Chapter 51: The Cunning Oriole

Early the next morning, the bright yellow imperial edict and various rewards arrived on schedule.

The decree explicitly established the Li family's status as imperial relatives, praising Consort Chen's merits and virtues as a late emperor's consort, and lauding the contributions of the Li family ancestors in raising such a daughter. Finally, deceased members of the Li family, including Consort Chen's grandparents and parents, were posthumously granted titles. As for the living members, as expected, it matched Dowager Empress Wen's verbal bestowals from the day before without any changes.

No, there was still some change; the decree explicitly stated the appointment and reward for Li Xubai.

Just as Song Shiyu had anticipated, he was conferred the post of Vice Commander of the Intelligence Division within the Imperial City Bureau, with the rank of proper sixth rank.

Overnight, the Li family leaped from an obscure, unknown household into new nobility in Bianliang City. Naturally, this attracted attention from all sides, and various factions promptly dispatched their best intelligence-gathering experts to inquire everywhere into the Li family's origins.

In an instant, the Li family became a hot topic of intense interest.

"Has he already said goodbye to you?" The young noble in brocade robes stood on the second floor of the All-Seasons Carriage Agency, leaning against the window, his deep gaze fixed on Li Xubai's receding figure.

Manager Su and Steward Fang stood behind the brocade-robed young man, exchanging a glance.

Manager Su nodded and said, "Yes, he said he will report for duty at the Martial Virtue Division today."

Hearing this, the young man in brocade seemed to heave a sigh of relief. "He has finally been successfully delivered before the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. I hope this blade of mine will not disappoint me."

Steward Fang was utterly baffled. "My Lord, this subordinate has a question."

"Speak."

"You went to such painstaking lengths to push him to a high position, My Lord, yet you refuse to show yourself. Isn't it said that adding flowers to a brocade is inferior to sending charcoal in the snow?"

The brocade-robed young man smiled faintly and indifferently. "There is no rush. The timing is not right yet. When he finds himself struggling at every step within the Martial Virtue Division, that will be the time for me to send charcoal in the snow. Right now, it is too early."

Steward Fang and Manager Su exchanged glances, seeming to understand his intention somewhat.

To first elevate someone to a high position, and then ruthlessly cast them down into the dust so that they can see no hope of ever rising again—only to extend a helping hand at that exact moment is what truly makes someone remember it carved into their bones, an unforgettable act of providing charcoal in snow.

"Have the female dependents of the Gu family all been properly settled?" the young man asked again.

"Rest assured, My Lord. Aside from Madam Gu, who has already left the capital, everyone else has been arranged for. However," Manager Su hesitated slightly, "there is still no trace of Gu Shiyan and Gu Aman. I wonder if they have already left Bianliang City."

The brocade-robed young man frowned. "Although the Imperial Guards' searches in the city have ceased over these past days, the inspections at the city gates are even stricter than usual. No matter how resourceful the two of them are, they cannot get out. Never mind, those two are insignificant; let them be. What matters is Madam Gu's end. You must keep a close watch on her movements. Although we missed our chance to secure the Dragon Pendant this time, fortunately, it did not affect the final outcome. But the matters concerning Cao Heyong must not fail again. When necessary, you may kill him."

Manager Su and Steward Fang felt a chill in their hearts, their expressions turning solemn.

Steward Fang pondered, "My Lord, Cao Heyong is, after all, a high-ranking official of the court. If he were to meet a violent death and Madam Gu's trail led back to us, I fear we would not be able to withdraw unscathed."

The brocade-robed young man glanced at Steward Fang. "What you say is true." He thought for a moment, then gave focused instructions: "Send two more men to provide backup for Madam Gu. Once Madam Gu succeeds, those two must immediately step in to handle the aftermath."

Manager Su and Steward Fang understood instantly and answered in unison.

"How are the members of the Gu family who were exiled to Lingnan doing? Have any news been sent back?" The brocade-robed young man pinched the bridge of his nose, showing a rare trace of fatigue, clearly indicating that the scheming of these past few days had heavily taxed his mind.

Seeing this, Steward Fang hurriedly poured a cup of warm tea and handed it over.

Manager Su chimed in, "The eldest and second sons of the Gu family's second branch fell seriously ill. When the Second Master of the Gu family begged the escorting bailiffs to fetch a doctor for them, he was kicked and had two ribs broken. It will likely be a matter of these few days for them. Those of the eldest branch are doing rather well; they should be able to reach Lingnan safely."

"The eldest branch," the brocade-robed young man sneered. "The only son of the eldest branch is missing, all the female dependents were sold off in Bianliang City, and only the eldest master of the branch is exiled. With no one else to worry about, he naturally has no one dragging him down—full himself, his whole family is unburdened. Of course, nothing untoward would happen to him."

"Then, should this subordinate arrange for someone to go over?" Manager Su asked.

The brocade-robed young man narrowed his eyes. "Go. Let him also experience what the true perils of the world are like once he loses Grand Tutor Gu's protection."

Steward Fang raised his eyebrows slightly.

Clearly, he had long been aware of the brocade-robed young man's deep-seated malice toward the Gu family, and felt not a shred of surprise at this order.

When Li Xubai rushed to the offices of the Martial Virtue Division, there were very few people on duty.

Whether they were all out on various assignments or intentionally giving a cold welcome to this airborne vice commander remained unknown.

A few clerks of the Intelligence Division sat under the veranda, basking in the sun with utter boredom. The moment they saw Yu Zhong leading Li Xubai through the gate, they immediately stood up and offered flattering bows to Yu Zhong.

"Oh my, why is Chief Steward Yu so free today?"

"Does Chief Steward Yu have any instructions? You only need to send one of us juniors to pass the word; how could we trouble the Chief Steward to come in person?"

"Such hot weather, Chief Steward, please rest your feet and have a cup of tea."

These clerks did not even glance at Li Xubai, who stood beside Yu Zhong. They completely ignored him, treating him as if he did not exist.

Li Xubai sighed softly to himself; it seemed that being an official in the Martial Virtue Division was not going to be easy.

Yu Zhong let out a heavy cough and said to the clerks with a stern expression, "Why are there only a few of you here? Where is Commander Sheng? Where are the vice-lieutenants and captains?"

One of the clerks hurriedly replied, "Commander Sheng has been out of the capital on official business for half a month now. The vice-lieutenants and captains also have their own duties and haven't been to the offices for two or three days. Does Chief Steward Yu have business with them?"

Yu Zhong spat mentally at the group.

The imperial decree had arrived at the Martial Virtue Division early in the morning; these few were clearly playing dumb while knowing the truth full well!

"Enough, listen carefully. The post of Vice Commander of the Intelligence Division has一直 been vacant. This is the Vice Commander of the Intelligence Division personally appointed by His Majesty, Li Xubai, Commander Li. Come and pay your respects," Yu Zhong said solemnly.

The clerks suddenly acted as if they had just had a flash of sudden enlightenment, hurriedly changing their expressions to offer courteous, yet slovenly and insincere bows.

"This subordinate and others pay respects to the Vice Commander."

Li Xubai had crammed the etiquette rules of the Great Yu Dynasty overnight precisely to guard against making a fool of himself today. He hurriedly returned a bow without a single flaw: "Brothers, you are too polite. Since I am newly arrived, I hope to rely heavily on everyone's concerted assistance."

The clerks still wore respectful faces, but the corners of their eyes revealed a faint trace of disdain as they perfunctorily spoke in unison.

"You are too polite, Vice Commander."

Yu Zhong had anticipated this scenario long ago, but he had no solution—or rather, he had one, but chose not to use it, wanting to see if Li Xubai could turn the situation around.

He merely gave the clerks a light, painless reprimand, then made his excuses to Li Xubai: "Commander Li, this old servant cannot stay away from His Majesty for too long, fearing he might be summoned. I will take my leave now."

What more could Li Xubai say?

A master leads you through the door, but cultivation is up to the individual.

The path ahead was still one he had to walk step by step on his own.