“Hey.” A voice interrupted the conversation between Chen Meng and Shi Ji’xing.

The two looked toward the voice and saw, not far away, a man dressed in red official robes.

Zhao Su.

Chen Meng felt a headache coming on, worried that Zhao Su might act impulsively and blow things up on the spot.

“This is bad,” Chen Meng said.

Shi Ji’xing also looked over. “Him?”

The two exchanged a glance and stepped forward simultaneously, ready to intervene.

Both of them knew: it was Zhù Ying who had brought Zhao Su out of the pestilent mists of Wuzhou, helped him gain admittance to the academy, helped him enter officialdom, supported him along the whole road, until he wore the crimson robes.

Many sons of prominent families’ branch lines were still serving in minor posts at forty, grinding away at seniority in remote areas. Zhao Su? Just turned forty, with no family connections, no powerful in-laws, no teacher to claim as patron — and under Zhù Ying’s cultivation, had already become an official who could attend court. The fifth rank: a threshold countless men never crossed in an entire lifetime.

To say nothing of an adoptive parent — even a birth father who could accomplish this was not common. If Zhao Su was willing to lay down his life for Zhù Ying, Chen Meng believed it without question.

Right now Chen Meng only hoped Zhao Su would refrain from being quite so devoted — making a great scene and drawing everyone’s attention to the “Twin Jades” connection between Zhù Ying and Du Shi’en would be a disaster.

Chen Meng quickened his pace and reached out his hand — only to hear: “What’s the matter?”

It was Xian Yujing who had spoken up.

A provocateur dreads nothing more than being ignored. Xian Yujing had been anxious that no one was engaging with him. When that large empty circle had formed around him, he had already sensed that something might be rather off — but unfortunately one cannot unstring a drawn bow.

With Zhao Su responding, he felt his spirit revive. He tilted his chin toward Zhao Su and shot back a question.

Chen Meng’s headache worsened.

Zhao Su’s expression remained utterly unruffled. He did not address Xian Yujing — instead he spoke to the people standing around Xian Yujing: “What is wrong with all of you — allowing a donkey to bray and wail in the palace grounds and not dragging it away to stuff bean cakes in its mouth?”

“Pfft,” Chen Meng let out a laugh despite himself. “Ha ha ha ha.”

Shi Ji’xing also couldn’t help smiling. The laughter spread, catching on among many others, and amid the ripples of laughter, Xian Yujing’s face flushed deep crimson.

At this point, the Emperor, Crown Prince, Dou Peng, Yang Jing, Xian Jing, and the rest had all made their way toward the Eastern Palace. Zhù Ying had finished speaking with Du Shi’en. Du Shi’en walked quickly to catch up with the group. Neither of them knew anything had happened.

Zhù Ying drifted slowly toward the sound of laughter, still not sure what had occurred. As she drew closer, she heard Xian Yujing’s strained voice: “Who are you, to dare speak such impudence in the palace grounds?”

Zhao Su flicked the hem of his robe lightly and said in a soft voice: “I am a barbarian.”

Seeing that Zhao Su could handle things perfectly well on his own, Zhù Ying stopped where she was and observed.

Chen Meng laughed out loud again. Too entertaining, truly.

At this juncture, if Zhù Ying engaged with Xian Yujing — regardless of what response she gave — it would amount to conceding that Xian Yujing was qualified to debate with her, inadvertently elevating his standing. If Zhù Ying engaged and Xian Yujing lost, he had nothing to lose; if he won, his gains would be doubled.

So Zhù Ying absolutely should not step in at this moment. This is also why “lesser figures” can so often say whatever they please.

Zhao Su was different — he was Zhù Ying’s adoptive son, a bureau chief of the Ministry of Revenue, perfectly matched in rank to Xian Yujing.

What Chen Meng found baffling was: could Xian Jing truly be this foolish? To allow Xian Yujing to behave so… idiotically?

Zhao Su was not a pushover, after all.

Like master, like student — if not seven parts similar to Zhù Ying, then at least five.

Xian Yujing retorted: “Proudly claiming to be a barbarian — taking shame as honour — does that give you licence to do as you please?”

Zhao Su smiled: “I was born of a Liao woman — what need for ‘proudly claiming’?”

He noticed Zhù Ying had begun walking over, and quickly delivered the second half: “By the grace of Minister Zhù’s refusal to look down on me, I was taught the principles of civilisation and given the opportunity to serve the court. Minister Zhù personally ventured into the pestilent lands, guided the cultivation of fields, educated the barbarian peoples. Since she has managed the Ministry of Revenue, the granaries have been full and plentiful — making it possible for even a pig like you, who deserves nothing but swill, to eat his fill, and yet you have the energy to stand there cursing the cook.”

The refined methods of argument Xian Yujing knew by the thousand. But faced with Zhao Su’s direct, vivid approach of calling him a pig and a donkey, he found himself without an equivalent comeback. He was stuck. He jabbed a finger at Zhao Su and spluttered: “You — you are an absolute disgrace to decorum!”

The onlookers let out a disappointed murmur — this time Xian Yujing had failed to reply in kind.

A few friends who had come to their senses realised he had lost this round and quickly drew him aside: “Do not give in to a momentary show of words.”

Zhao Su was about to press his advantage when Zhù Ying arrived: “What happened?”

Zhao Su bowed respectfully toward Zhù Ying: “Nothing.”

“Ah. Then let’s head back — there is still work to be done.”

“Yes.”

It was already the end of summer, and preparations for next year’s budget needed to begin. Starting now would allow for a measured pace; there would be no need to rush as they had the previous year, and everything could be considered more carefully.

Zhù Ying gave a nod of acknowledgment to Chen Meng, Shi Ji’xing, and other familiar faces. By now, those who did not need to go to the Eastern Palace had gradually gathered.

Leng Yun sauntered out with an unhurried air, looked at Xian Yujing being dragged away, and spat: “What sort of creature!”

Zhù Ying asked: “What happened?”

The word “Twin Jades” — she had not heard it. She could only guess that she had been spoken of poorly. No one present felt comfortable explaining it to her at that moment.

Leng Yun clapped Zhao Su on the shoulder: “Go home and explain slowly to your adoptive parent.” Then to Zhù Ying: “If you need help with anything, just say the word.” And with that, he sauntered off.

Chen Meng had already made up his mind. Without a word, he also left the palace grounds.

——

Zhù Ying walked back toward the Ministry of Revenue. Zhao Su’s expression was still very unpleasant. Though he had gotten the better of Xian Yujing, the term “Twin Jades” had been put into circulation — people who bore Zhù Ying ill will would very likely use it to make trouble. It was truly revolting.

And he had only called Xian Yujing two types of animals — the descriptions weren’t particularly memorable either. Xian Yujing had gotten off lightly!

The more he thought about it the angrier he became. He began to wonder whether he might be able to ambush Xian Yujing en route and stuff him in a sack for a beating. After all, court audiences were held before dawn when the sky was still dark — a thorough thrashing from behind, and who could name the attacker?

No — he had just had a public confrontation with Xian Yujing. If Xian Yujing were beaten right afterward, would that not leave clear traces pointing back to him?

He would need to plan more carefully.

Before the planning was done, the Ministry of Revenue had arrived. Ye Deng, Li Yuan, and several other bureau chiefs had more or less already heard what had happened. They looked toward Zhao Su. Zhao Su gave them a nod. Zhù Ying noticed their exchange but acted as though she had not, proceeding with the routine morning briefing and assigning work on the budget preparations.

Then she said to Zhao Su: “Come with me.”

Ye Deng and the others had no heart for work and pricked up their ears to listen.

A moment later, the faint sound of Zhù Ying’s laughter drifted over. Everyone’s hearts relaxed.

The moment Zhao Su came out of Zhù Ying’s office, Ye Deng called him over — Li Yuan was already inside. Neither asked about what had happened earlier. They simply looked at Zhao Su’s expression: though he was not smiling, the very unpleasant look was already gone. Ye Deng carelessly picked up a document and handed it to Zhao Su to handle.

Zhao Su accepted it, gave a bow, and went out.

Back at his own desk, he opened the document and let out a long sigh — it was the report on investigating Yanzhou’s household registrations that he had handed to Ye Deng just yesterday…

Zhao Su closed the document and continued pondering how to deal with Xian Yujing.

As a plan was taking shape in his mind, this “interlude” was also slowly spreading. Compared to “Twin Jades,” “braying donkey” and “pig who deserves only swill” were considerably more vivid and accessible — far easier to circulate. Before long, a great many people within and without the palace grounds had heard about the incident. As the working day ended and each person dispersed, this story would inevitably travel with them.

The moment court ended, Zheng Yi ran to Zheng Xi’s home and relayed the day’s events in full.

Zheng Xi said: “Children are debts. I had not thought that Xian Jing’s brother would also be a debt.”

“Lord Seventh, should we do something?” Zheng Yi asked. “Surely we cannot just let Sanlang be slandered by that pig?”

Zheng Xi said: “I will go and see him myself.”

Zheng Xi took a simple retinue and went to Zhù Ying’s home.

Zhù Ying was just returning home, surrounded by Zhao Su and others. Today’s events had been a significant matter for the “southern contingent,” and the southern scholars were all collectively indignant.

This was a rather interesting phenomenon: to Xian Jing’s faction, the military aristocracy was an obstacle to their advancement. It so happened that to the southern scholars, the northerners represented the same thing. Zhù Ying was willing to help the southern scholars; now that someone was moving against Zhù Ying, the southern scholars were naturally outraged.

The two groups met at the gate. Zhù Ying first bowed to Zheng Xi; Zheng Xi returned the bow. Some among the southern scholars quickly recognised Zheng Xi and called out greetings in a noisy chorus. Zheng Xi nodded back with a smile: “Every one of you a capable and accomplished person.” One phrase left many of them feeling a swell of emotion.

With Zheng Xi arrived, the others withdrew to a side parlour to wait. Zhù Ying led Zheng Xi to the main hall and offered him the seat of honour.

Zheng Xi dispensed with niceties and came straight to the point: “I heard about today’s matter at the palace. Xian Yujing — what do you plan to do?”

Zhù Ying said: “Him? No need for me to handle it.”

“Zhao Su is real talent!” Zheng Xi expressed his admiration, then continued: “This touches on me to some extent as well. I cannot simply let you suffer for nothing. But when I act, I won’t be moving against only one person.”

Zhù Ying looked at Zheng Xi calmly: “You haven’t yet been restored to your post, and you’re already laying out a grand strategy?”

Zheng Xi sighed: “Is this considered grand? Xian Jing is still the Crown Prince’s Chief Advisor — one must be careful not to harm the more important by protecting the lesser. Giving them a lesson so they’ll behave for a while — that I can manage.” The same title, yet such different fates!

“Indeed — the Crown Prince,” Zhù Ying said quietly.

Zheng Xi said: “If you truly want me to act — are you no longer concerned with Chief Minister Wang’s old friendship?”

Zhù Ying replied: “Chief Minister Wang? Where is he now? They no longer have even a fraction of his bearing.”

Zheng Xi said: “Very well. Xian Yujing is just a wild boastful youth. Whoever takes his words as truth would be making a laughingstock of themselves.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Du Shi’en has rendered service to the nation — he once saved His Majesty from an assassin’s hands. If one day I too could turn the tide in some desperate moment, this journey would not have been in vain.”

“Praising a eunuch this way — even if it is the truth, it is not suitable to say in public.”

“This is my own home — only you and I are here.”

Zheng Xi said: “Very well — you need not concern yourself with this matter.” He gestured casually toward the side parlour. “Attend to those guests. Young people are easily impulsive; if they don’t listen, they’ll cause trouble.”

“Understood.”

Once Zheng Xi left, the southern scholars — led by Zhao Su — came to pay their respects to Zhù Ying. In the time Zheng Xi and Zhù Ying had been speaking, Zhao Su, Zhuo Jue, and others had already been conferring with the assembled southern scholars on how to respond.

Zhao Su had set the direction: “Rebuttal is the most useless approach. What we need is a more sensational piece of news to push this one aside.”

Zhuo Jue also smiled: “Is it not simply about who can shout louder? They may well be scholars of the moment, but our voice cannot be small! We have many fellow southerners who have all gained their positions and promotions through the Minister’s help. There are also our people in local postings — let’s make sure they hear a full and proper account. Give those ungrateful wretches who bite the hand that feeds them a good expose!”

Zhao Zhen heard this and chimed in: “Exactly! The Minister has worked for the country and the people — what has she not done? And a single braying donkey thinks it can smear her reputation with two snaps of its jaw? Out of the question!”

Zhao Su reminded them once more: “Do not mention what Xian Yujing said!”

“Right, right.”

——

Meanwhile, Xian Jing had also learned what his brother had gone and done.

He called his brother before him and said furiously: “This mouth of yours must also know when and who to use it on! Zhù Zi’zhang is no mediocre dead-weight, so why did you go out of your way to insult him? And in the end you were ridiculed in return!”

Xian Yujing’s face flushed deep red: “He is obviously part of the Zheng faction, intent on monopolising power and shutting out all worthy men!”

Xian Jing said: “And if he is, what of it? According to you, how should the Imperial Guard be allocated? This is not something you should be commenting on. The Emperor’s personal attendants have always required sons of the aristocracy — who else is there? If you have such eagerness, go and accomplish something real. You — I will speak with Minister Yao and arrange for you to go to a local posting. Go and genuinely understand what the people’s lives are like.”

Xian Yujing said: “If I leave, you’ll have one fewer person helping you here in the capital!”

“Do as I say.” Xian Jing swallowed the curses back down. You helping me?!

“Oh.”

“Tidy yourself up, and come with me to Minister Zhù’s residence to apologise.”

“What? I will not go!” Xian Yujing leapt to his feet — absolutely refusing, no matter what was said. No amount of argument from Xian Jing could sway him; he dug in his heels and eventually bolted from the room.

Xian Jing drew a long, deep breath, feeling profoundly drained.

With Xian Yujing fled, Xian Jing still had no choice but to clean up this mess himself. He tidied himself and made his way to the gate of Zhù’s residence.

Zhù Ying’s household was in the midst of a meal — a banquet had been set out to receive the southern scholars. As was customary, there was no wine. But with everyone gathered together, laughter and conversation filled the air, and with only fellow southerners in every direction, each person felt a wave of joy.

Someone in high spirits picked up their chopsticks and tapped the bowl in rhythm, singing a folk tune from home. One voice joined, then another, and the singing drifted out.

Xian Jing stood outside listening. He wavered, then still decided to enter. Zhù Wen recognised him and hurried to welcome him inside, announcing his arrival to Zhù Ying in a loud voice.

The hall went quiet.

Zhù Ying smiled: “Please show him in.” She rose from her seat and went to greet him.

Xian Jing entered with wide strides, his face full of remorse. The moment he saw Zhù Ying, he said: “Zi’zhang, I am sorry.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Come in, come in — quite good timing, Chief Advisor.”

Host and guest sat. Xian Jing looked over the hall full of scholars, then spoke earnestly to Zhù Ying: “The fault is mine.”

“What is past is past — let us not speak of it again.”

Xian Jing let out a sigh and settled into the seat newly arranged for him. Zhù Ying did not breathe a word about the day’s events, but instead inquired about Yang Jing’s lesson on the classics for the Crown Prince that morning.

Xian Jing offered a brief summary of the main points.

Zhù Ying said to the southern scholars: “Sacrificial Scholar Yang’s learning is exceptional — it is rare to hear him lecture like this. Were it not for the Chief Advisor’s account, we would all have been unable to listen. We really must thank the Chief Advisor.”

The southern scholars offered their thanks to Xian Jing in a ragged chorus.

Xian Jing said: “The learning is not mine — I am merely passing along flowers that are not of my own planting.”

With Xian Jing present, the previously lively atmosphere had shifted. The singing stopped; the quiet muttering against Xian Yujing ceased as well. Zhao Su smiled and said to Zhù Ying: “We’ve been quite noisy — afraid we might disturb you and the Chief Advisor at dinner. Shall we go and make merry over there instead?”

Xian Jing quickly said: “No need — I am the one who has intruded.”

Zhù Ying said to Zhao Su: “Don’t cause trouble.”

Zhao Su smiled, lifted his chopsticks and tapped the table edge in rhythm, and began to sing a mountain folk song. Lin Feng and Su Zhe joined in.

All seemed as though nothing had happened — as though no conflict had ever occurred at all.

Xian Jing’s heart settled somewhat. He returned home and admonished Xian Yujing day after day.

Xian Yujing was thoroughly ill at ease. After the “Twin Jades” incident, there were not many people saying bad things about Zhù Ying, but a great many saying “braying donkey” when referring to him. People who would previously have greeted him in passing now looked at him sideways. This enraged Xian Yujing tremendously — he cursed Zhù Ying privately as “scheming” and “certainly pulling strings from behind the scenes,” though he dared not say it openly in public.

Xian Jing could not govern what his brother said behind closed doors, as long as he refrained from causing any public scene for a few days. Xian Jing himself had other pressing matters; he submitted his calling card to Yang Jing’s residence.

——

In principle, Yang Jing and Xian Jing should have been on good terms. In practice, the two had little interaction.

Yang Jing received Xian Jing at home.

At the sight of Yang Jing’s face, Xian Jing’s spirits lifted somewhat.

The two sat. Yang Jing said: “Looking at your expression, you must have come about something.”

Xian Jing said: “A serious matter — a favour to request.”

Yang Jing said: “What matter?”

Xian Jing first spoke at length in praise of what Yang Jing had accomplished at the Imperial Academy, then sighed: “Our teacher also had such ambitions in his lifetime. It is a pity heaven did not grant him more years, and with so many affairs to manage, he never managed to see it done. Now that his spirit is beyond the grave, I imagine he looks on with gratification. I wonder if among the students of the Imperial Academy, there may be persons of exceptional talent who could carry forward the aspirations of those who came before?”

Yang Jing said: “There are. I will not give them to you — lest you ruin good material.”

Xian Jing was somewhat taken aback. He looked at Yang Jing — still the same mild, pleasant face as always. Yang Jing and Liu Songnian were entirely different people. Liu Songnian had always worn his feelings plainly — sarcasm and mockery openly displayed. Yang Jing could say the most cutting things while maintaining a gentle, approachable expression.

“Why would you say such a thing, Brother Yang?”

“You have too many small-minded people around you. Good students would be corrupted.”

“That is too much.”

“Was Yu Qingyuan a good man? Is your younger brother a person of generous and forgiving temperament?”

Xian Jing opened his mouth. “They are not… exactly… they cannot be worse than those prodigal dead-weights.”

“Which is to say they are quite bad. You insist on protecting these people — do you want them wielding influence unchecked?”

“With them all dismissed, the whole structure collapses — our teacher’s aspirations would then be impossible to realise. Accomplishing things requires people. Good or not, one must first keep them available. Give me capable people and I will gradually replace the others.”

Yang Jing was deeply disappointed: “By the time you succeed, every upright and honest person under heaven will have been bitten to death by the pests clinging to you — and you too will have been bitten to death by your own pests. On what grounds do you ask others to endure such torment from petty men?”

“They can…”

“They can follow your banner? Scramble under your banner fighting over scraps left by petty men? Or endure being shut out and excluded by petty men, yet still serve you without resentment? You cannot manage those petty men, yet you demand that the true pillars take your orders and submit to their harassment — that is simply preposterous.”

Xian Jing still would not leave, making one final effort: “It is not for my own sake — it is for all under heaven.

I know my own shortcomings; I know you are dissatisfied. But the affairs of the world are this way. Even your own students — once they enter officialdom, they will have in their hearts not only their teacher, but also the sages and their way.

Everyone reads the books of the sages — everyone can walk the sages’ path. Every person has their own understanding of the sages. Can a teacher’s authority surpass that of Confucius and Mencius?

Even a teacher cannot make them listen to only one voice. I can only do my utmost to draw them together. Our teacher during his lifetime also searched for a path forward. As long as worthy scholars remain in the court, eventually someone will succeed. What I must do is ensure the court is not entirely occupied by incapable prodigals — to ensure there is even a sliver of space. If one cannot first establish a foothold, then even the most brilliant plans have nowhere to take hold!

To accomplish things requires people! To have people inevitably draws accusations of ‘factionalism’ — I have no other way. If we all withdraw, the court is handed over entirely to others, and our teacher’s ideals — no one will ever speak of them again.

I also want companions who share my aspirations; I am exhausted too! Brother Yang, I ask for your help.”

“You cannot shield and indulge those people — using factional loyalties to attack senior ministers.” Yang Jing smiled. “Chief Advisor, please see yourself out.”

If targeting Wang Yunhe tended to make bystanders resent Zheng Xi, then targeting Zhù Ying would absolutely cause people to resent Xian Jing’s faction.

There was no other reason: both Wang and Zhù were people who worked with their whole hearts. Their conduct and character were beyond reproach.

Regardless of one’s own position on things.

Yang Jing understood Xian Jing’s meaning, but was not inclined to sympathise: “You are like a foolish student who can only think about copying the book word for word, yet has no time to actually study what the book is teaching.”

Xian Jing left in low spirits.

——

In the capital, the rumours had not yet died down. To drown out “Twin Jades,” Zhao Su and his companions worked hard at counter-promotion. They also dragged out Yu Qingyuan and others for a thorough posthumous criticism — aside from avoiding any attacks on Wang Yunhe, they attacked Xian Yujing and his sort with every variation they could think of.

In the process, Xian Jing also received a measure of criticism.

The matter was not yet concluded. A few days later, the Emperor suddenly issued an edict banishing Xian Yujing from the capital. Along with him, eight others were banished as well. The destinations were all quite remote — some made deputy regional governors, some adjutants, some demoted to county magistrates or their assistants.

Once the edict was issued, Xian Yujing raged at home with a torrent of abuse. He exhausted every ancestor of Zhù Ying’s he could name, known or unknown. But no matter how he cursed, he still dared not defy the imperial edict. In the end, he had no choice but to pack his bags and set off sulkily to take up his new post.

“The Empress told His Majesty that these people were behaving improperly — that they had suddenly begun corrupting the influence around the Crown Prince and Prince Qi, which was most unseemly.” Du Shi’en told this to Zhù Ying.

The two of them were in Du Shi’en’s home, drinking tea. They had both attended Lan Xing’s funeral. At the funeral, Du Shi’en had arranged to have Zhù Ying come to his home to sit for a while afterward.

Zhù Ying said: “The Empress? When did she start disliking these people?”

“How could you be confused about this? It was naturally Minister Zheng. I need not conceal this from you: in earlier years, there were marriage arrangements between Minister Zheng’s circle and the inner palace. These scoundrels were using the Crown Prince’s name to cause trouble outside — that also damages the Crown Prince’s reputation, does it not?”

Zhù Ying understood. On other matters the Empress might not involve herself, but her son and her husband were her foremost concerns — and to be entirely frank, the son came before the husband.

The Empress had not moved against Xian Jing — she had only quietly sent someone to “remind” him. Xian Jing was genuinely devoted in serving the Crown Prince, and the Empress was clear-eyed about gratitude and grievance.

Zhù Ying said: “You did not hold your tongue either.”

Du Shi’en said: “Ashamed to say — I am nothing but a servant. In the old days, many household affairs were managed by the Empress. When she speaks, His Majesty is willing to listen. Our Empress is a fortunate person: except that her family brothers are not worth much, everything else is well. Those few little troublemakers were not a major matter — it is just that they inconvenienced you.”

“Where does that come from?”

Du Shi’en said: “No need for such formality between us.”

Zhù Ying laughed and shook her head: “I was not troubled in the slightest. I am not a twenty-year-old idealist fresh out of school — why would I need their praise?”

Du Shi’en let out a heartfelt sigh: “You are magnanimous.”

“You flatter me.”

Du Shi’en could only stay away from the palace for a short time. Before even a cup of tea had been finished, someone from the palace arrived: “Master, please return quickly! His Majesty, His Majesty again…”

Zhù Ying and Du Shi’en exchanged a glance. Du Shi’en asked: “What has happened again?”

“He is complaining of headaches again.”

Though Zhù Ying had not asked, Du Shi’en still spoke quietly: “It is all being kept quiet — in truth, he always has headaches and dizziness, and frequently cannot attend to affairs. When Chief Minister Dou comes to report matters, he can only listen — nothing more.”

Zhù Ying nodded.