After sitting on the bed for quite some time, she finally regained her senses. Frowning, she raised her hand to pick up an intricately crafted pleated long skirt and shook it out.

Beneath it, as expected, was a gold-trimmed imperial edict.

She focused her eyes, reached for the imperial edict, and opened it to read—

“…For Meng Tinghui’s meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion in Chao’an in the north, she is appointed as Acting Drafter of Proclamations, jointly in charge of the Personnel Ministry’s Internal Division, and Head of the Examination Bureau bestowed with gold and purple.”

These few short lines were written in the same bold, imposing style as always. Below are the signatures and seals of the Prime Minister and other high officials of the Central Secretariat. The ink and vermilion dye had soaked through the thin paper in layers, quite eye-catching. This imperial edict, handwritten by the Emperor, had already passed through the Central Secretariat and Chancellery for official notation, just waiting for the internal office to draft the formal decree.

The Drafter of Proclamations was an official of the Central Secretariat, traditionally requiring a special examination of literary composition before one could hold this important position. Although this edict temporarily granted her the title of Acting Drafter of Proclamations, being appointed to this external position without having taken the examination was indeed an excessive promotion. Moreover, placing her in charge of the Personnel Ministry’s examinations was an immense imperial favor, further demonstrating the Emperor’s heavy trust in her.

She had returned to the capital just one day ago and did not know when this matter had been decided. She was even more surprised that the officials of the Central Secretariat and Chancellery had raised no objections.

Being specially bestowed with gold and purple for her meritorious service in quelling the rebellion was an exceptional favor. Looking at the purple skirt and the jade and golden fish pouch, her heart raced uncontrollably.

She recalled that winter night during the Cold Festival when she had left the Hanlin Academy carrying a bookcase, her long skirt stiff with frozen snow. Looking up, she had seen those purple-robed high officials coming out of the main hall, the palace lights dimly illuminating her envious eyes.

Yet today, she could also hold this formal attire and enjoy this supreme honor.

Lost in her thoughts, a tall figure entered through the doorway.

She looked up to see him leaning against a pillar, watching her at his leisure.

His attire was neat and orderly, his dragon robe emitting a cold, majestic aura. His complexion was warm like the rising morning sun as he asked: “Are you unable to put on these garments?”

She smiled, pressing her lips together, and said: “Your Majesty’s thoughts are increasingly difficult to understand.” As she was unclothed, she felt somewhat embarrassed under his gaze. Quickly releasing the official gown in her hands, she pulled up the covers to hide her body.

He slowly walked over and sat down on the bed. Without a word, he pulled away the covers, lifted her onto his lap, and began to dress her. His expression remained unchanged throughout, containing a subtle hint of authority.

She did not struggle, allowing him to dress her piece by piece. When he picked up the golden fish pouch to attach it to her, she finally pressed his hand and softly said: “Your Majesty.”

He raised his eyebrows, his voice slightly cold: “Do not think of defying the imperial edict.”

She smiled again: “How could this subject who so covets rank and fame defy an imperial edict? It’s just that Your Majesty has left this subject completely bewildered, not knowing what this means.”

His gaze shifted to the paper beside her, and he said: “Meng Tinghui, carrying the imperial decree, went north to Chao’an alone, entered the city to pacify the rebel troops, and when the rebels attempted to cause trouble during the city’s opening and disarmament, she decisively ordered the city to be surrounded in a feigned attack, coordinating with Qingzhou imperial troops to quell the rebellion in one stroke. This truly demonstrates her willingness to sacrifice herself for her sovereignty, her measured planning, and her powerful enforcement of court authority. Upon hearing the report, the Dragon Heart was greatly pleased, and thus specially appointed Meng Tinghui as Acting Drafter of Proclamations, jointly in charge of the Personnel Ministry’s Internal Division, and Head of the Examination Bureau, bestowed with gold and purple.” He looked back at her. “What else do you not understand?”

Her eyes brightened: “This subject ordered the execution of a thousand rebel troops and officers. There must be those in court who would accuse this subject of excessive cruelty in interpreting the imperial decree. How could there be no objection to Your Majesty’s edict?”

He gazed at her deeply for a while before saying: “After returning to Qingzhou, Meng Tinghui submitted a memorial to the capital praising Dong Yicheng of the Northern Route of Chao’an for his outstanding achievements and precise handling of the rebel troops matter, and requested that he retain his position as pacification official. Although I did not immediately approve this, the ministers of the Central Secretariat and below all heard of this matter, so no one opposed.”

She was greatly surprised.

She had not expected him to “win people’s hearts” for her in this way. Now she understood why she had not seen his response to her memorial impeaching Dong Yicheng while in Qingzhou. He had said her accusatory memorial had not circulated beyond the Central Secretariat, but she had not anticipated that he would fabricate her request to the assembled ministers!

She had become prominent after successfully quelling the rebellion. If Dong Yicheng were further demoted because of her words alone, those in court with deep connections to Dong Yicheng would certainly feel endangered, and high officials among them would hardly allow her to be promoted further. However, by making it seem as if she had “protected” Dong Yicheng once, this action would appear to others as her “showing goodwill” to the old ministers of the Eastern Faction. Even if the old ministers did not believe in her sincerity, they would certainly not blindly oppose her promotion. Otherwise, with her court-wide reputation for “flattering superiors and being harsh to others,” who knew if she might change her mind and push them further down?

It was nothing more than exchanging her promotion for Dong Yicheng’s peaceful continuation in office.

He spoke lightly, but she could see the calculations behind it. Although she knew he was doing this to make her path in court smoother, her heart was not entirely at ease.

She lowered her eyes and said: “Yet this subject is still unsatisfied.”

He raised his eyebrows slightly and said: “Because I knew you would be unsatisfied, I have put you in charge of the Personnel Ministry’s examinations.”

Hearing this, she immediately looked up, her expression changing.

The Internal Division of the Personnel Ministry was in charge of examining, appointing, and dismissing officials of the seventh rank and below in the capital. The Examination Bureau was also responsible for evaluating the merits and promotions of various provincial pacification commissioners, transport commissioners, and their subordinate officials. Appointing her to jointly oversee the Internal Division of the Personnel Ministry and head the Examination Bureau, the implication was…

Her heart trembled slightly.

He said softly: “If you want to prevent Dong Yicheng from holding an important position in Chong Prefecture, it’s not necessary to further demote him. You only need to transfer or promote the officials under him and the trusted aides in the military commission, replacing them with upright individuals.”

She nodded lightly.

Only then did she realize that his thinking was ultimately more comprehensive than hers, and his planning more far-reaching. Killing people invisibly—this description fits him perfectly.

Having just “protected” Dong Yicheng, the assembled court ministers would never imagine she would turn around and target Chong Prefecture, and even less likely would anyone suspect that all these actions were done under his instructions. By the time the old ministers of the Eastern Faction realized their mistake, it would be too late. At most, they would consider her a two-faced person who had deceived the sovereign, further criticizing her moral character.

Once the governance of the Northern Route of Chao’an was strengthened, other prefectures and routes would take warning. In the future, if they wanted to reorganize these areas further, it would not be difficult.

She glanced up at him, the corners of her mouth lifting. “If that’s the case, this subject thanks Your Majesty for the great favor…” As she spoke, she unexpectedly leaned forward and kissed him once.

“Audacious beyond measure,” he reprimanded her calmly, yet his eyes brightened. He raised his hand to gently attach the golden fish pouch to her official gown’s waist, his long fingers smoothing the purple cords.

She smiled and shrunk back slightly, then said with a laugh: “Your Majesty has granted this subject such significant authority. Aren’t you afraid that this subject might appoint unsuitable people, use power for personal gain, and betray Your Majesty’s trust?”

He paused his actions and looked up at her intently: “You are not that kind of person.”

She blinked. “How does Your Majesty know?”

He smiled lightly and said: “‘If my body can benefit the people, I would not hesitate to sacrifice it’—how many years have you kept these words in your heart?”

Her face reddened instantly. After a moment, she murmured: “Before the small provincial examination, I specially ordered the Ministry of War’s Directorate of Operations to investigate your background, otherwise I would have had difficulty connecting you with that child from years ago.”

She was silent for a moment, her expression becoming somewhat awkward. She sat hugging her knees before him, carefully saying: “Your Majesty… this subject has a request, though I don’t know if it’s inappropriate.”

He took her hand. “Speak freely.”

She lowered her eyelashes again, thinking for a while before carefully saying: “Since Your Majesty had someone investigate this subject’s family background, do you know who this subject’s parents were?”