The night was already very deep, and Dai Li lay on the couch, completely sleepless.
As soon as she closed her eyes, she saw those eight glaringly red characters; if she thought about them too long, the edges of the writing seemed to drip blood.
Unable to sleep, Dai Li wanted to change places, but she was held tight by the long arm wrapped around her waist.
Every time she shared a bed with Qin Shaozong, he liked to hold her before falling asleep. Previously, Dai Li had good sleep quality, and after struggling a few times without success, she would slowly fall asleep.
But today she couldn't sleep and felt annoyed. Now, being blocked even when trying to turn over, that fire mixed with irritation sizzled upwards.
Dai Li attempted to push away the hand on her waist. First push, it didn't budge; second push with more force, still didn't budge. She then knew that Qin Shaozong wasn't asleep either.
"So restless, Madam has been tossing and turning on the couch all night," he spoke.
Dai Li remained silent.
Qin Shaozong continued, "That piece of silk only had eight characters and no other information. Madam, just wait, they will contact you again."
After obtaining the silk, Qin Shaozong didn't send anyone to investigate who left it.
Because it was meaningless.
The Green Lotus Sect had too many followers; the commoners at the bottom were ignorant and uncultivated, as easy to manipulate as puppets.
Even if they caught someone, so what? The clues going further up would definitely break. Besides, this was Ji Province, and they were currently rushing back to Yuyang at full speed. They couldn't stay in Ji Province for a long time just to investigate an upstream source that they likely wouldn't find.
Dai Li opened her eyes, "They know Zhou Zhou and I are mother and son."
Back when the North made a big show of looking for people, blowing notices to various provinces like a gale, the Green Lotus Sect likely connected the missing person notices with the dragon bone waterwheel, or even the suddenly appearing refined salt.
After multiple lines overlapped, they locked onto her.
Zhou Zhou was picked up by the Green Lotus Sect; it couldn't be ruled out that he had told them his name at the very beginning.
"That sect leader probably wants to use the antidote to the rare poison as a threat to make Madam submit to him and work for him. Over in Yuyang, I previously sent people back to protect Ding Lianxi's family. But those aren't important; what is Madam thinking now?" His voice was calm, with no discernible emotion.
Dai Li naturally knew the Green Lotus Sect's intentions as well. As for what she thought...
Her mind was a mess.
On one hand, she clearly knew that whoever could send her son to a treacherous place like the Fan Residence was definitely not a good person. Maybe Zhou Zhou had also been bullied when he was in the Green Lotus Sect before.
But on the other hand, if the antidote was only within the Green Lotus Sect, she had no choice. She absolutely could not watch her son die from poison.
"Let's wait until we return to Yuyang and see," Dai Li avoided the topic.
To this, Qin Shaozong didn't press for details, but just scooped the woman who wanted to move to the other side to sleep back to him, stroking her back. "The North is vast, with many medicinal herbs, and countless merchants traveling north and south. Old Mr. Ding also spent several years in places like Jiao Province in his early years; his experience and medical skills are far beyond ordinary physicians. There will always be a way to solve it."
After a long time, Dai Li finally said, "I hope so."
Closing her eyes again for a moment, Dai Li opened them once more. "Qin Changgeng, when we return to Yuyang Commandery, I won't live in your Marquis Residence. Zhou Zhou and I will live outside."
With things on her mind, a hint of fire inevitably spilled into her tone.
Qin Shaozong heard it. He was silent for a long time, ultimately not grabbing her fox tail to take her back at this moment. "Okay."
With things weighing on her mind, Dai Li didn't sleep well the whole night. The next day, she lacked energy and basically spent the daytime catching up on sleep in the carriage.
For four consecutive days, their travel speed increased a bit.
Later, passing through other commanderies and counties, Qin Shaozong didn't deliberately avoid the well-conditioned relay stations in the commanderies and counties because of the silk.
They stayed however they should stay.
Later, they indeed received other notes, uniformly using plain white silk as the base, written on with cinnabar.
[The Marquis of Wu'an is not your best choice.]
[Our sect's doors are always open for you.]
There was not a single specific piece of information; they were all just stoking the fire. Seeing them made Qin Shaozong furious, and finally, unable to hold back, he left three Xuanxiao Cavalrymen behind to deal with the underlings.
After a long trek, this procession that set out from Bairi City finally arrived at Yuyang when the sun was high in the sky.
As the core of You Province, Yuyang's city gates were naturally built to be more majestic than other commanderies and counties.
The quaint city bricks were neatly stacked, presenting a vicissitude and magnificence baptized by time under the sunlight. It was like a silent guardian, looking down upon this small piece of heaven and earth, quietly watching merchant caravans come and go, and cavalry enter and exit.
It was now noon, and the pedestrians and caravans entering and exiting the city were especially numerous.
The sound of horse hooves came, and many people turned their heads at the sound. What entered their sight was a cavalry unit clad in black armor.
Sunlight fell on the black armor, reflecting a blade-like sharpness. The horses they rode were all exceptionally sturdy; one could tell at a glance that aside from being of excellent breed, they were fed top-quality fodder.
"Is this... the Marquis has returned?!"
"Hey! It's definitely the Marquis. I recognize his big red horse mount. It's just, why don't I see his figure? Could he be in the carriage?"
"I heard he previously led troops to crusade against the salt smugglers, and later was invited to the South. Now returning not on horseback but in a carriage, could he have been injured in the South?"
"It's not impossible. Swords flash and shadows of blades fall on the battlefield; who knows where one might get hurt. Otherwise, when fighting the Northern Kingdom previously, the Third Young Master wouldn't have been severely injured."
"It hasn't been peaceful in the commandery lately. That captured Chief Commandant of the Wei family escaped from prison, saying something about the Cai family using private torture on him. The latter denied it and flew into a rage, bringing people to catch him back."
"Tsk tsk, not to mention the fighting here, the Wei family over there is saying a certain Cai family son neglected his duties. They are determined to go against them. It's really causing a huge uproar in the city. With the Marquis returning to Yuyang to recuperate this time, I fear his ears won't get a moment of peace."
"Indeed. It's a pity I have to travel far, otherwise I would definitely watch the rest of this good show."
...
Other merchant caravans entering and exiting the city had to be inspected, but when it came to the Xuanxiao Cavalry, the city guards recognized a few platoon leaders and let them pass directly.
Sitting in the carriage, Dai Li listened to the town's clamor, and her heart gradually settled down.
They had finally arrived in Yuyang.
Dai Li lifted the curtain to check the sky, turned her head and said to Qin Shaozong,
"It's noon now. Qin Changgeng, can you send someone to the Ding family to give a heads up first, and we'll formally go over around early afternoon."
Let alone in ancient times with heavy rules, even in modern times visiting friends, one should inform the other party in advance. Dropping in suddenly is very presumptuous in any era.
Qin Shaozong: "Yesterday Hu Bao arrived in Yuyang ahead of time to arrange everything. After returning to the residence for lunch, I will go to the Ding family with Madam."
Dai Li nodded.
This highly anticipated procession did not return to the Marquis Residence, but came to another mansion. Entering from the main gate, the carriage drove all the way to the main courtyard before stopping.
Dai Li got out of the carriage. Just as she looked up, she was startled by a row of young women dressed as maids standing not far away. She paused slightly, turning her head to look at the man beside her. "Don't tell me these young women are all going to stay in the courtyard."
Qin Shaozong corrected her, "They are staying in the residence, but not entering the main courtyard. Aside from the main courtyard, other places in the residence also need hands. Madam, just see if they are pleasing to the eye; if not, we can change for another batch."
Seeing Daili hesitate, he added in a low voice, "They have all been thoroughly checked. Neither they nor their families follow any religion."
Daili looked at the maidservants standing a few steps away.
There were ten in total.
They wore uniform attire, neat and clean. Some were younger, around sixteen or seventeen, while others were older, perhaps in their forties.
Everyone was extremely nervous, afraid of being singled out as unsuitable.
"Let them stay for now, we'll see how it goes," Daili said. She recalled the long carriage ride into the estate just now; the residence had to be quite expansive.
The maidservants' faces immediately lit up, and they expressed their endless gratitude.
Wealthy households offered great benefits; even the scraps that slipped through their fingers were enough to feed them for a long time. Not to mention that the master of this estate was the Marquis of Wu'an, the renowned God of War guarding the northern borders, the uncrowned king of Yuyang and the entire North.
Qin Shaozong said, "Let's eat first."
...
In another courtyard.
Feng Feng watched Mo Yanyun sit down, stand up, and pace endlessly around the room, muttering something under his breath.
"Lao Mo, what's wrong with you? Why are you acting like you've got bugs biting you ever since we entered the estate?" Feng Feng asked.
His voice was not quiet, but Mo Yanyun didn't hear him at all, still immersed in his own world.
Feng Feng called out "Lao Mo" again, but the latter still didn't react, continuing to pace back and forth.
Seeing this, Feng Feng quietly walked over to listen.
"I'm doomed, I'm doomed. Madam Daili actually did it... I'm doomed. This stupid mouth of mine, never knowing when to shut up. Why did I have to spout such nonsense?"
Feng Feng raised an eyebrow. "Lao Mo, what are you muttering about all by yourself? What's doomed?"
Mo Yanyun jumped in fright. If he had a furry tail, it would definitely be standing straight up right now, bristling all over.
Having worked together for so many years, how could Feng Feng not tell that something was wrong? He immediately threw an arm around Mo Yanyun's shoulders like a good buddy. "Lao Mo, did you do something you shouldn't have?"
It would have been better if he hadn't brought it up. Now that he did, Mo Yanyun suddenly felt the blade hanging over his head sway, the rope holding it creaking under the strain.
"N-no, what could I possibly have done?" Mo Yanyun looked away.
Feng Feng laughed at him. "Still denying it? You're even stuttering. Don't say I didn't warn you as a brother. The Marquis is incredibly sharp; how could he not see that something is off about you? Tell me, what kind of trouble did you stir up this time?"
Mo Yanyun shook his head vigorously.
Feng Feng clicked his tongue. "Why don't you trust me? Think about all the times I've given you ideas in the past. Ask yourself, didn't they all work out perfectly?"
Mo Yanyun hesitated.
Feng Feng had the worst background among them, but out of all the garrison commanders, no one had a sharper mind. He was full of clever ideas and often helped them solve their problems.
In the past, whenever Mo Yanyun encountered a difficult problem, he liked to discuss it with Feng Feng, and the results were always excellent.
"What are you so worried about?" Seeing that he still wouldn't speak, Feng Feng grew even more curious. Changing his tactic, he decided to play hard to get. "Fine, if you don't trust me, you don't have to tell me. Just make sure you keep your wits about you when you're around the Marquis later. Stay on high alert and don't let him notice anything. It's rare for us to return to Yuyang, so I need to go home and see my wife and little daughter. My baby girl can walk now, I wonder if she still remembers me."
Seeing him about to leave, Mo Yanyun, who had been hesitating, immediately pulled him back. "I didn't say I wouldn't tell you. What's the rush?"
Feng Feng smiled but said nothing.
Mo Yanyun gritted his teeth. "This is no ordinary matter. I'll tell you, but you must not tell anyone else."
Feng Feng agreed immediately.
Mo Yanyun coughed lightly. "Come closer."
"So secretive." Feng Feng leaned in anyway.
Mo Yanyun whispered in his ear.
Feng Feng's expression shifted rapidly—from bizarre to shocked, to terrified, to impressed... A series of emotions flashed across his face.
Feng Feng swiftly shoved Mo Yanyun away and walked out the door without looking back. "Lao Mo, I didn't hear anything just now, and you didn't say a word to me today. I'm going home to see my daughter. See you around."
Mo Yanyun was dumbfounded. By the time he recovered and tried to call out, Feng Feng had already vanished without a trace.
"Feng Feng, you bastard!!" Mo Yanyun cursed loudly.
Just as he finished cursing, Bai Jianping walked in. "I heard you yelling from far away. Lao Mo, what are you cursing about?"
Mo Yanyun huffed angrily, "That guy Feng Feng said he'd help me solve a problem, but the moment I finished telling him, he ran off."
Bai Jianping's interest was piqued immediately. "There's a problem he can't solve? Quick, tell me. I can definitely solve it."
He and Feng Feng had been secretly competing for a long time, and he always felt that he was a bit smarter than Feng Feng.
Mo Yanyun was half-skeptical. "Come closer."
Bai Jianping leaned in without hesitation.
Mo Yanyun whispered.
Bai Jianping's eyes widened in sheer shock. He too bolted for the door without looking back, acting exactly as if a dog were chasing him out of the room. "Lao Mo, I just remembered I haven't fed my dog. I'm going back to feed the dog. I didn't hear a word you just said."
With that, without waiting for a reply, Bai Jianping took off running.
Mo Yanyun stood frozen.
Not long after he ran out, Qiao Wangfei came in. Qiao Wangfei asked in confusion, "Lao Mo, what did you do to Old Bai?"
"I ran into some trouble. That guy clearly said he would help me solve it, but he ran away as soon as he heard it. It's truly infuriating."
"What is it? Tell me, I'll help you."
...
The main courtyard.
Perhaps due to special instructions, there was actually a small round table in the main courtyard, and they gathered around it for lunch.
Lunch consisted of stir-fried pork, steamed egg custard, and fish soup. It couldn't be called a lavish feast; they were just everyday home-cooked dishes.
The fish was first pan-fried in an iron wok, then stewed in an earthen clay pot with tofu. The resulting fish soup was a milky white. Finally, it was sprinkled with chopped green onions. The tender green paired with the milky white made it incredibly delicious.
Even though Daili was preoccupied with visiting the Ding family that afternoon, she surprisingly drank an extra bowl of soup and ate nearly half the fish from the stew.
Seeing that her appetite was much better than yesterday, Qin Shaozong simply instructed Nianxia to make the fish soup again tonight. He looked at Daili, "Madam actually reminds me of some old matters."
"Hmm?" Daili hummed through her nose.
Qin Shaozong glanced at her completely empty soup bowl and smiled. "In my early years, I once traveled to the south. When they eat, they love having soup. A meal is incomplete without it, exactly like you, Madam."
Daili couldn't refute this. She really did love drinking soup, and Zhou Zhou liked it too. Even her former colleagues would stew soup at home whenever they had the time. However, there were other reasons as well. "It's probably due to the climate differences. The south is hot and humid, so people sweat easily. Drinking soup helps replenish hydration."
After saying this, Daili realized something. "Did you think I was lying to you when I said my homeland was in Qiantang?"
"Not at all. Madam's daily habits and accent cannot be faked." Seeing that there was about one bowl of soup left in the pot, Qin Shaozong casually ladled it out for her. "Finish the fish soup. Once you're done, we'll head out to the Ding family."
During the past few days of travel, she had been eating like a bird every day, and had lost some weight compared to when they were in White Sun City.
Daili had originally wanted to give the soup to her son, but he had already ladled it into her bowl. Since she had already eaten from this bowl, she couldn't give it to anyone else.
After a pause, Daili eventually picked up the bowl and drank it slowly.
Once Dai Li finished her drink, the group was just about to head out when Hu Bao rushed over to report.
"My Lord, Wei Congmu, the Chief Administrator of the Commandery, is outside requesting an audience."
Qin Shaozong stopped in his tracks.