When Meng Tinghui emerged from the Privy Council, she spotted Shen Zhili standing under a vermilion-lacquered fence not far away, sleeves drawn together against the chill.
The night was so dark, and she had been waiting there alone for who knew how long—even the high chignon at the back of her head was damp with dew.
With beacon fires raging across the northern border, the officers of the Palace Guard who had previously accompanied Di Nian to reorganize the Imperial Army in the north were now all stationed in the Northern Three Routes. Thus, along the imperial street outside the Privy Council, one often saw household members of these officers waiting through the night, hoping to spot courier horses bringing reports from the north, so they could learn of the military situation at the earliest opportunity.
Only the Di household was never seen here.
As a court official, Shen Zhili would naturally not permit her servants to engage in such behavior like others.
However, it had been over twenty days since the last report from the northern front reached the capital. Moreover, Shen Zhishu’s unauthorized execution of a court-appointed official in the Chaoan North Circuit Transportation Office had drawn impeachment censure in court. It was likely that Shen Zhili had been suffering during this period, and tonight she could no longer restrain herself from coming to the Privy Council.
Meng Tinghui walked over and called softly, “Lord Shen.”
Shen Zhili turned at the sound, her face slightly pale but her tone even: “I heard you’ve been staying at the ministry compound recently. I happened to pass by tonight and thought I’d check on you.”
Meng Tinghui smiled faintly. “The Ministry of Rites was also busy until late today?”
“This year’s Female Scholar Examination didn’t produce many outstanding candidates,” she replied, casting a glance. “Nothing as critical as your military and state affairs.”
Meng Tinghui hesitated before saying, “You know I cannot discuss these matters in detail with you, as protocol demands. Besides, it’s true that no messages have arrived from the north for over twenty days—it’s not that His Majesty is deliberately withholding information from the outer court…”
Shen Zhili gave a faint smile, interrupting her: “You misunderstand me. Do you think I don’t understand the rules? I didn’t come to ask you about these things tonight.”
As she spoke, she drew a thin piece of peachwood from her sleeve and handed it over. “Is this a specialty from your Chaoan region?”
Meng Tinghui recognized it immediately as something she had once seen in Di Nian’s possession and nodded.
Shen Zhili closed her hand around it, lowering her gaze as she murmured, “Thank you.”
That single word of thanks carried profound emotion, startling Meng Tinghui into speechless dismay. After a long pause, she whispered, “I… need you to understand one thing.”
But Shen Zhili shook her head. “There’s no need.”
Meng Tinghui frowned slightly.
Shen Zhili gazed at her quietly for a moment before saying abruptly, “I’m not a fool.” She paused briefly, then continued, “Before Di Nian left for the northern front, he told me how he once asked you to sound out my feelings on his behalf—and that you already knew he intended to request an imperial marriage decree.”
Meng Tinghui’s heart clenched with sour regret.
She turned partially away before adding, “Some things, even if one was too frantic to consider carefully at the time, become clearer upon reflection.”
Tears welled in Meng Tinghui’s eyes as she murmured, “I’ve wronged you.”
“There’s no wrong to speak of,” Shen Zhili actually smiled. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come specifically to thank you.”
Though her words were composed, Meng Tinghui felt utterly wretched.
Even if Shen Zhili’s tone suggested she had developed affection for Di Nian by now, how could Meng Tinghui truly forgive her own past actions?Yet the past could not be mended; she only hoped for future opportunities to properly compensate Shen Zhili.
Thinking this, she recalled Shen Zhili’s words at the palace banquet and asked, "Since General Di has been ordered to remain in the north, why not request permission to go to the frontier and join him?"
Shen Zhili’s expression dimmed. "Times have changed. Di Nian now commands three routes and oversees northern affairs, holding heavy troops and great authority. The Emperor is cold-hearted in such matters; personal feelings have never swayed state affairs. He will surely keep me in the capital to prevent any unrest in Di Nian’s army. How dare I ask to leave for the frontier?"
She sighed softly and continued, "Besides, given Di Nian’s temperament, he would never stay safely in his headquarters while his subordinates risk their lives in battle. He would surely lead the troops north himself to fulfill his duty as a man of passion. Even if I went north, I’d likely be stuck at the Pacification Office in Fen Prefecture, unable to see him. What would be the point? I only hope the northern conflict ends soon and he returns safely—that would be comfort enough."
Meng Tinghui comforted her, "Don’t worry. General Di is blessed and will surely be safe. Our Great Peace Imperial Army is numerous and fierce; even if Northern Frontier mobilizes its entire nation’s forces, they won’t gain an inch of advantage."
Shen Zhili knew she was speaking lightly to cheer her up and smiled faintly. "It’s late, and I won’t disturb you further. Remember to take care of your health and don’t overwork yourself."
Just as Meng Tinghui was about to nod, the sound of light hoofbeats came from the eastern end of the imperial street, growing steadily louder until a horse emerged into the dim yellow light. She could then see the man in courier’s attire on its back.
Beside her, Shen Zhili took a deep breath.
Before the horse had fully stopped, the courier leaped off and strode toward the Privy Council.
Without a second thought, Meng Tinghui turned and hurried a few steps before remembering Shen Zhili. She glanced back and saw her standing motionless, her expression full of anticipation.
A sudden moisture welled in Meng Tinghui’s eyes, and she opened her mouth to speak.
But Shen Zhili waved lightly with a faint smile. "I know this report must first be delivered to the Forbidden Palace for the Emperor to read. Go quickly."
Seeing that Shen Zhili showed no intention of leaving, Meng Tinghui grew anxious. "Return to your residence and rest. As soon as I have news, I’ll send someone to the Di residence to inform you."
Only when Shen Zhili nodded gently did Meng Tinghui hurry into the courtyard. She glanced back once more from afar and saw Shen Zhili’s figure still standing unmoving.
No one in the Privy Council had retired for the night. Upon hearing of the northern report, they immediately sprang into action.
By the time Meng Tinghui entered, the military dispatch had already been sent to the Hall of Profound Thought. Fang Kai and the others were already donning their robes, clearly preparing for an audience.
She called the courier over and asked, "How is it?"
The courier wiped the grimy sweat from his forehead and grinned. "A great victory on the northern border!"
Her heart trembled. "Truly?!"
Though unaware of the details, the courier nodded confidently. "The fast horse and red banner reports from the northern border have been nonstop—how could it be false!"
As he spoke, Jiang Ping approached. "Meng girl, stop dawdling and hurry up!"
Meng Tinghui obediently turned and left, quickly following the others to the Hall of Profound Thought, unable to suppress a smile along the way.
Upon entering the Hall of Profound Thought, they paid their respects to the Emperor before carefully reading the report.On the seventeenth day of the fifth month, Song Zhirui led ten thousand troops into Tingzhou. On the nineteenth, the Northern Frontier forces besieging Tingzhou withdrew to Mount Min. By the twenty-third, Northern Frontier reinforcements arrived, merging three divisions north of Mount Min. On the twenty-seventh, Song Zhirui advanced from Tingzhou to sever enemy supply routes at Golden Gorge Pass. That night, Luo Bitao launched a northern assault on their camp, setting fire to their granaries.
By the first day of the sixth month, Han Peng of the Linhuai route marched north with twenty-five thousand troops to besiege Zizhou.
On the fourth day of the sixth month, Di Nian commanded an assault on the enemy’s Mount Min encampment. Deprived of provisions and exhausted, the Northern Frontier forces surrendered under white flags. By the tenth, Han Peng captured Zizhou. Di Nian then ordered Luo Bitao and Song Zhirui to secure the eastern and western flanks of Golden Gorge Pass, appointing Han Peng as Vanguard Commander to attack Huizhou.
A decisive victory indeed!
Meng Tinghui’s eyes crinkled with silent laughter, her lips pressed together in a suppressed smile.
For over three months since the Northern Frontier’s invasion, this was the first triumphant report from the north—one substantial enough to ease the Privy Council’s long-standing anxieties about the northern conflict.
Without reading further, she quietly turned to summon a Junior Palace Attendant, instructing him to swiftly inform Shen Zhili outside the imperial avenue.
When she glanced toward the throne again, she noticed Ying Gua’s face bore no trace of victory’s joy.
She lowered her head abruptly, realizing this was not solely a northern triumph.
It was also a military dispatch detailing a crushing defeat in the Jiankang route.
Guo Ming and Zhao Pingkong, following Di Nian’s orders, had led tens of thousands of Imperial Army troops south to Shu Province to suppress rebels. Yet they suffered repeated defeats against the swiftly maneuvering bandits. Not only did they fail to eliminate the Rebel Army, but the insurgents spilled into the southern woodlands of the Linhuai and Chao’an routes, with sightings even reported in the Chengfu route below.
Jiang Ping’s earlier warnings had proven accurate: these remnant rebels from the previous dynasty appeared disorganized, but once not immediately quelled, their spread and growth snowballed, multiplying daily.
Earlier, rebel blockades in the Jiankang route had prevented northern shipments of military supplies, intensifying pressure on the northern front. Now with rebels rising in the southern Chao’an and Linhuai routes, if all three routes were severed, the nearly hundred thousand troops in the north would rely solely on circuitous supply lines from eastern and western routes—rendering sustained resistance against the Northern Frontier army impossible.
Moreover, tens of thousands of Imperial Army troops under Guo and Zhao were already bogged down by rebel forces. Deploying additional troops for suppression risked undermining the hard-won northern advantage.
Understanding this, Meng Tinghui’s heart turned to ice.
The court officials mirrored her shift from elation to alarm, their brows furrowing deeply.
Ying Gua stood, picking up a memorial from the desk, and declared to the assembly: "Di Nian’s secret report states that within three days of Han Peng capturing Zizhou and advancing on Huizhou, the Northern Frontier court ordered their commanding general and Northern Bureau Commissioner Zhao Hui to surrender and seek peace."
She startled, while those around her exchanged uneasy glances.
Though unmentioned in the main dispatch, the Emperor’s revelation of Di Nian’s secret report suggested he sought counsel from the two key government councils.
An Maolin spoke first: "Your subject believes we should accept their request for a military truce. This would halt northern hostilities, allowing the court to focus entirely on rebel suppression while rapidly redeploying the Imperial Army’s main force. If the rebel threat escalates unchecked, I fear the consequences would be irreparable."Jiang Ping, however, was extremely indignant and exclaimed loudly, "How can we let the Northern Frontier off so easily! They sent envoys to court to discuss disarmament and tribute reduction, then went back on their word and invaded our borders. Now that they've suffered a defeat, they immediately turn around and seek peace? Does the Northern Frontier think they rule the world?"
Ying Gua's gaze shifted to Fang Kai. "What is your opinion, Minister Fang?"
Fang Kai's brows were deeply furrowed. After a long pause, he said, "I fear the Northern Frontier is full of schemes and deceit. This peace overture may be a pretext, and who knows what they are plotting behind the scenes."
Yet the ministers from the Secretariat were unwilling to abandon this opportunity for peace talks. Ye Shi hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, after just three months of major conflict in the northern border, the court has already expended one-tenth of its military provisions and grain supplies. If the northern affairs could be temporarily halted, it would be a blessing for the people."
Gu Qin then stated, "Your Majesty, at the beginning of the year, the Northern Frontier sent envoys to discuss mutual disarmament and tribute reduction. Due to Your Majesty's benevolence, their request was granted. Now that the Northern Frontier has suffered a major defeat and seeks peace, why not take this opportunity to demand heavy tribute and have them reaffirm their submission and annual tribute obligations? Given the current great victory in the northern border, even demanding two to three hundred thousand in coins and silk annually would not be excessive. If we miss this opportunity, I fear it will be difficult to obtain such terms in the future."
The several senior ministers all made reasonable arguments, yet he remained silent, gripping the memorial in his hand even tighter.
Seeing this, she frowned and said, "Your Majesty, both councils have valid points. Currently, bandit troubles persist. Although we have achieved a temporary victory in the northern border, it is difficult to maintain this long-term. The court's urgent priority is to completely eradicate the roaming bandits, as only then can peace be restored to the border routes. If we can facilitate peace talks between the two armies in the north, then the matter of the domestic bandits will surely be resolved. However, we must not let our guard down against the wolfish ambitions of the Northern Frontier. I propose sending an envoy to the northern front, pretending to engage in peace talks with them and demanding an annual tribute of over a million. They will certainly refuse. If the envoys from both sides cannot reach an agreement, they will have to remain at the front and report back to the capital for further instructions. Through several rounds of such memorial exchanges, we could maintain two to three months of ceasefire in the northern border. The court could use this time to massively deploy troops southward to suppress the bandits. Once this is accomplished, we will no longer need to worry about the Northern Frontier's intentions. Whether through war or peace, our Great Peace will be able to act decisively and force them into submission."
Her strategy was thoroughly considered, addressing both the Privy Council's unwillingness to show weakness and the Secretariat's desire for peace, thereby largely diffusing the tense atmosphere that had arisen between the two councils over this matter.
Yet his expression remained unchanged. He merely glanced at her before turning his gaze to Gu Qin, saying, "Di Nian reports that the Northern Frontier requests the dispatch of a civil official to the border to discuss peace matters, to prevent incidents at the front."
This took everyone in the hall by surprise.
Gu Qin thought for a moment before responding, "The two armies have been at a standoff for a long time. If the commanders of both sides were to negotiate peace directly, it might be difficult to avoid further friction. The Northern Frontier's request is indeed reasonable."
Ying Gua slightly furrowed his brow and instructed him, "Select one civil official of the appropriate rank from the court to go to the border. Follow Meng Tinghui's previous plan: proceed beyond the Golden Gorge Pass and demand an annual tribute of over a million from the Northern Frontier, aiming to temporarily ease the northern border conflict."
Gu Qin acknowledged in a low voice. When he looked up, his gaze probed toward her.
Others from the Secretariat also turned to look at her.
Meng Tinghui stood calmly at the very back, meeting their gazes openly.
The profound implications in these looks felt intensely familiar to her. Unconsciously, her mind recalled that year when the Willow Banner Imperial Guards mutinied—also in this Hall of Profound Thought, also under such gazes.
The Privy Council side immediately understood as well, and they all frowned at once.Before anyone could speak, Ying Gua threw down the memorial in his hand and declared coldly yet resolutely, "She is not suitable!"
Gu Qin lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, among the civil officials of the two ranks or above in the court, only Meng Tinghui has experience in military affairs. Moreover, Meng Tinghui has the merit of suppressing the northern rebellion in the past and can communicate effectively with the generals of the Imperial Army at the front. Meng Tinghui is talented and resourceful. Since this strategy was proposed by her, why not let her personally go to the northern border to ensure its success? To reach Golden Gorge Pass, one must travel north through Chaoan. Meng Tinghui is from Chaoan, so if any urgent situation arises, she would undoubtedly handle it more conveniently than others."
Others in the Secretariat chimed in in agreement.
She gently lowered her eyes, wiping her sweaty palms on the side of her official robe.
In truth, she had anticipated this when she made the proposal earlier: if someone were to be sent from the court to negotiate peace at the border, the senior officials of the two councils would surely choose her.
The Secretariat's reasoning was self-evident. In terms of military affairs and seniority, no civil official in the court was more suited than her to go to the front and negotiate with the enemy nation. As for the senior generals of the Privy Council, they had witnessed firsthand how she had openly criticized Zhao Hui that day, so they must be fully confident in her ability to serve as an envoy to the northern border.
Sure enough, before long, Fang Kai stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, back when the Willow Banner Imperial Guards mutinied, the situation was terrifying. Yet Meng Tinghui entered the city amidst the rebellious troops without fear or hesitation, fulfilling the imperial command. The current danger at the northern border is not as grave as the Willow Banner incident back then, and Meng Tinghui is now more experienced and mature than she was then. I believe she will surely uphold the dignity of the state and live up to Your Majesty's grace."
Ying Gua's eyes burned with layers of anger, his tone heavy as he said, "I have already stated—she is not suitable!" He paced impatiently for a few steps, then glared at Gu Qin and Fang Kai. "This mission to the northern front is no child's play. How can we send her?"
Meng Tinghui's heart raced, beating faster and faster.
She supposed he was worried about her safety.
But his overt display of concern only made her more nervous.
She cleared her throat and finally spoke. "It is already late tonight, and all the esteemed officials and generals have been working through the night without proper rest. Deliberating matters now may lead to oversights. Why not decide tomorrow? What does Your Majesty think?"
"Court dismissed," he said without a second thought, his tone clearly displeased.
With no other choice, everyone filed out one by one.
She wanted to stay and speak with him, but he turned his back to her and said, "You may leave as well."
She could hear the cold detachment in his voice and thought that perhaps the chaos in the north had exhausted him too much. She fell silent and quietly followed the others out.
The early summer night breeze was slightly cool, brushing against her cheeks and instantly clearing her mind.
Chaoan North Circuit—why was it Chaoan North Circuit again?
She descended the steps, her mind relentlessly replaying the events that had occurred since she joined the Privy Council.
The New Year's grand court assembly, the northern envoys, the bandit troubles, the external conflicts, the peace negotiations...
Suddenly, her footsteps halted.
A thought flashed through her mind, too fleeting to grasp before it vanished.
Yet, a name surfaced in her thoughts and lingered, refusing to fade.
When Meng Tinghui arrived at the Zhaowen Pavilion in the northern corner outside the palace walls, she was not at all surprised to see a lamp still lit inside the study.
The door was unlatched, so she pushed it open and walked in.
The moment Yin Qing saw her at the desk, his face showed no surprise, as if her arrival at such a late hour was entirely expected.
Meng Tinghui found a seat and sat down, then took a moment to survey the study.
She had previously served in the Historiography Institute and knew that it was quite common for officials to stay overnight in the archives while compiling historical records, which was why she had come here directly.Yin Qing set down his brush and lifted his gaze to her face silhouetted against the light. "What brings Lord Meng to seek out this humble official?"
She went straight to the point. "Who are you?"
He lowered his eyes, picked up the brush again, and did not answer her question.
Her expression remained calm as she pressed on, "You know about my origins, don't you?"
He meticulously annotated the scroll with tiny characters, as if he hadn't heard her.
After watching him for a moment, she suddenly added, "Am I connected to the Zhongwan Meng clan of the former dynasty?"
Only then did Yin Qing look up again, a faint ripple finally appearing in his eyes as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "Lord Meng is indeed no ordinary woman."
Meng Tinghui's face instantly changed color.
His gaze was like light filtering through fine sand—bright yet profound. He reached to pull out a volume from the historical records beside him and handed it to her.
She took it, opened it, and with a single glance, the light in her eyes solidified.
Naturally, these were all things she had seen before, but she had never imagined that the events and people recorded in these historical scrolls could be related to her.
After a long while, she raised her eyes, her voice slightly hoarse. "Who are you?"
Yin Qing lowered his gaze and spoke softly and slowly, "My late father was once a scholar-retainer in the household of the deceased Duke Zheng of State, Meng Hao, who was a prince of the former Zhongwan dynasty."
So that was it.
Meng Tinghui flung the historical scroll aside. "Those people have long been dead. Why should I believe you?"
He gave a light, shallow laugh. "I have no way to prove myself, but if that's the case, why did Lord Meng come to find me?"
That laugh felt like a sharp blade scraping her skin, making the corners of her mouth tremble.
Gradually, his smile faded. "I originally thought that no matter what, you would never uncover this matter yourself. I never expected you to come to me so soon."
Meng Tinghui's expression turned cold. "I never would have thought of it, but you've made me suspicious for a long time. Before, I didn't understand why you helped me without asking for anything in return. But ever since Zuo Qiurong told me you didn't grow up in Chaoan North Circuit, I realized you were clearly targeting me." She gave a faint smile and looked at him. "If you wanted to conceal yourself and remain unknown, it wouldn't be difficult. Yet you deliberately made me aware that your attitude toward me was different from others, so as to attract my attention at every turn. Looking back on your actions, it's as if you've known me inside and out all along. You wanted to help me rise in rank but asked for nothing in return—how could that be the behavior of someone with ordinary intentions? You fabricated your origin in Chaoan simply to leave yourself a way out. If you couldn't stay at court, you could still have me transfer you to Chaoan North Circuit."
He listened intently, his gaze lingering on her face.
"At the time, although I vaguely sensed you were targeting me, I truly didn't know what you wanted from me," she continued softly. "Until this time when the Northern Frontier was defeated and sought peace."
Yin Qing's eyebrows shot up, the depths of his eyes darkening.
A trace of weariness showed on Meng Tinghui's face. "If the Northern Frontier truly wanted to invade and plunder cities, why not directly attack Jiankang Circuit? Jiankang Circuit is plagued by bandits. If the Northern Frontier's army attacked, it certainly couldn't defend as thoroughly as Chaoan North Circuit. Unless the Northern Frontier had other intentions, they would abandon Jiankang to attack Chaoan." Her gaze probed him. "Even if the Northern Frontier hadn't been defeated this time, they would have stopped at Chaoan and requested peace talks. Am I right?"
He nodded. "Correct."
She suddenly smiled. "Sending civil officials north to Chaoan was meant to target me, not to negotiate peace. Am I right?"
He nodded again. "Also correct."When Xu Ting had her pinned down and unable to lift her head, he happened to come to her aid. Once she gained power and position, and had just entered the Privy Council to participate in military affairs, the Northern Frontier sent envoys to the court. Then, bandits stirred up trouble in Jiankang Road, and the Northern Frontier raised troops to invade the border. After their defeat in the Chao'an battle, they sought peace, yet insisted that the court send civil officials to negotiate the terms.
And she, as it happened, bore the surname Meng.
It was all too coincidental—so coincidental that she couldn't help but let her thoughts run wild.
Though suspicion arose in her heart, she dared not jump to conclusions. Her late-night visit to the Zhaowen Hall was merely an attempt to probe the matter. Yet, to her surprise, he admitted everything without the slightest denial.
It was unexpected, yet within reason.
Since they intended to send her as an envoy to the Northern Chaoan Border sooner or later, someone would inevitably inform her of this matter. There was naturally no need for him to outright deny it.
Frowning, she pressed further, "But if the court does not dispatch me to the northern border, what will you do then?"
He narrowed his eyes slightly and replied, "Naturally, we will continue fighting and then devise another strategy."
Meng Tinghui's face turned ashen. After a long silence, she added, "You are colluding with the Northern Frontier, borrowing their troops to stir up trouble. What benefits are you offering them in return?"
Yin Qing answered candidly, "If we succeed in restoring the kingdom, we will cede one-third of the reclaimed territories to the Northern Frontier."
She closed her eyes briefly. "If I am sent to the northern border this time, you have no intention of letting me return to the capital, do you?"
Yin Qing fell silent for a moment before suddenly rising and walking over to her. He lifted the hem of his robe and knelt on one knee before her.
"Your Ladyship is originally a noble descendant of the former dynasty. Back then, Duke Zheng of State was innocent, yet Prince Ping exterminated the entire Meng clan. This is a matter of vengeance for the destruction of your kingdom and family, and it cannot go unavenged," he said slowly, word by word, his head bowed. "For twenty years, the hearts of the people in the northern regions have been restless. Once they learned that the Central Wan Imperial Descendant still lives, countless have rallied to support the restoration. When Your Ladyship travels to the northern border, specialized personnel will escort you from Golden Gorge Pass to Shu Province. The great undertaking of proclaiming the throne and restoring the kingdom will then be entirely at Your Ladyship's discretion."
She gazed at him lightly. "By my reckoning, you are a year younger than me. Why are you so devoted to this cause?"
His brow furrowed. "When Prince Ping exterminated the Meng clan, the entire household of Duke Zheng of State was slaughtered by the Imperial City Guard, and my late father was no exception. The Great Peace royal family is also responsible for the death of my father and the ruin of my family."
Meng Tinghui remained silent for a long while, her gaze gradually sharpening. "In the end, regardless of whether I am sent to the northern border or not, the north has no intention of ceasing hostilities, is that it?"
He nodded without hesitation.
For twenty years, across thousands of days and nights, countless people had exhausted their efforts and endured humiliation, all for this very moment. How could they possibly give up so easily?
She declared, "In that case, I will do my utmost to persuade the court to send me to the northern border."
Yin Qing slowly rose to his feet but remarked, "Your Ladyship has not once asked how I came to know of your background, nor have you shown any hesitation or astonishment. Aren't you even curious about how you were sent to Chaoan all those years ago?"
Her expression relaxed. "What is there to ask? It was merely a case of the Meng clan being wronged and exterminated, while I, like a fish that slipped through the net, fortunately survived to this day. As for how I ended up in Chaoan back then, what difference would it make even if I knew?" Her eyes held a trace of mockery as she looked at him. "Moreover, given the current tense and critical situation, even if you have mistaken my identity and I am not Meng Hao's biological daughter, I doubt you would care to verify it now."
He opened his mouth to say something, but upon seeing her calm and detached expression, he ultimately remained silent.
He had expected her to be greatly shocked upon learning these truths, yet she had remained composed from start to finish.
After a long while, she shifted slightly, her voice growing even softer. "Are you the only one in the court who knows of my background?"
Yin Qing nodded with a furrowed brow.She pondered briefly before saying, "I know you have long plotted and strategized, hoping for the day when you could stir up such chaos. Luring me to Shu Province this time must be to widely proclaim the identity of the former dynasty’s descendant to the world, legitimizing the cause of restoration and rallying the old loyalists and noble families of the former dynasty. Your intention to have me claim the throne is nothing more than a means to justify your actions."
His expression stiffened slightly. "As the daughter of Lord Meng, how could you not wish to avenge the destruction of your country and the loss of your family?"
A faint smile curved her lips, but her eyes held no trace of amusement. "The hatred for a fallen nation and a broken family must never be forgotten, but I am not one to be manipulated. Though I have agreed to let you serve as an envoy to the northern frontier, you must also agree to one condition of mine for this grand endeavor of restoration and claiming the throne to succeed."
"What condition?" Yin Qing asked, his tone tinged with hesitation.
Meng Tinghui lifted her gaze to him. "After I leave the capital, you must not reveal my origins to the court or the world without my explicit order." She paused briefly, lowering her lashes before adding, "Especially, you must not let the Emperor know."
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