Chapter 86
In the fifth year of Renqing, on the ninth day of the eighth month, Old Madam Shen passed away.
It was Shen Nian who handled all the funeral arrangements for her. To him, she was little more than a stranger tied to him by blood.
Yet when she died, Shen Nian gave her a grand and proper burial. Shen Qing and Wen shi did not appear at all, and everyone had their own opinions and speculations about that.
Everyone in Da Qi knew that Shen Nian was the one the Emperor trusted most—a man of immense power who had the Emperor's ear like no other. Even Prince Jin had learned to step carefully around him.
There was good reason for this reputation. More than one court official had witnessed Prince Jin's manner toward Shen Nian—respectful, almost deferential. Naturally, everyone was curious, but no one ever got a straight answer from Prince Jin himself.
All this only deepened the air of mystery around Shen Nian. After all, the Emperor had cast aside his own blood relatives but kept Shen Nian by his side—that alone spoke volumes about Shen Nian's skill in navigating the corridors of power.
Many sought to curry favor with him, but Shen Nian was a difficult man to reach. Most days, he was either at the Emperor's side or somewhere within the palace. On the rare occasions he returned to the Marquis's residence, he stayed only a few breaths before leaving again.
People used to sneer that the palace felt more like Shen Nian's home than the Marquis's residence ever did.
When word of this spread, the very next day at court the Emperor spoke plainly: "Marquis Shen's heart is fixed on my safety. If he truly sees the palace as his home, then I am glad of it."
With those words, the Emperor silenced anyone who might have tried to use the matter against Shen Nian.
Unable to find a way to ingratiate themselves with Shen Nian, many saw Madam Shen's funeral as the perfect opportunity.
On the day of the funeral, the Marquis Zhenbei's residence was bustling with visitors.
Shen Nian was never one to enjoy socializing, but that day he stood at the gate to receive the guests.
Aside from a few particularly proud and aloof officials, nearly every notable court official came to pay their respects. None of them knew Shen Nian well, so they merely exchanged pleasantries and offered their condolences.
Shen Nian responded politely, his face betraying little emotion.
Everyone knew Shen Nian was favored by the Emperor—but that day, they finally saw just how favored he truly was.
The servants at the Marquis's residence had all been dispatched from the palace by the Emperor himself—because the Shen household had never held any grand banquets, nor did it have a mistress to manage its affairs. By doing this, the Emperor made it unmistakably clear to all: he was standing behind Shen Nian. Anyone who had been thinking of using the occasion to mock or slight Shen Nian would do well to think again.
The civil and military officials understood the Emperor's message well enough—they were beyond surprise at this point.
Not long after, both the Emperor and Prince Jin arrived in person at the Marquis's residence—and announced they would be staying for a meal. At that moment, the Shen family's glory reached its peak.
Envious gazes fell upon Shen Nian from all sides. Everyone understood: the Emperor had not come for Old Madam Shen. He had come for Shen Nian.
When Shen Nian saw Qi Junmu, his eyes lit up with unmistakable joy. As the only master of the Marquis's residence, he naturally had to host the Emperor himself. Their interaction was warm and harmonious—a sight the others had grown accustomed to.
Qi Junzhou, who knew the true nature of their relationship, watched the two of them carry on and felt a familiar knot of complicated emotions.
Even now, he still struggled to fully accept Shen Nian and the Emperor being together. But he had learned to regard it with composure, and he showed Shen Nian the respect he deserved—just as the Emperor had once said: What others think matters little—but if you withhold your approval, it will trouble me more than a little.
For that single sentence, Qi Junzhou buried whatever reluctance he felt and never let it show.
With the Emperor present, everyone else remained guarded and careful.
The only ones at ease were the Emperor himself, Prince Jin, and Shen Nian.
Watching the tense, cautious faces of his courtiers, Qi Junmu's eyes curved in quiet amusement. When they had all eaten their fill, he spoke: "It is getting late. Marquis Zhenbei is grieving—you should all take your leave."
The assembled officials felt a wave of frustration rise within them. Normally, on such occasions, it was the Emperor who departed first. But now, the Emperor had not only stayed—he was sending others away on the Marquis's behalf.
Though they felt somewhat put out, none dared to object. They rose and took their leave one by one.
Shen Nian stood by the gate and saw each of them out with proper courtesy.
Once they were gone, he returned to his own courtyard.
The Emperor, naturally, had not gone to the main hall. He was seated on the veranda of Shen Nian's own courtyard, with Prince Jin standing nearby.
Prince Jin had originally planned to leave along with the rest, but he did not feel at ease leaving the Emperor alone in the inner courtyard. So he waited until Shen Nian came back before finally taking his leave.
After Prince Jin was gone, the Emperor beckoned Shen Nian over.
No palace attendants remained in sight. Shen Nian walked over naturally and sat down beside the Emperor.
Qi Junmu took his hand and said softly, "I haven't seen you in a few days. Today you look a little pale—is something on your mind?" He did not ask if Shen Nian was grieving. He knew better than anyone the true distance between Shen Nian and the Shen family.
He knew full well who held his beloved's heart.
Shen Nian tightened his grip on the Emperor's hand. "My grandmother and I were never close," he said. "Before she passed, she told me this courtyard felt so empty—that living in it was unbearable."
Shen Nian could see it now: in those final moments, Old Madam Shen had regretted. She had lived a life of luxury and ease, but at the very end, the only person by her side was a grandson who was little more than a stranger to her.
No husband by her side. No son to see her off. A house brimming with wealth and finery—yet utterly devoid of warmth.
Qi Junmu was silent for a moment. Then he said: "That was her own choice. It has nothing to do with you."
The words sounded cold, but Shen Nian did not find them harsh.
Perhaps there was truth in the saying that every person in this world is selfish at heart. What makes family family is simply the bond of closeness—nothing more than that.
Silence settled over the veranda for a while. Then Qi Junmu's lazy voice broke it once more: "I will not make you observe three years of mourning this time. I cannot bear to be apart from you—and I will not have you leave."
It was a selfish thought, a selfish act. But Qi Junmu was willing, and no one could argue—no one could object. That was the privilege of being Emperor.
Shen Nian hummed softly in assent. Then Qi Junmu added: "In a few days, you and I will go pay our respects to Imperial Father and to General Shen."
Shen Nian froze. He looked up, startled, at the Emperor's expressionless face.
Qi Junmu saw him dumbstruck and smiled. He tucked a strand of Shen Nian's hair behind his ear and said, "Now that we are together, we should pay our respects to both our fathers—make things proper between us."
For reasons he couldn't name, Shen Nian felt a sudden warmth behind his eyes. He turned away for a moment and said, "What if the late Emperor disapproves?"
"There's nothing to be done about it. Facts are facts. He can't object from down there." Qi Junmu said it with calm finality.
Shen Nian's eyes curved into a smile. "Well said, Your Majesty."
That day, Qi Junmu stayed with Shen Nian for a long time. Only when the night grew far too deep did he finally return to the palace from the Marquis's residence.
Five days later, he summoned Shen Nian to the palace. This served two purposes: first, to make it known to all that Shen Nian would not observe the mourning period; and second, to take him to pay respects to the late Emperor Jing.
To Qi Junmu, this was merely a routine act of homage. He used the excuse that his late father had appeared in a dream and wished to see him.
Qi Junmu was casual about it, but Shen Nian took the matter very seriously, performing the rituals with great solemnity.
Qi Junmu watched him, then smiled—and grew serious himself.
After paying respects to Emperor Jing, Qi Junmu and Shen Nian slipped away from the entourage. Accompanied only by Ruan Jiqing and a small handful of trusted men, they went to pay tribute at Shen Yi's grave.
Shen Nian looked at the headstone of Shen Yi and felt a deep, quiet peace.
He thought to himself that he and Qi Junmu would spend a lifetime together. Compared to the people of the generation before them, they were truly far more fortunate.
He did not fully understand the grievances and entanglements of that older generation—nor did he wish to.
They were gone now. There was no need for those who came after to pick through their bones.
A light breeze swept past. Qi Junmu watched Shen Nian's solemn face and suddenly spoke: "When we are old, I will go after you. I will have you buried first in my imperial mausoleum."
Shen Nian looked up. "Wouldn't that make Your Majesty grieve?"
"To share the same blanket in life and the same tomb in death—what is there to grieve?" Qi Junmu gazed at the distant sky, his eyes as clear and untroubled as the blue heavens. "If I go first, and some accident comes between us so we cannot be laid to rest together—that is what would grieve me. That is what I cannot bear."
"I would not want to see Your Majesty grieve either," Shen Nian said with a smile. "Prince Jin is here. Whatever you say, he will see it done."
Even though they spoke of separation and death, both remained remarkably at ease, and the mood between them almost warm.
Qi Junmu took Shen Nian's hand, lacing their fingers together. In the gentle breeze, his lazy voice drifted over: "As long as you and I are together, nothing else matters."
"Well said, Your Majesty," Shen Nian replied, a smile still playing at his lips.
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