The carriage traveled along the official road — a little slower than the water route — and two days later, Pei Bingyuan arrived in the capital.

The Pei family waited to welcome him outside the long pavilion. The women were especially sensitive in their emotions, and when they saw that Pei Bingyuan had grown white at the temples, they could not hold back the tears that streamed down their faces.

Pei Bingyuan smiled and said: “Huai’er is already a top-ranking provincial graduate — it is only natural that his father has reached the age when his hair turns white. What is there to cry about?” He then said: “Father, Mother, Madam — you have all worked hard these past years.”

Old Master Pei said: “Let Bingyuan go back and rest first — tomorrow he still has to enter the court for his evaluation, and to be received by the Emperor.” This was the pressing matter, and the important one.

“If there is promotion, there must be evaluation” — regardless of whether one was a capital official or an official posted away from the capital, once one’s term of service was complete, the court was required to evaluate one’s performance, a process called the “complete evaluation.” Capital officials and officials of the fourth rank and above posted away from the capital in the provincial administration offices, officials of the fifth rank and above in the surveillance offices and salt administration offices, were evaluated directly by the Emperor himself. All others were evaluated jointly by the Censorate and the Ministry of Personnel.

Pei Bingyuan was below the fourth rank, and his complete evaluation would be conducted by the Censorate. The on-site inspection had already been completed, and his performance in every category was excellent. The next day’s court appearance was primarily a written examination, testing a departing official’s proficiency in drafting official documents, their familiarity with statutes and codes, and their ability to answer policy questions.

Pei Bingyuan, coming from a noble family and having achieved such merits, was received by the Emperor.

……

Returning to the Earl’s mansion, the rooms and courtyards had not changed greatly, yet Pei Bingyuan found it both familiar and strange.

Xu Zhan was at court, and Lian Jie’er brought her two children and hurried back to her parents’ home — years had passed without seeing her father, and she too had moist eyes.

Pei Bingyuan looked upon the four children before him — Shaohuai, Shaojin, and Ruolian and Ruoying — as well as the pair of grandchildren Yan Gui and Xing’er. His gaze lingered on each child for a long while.

His eldest daughter Ruolian had grown ever more mature and accomplished, graceful and generous, and the pair of children she had raised were well-mannered and charming — lively and bright.

The change in the two brothers Shaohuai and Shaojin was the greatest — they had already grown to be as tall as he was, their scholarly air of intelligence and refinement shining from within, their eyes bright and clear. The elder was steady and composed; the younger, frank and natural — both were outstanding young men of the first order.

His youngest daughter Ruoying had striking features; she had once been the most innocent and lively of them all, and now she had grown from a girl into a young woman, with several more layers of careful thoughtfulness added to her nature.

Pei Bingyuan placed his hand on his son’s shoulder and patted it, then bowed his head and covered his face, choking out only a few sounds: “Good — all good, all very good…”

Since leaving home to take up his post away from the capital, he had reflected on the past in the quiet of deep nights, and only then realized his failings — heart and mind entirely devoted to the sages’ texts, never with time to look after the children at his side.

Having said this, Pei Bingyuan’s eyes grew red. In his heart, he was still thinking of the other two he could not see — and not being able to see them left a hollow space inside him, as if something were missing.

Lin Shi saw through what was in her husband’s heart, stepped forward and consoled him: “They too are well. The Second Son-in-law’s manner may be rough but his heart is attentive — he will take good care of Lan’er. And Zhu’er sent word just a few days ago to report that she was safe and well.”

Concubine Shen followed Lin Shi’s lead and said: “Zhu’er knew the Master was returning to the capital and specifically left a letter for the Master — your servant will bring it to the Master shortly.” She then spoke of Zhu Jie’er’s recent situation.

Last month, Zhu Jie’er had been promoted to the rank of sixth-grade court lady historian. After the Peaceful Princess was wed, she would be transferred to serve in the Empress’s palace. Since many matters involved palace affairs, there was much she could not go into detail about in letters.

Pei Bingyuan’s mood lifted somewhat upon hearing this.

The family shared a meal together in conversation, warm and harmonious. After dinner, Pei Bingyuan summoned his eldest son to his chamber for a private talk.

“Your father must thank you — the suggestions you wrote in your letters were all highly effective and served a great purpose. The merits of Yuchong County rightly include your share as well.” Pei Bingyuan said in praise.

Had it not been for Pei Shaohuai’s suggestion to plant white sesame, those sandy reclaimed lands might already have been overgrown with reeds.

“What your child proposed were all things learned from books — Father went out into the world and put them into practice, and that is the true key to success.” Pei Shaohuai said modestly. He also said: “When your child visited Yuchong County last time, and saw the volumes of Commentary on Waterways, Strategy for the Two Rivers, and other such works on Father’s writing desk, it was deeply moving. Knowing that governing the people and serving as an official required true and practical ability, upon returning to the capital your child sought out the Essential Arts for the People’s Welfare and many other books, and it was only by chance that I learned that the Northern Metropolitan area is well-suited to growing white sesame — it was entirely a case of chance working out.”

Knowing a thing and doing a thing are two different levels of attainment — what Pei Bingyuan had done was the harder of the two.

“Pure in character, penetrating in thought.” Pei Bingyuan said with heartfelt satisfaction. “If only I had been able to see as clearly as you do when I was young — I would not have spent more than a decade failing the examinations. Writing essays only from within books, in the end yields only essays; it is only when one’s learning is infused with insight and knowledge of the world that it can truly be called strategy.”

……

……

The following day, Pei Bingyuan entered the court, sat for the written examination together with other officials whose terms had been completed, and in the afternoon came to wait outside the Imperial Study, waiting to be received by the Emperor one by one.

Pei Jue came, and the assembled officials all greeted the Minister.

“Come with me,” Pei Jue said to Pei Bingyuan.

In a secluded corner of the palace hall, Pei Bingyuan made a perfunctory bow and said: “I wonder what business the Minister wishes to discuss with this subordinate official?”

Pei Jue’s expression was already complex; hearing these words, it became even more grave. After hesitating for a few breaths, he finally spoke: “Only by remaining within the Imperial City can the merits you have achieved be set before the Emperor’s eyes, rather than being claimed by others as their own… When you are received by the Emperor shortly, you must choose carefully.”

He seemed to be hinting at something.

As if offering a pointer to his great-nephew.

To his surprise, Pei Bingyuan would accept none of it. He said: “The genuine understanding that the Minister has arrived at after more than twenty years of serving as an official away from the capital — you would do better to pass it on to your own sons and grandsons. This subordinate official is unable to grasp its deeper meaning, and has no use for such genuine understanding.”

Thinking of all the things the Minister’s mansion had done, Pei Bingyuan’s heart filled with even more anger, and he said with sarcasm: “Since the Minister has the leisure to advise this subordinate official, would it not be better to save the time and think instead about how to seek the Emperor’s imperial decree for a special appointment?”

Under the Great Qing’s regulations, officials who had reached the age of sixty were to be pensioned off, as their spirit and strength were diminished. Only those granted special appointment by imperial decree were exempt from this rule.

Pei Jue had passed his presented scholar examination at twenty and had clawed his way up through the ranks over a lifetime; by now he was approaching sixty, and had only a year or two before retirement. Unless the Emperor had no one else to employ and kept him on for another decade or so.

Having spoken, Pei Bingyuan swept his sleeve and left in indignation, leaving Pei Jue where he stood, alone in his fury.

……

It was Pei Bingyuan’s turn to be received by the Emperor.

The Emperor first praised him for governing Yuchong County with merit, and then commended him — saying that although Pei Bingyuan was the heir of an Earl, of noble background, he had been willing to roll up his sleeves and work on water-control projects, labor at farming, and enrich the people — which was most admirable.

“Your Majesty is too generous — your servant is overwhelmed with gratitude.” Pei Bingyuan said in thanks.

“You deserve it. To govern a remote and impoverished farming county into good order in such a short span of years is no easy achievement.” The Emperor said.

The Emperor placed great importance on agriculture and esteemed officials willing to get down to the level of the farmers. He further said: “There must be reward for merit — We grant you the rank of Associate Fifth Grade.”

“Your servant thanks Your Majesty for this great grace.”

Promotions in official rank for civil officials differed from those for military officials — even for great merit, one could not advance more than two levels at a time. For Pei Bingyuan to rise directly from the seventh grade to the Associate Fifth Grade was already an exceptional reward.

Moreover, when compared to official rank, the actual official post was the more important of the two. For example, the reviewing secretaries of the Six Sections were of only the seventh grade, yet because they held the power of supervisory impeachment, none of the court officials dared do anything but treat them with considerable deference.

The Emperor continued: “The Prefectural Magistrate of the directly-administered prefecture of Taicang in Jiangsu Province, Prefectural Magistrate Xue, has left his post due to family mourning and returned home. We intend to send you to take over the administration of Taicang Prefecture as its Prefectural Magistrate. However, on reflection, the Earl of Jingying has you as his only son, and We do not have the heart to send you far from home to be separated from your family… As it happens, in the coming spring, the Second-Grade Secretary of the Bureau of Public Works and Industry within the Ministry of Works is due to retire. You have considerable ability in water-control administration and may be suited to this post.”

Finally he asked: “What does your official think?”

A Prefectural Magistrate was of the full Fifth Grade and administered a directly-administered prefecture — and Taicang Prefecture was in the prosperous Jiangnan region at that. A Second-Grade Secretary in the Ministry of Works was of the Associate Fifth Grade; any clear-sighted person would know how to choose.

If the Emperor had truly intended to have Pei Bingyuan remain in the capital, he could simply have granted the position of Second-Grade Secretary outright — there was no need to go to all the trouble of asking him this additional question.

Pei Bingyuan also thought of how his brother-in-law Lin Shiyun had said that the Port of Songjiang was already open to sea trade, and that Dengzhou, Chaozhou, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, and Taicang would likely be opened one by one in succession — and that at a time when the court urgently needed capable men to regulate the merchants going out to sea, deal with pirates, and resist the incursions of the Wo people, how to properly manage the opening of the port to trade was a pressing matter.

The Emperor’s intention was to have him go to Taicang Prefecture to take up his post.

Having made up his mind, Pei Bingyuan replied: “Your servant has two sons at home who can attend to filial duties on my behalf. Your servant is willing to go south to take up the post of Prefectural Magistrate of Taicang.”

His original intention — to use his position to benefit the people of one region — was also Pei Bingyuan’s aspiration.

“So be it. We approve.” The Emperor declared.

……

……

That Pei Bingyuan would be going south to Taicang Prefecture to continue serving away from the capital brought the Earl’s mansion both joy and sorrow — this departure might well mean he would not return for more than three years.

Old Master Pei was the first to speak up: “His Majesty’s great grace cannot be declined. Bingyuan’s promotion to the Associate Fifth Grade is a glory to the family — we should all be glad.”

The Old Madam did not want to make her son worry, and held back her tears with great effort. She said to Pei Bingyuan: “We two old ones are still strong and healthy — you need not worry about anything. Just go and attend to your affairs.”

After a moment’s thought she also said: “Three years and then three more — you cannot be without people to attend to you. This time, Shizhen and the others should go along with you.” As for the Earl’s mansion’s business affairs — those that could be kept running would continue to run; those that could not be easily managed would be converted into valuables, and sent along with her son for security. Relying on the water fields and farms, there was more than enough to maintain the Earl’s mansion in a dignified fashion.

That evening, Pei Bingyuan came to Fengyu Pavilion, and after a moment’s hesitation Concubine Shen finally spoke up: “Master, your servant wishes to remain in the capital…” Fearing Pei Bingyuan might misunderstand, she immediately explained: “Your servant is not afraid of hardship — but Zhu’er is still in the palace, and Master Jin has his provincial examinations in three years. Your servant truly cannot bear to part from them. Your servant is willing to remain in the capital and attend to the Old Madam.”

Pei Bingyuan let out a quiet sigh and said: “You have suffered.” That was his consent.

Concubine Shen’s reasoning was entirely sound — how could he press her, and ask her to endure the pain of separation from her children?

……

A few days later, the imperial decree arrived — the Emperor was allowing Pei Bingyuan to remain in the capital to celebrate the new year, and he would set out to take up his post as Prefectural Magistrate of Taicang after the New Year Festival.

This news spread throughout all the noble and prominent families of the capital.

Two or three days later, the Marquis of Jingying and the Marchioness came in person with a calling card to offer congratulations — for no other reason than that, with Pei Bingyuan about to go far south to Jiangnan, the marriage proposal that had originally been planned for after the spring metropolitan examinations now had to be moved forward.

Not only moved forward — the wedding ceremony also had to be completed before Pei Bingyuan took up his post.

Time was a little tight.

When the Old Master, Old Madam, and Pei Bingyuan heard the Marquis’s purpose in coming, they were astonished and delighted in equal measure — none of them had known that the third young gentleman of the Marquis’s household, Chen Xingchen, had set his heart on Ying’er. Lin Shi had caught a few glimpses of a possibility, but had not dared say anything.

Pei Bingyuan looked over the upright and distinguished Chen Xingchen, and upon learning he had already passed the provincial examinations, was more and more pleased with what he saw.

A noble scion of a Marquis household, a man of learning with the civil examination rank — the family’s conduct was upright and their reputation clean, the relations between the sisters-in-law were harmonious. This match was truly one that could not be found even by searching with a lantern.

The Marquis and Marchioness, looking over Ying Jie’er, found her more pleasing with every glance — family background, appearance, learning, temperament — all were fitting in every way.

Above her, her father now held the post of Prefectural Magistrate, moving in the circles of the honest and upright officials; below her, two outstanding younger brothers were studying diligently for their examination ranks; her eldest sister had married into the Xu family, her conduct and reputation both impeccable… All of this added several more shining points to Ying Jie’er’s name.

The talent and breeding of the young man matched those of the young woman; the looks of the young man matched those of the young woman. What reason was there to decline such a match?

Once the marriage was settled, the two families exchanged the red betrothal cards with each other’s birth dates, chose the auspicious date of the ninth day of the twelfth month for the grand wedding ceremony, and the Jingying Marquis household sent nearly two hundred loads of betrothal gifts — which became a subject of admiring conversation throughout the capital.