Chapter 108
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
While playing football, the men wore thin shirts. The thin fabric clearly outlined their physiques; the guards all had broad shoulders and long legs. Occasionally, women watching the game would cover their mouths, their faces blushing as they observed.
Gu Yuanbai’s gaze was easily drawn to Xue Yuan. It wasn’t that Gu Yuanbai was particularly sensitive to his presence, but Xue Yuan stood out.
He ran quickly, and when he did, his thin shirt clung to his body, his legs taut with the explosive power of a cheetah. His acrobatic moves—jumping, flipping—were dazzling, and no one on either team drew as much attention as he did. Gu Yuanbai watched him for a while, and soon the first half ended.
Xue Yuan’s face was damp with sweat, exuding a sultry allure. He seemed to sense Gu Yuanbai’s gaze and looked up in his direction.
Gu Yuanbai casually averted his eyes, thinking to himself that he couldn’t take advantage.
He could never sleep with Xue Yuan; doing so might cost him his life.
Whether dying in the bed of a concubine or in Xue Yuan’s bed, neither scenario sounded respectable.
His thoughts drifted for a moment, and when they returned, the people in the pavilion were gone. Gu Yuanbai subconsciously looked around, “Where are the people?”
Tian Fusheng couldn’t comprehend, “Your Majesty, who?”
A voice came from below the pavilion, “Your Majesty—”
Gu Yuanbai took a step forward, resting his hands on the railing of the pavilion, and leaned down to look below, where he saw Xue Yuan’s chest rising and falling irregularly, breathing slightly heavily, holding a oil paper package and looking up at him with a smile.
Gu Yuanbai couldn’t help but ask, “What are you holding?”
“Donkey Meat Sandwich from the Niu Family,” Xue Yuan said, “This place’s Donkey Meat Sandwich is famous for being delicious. The meat is well marinated, and the ingredients complement each other perfectly. It opens up your appetite and smells incredibly fragrant. Your Majesty, would you like to try a bite?”
Xue Yuan’s description made his mouth water. He accepted the Donkey Meat Sandwich when it was handed over, and only after his companions checked it did he take it into his hand.
Gu Yuanbai unwrapped the oil paper package, took a bite, and the satisfying aroma of meat mixed with the crispness of scallions and ginger rang in his mouth. The meat was so flavorful that it could be tasted with just the tip of the tongue, and the palm-sized bun was soft but not greasy, with a distinct aroma of flour.
Gu Yuanbai enjoyed it so much that he took another bite and then another.
He ate the Donkey Meat Sandwich in the pavilion, while Xue Yuan looked up at him from below, gradually smiling, his eyes full of smile.
Xue Yuan had never imagined that one day, he would feel so pleased and happy because someone ate a few more bites of food for him.
Halfway through the Donkey Meat Sandwich, Xue Yuan was called away by the Donglingwei. Gu Yuanbai watched his back and took another bite of the bun, unaware of the look of gratitude in Tian Fusheng’s eyes behind him, almost moved to tears.
Xue Yuan really went to great lengths to make sure the Emperor would stay at his mansion. Even his teammates from the Donglingwei found it hard to keep up with his pace. Sure enough, Xue Yuan won after the second half ended.
The Chief guard, Zhang Xu, walked up to Xue Yuan with a complex expression in his eyes. “Lord Xue, the last time I saw you, you actually had His Majesty—” in your arms.
Xue Yuan was straightforward and took the initiative, “Lord Zhang, do you want to discuss the palace matters from a few days ago with me?”
The Chief Guard nodded, even the most loyal and reliable person couldn’t help but cast a doubtful glance at Xue Yuan.
Xue Yuan’s act of hugging the Emperor seemed too natural, and the way his hands were placed on him, the movements of his hands, made Zhang Xu instinctively feel that something was amiss.
Xue Yuan smiled slightly and glanced at the pavilion. “Lord Zhang, don’t think too much. I saw His Majesty looking weak and worried, so I couldn’t help but rush over to assist.”
It made sense. Zhang Xu frowned, still feeling that something was wrong, “But Lord Xue…”
Before he could finish speaking, Xue Yuan patted his shoulder, interrupting him, “Lord Zhang, I have something to attend to. We’ll talk another time.” With that, he hurried back towards the pavilion.
Gu Yuanbai had already boarded the carriage when Xue Yuan’s report came from outside, “Your Majesty, may I accompany you to the Xue Mansion?”
“….” Gu Yuanbai rubbed his forehead. “Come up.”
Xue Yuan got into the carriage, and the smell of sweat emanating from him approached the Emperor. He leaned in closer, took a sniff, and smiled in satisfaction, “Your Majesty smells like Donkey Meat Sandwich.”
Gu Yuanbai sniffed, “I only smell the sweat on you.”
Xue Yuan thought of his delicate nose and immediately backed away, but no matter how far he backed away, he couldn’t escape. He sighed helplessly and was about to open the door and jump out of the carriage when Gu Yuanbai started coughing.
Xue Yuan was startled by his coughing, feeling a little at a loss with both hands. He couldn’t find his bearings, and Gu Yuanbai was coughing so hard, with redness appearing at the corners of his eyes. Xue Yuan finally managed to calm down and tightly embraced Gu Yuanbai, supporting his back.
“Why are you suddenly coughing? Are you sick? Did you catch a cold?” Xue Yuan was so anxious that he didn’t know what he was saying, “Are you cold? What’s uncomfortable?”
Gu Yuanbai couldn’t say a word, gripping Xue Yuan’s hand tightly. He wanted to control himself, but he couldn’t. He coughed so hard that he couldn’t breathe, his mind felt dizzy from lack of oxygen, and his body gradually slowed down to the extreme.
The air at the tip of his nose was mixed with the smell of sweat. Gu Yuanbai numbly grabbed the fingertips in his hand until he recovered and turned his eyes to the side.
Xue Yuan held his hand tightly, hoarse, “Your Majesty?”
Gu Yuanbai didn’t want to reveal such a disheveled side of himself. He turned his head to bury his face in his hair and clothes, unwilling to speak.
A gust of cold wind could trigger such severe coughing, and once the coughing fit ended, it could reach the point where even fingers couldn’t be lifted.
There was a faint taste of blood in his throat because his lungs were too delicate to withstand continuous coughing, so he coughed up a taste of blood.
Even without consulting the imperial physician, Gu Yuanbai knew his body’s condition. He knew how weak he was, and he even knew roughly how long he had left.
Unwilling.
He wanted to clench his fingers, to pretend to be calm and composed, but his heart was tired, and he didn’t want to pretend anymore, wanting to relax for a moment.
Xue Yuan hugged him, leaned down, and whispered in Gu Yuanbai’s ear, “Gu Yuanbai.”
Gu Yuanbai responded dully.
His face was hidden by black hair, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or sad, but it should be sad. How could someone with such lofty ambitions and ambitions feel happy because of physical weakness?
Xue Yuan gently brushed away the strands of hair on Gu Yuanbai’s face, and Gu Yuanbai closed his eyes, but he felt Xue Yuan’s hand trembling. He couldn’t help but open his eyes again, realizing that he hadn’t felt wrong—Xue Yuan’s hand was indeed shaking.
“What are you afraid of?” He spoke hoarsely, his tone leisurely, “I won’t die for a few years.”
Xue Yuan suddenly squeezed his hand tightly, and a word burst out from between his teeth, “A few years?!”
Gu Yuanbai’s eyes flickered and he smiled, “Does Lord Xue also want me to live a hundred years?”
However, his smile was quite forced, as if even the act of lifting the corners of his mouth was extremely difficult. Xue Yuan’s face was cold, his temples throbbed, and the veins in his neck stood out.
When the carriage arrived at the front gate of the Xue Mansion, Gu Yuanbai was already feeling better. He adjusted his robe and straightened his headdress, saying lightly, “Last year, I laid in bed for several months, and every meal I ate was infused with medicine. You may think I’m frail now, but from my perspective, I’ve improved significantly. At least, a cough like the one just now, since the onset of winter, has happened only a few times.”
A tickle in the nose or a tickle in the throat would trigger coughing. It seemed that once Gu Yuanbai started coughing, he couldn’t stop.
After speaking, Gu Yuanbai raised his chin towards the carriage door and said, “Help me down.”
Xue Yuan jumped off the carriage with a serious expression, reaching out to assist Gu Yuanbai. But even after the Emperor got off, he didn’t let go of Xue Yuan’s hand, just quietly and firmly said, “I will find a divine doctor.”
Gu Yuanbai smiled, “I’m looking for one too.”
Abandoning life, waiting in place.
Gu Yuanbai’s words sounded good, but privately, he had never given up.
He glanced sideways at Xue Yuan, curling his lips, revealing the impetuosity and provocation of youth for a moment. “Lord Xue, let’s see who can find one first.”
This assured tone, confident in his survival, caused Xue Yuan’s tense mind to relax instantly. He released Gu Yuanbai’s hand and responded with a casual “en.”
Gu Yuanbai would live a long life.
Even the immortals agreed not to take him away.
***
The only male master in the Xue Mansion was Xue Yuan.
The two elder and younger Madams sent people to inquire if they should come and pay their respects, but Gu Yuanbai refused. As for the second young master Xue, upon learning that the Emperor had come in person, he had already shrunk into a quail, hiding in the house without daring to say a word.
Gu Yuanbai probably guessed the result that Xue Yuan would win. The reason why he dared to grant Xue Yuan such a bold request was just to find out what Xue Yuan wanted to do.
Today was a day of rest. The Emperor also took a day off, without bringing any political affairs, only bringing along a few books he usually read.
Xue Yuan led Gu Yuanbai into the courtyard for a walk. By chance, Gu Yuanbai saw a swing in Xue Yuan’s yard, which was not there when he last visited.
There were wood chips swept aside by the stone table. Gu Yuanbai glanced at them and asked, “Did you make this swing?”
“Yes,” Xue Yuan admitted straightforwardly, “The Emperor sits on the swing, and I sit on the stone table. I plan to carve a little figure for the Emperor.”
Gu Yuanbai found it amusing. He walked over and sat on the swing. “Did you also make the wooden knife you gave me last time?”
“Of course,” Xue Yuan’s lips curled up, sitting down with grandeur, and had a servant bring a dagger and wood. He casually played with the dagger in front of Gu Yuanbai, saying, “I dare not claim much, but when it comes to knife play, I haven’t met anyone better than me.”
Gu Yuanbai raised an eyebrow, realizing, “I haven’t heard of that.”
Xue Yuan grinned, thinking it would be strange if he had heard of it.
How could Xue Yuan possibly do woodworking? It was just that he was angered by the painting that Chu Wei gave the Emperor last time. Since Chu Wei could paint for the Emperor, he could carve something for him.
Who was worse off?
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
