Chapter 61: Maneuvering (5)

As Qi Ying’s carriage arrived at the palace gates, he saw Su Ping personally waiting with a group of palace attendants. When Qi Ying stepped down from the carriage, Su Ping remained respectfully bent over.

Su Ping had always been courteous to Qi Ying, but now his politeness reached an extent that made Qi Ying feel uneasy. Qi Ying reached out to steady Su Ping and said, “Master Su, please don’t do this; I can’t accept such respect.”

However, Su Ping persisted in his respectful stance and replied, “Young Master Qi has resolved the national crisis, and your future is bound to soar. You deserve even greater respect. Allow this old servant to congratulate you in advance.”

There was a hint of meaning in Su Ping’s words, suggesting that the Emperor intended to reward him.

Qi Ying did not value rewards, and although he understood Su Ping’s implication, he felt no particular joy. He responded indifferently and then entered the palace with Su Ping.

Before they even reached the entrance of the imperial study, Qi Ying saw the Emperor personally coming out to greet him. Although Qi Ying felt no emotional upheaval, he feigned a look of trepidation and was about to kneel when the Emperor quickly supported him, exclaiming with delight, “Jingchen, you’ve finally returned! You’ve kept me waiting!”

With that, the Emperor personally led Qi Ying into the imperial study and offered him a seat.

The Emperor appeared to be in good spirits and health, though he had gained some weight. His fingernails were tinged with a bluish-black hue, and there were signs of ulceration at the tips. Qi Ying swiftly glanced at them and then discreetly averted his gaze.

After taking his seat, Qi Ying performed the proper etiquette towards the Emperor and said, “Your Majesty has waited long; this humble minister feels deeply apologetic.”

The Emperor laughed heartily and waved his hand, his face glowing as he said, “You bring good news, and for good news, I am willing to wait however long it takes!”

Qi Ying remained respectfully bowed and said, “Your Majesty is benevolent. Although the situation in Shicheng has eased, the Wei army might still counterattack. The matter is not yet settled.”

Hearing this, the Emperor’s smile did not wane. He patted Qi Ying on the shoulder and said, “I trust your strategies, and there will be no mistakes—don’t be too modest. Are you trying to force me to praise you?”

The Emperor’s words were teasing, and Su Ping joined in the laughter. For a moment, the atmosphere in the imperial study was harmonious.

Qi Ying exchanged a few light-hearted remarks with the Emperor and then clasped his hands together, saying, “Regarding the matter of Jiang Yong, the former commander of Nanling, I must ask for punishment—I...”

He didn’t finish before the Emperor interrupted him.

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively and said directly, “You have already explained this matter clearly in your report to the court. Given the urgency of the situation, if you hadn’t executed him, how could you have subdued those stubborn generals in Shicheng? You did the right thing and need not ask for forgiveness.”

Qi Ying shook his head and solemnly said, “Although Jiang Yong was a traitor and deserved no mercy, he was still a fourth-rank military officer. His execution should have been decided by Your Majesty. My actions were presumptuous, and without Your Majesty’s punishment, it would be difficult to gain the trust of the people.”

Without waiting for the Emperor to intervene, he rose and knelt, bowing his head and saying, “Please punish this humble minister.”

His earnestness and persistence left the Emperor momentarily speechless.

The Emperor sighed repeatedly and said, “Jingchen, you are too harsh on yourself. Even I do not dwell on this matter, so why are you insisting on holding onto it?”

Seeing that Qi Ying showed no sign of rising, the Emperor realized his resolve and, after pondering for a long time, said, “You are the primary contributor to repelling the Wei forces. In principle, I should reward you greatly. However, after much consideration, I am unsure what further rewards to bestow upon you...”

Indeed, Qi Ying came from a prestigious family and already held significant power at a young age. He lacked nothing, making it difficult to determine what more to reward him with.

The Emperor continued, “Since you are so insistent, let us offset merit against fault. I will neither reward nor punish you. How does that sound?”

Though he asked “How does that sound?” he did not wait for Qi Ying’s response before personally helping him up, pretending to be angry and saying, “My decision is final! Do you dare oppose me?”

This was, of course, jesting, and both Su Ping and the other eunuchs laughed. Seeing the Emperor’s insistence, Qi Ying could not decline further and accepted graciously, thanking the Emperor for his grace.

The monarch and minister discussed the current affairs for a while longer and exchanged a few casual words about family matters before the Emperor began to feel fatigued. Qi Ying noticed the Emperor’s weariness and, having already concluded the important matters, decided it was time to take his leave.

The Emperor said, “With the枢密院entrusted to you, I feel reassured—Jingchen, do not disappoint me.”

Qi Ying bowed deeply and delivered a polished speech, which pleased the Emperor immensely. The Emperor then said, “Go and rest well. I am also feeling weary—Su Ping, escort Jingchen on my behalf.”

Su Ping received the order and led Qi Ying out.

Once they were outside, the Emperor dismissed his attendants. The smile faded from his face as he picked up the teacup on the desk and took a sip. Then, raising his voice slightly, he called towards the inner room behind the screen, “What are you still hiding inside for? Come out.”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sound of movement behind the screen. A moment later, a man emerged, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a mole under his right eye. Though his features were somewhat feminine, his stern expression diminished the mole’s prominence.

It was the Third Prince, Xiao Zihan.

He came out from behind the screen, approached the Emperor, and performed a respectful bow. The Emperor waved his hand for him to rise, appearing somewhat weary, and casually pointed to the seat beside him, saying, “Sit.”

Xiao Zihan sat as instructed and heard the Emperor ask, “Did you hear everything?”

The Third Prince responded affirmatively. The Emperor’s expression was unreadable as he asked, “What do you think of Qi Jingchen?”

Earlier that day, when Qi Ying entered the palace, Xiao Zihan had received word from his father to hide in the inner room of the imperial study and listen in. Every word and action of Qi Ying had been observed meticulously.

Xiao Zihan thought carefully before cautiously answering, “Qi Er possesses great talent, surpassing even his father and elder brothers.”

The Emperor snorted coldly and said, “Do you think I would entrust the枢密院to him if he lacked ability?”

Reprimanded, Xiao Zihan lowered his head and heard his father sigh, saying, “A person like him, if used well, can become your armor, but if not, he becomes a sword that wounds oneself—Huan’er, if you ascend to this position, can you handle Qi Jingchen properly?”

Xiao Zihan looked up at the Emperor, seeing the aged, weathered eyes filled with the weight of years.

“Father...”

The Emperor extended his somewhat ulcerated hands to grasp Xiao Zihan, his voice heavy as he said, “The Liang Dynasty is prosperous yet weak, facing external threats and internal struggles with the aristocratic families. What are these families? They are termites hollowing out the dynasty, ravenous beasts never satisfied. If you wish to secure your position, sooner or later, you must make a decisive move against them.”

“My son,” the Emperor sighed, “I have been constrained by these families all my life. After crossing south for over thirty years, not once have I felt truly free. I do not want, when you ascend the throne, for everything to remain the same—do you understand?”

The Emperor had once been full of grand ambitions, eager to lead a northern campaign to reclaim lost territories. But within the Liang Dynasty, the aristocratic families fought amongst themselves, consuming the nation’s strength for their selfish desires, dragging the once-ambitious young emperor into an old, weary ruler.

The world mocked the extravagant风气of Jiangzuo, calling even the Emperor indulgent in trivial pleasures like the five-stone powder. But who could understand the anguish of being trapped in the quagmire of these families, where only indulgence in pleasures could ease the bitterness in his heart?

It was不得已.

And Xiao Zihan, hearing these words from the Emperor, felt a storm raging within him.

Recently, though he had gained his father’s trust and handled many tasks, the Emperor had never mentioned the issue of succession, remaining ambiguous on the matter. But now, with these words… had he already decided to make him the Crown Prince?

Xiao Zihan was naturally overjoyed but knew better than to show it. Calming himself, he asked the Emperor, “Father, are you implying that Qi Er harbors disloyal intentions?”

Xiao Zihan’s relationship with Qi Ying was neither distant nor close. Qi Ying had been the study companion of his fourth brother, Xiao Ziteng, and they had known each other since childhood. This second son of the Qi family was exceptionally talented yet knew how to conceal his brilliance, avoiding unnecessary competition. Xiao Zihan had always held a favorable impression of him. If not for his role as Xiao Ziteng’s companion, they might have become good friends.

Today, hidden behind the screen, Xiao Zihan observed Qi Ying’s respectful demeanor towards the Emperor, his dedication to duty, and his deliberate avoidance of rewards. He believed Qi Ying held no disrespect towards the royal family. Yet, judging from the Emperor’s tone, it seemed he was dissatisfied.

Sure enough, the Emperor let out a cold snort and said sharply, “After returning to Jiankang, he first went to see his father at the Qi residence before coming to see me. If he were a Wei official, would he dare act this way? Throughout history, no minister dares place family above the court. These arrogant families behave as if there is nothing wrong with it!”

Xiao Zihan lowered his head.

Indeed, the Emperor’s words made sense. No minister in the world dared prioritize family over the court or father over the sovereign—except in the Jiangzuo region of the Liang Dynasty. Here, the aristocratic officials, deeply rooted and influential, habitually disregarded the court. Over thirty years since the southern migration, this trend had only worsened.

Some things were better left unsaid. While unspoken, everyone maintained a facade of harmony, but once spoken, suppressed grievances erupted like a tsunami. At this moment, Xiao Zihan’s eyes revealed a ruthless glint, and the mole under his right eye appeared more menacing. Lowering his voice, he said to the Emperor, “If Father distrusts him, why not…”

He made a “kill” gesture.

After the fall of the Shen family, their influence was divided among three surnames, with the Qi family benefiting the most. Now at the height of their power, while the royal family couldn’t openly harm the Qi family, secretly eliminating someone—even if it were Qi Jingchen—was not entirely impossible...

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, the Emperor let out a cold chuckle and countered, “If you kill him, who will handle external threats? The chaos in Shicheng has lingered for so long, and none of the court officials could resolve it. Yet, within months of taking office, he forced Gu Juhang to retreat and turned the Wei court into a muddled mess. Such political acumen—who else could achieve it? You? Or the group of incompetents supporting you?”

The harsh words left Xiao Zihan speechless.

He lowered his head and cautiously asked, “Then what does Father suggest?”

The Emperor sighed deeply, turned to look out the window, and after a long pause, said ominously, “For now, with the national crisis unresolved, we must use him. And afterward...”

Xiao Zihan heard his father pause, a long-unseen ruthlessness surfacing on the aging face.

“...Such a person must either be rendered useless or killed.”

Shortly after leaving the imperial study, Qi Ying encountered Xiao Ziyu on the palace road leading out.

She was standing with several palace maids, idly kicking pebbles, seemingly having waited for a long time. Upon spotting Qi Ying, her peach blossom eyes, so similar to her brother’s, lit up instantly. She immediately dismissed the attendants and rushed over to him, her apricot-colored skirt fluttering like a butterfly.

Su Ping, upon seeing the Sixth Princess, knew it was inappropriate to remain. He discreetly bowed to Qi Ying and said, “Young Master Qi, I shall escort you only this far.”

By then, Xiao Ziyu had already approached. Before Qi Ying could speak, she interjected, “Master Su, return quickly. I will see him out of the palace.”

Su Ping smiled and readily agreed, then departed with the other attendants.

Xiao Ziyu looked up at Qi Ying, wanting to say something but unsure where to begin. Sensing her unease, Qi Ying sighed softly and broke the awkward silence by asking, “Why are you here, Princess?”

This prompted Xiao Ziyu to speak. With her enchanting peach blossom eyes, she clasped her hands behind her back and coquettishly said, “I came to wait for you, of course. I heard you submitted a request to enter the palace this morning, so I waited for Father to summon you. I’ve been standing here for nearly an hour...”

She prattled on incessantly. On any other day, Qi Ying might have patiently listened to her finish, but today he was genuinely exhausted. He interrupted her, saying, “If Your Highness doesn’t mind, perhaps we could talk while walking.”

Xiao Ziyu frowned at being interrupted and glanced at him, sensing his impatience. Her pride flared, and she snapped, “Are you really that impatient to talk to me? Do you want to walk and talk just to leave the palace sooner and escape from me? Don’t you miss me at all?”

Her voice trembled, and her eyes welled up as if she were about to cry.

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Qi Ying softened slightly and couldn’t bring himself to be too cold. He patiently reassured her, “No, it’s not that…”

Xiao Ziyu pressed further, “Then how is it not?!”

After a moment of silence, Qi Ying replied, “I’m just… tired.”

Xiao Ziyu studied him closely, noticing the exhaustion etched on his face, the redness in his eyes, and how much thinner he had become compared to a month ago. She realized he wasn’t lying.

She had always adored him and couldn’t bear to see him in any discomfort. Upon hearing that he was tired, all her earlier frustration melted away. She said, “You… how long has it been since you last rested? Why do you look so unwell? Sigh… let’s walk and talk. You should return home and rest soon…”

Qi Ying glanced at her, nodded, and the two began walking side by side toward the palace gates.

Though Xiao Ziyu was considerate, she was reluctant to part with him so soon. It had been a long time since she last saw him, so she deliberately slowed their pace, breaking each step into two or three smaller ones.

Walking beside Qi Ying, she wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say. Eventually, she asked about his experiences in Nanling. For every question she asked, Qi Ying gave a brief answer. Though he responded politely, she felt a growing emptiness in her heart.

The palace gates were near, and despite Xiao Ziyu’s slow pace, they arrived in no time. Qi Ying stopped and turned to her, saying, “Your Highness, please stay here. I will take my leave now.”

Xiao Ziyu gazed at his serene, distant features—the very image she had thought of day and night—and her reluctance deepened. She wished she could seal the palace gates shut, trapping him here so he would never leave her side.

With hopeful eyes, she pleaded, “Can’t you visit my quarters for a while before leaving? Once you go, I don’t know when I’ll see you again…”

Qi Ying looked at Xiao Ziyu, worried that she might bring up Xiao Ziteng to detain him, as she had done before. Today, however, he was utterly fatigued and in no mood for drinking. All he wanted was to leave the palace quickly.

He thought for a moment and gently reassured her, “At the beginning of March, there will be a flower-viewing gathering at Qingji Mountain. If you’re free, you can come with Fourth Prince. We’ll meet again then.”

Xiao Ziyu’s eyes brightened as she remembered the flower-viewing event. Counting the days, she realized it was only a few days away and immediately cheered up.

Blushing slightly, her cheeks flushed with color, she looked radiant and beautiful.

“Oh, the flower-viewing,” she said in a sweet, teasing tone, her eyes filled with playful allure as she looked at Qi Ying. “Do you want me to go?”

Qi Ying lowered his gaze, replying calmly, “Your presence would honor us greatly.”

Xiao Ziyu laughed, her face reddening further as she said, “If you put it that way, then I must go. I’ll drag my fourth brother along—Brother Fu and Brother Han will surely come too. I wonder if Sister Rong will join us. If she does, our group will be complete.”

When Xiao Ziyu mentioned Fu Rong, Qi Ying’s expression shifted slightly.

After a pause, he said, “If you’d like her to come, I’ll ask her about it another day.”

Xiao Ziyu was taken aback. “What? Are you going to see her soon?”

Fu Rong, like other noblewomen of prominent families, rarely left her residence, scarcely more free than Xiao Ziyu herself within the palace walls. Yet Qi Ying spoke as though meeting her were effortless, leaving Xiao Ziyu astonished.

Qi Ying nodded, his tone nonchalant. “Yes, recently I’ve seen her almost daily. Grandmother has arranged for her to study at the Qi family’s private academy—what, didn’t she mention it to you?”

Xiao Ziyu froze.

She and Fu Rong had been close friends since childhood, sharing everything. Xiao Ziyu confided nearly all her thoughts to Fu Rong, even revealing her feelings for Qi Ying first. They remained inseparable as adults, exchanging letters frequently when apart. Their last correspondence had been just two days ago, yet Fu Rong hadn’t breathed a word about studying at the Qi household.

Struggling to believe it, Xiao Ziyu asked, “Oh? She… she didn’t say anything. When did this happen?”

Qi Ying glanced at her shocked expression and replied indifferently, “About a month ago.”

Xiao Ziyu was speechless. Unconsciously, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

Fu Rong… why had she kept such a significant matter hidden from her?

Xiao Ziyu’s troubled demeanor did not escape Qi Ying’s notice, but he lowered his phoenix-like eyes, pretending not to see. He bid her farewell and boarded his carriage to depart.

Once inside, the curtains fell, and Bai Song drove the carriage slowly along the palace road. Qi Ying opened the window and glanced back, seeing Xiao Ziyu still standing listlessly in the middle of the road. He closed the window and did not look back again.

His grandmother was a strong-willed woman. If she insisted on arranging Fu Rong’s marriage to him, it would be difficult for him to refuse. But if Xiao Ziyu interfered, he wouldn’t need to handle the situation himself—it would resolve naturally.

Qi Ying closed his eyes briefly and instructed Bai Song through the curtain to drive to Fenghe Garden.

As they traveled, the sun set in the west, painting the horizon in hues of twilight. The city of Jiankang exuded an air of peace and prosperity. Streets buzzed with lively chatter and laughter, completely untouched by the turmoil in Shicheng.

Listening to the bustling sounds of the long street, Qi Ying felt an overwhelming wave of fatigue. Leaning against the carriage, he drifted off to sleep.

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Author’s Note: He has a thorny path ahead, but fortunately, he is a white-cut-black (a seemingly gentle person with hidden ruthlessness). Next update: Qi Er officially takes his first step into parenthood—and immediately stumbles.