Chapter 10: Mobilization
“The Guo family’s attitude has shifted, no longer resisting a marriage alliance, only saying they will wait for Guo Wei to return and make the decision. Do you know why?”
Xiao Yi and Shi Deyu rode side-by-side, deliberately maintaining half a horse length behind. He replied, “I don’t know.”
“The mother and son of the Guo family are quite discerning, but they miscalculated this time. They thought that if Second Young Master Shi could control someone like you, he might be somewhat extraordinary.”
Shi Deyu said, a hint of mockery curving his lips, unsure if he was mocking the Guo family or Shi Dianyuan.
Xiao Yi replied, “Young Master, you flatter me. It is enough to complete the Marshal’s commission.”
Shi Deyu shook his head and murmured, “The Guo family’s reaction was somewhat beyond my expectations.”
“Perhaps it’s due to the daughter’s lifelong happiness, so they were more cautious.”
“Shallow,” Shi Deyu said. “A marriage alliance is a major matter, why bother with this? By the way, I am not scolding you today, do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“You are very clever. You will be transferred to my side to work from now on.”
Xiao Yi felt unwilling.
Not to mention his greater interest in the Guo family, and his worry about his secret of transmigration being dug up, he politely declined, “I have not yet repaid Second Young Master’s kindness, and I would be letting the First Young Master down with his generous treatment.”
Shi Deyu curled his lip, not believing this excuse, but did not expose it. In an unrefusable tone, he said, “You’re worried Second Young Master won’t let you go? It’s fine, I will handle it.”
He did not ask Xiao Yi’s wishes, as if being transferred to his side was for the best.
Xiao Yi knew he couldn’t refuse, and saying more would only make his situation worse. He simply cupped his fist and said, “Thank you for your high regard, Young Master.”
Shi Deyu was clearly satisfied with this attitude, nodding and smiling, “This will be the greatest fortune of your life.”
The snow had finally stopped. The setting sun was peaceful and brilliant. Trails of cooking smoke rose in the city. A few children playing at the alley entrance waited for their fathers to return, cheering with joy… Seeing this scene, Xiao Yi suddenly thought that since his transmigration, he hadn’t had a good look around Kaifeng City.
Born a slave, how could one have such leisure and freedom?
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In the evening, Xiao Yi ate dinner in Shi Deyu’s courtyard.
He had a large appetite and asked for an extra portion of minced meat and soup noodles, and also took two eggs. He squatted outside the side room, chewing slowly and carefully.
There were mostly pretty servant girls here. Among them, one with a lively personality, seeing a new face, surrounded him and started chatting.
“Why are you eating while squatting?”
“It’s a habit.”
“We’ve heard of you! You’re Xiao Yi by Second Young Master’s side, right? You know martial arts and are quick-witted.”
“And also, you’re good-looking.”
“Now that you’ve been transferred to the Young Master’s courtyard, you’re sure to have a bright future.”
“Heh, just ask directly… Xiao Yi, she wants to know, has the Young Master assigned you a partner yet?”
Xiao Yi asked, “What do you mean by assigned?”
“It means,” the servant girl’s cheeks flushed, and she gently touched her index fingers together, whispering, “it means a marriage assignment.”
“Oh.”
It meant male and female servants having children to continue serving the Shi family as small servants. Xiao Yi was not interested and continued eating, lowering his head.
They chattered for a while. Xiao Yi remembered something and asked, “Does the Young Master have a wife?”
“After the Young Madam passed away, the Young Master vowed not to remarry…”
“Don’t be so talkative.”
Just then, Chun Tao came out of the side room. Hearing this, her expression turned displeased. She said, “Take him to Captain Xie’s courtyard.”
The two servant girls complied. Seeing Chun Tao walk away, they whispered to each other for a moment before deciding to lead Xiao Yi the way.
“Xiao Yi, you used to live in the servants’ quarters with twelve people to a room, right?”
“Yes.”
“Sister Chun Tao wants you to live with the guards, four people to a room. It’s just that Captain Xie can be quite fierce…”
Leaving the courtyard, they followed the small path through the courtyard to Xiao Yi’s former residence to gather his belongings.
It was already dark. The servant girls held lanterns to light the way, chatting and laughing.
Suddenly, several figures blocked their path ahead, brazenly obstructing their way.
“A slave who betrayed his master, where do you think you’re escaping to?!”
It turned out to be Shi Dianyuan, holding a whistle stick, followed by four figures cloaked in black. They exuded a murderous aura.
“Second… Second Young Master?”
The two young servant girls turned pale with fright.
Xiao Yi stepped in front of them and said, “You all go on ahead.”
Shi Dianyuan cursed, “You wicked dog! I was watching an opera of spring, and you were enjoying your pleasures. This time I won’t burn paper money for you… Kill him!”
The four who followed him then stepped forward, pacing around Xiao Yi in circles, their demeanor solemn. Then, they took off their cloaks.
Xiao Yi calmly prepared to defend himself, then suddenly froze. He saw four shaved heads reflecting the night snow; they were elderly nuns.
The sound of bells rang out. The old nuns each held their ritual implements pointed at him, chanting scriptures and performing rituals to ward off evil spirits.
Through the figures, Xiao Yi and Shi Dianyuan met eyes. In the faint light, he saw killing intent in Shi Dianyuan’s eyes, as well as unease.
So, Xiao Yi covered his head with his hands, his brows furrowed, as if the Buddhist Law was truly tormenting his ghostly presence.
“Ha,” Shi Dianyuan then chuckled triumphantly, hands on his hips. “Didn’t you overhear that day? I have my ways to get rid of you.”
“Second Young Master… let me explain…”
“Give him some more of that power!”
The old nuns’ footsteps quickened, their chanting like invisible sharp swords piercing Xiao Yi. He writhed on the ground in pain, his body as if lifted by unseen hands and slammed onto the ground.
Shi Dianyuan’s eyes widened in fright. He gasped, amazed at the power of the Buddhist Law.
“Stop, please don’t chant anymore,” Xiao Yi’s voice was weak.
“Alright, stop.”
Shi Dianyuan clasped his hands behind his back, looking as if he had foreseen everything. He said, “Eldest Brother wants to compete with me for the family fortune, so he transferred you away. But do you know how powerful I am now?”
“I know, I won’t betray Second Young Master.”
“I’d expect you wouldn’t dare,” Shi Dianyuan said, lifting his chin. “From now on, you will be my informant planted beside Eldest Brother. If there’s anything important, report it to me.”
“Yes.”
“Haha,” Shi Dianyuan rejoiced, triumphantly saying, “Then Eldest Brother lost this round. When I get the family fortune, I’ll make you a steward.”
“Thank you, Second Young Master.”
Xiao Yi couldn’t be bothered to discuss the marriage alliance with the Guo family with this ignorant fellow. He appeased him, just to prevent him from revealing his secret of transmigration.
At this moment, Chun Tao’s voice came from a distance.
“Xiao Yi, are you still there?”
“Damn it, I have to go.”
Shi Dianyuan was somewhat wary of Chun Tao and turned to leave. Then he suddenly remembered something important and asked, “Did Eldest Brother arrange for Chun Tao to sleep with you?”
“No.”
“Good. When I get the family fortune, not only will I make you a steward and let you have Chun Tao, but I’ll also arrange for prettier servant girls to sleep with you… Remember, I’m watching you!”
“Yes.”
As Shi Dianyuan’s warning voice fell, he had already departed.
Xiao Yi calmly dusted the dirt off his clothes.
Chun Tao hurried forward, frowned, and glared in the direction Shi Dianyuan had gone. She asked, “Did Second Young Master trouble you?”
“No, Second Young Master believes in Buddhism.”
“He doesn’t believe in Buddhism at all. Madam hoped he would be smarter, so she invited Zen Master Wen Yan to perform a ritual. The Zen Master told him to do good deeds and accumulate merit, and also gave him a jade pendant for protection. Oh, that was just a few days ago. You had already been transferred to Second Young Master’s courtyard then, didn’t you know?”
Xiao Yi replied, “I thought Second Young Master had always believed in Buddhism.”
“He only believes in Zen Master Wen Yan. That’s a high monk who travels the world, rarely staying at the Great Xiangguo Temple. Only he dares to speak of ‘killing karma’ in the mansion…”
Halfway through her sentence, Chun Tao suddenly realized her mistake and quickly changed the subject, putting on a serious expression.
“One should discuss the affairs of the masters as little as possible. Since you bid farewell to Second Young Master tonight, from now on, serve the Young Master with your whole heart. Working by the Young Master’s side, I must first teach you the rules. It’s simple: if the Young Master gives an order, do it immediately. Don’t ask, don’t inquire, and certainly don’t have your own ideas.”
Xiao Yi knew that although she looked serious, she was just a young girl. He listened carelessly, but replied honestly, “Yes, thank you for your guidance, Miss Chun Tao.”
“I’ll take you to Captain Xie’s room. He is the Guard Captain appointed by the Master to the Young Master, and he usually protects the Young Master. Recently, he fell from his horse and injured an arm, so he is recuperating.”
“Miss Chun Tao’s help is something I will never forget.”
“It is the Young Master’s grace; just keep it in your heart.”
Passing through several gates, they arrived at the west courtyard. The environment was indeed much better than the servants’ quarters where Xiao Yi had previously lived.
The room in the center was lit. Before they even got close, they could hear bursts of laughter from inside, unrestrained laughter.
Chun Tao frowned slightly, feeling a little uneasy about seeing the rough guards and generals at night. She cleared her throat, led Xiao Yi to the door, and knocked on the door, which was not closed.
There were three people in the room, gathered around a stove warming wine, drinking and talking.
The burly man sitting in the middle, surrounded by the other two, had a face full of scars and one hand wrapped in cloth. This was Xie Hui.
“Captain Xie, this is Xiao Yi, recently transferred to the Young Master’s side. Please guide him.”
“Understood,” Xie Hui said with a slight smile. His triangular eyes darted like lightning, as if trying to see through Chun Tao’s dress. “Miss Chun Tao, would you like to have a drink with us?”
“No, thank you.”
Seeing him smile, Chun Tao didn’t linger. She curtsied, quickly turned, and left.
Xie Hui gave a triumphant smile and then looked Xiao Yi up and down. When he saw him wearing a blue short jacket, his smile gradually faded.
“I thought it was a guard. Is this a servant?”
“Chun Tao is past twenty, she’s getting old and is eager to be assigned. She’s brought a little chick to the eagle’s nest.”
The two guards immediately sneered. One said enviously, “Then Miss Chun Tao might have made a mistake. This is no place to raise her lapdog.”
With that, they stood up to stretch their muscles, their fierce gazes fixed on Xiao Yi, their fingers cracking with a “crunch.”
Xiao Yi had no intention of having children with Chun Tao, but since the malice was directed at him, he had to respond.
Crying to Shi Deyu about such matters would be useless. To establish himself among these people, he would have to rely on his own abilities.
