Last year, Zhao Sui only reviewed case files at the Ministry of Works and could control his own pace, so he would leave two fifteen-minute periods earlier each day. Now that he was officially involved in administrative duties, there was a chance that some official might come looking for him right before the end of the workday. Zhao Sui no longer left early—when business was light, he left on time; when it was busy, like other officials, he would stay late for a while. There was no fixed pattern.

At one quarter past the hour of You, Zhao Sui tidied his desk and transferred to his golden nanmu four-wheeled wheelchair for going out. Just as he was about to call Qing Ai in to push him, he heard Qing Ai and Fei Quan announce in unison: “Greetings to the First Imperial Prince and Third Imperial Prince.”

When a single prince appeared, palace servants and officials habitually addressed him as “Your Highness,” but when there were multiple princes, using “Such-and-such Imperial Prince” made it easier to distinguish between them.

Prince Qing said, “Is Second Brother still busy?”

Zhao Sui spoke up in time: “Qing Ai.”

Qing Ai immediately came in to push him.

This was Prince Qing’s first visit to his second brother’s office. Standing at the doorway, he scanned the interior. The outer study was already quite spacious, and there was actually another door inside. Judging from the row of windows on the south side, the inner room should be quite spacious as well. It was said that Second Brother never used the Ministry of Works’ public facilities, clearly having set up a private lavatory inside for himself.

Prince Qing felt somewhat envious.

Although his and his elder brother’s princely residences were built spaciously and grandly, and those high officials also had their own lavatories at home, at the government offices everyone was the same—officials of all ranks had to use the two shared facilities, at most having the little eunuchs clean them more diligently, with the junior officials being sensible enough to reserve a few chamber pots specifically for the princes and ministers.

The most annoying times of Prince Qing’s daily duties were those few trips to relieve himself.

Envious as he was, looking at the wheelchair his second brother sat in, Prince Qing wasn’t foolish enough to ask Father Emperor to approve a private office for him as well.

Zhao Sui acted as if he hadn’t noticed Prince Qing’s gaze and asked, “Has something happened?”

Prince Kang smiled and said, “Four of Second Sister-in-law’s brothers were all listed on the martial examination rankings at the same time. This excellent story has already spread throughout all the ministries. First, my third brother and I came to congratulate Second Brother, and second, we came to beg a celebratory drink from Second Brother.”

Second Sister-in-law’s family background wasn’t prominent, so initially no one paid much attention to the Yao Lin four brothers. It wasn’t until the martial examination’s literary test results were announced, with three people surnamed Luo listed, and Luo Kun and Luo Peng clearly being blood brothers, that someone curiously inquired and discovered that Luo Kun, Luo Peng, and Luo Ze were from the same family. Upon further investigation, these three were actually maternal cousins of another person also on the list—Princess Hui’s own brother!

Four maternal cousins from one examination session all making the list—in any dynasty, this was an excellent story worth spreading.

When the two princes came to offer congratulations for this matter, Zhao Sui indeed should act as host and said, “Then shall we go to my residence?”

Both Prince Kang and Prince Qing agreed.

Arriving outside the palace, Prince Hui’s coachman had already driven the carriage over, waiting to pick up his master. Beside the carriage, guards from Prince Kang’s and Prince Qing’s residences were respectively leading fine horses.

As the weather warmed and the spring breeze turned gentle, Prince Kang and Prince Qing had both switched to riding horses back and forth between the imperial palace and their residences.

Usually the three brothers went their separate ways and rarely encountered each other. Now gathered together, Prince Hui, who rode in a carriage, seemed particularly distinctive.

Prince Qing considerately said, “It’s rare for us three brothers to have time to feast together. My elder brother and I should both accompany Second Brother in the carriage.”

As he spoke, he waved his hand for the two guards to lead the fine horses aside.

Zhao Sui tacitly approved of Prince Qing’s suggestion.

Since everyone was getting in the carriage, Prince Kang and Prince Qing, one in front and one behind, pushed Prince Hui up into the carriage. Fei Quan stood to the side, using his gaze to inquire of his prince. Zhao Sui gave him a look indicating no need for further words.

Fei Quan then closed the door panel from outside and quietly instructed the coachman to drive steadily.

In Prince Hui’s carriage, the main seat had the couch removed, with a low cabinet on one side and a side seat on the other.

Prince Hui’s wheelchair naturally occupied the main position, while Prince Kang and Prince Qing, both robust brothers over eight chi tall, had no choice but to squeeze together side by side on the side seat.

Prince Kang glanced at his second brother, who showed no sign of initiating conversation, then looked at his third brother, who was examining the carriage interior again. He was the first to break the silence, praising Second Sister-in-law’s maternal family as abundant with talent—four brothers all around twenty years old, with promising futures ahead.

Zhao Sui modestly replied on behalf of his princess consort: “Elder Brother flatters them. Passing the martial jinshi examination only shows they have the qualifications to serve the court. There is still much for them to learn ahead.”

Prince Qing asked, “Second Brother has served in both the Ministry of War and military camps. Have you already thought about what official positions to recommend for the four brothers?”

Zhao Sui replied, “The appointment of martial jinshi is discussed between Father Emperor and the Ministry of War. I will not interfere.”

Prince Qing teased, “Just afraid the positions will be too low and Second Sister-in-law will blame you.”

Zhao Sui didn’t respond to this remark, just as he wouldn’t acknowledge similar jokes in the past.

The coachman knew that Prince Hui’s wheelchair wasn’t secured and drove very steadily. However, no matter how steady, the carriage body would still sway. Prince Kang noticed this and quietly extended his right foot in front of one of Second Brother’s large golden wheels, pressing firmly against the wheel. This way, the wheelchair was wedged between the back panel of the carriage and his right foot, unable to move.

Prince Qing didn’t look down. While fanning himself with a folding fan, he chatted about the martial examination’s palace test in two days. If Luo Kun could rank in the top ten in the literary test, with a good performance in the palace test, he might perhaps be selected as the Third-Place Martial Scholar. With a beauty like Second Sister-in-law, although Prince Qing hadn’t particularly noticed which one was Luo Kun while proctoring the literary test, he imagined that all four of the Luo Kun brothers should be quite handsome.

Mentioning appearance, Prince Kang turned to concern for their two princess sisters’ marriage prospects. The Eldest Princess was seventeen and the Second Princess sixteen—both could select consorts now.

The two spoke animatedly while Zhao Sui merely listened silently.

They arrived at Prince Hui’s residence.

When they had just left the palace, Zhao Sui had already sent guards accompanying the carriage ahead to inform the kitchen to prepare a banquet. So Guo Shu and Eunuch Cao both came to the gate to receive the two princely guests. After performing their salutations, Eunuch Cao explained on behalf of the absent princess consort: “At noon, the Princess Consort felt unwell. After the physician took her pulse, he said it was a cold. The Princess Consort fears passing the illness to Your Highnesses, so tonight she will not come out to pay her respects.”

Prince Kang asked with concern, “Is it serious? Did he prescribe medicine?”

Eunuch Cao replied, “The physician said it’s a mild case. First try ginger soup—perhaps by tomorrow morning she’ll recover.”

Prince Kang nodded, glanced at his third brother beside him, and said to Second Brother, “Since Second Sister-in-law is unwell, Second Brother should go check on her first. We’ll defer this drink for now—another day Second Brother can host us again.”

Prince Qing agreed, “Right. With Second Sister-in-law ill, if we still drag Second Brother to drink and feast, that wouldn’t be appropriate.”

He had already inquired about everything he wanted to know from Second Brother on the road. Why bother staying to feast with two brothers—one who only talked about proper matters and one who didn’t want to talk about anything? With this time, he might as well return to his residence to accompany his cousin.

Zhao Sui said, “Fine, then I’ll host you another day.”

Prince Kang and Prince Qing didn’t even enter Prince Hui’s residence gates. They each mounted their steeds and departed with their guards.

After Prince Hui’s residence gates closed again, Eunuch Cao quietly explained to Prince Hui: “Your Highness, don’t worry—the Princess Consort is perfectly fine. It’s just that at noon she was too happy and while accompanying her in-laws’ wife, cousin Miss, and the four newly listed young masters at Wangxian Tower for a feast, she indulged in a few cups of wine. Upon returning to the residence, she lay down to rest and still hasn’t awakened until now.”

Zhao Sui said nothing.

Since the princess consort was unharmed, Zhao Sui first bathed in the front section and changed into casual robes before going to the rear courtyard.

The princess consort’s inner chamber kept a three-wheeled wheelchair that was normally placed to one side of the inner chamber doorway. After Zhao Sui entered the inner chamber, he had Qing Ai withdraw. He himself transferred to the three-wheeled wheelchair and slowly pushed himself to the canopy bed with hanging curtains. Passing through the outer layer, still at the platform level, he caught a faint scent of alcohol.

The wheelchair stopped beside the bed. Zhao Sui lifted the gauze curtain on this side and finally saw the princess consort’s face clearly.

She lay on her side facing outward, wearing a white silk inner garment with green trim at the collar. Her face was flushed—she must have gotten hot from sleeping and had kicked the quilt aside.

The alcohol scent was stronger within the curtains, but it was only about as much as Zhao Sui’s breath would carry after drinking two bowls of wine.

Zhao Sui was still observing when the sleeping princess consort suddenly smiled, as if having some pleasant dream.

Zhao Sui knew how much the princess consort hoped for all four of her brothers to pass the martial jinshi examination, so he could also imagine her happiness at the feast at noon.

Just as Zhao Sui was preparing to leave and let the princess consort continue sleeping, she rolled over.

Zhao Sui remained still for the moment. However, Yao Huang still woke up—woken by thirst. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. Just about to stretch lazily, she suddenly caught sight of a figure beside the bed!

Yao Huang was speechless.

Zhao Sui explained, “I just returned to the residence. Hearing you were drunk, I came to check.”

Yao Huang touched her warm face and said somewhat embarrassedly, “Your Highness already knows?”

Zhao Sui replied, “Such a joyous occasion indeed deserves a few cups.”

Yao Huang smiled again. A few days ago, she had indulged in daydreams before Prince Hui. Today, those dreams had truly come true.

With the smell of alcohol all over herself, Yao Huang had Prince Hui wait in the side chamber while she opened the inner chamber windows to air it out, then went to the west side chamber for a bath. Finally, when she stood before Prince Hui wearing a high-waisted ruqun dress, the princess consort’s just-bathed cheeks were actually even more flushed than when she had just awakened from her drunken state. With her whole body carrying a fresh fragrance, she was exactly like a delicate peony just beginning to bloom.

It was nearly mealtime, so Prince Hui didn’t dare look too long.

Yao Huang pushed him to the front courtyard. Thinking of Prince Hui’s words, Yao Huang had the kitchen send over a pot of fruit wine and smilingly poured one bowl each for the married couple—those very delicate small porcelain bowls, where seven or eight together might not equal one of the large bowls her brothers had used for drinking contests at noon.

“My family’s joyous occasion—shouldn’t Your Highness toast me?” Setting down the wine pot, Yao Huang blinked at Prince Hui.

Zhao Sui smiled slightly and lifted the wine bowl with one hand, toasting the princess consort: “Congratulations to the four brothers on their success in the examinations. May their futures be bright and prosperous.”

Yao Huang loved hearing this. She picked up her wine bowl and clinked it against his.

After eating and drinking their fill, with daylight still remaining, Yao Huang pushed Prince Hui to stroll through the garden. Ever since Prince Hui had taken up his official duties, he hadn’t had time to properly appreciate the scenery of his own garden.

“Your Highness, tell me—what kind of official positions can martial jinshi be appointed to?”

“According to precedent, the top scholar receives a military position of the fourth rank lower grade, the second and third place scholars receive the fifth rank upper grade, second-tier jinshi receive the fifth rank lower grade, and third-tier associate jinshi receive the sixth rank upper grade. The specific positions depend on vacancies at the Ministry of War. The higher the ranking, the more likely an appointment in the capital, though military officials usually have more positions outside the capital.”

Yao Huang said, “I see. Then my brother is definitely being sent outside the capital—the palace test is also a literary test, so he’ll surely rank at the bottom again.”

Zhao Sui replied, “Not necessarily. Father Emperor appoints some martial jinshi to the Imperial Guards every year. The Imperial Guards garrison the capital and protect His Majesty personally—Father Emperor values their martial skills and loyalty more. Conversely, those excelling in both literary and martial arts like the top three scholars are more easily assigned to frontier armies for tempering and training, such as your eldest cousin.”

Yao Huang thought about it and sighed, “Remaining in the capital means seeing each other often, while being posted outside offers more opportunities for experience. Forget it—let them each follow their own destinies.”

Zhao Sui looked ahead: “If you want them to remain in the capital…”

Yao Huang blew on the top of his head: “I want nothing of the sort, and I especially don’t want Your Highness abusing public office for private gain. Your Highness is an upright gentleman, and my brothers would never want to become muddy spots that damage Your Highness’s pure reputation.”

Hearing this, Zhao Sui promised, “Very well. I will not interfere in the appointment of the martial jinshi.”