Chapter 12
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The chief guard escorted the Emperor and finally arrived at the gate of Xue’s mansion before the rain fell.
The gatekeeper was about to ask who this group of people was, but he caught sight of the dragon-shaped jade pendant around Gu Yuanbai’s waist and immediately knelt down on the ground in fear, “I, I…”
The entire Xue residence received the news, and the previously quiet General’s mansion suddenly erupted like a pot of boiling oil. General Xue, who was in his study, hurriedly made his way towards the mansion gate with a young servant in tow. Midway, he encountered Madam Xue, who was being supported by a maid. Madam Xue’s face was filled with panic, her hairpins scattered, and she asked, “General, is it truly the Emperor personally coming?”
General Xue didn’t slow down. He nodded, “I’ll go to the front gate to welcome His Majesty. You quickly tidy up your appearance and let Mother come out to greet him. None of the other miscellaneous people and things should appear in front of His Majesty!”
Madam Xue hurriedly nodded and then took the hand of a maid and hurried to the backyard. The maid supporting her struggled to keep up with her steps. Wasn’t Madam usually light on her feet? Why did she need support now? The maid was slower than Madam!
Madam Xue hurried to the backyard, where Old Madam Xue was already informed and was being dressed in the attire of a high-ranking lady under the service of her attendants, layer upon layer of golden threads embroidered on a bright red robe. None of the maids and servants were as breathless as usual.
Old Madam Xue’s complexion flushed as if she had suddenly become ten years younger. Seeing Madam Xue coming over, she smiled and asked her daughter-in-law to come to her side, “Huiniang, I heard magpies chirping on the tree this morning. I was wondering what good news it could be. I didn’t expect such a great honor! His Majesty visiting our mansion, what a great honor?”
Seeing her mother-in-law in such high spirits, Madam Xue also felt as if she had found her backbone, “Mother, how should we handle the protocol in our mansion? His Majesty must have come to seek shelter from the rain. If the rain doesn’t stop, won’t His Majesty have to stay in our mansion?”
Old Madam Xue’s complexion suddenly turned serious, gripping Madam Xue’s hand tightly, she urged earnestly, “Regardless of whether His Majesty stays or not, Huiniang, you must keep an eye on all the people in our mansion. Not a single person with a dubious mind should approach His Majesty! Don’t think I don’t know, how many maids in the mansion think highly of themselves. If they dare to flutter in front of His Majesty, I’ll let them know how serious I can be!”
Madam Xue understood, nodding her head, then worriedly asked, “Mother, what about Lin Ger and the other concubines? Should they also pay their respects to His Majesty?”
Madam Xue’s voice sank, “Absolutely not! Only Yuan Ger should pay his respects. Huiniang, don’t delay any longer, hurry up and change your clothes, tidy yourself up, and follow me to greet His Majesty.”
Madam Xue nodded, sending someone to notify Xue Yuan before saying, “Yes.”
While Madam Xue and Old Madam Xue were busy, General Xue had already arrived at the gate with many servants. The rain was pouring, and General Xue’s heart was in his throat.
It wasn’t until he saw His Majesty being escorted among the crowd, sheltered from the rain by the eaves, that General Xue breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly walked up and knelt down, “This Minister pays respects to Your Majesty.”
The Emperor gently said, “General Xue, rise.”
Only then did General Xue and his many servants stand up. When he looked up, he saw that His Majesty seemed cold. Even though he hadn’t been drenched in the cold rain, the cold wind had made his lips pale, and his complexion didn’t look good. General Xue felt anxious, and the quick-witted servants behind him immediately handed over a cloak.
Tian Fusheng draped the cloak over Gu Yuanbai. Gu Yuanbai coughed softly a few times. His hands and feet were getting cold, “Today, I disguised myself and left the palace, but I didn’t expect to encounter a downpour. Fortunately, the Xue mansion is nearby. I have troubled General Xue.”
General Xue hurriedly said, “It’s an honor for this Minister to welcome His Majesty personally. How could it be considered a trouble?”
After speaking, General Xue bowed to Heqin Wang and said, “Greetings, Heqin Wang.”
Heqin Wang nodded expressionlessly, “General Xue.”
Gu Yuanbai turned his head and coughed a few times. A chill rose from his feet, and his face felt faintly hot. This was a bad feeling, like the onset of an illness. Tian Fusheng, who was always attentive to him, hurriedly said, “General Xue, there’s no time for words. The Emperor needs to get inside quickly to avoid the cold.”
General Xue quickly made way and led the Emperor into the main hall. Gu Yuanbai tightened his cloak around him. As he walked, his previously pale complexion was already tinged with an unusual flush.
He felt somewhat dizzy.
Gu Yuanbai hadn’t forgotten the cold that nearly took his life a month ago. He was now somewhat paranoid, always fearing that another bout of cold might be fatal.
With a deep frown, Gu Yuanbai was guided to the seat of honor, and his first words were, “General Xue, do you have a physician in your residence?”
General Xue had initially thought the Emperor’s improved complexion was a good sign. Now, with this question, he was suddenly alarmed. Forcing himself to remain calm, he ordered a servant to fetch a physician immediately and instructed others to bring warming medicinal broth and hot water without delay.
Tian Fusheng used a cloth to wipe the Emperor’s face. The heat seeping through the cloth into his palm made Tian Fusheng’s face turn pale and his hands tremble slightly. “Your Majesty…”
Gu Yuanbai’s breathing grew heavier, but he suddenly smiled. “Judging by the rain outside, it’s unlikely to stop tonight. I’m afraid I will have to stay in General Xue’s residence overnight.”
General Xue bowed. “I have already prepared a room for Your Majesty. Would you like to rest for a while?”
Gu Yuanbai nodded and waited calmly for the physician to arrive. As he waited, his limbs grew colder, but his cheeks gradually became hotter. Despite having the cloak draped over him, the chill made him want to shiver.
He endured these discomforts, maintaining a calm and composed smile. Heqin Wang, looking at the heavy rain outside and then at the redness on Gu Yuanbai’s face, pressed his lips together and lowered his face in suppressed concern.
It was his idea to leave the palace today. If anything happened to Gu Yuanbai, he would be held responsible.
The physician was soon brought in. He seemed to know Gu Yuanbai’s identity, appearing extremely nervous. Only after the head guard had inspected the physician was he allowed to approach. Gu Yuanbai extended his hand, and Tian Fusheng rolled up his sleeve to reveal his fair, jade-like wrist.
The physician took his pulse, then shakily withdrew his hand. “Your Majesty, the cold has not yet penetrated your vital organs. For now, you just need to soak in hot water and drink some hot soup to sweat it out.”
Gu Yuanbai raised an eyebrow, accustomed to the cautious and meticulous palace physicians. Hearing these straightforward words that didn’t treat him like a fragile person actually felt quite refreshing. “In that case, I’ll trouble you, General Xue.”
“No trouble at all,” General Xue said. “I’ll prepare the hot water immediately, and the hot soup will be ready soon.”
Gu Yuanbai exhaled a warm breath, the fine fur on his cloak rising and falling with his breathing. Supporting himself on the black wooden table with pale fingers, Gu Yuanbai used the leverage to stand up.
Tian Fusheng and the guards followed behind him. Gu Yuanbai walked slowly to the door, but suddenly his left leg weakened, and he staggered forward, only to be caught around the waist by someone.
The hand around his waist was tight and powerful. Xue Yuan looked at the Emperor who had fallen straight into his arms, and smiled respectfully, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”
Gu Yuanbai’s face changed, and Xue Yuan let go of his hand. He bowed to Gu Yuanbai and gracefully smiled at the Emperor.
Gu Yuanbai glanced at him, coughed lightly, and brushed past him. Watching his departure, Xue Yuan suppressed his smile and turned to ask his father, “Has His Majesty caught a cold?”
General Xue and Heqin Wang didn’t detect any malicious intent in his tone. General Xue asked Xue Yuan to greet Heqin Wang, who looked slightly tired. After His Majesty left, Heqin Wang made an excuse and returned to his room.
Xue Yuan respectfully saw off Heqin Wang before standing upright. General Xue sighed, worriedly, “I just hope His Majesty will be safe.”
Xue Yuan smiled, “His Majesty has the blessings of heaven; of course, he’ll be fine.”
Just as he approached the Emperor, Xue Yuan felt a sudden rush of heat. He had been bedridden for some time, and now, unexpectedly, it was His Majesty’s turn to rest in the Xue mansion.
***
Heqin Wang returned to his room. His servant wanted to bring him a bowl of ginger soup, but when he returned, he proudly brought back a bowl of deer blood instead. “Sir, the Xue mansion has slaughtered a deer. This is fresh deer blood, boiled once, still hot. This is much more effective than ginger soup!”
Heqin Wang drank the deer blood in one gulp. The hot blood taste permeated deep into his throat, warming his whole body. Heqin Wang suddenly realized, “Bring another bowl. I’ll personally take it to His Majesty.”
The servant brought another steaming bowl of deer blood and followed Heqin Wang to deliver it to His Majesty. His Majesty’s residence was the master bedroom of the Xue mansion, the best position in the entire mansion, a bit far from Heqin Wang’s residence.
As they walked, Heqin Wang felt sweat breaking out all over his body. The bowl of deer blood he had just drunk had a surprisingly quick effect. He even felt like a wildfire was burning inside him, making him unbutton his collar involuntarily.
As they approached the Emperor’s door, passing by the bedroom window, Heqin Wang subconsciously glanced inside and suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Inside the bedroom, the Emperor was lazily leaning beside the bed, his feet soaking in medicated water. Tian Fusheng was squatting beside him, washing his feet.
Gu Yuanbai’s feet, from birth until now, had not walked much. Soft silk and satin nurtured them, making them as clear and transparent as jade.
The hot water steamed his fair skin into a rosy color, and the clear water rippled down, playing with the water droplets. The medicinal bath included flowers, and the dried flowers slowly unfolded in the water, decorating his feet like delicate ink paintings.
With a loud bang, Heqin Wang felt a sudden intense heat in his heart. His mind went blank, feeling extremely overheated all over, and his eyes stared at the scene before him, the heat rushing to his brain.
The taste of deer blood in his mouth suddenly became stronger.
Author’s Note: Heqin Wang and Gu Yuanbai are not blood brothers.
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