Chapter 28 "Dog Nose": For the first time in days, my mind was so peaceful.
That evening, Gu Huizhou returned to Yun Palace from the Imperial Study close to midnight. Yao Ruyi was lying on the soft couch reciting her lessons. When she saw him return, she got up and bowed, "Your Majesty."
Why is Your Majesty returning so late?
The two were not far apart. When Gu Huizhou passed by him, Yao Ruyi smelled a faint fragrance, which was different from the strong sandalwood in the Imperial Study. It was more like the scent of pear blossoms.
"Talking to people about business."
"Did Your Majesty eat the pear blossom pastry? It smells like pear blossoms."
After Yao Ruyi finished speaking, she saw Gu Huizhou stop, then turned and walked up to him. "Since when did it become your place to interfere with me?"
The mushroom, inexplicably scolded, took a step back and said, "No."
He chuckled softly.
Gu Huizhou recalled that he had also smelled the fragrance of pear blossoms the moment Han Siwen stepped into the room. This silly mushroom nose is actually quite useful.
"How's it going to be memorized?"
Yao Ruyi's attention was drawn back to his book. He shook his head and went back to memorizing it. The poems the teacher was referring to were ones that students should have known since childhood, but since he was only learning them now, they were more difficult for him than for others.
If he can understand most of the knowledge, he will be close to taking the imperial examination.
Gu Huizhou's eyes held a mocking smile, like a wolf spotting its prey. He glanced at that fair neck; the redness from the afternoon had faded. He rubbed it twice with his fingers, his tongue pressing against the roof of his mouth, a surge of urge rising within him to stain that spot red again.
A moment later, Yao Ruyi watched as the emperor forcefully closed the door and went out again, still wearing his outer robe.
In the end, he didn't know when Gu Huizhou returned, but he did know that Gu Huizhou got up again the next day when it was time for the morning court session.
Being the emperor is so tiring; even in her drowsy state, Yao Ruyi was still thinking. Bearing the weight of an entire nation on one's shoulders, it's likely very difficult to find a moment of peace.
He immediately came to his senses; he needed to go to the imperial court to see how the food problem could be resolved.
She sat up abruptly, put on the new robe she had bought yesterday, and tiptoed into the morning mist.
He was already very familiar with the palace. Carefully avoiding the eunuchs, he finally transformed into a mushroom in the gap between a pillar and the wall of the main hall, just in time to hear the morning sounds.
He heard the emperor's voice.
"The magistrate of Jiangzhou County has been imprisoned in the dungeon for keeping 5,000 taels of grain intended for disaster relief from the imperial court." His seemingly casual remark stirred up a great deal of turmoil.
The officials, who had been calm just moments before, instantly erupted in excitement—that was the imperial court's disaster relief grain!
Now that the land can't grow any crops, the government's disaster relief grain is a lifesaver, yet they dare to confiscate even that!
They were actually profiting from human suffering!
"This man's crimes are heinous! I beg Your Majesty to punish him severely!"
Xue Qingping had become more resilient after what happened last time, and when he heard about this, he was only heartbroken and did not faint on the spot again.
Gu Huizhou sneered, "When that Magistrate Jiang was arrested, he kept saying he was acting on the orders of a high-ranking official. Judging from his words, I should really investigate him thoroughly." He paused, "Do you ministers think I haven't killed enough people back then?!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" All the officials knelt down.
Gu Huizhou's expression was cold and stern. When he learned of this last night, he wanted to kill all these people to finally have some peace and quiet.
"His Majesty!"
Gu Huizhou looked in that direction, and Xu Yi straightened his posture. "Your Majesty, I am willing to share Your Majesty's worries! I will go to Jiangnan to investigate the matter that Your Majesty is concerned about thoroughly!"
Gu Huizhou looked up and saw that Xu Yi was still wearing the same tattered clothes; this court robe was the best garment he owned.
Is anyone else still alive?
"I am also willing to go!"
"I am also willing to go!"
Both men spoke with conviction, but the officials, upon seeing this, exclaimed, "How can this be allowed! If the two newlywed grooms both go to investigate the grain problem, what will become of their wedding?"
Baili Yi turned to look at Lan Yan, his expression quite complicated, but he didn't speak. Instead, Li, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, spoke first, "Your Majesty, General Han's wedding is approaching, and I have heard that the envoy from Xiao Kingdom will also be coming to Dayun. It may not be appropriate for General Han to go to Jiangnan at this time."
"General Han is getting married, could it be that Lord Lan is not?"
Baili Yi turned to Xue Qingping and smiled, “Lord Xue, there is no need to worry. My daughter and Lord Lan have a deep connection. I had someone calculate an auspicious time long ago, so there is no need to rush.”
Han Jiqing also thought of this matter, and his momentum weakened. But he did not back down when he met Gu Huizhou's gaze.
"Then it will be the two of you." Gu Huizhou looked at Lan Yan and Xu Yi. These two were the top scholar and the third-ranked scholar whom he had personally selected. If he could not trust these two, he might as well not be the emperor.
"Have General Han send a guard to accompany you two. I await your good news."
"Your subject obeys!"
"Your subject obeys!"
The morning court session lasted another half hour. After resolving a case of official corruption, the remaining issue was the land dispute that had been ongoing in the court for a long time.
"His Majesty."
A voice suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and the people in the front row looked back.
"Since childhood, I have loved reading miscellaneous books. I once read a strange tale in a book of supernatural stories. It is said that there is a kind of flower and grass that can make barren land fertile like an oasis when planted. If we can find this flower and grass, wouldn't the land of Dayun be saved!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the mushroom in the corner disappeared.
"This! This is utterly absurd!"
"This...this...this! It's just that storytelling was never performed at the morning court session!"
"Ha! There are indeed clues to why some people hold low-ranking official positions."
...
The arguing wouldn't get to any conclusion. Seeing the emperor's face growing increasingly dark, Cui Xiangzhu gritted his teeth and ordered, "Dismiss the court!"
Gu Huizhou stood up instantly and walked faster than anyone else.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"
These past few days have been like this; the issues of grain and land are becoming increasingly difficult. These ministers only know how to blame each other, and when someone actually comes up with a solution, they're nowhere to be found.
Cui Xiangzhu felt that he was also in a state of panic, and even thought that what that official said might not be a lie, and that there might really be such flowers and plants.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please slow down!"
As he walked to the Imperial Study, Gu Huizhou stopped when he saw the door ajar. He turned to look at Cui Xiangzhu.
Cui Xiangzhu had no idea what was going on. This! How could an ordinary person possibly enter the Imperial Study!
"Is it possible that the Thirteenth or Nineteenth Prince has something to discuss with His Majesty...?"
Gu Huizhou stepped forward and pushed open the door. The window in the distance of the Imperial Study was open, and a figure was flipping through an ancient book in front of the desk. He hadn't had time to comb his hair, and his robe made of moonlight brocade must have been disheveled while moving heavy objects.
At Yao Ruyi's feet lay rows of thick, brick-like books. He flipped through them one by one, muttering to himself, "Not this one, not this one either..."
"Your Majesty..." Cui Xiangzhu called softly.
After seeing Gu Huizhou's gaze, he carefully withdrew.
"What are you doing? Where is the sir?"
Yao Ruyi was startled by the voice, "Your Majesty!" His hair was not tied up properly, and a strand of orange-yellow hair fell from his ear, shining brightly red in the light.
"My husband and I have taken leave."
Why?
Yao Ruyi pointed to the book in her hand with great interest, "I asked Thirteen to help me find some ancient books about flowers, herbs and plants. I know that there are a few kinds of flowers and plants that, like what that official said at the morning court, can make the land fertile."
The mushroom smiled and spoke with great conviction. Gu Huizhou had no idea whether he was telling the truth or not, nor did he ask him how he knew about the morning court.
After a long pause, he said, "Then you go find it."
"Um."
The study was filled with the sound of turning pages and the occasional muttering of Yao Ruyi. Gu Huizhou looked at the wisps of incense on his desk, and for the first time in days, his mind was at peace.
He took a sip of hot tea, having slept only an hour or two for three or four consecutive nights, and drowsiness washed over him like a tidal wave. The emperor's brows were furrowed with exhaustion as he glanced at Yao Ruyi, who was still being searched for on the other side of the imperial study.
He searched diligently but failed to notice the emperor's scrutinizing eyes.
The stacks of ancient books at his feet dwindled, but just as he was about to finish reading them, Thirteen brought over some new books. "Ah—" One yawn after another followed, and Yao Ruyi, afraid that his tears would fall on the books, quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand.
The room grew increasingly dim. An oil lamp was placed on the table. Yao Ruyi looked up, her eyes reddening, which startled Gu Huizhou. "I'll look at it later."
He shook his head. "It'll be here soon. These few are already very close to what I remember those plants to look like."
The book in her hand was suddenly snatched away, and Yao Ruyi was flustered. The next moment, a snack and a bowl of noodles were stuffed into her hands. "Eat."
That's fine.
He ate the whole bowl clean, not even leaving a layer of frosting left on the plate.
The palace maid took the bowls and chopsticks away, and Yao Ruyi continued reading.
He turned to look at the emperor over there, who, like him, was reading memorials by lamplight. He rubbed his aching neck; after just one day of reading, he felt stiff all over, not even as stiff as after a day of sword practice.
"He actually sits here every day."
Gu Huizhou heard the murmurs, and the two looked at each other. Yao Ruyi smiled and continued flipping through the pages.
The guards outside the door had changed, and Yao Ruyi yawned again. Her finger paused as she turned the page, "Zi Yunying..."
Found one!
Yao Ruyi instantly perked up. He suddenly stood up, the chair sliding behind him with a loud thud. Gu Huizhou looked up from the folding paper.
Yao Ruyi, clutching the book, rushed excitedly to Gu Huizhou, quickly spreading it out on the table for him to see. Her eyes, no longer showing any sign of fatigue, shone brightly. "Your Majesty! I've found one!"
"It's called Purple Clover, a kind of Chinese medicinal herb. I only remembered what it looked like, but I didn't know its name."
Yao Ruyi spoke eloquently, “It is one of them. It likes to grow in places with water. The places where it grows are fertile the following year, which will definitely improve the current land.”
Gu Huizhou was stunned. After a long while, he took the book and asked, "Really?"
"Um!"
Gu Huizhou immediately summoned Cui Xiangzhu, who was outside the door, and said, "Summon Han Siwen to the palace to see me tomorrow."
"Yes," Cui Xiangzhu's gaze swept around the two of them, "Your Majesty, it's late, would you like to rest?"
"Your Majesty, please go and rest. I'll look again; there's more."
Gu Huizhou waved for Cui Xiangzhu to leave, saying, "Draw it down, and I will accompany you."
"good."
The sound of turning pages continued until the next day. There were no fewer than seven or eight ancient books on the table in front of Yao Ruyi. Gu Huizhou glanced at the person who had fallen asleep on the table, slowed down and put down an ancient book in his hand. The plant drawn on that page was roughly the same as the one drawn by Yao Ruyi.
However, Mushroom's pen grip was unsteady, turning the branches into crooked ropes, which did not quite resemble the mulberry tree in the book.
As dawn broke, Cui Xiangzhu hurriedly entered to help the emperor adjust his robes. "Your Majesty, would you like to dismiss court today?"
"No need, let's go."
Despite not having slept all night, Cui Xiangzhu did not see any signs of fatigue in the emperor.
The door to the Imperial Study was gently closed. He could clearly sense that His Majesty was in a much better mood today, probably because the troubles that had been weighing on his mind had finally been resolved.
We should really thank the 19th Party Congress.
As usual, the morning court session was not pleasant for anyone, especially considering the thought of having to see the emperor's ruthless demeanor again.
However, the morning court session was not quite the same as before.
It was quite similar to the decisiveness and ruthlessness of the new emperor when he first ascended the throne two years ago.
"Attend court—"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Gu Huizhou's expression was cold and he swept his gaze across the crowd below, his voice sharp and resolute.
They didn't give anyone a chance to refute them at all.
Several decrees were issued in succession, ignoring all dissenting opinions from the court. The emperor's dark circles had not subsided, and with the announcement of these decrees, the morning court session ended abruptly.
"It's gone?!"
"What does Your Majesty mean by this?!"
"Instead of planting grain, we'll plant mulberry trees?"
"Your Majesty has been deceived by some charlatan! Purple clover, alfalfa, mulberry trees... what are all these things?!"
"Is this something to eat or what? I think His Majesty has no intention of caring about these people!"
"Hmph! Compared to this, even growing crops on the mountain seems much more reasonable!"
The group of ministers walked and talked, but they could only discuss the emperor's decree. Xue Qingping walked at the back, his expression somewhat excited as he looked at the main hall; His Majesty had regained some of his previous demeanor.
Hopefully, this isn't just a flash in the pan.
Two years ago, the new emperor swiftly and decisively beheaded those corrupt officials and eunuchs. Who knows when the rest will be beheaded?
He turned his head and stared at the backs of the figures in front of him. Only when those people in the court were completely eliminated could the new emperor unleash his power. He wondered if his old bones would even live to see that day.
In the Cloud Palace, just as Thirteen was about to bow, Gu Huizhou stopped him with a raised hand, "Still not awake?"
"I just woke up, ate something, and went back to sleep."
"Yes, go and inform Twelve, and send the message to Jiangnan. Start planting as soon as possible. Also, have them keep an eye on Lan Yan and Xu Yi over there."
"yes."
Gu Huizhou pushed open the door and entered. His gaze fell on Yao Ruyi, whose body was wrapped in a brocade quilt with only his head showing. When he was asleep, he obediently curled up in the quilt, just like when he was frightened by him earlier and shrank into the ground.
A faint smile unconsciously appeared on the man's lips, but he quickly straightened them and strode towards the desk, the sound of him turning the pages of the memorials becoming quieter.
Only after Cui Xiangzhu came to announce Han Siwen's arrival did he put down his memorial and set off with Cui Xiangzhu to the Imperial Study.
Gu Huizhou returned near dusk and ran into Yao Ruyi, who had just woken up. Mushroom sniffed, "You ate pear blossom pastries again."
"Dog nose."
Yao Ruyi was so impressed by his words that she stepped back and plopped down on the bed.
"Han Jiqing's elder sister is a merchant in Jiangnan. She helped me investigate the grain supplies in Jiangnan." Why am I telling him all this?
"oh."
Are you hungry?
Yao Ruyi nodded. He hadn't eaten anything since morning and felt like he could eat a whole cow.
"Eat."
Cui Xiangzhu brought over a table full of food, which seemed to have been prepared in advance. He smiled and put it down, then turned and left after seeing the harmonious atmosphere between the two masters.
"tasty!"
Yao Ruyi ate happily, unaware that Gu Huizhou was watching him the whole time. He was completely satisfied with his meal, leaning back in his chair with a full belly.
Are you full?
"Um."
"Walk."
Yao Ruyi obediently stood up. "Where are we going?"
The man didn't reply, so Yao Ruyi obediently followed behind him. They walked all the way to Nuanyu Pavilion. The stone path had been filled in quite a bit, and the exposed soil after the snow had melted was now planted with many flowers.
It's the hot spring where the emperor was assassinated last time.
Yao Ruyi's eyes held a hint of anticipation; he also wanted to soak in the hot springs.
"Take off your clothes."
Unlike last time, this time even Cui Xiangzhu wasn't by his side. Two rows of oil lamps, flickering on and off, were placed by the pool, making the water surface shimmer with golden light, and even the moonlight became hazy.
It was already a cloudy day, and the moon was shrouded in clouds, making the sky even darker.
Yao Ruyi walked down the steps to the water. This spring was much more refreshing than the one she had seen halfway up the mountain last time. The water temperature was consistent, and the waves of water hit her body one after another. Having already had a good sleep and eaten her fill, Yao Ruyi felt that she could continue to sleep here.
Mushroom turned around and quietly lay on the bank, watching the emperor on the shore take off his outer robe, then his inner garment. Their eyes met unexpectedly, and the man asked, "What is it?"
Just take a look.
Yao Ruyi smiled and pretended to turn around and play in the water. When he turned back, Gu Huizhou had also entered the water. The two were neither too close nor too far apart. The emperor rested his head on the jade stone on the shore, just like last time, his ink flowing like a waterfall across the water.
Yao Ruyi also let his hair down, his hair on both sides was orange-red, which was more obvious in the dim candlelight. Mushroom floated to Gu Huizhou's side and leaned back like him, wanting to make his hair float on the water like an emperor.
But to his surprise, the jade in his hand was so slippery that he couldn't hold it at all.
"Hmm—"
He flailed his arms and legs wildly, grabbing whatever he could and clutching it tightly, but he still couldn't float to the surface. He sank deeper and deeper, and even the thing he had just grabbed sank with him.
how so!
Yao Ruyi quickly opened her eyes, not caring whether they would hurt in the water.
He was actually grabbing the emperor's trouser leg, his gaze rising and meeting a pair of dark eyes.
Gu Huizhou looked at Yao Ruyi struggling in the water, reached out and grabbed his frantically waving arm, and with a straightening motion, the two of them floated to the surface one after the other.
Yao Ruyi clung awkwardly to the person opposite her, who coughed for a while, "Cough cough—"
Finally, after coughing enough, Mushroom slowly realized that she was still clinging to Gu Huizhou, and the spot under her hand that felt so good was the emperor's chest.
He was reluctant to let go and grabbed the other person's arm.
The emperor's face turned ashen, and water droplets dripped from his eyelashes, down his nose, onto his lips, then down to his Adam's apple, before finally disappearing into the water.
"Incredibly stupid."
Yao Ruyi didn't say anything, but his furrowed brows showed his dissatisfaction. He only now noticed that the spot where Gu Huizhou had just leaned against was underwater, with a smooth jade stone that could just support his body.
Feeling angry and aggrieved, Yao Ruyi became even bolder. He swayed off the emperor and headed straight for the throne.
It felt truly refreshing. He imitated Gu Huizhou by placing his hair in the water, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw strands of two different colors floating on the surface. The spot where the longsword had been inserted into the pool wall had been filled in, but the sword mark was still visible, telling the story of the danger of the previous incident.
"Is my throne comfortable?"
"Mmm," she murmured softly, her whole body drowsy. Mushroom lay there contentedly, all her earlier displeasure gone.
His skin was already fair, but now it was flushed pink from the warmth of the spring water. Gu Huizhou's expression was gloomy. His gaze moved from Yao Ruyi's eyebrows and eyes to her lips, and then to her small Adam's apple. The feeling of the hand he had touched last time lingered in his hand.
Without further thought, Gu Huizhou reached out his hand.
"Hmm?" Yao Ruyi's voice became strange as her Adam's apple was pressed and played with.
"You're not allowed to lie on my throne?"
They didn't say it was impossible.
Yao Ruyi let out an "Oh," and continued to lie on her back, gazing at the moonlight on the horizon. The sky brightened a bit, and the moonlight shone a little brighter as well.
They still couldn't see the stars. Yao Ruyi thought they were blinded by the mist from the spring and would be able to see them when they returned to the Cloud Palace.
Since Yao Ruyi didn't refuse, the man's hands became more and more unrestrained. First, he played with her Adam's apple, then Gu Huizhou's hands spread to her entire neck, and then touched her shoulders and wrapped around them.
The technique was just like how he used to handle mushrooms; Yao Ruyi felt he had mastered it.
It's quite comfortable.
The two leaned against the shore side by side. Gu Huizhou's palms were covered with calluses, which Yao Ruyi could feel as soon as he put his hand on them. He suddenly remembered the porcelain bottle that Twelve had given him, which he hadn't used since he came back.
You can apply some to His Majesty as well.
Mushroom's sword practice over the past month has yielded remarkable results. Gu Huizhou looked at the body; its lines were smooth, carrying the gentle warmth unique to a young man, and now it was flushed pink from being soaked in water.
He swallowed hard for no reason.
Gu Huizhou withdrew his hand and pushed himself ashore.
"I'm going back."
Just as Yao Ruyi was about to fall asleep, he heard this sentence. He slowly stood up and looked back at the pool several times before leaving.
I wonder if I'll be able to stay here again in the future.
Just like when he slept on the ground as a mushroom.
Turning around, Gu Huizhou had already walked some distance. "Your Majesty!"
Unfortunately, the people in front of him didn't care about him at all, and after the next corner, Yao Ruyi could no longer see Gu Huizhou's figure, just like the hurried evenings of the past few days.
He had no choice but to walk to the Cloud Palace by himself.
"Why did you return so soon, Your Excellency? This old servant will have someone bring you a handkerchief to wipe your hair."
Cui Xiangzhu gave a wink to the eunuch beside him, who immediately understood and quickened his pace to retrieve it.
Has His Majesty not returned yet?
"Your Majesty? This old servant is not sure. Didn't Your Majesty go out with the lord?" Cui Xiangzhu glanced at Yao Ruyi, then chuckled and pushed her into the house. "Lord, don't catch a cold. Although it's spring now, the spring chill can still be quite biting."
"Eunuch Cui, a handkerchief."
Cui Xiangzhu stepped forward to help Yao Ruyi wipe her hair, but Yao Ruyi took the handkerchief herself. He glanced at the red hair hidden by the black hair, breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Eunuch Cui, I'm fine, you can go out now."
"Alright, then if you need anything, sir, please summon me."
Yao Ruyi responded, and didn't ask where Gu Huizhou had gone. His Majesty was always so busy, perhaps something urgent had happened.
He dried his hair halfway and took out the ointment that Twelve had given him from the small cabinet by the bed. As soon as he opened it, the fragrance of plum blossoms wafted out.
"Just how much does he love the scent of plum blossoms?"
He didn't have many calluses on his hands, so he finished applying the ointment in just a couple of swipes.
Yao Ruyi didn't put it away; he was waiting for Gu Huizhou to come back so he could apply it for him again.
Unexpectedly, after waiting for half an hour, a faint sound came from the door. Yao Ruyi had fallen asleep in the hot spring and was now half asleep and half awake after waiting in bed for half an hour.
He groggily looked up at Gu Huizhou, who had already changed into his undergarments and even dried his hair.
That's perfect.
Yao Ruyi yawned, tears still clinging to her eyelashes. "Your Majesty, let me apply the medicine for you."
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Regarding which plants can improve soil, some of the plant information in this article comes from online searches, and it is said that they can improve soil with excessive heavy metals.
The article only vaguely touches on soil issues; the author is not a professional, so please don't take it too seriously. [kissing emojis]
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