Chapter 20
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After the imperial physician diagnosed him, it turned out to be a cold.
Upon hearing the news, Tian Fusheng wanted to come and serve in person. Gu Yuanbai declined, telling him to rest assured and not cause trouble.
Having suffered from colds several times before, Gu Yuanbai was experienced with injuries and illnesses. Though the symptoms seemed severe, they were nothing compared to the cold that almost took his life last time. According to his experience, a few days of rest would suffice.
Gu Yuanbai remained calm. The hall was warmed by a fire, and he held a hand warmer, draped in a thick cloak. He continued to sit at the table and discuss reforms in the memorials.
“Ensure that the new scholars thoroughly understand these matters,” he coughed, his voice hoarse, “Teach them how to submit memorials from the grassroots level, using forms, charts, and templates. When they start using this method to submit memorials layer by layer, the task will be accomplished.”
The Minister of Personnel and the Political Affairs Minister trembled as they listened. “Your Majesty, your health is the most important. We will handle these matters well, so you don’t have to worry.”
The Minister of Personnel reassured, “I guarantee that the new scholars will fully grasp these three items before taking up their posts. There are no fools among the talents of our Great Heng dynasty. Your Majesty, please rest assured.”
Gu Yuanbai’s face was unusually red. He touched his forehead, exhaling a warm breath. “Very well.”
The Chief Guard and the two ministers sighed with relief.
After the two ministers left, Gu Yuanbai returned to his dragon bed. Turning to the guards behind him, he sighed, “I feel cold, while you feel hot.”
The Chief Guard was very cautious, unsure of what to say.
Unlike him, Xue Yuan stood straight, sweat soaking his face but remained calm. “Your Majesty still feels cold?”
Gu Yuanbai said, “In any case, it’s cooler than you guys.”
Xue Yuan smiled, “I happen to feel hot. If I could transfer this heat to Your Majesty, that would be great.”
With one thing after another, Xue Yuan nauseated Gu Yuanbai, but once he was punished, Gu Yuanbai considered the matter closed and didn’t dwell on it. Both of them were like this, understanding each other tacitly, as if the incident in the hot spring pool had never happened.
Hearing his words, Gu Yuanbai raised an eyebrow, recalling the scene where he had asked Xue Yuan to warm his feet before.
Xue Yuan was too obedient, even accepting such orders. Considering the future regent in the original plot, Xue Yuan was supposed to have a rebellious temperament. Gu Yuanbai made him do servant’s work; although Xue Yuan smiled on the surface, who knew how much resentment he harbored deep down?
But it didn’t matter. If he dared to act, Gu Yuanbai would dare to strike him. Scare him enough, and even a mad dog knows pain.
“No need for that,” Gu Yuanbai said, “You may withdraw. I need to rest.”
The young eunuch lit some incense to help him sleep. The faint smoke overflowed from the censer, masking the bitter smell of medicine in the hall. Only a few considerate palace maids and eunuchs remained in the inner hall, serving Gu Yuanbai. After he got into bed, the young eunuch placed a sparkling translucent piece of sheep fat white jade beside his pillow.
Sheep fat white jade was moist and smooth, promoting sleep and tranquility. The emperor liked to play with good jade before sleeping, so the bed always had various high-quality jade pieces.
Gu Yuanbai glanced at it and remembered that he had just dropped the excellent jade piece earlier.
“Don’t you like this jade, Your Majesty?” The young eunuch observed the emperor’s expression closely. “There is also the finest Hetian yellow jade, clear and pure, with no impurities. Should I bring some Hetian yellow jade?”
“Just leave it,” Gu Yuanbai played with the jade in his hand, then said, “Lower the bed curtains; I’m going to rest.”
***
When the news of the emperor catching a cold reached him, Heqin Wang was having a meal with Heqin Wangfei.
Upon hearing the report, Heqin Wang’s hand trembled as he was picking up food. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Where are the people taking care of His Majesty in the palace?”
The subordinates dared not speak out of turn, and Heqin Wang seemed suddenly enraged. He stood up abruptly, his temples bulging, veins popping on his forehead, eyes glaring at the messenger. “Are all the people in the palace dead?!”
“Are they all dead?!” he roared. “Taking care of His Majesty led to him catching a cold?!”
The table shook as he stood up, and the alcohol glasses on the table fell and shattered on the ground, making a terrifyingly crisp sound.
Heqin Wang’s eyes were dark, his anger almost uncontrollable, his expression terrifying.
Beside him, Heqin Wangfei exclaimed in shock, quickly getting up to avoid the oil stains and broken fragments on the ground. She covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at Heqin Wang with fear.
Heqin Wang’s hands clenched into fists, his muscles tensing, and his fists crackling. The person he was staring at fell to his knees with a thud. “Wang, Wangye…”
Heqin Wang took several deep breaths, his face stern. “Prepare the carriage.”
When Heqin Wang arrived at the palace, several anxious ministers were already waiting outside the Emperor’s bedchamber. The recent cold the Emperor had caught had not only instilled fear among the palace servants but also caused unrest in the court. Now that the Emperor was their backbone, the ministers couldn’t help but be filled with worry at the mere thought of him.
Seeing the arrival of Heqin Wang, the ministers gathered around him, bombarding him with questions. “Does Heqin Wang know why His Majesty fell ill again?”
“Does Wangye know any news? Is His Majesty’s illness severe? What do the imperial physicians say? How is His Majesty now?”
Heqin Wang remained silent with a stern face, refusing to speak. Seeing this, the other ministers exchanged glances and stopped asking further.
After a while, a eunuch came out of the hall, smiling, “His Majesty is currently resting. Do the esteemed ministers have urgent matters? If so, I can go wake His Majesty. If not, please return.”
Although anyone could enter the palace without being summoned, there were several important court officials who held waist plaques that allowed them to enter the palace voluntarily to inform the Emperor of urgent matters to prevent any losses due to missed opportunities. These ministers naturally entered the palace with their plaques, all concerned about the Emperor’s health. If speaking about urgent matters, then indeed there were none.
The ministers pressed, “How is His Majesty’s health now? What do the imperial physicians say?”
The guards stood watch at the entrance, glaring at the ministers. The eunuch politely said, “Esteemed ministers, there is no need to worry. The imperial physicians have examined His Majesty’s pulse, and His Majesty’s health is not in serious danger.”
Hearing this, the ministers breathed a sigh of relief and finally agreed to disperse with the palace attendants.
After the ministers left, Heqin Wang took large strides towards the bedchamber. The eunuch blocked his way, smiling reluctantly, “Wangye, why trouble yourself? His Majesty is resting. If Wangye wishes to see him, it’s best to wait until he wakes up.”
Heqin Wang pushed past the eunuch, “I want to see how he is right now with my own eyes.”
However, just as he took a few steps forward, the Chief Guard stopped him with his subordinates. The Chief Guard spoke calmly but firmly, “Wangye, without His Majesty’s summons, you cannot cross this threshold.”
Heqin Wang smirked, “What if I insist on going in?”
Heqin Wang had been trapped in the capital by Gu Yuanbai for three years, handling trivial matters while important ones slipped through his fingers. It could be said that no one in the world understood how mistrustful Gu Yuanbai was better than Heqin Wang.
When he closed himself off in his residence, Gu Yuanbai sent imperial physicians to diagnose and treat him. At that time, he was well aware that if he refused the imperial physician’s entry, Gu Yuanbai, being suspicious as he was, would definitely come personally to see if Heqin Wang was obedient.
But even knowing that it would raise Gu Yuanbai’s suspicions, he still refused the imperial physician’s pulse check. Whether he had something to hide or was waiting for someone to come… Heqin Wang didn’t want to think about it.
The day before the imperial physician left his residence, he doused himself with cold water all night to deal with Gu Yuanbai’s suspicions. Sure enough, Gu Yuanbai was so suspicious that shortly after the imperial physician left, he came knocking on the door.
Knowing Gu Yuanbai so well, how could Heqin Wang not know how taboo it would be to force his way into the bedchamber?
But there was a fire burning in his heart, a fierce ghost calling out to him. He had to take a look at that d*mn emperor. If he didn’t see the Emperor today, Heqin Wang knew he wouldn’t have a peaceful day.
The guards dared not harm Heqin Wang. The Chief Guard frowned and said solemnly, “Heqin Wang, this is an imperial decree.”
Heqin Wang’s voice was cold, “Even if I am punished today, I will still push through.”
Both sides stood their ground, unwilling to back down, the atmosphere tense. Heqin Wang’s gaze swept unkindly over the guards. Suddenly, his eyes fixed on someone, and he frowned, “General Xue’s young master?”
Xue Yuan was hidden in the shadows, his features barely discernible. He calmly said, “I pay my respects to Heqin Wang.”
At the sight of someone from the Xue family, Heqin Wang remembered that rainy day, and it seemed as if the scent of deer’s blood had risen in his mouth. His expression changed constantly, shifting between anger, disgust, bewilderment, and finally settling into deep thought.
“You should know, Wangye, that this is the palace,” Xue Yuan smiled politely, advising him, “His Majesty has just fallen asleep exhausted. If Your Highness makes a bigger move, His Majesty might wake up.”
Heqin Wang fell silent for a moment before saying in a calm voice, “As His Majesty’s elder brother, I am naturally concerned about his health. If you don’t stop me, my actions won’t be excessive. I am loyal, I only want to take one look at His Majesty.”
The smile faded from Xue Yuan’s face.
If someone is sleeping inside, what are you looking at?
Footsteps echoed in the hall. A young eunuch waiting by the Emperor’s side walked out, puzzled, “His Majesty woke up and asked about the noise outside.”
The Chief Guard’s expression changed, and he lowered his head in embarrassment.
Heqin Wang was also taken aback. The young eunuch seeing him understood what had happened. Helplessly, he said, “Heqin Wang, please follow this servant then.”
The hall was dim, with only light filtering in through the windows and doors. When they reached the door to the inner chamber, the young eunuch whispered, “Your Majesty, Heqin Wang has arrived.”
“Heqin Wang?” came the hoarse voice from inside the chamber, “What is Heqin Wang doing here?”
Heqin Wang pursed his lips. “I heard that Your Majesty was ill, so I came to visit Your Majesty.”
“Oh, so you came to visit me?” The Emperor’s tone was indifferent. “If I didn’t know, I would have thought Heqin Wang was trying to seize the palace.”
Heqin Wang was shocked, and he fell to his knees with a thud, breaking out in a cold sweat. “Your Majesty jests.”
Gu Yuanbai silently smirked twice. He sat up from the dragon bed and was assisted out of the inner chamber. His dragon boots swept past, and the cold sweat on Heqin Wang’s forehead seeped into his temples.
Gu Yuanbai usually didn’t bother with Heqin Wang, after all, they were both from the royal family, and in a way, their fates were tied together. Gu Yuanbai didn’t keep Heqin Wang in the capital because he had ill intentions towards him. With the late Emperor’s heirs scarce, and Heqin Wang being the eldest legitimate son, Gu Yuanbai couldn’t say he trusted Heqin Wang very much, but he at least believed that Heqin Wang wasn’t a fool.
But now, Heqin Wang, whom he thought wasn’t a fool, actually wanted to barge into his bedchamber while he was asleep?
Would he lead soldiers into his Xuanzheng Hall in the future?
An eunuch brought freshly brewed medicine. The bitter taste spread in the air. Gu Yuanbai drank the medicine before saying, “Get up.”
Heqin Wang moved, and by the time he stood up, his legs were already somewhat stiff.
Gu Yuanbai ordered someone to give him a seat and serve tea. Heqin Wang drank it as voraciously as usual. The tea, which had never tasted sweet to him before, now seemed even more bitter.
Seeing him gulp down the tea, Gu Yuanbai smiled and asked, “How’s the tea taste?”
Heqin Wang lowered his eyes and didn’t look at him. “Quite fragrant.”
“If Heqin Wang likes it, I’ll have two tea cakes brought to you later,” Gu Yuanbai smiled, “This tea was brewed with the water from the spring snow in February. It was collected from the snow that fell on the plum blossoms in early spring. Upon careful tasting, you’ll find a cold, sharp plum fragrance. Why don’t you give it a try?”
Heqin Wang couldn’t help but lift the cup again and take a sip. It was indeed strange. The tea that had tasted bitter before now, when he looked at the Emperor’s smile, had a hint of plum blossom sweetness.
Gu Yuanbai was always one to balance punishment with reward. Both the punishment and the reward came from the Emperor. After chatting with Heqin Wang for a while, Heqin Wang, understanding the situation, took his leave with two tea cakes in hand, seeming quite satisfied.
After seeing off Heqin Wang, the Emperor sat still for a while before rubbing his brow and hoarsely calling, “Zhang Xu.”
The Chief Guard walked over. “I’m here, Your Majesty.”
“My legs are weak,” Gu Yuanbai said, “Carry me to the inner chamber.”
Perhaps it was after a short nap and taking medicine, but Gu Yuanbai’s body was quite weak. When he tried to stand up, he found that his legs couldn’t exert any force.
The Chief Guard immediately crouched down and showed his broad back to the Emperor. “As you command.”
The Chief Guard was tall and sturdy, giving off a sense of reliability.
Gu Yuanbai looked at the Chief Guard’s broad back, feeling complicated. If only, if only his body were a bit stronger, he could exercise and develop a sleek muscular physique through daily runs.
In the modern world, Gu Yuanbai also had a tall and slender body type, looking slim in clothes but having flesh when stripped. In his past life, with a healthy and robust body, Gu Yuanbai enjoyed engaging in thrilling extreme sports. However, in this world, he couldn’t do dangerous activities, and even walking barefoot on white jade would make him catch a chill.
But being the young Emperor brought a different kind of mental stimulation. Gu Yuanbai had also wondered where the original young Emperor had gone. Did he succumb to illness and die, or did he swap places with Gu Yuanbai?
Gu Yuanbai hoped it was the latter.
If it was his body, then the young Emperor would surely have a blast.
Gu Yuanbai reached out, about to put his hand on the Chief Guard’s shoulder, when Xue Yuan suddenly spoke up, “Your Majesty, why not let me do it?”
Gu Yuanbai was taken aback, and Xue Yuan had already walked over, his back straight as he knelt beside the Chief Guard.
His back was also broad and strong, easily giving off a sense of health and vigor. Gu Yuanbai didn’t hesitate for long before retracting his hand and placing it on Xue Yuan’s back instead.
Firstly, Xue Yuan had once carried him, and it was embarrassing enough to have one person do it.
Secondly, even if a mad dog wants to carry him, Gu Yuanbai wouldn’t miss the chance to make him exert himself. It was better for Xue Yuan to get used to working hard for him, to offer him loyalty, even if it was false loyalty, it was better than indifference.
Thirdly, as the future regent, being carried by him, Gu Yuanbai couldn’t help but feel a bit of satisfaction and dominance.
As soon as Gu Yuanbai got on Xue Yuan’s back, Xue Yuan stiffened up uncomfortably. He tried to relax as much as possible, smiling and saying, “Your Majesty, I’m going to stand up now.”
Xue Yuan knew how precious the young Emperor was. Last time he carried him, it was more difficult than holding a delicate flower. He couldn’t use too much strength, but also couldn’t use too little. The steps couldn’t be too fast or too slow. Xue Yuan felt that this task was more torturous than going to battle.
Now that the young Emperor was lying on his back, it was a bit better than holding him in his arms. Xue Yuan stood up easily, holding Gu Yuanbai’s legs firmly and steadying him as he walked.
“Stay still!” The young Emperor immediately scolded, “Be obedient, walk more steadily.”
Xue Yuan nodded earnestly, with the warmth of the young Emperor’s breath on his neck. He walked a few steps forward very steadily. Looking sideways, he saw the Chief Guard standing in place, watching him with a serious expression.
Xue Yuan raised his eyebrows, seemingly friendly, nodded at the Chief Guard, and then turned his head.
The fragrance of the Emperor’s body kept drifting into Xue Yuan’s nose, and the skin in his palms softened deeply. Even though the Emperor should be mindful of his dignity as the ruler, his hands were loosely resting, not wanting to touch Xue Yuan’s skin at all.
Did the young Emperor not like others touching him, or did he not like touching others?
Xue Yuan’s heart sneered maliciously. Just as the Emperor was about to reach the door of the inner chamber, his feet suddenly slipped, almost causing both him and the Emperor on his back to fall to the ground!
Gu Yuanbai reflexively hugged Xue Yuan’s neck tightly, his face slightly turning black. After Xue Yuan stood up straight again, he smiled insincerely and said, “Your Majesty, I just slipped.”
Gu Yuanbai sneered a few times. “Since this spot is slippery, then Guard Xue will wipe it clean for me.”
Xue Yuan tightened his grip on the person’s hand, “Your Majesty is joking.”
Gu Yuanbai lightly snorted, about to release his hand, but in his peripheral vision, he saw a eunuch stumbling towards them. When the eunuch saw Gu Yuanbai, he was so frantic that he even rolled on the ground.
Suddenly, Gu Yuanbai’s right eyelid twitched.
He straightened up, looking at the young eunuch, his expression turning solemn.
The young eunuch, his face dirty and tear-streaked, ran up to Gu Yuanbai, choking out, “Your Majesty, Wan Taifei has passed away!”
Gu Yuanbai was momentarily stunned, then he felt a surge of heat rising in his chest. He suddenly clasped his chest and started coughing violently, his whole body trembling. The coughing grew more intense, and then a mouthful of hot blood flowed out of his mouth.
The sticky blood sprayed onto Xue Yuan’s neck. Xue Yuan’s pupils contracted, and he exerted force with both hands, turning his head to see the Emperor’s lips stained with blood, a color redder than rouge, while more blood was already clinging to his body.
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