That very afternoon, the initial list of six accompanying officials selected by An Sheng appeared on Emperor Chengde's desk.
Emperor Chengde held the list for a long time, and that night, a palace envoy came summoning An Sheng for an audience.
Amei pouted as she sat up in bed, ready to serve An Sheng while he changed, but he pressed her back down.
"Why are you getting up? It's cold outside the covers. Lie down quickly. I'll be staying at the palace tonight, so don't worry about me—just keep sleeping."
Amei obediently murmured in acknowledgment, though reluctance flickered in her eyes as she couldn't help muttering softly:
"At this hour, the palace gates are long closed. His Majesty must have some urgent matter—could it not wait until tomorrow?"
An Sheng chuckled while dressing, a hint of irony in his voice: "I know exactly why. It must be that the list I submitted today has put His Majesty in a spot."
Amei blinked, curiosity shining in her eyes, and asked, "How could His Majesty be troubled? Was there something wrong with the list?"
An Sheng fastened his belt, straightened his attire, then leaned down to gently tap Amei's nose, his expression softening with meaning: "How could anyone I personally selected be wrong? It's precisely because they're too right that His Majesty is worried."
Amei naturally did not grasp the deeper meaning of An Sheng's words. But she always trusted her husband—if he said something was right, then it must be. Besides, she was growing sleepy and had no desire to probe further.
She let out a soft "Oh."
An Sheng reached over to tuck in the corner of her blanket, then gently wrapped her legs under the covers, murmuring tenderly: "Sleep well, don't kick the blanket off."
Amei lay down obediently, beaming at him, and urged him softly: "Alright, I understand, husband. You'd better go now, don't keep His Majesty waiting too long. And it's cold outside—don't forget your cloak."
An Sheng's dark eyes rested quietly on Amei, and in that moment, his heart felt soft and content—a feeling that was truly wonderful. After a moment, he murmured in reply and slipped away into the night.
As soon as An Sheng entered the grand hall, he spotted Grand Secretary Tan standing beneath the dragon desk. An Sheng's narrow eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint, ambiguous smile curled at the corner of his lips.
Then he knelt before Emperor Chengde to pay his respects.
Emperor Chengde looked weary, waving his hand: "Rise, Grand Secretary An."
An Sheng lifted his head, feigning surprise and concern: "Your Majesty, what urgent matter calls me here so late at night?"
Emperor Chengde rubbed his temples: "Grand Secretary Tan, you explain."
Grand Secretary Tan's face was grim, his tone cold: "My grandson is on the list compiled by Grand Secretary An. I demand an explanation."
An Sheng raised an eyebrow, his expression one of innocent surprise: "What? Your grandson? Which one, exactly?"
Then, as if a sudden realization struck him: "Ah, it must be Vice Minister Tan from the Ministry of Appointments. Though both share the surname Tan, I truly had no idea he was your grandson, Grand Secretary."
He followed this with a courteous nod toward Grand Secretary Tan: "Since that's the case, rest assured, Grand Secretary Tan—I will make sure to look after Vice Minister Tan during the journey."
Grand Secretary Tan, usually as steady as a mountain, now had a face that shifted between pale and red. His gaze fixed icily on An Sheng, a hint of veiled anger simmering beneath the surface as he spoke flatly: "My grandson is still young and lacks the tact necessary for such critical duties. I propose you replace him to avoid any delays in official affairs."
At these words, An Sheng frowned deeply, then turned to meet Emperor Chengde's knowing gaze. Acting utterly baffled, he said: "No, no—Grand Secretary Tan, you flatter yourself too modestly. The people I've chosen are the brightest talents and pillars of their respective ministries, with boundless futures before them. They are more than capable of handling these duties. Though I wasn't aware that Vice Minister Tan is your grandson, these selections were made with great care and are beyond reproach."
He then shot a sideways glance at Grand Secretary Tan and added slowly: "Or does Grand Secretary Tan believe the officials I've selected are nothing but nepotistic good-for-nothings, unworthy of their titles?"
Grand Secretary Tan's face darkened further: "I never said that!"
An Sheng smirked faintly: "Good, that's a relief then."
Grand Secretary Tan: ...
At this point, Emperor Chengde rubbed his temples again: "Grand Secretary An, explain to me why the youngest son of the Grand Princess is on this list."
"Do you think I don't know his character? Tell me—how is he a 'pillar of the ministry' with a 'boundless future'?"
An Sheng's eyes widened in exaggerated shock: "What? The youngest son of the Grand Princess? Who?!"
Grand Secretary Tan sneered: "What, Grand Secretary An has such a short memory? Wasn't Director Zhou of the Ministry of Rites personally chosen by you?"
An Sheng paused, then thought for a moment, before breaking into a wry laugh: "Your Majesty, there are no officials from the Ministry of Rites stationed in the Prince Anchang's fiefdom! Selecting someone from that ministry was simply my attempt to represent all Six Ministries fairly—I had my men ask who was the most idle in the Ministry of Rites and still young and fit. How was I to know it was the Grand Princess's youngest son?"
Emperor Chengde: ...
Grand Secretary Tan: ...
