Chapter 64
Shen Nian naturally had no idea about the Emperor's dream.
However, as he was leaving his post and heading back to the side hall of Quanhua Hall to rest, he passed by the main hall. Even though he knew full well that the Emperor should have already gone to morning court at this hour, he still couldn't help but steal a glance inside.
And in that glance, he spotted Ruan Jiqing standing right in front of the hall doors.
If Ruan Jiqing was still here at this hour, that meant the Emperor hadn't left Quanhua Hall yet. Shen Nian's heart gave a jolt. He looked at the sky—it was indeed the hour for morning court. Had the Emperor not gone?
The Emperor had always been diligent. Ever since Shen Nian entered the palace, unless when he was truly unwell, the Emperor rarely skipped court.
At that thought, Shen Nian stopped in his tracks and turned toward the main hall.
Ruan Jiqing saw Shen Nian approaching, and his feelings were rather complicated.
He truly never imagined that Shen Nian would come to hold such weight in the Emperor's heart. The very day the Emperor ordered him to find those illustrated books, a knot had formed in his heart.
He had pondered and deliberated, turning it over and over again, and after repeated confirmation, he still attributed the Emperor's change to Shen Nian. Back when the Emperor had left the palace openly to visit the Marquis Zhenbei's residence, he had already offered Shen Nian a subtle warning.
Having lived in the palace for so long, Ruan Jiqing had seen all sorts of sordid affairs. There were too many lonely souls within these walls—In hidden corners where the masters never set foot, some palace servants formed secret marital bonds with one another, while others suffered humiliation and abuse.
The faint, ambiguous tension between Shen Nian and the Emperor had not escaped Ruan Jiqing's notice. At the time, he had thought that the Emperor had always favored the Empress for her gentle grace. If Shen Nian truly harbored such intentions, he would likely end up with nothing but mockery and condemnation in the future.
At the Marquis Zhenbei's residence, Ruan Jiqing had felt compelled to offer a veiled hint. Shen Nian had accepted it quite naturally at the time. Ruan Jiqing had then thought to himself: at the very least, Marquis Zhenbei, whatever else he might be, was a man of clear judgment.
He had assumed that was the end of it. Who would have guessed that in such a short span of time, the Emperor's heart would have shifted because of Shen Nian?
Ruan Jiqing could not tell whether to marvel at Shen Nian’s skill, or to lament that fate was simply beyond anyone’s control.
When the Emperor ordered him to find those illustrated books, Ruan Jiqing had felt as though he were being chased by lightning bolt after lightning bolt.
Last night, when Shen Nian and the Emperor were alone in the hall, Ruan Jiqing had deliberately knocked and entered with tea. He had done so partly to test the waters, and partly out of a sliver of hope—to gauge just how much the Emperor valued Shen Nian, and to cling to the faint hope that the Emperor had simply taken a passing fancy to some idle reading, with no deeper meaning.
The Emperor had spared his feelings in front of Shen Nian and did not reprimand him. But those words—"Don't let it happen again"—had sent a chill down Ruan Jiqing's spine, breaking out in a cold sweat.
On the surface, the Emperor seemed easygoing enough, but lately his temperament had turned odd and unpredictable—no one could ever quite tell what was going on in his head. One thing was certain, though: the Emperor did not like being defied.
Ruan Jiqing understood clearly then the place Shen Nian held in the Emperor's heart. That realization made him deeply unsettled; he simply could not fathom how things had come to this. But whatever he felt inside, not a trace showed on his face.
Regardless of gender, the Emperor's attitude ruled all. If the Emperor valued someone, he would revere and fear them, and ensure their comfort. If the Emperor saw someone as nothing more than a plaything, then all one could do was simply obey his commands without question.
Seeing Shen Nian approach, Ruan Jiqing hurried forward to greet him with a bow, his smile deeper than usual and his gaze far more sincere.
Shen Nian had long seen this change in Ruan Jiqing's attitude coming. Ever since he had spoken openly with the Emperor and begun to harbor his own unconventional feelings, he had known this day would come. He felt neither awkward nor ill at ease.
It was, after all, simply a matter of personal choice.
Shen Nian looked at Ruan Jiqing and asked in a low voice, "Is His Majesty not holding court today?"
Ruan Jiqing nodded.
"Is he feeling unwell?" Shen Nian furrowed his brow, a hint of worry creeping in.
Ruan Jiqing's face fell as he said anxiously, "Marquis, this servant doesn't know what's wrong with His Majesty. When I knocked to attend him this morning, he wouldn't let me in, and said court was cancelled for the day. I suggested calling for Imperial Physician Bai, but His Majesty said no—that he was fine, he just wouldn't let me in to serve."
"Would the Marquis like me to announce you, so you may go in and take a look?" Ruan Jiqing finally proposed.
Shen Nian hesitated for a moment. The Emperor was rarely so willful. From their time together these past days, it was clear the Emperor took his health very seriously. If something were truly wrong, he would certainly have Ruan Jiqing summon the imperial physician.
So the Emperor was likely not ill—he simply didn't feel like leaving his chambers.
With that thought, Shen Nian said, "Eunuch Ruan, since His Majesty has cancelled court, the Left Chancellor and the other ministers will surely come to pay their respects soon. I am currently under confinement and should not be seen meeting with them."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiqing didn't quite know what to feel.
Had Shen Nian actually gone in, it might have seemed like he was presuming upon the Emperor's favor. But now that he was refusing so decisively, it made him appear insufficiently concerned about the Emperor.
The Marquis has it hard either way, Ruan Jiqing thought.
No sooner had the thought risen in his mind than Shen Nian continued, "Would it be all right if I stand before the hall doors and exchange a few words with His Majesty?"
"Of course, of course," Ruan Jiqing said quickly, stepping aside to make room.
Shen Nian walked over, stood before the hall doors, and called out, "Your Majesty."
A moment of silence from within, then the Emperor's lazy voice drifted out: "Ah, it's Marquis Shen. You were on duty last night—go back and rest early."
The Emperor's voice was languid, but full of vigor.
Moreover, Shen Nian had spoken softly just now, yet the Emperor had answered from within—proof that he was not in the inner chamber. He must have risen already. It was just unclear why he didn't want to step out.
Shen Nian thought this to himself, but still couldn't help asking, "Your Majesty, are you all right?"
"I'm fine," the Emperor replied, his tone a little rushed, as if impatient—or perhaps flustered. "Marquis Shen, go rest. I have something to tell you later."
Shen Nian acknowledged the order and turned to take his leave.
Ruan Jiqing watched him truly about to go, then hurried after him and whispered, "Marquis, won't you try to persuade His Majesty?"
"No need," Shen Nian said with a smile. "His Majesty is simply in a bit of a mood. You know his temper—he won't take it out on you." He had felt it himself before — that morning when one lay abed, too listless to rise, yet the mind had already begun to reckon what must be done.
He didn't know what had come over the Emperor, but it was clear that the Emperor didn't wish to see anyone right now. Shen Nian would not force him.
Ruan Jiqing watched Shen Nian speak so lightly and could only let him go.
A while later, the Emperor's muffled voice came from within: "Ruan Jiqing, come in and tidy up."
Ruan Jiqing pushed open the door and entered. The Emperor was already dressed and seated in the outer chamber, his expression calm.
When Ruan Jiqing went into the inner chamber to make the bed, he saw the illustrated book beside the jade pillow and the disarray on the mattress. It suddenly dawned on him what the Emperor was so awkward about—the Emperor had dreamed of certain things and was feeling a little embarrassed...
But Ruan Jiqing was overjoyed. No one knew the Emperor better than he. For the better part of a year, the Emperor had lived like a monk—and now, at last, he had returned to normal.
While Ruan Jiqing was tidying the bed, Qi Junmu leaned back in his chair without a word. His expression was calm, but a storm churned within.
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