Qi Junmu's expression was casual. "The Northern Frontier won a battle. Shen Yi was badly injured, and this was his only wish—granting it is no great matter. Besides, Father Emperor only said those words when he was drunk. Without anything in writing, it can hardly be taken seriously."
Lin Xiao nodded approvingly. "In that case, Shen Nian will surely be grateful for Your Majesty's grace and will serve you faithfully in the future." As he spoke, he couldn't help but imagine the strategy behind the Emperor's decision, deciding in his own mind that the Emperor was a reasonable person.
Qi Junmu raised his sharp, heroic brow with a hint of restraint. "I didn't overthink it."
The Emperor rarely showed such a childlike side. Lin Xiao's eyes grew warmer with amusement. "Your Majesty is wise. I was the one who overthought it."
Not wanting to dwell on the matter, Qi Junmu changed the subject. "Has there been any idle gossip at court lately?"
Lin Xiao chuckled lightly. "Your Majesty refers to the eunuch you had beaten to death? Some ministers think Your Majesty acted too hastily, while others believe the Emperor must maintain his authority—the eunuch made a mistake and deserved punishment."
Lin Xiao always preferred to speak frankly before Qi Junmu, reporting both good and bad without concealment. Qi Junmu wanted to be a wise ruler, so Lin Xiao advised him from behind—never interfering in small matters but offering sincere counsel on major issues.
The young emperor greatly appreciated this about his uncle.
Just as the two were discussing court affairs, Qi Junmu's personal attendant eunuch, Ruan Jiqing, entered carrying the construction plans for Prince Jin's mansion.
Ruan Jiqing was handsome—fair-skinned and refined. At first glance, one might have mistaken him for a son of an aristocratic family. But now, the obsequious smile on his face spoiled his fine features.
Ruan Jiqing was genuinely terrified. A few days ago, greedy for a taste, he'd eaten half a bowl of cold shredded white radish sent by the imperial kitchen, drunk a small pot of clear wine, then caught a chill sleeping at night and developed a fever.
He'd had no choice but to let his adopted son, who'd served beside him for two years, take over. That adopted son had been personally trained by him—sharp-eyed and surely incapable of making mistakes. Yet at his very first meeting with the Emperor, he'd been beaten to death on the spot.
When Ruan Jiqing heard the news, he broke out in a cold sweat. Not yet recovered, he crawled to Qi Junmu's feet to beg forgiveness. The Emperor didn't reproach him, but gently told him to go back and rest.
Ruan Jiqing didn't know if the Emperor's words were sincere. That night, frightened out of his wits, he suffered from vomiting and diarrhea. Now, barely feeling better, he had come personally to attend to the Emperor.
Fortunately, the Emperor still treated him the same as always, so he served all the more diligently and humbly.
Ruan Jiqing performed a bow, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Your Majesty, these are Prince Jin's construction plans. Your Majesty said earlier you wished to see them."
Qi Junmu's interest was piqued. He sat up straighter. "Let me see them."
Ruan Jiqing hurriedly presented the plans.
Qi Junmu examined them carefully and added a few strokes. "My fourth brother has always loved open, bright spaces. Tell the Ministry of Works to build a lake at the center of Prince Jin's mansion, bringing in flowing water from the city moat. Then build a pavilion leading to the center of the lake, so one can enjoy the view while surrounded by water. This way, nothing blocks the line of sight."
Ruan Jiqing accepted the order. After Qi Junmu finished his revisions, he took the plans down to deliver them personally to the Ministry of Works.
After Ruan Jiqing withdrew, Lin Xiao hesitated, then said, "Your Majesty, about this Prince Jin…?"
Qi Junmu rubbed his palms together. "That's my fourth brother. I've settled on his title. Once I recover, it will be proclaimed to all corners of the realm."
Lin Xiao saw the joy on the Emperor's face and felt a twinge of concern. The Empress Dowager had always disliked Qi Junzhuo for his unusual eyes, believing him ill-omened from birth. Now that Qi Junmu was doing everything for him, giving him the best of everything, conflict between mother and son seemed inevitable.
Both Lin Xiao and Qi Junmu understood this perfectly.
Qi Junmu clearly saw the worry on Lin Xiao's face. His expression turned cool. "Ah Zhuo saved my life, Uncle. Do you think he doesn't even deserve a princedom?"
At these words, Lin Xiao quickly said, "Prince Jin is Your Majesty's own brother, indispensable. He certainly deserves the title."
Qi Junmu's expression warmed slightly.
Lin Xiao had the faint feeling that the Emperor had changed somehow, yet he couldn't say exactly how. Perhaps it was just his imagination—the Emperor was still the same ruler who dedicated himself to the country and its people, striving to be a wise emperor.
---
On the second day of the eleventh month of the seventeenth year of Yonghe, Grand General Shen Yi died of his wounds on the Northern Frontier. On the ninth day of the eleventh month, his son Shen Nian, having kept vigil for seven days, escorted the coffin back to the capital.
On the twelfth day of the eleventh month, Emperor Qi Junmu issued two imperial edicts. The first appointed his brother Qi Junzhuo as Prince Jin. The second posthumously granted Shen Yi the title of Marquis Zhenbei (Pacifying North) and appointed his son Shen Nian as heir to Marquis Zhenbei.
The yellow silk edicts were proclaimed to all under Heaven, known throughout the realm.
On the eighth day of the twelfth month, the first snow fell over the capital. The north wind howled as Shen Nian finally set foot on the capital's borders, escorting the coffin.
The Northern Frontier Army accompanied Shen Nian as he brought the coffin back to the capital. Along the entire journey, all three armies wore plain white, with white silk fluttering in the wind. Wherever they passed through towns or villages, commoners lined the roads to see them off.
The capital's snow blew against Shen Nian's face. He rode his horse, his brows and lashes dusted with frost. He would enter the capital soon. He did not know what awaited him there. The Emperor's sudden bestowals of honor seemed to him no different from a death warrant.
Those rewards were meant for public consumption. Behind the scenes, the Emperor was surely gnashing his teeth at the man who had repeatedly defied his orders.
Just then, a scout who had been surveying the road ahead rode back. A strip of white silk tied around his arm, he quickly reached Shen Nian, dismounted, and knelt on one knee.
The young soldier's face showed a mix of excitement, unease, and panic. "Young Marquis—the Emperor and all the officials are waiting for you at the Farewell Pavilion ten li (5 km) ahead. His Majesty has come personally to welcome the General home."
Shen Nian's heart sank. "What?"
In an instant, his thoughts raced. The Emperor receiving them personally was an immense honor—yet they had received no edict informing them along the way. Now, in this bitter cold, if the Emperor fell ill because of welcoming them, the fault would be theirs. Perhaps that was precisely the Emperor's intention.
With this thought, Shen Nian's eyes grew cold. He raised his hand and ordered the group to speed up.
Shen Nian's suspicions were shared by most court officials. After all, the edict announcing the Emperor's reception had come without warning. They could imagine no other explanation. Could they really say that the young Emperor had simply taken a liking to Shen Nian?
Later, of course, everyone would learn the truth—the Emperor did indeed take a liking to Shen Nian. So much so that others burned with jealous hatred, their eyes bleeding with envy.
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