Chapter 112
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Gu Yuanbai demanded a substantial amount of compensation from Xixia, making a bold move like a lion.
The trade between Xixia and Great Heng relied on horses, but once the border trade routes were established, their advantage disappeared without a trace, and their confidence vanished. Could it be precisely because of this that they acted so decisively?
But Xixia was not aware of the border trade. The more Gu Yuanbai thought about it, the more strange it seemed. For Xixia, such a small place, it was normal not to be able to produce such things.
Five days later, the Xixia envoys arrived in the capital to redeem their people. They were polite and respectful, and the compensation extended to the outskirts of the capital, with numerous tall horses and herds of cattle and sheep. The people of the capital gathered to watch the spectacle, counting the livestock.
Gu Yuanbai quietly observed the long procession among the crowd, listening to the exclamations and whispers of the people around him.
The line seemed endless, and just a rough look at the horses and livestock indicated that there were definitely millions of them. Gu Yuanbai frowned. Along with the gifts he received on his birthday and the silver squandered by the Seventh Prince in Great Heng, where did Xixia get so much?
Something was amiss.
Kong Yilin pointed to the leader, “My Lord, that’s the Second Prince of Xixia.”
Gu Yuanbai nodded, “I see.”
The face of the Second Prince of Xixia was unclear, but his attire was plain. He sat slightly hunched on his horse, looking so timid that the people of Great Heng dared not lift their heads to look at him.
He and the Seventh Prince of Xixia, Li Angshun, were truly two extremes.
“The prince is weak, but the ministers accompanying him are powerful,” Kong Yilin furrowed his brow, “My Lord, what preparations should we make?”
“All that needs to be done has been done. Let’s see what they want to do,” Gu Yuanbai frowned, stepping back from the crowd, “Let’s go forward and see what they’ve brought besides what I asked for.”
After Gu Yuanbai and his entourage finished inspecting what Xixia had brought, they exchanged a glance, but there was no trace of joy on their faces.
On the way back to the palace, Kong Yilin whispered, “We originally intended for Xixia to divide the compensation into three installments, to be paid off over three years. We didn’t expect them to come up with it all at once, and they even added many more gifts.”
Gu Yuanbai nodded silently.
It was hard to say whether it was good or bad. Getting compensation was naturally a good thing, but Gu Yuanbai had originally intended to use this compensation to deal a blow to Xixia. As a result, things had turned out unexpectedly, surpassing his expectations.
When they arrived at the palace gates, the coachman suddenly stopped, and Tian Fusheng’s voice of confusion came from outside, “Huh, Lord Chu, why are you kneeling here?”
Gu Yuanbai lifted his eyelids and opened the carriage window.
Chu Wei knelt outside the palace gates, his hair slightly disheveled in the cold wind, his nose slightly red. He looked up at the carriage, his eyes brightening as if he had seen a lifesaving straw, and urgently said, “Please save my fourth uncle’s life, Your Majesty!”
***
Chu Wei’s fourth uncle was Chu Yi, the little boy who called Chu Wei his nephew. Originally, this little boy had caught a cold, which worsened over time, and he had ended up fainting and vomiting blood. Although the Chu family had invited many doctors, the illness persisted. Chu Wei, feeling desperate, thought of the imperial physicians and knelt outside the palace gates, hoping to see the Emperor.
As another carriage from the palace came out, it turned around and headed towards the Chu residence.
The Chu residence was surrounded by the mansions of court officials. When the carriages from the palace arrived, the news spread to these mansions. The masters of the mansions changed into new clothes and hurriedly went to pay their respects to the Emperor.
“No need for formalities, all of you go back,” Gu Yuanbai stepped out of the carriage and turned around, saying, “Tian Fusheng, take the imperial physician into the residence to see Yi Ger. His life is at stake.”
Chu Wei’s eyes reddened instantly. He concealed his emotions and bowed his head, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Seeing his appearance, Gu Yuanbai couldn’t help but sigh.
The people of the Chu residence also wanted to meet the Emperor, but they were also politely declined by the Emperor. The Emperor’s health was weak, and he feared catching an illness, so he did not personally visit the child. Instead, he sent a message: “Take good care of Yi Ger.”
When Madam Chu heard this, she responded with a “yes,” her voice choked with sobs.
Chu Wei didn’t leave, insisting on staying by the Emperor’s side. The Emperor walked around the courtyard with his attendants, waiting for the imperial physician to come and report the news.
Seeing Chu Wei lost in thought, Kong Yilin whispered comfortingly, “Brother Chu, don’t worry too much. The imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital are extraordinary. They will surely cure him and turn danger into safety.”
Chu Wei relaxed his brows slightly and nodded reluctantly.
Gu Yuanbai happened to see Chu Wei’s expression. The Emperor smiled helplessly and said to Kong Yilin, “When a loved one is in danger, things aren’t as simple as they seem.”
Chu Wei, under the Emperor’s gaze, regained some composure. He bowed again and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my fourth uncle’s life.”
Gu Yuanbai helped him up, holding Chu Wei’s hands and patting them, smiling, “Official Chu, you are the only son of your family. At this time, you should bear the responsibility and not panic. The imperial physicians in the palace have always been reliable, so take it easy.”
Chu Wei’s hands trembled slightly.
His lips were chapped from the anxiety of these days, and his once bright and jade-like face now showed signs of fatigue. Yet, it did not detract from his beauty; it only melted away some of the icy sharpness that kept people at a distance.
“Your Majesty, I…,” Chu Wei’s lips trembled. After a long time, he said with difficulty, “I…”
He didn’t know where he found the courage. He suddenly withdrew his hand, then in the next moment, he reached out and grabbed the Emperor’s hand again.
“These past few days have been restless for me. I’ve sought many renowned doctors, but it’s been of no use,” Chu Wei’s heart churned, struggling to speak softly, “I don’t know why, but I thought of Your Majesty early on. I always felt that Your Majesty could save my fourth uncle’s life. But my father didn’t want to trouble Your Majesty, and I didn’t want to bother Your Majesty with such trivial matters.”
Chu Wei lowered his eyes, looking at their intertwined hands.
It seemed like a relationship between a ruler and his subject, yet it also felt like some unspeakable thought had started to emerge.
He took a deep breath and continued, “But later, I became anxious and went to see Your Majesty myself. I hope Your Majesty forgives my rash behavior.”
Gu Yuanbai naturally withdrew his hand and smiled, “Official Chu, rest assured.”
Around noon, the imperial physician walked out of Chu Yi’s room in the Chu residence, followed by the elders of the Chu family. They looked relaxed yet tired, and Chu Wei could tell at a glance that his fourth uncle had been saved.
Since everything was fine, Gu Yuanbai left the Chu residence. The chief guard helped the Emperor onto the carriage, and Kong Yilin was about to follow. Suddenly, he turned and smiled at Chu Wei, “Brother Chu, be cautious in your words, actions, and thoughts.”
Chu Wei’s eyebrows twitched, and he met Kong Yilin’s gaze. Suddenly, he calmed down, “If there is no prohibition, then it can be done.”
Kong Yilin was surprised, as if he was seeing Chu Wei in a new light. He looked Chu Wei up and down, then smiled and got into the carriage.
The two carriages departed leisurely, leaving Chu Wei standing there for a while before finally following his parents’ footsteps and returning to the residence.
***
This small incident was quickly forgotten by Gu Yuanbai, but the neighbors of the Chu residence did not forget. Not only did they not forget, but they also consciously spread the Emperor’s compassionate actions to their colleagues, praising the Emperor’s love for the people as if they wanted to elevate him to the heavens with their lifelong talents.
After having dinner that day, Gu Yuanbai took his two wolves for a walk as usual. But today, these two wolves were inexplicably excited, tugging at Gu Yuanbai’s clothes and leading him towards the city wall. The guards on the city wall made way when they saw the wolves, and Gu Yuanbai couldn’t help but ask, “What do you want to do again?”
The two wolves naturally couldn’t answer him, but the whistle from outside the city wall answered Gu Yuanbai’s question for him.
Gu Yuanbai frowned, “Xue Yuan.”
The whistle outside the wall stopped, and Xue Yuan cleared his throat, speaking seriously, “Your Majesty.”
Although Gu Yuanbai hadn’t seen him for several days, just hearing his voice annoyed him. Without bothering to reply, he turned to leave.
The two wolves whimpered and tugged at Gu Yuanbai’s clothes.
Xue Yuan outside the wall also heard the wolves’ coquettish cries. He cleared his throat again, looked around to make sure no one was nearby, and lowered his voice, “Your Majesty, the Lantern Festival is coming in a few days.”
The Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuanxiao Festival, was a night of no curfew, with colorful lanterns and crowded streets. It was a lively day for the people, and also a day for young men and women of Great Heng to meet, like an ancient Valentine’s Day.
Xue Yuan continued, “The first time I saw you was at the Lantern Festival.”
He paused, then spoke calmly but with some tension, “Your Majesty, since there won’t be a palace banquet this year, why don’t you go out with me to the Lantern Festival?”
Gu Yuanbai thought, here it comes again, Xue Jiuyao, who are you pretending to be nervous for?
He rubbed his forehead, then casually kicked the two wolves away. He said fiercely, “Will you let go or not?”
The two wolves drooped their tails and ears, but still wouldn’t release their grip.
Gu Yuanbai couldn’t resist their strength. The guards behind him hesitated for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, should we take these two wolves away?”
“Take them away.” After Gu Yuanbai nodded, the two wolves were led away with their sharp teeth bound, but before he could leave, Xue Yuan outside was in a hurry and called out again, “Your Majesty!”
Gu Yuanbai lazily replied, “What now?”
Xue Yuan said, “What do you need to be willing to go out with me to the Lantern Festival?”
Gu Yuanbai coldly chuckled, “Xue Jiuyao, let me ask you, what are you to me?”
“Whatever Your Majesty wants me to be,” Xue Jiuyao immediately responded, “Whatever Your Majesty says, I’ll do. If Your Majesty doesn’t want me to do something, I won’t. Your Majesty, if you don’t want to go out on the Lantern Festival, can I ask for permission to accompany you in the palace?”
Since Xue Yuan became a general, he was no longer the Douyu Marquis as before. Like Chu Wei, he could not enter the palace without being summoned.
The guards on the city wall had never seen such shameless behavior before, and dared not show any expression on their faces. Their eyes widened for a moment.
This renowned general in the capital, how could he be, how could he be such a person!
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