"I've already found out," Shen Nian said quickly in a low voice. "Lord Wen indeed went to see the Left Chancellor yesterday. He made no effort to hide his movements, so it was easily traced."
Shen Nian spoke clearly and methodically, yet for some reason, he felt that this was not what the Emperor had really wanted to say. Vaguely, a sense of disappointment crept over him—as if he had missed something, and the Emperor had now drawn his thoughts back in, becoming once again a sovereign without personal desires.
"That's hardly surprising," Qi Junmu said. "I knew Wen Zhuo didn't have the brains for this. For Wen Yao to make such a scene in the palace, he must have been guided by someone clever. The Wen family has marital ties with the Lin family, so it makes sense that they're close."
Lin Xiao was no saint—he couldn't act entirely without self-interest.
If one wanted to stand high, one couldn't rely solely on one's own family's power. It was only natural for the Wen and Lin families to be close; even if they didn't associate, others would see them as one faction anyway because of the marriage ties.
Besides, Lin Xiao was shrewd.
Since Wen Zhuo had openly visited him, he clearly wasn't worried about the Emperor looking into it. Sometimes trying to cover your tracks only makes you look more suspicious—it's better to act openly.
Even if the Emperor harbored suspicions and questioned him, Lin Xiao could simply tell the truth, and the matter would pass.
Shen Nian heard no response from the Emperor for a long while. He raised his head slightly and saw the Emperor lost in thought, his expression somewhat dazed.
Shen Nian found the Emperor rather hard to read. It was true that the Emperor valued the Left Chancellor, but there were certain matters he never discussed with him.
This was not mere speculation on Shen Nian's part. Take himself, for instance—every time Lin Xiao looked at him, there was a coldness hidden deep in his eyes, as if he were looking at someone of little consequence, or even a dead man.
This suggested one of two things: either the Emperor truly intended to use him and later kill him, or Lin Xiao had no idea what the Emperor was planning.
Shen Nian believed it was the latter.
He was likely the only person in all of Da Qi who truly knew the Emperor's mind—even Ruan Jiqing, the Emperor's personal attendant, could not compare.
As an emperor, one was naturally suspicious by nature, but the ministers were no different. Even Lin Xiao, who genuinely cared for the Emperor, still used his high position to look after his own family. That was simply how things were.
While Shen Nian was mulling over these thoughts, Qi Junmu had already snapped back to attention. He said, "Forget about that matter for now. I have it under control. In a few days, Prince Jin will be leading his men to the North Frontier. You know the North Frontier better than anyone. If there's anything Prince Jin should watch out for, make sure to advise him. We wouldn't want him acting rashly once he arrives."
"This humble subject has heard about this as well," Shen Nian said. He glanced at the Emperor and asked hesitantly, "I've also heard that Your Majesty plans to send Vice Minister of Justice Yue Yunzhou along with him."
Yue Yunzhou's reputation for investigating cases and finding clues was well known to Shen Nian. But the crucial point was that Chang Sheng's disappearance was most likely the Emperor's own doing. Now the Emperor was sending Yue Yunzhou to the frontier, but surely he was not sending him to investigate himself?
If Yue Yunzhou actually traced it back to the Emperor, the consequences would be dire. For the Emperor to secretly intercept and kill a border general—there was simply no justification for that.
Thus, Shen Nian was deeply puzzled—what exactly was the Emperor thinking, and what was he trying to do? Or was Yue Yunzhou someone who stood firmly on the Emperor's side, and thus worthy of the Emperor's trust?
"I truly did not wish to send him, but the Left Chancellor recommended him, and I could find no excuse to refuse." Qi Junmu had no idea that Shen Nian's thoughts had run so far. He spread his hands helplessly and said, "This matter is tricky to handle. If I refused too forcefully, it would surely arouse suspicion."
Shen Nian had countless theories swirling in his mind, but never once had he imagined it would be like this.
He gazed at the Emperor, who sat before him so utterly candid, and suddenly curled his lips into a soft chuckle. The Emperor's thoughts and words were so straightforward and unadorned—unexpected, yet somehow perfectly in character.
It was contradictory, yet it suited the Emperor's nature perfectly.
Most importantly, seeing the Emperor act this way toward him made his heart truly light.
Qi Junmu had no idea which of his words had set off the man before him, whose laughter now seemed unstoppable. He was a little baffled.
Still, watching Shen Nian—somewhat dazed and laughing so freely—he too felt a hint of pleasure. The deliberate stiffness between them had faded, and they seemed to have returned to how they once were.
Qi Junmu breathed a quiet sigh of relief and did not dwell further.
When Shen Nian's laughter finally ceased and he looked at the Emperor with an awkward expression, the Emperor gave a cold snort and said, "Marquis Shen, what amusing thing did I just say to make you laugh like that, with not a shred of propriety or grace?"
"Your Majesty said nothing amusing. It was this humble subject's own fault," Shen Nian replied with a straight face. "Your Majesty knows well that I grew up on the North Frontier, in a harsh and desolate place, neighboring barbarian lands, so my manners have always been somewhat lacking. I was rude just now, and I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
"How many times have you been discourteous in my presence, yet I've rarely seen you beg for pardon," Qi Junmu said idly.
Shen Nian pressed his lips together and said no more.
The atmosphere between sovereign and subject was harmonious, and both were in good spirits. Qi Junmu said, "I will find a way to handle Yue Yunzhou's matter. Go see Prince Jin and give him some guidance."
Shen Nian composed his expression, bowed, and said, "This humble subject obeys."
Qi Junmu waved his hand, dismissing him.
As Shen Nian walked out of Qianhua Hall, he glanced back briefly. Qi Junmu had already picked up a memorial and begun reading.
A small smile tugged at Shen Nian's lips as he turned and left.
Once outside the hall, Ruan Jiqing hurried over with a worried look and asked in a hushed, cautious voice, "Marquis, how is His Majesty's mood?"
Shen Nian smiled faintly. "His Majesty is in good spirits. He may just be a little thirsty..."
Ruan Jiqing, quick-witted as ever, understood at once that no great storm had brewed inside. His eyes crinkled into slits as he laughed. "This servant knew that the Marquis could soothe His Majesty."
Shen Nian only smiled and said nothing, leaving Ruan Jiqing looking a little sheepish as he recalled the words he had subtly offered Shen Nian in the Shen residence a few days earlier, when the Emperor had visited.
At that time, he had said that the Emperor favored Marquis Zhenbei beyond compare, but in the palace there were the Empress Dowager, the Empress, Prince Jin, and Princess Fuhua.
Shen Nian was not the Emperor's only confidant—though among the civil and military officials, he stood at the forefront.
Ruan Jiqing had spoken those extra words then simply because he felt the relationship between Qi Junmu and Shen Nian had grown far too intimate.
The Emperor was the Emperor—if he acted strangely, at worst a few lines would be left in the histories, and in this age no one would dare speak against him openly. At most, it would be dismissed as idle gossip.
But a subject was different. He would be scorned, impeached by the censors.
Ruan Jiqing could have held his tongue, but he had spoken nonetheless—after all, there was an Empress in the Emperor's palace.
Remembering this, Ruan Jiqing said, "Marquis, we all want what is best for His Majesty. What this servant said before—"
"Eunuch, you are thinking of His Majesty. I understand," Shen Nian interrupted gently with a smile. "Please go in quickly—His Majesty is still waiting for his tea."
Ruan Jiqing said yes several times, sighing inwardly. A man as clever as Shen Nian—he must not take a wrong step.
As Ruan Jiqing walked back into the hall, Shen Nian turned to seek out Qi Junzhuo.
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