The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 16 Baggage (Thanks to "Divine Might Captain" for the generous donation)

"You and Chun Tao are the people I trust most. You are a perfect match, so let's find an auspicious day nearby, put our name cards together, and then move into the adjacent courtyard. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The contemplation in Shi Dechong's eyes faded, replaced by gentleness and warmth.

He patted Xiao Yi's shoulder affectionately, as if he thought this was a very joyous occasion, and laughed heartily: "Don't worry, I will take care of the betrothal gifts for you, and the dowry will certainly not be small. Chun Tao has been by my side for many years, and you will take care of her from now on... Remember, if you neglect her, I will not forgive you."

If it were someone else, they might have thought this was a blessing or a good thing, but Xiao Yi felt an unprecedented sense of disgust and aversion.

Having witnessed too much melodrama on film sets in his past life, he was able to instantly recognize the scheming behind this "reward".

At this juncture, Shi Dechong's refusal to let him set off immediately stemmed from both his arrogance in failing to perceive the looming crisis within the Shi family and his doubts about his loyalty, thus prioritizing the manipulation of people's hearts.

Leaving aside the fact that Chun Tao's primary concern is Shi Dechong's interests, and also the fact that she might monitor him or become his hindrance or a hostage of the Shi family, once he marries Chun Tao, even if he never returns, he will be deeply branded with the Shi family's mark, which will be difficult to erase.

Shi Dechong's act of bestowing favors after careful consideration was clearly a form of control.

But just as Xiao Yi was about to refuse, he met Shi Dechong's unyielding gaze.

He suddenly realized that this was another test, and whether he refused or accepted, it might reveal his eagerness to leave.

You have to perform just right.

"Son..."

"What? You don't like Chuntao?"

Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "Sister Chuntao is getting on in years."

He didn't say anything like he wasn't good enough for Chun Tao, and tried his best to appear sincere.

Shi Dechong stared at him and asked, "Do you think Chun Tao is not good enough for you? Or am I not good enough for you to be matched with?"

Xiao Yi quickly replied, "Your kindness is immense, and I do not wish to betray it. However, the journey to Yedu is fraught with peril, and I fear it may delay Chun Tao's arrival. Perhaps I should wait until I return before asking you to officiate my wedding?"

Haha, you!

Shi Dech grabbed his arms as if to clamp him down, and spoke, his tone resolute.

"Winter is still long and the weather is freezing. There's no rush to go to Yedu to do things for me. How could I treat you unfairly? After you get married, it would be best to have children before you leave. That would be the time to 'establish a family and career'."

Xiao Yi was a little anxious and said, "The situation can't be delayed any longer. In the next few days, I will pack my bags and take care of Chun Tao's wedding. Once that's done, I will go and serve you, young master."

He subtly revealed his lustful intentions, and Shi Dechong finally smiled again, this time with a much warmer smile.

"Alright, once you marry Chuntao, you'll understand that I'm doing this for your own good."

"Thank you, sir!"

Xiao Yi readily agreed and felt much relieved. He clasped his hands in thanks, smiled broadly, and said, "I will go and talk to Chun Tao, and ask the young master to write a warrant allowing me to receive horses, bows and swords, and provisions."

"Good, she'll be delighted..."

When Xiao Yi finally accepted the still-wet ink order, turned around and left Shi Dechong's room, the smile on his face immediately vanished, leaving only a cold calm.

He quickly considered the situation, glanced at the sky, and instead of going to find Chun Tao, he went to find the steward to collect all his necessities.

"Is Otsuro going on a long journey in this cold winter?"

The butler stroked the warrant and slowly remarked in the leisurely tone characteristic of an old man, "The roads must be difficult to travel in this icy and snowy weather."

Xiao Yi had no choice but to calm himself down and replied, "Yes, I'm here to pay a visit to an old friend on behalf of you, it's about 500 li away."

"It's far, really far. We'd better prepare properly. I'll write up a list for the warehouse."

"Good work."

The steward stroked his sparse beard, carefully considering his words before putting pen to paper. After writing for a long time, he opened a drawer, searched for a pair of cards, and asked, "Which day are you leaving? I'll arrange for someone to go to the storeroom to collect them."

"Can you pack your bags today?"

"How could that be? Besides, it will get dark soon, and the city gates will be closing soon. We won't be able to get out."

"And tonight?"

"The young people are too hasty; we can't spare anyone at night."

"I'll go get it."

After leaving the steward's room, Xiao Yi went to the stables first and gave the groom twenty coins, asking him to help harness two good horses before dawn.

He glanced at it carefully and asked, "Where is that chestnut Khitan horse?"

"That horse is not one that Yilang can ride; the commander-in-chief has already ridden it out of the manor."

"Ok."

Xiao Yi selected two more fine horses and hurriedly went to the storeroom, handing over the list and verification tokens to collect and check various items.

First, there was a heavy bronze Shi family private token, which could replace various travel documents, and it was kept close to his body along with Shi Dechong's warrant.

Next were the self-defense weapons: a standard-issue horizontal sword and a personal dagger.

He packed his own luggage: a change of clothes, oilcloth for wind and snow protection, earmuffs and a felt hat for riding; felt blankets and a leather sleeping bag for camping; a large bag of dry rations, salted dried meat, flatbread, and a small jar of salt; a leather water bag for drinking; a copper pot and iron tinder for cooking; flint, steel, and tinder wrapped in oilcloth and placed with candles and torches; medicines such as wound medicine, typhoid powder, and laxatives; a bottle of strong liquor for warmth and to disinfect wounds; rope, sewing kit, a bag of fine bean feed for horses, a map… and much more. He calmly and efficiently checked each item, and finally, he tied the bag containing two strings of copper coins, put five taels of silver inside, wrapped two bolts of silk, and tightened the leather strap of his satchel.

Throughout the entire process, not a single mistake was made due to the haste.

When he returned to his lodgings with his heavy luggage, Zhao Chong was unwrapping the bandages from Jie Hui's arm.

Looking up at him, Xie Hui asked in astonishment, "What's this?"

"I am going out on the young master's orders."

Xiao Yi placed his luggage on the corner of the bed, thinking, "If I can get through this last night, I can fly freely in the future."

During this period, he stayed at the same hotel as Xie Hui and others, but he did not sleep well.

A mocking smile appeared on Jie Hui's face as he said, "Chun Tao came looking for you, but when she found you weren't there, she rushed to the front yard to look for you. She was in such a hurry, huh?"

Zhao Chong couldn't help but laugh.

Xiao Yi frowned. If Chun Tao knew he was leaving tomorrow morning, there might be trouble. He had to stop her before she met the steward. He only needed to keep it from Shi Dechong for one night.

He walked quickly through the two courtyard gates and saw Chun Tao chatting and laughing with two maids at the other end of the corridor.

On a clear evening after the snow, they talked about marriage and playfully pushed each other.

But to Xiao Yi, the tender feelings they spoke of were nothing but the sorrow of having a child slave.

"spring……"

Just as he was about to speak, Xiao Yi suddenly paused.

He looked up and saw something flying in the distant sky.

It wasn't a bird; birds are rarely seen in Kaifeng during winter. It seemed to be... a kite?
Who has the leisure to fly kites in winter?

Li Ye.

Xiao Yi first thought of the carp-shaped kite he had seen when he first met Li Ye, and he had also heard that Li Ye often flew kites in the palace to play.

He then realized how ridiculous it was, not that it was the direction of the palace, and then he remembered that someone else had brought a kite in the carriage.

It was Liu Zhu.

Why do Li Ye and Liu Zhu both like flying kites?
When Xiao Yi connected this matter with what Yan Jinqing had said, an absurd yet bold conjecture gradually formed in his mind.

Liu Zhu's saying, "The butcher's knife is sharp, the fat pig is lined up; with a single command, the whole city will be reduced to ashes," asks: Who is the butcher's knife? Who is the fat pig?
Xiao Yi immediately turned around and rushed towards the gate of the mansion.

He needed to ask the gatekeeper about Liu Zhu's expression when he took Yan Jinqing away; perhaps that would confirm his guess.

Before it got dark, the kite in the distance flew higher and higher until it finally broke its string and disappeared into the horizon.

The main gate and the south side gate of the Shi residence were tightly closed.

Xiao Yi rushed to the inverted room, but he couldn't find the gatekeeper, and the guards and servants in the front yard were also gone.

He was puzzled. He looked around and found that the door was not locked from the inside, so he went forward and reached out to push it.

The door was pushed open an inch, and a cold wind rushed in. Through the crack in the door, a thick iron chain came into Xiao Yi's view.

"Boom!"

Xiao Yi pushed again with all his might, the iron chain tightened, but the door could no longer be opened even a fraction of an inch.

A fierce eye appeared through the crack in the door.

The soldier, clad in armor, glared fiercely at Xiao Yi and shouted, "Go back!"

"I have urgent business to attend to outside the residence..."

"You are not allowed to leave. We are here on the orders of the Grand Tutor to guard the Shi residence. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

Xiao Yi's heart sank, but a slight smile appeared on his face. He said, "I am the eldest young master's personal attendant. May I ask what happened?"

"You can come in!"

Xiao Yi was about to investigate further when suddenly, a knife pierced through the crack in the door and slashed down at him.

He quickly retreated to avoid it.

The door slammed shut, cutting off the outside world, leaving only a cold shout.

"Go back to sleep if you don't want to die!"

Night fell faster than expected, quickly extinguishing the last glimmer of light.

The Shi family mansion was also plunged into darkness.

All of Xiao Yi's struggles seemed somewhat futile at this moment, but only for a fleeting instant.

He took a deep breath of the biting wind, suppressing the coldness and distracting thoughts in his chest, and his eyes regained their heat.

(End of this chapter)