The Prime Minister's White Moonlight - Chapter 8
Chapter 8: First Meeting
Soon, Zhao Yan ordered everyone to return to the capital. The security was not as relaxed as on the journey there; this time, the accompanying Imperial Guards completely surrounded his and the Empress’s carriages.
As for Hanbi, when she lifted the curtain of her carriage, it was still Shen Zhuo and a young, unfamiliar Imperial Guard. She felt that the young guard must have been arranged by Zhao Yan, who had instructed Xi Wuming to assign a trustworthy person.
Thinking of this, she called out to the guard. Indeed, the young man was thin-skinned, and seeing her, he stammered a little, unable to speak clearly. Hanbi knew she shouldn’t overdo it. She simply asked him what family he was from. He answered truthfully that he was from the Wang family, and his given name was only one character, Xian.
When asked why he joined the Imperial Guards, Wang Xian spoke without the stammering from before, saying, “I naturally wanted to gain experience. My family members are all military officials, but my family won’t allow me onto the battlefield, so I had no choice but to join the Imperial Guards.”
Hanbi smiled and said, “It is a good thing to have ambition.” Wang Xian scratched his head and returned to his duty. Shen Zhuo, riding nearby, watched silently, not uttering a word.
Hanbi caught his reaction in her eyes and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The carriage continued to move. Zhao Yan was afraid of encountering more assassins, so he didn’t stop along the way, and they arrived at the capital in the afternoon.
This hunt had exhausted everyone, so each person intended to return home for rest and recuperation. Xi Wuming was no exception, but before Hanbi entered the palace, she specifically came to see him.
Xi Mansion had no excessive decorations, and only a few types of plants. Fortunately, its one advantage was that it was spacious. Hanbi casually sat on one of the black lacquer tables and chairs and removed the veiled hat she was wearing. Xi Wuming, seeing her, naturally did not dare to make a sound.
The tea in Xi Mansion was also coarse; Xi Wuming didn’t much care for this aspect. However, Hanbi had drunk tea much worse than this, so she felt no burden. She took a sip and then said to Xi Wuming, “Commander Xi has helped me greatly. This concubine will certainly speak many good words on your behalf to His Majesty.”
Xi Wuming looked at the beautiful woman before him. He still remembered her appearance when she had nothing. “Zhaoyi is joking. It was merely a small effort.” Xi Wuming had concealed the fact that Shen Zhuo had traveled with her. After all, one was a subject and the other a concubine; it was better to avoid any suspicion.
He also had his own selfish motives. This would become an unspoken secret between the two, making it harder for them to betray each other.
The atmosphere was pleasant. Hanbi spoke a few more words with Xi Wuming before rising to take her leave. Xi Wuming only watched her walk away but was reminded of the time they first met.
It was deep winter, cold enough for water to freeze solid.
Xi Wuming did not like winter. The bone-chilling cold always reminded him of bad memories for instance, his mother kneeling in the snow to plead for him while he was covered in whip wounds, unable even to crawl over and pull her up.
His thoughts quickly returned. The matter of the Cui household had been finalized. Xi Wuming, with his saber hanging from his waist, was originally a small leader in the Imperial Guards. He was only ordered to come to the Cui Mansion to see if anything had been overlooked.
All the valuable items in the Cui Mansion were gone now, so there was no profit to be made; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been left to Xi Wuming and a few subordinates.
Snowflakes fell on the blue brick ground and quickly melted. The boots of the Imperial Guards trod upon it with a regular rhythm. Standing under the eaves was a woman. Her clothing was relatively neat, but she wore no jewelry at all. She must be one of the Cui family’s women, perhaps waiting for someone to take her away.
Xi Wuming’s gaze dropped, and he saw the woman’s bare feet stepping on the blue bricks, a pair of jade-like feet frozen red. Seeing the people accompanying him staring at the beautiful woman, Xi Wuming shot a severe glance their way.
He usually commanded respect, and his rank was a little higher than theirs, so everyone withdrew their gazes and dared not discuss anything. Xi Wuming looked at the person standing in the wind and snow, recalling his mother from long ago, and a sense of compassion was stirred.
He went to a nearby house beside the Cui Mansion. The people there, seeing him in Imperial Guard uniform, were very agreeable and lent him a pair of shoes. However, they were men’s shoes and looked a bit large.
Xi Wuming thought for a moment and decided to step forward himself to hand her the shoes. He was not good at dealing with women and couldn’t say any witty words. After putting down the shoes, he quietly stepped back to the side.
Hanbi was a little surprised to see the shoes, but she put them on. The shoes were a bit large and ill-fitting, but they were better than her bare feet. “Thank you.” Perhaps because she hadn’t spoken for a long time, her voice was a little strained, but it was still polite, a habit likely formed over many years.
Afterward, people from the Jiaofang Division (The Imperial Music Bureau, often used for training courtesans) came and took her away. The person leading them was an elderly female instructor, who looked Hanbi over critically and evaluated, “She’s not bad looking.” Hanbi did not respond. She accepted the instructor’s gaze, which treated her like an object, with composure. But before leaving, she turned and looked at Xi Wuming. She didn’t make a sound, and he couldn’t read her lips.
After she left, the youngest subordinate, Wu Gui, couldn’t hold back. “Chief, are you…” They hadn’t seen many women, let alone such a beauty. It was only human nature to pity a beauty.
“Nonsense,” Xi Wuming glanced at him. “I just pity her.” This was the truth. This woman from the Cui family might not have an easy life in the future.
Wu Gui chuckled, “Yes, yes.” But he still muttered, “But I’ve never seen anyone this good-looking before.”
Xi Wuming’s voice was as cold as the ice on the eaves. “Don’t forget your duty.” Thus, everyone settled down, and Xi Wuming treated it merely as an insignificant interlude.
Later, he was promoted, and he had more subordinates. On one occasion, the Eunuch beside His Majesty came to pass on a message for him to appear. Xi Wuming was a little puzzled, but a royal command could not be disobeyed.
Then he saw the Golden Hall, above the steps, and heard a voice from behind the curtain, “You are Xi Wuming?”
He bowed respectfully and replied, “That is correct.” He felt some apprehension in his heart but then heard a charming laugh. “This is the person this concubine mentioned. What does Your Majesty think?”
“Very good,” came the voice from behind the curtain, devoid of emotion. Because of this sentence, Xi Wuming’s life was completely changed thereafter. He easily ascended to a position he hadn’t achieved for years. He vaguely felt the voice was familiar until Hanbi met him later.
“Still well, Commander Xi.” The person in front of him took off her cloak, revealing a face like a hibiscus flower. Xi Wuming was not surprised. Hanbi looked at him with a smile, no longer bearing the distress of their first meeting. “Congratulations, Commander Xi. You’ve been promoted.”
Xi Wuming showed no sign of smugness, which pleased Hanbi even more. She thought to herself that she hadn’t misjudged him. He spoke very calmly, “Was all this your doing, Zhaoyi?”
Hanbi restrained the smile on her face, looking at him with a somewhat condescending air. “What Commander Xi lacked was merely an opportunity for recommendation. Even without me, Commander Xi’s ability would have seen you soar. It was only a matter of time.”
Xi Wuming laughed. He rarely laughed, but his appearance was plain, so his smile lacked any brilliance. He knelt and said, “Zhaoyi has shown me the kindness of a patron. I will certainly repay it.”
In fact, he was not unaware that Hanbi’s intentions toward him were probably not as simple as merely wanting to repay a favor. However, he vaguely felt that since this woman had such cunning and ambition, it seemed acceptable for him to pledge his loyalty to her.
Sure enough, Hanbi’s face lost its haughty expression. She merely said, “Since that is the case, very well.” She reattached her cloak and departed.
Xi Wuming watched her receding back. It was very strange. Her apparent softness was merely a disguise of this Zhaoyi Niangniang. In reality, her heart was harder and colder than anyone else’s. He was certain that if he had refused her, she would not have remembered that tiny bit of past kindness. Since she could place him in this position, she could naturally bring him down as well.
Later, as he commanded the Imperial Guards, his position became increasingly stable, and His Majesty summoned him more frequently. The Zhaoyi was always in attendance, full of grace. At that time, he wondered, was she so perfect that she had no flaws?
Xi Wuming then thought of Shen Zhuo. Perhaps he, too, would become a pawn like himself. In this regard, he never doubted Hanbi’s methods.
Thinking of this, he only found it interesting. He was already weary of this boring capital. He wondered what changes this Zhaoyi Niangniang would bring to this uninteresting place. It was something to look forward to, after all.