Princess Yongping’s daughter would be more than sufficient for any match. Even as the Crown Prince’s eldest son — who, barring some unforeseen circumstance, would eventually become the Crown Prince and then the Emperor — this Prince would be gaining something remarkable.
Zhù Ying asked further, “Who acted as matchmaker? The thank-you gift must have been extraordinarily generous.”
Lan De smiled: “For such a fine match, who would even need a matchmaker? His Majesty simply arranged it himself. Is the Deputy Chief very surprised?”
Zhù Ying said, “I cannot spare the attention for that — I am only thinking that I will have to prepare two sets of gifts and am not sure where I shall find the means.” The Eastern Palace was to take a daughter-in-law, and officials of any standing were essentially required to send congratulatory gifts. Zhù Ying just barely fell within that category — her rank was toward the lower end of those who could be counted among the relevant parties, but she still had to send something. And Luo Sheng was her superior — for a subordinate not to send a generous gift when their superior was seeing a daughter married would simply be lacking in social sense.
Lan De kept smiling: “Would the Deputy Chief even need to worry about that?”
Zhù Ying said, “Both houses must be treated with equal care — it will cost something.”
The two of them chatted merrily, both wearing expressions of delight, as though it were they themselves who were taking a wife and marrying off a daughter. The Vice Minister at one side, however, felt anything but at ease. When the Crown Prince was being installed, there had been disagreement over whether to install an imperial son or an imperial grandson; those who had served the previous Eastern Palace still retained some hope of installing the Prince of Chengyi.
With the Emperor’s series of actions, any chance for the Prince of Chengyi had evidently come to nothing.
The Vice Minister, sensing Du Shi’en’s gaze on him, quickly suppressed his sigh and said, “Let us do our present task well — that is how we serve His Majesty.”
Zhù Ying and Lan De also stopped their chatter, and the group went over several more positions in the Eastern Palace. Then Zhù Ying said, “When it comes to ceremonial matters, the Ministry of Rites is far more expert than us — the Court of Dependencies is only assisting, and we are only concerned with the foreign envoys.”
The Vice Minister, though not in a light spirit, had still prepared a ready answer: “We have inspected enough of the positions — with so many people here and the surroundings rather inconvenient, why do we not return and each consult our old records, then work out a plan together? How does that sound?”
“Agreed.”
Both parties then said their goodbyes to Lan De and Du Shi’en, and as usual it was Lan De who spoke: “We two still have supervising duties to attend to, so we will not see you very far.”
The two eunuchs saw Zhù Ying and the others out of the Eastern Palace but did not remain on the worksite supervising things. The Crown Prince was to take a girl from Princess Yongping’s household — why on earth would they be sweating away at a construction site?
Lan De had come to this posting for two reasons: first, the Crown Prince’s request; second, Lan Xing had sought it for him from the Emperor. Lan Xing was a perceptive man; he had specifically called Lan De over to give him instructions: “They all say ‘every new emperor brings new servants’ — but that is nonsense! As long as the ministers have not earned the Crown Prince’s resentment, they can go on as before. It is us who are truly ‘new emperor, new servants!’ I am sending you to the Eastern Palace — you had better serve the Crown Prince well.”
The words could not have been clearer, and Lan De heard them perfectly. Ministers cannot be changed at will; eunuchs — especially those of the middle and upper ranks — once a new emperor arrives, the late emperor’s trusted eunuchs would all be dismissed and their days of glory would be over. The sensible ones would themselves ask to go tend the imperial tombs; the not-so-sensible would wait for the newcomers to drive them away.
What a pity that emperors could not live forever!
Lan De greatly cherished his current posting. Though he had only been at it a few days, he felt he had been doing rather well. Everything else was secondary; turning his attention toward the Crown Prince was what mattered. Just now, the Crown Prince’s household was to celebrate a joyous occasion, and he was somewhat at a loss — he was not sure what kind of gift to send the Crown Prince.
……——
What Lan De was now pondering was what many officials throughout the capital were also busy thinking about.
This marriage had arrived suddenly, yet was not unexpected. The Emperor had always doted on Princess Yongping; that he would personally take an interest in finding his beloved princess’s daughter a match was not at all difficult to understand. Seen in this light, even though the Emperor was being difficult, he was not entirely indifferent to the Crown Prince — giving the granddaughter he adored to the Crown Prince as a daughter-in-law was also a statement of the Emperor’s position.
Many officials who had been anxious about state affairs felt reassured as a result. For now, they only needed to prepare congratulatory gifts! Many people had to prepare two sets — one for the Crown Prince, one for the Princess.
Zhù Ying, who had said in front of Lan De that she needed to prepare two sets of gifts, was actually not that worked up about it. She first went back to the Court of Dependencies to offer congratulations to Luo Sheng in person. But Luo Sheng was not at the Court of Dependencies. Shen Ying said, “Zizhang may not be aware — a moment ago His Majesty sent someone to summon Lord Luo. His Majesty wishes to betroth Lord Luo’s beloved daughter to the Prince of Qiyang as his consort.”
Zhù Ying said, “The Prince of Qiyang?”
“Oh — the Crown Prince’s eldest son.”
Zhù Ying said, “Now that truly is a happy occasion.”
She set aside any thought of going to the Four Barbarians’ Lodge for now and returned to her own office. She reproduced the layout of the Eastern Palace from memory and sketched it out, then looked it over and tossed it into the brazier to burn. She took a fresh sheet of paper and began calculating — the gift for the Eastern Palace could not be more than appropriate or less than appropriate; it could not be too conspicuous, just going along with the crowd would do. One or two items of particular distinction could be included, but they must not be too costly. The gift for the bride’s family, on the other hand, could afford to be a little more generous.
With the list drawn up, Luo Sheng came back from the Emperor as well. His face carried a hint of happiness, and both Shen Ying and Zhù Ying came out to congratulate him. The officials and clerks of the Court of Dependencies surged out together, all calling out “Congratulations” in unison.
No one could say this match was anything less than wonderful — it was simply far too good. The grandfather had reserved for his granddaughter the future position of Empress.
Luo Sheng said, “My daughter is only nine years old — I worry she may not be equal to such a responsibility.”
Shen Ying asked, “The wedding would not happen right away, surely.”
Luo Sheng said, “That is true. Well then — I am going home for a bit. I will leave things here to all of you.”
Zhù Ying said, “Better leave them to Senior Official Shen — I still have matters at the Four Barbarians’ Lodge. I will head over to the Ministry of Revenue now and have a word with them. And you?”
Luo Sheng’s heart and mind were now entirely on his daughter’s betrothal; the matter of participating in the trading post negotiations no longer captured his interest at all. He said in passing, “You know your way around over there — you go. Ah, Guanghua, I leave it to you.”
Zhù Ying said, “For the ceremonial matters related to the Eastern Palace — if anyone comes looking, let Officials Ruan and Ke receive them. I brought them along today and they have already been introduced to the people from the Ministry of Rites and the Eastern Palace; there should be no mistaken identities. Official Wang will come with me to the Ministry of Revenue to coordinate.”
“Fine,” said Luo Sheng.
The three of them each went their separate ways.
Zhù Ying then set off on foot with Official Wang, Xiao Huang, and a few others to the Ministry of Revenue, which was also in the thick of busy work. Governors from the various regions were arriving in the capital, and matters of finance and grain under the Ministry of Revenue’s purview were under review — everyone inside was extremely occupied. Xiao Huang went ahead and stopped a clerk, letting him know that Zhù Ying had come to see Dou Peng. The clerk looked up at Zhù Ying and smiled: “Ah, it is Deputy Chief Zhù — please wait a moment.”
Zhù Ying said, “Why is it particularly busy today?”
She had been coming to the Ministry of Revenue for a long time — arguing with Xian Jing and Dou Peng — and many people in the ministry knew her. This clerk was no exception; he quietly said in a low voice, “Well, isn’t it because the Prince of Qiyang is to have a new residence built?”
“Surely the Ministry of Revenue is not paying for that?”
The Ministry of Revenue primarily managed national income and expenditure — it was not the Emperor’s private treasury. For the Emperor’s grandson to establish his own residence, the funding should not come from here.
“Ah, well — the bride comes from a distinguished family, so the residence needs to be built to a finer standard…” The clerk suddenly realized he had said too much and quickly stopped himself; he went to report Zhù Ying’s arrival.
Zhù Ying thought to herself: could they be planning to hold the wedding very soon?
In a short while Dou Peng had her come in to speak. Although she knew Dou Peng was engaged in a tug-of-war with the Emperor over money, Zhù Ying could not read anything particularly vexed on his face when she met with him. She spoke to Dou Peng with great respect: “The Ministry of Revenue is still the lead here — the Court of Dependencies is only involved because we were entirely unaware the foreign peoples had a national chancellor, which shows we had not done our prior research well enough. We simply wish to listen in at the side and gather some intelligence.”
Dou Peng said, “You are being far too modest! You cannot duck out of this! Look at my office — the grain and revenue accounts from all the regions also need reviewing! Receiving and hosting the four frontier peoples has always been your duty — do not be modest, you absolutely must be present!”
He would not be participating in full throughout every session himself; he accordingly designated a Vice Minister to handle the negotiations. He set the date of the first negotiation for three days hence, with the Vice Minister going to the Four Barbarians’ Lodge. Zhù Ying said, “The Four Barbarians’ Lodge is full of eyes and ears — I am afraid that would not be ideal.”
Dou Peng said, “Then you arrange a suitable venue — we cannot have them going in and out of the Imperial City repeatedly, can we?”
Zhù Ying said, “For that, both our official seals would need to be on the written request — we’d need to borrow a quiet, private place.”
Dou Peng asked, “What quiet, private place?”
Zhù Ying said, “What about the former Crown Prince’s residence? It would be quiet, it would be secure, and no one could spy on things there. It has been vacated now and no other arrangements have been made for it. We do not need the entire compound — just a section. It is just that I am not very familiar with the layout; it would be even better if the Eastern Palace could send someone familiar with the place to show us around.”
“This…” Dou Peng thought for a moment and decided it was workable. But the timing today was not right; the two settled that tomorrow Minister Dou would raise the matter with the Emperor at the morning court session, requesting the use of two small courtyards in the former Prince Zhao’s residence as the venue for negotiations with Lei Li A Tu. The courtyards would be cleaned in advance — the former Prince Zhao’s residence servants could handle that.
The negotiations Kun Da Chi had requested could also take place there. The two planned to alternate the two sides’ negotiations on odd and even days. On Minister Dou’s end, two separate teams would be sent to negotiate with the two sides respectively. Zhù Ying would need to supervise from start to finish herself. Dou Peng asked with concern, “Can you manage this alone? And what about the Four Barbarians’ Lodge envoys?”
Zhù Ying smiled. “First — they will not be going over every last detail from beginning to end every single day. Second — both the Chief Liaison Officer and the Dian Ke Cheng are quite capable.”
“Good then.” Dou Peng said with satisfaction.
At the doorway, there were figures hovering and peering in. Zhù Ying said, “The Minister has so much on his hands — this subordinate will not take up any more of your time.”
“Slow down.”
Official Wang had kept his mouth shut the entire time, following silently behind her; now he silently followed her back out. Zhù Ying asked, “Will you be able to free up some time in a few days?”
Official Wang immediately said, “Please do not worry, sir — whatever matter you wish to attend to, this subordinate will always find the time, no matter how busy.” He already knew what was happening — the days at the Liaison Office had been extremely comfortable! Was it now going to be his turn?
Zhù Ying said, “Then come with me when the time comes to meet the foreign envoy. I will also summon Clerk Qi at the time — he is an old hand at the Ministry of Revenue, quiet, but his grasp of accounts is remarkably sharp.”
“Yes.”
Only then did Zhù Ying consider her business in the Imperial City finished. She said to Official Wang, “You head back — check in on things and make sure everyone is not so caught up in the celebrations that they forget their duties.”
“Yes.”
Zhù Ying said to Xiao Huang, “Bring the cat — we are heading out too.”
……
Once out of the Imperial City, Zhù Ying did not first go to the Four Barbarians’ Lodge to inform Lei Li A Tu of the negotiation dates she had settled with the Ministry of Revenue. That would need to wait until after the Emperor and Crown Prince had approved the use of the Prince Zhao residence tomorrow, and then it would depend on how quickly the cleaning could be completed.
She left the Imperial City and called over Hu Shijie and the others who had been waiting nearby: “We are going to the Capital Prefecture Office.”
Hu Shijie said, “Yes.”
They made their way to the Capital Prefecture Office by a familiar route, and by the time they arrived, it was nearly time for the midday meal. Zhù Ying walked in and said, “Is there a place at the table for me?”
The staff at the Capital Prefecture Office knew her even better, and laughed: “Quick, quick — our Lord is just sitting down to eat.”
The current Deputy Prefects of the Capital Prefecture Office had also been rotated through a full cycle; Zhù Ying was not very well acquainted with them. She accordingly waited at the outer hall to be announced first, and only entered after being given permission. Zheng Xi pointed at the people behind Zhù Ying and said to Lu Chao, “See to their hospitality over there.” Then he beckoned Zhù Ying in: “Your legs really are remarkably long.”
Zhù Ying went inside, first performed a bow to him, then exchanged greetings with the Deputy Prefects, and only then said, “For someone who is not very tall.”
Zheng Xi ordered a table set up for her and said, “Then eat more — eating more is how you grow taller.”
Zhù Ying thanked him and sat down without ceremony: “Then I shall not hold back — it has been a busy morning.”
“Busy at the Court of Dependencies and then running over here to find food? Does the Court of Dependencies not feed you?”
“My coming here — there is actually something that also concerns you.”
Zheng Xi raised an eyebrow. The two Deputy Prefects dining with him also exchanged glances. Zheng Xi asked, “What task are you about to assign me now?”
Zhù Ying said, “Well, His Highness the Crown Prince has moved into the palace, and I was thinking the old residence surely could not be given over for the Prince of Qiyang’s wedding, could it? Why not lend it to us instead…”
Zheng Xi said, “Wait — where has this Prince of Qiyang come from? And what is this marriage all about?”
Given his familiarity with the imperial family, he had never heard of any such Prince. Could it be…? The Deputy Prefects also pricked up their ears.
Zhù Ying said, “Have you not heard? The Crown Prince’s eldest son — just decided. Perhaps the news hasn’t reached you yet.” Although word had already gotten out, going from the Emperor’s decision through the Secretariat and the Chancellery would take at least half a day. After the official edict came out and people started passing it along, another half day would pass. Even within the capital, by the time well-informed people got wind of it, the sky would be dark. For those outside the capital, it would take even longer. News of the Crown Prince’s son being enfeoffed as a prince might make it into the official court bulletin, but news of his betrothal might not even merit an entry. People in the regions would not necessarily know about this at all. Furthermore, the current court bulletin was issued by live transcription — many offices employed full-time copyists for this very purpose. It was quite normal for the Capital Prefecture Office not to know at midday.
Zheng Xi gave a nod: “That would make sense then. Which young lady of good family?”
“Both of her parents are people you know very well. You will have to prepare two sets of congratulatory gifts just like me — Princess Yongping and Lord Luo, the Head of the Court of Dependencies, and their beloved daughter.”
“Ah, her,” Zheng Xi smiled, “That is good.”
Zhù Ying said, “Do not just say ‘good’ — what is your view? Do you think I will be able to borrow that old residence?”
Zheng Xi said, “It is not entirely out of the question.”
“And if the borrowing is approved — when the time comes, if there are not enough hands, could the Capital Prefecture Office help clear and secure the surrounding streets?”
Zheng Xi said, “Wait until His Majesty has approved it, and then we’ll discuss.”
Zhù Ying stopped pressing. Zheng Xi looked somewhat odd — he smiled, but the smile was slightly off. Others might not have noticed, but Zhù Ying had known him for the better part of twenty years; she could see that much. Was it that he was not happy about this marriage?
After the meal, the two Deputy Prefects excused themselves. Zhù Ying sipped her tea and chatted with Zheng Xi idly: “A cup of milk tea in winter is not a bad thing — especially after a meat-heavy meal. The Four Barbarians’ Lodge has a rather good cook. Would you like one sent over?”
Zheng Xi shook his head: “His Majesty does still love and protect the Princess and the Crown Prince — this marriage…”
Zhù Ying ventured, “The age…”
Zheng Xi said lightly, “What is age in the end? Only…”
Zhù Ying deliberately looked around in an exaggerated fashion. Zheng Xi said, “What is that peculiar expression for?”
Zhù Ying said, “I am checking to see whether anyone is threatening you — since when do you speak in such halting, roundabout terms?”
Zheng Xi, in a rare departure from his usual manner, did not respond with a laughing jibe but instead said, “Do not put on that playful, grinning face.”
Zhù Ying asked no further — she had already guessed a little, and knew when to show discretion. She said her goodbyes to Zheng Xi: “I still need to go to the Four Barbarians’ Lodge. Truly no milk tea?”
Zheng Xi said, “When I want some, I will ask you for it.”
“Very well. Oh — the trading post is going to be established, and I am sure you already know about this. Is there anything you would like to instruct me on? Is there anything the Prefecture needs that I might try to include?”
Official trading posts were something Zhù Ying was very well versed in. The large-scale goods exchanged by both sides had to be negotiated and agreed upon; beyond that, there were also certain “prohibited trade items.” Outside of those two categories, exactly what happened depended on what the specific officials handling things had in mind. For example, if Zhù Ying wished to see certain grey-area goods traded, she could have them included on the lists. Otherwise, if she tried to source them through private channels, those channels might prove unreliable and the costs would be higher — far better to take advantage of the official trading post arrangement and conduct those trades there.
Zheng Xi said, “In a few days I will have someone relay the details to you.”
Only then did Zhù Ying take her leave and exit the Capital Prefecture Office. Hu Shijie and the others were already waiting outside the gate. Zhù Ying said, “Did you all eat well?”
Hu Shijie said, “We ate well.”
“It is cold outside — you need not stand in the cold wind and wait so long next time… Hmm?”
Zhù Yin came around the corner from a side street. She did not dare gallop recklessly down the broad avenues of the capital either, and reined herself in as she ran over, then swung down from the saddle: “My Lord — someone has come to the house.”
Zhù Ying asked, “Who has come?”
“Qingjun has come from home.”
Zhù Ying asked in surprise, “Why has she come?”
Zhù Yin said, “Go back and you will see — she also brought a card from Vice Prefect Zhang. Vice Prefect Zhang has first gone to the guesthouse to get settled and said he will come to call in the evening after you finish your duties.”
“Let’s go — home!”