Empress Ma’s gaze was as sharp as a torch as she examined this young female official.

She was undoubtedly beautiful, but without the delicate demeanor typical of Jiangnan women. Her posture was as upright as a pine tree, with full cheeks and a plump forehead beneath a black gauze cap. The front part of the cap had been soaked with sweat, making it darker than the top.

Whether from heat or nervousness, fine beads of perspiration dotted her nose tip. She lifted her face, allowing herself to be scrutinized. She was trying her best to relax, but her slightly stiff neck revealed her trepidation.

She was nervous, she was timid, but she used all her strength to control herself, her gaze neither flickering nor avoiding.

Empress Ma couldn’t help but sigh—youth was truly wonderful, full of vitality. Even with ambition written plainly on her face, it wasn’t annoying. It only made one want to grasp her in hand and test her mettle.

If properly trained, she might well become another Fan Gongzheng or Cao Shanggong—someone capable of becoming a trusted aide in governing the harem.

Empress Ma asked, “I entrusted this book to the Palace Administration Office, and Fan Gongzheng, with her keen eye for talent, assigned this matter to you. You’ve done very well with the printing—this book is beautiful and has imperial bearing. I hear your family runs a bookshop, so you must have been quite comfortable handling this task. But next comes bestowing books and giving lectures—how do you plan to proceed?”

Since Fan Gongzheng had entrusted everything to her, Hu Shanwei had considered this during the return journey on the official boat and answered fluently, “This ‘Records of Virtuous Song Dynasty Consorts’ Teachings’ is for Your Majesty to use in educating imperial family women and wives of external relatives on how to use the virtuous Song consorts as models for self-cultivation and reflection, or for establishing proper family customs and rules. As they say, ‘knowing books and understanding reason’—having a specific book makes implementation much easier.”

“The ‘Records of Rituals’ states: ‘Those ancients who wished to illustrate illustrious virtue throughout the kingdom first ordered well their own states. Wishing to order well their states, they first regulated their families. Wishing to regulate their families, they first cultivated their persons. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their states were rightly governed. Their states being rightly governed, the kingdom was made tranquil.’ Therefore, this subject suggests that bestowing books should proceed from top to bottom, from inside to outside—first to the harem consorts, with Fan Gongzheng personally instructing the Eastern and Western Six Palaces, then to various princely residences and princess mansions. After bestowing books, female officials should provide explanations to demonstrate Your Majesty’s supervisory intent.”

“The imperial family is the foremost family of the Great Ming and should serve as a model for all under heaven. Starting from ourselves, first correcting the imperial clan, then bestowing upon external relatives. From top to bottom, from inside to outside, with superiors influencing subordinates, implementing layer by layer.”

It was reasonable, well-evidenced, logical, and included specific operational methods.

Empress Ma nodded, “Then proceed as you suggest, bestowing books from top to bottom, starting with the harem.”

Encouraged by Empress Ma, Hu Shanwei’s blood rushed to her head. She even declined the welcoming banquet arranged by Chen Er’mei and others, immediately returning to the Palace Administration Office to organize the matter.

Fan Gongzheng laughed, “You really dare to speak boldly. Fortunately, you’re living in the early days of the Great Ming’s founding when the imperial family isn’t numerous—just over a hundred people in total. Otherwise, when the imperial family branches out in the future with thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of imperial clan members, bestowing books and giving lectures to each one would take until the year of the monkey and month of the horse to finish.”

Hu Shanwei took out the imperial family roster and counted one by one, “Besides the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace, the Great Ming only has four princes who have married princesses, and only seven married princesses. The princess mansions are naturally all built in the capital, with the Eastern Palace being closest, right within the imperial city. Currently, only Prince Qin and Prince Jin are troublesome—both left the capital for their fiefs in the eleventh year of Hongwu, one in Xi’an, one in Taiyuan. These two are too far from the capital to wait for the harem lectures first. Tomorrow we’ll dispatch two female officials with guards and the Empress’s gifted books to Prince Qin’s and Prince Jin’s residences respectively.”

Fan Gongzheng asked, “Who do you want to send on this distant assignment?”

“Naturally, female officials who are virtuous, prestigious, and reliable in their work,” Hu Shanwei said. “Who in this palace knows the female officials better than you, Fan Gongzheng? Whoever you choose will be the one.”

Fan Gongzheng pondered for a moment and said, “Prince Qin and Prince Jin were the earliest Great Ming princes to establish fiefs. The Emperor and Empress have been thinking of them constantly these past years. Besides the books, there should be other gifts sent along. You need to request imperial decree from Their Majesties.”

This was Hu Shanwei’s first time handling major affairs, and she was completely in the dark, “How do I request it?”

Among the common people, it would be simple: I’m arranging for people to deliver books—do you two elders have anything else to send along?

In the harem, Hu Shanwei didn’t even know which way the Emperor and Empress’s doors opened.

Fan Gongzheng said, “For communications up and down in the harem, naturally you find the司言 of the Bureau of Palace Attendance. I’ll arrange this matter.”

Hu Shanwei was deeply grateful, “Thank you, Fan Gongzheng.”

Looking at Hu Shanwei’s clear eyes, Fan Gongzheng felt somewhat guilty, “This is the first major matter you’re handling for the Palace Administration Office. I should naturally provide full assistance.”

Fan Gongzheng found Cao Shanggong, and the two had a private conversation.

Cao Shanggong said mockingly, “You really dare to keep pushing this novice Hu Shanwei forward. Since Her Majesty the Empress personally summoned her and tacitly allowed her to handle this matter entirely, she apparently hopes to find a fearless newcomer to give the harem, imperial clan, and external relatives’ women a show of force. When you previously compiled this book, it was only targeting that Hu woman. Now what Hu Shanwei faces isn’t limited to the harem.”

Fan Gongzheng nodded, “Success leads to soaring heights, failure means eternal ruin. It seems Her Majesty the Empress also values her ruthlessness and cleverness when dealing with that Hu woman.”

Cao Shanggong always spoke directly, “What about you? You used to have ambition and drive no less than Hu Shanwei’s. Why are you afraid of trouble now? Pushing a newcomer out to block the blade.”

Fan Gongzheng sighed, “When I was a low-ranking female official before, I wanted to climb up and wasn’t afraid of anything. Now that I’m secure in high position with nowhere higher to go, I want to be more stable and preserve this position. Besides, I won’t just stand by while Hu Shanwei works—I’ll help her complete it to the best of my ability. Consider it training a newcomer.”

Cao Shanggong snorted coldly, “Hypocritical.”

With Fan Gongzheng’s strong assistance, Their Majesties indeed issued an decree the next day to bestow generous gifts upon Prince Qin and Prince Jin. The gift lists ran several pages, with various presents filling over ten carts, to be brought along by the female officials bestowing books.

Xi’an and Taiyuan were distant journeys with long and difficult roads. Including completing the mission and the round trip, it would take at least a month—by then it would be autumn.

To demonstrate the importance placed on bestowing books, through Fan Gongzheng’s mediation, Cao Shanggong of the Bureau of Palace Attendance dispatched sixth-rank female official Liu Siyan, Empress Ma’s confidant, to Xi’an and Prince Qin’s residence.

Cui Shangyi of the Bureau of Ceremonies dispatched sixth-rank female official司赞 Zhou Shi. Zhou Sizaan had just presided over Noble Consort Sun’s investiture ceremony and was an extremely reliable female official.

Before departure, Fan Gongzheng paid from her own pocket to host a banquet seeing off these two prestigious sixth-rank female officials, with Hu Shanwei attending to pour wine, mainly responsible for ensuring the guests’ cups were never empty.

After three rounds of wine, Liu Siyan was slightly tipsy and said, “Truly the younger generation is to be feared! We two old things who have served in the court for eight years actually have to take orders from a newcomer who’s only been in the palace six months, traveling to the windy, sandy northwest thousands of li away on distant assignment.”

Zhou Sizan also said, “Exactly so. Hu Shanwei’s double promotion is unprecedented in the palace. By the time we two finish our business and return, there probably won’t be any place for us to stand in this palace—we’ll all have to yield our positions to her!”

Hu Shanwei was so frightened she spilled the wine pot in her hands, “This subordinate dare not… this subordinate did not… what virtue and ability does this subordinate have…”

“Enough, enough.” Fan Gongzheng snatched the wine pot from Hu Shanwei’s hands and personally poured wine for the two female officials, “You two, don’t frighten my person. She’s also working for Her Majesty the Empress. With so much to do and no three heads and six arms, there’s no choice but to trouble you two. Besides, traveling far to Xi’an and Taiyuan, Her Majesty the Empress knows you’re working hard and has rewarded you generously. Moreover, you’ve been deep in the harem for eight years—don’t you want to go out and get some fresh air? The beautiful rivers and mountains along the way are all waiting for you to enjoy.”

Liu Siyan and Zhou Sizan rarely saw the iron-faced, impartial “King Yama” Fan soften and say good words, and could even drink wine poured by Fan Gongzheng herself. They felt very pleased, though they said, “Fan Gongzheng’s mouth—you’ve made hard assignments sound like good ones.”

Fan Gongzheng smiled ingratiatingly, “Thanks to you two making this trip. When you return, I’ll have further thanks.”

They were all thousand-year-old foxes—quit while ahead, as the Palace Administration Office was not to be trifled with. Liu Siyan and Zhou Sizan said no more, drank heartily, and the banquet dispersed.

When leaving, Liu Siyan, drunk, nearly tripped over the threshold. Fortunately, young and strong Hu Shanwei steadied her. Hu Shanwei and Fan Gongzheng escorted the two female officials about to depart on distant assignment to the door, watching their figures disappear into the night before returning.

Palace maids brought sobering soup. Fan Gongzheng took a sip—it was so sour her brows furrowed tightly. She said, “Weren’t you overacting just now? Incoherent speech, even spilling wine.”

Hu Shanwei chuckled softly, “They just wanted to see me make a fool of myself to feel better. Such a small need—naturally I should satisfy them, since they’re working for me after all.”

Fan Gongzheng asked, “Don’t you care about face?”

Hu Shanwei said seriously, “Face can be recovered later. If I botch what Her Majesty the Empress has entrusted to me, there’ll never be another chance to turn things around.”

Fan Gongzheng looked at the Hu Shanwei before her. Her ambition and potential were being revealed step by step, always bringing surprises. How far would she go in the court in the future?

The next day, Liu Siyan and Zhou Sizan left the palace. Fan Gongzheng and Hu Shanwei saw them off at the palace gate.

Hu Shanwei said, “When autumn comes and chrysanthemums bloom in full, I’ll personally brew a jar of chrysanthemum wine and await your return so we can raise cups in celebration.”

With Hu Shanwei being so respectful and attentive, one doesn’t hit a smiling face. Liu Siyan and Zhou Sizan, maintaining their dignity, didn’t make things difficult for her further, saying, “We very much look forward to it. Farewell.”

On the day of bestowing books, over ninety titled consorts from the Eastern and Western Six Palaces gathered at Kunning Palace to kneel and receive Empress Ma’s gifted books.

After bestowing the books, Empress Ma invited Fan Gongzheng to lecture on the “Records of Virtuous Song Dynasty Consorts’ Teachings.” Empress Ma sat upright in the phoenix chair while Fan Gongzheng took her seat to the left.

The newly invested Noble Consort Sun led the way, bringing the consorts of the Eastern and Western Six Palaces to stand, clasp hands, and first perform the ceremony of honoring their teacher to Fan Gongzheng.

Fan Gongzheng began lecturing from the first page. All consorts, including Noble Consort Sun, maintained standing postures while listening respectfully.

Fan Gongzheng lectured for half a double-hour, then the Noble Consort and others bowed again in the ceremony of thanking their teacher.

Fan Gongzheng lectured continuously for five days before finishing the entire book. Throughout the whole process, except for Empress Ma sitting, all other consorts stood and listened respectfully.

On the final day, the long-ailing Noble Consort Sun could barely hold on, but to support Empress Ma’s implementation of the “Records of Virtuous Song Dynasty Consorts’ Teachings,” she placed a slice of aged ginseng under her tongue and relied on willpower to endure.

The other consorts were also exhausted, but they consciously knew they weren’t more dignified than Noble Consort Sun. With that Hu woman’s precedent as a warning, they could only endure without daring to show the slightest dissatisfaction.

After five days of lectures, a large portion of the harem consorts fell ill. Not daring to resent the Empress or directly target Fan Gongzheng, they all remembered Hu Shanwei’s name and complained bitterly about her.