Lin Xiao gave a helpless smile. Though the Emperor said that, he was certain that if Qi Junzhuo hadn't said something to him first, the Emperor would never have had reason to suspect Yang Jinglei out of nowhere.
Yang Jinglei was straightforward and loyal by nature—his words and actions left no easy openings for others to exploit.
With that in mind, Lin Xiao hesitated for a long time before finally speaking up: "Your Majesty, I feel that whether it's Prince Jin or Marquis Zhenbei, Your Majesty should keep some guard up. Not everything they say and do is necessarily for Your Majesty's benefit—everyone in this world has their own selfish motives. In all matters, Your Majesty should consider both sides. Take Yang Jinglei, for example—perhaps someone simply doesn't like him and wants him replaced..."
Noticing Qi Junmu's expression cooling slightly, Lin Xiao sighed inwardly and steered the conversation back: "This is all just my speculation, of course."
"I know Uncle speaks only for my good." Qi Junmu looked at Lin Xiao sincerely. "You are the only one in this world who dares to say such things to me. But I trust my Fourth Brother."
Lin Xiao knew that when it came to Qi Junzhuo, the Emperor would hit a brick wall and still not turn back. Unable to persuade him there, he pressed on: "Your Majesty and Prince Jin share deep brotherly affection—that is a blessing for Da Qi. As for the Marquis of Zhenbei, what does Your Majesty plan to do?"
[不撞南墙不回头 (bù zhuàng nán qiáng bù huí tóu): lit. Won't turn back until hitting the southern wall; fig. Stubbornly persisting in a course of action, even when warned, until reality forces a stop.]
The current debate surrounding Shen Nian was quite subtle. In the past, people's impression of Shen Nian was that of a man with many merits—saying his name conjured images of one who served the country and its people.
But now things were different. Shen Nian was now seen by many as someone who purged his rivals.
If handled well, this could keep him mired in controversy, and in time, it would only be natural for the Emperor to take back the North Frontier Army.
Qi Junmu understood Lin Xiao's meaning. He smiled and said: "Uncle, rest assured—I know how to handle Marquis Zhenbei."
Seeing that the Emperor was still clear-headed when it came to Shen Nian, Lin Xiao felt somewhat relieved.
The Empress Dowager, it should be said, greatly disliked Qi Junzhuo—and yet the Emperor doted on him endlessly, which was like driving a needle straight into the Empress Dowager's heart. Unfortunately, this was one matter where Lin Xiao could not advise the Emperor.
Just thinking about the Empress Dowager complaining to him about this gave Lin Xiao a headache.
Qi Junmu didn't wish to continue this discussion, so he changed the subject: "Uncle, how is Lin En?"
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor had both sent many tonics to the Lin family in recent days. Lin En had been treated by Bai Feng, and Qi Junmu knew that Lin En had developed a fever after falling into the water and was still somewhat weak.
Knowing something was one thing—showing concern was another.
Sometimes, one had to express care so others would know that sentiment was truly held.
Lin Xiao gave a bitter smile. "He's mostly recovered now. In a few days, he'll come to the palace in person to express his gratitude. The Empress Dowager and Your Majesty have sent so many tonics that our house is practically overflowing."
Qi Junmu nodded. "Good. Once Cousin Lin En is better, have him come to the palace often to keep Imperial Mother company."
Hearing a hint of loneliness in the Emperor's tone, Lin Xiao quickly said: "What the Empress Dowager worries about most is still Your Majesty. You are mother and son—you've weathered great storms together over the years. Do not let a small matter sour your relationship. I have already spoken with the Empress Dowager about the last incident; she just needed time to think it through."
"Of course." Qi Junmu said. "She is my mother. I know she acts for my good."
A note of emotion crept into Lin Xiao's eyes. "It's good that Your Majesty sees it that way."
The two exchanged a few more casual words, and then Lin Xiao withdrew.
Qi Junmu watched him leave, then lowered his hands and slouched lazily against the imperial chair.
Lin Xiao had always been working to mend the relationship between him and the Empress Dowager. Many times, facing this uncle of his, Qi Junmu felt rather helpless.
There were some thoughts in his heart that he could not fully lay out before Lin Xiao—he understood Lin Xiao's position. The Empress Dowager was his sister, and the Emperor was his nephew. As long as no major issues arose, Lin Xiao would stand firm throughout Qi Junmu's reign.
With the protection of both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, the Lin family would stand more securely in the capital and become the foremost noble family.
Everyone had selfish motives—the Empress Dowager did, he did, and Lin Xiao did too.
There was nothing wrong with that.
When it came time to see Shen Nian, Qi Junmu naturally did not mention a single word of this conversation with Lin Xiao. As for what to do with Shen Nian, Qi Junmu had his own measure in mind.
However, Qi Junmu did ask about Yang Jinglei. He looked at Shen Nian with a smile and said, "There's been so much talk about this inside and outside the court. What exactly happened between you and Yang Jinglei?"
"Your Majesty, you know very well what happened between us." Shen Nian said with a helpless look. "You left him hanging there, and it made Commander Yang so uneasy that he started hearing rumors about how this humble subject supposedly holds a special place in Your Majesty's heart. So he went rushing off to the Marquis Zhenbei's residence. And now, even though he went on his own, this humble subject is the one being painted as the bully. Every time this humble subject thinks about it, I toss and turn at night, unable to fall asleep at night or eat in peace."
Three idioms in a row like that made Qi Junmu's head spin. He said, "Tossing and turning, unable to sleep—anyone hearing that would think you were pining for Yang Jinglei."
"Your Majesty, why would this humble subject pine for him?" Seeing that the Emperor wasn't angry, and was even in a fairly amiable mood, Shen Nian relaxed. The old habit of speaking in jest and tossing out teasing remarks crept back in, and his mouth moved faster than his mind. "This humble subject has standards, you know. If I were losing sleep over anyone, it would be Your Majesty, not him."
The moment the words left his mouth, he caught the Emperor's brows slowly rising. Shen Nian's senses snapped back, and he quickly added, "Your Majesty, what I meant was—he's not as good-looking as you, so he's not worth my thoughts."
The Emperor's brow twitched twice. Shen Nian belatedly realized he was only making things worse.
Words spoken are like water spilled—there's no picking them back up. To avoid saying anything further amiss, he clamped his mouth shut, hung his head in dejection, and stood there waiting for the Emperor's judgment, looking thoroughly chagrined.
Qi Junmu wasn't actually all that angry. When he was still a prince, the Empress Dowager had cared most about his studies and whether Emperor Jing favored him. No one paid much attention to his looks. And once he became Emperor, no one dared comment on his appearance at all. Hearing such words from Shen Nian was rather novel.
Still, given the context, Qi Junmu inwardly shook his head. He wondered when Shen Nian would ever overcome this habit of spouting nonsense whenever his mind went askew.
When Shen Nian sneaked a look at the Emperor's expression, he happened to catch that slight shake of the head and a sigh.
His heart tightened. Could it be that he had fallen out of favor just like that?
"Did Marquis Zhenbei ever study in the North Frontier?" Qi Junmu asked abruptly, just as Shen Nian's thoughts were wandering.
Shen Nian licked his lips and said, "Though the North Frontier is desolate, this humble subject did receive some education. My father was a man of vast learning, and under his personal tutelage, I managed to learn my letters."
"I'd say you learned more than just your letters—you learned far too many, and now you can't keep that tongue of yours in check. Always spouting nonsense." Qi Junmu said flatly.
Shen Nian admitted with a pained look, "Your Majesty speaks truly. My father said the same. But this humble subject grew up on the borderlands, with no one to guide me. By the time my father realized I had gone astray, I was already too old for books—all I could do was swing a blade and wield a spear."
Seeing him put on such an amusing display, Qi Junmu, who hadn't intended to hold it against him anyway, couldn't be bothered to press further and silently decided to let him off. Following the flow of the conversation, Qi Junmu said, "You and your father make quite an interesting pair. One was a companion to the crown prince and ended up a great general; the other grew up on horseback and became the favorite of the palace."
"Yes, this humble subject doesn't suppose my father ever expected things to turn out this way," Shen Nian said, a trace of melancholy in his brow.
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