The practice continued, and the Northern Rong grew greedier, demanding ever larger amounts each time.
They knew that the period of succession was when Da Qi was most vulnerable and when they could extract the most concessions. So, shortly after Emperor Jing took the throne, they launched an attack on the North Frontier while sending envoys to the capital demanding silver and a princess.
But Emperor Jing was not as accommodating as other rulers. Hearing these demands, he simply scoffed, detained the Northern Rong envoys in the capital, and without a second word, dispatched troops northward. He broke all ties with the Northern Rong and paid not a single coin of peace silver.
It was in that campaign that Shen Yi first made his name, and in later years became the immovable bulwark of the North Frontier, holding the border fast.
In this regard, Qi Junmu was quite like Emperor Jing. He could not tolerate buying temporary peace with silver—feeding a hungry wolf with his own flesh.
As for Qi Junyou and Qi Junyan, they had grown up learning the same principles. But people's hearts were hard to read; no one truly knew what lurked in the depths of another's soul.
So in this life, Qi Junmu had taken two calculated risks. First, he sent Qi Junyou to the Zhou family stronghold in Qingzhou to test his loyalty.
Consort Dowager Xian's earlier reasoning had been sound: had Qi Junyou harbored any disloyalty and stirred up the people of Qingzhou against the Emperor, death would have been his only outcome.
Qi Junmu understood that of all his brothers, Qi Junyou must have been the most resentful of his ascension—for the throne had been merely a step away from him. Within his grasp, and yet it had passed to someone else.
So it was only natural that he would engage in certain activities behind the scenes.
While under house arrest in Qingzhou, Qi Junyou had been restless and irritable. He had loathed Qi Junzhuo, tried to win over Yang Jinglei, and even mocked the Emperor—showing all manner of selfish motives.
But on one point, despite his agitation and his inability to maintain his polished gentlemanly facade, Qi Junyou had never contacted the Zhou family. He allowed them to mistake Qi Junzhuo for Prince Ping, but he never once mobilized the people of Qingzhou on his behalf—because common people were the easiest to incite.
Had Qi Junyou given the Zhou family even a hint, their influence in Qingzhou would have been more than enough to organize unrest. Naturally, they would have lurked in the shadows while the innocent common people suffered the weight of the turmoil.
When the Emperor's thunderous wrath fell, it would have landed on those commoners alone, while the instigators escaped unscathed. Qi Junyou had not done that, and as a result, the Zhou family had suffered considerable losses.
Now, both Consort Dowager Xian and the Zhou family's other factions had fallen quiet and kept a low profile.
Seizing the opportunity, Qi Junmu had lavished praise upon the Zhou family of Qingzhou, personally inscribing a tablet for them and granting generous rewards. He elevated them to a status equal to that of the main Zhou branch in the capital—endowed with power, position, and the Emperor's favor alike.
Previously, the Qingzhou branch of the Zhou clan had been the lesser line, always having to defer to the capital Zhou family. No matter how many fine goods they produced, the capital branch always got first pick. Now, however, things had changed. The Qingzhou Zhou clan was growing increasingly discontent with their capital kin. They, too, wanted their own descendants to win fame and recognition on their own merit, rather than depending on others' favor. The power base backing Qi Junyou was showing clear signs of fracturing.
Consort Dowager Xian was so upset by this that she fell ill. Qi Junyou, however, only gave a cold laugh and told her that such fickle people were not worth keeping. Consort Dowager Xian scolded him for being stubborn, but Qi Junyou said nothing more.
So, regardless of Qi Junyou's true feelings, Qi Junmu at least knew that he was not the sort of person who would build his own success on the backs of common folk.
That was why, in his previous life, even if he had wanted the throne, he would never have colluded with the Western Di.
Having tested Qi Junyou, the Emperor naturally turned his gaze to Qi Junyan. That was why Prince Rui had been sent on this journey to the West Frontier.
Xing Yi was a capable man—he had been in the previous life as well—and he remained loyal to the Emperor. With everyone's attention fixed on Cheng Jin and Qi Junyan, Xing Yi seemed to fade into the background.
But only the Emperor knew that Xing Yi's mission was not merely to supervise the repairs to the West Frontier's defenses—he was also to keep watch on Qi Junyan.
Such matters could not be entrusted to outsiders. Since Xing Yi was not as seasoned as Yang Jinglei, if something went wrong midway because he was too eager or overzealous, the consequences would be disastrous. So before departing, the Emperor specifically instructed Xing Yi that if Prince Rui made any suspicious moves, he was to send a secret letter to Shen Nian.
No outsider would ever imagine that the Emperor trusted Shen Nian to such an extent.
As a precaution, Xing Yi would also send a duplicate letter, though it would arrive later than the one sent to Shen Nian. Of course, this also carried a hint of testing Shen Nian—in case he failed to deliver the letter to the Emperor.
If that happened, the Emperor would have other plans in place.
So, was it Prince Rui who had colluded with the Western Di in the previous life? Had his performance before Cheng Jin and the others been calculated, knowing the Emperor favored that demeanor?
Qi Junmu tapped unconsciously on the imperial desk, his thoughts racing.
A legitimate son, destined by birth to be crown prince—arrogant and self-important, noble in status—yet ultimately forced to live at the mercy of others.
He had little power of his own. Would he then turn to foreign enemies to seize the throne?
Was his doting image as a loving husband and father in the capital merely a facade? And when had he first made contact with Chang Sheng? Had Chang Sheng's sudden dispatch to the North Frontier and subsequent disappearance disrupted their plans, forcing them into a panicked misstep?
Because Qi Junyan had no idea that this very journey was a trap set by the Emperor—to see if he would walk right into it.
"Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. This humble subject believes it would be best to wait until Prince Rui returns to the capital before questioning him directly," Shen Nian said softly, noticing Qi Junmu's long brows furrow unconsciously.
Qi Junmu came back to his senses and nodded.
There were too many doubts. He truly needed to calm his mind and think things through carefully before making a decision.
There was no point in obsessing over matters that could not be resolved immediately, lest he overlook some crucial clue.
With that thought, Qi Junmu turned to Shen Nian and cautioned, "Pretend you know nothing of this." Then, fearing Shen Nian might overthink, he explained the instructions he had given Xing Yi.
Shen Nian smiled slightly. "This humble subject was wondering how Lord Xing would dare send a secret letter to me without Your Majesty's explicit command."
"You're not angry?" Qi Junmu raised an eyebrow.
Though Shen Nian had not said it, Qi Junmu knew his trace of suspicion could not have escaped this man's notice.
Shen Nian's smile deepened. "Your Majesty is different from ordinary men. It is only natural for you to hold a measure of suspicion toward people and matters—even toward this humble subject, I am no exception."
"Still, this humble subject is genuinely pleased, because Your Majesty has been candid with me." He paused, then added slowly, "That makes me feel that Your Majesty holds me in some regard."
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