A servant outside the Zhao residence saw it was Vice Minister Su’s carriage from the Ministry of Justice and quickly entered the residence to report. Before long, Gu Yunjian hurried out.

While ushering Su Jin and Shen Xi inside, he apologized: “Lord Luo from the Ministry of Rites and Lord Liu from the Ministry of Works both said they were busy and wouldn’t arrive until the xu hour. This subordinate thought that if those two were so occupied, Lord Su and Lord Shen, who are always diligent, must surely be even more burdened with official duties. Who knew you would arrive so early? This subordinate failed to greet you in time—truly a grave offense.”

Shen Xi laughed: “Be careful your words don’t reach Luo Songtang and the others, or they’ll be crying to Liu Yun about injustice again.”

Su Jin also smiled: “We came early and will leave early as well. I still have some matters tonight and probably only have time for two cups of wine. I hope this won’t dampen your spirits and Lord Zhao’s.”

“Lord Su, how can you say such a thing?” Gu Yunjian said. “This subordinate knows that Lord must leave the city before dawn tomorrow to see off the Annan envoy. To spare time from your busy schedule for this subordinate’s betrothal banquet is already an enormous honor.”

Over there, Tan Zhaolin handed the congratulatory gifts from Shen and Su to the Zhao residence’s servants for registration, then caught up to follow Su Jin and Shen Xi into the residence.

The officials at the banquet, hearing that Minister Shen and Vice Minister Su had both arrived, hurried over to pay their respects.

The Zhao residence’s flowing banquet was set up in three locations: the outer courtyard, inner courtyard, and main hall. The inner courtyard was for entertaining female guests, while the main hall was where important ministers like Su Jin and Shen Xi would attend.

The group passed through the corridor and arrived at the inner courtyard, where a crowd of ladies had already lined up across the stone path to pay their respects.

Su Jin glanced over and recognized only Qi Ling among the crowd, giving her a slight nod.

But after she had walked just a few steps past, she heard quiet discussion behind her.

“That’s Lord Su—so handsome.”

“But he never smiles. Last time I saw him he also had that cold expression, just like Lord Liu—not approachable at all. Lord Shen is better.”

“Even if he smiled, he wouldn’t smile at you. Didn’t you see Lord just nodded only to Sister Ruyu?”

“But Sister Ruyu is going to marry His Highness the Crown Prince to become Crown Princess. Everyone’s saying so, and they say Sister Ruyu will become Empress in the future.”

“Hmph.” At this moment, a woman in the crowd laughed coldly. “Her, become Empress? Even if she could, it would only be because she’s from the Qi family. How could my Thirteenth Cousin possibly look favorably upon her? Thirteenth Cousin is dignified in appearance, majestic in bearing. After he ascends the throne, there will be plenty of women crowding into the rear palace to become consorts and concubines. When that time comes, even if Cousin favors a different one each day, it still wouldn’t be Qi Ling’s turn!”

Hearing these words, Su Jin’s brow furrowed. She suddenly turned back to look.

In the crowd, two women who appeared to be only thirteen or fourteen years old immediately paled with fright. Su Jin recognized another woman who had spoken with cold mockery—the daughter of the late Empress’s cousin Zhu Xun, Princess Zhu Hele.

In truth, these women had spoken in very low voices, but the surroundings were so quiet that Su Jin still heard them.

Su Jin coldly rebuked: “Unbridled tongues.”

All the ladies immediately felt alarmed and quickly curtsied to pay their respects to her.

Su Jin paid them no further mind, turning to head to the main hall with Shen Xi and Gu Yunjian.

Not a single guest who was supposed to dine in the main hall had arrived. Seeing the two of them, Zhao Yan was also surprised and said with a smile: “I thought you two would arrive latest, but unexpectedly you’re the earliest.”

Shen Xi said: “We only have time for two cups of wine.”

“Yes, Yunjian already had someone tell me,” Zhao Yan said. He then asked Su Jin, “What time do you depart tomorrow?”

Su Jin said: “I should leave at the yin hour. I plan to reach Aocheng before nightfall, and the day after, once I’ve seen the envoy out of Aocheng, I can return earlier.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yan looked out the window at the sky. The you hour had already passed—less than five hours remained until the yin hour. He couldn’t help but say: “You’re working yourself too hard.” He then turned to instruct his eldest son Zhao Qian, who stood to the side: “Go ask Wanwan to come out and pour wine for the two lords.” Then he said to Su Jin, “I won’t keep you. After you finish drinking, leave early—at least you can rest for an hour or so.”

Before long, Zhao Wan was led into the main hall by Zhao Wan.

Today she wore a crabapple-red cross-collar wide-sleeved silk robe. Two gold walking hairpins were inserted in her hair, and plum blossom ornaments adorned her forehead. She looked three parts more radiant than her usual plain appearance.

Earlier, when Zhao Qian had gone to summon her, he only said that Vice Minister Su had arrived. Entering the main hall and seeing Shen Xi was also present, Zhao Wan froze for a brief moment before stepping forward to pay her respects.

Zhao Yan said to Gu Yunjian and Zhao Wan: “Minister Shen and Vice Minister Su have specially made time from their busy schedules to offer congratulations. Won’t you come forward and toast the two lords?”

Gu Yunjian assented. Zhao Wan received a wine pot from a maidservant’s hands, filled three cups with wine, and asked softly: “Will Lord Su and… Lord Shen not stay a bit longer?”

Su Jin smiled: “No, we truly have matters to attend to today. When you leave to marry in Jinan, I’ll come see you off then.”

Zhao Wan replied softly: “Yes, thank you, Lord Su.”

She kept her eyes lowered as she handed the three filled wine cups in turn to Su Jin, Shen Xi, and Gu Yunjian.

Shen Xi accepted the wine but did not immediately raise his cup to drink. Instead, he asked: “When does Censor Gu depart to return to Jinan?”

Gu Yunjian said: “Actually, I should have left already. Fortunately, Lord Liu was considerate and, knowing this subordinate had a betrothal banquet to attend, assigned me the important task His Highness the Crown Prince ordered to investigate the Yulin Guards, allowing this subordinate to remain in the capital for an extra half month. But by mid-seventh month, I must leave.”

Shen Xi said: “So soon?” He glanced at Zhao Wan and asked, “Will the Second Miss also depart together with Censor Gu?”

Zhao Wan lowered her eyes. Her lashes trembled slightly as she softly responded with an acknowledgment.

Zhao Yan said: “These are wartime conditions—everything should be simplified. Moreover, there are many bandits about. With Yunjian and guards accompanying Wanwan to Jinan, I can feel more at ease. Consider it the wedding escort.”

Shen Xi smiled: “Very good. Lord Zhao has considered things thoroughly.”

He paused, then said to Zhao Wan: “Mid-seventh month will surely be the most critical period for preparing military supplies and expenses for the Northwest. I’ll be bound up with official duties then and likely won’t be able to spare time like Shiyu to see you both off.” As he spoke, he took a wine pot from a maidservant’s hands, filled another cup, and handed it to Zhao Wan. “Let this cup of wine be Shen’s toast to you both—consider it a farewell.”

Hearing these words, Zhao Wan suddenly raised her eyes to look at Shen Xi.

Her eyes seemed to hold a bowl of clear spring water. She seemed to want to say something but ultimately lowered her gaze, accepted the wine cup from Shen Xi’s hands, and replied quietly: “Very well, thank you, Lord Shen.”

Shen Xi then raised his cup: “Then Shen shall wish you both: though your journey be long, think not of return dates; though Penglai be distant, think not of the past; in this auspicious time of harmony, may your love remain unchanging.”

With that, he tilted his head back and drained his cup in one gulp.

After a moment of silence, Gu Yunjian and Zhao Wan also drained their cups along with Su Jin.

Su Jin glanced at Shen Xi and said with a smile: “Since we’ve had our wine, Qingyue and I won’t linger.” With that, the two bowed together to Zhao Yan and turned to head outside.

Just as they reached the threshold, Gu Yunjian suddenly said: “Lords, please wait—”

He seemed to find it difficult to speak. After hesitating for a long moment, he said: “The calligraphy of you two lords is renowned throughout the capital. A’Wan, she… she has loved poetry and literature since childhood. Some time ago she even mentioned to me that she wished to request calligraphy from you two lords. Today this subordinate presumes to speak on A’Wan’s behalf—I wonder if Lord Shen and Lord Su might each write a line for A’Wan? She can take it with her to Jinan and keep it as a keepsake.”

Su Jin smiled: “This is easily done.”

Gu Yunjian bowed in thanks. Glancing at the maidservant standing beside him, she understood and presented two folding fans.

The fan surfaces were blank, with only two or three peach blossom branches dotted in the lower right corner.

Su Jin thought for a moment, took up the brush first, and wrote: “Vast and boundless, wind and rain over the river. By the riverside rides an official on horseback—lend me your solitary boat to cross southward.”

Shen Xi looked at the folding fan, paused silently for a moment, then also took up a brush and wrote: “Sweep away the clouds beside the stone, drunkenly tread upon moonlight at the pine roots. Stars fill the sky as people sleep.”

After finishing, he said with a beaming smile to Gu Yunjian: “The best calligraphy in all the capital isn’t mine and Shiyu’s. Since you’re a censor at the Imperial Censorate, when you’re about to leave, go ask Liu Yun for a piece of calligraphy and see if he’s willing to give it.”

Hearing these words, Gu Yunjian verbally agreed, but in his heart he thought that at least Lords Shen and Su were easier to talk to. How would he dare raise matters unrelated to official business with Lord Liu?

Su Jin and Shen Xi nodded once more to Zhao Yan and, guided by Gu Yunjian, headed toward the residence gate.

The two had just reached the outer courtyard when they suddenly heard a servant outside call out in a trembling voice: “His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived—”

The entire Zhao residence erupted in commotion. In moments, all the banquet guests and ladies surged toward the front courtyard to prepare to pay respects. Su Jin and Shen Xi looked up to see Zhu Nanxian descending the steps from the residence gate. Seeing the two of them, he paused in surprise and asked: “You’re leaving already?”

Since people were kneeling inside and out, the two still performed the proper courtesy to him. Su Jin said: “In response to Your Highness, yes. There are still some matters at the ministry. This subject and Qingyue are hurrying back to the palace.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded: “Very well. I… this prince will go offer congratulations to Zhao Yan and come out immediately. Wait for this prince.”

As he spoke, he took two steps toward the inner residence before seeming to realize something and said to the people kneeling around: “Rise.”

Everyone rose. Seeing that Minister Shen and Vice Minister Su were waiting here for His Highness the Crown Prince, they quickly retreated to a distance.

Only then did Su Jin remember the matter that had been on her mind throughout the journey. She asked Shen Xi: “You mentioned earlier that there was a problem with the account books for military supplies and expenses for the South at the beginning of the year. But after these account books were prepared, I was still at the Imperial Censorate. Qian Yueqian and I audited them together, then presented them to Liu Yun. He also examined them carefully. None of us detected any irregularities.”

Shen Xi said: “I was just about to discuss this with you.” He thought for a moment. “On the surface, there are no irregularities with these account books. The amounts of money spent are correct, the prices of various supplies are correct, the quantities verified by the Ministry of War are correct—only one thing is strange: the accounts don’t clearly record exactly how much of each supply was purchased.”

Su Jin frowned: “I don’t understand.”

Shen Xi said: “Let me give you an example. I give you ten taels of silver. You take the ten taels and buy salt at one tael per bag, purchasing ten bags. Then you record in the accounts: item is salt, unit price one tael, purchased ten bags of salt, total expenditure ten taels of silver. This seems fine, right? But did you write down how much one bag of salt weighs in these accounts? Is it one tael or one jin? How do I know whether my ten taels of silver bought ten taels of salt or ten jin of salt?

“The account books for military supplies for the South at the beginning of the year have this exact problem—for many items measured by weight, the exact quantities purchased were not clearly recorded.”

Su Jin said: “Liu Yun actually raised this point. Qian Yueqian and I even borrowed the supply records from the Ministry of War to review. Those did record the weights, and after calculating again, there were still no discrepancies.”

Shen Xi said: “There’s one scenario—if someone added their own silver to the Ministry of Finance’s funds to purchase supplies, then before the Ministry of War conducted its inventory, secretly transported away this excess portion of supplies without anyone knowing, you wouldn’t be able to detect it through your method.”

Su Jin frowned: “Such a thing could happen?”

Shen Xi said: “Logically it shouldn’t, because there’s no point—you can’t embezzle a single copper, and it’s not easy to hoard. The reason I’m suspicious is because Du Zhen personally recorded these accounts. Du Zhen has been at the Ministry of Finance for fifteen years and is now the Right Vice Minister. Since every expenditure in these accounts is so clear, why didn’t he write it out clearly? Given his experience, he shouldn’t make such an error.”

Su Jin said: “At that time, Qian Zhihuan had retired and you had been demoted. Du Zhen alone was holding up the Ministry of Finance—being overwhelmed is quite common.” She thought for a moment and continued, “But there’s no harm in being extra cautious. When did you discover this?”

“Early this morning, when Gong Quan came clamoring to ask if there were any surplus military supplies from the South.” Shen Xi said, “Time is of the essence. As soon as I return to the palace, I’ll investigate.”

Su Jin said: “How will you investigate?”

She knew Shen Xi was a decisive person. Having discovered the irregularity this morning, he had surely already sent letters to various merchants asking them to transcribe and send copies of the goods and weights they supplied to the Ministry of Finance.

“Waiting for responses from these merchants is too slow. After all, these accounts were prepared by Du Zhen. I plan to—” Shen Xi looked thoughtful, then glanced at Su Jin. “Right now there’s insufficient evidence. When the time comes, use your clever legal writing to help me draft a warrant, then send two people from the Ministry of Justice over. We’ll directly arrest Du Zhen and interrogate him.”

Su Jin laughed: “Du Zhen is at least a third-rank vice minister. I’m willing to write this warrant, but a warrant from my Ministry of Justice alone isn’t enough—we must also consult with His Highness and Liu Yun.”

Shen Xi said: “I’ll bring it up with Liu Yun. You help me mention it to Thirteenth Brother.” As he spoke, he glanced at the sky again. “All right, I’m leaving first.”

Su Jin said in surprise: “Didn’t His Highness tell you and me to wait for him?”

Shen Xi pointed at the moon in the sky and said with a grin: “What day is today? The seventh day of the seventh month. He asked you to wait—why should I wait for him?” He then said to Tan Zhaolin, who stood nearby: “Old Tan, take me back to the palace first. Your Lord Su will have someone to escort her back later.”

Tan Zhaolin immediately understood and responded: “Excellent!”

Shen Xi and Tan Zhaolin had barely left when Zhu Nanxian emerged from the inner residence. Seeing Su Jin still waiting for him, he smiled, walked up close to her and said: “Let’s go.”

Su Jin performed a courtesy to him and had just taken a few steps with him when suddenly two people rushed forward from the roadside, prostrating themselves before Zhu Nanxian and crying: “Your Highness the Crown Prince, forgive us! Lord Su, forgive us—”

Zhu Nanxian paused in surprise. Recognizing these two as Zhu Xun and his daughter Zhu Hele, he asked in confusion: “What’s happening?”

Zhu Xun said: “Earlier, Hele was thoughtless and spoke without restraint, casually discussing Your Highness the Crown Prince’s private affairs. But Hele acted this way only because she was close to Your Highness the Crown Prince as a child and was concerned about Your Highness’s lifelong matters. Who knew Lord Su would overhear these idle words, polluting Your Lordship’s ears and troubling Your Lordship to reprimand her? This is due to this subject’s failure to properly educate his daughter. Please, Your Highness, forgive us. Lord Su, forgive us.”

It turned out that Zhu Xun, seeing Su Jin waiting for Zhu Nanxian in the outer courtyard, assumed this Vice Minister of Justice was going to report his young daughter’s misconduct to His Highness the Crown Prince, and had hurriedly brought Zhu Hele to apologize.

However, his rambling speech, alternating between “private affairs” and “idle words,” left Zhu Nanxian confused even after listening for a long while—he only grasped one point: these two kneeling people had apparently said something that displeased A’yu.

He glanced sideways at Su Jin, saw her standing properly with an air of detachment, and could only look at the father and daughter Zhu. With considerable gravity, he said: “Vice Minister Su, as Vice Minister of Justice, has always been measured and proper in matters of propriety. If you two have caused her to reprimand you, you must have been quite improper indeed.”

Zhu Xun immediately kowtowed and apologized: “Yes, yes, this subject is at fault, and my daughter also knows her fault.”

Zhu Nanxian weighed the matter in his mind. A’yu had always been magnanimous—logically she wouldn’t quarrel with a young woman. How should he punish them so it was neither excessive yet satisfied her?

After much deliberation, he said sternly: “Zhu Hele.”

“This… this subject daughter is here.”

“Tomorrow morning, enter the palace and apologize to Consort Qi and Consort Yu together. First, you shall learn to copy scriptures with them for two years.”