If anyone else had said those words just now, it would have sounded like they were suggesting Guan Han's death was suspicious and that Su Ren was deliberately trying to tarnish the Emperor's reputation. But coming from the Emperor himself, it came across as harsh and confrontational.
It sounded like the Emperor was trying to clear himself of suspicion by deliberately coming up with such a story.
Of course, Qi Junmu could also forcefully suppress the matter, but doing so would cause great harm and definitely leave hidden dangers. It could become something others would use against him later.
Regardless of whether there were other reasons for Guan Han’s death, the immediate danger needed to be resolved first. The cause of Guan Han’s death could be investigated slowly.
So Shen Nian stepped forward and dropped to his knees with a thud. Not only that, but after kneeling, he began to weep in grief and indignation.
The officials who had been murmuring and exchanging secret glances were all startled.
Even the Emperor on the dragon throne was stunned.
Shen Nian cried sorrowfully, raising his reddened eyes and said, "Your Majesty, they are pressuring you. It is all this humble subject’s fault."
That single sentence drew everyone’s attention and also diverted all the fire. Sniffling, Shen Nian looked aggrieved and whimpered, "I have heard at home about Lord Guan’s words in court that day. He accused Your Majesty of favoring the Shen family over the matter of my father’s grave. He said Your Majesty’s actions lacked authority, that it was because you fear the Shen family’s military power, that you were bowing and compromising with the Shen family."
"My father fought bloody battles in the northern frontier for so many years. Every year, there were dozens of large and small battles in the north. Over the years, that adds up to hundreds. My father and the border troops have countless wounds, large and small. Among the Northern Frontier Army, who has not seen blood? Who has not killed? Who has not been wounded? When supplies didn’t arrive, how many survived by eating tree bark and drinking melted snow? To survive wounds and bloodshed is thanks to Your Majesty’s protection and Heaven’s grace. How many families were torn apart? How many dare not even close their eyes at night to sleep?"
"Putting aside these hardships for a moment, just because Your Majesty, mindful of my father’s service, extended kindness to his posthumous name, you are now accused of being cowardly, fatuous, unkind, and incompetent. I, who crawled out of the heaps of dead in the north, refuse to accept this first and foremost. Your Majesty shows consideration for the troops who guard the north and give you stability. The slightest favor makes you green with envy, and you even seize the opportunity to sow discord between Your Majesty and the Northern Frontier Army. How can you bear to do this? Under Heaven, all is the king’s land. Within the four seas, all are the king’s subjects. The Northern Frontier Army are His Majesty’s subjects, and Marquis Zhenbei is also His Majesty’s subject. They guard His Majesty’s land and safety, and also the land and safety of the people of Da Qi."
"Today in this court, I ask you this: In what way is His Majesty unkind? How is this court not fair and upright? Why should anyone have to give up their life just to achieve clarity?"
As he finished, Shen Nian straightened his spine, his eyes sharp as a drawn sword. With tears and red veins in his eyes, there lurked a twisted, cruel glint. Everyone he looked at felt a chill run down their necks.
Faced with the young Marquis Zhenbei’s interrogation, the court fell silent. Many officials looked away quietly, not daring to meet Shen Nian’s eyes, fearing they would see restless souls in them.
After a moment, Qi Junmu stood up. The Emperor, wearing his elaborate, heavy dragon robe, descended the white jade steps from the lofty dragon throne, one by one, until he stood before Shen Nian.
The Emperor bent down and helped him up, just as he had done that day at the Farewell Pavilion.
In the silent great hall, the Emperor said softly to Shen Nian, "Marquis Zhenbei has worked hard. The northern frontier troops have worked hard. All the troops who guard the peace and stability of our Da Qi have worked hard."
"Marquis Zhenbei" referred both to Shen Nian and to Shen Yi.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao immediately took the lead in kneeling and said, "The Emperor is wise. Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!"
One by one, the others knelt and shouted, "The Emperor is wise!" After this, who would dare bring up the matter again? Who would still say the Emperor was unkind and muddled?
Qi Junmu looked at Shen Nian’s aggrieved yet restrained eyes. Just before letting go, a thought crossed his mind, and his hand unconsciously rose to pat Shen Nian’s shoulder.
He could tell that besides helping him out, these words also came from Shen Nian’s heart. Shen Nian was young, his shoulders still thin. His father had guarded the northern frontier until he gave his life before returning to his homeland.
Shen Nian didn’t have a complete family. The very people he protected were quibbling over trivial matters with the Shen family. He had a mess of family troubles of his own, yet he still had to mediate for the Northern Frontier Army, fight for the interests of the soldiers, and endure.
Shen Nian was angry, but he couldn’t express that anger fully, fearing it would bring trouble to Shen Yi and disaster to the Northern Frontier Army. His words in court today had vented some of that pent-up fury.
Shen Nian was practically pointing at these people’s noses and saying: We shed blood, sweat, and faced life and death, while you eat rich food and drink fine wine. How dare you say you envy someone else’s imperial favor?
If you’re so capable, go fight your own battles, shed your own blood, die your own deaths. Then those merits can be yours as well.
Feeling the silent comfort of the Emperor’s hand on his shoulder, Shen Nian looked up in surprise.
Qi Junmu met his gaze, then suddenly withdrew his hand, feeling somewhat awkward for reasons he didn’t understand.
The Emperor unconsciously rubbed his fingers together, turned away, and returned to his seat on the dragon throne. He spoke: "Regarding what Marquis Zhenbei has said, I think Guan Han, as an imperial censor, should have understood it even better. Since the Prefect of the Capital cannot find anything else about Guan Han’s death, let the Marquis Zhenbei investigate it."
Seeing someone about to object, the Emperor smiled coldly: "I have made up my mind. This matter will be handled as such."
Sensing the Emperor’s displeasure, the officials dared not say more.
The momentum they had gathered to pressure the Emperor was broken by Shen Nian’s impassioned, breathless speech just now. Faced with the Emperor’s anger, they could only retreat.
Not everyone was unafraid of death, and not everyone was willing to resign.
"Since you have no other matters, court is dismissed. Marquis Zhenbei will follow me." Qi Junmu stood up and said.
The hundred officials saw the Emperor off. Shen Nian, his eyes still rimmed with red, rose silently and followed behind the Emperor without a word.
Lin Xiao watched their retreating backs and let out a long sigh.
Thank goodness Shen Nian spoke up in court today. His words were harsh, but there was no denying he made sense.
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