Chapter 13: The Art Of Face Reading
A corpse fell to the ground, splashing snow.
Xiao Yi cleanly dropped his sabers and halberds and walked towards Shi Deyu’s study.
Since he was already a close follower, he did not need to be announced. He went straight through the guarded courtyard gate, across the courtyard, and up the steps.
Just as he was about to knock, Xiao Yi stopped, stood still, and listened to the conversation in the room.
“If Young Master asks me, I guess he will kill, but who knows how long it will take.”
Hearing the voice, Xiao Yi knew it was Xie Hui speaking.
Shi Deyu asked, “Didn’t you recognize him? He was a servant confiscated from Li Song’s mansion back then.”
“Now that you mention it, I remember. The kid who peed his pants in fear, begging me to spare his life on his knees, with tears and snot. After being kept at the prefecture for two or three years, he’s completely different now.”
“What was his reaction when he saw you?”
“No reaction, as if he didn’t recognize me.”
“Did he mention his former master?”
“He didn’t.” Xie Hui sneered, “Does he dare to?”
Shi Deyu said, “That means his former master is gone, and you don’t need to trouble him anymore. Go.”
“But don’t you think he’s strange, Young Master? Like a different person.”
“I know. In just a few days, he’s transformed. But I only need his loyalty…”
Xiao Yi turned back, stepped back down the steps on the snowy footprints on the ground, called out “Young Master,” and walked forward again, knocking on the door.
A moment later, Xie Hui opened the door, glanced at him, smiled faintly, and strode away.
“Young Master, it’s done.”
Xiao Yi’s voice was steady, showing no emotion.
Shi Deyu didn’t even look up, only said a faint “Mm,” as if he were discussing an ordinary trivial matter.
But this meant that Xiao Yi had temporarily passed his test.
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A few days later, some servants walked past under the corridor and saw Xiao Yi approaching. They quickly moved to the side.
“Yi Lang.”
“Mm.”
Xiao Yi nodded, his steps unhurried. He turned into the long corridor and arrived at Shi Deyu’s study without hindrance.
Closing the door, he walked to the last row of bookshelves and scanned the scrolls.
Small paper labels were attached to the scrolls, such as “Grand Tutor Feng Dao,” “Left Vice Premier Su Yugui,” “Attendant Official Dou Zhengu,” “Hanlin Academician Wang Renyu,” “Hedong Military Governor Liu Chong,” “Yan Prefecture Military Governor Murong Yanchao,” and so on, recording intelligence on the high officials of the current court.
His gaze quickly swept over those he had already read and stopped at the words “Mayor of Kaifeng Liu Zhu.” Xiao Yi reached out and picked it up.
At this time, Shi Hongzhao was meeting Liu Zhu in the Main Hall, with Shi Deyu accompanying him. It was likely a confidential discussion, and Xiao Yi, not being present, was somewhat curious.
Unrolling the scroll, he saw a red checkmark under Liu Zhu’s name, indicating that Liu Zhu was a key person Shi Deyu was trying to befriend.
“Liu Zhu, from Shaanxi, a former tribal soldier from Heyang. Cunning, fond of killing and unmerciful, but quite knowing of his place. The late Emperor used him as Left Imperial Guard. At the beginning of the dynasty, he was appointed Military Governor of Yongxing Army. When the young heir ascended the throne, he was transferred to Mayor of Kaifeng. He deeply aligns with Father’s belief in using severe punishments in chaotic times. Every time he meets, he speaks of punishment, killing, money, and grain. He beats people with two canes simultaneously, calling it ‘joyful canes,’ or beats people according to their age, calling it ‘age-appropriate canes.’ He is good at accumulating wealth. This year, the rate for autumn seedlings is three thousand coins per mu, and for summer seedlings, two thousand…”
Shi Deyu’s handwriting was messy, written in traditional characters and without punctuation. Xiao Yi had found it very difficult to read before, but now he could understand it fluently. He quickly memorized the intelligence for future use.
Unrolling another one, a piece of paper fell out of the scroll.
The paper was made of high-quality mulberry paper, typically used for important documents. The writing on the paper was rough, like sabers and halberds.
“The cleaver is sharp, the fat pig is among them. At your command, the entire city will be ground to mince. Zhu, bows twice in respect.”
Xiao Yi chewed over these two lines, not fully understanding their meaning for a moment. He tucked the paper back in and tidied the scrolls.
He thought to himself, Liu Zhu’s “bows twice in respect” must be to Shi Hongzhao. Who then was “the fat pig”?
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Shi Deyu walked in, his expression slightly displeased.
Xiao Yi was not flustered; he had the duty of tidying the bookshelves.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting familiar with the people Young Master interacts with.”
“You’ve become a close follower and want to do your duty, that’s fine, but…”
As he spoke, Shi Deyu walked to the bookshelf, picked up the scroll concerning Liu Zhu, unrolled it, took out the slip of paper, and glanced at it, a flicker of annoyance crossing his eyes.
“But since you were not assigned to accompany me, it means you don’t need to be familiar with this person.”
“Noted.”
“But I see no remorse in you,” Shi Deyu raised his voice.
Xiao Yi said, “I will never make that mistake again…”
“If you regret it, why do you not appear fearful?”
Shi Deyu suddenly questioned him, uncharacteristically angry, like thunder striking on a bright spring day.
He pointed his finger and continued, “I appreciate and promote you, and you? Have you ever knelt to thank me for my kindness? You spend all day pretending to be a young master or noble, impersonating Er Lang, causing a stir throughout the city. When others call you ‘Yi Lang,’ do you really no longer consider yourself a servant?!”
Xiao Yi was initially confused. Hearing the words “impersonating Er Lang,” he guessed that Liu Zhu might have spread some rumors that displeased Shi Deyu.
Or perhaps Shi Deyu was using this as an excuse to make him more humble.
But ultimately, he did not want to kneel and admit fault. After pondering for a while, he decided to put a thought he had been contemplating for days into practice.
“I indeed do not consider myself a servant.”
“What?” Shi Deyu was surprised.
Xiao Yi, however, changed the subject and said, “Young Master’s physiognomy indicates unparalleled nobility.”
“Do I need you to tell me?”
“I mean, Young Master’s brow is surrounded by purple energy, a sign of the Big Dipper reflecting the Purple Star and the Emperor Star being honored.”
Shi Deyu’s expression grew serious, and he asked in a deep voice, “What? You can read faces?”
“I cannot.”
“Then?”
Xiao Yi deliberately paused for three breaths before saying, “Some time ago, someone saw Young Master from afar at the prefecture and said something that enlightened me.”
“Who?” Shi Deyu’s expression shifted. “Could it be… Zen Master Wen Yan? He said I have the sign of the Emperor Star being honored? What specifically?”
“I cannot say.”
A suspicious look flashed in Shi Deyu’s eyes, and he berated, “Are you playing with me?!”
Xiao Yi faintly sensed the urgency in his tone, concluding that his heart was stirred. He resisted the pressure and remained silent.
A long while.
“Alright, I won’t ask.”
Shi Deyu finally relented, apparently preferring to believe Xiao Yi’s words.
He sighed regretfully and said, “Do you know that the Zen Master passed away not long ago?”
Xiao Yi nodded in agreement and then asked in surprise, “Then for Young Master… was that his final prophecy?”
Shi Deyu paced a few steps, his stride unconsciously a little faster than usual.
“You can’t elaborate on the Zen Master’s prophecy, but tell me your thoughts.”
“Yes, since I met the Zen Master, I no longer consider myself a servant.” Xiao Yi bowed respectfully and asked, “May I ask, when the prophecy comes true in the future, will Young Master need a fearful and humble house servant, or a loyal confidant?”
The study was silent for a while, only the faint whimper of the wind blowing through the window cracks.
With a swallowing sound, Shi Deyu’s throat moved. He suppressed the emotions in his voice and said, “You, you have great courage! Do you know what you’re saying? For this sentence alone, I can kill you right now.”
“Young Master said, ‘Without sincerity, there’s no point.’ Today, I am simply being sincere with Young Master.”
Shi Deyu frowned, staring intently at Xiao Yi, as if trying to find a trace of bluff or fear in his eyes.
But Xiao Yi was as calm as the Buddha statue enshrined in Great Xiangguo Temple.
He knew Shi Deyu would not kill him; that threat only revealed his greed for power.
Their eyes met.
After a long pause, Shi Deyu’s icy expression gradually melted, revealing an uncontainable complex and difficult-to-describe look: shock, doubt, bewilderment, a hint of anger at being seen through, but more so, a satisfaction from his ambition resonating and being soothed.
Finally, he suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh and shook his head.
“The reason you looked at Liu Zhu’s file was to test the waters, to tell me that you understand my plans and want to participate?”
“Yes.” Xiao Yi was willing to go along with his guess.
“I will remember your arrogance today.”
Xiao Yi said, “Perhaps one day, Young Master will not consider this arrogance.”
Shi Deyu couldn’t help but smile, his expression brightening. “Alright, it’s fine to tell you. I do have… great ambitions.”
“I am willing to serve Young Master.”
Xiao Yi bowed again, still not servile, and with an added formality of an advisor.
Shi Deyu said, “Liu Zhu just mentioned that the rumor in Kaifeng City is that the servant from the Shi family who was provoked at the banquet was actually Shi Er Lang. I tried to test you, and indeed, I found out.”
Xiao Yi said, “So Young Master was forcing me to be sincere. But how could such a misunderstanding occur?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Shi Deyu, having calmed down, said faintly, “They won’t misunderstand for long… Go, what was said today must not be leaked.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi pushed open the door, and a gust of wind carrying snowflakes blew in, the chill making him shiver involuntarily.
Shi Deyu tightened his fox fur coat, turned his head, saw an old blue sable cloak hanging on the rack, immediately picked it up, stepped forward, and personally draped it over Xiao Yi’s back.
The fur of this blue sable was also thick at the base, and its texture was light and soft, instantly warding off the cold wind.
“It’s cold, wear it.”
Xiao Yi turned his head and saw that Shi Deyu’s eyes were full of gentleness after he had completely calmed down. He therefore did not refuse and said, “Thank you, Young Master, for your kindness.”
A moment later, a receding figure wearing the blue sable cloak disappeared into the distance.
Shi Deyu stood with his hands behind his back under the corridor, looking up at the sky, recalling the phrase “the Big Dipper reflecting the Purple Star and the Emperor Star being honored,” his heart surging with emotion.
He had not explicitly stated his ambitions just now. If he were to say them, they could be summarized by a quote from An Chongrong, the Military Governor of Chengde Army…
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Leaving the courtyard, Xiao Yi looked back at the swirling wind and snow, as if with a sense of realization.
He could not read faces, nor could he completely determine the Shi family’s ambitions based solely on Liu Zhu’s note. However, he knew the tradition of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.
This tradition could be summarized in one sentence:
“The Son of Heaven, whoever has strong soldiers and horses is worthy of it, is there any nobility in birth?!”
