The bedding in the prince’s residence was soft and light, fragrant with a delightful scent unlike anything she had encountered before. The incense burner in the room continued to emit wisps of blue smoke, releasing an entirely different fragrance. This was an experience altogether new to Zhù Ying.

She took stock of the room. Though it was only a side room in the guest quarters, it had everything one could need — and everything was incomparably superior to anything she had used before. It was already very late. Zhù Ying went around the room once, checked the doors, windows, and ceiling, then laid her clothes beside the bed. She brought a candlestick to the head of the bed, swept her eyes over the room one final time, blew out the lamp, and went to sleep.

She was by nature unrefined — she could sleep on a pile of straw, she could sleep in a richly embroidered bed, and though the case was not yet resolved, she nonetheless fell straight into a deep, dreamless slumber the moment her head touched the pillow.

She roused when she dimly heard movement outside. Zhù Ying opened her eyes to find everything dark before her — it was not yet dawn. She collected her wits, then rubbed her eyes, got up, lit the lamp, quickly pulled on her clothes, and opened the door.

The creak of it did not rouse many people. Most of the servants had gone to attend to Zheng Xi. The servants from the Zheng household who had come with him were also acquainted with Zhù Ying, but they first had to see to Zheng Xi before they had time to come and remind her. By the time a bit of space opened up on that side, a young page was hurrying toward Zhù Ying’s quarters — only to find her already dressed.

The page laughed. “Third Master is up already? Oh — your hair is a bit disheveled. Let me comb it properly before you go to see Seventh Master.”

Zhù Ying felt her hair and said, “I can just tidy it myself.”

“How would that do? People will laugh. Don’t worry — even if I’m not Seventh Master’s personal hairdresser, my technique is still quite decent.”

Zhù Ying found herself laughing despite herself at his enthusiasm, and thought: this is a good chance to see what life in a wealthy household is actually like.

The page combed her hair, fetched water and the like, and Zhù Ying gradually suppressed her discomfort, thinking: so this is what life in a great mansion means! It’s like this even now for a guest — the treatment of Zheng Xi and the Dowager Consort goes without saying. Being attended to by others is indeed a different thing altogether.

By the time everything was in order, Zheng Xi’s full formal attire was only just being completed as well. The two quickly went to see him. Zheng Xi said, “Hmm — up early, aren’t you? Not tired?”

“A little. I’ve pulled all-nighters before, this is nothing. If you’re asking about the case, I still need to sort through my thoughts.”

Zheng Xi said, “We don’t talk about such things first thing in the morning.” He had someone arrange a meal for Zhù Ying, and after she ate, she was to accompany him back to the palace.

Zhù Ying said, “I have an arrangement with the Chief Steward — I’d like to look at the suspects one more time before leaving. You can’t be late to morning court. I’ll go right after I’ve had a look and then head over.”

Zheng Xi frowned slightly. “Very well.” He went off to his maternal uncle’s quarters to join for breakfast — only to find that the Dowager Consort, doting on her grandson, had made the rare effort of rising early too, and summoned them all to her chambers to watch over them as they ate. The Dowager Consort was accustomed to sleeping late; having risen early, she was not in the best spirits and could not eat anything herself, so she drank some ginseng tea and watched her children and grandchildren eat.

Zheng Xi said, “The child I brought with me — arrange a meal for him, then let him meet with the Chief Steward. They have a prior arrangement. Once he’s finished his business, he’ll go back to the Court of Judicial Review on his own.”

The Dowager Consort said, “He’s a guest in our house — do I need you to tell me to see to him?” Those with good sense in the residence heard this and went off to make arrangements for Zhù Ying.

Before long, two food baskets arrived for Zhù Ying, sent over from the Dowager Consort’s side — and this second set was considerably better than the first. Zhù Ying helped herself without any hesitation, and thought: what a pity — if this weren’t a prince’s residence, I would have asked if I could bring back a few of these unfinished dishes for my parents to taste.

Being cautious as she was, she did not let this regret show. Having finished eating and rinsed her mouth, she saw that it was not yet fully light outside, and asked, “Has Master Zheng left yet?”

Told he had not, she asked a servant of the residence to show her the way and went to see Zheng Xi off at the gate. Zheng Xi, seeing her appear, laughed and scolded, “Weren’t you supposed to be seeing the Chief Steward? Why did you come running over here recklessly?”

Prince Gaoyang did not glance at Zhù Ying again, but said, “This is a sensible child. Jingwen — since you both have an arrangement, keep an eye on this child.”

Zhù Ying looked at the man who responded to the name “Jingwen” — it was the Chief Steward. She assumed this was the Chief Steward’s courtesy name, and gave the Chief Steward a bow. The Chief Steward acknowledged the Prince’s words and gave Zhù Ying a nod as well.

At the same time, Zheng Xi said, “There are moments that give one a headache.” He helped his maternal uncle mount his horse, then rode away himself.

The Chief Steward and Zhù Ying watched them depart together, and the Chief Steward said to her, “Did you sleep well? Have you had your meal?”

Zhù Ying said, “Everything was very good. The residence is most comfortable.”

The Chief Steward made a gesture of invitation, and the two walked together into the residence. After they had gone some way, Zhù Ying reached into her breast pocket and produced the statements the Chief Steward had given her the night before. “Many thanks — I’ve finished reading them.”

The Chief Steward asked, “Well?”

Zhù Ying still said, “I cannot say just yet. In your opinion, is there anything unusual about the situation within the residence?”

The Chief Steward said, “If there were anything unusual, wouldn’t we have pursued it long ago?”

The two exchanged some idle remarks about the case, and Zhù Ying, perceiving that the Chief Steward was unwilling to say much, did not dare press him deeply — only saying casually, “For such a large sum to be taken, whoever did it had quite a bold spirit.”

The Chief Steward said, “Quite so.”

They soon arrived at the place where the suspects were being held. The light here was dim as well, half like an underground cell. The torches had gone out. The Chief Steward ordered fresh torches lit, then pressed a handkerchief to his nose and walked inside. Zhù Ying caught the smell of the holding cell and found herself quite at ease with it — she was, after all, quite familiar with such places.

The suspects had all suffered somewhat. Seeing people enter, they stirred sleepily and began to moan that they were being wronged. The Chief Steward asked Zhù Ying, “Aren’t you going to question them?”

Zhù Ying said, “I had better not show weakness in front of them. An interrogator who shows weakness only emboldens the suspect — they’ll use that bravado to resist even more stubbornly next time you question them. I’ll just take a look.”

She made a circuit of the residence’s holding area, which was reasonably well secured. The people inside ranged from middle-aged to young. Judging by their clothing, they all dressed quite decently; several of them were wearing uniforms issued by the residence. Looking at their physical condition, compared with rural farmers they could be called soft-handed and tender-skinned — yet compared with truly refined individuals like Zheng Xi or Chen Meng, they clearly did physical labor.

She looked, and when she was done, said, “That will do. I’ve seen enough. I apologize for the disturbance.”

The Chief Steward said, “We brought you here because of our own residence’s affairs. Let me see you out.”

Before Zhù Ying could exit the residence, she was intercepted. The person said, “By the Princess Consort’s orders, I have come to ask the Evaluating Censor a question.”

The Chief Steward said, “Is this the Princess Consort, the Dowager Consort, or did His Highness leave instructions before departing?”

The person was a quick-witted young eunuch. He said, “The Princess Consort wished to ask on the Dowager Consort’s behalf first.”

Zhù Ying, calculating the time to check in at the Court of Judicial Review, and also sensing something off in the young eunuch’s tone of voice, said, “As for the case, as things stand there are no leads as yet. Once I have any indication, I will report it myself.”

The Chief Steward said, “In that case, you should first return to the palace to check in. You are an unrelated male, and it would be inappropriate for you to meet with the Princess Consort — have them relay the message on your behalf.”

Zhù Ying smiled at the Chief Steward and clasped her hands toward the young eunuch. “Farewell.”

By the time Zhù Ying reached the palace gate, it was the hour when minor officials with duties similar to hers were entering the palace, and familiar faces exchanged morning greetings with one another. Two or three colleagues from the Court of Judicial Review had arrived at the palace gate at about the same time and were all in the process of having their credentials verified.

The Left Evaluating Censor laughed. “I didn’t see you with a meat flatbread today.”

Zhù Ying said, “I ate a bit more this morning and didn’t feel hungry enough to bring one.”

Su Kuang came walking up from behind, sniffed the air, and said, “Something smells good! Little Zhù, which young lady has been treating you to nice things?”

The Left Evaluating Censor frowned slightly. “Don’t say such flippant things at the palace gate. If a censor hears it, they’ll say the people of the Court of Judicial Review are improper, doing nothing but talking frivolous nonsense.”

No young lady — but there was a Dowager Consort.

Zhù Ying sniffed at her own sleeve as well. “Is there a smell? I haven’t seen any young lady.”

The Left Evaluating Censor said, “The capital is full of extraordinary people and remarkable things, and fine goods of all kinds. Merchants from foreign lands carry unusual fragrances — touch their perfumed handkerchief and your hand can smell fragrant for three days. The two of you are young after all, and shouldn’t be taken aback by something like this — people will laugh at the Court of Judicial Review for being provincial. If a censor says something, Masters Zheng and the others will have to explain themselves, and when they come back to the Court, we’ll all be reprimanded together!”

Zhù Ying said, “Oh? Then, Old Zuo, you’ve seen many such rare and curious things? Tell me about them!”

The Left Evaluating Censor said, “You heartless little thing. Hurry up and check in!”

The three returned to the Court of Judicial Review and signed in. Zhù Ying immediately clung to the Left Evaluating Censor’s side. “While they haven’t come back from court yet — tell me about them!”

But the Left Evaluating Censor was no longer interested in talking. “What are you making a fuss about? Aren’t you going to Master Hu’s office?”

Zhù Ying stuck out her tongue at Su Kuang and ran off with her documents.

The Left Evaluating Censor then turned to Su Kuang with a tone that was half sincere, half performance: “Little Su, why do you tease him like that? I hear — within a year or two, a Chief Clerk position won’t pass you by. When the good news comes, don’t forget us.”

Su Kuang was both self-restrained and faintly pleased with himself. “Nothing is certain yet. Right now the biggest matter is the Gong Jie case, and I wasn’t involved in it much — I’m afraid it will be somewhat difficult.”

The Left Evaluating Censor said, “That can’t be certain — several of the higher-ups are newly arrived, and they’ll want some capable people of their own around them, won’t they?”

They chatted idly a moment more, and the Left Evaluating Censor said, “Ah well, it’s always the young ones with the brightest futures. I’m getting old! Do one day’s work as a monk and ring the bell for one day — I’m off to ring my bell.” With that he left.

Su Kuang knew the Left Evaluating Censor’s words were not entirely sincere, yet they were pleasant to hear, and he answered with a few agreeable remarks. Once the Left Evaluating Censor was busy, Su Kuang went off to his own business — but his heart was unsettled throughout that morning, thinking: I’ve done quite a bit for Master Zheng. By rights I should be getting that Chief Clerk promotion. From what I can tell, Master Zheng has no dissatisfaction with me either. It’s nearly winter — the appointment notice for Chief Clerk should be coming soon, shouldn’t it? Promotions are always better the sooner they come. Otherwise, by the time I get older, would I end up like Old Zuo and Wang, spending a lifetime in the eighth rank?

He also thought that once he became Chief Clerk, he’d be seventh rank — time to get some new clothes.

He thought about many things, and his thoughts turned to Zhù Ying. That one’s luck was far too good! He himself had spent a full five years in the Court of Judicial Review, with promotion within sight — only for the Court to fall into disgrace, knocking him back to square one. It was thanks to his own quick-wittedness that he had decisively attached himself to Master Zheng and seized the opportunity from the case review and purge to earn this upcoming promotion. But Zhù Ying? She hadn’t spent years grinding away — she arrived and immediately ran into Master Zheng, and was completely untouched by the Court of Judicial Review’s previous misconduct scandal.

He was deep in these thoughts when Zheng Xi and the others returned from court. The three of them briefly consulted on the day’s plans and then went about their separate business. Su Kuang strained his ears to follow Zheng Xi’s movements, mulling over how to find some matter as a pretext to go and ingratiate himself with Zheng Xi further. He had not yet thought of a suitable reason when Zheng Xi’s side summoned him first.

Su Kuang quickly straightened his attire and went over, receiving good news: “You’ve been back for some time now — it’s time to get back to work.”

“Yes! Whatever Master directs me to do.”

Zheng Xi said lightly, “The Gong Jie case is still unfinished. You’re young and strong — start by going through the case files and getting them in order.”

Su Kuang could not fully suppress the gladness in his expression, and let slip a thread of excitement. “I will follow your orders!”

Zheng Xi said, “Go.”

Su Kuang’s footsteps grew three parts lighter. He thought on one hand that the Gong Jie case was a fine opportunity — with this case, the Chief Clerk position was secured and even Senior Investigating Censor was not out of reach — and on the other hand, should he think about making a match for himself next year? Or use the momentum of Master Zheng’s patronage to accomplish something significant first, perhaps three or five years, rise to Senior Investigating Censor or Court of Judicial Review Vice President, then seek a refined young lady?

He had barely stepped over the threshold when he heard Zheng Xi instruct the office clerk inside: “Send for Zhù Ying.”

Su Kuang’s heart fell from the sky back to the earth, and steadied.

By the time Zhù Ying arrived before Zheng Xi, Su Kuang had long since walked away.

Zhù Ying paid her respects, and Zheng Xi leaned back in his chair. “You seem full of energy! Born from a monkey?”

Zhù Ying said, “Probably not. A monkey is so clever — it wouldn’t want to be reborn as me.”

Zheng Xi was made to laugh. “Sit.”

When Zhù Ying had drunk a cup of tea, he asked, “Well?”

Zhù Ying sat up straight and said, “You’re asking about the theft case — it depends on what you want. How deeply do you want this pursued?”

Zheng Xi scolded her, “Little rascal — I always know when you’re looking out for me.”

Zhù Ying smiled shyly. “It’s also because this case is genuinely difficult. If I pursue it further, I’ll need more time. And I only have perhaps five or six parts out of ten confidence. You were right — I was a bit overreaching. For ordinary people and modestly prosperous households, one glance and I’ve got who’s in the wrong, and I never need to let it wait overnight. But a prince’s residence — a great deep mansion like this — is something I lack the experience and penetration to see through entirely. And yet I still have some confidence in myself and am not willing to just admit defeat.”

“I know. Say it.”

Zhù Ying said carefully, “Everyone knows it’s an inside man — but with a theft this large, I’m afraid the waters run deep. You and your relatives there might find things awkward.”

Zheng Xi said, “Don’t trouble yourself about that. You just go and find out the truth.”

Zhù Ying continued, “There are many secrets within the residence. I don’t know which things are taboo and cannot be touched, and which are relevant to the case. Investigating on my own may not yield results, and wastes time besides.”

Zheng Xi said, “Bold of you — do you think a prince’s residence is something you can just probe around in?”

Zhù Ying said, “Then at least tell me something useful — for example: which of your relatives is short of money right now?”

Zheng Xi said sternly, “How dare you!” Then, recovering his composure, he said, “Do you think I haven’t considered this myself?”

Zhù Ying said, “Then you…?”

Zheng Xi thought for a moment and said, “Prince Gaoyang’s residence has always been extremely wealthy.”

Looking at Zheng Xi’s manner, Zhù Ying knew he was not going to share his maternal uncle’s family secrets with a minor official he’d picked up along the road to the capital. Their relationship was clearly not on that level. She made up her own mind: I’ll just investigate, and as for how much I tell you — that won’t necessarily be everything. And how much you then tell your maternal uncle — that’s up to you!

She said, “Is there a deadline? Give me two days’ grace and I’ll work hard!”

Zheng Xi sighed. “I had originally meant to rely on your tracking skill, but it’s not coming to that after all.”

Zhù Ying said, “Just consider me someone with too much idle time, looking for something to do. Don’t worry — I won’t bring you trouble.”

Zheng Xi said, “Don’t neglect the main work either. Go and do good work — something like what Su Kuang is doing, helping me with the Gong Jie case.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying was in no hurry inside. The Gong Jie case? Not even Su Kuang, let alone her, could do more than fetch and carry if he participated at this stage. The Gong Jie case was a chain of cases — beyond Gong Jie himself, there were various associates, and the associates each had their own family and friends. Every ten days or so, another of Gong Jie’s confidants would be sentenced to exile or dismissed and sent home. The matter had been going on so long, and this chain still wasn’t finished.

Zhù Ying was biting her tongue as she came out of Zheng Xi’s quarters on her way to Hu Lian. Halfway there, someone lunged out and blocked her path. Zhù Ying tilted her head. “Brother Su?”

Su Kuang had been waiting for her a long while with a stack of case files, yet affected the appearance of casually passing by, and said, “Watch where you’re going — if you crash into a superior, that would be bad.”

Zhù Ying smiled with bright innocence. “You’re right! Thanks for the reminder, Brother Su.”

“What are you thinking about? Walking and losing focus?”

As if I wasn’t paying attention — Zhù Ying thought: I was walking perfectly fine and it was you who jumped out!

But she said, “How strange — I haven’t been slacking off, so why did Master Zheng tell me to pay more attention to the main tasks?”

Su Kuang laughed, started to raise his hand, then found he was holding things, and could only offer verbal comfort. “Master Zheng is saying it because you’re young and he’s looking out for you with a few extra words. Speaking of which, among everyone here, you’re the youngest — you should have the energetic spirit that young people have. Don’t keep second-guessing your superior’s intentions with the manner of someone old and weathered. Once your superiors have you figured out, are they still really your superiors?”

“Brother Su is right. I can’t figure it out anyway, so I might as well just do my own thing.”

“Exactly. People — once you start overthinking, and especially when you’re pondering things you can’t figure out, your whole spirit and energy gets thrown off. You end up suspicious of everything, looking like a deranged fool. Go about things openly and honestly, and your gaze will be clear, your bearing and manner will be good, and people will find you more likeable.” Su Kuang said this while pulling his own posture straighter.

Zhù Ying straightened her own back as well. “Right — I’m off! You don’t have to stand there either — that pile of things in your arms looks heavy. What is it?”

“Some case files. Go ahead.”

Zhù Ying truly did spend the entire morning in Hu Lian’s office observing attentively, and helped him prepare all the case files, statements, and reference archives needed for the case. She was disappointed to find it was a case of an official killing someone accidentally — nothing in common with the prince’s residence theft she was currently trying to unravel, and nothing she could borrow from it.

By afternoon, when Zhù Ying came out of the palace, she went to find Old Ma.

Zhù Ying’s thinking was simple: where are the stolen goods?

Gold and silver could be spent — even with hallmarks, it did not matter, since gold and silver are soft metals and stamps can be removed entirely. And what of the precious valuables? And the aromatics. She did not understand aromatics, but she knew many of them were very expensive — far beyond the reach of a person like herself. The items from a prince’s residence — not just beyond a poor person’s means, but beyond an ordinary household’s as well. Use them and they would give you away instantly.

As the Left Evaluating Censor had said, there was a certain foreign fragrance such that if you touched a perfumed handkerchief with your hand, your hand could smell fragrant for three days. Whether that was true or exaggerated, if there were even three parts truth to it, then these items simply could not be concealed from ordinary people’s notice — unless they went entirely unused.

Unused — either they would be given to someone for whom using such things would not arouse suspicion, or they would be — fenced!

Old Ma was an old thief of the capital, and thieves inevitably needed to fence stolen goods.

Old Ma, though a thief, still had some degree of honesty with acquaintances, and had told Zhù Ying where he could be found. When she arrived at that location, she found him there, just as expected.

Old Ma saw her and laughed. “Third Master, honored feet upon humble ground.”

Zhù Ying sat herself down across his table without ceremony, pulled out a string of coins, pointed at several items on the written menu and ordered some snacks and a pot of good tea, then invited Old Ma to share them. As she helped herself, she said, “I never come to a temple without a reason.”

Old Ma said, “You’re a person who knows your own mind. If you’re looking for me, it’s because you need me. Just say it.”

Zhù Ying said, “If I had some things that were difficult to move through normal channels and wanted to convert them to cash, what connections would you have?”

Old Ma’s eyes flickered for a moment, then returned to calm. “Third Master, if it’s urgent, just take it to a pawnshop. Unless… the provenance is somewhat murky?”

Zhù Ying nodded.

Old Ma thought to himself: you’re an official of the Court of Judicial Review coming to me, a thief, asking this — surely you’re asking about fencing stolen goods? But I can’t betray associates in the trade.

Yet Zhù Ying, though she held official status, had also once been his fellow prisoner, which made her something of a fellow traveler in that world.

Old Ma leaned closer and said, “Third Master, let me know what we’re actually talking about here. Since Prefect Wang took office, the capital’s territory hasn’t seen any major cases. This is…”

Zhù Ying understood. “Nothing to do with the trade. It’s a commission — someone’s household matter.”

“Ah—” Old Ma understood then, and said, “Has a wayward son or daughter been stealing from the family? Or some servant playing tricks?”

“You’re a sharp one.”

Old Ma said, “There used to be several channels, but they were all driven off after Prefect Wang arrived. Now only a few remain.” He dipped his finger in tea and sketched a rough diagram on the table. “Here — go this way — there’s a pawnshop that takes clothes and jewelry, all final pawns. They sort things themselves — either breaking up the pearls and gems for other uses, or melting down the gold and silver and recasting them as new jewelry and implements.”

He pointed to another location — a goldsmith’s shop that, for a fee, helped erase hallmarks or recast items entirely.

Then there was a currency exchange: bring gold or silver there and they would convert it. Whatever they collected, they might melt down themselves or spend at another location.

There was also a pawnshop that mainly dealt in antiques and paintings.

The fees involved were not small, and the valuation would be on the low side — after all, it was stolen goods.

Zhù Ying said, “All so inconvenient — isn’t there one place that could handle a large quantity at once?”

Old Ma laughed. “There is! But that would be operating at a very large scale. Prominent trees catch the wind — in the capital’s territory, before they even withered, Prefect Wang would have had them sawn down. As for others, they are pawnshops operated by various noble households, backed by people with connections in official circles. They don’t rely on this sort of side trade to make a living, and taking in goods is only an incidental thing.”

Zhù Ying thanked him, and Old Ma said, “No need to thank me. Nothing else needs to be said — what kind of relationship do we have? You’re being too formal.”

Zhù Ying laughed. “Alright then, I won’t stand on ceremony with you. Can I come back when I need you again?”

Old Ma’s face was full of regret — he could have slapped himself.

Zhù Ying burst out laughing. “Just teasing you.”

She laughed, then came out from Old Ma’s place and turned immediately to the pawnshop he had described. Pawnshops were very familiar territory to Zhù Ying. Though her family had been poor, they could always scrape together a few old garments. When the rice bin was empty and even wild vegetables could not be dug from the ground, Zhang Xiangu would pawn a few things — getting three coins where they were worth two — in exchange for a half-full meal.

Whether to redeem them later depended on how tight money was. Unredeemed items passed their date were absorbed by the pawnshop, which would tidy them up slightly and resell them at a higher price.

Zhù Ying did not bother speculating about who within the prince’s residence had done this, or whether it was a master or servant. Find the goods first — then talk!

Following the trail was far better than sitting and guessing. She was not looking for the gold and silver — those were easier to strip of identifying marks and harder to trace.

Zhù Ying sauntered inside, entering one of the pawnshops Old Ma had named.