Chapter 114: Bribing The Inner Family
Everyone settled down. Xiao Yi washed off the dust, ate something, and did a little exercise. As there was still some time before the banquet, he slept to recuperate.
Until he was awakened by a knock on the door.
Outside the window, the sky had completely darkened. The candlelight in the courtyard shone through the window paper.
He didn’t open the door immediately. He first peeked out through the crack and, seeing it was Zhang Mei, opened the door.
“Ouch!”
Jin Sanshui and Wang Jiu, leaning against the door, fell to the ground.
“What are you two doing here?”
“General, I heard Murong Jixun is in the city. I was afraid he might assassinate you.”
“Then his guards have arrived, can you defeat them?”
“I will defend the General with my life!”
“Instead of practicing properly, you only know how to ‘defend with your life’ all day.”
His words made the two of them feel immensely ashamed.
Xiao Yi welcomed Zhang Mei in and felt the chill on him. He said, “Brother Xuan Gui, did you go to see some old acquaintances from Xuzhou?”
“Yes, I inquired about some details.” Zhang Mei lowered his voice and said, “Murong Jixun has indeed entered the city. His five hundred guards are being accommodated by Gong Tingmei, a general under Liu Yun. I suspect Liu Yun plans to absorb these guards.”
Xiao Yi nodded and said, “Murong Jixun has come with a treasure.”
“This isn’t necessarily bad, but I fear Liu Yun might change his attitude.”
“Dong Yi, Zhang Lingchao, and Gong Tingmei. Of these three, Dong Yi should support Liu Yun’s entry into the capital, while Zhang Lingchao probably firmly opposes it, especially since he was displeased with me today.”
“That’s right, Zhang Lingchao is an old subordinate of Liu Chong.”
“What about Gong Tingmei?”
“Although this man hails from Hedong, he is not an obstinate person and can be won over.” Zhang Mei said, “The most crucial one is Madam Dong.”
“I didn’t see her today.”
“She should appear at the banquet. Please present a generous gift to her then. However… the gift is too significant, and her attitude might be difficult to control. You must not let her suspect it’s a trap.”
“Don’t worry, I know.”
The two had discussed everything. Shortly after, Dong Yi came to invite them again, it was time for the banquet.
Xiao Yi did not wear armor. He changed into casual clothes. He was currently playing the role of a loyal minister. During the period of mourning for the state, he chose a plain-colored fine linen robe, covered by a dark crane cloak.
Zhang Mei looked and nodded repeatedly. “General, you are handsome. By the way, your subordinate Lu Chou can accompany you.”
“Why?”
“Act according to the situation.” Zhang Mei smiled. “If the opportunity arises, General, you only need to have him follow my instructions.”
When Lu Chou arrived, he couldn’t help but say, “General, you are truly refined and elegant, like a jade tree before the wind. I wish I could grow up to look like you.”
“Stop flattering me. Hold this wooden box. You will listen to Brother Xuan Gui’s arrangements later.”
“General, you’re truly wronged me. I was just expressing my true feelings… It’s so heavy. What’s inside? Heh heh, I’m just asking. General, you don’t have to tell me.”
“Shut up. You will serve the wine for me.”
Lu Chou was overjoyed and said to the soldiers by the door, “Do you know why the General chose me? Because I’m handsome! I can uphold his image.”
Jin Sanshui scoffed, “Nonsense.”
“Nonsense? You’ll freeze outside the hall, you ugly toad…”
The Military Governor’s mansion lit up.
Xiao Yi walked calmly behind a few aged officials. His gaze swept over Zhao Shangjiao’s head. He saw Liu Luan in the opposite corridor looking this way.
He turned his head and chatted with Dong Yi.
“Brother Dong, since you are surnamed Dong, I wonder if you are related to Madam Dong?”
“Madam and I are from the same clan. In terms of seniority, I am her clan elder brother.”
“I see. It’s quite a coincidence. Before leaving the capital, the palace entrusted me with a gift for Madam Dong. I’m in a hurry before the banquet, could you trouble me with an introduction?”
Dong Yi’s steps paused slightly. After a moment’s thought, he smiled, “This is a small matter, why trouble yourself? Xiao Lang, please follow me.”
Xiao Yi was surprised and asked, “Don’t we need to announce our arrival first?”
Dong Yi leaned closer, showing intimacy, and whispered, “Since it’s a gift, Madam will not refuse.”
“Thank you, Brother Dong.”
They separated from the group and did not enter the main hall, instead going around to a small flower hall beside it.
There was no charcoal fire in the hall, yet it was warm and pleasant. A landscape painting hung on the wall, and the furniture was exquisite, showing good taste and a hint of extravagance.
They sat down, with Zhang Mei and Lu Chou standing to Xiao Yi’s left and right.
Soon, with the tinkling of jade, a beautifully dressed woman, surrounded by six maids, gracefully approached.
Xiao Yi boldly sized her up. Madam Dong was about twenty years old, wearing a gold-brocade silk skirt, a kèsī tapestry robe, with small pearls sewn around the collar, and a golden hairpin inlaid with turquoise… He couldn’t afford to keep a woman like this in two lifetimes.
“Clan brother, why the urgency?”
Madam Dong slowed her steps, exhibiting a practiced elegance.
Although she asked Dong Yi, her gaze swept over Xiao Yi, lingering briefly on his face and the plum blossom jade pendant at his waist, a hint of a probing smile on her lips.
“Madam, this is an envoy from Bianjing, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, and the Acting Libationer of the Imperial Academy, General Xiao Yi.”
“Xiao Yi greets Madam.”
“General, you need not be so formal. You have traveled far and worked hard. May I ask why you are seeing me at this time?”
Madam Dong’s voice was gentle, and her gaze, as if inadvertently, fell upon the wooden box.
When Xiao Yi saw her raise her right hand, gold and jade tinkled at her wrist. Suppressing a chuckle, he spoke unhurriedly, but didn’t mention the gift first, to pique her interest.
“I am actually entrusted by someone to make a request of Madam. Do you know Empress An of the palace? She is the daughter of the Military Governor of Shannan East Circuit.”
“Of course, I know. The Empress is virtuous. Although I have not had the honor of meeting her, I admire her greatly.”
Madam Dong’s gaze couldn’t help but dart towards the wooden box, revealing unconcealed curiosity.
Xiao Yi pretended not to see and said, “Empress An once tearfully confided that as a woman, her fate is like a drifting duckweed. She does not wish to grow old and die in the deep palace. She hopes to return home to serve her aging father and fulfill her filial duty. Madam, when you ascend to the throne and rule the world, I beg you to fulfill her filial wish.”
“Rule… rule the world?”
“Of course. At that time, Madam will be the Empress.”
Madam Dong’s expression changed. She finally managed to digest the sudden turn of fate and then looked at Xiao Yi with suspicion, probing him.
Finally, she said with a hidden meaning, “General Xiao, is Empress An not intending to remarry? This matter concerns national dignity and ritual. I cannot make such a decision.”
Xiao Yi knew the time was right and nodded slightly to signal Lu Chou.
Lu Chou carried the wooden box to the center of the hall. A maid stepped forward to take it.
“You can’t lift it.” Lu Chou’s lips curved upwards, and he grinned, “Open it.”
The maid glared at him, flicked open the gilded copper clasp, and slowly lifted the lid of the box.
Instantly, a brilliance lit up the hall.
“Heavens! What is this?”
“A phoenix crown.”
The phoenix crown was made of red gold, adorned with jade and coral. In the front, a pearl the size of a pigeon’s egg was embedded, and pearl strings hung from both sides. It was exquisitely beautiful.
What woman wouldn’t love it?
Xiao Yi picked up his tea cup and took a sip. He saw Madam Dong as if her soul had been snatched away.
Her eyes were filled with eagerness and desire. She subconsciously reached out her hand, her fingertips trembling.
“This… it’s too exquisite.”
Madam Dong, having seen much of the world, examined it for a few moments and said softly, “These are Lingnan pearls, white with a pinkish hue, shimmering like clouds and mist. To be so large, it is truly a tribute from the palace. The weaving method is also unique. Shu region’s gold thread wrapping is more secure than Jiangnan’s cross-knot and appears more luxurious.”
“Madam has extraordinary knowledge. More importantly, only an Empress can wear such a magnificent ceremonial crown.”
“I can wear it?” Madam Dong’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “But I don’t have a robe that matches it…”
Xiao Yi was speechless and coughed lightly.
Lu Chou closed the box at the opportune moment.
Madam Dong and the maids watched in dismay as it was closed, feeling a sense of loss.
“The position of Empress, Empress An’s wish, can it be entrusted to Madam?”
“Don’t worry. Even if you want to be together… I mean, Empress An has placed such deep trust and affection in me, how could I fail her? I will do my utmost to explain this matter.”
“In that case, I’ll entrust it to you.”
Xiao Yi knew the matter was settled and said no more, nodding slightly.
Seeing Dong Yi still standing by the door, he got up and walked towards him.
As he passed, he saw Lu Chou hand the wooden box to the maid and exchange a few whispered words with her.
“Got it? I’m letting go now.”
“Yes. Oh, it’s so heavy.”
“I haven’t let go yet, you’re truly weak. Where should I put it? I’ll deliver it to Madam myself, so you don’t get tired…”
Exiting the flower hall, Xiao Yi tightened his crane cloak and spoke with Dong Yi.
Glancing back, he saw Zhang Mei whispering something to Lu Chou, and also handing him a box of rouge and half a bag of money from his sleeve. Lu Chou accepted it and confidently patted his chest.
After a while, Lu Chou found an opportunity to approach and whispered, “Mr. Zhang wants me to bribe that maid to be an informant.”
“Can you do it?”
“Don’t worry, General. With my looks, how could she not be smitten?”
“Just say you want to curry favor with the future Empress.”
“Yes.”
At the steps of the main hall, Liu Luan was looking around. Seeing him, she beckoned.
Xiao Yi pretended not to see, returned to the hall, and sat at his designated place. Shortly after, the banquet began.
The atmosphere was lively. Liu Yun was the center of attention, chatting happily with Zhao Shangjiao, Wang Du, Wang Yan, and others. Amidst toasting and drinking, he acted as if he were a monarch.
Xiao Yi sat at the fourth seat on the left. Opposite him was Liu Luan, whose eyes occasionally glanced his way, filled with curiosity, inquiry, and a hint of restlessness.
The dishes were excellent, with main courses like “Lamb Baked with Fish,” “Three Armies Conquer the Sea,” and “The Number One Soup in the World.” He ate heartily, with his mind focused.
When he was about eighty percent full, he finally looked up. He saw more than ten dancers in light, colorful clothing performing gracefully in the hall, their sleeves fluttering, their postures alluring, their eyes full of charm, truly a beautiful sight.
After watching for a while, he noticed that every time he looked at a dancer, Liu Luan opposite him would frown and stare at the dancer with hostile eyes. He stopped watching and instead looked at Liu Luan without any pretense.
Liu Luan raised her chin and glared back at him fearlessly. They stared at each other for a while. Eventually, Liu Luan lowered her eyes and took a sip of wine from her cup.
Xiao Yi then roughly understood her thoughts. But he was a simple person. If he wasn’t interested in her at first, he never would be, especially since she had killed innocent people.
