Yang Wan wrung out a cloth to wash her face, casually asking, “What’s wrong with the Second Prince?”

“He’s weak.”

Song Yunqing took a sip of tea. “Almost a year old now, but I hear he’s slow. Last month he caught a cold and had a fever for many days. They say after the fever broke, he neither smiled nor cried at people like his soul was taken by the spirits of death. The Imperial Pharmacy dared not speak of it, just placating the Noble Consort and the Empress, saying when the child is older, he’ll naturally become more alert. But Imperial Physician Peng couldn’t hold back and mentioned something to our Lady of Ceremonies.”

“What?”

Song Yunqing leaned close to Yang Wan’s ear and whispered: “They say he’s impaired.”

After hearing this, Yang Wan only responded with a soft “Mm.”

The sound of water nearly drowned out her voice.

Seeing her lack of reaction, Song Yunqing raised her voice slightly, “Yang Wan, you can remain so detached?”

“Detached about what?”

“Stop pretending to be confused. The Second Prince is impaired, while the Crown Prince is now praised throughout the palace and court. When he grows older and is established as heir apparent, you, who raised him, will be more honored than the Lady of Ceremonies.”

Yang Wan gathered her hair. “What’s wrong with you? You’re usually so careful, how can you speak of ‘raising’ him so openly today?”

Song Yunqing said: “Though you have no official position, you’re the Crown Prince’s maternal aunt. All children are the same. Look at His Majesty – Master He raised him from childhood, and though he’s a servant like us, His Majesty treats him completely differently from how he treats us.”

Yang Wan dried her hands, walking and smiling. “How should I respond to that?”

Song Yunqing said: “Who’s asking you to respond? I’m telling you to be careful. Being a target without support is the most dangerous. With Lady Ning gone… ah…”

She suddenly sighed deeply, then brought up Deng Ying: “I used to think that though Supervisor Deng is a good person, he ultimately wasn’t good support for you. Now it seems fortunate you have this connection. Though it’s just a food-sharing arrangement, still…”

Yang Wan turned back, “Yunqing, I’m together with him.”

“Together?”

Song Yunqing didn’t react immediately: “What do you mean ‘together’?”

Yang Wan lowered her head, “Just together.”

“Yang Wan!”

Song Yunqing shot to her feet, her hairpins jingling. “Have you gone mad? How can you let him torment you?”

She used the word “torment.”

Yang Wan’s scalp twitched slightly.

If Song Yunqing was taken as a reliable sample, then in the general context of the Great Ming, last night Yang Wan should have endured complete humiliation, and been utterly defiled.

Yang Wan’s first reaction was to explain to Song Yunqing that it wasn’t what she thought. But to explain would require description.

Yet how to describe it? If she portrayed Deng Ying as pure, then she would be a wanton, lustful woman. If she described herself as pure, then Deng Ying would be a filthy, shameless eunuch.

Without the blessing of a “natural union between man and woman,” someone always had to be the deviant.

Yang Wan glanced at the table that had supported her body last night. Song Yunqing’s hand was now pressed upon it, and she instinctively said: “Yunqing, come over here a bit, don’t stand there.”

Song Yunqing thought she was avoiding the main issue and grew anxious, “The Lady of Ceremonies taught you for over a year, saying that while the inner palace is lonely and one can seek some comfort, one must never defile oneself. It’s precisely because we’ve studied and learned propriety that we know to maintain our virtue and can serve as palace officials respected by all. These words were so sincere, each sentence for our good, how could you…”

“I’m sorry.”

Yang Wan interrupted her, “I know I’ve disappointed you and the Lady of Ceremonies.”

When she said these words, there was sorrow in her heart and pain in her eyes.

Seeing her expression, Song Yunqing couldn’t continue her reproach. She relaxed her shoulders and adjusted her tone, “Actually… the Lady of Ceremonies and I understand your difficulties.”

Yang Wan smiled slightly, “You think I’m together with Deng Ying for the sake of the Palace of Diligent Government and the young prince?”

Song Yunqing gently embraced Yang Wan, “I didn’t say that, don’t think that way.”

Yang Wan pressed her lips together. “Yunqing, don’t think of me that way.”

“Alright… I won’t say such things anymore.”

Not wanting her to feel distressed, Song Yunqing changed her approach: “Take care of yourself. When you’re unhappy, come find us at the Fifth Office. We’ll be like before.”

Yang Wan leaned on Song Yunqing’s shoulder, “Do you think I’m unclean?”

Song Yunqing shook her head, “No, truly no. Yang Wan, I was only anxious because I feared you’d be hurt. Those words weren’t pleasant to hear, please don’t take them to heart.”

She looked down at Yang Wan as she spoke, her fingers hesitantly squeezing Yang Wan’s back, “The Supervisor… is he good to you?”

“You’ve always said he’s good.”

“I’m asking… is he good to you? When you’re… with him… does it hurt?”

“No.”

“That’s good then.”

Song Yunqing patted Yang Wan’s back, letting out a long sigh.

Their clothes rustled, and Yang Wan noticed Song Yunqing’s body trembling when she asked that question.

The compassion in her words seemed both to comfort Yang Wan and pity herself.

“I can’t delay any longer, I must go back.”

“Won’t you stay for tea?”

“No.”

She rubbed her eyes as she spoke, releasing Yang Wan and standing up, “Have you told anyone else about you and Supervisor Deng?”

Yang Wan shook her head, “No.”

“Don’t tell anyone, and even if someone asks in the future, never admit to it.”

Yang Wan sat quietly and nodded. “I understand.”

Song Yunqing sighed: “Actually, there were already rumors in the palace about you and Deng Ying before, but back then you were still in the Department of Ceremonies, and they only dared whisper about it. Now that you’re in the Palace of Diligent Government, those words have become even more unpleasant. You know, while the palace doesn’t forbid food-sharing arrangements, it forbids licentiousness. Once tainted with those two words, one will die without burial.”

“Yes. I know, thank you, Yunqing.”

Song Yunqing smoothed Yang Wan’s hair, straightening up: “Then I’ll go.”

“Let me dress and see you out.”

The sun had reached its zenith. On the terrace of the Palace of Mental Cultivation, Noble Consort Jiang had been kneeling for two hours, her vision growing dark in waves. Seeing Hu Xiang come out from the hall, she hurriedly asked, “Secretary Hu, has His Majesty read the confession I submitted…”

Hu Xiang looked down at her: “He has read it, but there’s no response yet.”

“Yes, then would you…”

As they spoke, they suddenly saw Deng Ying leading Bai Huan and the Minister of Revenue from the Inner Cabinet duty room. Noble Consort Jiang, awaiting punishment with loosened hair and bare feet, suddenly seeing the external officials, quickly fell silent and raised her sleeve in shame, trying to cover her face.

As Deng Ying walked, he turned his head and quietly told the nearby eunuch: “Go over there, shield the Noble Consort.”

Hu Xiang glanced at the sky – it wasn’t yet time for submitting memorials – and asked Deng Ying: “Is there a palace council today?”

Deng Ying lowered his hands and responded, “Yes.”

Hu Xiang lowered his voice to ask Deng Ying: “Why is there a palace council today? This Noble Consort…”

Bai Huan coughed once, and Hu Xiang quickly stopped speaking.

Deng Ying stepped aside and bowed, gesturing: “This way, Minister.”

Just as the three entered the inner hall, they heard Emperor Zhenning say from behind his imperial desk: “Deng Ying, summon Zhang Luo.”

Then he raised his hand to exempt Bai Huan from the formal greeting between ruler and subject, “Minister, please be seated.”

Bai Huan thanked him and sat down.

Emperor Zhenning took a sip of tea, “How are your discussions going about Yang Lun’s new tax policy?”

The Minister of Revenue responded: “The Ministry of Revenue has held three joint discussions with the ministers of the Inner Cabinet, but we haven’t yet written up the final policy proposal. Please forgive us, Your Majesty.”

“No matter, tell me what you’ve discussed.”

“Yes.”

The Minister of Revenue adjusted his official hat, “Originally, we planned to implement the silver-per-mu tax in Hangzhou and Jingzhou, for a one-year trial period to assess its effectiveness. Yang Lun personally oversaw the land survey work in these two places. The Ministry of Revenue has already matched the existing farmland with local household registries. Once we supervise the local distribution of fields, we can implement the reforms. However, Jingzhou’s dikes broke last year, flooding over a dozen counties, and Your Majesty has already graciously exempted much of their taxes.”

“Then let’s not discuss Jingzhou, tell me about Hangzhou.”

“Yes.”

The Minister of Revenue continued: “Hangzhou is fine, but there are some counties where the school lands… haven’t been assessed yet.”

The emperor propped his chin with his bent arm, “Why haven’t the school lands been assessed?”

The Minister of Revenue glanced at Bai Huan, “The local educational administration has been running deficits these past few years. Though the Ministry of Revenue has been covering the shortfalls year after year, we’re still stretched thin. These school lands weren’t established by the government but were lands granted to several major academies to support private education. When Yang Lun was in Hangzhou, seeing the academies’ poverty and with the provincial examinations approaching, the students were already anxious enough – he couldn’t bring himself to reclaim the lands, so he set it aside.”

Emperor Zhenning said: “Did no one raise objections?”

“Yes, Minister Bai opposed it at the time.”

“What about Vice Minister Zhang?”

At this question, Bai Huan couldn’t help but raise his head.

Emperor Zhenning lifted his teacup: “What did he say?”

Though the Minister of Revenue didn’t understand why the emperor would specifically ask about Zhang Cong, he sensed something unusual and his voice grew more cautious.

“Vice Minister Zhang… didn’t say anything at the time. But I don’t know about later cabinet discussions…”

“Your Majesty, let this old minister report.”

Emperor Zhenning raised his teacup, “Please speak, Minister.”

Bai Huan stood up. Given his advanced age, rising suddenly after sitting for so long made him slightly dizzy.

“Minister, please remain seated.”

“This old minister is fine.”

After speaking, he took a breath, “Yang Lun is this old minister’s student. I understand his consistent concern for local education, so at the time I also agreed to temporarily set aside the school lands. As for Zhang Cong, he has always had doubts about the new policies, and these past couple of years he’s been occupied with matters at the Hall of Literary Splendor. This old minister hasn’t discussed the new policies much with him.”

Emperor Zhenning set down his teacup, “So there is discord between you two.”

“Yes, this old minister is at fault.”

Emperor Zhenning laughed shortly, “This isn’t good for state affairs.”

After a pause, he continued: “Your cabinet should discuss and recommend someone from among the Hanlin Academy lecturers to fill Zhang Cong’s position at the Hall of Literary Splendor.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

“May this old minister ask ‘why’?”

Emperor Zhenning glanced at Noble Consort Jiang’s confession lying beside his hand, “My son is still young, and I think it’s better if his studies remain pure.”

“Yes, this old minister understands your teaching.”

Emperor Zhenning waved his hand, telling the Minister of Revenue: “Continue writing the policy proposals. We won’t discuss Jingzhou. Now… with the autumn examination results about to be announced, clear up Hangzhou’s school lands as needed.”

Just then, Hu Xiang announced: “Your Majesty, Vice Minister Zhang has arrived.”

Emperor Zhenning looked up, “You may all leave.”

“We take our leave.”

Bai Huan and Zhang Luo passed by where Noble Consort Jiang was kneeling.

Zhang Luo entered the inner hall, and before he could bow, Emperor Zhenning said: “Come here, take this and read it.”

“Yes.”

“Read it while kneeling.”

“Yes.”

As Zhang Luo unfolded Noble Consort Jiang’s confession, Emperor Zhenning remained silent. Only when Zhang Luo looked up in shock did he say to him: “The Qingbo Pavilion has been sealed for so many days, what have you investigated?”

Zhang Luo bowed, “The people at Qingbo Pavilion confessed that palace servants from the Palace of Diligent Government delivered the ‘Preface’ to be printed at the workshop.”

“If that’s so, why haven’t you questioned the people from the Palace of Diligent Government?”

Zhang Luo straightened up: “In response to Your Majesty, your servant still had doubts.”

“Speak.”

“Consort Ning is in the Banana Garden, guarded by the Imperial Guard. Unless the Palace of Diligent Government had private dealings with the Imperial Guard, it would be impossible to pass out anything from the Consort. Therefore, your servant believed this was a fake ‘Preface.'”

“You thought Yang Lun wrote it?”

“That was your servant’s initial belief.”

“Heh.”

Emperor Zhenning gave a cold laugh, suddenly raising his voice: “And now?”

Zhang Luo kowtowed again, “Your servant will thoroughly investigate this matter!”

Emperor Zhenning shook his head: “I too want to see who I can still trust.”

“Your servant dares not fail Your Majesty.”

Emperor Zhenning looked down at him: “I have approved the Crown Prince’s request to question you about the Qingbo Pavilion matter. After your investigation is complete, go report to him yourself.”