The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 114 Bribing the Inner Circle
After everyone settled in, Xiao Yi washed away the dust of his journey, ate something, did some light exercise, and took a nap while there was still some time before the banquet to recharge.

I was awakened by a knock on the door.

Outside the window, it was completely dark, and the candlelight in the courtyard shone through the window paper.

He didn't open the door immediately. He first peeked out through the crack in the door and saw that it was Zhang Mei before opening the door.

"Ouch!"

Jin Sanshui and Wang Jiu were sitting by the door when they fell to the ground.

What are you doing here?

"General, I heard that Murong Jixun is in the city, and I'm afraid he might assassinate you."

"Then his personal guards arrive, can you defeat them?"

"I will risk my life to protect the general!"

"If you don't practice properly, you'll just be 'fighting to the death' all day long."

One sentence was enough to make the two of them feel extremely ashamed.

Xiao Yi welcomed Zhang Mei in and sensed his chilling aura. He asked, "Brother Xuan Gui, did you go to see some old friends from Xuzhou?"

"Yes, I found out some details." Zhang Mei lowered her voice and said, "Murong Jixun has indeed entered the city. The five hundred elite soldiers are under the command of Gong Tingmei, a general under Liu Yun. I suspect that Liu Yun intends to wipe out this elite force."

Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Murong Jixun has come with a treasure."

"This is not a bad thing, but I'm afraid Liu Yun will change his attitude."

"Of the three, Dong Yi, Zhang Lingchao, and Gong Tingmei, Dong Yi should support Liu Yun's entry into the capital, while Zhang Lingchao is probably firmly opposed, especially since he is still dissatisfied with me today."

"That's right, Zhang Lingchao is a former subordinate of Liu Chong."

Where is Gong Tingmei?

“Although this person comes from Hedong, he is not a pedantic person, and we should try to win him over,” Zhang Mei said. “The most crucial thing is still the Dong family.”

I didn't see her today.

"I should make an appearance at the banquet. I ask the general to present me with a generous gift. However... if the gift is too heavy, it will be difficult to control my attitude. I must not let her realize that it is a bait."

"Don't worry, I know."

After the two reached an agreement, Dong Yi came again to invite them to the banquet shortly afterward.

Xiao Yi did not wear armor, but changed into civilian clothes. He was now playing the role of a loyal minister, and during the national mourning period, he chose a plain linen robe with a dark crane cloak over it.

Zhang Mei looked at it and nodded repeatedly, saying, "General, you are handsome. By the way, your subordinate Lü Chou can serve by your side."

"Why?"

"Let's play it by ear," Zhang Mei said with a smile. "If the opportunity arises, General, you just need to make him obey my orders."

Upon arriving, Lü Chou exclaimed, "General, you are truly gentle and refined, a handsome and elegant man. I wish I could grow up to look like you."

"Stop flattering me. Hold that wooden box and listen to Brother Xuan Gui's instructions."

"General, you have wronged me. I just felt compelled to say this... It's so heavy. What's inside? Hehe, I was just asking. You don't have to tell me the truth."

"Shut up, you serve me the wine."

Lü Chou was overjoyed and said to the soldiers by the door, "Do you know why the general chose me? Because I'm handsome! That's good for making a good impression."

Jin Sanshui scoffed, "Bullshit."

"Bullshit! Let's freeze outside, you ugly, broken-faced thing..."

The lanterns at the Jiedushi Mansion were just lit.

Xiao Yi calmly walked behind several elderly officials, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Shangjiao's head, and saw Liu Luan looking in this direction from the opposite corridor.

He turned his head and chatted with Dong Yi.

"Since Brother Dong's surname is Dong, may I ask who your wife is?"

"My wife and I are from the same clan. According to seniority, I should address her as my elder brother."

"I see. What a coincidence! Before leaving the capital, the palace entrusted me with presenting a gift to Madam Dong. It was a hasty task before the banquet. Would you be so kind as to introduce me?"

Dong Yi paused slightly, thought for a moment, and then smiled and said, "This is a small matter, why bother? Please come with me, Xiao Lang."

Xiao Yi asked in surprise, "Don't we need to announce our arrival first?"

Dong Yi leaned closer to him, showing his intimacy, and whispered, "Since it's a gift, Madam will not refuse to see it."

"Thank you very much, Brother Dong."

They broke away from the group and did not enter the main hall, but instead went around to the small flower hall on the side of the hall.

The hall was warm and inviting despite the absence of charcoal fires. Landscape paintings adorned the walls, and the exquisite furniture, reflecting refined taste, hinted at a touch of extravagance.

After they were seated, Zhang Mei and Lü Chou stood on either side of Xiao Yi behind him.

A moment later, the tinkling of jade pendants filled the air as a beautifully dressed woman, surrounded by six maids, gracefully approached.

Xiao Yi boldly sized up the woman. She was only twenty years old, wearing a gold-embroidered silk skirt, a brocade shawl, small pearls adorning the collar, and a gold hairpin with turquoise inlay... He couldn't afford to support a woman like this in two lifetimes.

"Brother, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Ms. Dong slowed her pace, displaying a deliberately cultivated elegance.

Although she asked Dong Yi a question, her gaze swept over Xiao Yi, lingering briefly on his face and the plum blossom-patterned jade pendant at his waist, a slightly scrutinizing smile playing on her lips.

"Madam, this is General Xiao Yi, the Imperial Envoy of Bianjing, the Commander of the Inner Palace and the Inspector of the Imperial Academy."

"Xiao Yi greets Madam."

"General, there's no need for such formalities. You've come from afar; you must be tired. May I ask what brings you here to see me?" Madam Dong's voice was gentle, her gaze seemingly falling casually on the wooden box.

When Xiao Yi saw her raise her right hand, the gold and jade on her wrist jingled. He suppressed his amusement and spoke slowly, but did not mention the gift first, keeping her hanging.

"I am entrusted by someone to ask you a favor, Madam. Do you know Empress An in the palace? She is the daughter of the military governor of Shannan East Circuit."

"I know that the Empress is virtuous and kind. Although I have never met her, I admire her greatly."

Madam Dong couldn't help but glance at the wooden box, revealing an undisguised curiosity.

Xiao Yi pretended not to see it and said, "Madam An once tearfully said in private that as a woman, her fate is like a drifting boat. She does not want to grow old and die in the deep palace. She hopes to return home to serve her father and fulfill her filial duty. Now that you are entering the palace, you will be the mother of the nation. I implore you to fulfill your filial duty."

"Mother...the mother of the nation?"

"Of course, the lady will then be the empress."

Madam Dong's expression shifted as she struggled to process the sudden turn of events, then she began to scrutinize Xiao Yi with a suspicious gaze.

Finally, as if with a deeper meaning, she said, "General Xiao, does Madam An intend to remarry? This matter concerns the national system and etiquette, and I cannot make that decision."

Xiao Yi knew the time was right, and slightly turned his head to signal to Lü Chou.

Lü Chou carried the wooden box to the center of the hall, where a maidservant went to receive it.

“You can’t lift it.” Lu Chou’s lips curled into a crooked smile. “Open it.”

The maid glared at him, then unfastened the gilded bronze clasp and slowly lifted the box lid.

In an instant, a beam of light illuminated the hall.

"Heavens! What...what is this?"

"Phoenix crown".

The phoenix crown is made of pure gold, adorned with jade and coral, with a pearl the size of a pigeon's egg set in front and strings of pearls hanging on both sides, making it extremely beautiful.

Which woman wouldn't love that?

Xiao Yi picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and saw that Madam Dong seemed to have been captivated by his soul.

Her eyes were fervent and eager, and she instinctively reached out her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly.

"This... is so exquisite."

Madam Dong, being quite experienced, examined it closely for a few moments and said in a low voice, "This is a Lingnan pearl, white with a hint of pink, and iridescent like a sunset. It is so large; the tributes from the palace are indeed different. The weaving method is also unique, with gold thread from Sichuan wrapped around it, which is stronger and more luxurious than the cross knot from Jiangnan."

"Madam has exceptional insight, and more importantly, only the Empress is permitted to wear such a grand ceremonial crown."

"Can I wear it?" Madam Dong's eyes gleamed with wonder. "But I'm not worthy of its wedding robes..."

Xiao Yi remained silent and cleared his throat.

Lü Chou closed the box at the opportune moment.

Madam Dong and her maids watched helplessly, feeling utterly lost.

"The Empress's position is Madam An's wish. I wonder if it could be entrusted to you, Madam?"

"Don't worry, even if you want to... What I mean is, how can I betray the deep trust that the An family has placed in me? I will do my best to explain this matter."

"In that case, I'll leave it to you."

Knowing that the matter was settled, Xiao Yi said no more and nodded slightly.

Seeing that Dong Yi was still standing at the door, he got up and walked over there.

As he passed by, he saw Lü Chou hand the wooden box to the maid and took the opportunity to whisper a few words to her.

"Are you sure you've got it? I'm letting go now."

"Hmm. Oh, it's heavy."

“I haven’t let go yet, you’re so frail. Where should I put it? I’ll take it to Madam so you won’t have to tire yourself out…”

After leaving the flower hall, Xiao Yi tightened his crane cloak and spoke to Dong Yi.

Looking back, Zhang Mei was whispering something to Lü Chou, and also handed him a box of rouge and half a bag of money from her sleeve. Lü Chou accepted it and confidently patted his chest.

A moment later, Lü Chou seized an opportunity to approach and whispered, "Mr. Zhang asked me to bribe that maid to be his spy."

"Can it be done?"

"Don't worry, General. With my appearance, how could she not be confused?"

"Just say you want to curry favor with the future empress."

"Yes."

At the foot of the stone steps in the main hall, Liu Luan was standing there looking around. When she saw him, she waved.

Xiao Yi pretended not to see it, returned to the hall, sat down at the separate tables, and soon the banquet began.

The atmosphere was lively, and Liu Yun was surrounded by admirers. He chatted happily with Zhao Shangjiao, Wang Du, Wang Yan and others, and in the midst of toasting and exchanging drinks, he acted as if he were a king.

Xiao Yi sat in the fourth seat on the left, opposite Liu Luan, whose eyes would occasionally dart over with curiosity, inquiry, and a hint of restlessness.

The food was excellent, with main dishes including Lamb with Fish, Three Armies Taking the Lead, and the Best Soup Under Heaven. He ate heartily, completely absorbed in the meal.

When he was about 80% full, he looked up and saw more than ten dancers in light, colorful clothes dancing gracefully in the hall. Their water sleeves fluttered, their figures were beautiful, and their eyes were seductive.

After watching for a short while, he noticed that every time he looked at a dancer, Liu Luan across from him would frown and stare at her with hostile eyes. So he simply stopped looking and instead looked at Liu Luan without any hesitation.

Liu Luan raised her chin and glared back at him defiantly. The two stared at each other for a while, and finally Liu Luan lowered her eyes, picked up her wine glass, and took a sip.

Xiao Yi roughly knew what she was thinking, but he was a simple man. If he wasn't interested in her from the start, he would never be interested, especially since she had indiscriminately killed innocent people.

(End of this chapter)