The Liao family had served as officials for generations. Liao Congkuan's grandfather, Liao Jun, began his tenure as chancellor during the eleventh year of the Kangyuan era under the previous emperor and retired with the honorary title of Director of the Imperial Secretariat in the second year of the Qiande era of the current dynasty. He passed away in the fifth year of Qiande and was posthumously honored as Duke Zhongwenjing. Liao Congkuan's father, Liao Ming, inherited the noble title and official privileges, also rising to the positions of Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Vice Censor-in-Chief before retiring due to poor health in the twenty-second year of Qiande.
The Liao family enjoyed profound imperial favor, with members occupying prominent positions at all levels of government. In terms of noble titles and distinguished achievements, no other family in the court could compare except for the Shen family.
However, by Liao Congkuan's generation, the family's standing had significantly declined. Court officials privately remarked that while Liao Congkuan possessed eloquence and flattering wit, he lacked substantial talent and scholarly depth. The Emperor, mindful of the Liao family's two generations of loyal service, specially appointed Liao Congkuan as Vice Director of the Left Office of the Imperial Secretariat. Four years later, he was promoted to Imperial Secretariat Drafter and bestowed with the Purple Gold Fish Pouch, enjoying privileges equivalent to third-rank Important Officials serving as military commissioners.
Liao Congkuan's wife, Lady Zhang, was the eldest daughter of Imperial Academician Zhang Ren. Although Liao Congkuan should naturally have been closer to the Western Group veterans, his connection to Lady Zhang and Zhang Ren actually tied him closely to the Eastern Group veterans. Combined with his illustrious family background, many talented young officials in the court attached themselves to him.
Meng Tinghui had never imagined she would so easily become acquainted with such a figure and readily receive his invitation.
It was said that Lady Zhang admired her literary talents. But who was Lady Zhang? A daughter raised in the secluded women's quarters of the Imperial Academician's residence, renowned in her youth for poetry and prose throughout the capital—how could she possibly admire Meng Tinghui's writings?
Though suspicious, she could not refuse the invitation.
Not only had she already accepted Liao Congkuan's invitation in person, but even considering solely Liao Congkuan's connections with both court factions and the prestige of the Liao name, she had no reason to decline.
·
On the twenty-ninth day of the third month, coinciding with the spring examinations, when she emerged from the Ministry of Personnel, the sun was already setting. Spring colors bloomed within the Great Within, with peach, plum, pear, and apricot trees along the Imperial Avenue showing their first tender leaves, appearing especially delicate in the twilight glow.
The Liao family had specially dispatched a carriage to fetch her. By the time she reached the Liao residence in the southern city, darkness had fallen. Sixteen softly glowing lanterns lined the entrance, and inside, colored ribbons adorned trees while pavilions and towers were all illuminated. Everywhere hung light silks and long curtains, fully demonstrating Liao Congkuan's devotion to his wife Lady Zhang.
As it was Lady Zhang's birthday, many court officials attending the banquet had brought their families. Most of the young ladies studied at the Imperial Academy and were quite familiar with each other. Only upon arrival did Meng Tinghui discover that, aside from herself, Shen Zhili was the only female official Liao Congkuan had invited.
But what was Shen Zhili's status? If Lady Zhang invited Shen Zhili, it must be out of respect for the Shen family. How could Meng Tinghui compare to Shen Zhili? Thus she remained distracted throughout the evening, constantly pondering Liao Congkuan's true intentions in inviting her.
As the night deepened and the banquet reached its merriest point, Shen Zhili came looking for her, holding her finely pleated wide-skirted ruqun with one hand and a wine pot with the other, weaving through several long tables. Seeing Meng Tinghui, she laughed: "Minister Meng—"
Noting her expression and movements, Meng Tinghui clicked her tongue and smiled: "You're mocking me."
Shen Zhili pressed her lips together, glanced down at her own waist, then looked at Meng Tinghui's, pointing: "Look, that Silver Fish Pouch of yours looks quite impressive. I don't have one—"
Meng Tinghui leaned over to take the wine from her hand, pulling her down to sit: "Had too much to drink, haven't you?"Shen Zhili tilted her head and rested it on Meng Tinghui's shoulder, disregarding the gazes of others. Squinting, she gazed at the three qilin-patterned tables at the front of the hall and whispered, "I'm not that drunk. If I were, I wouldn't hesitate to lean on his shoulder instead—"
Her words trailed off with deliberate slowness.
Meng Tinghui glanced sideways, following Shen Zhili's line of sight, and saw seated there the third-rank and above Important Officials from the Chancellery, the Privy Council, and the Censorate—all influential ministers holding power.
Shen Zhili's gaze was hazy and unfocused, making it impossible for Meng Tinghui to discern whom she meant. Yet, Meng Tinghui's heart grew firmer—though she knew these were drunken ramblings, she also understood they weren't spoken without reason.
Suddenly, laughter erupted from the front, likely prompted by some amusing remark among the court officials.
While Meng Tinghui was still pondering, Shen Zhili unexpectedly gave her a firm pat and leaned close to her ear, saying, "Thanks to your advice that day in the Inner Capital Hall, suggesting the Crown Prince not appoint a crown princess before his ascension... Otherwise, I would have been offered up like a tribute animal."
Her breath reeked of alcohol, her cheeks flushed with drink, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Meng Tinghui understood clearly, cast another glance forward, then lowered her eyes, wrapped an arm around Shen Zhili's waist, and pulled her up, guiding her toward the side door in the eastern part of the hall.
She now knew exactly whom Shen Zhili was referring to, and though shocked, she had no time to dwell on it—her only concern was preventing Shen Zhili from causing a scene at Liao's family banquet.
Surprisingly compliant, Shen Zhili allowed herself to be led out without uttering another word.
Inside the hall, cups clinked and lively conversations continued. Only a few servants waiting outside noticed their departure but made no attempt to stop them. Aware that the two women weren't among the high-ranking nobility, they simply arranged for Shen family's attendant to bring the carriage after Meng Tinghui declined further hospitality.
Standing close together in the night breeze, the chill gradually sobering them, Shen Zhili suddenly frowned, blinked, and tears streamed down her face.
Meng Tinghui stood still, unsure how to comfort her, knowing it was futile. She lifted her eyes to the sparsely starred night sky and felt a pang of sorrow.
The world is full of hardships, yet none compare to the trials of love.
Even a woman like Shen Zhili, with her exceptional family background and appearance, couldn't overcome this barrier.
Witnessing this, how could Meng Tinghui not think of herself? These ten years, ten years... and who knows how many more to come...
Shen Zhili bent her neck slightly, coughed a few times, and as if recalling something, suddenly grabbed Meng Tinghui's hand and said, "Don't draw too much attention to yourself."
Meng Tinghui snapped out of her thoughts, puzzled by the abrupt remark. "What?"
Shen Zhili's brows twitched, seemingly displeased with her reaction, and released her hand. "The only reason Liao Congkuan acknowledges and invites you is because of your closeness to the Crown Prince... Did you know? Lately, even at the Bureau of Appointments, I've overheard people gossiping behind your back."
Meng Tinghui grew even more confused. "Gossiping about what?"
Shen Zhili gave her a look that said she should know better. "That time you returned to the Female Officials' Dormitory late at night, a fellow official saw you getting out of the Crown Prince's carriage. It's spread throughout the Great Within, and you're pretending not to know?"
Meng Tinghui's eyes turned icy, and she pressed her lips together without responding.
Only then did she realize why everyone called her a "close aide of the Crown Prince." It must have started from the very morning she was transferred to the Chancellery, spreading from mouth to mouth ever since.That night she feigned fainting, but she never expected him to send her back in his own carriage, nor did she anticipate being seen despite her utmost caution.
Shen Zhili continued, "Among all the female officials at court, you alone serve in the Chancellery and enjoy the Crown Prince's particular favor. Now even Liao Congkuan seeks to ingratiate himself with you—" She paused abruptly, bending over as dry heaves wracked her frame.
Meng Tinghui sighed softly, drawing a handkerchief from her sleeve to offer. "Don't torment yourself like this. There are countless good men in this world, even Colonel Di from back then..."
Shen Zhili slapped her hand away, trembling from head to toe.
The jingle of harness bells announced the Shen family servant peering from behind the carriage. "Young Mistress."
Meng Tinghui withdrew the handkerchief, observing Shen Zhili's unusual demeanor - tear tracks streaking through her powder like falling petals. She found herself at a loss for words, wondering what the Shen household attendants must think witnessing this scene.
Shen Zhili wiped her cheeks with her sleeve, drew a sharp breath of the cold night air, then strode toward the carriage. Before boarding, she glanced back at Meng Tinghui but ultimately said nothing, merely lifting the curtain to enter the vehicle as it departed.
Approaching from behind came an attendant from the Liao residence, inquiring if she required a carriage back to official quarters.
Only then did she notice how icy her hands and feet had grown. A vague unease settled upon her - she shouldn't have come to know these things, yet through strange twists of fate, she had. Annoyance flickered within before she finally turned to acknowledge the messenger, accepting the Liao family carriage for her return journey.
The Western Ferry night market was just coming to life, lanterns bright as day, vendors' cries carrying from various stalls. The evening breeze carried mingled scents of fruit and roasted meats, leaving her slightly disoriented.
As the carriage crossed the Eastern Market Bridge, silent waters flowed beneath, tiny ripples casting mirror-like patterns that deepened the night's embrace.
The city's vibrant prosperity painted a scene of perfect peace - laughter filled the streets, children darting hand-in-hand, their joy overflowing at receiving honeyed plums bought from night market stalls.
Suddenly she felt profoundly out of place.
Though ordinary by birth, even such ordinary pleasures had always eluded her.
She knew not who her parents were, never experienced family warmth. All these years, it had been just her shadow keeping company with lonely lamplight in solitary quarters.
At banquets in high officials' mansions, though she always smiled, her heart remained separate from those privileged scions of noble houses.
In this vast world, who did she have to lean on?
Even something as self-indulgent as drowning sorrows in wine and tears like Shen Zhili seemed utterly absurd for someone like her.
A woman possessing nothing, yet foolishly in love with the man who held the entire world in his hands.
Shedding tears over unreachable desires was ultimately the most extravagant futility.
What right had she to grieve over not obtaining him?
The wind stirred the carriage curtain as wheels creaked to an unexpected halt.
Peering through the curtain gap, she recognized the Examination Hall area outside Vermilion Bird Gate. The bustling markets had given way to broad, dimly lit roads. A Junior Palace Attendant stood blocking their path, announcing: "By the Crown Prince's oral decree, Left Remonstrating Official of the Chancellery Meng Tinghui is summoned to immediate audience at the Eastern Palace."
The Liao family servant loosened the reins, utterly at a loss.Meng Tinghui had already lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage, dismissing the driver before turning to the Junior Palace Attendant. "Thank you for leading the way," she said. The attendant moved swiftly, changing direction as she followed behind. Only after crossing the imperial street did she speak again, "Might I ask how His Highness knew I would pass through here?"
The attendant glanced at her but offered no reply, quickening his pace instead.
They proceeded against the night wind all the way to the palace gates. As they approached the Eastern Palace, she raised a hand to smooth her hair and adjust her robes before ascending the steps behind him.
The hall was intensely warm.
As the door closed behind her, she bowed toward the seated figure. "Your Highness."
Ying Gua sat leaning to one side, rapidly flipping through memorials on the desk without looking up. "Is the Liao family's wine particularly fine?"
She knew he must have been aware of her visit to the Liao residence—otherwise he wouldn't have had someone waiting for her near the examination hall. She also understood his question wasn't truly about the wine, but carried strong accusatory undertones, as if her visit to the Liao household had been some disgraceful act.
Thus she lowered her gaze and remained silent.
He pressed further, "What are the duties of an Admonishing Remonstrator of the Left?"
Even if she were foolish, she would have recognized she must have offended him somehow. She took half a step forward and replied softly, "To oversee remonstrance and admonishment. Whenever there are failures in court governance, improper appointments of officials from ministers down to the hundred offices, or violations in the affairs of the Three Departments and all subordinate bureaus—all must be corrected through remonstrance."
He finally lifted his eyes to her. "Having not yet served three months in the Chancellery, you're already attending banquets at Liao Congkuan's residence?"
She pressed her lips together without responding.
Suddenly he flung a memorial that landed at her feet. "It seems your position in the Chancellery has made you forget your place," he said coldly.
Without another word, she bent to pick up the memorial. Even before reading it, she had some inkling of its contents. Upon opening it, a single swift glance made her close her eyes, a cold smile touching her lips.
The memorial was submitted by Censor Yan Sou of the Censorate, impeaching her for excessive familiarity with Secretariat Drafter Liao Congkuan. Since remonstrance officials from both departments were strictly forbidden from associating with Palace Aides and Secretariat Drafters, it proposed restricting her from entering political areas like the Inner Capital Hall and requiring her to use side entrances when visiting the Secretariat.
Closing the memorial, she considered for a moment before speaking. "The Censorate officials always find some pretext to draft impeachment memorials at month's end—otherwise they cannot complete their 'assignments.' Your Highness surely understands this better than your subject. I presume Your Highness never intended to enforce the restrictions proposed in this memorial. I merely wonder why Your Highness is so angered."
His eyebrows shot up sharply, each word rolling forth like an icy tide: "Among all the female officials across successive courts, who but you has risen to the fifth rank in just one year? With access to both the Secretariat and Chancellery, and the authority to remonstrate in the Inner Capital Hall—how many people in these two departments are waiting for you to make a single misstep so they can watch you fall hard? Do you understand this or not?"
Her expression remained serene as she nodded slightly. "Your subject is well aware. Yet I don't understand—even if I were to fall hard, that would be my own affair. Why should Your Highness be angered?"
Ying Gua's face stiffened, his brows drawing tightly together. After a long pause, he pushed aside the desk and stood, descending to her level.
She stood with sleeves gathered, head lowered, watching the black boots approach until they stopped half a step away. Unable to resist, she lifted her gaze. "If Your Highness is angered by my closeness to Liao Congkuan, then follow Censor Yan's proposal—restrict me from the Inner Capital Hall and other political areas. I will offer no self-defense."Censor-in-Chief Yan Sou had been promoted by Gu Qin and had long been part of the Eastern Faction among court officials. Though this impeachment memorial ostensibly accused her of overly close association with Liao Congkuan, its underlying implication clearly targeted his excessive favor toward her. She refused to believe Yan Sou had drafted this memorial without someone’s instigation.
If even she harbored suspicions, how could he not? Given his current strained relations with the senior ministers of the Eastern Faction, it was impossible for him to truly comply with Yan Sou’s request and bar her from political affairs.
He remained silent. She kept her head slightly bowed, but the faint light in her eyes gradually cooled.
Though she served in the Chancellery and had considerable closeness to the Crown Prince, she had never truly intended to align with these Eastern Faction court officials—after all, they served the same court, and differing political views need not lead to factional strife. Yet she hadn’t expected them to view her as easy to bully and suppress, thinking a couple of impeachment memorials could frighten her into retreat.
Lost in her thoughts, she spoke again, "Your Highness, this subject…"
His stern brows suddenly relaxed as he interrupted her, "You may withdraw."
She couldn’t help but look up.
Just like last time, his anger came and went, his emotions shifting as swiftly as fleeting clouds.
Only then did she begin to wonder why his attitude toward her had been so changeable lately. She pondered but dared not delve too deep, afraid she might be presuming too much.
He stood so much taller than her. When he looked at her, his eyes gazed down, their unusual hue increasingly captivating her heart. Unbidden, her mind drifted back to what she had contemplated earlier on the bustling market streets.
Suddenly, she felt somewhat flustered.
She cleared her throat lightly and ventured to ask, "This matter isn’t significant. Your Highness could have simply reprimanded this subject. Why summon me to the Eastern Palace at night?"
His expression shifted slightly, but he didn’t answer, his gaze never leaving her face.
Meeting his eyes, her voice softened instantly as she slowly said, "Your Highness, on my way back earlier, I passed by Dongshizi Bridge and saw how lively the night market at Xijin Street was… I was thinking then how nice it would be if I could stroll through it with Your Highness."
His eyes narrowed slightly, coldness radiating from their depths as if pushing her away. His lips parted as if to speak.
Before he could utter a word, she curved her lips and hurriedly added, "This subject was merely dreaming, speaking nonsense. Please don’t scold me again."
True to form, he didn’t rebuke her. Instead, he stared intently at her and slowly asked, "Why would you want to go with me?"
Unable to bear his penetrating gaze, she immediately lowered her eyes, her heart trembling. After a long pause, she parted her lips and smiled, "This subject would like to answer Your Highness’s question, but I dare not disrespect His Majesty and Prince Ping."
How could someone as astute and thoughtful as him fail to grasp her meaning? Yet he turned his head away and after a long while said, "You’ve had too much to drink at Liao’s residence. Return early and rest."
She had anticipated this reaction. With a soft acknowledgment, she gathered her sleeves, bowed, and slowly withdrew from the hall.
Outside, the night fog thickened, obscuring the sparse stars in the sky and the lush trees on the ground, soaking her heart in damp heaviness. Profound affection turned cold, bit by bit.
Inside the hall, candlelight blazed brightly, illuminating the closed tall doors and a long memorial on the desk, casting his face in shifting light and shadow. Two crimson characters, each stroke domineering:
Like,
Fondness.
She had said—
She liked him.
Having drunk at night, one was bound to wake with a headache at dawn.Meng Tinghui sat wrapped in her quilt, chin resting on her knees, squinting as she recalled the events of last night. Only then did she rise with mild irritation to dress and step out of bed, silently chiding herself for having spoken such impulsive words in his presence. How was she to face him again?
The warm spring sun outside gradually dispelled the chill in her heart. As she walked, the crisp chirping of birds filled her ears, and the scent of blossoms wafted by, smoothing out the wrinkles in her mood until she felt thoroughly at ease.
Upon entering the Chancellery, she happened to see Cao Jing rushing out in a fluster. Meng Tinghui reached out to stop him, furrowing her brow as she asked, "What's going on?"
Cao Jing turned his head and, recognizing her, immediately pulled her along as he walked, his tone urgent: "Lord Meng, why are you only arriving now? Hurry, come with me to the South Watchtower Gate!"
Meng Tinghui was slightly taken aback but kept pace with him. "The South Watchtower Gate? Could it be about the Grievance Drum..."
Cao Jing nodded, his expression grim. "Before dawn, someone came to beat the drum, claiming they wished to submit a petition to seek justice. The staff at the Grievance Drum Institute thought it was a routine matter and, after accepting the memorial, intended to send the petitioner back to the Capital Prefecture to handle it. But who could have guessed that the memorial submitted was an accusation against Wang Qi, Director of the Court of Imperial Stud, for forcibly seizing civilian horses and causing deaths!"
Meng Tinghui was shocked. She quickened her steps, following Cao Jing through several corridors as they headed toward the South Watchtower Gate.
The Grievance Drum Institute was jointly managed by the Admonishing Remonstrator of the Left and the Upright Speaker of the Left, providing a channel for civil and military officials, as well as commoners, to submit memorials and petitions. After review by the Institute, these could be reported directly to the Emperor. However, ordinary people seldom came to beat the Grievance Drum lightly. Even when someone did come to drum and plead for justice, the clerks on duty at the Institute typically referred the cases back to the Capital Prefecture for judgment, only disturbing the Emperor for major matters.
Though Meng Tinghui was familiar with the court's Grievance Drum system and knew the Institute fell under the direct jurisdiction of the Admonishing Remonstrator of the Left, she had never expected to encounter such an incident less than six months after filling the vacancy for Admonishing Remonstrator of the Left. Her brow furrowed tighter, and her expression grew increasingly troubled. When they reached the Institute's entrance, she immediately asked the clerk on duty, "Has the Court of Imperial Stud been informed of this matter?"
The clerk, who did not recognize her, glanced uncertainly at Cao Jing.
Cao Jing hurriedly explained, "This is the newly appointed Lord Meng, transferred from the Imperial Academy to fill the vacancy of Admonishing Remonstrator of the Left."
The clerk promptly bowed and replied with his head lowered, "My lords, you have arrived late. This humble official had already sent someone to report the situation to the Court of Imperial Stud earlier."
Meng Tinghui's face darkened instantly. "Lord Cao and I have not yet had the chance to discuss this matter in detail. How dare you act on your own initiative?"
The clerk merely kept his head down without responding.
Seeing her anger, Cao Jing advised, "Let's first take a look at the petition." He then asked the clerk, "Where is the petition? Is the person still here?"
The clerk nodded, hurriedly ushering them inside. He presented the memorial and brought out the drum-beater to meet with Meng Tinghui and Cao Jing.
After reading the petition and carefully questioning the petitioner, Meng Tinghui finally grasped the full sequence of events.
Previously, a memorial of impeachment from Shen Zhishu had led to Wang Qi being dismissed from his position as Assistant Prefect of Qing Province and returning to the capital to temporarily serve as Director of the Court of Imperial Stud, pending further investigation by the Censorate before reassignment. A month and a half ago, Wang Qi had traveled from Qing Province to the capital. Within ten days, it was heard that the Censorate had submitted a memorial stating that the evidence regarding the Qing Province military camp incident was insufficient, and that the acts of seizing fishermen's properties in Qing Province in the Emperor's name were not committed by Wang Qi himself. Therefore, they requested that he temporarily retain his position as Director of the Court of Imperial Stud.Everyone knew that Wang Qi had close ties with the veteran ministers of the Eastern Court faction. With their protection upon his entry into the capital, how could the officials of the Censorate truly investigate and deliberate on Wang Qi’s crimes? Moreover, Shen Zhishu, now solely in charge of official affairs in Qing Province, would no longer submit a memorial from afar to impeach Wang Qi. Thus, no one pursued the matter further.
It was assumed that Wang Qi would lie low for a while, but who could have expected that in less than a month, such an incident would occur—
The person who came to submit the petition was a commoner from Fei County in the capital's outskirts, representing nearly a hundred households from ten local communities to strike the grievance drum. The memorial stated that in early March, Wang Qi, accompanied by two officials from the Imperial Stables Bureau of the Court of the Imperial Stud and four assistants, went to Fei County to purchase civilian horses for military use in the capital's garrison camps. In previous years, the court had always bought horses from the capital's outlying counties at a price ten percent higher than the market rate. However, this year, Wang Qi claimed that the civilian horses from Fei County were of inferior quality and offered only thirty percent of the market price to the sellers. The commoners were naturally outraged and refused—after all, nearly eighty to ninety percent of the elite warhorses in the capital's garrisons came from Fei County. Which of these horses could be considered low-grade?—Some immediately stepped forward to argue with Wang Qi, but without a word, Wang Qi ordered his accompanying guards to arrest the civilians with weapons and forcibly seize hundreds of horses. With no other recourse, the people of Fei County elected a representative to draft a petition and appeal to the capital prefecture's office. However, the Capital Prefect Qiao Zhou returned the petition without investigation. After three failed attempts, the people of Fei County, driven by fury, mustered the courage to strike the grievance drum at the southern watchtower of the palace city!
Meng Tinghui lowered her gaze and held her breath for a long moment before opening her eyes. She scanned the room, tucked the memorial into her sleeve, and turned to Cao Jing, saying, "This matter must be brought to the Emperor's attention."
But Cao Jing grabbed her sleeve, pulling her aside, and whispered, "Lord Meng, come with me to the side hall to talk."
The commoner who had struck the drum stood awkwardly in place, his eyes pleading as he murmured, "Lord Meng..."
Meng Tinghui bit her lip. "Please wait a moment." Then she followed Cao Jing to the side hall of the Grievance Drum Institute.
Cao Jing closed the door, pulled a chair for her to sit, and spoke earnestly, "Lord Meng, you must know Wang Qi's background. Even Capital Prefect Qiao Zhou refused to accept this petition, so the Grievance Drum Institute certainly cannot take it—why would you want to bring this absurd matter upon ourselves?"
Meng Tinghui stared at him. "Absurd matter? Why?" She gave a faint, cold smile. "Lord Cao also became an official through the imperial examinations—have you not read the classics of the sages?"
Cao Jing curled his lips. "Lord Meng, don't use such words to pressure me. Everyone knows it's not easy to serve in the two chancelleries. I endured ten years of arduous study to earn my modest achievements—how could I bear to throw it all away?" He paused, then continued, "I have an idea: if you reject this petition, the commoner will surely submit the memorial to the Grievance Inspection Institute. Since the Inspection Institute falls under Left Admonisher Lord Guo, whether he accepts it or not, it will no longer concern you or me."
Meng Tinghui pursed her lips and remained silent.
Who in the Chancellery's Admonishment Bureau didn't know that Left Admonisher Guo Hechang was a trusted aide of the senior eastern faction officials? How could Guo Hechang not protect Wang Qi? If the petition were rejected by the Drum Institute and sent to the Inspection Institute, would that commoner ever have another chance to seek justice?
She pressed her hands on the table, stood up, and said coldly, "I will remember your words today, Lord Cao. But I also want to tell you one thing—'If my life can save the people, I will not regret the sacrifice.' Even if my hard-won official rank is ruined because of this, I will not feel an ounce of regret!"
OpenNovel