Chapter 73
The appearance of assassins in the capital, and the Emperor's immediate issuance of an edict recalling his two brothers who were away—even in the eyes of ordinary people, this was no small matter.
Everyone's attention was fixed on the affairs of the palace, watching to see which way the wind would blow.
During this time, Prince Ying stole the spotlight. He entered the palace every day to weep before the Emperor, demanding harsh punishment for the assassin to avenge his precious son.
As for the Wen family—needless to say, the assassins were clearly targeting Wen Yao. Qi Fan had merely been with Wen Yao at the time and got caught up in it, so his injuries were lighter than Wen Yao's.
Wen Yao's wound plunged the Wen family into gloom, and Wen Wan even fell gravely ill from the worry. Fortunately, her concern for her family kept her going.
After the assassin was captured, the Emperor took her away and had her secretly imprisoned. No one knew where he had locked her up. But everyone could see that the Emperor's expression grew darker by the day.
Qi Junyou, who had once again stolen the spotlight during the assassin incident, stepped back into public view. He was very modest, saying he had merely saved someone by chance and that his contribution was not worth mentioning.
Though he said this, he accepted the gifts sent by the Wen family and Prince Ying without the slightest hesitation.
During this period, the Emperor summoned Qi Junyou once. No one knew what the two brothers discussed, but after that meeting, the Emperor's face turned even more somber.
Vaguely, rumors began circulating in the capital that the female assassin was connected to Prince Jin.
When the Emperor heard this, he flew into a rage. According to gossip, he nearly trashed his study.
Not long after, the Emperor issued another imperial edict to the North Frontier, ordering Prince Jin to return to the capital at the fastest possible speed.
For the Emperor to issue two edicts in such a short time urging Qi Junzhuo back to the capital—to outsiders, this was highly unusual. And indeed, it was. When Qi Junzhuo received the second edict, he was already halfway back to the capital.
News of what had happened in the capital had already reached them. After accepting the edict, Qi Junzhuo lowered his gaze and said nothing.
When Yang Jinglei heard about the female assassin, his heart leaped into his throat.
Others might not know, but he was well aware—when Qi Junzhuo was in Qingzhou, he had let one female assassin go, while the other had been escorted back to the capital. After returning, Yang Jinglei had heard nothing more of the assassin. He had assumed the Emperor had let the matter go. But now it seemed the Emperor had only been biding his time, holding back—and had likely suspected Prince Jin all along.
So when the assassin incident broke out, the Emperor urgently recalled him, pressing him with constant urging along the way, as if afraid that Prince Jin would not return. Truly, the Emperor's mind ran deep.
At this thought, Yang Jinglei shuddered. Recalling how he had once been unwittingly misled by Qi Junyou, he thought—if Shen Nian hadn't woken him up, he didn't know what kind of end he might have met.
Just thinking about it sent a chill down his spine.
At the same time, Yang Jinglei felt a pang of pity for the silent Qi Junzhuo. The truth of the matter—he didn't know either.
All he knew was that after this, a rift would surely form between the Emperor and Qi Junzhuo. "Being the Emperor's brother is no easy thing"—those words were painfully true.
Qi Junzhuo knew what everyone was saying about him now. He stroked the cold imperial edict in his hand. After a long silence, he pressed his lips together, and his gaze turned razor-sharp.
While outsiders were buzzing with gossip, Shen Nian returned from North Mountain. He had also heard the rumors—about the assassin, about Qi Junzhuo. But when he saw the Emperor, he did not ask a single question.
There were all sorts of twists and turns in this affair, and he could not be certain whether Qi Junzhuo's heart was true or false. So before the Emperor made his decision, Shen Nian kept his peace.
Most importantly, he trusted the Emperor.
Qi Junmu had not slept well for several days. His complexion was poor, somewhat dark and gloomy. When he saw Shen Nian, he gave a faint smile and walked over. With a weary look, he rested his head on Shen Nian's shoulder and said in a hoarse voice: "Shen Nian, lie down with me for a while."
"Ah?" Shen Nian was taken aback, his face slightly flushing.
Qi Junmu leaned on his shoulder, somewhat miserably: "I have been exhausted these past days. I feel there is no one in this vast palace I can trust—I've barely slept. I even regretted sending you to North Mountain. Fortunately, you're back. With you here, I can sleep soundly."
When the two were together, no palace attendants were ever present.
If there was anyone, it was only Ruan Jiqing. In front of Ruan Jiqing, Qi Junmu did not suppress his emotions, though he never went too far. When alone, Qi Junmu spoke far more freely.
Just like now.
As soon as Qi Junmu said this, all other thoughts fled Shen Nian's mind—official matters and everything else were cast aside. Feeling a pang of sympathy, he said: "Then please rest, Your Majesty. I... I will stay with you."
The corners of Qi Junmu's mouth lifted slightly. He straightened up, his eyes holding a smile, and pulled Shen Nian straight into the bedchamber.
When they lay down on the dragon bed, Shen Nian was perfectly at ease. Qi Junmu was genuinely tired and did not think of teasing him. He yawned and mumbled sleepily: "You've heard about the assassin in the capital, haven't you? A woman—and she was also called A Nian. It grated on my ears, so I changed her name. What do you think of that, Niannian?"
That one address—spoken in a low, husky tone—made Shen Nian, who had been so relaxed moments before, go rigid. Sensing this, Qi Junmu let out a low, deep chuckle.
Then he took Shen Nian's hand and closed his eyes gently.
Before long, Qi Junmu had fallen asleep.
His face was calm, his breathing steady.
Shen Nian looked at the man beside him and shifted closer to Qi Junmu. Through their clothes, they lay side by side.
After some time, Shen Nian too fell asleep.
When a soft knock came at the door, Shen Nian's eyes snapped open. At that moment, he was completely in the Emperor's embrace.
He carefully moved the Emperor's hand from his waist, gently smoothed the furrow between the Emperor's brows, and then quietly slipped out of bed. At the door, he said in a low voice: "Who is it?"
Ruan Jiqing's voice came through: "It is this servant."
Shen Nian opened the door slightly and said: "His Majesty is still asleep. What is it?"
Ruan Jiqing wore a pained expression: "His Majesty has hardly slept these days, and this servant's heart aches for him as well. But a letter has arrived from the king of the Western Di, and the Ministry of Rites did not dare delay—they sent this servant to deliver it."
"Western Di?" Shen Nian frowned.
Just then, the Emperor's lazy voice came from behind him: "Bring the letter in, and tell Ruan Jiqing to get lost."
Ruan Jiqing miserably handed the letter to Shen Nian.
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