Shen Ying was turning the pages of the official gazette so rapidly he tore through the paper.

From the start of his sick leave until today, the gazette had been dense with information — all of it evidently born of that one brawl at court.

Throughout his convalescence he had been consumed with anxiety; now that he could finally attend morning court again, the anxiety had not been relieved. As Deputy Chief he had long since moved past the rank of mandatory daily attendance, yet the previous evening Zhù Ying had sent someone with a message: calculating that you would be returning tomorrow, and with Vice Director Luo still on sick leave, you will need to attend morning court tomorrow.

Shen Ying was glad enough to attend this court session. For that reason he had been up before dawn, lighting a lamp and peering into the mirror, only to discover that the bruise on his face still showed the faintest shade of pale blue. He had deliberately taken some of his wife’s white powder and applied a layer to conceal the mark. All he wanted was to be presentable so he could appear before the Emperor without delays. But the Emperor’s temper had been extremely volatile of late — unpredictable and moody — and the Emperor did not spare him any particular attention. The Emperor’s mind was on Zhù Ying of the Court of Foreign Affairs; when she gave her report, she did mention that he had returned from sick leave. The Emperor gave no particular acknowledgment, only a grunt, and Shen Ying spent a long time trying to guess what it meant.

The sweltering heat, combined with the tense atmosphere, left everyone drenched in sweat. The powder on his face was washed away by perspiration.

After court was dismissed, two people caught sight of his face and laughed, which was how he discovered his attempt had backfired entirely. He had not brought any powder with him, and when he went back and hastily washed his face, the bruise showed again without any covering. Nothing was going right. His irritation multiplied.

When he had finished reading through the gazette, he planned to find Zhù Ying and discuss how the Court of Foreign Affairs should manage things for the remaining month and a half, and also to bring up the staffing changes.

Hearing that he had come, Zhù Ying set down her brush and walked to the door to receive him. She had witnessed three changes in the state of the powder on his face throughout the morning but said nothing of it, keeping her composure as she invited him inside to sit.

She had already inquired after his injury that morning, so Zhù Ying did not open by raising it again, and let Shen Ying ask first: “Old Wang has been transferred away, and the incoming Zhao Su hasn’t arrived yet — the Court’s affairs still need handling. How are things arranged for now?”

Zhù Ying said: “Just as usual. Old Ruan will cover it for the time being, with Old Qi helping out as well. Once the new man arrives he’ll take over. We don’t have a great deal going on at the moment.”

Shen Ying said: “Old Wang moved up quickly.”

Zhù Ying said: “Sons of old families — still waters run deep.” Wang had gone to the Ministry of Rites and Ruan to the Ministry of War, both as department directors at the senior fifth rank — a great leap of a full tier above where they had been.

Shen Ying said with a note of longing: “Sons of old families.”

Zhù Ying heard the meaning behind his words and did not point it out. She found Shen Ying a rather tiresome person — impeccably presented at first meeting, bearing an imposing manner, appearing to have everything in hand, speaking in a way that hinted at great depth, full of high-sounding principles. In practice, he was a man who shrank from difficulty, avoided risk, and could never quite make up his mind. Ask him to actually accomplish something and he invariably found a way not to. Days passed and one never could quite work out what he was doing with himself.

What Shen Ying had come for now was not entirely to “discuss” with her, still less to “seek her guidance” — it was closer to a “cross-examination,” yet he still wished to project the bearing of a man from a distinguished house.

Rather tiresome indeed.

Zhù Ying said: “Indeed. Of those dismissed or demoted, a great many were high-ranking — don’t be misled by how many posts appear to be opening up. The plum positions will fall to a predictable handful of people. Everyone else is just there to make up the numbers. Oh, and there are some vacancies here as well — let’s handle them while the opportunity is there. The first batch already came through, too minor for the gazette. There are still more openings, and now that you’re back, you can’t afford to be idle. The second batch is yours to handle — I can finally rest a little.”

Shen Ying said: “Is that so?”

“Yes. Things were urgent before, so I had no choice but to fill a few positions first — to prevent them from making arbitrary assignments.” Zhù Ying pushed a piece of paper forward. “This is the current roster. You determine how to fill the remaining posts.”

Shen Ying had not expected Zhù Ying to leave him any room to maneuver, and was genuinely surprised. Zhù Ying, however, was perfectly clear in her own mind: of course one cannot monopolize everything. If something went wrong, they would all bear it together.

Done with Shen Ying, Zhù Ying then summoned Department Head Ke. He had not received a promotion this time around, and his feelings — envy toward Wang and Ruan mixed with vague resentment toward Zhao Su — were all tangled up with an expectation that “since Vice Director Zhù has summoned me, perhaps my good fortune has also arrived.” His thoughts were churning by the time he presented himself before her, and his words came out a little hurried.

Zhù Ying said: “You have been with the Diplomatic Affairs Department for some years now. The Court of Foreign Affairs is not like the Ministry of Personnel — it does hold people back somewhat when it comes to advancement. Even so, whenever opportunity arises, Vice Director Luo and I will do our best to make arrangements for everyone. I’ve looked into your rank — let’s raise your rank this year first. Once your rank is sufficient, the substantive post can be considered gradually.”

Department Head Ke’s spirit was considerably soothed. He promptly said: “Thank you for the Vice Director’s guidance.”

“Don’t forget to thank Vice Director Luo and Vice Director Shen as well.”

Department Head Ke thought to himself: Those two? Never mind that. One is a Buddha statue and the other is a mud Buddha.

But his mouth said: “All three Vice Directors must be remembered — and most of all the Vice Director who oversees our Diplomatic Affairs Department. You see everything we do. We are especially grateful to you.”

Zhù Ying said: “I will submit your name at year’s end. Unless something unexpected arises, Vice Director Luo will approve it. These next few months you must be diligent in all things — understood?”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying called out: “Little Huang.”

Little Huang scurried over at once. Zhù Ying pointed toward him, and Department Head Ke understood perfectly: “Vice Director, rest assured. I will make sure Little Huang is well taken care of.”

Little Huang stepped forward smartly to pay his respects to Department Head Ke. Zhù Ying said: “Very well, you may both go.”

Department Head Ke took two steps, then turned back and lowered his voice: “Would you like me to transfer Ding Gui or Xiao Liu from the Foreign Hostel over to serve the Vice Director?”

Little Huang had been in personal attendance on Zhù Ying; once he moved up and away, only Qiao San would remain. And Qiao San was not someone Zhù Ying had brought with her. Hence Department Head Ke’s question.

Zhù Ying said: “No need.” She had already spoken with Ding Gui, Xiao Liu, and Niu Jin; all three had their own duties and would not be moved for the time being.

Department Head Ke said nothing more, and left with Little Huang. Qiao San stepped forward nimbly to wait on her — now that Little Huang was gone, he was the only one left. That had to count for something, didn’t it?

Zhù Ying continued her visits to Luo Sheng after that day’s session. Luo Sheng’s answer remained the same: “Just do as you see fit.”

Zhù Ying said: “It would be better if Lord Shen draws up the second roster.”

Luo Sheng said: “Oh. Fine by me.”

As for whether Shen Ying reported to Luo Sheng — that was not Zhù Ying’s concern. She had other things to attend to.

Zhù Ying did not leave Yongping Princess’s residence immediately but stayed to chat a while longer with Shi Yin of the household.

Shi Yin was enormously curious about Zhù Ying and happy to see her linger. What Shi Yin admired most of all was Zhù Ying’s capacity for restraint — a person of such remarkable competence, and yet when opportunity arose she did not “grasp for power,” but came every day to report to Luo Sheng.

He began: “The Princess and the Prince Consort speak of the Vice Director often — always with the highest praise.”

“Just doing my duty. There are many things I genuinely would not know how to handle without consulting them first.”

Shi Yin thought to himself: The Prince Consort? Consult? What would he know? You could know ten times less and still know more than he does. He gave a casual reply: “Is that so?”

Zhù Ying said: “Indeed. For instance, the Vice Director just nominated someone as a Vice Minister of the Court of Foreign Affairs, and I see only that his surname is Yang — I know nothing of his background. Do you happen to know?”

Sure enough, Shi Yin said: “The Yang family? Oh! I know who this is! He is the grandnephew of the Censor-in-Chief who has since passed…”

This Zhù Ying had already surmised from the surname, and confirmed with Luo Sheng, who had also said as much. But Luo Sheng could not describe the newly arrived Vice Minister Yang in much detail, saying only: “A very fine young man.”

Shi Yin knew considerably more, and spoke in measured terms: “He is a man cut from the same cloth as our Prince Consort.”

Zhù Ying understood, and now knew how to prepare herself.

……

On a rest day, Zhù Ying changed into a plain outfit and strolled over to Old Ma’s tea stall.

Old Ma came out smiling to meet her. His small tea stall had a “quiet seat” in the back — not a fully enclosed room, only separated by a curtain. He had her settled in there, and called his sister to come pour tea.

Zhù Ying asked: “Business holding up?”

“Yes, managing well enough.”

Zhù Ying sipped half a cup of tea, then asked: “And the streets?”

Old Ma shook his head slightly: “Lord Zheng cleared the streets once, but…”

“Sit down and tell me properly.”

Old Ma’s sister glanced outside, nodded: “You two talk — I’ll keep watch.”

Old Ma sat down across from Zhù Ying and said softly: “It’s had some effect — better than nothing. But from what I can see, it can’t be held down indefinitely. Someone is backing these troublemakers from behind the scenes. Lord Zheng — speaking plainly between us, and I mean no disrespect — he’s not quite at the level of the late Administrator Wang. If Administrator Wang were running the capital, he could keep order. Lord Zheng’s heart is not quite the same as Administrator Wang’s. The princes, the… well, we say it in private, but those troublemakers have the princes’ backing. Still, the worst of the lot — the ones Lord Zheng had arrested and beaten to death — that was truly a good thing!”

Zhù Ying smiled. Who said that common street folk were foolish? Who said that people of the marketplace had blind eyes? Prince Lu had been riding roughshod through the streets for so long — if Old Ma’s response was still only “Lord Zheng is a fine and upright official,” that would have been surprising indeed.

Zhù Ying gestured toward Old Ma’s sister and asked: “And the countryside?”

Old Ma said: “We’ve asked around as well — people in situations like my sister’s are not rare. But who dares speak ill of the princes?”

“Where are these people now?”

“Some are still farming the prince’s land. Others have come to the city to find work.”

“You must write down their names and addresses.”

“Vice Director?”

Zhù Ying said: “What if there comes a chance to get things restored? We need to be able to find the original owners.”

Old Ma’s sister walked over: “Vice Director, you are a good person, but that is a prince of the imperial blood. We have caught our breath now, hard as the work is, and we can live. We dare not drag you into this any further. You are kind-hearted — could you possibly —”

“What is it?”

Old Ma’s sister stepped closer and lowered her voice: “When I was a slave, I had a friend — she was also one of those you graciously freed during that confiscation, all those years ago. That year when the household was seized, she was released first and waited for me outside. Later we each married and went our separate ways. A little while ago I found out — she was purchased by Prince Lu’s household. I don’t know how she is getting on.”

“Oh? How old is she now?” Forcibly bringing women into a household was not rare. If Prince Lu was behind it, that would be typical. But the previous confiscation in the capital had been nearly twenty years ago — a friend of Old Ma’s sister from those days would be around forty. What taste did Prince Lu have?

“She bore a daughter. The girl is fourteen this year. Mother and daughter are both skilled with embroidery. The prince’s household took a fancy to them, sent people to give her husband money and bought them both away. Her husband kept the children — two boys, one eight years old and one four — too young, the poor things.”

Old Ma said: “Her husband was the one who sold them. What can anyone do? Don’t stir up trouble.”

Zhù Ying said: “I’ll remember this. Keep watch on the streets as before — keep me informed.”

The siblings agreed.

Hu Shijie’s face had taken on an expression of barely suppressed indignation. Zhù Ying, by contrast, remained perfectly composed, and was still able to continue strolling about the streets. She was wearing a plain blue robe that day and was accompanied by only two attendants, wandering east and west through the city. She had come at a fortunate time — Zheng Xi had already made one sweep of the streets, and the general atmosphere had improved considerably. She did not encounter anything too egregious.

After her wanderings, Zhù Ying returned to the old manor. Zhao Su would be arriving soon and a place needed to be made ready for him. The old manor was the most suitable — Zhang and Fan were currently living there, and Zhù Ying intended to have them move out. A new place had already been arranged for them — a residence organized under the name of the Court of Foreign Affairs.

Officials of the Court of Foreign Affairs whose registered home was not in the capital could apply to live there. The rent was extremely low, serving as a kind of subsidy from the Court to its people. Rooms were allocated according to rank. It was quite suitable for junior officials living far from home.

When the two men had just returned from outside and were fanning themselves, the hand holding the fan stopped the moment they saw Zhù Ying. They hurried forward to pay their respects.

Zhù Ying said: “We’ll skip the formalities. Two things.”

The two men immediately invited her inside to sit, brought tea, and Zhù Ying laid out her arrangements: “First — the Court of Foreign Affairs has prepared a residence. You will move there to live. Second — when others move in later, take note: only people of the Court of Foreign Affairs may reside there.”

Zhang and Fan understood. They were to take on the role of resident informants — Zhù Ying’s eyes and ears, listening for the sentiments of those living in the staff quarters and sounding out who they were.

With the arrangements made, Zhù Ying returned to her manor and settled in to wait for Zhao Su’s arrival in the capital.

……

Luo Sheng returned from his sick leave before Zhao Su arrived in the capital. The day before, Zhù Ying had visited Yongping Princess’s residence and walked Luo Sheng through everything — all the matters of the past month, and the plans going forward — working through the main points so that he would have something substantive to say at morning court the following day.

Once he was back, Zhù Ying naturally stopped attending morning court. Shen Ying, who had been heading inside, suddenly noticed Zhù Ying had turned aside.

He called out: “Zizhang.”

Zhù Ying stopped and looked at him: “Together?”

Shen Ying said: “What?”

Zhù Ying said: “Vice Director Luo has already returned. What are the two of us still going for? Let’s go back and handle our work.”

Vice Minister Ruan had been growing quite anxious. His new appointment papers had already come through, but Zhao Su was still on the road — word was he would not arrive for another half month. Ruan’s new post was at the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of War, as a courtesy to General Ruan, said the delay was acceptable. But since the appointment papers had already been issued, Zhù Ying did not detain him any further and asked him to organize his current affairs and hand them all over.

For the time being, it was Zhù Ying and Shen Ying together managing the duties of the two vice ministers.

Shen Ying cast a reluctant glance toward the great hall, sighed, and went back to the Court of Foreign Affairs with Zhù Ying.

Zhù Ying did not mind Shen Ying asking question after question — asking would get him nowhere anyway. Even though Ruan had departed, once Zhao Su came and took over, Shen Ying would still not be able to personally manage everything. As for the newly arrived Vice Minister Yang — if the rumors were accurate — he was a smaller-scale version of Luo Sheng. The Court of Foreign Affairs’ everyday affairs would still need to be handled by Zhao Su.

And that would be very, very fine.

Luo Sheng was feeling quite well too — the morning audience had gone extremely smoothly. The Emperor was pleased and nodded frequently. One official in the crowd thought privately: When you’re a subordinate to Zhù Ying, as long as you behave yourself, it really is comfortable.

Zhù Ying spent another pleasant, unhurried day at the Court of Foreign Affairs. That evening on the way home, she found several people already waiting at her gate!

When she drew close, she saw Wang and Ruan were both there, along with Zhang, Fan, and Huang — her gate actually had a queue!

Zhù Ying hurried forward and said to Wang and Ruan: “Why didn’t you go inside?”

Both smiled: “Waiting for the Vice Director.”

“Come in.”

Wang and Ruan had come to deliver banquet invitations while also receiving some parting guidance. Though both carried a trace of noble family pride, they were competent officials. Upon being promoted, hosting one’s former colleagues for a meal was the done thing, and receiving a welcoming dinner from new colleagues another. Beyond that, having now seen how Zhù Ying conducted herself as an official, they had come seeking to learn, not to pledge allegiance — but they acknowledged this debt of goodwill toward their old superior as a genuine bond.

Zhù Ying said: “Very well — I will certainly attend.”

Both added: “Vice Director, whenever you have need of us, simply send over a name card.”

Zhù Ying said: “First get your footing in your new offices and sort out your new duties. Then we can speak of other things.”

Both smiled: “Yes.”

Little Huang, Zhang, and Fan had also come to receive instructions. Little Huang had come together with Old Huang, father and son bringing a generous gift between them. All three of them knew that Zhao Su was already on his way — they knew very well who this person was — and had come in advance to ask how to cooperate with him.

Zhù Ying said: “For now, carry on as usual. Hold steady. When there is something to be arranged, arrangements will be made.”

These three she also dismissed.

The entire Zhù household felt that there was something subtly extraordinary about these changes.

More extraordinary still was the following evening, when the manor received yet another visitor — a visitor of no ordinary standing. It was Lan De.

Lan De had taken a thorough beating and then spent a prolonged time on his knees — his injuries were more severe than Luo Sheng’s. A lowly young eunuch could not be as coddled as the Prince Consort. He had returned to his duties a few days earlier, only not daring to be conspicuous around the Emperor any longer.

His adoptive father Lan Xing, however, had not left the Emperor’s side for a single moment and had simply stopped going home. Lan De had taken a beating for no reason he could understand, and even now was not entirely sure why he had been beaten. He wished to consult his adoptive father, but Lan Xing was constantly in the Emperor’s presence. Eventually he managed to find a brief opening to voice his grievance to Lan Xing.

Lan Xing turned his fly whisk around and struck him several times in succession: “You’d deserve to be beaten to death, you idiot!”

Lan De hastily bowed low and begged to be taught. Lan Xing said: “The Emperor wasn’t wrong to beat you! That Vice Director Zhù — he has no grudge against you. Of course he wasn’t mocking you. He was giving you a hint! What were you trying to work in the Emperor’s presence?”

“I didn’t…”

“Nonsense! You practically announced to the Emperor outright that your sympathies lay with the Eastern Palace.”

“But… didn’t you say that dispatching me there was in order to…”

Lan Xing had told Lan De: whatever the Eastern Palace’s intentions were, the fact that the Eastern Palace had asked for someone was a good thing for Lan Xing. Sending him there was a way to build goodwill with the future Son of Heaven — so that when the time came, father and son would not be cleared away, and Lan Xing could leave the palace with some dignity at least.

Lan Xing said: “You have to survive today before you can have a tomorrow, don’t you? You go — take a generous gift, go to Vice Director Zhù’s manor, and thank him for the hint. He’s sharp as a needle, and the Emperor has never once found fault with him. Go and learn something from him.”

Lan De had no grudge with Zhù Ying either. He truly did prepare a gift and went to call.

Zhù Ying received him in the hall. After they had exchanged pleasantries, Lan De was the first to lose his nerve and speak: “Vice Director Zhù, I’ve not had much education, and I tend to be muddleheaded about things. When something happens I really must ask your guidance.”

Zhù Ying said: “What are you saying? The matters of the palace — I understand nothing of those either.”

Lan De said: “No — His Majesty has punished so many people recently, and yet you are perfectly fine. We all see that.” He laid on a round of flattery, yet did not ask why Zhù Ying had said what she had said that day.

In his heart he knew perfectly well — his thoughts at that moment had genuinely been on the Crown Prince. The grievance he had expressed to Lan Xing was seven parts performance. Zhù Ying had simply seen through him, which frightened him a little. For a moment he hadn’t known what to do, so he had asked Lan Xing for guidance. Lan Xing told him to seek counsel, and it naturally dawned on him: of course — if you can’t beat someone, yield to them! If you’re not as capable as they are, just listen! Knowing when to adapt is true wisdom — nothing to be ashamed of!

What he now wanted to ask was: “Vice Director Zhù, we have known each other for over ten years — old ties bind us. I have never done anything to harm you. I beg your help now. What should I do?”

Zhù Ying lowered her head and thought a moment, then said: “You are posted to the Eastern Palace — but you must not behave as though you are the Emperor’s envoy there.”

Lan De’s mouth worked: “I… I… I didn’t…”

Zhù Ying said: “Before the Crown Prince, how many people have served at his side since childhood — intimates from long before you arrived? Closeness takes time. If you stand too tall, there is no closeness. Before the Emperor, if you think too much, there is no closeness either.”

An eunuch without closeness to anyone had no future to speak of.

Lan De was so startled he rose to his feet.

Zhù Ying smiled: “Hurry back. Be sincere and attentive.”

She held the gift register, then said: “Take this back with you. I receive your goodwill. You are not in an easy position — I understand. Keep more material means beside you. With security in your heart, you can do your work well. There is no need for such formality between us.”

“Oh, I really am…”

Zhù Ying smiled and waved him off. Lan De took his gifts back with him.

Beside her, Xiang Le’s eye was twitching: That eunuch came to give a gift and left with it again? I have truly seen everything now!

……

Zhù Ying had not taken Lan De’s gift, and she did not feel she had lost anything by it. She had no intention of squeezing profit out of Lan De — even though Lan De was quite plump for the squeezing.

At the end of the seventh month, Zhao Su arrived at Zhù Manor.

When he arrived, Zhù Ying and Qi Tai were still in the imperial precincts, Zhù Lian had gone to school, and it was Su Zhe, Zhù Qingjun, and Lin Feng who received him.

Su Zhe did not recognize him at first glance. She looked twice before she came running over: “Uncle!”

The word uncle came from genuine feeling, without even a trace of “you idiot” in it.

Zhao Su was also taken aback for a moment before he smiled: “You’ve grown taller!”

Su Zhe introduced him to Zhù Qingjun: “This is my uncle! He’s also Father’s adopted son! And this is my aunt!”

Zhù Qingjun greeted the two of them and said: “Father has been mentioning you for days now. Let’s go inside and talk.”

The group had not gone far when someone appeared at the gate with a white cloth wrapped around his waist and entered with a couple of weeping cries. Zhao Su very nearly couldn’t stop himself from striking the man — it wasn’t as if they were enemies, yet here was someone turning up at someone else’s door to wail?

After the crying the visitor presented a calling card: “I was sent by the household of Captain Wen.”

Wen Yue’s mother had passed away.

Zhao Su thought to himself: Then he would have to observe the mourning period.