Chapter 59

Qingzhou, Guoyunluo, the Qin Residence.

"Achoo..."

Daili sneezed several times in a row. She rubbed her nose, suspecting she had caught a summer cold.

"Madam, have you caught a chill? Shall this servant go to Master Ding's place to fetch some medicine?" Bipo asked with concern.

After rubbing her nose, Daili waited quietly for a moment before speaking. "My throat doesn't hurt, and my nose isn't stuffy. It probably isn't a chill."

As for why she suddenly sneezed several times, perhaps someone was talking about her. Thinking of being talked about, she remembered that when Qin Shaozong left the residence today, he had asked if she wanted to accompany him to the military camp.

Daili had refused, citing her unhealed foot injury.

She guessed that war was truly imminent, and that man didn't want to travel back and forth, hence the suggestion.

But she wasn't willing at all. Life in this residence was perfectly good, with convenient water access, a comfortable bed to sleep on, and free use of the small kitchen in the main courtyard. Once her foot healed, she could even go out to stroll the markets. Why would she want to endure the hardships of following the army?

At the time, that man had glanced down at her foot, said nothing, and left.

"Madam, the clothes have been fetched." Nianxia's voice came from outside.

Nianxia had gone out to the silk shop today to pick up the clothes custom-made for Qin Yanzhou some days ago.

Now that she had returned with the garments, and seeing Daili and Bipo gathered together, she remembered that Daili hadn't been out for several days due to her foot injury. After putting the clothes away, she told Daili an interesting piece of news from outside.

"Madam, today in the commandery I heard of a strange occurrence." Seeing the two look over, Nianxia continued, "A cook was preparing a meal when he suddenly saw a piece of mulberry-bark paper fly down from the sky. This cook picked it up intending to throw it away, but the moment it landed in his hand, he was shocked to see characters appear on the paper."

Bipo's curiosity was instantly piqued. "What did it say?"

"'The land is fair, yet not whole; the root of calamity still comes from the north.'" Nianxia found the phrase quite catchy.

Daili's heart skipped a beat.

"The characters appeared out of thin air? Really?" Bipo asked, astonished and skeptical.

"I didn't see it myself, but they say many people witnessed this miraculous sight at the time. Later, people knelt down one after another, bowing and proclaiming it a divine revelation from heaven," Nianxia said.

Bipo murmured, "For such a strange phenomenon to appear in broad daylight, could it truly be a sign from the heavens, dropping some kind of warning?"

"Do not speak of this matter again within the residence," Daili said sternly. She rarely wore such a grave expression. Seeing this, the two maids nodded repeatedly.

Still uneasy, Daili added, "Not only must you not mention it in the residence, but you also must not join in such gossip outside. Otherwise, if someone seizes upon it as a handle endangering your lives, I won't be able to save you then."

The two maids were greatly alarmed and gave repeated assurances.

"Go and call Squad Leader Hu..." Daili started, then changed her mind. "Never mind, don't go. You may attend to your own duties. There's no need to attend to me here."

After they left, Daili sat in her soft chair, lost in thought.

The land is fair, yet not whole; the root of calamity still comes from the north.

The north. Qin Shaozong.

It wasn't a particularly profound statement, but it was perfectly suited for interpretation by commoners with little education. Simple, direct, one could figure it out with a little pondering.

Once they figured it out, these "enlightened ones" would likely gather secretly to exchange information. If left unchecked, this shadow lurking beneath the calm would rapidly ferment.

Popular support and reputation—these two things seem incapable of being exchanged for solid silver, yet they can sometimes play a decisive role at critical moments. In years past, when Duke Mu of Qin attacked the State of Jin and was hanging by a thread, he was saved by a group of farmers. Could one say popular support didn't play a key role then?

Someone was targeting Qin Shaozong from the shadows.

Their opening move was mystical, sensational, and likely soon to be known throughout the city. Who was behind it? Had those enemies from Zhou Zhou's past come knocking?

Although Qin Shaozong wasn't in the city now, he might not be unaware of events within it. No need to rush. She would wait and see.

Daili resolved to watch quietly, but that very night something happened that gave her a terrible fright.

Assassins had broken in.

Unlike the previous false alarm, this time there were truly intruders at night. Moreover, they headed straight for the main quarters. Daili woke in the middle of the night to the sound of fierce shouts and the clashing of blades outside.

Her foot was mostly healed; she could walk, albeit slowly, without a maid's support. Daili immediately got up to go look. But just as she reached the window, an inadvertent glance outside made her face turn pale.

Her son was walking out, carrying a blade.

"Zhou Zhou!" Daili hurriedly called out.

The young man, who had already reached the courtyard, stopped and turned back.

"Where are you going?" Daili stared at the blade in his hand.

Qin Yanzhou answered truthfully, "Assassins have entered the residence. Qin Changgeng isn't here, and most of the others are absent as well. Those assassins likely came for me or for you. I will go kill them all. Mother, you should go back to sleep."

These words made Daili's heart pound with fear.

The moon chose that moment to peek out from behind the clouds, casting a faint silvery light. The young man in white robes stood in the courtyard. The moonlight fell upon his handsome, delicate features but reflected no warmth whatsoever.

He resembled a cold piece of art—a blade carved from jade, perhaps, or a handful of perpetual snow atop a mountain peak.

He was undeniably calm at this moment, indifferent to the lives about to be reaped.

"Zhou Zhou, stand right there. Don't move." After calling out to stop her son, Daili hurriedly made her way outside.

Under the eaves, the young man stood motionless, maintaining his previous posture, not even shifting his stance. Only when Daili reached his side did he turn left to face her.

"If there are assassins, there are assassins. The guards outside will handle it. It's not for you to manage. Go back to bed," Daili said gravely.

Her son was already much taller than her. Now, bowing his head to listen to her words, which were practically an order, his eyes still held the gentleness of a lamb, without a trace of reluctance or resistance.

But he stood still.

Daili intensified her tone: "Listen to me!"

"If I go back to sleep, you should rest early too. Goodnight, Mother," the young man nodded.

Daili said, "Zhou Zhou, you go back first."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yanzhou turned and returned to his room.

Daili remained standing where she was even after the door to his room closed. Her mind was in turmoil. A realization that chilled her to the bone nailed her to the spot.

These things hadn't appeared suddenly. It was just that before, she hadn't been willing to face them squarely, deceiving herself and shutting them out. Now, they surged forth like a tidal wave, overwhelming and suffocating her.

Zhou Zhou was only nine when he came here. He has spent ten years in this era.

Nine years and ten years.

The latter span was clearly longer. Not to mention, during those first nine years, he wasn't running and jumping from the start, nor did he possess his own awareness from birth.

His worldview, not yet fully formed, had been violently erased by this ruthless era, then painstakingly reshaped with blood and wreckage.

Human life truly wasn't something of great importance in his eyes; his bones carried an indelible scent of blood.

Furthermore, after these days of living together, Dai Li had realized her son had significant problems in terms of personality and social interaction.

Under Qin Shaozong's command, there were no shortage of eloquent military officers, each curious about Zhou Zhou, with several seeking him out daily for conversation. But Zhou Zhou's state wasn't one of disliking engagement or being too lazy to respond; he was more like someone who had drawn a circle on the ground, trapping himself on a hopeless, isolated island.

Aside from speaking with her, he almost never initiated contact with anyone else. Sometimes he would sit by himself for an entire day, doing nothing, just sitting there like a wooden puppet.

While Dai Li's heart ached for his numbness, she also felt an indescribable sense of apprehension.

This couldn't go on any longer.

Dai Li stood outside for a long time, so long that Nianxia, who had gone to gather news, returned, and even Bipo couldn't help but speak up to remind her.

"What's the situation outside?" Dai Li asked.

Nianxia replied, "Ten infiltrators, all have been executed."

"Madam, Squad Leader Hu is guarding the courtyard gate, you needn't worry," Bipo thought Dai Li was frightened.

Dai Li looked in that direction and indeed saw several long shadows cast by the torchlight at the gate. She let out a soft sigh, "You two go back and rest as well."

However, once she lay back down on the bed, Dai Li found herself unable to fall asleep again; she stayed awake until dawn.

The next day, after breakfast, Dai Li sent Nianxia and Bipo on an errand outside the residence. It wasn't to buy anything; the purpose was to gather information.

Dai Li instructed them to pay close attention to the happenings in the streets and alleys, preferably asking those who had witnessed the "divine signs," and also to sit for a while in places like tea houses and restaurant halls, saying they might hear something different today.

The two maids accepted the order and went out.

About two hours later, they returned to the residence one after the other.

"Madam, your foresight is divine, you are truly remarkable!" Nianxia gazed at Dai Li with burning admiration, "Are you perhaps a celestial maiden in disguise? How else could you have foretold this?"

Dai Li sighed.

Looking at one spot on a leopard's skin gives an idea of the whole beast. With Nianxia holding such an attitude, it wasn't hard to guess how the common folk, who held deep reverence for gods and spirits, would react.

Uneducated, too easy to fool.

No, it wasn't just a matter of education; it was about perception.

The ancients observed the night sky, knew the twenty-eight mansions, the Four Symbols, and had partitioned the starry sky, but what lay beyond the heavens? This question that troubled people wasn't even glimpsed until the late Ming Dynasty, when the first astronomical telescope was introduced to China.

Beyond the sky is space, the solar system, the universe.

And the river of history, still flowing slowly forward at this time, clearly hadn't yet passed through that magnificent and beautiful era of exploration.

Dai Li said helplessly, "A celestial maiden wouldn't sprain her ankle. Tell me, what happened outside?"

Nianxia: "I heard that yesterday and this morning, several more places witnessed divine signs, with countless eyewitnesses and no less than a hundred people prostrating themselves in worship. Madam, coincidentally, I met Mistress Su outside today—the embroiderer who used to make clothes for the young master. She was one of the witnesses to the divine sign."

Dai Li became interested, "I recall you are quite familiar with her. Well, did you ask her about the divine sign matter?"

"Naturally, I did." Nianxia nodded, "Mistress Su said that yesterday after buying groceries at the market, she suddenly felt hungry. As she happened to pass by a noodle stall, she went and ordered a bowl of soup noodles. Just as she sat down, a sudden gust of wind arose, carrying several sheets of paper and scattering them in various directions. One of them landed right on the noodle stall."

Dai Li asked, "Did Mistress Su pick up the paper directly?"

Nianxia shook her head, "No, the paper blew towards the stove area inside the stall, some distance from Mistress Su. However, she did see with her own eyes that after the vendor picked it up, characters appeared on it—the same phrase as before."

Dai Li was thoughtful.

At this moment, Bipo also returned, bringing back an important piece of news: "Madam, today outside I heard a children's rhyme."

Dai Li felt sure it was connected to Qin Shaozong. Sure enough, the next moment she heard Bipo say:

"Northern tiger, fierce and greedy, swallows the salt-licking ox whole, then delves into the woods seeking the blue-robed one; The blue-robed one, dull and foolish, easy to deceive and incompetent, meets a wretched end in the finale."

Dai Li couldn't help but facepalm.

Anyone with a bit of understanding of the current situation could tell the insinuation was really too strong.

Children's rhymes, also called "children's songs." There's a saying that because children's songs come from their innocent hearts, they are not taught by others. Many common folk also believe this to be true and place great faith in children's rhymes.

"Madam, what's wrong?" the two asked, puzzled.

Dai Li was about to speak when she heard a commotion outside, faintly interspersed with the words "The Lord Marquis has returned."

Soon, that familiar, tall figure passed through the moon gate and strode into the main courtyard.

Dai Li had someone bring a soft chair and was sitting under the eaves to enjoy the cool. Now, as Qin Shaozong entered, their eyes met.

Without speaking immediately, Qin Shaozong looked her over from head to toe before saying, "Madam's complexion doesn't seem too good. Were you frightened last night?"

Dai Li hadn't slept well last night, staying awake from the latter half of the night until dawn, inevitably carrying some weariness on her face. "Not exactly frightened, just... after being startled awake, found it hard to fall back asleep."

"That means you were frightened. The residence isn't safe. Madam, come with me to the military camp." He stated decisively, then called for two maidservants, instructing them to pack Dai Li's belongings.

"Why that expression? Even if you're unwilling, you must go." Qin Shaozong hadn't removed his armor, nor had he sat down, merely looking down at her.

Although the residence was heavily guarded and last night's assassins had all been executed, he felt uneasy not keeping this vixen within his sight.

Standing before Dai Li in full armor at this moment, Qin Shaozong's imposing figure was like a towering mountain, blocking a swath of sunlight.

Looking down from above, the sense of oppression was intense.

Dai Li was about to refuse, but then, as if thinking of something, the word "no" got stuck in her throat and simply wouldn't come out.

"Those so-called divine signs and nursery rhymes outside—does the Lord Marquis know about them?" Dai Li asked tentatively.

Qin Shaozong's gaze darkened. "The work of petty men. Who benefits, who did it? This matter is undoubtedly connected to Yanzhou. That scoundrel Fan Tianshi bears a grudge against me for shooting his eldest son, hence these dirty tricks in the shadows."

But it had to be said, these underhanded methods, which left almost no evidence, were quite effective. And that children's rhyme, spreading through streets and alleys with the speed of a prairie fire, would certainly cause Nangong Xiong to waver, even if just a little, or perhaps much more.

"How do you plan to respond?" Dai Li asked him.

Qin Shaozong: "Naturally, by admonishing Governor Nangong, tracing the matter to its source, and at the same time dispelling the rumors."

Dai Li couldn't bear keeping her neck craned up to talk to him any longer. She had Nianxia pause her task and bring over a soft chair for him. "The first is easy, but the latter two are each more difficult than the last."

A soft chair was moved over, and Qin Shaozong sat down as was convenient. "The so-called phenomenon of characters appearing on blank paper, this tale of divine guidance being spread is shrouded in mystery. I have only heard of it, never witnessed it with my own eyes. Later, I ordered someone to collect a few sheets of mulberry bark paper, but found nothing unusual about them."

How could Qin Shaozong not know this matter was troublesome? The other party had also chosen their timing well, specifically acting while he was away from the city.

By the time he returned, it had already stirred up a citywide uproar. When he questioned the city's military patrols, each and every one of them could give no clear explanation. Some even claimed they had personally witnessed the divine miracle, their expressions and words tinged with no small amount of awe.

This greatly annoyed Qin Shaozong, who didn't believe in fate or gods and spirits in the slightest.

Yet, raising his sword, he looked around in bewilderment, unable to find a single weak point to breach.

Daili seemed thoughtful. "I've heard the so-called miracle is essentially papers blowing in with the wind. Do all these blown-in papers show characters?"

"Not all, only a portion. However, a saying has spread among the people about this, claiming that this 'wordless heavenly book' requires a predestined connection to the immortals to trigger the characters to appear." Qin Shaozong snorted disdainfully. "What predestined connection? It's all just trickery and deception, nothing more than an attempt to drive a wedge between me and Governor Nangong from within."

"You are right," Daili said, then asked him, "My Lord, could you tell me a bit about the miracle the military patrols witnessed? I would like to know as well."

Qin Shaozong did not hide it, telling Daili everything the patrols had seen.

Daili's fine eyebrows raised slightly.

Qin Shaozong's narrow eyes suddenly narrowed. "Does my lady know something?"

Daili was once again amazed by this man's keen perception. She estimated that even without her, he would have eventually found that hidden, crucial thread. "Indeed, I do. I know how to break this scheme. However, as payment, I would like you to agree to one thing for me."

Unreadable emotions shifted several times in the depths of Qin Shaozong's eyes, finally all concealed within the profound darkness. "What matter? Please tell me, my lady."

"I would like to request Mr. Nalan to tutor my son for a period of time." Since Qin Shaozong was, after all, Nalan Zhi's superior, Daili felt it improper to bypass him and approach Nalan Zhi directly.

It was only later that she learned the Nalan clan had originally been a prominent and influential family in the capital. Nalan Zhi had grown up in silks and satins, surrounded by a retinue of servants, but later everything changed.

The Nalan family fell victim to a villain's scheme. Nalan Zhi's grandfather died of rage on his sickbed. His parents perished en route to exile. His wife, heavily pregnant and unable to endure the rough journey, gave birth prematurely to a baby girl before dying, and the infant could not be saved either.

The first time Daili learned the details, she was stunned for a long while. If not for the ink mark on his face, she truly would have thought Nalan Zhi was no different from any ordinary strategist.

One could only say Nalan Zhi hadn't gone mad. Either his nature was transcendent, exceptionally skilled at untying knots; or he had buried all his hatred deep within to fester, waiting only for a certain day to spew out all the poison and pus.

Judging by Daili's eye for people, she believed Nalan Zhi was likely the former.

And Zhou Zhou just happened to need a psychology teacher.

Qin Shaozong was taken aback for a moment, unable to stop himself from uttering two words, "That's it?"

Daili hadn't initially noticed his strange expression and only turned her head upon hearing these two words. "Yes, that's it."

Understanding his confusion, Daili said, "My Lord, what people seek differs, and the value they see in things is not the same. My son was as worthless as a weed in the eyes of that man surnamed Fan, yet he is the pearl in my palm, cherished and treasured. The dragon-bone waterwheel is a treasure the tenant farmers check several times a day to ensure it remains intact; but to me, it's merely an ordinary wooden frame that draws water."

The nobility are obsessed with the saltpeter formula, yet it's nothing but a few sentences from me. If she could use it to exchange for her son's return, Daili wouldn't hesitate for half a moment.

Similarly, the man beside her is a rare, highly sought-after catch in the eyes of many young ladies — a lofty prize they must use every trick and skill to attain.

To her, he is merely a temporary bedfellow.

Alright, a temporary bedfellow and a hotel, a place where she and her son can temporarily hide from the bloodshed and chaos outside.

"Regarding your son's matter, I'll speak with Wugong and do my best to get him to tell me everything he knows," Qin Shaozong said, his gaze intense.

"No need for all that. I'll discuss the content of the lessons with him myself. You only need to state your position to Mr. Nalan." Daili waved her hand.

Qin Shaozong nodded, leaving it to her decision. "My lady just said you could break the scheme. How should this scheme be broken?"

Daili: "Naturally, start from the root. As long as the so-called divine miracle is publicly exposed, the subsequent nursery rhymes can easily be attributed to troublemakers. Then issue a ban against spreading them in the city henceforth, with fines for violators."

Hearing her say "publicly exposed," Qin Shaozong raised his long eyebrows. "It seems my lady has completely grasped this trickery."

"Would you like to see it, my Lord? If you wish, I can demonstrate it for you right now," Daili asked him.

It was a very simple little trick, not even requiring much preparation. Speaking of which, she had even played this kind of little experiment with Zhou Zhou before.

Qin Shaozong smiled. "I would trouble you, my lady."