Chapter 12: A Token Of Allegiance
Seeing Shi Deyu’s gaze shoot towards him like an arrow, Xiao Yi knew he could truly die for a single sentence.
He quickly calmed down, thinking that the man must be an enemy of the Shi family, but he had never heard of this person. Either the Shi family was underestimating their opponent, or the opponent was overly confident.
In an instant, Xiao Yi had a plan.
He met Shi Deyu’s gaze, showing no fear, and said calmly, “Young Master, you’ve come out at the right time. Just now, this person, without reason, told me, ‘If I see us conversing privately, the Shi family will surely kill you.’ This implies slander and the intention to have the Marshal kill someone unjustly.”
Shi Deyu was startled. The reprimand on his lips stopped, and surprise flickered in his eyes.
The man had already reached the courtyard gate and stopped upon hearing this.
Xiao Yi knew this was not enough to protect himself. After a moment of thought, he said, “At first, I was confused. He is wearing a purple robe, what grievance could he have with me, a mere servant? Then I realized, he must believe he can manipulate Young Master at will, openly sowing discord, and expects Young Master to kill me out of suspicion.”
Finally, Shi Deyu’s gaze shifted from him to the man, and he spat out a name through gritted teeth.
“Li Ye.”
Xiao Yi could hear Shi Deyu’s anger and continued to fan the flames, saying, “This Envoy Li is indeed targeting the Shi family. His words are a direct attack on the heart, like Xiang Zhuang dancing his sword intending to kill Liu Bang. The real target is elsewhere.”
By comparing Shi Deyu to “Liu Bang,” he finally felt the suspicion directed at him fading.
Li Ye’s playful smile froze. He looked at Xiao Yi deeply, and in an instant, suddenly clapped his hands and laughed heartily, saying, “Well said, ‘Xiang Zhuang dancing his sword intending to kill Liu Bang!’ I underestimated you. I didn’t expect you could use these eight words to save your life.”
Xiao Yi replied, “Please don’t worry yourself, Envoy Li. Young Master and the Marshal are fair in their rewards and punishments. They only kill those with malicious intent and do not punish for words alone.”
“Hahahaha.”
Li Ye threw his head back and laughed, as if he had heard a most amusing joke, saying, “Good, well said. When it comes to mocking Shi Hongzhao, it’s the Shi family servants who are most skilled. Such exquisite mockery!”
Shi Deyu’s expression turned slightly unpleasant. He suppressed his anger and smiled faintly, saying, “Li Ye, do you not find it boring to play such unseemly little tricks all day long?”
“I find it very interesting. Why get angry? It’s just a joke.”
Li Ye’s lips curled into a sneer again. He pointed at Xiao Yi twice and said, “I’ve remembered you.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode away.
Xiao Yi was somewhat surprised that Shi Deyu let it go so easily.
He supposed it was because Li Ye’s identity was unusual.
Although his immediate danger had passed, he had offended such a lunatic. Whether this would be a blessing or a curse was uncertain.
Xiao Yi, who had inexplicably been on the verge of life and death, still had to step forward and offer comfort when he saw Shi Deyu’s displeased expression.
“Young Master, this person openly sowed discord. His insight is shallow, his schemes are crude, and his character and disposition are vile. Yet he can still wear a purple robe.”
Shi Deyu sneered and asked, “Do you know who he is?”
“No.”
“The Emperor’s maternal uncle, the Empress Dowager’s youngest brother. He was spoiled at home since childhood, accustomed to a life of pleasure. By playing with the Emperor, he became a Commissioner of Xuanhui. He spends all day in close proximity to the Emperor, flying kites in the palace. It’s utterly unbecoming.”
Shi Deyu said this, shaking his head, as if he felt arguing with Li Ye was beneath him. He scoffed, “A fop, who thinks he can oppose me.”
Xiao Yi said, “I can see that. He thinks very highly of himself.”
Shi Deyu smiled, patted his shoulder, and said, “Don’t worry. Since I don’t take Li Ye seriously, why would I blame you?”
Xiao Yi had had enough of this kind of test where his life was decided by someone else’s words. However, he showed a gentle smile and said, “Should we just consider him… a tasteless fart?”
“Haha, exactly!”
Shi Deyu was overjoyed, his gloom completely gone. As they left the Ministry of Personnel and he mounted his horse, he suddenly said.
“Xiao Yi, from today onwards, you will be my close follower. Your monthly allowance will be the same as Chun Tao’s.”
————————
Chun Tao entered the side room carrying a set of fine linen robes of excellent quality. She looked at Xiao Yi and found his expression normal, possessing a calm, unruffled demeanor.
“Congratulations on your promotion. What merit did you earn this time?”
“I didn’t earn any merit this time.”
Xiao Yi had earned more merit before but received no rewards. Instead, it was Li Ye’s provocation this time that made Shi Deyu realize the need for clear rewards and punishments.
Or perhaps, Shi Deyu simply wanted to show Li Ye that he had not fallen for his trap.
“You’re really lucky to be so appreciated by Young Master,” Chun Tao said. “Try them on and see if they fit.”
“Thank you.”
Xiao Yi, disagreeing with her sentiment, took the robes and waited for her to leave.
Chun Tao did not leave. She crossed her arms and urged, “What are you being shy about? Hurry and change, I still need to take you to see Young Master.”
“Alright.”
Xiao Yi changed his clothes, and the two walked towards the front courtyard.
On the way, Chun Tao, perhaps feeling Xiao Yi was now qualified to converse with her as an equal, did not deliberately walk ahead but walked alongside him.
“You look thin, but you’re sturdy. These new clothes look quite good on you.”
“It’s because Miss Chun Tao provided them, and they fit well.”
“As if I knew your measurements! Not at all,” Chun Tao said. “Do you know what it means to be a close follower?”
“Please enlighten me.”
“Since you are a ‘close follower,’ you are to be by his side, whether for official duties or personal matters. Although you are still a household servant, your status is extraordinary. Even the stewards can call you ‘Brother Xiao Yi’ or ‘Yi Lang.’ From now on, if you have matters, you can directly request an audience with Young Master, without needing to go through me. You must familiarize yourself with the people Young Master interacts with, act as Young Master’s mouth, ears, and hands, offer advice and strategies, convey orders, supervise affairs, and organize documents…”
This was exactly what Xiao Yi needed at the moment: freedom to move around a bit more and the ability to gather more information.
Chun Tao added, “Many people came to visit today, and Young Master is a bit tired. He specifically asked for you to help him entertain guests.”
Being entrusted with such an important task suddenly, Xiao Yi felt a little bewildered.
When he asked further, Chun Tao did not know, only that Shi Hongzhao often handled official business at his private residence, and officials visiting were like a flowing stream.
As they spoke, they arrived at the main hall.
Shi Deyu sat there, looking a bit tired. He casually tossed over a visiting card.
“Xiao Yi, you entertain this person.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi saw the name on the card: “Li Hongdu of Jinyang, third-generation nephew of the former Grand Uncle of the Empress.” Roughly calculating, this person should call the Empress Dowager his aunt.
More likely, he was just a distant relative.
Just as he was about to put down the card, he suddenly noticed a detail – this visiting card had been submitted half a month ago.
A moment later, Li Hongdu was led in, walking briskly into the hall. He was richly dressed, his beard neatly trimmed, and his fair face was full of obsequious smiles. He bowed deeply, his posture extremely low.
“This humble one, Li Hongdu, has finally entered the Shi Residence. I prostrate myself before Lord Shi, wishing you well. This is a gift list, a few trivial items, unworthy of the esteemed Shi family’s high gate. Please accept it with a smile.”
Seeing Shi Deyu holding his tea cup in silence, Xiao Yi stepped forward and took the gift list, reading aloud, “Sincerely prepared meager gifts, respectfully offered to Lord Shi: one hundred taels of pure gold, a measure of pearls, twenty bolts of tribute silk…”
Shi Deyu suddenly raised his hand to stop him, indicating he didn’t want to hear any more.
Xiao Yi then asked, “What is the purpose of your visit, sir?”
“This humble one is not very talented, but I am somewhat skilled in archery and horsemanship. I wish to serve Lord Shi, holding his whip and reins. I dare not aspire to high positions. If I could serve as a patrol inspector in the Imperial Guard, patrolling the streets, that would be sufficient. I heard there is a vacancy in the left wing?”
The hall was silent. Shi Deyu said nothing.
Xiao Yi asked, “Where did you hear about that?”
“I heard it from my clan uncle, Li Ye.”
“Li Ye?” Xiao Yi thought it was a strange coincidence. Then he realized it wasn’t a coincidence. He steadied his mind and asked, “Then why didn’t you go to him?”
Li Hongdu looked indignant. “He took my money and then called me delusional and kicked me out. I couldn’t stomach that. I thought that among all the civil and military officials, only Grand Tutor Shi was a true hero. So, I sold my ancestral land and borrowed from my neighbors to gather these tokens of my respect. I hope Young Master can put in a good word for me so I can establish myself in the Capital and hold my head high.”
Xiao Yi glanced at Chun Tao, who pointed at the gift list and subtly shook her head. He understood and said, “This gift list of yours doesn’t look like it came from selling ancestral property.”
“Young Master,” Li Hongdu turned to Shi Deyu, “To be honest, although I am a relative of the Empress Dowager, I sincerely wish to join the Shi family. I trade in Jiangnan and pay considerable tribute to the Patrol Inspectorate each year. If Young Master can accept me, you will gain real profit and broaden your influence.”
Only then did Shi Deyu put down his tea cup and say in a voice that required no effort, “Xiao Yi, what are your thoughts?”
Xiao Yi pondered. Shi Deyu hadn’t seen Li Hongdu for half a month, and today he suddenly asked him to entertain the guest, which indicated he already had a plan.
He understood.
So, imitating Li Ye’s manner, a controlling smile formed on his lips. He leaned close to Li Hongdu’s ear and whispered, “Using generous benefits to entice him, attempting to seize military power. Unfortunately, when you discussed this with Li Ye, didn’t you consider that walls have ears?”
The words came suddenly. Li Hongdu’s expression stiffened, and he trembled involuntarily.
“You…”
“Young Master, I’ve tricked him,” Xiao Yi said.
Li Hongdu was stunned for a moment, then pretended to be displeased and bowed. “If Young Master does not believe me, you may accept the meager gifts first. I shall take my leave now.”
“Seize him!” Shi Deyu suddenly bellowed, sneering, “A foreign relative coveting military power has touched my father’s sensitive spot. You still think you can leave alive? Drag him out of the gate and kill him in the street.”
Li Hongdu was greatly alarmed and shouted, “How dare you? I am a relative of the Empress Dowager! You… how dare you kill me?”
Xiao Yi also thought that killing a relative of the Empress Dowager would be disadvantageous to the Shi family.
Just as he was about to advise against it, he turned and saw Shi Deyu looking at him intently.
“Xiao Yi, you kill him.”
“But he…”
“Last time, you let a scholar go.”
In an instant, Xiao Yi realized this was a test, and a testimonial he had to provide.
After being sowed discord by Li Ye this morning, he was arranged to execute a Li clan relative this afternoon. How could such a coincidence occur?
If he didn’t kill, he would die.
……
Li Hongdu was dragged outside the Shi Residence gate by the guards.
Xiao Yi took the saber and drew it.
The light was dim. The blade reflected a face devoid of expression, showing neither pity nor killing intent, only indifference, as if detached from the world.
“Congratulations, you’ve finished your kill.”
“Don’t kill me, I’m a relative of the Empress Dowager! You dare…”
“Thwack.”
The throat-slitting motion was a bit clumsy, but it was efficient.
With a soft sound, fear and struggle abruptly ceased.
