Chapter 129 Qin Changgeng, you shameless...
Dai Li didn't care at all whether she was peeled or not, lying sprawled out.
He's just making threats, let him say whatever he wants.
Qin Changgeng failed to hunt the tiger within the stipulated time, so no matter what, she was the one who would win the bet.
Anyone can talk. Dai Li deliberately raised her voice and said, "What fox? Did you hunt a fox on your trip, my lord? Is it a white fox or a red fox? Is it alive or dead? Don't hide it away, show it to me quickly."
Qin Shaozong: "..."
Feng Feng, who was accompanying the group, knew exactly what prey they had brought back. He quickly tried to smooth things over: "We did indeed hunt a red fox, but we later discovered that the female fox was pregnant. The lord couldn't bear to kill it, so he released it."
Dai Li exclaimed, "Your Majesty is benevolent to the people and loves all things; you are a noble person who abides by the rules of hunting."
She emphasized the word "comply" a little more.
Qin Shaozong was so angry he laughed. "Madam has an excellent memory. It's a real pity she's not a bookkeeper."
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency." Dai Li took it all as praise.
The sound of gongs and cymbals had a significant impact; not only did Qin Shaozong return empty-handed, but all the other hunters who went out today also came away empty-handed.
It wasn't that no one was angry, but after learning that Qin Qinian and Qin Yanzhou were the "instigators," they all booed.
So it was just a naughty kid. Fine, let Marquis Wu'an teach him a lesson himself.
Although everyone went home empty-handed today, the bonfire party in the evening was still held as usual.
The meat was hunted by those young men yesterday. They ate some at last night's banquet, but not all of it was eaten. The deer and roe deer with broken legs were kept as spoils, but unexpectedly they became reserve food.
A campfire was lit, and wooden spears skewered with meat were placed on top of it. As the meat gradually turned golden brown, oil slowly dripped out.
A moment later, the butter dripped down, and flames shot up like snakes, instantly intensifying the aroma.
However, tonight, few people paid attention to the food. The reason was simple: anyone with eyes could see that Qin Shaozong was in a bad mood.
Invisible dark clouds covered the sky and the sun, and the rumble of thunder could be faintly heard, but it remained hidden and did not erupt.
Everyone sat upright, each one speaking and acting cautiously.
The man beside her had a gloomy aura, and the atmosphere around them was also strange, but Dai Li didn't care about any of that. She ate heartily, and her appetite was much better than last night.
After finishing the skewer of meat, she reached for the frozen persimmons, her snow-white cheeks puffing out slightly, her red lips glistening with oil, as if coated with honey.
Qin Shaozong glanced at Dai Li several times, but whether she didn't notice or was too lazy to pay attention to him, she never turned her head.
Qin Shaozong scoffed and reached for a skewer of meat.
Dai Li was sitting next to him, and she could clearly see the man raising his hand forward. She paused in her chewing.
What he just picked up looks like... venison.
Dai Li turned her head and saw the man devouring meat. His gleaming white canines were biting into the meat, and his light brown eyes were fixed on her, the dark fire in them burning brighter than the blazing campfire in front of them.
Dai Li felt a sudden jolt in her heart.
In no time, Qin Shaozong finished a skewer of venison and then went to get a new one.
This time, he took venison again.
He continued to watch her eat heartily, as if he were biting into her meat. In no time, he had devoured a whole skewer of venison.
Qin Shaozong reached out again, wanting to take the third string of pearls.
Dai Li immediately went on alert and quickly reached out to press down on his arm. "A balanced diet of meat and vegetables is the right way. Your Excellency has already consumed enough meat. How about we have some frozen persimmons?"
While asking "How is it?", Dai Li forcefully snatched the venison from his hand and shoved two frozen persimmons into his mouth.
Venison is known as the "fruit of the kidneys." Qin Changgeng is a womanizer; once he starts, he never stops, and he's got a powerful engine for it. If he's allowed to keep eating like this, he'll probably be causing trouble all night long.
Qin Shaozong didn't say anything when the venison was taken away; he simply took a bite of the frozen persimmon.
The bite mark was deep, and the bright red interior of the frozen persimmon looked like some kind of open meat, making Dai Li's spine tighten.
The bonfire dinner came to an end in an eerie atmosphere. The evening meal was over, and it was time to rest.
Dai Li's eyebrows twitched slightly, and she was about to tell Qin Shaozong that she was going to find Qin Hongying when she suddenly felt her wrist being grabbed, followed by an irresistible force that pulled her up.
“Madam, it’s getting late, let’s go back.” He stared intently at her.
Dai Li: "..."
*
Inside the main tent.
A heavy curtain hung down in front of the tent, completely separating the inside from the outside. The winter chill and biting wind vanished as the curtain fell.
The temperature inside the tent rose silently.
Qin Shaozong took off his cloak and casually draped it over a clothes rack. He approached Dai Li, his eyes blazing with dark fire. "Madam, you are quite the majesty today, strategizing and manipulating me at will."
He exuded a powerful aura, towering a head above Dai Li, and even without his cloak, he remained as imposing as a mountain.
"Qin Changgeng, when we made that bet, there was no rule against using techniques, right?" He stepped forward, and Dai Li unconsciously stepped back.
Qin Shaozong stepped forward, trapping the man beside the soft bed in the corner, his tone ambiguous: "This 'beating the mountain to scare the tiger' move is quite ingenious. Whose idea was it? Was it Madam, or that brat Qin Yanzhou?"
Dai Li wanted to back up further, but unexpectedly, there was a soft bed behind her. She tripped and lost her balance, falling onto the bed. She was already shorter than him, and now that she had fallen, she was almost completely enveloped by his shadow.
She sat slumped down, looking up at him.
"If this was Madam's idea, I will make sure she dries up tonight; if it was Qin Yanzhou's own idea..."
Qin Shaozong suddenly smiled, a smile that Dai Li couldn't decipher. It wasn't sarcasm, anger, or annoyance, but rather a different emotion. She couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, only keenly sensing that it was positive.
Dai Li has always trusted her intuition.
Whether it was her initial feeling of unease after climbing the tree in the Jiang residence, or her vague sense of unease in the teahouse in Taiping County, it was her sixth sense that helped her.
At that moment, she inexplicably felt that perhaps she could tell the truth: he might not really cause trouble for Zhouzhou.
"If it's Zhouzhou's idea, what do you think?" Dai Li couldn't help but ask.
"I will not pursue the matter, and I will deal with the lady leniently." The man said "leniency", but in reality he put his hand on the beast-head belt at his waist and used his long, calloused fingers to unfasten the buckle.
Dai Li's lips twitched.
She didn't speak, and Qin Shaozong didn't urge her. After untying her belt, he pounced on her like a hungry tiger, pinning her down amidst Dai Li's screams.
Qin Shaozong wrapped one arm around her waist, while his other hand cupped her chin, his fingers gently prying open her lips through her soft cheek before skillfully probing inside.
The anger that had been building up all day finally erupted. He enveloped her in his shadow, sucking and biting her trembling lips, and then ruthlessly swept through her, like the most rigorous and cautious military patrol, leaving no corner untouched.
Dai Li was already used to his methods, but seeing his aggressive approach and high pitch, she secretly thought to herself that this might really be going to be a sleepless night.
She raised her hand and pressed down on his hand, which had somehow hooked onto her belt. Unable to speak, she circled her fingers around the belt twice and then pulled it back, while turning her head to the side as much as possible.
"Does Your Excellency not wish to know the answer?" Her breath was ragged.
The man propped himself up and actually managed to back away a little. His eyes were piercing, and his brown pupils seemed to glow in the dim light. "Tell me the truth."
“Most of them are prefectures, I only need to fill in the gaps for him,” Dai Li said hesitantly.
Qin Changgeng has a good reputation with her; he always keeps his promises and has never broken his word. Since he said he wouldn't pursue the matter with Zhouzhou, he really meant it.
As soon as she finished speaking, she thought, whether it was her imagination or not, that she saw him smile again, the same smile as before.
Before Dai Li could think it through, the belt that had been wrapped around her fingers was untied and neatly pulled away. After it was removed from her outer garment, it was wrapped around her wrists.
"Madam, this belt is quite exquisite. May I borrow it?"
Just as Dai Li was about to struggle, his voice suddenly became stern and solemn, "Dai Li, the sinner, has committed the crime of mocking her husband. I hereby sentence her to be whipped three hundred times and have her fox skin peeled off for one night, as a warning to others."
Dai Li: "..."
Dai Li was shocked and was about to retort when she was silenced.
...
As time passed, the full moon in the sky gradually began to set in the west.
The cold wind howled through the north, and pairs of small, eerie green lamps flickered with a sharp, cold light at night. The howling of wolves all around masked much of the noise.
It was late at night, but some people were still awake.
Inside the large tent, the curtains were already drawn, and the curtains on the opposite sides were rolled up slightly to allow for air circulation.
Inside the tent, a fierce battle raged.
Dai Li lay on the soft bed, her hands gripping the brocade quilt beneath her tightly, her red lips pressed together, trying to suppress the sounds in her throat.
The temperature inside the tent was much higher than outside. A thin layer of sweat appeared on her temples, neck, and body, and her snow-white skin was steamed with a light pink hue, as if she had just been pulled out of a hot spring.
He was in high spirits and thoroughly enjoyed himself, measuring many places with that Xiangfei-colored belt.
"Rest, rest for a moment..." Dai Li had just finished one round, her eyes were lifeless.
"The three hundred lashes are not even halfway through, how can you rest?" He not only ignored her, but also took back the belt that was currently tied around the woman's waist and retied it around her wrists.
Dai Li laughed angrily, "Not halfway through? You're lying through your teeth. I'm not convinced. Let your superiors come and talk to me."
He smiled maliciously and moved maliciously, "Who here accuses this official?"
Dai Li: "..."
"Qin Changgeng, you shameless!" Dai Li kicked her leg.
His large, veiny hand reached out, fingers spread wide, and gripped that long, white thigh tightly, some tender white flesh seeping through his fingers. "You dare to insult an official of the imperial court. You're punished by having to start all over again."
Dai Li: "..."
"However, I am merciful and will grant you a pardon." He stepped back slightly, maintaining a half-retreat position, and turned Dai Li over so that she was facing upwards.
He stared into her eyes meaningfully, "If you, Madam, were to order me to stop now, I would certainly obey."
Dai Li understood his unspoken meaning.
He made a bet with her, the loser had to grant the winner a favor, and he clearly wanted her to use the "bet" on such a trivial matter.
Dai Li turned her head away, "Though battered and bruised, it remains firm and strong, letting the winds blow from east, west, north, and south."
Qin Shaozong gave a forced smile, "Not only did you refuse, but you even dared to write a poem satirizing me. You deserve to be punished. The punishment is three hundred lashes, doubled, so you'll have to eat six hundred."
"Qin Changgeng, I beg you, have some shame..."
The winter nights were long, and the two large skewers of venison that Qin Shaozong had eaten turned into firewood and dry grass that night, which stewed the fox in the pot until it was completely dazed and confused.
After a night of waking up and falling asleep intermittently, Dai Li unsurprisingly overslept the next day.
When she woke up, she noticed that many people seemed to be missing from the camp. She asked around and learned that some people had gone hunting that morning. Among them were Qin Shaozong, Qin Yanzhou, and Qin Qinian.
...
After a night of rest, some of the prey that had been scared away returned.
Qin Shaozong didn't encounter any prey last night and had no chance to make a move, but he did this morning.
They found a large roe deer.
"Qin San, go catch a roe deer," Qin Shaozong said.
Yesterday, while hunting rabbits, Qin Qinian got distracted by something else and lost the game. The boy, who had been holding back his energy, listened to his father and led the two of them into the forest.
Besides the roe deer, they also encountered deer on the road, and Qin Shaozong assigned them tasks as well. The number of people beside him could be counted on one hand, and among these few was Qin Yanzhou.
The young man spurred his horse forward and dismounted when he reached Qin Shaozong's side. He cupped his hands to Qin Shaozong and said, "One must take responsibility for one's own actions. They were merely acting on my orders. The root of the problem lies with me, and I can bear the consequences myself. I beg Marquis Wu'an to release them and not to make things difficult for Lady Shi."
The "they" that Qin Yanzhou mentioned referred to were the guards who had come from the Shi family.
After Qin Yanzhou was "captured" yesterday, Shi Rongyue led her personal guards on a whirlwind trip, with a separate group sent to search for cymbals and gongs. One person would be captured for half an hour, and then another would start playing, in order to extend the time available to play the cymbals and gongs as much as possible.
Afterwards, this group of people, including Shi Rongyue, were all arrested. However, because of Shi Rongyue's special status, she was released.
She was the only one released; the other guards of the Shi family were still being held captive by Qin Shaozong.
Qin Shaozong remained mounted on the red dragon, looking down at the people above, but his tone was calm: "How could the Shi family's personal guards obey your orders?"
Qin Yanzhou: "It was I who asked Miss Shi to lend me a hand."
Qin Shaozong tapped the riding whip with his long fingers, "You asked, and she agreed? Did she know the inside story?"
Qin Yanzhou shook her head and said she didn't know.
Qin Shaozong suddenly smiled.
Whether she knew it or not, after Shi Rongyue's suona was confiscated, she must have known that music was forbidden in the hunting grounds.
“This Shi Rongrong is so small, yet she’s incredibly audacious.” He suddenly changed the subject, “But last night I heard from the madam that the idea of banging gongs and drums everywhere and scattering the guards was hers…”
"No, it has nothing to do with my mother! I arranged this myself. I heard that she had a bet with you, and there were no rules or restrictions on the terms of the bet, so I had other ideas." Qin Yanzhou couldn't help but interrupt.
Qin Shaozong's gaze swept over his face, and after a moment he replied, "Alright, let those people go."
He agreed so readily that he didn't say anything else, made any demands, or mention anything further.
Qin Yanzhou was slightly taken aback.
Qin Shaozong understood his doubts. "Warfare is based on deception. In the Battle of Hongshui, Duke Xiang of Song was bound by old ways and stubbornly waited for the Chu army to cross the river and form their ranks before attacking. In the end, he suffered a great defeat. Duke Xiang himself was also seriously wounded and fled. From then on, he had nothing to do with the hegemony of the Central Plains."
Qin Shaozong's eyes held a mocking glint, clearly showing his utter contempt for such foolish behavior. "On the battlefield, there are no questions of 'can't' or 'should'. Once the bugle sounds, there are only two outcomes: victory or defeat."
Qin Yanzhou seemed to be deep in thought.
"Besides, next spring your mother will marry me, and you'll have to call me father then. What's there for me to argue with my own son?" Qin Shaozong said with a smile.
Qin Yanzhou: "..."
*
After the hunting party returned and they had another meal of meat, each family began to pack up their camp.
Today is the third day, and also the day the winter hunt ends. Everyone is preparing to return to Yuyang.
The northern winds were biting cold. Dai Li had traveled by carriage on her way there, and she did the same on her way back. However, unlike before, there was another person in her carriage on the return trip.
The man in the black robe leaned lazily against the soft seat. He had long arms and legs, and his body was stretched out in an unrestrained posture, taking up a large space.
This carriage also has a single-sided seat, with a small table extending all the way to the front of the carriage, and only a long bench at the back for seating.
When Dai Li arrived, she was wearing a cloak, nestled in the warm, lotus-green mink fur. Now, on her way back to the city, the cloak was left aside.
There's really no need for it.
Qin Shaozong himself was like a giant heater; it was very warm to be near him.
"Qin Changgeng, you went hunting with Zhouzhou this morning. Did you say anything to him?" Dai Li suddenly asked.
This morning, her son returned from hunting. Although he didn't say anything and his expression was normal, Dai Li noticed some of his little habits.
He glanced at Qin Shaozong twice, seemingly out of curiosity.
Later, she overheard Qin Qinian saying that his father still hadn't personally taken action that morning, and she immediately sensed something was amiss. If Qin Changgeng went out for a stroll and didn't hunt, what was he doing there?
Qin Shaozong took one of her hands and stroked it from the base of her palm to her fingertips. "That kid came to me to confess his crime, saying that he would take responsibility for his own actions and asked me to let Rongrong and her guards go."
Dai Li straightened up.
When they returned last night, she was so happy that she forgot to ask about the details. It turned out that this matter was not only orchestrated by Zhouzhou, but also involved Shi Rongyue.
Before Dai Li could ask, Qin Shaozong continued, "Since I promised Madam last night, I naturally won't hold this against the younger generation."
Dai Li relaxed her spine and casually flattered him, "Your Excellency truly lives up to your word."
He brought up the old matter again, "Now that I've lost to you, what are your demands, Madam?"
Worried that she would keep delaying and then focus all her efforts on tampering with the "Marriage Agreement," Qin Shaozong deliberately said, "You have two days, today or tomorrow, to submit your proposal. Otherwise, it will be cancelled."
Dai Li: "Don't worry, I'll tell you when we get back."
Qin Shaozong raised his long eyebrows, "Not now?"
Dai Li insisted, "We're missing something right now, let's talk about it later."
He stopped insisting.
They had activities during the day, and breaking camp and returning to the city would take time, so by the time they returned to Yuyang, it was already dusk.
The brilliant afterglow of the setting sun spread across the sky, painting the heavens into a beautiful oil painting. The main gate of the Qin residence was wide open, and Qin Yunce, who had stayed behind to guard the residence, led the way in welcoming them back.
“The winter winds are strong, Yun Ce doesn’t need to wait here.” Qin Shaozong said with a frown as the curtain was lifted.
Qin Yunce bowed deeply. "Thank you for your concern, Father. I have been feeling quite well lately and am fine."
Qin Shaozong: "Let's go back."
The carriage went straight into the main house. Qin Shaozong got out of the carriage first, and then he helped Dai Li out of the carriage as well.
After entering the main room, Dai Li heard footsteps behind her and knew that Qin Shaozong had followed her. She did not go to the study as usual.
Dai Li turned to look at him.
The man met her gaze and smiled, saying, "Now that you're home, Madam, please feel free to ask for anything. Your husband will surely grant your wish."
Dai Li suddenly asked, "Did you bring your personal seal, Lord Marquis?"
Qin Shaozong said he brought it.
Officials have official seals, and wealthy families also have their own private seals. Private seals are a type of credential, with the same validity as signatures; some prominent families even consider seeing a private seal as seeing the person in question.
Dai Li returned to the inner room and came out a moment later with two letters.
Qin Shaozong was already seated at the table. He had excellent eyesight and could clearly see that one of the envelopes was addressed to "Letter of Reply to Marriage".
The curve of the man's lips deepened instantly.
Dai Li first placed the "Letter of Acceptance of Marriage" on the table, then pushed it forward to him, saying, "This is the 'Letter of Acceptance of Marriage' that I promised to give you before."
Almost the instant the letter stopped, he grabbed it and took it away.
“However, I suggest that Your Excellency take a look at this letter first,” Dai Li suddenly said.
Qin Shaozong paused in his act of opening the letter, but ultimately gave in to her wishes and picked up the other letter she pushed towards him.
The envelope was blank, adding to its mystique compared to the marriage certificate next to it.
Qin Shaozong opened it, and the mulberry paper inside also unfurled.
When his gaze fell upon the central title, his pupils suddenly contracted, his face turned ashen, and the smile on his lips vanished.
The central title at the very top of that paper was clearly:
Divorce Agreement
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