Fang Huai and the others agreed verbally, then invited Zhao Hui to take a seat and drink a few cups.

During the exchange of cups, Zhao Hui suddenly said, “General, since you say His Imperial Majesty has not been involved in military affairs for a long time, and now both nations are reducing border troops together, why not take this opportunity to persuade His Imperial Majesty to stop insisting on this concept of a subjugated nation? You must know that a younger brother serving an elder brother is just like a subject serving his ruler. My sovereign is willing to address your sovereign as brothers, showing his sincerity.”

Although they knew he was indirectly suggesting that Northern Jin should no longer be considered a vassal state, his words were so convoluted that Fang Huai and the others all frowned. If they responded too harshly, they might damage national interests, but if they tried to navigate these roundabout statements as he did, they truly didn’t know how to respond.

Meng Tinghui, hearing these words, inwardly laughed coldly. Unable to restrain herself, she raised her chin and spoke, her voice soft yet forceful: “Usurping titles is fundamentally unacceptable. Even if our sovereign allowed it, the court officials of Great Ping would not comply. Northern Jin, situated in a remote corner, seems unaware of the grand system of our Great Ping. Allow me to explain a thing or two to the Northern Envoy. Although a younger brother may hold noble status as imperial kin, his life, and property are still governed by imperial edicts, not nearly as convenient as being a subject. I have always heard of ministers requesting domains without the Emperor’s approval, but never of imperial kin leaving for the border without the Emperor’s command. I know that our court does not execute scholar-officials, but the lives of imperial kin are even more precious. I know of ministers who remonstrate firmly with moral integrity, but I do not see imperial kin with the courage to disobey imperial edicts. The laws of our Great Ping court have always been strict and harsh. If imperial kin harbored rebellious thoughts, they would be executed without mercy. If His Majesty the Emperor of Northern Jin is willing to accept an edict to enter the capital as a subordinate imperial kinsman, placing his life and property entirely in our sovereign’s hands, living a mediocre life like a useless person without regret, then by all means he may call himself a younger brother instead of a subject. I believe our civil and military officials would then retreat in deference.”

These words were powerful and resonant. Though not loud, they were enough to startle all who heard them.

Her tone was calm, yet her words were harsh and uncompromising, leaving Zhao Hui’s face rigid, unable to find words to respond.

The veteran generals of the Strategic Military Bureau at the table looked at her with approval in their eyes. Jiang Ping could not hide his smile, continuously gesturing to her under the table, praising her nonstop.

Ying Gua on the throne glanced toward the other end of the hall, but couldn’t help his mouth curving slightly into a smile.

Her act of defending his honor and mocking the Northern Jin Emperor was so childish—she was probably trying to “avenge” him.

Catching a glimpse of her anger-filled eyes, his palms itched uncontrollably. He truly wanted to scoop her from her seat, hold her in his arms, and cover her with kisses.

He had always known that her sharp tongue was unstoppable once unleashed. Even he had been rendered speechless by her arguments in the past, let alone this Zhao Hui.

After a long while, Zhao Hui leaned forward, frowning at her and asking, “May I ask if you are Official Meng Tinghui?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” she replied softly, then lowered her eyelashes without further words.

Among all the civil and military officials in court, besides her, there was no other female official wearing purple and gold robes in the great hall.

Who she was—did that even need to be asked?

Zhao Hui’s face changed slightly, though he forced a smile and said, “Official Meng truly lives up to her reputation as a Hanlin Academy scholar. Her words leave this uncultured person like me quite confused. I’ve long heard that Official Meng is a rare talent in the Great Ping court. Having the opportunity to witness Official Meng’s demeanor today, my journey south has not been in vain.”

Hearing this, Meng Tinghui raised her eyes and glanced lightly at him, saying, “Does Northern Jin truly have no capable people, that they send someone who cannot understand human speech to be an envoy to our court?”

Her words were filled with barbs, and her expression was extremely disdainful, clearly showing that her anger had not yet subsided.

The people around them were dumbfounded. They were accustomed to seeing her courteous and composed manner, never imagining she could be so arrogant.

“Meng Tinghui.”

Hearing this voice, she immediately looked up, meeting Ying Gua’s cold face. Realizing her words had been too sharp and left no room for dignity, she stood up, cupped her hands in salute, and said, “I suddenly feel a headache. May Your Majesty allow me to sit in the back for a while.”

Without waiting for his permission, she gathered her sleeves and retreated to the side.

Her excuse was equally arrogant—she simply couldn’t be bothered to think of a proper pretext, and she never once looked at Zhao Hui again from beginning to end.

He slowly leaned back against the golden back of the imperial seat, watching the loosely pinned flower bun at the back of her head nearly falling as it brushed past the hall curtains. His cold expression couldn’t help but soften.

He should be angry at her disrespectful behavior, yet he couldn’t summon any anger.

He particularly loved her proud demeanor.

He turned to look at Zhao Hui, smiled lightly with an unconcerned expression, and said, “Please forgive her, Northern Envoy. She has been spoiled by me.”

Zhao Hui’s face changed again. Although he had heard something about Meng Tinghui’s position in the Great Ping court, he had never expected the new Emperor of Great Ping to say such words. How different this young, high, and mighty sovereign was from what he had imagined!

Meng Tinghui walked directly behind the hanging curtains to the side seats of female officials, found Shen Zhili, and without a word, squeezed into a seat beside her.

Shen Zhili was startled, blinking as she asked, “What’s this? Is the food and wine over there not as good as here? Or can you see the Emperor more clearly from here?”

Meng Tinghui lowered her eyes, reached for a piece of fruit, and brought it to her lips, mumbling, “The smell of alcohol is giving me a headache. I’ll sit with you for a while.”

Shen Zhili raised a delicate eyebrow, teasing, “You haven’t angered the Emperor again and come here to avoid him, have you?”

Meng Tinghui’s face flushed, reflecting on how she had just disregarded even his face. She began to feel regretful, secretly glancing toward the front of the hall to see if there was any unusual reaction. Seeing none, she turned back to Shen Zhili and asked, “How have things been at your residence these days?”

“Fine. I received a letter from Di Nian yesterday,” Shen Zhili said softly, reaching for the wine pitcher to pour a drink. “You and the Emperor are being too careless. That night at the back door of my residence, you were so inconsiderate…”

Meng Tinghui’s ears instantly turned bright red. She deflected, “We merely discussed Minister Gu’s matter briefly. Nothing more happened. Don’t imagine things.”

At the mention of Gu Qin, Shen Zhili’s movements paused momentarily, but she quickly smiled and said, “A few days ago, I was thinking that I should have requested an edict to follow Di Nian to the northern border.”

She thought for a moment, then asked, “I don’t know if this is overstepping, but do you know if the Strategic Military Bureau will summon Di Nian directly back to the capital later? Or will he receive a different assignment?”

Meng Tinghui knew Shen Zhili was extremely intelligent and would certainly understand the current northern border situation. Her question was pointed, but Meng couldn’t reveal everything she knew. She only said, “The details haven’t been discussed yet. Why? If General Di is to guard the northern border in the future, do you plan to go with him?”

Shen Zhili took a sip of wine, remaining silent for a moment before saying, “To be honest, letting him go like this, I’ve been regretting it for several days now. The Di family has no heir. If something happens to him at the northern border, how could I face anyone? If he stays in the north for a long time in the future, I must go to his side.”

Meng Tinghui vaguely detected the meaning behind her words—that Di Nian had not touched her before departing for the northern border—and couldn’t help feeling surprised.

As they spoke, several female officials noticed and approached, all offering wine to toast Meng Tinghui while saying auspicious New Year’s greetings.

Meng Tinghui knew they were trying to curry favor with her due to her current position. Unable to refuse, she smiled and accepted each toast, then said, “If you keep pouring me drinks, I won’t be able to sit here a moment longer.”

The female officials laughed and returned to their seats.

Only then did she notice that Zuo Qiurong was sitting in a daze at her seat, lost in thought, not even noticing that Meng had come over.

When she sat down, she quietly asked Shen Zhili, “Has Zuo Qiurong encountered any issues at court?”

Shen Zhili glanced at her, smiling lightly, “She’s doing fine in the Hanlin Academy. What issues could she encounter? At most, she’s encountered a person.”

Meng Tinghui raised an eyebrow, not understanding her meaning.

Shen Zhili continued, “The heart of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl—you and I have been through that. Just look at who she’s staring at, and you’ll understand.”

Hearing this, Meng Tinghui turned her gaze, quickly following Zuo Qiurong’s line of sight.

With one glance, she saw the blue-robed profile of Yin Qing.