Chapter 6: Wine Games
Xiao Yi felt the killing intent behind him dissipate, only then realizing he had just walked through the gates of hell.
Before him, Su Fengji’s expression froze, his old eyes narrowing as he looked over, a cunning glint flashing within them.
“You… Who are you?”
Xiao Yi replied in a steady yet polite tone, “Naturally, I am a servant from the Shi Residence.”
“A servant? How dare a servant speak to me like this?”
Su Fengji’s remark caused Yang Bin, seated opposite, to also give Xiao Yi a deep look.
Xiao Yi knew he had been too flashy on his first outing with Shi Hongzhao.
The official authority pressed down like a mountain; he calmed himself, knowing that Su Fengji, as Prime Minister, was showing a lack of breadth by making such a scene, and thus replied unhurriedly.
“Prime Minister Su must be drunk.”
Opposite, a hint of mockery subtly appeared on Yang Bin’s face.
“Bang!”
Shi Hongzhao finally drained his cup of wine and slammed the golden cup down, saying, “Good wine, strong enough! Prime Minister Su, you truly cannot drink it.”
Xiao Yi’s immediate crisis was resolved, and he took half a step back.
Wang Zhang quickly beckoned to the beautiful courtesan serving Su Fengji, saying, “Haha, quickly help Prime Minister Su to his seat, and pour him another cup of fine wine, not too strong.”
It was no wonder he wanted a transfer; he must have been very annoyed watching these people every day.
Xiao Yi lowered his gaze and poured wine, noticing that the courtesan first looked at Shi Hongzhao with great interest before helping Su Fengji.
The courtesan also noticed his scrutiny and, as she turned, deliberately brushed her colorful sleeve against him.
Xiao Yi remained unfazed, possessing a calm demeanor born from being accustomed to such scenes, which surprised the courtesan. She deliberately turned back and smiled at him…
The banquet continued.
This time, while listening, Xiao Yi also paid attention to Su Fengji.
People occasionally approached Su Fengji and whispered reports in his ear. Each time, Su Fengji would glance in Xiao Yi’s direction.
Xiao Yi remained composed, his peripheral vision following them. He saw one person walk up to Yan Jinqing and converse, their gaze frequently drifting towards them.
Su Fengji was likely investigating him, and might even make a move.
Indeed, after a while, Su Fengji smiled and beckoned him over.
“I’ve observed you listening intently to the conversations at the banquet; are you interested in state affairs?”
Xiao Yi had anticipated this and replied, “Prime Minister Su misunderstands.”
Su Fengji mused to himself, “The Grand Tutor’s residence is full of hidden talent. Then let me ask you, what is your opinion on handing the seal of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs to a Border General? If you answer well, I’ll give you a prize.”
“My knowledge is shallow, and I know nothing of state affairs. Prime Minister, you have asked the wrong person.”
“Oh? Do you perhaps not support the Grand Tutor?”
The hall fell silent, and everyone turned their eyes towards them again.
Shi Hongzhao did not intervene, merely waiting for Xiao Yi’s reaction.
If Xiao Yi did not answer, Shi Hongzhao, being petty, would surely be displeased; if he answered, it would be improper for a mere servant to discuss court politics, drawing criticism, not to mention the risk of death if he answered poorly.
He thought for a moment and decided to take a gamble.
“Prime Minister Su referred to Duke Guo as a ‘Border General,’ which I cannot agree with.”
“Oh? What does this mean?”
“Ye Du is the heartland of the Central Plains, yet Prime Minister regards it as a border. It seems you have no desire to retake Yan Yun. I dare not speculate if it is due to fear of the Khitan or other considerations, but I know the Grand Tutor prioritizes the nation and state, aiming to wield the Han dynasty’s authority, behead the barbarians, and reclaim Yan Yun. This is the mark of a man of integrity.”
“Excellent!” Yang Bin clapped his hands in praise and said, “Regardless of Prime Minister Su’s view, I will grant you a prize.”
Xiao Yi breathed a sigh of relief and bowed, “Thank you, Grand Tutor.”
Su Fengji stroked his sparse beard and sighed, “When have I not wanted to retake Yan Yun? Alas… you have such insight, yet you claim to be a servant of the Shi family? If the Grand Tutor does not know how to use talent, would you like me to hire you into my service?”
This remark was malicious. Xiao Yi wondered why this old man was deliberately causing trouble for him and finally became angry, saying, “No need for the Prime Minister’s concern. If Prime Minister has any dissatisfaction with the Grand Tutor, you might as well petition the Son of Heaven to decide, why bother questioning a mere subordinate here?”
“A misunderstanding, it was all a misunderstanding.” Su Fengji’s eyes flashed with a light, and it was unclear what he was planning. He said, “I was merely teasing a bit.”
“Haha.” Wang Zhang once again eased the atmosphere, “We all serve the state…”
Having temporarily avoided this issue, Xiao Yi knew that passively responding was not a solution; he needed to retaliate.
“Marshal, the wine pot is empty.”
This was the signal. Shi Hongzhao knew he was going to arrange for the Tribute Student to step in, and nodded.
Outside the hall, Zhang Mantun brought Feng Sheng over, grumbling, “Damn it, that old geezer is so annoying.”
Feng Sheng became even more nervous, saying, “Su Fengji is so insidious, I’m afraid… I’m afraid I can’t handle it.”
Zhang Mantun kicked him in the rear and cursed, “With the Marshal’s backing, what are you afraid of? Go, let’s play the drinking game.”
Despite these words, Xiao Yi sensed that Shi Hongzhao was quite suspicious and did not truly support his subordinates.
Yet, having offended Su Fengji today, he was tied to the Shi family’s ship and could only see it through to the end.
——–
The music of silk and bamboo played melodiously, dancers’ colorful sleeves fluttered, and the drinking game had completed half a round.
Today’s game was the “Throwing and Catching Game,” where a scented ball was passed around. When the music played, the ball was passed, and when it stopped, the person holding the ball had to compose a poem.
Shi Hongzhao had always disliked such matters. It was only because he planned to expose Su Fengji’s manipulation of the imperial examinations that he reluctantly agreed to play.
He sat in silence, waiting for Shi Deyu to make a move.
Suddenly, the music stopped, and a scented ball landed in his hand. It was gilded and carved, emitting a fragrance.
Shi Hongzhao was stunned and looked coldly at Su Fengji. A dancer beside Su Fengji, half-drunk, covered her mouth and giggled.
“Hee hee, it’s the Grand Tutor’s turn.”
The hall fell silent, and no one spoke. The dancer then realized she had made a mistake, and her expression changed slightly.
Xiao Yi immediately looked at Feng Sheng, who was standing behind, and gestured for him to step forward and compose a poem on Shi Hongzhao’s behalf, then to confront Su Fengji.
However, Feng Sheng’s face was pale, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his fingers tightly gripped his clothes. He was so nervous that he had completely lost his senses and knew nothing.
Xiao Yi simply took the scented ball from Shi Hongzhao’s hand and put it into Feng Sheng’s.
“Compose a poem.”
Feng Sheng snapped back to reality. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Shi Hongzhao turn to look at him. His throat tightened, and he couldn’t utter a single word.
Xiao Yi felt Shi Deyu’s anxious gaze and prepared to slap Feng Sheng awake.
Just then, a minor incident completely disrupted their plan.
“I will compose a poem on behalf of the Grand Tutor.”
A figure in a red official robe squeezed to Shi Hongzhao’s side and said with a fawning smile.
Xiao Yi recognized this person as Yan Jinqing, the Director of the Imperial Household Department. He intended to warn him not to meddle, but before he could speak, Yan Jinqing impatiently began to recite his poem.
“A sable coat exchanged for wine to feast on qilin…”
“Useless.”
Shi Hongzhao, impatient with the terrible poem, suddenly stood up, shouted in reprimand, and left.
Yan Jinqing was stunned and speechless.
Xiao Yi knew that Shi Deyu had strongly persuaded Shi Hongzhao to expose Su Fengji’s examination fraud in a mild manner. If it failed, he might even be implicated.
What to do?
Suddenly, the courtesan beside Su Fengji giggled.
“Why is the Grand Tutor in such a hurry to leave? Are you perhaps afraid of this… Master Yan, is it? Afraid that Master Yan’s poem will be bad, and the Grand Tutor will be penalized with more drinks?”
Saying this, she pointed at Yan Jinqing and made fun of him for his awkwardness.
Shi Hongzhao stopped and turned to look at the courtesan, asking, “Aren’t you afraid of me?”
“It’s just a joyful banquet, what is there to be afraid of? If the Grand Tutor leaves, then it will be my fault for failing to pass the scented ball. Hmm, if all else fails, I, a servant, will compose a poem on your behalf.”
“If you have such talent, why not have Prime Minister Su grant you a jinshi title?”
“Haha!” Wang Zhang quickly agreed and said with a laugh, “Good, today we’ll select a female jinshi.”
“The Grand Tutor is truly amusing.” The courtesan giggled and gracefully stepped forward, intending to take Shi Hongzhao’s arm to lead him back to his seat, cooing coquettishly, “Will you give a female jinshi some face?”
Shi Hongzhao finally gave a faint smile and said, “What is your name?”
Xiao Yi quickly caught Shi Hongzhao’s expression and knew he was using this as an excuse to continue dealing with Su Fengji.
He seized the opportunity to slap Feng Sheng, whispering, “Wake up.”
Then, he turned and met Shi Deyu’s gaze. Shi Deyu understood and prepared to step forward to persuade him, acting according to their plan.
At the same time, the courtesan stepped forward and said, “My name is Yan Youniang, and I share the same surname as this Master Yan. What a coincidence! The ones accompanying the Grand Tutor, serving wine and composing poems, are all surnamed Yan…”
“Silence!” Wang Zhang suddenly shouted, his face turning ashen as if he had seen a ghost.
Xiao Yi had just smelled a waft of perfume. Suddenly, his vision flickered, and he almost thought the courtesan was going to assassinate Shi Hongzhao.
She was not.
Shi Hongzhao’s expression changed instantly, his anger erupting like thunder. He grabbed Yan Youniang by the hair and smashed her head forcefully onto the table.
“Bang!”
Hairpins, flower adornments, and golden hairpins scattered from Shi Hongzhao’s grasp, and cups and plates shattered.
Blood splattered high, splashing onto Xiao Yi’s face.
His gaze fell upon the blood-covered, disfigured face of Yan Youniang, and her eyes filled with shock and terror.
“Ah!”
Screams erupted.
Shi Hongzhao, still unappeased, grabbed Yan Youniang by the neck and twisted it, breaking it with a “snap.”
Su Fengji’s face turned pale with horror, and he quickly hugged his head and ran backward, shouting, “Lord Shi, it’s a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding, I certainly did not instruct her…”
“Su Fengji! Die!”
Shi Hongzhao drew the sabre of a guard from behind him.
“Die! Die!”
“A misunderstanding, it truly is a misunderstanding!”
The scene descended into chaos. Su Fengji’s retainers and guards frantically protected him as he fled. Shi Hongzhao caught up, hacking down several people, limbs flying, bodies strewn everywhere.
“Grand Tutor, calm down, calm down!”
“Stop! Brother Huayuan, please stop! Su Fengji is also a Prime Minister. If you kill him, where will that leave the Son of Heaven?!”
At the time of the incident, Xiao Yi was standing closest. He was certain his judgment was correct. Shi Hongzhao had not been enraged the moment before, but he didn’t know what happened in that instant.
He looked at Shi Deyu, wanting to ask, but found Shi Deyu’s face still frozen in a smile, while his hands trembled violently as if his soul had been lost.
Suddenly, Xiao Yi’s ankle was grabbed.
It was a servant from the Wang family, about his age, who had been accidentally wounded and lay with his chest cavity open, his internal organs spilled across the ground. He was still struggling with a strong will to survive.
“Save… save…”
The grip on his ankle gradually loosened.
Xiao Yi could not save him; he was in the same predicament.
