Qin Shaozong caught the aroma of grilled fish from afar. At first, he thought it was some military officer in the residence sneaking a private meal, but then he remembered he had recently dispatched almost everyone, all kept busy and on their feet over the refined salt matter. No one could possibly be slacking off now.
Perhaps it was the dancing girls from the rear courtyard. With nowhere else to go, they still resided in their original quarters.
Qin Shaozong initially paid it no mind; such trivial matters weren't worth his time. He was heading towards the main courtyard. As he drew closer, the fragrance grew richer.
The man's long eyebrows lifted.
This scale... it didn't seem like the work of dancing girls. Rather, it seemed like...
He took a few more steps forward, reaching the moon gate of the main courtyard. His gaze pierced through the opening to see a small table laid out in the yard and her, sitting leisurely on a reclining chair.
On the table were dishes—fish and shrimp—while beside it stood a small brazier with more fish and shrimp grilling on it, tended by two maidservants.
Perhaps because she no longer needed to go to the salt lake, she wore a light cloud-colored deep robe with a crossed collar today. Her hair was styled high by a maid, revealing her slender, fair neck. A gold-inlaid jade and kingfisher-feather butterfly-patterned hairpin was tucked horizontally into her coiffure.
Hearing footsteps, she gracefully lifted her head, her long, fan-like eyelashes rising with the motion. A ray of sunlight reflected in her pitch-black pupils, like two translucent black agates immersed in a cold spring. As those peach-blossom eyes curved into a smile, his figure became even more vivid within the gentle, shimmering ripples of light.
"My Lord has returned." A soft voice, like a spring breeze, reached him.
Qin Shaozong's Adam's apple bobbed.
He stood still for two breaths before stepping inside. "It seems my Lady is in good spirits today."
For quite some time previously, Qin Shaozong hadn't returned at this hour. Dai Li had assumed he was still swamped with work, which was why she decided to grill fish in the courtyard today. She had planned to finish eating and clean up long before he returned from his duties. But as they say, man proposes, God disposes—he didn't have to work late today.
In her good mood, Dai Li nodded along with his words. "Things have been going smoothly lately, nothing to worry about."
As she spoke, she asked out of courtesy, "Would you care for some grilled fish, my Lord?"
She expected him to decline. He was always busy—either in meetings with advisors, visiting the military camp outside the city, or making trips to the government offices in Ying County.
It was common for him to be away from the residence for two or three days. Sometimes, Dai Li would only faintly hear the commotion of his return from outside after she had eaten her fill, bathed, and was ready for bed. By the next morning when she awoke, he was already gone. According to the maids, he rose at dawn for his morning exercises.
Dai Li was utterly amazed.
Others needed five shichen of sleep just to gather some energy. But him? He slept for two shichen, maybe even less, and could be lively and energetic all day.
"Since my Lady extends such a warm invitation, it would be impolite of me to refuse," he said instead.
Dai Li's eyelid twitched, but there was nothing for it. She instructed Nianxia to fetch another chair from the room.
Qin Shaozong took his seat.
The atmosphere grew a bit strange. The gaze from beside her was obscure yet carried an undeniable heat, like an active volcano with magma surging deep beneath the ocean. But Dai Li was used to it.
Let him look. That's all he could do anyway.
Dai Li calmly turned the fish slices on the grill.
She was actually almost full. She had intended to let Nianxia and Bipo clean up the remaining fish and shrimp, but with Qin Shaozong here now, he would have to finish them.
"My skills are not as good as Chief Feng's. I hope you can make do, my Lord," Dai Li said, handing him a skewer of grilled fish.
After skewering the fish, the wooden stick had limited length. Dai Li held the top end, leaving the lower section exposed for Qin Shaozong to take.
That large, dark hand reached over. He did take the lower part, but his grasp enveloped her fair hand at the top as well.
Dai Li glanced sideways, her tone remarkably calm. "A gentleman guides others with words and restrains them with actions, selecting the good to follow, acting steadily to go far. My Lord should be cautious in word and deed, lest you chill the hearts of your many advisors."
Qin Shaozong: "..."
His large hand shifted backward, now holding the rear portion of the wooden skewer much more properly.
Watching the silent Qin Shaozong, Dai Li felt instantly pleased and couldn't help but smile. "I am glad you can accept advice with an open mind."
Snap. The sound of a wooden skewer breaking rang out.
Dai Li pretended not to hear.
Qin Shaozong finished that skewer of grilled fish with an impassive face. Just as he tossed the broken stick into a small bamboo basket nearby, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from outside.
"My Lord, a messenger from Qingzhou requests an audience. He says he has urgent correspondence for you," a guard reported.
During these "holiday" days in the residence, besides practicing calligraphy, Dai Li would occasionally seek out Nalan Zhi for games of chess.
Relationships are built through interaction. She currently relied on this Master Nalan to keep Qin Shaozong in check and could not afford to become distant from him.
What surprised Dai Li more, however, was that Nalan Zhi would proactively discuss the current situation with her, truly treating her as a comrade-in-arms.
Through this, Dai Li had gained a general understanding of the outside world.
Several years ago, Governor Nangong of Qingzhou and Fan of Yanzhou had a falling out due to perceived court favoritism. Later, when the Blue Lotus Sect rebelled, the two regions decided to repair relations through a marriage alliance a year ago.
After the Qing-Yan alliance, whether due to someone stirring trouble or because the marriage contract was signed but the wedding not yet performed, all sorts of problems kept arising, leaving the alliance between the two regions precarious.
Based on the information available, Dai Li found this Blue Lotus Sect rather unusual.
Many uprisings were inseparable from mysticism. Examples from the past included "Great Chu shall rise, with Chen Sheng as king," the "Son of the Red Emperor" slaying a white serpent to start an uprising, and "Five horses crossing the river, one horse transforms into a dragon." These prophecies had strong specificity, directly pointing to individuals like Chen Sheng, Liu Bang, and the Sima family...
But the Blue Lotus Sect was different. The "true words" it disseminated contained no clear leader. It only claimed the sect possessed secret methods to deliver worldly men and women. All who converted to the Blue Lotus Sect would return to the heavenly realm in the future, spared from calamities, with the most devout believers even attaining eternal life there.
Such "true words" held immense allure for the common people at the bottom. Moreover, it was said the Blue Lotus Sect had a history of over a hundred years since its founding, existing since the earliest signs of the Yan Dynasty's decay.
Over this long period, the Blue Lotus Sect had grown into a colossal entity, not only boasting numerous followers but also maintaining excellent order, even to the point of being strictly hierarchical.
Now, with a messenger from Qingzhou arriving, Dai Li guessed it was likely related to this Blue Lotus Sect.
Normally, when a messenger from another region came, even if Qin Shaozong didn't receive them personally, he would send a high-ranking military officer to meet them.
"He has traveled a long distance and must be quite weary. Escort him to rest and bring the letter to me," Qin Shaozong said. This meant he wouldn't receive the messenger personally, nor even send a trusted subordinate to meet with him.
The guard acknowledged the order.
Daili gave him another glance. Qin Shaozong smiled and asked, "Does my lady find it inappropriate?"
Daili replied honestly, "I don't understand these matters well and cannot offer you any advice."
Soon, a guard returned with a letter.
Qin Shaozong broke the wax seal, his eyes scanning the lines rapidly, a slow smile curving his lips. "This Governor Nangong is not a fool after all."
Although Daili had repeatedly requested to join his council of strategists, she had always been clear about her own objective. She was purely seeking shelter, a way to make herself untouchable to him, not truly intending to exhaust herself in his service.
Now, with this letter from Qingzhou, she paid it no mind and asked no questions, keeping her eyes downcast as if completely unaware—in modern terms, she was slacking off.
Qin Shaozong glanced at her sidelong, knowing she preferred to stay uninvolved, but he was determined to thwart her wishes. "Since you are now under my command, my lady, you might as well take a look at this letter from Qingzhou. As an advisor, if you cannot offer even a sliver of insight, you risk being removed from the council."
Daili immediately reached out, and he handed her the letter.
Daili had been diligently studying the cursive script these past days. Although she still couldn't write it fluently, she could now read it almost as quickly as she used to.
It was an invitation letter. While termed an invitation, given the current political climate, Daili felt it read more like a plea for help.
Having resolved to idle away her time under his command, after finishing the letter, Daili promptly gave him a paraphrased summary. "This Governor Nangong is a clever man."
Qin Shaozong laughed in exasperation. Her slippery, evasive nature really asked for a lesson.
He would deal with her thoroughly sooner or later.
Being stared at by those large, feline-like brown eyes was indeed pressure-inducing, especially when their owner seemed intent on finding fault with her. Daili gave a light cough, adding a supplement to her statement. "I suggest you march your army to Qingzhou. Although the court's control over the provinces is waning day by day, rashly entering another province's territory could easily provide grounds for criticism. Now that Governor Nangong extends such a warm invitation, what reason is there to refuse?"
Qin Shaozong gave a soft, amused snort. "My lady speaks wisely."
He was about to say more when footsteps sounded from outside again. Unlike before, this time the approach was exceptionally hurried—not a brisk walk but more like a run.
Daili's brow twitched slightly.
An urgent matter?
Lately, there hadn't been many things that could be called "urgent." Could it be that the merchant teams sent to sell refined salt in various provinces had returned?
Not all of them, but those sent to provinces not bordering the northern territories were likely to have their entire salt stock confiscated. However, you couldn't catch a wolf without sacrificing some bait; Qin Shaozong's men should have been prepared for such losses.
Or perhaps there was news from Yangzhou?
Daili's heart began to pound. When the figure finally appeared at the moon gate in the distance, she couldn't hold back a gasp.
It was Hu Bao! Hu Bao had returned!
Later, Daili would learn that Qin Shaozong had sent Hu Bao to the Qin family in Yangzhou. If he was back, did that mean...
Unable to sit still any longer, Daili quickly rose and hurried forward, her gaze darting to Hu Bao's side, hoping to see that familiar little figure behind him.
But there was none. Even as he entered the courtyard and stood before her, no one else followed.
Daili stopped abruptly, her muscles stiffening to the point of aching. Though the sky was clear and bright, in her vision, a heavy, sky-blotting mass of dark clouds drifted in, covering every bit of the azure blue.
"Captain Hu, is there still no news of my son?" Daili's eyes involuntarily reddened.
If even a powerful local clan with extensive connections couldn't find her little one, where could she, alone, possibly begin to search?
Seeing Daili on the verge of tears, Hu Bao's expression grew exceedingly complex. He had pondered it all the way back from Yangzhou, yet he still couldn't make sense of it. It was as if an impenetrable fog lay before him, concealing everything.
"That's not it," Hu Bao averted his eyes, speaking softly. "There is news of your son."
Daili's pupils contracted sharply. Seeing his evasiveness, she reached out to grasp Hu Bao's arm. "News of Zhouzhou? How is he? Where is he? Why didn't he return to Yingjun with you? Has something happened?"
There was news, but the boy hadn't returned. Could it be that Zhouzhou was already...
Suddenly, lightning flashed within the clouds shrouding the clear sky, thunder rumbled, and a torrential downpour began, drenching Daili and chilling her to the bone, freezing her fingertips.
Her legs gave way, and she began to collapse. Two arms reached out simultaneously from in front and behind, though the one in front only lifted slightly before returning to its original position.
Qin Shaozong caught her from behind, providing support so she could remain standing. "My lady, calm yourself. It may not be bad news. Hu Bao is here now. Let him tell you everything in detail."
He then turned to Hu Bao. "Report immediately what transpired in Yangzhou."
Hu Bao began, "Qin Ran followed your orders and went to Qiantang. He gathered the local brokers. At first, the search yielded nothing, so he expanded the scope, searching in neighboring commanderies and offering rewards to veteran brokers and traffickers. Later, one day, a family brought their uncle to his door, claiming the uncle, an old man named Sun, had crucial information."
Hu Bao's voice dropped a notch. "That Old Sun used to be a broker, but after injuring his leg and becoming unable to walk well, he left the trade. He said he once saw a drenched, solitary little boy by a river. The age, height, appearance, and short hair all matched. The boy, upon meeting him, asked him to take him to some sort of 'ju,' and said an object on his wrist was broken. He wanted to borrow something from the old man to contact his mom, for which he recited a string of numbers and a name..."
Daili's breathing grew increasingly ragged.
River, police station, smartwatch, her phone number, Mom.
Without needing to ask more, Daili was absolutely certain it was Zhouzhou! Those bizarre dreams were actually true. Zhouzhou was really in this unfamiliar era.
The thought of her little boy standing alone by the river, with no one to turn to and everything around him utterly strange, made Daili's heart feel as if it were being twisted. "And then? Where did he take Zhouzhou?"
"That Old Sun, observing your son's demeanor, thought he was a child from a noble family. At first, he helped him dry his clothes, thinking he would take him into the city to return him home and claim a reward. But then a troop came along the official road. This Old Sun had recently had dealings with traffickers. He felt guilty, and moreover, he thought it was your son's family coming to find him, so..."
Hu Bao averted his eyes again. "He left your son there alone and departed by himself."
This was something even Hu Bao hadn't anticipated at the time, but upon reflection, it made a certain sense.
A handler of dubious origins, mistakenly believing the child's family had come looking and knowing his hopes for a reward were dashed, could very well have left. After all, he had only dried the boy's clothes for him—a negligible sunk cost, nothing he would be reluctant to part with.
Daili felt as if struck by lightning, her limbs trembling uncontrollably. "He... he left? What happened next? Since this old handler encountered Zhouzhou, what about that other passing group later? They must have seen him too, right? Where did my son go afterward?"
"Madam Daili." Hu Bao's voice was very low, carrying a trace of confusion and pity upon closer listening. "That chance encounter the old handler spoke of, with your son, happened ten years ago."
Daili's pupils contracted to pinpoints, the color draining from her face inch by inch. "No, how can that be... how can it be ten years ago..."
Darkness swam before her eyes, and Daili went limp.
Qin Shaozong, who had been supporting her from behind, swiftly caught her. Seeing she had fainted, he simply picked her up, turned, and carried her towards the house.
The courtyard was only a few steps from the side room. Qin Shaozong carried her back to her room and pointed at the taller maid, Bipo. "You, go quickly and fetch Ding Lianxi."
Bipo hurried out.
Qin Shaozong stood silently by the bedside for a moment, his gaze deep as a pool. He said to the remaining maid, Nianxia, "Watch over Madam for now. Inform me when she wakes."
Hu Bao stopped at the doorway of the side room and did not follow Qin Shaozong into Daili's chamber. Seeing his superior emerge, he called out softly, "My Lord."
"Are you certain it was ten years ago?" Qin Shaozong asked.
"Absolutely certain," Hu Bao replied in a hushed tone. "My Lord, how could Madam Daili mistake the time her son went missing? Could the shock of the event have been so great it caused a lapse in her memory?"
"Perhaps," Qin Shaozong said.
While verbally agreeing with his subordinate, Qin Shaozong privately thought otherwise.
She had said she accidentally fell into a river in Taohuayuan and woke up already in the Jiang residence. When they first met, the leather shoes on her feet were indeed soaked. Now, according to the old handler's account from ten years ago, a young boy, also drenched, appeared by a riverside.
Qin Shaozong did not believe in ghosts or gods. In fact, born with broken eyebrows, he was once prophesied by a high monk to be estranged from all kin, destined to bring misfortune to father, mother, and elder brother. Hence, he held a deep aversion to prophecies and so-called high monks.
But at this moment, he inexplicably believed in the events that had happened to her and her son—events that defied common explanation.
Finding her son was of utmost importance to her. Someone as intelligent as her could not possibly mistake the time. Furthermore, if that salt purification method had existed long ago, it could not possibly have remained obscure until now.
Ding Lianxi soon arrived with his medicine chest. After taking Daili's pulse, he frowned. "The pulse is rapid. Madam Daili suffers from an excess of internal heat, with fiery pathogenic factors trapped within. I will prescribe several doses of medicine for her to take upon waking. This internal heat must be dispersed quickly, or it may lead to illness later."
"Thank you for preparing the medicine, Congjian," Qin Shaozong addressed Ding Lianxi by his courtesy name.
The prescription was written, and the two maids swiftly went to prepare it. An hour later, Daili slowly regained consciousness.
Nianxia, who had been keeping vigil by the bed, noticed immediately and was overjoyed. "Madam, you're finally awake! You've been unconscious for over an hour. Are you feeling unwell anywhere now?"
Daili's eyes were vacant, staring blankly at the canopy above, saying nothing.
Growing increasingly anxious, Nianxia repeated her last question. At first, Daili still showed no reaction. Just as Nianxia was about to fetch Ding Lianxi again, she finally saw the woman on the bed shake her head slowly.
Nianxia breathed a sigh of relief and tucked the quilt around Daili. "Madam, Master Ding said you have an excess of internal heat. He prescribed medicine for you. Bipo is watching over it in the small kitchen. I'll go fetch it."
Daili gave no response.
After Nianxia left, Daili curled up under the quilt and turned over, putting her back to the room and facing the wall. It might have been just a moment, or perhaps a long while—Daili couldn't tell—but she eventually heard footsteps.
Not the light steps of Nianxia or Bipo. These footsteps were steady and firm. The only person in the entire estate who could enter her room so openly was him.
Daili did not turn around, maintaining her curled-up posture, motionless.
"Madam," Qin Shaozong stopped beside the bed.
No answer came.
From Qin Shaozong's perspective, the lady on the bed lay on her side. Her ink-black hair, freed from its updo, cascaded like water over her shoulders and back, lending her an inexplicably fragile air.
He sat down beside the bed. "Finding someone after ten years is indeed difficult, but it is not entirely impossible."