Chapter 152 You Don't Need to Continue Being a Father
Carved carriages lined the imperial streets, and fine horses raced along the imperial road; gold and jade gleamed, and the air was filled with the fragrance of silk and brocade. This dreamlike line is equally fitting to describe Chang'an. ①
Chang'an, the imperial city right under the emperor's nose, always boasts a level of prosperity and splendor that other places can hardly match.
Every day, big and small events unfold in this prosperous land. The big events can affect all the high-ranking officials and nobles inside and outside the capital, while the small events can happen to a family of three and disappear without a trace.
Recently, undercurrents have been surging in Chang'an, and teahouses in the city have been taken over by a group of novelists.
"Snap!" A sound that startled the wood.
The tea drinkers in the hall were startled and became completely absorbed.
"Today we'll briefly discuss the Marquis of Wu'an in the North. This man is truly a reincarnation of the Martial Star. At the age of eleven, he went to battle with his father and brought back the head of a Wuhuan soldier on his first mission. As soon as he came of age, he dared to take the head of Prince Langye from among ten thousand men, severely damaging the Wuhuan's strength and ensuring ten years of peace on the borders of our Great Yan!"
The tea drinkers all applauded.
The storyteller in green stroked his goatee, "Since ancient times, heroes have been paired with beauties. Lady Dai, the second wife of Marquis Wu'an, is not only beautiful but also compassionate. Last year, the dragon bone waterwheel, which was so popular, was spread from the north to the central plains thanks to her efforts. As the saying goes, agriculture is the foundation of the people, and when the foundation is firm, the country is secure. This time, the Marquis's wife has come to the capital precisely for the matter of being granted a title."
"Now, let's talk about how Marquis Wu'an treated his wife like a precious jewel, sending her away again and again, even going so far as to escort her all the way from Yuyang to Yanzhou, where he had just quelled a rebellion, unwilling to part with his wife and children. Coincidentally, just then, a golden dragon was born, causing all sorts of evil in Chang'an, stirring up trouble throughout the city and making it impossible for anyone to have peace."
When the term "evil dragon" was mentioned, all the tea drinkers in the hall nodded in agreement.
Previously, the earth dragon in Chang'an City had repeatedly turned over, and each time it would reveal a prophecy.
The news that "Han and Yan are about to perish" spread throughout Chang'an.
The Empress Dowager was furious and bypassed the Imperial Guard, sending the Imperial Guards to investigate thoroughly. However, for more than two months, they found not a single clue.
Someone in the hall whispered, "Isn't that strange? Among the collapsed houses, there are newly built ones and some that were only five or six years old. There's no way they've been in disrepair for years."
"After investigating for several months, we still found nothing, and the more we investigated, the more mysterious it became."
"Could it be that the evil dragon really killed the white fox, which triggered everything that followed?"
"I think it's most likely so. Otherwise, how could such an unusual phenomenon have drawn all the governors of various prefectures to the capital and gather here? From what I've heard, there's Governor Xie of Si Prefecture, Governor Nangong of Qing Prefecture, Governor Jiang of Yu Prefecture..."
"Crack!" Another loud bang.
The storyteller in blue robes calmed the murmurs in the hall before speaking, "The governor, guarding his region, is not allowed to go to the capital without an imperial edict. But now, evil spirits are threatening Chang'an, and those who eat the emperor's food must share his burdens. Heroes from all over have flocked to the capital to rid it of the evil dragon. Our Chang'an has not seen such a gathering of distinguished guests for a long time. Speaking of which, yesterday the Marquis of Wu'an and his wife arrived in Chang'an, and many noble families were moved to tears..."
Someone below whispered, "Is it because they're moved? My third cousin's great-uncle's distant cousin's brother's daughter married the gatekeeper of the Yuan family. I heard that yesterday, many of the Yuan family's masters were so worried that they didn't eat all day."
“The Yuan family and the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, the Wang family, are related by marriage, so it’s understandable that they are worried. With so many heroes gathered together, if the ship isn’t steered properly, the capital will likely be thrown into chaos. After all, each family’s troops are stationed thirty miles outside the city.”
"Shh, don't be too direct!"
*
One of the heroes, openly and secretly discussed by the common people, is currently in the most famous restaurant in the capital.
"Madam, this lotus seed and gourd duck is quite good, you should try it." Qin Shaozong recommended to Dai Li, and then sighed, "Chang'an is indeed the golden nest of the world, even a duck can be prepared in such a creative way."
The people of the North are rugged and their food is also quite hearty. For example, the bowl of the noodle soup that Dai Li ate earlier was bigger than her face.
The lotus seed gourd duck, which was rated "good", was served on a carved white porcelain plate that was less than seven inches long, and the gourd duck on the plate was even more ingenious.
The whole duck has been deboned but still retains its skin intact. It has also been specially fixed into an auspicious gourd shape. The duck is stuffed with ingredients such as lotus seeds, sea cucumber, and mushrooms. The duck meat has been infused with these ingredients for a long time, giving it a unique flavor.
Dai Li picked up a piece of the white jade Buddha's hand with her chopsticks, chewed it slowly, and said, "It's really good." Then she went back to eat the white jade Buddha's hand that she had already picked up a few times.
This dish has a wonderful name and looks beautiful. Its entire body is as translucent as jade carving, resembling a delicate hand with the palm facing upwards, paired with a dark sauce underneath, making it a feast for the eyes.
"Why are you only eating white radishes? You can't even eat much meat in one meal. No wonder a cold like that kept you in bed for several days." Qin Shaozong picked out a few pieces of gourd duck from a small porcelain bowl and placed them next to Dai Li. "Eat up."
"I indulged in some cool food at the time, and I also had some water and soil acclimatization issues when I first arrived in Yongzhou." Dai Li denied that she was in poor health.
"You have to finish it." He said forcefully.
Dai Li pursed her lips and whispered, "Zhouzhou and Qinian aren't here, so you don't need to continue being a father."
"No whining allowed." Qin Shaozong added another piece of fish to her bowl.
Dai Li: "..."
Qin Shaozong picked up the teacup beside him and sipped his tea.
Starting from Yuyang in Youzhou, passing through Jizhou, stopping in Yanzhou to handle some business, and finally crossing through Sizhou to arrive here, they slowed down and traveled for an entire spring.
While the "Golden Dragon's Birth" caused the most panic in Chang'an, and after several governors who harbored some tacit idea, they arrived in the capital.
Today is their second day in the capital. They arrived in Chang'an yesterday, where officials greeted them early in the morning and led them to a large mansion in the southern part of the city.
Later, Dai Li learned that the mansion's neighbors were several other governors, and they all lived together in the same area.
The northern region is at the very center.
"Could it be that General Shen filed a complaint, which is why the court placed us in the very center?" Dai Li wondered.
Qin Shaozong: "It's not impossible, considering that even the last bandit leader couldn't be saved."
“It’s like raising a venomous insect,” Dai Li suddenly blurted out.
She spoke incoherently, but Qin Shaozong understood her: "The matter of prophecy is causing quite a stir, and now, one after another, wolves and tigers from the 'nest' are getting involved and stirring up this mess. If I were the mastermind, I would also gather them together, sit back and watch the tigers fight, and be the most relaxed fisherman."
The dust explosion in Chang'an was an opportunity to enter the capital, and it is clear that the northern regions were not the only ones to see and seize this opportunity.
Dai Li seemed thoughtful. "So, it seems that my appointment as a monarch might not be on the agenda immediately."
"Let's see." Qin Shaozong saw that she was poking at the fish in her bowl with her chopsticks but not eating it, so he tapped the edge of the bowl lightly with his wooden chopsticks. "Madam, don't bother that poor fish anymore. Quickly send it to its next life."
Dai Li muttered, "It would be better to let Zhou Zhou and the others come along too."
With younger people present, he would restrain himself somewhat, unlike now where he would control her even if she didn't eat.
"They're not toddlers learning to speak yet, how can they cling to their parents all day long?" Qin Shaozong deliberately didn't bring any of the younger generation with him today.
The two were staying at Heweixuan, the most famous restaurant in Chang'an. Private rooms on the second floor and above do not accept on-site reservations and must be booked in advance.
Dining in a private room comes with a hefty room fee, and each dish is 20% more expensive than in the main hall. Despite this, wealthy and influential families flock to the private rooms, which are always packed.
Just by opening the window on one side of the private room, one can see the river in the distance winding like a jade belt, with painted boats floating on it and songs drifting from time to time; the willows on the bank form a green wave, swaying in the wind under the azure sky.
The scenery is picturesque, depicting a corner of Chang'an's prosperity.
"Honorable guest, this private room is already occupied. Please come this way."
"It's alright, I know the people inside." It was a rough and hearty male voice.
Qin Shaozong raised his long eyebrows slightly.
Dai Li was slightly taken aback.
Does Qin Changgeng still have such an openly honest friend in Chang'an? Could it be...?
The next moment, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a burly man with broad shoulders and a thick waist strode in. He was eight feet tall, with a square face and tiger-like eyes, and his cheeks were shaved black.
Who else could this be but Nangong Xiong?
Nangong Xiong knew that Qin Shaozong was inside, and he also knew that he was not the only one in the room.
Last year, "Quan Jie" suddenly became "Qin Yanzhou", and Dai Shi, who was by his side, later became the mistress of the northern land, and he had another son.
Knowing a great deal of inside information, how could Nangong Xiong not understand? Back then, Qin Changgeng repeatedly said that Qin Yanzhou was "the son of an old friend," which was clearly a trick.
Although he had some expectations before coming, Nangong Xiong was still amazed when he actually saw Dai Li.
The young woman wore a light blue satin brocade dress, her black hair was styled into a flowing cloud bun, her skin was as white as snow, and there was a touch of crimson between her eyebrows. Her bright and colorful eyes seemed to gather the brilliant glow of the sunset.
Unlike other noblewomen who would discreetly retreat to the adjacent tea room after a male visit, she merely observed him with curiosity.
Previously, the North and Qingzhou had cooperated, and Dai Li had only heard of Nangong Qingzhou but had never met him. Now she had seen him...
How should I put it? It perfectly matches her impression of military generals.
Qin Shaozong immediately retorted, "Nangong, your wife hasn't been granted a title yet, what are you doing here in Chang'an?"
Nangong Xiong's lips twitched. "Although my wife has not received an imperial decree from His Majesty, it does not prevent me from caring for Chang'an. I just heard that a vicious dragon was stirring up the wind and rain, so I rushed here to protect His Majesty."
"Alright, there's no one else here, Nangong, why do you need to put on airs in front of me?" Qin Shaozong sneered.
Dai Li subconsciously glanced at Nangong Xiong's waist; he carried a sword, and judging by its length, it was about five feet long. She silently nudged the man's boots under the table, signaling him to watch his words.
The other party was, after all, a governor of a state and a former partner. Now they were both in Chang'an, and their residences were surrounded by people.
Convergence point!
Qin Shaozong picked up his chopsticks and placed another piece of meat on Dai Li's plate, saying, "Finish this piece too."
Dai Li: "..."
Nangong Xiong's eyes flickered slightly, and he turned around and closed the door of the private room, keeping the restaurant's maid and Feng Feng and the others who had come from the next room out.
He took a few steps forward and sat down beside the table. "Alright, since you, Qin Changgeng, say there is no one else here, then I'll ask you a question, and I hope you will answer truthfully."
Before Qin Shaozong could continue, Nangong Xiong lowered his voice and asked, "Were those inexplicable prophecies in Chang'an your doing?"
A hint of surprise flashed across Dai Li's eyes.
Qin Shaozong smiled enigmatically, "Why do you say that?"
“Although the prophecy points directly to the Commander of the Imperial Guard and Xie Sizhou, I don’t think it’s them. Xie Sizhou has been in power for less than half a year, and you dealt him a heavy blow last year. His foundation is still shallow, and Sizhou is not stable internally. How could he have the energy to stir up trouble outside?” Nangong Xiong stroked his chin. He knew more about the inside story than others. “The Emperor summoned your wife to the capital to receive her title first, and then a golden dragon was born in Chang’an. I always felt that you would not let your wife go to the capital alone.”
If he hadn't witnessed all that had happened before, and had only heard others say this, Nangong Xiong would have unhesitatingly dismissed it as "absurd."
But then he received three hundred fine horses and other compensation from the north. First, there was the promise that "death would be a quicker death," then the promise that "the matter of the dog is wiped clean," and he married that man in early spring…
It was indeed something Qin Changgeng would do to secretly cause trouble and stir up a storm in the city because he was worried about his newlywed wife going to the capital alone.
Nangong Xiong stared intently at the person in front of him, searching for an answer, when he suddenly saw the other person smile.
"So what if it is? So what if it isn't?" Qin Shaozong retorted.
Nangong Xiong gasped inwardly, a series of doubts arising within him.
"All the collapsed houses were brand new. How did you manage to turn them into ruins without anyone noticing?" Nangong Xiong pressed.
Just as Qin Shaozong was about to speak, he suddenly heard:
A loud noise came from outside the window. Dai Li turned her head in shock and saw what appeared to be billowing dust not far away.
Nangong Xiong's pupils narrowed for a moment, and he subconsciously looked at Qin Shaozong, "You're coming again?"
Unexpectedly, another loud bang was heard, from a similar but different location. Dai Li stared at the distance; they were on the third floor. He Wei Xuan was a grand building, and the third floor offered a wide view, allowing them to see far into the distance.
“No, that looks like where we live.” Dai Li’s expression changed.
*
South District, Minhe Street.
When Dai Li returned, she saw that the collapsed house was right next to the mansion where they had stayed.
One house on each side collapsed, but the Qin family mansion stood unscathed.
If she remembered correctly, the mansion on the left temporarily belonged to Qingzhou, while the one on the right belonged to Sizhou.
"Father!" Protected by a group of soldiers, Nangong Zijin dared not stay in the room any longer. Now that she saw Nangong Xiong return, the girl, who had just been keeping a straight face, immediately had tears in her eyes.
Nangong Xiong was heartbroken. "Was Nannan frightened? Was she hurt?"
Nangong Zijin slowly shook her head and said no.
After looking at his youngest daughter, Nangong Xiong finally breathed a sigh of relief, but then turned to Qin Shaozong with an unfriendly gaze, "Qin Changgeng, you need to give me an explanation for this!"
Qin Shaozong said coldly, "It's not like I blew up your house. Why are you yelling at me in public?"
Nangong Xiong paused, then changed his words, saying, "It's been since we last met last year, and I haven't had a proper chance to catch up with you. You've only eaten half of your dinner, so you must not be full yet. I haven't eaten either, so why don't you invite me and my son to your residence for a meal?"
Qin Shaozong: "Agreed."
Dai Li looked at the young lady from the Nangong family.
Nangong Xiong's daughter didn't resemble him at all; she looked like a delicate begonia, radiant and beautiful. She wore a light red round-necked ruqun with cloud and swallow patterns, and a red gold hair ornament inlaid with pearls, which made her already bright features even more elegant.
Noticing Dai Li's gaze, Nangong Zijin tightened her chin slightly and bowed to her, "Madam, I am the sixth child in my family. You can call me Nangong Xiaoliu. I apologize for bothering you."
Dai Li smiled.
The girl's tearful expression was still vivid in her mind, but now, seeing her bowing and introducing herself in an orderly manner, Dai Li felt as if she were seeing a reserved little cat.
“Come in. I have three boys and girls in my family who are about your age. You might get along well,” Dai Li said.
She had just led her people into the front yard when Qin Yanzhou hurriedly emerged from the side corridor. Seeing a visitor, the young man said cryptically, "Mother, he delivered a letter to me."
The mother and son's eyes met, and even though Qin Yanzhou didn't say it clearly, Dai Li inexplicably understood who this "he" referred to.
A letter from the Qinglian Sect.
Author's Note: We've entered the Chang'an chapter, which won't be very long. However, the intrigue of a small town might be Dengdeng's weakness, making writing it a bit of a struggle [crying emoji].
①: Preface to "Dongjing Menghualu"
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