The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 10 Transfer
"In the end, the Guo family changed their attitude and no longer resisted the marriage alliance, saying only that they would wait for Guo Wei to return and make the decision. Do you know why?"

Xiao Yi rode alongside Shi Dechong, deliberately lagging behind by half a head, and replied, "I don't know."

"The Guo family mother and son are quite knowledgeable, but they couldn't outsmart me this time. They thought to themselves, 'Shi Erlang is capable of handling someone like you, so he must be quite extraordinary.'"

As Shi Dechong spoke, a mocking smile appeared on his lips, though it was unclear whether he was mocking the Guo family or Shi Deyuan.

Xiao Yi replied, "You flatter me, young master. It is good that I have fulfilled the commander's instructions."

Shi Dechong shook his head and murmured, "The Guo family's reaction was somewhat unexpected."

"Perhaps it's because it concerns my daughter's future, so we're being a bit cautious."

"Superficial," Shi Dechong said. "Marriage is a major matter; why concern yourself with such things? By the way, I'm not being harsh with you today, do you understand?"

"clear."

"You're very smart. You'll be transferred to work next to me from now on."

Xiao Yi was unwilling.

Not mentioning that he was more interested in the Guo family, and also worried that the secret of his time travel would be dug up, he politely declined, saying, "I have not yet repaid Erlang's kindness, and I have failed the eldest young master's good treatment."

Shi Dechong curled his lip, disbelieving the excuse, but did not expose it. He said in an unyielding tone, "You're worried that Erlang won't release them? No problem, I'll handle it."

He didn't ask Xiao Yi's opinion, as if being transferred to his side would be better.

Knowing he couldn't refuse and that saying more would only worsen his situation, Xiao Yi simply clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, young master."

Shi Dechong was clearly satisfied with this attitude, nodding and smiling, "This will be the greatest blessing of your life."

The snow had finally stopped, the sunset was serene and magnificent, wisps of smoke rose from the city, and several children playing at the alley entrance waited for their fathers to return home, cheering with joy... Seeing this scene, Xiao Yi suddenly realized that since his transmigration, he hadn't had a proper chance to explore Kaifeng City.

Born into slavery, how can one have the leisure and freedom?
--------

In the evening, Xiao Yi had dinner in Shi Dechong's courtyard.

He had a large appetite, so he asked for an extra serving of minced meat and soup noodles, and also took two eggs, which he squatted outside the side room and ate slowly.

The women here are mostly beautiful maids, some of whom are lively and chatty. When they see the newcomer arrive, they surround him and start a conversation.

Why are you squatting to eat?

"got used to."

"We've heard of you, right? You're Xiao Yi, Erlang's assistant? You know martial arts and you're quick-witted."

"And also, they're good-looking."

"Now that you've been transferred to the young master's quarters, you're sure to have a bright future."

"Hehe, just ask directly... Xiao Yi, she wants to know if the young master has arranged a marriage for you?"

Xiao Yi asked, "What does 'assignment' mean?"

“That’s right,” the maid said softly, her cheeks flushed, her two index fingers tapping together lightly, “it’s about marriage.”

"Oh."

It was about male and female slaves having children and continuing to serve as servants in the Shi family. Xiao Yi wasn't interested and kept his head down, eating.

They chattered for a while, then Xiao Yi remembered something and asked, "I wonder if the young master is married?"

"After the young mistress passed away, the young master vowed never to remarry..."

"Speak up."

Just then, Chun Tao came out of the side room. Upon hearing this, she looked displeased and said, "Take him and move him to the Jiedu Tou's courtyard."

The two maids agreed, and after seeing Chun Tao leave, they whispered to each other for a while and decided to lead the way for Xiao Yi together.

"Xiao Yi, you used to live in the servants' quarters where twelve people shared a room, right?"

"Yes."

"Sister Chuntao made you live with Yabing, four people to a room, but the head constable Jie is fierce..."

After leaving the courtyard, they first went along the central path to Xiao Yi's former residence to gather his belongings.

It was already dark, and the maids carried lanterns to light the way, chatting and laughing.

Suddenly, several figures blocked their way.

"You traitorous slave, where do you think you're going?!"

It was Shi Deyuan who arrived, holding a whistle stick, followed by four figures draped in black cloaks, looking menacing.

"Er... Erlang?"

The two maids were terrified.

Xiao Yi walked in front of them and said, "You go first."

Shi Deyuan cursed angrily, "You scoundrel! I was watching porn while you were enjoying yourself. This time I won't burn paper money for you... I'll kill him!"

The four men who came with him then stepped forward and paced around Xiao Yi in a solemn manner, before taking off their cloaks.

Xiao Yi calmly faced the enemy, but suddenly paused for a moment. He saw four bald heads against the backdrop of the night snow, and it turned out to be an elderly nun.

As the bell rang, the old nun pointed her ritual implements at him, chanting incantations and performing rituals to exorcise evil spirits.

Through the shadows, Xiao Yi and Shi Deyuan exchanged a glance. In the dim light, Xiao Yi saw murderous intent and unease in Shi Deyuan's eyes.

So Xiao Yi covered his head with his hands, his brows furrowed, as if the Buddhist teachings were truly tormenting his evil spirit. "Ha." Shi Deyuan then smiled smugly, hands on his hips, "Didn't you overhear that day? I have my own way of getting rid of you."

"Erlang... let me explain..."

"Give him a taste of his own medicine!"

The old nuns walked faster and faster, their chanting like invisible swords piercing Xiao Yi. He rolled on the ground in pain, as if his body was being lifted up and slammed to the ground by an unseen hand.

Shi Deyuan's eyes widened in fright, and he exclaimed "Wow!" in surprise at the power of Buddhism.

"No, please stop reading it." Xiao Yi's voice was weak.

"Okay, stop."

Shi Deyuan put his hands behind his back, looking like he knew everything, and said, "The boss wanted to compete with me for the family business, so he transferred you away, but now you know how powerful I am?"

"I understand, I will not betray Erlang."

“I doubt you would dare,” Shi Deyuan said, raising his head. “From now on, you will be my spy planted next to the boss. Report to me if there are any important matters.”

"Yes."

"Haha." Shi Deyuan was overjoyed and said smugly, "Then the boss has lost this round. When I get the family business, I will make you the manager."

"Thank you, Erlang."

Xiao Yi was too lazy to talk to this ignorant fellow about the marriage alliance with the Guo family. He just appeased him and made sure he wouldn't reveal the secret of his time travel.

At that moment, Chuntao's voice came from afar.

"Xiao Yi, are you still there?"

"Damn it, I have to go."

Shi Deyuan was somewhat wary of Chun Tao and turned to leave, but then he suddenly remembered something important and asked, "Has the boss arranged for Chun Tao to sleep with you?"

"No."

"Alright, once I inherit the family business, I'll not only make you the manager and let you pick the spring peaches, but I'll also arrange for even prettier maids to sleep with you... Remember, I'm watching you!"

"Yes."

Shi Deyuan's warning had barely faded when he was already gone.

Xiao Yi calmly dusted himself off.

Chun Tao caught up with him, frowned, glared in the direction Shi Deyuan had gone, and asked, "Did Erlang give you any trouble?"

"No, Erlang is a Buddhist."

"He's not a Buddhist at all. His wife wanted him to be smarter, so she asked Zen Master Wenyan to perform a ritual. The Zen Master told him to do good deeds and accumulate merit, and even gave him a jade pendant for protection. Oh, that was just a few days ago. You had already been transferred to Erlang's courtyard then, didn't you know?"

Xiao Yi replied, "I thought Erlang had been a Buddhist before."

"I only believe in Zen Master Wenyan. He is a high-ranking monk who travels all over the world. It is rare for him to stay at the Great Xiangguo Temple. Only he dares to talk about 'murder' in his residence..."

Halfway through the conversation, Chun Tao suddenly realized something was amiss and quickly changed the subject, adopting a serious demeanor.

"Let's not discuss the master's affairs. Now that you've said goodbye to Erlang tonight, you should serve the young master wholeheartedly from now on. To serve the young master, I need to teach you the rules first. It's simple: whatever the young master tells you to do, do it immediately. Don't ask questions, don't inquire, and don't have any of your own ideas."

Xiao Yi knew that although she looked serious, she was just a young girl. He listened casually and honestly replied, "Yes, thank you for your guidance, Miss Chuntao."

“I’ll take you to the house of Captain Jie. He is the head of the guards that Alang assigned to the young master. He usually protects the young master. Recently, he fell off his horse and injured his arm. He is currently recuperating.”

"I will never forget the kindness and help that Miss Chuntao gave me."

"It is thanks to your kindness, young master. You should remember it in your heart."

After passing through several gates, they arrived at the west courtyard, where the environment was indeed much better than the servants' quarters where Xiao Yi had stayed before.

The room in the center was lit up, and even before we got close, we could hear bursts of loud, unrestrained laughter coming from inside.

Chun Tao frowned slightly, feeling uneasy about coming over at night to see those rude guards. She cleared her throat, led Xiao Yi to the door, and knocked on the door that was not closed.

There were three people in the room, warming wine around a stove and talking as they drank.

The burly man sitting in the middle, surrounded by two men, had a face full of scars and one hand wrapped in cloth; this was Xie Hui.

"Commander Jie, this is Xiao Yi, who has just been transferred to the young master's side. Please mentor him."

"Understood." Jie Hui smiled slightly, his triangular eyes flashing like lightning, as if trying to see through Chun Tao's dress. "Miss Chun Tao, would you like to have a drink with me?"

"No need."

Seeing him smile, Chun Tao didn't linger. She curtsied and quickly turned to leave.

Jie Hui smiled smugly, then turned to look Xiao Yi up and down. When he saw that Xiao Yi was wearing a blue short jacket, his smile faded.

"I thought it was a soldier, but it's a maidservant?"

"Chuntao has passed her twenties and is getting old. She is full of thoughts about being matched with someone and has led the little chicks to the eagle's nest."

The two soldiers immediately sneered, one of them saying jealously, "Miss Chun Tao has probably made a mistake. This is not a place for her to keep a gigolo."

After saying that, they stood up and stretched, staring fiercely at Xiao Yi, their fingers making a crisp "click" sound.

Xiao Yi had no intention of having a maid with Chun Tao, but since the malice was directed at him, he had to deal with it.

Complaining to Shi Dechong about this won't help; to gain a foothold among these people, you have to rely on your own abilities.

(End of this chapter)