Several people were startled by the voice. One swiftly turned his head and, upon seeing the figure at the door, became so flustered he could barely hold his brush steady.
"Your Highness."
They straightened their postures, bowed their heads, and adjusted their sleeves in unison.
Meng Tinghui continued organizing her belongings without pause, only lifting her gaze slowly to observe him. Her eyes lingered for a moment on his face—which hadn't shown a smile since she entered court service—before she asked, "What matter brings Your Highness to seek this official?"
Earlier, she and the others had been so engrossed in discussing affairs of the Inner Capital Hall that they hadn't noticed his arrival, nor could they tell how long he had been standing there or how much of their conversation he had overheard.
Watching their terrified expressions at the sight of him, she suddenly felt like laughing.
Having served long in the Imperial Academy, none in that "prestigious institution" would fear important court officials or noble ministers. Even that night when he had stormed in furiously to demand answers, not a single academy official had shown fear on the spot.
She hadn't expected that within the domains of the Chancellery and Secretariat, his authority seemed magnified severalfold. Just observing these officials' demeanor allowed her to imagine how he typically governed and conducted affairs within the two departments' halls.
Her own unperturbed demeanor, however, made the nearby officials stare in surprise.
Ying Gua merely watched her calmly, his voice still cool: "Accompany me to the Inner Capital Hall. You may leave at sunset." Having said this, he turned and walked beyond their line of sight.
She lowered her gaze, her hands involuntarily stilling.
She never thought that on her first day at the Chancellery she would be summoned to await orders at the Inner Capital Hall. Though aware that the position of Admonishing Remonstrator of the Left was humble yet carried significant voice, this sudden favor left her struggling to adapt immediately.
Moreover, if it were merely about summoning her to the Inner Capital Hall, any Yellow-robed Attendant could have delivered the message. Why did he need to come personally?
Despite her doubts, she dared not delay. She casually arranged her belongings, straightened her official robes, and prepared to leave. But upon looking up, she found the nearby officials silently watching her.
Their gazes held three parts astonishment, three parts disbelief, three parts envy, with a faint remaining trace of respect.
She curved her lips, returning their silent gaze before striding out quickly.
Recommended by two Grand Academicians of the Imperial Academy and granted special favor by the Crown Prince, her assumption of triple duties within the Chancellery had likely found no willing acceptance. Yet for him to condescend to personally summon her to the Inner Capital Hall—what immense honor and trust this demonstrated! After witnessing this, probably no one in the remonstrance bureau would dare disrespect her.
Under the corridor eaves, colored light glinted off glazed tiles, casting a faint glow upon his shoulders. Standing beneath the rafters, he resembled a singular pine at the cliff's edge—so erect and austere one could hardly look directly at him.
Knowing he waited for her, she approached quietly with hands hanging respectfully.
Suddenly, small waves of emotion surged in her chest, making her tremble faintly with slightly quickened breath.
She wanted to ask why he had come personally.
Yet somehow, the words stuck in her throat.
Seeing her approach, he spoke little, simply leading her westward.
Along the way, corridor pillars stood at intervals, delicate snow reflecting vermilion hues. Occasional birds flapped wings with rustling sounds that only emphasized the silence between them.
She finally spoke, "From where did Your Highness come?"
Earlier, while chatting with those officials, she hadn't heard of his presence in the Inner Capital Hall. Likely he hadn't been present when Prince Ping vented his anger at the senior ministers, but she wondered if he had heard about it by now.
He replied, "The Privy Council."Concise and to the point, his steps never faltering, his tone as cool and detached as ever.
She responded softly, unable to discern whether he was truly angry. Even commoners would likely be annoyed upon overhearing others discussing their wedding behind their backs, let alone him—the Crown Prince standing above all but one. How could he genuinely remain unruffled?
Yet his current demeanor suggested that the matters discussed earlier had nothing to do with him.
She ventured further, "This subject only received the transfer order today. Barely settled in the Chancellery, I was summoned by Your Highness to attend at the Inner Capital Hall. Was this not somewhat ill-considered of Your Highness…"
He slowed his pace, coming to a halt. Tilting his head slightly, his gaze pierced deep into her eyes. "Is there anything Meng Tinghui actually fears?"
His tone was flat, yet it sent a chill down her spine.
Only then did she realize he had heard everything—her words had indeed provoked his anger.
She lowered her head. "This subject presumptuously discussed Prince Ping and Your Highness. I am guilty…"
He cut her off. "You are not guilty." Then he continued walking.
She wisely fell silent but grew increasingly perplexed by his shifting attitude. Deciding to be direct, she said, "The entire court is in an uproar over the matter of the Crown Princess, yet no one has heard Your Highness’s own intentions… Would Your Highness be willing to marry the Northern Frontier princess as your consort?"
He walked on in silence, his gaze fixed on the distant palace walls.
After a moment’s thought, she recalled his mention of having just come from the Privy Council. A realization dawned on her, and she sighed softly. "This subject’s question was superfluous. With Your Highness’s grand ambitions, how could a mere Northern Frontier princess stand in the way of your great cause?"
He abruptly retorted, "You are insolent."
She fell silent.
It was insolent, but when had she ever not been? He knew well her boldness and audacity, yet he tolerated her repeatedly, even bestowing favor and affection upon her. For what reason?
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Only when they reached the broad brick corridor north of the Inner Capital Hall did she speak again. "In truth, for Your Highness, as long as it is not a daughter of the Northern Frontier royal house, it matters little who is appointed Crown Princess, does it not?"
He, half a step ahead of her, stiffened abruptly at her words but neither turned nor replied, striding directly through the doors of the Inner Capital Hall.
Inside, the hall was a blaze of purple robes and golden insignias. High desks were strewn with snow-white papers, vermilion ink, and chaotic documents. The air buzzed with noisy debates—a scene of unresolved turmoil.
She followed him inside but felt like air; not a soul in the room seemed to notice her, all eyes riveted on him.
He took his seat at the desk, leaning back slightly as his gaze swept over the officials on duty that day. Casually, he opened a dossier lying on the desk.
A stir came from the eastern corner. Soon, Gu Qin approached with a memorial and presented it. "Your Highness."
He took it, glanced through it, and looked at the men behind Gu Qin, sitting in silence.
Gu Qin said, "This is our joint memorial petitioning to reject the Northern Frontier envoy’s request. If Your Highness has no objections, we implore you to seal it promptly."
Ying Gua tossed the memorial back onto the desk. "This morning, I heard that Minister Gu led a group of senior officials to persuade His Majesty at Jingde Hall to accept the Northern Frontier’s request. Why the change now?"
Gu Qin bowed his head. "After repeated discussions with several privy councilors, we believe…"
Ying Gua cut him off bluntly. "It is because my father has been here."
The faces of the senior officials shifted, but none voiced an objection.He continued, "If I were to say that I intend to agree to the Northern Frontier envoy's request, what would you all do then?"
Everyone in the room froze in unison upon hearing this.
Standing in the corner, she felt her eardrums tremble, hardly able to believe her ears.
Gu Qin’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant, and he hesitated for a long moment before saying, "I beg Your Highness to reconsider."
His face immediately darkened. "Has my father’s lingering authority not diminished over the years? Does Chancellor Gu still fear his words?"
Gu Qin stood silently, offering no reply.
She, being astute, could tell from the situation what angered him—he had presided over the Hall of State Affairs for over a decade, yet when it came to critical matters, these old ministers of the Eastern Faction still saw only Prince Ping in their eyes, not him, the Crown Prince.
Moreover, recalling the earlier incident in Qing Province, if it weren’t for the stubborn protection of these Eastern Faction elders, how could Wang Qi have escaped dismissal and investigation?
Someone stepped forward and said, "We have discussed it and propose seeking an imperial decree to appoint Grand Tutor Shen’s daughter, Shen Zhili, as the Crown Princess. This would also serve as a way to decline the Northern Frontier envoy’s request..."
Ying Gua cast a cold glance over, remaining silent for a long while before suddenly raising his hand and hurling the Prime Minister's Seal from the desk. His fury erupted sharply: "Today, I will let you know that Prince Ping is not the only one who dares to smash seals and tokens before your eyes."
The square seal lay half-turned at their feet.
Purple sleeves brushed against golden clasps, a dark and indistinguishable mass, with no telling whose expression was darker or more unpleasant.
Silence fell upon the assembly.
...
In those years, the world was divided into five parts. To the east was Emperor Xi, to the west was King Huan. Though lifelong enemies, they joined hands amid the smoke of war and flames of conflict across the five states, charging across the land with spears and steeds, staining mountains and rivers with blood. They pacified Nanhu, destroyed Zhongwan, and subdued the Northern Frontier, splitting the four states’ territories and establishing two rival dynasties. Yet, in the end, a lifetime of achievements and sacrifices could not compare to the depth of their intertwined hearts. Who yielded whose empire? Who seized whose realm? And who can truly say?
Consider Prince Ping, a formidable ruler in his own right, dominating his domain and looking down upon thousands. Knowing his grave injuries were beyond cure, he ceded his family’s empire to the love of his life. He lost his imperial title and his realm, yet he gained her and the flourishing prosperity of the Great Peace Dynasty.
Though titled Prince Ping, ever since the fourth year of Qiande, when the ministers petitioned to honor him with the title "Divinely Martial Prince Ping Who Assists the State," who in the court did not know that the Emperor was willing to entrust the entire empire to Prince Ping?
And these old ministers of the Eastern Faction, who had followed Prince Ping through half a lifetime of warfare and governance, even after twenty-five years under a changed dynasty, still regarded only Prince Ping as their sovereign.
It was true that the Crown Prince was Prince Ping’s only son, but since childhood, the Crown Prince had been closer to the Emperor’s trusted veteran ministers—Shen Wuchen, who had once secretly advised the Emperor to execute Prince Ping to eliminate future troubles, had long taught the Crown Prince to understand the people and governance; Fang Kai, Chief of the Privy Council, who had accompanied the Emperor on his campaigns, instructed the Crown Prince on military affairs. And since the Crown Prince began participating in court politics at the age of fourteen, his political views had often clashed with those of the Eastern Faction elders loyal to Prince Ping. Though it had not yet escalated into open court debates, Chancellor Gu Qin and the other veteran ministers were well aware of it.
Currently, court authority was divided between east and west—Gu Qin served as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and the current Prime Minister, while Fang Kai held the position of Chief of the Privy Council, wielding sole authority over military affairs. The remaining administrative ministers and heads of the Three Departments and Six Ministries were also evenly split between the two factions. However, if the Emperor were to abdicate and the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne and take power, no one knew how the standoff between the eastern and western veteran ministers would unfold.
The veteran ministers understood this, the newly rising officials understood it, and the Emperor and Prince Ping understood it even more clearly.Yet the Emperor remained silent, Prince Ping did not broach the subject, and the senior ministers engaged in covert factional struggles. This thin layer of window paper had never been pierced.
But who could have imagined that today, right here in the Inner Capital Hall, in front of the senior ministers from both sides, the Crown Prince would personally tear and crush that layer of paper, openly venting his anger at Gu Qin and the others.
...
In the profound silence, someone coughed lightly.
The senior ministers turned their heads, their gazes converging on a slender figure in the corner. Their expressions shifted slightly, as if only now realizing a female official stood in the room.
Ying Gua also glanced over.
He saw Meng Tinghui gather her sleeves and take a few steps forward, carefully weaving through several senior ministers in purple robes until she reached his desk. She bent down, picked up the Prime Minister's Seal, cradled it in her hands, wiped it with her official robe sleeve, and then gently placed it back on the desk.
She looked up, a smile curling at the corners of her mouth, her eyes brimming with mirth as she gazed at the staring crowd and said softly, "This humble official, Meng Tinghui, is attending the Inner Capital Hall for the first time today. If any of the esteemed ministers have matters to attend to, please feel free to command this humble official."
Gu Qin raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing her from head to toe.
This name was not unfamiliar, but the woman herself was being seen for the first time.
A fleeting memory surfaced—a spring day a year ago, in the flower hall of the Gu residence, Shen Zhili speaking to him in a low, gentle tone.
When she was appointed as the top candidate in the Ministry of Rites examination, he hadn't given much thought to what Meng Tinghui actually looked like. Even when he heard that Imperial Academicians Fang Huai and Zhang Ren had jointly recommended her for the position of Left Remonstrating Official of the Chancellery, he hadn't taken the time to ponder what exceptional qualities she might possess.
But now, in this moment, he began to sense that this female official was somewhat different.
Not to mention female officials in the court, even ordinary officials accustomed to dealing with ministers and administrators might not remain as composed as she did in such a tense and confrontational situation.
Moreover, this was her first time here, her first encounter with so many high-ranking officials.
Yet her simple words instantly dissipated the previously unbearable tension. Even the Crown Prince, seated high above, relaxed his expression slightly after witnessing her actions.
Gu Qin withdrew his gaze and seized the opportunity to step forward, saying, "We would never dare to disrespect Your Highness, but the matter of appointing a Crown Princess is not solely Your Highness's personal affair—it is a matter of national importance. Thus, we earnestly implore Your Highness to reconsider..."
Ying Gua's gaze grew stern, his lips pressed tightly together, as if his anger was flaring up again.
"Esteemed Minister," Meng Tinghui's voice cut through his cold stare, "this humble official has something to say, and I hope the esteemed minister will grant me permission."
Gu Qin looked up, meeting her clear and unclouded eyes, and involuntarily replied, "What is it?"
She curved her lips into another smile. "This humble official has not been in court for long and cannot compare to the esteemed ministers who have close ties with the Emperor and Prince Ping. Yet even so, I have heard that before the Emperor personally took over governance, he did not marry, and Prince Ping did not appoint an empress until several years after ascending the throne and assuming power."
Gu Qin's expression shifted slightly, but he did not interrupt her, so she continued, "Thus, this humble official wonders, why must the Crown Prince marry before ascending the throne? Why not follow the examples of the Emperor and Prince Ping, first inheriting the state and its responsibilities, and then marrying and appointing an empress? This would also make it much simpler to reject the Northern Frontier envoy's request—simply state that the Crown Prince wishes to emulate the Emperor and has no intention of appointing a consort at this time. Moreover, it would align with Prince Ping's wishes."After these words were spoken, everyone in the room exchanged glances, finding themselves at a loss for words.
Gu Qin was momentarily speechless. He hadn’t expected someone of her low rank to be so bold as to speak such words here. Leaving aside other considerations, her repeated references to the Crown Prince’s ascension alone could be deemed audacious and rebellious. Yet, seeing no displeasure on the Crown Prince’s face, he was unsure whether to reprimand her or let her continue.
The matters she spoke of were not unheard of, but the Emperor had only the Crown Prince as his heir. Who in the court did not hope for the Crown Prince to take many consorts and produce numerous imperial descendants?
Thus, even if some had entertained such thoughts, none dared to voice them publicly, fearing accusations of ulterior motives and uncertain of the Crown Prince’s stance, lest their words be deemed too rebellious and incur his direct punishment.
Yet she had spoken without the slightest hesitation!
She turned and added softly, "What does Your Highness think?"
All eyes shifted in unison to the cold, elevated seat, awaiting a response in silence.
Ying Gua gazed at her but did not utter a single word for a long while.
She lowered her eyelids slightly and added, "This subject forgot to mention earlier that, although a Crown Princess need not be appointed, Your Highness could take several consorts into the Eastern Palace. After all, the entire court hopes for Your Highness to have many heirs."
Gu Qin’s heart skipped a beat, astonished that she could articulate her point so thoroughly, leaving no room for criticism.
Ying Gua continued to watch her, but his gaze grew stern. After a long pause, he turned to Gu Qin and the others, saying, "The Emperor intends to issue an edict of abdication on the twenty-sixth day of the eighth month. Before then, the court need not discuss the matter of appointing a Crown Princess any further."
She narrowed her eyes, the corners of her mouth drooping slightly.
He had clearly come from the Forbidden Palace after hearing the Emperor’s intentions. Yet the veteran ministers had not yet learned of the fixed date for the abdication, likely because the Emperor had only discussed it with Prince Ping after his return to the Forbidden Palace.
If that were the case, why had he been so angry earlier? Why had he thrown the imperial seal and openly clashed with these veteran ministers of the Eastern Palace?
She found it increasingly difficult to understand him.
Nevertheless, the twenty-sixth day of the eighth month was his birthday.
There were still six months left...
He would soon become the Emperor of the Great Ping Dynasty.
Upon hearing that the Emperor had forbidden further discussion of appointing a consort, no one dared to say more.
Although they had known the Emperor’s abdication was inevitable, the sudden news that the Crown Prince would ascend the throne in just six months left them feeling caught off guard.
After a long silence, Gu Qin finally spoke, "In that case, how does Your Highness propose we appropriately decline the Northern Frontier envoy’s request?"
Ying Gua replied, "Follow what she suggested earlier."
Gu Qin glanced at her again, his gaze meaningful, but he said nothing and merely acquiesced.
Someone stepped forward to retrieve the previously submitted petition, while the others dispersed, returning to their duties. Soon, low murmurs of discussion could be heard again.
From his elevated seat, he suddenly called out, "Meng Tinghui."
She looked up.
He tapped the edge of the table and said, "On the night the Ministry of Rites graded the examinations, Chancellor Gu personally recommended you to me. Your achievement of placing first in three successive examinations should be credited to Chancellor Gu, who selected you as the top candidate in the metropolitan examination."
Her mind raced, unable to ponder deeply, but her body instinctively turned as she bowed and said, "I thank Chancellor Gu for his kindness that day. As a junior official now serving in the Chancellery, I hope Chancellor Gu will continue to guide and support me in the future."
Gu Qin’s expression remained stern. "I dare not claim such credit. You are His Highness’s close aide. Now that you serve in the Chancellery, you must be even more cautious in your words and actions, lest you tarnish His Highness’s reputation."
His Highness’s close aide?
Frowning, she looked directly toward the elevated seat.In the nearly one year since she entered the court, she had seen him like this fewer than ten times in total. When had the title "His Highness's close minister" been pinned on her?
She herself had never heard of it.
Ying Gua added, "Chancellor Gu is unaware that yesterday's incident of the Imperial Academy mis-copying the draft edict was her doing." His tone carried a hint of mockery.
A sharp clang echoed in her skull, as if struck by metal, and she instantly understood his true intentions in bringing her to the Chancellery today.
He likely still refused to believe what she had written in that memorial pleading guilt.
Whether the edict drafted by the Imperial Academy was under Gu Qin's direction or not—he would never let such ambiguity pass unquestioned.
His distrust, however, instead put her at ease.
Had he not witnessed enough factional strife and mutual slander in the court? If he had trusted her so easily, she might have felt a twinge of disappointment.
He was testing her, and also testing Gu Qin.
Surprisingly, she slowly breathed a sigh of relief. Being mocked by him like this was still preferable to being silently interrogated by his cold, sword-like gaze on a snowy, freezing night.
Gu Qin clearly hadn't expected his words to shift so abruptly. His gaze flickered, and he murmured, "...This morning at court, I already heard about it from Academicians Fang and Zhang."
Ying Gua nodded, his expression slightly darkening. "I forgot. Meng Tinghui's transfer to the Chancellery was recommended to Chancellor Gu by those two Academicians this morning. I hadn't realized the self-proclaimed upright Academician Drafters of the Imperial Academy held Chancellor Gu in such high esteem."
He spoke lightly, but Gu Qin's face immediately changed.
She stood silently to the side as Gu Qin swept his robes, preparing to kneel, saying, "Your Highness, these words intend to place me under..."
He raised an eyebrow, stopping Gu Qin. "What is the Chancellor doing?" Then, shifting the topic again, he stated bluntly, "There is another matter. I propose having Cao Zixiong fill the vacancy of Qing Province's Vice Commissioner. What is the Secretariat's opinion?"
Gu Qin bowed his head. "As Your Highness decides, we have no objections."
Ying Gua studied Gu Qin for a long moment before nodding, then turned to Meng Tinghui. "You may go."
Outside, the evening glow blazed red, just as the sun was setting.
She bowed and withdrew. Only when she reached the outdoors did she realize her hands, hidden in her sleeves, were slick with sweat.
Though merely a few calm words, the unspoken implications within them were enough to instill fear in any listener. How could Gu Qin, with his lifetime of court experience, fail to understand?
The wind grew cooler after sunset, whipping the front panels of her official robe open, revealing the heavy underskirt beneath, rustling against the snowy ground.
When preoccupied, she walked swiftly, still pondering his words in the Inner Capital Hall—imperial consort appointments, ascension to the throne, draft edicts, Qing Province... His remarks were sharp and decisive, always shifting to another topic before she could fully grasp the last. Only now did she realize how green she was in this hall of weighty governance.
Turning a corner, she suddenly collided with someone, stumbling against a corridor pillar, her shoulder throbbing from the impact.
She looked up. Half a step ahead stood a man, roughly in his thirties, his face full of apology as he repeatedly said, "My apologies, my apologies..."
Her gaze drifted downward—vermilion robe, brown boots, Gold Fish Pouch, twelve-hole jade belt plaque... then back up, meeting a pair of slender, yet intensely bright eyes fixed on her.
The man stepped back, cupping his hands in salute. "You must be the newly transferred Minister Meng from the Imperial Academy."Meng Tinghui straightened up and stood firm. "Dare I ask if you are the Secretariat Drafter, Lord Liao Congkuan?"
The man smiled. "Indeed. Lord Meng is truly astute."
She brushed aside her hair and lowered her gaze, saying, "I did not see you today in the Chancellery, so I presumed you were from the Secretariat. Though the Secretariat has many officials, only Lord Liao is the one below the third rank yet permitted to wear the Gold Fish Pouch."
Liao Congkuan stepped aside to make way but then turned to walk alongside her back the way she had come, still smiling. "I have long heard of your talent, Lady Meng, but I never expected to encounter you like this today."
His steps were steady, and he walked close to her, the wide sleeves of his robe brushing against the back of her hand as he moved his arms.
She subtly shifted away, keeping her head lowered to watch her steps. "Where is Lord Liao headed? The Crown Prince is in the Inner Capital Hall. Instead of attending to him, why are you accompanying me toward the Chancellery…"
Liao Congkuan paused mid-step and leaned in closer, scrutinizing her carefully. His gaze made her feel exposed, forcing her to meet it directly. Only when he had looked his fill did she avert her eyes.
He narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Do not take offense, Lady Meng. My wife admires your literary talent greatly and often tells me at home that if she ever meets you, she must take a good look so she can describe your appearance to her afterward."
She felt slightly awkward. "I fear I will disappoint your esteemed wife."
Liao Congkuan shook his head. "How could that be? Though you wear no makeup, you undoubtedly surpass most female officials at court in appearance."
Meng Tinghui was at a loss for words. Since entering court service, she had never encountered anyone like Liao Congkuan. She considered walking away immediately but restrained herself upon remembering his status and family background. "You flatter me, Lord Liao."
He smiled again. "I make a bold request—the twenty-ninth of next month coincides with my wife’s birthday. Would you honor us with your presence at our residence?"
She declined, "On that day, your home will surely be filled with Important Officials. My presence would seem out of place."
He gave her a strange look. "Lady Meng is now a close aide to the Crown Prince—why say such a thing? If you insist on refusing, it must be because you look down on someone like me, a hereditary idler."
Meng Tinghui had not expected him to speak so bluntly. Worried that someone might observe them, she quickly replied, "I meant no such thing. On the twenty-ninth of next month, I will certainly visit your residence to pay my respects to your wife."
Only then did Liao Congkuan raise his eyebrows and smile at her. "I will send someone to deliver the Invitation Card to you, Lady Meng." With that, he turned and strode briskly toward the Inner Capital Hall.
She turned into a side corridor, frowning slightly as she walked.
Liao Congkuan.
How had she run into him so easily?
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