The beacon fires in the northwest ignited in May. By the time the battle reports reached the capital, it was already winter. The military reports were delivered far too slowly. From the War Ministry’s Office of the Commander-in-Chief down to the postal station masters at each relay station, all should have been held accountable. Moreover, the current emperor had a military background and took military discipline and law extremely seriously. For a time, the entire court and country were in terror, with all officials trembling in fear, waiting for the bloody storm to arrive. Who knew that the next day, as morning court was about to conclude, when Zhu Yushen mentioned the situation in the northwest, he only instructed the War Ministry and Finance Ministry to prepare military supplies, making no mention whatsoever of holding anyone accountable.
The officials were utterly perplexed, saying the emperor’s heart was unfathomable. Only those in the Cabinet knew that the military reports from the northwest had been submitted to the imperial desk at the end of summer and had been suppressed by Zhu Yushen for nearly half a year, not releasing the news until October.
In November, the northwestern army annihilated Chili’s fleeing soldiers at Duck Slope, achieving a great victory. When the victory report arrived, the main Chili army had already retreated thirty li. This year’s military campaign finally came to an end.
However, one wave had barely subsided when another arose. Entering December, scouts from the north came to report that after Chili’s Third Prince Damuer suffered defeat in the northwest, he took his personal envoys through the bitter cold Tage Grasslands to conspire with the Northern Liang Kingdom to the east, deciding to integrate the armies of both nations and jointly invade Great Sui when spring warmed next year.
When this news arrived, the entire court instantly erupted in chaos.
With Chili and Northern Liang invading together, the court had to dispatch generals and commanders to jointly resist the enemy in both the northwest and Beiping. However, since the Jingyuan Dynasty, the court’s problem of lacking generals and commanders had never been resolved, to the point that after Emperor Jin’an and Emperor Yongji ascended the throne, they had no choice but to repeatedly lead campaigns in person.
Looking at the current situation, even if Zhu Yushen was willing to go to Beiping to resist the enemy, who should be sent as general to the northwest? Could they really rely on General of the Western Expedition Zuo Qian? It wasn’t that the court didn’t trust him, but his combat experience and ability to lead troops fell far short compared to Emperor Jin’an who had previously commanded the northwest.
Minister of War Chen Jinsheng hadn’t yet reached forty, but his full head of black hair had already turned white from worry. When he went to ask Zhu Yushen’s intentions, this sovereign was not anxious at all, saying, “I am waiting for news. When the news arrives, I will decide which general to dispatch to the northwest.”
Chen Jinsheng was puzzled for a moment, not knowing what news Zhu Yushen was waiting for. He originally wanted to inquire with Que Wu, who often stayed by His Majesty’s side, but then remembered that Que Wu had left the capital for an unknown destination and was said to return during the first month.
The first month—Chen Jinsheng thought that would be very soon.
With His Majesty Yongji treating the momentous matter of the Chili-Northern Liang alliance so lightly, the court and country also felt considerably more at ease. Since the founding of the Yongji Dynasty, the continuously busy and rushing officials could, for the first time as the year’s end approached, actually have a good New Year. At the end of December, the day before Little New Year, Zhu Yushen even personally reminded them with an order that starting tomorrow, all civil and military officials could cease court sessions.
On the morning of Little New Year, a snowfall stopped.
The Cabinet convened early to discuss matters, wanting to prioritize the affairs after the new year. They had only deliberated halfway when an inner attendant came to request, “Lord Liu, His Majesty summons you to Jinshen Palace, saying he wishes to inform you about matters regarding troop deployment to the northwest and Beiping after spring begins.”
To discuss troop deployment, he didn’t summon the War Ministry, the Commander-in-Chief’s Office, or the Finance Ministry, but instead summoned the Cabinet’s Chief Minister.
Shu Wenlan, with keen ears and sharp eyes, laughed, “Very well, we need not deliberate here anymore. It appears His Majesty will most likely personally lead the campaign again. Following precedent, he’s informing Lord Liu about major court affairs after spring begins, leaving him in the capital to oversee all political matters.”
Shen Xi nodded. “Let’s adjourn then.”
The Cabinet ministers exchanged farewells and returned to their respective residences to reunite with family.
Shen Xi called out to Su Jin, “My residence’s carriage is waiting outside Zhengwu Gate. Will you accompany me back to Shen residence now, or—”
Su Jin said, “The Imperial Censorate still has some matters.”
Since early autumn, the Imperial Censorate had begun thoroughly investigating the major military farm case throughout the realm. Over these months, letters from censors in various regions had arrived like snowflakes. Shen Xi knew Su Jin was entangled in countless affairs and responded with an “mm,” instructing, “At the current pace, you can finish the trial and close the case before next summer. You needn’t rush.”
The two walked out of Yanding Hall together and saw Censors Song Jue and Li Qiong approaching. They bowed, “Lord Shen, Lord Su.” Then asked, “Where is Lord Liu?”
“He went to Jinshen Palace for an audience with His Majesty,” Su Jin said, anticipating their purpose and adding, “He told me that after handling the Cabinet’s urgent matters, he will come to the Imperial Censorate this evening.”
The military farm case was progressing smoothly, and everyone at the Imperial Censorate was gratified. Moreover, since Su Jin returned to court, the censors had been continuously busy with no time yet to hold a welcoming banquet for her, so they took advantage of this Little New Year to suggest having a reunion feast together. Organized by Song Jue and Gu Yunjian, they invited not only Left Chief Censor Su Jin, but also retired Zhao Yan and Qian Yueqian who had transferred to the Ministry of Justice. Only the former Left Chief Censor Liu Chaoming remained uninvited. Everyone knew he preferred solitude and disliked crowds. Last time, Yan Xiu gathered his courage to invite him and, after waiting a long while, received only the response, “We’ll see.”
Song Jue and Li Qiong, having received confirmation from Su Jin, were overjoyed. “Thank you, Lord Su. Then we subordinates will make arrangements first.”
Su Jin and Shen Xi walked together for a stretch. Approaching Zhengwu Gate, she said to him, “You go ahead first. After noon, Qiguang and I will bring Su Wan to visit the residence together.”
She and Shen Xi normally didn’t observe such formalities, but in the third year of Yongji, after Shen Jun sent Seventeen to Dongying, she returned to her ancestral home with Shen Tuo’s couple and lived there for two years. This year’s end, they finally returned to Shen residence.
And it was precisely today that the two young princes from the palace would also come to Shen residence to spend Little New Year’s Eve with Shen Jun.
After years of wandering separation, it was rare for the family to reunite. It was precisely with this in mind that Su Jin planned to visit Shen residence before the Imperial Censorate’s reunion feast to pay respects to the two elders, adding some familial joy for them.
All case files for the military farm case had been properly organized. Only a dozen or so letters that needed replies hadn’t been dealt with yet. Fortunately, Zhai Di remained at the yamen to work with Su Jin on annotations. Before the si hour, they had completed the official business.
Zhai Di handed the important reply letters to subordinate censors, having them delivered to the Office of Transmission, then changed into casual clothes and returned to Su residence together with Su Jin.
This year could truly be called a peaceful year. Though there were twists and turns, fortunately there was alarm but no danger. At year’s end, the festive atmosphere was rich, with even the streets and alleys filled with harmonious air.
Su Wan waited at Su residence’s entrance. Seeing Su Jin and Zhai Di, she softly called out, “Third Brother, Lord Zhai.”
Over these years, she had read a bellyful of poetry and books, becoming considerably more refined, and had also learned to manage accounts. Now she and Seventh Uncle together each handled half the household affairs.
Su Jin responded with an “mm” and asked, “Are the gifts to be sent to Shen residence prepared?”
“Already prepared,” Su Wan answered. “They’re in the side room of the east wing. Does Third Brother want to inspect them once?”
Su Jin walked into the residence, glancing at the side room. “No need.”
Su Wan nodded. “Good, then Awan will have people carry the congratulatory gifts to the carriage now.” Speaking thus, holding an account book in one hand and lifting a blue brush with the other, she walked to the side room entrance to count items one by one.
Seeing this, Zhai Di bowed to Su Jin. “My lord, Qiguang will go help.”
Now Su residence was no longer as desolate as before. Su Jin was, after all, a premier official in the court. With the residence being sparse, it also reflected poorly on the court. After she returned to the capital, the Ministry of Rites took charge. In addition to Seventh Uncle Tan Shi and others originally at the residence, seven or eight young servants and over ten guards were added.
Su Jin saw that Zhai Di, a dignified third-rank official, was personally moving congratulatory gifts. Her brows furrowed, thinking the residence wasn’t short of people. Just as she was about to call out to stop him, Tan Shi suddenly called, “My lord.” She shifted her gaze to glance at Zhai Di, smiled, and said, “My lord, your newly made garments are ready. Shall you come change now?”
Su Jin noticed her gaze seemed meaningful and nodded.
Once back in the room, as Tan Shi helped her change, she said, “My lord being unconcerned about your own affairs is one thing, but with your status, even if you were to marry in this lifetime, you’d have to keep it hidden inside and out. But the young lady is already twenty-two years old. How can my lord be so unconcerned about her affairs as well?”
Su Jin had always treated Tan Zhaolin and Tan Shi as brother and sister-in-law. Hearing these words, she finally reacted. “It’s my fault. Since that’s the case, after the New Year passes, I’ll go ask Qiguang’s intentions.”
She thought for a moment. “Qiguang has suffered loneliness and has no family left alive. He’s always regarded me as his closest elder brother. I’m afraid if I ask about this matter, even if he’s unwilling, he’ll agree. I need to deliberate on how to broach the subject.” She laughed again, “In such matters, mutual affection is ultimately best.”
Tan Shi said, “The young lady isn’t absolutely beautiful, but gentle and graceful she certainly is. During the years my lord wasn’t in the capital, Lord Zhai always came to the residence to help. Surely he can’t be without some feelings? Moreover, my lord, you are the greatest official in this court. Even if Lord Zhai won’t do, among all those serving below, there must be someone suitable. In my view, official position and appearance aren’t most important—what’s most important is good character. The young lady suffered all kinds of hardships as a child. After coming to the capital and until my lord returned to the residence this year, she also didn’t have many good days. Over these years managing the household, she’d rather suffer herself than mistreat us servants. I just hope she can marry into a good family and enjoy peace and blessings for a lifetime. Ah, wasn’t there also someone who used to follow my lord around, named Wu, Wu something? I heard he’d return to the capital after spring begins.”
“Wu Jizhi?” Su Jin was surprised. “He married long ago. Though his principal wife died many years ago and he hasn’t taken another, he’s already reached forty. Matching Awan to him wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Tan Shi said, “My lord is well-traveled and knowledgeable, so your judgment surely won’t be wrong. Just one point—though we should choose someone of good character, if it were someone like an immortal figure like Lord Shen, we absolutely wouldn’t dare aspire so high. He’s too good—it offends fortune. People of shallow fortune who marry him will have their lives shortened.”
Su Jin couldn’t help but laugh aloud. “If Qingyue heard these words, I’m afraid he wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry.”
Tan Shi said, “But speaking of which, it’s strange—among my lord’s associates, why do figures like Lord Shen and Lord Liu all not take wives?”
Su Jin took the jade belt from her hands and fastened it around her waist. With Tan Shi, there wasn’t much she couldn’t say. “Our generation of officials didn’t encounter good times. Born in this turbulent era, from the twentieth year of Jingyuan until the founding of the Yongji Dynasty, the court situation underwent dramatic changes every three to five months. With each upheaval, a group of people died and a group scattered. No one knew what would happen to themselves in the future, especially those caught in the whirlpool. If one had no family and no entanglements, that was still manageable. But if one did, not only would one’s own crimes implicate family members, but worse still, others would use one’s household and wife as leverage to coerce one into taking risks. In the end, none came to good ends.”
Political positions, aspirations, and bloody power struggles were all wrapped together and still hadn’t subsided even now. There wasn’t room for much softness even in one’s heart—how much less behind one’s back?
Today’s rebel, tomorrow’s loyal subject. Today’s honored guest, tomorrow’s prisoner beneath the steps.
When Zhu Nanxian was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace, the reason she dared transfer from Assistant Chief Censor to serve as Vice Minister in the Ministry of Justice, directly facing the hidden blades and weapons of Zhu Zhaowei’s faction—wasn’t it also because she had no entanglements behind her?
If one misstep led to falling into the abyss of eternal damnation, at least only one person would die.
Su Jin smiled. “Moreover, for people like Liu Yun and Qingyue who are busy without a moment’s respite and would rather have nothing than settle for less, it can probably only be left to fate.”
Tan Shi understood clearly and sighed. “Who says otherwise? But having lived these years, I understand one principle: life can only be lived completely when one is alone, but it can only be lived comfortably when two people are together. There’s absolutely no logic that says one can indulge in spring melancholy and autumn sorrows when alone, but once two people are together, everything will be flowers and moon, eternal harmony. In living, one ultimately lives for one’s own heart to see.”
Su Jin nodded. “Precisely so.”