Since Shen Qiao had entered the palace almost three years ago, the court had often broken into chaos. Yan Wushi seemed to think the day was incomplete without at least one outburst, and whether it was from himself or any other minister didn't matter.
Shen Qiao had never seen chaos like this. It was slower, quieter, but no less real. It seemed to infect one official after the other, making their voices shake, their shadows moving like they'd been drugged.
Yan Wushi's eyebrow twitched. "You're sure?"
Hou Xijing pushed someone else forward. "Her maid found her! Tell His Majesty!"
"Th-this morning! She didn't rise at the normal hour, so I went in to help her, and she…" the woman's voice cut off with a shuddering breath. "Her eyes were still open."
"And you're sure it was murder?"
"Your Majesty, how can you be so calm!" Ruyan Kehui demanded. "Empress Yuan is dead, and you won't even shed a single tear for her?"
Yan Wushi ignored him.
"It was definitely murder!" the maid said. "She's covered in bruises!"
"A-Qiao, go take a look, would you?"
"Your Majesty!" several ministers called out.
Guang Lingsan stepped forward. "It's well known that Concubine Shen and the Empress have a bad relationship, sorry, had a bad relationship. I hate to be suspicious—"
Yan Wushi snorted.
"—but it is odd that the empress wound up dead only after Your Majesty so thoroughly expressed his displeasure with her. Convenient, even. Your Majesty would never order something so ignoble, but perhaps someone within your household is acting without permission. Please reconsider sending Concubine Shen to Hehuan Palace."
Several other ministers bowed to the emperor as they voiced agreement.
Yan Wushi's snort turned to a laugh. "A-Qiao," he said with a cocky grin, "did you murder the empress?"
"Of course not," Shen Qiao replied.
"And there you have it."
Ruyan Kehui shouted, "Of course he'd deny it! Your Majesty, has he bewitched you?!" Yan Wushi ignored him again.
"Then you ought to go and examine the body, hm? As thorough as the imperial coroners are, who's to say whose purse they have their hands in. I'll be much more at ease if you were the one to report back."
"So what, he can just hide the evidence?" Dou Yanshan said.
"Your Majesty, I'm a doctor, not a coroner. Aside from confirming that she's dead, I won't be of much use."
Yan Wushi seemed to consider this, then nodded. "Then while we wait, let us all consider the possibilities, shall we? If anyone remembers anything helpful, don't be afraid to speak up."
'Don't be afraid,' Shen Qiao thought to himself with a huff. If Yan Wushi wasn't such a beast, his ministers wouldn't have to be afraid! Shen Qiao considered asking Wu-gonggong for a piece of paper and some charcoal so he could tell Yan Wushi he'd seen Admiral Zhao in the harem last night, but she was one of Yan Wushi's people, so it would be better to ask in private. Besides, seeing Admiral Zhao in the harem was different than seeing her murdering the empress.
Half an hour later, the coroner arrived, his figure hunched and his voice quiet.
"Your Majesty, the empress was choked to death sometime late last evening. It appears she did not fight back until very near her death, and there are very few signs of struggle in the room. Whoever was behind the attack was likely someone with large hands and impressive strength based on the bruising."
"There's no other evidence?"
"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty."
"Hm. How confounding." To Ruyan Kehui, Yan Wushi said, "Begin the preparations for her funeral. I'll hand this matter over to the Department of Justice. Investigate thoroughly."
"Your Majesty," Sang Jingxing said.
"Oh, our Minister of War, you've been quiet considering your close relationship with the empress. Have you remembered something?"
An awkward silence descended on the court at Yan Wushi's words. Sang Jingxing coughed, then continued, "Isn't this something you could have your Captain Yu investigate? Isn't he the best at this kind of thing?"
"I agree," Yun Fuyi said. "Your Majesty, the Department of Justice is competent, but with so few clues, I worry that Her Majesty's body will begin to deteriorate before they can find the killer. And if there is a killer loose in the harem, your dear Meiren may be in danger as well."
"He can handle himself," Yan Wushi said, then with a sickeningly sweet look to Shen Qiao, he continued, "but I can't help but worry."
"You're not even going to detain Concubine Shen for questioning?" Xie Xiang said in disbelief.
"I already questioned him. You all saw. He said he didn't do it."
"Of course he'd say that!"
"Are you calling my dear A-Qiao a liar?"
"He doesn't have to be a liar to fear for his life!"
"Fine, fine. A-Qiao, where were you last night?"
"I took a walk after supper. Banna and I spent some time in the Chancellery gardens after sunset. She can confirm my whereabouts."
"She'll confirm your story out of fear of punishment, she's your maid!"
"She's my steward," Shen Qiao corrected. "And if that's not enough, we met my brother and Captain Yu there, and he insisted on walking us home around the tail of the dog."
"What were you doing in the gardens?" Yan Wushi asked Yu Shengyan, who stuttered a non-reply.
"He was using my didi to hone his aim," Shen Qiao said on the end of a sigh.
Yu Shengyan smiled awkwardly at him.
Last night, they'd been meaning to meet up with Yuan Ying. The warming weather made it hard to appreciate the gardens during the daytime, so Yuan Ying had asked Shen Qiao to come and enjoy them at night, but instead of finding Yuan Ying calmly waiting at the bridge, he raced by them shouting, his clothes covered in cherry pulp.
"There's some kind of demon here, I swear!" Yuan Ying said as he clutched Shen Qiao's robes. "I'm being p-p-pelted!"
"Aiyoh, aren't you a fully certified priest now?" Shen Qiao laughed. He used his sleeve to wipe away some juice from Yuan Ying's cheek. "What kind of demon can't you exorcize?"
"Concubine Shen?" a voice from the trees had called.
"Captain Yu?"
Yu Shengyan had dropped from the canopy and coughed uncomfortably. "I've taken care of the demon. Your brother should be safe now."
Shen Qiao inclined his head, pretending to be fooled, but really, who'd believe such a flimsy story?
Hearing this recounted, Yan Wushi put his head in his hand.
"Are you really so bored? Why wouldn't you just stay hidden?"
"Well—"
"Shut up, I don't want to hear you speak. So, as you all can see, my dear Meiren is innocent. Any other questions?"
Even knowing Yu Shengyan's carefree nature, no one would dare question his honesty in front of the emperor, so the court remained silent.
"Wonderful. In that case, Shengyan, head to Hehuan palace and begin conducting your investigation."
Yu Shengyan stepped forward and bowed, then left the hall without another word.
Yan Wushi dismissed the rest of court not much later, saying, "Let us all observe a period of mourning. Concubine Shen, you stay."
There were some grumbles about who ought to be observing a period of mourning, but they were tame in comparison to what Shen Qiao had faced before.
"Follow," Yan Wushi said as he stood. Shen Qiao followed him to his cramped carriage and was forced inside with him. Yan Wushi didn't speak a word to him until they were safely in his chambers back at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Shen Qiao sat at the low table and waited for Yan Wushi to redress in casual wear as he always did.
"Well?" Yan Wushi said as he shook his hair out from its bun. "You have something to say to me?"
"How…"
"A-Qiao, your every thought is written on your face, why do you think I keep you hidden away, hm?"
Ignoring that, Shen Qiao said, "I saw Admiral Zhao in the harem yesterday on my way to the gardens. Did you send her there? Are you behind the empress's…death?"
Yan Wushi blinked, then the corner of his lip quirked. "I wish I could say I was, but not this time."
"Then it was Sang Jingxing," Shen Qiao said with lowered eyes.
"Shall I walk you through it?"
Shen Qiao nodded, knowing how much the emperor liked showing off.
"Well, we know that she didn't struggle until she was almost dead already, so she knew the attacker. That could be anyone in the court or harem. The culprit was large and strong, so likely a military official. Now, who in the military would benefit from the empress's death?" Yan Wushi looked between two shelves for a robe to wear, then decided not to bother. He padded over to the low table and sat across from Shen Qiao in his inner robes. "Hmm? What's wrong?"
Shen Qiao grit his teeth, saying, "Your Majesty, aren't you worried you'll catch a summer cold?" Really this man had no shame!
"Do my inner robes surprise you? Who bathed me in the Cold Palace, hm? Who warmed my bed just a few nights ago?"
Shen Qiao's temper flared, but he caught hold of himself, and poured himself and the emperor each a cup of tea. "How would Sang Jingxing benefit from the empress's death?"
Yan Wushi smiled. "She's rich, powerful, and petty; half the court could benefit from her death." He took a sip from his cup, and said, "Not to mention the mercenaries."
Shen Qiao's face went pale. He'd forgotten about the mercenaries.
Yan Wushi's smile grew, "Even without the mercenaries, he would have done it. She's no use to him any more—she failed to deliver the throne to him even though she had every opportunity while I was away. You have to commend him for his efficiency."
"I really don't," Shen Qiao muttered into his cup. "Then what was Admiral Zhao doing in the harem?"
"Taking a walk? Admiring the flowers? I don't care. But this is good. The funeral will distract Ruyan Kehui and Xueting for a while, and with Shengyan working the case, it will be sure to take a long while."
"You don't want to expose Sang Jingxing quickly?"
"I've told you, this is a waiting game. I didn't anticipate this particular turn of events, but it's irrelevant. I need him to think he's going to win, remember? This is all very delicate."
Shen Qiao shook his head, but finished off his cup of tea.
They spent the rest of the day working, Yan Wushi even left for a short time to meet with the Ministry of Rites about the upcoming funeral. When he returned it was almost dusk, and then he worked until he looked sick with it.
"Your Majesty," Shen Qiao chastised him. Shen Qiao had gone to bed hours before, but the candle on Yan Wushi's desk had woken him; the flickering, stark light made Yan Wushi's face seem hollow, the dark smudges under his eyes became ghastly, and still tender from sleep, Shen Qiao felt fear stab through him. He swallowed, the feeling passing through him harmlessly once Yan Wushi looked up and the shadows evened out. "Your Majesty, If you keep overworking yourself, you really will…" he was going to say "end up in an early grave," but given recent events and the looming threat before them, it was too inauspicious. Instead, Shen Qiao said, "Come to bed."
"You know my price."
Shen Qiao blinked, then threw himself back into their bed. No way was going to give in this time! If Yan Wushi wanted to work himself to death, fine!
Yan Wushi did not come to bed that night, nor did he eat any of the rice cakes Shen Qiao gave him the next morning because he hadn't been able to solve the life or death problem he had asked Shen Qiao to set up on the weiqi board in the corner of the room.
Court was the battle it usually was, only now the empress's funeral was on the agenda. All the ministers and eunuchs were made to dress in hemp mourning clothes, and Shen Qiao heard many of them whispering complaints under their breath. Over the next three days, Shen Qiao only spent one night in his own bed back at Canglang Palace so Yan Wushi could spend his night with Bai Rong.
On the fifth day, Wu Mi burst into the hall and exclaimed that Head Eunuch Bian had returned with General Yi, and that the war with Beimu was officially over. Shen Qiao peeked around his screen to see Bian Yanmei enter the hall as the ministers celebrated and cheered in confusion. Bian Yanmei looked exactly the same as when he'd left, except his clothes were dusty and worn, and he had a new scar through his left eyebrow. He bowed deeply to the emperor, and the two men on either side of him, one older and one younger, did the same. The hall quieted down so Bian Yanmei could speak.
"Your Majesty, for the safety and honor of our nation, this humble servant commandeered the southern army. I hope Your Majesty can forgive the impropriety, as well as that of my current appearance."
Yan Wushi stood and descended the throne to stand before Bian Yanmei. Shen Qiao wished he'd forced Yan Wushi to bed at a decent hour the night before, he looked exhausted and pale, especially standing next to the young and vibrant Bian Yanmei.
"You've ended the war with Beimu?" Yan Wushi said with a raised brow.
"Yes, Your Majesty. They've agreed to retreat to our previous border. We've brought an envoy from Beimu to negotiate further terms."
"Then I can overlook the impropriety." Yan Wushi held his hand out. "The tiger seal."
Bian Yanmei retrieved the seal from his sleeve and held it out. The court went still. Yan Wushi pinched the bronze seal between his fingers, and for a terrifying, silent moment, everyone wondered if perhaps Bian Yanmei would try to keep ahold of the seal.
But then Bian Yanmei let go, and the court let out a relieved breath. Shen Qiao didn't even know why everyone, himself included, was so nervous, it was just that the look on Bian Yanmei's face was so fierce. Yan Wushi tucked the seal into his belt and reascended the throne. Bian Yanmei bowed once more, then went to stand beside Yu Shengyan. He leaned a bit backwards to smile at Shen Qiao and said, "Oh, he's got you behind a screen now? He must be serious, hm? How are you, Concubine Shen? Did you miss me?"
"Bian-gonggong," Yu Shengyan said, elbowing him in the ribs. "Pay attention."
"I'll get to you in a minute," he sniped at Yu Shengyan, then he smiled at Shen Qiao.
"You've braved injury for our nation, I'm grateful to see you again," Shen Qiao said.
"Oh, this?" Bian Yanmei scratched his eyebrow.
"I can make a cream to smooth that out if you'd like," said Shen Qiao.
"Oh, that won't be necessary. I think it makes me look rather handsome, don't you? OOF."
Yu Shengyan had elbowed him harder, muttering, "Flirting with him right in front of the emperor, do you have no shame?"
"Would you rather I flirt with you?"
Yu Shengyan stuck his tongue out at him.
"Are you two quite done yet?" Yan Wushi barked at them. They both startled and stood at attention, like they'd never been stealing looks at Shen Qiao; Shen Qiao had to hide his laughter in his sleeve.
"General Yi and his deputy shall be given two hundred fiefs each for their service, and General Yi shall be elevated to the title of earl."
"This servant thanks Your Majesty," the older man from Bian Yanmei's entrance said with a bow.
"This servant also thanks Your Majesty," the deputy general said.
Yan Wushi had them bring in the Beimu envoy to discuss basic terms for their surrender. The woman was much frailer than Shen Qiao had expected, and her Mandarin was thick. She claimed that she was not involved with the upper congress and rather represented the Beimu commoners.
"For the last two generations, our leaders have ignored our people's pleas and chased glory. If Your Majesty can grant protection, we promise to return the invaded land and enter the empire as a vassal state."
"Yanmei," Yan Wushi drawled.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"You lied to me. You said you'd ended the war, but this envoy you've brought is useless."
"Your Majesty, please, we have no other choice," the woman said.
"Your Majesty, lying to you would be the same as asking for death. To remind the court, Beimu's government is run through two congresses, the upper and lower. The upper congress is made up of their military officials, while the lower is elected from their populace. I was truthful when I said the war is over. The upper congress totals about twenty people, while the lower congress is four times that number. During the last battle, their army refused to fight. Their generals are on the run, being actively hunted by the forces they once commanded. This envoy was elected from the lower congress to negotiate on Beimu's behalf."
"Our upper congress is blinded by their own strength," the envoy added. "The canons they make us use are poorly made and dangerous. In the northern plains, how can poorly made canons be helpful?"
Bian Yanmei nodded, saying, "In the penultimate battle, a cannon misfired and sent the whole plain up in flames. Half of their first battalion was wiped out, not to mention their supplies."
"How terrible," Yan Wushi said with a smile, turning his gaze back to the envoy. "What is your name?"
"Ruru, Your Majesty."
"Envoy Ruru, why would I want Beimu as a vassal state? You've exhausted all your own resources, so now you want ours?"
"Your Majesty, I only want to eat a full meal each day and know that I will not be killed in my sleep."
"And what is that worth to you? Our other vassal states give us grains and treasures. Last I checked, Beimu has no grains, and I've already recovered the only treasure of yours I care about." His gaze slipped to Shen Qiao, then back to Ruru.
"Our forces are willing to forfeit the canons in our possession and supply three hundred warhorses."
"And how many canons are in your possession?"
Envoy Ruru dipped her head. "About three-quarters of the total. Duan Wenyang and the upper congress are in possession of the rest."
"That's about a hundred and fifty canons, Your Majesty," Bian Yanmei said.
Sang Jingxing spoke up, saying what many in the hall wanted to, "And how can we be sure that your people will honor their word? We've all seen what that gets us. Your Majesty, I urge you to send more troops. Pursue our enemy. Punishments not enforced are useless."
Ruru fell to the floor, her knees cracking against the tile. "Please, Your Majesty, have mercy! We have nothing else to give you, and no reason to rebel! We are tired and hungry, my…my wife just gave birth, we can't afford…we truly have no other path!"
"Three hundred and fifty warhorses," Yan Wushi said.
"Your Majesty?" Ruyan Kehui scoffed. Several other ministers also voiced concerns, each making points about how untrustworthy Beimu was, how a single envoy wasn't enough to ensure Beimu's compliance, some even questioned Ruru's authority. Couldn't she just be some random Beimu woman tricking the emperor? After all, the last envoy…
"Annually," Yan Wushi added.
Ruru, for her part, praised Yan Wushi's benevolence and generosity. "We will also send our most beautiful men and women for you to pick from!"
Yan Wushi laughed, "Yes, you do that."
Shen Qiao had trouble focusing for the rest of the morning, not that anything got done. The ministers only berated Yan Wushi about not being cautious enough, and Yan Wushi made fun of them for wanting to continue a war they'd already won.
Shen Qiao wondered where his brother was, if he was on the run with the Beimu upper congress. If he was alive…
Yan Wushi sent him home after court, so Shen Qiao left before the emperor could force a veil on him. Once outside, though, he took his time, trying to clear his head with fresh air.
There were a few officials hanging around the courtyard, so Shen Qiao nodded to them, but then an older man began walking towards him, a much younger man following after. Both were dressed in military regalia with a vermilion bird, so when they greeted one another, Shen Qiao said, "Good morning, General Yi."
"Good morning, you are the favored concubine, are you not? You are Concubine Shen?"
Shen Qiao had to exert more effort than he should have had to not sigh. "If General Yi says I am."
"General," the younger man said, "why are you addressing a concubine?"
"Li Qingyu, show some respect! Concubine Shen is Qi Fengge's third son and the emperor's Meiren! He was the one behind the screen listening in on today's court session."
Li Qingyu did not ask for forgiveness, but bowed suddenly.
"Is there something I can help you with, General?"
Yi Bichen had a calm appearance, and the way he stroked his beard made him look very wise, even though the breadth of his shoulders distinguished him as a fighter first and foremost. "It's not about you helping me, I have a letter from your brother."
Shen Qiao's jaw dropped, then he bowed. "Thank you, thank you!" He took the letter, and slipped it into his belt. "I cannot tell you how grateful I am."
"You need not worry. I don't plan on telling the emperor about your family's private business. But I must admit I am very disappointed with your brother's lack of backbone," Yi Bichen said bluntly.
Shen Qiao nodded, his expression clouding over once more. "The rest of us are as well."
"Even Director Tan?" Li Qingyu said. Yi Bichen shot him a glare.
"…Of course, he's the most disappointed."
"Hmm," Yi Bichen agreed, coughing into his fist. "That's all I have for you. I hope you'll keep our emperor in good health and humor for us."
"The emperor willing," replied Shen Qiao, then they bowed to each other once more and departed.
As he was walking away, he heard Yi Bichen scolding Li Qingyu for inciting family discord.
"Why wouldn't Tan Yuanchun be disappointed in his brother? Yu Ai committed treason."
"In court, he was siding with Minister Sang…" Li Qingyu said.
"Even so, that's for the Qi family to deal with…"
"If Concubine Shen is Qi Fengge's son, why is he a concubine? Shouldn't he be a general?"
Shen Qiao walked faster. Upon his arrival home, he took Yu Ai's letter from his belt and opened it. There wasn't much information, only a few characters spared to write the date, two weeks ago, and to let Shen Qiao know that Yu Ai was safe from the Beimu upper congress and Rong army, hiding out in southern Xibu. There was no exact area, nor was there any indication of Yu Ai's health. The last string of characters simply said, "I'm sorry."
Shen Qiao crumpled the letter up as soon as he read the words. If Yu Ai were really sorry, he'd have turned himself in as soon as his ill-advised plan went south! If Yu Ai was sorry, he could at least tell Shen Qiao what he was sorry about! He could at least give Shen Qiao an explanation!
Shen Qiao held the balled up piece of paper against his forehead and took a few calming breaths. There was no point in getting angry with someone thousands of miles away; he ought to focus on how grateful he was that Yu Ai was alive. Once he'd calmed down, he opened up his incense burner and dropped the letter in
Yan Wushi called him into court the next day, and aside from Li Qingyu peaking around Shen Qiao's screen to ask whether Shen Qiao was as strong as Yu Ai, which caused Yan Wushi to go on a ten minute tirade about propriety and respecting the emperor's things, their daily rhythm seemed to have returned.
Ruru joined them each morning and remained respectfully quiet until Beimu was mentioned. She had very strange opinions on her own people. Any time the upper congress or military were brought up, she became apologetic, even embarrassed; but whenever a minister inevitably mentioned the barbaric, backwards ways of the Beimu nation, she'd step forward and politely correct the minister. The only time she had ever lost her temper was when Sang Jingxing implied that Yan Wushi revise their treaty terms and take three hundred and fifty slaves instead of warhorses.
Shen Qiao didn't understand the Beimu language, but if she was cursing at them, the language's soft tones made her words too sweet to be rude.
"You may find slavery immoral," Yan Wushi said blithely once she stopped to catch her breath, "but it's how we get things done here. You are in our country, so respect your hosts or get out."
Ruru had asked for mercy and stepped back, but she didn't look sorry in the least.
Yan Wushi didn't ask for Shen Qiao to follow him back to his chambers anymore, although he did force Shen Qiao to sit in on meetings with Ruyan Kehui and Abbot Xueting to plan the empress's funeral, because, as Yan Wushi reminded him, with the empress gone, Shen Qiao was now the highest ranked concubine in the palace. Shen Qiao tried to ask Yan Wushi to put someone else in charge of the harem, but Yan Wushi refused. So Shen Qiao suspended the harem meetings until the end of the mourning period, which was received with much more approval than the nights Yan Wushi spent with Bai Rong. The ministers kept bringing that up and chastising their emperor for it, but Shen Qiao just hoped that it meant Yan Wushi had finally pulled himself out from under that massive pile of scrolls Yuan Xiuxiu had left him.
The concubines had a separate mourning shed from the rest of the palace. Other than this stipulation, Yan Wushi hadn't had many opinions on the funeral. The first week passed simply enough, but many were shifty since the Golden Tiger Guard had not yet caught the killer. How could the poor empress reincarnate peacefully without knowing justice?
"How can you continue to hold court during the mourning period?" Sang Jingxing demanded during the second week of the funerary rites.
"Minister Sang, you know as well as I do that a country must be run, regardless of who's died." Yan Wushi's voice was hoarse, and his condition seemed to have worsened. Those sympathetic to him, which were few and far between, said it was evidence of the emperor's heartbreak over losing his empress. His enemies said that he was just worried he would be next. Shen Qiao knew it was likely a flare up of poison due to Yan Wushi's inability to sit still. The line between his brows seemed to have deepened, and his movements were slower, more hesitant than they usually were.
"And where is Captain Yu? I'm sure we'd all like to hear his progress on the case, considering it's been two weeks."
"Yu Shengyan is currently incapacitated. Someone ambushed him yesterday while he was investigating."
"How terrible," one of the other ministers said.
"That means the murderer is still on the loose!"
"How serious are his injuries?"
"The Golden Tiger Guard will continue to investigate, won't they?"
"Shengyan will be fine. The investigation will of course continue, I can't possibly let someone so violent wander the palace grounds, now can I? I imagine that the assailant attacked him because he's getting close to uncovering their identity."
To Sang Jingxing's credit, his voice didn't betray any fear or guilt, in fact, his tone was cheerful as he said, "Wonderful. Bringing the culprit to justice will make us all rest easier and grant the empress's souls peace."
For a moment, Shen Qiao actually thought that Yan Wushi had gotten it wrong. If Sang Jingxing was the guilty party, why would he ask that Yu Shengyan, who was apparently a very good investigator, lead the search? And how could he be so blase when told that Yu Shengyan was close to discovering him? Shen Qiao chewed on the goose Bian Yanmei had served him and reminded himself that Yan Wushi had been playing this game much longer than he had, so it would be best to trust him on this; besides, who else could it be? Since he and Yan Wushi had eliminated Admiral Zhao from the line up, Shen Qiao didn't even have a second suspect.
Although Shen Qiao now worried about Yan Wushi's "sit and wait" approach. If Yu Shengyan was truly injured, such an approach hardly seemed worth it. Losing the captain of his personal guard couldn't possibly do Yan Wushi any favors. And if Yu Shengyan was close to finding evidence against Sang Jingxing, shouldn't that be enough to arrest him again? Unless Yan Wushi was lying about being close…Shen Qiao consciously relaxed his face. He couldn't deal with another headache.
He enjoyed his pickled vegetables, passive aggressively eating all of them so Yan Wushi would be left only with some roast goose and plum sauce.
The next day, Yu Shengyan returned to court, looking almost as pale as Yan Wushi. He had no visible bandages, but he walked with a slight limp, grimacing with each step.
The ministers hounded him about his injury, but he just scowled at them and said, "I've been injured plenty of times, so why is it that you all only care now? Is it because the perpetrator is still out there and you fear him? Huh. Didn't realize our nation was run by cowards."
This, of course, led to lengthy dress downs from the officials from the Ministry of State Affairs.
After a fruitless debate about the treaty with Beimu's lower congress, court ended as it usually did, and the ministers filed out. Yan Wushi exchanged a few words with Shen Qiao, then sent him out as well. Shen Qiao was supposed to board a specially drawn carriage, but he'd been avoiding it each day to enjoy his walk from the main hall back to his palace, even as Wu Mi followed and begged him to show some respect for the emperor.
This time he didn't even get to the courtyard gate before Bian Yanmei burst out of the hall and shouted, "Shen Qiao! Shen Qiao, stop!"
Everyone in the courtyard stopped and watched as Bian Yanmei raced out to accost Shen Qiao and herd him back towards the main hall. "His Majesty has just collapsed," Bian Yanmei said right against Shen Qiao's ear.
"Have you called the imperial physician?" Shen Qiao said keeping stride with Bian Yanmei.
"Of course, but he fired the imperial physician."
"What?! When?"
"Just now, when I tried to call for him."
Shen Qiao wanted to smack himself in the face!
"He just stood up, and then he fell. We're not sure what's wrong."
"Did he fall down the stairs?" Shen Qiao asked. The throne was on a dias, so the potential for Yan Wushi to compound his concussion—
"No, he's still near the actual throne, but I've never seen him look so ill."
They entered the main hall a moment later, and Bian Yanmei shut the main doors, then turned a lock. The sound made Shen Qiao's entire body go stiff, and he broke into a cold sweat.
"Concubine Shen?" Yu Shengyan said from near the throne. He was trying to keep Yan Wushi upright, but Shen Qiao knew from experience that the emperor was mostly dense muscle, and given Yu Shengyan's current condition…Shen Qiao was not surprised he was having some trouble.
'Bian Yanmei wouldn't trick you,' Shen Qiao tried to remind himself as he took a shaky step towards the throne. 'Yan Wushi is truly in danger, now is not the time for this.'
"Concubine Shen, are you alright?" Bian Yanmei tried to take his arm, but Shen Qiao ripped his arm away.
"Sorry," he said earnestly to a surprised Bian Yanmei.
"No, I should be the one apologizing."
"Someone is dying while you two fall over yourselves to be polite," Yan Wushi coughed.
Shen Qiao rushed to his side and helped Yu Shengyan carry the emperor down the steps to the throne, then Shen Qiao laid him on the floor and took his wrist.
"Congratulations on your promotion," Yan Wushi said hazily, "Imperial Physician Shen."
"Stop talking," Shen Qiao said harshly. Yan Wushi's pulse was erratic and slow, and Shen Qiao worried he'd start coughing blood at any moment. "We need to get him back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."
Bian Yanmei nodded once. "Give me five minutes to clear out the courtyard. He can't be seen like this yet." He handed his key ring to Shen Qiao, then raced out of the room.
"Yet?" Shen Qiao said, then he glared at Yan Wushi, who choked out a laugh.
"Don't blame me, A-Qiao. I told you we were waiting," he said, then he closed his eyes and sighed.
"Yan Wushi?" Shen Qiao shook his arm. "He's passed out."
Yan Wushi's crown must have been knocked off when he fell, because it still sat next to his throne. If someone found it, it would lead to questions, so Shen Qiao picked it up. Yu Shengyan returned and squatted with his back to them.
Shen Qiao helped arrange Yan Wushi on Captain Yu's back, opened the door, and looked both ways down the hall. There were some servants coming, so Shen Qiao shut the doors and shook his head at Yu Shengyan.
"Aiyoh, he shouldn't weigh this much with how little he eats," Yu Shengyan grumbled. He had the decency to look bashful when Shen Qiao shot him a severe look. Shen Qiao checked the area again, and this time there was no one, so they slipped out of the main hall, then stopped short at the gates to the courtyard. Shen Qiao peeked around the doorway and didn't see anyone lingering; he stepped out onto the stairwell and was about to motion for Yu Shengyan to follow when a familiar voice called for him.
"A-Qiao," Tan Yuanchun said.
"Da-ge," Shen Qiao bowed, and behind his back, he made a hand signal for Yu Shengyan to stay where he was. Carefully, so the beads on the emperor's crown wouldn't clack, Shen Qiao hooked his other arm behind his back as well.
"A-Qiao, I think we ought to talk…" Tan Yuanchun's words broke off as if he was waiting for Shen Qiao to give his own opinion.
"En," Shen Qiao agreed, stomach flipping. He remembered the last time the emperor was vulnerable in public; he'd like to avoid that scenario, "Perhaps I can ask to visit home in the coming month."
"I was hoping you could talk now," Tan Yuanchun replied pathetically.
Shen Qiao's thoughts stuttered, "Oh, um, I suppose that's fine."
"Then now is good?"
"Of course, what did you want to talk about?" Behind his back, he motioned for Yu Shengyan to stay again, hoping that he could send his brother off at the gate. As Tan Yuanchun turned, Shen Qiao knelt to put Yan Wushi's crown on the floor quietly, then hopped back up to match his brother's stride.
They began descending the stairs, and Tan Yuanchun said, "I've been neglecting you as an older brother, and I wanted to set things right."
Shen Qiao's heart softened, despite his current circumstances. "You're a government official, I understand you have your own troubles to attend to."
"I know, but now that Yu Ai is…Now that it's just the four of us, we ought to be bound tightly, put family over our pride. I don't want to lose any other siblings."
"Well, any support you can give will be appreciated, but I really…Actually," Shen Qiao said, remembering the way his stomach had flipped when he'd heard about Gu Hengbo working in the Secretariat. "Perhaps we should start looking for careers for Meimei outside of the palace."
Tan Yuanchun's face did something strange before it settled back into its usual troubled expression. "San-di, I would if I could, but she's obsessed with that historian. You're the only one who's ever been able to control her, so if anyone can talk her out of the palace, it would be you."
Shen Qiao nodded. Tan Yuanchun was right, but Shen Qiao had at least hoped that he would try.
"But in other ways, our Qi household won't fail you. I can send servants, clothes, books."
"Political texts?" Shen Qiao said hopefully.
"If that's what you want, of course. The more informed you are, the better. Ah, I'm so grateful for your forgiveness, we ought to be of one mind going forward, yes? Together we are stronger than apart." He laughed to himself. "It's also good that Beimu surrendered, so we don't need to fight about the wall anymore."
Remembering all hte work he'd put into the plans stuffed in Yan Wushi's desk, Shen Qiao said, "Ha, yes, I suppose that Beimu is now part of our Rong empire, isn't it?"
"En. I can't say I'm happy that they'll go unpunished for what they did to our family," Tan Yuanchun said with his usual melancholy, "But at least no one else's family will need to go through that."
Shen Qiao agreed, deciding to keep Yu Ai's letter to himself. No need to add to their Da-ge's worries.
They reached the main gate, and Tan Yuanchun asked, "No carriage?"
"En, you know I like my walks."
Tan Yuanchun laughed, then boarded his own carriage and the two waved one another off. The moment his brother's carriage was out of sight, Shen Qiao booked it back through the gate.
Yu Shengyan had put the emperor's crown back on him and was dragging him towards the stairs by the shoulders; Shen Qiao almost passed out just from the sight of it! Who dragged the emperor anywhere, ah! It was certainly lucky for Captain Yu that Yan Wushi was not conscious!
Shen Qiao ran across the whole courtyard and took the stairs two at a time, only stopping when he met Yu Shengyan half way.
"It's not my fault he's so heavy and my damn leg's busted!" Yu Shengyan said before Shen Qiao could ask what the hell he was doing. He had a clammy, sweaty look about him. "You and your brother sure took your sweet time, and there was a maid coming, I had to move him!"
"Fine, let me get his feet," Shen Qiao said as he moved around them. Between two people, Yan Wushi was much easier to move around, but then Bian Yanmei returned, and he apparently had time to ask, "What the hell! Treat him with a little dignity, huh?!"
"Where's his carriage?" Shen Qiao asked. He hadn't seen it outside the courtyard.
"I sent it away as soon as I could. Hou Jixing is in charge of the entourage today, and you know we can't trust him."
"I hate that guy," Yu Shengyan replied. "I ought to stab him in the thigh, see how he likes it."
"So, we need to carry the emperor all the way to his palace?" Shen Qiao asked.
Bian Yanmei said, "Yes, but not like that! Yu-er, wasn't he on your back?"
"We had to get him down the stairs! You want me to break my neck?!" Now on solid ground, Bian Yanmei and Shen Qiao helped rearrange Yan Wushi on Yu Shengyan's back, then limped their way out of the courtyard and into Yan Wushi's palace. Shen Qiao had never realized how populated the inner palace was until now, when he had to avoid people; it seemed like around every corner was another eunuch or maid.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, there were fewer people, so they all powerwalked to Yan Wushi's chambers, but as Shen Qiao passed Bian Yanmei his keyring back, they fumbled, and it fell to the floor with a clang.
"Someone's coming!" Yu Shengyan hissed.
As footsteps echoed down the hall, Bian Yanmei snatched his key ring up from the ground and began flipping through them, the slight jingle of metal making it hard to judge how far away the footsteps were, if they were coming or going.
"Yanmei!" Yu Shengyan said, sweat dripping from his temples.
"Not helping! Ah, got it!" The door before them burst open and they all tumbled in; Yu Shengyan collapsed under Yan Wushi's weight.
Bian Yanmei leaned against the door and sighed. Just outside the room, a few maids laughed as they passed by.
"Help, please?" Yu Shengyan said to Shen Qiao, who was closer to him.
Shen Qiao rolled Yan Wushi over, careful not to knock his head against the floor, then dragged him over to his bed.
He undid the emperor's crown and took his hair out of its bun, asking, "Bian Yanmei, if I write a prescription, can you go to the apothecary and get the ingredients for a stimulating tonic? And for a circulation tonic?"
"Yes, of course," Bian Yanmei said once he'd caught his breath.
"I'll stand guard," Yu Shengyan said, following Bian-gonggong.
And just like that, chaos gave way to quiet.
Shen Qiao enjoyed the breath while he could, tucking the emperor in properly, then going to the vanity to get some water and a cloth to wipe Yan Wushi's brow.
Bian Yanmei returned with the prescription ingredients, and Shen Qiao decocted two bowls of medicinal tea. Yan Wushi woke up at the first taste, just long enough to complain how bitter the drink was, then he passed out again. Luckily, he didn't spit these medicines out the way he had with the cistanche, and Shen Qiao was able to feed them to him without any embarrassment.
Although Yan Wushi was bedridden, the other branches of their government went right on churning out booklet after booklet, so when Bian Yanmei returned at the end of the day with a new basket of petitions, Shen Qiao helplessly accepted them. Yan Wushi had finally cleaned up the empress's mess of overdue edicts, but even without the backlog, the repetitive scrolls made Shen Qiao's head spin as he sorted. When he needed a break, he checked up on Yan Wushi, brewed him another dose of medicine, and took a walk.
He was just returning when he paused at the door to Yan Wushi's chambers.
Someone was walking around inside. Something inside fell to the floor with a clang. A woman cursed.
Shen Qiao threw the door open to see Bai Rong half way crouched down to pick up the water basin she had dropped, as there was a slowly spreading puddle between them.
They stared at each other for a moment, then Shen Qiao slipped into the room and shut the door behind him. He didn't have any weapons, but considering the difference in their heights, Bai Rong would have to fight very hard to get through him.
"Aiyoh," she said a bit breathless, "what's that look for? You'd think I was going to pull a knife on you."
"Aren't you?"
She blinked, looked at Yan Wushi on the bed, then back at Shen Qiao.
"He didn't tell you, then. I suppose that's for the best."
'What does he tell me?' Shen Qiao thought to himself.
"I'm sorry for the mess. I saw that he was fevered, so I was going to cool him down." She flicked the excess water off her hands and picked the basin up. "Then I heard you outside, and I dropped it."
Shen Qiao watched her clean up her mess in silence. He was still trying to figure out what she was doing here, how she'd gotten in, what her next move would be.
She fluttered her lashes at him. "Well, I won't pull a knife on you, I prefer darts. That's a joke," she said when Shen Qiao glared at her harder. "You'll ruin your good looks if you keep scowling like that. You don't want someone taking your position as the emperor's little wife, do you?"
"I'm not his wife, I'm his concubine. As are you."
"En. So let me help out a bit, hm?" She wiped up the puddle of water on the floor with a washcloth, then tossed it in the basin and stood up. There was still a soft sheen of leftover water on the floor.
Shen Qiao wouldn't have minded the assistance, but Bai Rong was Sang Jingxing's niece; he obviously couldn't trust her.
"Shen Qiao," she said, deflating. "I'm not going to hurt him. Look, we should probably talk. Just let me cool him down first, and I'll answer all your questions."
"How about I cool him down and you sit?" Shen Qiao said emotionlessly. He took the basin and rag from her. Bai Rong raised her hands and sat at the low table. Shen Qiao got a clean washcloth and stole some water out of the water clock in the back of the room. The whole time, he kept an eye on Bai Rong, so when he accidentally stepped on A-Qiao's tail, causing the poor deer to squeal, he almost dropped the wet cloth.
Bai Rong snorted, then covered her mouth, but her eyes were still laughing.
Yan Wushi had provided A-Qiao a large basket to use as a bed, but more often the deer liked to sleep on the floor there beside Yan Wushi's desk. The deer stood and followed Shen Qiao to Yan Wushi's bedside, as if he wasn't satisfied with the apologetic pats on the head Shen Qiao had given him. Shen Qiao ignored him and laid the washcloth over Yan Wushi's forehead. He felt along Yan Wushi's neck to check his pulse. He was doing better than he had been, but Shen Qiao was worried that he hadn't woken up even once since that morning.
He went back to the low table where Bai Rong was waiting for him, and the moment he sat, A-Qiao climbed into his lap.
"You're too big," Shen Qiao said under his breath, but he didn't bother trying to push the emperor's pet away. Eventually it settled with its various pointy joints jabbing into Shen Qiao's thighs. He stroked along the back of its neck.
Bai Rong fiddled with a brush that was on the table.
"You wanted to talk," Shen Qiao reminded her.
"I'm trying to figure out where to start," she said back.
"How about why you're here?"
"Huanyue didn't call for me," Bai Rong answered easily. "He was supposed to call on me yesterday, so I got worried when I didn't hear from him."
"How did you get in?" Yu Shengyan had quietly sealed off the Hall of Mental Cultivation from outside visitors using the same excuse Bian Yanmei had to suspend the next day's court session: the emperor was mourning and did not wish to be disturbed.
"Why wouldn't I be allowed in? Even if I wasn't, I know the guards' patterns. Shengyan sends me their schedules any time there's a change."
Shen Qiao's hand paused on A-Qiao's neck. Was Yu Shengyan a double agent?
Seeing his panicked expression, Bai Rong leaned her elbows on the table and threaded both hands into her hair. "Ah, let me start again. Shen-lang, I'm Huanyue's spy. I've been informing him about my uncle's movements for the last five years."
Sang Jingxing had proposed the union when Bai Rong was seventeen. She'd been eager to get out of the Sang family compound, and a life of ease and luxury was certainly appealing, but a smaller part of her hated being passed off like an item, especially when she knew that her uncle wasn't sending her into the palace out of kindness or the hope for a better life for his dear niece. The emperor had agreed to the arrangement, and two months before Bai Rong turned eighteen, she packed up all her belongings and entered the harem.
Huanyue didn't call on her for a while, and because of her low status, none of the other concubines paid any attention to her other than to make fun of her. That was a stupid plan on their part. She was much more clever than the rest of them; every time they tried to replace her tea with ink or make her lose face in front of the empress, she could easily turn the tables on them.
One thing she was grateful to her uncle for was that he'd at least educated her.
The empress hadn't thought much of her until there was an incident during the mid-autumn festival, when Bai Rong finally caught the emperor's attention. She'd managed to shoot a boar through the eye, but had twisted her ankle during the ordeal. Huanyue had sent her to his tent to receive treatment, and that was the first night they spent together.
Over the next six months, Huanyue called upon her often. Sometimes, he'd send her to sleep in a different room without even looking up from his work, other times they'd spend long nights ruining his sheets. In the late nights and early mornings, Bai Rong would ask questions. Never anything that would raise suspicions, but her uncle had taught her that once people, and especially people like Huanyue who liked to hear themselves speak, got talking, they often didn't stop. Yan Wushi would answer her questions, and he'd talk and talk, but he was very good at saying nothing. Or at least he would never say anything worth reporting back to her uncle, which made Minister Sang very angry.
Then, one night, Huanyue had asked her, "Have you had enough yet?"
"Your Majesty?"
"I know your uncle has sent you here to spy on me—"
"Your Majesty, I would never—"
"Don't interrupt me. I've known since your uncle suggested it. If I hadn't wanted a spy, I wouldn't have accepted you into the harem."
Bai Rong pulled the sheets up over her breasts and pursed her lips at him. He was already putting his inner robes back on, likely to get back to work even at the late hour. She cursed at herself for not wearing him out enough. "I'm afraid I don't know what Your Majesty means."
"If you want to keep up the charade, that's fine too, but I have a much more interesting proposition for you. It would get your uncle off your back."
"What do you want from me?"
With a smile, Yan Wushi said, "I can give you the information Sang Jingxing wants, but I'll need information from his side in return, do you understand?"
"You're asking me to spy on my uncle."
"Very good."
Bai Rong bit her lip. That was…she couldn't do that.
"I can see you're hesitant. I suppose the love between you and your uncle must run deep, considering you let him leave hand-shaped bruises around your throat," he laughed cruelly. "But you should know that if you try to tell your uncle about my suggestion, things won't go well for you. Either he realizes all his investment in you has amounted to nothing since you've already been discovered, or you die in an unfortunate harem incident." He tutted. "You've certainly put yourself in quite the position. Well, take your time and think it through."
Bai Rong didn't agree that night, but Yan Wushi was right. Bai Rong didn't have much of a choice, and the next time Yan Wushi flipped her nameplate, she entered his chambers and demanded, "If I serve you as a spy, fine, but you must ensure my safety. No matter what happens, I must live."
"I can do you better than that," Yan Wushi said. He beckoned her over, and when she heard his plan out, she knew she'd made the correct choice.
Shen Qiao stared at Bai Rong. The longer the silence stretched on, the more uncomfortable she got.
"What's wrong, were you expecting something different?" she laughed.
"Yes. I should apologize to you."
She waved her hand in front of her face. "No need, I know how I look to outsiders. And it's always easier to act if you're playing as yourself, you know?"
"I'm afraid I don't."
"Well," Bai Rong said, slipping back into her seductive voice and traced a finger along his knuckles, "If you ever doubted my feelings for you, you can put those worries to rest."
"Concubine Bai!" he snatched his hand back.
She laughed, her eyes squinting in genuine amusement.
"You…how many times did you sleep with him?" Shen Qiao asked.
"A good concubine doesn't fuck and tell, Shen-lang," Bai Rong was still laughing.
"No, I mean—!" Shen Qiao's face was so hot, he really hadn't meant to ask such a shameless, nosy question. "It's just…Did he ever serve you tea afterward?"
"…Ah, Shen-lang, Shen-lang, this is why I can't let you go," she said, suddenly wistful. "You're so kind. He really doesn't deserve you. You don't need to worry about me. He didn't need to serve me that tea."
Shen Qiao's brows drew together.
Bai Rong batted her lashes at him, "He was never the one inside me, if you understand?"
Shen Qiao didn't understand until he did, and he had to cover his face with how embarrassed he was.
"It's very kind of you to worry though. It's kind of you to worry about everyone, even those who don't appreciate it," she glared over Shen Qiao's shoulder at Yan Wushi on the bed. Then she took both his hands in hers. "When all this is over, you may have more freedom than you originally expected. When that happens, how about we run away together?"
Shen Qiao yanked his hands away. What was with all these women asking him to elope?! He had to admit it was better than the men who just touched him however they liked, but he was already—
"Who said he'd have freedom after?" Yan Wushi's hoarse voice interrupted. "Get your hands off my husband, you whore."
"Yan Wushi," Shen Qiao said sharply. He'd pushed A-Qiao off his lap the moment he heard Yan Wushi speak and was already at his bedside.
"A-Qiao," Yan Wushi said, reaching for his face. He missed and his hand landed on Shen Qiao's neck. "Come here."
Shen Qiao shuffled closer.
"Looking at you makes me feel so much better. Is there medicine to take?"
Shen Qiao nodded and went to brew some more medicinal tea.
Yan Wushi tried to sit up, but needed help, so while Shen Qiao was busy, Bai Rong lifted him up and sat him against the headboard.
"I ought to spit in your medicine for how you treat me," she muttered.
"You're trying to steal my A-Qiao, I can treat you however I like."
Bai Rong stuck her tongue out at him.
"Why are you even here? I don't need you for anything."
"Yes, you do. Jiujiu's made contact with the Beimu upper congress."
Shen Qiao fumbled with the bowl of medicine. "What? Why?"
Bai Rong glanced between Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao.
"Anything you want to say to me can be said to him," Yan Wushi said. Shen Qiao sat at the edge of the bed and held the bowl out to Yan Wushi. "What, you won't feed it to me like before?"
"…How did I feed it to you before?"
"By mouth?"
Bai Rong snorted and turned her head. Shen Qiao nearly threw the medicine at him, gods in heaven! How could this man be so infuriating?
"Take your medicine or don't," Shen Qiao shoved the bowl into Yan Wushi's hand, and spilled a bit on his robes. Good, served him right.
"Admiral Zhao dispersed around seventy-five percent of the empress's mercenaries when they retook the northeast. The soldiers on the front lines weren't needed anymore, so I guess Jiujiu doesn't have quite the number he wants. The Beimu upper congress would be a good place to pull ranks from. There's only twenty of them, but they're accomplished warriors, and they've got one hell of a grudge against His Majesty. He's probably promised to return the land in the north to them."
Yan Wushi added, "And the Golden Lotus Ring."
Bai Rong nodded. "That too. Their upper congress is a bit stupid to trust him. Jiujiu has always hated Beimu, he'd rather gouge out his own eyes than help them. The moment he's on the throne, he's going to kill them all."
"He won't ever get to the throne," Yan Wushi said darkly once he'd finished his medicine. "How close are they to the capital?"
"I didn't hear. Closer than I think you'd like them to be."
Yan Wushi tutted and said, "A-Qiao, bring me another robe, you were careless and dirtied this one."
"Well, since you don't seem surprised, I'm going to assume you've planned for this turn of events," Bai Rong blew her bangs out of her face.
"I have."
"It's been a while since I've given Jiujiu any good information, so should I tell him the real reason you've suspended court?"
"Fine. I've planned for that too."
"Then I'll take my leave." Bai Rong said with a bow. When she righted herself, she winked at Shen Qiao.
"If you're going, go!" Yan Wushi threw his pillow at her.
Bai Rong laughed, dodged the pillow, then floated out the door, leaving Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi alone in the room. Shen Qiao handed Yan Wushi the new robe he'd requested. Yan Wushi put it on but left it open and rubbed the white silk between his thumb and forefinger. Shen Qiao stepped away to call a maid and handed her the soiled robe.
"That other robe…"Yan Wushi said. "The one you fixed."
"Yes?"
"You fixed it all wrong."
Shen Qiao shot him an unamused look. "I was low on supplies, I apologize."
"No, no, you promised you wouldn't leave me lopsided, but you made that robe so unbalanced. A black dragon with no white counterpart? You must fix it properly."
"I think we have more pressing matters to attend to at the moment, don't you?"
"So true. You've been reading the appeals, yes?"
"En," Shen Qiao said.
"Good. That's good." Yan Wushi covered his mouth as he yawned. The deer A-Qiao jumped up onto the bed and clumsily stepped over Yan Wushi's legs. Yan Wushi opened his arms and the deer plopped down right on his lap. "You want to nap? What a good idea."
Shen Qiao felt Yan Wushi's forehead. Yan Wushi looked up at him, his eyes less sharp than usual. "You want to join us too? I don't know if A-Qiao will allow it. He's very jealous."
Yan Wushi's head was a normal temperature, but Deadly Reunion made the blood flow sluggishly. Even if he wasn't feverish, he was probably still exhausted.
"You just agreed we had work to do and now you want to nap?" Shen Qiao said softly.
"You said you were reading the appeals, that's good enough for me." Yan Wushi slid down so he was half lying, half sitting. It put his chest at the perfect level for A-Qiao the deer to rest his head on. As Yan Wushi's eyelids slipped shut, Shen Qiao patted his head. Yan Wushi's brow furrowed, and he shoved his face into Shen Qiao's hand, muttering, "Just let your husband use you one last time."
After that, he was asleep. Shen Qiao pinched his nose and huffed a little laugh. What a ridiculous man their emperor was. If Yan Wushi wanted him to keep reading the appeals, Shen Qiao had already organized several piles by topic, so he'd continue to sort as he received them.
A-Qiao left the bed later when Yan Wushi turned in his sleep, so as night fell and Shen Qiao grew tired, he pulled the covers back and laid himself down next to Yan Wushi. They started out back to back, but when a knock came the next morning, Shen Qiao found himself tucked up against Yan Wushi's back, his free hand held to Yan Wushi's chest. Shen Qiao counted heartbeats for ten seconds. Another knock startled Shen Qiao and he lost count.
"Concubine Shen," Bian Yanmei said through the door. "There's an issue."
"Go away," Yan Wushi groaned as he pulled Shen Qiao's arm around him tighter.
"Concubine Shen, is it alright if I come in?"
"J-Just a moment!" Shen Qiao fought with Yan Wushi a bit to get free, his husband giving him the sleepiest scowl Shen Qiao had ever seen, then Shen Qiao pulled a robe around his dudou. "Bian-gonggong, what's the issue," he said once he opened the door.
"Minister Sang is at the palace entrance demanding to see the emperor."
Shen Qiao looked back at Yan Wushi, who was asleep again. "H-He said it was okay if Bai Rong told Minister Sang…"
"Oh, Bai Rong's the one who leaked it? Then we're proceeding as planned?"
Why did everyone seem to know this "plan" but Shen Qiao?! Shen Qiao glared at the emperor.
"Well, if that's the case, let's get you dressed."
"What for?"
"Court," Bian Yanmei said as he opened the door wider and stepped into the room.
"Court?! How can we have court without the emperor?"
"Well, the regent will take over for the time being."
"Oh. Who's the regent now that the empress…" Shen Qiao's face suddenly went white. Bian Yanmei gave him a pitying smile. Shen Qiao spun around to throw an accusing glance at Yan Wushi.
"Concubine Shen, why don't we get you dressed, haha," Bian Yanmei took Shen Qiao by the shoulder and steered him away from Yan Wushi, towards the vanity.
With nowhere to vent his anger, Shen Qiao collapsed into the chair and put his head into his hands.
"You've been reading the appeals, haven't you?" Bian Yanmei said as he brushed Shen Qiao's hair out. "It will all be fine, you just need to do as you always do. Listen, keep them focused, agree to nothing. Our dear emperor wouldn't willingly put his nation in your hands unless he trusted you."
Shen Qiao looked at Bian Yanmei through the mirror. "Is he capable of trust?"
"Oh, he trusts everyone. Just not the way you trust." When Shen Qiao gave him a confused look, Bian Yanmei continued, "He trusts people to act according to their nature."
"Isn't that just trusting his own judgment?"
"Hmm. Perhaps, but the fact remains, he left you in charge of the nation when he's most vulnerable." Bian Yanmei wrapped Shen Qiao's hair into a simple bun, then picked up a brush and painted a simple teardrop between Shen Qiao's brows. "White or blue robes?"
Shen Qiao entered court that morning after all the other officials had been alerted and gathered. It was a whole hour later than usual, and Minister Sang was standing near the throne as if he was the one conducting business, as if he was the one with the answers. All the ministers watched in confusion as Shen Qiao walked down the hall, removed the screen in front of his seat, and then sat down. Bian Yanmei had tried to get him to wear a veil—Shen Qiao refused, but now was starting to regret it. He hoped his apprehension didn't show on his face; since none of them moved from where they were gathered around Sang Jingxing, Shen Qiao probably wasn't that commanding or intimidating.
"If you all would take your places, we can begin," he said.
"Absolutely not," Ruyan Kehui muttered to himself. "A concubine cannot be serving as our regent. This dynasty will end in flames, surely."
"Now, now," Sang Jingxing said. He gave Shen Qiao an indulgent smile. "With the empress gone, the Meiren is the next in line. I just never realized how resourceful Concubine Shen was."
'What resourceful?' Shen Qiao thought. "I'm sure you all have questions, so it'd be best to start court now. If you all would please," he motioned to the rest of the hall where they'd usually be lined up.
"Why should we listen to you?" Dou Yanshan said. "A concubine really has no business ordering officials around like this."
Bian Yanmei stepped forward. "Concubine Shen has the emperor's direct approval, as well as the support of the eunuchs and Golden Tiger Guard."
"Not all the eunuchs," Huo Xijing stepped out of the crowd. "What does someone like him know about running the country? Even if he's sat in on a few political meetings, who's to say what kind of ridiculous, frivolous things he's going to do with our country?"
Yu Shengyan began pulling his sword out of its sheath but Bian Yanmei stopped him, saying, "I'd be more concerned about your own place in the palace if I were you," He flicked his horsetail whisk. "Shen Qiao is from a prominent family and extremely well educated."
Everyone turned to look at Tan Yuanchun, who's expression went from neutral to anxious. Shen Qiao felt his heart lurch as Tan Yuanchun looked between Shen Qiao and Sang Jingxing. "I-I, well…"
"Enough," Shen Qiao stood. "When His Majesty said his ministers wanted nothing more than to eat salary and grow old in comfort, I thought he was exaggerating. I can see now that he was not."
"Concubine Shen!" Huo Xijing said. "How can you speak like this to the nation's most esteemed families!"
Shen Qiao ignored him. "I will not force anyone to follow my orders or meet with me. If you feel strongly that I am unfit for this duty, I will not argue with you. But remember that I am much easier to convince than His Majesty, and I am currently the only one with access to the imperial seal."
It was a dirty move, but Shen Qiao was desperate. As the other ministers stared at Shen Qiao blankly, Sang Jingxing's smile grew wider.
"Now, would you like to line up properly so we can begin? Or are you all heading home to eat salary?"
Surprisingly, Ruyan Kehui was the first one to break away and lead his faction into their place. He didn't look happy about it—he was muttering to Xie Xiang and glancing at Shen Qiao between sentences. Dou Yanshan was the next to fall into line, at Yun Fuyi's urging.
Slowly but surely, all the ministers took up their places. The knot in Shen Qiao's stomach loosened. "Wonderful. I believe the last thing we were discussing before our break was the treaty with the Beimu people. Envoy Ruru, if you would step forward and present the revised terms?"