Qi Junmu wasn't willing to show Wen family any face, but he had to give Lin Xiao some respect, so he didn't press the matter further.
He then discussed a few more trivial matters. When it came to Shen Nian submitting a memorial requesting three years of filial mourning leave to honor his late father, Qi Junmu refused, declaring on the spot that before the end of the year, he would issue an imperial edict naming Shen Nian as the heir to Marquis Zhenbei.
[Filial mourning leave (丁忧, dīng yōu): lit. to encounter sorrow; a mandatory, unpaid leave of absence required of officials following a parent's death. During this period, they cannot hold office, marry, take exams, or attend entertainment.]
This drew opposition from Lin Xiao and others. Lin Xiao argued that Shen Nian was currently in his mourning period, and given the deep bond between father and son, a son's willingness to take three years of mourning leave for his father was a great act of filial piety. He suggested that Qi Junmu should wait until after the mourning period ended before bestowing the title, making it a double joy for the Shen family.
Qi Junmu naturally opposed this. He said, "I understand the Left Chancellor's meaning. But Shen Nian is my right-hand man. I truly cannot bear to see him take three years of filial mourning leave. When I observed mourning for the late emperor, I substituted days for months (shortening a mourning period by counting each day as a month). Shen Nian may not be able to do as I did, but he must still attend court. If a person acts with integrity and follows proper conduct, it is entirely possible to fulfill one's mourning duties while still serving at court."
Lin Xiao was somewhat shocked. He hadn't expected Qi Junmu to value Shen Nian so highly as to openly invoke duoqing.
Duoqing refers to the Emperor refusing a minister's request for three years of filial mourning leave because he values that minister too much to let him go. Typically, however, the minister would still decline the offer, since filial piety comes before all else.
If Shen Nian didn't refuse, even if justified, he would inevitably face criticism and ridicule later.
Lin Xiao didn't understand Qi Junmu's intention behind this move. He remained distracted until court was dismissed.
After the other officials bid farewell to Lin Xiao and left, Wen Zhuo walked over. "Left Chancellor, what are you thinking about?"
Lin Xiao glanced at him. "I was just wondering whether the Emperor places too much importance on Shen Nian."
Wen Zhuo rolled his eyes. Glancing around, he lowered his voice. "Do you even need to think about it? The Emperor has a grudge against the Shen family. He wants to use Shen Nian as a blade. One day, when things go wrong, that blade will turn back on the Shens themselves."
Lin Xiao actually thought so too, but the Emperor was being far too obvious about it. He felt there must be another purpose. Still, this wasn't something convenient to discuss with Wen Zhuo.
So Lin Xiao changed the subject. "Lord Wen, I've received word that yesterday the Emperor severely reprimanded the Empress. Your misfortune today may well stem from that. Since ancient times, an unstable rear palace means an unstable court. You'd best think carefully."
Wen Zhuo's face changed at these words. He muttered, "I knew it—no wonder the Emperor was looking at me like I'd offended him! So it's trouble in his own backyard. Truly, a fire at the city gate brings disaster to the fish in the moat."
[城门失火殃及池鱼 (chéngmén shīhuǒ yāng jí chí yú): lit. a city gate catches fire, bringing disaster to the fish in the moat; fig. innocent bystanders get caught up in others' troubles.]
Wen Zhuo wasn't a well-educated man. Lin Xiao wanted to point out that his last phrase wasn't quite right.
But explaining exactly what was wrong would be difficult. He couldn't very well tell Wen Zhuo that their Wen family and Wen Wan shared the same roots, nor did he want to waste time on such pointless talk.
Lin Xiao said, "As long as you understand the situation, that's enough. My wife is at the Empress Dowager's palace. I'll go fetch her home."
Wen Zhuo nodded in agreement and hurried out of the palace. These matters required his wife's involvement.
Lin Xiao didn't go directly to the Empress Dowager. Before that, he first went to Qianhua Hall to pay respects to Qi Junmu.
As a loyal minister, he felt it his duty to urge the Emperor down the right path.
Once before Qi Junmu, Lin Xiao didn't hide his intention. He said directly, "Your Majesty, this lavish favor toward the Shen family—is it for the sake of the Northern Frontier Army?"
They had discussed this matter thoroughly before Shen Nian returned to the capital. Lin Xiao's view at the time was that military power in the north should certainly be in the Emperor's own hands, but with the Shen family, they needed to cook over a slow fire.
After all, the Shen family's roots in the north ran too deep. Too hot a flame would set the entire northern frontier ablaze.
If the Northern Frontier Army's loyalty ever faltered, half of Da Qi would be shaken to its core.
Qi Junmu smiled slightly. "Uncle, I believe that sometimes you have to push someone to the brink before they can find a new way forward—that's a valid approach too. I've already sent Ruan Jiqing to the Shen family with the edict." His implication was clear: Shen Nian's status as a favored minister was set in stone.
Lin Xiao frowned deeply. The Emperor's mind was made up, so he said no more. Besides, the one who should be suffering now was Shen Nian, not the Emperor.
Having reached this understanding, Lin Xiao let go of the matter. "Your Majesty, your subject understands."
Qi Junmu gave a casual "mm." Since Lin Xiao said he understood, Qi Junmu would take him at his word.
"Your Majesty, your subject wishes to pay respects at the Empress Dowager's palace. Would Your Majesty like to come along?" Lin Xiao asked, hoping to ease the tension between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
Qi Junmu's eyelids lowered slightly, but his expression remained the same, he said, "Uncle, go on ahead." He neither agreed nor refused.
Lin Xiao glanced at him, bowed, and left.
After he was gone, Qi Junmu pressed his thin lips together. A trace of mockery rose in his eyes. He could guess with his toes that the Empress Dowager's palace was all peace and harmony now. His aunt, Yue shi, would have entered the palace, surely bringing Lin En along.
With Lin En's arrival, the Empress Dowager would certainly have Fuhua keep her company. They would all be laughing and chatting pleasantly. If he went, the atmosphere would only turn awkward.
At this thought, Qi Junmu sneered.
But it didn't really matter.
Half a shichen (1 hour) later, Ruan Jiqing returned from outside the palace. His expression was peculiar—so much so that Qi Junmu couldn't pretend not to notice.
Before the Emperor could even speak, Ruan Jiqing said, "Your Majesty, the heir—Marquis Zhenbei is kneeling at the Meridian Gate, begging to confess his guilt." The Meridian Gate was where officials constantly entered and exited. Shen Nian kneeling there meant every official entering or leaving the palace would see him.
Qi Junmu raised an eyebrow and said casually, "Oh? Is he still set on taking his mourning leave?" If so, he'd grant Shen Nian's wish. It wasn't as if he had no one else to guard the palace gates.
Ruan Jiqing hurriedly replied, "No, Your Majesty. Marquis Zhenbei is confessing his guilt for trying to purchase an official post for his younger brother. He's weeping bitterly at the Meridian Gate, saying he has failed Your Majesty's expectations and begging you to retract the edict bestowing the title."
"Oh? Something like that?" Qi Junmu sat up straight abruptly. A smile flickering in his eyes. "Summon him in."
With such good drama unfolding, naturally he wanted to watch it sooner rather than later.
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