Chapter 45 Hidden a Celestial Beauty
As the head of a prefecture, even if Guoyun County did not have a prefectural governor's mansion, Nangong Xiong could still arrange two residences in just a few words.
The two mansions were built side by side and had been vacant since the merchants went to other places to do business. Both had signs on their doors, waiting for the right person to buy them.
The destined person didn't arrive, but a tyrant did. Nangong Xiong forcibly requisitioned the two residences and even sent servants to clean them. They cleaned everything from top to bottom, even pulling out all the weeds in the courtyard and replacing them with pleasing green plants, striving to make the residences look brand new.
In the main hall of the South Mansion.
Nangong Xiong, the one who invited the event, paced back and forth in the hall, his steps revealing a hint of anxiety.
"Nangong Qingzhou has arrived! Lord Qin has arrived!" a guard hurriedly reported.
Nangong Xiong's spirits lifted, thinking, "Finally!" He was about to go out to greet them when he heard the guard add a final sentence:
"I saw several young ladies in Lord Qin's entourage. He took the ladies and went to the North Residence first."
Generally speaking, for such important meetings, to show the importance attached to them, leaders should go directly to the other party's residence. As for their luggage and other belongings, they can be handed over to subordinates to pack; after all, there are plenty of people available, so why do it personally?
Not to mention that nowadays, with two houses next to each other, this kind of "passing by one's own door without entering" seems rather arrogant.
Nangong Xiong was astonished, "A woman? Since when has Qin Shaozong taken a woman with him on his expeditions?"
It's not that no powerful rulers bring female relatives on campaigns, and many armies even keep prostitutes. But as far as he knew, the Northern Army was very strict about this, and he had never heard of Qin Shaozong bringing female relatives on his past campaigns.
Now, is there several more in one area?
Something's not right; there must be something fishy going on.
"Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?" Nangong Xiong asked.
The guard nodded. "Three young women are riding in the same carriage, but two of them look like maids."
Nangong Xiong looked at Zhang Mingdian beside him, "What does Quan Shu think?"
Zhang Mingdian: "Let's not worry about the girls for now. As long as the alliance is secure, let alone a few girls, even if he brings a hundred, it's fine."
After waiting for about 15 minutes, Nangong Xiong finally saw the person.
In fact, the two had met in their early years, back when Qin Shaozong was still a teenager, around sixteen or seventeen years old, and not yet burdened with family responsibilities.
He left the north with a few attendants to travel to various states, where he met Nangong Xiong in Qingzhou. One was young and impetuous, with boundless arrogance in his bones; the other had just come of age and had successfully secured his position as heir, full of vigor and ambition.
When the two meet, even a small matter can escalate into a major conflict. When Qin Shaozong's servants were beaten, he turned around and set fire to Nangong Xiong's private residence before fleeing with his men.
Years have passed, and the major conflict of that time has long since become a trivial matter.
Seeing this old friend, Nangong Xiong's back teeth still itched a little. However, he still had to say the polite words, but considering that this person had neglected his messenger first and arrived late, the greeting he spoke inevitably carried a bit of sarcasm, "It's been many years since we last met, and Lord Qin's heroic figure is even more impressive than before. It seems that you are more comfortable in the North than in Qingzhou."
Zhang Mingdian's brow twitched.
Qin Shaozong smiled and said, "The scenery in the North is indeed beautiful, otherwise merchants from Qingzhou wouldn't be flocking here in droves."
Nangong Xiong's face darkened slightly, and he was about to retort when he suddenly noticed his strategist giving him meaningful glances. He paused immediately, then coughed lightly: "It's getting late, why don't we start the banquet first?"
It's mealtime, and it's also a good time to discuss business over drinks.
The banquet begins.
Two tables were placed at the head of the table, while military officers and their advisors sat to the left and right of the lower table. Fine wine and food were served, with wine jars piled high like clouds, and they ate and talked as they went.
After several rounds of drinks, Nangong Xiong said, "Those monsters and demons of the Qinglian Sect have been making frequent small moves lately, which is extremely annoying. I'm not afraid to tell you frankly, I previously allied with Fan Yanzhou, intending to eliminate the Qinglian Army entrenched in Huai'an County. However, just before the campaign, a military officer in the Yanzhou army died."
Qin Shaozong twirled the wine cup in his hand.
Nowadays, it's very inconvenient to pass on messages, and this matter was deliberately covered up, so he really didn't know about it.
However, this is not surprising.
Nangong Xiong slammed his fist on the table in anger, “That bastard Fan Tianshi actually believes that we killed his men, it’s utterly absurd! Why would I kill his soldiers at this critical juncture? If I really don’t like him, I can always wait until later to take action.”
Zhang Mingdian, sitting to the left, coughed twice. "My lord means that we should teach him a lesson later."
Mo Yanyun chuckled, "You scholars always love to beat around the bush. If it's not straightforward, why not eliminate it?"
Nangong Xiong also smiled, "Qin Changgeng, I didn't expect you to have such a straightforward person under your command. It's rare, truly rare."
Zhang Mingdian: "..."
Qin Shaozong's lips twitched, deciding to skip the topic. "Have you completely broken ties with Fan Yanzhou now?"
“Not really,” Nangong Xiong frankly stated, “but it’s close enough. In short, he cares more about who killed his generals than about attacking the Qinglian Sect.”
Taking a sip of wine, Nangong Xiong sighed again, "Although Fan Tianshi is dull-witted, his father left him a wealthy entourage that can support his extravagant lifestyle, and besides, this man..."
"What do you think of this person?" Qin Shaozong asked casually, noticing the complicated look on his face. "Could it be that he's just having good luck?"
“You know what, he really is lucky.” Nangong Xiong said in a low voice, “Didn’t Fan Tianshi take in a lot of orphans in his early years? It is said that he specially selected those with outstanding bones and housed them in several courtyards. Among these hundred or so people, some died, some were crippled, but some stood out.”
Qin Shaozong seemed to be deep in thought.
He had informants in every state, though the number varied. He had heard about Fan Tianshi adopting a son, but that was all.
Some people like to keep dancers as pets, some like to keep wild beasts as livestock, and naturally some people like to be the father of others everywhere.
But how to stand out?
No name has yet reached his ears.
“Quan Jie,” Nangong Xiong said, “but because he often wears a ghost mask, many people call him Ghost Face. This man has done many dirty things for Fan Tianshi, not only eliminating some old ministers who rely on their seniority and spies from other states. I once suspected that the supplies that my Qingzhou supplied to the court last year were robbed by this bastard.”
Qin Shaozong downed the wine in his cup in one gulp. "Quan Jie is both a domestic dog and a weed. You can't expect a horse to run without eating grass. What kind of good deal is that? Quan Jie won't last long under Fan Tianshi's command."
As if he had finally found Qin Shaozong's weakness, Nangong Xiong sneered, "Escape? It's not that easy. As far as I know, this Ghost-Faced Dog Mustard came to the Fan family when he was twelve years old, and it's been seven years now. In those seven years, he's done a whole lot of dirty deeds and has already made enemies everywhere. Not to mention that Fan Tianshi won't let him go, even if he escapes, there will be no one to protect him. With the Fan family chasing him and his enemies coming to his door, this kid will die even faster."
Qin Shaozong didn't care and poured himself a glass of wine. "That's true."
"He only has two paths to escape this situation. One is to slit his own throat, die early and be reborn, hoping for a luckier next life where he won't have to be someone's dog. The other is..."
Nangong Xiong suddenly laughed. "Find a father who is even more powerful and influential than Fan Tianshi, and have that father deal with all of Fan Tianshi and his enemies. That way, he can be kept safe. But if he's not his own son, and they have no relatives or friends, what powerful ruler would be willing to be such a sucker, doing all that work for nothing, just making trouble for himself? Are they out of their minds? Even if he were his own son, not everyone would be willing to go to such lengths."
As long as you have many concubines, you'll have many children.
Fan Tianshi is a prime example. He had several concubines, and not counting those who died young, he had fifteen or sixteen children still alive. If that guy really had such an unfortunate son, he would probably just let him fend for himself, as if he had never been born.
"So let's stick to the first rule: slit your throat and die a quick death. Before you're reincarnated in your next life, remember to pray to the gods and Buddhas, begging for a good rebirth," Nangong Xiong said.
"Just an insignificant person," Qin Shaozong said indifferently, "He would indeed have died a quicker death."
The story of the Ghost-Faced Dog Mustard was merely a casual topic of conversation over drinks. Nangong Xiong mentioned it casually, and Qin Shaozong listened casually as well; no one paid it any mind.
The conversation then returned to the topic of the alliance, including how to deal with Yanzhou later on.
After the important matters had been discussed, Nangong Xiong whispered to Qin Shaozong, "The women of Qingzhou are gentle, graceful, and charming. Would Lord Qin like to experience their beauty?"
"Thank you. But Nangong Qingzhou can experience it for himself." Qin Shaozong put down his wine cup.
Nangong Xiong was immediately displeased by his indifferent tone. His Qingzhou woman was as beautiful as a flower; what did this man mean by his tone? Did he look down on her?
"I heard that Lord Qin came with his female relatives. Could it be that you've hidden a celestial beauty in the house next door?" Nangong Xiong couldn't help but ask.
Qin Shaozong turned around. He had drunk quite a bit of wine that night, and there were several wine jars piled up around them. But his brown eyes were not clouded; instead, they were like the surface of a knife reflecting a cold light. "I have come south to fight the Qinglian Sect. I hope that Nangong Qingzhou can focus on this matter."
The unspoken message: Don't meddle in things you shouldn't, and don't be curious about things you shouldn't be curious about.
Nangong Xiong scoffed, "I'm treating you with kindness, but you don't appreciate it. My Qingzhou girls are more beautiful than any other woman in the north, and they have more charm than yours."
Qin Shaozong: "I am exhausted from my long journey. Now that things are settled, there is nothing else to talk about. Why don't we all go back and recharge? What do you think, Nangong Qingzhou?"
Nangong Xiong's face was slightly dark.
Guoyun County was, after all, Qingzhou's territory, and he was the host; therefore, he should rightfully be the one to say the closing words. More than twenty years have passed, and Qin Shaozong remains unchanged…
"That's enough for today," Nangong Xiong said with a forced smile.
*
After having dinner, Dai Li took a stroll around the mansion and finally went back to her room for a bath.
Compared to Yingjun, Qingzhou has a much more developed water system, making water acquisition relatively easy.
The mansion had been carefully prepared before they moved in, and it was fully equipped with everything they needed, from furniture and decorations to clothing, horse feed, and even flower petals to add fragrance to the tubs.
The organizers were incredibly meticulous.
Now that it's summer, just adjust the bath water to lukewarm.
Nianxia and Bibo prepared a bucket of water and thoughtfully placed a basin filled with hot water next to it, so that Daili could add water at any time and extend her bath time.
After a relaxing bath, Dai Li got dressed and returned to the inner room. She took out a small notebook made of mulberry paper and a small charcoal pencil from the box and began to write and draw.
This is a roster that records the name of each member of the inspection team, as well as general information about the merchants who have gone to the North to purchase refined salt, including which caravan came from which place and which state they are going to.
In addition, there was a condensed map that she had asked Mo Yanyun to draw.
“We need to send them further south to take a look,” Dai Li murmured.
The candlestick beside her burned quietly, and before she knew it, one of the candles had burned down. Dai Li closed the notebook with her plans written on it and placed it under her pillow. She was about to go to bed when a commotion broke out outside.
Dai Li guessed that Qin Shaozong must have returned.
As before, their rooms were next to each other, so it wasn't surprising that they heard noises now.
Dai Li lowered the plain curtain on one side of the couch, then moved it to the other side, intending to lower the other side as well, to block out the increasingly prevalent mosquitoes in the summer.
"Creak." The door was pushed open.
With a flick of her fingertips, the other white curtain slipped from her palm, and the two curtains closed.
The bamboo curtain above the inner door was lifted, and the bamboo strips collided with each other, making a "clattering" sound that was particularly clear in the quiet night. Dai Li's heart gradually quickened with the sound.
Through a layer of hazy white curtain, she saw a tall figure approaching from afar.
Dai Li smelled a strong odor of alcohol, and her heart skipped a beat. "How much did you drink at the banquet, Lord?"
Dark, long fingers parted a plain curtain, clearing away the veil between them, and their eyes finally met without any obstruction.
The woman on the couch wore an apricot-colored undergarment, with large embroidered peonies climbing from her waist and abdomen all the way up to her shoulders. As she approached sleep, her long black hair was unbound, flowing like water over her shoulders.
With black hair, fair skin, and red lips, the contrasting colors were exceptionally striking. The black was like ink, the white like jade, and the red like rouge. The small red dot on her forehead was the finishing touch, truly a beauty with a pure and captivating charm.
"I haven't drunk too much, I promise I won't give up halfway through tonight and disappoint Madam." His Adam's apple bobbed up and down.
In his eyes, Dai Li saw a dark expanse, like the deep sea, surging and unstoppable.
His hand rested on his belt, his long fingers about to unfasten the hidden clasp, when suddenly he heard a sound:
"etc……"
Qin Shaozong remained expressionless: "Madam."
The two words, heavy with weight, carried a hint of displeasure.
Despite the unfathomable gaze, Dai Li forced herself to continue, "My lord, you've had a long and tiring day. Why don't you take a hot spring bath to relax? Besides, the smell of alcohol is too strong; it makes me a little dizzy."
The smell of alcohol was actually secondary; the main thing was that the man on horseback had accumulated a lot of dust on him during the march. She thought that if he had been wearing a white robe, it would probably have been stained black.
"Madam's spoiled nature is truly incurable." The man standing in front of Su Zhou clicked his tongue lightly and turned to walk out.
Dai Li breathed a sigh of relief.
After everyone had completely left, she opened the brocade pillow, took out the small mulberry paper notebook, carefully flipped through it, and then stroked the rough paper.
I've already filled quite a bit of the notebook; the front pages are completely full. I really hope to receive good news before it's all filled up.
Just as she turned to the last page of the record, Dai Li heard footsteps.
It wasn't the light, graceful steps of Nianxia and Bipo, but rather...
"Clatter." The small bamboo stick rattled softly.
Dai Li looked up in disbelief, and sure enough, that familiar, imposing figure appeared before her once again.
She couldn't tell for a moment whether she was engrossed in reading the pamphlet or he had simply changed his clothes; otherwise, why would he have returned so quickly?
He stepped forward, and the shadow seemed to grow wings, quickly extending from his feet and moving forward until it reached the couch first. It then climbed onto the couch and enveloped her slender white fingers.
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Author's Note: [Heart][Heart][Heart]
I need nutrient solution. [Pity]
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