Qi Junmu didn't stop Ruan Jiqing from rambling on. Seizing the moment when Shen Nian was too dazed to speak, he stepped outside.
The Marquis Zhenbei's residence was rather dilapidated, and Shen Nian's courtyard was no exception—it couldn't compare to any hall or pavilion in the palace. From the state of the surroundings, one could tell that the master of this yard either paid little attention to it, or simply had his mind elsewhere.
For a brief moment, Qi Junmu suddenly understood why Shen Nian had been able to walk away so freely in his past life.
He had achieved little in court, was met with suspicion and wariness from the Emperor, and had no real attachment to the Shen family. Once he learned of all the sordid affairs between Wen Shi and Shen Qing, he chose to walk away completely.
He had returned to the capital with great fanfare, and left it with equal decisiveness and ease.
In this life, however, Qi Junmu had bound him from the very start. Barring any unforeseen turn, he would not be leaving the capital again.
While the Emperor stood outside lost in these stray thoughts, inside the room Shen Nian had not actually let Ruan Jiqing help him change.
He had Ruan Jiqing wait in the outer chamber, changed clothes as quickly as he could, and then washed up.
By the time he sat down to eat his congee, it was still rather hot, but he finished it quickly nonetheless.
Watching his flustered rush, Ruan Jiqing chuckled: "My lord, this congee is scalding—please take your time."
"The Emperor is waiting outside. How could a subject keep the Emperor waiting?" Shen Nian mumbled through mouthfuls of congee. "I can't just take His Majesty's concern for granted and act without restraint."
Ruan Jiqing was surprised to hear such a thoughtful remark from him for once: "My lord, it is truly rare for you to see things so clearly. This servant has been by His Majesty's side for many years, and I have never seen him hold anyone so close to his heart. The moment he heard you were ill, he summoned Physician Bai from the palace—and now Physician Bai is decocting your medicine."
He paused briefly, then added: "Though I should say, it's not only you. In the palace, there are the Empress Dowager, the Empress, Prince Jin, and Princess Fuhua. Among his subjects, you are the only one. That you can perceive this clearly will surely bring His Majesty great comfort."
Shen Nian listened, but did not slow his pace of eating, nor did he offer any other reply. His mind, however, grew clearer by the moment.
Ruan Jiqing watched him, a complicated expression on his face.
By the time Shen Nian finished his congee and stepped outside, he saw at once the Emperor standing in the courtyard and Bai Feng holding a bowl of medicine. Ruan Jiqing quickly hurried to the Emperor's side.
Shen Nian lowered his head, walked over, and performed the proper formal bow. Qi Junmu helped him up and said, "Did I not tell you there's no need for such ceremony?"
"Propriety cannot be abandoned," Shen Nian replied flatly. Then he gestured toward the study and led the Emperor in that direction.
Qi Junmu said, "You are still unwell. I won't disturb you further here. Once you've recovered, come to the palace as soon as possible." He glanced at Bai Feng, who maintained an impassive expression, then handed the medicine to Shen Nian and said gently, "My lord, your illness is nothing serious—mainly stagnant qi and blood. A few doses of this decoction will set you right."
Shen Nian took the bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it down without so much as a flicker of expression.
Setting the empty bowl aside, he glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late. This humble subject will see the Emperor back to the palace."
Qi Junmu felt something off in his manner, but after studying him for a moment, could find nothing amiss, so he nodded in agreement. As they were leaving Shen Nian's courtyard, a guard came to report that the Old Madam Shen was waiting outside, seeking an audience.
Qi Junmu looked at Shen Nian and said, "I've been here with you and have yet to meet your grandmother."
Shen Nian said nothing. Qi Junmu ordered the guard to let Old Madam Shen in.
Old Madam Shen had always dressed plainly, and today was no exception. Seeing the Emperor, she began to perform her formal bow, but Qi Junmu said, "No need for such ceremony."
Because of Old Madam Shen's arrival, Qi Junmu did not return to the palace immediately. The group proceeded to the main hall and sat for a while.
Out of regard for her being Shen Nian's grandmother, Qi Junmu asked after her health, and Old Madam Shen answered each question in turn.
As she looked at the Emperor, there was something strange in her eyes—not quite hatred, yet not far from it; not quite scrutiny, yet as if she were looking through him at someone else. She tried hard to veil that complicated gaze, but perhaps because her emotions were too stirred, feeling could not help but leak through her eyes.
Qi Junmu raised an eyebrow slightly. He looked from Old Madam Shen to Shen Nian, and sensed that there must be more going on in the Shen family than he knew.
Old Madam Shen realized she had not kept herself in check. She rose and said, "Forgive me, Your Majesty. Your brows and eyes bear some resemblance to the late Emperor. This commoner woman saw Your Majesty and could not help but think of him."
Shen Nian's eyelids twitched sharply. He cast a heavy, silent look at his grandmother.
Qi Junmu smiled and said, "So that's how it is."
It was well known that Shen Yi had been the late Emperor's childhood companion. Even when the Shen family sided with Prince Su, Shen Yi had remained on good terms with the late Emperor. It was only natural that Old Madam Shen would have met the late Emperor as well.
What Qi Junmu found interesting, though, was why Old Madam Shen chose to bring this up now—whether she meant to show that the Shen family bore no resentment toward the imperial family, or whether there was some other intent behind it.
He pondered this as he exchanged a few more pleasantries with Old Madam Shen, then rose to leave.
Shen Nian escorted him to the gate. The Marquis Zhenbei's residence was surrounded by imperial guards on all sides, with the curious crowd kept at a safe distance.
Among the onlookers was Yang Jinglei, quietly watching over the common people who had come to catch a glimpse of the Emperor, lest they unwittingly commit some taboo and be arrested.
Su Ren had been waiting by the gate all along, maintaining order. When he finally saw the Emperor emerge, he was overcome with emotion.
In the sweltering heat, his official robes were soaked through with sweat, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
As Qi Junmu stepped into his palanquin, he looked at Shen Nian and said, "You are still ill. Go back inside."
Shen Nian replied, "This humble subject will see the Emperor off."
Seeing how stubborn he was, Qi Junmu had no choice but to board the palanquin.
Only after the imperial procession had disappeared from sight did Shen Nian remain standing there. For a long while he did not move. It was not until the guards had also withdrawn that he slowly turned and walked back.
Inside the Marquis Zhenbei's residence, Old Madam Shen was still seated in the main hall, with no attendants left nearby.
Shen Nian walked over and called out, "Grandmother." Old Madam Shen looked at him and said, "He is the Emperor. Drawing too close to the Emperor—no one ever comes to a good end."
Shen Nian did not raise his head. His voice was calm as he replied, "Grandmother, back then the Shen family supported Prince Su, yet in the end the late Emperor ascended the throne. If it were not for Father's old ties with the late Emperor, the Shen family would likely have been wiped out long ago."
Old Madam Shen's lips trembled. At last, she rose and left without another word.
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