Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng had been walking the ward, checking things, when they heard those words and thought they had misheard. Both bore down on the scene from opposite sides.

By the time the two arrived, the eight female constables had already split into factions. Constable Che’s face had flushed to a deep red — whether from rage or embarrassment was hard to say — and had been pulled aside by her good friend Constable Gan, who was saying: “Don’t bother talking to her!”

Constable Wu had jumped up and taken over where Constable Che had left off, scolding Zhou Wan: “What man or woman?! I say that before you start talking about men and women, you need to be a human being first!”

Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng both felt a jolt at this. In any situation, if the problem lay on only one side, it was simple enough to resolve. But if two or more parties had been going at each other repeatedly, the whole thing easily became a tangled knot.

Constables Huo Erniang, Miss Fu, and several others stood in the middle, saying: “Everyone ease up a little.”

Constable Xu Danian said to Zhou Wan: “Don’t glare — let your temper settle before you speak.”

Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng exchanged a look at this scene. Both temporarily pressed down that small competitive edge they harbored toward each other, and quickly reached a shared understanding: this — not the female prisoner — was the first real matter they had faced since taking up their posts.

In the moment it took them to exchange that glance, the female constables had already traded several more blows of words.

Constable Che spat. Constable Wu spat as well, and the two of them felt considerably closer to each other for it. After the words had left her mouth, Zhou Wan knew she had provoked the group’s anger with what she had said. She refused to admit she was wrong, and doubled down: “That’s right! Don’t give up a perfectly good chance to be a human being and insist on being someone’s dog instead!”

Constable Che jumped up again: “What did you say?” Her ability to come back with words was clearly not the sharpest, and she couldn’t find the right words to fight back. Constable Wu had no such limitation — she pushed past Miss Fu’s restraining arm and pointed at Zhou Wan: “White-eyed wolf!”

The women’s ward went still as death.

Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng were not the sort to stand on ceremony and wait for the constables to notice them — instead, they deliberately made noise as they approached, letting the constables become aware of their presence. In the silence that followed, Cui Jiacheng spoke first: “Is everyone’s assigned work finished? You’ve found leisure enough for quarreling? Get it done, quickly. When you’re done, I have something to say.”

Wu Xiang then said: “Stop gathering together — scatter. Finish your work and then I’ll speak.”

With their superiors’ word given, the female constables finally dispersed, still muttering to themselves. Zhou Wan was full of resentment but had been kept in check by Constable Xu Danian. Constable Xu did not agree with what Zhou Wan had done — but she understood that if there was no one to calm her down right now, and Zhou Wan broke loose and started screaming in the street where others could hear, the women’s ward would become a laughingstock.

She kept her voice low, coaxing Zhou Wan: “You say you passed on your own merits, so prove it — do the work well enough to stay. If you do the work well, you’ll have the standing to speak. Come on, you and I will sweep that room over there again — what if more female prisoners come?”

She was an older woman, with a large family and children, and when she put on a gentle, motherly manner she could take the edge off most people’s tempers. Zhou Wan sniffled and went with her, clutching a broom.

On the other side, Constable Che and Constable Gan were murmuring quietly together again. Constable Wu was restrained by Miss Fu: “Everything you said was reasonable — but don’t bother feuding with her. She’s just a child who doesn’t know any better yet. Don’t make yourself sick over her.”

Constable Wu said: “I just can’t stand her, putting on that young lady’s airs! Passed on her own merits? What merits? My family has served the Court of Judicial Review for three generations, and we never once heard that the Court would recruit female constables and add another salary on top. Not to mention all the other things the Court has provided — even if we’re only talking about the official court salary, the person who made it possible for you to draw that salary — isn’t that your benefactor?

Sweeping floors and wiping tables — that’s work any person can do. Does it have to be you? Does it?”

Miss Fu kept urging her to calm down. Constable Huo Erniang wrapped her arm around Constable Wu’s neck and said: “Come, come — don’t work yourself up. Didn’t the senior madam say? Finish the work first.”

On the other side, the two female wardens had retreated to their own room and were conferring.

Cui Jiacheng said: “Xiao Wu, how do you read this?”

Wu Xiang said: “A’Jie, this situation can be made large or small. I say we keep it from spreading — there’s no need to let outsiders see our ward as a joke.”

Cui Jiacheng said: “Zhou Wan’s temper really is something — she looks like a child whose head isn’t fully formed yet. I don’t know what foolishness she’s been listening to, but she’s swollen with self-importance and lost all sense of proper conduct. Being dim is forgivable — but a crooked heart is not! She needs to be properly trained.”

Wu Xiang said: “A’Jie is right. What would A’Jie suggest we do for now?”

Cui Jiacheng said: “We are in this room together with no one else — let us speak plainly. This situation isn’t worth troubling the people above us with. Since we’ve been entrusted with this ward, we should manage it ourselves.”

“Exactly — running to report every minor thing would make us look incapable. Not only does this need to be settled, but it needs to be settled quickly. If we haven’t resolved it by the time the female prisoner arrives and we’re also occupied with interrogations and patrol duties, our superiors are bound to notice.”

Both had some small calculations of their own, but now for the sake of this matter they worked together once more.

Cui Jiacheng said: “Zhou Wan’s current state — even if we punish her now, she probably won’t be truly compliant. If she decides to lose her temper in front of a superior at a critical moment, that would be very bad. Better to settle her down first and then handle it gradually.”

Wu Xiang said: “That may be all we can do.”

Wu Xiang walked out and caught Miss Fu passing by. She asked her first: “We arrived late — what actually happened?”

Miss Fu was caught in a difficult position. Wu Xiang said: “Forgotten? Was your memory this unreliable when you were being selected?”

Miss Fu quietly recounted what she had heard, saying: “I wouldn’t claim every word is exact, but that was roughly it.”

Wu Xiang called Constable Che over.

Constable Che arrived accompanied by her friend Constable Gan, who stood at the door: “I’ll wait here for you to come out.” Constable Che was straightforward enough speaking to her friend, but in front of her superior she found herself at a loss for words — though in her heart she still felt she had done nothing wrong.

Cui Jiacheng asked her: “What got you and Zhou Wan quarreling?”

Constable Che immediately found her voice: “It was her! Not doing her work properly, and then saying those things about Young Official Zhù!”

Both Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng found this odd — even slightly suspicious — as to whether Constable Che’s admiration of Young Official Zhù had perhaps become excessive. Cui Jiacheng said: “Start from the beginning.”

The account Constable Che gave was not far off from Miss Fu’s. Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng nodded. Encouraged, Constable Che said: “You can’t forget the people who have done you good — Young Official Zhù is so good!”

Cui Jiacheng deliberately fished for more, saying: “How so?”

Constable Che, embarrassed to mention that she had been mocked for having a big appetite, instead said: “Director, we get a bit of extra money each month, you know — do you know where that comes from?”

Wu Xiang said: “Is there a story behind it?”

Constable Che gave a vague account: “The very first day we all ate together, the men made some cutting remarks, and when we pushed back, Young Official Zhù came. I happened to have my monthly issue at the time — he saw it and said nothing. Just said that women don’t eat as much as men, so the money saved from that difference would be distributed to the women…”

Cui Jiacheng drew a deep, long breath and let it out. “Zhou Wan really has no idea how good she has it!”

Constable Che said: “Exactly!”

Wu Xiang said: “I never imagined…”

Both Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng told Constable Che: “Don’t start any more arguments with her — leave her to us. Now go and send Constable Wu over here.”

“Yes.”

Constable Wu arrived promptly at the wardens’ room. This room was considerably better than the constables’ quarters — it was usually they who cleaned it for them. She walked in and stood to one side. Cui Jiacheng asked her to sit, and she didn’t move immediately to sit. Wu Xiang said: “Please sit — I need to ask you something.” Only then did Constable Wu take a seat.

Cui Jiacheng asked: “What exactly happened today?”

Constable Wu lowered her head, her eyes shifting, and said: “Zhou Wan just likes to throw her weight around! Constable Che didn’t say anything wrong — she was just slacking. But rather than taking that, she turns it around and lords it over everyone. Bullying her colleagues, and now picking fights with her superiors.”

Wu Xiang said: “Your family has served the Court of Judicial Review for three generations, and you’ve held the keys for us. You must know this place inside and out?”

Constable Wu said: “Yes.” In her heart, she had already made up her mind: if Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng intended to blame her for today’s argument, she would make it a proper quarrel. And if it came to the worst, she would go home and tell her husband and father about it, have them speak to Young Official Zhù, and let Young Official Zhù know enough to be wary of these ungrateful creatures.

Cui Jiacheng said: “From what you know — when someone says something out of line and a conflict like this arises in the Court of Judicial Review, what is usually done?”

“Send them away.” Constable Wu said without thinking, then deflated. Sending someone away was a matter of who wanted the job done. She slumped back, no longer sitting straight, and said flatly: “If it were Director Zheng, Deputy Director Leng, or any of the other senior people — one word would do it. Young Official Zhù could too. But others would need to work harder at it. It’s not so easy for us here — we can’t just dismiss anyone without going through official channels and reporting it.”

Cui Jiacheng said: “Then it comes down to our own ability, doesn’t it. I understand. You can go now.” She exchanged a glance with Wu Xiang. What Constable Wu had said aligned with what they themselves had been thinking. Making an example of someone to establish authority was the fastest way to build it — but that method was not available to them. Sending the matter up to Zhù Ying would make them look incapable. And Zhù Ying might not even act on their behalf.

Constable Wu rose to leave, then thought better of it and turned back, saying: “Two Directors — you can’t let this sort of creature get comfortable! An ungrateful thing like her can deny Young Official Zhù’s contribution today with one mouth, and tomorrow she can do the same to us! You surely don’t think our ability to have what we have today fell out of the sky?”

Cui Jiacheng said: “What do you mean?”

This was precisely why she and Wu Xiang were somewhat wary of Constable Wu. Strictly speaking, she could not be called a “thorny character” — but as long as she stood there, she made her presence felt. Everyone else was new to this, and she alone was the one who knew the place. Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng had no more suitable person to consult, yet on many matters they had no choice but to ask her.

Constable Wu said: “Our official positions and salaries — he fought for those. That you two surely won’t see the same way as some ungrateful little wretch, I trust? That aside, let me speak of other benefits. You absolutely must keep this ward in good order for Young Official Zhù! Don’t let the ungrateful ones ruin anything. Otherwise… the whole Court of Judicial Review will suffer for it! Go outside and ask any one person in this place — none of them want to see Young Official Zhù come to harm. We have all received his good graces! He is the finest of people!”

In her heart she could not let go of Zhou Wan calling her a “dog.” It was infuriating! She wasn’t a dog at all! But she was no fool either — she knew that if she said “I am certainly not a dog,” it would only make her the next laughingstock. She truly was not a dog! She simply knew how to be grateful!

Her father, her husband, herself — two family lines drawing three salaries from the Court of Judicial Review. Setting aside the extra allowances, she could not claim she had earned any of it on pure merit alone.

“The Court of Judicial Review’s money doesn’t blow in with the wind! He’s only the sixth rank, with a dozen or more officials at the same grade and all those superiors above him — to manage things this well, how remarkable an achievement must that be! People need to know the worth of what they have!” Constable Wu did her best to stir up the two supervisors. “The women’s ward was his initiative — if something goes wrong here, people will say it’s his fault, and they might reassign him. And all our good days would be over.”

As old Constable Wu had once needed Zhù Ying to do her work well, she now laid out more detailed intelligence for Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng: “The Court of Judicial Review is not a poor place — yet it’s not that rich either! Whose doing is that? It was Director Zheng who placed our Young Official Zhù here to oversee things.” She knew details that even Wu Xiang, the official’s daughter, was not privy to, and shared the relevant ones — what benefits had been added since Zhù Ying took charge, what losses they would suffer if she were gone. She said a great deal, then suddenly realized she had been talking about money the entire time, and added: “Conveying matters both up and down, and handling the other offices well — how convenient that is! When subordinates make mistakes, he sees them and points it out, helps them do better. When someone does well, he submits merit reports for them.”

Wu Xiang said: “Very well, we understand. You may go. Don’t let it trouble you.”

After Constable Wu left, Cui Jiacheng said: “Constable Wu has a sharp tongue, but she spoke clearly enough, and her reasoning holds.” Wu Xiang said: “Zhou Wan needs to understand what she has.”

The two conferred briefly, and then called Zhou Wan back in.

After Constable Xu Danian’s gentle handling, Zhou Wan had calmed down somewhat. She was thinking: What sort of orders are these from the master household? I won’t do it! I’m here now — what power do they have to drag someone from the Court of Judicial Review?

Coming to the wardens’ room, she stood — though she kept herself at some distance from their desk. Cui Jiacheng asked her to sit, and she thanked her and sat, back very straight, both fists clenched tightly on her knees.

Cui Jiacheng asked: “What exactly happened just now?”

Zhou Wan pressed her lower lip, then after a moment said: “It was just that — we quarreled.”

Wu Xiang said: “What exactly happened just now?”

Zhou Wan said: “She said I was dozing off! You already know — why ask again?”

Cui Jiacheng said: “Why were you dozing? You were all given physical checks when you were selected, so it can’t be poor health. Is something happening at home that troubled you last night?”

Zhou Wan’s face became very difficult to look at. Cui Jiacheng said: “If there’s a difficulty, it’s all right to speak. You’ve been here longer than we have, so you should know that under Young Official Zhù’s management, the Court of Judicial Review has always looked after its people.”

Zhou Wan clenched her teeth and simply shook her head. Cui Jiacheng said: “Very well then — if you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to. Family troubles are not generally things one airs to outsiders. Since you’re unwilling to speak up about the difficulty at home and ask for help, you cannot let it spill over into the Court and seek someone to vent your frustration on.”

Wu Xiang said: “Today’s matter — it ends here. You are not to argue with the others further, and I will tell them not to bring it up again either.

I see you have had some education — only you don’t quite understand reason yet. To execute those who were not taught is called cruelty — I will first tell you certain principles. Since you have come out to serve, it is different from throwing tantrums and acting spoiled at home. Serving has its own reasoning. Otherwise, why did you come out at all? Isn’t it perfectly fine to quarrel with your parents at home?

What is there to talk about between men and women? The women’s ward has several regulations more than other departments — why do you think? Serving as a woman is already difficult enough — there is so much room for people to talk! In the middle of all these difficulties, you yourself raised it first. Are you afraid the women’s ward will last too long without someone giving them a reason to shut it down?

What is fawning on someone? You receive a salary from the court, and you should attend to the court’s concerns. If you value yourself as a person, then act like a person! Stop using the kind of words inner-household women use to put people in their place. You should know that what you said today would be unacceptable anywhere it were heard.”

Zhou Wan sat with her head lowered and said nothing. Half compliant, half not.

Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng had no expectation that she would burst into tearful contrition at once — if she did, they would suspect she was performing.

The two of them then summoned all eight female constables together.

Cui Jiacheng addressed them: “Everyone knows what happened today, and we know as well. Each of you has your own sense of who was right and who was wrong, and you have your own scale within. Zhou Wan was not paying attention to her work today — she is penalized to clean all the rooms. There was also arguing today, rather loudly too — that is also penalized with cleaning. Everyone must remember: within this ward, our ten people and the others are different! Think before you speak and act from the heart!”

Wu Xiang said: “Today’s matter — none of you are to mention it again! Not even to your parents and families at home! People always say women cannot accomplish great things — let this spread any further, and there will be even more idle talk. Our duty now is to do our work well! Let me find out who lets this spread to outside ears — see if I spare them!”

Cui Jiacheng said: “Dismissed.”

A small storm was smothered under the determined suppression of two people who had the same resolve, and was kept from spreading outward.

When Wu Xiang was giving her reprimand, she had carried herself with considerable authority. The moment the others dispersed, she sat down in her chair and did not want to speak. She thought: Young Official Zhù isn’t much older than me — so how does he manage to keep the entire Court of Judicial Review running so smoothly? If he had encountered something like this, what would he have done? And what is he doing now?

Zhù Ying was on her way to the Secretariat to deliver official documents.

Departments and offices sending documents did not always require an official to personally go — often junior clerks carried them. But today Director Zheng had specifically sent Zhù Ying: “If the Chief Ministers have questions, use your judgment and answer carefully.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying was carrying the documents when Hu Lian sidled up and said: “Xiao Zhù — well done!”

Zhù Ying said: “Where does that come from?”

“Director Zheng is putting more and more effort into cultivating you.”

“What kind of talk is that?”

Hu Lian said: “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed! He’s been finding all sorts of ways to put you in front of the Chief Ministers at the Secretariat! Chief Minister Chen in particular — he also keeps an eye on Ministry of Personnel matters. When they need to promote you in future, since he’s already seen your face and has some impression of you, it’ll go smoothly without a hitch. Don’t forget your old friends when that day comes!”

Zhù Ying said: “What old friends? Aren’t we going to prosper together?”

“Yes! Exactly! Your fortune has always been good — let me catch some of it! Oh — when you see Chief Minister Shi, absolutely don’t bring him too much official business. That person is afraid of anything that adds to his workload.”

“Understood.” Zhù Ying thought: If there really is something to discuss with him, I just need to already have the solution worked out before I mention it — wouldn’t that do it?

Zhù Ying was still outside the Secretariat when she encountered Chief Minister Chen returning from an audience with the Emperor. Chief Minister Chen saw what she was holding and asked: “Why is it you today?”

Zhù Ying said: “Director Zheng asks that you take a look at this document. I’ll wait here.”

“Come then.”

Zhù Ying followed him into the Secretariat and handed him the documents. Chief Minister Chen furrowed his brow and said: “That old fool!”

Chief Minister Shi said: “What’s got you cursing again? Oh? Aren’t you the one from last time? The Court of Judicial Review? Why are you here again? Something else has happened?”

Chief Minister Chen said: “It’s not about him! It’s that old Li — Li Cang.”

“Mm?”

Chief Minister Chen said: “You don’t know him — he was a superior of mine back in the day. He retired a couple of years ago.”

“And what does he have to do with the Court of Judicial Review? Is there a case? He’s already retired…”

“Retired, and also dead!”

Chief Minister Shi was startled. He addressed Zhù Ying directly: “What happened?”

Zhù Ying said: “Old Official Li has passed away. His children suspected it was the work of his second wife. The local court sentenced her to death. She is now being escorted to the capital. The Court of Judicial Review has received this case. The cell has already been cleaned and prepared — she and four ladies-in-waiting are all to be held and re-examined.”

Chief Minister Chen made a cold sound: “An old man taking a young bride — he brought it on himself.”

Chief Minister Shi said: “Oh, I remember — the Court of Judicial Review now has a women’s ward. Make sure yours keep a close watch.”

“Yes.”

Chief Minister Shi was not personally acquainted with this Li Cang and dropped the matter after a sentence or two. Having no need to expend any effort on something that didn’t concern him, he had no objection to Zhù Ying speaking further with Chief Minister Chen. Chief Minister Chen finished reviewing the case file and said: “Tell your Director Zheng — examine the case as it should be examined! Whatever happened, the man is dead — and since it has come to light, the truth must be found! Tsk, tsk!”

Zhù Ying bowed: “Yes.” She hesitated, then, taking advantage of the slight familiarity that had built up over the past two years, ventured: “Chief Minister Chen, I have one matter to ask your guidance on. Just one sentence — might I?”

Chief Minister Chen raised an eyebrow and looked at her. Zhù Ying said: “This deceased man — could you give me your assessment of his character? Just a word.”

Chief Minister Chen smiled: “Come with me.”

Zhù Ying followed him to an adjoining room. Chief Minister Chen said: “Li Cang — the propriety and righteousness that belonged to the surface of things, he understood all of them.”

Zhù Ying thanked him honestly.

Chief Minister Chen said: “As for the case — where it can be done neatly, it should be done neatly. An old man and his young bride — once that gets out, it becomes more material for gossip.”

“Yes.”

“As for your own ability, I know it well. Rather than have you go and dig all of that up yourself, I might as well tell you. This new wife of his — she was the daughter of an old friend of his. The friend took his own life after being implicated in the Gong case. He told me he pitied his old friend and wanted to look after the man’s family.”

“If I may ask — would this father-in-law’s name happen to be Bi Luo?”

“Correct.” Chief Minister Chen looked at her.

Zhù Ying said: “Then I understand.” The Gong case had been handled by the Court of Judicial Review. The Emperor had handed it to his nephew rather than letting the three judicial offices handle it together — looking back, there must have been considerations that could not be spoken aloud. Exactly what those were was hard to say, but it had certainly made it convenient for many people to conduct matters outside the bounds of the law. Official Bi’s title was taken, his household confiscated, but the family members were not reduced to servile status. It seemed Chief Minister Chen, though he had agreed to the request, had kept his own limits.

But the case file stated that this second wife had been chosen by the first wife on her deathbed as a gift to Li Cang — whether true or not was impossible to say.

The business was done. Chief Minister Chen took another look at Zhù Ying and found her more composed than the last time he had seen her. He said: “Last time I saw you, you were a bamboo shoot. After a good rain in spring, now you are the bamboo.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “The Chief Minister flatters me.”

“Bamboo is a gentleman’s plant — ask Wang Yunhe, and he would say exactly the same.”

Zhù Ying said: “As long as none of you say I have a talent for growing wild shoots in inconvenient places! As for this bamboo of mine — at its core it really is hollow.”

Chief Minister Chen laughed: “In time, it would be better still to be more full of heart.”

“Yes.” Zhù Ying maintained an attitude of courteous respect throughout her time before Chief Minister Chen. Over these two years, their occasional encounters had shown him to be consistently approachable. But she did not allow herself to take him lightly on that account — only to reflect, quietly, that one cannot always have everything one would wish for. A man might be a Chief Minister and more capable than most in every regard, yet his son falls short of expectation.

After seeing Chief Minister Chen, she returned and reported to Director Zheng on the meeting, and also told him what she had gleaned about the case.

Director Zheng said: “Did he say anything about you?”

“He said I was a bamboo shoot before, and now I’ve become bamboo.”

Director Zheng felt a mix of satisfaction and something like wistfulness, and said: “He must be very envious of your father.” And of me!

“Oh?”

“Ha! You’re quite a bit better than his son.”

Zhù Ying said: “That’s a different thing. Besides, the eldest Young Master Chen is actually quite fine.”

“Mm — every time Zhou You caused trouble, I’d say the same to his mother-in-law: Zhou You is quite fine.”

“That’s not the same meaning. Look — since Big Young Master Chen came back to the capital, the inner household of the Chen family has been much quieter, and there have been fewer laughing stocks. The eldest young master does have his capable side.”

“Some — but not a great deal.” Director Zheng persisted. Chen Meng was simply not equal to Zhù Ying.

Zhù Ying said: “That’s a different situation. My house had a leaky roof and drafty walls — not far off from being outdoors — and I had to go out and fight stray dogs over scraps. The eldest young master had to put his energy into the family, to hold the situation there so he could have any chance at eating well and living well. A great mansion may shelter you, but it is also full of thunderbolts. So within that family — better to keep things incomplete than to let things fall apart.”

Director Zheng said: “Mm, that’s put clearly. The Li Cang case — consider it assigned to you. It involves the women’s ward, so keep an eye on it. If there are any problems, come and patch the gaps for me.”

“Yes.”

Even so, Zhù Ying did not go to the women’s ward immediately — the rules were her own creation, and going there she would still need someone to accompany her. At this point everyone was fairly busy, and she had other things to attend to. She had gleaned some details about Li Cang’s household from Chief Minister Chen that day and needed to go through the case again more carefully. Another matter: next year there would finally be a legal studies examination again. In her judgment of what the Court still needed, she knew there would be more vacancies, but this coming round would almost certainly not fill them completely either, so she needed to draw up contingency plans for Director Zheng.

Director Zheng’s words, Zhù Ying had taken them all to heart, and had not forgotten Director Zheng’s intention to promote her. She had a thought: to serve in office, one needed to accumulate people. Whatever the undertaking, it required assembling a group to make it happen — like Director Zheng’s Duanwu banquet. If she were to move upward and onward, she naturally hoped someone capable of taking over from her would come. It was for Director Zheng as much as for herself. The right people coming in would need to be properly cultivated, taught — how to manage accounts, how to handle the Court’s regular affairs while also building up the Court’s reserves — things like that.

There was also the matter that Left Deputy Judicial Inspector, who had been out on assignment, was returning soon. His official documents had already arrived, and he would be back in the capital by tomorrow. He had written to her saying that the trip had yielded some results, but since his rank was low, he had not been able to spread his reach across the entire breadth of the Court’s needs — so he intended to come and call on her in person over the next couple of days.

She needed to have the documents for the case closing ready for him tomorrow.

Then again, the year was nearly over. She was already beginning preparations for the Court of Judicial Review’s New Year supplies. People began buying their own New Year goods in the latter part of the twelfth month — if you distributed things too late, everything clashed with what households had already purchased, and that was no good.

With all these matters to attend to, she did not go to the women’s ward, and was therefore unaware of what had transpired there.

When a superior is absent and does not press into a subordinate’s affairs at the moment they go wrong, that is a wise superior.

Wu Xiang had such a superior — and was still in a poor mood over Zhou Wan’s conduct. Since she and her mother had talked openly about the matter of her mother’s previous husband, the two of them got along with considerably more ease than before, and Wu Xiang no longer hid her frustrations about work too carefully.

She came home today looking weary. Her mother noticed at once, and asked: “What’s wrong? Something troubling you?”

Wu Xiang said: “Told you about the thorny one — well, today I actually saw what thorny really looks like. That Zhou Wan — she said outright that she passed on her own merits and it had nothing to do with anyone else! And she called her colleagues’ dedication to their work fawning on a man. She’s out of her mind!”

Her mother said: “What are you bothering yourself with a lunatic for? Can’t you send her away?”

“That’s just it — I can’t,” Wu Xiang said. “Neither can Senior Warden Cui. Neither of us can make decisions for the Court of Judicial Review.”

“Then ask Young Official Zhù to step in! He certainly can.”

“Won’t that make me look incapable?”

Her mother laughed: “What would capable look like? If you can’t handle the problem, you’re incapable. If you consult someone, learn how, and then handle it — there’s your capability. Are you waiting for your superior to come and consult you? Even if he happens to let slip just a sentence or two, you’ll benefit from it forever.”

“Mother — you’re at it again. I’m only a ninth-rank prison warden, and by the look of things, there’s no bigger prison for me to manage, and no promotion waiting for me.”

“Dear me, just managing to hold onto your post and not have it taken away — that’s no easy thing either!” Her mother said. “When you’ve done everything well, what is left for a superior to do? Coming up a little short and asking for advice — listen to me. I’ll go ahead and feel things out.”

“Mother~”

Her mother hugged her daughter close, smiling: “Yes~”

Mother and daughter looked at the evening sky together. In winter, dark fell early. Her mother decided not to go out today and planned instead to visit Zhang Xiangu the next afternoon. She had already taken the measure of Zhang Xiangu: there were quite a few women like her in the world — of middling quality themselves, yet fortunate enough in their children that you had no choice but to cultivate the connection. Zhang Xiangu had another virtue in her favor: she was straightforward. She did not overcompensate for her own inadequacies by developing a pettiness of character, forcing everyone around her to make odd accommodations in order to shore up some private psychological need of hers, thereby exhausting the people close to her. That kind made life considerably more difficult for everyone around them.

That evening, Wu Xiang gave her mother an earful of complaints. She griped about Constable Wu — “she doesn’t bristle at me directly, but wherever she is, she’s a thorn in the side” — because she was the local veteran who knew everything, an unsettling presence for any newcomer superior. She said nothing worth praising about Zhou Wan. She said Constable Che “is reliable and trustworthy — I should be able to lean on her, but her wits aren’t quite sharp enough so I don’t quite dare.” She said Miss Fu “says far too little, and I have no idea what she’s thinking”…

She went through them one by one, and it turned out every single one of them required careful handling.

Her mother listened and said: “My poor child — you’ve had a hard time of it!”

Wu Xiang nuzzled against her mother’s shoulder and said: “Yes! Let us sleep together tonight, you and I.”

“Of course.”

Zhù Ying was unaware that a mother and daughter had worked out a plan involving her. She only knew that old Constable Wu was at her home right now reporting to her in secret.

Wu Xiang had said no one was to speak of what had happened — but Constable Wu’s internal calculations said nothing about following that order. It was plain to her that Zhou Wan was not truly satisfied either. And so Constable Wu felt she had an obligation to inform Zhù Ying. Worst came to worst, the girl could just be removed! Three-legged toads were hard to find, but two-legged people were everywhere!

She went home and said to her husband: “Young Official Zhù selected and refined these people herself. If there’s something wrong with them, Young Official Zhù ought to know.”

Little Tao said: “But she told you not to say anything.”

“Nonsense! Even without her, we’d still be getting by. But if something went wrong for Young Official Zhù, we’d be the ones who suffered!”

“Then let’s go next door and talk with Father-in-law first.”

Constable Wu had not married far — her home and her parents’ home were right next door. She had made a door in the shared wall between the two courtyards, plugged only for sleeping. She didn’t need to go through the main gate — just knock on the moon gate and say “I’m back!” The couple went together to see her father.

Old Wu listened to his daughter recount the whole story, then said: “We don’t speak of this to anyone else — but we do tell Young Official Zhù. Both of you come with me to Young Official Zhù’s home. Girl — tell him everything exactly as you heard it.”

“Young Official Zhù is a good person — he won’t think I’m just gossiping, will he?”

Old Wu said: “Then you won’t say too much! Listen to me: before you go in, get your tears ready. Actually, start crying now, not crying like that yet! Go to the kitchen, get a bit of onion!”

Constable Wu was made by her own father to chop half a small onion to pieces, until tears and snot were running freely. Old Wu said: “Quick now — don’t get the onion smell on you. Cry just like that. Get the carriage, let’s go!”

Constable Wu arrived at the Zhù household with red-rimmed eyes, walking behind her husband. After her father and husband had briefly explained the situation, she knelt down herself and said: “Young Official Zhù — I am in such a terrible position! I should follow my superior’s word — but I couldn’t bear for you to be kept in the dark. What a terrible gossip I am! I’ve committed a sin with my mouth!”

Zhù Ying promptly gestured for her to rise and said to Little Tao: “You’re just watching your wife kneel like that? Help her up! Come — let’s all sit down and talk properly.”

Du Dajie brought out tea and refreshments. Constable Wu recounted everything: how Constable Che had spoken to Zhou Wan, how Zhou Wan had responded, the argument, the mediation, and finally the sessions where Wu Xiang and Cui Jiacheng had called everyone in to speak.

Old Wu said with concern: “Young Official Zhù, you must be on your guard. These women — they’ve never done proper work before, they don’t understand discipline! My daughter here, though she’s been somewhat pampered too, grew up at least listening to official business.”

Zhù Ying listened patiently throughout. When she heard Zhou Wan’s words, she showed no anger. When she heard the constables defending her, she gave a faint smile. Finally she said to Constable Wu: “Thank you very much today.”

Constable Wu hastened to say: “Please don’t mention it. As long as you are all right.”

Zhù Ying smiled and nodded: “Everyone will be all right. When you go back, don’t get into any more arguments with her — let things go on as usual. She is still young — she can be taught slowly. As for your supervisors, they are also new to this. If something comes up, keep your eyes and ears open. Don’t think of yourself as a spy, doing something shameful. We all want what’s best for the Court of Judicial Review. When the Court does well, we all do well.”

Old Wu and his family of three all smiled. He said: “That’s right! But you need Director Zheng to do well, and Young Official Zhù to do well — when you two are well, we’ll be following along just fine.”

Zhù Ying said: “As it happens, since you’re here — there’s something I wanted to ask you about. At New Year, what kind of goods would be most suitable for people in the capital? I’m not a local, and in past years I only ever managed what my own family needed. This year I need to think about everyone.”

“This year at New Year there’s another extra supplement?” asked Old Wu.

“As long as nothing unexpected eats up the budget in the next two months,” Zhù Ying said.

The family of three felt even more certain they had done the right thing in coming! Constable Wu herself mentioned two items she had been wanting to purchase but felt were a little extravagant to buy in full quantity. With the supplement supplementing what was already there, it would be entirely comfortable. Zhù Ying said: “Noted.”

Constable Wu said: “Oh, our Court of Judicial Review really is so good! My little cousin is so envious! She said she wonders if there will ever be another chance to come out and serve!”

Zhù Ying said: “Is she a cousin on your mother’s side?”

“Yes — an aunt’s daughter. Last time when you were selecting people, she was too shy and didn’t dare go. Now it’s too late… I don’t know if…”

Old Wu coughed once, cutting her off, and said: “The higher-ups will make arrangements for these things! All the positions are filled now.”

Zhù Ying said: “If there’s another selection in future, it’ll likely involve some harder work.”

Constable Wu said: “That’s fine!”

Zhù Ying nodded: “When you go back, do keep careful watch. This time with the prisoners coming in — you must be thorough.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying said: “It’s turned dark — I won’t keep you any longer, don’t want you running afoul of the night patrol. Du Dajie, give old Constable Wu a lantern to take home with them.”