."
Qin Shaozong looked around the master bedroom, noticing how empty it felt now that the luggage had been moved to the carriages.
This kind of emptiness had accompanied him every day before his marriage, for over a decade. Yet, returning to it after just a year, he found it incredibly unfamiliar, even uncomfortable.
He furrowed his long brows but said nothing.
Dai Li glanced at a certain chest belonging to Qin Shaozong, thinking that since Qinian was traveling with her, she should retrieve the letter she had prepared for him.
No, perhaps she didn't need to.
The moon rose and set, and in the blink of an eye, a day passed, bringing the day of departure.
Today, Qin Shaozong personally escorted Dai Li out of the city. He didn't ride a horse, choosing instead to share her carriage. "Although the route from Yuyang to Chang'an is now entirely under our Northern control, and all the major factions have been wiped out, there might still be some small bands of thieves roaming about. Since there's no rush, Madam, please avoid traveling at night."
"The Black Cavalry can take on ten men each, not to mention there are a full four hundred of them escorting me to Yuyang. Thieves block roads to make a living, not to throw their lives away. What thief would dare cross our path?" Dai Li changed the subject. "Speaking of time, if I want to go sightseeing along the way, Qin Changgeng, you can't let Commander Bai stop me."
Four hundred guards—this number was even larger than when she and Qin Shaozong had traveled south. And this time, escorting her back to Yuyang was Bai Jianping, the Commander of the Southern Garrison of the Black Cavalry.
"Of course." Qin Shaozong didn't think much of it. Stopping to admire majestic peaks or beautiful scenery during a journey was perfectly normal.
"Then tell Commander Bai yourself." Dai Li lifted the curtain and called out for Bai Jianping.
Bai Jianping, confused, rode over. "My Lady?"
Dai Li nudged Qin Shaozong with her elbow, prompting him to say, "On the journey back, follow Madam's instructions. If she wishes to go sightseeing, do not dissuade her."
Bai Jianping agreed.
Dai Li let go, and the curtain fell back into place.
"Satisfied now?" Qin Shaozong thought Dai Li had been cooped up for too long and was feeling playful, so he added, "Once the world is at peace and the four seas are calm, I'll take you out to play to your heart's content."
Dai Li smiled but didn't say anything.
Qin Shaozong played with one of her hands. "Madam, you can have someone send me letters along the way, and I will write back to you."
Dai Li said okay.
Perhaps because they were about to part, he spoke more than usual, giving her many instructions. When the carriage had traveled twenty miles out of Chang'an, Qin Shaozong said, "I will definitely return to Yuyang before spring next year. By then, you'll have had your fill of fun on the road. After that, stay obediently in Yuyang and don't run around."
Dai Li just gave an "mm," neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
He reached up, resting a hand on the back of her neck, and pulled her toward him until their foreheads were almost touching, face to face. "What does 'mm' mean? Say 'okay,' say 'I will listen to my husband.'"
His brown eyes were narrow and restrained, set beneath sharp, prominent brow bones. In the dim light of the carriage with the curtains drawn, his eyes looked even darker. When he stared at someone unblinkingly, they were like a deep pool with a swirling vortex.
Dai Li instinctively tried to turn her head away, but he held her firmly.
"Why are you hiding? Are you feeling guilty, Madam?" Qin Shaozong clicked his tongue softly.
Even knowing he might just be speaking casually, Dai Li's heart still pounded fiercely. She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and feigned helplessness. "Okay, I will listen to my husband."
He was satisfied.
"We've come twenty miles already. Let's part here," Dai Li said, looking at him, her voice softening. "Since that matter requires careful planning, I hope you will eat well, be mindful of the changing seasons, balance work and rest, and take good care of yourself."
With every word she spoke, his gaze deepened, until it seemed as if they were back in last night's passion. Dark fire burned in his eyes, glowing brightly, as if ready to swallow her whole. "Madam is truly stingy. Only at parting do you allow this gentle breeze of care to blow over me."
Dai Li looked away. "Remember what I just said."
"I will definitely remember."
Qin Shaozong stepped down from the carriage. He waited until the army was completely out of sight before mounting his Red Dragon. "Let's go back."
*
After leaving Chang'an, Dai Li headed north as planned. They traveled for several days, passing through three small counties, before arriving at a small town called Tianchi.
As in the previous three stops, they first found a relay station and booked the entire place to rest.
In the evening, Dai Li said to Bai Jianping, "Commander Bai, the local customs and scenery here are quite nice. There's no rush to continue our journey just yet. I plan to stroll around the town tomorrow."
Bai Jianping agreed without hesitation.
The next morning, Dai Li told the others that she and Qin Yanzhou were going to wander around the town, asking Qin Qinian and Shi Rongyue if they wanted to come along.
Qin Qinian was full of enthusiasm, "Of course! I'll go with you."
Shi Rongyue's gaze shifted slightly to the side, and she softly said she wanted to go too.
Dai Li nodded and led the group of youngsters out. Naturally, Bai Jianping followed them on their outing, bringing along a few soldiers besides himself.
A small county couldn't compare to Chang'an; there was only one cross-street that was somewhat bustling. The area was small and only roughly divided into sections: vegetables and meat were mostly on this end, while daily necessities like fabrics were on that end.
After casually browsing two shops, Dai Li gave Qin Yanzhou a meaningful glance. The latter then said to Qin Qinian, "There's a pottery shop over there with some interestingly shaped pieces. Do you want to go take a look with me?"
Qin Qinian instinctively said yes, but after answering, he looked toward Dai Li, "But..."
Noticing his gaze, Dai Li smiled, "You guys go ahead and take Rongrong with you. The shop is just at the corner of the street, not far away. I'll come find you after I finish looking around here."
After speaking to the youngsters, Dai Li also sent Bai Jianping over. Bai Jianping didn't disobey; although he went along, it wasn't as if no one was left to guard Dai Li, so he wasn't worried.
After they left, Dai Li calmly looked at the two remaining guards. She called one over and asked him to go to a nearby shop to buy something; once he left, Dai Li bought a large batch of items and asked the shopkeeper to deliver them to her door.
However...
"Madam, are you sure your relay station is located there? Why do I remember there being no relay station in that area?" the shopkeeper asked, puzzled.
"Is that so?" Dai Li looked hesitant, turning to call the only remaining soldier, "Tell the shopkeeper the exact address of our relay station. I'm going next door to find Zhouzhou and the others."
Leaving this sentence behind, Dai Li stepped outside. The soldier had only followed her for two steps when he heard Dai Li say from the doorway, "You stay here and don't worry, he seems to be coming back."
This "he" referred to the person who had just been sent out.
Hearing this, the soldier stopped.
Dai Li, who had walked to the doorway, looked back and then to her left. One soldier was talking to the shopkeeper to leave the address, while the other was paying.
Neither of them noticed her side.
Dai Li smiled and took an envelope out of her sleeve.
When the soldier finished speaking with the shopkeeper and turned around, he saw the mistress, who had previously said she was going to find her son, standing on the street opposite the shop, holding a letter in her hand.
"Mistress?" The soldier hurried forward in a few quick steps.
Dai Li waved the letter at him, "A letter just arrived from the North."
The soldier was stunned.
A letter from the North? Where was the messenger?
Just as the doubt arose, he heard Dai Li say, "The messenger has been traveling for a long time, likely rushing day and night without rest. I told him to go find a place to rest first."
The soldier nodded. His gaze inadvertently caught sight of his companion still buying things nearby, and a trace of oddity suddenly welled up in his heart.
However, this slight doubt,
upon seeing Dai Li's calm face, vanished quickly like a pebble thrown into a river.
The mistress was acting completely normal, and besides, the letter used the exact wax seal from their Northern territory. What could possibly be wrong?
Not long after, Qin Yanzhou and the others returned.
Dai Li waved the letter in her hand, "Rongrong, Colonel Yan sent a letter saying something seems to have happened at your home, and he suggests you return to Yuyang quickly."
Shi Rongyue froze, and recovering her senses, hurriedly asked what happened.
"Colonel Yan didn't entirely talk about the Shi family's affairs in the letter; most of it involves crops and fertilizer. He didn't go into detail about your family," Dai Li said, handing her the letter to read.
Shi Rongyue took it and saw that the beginning of the letter reported information about composting, and only at the very end was the Shi family mentioned.
It was a very brief sentence, just as vague as Dai Li had said, without any specific reasons. This half-hidden truth only made one more anxious.
Qin Qinian stood beside her and read the letter as well, but it was as if he hadn't read it at all. Seeing Shi Rongyue's anxious face, he bluntly said, "Since something has happened at home, you should go back early."
Dai Li: "This is not the place to discuss matters. We'll talk again when we return to the relay station."
*
Upon returning to the relay station, Dai Li dismissed Bai Jianping, leaving only the youngsters. "Qinian, I want to ask a favor of you."
This was the first time Qin Qinian had been entrusted with something by an elder in such a pleading tone, and this person was his deeply admired mother. Immediately, a rush of hot blood shot to his head, "Tell me, your son guarantees it will be done!"
Dai Li slowly lowered her eyes, "I will give you half of the soldiers. I want to ask you to escort Rongrong back to Yuyang."
Qin Qinian stood frozen on the spot, "What, what do you mean by this? Aren't you going back to Yuyang with us?"
"It's not that I'm not going back, I just want to go back later," Dai Li sighed faintly. "It's rare to come out and play. Whenever I think about how dizzyingly busy it will be after autumn, I don't want to go back so early. Besides, you are Rongrong's little cousin and have a close relationship with the Shi family. After escorting Rongrong back, you can conveniently visit the Shi family to see if they need any help, and do your best to assist them."