In the capital, an inconsequential eunuch had died. Life continued on, and each person added a small measure of caution to their days.
An Emperor who was ailing and frail made everyone feel unsettled inside.
The situation felt as though it had returned to the final years of the late Emperor’s reign: the Emperor did not frequently appear before his ministers, yet he was still alive. One could not treat him as though he no longer existed, yet one still had to consider his feelings.
On this particular day, Xiang Le was reporting to Zhù Ying on the investigation into the granary situation.
“Using the cover of several military campaigns, they were able to balance out some of the accounts — but there are still traces remaining. Everything I have found is here.” Xiang Le placed a thick account book before Zhù Ying.
The account book was very thick; Xiang Le had been thorough and painstaking in his work. In addition to the account book there was also a separate thin booklet: “This records the granary locations they fabricated as false entries. I went myself to verify — none of them exist.”
Then Xiang Le went on: “The methods used to falsify things are only a few basic types — either falsifying the accounts, or falsifying the physical goods…” He enumerated the methods of falsification one by one: “If none of the above prove sufficient, there is one final recourse — fire. One blaze, and evidence and physical goods alike are burned away, leaving nothing to prove anything against them.”
Zhù Ying said: “Good. Keep all of this safe for now — do not move on it yet.”
Xiang Le did not hesitate: “Yes.”
Seeing that Zhù Ying had no further instructions, Xiang Le asked: “Does the Minister have any other assignments for me?”
Zhù Ying asked with a smile: “Why? Still in the thick of it?”
Xiang Le smiled sheepishly. Having come from a merchant background, entering officialdom had come late for him, and with the debt of a transformative encounter, he was very eager to accomplish something.
Zhù Ying said: “There will be plenty to keep you busy…”
The sound of footsteps interrupted her. A junior eunuch came running: “Minister, His Majesty has summoned you.”
Zhù Ying could only say to Xiang Le: “Go and assist Zhao Su for now. I will come and speak with you in more detail shortly.”
“Yes.”
——
Zhù Ying arrived at the great hall and found the Emperor reclining sideways on his couch.
The Emperor did not have her perform the full formal prostration, but instead had her sit on a round stool beside the couch.
Zhù Ying looked at the Emperor’s complexion — it had not improved, yet he also did not appear to be on the verge of death. She heard the Emperor say: “When Prince Qi established his household, do you know how much it cost?”
Zhù Ying said: “I was not at the Ministry of Revenue at that time. However, I have reviewed the old records. The establishment of the household and the wedding were prepared at the same time. The inner privy seal contributed a certain amount; the Ministry of Revenue contributed a certain amount; there was also an existing residence that could be converted, saving a certain amount. In total, the sum was…”
The Emperor said: “The second prince is already a father. The third prince ought to marry as well, and the second princess ought to be married off too.”
That would mean preparing the noble title, the wedding, and the establishment of the household all at once — not a small expense.
Zhù Ying asked: “How much does Your Majesty wish to spend? When is the auspicious date set for?”
The Emperor said: “As soon as possible.”
Zhù Ying said: “Then it may be necessary to be somewhat economical. Last year’s funds were nearly all spent. To economise further, the money set aside in reserve for emergencies would have to be drawn upon. Should something unforeseen arise, that would be easy for others to criticise.”
The Emperor’s expression flickered with mild displeasure, then he asked: “How much can be provided?”
“From the Ministry of Revenue’s funds — not exceeding what was given to Prince Qi, perhaps slightly less by one or two parts in ten, per person.”
The Emperor’s expression improved considerably. “That should be enough. They told me there are existing residences already available. What is your view?”
Regarding the choice of residence — in truth, there was one ready-made option: the place Wang Yunhe had only recently vacated. Zhù Ying was deeply reluctant to use it for this purpose. She still held hope that one day Wang Shuliang might return, to become the new master of that residence.
So she said: “Converting a Chief Minister’s residence into a royal household, only to have to convert it all over again for the next Chief Minister — that is not particularly economical. Your Majesty would save more trouble by keeping it and granting it to the next Chief Minister.”
In the aftermath of Prince Lu’s rebellion, many properties of those who had sided with him had been confiscated and were gradually being granted to officials with meritorious service. Some had still not yet been allocated and remained sealed. Zhù Ying’s suggestion was to combine two of these residences into one, refurbish them together, and use the result as the royal household. Two residences combined would be somewhat larger than what Wang Yunhe had left behind.
The moment the Emperor heard “somewhat larger,” he agreed: “Then let them go and arrange it. Truly, asking you gives a more satisfactory result.”
There was also the matter of the old residence of Princess Ande. At the time, the Princess had been granted a residence by the imperial household; now that the Princess had passed away, a residence of that scale was no longer appropriate for the Prince Consort and the Princess’s children to occupy, and so it too had been reclaimed.
As for the new titles for the prince and princess, the choice of their respective spouses — the Emperor said nothing of these, and Zhù Ying did not ask.
By age, this Princess and Zheng Xi’s second son, and Leng Yun’s son, were all of comparable age. The families of General Ruan, Chief Censor Wang, and others all had sons and daughters of suitable age as well. Zhù Ying absolutely refused to involve herself in any of this.
One does not act as matchmaker, guarantor, or go-between — no good comes of it to one’s family for three generations.
Just when Zhù Ying assumed today had been spent on the Emperor’s domestic arrangements at the cost of her own work time, the Emperor asked: “When does Wen Yue arrive?”
Zhù Ying said: “That would need to be asked of the Ministry of War — I am not sure. However, calculating by travel time, he should be arriving soon.”
The Emperor said: “The quartering of his troops, the allocation of provisions — those are all your affair, I take it?”
Zhù Ying said: “They are. This minister will oversee the quartering personally. However, I am not sure how they are to be subordinated to the existing Imperial Guard and the Ministry of War for purposes of command structure, nor how the subsequent provisions are to be disbursed.”
“They are under my personal command. Should there be anything, have Wen Yue speak with you.” The Emperor said this with seriousness.
“Yes.”
The troops Wen Yue brought — recruited under a voluntary enlistment system — were an entirely different configuration from the earlier military arrangements. The Emperor having Zhù Ying handle the preparations was not exactly the Ministry of Revenue overstepping its bounds.
Seeing that the Emperor had nothing further to say, Zhù Ying took her leave and departed.
Returning to the Ministry of Revenue, she called for Xiang Le: “Wen Yue is arriving soon. His provisions are to be managed as a separate account — you are responsible for it.”
“Yes.”
That evening, Zhù Ying sent Su Zhe off to Zheng Xi’s residence.
Zheng Xi was wearing a peculiar bamboo hat, seated by the pond in his home courtyard fishing. He received Su Zhe in the waterside pavilion. Su Zhe looked with curiosity at Zheng Xi’s incongruous outfit — too wealthy-looking to be a fisherman, too casually dressed for a Chief Minister, and that bamboo hat simply did not match either.
Zheng Xi was relatively indulgent with young women. He smiled and asked: “Weather like this — why has your adoptive parent sent you on this errand?”
“A’Weng said it would attract less notice this way.”
“Oh? Then this must be something significant.” Zheng Xi gestured at the seat across from him, indicating Su Zhe should sit.
Su Zhe sat down and said: “General Wen is coming back. His Majesty asked about it today. A’Weng said that you would certainly have arrangements in mind — this was not worth making an extra trip about, just a little exercise for my legs. His Majesty seems to have become a different person — he is very attentive to his own safety and may not be pleased to see the Imperial Guard growing too close to other senior ministers. If General Wen does not show some restraint, perhaps this force of troops will no longer be his to command either. Please bear with things for a time. And regarding General Wen — please give him a word of advance guidance as well. As you yourself once said: hold back for the right moment.”
She watched Zheng Xi’s expression carefully, and was disappointed to find that not a trace of anything could be read from his face. She could only lower her head dispiritedly and drink her tea.
Zheng Xi said with composure: “Go back and tell your adoptive parent: I was thinking the same thing.”
Su Zhe choked on her tea and set down the cup: “Yes.”
Zheng Xi smiled: “No need to hurry — sit and finish your tea and sweets before you leave. An Emperor does not starve his soldiers, much less would I.”
“Yes.” Su Zhe smiled sweetly.
——
When Wen Yue arrived at the capital, the weather still carried the lingering warmth of summer. He did not come alone — he brought along the young men he had recruited from the northern territories.
The day before his arrival, a messenger had already reached his camp: “The Mistress has heard that the General is returning and has sent someone to deliver a change of clothes, so he may be properly dressed to appear before His Majesty.”
Wen Yue made a show of mild reproach: “Women — always making things complicated.”
He called the messenger forward to look, and the person who had come was indeed from his household. He thought nothing of it — until the messenger said: “The Mistress says she has a few private words of instruction.”
With that, the messenger began making urgent, meaningful signals with his eyes.
Wen Yue then met with him alone. After a whispered exchange, Wen Yue said loudly: “I am commanding troops. Women are not permitted in military camps — what outside concubine? There is no such person.”
Those outside the tent heard this and understood the joke with a knowing smile.
Very shortly, they reached the outskirts of the capital. Zhù Ying came out with Xiang Le and the others to meet him. Upon seeing Zhù Ying, Wen Yue was visibly moved. More moved still were the northern young men behind him. When they saw Zhù Ying, they could not help but instinctively salute: “Commander!”
Zhù Ying smiled back and gave them a nod of acknowledgment. To Wen Yue she said: “Your quarters have been arranged elsewhere. I will be here to handle everything. You go and present yourself to His Majesty first — by the time you return, I guarantee everything will already be in order.”
Wen Yue, upon hearing this, said: “Very well.”
And walked away without a backward glance. His subordinates found this entirely unremarkable.
Zhù Ying personally oversaw the selection of their quarters and took them to settle in.
The soldiers addressed her as “Commander” with every sentence. Zhù Ying said: “I am no longer the military governor — that appointment was long since relinquished. It is General Wen who commands you now. Though if there is any difficulty with provisions or logistics, you can still come and find me.”
They went through another round of mutual recognition. Zhù Ying personally supervised the first distribution: “The diet of the northern territories differs somewhat from that of the capital — this has been allocated according to your habits.”
“Yes.” Whether officers or common soldiers, their voices carried a note of emotion.
Zhù Ying went through the accounting with them, then said: “Xiang Le.”
Xiang Le stepped forward formally. Zhù Ying said: “From now on, provisions are to be allocated in this manner. Go through the procedure once more with them — familiarise yourself.”
“Yes.”
Some of the men knew Xiang Le as well; a few of the officers and Xiang Le could call each other by name. Two men came out and walked off with Xiang Le, shoulders almost touching. The remaining officers invited Zhù Ying to the main tent. Zhù Ying said: “No need. I will just walk around here. Come — tell me about this year’s conditions in the northern territories.”
——
On the other side, Wen Yue had arrived at the palace.
This sort of private audience with the Emperor did not come along often for Wen Yue. He valued the occasion greatly, and felt something of nervousness. He performed the formal obeisance. The Emperor asked: “You are Wen Yue?”
“I am.”
The Emperor first offered a word of consolation for his hardships. Wen Yue was moved, and with something of a stammer expressed his wholehearted loyalty to the Emperor.
The Emperor smiled and nodded, then asked: “How many troops have you brought? How did you proceed along the way? What is the situation in the northern territories? What is the condition of the northern young men and of the training?”
Wen Yue answered each question in turn.
The Emperor said: “It was Zhù Ying who recommended you.”
Wen Yue’s heart contracted. He quickly replied: “Yes. In the northern territories at the time, she was the military governor. Later, due to the division of troops, the forces under the military governor’s command were insufficient — so new troops were recruited. I arrived later; the others already had their posts arranged. He therefore tasked me with training and drilling the new recruits.”
“You were previously in the Imperial Guard?”
“I was.”
“It seems I recall hearing that you have some connection to Marquis Zheng?”
“My late father was a junior officer under Marquis Zheng in his lifetime. After my father passed, Marquis Zheng looked after my widowed mother and orphaned self with considerable care. After I have presented myself to His Majesty and got my troops settled, I will go and pay my respects at the Marquis’s memorial.”
The Emperor smiled: “You have sentiment and loyalty.”
“This servant is filled with trepidation.”
The Emperor suddenly asked: “If Zheng Xi were to entrust you with a matter, would you carry it out?”
Wen Yue drew a sharp breath. “That would depend on what the matter was.”
“What sort of matter?”
Wen Yue said: “One that causes no harm to Your Majesty and no harm to the nation. In all things, public duty must come before private obligations.”
The Emperor gave a satisfied nod: “You may go. I grant you three days’ leave.”
“Yes.”
Zhù Ying waited at the military encampment until Wen Yue returned, completed the handover with him, and then Wen Yue, once his troops were settled, hurried to Zheng Xi’s home to pay his respects at the memorial.
Zhù Ying accompanied him to the Zheng residence. Wen Yue burned incense first; Zhù Ying also followed and burned incense herself.
Zheng Xi said: “After this, there can be no close association.”
Wen Yue heard this and felt a pang in his heart, bowing his head.
Zhù Ying said: “It is not that you can never visit at all. No one forbids anyone from calling on friends. It is only that we are at a critical juncture — some caution is necessary. Once General Wen has established his footing firmly, there will be time for more leisurely contact then. Calling up someone who is obviously loyal to you and placing him in command of the Imperial Guard? The Emperor would reject that outright to begin with.”
Her reasoning for persuading the Emperor had been the “recruited troops” aspect — that these soldiers had no connection to the old military system. Precisely not that the connection to the old system was strong. One could reasonably conclude the Emperor’s thinking was: commanding an independent force, reporting directly to the Emperor himself, Wen Yue should know where his loyalties must lie.
Zheng Xi smiled: “I know your hearts. Both of you — go attend to your work.”
Wen Yue choked out an assent, and together with Zhù Ying took their leave of the Zheng residence.
Wen Yue returned home to find all in good order within his household. His wife, Mistress Wen, came out to greet him, smiling warmly: “The General is home.”
Everyone in the household welcomed his return. Wen Yue had come back considerably later than the comrades who had set out with him on campaign; his household had been worried. After catching up on everything that had passed, Mistress Wen spoke at length about how the Zheng household had looked after them during his absence. Wen Yue felt another wave of gratitude welling within him.
From this point on, Wen Yue and his troops were stationed in the capital. His orders came directly from the Emperor, and he was assigned to take over a portion of the Imperial Guard’s duties. His provisions came directly from Zhù Ying’s hands, subject to no one else’s control. His soldiers were all men from the northern territories — no outsider could insert themselves into this arrangement.
Seeing this state of affairs, a good many ministers were astonished: when had the Emperor become so sharp-sighted and shrewd?
——
“Did you say something to His Majesty?”
Chen Meng was also very suspicious. Considering himself to be on the same side as Zhù Ying, he simply came straight to her home to ask.
He knew: the Emperor frequently saw Zhù Ying and frequently asked her questions. Judging by the Emperor’s manner, he did not appear to be the sort of person capable of arranging things in this way on his own.
Zhù Ying said: “Perhaps.”
“That settles it then.”
“Do not speak of it.”
Chen Meng smiled: “As if I need reminding. Had this kind of manoeuvre taken place in the late Emperor’s time, people would have grown uneasy — they would have suspected the late Emperor was ill, or that he harboured suspicions. The present Emperor, on the other hand — everyone is actually relieved. His Majesty has finally done something that looks like a proper ruler’s work.”
“He has always been doing proper ruler’s work.”
“Grand ambitions, insufficient execution.” Chen Meng said.
Zhù Ying said: “Mind your words!”
“I only say it to you — your lips are sealed. Ah, where is the Su girl? Haven’t seen her.”
“Gone out shopping with Qingtian. Young women — what sense is there in keeping them cooped up indoors?”
She said it as the most natural thing in the world, and Chen Meng heard nothing unusual in it. But the comment stirred an itch in him, and he said: “Speaking of which, I haven’t had a stroll through the streets in a long while. How about it — going ‘incognito’ for a look? Afraid of running into troublemakers?”
“With the Capital Prefect present, I imagine there are no troublemakers left in the capital? Qingtian said just recently that the streets of the capital are very clean these days.”
Chen Meng felt a small swell of pride: “Well then? Shall we? If we happen upon some official who doesn’t know his place, this is the perfect chance to deal with him!” He had been storing up a long breath of frustrated energy — he had been building a case against Xian Yujing and the others, had barely got halfway through his preparations, and the Emperor had stepped in and banished them all. Now he had nowhere to direct his irritation. Whoever happened to cross his path was in for serious trouble.
That day was a rest day — the time for officials to let loose.
Zhù Ying said: “Fine.”
Shortly after, the two appeared on the streets in plain clothing. Chen Meng had grown somewhat heavier and had a few silver threads mixed into his beard. Zhù Ying’s face was pale and she had no beard — her figure lean and trim — and she was a few years younger than Chen Meng to begin with. At a glance, they looked like people from two different generations.
Chen Meng gave a small cough, with a touch of envy.
Walking along the main street, Zhù Ying took note of the surroundings — local ruffians and rowdies were indeed much rarer. Petty thieves and pickpockets were nowhere to be seen either. Though it was hard to say for certain — they had not yet walked out of their own district; this district had more wealthy and prominent households. Hmm?
Chen Meng said in a low voice: “Is that not the Eastern Palace?”
It truly was!
The Crown Prince was walking this way with four or five attendants, dressed in a manner suggesting an “informal excursion.”
In this dynasty, the Crown Prince — and even the Emperor — was not always confined within the palace. The Crown Prince ventured outside quite frequently, but this time the number of attendants was rather small.
Zhù Ying frowned and looked at a young figure dressed in blue at the Crown Prince’s side.
Chen Meng asked: “What is it?”
“A woman,” Zhù Ying said.
Among the Crown Prince’s attendants — two eunuchs, two guards, and a woman dressed as a man. Zhù Ying was something of an expert in this area; in her presence, one look was all it took to tell.
The two stepped forward to meet them. They bowed first. The Crown Prince hurriedly bowed as well: “Minister Chen, Minister Zhù.”
And then made a meaningful gesture with his eyes.
Chen Meng said: “How does Your Highness come to be privately escorting a woman on an outing? If anyone should learn of this, it would be another source of trouble!”
The woman in blue — Yan Gui — drew back slightly at these words.
In truth, the Crown Prince had come out to see Zhù Ying. The Emperor’s recent realignment of the palace guard had made it clear to him who the Emperor trusted. Combined with the fact that his third brother was now also setting up his own household, and his second brother was growing older day by day — as Crown Prince, he felt he ought to do something.
For the Crown Prince to openly cultivate alliances with ministers would make things too obvious. Better to concentrate his limited resources on the right people. In that sense, Zheng Xi was also a suitable choice — but the Crown Prince simply had no more bargaining chips to offer Zheng Xi. And Zheng Xi was the more cunning of the two; Zhù Ying had her own depths, but seemed to be slightly less likely to trap people than Zheng Xi.
Zhù Ying also had connections to many different parties — a sound choice.
The Crown Prince said: “Yesterday I happened to hear a palace attendant speak of the lives of the common people outside the palace, and wanted to see for myself what the lives of the poor really look like. Remaining always in the palace, I fear I will forget the time I spent beyond its walls and lose sight of the world’s hardships. The palace attendant’s family is in the capital — I had her lead the way.”
A reason found perfectly well.
Chen Meng and Zhù Ying had no choice but to drop further questioning on this. Chen Meng asked: “Whereabouts is her family?”
Yan Gui gave the address in a quiet voice. Zhù Ying’s heart stirred — was that not Sheng Ying’s brother-in-law’s household?
Chen Meng said: “Allow this minister to summon some men to accompany Your Highness.”
“In the capital, who does not know a constable’s face? Better let me handle it,” Zhù Ying said.
Yan Gui stared at Zhù Ying with a measure of surprise. She had heard of Zhù Ying — quite a few things had been said about Zhù Ying, inside the palace and out. She simply had not imagined someone so refined in appearance. A white face with no beard, not young but also not showing any age.
When Chen Meng had reproved the Crown Prince for bringing her along, her first instinct had been to think: and what about the one you brought? She had not said it aloud — that was her experience. When one is being scolded, one should not defend oneself; instead, fling back a counteraccusation to make the other person defend themselves. That was how one escaped and how one won.
Just as well she had not said it out loud!
This was Zhù Ying — the person the Crown Prince so often spoke of in the Eastern Palace. To offend someone on a moment’s impulse and make the Crown Prince unhappy would have been terrible.
Before long, Su Zhe and Zhù Qingtian arrived with some female attendants in tow, and the party, with the Crown Prince in their midst, made their way to the Yan family home.
The Yan family did not recognise Zhù Ying or the others, but upon seeing Yan Gui they all exclaimed in surprise: “Eldest daughter is home! Goodness! What has happened? Were you not about to escape…”
Yan Gui hurried forward and murmured something. The Yan family immediately fell into a fluster, and they dropped to their knees in a cluster on the floor.
The Crown Prince coughed twice: “I am incognito — do not alert anyone! We are just stopping in for a brief visit! A’Gui, if you have private words to say to your mother, go and say them.”
The Yan household descended into commotion. Yan Gui’s father bent low, escorting the party into the main hall. Zhù Ying and Chen Meng nearly rolled their eyes — so this was the “impoverished household”?
The Yan family had received financial support from the Crown Prince and could now be described as a minor family of means.
Yan’s father was indeed offering thanks: “Thanks to the Crown Prince’s kind consideration…”
Nearby, his sons knelt on the floor, looking at the Crown Prince with eyes full of expectation.
The Crown Prince asked a few simple questions about their livelihood. Yan’s father said on the one hand “thanks to the Crown Prince’s consideration,” and on the other hand “everyone in the family eats without earning — and none of them have any proper appointment.”
Neither Zhù Ying nor Chen Meng said a word. They simply watched the Crown Prince and the family exchange awkward question and answer.
In the back courtyard, among family, conversation flowed considerably more freely.
Yan’s mother said: “The Crown Prince actually came to our house! Like a son-in-law paying a first visit! If only he could see the son you gave him.”
“There will be opportunities,” Yan Gui said.
Yan’s elder sister-in-law said: “His Highness — is he… intending to favour your family? Are you very dear to His Highness? Our nephew, in the future…”
She said it without thinking much, but one thing led to another, and the words fired up Yan’s mother’s heart as well. In the future — if her own grandson could become the Crown Prince…
Yan Gui heard them spiralling into absurdity. Her face changed colour: “If you want the entire family wiped out, keep talking!”
She had always been the one whose word counted in her family of origin. Now that she had turned stern, even her mother was frightened into silence: “I — we didn’t say anything… just — just daydreaming, surely one is still allowed to dream?”
“I’ve never seen anyone who dreams out loud like this! If you want to get me killed, if you want my son killed, just say so! I’ll drag someone down to the underworld with me before I go!”
“Alright, alright, no more, no more.”
Yan Gui let the tears fall: “In the palace, do I have it easy? No background or status, coming in late — just staying alert and treading carefully has earned me what little I have today! To buy some property for the family, how much humiliation have I endured, how much unkind talk have I heard from others behind my back! And now you’ve gotten puffed up from this? Whoever harms me — I will make sure they die thoroughly! “
The family was thoroughly frightened, protesting: “We won’t say it.”
Yan Gui took a steadying breath: “His Majesty’s sons — there are already three of them now. The eldest was born first and has been raised by the Empress. The birth mother of the second, though technically a palace attendant in title, is from a good family — everyone knows this — and she will certainly not remain a mere palace attendant in the future. The Crown Princess has not yet produced an heir. With so many beauties in the palace, who cannot bear children? What do I have? My kinsmen are useless, you are useless too, and the third child is still tiny.
We count for nothing at all! What sort of daydream are you having?
Have the days of comfort already made you forget the exile? Do you want to earn yourself another exile?”
The whole family quickly made their apologies to her. Yan Gui said: “Tell Father and my brothers — all of them keep themselves in line, watch their words and conduct! Whoever causes trouble and implicates me — I will not forgive them! Live quietly and honestly, and I will naturally continue to bring benefits to the family.”
Her mother, sister-in-law, and younger sisters all said: “We understand.”
Yan Gui thought to herself: Let the others compete amongst themselves. While they compete and squabble and make themselves hateful to His Highness, perhaps my third child may have some unexpected stroke of good fortune — perhaps he’ll receive a larger grant and good lands, and marry a fine wife. In the future, I’ll be a Dowager Consort at the very least — is that not better than getting killed chasing something more?
With that stream of words said, the front reception had already run out of things to discuss. Zhù Ying and Chen Meng were both quick-minded people, but neither of them had any desire to engage in conversation with the Yan family. However, Yan’s father did bring up Sheng Ying. The Crown Prince turned to Chen Meng: “The Capital Prefect’s maternal family — do they have the surname Shen?”
Chen Meng said: “They do. I had never heard him mention this set of relatives.”
Then the two of them became even less inclined to say anything. Today’s business was quite puzzling. Even if one wished to make contact with the Eastern Palace, there was no need to go through a concubine of the Eastern Palace who had no formal status, and through that concubine’s family.
Caution in all things was the right approach.
The Crown Prince had also run out of things to talk about. He rose and said: “Very well — it is getting late; if I don’t head back, I will have to listen to another round of nagging.”