The Liao family had served as officials for generations. Liao Congkuan’s grandfather, Liao Jun, became a minister from the eleventh year of the former Emperor’s Kangyuan era, until the second year of the current Qiande era when he retired with the honorary title of Secretary Minister. He later passed away in the fifth year of Qiande and was posthumously titled Duke of Zhongwen Jing. His father, Liao Ming, inherited the title and position, also rising to Secretary Minister and Chief Censor, but later retired in the twenty-second year of Qiande due to poor health.

The Liao family was deeply favored by imperial grace, with high positions throughout the ranks. In terms of noble titles and honors, looking across the court, none could compare except for the Shen family.

However, by Liao Congkuan’s generation, the family’s standing had declined significantly. People at court privately said that Liao Congkuan lacked talent and scholarship, though he was articulate, clever, and good at flattery. His Majesty, in consideration of the Liao family’s two generations of loyal ministers, specially granted Liao Congkuan the position of Outer Gentleman of the Left Division of the Department of State Affairs. Four years later, he was promoted to Secretary of the Central Secretariat, awarded a purple goldfish pouch, with a rank equivalent to third-grade high officials.

Liao’s wife, Madam Zhang, was the eldest daughter of Hanlin Scholar Zhang Ren. Although Liao Congkuan should, in principle, have been close to the senior officials of the Western Faction, he also maintained close ties with the Eastern Faction due to his wife and her relationship with Zhang Ren. Combined with his illustrious family background, many young talented officials at court also attached themselves to him.

Meng Tinghui had never imagined that she would become acquainted with such a figure so easily, nor that she would receive his invitation so readily.

He claimed that Madam Zhang admired her literary works, but who was Madam Zhang? A young lady raised in the inner chambers of a Hanlin Scholar’s household, who had herself been known for poetry in the capital during her youth—how could she possibly admire her works?

Despite her doubts, she could not refuse to attend.

Not only had she already promised Liao Congkuan in person, but considering Liao’s connections with both factions at court and the Liao family name itself, she had no reason not to go.

The twenty-ninth day of the third month coincided with the spring examinations. By the time she left the Ministry of Personnel, it was already sunset. Spring colors bloomed within the imperial palace, with peach, plum, pear, and apricot trees along the imperial avenue showing their first green leaves, appearing especially tender in the evening sunlight.

The Liao family had specially sent a carriage to pick her up. By the time they reached the Liao residence in the southern part of the city, it was already dark. Outside the residence, sixteen dimly glowing lanterns were arranged in a row. Inside, colorful ribbons adorned the trees, and all the towers and pavilions were lit with lamps. Long curtains and light gauze were everywhere, clearly showing Liao Congkuan’s indulgence toward his wife, Madam Zhang.

Since it was Madam Zhang’s birthday, many court officials who came to the banquet brought their families. Most of the young ladies were studying at the Imperial Academy and were quite familiar with each other. Meng Tinghui only realized upon arrival that, other than herself, Liao Congkuan had invited only one other female official from the court—Shen Zhili.

But what was Shen Zhili’s status? If Madam Zhang invited Shen Zhili, it must have been out of respect for the Shen family. How could she compare with Shen Zhili? Thus, she was distracted throughout the evening, frequently pondering what Liao Congkuan’s intention was in inviting her.

As night fell and the banquet was in full swing, Shen Zhili approached her, one hand holding up her finely pleated, wide-hemmed robe, the other carrying a wine vessel. Upon seeing her, Shen Zhili smiled and said, “Official Meng—”

Seeing her expression and movements, Meng Tinghui couldn’t help but bite her tongue and laugh, “You’re mocking me.”

Shen Zhili pursed her lips, looked down at her waist, then at Meng’s, and pointed, “Look, that silverfish pouch you’re wearing looks so impressive. I don’t have one—”

Meng Tinghui leaned forward to take the wine from her hand, pulled her to sit down, and laughed, “Have you had too much to drink?”

Shen Zhili tilted her head and rested it on her shoulder, disregarding the gazes of others. With narrowed eyes, she looked toward the three kylin-decorated tables at the front of the hall and said softly, “I haven’t had too much. If I were truly drunk, I would recklessly go and rest on his shoulder—”

The final syllable of this sentence was drawn out unusually long.

Meng Tinghui glanced sideways, following her gaze, and saw that seated over there were the third-rank and above senior officials from the Central Secretariat, Chancellery, Privy Council, and Censorate—all were governing ministers.

Shen Zhili’s gaze was hazy and unfocused. Meng Tinghui couldn’t discern whom she was referring to, but her heart gradually hardened—though she knew these were drunken ramblings, she also knew Shen Zhili wouldn’t say such things without reason.

Suddenly, a burst of laughter erupted from the front, likely from some amusing remark made by the court officials.

While Meng Tinghui was still pondering, Shen Zhili unexpectedly struck her firmly and whispered in her ear, “Thanks to your remonstration in the Inner Court that day, advising the Crown Prince not to establish a Crown Princess before ascending the throne… otherwise, I would have already been presented to him like a sacrificial offering.”

Her lips were heavy with the scent of wine, her face flushed with the post-drink glow, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.

Meng Tinghui heard clearly, glanced toward the front again, and then lowered her gaze. She reached out to grasp Shen Zhili’s waist, pulled her up, and walked toward the eastern side door of the hall.

She now understood whom Shen Zhili was referring to, and while she couldn’t help but be shocked, she had no time to dwell on it. She only feared that Shen Zhili might do something excessive at the Liao family banquet.

Shen Zhili was obedient, allowing herself to be led out, and remaining silent without saying another word.

In the hall, cups clinked and laughter continued unabated. Only a few servants of the Liao family saw them leave, but none tried to stop them. They knew that these two were not considered among the noble and distinguished guests, so after Meng Tinghui bid farewell, they called for attendants from the Shen household who were waiting outside to bring the carriage over.

The two stood together in the night wind. The cold air sobered Shen Zhili somewhat, and she suddenly frowned, blinked, and tears fell.

Meng Tinghui stood motionless, not knowing how to console her, and indeed knowing that no consolation was possible. She raised her eyes to the deep night sky with its sparse stars and suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.

There were many difficulties in this world, but none as challenging as matters of the heart.

Even someone like Shen Zhili, with her outstanding family background and appearance, ultimately could not overcome this hurdle.

Witnessing this, how could she not think of herself? These ten years, ten years… and who knew how many more years to come, how many more years…

Shen Zhili bent her neck slightly, coughed a few times, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, grabbed Meng Tinghui’s hand and said, “Don’t be too conspicuous.”

Meng Tinghui came back to her senses but didn’t understand this sudden remark. “What?”

Shen Zhili’s brows twitched, seemingly dissatisfied with her response. She released her hand and said, “The reason Liao Congkuan is willing to acknowledge you and invite you is only because of your closeness to the Crown Prince… Do you know that lately, I’ve been hearing people gossip behind my back even at the Bureau of Military Affairs?”

She was increasingly confused. “Gossip about what?”

Shen Zhili gave her a look as if she were pretending not to know. “Once, you returned to the female officials’ residence in the middle of the night, and a female official happened to see you alighting from the Crown Prince’s carriage. This matter has spread throughout the entire imperial palace. Are you still pretending not to know?”

A chill ran through Meng Tinghui’s eyes, and she pressed her lips together without speaking.

Now she understood why everyone referred to her as “the Crown Prince’s close official.” It seemed that since the morning she was transferred to the Chancellery, this matter had already begun to spread by word of mouth.

That night when she pretended to faint, she hadn’t expected him to send her in his carriage, nor had she anticipated that despite her caution, she would still be seen.

Shen Zhili continued, “There are so many female officials at court, yet you alone serve in the Chancellery and enjoy the Crown Prince’s favor. Now even Liao Congkuan is willing to show you goodwill—” She paused, not continuing further, but suddenly bent over and began to retch violently.