Chapter 9: A Favor Granted
“Such fine skills!”
Suddenly, a voice of praise was heard. Xiao Yi reined in his horse and looked up. Standing at a window on the second floor of a street-facing tavern was a man about thirty years old.
The man was pale and thin, dressed in a luxurious white fur cloak, holding a golden cup, with six beautiful courtesans surrounding him.
One of the courtesans held a kite in the shape of a koi, which was very exquisite.
“Young man, I admire you.” The man’s voice was lazy, with a hint of cynicism, and he smiled, “Why not come upstairs for a drink? I can offer you a great future.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yi felt a flicker of interest, which quickly vanished.
He was a servant in the Shi Residence. Changing his allegiance would come at a great cost. Even if he had the opportunity, defecting to Guo Wei would be a better choice.
“Thank you for your kind offer, sir. I appreciate it,” Xiao Yi cupped his fists in refusal.
“Do you know who I am?”
“No matter who you are, sir, our paths are not meant to cross.”
“Heh, interesting.”
Xiao Yi pulled on the reins and turned his horse around. He heard a snort from behind him, as if the man was displeased at being rejected.
He still had the habit of being observant. Glancing back accidentally, his peripheral vision caught sight of a man in green clothes lurking in the distance behind the long street, as if he were being followed.
Xiao Yi was not familiar with Kaifeng City, and his crimson horse was eye-catching. He simply waved at the man.
The man in green was clearly taken aback, scratched his head, and walked forward somewhat awkwardly.
“Why would you be following me?”
“This horse is magnificent. The owner wants to know who you are.”
So that’s how it was. Xiao Yi thought to himself how idle people were back then. He didn’t make things difficult for the man, and said calmly, “You can report to your master that I am a disciple of the Grand Tutor.”
With that, he figured the man wouldn’t dare to follow him further and rode away.
Returning along the original route, the area in front of the Great Xiangguo Temple was a mess.
Xiao Yi dismounted and led his horse, looking around, and indeed, he had completely lost track of the Khitan girl.
The women and children who had almost been in danger were still there, surrounded by a group of people.
Seeing Xiao Yi return, the woman at the head of the group, holding the child who had almost been trampled by the frightened horse, walked over.
“If it weren’t for this righteous man stepping forward in danger and risking his life to save us, this old woman and the children in my family would likely not have been spared. Please accept this bow.”
She referred to herself as “this old woman,” but in reality, she was about forty years old. She looked very young, and the fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes did not hide her generous and elegant beauty. She was dressed rather plainly, with a brocade jacket over a dark blue cloak and a white jade hairpin in her bun.
Her demeanor indicated she was of noble birth, yet she showed no airs. She truly bowed deeply to Xiao Yi, who was dressed in simple cloth.
Afterwards, she pulled the child beside her and said, “Yi’er, you thank your savior too.”
“Yes, Grandmother.” The child, about seven or eight years old, stopped crying. With hands that had just wiped away tears, he placed them on his hips and respectfully bowed to Xiao Yi, earnestly saying, “Guo Zongyi thanks Benefactor for saving my life. May I ask Benefactor’s honorable surname and given name?”
“Xiao Yi, you’re being presumptuous!”
Before Xiao Yi could speak, a sharp reprimand was heard.
Shi Deyu hurried over, bowed slightly to the woman, and said, “This junior’s upbringing has been lax. If this lowly servant has offended Madam, I beg your forgiveness.”
“Young Master Shi, you misunderstand. It was he who saved this old woman…”
“Mother!” Guo Tong ran to the woman’s side, holding her and asking with concern, “Are you alright, Mother? Let me see if you’re injured.”
“Your mother is fine. Be calm, don’t let others laugh at you.”
It turned out this woman was Guo Wei’s wife, Chai Shouyu.
Shi Deyu turned to Xiao Yi and reprimanded him, “The Shi and Guo families are like one family. For a servant to save his master is merely doing his duty. How dare you accept Madam’s bow? Apologize at once!”
“Young Master Shi speaks too harshly. Please don’t blame my benefactor any further,” Chai Shouyu said to Xiao Yi with a smile, and asked, “Are you, righteous man, from the Shi Residence?”
“Yes.”
“A young hero.” Chai Shouyu did not change her attitude because of Xiao Yi’s status. Instead, she encouraged him, “Seeing you reminds me of my husband when he was young. Back then, he wasn’t even a Military Governor; he also came from humble beginnings.”
Shi Deyu said, “Madam praises me too highly. Xiao Yi is merely a servant who practices martial arts in my younger brother’s courtyard. He knows some basic fist and foot techniques. How can he be compared to Duke Guo?”
Xiao Yi had been repeatedly belittled, but he did not wallow in self-pity. After a moment’s thought, he understood Shi Deyu’s intention: to emphasize that it was the Shi family, not him personally, who had saved the Guo family’s women and children, thereby prompting the Guo family to agree to a marriage alliance.
He then played along, saying, “I received the Shi family’s cultivation, which is why I have some skills. Commander Guo relies on his true abilities. It’s a pity I cannot witness the Commander’s heroic presence today.”
Upon hearing this, Chai Shouyu looked at Xiao Yi again, and a hint of scrutiny appeared in her deep, clear eyes.
Suddenly, her expression changed, and she asked, “Are you injured?”
Xiao Yi looked down and only then realized that the sleeve of his right arm was torn, revealing bloody flesh beneath. It was a scrape from when he had pushed aside the frightened horse and fallen to the ground.
“I respond to Madam, it’s just a superficial wound, nothing serious.”
“How can it be nothing? You are a benefactor of the Guo family.” Chai Shouyu said hurriedly, “Second Young Master, help Xiao Yi back to the residence to treat his wound.”
————————
The fire at the Guo Residence had been extinguished, and smoke was still rising.
Xiao Yi followed Guo Tong to a side room on the east and sat down.
“Que’er, go fetch a basin of boiled saltwater and the trauma medicine,” Guo Tong instructed a servant, then added, “I’ll clean your wound first. It will hurt, so bear with it.”
Xiao Yi said, “I dare not trouble Young Master Guo. I’ll do it myself.”
“Just call me ‘Qing Ge’; that’s my childhood name. You saved my mother, so you are my benefactor. There’s no need to be overly polite,” Guo Tong said, “And don’t distrust me. I’ve been tending to my father’s wounds since I was a child, and my skills are very good.”
“Then thank you.”
Xiao Yi regretted not changing his fate at the banquet last night. Meeting the Guo family today was a blessing in disguise.
He had considered whether to ask to join the Guo family, but ultimately dismissed the idea. Not to mention it would give the impression of disloyalty, the Guo family would also not dare to offend the Shi family.
Guo Tong did not ask him what reward he wanted. This favor, he likely felt, should be repaid to the Shi family.
Xiao Yi’s sleeve was cut open. Guo Tong skillfully scooped up the saltwater and poured it onto the wound, then used a fine cloth to wipe away the dirt.
Intense pain shot through him, and Xiao Yi’s forehead veins bulged as he gritted his teeth.
Endure, and endure again.
Finally, the wound was cleaned, and Guo Tong began to apply medicine.
“You can truly endure. You’re not bad.”
“I’m used to it,” Xiao Yi squeezed out three words through his teeth.
“You look like someone used to getting injured, but I don’t see any other scars on you.”
“In places you can’t see.”
“Have you been in a battle?”
“Not yet.”
“Are you really a servant of the Shi Residence? You don’t seem like one.”
“I am, indeed.”
“I’ll bet fifteen strings of cash that you’re not.”
Xiao Yi smiled and said nothing more.
After a moment of silence, Guo Tong asked casually, “I heard you work in Shi’s second courtyard. What kind of person is he?”
Xiao Yi pondered, trying to say the best things. “He… has an extraordinary background and occasional flashes of brilliance.”
“You dare to be modest on his behalf.”
Guo Tong muttered casually and didn’t press further. After bandaging Xiao Yi’s wound, he stood up, picked up a small brocade box, and placed it in front of Xiao Yi. He opened it, revealing several gold ingots.
“A small token of appreciation for saving my family.”
The gold ingots reflected in Xiao Yi’s pupils, his eyes showing no greed.
His life belonged to the Shi family. What use was gold to him? It was far better to leave a good impression on the Guo family.
“Second Young Master’s kindness is appreciated, but as you said, this is merely my duty. I absolutely cannot accept this.”
“You really don’t want it?”
“No.”
Seeing Xiao Yi’s firm refusal, Guo Tong didn’t force it upon him and said, “Alright, perhaps I was being too worldly.”
“Second Young Master need not worry.”
“Take this bottle of trauma medicine. It’s our family’s secret formula. It’s changed daily, and your wound will heal quickly.”
“Thank you.”
Xiao Yi stood up to take his leave and walked towards the door.
As he reached the doorway, he suddenly heard Guo Tong ask again.
“By the way, since you are close to Shi Er, what are your thoughts on the Shi family’s marriage proposal?”
Xiao Yi stopped but didn’t turn back.
Guo Tong’s question seemed casual, but it far exceeded the scope of what a servant could answer. If he answered well, he might form a good relationship, but if he answered poorly, he might arouse suspicion.
He therefore responded cautiously, “The important matters of marriage for one’s master are not for servants to comment on.”
Guo Tong was very sincere and asked again, “I don’t mean to pry into private matters. It’s just that the Shi family’s influence is hard to refuse, and I can’t be at ease with Shi Er, whom I’ve never met. You have excellent character. If you could offer some advice, I would be extremely grateful… Rest assured, what you say will be heard only by me, and no one else.”
Xiao Yi pondered, looked down at the medicine Guo Tong had given him, and slowly began to speak.
“In my humble opinion, a marriage alliance is like taking medicine. If the medicine is wrong, even ginseng and deer antler are poison. If it’s right, even bitter herbs can save a life. The Shi family is like a potent, harsh medicine, while the Guo family is like a gentle tonic. Whether the properties of the medicines are compatible requires a skilled physician to determine.”
He did not say whether it was suitable or not, but only spoke of the risks and opportunities of a marriage alliance, reminding Guo Tong that the decision ultimately had to be made by those who could truly make decisions, such as Shi Hongzhao and Guo Wei.
However, the insight and sense of proportion in these words made Guo Tong slightly dazed.
Xiao Yi left the side room.
Guo Tong remained seated, playing with the brocade box containing the gold ingots. He casually closed the lid with a light “click.”
But the glint of gold seemed to still peek through the gaps…
