Chapter 19
As Qi Junmu's imperial palanquin made its way toward Weiyang Palace, Shen Nian led his men on the night patrol at the end of Willow Lane.
He had been rather arrogant and lazy these past few days, but when it came to the security of the imperial palace, he remained thoroughly cautious.
Before each shift change, he would personally take his men on a full round.
Through the long stretch of Willow Lane, he saw the Emperor's palanquin pass by. Eunuchs and maids turned to face the wall, retreating and kneeling in obeisance, while the guards stood at strict attention.
Gazing at the faint figure within the palanquin, Shen Nian felt a moment of daze. He knew this was the road leading to the rear palace.
He also knew that the Emperor's rear palace housed only the Empress, and that the Emperor had not set foot there in all these days.
Coupled with the Emperor's attitude toward the Empress the last time, he had always assumed the Emperor held little regard for her.
Now it seemed he had been too naive.
Most husbands and wives in this world quarrel and bicker at some point or another.
Arguments, rifts, squabbles, and forgiveness—that's what a real marriage looks like, what makes a home feel like home.
"Respect each other like honored guests"—that exists only in books.
As the imperial palanquin slowly passed, everyone finally relaxed their tense nerves.
Wang Jun, noticing Shen Nian's absent-minded expression, suggested in a low voice: "My lord, His Majesty is headed to Weiyang Palace. Should we station more men on that route?"
Beside him, Hu Ze shot him a glance, then silently looked away.
Last time, when Qi Junmu had left the palace without authorization, Hu Ze had been the first to sense something amiss. Wang Jun had picked up on the trouble from Hu Ze's attitude and words.
One of them had originally intended to report to their immediate superior, but instead ran into Qi Junzhuo and told him the matter. The other went straight to Renshou Palace to inform the Empress Dowager, who then sent him to follow Yang Jinglei and search for the Emperor outside the palace.
At the time, Wang Jun thought Hu Ze was completely selfish—trying to claim all the credit for himself when it came to winning the emperor's favor. Luckily, he was sharp enough to sense something was off and managed to catch up just in time.
Later, when he confronted Hu Ze after finding the Emperor, Hu Ze's expression was complicated. He only said, "It's uncertain whether this is a blessing or a curse."
Wang Jun hadn't believed him, thinking Hu Ze just wanted the credit for himself.
Not long after, when the two of them were caned by imperial order, Wang Jun was filled with deep regret. He felt both guilty toward Hu Ze and utterly ashamed.
He had thought it was a meritorious deed—but it had nearly cost him his life.
He thought his future was ruined, yet the Emperor still remembered them and transferred them straight from their old posts to serve in the Emperor's presence. There were many imperial guards, but few were allowed close to the Emperor. Still, compared to others, this was a meteoric rise.
Which of the two imperial guard divisions didn't envy them?
What thrilled Wang Jun most was that the Emperor had not forgotten them. When Shen Nian was ordered to investigate a case, the Emperor assigned them to Shen Nian.
Wang Jun had grabbed Hu Ze's hand, his face flushed with excitement, declaring they were about to strike it lucky—soaring to the heavens and bringing glory to their ancestors.
Hu Ze, however, remained unmoved, repeating the same line: blessings and curses are unknown.
Wang Jun couldn't stand his nagging. He focused all his energy on Shen Nian, hoping to ride his coattails and carve out a place for himself in the palace.
So now, seeing Shen Nian staring at the palanquin, he offered his reminder.
Every guard in the rear palace knew that the Emperor's harem was currently clean—only the Empress resided there—and the imperial couple had a very good relationship. Whenever the Emperor entered the rear palace, the guards on duty would consciously increase their numbers, terrified of any mishap.
But Shen Nian was an outsider brought in mid-way. Many were dissatisfied and waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
Wang Jun, needing to cling to Shen Nian to stay in the Emperor's favor, naturally had to think and do more.
Shen Nian cast a glance at Wang Jun, his expression neutral. "You have a point," he said. Then he personally took extra men to patrol the road between Qianhua Hall and Weiyang Palace.
Wang Jun followed behind him, inwardly delighted, and shot a smug grin at those around him.
But the grin was wasted—Hu Ze seemed lost in thought and didn't even look at him. Wang Jun's smugness froze on his face. He found his colleague utterly lacking in social awareness.
Most disagreeable.
---
Inside the palanquin, Qi Junmu also spotted Shen Nian. At that moment, only one thought crossed his mind: Shen Nian really did cut a fine figure in the imperial guard's armor—tall and upright, as proud and steady as a pine tree.
When Weiyang Palace came into view, Qi Junmu sat motionless in his palanquin.
He gazed at the plaque above the palace gate, lost in thought.
The guards at Weiyang Palace saw him and hurriedly bowed. The sound of their kneeling and saluting snapped Qi Junmu back to the present. Ruan Jiqing helped him step down from the palanquin.
The Emperor walked slowly up the steps. The guards opened the doors. Inside, the maids and eunuchs, having heard the announcement, exchanged glances and smiled.
The moment the Emperor stepped through, they knelt and called out, "Long live the Emperor."
Qi Junmu said nothing, his robe brushing past them as he walked. At the main hall entrance, Wen Wan stepped out and performed her greeting.
Wen Wan was striking and beautiful, especially with her fine makeup—under the lamplight, she appeared even more exquisite and dazzling. Yet her bows were always proper and dignified. As Empress, she had always conducted herself with dignity, never the slightest hint of frivolity.
Qi Junmu looked at her and paused briefly. It had been a long time since he had truly looked at Wen Wan.
Old memories rushed past him like a whirlwind. Qi Junmu heard his own calm voice: "Rise."
In the past, whenever he saw Wen Wan, Qi Junmu would take her hand and walk into the hall together. Now he walked in silently ahead, with Wen Wan following behind.
Inside the inner chamber, Yutao brought tea. Qi Junmu did not drink. He looked at Wen Wan, who stood motionless, and said, "What did the Empress wish to see me about?"
Wen Wan raised her head and pursed her lips. Suddenly, she recalled what her mother had said to her that day.
Madam Wen had wiped her tears and said: "Now that you are in the palace, the Wen family shares your honor and your disgrace. His Majesty cherishes you and will not vent his anger on you directly—but the Wen family is not so fortunate. Your father was reprimanded at court, and your younger brother was punished with caning this time. Who knows what disaster awaits next? This humble wife does not ask Niangniang to look after the Wen family, but only that both the family and Niangniang remain safe and sound."
Wen Wan had always been very close to Wen Yao. Learning that Wen Yao had been caned deeply distressed her. Even Madam Wen felt that Wen Wan had brought trouble upon the family—causing Wen Zhuo to be scolded at court and Wen Yao to be beaten.
Wen Wan thought so too.
Just as Madam Wen had said: she was the Empress, and Qi Junmu was the Emperor. With his favor, she was Empress; without it, she was nothing.
If the Emperor and Empress were at odds, someone had to yield first—even if only in pretense.
That someone could not be the Emperor, so Wen Wan chose to show weakness.
She understood Madam Wen's hint—bear a legitimate son, and secure an unassailable position in the palace.
She understood, yet she did not know which path to choose.
Now, looking into the calmness at the bottom of Qi Junmu's eyes, Wen Wan tried to see if there was still affection or joy there. But no matter how hard she looked, she could not make it out.
Unable to stop herself, she took a step forward. She accidentally stepped on her own robes. With a startled cry, she stumbled toward Qi Junmu.
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When Shen Nian led his men on patrol to the Imperial Garden, he spotted from afar a figure sitting by the pond in the shadows of the rockery.
The guards behind him instantly tensed, hands moving to their swords. But Shen Nian caught sight of the figure and felt a stir in his heart. "Stay put," he said. "Wait here. I'll go take a look."
Wang Jun started to speak, but Shen Nian silenced him with a glance, grabbed a lantern, and headed straight for the figure.
As he stepped closer, the lantern light caught a glimpse of imperial yellow.
Under the glow, Shen Nian saw the Emperor's face—handsome, cold, and sharp as frost.
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