Chapter 139
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Gu Yuanbai intended to select a child from the Imperial Clan to be raised under his wing. Considerations included the child’s conduct, age, appearance, fate, and even their potential longevity.
Gu Yuanbai scrutinized each child one by one, also examining the families behind them. The Emperor was never easily fooled. If anyone harbored greedy or sinister intentions, Gu Yuanbai didn’t mind another round of purges.
The recent intimidation of the Imperial Clan by the Black Armor Guards had instilled a deep-seated fear in the royal and imperial relatives. They sent the children obediently, without resistance, and fetched them promptly after their audience.
Ten days later, Gu Yuanbai decreed that Gu Ran, the grandson of Rui Wang, would temporarily reside in Qing Palace.
Qing Palace was located on the east side of the Great Heng Palace, hence its name East Palace. Although the Emperor housed Gu Ran in the East Palace, he did not publicly acknowledge him, maintaining an ambiguous stance.
On Gu Ran’s arrival at the palace, Rui Wang summoned him. In the main hall, a large group from Rui Wang’s household listened as he sternly admonished Gu Ran.
“After entering the palace, remember one thing above all,” Rui Wang pointed at Gu Ran’s father. “He is no longer your father, and I am no longer your grandfather. If you are fortunate enough to be favored by His Majesty, you must address him as ‘Third Uncle.’ Address me as ‘Rui Wangye.’ Do you understand, Ran Ger?”
Gu Ran bowed respectfully. “I understand.”
“Not only that,” Rui Wang continued, “when I pass away, or when your parents pass away, you must not observe mourning for us. At that time, you are no longer a member of my household but merely a resident of the palace. You need not be overly concerned about my household’s affairs or those who come to you. If you are ever uncertain, you should seek guidance from His Majesty.”
Gu Ran couldn’t help but smile slightly. “His Majesty is formidable.”
Rui Wang’s stern expression softened slightly, and he laughed heartily. “It is precisely because His Majesty is formidable that we cannot harbor any disloyalty in our hearts. It is due to His Majesty’s strength that our clan enjoys the peace and prosperity we have today. Has anyone truly forgotten the days of living in fear and desperation under Lu Feng’s rule? If anyone dares to use the matter of Ran Ger to interfere with His Majesty, I will certainly not let them off lightly!”
Rui Wang suddenly slammed his hand on the table, the sound echoing heavily.
Those with hidden agendas lowered their heads, their hearts trembling.
Later, Gu Ran’s father, Rui Wang’s third son, personally escorted his son out of the mansion.
Gu He had always been indifferent towards his youngest son, so he wasn’t familiar with Gu Ran, let alone any father-son affection. However, at this moment, he deeply regretted not having been closer to Gu Ran before. As he escorted Gu Ran out, he kept asking about his well-being and ended up crying. He sobbed and repeatedly expressed how reluctant he was to part with Gu Ran.
His older brothers, who usually ridiculed Gu Ran, were in tears and sobbing.
However, their hidden eyes beneath their sleeves revealed jealousy and malice.
Gu Ran remained silent. Though young, he was perceptive beyond his years. As long as Rui Wang lived, no one would dare to cross him. And after that, if Gu Ran truly had the fortune to be raised under His Majesty’s wing, Gu Ran was confident that His Majesty would handle matters concerning Rui Wang’s household without any worries.
Gu Ran was so sure and trusted His Majesty immensely. Although it might be considered unfilial, Gu Ran secretly felt a surge of excitement at being chosen by His Majesty. In his eyes, His Majesty was awe-inspiring, and now this person was actually going to be Gu Ran’s father. Just thinking about calling him “Royal Father” in the future made Gu Ran blush and feel bashful.
He couldn’t contain his overflowing excitement and happiness.
When Gu Ran entered the palace, His Majesty specially made time for him. He accompanied Gu Ran for a meal, took him to the Hongwen Study where children of the imperial family studied, and said with a smile, “Tomorrow, you can study here with your older brothers.”
Gu Ran’s gaze shifted from His Majesty’s robes. He wanted to express his gratitude but remembered His Majesty’s earlier advice not to be too formal. Furrowing his brow in thought, his childish face scrunched up.
His Majesty chuckled lightly, bending to take Gu Ran’s hand and patting his head, then leisurely strolling with him through the imperial garden.
Gu Ran’s eyes widened slightly, and after a moment, his face turned as red as a hot apple, looking at His Majesty with eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
But before they could complete half a circle in the imperial garden, snowflakes as light as willow catkins began to drift down.
Xue Yuan quickly picked up a cloak and hurried over, wrapping His Majesty tightly within it, raising his hand to shield His Majesty’s head. “Let’s head back quickly!”
Even before the snowflakes touched Gu Yuanbai’s body, he was already on high alert.
Unable to resist a smile, Gu Yuanbai waved to Tian Fusheng, accepting the small cloak that the old eunuch handed him and securing it around Gu Ran’s neck.
As the wind picked up, the snowflakes suddenly grew larger. Xue Yuan clicked his tongue, bending down to lift Gu Ran with one hand and holding His Majesty’s hand as they hurried back to the palace. “Your Majesty, could you make this official worry less?”
He couldn’t help feeling pleased with himself, muttering softly, “What would you do without me?”
“Without you, there are still Wang Jiuyao, Zheng Jiuyao, and Li Jiuyao,” Xue Yuan’s expression grew increasingly grim with the emperor’s words. Gu Yuanbai slowly withdrew his hand, his cloak billowing in the wind and snow. Under the cover of the cloak, he gently ran his hand down Xue Yuan’s back, as if soothing a lion about to pounce. “But none of them are as good as you.”
Xue Yuan felt a shiver run through his entire body, and his posture straightened even more.
After dinner, Gu Ran was escorted back to the Qìng Palace by the palace attendants. Gu Yuanbai looked up from his official duties and saw Xue Yuan sparring with the chief guard outside.
Young and vigorous, Xue Yuan had only recently indulged for the first time at the age of twenty-five. With his thin lips and high nose bridge, his fiery nature was evident from his appearance. Zhang’s disciple, Zhang Hao, could tell at a glance that Xue Yuan had a strong inner fire, and indeed he did. However, due to Gu Yuanbai’s health and the physicians’ warnings, they couldn’t engage in intimate activities frequently. Xue Yuan couldn’t bear to hurt him, so up to now, he had only tasted a small morsel of the pleasure.
Not having tasted it was one thing; having tasted it and then being forbidden was the hardest.
Xue Yuan could only find other ways to expend his energy: practicing boxing in the morning, wielding his sword at noon, sparring with the guards in the evening, and occasionally crushing the elite soldiers of the Donglingwei to curb their vigor.
Sweat soaked through his clothes, making his physique even more striking. Tall and powerful—this was the body shape they spoke of.
Gu Yuanbai’s gaze lingered on Xue Yuan, trailing from his waist to his long legs. After watching for a while, he stood up and walked to the corridor outside the palace, observing the sparring match. Half of the guards were cheering for the chief guard, and the other half for Xue Yuan. Their match was intense and thrilling.
The chief guard, panting heavily, dodged another one of Xue Yuan’s stone-like punches. “Lord Xue, are you hiding something from me?”
Xue Yuan smirked ominously. “Lord Zhang, Chief Steward Tian told me that while I was away in the northern frontier, you once warmed the emperor’s bed?”
The chief guard’s handsome face turned red, and he stammered, “Just that one time.”
Xue Yuan suddenly exerted force and threw the chief guard onto the snowy ground. He grinned, revealing teeth that gleamed with a cold light. “How many more times would Lord Zhang like to warm the bed?”
The chief guard endured the pain and finally asked the question that had been on his mind for a long time: “Lord Xue, be honest with me. What exactly is your relationship with His Majesty?”
“Lord Zhang,” Xue Yuan lowered his eyes, cutting him off. “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t ask. Don’t think what you shouldn’t think. His Majesty is of the highest respect; any scandal must not be associated with him. You might speak without malice, but there are always those who will listen with intent. Do you understand?”
The chief guard’s expression became solemn, and he nodded slowly.
Xue Yuan released him and turned around, meeting the emperor’s gaze in the corridor.
Xue Yuan’s lips curved into a smile, and energy surged through his limbs. He walked toward the emperor, his pace quickening into a run.
He suddenly stopped outside the corridor.
Gu Yuanbai couldn’t help but ask, “Why don’t you come over?”
Xue Yuan replied, “I fear the cold air on me might offend Your Majesty.”
Gu Yuanbai pressed his lips together and said softly, “Hurry and put on some clothes. Don’t catch a cold.”
Xue Yuan accepted the thick clothing and put it on before finally stepping into the corridor, slowly approaching the emperor.
He fixed his gaze on the emperor, looking at him as if he wanted to roast him in a fire. Gu Yuanbai turned his head, coughed lightly with his fist, and glimpsed at Xue Yuan’s neckline out of the corner of his eye. After a moment, he ordered, “Turn your back.”
The palace attendants obeyed and turned around.
The emperor raised his hand, his pale fingertips cool as he tidied Xue Yuan’s disheveled collar layer by layer.
Joy was written all over Xue Yuan’s face. He seized the opportunity to lower his head and kissed the emperor’s fingertip.
The emperor admonished softly, “A grown man, and you can’t even dress properly?”
“That’s not true,” Xue Yuan replied, “Every day, it’s I who dress Your Majesty.”
“Then it must be intentional,” Gu Yuanbai said, tapping his chest. “Xue Jiuyao, do you want me to dress you?”
Xue Yuan laughed. He wished he could carry Gu Yuanbai everywhere, how could he bear to let him dress him? Yet the emperor grabbed his chin, forcing him to bend down, and then kissed Xue Yuan on the lips.
The smell of sweat, once unpleasant, now seemed bearable.
The emperor’s voice was hoarse, “Stop being coy.”
Xue Yuan looked deeply at Gu Yuanbai, a blue flame flickering in his eyes.
Gu Yuanbai brushed his hair behind his ear, his white earlobe trembling slightly. Xue Yuan’s gaze stuck to his ear, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Gu Yuanbai chuckled softly and walked past him with a breezy demeanor.
Gu Yuanbai was being too much. Since they couldn’t engage in intimate activities, he would tease Xue Yuan casually, toying with him. The more Xue Yuan went mad for him, the more he endured sweat-soaked torment, the more Gu Yuanbai felt a trembling joy in his heart, a thrilling tightrope walk that became addictive.
Under the emperor’s malicious side, even now, a mere touch of Xue Yuan’s fingers by the emperor would ignite a raging inferno.
***
Before the army moves, provisions must go first.
When preparations for supplies were underway to head northwest, Gu Yuanbai took the time to openly appear at the wedding feast of Kong Yilin and Lord Mi’s youngest daughter, deliberately leading Gu Ran by the hand.
Kong Yilin was pleasantly surprised and immediately rose to give the Emperor a meticulous bow in front of everyone.
Gu Yuanbai raised his glass and, catching the delighted gaze of Lord Mi, wrote the characters “Heaven-sent match” with a flourish. Gu Ran leaned against the Emperor’s side and, looking at the characters, couldn’t help but laugh. “Royal Father, your handwriting is really nice.”
At the banquet, the officials surrounding the Emperor were taken aback at the mention of “Royal Father”. Gu Yuanbai, however, remained unruffled and calmly said, “Seeing a well-written piece warms the heart. However, Ran Ger, although you are young, you must start practicing diligently from now on to write satisfying characters. Understand?”
Gu Ran earnestly replied, “Your son remembers.”
Not long after, Gu Yuanbai walked out of the Kong residence holding Gu Ran’s hand. Kong Yilin insisted on escorting the emperor out of the mansion. Seeing him in his red wedding robes, Gu Yuanbai teased, “You just left the bride behind?”
Kong Yilin smiled slightly, “I must first see Your Majesty off.”
“Go back,” Gu Yuanbai said. “In a few days, the army will be heading straight to the northwest. You will go with me, and you may have to part from your wife soon after your wedding.”
“This official must go to the northwest with you,” Kong Yilin said seriously. “The first thing the new emperor of Xixia did to stabilize the chaos in his country was to launch a major campaign against Great Heng. He needs a victory to establish his authority. Even if Your Majesty is confident of a complete victory, I must accompany you to provide advice and strategies.”
Gu Yuanbai laughed, “Then cherish these few days. No need to escort me any further, go back.”
Kong Yilin stopped at the mansion gate, watching as Lord Xue helped the emperor into the carriage.
His heart felt warm.
Thousand-li horses are common, but a good judge is not. The emperor had given him a great favor, but Kong Yilin hadn’t expected the emperor to personally attend his wedding banquet.
For such a sovereign, dying would be no regret.
Kong Yilin returned to the banquet with a smile, where guests continued to toast him in groups. Their smiles were more genuine and enthusiastic than before. One after another, people toasted Lord Mi, praising him for finding such a virtuous son-in-law. Lord Mi, usually stern, was grinning from ear to ear, humbly saying, “Not at all, not at all.”
The emperor’s presence was a highlight, and Gu Yuanbai knew it. Sitting in the carriage, his robes draped over his knees, he asked Gu Ran, “Do you know why I personally went to congratulate Minister Kong?”
Gu Ran thought for a moment, “I’m not sure if my thoughts are correct or not.”
Gu Yuanbai encouraged, “Go ahead, say them.”
Gu Ran slowly listed three points: to show the emperor’s love for his ministers, to emphasize Lord Kong’s importance, and to use the occasion to hint that Gu Ran had become the emperor’s adopted son.
Gu Yuanbai raised an eyebrow and, after Gu Ran finished, shook his head, “There’s more to it.”
Gu Ran looked completely puzzled, “Royal Father?”
Gu Yuanbai took this opportunity to impart the principles of rulership to him.
The carriage slowly entered the palace. Outside, Xue Yuan, riding a tall horse, spread his hands and looked at the place the emperor had just touched, sighing deeply.
A nearby guard asked curiously, “Lord Xue, why sigh out of the blue? Are you feeling restless after seeing Lord Kong get married?”
The others laughed softly.
Xue Yuan said nothing, but clenched his hand, thinking about how soft the emperor’s hand had been in his palm.
Softer and softer.
The emperor enjoyed seeing Xue Yuan’s expression of restraint, so he was even stingier with his touches, like punishing Xue Yuan for his disobedience that day. A slap followed by a sweet date, just like training a beast. Now, even a mere touch made Xue Yuan’s scalp tingle.
He sighed heavily again, asking the guards, “Do I look worn out?”
The guards shook their heads in unison, “You look more vigorous than ever.”
Xue Yuan frowned, “Alright then.”
No use pretending to be pitiful.
***
While General Xue agonized over how to get the emperor to be less stingy, the emperor was already full of energy, ready to march.
At the end of the month, after ample preparations, the army was in high spirits. The soldiers, trained by various generals, exuded a fierce aura, their eyes bright with excitement at the prospect of following the emperor into battle.
The emperor spent an entire day praying for blessings. The next morning, clad in armor with his hair tied up high, he looked at the soldiers stretching out for miles outside the city.
Each soldier ate the grain provided by Gu Yuanbai and wore the new cotton clothes issued this year. They were all strong and powerful, looking at the emperor with reverence.
The emperor’s status among the soldiers was unparalleled. Gu Yuanbai was aware of this, having never forgotten the fervent gazes of tens of thousands of imperial guards when he selected the Donglingwei.
Usually, the general would give the pre-battle speech, but this time, Gu Yuanbai would do it himself.
The bugles and drums roared, the urgent beats stirring everyone’s blood. Officials stood behind the emperor, watching the soldiers’ faces tremble with tension.
The emperor stepped forward. Generals and officers among the troops perked up their ears, ready to relay the emperor’s words to ensure every soldier heard them.
“Soldiers,” Gu Yuanbai looked calmly at them, then up at the sky, “I have heard the wishes of the old farmers in the fields; they want each stalk of millet they plant to yield more grains. I have asked craftsmen living in broken houses; they want saws that cut wood faster. The common people are simple—they are satisfied with one more grain of rice, one more sharp tooth on a saw. But when I asked the soldiers returning from the battlefield, they all told me the same thing: they want to live.”
Generals and officers shouted each sentence, spreading the words throughout the ranks. The phrase “want to live” echoed beyond the city walls in an instant.
“I also have a wish,” Gu Yuanbai said, “I will now tell you what it is!”
“I want a Great Heng where everyone has no worries about clothing and food, where no one dares to bully, may hunger, panic, and death be far away from my Great Heng. I wish for the people of my Great Heng to be proud because of my Great Heng, and respected by foreigners because of my Great Heng. Khitan, Gaochang, Ganzhou, Xixia, I want you to stand tall against any external enemies, and be iron-willed and strong men!”
Gu Yuanbai took a deep breath, his gaze intense. “I want victory, I want thousands of troops and horses to march through, and everyone to become heroes!”
The soldiers’ faces flushed red, their veins protruding, their hands gripping their weapons trembling.
The officers’ voices resounded loudly as they relayed Gu Yuanbai’s words to the rear. Stirred by the Emperor’s words, the soldiers’ eyes reddened, and hundreds, tens of thousands of people gradually shouted in unison: “Victory! Victory! Victory!!!”
Tears welled up in their eyes amid the loud cries.
The great army marched straight towards the land of Xixia!
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