At Guiyun Mountain, clouds broke and sun emerged, while the capital had been shrouded in misty rain for many days.

This morning, news arrived of General Luo’s death in battle in Lingnan, casting a layer of sorrowful mist over the entire court.

The ministers from various departments debated in Dingyan Hall until the hour of the Goat without reaching any conclusion. Having just emerged from the hall, Minister of Rites Luo Songtang was the first unable to restrain himself, complaining: “Had we known the Lingnan bandits had colluded with foreign enemies from Annan, we should have unified our position to let the Twelfth Prince lead the campaign. He’s guarded Lingnan for years and has abundant experience fighting enemies. Now look what’s happened—General Luo died in battle, the court has lost another military commander, and we don’t even know whom to send on future campaigns.”

Minister of Personnel Zeng Youliang sneered: “Lord Luo, aren’t you tired of playing Monday morning quarterback after decades? When Lord Liu originally suggested letting the Twelfth Prince lead the campaign, you were like a mouthless gourd, stubbornly keeping your tongue tied without uttering a single word. Now you’re complaining? Too late. You’d better carefully consider whom we should send as the unlucky envoy since Annan wants to negotiate peace. This is proper Ministry of Rites business. When the Seventh Prince asks, Lord Luo won’t be able to sew his mouth shut anymore.”

Luo Songtang was displeased: “Oh, so peace negotiations are the Ministry of Rites’ business, and you other departments are washing your hands of it? If you ask me, what peace to negotiate? When the Seventh Prince asks, Lord Gong,” he patted Gong Quan’s arm with the back of his hand, “you’re the Minister of War after all. Just tell the Seventh Prince directly to have the Twelfth Prince lead troops to attack. It’s just a small Annan—how can we fear not being able to subdue them?”

“Fight, fight, fight—warfare requires silver. Where’s the silver?” Gong Quan said angrily, then looked at Vice Minister of Revenue Du Zhen with frustration. “In the past when Shen Qingyue was at the Ministry of Revenue, military funds were never short. Several years ago when both Lingnan and the northern frontier were in turmoil, he had foresight and stored up silver and provisions early. This year? Without Shen Xi managing the treasury keys, the grand Ministry of Revenue has no grain when grain is needed, no money when money is needed.”

Gong Quan’s words already carried humiliating intent. Du Zhen felt extremely uncomfortable hearing this: “How can the turmoil of previous years compare with this year? This year, Northern Liang alone mobilized three hundred thousand troops to invade. Commander Qi’s eastern sea campaign still requires silver to build ships. The Lingnan affair is the last straw breaking the camel’s back. No one could conjure this silver. If Lord Gong truly believes Lord Shen has this ability, then quickly discuss with the Seventh Prince to transfer Lord Shen back from the Court of the Imperial Stud to the Ministry of Revenue. In this subordinate’s view, recalling Lord Shen now is still timely. Should the northwest unfortunately fall into turmoil as well, we’ll only be able to kneel in temples begging immortals to descend.”

Minister of Works Liu was a peacemaker. Seeing his colleagues quarreling incessantly, he advised: “Gentlemen, don’t be hasty. Isn’t the northwest currently fine? Moreover, though General Luo was martyred, Annan has also been nearly subdued this time. The so-called peace negotiations are them suing for peace first. By rights, they should give us silver.”

He looked left and right, smiling: “In this old man’s view, there’s only one most thorny problem now—whom to send as this envoy to both not lose our great nation’s dignity and make the small Annan nation willingly maintain peace for decades and conscientiously pay tribute? We’re all Great Sui officials. At least help the Ministry of Rites brainstorm together, yes?”

The various officials glanced at each other, all falling silent.

Just then, the door of Dingyan Hall behind them creaked open. The Three Judicial Offices who had stayed behind—Liu Chaoming, Zhang Shishan, and Su Jin—emerged.

After everyone exchanged bows, Zeng Youliang looked at Su Jin and suddenly smiled: “Ah, this old official has an idea. When Minister Su previously served as censor, she had a silver tongue—the court’s best eloquence. Speaking of candidates for peace envoy, besides Minister Su, this official can’t think of anyone better.”

Once these words were spoken, the others beneath the corridor didn’t respond.

The Minister of Justice was no longer the county magistrate of years past—not someone just anyone could afford to offend.

Su Jin said indifferently: “Lord Zeng suggests this official serve as envoy. Are you planning to take over the Ministry of Justice’s recent major cases to help resolve them? In this official’s view, the Ministry of Revenue is short on funds and provisions, the Ministry of War is short on troops, the court is short on military commanders, and the Ministry of Justice has accumulated complex cases—all because the Ministry of Personnel inappropriately appointed and dismissed officials, resulting in numerous vacant positions and delayed official business at various offices. If Lord Zeng can resolve these problems, having this official serve as envoy is not impossible.”

Speaking thus, she paid no more attention to Zeng Youliang and his group, glanced at the vast misty rain outside, and walked directly beneath the corridor eaves to wait for Secretary Wu to bring an umbrella.

Before long, Liu Chaoming finished speaking with Zhang Shishan and also walked under the eaves.

A minor official came to apologize: “Lord Liu, the umbrellas at Yanding Hall have all been borrowed. This subordinate has already ordered someone to fetch them from the adjacent Liuzhao Hall. They’ll be back shortly.”

Liu Chaoming’s complexion was somewhat pale—he had caught a cold a few days ago and hadn’t fully recovered. But he seemed to have urgent matters and was unwilling to delay official business, saying lightly: “No need.” He stepped directly into the rain.

Su Jin had just received an umbrella from Wu Jizhi’s hands when she caught sight of Liu Chaoming’s figure from the corner of her eye. She couldn’t help but pause, caught up a few steps, and called: “My lord.” Then she presented her own umbrella with both hands: “My lord, please take care of yourself.”

The misty rain was fine and dense. Liu Chaoming looked at her through the rain curtain, momentarily not responding.

Su Jin explained: “I’m returning to the Ministry of Justice and can walk with Secretary Wu.”

Only then did Liu Chaoming accept the umbrella from her hands. He opened it but didn’t leave. After a moment of silence, he said: “This official remembers giving you an umbrella once.” He paused, asking softly: “Why have I never seen you use it?”

Su Jin said: “Years ago when traveling on inspection tours, I did bring my lord’s umbrella with me. Later A’Liu said that umbrella was extremely precious to you, my lord. Qinhuai has much misty rain—the rainfall is prolonged and urgent. Shiyu therefore didn’t dare use it, fearing I’d damage my lord’s umbrella. So I only took it out to dry in the sun on clear days in the courtyard.”

Liu Chaoming was stunned for a moment, then looked away after a pause: “Umbrellas are originally meant for sheltering from rain, not for sunbathing.” Having said this, he glanced at her once more, then turned and left.

Su Jin looked at Liu Chaoming’s departing figure with surprise, momentarily not understanding why he would quibble with her over this. Thinking again, she realized she had indeed put the cart before the horse, wasting Liu Yun’s umbrella.

Wu Jizhi followed over. Seeing Su Jin seemed thoughtful, he couldn’t help asking: “Is Lord Su worried about the Imperial Noble Consort’s case?”

Su Jin was startled, then lowered her eyes with a smile: “No, I randomly recalled an amusing anecdote I saw in a book as a child. It said that one day when the weather was clear, a scholar lay sprawled in the central courtyard. Others didn’t understand and asked why. He answered: ‘Airing out books.'” (Note)

“Meaning a belly full of poetry and books.” Wu Jizhi smiled along. “The Jin people were often eccentric, but all had genuine temperament.”

The two conversed as they returned to the Ministry of Justice.

The hour of the Monkey had arrived. Though it was clearly time to leave duty, not a single person at the Ministry of Justice had departed.

This was hardly surprising. The accumulated cases from the previous year remained unresolved, and after the sixth month, two new cases were added. First, at the beginning of the month, the Imperial Noble Consort and the medical official who examined her both suddenly died in the palace. A few days ago, because the three thousand warhorses purchased earlier in the year had been transferred to the Anqing garrison, Zhu Zhaowei held the Ministry of War and the Court of the Imperial Stud accountable. Minister Huang of the Court of the Imperial Stud, to demonstrate his innocence, actually hand-wrote a complaint and submitted it to the Ministry of Justice, accusing subordinate officials of using their positions for personal gain.

Su Jin reviewed this testimony and only felt the entire text was ambiguous and incoherent.

She didn’t immediately file the case for trial, only instructing subordinate officials to summon one or two Court of the Imperial Stud officials daily for questioning, putting on a show.

“Lord Su, today’s Court of the Imperial Stud official coming to the Ministry of Justice is Vice Director Shen of the Bureau of Equine Administration.” The minor official standing guard outside the public hall saw Su Jin return and came forward to report. “Because the Bureau of Equine Administration is at the Yunhu Mountain pasture, Lord Shen will probably not reach the Ministry of Justice until the hour of the Dog. Director Lu said that since Lord Su has labored continuously for many days, today you might as well return home early. He’ll stay behind to interrogate Lord Shen.”

Su Jin said: “No need. I’ll wait for Qingyue.”

“Yes.” The minor official continued: “Censor Gu from the Imperial Censorate came to the Ministry of Justice seeking Lord Su, saying he has some private matters. He’s currently waiting at the Legal Code Hall. Should Lord Su see him now or later?”

“Censor Gu?” Su Jin was startled, momentarily unable to recall who it was.

“The surveillance censor who returned from Jinan to report on his mission. Several who saw him just now all said… said Lord Gu’s speech is somewhat halting.”

“Gu Yunjian?” Only then did Su Jin react. Then she frowned, glancing at the minor official. “In the future, don’t discuss others’ shortcomings.”

The minor official said fearfully: “Lord Su’s admonishment is correct. This subordinate will never dare again.”

Su Jin nodded slightly, then walked toward the Legal Code Hall.

Upon seeing Su Jin arrive, Gu Yunjian hastily set down his tea bowl, rose and performed a great bow to her, saying: “Lord Su probably doesn’t remember this subordinate. Years ago when Lord Su, Lord Su conducted inspection tours passing through Huguang, this subordinate had a brief encounter with you, with you, my lord, in Wuchang Prefecture. Watching you, my lord, try cases, this subordinate benefited immensely.”

Gu Yunjian was actually two years older than Su Jin, with refined features and eyes with one double eyelid and one single, which didn’t look strange.

Su Jin remembered he was originally Zhao Yan’s student, possessed great talent, and in the twentieth year of Jingyuan had even placed second in the imperial examinations. His lifelong aspiration was to be an upright censor like Zhao Yan. But censors were after all remonstrance officials, and his speech impediment truly hindered his official career. To this day, he was only a seventh-rank surveillance censor.

Su Jin smiled: “I remember you.” She then glanced at the chair behind him, indicating he should sit, before lifting the teapot: “I heard from those below that you’re seeking me for private matters?”

Gu Yunjian hastily held out his teacup to receive tea, saying: “How, how dare this subordinate trouble you, my lord, to pour tea for this subordinate.” He continued: “Yes, private matters.”

Speaking thus, he withdrew from his robe two red invitation cards folded neatly and said: “Next month on the seventh, this subordinate and my teacher—that is, Lord Zhao of the Imperial Censorate’s residence—Second Miss Zhao, will have our betrothal banquet. I specially invite Lord Su to come to the feast.”

Upon hearing these words, Su Jin was stunned.

She looked at those two invitation cards. After a long while, she asked: “With Miss Zhao Wan?”

“Yes.” Gu Yunjian lowered his eyes. As his earlobes flushed slightly red, a smile graced his lips, impossible to conceal his joy. “This student, this student knew A’Wan—no, Second Miss Zhao—since childhood. We’re considered… childhood sweethearts.”

Seeing Su Jin hadn’t accepted the invitations, he asked in confusion: “Lord Su, do you have matters on the seventh of next month?”

“No.” Su Jin shook her head slightly, accepting the invitations. “Only I’d never heard Lord Zhao mention it before. I’m somewhat surprised.” Looking at the invitations in her hand, she asked again: “Why are there two?”

Gu Yunjian said apologetically: “The other I must trouble Lord Su to deliver, deliver to Lord Shen. This subordinate went to the Bureau of Equine Administration to find him once, but unfortunately that day he was off duty and I couldn’t see him. Now the seventh month approaches. This subordinate, this subordinate is busy preparing the banquet and fear I cannot personally invite him again. I can only trouble Lord Su.”