Chapter 45

As the governor of a province, even though Guoyun County lacked a proper governor's mansion, Nangong Xiong could arrange two residences with just a few words.

Two large mansions were built next to each other. They had been vacant because the merchant who owned them had gone to another region for business and were listed with a property agent, waiting for a destined buyer.

A destined buyer never came, but a powerful overlord did. Nangong Xiong commandeered the two mansions and dispatched servants to clean them. They were scrubbed from top to bottom, the overgrown weeds in the courtyards were all pulled out and replaced with pleasing greenery, striving to make the residences look brand new.

In the main hall of the southern mansion.

As the host who issued the invitation, Nangong Xiong paced back and forth in the hall, his steps faintly betraying a trace of anxiety.

"Governor Nangong, he's here, Marquis Qin is here," a guard hurried in to report.

Nangong Xiong's spirits lifted, thinking he had finally arrived. He was about to go out to welcome him when he heard the guard had more to say:

"This subordinate saw several young women in Marquis Qin's entourage. He took them and went to the northern mansion first."

Generally speaking, for such an important meeting, to show respect, the leader should proceed directly to the other party's residence. As for luggage and other matters, they could be left to subordinates to sort out. It wasn't as if there was no one available, so why bother doing it personally?

Moreover, with the two mansions being adjacent, this act of "passing by the door without entering" seemed somewhat arrogant no matter how one looked at it.

Nangong Xiong was astonished. "Young women? When did Qin Shaozong ever bring women on campaign?"

It wasn't unheard of for powerful lords to bring female companions on campaigns; many armies even kept prostitutes. But as far as he knew, the Northern Army was very strict about such matters, and Qin Shaozong had never been known to bring women on past expeditions.

And now he brings several at once?

Where there's an anomaly, there must be a trick. Something was off.

"Are you sure you didn't mistake them?" Nangong Xiong asked.

The guard nodded. "Three young women shared a carriage, though two of them seemed like maidservants."

Nangong Xiong looked at Zhang Mingdian beside him. "What do you think, Quanshu?"

Zhang Mingdian said, "Let's set aside the matter of the women for now. As long as the alliance is solid, even if he brought a hundred women, it would be acceptable."

After waiting another two quarters of an hour, Nangong Xiong finally saw the man.

To tell the truth, the two had met years ago, back when Qin Shaozong was not yet capped, merely a youth of sixteen or seventeen who didn't have to bear the family responsibilities.

He had left the north with a few attendants to travel through various provinces and encountered Nangong Xiong in Qingzhou. One was young and vigorous, proud to the bone; the other had just recently come of age, having smoothly secured his position as heir, and was brimming with ambition.

When the two clashed, minor incidents could escalate into major friction. After Qin Shaozong's attendants were beaten, he retaliated by setting fire to Nangong Xiong's private residence and then made a quick escape with his people.

Years had passed, and what was once a major clash had long since become an insignificant trifle.

But upon seeing this old acquaintance, Nangong Xiong's back teeth still itched a little. Pleasantries were still necessary, though. Considering this man had first slighted his messenger and now arrived late, the greetings that left his mouth inevitably carried a hint of sarcasm. "It's been many years. Marquis Qin's heroic bearing surpasses even before. It seems the north suits you better than Qingzhou."

Zhang Mingdian's brow twitched.

A faint smile touched Qin Shaozong's eyes. "The scenery in the north is indeed fine. Otherwise, merchants from Qingzhou wouldn't swarm there in droves."

Nangong Xiong's face darkened slightly. He was about to retort when he caught his strategist frantically signaling him with his eyes. He paused, then cleared his throat. "It's getting late. Perhaps we should start the banquet."

It was both dinner time and easier to discuss matters over food and wine.

The banquet began.

Two tables were placed side by side at the head of the hall. Below, generals and advisors from both sides were seated to the left and right. Fine wine and dishes were served in abundance, wine jars piled up like clouds, as they ate and talked.

After three rounds of drinks, Nangong Xiong said, "Those monsters of the Green Lotus Sect have been making frequent small moves lately, which is utterly annoying. I'll be frank with you. Earlier, I formed an alliance with Fan of Yanzhou, intending to eradicate the Green Lotus Army entrenched in Huaian County. But just as we were about to launch the campaign, a general died within the Yanzhou army."

Qin Shaozong twirled the wine cup in his hand.

Currently, message delivery was often inconvenient, and this matter had been deliberately suppressed, so he truly hadn't known about it.

However, it wasn't surprising.

Nangong Xiong angrily slapped the table. "That fellow Fan Tianshi actually concluded that my side killed his man! Preposterous! Why would I kill someone in his army at such a critical juncture? If I really disliked him, I could simply deal with him after the fact."

Below, Zhang Mingdian coughed heavily twice. "What my lord means is, he would teach him a lesson afterward."

Mo Yanyun laughed. "Ha! You scholars always talk in circles. If he's unprofitable, eliminate him. What's wrong with that?"

Nangong Xiong also laughed. "Qin Changgeng, I never thought you had such a straightforward person under your command. Rare, truly rare."

Zhang Mingdian: "..."

The corner of Qin Shaozong's mouth twitched. He decided to skip this topic. "So now, you and Fan of Yanzhou have completely fallen out?"

"Not entirely," Nangong Xiong stated frankly. "But it's close. In any case, he's now more concerned with finding out who killed his general than with suppressing the Green Lotus Sect."

Taking a sip of wine, Nangong Xiong sighed again. "Although Fan Tianshi is foolish, the foundation his father left him is substantial enough for him to squander. And this man..."

"What about him?" Seeing his complicated expression, Qin Shaozong casually prompted, "Is he perhaps fortunate?"

"You said it. He does have good luck." Nangong Xiong said in a low voice, "Fan Tianshi picked up many orphaned boys in his early years, didn't he? It's said he specifically chose those with exceptional bone structure, filling several courtyard compounds. Among these hundred or so, some died, some were crippled, but a few truly stood out."

Qin Shaozong pondered.

He had eyes and ears in every province, though their numbers varied. He had heard about Fan Tianshi adopting sworn sons, but that was the extent of it.

Some liked to keep dancers, some liked to raise fierce beasts, and naturally, some liked to play father to others everywhere.

But 'stood out'?

No name had yet reached his ears.

"Quanjie," Nangong Xiong offered a name. "But because he often wears a ghost mask, many call him Ghost Face. This man has done many dirty deeds for Fan Tianshi, including eliminating old ministers who traded on seniority and spies from other provinces. I once suspected that the tribute my Qingzhou delivered to the imperial court last year was hijacked by this bastard."

Qin Shaozong drained his cup in one gulp. "Quanjie—a house dog, also a worthless weed. Expecting the horse to run fast without feeding it grass—how can such a good thing exist under heaven? This Quanjie won't stay under Fan Tianshi's command for long."

As if finally catching Qin Shaozong's weak point, Nangong Xiong mocked, "Break away? How could it be so easy? As I know, this Ghost Face Quanjie entered the Fan residence at the age of twelve, and it's been a full seven years now. In those seven years, he's done a basketful of dirty deeds, already making enemies everywhere. Not to mention that scoundrel Fan Tianshi won't let him go; even if he did escape, with no one to protect him then, the Fan family's pursuit plus his enemies coming for him, that kid would die even faster."

Qin Shaozong was utterly indifferent, simply pouring himself a cup of wine. "That's true."

"If he wants to escape this situation, there are only two paths. First, slit his own throat, die early and be reborn early, hoping for more luck in the next life, not having to be someone's house dog. The second..." Nangong Xiong suddenly chuckled, "...is to find a father more powerful and influential than Fan Tianshi, have this father handle both Fan Tianshi and all the enemies he's offended, that way he might be kept safe. But if it's not his own flesh and blood, with no kinship or ties, what great leader would be such a fool, putting in great effort for no reward, purely looking for trouble, unless his brain's been kicked by a donkey? Even if it were a real son, not everyone would be willing to go to such great lengths."

With many concubines, offspring are plentiful too.

Fan Tianshi is a prime example, with concubines filling several rooms, not counting those who died young, he has over fifteen or sixteen living offspring. If that scoundrel really had such an unlucky son, he'd most likely let him fend for himself, acting as if he was never born.

"So the first option is still better, a clean slash across the throat, a neat death. Remember to pray to gods and buddhas before your next reincarnation, begging for a better birth." Nangong Xiong said.

Just an insignificant person, Qin Shaozong's tone was indifferent, "Indeed, death would be more merciful."

Ghost Face Quanjie was merely a minor topic over wine; Nangong Xiong mentioned it casually, Qin Shaozong listened casually, neither paid it any mind.

Afterwards, they returned to discussing the alliance, including how to deal with Yanzhou later.

When major matters were almost settled, Nangong Xiong said to Qin Shaozong in a low voice, "The young ladies of my Qingzhou are gentle and charming, delicate and moving. Would Marquis Qin like to experience their grace?"

"Thank you. But Governor Nangong should keep them for your own enjoyment." Qin Shaozong put down his wine cup.

Hearing his flat tone, Nangong Xiong immediately felt somewhat displeased. His Qingzhou ladies are beautiful as flowers, what did this man mean by that tone, looking down on them?

"I heard Marquis Qin brought a female companion along. Could it be you've hidden a heavenly beauty in the neighboring residence?" Nangong Xiong couldn't help but ask.

Qin Shaozong turned his head. He had drunk quite a lot tonight, several wine jars already piled around them, but those brown pupils showed no haze. Instead, they were like knife blades reflecting cold light. "I came south this time to campaign against the Green Lotus Sect. I hope Governor Nangong can focus on this matter."

The implied meaning: Don't meddle in what you shouldn't, and don't be curious about what you shouldn't.

Nangong Xiong gave a cold laugh. "Offering hospitality out of goodwill, fine if you don't accept it. The beauties of my Qingzhou surpass celestial beings, more enchanting than those from your northern lands."

Qin Shaozong: "The journey here was exhausting, I am quite fatigued. Now that matters are settled, there's little else to discuss. Perhaps we should disperse to rest and recuperate. What does Governor Nangong think?"

Nangong Xiong's face darkened slightly.

Guoyun County is, after all, part of Qingzhou territory. He is the host; the words to end the meeting should rightfully come from him. Over twenty years have passed, and this Qin Shaozong still hasn't changed his stubborn ways...

"Then let's end here for today." Nangong Xiong said with a forced smile.

Daili finished her evening meal, took another stroll around the residence, and finally returned to her room for a bath.

Compared to Ying County, Qingzhou has a much more developed water system, making water relatively easier to obtain.

This residence had been meticulously prepared before their arrival, with all supplies available, from furniture and decorations down to clothing and horse fodder, even petals to scent the bathing tub.

The preparer could indeed be described as meticulous and thorough.

It was already summer, so the bathwater only needed to be warm.

Nianxia and Bipo prepared a tub of water and thoughtfully placed a basin filled with hot water nearby, allowing Daili to add water as needed and prolong her bath.

After a comfortable bath, Daili dressed and returned to the inner chamber. She took out a mulberry bark paper notebook and a small charcoal pencil from a box and began writing and sketching.

This was a roster, recording the names of each member of the inspection team, as well as basic information about the merchants who had already gone north to purchase refined salt, including which caravan came from where and which state they were headed to.

Besides that, there was also a condensed map she had asked Mo Yanyun to draw.

"They need to go further south to have a look." Daili murmured.

The candle stand beside her burned quietly. Unnoticed, the candle had already shortened by a section. Daili closed the notebook containing her plans and placed it under her pillow. Just as she was about to get into bed, a commotion arose outside.

Daili guessed it must be Qin Shaozong returning.

As before, their rooms were adjacent, so hearing movement now was nothing strange.

Daili let down the plain bed curtain on one side of the bed, then moved to the other side, intending to lower the other one as well to block the increasingly numerous summer mosquitoes.

"Creeeak." The door was pushed open.

Daili's fingers twitched. The other bed curtain slipped from her grasp, and the two curtains closed together.

The bamboo curtain over the inner chamber archway was pushed aside. The bamboo strips clacked against each other, a sound exceptionally clear in the quiet night. Daili's heartbeat gradually quickened along with this soft noise.

Through a layer of indistinct, hazy plain curtain, she saw a tall figure approaching from afar.

Daili caught a strong whiff of alcohol. Her heart skipped a beat. "How much did the Marquis drink at the banquet?"

Dark, long fingers parted one side of the bed curtain. The haze between them was pushed aside, and their eyes finally met without obstruction.

The woman on the bed wore apricot-colored inner garments, with large embroidered peonies climbing from her waist and abdomen up to her shoulders. Approaching bedtime, her black hair was unbound, flowing over her shoulders like water.

Black hair, fair skin, red lips—the clash of colors was strikingly vivid. Black like ink, white like jade, red like rouge, the vermilion dot on her forehead serving as the finishing touch. She was truly the soul of snow, the spirit of a flower, making it impossible to look away.

"Drank not too much, enough to ensure I won't disappoint you by failing halfway tonight." His Adam's apple bobbed.

In his eyes, Daili saw a darkness like the deep sea, turbulent and unstoppable.

His hand rested on his belt, his long fingers about to undo its hidden clasp, when he suddenly heard:

"Wait..."

Qin Shaozong's face was expressionless. "Madam."

The two words were heavy, carrying a hint of displeasure.

Under that obscure, unfathomable gaze, Daili mustered her courage and continued, "The Marquis has been traveling and toiling today. Perhaps you should take a hot bath to relieve your fatigue. Also, the smell of alcohol is quite strong; it's making me feel a bit dizzy."

The smell of alcohol was actually secondary; the main point was that today, after riding on the march, this man on horseback had surely collected who knows how much dust along the way. She felt that if he had been wearing a white robe today, it probably could have been dyed black.

"My lady's delicate nature truly cannot be changed one bit." The man standing before the plain bed curtain clicked his tongue lightly and turned to walk out.

Daili let out a sigh of relief.

Once the person had completely left, she lifted the brocade pillow, took out that small mulberry-bark paper notebook, and carefully flipped through it once more, gently stroking the rough paper.

The notebook was already quite filled, the earlier pages packed full of writing. She truly hoped to receive good news before it was completely filled.

Just as she turned to the last recorded page, Daili actually heard footsteps.

Not the light steps of Nianxia or Bipo, but rather...

Clatter. A small bamboo strip swayed and made a soft sound.

Daili looked up in disbelief, and indeed, that familiar, towering figure appeared before her eyes once again.

For a moment, she couldn't tell if she had been too absorbed in reading the little booklet, or if he had simply changed his clothes, for why else would he have returned so quickly.

He stepped forward, one pace after another. His shadow seemed to grow wings, swiftly extending from his feet, rushing ahead, arriving first beside the daybed, and then climbing onto it ahead of him, enveloping her slender, pale fingers.