I Rely on Beauty to Stabilize the Country - Chap 49
Gu Yuanbai fell ill for several days. By the time he recovered, the progress of their operation had already reached Lizhou.
He only provided a rough direction for this matter, leaving the specific details of how to ensnare the governor of Lizhou and make him dare to take the bait in the current anti-corruption movement to his trusted subordinates.
Kong Yilin was resourceful and a deep-thinker. Gu Yuanbai believed that Kong Yilin would handle this matter perfectly.
His recent bout of illness gave Gu Yuanbai a sense of urgency. Even though he was still weak after recovering, he threw himself into the nation’s development, disregarding any advice.
On that day, Gu Yuanbai received a message from Consort Wan.
Consort Wan’s words were gentle, tinged with a sense of longing. She requested a meeting with Gu Yuanbai, expressing her yearning for the Emperor.
Gu Yuanbai put down his brush and, as he looked up, a sudden feeling of being in a different world washed over him. Momentarily stunned, he chuckled and said, “Who secretly informed Consort Wan?”
Tian Fusheng apologized, “Your Majesty, it was my doing. I am willing to accept punishment.”
Gu Yuanbai sighed and gazed outside the hall on the sunny day. “Why would I punish you? You were only concerned about me.”
Lost in thought for a moment, he stood up and said, “Then, as Consort Wan wishes, I shall go and see her.”
In the imperial estate of the capital city, Consort Wan smiled gently as she fanned Gu Yuanbai with a feather fan, watching him enjoy his tea and snacks.
Consort Wan was only in her early forties, an age still full of vitality in modern times, but now, a heavy aura of twilight clung to her demeanor.
Having spent more than a decade in the imperial harem and having taken fertility drugs in her earlier years, her physical condition was damaged, and she had lost the will to live well. Although her appearance was not yet aged, it exuded an air of weariness.
A few months ago, Consort Wan fell ill. The imperial physicians said it would be difficult for her to survive through the summer. Gu Yuanbai did want to visit Consort Wan, but she did not wish to see him frequently.
Since the young Emperor ascended the throne, their meetings had become few and far between. However, their bond had not diminished. Consort Wan simply wanted to spare herself the pain of seeing him less and speaking less. When the time came for her departure, she wanted to at least feel a little better.
In the cool shade under the tree, Gu Yuanbai stopped eating after feeling slightly satisfied in his belly. Consort Wan had someone bring a cool handkerchief and smiled, saying, “It’s been getting hot lately. Has the palace prepared everything necessary to endure the summer?”
Gu Yuanbai instinctively looked towards Tian Fusheng, who quickly replied, “Your Highness, everything has been prepared.”
Consort Wan looked at Gu Yuanbai and smiled, “Look at you. When Tian Fusheng told me that you’ve been so busy lately that you forget to eat, I didn’t believe it. But now, seeing it myself, he wasn’t exaggerating. Even if the world is busy, does that mean every single matter needs your personal attention at this moment?”
Gu Yuanbai smiled wryly and said, “You’re right.”
“Even if I am right,” Consort Wan said, “it’s up to you, Your Majesty, to take it to heart.”
Gu Yuanbai explained in a gentle tone, “The state affairs have been busy recently, and I can’t be absent.”
Consort Wan then looked up at Tian Fusheng.
Tian Fusheng kept his head low but dared to speak up, “Indeed, it’s busy. However, all the affairs have been delegated. The officials are the pillars of the nation, and Your Majesty doesn’t have to personally handle everything.”
Gu Yuanbai jokingly scolded, “Tian Fusheng—”
“What’s wrong? Your Majesty, are you not allowing me to speak?” Consort Wan chuckled, “Look at what Tian Fusheng said. Those are the true words. If Your Majesty doesn’t take care of your own health, how can those around you be at ease?”
After saying these few words, Consort Wan already felt a bit weary. She took a moment to compose herself and sighed, “Yuanbai, you mustn’t play with your own health.”
Gu Yuanbai remained silent for a while before whispering a low response.
Consort Wan looked at the shadows of the trees, with patches of light filtering through. Her voice was slow, carrying the weight of over a decade, “The late Emperor always talked about being a good Emperor. But he couldn’t fulfill his words. Burdened with busy state affairs, he couldn’t sit still and handle them patiently. Each day was postponed until the next, and in the end, it was he who suffered from exhaustion.”
“After your birth, the late Emperor could be considered diligent in his governance. But even in such diligence, he never neglected rest. During his leisure time, he would go to temples or enjoy himself. Yuanbai, the late Emperor understood the importance of rest and not exhausting oneself. He acted in this manner, and Da Heng never experienced any major mistakes. I believe an Emperor should be like that, don’t you think?”
Consort Wan didn’t understand the national situation of Daheng, nor did she know what Gu Yuanbai was busy with. Her words carried a sense of innocence, but they came from the perspective of a mother, hoping that her child would have some time to rest.
Gu Yuanbai did not argue and simply smiled, saying, “What Consort Wan said is correct.”
After the midday meal, Consort Wan returned to her bedroom to rest. Gu Yuanbai strolled through the estate with his companions, enjoying the blooming flowers and the leisurely green grass. Having immersed himself in the abundance of greenery, it felt as if his entire being had been cleansed.
The continuous chirping of birds accompanied Gu Yuanbai’s leisurely footsteps along the flowing water. He engaged in casual conversation with the person beside him, saying, “Recently, I have been incredibly busy, and only when I occasionally raise my head do I realize that summer is approaching.”
As he finished speaking, he became lost in thought. Will Consort Wan be able to endure this summer?
Since Gu Yuanbai arrived, he had rarely seen Consort Wan. Nevertheless, the emotions in his memories made him concerned about her well-being. The imperial physician was always present, providing a report on Consort Wan’s health every two days. Conversely, he thought that Consort Wan must also worry about his own health.
Lost in his contemplation, Gu Yuanbai slowed down his pace. Tian Fusheng, who was beside him, said, “Your Majesty, we cannot persuade you, but there is always a phrase that you must listen to Consort Wan.”
“I don’t want to see you right now,” Gu Yuanbai raised his chin slightly, “Stay aside.”
Tian Fusheng smiled and retreated, while Xue Yuan hurriedly took a large step forward before the chief guard could approach, pretending to be closest to Gu Yuanbai.
As the heat source drew closer, Gu Yuanbai turned his head and cast a sidelong glance at him, saying, “Stay away from me.”
Xue Yuan chuckled, “Your Majesty, just two days ago, you praised me for being comfortably warm all over.”
A mischievous smirk curved Gu Yuanbai’s lips as he replied, half-smiling, “Captain Xue, you’re warm at the appropriate time, it’s beneficial. But when it’s not supposed to be warm and still feels this way, it becomes rather bothersome.”
Xue Yuan furrowed his brows and remained silent.
Gu Yuanbai took a few more steps while smiling, but he accidentally stepped on a slippery spot. His feet slid, and he was about to fall into the water.
With a start, Xue Yuan’s heart raced as he reached out and grabbed Gu Yuanbai’s waistband, narrowly saving him from falling. However, due to the momentum, Xue Yuan fell backward. Just before hitting the ground, he pulled Gu Yuanbai into his arms, and they tumbled into a nearby haystack.
Gu Yuanbai’s waistband remained in Xue Yuan’s hand, and once he regained his composure, he noticed that he had pressed Gu Yuanbai beneath him. Still dizzy and disoriented, Gu Yuanbai had not yet recovered. Xue Yuan’s hand rested on Gu Yuanbai’s waist, with his fingertips grazing the edge of his trousers.
His mind went blank, and Xue Yuan only remembered the phrase “undo the pants.” Acting on instinct, he attempted to remove them, and he stood frozen in place upon realizing what he had done.
He did it.
As Gu Yuanbai felt a chill beneath him, he finally snapped back to reality. He propped himself up and saw Xue Yuan fumbling with his pants, completely lost and seemingly enchanted, as if he had drunk a potion of confusion.
Gu Yuanbai’s face darkened, and he heard the approaching footsteps of the guards, their alarmed voices echoing towards them. He angrily exclaimed, “Stay away, all of you!”
The guards halted their steps, standing not far from the haystack, staring at the clothes entangled behind the bushes, where the Emperor and Xue Yuan had fallen together. Confused and puzzled, they said, “Your Majesty?”
With a stern expression, the Emperor’s voice carried a terrifying tone, “Leave.”
Xue Yuan swiftly pushed himself away, releasing the grip on Gu Yuanbai’s pants, and in a panic, he began to retreat. His actions were quite dramatic, startling the guards who were about to step back. Everyone stared at Xue Yuan in confusion, but he only remembered the word “leave.” He pushed through the crowd and quickly walked away.
With his sharp and handsome face, Xue Yuan’s devilishly charming features had turned completely red.
The other guards regained their senses and hastily followed, rolling away from the scene. Just as Xue Yuan took a couple of strides, he was abruptly stopped.
Gu Yuanbai was still lying on the grass, partially propping himself up. He had a few strands of tender grass sticking to his body, and his face was as black as ink. “Xue Yuan—”
Xue Yuan’s entire body went numb, and he turned around and knelt on the ground, unable to struggle. “I beg for forgiveness, Your Majesty.”
The other guards, upon seeing the Emperor’s expression, had already made their escape.
Gu Yuanbai plucked a blade of grass from the ground, revealing a dangerously sinister smile. Slowly sitting up, he scrutinized Xue Yuan with his piercing gaze.
Xue Yuan felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, and the redness on his face and neck intensified. What kind of expression was this that even made him blush more?!
Gu Yuanbai stood up and coldly walked closer to Xue Yuan. He lifted his foot and forcefully stepped on his lower body without any mercy. “Xue Yuan, I thought your previous desire to see my offspring was just a passing comment, but I didn’t expect you to truly harbor such thoughts!”
“…” Xue Yuan’s expression twisted in pain instantly, unable to move. At this moment, he didn’t know what he was thinking. The pain made his mind go blank, and between the cold sweats, he instinctively spoke loudly, “I have a loyal heart to the Emperor!”
Gu Yuanbai’s foot came to a halt.
Xue Yuan was covered in sweat, his eyes and expression filled with “determination.” His words were resolute and unwavering, as if stating a fact: his heart was truly loyal to the Emperor.
Gu Yuanbai initially thought that Xue Yuan, the future seme in the BL novel, had developed feelings for him, and crushing his thing was originally intended to directly dispose of Xue Yuan. Upon hearing Xue Yuan’s words, Gu Yuanbai narrowed his eyes, exuding a full sense of intimidation as he stared at Xue Yuan. He repeated in a low and menacing voice, “Loyal heart?”
Beads of sweat rolled down Xue Yuan’s forehead.
Gu Yuanbai’s dragon boots were on top of his most sensitive area. Gu Yuanbai’s attitude clearly indicated that he was ready to dispose of him at the drop of a hat. Xue Yuan seemed to understand that this was not the time for resistance and remained quiet, not daring to raise his head.
Xue Yuan resolutely declared, “A loyal heart.”
Amidst the pain, there seemed to be a vague sense of pleasure.
Looking down from above, when Xue Yuan raised his head to look at Gu Yuanbai, he caught sight of his fair neck and chin. With his robe unable to cover his legs, the marks were clearly visible when Gu Yuanbai slightly lifted his foot and stepped on Xue Yuan’s body.
The Emperor’s expression grew fiercer and more casual, radiating danger, causing Xue Yuan’s heart to tremble even more intensely.
It was more exhilarating than being on the battlefield, killing countless enemy leaders.
Gu Yuanbai didn’t know whether to believe it or not. He didn’t know what came to his mind and sneered, “Xue Yuan, do you really have a loyal heart?”
His heart trembled sharply twice.
Xue Yuan felt like he was drunk, but he had to sober up. He honestly replied, “My father taught me what it means to have a loyal heart.”
Gu Yuanbai thought to himself that he didn’t know if Xue Yuan was loyal or not, but he had five points of trust in General Xue’s loyal heart.
Judging from Xue Yuan’s tone and expression, he didn’t seem to be lying. Instead of reprimanding Xue Yuan’s actions, Gu Yuanbai first asked, “Is peeling off my pants an act of loyalty to the Emperor, Guard Xue?”
Xue Yuan thought, here it comes.
He forced a smile, and at this critical moment, his confidence as a commander suddenly returned. “I accidentally tugged on Your Majesty’s belt and seemed to unintentionally bump into Your Majesty’s leg. In my momentary impatience, I wanted to peel off your pants and take a look.”
Gu Yuanbai scrutinized Xue Yuan for a while, but in the end, he withdrew his foot. When his dragon boots touched the ground again, the beads of sweat on Xue Yuan’s forehead finally ceased, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. However, after he let out that breath, Xue Yuan felt puzzled. His father had said he had a loyal heart, so that should be the end of it. Why did he feel relieved for no apparent reason? Why did a sense of emptiness arise within him?
“With crude and mindless actions like this,” the young Emperor’s face remained calm, but his underlying ruthlessness was terrifying, “if there is a next time, I will dispose of you directly!”
As Xue Yuan experienced pain, a look of agonizing grimace appeared on his face. He endured it and said, “I… I understand.”
***
Translator’s note: Oh my goodness, he’s so clueless! Loyal heart? hahahahahaha.
