The edict establishing the Crown Prince had been issued, yet many preparations still remained. The Court of Diplomatic Reception, too, was caught up in the business. The Emperor had still not resumed his previous court schedule. Zhù Ying continued to appear before the Emperor only once every ten days, and the Emperor had nothing additional to instruct the Court of Diplomatic Reception on. Zhù Ying proceeded as she and Luo Sheng had previously agreed — making her daily appearance at the office, then going to the guesthouse to look in on things.

Zhù Ying waited for Luo Sheng to return from court, timed her departure to coincide with him, and touched base. Sheng Ying also came out at this hour to see his superiors. Zhù Ying cast a glance at Sheng Ying. Although the man was making great efforts to contain himself, excitement still showed through on his face. Sheng Ying had always prided himself on his self-possession, and ordinarily he carried himself with some dignity. Most of the time it was not so obvious. But watching him now, Zhù Ying felt that every single pore on his face was open wide and singing at full voice.

Luo Sheng was still in a good mood. His family had been hemming and hawing over the matter of arranging marriages for his children with the imperial family and various princes, but now he was spared the headache of having to decide where to place his bet. Comparatively, having a Crown Prince settled earlier had saved him a great deal of trouble.

He said to Zhù Ying specifically: “Zi Zhang — when you go to the guesthouse, don’t forget to notify the envoys of all the nations about this great matter.”

Zhù Ying said, “Of course.”

Luo Sheng continued: “And the protocol for the envoys’ visit to the Crown Prince must also be prepared.”

Zhù Ying said, “That will require coordinating with the Ministry of Rites — we’ll need to borrow a few people from them. The date of the investiture ceremony — has it been fixed? If so, we should also instruct them on that. If not, then this time we’ll first instruct them in the New Year court audience protocols. If they send new envoys to offer congratulations on the investiture, we can instruct them on that then.”

Luo Sheng said, “The Imperial Astronomer’s Office is selecting the date.”

Zhù Ying said, “Then let us first coordinate with the Ministry of Rites on court audience protocols. The ceremony protocols will likely involve some dispute.”

“Very well.”

The two of them were discussing matters with great animation. At the end, Luo Sheng tossed Sheng Ying a line: “What does Guang Hua think?”

A smile rose unbidden on Sheng Ying’s face. “The Prince Consort has arranged everything admirably. With so many envoys from now on — and word needing to be sent to all nations of the establishment of the Crown Prince — the missions will grow more numerous. The Dian Yi Shu office has had little to do lately. We are all colleagues in the Court of Diplomatic Reception, and when the missions are at their busiest, it would be our duty to lend a hand.”

Even Luo Sheng, simple-hearted as he was, had a moment of blank confusion cross his face. Zhù Ying kept her expression unchanged and watched Luo Sheng, until this Prince Consort quickly came back to himself and asked her: “Are there many envoys at the moment?”

Zhù Ying said, “We can manage for now. I won’t be shy about asking for help when I need it.”

“Oh, oh — well then, good, good.” Luo Sheng said something incoherent.

Zhù Ying said, “Shall I go to the guesthouse now, my lord?”

Luo Sheng said, “Will you be back for the shared meal?”

Zhù Ying said, “Hard to say — I’ll have Xiao Huang let the kitchen know not to set a place for me. I’ll eat at the guesthouse.”

“Ah, well then — be careful on the road.”

Zhù Ying smiled and watched Luo Sheng walk back to his own room. She gave Sheng Ying a nod, Sheng Ying gave her a magnanimous and gracious nod in return, his expression full of tolerance. Zhù Ying returned to her room, beckoned Xiao Huang over and sent him to tell the small kitchen, then picked up her brush and drafted a document to the Ministry of Rites, requesting their assistance in preparing protocols for the envoys’ audience with the Crown Prince. She took the document and showed it to Luo Sheng. Luo Sheng signed it, peered out through the door, and said: “Sheng Guang Hua is acting oddly today — the Dian Ke Cheng affairs have been under your management all along. Whenever you need people, we can talk then.” Even with Luo Sheng’s naivety and his general unawareness of smaller officials’ daily concerns, he still recognized that Sheng Ying just now had shown signs of trying to encroach on authority.

Zhù Ying smiled: “He’s probably delighted because of the Eastern Palace matter. The Shen family has always been proper and law-abiding. Zhao Wang is the eldest of His Majesty’s sons, and with Zhao Wang established, he is simply so pleased he doesn’t know what to do with himself.”

Luo Sheng thought this had an odd ring to it, and said quietly, “Let’s hope he doesn’t get so pleased he forgets himself.”

Zhù Ying did not join Luo Sheng in his assessment of Sheng Ying. Taking the document, she made a trip to the Ministry of Rites. The Ministry was in the midst of chaos — Minister Zhong was pointing and scolding people in all directions. The ceremony for establishing the Crown Prince was something the Ministry had to participate in, but the Emperor had said to avoid extravagance — did that mean the trappings should be reduced somewhat compared to the late Crown Prince’s ceremony? And if so, would the current Crown Prince be displeased?

Right in the middle of this worry, Zhù Ying arrived. A Deputy Director coming in person meant Minister Zhong couldn’t simply ignore her, and he forced himself to accept the document.

Zhù Ying took in the scene and said: “I know you’re busy here and it’s hard to spare anyone — just give me one or two people. Let’s start with the court audience protocols, and we’ll talk about the investiture ceremony once the date is fixed. I’ll return the people to you as soon as possible. Does that work?”

Minister Zhong said, “Right now, I—”

“I know this is a bit sudden today. I’ll come back tomorrow or the day after to collect the people. Will that do?”

Minister Zhong said, “Are all the envoys here yet? If not, wait three — no, five — seven days. Seven days from now, I’ll give you two people. Right now I have the Inner Chamberlain Bureau and the Ministry of Works, and everyone needs someone to liaise with.”

Zhù Ying considered — the envoys that had arrived truly were still fewer than ten — and said, “That works. I’ll come back in seven days.”

She left the document and returned, scooping up her tabby cat, which was sunning itself, and ambled out of the imperial palace.

The guesthouse was not far from the palace. She arrived before long. Kun Da Chi, however, was not there. A minor attendant came to greet her: “The Western Barbarian prince has been going out every day for the past several days. He went out again today — said he wanted to explore the market.”

Zhù Ying asked, “The markets haven’t opened yet — where did he go?”

“He said he heard people on the road saying there were shops in various wards too, and took a fancy to it and went.”

“He also changed his clothes, by the way.”

The past few days the ministers had been outlasting the Emperor, and that duty had not fallen to Zhù Ying. She had made her daily rounds to the guesthouse to ensure nothing went awry at this sensitive time. But Kun Da Chi had been thoroughly at his leisure during these days when the whole capital was on edge — he’d wandered through the East and West Markets, explored temples and Taoist monasteries, and had even poked his head around the Imperial Academy for half a day.

Today he had gone so far as to change out of his Western Barbarian clothes and put on the latest style worn in the capital, and had gone out again. In the dead of winter and he doesn’t feel the cold!

Zhù Ying said, “Understood.”

She went into the guesthouse and greeted each nation’s envoys, notifying them: “His Majesty has issued an edict. Zhao Wang has been invested as heir apparent.”

The envoys had no deep knowledge of Zhao Wang, but they all broke into smiles and offered congratulations. Zhù Ying smiled back: “Indeed — the realm now has a Crown Prince again. Truly a cause for universal celebration.”

The envoys then inquired when they might have an audience with the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Zhù Ying smiled pleasantly: “Very soon. You have all traveled great distances and endured a long and arduous journey — please first rest and recover at the guesthouse. The Crown Prince is in the process of moving — once you have rested, you will be able to meet both His Majesty and the Crown Prince.”

The envoys then asked about the new Crown Prince’s preferences.

How could Zhù Ying know such details? She said: “The Crown Prince is refined and cultured. His preferences — this official would not presume to speculate.”

The envoys each formed their own ideas from this.

Zhù Ying instructed the Dian Ke Cheng Vice Director to see to the hospitality, then made her way from the guesthouse back home.

Zhù Ying returned home and first changed out of her official robes, put on a pale white brocade gown, draped a cloak over her shoulders, and holding the cat, sat in the carriage and said: “Go.”

The guesthouse kept watch over the movements of each nation’s envoys within the capital. Zhù Ying was also on old terms with Jing Zhao, and besides the guesthouse and the Jin Jun, she had called in a favor from Zheng Xi as well, so the entire Jing Zhao apparatus was helping her keep watch. On the road she stopped a constable with a question, and the man recognized her and smiled: “Deputy Director Zhù? You’re asking about that foreign fellow? He changed his clothes today and went off in that direction.”

Kun Da Chi’s appearance was distinctive from those of the Central Plains, which made surveillance easy. Zhù Ying quickly found him at a shop selling tea leaves. The translator was scrambling to translate back and forth, while the shopkeeper kept shaking his head. Kun Da Chi wore his fur robe, yet unlike the people around him, who were bundled up tightly, he had his collar slightly open — as though he felt no cold at all.

Zhù Ying stepped inside. In her wake the doorway darkened, and the shopkeeper instinctively looked up and caught sight of her. The business people of the capital could tell a person’s background from their clothes at a glance. Zhù Ying’s outfit had been assembled by the Zheng marquisate. The shopkeeper gave a slight bow: “Is this gentleman here to sample some tea?”

Zhù Ying nodded to him, then said to Kun Da Chi: “The prince has been quite difficult to find.”

The shopkeeper was startled and gave Kun Da Chi a sideways look, thinking: This is a prince? Looks just as unreasonable as a ‘noble person’ would.

Kun Da Chi said, “Did you come looking for me on some business?”

Zhù Ying nodded. “Of course. The matter the prince has been pressing about has progressed — if you had been at the guesthouse, you would know by now.” As she spoke, she casually picked out a few tea cakes: “Wrap these up and send them to the guesthouse. The Court of Diplomatic Reception will settle the bill.”

The shopkeeper hesitated briefly. Xiao Huang said: “This is Deputy Director Zhù — who would dare cheat you out of your money?”

The shopkeeper carefully asked: “Is this the young Deputy Director Zhù from the old days?”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Still not quite old even now.”

The shopkeeper hurriedly made a deep bow. Zhù Ying said: “Let’s not exchange pleasantries here — do you believe me now?”

“Yes, yes — absolutely, I wouldn’t presume otherwise.”

Zhù Ying said, “Send them to the guesthouse.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying met Kun Da Chi’s curious, slightly appraising gaze and said: “Tea cakes and tea bricks are somewhat different — I picked one of each, and the prince can try them both when he gets back. Please — this way.”

The two of them left the tea shop. Kun Da Chi was not on horseback and Zhù Ying did not get back in the carriage; the two of them walked slowly toward the guesthouse. People on the road wore expressions of happiness. Zhù Ying said: “Has the prince noticed their expressions?”

Kun Da Chi thought: Is she about to boast about how prosperous and wealthy the capital is?

Zhù Ying’s next words were: “I am not saying this to boast about the capital — it is because they have encountered a happy event. His Majesty has issued an edict investing a Crown Prince.”

The translator relayed this. Kun Da Chi first gave a start, his private thought struck — then, hearing that an heir had been established, was doubly surprised. He asked: “A Crown Prince so quickly?”

Zhù Ying said, “The prince’s gifts can now be given.”

Kun Da Chi said, “Then I can bring fewer things back.”

Zhù Ying said, “The capital is so vast and the prince has been touring it every day — how could the bags going home be lighter?”

Kun Da Chi curled his lip. His eyes flickered briefly to the side and behind him, and before he could speak, Zhù Ying said: “Beyond His Majesty’s official gifts, the prince may purchase freely — someone will carry the parcels for you. You are an honored guest, and we must see to your hospitality. If we are to be hospitable, how can we not know where our guest is at all times?”

Kun Da Chi had been about to mock Zhù Ying for having people shadow him, but before he could open his mouth she had spoken directly to his unvoiced thought. He hadn’t even gotten his mouth open before Zhù Ying had said everything there was to say.

Kun Da Chi said, “You people really do think of everything.”

Zhù Ying said, “Thinking a little more is better than being remiss toward a guest. Prince — shall we go back and taste some tea? This tea has its advantages at a higher price and its advantages at a lower price. The one the prince noticed just now — the flavor is clear, the price is high, and it uses tender young buds. The tea brick is different — it uses larger leaves…”

Kun Da Chi found himself with two ears full of tea, and said: “You really do know a great deal.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “I don’t understand tea. I know a little — not much. I can’t generally taste the difference. I lived in the south for a time — it produces tea there. Oh — and the year before last, your nation’s envoys exchanged silver bowls for some tea bricks…”

An elderly man behind Kun Da Chi suddenly gave an exclamation, said something to Kun Da Chi, and the two of them murmured together. He had assumed Zhù Ying could not understand, and gave a casual nod. Kun Da Chi said: “Then let’s go back and drink some tea!”

He quickened his pace, but found Zhù Ying still following without hurrying, not falling behind. A little curious, he slowed his steps somewhat, and Zhù Ying neither fell back nor moved ahead of him, as though she were entirely unaware of his varying pace.

Returning to the guesthouse, the host and guest sat down in Kun Da Chi’s lodgings. Zhù Ying removed her cloak, and only then did Kun Da Chi notice that she was still holding a cat. The servants brought out the tea and began to prepare it.

Zhù Ying said: “Try some.”

Kun Da Chi said, “There’s no flavor — it needs to be boiled with milk.”

“There is cream and cheese.” Zhù Ying said. She knew the custom at this side of the guesthouse was to serve tea mixed with milk, as the Dian Ke Cheng office adjusted rations according to each nation’s dietary customs.

Kun Da Chi drank his milk tea not just as milk tea — he also had large platters of meat and other foods alongside. He had no taste for vegetable dishes, but was very interested in fruits, which he liked with sugar, and put salt in his milk tea.

Zhù Ying, as Kun Da Chi did, used a small knife to cut off pieces of meat and eat them, and cut a small piece to feed the cat. The tabby cat looked at the little piece she had cut, sniffed, pressed its head to one side of the large silver platter, and went still.

Zhù Ying cut a bit of the part the cat had been eyeing and gave it to the cat. This cat had more discerning tastes than her, having selected the best cut of meat.

Kun Da Chi, seeing her expression remain perfectly unchanged, drank a bowl of milk tea with her. Zhù Ying now understood why Kun Da Chi preferred bold-flavored tea and found the delicately flavored expensive tea cake overpriced and unhelpful.

The elderly man, who was the deputy envoy, had been whispering more detailed information to Kun Da Chi. Kun Da Chi, when he had heard enough, asked Zhù Ying frankly: “You’re an official, are you not? Why did those children with tea earlier say you were their elder?”

Zhù Ying said, “I drink tea from their family’s establishment regularly.”

Kun Da Chi asked: “Are they your children? Can they sell their tea without your court’s permission?”

Zhù Ying said, “The prince has already made inquiries. Is there still need to ask me?”

Kun Da Chi said, “It’s a pity they are far from us.”

Zhù Ying said, “I have heard there are mountains between us. But it seems there is a road through.”

Kun Da Chi’s eyes blinked, and he said: “I came here to increase the quota at the border trading posts. We want more tea and are willing to give furs and horses in exchange. But running into the matter of the Crown Prince — will it delay my affairs?”

“It will cause no delay.”

Kun Da Chi asked again, “Will you agree?”

Zhù Ying said, “This is not my decision to make, but I will convey it on the prince’s behalf.”

Kun Da Chi said, “All right. Our horses are all fine breeds. I will send two to the new Crown Prince, and he has several brothers — I’ll give one to each of them.”

“Seven.”

Kun Da Chi said, “Bring them out.” Four servants each carried a large box in. Kun Da Chi said, “This is for you — a small thanks for these past few days.”

Zhù Ying politely declined: “It is merely my duty. The prince has few belongings on this trip — there is no need to give me gifts. I can convey them to Princess Yongping on the prince’s behalf.”

Kun Da Chi said, “Is she that man’s wife?”

Zhù Ying nodded. Kun Da Chi thought for a moment and motioned to his servants, who withdrew.

Kun Da Chi then made clear once more his wish to increase the quota by half. Seeing that this was the matter he cared about most, Zhù Ying said: “Is the prince worried about going back without having accomplished his task and receiving blame he does not deserve? The prince has brothers, I trust? From the look of the prince, they must all be remarkable people.”

The words seemed to jump from one subject to another without connection, but Kun Da Chi’s heart gave a jolt. He had not come here purely for enjoyment. He had come as an envoy partly from his own desire to have a look for himself, and partly because he had been set up by his elder brothers. Every family had its own difficult chapter, and the family of a ruler was all the more so. He was capable enough — which was precisely what his brothers found threatening. And so he had been maneuvered into coming here to pay tribute and negotiate the trading post quotas at the same time.

The court and the Western Barbarians were part rivals, part allies. Suddenly asking to increase the quota was no easy thing to negotiate in the first place. To negotiate it successfully, without losing face, without begging — and without accepting a worse deal — this was the inherent difficulty. Kun Da Chi was not ordinarily in charge of such affairs; on the contrary, he had always projected an image of martial prowess. Sending him here had been entirely ill-intentioned. He had privately cursed his elder brothers no end of times, but with his father having given approval, he had had to come whether he liked it or not.

He had assumed that inside the guesthouse, surrounded by strangers, they could speak freely in their own language — no one would understand. What he did not know was that the entire guesthouse was already in Zhù Ying’s hands. She had arranged for a translator to pose as an ordinary servant, and several key overheard phrases, combined with no particular attempt at concealment on their part, had allowed Zhù Ying to piece together the full picture from those few critical fragments.

Now that Zhù Ying had laid it bare, and remembering how she had several times spoken directly to what was in his mind before he had spoken, Kun Da Chi found himself somewhat wary of her. He fixed his eyes on the tabby cat — looking it over and over. This person and this cat had something uncanny about them. Was she some kind of shaman?

Zhù Ying continued: “Our princes as well each have their strengths and are all admirable people. The Crown Prince is the eldest of His Majesty’s surviving sons, which is why he became Crown Prince — these are the court’s rules. Legitimate-born sons come first, and among them, the eldest. If someone does not fit those two conditions and wishes to receive the court’s investiture, there needs to be a reason that holds up.”

Kun Da Chi’s eyes went wide. He stared hard at her.

The tabby cat let out two meows. Zhù Ying cut off another piece of its chosen meat and gave it, and drank her own cup of milk tea in one go: “The northerners arrive tomorrow. Their guesthouse is arranged over on that side — if you wish to make acquaintance, you may ask a minor attendant to show you the way. I’ll be back again tomorrow.”