While the Emperor was setting these things in motion, many people both inside and outside the palace were unable to sleep.
Within the palace, the first was naturally the Empress Dowager. The last time, the Emperor had explicitly rejected her proposal on Shen Nian's behalf, which had greatly displeased her. Later, Lin Xiao had managed to soothe her and suppress her anger.
But because of that, whenever the Empress Dowager heard anything about Shen Nian being highly valued by the Emperor, her mood turned foul.
Today was especially so.
Qi Junmu had actually granted Shen Nian a bath in the palace's hot springs and had even ascended the imperial pavilion built by Emperor Jing together with him.
In ordinary times, the Empress Dowager might not have been this angry. But these two things together were like a spark set to dry tinder in her heart, making her unbearably restless.
In the Dowager Empress's eyes, Shen Nian now ranked no higher than Qi Junzhuo—she held neither of them in much regard.
When she learned that Shen Nian had returned to the Imperial Guard quarters, the Empress Dowager gave a faint, insipid smile and said, "This Marquis Zhenbei is almost rivaling Qi Junzhuo in the Emperor's heart. I understand the Emperor's actions less and less with each passing day. Qi Junzhuo I can somewhat excuse—he is the Emperor's younger brother after all, and he did save the Emperor's life once. But Shen Nian—he outranks several of the other princes!"
Her words were quite unreasonable. If the status of men like Qi Junyan were truly equal to Qi Junzhuo's, she would certainly not have tolerated it. Moreover, Qi Junyan and Qi Junmu had once been rivals, opponents who would have gladly seen each other dead.
But Shen Nian? He was a meritorious subject of Da Qi, one who had guarded the North Frontier, protected the stability of the capital, and saved the lives of countless thousands—the kind of man celebrated by the common people.
In the prefectures and counties along the northern route, the Emperor's name did not carry half the weight of Shen Nian's.
Ruyan knew all this perfectly well, but she would never say it aloud. All she could do was follow the Empress Dowager's lead and say, "Your Majesty, even if Marquis Zhenbei is highly favored, he can never compare to Princess Fuhua in the Emperor's heart. Princess Fuhua is the Emperor's own elder sister. In this servant's humble opinion, even Prince Jin cannot surpass Princess Fuhua."
The Empress Dowager's expression grew even colder. She said, "If the Emperor were as clear-headed about priorities as you claim, I would have no cause for worry."
Ruyan studied her face and spoke with increasing caution: "Your Majesty, the Emperor is still young. There are many matters on which he still needs your wise guidance."
That struck a chord with the Empress Dowager. She glanced at Ruyan, fell silent, and did not say anything more.
In the place where the Empress Dowager could not see, Ruyan let out a soft sigh of relief.
Shen Nian's affairs drew the Empress Dowager's attention—and Wen Wan had also heard of them.
Over the past two days, Wen Wan had received another letter from her mother. It said that Wen Yao had been cooped up at home lately, growing more and more restless, and that he had finally come to recognize his past wrongs. The letter went on to ask whether the Emperor might be willing to ease up a little and let Wen Yao take on some actual duties outside.
Toward her younger brother Wen Yao, Wen Wan still felt considerable affection.
In the inner courtyard of the Wen household, Wen Zhuo kept many concubines and companions. There were always one or two who enjoyed his favor and, because of that, looked down on her mother. In those days, when she was frail and sickly, Wen Yao had often stood up to protect her.
She also knew that Wen Yao's nature was fundamentally good—it was only in the past two years, spoiled by their mother and the Emperor, that he had become increasingly arrogant.
Thinking of the Emperor, Wen Wan's expression flickered. She had not seen him since the last time she had personally gone to Quanhua Hall.
She did not know what the Emperor was trying to do, or just how far he intended to push her.
At that thought, Wen Wan unconsciously bit her lower lip.
By the time Yutao entered carrying chilled watermelon, Wen Wan had already smoothed away all traces of expression from her face.
Yutao smiled and said, "Niangniang, this watermelon has just been chilled—please come and have a taste."
[娘娘 (niángniang): a formal, respectful address for an imperial consort, empress, or high-ranking noblewoman in the palace.]
Wen Wan had a weak constitution and could not eat things that were too cold, but after so many days of restorative care, she could now manage things that were slightly chilled.
She sat down and took a slice of watermelon. After she had eaten her fill, she told Yutao to distribute the rest to the others. Yutao laughed and said, "Then we servants are in for a treat."
Wen Wan teased her in return, then casually asked, "How has His Majesty been lately?"
Yutao nodded. She said, "I heard from those in Quanhua Hall that His Majesty is as usual—there is no one special by his side." Meaning that aside from Wen Wan, there were no other women around the Emperor.
"Then what about Marquis Zhenbei?" Wen Wan asked again.
Yutao replied, "Marquis Zhenbei is currently the Emperor's most favored confidant—even more trusted than Ruan Jiqing." She then lowered her voice mysteriously and added, "This servant heard from people in the Empress Dowager's palace that last time, Princess Fuhua disguised herself as a man to leave the palace, but was stopped by Marquis Zhenbei. The Empress Dowager was furious about it."
"Niangniang, do you think His Majesty values Marquis Zhenbei so highly because he intends to make him Princess Fuhua's consort?"
"What nonsense are you babbling?" Wen Wan's expression turned sharp. "The Empress Dowager was angry because Princess Fuhua went out in disguise without attendants—she was worried for her safety. Marquis Zhenbei is still in mourning and yet receives such high favor from His Majesty. If the Empress Dowager or His Majesty were to hear such talk, you could lose your tongue."
"Yes, yes—this servant was talking complete nonsense." Seeing that Wen Wan was genuinely angry, Yutao quickly knelt and apologized.
"No matter where you heard these words, they absolutely must not be traced back to Weiyang Palace. If anyone crosses my bounds, do not blame me for showing no mercy." Wen Wan was not joking this time—her face was stern as she spoke.
Yutao nodded hastily. After saying this, Wen Wan dismissed her.
Shen Nian's favor was not good news for the Wen family. There was bad blood between the Wen family and Shen Nian, and Wen Yao in particular gnashed his teeth in hatred whenever Shen Nian's name came up.
All these days, Wen Wan had been trying to calm Wen Yao and keep him from acting recklessly.
Shen Nian's glory did not necessarily mean good fortune—it could well be a death warrant in disguise.
For now, Wen Wan thought to herself: no matter what the Emperor was planning, the more trouble Shen Nian ran into, the better it would be for the Wen family.
The various masters in the palace each had their own schemes—and the civil and military officials were no different.
Some felt Shen Nian was simply blessed with good fortune, enjoying even the merits that should have belonged to his father.
Others tried to sow discord in front of Qi Junmu, saying that the Emperor now valued Shen Nian more than Prince Jin himself.
Qi Junzhuo did not even spare them a glance.
Over in the Lin residence, however, the atmosphere was somewhat strained. Yue shi was feeling a bit sour—she said to Lin Xiao, "First it was Wen Yao, then Prince Jin, and now Shen Nian. When will our Lin En ever have a place in His Majesty's heart?"
Lin Xiao replied, "When has His Majesty and the Empress Dowager ever not had Lin En in their hearts? Has any imperial reward ever bypassed him? Why do you fret over such things?"
"That's not the same! The Empress Dowager's favor and the Emperor's favor are different." Yue shi was a little resentful. "I just feel that in His Majesty's heart, it should be Lin En's turn by now."
Lin Xiao could not understand what was going on in his wife's head and did not wish to continue the discussion. So he said he still had official business to attend to, rose, and went to his study. Behind him, Yue shi let out a sigh.
Whatever everyone else might think, Shen Nian's days went on as usual—except that unless absolutely necessary, he rarely returned to the Shen residence.
So the days passed, one after another. Beneath the calm surface, undercurrents stirred.
Another month or so went by, and word came from the West Frontier that the restoration work was proceeding very smoothly. Prince Rui, along with Vice Minister of Works Xing Yi and Cheng Jin, had personally inspected the border fortifications—all was going well.
Qi Junmu was naturally pleased with such news. If the western border defenses were well restored, then even if the Western Di harbored intentions of invasion, Da Qi's western frontier would not be caught completely off guard.
Such good news merited imperial commendation. The Emperor personally wrote an edict of praise and ordered it rushed to the western border without delay, to encourage Qi Junyan and the others.
Some rejoiced, others sneered. In private, a number of people mocked Prince Rui, Qi Junyan—the legitimate son of the late Emperor—for toiling so diligently over something as menial as fixing border walls. They said it was utterly beneath the dignity of a prince of his birth.
But amid all the chatter, Shen Nian noticed something: there was no news of Chang Sheng from the West Frontier.
This was not as he and the Emperor had anticipated.
When Chang Sheng entered the North Frontier, it should have been proclaimed far and wide. Yet now there was not a single word of him.
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