Surprise was insufficient to describe her feelings.

These two people? How was it possible?

But on second thought, Zuo Qiurong, like herself in the past, had been following Fang Huai since entering the Hanlin Academy. It wasn’t strange that she might have become acquainted with Yin Qing.

Meng Tinghui’s mind stirred, and she brought her wine cup over, saying softly, “Official Zuo.”

Zuo Qiurong turned her head, and seeing who it was, she suddenly became flustered, quickly pouring wine as she said, “I didn’t know Official Meng had come over here. Please forgive my lack of courtesy.”

Meng Tinghui pressed down on her wrist, sat beside her, and asked casually, “At the annual New Year’s palace banquet, instead of enjoying yourself, why are you sitting here in a daze?”

Zuo Qiurong replied in a small voice, “I’m not… in a daze…” As she spoke, she reached for the fruit plate to offer to Meng Tinghui.

Meng Tinghui laughed, holding up her wine cup slightly, her index finger moving around the rim, pointing toward the tables of the Three Academies, saying, “Your spirit seems to have been drawn over there, yet you say you’re not in a daze?” Seeing Zuo Qiurong’s face suddenly reddened, she lowered her voice and asked, “Is it, Official Yin?”

Zuo Qiurong kept her head down, pressing her lips together without speaking.

Meng Tinghui persisted, “I am quite familiar with him. If you tell me the truth, perhaps I could help you.”

Zuo Qiurong became alarmed, hastily saying, “Please don’t help, Official Meng… he and I are old acquaintances.”

This greatly surprised Meng Tinghui.

“Oh?” The look of surprise on Meng Tinghui’s face was not feigned. “He is from the northern route of Chao’an, while you are from the Fengqing route. How could you two be acquainted before entering the court?”

Zuo Qiurong hesitated for a long time before saying, “My ancestors were originally from Liuzhou on the Yongxing route. Except for my father who stayed in Fengqing for business, the rest of my uncles are still in Liuzhou. When I was sixteen, during the Qingming Festival, I followed my father back to Liuzhou and met Official Yin at my cousin’s house.”

Upon hearing “Liuzhou in Yongxing route,” Meng Tinghui’s expression stiffened slightly. She instantly recalled that Hao Kuang’s family was also from Liuzhou on the Yongxing route, which made her connect it with Yin Qing.

Wishing to probe further, she said casually, “Liuzhou produces exceptional talents and has historically produced many loyal ministers. I believe the former Three Agencies Commissioner Hao Wenmugong was also from Liuzhou on the Yongxing route. Commissioner Hao was upright. Even when Xu Gong exchanged private letters with him, criticizing the current Emperor’s governance, Commissioner Hao made no inappropriate remarks. When the Emperor learned of this, he told those around him that Commissioner Hao truly lived up to his posthumous title of ‘Wenmu.'”

Zuo Qiurong had heard about Meng Tinghui’s impeachment of Xu Ting for offending the Emperor, but hearing her speak so highly of Hao Kuang, she had no more reservations. She nodded and said, “Commissioner Hao had a natural inclination toward virtue and righteousness. Since his retirement, he has gained a good reputation among the people in Liuzhou. My cousin also studied under Commissioner Hao, but unfortunately, he repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, disappointing Commissioner Hao’s nurturing intentions.”

Meng Tinghui found this increasingly peculiar and could hardly believe such a coincidence. She asked further, “Official Yin comes from Chao’an. How did he become acquainted with your cousin?”

Zuo Qiurong shook her head, “I don’t know the details. I only heard from my cousin that Official Yin had been traveling and studying in various places for several years. That year in Liuzhou, he met my cousin during a spring outing. They exchanged poetry and admired each other’s work, which led to their friendship.”

That explained it.

Meng Tinghui thought to herself, no wonder she had never heard of Yin Qing’s talent during her many years in Chao’an. It seemed he had returned to Chao’an only after she had passed the imperial examination.

Though her mind was full of winding thoughts, she smiled lightly and said, “In that case, you’ve known him for quite some time.”

Zuo Qiurong’s cheeks turned pink as she mumbled, “I only met Official Yin once when I was sixteen. I never thought we would later pass the imperial examination in the same year. He probably doesn’t remember me anymore.”

Meng Tinghui asked curiously, “I imagine you’ve had opportunities to meet him regularly. Why haven’t you spoken to him yet?”

Zuo Qiurong’s voice grew even softer, “Official Yin’s scholarship is proper, and his virtue is like a fragrant breeze. How could I act like a reckless butterfly flitting around a flower…”

Meng Tinghui’s lips curved upward.

Such high praise indeed. But if she knew what Yin Qing had done before, would she still admire him as she did now?

Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly saw Yin Qing turn slightly, looking back in their direction.

His gaze swept over the two of them without lingering, drifting to another direction, his handsome face showing no ripple of emotion.

A strange feeling suddenly rose from the depths of Meng Tinghui’s heart.

From the first time she had seen him until now, it seemed that his gaze toward her had never changed in the slightest. Whether as strangers or acquaintances, whether plotting together or being wary, his various behaviors made her feel as though he already knew her thoroughly, or as if he were constantly paying attention to her every move while appearing not to.

What was his original purpose in helping her? And now, why did he continue to pay attention to her?

By her calculation, Yin Qing should be a year younger than her.

Yet this young man made her feel somewhat apprehensive.

Zuo Qiurong had naturally also noticed Yin Qing’s glance, but she dared not look up again, keeping her head lowered, afraid he would realize they were discussing him.

Meng Tinghui had no interest in questioning Zuo Qiurong further. She just smiled at her and returned to her seat with her wine cup.

Shen Zhili looked at her directly, “Well, was I right?”

Meng Tinghui maintained an ambiguous expression, smiling as she set down her wine cup.

A small palace attendant hurried over from the front of the hall and whispered in her ear, “Official Meng, the Emperor says the Northern Envoy will return to his residence, and you should go back to sit at the imperial presence.”

She felt somewhat embarrassed and lowered her eyes, softly acknowledging.

Shen Zhili heard and couldn’t help teasing, “I see the Emperor’s indulgence toward you is unmatched by any man in the world.”

Meng Tinghui pretended to be angry, “Am I such a petty person?”

Shen Zhili merely covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed softly, not arguing with her.

They saw the high officials of the two bureaus all rise. Zhao Hui again performed a grand ceremonial bow to the imperial seat, then descended from the hall with his deputy.

She was in no hurry to get up, watching from behind the curtain as Zhao Hui stepped closer, silently cursing him dozens of times in her heart before turning to push aside the curtain and stand up.

As Zhao Hui passed the two rows of side seats by the hall curtains, he occasionally exchanged words and smiles with his deputy, his gaze inadvertently exploring the Three Academies’ seating area.

Meng Tinghui followed the small palace attendant upward, but the attendant approached again and said, “Official Meng, after the banquet ends, the Emperor will return to Xihua Palace. May I request Official Meng…”

Before he could finish, she interrupted softly, “You trouble yourself like this each time. Both the Emperor’s dignity and my face are entirely in your care.”

The palace attendant quickly said, “Official Meng’s words are too kind to this humble servant.”

She pressed her lips together, feeling somewhat annoyed at his almost ostentatious approach. Everyone in court knew of the Emperor’s diligence; he usually spent almost every night in Ruisi Hall. But once the imperial carriage stayed at Xihua Palace, and he sent someone to summon her for an audience, it was practically announcing to everyone in the inner court what his intentions were.

After a few steps, she saw Bai Danyong coming down quickly from the front with a black face, which made her frown.

Bai Danyong commanded the inner palace guards and would not enter the hall wearing a sword without special orders. He must have been assigned some urgent task to be in such a hurry.

Not long after the Northern Jin envoy and his deputy left the hall, the Emperor rose to return to the palace. The high officials of the three bureaus and other ministers also descended from the hall, with the remaining officials gradually dispersing.

Outside the hall, fiery lanterns created a festive atmosphere, making even the snow appear colorful.

Yin Qing walked slowly, watching the distant imperial carriage’s bright yellow gradually enter the night, before gathering his sleeves and quickening his pace.

There seemed to be someone following him. After a few steps, he suddenly halted, abruptly turning his head to look around, but saw only the vast night.

After a moment, he continued walking forward.

Then he heard a soft female voice from behind, “Official Yin.”

He turned around and saw Zuo Qiurong approaching him from the side. He raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak.

The person following him was certainly not this woman.

Seeing him remain silent, Zuo Qiurong became somewhat embarrassed and asked in a soft voice, “Does Official Yin still remember me?”

Yin Qing nodded, his eyes fixed on her face, “Official Zuo from the Hanlin Academy.”

Her expression became awkward. After hesitating for a long time, she said, “Doesn’t Official Yin remember meeting me at the Zuo family in Liuzhou three years ago?”

He lowered his gaze and, without thinking, replied, “Official Zuo has mistaken me for someone else.”