Qi Junmu had not expected Shen Nian to say such a thing at a moment like this. It was not a jest, yet it made him feel oddly self-conscious and ill at ease.
He felt his ears begin to warm, so he averted his gaze slightly and said flatly, "I only told Xing Yi to watch Prince Rui, not Cheng Jin." His implication was clear: he had not ordered anyone to monitor Cheng Jin, so the correspondence between Cheng Jin and Shen Nian was merely his inference based on Cheng Jin's temperament.
This time, Shen Nian did not laugh. He looked quietly at the Emperor, his eyes carrying emotions both calm and complicated.
Qi Junmu heard no reply for a long while. He turned to look at the man before him and saw that Shen Nian's usually refined and gentle expression had taken on a sharp edge—unlike his usual self, carrying a striking intensity.
The Emperor asked, "What's wrong?"
Shen Nian pressed his lips together. "Your Majesty, sometimes you have no idea how much joy your words and actions can bring to another person."
There was one more thing he did not say—especially now.
The Emperor already knew of his feelings, yet still chose to explain himself like this. He did not have to, but he did anyway, as if to say that he cared.
This was the man Shen Nian loved, and it truly stirred his heart.
As Emperor, Qi Junmu was rarely at a loss, but now he found himself somewhat flustered. They had been discussing serious matters—how had Shen Nian veered off to this?
He gave a vague "Oh," then said, "You may go for now. I will be receiving other ministers shortly. It would not be appropriate for you to be seen meeting them at this hour."
"This humble subject understands. I will take my leave," Shen Nian said.
Qi Junmu acknowledged with a hum.
After Shen Nian left, Qi Junmu did not immediately summon anyone. The events at the West Frontier involving Qi Junyan had not yet reached the capital through official channels, so Lin Xiao had no need to know.
Nor did the other ministers need to know. Qi Junmu had simply wanted to send Shen Nian away.
He was thinking about what lay between him and Shen Nian. He had said he would consider it, and he would—seriously.
From his previous life to this one, he thought it all through, piece by piece.
The everyday interactions that had once seemed so ordinary now, upon recollection, carried an unspoken layer of warmth and unspoken affection.
He did not know when Shen Nian's gaze toward him had changed, but he remembered the warmth in his palm when he had touched Shen Nian's eyelid.
Qi Junmu thought for a long time. He suddenly realized he could find no reason to refuse Shen Nian.
He had no need for a rear palace or heirs. He did not dislike Shen Nian—in fact, he rather liked him—in both temperament and appearance. Otherwise, he would never have taken the initiative to touch Shen Nian's face with such intimacy.
So being with Shen Nian like this would not be a bad thing.
That was from a personal standpoint. From a ruler-subject perspective, if they were truly together, the one who would suffer in terms of reputation would be Shen Nian alone. Others would only say that he had debased himself to seduce the Emperor—never that the Emperor was the shameless one.
At the thought of that possibility, Qi Junmu frowned. Shen Nian should not bear such a stigma.
There were still a host of matters inside and outside the palace left unresolved. Fortunately, Shen Nian was still in his mourning period, so even if they were together, they would not need to be overly intimate...
Thinking of intimacy, Qi Junmu snapped back to the present, his eyes widening slightly. He had said he would take several days to consider, yet now he was already thinking about what it would be like after they were together.
Qi Junmu narrowed his eyes and pushed such thoughts aside.
Not being opposed to being with Shen Nian did not mean there were no obstacles between them.
These were things Shen Nian needed to consider as well—what would be gained, what would be lost. Both of them needed to think it through clearly.
With that, Qi Junmu called for Ruan Jiqing.
Ruan Jiqing scurried in, performed his obeisance, and said with a smile, "Does Your Majesty require tea?"
Qi Junmu shook his head. "I need you to handle a private matter for me."
Hearing that it was a private imperial task, Ruan Jiqing was beside himself with excitement. There were not many in the realm who could handle such matters for the Emperor—he might very well be the first.
So Ruan Jiqing said joyfully, "Whatever Your Majesty commands, this servant will accomplish even at the cost of his life."
Qi Junmu cleared his throat twice and beckoned him over. "Come here."
Ruan Jiqing thought to himself that this matter must be quite secretive indeed, so he trotted over eagerly.
Qi Junmu whispered a few words into his ear.
As Qi Junmu spoke, Ruan Jiqing's smile froze stiff on his face. By the time Qi Junmu finished, he was trembling all over, his eyes filled with alarm.
Qi Junmu said flatly, "Be careful when you procure it. Do not let anyone find out. If even a whisper of this leaks out, I'll have your head."
"Your Majesty, this—" Ruan Jiqing was nearly in tears. What in the world had happened? What had possessed the Emperor? In the span of just a few sticks of incense, he had suddenly taken an interest in those kinds of illustrated books?
To Da Qi, this was nothing short of a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
Ruan Jiqing's legs went weak. He had barely called out to the Emperor when he heard an announcement from outside: Prince Ping was requesting an audience.
Qi Junmu's brows shot up at the name. He had not expected Qi Junyou to come to the palace. This man really cannot be spoken of lightly, he thought. No sooner did I think of him than he appears.
The Emperor waved at Ruan Jiqing. "Go attend to your task. Let Prince Ping in."
With an outsider present, Ruan Jiqing could not afford to let his legs go weak. He forced a stiff, wooden expression and walked out.
Qi Junyou had come to see the Emperor fueled by a burst of anger, but by the time he reached the palace gates, that anger had subsided. He had thought about turning back, but the attendants had already announced him.
Qi Junyou thought to himself, Since it has come to this, I will just have to take it one step at a time.
Then he saw Ruan Jiqing emerge with a long, mournful face, saying that the Emperor bid him enter. That gloomy expression reignited Qi Junyou's anger.
He knew well enough that a servant's demeanor reflected his master's mood.
If Ruan Jiqing dared to wear such a face before him, it could only mean that Qi Junmu had signaled him to do so.
Thinking of how Qi Junmu had schemed against his power base in Qingzhou, destroyed his reputation, and now so plainly held him in contempt, Qi Junyou gave a cold snort in his heart.
He flicked a speck of nonexistent dust from his finger and shot Ruan Jiqing a contemptuous look—only to see that Ruan Jiqing still wore the same despairing expression of a man about to be crushed by a falling sky.
Qi Junyou frowned. Ruan Jiqing gave him a bleak glance and turned away.
Qi Junyou paused, then pushed open the door and entered the main hall.
Inside, Qi Junmu was reviewing memorials. After Qi Junyou paid his respects, Qi Junmu bade him rise and asked, "What business do you have?"
Qi Junyou replied in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, my prince's mansion has indeed seen some unrest lately, but those are merely internal household matters. Moreover, the positions for both primary consort and secondary consorts are already filled—I have no room to accommodate the Empress Dowager's and Your Majesty's kind offers."
"What?" Qi Junmu looked bewildered. He had no idea what Qi Junyou was talking about.
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