Madam Feng had sent a considerable number of people. The party was led by a middle-aged man and a matron, who had come with carriages and a sedan chair. Arriving at the post station, they first sought out Sheng Ying.

Those who had come first paid their respects to Sheng Ying, then kowtowed before Chen Meng. Sheng Ying smiled and said, “Let the ladies come out, shall we.”

Chen Daniangzi and Huajie came out together. Sheng Ying indicated the two of them and said, “Now, this is Chen Daniangzi — also a relation, so make sure you know who she is. And this one here is your household’s young mistress!”

The man and the woman rushed forward and knelt in tears. The man introduced himself as Wu An, and the matron’s late husband’s family name was Li, so Huajie addressed her as “Nanny Li.” Nanny Li kept saying, “I wouldn’t presume to that title — I’m just a worn-out old woman.” She then threw her arms around Huajie and wept. “To finally see you, Young Mistress!” Huajie, still grieving in her heart for Yu Miaomiao, yet felt a pang of sadness all the same at the sight of her mother’s messengers, and she clung to Nanny Li and wept a while.

Wu An stood with hands clasped, waiting. Once the weeping had mostly subsided, he turned to Sheng Ying and said, “Might I ask where the young master-in-law is? The Madam’s instructions are to bring both daughter and son-in-law back together. We shall first see the two of them settled, then wait for you to come out of palace audience before setting a banquet to thank you for finding her beloved daughter and son-in-law.”

Huajie dried her tears. She thought to herself: they have finally acknowledged Sanlang.

She was a woman who knew her own mind. Zhù Ying was her husband — but her uncle and cousin had occasionally asked about Zhù Ying during the journey, yet all along had left Zhù Ying with Zheng Xi’s people, making no move to bring her into the family. That was not how one behaved when acknowledging a relative. She had held countless speculations within herself, never voicing them, only watching carefully — afraid that if she pushed too hard, she might end up harming Zhù Ying. In the countryside and the city alike, stories of fathers and mothers having a poor young man beaten to death when their daughter was determined to be with him were not unknown. Going to the authorities and accusing him of “luring away a respectable woman” — that charge always held. Her uncle was even more formidable, being an official himself and perfectly capable of having Zhù Ying beaten to death with his own authority.

Huajie’s plan had been to reach the capital, meet her birth mother, and speak with her properly. “Mother” — what a dear word, even closer than uncle or cousin. She would tell her mother that Zhù Ying was a clever and hardworking young man, that though he was poor just now, he was honest, capable, could turn his hand to anything, and never held others’ faults against him — truly a wonderful person.

Today, a stone lifted from Huajie’s heart, and she allowed herself the first relaxed smile in many days.

Sheng Ying smiled as well. “How wonderful — the family is reunited.” Chen Daniangzi said, “Come, let us all go wash our faces.” Nanny Li said, “Following the Madam’s orders, I have brought clothing for both the Young Mistress and the young master-in-law.”

Sheng Ying said, “You ladies go and freshen up. As for Sanlang — I will handle things here.”

Nanny Li and the others ushered Huajie away to wash her face and dress herself. Sheng Ying, meanwhile, listened as Wu An said respectfully, “Sir, does this arrangement seem acceptable?” For Wu An was Sheng Family’s own servant. Sheng Ying had once been his master too. When Madam Feng’s family was ruined and her loyal servants scattered to the winds, a number of the old Sheng family servants remained, and some had been transferred to serve Madam Feng as helpers.

Sheng Ying said, “Very good.”

Chen Meng quickly grasped the crux of the matter. “Uncle! So when Uncle said there was a plan, you meant Auntie? Of course — a mother demanding her son-in-law, there’s no stopping that, and the Sheng family’s seventh son is certainly not in a position to stop it. Brilliant! Though, Uncle — do you think Zhù San is fit to be our family’s son-in-law?”

Sheng Ying said, “You have watched him all along this journey.”

Chen Meng thought it over. “Yes. What he lacks is family background — he cannot provide a powerful external connection. But his character is good, which makes the lack of background less of a concern. He is still young. If he applies himself to his studies for a few more years before taking a post, he should turn out quite well.”

Sheng Ying had thought it through very carefully. “A son-in-law is an outsider. If his family background is too strong, he has his own parents and clan to answer to — it is hard to win his full loyalty. One without any support or backing is actually more useful than a son from a noble house.”

From time immemorial, wealthy and powerful families seeking a son-in-law either looked for an equal match or sought someone truly outstanding. Sheng Ying turned the matter over in his mind — the talent and diligence Zhù Ying had demonstrated throughout the journey, while not suggesting she would master the classics and become a great scholar, did point to someone who would be extremely reliable in practical matters.

So it was that several days earlier, after Sheng Ying had made up his mind, he had sent an express courier to the capital to lay out the situation for his sister — and today’s scene was the result.

But before taking Zhù Ying away, he had one more thing to do — explain things to Zheng Xi. Throughout the journey he had said nothing, allowing Zhù Ying to mix freely with Zheng Xi’s people. To suddenly take Zheng Xi’s person away with no word of explanation would require some kind of justification.

Sheng Ying said, “All of you, follow me!”

…

It was no great distance to Zheng Xi’s quarters, and they arrived quickly. On Zheng Xi’s side as well, the mood was light — they were nearly home, every one of the prisoners had remained accounted for, not one had escaped or fallen ill. The mission had been carried out cleanly. Aside from a slight delay on the return journey owing to the rain, it had been perfect.

Zheng Xi was instructing Jin Liang: “Do another check — the prisoners must all be in good order, and our own people must also conduct themselves properly.”

“Yes, sir.”

“The lawsuit is not yet concluded — Zhù Ying should not come to my residence just yet. Let them get settled somewhere outside first. Once the case is resolved, you go and bring her to see me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Zheng Xi also said, “Lu Chao, sort through the things to be brought back to the residence as well.”

“Yes, sir.”

With everything in order, Zheng Xi reflected: I just need to confer once more with Sheng Ying about the matter of the imperial audience, and this assignment will be wrapped up. After that, I can receive the appointment to the Court of Judicial Review. Once that comes through, a single document will recruit Zhù Ying under my wing, and we can get to work!

This year’s autumn executions had already concluded. Between now and the New Year, he would reshape the atmosphere of the Court of Judicial Review and set things in clear order. Come spring next year, he would begin clearing the backlog of cases, and through those cases continue to build the Court’s operations — the Court of Judicial Review would become his sphere of influence. The Court oversaw a great many criminal matters; it was an excellent place to accumulate political achievements. One could right wrongful convictions and rid the realm of evildoers while also advancing one’s own standing. Zheng Xi was very pleased with all of it.

On this journey, the Zhù Ying he had received had exceeded his expectations — a genuine and pleasant surprise.

Zheng Xi’s mood was genial as Sheng Ying came to find him looking somewhat discomfited. “Seventh Young Master — ah, I…”

“Fifth Young Master, please sit. What is it? We’re only a day from the city now — why are you suddenly troubled?”

Sheng Ying then spoke with visible embarrassment: “It concerns my elder sister.”

“What about her?”

Sheng Ying said, “She can be rather inflexible by nature. She says… she absolutely must see daughter and son-in-law together. I… I am truly mortified to face Seventh Young Master.”

Zheng Xi’s eyes narrowed slightly. He knew this sister of Sheng Ying’s. When the Feng and Shen families were ruined, Zheng Xi had already been old enough to remember it all. Sheng Ying’s third elder sister had been quite a remarkable person. She placed enormous importance on ritual, rank, and hierarchy — on strict distinctions of degree. This was not in itself a failing, but her insistence on observing every point of propriety with not a fraction of flexibility could at times seem lacking in human warmth and easily offend others.

For this reason, Zheng Xi had not given much thought to Zhù Ying being Huajie’s husband — with this Madam Feng in the picture, logic dictated that she ought to look down on Zhù Ying. So when Sheng Ying and Chen Meng made no move to include Zhù Ying in their group, and instead left him to attach himself to Zheng Xi’s party, Zheng Xi had simply taken it to mean that the Sheng-Feng side was washing their hands of Zhù Ying, while Zheng Xi had use for him — a mutually satisfying outcome. Zheng Xi had assumed they had reached an unspoken understanding: the Feng family did not want this sort of son-in-law, and Zheng Xi wanted this sort of subordinate. Everyone would be happy. Had he known from the start that the Feng family wanted this son-in-law, he would have had entirely different plans for Zhù Ying.

Zheng Xi said evenly, “Fifth Young Master’s meaning is that you wish to take him back?”

“It is my elder sister’s doing. She has already sent people. Wu An.”

Wu An stepped forward and knelt. “This person is Wu An. Our Madam has sent me to receive the Young Mistress and the young master-in-law.”

Zheng Xi gave a quiet laugh. Jin Liang knew at once that he was angry. Jin Liang himself felt rather indignant — he had invested considerable effort throughout this journey! In fact, it was not even a matter of effort — this felt like being toyed with. Did the Sheng family have no sense of propriety at all?

Zheng Xi gave another quiet laugh and said to Sheng Ying, “This son-in-law — you intend to claim him?”

“I too had no choice. My elder sister has a somewhat unyielding temperament. She says — it is truly embarrassing to admit before Seventh Young Master — she says that poverty in itself is nothing; rare among men of humble origins is one of loyal and filial character, and it is his character she values. This matter is a genuine discourtesy toward Seventh Young Master.”

Zheng Xi said, “Your elder sister is indeed a woman of principle and honor.”

This Madam Feng was no ordinary woman. When her family’s disaster fell, she had taken a pair of scissors and drawn two diagonal cuts across her face, from upper left to lower right, and then from upper right to lower left. Twenty years later Zheng Xi, accompanying his mother on a visit, had seen Madam Feng — and the face he saw was like a well-field diagram drawn askew, four raised scars dividing it into nine sections, the two eyes, nose, and mouth each occupying their own grid, the whole face looking as though it had been assembled from pieces.

Who could say otherwise than that she was principled and honorable? Who could fail to sigh in admiration at her virtue?

If she now wanted this son-in-law of filial character, then even Zheng Xi had to calculate the timeline — from when Sheng Ying first found his niece to now, and the time required for couriers to travel back and forth. With a journey full of rain and road delays, there had been more than enough time for three round trips by courier. With six-hundred-li express relay riders, eight round trips would have been possible.

And now you finally think to mention you want the son-in-law? Zheng Xi smiled without speaking.

Sheng Ying gave a wry smile. “As it stands now, it turned out I had no such intention from the start, and yet I’ve been caught off guard by her and have to manage this nephew-in-law out of nowhere. I can only come shamelessly and ask Seventh Young Master — what had you originally planned to do with him?”

What had he planned? To start him as a clerk? Zheng Xi said languidly, “I was planning to have him study a few things first.”

Sheng Ying said, “Seventh Young Master is always so thorough.”

Though Zheng Xi was quite displeased with Sheng Ying in his heart, he did not show it. Zhù Ying was indeed connected to his plans, but she was not so essential that no one else could fill her place. He noted Sheng Ying’s conduct without acting on it for now. He said to Sheng Ying, “Fifth Young Master wants the person — you will need to let his parents know, I suppose. Family matters of your own — it is not for me to get involved. Jin Liang, go and have them come over.”

Jin Liang’s expression was gravely set. “Yes, sir!”

…

Jin Liang strode off at a brisk pace, his expression so severe it could not be more severe, his heart filled with resentment. What exactly was Sheng Ying playing at? Jin Liang may not have had as many turns of mind as Zheng Xi, but he knew something was wrong here! All of Zheng Xi’s efforts on this journey had been wasted — and while admittedly those efforts had not been enormous, he had genuinely put his mind to it. And then there was Zhù Ying — Jin Liang had come to regard her as something like a half-apprentice.

And now Sheng Ying was just going to poach her away? Completely unreasonable!

He knew: for someone of Zhù Ying’s background, being the Feng family’s son-in-law was a far better position than being a minor subordinate official under Zheng Xi. Zhù Ying was an ambitious child with real talent — a bamboo shoot pushing through the ground could not be held back. If Sheng Ying were a decent and straightforward person, Jin Liang thought — and even Zheng Xi — would be genuinely happy to see Zhù Ying have a good future. But could Sheng Ying be counted a decent person?

Could a decent person do what he had just done?

I need to warn her — at the very least, give her a heads-up. It would not be right to let her go without a word, after all we have been through. Jin Liang composed what he wanted to say in his head and arrived at Zhù Ying’s door.

Zhù Ying was inside listening to Zhang Xiangu ramble on.

All along this journey there had been larger towns where they had stopped. Jin Liang and the others had all said the capital was even larger and finer. Zhang Xiangu was full of eager anticipation within herself. She was making the bed while her mouth ran nonstop asking Zhù Ying, “Old Third, once we get to the capital, where should we live? Will we have enough money? What trade should your father and I take up? Maybe a peddler’s load for us?”

Zhù Ying said, “We’ll see how Imperial Censor Zheng arranges things. I’ll ask Elder Brother Jin tonight.”

Zhang Xiangu went on plotting their life in the capital with Zhù Ying: “We’ll need to rent a place, won’t we? Two rooms would be nice — one room isn’t very convenient…” She talked for a while, then fell quiet, because Jin Liang had arrived.

“Oh, speak of the devil.” Zhù Ying set down the bedding she was holding and shook the teapot.

Jin Liang said, “Don’t bother with that!”

Zhù Ying said, “Luckily — haven’t fetched water yet.”

Jin Liang said sternly, “Come outside with me for a moment!”

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da could both hear that his tone was off. They set down what they were doing and looked at each other, having no idea what had happened. Zhang Xiangu said, “Elder Brother Jin…”

Jin Liang said, “I have something important to say to Sanlang.” He dragged Zhù Ying out the door.

Zhù Ying was not strong enough to resist being dragged along and nearly stumbled. She said, “Let go! Do you think you’re arresting a thief?”

Jin Liang loosened his grip and saw Zhù Ying rubbing her wrist. He quickly said, “Ah, sorry, sorry! This matter, it’s… it makes me furious.”

Zhù Ying looked around and saw no one nearby. She stopped and asked, “Speak plainly — what happened? Why were you dragging me? What has come up?” Jin Liang appeared rough-mannered but generally had his head about him — such haste meant something had happened.

Jin Liang glanced around as well, sighed, and asked quietly, “Do you know that you’re supposed to go to your wife’s side and go to your mother-in-law’s household? Did you know that?”

Zhù Ying was quick-witted as ever, but even she was stunned by this. “What?!”

“You didn’t know?”

“Know what?”

Jin Liang said, “Deputy Inspector Sheng just came over with someone saying that his elder sister — that Young Mistress’s birth mother — misses her daughter so much she can’t wait another day, and has sent people today to collect both daughter and son-in-law!”

“Whose son-in-law is that?”

“Isn’t it you?”

Zhù Ying said, “Where did a son-in-law come from? ‘Zhù San’ was already struck from the records! You’ve been at Imperial Censor Zheng’s side — you know this. Besides, have you ever seen people who want to claim a son-in-law and then leave the son-in-law in someone else’s household as a hanger-on? At the Chen residence back then, right in front of him and Imperial Censor Zheng, they let me go with Imperial Censor Zheng. Didn’t they?”

Jin Liang said, “I find it strange too. Seventh Young Master is speaking with Deputy Inspector Sheng right now. From what I’ve seen, they showed no interest in claiming you earlier — why the sudden change of heart? Keep your wits about you. They now want you and your parents to come and talk. If they have made up their minds, Seventh Young Master cannot very well pick a quarrel with Deputy Inspector Sheng over it!”

Zhù Ying said, “Wait. Deputy Inspector Sheng went to find Imperial Censor Zheng? What happened exactly? What did Imperial Censor Zheng say? Tell me from the beginning — don’t rush, haste makes waste.”

Jin Liang had calmed himself down by now. He whispered through the whole sequence of events and asked, “Had you not heard even a rumor of this?”

The whole thing was too out of the ordinary. Zhù Ying was caught completely off guard. “Nothing! What connection do I have with them — you know that better than I do. And Imperial Censor Zheng — is he going to bow to him over this? Is he just going to drop me?”

“What do you mean, bow? Don’t put it so harshly.”

Zhù Ying said, “Fine, put it nicely — does that mean everything he said to me before counts for nothing now?”

“Well… it isn’t exactly like that, you know, this is…” Jin Liang, a man standing seven feet tall, was stammering.

Zhù Ying said, “I understand.” What was their standing? What was hers? Zheng Xi had initially wanted her as a servant. He and Sheng Ying were of the same world. What was she? She probably wasn’t significant enough for Zheng Xi to quarrel with Sheng Ying over. The way they looked at her was no different from how Zhou You and the prefect had treated her like a package to be sent back and forth. But Zheng Xi was already the best option available to her right now.

“Think fast and figure something out — and you need to coach your parents too. Quick!”

Zhù Ying said, “What is there to coach? Your superiors have already gone back on their word — are they going to speak up for me? It just means we’ll plead our case directly with Deputy Inspector Sheng.”

Jin Liang caught the meaning in her words and asked, “You don’t want to go back to your wife’s side and meet your mother-in-law? You still want to stay with Seventh Young Master? I’m angry at Deputy Inspector Sheng too, but I have to make things clear for your sake. If you go there, you’d be a proper son-in-law — even if his mother-in-law’s family is powerful and there may be times you have to look to their moods, you’re a capable child, and anyone with half a brain wouldn’t mistreat you. They’ll arrange things for you, and your prospects will be very good. Aside from a few political games you’ll need to watch out for, you can manage. But if you stay with Seventh Young Master? You need to be absolutely certain of your own mind! You’d have to refuse their arrangement — and Seventh Young Master would need to want to keep you, too. Otherwise, think about how it sounds — poaching someone else’s son-in-law to serve as a minor subordinate. Even a slave sold into a household gets the right to have family redeem them.”

Zhù Ying said patiently, “I am not their son-in-law. They never claimed me.”

“They’re claiming you now. Such a wonderful young mistress — and you’d just let her go? I can see you care about her.”

Zhù Ying said, “I have been on the receiving end of her generosity and I want her remaining days to be smooth and peaceful. But that doesn’t mean I want her to be my wife.”

Jin Liang said, “All right. Bring your parents over and make sure to coach them. I’ll steal a moment to tell Seventh Young Master your intentions. I can’t make any promises — this is a difficult situation. If it doesn’t work out, don’t blame me — and don’t blame Seventh Young Master either.”

Zhù Ying said, “Understood.”

Jin Liang hesitated for a moment, then offered, “Don’t be too blunt with Deputy Inspector Sheng either. He neglected you earlier, and quarreling with him helps nothing. He seems easygoing but his life has been full of hardship and his nature is unyielding. From what I’ve seen, Seventh Young Master can be easier to talk to than him sometimes. As for this marriage business — if it looks like you’ll have to accept it, then accept it. You’re a man, what do you have to lose? Men don’t come out the worse for these things!”

Zhù Ying tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I’ll go get my parents.”

…

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da were pacing in circles in the room, glancing toward the door now and then, with no idea what Jin Liang and their daughter had been saying. Before long, Zhù Ying came back. The couple closed in from both sides and trapped her between them. “Old Third — what happened?”

Zhù Ying quietly told them the whole story.

“What?!” Zhù Da first let out a cry. “Spit out what they swallowed?!”

Zhang Xiangu panicked too. “Didn’t they say they weren’t interested in us? Why the change of heart now — surely something is wrong?”

Zhù Ying said, “Let’s go. If we delay any longer, they’ll come here themselves.”

Zhù Da and Zhang Xiangu’s hearts were pounding. They hurried to fix their hair and straighten their clothes. Zhang Xiangu kept saying, “What do we do?”

Zhù Ying said, “First, push back. If that doesn’t work, we’ll see.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “If it can’t be pushed back, are we actually supposed to go live with them? Oh, this group of people, they really are… should we just tell them outright that you’re a girl?”

Zhù Ying looked at her and said, “Then we’re done for! Fraudulent marriage — and we were the ones who deceived them. What sort of good people are they anyway? First we decline — if we really can’t get out of it, we don’t live under the same roof with them and find our own separate place outside. Huajie is still in mourning anyway, so she doesn’t need to come over. As long as their family treats Huajie well, we quietly slip away and that will be that.”

Zhù Da asked, “What about Imperial Censor Zheng? Won’t he say something?”

Zhù Ying said, “Father, do you think we’re worth Imperial Censor Zheng putting himself out for us? We’re still spending his money! Damn it! If he’s going back on his word, I’m just not repaying the money!”

Zhù Da said, “Yes!”

Zhang Xiangu scolded, “What are the two of you thinking! Hurry up and go!”

The three of them set off. Jin Liang said, “Forget it — no point saying more. Let’s go.”

The four of them arrived at Zheng Xi’s quarters. Sheng Ying and Chen Meng had not yet left. Seeing them arrive, Zheng Xi said with a smile, “Here they are — go ahead and have your talk.” He gestured for them to be shown out.

Neither of the couple was as bold as Zhù Ying. Zheng Xi and Sheng Ying were the very people who had presided over Zhù Da’s case — and Zhang Xiangu was no steadier. On one side Zhù Ying was still making a deep bow of greeting, when there was a thud, and the couple knelt down.

Zheng Xi and Sheng Ying were both torn between laughter and exasperation. Zheng Xi said, “Quickly, help them up.”

Zhù Ying and Jin Liang helped the two of them to their feet. Zheng Xi said, “This is a family matter for the two of you — it is not for me to get involved.”

Zhang Xiangu, for the sake of her child, threw caution to the wind and said loudly, “You’re just washing your hands of it? Didn’t we agree — she was coming to the capital to work for you?”

Zheng Xi said, “I was not aware there was such an arrangement between you. Now that I know, I can hardly hold on to him by force. That would not be proper.”

“Proper, proper! It’s entirely proper!” Zhù Da said.

Sheng Ying’s and Chen Meng’s expressions darkened slightly. Chen Meng said, “In-laws…”

At the sound of that word, Zhang Xiangu sucked in a sharp breath, then choked on a hiccup. “What?”

Zhù Da said in astonishment, “You’re actually claiming them? But isn’t that marriage null and void?”

Sheng Ying thought to himself: this was turning into a minor complication. The marriage had been arranged by the wife behind the husband’s back on behalf of their son, and if the husband objected, it might have to be done according to his wishes after all.

He said, “There has been a misunderstanding.”

Zhù Da was very curious. “A misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding? All this way…”

“Father!” Zhù Ying cut in.

“What?” Zhù Da had no idea what was going on here.

It was Chen Meng who stepped in. He said to Zhang Xiangu, “Auntie has sent people to receive daughter and son-in-law. She invites the two of you to come along as well and meet the in-laws.”

He had interacted with Zhù Ying quite a bit along the way and also knew Zhang Xiangu. Even so, Zhang Xiangu was bewildered. “Didn’t the marriage with Daniangzi count for nothing before? Young Master, you needn’t worry — we are reasonable people, we won’t hold you to anything! Huajie is a wonderful person, we all know it — she certainly won’t be dragged down by us. Even if Old Third wants to pursue it, I won’t let him make a fuss. You can all concentrate on your family reunion with an easy mind!”

She was a woman who made her living as a spirit medium, and when not performing rituals, she kept herself going entirely on the strength of her mouth — her words flew fast and sharp. Chen Meng tried to speak several times without finding a gap.

As Zhang Xiangu talked on, she thought of Yu Miaomiao again. While Yu Miaomiao was alive, Zhang Xiangu and she had had a small rivalry over Zhù Ying’s attention — but now that person was gone. Yu Miaomiao had treated them both well enough, and Zhang Xiangu found herself missing this “formidable Daniangzi.”

Zhang Xiangu’s tears ran down her face as she talked and wept at once. “Daniangzi was such a good person! She surely wanted Huajie to have a good life too. What could our Old Third give Huajie? Huajie is such a kind and beautiful girl — she deserves a good household!”

Sheng Ying could not possibly wrangle with this spirit medium in front of Zheng Xi, and he certainly could not do anything too heavy-handed with Zheng Xi watching. He took the direct approach and found the one person in this family whose word actually mattered: “Sanlang — I am asking you only one thing. This marriage arrangement — do you accept it or not?”

All eyes turned to Zhù Ying. She said, “That marriage was only ever a stopgap measure. You need not feel obligated to recognize it for the sake of any other consideration…”

Sheng Ying said again, “I am asking only one thing — do you accept it or not?”

Zhù Ying asked, “What has happened?”

Zheng Xi made a swift decision and “escorted” both families out of his room, all the way back to Sheng Ying’s quarters, then called Jin Liang back and asked, “What is going on?” Jin Liang took the opportunity to convey Zhù Ying’s feelings, and added: “Seventh Young Master, I think this child is very good — she has her own ideas too — could you perhaps keep…”

Zheng Xi said, “Unusual. Though it does fit how she operates. Sheng Ying played that hand rather inelegantly.”

“So — will you take her in?”

Zheng Xi gave a slight shake of his head. “Not without her completely alienating Sheng Ying in the process.”

Jin Liang was a bit fretful. “Is it really so complicated?”

Zheng Xi said, “If she has what it takes to sort this out properly, then I would truly like to cultivate her.”

Jin Liang said, “She’s a clever child — she should be able to… probably… manage…”

…

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da were thinking much the same thing on their side. The two of them had no way out on their own — push back against Sheng Ying? They didn’t have the nerve. Both of them thought: if there’s truly no way out, we’ll just have to take what comes. If you have nothing at all, what choice do you have but to let them do what they will?

Zhang Xiangu was already thinking: I am the one who started all this — I’ll take the blame when the time comes.

Zhù Ying herself was also deeply on edge. She had already thought through every possible scenario — she genuinely held no cards. A family of three with nothing to their names, what did they have to hold against Sheng Ying? Their lives? If Zheng Xi wasn’t backing her up, this would be hard to get through — and Zheng Xi had clearly decided not to intervene too directly. That he hadn’t had her bound hand and foot and sent straight to Sheng Ying was already generous on his part.

Looking at Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da’s state, it was also clear she could not count on them. Zhù Ying spoke up first, addressing Sheng Ying: “Truly, nothing unusual has occurred? You need not feel compelled to honor this marriage for any particular reason — if for some reason it becomes necessary for me to accept it, that is possible.”

Chen Meng said, “Why are you such a blockhead?”

Zhù Ying said, “Elder Sister has shown me great kindness, and I want her to live well. She need not be my wife. Can Young Master understand that?”

Young Master understood nothing of the sort. “If you owe her a debt of gratitude and want her to live well, then marrying her would settle it perfectly.”

Zhù Ying said, “Yes. That is precisely why I agreed to the arrangement in the first place. Later, when Si A’Weng came looking for trouble, it was that contract that let me bring Elder Sister and… Godmother back. If there is still some use for me in that way now, I would not hesitate. But if there is not — I am willing to let go.”

Heavens! This is still a saint! Chen Meng now understood: this person was simply repaying a debt of gratitude? If you’re repaying a debt, just marry her and be done with it! Chen Meng almost wanted to grab Zhù Ying’s collar and shake her to see if water sloshed inside. Just as he reached out his hand, he saw how tall Zhù Ying was, and a possibility flashed through his mind. This child was thirteen — probably had not yet come into full awareness of these things.

He said decisively, “I need you to accept this marriage right now!”

Sheng Ying, meanwhile, asked Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da warmly, “Is there some difficulty?”

No difficulty — except that what we raised is actually a daughter! But faced with Sheng Ying’s gaze, they found they could not say the words, and they caved without another sound.

Zhù Ying, not wanting her parents pressed by Sheng Ying, said, “Please first take Elder Sister home. Allow me to get settled and clear up my other affairs, and then I will call on you properly.”

Chen Meng could no longer hold back. “What is wrong with you?”

Zhù Ying went on smoothly from there: “Nothing is wrong. Not only is nothing wrong — I also have no family estate, no career, no place to stand. I have nowhere to put my feet.”

Sheng Ying said, “So you’d rather serve Zheng Xi as a servant?”

“He may not even want me,” Zhù Ying said with a self-deprecating air. “I am not being a servant, nor do I wish to be one. If I were being made a servant, I would not work for him. What he promised me was that the work would be rewarded. I am going to do my own work and live by my own ability. I know what advantages there are in going with Elder Sister. But none of those are things I earned myself. Some abilities can go a lifetime without being put to use — but they cannot not exist. Some things can be a little less, a little fewer — but they cannot be absent altogether. I must prepare for myself a place where I can stand — even if I use it little later on, even if it is not as good as another person’s. It is not a matter of pride or some stance of lofty independence. It is simply — how to live. If you should one day find yourself looking upon me favorably and think to offer a word of recommendation in passing, I would accept the kindness with gratitude. But that first step — it must be taken by myself.”

Sheng Ying was visibly taken aback, and then, despite himself, along with Chen Meng, he straightened up in his seat.

Sheng Ying thought for a moment and asked, “You don’t want to go and meet your mother-in-law?”

I don’t even want a mother-in-law! Zhù Ying said, “Allow me to get myself settled first and then come to call. Even if Imperial Censor Zheng does not keep me on, I still need somewhere of my own outside your household before I come to your door — that way I arrive as a guest, not as someone coming to sponge off of you.”

Sheng Ying’s expression shifted between cloud and sunlight — he had not expected that someone as tactful as Zhù Ying could be this difficult to talk around. And yet the words were hard to argue against.

“Very well.” Sheng Ying said slowly.

Zhang Xiangu quickly asked, “And the marriage…”

“The marriage stands, of course!” Sheng Ying said with finality.

The three members of the Zhù family looked at one another, helpless, and could only accept it for now.

The three left with a great deal of uncertainty weighing on their hearts. The moment they were gone, Chen Meng burst out, “What a pigheaded fool!”

Sheng Ying gave a soft sigh. “A good person — I am only afraid she may be too hard to tame.”

Chen Meng said, “Then why did you say the marriage stands?”

“I have already gone back on my word once in front of Zheng Xi. Do it again — what kind of reputation does that leave me?” Sheng Ying still had his dignity to consider; he could not flip-flop so nakedly, not when he had only just returned to official life. His reputation could not afford such damage. “That child is also genuinely quite good.”

Chen Meng said, “Then what do we do?”

Sheng Ying thought it over and said, “Set her aside for a while. Once she’s in the capital, she’ll soon learn how hard officialdom is to navigate! What attention can Zheng Xi spare for a minor subordinate? He can barely keep up with the care owed to his own relatives and proteges. After she’s been snubbed and suffered some hardship, she’ll know what path to take. And if she still doesn’t come around — then she’s simply foolish herself, and when the time comes to dissolve the marriage, she will have no one to blame but herself.”

Chen Meng thought it over and said, “That person really is oblivious — to think we’d have to go through all this trouble.”

Sheng Ying said, “If she can be shaped properly, it won’t be wasted effort. Everything else about her is fine — she’s just too stubborn.”

“Still thinking about Seventh Zheng even now — I don’t know what Zheng Xi has done to make her so devoted to him.”

Sheng Ying frowned and said, “He simply got there first.”

…

Zhù Ying had no particular devotion to Zheng Xi — there was no need for her to make a special effort to remember him. Others would always be there to remind her.

The three of them had barely walked out of Sheng Ying’s quarters when Jin Liang was waiting not far away. He said to Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da, “Elder Brother and Sister-in-Law, go on ahead. I need a word with Sanlang.”

The couple did not dare object and said, “All right.”

Jin Liang asked Zhù Ying quietly, “How did it go?”

Zhù Ying said, “The marriage still stands — though it was agreed that I travel with you all to the capital, get settled, and then come to call on them.”

Jin Liang said, “Come with me!” And brought Zhù Ying before Zheng Xi.

Zheng Xi set down his brush. “You are determined not to let me finish this painting, are you? Speak.”

Jin Liang said, “Sanlang is still with us!”

Zheng Xi said, “And what did Sheng Ying say?”

Zhù Ying asked, “At the Chen residence, you said in front of Deputy Inspector Sheng those things about going to the capital to work — that concerns you. He has changed his mind. The matter of going to the capital to work — do you change yours?”

Jin Liang said, “He’s asking you — answer him. Why are you turning around and asking Seventh Young Master a question?”

Zheng Xi waved his hand and looked at Zhù Ying. “That would depend on what you said to Sheng Ying.”

Zhù Ying repeated her words.

Zheng Xi said, “Well said. You want me to take you in?”

Zhù Ying said, “If you won’t, then it doesn’t matter — the money you gave me before, I just won’t repay it.”

Jin Liang cried out, “Sanlang!” Then turned to call on Zheng Xi too — he was more anxious than either of the other two.

Zhù Ying said, “It’s nothing — I used to make my living scraping by wherever I could.”

Zheng Xi said, “Sheng Ying’s decision to claim you has its own calculations behind it — it is not a scheme to harm you. He will not leave you wandering about with nowhere to go.”

Zhù Ying said, “I understand good from bad, much from little, gain from loss. Even if I were roadside peddler carrying a shoulder pole, I would not gamble — I do not like staking bets. If I cannot stand on my own, everything else is empty. A floating leaf of duckweed — how many seasons of cold can it endure, and how many insects can it carry? If you want a servant or an attendant, there are those more capable and more biddable than me. If you want someone who can stand upright, then this is the temperament you get. Even a son can grumble at his own father. A person who works hard and has no opinions of their own either has ulterior motives or is keeping something back out of fear. If you do not take me in, I will still find my own way regardless. I cannot enter someone else’s household with nothing to my name.”

Zheng Xi’s gaze sharpened. He said, “Good.”

Jin Liang exclaimed happily, “Seventh Young Master says yes! Sanlang, hurry and give your thanks!”

Zheng Xi said, “What are you celebrating? I haven’t figured out how to place her yet! You, escort her back to the capital first.”

Jin Liang said with delight, “Yes, sir!” And urged Zhù Ying to kowtow in thanks.

Zhù Ying gave a formal bow and looked up at Zheng Xi. “I don’t know why Deputy Inspector Sheng changed his mind — but since you say he means me no harm, I will take your word for it that he means no harm. Whatever his intentions, I will be able to work them out eventually. Originally everything was neatly arranged — they go home and live their lives, I come to the capital and do my work. Now that he has changed his mind, I have become something of a discarded rib. You are still willing to take me in — I accept this with gratitude. Whatever value you put on a discarded rib is fine by me.”

Jin Liang was greatly astonished — for just a little earlier, when the Zhù family had gone to see Sheng Ying, Zheng Xi had also used the phrase “discarded rib.” Gan Ze, who had been in attendance at the time, had asked if he was craving ribs — and Zheng Xi had neither confirmed nor denied it.

Zheng Xi laughed with genuine pleasure. “You are a drumstick. Go and pack your things — we enter the city tomorrow.”

Zhù Ying said, “One last thing — that Madam, what kind of person is she? And what sort of household are they?”

“Only thinking to ask now?” Zheng Xi asked with a smile.

Zhù Ying said, “You would know, wouldn’t you?”

Zheng Xi thought for a moment. “That Madam — I knew of her from childhood. She places enormous importance on rank and status, hierarchy and propriety, with a temperament of great unyielding strength. Let me tell you one thing: back when she had not yet suffered her misfortune, at a banquet given by one of her husband’s colleagues — this colleague’s wife had died, and his concubine was presiding over the reception — Madam Feng took great offense and confronted her openly, right there at the gathering, simply because the concubine had originally been from a brothel. Though, having endured twenty years of hardship and upheaval, she has surely changed somewhat from before. Their household was once thriving with people — after their ordeal, the near branches of the family withered greatly, which no doubt caused her to value her daughter all the more.”

Zhù Ying said without ceremony, “And who was it who thought to bundle me along as a bonus?”

Zheng Xi said, “A bonus? Is that how you see it?”

Zhù Ying said, “On this journey, how many opportunities there were to send a letter…”

Zheng Xi sighed softly. “If I were Sheng Ying, I would have taken you from the very first meeting. Even if his sister had objections, giving his own daughter to you would have been reasonable — why wait until after watching your intelligence and diligence all this journey before changing his mind? He is truly unwilling to let go. Even I would…”

Zhù Ying’s eyes opened slightly wider for a moment, then returned to normal. “Ha — a discarded rib, what is there to like?”

Zheng Xi said, “After all, you are his nephew-in-law.”

Zhù Ying said, “That is not necessarily settled either. This marriage was strained from the beginning — taken on only as a practical measure. My feelings for Elder Sister are a matter of gratitude, and now have added to them a remembrance of Godmother.”

“Then it is all the more reason to marry her.”

Zhù Ying shook her head. “It would not be appropriate. I cannot let her suffer on my account. Her life — twenty years, how many things she has been through! It is better that she not be dragged down by me. If her family treats her well and picks her a good husband, I would not hesitate for a moment to break off the engagement.”

Zheng Xi said, “At such a young age! Are you certain? Being a son-in-law in a great household is very different from being my protege.”

Zhù Ying said, “You did agree to bring our whole family to the capital, didn’t you?”

“I did!” Zheng Xi said with genuine sincerity, and gave his word in person: “Get yourself settled first. Come the new year, I will arrange things for you. Continue reading the law texts — and make sure to review the classical histories as well! Those are the foundation!”

“Oh?”

Zheng Xi said, “You will do whatever I say. As for the Feng family — do not worry too much about them. This wife, you may keep her if you wish, and you are not necessarily unworthy of their family. When you want to end the marriage, as long as you have sufficient grounds, I will ensure you emerge from it unscathed.”

Zhù Ying was overjoyed. “Truly?”

Zheng Xi said, “Go, go!”

Zhù Ying made a deep bow, got to her feet, and left.