Chapter 27
Yang Jinglei knew very well how much the Emperor valued Qi Junzhuo. So after that line, he added that Prince Jin was safe, the assassin had gotten away, and he would look into the matter as quickly as possible.
They were in Qingzhou, and Qi Junzhuo was operating under Qi Junyou's name.
For the moment, it was unclear whether the assassin had been targeting Qi Junzhuo or Qi Junyou. Yang Jinglei was a cautious man, and before the matter was clarified, he naturally did not dare to write anything rash in his secret memorial.
Fortunately, Qi Junzhuo was unharmed. After reading this, the Emperor forced himself to suppress his rising fury.
He set down the secret letter and narrowed his eyes slightly. Yang Jinglei had no way of knowing this, but he was certain the attack had been aimed at Qi Junzhuo. In the previous life, Qi Junyou had used sightseeing as an excuse to stay in Qingzhou for a while. Back then, not a single assassin had come near him—he hadn't even lost a hair.
During that period, he had indulged in wine and women, composing poetry by day and carousing by night. Not a single assassin had come near him—he hadn't even lost a single hair.
This time, however, by some strange twist of fate, he had sent those two men there—and Qi Junzhuo ended up being ambushed.
What exactly lay behind all this, no one could say.
Perhaps someone had figured out that Qi Junzhuo was impersonating Qi Junyou, seen through the deception, and seized the chance to eliminate him.
Or perhaps this incident was linked to Qi Junzhuo's disappearance in the previous life.
All sorts of theories churned through Qi Junmu's mind, yet after pondering for a while, he still could not make sense of it.
Still, what mattered was that Qi Junzhuo was safe. Yang Jinglei's secret letter had been delivered through a special channel, which meant it had been sent immediately after the assassination attempt. If there was anything else, further letters would follow from Qingzhou.
With that thought, Qi Junmu composed himself.
He looked up and noticed Shen Nian sitting nearby. His expression hesitated for a moment, then he said kindly, "Marquis Zhenbei, you have done great service this time. Is there anything you want?"
Shen Nian watched Qi Junmu with keen interest. He felt that when the emperor had looked at him just now, that momentary hesitation—the meaning written on his face—was clearly, Why are you still here?
Though the emperor had covered it up quickly, Shen Nian flattered himself that he had enough discernment to catch it.
It seemed that whatever was in that secret letter weighed heavily on the Emperor's mind. After all, anyone who could send news by secret letter had to be far away. And there were not many people the Emperor cared about—and only one who was far away: Prince Jin.
This Prince Jin's place in the Emperor's heart was far greater than rumor suggested.
There was another thing that bothered Shen Nian: the Emperor had taken out the secret letter right in front of him. Was that because he trusted him? Or because he knew Shen Nian would not dare breathe a word of it?
The emperor was certainly an interesting one. Shen Nian mused over these thoughts, but on the surface, he followed Qi Junmu's lead and replied, "It is this humble subject's duty to share Your Majesty's burdens. Whatever Your Majesty sees fit to bestow, this humble subject shall gladly accept."
Qi Junmu let out a scoffing laugh. "I thought you were going to say you wanted nothing at all."
Shen Nian had a thick skin and was utterly unfazed by the emperor's jab: "Your Majesty jests. In this matter, this humble subject is the greatest contributor. How could I possibly refuse Your Majesty's reward?"
Qi Junmu could not be bothered to banter further. "Rest assured," he said. "I will not short-change you on what you are due."
Shen Nian acknowledged this with a murmur, but unlike his usual self, he did not respond with a grin.
The Emperor was in a foul mood. There was no need to twist the knife at a time like this—if the Emperor decided to settle accounts later, the one who would suffer would be him.
Shen Nian thought to himself that this was the moment to take his leave.
After all, he had received his reward, and they had reached another unspoken understanding. The Emperor had other worries, and Shen Nian could not afford to be so oblivious as to linger and irritate him further.
Yet things still took an unexpected turn. Just as he was about to rise and take his leave, Qi Junmu beckoned to him and said in a warm tone, "Marquis Shen, the Astronomical Bureau has calculated several auspicious dates and reign titles. I find it difficult to choose. Marquis Shen, take a look as well."
[A reign title (年号): the era name chosen by an emperor to mark his rule, often associated with good fortune, peace, or a new beginning. Changing the reign title was a significant political and symbolic act, usually done at the start of a new emperor's reign or during a major turning point.]
Shen Nian was taken aback. He looked up and saw the perfectly composed expression on the Emperor's face—as though the anger of moments ago had been nothing but his imagination.
A thought stirred in Shen Nian's heart, and the words slipped out before he could stop them: "If Your Majesty is in low spirits, why force yourself?"
The warmth on Qi Junmu's face froze instantly.
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