When she slowly came to, the sky had darkened. The deep blue bed curtains in the inner chamber cascaded like a waterfall, blocking out the faint starlight and candle glow from the outer hall.
Her hand groped through the hazy darkness—no one lay beside her.
Through the layers of drapery, she could vaguely discern a figure seated before the golden desk in the outer hall. His posture as he leaned over writing appeared solitary and desolate, the faint palace candlelight casting shifting shadows across his face, rendering it indistinct.
She rose from the bed, casually draping a garment over her bare form before stepping onto the cold floor with bare feet. Moving silently, she approached him.
The outer hall doors were tightly shut. Along the path from the entrance to the inner chamber lay scattered pieces of her clothing, their disarray appearing increasingly suggestive under the warm candlelight, bringing a flush to her cheeks even as she glanced at them.
From the doorway to the imperial desk, from the outer hall to the inner chamber—pressed against cold hard walls, nestled into warm soft bedding, standing, sitting, lying, kneeling, leaning—vivid and wanton scenes flashed through her mind, causing her to tremble slightly as she walked.
She couldn't remember how many times they had joined, nor for how long. She only recalled how his droplets of sweat mingled with fierce strength had drenched her parched body that had thirsted for months. Her throaty cries proved more intoxicating than the most potent aphrodisiac blossoms, driving him to ever greater ferocity until exhaustion rendered her limp, lulling her to sleep against the cadence of his heavy breathing.
The mere memory made her earlobes burn. She vividly remembered how she had wrapped her legs around him to prevent his departure, how in delirious passion the words spilled from her lips could only be described as licentious poetry—too shameless to recall.
He was the Emperor to all under heaven, and the only man in her life. His iron will and wisdom fulfilled all her expectations of an enlightened ruler; his profound tenderness satisfied a heart that had adored him for ten years; his fierce yet considerate ardor was both invasive and attentive enough to satiate her soft body filled with longing.
This man stood so perfect in her heart—not a single aspect she could find displeasing. How could she possibly refrain from loving him?
He leaned on the desk, concentrating on the memorial in his hand. The vermilion ink on his brush tip was drying, and he hadn't noticed her approach.
Stealing behind him, she gently covered his eyes, suppressing laughter as she whispered, "The entire day—either galloping across the training grounds or... moving vigorously within these halls. Does Your Majesty not feel weary? Still in the mood to review memorials?"
Before she finished speaking, he turned and pulled her onto his lap, lowering his head to nibble her earlobe as he rasped, "It seems you're the one unbothered by fatigue. Offending your superior—what punishment do you deserve?"
Her clothing provided scant coverage. After struggling briefly without escaping his grasp, her garments loosened further, leaving her bare in his embrace. Blinking mischievously, she leaned closer and resumed her "shameless" antics, counting on her fingers: "In half a month begins the Ministry of Rites examination for the jinshi degree. Minister Xu and I must oversee the examination locked in isolation for over ten days—no chance to see Your Majesty. After the ministry exam results are posted comes the palace examination... By the time the jinshi ceremonies, Qionglin Banquet, and mounted archery ceremony conclude, months will have passed. When will your subject again have opportunity to be alone with Your Majesty as today?"
He knew she normally maintained strict propriety before others, rarely displaying such clinging behavior even when alone with him. Amused but keeping his expression neutral, he remarked, "Meng Tinghui, have you now learned to presume upon favor and act spoiled?"She lowered her gaze silently, took his large hand, and began tracing characters stroke by stroke in his palm, saying softly, "Your subject is not presuming upon favor to be 'arrogant'—your subject is presuming upon favor to be 'delicate'..."
He couldn't suppress a low chuckle, clasping her slender fingers firmly as he nodded. "You truly live up to your Hanlin Academy origins. Even now, serving as a minister in dual systems, your habit of nitpicking words remains unchanged. But this 'delicacy' pleases me greatly. Henceforth, I permit you to presume upon favor to be 'delicate'."
Her cheeks flushed rosy, eyes glistening as she gazed at him with pursed lips and a smile.
He withdrew his hand to smooth her disheveled hair cascading over her shoulders, his fingers lightly tracing her cheek before pulling her closer into his embrace.
She was worlds apart from the child he'd met in that dilapidated temple years ago, and even vastly different from the young woman who first entered the court two years prior. He had watched her gradual transformation—from an inexperienced girl unaware of court affairs to the formidable female official whom veteran ministers from both factions now regarded with caution. He understood the bitterness and hardship she'd endured, yet fortunately, her heart remained as steadfast and unyielding as ever. Similarly, she had witnessed his own maturation day by day. Among all women under heaven, aside from her, none could glimpse the depths of his heart.
Holding her like this, he found it difficult to resist the allure of her delicate form. A restless urge stirred within him, flames kindling in his eyes as he slowly bent to kiss the bud of her breast.
She shuddered, recognizing his intention, and bit her lip while guiding his hand downward, whispering faintly, "Your Majesty, feel here... it's swollen..."
He abruptly lifted his head, his expression shifting, brows furrowing. "Why didn't you say so earlier?" During their previous passionate encounters, both had been wholly immersed, and in their mutual ecstasy, he hadn't noticed any discomfort on her part. Seeing now that he had caused her such injury, he grew irritated and added, "I'll summon the Imperial Physician to examine you."
She started in alarm, exclaiming hastily, "Has Your Majesty gone mad?" How could such a matter be known to the Imperial Physician? She sighed softly and murmured, "Your subject is not seriously harmed. It will heal in a few days. It's just that... for now, I cannot bear Your Majesty's fervor again..."
He rewrapped her in the garments, recalling her earlier initiative, yearning, urgency, and passion, and chuckled lightly. "Since you know you can't endure it, in the future, refrain from clinging to me so persistently."
Her face reddened slightly as she muttered under her breath, "If Your Majesty forbids your subject from clinging to you, does that mean you want your subject to cling to someone else?"
Unmoved by her provocation, he turned his gaze back to the memorials on the desk, his expression unchanged. "If your heart ever changes, I will not stand in your way."
She had never expected such words from him and was momentarily speechless. Then, recalling others' remarks about an emperor's fickleness, she thought—if he could say this to her, what if he were to change his heart in the future? The thought dampened her spirits, and she whispered, "If among this year's imperial examination graduates there is a woman of exceptional beauty and talent, capable in official duties, would Your Majesty also favor and trust her?"
His gaze remained fixed, his expression unaltered. "In this world, there is only one Meng Tinghui."
She froze.
Suddenly, her nose tingled with acidity, and her eyes reddened.
...Indeed. Even if he were to take an empress, consorts, and possess a harem of three thousand in the future, in this world, there would still be only one Meng Tinghui.
What more could she possibly lack? What more could she possibly ask for?He naturally had no idea what was on her mind. Seeing her remain motionless and silent for so long, he lowered his gaze and noticed her expression, unconsciously curving his lips into a slight smile as he sighed, "I've long said that if you could worry less, my life would be much easier. Have you not noticed how many among the court's rising talents admire you, Lord Meng? Even in this year's Ministry of Rites examination for the jinshi degree, numerous scholars of talent and learning wish to witness the elegance of Lord Meng in court—I haven't even suspected you might be swayed by those young, brilliant minds, so why torment yourself unnecessarily?"
His words drew a soft laugh from her, and she silently chided herself for being overly greedy. Having his affection like this was already enough. She reached out to wrap her arms around his neck, murmuring, "Under the vast heavens, who could rival Your Majesty's handsome and imposing stature, your wise and resolute demeanor, your iron-willed and formidable presence? In this lifetime, my thoughts belong to you alone."
Holding her with one arm, he picked up a brush with the other to write, chuckling as he said, "Hearing you speak like this, others might well call you a sycophantic minister. How could I possibly be as perfect as you say?"
You are.
She studied his handsome profile, quietly watching him review the stacks of memorials, her heart silently affirming.
The night flowed like deep ink, gradually submerging the room's light and shadow, leaving only the subtle surge of their shared affection to drift across the desk and floor, lingering without end.
·
The next day, after leaving West China Palace, she initially paid it no mind. Yet, within a few days, his words proved prophetic.
Before the Ministry of Rites examination for the jinshi degree, the Meng residence received a continuous stream of invitation cards from candidates who had come to the capital.
Meng Tinghui had assumed that those sending cards to her residence would be female candidates. To her surprise, the majority turned out to be top scholars from various circuit and prefectural exams, many of them young and talented.
Although she had once resorted to clever tactics before her own Ministry of Rites examination, she had never directly approached the chief or deputy examiners with invitation cards to seek favor. Now, as the provisional chief examiner, she naturally could not accept these cards, so she strictly ordered her household staff to refuse them at the door.
But within two days, Cao Jing personally visited her residence to recommend a candidate named Yin Qing. According to Cao Jing, Yin Qing was also from Chaoan North Circuit and had gained widespread renown for his essays throughout Chaoan in recent years. After arriving in the capital, Yin Qing had paid a visit to Cao Jing, expressing a desire to align himself with the Meng faction.
Meng Tinghui understood Cao Jing's intent.
Naturally, having more scholars align with the Meng faction was beneficial, and Yin Qing was highly likely to pass the jinshi examination and enter officialdom. Cao Jing probably wanted to win over such candidates early to gain an advantage in this year's jinshi selection.
She was well aware of what this examination signified. For the moment, she neither agreed nor refused, simply accepting the invitation card and making a few perfunctory remarks to Cao Jing. The next day, she had forgotten about the matter entirely.
The first jinshi examination after the new emperor's ascension truly enlivened the capital. Moreover, with the Ministry of Rites examination jointly overseen by the veteran Western Faction minister Xu Ting and the newly prominent Meng Tinghui, scholars across the land paid particularly close attention. Everyone inside and outside the court watched to see what outcome the two would produce in this examination.
Outsiders claimed it would be a covert struggle between old ministers and the new faction, with both Xu Ting and Meng Tinghui inevitably seeking to recruit talent for their own sides during the examination. Once locked in for grading, tensions between them were expected to erupt at any moment.
To everyone's surprise, after three days of examinations and ten days of locked-in grading, not a whisper of discord between Xu and Meng emerged from the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall. This left a crowd in the capital, eagerly anticipating drama, thoroughly disappointed.Even before the lockdown of the examination compound, Meng Tinghui had not expected Xu Ting to cooperate so fully. The grading of papers proceeded entirely according to regulations, and from start to finish, he showed no dissatisfaction with her. However, as she pondered the matter within the compound, she quickly understood the reason behind it—
It was not that Xu Ting lacked the desire to use this opportunity to recruit talent for the old ministers. Rather, he saw the situation with exceptional clarity: Meng Tinghui’s appointment by the Emperor to oversee the Ministry of Personnel’s evaluations was unlikely to change. If Xu Ting deliberately selected certain candidates to become tribute scholars, how could Meng Tinghui not realize that these individuals were inevitably aligned with the old ministers? Even if such candidates later passed the palace examination and entered court service, how could they smoothly undergo evaluations and promotions under Meng Tinghui’s supervision? Thus, Xu Ting preferred to superficially "yield" during the Ministry of Rites examination, intending to covertly win over those he favored at a later time.
While Meng Tinghui understood Xu Ting’s intentions, she also knew that he must be aware she would not act for personal gain either. Although she and Xu Ting jointly presided over the examination, Xu Ting held the primary role while she served as his deputy. If she were to take any unconventional actions while Xu Ting adhered strictly to regulations, she would inevitably face questioning from him and the Ministry of Rites officials. This could potentially provoke another wave of condemnation from the old ministers. Despite currently enjoying the Emperor’s favor, this was precisely the time when she must avoid giving others any grounds for criticism. Moreover, this iteration of the imperial examination was exceptionally important. Even if she cared little for her reputation at court, she had no wish for scholars throughout the realm to perceive her as a powerful minister who disregarded Confucian teachings.
Therefore, throughout the Ministry of Rites examination, both she and Xu Ting conducted themselves in strict accordance with court regulations. The ranking of tribute scholars was determined through collective deliberation by the clerks responsible for transcribing and grading papers, along with the Imperial Academicians.
The collaboration between Meng Tinghui and Xu Ting proceeded with unexpected smoothness, contrary to everyone’s expectations. It was only when the results were about to be posted that people gradually grasped the subtleties of the situation. They quietly marveled at the Emperor’s shrewdness in appointing two seemingly incompatible figures like Xu and Meng to jointly oversee the examination. This very arrangement had ensured the impartial conclusion of the highly scrutinized Ministry of Rites examination. Their admiration for the Emperor grew, and scholarly circles spread praise that the state possessed a wise ruler, leaving the people without cause for concern.
However, on the eve of the results announcement, as Meng Tinghui observed the Ministry of Rites officials preparing the final roster within the examination compound, she could not help but pause in surprise upon seeing the name placed at the very top.
Yin Qing.
Only then did she recall the letter of introduction that had been left untouched in her residence for days. The sight of this name now struck her with unexpected astonishment.
Clearly, Yin Qing possessed genuine talent and learning; otherwise, Xu Ting would not have permitted him to be ranked first in the Ministry of Rites examination. And since Xu Ting acknowledged his abilities, he would inevitably seek to draw him to the side of the old ministers in the future. This realization suddenly brought a twinge of regret. If this individual truly was rare talent, she ought to have made efforts to recruit him earlier, lest the old ministers seize the opportunity first.
She immediately retrieved Yin Qing’s policy essay for review. Upon reading it, she found it truly exceptional. That very night, upon returning to her residence, she dug out the dust-covered letter of introduction. The literary quality of its poetry and prose proved no less impressive than that of court scholars, prompting her to marvel in admiration. No wonder Cao Jing had personally visited the Meng residence to deliver this letter before the examination. Such talent would inevitably capture anyone’s attention.
Though the desire to recruit him arose within her, her thoughts centered entirely on recommending him to the Emperor. She became so preoccupied with this idea that she nearly overlooked the established procedures for the upcoming palace examination.The next day, the results were posted outside the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall. Thousands of candidates who had taken the exams, curious commoners from the capital, court officials exempt from morning court duties, and female officials with ulterior motives all flocked to see the list. The area south of the Imperial Street was packed with a dense, surging crowd—so many that it was impossible to count them all.
As this was Meng Tinghui’s first time overseeing the imperial examinations, she wanted to witness the spectacle of the jinshi cohort firsthand. Rising early, she left her residence alone and mingled with the crowd outside the Examination Hall, waiting to see the results.
She wasn’t wearing her official robes, and her hair was tied in the simplest of styles. Amid the noisy, bustling throng, no one recognized her as the "Lady Meng" being widely discussed in the capital. Pretending to be a female candidate awaiting results, she observed her surroundings left and right, thoroughly enjoying her anonymity. While waiting for the list to be posted, she overheard many scholars from outlying regions quietly praising the Emperor’s virtuous governance, which further lifted her spirits, a faint smile lingering at the corners of her lips.
When the Ministry of Rites officials emerged to post the results, the crowd erupted in excitement. The densely packed list of over a hundred names, written in bold ink, drew more attention than pure gold. Gradually, the clamor subsided as everyone waited for those at the front to read the names aloud.
The Ministry of Rites had selected 168 successful candidates in total, including 23 women—a number far exceeding earlier estimates. The onlookers gasped in astonishment, murmuring in awe.
Hearing their exclamations, Meng Tinghui merely smiled faintly and withdrew from the crowd, intending to return home.
As she turned to leave, the jostling crowd blocked her path. Looking up, she saw a man in plain robes and said softly, "Pardon me, may I pass?"
The man stepped aside at her words, offering a slight smile but remaining silent.
As she passed, she glanced at him casually. Though dressed in coarse clothing, he had refined features, a handsome face, and an upright posture—truly an imposing figure.
His faint, elusive smile left her somewhat unsettled.
Lowering her gaze, she quickened her pace, only to hear someone behind her call out loudly, "Brother Yin! Brother Yin, you’ve topped the list! You must treat us to drinks!"
She halted abruptly and turned to look back.
Her eyes met the man’s unwavering gaze once more. His handsome face still bore a smile, and upon seeing her turn, he gave a slight bow.
Frowning, she watched as several people behind him laughingly dragged him away before slowly turning back around.
Brother Yin, Brother Yin… Could it be Yin Qing?
She was momentarily speechless.
With his talent, he was sure to pass the palace examination with flying colors. Once he entered officialdom, such brilliance paired with such looks would undoubtedly stir quite a commotion among the female officials at court.
The thought amused her.
Shen Zhishu had been stationed outside the capital for nearly two years, and few in the court could match his former charisma. Now, this Yin Qing seemed no less impressive. Moreover, unlike Shen Zhishu—whose family background was "intimidating"—Yin Qing lacked such a daunting lineage, making him all the more likely to become the object of female officials’ admiration.
Petals from the peach trees lining the street drifted down, sprinkling her with a faint fragrance. As she walked, she couldn’t help but glance up at the clear blue sky and brilliant sun, her lips curling into another smile.
Witnessing such outstanding talent emerge from the first jinshi examinations since the new Emperor’s ascension, this vision of peace and prosperity brought her immense joy—more than anyone could imagine.Before the palace examination, she followed the imperial decree to transcribe and organize the policy essays from the Ministry of Rites examination, presenting them to the emperor for review.
Though aware she should not overstep boundaries, she couldn't resist bringing along the invitation card Cao Jing had given her earlier to the Hall of Profound Thought, submitting it together with the policy essays of Yin Qing and others.
"Your Majesty," she remained kneeling below the desk, waiting as he perused the essays, carefully choosing her words: "This subject previously came across some poems by Yin Qing that demonstrate greater talent than this policy essay. Would Your Majesty be willing to read them?"
During this period, Yin Qing had already gained considerable fame in the capital, known among scholars as the talented scholar from Chaoan North Circuit and the top candidate in the Ministry of Rites examination. Rumors circulated that court officials were seeking him as a son-in-law. Though the palace examination had not yet begun, this sufficiently demonstrated the high expectations court ministers held for him.
Hearing her words, Ying Gua threw down the paper in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and looked down at her. "Have you ever met Yin Qing in person?"
She nodded honestly. "Only once."
After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "I heard someone mention a few days ago that this person is quite handsome."
She thought for a moment before nodding. "This subject believes even compared to Lord Shen Zhishu, Yin Qing is not inferior in the slightest."
Slowly, he picked up the invitation card from the desk, opened it with his fingers, glanced briefly, then looked back at her. "Is he worth you disregarding all palace examination protocols to recommend him to me now?"
Detecting displeasure in his tone, she felt slightly embarrassed. Meeting his gaze, she explained, "This subject feared Your Majesty might miss exceptional talent. If Yin Qing underperforms in the palace examination and falls outside the top three ranks, wouldn't that be a great pity?"
His expression remained impassive as he said slowly, "If this person cannot produce a good essay in the palace examination, even if his poetry and calligraphy rival court scholars, I will not make exceptions because of your recommendation."
Realizing she had upset him, she silently bowed her head and said nothing more.
Though palace attendants remained in the hall, he stretched his arms across the desk and said to her, "Come here." When she approached, he asked coolly, 'Not inferior to Shen Zhishu in the slightest' - exactly how handsome is he?"
Seeing his displeased expression and hearing his tone, she suddenly understood, her face immediately flushing. She stammered, "This subject... this subject finds neither Lord Shen Zhishu handsome, nor Yin Qing handsome."
"Apparently you're not afraid of the crime of deceiving the sovereign." His voice remained cool, but the tension between his brows eased slightly. "Before the palace examination, you are forbidden from meeting privately with any examination candidates."
She protested urgently, "This subject wasn't meeting privately..." Seeing her explanation wasn't getting through, she simply pursed her lips and said, "Your Majesty sits on the imperial throne - how can you feel jealous over a mere candidate?"
Having been seen through, his face darkened immediately. "You are presumptuous!"
She returned his displeasure, saying coldly, "This subject is indeed being presumptuous. Your Majesty may punish me as you see fit."
This was the first time she had opposed him so directly. Clearly unprepared for her anger - as if discovering a new side of her - his expression gradually softened. After a long pause, he said quietly, "Yes, I am jealous. What of it?"
Hearing his tone and words, her anger immediately dissipated. She suddenly felt she had overstepped her position as subject, while he had condescended to tolerate and accommodate her. Normally quick-witted, she now found herself at a loss for words. After a long while, she finally said softly and slowly, "This subject possesses neither exceptional beauty nor illustrious family background. Why would the young talents at court take any interest in me? Your Majesty is truly worrying unnecessarily."Moreover, under the weight of half the court's public criticism, her reputation had long been irreparably tarnished. Though the young courtiers were quite willing to align with her politically, when it came to matters of romance, who among them would ever wish to marry a woman like her?
She thought, feeling somewhat perplexed. He was clever and astute—it was impossible for him not to understand these matters. Moreover, she had previously interacted with numerous male court officials—whether it was Huang Bo, who had protected her for a long time at the Meng residence earlier, Di Nian, who had accompanied her to quell the unrest in Chaoan, or Cao Jing, the one closest to her among all the civil and military officials at court—she had never seen him displeased because of her close relationships with other male officials.
Besides, of all the people in the world, he understood her best. How could he possibly be jealous over Yin Qing, whom she had met only once?
She couldn’t figure it out, yet she couldn’t explain his reaction today either. So she stood before him, waiting for him to speak.
Hearing her words, he did not respond immediately. Instead, he slowly composed his expression, his gaze lingering on her candid face for a moment before he closed his eyes.
She was not a peerless beauty, but her clear, unclouded eyes were utterly captivating. Her lively spirit seemed to animate the very air around her just by her presence. Though she lacked a prestigious family background, she was more resilient than the daughters of all the noble families at court. Despite being a female official, her strategic insight and courage were in no way inferior to any man’s.
She was no longer as naive as she once had been, yet she remained unaware of how alluring she had become. She failed to comprehend the complex gazes others directed at her, stubbornly believing that aside from him—no one else in the world would ever harbor thoughts about her.
After a long while, he finally stirred and abruptly changed the subject: "The top candidate in the First Class has been appointed as the Dali evaluator, while the second and third have been assigned as compilers in the Imperial Academy." The rest will have their positions determined by the Ministry of Personnel and reviewed by the Secretariat before official appointments are made."
She silently acknowledged this. Noticing the thick stack of unread memorials still on his desk, she felt reluctant to take up more of his governance time. Gathering her sleeves, she said, "If Your Majesty has no further matters, I shall take my leave."
He was about to nod when he seemed to suddenly recall something and called out to her, "Regarding your earlier proposal to transfer officials in the Chaoan North Circuit military commission—has it still not been resolved?"
Hearing this, she immediately felt a headache coming on. Shaking her head and frowning, she replied, "I have just finished overseeing the Ministry of Rites examinations with Minister Xu. Having been confined to the examination compound until recently, I haven’t had the chance to revisit the matter."
Even so, she knew all too well that even if it were discussed again, given Xu Ting’s stubborn nature, he would certainly not agree.
If she were to submit the matter directly to the Emperor and obtain his personal approval, it would undoubtedly provoke renewed dissatisfaction among the senior officials in the Hall of State Affairs: How could she, a minor official, bypass proper channels and use the Emperor’s authority to pressure the chief councilors over the transfers of low-ranking officials in a frontier circuit? Such a move would only create more obstacles for her in future personnel evaluations requiring Secretariat review.
Thus, even though he had broached the subject himself, she refused to ask for his help.
The conflict between the old ministers and the new faction could not be resolved by one matter or in a short time. Court politics had always been fierce and brutal—one could even say it was a life-and-de-death struggle. How could she possibly reconcile with those old ministers? The divisions between the two factions were deep and sharp. If such oppositions continued to accumulate unresolved, one side would inevitably grow impatient and take drastic action. Yet, it was hard to predict who would be wounded or destroyed when that time came.
The only uncertainty was which side would lose patience first.
·
The palace examination proceeded without incident, yet Yin Qing’s name was not among the top three candidates.
On the day the results were announced, the city was abuzz with gossip. Yin Qing’s previously soaring reputation, along with the high expectations placed upon him, plummeted dramatically.
He was ranked seventh among the Second Class Candidates, granted the title of Advanced Scholar.If such an achievement had fallen to anyone else, it would have been considered a stroke of luck that brought great honor to one's ancestors. Yet when it came to Yin Qing, people couldn't help but feel regret. Some in the capital even claimed Yin Qing's scholarship lacked substance, dismissing it as nothing remarkable.
Nothing remarkable?
When these words reached Meng Tinghui's ears, they only evoked a cold sneer.
Setting aside literary talent, she had seen Yin Qing's policy essay from the Ministry of Rites examination. The palace examination questions were hardly more challenging than those of the ministry exam. She refused to believe Yin Qing couldn't have produced an outstanding essay before the emperor.
She even suspected the emperor had deliberately downgraded Yin Qing's achievement, but this thought vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. Even if the emperor held some grievance, he would never reject true talent—hadn't she, Meng Tinghui, been the prime example of this?
This made Yin Qing seem even more unusual, someone she simply couldn't figure out.
After the palace examination, three candidates were selected for the First Class, twenty-eight for the Second Class, and forty-six for the Third Class. Among them, six were female scholars.
Although no woman had secured a top position in this round of imperial examinations, Meng Tinghui was overjoyed. She had never imagined six women would be selected as scholars this time, and she felt profound gratitude toward the emperor once again.
Truly, he understood her heart and granted her wishes, making her deeply, deeply appreciative of his kindness, her heart completely won over.
When the seventy-seven newly selected scholars gathered at the Ministry of Personnel to await their appointments, Meng Tinghui was naturally present. Her purple official robe adorned with the Gold Fish Pouch shone brilliantly, her hair styled in an impeccable flowing cloud bun. The busy officials from the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation bureau occasionally sought her opinion, further highlighting her influence and causing the new scholars to stare at her repeatedly.
At first, their glances were furtive, but seeing she showed no displeasure, they grew bolder. Clusters of curious eyes seemed determined to see through her completely, leaving nothing hidden.
Lady Meng Tinghui—having joined the court less than three years ago, she now stood among the highest-ranking officials, enjoyed the emperor's deep trust, oversaw crucial personnel evaluations at the Ministry of Personnel, quelled rebellions in Chao'an with the Imperial Army, promoted reforms in the imperial examination system, and currently served as deputy examiner for the first Jinshi examinations since the new emperor's ascension—a position coveted by scholars nationwide. Even if rumors accused her of flattering the emperor and being harsh and ruthless, how could they overshadow her dazzling achievements?
Yet among all those gazes, one pair remained calm and unhurried, observing her with leisurely composure.
The moment Meng Tinghui met that gaze, she knew who it belonged to. She didn't avoid it but looked directly back.
In the crowd, Yin Qing lifted the corners of his mouth slightly and gave a shallow bow, just as he had that day outside the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall, as if entirely unsurprised to see her in official attire.
Her suspicions about this person deepened. He didn't seem like a young courtier newly admitted as a successful candidate, yet she couldn't pinpoint what exactly felt so peculiar.
As matters drew to a close, the new scholars were led out of the Great Within as per custom. A short while later, the Ministry of Personnel finalized the official posts for the Second and Third Class Jinshi, recorded them clearly, and submitted the report to the Secretariat.
Night was falling as Meng Tinghui crossed the Imperial Street, preoccupied with whether the Secretariat would reject the Ministry of Personnel's proposal this time.
Then a man's voice called out, "Lady Meng."
She turned and saw Yin Qing standing under a vermilion-lacquered barrier, sleeves tucked, waiting for her.
...It seemed only fitting that it would be him.Having witnessed numerous court affairs and having trodden this path herself, how could she not know that this man must have some request of her? Thus, she said, "Do you have a courtesy name, so that I may address you properly?"
Yin Qing smiled faintly and took two steps closer. "Minister Meng is indeed unlike ordinary women, straightforward and without delay. My humble courtesy name is Fuguang."
Meng Tinghui lowered her gaze in thought, then asked him directly, "With your talent, the top scholar position could have been easily attained. How did you end up among the Second Class Candidates?"
The faint smile on Yin Qing's lips did not fade. "Because this humble official did not wish to stand out. When first entering the court, showing too much brilliance is not necessarily a good thing. What does Minister Meng think?"
Her heart trembled slightly.
This was indeed a clever man, and his words carried an implication, clearly referring to how she had attracted so much trouble by being too conspicuous when she first entered the court.
She immediately warned herself not to underestimate this young man who had just passed the imperial examinations. Her hand unconsciously clenched inside her sleeve, but her expression remained unchanged as she said softly, "Previously, Senior Counselor Cao recommended you to me. I wonder if your intentions have changed since then?"
Yin Qing understood clearly. After quietly watching her for a moment, he said, "If they had changed, why would this humble official be waiting here for Minister Meng?" As he spoke, he took something from his sleeve and respectfully presented it, saying, "Observing the currents in the court, this humble official believes Minister Meng currently needs this. Please accept it as a token of my sincerity."
Meng Tinghui did not refuse either. She reached out to take it and opened the box by the dim streetlight, revealing a stack of letters inside. She randomly pulled one out to look at, her eyes quickly scanning the contents. Her expression immediately changed, and she looked up in astonishment, exclaiming, "This..."
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