Chapter 46 Summer Harvest
In the stillness of the night, all the households in the county had turned off their lights and gone to sleep, but in a side room of a certain mansion, the candlelight flickered, casting a dim, indistinct glow.
Qin Shaozong walked to the bedside and picked up the small mulberry paper notebook that was placed on the bed. When Dai Li saw his action, she suddenly came to her senses and subconsciously wanted to reach out and take it back, but she withdrew her hand halfway.
No need.
There's no need to hide it; she's just extremely anxious and can't wait to find Zhouzhou tomorrow. It's better for Qin Shaozong to know now; maybe he'll also think the inspection team is understaffed and give her more people…
However, Dai Li did not expect that after he turned two pages, he would say, "Madam's handwriting is quite distinctive."
Dai Li was stunned, and then belatedly realized that she had written simplified Chinese characters in the notebook.
He saw it.
Qin Shaozong flipped through the last few pages. They were all written in a strange script that he had never seen before, but he could occasionally make out one or two characters.
If it were just a few odd characters, one could argue that it was created for encryption purposes. But with pages and pages filled with such characters, it's more accurate to say it's a pre-existing font rather than a creation...
Many things were already unclear, so Dai Li simply said, "This is called simplified characters. We use this kind of character where I'm from."
“Simplified Chinese characters.” He repeated these three words, then suddenly chuckled, “That’s quite interesting.”
Dai Li's eyes darted around. "If Your Excellency wishes to learn, how about I..."
"Thump." The booklet was tossed onto the small cabinet.
"We'll talk about that later. There are more important things to do now." Qin Shaozong casually tugged at his belt, which was already loosely tied around his waist.
The military general, in the prime of his life, was tall and robust, with solid and smooth lines and contours to his chest and back. The lamplight cast a glow on his dark skin, giving it a hue reminiscent of molten gold and beeswax. His fierce and aggressive nature was palpable, and his intense hormonal aura seemed to boil the air around him.
Then, like a tiger released from its cage, a vast expanse of darkness engulfed her.
Their lips met, and at first, it could be considered a game of strategy. Dai Li tried to use gentleness to overcome strength, to make the man who now trapped her in a corner on the bed slow down.
But she soon discovered it was useless; he was out of control and acted entirely according to her own whims.
Having learned from past mistakes, Qin Shaozong initially used his palm to hold Dai Li's chin, his long fingers gently wedging into her teeth through her snow-white skin.
He entered and ransacked the place like a hungry tiger that, after a long journey and many dangers, finally enjoyed a feast that was uniquely his own.
Two breaths, one rapid and one deep, mingled together, the scorching heat seemingly filling her entire mouth, causing tears to well up in Dai Li's eyes, and her chin began to tremble uncontrollably.
It was as if tiny flames had been ignited within her bones, and as his attacks grew more intense, the flames spread throughout her body along with the flow of blood. Her apricot-colored sash was hooked and torn open, and the handkerchief embroidered with the same color peonies also came loose.
A rough, rubbing sensation came from her waist, the touch traveling up her waistline like a gust of wind carrying a spark, igniting a raging fire wherever it passed. Upon reaching the summit, his hand opened and then closed again.
Dai Li let out a muffled groan.
He was restless, even causing chaos, switching between tightening and loosening his grip, and occasionally maliciously using the thick calluses on his fingers to gently gather, twist, rub, and pick.
A sudden electric shock struck her, and Dai Li groaned as she tried to curl up, but with him in front of her and the solid couch behind her, there was very little space left for her.
The pale fingers clinging to his shoulder blades tightened incessantly, and Dai Li's neatly manicured nails drew several light red marks on his taut shoulder blades. The slight stinging made him even more excited, and the dark, thick muscles on his shoulders and back rippled slightly.
The soft flesh, like that of a ripe, plump lychee, overflowed from between his long fingers. Its translucent white color was dazzling, and under the dim candlelight, it shimmered like a pearl.
Just then, a small bird with its wings folded landed on the windowsill, blinking its beady eyes and curiously peering into the room.
A strange noise drifted out from inside, sounding like a tiger crouching by a pond in the jungle, drinking water with its tongue. The little sparrow hopped around a couple of times, but was suddenly startled by the sudden wailing sound and quickly flapped its little wings and flew away.
Inside the dimly lit silk curtains.
As if to make sure she wouldn't try the same trick again, Qin Shaozong released his grip on her chin, then pressed her down and kissed her fiercely for a while until she let out a soft moan of weakness before pulling away slightly.
Qin Shaozong gazed at the woman lying on the brocade quilt. Her full lips and cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were shimmering with water, holding a pool of captivating mist that could make one drown in it.
A faint fragrance wafted through the tent, brushing past his nose and surging through his agitated nerves, like honey poured on a raging fire, igniting an astonishing greed.
He leaned down again, this time finding her round earlobe, caressing that delicate skin while deliberately blowing his warm breath into her ear canal.
"Qin Changgeng, you can't do this..."
Dai Li trembled at his actions, desperately trying to dodge him, but he chased her and cornered her in the middle of the tatami room. She curled up into a ball, but he forcefully unfolded her and let her do as he pleased.
The window in the room was not closed tightly, and a breeze blew in, causing the candlelight inside to flicker several times.
The floor, illuminated by the candlelight, flickered erratically, and a streak of light suddenly slid down from the couch and landed on the footstool beside it.
The wind stopped, and the candlelight also died down. The apricot-colored trousers lay quietly on the footboard, unnoticed.
*
Yanzhou, Gaoling County, Fan Residence.
In the dead of night, when most people were already asleep, the study in the Fan family mansion was still brightly lit.
Fan Tianshi and his eldest and second sons were in the room, and the three of them were gathered around a long table.
"Father, I never imagined that Gansu and Xuzhou were so wealthy!" Fan Zhongmin, Fan Tianshi's second son, exclaimed repeatedly as he held the gift list.
Not long ago, a batch of tribute from Xuzhou was transported into Gaoling County overnight and, under the cover of darkness, quietly entered the governor's mansion.
The current emperor of Great Yan is young and essentially a figurehead, having lost control over the various states. However, the governors of the states are not stingy in putting on a show of power.
Every year, they were required to present gifts to the imperial court and pay grain taxes as required, but only they themselves knew exactly how much of it was embezzled and how much went into their own pockets.
The routes for gifts to reach the capital are not difficult to trace, since there are only so many official roads. However, in this increasingly chaotic world, with bandits running rampant, whether these gifts can successfully reach the capital depends entirely on their own abilities.
The eldest son, Fan Boliang, said, "Quan Jie is a reliable man; he almost always succeeds in his actions. By the way, Father, how many people were lost this time?"
Fan Tianshi: "Of the three who came back, one is basically useless."
Fan Zhongmin clicked his tongue twice, his tone devoid of any regret. "Almost the entire army was wiped out. That Quan Jie is incredibly resilient. I remember he was the one who brought back that batch of goods from Qingzhou last time. I just wonder how the cleanup work went?"
“He’s always been meticulous, so there shouldn’t be any problem,” said Fan Boliang, the older brother, calmly.
The Fan family has deep roots; they don't lack the money, but rather value the significance those goods represent. This is both to make the other prefecture appear more arrogant before the court and to conveniently frame someone.
The east family's things were stolen, and they left clues saying that the west family stole them, causing the two families to fight, so they could reap the benefits in the middle.
“Father, the Inu-gaku knife is indeed very useful, but I have some inexplicable worries.” Fan Boliang frowned and said, “Over the years, he has handled many things and knows too much. If he betrays the Fan family one day, although it may not bring disaster to the Fan family, it will still cause a lot of trouble.”
Fan Zhongmin, seemingly lost in thought, nodded angrily. “Father, Quan Jie is dishonest! I don’t know what tricks he used to make Xiao Ba chase after him. Could it be that he’s no longer satisfied with being an adopted son and wants to be your son-in-law? What a pipe dream! A lowly slave without parents, he should take a piss and look at himself in the mirror.”
The Eighth Young Lady was their only sister, born of the same mother. The two brothers always cared deeply for their sister.
"Father, have you ever thought about getting a different knife?" Fan Boliang asked in a low voice.
Fan Tianshi took the long list of gifts from his second son, his eyes filled with deep reluctance and doubt. "Among the orphans we've taken in these past few years, none have been particularly outstanding. If we lose Quan Jie, no one can take his place. I've already warned him about Xiao Ba's matter, and I think he's ashamed of himself and will be more careful in his actions in the future."
The two brothers wanted to say more, but at this moment Fan Tianshi changed the subject, "Qin Shaozong has gone south. That bastard Nangong Xiong is really reckless, actually bringing him here. It's easy to invite a god but hard to send him away. Ha, I'll see how Nangong Qingzhou ends up in the end."
The name "Qin Shaozong" was like a boulder thrown into a lake, momentarily stunning the Fan brothers.
Both of them knew that the terrain around Youzhou was originally extremely poor. In recent years, the northern kingdom had repeatedly invaded, and the southern states were not peaceful, so it was a place where they were attacked from both sides.
Yet, that barren land was revitalized. First, they absorbed the finest horses from the north; then they annexed the territory of Bingzhou; and finally, they seized Yingjun, which was adjacent to a salt lake.
The lord who once guarded the frontier now possesses abilities far beyond just that...
“Father, just as you predicted, the northern merchant caravan selling saltstone in the county is connected to the Qin family,” Fan Boliang said in a low voice.
"This Qin Shaozong is truly capable; he actually managed to get such good stuff from the Hu merchants," Fan Zhongmin said with envy.
Fan Tianshi: "They are not necessarily foreign merchants."
"Father?" Fan Zhongmin asked in surprise.
Fan Tianshi changed the subject: "I remember Qin Shaozong had two sons and a daughter. Neither of his sons were married, and their ages were just about right for Xiao Ba."
"Father, do you intend to marry my sister to Qin Shaozong's son?" Fan Zhongmin's face immediately showed a conflicted expression. "But I remember that the first two weren't his biological children, and the second one is his biological son..."
Fan Zhongmin had a hard time explaining it. "He's ranked last, not the eldest. I've heard that Qin Shaozong doesn't care much about him. Even if my sister marries him and becomes his wife, I still feel like I'm at a disadvantage."
Fan Boliang nodded in agreement. His own sister was, of course, the best no matter how you looked at it.
Fan Tianshi said coldly, "If the Fan and Qin families can form a marriage alliance, the Qin family would be a good match for Xiao Ba."
*
The night was very deep, and the moon rose high in the sky before slowly setting in the west.
While most commoners were already asleep, a certain residence in Guoyun County remained bustling with activity. More precisely, the small room was still lively, as neither of the two owners had gone to bed.
The candles had long since burned out automatically, and all the light in the room came from the moonlight that seeped in through the window.
Looking in from outside the couch, one could see a burly figure with his back to the outside, seemingly blocking something in a corner. A long, straight, white leg stretched out from the man's waist, the pink heel trembling as it rubbed against the brocade back below, as if trying to use the leverage to pull back.
But behind the horn were two tightly joined walls, making retreat impossible; ahead were jagged, grotesque rocks, preventing any further advance.
It's unclear what was triggered, but the muscles on that white leg suddenly tensed, and even the rounded toes curled up forcefully. After about two breaths, they suddenly and weakly relaxed again.
A low laugh rang out.
The dark-colored hand grasped the section of white leg, lifted it up, and placed it on his arm, continuing to do what he hadn't finished earlier with great force.
"Qin Changgeng, let's find another place, away from the wall..."
Her voice was like a pool of water, with a slight tremor at the end that carried an indescribable charm, causing the prominent Adam's apple of the man in front of her to bob up and down once more.
"You just said you didn't like lying down, but now you've changed your mind. You don't want this, you don't want that. Madam is really too delicate and difficult to please." Qin Shaozong smiled and stepped back a distance.
His retreat was slow, and every tiny movement was very clear.
Dai Li snorted, instinctively tilting her head back to take a breath, trembling so much she couldn't speak. But before she could catch her breath, her waist suddenly tightened, and she was pulled out of the corner, flipped over, and laid face down.
Dai Li's former colleague had a cat at home, and the colleague often shared photos of the cat's daily life, including one of the cat stretching after waking up.
She always thought that pose was adorable, a fluffy ball curled up in a slope, so cute it could melt your heart, making you want to reach out and rub that fluffy ball.
However, when she turned into a cat and was tightly held at the waist, unable to break free, Dai Li realized that everything was going to turn out badly.
This man enjoys a bold and unrestrained lifestyle on his couch; the words "gentle and refined" are completely inapplicable to him. He is domineering, brooks no resistance, and has some peculiar little quirks that he keeps secret from outsiders.
The pile of brocade in front of her kept swaying, almost filling her entire field of vision.
When that unbearable urge surged up from below again, rising to her throat, Dai Li felt as if a feather tip had brushed against her throat, causing a fine, tingling sensation that almost made her exhale. She couldn't help but take a step forward on her knees and bite down on the swaying corner of the blanket, barely managing to stop the sound rising in her throat.
Dai Li was covered in a light sweat, as if she had just finished a sauna. She was drenched in sweat, as if she were covered in a layer of fine starlight.
Summer is also a season of harvest, with ripe, plump peaches covered in a beautiful pink hue.
A breeze blew by, and the large fruit swayed and trembled. With the occasional soft clapping sound, the bright pink color intensified, as if the ripe fruit on the branch was about to burst out with sweet juice.
Dai Li felt that whether in ancient or modern times, leaders were probably all skilled at making empty promises. Whenever she was about to give up, this person would make her empty promises.
"Madam, please hold on a little longer. Once we find your son, I will treat him as a true son of the Qin family, how about that?"
"……real?"
"Of course."
Dai Li sobbed and felt dizzy, as if she had turned into a fallen leaf and been swept away by a storm.
She drifted aimlessly in the wind and rain, powerless to control herself, uncontrollably lifted high into the air, suspended in mid-air, and then suddenly falling. It was as if one second she was about to land, and the next she was being carried to the steel wire on a precipice.
After repeating this for a long time, she drifted to the spring in the mountain stream, where the rushing water tossed her to pieces.
As her consciousness began to fade, Dai Li had only one thought in her mind: what he said in bed should be kept as a promise, and there should be no taking it back!
*
As dawn broke, many people in the mansion woke up, and the military officers began their daily morning exercises without fail.
This residence was originally the home of a merchant, so naturally there was no training ground. But that didn't matter; the generals brought their own weapons and could practice martial arts anywhere they wanted.
Banquets are the best place to exchange information. After a few rounds of drinks, people who are usually very talkative become very easy to talk to and will answer any questions asked.
Kuang Ye and the others were talking about the information he had gathered the day before, after he had put his arm around the Qingzhou military generals and become sworn brothers with them.
"Qingzhou suspects that the batch of tribute they transported to Chang'an was hijacked by people from Yanzhou. Because of this, some of their soldiers had a conflict with the people from Yanzhou."
“I overheard it last night too. They suspect it was stolen by an adopted son of Fan Yanzhou called Ghost Face.”
Mo Yanyun scoffed, "Ghost Face? Tsk, what an unlucky name. If this guy dares to try anything funny with us, I'll twist his head off and use it as a wine vessel!"
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A note from the author:
I desperately need nutrient solution! [Yellow Heart]
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