Chapter 16
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The gates of Heqin Wang’s mansion were tightly closed. Gu Yuanbai was helped down from the carriage and ordered someone to knock on the door.
Two stone lions flanked the mansion’s entrance. Gu Yuanbai had bestowed this residence, the best in terms of location and size. The surrounding residents were also relatives and nobles, whom Gu Yuanbai strictly regulated to avoid any embarrassing scandals that might be written into popular tales featuring “Bao Zheng” executing imperial relatives.
On this quiet, tidy noble street, the Heqin Heqin held the highest status.
A guard knocked on the door, and after a while, the gatekeeper’s voice came from inside, “Heqin Wang is unwell and cannot receive guests. Please leave.”
Gu Yuanbai calmly ordered, “Break it open.”
The guards behind him rushed forward. Gu Yuanbai looked up at the plaque inscribed with “Heqin Wang’s Mansion,” the calligraphy bold and vigorous, almost leaping off the plaque. A cry of alarm came from inside as the door was forced open, and the gatekeeper scrambled away.
Gu Yuanbai raised his hand, stopping anyone from entering further. He wanted to preserve Heqin Wang’s dignity, so he stood at the entrance with his entourage. Tian Fusheng brought a chair for him.
Soon, a group hurried over, led by the exhausted-looking Heqin Wangfei. Shocked to see Gu Yuanbai, they rushed forward to kneel. Heqin Wangfei, the only one standing, nervously greeted, “Your Majesty, may you be well. Heqin Wang has been very ill recently, so I took it upon myself to close the mansion to guests.”
Heqin Wang had refused to see the physicians, who suspected a heart ailment. Gu Yuanbai partly believed this and, seeing Heqin Wangfei’s demeanor, maintained his composure. He sighed, “I sent imperial physicians to treat Heqin Wang, but he refused them. He has been ill for days, and I am worried. Where is he now? I wish to see him.”
Heqin Wangfei hesitated, then led the Emperor towards the residence. Falling behind, she cautioned, “Your Majesty, Heqin Wang has a cold. Please do not get too close and risk infection.”
Gu Yuanbai smiled, “I will be careful.”
Tian Fusheng courteously escorted Heqin Wangfei away. With the mansion’s mistress gone, the remaining servants were visibly nervous. Gu Yuanbai, noticing the butler’s tense demeanor, ordered, “Lead the way.”
***
When Heqin Wang returned home in the storm, everyone in his household was shocked.
The heavy rain stung the face, and Heqin Wang looked miserable, his hair disheveled. Most frightening was the bloodstains on the hem of his robe.
Heqin Wangfei was so scared she almost fainted. She only relaxed when she learned he wasn’t injured, but later realized she had relaxed too soon.
After returning, Heqin Wang became irritable and unpredictable. The servants in the mansion often unintentionally angered him, and his temper was even more erratic than before. His dark, furious demeanor was terrifying.
Heqin Wangfei couldn’t persuade him and didn’t dare to try.
Except for the first few days after his return, Heqin Wang seemed to return to normal. But one day, upon seeing two servants whispering intimately, he suddenly erupted in anger again.
The oppressive atmosphere had lingered over the mansion for over ten days.
At the main bedroom door, a trembling servant reported, “Your Highness, the Emperor is almost here.”
A heavy response came from inside, and the door was suddenly opened by a scholarly man.
This man was a retainer of the mansion, surnamed Wang. He said, “We must prepare to greet the Emperor.”
***
Ignoring the kneeling people, Tian Fusheng stepped forward to open the door, and a strong medicinal smell wafted out. Gu Yuanbai was familiar with this scent; it was medicine for curing colds.
Gu Yuanbai called into the room, “Heqin Wang?”
The dark bedroom had no lights, and a pale light only illuminated an empty spot on the floor. After a moment, a hoarse voice replied, “Your Majesty, please do not come closer.”
The voice alone suggested Heqin Wang was seriously ill.
Gu Yuanbai scolded, “You’ve been ill for over ten days, missing morning court. I sent imperial physicians to treat you, but you wouldn’t even let them in.”
After a pause, Heqin Wang replied, “Is Your Majesty concerned about me?”
But before Gu Yuanbai could answer, Heqin Wang added, “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”
Gu Yuanbai: “…”
What is wrong with this Heqin Wang?
Gu Yuanbai furrowed his brow and started to step into the room. Hearing the footsteps, Heqin Wang said again, “I have a cold, Your Majesty should keep a safe distance and not come in.”
“True,” Gu Yuanbai stopped, “I brought the imperial physicians. As a key minister of the Great Heng Dynasty, it isn’t good for your health to let a cold linger for so long. Let them treat you, so I can be reassured.”
As he finished speaking, the imperial physicians entered the bedroom. Gu Yuanbai followed slowly, while Tian Fusheng, wanting to dissuade him but not daring to, stayed silent.
The bedroom indeed had no lights.
Heqin Wang laid in bed, covered from head to toe in a thick quilt. He extended a hand from under the covers for the physicians to check his pulse.
Each of the three physicians took his pulse, then reported to Gu Yuanbai, “Your Majesty, Heqin Wang has indeed caught a cold.”
Gu Yuanbai narrowed his eyes.
He felt something was off everywhere he looked.
Not speaking, Gu Yuanbai watched the physicians, who dared not look up. Heqin Wang under the quilt seemed to sense something was wrong. The bedding moved slightly, and suddenly, Gu Yuanbai stepped forward, yanked the quilt, and fully exposed the person beneath.
Heqin Wang’s eyes were dark-circled, his lips cracked and faintly bloodstained. When the quilt was suddenly pulled away, his eyes were filled with surprise as he stared at Gu Yuanbai.
Gu Yuanbai let go, allowing the heavy quilt to fall back onto Heqin Wang. With an unchanged expression, he frowned, “Why cover your mouth and nose? This isn’t helping your condition.”
“….” Heqin Wang averted his gaze and said in a low voice, “I fear passing the illness to Your Majesty.”
Gu Yuanbai was silent for a moment, then had Tian Fusheng bring a chair. He sat by the bed, sighed, and said, “You must take care of your health.”
Heqin Wang, having just had his pulse checked, placed his hand aside. Gu Yuanbai lightly patted the back of his hand twice, causing Heqin Wang to flinch and clench his fist.
Tian Fusheng, daringly, softly urged, “Your Majesty, Heqin Wang should rest more. Please leave to avoid catching the illness.”
The chief guard also persuaded him. Finally, Gu Yuanbai stood up, personally tucked the quilt around Heqin Wang, and left.
With his body slightly bent forward, the dark hair on his back swayed before his eyes. The scent of expensive palace incense wafted over, and Heqin Wang’s expression grew intense.
Dirty, deep, dark.
Like mud that cannot be shaken off.
Heqin Wang turned his head, closed his eyes, and tried to rest.
Seeing his state, Gu Yuanbai said nothing and quietly left the room.
After a while, the outside noise ceased. The room door closed, leaving the dim bedroom filled with a heavy sense of guilt. Suddenly, the door opened a crack, and Mr. Wang entered, bowing, “Your Highness, the Emperor has left the mansion.”
Heqin Wang replied, “Leaving is good.”
“The Emperor cares about you,” Mr. Wang said softly. “Why harm yourself by pouring cold water in the middle of the night?”
Heqin Wang chuckled, shaking his head as he sat up, “What do you know?”
Gu Yuanbai’s concern was far from genuine.
***
In the carriage returning to the palace, Gu Yuanbai rested with his eyes closed while a physician checked his pulse and examined his complexion. The physician’s expression relaxed slightly, “Your Majesty is fine.”
“Hmm,” Gu Yuanbai responded, then casually asked, “Can you tell how long Heqin Wang has been ill?”
The imperial physician shook his head in difficulty.
Gu Yuanbai did not press further, instead resting his head on his hand, lost in thought.
The emperor had decreed that in bustling markets, horses must not be ridden recklessly, and carriages must adhere to speed limits. Thus, the carriage moved slowly, the sound of hooves echoing rhythmically, with the jolts absorbed by layers of blankets, making the ride as stable as being on flat ground.
After a moment, Gu Yuanbai suddenly opened his eyes and lifted the curtain to look outside. He saw a group of people deep in an alley, kicking and punching someone in a corner.
“…useless gimmicks…”
“…a carpenter’s trash…”
“…disgrace to scholars.”
Fragments of speech reached Gu Yuanbai’s ears intermittently. His gaze fixed on the shattered wooden remains nearby, which appeared to be parts of a homemade crossbow.
Gu Yuanbai immediately ordered, “Stop the carriage. Zhang Xu, bring that person to me.”
***
Xu Ning felt he was on the verge of death.
He tightly shielded his head and hands, curled up in a corner, being beaten disgracefully and miserably. The crossbow he had made was already trampled into pieces. He thought his woodworking skills might earn him some respect, but his most cherished creation couldn’t even save him.
Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.
Xu Ning had already achieved the status of a scholar, so he shouldn’t have been in such a miserable state.
But he loved those unusual skills and woodworking, dismantling everything wooden in his home to study. The more he studied, the more he loved it.
However, others thought it disgraceful for a scholar to indulge in such things. They looked down on him, not only despising him but also envying his scholarly success, so they sought to ruin him.
The thing he loved the most brought him unbearable pressure. He loved and hated his craftsmanship, even harboring some resentment.
Yet, he couldn’t bear to stop.
Xu Ning wept silently, holding his breath as he was kicked again.
Just when he was in utter despair, he heard several cries of pain behind him. Xu Ning looked up to see some tall, imposing figures approaching, saying sternly, “Come here.”
Xu Ning staggered to his feet, fearfully eyeing the imposing carriage at the alley entrance. “Who…who are you?”
The head guard, eager to return to the emperor’s side, briefly said, “Your benefactor.”
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