Half a month later, Qi Ying’s injuries had finally healed sufficiently, so he resumed attending court. In truth, although he had stayed home without going out during this half month, his heart had still been concerned with the Northern Expedition. He had already drafted a memorial to present to His Majesty and could submit it today. He had also already communicated with the main house and received his father’s tacit approval.

The day before resuming court attendance, he gave Shen Xiling some instructions.

Although the young lady now knew there was still a considerable period before the two of them would leave Jiankang, she remained excited daily, looking as if she wanted to pack her luggage at any moment. Though Qi Ying couldn’t bear to dampen her cheerful mood, to avoid complications, he still needed to remind her of what was necessary.

The timing wasn’t right yet. If she revealed any signs, it could very well lead to complications. Shen Xiling naturally didn’t want complications, so she asked Qi Ying somewhat nervously, “Ah… then what would count as not revealing any signs?”

Qi Ying thought for a moment and reminded her, “You can continue managing your business as before, just as you always have.”

Since the Yang Dong incident, Shen Xiling had been staying at Fenghe Garden and rarely concerned herself with her business anymore. Partly because Qi Ying had been there during this period and she had no mind for other matters, and partly because she was somewhat uncertain about how to deal with the guild going forward, not knowing what to do if she encountered Yang Dong again.

Qi Ying had never mentioned Yang Dong’s matter to her again, so Shen Xiling still didn’t know he was already dead.

The young lady frowned slightly with a somewhat troubled expression. Qi Ying could tell at a glance what she was worried about, so he stroked her hair and said, “The guild won’t make things difficult for you anymore. Just do everything according to your own wishes.”

Clearly showing he would support her.

Shen Xiling could see this and felt reassured. After thanking him, she snuggled into his embrace acting spoiled, appearing reluctant to let him leave Fenghe Garden. The next morning, she even got up early with Qi Ying. Though she was so sleepy her eyes couldn’t stay open, she still softly hugged him, nestling in his embrace and saying, “Can’t Young Master rest for one more day… your injuries aren’t completely healed yet…”

She was truly soft and gentle, her voice delicate and weak. Though her embrace was light, Qi Ying still felt he couldn’t pull away from her. He could only coax her to sleep a bit more and promised he would return that evening.

The young lady was drowsy and confused. Though she obediently nodded in agreement, her actions still clung to him without letting go. Whenever he tried to pull away, she would lift her head to kiss his throat, calling him “Young Master” one moment and “Second Brother” the next. She truly stirred Qi Ying until he could barely maintain his composure. If not for the urgent nature of the Northern Expedition, he probably would have truly skipped court for her little display of affection.

The so-called “gentle countryside” truly lived up to its reputation.

At that time, Shen Xiling hadn’t really intended to keep Qi Ying. She knew he had many important matters to attend to and didn’t want to delay him—she was simply acting spoiled. She also thought Qi Ying wouldn’t waver at all, not knowing that he truly had thoughts of skipping court then. If she had clung to him just a bit longer, even just called him “Second Brother” one more time, he wouldn’t have left.

Tsk, what a pity indeed.

When Qi Ying attended court that day, he received considerable extra attention while waiting in the plaza outside the great hall.

Naturally, Young Master Qi had always attracted attention, but since at least half the officials in the plaza today had children or grandchildren eliminated by Young Master Qi in the metropolitan examinations, he received particularly intense scrutiny.

Everyone’s gazes were quite complex—containing the same awe as usual, but also some resentment and probing that was difficult to dispel. Some bold and direct-tempered officials even looked at him with mockery, as if ridiculing him for being beaten by his father and having to miss court for half a month.

While everyone was thinking various thoughts, they saw the Left Prime Minister and Right Vice Minister arrive together. Since both held high positions and needed to stand at the front of all officials, they walked slowly forward from the rear of the plaza.

When the Left Prime Minister passed his second son, his steps paused slightly. Everyone saw Young Master Qi bow to the Left Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s expression was calm, showing neither joy nor anger, but he raised his hand to pat his second son’s shoulder before continuing to his position at the head of all officials. The Right Vice Minister, following behind his father, also patted his younger brother’s shoulder, and the two brothers nodded to each other.

This performance was less for Young Master Qi to see than for all the officials: no matter what the Qi family members did, they had their family as backing. Though the Prime Minister could discipline his second son himself, if others dared to overstep, that would be unacceptable.

All the officials understood this meaning.

Actually, even without the Qi family as backing, no one dared to offend Young Master Qi—they could only harbor secret resentment. But now that the Left Prime Minister and Right Vice Minister had made this move, they suppressed even the resentment hidden in everyone’s hearts. They could only lower their eyes and wait quietly for court to begin.

The Liang palace was luxurious, the great hall majestic. All officials gathered in the main hall to pay respects to the Son of Heaven and discuss state affairs.

By early summer of the seventeenth year of Qinghua, Emperor Liang’s physical decline could no longer be concealed. Although this Majesty had always been surprisingly resilient, no one now doubted that his days were numbered.

Today his face was powdered as usual. From across the high imperial steps, the officials couldn’t tell whether his complexion was good or bad, but they could see His Majesty’s sitting posture was somewhat crooked—probably his back had given out and he could no longer sit straight.

But he still insisted on holding court today, not for anything else, but mainly to discuss with all officials the Northern Expedition strategy presented by the Privy Council.

Qi Ying had previously informed Fourth Prince Xiao Ziheng about this matter, so His Majesty naturally knew immediately. Before Qi Ying attended court today, he had already privately summoned various generals from the Han family to discuss this matter. The main house of the Qi family was even more aware of this, so the influential figures of both civil and military branches in court already knew what to expect and naturally appeared calm.

Lower-ranking officials lacked the ability to learn of such secrets in advance. Hearing this news suddenly, they were naturally dumbstruck. The court hall immediately erupted as everyone whispered and chattered about it.

Over thirty years ago, Great Liang had fled south, chased by the Gao Wei forces all the way from north of the Yangtze to south of it. They had truly fled in panic, abandoning armor and weapons, nearly losing their kingdom. Although they had struggled to manage over the years and had figures like Young Master Qi providing support, they could only maintain their current state of temporary peace in a corner.

The old ministers of Great Liang had truly been frightened by the Wei people’s attacks. Mention of warfare inevitably reminded them of that nightmare flight decades ago. Moreover, they were all advanced in age and didn’t want to be involved in warfare again—they only wanted to spend their remaining years in peace. While younger ministers didn’t have such vivid memories of past events like the old ministers, they had grown comfortable and leisurely in the picturesque Jiangzuo region and also disliked military action. Now hearing about going to war—and that they would be the ones seeking battle—they all felt their hearts trembling and thought it completely unnecessary.

However, after the initial uproar, all officials looked more carefully and saw that the high-ranking officials all appeared calm and knowing, clearly having been informed long ago. This court session was merely going through the motions and wouldn’t actually listen to their opinions. They quickly put away their objections and began speaking in righteous terms.

Although the officials spoke well, they were all quite dissatisfied in their hearts, thinking this Majesty was truly having a final surge before death. Having been ineffective his whole life, only at the end did he muster some resolve to fight the north. What was the point? Wasn’t it just seeking praise from historians after death? He should consider that if this battle were lost, wouldn’t his late-life reputation be ruined…

Besides the mediocre officials, the person who least wanted war was probably Prince Duan.

This prince had recently felt quite pleased because the metropolitan examination results favored him, feeling even more refreshed than the successful candidates. But just after being happy for a few days, this troublesome Northern Expedition suddenly emerged.

Once troops were mobilized, besides the Privy Council controlled by the Qi family, the most prominent would be the Military Department controlled by the Han family. If this war were won, the Han family would achieve great merit, and the Han family was his fourth brother’s maternal relatives. If such a thing happened at this critical juncture, the advantages he had gained in the metropolitan examinations would be completely wiped out, and his fourth brother would completely overshadow him!

Prince Duan’s fists clenched, and the mole beneath his eye also appeared sinister.

He silently surveyed the scene and saw the Emperor, his fourth brother, the Qi family members, and Han family members all looking as if they knew what was coming. He realized they had already communicated with each other, and no matter what he said now, it would be futile.

He glanced sideways at the silent Qi Ying.

What a Second Young Master Qi, what a young Privy Councilor.

Having just given him a little sweetness in the metropolitan examinations, he immediately turned around and delivered even greater benefits to his fourth brother. Truly not offending either side while earning a completely good reputation before the world!

At this moment, the person with the most complex feelings in court was Left Prime Minister Qi Zhang.

The Qi family had already reached its peak. Qi Zhang had also passed his fiftieth year and long ago lost any ambition to elevate his family further. He didn’t covet the merit of supporting a new emperor—he only sought stability, achieving nothing and making no mistakes would be best. Logically speaking, he wouldn’t have agreed to his second son’s Northern Expedition strategy.

But in the recently concluded metropolitan examinations, Jingchen had caused great trouble. To quell the criticism of his second son in court, he needed to establish an even greater achievement himself. Otherwise, their Qi family would find it difficult to account to both the scholar-officials and Fourth Prince.

This was a high-stakes gamble: if they won, everything would go smoothly; if they lost, it would make things worse.

Qi Zhang knew he was taking a risk, but at the same time, he trusted his second son more than anyone else. He knew that once Jingchen set his mind to something, he could accomplish anything. Moreover, he also knew… the Northern Expedition might also be his long-cherished wish.

Both his eldest and second sons seemed to have this kind of stubbornness—doing what they knew was impossible, just for that bit of clarity in their hearts. He had thought his second son was more perceptive than his eldest, but it turned out he just hid it deeper. And once he made up his mind, he was even more resolute than his eldest son.

Qi Zhang felt helpless about this, while also feeling a hidden pride—his sons had not yet been worn down by the political arena. They were still far from being muddled, opportunistic types. They still had the ambition and ability to change the world.

Very well, then let it be a gamble.

The great hall held only about a hundred people, yet their thoughts were wonderfully varied. As they were each contemplating, they heard His Majesty’s series of coughs, showing his terminal illness, yet his old eyes were extremely bright as he said, “Since beloved ministers have no objections, let this matter be settled thus—the Northern Expedition values speed. The Privy Council and Military Department must consider carefully and must return victorious to court.”

After speaking, officials from both departments stepped forward to receive their orders. The hall was solemn, causing inexplicable heart palpitations.

Author’s Note:

Case solved—he just likes hearing the young lady call him “Second Brother”!