Chapter 26: Decisive
The Guo Residence gradually lit up.
Only a few people remained in the Flower Hall. After Guo Tong left, the sounds of guards and servants hurrying outside could be heard, but it was all orderly.
Chai Shouyu beckoned Guo Xin over and said softly, “Go to my room and fetch the box by the bedside.”
“Yes.”
“Xiao Yi.” Chai Shouyu turned to Xiao Yi, sighing with emotion, “You risked coming to warn us, the Guo family owes you another great debt of gratitude.”
“It is what I should do.”
“The Guo family is preoccupied with their own troubles and cannot repay you handsomely for now. I have a small amount of personal savings; please do not find it vulgar. Take it for your safety. In the future, if my husband can survive this tribulation, you will be richly rewarded.”
Xiao Yi understood Chai Shouyu’s intention to protect him.
For him, it was safest to lie low for now and seek his reward after Guo Wei became Emperor.
Yet, he agreed without hesitation, “This junior is willing to escort Madam to the north.”
Chai Shouyu asked in surprise, “How do you know I will be heading north?”
Xiao Yi did not know, but he was urging her to leave, saying, “I have also offended Su Fengji and Li Ye. I know their narrow minds and their jackal-like nature. They will not let the Guo family off. Madam, as a woman, you are no less capable than a man. You must make a swift decision.”
“The Shi Residence has suffered a great disaster. Since you managed to escape, why not flee far away and live in peace, instead of continuing to get entangled in this? Are you not afraid of immense calamity?”
Xiao Yi felt Chai Shouyu’s scrutiny. He met her gaze calmly and revealed his calculations and ambitions.
He knew that a person with desires was easier to control than one driven by “loyalty and righteousness.”
“To be honest, Madam, I am also seeking a way out for myself. Commander Guo is a hero of unmatched valor, whom I have always admired. By joining him, I can protect myself in this overwhelming tide and even achieve something.”
“It is commendable that you have such foresight.”
Chai Shouyu nodded, a hint of admiration in her eyes.
She was decisive and did not dwell on other matters. She raised her hand to stop Guo Xin, who was about to leave.
“Your official robe does not befit the news you delivered tonight, nor your courage. When we reach Ye Du, my husband will reward you handsomely.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
Xiao Yi understood her underlying meaning.
Since she mentioned the official robe, he took out his official document and handed it to Chai Shouyu.
“This was given to me by a righteous man when I fled. I cannot implicate him yet. When we reach Ye Du, he will deliver a letter to Commander Guo.”
“This person must be extraordinary.”
Chai Shouyu did not inquire further. She sighed and said.
She took the official document and examined it, nodding. She returned it with both hands and asked, “Your surname is Xiao? And your given name is Yi?”
“Yes.”
“I have noted it,” Chai Shouyu said frankly. “I was wondering if you might be Second Young Master Shi, possessing such bearing, courage, and determination to go north.”
“Madam misunderstands. This junior is merely Xiao Yi. I have no background, no connections, and nothing to hide.”
“Good!”
Chai Shouyu praised him, then murmured something to herself a moment later.
Her voice was very low, and Xiao Yi couldn’t hear clearly, but it sounded like “What a pity.”
Immediately after, Chai Shouyu’s regret vanished. She pulled Guo Wuniang, who was beside her, closer.
“Wuniang, have you thanked the Benefactor? If not for Young Master Xiao at the Great Xiangguo Temple earlier, both your mother and I would have been trampled by the startled horses.”
“Mother, you said last time that unmarried young ladies should not appear to express thanks.”
“This is a different time, be obedient.”
“Oh.”
Guo Wuniang obediently stepped forward, curtsied, and said, “Thank you, Benefactor, for saving us twice.”
Xiao Yi replied, “Young Lady, you are too kind.”
Guo Wuniang blinked, as if signaling him not to mention her gambling, then let out a barely perceptible “hmph” and returned to Chai Shouyu’s side, her eyes scrutinizing him curiously.
Hurried but deliberately light footsteps sounded from outside the hall.
Guo Tong, clad in armor and accompanied by two guards, returned to the Flower Hall.
He was not wearing the Bright Light Armor that Zhang Mantun had worn during his breakout, but lamellar armor, with a chest guard, arm guards, and leg armor, covered by a thick velvet cloak—light and practical.
“Mother,” Guo Tong said with a grave expression, “it wasn’t only the Grand Tutor’s mansion that was raided. Yang Bin’s and Wang Zhang’s residences were also searched.”
“And Lord Yang and Lord Wang?”
“They entered the palace with the Grand Tutor before evening and have not emerged since. I fear they are… in grave danger.”
Chai Shouyu showed no surprise on her face, only a sigh of lament. “Regent Ministers executed without inquiry. Such brutality will surely make everyone fear for their lives and cause the realm to fall apart.”
Guo Tong said, “Now that it has come to this, Father cannot remain uninvolved. I fear the Emperor will move against us.”
“Does he dare?” Guo Xin said indignantly, “Ye Du has ample troops and provisions, and Father holds the Command Seal. If he dares to act against us, isn’t he afraid Father will march into Tokyo City?”
“Silence,” Guo Tong rebuked. “If His Majesty had any sense, would the situation be like this tonight?”
His expression turned even more grim. He stepped forward a few paces and leaned in to whisper in Chai Shouyu’s ear.
“Mother, there’s something else. General Wang returned earlier…”
Xiao Yi saw this and mused that Guo Tong must be trying to avoid him, an outsider.
But in the current situation, what could warrant such a private conversation?
He looked towards them, only to see Chai Shouyu shake her head and say in a low voice, “There is no need to worry about your father’s matters for now.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi heard that it concerned Guo Wei and was mentioned after Guo Xin spoke of “ample troops and provisions,” “holding the Command Seal,” and “marching into Tokyo.” He guessed that some aspect had gone awry.
The Guo family did not have much time to deliberate.
Chai Shouyu quickly made her decision.
“Leave the capital immediately and go to Ye Du.”
“Yes.”
“Do not bother packing the household treasures. Take some gold and silver and provisions. We can purchase necessities on the road. Go, first have someone prepare horses.”
“Yes, I will arrange it now, child.”
Xiao Yi inwardly praised Chai Shouyu’s decisiveness, but then saw her fall into thought, her brow furrowed.
“Young Master Xiao.”
“Please, Madam, instruct me.”
Chai Shouyu asked, “You said Liu Zhu betrayed us. Do you have any concrete evidence?”
“No,” Xiao Yi stated confidently. “But I personally heard Yan Jinqing say that the Emperor intended to act. Afterwards, Yan Jinqing was taken away by Liu Zhu. If he were not an accomplice, why would he permit tonight’s events?”
Chai Shouyu murmured, “If that is the case, it is too disadvantageous.”
“Are you asking the Mayor of Kaifeng because you are worried about not being able to leave the city?” Guo Tong’s eyes showed deep worry, which was soon replaced by resolve. “This child will swear to protect Mother with his life.”
“Bravery and martial prowess are useless,” Chai Shouyu shook her head.
After a long pause, she pondered and then mentioned another name.
“Commander of the Imperial Guards Infantry, Wang Yin. Young Master Xiao must have heard of him? Do you know what has become of him?”
Xiao Yi’s heart stirred. He understood that Chai Shouyu had immediately grasped the crucial point.
Regarding the Imperial Guard forces, he had some understanding from his time at the Shi Residence, as the Imperial Guard was under Shi Hongzhao’s command.
The Imperial Guard comprised several formations. The most important was the Imperial Bodyguard, which was further divided into infantry and cavalry. The infantry was for combat and defense, while the cavalry was for mobile assaults. In addition, there were the guards, the Capital Region Patrol forces, and some elite smaller units, such as the Hall Guard and the Silver Spear Victorious Army.
Among these, the Imperial Guards Infantry was the main force responsible for the defense of Kaifeng City.
Shi Hongzhao personally served as the Commander of the Infantry and Cavalry Formations. The Commander of the Infantry was Wang Yin. As for Wang Yin’s deputy, the Deputy Commander of the Infantry, it was concurrently held by the Mayor of Kaifeng, Liu Zhu.
Furthermore, the Imperial Bodyguard was divided not only into infantry and cavalry but also into the left and right wings. Nie Wenjin, who defected this time, was the Commander of the Right Wing.
In simple terms, Nie Wenjin and Liu Zhu controlled the Imperial Guard and Kaifeng’s city defenses. The only one who could counter them was Wang Yin.
Xiao Yi said, “Madam, Wang Yin is not in Kaifeng City. I heard he was sent to oversee the Yellow River defenses earlier to guard against a Khitan winter invasion.”
“Not in Kaifeng City? It seems there were arrangements made long ago,” Chai Shouyu murmured, her eyes finally dimming. “The Emperor’s schemes run deeper than I anticipated.”
She contemplated for a long time, seemingly making a decision, and slowly spoke.
“Young Master Xiao, I have a rather presumptuous request.”
Xiao Yi replied, “If Madam wishes to contact Wang Yin, this junior is unworthy, but willing to go.”
“No, there is no time. I have another task for you. Although I fear it will burden you, I deeply hope you can accomplish it.”
“Please, Madam, speak freely. As long as this junior can do it, I will not hesitate.”
Chai Shouyu nodded but did not speak immediately. Instead, she took Guo Wuniang’s hand and gently patted it.
In this urgent situation, even this moment of silence felt like a luxury.
“Wuniang, go change into some comfortable clothes and take Yi Ge’er. Wait at the back gate.”
