Chapter 64
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Gu Yuanbai felt a headache coming on.
“Official Xue,” he couldn’t be bothered with hints anymore, “do you have a preference for men?”
“I don’t like men,” Xue Yuan’s brow furrowed, almost without hesitation. “What’s there to like about men?”
The Emperor’s gaze was sharp with scrutiny and suspicion, and Xue Yuan smiled faintly.
“Your Majesty,” he openly picked up another yellow flower petal from Gu Yuanbai’s hair, “I only have a heart of loyalty towards you.”
This was almost treating me like a fool.
But Gu Yuanbai didn’t want to force Xue Yuan to admit his feelings for him.
Rubbing his temples, Gu Yuanbai felt exhausted. “I can’t be bothered with you.”
Xue Yuan took over, massaging his temples. His voice was low and soothing, lulling one to sleep. “Your Majesty, you don’t need to worry about me.”
Gu Yuanbai was being pampered so comfortably that he felt like he was about to collapse into the water. His voice took on a slight nasal tone as he said, “Official Xue, you shouldn’t have rejected the transfer I offered you.”
“It’s already mid-July,” the Emperor said, “you should know that your father is about to go to the Biejiang?”
“I know,” Xue Yuan replied.
General Xue had already made preparations in recent days. Even though he was still receiving appointments from the Emperor at this age, General Xue was extremely excited. He was full of energy day and night, much to the annoyance of Madam Xue, who often complained that her husband’s excitement kept her awake at night.
Their household had already packed their bags, and with the national treasury full and the grain warehouses stocked, no one in the court had objected to the Emperor’s decision. Although there were more military actions in these days, none of the Six Ministers had objected, so why bother objecting.
It was precisely because of this that Gu Yuanbai couldn’t understand.
“General Xue is going on a military expedition to the grasslands, leaving only your two brothers at home,” Gu Yuanbai said, “as the pillar of the family, you should have some aspirations.”
“Can liking someone have such great power? They can even refuse a promotion and official position.”
Gu Yuanbai couldn’t comprehend this.
“My second younger brother is sick,” Xue Yuan replied calmly, “Has Your Majesty forgotten?”
Gu Yuanbai lost his desire to continue chatting, simply grunted in response, and fell silent.
After a while, Xue Yuan called out in a low voice, “Your Majesty?”
Gu Yuanbai’s breathing was shallow, as if he had fallen asleep.
Xue Yuan gradually stopped moving and stood straight, looking at Gu Yuanbai. After looking for a while, he bent down and picked up the Emperor, step by step lifting him away from the water.
Gu Yuanbai’s eyelids twitched imperceptibly, lazily saying, “Don’t touch me.”
Xue Yuan stopped his movements, his feet also stopped. Gu Yuanbai’s body was close to the surface of the water, and this feeling of complete weightlessness was uncomfortable. He opened his eyes, but the sunlight in the sky made him close them again.
“Don’t bother me,” his voice carried a hint of annoyance, “put me back.”
The Emperor didn’t even want to lift a finger. Xue Yuan held him, as if holding a lifeless body, showing no anger except for the anger in his voice. Xue Yuan didn’t like this feeling; he tapped Gu Yuanbai and teased him, “Your Majesty, you’re as light as a child.”
Gu Yuanbai: “Get lost.”
“Where should I go?” Xue Yuan chuckled, unable to stop himself, “Away from you…” to the dragon bed?
He swallowed the last few words.
Xue Yuan changed his position again, holding Gu Yuanbai comfortably in his arms, while his other hand played with his fingers. “Your Majesty, you can’t sleep in the water.”
Gu Yuanbai: “I’m tired.”
Xue Yuan’s heart softened.
He seemed to laugh a few times, his chest feeling stuffy, and Gu Yuanbai could even hear the sound of his heartbeat. It was beating too fast, even causing him to furrow his brows in annoyance.
“Your Majesty, when we came here, I saw a cluster of lotus leaves not far away,” Xue Yuan whispered, coaxing Gu Yuanbai to sleep as if hypnotizing him. “The lotus flowers have withered, but the lotus seeds have ripened. I saw those lotus seeds, they all looked very sweet.”
“When I was stationed at the border in the past, I would go crazy thinking about eating lotus seeds,” Xue Yuan continued, “shall we go pick some and taste them together, Your Majesty?”
Gu Yuanbai didn’t say anything. Xue Yuan patted his back gently, and when he finally carried Gu Yuanbai to the side of the lotus pond, Gu Yuanbai had already fallen asleep.
Xue Yuan picked a lotus seed with one hand and tasted the lotus seeds inside. They were indeed sweet, but strangely, he couldn’t summon any desire to think that this thing was delicious. He couldn’t even understand the obsession he had with wanting to eat this thing before.
Instead…
Xue Yuan turned his head and looked at the Emperor who was already asleep in his arms.
There was a deep bitterness in his eyes.
When Gu Yuanbai woke up, he was already back in the palace.
After a palace attendant wiped his face, Gu Yuanbai gradually regained his senses. He took the handkerchief and wiped his face himself, asking, “How long did I sleep?”
As he asked, he looked around, but Xue Yuan was not there. Gu Yuanbai frowned, vaguely remembering that he had fallen asleep next to Xue Yuan.
Embarrassing.
The sound of water trickling, Tian Fusheng was tidying up the Emperor’s clothes. He smiled and said, “Your Majesty has been asleep for two hour.”
Gu Yuanbai shook himself awake. “Prepare the meal. I’m feeling a bit hungry.”
The command for the meal was passed down, this was the Emperor’s first meal after coming to the summer palace. The chefs made every effort to prepare various delicacies, and fortunately, Tian Fusheng knew that the Emperor didn’t like wastefulness, so he specifically instructed to reduce the portions.
As soon as Gu Yuanbai came out, he smelled the food and felt a bit hungry. He sat down at the table and waited until he was halfway full when Tian Fusheng said, “Your Majesty, when you were asleep, Marquis Anle came to see you.”
“Marquis Anle?” Gu Yuanbai thought for a moment, “I remember a while ago, the shizi of Marquis Anle had a finger cut off by an assailant?”
“Exactly,” Tian Fusheng said, “When Marquis Anle came to see you, he also brought his son with him. The Marquis had a displeased expression, he must have had something to discuss with you.”
Gu Yuanbai raised an eyebrow. “Go and bring Marquis Anle. I want to see what they have to discuss with me.”
Tian Fusheng complied and ordered someone to bring Marquis Anle and his son.
However, before Marquis Anle arrived, Chu Wei and Chang Yuyan came to see Gu Yuanbai.
They both were submitting documents from officials of the Imperial Censorate from various regions and also preparing to submit tomorrow’s “The Great Heng Daily”. Coincidentally, they ran into each other not far away, so they walked over together.
Chu Wei and Chang Yuyan greeted the Emperor together, and palace attendants approached to take the items from them.
The Emperor reached out to take them, but suddenly covered his sleeve and coughed softly.
“Your Majesty!” Tian Fusheng hurriedly handed over a handkerchief.
Someone else wanted to come forward, but Gu Yuanbai stopped them. After a while, the feeling of being choked subsided, and he continued to take the memorials and newspapers, slowly reading them.
Chu Wei frowned when he heard his cough and raised his eyes. He saw the table full of sparse dishes.
The Emperor’s hands were placed on the table, and compared to the memorials, they seemed to shine.
All the dishes on the table were made to the Emperor’s taste. At a glance, Chu Wei subconsciously remembered these dishes.
In today’s times, extravagance is not encouraged, so even in the cuisine, the ingredients used are all common and ordinary. Chu Wei was momentarily lost in thought, unable to help but recall the words spoken by the Emperor when they once met while both attending a viewing of Cuju.
At that time, he had found the Emperor noisy and remarked, “When superiors have preferences, subordinates will inevitably cater to them.” Now, he realized how shallow and biased it was to judge a person in such a way.
Chu Wei closed his eyes, his ears turning slightly red.
But this blush of embarrassment, seen by others, carried a slightly different meaning.
The head guard was extremely vigilant towards him, noticing Chu Wei’s reddened ears, and immediately spoke solemnly to Xue Yuan, “Lord Xue, thank you for reminding me to pay more attention to Lord Chu.”
Xue Yuan nodded deeply, but his eyes were fixed on the Emperor.
Was he choked by water, or was he feeling unwell?
As Gu Yuaobai was halfway through examining the items, hurried footsteps echoed in the hall. He raised his eyes and saw the father and son, the Marquis Anle, entering the hall. Before they even reached the Emperor, they knelt down in front of him and choked out, “We beseech Your Majesty to arbitrate for us.”
Chu Wei and Chang Yuyan stepped aside.
Gu Yuanbai said in a deep voice, “Please rise.”
The palace attendants brought chairs for Marquis Anle and his son. After they sat down, Marquis Anle raised his tearful eyes, looked around the hall, and finally fixed his gaze on Xue Yuan. Tears streamed down his face as he said, “Your Majesty, this matter is related to Marquis Douyu.”
Gu Yuanbai was surprised and turned to look at Xue Yuan.
Xue Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly and stepped forward respectfully. “Please advise, Marquis.”
Marquis Anle questioned, “Did you cut off my son’s finger?”
Xue Yuan grinned at the question and glanced at the trembling Marquis Anle’s son.
Marquis Anle shizi shrank, lowering his head abruptly.
Chang Yuyan, fearing that Xue Yuan’s temper might flare up, took a step forward and said in a humble tone, “May I ask why Marquis Anle is saying this?”
Marquis Anle’s face darkened. “My son was attacked and had his finger cut off while he was out in the countryside. I couldn’t find the culprit, and had given up hope. But in the end, it was thanks to the blessing of the Second Young Master Xue that I found the culprit.”
Marquis Anle’s expression was filled with disdain. Even though he was angry at Xue Yuan, he was also extremely disgusted by Second Young Master Xue’s act of using someone else to do his dirty work and sacrificing his brother for personal gain. It was sickening.
Thinking of Xue Yuan’s stupid brother, Gu Yuanbai wondered if Xue Yuan had really fallen into that idiot’s trap this time.
Marquis Anle kept staring at Xue Yuan, unwilling to let go. “The Second Young Master Xue sent me my son’s severed finger and a letter, accusing you of cutting off my son’s finger. Do you admit it?”
Chang Yuyan, who was most familiar with the situation in the Xue Mansion, changed his expression, indicating that he already believed Marquis Anle’s words. He looked at Xue Yuan, silently urging him to speak up.
Xue Yuan’s expression changed slightly, but he said, “I plead guilty.”
Gu Yuanbai’s eyelids twitched again, and he looked sharply at Xue Yuan.
His clean confession caught everyone present off guard. Marquis Anle was full of anger and kept pleading with the Emperor to make a decision for him. Some people thought there might be some misunderstanding and tried to persuade Marquis Anle to calm down.
The noise in the hall was getting louder, causing Gu Yuanbai’s head to ache.
Gu Yuanbai’s face turned cold. He picked up his jade chopsticks and placed them on the white porcelain plate with a crisp sound, causing all the palace attendants in the hall to kneel down. The noise instantly disappeared.
Although the Emperor’s tone was ambiguous, he was the first to challenge Xue Yuan. “Xue Yuan, how many things have you done that I don’t know about?”
Xue Yuan remained silent for a while and only said, “It’s up to Your Majesty to decide.”
This time, Gu Yuanbai’s expression completely turned cold. His eyes spat ice, and just when everyone thought the Emperor was about to mete out punishment directly, he coldly ordered, “Send someone to investigate whether what Marquis Anle said is true or false.”
Immediately, someone in the hall stood up and left. Gu Yuanbai’s demeanor was as icy as ever, making those facing him feel like they were plunging into an icy abyss even in the July heat, sending shivers down their spines.
“Marquis Anle, rest assured,” Gu Yuanbai said in a calm tone. “I will arbitrate for you.”
Marquis Anle should have been happy, but now he was actually somewhat afraid. He forced a smile and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
During the two-hour investigation conducted by the palace attendants, there was not a single sound in the palace. Gu Yuanbai did not touch his food. After a while, Xue Yuan’s voice suddenly sounded abrupt, “Your Majesty, have some food.”
Gu Yuanbai seemed not to hear, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.
“Your Majesty,” Xue Yuan insisted.
A teacup was suddenly smashed beside Xue Yuan, porcelain shards scattering everywhere, and Gu Yuanbai’s eyes turned fierce. “Shut up!”
Xue Yuan’s eyes fluctuated, and he obediently closed his mouth.
Even though there might be a plan afterwards, even though this might be his own playacting, being treated like this by Gu Yuanbai almost submerged Xue Yuan in shadows.
Shortly after, the palace attendants returned and explained the situation clearly: “Marquis Anle’s shizi is arrogant and overbearing, not only bullying others with his power but also repeatedly insulting Young Master Xue, urging him to commit suicide in the lake several times. Young Master Xue couldn’t bear it, so he implored Young Master Xue to teach Marquis Anle’s shizi a lesson.”
As soon as the reason was revealed, the gazes of others towards Xue Yuan changed, full of strangeness.
This was still a good elder brother?
An elder brother who was betrayed and manipulated by his own younger brother?
Marquis Anle’s expression also abruptly changed because of the first part of the palace attendant’s words.
Gu Yuanbai sneered, not believing that Young Master Xue mentioned in this story was Xue Yuan.
What was Xue Yuan trying to achieve with such a big fuss?
Gu Yuanbai calmed down and turned to Marquis Anle. “How does Marquis Anle want to handle Xue Yuan?”
Marquis Anle’s expression was somewhat subtle, a mix of embarrassment and burning anger. If he let Xue Yuan off because of his son’s misbehavior, then how could he endure this humiliation? “All I know is, whoever cuts off my son’s little finger will have to offer up their own,” he said firmly.
Gu Yuanbai narrowed his eyes and lightly tapped the table with his fingers.
Marquis Anle suddenly remembered that unlike him, who had no real power, Xue Yuan’s father was General Xue, a loyalist with real power. And this loyalist had recently been entrusted with an important task by the Emperor.
The master of the Xue household serving the Emperor, the Emperor would surely take care of the Xue household. Cold sweat ran down Marquis Anle’s forehead.
How could three generations of loyalists be less favored by the Emperor than this group of sycophants who relied on the royal family for a living?
At this moment, Marquis Anle’s shizi suddenly stood up as if he had been half scared out of his wits, trembling as he grabbed his father’s arm and exclaimed loudly, “I don’t want his finger! I want to give him fifty strokes of the plank and strip him of his military merits!”
Marquis Anle’s eyes lit up.
Marquis Anle’s shizi dared not look at Xue Yuan, because once he saw Xue Yuan, he would tremble all over and remember that terrifying night.
On that dark night, the knife gleamed with a cold light in the moonlight, and Xue Yuan’s voice was low, with a smile, “If I can’t get demoted, Young Master Shizi, it’ll be your fault.”
“I will definitely find you. And as long as you don’t kill me,” he slapped the dagger against his face and smiled leisurely, “you’ll have to be killed by me.”
The Shizi of Marquis Anle was nearly in tears. “Your Majesty, stripping him of his military merits should suffice.”
Marquis Anle pondered for a moment and, feeling the same satisfaction, firmly added, “Your Majesty, I was reckless earlier, but my son is right. If that’s the case, may I ask Minister Xue if you will accept fifty lashes?”
Xue Yuan bowed. “I will abide by whatever His Majesty decides.”
After a pause, Gu Yuanbai said, “In that case, let it be as Marquis Anle suggested.”
Xue Yuan was taken outside. To appease the Marquis, Xue Yuan was given fifty lashes right at the door.
The sound of the heavy wooden board hitting his body was muffled but distinct, echoing through the room. Xue Yuan did not utter a sound, only occasionally letting out a low groan.
Gu Yuanbai remained silent for a while before picking up his chopsticks and continuing his meal expressionlessly.
Tian Fusheng cautiously asked, “Your Majesty, should I have the imperial kitchen prepare a new meal for you?”
Gu Yuanbai replied, “Withdraw.”
Tian Fusheng dared not say more and quietly retreated.
The sound of the jade chopsticks clinking against the porcelain plate rang out crisply, interspersed with the heavy thudding of the lashes outside. With each thud, the shizi of Marquis Anle grew paler, sweat pouring down his face.
Inside the hall, the silence was stifling, making the sounds outside even more pronounced.
The muffled, heavy blows were relentless.
For someone with a weak constitution, thirty lashes could be fatal if delivered harshly. Time dragged on, and when the noise outside finally ceased, Marquis Anle was also drenched in sweat.
Gu Yuanbai set down his chopsticks and said coldly, “Xue Yuan captured dozens of key rebel leaders in Jinghunan and took more than ten thousand local soldiers as prisoners. The shizi of Marquis Anle’s pinky is so precious that it outweighs such military achievements.”
Marquis Anle trembled, and both he and his son knelt hurriedly. “We are terrified, Your Majesty, and we misspoke…”
“The lives of hundreds of thousands in Jinghunan and Jiangnan, spared from the ravages of war, are worth less than a finger of the shizi,” Gu Yuanbai continued, “Arrogant, unreasonable, and haughty, the shizi of Marquis Anle is indeed valuable.”
Marquis Anle and the shizi began to tremble uncontrollably.
After a long silence, Gu Yuanbai said, “You may leave.”
The Marquis dared not mention military merits again. He and his son struggled to their feet, bowed to Gu Yuanbai, and hastily exited the palace.
The guard who had administered the punishment entered and reported, “Your Majesty, the fifty lashes have been carried out.”
Standing nearby, Chu Wei and Chang Yuyan had complicated expressions upon hearing this.
Gu Yuanbai glanced at them, indicating for them to leave. As Chu Wei exited the palace, he saw the ground stained with water and the scent of blood.
He furrowed his brows, suppressing the tumultuous emotions within him.
Gu Yuanbai picked up a cup of tea. After drinking half, he suddenly stood, his brows knitted. “Take me to see him.”
The imperial physician had already treated Xue Yuan. When Gu Yuanbai arrived, the room was a mix of dampness, blood, and medicinal herbs.
The small space felt suffocating. Gu Yuanbai didn’t know if it was a psychological effect, but the room seemed extraordinarily dark, making it hard for him to breathe.
The emperor walked slowly to Xue Yuan’s bedside, looking down at him.
Xue Yuan was still conscious. His face was pale, sweat drenching his temples and collar. Hearing the noise, he looked up and, with dry, cracked lips, gave Gu Yuanbai a tired smile he had never shown before.
“Your Majesty.”
Gu Yuanbai said, “You accepted this punishment for the sake of your little brother. Though your conduct is commendable, I hope you understand that such actions are against the law.”
Xue Yuan smiled weakly. Unable to move, he laid there, the stench of blood and medicine wafting toward Gu Yuanbai. He replied gently, “I understand, Your Majesty.”
“As for the suggestion to strip you of your military merits,” Gu Yuanbai’s tone suddenly turned cold, “I did not agree to it.”
The smile on Xue Yuan’s lips froze.
He slowly lifted his head, his gaze turning dark and menacing. The facade of docility faded, replaced by an aura of ferocity and malice.
His fists clenched, and his previously weak body seemed to surge with strength, his back arching as if ready to spring.
Gu Yuanbai smirked coldly and turned to leave. But after taking two steps, his sleeve was tugged by a hand. He looked down and met Xue Yuan’s eyes.
Xue Yuan’s gaze was deep. He sighed and said softly, “Your Majesty, you have a cruel heart.”
Gu Yuanbai ordered, “Let go.”
Xue Yuan, dragging his bloodied body, held onto Gu Yuanbai, preventing him from leaving. Using his other hand to prop himself up, the bloodstains on his clothes became even more apparent.
“Your Majesty, you know that I endured these fifty lashes, broke the shizi’s finger, and dealt with my little brother’s severe illness,” Xue Yuan spoke slowly, pulling Gu Yuanbai’s hand to his sweat-drenched face, the blood from his earlier pain smearing Gu Yuanbai’s hand, “You know that I did all this to stay by your side.”
“But you won’t let me have my way.”
Xue Yuan laughed, pressing Gu Yuanbai’s hand against his face. “Your Majesty, if you send me away again, I’ll go mad.”
“I don’t know what I might do.”
Gu Yuanbai quietly looked at Xue Yuan. “Minister Xue.”
Xue Yuan, your intentions toward me are not ordinary.
But Gu Yuanbai didn’t voice this thought.
What difference would it make if he did? Regardless of Xue Yuan’s answer, Gu Yuanbai’s response would remain the same.
He didn’t like men, didn’t like the same sex, and didn’t want to be remembered in history for scandalous rumors about an emperor and a minister.
Moreover, Gu Yuanbai’s current physical condition isn’t suitable for romantic relationships.
He doesn’t want to delay a young lady’s future, but that doesn’t mean he’s willing to mislead a man.
Gu Yuanbai coldly and ruthlessly tried to withdraw his hand, but Xue Yuan noticed his intention. He held the jade-like hand tightly and lowered his head, planting a gentle kiss on it.
A kiss that was bold and unrestrained.
Xue Yuan did not want to see such an expression on Gu Yuanbai’s face.
A good expression, he only wanted to see Gu Yuanbai’s good expression, his smile.
“Smile at me,” Xue Yuan whispered, “Give me a smile, and I’ll do anything for you.”
Military merits, fingers, this beating heart.
Gu Yuanbai could have whichever he wanted, as long as he smiled.
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