Mr. Huang’s abacus rang out sharp and clear, and his work was equally efficient — he truly managed to rush back and see them off on the very day the Imperial Commissioner’s party departed.

With the Imperial Commissioner about to leave, the prefectural officials no longer needed to feign illness. One after another they all made miraculous recoveries and returned from leave to see the party off. Mr. Huang managed to catch up with the main procession. Sharp-eyed and keen-eared, he looked around and found no sign of Zhù Ying, which puzzled him greatly. Zheng Xi had invested this much effort — surely he wouldn’t leave without her!

He waited through the official farewell ceremonies, then pretended to be returning to the city, before quickly spurring his horse to catch up with the Imperial Commissioner’s convoy. Zhù Ying’s family’s large cart was following behind the convoy, positioned even behind the prisoner wagons, with Zhù Ying at the reins. Hearing a sound, she first reined in her mule, then leaped down from the cart for a look: “Mr. Huang?!”

Mr. Huang reined in his horse and said, “Good thing I caught up with you. Here, dear friend — may you have a smooth journey and brilliant prospects ahead.” He placed a large package in Zhù Ying’s hands.

Zhù Ying started to decline. Mr. Huang said, “A small token — worth nothing. Just local specialties from home. And this here is something Yu Da Niangzi said she had set aside for you from before, back when you were at home — I brought it along too. I also have some items that Yu Da Niangzi asked me to bring along for the young woman.”

Zhù Ying had been staying in the county town for several months when she first came as Yu Miaomiao’s son-in-law, and had indeed put together some outfittings. She hadn’t brought everything along when she came to the prefectural city for business. She asked, “Is Foster Mother all right?”

Mr. Huang said, “You can rest assured. Her resourcefulness — there’s more than enough of it. She’s a formidable woman. I underestimated her before. Most people who select an heir choose someone honest, obedient, and young. Not her. She went and chose a fellow who disowns all his relatives, resents his birth parents for favoritism, and is at odds with his older brother over inheritance. Now tell me — is that clever or not?”

Zhù Ying said, “Zhu Ding Wang?”

“That’s right. Dear friend, what do you say — is this a sound choice?”

Zhù Ying said, “If Foster Mother still has the spirit for that, she’s doing all right.”

Zhu Ding Wang was exactly as Mr. Huang described — on bad terms with every single member of his biological family. Zhù Ying thought that for Yu Miaomiao, Zhu Ding Wang might not be inferior to a “honest and simple-natured” young child. But she prudently kept this opinion to herself, and instead pointed at the large bag hanging from Mr. Huang’s saddle, saying, “Elder Sister is up ahead — in the same carriage as Chen Da Niangzi. Go ahead quickly. I need to catch up with them as well.”

Mr. Huang said, “Right! By the way, dear friend, your business is all taken care of. I gave Yu Ping a thorough dressing-down as well!”

“Many thanks.”

Mr. Huang cupped his hands in a farewell bow, then spurred his horse to catch up with Sheng Ying. He first reported his progress on his business to Sheng Ying and Chen Meng, then mentioned that he had brought some items for the young woman and didn’t know whether it was convenient to deliver them directly, or whether Chen Meng should pass them along.

Sheng Ying smiled at his nephew and said, “As you said — she is indeed a reliable person.”

Mr. Huang repeatedly protested that he was undeserving.

Chen Meng asked, “Did that lady have any words to pass along to the young woman?”

Mr. Huang said, “Only: eat well, and live well with your family once you reach the capital.”

Chen Meng said, “She’s in that carriage. Go tell her yourself.”

With that, he rode back to the rear of the convoy to find Zhù Ying’s mule cart.

Zhù Ying sat on the cart footboard. Her driving skill was passable at best, but fortunately the Imperial Commissioner’s convoy moved slowly on its return to the capital, which meant she could keep up. She also had no experience looking after animals, but traveling alongside the horses and pack mules in the convoy, she gradually learned from the veterans.

At that moment Zhang Xiangu was still talking about Yu Miaomiao: “Oh, if she’s doing well we can put our minds at ease, and Huajie can worry less about her too. Goodness, these things she sent along are all fine goods — not the sort we could have afforded at home.” She also noted that what Mr. Huang had sent was equally fine — the sort they could only ever have coveted before.

When Chen Meng came riding up, Zhù Ying called out first in greeting: “Young Master.”

Chen Meng guided his horse alongside Zhù Ying’s cart and said, “Mr. Huang came by just now.”

“Yes, Foster Mother sent some things through him. Has he gone to see Elder Sister?”

Chen Meng said, “That is exactly why I’ve come. Heaven’s will is strange in its workings — my sister and I are kin by blood, yet now we are as strangers. We know nothing about her. Both my uncle and I are afraid to approach her too closely. I’ve had my wife accompany her, and I’ve come to ask Three Lang about my sister’s past.”

Chen Meng was a fair-complexioned, slight gentleman. His looks were, if not remarkably handsome, at least presentable, and dressed in brocade robes astride a tall horse, he had a certain refined and distinguished air. Zhù Ying knew full well, though, that he was no pushover, and said, “Elder Sister and I haven’t lived together for long, so I don’t know a great deal. Whatever you ask, I will tell you everything I know.”

The two of them talked as they traveled. Zhù Ying steadied her hand on the reins, and told Chen Meng a number of things about Huajie — both of good character and literate, and Yu Miaomiao had even taught her to keep accounts and such. Chen Meng was shooting two birds with one arrow: gathering information on his cousin and appraising Zhù Ying.

Both the Zhù family and Zheng Xi believed that the marriage was tacitly considered void. But Sheng Ying, after meeting Zhù Ying, had slightly adjusted his thinking — shifting from planning to dissolve the marriage to a stance of “pending observation.” On one side, Zheng Xi had already arranged a new household registration and cancelled the old one. On the other side, Sheng Ying had obtained from Mr. Huang the contract that Yu Miaomiao and Zhang Xiangu had signed. Both parties believed their own plans were settled.

Chen Meng was a calculating man. After speaking at length with Zhù Ying, he suddenly snapped back to awareness: “How is it that I have talked with this little peddler all this time without feeling bored?” Thinking it over carefully, he realized that this young person was actually not a rough or tedious individual! He had to admit that his uncle had sharp discernment — this young person’s manners might be rough in points, but the person herself was by no means objectionable.

On the other side, Mr. Huang could not accompany them all the way to the capital, and he had to turn back to the prefectural city. He rode to the rear of the convoy and said his farewells. Chen Meng bowed his hands in parting and said, “Thank you for your care all these years. I hope we meet again in the capital someday. I’ll say nothing more that serves no purpose — spare a moment to write when you can.”

Mr. Huang said, “What is this, Young Master? Young Master is heading off to the wide sea and open sky — limitless prospects ahead!” He also said to Zhù Ying, “Take care.”

Zhù Ying said her farewells to Mr. Huang as well. Chen Meng felt a wave of emotion, and said to Zhù Ying, “I’ll go look in on my sister. If there is anything, young friend — don’t hesitate to call on Three Lang.”

Zhù Ying said, “Elder Sister once looked after me. Whatever the matter, Young Master need only say the word.”

Chen Meng spurred his horse to catch up with Sheng Ying and reported everything. Sheng Ying said, “Don’t startle her — watch her a few more days. I recall it was she who first said she had no attachment to the marriage contract, perhaps because she suspects we are snobbish people who look down on the poor, or because she fears our power and wants to protect herself. Truly a clever person. Even if ultimately the marriage comes to nothing, there need not be enmity or estrangement — when there is an opportunity, she may yet be cultivated.”

The Sheng family had been away from the capital for nearly twenty years, and the capital was no longer as it once was. To rise again, people of talent were essential. Zhù Ying was intelligent, but her origins were truly poor. He planned to keep her in suspense for now, and observe her on the road. He would separate Zhù Ying from Huajie on the journey and watch carefully. If she proved suitable by the time they reached the capital, he would bring both niece and niece’s husband along together — and Zheng Xi could not very well steal someone else’s son-in-law. If she did not prove suitable, Zheng Xi could make whatever arrangement he wished, and Sheng Ying would still seal a generous gift of gratitude for Zhù Ying and cultivate a good connection.

Chen Meng said, “And Zheng Xi…”

Sheng Ying smiled lightly: “Don’t mention it yet. When the time comes I’ll have my own method.”

“Yes.”

Chen Meng went to check on Huajie. Huajie had just finished weeping, dried her tears, and was sitting silently in the carriage making knotted cords. Chen Meng said, “Up ahead is a posting station, and we’ll be stopping to rest soon. Don’t keep working, sister — from now on you won’t need to do these things yourself.”

Huajie said, “Keeping my hands busy settles my heart. I have nothing of my own to offer — hair and body are all gifts from one’s parents. Making needlework and embroidery — at least it’s a token of my own heart.”

Chen Meng was gradually developing a tender regard for his cousin, and said, “In that case it is indeed a heartfelt gesture, never mind how much you produce.”

“Mm.”

Chen Da Niangzi asked, “Aren’t you going to accompany your uncle?”

“Uncle said I’m young, and told me to come talk with sister.”

“Hmph! And what do you call young?”

The husband and wife traded a few jabs. Huajie made her knotted cords quietly. Chen Da Niangzi said, “Sister, that pattern you’re knotting is rarely seen even at our residence.”

Huajie said, “There must be some. Sister-in-law, if you like it, I’ll make you one as well.”

“Wonderful! I have a box of other patterns — bring it and let sister choose. Whichever one you like, I’ll trade with you.”

“All right.”

Chen Meng thought for a while and couldn’t find an opening to bring up Zhù Ying with Huajie. The posting station was already upon them, so he set it aside and went to eat and rest. He and Sheng Ying and Zheng Xi ate together, still thinking of Zhù Ying — then after looking around he remembered: Zhù Ying wasn’t his brother-in-law yet, and thus had no standing to dine with them.

……

Zhù Ying ate with Lu Chao, Gan Ze, and others. She had originally intended for the family of three to make do with something simple and eat by the carriage. Three people from the village who had been looked down upon, wandering the roads as spirit-medium charlatans — food, good or bad, was ordinary; having anything to eat was already fortunate.

But Lu Chao had the posting station workers bring some food and drink to the cart, saying, “Sanlang, this is for uncle and auntie. You come — let’s eat together. Auntie, we’ll all be working together from now on. I’ll take Sanlang to meet some people.”

Zhang Xiangu thought Lu Chao had the right idea, and said to Zhù Ying, “Old Third, go on. You still have to drive the cart. Don’t drink. You have real work ahead of you — conduct yourself properly. Don’t go putting your arms around people’s shoulders. Off you go. I’m here.”

Servants and runners each had their own small groups. Zhù Ying joined the table with Lu Chao, Gan Ze, and a few others — seven or eight people altogether. With her, they made a perfect nine!

Zhù Ying smiled. Lu Chao introduced everyone in turn. Besides himself and Gan Ze, all the others were also Zheng Xi’s attendants — of clean backgrounds, with none of Sheng Ying’s people. He then introduced her to his companions: “This is Sanlang, newly recruited by our lord. From now on we’re all family.”

Having been introduced all around, Zhù Ying sat down in a corner. Lu Chao said, “Come, sit over here — eat with us.”

Zhù Ying ate without fussiness, and ate quickly. At this age and still growing, her appetite was only slightly less than a grown man’s, and Lu Chao and the others saw nothing odd in it. People traveling on the road all ate quickly. In a short while they were about seven parts full, and when the posting workers brought out two more large plates of dishes and another basin of rice, only then did these people slow their eating pace and feel inclined to talk.

Lu Chao asked, “Getting enough to eat?”

Zhù Ying said, “Very good.”

“Want anything else?”

“This is already very good.”

After a few exchanges, Lu Chao said, “Your words are much fewer than before.”

Zhù Ying said helplessly, “When there’s business I talk more; when there’s nothing going on, I say less and save it up.”

“Pfff—” A young servant spat out the rice in his mouth, spraying across the table, and said through the half-mouthful still in his cheeks, “You can save up words?”

Zhù Ying’s eyes and hands were quick. She cradled her bowl and lifted the nearest sufficiently full dish off the table, narrowly avoiding the spray. Once he had finished sputtering, she calmly set the dish back down and went on eating.

The offender was dragged away from the table by his companions and given a pounding.

Lu Chao said, “Saving up words? Or just too lazy to bother with us?”

Zhù Ying said, “Second Brother, you’ve already used the word ‘bother’ yourself — do you really want me to bother?”

Lu Chao said, “Look at him — I bring him here out of the goodness of my heart, and this is how he talks to me.”

“He talks to everyone the same way.” Jin Liang appeared from somewhere out of nowhere. He was a model in the hearts of these servants — a man of servant origins who, though partly through luck, had nonetheless risen through his own efforts to become an official! A wife, a house, a son — all of his own!

Everyone stood up. Jin Liang tapped Zhù Ying on the head: “From now on you’re all family. If any of them offend you somehow, tell them yourself, and I’ll have them apologize properly. Don’t go quietly undermining them!”

Zhù Ying said, “Let’s be clear — when did I ever undermine anyone?”

Jin Liang paid no attention to this remark, and said to everyone, “You too — keep it that way. You’ll understand as time goes on. All of you get along, and no troublemaking.” Then, “Sanlang?”

Zhù Ying said, “All right.”

Jin Liang was satisfied: “Good. Eat then — hey, if it’s not enough, just say so and have them bring more! Order whatever you want! You’re at the age when you need to grow — eat more meat!”

“All right.”

Once he’d finished this little speech, it stirred something in everyone’s hearts. Zhù Ying picked up her chopsticks looking as though she’d lost her appetite, and joked to Lu Chao, “Once he comes along my standing among you all is done for. Before, things were at least passable on the surface. Once you spend time with someone you see their true nature. What seemed real starts to look fake.”

Nothing dispels hidden suspicions like having things put plainly into the open. Once the awkward truth is named directly, much of the guesswork born from uncertainty dissolves.

Whatever knots had lingered in the hearts of those present were smoothed away by these words. They said, “Jin Gege is straightforward — he says what’s on his mind and treats us well.” At the same time, they felt Zhù Ying was also somewhat straightforward. Zhù Ying said, “I understand.”

That straightforward person, Zhù Ying, could now be said to have found her footing among Zheng Xi’s staff — whether she could hold that position would be up to her.

Zhang Xiangu worried endlessly, frequently asking about Zhù Ying’s relations with these people. Zhù Ying had it all well in hand, and didn’t mix in with them constantly, instead maintaining a certain distance — using the excuse of needing to attend to Zhù Da’s injury.

At night when they rested at the posting station, she asked Jin Liang for a private room, so the three of them could stay together, saying it was for the convenience of caring for Zhù Da. She asked for nothing else special.

Jin Liang said, “No problem — let your mother settle in and get the room ready, you come with me. You need to learn how to bow in greeting!”

Zhù Ying said, “Whose mother are you calling that?”

“Isn’t she your mother?”

“And you call my mother ‘elder sister’?”

Jin Liang said, “What else? Call her ‘auntie’ at my age? Each person uses their own terms! Stop arguing, come with me quickly!”

Jin Liang took Zhù Ying before Zheng Xi. Zheng Xi said, “Nothing to do anyway — come explain to her.”

Jin Liang did not demur, and brought Zhù Ying to the adjoining room where he personally taught her how to bow in greeting, how to offer respects, and how to address people by their proper forms of address.

This treatment was unlike anything the residence’s other servants had received, and everyone was speculating. Was it Sheng Ying’s instruction? But it didn’t seem like it, either — if it were out of consideration, she shouldn’t be mixing in with the servants at all!

None of these things occupied Zhù Ying’s mind. She only wanted to give her best effort in serving Zheng Xi, so that before the grave-robbing case was finally closed, Zhù Da would not be dragged back into it.

Zheng Xi had always taken some liking to Zhù Ying. Within three days, whatever court etiquette Jin Liang knew, Zhù Ying had mastered. Zheng Xi said nothing of this, but in his heart he was greatly pleased. Bored with the journey, unable to resist the temptation, he personally began teaching her some general knowledge about entering and exiting the imperial city — the Court of Judicial Review was in the front half of the palace complex, the so-called “outer court and inner palace.”

Zhù Ying learned this even faster. Zheng Xi was in an excellent mood, and could not help casually asking, “Does Chen Da Lang often come to talk with you?”

“Yes — asking about Elder Sister’s preferences and experiences. It doesn’t seem like he’s doubting her identity.”

Zheng Xi said, “You know this too, do you?”

“Yes.”

Zheng Xi was brought up short. Zhù Ying added: “He also asked about my foster mother and the late one — whether there was anything to be careful about.”

Zheng Xi’s expression softened slightly, and he said, “If you want what is best for her, do not tell Chen Da anything private.”

“Understood.”

Within a few days, Zhù Ying had mastered all the etiquette an official minor clerk needed to know. Zheng Xi then produced a legal code book: “Can you read?”

Zhù Ying said, “I can.”

Zheng Xi said, “Take it and read it. Anything you don’t understand or can’t make out, come ask me. Ordinarily you should learn all the statutes, ordinances, and regulations, but there’s no time to let you study for three or five years before you start work. For now, read through the general provisions — that will barely be enough. This is a complete set of statutes. Start with the first volume. When you’ve finished, come report to me, and I’ll give you the next one.”

“All right.”

Zhù Ying traveled by day and read at night. After eating, she would read. Zhang Xiangu, aching for her daughter and thinking the posting station required none of their own money, stipulated that as long as her daughter was reading, she would light a lamp for her — a lamp with two wicks! Both trimmed high and blazing bright!

Zhù Ying was a quick reader with an exceptional memory. Three days later she brought the book back to Zheng Xi to “report on her studies.” Zheng Xi asked in surprise, “Already finished?”

“Yes.”

Zheng Xi did not consult the book, and tested her at random: “What are the Ten Abominations?”

“Plotting rebellion, plotting great treason, plotting sedition, atrocity, inhumanity, great irreverence, lack of filial piety, lack of clan harmony, lack of righteousness, and incest.”

“What are the Eight Considerations?”

“Relations, old acquaintances, the virtuous, the talented, the meritorious, the diligent, honored guests, and the noble.”

“For a beating of fifty strokes, how many catties of copper does the redemption cost?”

“Five catties.”

Zheng Xi asked, “Have you read the legal codes before? Have you heard them spoken of?”

Zhù Ying said, “No.”

Jin Liang and Lu Chao, both present at Zheng Xi’s side, exchanged a startled look — what extraordinary memory!

Zheng Xi asked several more questions, increasingly detailed. Zhù Ying answered every one of them. Zheng Xi handed her a new volume: “Continue reading.”

Once she left, Zheng Xi swept his gaze across the room and saw Jin Liang and Lu Chao’s astonished expressions. He asked, “Well?”

Lu Chao said, “That memory is extraordinary!” Remembering a master’s instructions was an essential skill of any qualified servant, yet not everyone could do it. Remembering the general gist was already considered good. Remembering every word exactly was what gave a servant a strong chance of becoming a close personal attendant. And to be literate, to read quickly — and this kind of dry academic text, at that — and still retain it, was something rare even among scholars.

Jin Liang said, “No wonder she holds the young Feng lady in such regard.”

Jin Liang knew that Zhù Ying had “listened secretly under the window of the private school.” At the time he had thought nothing of it, but now looking back, her secret listening had probably surpassed what others formally learned inside the classroom! The grace that Yu Miaomiao and Huajie had shown in permitting that secret listening was one thing for Zhù Ying and quite another for an ordinary person. For Zhù Ying, that permitted listening was a fish leaping into the sea. For an ordinary person, that same secret listening might amount to no more than a gulp of cool water to quench a momentary thirst. And there were those who sat formally in the classroom hearing the same instruction, and it went into them like a mouthful of cold water straight to the gut, sending them running.

Jin Liang now had a son of his own, and was having the child study — how things were going, he’d better not say. He said, “If I had a son like this, I’d willingly take a beating like Zhù Da’s!”

Zheng Xi thought to himself: well then, I’ve found quite a prize.

The next day, Jin Liang called Zhù Ying to sit at his own table for meals. Zhù Ying said, “What’s this about?” Jin Liang said, “Inviting you to eat, and that’s unwelcome? Sitting at their table you have to endure their teasing. I won’t tease you.” Gan Ze and the others said, “When have we teased you? We already promised to get along well — how could we go back on our word?”

Zhù Ying also shot a sideways look at Jin Liang, saying, “You have some trick up your sleeve!”

Jin Liang grabbed her by the collar and planted her at his own table, where there were only three people. The other two were military officers as well, proper low-ranking military officials of the imperial court — not household attendants of an aristocratic family. They were only on a temporary assignment and would return to their own garrison afterward, so their curiosity about Zhù Ying was only slight, and they were neither especially warm nor competitive toward her.

This table was far quieter than the other one, with better dishes, and plentiful amounts.

After eating, Jin Liang arranged for Gan Ze to take over driving Zhù Ying’s mule cart, and pulled Zhù Ying aside, saying, “Don’t drive the cart yourself anymore. You need to learn to ride a horse. Take the chance while there are posting station horses available, and practice on the road. You’ll definitely need it after you get to the capital.”

And so Zhù Ying rode during the day and read at night, her spirits excellent, having lost all reluctance about going to the capital. She treasured this kind of opportunity greatly and worked all the harder. Deep down, her vigilance had not relaxed even one bit: Zheng Xi had spent so much on her — how much interest would he expect to collect?

She did not know that for Zheng Xi, all of this was merely effortless, costing him not a single coin. Just as when Yu Ping and Mr. Huang had arranged her household registration, even the paper and ink used had come from the government. Yet for her, these were things she could have searched the heavens and earth for in vain.

No matter how much Zhù Ying treasured it, even that couldn’t hold back the rain when heaven sent rain. Rain was not suitable for a novice like her to practice riding, and driving the cart was considerably harder in the rain than in dry weather. Fortunately she was on an official road, which allowed her to just about manage; otherwise it would have been even harder.

Gan Ze kept coming to drive the cart for her, and Zhang Xiangu was full of grateful thanks. Gan Ze said, “It’s nothing — I was going to be traveling along this road anyway.” Zhù Ying also wore a rain cape and bamboo hat and sat up on the footboard alongside him, saying, “I’ll watch and learn. If it rains again tomorrow, I can handle it myself.”

Gan Ze said, “Don’t flatter yourself! Rain driving is completely different from fair-weather driving. You pick up fair-weather driving fast, but rain is another story. Go inside — this wretched weather! How is it still raining at this time of year? It’s nearly winter now — snow would make more sense!”

That evening the rain stopped, but the next day as they traveled it rained again, and the third day the same — rain by day, stopping by night. Most peculiar!

By the fourth day, Sheng Ying gazed at the falling rain and wavered, asking Zheng Xi, “Perhaps we should not travel today?” None of them was likely to get wet, the women included, as they all had carriages. But on rainy days the roads were slippery and treacherous, and another accident like a capsized carriage would be a bad business indeed.

Zheng Xi said, “One more day — we’ll go slowly. If it’s still like this tomorrow, we’ll stay two days at the next posting station and wait for the sky to fully clear.”

Sheng Ying said, “Good!” He also remarked that the weather was strange.

Zheng Xi said, “Just these few days — it shouldn’t cause a disaster.”

“No, it won’t. The autumn harvest is already in — as long as the grain doesn’t spoil, there’s no great problem.”

The two chatted for a while, then continued on the road. At the next posting station stop, Sheng Ying said, “Let’s simply not press on anymore. With this rain never stopping, there’s a posting station right here — why make more trouble? Twenty li more isn’t worth getting stranded on the road.”

Zheng Xi said to Sheng Ying, “Today’s travel was well worth it. Look — who’s that?”

There, under the eaves, sat a bored and listless figure — Zhou You!

Zhou You had been traveling with Zhong Yi. They had set out several days ahead of Zheng Xi’s party, and Zheng Xi and Sheng Ying had both come out of the city to see them off. When the prefect died, Zhou You had wanted to leave immediately, but Zhong Yi had insisted on waiting several days — for the prefect to be properly buried and seen off, to avoid the appearance of a guilty conscience. But they also needed to return to the capital before Zheng Xi and Sheng Ying, since they had set out earlier, and it would not do to arrive back too late and appear less capable than their juniors.

Every angle had been considered, but no one had anticipated that heaven would not cooperate — a stretch of rain had stranded them here, and now Zheng Xi and Sheng Ying had pushed through the rain and caught up, and they would all be returning to the capital together.

Both parties had long since raced to get their memorial reports into the capital, each outlining their own side, and had already been staging a small silent contest for credit on the emperor’s desk.

Zheng Xi and Sheng Ying were in no hurry. They had set out late from the capital, and their assignments had been handled efficiently. Zhong Yi was in trouble — he had set out early, but his case was a mess, and though his methods had appeared swift and decisive, the results were slow and dragging.

And now they had met again. Evidently another round of undercurrents and quiet contention lay ahead.

—