Chapter 70
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The Emperor’s birthday was called the Longevity Festival.
On the Longevity Festival, the Emperor would receive the court’s congratulations and gifts. During this period, slaughtering was forbidden, legal matters were not addressed, and civil and military officials had to wear ceremonial robes. On this day, the capital’s craftsmen decorated the main streets with colorful paintings and fabrics, making the city vibrant and festive.
Officials from various regions also had to set up incense tables and perform grand ceremonies facing the capital.
Gu Yuanbai’s birthday fell during the golden autumn season, the harvest time. The Emperor’s birthday was extremely important, and preparations in the capital had begun as soon as Gu Yuanbai and his ministers moved to the summer palace.
By the time the Longevity Festival arrived, even foreign envoys would come to the Great Heng Capital to offer their birthday greetings to Gu Yuanbai.
Gu Yuanbai planned to use this opportunity to better understand these foreign envoys.
The scale and grandeur of the birthday celebrations were written into the law. During the days surrounding the Longevity Festival, the entire Great Heng Empire would have a three-day holiday.
When a person’s birthday is celebrated with the entire nation, the specifics of the celebration are no longer decided by the person whose birthday it is.
Gu Yuanbai only instructed that there should be no extravagance or waste.
A few days later, news spread throughout the court that the Zhizhou of Lizhou had been killed by bandits after failing to suppress them.
Since the Zhizhou had forced people into banditry and colluded with the bandits, the news, if leaked, would certainly shake public confidence. Therefore, this matter had to be kept absolutely secret. Even the Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel, who had previously resigned in protest to Gu Yuanbai, only believed that the Zhizhou had condoned the bandits’ plundering and embezzled funds, unaware of the deeper, more sinister truth.
This deeper layer of information was known only to Gu Yuanbai and a few of his trusted aides.
When the story reached the ears of the court officials, it had changed.
The story was that the Zhizhou, fearing punishment for his embezzlement, had recklessly led an assault on the bandits in an attempt to redeem himself but was instead killed by them. This murder of a government official was serious, prompting the deployment of the garrison to eradicate all bandits in the surrounding mountains of Lizhou.
Some bandits were already being transported to the capital as laborers to clear the hardest-to-cultivate wasteland in the west of the capital. The notorious bandit leaders, who had caused immense suffering in Lizhou and neighboring prefectures, were publicly executed in Lizhou before the populace.
The Zhizhou of Lizhou got off lightly.
He should have been infamous and forever condemned in history. However, his actions were so hidden and horrifying that they risked causing public unrest. Thus, he was quietly dealt with, and only the sanitized version of his crime—embezzlement—was disseminated.
The longer Gu Yuanbai stayed in this ancient era, the more he felt that history was like a young girl easily adorned by others.
It was a cover-up used by those in power and the victors.
Gu Yuanbai tossed the document detailing Zhizhou’s true cause of death onto the table and asked the court historian beside him, “Have you written it clearly?”
The historian nodded, showing Gu Yuanbai the recorded text from that morning’s court session, which stated clearly: “Upon hearing of the calamity in Lizhou, His Majesty sighed repeatedly. The court officials were both saddened and angered, lamenting the Zhizhou’s corruption and his tragic attempt at redemption, resulting in his death at the hands of bandits. Upon learning of the Zhizhou’s embezzlement, His Majesty was greatly angered, saying: ‘This man has been a great disappointment to me.'”
“Very well,” Gu Yuanbai said. “Leave it as it is.”
The historian respectfully took the document, quietly excused himself, and prepared to transcribe it into the official records.
Kong Yilin and his group, who were transporting a batch of free laborers to the capital, were also nearing the western capital. Gu Yuanbai turned the jade thumb ring on his finger but paused when he touched it.
After a long silence, he asked, “How is the person doing?”
This sudden question bewildered Tian Fusheng. Fortunately, he quickly regained his composure and tentatively replied, “Your Majesty, there has been no significant news from the Xue family. Lord Xue should be fine.”
“Should?” Gu Yuanbai frowned, displeased. “What do you mean by ‘should’?”
Cold sweat dripped from Tian Fusheng’s temples as he immediately admitted his mistake, “I will go and find out more details at once.”
Gu Yuanbai was somewhat irritated. He rubbed his temples, suppressing his annoyance, “You may withdraw.”
Reflecting on that day, he found it peculiar. Now, he realized that Xue Yuan’s injuries must have been severe. The strange smell he detected was likely the scent of blood.
Running such a long distance with serious injuries in dirty water would surely cause the flesh to rot.
Someone in good health wasting their body like this was truly frustrating to those with poor health.
Gu Yuanbai leaned back.
His temples throbbed, and his long sleeves draped over the soft chair, his expression cold.
If someone ruined their health just to retrieve a dead object for Gu Yuanbai, he saw this not as loyalty or deep affection but as foolishness.
A human life is more valuable than anything.
Or was this how Xue Yuan intended to prove his loyalty?
For a jade thumb ring?
After a while, the Emperor commanded, “Summon Chang Yuyan.”
Upon hearing the Emperor’s summons, Chang Yuyan quickly tidied his official robes and headgear, following the eunuch to the Emperor’s palace.
The winding paths of the summer palace were an epitome of garden artistry. The summer heat had waned, and when Chang Yuyan arrived before Gu Yuanbai, he still appeared as a refreshing and elegant gentleman.
“Your Majesty,” this being his second private audience, Chang Yuyan was somewhat nervous and bowed to Gu Yuanbai, “Is there something you wish to instruct me?”
Gu Yuanbai looked up from his book, smiling at Chang Yuyan. “No need to be so formal. I was just feeling a bit bored and thought to call you to chat with me.”
Chang Yuyan was someone Gu Yuanbai greatly valued. He granted Chang Yuyan a seat and had a chessboard set up.
Chang Yuyan was flattered. He sat down as instructed, barely touching the chair, and recalled the previous time the Emperor had played chess with Chu Wei. He remarked, “Last time, I missed the chance to observe Your Majesty playing chess with Minister Chu. I still feel it was a great regret.”
Gu Yuanbai laughed, “Then today, you can make up for that regret.”
Chang Yuyan smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and began playing chess with the Emperor.
He played well, and Gu Yuanbai became slightly serious. Once Chang Yuyan was fully absorbed in the game, Gu Yuanbai casually asked, “I heard you’ve recently composed a good poem.”
Using only half his mind on the game, Gu Yuanbai still posed many traps and challenges. Chang Yuyan, entirely focused on the board, spoke without much thought, revealing more than he should have, “Yes, Xue Jiuyou recently insisted I compose a poem for him.”
Fingering the smooth chess pieces, Gu Yuanbai’s voice carried a hint of amusement, “So, you and Minister Xue are quite close.”
Chang Yuyan bitterly smiled, “With Xue Jiuyou’s dog temper, who could—”
Realizing his slip, he tensed up, quickly standing to apologize, “I misspoke. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
“It’s fine,” Gu Yuanbai smiled slightly. “Why should the tanghua lang be so formal with me?”
His question sent chills down one’s spine, but when the Emperor gave a slight smile, the chill vanished instantly, leaving the mind in a daze, completely forgetting the danger.
Chang Yuyan gave a shy smile and sat back down.
Look at that, even someone like Xue Jiuyou had a friend like Chang Yuyan. In terms of manners alone, especially in front of Gu Yuanbai, Xue Jiuyou couldn’t compare to Chang Yuyan.
Similarly, Gu Yuanbai appeared as an emperor devoid of other concerns in front of Chang Yuyan.
Gu Yuanbai smiled, suddenly feeling a bit bored. He stopped asking questions and focused on finishing the chess game with Chang Yuyan. Once Gu Yuanbai became serious, Chang Yuyan quickly found his pieces in disarray.
Chang Yuyan admired, “Your Majesty’s chess skills are exceptional.”
The Emperor slightly curled his lips, and Chang Yuyan continued, “Xue Jiuyou’s style of play is somewhat similar to Yours, Majesty. I have no way of dealing with such strategies.”
Gu Yuanbai raised an eyebrow, intrigued, “He knows how to play chess?”
Chang Yuyan couldn’t help but laugh, “The books in Xue Jiuyou’s study might even outnumber those in my own residence.”
This truly surprised Gu Yuanbai.
Seeing the Emperor’s reaction, Chang Yuyan couldn’t stop talking. His mind became a bit muddled, and he kept sharing Xue Yuan’s embarrassing stories to amuse the Emperor, “Xue Jiuyou’s room isn’t just filled with books. Recently, despite being ill, he started making a kite.”
Gu Yuanbai paused, “A kite?”
“Yes,” Chang Yuyan replied, “a kite shaped like a swallow.”
“What about writing on the kite?” Gu Yuanbai asked, “Does it have any meaning?”
Chang Yuyan looked puzzled, “That, this official does not know.”
Gu Yuanbai nodded slightly and dismissed him.
After Chang Yuyan left, Gu Yuanbai reached for his cup but paused when he saw the deep green jade ring on his finger.
He looked at it for a while, then suddenly removed the ring with a snort, “It irritates me.”
Tian Fusheng, having heard this, cautiously suggested, “Shall I fetch some new jade rings for Your Majesty?”
Gu Yuanbai glanced at him, and though he initially wanted to refuse, he changed his mind, “Bring some.”
After finishing his duties, Chang Yuyan headed straight to the Xue residence.
Upon arrival, he found Xue Yuan carving wood with a dagger.
Xue Yuan, dressed in only his inner garments with an outer robe draped over him, had his black hair loose behind him, his expression focused and his jaw coldly set.
Chang Yuyan restrained his smile and sat upright, “Xue Jiuyou, what are you doing now?”
Covered in wood shavings, Xue Yuan lazily replied, “Carving wood.”
Chang Yuyan was momentarily speechless, “I know you’re carving wood. I’m asking what you’re planning to make.”
Xue Yuan’s lips curved slightly, “None of your business.”
Chang Yuyan, accustomed to such remarks, ignored it. He cleared his throat, straightened his back, and nonchalantly said, “I was summoned by the Emperor again today.”
Xue Yuan continued his task, seemingly uninterested, “Hmm?”
“The Emperor chatted with me and we played a game of chess,” Chang Yuyan couldn’t help but smile, increasingly admiring, “The Emperor’s chess skills are truly exceptional. I put in all my effort, but could only hold out for a short while.”
Xue Yuan remained silent, turning the dagger in his hand. The sharp blade reflected the golden sunset, casting fleeting glimmers on his face.
“And then?”
And then?
Staring at Xue Yuan’s profile, Chang Yuyan felt his intended words stuck in his throat. He naturally smiled and shifted his gaze from Xue Yuan to the piece of wood he was carving, maintaining his tone, “Nothing much after that. The Emperor, busy with state affairs, dismissed me after a brief conversation.”
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