IRBSC 112

Chapter 112

Gu Yuanbai’s demand for reparations from Western Xia was a blatant act of extortion.

Western Xia’s trade with the Great Heng (Daheng) Dynasty relied on Ma Yuan. However, once the border trade routes were established, their advantage over the Great Heng vanished without a trace, leaving them with no leverage. Was this why they agreed so readily?

But Western Xia was unaware of the border trade agreement. The more Gu Yuanbai thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Given Western Xia’s small size, it should be impossible for them to produce such a quantity of goods.

Five days later, the Western Xia emissaries arrived in the capital to ransom their people. The procession was courteous and respectful, with the reparations stretching far into the outskirts of the capital. Several tall, strong horses, along with flocks of cattle and sheep, formed a long line. The citizens of the capital gathered to watch the spectacle, crowding on both sides of the road, trying to count the livestock.

Gu Yuanbai stood inconspicuously among the crowd, observing the procession and listening to the gasps and whispers of the commoners around him.

The seemingly endless line of horses, cattle, and sheep, at a rough glance, numbered in the tens of thousands. Gu Yuanbai frowned. Even considering the gifts he received for his birthday and the money the Seventh Prince squandered in Great Heng, where did Western Xia get so much wealth?

Something was wrong.

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Gqvla Qw Zwydcyk yde bkp xld qkdkpble kdprlnvkdt vbl tssep caswtbv cu Elpvlad Dky, bl yde Isdt Zkzkd lmnbydtle tzydnlp, dlkvbla sq vblka lmralppksdp pbsokdt ydu fsu.

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Gu Yuanbai nodded silently.

It was hard to say whether this was good or bad. Receiving the reparations was certainly a good thing, but Gu Yuanbai’s original intention was to use these reparations to inflict some internal damage on Western Xia. The unexpected turn of events had disrupted his plans.

As they approached the palace gates, the carriage suddenly stopped. Tian Fusheng’s puzzled voice came from outside. “Huh? Minister Chu, what are you kneeling here for?”

Gu Yuanbai raised his eyelids and opened the carriage window.

Chu Wei knelt outside the palace gates. His hair was slightly disheveled in the cold wind, and the tip of his nose was red. He looked up at the carriage, his eyes lighting up as if he had seen a lifeline. “Your Majesty, please save my Fourth Uncle’s life!”

Chu Wei’s Fourth Uncle was Chu Yi, the young boy who called Chu Wei “nephew” despite being older. The boy had caught a cold which worsened until he began coughing up blood. The Chu family had consulted many doctors, but his condition showed no improvement. In desperation, Chu Wei thought of the imperial physicians and knelt before the palace gates, hoping to see the Emperor.

Another carriage emerged from the palace and turned towards the Chu residence.

The Chu residence was located in an area with many other ministers’ homes. As soon as the palace carriage arrived, the news spread. The lords of these residences quickly changed their clothes, adjusted their official hats, and hurried out to greet the Emperor.

“No need for formalities. Please return to your homes,” Gu Yuanbai said as he alighted from the carriage. “Tian Fusheng, take the imperial physician into the residence to see Young Master Yi first. A life is at stake.”

Chu Wei’s eyes reddened instantly, and he lowered his head to conceal his emotions. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Seeing his appearance, Gu Yuanbai couldn’t help but sigh.

The Chu family members who wished to see the Emperor were also politely declined. The Emperor’s health was delicate, and he was afraid of catching the illness, so he didn’t personally visit the child but sent a message: “Focus on taking good care of Young Master Yi.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Chu responded with a “Yes” and began to weep.

Chu Wei remained, insisting on staying by the Emperor’s side. The Emperor strolled around the courtyard with him, waiting for the imperial physician’s report.

Noticing Chu Wei’s distracted look, Kong Yilin whispered consolingly, “Brother Chu, don’t worry. The imperial physicians are incredibly skilled and will surely cure him.”

Chu Wei forced a nod, his worried expression remaining.

Gu Yuanbai happened to catch Chu Wei’s expression. The Emperor smiled helplessly and said to Kong Yilin, “When a loved one is in danger, it’s never as simple as just saying those words.”

Chu Wei, under the Emperor’s gaze, seemed to regain some of his composure. He bowed again and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my Fourth Uncle’s life.”

Gu Yuanbai helped him up, patted his hands, and said with a smile, “Minister Chu, ease your mind.”

Around noon, the imperial physician emerged from Chu Yi’s room, followed by the elders of the Chu family. Their expressions were relieved but weary. Chu Wei knew at a glance that his Fourth Uncle was going to be alright.

Since everything was fine, Gu Yuanbai left the Chu residence. The Imperial Guard helped the Emperor into the carriage. Kong Yilin was about to follow when he suddenly turned back and smiled at Chu Wei. “Brother Chu, be careful with your words, actions, and thoughts.”

Chu Wei’s brow twitched. He exchanged a look with Kong Yilin and suddenly calmed down. “Anything not explicitly forbidden is permitted.”

Kong Yilin looked surprised, as if seeing Chu Wei in a new light. He scrutinized Chu Wei from head to toe, then smiled and boarded the carriage.

The two carriages slowly departed. Chu Wei stood there for a moment before following his parents back into the residence.

This small incident was quickly forgotten by Gu Yuanbai, but Chu Wei’s neighbors did not forget. Not only did they not forget, they also enthusiastically recounted the Emperor’s benevolent act to their colleagues, praising his love for his people and practically exhausting their vocabulary in their effusive praise.

After dinner that day, Gu Yuanbai took his two wolves for a walk as usual. But today, the two wolves were inexplicably excited, tugging at Gu Yuanbai’s clothes and pulling him towards the city wall. The guards at the wall made way upon seeing the wolves. Gu Yuanbai sighed, “What do you want now?”

Naturally, the wolves couldn’t answer him, but a whistle from outside the wall answered for them.

Gu Yuanbai’s brow furrowed. “Xue Yuan.”

The whistling stopped. Xue Yuan cleared his throat and said formally, “Your Majesty.”

Although Gu Yuanbai hadn’t seen him for several days, he still felt annoyed upon hearing his voice and turned to leave without a word.

The two wolves whined and tugged at his clothes again.

Xue Yuan outside the wall heard the wolves’ whimpers. He coughed again, glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, and lowered his voice. “Your Majesty, the Lantern Festival is in a few days.”

The Lantern Festival was the Yuanxiao Festival, a night without curfew, filled with brightly lit lanterns, crowded streets, and people bustling about enjoying the festivities and night markets. It was also a day for young men and women to meet, a sort of ancient Valentine’s Day.

Xue Yuan continued, “The first time I saw you was at the Lantern Festival banquet.”

He paused, then said in a steady, yet slightly strained voice, “Your Majesty, there will be no palace banquet this year. Would you… would you be willing to go out for a stroll with me?”

Gu Yuanbai thought to himself, Here it comes again, Xue Jiuyao. Who are you putting on this nervous act for?

He rubbed his temples and lightly kicked the two wolves. “Let go!”

The wolves drooped their tails and ears but refused to release their grip.

Unable to overcome their strength, Gu Yuanbai conceded. A guard behind him hesitated for a moment, then said, “Your Majesty, should we take these wolves away?”

“Take them away.” Gu Yuanbai nodded, and the two wolves, their mouths muzzled, were led away. He hadn’t yet left, but Xue Yuan outside the wall grew anxious and called out again, “Your Majesty!”

Gu Yuanbai lazily replied, “What?”

Xue Yuan asked, “What would it take for you to agree to go out with me on the Lantern Festival?”

Gu Yuanbai sneered silently. “Xue Jiuyao, let me ask you, what do you consider yourself to be in my eyes?”

“Your Majesty’s possession,” Xue Jiuyao immediately replied. “Whatever Your Majesty says, I will obey. Whatever Your Majesty forbids, I will not do. Your Majesty, if you do not wish to go out on the Lantern Festival, then may I request permission to enter the palace and attend to you?”

Since Xue Yuan’s promotion to General, he was no longer the same Palace Guard Commander he once was and, like Chu Wei, was not permitted to enter the palace without a summons.

The guards on the city wall had never seen such a shameless person. They kept their faces impassive, but their eyes widened in astonishment.

This renowned general… how could he be… like this?!