By the time they reached Minister Liao’s residence that night, lamps were already lit. The entire courtyard was brightly illuminated, and someone waited at the entrance specifically for her arrival.

After Meng Tinghui alighted from the carriage, Huang Bo still worriedly said: “Please be careful, Magistrate Meng. Don’t let this humble official lose his head.”

She burst into laughter, the corners of her eyes curving as she glanced at Huang Bo a few times before following the Liao household attendant into the main hall to meet Liao Congkuan.

Having Huang Bo accompany her wasn’t because she feared something would happen to her, but because she knew Huang Bo was the Crown Prince’s trusted guard who would certainly report her movements in detail. Rather than putting Huang Bo in a difficult position, it was simpler to let him accompany her directly to the Liao residence.

A man as worldly as Liao Congkuan understood three-tenths of her intention as soon as he received her note at sunset. That night, he received no other guests, only waiting for her visit.

Upon entering, Meng Tinghui bowed: “Minister Liao.”

Liao Congkuan smiled with narrowed eyes: “Why such formality, Magistrate Meng? I just heard at court today that the Crown Prince bestowed a carriage and residence upon you. I fear I may need to rely on Magistrate Meng’s favor in the future.”

She also smiled, able to imagine how the rumors at court discussed this matter. But a person like Liao Congkuan would certainly not care about her actual character. As long as she was seen as a favored minister in others’ eyes, he would not refuse to associate with her. So she said: “I have come today because there is a matter for which I seek Minister Liao’s help.”

Liao Congkuan raised an eyebrow and asked calmly: “Is it related to Wang Qi’s case?”

“As expected of Minister Liao.” She smiled, becoming even more direct: “Censor-in-Chief Xue, who is participating in the investigation of this case, has for many years not aligned with either the Eastern or Western factions. He is a cold person with few social connections, but he was personally promoted by your late father, Minister Liao when he took charge of the Secretariat. He must have a deep relationship with you.”

Liao Congkuan lifted his tea cover but didn’t drink, his fingers rubbing the rim of the cup. After a while, he said: “Are you concerned that Minister Xue might show favoritism to Wang Qi in this case?”

She nodded, staring at him without blinking.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Pan Congyun, was an old minister of the Western Faction and did not need to be worried about. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Liu Ruofei, was a former surrendered official from Middle Wan and had in recent years mostly attached himself to the Eastern Faction officials, so he would likely show leniency toward Wang Qi. Thus, it all depended on how Censor-in-Chief Xue Peng would act.

Liao Congkuan suddenly laughed lightly. “Why does Magistrate Meng bother with this? Since the Crown Prince has allowed Magistrate Meng to represent the two ministries’ Remonstrance Hall in this case, who in court doesn’t understand his intention? Even if Xue Peng stands with Liu Ruofei this time, the opinions of Magistrate Meng and Pan Congyun would be enough to severely damage Wang Qi’s reputation, with demotion and salary reduction being inevitable. Why must Magistrate Meng insist on destroying him?”

Meng Tinghui’s expression didn’t change at all, her voice rather cold: “What if I do want to destroy him? If Minister Liao is willing to help with this favor, I will certainly repay it at an appropriate time. If Minister Liao is unwilling, I’ll simply pretend I never came tonight.”

Liao Congkuan thought for a moment. “What can Magistrate Meng offer in return?”

She smiled, her tone slightly hardening: “Minister Liao has cultivated relationships with both Eastern and Western factions for many years. I’m sure you don’t need my meager repayment. All I can promise is that if I ever gain power, I will not forget tonight’s matter. But I don’t know if Minister Liao thinks me worthy.”

“Bold words,” Liao Congkuan’s face was deeply creased with a smile, but his eyes were profound. “I will help Magistrate Meng with this small favor. I hope Magistrate Meng won’t forget what you said tonight when the time comes.”

Meng Tinghui stood up, smiling and bowing: “I take my leave.”

Liao Congkuan also stood up. After walking with her out of the main hall, he called someone over, “See the guest out.”

Seeing her emerge, Huang Bo’s expression relaxed somewhat. He immediately escorted her toward the exit of the Liao residence when they heard Liao Congkuan call from behind: “Magistrate Meng.”

She turned around leisurely to look at him.

Liao Congkuan’s gaze swept over Huang Bo before looking back at her. He nodded slightly: “I believe that one-day Magistrate Meng will certainly command the respect and fear of everyone in court.”

She thought he was referring to the Crown Prince’s favor. Her expression changed involuntarily, but the night concealed her displeasure, revealing only the slight upward curve of her lips. After standing still for a moment, she nodded without saying a word, then quickly walked out with Huang Bo.

On the road, the bustling street scenes passed before her eyes. Though she sat in the carriage, her heart was within the vermilion walls of the palace. As her body gently swayed with the carriage, her heart trembled, first to one side, then the other.

As they approached Yuqu East Street, everything suddenly felt unreal.

What virtue or ability did she possess to receive such favor from him, enjoying an imperial-bestowed carriage and residence while only holding a fifth-rank position?

Never in her life had she intended to flatter or curry favor. Her actions were simply because she truly loved and missed him. Yet looking at herself now, how had she ended up appearing to be just a flatterer?

And whether he considered her feelings genuine or false, she didn’t know. Were all these things truly from his heart?

Throughout history, there have been many examples of close ruler-subject relationships ending badly. Moreover, he was certainly not a muddle-headed person and would not exceed protocol to reward and protect her merely out of desire.

She couldn’t figure it out, and before long, she heard Huang Bo at the front reining in the horse, slowly bringing the carriage to a stop.

Lifting the curtain to alight, she saw someone standing outside the residence—tall and straight, handsome features against the wind—making her momentarily disoriented. She watched as he strode over and boarded the carriage.

The carriage curtain was pulled down in one motion. Outside, Huang Bo exclaimed “Your Highness” with both surprise and joy before taking up the reins again.

Before she could regain her composure, another person was beside her. The faint fragrance of palace-scented clothes wafted up, and she heard his deep, powerful voice: “To West Jin Street.”

The carriage passed by the gate of the Meng residence and continued forward.

Meng Tinghui suddenly turned her head to look at the person beside her. In the dim carriage, she couldn’t see his face clearly, but her heart was pounding. After a stunned moment, she finally said softly: “Thank you, Your Highness, for bestowing the carriage, horses, and residence upon this official.”

The scene from that night suddenly flooded her mind. Seeing him again now, she felt a trace of awkwardness, especially after receiving so many rewards from him, feeling increasingly uneasy.

Ying Gua remained still. “Instead of staying at your residence in the evening, where did you go?”

She hadn’t known he would come looking for her at night, much less how long he had been waiting outside. She was momentarily at a loss for words, and after a long while, sighed: “This official went to Minister Liao’s residence.”

He turned slightly, extending his arm to lift the gauze curtain on her side of the carriage, letting the sparse light from the street spill in. By that light, he quickly scanned her face and neck before letting the curtain fall. “Your injuries have barely healed, yet you’re already impatient to go out and cause trouble?”

Being looked at by him like this, she was momentarily speechless. Thinking and thinking, she didn’t know how to begin, so she simply lowered her eyes and remained silent.

His gaze was like a blade, fixed on her: “You went to find Liao Congkuan to destroy Wang Qi, and will only be satisfied then?”

She still sat silently, not uttering a word.

She knew he must have made many strategic moves these past few days. Just from Cao Jing’s memorial impeaching Gu Qin, it was clear he didn’t want this matter to implicate more people. Allowing her to participate in Wang Qi’s case investigation was already an enormous favor, yet she had privately gone to see Liao Congkuan. Learning of this now, he must be displeased.

After a long silence from him, she secretly raised her lashes to peek at him, only to immediately meet his unwavering gaze—stern yet with subtle affection—leaving her stunned.

He shifted his eyes and said softly: “I’m not blaming you, no need to be so tense.”

Hearing the slight relaxation in his voice, she curved her lips and asked, “Why has Your Highness come here tonight?”

He remained silent but urged Huang Bo to drive the carriage faster.

The closer they got to West Jin Street, the noisier it became outside the carriage. The calls of various vendors and the laughter of children mingled and entered the carriage, making the interior feel warm.

Huang Bo turned the carriage into a side alley and stopped steadily, calling from outside: “Your Highness.”

Ying Gua lifted the carriage curtain and said to her: “Get out.”

She seemed to vaguely understand but dared not believe he would do such a thing. Her gaze sought confirmation from him, but seeing no response, she could only lift her skirt and alight.

As she hadn’t attended court today, she wasn’t wearing her official robes. Instead, she wore a plain long skirt with a golden-trimmed jujube-colored outer robe that accentuated her figure.

He also alighted, turned back to give Huang Bo a few instructions, then led her toward the bustling night market ahead.

Amid the clustered bright lights, she finally had the opportunity to look at him carefully. He too wore a simple robe with a plain sash, and his right eye was covered with a layer of black cloth.

Her heart trembled as she asked softly: “Is Your Highness taking this official to the night market?”

He didn’t answer but instead asked her: “You don’t want to go?” His voice was cool, but his tone was extremely gentle.

She shook her head, feeling something melt in her heart, filling her, making her whole body tremble slightly.

That night when she had mentioned that the plum-red box was lost, he had remained silent, but she had been extremely distressed. That was a gift from him, its meaning incredibly precious, something she could never forget.

Tonight, he had left the palace to come here, actually to take her to the night market…

Before she could think further, she felt a warmth on her right hand—he had taken it in his. His long arm dropped, and the cool brocade sleeve fell down, covering their hands, making it unnoticeable to others.

She was slightly startled, her steps faltering as she looked up at him.

He gripped her hand tightly and said softly: “There are many people. Don’t get separated.”

She lowered her eyes, letting him lead her forward, her fingers gently curving to hold his palm in return, a sensation of warmth piercing her heart.