Su Zhe had cried her fill and received one sentence from Zhù Ying. Though she did not know what Zhù Ying planned to do next, she felt at peace. She returned to her room and began writing her leave request for the following day.

Zhù Ying washed the cloth clean, changed the water in the basin, and slowly washed herself. By the time she lay down on her bed, her mind had opened into a vast and clear expanse. The matters ahead felt more within her grasp than ever.

The next day, Zhao Su and the others went to court. Zhao Su deliberately waited for Su Zhe, because with Zhù Ying on leave that day and Lin Feng staying home nursing his bruised face from the fight, Su Zhe was the only one going to court from the household, and Zhao Su wanted someone to travel with. Su Zhe caught his eye, paused a moment, and smiled serenely: “I’ve taken the day off today.”

Zhù Ying said, “Off you go. Once you’re at your departments, anything that comes up — wait for me to finish the matters at hand and return before discussing it.” The wrangling with local officials was ongoing. The Ministry of Finance was not easily managed, and the local chief officials were no pushovers either; the Ministry had its headaches dealing with them. Her return now was nothing short of timely.

Zhao Su bowed and acknowledged the instruction. Zhù Ying then turned to Gu Tong: “The Ministry of Justice is approaching year’s end as well — everything you’ve had a hand in must be double-checked and triple-checked.”

Gu Tong quickly agreed. Zhù Ying added, “If you encounter anyone from the same home region, arrange an appointment for me in three days. These next two days I will certainly be busy and may not be home.”

Each of them acknowledged this as well and then departed.

Zhù Ying brought the remaining people into the study. Lin Feng shrank into a corner, not daring to move. Zhù Ying did not reproach him, but instead asked, “You’ve had this whole falling-out with the Yan family — do you actually know anything about them?”

Lin Feng said, “Well, the family of someone in the inner palace — they have some connection to Sheng Ying. I heard they once committed some offense, and were pardoned and allowed to return home. They’ve been relying heavily on the Shen family’s support. I got this from people with the imperial guards — it’s reliable.”

Zhù Ying was so exasperated she actually laughed: “And what about them now?”

“Ah?”

“Qingtian.”

Zhù Qingtian immediately stepped forward: “Here.”

“Go and look into what the Yan family has been up to lately.” She refused to believe that a truly decent family could raise a son so depraved as to abuse others. What were the Yan family’s actual means? Could they support the kind of extravagance he was indulging in? This was the capital — keeping servants alone cost how much?

“Yes.”

Lin Feng’s eyes lit up!

Zhù Ying said, “You — get out of my sight, and redo your coursework from the very beginning!”

Lin Feng slunk away, face fallen.

Zhù Ying went through the calling cards the household had received one by one. Su Zhe said, “That stack is from southerners, the ones in the middle are all from people of your home region, and the ones on the far left are from people who once served under your hand.”

Zhù Ying said, “Perfect — spread it over three days. One stack each.” She pointed to Lu Danqing, Lang Rui, and Xiang Yu. Each of the three scooped up a stack and went to work.

Only Su Zhe remained. Zhù Ying said to her, “They’ve all been away for months. Lin Feng can be a bit careless — take it upon yourself to fill them in on what has been happening in the capital these days.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying then retrieved two calling cards: “Deliver this one to the Chen family and this one to the Dou family — in person.”

“Yes.”

“When you’re done, if you have time, go and take a look at this Snow Maiden, and find out what exactly is going on. Don’t alarm anyone.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying herself was not idle, for she had people to call upon. First was Zheng Xi, and she had arranged to meet Chen Meng in the evening. Dou Peng was on duty today, so she could only arrange to meet him the following day.

——

Zheng Xi was on mourning leave at home, and by now he had grown rather practiced at it. In the study, a great length of plain silk had been spread across the desk, and he was wielding his brush freely. Zheng Chuan stood to one side, holding the ink stone for him. Zheng Shen was on mourning leave as well and was not at his own home, remaining instead at the princess’s residence as before.

Lu Chao led Zhù Ying into the study. Zheng Xi was in the final strokes of a landscape painting, a riverside scene — not a winter fishing scene, but one of early summer, lotus blossoms just beginning to open on the water’s surface, with a human figure seated in a small boat, line extended.

This was not to Zhù Ying’s taste, but she could see it was meant to project a certain air of “leisured seclusion.”

She walked over and watched as Zheng Xi added one last bird to the sky before setting down his brush. He wrote no inscription, affixed no seal, tossed the brush aside, and said while washing his hands: “There were just a few strokes left — if I’d stopped, I’d never have gotten the mood back.”

Zheng Chuan seized the moment and called out, “Third Elder Brother.”

Zhù Ying gave him a warm nod, then said to Zheng Xi, “That painting of yours — it’s not the view from here and now.”

“If I paint a winter fishing scene I tend to think about a few days ago,” Zheng Xi said as he dried his hands, then gestured for her to sit. The two settled onto a couch on one side, facing each other. “I chipped a hole in the ice on my pond, lowered the line through it, and caught nothing. The line froze solid! What would there be to paint?”

Both Zhù Ying and Zheng Chuan laughed.

Zheng Xi seemed to be in rather good spirits. He looked Zhù Ying over carefully: “Good, good — you’ve made it back safely at last.”

Zhù Ying said, “Yes, fortunately, I have not failed in my mission. However, this situation differs from the north. In the north, the nomads were divided into several factions. The western barbarians are still a single unified entity, which remains a source of concern.”

Zheng Xi said, “That is a matter for the future. As for the present — your good fortune is nearly upon you.”

Zhù Ying said with apparent surprise, “Everything proceeds in its course — I wouldn’t dare hope for anything special. I’ve barely been away from the capital a few days and already my young ones are stirring up trouble everywhere. If I don’t get another memorial from a censor denouncing me, I’ll count my blessings.”

Zheng Xi grew a little curious: “What happened?”

Zhù Ying said, “Lin Feng got into a fight with one of the Yan family’s boys and got his face injured. He’s too embarrassed to come to court, and is at home nursing his wounds.”

Zheng Xi let out an amused sound: “The Yan family? Boys being boys — what does that amount to? A fight’s a fight. Who hasn’t gotten into a scrap growing up?”

“I had barely returned when I heard people starting to talk about the imperial sons’ education. That’s a graver matter, isn’t it?”

Zheng Xi still did not seem particularly concerned. He said quietly, “And what of it? There are precedents for everything. Never mind now — do you remember how they fought to secure the late Emperor’s position back then?”

Zhù Ying nodded: “I thought as much.”

Zheng Xi said, “Let’s not talk about these irrelevant things. As for you — now…” He took another look at her. “You have accomplished great things and earned great merit. It’s time to take on your proper responsibilities. The Secretariat right now — tch!” He wrinkled his nose, as though catching a whiff of yesterday’s spoiled leftovers.

Zhù Ying shook her head: “The Secretariat is still adequate. Once you’re not too far away, you’ll return and there will still be someone to preside over the larger situation.”

“I’m talking about you. Your seniority is sufficient, your achievements are sufficient — surely you’ve dared to think about the matter of being appointed Chief Minister by imperial proclamation? That really doesn’t sound like you.”

Zhù Ying spread both hands: “Heaven’s timing, earth’s advantage, and human harmony — it still depends on what others think. I wouldn’t dare speak too boldly.”

“Then things are more or less in order. Chen Senior will certainly be willing — on that prediction of mine, I have never been wrong. Do not worry about Xian Jing. As for Minister Dou — I’ll have a word with him. Right now he wants nothing more than someone to join the Secretariat so he can retire in peace. What do you think?” As Zheng Xi spoke, he watched Zhù Ying carefully.

Zhù Ying said, “I don’t pick and choose assignments.”

Zheng Xi burst out laughing: “You! Fine then, and what do you plan to do with this assignment?”

“First, bring Yao Chenying to the capital. All these years, and you’ve still been keeping such a gem hidden away?”

“Hmm? Why are you suddenly bringing him up?”

Zhù Ying said earnestly, “Exceptionally capable. Entrusting the Ministry of Finance to him is something you can rest easy about.”

Zheng Xi said with curiosity, “It is rare for you to give someone such high praise.”

“Whether someone is capable or not — one look is usually enough to tell. If one look isn’t sufficient, watch how they handle their work, and that settles it. He is capable. He is a clear-headed man.”

Zheng Xi said, “Our family rose through military distinction, and though times of peace have since come and I grew accustomed to this official path, he was never fond of bows and horses from childhood — a great vexation to his parents.”

“What someone has no love for matters little. What matters is what they can do well.”

Zheng Xi nodded, then inquired about the commendations for this campaign. Zhù Ying said, “I was just about to bring that up. The memorial has already been submitted — I would give it an eight out of ten chance of approval. This time is different from the last; I dare not press for too much credit.”

“The waiting in the capital these past months has been truly nerve-wracking.” Zheng Xi made a gesture, stopping her from continuing.

“It is my thinking that official posts need not be overly high in rank, but there must be opportunity to do substantive work. Iron must be hardened with iron — without tempering, genuine ability cannot grow. Once the roots are firm, one can grow tall and strong afterward. It is my wish to place Lu Danqing and Jin Yu into the imperial guards — what do you think?”

Zheng Xi turned to Zheng Chuan and said, “Do you hear that? Next year you continue your posting in the localities.”

Zheng Chuan bowed: “Yes.”

Zheng Xi then said to Zhù Ying, “Lu Danqing is a woman.”

Zhù Ying said, “Precisely, and that is exactly why — just like Su Mingluan and her daughter. They cannot depend on others. If they had alternatives to rely on, the loose rein arrangement in those early days would never have been so easy to achieve. At the time, I had not a single soldier at my disposal — it was certainly not military might that brought them into submission.”

Zheng Xi considered for a moment, then said, “So be it, then. A woman can certainly move in and out of the inner palace more conveniently. I have heard that ever since Su Zhe arrived, communications between the Ministry of Rites and the inner palace have flowed much more smoothly.”

“That’s because all the thankless tasks get pushed onto her. Switch it to something desirable, and you’ll see people scramble to take it.”

Zheng Xi laughed: “Princess Anren will no longer be able to throw her weight around from now on.”

“There you’ve misjudged the situation. She was still making faces at my young ones just recently. At her age, with her son and granddaughter running themselves ragged with worry, she still carries on exactly as she pleases. They say children are debts owed from a past life — I say it’s everyone else who owed her in their past lives.”

Zheng Xi laughed again: “We certainly owe her nothing. If she pushes further, there’s no reason to keep tolerating it. Keep a sense of proportion.”

“Understood.”

“Her uncle has also brought up the matter of Yang Jing’s students you took away — how did they turn out?”

“Leave them where they are,” Zhù Ying said. “Transferring them elsewhere means starting over from scratch, and they might very well get bogged down in unfamiliar terrain. That would be a waste. There will likely be further friction with the western barbarians in the years ahead, and the western frontier must be consolidated. They’re young people who can endure hardship and still have their drive — they’re up to it.”

Zheng Xi teased her: “Now that has the manner of a Chief Minister.”

“You’re teasing me again. I just deal with what is in front of me — nothing more than that.”

After that the two talked at ease. Zheng Xi kept Zhù Ying for lunch before she finally took her leave: “I have to go home and deal with my troublesome charges.”

Zheng Xi said, “Don’t be too strict. Being strict with Zhao Su is one thing, but with Lin Feng — as long as he doesn’t overstep, don’t push him too hard. You can’t force what isn’t there, and you’d just exhaust yourself with the effort.”

“Noted.”

……

Zhù Ying had absolutely no intention of being vexed with Lin Feng. She had never been particularly skilled at guiding students in the first place.

When she arrived home, Su Zhe had already returned and informed her, “Both cards were delivered. The Chen residence — their second young master received the card. The Dou residence — the lady of the house received it. Both said they would be honored to await your arrival. As for Snow Maiden…”

“Hmm?”

“She’s called a singer, but from her mother onward they were registered official entertainers. They were later released from the register, and with no other livelihood, they simply continued in the same trade with their doors open. Lin Feng was brought there once by those vagrant companions of his and kept going back after that. The two of them got on well. Lin Feng has spent a fair amount of money on her, but he doesn’t dare bring her home. That business with the Yan brat — can’t really blame Lin Feng for that. That young wretch really is insufferable. I’d say the beating was well deserved. He just went about it rather stupidly.”

Zhù Ying said, “Take another card of mine and go to the capital prefecture. Get a writ from them and have the whole family released from their registration.”

“But once they’re free with no means of support, there’s a good chance they’ll return to the old trade anyway. The goodwill you’ve built up with Governor Yao here would be spent for nothing.”

“I have my own arrangements.”

“Yes.”

Su Zhe was kept busy the entire day. It was already evening by the time matters were settled, and Zhù Ying had gone to the Chen Meng household.

Chen Meng’s wife and Chen Mei were even more pleased to see Zhù Ying than Chen Meng himself was. Chen Mei was too proud to admit that Zhù Ying had given him twenty strokes of the military rod, not a word of it. Madam Chen, seeing that her son seemed more spirited, more mature, and had earned military merit, heaped expression after expression of gratitude on Zhù Ying.

Zhù Ying looked at Chen Mei with a smile that was not quite a smile. Chen Mei wore a pleading expression. Zhù Ying said to Madam Chen, “He is someone I asked of his family — of course I had to bring him back safe and sound.”

Chen Meng urged his wife to go prepare dinner, then said to Zhù Ying, “The burnt tail banquet — do you want your sister-in-law to help?”

“Hmm?”

Chen Meng said, “What do you mean, ‘hmm’? Do you still wish to go on enjoying your easy days? Come to the Secretariat sooner rather than later!”

“The way you put it…”

“Everyone has a sense of what’s what.”

“What’s known doesn’t need to be spoken.”

“Fine! We won’t speak of that today — let’s simply enjoy ourselves.”

The banquet was arranged in due course. Zhù Ying said, “Before we enjoy ourselves, there is one rather unenjoyable matter that you ought to know.”

“What is it?”

“Yan Gui has approached Little Sister. It seems she believes her son has a real chance.”

“Pff—” Madam Chen spat out a mouthful of wine.

Zhù Ying looked at her. Chen Meng sighed: “A while back, the aunt by marriage also had your sister-in-law try to sound out my position.”

Madam Chen said, “I made no commitments — I only said I would have to ask my husband, and I haven’t given her an answer yet. But — is the third son not suitable?”

“Suitable for what?” Chen Meng said. “The rule is to establish the eldest as legitimate heir. Who does he think he is?”

Zhù Ying asked with a smile, “And what did she promise? Senior Chen is already Chief Minister — did she promise that two nephews in succession would also become Chief Ministers? Or a noble title? Or perhaps something she has absolutely no power to deliver?”

From the expression on Madam Chen’s face, it was clear Zhù Ying had guessed correctly.

Chen Meng rubbed his temples and said, “The Noble Consort’s mind is suited for the inner palace. Once it’s been used up there, there’s nothing left for plotting court affairs.”

Zhù Ying said, “I’m afraid your sister-in-law will be in a difficult position. Attendant Shen wouldn’t dare put on airs in front of you, but Madam Shen, for the sake of her own niece, probably wouldn’t hesitate to scheme against a nephew’s wife. The late Empress Dowager was so particular about choosing people for the Emperor’s sake — she would certainly not have favored a convicted official’s daughter. So how exactly do you suppose Yan Gui ended up in the palace?”

Madam Chen said, “Could it be…?”

“Indeed. I heard from Du Shien that quite a lot of money went into arranging it for Yan Gui.”

Madam Chen said, “But the third son really is quicker and more charming than the first.”

Chen Meng shot back, “Why must we have a clever one?”

Madam Chen replied, “Don’t try to fool me — are you saying you’d want a repeat of Emperor Hui of the Jin dynasty?”

Zhù Ying said, “Right now, the court couldn’t scrape together a single princely lord with troops to his name. Cleverness comes in degrees — what kind of cleverness is enough? Was the Crown Prince of Emperor Hui clever? And how did he end up dead all the same?”

Chen Meng said, “I’ll move on this immediately — have him sent out of the capital. The last thing we need is him stirring up trouble here.”

“Poor people in whatever locality he ends up in!” Zhù Ying remarked.

Chen Meng was momentarily speechless.

Zhù Ying said, “Never mind him — he’s not capable of making real waves. Just be aware of the situation. There is still one senior figure to consider.”

Chen Meng said, “That still doesn’t mean we can let them run wild.”

“Why don’t I handle it? It wouldn’t look good for you to move against them directly. And as it happens, Lin Feng has already had a run-in with the Yan family’s young one.”

Madam Chen said, “Would that put you in an awkward position?”

“Not at all.”

Chen Meng raised his cup: “My thanks.”

……

The following day, Zhù Ying took Su Zhe and Lin Feng to Snow Maiden’s home.

Lin Feng was trembling slightly, and muttered under his breath the whole way there: “Adoptive Father, a thousand faults, ten thousand faults — they’re all my faults. Beat me if you must, but please don’t make things difficult for them. They’re pitiable enough as it is.”

“Quite the tender-hearted one, aren’t you?”

“So then…”

“You feel tenderness for her, and yet you let her go on living that way?” Zhù Ying said with a note of mockery. “You don’t feel tenderness for her — you enjoy feeling tender. The moment she stopped being pitiable, you’d have no one left to feel tender toward.”

Lin Feng did not dare make a single sound of objection.

Snow Maiden’s home was situated in a small courtyard. From the outside it looked rather refined, with pretty lanterns hanging by the gate. It was the middle of the day, and the main gate was shut. Teacher Hu went forward and knocked. A trembling voice came from within: “Who is it?”

Zhù Ying glanced at Lin Feng. Lin Feng steeled himself and said, “It’s me.”

The voice inside carried a note of alarm: “Lin official? You — you’ve come? Please don’t cause any more trouble…”

The gate swung open. A middle-aged man with an ashen complexion pulled it back, took one look at Zhù Ying and the others, and went stock-still — his half-formed words dropped away entirely. A woman’s voice came from inside, “Who is it? Oh! Master Little Zhù?!”

Zhù Ying herself was a little startled, and asked, “May we come in?”

The man stared blankly and nodded: “We — our kind of house keeps its doors open for business…”

Zhù Ying and the others walked in. Looking up and around, she saw that the interior was indeed quite charming, though a good number of things had been smashed. The carved lattice of the west side-room window — which should have been finely crafted — was now covered over with a grass mat. She could guess what had happened.

The woman inside cried out with delighted surprise: “It really is Master Little Zhù.”

The man said, “How can you be so ill-mannered? Don’t you know how to speak properly? This is Lord Minister.”

The woman offered an apologetic bow: “We — we’ve been saying it so long out of habit, we’ve just gotten used to it. My lord, this concubine is…”

Zhù Ying recognized her: “Ah, it must be close to twenty-odd years now? Back then, weren’t you with Jiu Niang’s household?”

“Yes!” The woman broke into tears of joy.

“Are you the only one left? What about the others?”

“Some died, some left — I am the only one still in the capital. I’ve been fortunate; a couple of years ago my name was removed from the register, and now I earn my own keep.”

The others standing behind Zhù Ying were exchanging glances furiously, thinking to themselves: An old acquaintance?

Lin Feng felt as though his soul had nearly left his body with fright.

Zhù Ying herself had not expected it — that anyone from those old streets had survived and that she would encounter them here. She asked the woman, “What is the situation with Snow Maiden?” As she spoke, she caught Lin Feng by the collar with one hand and brought him forward, pressing him in place.

The woman wiped her eyes and said, “A bitter fate, nothing more. We — those of us who managed to become respectable — most ended up poorly. We are a family of three, living entirely by that girl. Who could have imagined…” She sighed. “It’s the same as what happened to the sisters back then.”

Zhù Ying said, “There must be some change.” She produced the writ that Su Zhe had obtained from the capital prefecture.

The woman said, “My lord is a good person. But we have no other livelihood. The girl is rather pretty, and we have that kind of background — one never knows when someone will come and drag her away. We have no power to resist.”

Zhù Ying also gave her another document: “This is a deed to twenty mu of land. Take it. I cannot step in for everyone I come across, but this girl’s luck was bad enough to encounter this fool. There should at least be some accounting for that.”

The woman stood there, stunned.

Zhù Ying, still gripping Lin Feng with one hand, signaled Su Zhe to take out some money and hand it to the woman. Then she said, “Forgive the intrusion,” and took her people and left.

Upon returning to the residence, Zhù Qingtian had already uncovered the Yan family’s unlawful deeds. The Yan family had only recently come into prosperity, so there was less to be found compared to Princess Anren, and they had not bothered to conceal things either. Zhù Qingtian had gotten the full picture within a day or two, written it all out point by point, and presented it to Zhù Ying.

Lin Feng was still on the verge of feeling relieved when Zhù Ying noted that the bruising on his face had faded considerably, and smiled slightly: “Well now! Come here. Twenty strokes!”

Lin Feng was stunned: “Why are you hitting me now — wait, why are you hitting me at all?”

……

During Zhù Ying’s leave days, everything she dealt with was private business. When she returned to duty, Lin Feng was still at home recovering from his injuries, and she was without her two loyal attendants. She went to court with only Su Zhe as her sole companion.

In those few days, the memorials she had submitted had also been reviewed and approved — covering both civil and military matters. Chen Meng oversaw the Ministry of Personnel, so civil approvals came through quickly. The Emperor kept close watch over the imperial guards, so military posts were approved even faster!

At court that day, everything proceeded normally, still carrying the lingering air of the great victory.

After court was dismissed, the Emperor kept Zhù Ying behind for a private audience. This was their first meeting alone since her triumphant return.

The Emperor expressed his appreciation for Zhù Ying’s efforts. Zhù Ying replied, as she always did: “It was my duty.”

The Emperor said, “This is not the duty of a Minister of Finance. It would be more fitting to call it the duty of a Chief Minister.”

Zhù Ying kept saying, “I wouldn’t dare presume.”

The Emperor said earnestly, “With the west and north now pacified and all regions under control, it is time for you to help me bring clarity and order to the realm. Minister Dou has also recommended you — he said he has observed you for twenty years, and you are excellent. I once placed my hopes in Xian Jing, but he is not up to the task. The late Wang Minister’s aspirations still need someone to carry them forward.”

“Your subject…”

“Think it through before you speak,” the Emperor said.

Zhù Ying said, “I do not pick and choose assignments.”

The Emperor broke into a wide smile: “Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! You and I must most certainly leave behind a fine chapter in the annals of history!”