The Ministry of Justice had no minister. As Left Vice Minister, Su Jin commanded the entire department.

Secretary Lu never imagined that Lord Su, who was always too busy to warm his seat, would actually arrive at the birthday banquet at this hour. His heart was in complete chaos. Yet before he could pay his respects, Minister Huang beside him had already slid down from his chair, kneeling on the ground and begging forgiveness: “Lord Su, forgive me! Lord Su, forgive me!”

In an instant, all the officials in the flower hall paid their respects to Su Jin with trepidation.

Su Jin paid no attention, only raising her hand to help Zhou Ping up, saying: “Many thanks, Gaoyan.” She took the wooden staff from his hands, and once Shen Xi had positioned it properly, the two of them left together.

Since being promoted to Vice Minister of Justice, there were still many matters at the Imperial Censorate requiring handover. Su Jin had been so busy these past days rushing between both places that she hadn’t planned to arrive at the Zhao residence so early to celebrate the birthday. Who knew that today, just after finishing her duties, she heard Tan Zhaolin send someone to report that he had ruined things, delaying half an hour before arriving at the Zhao residence’s separate manor. Upon questioning Sixth Uncle Shen, she learned Shen Xi had already been invited away by Zhao Yan.

In her urgency, Su Jin had no time for recriminations. Hurrying to the Zhao residence, she witnessed such a scene.

After leaving the flower hall and before reaching the main courtyard, Tan Zhaolin and Su Wan were still waiting at the hanging flower gate.

Su Jin said to Shen Xi: “I heard that today’s birthday banquet will be attended by both Zhu Zhaowei and Liu Yun. It’s truly inconvenient for you to encounter those two. Why don’t you go with Tan Zhaolin to wait for me in the carriage? I’ll go see Lord Zhao, present my gifts, and then come.”

Shen Xi shifted his gaze to sweep over Su Wan, saying: “Little Sister Su has also come.”

Su Jin discerned the concern in his eyes and explained: “Seventh Uncle has been ill these past days. It was Ah Wan who helped me prepare the congratulatory gifts, so I brought her along.”

Actually, she had also been inadequate as an “elder brother.” Since the Court of Imperial Stud case, after Su Jin brought Su Wan back to the residence, she had established three rules with her. These days she herself had been so busy with official duties that her feet barely touched the ground, with no leisure to look after this younger sister. Only two days ago did she hear from Tan Zhaolin’s wife that after arriving at the Su residence, Su Wan had only left the house once, and that was to accompany Madam Tan to purchase vegetables for the household.

Su Jin felt guilty. Today after finishing her duties, she and Tan Zhaolin rushed back to the Su residence to fetch the congratulatory gifts. Seeing Su Wan pitifully guarding the courtyard alone while holding the gifts, her compassion was stirred. She had her come along, thinking that even if she didn’t stay for the meal, taking advantage of this only free moment to take her out for a walk would be good.

Su Jin said to Su Wan: “Haven’t you greeted Lord Shen?”

Su Wan only felt that the people around her third brother were each more outstanding than the last in character and appearance. The one before her eyes, though his blue scholar’s robe appeared somewhat down and out, still had eyes and brows like a painting, written through with elegance.

After Su Wan finished her courtesies, Shen Xi pondered briefly, then said to Su Jin again: “Since Zhu Zhaowei is coming, you should also go quickly and return quickly.”

Su Jin understood the meaning in his words. Zhu Zhaowei was sinister and cunning—he had already used Su Wan as material to deal with her once. With Su Wan here today, it was hard to guard against Zhu Zhaowei hatching another plot when one failed.

Su Jin took Shen Xi’s words to heart. Going to the main hall, she paid her respects to Zhu Yiheng, then offered congratulations to the old matriarch of the Zhao residence and presented gifts before excusing herself to leave. Zhao Yan knew she was busy lately and didn’t press her to stay. Who knew that just as she had seen Su Jin to the main courtyard, a servant rushed over urgently to report: “Lord Zhao, the Seventh Prince and Lord Zeng have descended from their sedans outside the residence.”

The hour of the Rooster had passed. Two maidservants were just leading the group of officials from the flower hall to the main courtyard to take their seats when they unexpectedly caught sight of Zhu Zhaowei and Zeng Youliang appearing at the residence gate. They hastily knelt again.

Zhu Zhaowei was quite amiable, saying gently: “This place isn’t the palace—you ministers need not be so formal.” Only then did he step into the courtyard. Seeing Su Jin, he asked as if somewhat surprised: “From Lord Su’s appearance, you’re leaving without dining?”

Su Jin bowed to him: “In response to Your Seventh Highness, there are still several urgent official matters at the yamen. This subject must return to see to them. Also fearing I would delay Lord Zhao’s opening of the banquet, I came to offer congratulations first. I truly cannot stay for the feast. I hope Your Highness, Lord Zeng, and all you ministers will enjoy yourselves.”

Actually Su Jin knew why Zhu Zhaowei was willing to join this gathering—during this morning’s court deliberations, when discussing the generals to send to quell the bandits in Lingnan, Zhu Zhaowei had opposed the majority and didn’t send Zhu Qiyue, instead appointing General Luo. Though General Luo was a veteran general of the current dynasty who had also accumulated battle achievements, he was after all over sixty years old and not the optimal choice. While the ministers dared not speak it aloud, they were dissatisfied in their hearts. Zhu Zhaowei sat high above but hadn’t secured the throne firmly—the Zhao residence’s birthday banquet was a perfect opportunity to win hearts and minds.

Hearing Su Jin say she was leaving, Zhu Zhaowei didn’t make things difficult for her as in the past, smiling and saying: “Vice Minister Su works tirelessly day and night, truly a model for all ministers.” His gaze moved to Su Wan behind her, and he asked: “I heard Vice Minister Su’s younger sister entered the capital. This must be her?”

Su Jin thus glanced at Su Wan: “Greet the Seventh Prince.”

From the moment Zhu Zhaowei entered the residence, Su Wan had already knelt once. Now having to kneel again, she was stopped by Zhu Zhaowei’s supporting gesture. He smiled again: “Actually, since Little Sister Su entered the capital, this prince has heard my Twelfth Brother mention her several times, saying that though your younger sister is female, she has a chivalrous heart and righteous spirit. He admires her greatly.”

Speaking thus, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally fell on Su Wan’s gradually reddening face. As if remembering something, he suddenly said: “I must presumptuously ask—how old is Little Sister Su, and has she been betrothed yet?”

Hearing this question, Su Wan lowered her head even more. Su Jin answered from the side: “Born in the seventh month of the Wuxu year. Though not yet betrothed, our father passed away last year. As she’s still in the mourning period, this subject as her elder brother hasn’t yet considered my younger sister’s marriage.”

Zhu Zhaowei smiled: “That’s no obstacle. Settling it in advance is fine.”

Ever since Zhu Qiyue promised Su Wan to let off the Deputy Director Qiu of the Court of Imperial Stud lightly, Zhu Zhaowei had heard from informants that this Little Sister Su was quite grateful to the Twelfth Prince. When leaving with Lord Su, she had looked back at His Highness several times.

Thinking of this, he spoke words that shocked without killing: “After all, she’s the blood sister of a third-rank vice minister. Why don’t this prince act as matchmaker and betroth your younger sister to Qiyue as a secondary consort? What does Lord Su think?”

Su Jin never imagined Zhu Zhaowei would set his sights on Su Wan’s marriage. In her heart she regretted that she shouldn’t have brought Su Wan along out of momentary compassion. Now that he was proposing marriage on behalf of Zhu Qiyue before all the ministers, at most she could say “that’s reaching too high.” But then what? If he insisted on having Zhu Qiyue marry Su Wan, should she agree or not agree?

Just as Su Jin was hesitating, she suddenly heard the servant guarding outside the residence urgently report once more: “Lord Zhao, Lord Liu and Lord Qian have arrived.”

Perhaps because the sudden rainstorm had just ceased, this day’s evening glow was especially brilliant. Though night was clearly approaching, a sheet of flowing gold poured down from the clouds. Liu Chaoming arrived披霞而来, seeming to stir the twilight. Drawing near, his gaze fell neither on the assembled ministers nor on Su Jin, but looked toward Zhu Zhaowei: “Won’t the Seventh Prince go inside the hall to sit?”

Zhu Zhaowei smiled without speaking. Zhu Yiheng thus answered instead: “Lord Liu doesn’t know—Seventh Imperial Brother wishes to arrange a marriage between Twelfth Imperial Brother and Lord Su’s younger sister, and is waiting for Lord Su’s reply.”