The next morning, Qi Ying entered the palace for an imperial audience. He had originally wanted to see his father first before entering the palace, but that day his father remained unconscious and unable to speak. Qi Ying had no choice, and he knew the new Emperor must already know of his return to Jiankang by now. He couldn’t delay the imperial audience any longer and had no choice but to hastily change into court robes and enter the palace.

Young Master Qi had traveled this road to the palace countless times in his life, but never had he walked it feeling so… lonely. He knew he was alone at this moment, his family was hiding weakly behind him, and he had to bear this enormous weight alone to protect everyone’s safety.

He couldn’t lose his composure.

Getting out of the carriage at the palace gates, this time he didn’t see Su Ping personally coming to greet him. Only an unfamiliar ordinary little eunuch received him into the palace. Qi Ying’s expression remained unchanged as he stepped through the palace gates, following the palace attendant toward the Imperial Study.

Upon reaching the Imperial Study, the doors were tightly closed, quite different from the usual scene.

The late Emperor had never made the Qi family wait during his lifetime, and even before his health declined he would frequently come out of the Imperial Study personally to greet them. But now times had changed, and the Qi family would have to wait outside the Imperial Study doors.

Qi Ying waited quietly outside the door. After a while, Su Ping came out from inside, politely greeting Qi Ying before saying: “Young Master Qi comes at an inopportune time. Her Majesty the Empress happens to be here, currently speaking with His Majesty. Perhaps… would you prefer to come another day?”

Qi Ying was the chief envoy of this peace negotiation, and even without the Qi family’s affairs, he should by rights come to pay respects to His Majesty and report on government business. Now that the new Emperor was avoiding seeing him, it seemed he simply didn’t want to hear him speak about the Qi family’s matters.

Was it simply not wanting to hear? Or was it…

Qi Ying’s eyes deepened.

His expression remained unchanged as he politely said to Su Ping: “I trouble the Chief Steward to relay the message. I’ll wait here.”

At this time, sounds of the Emperor and Empress talking and laughing came from within the Imperial Study. Many palace attendants outside heard it, their expressions becoming somewhat subtle. Qi Ying acted as if he hadn’t heard, still standing calmly in place with a composed expression.

Su Ping secretly glanced at Young Master Qi’s expression, thought for a moment, and only said: “This… then please do as you wish, sir.”

He then also entered the Imperial Study doors and didn’t come out again for a long time.

Qi Ying waited quietly outside the Imperial Study like this.

Even before the Southern Migration, generations of Great Liang rulers had never made prestigious family members wait like this, let alone when this person was the legitimate son of the current premier family and the Chancellor who held real power. The palace attendants passing by were all surprised and alarmed to see Young Master Qi waiting outside the Imperial Study for so long, but they didn’t dare say anything. They hurriedly paid their respects and scattered, though they kept looking back even after walking far away, whispering among themselves endlessly.

This waiting continued for three full hours. Qi Ying entered the palace at the chen hour, and only at the wei hour did he see the Imperial Study doors open. During this time, palace attendants had even come to deliver the midday imperial meal to the Emperor and Empress.

Now the doors finally opened, and the Empress emerged from within.

The current Empress and the Chancellor were old acquaintances. Several years ago there had even been an unclear engagement between them, which later alarmed the Sixth Princess and caused a great scene at the flower gathering on Qingji Mountain, where she had severely slapped the current imperial sister-in-law.

This incident had caused quite a sensation at the time, spreading by word of mouth until everyone knew about it. Even though many years had passed, it was still remembered by many, such as the palace attendants serving at the Imperial Study entrance at this moment—most of them remembered this affair.

But the noble daughter of a declining family had now transformed into the mother of the nation, wearing phoenix robes with a full head of pearls and jade ornaments, graceful and dignified beyond words. She was no longer what she once was, and even someone as famous as Young Master Qi had to perform the proper kneeling ceremony upon seeing her. One standing and one kneeling, the hierarchy was immediately clear.

Qi Ying slowly knelt at the Empress’s feet to pay his respects and inquire after her health, while Her Majesty didn’t speak until Young Master Qi had properly completed all the ceremonial protocols, then belatedly smiled and said: “The Chancellor is truly too courteous. Please rise quickly.”

Although it was perfectly normal for ministers to kneel before the Empress, the palace attendants serving at the Imperial Study entrance at this moment felt inexplicably uneasy, feeling that… feeling that Young Master Qi shouldn’t have to kneel, at least not to the Empress… They didn’t know why they had such thoughts, but seeing Young Master Qi kneel at that moment somehow felt unbearable to watch…

But Young Master Qi had already knelt, and after rising he still humbly bowed his head standing before the Empress. The palace attendants heard the Empress laugh and say: “By rights, this palace shouldn’t delay His Majesty and the Chancellor from discussing state affairs, but His Majesty pities the imperial child in this palace’s womb, which is why we delayed for some time. I’m afraid this has kept the Chancellor waiting long.”

The Empress was pregnant?

Qi Ying’s expression became stern.

This had been the case for some time, but Qi Ying had been in the north and hadn’t heard about it. Last night Yao Shi had been entirely focused on telling him about the family’s troubles and hadn’t thought to mention this matter. This wasn’t particularly important, except that Fu Rong and Xiao Ziheng had been married for many years without any pregnancy, and now less than half a year after the new Emperor’s accession there was joyful news from the inner palace—this was perhaps the Fu family’s plan. Before the imperial position was secured, they wouldn’t easily let their daughter bear imperial bloodline, probably harboring thoughts of avoiding disaster.

Very clever indeed.

Qi Ying lowered his eyelids and respectfully replied: “Your Majesty flatters me.”

The Empress smiled gently, her expression grand and dignified, but when looking at the bowing Qi Ying, there seemed to be a hint of satisfaction flickering in her eyes.

She admired his bowing posture for a moment, then smiled and said: “Then this palace won’t disturb you here any longer. Please enter, sir.”

Qi Ying bowed again: “Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty.”

Fu Rong glanced at him and seemed to smile faintly before slowly departing surrounded by her maidservants. Only then did Su Ping step forward and say to Qi Ying: “Young Master Qi, please.”

When Qi Ying stepped through the Imperial Study doors, the new Emperor was bent over his desk painting. He seemed to be in high spirits and didn’t look up when he heard the movement at the door. Only after Qi Ying had performed the kneeling ceremony did he seem to come to his senses, looking up at him and smiling: “Jingchen has come? Come quickly, come see this painting of mine.”

Before New Year’s Eve, Qi Ying had had several imperial audiences, and privately the new Emperor had referred to himself as “I,” appearing to maintain deep friendship like the former study companion. But unexpectedly, after merely two months, this “I” had changed to “We,” and his demeanor had also taken on an air of superiority, making one clearly feel that the person before them was a monarch, not some old friend or companion.

Qi Ying was fully aware of these subtle changes, but his expression remained calm without any ripples, as if he was oblivious. He rose as instructed and approached the new Emperor’s desk, looking at his painting as Xiao Ziheng intended.

Xiao Ziheng had been skilled at painting since his youth, particularly fond of birds and flowers in both meticulous and freehand styles, and was quite renowned among literati. Today he had created another mandarin duck painting. Purple wisteria flowers hung above a mirror-like water surface where a pair of mandarin ducks swam leisurely beneath the flowers, appearing most carefree and comfortable. But beneath the water were many fish, and mandarin ducks fed on fish—they need only dip their heads underwater to take the fish’s lives, all in the blink of an eye.

Hidden killing intent.

Just then the new Emperor asked with a smile: “What does Jingchen think of this painting?”

Qi Ying withdrew his gaze, also concealing the sharp light in his eyes, and answered: “Your Majesty is skilled at painting. This work has ancient elegance and refined charm, with tranquil substance and expansive atmosphere.”

Hearing this, Xiao Ziheng laughed heartily and said: “With your words, shouldn’t this work be passed down through the ages?”

He seemed in high spirits and discussed the painting with Qi Ying for a few more exchanges before putting away his interest in conversation, sitting down and asking: “Are the peace negotiation matters properly concluded?”

When discussing government affairs, the new Emperor’s expression became serious. The laughing and talking from moments before suddenly disappeared, replaced by an air of authority. Though he had only been on the throne for a few months, he appeared more imperial than the late Emperor who had occupied the throne for decades.

Qi Ying lowered his brows and eyes, reporting to the new Emperor about the peace negotiations. Since the progress of the previous negotiations had all been sent back to Jiangzuo by fast horse, Xiao Ziheng already knew the treaty details early on. What Qi Ying was reporting now were merely the trivial matters from the conclusion, and he finished explaining everything clearly in no time.

The new Emperor nodded upon hearing this and said: “You handled this assignment extremely well. By rights you should receive substantial rewards…” Halfway through his words, those peach blossom eyes revealed some deeper color, his tone pausing slightly before continuing the second half: “…but the major case involving the Right Assistant Administrator has complex circumstances, and the Left Chancellor has yet to give Us and the officials a reasonable explanation. If We reward you at this time, it would be difficult to convince the masses.”

It was beginning.

Qi Ying’s expression became stern, and he immediately swept his robes aside and knelt again, saying: “The successful negotiations relied entirely on the prosperity of our state and Your Majesty’s imperial authority. This minister merely provided the labor of a dog or horse, which is negligible and unworthy of requesting rewards.”

Xiao Ziheng sat behind the imperial desk, looking down at Qi Ying kneeling below, his expression quite complex, vaguely showing some emotion and also seeming somewhat satisfied. He heard this world-famous Second Young Master Qi, known to all, continue: “As for this humble minister’s brothers’ affair, thanks to Your Majesty’s benevolent treatment of our clan, this minister requests an imperial decree to reinvestigate this case. When the time comes, whether vindication or conviction, let public opinion decide, and this can also provide an explanation to the people of the world.”

Hearing this, the new Emperor raised his eyebrows. This gesture had appeared free-spirited and endlessly charming in his youth, but now it seemed unfathomably deep and difficult to read. After pondering for a moment, he asked back: “You want Us to thoroughly investigate this case?”

Qi Ying bowed his head: “I request Your Majesty’s fulfillment.”

The new Emperor remained silent for a long time, his fingers tapping on the imperial desk one by one, making small sounds that seemed to strike people’s hearts like thousand-pound weights.

This was the imperial art of controlling subordinates.

But Qi Ying’s expression remained calm and unruffled, showing not a trace of what was in his heart, making it impossible for Xiao Ziheng to gain the pleasure of manipulating people’s minds. His peach blossom eyes darkened, then he said: “Very well. This matter is of great importance and should indeed have public judgment. We will command the Court of Judicial Review to investigate thoroughly, and when there are results, We will announce them to all officials in the court. What does Jingchen think?”

Qi Ying bowed: “This minister is deeply grateful.”

Xiao Ziheng smiled and raised his hand to indicate he should rise, then seemed to suddenly think of something, looking up at Qi Ying with a very considerate expression: “We naturally trust the Right Assistant Administrator and your brother, but others inevitably harbor doubts—you hold an important position in the Privy Council, and perhaps some might suspect you of using power to threaten the Court of Judicial Review. To avoid such disputes, why don’t you temporarily relinquish the Chancellor position before this matter has results, to stop the endless gossip? After the Qi family’s injustice is cleared, you can resume important duties. How about that?”

Once these words were spoken, even a child could understand.

He wanted to seize Qi Ying’s power.

He wanted a generation’s powerful minister to put down his boundless authority in exchange for a thread of hope for his family.

If you’re willing to have your power seized, then we’ll give your brothers a chance for public trial and give the Qi family a dignified ending. If you’re unwilling, then let’s fight to the death—the Qi family doesn’t have much military power, so can you escape the Son of Heaven’s open blade?

This wasn’t negotiation, but coercion.

There was no choice.

Qi Ying lowered his brows and eyes further, the dark color in his eyes extremely deep, but he had no options, like the fish in that painting, helpless. The new Emperor only heard him say: “I respectfully follow Your Majesty’s sacred decree.”

Once his words were set, the smile in Xiao Ziheng’s eyes deepened even more. He then nodded and said in a tone like bestowing grace: “The Right Assistant Administrator and your brother are currently imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review’s jail. You know the rules there—normally no one should be allowed to visit, but We regard you as a friend and will make an exception for you. After leaving the palace, go see them once.”

These words carried some meaning of dismissal. Qi Ying understood and bowed to the Son of Heaven again before taking his leave. He had almost stepped out the door when he heard the Son of Heaven call: “Jingchen.”

Hearing this, Qi Ying stopped and turned back to respectfully listen to His Majesty’s instruction.

The new Emperor had picked up his brush again at this time, adding color to that bird and flower painting with deep meaning. While painting, he casually said: “The two characters for ‘minister’—first comes ‘minister,’ then comes ‘son.’ In the future when you return from afar, it would be more appropriate to see Us in the palace first before returning home.”

The palace attendants serving in the Imperial Study all felt their hearts tremble upon hearing this, experiencing a bone-deep sense of dread. They heard Young Master Qi say: “This humble minister will remember.”