IRBSC 92 PART 1

Chapter 92 Part 1

Xue Yuan stood on the city wall for a whole day, the cold wind whistling around him, making him aware of the chill in the air.

When the moon rose high in the sky, he went to find General Xue, the bloodshot eyes faintly visible in the candlelight.

General Xue frowned and asked him, “What’s going on with you?”

“The situation in the Northern Frontier has stabilized,” Xue Yuan didn’t answer directly. He opened the tent’s curtain, inhaling the cold air outside with each breath, each breath carrying a hint of bitter sourness. “General Xue, the people of Xiwandan will only come after winter. With him and Rilian busy with their own affairs, at least the Northern Frontier will have a month of peace, right?”

General Xue, frozen and shivering, said, “Quickly put the curtain back. Why are you asking about this? Indeed, the Northern Frontier will have a month or two of peace. Both the enemy and our forces need to prepare for the upcoming war.”

Xue Yuan looked back at the moon outside, then shifted his gaze to General Xue. His expression was mixed with an unexplainable darkness. “General Xue, give me a month.”

“I need to handle some matters.”

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Tian Fusheng stepped forward, “Your Majesty, Prince He sent someone to convey a message, inviting you to join him at the suburban estate of Zhuangzi for hot springs. Will you go on the day of rest tomorrow?”

Gu Yuanbai asked, “Is it the estate We gifted to Lu Feng?”

“Yes,” Tian Fusheng regretted, “That estate should have stayed in Your Majesty’s hands.”

Gu Yuanbai casually smiled, twirling the jade finger ring in his hand, pondering for a moment before saying, “When we were temporarily out of power, we heard of the benefits of that estate. Since the Prince has invited, let’s go together.”

Tian Fusheng replied, “Yes.”

*

The next day, carriages from the capital headed to the outskirts.

Gu Yuanbai sat in the carriage, trying to read a book, but found it difficult to focus. He looked at the passing scenery outside the window, holding a hand warmer in silence.

The Emperor’s carriage had inner and outer compartments. In the outer compartment, servants brewed tea, while in the inner compartment, Chu Wei read a book, and the graceful Chang Yuyan sat upright, reading to the Emperor.

Accompanied by courtiers, gentlemen together, just like the clean winter weather.

Kong Yilin was too tall for the carriage, so he, along with a few others, sat in the carriage behind. He had returned to the Imperial Academy upon hearing the Emperor’s departure, joining Gu Yuanbai to alleviate the Emperor’s boredom.

Chu Wei claimed to be reading, but his eyes seemed distracted, occasionally glancing involuntarily at the Emperor. However, despite his words, one couldn’t prevent the thought of “longing.” When he looked again, he was stunned; frost had formed on the Emperor’s face from the cold wind outside, and on his black lashes, there were traces of white frost.

“Your Majesty,” Chu Wei hurriedly took out a handkerchief and handed it to Gu Yuanbai, “The cold wind outside is biting. Please close the window to avoid catching a chill.”

Gu Yuanbai came back to his senses, looking at the handkerchief curiously, “Is there dirt on my face?”

“It’s frost,” Chang Yuyan interrupted his reading, “Your Majesty, didn’t you feel cold?”

Gu Yuanbai joked, “Perhaps I’m colder than the frost, and I don’t feel this chill.”

Seeing that he didn’t reach for the handkerchief, Chu Wei frowned and wiped away the dew and frost on Gu Yuanbai’s face. Gu Yuanbai, accustomed to such care, tilted his face to let him wipe the other side.

A palace servant from the outer compartment whispered, “Your Majesty, the tea is ready.”

Chang Yuyan handed over the tea. The fragrance of the tea filled the entire carriage. The tea, green and clear, with a hint of the crispness of a snowy mountain, smelled extraordinary.

Chang Yuyan deeply inhaled the aroma, exclaimed, “What tea is this?”

“It’s Huangshan  Tea,” the palace servant brewing tea outside explained, “Huangshan is the snowy mountain in Yizhou. It rains no more than sixteen times a year, and there are more than 360 sunny days. This is the only place in the world where Huangshan Tea is produced. The best time to pick it is during the spring or early autumn.”

“Last year, there was more rain, so Your Majesty didn’t have Huangshan Tea. You had Shuangjing Green Tea instead. The bowl that Mr. Chang is drinking now is the new tea leaves picked in early autumn.”

Chang Yuyan felt the tea cup was heavy as a thousand catties, sitting up straight, “Thanks for Your Majesty’s favor, allowing this official to taste Huangshan Tea today.”

Gu Yuanbai also learned about the tea’s intricacies just now. Rain and sunshine were beyond human control, making it even more precious. He smiled, “Since you like it, have someone prepare two packets of tea leaves for Mr. Chang and Mr. Chu as a gift.”

The response from outside was affirmative. Gu Yuanbai smiled, helped the two who were thanking him, and said casually, “No matter how good the tea is, it can’t compare to the sincere intentions of the two officials. Even if it’s precious, in my eyes, making you two happy is invaluable.”

The Emperor never missed a chance to win hearts.

Sweet words between the monarch and ministers were just casual remarks to Gu Yuanbai. He said it, and they heard it—that’s enough. Everyone was an adult; sweet words were no more than chills-inducing than the love letters of later generations.

But when the Emperor said these words, Chu Wei was surprised. The hand held by the Emperor shrank for a moment, and he almost instinctively wanted to speak up in defense.

But then, reason stopped him. He secretly frowned, unwilling to think deeply. He and Chang Yuyan both said, “Thank you for the Emperor’s grace.”

*

Two wolves closely followed Gu Yuanbai. Their collars were attached to the carriage, and they ran on foot, chasing for an hour without ever relaxing. Fortunately, the carriage was slow, and the guards on the road kept throwing fresh chunks of meat for them, fearing they might bite if hungry.

One hour later, the carriage arrived at Quan Zhuang, and Gu Yuanbai was assisted down from the carriage.

Those close to Gu Yuanbai, well-aware of the temperaments of the two wolves, always carried a medicinal pouch on them to stay alert. The Chief Guard was openly touching the Emperor’s fingers, not just touching but holding them lightly. The two wolves merely watched without pouncing.

The other carriages had also stopped, and a long line of people descended. Prince He and his entourage respectfully welcomed the Emperor. Seeing the crowd, the Prince calmly said, “Your Majesty’s arrival is timely. The manor has prepared food and drinks. After Your Majesty rests, we can proceed to soak in the hot springs.”

Gu Yuanbai nodded, “Alright.”

After having a meal and a short nap, Gu Yuanbai, refreshed, got out of bed. He instructed his attendants to prepare things for him to soak in the hot spring.

In reality, anything the Imperial Palace had, Gu Yuanbai could also have. His visit to the Prince’s place was specifically for the open-air hot spring. He enjoyed the scenery, sipped non-alcoholic drinks (as he couldn’t drink), and relished the wild charm only found outside the palace.

The crowd waited outside the dense forest and pathways, while the two wolves rested beside Gu Yuanbai. These two wolves were fiercer than a dozen guards combined, deterring others from following them. Hence, the onlookers waited outside with peace of mind. Gu Yuanbai, accompanied by the wolves, leisurely followed the scent of sulfur.