Since the ninth year of the Qiande era, when Shen Wuchen was appointed as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and Grand Scholar of the Jixian Hall with the additional honorary title of Chancellor of the Secretariat, Xu Ting became the second person in the Great Peace Dynasty to receive such an honorable title from the Emperor. The positions of Imperial Attendant, Chancellor of the Secretariat, and Director of the Department of State Affairs were high in rank, but they were merely honorary titles without actual duties. Even though they were positioned among high officials, they rarely participated in court affairs.
Therefore, while court officials earnestly hoped to receive such honorary titles when retiring in their old age—to have their lifelong achievements and honor authenticated by these honorary positions—no one wished to be excluded from the center of power during the prime of their career.
Now, although Xu Ting had been granted an honorary title just as Shen Wuchen was years ago, the reasons behind these two appointments could not have been more different—
In his time, Shen Wuchen was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Right of the Department of State Affairs at just thirty-two years old, but at thirty-seven, he submitted a memorial requesting to leave office and retired to the old capital. In the eighth year of Qiande, when the current Emperor was eight years old, the Emperor Emeritus sought virtuous talents throughout the land to serve as the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor. None of the talented officials at the court could satisfy the current Emperor’s discerning eye. Only Shen Wuchen, who had been summoned to the capital by edict, gained the current Emperor’s favor and was subsequently appointed as the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor. Although Shen Wuchen served as the Grand Tutor, he had always wished to resign and leave court after the current Emperor began to participate in political and military affairs. The Emperor Emeritus, wishing to keep him at court to consult on state affairs, after much deliberation, finally issued an edict granting him the additional title of Chancellor of the Secretariat, ranking him above all ministers in major court assemblies. Such imperial favor was rare and unparalleled at court. Even though Shen Wuchen had seldom participated in politics for over a decade, the civil and military officials at the court still held him in high esteem and dared not disrespect him.
But Xu Ting’s recent appointment as Imperial Attendant came after Meng Tinghui impeached him for privately sending disrespectful messages about the Emperor! This situation had far greater implications.
Xu Ting had been dismissed from his position as Prime Minister and could no longer inquire into the affairs of the Secretariat. The wave of impeachment raised by the censors from the Censorate should now subside. Just as the current Right Prime Minister and elder statesman of the Western Faction was about to fall from power, the Emperor unexpectedly appointed Xu Ting as the Grand Scholar of the Tianrui Hall and granted him the title of Imperial Attendant. This was meant to prevent Meng Tinghui, who had submitted the memorial impeaching him, from becoming too arrogant. Although Xu Ting had no actual political power, his rank in court assemblies was above the ministers. Which civil or military official would dare to kick him while he was down? Even the Western Faction officials, who had been fearful and in disarray earlier, would now stabilize after learning of this edict. They would not scatter like ants from a collapsed nest and defect to Meng Tinghui’s faction. However, the Emperor did not seem intent on fully protecting Xu Ting either, otherwise, he would not have only appointed him as Grand Scholar of the Tianrui Hall without any actual duties, leaving him with just the empty title of Imperial Attendant.
In an instant, Cao Jing’s mind became a tangled mess. Various thoughts rolled through his mind, yet he could not discern the Emperor’s true intentions.
It had always been known that imperial thoughts were difficult to fathom. Even such a simple, two-sentence internal edict made him hesitant to predict future developments.
But among the court officials, who could say that the Emperor’s edict was not wise?
Could you say the Emperor disregarded the words of the court censors and ignored the impeachment memorials of the many officials? Could you say the Emperor was stubborn and severely punished an old minister for a private message? Could you say the Emperor did not consider the close relationship between the Emperor Emeritus and his ministers, and had been dismissing old ministers since his ascension to the throne?
Nonsense!
The Emperor’s edict was as wise as could be.
Cao Jing took a deep breath and turned to ask someone, “Has there been any edict from the inner court regarding Lord Meng?” Though Xu Ting’s matter had been settled, it was unknown whether the Emperor would promote or demote Meng Tinghui.
Everyone shook their heads, indicating they did not know.
Cao Jing frowned, thought for a moment, and then asked, “Does Lord Meng know about this? Where is she now?”
Someone beside him said, “As soon as the imperial edict was issued today, it spread throughout the imperial city and beyond. Lord Meng must already know. However, Lord Meng disappeared after the morning court. After asking around, I’ve heard that Lord Meng has arranged to reserve a private room at the Wanling Tower in the eastern part of the city.” Seeing Cao Jing’s bewildered expression, the person smiled slightly and explained, “Lord Cao has been so busy that he’s forgotten—today is the seventh day of the seventh month!”
Cao Jing suddenly understood.
The capital was always lively on the night of the Double Seventh Festival. In the evening, lanterns filled the markets and colorful ribbons adorned the buildings. Various performances and attractions were endless. To secure a good spot in the bustling eastern part of the city, one should reserve a second-floor street-facing room at the Wanling Tower early. Unlike ordinary women who preferred to burn incense and pray for skills at home on the night of the Double Seventh Festival, female officials in the court liked to gather in groups and go out to wander the streets. The festival night was a good opportunity for them to socialize and become closer.
Meng Tinghui had been cold-shouldered by female officials at court for the past two years, a situation that gradually improved after she was appointed as Drafter of Proclamations at the beginning of the year. It was not surprising that officials in court often had ambitious hearts; it was simply the custom. This time, Meng Tinghui had been invited to reserve a private room to appreciate lanterns. It was understandable that she was not in the forbidden palace now.
As Cao Jing thought about this, the sense of oppression in his chest grew increasingly uncomfortable.
He had always regarded himself as one of Meng Tinghui’s close confidants, but Meng Tinghui had not consulted him before submitting the memorial impeaching Xu Ting, clearly displaying an attitude of not wanting to involve others. Now that Xu Ting had been dismissed from his position as Prime Minister, it should have been a good time for Meng Tinghui to “pursue victory” and try to secure some benefits from the Emperor for herself. Yet she seemed completely unconcerned and still had the mindset to reserve a private room with others!
It made him, who was here pondering left and right, look like a fool. The more Cao Jing thought about it, the more stifled he felt. He decided to throw away the paper scraps in his hand and walked out with his hands behind his back.
Since she did not care about future developments, he would not worry about it for her either!
Meng Tinghui had been dragged by Shen Zhili to spend the Double Seventh Festival night with a group of female officials.
That night she had lied to Shen Zhili on the street, and the next day she had submitted a memorial impeaching Xu Ting. She had thought Shen Zhili would surely disapprove of her and would not be as close to her as before. Unexpectedly, after a few days, Shen Zhili did as she had said last time—whenever there was something fun, she came to invite her along.
She knew well that Shen Zhili was upright and forthright. Once she had decided on someone or something, she would not be influenced by others. In comparison, she felt more uneasy and ashamed. Now, seeing Shen Zhili come to invite her to join the others in appreciating lanterns and touring the streets, she immediately agreed without thinking.
On the night of the Double Seventh Festival, the streets were filled with carriages and horses, and silks and satins covered the streets. Upstairs, there were colorfully decorated wooden railings and seats; downstairs, red and green lanterns were piled high, creating a boisterous scene.
After drinking and dining in the street-facing room at the Wanling Tower, watching lanterns, and having a good laugh, the group excitedly ran to the end of the street to watch the most famous shadow play in the capital. Still not satisfied, at Shen Zhili’s suggestion, they went to a nearby place to watch a martial arts troupe perform their skills, allowing the bustling crowd to push and shove around them, letting the warm wine in their bellies heat their blood, and being exceedingly generous with their tips, then turning to look at each other and laughing non-stop.
They were, after all, young women.
Even though they served as officials at court and normally maintained a dignified demeanor, on such a night with such lively scenery, they could not control themselves.
After they had all had enough fun, the group reluctantly dispersed, each returning to their residence.
Meng Tinghui, with her head full of alcohol, her face flushed red, ignored the servant from the Meng residence who had come with a carriage to pick her up. Feeling that such a wonderful night should not be wasted, she ran back to the place where they had been appreciating lanterns earlier and stood alone at the corner of the street below the Wanling Tower, staring fixedly at the huge turtle lantern that had been piled up by the common people in front of the Xuande Tower of the imperial city in the distance.
The tassels made of gold, silver, and jade swayed gently under the eaves, making pleasant tinkling sounds that blended with the laughter and noise of the crowd on the street, making her ears fuzzy.
The turtle lantern was so big and so bright, so beautiful and so dazzling, just like that person in the imperial city—once seen, one could not take their eyes off.
She willfully asked her servant to buy her two more cups of glutinous rice wine from the street, then half-leaned against the colorfully decorated low railing, watching the bustling crowd on the street while grinning and finishing all the wine.
Since entering the court, she had never relaxed like tonight, involuntarily wanting to do something inappropriate, disrespectful, and willful—after all, no one on the street would recognize her.
After she had drunk enough glutinous rice wine, she immediately asked her servant to accompany her to buy colorful paintings. She was intent on touring the new shops on the street and decorating her empty house nicely when she returned home.
Her body was hot, and her steps were unsteady. After walking just a few steps, she could not help but raise her hand to loosen her collar. The many layers of the wide-hemmed long dress, though beautiful, had become a burden for her to move forward at this moment, making her extremely frustrated.
Just as she was struggling with her dress, she unexpectedly bumped into someone in front of her.
The collision made her dizzy. She opened her mouth, wanting to complain, but when she looked up, she saw this person—this person—this person looked like the Emperor!
Under the dim lantern light, the wind blew past her eyelashes, stirring up a wave of graceful, drunken light.
She opened her mouth but was tongue-tied, standing stupidly in place, staring at this person.
“Meng Tinghui,” the person said.
Ah—even the voice sounded so similar, and he knew her name!
“Meng Tinghui?” His body inclined slightly, getting closer and closer to her, close enough that she could see the color of his eyes.
She seemed startled, her right hand clutched at her chest, and she stammered, “You… how could you find your way here?”
The street was full of people, and all sorts of sounds filled her ears, buzzing and making her dizzy.
But he just looked down at her. She had even forgotten to use honorifics; she was truly drunk.
She stared back at him intently, suddenly throwing herself at him and burying her face in his chest. Taking advantage of her drunkenness, she slurred, “I… I wasn’t making excuses yesterday when I didn’t go to the Ruisi Hall for an audience…”
The servant from the Meng residence behind her was already frightened by what he saw. The surging crowd on the street boisterously pushed these two people to a corner.
Against the noise of the crowd, he raised his hand and gently embraced her waist.
So she clung to him even more shamelessly and continued to slur, “You… you previously delayed… delayed issuing the edict… how could… how could I seek a private audience…”
He wanted to lead her forward, but he could not move her no matter what. He had to look down at her again, frowning and saying softly, “No one is going to blame you, there’s no need to say more.”
She suddenly looked up, quietly staring at his face, as if examining a rare treasure, and then murmured, “You are truly a wise ruler.” Her lips, reddened by alcohol, curled up slightly, and she smiled at him like a child, adding, “You are my wise ruler.” Then she buried her head again, pressing against his chest, emphasizing, “You are mine.”