Chapter 182

Nanyu Commandery in the North, the Shi Residence.

"Mother, Mother! I heard that Second Uncle and Second Aunt have returned. Can I go to Yuyang?" Shi Rongyue ran into the room happily and asked Qin Hongying.

Compared to her high spirits, Qin Hongying's expression was very indifferent. "Earlier, I asked you to go play with your younger cousin, but you refused, claiming you were aching here and uncomfortable there. Now that your Second Uncle and the others are back, you suddenly look refreshed and are in a rush to go to Yuyang."

Shi Rongyue stopped in her tracks, her round eyes blinking. "Because I'm curious. Yes, very curious! I can't figure out why Second Aunt lied to me back then, so I want to go find her and ask."

Qin Hongying's eyes were long like her brother's, naturally carrying a fierce look. At this moment, she raised her eyes to look at her only daughter and said sternly, "Are you going to find your Second Aunt, or are you hoping to see someone else?"

Shi Rongyue paused, then asked timidly, "Mother, are you unhappy about me going to pay my respects to Second Aunt?"

Qin Hongying laughed out of anger. The good daughter she had raised with her own hands was now playing mind games with her. "When did I say I was unhappy..."

"Okay, Mother, I'll go prepare right away." Shi Rongyue turned around and tried to run.

"Shi Rongyue, get back here!" Qin Hongying slammed the table and stood up. The sound of her slamming the table was so loud that the cups on it slightly bounced.

The young girl who had run to the door froze, then slowly turned back. "Mother, are you angry?"

Qin Hongying's chest heaved violently with anger. "You have the nerve to ask? I told you earlier to spend more time with Qinian, did you do as I said?"

Shi Rongyue lowered her head and stayed silent, only showing Qin Hongying her two hair whorls.

Qin Hongying's anger eased a little. "Rongrong, Mother is doing this for your own good. Since you are destined to marry back into the Qin family, it is best to add family ties to family ties. That child Qinian isn't some ugly or useless fellow. Besides, I watched him grow up; I know him inside and out, and his character is impeccable. What more could you be picky about?"

Shi Rongyue still kept her head down and said nothing.

Seeing this, Qin Hongying sneered coldly. "Don't even think about Daili's biological son. As for that puppy you brought back from the south, starting today, it is not allowed to be kept in your courtyard. Let Maidong and the others..."

"You can't do that!"

Shi Rongyue, who had been unresponsive just now, suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide open. "Mother, you can't do that. I want to raise Boqi myself!"

Qin Hongying's eyes seemed to hide blades. "Do you like that Qin the Second?"

This was a question, but her tone was calm and without the slightest bit of surprise.

Having her girlish secrets laid bare, a faint blush spread across the tips of Shi Rongyue's ears, but she was quickly startled by how certain her mother sounded.

She panicked for only a few breaths before quickly calming down. Her round eyes looked directly at her mother. "Yes, Mother, I like Brother Chongle."

"Shi Rongyue, did everything I told you before about the pros and cons just go in one ear and out the other?" Qin Hongying was exasperated at her failure to meet expectations. "Qin the Second is not a good match. Besides having Daili as his biological mother, what abilities does he have..."

"How could he not have any? Back then, it was Brother Chongle who led men to burn the Xuzhou army's granary. He can wield a pen to stabilize the world and wield a blade to secure peace. In what way is he not capable?" Shi Rongyue retorted.

Qin Hongying had not gone south with the army and did not know about the matters in Xuzhou, but that didn't stop her from mocking, "Stabilize the world? Is it his turn to stabilize this world! You are just young and attracted to beauty. If you ask me, you've just been blinded by his good looks."

Shi Rongyue retorted loudly, "That's not true! Brother Chongle is just cold on the outside but warm on the inside; he is actually a very gentle person. Besides, if I purely liked his appearance, I would have fallen in love with him at first sight."

Qin Hongying sneered, "Do you dare say that you didn't have a good impression of him the first time you saw him?"

Shi Rongyue paused for a moment, then honestly nodded and said, "Alright, maybe a little. After all, someone as handsome as Brother Chongle is indeed rare in this world. But this is just human nature. Didn't you also think Father was handsome back then, which is why you chose him over Uncle Yang?"

Qin Hongying almost choked on her breath, not expecting that the one or two pieces of gossip her daughter had heard in the past would become her excuse for arguing now. "Shi Rongyue, do you think I can't bear to beat you?!"

The Qin family was a family of military generals, and Qin Hongying was a daughter of a tiger general. She was not above using physical discipline when educating her children. All of her children had been taught a lesson this way; the only difference was that the boys were beaten more, and the girls less.

The last time Shi Rongyue was disciplined was when she was eleven, when she shook off her maidservants and secretly climbed the wall to go out and play.

Shi Rongyue's eyes slowly turned red. "Even if you want to beat me, I still believe so. Mother, I'm not like those rich young ladies in the storybooks who are dead set on marrying a man with nothing. Brother Chongle is capable in his own right, has military merits and an official position, and Second Uncle values him highly. Second Aunt is also amazing, and he is a disciple of Mister Nalan. He definitely deserves to be called a young talent. Both he and my younger cousin are children of the Qin family, so why do you treat them so differently?"

"You're asking me why?" Qin Hongying had a terrible headache. It turned out that this girl truly hadn't listened to a single word she had told her last time.

Just as she was about to twist her ear and properly reason with her, Qin Hongying heard her daughter continue:

"Besides, back when you said Second Uncle planned for me to marry back into the Qin family, he didn't specify which child it would be, did he? The fact that he didn't specify means he definitely doesn't dislike Brother Chongle. He might even support my idea. Mother, why are you stopping me?"

Qin Hongying was stunned for a moment, and then anger welled up in her heart. "People in high positions never speak too explicitly. Do you really think your Second Uncle meant something else? Don't use him to pressure me."

After saying this, Qin Hongying didn't want to talk to her daughter anymore. She shouted directly outside, "Maidong, take your young lady back and don't allow her to step out of the courtyard! Also, move that white dog to another courtyard to be raised."

"You can't take Boqi away!"

*

By the time Daili returned to Yuyang again, it was already early winter.

Snow was falling heavily in the northern winter. Although they had missed the autumn season, it did not stop Daili, wrapped in a cloak, from going with Qin Shaozong to inspect the granaries in various places.

All the fields that had been fertilized back then yielded outstanding results. There was a bumper harvest this autumn, and the granaries were filled to the brim. There was even a rare spectacle of the granaries being unable to hold everything, forcing the soldiers to work overnight to build extensions.

"Not just this year, it will be the same next year," Qin Shaozong patted the shoulder of the military instructor Jin Duole, signaling him to calm down. "Since we have enough grain, don't be stingy. Make sure to provide the soldiers and warhorses with the best supplies. If nothing unexpected happens, there will be a fierce battle with the south next year."

Jin Duole's mouth hadn't stopped smiling since he saw the granaries. Hearing Qin Shaozong's words, he hurriedly nodded in agreement, then bowed deeply to Daili. "My Lady, you have solved the worries of food for millions of people. Your merits will last for a thousand autumns, and your grace will benefit ten thousand generations. With your help, the North is like a fish in water, like a tiger with wings!"

Daili smiled. "Mister Jin, you flatter me. I just did what I could. I cannot bear such praise as lasting for a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations."

Not quite adept at handling the fanatical, god-like reverence of others, Dai Li exchanged a few perfunctory words before quickly pulling Qin Shaozong away.

Trudging unevenly through the thick snow, Dai Li suddenly asked the man beside her, Qin Changgeng, what you just told Jin Duole about going to war next year, is it true?

Qin Shaozong replied, Naturally.

Will you personally lead the troops into battle then? Dai Li asked. She remembered that back in Wugang, when facing the joint encirclement of several provinces, he had not taken to the battlefield himself, choosing instead to command from the rear.

Qin Shaozong gave her another affirmative answer: I will. The situation in the south is different from the coalition forces. The south has only one leader, Liu Zhan, so they are not a disorganized mess. Only by leading from the front can our momentum be unstoppable.

Dai Li reached out to hold his hand and asked a completely unrelated question, When is your birthday?

Qin Shaozong felt both annoyed and amused. He was annoyed that she had never paid attention before and remembered absolutely nothing about him. Now, knowing he would surely be displeased, she was trying to placate him with a sweet gesture.

What a sly little fox!

Gripping her soft, pale hand in return, Qin Shaozong said, The second day of the fourth month. Remember it well, my wife.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. When I asked for your birthday before, you avoided the question. Surely you can tell me now?

After he said this, Qin Shaozong noticed an unnatural expression on her face. His long, narrow eyes narrowed slightly. Are you also born in the fourth month?

Dai Li replied, ...No.

Qin Shaozong asked, Then when is it?

Dai Li looked away. The second day of the fifth month.

Qin Shaozong's face darkened. Both were on the second day, separated by a mere month, yet she still hadn't remembered his.

Seeing his displeasure, Dai Li quickly offered, For your birthday this year, I will give you a special gift.

Qin Shaozong raised an eyebrow. What is it?

I can't tell you right now. You'll know when the time comes. Dai Li wanted to keep it a secret.

Qin Shaozong chuckled softly. Your husband is very much looking forward to it.

At that moment, Dai Li looked up as if sensing something. It's snowing!

Qin Shaozong reached out to catch a snowflake just as it was about to land on her head. My wife, another year has passed.

Dai Li turned to look at him.

Meeting her gaze, Qin Shaozong gently placed the tiny snowflake he had caught onto her hair. With a smile in his eyes, he said, My wife and I shall grow white-haired together.

Dai Li also smiled. Does this count as growing white-haired together? Then what will it be when we truly have a full head of white hair in the future?

Qin Shaozong replied, In the future, it will be having a house full of children and grandchildren.

Dai Li murmured in thought. Given Zhouzhou's current age, in modern times he would only be in college. A house full of children and grandchildren... that felt so far away.

As if knowing what she was thinking, Qin Shaozong added, The marriage procedures of prominent families are complicated and cannot be taken lightly. The standard process takes at least six months to a year. Even though Qin the Second has already taken my handwritten letter to the Shi family in Nanyu to pick her up, he is ultimately just bringing Shi Rongrong over to spend the Spring Festival. As for the formal proposal and matching of birth dates, even if everything goes smoothly, they won't happen until after autumn next year.

Dai Li was a bit worried. Will Hongying agree to this?

In all fairness, if she had raised a daughter like a precious jewel, and someone arranged her marriage without her knowing anything about it, she definitely wouldn't stand for it.

If some greenhorn boy came knocking on her door at a time like that, simply cursing him out would be letting him off easy.

I have previously mentioned to Hongying about having Shi Rongrong marry back into the Qin family. Qin Shaozong looked toward the direction of Nanyu Commandery. Seeking education, seeking medical treatment, seeking a wife, all these involve the word seek. His father's path to taking a wife was fraught with difficulties and long obstacles. As my son, wouldn't it be inappropriate for him to obtain a wife without expending the slightest bit of effort?

Dai Li was speechless.

Dai Li couldn't help but reach out and pinch him. Qin Changgeng, are you gloating over his misfortune?

You wrong me deeply, my wife. I possess nothing but the sincere heart of a loving father, Qin Shaozong said with a smile.

Dai Li had originally thought her son's trip to Nanyu Commandery would take at least four or five days before he returned. The distance was one factor, and negotiating with the Shi family would inevitably take time.

Yet, in less than two days, her son was back, and returning with him was Shi Rongyue.

Contrary to Dai Li's expectations, the normally neat and tidy little girl now looked like a cotton ball that had rolled around in the dirt several times. While she hadn't quite degraded to the state of the former Bai Jianping, all traces of her refined, noble young lady demeanor had completely vanished.

Rongrong, where have you been? Without waiting for the little girl to answer, Dai Li looked at Qin Yanzhou. Zhouzhou, where did you take her?

Qin Yanzhou replied, ...I ran into her on the road.

Woof! A little white dog on the ground wagged its tail.

Dai Li took a moment to process this sentence before looking at Shi Rongyue in astonishment. The latter offered a shy smile, looking as sweet and soft as a piece of candy, showing absolutely no sign of the boldness required to run away from home.

Dai Li gasped in lingering fear. How could you be so reckless, child? Even though the northern lands are relatively peaceful now, Nanyu and Yuyang aren't exactly close. If something had happened to you on the road, what would your family do?

Second Aunt, I brought people with me. My mother has a group of private troops gifted by Second Uncle, and I am quite close to two of them. Earlier, when my mother had some issues with Boqi... uh, with me, I secretly contacted them and asked them to escort me to Yuyang. The little girl smiled innocently.

She didn't go into the specific details, but Dai Li still felt her heart pound with fear, knowing that the journey must not have been simple. You really are too reckless, child...

But there was nothing to be done. Now that she was already in Yuyang, Dai Li couldn't possibly refuse to let Shi Rongyue stay for even a moment and just stuff her back into a carriage to send her home. Dai Li had no choice but to say, Then I will write a letter to Hongying to let her know you are here.

Qin Yanzhou spoke up, Mother, I have already sent a letter to the Shi family, and I sent Father's handwritten letter along with it.

If the distance between Yuyang and Nanyu were folded in half, he had encountered Shi Rongyue on the Yuyang side. At that time, sending her back home would have been a longer journey, and she hadn't wanted to return anyway, so they had no choice but to split up the tasks.

Dai Li let out a breath of relief. It's good that a letter has been sent. It's cold outside, don't just stand at the door. Come inside.

Heating stoves were placed in the four corners of the hall, making the temperature much higher than outside. After entering the room, Shi Rongyue took off her dusty cloak, revealing a dress in similarly cool tones underneath. It was a very ordinary dress, lacking the luxurious elegance of a noble young lady she usually possessed.

Perhaps because she had left in a hurry, Shi Rongyue had only casually tied her hair into double buns. Between the exhausting journey and her just taking off her coat, the bun on the left side had tilted slightly, with a few strands of hair sticking out.

Qin Yanzhou walked behind her, looking at the slightly drooping bun with its stubborn strands of hair sticking out, and his fingertips twitched. He looked away, but a moment later, his gaze returned to it.

Raising his hand, he gently smoothed those few stray strands of hair, attempting to make them lay flat. However, faster than the hair's submission was the girl turning around.

Her round eyes looked at him like two pieces of light-colored amber. She broke into a wide smile. Brother Chongle, did you have something to tell me?

For a brief moment, Qin Yanzhou felt as if he had seen a small golden sun rising. He heard a sigh of resignation in his own heart.