Xiao Jiang had made up her mind to leave the capital. The little dark-haired girl had grown quite familiar with this young woman’s temperament. She studied Xiao Jiang’s expression carefully, and seeing she wasn’t joking, the little dark-haired girl quickly nodded. “Young mistress, I’ll go with you. I’m not staying in the capital either.”

Xiao Jiang said, “Have you thought it through?”

“Yes!” The little dark-haired girl hadn’t really thought much about it at all — if they were going, they’d go. She didn’t have any particular plans for the future, nor did she dwell on such things. She lived one day at a time, and besides, going on a long journey to see the sights with a familiar mistress she was comfortable with — a bit of hardship and fatigue was nothing.

Xiao Jiang patted her on the head and said, “All right then. First let’s pack our bags, and we’ll buy a cart as well.”

The little dark-haired girl said, “Not hire one? Buy a cart — what about a driver?”

Xiao Jiang smiled. “Just the two of us. My hands are a bit rusty, but I can teach you.”

“Sure!” The little dark-haired girl leaped to her feet, at the most energetic age of her life, delighted to learn a new skill.

Xiao Jiang and the little dark-haired girl packed their bags while asking around about buying a cart. They had lived there for several years and had accumulated a good many odds and ends over time — after a whole day’s work, they still hadn’t finished packing, and they hadn’t found a suitable cart either.

The next day, Xiao Jiang still taught the pipa as usual, but before the female entertainers left, she entrusted one of them to deliver a message to Ji Jiu Niang: “Please ask Jiu Niang to come tomorrow — there’s something I need to discuss.”

Though Ji Jiu Niang didn’t know what it was about, she still found time to come by.

Ever since Xiao Jiang had moved away from the pleasure quarter, she had settled not far away but no longer went back to that street. Ji Jiu Niang was busy herself, and sensible enough to know when to keep her distance — after entrusting her two girls to Xiao Jiang for pipa lessons, she had rarely come by. She had tallied up the days; the pipa fees had been settled in full with Xiao Jiang as well. Xiao Jiang had always charged her a discounted rate, so it was unlikely she would suddenly raise her prices now.

Could she be wanting to ask a favor?

Ji Jiu Niang went out with a handful of coins tucked away just in case, and walked to Xiao Jiang’s home.

She knocked, and the little dark-haired girl opened the door. Ji Jiu Niang looked inside and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Ever since Xiao Jiang had obtained a Daoist ordination certificate, she had arranged the place to resemble a small Daoist temple — modest in size, but with a deity figure enshrined, and everything around it clean and tidy.

She smiled and asked, “Is there something your young mistress needs?”

The little dark-haired girl said, “Jiu Niang, come in and you’ll see.”

Entering the rooms, Ji Jiu Niang still noticed nothing unusual. Xiao Jiang invited her into the eastern chamber’s private sitting room. Ji Jiu Niang started in surprise: “Pearl, you — what’s all this packing for?”

Xiao Jiang said, “Jiu Niang, I’ve been in your care all these years, and I’m grateful. Something has come up recently — I want to leave for a while. So I’d like to entrust this house to you.”

“You — where are you going?” Ji Jiu Niang furrowed her brow. “You’re a woman traveling alone — do you have company?”

“Little Ya will come with me.”

Ji Jiu Niang felt even more uneasy. “You once called me Auntie, so I have to ask you plainly. What is your reason? If you won’t tell me the truth, I can’t take this on. The life you have now wasn’t easy to build! Steady and peaceful — that’s worth more than anything.”

Xiao Jiang smiled. “I know. I just want to get out and walk about for a while.”

Ji Jiu Niang said, “When that official Zhù left, I was worried you’d do something rash and try to follow him. Now he’s gone so far away, and you — oh heavens, don’t tell me you’ve heard news of him and your heart is stirred again? Please, settle down. Take my advice: he’s a good person, but he’s no ordinary person either — and not someone the likes of us can hold onto. Don’t go fishing for the moon’s reflection.”

“Jiu Niang, I know my own mind. If it’s inconvenient for you, I’ll find someone else to entrust the house to—”

Ji Jiu Niang said, “What kind of thing is that to say? It’s as if I — you — you!” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

Xiao Jiang laughed. “I understand. For women like us, having a few peaceful days isn’t easy. But what do I have left in this lifetime, Jiu Niang? Can I find a respectable family to marry into and become a proper wife? Or dream of being like that Madam Guan who once had position and then lost everything? There are so many people in this world, but there was only ever one Madam Guan — and she’s dead. These past days I’ve been thinking: I want to be reckless just once.”

Ji Jiu Niang said, “Are you bewitched?”

Xiao Jiang said, “What does it mean to be bewitched? Thinking that having a courtyard to live in, basking in the sunlight, letting life pass just like that, letting nothing disturb that existence — isn’t that its own kind of bewitchment?

I’m not leaving because of that person. It just suddenly feels like this life has grown flat and tasteless. As for the person you mentioned — there’s already someone else by his side. That’s not what I’m thinking about.

I want to entrust the house to you, to collect rent on my behalf. Whatever you charge, you decide — I only ask that you save two strings of coins for me each year. When I come back, if the house is still here, I’ll be grateful. Don’t look at me like that — I will come back, of course. I have a home and property. Why wouldn’t I return? Life here has simply become too dull.”

Ji Jiu Niang said, “Oh — clearing your head? Well, that’s not bad.”

Xiao Jiang smiled. “Isn’t it?”

“But is the road safe? Just you, and even if you have Little Ya with you, if either of you gets so much as a headache, the two of you would have a hard time managing!”

“I have my ordination certificate.” Xiao Jiang had thought it all through. Having the formal status of a registered Daoist was genuinely useful — she could take shelter at any Daoist temple along the way. Without a temple nearby, inns would accommodate her more easily, and she wouldn’t be turned away if she tried to rest at an official post station. If her funds ran low on the road, she could tell fortunes, cast divinations, perform religious ceremonies, and earn her meals. Begging for alms would also be easier.

Whatever the case, now that the idea had taken hold, she had no desire to go on living in the capital.

She said, “I have a little spare money saved. I’ll get a horse cart, so we won’t have to suffer wind and rain on the road.”

“I’d worry about a cart driver on a long journey turning treacherous, or bandits lying in ambush on the road.”

“I’ll keep to the official roads.”

Ji Jiu Niang said, “But where exactly are you going?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I have no burdens holding me back now, and talking about ‘the future’ or ‘old age’ seems too distant. I can’t wait until I’m too old to walk and then look back with nothing to remember but bitter things. I want to find some joy for myself while I still can, so I’ll have something to talk about with people later on.”

A flicker of envy appeared in Ji Jiu Niang’s eyes. She said, “Pearl, your fate has been hard, but your luck is good. To be able to do things on your own terms, just once — to live freely — that’s not bad at all.” She thought for a moment, then took all the money from her person and handed it to Xiao Jiang. “Take this. A rich road is better than a poor one — you can’t seriously mean to beg your way through with that Daoist certificate, can you?”

Xiao Jiang tried to refuse, but Ji Jiu Niang said, “Didn’t you ask me to collect rent? Between your two properties, won’t I take in at least a few dozen strings of coins a year? Consider this an advance.” As she spoke, she also unclasped the several gold ornaments she wore and gave those to Xiao Jiang as well.

Xiao Jiang said, “Don’t be in such a hurry — I’m not leaving today. Let me draw up a proper agreement first, in case something happens to me and someone comes to trouble you over the property. Looking at this city lately, it’s not as orderly as it was when Lord Wang was in charge.”

Ji Jiu Niang said, “Good idea. When we sign the contract, I’ll bring the money then.”

The two agreed on a plan. Once Xiao Jiang had everything ready to go, Ji Jiu Niang would come to sign the contract and see her off, and give her some spending money for the road.

Xiao Jiang spent several more days finishing her packing, and finally managed to purchase a suitable cart. Rather than a horse, she used a mule to pull it. Ji Jiu Niang and the others helped too, bringing a veterinarian to examine the mule, who declared it sturdy enough and unlikely to die on the road. Xiao Jiang signed the contract with Ji Jiu Niang, entrusting both properties to her care. Ji Jiu Niang would collect the rent, saving ten strings of coins per year for Xiao Jiang; whatever remained was Ji Jiu Niang’s to keep, and any repairs to the properties would also be Ji Jiu Niang’s responsibility.

Xiao Jiang set out with a pipa on her back, distributing all the other instruments in the house as gifts to her students.

Before she departed, Jiu Niang brought more gold and silver to serve as travel money. The other women were reluctant to part with her — some gave handkerchiefs, some pressed a little private savings into her hands, and some brought her packets of prepared medicinal pills.

They parted in tears.

Xiao Jiang and the little dark-haired girl both wore Daoist robes. The weather was fine, and they sat together on the cart’s footboard. Xiao Jiang knew how to drive the cart, just somewhat unpracticed — going slowly was fine.

The little dark-haired girl sat on the footboard, thoroughly delighted. “What beautiful weather!” She glanced at Xiao Jiang and saw her face was completely relaxed — utterly different from the taut expression she had worn back in the capital. She said, “Young mistress, are you happy?”

Xiao Jiang thought about it and said, “Not particularly. But I’m not unhappy either.”

“Young mistress, you even know how to drive a cart.”

“Yes. The last time I came to the capital, I drove the cart myself.”

“Teach me too. I’ll drive, and you can rest inside.”

“All right. We’ll take turns.”

The two of them traveled slowly, learning as they went. At first they covered only about twenty li a day, and neither of them found this particularly troublesome. When they reached a post station, they would find a small room; if the station sold meals, they would buy a little something. If the common fare didn’t suit them, the little dark-haired girl would beg a moment at the kitchen stove and cook some rice and vegetables for herself and Xiao Jiang. Sleeping in strange places at night, they weren’t especially frightened — they bolted the doors and windows and both felt a little excited.

After two days of travel, they had only covered fifty or sixty li from the capital. Xiao Jiang’s driving was gradually growing smoother, and the little dark-haired girl wanted to learn as well.

The two of them kept to the official roads. When they reached a post station, they would settle in first and then wander about to explore. Listening to the station staff describe local customs, they would visit places they found interesting and simply move on from anything that didn’t appeal. The area near the capital didn’t interest them much, and Xiao Jiang was also worried about running into “acquaintances” close to home, so they didn’t go sightseeing for the first few days.

That evening, they sat in the corner of a post station’s common hall, eating thin rice porridge and gnawing on salted vegetables, when several horses suddenly arrived outside. After a few days on the road, the two women had grown able to guess people’s origins from their clothing — these arrivals were likely couriers carrying official government correspondence.

Sure enough, after arriving, the men requested two rooms and sat in the common hall eating and chatting. One of them said, “Eat quickly. Once we’re done, we’ll turn in early and get up at dawn tomorrow.”

A younger man said, “Why rush? Isn’t this just a reply dispatch for that official Zhù?”

The first man replied, “It’s precisely because it’s for him that we need to be prompt. Careful you don’t slack off here while he’s sitting over there telling it all with a pinch of his fingers.”

“Is he really that accurate?”

“Haven’t you heard? A child was taken by someone, he pinched his fingers and calculated it was a servant who did it, and the child was right there in the house all along…”

The little dark-haired girl stifled a laugh and leaned close to Xiao Jiang, whispering, “Back in the capital, weren’t they saying it was Lord Zhù’s clever arrangement — that he sent capable people flying through the air and boring through the earth to find things out?”

Xiao Jiang said, “Shh. Let’s hear how they spin it.”

The men on the other side had stopped telling tall tales anyway and moved on to discussing how Chen Meng had been promoted. Some envied him for having a good father. Others spoke up for Zhù Ying, saying she had accomplished so much, and in the end the Prime Minister’s son got promoted while she was still sent three thousand li away. “Such is human fate — talent is no match for having a good father!”

Someone else said, “You don’t know the full story. He and Prime Minister Chen are from the same hometown. I heard that when she left the capital, the Prime Minister brought their fellow townspeople to see her off. These things among the great and powerful — it’s not our place to speculate.”

“The same hometown? I’d never really heard that before.”

“Ha! Would they ever tell you?”

Xiao Jiang listened with growing absorption. That night, back in their room with the little dark-haired girl, she said, “Little Ya, I know where we’re going now.”

“Where?!” the little dark-haired girl asked excitedly — a girl of only fifteen or sixteen, at the age of lively curiosity.

Xiao Jiang said, “We’re going to Prime Minister Chen’s hometown. I want to take a look.”

“It’s that person’s hometown, isn’t it?” she said, then hunched her neck, bracing for Xiao Jiang’s anger.

To her surprise, Xiao Jiang took no offense at the teasing and instead said, “I nearly grew up there myself. I missed it before — now that I can make my own choices, I want to go and see it.”

“Fine! Let’s see it!” The little dark-haired girl had just put her foot in it and was now quick to agree.

“Sleep now.”

“Yes!”

……——

Zhù Ying had no idea that someone had heard a few stray words by chance and decided to first visit her hometown. She was busy dealing with matters related to the merchant caravan.

The caravan that had followed along with her was particular about timing. The first few hundred li had gone smoothly, but they had been delayed here for many days. A merchant’s profit and loss was not something that would change just because something had happened at court. Arriving late and missing the right season meant their goods could drop in price, and the goods they wanted to buy might be gone.

Zhù Ying gathered the merchants together. Those willing to wait and travel onward with her could stay. Those who weren’t would receive a portion of the fees they had paid her back, and she would find passing officials to take them along on the next leg. Zhù Ying was currently staying at the post station rather than the government office, and officials passing through would all stop at the post station. Anyone who received word would come to call on her.

Some came to see what kind of person had uncovered the great case. Others paid courtesy visits. And some thought: “Just one meeting — having her recognize my face can’t hurt.”

It was easy enough to find them other arrangements.

Among the merchants, some were in no hurry and stayed on. Some wanted to go. Most were reluctant to demand back the money they had already paid Zhù Ying, but Zhù Ying calculated the distance traveled and settled accounts with each of them individually.

After finishing all this, two groups of the traveling caravan departed. Zhù Ying finally welcomed Chen Meng’s arrival.

Chen Meng had been promoted quite suddenly. He had to finish up all his pending official duties, tally his accounts, inventory the county’s granaries and storehouses, complete the handover with the deputy magistrate who would remain behind — and only after all of that could he pack his bags and make his way over.

He had already learned something of the case, so rather than going directly into the city and taking up residence at the government office, he came first to the post station to see Zhù Ying.

Between their last meeting and now — only about a month — the world had already changed entirely.

Hearing that Chen Meng had arrived, Zhù Ying ran out to welcome him. Chen Meng jumped down from his horse, and the single word “Sanlang” carried with it a world of unspoken feeling.

Zhù Ying said, “Lord First Son, why not go to the government office? The buildings there have already been repaired.”

“Oh! Ah, you always manage things so well, it never gives anyone a moment’s worry. But I thought it best to come and see you first.”

Zhù Ying said, “You’ve only just arrived — why not rest first? Once you’ve rested, we’ll complete the handover, and then you can sort out everything else at your own pace. I almost forgot — congratulations, congratulations.”

To her surprise, Chen Meng’s face showed not a trace of satisfaction. Instead he said, “Purely by luck.”

Zhù Ying wanted to leave as soon as possible, but there were still quite a few things to attend to — especially since it was Chen Meng who had come, which meant the handover had to be done with particular care. Chen Meng had not spent these past years as county magistrate in vain. He could read accounts somewhat now, and had grasped many of the procedural details of official business. Seeing that Zhù Ying had prepared a clean ledger for him and left behind a portion of funds and grain for operational use, Chen Meng was moved beyond words.

“I’ve done nothing at all. This post should be yours.”

Zhù Ying said, “What nonsense. How could I ever serve here as prefect? And it’s not as if you simply fell into good fortune either — your father specifically arranged for you to serve as county magistrate to temper you. Your current position is a return to where you belong.”

Chen Meng said, “I used to think so too, in the past. These two years have opened my eyes, and I no longer dare to feel that it’s simply a matter of my own merit or that I somehow deserve it. I used to wallow in self-pity, but looking back now — what did that ever amount to? The son of a Prime Minister, entering official service directly at the sixth rank — yet how much real ability did I actually possess? Someone of the ninth rank could still dupe me! Without true ability, the virtue doesn’t match the position — and the one who ends up shamed is yourself. Enough, let’s not talk about it.”

As the handover progressed, Chen Meng came to appreciate more and more just how capable Zhù Ying was. Previously, the “ability” and “loyal devotion” he had witnessed in her had mostly been scattered trifles of domestic matters. Now, touching on actual governance, he truly understood what “capable,” “loyal devotion,” and “knows how to get things done” really meant. No wonder Zheng Xi would regard so highly a penniless young person with no connections whatsoever — treating her as a trusted confidant within just a few years.

Chen Meng said, “Truly capable of all things.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ve been so busy these past two days that I haven’t had the chance to pay my respects to your parents. How did they fare on the journey? I’d like to call on them.”

“Of course.” Before, this First Young Lord Chen had merely been “not too unpleasant.” Now he had actually grown somewhat likable.

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da, though they sometimes grumbled behind his back that the First Young Lord was arrogant and didn’t understand people, would calm down and think: “Perhaps it’s that we’re not worthy of his courtesy,” and let their grievances go. He was the Prime Minister’s son — if he looked down on them, so be it. He was in a position to, and they were not.

When Chen Meng invited the whole family to a banquet, both parents were quite nervous for a while. Zhang Xiangu even dug out her ceremonial noblewoman’s robes to wear in honor of the occasion.

Huajie said, “Adoptive mother, there’s no need. Just wear your everyday clothes.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “That won’t do — do you know who he is? We can’t look as though we have no manners.”

After much persuasion, they reached a compromise. Everyone wore embroidered clothing. Zhang Xiangu stuck a gold hairpin in her hair, Zhù Da tucked a jade pendant at his waist, and the old couple sat down to drink with Chen Meng with great ceremony.

In the past, Chen Meng would not have thought anything of these two. Now he raised his cup and offered a toast to them, saying, “I’ve always been coming and going from your home, yet I never managed to sit down to a proper meal with you two elders. Looking back, there won’t be many more chances.”

Zhù Da said, “There will be, there will be! In the future, in the future, ha.”

Chen Meng didn’t mind that he didn’t know what to say. Zhang Xiangu, in that moment, tried to imitate the dignified ladies of noble families — keeping her composure and saying little. When Chen Meng offered a toast, she drank. Huajie sat to the side as well. There was no ill will between her and Chen Meng, and the two had a moment of silent understanding. Chen Meng said, “Take care of yourself on the road. If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to consider me a cousin.”

Huajie drank her cup at a single draught, rose, and gave him a bow. “You have shown me great kindness and generous affection over the years. If you don’t consider it beneath you, please don’t stand on ceremony with me when there’s anything I’m able to do.”

“Good.”

Zhù Ying said, “That settles it nicely. Over the years, Eldest Sister has had a certain wistfulness toward others, but she’s always remembered the First Young Lord.”

Chen Meng, slightly warmed by the wine, said, “Could you stop calling me First Young Lord? There’s a faintly mocking edge to it. I could bear it before, but it doesn’t sit well with me anymore.”

Zhù Ying laughed. “Elder Brother, drink up.”

Chen Meng drained his cup and said, “Where you’re going is quite remote. Work hard — and when the time is right, you must come back!”

Zhang Xiangu watched her daughter nervously. Zhù Ying said, “That also depends on what the Council of State and the Ministry of Personnel decide.”

Chen Meng gave a sincere promise: “I will remember.”

“Good.”

Zhang Xiangu grew even more anxious. She didn’t want her daughter to return to the capital — she thought it would be best if her daughter could remain a local official indefinitely. Being her own authority in her own domain would make it much harder for anyone to expose her true identity. She couldn’t help herself: “Big — Elder Brother, she’s only just gone and done what? Going back to the capital — being a county magistrate is perfectly fine.”

In the past, Chen Meng would have inwardly dismissed this country woman for her limited vision. Now he patiently explained to Zhang Xiangu: “Even without returning to the capital, one still needs to be promoted.”

“That’s still so far away — please don’t waste your influence on her behalf. You look after yourself well, that’s enough.”

People were always coming to him to seek favors and official positions. The fact that Zhang Xiangu was actually asking him not to interfere left Chen Meng finding this woman rather endearing. He explained even more patiently: “Not so far. She is already of the sixth rank — she’s still going to serve as county magistrate because the Council of State has already issued the order and it can’t be immediately changed. Sanlang, the Council of State is tempering you. A blade is sharpened to be drawn — don’t lose heart. Aunt, even if she can’t become a prefectural governor after her county term, she can serve as a regional administrator. At the very least, she could serve as a deputy.”

He even made a firm pledge that Zhù Ying would certainly not languish indefinitely in such a remote frontier posting!

Zhang Xiangu only half understood, and became even more anxious. “Deputy — deputy? No — no proper post then?”

“Mother, I’ll explain it all to you when we get back.”

Chen Meng said, “There is one, of course.” Then he went on to explain about “the two levels of prefecture and county, but with some variations in between, with the addition of circuits, and the adjustment of ranks according to present needs…”

Zhang Xiangu couldn’t understand any of this. Zhù Ying said, “Mother, what Elder Brother means is that there will always be a place for me.”

Chen Meng said, “Exactly.” He had begun to realize halfway through that Zhang Xiangu couldn’t understand a word, but having opened his mouth, he didn’t want people to think he looked down on her, and had no choice but to press doggedly on. Only her own child could read her so well — a single sentence was enough to make it clear to Zhang Xiangu.

Chen Meng quietly wiped a mental sweat from his brow, thinking: I am never getting into a conversation with you again.

He changed direction and addressed Zhù Ying: “When you go back to your hometown, it will certainly be different from what you remember. I’ll tell you now — the matter of your household registration and so forth has all been properly arranged.”

“Oh?”

Chen Meng said, “The earlier arrangement was a bit rough around the edges. Anyone with a mind to investigate needed only go once to Zhū Family Village and it would unravel. It’s all been sorted out properly now. Ha — what else are fellow townspeople good for?”

Zhù Ying said, “Prime Minister Chen also suggested I go back for a visit. So that’s why. Many thanks.”

The people at the table were Zhù Ying’s family of three plus Huajie, so Chen Meng laid everything out plainly.

Chen Meng said, “What is there to thank? You must absolutely go. Otherwise, an official serving away from home who has the opportunity to return to their hometown but doesn’t — that would inevitably arouse suspicion. Make it convincing. The old family home, the ancestral graves — all of it must be in order. You were originally people who lived in the countryside, who never left the village your whole lives — whatever happened beyond the village walls had nothing to do with your past. You were simply ordinary farming folk. Understood?”

Zhù Ying said, “Yes.”

Zhang Xiangu snatched the wine cup from Zhù Da’s hand and dumped it: “You old fool, did you hear that?! We have always been farmers in Zhū Family Village!”

Zhù Da said, “Hey! I know, I know — when have I ever been muddleheaded about this? Surname Zhù, farming, bad at farming.”

Chen Meng burst out laughing. “Exactly. That’s it.”

With the Chen Prime Minister and the others handling things, Zhù Ying’s background could be firmly established. Fellow townspeople were indeed useful. As for the various people who had seen the old family performing spirit-medium rituals — if they just flatly refused to recognize anything, nothing could be proven.

Zhù Ying said, “In many biographies, it’s written: ‘His origins are unknown’ — were those people in the same situation as me?”

Chen Meng and Huajie both laughed. “That didn’t stop them from becoming renowned ministers and having their names recorded in history.”

Chen Meng had spoken at length about things the old couple couldn’t follow, but this last part they truly understood. The two of them lost their stiffness and raised their cups to toast Chen Meng, both saying, “Elder Brother, you are a good man.”

The Zhù family was always especially warm to those they recognized as “good people.” The next day, Zhù Ying found Chen Meng again and handed over the network of connections she had built up over the past month — including such figures as the nearby garrison commander. Then she bid Chen Meng farewell and set out once more on the road to her posting. Her next stop was her long-absent hometown.

……

Zhù Da no longer mentioned anything about returning home in glory.

He had to be a farmer who had quietly gone unnoticed in his village all along — unable to show off to his old companions from his spirit-medium days, unable to announce to his former clients that Zhù Da was no longer some scavenging charlatan but a venerable elder of honor.

Yet his inward regrets were quickly swept away by a flood of flattery.

After Zhù Ying set out again on the road, at every post station she stopped at, people gathered to watch her. Local officials with means would invite her to dinner, and gifts were pressed on her entire family at the same time. Some simply came to see a person of some renown; others thought that meeting her face to face — just one meeting — was enough. Nothing particularly meaningful was said; just one meeting would do.

She had an excellent memory. Who knew whether she might remember them the next time?

Zhù Ying — a pauper who had intended to work her way down the list of names given her by Zheng Xi, Chen Meng, and Wang Yunhe and call on each one so she could sponge off them — found herself collecting money without even having to make the effort, just by traveling the road. The merchants traveling with her also benefited considerably from this.

Before long, Zhù Ying reached the hometown she had not seen in many years.

Zhù Ying first paid a visit to the new prefect of the area. The government office she had once set ablaze had long since been rebuilt and showed no trace of the fire. She still stayed at the post station, though her circumstances were now worlds apart from when she had left. Zhù Da shared meals and drinks with officials, taking no bribes and refusing to meddle in any affairs.

With her parents presenting no cause for concern, Zhù Ying set about the task of playing postal courier for her fellow townspeople. Her fellow townspeople in the capital had all manner of letters they wanted her to carry; she went from household to household, personally delivering letters and parcels to the homes of these fellow townspeople.

Manors that she had once been able to enter only by climbing over walls now had people inviting her in through the front gate, and she felt no particular emotion about this. Whether she climbed walls or walked through doors, she could get in either way — what was there to feel?

On the second day she spent in the prefectural city, Zhang Xiangu said to Zhù Ying, “Huajie told me that she wants to take Nanny Du out tomorrow on an errand. When I asked what for, she said she wants to pay her respects at the graves of the couple who raised her. I was thinking — given her background, things are a bit awkward, and the Xu family here might make things difficult for her. What do you think?”

Zhù Ying said, “I understand. I’ll go with her.”

Huajie was reluctant to trouble Zhù Ying, but Zhù Ying said, “It’s no trouble at all.” She accompanied Huajie in preparing incense, candles, and offerings; they rode horses and took a cart to the burial grounds. When the two of them found the graves of the Xu couple, they discovered that fresh earth had been piled over them, the tombstones had been wiped clean, and the offerings placed before them had not yet decayed.

Huajie said, with some relief, “I’m glad they haven’t been forgotten. I was afraid that with no children of their own, the clan relatives might only tend to them perfunctorily during the seasonal sacrifices. Good — I’ve seen it now. I can rest easy. Let’s move on and take care of your business. We’ll go back to see Mother last.”

Some of the fellow townspeople resided in the prefectural city, but several others lived in the various counties, so she left the merchant caravan and accompanying luggage at the post station and traveled lightly with her family to deliver the letters one by one, finally making her way to the county where her own hometown was located.

She first paid a courtesy call on the county magistrate.

Several years had passed, and the county magistrate was no longer the same one as before. The current magistrate’s rank was now lower than hers, and when she arrived at the county office, she was offered the seat of honor.

Zhù Ying said, “As the guest, I should follow the host’s lead. I’m about to take up a county magistrate’s post myself — how could I presume to overstep in the presence of a senior?”

She and the magistrate got on well. She asked about Yu Ping, and the magistrate said, “Which Yu Ping?” He called for someone to inquire and learned that Yu Ping had long been dead. Zhù Ying said, “He was a relative on the maternal side of a family acquaintance. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to put up some money to have his grave properly tended.”

The magistrate said, “That’s a simple matter!” He ordered someone to look into it. Yu Ping had died in poverty. The once-impressive county office scribe, the vigorous nephew in his prime who had been able to back up his aunt, had been beaten and dismissed from his post when the authorities cracked down on unlawful conduct among lower clerks, and from then on had sunk ever lower. Drinking, gambling, and then death. His first wife had long since been taken back by her father and remarried.

Zhù Ying sighed, had someone bring payment, and commissioned the repairs to his grave. She did not go to oversee the work herself. The grave tending was purely out of regard for Yu Miaomiao; otherwise, given Yu Ping’s attempt to betray both her and Zhang Xiangu, she would have had ample grounds to settle scores with him.

The magistrate offered to accompany her to Zhū Family Village, but Zhù Ying said, “I wouldn’t dare impose — please don’t let me interrupt your official duties. We know the way back ourselves.”

The magistrate had Yu Miaomiao’s adopted son brought out to lead the way for Zhù Ying’s party, and dispatched a squad of constables to escort them to Zhū Family Village. Zhù Ying thanked him and did not refuse the magistrate’s kindness a second time.

Zhù Ying had a memory of Yu Miaomiao’s adopted son — an ordinary acquaintance, no grudge or particular warmth between them. He had grown a beard now and faintly resembled a prosperous middle-aged man of property. Zhù Ying said, “We meet again.”

Huajie was even more emotional about it. Since he was the adopted son, she treated him as a stand-in for Yu Miaomiao’s son, calling him “Second Young Master” and “Second Uncle.”

Zhū Second Young Master was quite courteous toward Huajie but wasn’t sure how to address her. He hesitated, and Huajie smiled and said, “That was a temporary arrangement. Now I’m simply Mother’s daughter-in-law and Sanlang’s elder sister.”

Only then did Zhū Second Young Master address her as “Eldest Sister-in-Law,” and his gaze toward Zhù Ying also warmed slightly.

Zhù Ying asked, “Is everything all right at home?”

Zhū Second Young Master gave a crooked smile. “They don’t dare to be otherwise.”

Zhù Ying laughed. “That’s good enough! Second Young Master, how do you think we should head back?”

“Anytime. Just go.”

“Good.”

……

The constables beat gongs to clear the road, and Zhù Ying finally cut something of a figure as an official on the move.

The road to Zhū Family Village was much as she remembered it, unchanged even down to the tea stall by the roadside — it hadn’t been renovated at all. Zhù Ying’s party walked some distance, and while resting and drinking water at a tea stall, they spotted a cart stuck in a ditch by the road.

Cao Chang was a helpful boy. Having finished his water, he hopped over to lend a hand.

Zhù Ying said, “How do you expect to lift it by yourself? Xiao Wu, Hou Wu — go and help too. If it comes down to it, unhitch one of our animals to haul the cart out.”

Zhū Second Young Master said, “I’ll go take a look too.” He went over with a small attendant to help.

Zhù Ying drank her water and strolled over to watch them work. As she drew nearer, she saw two women dressed as Daoist nuns standing beside the cart, their figures strikingly familiar. She quickened her pace, drew close, and heard one of the women’s voice as she offered thanks. Zhù Ying could not help but break into a faster walk. She stepped forward and said, “Xiao Jiang?”

Since it was someone she knew, Zhù Ying invited them over to the tea stall while Cao Chang and the others pushed the cart free.

Zhù Ying had no idea why Xiao Jiang had come this way, but one look at her expression told her she didn’t want to talk about it, so Zhù Ying didn’t bring it up or ask. Zhang Xiangu, seeing that her daughter had brought over two women in religious dress, did what every middle-aged woman would do — she enthusiastically launched into conversation with these two little Daoist sisters.

Looking closer, she exclaimed, “Oh? It’s you?”

She recognized the little dark-haired girl — this child had come to the Zhù household on several occasions. Zhang Xiangu then turned her eyes to the fair-complexioned young woman standing nearby, and thought to herself: This must be that person, surely?

She glanced over at Huajie.

Oh dear heavens. This was mortifying — how had they managed to run into each other like this?

Zhù Ying gave a slight shake of her head. Zhang Xiangu held herself back and asked nothing; she pinched Zhù Da as well, and he too shut his mouth.

The atmosphere turned strange. Of those who remained unaffected and entirely at ease — beyond the people pushing the cart — only Qi Tai qualified. He had no interest in other people’s affairs. He called for another pot of hot tea and told his daughter, who had no appetite, “Have a bit more — this is good.”

Xiao Jiang also noticed that something was off. She drank a sip of tea and set down her cup. Over at the cart, the vehicle had been freed, and she rose in a graceful bow. “My thanks,” she said, offering no explanation.

Zhù Ying could see how stiff she was. She also glanced at the heading of the cart and made a rough guess at her intentions. “We’re heading to Zhū Family Village,” she said. “Is that your way too? If so, we can go together. Otherwise, that village isn’t exactly… well…”

Zhū Second Young Master picked up where she trailed off. “What is there that Sanlang can’t say? That village has more than its share of things that aren’t quite human. Two women shouldn’t just wander into backcountry villages like that. It’s the same even for those in holy orders.”

Zhù Ying smiled. “Little Ya, come and bring your young mistress up into our cart.”

Xiao Jiang looked back at her and asked, “The place is dangerous?”

Zhù Ying said, “Let’s just say that these people here—” she pointed to herself and her family, Huajie, and Zhū Second Young Master — “not one of them is fond of that village.”

Xiao Jiang looked at the group. Those she didn’t know, like Zhū Second Young Master, were hard to judge, but the four Zhù family members — none of them could be called bad people. She took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry to impose.” She didn’t make a fuss or cause a scene. She climbed back onto her cart and drove it along behind the others.

Hou Wu said, “A female Daoist who can drive a cart?”

Xiao Jiang said, “I bite too.”

Hou Wu touched his nose, wishing he could slap himself — couldn’t he ever keep his mouth shut.

The group arrived in silence at Zhū Family Village. Some village people came out to meet them with expressions caught between wariness and flattery. They stared in surprise at Zhù Ying, then at Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da, and quietly hunched their shoulders. Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da wore stern faces; Huajie and Zhū Second Young Master were expressionless.

Zhù Ying was the most natural of all of them. She ushered a few of the villagers to the side. “Get ready — we’ll be paying our respects shortly. Father, Mother, you two still have things to take care of.” She needed to locate whatever family graves could be found, exhume them, and have the remains reinterred elsewhere. Those that couldn’t be found would simply receive a cenotaph in the vicinity.

She addressed each person who came out by name in greeting, then added, “I’ll also ask everyone to go on keeping watch over the household of my adoptive mother.”

The atmosphere warmed. Zhù Ying circulated among them, listening as they talked. She was told that her original old house had “fallen to ruin” — and that several people were competing to invite her to stay at their own homes.

Zhù Ying said, “Another time — I’ve only come to pay my respects to my adoptive mother and must leave shortly. Second Young Master here is my brother, so please look after him. When I return, I’ll pass through again. Come now — bring everything out, and everyone can take a share.” She had brought pigs, sheep, fruit, and wine, distributing them generously to each household. She hadn’t originally planned to be so lavish, but Prime Minister Chen and his son had reminded her — she needed to firmly establish her identity and place of origin. So she had no choice but to be gracious and courteous.

“Yes, yes!”

Zhù Ying went first to look at the old residence. The old house was entirely gone, replaced by a small courtyard of three rooms, all covered in a layer of dust. The villagers explained, “All of this is yours now.” Zhù Ying said, “Good. Second Young Master, please arrange for someone to look after the house.”

Zhū Second Young Master said, “Leave it to me.”

Then they went to pay respects at Yu Miaomiao’s grave. The robe Yu Miaomiao had once given her no longer fit and couldn’t be worn to stand before the grave for her to see. After the libation of wine, Zhù Ying watched Huajie pay respects at the grave of Zhū Da Lang and offered a cup of wine herself, leaving the others to their own observances. She pointed out Yu Miaomiao’s grave to Xiao Jiang and said, “That is my adoptive mother.”

Xiao Jiang asked, “What kind of person was she?”

Zhù Ying said, “Someone who took her own life.”

Xiao Jiang was taken aback. “She took her own life?”

“Yes. Her biological son had died long before her,” Zhù Ying said.

Xiao Jiang bowed solemnly to Yu Miaomiao, then asked Zhù Ying, “Is it possible that everyone who has been connected to me has been followed by misfortune?”

Zhù Ying said, “I can’t speak for others, but my own luck has been all right.”

The little dark-haired girl added quietly, “Mine too — I was lucky enough to find my young mistress.”

Xiao Jiang sniffled. She listened as Zhù Ying said, “The grave of Xu Youfang — that was repaired by you.”

“Yes. I saw it had half-collapsed.”

Xiao Jiang, from the moment she decided she wanted to “take a look,” had stopped dawdling or wandering on the road. She and the little dark-haired girl traveled the official roads and stayed at post stations. They weren’t in a frantic hurry, but they wasted no time either, and had arrived at the prefectural city a full day ahead of Zhù Ying, who had still been in the county seeing off Chen Meng. She had asked around first, then gone to pay respects at the graves of her unclaimed foster parents, Xu Youfang and his wife, and found the grave had been worn down by rain.

She didn’t know that the grave of Xu Youfang and his wife had once been tended by Shen Ying’s niece during the search for her, but that a series of upheavals in the capital afterward had meant no one in the city had come to look after it since. The Xu clan had been slow to maintain it, and the old grave had half-collapsed.

So Xiao Jiang had paid out of her own pocket to repair the grave and offer sacrifices to the couple.

Zhù Ying asked, “Where do you plan to go next?”

Xiao Jiang was still caught in her sadness. Hearing the question, she suddenly said, “I’ll go with you. What do you say?”

“Your legs are your own,” Zhù Ying said. “Where I’m going is quite far.”

Xiao Jiang’s temper flared a little. She raised her chin and said, “I set out to see this whole world to begin with — what does ‘far’ have to do with it? Following you, there’s sure to be plenty worth seeing. That alone will have made this journey worthwhile.”

“Fine, suit yourself,” Zhù Ying said.