Chapter 52

Daili heard his apology, and tears welled up like a spring. "It's not your fault. It's mine for not coming to find you sooner. It's all my fault, all my fault..."

If she had come earlier, instead of delaying for a full half year, would her child have been spared from being trampled upon so casually in this unfamiliar era?

Nine years ago, during that great famine, he was only ten years old.

Back then, every household was without grain, the plants and trees withered. He was just a ten-year-old child. Strangers owed him no kinship, so who would feed him? Who would give him their own life-saving rations?

Those people whose eyes gleamed green with hunger, would they have turned their gaze upon her child?

Just like in the nightmare she once had. Several butchers pinned him down, raised their knives, and fell—perhaps offering the tender meat for silver to be given to the "vegetable people," or the chunks of flesh dropping into a steaming pot, while faceless diners around cheered in a frenzy.

Anyone could have trampled upon her child...

Qin Yanzhou sighed, a sigh filled with indescribable contentment, yet also the helplessness of fighting with all one's might but still being unable to resist fate. "It's not your fault. It's all in the past now."

He was already content. In the ten years since, there had never been a time that made him happier than this moment.

He had thought that until madness or death, he would drift alone here. He never expected heaven to finally show him mercy once, just as he was about to lose his grip and sink into the mire, letting him see the sunlight that could dispel the gloom.

Thus, his soul found salvation; the desolation welcomed an oasis. It was like bathing in a hot spring, so warm it brought hot tears to his eyes.

But there was also an unspeakable ache. His mother said she came to find him; he said he fell into a river to get here. Could it be that...

Qin Yanzhou opened his mouth, but lacked the courage to ask that question.

Hearing him say "it's all in the past now," Daili couldn't help but bite her lip hard.

No, it's not past!

How could the suffering endured over ten years simply be past? It would be a black brand seared into the depths of his soul, a festering wound that perhaps could never heal in a lifetime.

Daili's heart felt as if it were dripping blood. In the blink of an eye, after her hot tears fell, her vision cleared somewhat. Then, she saw the two scars on the neck of the person before her.

One was right at the front, about half a finger's width, coiled like a snake around the front of his neck. It looked as if a rope had once bitten fiercely into his flesh. Only after repeated instances did it leave this scar, impossible to erase even after all these years.

The other was on the side of his neck, about two inches long, perfectly straight without any curve, most likely from a blade or sword.

Daili's pupils constricted violently, her temples feeling as if struck by a heavy hammer. Details she had overlooked earlier now rose like snakes startled from the grass, suddenly lunging up to bite her hard.

Zhouzhou's voice had been off just now—excessively hoarse, as if his throat held coarse gravel, or like a damaged, rusted, discarded gong.

She had thought it was due to choked emotion, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.

His voice was ruined.

Daili opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She only drew in a sharp, cold breath.

That chill was truly piercing, condensing into a prism covered in sharp spikes. It traveled down her windpipe, scraping her insides until they bled incessantly.

Daili began to tremble, as if plunged into an ice cellar. Her shaking fingertips finally touched that old, years-old scar.

Qin Yanzhou paused. The scars on his face could still be claimed as fake, but those on his neck, hands, and even his body could not be falsified.

He suddenly didn't know what to do.

Daili's emotions were fluctuating intensely. Combined with the exhaustion of the night, and being overly agitated, her vision suddenly went black.

Qin Yanzhou was just about to say something when he felt the person in his arms go limp. His eyes sharpened as he moved to support her, but a large, dark hand reached from behind her, gripping the woman's waist, holding her firmly as if to pull her back.

The young man instantly looked up. His black eyes, inherited from his mother, were as dark as ink. The earlier softness had completely vanished, replaced only by a razor-sharp edge.

Earlier, when the door opened, more than just his mother had entered. But at that time, he likewise could see nothing else, only wanting one last confirmation of whether this was an intoxicating, beautiful dream.

Now...

As their eyes met, one was steady, showing neither joy nor sorrow; the other was visibly wary and resistant.

Qin Yanzhou was not yet twenty, not as tall as the other man, nor as robust as Qin Shaozong in his prime. Surrounded now by a group of northern military officers, it did nothing to hinder the murderous aura he currently directed at the man before him.

If he were an animal, all his fur would likely be standing on end by now, his throat emitting warning growls.

Qin Yanzhou didn't ask who the other man was, because there was no need. It was said the Martial Peace Marquis of the north was born with a broken eyebrow. Today, he had infiltrated the Qin residence, and after stating his name, the person who tied his hands said he would report to "His Lordship."

This man arrived later, and his distinctive features matched. He must be that Qin Shaozong, whom Fan of Yanzhou greatly feared.

Seeing this, Qin Shaozong gave a low, humorless laugh.

Well, still a little wolf cub.

He had infiltrated the manor twice in one night, daring to return alone the very next day without a break, probably having crossed swords with the patrol guards more than once, unafraid of getting his head lopped off.

Truly her offspring—this boldness was inherited, both possessing the hearts of bears and the gall of leopards.

"Your mother is unwell. I'll take her back to rest," Qin Shaozong reached out again.

Qin Yanzhou said nothing, stepping back with Daili, just evading his long arm, still watching him warily.

Connecting the merchant's notices and the northern search orders, he vaguely guessed why his mother was entangled with this man.

Qin Shaozong was amused by his action. "Thinking of leaving? Your assassination failed. Do you think Fan Tianshi will let you off easy? Not to mention taking her with you—how could you possibly ensure her safety and proper care? And how much dirty work have you done over the years? How many enemies have you made? Probably no one knows better than you. Do you believe that the moment Fan Tianshi announces your betrayal, people will be at your door seeking revenge?"

After saying this, Qin Shaozong's own temples throbbed twice.

These past few days, while drinking with Nan Gongxiong, the latter had mentioned this "Quanjie" fellow trailing a pile of troubles behind him. Qin Shaozong had paid it no mind at the time.

Just a pitiful soul with a bitter fate, nothing more.

This world was inherently unjust; there were countless people with bitter fates. Some, due to bad weather and inability to pay the ever-increasing land rent, were persecuted to death by powerful landlords. Some, harmed by treacherous officials, saw their entire families exiled to the frontiers, gradually breaking apart and dying on the long journey. Others, betrayed by villains, died on the battlefield, leaving behind only a pair of orphaned children.

The unfortunate each have their own misfortune. Only by piercing the vast, sky-enveloping dark cloud overhead would dawn arrive.

So, when he heard about "Quanjie," Qin Shaozong had been utterly indifferent, even agreeing with Nan Gongxiong that an early death meant an early release, hoping for a better rebirth in the next life.

But fate plays cruel tricks. This young man turned out to be the son she had been searching for all along. How in the world did he become her son? If she didn't care for him, and he kicked the boy out of the manor this very moment, she would follow without even packing a bag.

Qin Shaozong found himself with a rare headache.

The wolf cub she gave birth to was truly capable of stirring up trouble. Yet, having found him after losing him, she would absolutely never part with him again.

Fine. He had already dealt with two provincial governors before; handling one more from Yanzhou wouldn't be impossible. Besides, since allying with Nangong Xiong, he had already been at odds with Fan Tianshi...

Qin Yanzhou stiffened at his words, the bristling thorns about him wilting slightly.

Though only a little, his imposing manner was indeed less sharp than before. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Where is my mother's room?"

This meant he intended to escort her back.

Qin Shaozong knew this was his concession. Making allowances for their mother-son reunion, he restrained himself, merely saying in a deep voice, "Follow me."

After they left the small room, the others remained somewhat dazed, with Bai Jianping being the most affected.

"B-But Madam Dai's son... isn't he nine years old?" Bai Jianping stammered. That young man's stature just now looked at least eighteen or nineteen.

Back then, Hu Bao had returned from Qiantang, rested only one night in Yingjun, and received orders the very next day to set out again for the Qin family in Yangzhou.

That night, before receiving the gag order, Hu Bao spoke of that strange "ten-year" tale to Feng Feng and Qiao Wangfei, astonishing them both. Yet, having chatted with his comrades one night, he received the gag order from his superiors the very next day.

However, Feng Feng and Qiao Wangfei were already in the know. Helpless, Hu Bao could only ask them not to spread the strange tale around.

This resulted in some under Qin Shaozong's command knowing about the ten-year gap, while others did not, still thinking they were truly searching for a nine-year-old child.

Qiao Wangfei sighed, "It's a long story."

"Then make it short," Bai Jianping said, itching with unbearable curiosity. "Madam Dai looks thirty at most, and that lad around eighteen. T-There's no reason for her to have a child at eleven or twelve; she wouldn't even have come of age then."

Qiao Wangfei looked at Feng Feng. The other insider, wearing a grave expression, seemed lost in thought.

Bai Jianping was immediately displeased. "Why are you looking at Old Feng? Don't tell me he knows too? You must tell me. There's no reason for me to be the only one left in the dark."

Qiao Wangfei let out another sigh. "Now that he's been found, it should be alright to speak of it. Telling you all is fine. But this matter needs to start from when Hu Bao went to Qiantang..."

While they were holding their little gathering in the small room, Qin Shaozong had already led the way back to the main courtyard.

Qin Yanzhou, having seen the estate layout plans, knew the importance of this courtyard. He now stopped at the entrance, refusing to enter.

Not hearing footsteps, Qin Shaozong looked back to see him standing motionless before the courtyard gate. "What are you standing there for? My courtyard doesn't need a wooden post outside."

Qiao Wangfei's report had also awakened Nianxia and Bipo. Seeing Dai Li leave with them, the two maids simply got up to prepare, lighting lanterns in the courtyard to await their mistress's return.

Now they had waited, but...

The two maids looked at Qin Yanzhou, both inwardly startled. This man was so dreadfully ugly. How could he be so intimate with the Madam? And the Lord Marquis didn't seem to object either.

From a few steps away, Qin Yanzhou said in a low voice, "Change courtyards."

Qin Shaozong's gaze turned cold. "She lives here. There is no room for her elsewhere. Matters between elders are not for juniors to interfere in—nor should they."

"This isn't a matter between elders!" Qin Yanzhou retorted.

Qin Shaozong gave a cold laugh. "Based on your original age, your father must be younger than I am. My surname is Qin, his surname is Qin. Sharing a surname makes us family. That father of yours, wherever he may be, would still have to call me 'elder brother' to my face, wouldn't he?"

Qin Yanzhou stared fixedly at the man not far away, hating his own ineloquence.

Back at the Fan residence, Pingwei often mocked him coldly, but he had found it merely irritating then. Because they were all the same—disposable blades in others' hands, living day by day, with today but perhaps no tomorrow.

What was there to argue with those as good as dead? Besides, he lacked the energy to argue...

Now he wanted to argue, but years of silence left him momentarily at a loss for words.

Qin Shaozong was also seething with anger.

This kid had stirred up a heap of trouble, all of which he would have to clean up later—a complete disaster for no reason. That he could let slide; he wasn't incapable of handling it. But the infuriating part was that this kid not only showed no gratitude but also wore an expression of utmost wariness.

What was there to guard against? She had long been his woman.

This talent for provoking anger was truly carved from the same mold as his mother's.

Qin Shaozong suppressed his rage. "The night is deep and the dew heavy. She isn't wearing much. Staying outside too long will give her a chill. If you keep dawdling, you'll not only need to treat the injury on her foot but also the cold she catches."

Having said that, Qin Shaozong turned and walked towards the side chamber.

"My mother injured her foot? When did that happen?" This time, Qin Yanzhou followed.

Qin Shaozong said leisurely, "Not long ago, she heard news of you, hurriedly got out of bed, and accidentally fell to the ground."

It was already late at night when ordinary people would be long asleep. To know she fell while getting off the bed implied sharing the same room at the time.

Silence followed, unsurprisingly.

The corners of Qin Shaozong's mouth lifted slightly as he walked ahead.

The side chamber was brightly lit. Nianxia and Bipo now knew this disfigured youth was their mistress's son, and their hearts were utterly astounded.

The two maids stole glances at Qin Yanzhou, unconsciously applying an eight-hundred-fold filter in his favor.

The young master is tall, with an outstanding figure. His eyes and brows resemble the Madam's so closely! His face is more resolute than hers; his nose is very straight, and his mouth is well-shaped too. Apart from those scars, he's actually quite a handsome young man!

Qin Yanzhou placed her on the bed and then straightened up. It was only then he realized Dai Li had been tightly clutching a corner of his robe the whole time.

She held on so tightly her knuckles were white.

Qin Yanzhou paused slightly, then said softly, "Mom, I'm back."

Dai Li showed no reaction, still clutching tightly.

Qin Yanzhou had no choice but to take off his outer robe. After he stepped back, Nianxia stepped forward to take off Dai Li's shoes.

Qin Shaozong instructed the other maid, "Go to my room, find the low cabinet in the farthest corner, and bring the medicinal wine in the black bottle from the third shelf."

Bipo went immediately and soon returned with the item.

Qin Shaozong took the medicinal wine and began shooing people away. "A grown daughter avoids her father, a grown son avoids his mother. There's nothing for you here. There's another side chamber next door. You, boy, go rest there yourself."

Qin Yanzhou stood his ground. "No need for Your Lordship to condescend."

A vein throbbed on Qin Shaozong's forehead. Once again, he found the person before him an eyesore in every way, a complete source of annoyance.

At that moment, the two of them heard a soft gasp of surprise.

It was Nianxia. Upon hearing the words "medicinal wine," she grew worried and had quietly lifted the hem of Daili's skirt to check the injury. One look revealed an ankle that was both red and swollen.

Qin Shaozong stood by the bedside. Glancing sideways, he saw that swollen, flushed section of ankle.

He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, then tossed the medicinal wine to Bipo. "You help the mistress tend to this properly, and check if she's injured anywhere else. If she hasn't woken by nine in the morning, go and fetch Ding Lianxi."

Qin Shaozong turned and, passing by Qin Yanzhou, said, "You, come out as well."

This time, Qin Yanzhou did not remain standing where he was.