Ding Lianxi was awakened by a maid and learned that Daili had developed a high fever. It was both expected and unexpected; just yesterday he had predicted that persistent internal heat could lead to illness. It seemed Lady Dai had not escaped it after all.
This matter could not be delayed. Ding Lianxi slung his medicine chest over his shoulder and hurriedly followed Bipo to the side chamber.
In the desolate night, the side chamber was lit bright as day.
The fundamentals of diagnosis: observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse-taking. Ding Lianxi skipped the third step, "inquiry." With a fever this severe, a mere glance told him it was serious. After taking her pulse, he once again wrote a prescription for Daili.
The two maids swiftly went to prepare the medicine.
"My lord, may I have a word in private?" Ding Lianxi looked at Qin Shaozong, his voice lowered.
Without a word, Qin Shaozong stepped out with him from the inner room, passing through the beaded curtain to the outer area.
Ding Lianxi said solemnly, "My lord, Lady Dai's high fever is caused by emotional distress. Whether it's herbal decoctions or bloodletting treatments, these only address the symptoms, not the root cause. As the saying goes, a heart's ailment requires a heart's remedy. The root of everything lies in her emotional knot. If Lady Dai's distress persists for too long..."
He did not explicitly state the outcome, only shook his head gravely.
Qin Shaozong lowered his gaze, rotating the jade thumb ring on his finger. Without a word, he turned and went back into the inner room.
Nianxia and Bipo had both gone to prepare the medicine, leaving only Daili inside. She was terribly cold, huddled under the new quilts the maids had added for her before they left.
High fever sometimes brings tinnitus. Amidst the growing cacophony in her ears, Daili heard footsteps.
The man who had just left had returned.
Qin Shaozong sat by the bedside as before. He placed a hand on her shoulder blade and turned the young woman, who had been facing inward with her back to him, around.
"Do you not trust what I said earlier?" he asked.
Daili's damp, long eyelashes fluttered. She did not answer.
She had sunk into utter despondency.
The world was vast, the population immense, and travel was highly inconvenient nowadays. Even traveling day and night from south to north took at least several months. Qin Shaozong's influence was confined to the northern territories; beyond that were others' domains. How could word spread through every province?
Moreover, many feared his power, and even more bore grudges against him. If others learned he was conducting a high-profile search, her Zhouzhou would surely become a target.
Not to mention, a full decade had passed, and there had been a great famine nine years ago. Whether Zhouzhou was even still...
Daili felt the icy venomous serpent in her heart begin to writhe again. Its maw gaped wide, greedily biting off and swallowing a mouthful of flesh and blood. She curled tighter, burying her face deeper into the quilt.
Qin Shaozong tugged the quilt down, revealing her face. "The news of the Qin family's extensive search has likely already spread in Yangzhou and may reach other provinces later. Even if someone notices a young man sharing the same name and matching certain characteristics with the person the Qins are seeking, it won't matter. After all, we are searching for a nine-year-old boy, not a nineteen-year-old youth."
Having been dug out, Daili, who had intended to bury her face again, stilled.
Qin Shaozong tucked a stray lock of hair that had slipped from her temple onto her cheek behind her ear. "Furthermore, I believe it's highly likely your son is no longer living under his original name. This would help him avoid malicious individuals who would rather wrongly capture one than let a single possibility slip by."
Actually, it wasn't "would not," but "could not."
If he were still alive, given his state back then—utterly alone, without household registration or travel documents—even if kindly taken in as a servant, his name would certainly have been changed.
Daili understood the unspoken implication in his words. Tears she had just managed to stop once again flowed from the corners of her eyes.
"News about the refined salt has been released across the provinces. In the future, merchants from all regions coming to the north for goods will be countless. Once this group tastes the profits, they will inevitably be driven by gain to return a second time. Entrusting them to carry messages won't be difficult. If you worry they might feign compliance while acting otherwise, I can also establish a special inspection team that travels between provinces and grant you full authority over its management." His hand, which had smoothed her hair, moved down, still resting over the brocade quilt upon her hand.
"You need not worry that I will break my promise, abandon the effort midway, or handle it perfunctorily. After all, from beginning to end, you understand best what I desire." He gazed deeply at her. The hidden undercurrents and desire within him, in that moment, leaped forth like a tiger from the forest, laid utterly bare before her.
In the current world, ordinary people who follow rules and possess kind hearts might, with luck, die peacefully in old age. But within powerful families and political struggles, such people are often devoured, leaving not even bones behind.
Qin Shaozong was not the eldest legitimate son; he was the second-born. He had once distanced himself from power struggles with an air of nonchalance, amusedly watching others fight to the death, before later plunging into the fray himself and navigating countless scenes of clashing blades and intricate deceit.
Beneath his feet lay piles of bleached bones; beside him stood rows of severed heads and rivers formed from blood.
He had never been a good man.
He watched for opportunities and struck when weakness appeared, never letting slip any chance he could seize. What wasn't his, if he coveted it, he would devise ways to make it his own.
Qin Shaozong never saw anything wrong with this. If not for this domineering nature, the north would not bear the surname "Qin," he would not possess all he had today, and he might have long since perished in a rival's plot...
Daili bit her lip. She knew his meaning.
Searching for someone who appeared a decade ago and might no longer exist, versus finding a child seen half a year prior—the manpower, resources, and difficulty required were entirely different leagues.
Amidst the tinnitus, the familiar sound of a child's crying seemed to return—mournful, despairing, like a sharp long saw cutting again and again against her nerves, stretched to their limit and fragile to the extreme, making her heavy head grow increasingly muddled.
Beneath the quilt, Daili's pale hand slowly clenched. She grasped the brocade quilt beneath her, yet it seemed she sought not just the fabric, but as if trying to grasp the hem of her son's garment. "One year. I will serve you for one year. After one year, I return to my original position."
Returning to her original position meant resuming her role as an advisor, ending their intimate relationship.
She thought one year should be enough.
A man of his high status and power never lacked for women. Many beautiful young ladies would vie for his favor and charm him. His attention surely wouldn't linger on her for long; growing weary of her was inevitable.
One year was also sufficient for her to establish her own foundation and connections within the merchant caravans and the traveling inspection teams. Later, even after returning to her advisory position, she could still remotely direct them.
Previously, she hadn't gone to bed with him simply because, in her view, things hadn't reached that stage yet. But now, she saw the determination and dominance in his eyes.
Dai Li knew she had no retreat left.
With less than an arm's length between them, she and he stared at each other. Finally, those light brown eyes lowered slightly. "Fine."
Dai Li let out a sigh of relief.
The maid returned with the medicine. After drinking it, Dai Li wrapped herself in the quilt and lay down, her eyes still open, devoid of any sleepiness.
Qin Shaozong reached over to tuck the quilt around her. "Rest early, Madam. That inspection team to tour the provinces will begin formation once your illness has fully passed."
Dai Li's pupils trembled slightly, and she slowly closed her eyes. This time, she did not deliberately turn her back to the outside of the bed as she had before.
Whether it was the medicine taking effect or the promise she had secured, the invisible clash of ice and fire within her gradually receded, and she soon fell asleep.
Qin Shaozong did not leave immediately. He remained seated by the bed, watching the woman on the couch.
The green bed curtain on one side had been let down, blocking most of the light. She lay with her head on the brocade pillow, her face, flushed with fever, gradually paling in the dim shadowy light. A once vibrant peony now seemed veiled in sickness, even the vermilion mark on her forehead appeared faded.
Her brows unconsciously knitted together. Her breathing was heavy, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. Clearly, she had fallen into another unpleasant dream, though she no longer murmured aloud as before.
The candle on the nearby stand burned out, the small flame vanishing abruptly, allowing darkness to surge in like a tide.
Qin Shaozong rose from the bedside, personally lowered the other green curtain, then glanced at the maids waiting nearby. He didn't speak, but with just one look, the two women nodded repeatedly.
The soft sound of bead curtains being pushed aside echoed, soon followed by a return to deep silence.
Qin Shaozong stepped out of the side chamber.
There was a moon tonight, a bright full moon hanging high in the sky, glowing with silvery light. After walking out from under the eaves, moonlight spilled down. Qin Shaozong raised his hand, and a shaft of moonlight fell into his palm.
There is a saying: someone who rarely falls ill, once they do, is hit hard and recovers with great difficulty.
Dai Li had been confined to her sickbed for several days, drinking bowl after bowl of medicine, until the entire side chamber was filled with the scent of herbs.
She had been recuperating all these days, never once leaving the main courtyard, unaware that Qin Shaozong had already completed the army's reorganization, and that even the troops from Yuyang had arrived in Ying County. They awaited only his order to march south.
In the study.
A brief meeting had just concluded. Normally, whether military officers or strategists, all would leave at this point.
Nalan Zhi stepped out. Just as he was about to cross the threshold, he noticed the group of military officers had not departed. He paused slightly, a vague thought occurring to him. Stroking his long beard, he left with a smile.
If Dai Li were here, she would notice two new faces in the study compared to days before.
One was a man with a scholarly, almost civil official appearance and shrewd, narrow eyes. His name was Jin Duole. Like Su Xiuzhu, he was also a Military Instructor. However, the latter was exclusive to the Black Cavalry, while the former oversaw the entire Northern Army. In terms of hierarchy, Jin Duole was Su Xiuzhu's superior.
The other had the build of a military officer, standing eight feet tall, with a simple, honest-looking face and a pair of puppy-dog eyes that conveyed a gentle, kind-hearted demeanor. His name was Kuang Ye. But anyone who trusted this honest exterior would be in for a rude awakening.
The worst possible outcome could be referenced by the late Rong Bingzhou, who had already reported to the King of Hell.
After nurturing him under his wing for seven years, a man who had gone through fire and water for him, believed to be a trusted right-hand man, only to turn out to be a spy planted by the neighbor next door. In the end, Rong Bingzhou not only lost his life but his entire province was swallowed up.
After Nalan Zhi left, Kuang Ye looked at Mo Yanyun and blinked his gentle, puppy-dog eyes.
Feng Feng, standing next to Mo Yanyun, rolled his eyes and, under the guise of clasping his hands behind his back, nudged the person beside him with his elbow.
Let Old Mo ask.
This guy has been dying of curiosity lately; let him ask. Ahem, anyway, the Lord knows he's always been rash. Plus, with him being from the Mo family, the Lord definitely won't blame him.
Burdened with the high hopes of his brothers, Mo Yanyun felt his spine straighten by three degrees.
Fine, he'd do it!
So, after Qin Shaozong said, "Why are you all standing there like wooden posts?", he was the first to speak: "My Lord, when are we leaving Ying County?"
Mo Yanyun clenched his fist excitedly. "Qingzhou has sent word; they eagerly invite us. Striking while the iron is hot is best now. If we delay further, what if the conflict between Qing and Yan provinces is resolved, or the Green Lotus Sect flees? That would be disadvantageous for us later..."
The meetings held over the past few days had covered many topics: protecting the salt lake, subsequent sales of refined salt, meetings with merchants from various regions, and the later matter of marching the army south, among others.
There was much to handle, and arrangements for each matter were settled. It could be said that everything was ready, waiting only for the east wind—the departure date was the only thing left.
But precisely that, the Lord had not said when they would set out.
Qin Shaozong first looked at Mo Yanyun, then swept his gaze over everyone in the study. Some lowered their heads, some scratched their ears and cheeks, and one innocently blinked his puppy-dog eyes.
"What's the rush? We'll depart when it's time. Right now, they're the ones begging for our help. Taking our time is fine," Qin Shaozong said.
Seeing Mo Yanyun about to speak again, he simply rose from his seat and walked out, clearly intending to say no more.
After Qin Shaozong left, the military officers looked at each other.
"Wait, what does the Lord mean? Just a specific date, can't he say it?" This was the greatly astonished Mo Yanyun.
"Perhaps he fears unforeseen changes," speculated Yan San after some thought.
"By the way, have any of you seen Madam Dai lately? I haven't run into her these past few days," asked Qiao Wangfei, who was gradually recovering from serious injuries.
"Why are you asking about Madam Dai? Let me tell you, Madam Dai is no ordinary woman. Don't harbor thoughts you shouldn't," cautioned Bai Jianping, Commander of the Southern Garrison, reminding his friend.
Qiao Wangfei said unhappily, "I'm not like that fellow Old Mo, who gets his soul snatched by every beautiful woman he sees."
Mo Yanyun: "..."
Neither Kuang Ye nor Jin Duole had met Dai Li, but though they hadn't seen her in person, her formidable reputation preceded her.
Kuang Ye stroked his chin, thoughtful. "How about we pay a visit to Mr. Ding later?"
"Why go find Mr. Ding? Are you feeling unwell?" Mo Yanyun didn't understand.
Yan San was taken aback, then caught on. "I'll go with you."
The two were in immediate agreement. Without waiting for the others, they left the study right after Qin Shaozong.
Jin Duole watched their departing backs, drew in a sharp breath through his teeth, and began counting on his fingers. "If there really is a situation with Mr. Ding, there might be a major expenditure in the near future."
"What major expenditure?" Mo Yanyun asked, puzzled.
Jin Duole muttered to himself as he calculated, "The Marquis's estate in Yuyang needs refurbishing, and the garden will surely require repairs as well... No, no, that shouldn't be necessary. Why would it come to that?"
"What's wrong with that miser?"
"Who knows? He's often like this."
The main courtyard.
Having been confined to her room for several days in a row, Daili grew restless. Feeling much better today, she put on warm clothes and went for a walk in the courtyard.
"Nianxia, go and find out where Squad Leader Hu is. I have a matter and wish to request his presence," Daili said to Nianxia, who, upon receiving the order, hurried off.
Since Hu Bao's return from Yangzhou, she had only seen him once—during his initial report. Later, she fell ill and had not seen him since.
Even though she had heard those words before, and even though they had been haunting her like a curse these past few days, Daili, in a self-punishing manner, still wanted to hear them again from the person involved.
When Qin Shaozong returned, he happened upon Nianxia in the corridor outside the main courtyard. Seeing her hurried pace, he didn't wait for her formal greeting and asked proactively, "Going to find Ding Lianxi?"
Nianxia replied, "My lord, no, not to find Master Ding. This servant is following the lady's order to summon Squad Leader Hu."
Qin Shaozong said, "There's no need. Hu Bao has already returned to Yangzhou."
Nianxia was very surprised, thinking to herself, Squad Leader Hu went back to Yangzhou? When did he leave? But she knew these were not questions she should ask, so she simply followed Qin Shaozong back the way she came.
Daili walked slowly in the courtyard, trying to regain some of the strength dissipated from days in bed. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a dark figure turn into the moon gate and instinctively looked over.
It was him returning, with Nianxia following behind.
Daili pressed her lips together.
"The wind has been strong lately. My lady should not stay in the courtyard catching a chill. Return to your room." His tone brooked no refusal.
After saying this, Qin Shaozong saw she hadn't moved. He stepped forward, his long arm reaching out to draw her in, holding her as they walked together towards the room.
Daili only stiffened for an instant at first, then allowed him to lead her inside.
Upon entering the room, the scent of medicine rushed forth like a ravenous beast, devouring all other odors completely. Qin Shaozong's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. "I've sent Hu Bao to Yangzhou. If my lady has anything she wishes to know, you may ask me directly."
Daili was slightly taken aback. "He's gone to Yangzhou?"
Qin Shaozong explained, "After that interrogation in the hall, we didn't silence Old Man Sun's family afterwards, nor did we give Qin Ran any instructions. This trip is for him to go back and tie up loose ends."
Back then, after Hu Bao obtained the lead, he rushed back to Yingjun without stopping, leaving matters in Yangzhou completely unattended. Since the subsequent plan involves searching extensively across various prefectures for a nine-year-old boy, the information about the "ten years" must be kept absolutely secret.
Qin Shaozong guided her to the long chaise lounge and sat down with her. After settling her, he turned her to face him for a careful look. "My lady's condition seems better today than yesterday."
Daili turned her head away. "I can't have drunk Master Ding's medicine for nothing."
Then she asked him, "That old man surnamed Sun... he truly didn't see afterwards whether my son made contact with that convoy?"
"No. He fled upon hearing the commotion, feeling guilty over the past incident," Qin Shaozong's voice was calm.
Daili lowered her gaze.
"In a few days, my lady will accompany me south to Qingzhou," Qin Shaozong brought up another matter.
Daili was not at all surprised he was heading south.
Governor Nangong had extended a ladder; this man would certainly take hold of it. Going south... going south is actually good too. Heading south brings one closer to Qiantang...
"My lord, when may I meet the leader of that inspection team?" Daili asked eagerly.
Qin Shaozong took one of her hands. His calloused thumb stroked over her soft palm, tracing the fine lines upwards, finally rubbing the tender flesh on the inner side of her fingers. "As I said before, my lady, that inspection team will be assembled whenever you have fully recovered."
A tingling sensation rose from her fingers. Daili instinctively tried to withdraw her hand, but her slender wrist was captured by a large, darker hand, allowing no escape.
Daili paused before saying, "My fever broke completely today. I feel I have recovered."
As if eager to prove her restored health, Daili reached out and touched the leather belt at his waist.