Hearing this, Di Nian’s expression became somewhat helpless, and he added, “Your Highness’s words truly humble this humble servant, but…” He hesitated slightly, “Does the Emperor already know about Your Highness’s plans?”

He remained silent, but his gaze grew sharp, the corner of his mouth curling slightly.

Di Nian understood and didn’t press further. He just followed behind him toward the front of the corridor, saying as they walked, “Your Highness’s rescue of Lady Meng earlier truly shocked the female officials at the scene.”

He still said nothing, turning into the corridor.

Di Nian had hit a soft nail and couldn’t fathom what was in his mind, so he said, “If Your Highness has no other instructions, this subject will return to the front of Baojin Tower.”

But Ying Gua turned around, “What you said is not wrong. I am indeed concerned about sending Yan Zhi to Qingzhou alone. However, if I don’t send him out for experience now, how can he assist me in court in the future? Moreover, the governance in the Northern Chao’an Route has been ineffective for many years. The reasons for this are known to everyone at court, yet no one is willing to speak of them. Without the protection of several elder officials from the Eastern Faction, how could those old ministers be so rampant? And if I don’t place a trusted minister there, how can I be at ease? I have also considered that if Yan Zhi finds military matters in Qingzhou difficult to manage, he could write to Xie Mingyuan, asking him to send a trusted general from Liang City. This would be better than my troublesome transfer of you from the capital to the Qingzhou garrison. Besides, you have no military achievements, so even if you went, you could not immediately command respect. It would only make people think I am too stubborn and self-willed.”

Di Nian thought for a moment, then nodded, “Your Highness speaks reasonably. It was I who was mistaken. Although Yan Zhi usually appears unconcerned about matters, his mind must be as clear as a mirror. He will certainly not disappoint Your Highness this time. Moreover, how can a tiger father have a dog son?”

Rounding the corridor bend, the threshold was just ahead, but he stopped and said to Di Nian, “Wait in the outer hall for a while. Afterward, escort Meng Tinghui out on your way.”

Di Nian was startled, “You want me to escort Lady Meng?”

Ying Gua frowned slightly, “I have already broken propriety by taking her away earlier. If I escort her out again later, what would people think?”

Di Nian could only nod and follow him inside.

The yellow-robed attendant waiting outside was quick-eyed and had already respectfully prepared a seat for Di Nian. He then reported to Ying Gua, “The imperial physician just examined Lady Meng and said there was no serious injury. He will have the internal supervisors from the Imperial Dispensary send some medicine later. Your Highness suggested that Lady Meng should rest well for a period.”

He nodded, turning his gaze toward the inner hall.

The long curtains and light gauze swayed gently. Her silhouette appeared graceful. Through the haze, she seemed exceedingly serene as she nestled on the soft couch, so quiet and obedient that one was reluctant to disturb her.

Outside the hall, autumn winds swept fallen leaves as the sun descended in the west. At the edge of the distant horizon, faint streaks of sunset glow were emerging.

“Your Highness?”

Di Nian called to him from behind, his voice hesitant yet urging.

Only then did he walk toward the inner chamber, his steps heavy and slow. Pushing aside the gauze curtains, he stopped when still several steps away from her, “Meng Tinghui.”

She opened her eyes, saw him, and smiled, struggling to stand up, “Your Highness.”

He looked at her left foot, then at her body. Seeing that her expression was not as pained as before, he said softly, “It’s good that you’re not seriously injured.”

Her black hair was still unbound, just as when he had carried her down from the horse earlier. Now, seeing another man seated outside, she was momentarily startled. She raised her hand to gather the long hair on her shoulders, saying softly, “Your Highness must have important matters to attend to. This subject here is…”

Looking at her in this state, his brow moved slightly, but he remained silent.

Her gaze, however, passed over his shoulder to the square tray in the corner, and she asked directly, “When does Your Highness plan to raise troops against Northern Jian?”

His body visibly shook, but he didn’t speak. He only followed her gaze, and after seeing the tray clearly, his eyes darkened slightly, “It’s just an ordinary sand map of various routes. Why do you say that?”

She lowered her eyes, “This subject is not a fool. That is a map of military garrisons at the borders between Chao’an, Yongqing, and Northern Jian. Has Your Highness forgotten what I asked you that night in the Eastern Palace?”

His gaze pierced into the depths of her eyes like a flying blade, “If you continue to speak nonsense, I truly won’t be polite.”

She slowly moved past him, lifting the long curtain beside him as she walked out, “Your Highness has your ambitions. This subject dares not say more.”

He still stood without moving, only calling coldly, “Di Nian.”

Di Nian had already stood up and instructed an attendant to lead a horse over. As Meng Tinghui approached, he smiled slightly and said, “Lady Meng, His Highness has asked me to escort you out.”

She nodded, her lips curving slightly. Without looking back at him, she followed behind Di Nian and left, saying, “I didn’t see earlier, so it’s Commander Di.”

In the corridor, fallen leaves covered the ground, reflecting the clear light of the setting sun. The pale yellow leaves faintly gleamed with gold, the colors pleasantly eye-catching.

Di Nian whistled, bringing the horse to the corridor bridge. He helped her mount it, and after seeing her seated securely, he led the horse forward, smiling as he said, “I’m not like the Crown Prince, I can’t share a horse with Lady Meng, so I must trouble Lady Meng to stay on horseback a while longer.”

She looked up at the distant yellow dust and sand, “It seems I am burdening Commander Di. Without me as a burden, Commander Di could have already galloped back alone and still caught a glimpse of Lord Shen’s equestrian grace.”

Di Nian glanced at her, understanding the meaning behind her words, but only smiled and changed the subject, “After passing through the side gate, there’s no need to ride anymore. Then I’ll have the internal supervisors find a two-wheeled carriage to send Lady Meng back to the city… Is Lady Meng currently residing in the female officials’ lodgings within the various academies?”

Meng Tinghui nodded. The hair she had loosely bound earlier had again fallen onto her shoulders in the wind, appearing increasingly smooth and shiny in the evening glow, “I have been without a father or mother since childhood, so after entering the Hanlin Academy, I didn’t think about establishing a residence so quickly. After all, it’s just me alone, it doesn’t matter much where I live. I’m not like Commander Di and his kind, who can still gather with family for a few days when returning to the capital from the garrison.”

Di Nian turned his head, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her sitting high on the horse, his eyes full of amusement, “Lady Meng’s words are mistaken. Little do you know, I am also an orphan.”