Chapter 128: Falling From The Horse At The Cliff’s Edge
The light from the two lanterns gradually dimmed.
Xiao Yi occasionally turned his gaze, catching sight of Li Hanmei’s profile.
She sat with perfect posture, looking straight ahead, deliberately speaking in an affectatious tone.
“You are young, without the aid of family, and your foundation is shallow. If others knew your ambition, they would surely not believe it. However, I have seen much of the world and know you are not without opportunity. This time, I do not wish to use you; consider it… a parting gift of advice.”
“I know.”
“I’ve made some plans these past two days. Are you listening?”
“Yes.”
Li Hanmei smiled faintly and said, “You didn’t come to take the imperial decree of abdication during the day, so there’s not much to say now.”
“No rush, you speak, and I will listen.”
“Establish yourself within the Imperial Guard. Observing Guo Que’er’s methods, you must personally control the Imperial Guard, strengthening the root and weakening the branches. Gain his trust and secure a high position in the Imperial Guard, and military power will be in your hands; for civil office, aim for the Bureau of Military Affairs. The Bureau of Military Affairs controls the world’s military affairs. After three to five years within it, you will be intimately familiar with the movements of all the feudatories and the state of the realm. Accumulate ten years of effort, and your roots will be deep and firm.”
“What about being dispatched as a military governor?” Xiao Yi asked. “That way, I wouldn’t be so constrained.”
“That depends on the situation. You are not yet qualified.”
“Oh.”
Li Hanmei slightly turned her head to glance.
Xiao Yi looked at her, and she quickly turned her head back.
“Guo Que’er’s imperial throne may not be firmly seated. Externally, there is Liu Chong; internally, there are my elder brothers, Wang Yin, and various feudatories. You can rely on each other, especially Wang Yin, who commands thirty thousand infantry and cavalry; his strength cannot be underestimated.”
“On this point, my judgment differs from yours. I believe the various feudatories cannot stir up too much trouble anymore.”
“Why?”
“The general trend is heading this way. The rebellions of the feudatories will eventually end.”
“This is the first time I’ve heard such a notion,” Li Hanmei mused. “Indeed, after over a hundred years of conflict, the world is exhausted, and the people yearn for peace… Your insight is indeed somewhat extraordinary.”
Xiao Yi smiled, thinking that he himself couldn’t say more.
Li Hanmei said, “Furthermore, you should form marriage alliances. A single person cannot stand alone; success requires the support of relatives. There are two paths for marriage alliances: either choose daughters from powerful families like Guo Wei, Song Wo, or Fu Yanqing. The advantage is that you can borrow the power of your wife’s family, but your actions will be subject to many constraints. Or, choose daughters from scholarly families like Li Song or Yan Jinqing. Rely on their reputation and wealth, and when you rise to power, you can then add concubines and form alliances with various parties.”
“Concubines?”
“Like Madam Wang, Du Chongwei’s wife, a daughter of a Yun Prefecture magnate, who controlled half of Yun Prefecture’s local militia; or Zhao Zai Li seeking the title ‘Lady of Cao County’ for his concubine, which also constitutes a marriage alliance.” Li Hanmei elaborated, “It is said that the main wife is revered, concubines have substance, and maids have no rank.”
“So that’s how it is.”
“If you are interested, I can pick someone for you.”
“Oh?”
“Fu Yanqing has a daughter. She was first married to the son of Li Shouzhen. After Li Shouzhen’s rebellion was quelled by Guo Que’er, she was taken in as an adopted daughter by Guo Que’er.”
“What’s so good about her?”
“Asking this question shows you do not know Fu Yanqing’s strength, nor do you understand the richness of the Fu family’s dowry. For example, Gao Xingzhou’s daughter was once married to Du Chongwei’s son. After Du Chongwei rebelled and was killed, Madam Gao remarried as a concubine to Fu Yanqing’s second son, Fu Zhaoshou, while Fu Zhaoshou’s main wife was Guo Chongwei’s daughter… The three families are related by marriage, intertwined and deeply connected. If you could marry into the Fu family, it would be far more advantageous than allying with just one family.”
Xiao Yi was merely listening out of curiosity and inwardly disagreed.
The mere hint of marriage discussions from Guo Xin and Li Zhaoning was already giving him a headache; he didn’t want to get involved in such matters.
Li Hanmei asked, “What? Are you disdainful of widows? But it is precisely widows who understand passion, are considerate, have ample family fortunes, and can allow you to take concubines. If you ally with the Fu family through marriage, you would surely fare better than as an imperial son-in-law.”
“It’s not that I dislike widows, I just don’t want to get married too early.”
“Your heart hasn’t yet awakened?”
“Yes.”
Li Hanmei suddenly turned her face, her gaze falling on him.
Xiao Yi met her gaze, seeing the probing and faint anticipation in her eyes.
With a suppressed smile on her lips, she sneered, “I think you’re holding out for a better offer.”
Xiao Yi didn’t expect her to make such a joke and asked curiously, “Hm? What? You think I’m valuable?”
Li Hanmei sat up straight again, not looking at him, and said faintly, “When young girls scramble for you, how can you not be valuable?”
“You’ve misunderstood. Perhaps some rumor reached your ears? Or did you intentionally inquire about me?”
“I happened to hear it.”
Li Hanmei paused and said, “I understand. You don’t want to be controlled. Power, beauty – you don’t necessarily reject them, but you want to be the one in command, not bound by them.”
Xiao Yi retorted, “Do you think I have an inflated sense of self-importance?”
“I think you are special. One should value oneself.”
“Mm.”
Xiao Yi saw that she truly understood him, which was indeed rare.
He gave a slight, wry smile and returned to the main topic.
“You say I have great ambition. Perhaps, but I don’t need to scheme meticulously. At least not while Ming Gong is here.”
“Indeed, you are still young,” Li Hanmei suddenly sighed softly and murmured, “Too young.”
“Regardless, thank you for teaching me these things today.”
“I am simply unwilling to die of old age in Tai Ping Palace. I originally intended to bind you to me as an ally. Thinking about it now, it’s quite laughable. After today, you will have a brilliant future and beautiful companions, while I will have a solitary life of contemplation behind a blue lamp. How can we be fellow travelers?”
Xiao Yi knew she had truly conceded.
Yet, he felt no joy of victory; this had never been his victory. Thus far, he had merely been a bettor who knew the outcome of the game.
If she hadn’t pointed it out, he wouldn’t even have realized the extent of his own ambition and desires.
Sitting on the Dragon Throne today, something deep within him seemed to have been ignited.
“My words have come to an end. I, this ‘Empress Dowager,’ am of no further use.” Li Hanmei closed her eyes and said, “You… may withdraw.”
“Your subordinate withdraws.”
Xiao Yi rose and stood before Li Hanmei, bowing.
He saw her with her eyes closed, her makeup simple and elegant, styled in a “fallen horse” bun he had never seen before. It softened her imposing demeanor, making her appear much younger than usual. She must have just washed her hair, with a few stray strands floating, and she was still wearing a plain dress, but its tailoring was impeccable, accentuating her graceful figure.
Because her breathing was uneven, a bit of blood seeped from the bandage around her neck, adding a touch of pitiable fragility to her dignified elegance.
She opened her eyes and, seeing him looking at her, was not angered. She raised her gaze, allowing him to look, a hint of tears welling up in her eyes.
After a long while, Xiao Yi spoke and said, “Go to Tai Ping Palace first. After some time, when attention is no longer drawn to you, I will find a way to send you away.”
“Where else can I go?”
“Stop thinking about vying for power and influence. Live a simple life like ordinary people.”
“Xiao Yi, you underestimate me.”
“You are incapable of bending without breaking, and remaining unfazed by honor or disgrace?”
“Then fine, you overestimate me. As a mere woman, I cannot do that.”
“Why rush to such a conclusion?”
“And you?” Li Hanmei asked. “Why would you risk sending me out of Tai Ping Palace? It brings you no benefit.”
Suddenly, one of the lanterns went out, and the light dimmed.
Xiao Yi picked up the only remaining lit lantern and said, “I’ll escort you back to your hall.”
Li Hanmei did not get up and said, “You haven’t answered me yet.”
“To repay your kindness.”
“What kindness have I shown you?”
“I told you, I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
Li Hanmei lowered her gaze slightly and said, “Don’t trouble yourself for the sake of my twilight years.”
This was a difficult statement to respond to.
The firelight was dim, making the beauty more alluring, making one especially inclined to deny the phrase “twilight years.”
But the atmosphere was already dangerous, and Xiao Yi worried the lantern in his hand might set Jin Xiang Hall ablaze.
His gaze fell upon her; though Li Hanmei was still maintaining her imperial dignity, her ears were intensely red. She was dressed exquisitely today, waiting for a compliment.
It was not too late to pull back from the brink.
“It’s no trouble.”
Xiao Yi gave his answer.
Li Hanmei looked up.
Before she could see clearly, at that very moment, the last lantern also went out.
The palace hall was instantly plunged into darkness.
Xiao Yi felt his left wrist being grasped, and he in turn took hold of Li Hanmei’s slender wrist.
“Xiao Yi, protect the Empress.”
“I will support you.”
Letting go of the lantern with his right hand, he reached out to support her. Li Hanmei’s hand reached out and grasped his.
The faint scent of plum blossoms wafted over, her hair brushing against his nose.
She stood up, but instead stumbled into his embrace. Xiao Yi released her hand, and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Both afraid of the dark, they stood in silence, daring not to speak or move.
After a long while, her hands gradually moved to the back of his head, drawing him down, and she fed him a piece of Plum Blossom Paste.
Her movements were clumsy; at first, she touched his chin, and then she put it into his mouth.
The Plum Blossom Paste was cool, like snow, sweet and soft, with a rich plum blossom aroma.
Xiao Yi did not devour it greedily but took a small taste, savored it carefully, and then slowly enjoyed it.
Along with the Plum Blossom Paste, they shared another cup of wine, both becoming slightly tipsy.
A sliver of moonlight shone through the gap in the hall doors. Gradually, he could faintly see her eyes, bright with intoxication.
“I will not control you. I just want to die a little slower.”
Li Hanmei whispered, pulling his hand and encircling it around her waist.
Xiao Yi was also a bit drunk. Thinking of pulling back from the brink, he gave a tug, but missed the reins, only feeling softness in his palm.
This horse ultimately couldn’t be reined in and plunged over the cliff, into a vast, hazy expanse of white.
This Plum Blossom Paste tasted more delicious the more he ate.
The small flame within the lantern eventually ignited Jin Xiang Hall, burning fiercely, but Li Hanmei was clearly too drunk to notice the fire.
Drunk and soft, she clung to Xiao Yi’s neck with both hands and, with a heavier fall, slumped back onto the Dragon Throne.
“The armor is so cold, it’s prickly.”
“Wait a moment.”
“I’ll help you.”
“It’s better to light something up to do it.”
“No.”
“Just light one candle.”
“No, you think I’m in my twilight years.”
“Did my gaze towards you make you misunderstand like this?”
“You are impertinent, always looking at the present Empress Dowager… with that kind of look.”
“I haven’t been impertinent yet.”
“It’s undone, no need for a candle.”
“So cold.”
“Come closer. Why do you smell so good? No smell of blood or horse dung.”
“I washed myself thoroughly.”
“So did I. But I waited all day, only to have the palace servants dismissed, the palace gates closed, and the imperial decree sent by someone else… Since you have no intention, go away.”
“Oh.”
“Come back, to repay my kindness.”
“Truly beautiful.”
“Really?”
“Mm, more stunning the more I look.”
Li Hanmei couldn’t help but be delighted and gave him another piece of Plum Blossom Paste.
After falling from the horse and plummeting down the cliff, Xiao Yi saw a plum blossom at the bottom. He reached out and gently stroked it, but did not pluck it. He watered it, fertilized it, and tended to it with care.
The plum blossom bloomed more and more vibrantly, exuding a dazzling brilliance.
