The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 128 Falling off a cliff
The light from the two lanterns gradually dimmed.

Xiao Yi occasionally turned his gaze and could see Li Hanmei's profile.

She sat very upright, looking straight ahead, and deliberately spoke in an old-fashioned tone.

"You are young, without the support of relatives, and with a shallow foundation. If others knew your ambitions, they would not believe them. However, I have seen much of the world and know that you are not without opportunities. This time, I do not intend to use you, but consider it... parting advice."

"I know."

"I've made some plans these past two days, do you want to hear them?"

"it is good."

Li Hanmei smiled faintly and said, "If you hadn't come to collect the edict of succession during the day, I wonder how much you would have said now."

"No rush, just tell me, and I'll listen."

"Based on the Imperial Guard, judging from Guo Que'er's methods, he must personally control the Imperial Guard, strengthening the core and weakening the branches. If you gain his trust and seek a high position in the Imperial Guard, you will have military power in your hands. If you want a civil position, then seek the Privy Council. The Privy Council is in charge of military affairs. If you spend three to five years in it, you will have a clear understanding of the movements of various garrisons and the overall situation in the country. After accumulating ten years of experience, you will be firmly rooted."

"How about being appointed as a military governor in an outlying region?" Xiao Yi replied, "It won't be so restrictive."

"It depends on the situation; you're not qualified yet."

"Oh."

Li Hanmei glanced at it slightly to the side.

Xiao Yi looked at her, and she quickly turned her head away.

"Guo Que'er's throne may not be secure. There is Liu Chong outside, and my brothers, Wang Yin, and various vassal states inside. You can rely on them, especially Wang Yin, who commands 30,000 infantry and cavalry. His strength should not be underestimated."

“On this point, my judgment differs from yours. I believe that the various vassal states are unlikely to cause any major disturbances.”

"Why?"

"Given the general trend, the chaos caused by the regional military governors will eventually come to an end."

“This is the first time I’ve heard this argument,” Li Hanmei said thoughtfully. “Indeed, after more than a hundred years of killing, the world is exhausted and people yearn for stability… Your insight is quite remarkable.”

Xiao Yi smiled, thinking that he couldn't say anything more.

Li Hanmei said, "In addition, you should arrange a marriage. A single tree cannot support a mountain; to achieve success, you must have the support of your relatives. There are two paths for marriage: either choose the daughter of a powerful and high-ranking family like Guo Wei, Song Wo, or Fu Yanqing, the advantage of which is that you can borrow the power of your wife's family, but you will face many obstacles in your actions; or choose the daughter of a noble family like Li Song or Yan Jinqing, relying on their reputation and wealth, and once you gain power, you can add concubines and arrange marriages with various parties."

"A concubine?"

“For example, Du Chongwei’s wife, Lady Wang, is the daughter of a powerful family in Yunzhou, and she commands half of the local militia in Yunzhou; Zhao Zaili’s request for his concubine to be granted the title of ‘Lady of Qiao County’ is also a form of marriage alliance.” Li Hanmei added, “The saying goes, ‘The principal wife is respected, the concubine has real power, and the mistress has no status.’”

"I see."

"If you're interested, I can pick someone for you."

"Oh?"

"Fu Yanqing has a daughter who was initially married to Li Shouzhen's son. After Li Shouzhen's rebellion was quelled by Guo Que'er, she was adopted by Guo Que'er as her goddaughter."

What's so good about her?

"The fact that you asked this question shows that you are unaware of Fu Yanqing's strength and the richness of the Fu family's dowry. For example, Gao Xingzhou's daughter once married Du Chongwei's son. After Du Chongwei was killed in a rebellion, Gao remarried Fu Yanqing's second son, Fu Zhaoshou, as a concubine. Fu Zhaoshou's principal wife is Guo Chongwei's daughter... The three families are related by marriage, with deep and intertwined relationships. If you can marry into the Fu family, it will be far better than marrying into one of them."

Xiao Yi was just listening out of curiosity, and didn't really think much of it.

The mere fact that Guo Xin and Li Zhaoning were showing signs of wanting to get married was already giving him a headache, so he didn't want to get involved in these matters.

Li Hanmei asked, "What? You look down on widows? But it is precisely widows who understand romance, are compassionate, and have abundant wealth. They can even allow you to take a concubine. If you marry into the Fu family, you will be much more at ease than if you were a prince consort."

It's not that I dislike widows, it's just that I don't want to get married too early.

"Still not yet romantically awakened?"

"Yes."

Li Hanmei suddenly turned her face and looked at him.

Xiao Yi met her gaze and saw the probing and subtle expectation in her eyes.

She suppressed a smile and sneered, "I think you're just waiting for the right price."

Xiao Yi was surprised that she would make such a joke and asked curiously, "Huh? What? You think I'm valuable?"

Li Hanmei sat up straight again, not looking at him, and said calmly, "The little girls are fighting over it, how can it not be valuable?"

"You've misunderstood. Perhaps some rumor has reached your ears? Or are you specifically asking about me?"

"I just happened to overhear it."

Li Hanmei paused for a moment and said, "I understand. You don't want to be controlled. You do want power and beauty, but you need to control them, not be bound by them."

Xiao Yi countered, "Do you think I'm arrogant?"

"I think you're special, and people should cherish themselves."

"Ah."

Xiao Yi was surprised to find that she truly understood him.

He gave a slight wry smile and got back to the main topic.

"You say I have great ambitions, perhaps so, but I don't need to scheme and plot. At least, there's no rush while you're here, sir."

“Yes, you’re still young.” Li Hanmei sighed softly and murmured, “Too young.”

"In any case, I thank you for teaching me this today."

"I was simply unwilling to die an old man in Taiping Palace, and originally intended to use you as an ally. Now that I think about it, it's quite laughable. From today onwards, you will have a bright future and beautiful women, while I will spend my remaining years in solitude with a solitary lamp and a Buddha. How can we be fellow travelers?"

Xiao Yi knew that she had truly admitted defeat.

He felt no joy in victory, for this was not his victory to begin with. Up until now, he had merely been a bettor who knew the outcome of the gamble.

If she hadn't pointed it out, he wouldn't have even realized what ambitions and desires he had.

Sitting on this dragon throne today, something deep within me seems to have been ignited.

"That's all I have to say. I, the 'Empress Dowager,' am of no further use." Li Hanmei closed her eyes and said, "You... take your leave."

"I will retire at the end."

Xiao Yi stood up, stood in front of Li Hanmei, and bowed.

She had her eyes closed, her makeup was simple and elegant, and she wore a hairstyle she had never worn before, which softened her aloofness and made her look much younger than usual. She must have just washed her hair, as a few strands of hair were flowing freely. She was still wearing a plain dress, but the cut was appropriate and accentuated her graceful figure.

Because of her unsteady breathing, a little blood seeped from the bandage around her neck, adding a touch of pitifulness to her dignified elegance.

She opened her eyes and saw him looking at her. She wasn't annoyed. She looked up and let him look at her, her eyes filled with tears.

After a long while, Xiao Yi spoke, saying, "Let's go to Taiping Palace first. After a while, when you're no longer attracting attention, I'll find a way to send you away."

Where else can I go?

"Stop thinking about fighting for power and live a happy, ordinary life."

"Xiao Yi, you underestimate me." "You can't be flexible and composed, unmoved by honor or disgrace?"

"Alright, you overestimate me. I'm just a woman, I can't do that."

Why jump to conclusions so quickly?

"And you?" Li Hanmei asked, "Why did you risk sending me out of Taiping Palace? It would do you no good."

Suddenly, one of the lanterns went out, and the light dimmed.

Xiao Yi picked up the only lantern that was still lit and said, "I'll escort you back to the palace."

Li Hanmei did not get up, and said, "You haven't answered me yet."

"To repay your kindness."

"What kindness have I done for you?"

"I said I appreciate your kindness."

Li Hanmei lowered her eyes slightly and said, "There's no need for me to cause you trouble because of my advanced age."

That's a difficult question to answer.

The firelight was dim, yet the beauty seemed all the more alluring, making one particularly inclined to deny the phrase "in her twilight years."

But the atmosphere was already very dangerous, and Xiao Yi was worried that the lantern in his hand would set fire to the Jinxiang Palace.

Where his gaze fell, Li Hanmei, though still maintaining the dignity of the Empress Dowager, had ears that were bright red. She was dressed exquisitely today, waiting for a compliment.

It's not too late to pull back from the brink.

"No trouble."

Xiao Yi gave an answer.

Li Hanmei looked up.

Before I could take a closer look, the last lantern went out.

The palace was plunged into darkness in an instant.

Xiao Yi felt his left wrist being grabbed, and he took the opportunity to grasp Li Hanmei's slender wrist as well.

"Xiao Yi, protect the emperor."

"I'll help you."

He dropped the lantern with his right hand and reached out to help, and Li Hanmei's hand reached out and grasped his.

The delicate fragrance of plum blossoms wafted over, and strands of hair brushed against the tip of his nose.

She stood up, but bumped into his arms. Xiao Yi let go, and her hands wrapped around his waist.

Both of them were afraid of the dark, so they stood silently, not daring to speak or move.

After a long while, her hand gradually moved to the back of his head, making him lower his head, and she fed him a piece of plum blossom ointment.

The movements were clumsy; at first, it touched his chin, and then it was put into his mouth.

The plum blossom syrup is cool and refreshing, like snow, sweet and soft, with a rich plum blossom aroma.

Xiao Yi did not devour the food in a whirlwind, but rather took small bites and savored it carefully before slowly tasting it.

They drank a cup of wine together with plum blossom ointment, and both became slightly tipsy.

A sliver of moonlight shone through the cracks in the palace door, and gradually, he could vaguely see her eyes, bright yet filled with a sense of intoxication.

"I won't control you, I just want to die slowly."

Li Hanmei whispered, took his hand, and wrapped it around her waist.

Xiao Yi was also a little drunk. Thinking of pulling back from the brink, he tried to tug, but failed to grasp the reins. All he could feel in his palm was softness.

The horse ultimately couldn't be reined in and plunged off the cliff, disappearing into a white, misty haze.

This plum blossom paste is actually more and more delicious the more you eat it.

The single candle flame in the lantern eventually ignited the Jinxiang Hall, which burned fiercely, but Li Hanmei was clearly too drunk to notice the fire.

She was so drunk that she was limp and weak, her arms wrapped around Xiao Yi's neck, before falling heavily back onto the dragon throne.

"The armor is so cold, it hurts."

"Wait a moment."

"I'll help you."

"It'll be easier to do if you light it up."

"No."

"Just light one candle."

"No, you're disgusted by my old age and frailty."

"Did the way I looked at you cause you to misunderstand?"

"You are frivolous, always looking at the Empress Dowager with... that kind of gaze."

"I haven't been frivolous."

"It's solved, no need to light candles."

"It's so cold."

"Come closer, why do you smell so good? There is no smell of blood or horse manure."

"I washed it carefully."

"Me too, but I waited all day, only to see the palace staff dismissed, the palace gates closed, and someone else sent to collect the imperial edict... If you have no interest, leave."

"Oh."

"Come back and repay my kindness."

"gorgeous."

"Really?"

"Yes, the more I look at it, the more amazing it becomes."

Li Hanmei was delighted and gave him another piece of plum blossom ointment.

After falling from his horse and plunging off a cliff, Xiao Yi saw a plum blossom at the bottom of the cliff. He reached out and gently touched it, but did not pluck it. He watered it, fertilized it, and carefully tended to it.

The plum blossoms are blooming more and more profusely, displaying their dazzling brilliance.

(End of this chapter)