Chapter 115 Her Settlement
A swift horse galloped into the mansion through a side gate, bathed in the afterglow of dusk. The newcomer did not dismount but instead rode directly to a certain pavilion courtyard.
"How is Qin Yanzhou now?" Qin Qinian asked the guard while riding his horse, peeking inside as he asked.
The door in front was half open, and one could vaguely see someone moving inside. The figure was quite familiar; Qin Qinian recognized it as Ding Lianxi.
The guard replied, "Young Master Qin is not in immediate danger. However, from today for the next three days, Master Ding will be treating him day and night. Please do not enter at this time, Third Young Master."
"It's good that he's alright." Qin Qinian couldn't figure out what was wrong, so he turned his horse around and headed towards the main courtyard.
...
"Father!"
Before he arrived, his voice came first; his still-changing, hoarse voice was quite jarring.
"Father, I just rode back and saw many soldiers searching a bookstore. They later told me that you ordered all the bookstores in the county to be taken into custody," Qin Qinian rushed in.
Qin Shaozong and Dai Li were both in front of a long table, on which a map of Yuyang was spread out, with a white jade chess piece placed in several locations on the map.
When Qin Qinian ran in, Dai Li was holding a white jade chess piece and was about to put it down.
“Father, Madam Dai. Perhaps we don’t need to check all the bookstores. I’ve received news that members of the Qinglian Sect have settled in the Laimo Bookstore in the west of the city.”
Dai Li asked in surprise, "Did Miss Fan tell you this? Is the information trustworthy? Could it be a diversionary tactic?"
Shi Rongyue's retelling made her realize that the young lady Fan hated not only Zhouzhou, but also Qin Shaozong, who had caused her father's defeat.
She was able to lead Zhouzhou and the others into the secret passage before, so telling another lie now doesn't seem like a big deal.
"Probably not. She already knew that the Qinglian Sect was using her as a pawn, and she probably also believed that Qin Yanzhou was infiltrating the Fan residence as a spy on their orders. She told me all this because she wished we would fight the Qinglian Sect like dogs." Qin Qinian said seriously.
Dai Li: "..." This child.
Qin Shaozong said expressionlessly, "Qin San, after this matter is over, you will go back to the Marquis's mansion, study hard with Mi Yifan, and learn how to speak properly before you come out again."
Qin Qinian was stunned; he couldn't understand how a simple report could be related to studying.
His eyes glazed over for a moment, but he forced himself to straighten up. “Father, there’s something else. That young lady Fan said she noticed that the wheels of the donkey cart ridden by the little instructor named ‘White Elephant’ had a few osmanthus petals stuck to them. She also said that once when she looked for him, he appeared about 15 minutes later, so she guessed that his real place was not far from the bookstore.”
Dai Li's eyes lit up. "It takes 25 minutes by donkey cart, so that's about 15 minutes one way."
She looked down at the sheepskin map on the table, having already marked each bookstore, and quickly found this "Lai Mo Bookstore".
Laimo Bookstore is located in the west of the city, next to a residential area with modest means of living.
After all, paper is not so cheap these days, and those who have a desire for it are definitely not the poor people who struggle every day to make ends meet.
Centered on the Laimo Bookstore, Dai Li estimated the speed of the donkey cart and drew a circle around it. "He is very likely here."
"Father, there's no time to lose. Let's lead the troops to surround this area immediately!" Qin Qinian said excitedly.
Qin Shaozong turned the jade thumb ring around. "No rush."
The boy was stunned, and asked in confusion, "Father, now that we finally know the specific bookstores and their general location, why not strike while the iron is hot?"
"It is indeed good to strike while the iron is hot, but not now." Qin Shaozong turned to look out the window.
As dusk fell, a vast expanse of brilliant sunset clouds spread across the sky, like a masterpiece's most precious final work.
In a while, the curfew will be in effect.
Qin Shaozong: "Wait for the curfew. After the curfew, people are not allowed to move around freely in the city. They can only stay indoors and have no way to go to the post station."
If they were to arrest the person immediately, there was no guarantee that the other party wouldn't hear the news and hide in the post station instead of returning to their original residence. Although he had also sent troops to the post stations as a precaution, there were at least a hundred post stations of all sizes in the county, which was still a hassle.
"White Elephant" is just a code name; there is absolutely no information about this person's real name.
Qin Qinian suddenly realized, and then asked, "Father, are you going out tonight? If not, how about I take full responsibility for tonight's pursuit?"
"Alright, you'll be in charge. The key is the Laimo Bookstore. After nightfall, check the household registrations of everyone in the bookstore. Those servants must be believers. Follow the clues and you can force them to reveal the location of the mansion. Of course, don't believe everything they say. Send some people to find houses with osmanthus trees nearby." Qin Shaozong instructed him.
Qin Qinian: "Yes!"
Dai Li suddenly said, "Qinian, let me go with you tonight. Zhouzhou once told me that Bai Xiang and Di Ting are twins and look quite similar. I have seen what Di Ting looks like when he is not disguised, and I also know their general method of disguise. If I see Bai Xiang, I should be able to recognize him."
Wearing fish maw for a long time is bound to be uncomfortable. When she was kidnapped and taken aboard a ship, she traveled westward from the estuary of Bai Ri Cheng, and the journey alone took almost half a month.
She was probably the only outsider on the ship, and he didn't think she could escape, so Di Ting didn't pretend at the time.
Upon hearing that she had met Di Ting, Qin Qinian was immediately delighted, "Okay, you'll come with me then..."
"Madam." Qin Shaozong looked at Dai Li, who met his gaze without flinching.
“My son was framed by him. Although the pest control went more smoothly than expected by a twist of fate, it cannot erase their malicious intentions. Qin Changgeng, I cannot stay in the mansion and wait for good news.” Dai Li stared at him intently.
This wasn't the first time Qin Qinian had heard Dai Li call his father by his courtesy name, but each time it felt like a thunderbolt piercing through the clouds and splitting rocks, shaking him to his core.
The boy lowered his head, keeping his eyes down and his mind at ease, not daring to look any further.
"I didn't say you couldn't go. I'll go out of the manor with you. Once we catch them, Madam can torture them however she wants." Qin Shaozong's tone was tinged with helplessness.
Dai Li looked away. "You're going to operate after curfew, right? Then hurry up and have someone prepare the meal. We have other operations tonight, so finish eating early."
Dinner was served early tonight, and after the meal, only a faint, pale light remained in the sky outside.
Dai Li went back to her room and changed into a cobalt-colored riding outfit. Her long hair was all piled up on her head and secured with a silver snake hairpin. She didn't wear any other hair accessories or earrings, and given Dai Li's already tall stature, she looked quite dashing in the riding outfit.
But when she looked up, her slightly upturned peach blossom eyes were like bright clouds and flowing mist, exuding an indescribable radiant charm.
Qin Shaozong leaned against the window with his arms crossed, watching her change her clothes and tie her hair. "Madam is radiant; she will surely return victorious tonight."
Dai Li: "..."
Dai Li's expression was complicated. "I think I understand now."
Her tone held a hint of unspoken感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and regret). Qin Shaozong raised an eyebrow. "What did you understand?"
“The nonsensical things your son talks about from time to time are clearly inherited from you.” Dai Li really didn’t understand the cause and effect between those two words.
Qin Shaozong: "..."
The man paused for a moment, but quickly said, "Qinian is also your son. Madam, don't forget what you promised me."
Dai Li pursed her lips, turned her head to the side, and stopped looking at him.
Qin Shaozong clicked his tongue when he saw her expression.
Well, she's being stubborn again.
Not long ago, Qin Yanzhou returned injured, and Ding Luying stated that immediate pest control would be the most effective method. This was an important matter that could not be delayed in the slightest, so pest control was arranged for today.
As for the two famous medicines, He Shou Wu and musk, they were sent to the Ding family along with the rest of the medicinal materials after all the other medicinal materials had been collected.
He never mentioned it, and she never asked about it afterward. However, Qin Shaozong knew that the fox had probably guessed something.
The situation was critical just now, and there was no time to "settle accounts," but that doesn't mean the matter is over.
“Dai Li,” Qin Shaozong said in a deep voice.
Dai Li paused, and finally slowly turned her head around.
He didn't say anything more that sounded harsh to her, but she knew what he meant.
Those long, narrow brown eyes were fixed on her, like an endless sea with surging waves, threatening to engulf her.
Dai Li said in a low voice, "Can we talk about this when we get back?"
Seeing that her tone had softened, Qin Shaozong decided to stop while he was ahead and said, "Okay."
*
Just as the curfew began, the main gate of the Qin residence opened, and a troop of cavalry led by Qin Qinian filed out.
About half an hour later, the gates of the mansion opened again, and Qin Shaozong and Dai Li led another group of people out of the mansion.
Dai Li had only recently learned to ride a horse, and was riding a small black mare. The mare trotted along, and although she was only recently an adult, she was gentle and steady, though not very fast compared to the galloping horses in front of her.
Qin Shaozong rode the red dragon beside Dai Li, leading the team together.
When they were still a short distance from Laimo Bookstore, Dai Li saw a brightly lit place ahead.
After nightfall, those who cannot afford candles will go to bed early and sleep. When they wake up, it will be bright daylight, so there is no need to worry about lighting a lamp.
The residents near Laimo Bookstore are relatively wealthy, and you can still see a few scattered lights.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the quiet streets, and the birds in the treetops tilted their heads in confusion, observing the group of night travelers.
A few houses had their side doors slightly ajar, with a curious eye peeking out through the crack. When they sensed someone looking at them, they slammed the doors shut in surprise.
Qin Qinian, who had gone to check the household registration earlier, was now at the Laimo Bookstore. The boy saw his father arrive and hurriedly reported, "Father, there are four servants and one manager at this bookstore. They've all been brought along."
Qin Shaozong dismounted.
Qin Qinian continued, "The owner of this bookstore is surnamed Dong. According to our investigation, he lives in the second district of the west of the city. However, when my son sent someone to bring him here, he found that the Dong family's house was empty and no one was there. I asked the neighbors, and they all said that this Dong family member left three months ago."
Qin Shaozong: "Leave this place to me. You take some men to find the osmanthus trees nearby."
Qin Qinian accepted the order.
Dai Li looked towards the open gate of the bookstore and could vaguely see guards watching over several people. She dismounted and entered the bookstore with Qin Shaozong.
Of the five people who were arrested, four servants were separated into two groups to guard them, while the shopkeeper was alone.
Dai Li's gaze swept over the group of people, who varied in height, weight, and build.
The four maids all had dark skin and thin builds, some even as thin as sticks, which fit the image of the lower class struggling to make ends meet.
After looking at the maid, she went to see the shopkeeper, who was a little fat and short, and was sweating profusely.
None of the five people had ever disguised themselves.
With that faint hope dashed, Dai Li looked at Qin Shaozong, signaling that he could ask now.
"Honorable sir, I am an honest and upright man who has always lived a down-to-earth life and has never done anything wrong. I wonder what brings you here so late at night, and why you have brought me and a few of the shop's servants with you?" the shopkeeper said, wiping his sweat.
Qin Shaozong asked directly, "Has the owner of this bookstore or a friend of the owner come here recently?"
The fat shopkeeper's pupils trembled slightly.
Qin Shaozong drew his ring-pommel sword from his waist. The blade reflected an astonishingly cold light in the firelight, the sharp glint of which pierced the shopkeeper's eyes, startling him into a tremor.
The fat shopkeeper shuddered.
He stood frozen in place, like a stone statue, not daring to move an inch, for fear that he might accidentally touch the ring-pommel sword that was currently resting on his shoulder, less than a finger's width from his neck.
“Confess and you will be treated leniently. Your entire family will not only be pardoned, but you will also receive a reward. If you try to cover it up and lie to me, I will show you that sometimes getting a quick death is a kind of luck.” Qin Shaozong looked down at him.
He left the mansion tonight without armor, wearing only an ordinary black robe, yet his imposing stature and mountain-like presence, imbued with the weighty aura of years of experience, were undeniable.
Qin Shaozong's tone wasn't particularly harsh, but it still made the fat shopkeeper turn as white as paper.
The fat shopkeeper bit his lip tightly, as if struggling.
Qin Shaozong waited only two breaths, and before the fat shopkeeper could reply, he turned to the four servants and said, “The shopkeeper has chosen to die. What about you? The first one among you to confess will not only be forgiven but will also be rewarded. As for the rest, they will be punished with sixty strokes of the cane and four years of hard labor in the city. All the male members of their families will be punished with the same punishment, and the female members with two years.”
If a woman is sentenced to two years in prison, and even if she survives those two years, she will almost certainly remarry.
Marry a man, and you'll have food and clothing.
The husband is still in prison, which is practically the same as being dead, and he can't provide any financial support. The Great Yan Official Temple would give such women the green light, allowing them to choose another partner, remarry, and have children, thus boosting the birth rate.
No sooner had Qin Shaozong finished speaking than the thinnest of the servants hurriedly said, "My lord, I'll tell you everything!"
Dai Li watched him interrogate the suspect from the sidelines, and was amazed.
Author's Note: I hate long novels! Next time I write a long novel, I'm going to... [crying][crying]
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