Chapter 126: The Imperial Palace Is Unclaimed
Although the duty room was not as warm as the Empress Dowager’s sleeping quarters, it was much more comfortable than a tent.
Xiao Yi remembered he had to check in his subordinates, so he reluctantly crawled out of bed.
He had morning grumpiness with nowhere to vent, so he personally grabbed a gong and called all his subordinates and Li Chongjin’s subordinates awake.
After going to Hedong with Li Rong, he had actually become much more overbearing and no longer stood on ceremony, treating Li Chongjin’s soldiers as his own.
Prepare, have breakfast, form ranks, and give a speech.
“What happened, I don’t need to tell you; you know it in your hearts.”
“Heh heh.”
“Starting today, the twenty-fourth of the twelfth lunar month, all officials are off duty. The Inner Palace will directly manage the palace gates. Without my command, no one is allowed to enter or leave the palace gates.”
“Yes!”
Xiao Yi paused and said, “The Marshal is sentimental and has reluctantly inherited the throne due to circumstances. In these last few days, whoever dares to touch the palace’s treasures or people, or tarnish the Marshal’s honor, will be executed without mercy!”
“Yes!”
After assigning soldiers to take over the palace gates, Xiao Yi summoned Wang Yan again.
This time, he did not greet him with a smile. Instead, he sat on a high chair placed in the corridor, his expression stern.
Wang Yan also sensed the different atmosphere and looked frightened.
“General Xiao, this is…”
“The times have changed.”
Wang Yan was stunned and hastily knelt, tears flowing, saying, “It’s getting cold. I hope Duke Guo and General Xiao will add more clothing.”
“Eunuch Wang, how many years have you been in the palace?”
“I was castrated at five and have been here for nearly forty years.”
“How many emperors have you served?”
“I have served five dynasties: Liang, Tang, Jin, Liao, and Han. I entered the palace when the last emperor of Liang moved to Tokyo. I have never been to Xijing. I served Emperor Jinzu and Emperor Chudi. When the Liao Lord came, I was fortunate to survive and then served Gaozu and the late Emperor.”
Xiao Yi said, “You have quite a rich experience. How will the new emperor be arranged after he enters the palace?”
Wang Yan wept incessantly and could not answer for a moment.
Xiao Yi said, “You and I are the most familiar with the palace, so I’ll ask you first. If you don’t want to answer, there are eunuchs with higher qualifications.”
“This old servant is willing to cooperate. This old servant is just… too sentimental.”
“Alright, I know you’re sentimental. Speak truthfully.”
“Yes, in the past, when the ruler changed, there were no formal arrangements. Emperor Jinzu had already been enfeoffed by the Liao Lord when he arrived in Kaifeng. Gaozu entered the palace without even imperial carriages or banners; his enthronement was announced verbally, and the imperial decree and sacrifice were only completed ten days later.”
“Is the new emperor the same as them?”
“No, he is different. Duke Guo, no… Your Majesty. Your Majesty is a rare benevolent ruler in generations.”
Xiao Yi said, “Among the palace servants, who are loyal to the former dynasty? Draft a list for me.”
“Yes, General, rest assured. Our current dynasty has only been established for three years, and the previous ruler was not popular.”
“How should the two palaces be housed?”
Wang Yan thought for a moment and said, “In Kaifeng City, there is a royal nunnery named Tai Ping Palace. It’s a good place.”
“When Minggong ascends the throne, he will need the imperial carriage, the people’s acclaim, ministers urging him to ascend, and an imperial decree and sacrifice to heaven. Cooperate well with matters related to the Imperial Palace. Remember, it can be simple, but it cannot be sloppy.”
“General, rest assured. This old servant will arrange it now.” Wang Yan asked, “What about the Empress Dowager?”
“Still asking? You have a new master now.”
“This old servant means, the Talisman Seal is still with the Empress Dowager. Should we go and retrieve it?”
“No rush. She won’t be able to keep it for long. Wait until she voluntarily hands it over.”
With great effort, the matters of the Imperial Palace were arranged.
Xiao Yi finally had some free time and quickly stuffed some food into himself, only to see Old Pan rubbing his hands as he approached, wanting to speak but hesitating.
“If you have something to say, just say it.”
“General, people from the Li Residence have been frequently inquiring. You have returned to the capital, should you pay them a visit?”
“Send someone to the Li Residence and tell Duke Xin Chen that the times are changing, and to add more clothes.”
“Yes, General, who are you going to see?”
“Wang Jun.”
Upon arriving at Kaifeng Prefecture, he was not made to wait at all and was led into the Main Hall. It was evident that Wang Jun already knew about Guo Wei being proclaimed emperor.
Perhaps because the credit for urging the succession was snatched by Wang Yin and Guo Chongwei, Wang Jun was in a bad mood.
Xiao Yi handed over Guo Wei’s memorial to Wang Jun, who arranged for it to be submitted to the Provincial Office, stating that the Empress Dowager would issue an imperial decree to abdicate later.
Afterwards, they discussed mobilizing the Imperial Guard to defend Kaifeng, replacing generals whose loyalty was in doubt, and various matters concerning welcoming Guo Wei into the city.
Xiao Yi initially thought Wang Jun had turned over a new leaf today. As their conversation progressed, he realized that Wang Jun intended to have him assist someone else in guarding Kaifeng’s water gate and hand over the duty of defending the Imperial Palace to a more experienced Tianxiong Army general.
He decisively refused, saying, “Your subordinate is acting under Minggong’s orders and will not concern himself with anything else.”
“During a change of dynasty, safety is the top priority. You are young and inexperienced, aren’t you afraid of making mistakes?”
“When I first entered Kaifeng and captured the city, there were no mistakes. Why is Minister Wang worrying unnecessarily?”
“The battlefield relies solely on bravery, but the palace has thousands of concubines. You are young and hot-blooded and easily corrupted by power and beauty.” Wang Jun said with a stern face, “I am in charge of Kaifeng and must consider all possibilities.”
Xiao Yi said, “Minister Wang, please have Minggong issue a military order. Your subordinate still needs to go to the Guo Residence on assignment. I bid you farewell.”
“Wait! Everything I said today was for your own good. Although you are unwilling to listen, I must still remind you of one thing.”
Xiao Yi stopped and turned to look, seeing Wang Jun’s stern yet seemingly caring expression towards a junior.
“Please speak, Minister Wang.”
“I heard you have been frequently in contact with Li Song’s daughter. When Su Fengji was captured, many Imperial Guard soldiers saw you carrying her to the medical clinic. Is this true?”
“Yes.”
“You are not allowed to associate with her anymore.”
“I avenged my Benefactor and sent his daughter for medical treatment. Which law did I break?”
“Stop arguing nonsensically. You escorted Wu Niang north, how could you not know her feelings? Wen Zhong indulges you, but I will not tolerate it. The Guo and Wang families only have this one unmarried daughter left. If you dare to mistreat her even a little, I will kill you!”
“You need not worry.”
Xiao Yi cupped his hands, turned, and left,
Behind him, Wang Jun’s reprimand could still be heard.
“I have given you a warning today. Don’t fall into my hands in the future.”
Xiao Yi secretly thought that even if Wang Jun was not wrong on major matters, he was truly annoying on minor ones. High officials in the court could indeed have such a character.
But then he thought that he was not the only one who disliked Wang Jun, and felt much more at ease.
Upon arriving at the Guo Residence, he relayed Guo Wei’s instructions to the old steward, who’s eyes gleamed with a smile. “Please wait a moment, Xiao Lang.”
Saying that, he hurried away.
Xiao Yi knew he was going to fetch Guo Xin.
Regardless of anything else, even as a friend, he wanted to see her. After all, he disliked marriage itself, not her.
However, seeing Wang Jun’s attitude today, he realized that being an Imperial Son-in-law in the new dynasty was not easy, and pursuing this would not be good for anyone.
He turned and left.
Leaving the Guo Residence, he led his horse past an alley corner. A thought struck him, and he stopped, turning his head to look back.
He saw a figure chasing out of the side door, looking around.
After nearly a month without seeing each other, the baby fat on Guo Xin’s face had slightly faded. Her thinness made her eyes appear larger.
Seeing no one in the alley, she lowered her head in disappointment, kicked the accumulated snow on the stone steps, puffed out her cheeks, and cursed something.
Judging by her lips, it seemed to be “dog bastard.”
Xiao Yi couldn’t help but smile.
He didn’t go to meet her, but he didn’t take Wang Jun’s words out on her.
…
When Xiao Yi returned to the Xuanwu Gate guard post, the atmosphere had changed drastically.
At the main gate, led by Wang Yan, stood a line of eunuchs wearing headwear and purple and crimson official robes. Each held a small box and had an obsequious attitude, as if Xiao Yi were the master of this Imperial Palace.
“What is this for?”
“Waiting for General’s instruction.” Wang Yan said fawningly, “They all want to get acquainted with the General.”
“Open the boxes.”
“General, they are just lists of palace servants. Why not look at them in the duty room?”
“Look at them here.”
Xiao Yi’s tone was irrefutable, and with a “clack” sound, the boxes were opened.
It was evident that these eunuchs were not wealthy, and they were offering gifts, but their ingratiating smiles made it seem as though accepting their gifts was their honor.
“A small token of my appreciation, we beg the General to accept it with a smile.”
“If I don’t accept, you will surely feel uneasy. However, I don’t want to gain a reputation for being greedy. How about this: each person keeps one tael of silver, no more, consider it New Year’s gift.”
“This…”
The eunuchs exchanged glances. Someone reacted, knelt down, and exclaimed, “General, your benevolence is immeasurable. We old servants are deeply grateful.”
“Return to your residences outside the palace and wait peacefully for the new emperor to enter. It’s the height of winter, so move around less.”
“Yes, we will strictly obey the General’s orders.”
Wang Yan waved the eunuchs away, then whispered in Xiao Yi’s ear, “General, the Six Offices wishes to see you.”
“What are the ‘Six Offices’?”
“They are female officials in the palace who manage palace affairs and supervise palace maids. Most of them are selected from daughters of noble families.”
“Where are they?”
“Please come with me, General.”
Passing through the main gate and turning into a quiet side room next to the Palace Affairs Bureau, Wang Yan stopped and asked Xiao Yi to enter alone.
Xiao Yi stepped into the side room and saw only three women. Due to the current poverty of the court, the functions of the female officials had been simplified.
Among them, the Palace Lady-in-Waiting responsible for music, dance, and etiquette was very beautiful and kind-hearted. Knowing Xiao Yi had no residence in Kaifeng, she was willing to use her savings to help him and asked if he was being taken care of as he lived alone. Her words were caring, and her smile was radiant, making one feel as if bathed in spring breeze.
Finally, she shyly made a small request: she wanted to marry him.
“My humble appearance, I have long admired the General. My meager savings can be considered a dowry. If the General does not abandon me, I wish to be wedded and grow old together.”
Xiao Yi realized this was a reenactment of Guo Wei and Chai Shouyu’s old story.
He would not be so easily deceived by a woman, but he did not refuse directly. With a tone of slight regret, he said, “Alas, we are fated but not meant to be.”
“What does the General mean?”
“Minister Wang Jun specifically cautioned me today not to treat palace consorts lightly.”
“Is the General worried that I was sent by him to test you? Absolutely not. Furthermore, female officials who are not favored can be dismissed upon reaching a certain age. If the General sends me out of the palace and marries me legitimately, who would dare say you are engaged in improper conduct in the palace?”
“To be honest, Minister Wang has been hostile towards me for a long time. I would never dare to give him such leverage.”
“Is the General looking down on me? The late Emperor favored Guo Yunming and Hou Kuangzan. I am a pure maiden.”
“Absolutely not. It is my own self-preservation. I am not worthy of you.”
Seeing that this Palace Lady-in-Waiting, despite her beautiful appearance and graceful demeanor, was not adept at seduction and spoke like she was conducting business, Xiao Yi took his leave.
Behind him, he heard her softly curse.
“Why is that old man Wang Jun so annoying?”
Leaving the side room, he ordered Wang Yan to arrange for the Six Offices and the palace servants. He thought that Wang Jun had indeed underestimated him. In the Tianxiong Army, there were probably few like himself who could remain uncorrupted and resist the temptations of power and beauty in the imperial harem.
After a full day’s work, all parts of the palace gates were manned by Xiao Yi’s people. Except for the two palaces that had not yet moved out, Da Ning Palace had been almost entirely emptied.
The Imperial Palace was temporarily without a master.
