I Rely on Beauty to Stabilize the Country - Chap 48

Gu Yuanbai was born with innate weakness, a frail body from the very beginning.

After several years of care, his condition gradually improved. However, he had suffered multiple hidden injuries in the midst of political power struggles. Lu Feng was afraid that he would recover and live a healthy life, so he had been feeding him slow-acting poison for several years, hoping to expedite his death.

Bit by bit, things worsened, making it difficult to treat.

Before falling asleep, Gu Yuanbai felt particularly at ease because everything had been arranged according to various protocols. He slept peacefully until evening, and when he opened his eyes, he was still a bit dazed, unaware of the current time.

As he propped himself up, he realized that the sensation in his hand was not right. Lowering his head, he discovered that he was leaning on Xue Yuan’s body.

Xue Yuan must have fallen asleep at some point. His eyes were tightly shut, and his sharp eyebrows were still furrowed. Gu Yuanbai retracted his hand, then got up. However, he felt a tightness around his waist and, upon looking down, he saw that Xue Yuan’s hand was wrapped around him. This sudden movement caused Xue Yuan to instantly wake up from his slumber.

“Who?!” he questioned fiercely, brimming with hostility.

After a few moments, Xue Yuan regained his senses. He glanced at the now awake Gu Yuanbai and involuntarily curved his lips. “Your Majesty is awake?”

His voice was hoarse, carrying the contentment of waking up from a deep sleep.

The bedding was still warm, and Gu Yuanbai felt lazy all over. He instructed, “Go and bring me a cup of warm tea.”

Xue Yuan obediently got out of bed, his collar askew and his robe loose. When Gu Yuanbai raised his head, he couldn’t help but notice Xue Yuan’s tall and powerful back. His gaze drifted downwards, revealing strong, straight legs beneath his well-toned buttocks.

Having discarded his outer garments, Xue Yuan’s youthful body, honed through various battlefields, made it hard for one’s attention to shift away.

Although he may have gone a bit mad, he didn’t lose the allure of a resolute man.

Gu Yuanbai sat up straight, lazily leaning against the bed frame. Xue Yuan poured a cup of water and, because Gu Yuanbai had requested warm water, he even touched the cup’s surface with his fingers to check the temperature. Then he poured a little into his hand and tested it, feeling that it wasn’t scalding. With the cup of tea in hand and even the water jug, he walked steadily toward Gu Yuanbai, afraid that one cup wouldn’t be enough.

As the Emperor took the water cup and brought it to his lips, he trembled from the scalding sensation. The hot water couldn’t be swallowed, and his lips turned red, his expression filled with pain.

Xue Yuan was dumbfounded. He pinched Gu Yuanbai’s face, urging him to spit it out, and said angrily, “You burned your mouth, and you’re not letting go?”

However, Gu Yuanbai swallowed that mouthful of water directly.

Xue Yuan’s face turned dark, and he threw the teapot and blanket to the side, then reached out to pry open the Emperor’s lips, inspecting if there were any blisters caused by the burn.

Gasping for cold air, Gu Yuanbai said, “I nearly burned to death!”

He’s too delicate, too tender. Xue Yuan couldn’t even feel the temperature in his hands, yet it scalded the little emperor’s mouth.

When Xue Yuan thought about this, he felt more uncomfortable than if he had been stabbed. In his agitation, his hands were rough, and he ended up hurting Gu Yuanbai’s lips. Unable to control himself, Gu Yuanbai kicked him.

Xue Yuan used one hand to hold down Gu Yuanbai’s foot while continuing to inspect his lips. “Stop messing around and let me take a look.”

Gu Yuanbai had recovered by now. He turned his head and let out a hiss. “Captain Xue, can you be more gentle?”

“Alright, alright, I’ve noted it. I’ll be gentle,” Xue Yuan wondered, “Your Majesty, how can you be so delicate?”

Gu Yuanbai: “…”

He kicked Xue Yuan again, causing him to fall off the dragon bed along with the blanket. Xue Yuan landed with a solid thud, but he didn’t have time to worry about that. He got up and kneeled at the edge of the bed, his expression turning stern. “Let me take a look.”

What was the point of making a fuss? Couldn’t they wait until his mouth was fine?

This time, Xue Yuan applied force, but he was also extremely cautious. If Gu Yuanbai said his hands were rough, he didn’t dare to rub vigorously and could only exert the lightest touch. It was more challenging than going into battle and slaying enemies. Xue Yuan ended up drenched in sweat, and only after confirming that Gu Yuanbai was fine did he realize his back was soaked.

Gu Yuanbai had long since recovered but he felt weak all over, had a headache, and was thirsty. “Captain Xue, I asked for warm water.”

Dragging his cold sweat-covered body, Xue Yuan went to fetch warm water for the delicate little emperor. This time, he tasted the water’s temperature by placing it in his own mouth. After repeatedly confirming it wouldn’t scald anyone, he handed the water to Gu Yuanbai.

Gu Yuanbai drank half a pot of water, relieving some of the dryness and hoarseness in his mouth. The inner chamber was dim, with only a few candles lit around. Gu Yuanbai closed his eyes, allowing his mind to continue resting, and asked, “What time is it?”

Xue Yuan finished the remaining half-pot of water and replied, “I don’t know.”

Gu Yuanbai couldn’t say anything.

After a while, the palace attendants entered the inner chamber silently. Tian Fusheng approached and whispered, “Your Majesty, it’s time for your evening meal. Shall I serve it to you?”

Feeling the slight throbbing in his head, Gu Yuanbai struggled to get up. “Then, let’s eat.”

Once the Emperor finished his meal, it was time for the court to disperse. However, Xue Yuan stood still, watching as the physicians from the Imperial Hospital came to examine the Emperor’s pulse.

Tian Fusheng kindly reminded him, “Sir Xue, it’s time for you to leave.”

Xue Yuan’s voice was deep. “I know.”

But he was reluctant to move his feet.

When Gu Yuanbai heard those words, he looked up and met Xue Yuan’s gaze. It reminded him of the warm and comfortable feeling he experienced when sleeping during the day.

Xue Yuan was just too suitable for warming the bed.

Gu Yuanbai spoke lazily, his voice hoarse, “Until I recover, Captain Xue, stay by my side. Your fiery temperature can help me suffer a little less.”

Xue Yuan couldn’t help but curl his lips. When he heard the phrase “suffer a little less,” he couldn’t help but ponder. How could he let Gu Yuanbai suffer?

Since they didn’t have to leave the palace today, after the Emperor finished his meal, a new set of guards replaced the previous ones. Xue Yuan joined his colleagues to have their meal. The palace servants would inform Xue residence and prepare some clothes and daily necessities for him. When Xue Yuan finished his meal and returned, someone would hand those items to him.

Gu Yuanbai was already lying on the bed, covered with a bright yellow dragon-patterned blanket. In his hand was a memorial, which he was reading slowly and attentively.

Gu Yuanbai read carefully. Kong Yilin and Qin Sheng’s group had already transported silver and food to Lizhou. This batch of supplies was the bait to catch the biggest fish in the anti-corruption operation.

The target, the Governor of Lizhou, had relatively little overt corruption within his jurisdiction, yet the people under his rule still suffered. The deeper the inspectors investigated, the more terrified they became. In the end, they discovered that the reason many local bandits had turned to crime was due to the Governor’s secret coercion.

The actions of the officials turned the people into bandits, and they colluded with the bandits as well.

This matter was too terrifying and absolutely could not be made public.

If the news spread, it would only result in public distrust of the court, leading to riots and a backlash from bandits across the country.

Gu Yuanbai exhaled a breath of impure air. He had to firmly hold onto this bait, the fish.

He could neglect everything else, but the Governor of Lizhou must die.

Gu Yuanbai exerted force in his palm, leaving a mark on the memorial.

Seeing him dealing with state affairs, Xue Yuan stood by his side and suddenly struck up a conversation with a eunuch nearby.

“Can rough hands still be treated?”

The eunuch was startled and answered nervously, “Sir, if you usually use some hand care products, it would be better.”

Xue Yuan had a headache. “Explain it clearly.”

The eunuch said, “Essential oils, pearl powder, or fish oil. Applying them to your hands and feet will make them smooth.”

Xue Yuan fell silent for a moment, then reluctantly said, “Go and get me these things.”

Gu Yuanbai had just finished reading the memorial when he caught a glimpse of a figure approaching out of the corner of his eye.

He turned his head and saw that it was Xue Yuan. After observing him for a moment, Gu Yuanbai suddenly asked in a casual tone, “Captain Xue, if one day the people under your command also started coveting wealth that does not belong to them, how would you handle it?”

Xue Yuan replied, “If they deserve death, then I will execute them.”

Gu Yuanbai smiled and said, “But corrupt officials are hard to eliminate.”

“They may not be completely eradicated, but by showing our stance, they will be afraid,” Xue Yuan grinned. “It’s the same principle as leading troops. There will always be a few individuals daring enough to violate military discipline. Why do they dare to do so? It’s because the overall authority of the commanding officer no longer intimidates them. Once the higher-ups’ authority is insufficient, chaos will ensue among the subordinates.”

Gu Yuanbai said, “Please continue.”

Xue Yuan calmly responded, “I have finished speaking.”

Gu Yuanbai remained silent.

Xue Yuan added, “Your Majesty, I am a crude person and unable to manage state affairs.”

Gu Yuanbai thought to himself, then how did you become the regent?

However, what Xue Yuan said was indeed correct.

The farther the local officials were from the central authority, the scarcer the Emperor’s majesty became, making them less fearful. Perhaps it was because Gu Yuanbai’s authority had not reached a level where it could deter them from acting recklessly in their respective regions, thus they became audacious.

After this anti-corruption campaign, it was believed that Gu Yuanbai’s authority in the hearts of local officials would reach a new height.

But that alone was not enough.

The Daheng Dynasty had been weak for over a decade. Nomadic tribes dared to invade, local officials dared to embezzle, and powerful local forces colluded with officials, becoming more influential than the Emperor himself.

Gu Yuanbai needed to win a decisive victory, a victory that had not been achieved in nearly fifteen years. This battle would be against the nomadic tribes.

It would also be the first nationwide display of authority after Gu Yuanbai took power.

He had to take the military out for a stroll so that these people would realize how insignificant they truly were.

After relieving his own mood, Gu Yuanbai noticed that Xue Yuan’s complexion had improved significantly. He spoke gently to his “bed-warmer,” saying, “Captain Xue, it’s getting late. Come to bed.”

Xue Yuan felt a tingling sensation on his scalp from Gu Yuanbai’s warm voice. He placed his hands on his belt and swiftly removed his outer garments, leaving only his inner clothes.

A palace maid took the clothes and neatly arranged them while lighting a soothing incense for sleep. Silently and one by one, the palace attendants exited the room.

Xue Yuan truly felt like a blazing furnace. Once he got into the bed, Gu Yuanbai couldn’t help but sigh, finding it incredibly comfortable.

Because of this ability, Xue Yuan’s position in Gu Yuanbai’s heart suddenly rose several notches, and Gu Yuanbai became more amiable towards him.

After a while, Gu Yuanbai caught a whiff of an herbal scent, and he sniffed it, realizing that the fragrance was emanating from Xue Yuan.

“What did you use?” he asked directly.

Xue Yuan froze completely.

As a grown man, it was the first time he had secretly used a hand moisturizer, only to be discovered. He mumbled, “It’s nothing.”

The scent wasn’t unpleasant, but seeing that Xue Yuan was reluctant to disclose, Gu Yuanbai didn’t bother to inquire further.

The young emperor was soft and fragrant, and so was the dragon bed. However, Xue Yuan started sweating profusely within a short time. He asked, “Your Majesty, are you feeling hot?”

Gu Yuanbai flipped open a book on relaxation, feeling comfortable. “I’m not hot. Are you, Captain Xue?”

Xue Yuan stared at the book in Gu Yuanbai’s hand with a solemn tone. “Your Majesty, please look at me.”

Finally tearing his gaze away from the book, Gu Yuanbai turned his head and frowned. “Why is Captain Xue sweating so much?”

Xue Yuan’s forehead was covered in sweat, and his black hair was damp. His facial features were sharp amid the mist of water droplets. “Your Majesty, the quilt is too thick, making the bed hot.”

It was already late May, and someone like Xue Yuan indeed couldn’t bear the heat. Gu Yuanbai furrowed his brows. “What should we do, then?”

“Your Majesty is still cold, with cold hands and feet,” Xue Yuan’s voice lowered, like a cold jade. “Shall I warm you up, while you cool down my hands and feet?”

Gu Yuanbai contemplated for a moment, then lowered his head slowly and said, “Alright.”

Xue Yuan seemed like a ravenous wolf allowed to feast on meat. He swiftly turned over and took the ice-cold hand that Gu Yuanbai casually offered, closing his eyes with contentment.

The Emperor’s hand was smaller than Xue Yuan’s, delicate and tender. Xue Yuan gently rubbed the fair palm, causing a tickling sensation. Gu Yuanbai instinctively tried to retract his hand, but Xue Yuan pulled him back with even more force.

“What book is Your Majesty reading?”

Xue Yuan put on a fake smile and fixed his gaze on the book.

Gu Yuanbai casually replied, “Just a travelogue, to pass the time.”

Xue Yuan’s gaze at the book was unkind, and he thought with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “Can’t I also pass the time?”

He truly felt like a furnace. In less than a moment, Gu Yuanbai’s hand was slightly damp with sweat, much to his surprise. Xue Yuan let go of the Emperor’s hand and said, “Your Majesty, shall I warm your feet?”

Gu Yuanbai instinctively said, “Go ahead.”

In an instant, Xue Yuan reached the other side and grabbed Gu Yuanbai’s ankle from within the bed. He lifted it and tucked it into his clothes, warming it against his abdomen.

With his lower abdomen feeling firm and the icy feet encountering warmth like fire, Gu Yuanbai felt so comfortable that his brows relaxed. He couldn’t help but say, “Captain Xue, you’ve worked hard.”

Xue Yuan thought to himself, What hardship is this when the young emperor’s feet are as comfortable as jade and as cold as ice?

He forced a smile on his face and said, “It’s what I should do.”

Last time, when he warmed Gu Yuanbai’s feet, he was scolded for being presumptuous. But this time, warming the emperor’s feet was completely justified.

Xue Yuan couldn’t help but feel some satisfaction. After a while, when he had also warmed Gu Yuanbai’s feet, he loosened his grip and took the initiative, saying, “Your Majesty, shall I hold you while you read?”

Gu Yuanbai politely declined, “I’m not used to it.”

Despite saying he wasn’t used to it, Gu Yuanbai found himself lying in Xue Yuan’s embrace, following the warmth, after falling asleep.

Holding Gu Yuanbai, Xue Yuan sighed deeply. Before embracing him, he didn’t feel like something was missing. It was only when he held Gu Yuanbai that he realized how empty he had felt inside.

Closing his eyes and carrying the heart of a loyal subject that was beating irregularly, he sighed once more and fell asleep.

The next morning, when Gu Yuanbai woke up, his head still felt heavy.

However, after resting well for a day, he at least had the energy to leave the bed. Although the morning court had been delayed, all the officials responsible for reporting matters had gathered in the side hall of the Xuanzheng Hall.

The court couldn’t focus all its attention on the anti-corruption efforts alone. The responsibility for the anti-corruption process lay with the Imperial Censorate, the Supervisory Office, and the Eastern Feather Guards, as well as the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Personnel, which were concurrently responsible for the governorship of Lizhou. Other officials were busy with their own political affairs.

Officials from the Six Ministries and the Grand Secretariat were gathered in the side hall of the Xuanzheng Hall, discussing three matters: road construction, border defense deployment, and trade relations.

Gu Yuanbai found himself needing to take breaks frequently, as he seemed absent-minded. In the end, the courtiers couldn’t bear it and suggested they finalize a set of regulations for the emperor’s approval after further joint discussion.

Gu Yuanbai slowly nodded, allowing them to leave.

Once the officials had departed, Gu Yuanbai closed his eyes, feeling utterly drained.

He thought to himself that he finally understood why ancient emperors desired immortality.

It wasn’t necessarily due to a greedy attachment to power and a yearning for youth, but it could also be the profound helplessness of an emperor who desired to accomplish things but lacked the strength to do so.

He wished to live a little longer, just a little longer, so that he could do a little more, accomplish a bit more of his grand ambitions.

After becoming emperor, Gu Yuanbai jokingly remarked to himself that he really wished he could live for another five hundred years. But who could live that long?

So many ambitious and talented ancient emperors couldn’t even live for five hundred years.

It felt powerless.

And also very sad.

But there was no way around it.

Gu Yuanbai was lost in thought for a while but eventually opened his eyes. He called Tian Fusheng and said, “Tell the people in Jinghu Lake to speed up.”

Out of all the matters in the world, Gu Yuanbai could leave the rest for future generations to handle, but not this one.

If anyone other than Gu Yuanbai touched the issue of rebellion, it could easily backfire.

Therefore, Gu Yuanbai had to expedite the process. He always felt that this illness was like a reminder from the heavens that his time was running out.

This tragic thought persisted until the time for the medicinal bath at noon.

The medicinal bath helped dispel the cold. Before the imperial physician proceeded to diagnose his pulse, he sighed with relief and said, “Your Majesty’s condition is showing signs of improvement.”

Gu Yuanbai was taken aback, furrowing his brow. He felt the physician had misdiagnosed him. “My head is still hurting.”

The imperial physician smiled and said, “After soaking in the medicinal bath for a couple of days, everything should be fine. Your Majesty, didn’t you have a warm stove last night? I observed that you rested quite well, and as long as you get enough rest, the illness will improve by three points.”

Gu Yuanbai pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. “In that case, I understand.”

It must have been Xue Yuan who warmed his bed throughout the night, making him feel warm and comfortable, which contributed to his slight improvement today.

Knowing that his illness was improving, Gu Yuanbai inquired in detail from the physician if it had affected his overall health. Although the physician’s response was cautious, it visibly eased Gu Yuanbai’s mind.

Gu Yuanbai reassured himself that he could live for at least another two or three years. The current regent and the future influential figures hadn’t shown any signs of rising to power. Even if he became a background figure, he should still have some vitality left.

With this thought, he became completely calm and composed.

The emperor’s thoughts were deeply hidden, unnoticed by those around him, yet the emperor had already comforted himself.

Outside the palace gates, Xue Yuan stood upright but seemed distracted. His colleagues around him asked him to share some stories about the border and the battlefield, but Xue Yuan couldn’t be bothered. He lazily pressed his tongue against his palate and uttered a few words, “I don’t know.”

His response left the guards speechless.

The scent of medicine wafted through the cracks in the doors and windows. After getting used to the medicinal aroma, it became quite pleasant. Xue Yuan took a deep breath of the medicinal scent, his brows furrowed, and his expression dark and gloomy.

There should be a divine physician somewhere.

Nerves tightly wound, imagining the young emperor seriously ill made Xue Yuan impatient to the point of exploding.

A person emerged from the palace and summoned Xue Yuan to enter. Xue Yuan pursed his lips, his official robe fluttering as he strode into the hall.

Guided by a palace attendant, Xue Yuan was led behind a folding screen. Knowing that his life was temporarily out of danger, Gu Yuanbai’s enthusiasm for work reignited, his voice muffled and hazy with the steam of the medicinal bath. He said, “Xue Yuan, I want to hear more about the border.”

Xue Yuan paused, looking at the flowers and birds on the screen, and spoke slowly, “Alright.”

The affairs at the border were mostly characterized by harsh conditions, danger, shame, and desensitization.

Cruelty was mentioned in passing, but after glossing over it, Xue Yuan was surprised to find that he had nothing substantial to share with Gu Yuanbai.

The beauty of the northern frontier was lost on those who had been there for too long. People in the north, including the military, were treated as nonentities.

Xue Yuan chose to tell Gu Yuanbai about the less brutal aspects within the cruelty.

He spoke in a calm and unhurried manner, and Gu Yuanbai listened attentively. By the time Xue Yuan finished, the water Gu Yuanbai was soaking in had cooled down.

Inside, attendants were helping the emperor get dressed and wiping off water. Xue Yuan lowered his head, his gaze reaching all the way to his own boots from beneath the edge of the folding screen.

Judging by the screen, Xue Yuan could tell the young emperor’s preferences—pure, refined, and meticulous. He probably liked gentlemen who were knowledgeable in poetry and literature. But Xue Yuan was no gentleman.

The young emperor was quite fond of Chu Wei.

Although Chu Wei rarely had the chance to meet the young emperor, they always had delightful conversations whenever they did.

Xue Yuan thought to himself with a tinge of bitterness, “Fuck.”

He felt so frustrated.

Gu Yuanbai finished dressing, and the noon sunlight was the most intense and vibrant. Combined with the warmth from the medicinal bath, he couldn’t tell if the moisture on his face was sweat or steam.

When he walked out and saw the expression on Xue Yuan’s face, he casually asked, “What’s on your mind, Captain Xue?”

Xue Yuan instinctively glanced at Gu Yuanbai, who was flushed from soaking in the water, and a shiver ran through his body. “I was thinking about this folding screen, Your Majesty.”

Gu Yuanbai casually said, “Since Captain Xue likes this folding screen, then it shall be rewarded to you.”

Xue Yuan was taken aback, but Gu Yuanbai had already left the palace, taking away the lingering fragrance along the way.

Taking advantage of his current vigor, Gu Yuanbai quickly attended to state affairs. After the evening meal, exhausted and uncomfortable, he lay down on his bed.

Someone pressed up against him from behind, just as Gu Yuanbai was about to drift off in the warmth. He heard a soft voice coaxing him, “Your Majesty, do you like Chu Wei?”

Gu Yuanbai turned to the side, furrowing his brow.

Xue Yuan persisted, “Your Majesty, do you like Minister Chu’s face, or do you prefer his hands?”

Dark thoughts filled his mind.

If he liked the face, it would be scarred; if he liked the hands, they would be severed.

Xue Yuan was a cultured individual, not someone who engaged in killing and burying corpses.