Chapter 72
On the very night after Madam Wen entered the rear palace, Wen Wan fell gravely ill.
It was quite dangerous. Wen Wan had always been frail, and with her depressed mood over recent days, her condition took a serious turn. The illness struck so suddenly that the imperial physicians could not decide on a course of treatment and had no choice but to notify the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager had not expected Wen Wan to be so severely ill. From the physicians' description, it seemed she might not survive.
The Empress Dowager's feelings toward Wen Wan were complicated. When Qi Junmu doted on Wen Wan, she had found it hard to approve. And knowing that Wen Wan and Qi Junmu had never truly consummated their marriage since the wedding made her even more displeased—she felt Wen Wan was taking excessive advantage of the Emperor's favor.
Yet the Empress Dowager also knew that Wen Wan was very filial toward her, always respectful in daily matters, even placing the Empress Dowager before the Emperor himself.
Whenever the Empress Dowager thought of these things, her feelings were tangled.
When Qi Junmu heeded her every word, she felt Wen Wan had wronged Qi Junmu. But when Qi Junmu took a firm stance against her, she found Wen Wan much more agreeable.
Still, no matter what, the Empress Dowager had never imagined Wen Wan would fall so gravely ill.
So when she heard the news, she was thoroughly shocked.
After a long, stunned silence, she asked, "Has His Majesty gone to see her?"
By all logic, the Emperor should have been the first to know. Everyone in the rear palace knew the Empress was the jewel of the Emperor's heart. However, the Empress Dowager was aware that the Emperor and Empress had recently been at odds. When the Emperor's temper flared, he became exceptionally stubborn and rigid—whether he would take this opportunity to relent was anyone's guess.
Then the Empress Dowager chided herself for being foolish. The Emperor's stubbornness had always been because of Wen Wan. Now that she was ill, this was the perfect pretext—a graceful way down—and the Emperor would naturally take it.
While she was still pondering this, she received an answer she had not expected.
The Emperor had received the news but had not gone to Weiyang Palace at all.
The Empress Dowager blinked, then blinked again. She truly had not expected such an outcome.
She fell into deep thought. What was the Emperor trying to do? Was he breaking ties with the Empress? But why? She racked her brains until her head ached but could not figure out what had happened between them.
While the Empress Dowager was brooding over the Emperor, Qi Junmu lay flat on his bed, his face expressionless.
A hint of mockery crossed his eyes and face. In the past, he would have tried to placate Wen Wan first. But now, he felt it unnecessary.
There was no such thing as a perfect plan in this world. He had already obtained everything he could get. If he had to keep retreating just for the sake of perfection, then there was really no point.
With Wen Wan's illness and his own attitude, soon everyone would know that the Empress had fallen out of favor.
This would be bad news for both the Wen and Lin families. But Qi Junmu no longer cared about anyone's feelings. He was no longer the young emperor with no power of his own, relying on his maternal relatives.
Now the North Frontier Army and the West Frontier Army were in his hands, and the palace guards and the North Mountain Imperial Guard were all under his control. What did he have to fear?
At this thought, Qi Junmu felt quite pleased.
As for those who had once supported him and might now be displeased—well, Qi Junmu could do nothing about that. They would just have to endure it.
Once his mood lifted, Qi Junmu felt entirely at ease. Before he knew it, he had fallen back asleep.
By the time he awoke, morning court had already ended, and Ruan Jiqing had not come to rouse him.
That was understandable. When news of Wen Wan's grave illness had first arrived, Qi Junmu had been awakened by the knocking. After hearing the matter, he had berated Ruan Jiqing soundly, saying: "I am not a physician, nor can I cure illnesses. If someone is sick, go fetch the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital. What use is it telling Me?"
He had even added: "If there is nothing important in the future, do not wake me." The threatening words that followed were left unsaid, but Qi Junmu was confident Ruan Jiqing understood.
That resounding tirade had left Ruan Jiqing not daring to utter a word.
And so Qi Junmu missed the morning court.
Fortunately, Qi Junmu was magnanimous and thought to himself that missing it was no great matter—it could not be blamed entirely on Ruan Jiqing.
After washing up and tidying himself, Qi Junmu asked, "Has Shen Nian gone to his post?"
"No, Your Majesty. The Marquis is resting today," Ruan Jiqing hurriedly replied.
Qi Junmu nodded and went directly to the side hall.
Shen Nian was reading in the corridor of the side hall. As Qi Junmu arrived, he waved for Ruan Jiqing and the others to withdraw, then walked over slowly.
His footsteps were light, but Shen Nian still looked up immediately. Seeing the Emperor, Shen Nian smiled and rose, saying, "Your Majesty."
Qi Junmu walked up to him and glanced at the book in his hand.
It was not some casual miscellany, but books needed for the imperial examinations. Qi Junmu raised an eyebrow and said languidly, "Oh? Is my Marquis Zhenbei preparing to sit for the imperial exams? Planning to become a top scholar?"
"If Your Majesty permits, it is not impossible," Shen Nian replied with a faint smile, elegant and handsome. Yet his heart had been stirred by that phrase "my Marquis Zhenbei"—a delightful sensation.
"How could I not permit it? Whatever you wish to do, I permit," Qi Junmu said softly. "Besides, to be renowned throughout the land as both a civil and military talent would only add glory—why would I not allow it?"
Shen Nian shamelessly said, "Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty."
Qi Junmu took the book from his hand and casually placed it on a nearby side table. He said, "If you feel bored in the palace, have Ruan Jiqing find you some more enjoyable reading. Forcing yourself to read such dry, tedious things will only sour your mood."
Shen Nian let out a low chuckle.
Neither of them mentioned leaving the palace, as though both had forgotten that Shen Nian was currently under house arrest.
Qi Junmu said, "Since you're resting today anyway, go to North Mountain instead."
"North Mountain?" Shen Nian was taken aback.
Qi Junmu said, "Ever since the North Mountain Imperial Guard changed commanders, I have been keeping them at arm's length. Now is the right time to go and inspect them. In another few days, the weather will turn cold, and traveling to and from North Mountain will not be as convenient as it is now."
Shen Nian pondered for a moment, then said, "In that case, does Your Majesty have any special instructions for this humble subject's trip to North Mountain?"
Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, Qi Junmu understood the meaning behind them—Shen Nian was testing the waters, probing for something. It also made Qi Junmu realize that Shen Nian had been watching all the recent shifts and changes in the palace closely.
Shen Nian's gaze was clear, as if silently telling Qi Junmu that whether he spoke his mind or not, he would stand by his side.
Qi Junmu's first instinct was to keep things from Shen Nian. But on second thought, he knew there were few people he could truly trust—Qi Junzhuo was one, and Shen Nian was another.
Moreover, his relationship with Shen Nian was far from ordinary. Shen Nian wanted to share some of his burdens. Though Qi Junmu found this deeply unfamiliar, the thought that Shen Nian was doing it for him stirred an indescribable warmth in his heart.
It was a strange emotion, but one he found quite pleasing.
With that in mind, Qi Junmu looked into Shen Nian's eyes and said seriously, "Shen Nian, the reason I am sending you to North Mountain is that I need you to do something for Me. I want you to train the North Mountain troops so that they will obey only my orders—recognizing nothing but my military tally."
Shen Nian did not even furrow his brow. He said, "Your Majesty's meaning is clear to this humble subject."
Qi Junmu gave a grunt of acknowledgment. He said nothing more, knowing that Shen Nian understood his intent.
Had he not needed to stay in the palace to guard against any unforeseen events, he would have gone to North Mountain himself.
Fortunately, Shen Nian was trustworthy.
The news of Shen Nian leaving the palace for North Mountain could not be hidden from anyone. Lin Xiao hesitated for a long time, then finally came to see the Emperor. He needed to understand what the Emperor was truly thinking.
Qi Junmu looked quite exasperated at Lin Xiao's arrival. He said, "Uncle, sending Shen Nian to North Mountain was my decision. He has been cooped up in the palace for so long, under my confinement at that. There has been gossip outside. Let him go to North Mountain for a change of scenery, lest his mood turn sour."
Lin Xiao felt that Shen Nian held far too much weight in the Emperor's heart. He lowered his gaze and said, "Your Majesty, I am old now. I no longer know what is on Your Majesty's mind."
His tone carried a deep melancholy.
Qi Junmu quickly stood up and said, "Uncle, what are you saying? You watched me grow up. You know me best of all, do you not?"
Seeing the Emperor's urgency, Lin Xiao hurried to say, "Your Majesty, please calm yourself. I meant no offense."
Qi Junmu nodded.
Lin Xiao changed the subject. He said, "Your Majesty, how are matters progressing with Prince Rui and Prince Jin?"
Qi Junmu followed his lead and said, "Things are going smoothly with Prince Rui. The North Frontier has been more complicated. Prince Jin says that Chang Sheng's death is highly suspicious—it seems his silver and wealth were exposed and attracted the attention of bandits."
"Does Your Majesty believe Prince Jin's words?" Lin Xiao could not help asking. "The place where Chang Sheng died is barely ten li from the North Frontier. Forgive me for saying so, but with the North Frontier Army stationed there, which bandit would dare touch Chang Sheng?"
Lin Xiao did not say the rest, but the implication was clear—either Chang Sheng died in the wrong place, or Qi Junzhuo was lying.
Qi Junmu fell silent. He pursed his lips and said softly, "Uncle, you must understand—Ah Zhuo has been by my side since childhood. I regard him as a younger brother. To speak of trust and distrust between brothers would only wound our bond."
Lin Xiao looked at the Emperor's taut expression and sighed. "Your Majesty is right. I may have overthought this."
With that, Lin Xiao steered the conversation to the upcoming special imperial examination.
Qi Junmu offered a few remarks in response, but seemed somewhat distracted.
Lin Xiao could tell the Emperor was in a poor mood. He said a few more words about the examination preparations and then took his leave.
Before leaving, Lin Xiao could not help glancing back at the Emperor. The Emperor sat with his face tense, staring at the imperial desk, his fingers unconsciously tapping the surface. An air of cold solitude radiated from him.
Lin Xiao sighed inwardly and turned to go.
When only Qi Junmu remained in the room, he summoned Ruan Jiqing and gave a quiet order: "Have Xia Guo come here."
The Emperor's tone was cold, and Ruan Jiqing dared not speculate.
Xia Guo hurried over, his heart full of dread. The last task the Emperor had given him had yielded no results yet. Now that the Emperor had called for him, he was probably in for a scolding.
But to Xia Guo's surprise, the Emperor did not berate him at all. Instead, he looked at him with cold eyes and gave him another quiet order.
Hearing the Emperor's order, Xia Guo blinked and finally said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. This humble servant knows what to do."
Qi Junmu grunted and dismissed him.
The next time Qi Junmu received a letter from Qi Junzhuo in the North Frontier, an assassin had appeared in the capital.
The assassin had wounded Wen Yao and Qi Fan while the two were out carousing.
Both were stabbed in the chest—a fatal area. Fortunately, Qi Junyou happened to pass by and captured the assassin.
When word reached Wen Wan in the palace, she fainted on the spot. Prince Ying, seeing his son lying between life and death, was so furious his hair stood on end.
For once, he showed some spine. He went to the Emperor and demanded that the Ministry of Justice thoroughly investigate the matter.
Faced with his uncle Prince Ying's request, Qi Junmu naturally agreed.
The Ministry of Justice's interrogation proved fruitful. The assassin was a woman, and her exotic features clearly marked her as someone from Yunhai.
The Ministry of Justice submitted their findings to the Emperor. When the Emperor saw that the assassin was a woman named A Nian and saw the words "Yunhai," he immediately recalled the assassin Qi Junzhuo had let go in Qingzhou.
The assassin he had executed had once said that the one who escaped was named A Nian.
Qi Junmu blinked and set down the Ministry's memorial, his gaze shifting as his thoughts changed.
Then he spoke: "This assassin's name happens to coincide with that of Marquis Zhenbei. Have her change it."
The Ministry of Justice officials waited a moment, only to hear this. They were all baffled.
The Emperor gripped the memorial tightly, let out a cold snort, and stormed off, his sleeves sweeping behind him.
The Ministry of Justice officials exchanged bewildered glances, unsure what the Emperor meant.
That same day, the Emperor issued an imperial edict to the North Frontier and the West Frontier. Citing the need for memorial sacrifices on the first anniversary of Emperor Jing's death, he ordered Prince Rui and Prince Jin to return to the capital immediately.
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