Jingrong entered the palace holding the late emperor’s imperial edict!

Qin Shiyu accompanied him.

The two entered the Council Hall, both wearing grave expressions.

“Greetings, Your Majesty / Father Emperor.”

Most respectfully!

Emperor Qizhen sat behind the desk on the elevated platform, his high brow tightly furrowed as he looked at the son he hadn’t seen in months. That face, which clearly bore some resemblance to his own younger self, now had lowered eyes and displayed respectful solemnity.

He looked exactly like a loyal minister coming to pay homage.

Not like a son!

He knew in his heart that Jingrong was too obedient.

So obedient that he always complied and never contradicted!

This son of his had been sent outside the palace to be raised since childhood, lacking somewhat the proud and pampered airs of an imperial prince. If one didn’t know his identity, one would truly think he was just the young master of an ordinary family, refined and elegant in manner.

Inside the hall, prolonged silence reigned.

No one spoke.

Finally—

Emperor Qizhen assumed a serious expression, looked toward Qin Shiyu, and with an accusatory tone asked, “Minister Qin, do you know the crime for falsely transmitting imperial edicts?”

What must come would always come!

Qin Shiyu did not make excuses.

He immediately lifted his robe and knelt down. “This humble minister falsely transmitted an imperial edict—an unforgivable crime.”

“You certainly admit it quickly enough.”

“This minister knows his guilt and dares not make excuses.”

“Then tell me, what was your purpose in falsely transmitting the imperial edict?”

“This humble minister did it to save Prince Rong’s life.” Qin Shiyu said, “If Your Majesty’s oral decree had arrived one step later, Prince Rong outside the city would likely have already been seized by Magistrate Ji’s men under the charge of ‘treason and defying the imperial decree,’ and might even have had his life endangered. After weighing the gravity of the situation, this minister could only risk the crime of beheading to falsely transmit the imperial edict. Only thus could the prince be safely brought back to the capital.”

Emperor Qizhen snorted coldly. “According to what you say, I should be rewarding you instead.”

“Being able to escort Prince Rong back to the capital is this minister’s duty—I dare not claim credit.”

“Bang!”

Emperor Qizhen’s large hand slammed on the desk, his anger erupting!

“Qin Shiyu, I have indulged you time and again. Back then when you challenged my authority and found errors in the Linjing Case, you knelt outside Nanzhe Gate for several days. With the entire court’s officials gossiping, I had no choice but to agree to reinvestigate. Now you’ve actually become bold enough to falsely transmit imperial edicts. Do you know that right now I could order someone to drag you to the Meridian Gate for beheading?”

His voice rang like a great bell!

Echoing through the hall, somewhat piercing to the ears.

Qin Shiyu showed no fear, assuming an “at your disposal” attitude.

Jingrong did not speak up to plead for him, still standing there coldly.

With an appearance of “this has nothing to do with me.”

But in truth, he knew in his heart that Emperor Qizhen would definitely not punish Qin Shiyu.

After all, Qin Shiyu was a veteran minister, and moreover a retired old general who had fought on the battlefield and repeatedly achieved extraordinary merit. If he truly had him dragged to the Meridian Gate for beheading, the losses would likely outweigh the gains.

Emperor Qizhen would weigh this himself!

After self-regulating for a while, he finally restrained his fury.

He could only let out a long sigh. “Forget it. Though you erred, you also have merit. I will not pursue this matter.”

How magnanimous!

Qin Shiyu rose, cupped his hands and bowed. “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”

“All right, you may withdraw.”

“This minister takes his leave.”

Having said this, Qin Shiyu glanced at Jingrong, then silently withdrew.

Inside the hall, calm was restored once more.

After Emperor Qizhen had calmed down, he looked toward Jingrong and said in a deep voice, “I sent you two secret edicts ordering you back to the capital. I thought there would be countless difficulties, but you ultimately did not disappoint me.”

Jingrong bowed. “When Father Emperor transmits an edict, your son dares not fail to return.”

“It’s fortunate that you held the late emperor’s imperial edict, otherwise I also would have had no way to issue an edict permitting you to enter the capital.”

“Your son understands.”

Having spoken!

Jingrong presented his copy of the imperial edict.

Emperor Qizhen received it.

The imperial edict was opened, its contents coming into view.

On the first day of the ninth month in the thirty-seventh year of Qianzhi, the barbarians had been subject vassals for over a hundred years, submitting tribute for nearly ten years. Thus they maintained friendly relations with the court. In recent years, the barbarians had risen in chaotic rebellion and committed murderous provocations. An order should be issued to deploy troops without any tolerance. One hundred thousand troops should be raised at the border to suppress and pacify the barbarians. Thus decreed.

A lifesaving elixir!

Emperor Qizhen verified the authenticity of the imperial edict—the jade seal impression on it was genuine.

“The imperial edict’s seal and verification are all authentic. This truly is an imperial edict left by the late emperor. Who would have thought that the late emperor had such foresight, issuing this imperial edict decades ago as a precaution. Now with this imperial edict in hand, the ‘thirty-year ceasefire’ agreement signed with the barbarians back then can be voided, and I can also issue an edict to deploy troops and take down the barbarians in one fell swoop.”

With the imperial edict in hand, none could stand against him!

Jingrong did not speak, only showed agreement.

Emperor Qizhen was puzzled, however. “But where did you obtain this imperial edict?”

“It was produced by Marquis Kang. After the late emperor established this imperial edict back then, he entrusted it to him. On the journey back to the capital this time, your son went to Jingzhou. Marquis Kang learned that your son’s circumstances were difficult, and additionally, several months ago the barbarians began disrupting the border, so he handed over this imperial edict, hoping it could help your son return to the capital smoothly. In fact, it truly did help your son immensely.”

“Marquis Kang?” Emperor Qizhen murmured. “Who would have thought that after withdrawing to Jingzhou for several years, he still kept this card up his sleeve.”

“The late emperor’s imperial edict is supreme. Father Emperor has been troubled and vexed by the barbarians disrupting the border—now at last this is resolved.”

Emperor Qizhen nodded. Indeed, this resolved one troublesome matter weighing on his heart!

But—

He set down the imperial edict and closed it.

“I publicly declared in court that if you could not investigate where the Imperial Treasury’s disaster relief silver went, you would not be permitted to return to the capital. Now you’ve brought the late emperor’s imperial edict, resolving the barbarian matter for me. I will naturally consider your merit sufficient to offset your fault—you need not return to the Imperial Treasury.”

“Thank you, Father Emperor.”

Jingrong cupped his hands and bowed.

Emperor Qizhen’s eyes deepened as he asked, “Then you should know the true purpose of my summoning you back to the capital this time.”

“Your son knows.”

“Currently throughout the court, everyone has aligned with Jing Yi, while you have no great tree to shield you. In court you would certainly be beset on all sides. I know Jing Yi’s power is vast. Originally, I planned to wait until the court situation stabilized, then issue an edict establishing him as crown prince. But he is truly too impatient. First he conspired with the Ministry of Personnel and the Office of Transmission to memorialize against you for interfering with the Ministry of Personnel’s official appointments, then he incited the court officials to recommend him as crown prince. With such eagerness for quick success, how can I entrust the realm of Great Lin to him?”

Such a person would likely become a second Ying Zheng!

However, Emperor Qizhen did not voice his true thoughts.

To put it plainly, he was still suspicious that the crown prince’s palace siege incident back then was connected to Jing Yi. Added to everything that happened afterward—for instance, Jingrong being attacked by assassins, the assassin dying in the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Personnel’s memorial, the court officials’ recommendations…

All of this inevitably made Emperor Qizhen guard against Jing Yi.

That’s why he thought to have Jingrong return to the capital.

Hearing this, Jingrong did not expose his true thoughts, only saying, “That Father Emperor has concerns is natural. But your son also deeply understands Father Emperor’s meaning.”

“Then what are your thoughts?”

“The late emperor’s edict calls for deploying troops to eliminate the barbarians. Since Father Emperor intends to suppress Jing Yi, why not utilize this imperial edict?”

“Explain clearly.”

“Send someone to lead the troops there.”

Hmm?

Emperor Qizhen pressed, “Who?”

“Ji Huan!”

He spoke these two words.

Emperor Qizhen was suddenly startled, then realized, “You’re right. For this deployment, Ji Huan is indeed the best choice.”