I Rely on Beauty to Stabilize the Country

Gu Yuanbai was born with innate weakness, a frail body from the very beginning.

After several years of care, his condition gradually improved. However, he had suffered multiple hidden injuries in the midst of political power struggles. Lu Feng was afraid that he would recover and live a healthy life, so he had been feeding him slow-acting poison for several years, hoping to expedite his death.

Bit by bit, things worsened, making it difficult to treat.

Before falling asleep, Gu Yuanbai felt particularly at ease because everything had been arranged according to various protocols. He slept peacefully until evening, and when he opened his eyes, he was still a bit dazed, unaware of the current time.

As he propped himself up, he realized that the sensation in his hand was not right. Lowering his head, he discovered that he was leaning on Xue Yuan's body.

Xue Yuan must have fallen asleep at some point. His eyes were tightly shut, and his sharp eyebrows were still furrowed. Gu Yuanbai retracted his hand, then got up. However, he felt a tightness around his waist and, upon looking down, he saw that Xue Yuan's hand was wrapped around him. This sudden movement caused Xue Yuan to instantly wake up from his slumber.

"Who?!" he questioned fiercely, brimming with hostility.

After a few moments, Xue Yuan regained his senses. He glanced at the now awake Gu Yuanbai and involuntarily curved his lips. "Your Majesty is awake?"

His voice was hoarse, carrying the contentment of waking up from a deep sleep.

The bedding was still warm, and Gu Yuanbai felt lazy all over. He instructed, "Go and bring me a cup of warm tea."

Xue Yuan obediently got out of bed, his collar askew and his robe loose. When Gu Yuanbai raised his head, he couldn't help but notice Xue Yuan's tall and powerful back. His gaze drifted downwards, revealing strong, straight legs beneath his well-toned buttocks.

Having discarded his outer garments, Xue Yuan's youthful body, honed through various battlefields, made it hard for one's attention to shift away.

Although he may have gone a bit mad, he didn't lose the allure of a resolute man.

Gu Yuanbai sat up straight, lazily leaning against the bed frame. Xue Yuan poured a cup of water and, because Gu Yuanbai had requested warm water, he even touched the cup's surface with his fingers to check the temperature. Then he poured a little into his hand and tested it, feeling that it wasn't scalding. With the cup of tea in hand and even the water jug, he walked steadily toward Gu Yuanbai, afraid that one cup wouldn't be enough.

As the Emperor took the water cup and brought it to his lips, he trembled from the scalding sensation. The hot water couldn't be swallowed, and his lips turned red, his expression filled with pain.

Xue Yuan was dumbfounded. He pinched Gu Yuanbai's face, urging him to spit it out, and said angrily, "You burned your mouth, and you're not letting go?"

However, Gu Yuanbai swallowed that mouthful of water directly.

Xue Yuan's face turned dark, and he threw the teapot and blanket to the side, then reached out to pry open the Emperor's lips, inspecting if there were any blisters caused by the burn.

Gasping for cold air, Gu Yuanbai said, "I nearly burned to death!"

He's too delicate, too tender. Xue Yuan couldn't even feel the temperature in his hands, yet it scalded the little emperor's mouth.

When Xue Yuan thought about this, he felt more uncomfortable than if he had been stabbed. In his agitation, his hands were rough, and he ended up hurting Gu Yuanbai's lips. Unable to control himself, Gu Yuanbai kicked him.

Xue Yuan used one hand to hold down Gu Yuanbai's foot while continuing to inspect his lips. "Stop messing around and let me take a look."

Gu Yuanbai had recovered by now. He turned his head and let out a hiss. "Captain Xue, can you be more gentle?"

"Alright, alright, I've noted it. I'll be gentle," Xue Yuan wondered, "Your Majesty, how can you be so delicate?"

Gu Yuanbai: "..."

He kicked Xue Yuan again, causing him to fall off the dragon bed along with the blanket. Xue Yuan landed with a solid thud, but he didn't have time to worry about that. He got up and kneeled at the edge of the bed, his expression turning stern. "Let me take a look."

What was the point of making a fuss? Couldn't they wait until his mouth was fine?

This time, Xue Yuan applied force, but he was also extremely cautious. If Gu Yuanbai said his hands were rough, he didn't dare to rub vigorously and could only exert the lightest touch. It was more challenging than going into battle and slaying enemies. Xue Yuan ended up drenched in sweat, and only after confirming that Gu Yuanbai was fine did he realize his back was soaked.

Gu Yuanbai had long since recovered but he felt weak all over, had a headache, and was thirsty. "Captain Xue, I asked for warm water."

Dragging his cold sweat-covered body, Xue Yuan went to fetch warm water for the delicate little emperor. This time, he tasted the water's temperature by placing it in his own mouth. After repeatedly confirming it wouldn't scald anyone, he handed the water to Gu Yuanbai.

Gu Yuanbai drank half a pot of water, relieving some of the dryness and hoarseness in his mouth. The inner chamber was dim, with only a few candles lit around. Gu Yuanbai closed his eyes, allowing his mind to continue resting, and asked, "What time is it?"

Xue Yuan finished the remaining half-pot of water and replied, "I don't know."

Gu Yuanbai couldn't say anything.

After a while, the palace attendants entered the inner chamber silently. Tian Fusheng approached and whispered, "Your Majesty, it's time for your evening meal. Shall I serve it to you?"

Feeling the slight throbbing in his head, Gu Yuanbai struggled to get up. "Then, let's eat."

Once the Emperor finished his meal, it was time for the court to disperse. However, Xue Yuan stood still, watching as the physicians from the Imperial Hospital came to examine the Emperor's pulse.

Tian Fusheng kindly reminded him, "Sir Xue, it's time for you to leave."

Xue Yuan's voice was deep. "I know."

But he was reluctant to move his feet.

When Gu Yuanbai heard those words, he looked up and met Xue Yuan's gaze. It reminded him of the warm and comfortable feeling he experienced when sleeping during the day.

Xue Yuan was just too suitable for warming the bed.

Gu Yuanbai spoke lazily, his voice hoarse, "Until I recover, Captain Xue, stay by my side. Your fiery temperature can help me suffer a little less."

Xue Yuan couldn't help but curl his lips. When he heard the phrase "suffer a little less," he couldn't help but ponder. How could he let Gu Yuanbai suffer?

Since they didn't have to leave the palace today, after the Emperor finished his meal, a new set of guards replaced the previous ones. Xue Yuan joined his colleagues to have their meal. The palace servants would inform Xue residence and prepare some clothes and daily necessities for him. When Xue Yuan finished his meal and returned, someone would hand those items to him.

Gu Yuanbai was already lying on the bed, covered with a bright yellow dragon-patterned blanket. In his hand was a memorial, which he was reading slowly and attentively.

Gu Yuanbai read carefully. Kong Yilin and Qin Sheng's group had already transported silver and food to Lizhou. This batch of supplies was the bait to catch the biggest fish in the anti-corruption operation.

The target, the Governor of Lizhou, had relatively little overt corruption within his jurisdiction, yet the people under his rule still suffered. The deeper the inspectors investigated, the more terrified they became. In the end, they discovered that the reason many local bandits had turned to crime was due to the Governor's secret coercion.

The actions of the officials turned the people into bandits, and they colluded with the bandits as well.

This matter was too terrifying and absolutely could not be made public.

If the news spread, it would only result in public distrust of the court, leading to riots and a backlash from bandits across the country.

Gu Yuanbai exhaled a breath of impure air. He had to firmly hold onto this bait, the fish.

He could neglect everything else, but the Governor of Lizhou must die.

Gu Yuanbai exerted force in his palm, leaving a mark on the memorial.

Seeing him dealing with state affairs, Xue Yuan stood by his side and suddenly struck up a conversation with a eunuch nearby.

"Can rough hands still be treated?"

The eunuch was startled and answered nervously, "Sir, if you usually use some hand care products, it would be better."

Xue Yuan had a headache. "Explain it clearly."

The eunuch said, "Essential oils, pearl powder, or fish oil. Applying them to your hands and feet will make them smooth."

Xue Yuan fell silent for a moment, then reluctantly said, "Go and get me these things."

Gu Yuanbai had just finished reading the memorial when he caught a glimpse of a figure approaching out of the corner of his eye.

He turned his head and saw that it was Xue Yuan. After observing him for a moment, Gu Yuanbai suddenly asked in a casual tone, "Captain Xue, if one day the people under your command also started coveting wealth that does not belong to them, how would you handle it?"

Xue Yuan replied, "If they deserve death, then I will execute them."

Gu Yuanbai smiled and said, "But corrupt officials are hard to eliminate."

"They may not be completely eradicated, but by showing our stance, they will be afraid," Xue Yuan grinned. "It's the same principle as leading troops. There will always be a few individuals daring enough to violate military discipline. Why do they dare to do so? It's because the overall authority of the commanding officer no longer intimidates them. Once the higher-ups' authority is insufficient, chaos will ensue among the subordinates."

Gu Yuanbai said, "Please continue."

Xue Yuan calmly responded, "I have finished speaking."

Gu Yuanbai remained silent.

Xue Yuan added, "Your Majesty, I am a crude person and unable to manage state affairs."

Gu Yuanbai thought to himself, then how did you become the regent?

However, what Xue Yuan said was indeed correct.

The farther the local officials were from the central authority, the scarcer the Emperor's majesty became, making them less fearful. Perhaps it was because Gu Yuanbai's authority had not reached a level where it could deter them from acting recklessly in their respective regions, thus they became audacious.

After this anti-corruption campaign, it was believed that Gu Yuanbai's authority in the hearts of local officials would reach a new height.

But that alone was not enough.

The Daheng Dynasty had been weak for over a decade. Nomadic tribes dared to invade, local officials dared to embezzle, and powerful local forces colluded with officials, becoming more influential than the Emperor himself.

Gu Yuanbai needed to win a decisive victory, a victory that had not been achieved in nearly fifteen years. This battle would be against the nomadic tribes.

It would also be the first nationwide display of authority after Gu Yuanbai took power.

He had to take the military out for a stroll so that these people would realize how insignificant they truly were.

After relieving his own mood, Gu Yuanbai noticed that Xue Yuan's complexion had improved significantly. He spoke gently to his "bed-warmer," saying, "Captain Xue, it's getting late. Come to bed."

Xue Yuan felt a tingling sensation on his scalp from Gu Yuanbai's warm voice. He placed his hands on his belt and swiftly removed his outer garments, leaving only his inner clothes.

A palace maid took the clothes and neatly arranged them while lighting a soothing incense for sleep. Silently and one by one, the palace attendants exited the room.

Xue Yuan truly felt like a blazing furnace. Once he got into the bed, Gu Yuanbai couldn't help but sigh, finding it incredibly comfortable.

Because of this ability, Xue Yuan's position in Gu Yuanbai's heart suddenly rose several notches, and Gu Yuanbai became more amiable towards him.