Princess Yongning’s Residence.

“It is nothing more than a false court. And King Jing is nothing more than a puppet,” said Xie Yuzhang. “Do not worry.”

Lin Fei naturally understood this as well. She also felt that given the current emperor’s breadth of spirit, and the private bond between him and Xie Yuzhang, nothing too serious should come of it.

She said: “Only — the coldness of human feeling and worldly relations is laid out so plainly before one’s eyes.”

Xie Yuzhang gave a self-deprecating smile: “It has always been this way. Why should I care? These people are of no importance to me.”

Those who truly mattered — those who could determine the life and death of her and her clan — in truth, there was only one person: Li Gu.

Thinking of how she had offended Li Gu, Xie Yuzhang sighed inwardly, yet dared not tell Lin Fei everything as she once would have, for fear of making her worry on her behalf.

There was nothing to do but wait for Li Gu to return from the western mountain.

She asked: “Did you come today just for this?”

Lin Fei said: “Not only that. There is something else.”

Xie Yuzhang: “?”

Lin Fei smiled and said: “My family and your maternal uncle’s family have already exchanged birth-year documents.”

Xie Yuzhang was both astonished and delighted: “Truly? You are to be my Second Elder Sister-in-law?”

Lin Fei said: “Indeed. So from now on, if you are unruly and troublesome, do not blame your sister-in-law for being heavy-handed — you may choose yourself between having your palms struck or your bottom.”

Xie Yuzhang laughed at her, and said with genuine delight: “Second Elder Brother must be over the moon!” Then she lamented: “What a pity he is still in Mobei — who knows when he will be able to come back and hold the wedding!”

She had only just mentioned Yang Huaishen when a gatekeeper came to report: “Chamberlain Yang’s household has sent an invitation, requesting Your Highness to attend a small family banquet tomorrow.”

Xie Yuzhang burst out laughing: “It must be my aunt-by-marriage!”

Lin Fei only smiled.

The next day, she went to the residence. Yang Madam saw her and took hold of her hands first: “Don’t be afraid — your uncle is still here. Whatever happens, nothing will happen to you.”

Xie Yuzhang reassured her: “Aunt need not worry. I am a princess of Great Mu — bestowed the title from the emperor’s own lips.”

Xie Yuzhang visited the palace frequently, and as for what lay between her and the emperor, the Yang family had their suspicions, but dared not ask. If they were wrong, how much they would wound their niece’s heart. And if they were not wrong… well, for such things, there was no need to ask — everyone understood, and it was best left unspoken.

Xie Yuzhang said with bright eyes and a beaming smile: “Aunt — is today about Second Elder Brother’s matter?”

Yang Madam said with a fond sigh: “I knew I could not keep a secret from you.”

Xie Yuzhang said: “Feifei and I — what kind of bond is that. It was I who found a way to get Second Elder Brother the news in time.”

Yang Madam flicked her on the forehead: “If you knew all along about the two of them, why did you never say a word to me!”

Xie Yuzhang took hold of her arm: “Such matters cannot come from someone else. Second Elder Brother had to speak to his family himself. Now that it is all settled — has word been sent to Second Elder Brother?”

Yang Madam said: “Of course. Just yesterday, the Ministry of War dispatched an express rider north. Your uncle included a letter to your Second Elder Brother.”

Xie Yuzhang said: “Second Elder Brother must be so happy he has gone silly.”

Yang Madam clicked her tongue: “He already was silly. He was asked about it so many times and never said a word. If it hadn’t been for you tipping him off, and Lin Shi had been betrothed to someone else — wouldn’t that have eaten him alive?”

The sisters and cousins were all invited as well, and the household opened a small banquet — full of warmth and festivity.

The next day, Xie Yuzhang took Jia You back to the Xiaoyao Marquis’s residence to visit everyone there.

When Jia You saw A’Niang, she was still affectionate with her, tugging at her sleeve and unwilling to let go — after all, they had lived together for several years.

Xie Yuzhang let her go off with A’Niang to their room, then turned to the Xiaoyao Marquis and said: “Father, please submit a petition of confession.”

The Xiaoyao Marquis said in alarm: “Will it do any good?”

“You will not die,” said Xie Yuzhang. “You are more legitimate than anyone. As long as you are alive, whoever they enthrone is a false dynasty. His Majesty has the breadth of spirit not to take his anger out on you lightly. But Father must also make a show of the proper posture. Write one petition to His Majesty confessing and seeking mercy, and write another condemning King Jing and the Lu clan. Do not spare your literary talents, Father.”

The Xiaoyao Marquis said: “I will write them at once.”

Xie Yuzhang went to A’Niang’s room and had the maidservants take Jia You to see A’Niang’s children.

She said: “I brought a few people with me, and I am leaving them in Sister-in-law’s care. Sister-in-law need not do anything — simply keep them in the residence. I am doing this for everyone’s benefit. Sister-in-law, please trust me.”

A’Niang was quiet for a long while, then said: “Very well.”

She said: “Now, the only one we can rely on is you.”

The western mountain lay just outside Yunjing’s city walls. On the front slopes was the Xianghe Temple, once an imperial temple, and on the rear slopes was the Baochong Convent. In the Zhao dynasty, when an emperor died, the higher-ranked consorts were either kept in the palace as Dowager Consorts, or went to live with their children outside the palace. Those of lower rank with no children were sent to the Baochong Convent.

From the western mountain to Yunjing was no more than half a day’s journey — a fast rider on horseback could make it back in half an hour. The emperor had originally planned to spend half a month at the Xianghe Temple, performing Buddhist rites and prayer ceremonies in memory of the two children who had died young. But because of the news from the south bank, he returned alone ahead of schedule.

Li Gu came back and attended to state affairs first. The Xiaoyao Marquis’s petition was taken to be reviewed by the Imperial Teacher and the Prime Ministers. The Xiaoyao Marquis’s literary gifts had not diminished with the years. Writing from the standpoint of the former Zhao dynasty’s rightful emperor, he offered his full-throated praise of the new dynasty and scathing denunciation of the false court — moving in sentiment and meticulous in historical allusion. It truly commanded admiration.

Imperial Teacher Mo said: “It is fitting that it comes from him. Let it be circulated throughout the realm. As for the south — have people take it quietly across the river and deliver it into the hands of the Gao and Zheng clans.”

The south bank of the great river, commonly called “the south,” was not yet part of Great Mu’s territory. The Lu, Zheng, Gao and other great clans held their own domains, each a power unto themselves. The remnants of the Xie imperial house in the south had mostly died or been lost in the upheaval of war, or had gone into hiding under assumed names. The King Jing branch had somehow fallen into the Lu clan’s hands, and the Lu clan had set him up as a puppet — purely to claim the mantle of “righteousness.” The Gao and Zheng clans, having also been subjects of the Zhao dynasty, would never willingly be overshadowed by this claim to legitimacy. They needed only to have the Xiaoyao Marquis’s proclamation sent across the river — whatever came after that, those in the north need not trouble themselves over. The Gao and Zheng clans would absolutely have it printed and distributed so that as many people as possible could read it.

When all the Prime Ministers had withdrawn, Imperial Teacher Mo did not leave.

Li Gu asked: “Does my teacher still have something to say?”

Imperial Teacher Mo said: “Your Majesty has too few sons.”

Li Gu said: “I am still young. They are also still young.”

Imperial Teacher Mo knew this student of his had a streak of stubbornness in his bones. He made his point and let it rest, saying no more.

Li Weifeng entered the palace to see Li Gu and said: “The people of Yunjing are really something…”

Li Gu asked: “What is it?”

Li Weifeng said: “All those who used to crowd around Yongning before — now they are avoiding her.”

Li Gu’s brow furrowed.

Li Gu remained in the capital for a day, attended to some official matters, and then returned to the western mountain.

That same day, a fast rider came from the western mountain to the capital, entering the palace first. After that, palace attendants bearing imperial gifts went out to the residences of the various senior officials, bestowing the prayer beads the Noble Consort had obtained. Since the current emperor had no Empress, any public communication between the Noble Consort and the various noble households represented the emperor’s own intentions. This was a mark of exceptional imperial favor.

Each household scrambled to find out which others had received the gifts. Princess Yongning’s residence was conspicuously among them. In addition, the Worthy Consort sent a sea clam bracelet — just like the Noble Consort’s prayer beads, it had been consecrated. This made clear that Princess Yongning’s close relationship with the inner palace remained entirely undamaged.

Princess Yongning’s residence was suddenly restored to its former bustling warmth.

When the maidservants sorted through the renewed flood of banquet invitations, they could not help but grow indignant: “These people! Next time they come with invitation cards, let the gatekeepers curse them out!”

The maidservants had all grown up on the steppe, and their characters had inevitably been shaped by the directness of the nomadic people.

Xie Yuzhang laughed despite herself: “Absolutely not. There is no need to go out of one’s way to make enemies of small people. If nothing is wrong to begin with, and you let them know you resent them, they will measure you by their own hearts and minds. Afraid that you will retaliate, they will seize whatever opportunity comes their way to harm you and pull you down. There is no need to create enemies for yourself without reason.”

She said: “Just leave the invitations to one side and ignore them.”

“But the ladies of the palace are a more delicate matter,” she added with a smile. “The ladies’ goodwill cannot be overlooked — we must find some way to return the gesture.”

Just as they were talking, Jia You came in leading Yaya by the hand.

Jia You said: “Yaya wants to see a show.”

The smile reached all the way to Xie Yuzhang’s eyes: “Very well — I’ll take you both to the North Entertainment Quarter to see singing and dancing performances.”

In Xie Yuzhang’s estimation, the North Entertainment Quarter of the Great Mu dynasty was truly rather sparse.

As it goes — when those above have a fondness for something, those below will follow. In the days of the former Zhao dynasty, the Xiaoyao Marquis was an accomplished musician and often visited the North Entertainment Quarter in plain clothes. In those days, how magnificent a place it had been.

All manner of singers and renowned performers bloomed in abundance, and it was not uncommon for a performer to catch the eye of the incognito emperor overnight, exploding to fame and making a name for themselves.

Riding her horse with Jia You seated in the saddle before her and Yaya nestled in Jia You’s arms, Xie Yuzhang appeared at the North Entertainment Quarter holding the reins — and the whole quarter erupted: “The Princess — it’s the Princess!”

In the old days, Princess Baohua had also been a frequent visitor to the North Entertainment Quarter. Whichever dancer she applauded and praised, that dancer’s reputation would soar.

Could the North Entertainment Quarter be restored to that former glory?

Unfortunately, the North Entertainment Quarter disappointed the current Princess Yongning. She and Jia You, each holding one of Yaya’s hands, entered one performance hall and left after only a brief while.

The proprietor of that hall followed behind them, crestfallen and deeply disheartened.

A bolder proprietor sent out an invitation: “Your Highness, Your Highness, please come and look at my establishment!”

Princess Yongning accepted the invitation and went in — but alas, she did not stay long there either. That proprietor also grew crestfallen.

The other proprietors were not to be outdone, and fell over one another to invite the Princess to their own establishments.

But none of these halls managed to keep Princess Yongning.

The Princess even remarked to her younger sister: “Coming in the evening is actually best — it is far livelier then. Only in the evening, Yaya needs to sleep.”

Just then, Xie Yuzhang heard a sharp voice calling out: “Your Highness! Your Highness! It is your old servant! Your Highness! It is your old servant!”

Xie Yuzhang found the voice familiar, and turned to look.

A man with a wrinkled face but no beard was trying to push his way through the crowd, but when he reached the guards, he was stopped and could get no closer to Xie Yuzhang.

Yet Xie Yuzhang recognized him in an instant. She said: “Let him come forward.”

The guards stood aside and let him through. The man reached Xie Yuzhang and dropped to his knees in tears: “Your Highness —”

“Get up quickly, quickly.” Xie Yuzhang had the guards help him to his feet, and said with feeling: “You are still alive — I thought you were gone.”

The man choked with tears: “This old servant managed to escape from the palace at the time. This old servant never expected Your Highness could return. The day Your Highness entered the city, this old servant went to watch — Your Highness looked so beautiful…”

Xie Yuzhang smiled despite herself.

This man was none other than the Left Commissioner of the Imperial Entertainment Bureau, the one who had once overseen the Inner Teaching Academy in the former Zhao palace. But his temples were now entirely white, his face covered in creases — he had aged considerably.

Xie Yuzhang asked: “How did you end up here?”

The Left Commissioner wiped his tears and said: “This old servant went through nine deaths and one life — it is a long story.”

He said: “Your Highness, this old servant now has a few students and performs on stage here. Would Your Highness have time to appreciate their work?”

Xie Yuzhang had loved visiting the North Entertainment Quarter since she was very small, and she was well acquainted with how things operated there. Since the Left Commissioner said he was performing with students, it meant he was not a hall proprietor himself.

One hall proprietor quickly called out: “Your Highness, it is my establishment! It’s mine!”

Rarely encountering someone from her past, Xie Yuzhang gave him this face and went to that hall.

In the daylight hours, there were few patrons — only a scattering of people. Just as in the previous halls, when they saw it was Princess Yongning entering, everyone was startled and delighted at once, and rose to their feet to pay their respects.

Xie Yuzhang inclined her head: “Everyone sit.”

This was the custom of the North Entertainment Quarter: no matter how exalted the guest, they were still an audience member.

In the previous halls, Xie Yuzhang had not even bothered to go upstairs — she had listened briefly from the ground floor, judged the quality wanting, and left directly.

This hall’s proprietor, overjoyed, led Xie Yuzhang up to a private box upstairs himself, personally served tea and refreshments, then carefully withdrew and drew the door closed behind him.

The Left Commissioner then began to weep.

“Yuxian’er, Yuegui’er, Xiaoning’er… all gone. All violated and killed by the rebel soldiers.”

“This old servant played dead, and was carted out of the palace on a large wooden cart — only then did he survive.”

“This old servant had originally set aside a small residence in the capital for his old age. He crept back to look — it had been pried open too, everything looted. Fortunately, the gold and silver he had hidden away were still there, enough to get by on.”

“And so, like this, this old servant took in a few children, trained them, and has them perform on stage — earning a meager living day by day.”

Just then, from the stage below, a voice rang out in song — it shot straight upward like something ascending to the heavens, and then, after winding its way through several soaring turns, grew tender and lingering, like silk slowly unwinding.

The Left Commissioner fell silent.

Xie Yuzhang turned her head, tilted her ear to listen. After a long while, she asked: “Who is that?”

The Left Commissioner said: “This old servant’s adopted son — Huan Lang.”