Hah!

So he had come to strike a bargain with her.

If that was the case, then the recent rumors that the Emperor intended to appoint civil officials to the Military Commission were true. Minister Gu probably assumed that given her favored status, she already knew about this, or perhaps even believed she had long coveted such a position—little did he know that she hadn’t heard even the slightest hint from the Emperor.

Offering her a position in the Military Commission was likely an attempt to keep her away from the Department of State Affairs for some time, allowing the controversy surrounding Xu Ting’s dismissal as Grand Chancellor and the transfer of officials from the Northern Chao’an Circuit to subside. It would also prevent her from repeatedly catching the senior ministers of the Secretariat off guard. But regardless of Gu Qin’s intentions, being appointed to the Military Commission as a civil official was already something that would inspire envy throughout the court.

Moreover, she would be allowed to become a Participant in Determining Governmental Matters after just six months, entering the Department of State Affairs to participate in important state affairs!

Not just among female officials, but since the founding of the dynasty, who had ever risen to the position of Participant in Determining Governmental Matters after just three years at court?

It was truly tempting.

After contemplating in silence for a while, Meng Tinghui finally gave a slight smile and said, “Minister Gu is surprisingly willing to part with such important positions.”

Hearing her indirect response with its implied mockery, Gu Qin grew somewhat irritated and coldly replied, “Isn’t it precisely these high positions that you desire? What more could you be dissatisfied with?”

Yes, she did desire high positions.

But she only wanted to be closer to that person, even closer.

Beyond this, she could find no other way to remain by his side, to watch him secure the empire, to see him nurture the people, to witness him achieve great peace.

She said, “Since Minister Gu has personally promised these positions, how dare this humble official be dissatisfied? However, the Emperor’s selection of an Empress and Consort is a matter of great importance that all people eagerly anticipate. Given my humble status, how could I interfere in the inner palace affairs? Minister Gu overestimates this humble official’s influence.”

Gu Qin’s gaze was rather complex. “There’s no need for such meaningless words before me. Whether I overestimate you or not, you know very well in your heart.” He paused, his lips moving as though struggling to speak. “…I know the Emperor’s feelings for you run deep, but the position of Empress can never be yours, nor will the empire’s affections ever belong to you. As long as you promise not to oppose the Secretariat in this matter, we governing ministers will not interfere in your private relationship with the Emperor hereafter.”

These words come from the rigid and stubborn Gu Qin represented the greatest concession he could make, as well as the lowest baseline of his ability to “comprehend the Emperor’s heart.”

She knew Gu Qin was a truly loyal minister.

He had sufficient reasons for everything he did for the Emperor and the country.

But all Meng Tinghui wanted most in this life was that one person. What she cared about least was her reputation. If she didn’t make things difficult for Gu Qin, she would be making things difficult for herself.

With a calm expression, Meng Tinghui asked, “May I inquire, Minister Gu, who is your intended candidate for Empress?”

Gu Qin hesitated for a moment, seemingly deciding there was no need to hide it from her, and replied, “…Several senior ministers and I consider Grand Tutor Shen’s eldest daughter to be suitable.”

Almost the moment she understood his words, the hesitation she had felt earlier regarding Di Nian’s request vanished without a trace.

She even regretted how she could have been so indecisive earlier.

In the political arena, personal feelings were insignificant compared to interests and advantages. Gu Qin must have known about Shen Zhili’s feelings for him, yet he could still disregard her deep affection and, without even informing her, join the other ministers in petitioning the Emperor to make Shen Zhili the Empress.

Gu Qin did not deserve Shen Zhili’s passionate devotion.

Meng Tinghui’s expression darkened somewhat, but she offered him a casual smile and said, “This humble official also believes that Grand Tutor Shen’s eldest daughter, Lady Shen, is most suitable.”

Gu Qin hadn’t expected her to remain so calm after hearing this and couldn’t help feeling a sense of wonder. “If you can truly think this way, that would be for the best.”

She continued to smile. “I shall not oppose Minister Gu, but I hope Minister Gu remembers what he promised this humble official today.” Having said this, without waiting for Gu Qin’s response, she hurriedly turned, lifted her skirts, and ascended the steps to enter the hall.

Gu Qin gazed at her retreating figure for a long while before lifting the hem of his robe and slowly climbing the steps.

Inside Daqing Hall, music already reverberated against the walls, and the Emperor had nearly completed the first round of bestowing wine.

Having arrived late, Meng Tinghui didn’t go to the front but casually chose a seat in a corner, not even bothering to look for where Shen Zhili and Zuo Qiurong were sitting.

The imperial banquet was merely the Emperor’s pretext for allowing his officials and generals to socialize and feast together. Laughter and conversation filled the air, and no one cared where she was seated.

She sat there in a daze, not knowing how much time had passed before her consciousness returned from those earlier matters. Her mind instinctively began calculating, and her hand unconsciously reached for the glazed wine vessel on the table.

Suddenly, a eunuch beside her bowed and said, “Master Meng.” Seeing her look up, he continued in a low voice, “His Majesty says that wine harms the body, and Master Meng would be wise to drink less.”

She abruptly turned her head toward the imperial throne in the hall, but it was too far away for her to see his face.

That night when she had been drunk must have left a deep impression on him, which was why he had someone subtly suggest that she shouldn’t drink at the imperial banquet. But she hadn’t expected him to be so considerate, actually sending someone to watch over her from the beginning.

So she merely touched the thin, colorful glazed vessel lightly before withdrawing her hand.

The eunuch added, “His Majesty also says that if Master Meng is feeling unwell, there is no need to remain at the imperial banquet in Daqing Hall.”

She knew her complexion had been poor on her way here, and now with her troubled state of mind, she indeed had no desire to stay longer. She rose and said, “Please convey my thanks to His Majesty.” Having said this, she quietly slipped out of the hall along the heavy curtains, and only after escaping everyone’s gaze did she let out a soft sigh.

Unexpectedly, the eunuch had followed her out. Casually sweeping his whisk to all sides, he stood beside her and said, “His Majesty finally added that today is the Son of Heaven’s birthday, a rare fine evening. Since Master Meng is unwell, she might as well rest in Xihua Palace.”

The sky had not yet darkened, but the bright star in her heart had already begun to shimmer brilliantly.

She couldn’t help but smile slightly. It was indeed his birthday today, and it should not be spent in vain… So she followed the eunuch to Xihua Palace.

Everything in Xihua Palace remained exactly as it had been when she last visited, unchanged.

She walked into the inner chamber, parted the layers of light gauze curtains, and sat down on the soft bedding of the imperial couch.

Six red palace candles burned gently on the table, their teardrops of wax forming slowly, the fragrance infused in their wicks intoxicating to the spirit. His traces were visible throughout the chamber; merely looking at them caused her face to flush.

Not long after nightfall, she vaguely sensed someone pushing open the door and entering the hall.

She lay on the couch waiting for him, sleeping lightly and immediately opened her eyes when she felt someone approach. But before she could react, two red lips descended upon hers, preventing her from speaking.

His breath washed over her face.

It carried the fragrance of wine and the unique imperial majesty that belonged only to the Son of Heaven.

She struggled to turn over and rise, throwing herself into his embrace and holding him tightly.

“Your Majesty.”

The formal court robes piled up beneath them in disarray, like flowers blooming abundantly in the night, accompanied by her newly awakened, soft, hoarse voice, revealing the deep emotions she had suppressed for so many days, finally seeing the light.