On the other side, the Empress Dowager was pleased. Watching Consort Dowager Xian humble herself before her brought her great satisfaction.
She said casually, "Consort Dowager Xian knows her place."
Consort Dowager Xian's face stiffened for a moment, then she composed herself. Bowing her head meekly, she said, "The Empress Dowager only has Prince Ping's best interests at heart." Then, turning to Prince Ping, she said calmly, "Prince Ping, why do you not thank the Empress Dowager for her grace?"
Qi Junyou rose to his feet, but before he could speak, Qi Junmu's languid voice cut in: "Wait."
All eyes turned to him. Qi Junmu looked at Consort Dowager Xian and said, "What Miss Ruyan? What 'calling you Mother Consort'? I do not quite understand. Would the Consort Dowager kindly clarify?"
The Emperor's expression was utterly sincere, which made Consort Dowager Xian's heart tighten. Unable to bear his mother being cornered like this, Qi Junyou stepped forward. "Your Majesty, why must you play ignorant? This—"
"Silence." Qi Junmu raised his eyes, cold as ice. "I was not asking you, Second Brother. I wish to hear from Consort Dowager Xian. If Prince Ping wishes to defy an imperial decree, I would have no objection to teaching you the courtesies of the palace anew."
Qi Junyou froze at the chill in the Emperor's gaze.
Not wanting her son's reputation to suffer, Consort Dowager Xian quickly said, "Your Majesty, please do not be angry. This is what happened: the Empress Dowager felt that Prince Ping's household lacked proper discipline, so she saw fit to bestow Miss Ruyan upon him as a secondary consort—"
"Consort Dowager, you must have misunderstood." Qi Junmu cut her off without hesitation, his tone measured. "Prince Ping's mansion already has both a primary consort and secondary consorts, not to mention you as his mother. Why would he need the Empress Dowager to bestow another secondary consort? And speaking of which—though the Empress Dowager is not Prince Ping's birth mother, she is still the Empress Dowager of Da Qi. If she deems the inner quarters of Prince Ping's mansion unsettled, it is perfectly reasonable for her to send someone to guide and instruct, for the sake of Prince Ping and his heirs. How, then, did it become—in your words—the Empress Dowager bestowing a secondary consort upon Prince Ping? If such words spread, would the Empress Dowager not be misjudged as one who bullies others by virtue of her station?"
He turned to the Empress Dowager. "Is that not so, Imperial Mother? After all, Second Brother's consorts were all bestowed by Imperial Father. If Imperial Mother were truly to grant another secondary consort, someone would have to vacate their place—and whoever that might be, it would be unseemly. Would that not leave a weapon in the hands of gossips?"
The Empress Dowager had only wanted to trouble Consort Dowager Xian and Qi Junyou. She had indeed considered these points but had chosen to ignore them. She was the Empress Dowager of Da Qi—why should she not do something a little reckless, if it pleased her?
Now that the Emperor had laid everything bare, she felt relieved, yet also deeply displeased. Even seated upon the highest throne, she was still bound by the Emperor's will. What she could not make him accept, she could not accomplish. How wonderful it would be if, no matter how absurd or unbelievable her words, the Emperor would—or could only—agree.
This feeling of being restrained was truly unbearable.
She quickly turned her frustration upon Consort Dowager Xian. "I always said you never breathe a word about the affairs of Prince Ping's mansion. Now suddenly you're so forthcoming—and I see you've been digging a pit for me all along."
Consort Dowager Xian wore a bitter expression, but she had no choice but to follow the Empress Dowager's lead. "I misunderstood the Empress Dowager's intent."
At this point, Qi Junmu had lost all interest in lingering at Renshou Palace. He rose. "Since it was all a misunderstanding, let it be resolved amicably. Imperial Mother, I still have memorials to review, so I shall take my leave."
The Empress Dowager gave a faint "Mm." Qi Junmu turned and strode away with effortless ease.
As he passed Qi Junyou—who stood frozen in shock—he gave him a playful wink, as if to say, I've done you a great favor. Qi Junyou's face visibly reddened with even greater fury.
Qi Junmu felt thoroughly pleased; his steps were lighter on the way out than on the way in.
---
That evening, when Shen Nian was on duty, Qi Junmu recounted the day's events to him.
After hearing it all, Shen Nian furrowed his brow. "Why did Prince Ping do that?" If his aim was to trap the Emperor and Empress Dowager, the easiest approach would have been to act without informing the Emperor. And if he truly wished to refuse, then he should have kept the Emperor out of it entirely and simply made a public scene—wouldn't that have been more effective?
Qi Junmu's expression was somewhat odd. "I think even Prince Ping himself doesn't fully understand why he did it."
Perhaps he wanted to test whether this Emperor would, like Emperor Jing, eliminate all brothers who stood in his way. Perhaps it was a moment of impulse. Or perhaps—just perhaps—Qi Junyou had given up hope for the throne and was simply testing whether the Emperor would side with him. Maybe all of these were true.
"Whatever his reasons," Qi Junmu concluded, "I cannot let Consort Dowager Xian grow too smug, nor can I allow the Empress Dowager to overstep." He had stood up for Qi Junyou, but that did not mean he would show any kindness to Consort Dowager Xian, who had always coveted his throne.
Qi Junyou was Qi Junyou; Consort Dowager Xian was Consort Dowager Xian.
Even if the Empress Dowager treated him poorly, he would not let Consort Dowager Xian rise above her.
As Emperor, he was simply that selfish.
"Your Majesty speaks wisely," said Shen Nian. Though he could not fully untangle all the intricacies, that did not stop him from believing the Emperor was right about everything.
Qi Junmu looked at him. Beneath the lamplight, Shen Nian's features were especially warm and polished—like fine jade, worthy of lingering appreciation.
Shen Nian soon noticed the Emperor's intensely focused gaze. Their eyes met, and neither spoke.
A breeze drifted through the hall, and the lamplight flickered, its flame swaying to and fro. The dance of light stirred something in the mind, blurred the edges of perception.
At some point, Qi Junmu rose and walked over to Shen Nian. But before he could speak—or make any move—a knock came from outside the hall. It was Ruan Jiqing.
The two immediately stepped apart.
Qi Junmu cleared his throat lightly and bade Ruan Jiqing enter.
Ruan Jiqing came bearing tea, but his expression was hesitant—clearly he had something to say to the Emperor in private.
Shen Nian, knowing when to withdraw, excused himself without a word.
Once Shen Nian had left, Qi Junmu looked calmly at Ruan Jiqing.
There was something in that gaze that reminded Ruan Jiqing of his deceased godson. A chill ran through him, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty, this servant has obtained the item you requested."
He then produced a very ordinary-looking illustrated book from his robes and presented it.
Qi Junmu glanced at the illustrated book and said flatly, "Do not let this happen again."
Ruan Jiqing acknowledged the order hurriedly. But from the Emperor's attitude, he now understood—he would have to treat Shen Nian with the utmost respect from now on. The Emperor was seeking these illustrated books purely because of Shen Nian.
For a moment, Ruan Jiqing could only think: So this is how it has turned out after all.
That night, Shen Nian was on duty, but the Emperor did not summon him into the hall. Each time his patrol brought him within sight of Qianhua Hall, Shen Nian found himself stopping to gaze in that direction.
He thought to himself: if Ruan Jiqing had not interrupted, what would the Emperor have done? The thought did not fluster him—the Emperor had always been direct in such matters.
Having recognized his own feelings, he had neither hidden them nor made Shen Nian feel awkward. When he felt something, he said it plainly. When he said he would give it serious thought, he did not leave anyone hanging. Shen Nian had never met anyone quite like that—and that person happened to be the Emperor.
In the darkness, Shen Nian smiled to himself, his eyes bright.
And the Emperor, who occupied his thoughts, dreamed of him that very night—a dream inspired by that illustrated book. A sweet dream.
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