Shen Qi knelt on the hard golden-brick floor of Yangxin Hall for a full half-hour before Emperor Jinglong emerged from the inner chamber. He had likely finished his meal and bath, now wearing a loose Daoist robe over his sleeping garments, his freshly washed hair still damp and neatly draped over his shoulders and back.
After the emperor sat down, two palace attendants brought over a large brazier and placed it behind the chair—not for warmth, as the floor heating was already on, but to help dry his hair.
“I told you to wait, but not to kneel while waiting.” The emperor casually flipped through a book of poetry on the table.
Shen Qi bowed in apology. “It was I who, knowing I handled the matter poorly and was unworthy of Your Majesty’s grace, dared not wait while standing.”
“Handled the matter poorly?” The emperor let out a cold laugh. “That’s far too mild a conclusion—what you did was to falsely accuse a prince of treason, a crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan.”
“Your Majesty, I deserve ten thousand deaths. Please, examine the truth with your divine insight!”
“What now, you want to defend yourself? Fine. I’ll give you the chance. Let’s hear how you plan to talk your way out of this. Go on.”
Shen Qi had already prepared his explanation while waiting. In a tone of sincere conviction, he said, “This subject is guilty of negligence, falling into the trap of a schemer, and thereby reporting erroneous information to Your Majesty, damaging the reputation of His Highness Ning Wang. But I had no intent to falsely accuse him.”
“A trap?” The emperor countered. “Then tell me, who set the trap? Don’t tell me it was Feng Qu’e, who’s already rotting in the grave.”
“No, Feng Qu’e was merely a pawn of the real culprit. He claimed to have once served Xin Wang, which I believe to be true—my investigation showed that he was indeed once a member of Xin Wang’s household staff, a fact he concealed for over a decade after joining the Embroidered Guards. After Xin Wang’s death, someone approached him under Ning Wang’s name, claiming to seek revenge for a blood brother. Feng Qu’e believed him and began working for this person. That’s how the incident at Ye Donglou in the Eastern Garden came about. Before dying, Feng Qu’e offered the ‘Ning Wang’s rebellion’ secret as a bargaining chip to lessen his sentence. I thought it a desperate plea for survival—and believed him. That misjudgment is my first fault.”
“And?”
“I failed to verify the information and rushed into the palace to report it to Your Majesty, resulting in wasted manpower and resources to investigate Ning Wang’s illness in Henan. That reckless pursuit of merit is my second fault.”
Could someone who endured ten years under Feng Qu’e’s hand really be so rash? You weren’t chasing glory—you wanted an excuse to enter the palace and take Su Yan away. Later, when I questioned you, you weaved lie upon lie. Truly detestable. The medicinal excuse for sobering up was also just a pretext, wasn’t it? You took advantage of the situation then and there!
That time with the Plum Immortal Spring—no doubt, it was you again. Su Yan tried to cover for you with vague responses, wanting Yu Wang to take the fall.
Yu Wang is unclean, yes—but Su Yan resents and distrusts him, making him less dangerous. But Shen Qi…
The emperor felt a surge of murderous intent and gave a cold smile. “And?”
“Moreover… Your Majesty possesses divine foresight and absolute control over all matters, yet this subject, presuming too much, feared a schemer might deceive Your Majesty, and repeatedly accused Ning Wang. That arrogance in playing clever—that is my third fault.”
With those words, Shen Qi prostrated himself and did not rise.
“That’s it? Just these three minor missteps? Not even real crimes—just errors in judgment?” The emperor flung the poetry book onto the table. “So all the blame falls on some mysterious schemer. What a silver-tongued fox you are, Shen Qilang!”
Shen Qi straightened his torso and said calmly, “Every word I’ve spoken comes from the heart. If Your Majesty does not believe me, then punish me as you see fit. But I have one request—may Your Majesty grant it.”
“Speak.”
“This subject was ordered to investigate the Crown Prince’s attempted assassination, the case at the Court of Diplomatic Rites, and the pursuit of the Hidden Sword Sect’s remnants, tracing Fuyin’s trail all the way to the underground stronghold of the Seven Kill Camp. I sense that behind all these events, a single shadowy hand is orchestrating everything. I have done my utmost to trace this figure, and feel I am getting closer. I now wish to investigate the gunpowder depot explosion next—
“If all this ends here, I shall die with my mission unfulfilled and no peace in death.
“Therefore, I beseech Your Majesty: allow me to continue the investigation, to atone through service. Once I catch the true culprit, Your Majesty may punish me however you please, and I will accept it gladly.”
The emperor was silent for a moment before asking, “What have you found so far? This shadowy figure’s identity? Their motive?”
Shen Qi replied, “I do not yet know their identity or motive. But I am certain of one thing—this person harbors deep malice toward Your Majesty, the young prince, and the entire court and state.”
The emperor’s expression did not change. “If they hate the court so much, why not just use the Seven Kill assassins to murder top officials directly? Why bother secretly winning over some of them? Or is it that those officials—yourself included—already had exploitable weaknesses?”
“So, are you dissatisfied with how I govern, or just bitter that those people and positions you viewed as within reach never came to you—thus harboring resentment?”
Both choices were deadly accusations aimed straight at the heart. Shen Qi answered carefully, “I possess only loyal blood, wholly devoted to my ruler and country—never any disloyalty. May Your Majesty see the truth clearly!”
“Loyal blood, eh?” The emperor sighed. “That I do believe. After all, even Grand Chancellor Li once praised you as a ‘man of righteousness.’ And your injuries were sustained in pursuit of criminals, no?”
Hearing this, Shen Qi did not feel relief—instead, he felt something was off—
Li Chengfeng had called him “a man of righteousness” for shielding Su Yan and enduring brutal punishment without speaking. Last night’s injury in the secret tunnel beneath Linhua Pavilion was also for protecting Su Yan. The emperor had just returned from Yu Wang’s residence and would have learned the details.
So this “righteous blood”—the emperor surely knew to whom it had been spilled.
As expected, the emperor continued, “Wu Yuan floated down the river; Chang Hong died in Shu. His blood, preserved for three years, turned jade-green. You know this story—so you must be well-read. But do you know the first part of that quote?”
Whether he did or not, he had no choice but to say he didn’t. Shen Qi bowed his head: “May Your Majesty enlighten me.”
“The first part is, ‘All rulers desire loyal ministers, yet loyalty is not always trusted.’ That green blood—was the blood of a wronged man. It is blood of resentment! By comparing yourself to Chang Hong, you’re implying I have suspected your loyalty and repaid your faith with cruelty!”
Shen Qi: “……”
Back then, when he had used the phrase “ripples dancing upon the vermilion walls” to frame the son of the Imperial Academy Supervisor for literary sedition and force Yu Yong to impeach Dean Zhuo—his victim had probably felt just as powerless and unjustly maligned.
Truly, what goes around comes around.
Shen Qi: “This humble servant comes from a lowly background and is not well-read. The misuse of classical references was not intentional. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness for my ignorance.”
Emperor: “Ignorance—I can pardon. But knowingly committing wrongdoing—how should that be forgiven?”
“I truly was ignorant. Had I known Ning Wang suffered from tuberculosis, I would never have entered the palace tonight to see Your Majesty. Instead, I would have continued investigating the one behind the plot—the framing, the scheming, the manipulation—fearless of life or death, fulfilling my duties with utmost loyalty.”
“So in the end, you still insist you were merely deceived and not plotting anything yourself.” The emperor gave a cold smile as he rose. “I’ve no interest in hearing more declarations of loyalty. Whether your loyalty is true or false, one test will reveal it.”
He stepped closer to Shen Qi and pressed a hand on his shoulder.
The muscles under Shen Qi’s shoulder tensed instantly, but he forced himself to relax and remain still.
Emperor: “What is your relationship with Su Yan—Su Qinghe, the Right Shaoqing of the Dali Temple?”
“We are colleagues, both government officials. We’ve worked together before and have some personal acquaintance.”
“And is this personal relationship deep or shallow?”
Shen Qi: “…Not shallow, but not particularly deep either. Occasionally, we share a meal. We exchange New Year’s greetings and the like.”
The emperor nodded. “So, you’re close enough to speak heart-to-heart. Good. I have a task for you. Complete it, and I will pardon your supposed slander against Ning Wang.”
Shen Qi’s heart chilled, though his expression remained obedient. “Please give your orders, Your Majesty.”
“My fourth brother, Yu Wang, was gravely ill recently. When I visited him, he confessed he’s long admired Minister Su, thinking of him day and night, longing just to taste his fragrance. He even revealed his feelings before me, and if I hadn’t stopped him in time, the tip of that Fish-Gutting Hook sword would’ve pierced straight into his chest!”
Shen Qi’s fingers, braced against the floor, unconsciously clenched a fold of his robe near his thigh.
“Among all my brothers, Yu Wang is the one I truly care for. You know his proclivity—seeking ‘kindred spirits’ among young officials. I’m aware this behavior undermines the dignity of a prince, but he’s my full-blood brother, and in the past, he once saved me. Seeing him so tormented, I haven’t the heart to stop him again and again.”
“But Su Yan is a court official. It would be unseemly for me to send someone to plead on Yu Wang’s behalf. After much consideration, only you are fit for this task—”
Shen Qi, hoarsely, “Your Majesty wishes for me to…”
The emperor leaned in, his long hair casting shadows as it fell, and spoke low: “You’re skilled, and Su Shaoqing trusts you somewhat. When you leave the palace, go to Su’s residence, get him drunk, and deliver him to Yu Wang’s bedchamber. Let them spend the night. Then, send him back in the morning.”
“This way, Yu Wang gets what he desires. Su Shaoqing remains none the wiser. I’m spared the moral conflict, and you get to redeem yourself. Heaven knows, earth knows—you and I know.”
Shen Qi opened his mouth, but the emperor squeezed his shoulder firmly, “Think carefully before answering. This is your last chance.
“Only if you carry out this task will I believe your loyalty. Otherwise, I will be thoroughly disappointed, and you will be dealt with accordingly.
“You’ve struggled to reach your current position, Shen Qi. You wouldn’t throw it all away—and your life—for a fleeting moment of compassion, would you?
“Outside the hall wait numerous imperial guards, all eyeing your place eagerly. There’s never a shortage of defiant traitors to be executed beneath embroidered spring knives.
“I’ve said all I will. Consider it carefully.”
Shen Qi fell into a long, deathly silence.
“Well? Have you decided?” The emperor returned to his seat, raised a teacup, and asked casually, “I’m about to rest.”
Shen Qi lowered his head, eyes fixed on the dark golden bricks of the floor. Their polished surface reflected a twisted image of his face—like a wild beast, trapped in a cage, roaring and gnashing its teeth in vain.
“This servant… obeys.”
The emperor raised an eyebrow. “Let me warn you: don’t think of pretending obedience while defying me. If you deceive the throne, the crime of insubordination won’t be paid even with your own head—nor with the hundred heads of the Shen clan on your father’s side, or the Yao clan on your mother’s.”
Shen Qi, expressionless, “Understood. Yu Wang merely seeks one night of pleasure—nothing irreparable. Even if Su Yan realizes something, it’s just a matter of lifting his behind. It’s not like he’ll lose a piece of flesh. Compared to my life, I know what weighs more.”
The emperor bit his lip and frowned: “Vulgar!”
“Yes, I’m a coarse man—words don’t come out refined. But your command is clear. I’ll act without question.”
“Then go now. I’ll assign two imperial guards to light your way.”
Shen Qi had been kneeling too long; his blood no longer circulated. His knees were numb with pain. He forced himself up and limped out of Yangxin Hall.
As the doors closed again, the emperor suddenly flung his teacup at the spot where Shen Qi had knelt.
The yellow-glazed porcelain shattered, splashing tea onto the hem of his robes.
The emperor took a breath to steady his emotions, then walked toward the inner chambers. Rounding a carved screen door, he stopped.
There, back leaning against the wall, eyes closed and unmoving, stood Su Yan.
“You heard everything?”
