Not long after the words were spoken, Zhang Lei arrived outside in a rush, saying a eunuch from the palace had come to announce that the Emperor summoned their lord for an audience.
Shen Yun, who kept his official robes with him, immediately had them brought to him upon hearing this and changed into them before heading to the palace from the Duke of Yu’s mansion.
In the Hall of Cultivating the Mind, the elderly Emperor Xingzhao, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat on the imperial throne, sighing at a half-finished painting before him.
After Shen Yun paid his respects, he stood quietly to the side.
Without the Emperor Xingzhao’s command, he rendered himself into a statue.
After a long while, Emperor Xingzhao seemed to finally notice Shen Yun’s presence. He continued to paint without pause and said indifferently,
“Minister Shen arrived so quickly.” Shen Yun cupped his hands and replied, “Your humble servant happened to be a guest with my wife at the Duke of Yu’s mansion.”
“Oh, you are acquainted with the Duke of Yu’s mansion?” Emperor Xingzhao seemed to have heard something extraordinary.
However, Shen Yun knew about his wife’s interactions with the Duke of Yu’s mansion, as well as his own whereabouts.
How could these matters be concealed from Emperor Xingzhao, who held the reins of the Imperial Guard?
His surprise was merely on the surface; in reality, his slender, bright eyes held no trace of astonishment.
“My wife is the adopted daughter of Madam Gu, the eldest aunt of the Duke of Yu’s mansion, thus I occasionally frequent the Duke’s mansion.
It was merely a coincidence today; I was escorting the Old Madam back to the capital from the southern suburbs.”
Emperor Xingzhao saw that Shen Yun had accounted for every detail, which perfectly matched the report given to him by Ji Chengang, the commander of the Imperial Guard.
His furrowed brows eased slightly. He placed his brush on the brush rest, beckoned him forward, and pointed to the painting on the white Xuan paper with a show of distress, saying,
“Minister Shen’s painting skills are superb. Quickly, take a look and tell me what should be painted next to this picture?”
Shen Yun stepped forward and examined it carefully. Emperor Xingzhao was painting a jasmine.
Emerald green leaves, snow-white blossoms.
Emperor Xingzhao’s brushwork was actually very good.
The jasmine flowers he painted seemed alive. They appeared pure and elegant to the eye, and their fragrance was rich and refreshing. Shen Yun naturally offered his highest praise.
“I have always been curious. Among the Four Gentlemen of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum, the plum’s pride, cutting through snow and ice, represents nobility.
The orchid’s purity, a secluded orchid in a valley, represents wisdom.
The bamboo’s grace, elegant and indifferent, represents a gentle scholar.
The chrysanthemum’s reclusion, unique and unconventional, represents a hermit outside the world. What is lacking in the jasmine?”
Shen Yun’s heart skipped a beat. Emperor Xingzhao was ostensibly speaking of jasmine, but in reality, he was alluding to Jiangning Prefecture, famous for its jasmine production.
Understanding this point, Shen Yun’s reply became slightly more composed.
“Jasmine is loyal, simple, delicate, and charming; it is also a fine flower.”
“Hahaha, well said, loyal and simple. Minister Shen has not disappointed me. You shall travel to Jiangning Prefecture next.”
Shen Yun’s heart gave a jolt.
He could no longer describe his feelings with mere surprise.
He was shocked.
Emperor Xingzhao was even more formidable than they had imagined.
Just as news of the Duchess’s affairs had reached the capital, he had not only received word but also already devised a countermeasure.
However, this was for the best. He had promised Xiao Qi that he would help resolve this matter.
Previously, he had been troubled about whom to send to Jiangning Prefecture.
Now, it was settled; he would go himself.
“Minister Shen, you just mentioned you are married. If this matter is handled properly, I shall grant your wife an imperial patent of nobility.” Emperor Xingzhao offered both reward and authority.
Shen Yun kowtowed and took his leave.
After leaving the palace, he rushed to the Duke of Yu’s mansion to inform them of the matter.
“Yun’er, aren’t you from the Hanlin Academy?” the Old Madam really wanted to ask how an attendant scholar from the Hanlin Academy had gotten involved in this affair.
Sensing the Old Madam’s confusion, Su Xiaoqi gently nudged Shen Yun.
She hoped he would say something to offer her some hope and prevent her from becoming so anxious.
After a moment of hesitation, Shen Yun began to speak,
“It is likely that the Emperor received secret intelligence that someone in Jiangning Prefecture is secretly manipulating affairs, hence his intention to send someone south.
As for why it is me, it is probably precisely because of the Duchess.”
“What?” Su Xiaoqi had initially only hoped Shen Yun would say a few comforting words to ease the Old Madam’s anxiety.
However, after he spoke, her own heart began to flutter with unease.
“Shouldn’t someone from the Censorate be sent for such matters?”
In the Great Liang Dynasty, the Censorate was staffed by Censors, most of whom held minor seventh-rank positions.
However, they enjoyed the power of supervision and investigation and could be dispatched to any location in Great Liang upon imperial decree.
Those carrying imperial decrees to inspect were Imperial Envoys, wielding immense power irrespective of their rank.
“The Emperor probably trusts me,” Shen Yun explained indifferently. His expression remained unreadable, but his tone carried a hint of bitterness.
Emperor Xingzhao was not a monarch who was easy to serve.
Over the past month, he had put in considerable effort to gain his trust.
Whenever he had an opportunity to meet the Emperor, he seized it accurately.
The Emperor not only favored his official script and the Slender Gold script, as well as his paintings, but also trusted his loyalty and capabilities.
Therefore, although he had only served the emperor in court for over twenty days, he had already achieved what many others had not.
He was currently in high imperial favor.
In truth, serving a ruler was like accompanying a tiger. This so-called imperial favor was only relative.
Just like a moment ago, upon his entrance, Emperor Xingzhao deliberately kept him waiting, which was a show of dominance.
Only after hearing him voluntarily disclose matters concerning the Duke of Yu’s mansion did he allow him to approach.
He was looking at jasmine, but it was a double entendre, alluding not only to the affairs of Jiangning Prefecture but also to the issue of a minister’s loyalty.
Fortunately, his answer resonated with Emperor Xingzhao, and thus he passed the test and received this assignment.
It was trust, an opportunity, and also a sword of Damocles hanging overhead.
Su Xiaoqi did not understand courtly intrigues.
However, she believed what Shen Yun had said.
After all, in her previous life, Shen Yun had not had such a good start, nor as many resources, yet he had still achieved what he did.
In this life, he would only do better.
The Old Madam also understood. She temporarily set aside her grief and anxiety and remarked with a sigh, “Is the old general Lian Po still capable of fighting?”
Emperor Xingzhao, though seemingly aged, was sharp as ever. He knew clearly who was loyal and who was treacherous; no one could escape his discerning eye.
The Old Madam cautioned Shen Yun to be extremely careful before the Emperor, never to be careless.
Emperor Xingzhao had been decisive in his actions since his youth, and this had not changed with age; instead, he had become even more volatile.
She also reminded Shen Yun of her and the Old Duke’s experiences, suggesting that Emperor Xingzhao’s quick assessment of him might imply a test.
“This matter will certainly not be for you alone. I wonder who your companion will be.”
Receiving the reminder, Shen Yun suddenly understood and slowly uttered, “It must be someone from the Censorate.”
With Shen Yun’s departure, the Old Madam felt somewhat relieved.
As her heart relaxed, she began to feel weak.
Su Xiaoqi quickly helped her to rest.
She followed Shen Yun back to their residence in Mao’er Hutong.
Thinking of Shen Yun’s impending departure, Su Xiaoqi felt a deep sense of reluctance.
She held Shen Yun’s hand and murmured, asking him when he would leave.
“Tomorrow.”
“Ah, that’s too soon! The day after tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. Can’t they even let us celebrate the festival?” Su Xiaoqi grumbled, clearly dissatisfied.
Shen Yun chuckled, “The festival or not is of little consequence. Your husband is merely worried about you.”
“I will miss you,” Su Xiaoqi said directly, tilting her head and looking into his eyes to voice her feelings.
“My dear wife… your husband will miss you dearly too.” Shen Yun’s heart churned, and he tightly embraced Su Xiaoqi.