Chapter 124

Li Angyi, supporting his injured leg, walked to the door to respectfully see off His Majesty.

After Gu Yuanbai had walked some distance, his steps suddenly stopped. He turned his head to look back, and Li Angyi was still standing in the same spot, continuing to bow in farewell.

The distance blurred both men’s expressions, but Li Angyi looked as if his right leg had never been broken at all—his back slightly hunched, no different from before.

As long as he didn’t move, others couldn’t see through the facade.

Gu Yuanbai turned back and boarded his carriage. Tian Fusheng caught a glimpse and saw His Majesty with narrowed eyes and a slight smirk, turning his jade thumb ring. Tian Fusheng quickly lowered his head—His Majesty had clearly developed murderous intent.

Two years ago, when His Majesty executed Lu Feng, he had worn this exact expression.

The carriage slowly began moving and gradually disappeared around the street corner. Li Angyi still stood at the main gate, supported by his attendant, who whispered, “Your Highness, why didn’t you hide?”

“Hide?” Li Angyi laughed, patting his right leg. “A broken leg in exchange for a saved life—isn’t that a worthwhile trade?”

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Thanks to the Tang Dynasty’s powerful navy before them, the Ministry of Works never lacked silver for shipbuilding. After Gu Yuanbai came to power, he invested millions of taels into it for shipbuilding materials. From the previous dynasty to now, the warships that Great Heng could deploy for battle numbered in the thousands.

Even Great Heng’s medium and small vessels could carry around two hundred warriors each, while traditional large warships like tower ships could carry around five hundred soldiers.

Gu Yuanbai believed that even if war broke out now, he might not win, but he wouldn’t lose either.

The only weakness was that Great Heng’s navy had been neglected for many years.

No matter how sharp the weapons, if those wielding them couldn’t unleash their power, what difference was there between a child with a knife and an adult fighting bare-handed?

Gu Yuanbai naturally hadn’t forgotten about naval training, but if the force behind Xixia had been preparing for decades, how could soldiers trained under his supervision for merely two years compete? In this battle, Great Heng had to be cautious and careful.

After leaving the shipyard, Gu Yuanbai returned to the palace with a heart full of passion and fighting spirit. His expression was sharp, his robes billowing with each step. Xue Yuan glanced at him several times, getting the distinct feeling that the little emperor was about to charge onto the battlefield.

Yet after walking quickly for just a few steps, His Majesty began to feel slightly breathless.

Slowing his pace, Gu Yuanbai turned to ask Tian Fusheng, “Doctor Jiang’s great-uncle—has there still been no news of him?”

Following behind, Xue Yuan frowned slightly upon hearing “Doctor Jiang.” After returning from campaign, he had specifically inquired about the woman rumored to have a deep marital bond with His Majesty. The “female doctor” mentioned by the palace servants must be her.

Tian Fusheng lowered his voice: “Your Majesty, Doctor Jiang’s grandfather and great-uncle were separated while fleeing famine in Hebei. Our people have been searching house by house, but there’s been no news yet. However, Hebei is so vast with so many remote places that slow progress isn’t surprising.”

“Besides, those fleeing famine back then would go wherever there was food,” Tian Fusheng thought for a moment. “Doctor Jiang’s great-uncle might have left Hebei long ago. In this vast world, it’s just the surrounding three provinces—we’ll definitely find him.”

“They’ve been separated for forty years now,” Gu Yuanbai sighed, his expression peaceful. “Even if her great-uncle was only thirteen or fourteen then, he’d be over fifty now.”

Was he really still alive?

The chances were truly slim. Gu Yuanbai hadn’t held much hope from the start. But as long as there was a cure for him in this world, more than one person would know about it. What he wanted most wasn’t Doctor Jiang’s great-uncle, but the medical knowledge in his hands.

Sometimes books were easier to find than people.

Gu Yuanbai suddenly frowned, lost in thought: “It seems I’ve heard mention of Hebei recently.”

“Jingchen Temple, a famous Hebei temple monk,” Xue Yuan suddenly spoke up. “I remember clearly. That day before the rain, I stopped him in the courtyard. This monk’s speech carried a Hebei accent.”

Right, Gu Yuanbai had a sudden realization. He casually asked, “How old did that monk appear to be?”

“Still young,” Xue Yuan replied, “but his responses were steady and composed.”

Gu Yuanbai nodded lightly and asked no more.

When it came time for his afternoon nap, Xue Yuan personally attended to His Majesty, helping him to bed. He gently pulled at the silk sash around His Majesty’s waist, asking in a low voice, “Your Majesty, who is this Doctor Jiang?”

“From Lizhou,” Gu Yuanbai replied.

Xue Yuan swiftly removed the sash. The smooth, bright outer robe scattered like a blooming flower. He stood and bent over to remove the garment from His Majesty’s shoulders. “Your Majesty knows full well that’s not what I’m asking.”

Arms were lifted as the outer robe was pulled from the sleeves. Xue Yuan was close, his movements slow, and Gu Yuanbai’s face occasionally brushed against his chest. Xue Yuan, who had campaigned for years and never paid attention to his appearance, somehow didn’t smell unpleasant. Instead, he had a unique scent, as if accumulated over months and years—the clash of weapons.

One whiff brought to mind wind and sand, desert, and the heavy smoke of war.

Gu Yuanbai was somewhat lost in thought until his fingertip was touched. “Her ancestors studied medicine. Her medical books are useful to me.”

Xue Yuan’s expression grew serious. “I understand.”

The palace servants in the inner chamber were all absorbed in their own tasks, while the guards outside stood straight with their backs turned. Xue Yuan looked down, meeting Gu Yuanbai’s upturned face. Their lips touched briefly, then quickly separated.

This was clearly an illicit affair.

Such casual contact stirred an itch instead. Something was missing inside his lips—he wanted the other to lick it, then bite it gently. The remembered sensation was too comfortable, so comfortable that Gu Yuanbai wanted to grab Xue Yuan’s collar right then, force him to lower his head, and kiss him forcefully. But if he did that, wouldn’t Xue Yuan cling to him completely?

Gu Yuanbai had said he wouldn’t hire Xue Yuan as a prostitute. The previous intimate moments didn’t count as him hiring anyone. If he kissed and hired him now, he’d truly have to take responsibility.

Gu Yuanbai’s expression remained unchanged. Not wanting to take responsibility, he said, “You may go.”

Xue Yuan’s eyes darkened. He touched his lips, his chest becoming restless again, pounding like several maddened wolves crashing about.

He stood motionless, reluctant to leave.

Gu Yuanbai was adjusting his garments when he noticed Xue Yuan hadn’t left. He raised an eyebrow and looked up. Just as he was about to mock him, Xue Yuan suddenly bent down and forcefully sucked on his lips. Pain shot through his lips, and Xue Yuan had already straightened up and strode away.

“…” Gu Yuanbai clicked his tongue softly. “Sick.”

He leisurely got into bed, about to close his eyes and sleep. But urgent footsteps sounded outside, accompanied by indistinct low voices, and the bedroom door was suddenly knocked upon.

The knocking grew increasingly urgent and anxious.

Gu Yuanbai felt an ominous premonition rising in his heart. He suddenly sat up in bed, his black hair falling behind him in disheveled strands.

“What is it?” He gripped the bedding tightly.

The guard outside spoke with a tight voice: “Your Majesty, Noble Consort Wan… Noble Consort Wan…”

Gu Yuanbai’s breathing grew heavy, his entire body freezing on the bed. He heard himself ask, “What about Noble Consort Wan?”

“Noble Consort Wan is gravely ill, her life hanging by a thread,” the guard said with difficulty. “Guards from the traveling palace are waiting in the hall with identification tokens.”

The world seemed to fall silent.

Gu Yuanbai was clearly sitting on the bed, yet felt as if he were floating among the clouds with no solid ground beneath his feet. After a long moment, he said, “I don’t believe it.”

This must be another scheme by some enemy in the shadows. The traveling palace was protected by Gu Yuanbai’s people, sealed tight. The imperial physicians had written just days ago saying that Noble Consort Wan had been unusually spirited recently. How could she suddenly be on her deathbed?

Gu Yuanbai smiled. “A trick—do they really think I’ll fall for it twice?”

He wanted to get out of bed and punish those guards who dared report false news. As he flung back the covers and his feet touched the ground, he suddenly felt weak and dizzy.

Gu Yuanbai grabbed the bed frame. A peace charm hanging by the bed was caught by his little finger and fell to the ground with a “crack,” shattering into pieces.

The door was suddenly burst open. In an instant, Gu Yuanbai was lifted into Xue Yuan’s arms. Gu Yuanbai stared at his little finger in shock—how could he be so careless? It was too inauspicious.

“Take me out,” his voice was hoarse.

Xue Yuan silently carried Gu Yuanbai outside, where people knelt on the ground—the very people Gu Yuanbai had sent to protect Noble Consort Wan. These people were loyal and devoted, and Gu Yuanbai trusted them greatly. But seeing them now, the young and frail emperor’s eyes reddened, his expression frozen.

“Your Majesty,” the guards from the traveling palace looked haggard, their eyes bloodshot. “Noble Consort Wan, she—”

“I don’t believe it,” Gu Yuanbai interrupted them with apparent calm. “Fooling me once wasn’t enough—you want to fool me a second time? Someone, prepare horses. I will ride at full speed to the traveling palace.”

Tian Fusheng fell to his knees with a thud, risking his life to remonstrate: “Your Majesty, your body cannot withstand it!”

Gu Yuanbai said, “Prepare the horses.”

The captain of guards led his men to kneel heavily on the ground, anxious: “Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”

They naturally couldn’t stop Gu Yuanbai, but seeing the people kneeling all over the ground, blood slowly tinged his expression red.

Noble Consort Wan was gravely ill. Perhaps she would die tomorrow, perhaps she had already died before he even received the news. Only by riding at full speed could he possibly reach her in time to see her one last time. Why were they stopping him?

Because of his body? Because of this useless body, he couldn’t even manage to see Noble Consort Wan one final time?!

Gu Yuanbai clenched his teeth, a metallic taste rising in his throat. His teeth trembled as he forced out each word: “Xue Yuan, prepare horses. Take me to the traveling palace.”

The entire hall fell silent; no one dared speak. Just when Gu Yuanbai thought Xue Yuan wouldn’t respond either, Xue Yuan suddenly turned with him in his arms, returning to the inner chamber to find a cloak and shoes and socks. Carrying His Majesty, he strode past everyone with concise words: “We leave now.”

Gu Yuanbai’s hands around his neck slowly tightened, his shoulders trembling.

He didn’t look at the path beneath his feet, only knowing that Xue Yuan’s steps were extremely quick. He didn’t know how long they walked before reaching the stables, where Xue Yuan called out loudly: “Red Cloud!”

The warhorse neighed several times. Gu Yuanbai was immediately lifted onto Red Cloud’s back by Xue Yuan, who put on his shoes and socks with warm, dry hands, covered him with a thick cloak, then mounted behind him and yanked the reins.

Mane flying, cold wind rushing past. Though it was already late spring in the sixth month, Gu Yuanbai felt exceptionally cold—so cold his fingers were stiff and wouldn’t bend.

The palace gates fell away, the bustling markets fell away, the city walls of the capital fell away.

Xue Yuan reached around from behind and grasped Gu Yuanbai’s rigid fingers.

“I must see her one last time,” Gu Yuanbai murmured. “If I can’t see her now, I’ll never see her again—and she’ll never see me again.”

Even if he ran to the ends of the earth, even if he called out loudly, no amount of power or wealth could bring back this one meeting with Noble Consort Wan.

This was the little emperor’s mother, and his mother too.

Xue Yuan replied with resolute strength: “You will see her.”