I Rely on Beauty to Stabilize the Country Chapter 133

Chapter 133

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Half a month later, after the mourning period, Gu Yuanbai received the victorious report from the coastal navy.

Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangnan Dong had won, not only won but also boldly pursued the Fusang army to an island where their navy was stationed.

Gu Yuanbai underestimated the strength of Great Heng’s navy and warships. The three navy forces pursued relentlessly, surrounded the fleeing Fusang army, and used fire tactics to capture the island.

Gu Yuanbai had someone bring Mr. Wang over and read the situation along the coast to him word by word. As Mr. Wang listened, his calm demeanor shattered, his eyes widened in struggle, trying to break free from the ropes binding him. Gu Yuanbai held a cup of warm tea, gazing absently at the autumn scenery outside the palace.

When Mr. Wang’s painful sobbing gradually subsided, the Emperor of Great Heng turned to him, a warm smile on his lips. “Mr. Wang, our navy owes you a great deal. Thanks to you, we were able to capture so many armors, food, and oil from Fusang.”

The autumn sun was gentle, casting a golden light on the Emperor’s hand holding the cup, making it almost translucent. 

Mr. Wang tasted the strong metallic taste in his throat. With an Emperor who appeared harmless like this, his heart was unexpectedly cruel.

He told himself it was all fake. Fusang had prepared for so long, how could they lose so easily?

The Great Heng Empire, the vast Middle Kingdom, even if they were hastily engaged in battle, did they have such confidence?

Gu Yuanbai felt it wasn’t enough and continued, “Fusang has made mistakes, and our empire naturally needs to instruct Fusang to correct its mistakes and return to the right path. But this journey was hard. If Fusang wants to receive our instruction, it must bear the military expenses of our army’s journey to Fusang and provide enough compensation to Great Heng. Our empire is not afraid of the extra effort to make another trip.”

When this was said, even Tian Fusheng couldn’t help but be stunned.

Could… could it really be done like this?

After Gu Yuanbai finished speaking, he no longer looked at Mr. Wang, who wanted nothing more than to kill him. “Take him away.”

The coastal war did not resonate with the people in the capital, thousands of miles away. This news was not even published in The Great Heng Daily. Even more enduring was the news spread by Mr. Wang in the capital that the Emperor had long been in a coma.

In mid-September, to completely dispel the rumors, Gu Yuanbai appeared in front of the people and went to sky platform to worship the moon.

The Emperor wore court attire, white silk tied around his wrist, his thin back bending when he bowed, the crown like raindrops colliding, every move picturesque.

The people watched the Emperor from afar, the tens of millions of imperial guards holding their long spears, their faces solemn.

When the Emperor traveled, the common people could watch but were not allowed to call out or look down from above. When the Emperor lit incense, he raised his arm lightly, holding up his sleeve with movements as fluid as clouds and water, exuding an air of superiority that was beyond ordinary people.

The commoners couldn’t find the right words to express their admiration, only feeling that the Emperor truly deserved his title, with everything he did carrying a unique majesty.

Chu Wei and his classmates were also watching from the outskirts. The layers of palace attendants and guards obscured the Emperor’s figure, only occasionally allowing glimpses of the hem of his robe.

After watching for a while, a classmate suddenly felt something was off. He quickly tugged on Chu Wei’s sleeve and said, “Zihu, do you think the handsome young man we saw under the Zhuangyuan Tower earlier bears some resemblance to the Emperor?”

Chu Wei calmly replied, “That was the Emperor.”

The classmate fell silent for a moment, then jumped up suddenly, “What!”

Chu Wei frowned slightly, and the classmate quieted down, lowering his voice, “Why didn’t you tell me it was the Emperor back then?”

“You didn’t want to enter the court as an official at that time, nor did you want to get involved with the court,” Chu Wei explained simply. “Why should I say more to you?”

The classmate choked, unable to say anything, and just shook his head wordlessly, muttering, “You, Chu Zihu.”

Chu Wei continued to watch the Emperor.

Today’s weather was good, and the court attire was a spring autumn robe. The leather belt around his waist was lightly tied, and because he was far away, it was easier to see the Emperor’s thin neck, wrists, and body. Chu Wei’s heart swelled with worry. He was worried about the Emperor’s coma a few days ago, worried that he looked even weaker now.

He didn’t know if the Emperor could bear the death of Wan Taifei.

But besides worry… Chu Wei’s Adam’s apple rolled, and he lowered his eyes, a shadow falling under his long lashes.

His slender fingers moved slightly, as if to embrace something.

“Chu Wei!”

The sudden voice startled him, and Chu Wei put his hands behind his back, turning his head without changing his expression. “Hmm?”

“The Emperor is about to leave,” his classmate said. “There are many people here, and the road will be blocked later. Why don’t we leave now?”

Chu Wei’s footsteps remained still as a pine. “You go first.”

“I go first?” his classmate asked in surprise.

Chu Wei nodded, and his white robe enveloped his tall figure. “I’ll go see the Emperor.”

***

The Emperor boarded the dragon carriage, and before the six horses in front had moved their hooves, an attendant ran over and said, “Your Majesty, Lord Chu Wei wishes to come and see you.”

Gu Yuanbai glanced at the sky outside. “Let him come.”

Xue Yuan raised an eyebrow, unperturbed. “Your Majesty, your crown is tangled up.”

Gu Yuanbai reached out and adjusted it. The beads clinked under his touch. His fingers were cold and fair, wrapped around the rope. The black thin rope intertwined with the transparent white jade beads on his long fingers, breaking and intertwining. If the beads were a person, they would probably blush on his fingers. “Where?”

Xue Yuan was momentarily entranced, only returning to his senses when he heard the question. His peripheral vision caught sight of Chu Wei approaching from not far away, a fleeting smirk crossing his lips. Xue Yuan climbed into the carriage, kneeling down and carefully untangling the two strands of intertwined pearls.

Gu Yuanbai propped his face with one hand, slightly lowering his head to facilitate Xue Yuan’s movements.

As Chu Wei approached, this was the scene that met his eyes. His gaze tightened briefly, a hint of displeasure flickering at the corner of his lips, but it quickly returned to normal. He calmly stepped forward and saluted, “Your Majesty, this official pays his respects.”

Gu Yuanbai nodded casually, lazily remarking, “Xue Jiuyao, still not good?”

“It’s fine now.” Xue Yuan finished straightening out the pearls before letting go of them, then, in front of Chu Wei, adjusted Gu Yuanbai’s robes and jumped down from the carriage.

Chu Wei’s black eyes watched intently, seeing everything clearly. After a moment, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. “Your Majesty, have you been well these days?”

“I’ve been fine,” Gu Yuanbai smiled, “And how is the youngest Silang?”

Chu Wei recounted one by one. Although his words were few, each one was sincere. After Chu Wei finished speaking, Gu Yuanbai nodded, thinking Chu Wei would leave, but Chu Wei hesitated for a moment. “Your Majesty, some days ago, I received a painting by Li Qingyun, but only the lower half. My father mentioned that the upper half is in the Ministry of Revenue. After I went to see the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue, Lord Tang told me that the half painting was presented to Your Majesty last year on the Longevity Festival. I’m not sure if the half painting I happened to obtain is authentic, so I wanted to borrow the upper half from the palace to compare.”

Gu Yuanbai became interested. Li Qingyun was a great painter from the previous dynasty, one of the four great painters of the previous dynasty. Few of his works had ever been seen, but Gu Yuanbai knew that his name represented a lot of money.

After careful consideration, Gu Yuanbai remembered that indeed, last year on the Longevity Festival, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue had indeed presented a half painting. With this in mind, he smiled at Chu Wei, “Minister Chu, the upper half of the painting is in my collection.”

Chu Wei felt a bit sweaty under his smile, “The painting in Your Majesty’s hands must be authentic, but the one in my hands may not be.”

Gu Yuanbai teased, “What if it’s genuine?”

“Then I will present it to Your Majesty,” Chu Wei’s tone gave no hint of reluctance, “The two paintings can be united and accompany each other for a lifetime.”

As he said this, his tone was slow and clear, his voice as melodious as if he were speaking words of love.

Xue Yuan’s face turned cold.

Gu Yuanbai couldn’t help but smile. Two years ago, Chu Wei was still proud and aloof, but now he knew how to compromise and was trying to please him. Gu Yuanbai graciously accepted his minister’s intentions, “Then I’ll wait. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to your residence to deliver the painting.”

Chu Wei shook his head and said softly, “I’ll personally deliver it to the palace.”

Gu Yuanbai thought for a moment, tapping his knee with his fingers. “Very well.”

As Chu Wei was about to take his leave, he suddenly remembered something and looked up at Xue Yuan. “Lord Xue, you should start considering potential brides by now, shouldn’t you?”

Xue Yuan narrowed his eyes. “What?”

“My mother has been talking about my marriage these days,” Chu Wei sighed, “I only found out when I asked. Madam Xue has been busy arranging your marriage for the past few months, and there has been no slack. Since Madam Xue has been visiting my family more often, my mother has become anxious.”

Xue Yuan’s lips curled up as he looked at Chu Wei, his gaze like that of someone looking at a dead person.

Do you want to die?

Chu Wei raised an eyebrow and also smiled coldly.

He parted his lips slightly and said one last thing, “Lord Xue, what kind of woman do you like? Why not just say it, and I can inform my mother to help speed up the anxious Madam Xue.”

Gu Yuanbai was a little stunned.

It was only when Chu Wei said this that he came to his senses and looked at Xue Yuan.

That’s right.

Xue Yuan was almost twenty-five years old. At this age, and unlike him, he was not physically weak and unable to have children. Naturally, his family would urge him to marry.

His brows furrowed, a hint of anger rising.

Xue Yuan looked at him like a dog eyeing a bone. His obsessive fervor for Gu Yuanbai made Gu Yuanbai feel that even if they slept together, Xue Yuan would only become more greedy and ravenous. Could such a person really get aroused by anyone other than Gu Yuanbai?

After kissing and touching, Gu Yuanbai said he wouldn’t indulge Xue Yuan, yet Xue Yuan insisted on getting close. When Gu Yuanbai wanted to sleep with him, Xue Yuan said he was about to get married. What was this, playing games with him?

His voice turned cold, “If Minister Chu has finished speaking, then leave. I’m tired.”

Chu Wei paused, then responded and withdrew.

As he turned, a fleeting smile crossed his face.

The fine horse finally stepped forward, and the imperial carriage moved slowly through the streets.

Inside the carriage, adorned with gold, silver, jade, and carved with dragon and phoenix motifs, the Emperor’s tone was as cold as ice in December, “Xue Yuan, come up.”

The swaying carriage shook, and moments later, Xue Yuan was kneeling before Gu Yuanbai.

The windows and doors of the carriage were tightly shut. Inside the imperial carriage, it was dim, and outside, the streets were crowded with people. The bustling noise of the commoners wasn’t blocked at all by the carriage.

Gu Yuanbai removed his imperial boots, leaving only white socks, and placed his foot on Xue Yuan.

He moved gently with the rocking of the carriage, his face hidden in the shadows, occasionally illuminated by light, his lips turning red, his eyes darkening, his gaze sharp like a knife, a mix of determination and ruthlessness.

Xue Yuan let out a muffled groan, his knees firmly planted on the ground. That part of him was already erect, pressing against the Emperor’s foot, radiating a terrifying heat.

This punishment was too torturous.

His forehead was covered in sweat, his eyes reddened, bloodshot with desire, piercing through the fog and moisture with a heavy gaze, staring straight at the Emperor.

Gu Yuanbai’s tone was slow, his footsteps also slow, “Xue Jiuyao, taking a wife?”

Xue Jiuyao’s heavy breathing grew heavier and hotter, seeming both pleasurable and painful.

As the carriage turned the corner, the voices of the commoners grew louder, almost at their ears.

The beast inside Xue Yuan stirred, showing loyalty.

Gu Yuanbai lightly scoffed, straightening up from the carriage wall. He bent over into the darkness, suddenly grabbing Xue Yuan’s collar. Caught off guard, Xue Yuan stumbled forward, but managed to catch himself on the carriage wall to avoid pressing onto the Emperor.

The collar tightened under Gu Yuanbai’s grip. “I’m asking you.”

Gu Yuanbai breathed gently by his ear, with a mocking smile, “If someone else steps on you, would you react like this…?”

He paused, looking down at Xue Yuan with a sneer, his tone carrying a threat, “…Seductive, isn’t it?”

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