The weather was growing colder, and the court had begun distributing winter goods.

The distributions were not uniform across every yamen, nor were they always issued according to the prescribed quotas. Some portions were converted into other goods, and some were discounted. Wealthier yamens would issue extra on top.

Zhao Su had been run ragged over matters at the Court of Diplomatic Reception, coming home for dinner later than usual, so his wife, Lady Qi, had no choice but to keep a warm meal waiting for him on the stove.

That day, having finally more or less caught up, he returned home, and Lady Qi said, “That’s good then — next time you’ll be this busy will be the New Year. You should be able to take it easier for the next two months.”

Zhao Su picked up his rice bowl, eating and talking at the same time. “That may not be so. The foreign envoys have arrived too. Though Li Junior Prefect is reliable, I still can’t let the smaller matters slip.”

He had barely said a few words when a gatekeeper came over. “Young master, that Zhao gentleman from the Court of Judicial Review has arrived.”

Husband and wife exchanged a glance. Lady Qi also knew Zhao Zhen, and she told a maidservant to bring out another set of bowl and chopsticks.

Zhao Su rose to go and welcome him. Zhao Zhen came in carrying a paper-wrapped package. “I’m here to freeload a meal — Sister-in-law, don’t hold it against me.”

Lady Qi said, “You brought food, so I don’t hold it against you.”

All three were familiar with one another, and they all laughed. Lady Qi said, “You two have serious matters to discuss, so I won’t get in the way here.” She picked up her hand-warmer and retreated to the bedroom.

Zhao Zhen had brought some beef. Zhao Su had the kitchen slice it up, then reset the table with a proper spread, and the two of them moved to the front room to eat and talk. Zhao Su said, “Beef — excellent!”

Zhao Zhen said, “Try it then.”

Zhao Su ate a few bites alongside him, then said, “I can tell you have something on your mind.”

Zhao Zhen let out a breath. “I really do! Talking to one’s own people is truly a relief — no need to beat around the bush! As my elder brother knows, I live in the dormitories. The Court of Judicial Review’s dormitory and the Court of Diplomatic Reception’s dormitory were both set up by our patron, and they’re close to each other. Those of us from there who haven’t started families in the capital often eat and talk together. I’ve noticed that the two of yours — Zhang and Fan — seem to have something going on these past few days. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Elder Brother, keep an eye out yourself.”

Zhao Su laughed. “So that’s what it is!” He shifted his body slightly toward Zhao Zhen, showing he was in a good mood.

Zhao Zhen said, “Hey, don’t treat it lightly! It seems like one day not long ago they came back from the guild hall and have been whispering among themselves. I don’t feel it’s my place to ask. They were recommended into the Imperial Academy, and from there gained their official standing — those two have always been closer to each other. I never entered the Imperial Academy, and you’re different too — you passed through merit alone. You ask them.”

Zhao Su said, “This I do know. Those two went into a fit and ran over to our foster father’s home to say that Zou Jinxian is also a native of Wuzhou, and it was too pitiable to watch someone vegetating in the capital. This year’s tribute scholars are coming again, and year after year they accumulate — between the lines, they want to ask our foster father to arrange a position for Zou Jinxian too.”

Zhao Zhen’s palm slammed down on the table; bowls and chopsticks jumped. “What kind of nonsense is that? What sort of person is that Zou fellow?”

“What sort could he be? Nothing more than the same stripe as Shang Peiji.”

At the mention of Shang Peiji, the people from Fulu County had plenty to say. Zhao Zhen exploded in curses: “They’re all swine!”

Zhao Su said, “Those two men are different from us. We were all brought along beside our foster father and personally mentored. As for them — tch!”

“Of all our fellow students, the one I despise most is Zou Jinxian. He’s only good at taking contrary positions to show off how clever he is. Showing off — at worst I just ignore him. But singing contrariness against our patron — that I cannot tolerate. Do Zhang and Fan know about Zou Jinxian’s exploits?”

Zhao Su said, “Your eye is truly sharp! I’ve also had something weighing on me, with no one I could say it to.”

“What could you possibly have to worry about?”

Zhao Su smiled slightly. “You see, all of our opportunities came through our foster father. Wuzhou — now called Jiyuan Prefecture — what was it like before? What is it like now? And yet even now, are any of our learning and abilities among the very best in the capital? I used to think highly of myself, but when I honestly examine my heart — was this position truly one that only I could fill? Even among those distant, exalted ministers throughout the entire court, there are very few who are truly indispensable.”

Zhao Zhen said, “We’re all the same. Among eight people all qualified enough, choosing any one of them wouldn’t be wrong — so on what basis was it us?”

Zhao Su said, “What I fear is that our fellow townspeople won’t see this clearly, and will genuinely believe it’s because of their own talent. Our foster father has a kind heart — it’s not that she doesn’t notice, it’s that no one has violated her taboos yet. Once more and more people think that way and wear away her goodwill, she is not obligated to look after us Wuzhou fellow townspeople. Those who come later will have a far harder time of it. It’s like doing business — you give someone quality goods and they’re willing to buy. But pass off inferior goods and then try to strong-arm a sale, and I worry for our fellow townspeople!”

Zhao Zhen agreed. “Exactly right! From now on, when we plead someone’s case, we have to first judge whether the person is worth it. We need to be like Gu Tong — see clearly, confirm they can do real work and that their character is compatible, before speaking to our patron.”

The two of them were getting on famously. Zhao Su added, “Your temper is a little hot. Don’t go reproaching Zhang and Fan, and certainly don’t go looking for Zou Jinxian. We just need to draw a clear line between ourselves and second-rate goods. We can barely manage to avoid them — the last thing we should do is go out of our way to get entangled.”

Zhao Zhen said, “Relax, I understand. Good feet don’t step in foul dung!”

Zhao Su’s lips twitched. He set down his chopsticks and watched Zhao Zhen eat. Zhao Zhen ate and talked. “Elder Brother, why aren’t you eating?”

Zhao Su said, “I’ll eat later with my wife.”

Zhao Zhen gave a grin, wolfed down the rest of his rice, and said, “I have to get back!”

Zhao Su had a lantern lit for him and reminded him to be careful on the road.

……

Zhao Su and Zhao Zhen had clearly become the two small heads among the Jiyuan-registered officials in the capital. The matters they had discussed privately were not brought before Zhù Ying, and Zhù Ying had no knowledge that the two of them had already reached some conclusions.

Before her, Zhao Zhen was perpetually busy with the work of the Court of Judicial Review. Qi Tai was a man who did not much like to manage things directly — Zhao Zhen handled many matters and presented them to Qi Tai completed; Qi Tai was decent enough at checking them over and summarizing, and would then quietly pass them up to Shi Jixing for approval.

Shi Jixing and Lin Zan each had their own division of duties. Lin Zan also disliked handling miscellaneous affairs, so the moment Shi Jixing arrived, he shoved everything he didn’t want to deal with onto him; Lin Zan only handled major matters.

Shi Jixing was run completely ragged, yet he felt rather pleased in his heart. The Court of Judicial Review truly had money — more than anywhere he had served before.

Shi Jixing brought the Court of Judicial Review’s benefits ledger to Zhù Ying for her signature. The goods being distributed there were slightly more than at the Court of Diplomatic Reception. The final batch was a quantity of colored silk.

He placed it before Zhù Ying’s desk. She took it and stamped it. Shi Jixing noticed a stack of manuscripts before her and glanced at them — they contained small illustrated figures. “What fine thing is this?” he asked.

Zhù Ying said, “Some drafts on examining corpses and assessing injuries. I am going over them and checking for errors, and if there are none of consequence they will be carved onto printing blocks and distributed to the coroners in every prefecture and county.”

Shi Jixing said, “That would be useful — it would prevent those below from muddling through. Local coroners are mostly rough and shallow, relying entirely on what a master teaches them and what they personally witness. When they encounter something they’ve never seen, they start talking nonsense. Sometimes even the judicial officer or the chief official has to go and examine personally.”

Zhù Ying said, “Mm. If it’s feasible, the coroners from various localities should be summoned here and trained. Looking at the old experience manuals, there are many errors and things taken for granted.”

Shi Jixing said, “I’m afraid that would be difficult. Even tribute scholars coming to the capital is troublesome enough, and that’s for selecting men to serve the state. For coroners — minor functionaries — it’s even less considered worth the effort.”

Zhù Ying said, “Note it down for now. We at the Court of Judicial Review will organize it ourselves, without letting others intervene, and without requiring the Ministry of Finance to spend much.”

Shi Jixing thought it over. If it were truly accomplished, then coroners across every locality in the realm would be men who had come out of the Court of Judicial Review — and if they were ever needed in the future, how very convenient that would be! He had no objection, and said, “That works. Only there are many pressing matters right now. The Prince of Qi is about to establish his household — have you heard? The Empress and Consort Zhang Jieyu are going to select a consort for the Prince of Qi!”

Zhù Ying said, “Isn’t your daughter already betrothed?”

Shi Jixing laughed. “That’s right! And you don’t have a daughter to be engaged either. Aren’t the two of us perfectly placed to just sit here gossiping?”

Zhù Ying said, “I wonder what people will be in the Prince of Qi’s household!”

Shi Jixing said, “They can’t be allowed to surpass the Eastern Palace.”

“That goes without saying.”

The two of them had just been talking about betrothals in the daytime, and when Zhù Ying returned home that evening after leaving the yamen, she was immediately intercepted by Zhù Qingjun the moment she stepped through the door. “Patron, that former Minister Chen has brought his son and come! A’Zhe is keeping them company.”

Zhù Ying asked, “Did they say what it was about?”

“No, not at all!”

Zhù Ying quickened her pace to the main hall. There she found Chen Meng and his son chatting with Su Zhe and Lin Feng. Lin Feng was telling Chen Meng about catching rabbits, and Chen Meng was saying, “Our old home has rabbits too, and wild pheasants……oh! Sanlang!”

Zhù Ying said, “How do you two have leisure time today?”

Chen Meng said, “There is a matter I need your help with.”

Zhù Ying removed her cap and handed it to Zhù Yin, then looked carefully at the faces of Chen Meng and his son. The two had moved through the grief of Chen Luan’s passing. Both had a trace of a smile — especially Chen Fang, whose foolish grin was irrepressible.

“Help?”

Chen Meng gave a serious nod. “Yes — I’ve come about this young man’s marriage. Today, Chief Minister Liu came to my home. I thought, what on earth could this be — I was so frightened my soul nearly flew out of my body. But then he opened his mouth and asked me whether my son wanted to take a wife. What else could I say? I could only say that the child is still in mourning, and that even if there were a fine young lady, I feared people would say that the Chen family had no propriety.”

“He wants to play matchmaker? You must be highly regarded for that.” Zhù Ying was already guessing — whose daughter could it be to move Liu Songnian to act? The Yue Huan household? No, the ages didn’t match well with Chen Fang. The older daughter from Yue Huan’s family was already married, and the younger one was far too young. Wang Yunhe’s household? There was no one of suitable age there either…

Chen Meng said, “It’s Chief Minister Shi’s granddaughter.”

“Oh!” Zhù Ying remembered now — Shi Jixing himself had no suitable daughter, but Shi Jixing’s elder brother did, and she was also a granddaughter of Shi Kun.

“Congratulations!” Zhù Ying said with a smile, having heard nothing unfavorable about Shi Kun’s granddaughter.

Chen Meng said, “Since that’s the case, should you not also lend your nephew a hand?”

“The celebratory sweets are on me!”

Chen Meng said, “I’m not after that small benefit! But the girl’s side has a matchmaker, so mine cannot lack in ceremony either! So I’ll have to trouble you, Sanlang — how about it?”

Zhù Ying said, “Me? But that side has Chief Minister Liu! I’m not a fitting counterpart to him!”

“It has to be you! Who else could hold their own against Chief Minister Liu? Still you — I can see you’re not afraid of him, and you can manage him well. It’s you, it’s you! I’ll give you a very generous matchmaker’s fee!”

Zhù Ying laughed. “Isn’t there also Chief Minister Wang?”

Chen Meng said in earnest, “If my late father were alive, he could go to Chief Minister Wang, and that would be a fitting match. Now it’s me, and I’m close to you — so naturally it’s you.”

“All right!” Zhù Ying declined no further. “Give me time to look up how to be a matchmaker, all right?”

“Pff!” Everyone in the room laughed.

The union of Chen Meng’s son and Shi Kun’s granddaughter was a match of equal standing. Both families had already given their inward consent, and the matchmaker was merely a formality. Still, Zhù Ying had to do her homework first — although it was Shi Kun who had proposed the match, when it came to the ritual exchange of gifts, the groom’s side had to formally initiate the request.

Zhù Ying had traveled to Shi Kun’s home so many times that she could have found the way in her sleep. She deliberately chose a day, put on her official robes, brought her attendants, and went to the Shi family home to formally propose the marriage on Chen Fang’s behalf. When she arrived, Shi Kun was dressed in violet robes. His bearing had, as if by some miracle, recovered seven or eight tenths of the stately manner he had possessed as Chief Minister — nothing like the sighing, lamenting figure of a few days before.

The six ritual steps of a proper engagement took a long time, and Chen Luan’s first death anniversary had not yet passed — everyone knew it was impossible for a wedding to take place yet.

All that the Chen and Shi families required of Zhù Ying was one visit to the Shi home, to let others see that the two families were in talks over the marriage.

Shi Kun even proclaimed publicly that he and “the late Chief Minister Chen had been friends for many years,” and that now his old friend had passed, he was willing to give his granddaughter in marriage to his son. In so doing, he took upon himself the potential criticism that could arise from discussing a marriage during the mourning period.

One look and it was obviously a baldfaced lie — Shi Kun and Chen Luan had shared precious little friendship, at most being colleagues who had never fought each other.

After this, Zhù Ying did not need to do much — only wait for the two families to select an auspicious date. When the time came, Chen Meng would notify her to show up and perform the ceremonial role. The matchmaker’s fee would not be paid until the wedding itself, so Zhù Ying was not getting that money this year. And since she did not drink, they wouldn’t even offer her wedding wine — Chen Meng wrapped up two jin of fine tea to give her instead.

She rubbed her nose, tucked Xiao Jiang’s manuscripts under her arm, and made her way first to the Imperial Guard. After asking around, she discovered that the Imperial Guard had not seen battle in a very long time, and many of the men had never personally witnessed wounds from blades and swords.

The Imperial Guard had no Grand General at present — six generals were taking turns on duty. The experienced old commanders had nearly all departed, and there were few who could help her.

A guard named Shi Xi asked curiously, “What does the Court of Judicial Review want with this?”

Zhù Ying said, “The Court of Judicial Review adjudicates cases — we need some understanding of wounds.”

Shi Xi half-understood and said, “Does the Court of Judicial Review really need to look into this personally? It seems rather complicated.”

Zhù Ying said, “I’ve assigned the more troublesome tasks to others. This one fell to me — and I’ve always had an interest in case adjudication. I won’t trouble you further. I’ll go and ask someone else.”

Shi Xi turned out to be helpful after all, saying, “There won’t be many such people in the Imperial Guard. The border armies see these injuries all the time, but they’re not in the capital. You might try consulting some of the veteran generals.”

Zhù Ying said, “Good — thank you for the reminder.”

With the manuscripts in hand, she went to find Marquis Zheng. The Marquis had some interest in the subject, and pointing to the descriptions on several pages, said, “These are all ordinary blade wounds, yes? There’s nothing remarkable about them! The weapons are all quite light…”

He was clearly an expert — and at a glance had recognized that the wounds were all made by relatively “delicate” instruments. Seeing that he was engaged, Zhù Ying stayed to talk longer, and took the opportunity to ask him what wounds from “heavier implements” looked like.

They were still talking when Zheng Xi returned home.

Zheng Xi came to see the Marquis, and upon seeing Zhù Ying, said, “Such a busy person — how much did you collect in matchmaker’s fees?”

Zhù Ying held up the manuscripts. “I’m taking it easy right now. Earning a little side income, enough to get these corrected and printed, and distributed to the prefectures and counties.”

“What is this?”

Zhù Ying said, “Many of the Court of Judicial Review’s methods for investigating and adjudicating cases are outdated. I want to revise them, correct the errors, and have them carved onto blocks and printed for distribution to the prefectures and counties. I see too many problems at the local level. At the very least, in this domain, giving them a standard ruler to measure by — as long as they’re not complete fools, doing things by this measure will reduce disorder and save some trouble.”

Zheng Xi took it and looked it over. “Not bad. Alas — isn’t it chaotic indeed?”

The Marquis asked, “What’s happened now?”

Zheng Xi said lightly, “The effort to suppress land consolidation has driven someone to death.”

Zhù Ying and the Marquis both went still for a moment. Neither changed expression, and they listened as Zheng Xi said, “The king of Chu loved slim waists, and palace ladies starved to death. When those above demand the suppression of land consolidation, those below take it as a mark of achievement. The newly appointed chief official — a tribute scholar of his own choosing who has just arrived in the capital — is shouting injustice! Says that a local gentry figure back home was pressured to death. Ah, right — you’ve served in local government. When it comes to suppressing land consolidation, how did you do it?”

Zhù Ying knew neither father nor son had ever dealt with this matter, so she explained simply, “When the court wants to suppress land consolidation, it depends on whether the chief official can manage it. A capable one takes aim at the lawbreaking powerful gentry and large households — that’s the best approach. An incapable one flails around like a wild boar, but can still get some results — the difference is everyone suffers together. The most wicked type doesn’t touch the major households but uses commoners to make up the numbers.”

The Marquis asked, “How could commoners consolidate land?”

“Land consolidation is essentially a matter of people and wealth flowing into private hands — hidden fields, hidden households. How does the court know that a locality has suppressed consolidation? Through the census investigation. The measure is how many hidden people and fields are uncovered. The more that’s uncovered, the better the performance appears. The Emperor and the Chief Ministers cannot personally go down and measure every inch — so how is ‘more’ or ‘less’ counted? You can’t just claim to have uncovered things and have the court award you merit on your word alone. There have to be people, fields — and from those, tax revenue and labor service. Only if the corresponding grain and corvée can actually be delivered does it count as verified.”

The implication was: rather than surfacing hidden people and fields, simply raise taxes and labor demands — which then all falls on ordinary people. Over time, this forces commoners to flee. Then the cycle worsens.

Fleeing commoners become vagrants and bandits, and then things descend into chaos.

Zheng Xi nodded. “Ah!”

Zhù Ying said, “I only find it puzzling — Chief Minister Wang is an extremely steady man. How has he managed to push things to the point of causing a death?”

Zheng Xi said, “He didn’t push it — but his face won’t look any better for it! You just watch and see. Investigating this falls to the Censorate anyway.”

Zhù Ying said, “I understand.” She then gathered Xiao Jiang’s manuscripts under her arm and asked the Marquis if there was anyone else she could consult.

The Marquis said, “Old Sun has passed too. Go take a look at the Leng household. Among those of us still in the capital, the people who’ve seen blood are fewer and fewer.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying looked at the sky — it was not early anymore. She did not go to the Leng estate that day and planned to go in a couple of days.

……

The following day’s morning court was calm and uneventful, as if Zheng Xi had been telling lies the evening before. No tribute scholar came forward shouting injustice, no censor leapt out to say anything against the suppression of land consolidation, and no one impeached any official for being unfit and throwing the locality into disorder upon taking office.

Zhù Ying watched Wang Yunhe’s gait — still steady, his step-length unchanged, his pace the same as always.

Not only that, but Wang Yunhe was even able to memorialize before the Emperor that the staff of the Prince of Qi’s household had been fully assembled.

The Emperor and the Chief Ministers had clearly discussed this beforehand. The proceedings were a formality. The ceremony was to be left until next year; this year the imperial decree would be issued first, formally granting the Prince of Qi his title. He would remain living in the palace for now, and only after the outside residence was ready and the ceremony complete would he move out.

This was easily the single most significant matter of that day’s morning court.

Those with keen ears in the capital had already caught wind of the “someone pressured to death” affair. The Censorate had also quietly dispatched people to investigate — but no one was exposing it openly.

The regional governors were also arriving in the capital one after another, and Chen Meng’s residence was once again receiving a constant stream of visitors. By the beginning of the eleventh month, Zhù Ying had actually received visiting cards from several regional officials herself!

Most of them came to cultivate a connection with her — some because they valued her role in the new Emperor’s accession, others hoping the Court of Judicial Review would not hold up their cases in the future.

Zhù Ying received each of them.

The governors had missed the previous year’s death of the late Emperor, but this year they arrived in time for his first death anniversary — every last one of them wept until they were a flood of tears.

After the late Emperor’s first death anniversary, everyone seemed as though they had completed a great task and felt free to relax and rejoice. And so another piece of excitement spread — not only was a consort to be selected for the Prince of Qi, but a number of women were to be added to the Eastern Palace as well.

Empress Mu had spoken, “In selecting a fine consort for the Prince of Qi, one need only consult families of good standing. In adding attendants for the Eastern Palace, there must be no disturbance to the local regions — it will suffice to conduct the selection within the capital and its environs.” In short, she was not letting the matter blow up beyond the capital.

This was different from selecting palace maids, which caused common people to panic and worry. This time, for certain families it could be counted a good opportunity. Many households were calculating their chances, and before the Empress numerous people spoke on behalf of various candidates.

In the Empress’s heart, her own son weighed more heavily, but she still patiently discussed with Consort Zhang Jieyu the selection of a principal consort for the Prince of Qi. The matter of adding side attendants to the Eastern Palace was put off and put off again — she left Eunuch Du Shi’en to handle the initial vetting first.

Once the news was out, it gave one person a new idea.

In a small courtyard in the capital, a young woman said to her parents, “Rather than always going to our aunt’s home to cadge a living, and month after month making people resent us — why not ask her for one great favor all at once? It would save her from losing face in front of her husband too!”

Her father said, “Is this a family matter for you to have a say in?”

The young woman said, “It’s not my place to have a say? Then how is it my place to go and beg money from aunt’s household? How is it my place to do needlework to earn money and subsidize the family? Bringing money home isn’t a family matter now?”

Her mother said, “That mouth of yours! Speak less! What idea have you come up with this time?”

“Uncle is after all Junior Prefect of the Court of Diplomatic Reception — he has more influence than we do. I want to enter the Eastern Palace selection! My food and clothing would all be provided by the palace, and the family could save some money. If I could bear a son or a daughter, our family would never have to look at anyone else’s expression again!”

Her father said, “But her husband has to be willing to help!”

The young woman said, “I’ll ask my aunt for this one thing! I’ll try — what do you say? If you agree, come with me to aunt’s home. If you don’t agree, I’ll go on my own.”

The parents deliberated back and forth without coming to a conclusion. When they looked up, the young woman had already run off to her uncle Sheng Ying’s household.

Shen Da Niang Zi had never much been able to make decisions at home, but hearing her niece’s words, she found them quite reasonable. Asking her husband was probably out of the question — and besides, her husband was also not the sort to get things done.

Shen Da Niang Zi looked her niece over — a girl of sixteen or seventeen, fair and beautiful, with the lively energy of a young woman. She was literate and sensible. Shen Da Niang Zi thought: this might actually work. Giving aid to an emergency rather than ongoing poverty — if she succeeds, I won’t have to keep swallowing slights at home either!

Having made up her mind, she said, “My dear, since you have the will, I will help you!” She immediately ordered a chest opened, gathered together a generous gift: “Take my calling card and send it to the Du household — to Du Family’s Lady!”

She had no particular connection to Du Shi’en’s household, but money could be turned into connections.