After leaving the Chen family’s residence, Zhù Ying made haste to return to her hometown. The local elders there still remembered that someone like her existed, though most had no clear memory of her appearance. A few who had seen her many years ago largely dared not speak openly of her past, vaguely remarking, “Even as a child, one could tell he was no ordinary person.” Only behind closed doors would they speak their true thoughts: “For the son of a spirit-medium’s household to achieve such success — the ancestral graves must surely be sending up blue smoke.”

The Zhù family’s “ancestral graves” were indeed sending up blue smoke — paper money and offerings were cast into the fire basin, sending curls of smoke rising one after another.

Zhù Ying had returned to Zhū Family Village. She held no fondness for the place, yet she came back all the same. She felt no particular attachment to her own ancestral graves either, yet she lingered a moment longer before Yu Miaomiao’s tombstone, crouching on the ground as she slowly tore apart a book, burning it page by page with great care.

Yu Miaomiao’s adopted son kept her company. Zhù Ying had little in the way of instructions for him, but before departing she took out the book that Huajie had written and gave it to him: “Keep it as a memento. This was written by my elder sister. If there are girls in your household, it would do no harm to have them read it. It will benefit them.”

The man had grown a long beard but still accepted it with respectful courtesy: “Yes.”

Zhù Ying did not spare another glance at the graves, and left Zhū Family Village without looking back — it was time to go to the capital.

Returning to the capital by the official road still required joining the main thoroughfare leading to the city, and the nearest large post station was still in the prefecture city. Zhù Ying traveled to the prefectural city once more to bid farewell to Chen Luan.

Chen Luan’s expression was subtly different from the last time. Over the past two days, he had hastily leafed through both books, reading through the names on each title page. Besides noting that Zhù Ying had printed them, the authors’ names revealed no indication of gender — yet Zhù Ying had written the prefaces! Chen Luan was no ordinary man; from the prefaces alone, he had caught a few telling details.

“Zhū Zǐ” must have been the “niece” who had gone to the capital back then, while “Jiang Teng” was someone he knew nothing of. Yet in the preface, Zhù Ying had also stated clearly that she was a Daoist nun who had traveled south from the capital. Two books — one about life and one about death, two women — one secular, one of the Way.

Chen Luan said to Zhù Ying: “I have read both books. They are both of benefit. If you have any copies to spare, send two to Da’lang — he will be pleased.”

Zhù Ying said: “I have copies set aside for him.”

Chen Luan nodded and said: “You have always been able to keep your composure. When you reach the capital, you must maintain that composure. Arriving in the capital at this time, fortune and misfortune alike hinge upon a single thought.”

“Yes.”

Chen Luan also entrusted Chen Meng to her care: “Observing His Majesty’s recent actions, it is difficult for his subjects to predict anything. However, this is precisely the time when trustworthy and reliable people will be summoned to the capital. Should Da’lang happen to come to the capital, the two of you — draw close to each other.”

“Understood.”

“If there is anything inconvenient to handle, you may also send him to see to it. If he is not in the capital, take this—” With that, Chen Luan gave Zhù Ying a name card. “Go to my family’s home and ask the steward Liang Wen to handle it.”

Zhù Ying accepted the name card with due solemnity and said: “Many thanks, Elder Uncle. I will certainly not act recklessly.”

Chen Luan laughed: “As if you have acted recklessly too few times already? Take it.”

Zhù Ying laughed as she accepted the card. Chen Luan personally escorted her all the way out the front door, watching as she mounted her horse and turned the corner of the street before returning inside.

——

After leaving her hometown, Zhù Ying’s pace quickened considerably.

Along the way, she still encountered officials in various places who were old acquaintances. Among them, she ran into that unlucky fellow Wang Sheng once more. Wang Sheng held a substantive post now — he was the county deputy magistrate of one locality. Being a southerner, speaking Mandarin with an accent was the least of his troubles. The greatest difficulty was not the accent at all, but rather that the officials here were none of them Zhù Ying.

When Wang Sheng had been assigned miscellaneous duties back then, his direct superior had been Zhù Ying. What manner of figure had Zhù Ying been in Wuzhou? The entire prefecture answered to her, and even those with small scheming thoughts were held firmly in her grip — yet she also arranged things well for those below her. Working under her, Wang Sheng had certainly dealt his share of wits against merchants, and had certainly been exhausted like a dog day after day, but every measure of effort had yielded a visible measure of results.

Unfortunately, the Political Affairs Council’s assessment was: those of Zhù Ying’s caliber could be counted on one hand in all the realm.

Wang Sheng’s superior, and his superior’s superior, were none of them like Zhù Ying. The more he accomplished, the more the county magistrate pricked him with criticism, guarding against him “usurping the throne.” He also had to think of paying tribute to his superior and his superior’s superior. This kind of “tribute” was entirely different from the gentry of Wuzhou sending Zhù Ying occasional gifts on certain festivals — birthday presents and the like. The gifts sent to Zhù Ying had required little deliberation, expressing only a measure of warmth and closeness. The “tribute” one paid after entering the official world carried an entirely different meaning.

When Wang Sheng had been in Wuzhou, his family had been local gentry, and he had fancied himself better acquainted with officialdom than a country mud-footed peasant. Having truly stepped into the official world, within barely two months he had been struck dizzy and disoriented.

It was fortunate that Zhù Ying happened to pass through. One glance at his pallid, haggard face told her he had run into a wall.

Zhù Ying did not expose him. She arranged a banquet, invited the local prefect to dine, and then extended the invitation to the county magistrate to join as an attendant, with Wang Sheng slinking in shame to sit at the foot of the table.

The prefect and the county magistrate knew of Zhù Ying, but were unaware of what post she would take after arriving in the capital. Their conversation carried a faint air of probing.

Zhù Ying smiled and said: “Before His Majesty speaks, I cannot say.”

Both men immediately grew cautious, hastily saying: “We would not dare inquire into secrets of the inner court.”

Zhù Ying then had Wang Sheng drink in her place to keep the two men company, saying: “I cause trouble when I drink, so I will spare both of you the inconvenience — let him drink on my behalf. This young man is honest and sincere; he will certainly not abandon the feast.”

She brought all three men together for a meal, and after that, Wang Sheng’s days gradually became a little easier.

Other than that, there were no further disturbances along the way. She also passed through the jurisdiction of Prefect Lu, who made a special trip to the post station to meet with her. The two of them had a most congenial conversation.

Zhù Ying also presented Prefect Lu with two books. Prefect Lu accepted them and said: “You really ought to compile a collection of your own writings.”

Zhù Ying replied: “You know me — I was never a man of letters by birth. That is my weakness. To pit one’s weakness against another’s strength is only to invite ridicule. Better to direct one’s energy toward one’s own strong suits. With my hands already this full, I can barely manage my own strengths. To covet yet more would be to bite off more than one can chew.”

Prefect Lu said: “That is because you are still young. You are now thirty—”

“Thirty-two.”

Prefect Lu exclaimed with some astonishment: “Only thirty-two?! Then you are quite right to have your hands full. Your hands are full precisely because you are young and have not yet cultivated any disciples of your own to put to use. Give it another ten years, and you will have many capable hands available.”

Zhù Ying said helplessly: “I have been in official service for nearly twenty years, yet I still must personally attend to many matters.”

Prefect Lu shook his head: “Many sons of great families do not enter officialdom until thirty, and that is not considered late. You are already exceptionally rare. When you reach the capital, there will inevitably be those who seek to draw close to you. Guard yourself carefully.”

Zhù Ying bowed to him solemnly in gratitude for his reminder.

Prefect Lu continued: “It is better to wear yourself out a little than to cultivate those you cannot trust. There is no rushing it.”

“Yes.”

The two spoke at some length, and Prefect Lu finally said: “You were born and raised in the capital, so I will spare you the unnecessary words.”

Zhù Ying replied: “I could wish to receive more of your guidance.”

Prefect Lu said: “As for teaching those of slower wit, I manage well enough. But as for you — I have simply eaten a few more years’ worth of rice than you have. You have spent ten years in local office; what I could tell you, you have already lived through yourself. If you do not find an old man’s chatter tiresome, I intend to go to the capital this winter.”

“Then I shall await your distinguished arrival with great anticipation.”

The two parted with a smile.

——

After traveling several more days, she arrived within Xiao Wu’s jurisdiction — by this point the capital was already very near.

Xiao Wu had received word and came rushing with his whole family, dusty and disheveled, to meet Zhù Ying at the post station. Old Wu, the moment he saw Zhù Ying, dropped to his knees, but Zhù Ying pulled him up: “You must not. Come, let us speak inside.”

Host and guest entered the room and sat down. Xiao Wu dared not take a seat, and snatched the tray from Ding Gui’s hands to serve Zhù Ying tea. Ding Gui said: “Elder Broth—”

He had barely gotten one word out before Xiao Wu’s deadly glare silenced him.

Zhù Ying said: “You sit down and let him do it.”

Only after serving the tea did Xiao Wu take his seat.

Zhù Ying asked: “How have you been of late?”

Xiao Wu forced a brave front and said: “All is well. Having just arrived in a new place, there is inevitably some confusion, but I am managing.”

Zhù Ying said: “Trouble has just broken out in the north, and the Political Affairs Council is furious. Do not follow their example — when that time comes, no one will be able to protect you.”

Xiao Wu hastily said: “I would not dare, I would not dare.”

Zhù Ying laughed: “You would not dare? Then what is there for me to remind you of?”

Xiao Wu could no longer keep his seat and immediately stood up, saying: “Now that you have said it, I would not dare. I will devote myself to doing my work well, and I will not involve myself in their affairs.”

Zhù Ying said: “How many days have you been here? Have you reined in that clever streak of yours?”

Old Wu quickly rose as well and said: “You may be at ease, Your Honor, I am keeping watch.”

Zhù Ying gave Xiao Wu one word of advice: “Wearing one’s cleverness openly is the greatest foolishness.” Then she naturally turned to Old Wu to chat about household matters. Old Wu said nothing else of note — he did not seek advice on behalf of Xiao Wu, nor did he put in a word for his daughter and son-in-law who were still in the capital.

He had brought along some local specialties: “I should have sent these to you the moment I received them, but the road was too long and I had no way to send them. I was just telling this boy that you would be coming to the capital this winter, so I would have his nephew make a trip and bring them to the capital as a tribute to you…”

Zhù Ying accepted everything with good grace. She could see that the family had all filled out somewhat compared to before, and did not look as though they were suffering any great hardship, so she simply reminded Xiao Wu that doing his work well was the foundation of everything. Both Old Wu and Xiao Wu obediently agreed.

Zhù Ying said finally: “If anything is truly too difficult to handle, write to me.”

Father and son were overjoyed, both saying in unison: “We would not trouble you with small matters. Should we encounter something we truly cannot manage, we ask that you not find us a bother.”

Zhù Ying said: “So long as you follow the rules and regulations, there should be no great trouble.”

Both father and son felt a weight lift from their hearts. They accompanied Zhù Ying with respectful deference as she stayed the night at the post station, and the next day they saw her off respectfully onto the official road.

——

Within a few days, Zhù Ying could see the tall, imposing walls of the capital.

Xiang Da’lang had received word several days prior and rode out fifty li from the city to meet her. He had received a letter from home and learned that his family’s household register had been amended, and in his joy had been running about in a frenzy of activity.

When he came before Zhù Ying, his face still carried an air of energetic urgency.

Xiang Le and Xiang An, on seeing their elder brother, were both overjoyed. All three siblings could not help but break into smiles. Yet Xiang Da’lang still paid his respects to Zhù Ying first before giving his younger brother and sister a nod of acknowledgment.

Zhù Ying said: “Come inside to speak — I have something to discuss with you.”

Everyone entered the post station. Zhù Ying had been assigned a small, self-contained courtyard. Ding Gui and the others busied themselves with setting down the luggage while Zhù Ying spoke with Xiang Da’lang.

Xiang Da’lang first reported on the situation at the Wuzhou Guild Hall and presented an account ledger. Zhù Ying said: “I am no longer the Prefect of Wuzhou.”

Xiang Da’lang was visibly alarmed: “Does that mean you will no longer look after us?”

“When there are genuine difficulties, you may still come to me. But you should learn to get along with the new prefect.”

Xiang Da’lang probed cautiously: “The Guild Hall’s premises — they will still be leased to us, will they not? I am not asking for myself, but for the people of Wuzhou. Thanks to your grace, the household registers have been amended, and I no longer engage in commerce myself — this is for their sake.”

“You are stepping back from management, and the Guild Hall will need a suitable person to oversee it. That, however, is something for you to discuss among yourselves.”

“Yes.” Xiang Da’lang’s mind worked with great speed. He then presented a sheaf of title deeds.

Zhù Ying looked at him with surprise. Xiang Da’lang said: “Your original residence was acquired early on and no longer befits your current station. I took the liberty of acquiring a mansion on your behalf.”

Zhù Ying frowned and said: “What nonsense. What use have I for it?”

“Your household has many attendants, and the original residence is cramped — it cannot accommodate so many people. This is not a gift from me; it was purchased with your own money. The Xiang family originally lived in modest comfort, and it was only after receiving the sugar mill that we prospered. The sugar mill was granted by you, and I never presumed that simply because I managed the operation, all the proceeds were mine. I have kept a share recorded in your name all along. This money comes from that account. And there is still a remaining balance. As you know, life in the capital is expensive — it takes money at every turn. You have been away from the capital for some years, and moving among society will also require funds. I myself have been away from home for several years and intend to return. All these funds are to be handed over to you.”

With that, he passed the title deeds to Xiang Le to present.

Zhù Ying said: “With all you have done, how much have you kept for yourself? Do you not need to support your family?”

Xiang Da’lang smiled: “A little is enough for my family.”

Xiang An said: “Please do not reproach me, but I was aware of this arrangement. The accounts for the Wuzhou sugar mill are also clear to me. We still have a sum of money in the capital.”

Zhù Ying had never anticipated that they would have this considerable sum to give her. She had long since made up her mind that once she reached the capital, she would rent a large residence. Many capital officials did the same — to suit one’s station, the residence had to be sizeable, but a suitable large residence could not always be purchased outright, making rental an unavoidable option.

As long as one did not intend to settle permanently in the capital, most preferred to buy fields and houses in their hometown.

Zhù Ying had already acquired an estate in Wuzhou, and had this time brought along various gifts for distribution upon arriving in the capital, thinking she had saved up enough. For future needs, she would figure things out in the capital as they came.

All three siblings knelt to urge her to accept. Xiang Da’lang said: “We all know the kindness you have shown us. I have seen how the noble houses of the capital receive gifts. We cannot treat you worse than they do.”

“Then would that not make me the same as them?”

“It could never be the same,” Xiang Da’lang said, “because you have protected us. They have not.”

Zhù Ying said: “Rise.” She looked through the title deeds. Besides the mansion, Xiang Da’lang had also, in her name, acquired two shop premises, along with a hundred acres of fertile farmland. The mansion came with servants, and the farmland came with tenant farmers.

Zhù Ying kept only the deed to the mansion and returned the other two to Xiang Le: “Let it be this way.” The mansion was where she would live — it would save on rent, and that would do. When the time came to leave the capital, she would return the mansion to the Xiang family.

Xiang Da’lang made to say something more, but Zhù Ying raised a single finger, and Xiang Da’lang had no choice but to fall silent.

Zhù Ying said: “You siblings have not seen each other for some time. I will not intrude upon you.”

All three siblings promptly left Zhù Ying’s room.

Xiang Le was in the side room, and all three entered his quarters. Xiang Da’lang handed him another title deed: “This is yours.” Xiang Da’lang had also acquired a small residence in the capital for himself, to provide a place for his younger brother and sister to stay whenever they had private matters they did not wish to attend to in Zhù Ying’s presence.

Xiang Le smiled: “Elder Brother thinks of everything.”

Xiang Da’lang said with a cold laugh: “I know full well how all of you — you two and that little brat A’Yu — look at me. You pack of little devils — what do any of you understand?!”

The two let him rail at them without retort, waiting until he had finished before sharing news of their own affairs. All three siblings quickly reached an agreement: Xiang Le and Xiang An would continue serving Zhù Ying, but their family could not completely wash their hands of the Wuzhou Guild Hall either.

Xiang Da’lang said: “Now that we are no longer classified as merchants, it would be inappropriate for me to personally manage the Guild Hall’s commercial affairs. The Guild Hall’s operations must be handed over to someone else. Fortunately, you two are still in the capital — the sugar trade is very profitable, so we can have a steward serve as a proxy to manage a share of the business.”

Xiang An said: “Very well. I can also make decisions in that matter.”

Xiang Da’lang nodded, then asked them: “What did the other families from Wuzhou say?”

Xiang Le asked: “What does Elder Brother mean…?”

“You are no longer prefect of Wuzhou, and it is hard to say what policy the new prefect will take regarding the Guild Hall. Should we not be prepared? The Guild Hall was established under your guidance — whatever arrangements you wish to make, everyone will follow without a second word. Whatever you say, they will do. But a new prefect? We are merely tenants. We pay our rent on time, and we are willing to offer the new prefect some tribute. However, if the prefect tries to interfere with staffing decisions — that is simply not acceptable!”

The other two nodded together: “Without you, anyone else interfering would do more harm than good!”

Xiang Da’lang said: “This is my own view. I am worried that among the local gentry of Wuzhou there may be some with short-sighted vision who, for the sake of the Guild Hall’s immediate profits, will curry favor with the new prefect and ask the new prefect to arbitrate. That would simply be digging their own graves! Once I have seen you settled in, I will set out immediately for Wuzhou to discuss this with the local elders.”

Xiang An said: “The sugar mill is tied to the livelihoods of many people. If it were mismanaged by an incompetent official, countless people would go hungry. Elder Brother’s calculations are entirely correct!”

The three siblings had settled the matter. Xiang Le also entrusted his elder brother with looking after his wife. He had not brought his wife north with him — partly because her Mandarin was not very good, and partly because she was already with child and the road would have been inconvenient for her.

Xiang Da’lang said: “I understand. When the child is a little older, I will arrange for the two of them to come to the capital to find you. A family ought to be together.”

The three siblings put their heads together. The following day, Xiang Da’lang accompanied Zhù Ying into the city. Zhù Ying did not first go to the mansion he had prepared, but returned to her original residence. Everything inside was as it had always been, swept spotlessly clean. The servants’ quarters were indeed quite cramped — the gatekeeper’s lodge alone was full of people.

Zhù Ying had the luggage unloaded first, then submitted a memorial to the emperor, before going to the Imperial City to report to the Ministry of Personnel, the Political Affairs Council, and other offices, informing them she had returned. She also sent Ding Gui and the others to deliver visiting cards — to Zheng Hou’s household, to Wang Yunhe’s household, as well as to the Left Vice Chancellor and others. Every acquaintance was to be informed that she had returned.

That evening, she lodged in her own residence.

The next day she rose not too early. After washing and dressing, she finished her breakfast. Xiang Da’lang again invited her to come and look at the new mansion. Zhù Ying said: “There is no hurry.”

The new mansion came with servants — gatekeepers, cooks, gardeners, miscellaneous laborers, and the like, numbering not a few, and there would inevitably be a head steward among them. Their backgrounds were unknown to her, and they were bound to have some friction with the personal guards and servants she had brought with her. With Huajie no longer here to manage household affairs, she would have to personally establish the rules of the household upon moving in.

Ah! No wonder the whole world desired to take a wife.

Xiang Da’lang still stood at attendance. A moment later, an imperial decree arrived from the palace — the emperor summoned her to court.

Zhù Ying quickly dressed in proper attire, left her attendants outside the Imperial City, and went alone to have an audience with the emperor.

——

The emperor had not changed greatly — merely aged a little more.

After Zhù Ying completed her formal bow, the emperor said briefly that she had suffered hardship on the journey, then said: “You have spent ten years in the south, which was no small thing. Now that you have returned to the capital, what is it you wish to do?”

Zhù Ying replied without hesitation: “I defer entirely to Your Majesty’s arrangements.”

The emperor chuckled softly: “You will comply with anything?”

“Thunder and rain alike are the Emperor’s grace. Moreover, I was born in poverty — without Your Majesty, how could I be where I am today? Whatever post I am given, I am prepared to serve.”

“You have no desire to achieve great deeds and leave your name in the annals of history?”

Zhù Ying raised her eyes to look at the emperor: “I have never been selective about my duties.”

The emperor’s laughter deepened: “Truly without preferences?”

“Truly without preferences.”

“Then go to the Court of State Ceremonial as Junior Minister.”

Zhù Ying rose and bowed again: “Your subject obeys. However… Your Majesty, does this not need to go through the Central Secretariat and the Chancellery?”

The emperor slapped the armrest of his throne with amusement: “Is that something you need to worry about?”

Zhù Ying bowed once more.

The emperor said earnestly: “The Prince Consort is a loyal and sincere man. You must exert yourself diligently to assist him.”

“Yes.”