Chapter 134
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“If someone dared to step on my shoe,” Xue Yuan suppressed his voice, tension evident in his tone, “I’d break their leg.”
Between the torrents of sweat, Xue Yuan suddenly realized the advantage of having Chu Wei around.
For now, he should refrain from killing him and let him bounce around a few more days.
But in an instant, he could think of nothing else.
Xue Yuan’s breathing became heavy, and Gu Yuanbai’s face was close, so close. Xue Yuan was about to lean in, but the Emperor turned his face away, gripping his chin softly, “Did I allow you to touch me?”
His eyebrow raised with a tantalizing and ruthless curve, “Without my permission, you can’t even touch a single hair on me.”
The Emperor’s fingers couldn’t restrain Xue Yuan’s strength.
Xue Yuan took a deep, heavy breath. If he lowered his head just a bit, he could kiss Gu Yuanbai’s mocking lips. His hands clenched hard against the carriage wall, his nails creating a screeching sound.
Gu Yuanbai was trapped in his embrace.
If he just pressed down, he could taste his lips, savor his neck and jade-like ears.
Hold down his hands, hold down his feet.
Make him cry.
Cry out “Xue Jiuyao.”
The beastly desire within Xue Yuan was on the verge of driving him mad. He kept telling himself that Gu Yuanbai was physically weak… ultimately, he was tamed and obeyed the Emperor’s order, panting heavily as he kneeled back to his original position.
His thighs tensed as he dutifully placed his hands behind his back, veins bulging, blood surging, and despite his grimace, he couldn’t move.
The Emperor had said it was a punishment, meaning that while the Emperor could tease Xue Yuan, Xue Yuan absolutely could not touch him.
This kind of punishment could drive a person mad.
In the dim carriage, only occasional slivers of light flickered through the gaps. Dust particles in the air, illuminated by the light, floated like golden sand, sometimes gliding over the Emperor’s fingers and his robes.
Gu Yuanbai’s foot rested on Xue Yuan’s thigh. He lifted the layers of his imperial robes, the clinking of jade ornaments ringing out, but the white sock was an eyesore. Xue Yuan rasped, “Your Majesty, may I remove the white sock for you?”
The Emperor didn’t respond, his expression in the shadows was unreadable, only his chin visible—slim and delicate.
Xue Yuan, daringly, extended his hand, hesitantly reaching for the white sock. Just as he was about to touch it, Gu Yuanbai abruptly said, “Don’t touch.”
Xue Yuan’s eyes reddened instantly. He was like a trapped beast, muttering lowly, “F*ck.”
Gu Yuanbai opened a book, though the dim light made it hard to read. He casually flipped through it, sometimes quickly, sometimes barely moving. The foot on Xue Yuan’s thigh followed the flipping speed, lightly moving forward, then begrudgingly retreating.
A teasing touch, brushing past.
Xue Yuan’s back arched, sweat dripping like beads onto Gu Yuanbai’s raised calf, “Your Majesty, I have never looked at any girl, nor has Madam Xue ever mentioned any marriage to me.”
Gu Yuanbai lifted his eyelids, his toe pressing against Xue Yuan’s firm waist, “Tell me,” he pressed down, his foot scorching, “if someone else touched this thing, would it be just as spirited?”
“It wouldn’t,” Xue Yuan’s voice was terrifying, “No one but Your Majesty can touch it.”
Gu Yuanbai flipped a few more pages, Xue Yuan’s breathing deepened, a muffled groan escaping.
“Perhaps no one else needs to touch it,” the Emperor’s voice was icy, “and it will stand on its own.”
“I swear,” Xue Yuan was in a wretched state, the heat contorting his features, “if that ever happens, Your Majesty can cut it off.”
The carriage jolted suddenly, his toe pressing forward. Xue Yuan looked up, eyes red with pity, “Your Majesty, Master Bai.”
A renowned, formidable young general, feared in the northern frontier, was being pushed to this messy and disgraceful state.
His sweat-soaked robes had turned two distinct shades. Gu Yuanbai leaned against the carriage wall, each jolt causing the glass beads to jingle crisply.
In the darkness, his gaze fixed on Xue Yuan.
How remarkable, Xue Yuan’s eyes were full of him, his madness for him, transforming him into this state. Gu Yuanbai felt a sense of satisfaction and comfort, as if Xue Yuan’s obsession with him elevated his mood.
This satisfaction was different from the feeling power brought. But it led to the same place, making his spirit tremble, his toes curl, and his scalp tingle.
Only he could turn Xue Yuan into this.
“Xue Jiuyou,” the Emperor said, “remember what you said.”
Xue Yuan responded with a guttural “yes.”
Gu Yuanbai’s lips curved, finally speaking with a casual air, propping his head with a pale finger, “Touch.”
It was like unlocking a beast, a starved traveler finding an oasis. Xue Yuan bared his teeth, lunging at the Emperor.
The carriage rocked a few times, the horses momentarily startled, but the driver quickly calmed them.
***
Xue Yuan jumped off the carriage, the autumn wind blowing through his soaked clothes, sending a chill through him.
His jaw was clenched, his eyes filled with unsatisfied fury. The chief guard looked at his sweat-drenched clothes, hesitating for a moment, “Lord Xue, you…?”
Xue Yuan turned to look at him, his face flushed and his bloodshot eyes startling the chief guard, “Lord Xue, what happened to you?”
What else can be done?
Why is this road so short?
Xue Yuan’s face darkened even more, and there was movement behind him as the Emperor prepared to get off the carriage.
Xue Yuan suddenly forgot about the Chief Guard and walked quickly to the side of the carriage, extending his hand.
Gu Yuanbai’s robes were neat, his hair impeccable. He glanced down at Xue Yuan, a hint of amusement in his eyes as his white fingers lightly touched the edge of the carriage, stepping down steadily.
Tian Fusheng followed behind the Emperor, earnestly saying, “Your Majesty, the imperial physicians and the eminent Master Kong Xing are waiting outside the hall. Acupuncture and treatment need to be performed at noon today.”
“The time has been noted,” the Emperor’s voice was slightly hoarse, and Gu Yuanbai coughed lightly before speaking again in his usual tone, “No rush, I’ll bathe first.”
Tian Fusheng glanced at the sky, “I’ll go prepare.”
Gu Yuanbai lazily responded, feeling weary. Suddenly remembering something, he said, “Minister Chu will bring a painting tomorrow. Find someone who understands Li Qingyun’s authentic works and see if the one he brings is genuine.”
Tian Fusheng agreed.
***
Chu Wei returned home and locked himself in the study, grinding ink and painting.
Seven years of traveling had perhaps made him cynical, but it had also taught him many things. Imitating the brushstrokes of a famous painter from a previous dynasty was just a matter of a moment’s contemplation for him.
Chu Wei put down his brush.
Ink formed on the rice paper, Li Qingyun’s style was bold and unrestrained. He favored vermilion, cinnabar, rouge, malachite, and azure, painting towering mountains and cascading waterfalls. The half-scroll of Li Qingyun’s masterpiece, “Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains,” given to the Emperor by the Minister of the Household, was in Chu Wei’s possession.
Coincidentally, during his travels, Chu Wei had seen the lower half of the “Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains” in the possession of a recluse scholar. He had memorized every detail, from the bamboo to the ripples of the landscape.
He didn’t have Li Qingyun’s authentic work, but it was just an excuse to face the Emperor. He didn’t need the authentic piece.
As night fell and the lamps were lit, a painting that could pass for the genuine “Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains” slowly took shape under Chu Wei’s brush.
Chu Wei put down his brush, looking at the still-wet strokes on the painting with a faint smile. He extinguished the candlelight and left the study to rest.
***
The Emperor’s treatment took nearly half a day.
The imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital were already sweating profusely, packing away their long needles one by one, while Tian Fusheng carefully administered medicine to Gu Yuanbai.
Gu Yuanbai was weak all over, his face pale, and fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
Kong Xing finished checking the Emperor’s pulse, whispered with the imperial physicians, and after a moment, they reported on the Emperor’s condition for the day.
Their words were profound, and Gu Yuanbai furrowed his brow, unwilling to gloss over anything he didn’t understand, asking each question carefully.
His health was poor, and today’s acupuncture and medication were mainly aimed at removing the cold qi from his body. Once the cold qi was removed, they could focus on strengthening his weak body.
Gu Yuanbai felt relieved and smiled, “When I recover, the credit will go to all of you from the Imperial Hospital and Master Kong Xing.”
Several people declined with modesty, smiling as they were led out of the palace by Tian Fusheng.
Xue Yuan followed hurriedly, patting the Chief Guard on the shoulder, “Lord Zhang, nature calls.”
Fifteen minutes later, Gu Yuanbai regained some strength from the treatment. He reached out, and a eunuch quickly came forward to help him up. Gu Yuanbai put on his clothes and walked to the table to sit down.
Today’s government affairs had not been dealt with yet, and Gu Yuanbai diligently began his work for the day. He sighed several times in his heart. If future treatments also took up half a day, then some of these government affairs would have to be delegated further.
Reading government affairs under candlelight was ultimately bad for the eyes. It could be done occasionally, but it wasn’t sustainable in the long run.
After reviewing two memorials, Tian Fusheng and Xue Yuan returned one after the other. Tian Fusheng’s expression was strange, and he remained silent behind the Emperor.
Gu Yuanbai spoke up, “Minister Xue, your father’s memorial has arrived and can return to the capital in a couple of days.”
Xue Yuan’s reaction was indifferent, “I understand.”
“You should stay at home for the next few days and accompany Old General Xue,” Gu Yuanbai smiled, “If Old General Xue sees you waiting in front of the hall, he might blame me for keeping you here and causing you inconvenience.”
“Not at all,” Xue Yuan said sincerely, “Father will only be grateful for Your Majesty’s favor towards me.”
As long as he entered the palace, Xue Yuan would never give Gu Yuanbai the chance to banish him again.
Thinking about how difficult it had been to see Gu Yuanbai again, especially seeing Chu Wei’s current state, Xue Yuan couldn’t help but feel a sense of schadenfreude. He would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen again.
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