The early morning was clear, with a gentle breeze carrying the warmth of early summer. The wind brushed past, lifting sleeves and wafting a faint fragrance.
Meng Tinghui walked slowly along the vermilion railings outside the palace walls, acutely aware of the peculiar glances from passersby on both sides.
She pressed her lips together, her eyes darkening then brightening.
Though she didn’t know the Crown Prince’s true intentions, his deliberate bestowal of such favor clearly anticipated the ensuing criticism she would face in the court.
Was it meant to deliberately embarrass her?
She took a deep breath and lifted her gaze toward the distant palace walls, only to spot a woman in a green dress standing by the crimson wall of the Secretariat, smiling at her from afar.
Before she could get a closer look, the woman had already approached with a smile, raising her sleeve slightly in a salute. "Lord Meng."
Recognizing her face, Meng Tinghui’s expression suddenly turned uneasy. After a long pause, she nodded. "Did Lord Shen wait here especially for me?"
Shen Zhili replied cheerfully, "Indeed." With that, she turned and walked alongside Meng Tinghui toward the Imperial Academy outside the northern corridor of the palace.
But Meng Tinghui halted. "If Lord Shen has something to discuss, why not speak plainly?"
Shen Zhili, noticing her guarded expression and unsure of her thoughts, found it slightly odd. She simply said, "Recently, criticism of Lord Meng has been rampant throughout the court, especially in the Imperial Academy. Since this is your first day there, I happened to be passing by and thought I’d accompany you. What do you think?"
Meng Tinghui was taken aback, then lowered her head with a faint smile. "I misunderstood. Thank you for your kindness, Lord Shen."
Initially, seeing Shen Zhili waiting for her, she had assumed it was due to the widespread rumors—that Shen Zhili had come to hold her accountable. Everyone in the capital said Shen Zhili was the undeniable choice for Crown Princess. Given her long-standing relationship with the Crown Prince, how could she not resent Meng Tinghui for tarnishing his reputation before any marriage decree was issued?
Yet, it seemed she had overthought.
Shen Zhili glanced at her a few times, then lowered her lashes. "What did Lord Meng think my purpose was?"
Meng Tinghui was straightforward. "Given the court’s criticism, don’t you resent me?"
Shen Zhili smiled faintly. "Lord Meng is truly direct, to ask such a thing outright." After a long pause, she added, "Why should I resent you?"
Meng Tinghui looked down. "Do you not desire the position of Crown Princess?"
Shen Zhili’s eyes flickered. "If I didn’t, do you think you’d have a chance?"
Meng Tinghui gazed at the endless palace bricks beneath her feet, carved with dragons, phoenixes, and swirling clouds in somber gray, stretching all the way into the Forbidden Palace.
After a long while, she suddenly laughed softly but said nothing.
Seeing her laugh, Shen Zhili couldn’t help but smile as well. "When has our Crown Prince ever focused on matters of the heart? They say the Emperor will abdicate once the Crown Prince is wed, but who doesn’t know what kind of person the Crown Prince is? If he doesn’t wish to marry, who can force him? And the Emperor’s abdication was likely decided long ago…"
Meng Tinghui turned her gaze into the distance. "Why are you telling me these palace secrets, Lord Shen?"
"Secrets?" Shen Zhili’s eyes shifted, her expression changing slightly as she smiled. "Speaking of secrets, I recently had the fortune to read about Lord Meng’s childhood."
Meng Tinghui replied, "I had no parents from a young age. There’s nothing particularly noteworthy about my past.""Why must Lord Meng belittle yourself so?" Shen Zhili continued, "His Highness is fully aware of all those childhood matters of yours."
The pointed remark sent a tremor through her heart.
Did this mean he already knew she was that child from back then?
She couldn't help recalling that day in the Hall of Preserved Harmony, when he gripped her chin and examined her expression—his piercing gaze seeming to see straight through to her bones. He must have known even then.
Frowning slightly, she suddenly seemed to comprehend something, then froze in renewed realization.
When he had bestowed that exceptional honor upon her, it was clearly out of compassion for her years of misfortune, intending to ensure this woman without family or influence wouldn't be bullied in the Imperial Academy. Yet she had mistaken it for sarcasm about her ambition for fame, retorting that he was no sovereign and she no subject—allowing rebellious impulses to lead her to disrespect him... Now the honor remained, but its meaning had fundamentally changed.
Her heart suddenly sank with regret over how momentary impulsiveness had destroyed his well-intentioned gesture.
In the distance, palace watchtowers displayed carved beams and painted pillars, with towering eaves and layered brackets. Glazed tile roofs of various halls and courtyards glittered brilliantly, vermilion railings and colorful balustrades appearing everywhere.
After winding past two L-shaped corner towers, the Imperial Academy came into view ahead.
Shen Zhili led her forward, adding, "The old ministers at the Imperial Academy pride themselves on upright character and pure scholarship, yet little do they know their learning is wasted on indulging in public criticism. Today I accompany you into the Academy—no one would dare trouble you. As long as you avoid misspeaking ordinarily, no matter how much they disapprove of you inwardly, they'll find no grounds for reproach."
Moved by gratitude, Meng Tinghui responded, "I've yet to thank Lord Shen for submitting my petition before the Ministry of Rites examination, and now you treat me with such kindness. How could I ever repay you?"
Shen Zhili merely smiled without answering. Only when they reached the Academy's steps did she murmur softly, "I should be thanking you. Had you not stirred up this controversy, those old ministers' memorials petitioning for me to become Crown Princess would likely have been submitted long ago."
Meng Tinghui suddenly turned to look at her: "So that means..."
Pressing her lips together, Shen Zhili pushed her toward the Academy's pavilion without letting her finish, the two entering in sequence.
Someone immediately rose to greet them inside. Recognizing Shen Zhili, they smiled, "What brings Lord Shen here today..." but their expression stiffened upon spotting Meng Tinghui.
Meng Tinghui recognized the man—he had presented examination questions at the yellow table outside the hall during the palace exam, likely a Compiler. She slightly bowed her head in salute.
A purple-robed official emerged from the western reception hall, raising his eyebrows at Shen Zhili. "What brings Leyan here?"
Shen Zhili smiled. "Perfect timing for Minister Liu to be in the Academy today. Lord Meng and I are old acquaintances—we happened to meet under the northern corridor of the palace walls. Knowing she was joining the Academy today, I came along to pay respects to Minister Liu."
Meng Tinghui followed with a bow, addressing, "Academician Liu." Recognizing him as Liu Ren, the Imperial Academician who had accompanied the Crown Prince's desk during the palace exam, she kept her eyes lowered and remained silent.
Liu Ren didn't return her salute, merely smiling at Shen Zhili. "Grand Tutor Shen promised to inscribe a poem for my new painting last time, but I've yet to catch him with a free moment.""I'll go back and urge my father—how could he forget to write a poem for Minister Liu?" Shen Zhili's face was all smiles as she casually glanced around. "Chief Compiler Fang isn't here today? I was hoping to recommend Lady Meng to the Compilation and Review Office to study under him for a while."
Liu Ren's expression tightened, and he immediately refused: "The positions of Compilers and editors for compiling the history of the previous dynasty are already filled, and there are no vacancies in the offices of Edict Attendants or Archivists either. Lady Meng is exceptionally talented, but I'm currently unsure where to place her in the Imperial Academy. I'll discuss it with the Academicians in a few days and then inform Lady Meng."
Meng Tinghui smiled. "I'll follow Minister Liu's arrangements. For now, I can help the Academicians, Drafters, and Compilers organize documents in the Academy."
Liu Ren had initially assumed she would be arrogant, especially given the rampant rumors about her and the Crown Prince, and expected her to be difficult. To his surprise, she was so humble and deferential that he couldn't say much more. He merely frowned and led her inside to pay respects to the Grand Academicians and Academician Drafters of the Imperial Academy.
Unexpectedly, Shen Zhili wouldn't let it go. Before they could turn away, she laughed and called out, "Since there are no openings for Edict Attendants, Archivists, or compilers, perhaps Lady Meng could try the position of Crown Prince's Attendant?" Without waiting for Liu Ren's reaction, she quickly added, "The Crown Prince's duties have been increasing lately. The Secretariat and Chancellery submit numerous memorials daily, most of which he reviews on the Emperor's behalf. He often lacks someone to draft edicts for him at night."
"This... this..." Liu Ren looked even more astonished, clearly baffled that Shen Zhili would willingly send Meng Tinghui to the Eastern Palace. He was rendered speechless.
Many eavesdroppers nearby were so shocked their jaws nearly dropped—everyone knew Shen Zhili and the Crown Prince had grown up together and that she was the undisputed candidate for Crown Princess. Instead of being angered by the rumors about Meng Tinghui and the Crown Prince, she was practically handing Meng Tinghui over to him? Was she mad?
Shen Zhili had already taken Meng Tinghui's arm and was leading her out. She turned back with a bright-eyed smile. "If you don't object, Minister Liu, I'll take Lady Meng to the Eastern Palace on the way."
Liu Ren, recovering from his shock, couldn't think of a reason to refuse. He turned to fetch a red-character wooden pass for entering the Imperial Academy's Right Side Gate and handed it to Meng Tinghui. "Since you're going to the Eastern Palace, be meticulous with your writing. Don't tarnish the Imperial Academy's reputation for scholarly excellence!"
Meng Tinghui, still dazed, numbly accepted the pass and followed Shen Zhili out.
Outside, the sunlight was brilliant. Tall trees with broad, fan-like leaves swayed gently against an azure sky. Emerald foliage, colorful glazed tiles, vermilion gates with golden nails—the closer they walked, the more surreal it felt.
Finally snapping out of her stupor, she turned to Shen Zhili. "Why didn't you mention this before we entered the Imperial Academy...?"
Shen Zhili blinked. "I thought of it on the spot. I didn't expect Liu Ren to be so inflexible, but since he was, he can't blame me for seizing the opportunity!"
Meng Tinghui frowned. "This is only a temporary solution. I can't stay in the Eastern Palace forever—I'll have to return to the Imperial Academy eventually."
"Once you see the Crown Prince," Shen Zhili said with a sly grin, "just tell him the old officials at the Imperial Academy refuse to work with women. Let him intervene and secure you a idle position compiling histories there."The light in Meng Tinghui's eyes suddenly dimmed. "The Crown Prince is more likely to be angry with me than to stand up for me."
Shen Zhili raised an eyebrow, smiling without another word.
·
After passing through the Right Lateral Gate stood the Tianzhang Pavilion. Heading eastward, one could see the Privy Council, the Hall of Governance, and the two departments of Zhongshu and Menxia. Crossing the broad corridor beside the Wende Hall and proceeding north for two hundred steps led to the Donghua Gate, within which lay the Crown Prince's Palace.
Meng Tinghui followed Shen Zhili all the way to the front of the Crown Prince's Palace, her heart pounding fiercely.
In the distance, palace watchtowers and eaves stretched magnificently toward the sky, while beneath her feet, green brick steps were adorned with intricate patterns. The mere thought of the person inside the hall made her fingertips tremble uncontrollably.
Shen Zhili presented her Imperial Academy pass for her. The guards, who recognized Shen Zhili, accepted the pass and said with a smile, "His Highness has not returned since leaving court this morning to attend to affairs at the Hall of Governance. We heard that after leaving the hall, he went to the training grounds to watch the Imperial Guards' archery and riding. It's uncertain when he will be back. Would Master Meng care to wait here?"
Meng Tinghui merely thanked them, saying she dared not disturb outside the Eastern Palace, and would return later. She retrieved her pass and walked back with Shen Zhili along the same path.
She couldn't help feeling disappointed.
It was as if a tightly drawn string had been abruptly cut without warning, rendering all her hopes futile.
Shen Zhili crossed her arms, squinting at the sunlight, and remarked, "What fine weather." Then she turned to Meng Tinghui and said, "I slipped away from the Bureau of Military Affairs and need to return soon. Do you remember the way out of the Great Within?"
Meng Tinghui nodded and hurriedly replied, "Lord Shen, please attend to your duties. There's no need to worry about me."
Only after watching Shen Zhili exit the Donghua Gate did she lower her head to glance at the wooden pass in her hand, her lips curling slightly.
The court and official circles were far more challenging than she had imagined.
From the western cross-street came the crisp sound of hooves striking brick, carried clearly by the wind, one after another.
Who would dare ride horseback without dismounting in the Forbidden Palace...?
The question had just formed in her mind when she suddenly realized—within the Donghua Gate, before the Eastern Palace, of course he need not dismount!
As the thought crossed her mind, she saw a horse's long mane flowing against the wind as a man rode slowly forward.
He wore light armor, carried a long bow on his back, and a full quiver of white-feathered arrows hung at his left shoulder. Head bowed as he held the reins, the sun glinted off the faintly tanned, sweat-dampened skin of his wrists.
She stood motionless before the Donghua Gate, watching him approach step by step. Sweat seeped into her palms. Finally, she took a few steps forward and opened her mouth to speak—
But before she could utter a word, he looked up and caught sight of her in her crimson official robes. Leaning noticeably forward in his saddle, he flicked his whip and asked, "What are you doing here?"
His voice was clear and cold, tinged with hoarseness, as if he were tired.
She remained silent, simply gazing at him.
His brow slanted upward, and noticing the pass in her hand, his expression showed slight understanding. Yet he said nothing, merely dismounting with a swift, practiced motion.
The guards at the palace entrance hurried over to take his horse, removing his long bow and quiver, respectfully addressing him, "Your Highness."
He strode up the steps and entered the hall.
She followed him inside.
The hall doors were shut firmly from outside, plunging the room into sudden darkness.
He spoke: "Have you come to serve as Crown Prince's Attendant?"
She neither confirmed nor denied it, gently placing the pass in her hand on the high table by the entrance and performing a bow. "Your Highness."His eyes seemed to blaze with fire, yet his expression remained composed, as if he had no intention of questioning why she had been assigned this task. He merely took a few steps inward, paused, and raised his hand to remove the light armor from his body.
The shoulder guards fell, the knee guards fell, the chest plate fell...
She stood behind him, watching him slowly undress. Though she knew he had just returned from observing mounted archery at the training grounds, she hadn’t expected him to do such a thing in front of her.
Beneath the armor, he wore only a thin robe, its back already soaked with sweat.
She could clearly see the outline of the muscles on his back, and her cheeks suddenly grew warm. Just as she was about to turn away, he turned around, loosening the sash at his waist while looking at her.
The dark blue, wide sash slipped down, and the brocade robe fell open, revealing his bare, solid, and well-defined chest.
She couldn’t tear her eyes away, yet she had to speak: "Your Highness, why not return to the inner hall before…"
But he strode toward her, his gaze cool as he interrupted, "That day in the Hall of Preserved Harmony, you showed no fear. Why are you as timid as a mouse today? Since you dared to come as the Crown Prince’s Attendant, you should have expected such things."
She stood so close to him that she could clearly see the beads of sweat on his neck and chest. Her ears were burning red, though her face remained impassive. Knowing he meant to mock her for her audacity that day, she took a step forward and said softly, "This subject is not afraid. If Your Highness wishes this subject to undress you, I dare not disobey."
With that, she raised her hand and touched his chest, gently pulling the brocade robe open on both sides.
He stiffened slightly, narrowing his eyes as he studied her. Seeing her delicate neck slightly bent, as if earnestly attending to undressing him, a trace of suspicion flickered in his eyes.
She had ulterior motives toward him—otherwise, she wouldn’t have found a way to be sent to the Eastern Palace as the Crown Prince’s Attendant on her very first day in the Hanlin Academy. But today’s demure and proper demeanor was a far cry from that day.
Her expression unchanged, she removed his robe. As her right hand gathered the garment, it slid downward, seemingly unintentionally brushing past three inches below his waist.
He shuddered violently, the ice in his eyes instantly melting into flames—
This woman!
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