Lin Xiao's implication was clear: with Chang Sheng dead, the West Frontier Army's morale was shaken, leaving them vulnerable to the Western Di. To maintain stability, the Emperor would not move against the North Frontier for the time being.
The others thought it over and found the reasoning sound. Someone muttered under their breath, "Marquis Zhenbei is truly fortunate. He got off easy this time."
Lin Xiao gave him a cold, expressionless glance, then turned and strode off.
Seeing Lin Xiao's attitude, the others dared not speak further and dispersed in twos and threes.
No one knew that Lin Xiao was now filled with regret. Matters had come to this because of one retreat after another. Had he known it would lead to this, back when Shen Nian was in the North Frontier repeatedly defying imperial edicts after the Emperor first ascended the throne, he would have strongly urged the Emperor to seize the chance and have him killed.
If that had happened, none of this trouble would have arisen.
Ever since Shen Nian's return to the capital, he had stirred up no end of trouble. Not only had the commander of the North Mountain Imperial Guard been replaced, but the Emperor had also found himself bound by countless constraints. Worst of all, Shen Nian sometimes offered the Emperor utterly frivolous suggestions.
Such unconventional, sharp-edged methods did not sit well with Lin Xiao, who had always favored a steady, cautious approach. Moreover, he had a nagging feeling that Shen Nian would only cause even greater upheaval.
Lin Xiao's regret was beyond words. Why hadn't he urged the Emperor more firmly back then?
He wondered if the Emperor himself regretted it. If he had not recalled the edict that had harshly denounced Shen Nian, perhaps Shen Nian would not have taken the chance to push his luck and keep testing the Emperor's limits.
Dwelling on these thoughts, Lin Xiao felt as though a heavy stone were pressing on his heart.
When he later went to see the Emperor to discuss the additional imperial examination, he was still somewhat distracted and listless. It was rare for Lin Xiao's worries to show so plainly on his face, and Qi Junmu saw it all clearly.
So Qi Junmu asked, "What is troubling you, Uncle?"
Lin Xiao snapped back to attention. "Your Majesty, I was thinking of Marquis Zhenbei."
Qi Junmu's brow furrowed briefly before relaxing, his expression tinged with impatience. "Why bring him up, Uncle? I do not wish to hear anything about Marquis Zhenbei right now."
Lin Xiao carefully studied every flicker of Qi Junmu's expression and quickly plastered on a smile. "I was merely thinking of how Marquis Zhenbei once defied imperial edicts and showed contempt for Your Majesty. If Your Majesty had not been softhearted back then, the court's situation today might not be what it is."
"That is all in the past," Qi Junmu said lightly. "If you had not mentioned it, Uncle, I would have forgotten."
He paused and laughed. "Come to think of it, I am the one who spoiled Shen Nian into becoming what he is now." Not only outrageously bold, but daring to covet the Emperor himself—and worst of all, succeeding.
The last words were spoken from the heart, but Lin Xiao mistook them for self-reproach and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty must not think that way. I am sure Marquis Zhenbei understands Your Majesty's good intentions."
Of course he understands, Qi Junmu thought to himself. But what came out of his mouth was, "Uncle, let us drop the subject. You mentioned the metropolitan examination earlier—how are the preparations at the Ministry of Rites?"
"The Ministry has already begun making arrangements," Lin Xiao replied, turning his mind back to the exams. "We are awaiting the examination questions and the confirmation of the date."
"Do you have any suggestions, Uncle?" Qi Junmu asked.
"In previous years, the metropolitan examination was held in the second month of the following year. Since this is a special grace examination, after consulting with the Six Ministries, I suggest we hold it after the anniversary of the late Emperor's passing—in the tenth month."
"And the examination questions? Can they be ready by then?" After all, once the questions were set, tens of thousands of test papers would need to be printed.
"Working day and night, we can certainly manage," Lin Xiao said.
"Very well, let us follow your suggestion, Uncle," Qi Junmu said. This grace examination was no different from the one in his previous life—the timing was the same—so he added, "You shall serve as the chief examiner, Uncle, with the Minister of Rites as deputy, and two others to assist. What do you think?"
Lin Xiao declined a few times, but after Qi Junmu pressed him repeatedly, he finally accepted the post of chief examiner.
Qi Junmu was somewhat impatient with this. If it had been Shen Nian, he thought, the man would have immediately thanked him the moment he spoke—none of this hesitant, fussy business.
Qi Junmu looked at Lin Xiao earnestly and said, "Uncle, select your team carefully. This is the first imperial examination held during my reign. It must be handled with the utmost care—no room for the slightest error."
Lin Xiao naturally understood the Emperor's meaning. His expression sobered, and he bowed. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. This humble subject knows what to do."
The metropolitan examination was a grand occasion—and also one prone to mishaps. Sometimes, test questions were leaked—driven by nothing more than greed.
Once the chief examiner was chosen, he would work on the questions in a sealed environment from the very start, and he would not be allowed to return home until after the examination.
During this period, he was forbidden from contact with outsiders.
This was a measure to prevent leaks as much as possible—though such things were not always preventable.
During the reign of Emperor Jing, there had been an incident of examination fraud. The Emperor had outright canceled the rankings of all metropolitan examination candidates. Everyone involved in leaking the questions was executed, the implicated students were exiled, and though the other candidates were not punished, many were so shaken that they eventually gave up.
Having received Lin Xiao's assurance, Qi Junmu dismissed him.
After Lin Xiao left, Qi Junmu carefully reviewed the current situation. Satisfied that nothing had been overlooked, he leaned back into the imperial chair.
He was waiting for news from the West Frontier. For now, Chang Sheng was being honored with great pomp—but when the time came, that glory would turn to disgrace.
At that thought, Qi Junmu narrowed his eyes, their depths filled with cold resolve.
When Shen Nian arrived, Qi Junmu walked over, steadied his arm to stop him from bowing, and said directly, "I intend to appoint Yan Yuntai as the West Frontier General. What do you think?"
"Yan Yuntai is a veteran general—rough on the outside, but meticulous within. This humble subject… I have never dealt with him personally, but my late father held him in high regard, saying that General Yan serves Da Qi with single-hearted devotion and is worthy of respect." Shen Nian replied. "It is only that General Yan is advanced in years, and I fear some at court will raise objections."
Military authority over the borderlands had always been the prize courtiers vied for — whoever held command of the troops carried far greater weight in court deliberations, and sometimes even possessed one more lifeline than the rest.
Of course, those who wielded military power also invited the Emperor’s suspicion with ease, and the risks were considerable.
And yet men still pressed forward in eager crowds to seize it.
Yan Yuntai was already advanced in years. If he was appointed as the General of the West Frontier, many at court would surely be displeased, believing he had stolen their prospects.
Shen Nian said these things with no hidden agenda—merely to remind the Emperor that some might take the chance to trip Yan Yuntai up.
In truth, he also knew that since the Emperor had brought up Yan Yuntai in front of him, he must have already made thorough preparations in his mind.
If the Emperor trusted Yan Yuntai, he would naturally not be swayed by idle rumours.
As Shen Nian was turning these thoughts over, he heard the Emperor's lazy, cold voice: "What use is their opposition? Since when have I ever needed their finger-pointing when I wish to do something?"
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