The cycle of day and night continues endlessly. The slumbering town awoke to the sunlight, as empty stalls welcomed their owners, and the streets gradually filled with the clamor of voices.
After breakfast, Dai Li once again pulled Yun Rong into the carriage to leave the estate.
For someone who rarely exercised, an abrupt change in routine would inevitably lead to sore muscles by nightfall—a discomfort that couldn’t be dispelled overnight, leaving one’s legs as weak as noodles the next day.
Yun Rong sat stiffly in the carriage, her body moving with the vehicle, but her spirit seemed to linger behind at the estate.
Dai Li knew she was reluctant but pretended not to notice.
“Sister, where is your pendant? I don’t see it on you today,” Yun Rong suddenly remarked, snapping out of her daze as she noticed Dai Li’s empty waistband.
Had she lost it again?
Losing it wouldn’t be so bad—it would give Dai Li another chance to owe her a favor. But if she recalled correctly, Dai Li had still been wearing the pendant when she returned to the estate yesterday…
Dai Li paused briefly before sighing. “After returning to my room yesterday, I noticed the cord holding the pendant had loosened—it was barely hanging on. Qin Changgeng happened to be there and saw it. Naturally, he scolded me a little. Since I’d kept it from him that I’d lost it once before, I felt guilty, so I agreed to put it away for now. That’s why I’m not wearing it today.”
Yun Rong had only asked out of curiosity, and after hearing the explanation, she let the matter drop.
Today, the two first visited a bookshop, where Dai Li waved her hand and purchased numerous scrolls and paintings, all claimed to be the final masterpieces of a renowned artist—much to the shopkeeper’s barely concealed delight.
After leaving the bookshop, they strolled through the entire North Market. Along the way, they passed Ruixiang Silk Emporium, which they had visited the day before, and Dai Li pulled Yun Rong inside once more.
Yun Rong was baffled. “Didn’t we come here yesterday? Why return today?”
Dai Li replied, “I might have misheard, but I thought someone mentioned new stock arriving today. Let’s take a look.”
Yun Rong racked her brain.
New stock? Had anyone said that?
When they left yesterday, she hadn’t heard a word about fresh fabrics arriving today.
Lost in thought, Yun Rong failed to notice Dai Li slipping away to speak with a maid. Meanwhile, just five steps away, another person locked eyes with Dai Li and gave a slight nod.
Soon after, Dai Li returned. “Sister Yun, I must have misheard—Ruixiang isn’t getting new stock today. But since there’s nothing here, let’s try another silk emporium.”
Though they had only visited two places, Yun Rong’s legs were already aching terribly. Her frustration and impatience bubbled up like swamp gas, impossible to suppress.
What was the point of all this? These fabric shops were all the same. If she truly fancied a particular material, she could simply notify the shopkeeper, who would deliver it to the estate as soon as it arrived. Why bother going in person?
Or was this just the way of a spoiled concubine—neither dignified nor refined, but as narrow-minded as a frog in a well?
“Sister Yun, are you tired again?” Dai Li suddenly asked.
Caught off guard, Yun Rong stiffened before forcing a smile. “Indeed, I am a little weary. How about we rest at a teahouse for a while?”
Dai Li walked out with her, but as they boarded the carriage, she said, “The food at Moonlight Residence is quite good. Since you’ve lived in Nankang County for years and have seen much of the world, are there any other high-class inns like Moonlight Residence here?”
Rarely praised by Dai Li, Yun Rong was happy to offer advice. “There are two others—Breeze Pavilion and Orchid Retreat. Both are excellent.”
“Orchid Retreat—what a lovely name. Let’s go there instead. It must be more refined than an ordinary teahouse.” Dai Li ordered the coachman to change course.
Moonlight Residence and Orchid Retreat were both located in the East Market, though they stood at opposite ends, facing each other across the street.
Yun Rong and Dai Li entered Orchid Retreat and, just like the day before, booked a private room to enjoy some sweets. And once again, pleased by the delicacies, Dai Li extended their stay with a generous tip.
A quarter of an hour later, Dai Li left Orchid Retreat with her maids and guards, while Yun Rong remained behind to rest.
But shortly after stepping outside, Dai Li halted. She turned to a square-jawed guard among her retinue and said, “Return to Orchid Retreat and switch places with the guard serving Sister Yun—the one with the black mole on his jaw. You needn’t follow me.”
“But the lord instructed—”
“Last night, Qin Changgeng told me that when we’re out in the city, I make the decisions. Did he not inform you?” Dai Li’s expression darkened.
Whether it was the weight of Qin Changgeng’s name from Dai Li’s lips or the guard’s own awareness of certain matters, he hesitated before bowing and turning back.
Once the only soldier belonging to Qin Shaozong had been dismissed, Dai Li turned and headed back to the North Market.
On the way, she casually instructed Ding Xiang, “Go back and inform Sister Yun that if she wishes to find me after resting, she should go to Prosperous Silk Emporium before the hour of the Monkey, and to the slave market afterward. I’ll definitely be at one of those two places. After delivering the message, bring me some honey cakes from Orchid Retreat—and be careful not to break them.”
The carriage was fast, and they had already entered the North Market. Ding Xiang would have to walk back, ensuring she wouldn’t return to Dai Li’s side anytime soon.
Bound by her mistress’s orders, Ding Xiang had no choice but to comply.
With three guards and two maids in tow—now reduced to just Tao Xiang after Ding Xiang’s departure—Dai Li arrived at the silk emporium.
In a place frequented by ladies, it was improper for the guards to follow too closely, so they were ordered to wait at the bookshop.
Dai Li began trying on garments. After the first set, she turned to Tao Xiang. “Go to the bookshop next door and check if the three of them have been driven out. If the shopkeeper dislikes their presence, take them to the bookshop where I bought the paintings earlier. Since you accompanied me then, the shopkeeper will recognize you. He won’t refuse—not after the business we did.”
Tao Xiang couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
Since when did the capricious Madam Dai care about her servants’ comfort?
Just as the thought arose, Dai Li added, “If people see my guards being chased out and standing around like wooden posts in the street, where would that leave my dignity?”
Tao Xiang: “…”
Her doubts instantly vanished. Clearly, she had overthought things—this mistress would never empathize with others.
“But Madam, if I leave, you’ll be alone here. That’s hardly proper,” Tao Xiang murmured.
Dai Li scoffed. “What’s improper about it? I’ll stay inside the emporium—where else would I go? If you can’t find me outside, I’ll be trying on clothes. Don’t disturb me; just wait. I’m not a fool—why would I abandon the comfort of being waited on to wander off alone?”
Tao Xiang supposed that made sense. This mistress was far too pampered to lift a finger herself. Still, she hurried off, eager to return quickly.
As Tao Xiang’s figure receded, the mockery and impatience on Dai Li’s face faded like ink dissolving in water, leaving only stillness behind.
The fable of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" is well-known to later generations. The first time an incident occurs, it is usually treated with great caution. But if it turns out to be nothing serious afterward, then the second time it happens, people become far less wary and vigilant.
Just like yesterday, when she parted ways with Yun Rong at Moonlight Residence, the latter had been hesitant and full of worry. Today, when the same scenario played out again, Yun Rong agreed much more readily than before.
The maids and guards who were sent away today were understandably on edge—after all, this was the first time the "wolf" had appeared.
Logically, she should have staged a few more "wolf" incidents to desensitize Tao Xiang and the others, but she didn’t have the time.
Tomorrow would be the last day of her "monthly courses." She had to leave Nankang County by then. If she didn’t leave tomorrow, then the day after…
Selecting a dress, Dai Li took a clever-looking maid from the silk shop into the fitting room with her.
Once the door was closed, Dai Li pulled out some silver coins from a small pouch and weighed them in front of the maid. "Answer a few questions truthfully, and all this will be yours."
"Please speak, madam," the maid immediately straightened up. Earning silver just for answering questions? Such an opportunity couldn’t be missed.
Dai Li: "How many ports are there around Nankang County, and where are they located?"
The maid: "There’s only one port, four li east of the city, called White Horse Crossing."
Dai Li fell into thought.
A single port meant there was only one major river nearby. It seemed that in this era, the Hutuo River had no other significant tributaries.
Four li—roughly half an hour’s walk, or two ke. In peaceful times, walking half an hour outside the city wouldn’t be an issue. But this port was in the east, where a ruined temple served as a gathering place for refugees. Walking alone outside the city walls as dusk approached was far from wise.
Better safe than sorry.
But before that…
"Does White Horse Crossing have daily departures to other places?" Dai Li clenched her fist, her palm damp with sweat, fearing the maid would shake her head and say no.
The maid nodded. "Yes. Nankang County has a large population, so ferrymen and fish vendors find it profitable to operate there, rain or shine."
The weight in Dai Li’s chest lifted instantly. "Do the long-distance voyages depart in the evening?"
The maid nodded again. "Indeed. The ferrymen usually set sail at the end of the Shen hour. Any later, and the city gates would be closed, preventing passengers from leaving. Besides, long-distance ships benefit from evening departures—passengers can sleep and wake up at their destination."
Ferrymen operated for profit, after all, so they naturally tried to attract as many passengers as possible.
Dai Li tossed the silver coins to the maid, and as the latter beamed with delight, she pulled out another handful. "I have a simple business proposition for you. If you agree, I’ll reward you handsomely—enough to keep you well-fed and clothed for years."
The maid’s heart raced at the sight of the coins. "Please speak, madam. If it’s within my power, I won’t refuse."
Dai Li: "A distant relative of mine will depart for White Horse Crossing tomorrow after the Shen hour. I need you to arrange a donkey cart for her—whether it’s a merchant’s cart or a security escort’s, as long as it’s reliable. The cart must wait at the eastern end of Harmony Street between the start of the Shen hour and the second ke. Once it picks her up, it must leave immediately."
A small pouch was tossed over, and the maid caught it eagerly with both hands.
Dai Li: "This is the deposit. After deducting the cart fare, there’ll still be plenty left. Once the job is done, I’ll give you three times this amount."
The maid clutched the pouch and nodded repeatedly, now fully invested. "One of the silk shop’s delivery workers is a distant cousin of mine. I’ll make sure the trip to White Horse Crossing is arranged perfectly. But… what does your relative look like?"
"She has dark skin and many moles on her face, often wearing a veil to hide them. She won’t be hard to recognize." Dai Li handed her a small bamboo slip with half of a black character for "cart" carved on it. "This is the token. Give it to the driver. My relative will bring the other half to match it as proof."
The maid accepted the slip solemnly.
Creak. The fitting room door opened.
Not long after, Tao Xiang returned. Dai Li tried on two more dresses and ordered several bolts of fine fabric before leaving.
At the second ke of the Shen hour, Dai Li returned to Orchid Pavilion with her guards and maids, rejoining Yun Rong, who had napped and now looked refreshed, before heading back to the estate.
Over an hour after their departure, a veiled woman carrying a bundle appeared in Orchid Pavilion.
"Shopkeeper, Madam Dai has a package she’d like to store…"
Having already dined out, Dai Li went straight to her chambers upon returning and instructed Tao Xiang and Ding Xiang to prepare bathwater. She needed to relax—tomorrow would be a tough battle, and a good night’s rest was essential.
"Madam, the bath is ready," Tao Xiang announced.
Dai Li untied her belt and began undressing when Tao Xiang spoke again. "Madam, has your monthly course ended? Should I prepare the sanitary cloth?"
Creak. The wooden hinge of the outer door turned.
Ding Xiang had just stepped out to fetch fruit, so Tao Xiang hadn’t locked the door yet. Now, it swung open with a light push.
Dai Li’s heart skipped a beat.
Ding Xiang had only just left—she shouldn’t be back so soon. Could it be…?
