Chapter 91: A Childhood Betrothal Arranged?
White City.
After a long and tiring journey, Dai Li returned to Bai Ri City with Qin Shaozong.
After nearly two months apart, the two women wept with joy upon seeing Dai Li again.
Seeing their expressions of regret and shame, Dai Li simply comforted them that she hadn't suffered, and didn't dare to say that she didn't want to come back later.
Upon returning to Bai Ri City, the first thing Dai Li did was take her son to find Ding Lianxi.
The Qinglian Sect and the Northern Army were enemies, and Qin Shaozong himself was extremely disgusted with ghosts and gods and sects. Therefore, when examining her, Dai Li only said, "Mr. Ding, my son accidentally ingested poison outside. I heard that once the medicine is ingested, it must be taken regularly in the future, otherwise it can cause the intestines to rupture. Please help me take his pulse."
Ding Lianxi immediately straightened up and said, "Young master, please sit down and extend your right hand."
Qin Yanzhou did as he was told.
Ding Lianxi began to take the pulse.
Dai Li watched from the side, her heart pounding with each passing moment as Ding Lianxi's brow furrowed. After a long while, seeing Ding Lianxi withdraw his hand, she hurriedly asked, "Mr. Ding, how is my son...?"
When she spoke again, her voice trembled slightly.
“Madam Dai, the young master’s pulse is normal. Please forgive my lack of skill; I have not been able to detect any signs of poisoning,” Ding Lianxi said.
Dai Li felt a wave of dizziness.
How could there be no abnormalities?
“Zhouzhou, tell Mr. Ding in detail what happened last night,” Dai Li said to her son.
This morning, she noticed her son looked unwell and asked him if he hadn't slept well last night. What was meant as a casual question turned into an unexpected observation about his complexion.
After some questioning, Zhouzhou finally told her that he hadn't felt well last night.
I have severe tinnitus, dizziness, and abdominal pain.
Dai Li's first thought was that he had been poisoned.
“My stomach started hurting at the end of midnight last night and lasted for an hour. At the end of Chou hour, I heard a buzzing sound in both ears…” He paused for a moment before saying, “It sounded a bit like the flapping of insect wings.”
The color drained from Dai Li's face.
"Around the beginning of Yin hour, I felt dizzy for about 15 minutes, as if I were on a cloud. But after the end of Yin hour, when it got light, everything returned to normal," Qin Yanzhou recounted.
Ding Lianxi's expression was solemn. He asked Qin Yanzhou to extend his hand again so that he could take Qin Yanzhou's pulse once more.
This time, the pulse diagnosis took even longer than last time. Afterward, Ding Lianxi carefully examined Qin Yanzhou's eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, but the result was the same.
Ding Lianxi looked ashamed. "Madam Dai, I couldn't find anything wrong. The young master's pulse was a bit floating, but it's autumn now, so it's normal for the pulse to be more restless than usual."
"Mother, I'm fine. I'll be back to normal after dawn," Qin Yanzhou comforted her.
Ding Lianxi pondered for a moment, "Young master, how many times have you had these symptoms recently?"
Qin Yanzhou: "It happens about once every ten days, always at night."
Ding Lianxi frowned in amazement, "Such a pattern is truly unheard of. Madam Dai, I am powerless to help you and cannot see any clues. Perhaps after we return to Yuyang, I can introduce the young master to my grandfather."
Dai Li readily agreed and thanked him repeatedly. "By the way, Mr. Ding, my son just said he heard the sound of insects flapping their wings. Is it possible that... he has insects inside him?"
In Dai Li's mind, "Gu worms" only exist in television or novels.
The most famous historical record of such unorthodox practices is the "Witchcraft Persecution" during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. However, this involved Liu Che believing that someone was cursing him with witchcraft. Leaving aside the fact that it involved puppets, the very act of "believing" is highly subjective, and it's debatable whether it actually happened.
However, the Great Yan Dynasty, in which Dai Li now resides, does not exist in the history she is familiar with. Although the general environment is similar to that of the Qin and Han dynasties, it is not entirely the same; for example, items such as stirrups appeared earlier.
So is it possible that some bizarre and mysterious things also exist in this era?
Ding Lianxi sighed, "We can't rule out that possibility, but we still need to have someone's grandfather look at it."
"Then I'll have to trouble Mr. Ding to help us make the connection," Dai Li said again.
"Mrs. Dai is too kind."
Dai Li's thoughts wandered, wondering when she could return to Yuyang. If Qin Shaozong didn't return so soon, could she take Zhouzhou there for medical treatment first?
...
While Dai Li brought her son to see Ding Lianxi, Qin Shaozong was receiving guests in the main hall.
Nangong Xiongxun came to our door.
He didn't like drinking tea, but preferred drinking alcohol, so Qin Shaozong had wine served and they drank and chatted happily together.
"Qin Changgeng, you've been gone for over a month. I've kept Bai Ri City well under my protection. How about that? Aren't I good enough?" Nangong Xiong said, holding a wine cup.
Qin Shaozong raised his glass to him, saying, "Of course, that's more than enough."
Nangong Xiong laughed and said, "When I invited you to come south to form an alliance, I was determined to weather the storms with the North. I will not break my promise. But one thing at a time, Qin Changgeng, you killed all the men of the Fan family, and my future son-in-law also died at your hands. You ruined my son-in-law, do you have to compensate me with another one?"
When he heard the middle part of the conversation, Qin Shaozong knew that this guy hadn't just come to have a drink with him.
Qin Shaozong invited him, "It's almost lunchtime, why don't you have a meal at my residence?"
Nangong Xiong arrived right at mealtime, intending to dine at the Qin residence and prolong the conversation. "Then I shall respectfully accept your invitation."
Qin Shaozong ordered his servants to prepare the meal.
Just as he turned his head, he heard Nangong Xiong continue, "Neither of your two sons are married. What difference would it make if you just picked one of them and gave it to me?"
This is to put the matter directly and frankly.
Qin Shaozong paused slightly in his hand holding the wine cup. "Yun Ce is my elder brother's son. When my elder brother and sister-in-law passed away one after the other, they were five years old and two years old respectively. As the saying goes, once people leave, the tea cools. At that time, there were many opportunists in the clan and outsiders who took advantage of the young children who were helpless. So I made them recognize me as their father, so that others would no longer bully them openly or secretly."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Xiong thought to himself, "Now that I've acknowledged you as my father, the marriage arrangements are entirely up to you."
"But Yun Ce was already old enough to remember things by then, and he had a deep affection for my brother. At first, he was unwilling to accept my proposal. I had to explain the situation to him and promise that when he came of age, if he wanted to change back and become his biological father's son openly and legitimately, and call me uncle again, that would be fine," Qin Shaozong said.
Nangong Xiong was greatly surprised, "Really? Qin Changgeng, are you trying to trick me?"
How can one simply accept or reject the idea of acknowledging one's father?
"Why would I lie to you? On the Qin family genealogy, they are still listed under my brother's name." Qin Shaozong sneered, then fell silent for a moment. "I have wronged my brother, how can I forcibly take another's child?"
Nangong Xiong muttered, "How old is he again? When will he come of age?"
Qin Shaozong: "He is nineteen years old and will come of age this winter."
Nangong Xiong's mind raced. What he valued was Qin Shaozong's power. If his eldest son recognized his biological father, even if he married his daughter to him, it would be of no use.
So Nangong Xiong changed his question and asked, "What about the younger one? I haven't heard that your son is engaged."
Qin Shaozong lazily swirled the wine cup, watching the liquid float in the glass. "His mother arranged a marriage for him as soon as he was born."
Nangong Xiong gasped, "Whose family are they from?"
“A woman from his mother’s side of the family,” Qin Shaozong said.
Qin Shaozong was the second son in the Qin family. Initially, the entire Qin family revolved around his elder brother, who married into the prominent Jiang family of Yuyang.
When it was his turn to get married, his father told him that the Wei family and the Wu family were going to form a marriage alliance, and if the Qin family ignored it, the Wei family would be won over by the Wu family.
The Qin and Wu families were sworn enemies. First, their heirs died at the hands of the other, and then there was the struggle for the governorship. The two families were locked in a fierce and bitter feud.
The Wei family was one of the major clans in Yuyang.
Seeing the marriage alliance between Wu and Wei, Qin's father and a group of clan elders couldn't sit still. Since they still had a second son, they simply decided to arrange a marriage between this youngest son and the Wei family.
Given the situation at the time, both the Qin and Wu families were supporting the Wei family, which made the latter feel emboldened and put on a very high-handed attitude.
Later, the Wei family keenly realized that this son-in-law of the Qin family was probably no ordinary person. Seizing the opportunity, at the grandson's birth celebration banquet, the Wei family daughter, who had married into the Qin family, took the lead in arranging a marriage between the grandson and the Wei family.
Of course, Qin Shaozong only told half of what he said, without telling Nangong Xiong about some of the later changes.
Nangong Xiong frowned deeply.
Of the two sons, it's uncertain whether one can be saved, and the other has already been arranged to marry, which is equivalent to losing him as well.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Nangong Xiong's mind. "That's right, I heard that Nalan Wugong recently took on a disciple named 'Qin Yanzhou.' In the past, so many talented and ambitious people wanted to become Nalan Wugong's disciples, but they all failed in the end. How come this 'Qin Yanzhou' is an exception? The surname is Qin. I remember you once said that Quan Jie was a son of the Qin family, but he was kidnapped when he was young and eventually ended up under Fan Tianshi's command. Could it be that this 'Qin Yanzhou' is Quan Jie? Now he has simply abandoned his past and changed his name to appear in public again?"
As he spoke, he stroked his chin and murmured, "'Qin Yanzhou'—the name sounds strangely familiar..."
Qin Shaozong abruptly stopped shaking the wine cup.
It must be said that Nangong Xiong truly had exceptional qualities to become the ruler of a province.
Nangong Xiong, who had been observing Qin Shaozong, chuckled upon seeing this. "Looks like my guess was right. You said he was the son of an old friend. Who is this old friend, male or female?"
Nangong Xiong's last question was just a casual inquiry, but to his surprise, the person next to him glanced at him and said, "Nangong, you've been talking a lot today. Are you drunk?"
"My old friend is a woman?!" Nangong Xiong exclaimed in surprise.
His mind raced through several thoughts in an instant. Qin's son, an old friend—could it be that the old friend was Qin Changgeng's former lover, and that boy was her secretly born son?
“My younger brother has a daughter who is fifteen years old. She is pretty and gentle. What do you think about betrothing her to Qin Yanzhou?” Nangong Xiong asked tentatively.
Qin Changgeng's willingness to go to such lengths to clean up that kid's mess shows how much he values him. With the eldest son's fate uncertain and the second son's chances gone, it's better to first ensnare Qin Yanzhou, whose identity is currently unknown but likely not too bad.
Although his younger brother's status was not as high as his, and his niece was not as beautiful as his daughter, their family background was still there, so he did not disgrace his family.
Qin Shaozong replied coldly, "Not good."
If he dares to promise that boy's marriage, she'll tear the roof down—that's the least she can do. Who knows, he might just take his son and run off again.
Nangong Xiong was about to speak again when the cooks brought in the food. As soon as they entered, Nangong Xiong subconsciously sniffed and smelled a very strong aroma.
It smells so good!
"What delicacies are we having today?" Nangong Xiong's attention was diverted.
"Stir-fried mutton with Sichuan peppercorns, and fish soup made from fried fish," Qin Shaozong said with a smile.
The two ate at separate tables, each serving two portions.
When several ceramic dishes were presented, Nangong Xiong, who was usually fond of drinking, for the first time forgot about the wine in his glass and stared intently at the meat in front of him.
It's no exaggeration to say that the aroma is irresistible.
Without being polite to Qin Shaozong, he picked up his jade chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and stuffed it into his mouth.
At that moment, the rich aroma danced on his taste buds, so powerful that Nangong Xiong's pupils constricted. He exclaimed in amazement, "It was truly worth the journey through this world!"
Then she asked him, "Qin Changgeng, where did you come from to create this delicious dish?"
"My wife ordered it to be made." Qin Shaozong also picked up his chopsticks.
Nangong Xiong paused in his chewing, inexplicably recalling the woman who had accompanied Qin Shaozong on his expedition, and some rumors that circulated. "Was that woman surnamed Dai?"
Qin Shaozong nodded, without denying it.
"Tsk, you're so lucky." Nangong Xiong felt a pang of envy. The dragon bone waterwheel was such a wonderful thing; farmers all over the land were grateful to the North because of it.
Nangong Xiong had arrived right at mealtime, intending to eat and talk, determined to take one of Qin Shaozong's sons back as his son-in-law. However, after they started eating, apart from the first two sentences, he buried his head in his food and ate without saying another word.
Qin Shaozong saw this and seemed to see his younger self in it. He couldn't help but smile, his thoughts drifting away.
She'll probably take that boy to find Ding Lianxi as soon as she gets back to the city today, but I wonder what the outcome will be?
The meal is over.
Nangong Xiong was still not satisfied. His stomach was full, but his appetite was not diminished at all. After eating one meal, he immediately thought about the next. "Qin Changgeng, how did Dai Shi make this mutton? It is so fragrant. Tell me the recipe."
Qin Shaozong: "I won't say."
Nangong Xiong thought he had misheard, but when he looked at the man again, he saw that he was very relaxed and had a smile on his lips that made people's fists itch.
Well, he heard right, Qin Changgeng did it on purpose.
Nangong Xiong was displeased, "It's just a delicious dish, why should a man be so stingy?"
Qin Shaozong: "This method is under the jurisdiction of my wife. If you really want to know, Nangong, why don't you find some treasures that ladies like? If she is pleased with them, she might tell you."
*
Yuyang County.
Qin Shaozong's ancestral home was Youzhou, and Yuyang County, as the core of Youzhou, became far more prosperous than other places as Qin Shaozong grew increasingly powerful.
This place is home to many powerful and influential families, with the Qin, Jiang, Wei, Zou, and Cai families being the most prominent and among the most powerful clans.
A few years ago there was also a Wu family, but unfortunately the Wu family lost out layer by layer in the power struggle with the Qin family and was eventually forced to withdraw from the Yuyang elite circle.
Several prominent families took root in Yuyang like vines, with one family being related to another by marriage, and another having close ties with yet another.
There are good relationships, and there are bad relationships.
Friction, both large and small, has always existed between the various families, ranging from major disputes over official positions, military merits, and land, to minor squabbles among family members over women.
Today, the spoiled brat of the Zhang family beat up the spoiled brat of the Li family; tomorrow, the Sun family will hold a lavish banquet for relatives and friends in their mansion, but will deliberately omit a certain family as a way of humiliating them.
Big and small things kept happening one after another, and the local commoners had new gossip to hear every now and then. And recently, something quite significant happened in Yuyang County.
Wei Conglin of the Wei family accidentally killed someone after drinking with his friends.
The deceased was none other than Cai Pei, a member of the Cai family who had recently clashed with Wei Conglin and was a county commandant.
Unfortunately, the Cai family and the Wei family didn't have a good relationship to begin with.
Author's note: I'm here! [hugs]
Please, please give me some nutrient solution! [Sprinkling flowers]
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