Chapter 15: Finding One’s Own Way
Arriving at the front courtyard, Xiao Yi was stopped by guards with sabers and halberds.
“I have an urgent matter to seek an audience with the Marshal.”
“The Marshal is not seeing anyone!”
Xiao Yi stood for a while longer, his gaze sweeping across. The visitors to Shi Hongzhao were clearly generals under his command, with several guards waiting in the corridor.
When dealing with military affairs, Shi Hongzhao disliked being disturbed. Xiao Yi thought for a moment and decided to find Shi Deyu first.
He hurried to the west side hall and was blocked again.
This time, Xie Hui was guarding the hall entrance and said, “Young Master is discussing important matters with Prefect Liu.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yi secretly wondered if Liu Zhu was also here to deliver a message.
He patiently waited in the corridor, contemplating the news he had just heard.
After a long while, Liu Zhu finally left.
Xiao Yi then walked towards the side hall with a slightly faster pace than usual. As he brushed past Liu Zhu, he bowed and nodded politely.
Liu Zhu seemed taken aback, instinctively nodded slightly, and quickly passed by.
After they had walked a few steps apart, Xiao Yi vaguely heard Liu Zhu ask his attendant behind him, “Is that Second Young Master Shi?”
In the end, the blue sable cloak he was wearing was a bit too eye-catching.
Unable to concern himself with that for the moment, Xiao Yi entered the side hall and, getting straight to the point, explained in detail everything he had heard that day to Shi Deyu.
“Young Master, Yan Jinqing just visited and spoke of a secret…”
Xiao Yi lowered his voice, speaking meticulously, afraid of missing a single detail.
Occasionally, a crackle from the charcoal fire in the hall would make him turn his head warily, and then he would continue.
The dismissive look on Shi Deyu’s face froze slightly, his eyes flashing with contemplation, as if judging the truth of the matter.
Xiao Yi thought he had realized the gravity of the situation, but soon, that hint of thought turned into a trace of mockery.
“I thought it was something important.”
Shi Deyu picked up his tea cup and took a sip, his composure restored. “The Empress Dowager is strict, and the Emperor is young and impetuous. What’s so strange about a few occasional arguments? Even imperial families are like ordinary people. For this, Yan Jinqing dares to spread alarmist talk?”
“But I don’t think he’s lying.”
“His words are all baseless conjecture.”
Xiao Yi said, “If the Emperor resents the Marshal for his recent actions and decides to move against him, it would be natural…”
“Tap.”
Shi Deyu put down his tea cup with a light sound, interrupting Xiao Yi’s words. His eyes were clear, but there was no vigilance, only a condescending insight.
“Xiao Yi, you are clever and quick-witted, but your knowledge is too shallow, which is why you are deceived by Yan Jinqing. He failed to appease his father, sowed discord to seek credit, and is a scoundrel trying to sow discord between ruler and subject.”
Shi Deyu seemed to feel a hint of self-satisfaction as he saw through Yan Jinqing’s intentions, a faint smile gracing his lips.
Xiao Yi did not expect such a serious matter to be met with such indifference by Shi Deyu, and asked, “Aren’t you afraid he’s telling the truth?”
“It’s true that the Emperor fears my father, so what?”
In the last four words, Shi Deyu’s voice rose, showing an air of looking down on the world, speaking eloquently.
“My father has troops and guards both inside and out, and the court officials are united. The Prefect of Kaifeng can be ordered around at will. In contrast, the Emperor has a few singers and courtesans by his side, a bunch of sycophants. What can they achieve? You say the Emperor wants to make a move, and because he ran to the Empress Dowager to cry, can he kill the Shi family by crying?”
Shi Deyu counted on his fingers, calmly and assuredly.
He patted Xiao Yi’s shoulder, his tone instructive, “I’m not saying your caution is wrong, but you should know that superior military strength is the kingly way. My father has spent his life in battle, he is not someone a pampered young noble can scheme against.”
Xiao Yi didn’t know what the Shi family’s plans were and felt uncertain. After thinking for a moment, he tested, “I thought Prefect Liu was also here to deliver a message earlier.”
“Is he a startled bird like you? He’s here to say that since Guo Wei has won, it’s time to get the command seal back,” Shi Deyu murmured. “According to my father’s wishes, we’ll first see Guo Wei’s attitude towards the marriage alliance before discussing it.”
Xiao Yi had a vague premonition that this was also a foolish move.
He thought for a moment and advised again, “Young Master, it’s better to believe it exists than not to believe it doesn’t. Why not meet Yan…”
Shi Deyu frowned and said, “People like Yan Jinqing are greedy for vanity and shameless. Go, have him thrown out of the Shi Residence… I don’t want to hear from him again.”
Xiao Yi felt that Shi Deyu had a bias against Yan Jinqing, perhaps because his birth mother was also surnamed Yan.
He had no choice but to retreat, planning to question Yan Jinqing further.
But from afar, he saw that the door to the side room was open. He hurried over to look, but the person was not inside.
Xiao Yi looked around and saw messy footprints outside the door. He vaguely felt something was wrong, and followed a few tracks in the snow all the way out of the mansion gate.
Outside the gate, Liu Zhu’s carriage had just turned at the street corner and disappeared into the wind and snow.
Xiao Yi quickly asked the gatekeeper, “Did you see the man in the gray fox fur coat?”
“He got into Prefect Liu’s carriage.”
“Is that so?”
Xiao Yi frowned and pondered, feeling that the matter was more complicated than he had anticipated.
Therefore, the crisis the Shi family would face was likely far greater than Shi Deyu had predicted.
He couldn’t bring himself to believe Shi Deyu’s judgment and continue to live peacefully in the Shi Residence.
Stopping to ponder, he looked up at the old tree in the courtyard. He saw that the bird’s nest in its branches had collapsed under the snow and fallen to the ground.
Xiao Yi couldn’t help but murmur.
“Good advice is hard to persuade a damned soul, and compassion cannot save a self-destructive person.”
It was time for him to make his own way.
————————
Xiao Yi decided to see Shi Deyu one last time.
His mindset was different from usual. He did not knock but pushed the door open and entered.
He saw Shi Deyu reclining on a chair, deeply intoxicated, with a maidservant rubbing his shoulders.
“I didn’t ask you to come in.”
“Young Master, Liu Zhu has taken Yan Jinqing. Although I don’t know why, I’m afraid…”
Shi Deyu frowned, waved the maidservant behind him away, and said, “This matter is of no consequence, you don’t need to worry.”
“Alright.”
Xiao Yi nodded and spoke, no longer advising, but stating, “The Marshal has strong troops and horses, and is not in a hurry to replace the Son of Heaven. He likely does not fear the Emperor, but rather, it is Guo Wei.”
Shi Deyu was startled, his drunkenness clearing somewhat. He sat up and asked, “What makes you say that?”
Xiao Yi said, “The fundamental reason the Marshal entrusted the command seal to Guo Wei is that the Marshal controls the Imperial Guard and cannot personally lead the expedition. However, no matter how trustworthy Guo Wei is, he is ultimately an outsider. Now, the Marshal is likely waiting for Guo Wei to return to the capital for a personal discussion. The so-called marriage alliance is to clarify his attitude?”
“You are indeed clever.”
“Why must Young Master place his hopes on others?”
“What do you mean?”
Xiao Yi slowed his speech and asked, “Are Guo Wei and the Marshal truly of one mind?”
“You mean… how is that possible?” Shi Deyu was startled, his voice growing hoarse.
“Since the Guo family did not immediately agree to the marriage alliance, there is a possibility of them changing their minds. Not to mention the prolonged delays, even if the marriage alliance is successful and Second Young Master becomes Guo family’s son-in-law, will it be beneficial to you in the long run? Second Young Master once said that he is the Marshal’s beloved son.”
Shi Deyu remained silent, narrowing his eyes slightly, a flicker of light moving within them.
Xiao Yi took two steps closer and lowered his voice, saying, “There is another possibility. Guo Wei was originally willing to assist. Forcing him to marry his daughter to Second Young Master may have had the opposite effect. But you are different. He must see that you are far more outstanding than Second Young Master. If so, why don’t you contact Guo Wei privately? Then, the one who achieves great things will be you, not Second Young Master. This would be a perfect strategy.”
Shi Deyu seemed to be considering it, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest.
After pondering for a while, he slowly said, “For me to contact Guo Wei? I fear my father would be displeased.”
“As long as Father is kept in the dark, Young Master can secretly send someone to meet Guo Wei.”
“Then… no official couriers or guards can be used.”
“Yes, and no written correspondence can be left behind. Someone must convey the advantages and disadvantages to Guo Wei in person and explain the Young Master’s ambitions.”
With these words spoken, Xiao Yi considered his goal achieved. The Shi family was on the verge of great disaster and still unaware, so they would go their separate ways.
Now, all that was needed was a written order from Shi Deyu, and he could pledge allegiance to the Guo family.
Shi Deyu nodded, stood up, and paced.
Seeing him still hesitating, Xiao Yi opened his mouth as if to persuade him further, but ultimately held back.
He patiently waited, silently reciting “Ziwei reflects on the Dipper, the Emperor’s star shines on all sides,” only using his gaze to encourage Shi Deyu.
Finally,
“Xiao Yi, you are skilled in both civil and military arts, and your riding skill is also excellent. Are you willing to make this trip for me?”
Xiao Yi suppressed his excitement, feigned surprise for a moment, and cupped his fist. “I am willing to serve you, Young Master.”
“Good!” Shi Deyu couldn’t help but praise, “With Xiao Yi, great things can be expected.”
It’s done!
The next moment, Shi Deyu’s tone suddenly returned to normal. He said gently with a smile, “This trip will be arduous. I will arrange a wife for you. You should marry Chun Tao before you depart. Once you have a family and attachments, you will be more steady in your actions, and I can rest assured.”
