Compared to the smooth transfer of officials in the Chaoan North Circuit, how to arrange Yin Qing's position caused her some concern and difficulty.
She naturally remembered what she had promised him before, and even more clearly recalled his request—to remain in the capital as an official, or if that was not possible, to be appointed to an administrative post in the Chaoan North Circuit.
Somehow, she instinctively felt that this person should not stay by her side for long. If he could be sent to a local post, it would be the best outcome. However, at present, there were no vacancies for county magistrates in the Chaoan North Circuit, and the vacant positions in the Pacification and Transport Commissions were not suitable for a newly appointed jinshi like Yin Qing. After much deliberation, she finally decided to let Yin Qing remain temporarily in the capital, filling the position of Chief Clerk in the Court of the Imperial Treasury. She planned to transfer him out of the capital after a year or so.
Next were the six female jinshi who had passed the imperial examinations this year.
This year was naturally different from previous years. The official positions these six newly appointed female jinshi would occupy had long been the focus of attention for all civil and military officials at court. The Emperor had left the matter untouched, stating only that the Chancellors of the Secretariat should discuss it with the Ministry of Personnel and handle it according to the precedents of previous years' jinshi appointments. However, despite this, Meng Tinghui could not truly treat these six female jinshi the same as their male counterparts, nor was she willing to let them be appointed to local posts, wasting the opportunity she had fought so hard to secure.
Just as she was pondering and trying to draft a proposal that would satisfy both sides to present to the Secretariat, someone arrived from the Inner Capital Hall, saying that the Chief Administrators had already deliberated on the matter of the newly appointed female jinshi and requested Lord Meng to review it.
Meng Tinghui took the document delivered by the messenger and quickly scanned it. Seeing that the Secretariat also had no intention of sending these six women to local posts, she immediately felt relieved. However, upon closer inspection, she could not help but feel astonished—
The Secretariat had proposed allowing Zuo Qiurong, the sixth-ranked candidate in the Second Class of this year's imperial examinations, to enter the Imperial Academy and assume the position of Compiler.
Not to mention that the second and third-ranked candidates in the First Class of this year's examinations were only appointed as Compilers in the Imperial Academy, a rank of seventh grade—when had these senior ministers of the Secretariat ever been willing to allow women to hold important positions? How was it that today, their attitude seemed to have changed drastically, to the point of allowing a mere sixth-ranked candidate in the Second Class, a female jinshi, to serve as an official in the Imperial Academy!
She thought for a long time but could not understand the reason. She stored the document away, intending to bring it up for discussion in court in the Emperor's presence during the next morning's audience, lest she inadvertently fall into a trap set by the senior ministers of the Secretariat.
Thinking of the Emperor, she finally felt as if she had broken free from the pile of tedious and complicated tasks, remembering that she had originally planned to seek an audience at the Hall of Profound Thought after entering the palace to ask why he had left the palace to look for her the previous night.
She immediately wrapped up her miscellaneous tasks and hurried out. As she passed through the Right Side Gate, she happened to run into a Junior Palace Attendant who usually served by the Emperor's side.
The Junior Palace Attendant was on his way to the Hall of Profound Thought. When he saw her, he greeted her respectfully. Upon learning that she wished to seek an audience with the Emperor, he promptly escorted her there. Along the way, he smiled and repeatedly inquired whether Lord Meng was feeling better.
Meng Tinghui knew that since she had not attended court that day, the Emperor's special excuse must have been that she was unwell. She smiled and replied, "I only started feeling a bit better and rushed over immediately. No matter what, I dare not take advantage of the Emperor's special decree to neglect my official duties..."The Junior Palace Attendant, seeing her willing to respond, grew even more animated. "It's a pity you weren't at court today, Lord Meng. Chancellor Gu and Left Assistant Zhou requested His Majesty summon the six female jinshi candidates for an audience. Those women truly possess substantial learning—they dared to briefly discuss current affairs before the entire civil and military officials. His Majesty was greatly pleased and rewarded them all, with Zuo Qiurong receiving particularly generous favors."
Meng Tinghui absorbed every word, her brow slightly furrowed as sudden understanding dawned.
Those veteran ministers from the Secretariat weren't truly willing to allow women to serve in the Imperial Academy—they clearly intended to create a second Meng Tinghui!
Just as she had gained imperial favor through entering the Imperial Academy back then, now this Zuo Qiurong could also make the Emperor view her differently. This was precisely their cunning scheme!
She couldn't help but laugh coldly.
These old ministers were truly clever. Knowing she currently enjoyed powerful influence and couldn't possibly lose imperial favor, they devised this method to divert the Emperor's attention through someone else—truly shrewd calculation!
Hadn't she repeatedly advocated for female jinshi to enjoy the same privileges as regular candidates? The Chancellors of the Secretariat were granting her wish, even opening the Imperial Academy's gates to these women. How could she possibly reject the ministers' "good intentions"?
Her mind raced, vaguely recalling having seen Zuo Qiurong during that waiting period at the Ministry of Personnel. In her memory, the woman was also exceptionally beautiful.
Suddenly feeling displeased, she chided herself for being petty yet couldn't suppress the rising anger. She no longer wanted to visit the Hall of Profound Thought, merely offering the Junior Palace Attendant a faint smile. "Eunuch, are you certain what you described was Chancellor Gu and Left Assistant Zhou's intention?"
The attendant, oblivious to her changed expression, chuckled, "After court ended today, I even saw those female jinshi thanking Chancellor Gu!"
Maintaining her faint smile, Meng Tinghui said, "I just remembered I forgot memorial documents meant for His Majesty. Please go ahead—I'll retrieve them and join you later."
The Junior Palace Attendant looked momentarily puzzled but dared not inquire further, simply acknowledging before departing.
Only after he left did her expression turn cold. She turned toward the Inner Capital Hall but paused halfway, changing direction to exit the palace and return directly to the Meng residence.
This unfamiliar emotion overwhelmed her, making her feel unlike her usual self. How could she be so impulsive?
With Xu Ting recently dismissed as chancellor and his replacement uncertain, while Chaoan North Circuit affairs still required careful handling, how could she lose composure at such a critical moment!
Setting personal feelings aside, the veteran ministers permitting Second Class female candidates to enter the Imperial Academy was inherently positive. She should seize this opportunity to turn disadvantage into advantage, not dwell on imperial favor!
...And imperial favor—since when could she presume to control it?
·
Until the Emperor's birthday on August 26th, Meng Tinghui buried herself in government affairs without privately visiting the Hall of Profound Thought. She didn't go, and the Emperor issued no special summons—a frosty distance seeming to form between them.
Yin Qing's appointment as registrar in the Court of the Imperial Treasury raised few questions, while the Secretariat smoothly approved her submitted memorials—likely because she fully supported the Chancellors' personnel proposals regarding the new female jinshi candidates.Although Zuo Qiurong's entry into the Imperial Academy as a Compiler could not compare with the meteoric rise of Meng Tinghui—who had assumed the Compiler position upon first entering the Imperial Academy, been granted access to observe academicians drafting imperial edicts, and bestowed a silver Fish Pouch—it still stirred considerable discussion throughout the court. Everyone remarked that women officials could now truly attain prominent positions, and Meng Tinghui's apparent indifference toward Zuo Qiurong's appointment left many astonished.
Upon hearing this, Meng Tinghui merely smiled and let it pass.
The veteran officials in the Secretariat had tried to trip her up but ended up enhancing her reputation instead.
When debating the merits of the current imperial examination reforms or the new positions for female officials in the court, who in the world could deny even an iota of Meng Tinghui's contributions?
For the Emperor's birthday, the Ministry of Rites proposed holding a banquet in the Great Celebration Hall, where all officials and military officers would offer congratulations. Subsequently, an imperial decree from the Inner Court declared a general amnesty across the land and halved taxes in the capital region and various circuits.
Five days before the court banquet, palace messengers arrived at the Meng residence to announce Inner Court rewards, including a set of grand ceremonial court robes bestowed upon Meng Tinghui.
Meng Tinghui received the edict and accepted the honors, yet she felt somewhat puzzled.
She hadn't heard from the Ministry of Rites beforehand that grand ceremonial robes were required for the court banquet, but since the Emperor had specifically ordered these garments for her, she could not refuse the decree.
After all, it wasn't the first time he had bestowed clothing upon her.
This set of grand ceremonial robes was far more splendid and flamboyant than the sacrificial attire she had worn during the Emperor's accession ceremony. Layer upon layer of intricate and exquisite patterns adorned the fabric, while the sheer gauze and fine silk felt exceptionally smooth to the touch. The ceremonial regalia prominently displayed her current unparalleled authority among female court officials.
She examined these items carefully, then tried them on one by one. To her surprise, they fit perfectly, without the slightest discrepancy. This inevitably reminded her of that previous occasion, causing her cheeks to grow warm with flush.
Though she was no peerless beauty, she still possessed a woman's desire to adorn herself for the one who appreciated her.
Since he wished to see her wear them, she would wear them for him.
·
On the day of the Emperor's birthday, officials first offered congratulations in the main hall. Then, ministers from the two key government bureaus, officials of the two drafting institutions and above, along with other close courtiers, were summoned to the palace garden pond for casual fishing. They would return to the Great Celebration Hall for the banquet once it commenced.
Meng Tinghui, clad in her magnificent robes, indeed captivated the entire assembly of court officials into stunned silence. Everyone scrutinized her distinctive grand ceremonial attire, their minds swirling with countless thoughts and speculations, yet no one dared to utter a word in the hall.
Among capital officials, female officers eligible to attend court discussions were already few in number. That day, as she stood among the dense crowd of officials performing congratulatory rites, Meng Tinghui shone particularly brilliantly.
No one could connect the composed, authoritative figure now standing before the throne with the fresh-faced, inexperienced female imperial scholar who had first entered the court. In less than three years, how could her transformation have been so profound?
Even the Imperial Academy officials who had once viewed her as a disgrace to their institution and repeatedly publicly denounced her for underhanded conduct now dared not voice extreme criticisms against her.
When she had once implicated and dismissed both Wang Qi and Wei Mingxian in a single case, few had paid much attention to her actions. Yet subsequently, she forged edicts to execute a city of rebels, covertly uncovered private letters of the current chancellor to impeach him, and transferred over a dozen officials from the two administrative offices in Chaoan North Circuit in one sweep—each deed astonishing and shocking. Even though she did not hold a top administrative position, who in the court dared not take her seriously?
After the rites concluded, as they proceeded to the garden pond behind the hall for casual fishing, Meng Tinghui began to notice something unusual.Those who were not court officials naturally could not enter the hall to offer congratulations, but other esteemed capital officials and close ministers favored by the Emperor were permitted to join the Chief Administrators of the Two Departments and officials of the rank of Two Drafts or higher in fishing at the pond garden to please His Majesty. Among the capital officials summoned here was Shen Zhili, but Meng Tinghui had not expected that Zuo Qiurong, who had only recently entered the Imperial Academy, would also be waiting by the pond pavilion.
A group of Junior Palace Attendants had long prepared everything—soft cushions, golden dishes, fish food, and fishing gear—all ready for the officials and military officers to descend from the hall. The imperial seat by the eastern pond was naturally reserved for the Emperor, with the Chief Administrators and the Chief of the Privy Council seated below him according to protocol. The remaining officials scattered along the pondside without fixed positions.
Shen Zhili spotted her early on and, after greeting others, came to sit with her. Tugging at her sleeve, she said, "You went to great lengths to secure six female scholars in this examination, only to have others learn from it and reap the benefits!" Then, glancing into the distance with a disdainful expression, she added, "Doesn’t she realize what kind of occasion this is? How dare she come?"
Meng Tinghui pretended not to understand, lightly stirring the fish food in the golden dish beside her as she murmured, "Who has upset you this time?"
Shen Zhili, straightforward by nature, could not hold back her words and blurted out, "The Secretariat summoned that Zuo Qiurong here—clearly showing they have no regard for you. How can you not be angry?"
Meng Tinghui gave a soft laugh, glanced at her, and said nothing.
Shen Zhili, bold and outspoken, repeatedly criticized the Secretariat’s actions, unaware that among those who had plotted this was none other than Gu Qin, whom she constantly thought of day and night.
Meng Tinghui took the fishing tackle handed to her by a Junior Palace Attendant, baited the hook, and said, "I haven’t noticed anyone disregarding me. I only see someone over there staring at you."
Shen Zhili fell silent at once, knowing she referred to Di Nian, who was seated near the Emperor to the east. Just as Meng Tinghui had said, Di Nian kept glancing in their direction from time to time.
Military officers, usually stationed in camps, rarely had the chance to enter the palace for audiences unless summoned for special decrees or grand ceremonies. Today, on the Emperor’s birthday, all renowned figures in the court—whether veteran or new, civil or military—had gathered. Having not seen Shen Zhili for a long time, Di Nian could not restrain himself and stared openly at her, disregarding the other officials present.
As the two conversed, a sudden splash came from the opposite side—Vice Director Wang Yuande had hooked a colorful carp but promptly and discreetly released it.
This was an unwritten rule in the palace.
While accompanying the Emperor in fishing, which subject would dare to reel in a catch before His Majesty had hooked one?
Meng Tinghui secretly lifted her gaze to glance eastward.
That man stood as straight as a blade-sharp pine, his formal court robes enhancing his handsome and imposing presence. He was speaking softly with several elder ministers nearby, his expression relaxed, appearing thoroughly at ease.
She withdrew her gaze, her red lips slightly downturned.
After many days apart, it was still she who could not resist looking, while he showed no signs of missing her—proof that her cultivation was still too shallow…
Amid her wandering thoughts, Shen Zhili suddenly gasped softly beside her, tugging at her arm and whispering, "Stop daydreaming! Hurry up and release the fish!"Meng Tinghui finally noticed she had a fish on her line. Just as she was about to keep her rod steady, a Junior Palace Attendant approached from behind with a cheerful grin, holding a red net. "Since you've caught a fish, Lord Meng, why not reel it in?" he said to her.
Shen Zhili was about to scold him, but when she turned and saw the red net in his hand, she froze, speechless.
Unlike Shen Zhili, who had grown up in the palace and was well-versed in its customs, Meng Tinghui paused briefly before instinctively reeling in her line, allowing the Junior Palace Attendant to scoop the fish into the red net.
Shen Zhili stared in shock as the attendant turned and headed toward the emperor's side, muttering under her breath, "That servant has some nerve! Does he not know the palace rules? He's just asking for punishment!"
The commotion drew the attention of everyone present. Seeing Meng Tinghui had already reeled in her catch, they were astounded, silently criticizing her for presuming on imperial favor and overstepping her bounds. When they noticed the attendant using a red net to collect her fish, their astonishment deepened—the servant must have a death wish!
Meng Tinghui alone remained oblivious. Watching the attendant walk toward the eastern imperial dais, she even smiled at Shen Zhili and asked, "What's wrong?"
Shen Zhili wore a strange expression, as if wanting to say something, but she kept silent and simply stared at the attendant's retreating figure.
As the attendant made his way to the eastern dais, the entire assembly held their breath and watched covertly. Just then, the gilded fishing rod in that direction bent and sprang back, and the emperor also reeled in his line.
A small koi flicked its tail in the air and was similarly collected by the same attendant into the red net.
Only then did the officials, who had been keeping their rods steady, begin to reel in their lines. Those who caught fish had Junior Palace Attendants waiting nearby to collect them, but they all used ordinary white nets.
Meng Tinghui finally understood, her back stiffening involuntarily.
Even if she had been unaware of the rules for accompanying the emperor in fishing, it was now clear to her: even the Chief Administrators of the two highest offices used white nets. How could she, of all people, have her fish collected in a red net reserved for the emperor?
Yet she recognized the attendant as one of the emperor's close personal servants. Without the emperor's explicit permission, he would never have dared to use the red net for her fish and then for the emperor's!
Her face paled and stiffened. She didn't know what scheme he was playing this time, but she realized she had become the target of everyone's attention in this lotus-filled, willow-shaded pond garden.
Then a eunuch's voice rang out from the eastern side—
"By imperial decree, a reward is granted!"
To whom?
And what reward?
No further explanation was needed.
Every official present was skilled at interpreting the emperor's intentions. At the eunuch's proclamation, dozens of gazes instantly turned toward Meng Tinghui.
She calmly raised her head and met their stares.
Even from a distance, she could see the darkened expressions of the Zhongshu officials and the amused, almost mocking looks on the faces of the veteran Privy Council members. Among the other officials, some were shocked, some envious, and some disdainful.
What? Did they really think she was just there for their entertainment?
The scheming old ministers of Zhongshu had arranged for Zuo Qiurong to accompany the emperor in the garden, yet the emperor had openly favored her in front of everyone. Though she didn't fully understand his motives, she couldn't help feeling a flicker of pleasure.
After all, she couldn't suppress her tender feelings—and she was not immune to vanity.Shen Zhili stood dumbfounded beside her for a long moment before seeming to collect herself, whispering softly, "When the late emperor went fishing with Prince Ping, they used the same net…"
But Meng Tinghui didn’t hear these seemingly cautionary words. She rose and walked toward the imperial throne in the east, stopping a few steps before it to perform a respectful bow. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
As she lifted her head, she met his gaze—half icy sharp, half blazing hot—like deep, turbulent waters.
Her heart swayed with those waters, pounding uncontrollably.
A Junior Palace Attendant stood nearby holding a net. Inside the red fishing net, two koi fish twisted and struggled, their tails intertwined, inseparable in their intimacy.
"Another reward," he declared, his gaze upon her gradually turning leisurely.
He appeared utterly unconcerned about the assembled ministers and officers present.
It was his birthday—who would dare disrupt his mood? Naturally, he could do as he pleased. The eunuch’s voice rang out sharply once more as he announced the decree, and the expressions of the Important Officials on either side of the throne shifted again.
She bowed once more in gratitude.
It had been many days since the two of them had stood so close, gazing at each other. Now, unable to tear her eyes away, she understood what his intense gaze signified, and a subtle restlessness stirred within her.
She had dressed elaborately today, and the ceremonial court robes he had bestowed upon her accentuated her curves and slender frame perfectly. Though not a peerless beauty, she was captivating nonetheless.
The prolonged silence and unabashed eye contact between them were enough for the nearby ministers to sense the delicate situation, leaving them uneasy and fidgeting in their seats.
How audacious…
Meng Tinghui was truly fearless!
Though rumors had circulated privately about her staying overnight at the West China Palace, the Emperor conducted himself with propriety, and matters of the inner court were not for open discussion in the outer court. Yet who could have imagined that Meng Tinghui would dare to behave so openly with the Emperor in front of the court officials…
Did she have no regard for the Chief Administrators?
Was this the conduct expected of a scholar who had spent ten years studying the classics?
She showed not a trace of the demeanor befitting a subject!
An elderly minister near the lower end of the throne almost couldn’t restrain himself from speaking out in reproach, yet he found no grounds to do so. Though everyone could see it clearly, she hadn’t engaged in any overtly intimate or ambiguous behavior with the Emperor—what pretext was there for accusation?
It was Di Nian who broke the awkwardness for everyone, calling out to her with a smile, "It’s been a while, Minister Meng! You look splendid!"
Di Nian held a special status and was deeply favored by the late emperor, so court officials generally dared not offend him. They could only watch as he casually summoned Meng Tinghui over.
Meng Tinghui approached him with a slight smile. "It’s been too long, Colonel Di. I hope all is well?"
Di Nian made room for her on a decorative stone beside him, his smile growing brighter. "Lately, I’ve been busy with preparations for the autumn mounted archery ceremony, and not long ago, I was tasked with reorganizing the border route Imperial Army!"
Having accompanied him to Chao’an before, Meng Tinghui knew of his lofty ambitions. Seeing him so spirited now, she felt genuinely happy for him. However, she hadn’t heard about his assignment to reorganize the border route Imperial Army, and since it fell under the Privy Council’s purview, she thought it improper to inquire. She simply nodded and said lightly, "I’ve been thinking of finding time to share a drink with you, Colonel Di. But with your military duties keeping you so occupied, I suppose leisure is hard to come by."Di Nian did not speak immediately. Instead, he lifted his head to glance toward where Shen Zhili was seated in the distance before turning back to her. "Has Lord Meng not yet heard? Prefect Shen will return to the capital in just over a month to report on his duties. When that time comes, you and I will have plenty of opportunities to gather and drink freely!"
She was indeed taken aback. "Prefect Shen is returning to the capital?" Seeing Di Nian nod with absolute certainty, she smiled faintly, her thoughts involuntarily drifting to Yan Fuzhi.
She wondered what the situation between those two might be now. If only Shen Zhishu could bring Yan Fuzhi along with him this time...
Di Nian paused, seeming to struggle with his words. After a long silence, he finally continued, "When Yanzhi returns to the capital this time, I... I plan to pay a visit to the Shen residence. Then I shall submit a memorial to His Majesty, requesting... requesting an imperial decree..."
Though his words came out haltingly, Meng Tinghui understood their meaning perfectly clearly.
Although she was aware of Di Nian's feelings for Shen Zhili, she never expected him to settle the matter so quickly, nor did she anticipate he would confide in her so openly. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, "Has Colonel Di ever inquired about Lord Shen's intentions?"
Di Nian's expression immediately darkened, his brow furrowing as he replied, "I... I wish to request Lady Meng to inquire on my behalf. Would you be willing to help me with this matter?"
Meng Tinghui was momentarily speechless, finally understanding why he had been so cordial to her earlier. His request for her to sound out Shen Zhili was essentially an invitation to persuade her, wasn't it?
As the adopted heir of the late Duke Wu Guo Di Feng and one of the few young officers in the Imperial Army who had earned military merits, if Di Nian wished to marry into the Shen family, why would he need to make such a spectacle of requesting an imperial marriage decree from the Emperor?
He probably understood himself that this matter would ultimately require the Emperor's personal decree.
Considering this, his plea for her assistance was clearly the result of careful calculation.
OpenNovel