Luo Sheng was a straightforward man. Before Zhù Ying left, he again wanted to arrange for someone to escort her home. Zhù Ying quickly said: “I dare not trouble the household again — I came prepared today.”

Luo Sheng did not ask what preparations she had made, only cautioning her to take care on the road. Zhù Ying also asked Luo Sheng not to see her off, and the two said their farewells at the gate, drawing many curious glances. Neither Luo Sheng nor Zhù Ying paid this any mind. Zhù Ying said: “Your Excellency has many guests — please, go back in.”

Luo Sheng said: “Very well.”

Zhù Ying swung up onto her horse, giving no one the chance to call her back, and rode off with her attendants at a brisk pace.

Once past the gates of Princess Yongping’s residence, the curfew had already fallen outside. There were very few people on the road, and Zhù Ying’s party returned to their residence without incident. She had barely knocked on the gate ring when the door swung open — Zhù Wen came up to meet her: “My lord, a certain official Xian has come to call.”

Zhù Ying asked: “Where is he? When did he arrive?”

“In the main hall. Qi Tai, our Ah Lian, and Xiang the Second are keeping him company — he arrived not long ago.”

Zhù Ying quickened her pace. Xian Jing was in conversation with Zhù Lian, asking casually why he had not seen Zhù Da and Zhang Xiangu and so forth. Xiang Le said: “The old master of the house has taken ill and cannot be easily moved. My lord did not dare neglect her duties, so the mistress of the house had no choice but to stay behind and tend to him.”

Zhù Ying walked in and said: “Grand Master of Ceremonies!”

Xiang Le and Zhù Lian quickly rose to their feet. Qi Tai, looking as though he had spotted his savior, stood and cupped his hands in a bow toward Zhù Ying.

Xian Jing saw it was her and rose composedly: “You mischievous thing!”

Zhù Ying smiled. She and Xian Jing were well acquainted, so addressing him by official title felt a little stiff; said to his face by her, it carried a note of playfulness — she switched and called him “Gentleman Xian.”

The two sat down. Xian Jing said: “Your residence here is not bad — it rather suits you.”

Zhù Ying said: “Suits me or not, it’s what I have. Where would I find the time to seek out another place and move again? You and I, Gentleman Xian, are bound to be long-term neighbors. It ought to have been me going to call on you first — but these past few days I have not been able to get away, and now I have inconvenienced Gentleman Xian by making him come here instead.”

Xian Jing frowned: “I came precisely because of your being unable to get away — is someone pressing you urgently?”

“No one has actually spoken up yet. But since Gentleman Xian says this, there must be a reason.”

Xian Jing said: “This is something others would find awkward to say to you directly, so I had no choice but to come and speak plainly. However urgent others may be, you must not be. You especially must not move too hastily. Although you have always had your own judgment, the affairs of the Court of State Ceremonial are varied and muddled, and it holds little real authority — it is not a good place.”

Zhù Ying said: “I had anticipated as much.”

Xian Jing said: “There is more to it than that. This Court of State Ceremonial — it would be wrong to say it is unimportant, because it bears on the dignity of our dynasty. If something goes wrong there, it can hand someone a great handle against you. And yet to call it important — it is all petty squabbling and trifling affairs. The matter of ranking the foreign tributaries alone has caused endless trouble over the years. Do not go plunging in headlong without asking questions. And then there are the affairs of the Bureau of Rites — even more troublesome than the Bureau of Guest Reception.”

“I hope Gentleman Xian will instruct me.”

Xian Jing said earnestly: “The Bureau of Rites deals with domestic matters! Every one of those bereaved families is a force to be reckoned with. My teacher used to speak of it with me in earlier years — he always lamented that you entered official service so early, before you could read a few more years. These years of yours, first in the Court of Judicial Review and then in local administration, you have done well. But the Court of State Ceremonial is an entirely different place. Your experience from those two previous posts cannot be said to be entirely useless here — but you will have to start from the beginning again. Here everything turns on ‘ritual,’ which is a subject you have never specialized in before.”

Zhù Ying nodded in agreement. Dealing with foreign nations required displaying the magnificence of the dynasty: ritual propriety was the first requirement, literary accomplishment the second. Funeral rites were also a critically important dimension of “ritual,” and anything touching on “ritual” invariably brought unexpected troubles. This was indeed not her strong suit.

Xian Jing continued: “Take my advice — do not go in swinging from the start. Get the ritual knowledge up first, then act. And there is this: officials of the fifth rank and above are entitled to a eulogy — how is that to be arranged? Those at the top of the Emperor’s regard will naturally have court scholars write for them; for those of lesser standing who have no arrangement, the Court of State Ceremonial must go around pulling strings themselves. You have never moved much in literary circles. Even with Master Liu available, you cannot go to him for everything!”

Zhù Ying said: “There is also Deputy Chief Shen.”

Xian Jing said: “Even if he procures drafts, you cannot afford to be inattentive. The Court of State Ceremonial has the Bureau of Guest Reception and the Bureau of Rites — the two of you with one overseeing each would be tidy enough, but it is by no means certain to stay that way. If something goes wrong, who will ask which area you were managing? Are you not the Deputy Chief of the Court of State Ceremonial? You will still bear responsibility.

“If by chance several families have events at the same time, to avoid complications the two deputy chiefs sometimes split up to perform the offerings separately. Beyond that, all manner of troubles inside and outside the yamen — I don’t need to spell those out, you know them too.”

Zhù Ying said: “I had also planned to first review the old archives and familiarize myself with the personnel before making any decisions.”

Xian Jing said: “Ah, that is good then. With me now in the Grand Court of Sacrificial Worship and you in the Court of State Ceremonial, it is somehow not as easy as before. At least the accounts were visible back then; but this kind of work now…”

Zhù Ying said: “Since the court has both the Six Ministries and the Nine Offices, each must surely have its own use.”

Xian Jing straightened his expression and said: “Naturally! His Majesty did not bring you back to the capital without purpose. The Bureau of Guest Reception of the Court of State Ceremonial links to all the foreign nations — do you understand?”

Zhù Ying knew that this was the real thing Xian Jing had come to say tonight, after all his circuitous preamble. She sat up attentively and said: “I imagine my transfer here is partly because the management of the tributary arrangements in Wuzhou went reasonably well — keeping relations with the various tribes peaceful and free of armed conflict.”

Xian Jing gave a single earnest nod, then rose: “It is getting late — I should be going.”

Zhù Ying saw him to the door personally. Xian Jing said: “Shall we go together tomorrow morning?”

Zhù Ying smiled brightly: “I can take a little more time tomorrow morning — I have some miscellaneous business to attend to. I will be able to go with you the day after.”

Xian Jing laughed: “I won’t be lonely on the road anymore after this.”

“Likewise.”

……

Zhù Ying returned to the residence, her expression unchanged. She did not know whether Xian Jing’s visit had been at Wang Yunhe’s instigation, but it was all kindly meant, and every point had hit the mark.

He had spoken with restraint, but Zhù Ying heard clearly. He had stopped just short of saying outright that Zhù Ying’s background was not distinguished enough, and that she was constitutionally ill-suited to the Court of State Ceremonial. Luo Sheng in fact was constitutionally well-suited to serve as its chief: a man of noble birth who could command the room whether presiding over the Bureau of Rites or the Bureau of Guest Reception. Set Zhù Ying beside Luo Sheng, and her shortcomings became apparent.

Compared to Zhù Ying, even Shen Ying was better fitted for this place!

Yet Xian Jing had also told Zhù Ying that however poorly suited she might appear on the surface, she still had to manage the Court of State Ceremonial well. Because the Emperor’s intentions lay within it. Helping the Prince Consort was merely incidental — the main thing was to keep the Court of State Ceremonial in order. At this time of transition from old to new, there could be no blunders in foreign affairs, no loss of face before foreign nations; the court had to be made to look good. In this respect, Luo Sheng’s social standing was of limited use — someone who could control the situation was needed.

Zhù Ying had seen this point herself; Zheng Xi had also noted it.

Since both Zheng and Xian held the same view as she did, Zhù Ying was all but certain her own assessment was correct.

With the matter seen through clearly, Zhù Ying felt all the more composed. She glanced at Qi Tai, who had been sitting like an oversized ornament, and said: “Tomorrow, come with me to the imperial city.”

Qi Tai let out a long breath: “Very well!” He had once been a minor clerk in the imperial city, dismissed and turned out. Now, in one turn of fortune, he was returning as the registrar of the Court of State Ceremonial at the junior seventh rank!

Even though he and Zhù Ying were well familiar enough by now that he could relax in conversation, his face remained blank and wooden as ever — he could not even manage a pretty word of thanks. He was in a slight daze, his heart churning with a tangle of feelings.

Zhù Ying then said to Xiang Le: “Tomorrow, notify Ding Gui and the others to wait at home.”

Xiang Le smiled and said: “Yes.”

Zhù Ying said: “Everyone disperse — Ah Lian, come with me.”

Zhù Lian followed in small steps behind Zhù Ying to the rear study. The candles had been lit; the ones tending the study were the siblings Zhù Jing and Zhù Bao. The two of them lit a couple more candles before withdrawing to one side.

Zhù Ying first asked Zhù Lian: “Do you still remember the first lesson I gave you?”

“Yes. The Hereditary Houses of Chen She.”

Zhù Ying said to Zhù Lian: “You are not so young anymore — it is time you began a proper course of reading.”

Zhù Lian was slightly surprised: “Teacher, I have been studying before.”

Zhù Ying shook her head: “That was different. From today, you are to begin reading the Five Classics. I did not have you read them before because I was afraid you were too young, and that they would warp your thinking. Now you may begin.”

Zhù Lian asked quickly: “This student is slow-witted — I do not understand Teacher’s meaning.”

Zhù Ying said: “If I had made you read them the moment you arrived at this household, what good would it have done? To read about the distinctions of hierarchy and nobility, the great divide between the civilized center and the outer peoples — what would you have made of it? Now you can read characters, understand a few things, have done some work, and your will is fairly steadfast. Now you may go and read those books.”

Something suddenly warmed in Zhù Lian’s heart. He wanted to say something, but Zhù Ying waved her hand: “You may take the next couple of days to rest and amuse yourself — in a few days I will arrange a place for you to study. Go and rest.”

“Yes… yes…” Zhù Lian knelt down and knocked his head three times against the floor.

“Off you go.”

Zhù Lian got back to his feet, bowed once more, and withdrew from the study. Once outside, he felt a sudden itch on his face, and without realizing it, tears and watery snot ran down together. Zhù Lian reached up and wiped haphazardly across his face, drew a deep breath, and strode back to his own room.

……——

Zhù Ying did not attend early court the next day.

After breakfast, she left Zhù Lian and the others to mind the house, and set out with Qi Tai, Senior Sister Hu, and a few others. They went first to the imperial city, where she used Qi Tai’s letter of appointment to register him at the gate, then brought him along to the Court of State Ceremonial — the timing was just right, for Luo Sheng had only just come down from court.

Luo Sheng caught sight of Zhù Ying and could not help but beam with delight: “Zǐzhāng — I have been waiting for you!”

Zhù Ying quickly paid her respects to him.

Luo Sheng was very warm. To Shen Ying he said: “Guanghua, this is our newly arrived Deputy Chief Zhù Ying, courtesy name Zǐzhāng. What do you think — quite the young talent, is he not?”

Shen Ying’s courtesy name was Guanghua. He was the other deputy chief of the Court of State Ceremonial, also Chen Meng’s maternal uncle, and the same Deputy Director Shen who had once served as Zheng Xi’s vice-envoy years before.

Shen Ying’s cheek twitched, and he said with forced composure: “Indeed.”

Luo Sheng then introduced Shen Ying to Zhù Ying: “This is Deputy Chief Shen — his given name is Ying. You two will certainly get along well in the future.”

His tone was sincere, for both Zhù Ying and Shen Ying had been on good enough terms with him, and he therefore naturally assumed that two good people would also get on well with each other. The Court of State Ceremonial would surely be harmonious from here on.

Zhù Ying’s expression did not change. She bowed to Shen Ying; Shen Ying was not impolite and returned the bow.

Luo Sheng said: “Come, let us go in.”

Zhù Ying said to Qi Tai: “Follow along.”

Luo Sheng glanced at Qi Tai and asked as they walked: “And this is?”

“Qi Tai.”

“Ah, Registrar Qi.”

“That is correct.”

Upon entering unfamiliar surroundings and meeting unfamiliar people, Qi Tai fell completely silent again, turning back into a living mute. When the two others addressed him, he bowed to both Luo Sheng and Shen Ying — then simply kept following Zhù Ying forward, until they entered Luo Sheng’s main hall, where Luo Sheng began to wonder whether Zhù Ying was about to discuss some matter for which she needed him present.

Seats were arranged: Luo Sheng at the head, Zhù Ying and Shen Ying seated on opposite sides below, and Qi Tai spontaneously took a seat below Zhù Ying, still saying nothing.

Luo Sheng said: “We have been short one deputy chief, and it has been terribly busy — a real mess. Now that Zǐzhāng has arrived, we can all breathe a little easier. Well — the Court of State Ceremonial has two bureaus. What if each of you oversees one?”

Both Zhù Ying and Shen Ying said: “We leave it entirely to your arrangement, Your Excellency.”

Luo Sheng’s assignment came as no surprise: Zhù Ying overseeing the Bureau of Guest Reception, Shen Ying overseeing the Bureau of Rites. Neither raised any objection. Yet Zhù Ying noticed that Shen Ying’s expression was not quite natural, and Luo Sheng also cast a deliberate extra glance at Shen Ying — though he had not noticed the latter’s discomfort.

Luo Sheng asked Zhù Ying: “Zǐzhāng, is there anything else you wish to say?”

Zhù Ying said: “I am new here — I defer to the two of you.”

Luo Sheng found this a little curious, and glanced at Qi Tai again before saying: “Very well, then — someone go call them all in, to pay their respects to Deputy Chief Zhù.”

A clerk ran out, and before long all the officials and clerks of the Court of State Ceremonial were called in. By regulation, the Court of State Ceremonial should have one chief, two deputy chiefs, two assistant directors, one registrar, and two record clerks. The Bureau of Guest Reception had one director, two assistant directors, and fifteen reception officers. The Bureau of Rites had one director and one assistant director.

These were the officials. Then there were the clerks, who were divided into various categories handling different matters, with varying numbers.

The Bureau of Guest Reception director held the junior seventh rank; the Bureau of Rites director held the senior eighth rank — at a glance, one could see which bureau the Court of State Ceremonial considered more important. Luo Sheng’s extra glance at Shen Ying was precisely on account of this. Shen Ying came from a distinguished family and was of senior years — putting him in charge of a less important bureau, while giving the higher-ranked, more populous bureau to the younger Zhù Ying, was a distribution Luo Sheng knew was not entirely balanced.

Yet after considerable deliberation, Luo Sheng still felt this was how it ought to be. Not only had the Emperor said to him: “I am sending you someone who can deal with foreign nations and the various tribes” — he himself also felt Zhù Ying was better suited. Shen Ying came from a good family and had followed the literary official’s path; managing funerary matters would come more naturally to him. And when it came to dealing with the families of officials of the fifth rank and above, Shen Ying — raised in an official-gentry household — was clearly more at home in those circles. Moreover, the previous deputy chief before him had been divided from Shen Ying on exactly these same lines.

For this reason, he had even had a heart-to-heart talk with Shen Ying the day before. When that matter came up, Shen Ying had said considerably less than usual, but had grudgingly agreed in the end.

Now looking at today, Shen Ying was indeed a magnanimous man. Luo Sheng smiled very sincerely: “From this point forward, you must all work in concert! Directors Wang and Ruan — henceforth, if there is anything, you may report it to Deputy Chief Zhù.”

The Court of State Ceremonial’s two assistant directors were surnamed Wang and Ruan respectively. When Zhù Ying had visited the Princess’s residence, she had specifically inquired about the personnel — now she was finally putting faces to names. Both were around thirty years old, one stout and one lean, one dark-complexioned and one fair — quite a contrast to each other. Zhù Ying also knew that the day-to-day administrative affairs of the Court of State Ceremonial were handled by these two.

The two assistant directors came forward to bow. Zhù Ying returned a partial bow and said: “I will be relying on everyone’s assistance in the future.”

Luo Sheng obligingly brought up what he and Zhù Ying had previously discussed: “Right — we are still shorthanded. Zǐzhāng, if you see any suitable capable people, draw up a list and let Assistant Director Ruan fill the posts.”

The lean and fair-complexioned Assistant Director Ruan quickly agreed. Zhù Ying also gave Ruan a smiling nod — Ruan handled more of the personnel matters, while Director Wang handled more of the finances and provisions.

Luo Sheng added: “Although the two deputy chiefs each oversee one bureau, we are all people of the Court of State Ceremonial. When matters arise, whichever of you is asked, you must not brush it aside.”

All the officials and clerks gave their assent.

Luo Sheng felt he had done everything he needed to do, and at the moment there was nothing pressing, so he said: “Zǐzhāng, you all get settled first — I will host a welcome banquet for you shortly.”

Zhù Ying said: “Very well.”

Luo Sheng added: “You all go ahead — I won’t intrude.” The perceptive members of the group took their leave. Zhù Ying was surrounded and escorted by Director Wang, Assistant Director Ruan, and the Bureau of Guest Reception staff toward her office. Qi Tai followed pitifully along.

Director Wang led the way, bringing Zhù Ying to a nearby room. At the door he extended a hand by way of gesture: “Deputy Chief, this is it.”

Zhù Ying stepped inside and looked around. The room was similar to the one Cold Cloud had once occupied — all the standard furnishings were present and complete. She noticed several shelves that were empty; Director Wang quickly said: “Those are there in case your lordship has any favorite objects to display.”

Zhù Ying gave a single nod.

Here she was the one seated in the position of highest rank, the others arrayed to the left and right below her by seniority. Qi Tai was invited toward the front — he and the Bureau of Guest Reception director were of similar rank, but Qi Tai was the registrar, who kept the official seal.

Assistant Director Ruan spoke first: “Just now Director Luo mentioned that you are still shorthanded. I wonder what suitable candidates you have in mind?” As he said this, he glanced at two men who were already in the room. Before Zhù Ying had arrived, he had already arranged for them to be placed here. Hearing Luo Sheng’s tone, it seemed Zhù Ying had her own plans; Ruan had no choice but to consult her again.

Zhù Ying said: “I will discuss that with you in a moment.”

Ruan, seeing that what was done was done, exchanged a glance with those two men. Then he casually said to Qi Tai: “Registrar Qi is also newly arrived — in a little while I’ll take you to your space.”

Director Wang then briefed Zhù Ying on the Court of State Ceremonial’s remuneration and such matters. Zhù Ying listened with some amusement: Director Wang’s duties were also varied, but just like Assistant Director Ruan, neither had introduced her to the Court of State Ceremonial’s actual affairs — they had only circled around personnel arrangements and the number of dishes served at the deputy chiefs’ communal meals. Quite interesting.

When they had finished speaking, Zhù Ying said: “Thank you both. Please have the old archives of the Court of State Ceremonial prepared — I would like to review them.”

Director Wang and Assistant Director Ruan exchanged a glance and complied. The Bureau of Guest Reception director was surnamed Ke and was something of a semi-acquaintance of Zhù Ying’s — she had once sent him gifts. At this moment he was the one with the most settled nerves, and he opened his mouth directly: “My lord, the Bureau of Guest Reception currently has such-and-such number of officials and such-and-such number of clerks, with two reception officer vacancies and three clerk vacancies remaining. Also, the Hall of Foreign Nations is not situated within the palace — all the staff of the Hall of Foreign Nations have not been seen by your lordship today. I am at your lordship’s disposal whenever you have time to arrange a visit.”

He then reported that there were some thirty to forty foreign nations in all — some sharing borders, others requiring translation from multiple languages — and that the Bureau of Guest Reception had thirty-two interpreters: major foreign nations such as the Western Territories had several interpreters on standby, while some minor nations had only one.

These figures were more precise than what Luo Sheng had told Zhù Ying. Luo Sheng had a reasonable grasp of the Court’s officials; the clerks were another matter — that was left to the people below to handle.

Zhù Ying listened through what all three of them had to say without comment, and still said pleasantly: “Everyone has worked hard. Let us leave it here for today.”

And so Assistant Director Ruan made to take Qi Tai away. Zhù Ying asked: “Where is his room?”

Director Wang quickly said: “The registrar keeps the official seal — he cannot be too far from the senior officials.”

Zhù Ying gave a nod, and only then did everyone disperse. Before Ruan left, he ventured to ask: “My lord, shall those two attend to you here today?”

Zhù Ying pointed to one of the younger men: “Just leave him.”

Ruan had no choice but to leave that one man behind and departed with the others.

The young man who remained stepped nimbly forward and asked: “I am Qiao San. I am at your lordship’s orders. Does your lordship wish to go look at the old archives?”

Zhù Ying gave him a smiling look: “No hurry — go find me a basket.”

“Pardon?”

“A large one — about this big. Line it with fine straw padding. Set it in my room.”

“Ah… yes.”

Zhù Ying smiled. Qiao San quickly said: “Yes.”

At last some quiet. Zhù Ying let out a breath — the Court of State Ceremonial was indeed not easy to handle. Not to mention the various officials and clerks above and below; Luo Sheng himself was no figurehead either. Yet her steps were very steady, her rhythm not the least bit disrupted. She walked calmly toward Shen Ying’s quarters.

Before she reached Shen Ying’s rooms, she stopped — someone had gotten there ahead of her. Director Wang and Assistant Director Ruan were standing outside Shen Ying’s door exchanging polite pleasantries, and after ushering each other in, the two of them walked inside one after the other.