I Rely on Beauty to Stabilize the Country - Chap 72
Chapter 72
Upon hearing about bestowing a marriage to Xue Yuan, he couldn’t help but find it amusing. Deep inside, Gu Yuanbai let out a sigh.
Granting marriage? Unless the Xue family actively extended an invitation, he would not take the initiative to grant it. A paper marriage was burdensome for both individuals. Gu Yuanbai had no patience for such hasty matchmaking.
Having just mentioned Xue Yuan in the morning, in the afternoon, Xue Yuan sent a letter and a small wooden carving to Gu Yuanbai.
The wooden carving was a curved blade, with a smooth and polished surface, adorned with rough engravings. Due to its small size, the blade was thick and incapable of inflicting harm. It resembled a toy used to amuse a child.
Gu Yuanbai held the wooden knife in his hand, examining it. Not detecting anything suspicious, he tossed it aside and picked up the envelope placed beside it.
The letter paper was pristine white, emitting a faint scent of wine. Gu Yuanbai had a keen sense of smell, and as soon as he caught a whiff of the wine aroma, an image of Xue Yuan, seemingly smiling, holding a wine jug and dropping a bottle from the second floor of the Zhaoyuan Tower, flashed in his mind.
He chuckled, opened the letter, and read the single sentence at the top: “My chess skills have surpassed Chang Yu’s, and I have already prepared the game and tea, awaiting Your Majesty’s visit.”
The handwriting was elaborate and the single line almost filled the entire page. Even when ill, Xue Yuan could still indulge in such antics.
Gu Yuanbai showed the letter to the people on either side. After Tian Fusheng finished reading it, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Sir Xue is so confident. He must truly be one of the best in chess.”
Gu Yuanbai hadn’t noticed before, but now he realized it. Why wouldn’t he? Xue Yuan was praising himself, and in ancient times, gentlemen were often modest. But upon closer inspection, it seemed that Xue Yuan’s shamelessness had reached its limit.
Unable to contain himself, Gu Yuanbai curled his lips.
The Chief Guard expressed concern, “Your Majesty, it seems that Sir Xue’s health is not well. He must be unable to move, which is why he invited Your Majesty to visit the Xue residence.”
“I am aware,” Gu Yuanbai replied.
His fingers involuntarily touched the jade thumb ring. Although he had changed to a different one, it still felt smooth to the touch. Gu Yuanbai lowered his head, gazing at the translucent white jade, and recalled Xue Yuan’s appearance when he fell into the water. His eyelids twitched, and he said, “Then let’s go and see.”
In the afternoon, a gentle breeze blew, and thick layers of clouds covered the sky, giving it a faint yellowish hue.
The summer palace was magnificent, with springs and mountains both inside and outside. The lush greenery brought a refreshing atmosphere. The residences of the royal officials and ministers were built not far from the palace, enveloped in the constant melodies of birds and the fragrance of flowers.
Chu Wei remained silent as he followed closely beside the Emperor. He seemed burdened with worries, and occasionally, when he glanced at the Emperor’s figure, his eyes appeared filled with disappointment and frustration.
Although he possessed a handsome appearance, such a demeanor made people feel all the more sympathetic towards him. However, if the person causing his disappointment was the Emperor, his beauty would no longer be appreciated.
Suddenly, the Chief Guard turned to Chu Wei and said, “Sir Chu, when you make mistakes, it’s best to recognize them and make amends.”
Chu Wei snapped back to attention. “What do you mean, Zhang?,” he asked with a faint expression of confusion.
The Chief Guard spoke forcefully, “Both Sir Chu and I are servants of the Emperor. The Emperor is the ruler, and we are his subjects.”
“And?” Chu Wei’s expression remained calm, tinged with a hint of doubt.
Seeing his feigned ignorance, the Chief Guard’s face turned red. “Sir Chu, remember this, neither I nor Sir Xue will allow anyone with ill intentions to approach the Emperor.”
Chu Wei’s eyebrows furrowed instantly, his eyes turning cold, radiating a sharp chill.
Chu Wei appeared serene, like a gentle breeze and a clear moonlit night, but deep inside his heart lay dark and twisted thoughts of rebellion. In contrast, Xue Yuan, despite his audacity and arrogance, at least had an open and straightforward demeanor, consistent both inside and out.
As soon as his true nature was exposed, Chu Wei’s expression changed, didn’t it?
The Chief Guard’s impression of this literati decreased by another notch.
Chu Wei already understood what was going on. His expression turned grim, but suddenly, a tender child’s voice rang out from ahead, saying, “Uncle.”
The top scholar’s eyebrows twitched, and he instinctively looked up. Only then did he realize that they had unknowingly arrived at the entrance of Chu Wei’s residence. Standing at the gate of the Chu residence was a well-dressed and well-behaved young child. Upon seeing him, the child smiled modestly and exclaimed, “My nephew!”
Chu Wei remained silent for a while. The Emperor turned his head, his eyes filled with amusement, and said, “Is this the elder of the top scholar?”
The gatekeeper of the Chu residence had seen the Emperor before, and now he stood to the side, afraid to make any rash movements. He hurriedly whispered a reminder, “Young Master, this is the Emperor.”
The young child’s eyes slowly widened, and he quickly knelt down, performing a deep bow to Gu Yuanbai. “I pay my respects to the Emperor,” he said.
“Please rise,” Gu Yuanbai said, “Can you get up?”
The young child used his hands and feet to climb back up, holding himself respectfully with his hands clasped together. He glanced at Chu Wei several times, anxious for him to teach him how to speak to the Emperor.
The child appeared to be around five or six years old but carried the demeanor of a little adult. Gu Yuanbai walked over, lifted his robe, and sat on the steps in front of Chu Wei’s residence. He looked at the bewildered child and asked, “What’s your name?”
The child joined his chubby hands together and solemnly bowed. “I am named Chu Yi. My parents at home call me Chu Xiaosi.”
“Brother Yi,” Gu Yuanbai smiled and gestured towards Chu Wei, “Do you call him nephew?”
“He’s my nephew,” Chu Xiaosi replied, “My nephew is amazing, he became the top scholar!”
Chu Wei’s ears turned slightly red, barely noticeable. After the Emperor praised him as “truly remarkable,” the redness deepened. In a short while, both of his ears were distinctly flushed.
Gu Yuanbai smiled faintly, “Since you are the elder of the top scholar, if he makes a mistake, will you discipline him?”
Chu Xiaosi nodded, his expression serious. “If my nephew does something wrong, I won’t protect him. As the books say, ‘If the child does not learn, it is the father’s fault.'”
“Correct,” Gu Yuanbai sighed, “Today, the top scholar made a small mistake, which has put me in a bad mood. As his elder, please advise me on what to do.”
Chu Xiaosi froze. He looked at the Emperor, then at Chu Wei, and finally assumed a more authoritative posture and lectured, “Nephew, how could you behave like this?”
Chu Wei couldn’t help but look towards the Emperor, who noticed his gaze and blinked at him with a smile. Chu Wei realized that the Emperor was just teasing him, and he couldn’t help but let out a laugh, lowering his head.
Chu Xiaosi rarely had the opportunity to display his elder’s authority. After lecturing Chu Wei, his little face turned red with excitement. Suppressing his excitement, he performed a salute and said, “Emperor, I have finished teaching.”
Gu Yuanbai pondered for a moment. “Oh? Does the top scholar acknowledge his mistake?”
Chu Wei raised an eyebrow helplessly. “I acknowledge my mistake, Your Majesty.”
“Considering your uncle’s face, I’ll let you off this time,” Gu Yuanbai said with a smile. “Don’t waste your little uncle’s efforts.”
Chu Xiaosi blushed even more intensely.
Tian Fusheng struggled to hold back his laughter as he brought a cushion and softly said, “Your Majesty, let me place a cushion for you. The ground is too cold, which isn’t good for you.”
Gu Yuanbai stood up decisively. “No need to sit anymore, let’s go.”
Just as Chu Wei was about to follow, Gu Yuanbai glanced at him and smiled, saying, “Since we’ve arrived at Minister Chu’s residence, Minister Chu can take Brother Yi back home. There’s no need to accompany me any further.”
Chu Wei didn’t say anything. His uncle ran over and hugged his leg, and Chu Wei bent down to hold the child in his arms, looking at the Emperor. Unable to hold back, he said, “Your Majesty, look at the sky. It seems it will rain in a while. How about resting in the minister’s residence first?”
Gu Yuanbai looked towards the sky, where a yellowish moisture lingered heavily. The wind carried a chill, rustling the green trees. It indeed seemed like rain was approaching.
Gu Yuanbai pondered for a moment, but before he could come to a conclusion, he felt a coolness on his cheek. He reached up and wiped his face, touching a trace of water.
The dry ground started to show small wet marks. It was raining.
***
Raindrops fell one by one, gradually becoming denser, landing on the chessboard.
On both sides of the chessboard were pastries, tea, and a wine pot. The wine pot was left open, and the fragrance of the wine mixed with the aroma of the tea. Now, these items were being soaked by the rain drop by drop.
Beside the stone table, Xue Yuan remained seated, straight and motionless. He wore a black robe, his hair neatly tied up. He was as silent as a statue.
A raindrop fell from his forehead and slid down his chin.
A servant in the corridor hurriedly approached, holding an oiled paper umbrella, but Xue Yuan spoke before the servant reached the courtyard. He said, “Don’t come over.”
The servant’s footsteps abruptly stopped. “Eldest Young Master, it’s raining!”
“Hasn’t your master been caught in the rain enough?” Xue Yuan held the wine pot in his hand, swirled it around, and, accompanied by the rain, lifted his head to take a few big gulps.
The servant anxiously said, “Eldest Young Master, the doctor said you must not drink alcohol or get wet in the rain.”
“I have already gotten wet,” Xue Yuan waved the wine pot. “I have already drunk.”
He stood up, and soft raindrops fell on his face. At this late summer moment, the rain seemed much gentler, but no matter how gentle the rain, it still felt cold when it soaked the body.
He was accustomed to deceiving others, but his heart was crueler than anyone else’s.
Xue Yuan walked to the end of the corridor.
The servants in the corridor finally breathed a sigh of relief. Some brought towels, others brought ginger soup, but only Xue Yuan stood motionless at the edge of the corridor, watching the rain curtain gradually intensify from sparse to dense.
He stood straight, his robe draped over him, occupying a large area by himself. Xue Yuan had sharp eyes. By just squinting slightly, he could see the carefully prepared pastries on the stone table being gradually scattered by the rain.
Xue Yuan took another sip of wine and turned his head to ask, “Where is he?”
Just as he finished asking, a drenched person ran into the rain curtain. “Eldest Young Master, I saw His Majesty entering Minister Chu’s residence at the corner of the lane.”
The mansions of these royal ministers surrounding the summer palace were clustered together. The Chu and Xue residences were quite close, with one at the front and the other at the back. However, since Xue Yuan had just arrived at the summer palace, he had received a severe punishment of fifty lashes and hadn’t appeared much in front of the mansion.
Upon hearing this, the servants held their breath, afraid that Xue Yuan would get angry. But Xue Yuan actually smiled and said, “He really came.”
Xue Yuan’s mood improved significantly. He grinned and reached out behind him, saying, “Give me the umbrella.”
The servant handed him the oiled paper umbrella, and Xue Yuan asked again, “What about the bird?”
Another servant ran over and brought the birdcage hanging in the corridor. Inside the cage was not a rare and precious bird but a small sparrow with gray feathers.
Xue Yuan lifted the birdcage in front of him, looked at the little sparrow inside, and chuckled playfully. “Tell me, when His Majesty’s jade thumb ring was taken away, did he intentionally let you take it, or did you really snatch it yourself?”
Naturally, the bird couldn’t understand his words. It turned its head left and right and started pecking at its feathers.
Xue Yuan grinned, opened the umbrella, and carried the birdcage as he leisurely walked out of the Xue residence.
