Zhù Ying ate lunch at the guesthouse. Kun Da Chi had things on his mind and ate little. She, together with her cat, ate well. After the meal she did not return to the Court of Diplomatic Reception but stayed on at the guesthouse instead.

The Dian Ke Cheng Director was still at the imperial palace. The highest-ranking official on-site was now the Dian Ke Cheng Vice Director, who accompanied Zhù Ying on her rounds of the guesthouse. The Vice Director had complicated feelings about this. For one thing, Zhù Ying was not a harsh person — when she pointed out shortcomings she would usually offer a solution and show you how to fix things. For another, Zhù Ying was extremely capable, and the work done by ordinary people showed flaws in her eyes. Taken together, these two qualities inspired in him a mix of respect and trepidation. Even maintaining a small discretionary fund — Zhù Ying ran one of those more efficiently than any of them.

The Vice Director’s mood went up and down every day.

Zhù Ying gave him one look and said: “Let’s go — let’s check on the northern envoys’ lodgings.”

The Vice Director said, “Yes.”

As they walked through, Zhù Ying asked about various matters: “Has a translator been assigned? What about a cook? A cook who knows how to prepare northern cuisine? Has the Jin Jun been notified?”

The northerners who could match the Western Barbarians were the only opponents worth worrying about in terms of scale — any conflict among the other smaller nations’ envoys would not grow very large.

The Vice Director answered each question in turn, reporting the northerners’ dietary standards, how much meat was allocated per person per meal, how many in the northern party, and so on. Zhù Ying said: “Of course the northern envoys are to be treated with all due importance, but the other nations’ envoys must not be neglected either. In any case, I’ll go and chat with each of them a little later.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying then summoned the various minor attendants, clerks, and others, and reorganized the division of responsibilities. She also called Lieutenant Zhang over.

Once everyone had gathered, Zhù Ying first asked Lieutenant Zhang to be seated. Lieutenant Zhang declined: “With my armor on, I’d better stand.”

Zhù Ying had the Vice Director bring paper and brush: “I’ll dictate, you write. These people — assign them exclusively to the Western Barbarian affairs…”

The Court of Diplomatic Reception, like other offices, was not fully staffed. When missions had been fewer, a few people could handle one envoy party at a time. Now with many missions, the work had to be redistributed. For a major power like the Western Barbarians, dedicated personnel would be assigned. For smaller nations, one person might be responsible for two or three, or even more. This divided the guesthouse staff into several small groups.

Each group was headed by a minor attendant — no need to specifically designate who was in charge, since only the attendants held official rank and would naturally lead. One sheet of paper was completed, naming a handful of people, and Zhù Ying said: “Write another sheet — these people are responsible for the northerners…”

Once a sheet was written, the minor attendant named at its head took it, and the few people listed on it formed themselves into a cluster — that was a group.

When the assignments were complete, Zhù Ying said: “Each group get acquainted with one another. Until the envoys depart, each group sees to its own affairs and no other.”

Of those listed, a few were still left without assignment. Zhù Ying said to the Vice Director: “These people are left in your hands to coordinate from the center.”

The Vice Director said, “Yes.”

Lieutenant Zhang was watching with great interest from the side. Without warning, Zhù Ying pointed at the staff below and said to him: “Lieutenant — take a look. Besides guesthouse security, assign one squad of soldiers to each group, on standby in case of emergencies. Do you need to request more men from Ruan Grand General?”

Lieutenant Zhang put away his spectator’s amusement and made a mental estimate, though his arithmetic was not great. He took a page from Zhù Ying’s manner of managing things and said, affecting an air of authority: “If the bigger powers come to blows, the watch would need to be heavier. A squad might not be enough — and I’ll need coordinating personnel of my own.”

A statement that said everything and nothing. Zhù Ying asked: “Another hundred men, then?”

Lieutenant Zhang said, “That should do it.”

Zhù Ying said: “In that case, early tomorrow morning, please come to the palace gate, Lieutenant. I’ll go together with you to see Ruan Grand General and collect the men before we make the arrangements.”

Lieutenant Zhang said, “I should go too?”

Zhù Ying said: “I don’t know what the Jin Jun’s situation is at the moment. In case there are awkward tensions, it might be better with you there.”

Lieutenant Zhang was greatly pleased at this and said: “Oh, that’d be wonderful! But—” He leaned in and whispered: “I can’t very well say it to the Grand General myself — just one hundred more men, that’s fewer than I have now. It might seem like a demotion for me—”

Zhù Ying said: “Are there any promising junior officers in the Jin Jun you’ve had your eye on?”

“There’s one junior officer.”

Zhù Ying said, “I understand. Then I’ll still trouble you today, Lieutenant — we’ll meet up again tomorrow morning.”

Lieutenant Zhang said, “Done!”

Zhù Ying said: “Dismissed. Today, first take up your respective duties, then tomorrow get acquainted with the Jin Jun and work together in carrying out your tasks.”

Those below all answered in unison.

Zhù Ying kept the Vice Director behind and said: “With so much happening from now on, and the Crown Prince business as well, it may be that I am not always free. If something urgent comes up, come and find me directly. You know Xiao Huang, and you know where I live. If you cannot find me and matters are pressing, go to Luo Grand Minister. As for Sheng Guang Hua — he has never been involved in this side of things. If he issues a wrong order out of unfamiliarity it will only make things worse. Before going to him, think through what exactly you need to ask of him — you can’t just go to report with nothing to say.”

The Vice Director hastily agreed to all of this.

Zhù Ying looked at the sun, already past its peak, and left the guesthouse with her party, heading straight for Princess Yongping’s estate.

Princess Yongping’s residence had changed its complexion yet again since the last time she had visited — still lively, yet somewhat diminished in its brilliance. This princess’s estate was never short of people coming to knock on the door, though the kind of favor-seeking differed. In the days just past, the place had been packed with high-ranking officials and there had also been visits from various princes’ households; today the gates had only a handful of lower officials mixed among two red-robed ones.

Luo Sheng was well acquainted with the household, and frequently brought her here; Princess Yongping did not dislike her either. The people of the princess’s estate were therefore also familiar with Zhù Ying, and upon seeing her they welcomed her in. The gate steward smiled: “The household’s master has already gone home. What brings you, Deputy Director? And bearing gifts, at that — how formal of you!”

Zhù Ying pointed to the large boxes and said: “Since you’ve noticed them, that’s being formal. Let’s just talk, and not look at those — that’s the informal way.”

The steward laughed as well.

With the frequency of her visits, there was little need for layers of announcement. A steward escorted her in, a palace eunuch announced her to the inner rooms, and very quickly Zhù Ying was ushered in by Luo Sheng’s trusted manservant.

Luo Sheng had just returned home and had not yet changed his clothes. Zhù Ying was not shown to his study but to a small reception hall, where she met them both — husband and wife.

Luo Sheng saw Zhù Ying and waved to her cheerfully: “Zi Zhang, come, sit.”

Princess Yongping, seeing Zhù Ying preparing to make a proper greeting, said: “Why bother with all that formality?”

Zhù Ying gave the princess a brief salute with clasped hands and had done with it, then took a seat below Luo Sheng. First she said to Luo Sheng: “I’ve just come from the guesthouse. The Western Barbarian Prince Kun Da Chi went out on his rounds again today — when I went looking for him he was wandering around a tea shop outside.”

Luo Sheng said: “They can’t do without their tea.”

Zhù Ying nodded: “So I bought a few tea cakes and invited him to sample them, and then we shared a meal. He has a small gift he wishes to offer to the princess, and I brought it along.”

Princess Yongping said in surprise: “For me?”

Zhù Ying said gently: “It would not be proper for officials to privately accept gifts from tributary states. Your Highness has no such restrictions, so I brought the things along.”

With that, she had the gifts brought in. The items Kun Da Chi had sent for Zhù Ying were of quite good quality. When Zhù Ying politely declined and mentioned redirecting the gift to Princess Yongping, he had the good sense to replace some of the contents with a few more valuable pieces. Thus the gifts Zhù Ying brought in were nothing shabby in Princess Yongping’s eyes — gold and silver artifacts of exquisite craftsmanship, jewels, and fine woven cloth, entirely unlike what one might expect from “barbarians.” When you worked under Zhù Ying, the superiors above you were always well provided for.

Princess Yongping said: “He is thoughtful — though unfortunately I have no way of influencing great affairs of court. You are all doing the real work, and I simply receive this for nothing.”

Zhù Ying said: “His Highness would never lack for such things — this is merely a novelty. Oh — he also has some additional gifts to present to the Crown Prince and the various princes: horses. My lord, this will also need to be reported to His Majesty tomorrow.”

Zhù Ying could not have an audience with the Emperor every day, so Luo Sheng would have to be the one to raise this matter.

Luo Sheng and Princess Yongping exchanged a glance. He asked: “How did he phrase it?”

Zhù Ying said: “He said it was beyond the official state gifts. Regardless of how he phrased it, the question is how you would say it to His Majesty, my lord.”

The two of them grew serious. Princess Yongping said: “I must again ask the Deputy Director’s guidance.” She was quite courteous, because previously, when she had worried about her father and wanted to go see the Emperor, Zhù Ying had given her advice.

At that time, she had genuinely worried for her father, but also worried for herself. Princess Yongping could see that the Emperor had no wish to discuss the establishment of an heir. Yet she had to consider the future for her children, so she could not afford to show no interest at all. She was in the middle of it all, unable to see clearly which brother had the best prospects. Compared to the late Crown Prince, none of the others seemed quite up to it, and she was torn. Various people had also sought her out openly and in secret, making her promises: “Don’t you know that a rose in bloom compares poorly to charcoal in a snowstorm? Though such-and-such a prince is like this now, with Your Highness’s support, he would never forget this favor,” and so on.

Princess Yongping and Luo Sheng were husband and wife, after all. Luo Sheng trusted Zhù Ying’s judgment and had suggested asking Zhù Ying. The princess did not know much, but since Zhù Ying had arrived at the Court of Diplomatic Reception, Luo Sheng was visibly more at ease. Princess Yongping decided to cautiously ask, and arranged, through the guise of Luo Sheng seeking Zhù Ying’s counsel on tributary matters, to have Zhù Ying come over.

Princess Yongping was at home, her husband was with her, a guest had arrived, and the three of them ended up talking together. At the time the Emperor was being outlasted by ministers in a prolonged standoff, and Princess Yongping, using the cover of tributary audiences, steered the conversation toward visiting her father. She deliberately said she was uncertain, when it came time to visit, how to avoid the subject of the new Crown Prince and not add fuel to the Emperor’s anger. She asked Zhù Ying: “What are people outside saying about which of them is better? What does the Deputy Director think? How should I speak so that A’Ye doesn’t get even more upset?”

The princess did not know it, but the fortune-teller’s core trick was this: “speak vaguely, yet make the listener feel that every word hits home” — and also: “in reality, do nothing much, but make it look like you exerted great effort.”

Zhù Ying had given her these words to use: “Why should Your Highness bring up any particular brother? All of His Majesty’s sons are remarkably fine — each and every prince is outstanding.” And at the end she had simply said outright: “You are worried for the Emperor, and the Emperor only wants to see you. Between father and daughter, there is a natural closeness. Even if you say nothing at all — go in, sit with the Emperor for a while, then come out. If the Emperor’s mood improves, that is entirely your doing.”

Princess Yongping was no fool. She had her audience with the Emperor, came back out, and let the ministers handle the hard work of standing up to him. She remained a devoted daughter, emerging completely unscathed. The Emperor then sent food out from the palace, treating her even better than before. Zhao Wang, though no word was said, had specifically sent various rarities from his mansion, when moving into the palace, on the grounds that “such foreign items are not fitting to bring into the palace” — and these went to her.

Now, husband and wife were both willing to take Zhù Ying’s guidance.

Zhù Ying said: “My lord need only say this was ‘a gift for His Majesty’s sons, presented in addition to the official tribute.’ ” The old man’s mood was probably not too good at the moment, so it was best to put him at the center of everything — not “not a word without the Emperor,” but “the Emperor must come first in every sentence.” When the Crown Prince was mentioned, the same applied all the more.

Luo Sheng signaled his understanding.

Zhù Ying then mentioned the matter of increasing the Jin Jun presence at the guesthouse. Luo Sheng said: “Leave it to me.”

Zhù Ying said: “Since you agreed to that so readily, I’ll have to assign you another duty.”

Princess Yongping laughed: “Assign away.”

Zhù Ying said: “We still have business with the Ministry of Rites — the protocols for the foreign envoys to meet the Crown Prince. Minister Zhong has agreed to give us people in six days. But if the protocols that are worked out are then found unacceptable to the two palaces, we will have done the work for nothing — and having to start over would only waste more time. It is better to ask the two palaces for their thoughts in advance, before going head-to-head with the Ministry of Rites. And also — we must take a look at the Eastern Palace’s layout ahead of time, in order to arrange the positions.”

Luo Sheng said: “All right!”

Zhù Ying had done everything she needed to do today and had no intention of lingering at the princess’s estate. She said she had things to attend to tomorrow and rose to take her leave. Princess Yongping said: “Deputy Director, one moment.”

She had a servant bring out a lacquered box, inlaid in cut relief: “The Deputy Director has been rushing about every day, attending to so many difficult matters for the Prince Consort — do take good care of yourself. These are a few medicinal herbs. Take them home with you. If you won’t use them yourself, your father and mother can.”

Zhù Ying hadn’t even opened it before saying: “These are too valuable.”

Princess Yongping said: “They are only valuable when they are of use. I have more here — take them. Even if you won’t use them yourself, your father and mother can. Are they well?”

Zhù Ying said: “My father is still recuperating in the south. The south is damp, but warmer — it agrees with him. The distance is too great to risk moving the two of them lightly.”

Princess Yongping and Luo Sheng both sighed with concern and expressed understanding. Zhù Ying was past thirty — her parents must be quite elderly by now, and if they died while she was traveling, she would have to observe mourning rites, which at a time like this would be a great loss. They had no idea that the actual situation was very different from what they imagined.

Princess Yongping said: “When they have recovered, it is better to bring them back.”

“Yes.”

The people of the princess’s estate looked on with some respect as Zhù Ying came bearing gifts — and left bearing a return gift! Zhù Ying did not bother explaining to them. She was Luo Sheng’s subordinate — any of this would be considered normal.

On returning home, Xiang Le was already back. He and Xiang An had been gathering news in the capital for many days, reporting each evening. Zhù Ying let them eat together, talking while they ate. She casually opened the lacquered box: inside were ginseng and fleece-flower root, faintly shaped like a human figure. Genuinely valuable.

She closed the box and said: “How did things go today?”

Xiang Le said: “One wave settles and another rises.”

Xiang An said: “The clamor over the heir apparent has died down, but now begins the scheming and scrambling over the Eastern Palace. These noble families — there really is no end to it.”

Zhù Ying gave a small smile: “Tomorrow go and buy some tea cakes. Send them to Old Ma’s teahouse — tell them it’s my treat.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying then asked how Zhu Lian’s studies were going. Zhu Lian had become a little livelier since starting school. Eating while listening to Xiang An speak, and hearing the question directed to him, he quickly said: “The school gossips too, saying nobody knows what the marquisate is thinking. And that they don’t know how to prepare congratulatory gifts for the Eastern Palace. Teacher — is this really something so difficult? The marquisate doesn’t seem like a poor family.”

Zhù Ying said: “Do they lack the money? No — they’re afraid of giving too much, and afraid of giving too little. When they talk, you just listen.”

“Right — when they ask me, I say I’m from out of town and just arrived in the capital and don’t understand anything.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Eat.”

With that, from the corner of her eye she glanced at Zhu Yin beside her. The servants of Zhù’s household were easy to identify — they always wore a small pouch at the waist, holding inside it paper and brush. This was a habit that Jiang Zhou had maintained all along. Originally for recording tricks of the trade — interrogation methods, post-mortem examination details — it had gradually become a record of many other things. Jiang Zhou kept at it, Xiao Jiang picked it up occasionally, the retainers and servants of the prefectural residence along with Ding Gui and others had been influenced by the habit. Later when Zhu Yin and her companions saw it, they imitated it too. They couldn’t write fast enough to keep up in the moment, so they jotted a few words on the spot and recalled the rest from memory that evening. They felt it helped them grow in their understanding of how to conduct themselves. Zhù Ying indulged this, and whenever they wanted to write something down, she would also repeat once more those practical skills and pieces of common knowledge. She had never spoken of taking disciples, yet there was in effect the bond of a teacher imparting knowledge.

What Zhu Yin was writing now was: “If someone asks me this, I’ll also answer the way A’Lian did,” because Zhù Ying had clearly shown approval of Zhu Lian’s answer.

Zhù Ying never ate slowly, but because Xiang Le, Xiang An, and Zhu Lian were there, she had slowed her pace somewhat, watching until they had nearly finished before drinking her last mouthful of soup. She then sent Zhu Yin and the others off to eat their own meals.

The next morning, everything went smoothly.

Zhù Ying arrived at the imperial palace and saw Lieutenant Zhang already chatting with his fellow Jin Jun soldiers. Catching sight of her, Lieutenant Zhang beamed: “Deputy Director — over here.”

Zhù Ying walked over and said: “Let’s go — we should wait for Luo Grand Minister first. If we want more men, it’s better to let him know too.”

The two of them went side by side to the Court of Diplomatic Reception. Upon arriving, they found Sheng Ying already there. Seeing Lieutenant Zhang, Sheng Ying was taken aback: “And this is?”

Zhù Ying said: “A Jin Jun lieutenant, helping oversee the guesthouse’s security matters — waiting for the Grand Minister to return and discuss something.”

Sheng Ying then asked with concern: “Is something the matter? What do you need from us at the Court of Diplomatic Reception?”

Lieutenant Zhang said: “The Jin Jun handles its own affairs.”

Words that didn’t connect — Zhù Ying smoothed things over, offered Sheng Ying tea cakes, and then asked Lieutenant Zhang whether he also wanted some tea. Lieutenant Zhang said: “No tea in the morning — I’ll just wait.”

Seeing this, Sheng Ying drifted back to his own room with nothing further to say. Only then did Lieutenant Zhang tell Zhù Ying: “Western Barbarian milk tea is more fragrant.”

Zhù Ying said: “That it is — it has a kick to it.”

The two of them discussed the distinctive foods of each of the tributary nations at the guesthouse for a while. Lieutenant Zhang reached out a hand to secretly pet the tabby cat, and the cat gave him a swipe across the back of the hand, drawing a few lines of blood.

Zhù Ying held the tabby cat and pushed it back a little: “It doesn’t like to be touched.”

Lieutenant Zhang looked down at his hand, and was rather at a loss for words over this cat that didn’t like to be touched.

Luo Sheng, as usual, was among the crowd filling out the numbers at morning court, but today he had something to say. The Emperor, seeing his son-in-law was finally able to speak up, listened patiently as he finished. The matter, while not particularly pleasing, was something the person speaking kept within bounds the Emperor could accept. And so the Emperor said: “The matter of adding men — discuss it with the Jin Jun. As for the tributary gifts—” The Emperor found himself somewhat irritated about the gifts, but said: “Tell them each to just keep their own gifts. Why make a special report over a few horses?”

He also said, regarding the Eastern Palace, that they could go to see it whenever they liked. As for meeting the Crown Prince, the Emperor grudgingly allowed: “He also cannot break with propriety and exceed his station.”

How could the Crown Prince exceed his station? This remark made the prime ministers’ hearts give another lurch.

Luo Sheng was an honest man and said earnestly: “Coordinating with the Eastern Palace is precisely to ensure no impropriety occurs.”

The Emperor, seeing his manner, could not work himself up to anger and forced himself to accept the statement.

Luo Sheng thus came down from court in a fine mood, returned to the Court of Diplomatic Reception, said to Sheng Ying: “Guang Hua, you’re here? Zi Zhang — who is this?”

“Lieutenant Zhang of the Jin Jun — he is looking after the guesthouse’s security. There is a matter to discuss with you, Grand Minister.”

“Oh! Then let’s all go find Ruan Grand General.”

With that, Luo Sheng brought Zhù Ying and Lieutenant Zhang together to see Ruan Grand General. Zhù Ying had already briefed Luo Sheng the day before — when the time came, Luo Sheng would first thank Ruan Grand General and then request more men. For one hundred or so additional men, plus Lieutenant Zhang’s junior officer Xiao, Luo Sheng then left the arrangements to Zhù Ying. Zhù Ying handled it the same way as before.

Xiao Officer was Lieutenant Zhang’s junior — the two got along well — and neither Luo Sheng nor Zhù Ying got any complaints from them about being looked down upon. Lieutenant Zhang said: “The two of you please tend to official matters. We two will muster the troops and wait for you at the western gate.”

Luo Sheng then brought Zhù Ying to visit the Crown Prince.

The Eastern Palace had not yet been renovated, and the Crown Prince’s family was lodged in a set of newly allocated palace apartments that were a little cramped. Just the family itself — besides the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess’s investiture edict had not yet been issued, let alone anything for the Crown Prince’s several consorts. The Crown Prince had several secondary consorts, and besides these, three sons and two daughters. The eldest son was already sixteen this year, the second son fourteen, the third only ten. The eldest daughter was a concubine-born child, slightly older than the eldest son, and had already been married off; the only daughter currently in the palace was the youngest, seven years old this year.

Add the servants attending them all, and a single set of apartments was packed full. Thank goodness the sons had not yet taken wives, or there would truly be no room.

Zhù Ying thought: Well, there’s certainly no room here for horses.

Luo Sheng had felt it his duty to prepare his subordinate — he was about to reassure Zhù Ying that there was no need to be nervous meeting the Crown Prince. But when he looked over, the person in question showed not the slightest trace of nerves. Luo Sheng did not know why, but found himself smiling.

Good, then — after the audience with the Crown Prince, the reporting would still fall to him. Luo Sheng thought: I am not very familiar with the guesthouse’s detailed workings.

Luo Sheng had thought himself quite knowledgeable after all these years as head of the Court of Diplomatic Reception. But once Zhù Ying came on board, he realized his knowledge had amounted to nothing worth speaking of. Coming to visit the Crown Prince, he had simply brought someone who knew how to get things done.

The moment visitors arrived, the whole set of apartments was aware. Many people watched from behind windows, from the sides of pillars, and from beyond walls. Some with more boldness pointed and whispered.

The Crown Prince’s main hall was not cluttered with unnecessary people. He was not seated formally on his dais waiting for Luo Sheng to come and pay his respects, but had stood up and walked a few steps toward them in a gesture of welcome. Zhù Ying swept a glance over him. He had something weighing on his mind. She was tempted to walk up and say: “I can see a cloud of dark energy between your brows” — easily worth twenty strings of cash in a divination, that.

The Crown Prince did indeed have a great deal on his mind. He had been overjoyed when he first became Crown Prince. But the joy had not lasted two days before he found his father holding him in check on all sides. This Crown Princeship was something to feel uneasy about. His father was unwilling to see him often, and all manner of treatment was to be reduced by one degree compared to his elder brother. When he had been a prince, being treated a degree worse than his elder brother was natural — he was a prince, after all, and it was only right that he fell short of his brother in all things. But somehow now that he was Crown Prince and his father was still treating him shabbily, he found himself suddenly frightened.

He could not eat or sleep.

The Crown Prince had a good impression of his sister and brother-in-law. His brother-in-law was steady — many years without stirring up trouble, and easy on the eyes. His sister, though she had their father’s special favor, was not arrogant, and though she occasionally inspired a little envy, the Crown Prince considered himself an elder brother and thought he ought to be magnanimous. Furthermore, he had heard that his sister’s visit to their father was what had ultimately settled his appointment as Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince had a special affection for Princess Yongping.

Seeing Luo Sheng, the Crown Prince said: “What a rare visitor!” He stopped Luo Sheng from making his bow. “Is this Zhù Zi Zhang?”

He had met Zhù Ying before and remembered her, naming her correctly in a single go. Seeing both Luo Sheng and Zhù Ying smile and confirm it, the Crown Prince thought: They say she is capable — certainly she has fine composure. Neither too humble nor too self-important.

Zhù Ying paid her respects. This time the Crown Prince did not take her arm for real, but made a gesture as though to support her, saying: “No need for such formality.” By the time he said this, Zhù Ying had already finished her bow.

Luo Sheng took the opportunity to say: “What I have come to speak to Your Highness about today involves something that concerns her. I’ll let her explain.”

The Crown Prince was not particularly surprised and nodded: “Come inside.”

The three sat down. Zhù Ying did not speak first, but looked to Luo Sheng, letting him speak the broad strokes first while she filled in the details. The Crown Prince said: “How am I to accept gifts privately?”

Luo Sheng said: “It has already been reported to His Majesty.”

Court had taken place without the Crown Prince present — the Emperor had asked him to stay at home and prepare quietly for the ceremony. He had not known of the day’s court business.

The Crown Prince felt somewhat relieved and asked: “What kind of person is that prince?”

Zhù Ying then explained the several matters, all of them, to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince said quietly: “What views could I possibly have? I would certainly not presume to go over my elder brother’s head.”

Luo Sheng and Zhù Ying exchanged a glance. Luo Sheng opened his mouth and said: “Elder brother.” Then closed it again.

The Crown Prince rallied himself: “Of course — I follow His Majesty’s lead.”

Zhù Ying said: “Since His Majesty has given his consent, why should Your Highness wash his hands of it? The Eastern Palace is being renovated, and the Court of Diplomatic Reception also needs to take a look at the layout and arrange the standing positions. Please, Your Highness, dispatch someone — in a few days, let them go together with the Court of Diplomatic Reception to take a look.”

The Crown Prince waved a hand: “No need to look, no need to look. Listen to His Majesty.”

Luo Sheng gave Zhù Ying a look. Zhù Ying said: “Even if Your Highness is unconcerned for yourself, would it not be worth sending someone to look? On the day of the ceremony, Your Highness cannot simply avoid it. How can you not know the layout?”

The Crown Prince said: “And where do I have any ‘officials’ to send? I can’t very well send a eunuch, can I? That would invite criticism again.”

At the word “criticism,” his mood had already turned sour. His original household officials could not be transferred into the palace, nor could they all simply be transferred into the new Crown Prince’s Chamberlain Bureau. The Emperor had seemingly forgotten — no mention had been made of the Chamberlain Bureau these past few days. His present situation was even more meager than the late Crown Prince’s had been at the time — he didn’t even have a proper person to discuss things with. His only formal attendants were eunuchs.

Luo Sheng said quietly: “Zi Zhang.”

The Crown Prince heard this and looked at him, then at Zhù Ying.

Zhù Ying sighed gently: “Of course having a eunuch go would be easy to criticize. But what if you asked His Majesty to also designate a eunuch for this? Whomever he designates will do — just request him in a courteous and friendly manner. Father and son are the closest of kin, and a child seeking a parent’s help is also a child’s way of giving a parent joy.”

“I fear His Majesty would say I have no backbone.”

Your father is still alive. What is there for you to be the backbone of? The realm? she thought.

She only wished she could look after the Emperor’s interests without having to spare a thought for the Crown Prince’s — but once the Crown Prince felt aggrieved and decided to remember it, settling scores afterward would be something no one could withstand. The Crown Prince had not been careful enough, and what he said was already edging into “resentment.” The more the Crown Prince spoke this way, the more she had to round it off and smooth it over.

Her tone grew all the gentler: “A son relying on his father is no wrong. You have just moved back into the palace to live — everything is starting over fresh. If not your father, whom would you rely on? It would not do to wait for His Majesty to speak first.”

Luo Sheng added a timely word: “I think that works.”

The Crown Prince said: “Let me think on it.”

Well enough, Zhù Ying had no wish to say more. She gave Luo Sheng a look, and the two of them took their leave of the Crown Prince. They took a brief look at the Eastern Palace, then rejoined Lieutenant Zhang and Xiao Officer. Luo Sheng bowed out after that, leaving Zhù Ying to go with the two lieutenants to the guesthouse. Everything proceeded as planned before — Zhù Ying summoned the previously formed groups, each minor attendant paired with his corresponding soldiers. The remaining soldiers were to be commanded on rotation by Lieutenant Zhang and Xiao Officer. Xiao Officer had initially been eager to put the troops in order quickly but worried half a day wouldn’t be enough and grew anxious, pressing Lieutenant Zhang: “The northerners are almost here — how is there enough time? Why aren’t you worried, older brother?”

Lieutenant Zhang said: “No need to fret — you’ll see when we get there.”

When they arrived and saw that everything was in neat order, and all that remained was to place the men into their positions, Xiao Officer was astonished.

The northern envoys arrived that very afternoon.