When Meng Tinghui stepped out of the Shen residence two days later, she was still unaware of the new waves of trouble stirring at court.
Though her rest period had been brief, the bruises on her face and neck had faded considerably. The people at the Shen residence did not speak to her about court matters, and she was sensible enough not to ask, not wanting to tarnish the Shen family’s clean reputation because of her.
It was noon when she left the residence. Shen Zhili was still at the Bureau of Operations and hadn’t returned. Meng Tinghui didn’t dare to impose upon Madam Ceng, so after a brief farewell, she left alone.
Unexpectedly, a carriage with thick curtains was parked outside the Shen residence gate.
The carriage was adorned, but it was a rare four-wheeled vehicle, which made her somewhat curious. If it belonged to some high-ranking official or noble family in the eastern district, it would surely have been meticulously decorated. Unlike this carriage, which had almost no embellishments. Four-wheeled carriages could not be driven freely in the city unless bestowed by the Emperor, yet somehow this carriage was parked here.
Though curious, she paid little attention and wrapped her sleeves, circling to continue on her way.
The carriage curtain lifted, and someone called out to her from inside: “Magistrate Meng.”
Meng Tinghui stopped and turned, immediately recognizing the person as an attendant from the Eastern Palace whom she had met before. Instinctively, she glanced around but didn’t see *his* figure. She lowered her head, pursed her lips, and stepped forward: “Guard Huang, are you waiting for me?”
Huang Bo nodded and lifted the carriage curtain. “His Highness the Crown Prince has bestowed this four-wheeled carriage upon Magistrate Meng. Henceforth, you may travel by carriage when entering the palace and attending court.”
She was stunned. Even among officials of the third rank and above, those given such an honor could be counted on one’s fingers. How could he disregard protocol like this to grant her a four-wheeled carriage…
As she was thinking, she heard Huang Bo call her name again. She set aside her thoughts, thanked him, and lifted her skirt to board the carriage.
Huang Bo dared not sit with her and only drove slowly from the front. Meng Tinghui did not lower the carriage curtain. Her gaze fell upon Huang Bo’s back as she softly asked, “Is Guard Huang not required to be on duty at the Eastern Palace today?”
Huang Bo mumbled a bit before finally smiling sheepishly: “His Highness the Crown Prince said that for these few days, this humble official should first protect Magistrate Meng.”
Meng Tinghui’s cheeks suddenly flushed. Only then did she understand—he was afraid she might encounter another mishap, which was why he had both bestowed a carriage and assigned a guard. So she said, “Thank you for your trouble, Guard Huang. But please stop the carriage at the South Lane of Imperial Street, and I can walk back to my quarters by myself.”
Huang Bo remained silent, turning the reins in his hands, driving the carriage toward Yuqu East Street, where many official residences stood.
Thinking he didn’t know the way, Meng Tinghui reminded him: “Guard Huang, this is not the way back to the female officials’ quarters.”
Huang Bo urged the horses a bit faster, only stopping when they reached a small mansion on the street. He jumped down from the carriage and smiled at her: “His Highness the Crown Prince has bestowed this residence. Please alight, Magistrate Meng.”
She was surprised again, having never imagined he would also grant her a residence. She leaned forward to look ahead and saw that the mansion had a simple vermilion gate, yet high eaves and bright tiles. Looking carefully, it was just like this four-wheeled carriage—unassuming on the outside, yet extremely ostentatious within.
It was very much like his style.
She didn’t know what to say and sat in the carriage for a while before slowly getting down. Walking to the gate, she looked up at the high plaque above, where two majestic gilt characters suddenly brightened her eyes.
Meng Residence.
She raised her eyebrows, and pursed her lips in a smile, though the corners of her eyes felt somewhat sour.
Having been without a home since childhood, even as an official in the capital, she had never thought of acquiring her residence. After all, it was just herself, and it didn’t matter much where she lived.
Yet she never imagined that her first home would be granted by him.
She turned to look at Huang Bo, saw his smile was also deep, and gently said with a slight smile: “His Highness the Crown Prince’s grace is boundless. My reputation as a flatterer must now be firmly established.” After speaking, she gently pushed the door open with her hand and stepped over the threshold.
Huang Bo had been here before and was extremely familiar with the residence. He took her through each room and hall, and also called over the servants to introduce them to her.
Every room was furnished, and even her belongings from the female officials’ quarters had been moved over. All the servants appeared honest, and the residence was filled with the fragrance of fresh grass and swaying blossoms. The beautiful spring scenery gradually relaxed her tense body and mind.
After wandering around the entire place, Meng Tinghui finally sat down in the courtyard, lowering her eyes with a smile: “Guard Huang must be laughing at me in his heart, looking as if I’ve never seen such a place before.”
Huang Bo stood nearby and hurriedly replied upon hearing this: “This humble official would never.”
Meng Tinghui looked up, her eyes bright. “To be honest with Guard Huang, this is my first time living in such a place. It feels like a dream.”
Huang Bo remained silent, standing still. When she rose to walk out, he followed, saying softly: “His Highness the Crown Prince said that Magistrate Meng need not attend court today.”
Meng Tinghui shook her head and continued walking outward. “I left in a hurry that day, and several ledgers in the Remonstrance Hall are not yet copied. They must be submitted and sealed in a few days. How can I keep letting Left Remonstrator Cao handle my work for days?”
Huang Bo followed behind and said: “Magistrate Cao was transferred to the Censorate yesterday by imperial decree and no longer serves as Left Remonstrator in the Chancellery.”
She paused, seeming not to believe it, and turned to ask: “What did you say?”
Huang Bo nodded. “Magistrate Cao has been demoted to Supervising Censor in the Censorate.”
Meng Tinghui frowned thoughtfully for a moment before asking: “Was this the Crown Prince’s decree?”
Huang Bo lowered his head: “Regarding matters of the Three Offices, how would this humble official know? Magistrate Meng need not question or think too much. His Highness the Crown Prince has his discretion.”
She turned to stare at him, curving her lips: “There must have been more changes at court these past two days. Why doesn’t Guard Huang simply tell me everything at once?”
Huang Bo hesitated briefly, then said: “Shortly after Magistrate Cao’s demotion to the Censorate, he submitted a memorial impeaching Right Vice Minister of the Department of State Affairs and Vice Minister of the Chancellery Gu Qin for forming a treasonous faction, along with Deputy Minister of the Imperial Stables Department Wei Mingxian for deliberately concealing trouble and shielding the criminal minister Wang Qi. Minister Gu reported illness last night, requesting the Emperor’s permission to recuperate at home for ten days, during which he would not attend court. The Crown Prince, on behalf of the Emperor, granted his request and sent imperial physicians to the Gu residence to examine him, also bestowing several imperial medicines and dishes.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Tinghui lowered her lashes to conceal the surprise in her eyes.
Though she didn’t understand why Cao Jing had been demoted to serve as a Supervising Censor in the Censorate, that impeachment memorial against Gu Qin must have been submitted with his authorization. With Wang Qi’s case about to be heard, this memorial could only be described as having sinister intentions. Since it claimed Gu Qin was forming a treasonous faction, given Gu Qin’s character, he would certainly report illness and return home to avoid suspicion, determined to present a righteous image before the court officials and the world.
She understood in her heart that Minister Gu could not possibly know or control all the actions of the Eastern Faction officials. Those ministers and new nobles of the fourth rank and above mostly relied on Gu Qin’s name to exert their influence. Though she didn’t know Gu Qin’s true thoughts, she understood that this impeachment memorial, while seemingly accusing Gu Qin, was protecting him from being implicated in Wang Qi’s case.
Once Gu Qin had reported illness and stayed home without concerning himself with court affairs, even if that group of Eastern Faction officials wanted to manipulate Wang Qi’s case, they would have no way to involve Gu Qin to strengthen their position. Thus, the Three Offices’ joint investigation of Wang Qi’s case would no longer be hindered.
Thinking of Wang Qi’s case, she asked: “The hearing was supposed to be today. How is the situation?”
Huang Bo smiled slightly. “His Highness the Crown Prince said that since this matter came from a petition received at the Complaint Drum Office and a memorial submitted by Magistrate Meng, he requested the Three Offices to delay for a few days, waiting until Magistrate Meng returns to court to participate in the hearing.”
Meng Tinghui felt somewhat embarrassed. She turned her head to avoid his gaze, softly acknowledged, and slowly turned to walk back, saying only: “If that’s the case, then there’s no rush for me to go to the Remonstrance Hall. After all, everything has been arranged perfectly by His Highness the Crown Prince. My considerations seem rather useless.”
After walking a few steps, she seemed to recall something and softly said: “I just remembered one thing. Later, I’ll have someone send a note to Minister Liao’s residence. Would Guard Huang be willing to accompany me to the Liao residence this evening?”