Invisible serrations seemed to scrape against her taut nerves, and in that instant, Dai Li’s mind raced through a series of dreadful conjectures, each one enough to send chills down her spine.
One breath, two breaths…
Dai Li slowly turned around, her head lowered. "May I ask what instructions you have for me?"
A shadowy figure loomed over her, nearly enveloping her entirely. Startled, Dai Li barely stifled a gasp as soft fabric brushed against her cheek, carrying the faint scent of sandalwood.
It was a robe—he had thrown a long robe at her.
"Put this on before you leave," Qin Shaozong said.
Dai Li drew a deep breath, exhaling silently. Fortunately, the robe had covered her face, hiding the storm of emotions that had just played across her features.
Outside the room.
Mo Yanyun and Yan San waited, exchanging idle chatter:
"Why did His Lordship suddenly go inside? Is there something unusual about this place? Or did Jiang Chonghai secretly tell him about some treasure hidden here?" Without waiting for Yan San’s reply, Mo Yanyun stroked his chin and added, "But that doesn’t make sense. Offering treasures isn’t a bad thing—why be so secretive? Unless there’s an assassin inside."
Yan San shot him a sidelong glance. "Are you the fool, or is Jiang Chonghai the fool?"
Mo Yanyun bristled. "Hey, what’s with you? Why must you mimic His Lordship’s way of speaking? Is it because you’ve been by his side since childhood, marinating in his influence until you’ve turned out like this?"
Yan San responded with a cold glare.
"Who’s in there? Come out… You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."
The two men tensed, about to rush in, when a soft feminine voice drifted faintly from within.
Mo Yanyun halted, clicking his tongue. "And here I thought some reckless fool had dared to trespass. Turns out it’s just a woman offering herself. Hah, wasted effort. His Lordship has no mind for indulgence on this trip. Even if he did, he’d favor the handpicked beauties presented by Jiang Chonghai—what could some random woman possibly achieve?"
Yan San loosened his grip on his sword hilt. But after a few moments, his sharp instincts kicked in. "Why hasn’t she come out yet?"
Mo Yanyun belatedly realized the same. "Right, why is it taking so long? Usually, it’s over in a word. Yan San, why don’t you go in and check?"
Yan San ignored his prodding. A mere woman was no threat—certainly no assassin.
After a while, the two men finally saw a figure emerge. When they got a clear look, both froze.
The woman appeared to be in her thirties, yet she carried an extraordinary grace—elegant, gentle, with a touch of cool detachment, like a peony in full bloom atop a lofty pedestal. She wore an unbound quju robe, its dark fabric draping over her like a sheer veil, yet failing to dull her striking radiance.
Dai Li had known there were others outside, and seeing the two burly men confirmed they were subordinates of the man inside.
She had no intention of engaging with them. With a slight bow as a perfunctory greeting, she swiftly walked past them and out of the courtyard.
Mo Yanyun’s gaze followed her until she disappeared, muttering to himself, "No wonder. They say the greatest beauties hail from Luoyang and Chang’an, praised as peerless treasures found nowhere else. But in my eyes, this humble Nanjun County hides the real gems. Even the most celebrated beauties of the capital would pale beside her. Yan San, do you think that woman has any sisters?"
Yan San remained expressionless. "Lust leads to ruin. Just half a year ago, you were swindled by a female thief, left penniless and borrowing meal money from the rest of us. Have you saved enough silver already to make the same mistake?"
Mo Yanyun waved it off. "I’m not like that miser Jin Duole, clutching every coin like a lifeline. Gold and silver are meant to be spent—why not use them to win a beauty’s smile? Ah, His Lordship is coming out…"
Even after leaving the guest pavilion, Dai Li’s heart continued to pound wildly.
She was out—she’d made it!
Though she remembered the way back, she chose a different path. Now that she had a "legitimate" identity, she needed to explore more of the estate.
"Stop! Who’s wandering around here?"
At first, Dai Li didn’t realize the call was meant for her—until a man in a blue robe hurried over. But the moment he saw her, his expression shifted from irritation to bewilderment. "Who are you? Why are you roaming freely? Are you one of the new dancers from the West Pavilion? No, that can’t be—the West Pavilion only houses foreign performers."
As he scrutinized her, Dai Li studied him in return. His attire was simple, neither luxurious nor shabby—likely a steward or attendant, not the master of the house.
Such men were easy to handle. A name-drop of the right authority would silence them.
"I am His Lordship’s concubine. My robe was soiled by tea, so I need a change of clothes. Could you direct me to where the dancers reside? I’ll borrow a set from them," Dai Li said calmly.
The man’s demeanor instantly turned deferential. Dai Li’s beauty left no room for doubt. He bowed deeply. "My apologies for the earlier offense. If you need fresh attire, why trouble yourself with the dancers? Allow me to fetch a new set from the lady of the house."
Though a mere concubine stood leagues below a proper wife, her connection to a man of immense power—commanding elite forces and holding a noble title—made her untouchable. Even a steward knew better than to offend a woman who could whisper in such ears.
Eager to please, he expected gratitude, but Dai Li shook her head. "No need. You wouldn’t know His Lordship’s preferences. I’ll go myself."
The man paused. Her words carried an intimate undertone, hinting at a closeness outsiders couldn’t fathom.
Seeing her insistence, he relented, carefully explaining the route to the dancers’ quarters.
Dai Li’s eyes gleamed. She then asked for directions to the West Pavilion, which he provided.
With a nod of thanks, she headed west.
Compared to other courtyards, the foreign performers’ West Pavilion felt softer, flanked by two lush apple trees. Even before reaching the entrance, Dai Li caught whiffs of perfumed powder and occasional laughter.
Stepping inside, her gaze quickly settled on two young foreign dancers in their early twenties. She introduced herself as a dancer from the East Pavilion, sent to borrow a robe.
The two women didn’t question her. For one, they were new to the estate and still guileless; for another, their clothes were provided by the household—lending a set was no great matter.
"Do you have a color preference?" one asked.
Dai Li initially wanted to shake her head and say no, but the words caught in her throat before she swallowed them back. "May I go in with you? I’d also like to change out of these clothes while I’m there."
The young Hu girl nodded.
"What’s your name? I don’t recall seeing you before," someone suddenly spoke from inside the room.
Dai Li turned toward the voice and saw a beautiful Hu woman, around thirty years old, leaning against the window frame, eyeing her suspiciously. Judging by the woman’s tone, Dai Li suspected she had visited the eastern quarters where the dancers resided and had met many of them before.
"I’m a qin player…" Dai Li noticed the woman’s lingering doubt and added, "—a friend. My name is Songlan. I only arrived at the estate the day before yesterday, so it’s no surprise you haven’t seen me before."
The Hu woman pressed further, "Where are you originally from? How did you end up as a dancer?"
Whether in the eastern or western quarters, the women who lived there were all entertainers of little importance—the governor’s personal concubines did not reside here.
Following the young Hu girl inside, Dai Li answered smoothly as they walked, "I’m from the south. I traveled north with my husband for trade, but we were ambushed by bandits along the way. Everyone in my family was killed except for me. Later, I was rescued by a group of escorts and, after many twists and turns, ended up here. The governor hasn’t arranged for me to move yet, so I suppose he has other plans for me."
The inner room held several clothing chests. After looking through them, Dai Li finally chose a gray-blue dress.
"Are you sure about this one? Isn’t it too plain?" the young Hu girl muttered.
"It’s fine. I don’t care for flashy colors," Dai Li replied with a smile.
Once she had picked the dress, Dai Li also asked for a pair of round-toe silk shoes and changed into them on the spot. She wrapped her modern clothes and sandals in the wide-sleeved robe she had been wearing, tying the sleeves into a bundle.
"What’s your name?" Dai Li asked the Hu girl who had lent her the clothes.
The girl’s eyes brightened, and she eagerly answered, "Mijia. My name is Mijia. Don’t… forget me in the future."
Dai Li caught the underlying meaning in her words. "Of course. Mijia, do you have rice powder here?"
She had initially wanted to ask for lead powder but remembered that in this era, lead-based makeup was expensive—only noblewomen could afford it, so it wouldn’t be found in a dancer’s quarters. Without lead powder, she had to settle for the cheaper alternative: rice powder, though its effect wasn’t as good.
Mijia nodded and said she had some. She assumed Dai Li intended to apply makeup, but after handing over the powder box, she was surprised when Dai Li didn’t use it immediately. Instead, she wrapped a small amount in a handkerchief.
"Thank you. If I get the chance, I’ll repay you," Dai Li said with a smile.
Mijia was overjoyed, instantly forgetting the slight suspicion she had harbored.
Dai Li glanced around and lowered her voice. "Mijia, do you know if there are any young servants, around nine years old, working odd jobs in the estate? Where do they usually stay?"
The abrupt change in topic caught Mijia off guard. After a pause, she shook her head. "I haven’t been here long, so there’s still much I don’t know."
No unexpected luck came her way. Dai Li nodded calmly. "The steward is waiting for me. I should head back now."
After leaving the western quarters, Dai Li made her way to the rear garden. Once she confirmed no one was around, she tossed the cumbersome bundle behind a large potted plant before turning away as if nothing had happened and heading toward the eastern quarters where the dancers lived.
The main hall of the estate.
The golden sun dipped westward, its fading brilliance slanting into the hall, casting a warm glow over the meticulously decorated space and the lively scene of toasting guests.
At an ordinary banquet, the host would naturally occupy the seat of honor. But today was an exception—two long tables were placed side by side at the head of the hall, one on the left and one on the right. In this era, the left side held greater prestige, yet the person seated there was not the estate’s master.
A tall, imposing man held a wine cup in his right hand as he spoke with the round-faced estate master beside him.
Jiang Chonghai nodded repeatedly. "That Salt Smuggler Li is ruthless and has trampled on innocent lives for far too long. The people near Ying County have suffered greatly under his cruelty. For you, my lord, to travel all this way to rid them of such a scourge is an act of profound benevolence and compassion. I am truly in awe."
Qin Shaozong’s gaze swept casually over Jiang Chonghai. He noticed the man’s free hand—his index finger nervously picking at the skin around his thumbnail. Whether from excessive force or prolonged habit, the edges of his nail had turned faintly red.
Jiang Chonghai noticed and instinctively tucked his hand into his wide sleeve. When he looked up again, intending to brush it off with a lighthearted remark, he found Qin Shaozong’s attention already elsewhere, as if that earlier glance had been nothing more than a passing distraction.
The ever-smiling Jiang Chonghai paused briefly before resuming his jovial expression, though a trace of scrutiny flickered in his eyes.
Qin Shaozong continued their conversation. After several rounds of drinks, the man suddenly set his cup down on the table. "Governor Jiang, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you."
Jiang Chonghai straightened. "Please speak freely, my lord."
Qin Shaozong said, "Among the dancers in your rear quarters, there’s one named Feng Chun. She has caught my eye. Would you be willing to part with her?"
