A Shocking Dream

Chapter 160

Inside the imperial study, rays of sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, like golden threads, weaving through the air, motes of dust drifting leisurely through it, as if trying to weave the entire tranquility of the room into a web. As the courtiers filed out, their footsteps fading at the end of the long corridor, Qin Ronghuan dismissed the eunuchs and palace maids who served him. In the vast space, only he and Qin Rongchen remained, standing opposite each other. The atmosphere was momentarily heavy and oppressive, like the low-pressure clouds before a storm, filled with secrets and questions.

Qin Ronghuan was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe with a golden dragon on it, its fangs bared and claws dancing, as if it was about to fly into the sky, demonstrating his supreme majesty. But at this moment, his brows were tightly furrowed, and his eyes were dark. He paced in front of the desk, playing with a warm jade pendant in his hand. It was his usual action when he was thinking. The jade rubbed against his fingertips, making a slight muffled sound, which struck Qin Rongchen's heart again and again, making the silence in the room even more tense.

"Rongchen, you went to Linzhou with Ruoyu this time and experienced many hardships and matters. I know there must be some hidden secrets that have not been announced in the court." Qin Ronghuan finally stopped and looked up at Qin Rongchen. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, as if he wanted to penetrate his soul and reach the deeply buried truths. Although his voice was calm, it revealed unquestionable majesty, as if the power of the emperor had condensed into substance, pressing down heavily.

Qin Rongchen, clad in a moon-white robe, possessed a gentle, jade-like demeanor, like still waters running deep. He faced Qin Ronghuan's scrutiny with a calm, composed expression. A simple flick of his sleeves as he bowed revealed a touch of humility, like a gentle breeze. "Your Majesty is wise and wise. The affairs of Linzhou are indeed complex, bearing upon the stability of the court and the prosperity of the nation. I dare not conceal a single detail." He lowered his eyes, speaking in a gentle, measured tone, as if sorting through memories, slowly unravelling a past shrouded in blood, fire, and mystery.

Qin Ronghuan sat high atop a golden chair embroidered with coiled dragons, his dragon robe draped, its embroidered gold threads gleaming in the sunlight, casting a shadowy expression on his face. He gripped the armrests tightly, his knuckles white from the strain. His stern eyes, like a cold pond, stared intently at Qin Rongchen below, attempting to unearth the buried truth from his impassive expression. After a long pause, he finally broke his silence, his voice strained with the suspicion and inquiry of an emperor, as he tentatively asked, "Is it true that Lin Wunian has no connection to the Wunian Mechanic?"

Qin Rongchen's expression remained as gentle as ever, like a tranquil lake under the warm spring sun, unruffled. He bowed slightly, cupping his hands in a salutation, his manners full of confidence. He spoke clearly, "I have confirmed and thoroughly investigated Lin Wunian's background. There is no connection between the two. Here are Lin Wunian's details, Your Majesty. Please review them." With that, he solemnly pulled out a memorial from his bosom. The edges were slightly curled, the pages yellowed, but it contained a painstaking investigation that concerned the fate of the nation, a matter of life and death. He presented it to the emperor with both hands, his posture calm and composed, neither humble nor overbearing.

Qin Ronghuan raised his hand to signal the young eunuch beside him to take it, but his eyes never left Qin Rongchen's face, as if he wanted to see through him. After the memorial was placed on the desk, he slowly opened it, reading ten lines at a glance, his brows sometimes furrowed, sometimes relaxed. The only sound in the hall was the rustling of papers, which was subtle but like a heavy hammer, striking at the heartstrings of the two men.

The imperial study was so quiet that one could almost hear the subtle sound of sunlight filtering through the window lattices and gently falling on the golden brick floor. The only sound was the rustling of Qin Ronghuan's fingertips caressing the paper of the memorial, like a silkworm gnawing on a mulberry leaf, slow and heart-wrenching. The memorial detailed Lin Wunian's background, which was nothing short of ordinary.

Qin Rongchen stood aside, his hands hanging, his sleeves unmoved, his expression respectful and composed, like a bottomless yet calm ancient pool, quietly awaiting the emperor's judgment and inquiry. He knew that behind this seemingly flawless resume lay countless twists and turns, life-or-death games, and the treacherous nature of human nature. But at this moment, his mouth was as if hushed, waiting for the emperor to speak first.

Qin Ronghuan sat high atop the Coiled Dragon Throne, his robe caressed by the sunlight, its golden dragon pattern threatening to soar into the air in a display of might and majesty. Yet, his brows and eyes betrayed no joy, instead a solemn gloom. His eyes, surveying the world, were like lonely stars on a cold night, sharp and cold. Over and over, he scanned the text of the memorial, as if burning through the pages with his gaze, unearthing the hidden truth buried deep within. After a long pause, his fingertips paused, and with a snap, he closed the memorial. His movements were crisp and decisive, like a blade slicing through hemp, yet his expression remained almost deathly calm, making it impossible to discern the turbulent currents within.

"Rongchen," Qin Ronghuan spoke, his voice calm and low, neither hurried nor slow, but with the pressure unique to an emperor, like thick clouds pressing down on the border, "Is this Lin Wunian, is there really no doubt about his background?" He looked away from the memorial, as if lazy and casual, but locked onto Qin Rongchen's eyes accurately, as if he wanted to find a trace of panic, a trace of concealment in those deep pupils, to confirm the uneasiness that suddenly welled up in his heart.

Qin Rongchen stood with his hands clasped, his back straight, his posture like a pine tree, and responded neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Your Majesty, I have verified from many sources and there is no suspicion. The prince is also very clear about his origins." His voice was clear and echoed in this quiet space. Every word fell with a sound, as if to shatter the inexplicable suspicion lingering in the emperor's heart.

Qin Ronghuan tapped the armrests of the throne, again and again. The clatter was particularly piercing in the silence, like the drumbeats of a countdown, beating out a tense rhythm. For a long moment, until the air seemed thin and suffocating, he slowly opened his lips.

"Rongchen, I'm very pleased that the prince has your assistance in the Linzhou matter this time." Qin Ronghuan's voice was low and mellow, echoing in this silent space. At first, the relief in his words was like the warm spring sun, slightly dispelling the tense chill in the room, but in a flash, his tone became more complex and profound, "As for the matter of Lin Wunian, since she doesn't want to go to the capital to receive the reward, I will forgive her." His words showed the magnanimity and tolerance of the emperor, but also seemed to hide some unwillingness and hidden worries about unfinished matters. The doubts buried deep in his heart might just be put on hold temporarily, rather than completely disappearing.

Qin Rongchen hurriedly cupped his hands, bowed deeply, and replied sincerely: "Your Majesty is wise, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince cares about the people, is both wise and brave, and even in the dangerous situation of Linzhou, he is still the first to bravely take the lead. I am just doing my little bit to help Your Highness defend our country, which is indeed my duty. As for Miss Lin Wunian, she is physically and mentally exhausted after this battle. She has been developing the antidote and has suffered misunderstandings from the world. It is only natural for her to be afraid of this capital city and fame and fortune. Your Majesty has been so gracious in pardoning her sins. I thank Your Majesty on her behalf." After speaking, he bowed again, and the light rustling of his sleeves seemed to echo his gratitude.

"You are tired too. Go back and have a good rest." Qin Ronghuan's voice was low, with a hint of imperceptible concern. He raised his hand and waved it casually. The movement seemed to have a thousand pounds of force, dispelling some of the tense atmosphere in the room and signaling Qin Rongchen to leave.