Chapter 5
As Shen Nian and his group moved forward, from a distance they could see the imperial flags standing against the snow around the Farewell Pavilion.
The Farewell Pavilion was ten li from the capital, which was why people also called it the Ten-Li Farewell Pavilion.
Shen Nian rode his horse forward, with his personal guards flanking him. When the imperial guards came into view, he dismounted, and everyone behind him did the same. Their movements were perfectly synchronized—the only sound was the rustling of their robes. This small detail showed how strictly Shen Yi had disciplined his army.
The North Frontier Army's flag was dark red, with the empire name "Qi" embroidered in the center, surrounded by yellow patterns.
The funeral cortege stopped. Shen Nian, along with his left and right deputies, went to see the emperor after the imperial guards verified their identities.
Shen Nian spotted the young emperor at once, but the wind and snow were heavy, obscuring the emperor's features.
All the civil and military officials present were wearing their winter uniforms and cotton official hats, holding hand warmers. Their faces were bright red from the cold as the north wind howled. The emperor sat upright inside the Farewell Pavilion, dressed in plain-colored clothes with golden dragons embroidered on the collar and cuffs. He wasn't holding anything like a hand warmer.
On top of that, he wore a white fox fur cloak, making him stand out among the crowd.
The civil and military officials were actually glad to see Shen Nian. They had been standing there for quite a while. If it weren't for the emperor's presence, they wouldn't have endured such cold weather.
Shen Nian walked straight ahead without looking sideways, ignoring the occasional glances directed at him. When he got very close to the Farewell Pavilion, the emperor’s imperial guards stopped him, and someone shouted at him for being so bold.
A hint of confusion and innocence flashed across Shen Nian's face. Then, as if realizing something, he showed a trace of awkwardness and embarrassment. He went down on one knee, keeping his back perfectly straight, and lowered his gaze. "Your subject, Shen Nian, greets the emperor."
Lin Xiao, who was standing closest to Qi Junmu, quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Young Marquis Shen has been guarding the border for years. He did not mean to offend the emperor's dignity. I beg Your Majesty to forgive him."
Qi Junmu gave a soft "Mm." In his previous life, he had ordered Lin Xiao to lead the officials to the Farewell Pavilion, and he himself had not appeared.
Shen Nian had first met him in Quanhua Hall, and he had acted the same way back then—a man in charge of troops who didn't quite understand court etiquette, a little rough around the edges. That kind of person always made others lower their guard.
Back then, Qi Junmu had said it was no problem. After all, he was going to be a wise emperor—why would he get angry over a minor breach of etiquette from a subject?
Now he no longer wanted to be a wise emperor. Still, he said the same lighthearted "It's no problem." But because he had his own plans, he also stood up, walked out of the Farewell Pavilion, and personally helped Shen Nian to his feet.
The officials' expressions shifted slightly—some more noticeably than others. Shen Nian was also taken aback and couldn't help but look up at the emperor. What met his eyes was a face of cool, detached elegance, exceptionally handsome.
The emperor was dressed very plainly. Whether it was an act or not, he was showing great respect to the North Frontier Army.
Shen Yi had been granted the title of marquis after his death, and Shen Nian had been named heir to Marquis Zhenbei. This was already the emperor's favor. Now the emperor was treating Shen Nian with such special regard. No one could tell if he was trying to temporarily appease the North Frontier Army only to later throw Shen Nian into the fire, or if this was genuine favor.
Considering the situation, the first possibility seemed more likely.
Some of the officials with poorer emotional control couldn't help glancing at the person next to them, seeking an answer. Of course, most of those who stood in the court had enough self-discipline.
Shen Nian's thoughts were also racing. By the time he had barely calmed his emotions, Qi Junmu's hand accidentally brushed against his as he pulled back.
Both of them froze for a moment. Then Qi Junmu said, "Young Marquis Shen's hands are terribly cold. You must have had a hard journey back to the capital."
Qi Junmu's hands were also very cold. When they touched, Shen Nian nearly yanked his hand away in front of everyone.
Suppressing the goosebumps that instantly rose all over his body, Shen Nian clasped his fists and said calmly, "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern."
Qi Junmu nodded indifferently, as if he hadn't done anything inappropriate.
Then, at the Farewell Pavilion, the emperor raised a cup of wine to toast the soldiers. He spoke of Shen Yi's contributions, praised the North Frontier Army, and declared that after Shen Yi was given a grand burial, Shen Nian could directly inherit the title of marquis.
Everyone shouted "Long live the emperor," and the scene between ruler and subjects was perfectly harmonious.
When it was time to leave the Farewell Pavilion, the imperial guards led the way. The emperor's palanquin went first, followed by the officials in order. Shen Nian walked at the back, accompanying the coffin. Before leaving, the emperor gave Shen Nian the hand warmer that had been on the stone table inside the Farewell Pavilion and told him to take good care of himself. He said Shen Nian could come to court for an audience after his family affairs were settled.
Wen Xi, Shen Nian's deputy general, rode up and softly called out, "Young General." Those close to Shen Nian were not accustomed to calling him "Young Marquis."
Shen Nian shook his head slightly. He had someone put away the hand warmer and said, "Let's bury Father first. We'll talk after that."
The emperor's actions that day had made Shen Nian a target of envy and resentment. Many things would have to be carefully reconsidered. Besides, although people say that death extinguishes all, in Shen Nian's heart, nothing was more important than Shen Yi's funeral.
Inside the palanquin, the emperor looked cold and indifferent. He had a warm blanket over him and a small, delicate hand warmer in his grasp. His eyes were closed as he rested.
No one knew how long had passed when the palanquin stopped. The curtain was lifted, and Ruan Jiqing said fawningly, "Your Majesty, we have arrived at the capital gate."
At the capital gate, the civil and military officials were supposed to part ways, but that required the emperor's order. Qi Junmu said in a somewhat cold tone, "It's freezing out there. Tell them all to go home."
Ruan Jiqing quickly acknowledged the order. Just as he was about to leave, Qi Junmu added, "Wait. Ask Prince Jin to come here."
Ruan Jiqing paused for a moment, and when he saw that Qi Junmu had no further instructions, he went to deliver the message.
Qi Junzhuo arrived quickly on horseback. Qi Junmu noticed that his brother was dressed rather thinly and that his face was very red from the cold. He wanted to invite him into the palanquin, but then remembered his brother's rigid, old-fashioned nature and gave up the idea.
Back at the palace, Qi Junmu invited Qi Junzhuo to sit on the couch and drink hot tea. Silver charcoal was burning in the brazier in front of the couch, and soon they both warmed up.
The emperor looked at Qi Junzhuo's serious expression and said helplessly, "I invite you to the palace for tea, and you look like you're here to be tortured."
Qi Junzhuo immediately stood up. "Imperial Brother, please forgive me."
Qi Junmu was truly at a loss. He smiled bitterly and motioned for his brother to sit down. "Acting like this makes me feel like a very lonely emperor." If even between brothers it was all ruler-subject formalities, then the distance between them was truly vast.
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