Yu Miaomiao was desolate, Huajie was trembling with dread, and yet neither woman had a better solution. Both looked toward Zhù San.

Zhù San, too, had no means to protect them both. Many of the methods she could think of were ones only she herself could use — this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could not employ them. She was a person who went barefoot, with nothing to lose — she could simply act. But the two women happened to possess certain things they were unwilling to readily give up, yet those things were not sufficient to protect them either.

Yu Miaomiao said, “Enough. I have been proud and strong my whole life, and now it has come to this — what a joke.”

Zhù San said, “Don’t say that. My mother always says: get through each day as it comes. If you give up hope now, there will be no future.”

Yu Miaomiao shook her head and said, “You are still young. You don’t understand. I lost my husband and pulled through raising my child; my son died, and again through the two of you I managed another stretch; in the past I thought it was my own ability, that I was rightfully rewarded for keeping my fidelity, that heaven always left a crack of a door for me. Today I finally understand — heaven was not leaving a door for me. It was closing the door. That fortune — there comes a day when it runs out. If you die before it runs out, you have lived a contented life. If it runs out and you are still alive, that is when you meet with degradation.”

Zhù San said, “I spoke to Vice Commissioner Sheng Ying today. He needs to see you in person about Elder Sister’s matter, and the two of you must speak plainly with each other. From what I can see, he and his nephew are not entirely unreasonable people. Try it. We have lived together, so we are bound by fate. As I said before — I will certainly be going to the capital, and if you are willing to come along with us, I will care for you in old age. Only I may not have the ability to let you live as comfortably as before.”

Yu Miaomiao forced a smile: “And what was ‘before’ called comfortable? Go attend to your important matters. I won’t go. I only keep thinking of my home, and of Da Lang’s grave. A person grows cheap when they leave their homeland…”

Huajie grew ever more hesitant, saying, “Mother! Sanlang is going to the capital too — let us all go together and come back together. If you won’t go, then I… I… I won’t go either!”

Yu Miaomiao said to her, “You go and find your parents at peace of mind. They are your own flesh and blood — how could you not long for them? If I stood in your way, what face would I have to let you call me ‘Mother’ again? Listen to me. For me it means leaving home, for you it means going home — the two of us are in entirely different situations.”

From outside the door came a voice: “Has Niangzi retired for the night?” Chen Meng had again sent servants from his household to stand guard at the door.

Zhù San said, “I’ll head back then. Tomorrow I still need to go to the field headquarters to see Zheng Xi. Foster Mother, if there is anything you want me to convey to the Imperial Commissioner, it is no trouble to say it — I’ll try to pass the message.”

Yu Miaomiao laughed in spite of herself: “You child! Since when can the Imperial Commissioner be approached for requests at will? What he does is what he himself has decided to do. Whatever he wants to do, he will do — if he has no reason, he’ll make one up. Go rest. Tomorrow serve well. If you still remember any goodness from me, take care of Mr. Huang, and see to it that the graves back home are properly looked after. In the future, I don’t wish to be buried with my late husband — the lesser does not presume upon the greater. Just find me a place where I can look out and see my son’s grave mound.”

Zhù San heard a troubling undertone in these words, and said, “There is always a road before the mountain. When I was in Zhujia Village, I never imagined I could come this far.”

Yu Miaomiao said, “Good. I promise you. Go.”

Zhù San could not persuade her further, and could only leave. She said to Huajie, “Elder Sister, tonight please take extra care to look after Foster Mother. I am going to the capital too — we have time to make plans.”

Huajie’s heart settled slightly: “All right.”

Zhù San came out and greeted the Chen family servants, and recognized the one in charge by his voice — he was the very man who had been telling stories the night she crept into the Chen residence. The man was quite courteous toward Zhù San, saying, “Young gentleman, you needn’t be so formal. This is simply what we do. Even on ordinary days at the residence we patrol through the night.”

Zhù San returned to her own room. Zhang Xiangu had the meal ready — the chicken soup had already been reheated once. Zhū Shenhan had finished half a chicken and was lying down. He could now sleep on his side. Both of them were happy to see Huajie find her family — this was the best outcome. There was no need to confess to Huajie that Zhù San was a girl, which would have been an unnecessary complication, nor did they need to worry about finding Huajie a good marriage. Thinking that after reaching the capital they would have an acquainted person of influence, they felt even more at ease.

When they saw Zhù San return, Zhang Xiangu brought out the warm soup again and asked, “How did it go?”

“Elder Sister wants to meet her family.”

“Ah, of course she does. What about your foster mother? I suppose she isn’t doing well?”

Zhang Xiangu, being more attentive at heart, also felt sympathy for Yu Miaomiao when she thought about it. Children — Huajie at least had one. Yu Miaomiao had nothing left.

“I told the Vice Commissioner that he needs to see Foster Mother about Elder Sister’s matter. He can’t just ignore everything.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “That’s fine then. Old Third, listen to your mother’s one word of advice — what you’ve done for her is enough! Don’t get too entangled. Getting too wrapped up with her does her no good either. What kind of family are they, and what kind of family are we? Not to mention distinguished people of the capital — even by Da Niangzi’s family’s standards, we don’t measure up to the calluses on the bottom of their feet. We have a head full of our own troubles.”

Zhù San took a sip of the chicken soup and said, “I won’t put my life on the line for her.”

Zhang Xiangu said self-consciously, “Ah.”

Zhù San thought for a moment, then said to Zhang Xiangu, “There is a bond between us. Where I can help, I will do my best. Don’t worry — I won’t let myself be pulled under.”

Zhang Xiangu sighed, “That’s true. Her luck has been on the poor side.”

Zhù San ate the meal in a subdued mood, then stood up to clear the bowls and chopsticks. Zhang Xiangu said, “Leave them there — I’ll clear up. You go rest quickly. Day after day, isn’t there enough to worry about?”

Zhù San said, “Two pairs of hands are faster.” Once the dishes were washed, Zhang Xiangu still lingered in the outer room and did not leave. Zhù San said, “Mother has something to say?”

Zhang Xiangu said, “Nothing in particular. I just feel a little unsettled. Let me sit here with you a while.”

Zhù San said, “Zheng Xi has asked me to go see him tomorrow. He also told me to pack my luggage — we’re leaving the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow you and Father go ahead and start packing together. I’ll come back and buy a mule cart, load everything up, and we’ll travel along with their convoy.”

“Oh! Goodness, we’re leaving so soon…”

“Yes.”

“Then… what about Da Niangzi and Huajie?”

“Elder Sister will have to go with her uncle, I think. Food and clothing will be well provided for there. Huajie doesn’t want to part from Da Niangzi, and Da Niangzi should go along with her.”

“Right, right. And if that gentleman has any conscience, he ought to look after your foster mother for the rest of her life too.”

“Go to sleep.”

“Oh, right.”

……

Early the next morning, Zhù San hurried through breakfast and set off for the field headquarters. As she left, the Chen family servants were still outside, all of them politely calling out, “Young gentleman.” Zhù San thanked them for their trouble and asked, “What about your morning meal?” A servant smiled and replied, “The relief shift will be along soon. We’ll go eat then.”

Zhù San nodded. “Thank you for your effort.”

She had no means of transportation, so she walked to the field headquarters on her own two feet as before. The atmosphere at the field headquarters was one of easy good cheer. The guards at the gate were very warm toward her.

Sheng Ying was no longer staying at the field headquarters. Having concluded the imperially assigned case, he no longer felt the need to maintain the pretense of “avoiding any appearance of partiality,” and had moved to the Chen residence the night before in order to be closer to his niece. Only two servants remained at the headquarters to stand watch and pack up. Now the compound held only Zheng Xi and his attendants, and these people regarded Zhù San as one of their own.

Just the previous day, while Sheng Ying had been making arrangements for his niece and sending word ahead to the capital, Zheng Xi had issued a gag order — his attendants were not to speak of the matter of Zhù San and Huajie. Jin Liang, with extraordinary social intelligence, had circulated a “rumor,” saying that Zhù San had chosen on her own initiative to follow Zheng Xi.

Privately, all sorts of speculations ran rampant, but on the surface everyone maintained the warm, welcoming manner of receiving a newcomer who had “come to serve an enlightened lord.”

Zhù San went to see Zheng Xi first, but unexpectedly found Mr. Huang also in the room. The two nodded to each other in greeting.

Zheng Xi was in good spirits, and said offhandedly, “Sit down.”

Zhù San did not immediately sit. Zheng Xi said, “I told you to sit down — what is all this fuss about? If I truly asked you to stand on ceremony, you wouldn’t even know how! Weren’t you quite at ease in front of me yesterday?”

Zhù San sat down promptly, and asked, “What instructions do you have for me?”

Zheng Xi laughed and scolded her, “Not standing on ceremony at all! We leave the day after tomorrow — are you prepared?”

Zhù San said, “Yes. Just tell me the time of departure — whether I should come here or wait outside the city and travel with the convoy. Either way, you will certainly see me there.”

Zheng Xi said, “Take a look at this.”

Zhù San followed his gaze toward the table, and saw a blank form she recognized well — a household registration document. Zheng Xi said, “You are currently a person without registered status. Submit it now and it will be taken care of.”

Zhù San said, “Good.”

Zheng Xi said, “Do you not have a proper name? Simply writing ‘Zhù San’ is too rough. Choose one.”

Zhù San said, “I can’t think of one right now.” She had never given much thought to having a name. Many people in Zhujia Village also had no proper names — they were simply known by their birth order, or a childhood nickname, a local name, a nickname. Though she had listened under a private school window and heard “the rectification of names is surely the first priority,” her thoughts had not dwelt on the matter of names.

Mr. Huang ventured timidly, “Why not ask the lord to bestow a name? How would that do?”

Zhù San was indifferent either way. Zheng Xi deliberated, and as he lifted his hand to stroke his chin, his fingers brushed his official hat tassels. He glanced down — the tassels were a vivid crimson red, and he smiled: “Your surname is Zhu, so let us call you Zhu Ying.” And he added, “I don’t know your father’s given name either — we’ll fill everything in, and get it done before we leave.”

Zhù San said, “It’s not Zhu — it’s Zhù.”

Zheng Xi said, “How so?”

“Outsiders who moved in later — they changed their surnames because people with different surnames were mistreated.” And in the end? After changing the surname, they were still mistreated.

Mr. Huang asked which character it was, then said, “In that case — what are the elder gentleman’s given names?”

There were no given names. Zhù San said, “He has no name. Everyone called him by his birth order. He is an only son.”

She looked at Mr. Huang and knew this would be easily arranged. Yu Ping had once explained to her that sometimes these matters were difficult even for the chief official to handle, but the minor clerks were the very ones trained for this — it was actually easier through them. That saying “the local official can’t match the one who handles you directly” was how it came to be.

Zheng Xi said, “Nonsense! How can you not know your own father’s given name? Should you not ask him?”

Zhù San said, “If he had a name, it could never have been kept from me. He knows fewer than two hundred characters altogether. He couldn’t come up with a given name now if he tried.”

Zheng Xi said, “From what I can see, you know quite a lot!”

Zhù San said, “I learned by listening under the wall. The teacher was hired by Da Niangzi and Si A’Weng. Si A’Weng’s grandsons wouldn’t let me listen — they had people shoo me away and wouldn’t permit the teacher to teach me. It was Elder Sister and Da Lang, who has since passed, who said: one sheep is herded and two sheep are driven just the same. So I listened outside the window. They paid the tuition; they weren’t asking the teacher to give me extra instruction. Da Niangzi nodded her approval, and only then did I listen. It was because Da Niangzi later sought a live-in son-in-law that I agreed.”

A flash of thought passed through Zheng Xi’s mind, and he asked aloud, “What books have you read?”

“A few of the classical texts the private school taught. History hadn’t been covered much before Da Lang died, so I wasn’t able to follow along further.”

Zheng Xi said, “All right. And your mother’s name? Did your maternal grandfather not give her one?”

Zhù San spread both hands: “I don’t know that I have a maternal grandfather.”

Zhang Xiangu was an even more remarkable case — calling it a win if she could recognize as many as fifty characters would be overstating it. And so Zhū Shenhan’s few tattered “celestial scriptures” supposedly handed down from his ancestors — he couldn’t even read them fully — and all his spirit-medium tricks were purely improvised nonsense. Which is also why, when news of the legal case first reached them, although both Zhù San and Zhang Xiangu had been panicked, they had held onto the hope of getting him out — knowing full well that Zhū Shenhan had no real capacity to commit any serious crime.

Zheng Xi asked, “What books? You know characters now, so you must recognize them.”

Zhù San said, “Almanacs.”

This family was truly one of a kind! Zheng Xi thought. He said to Mr. Huang, “Write it up.”

Mr. Huang had no choice but to write down “Zhù Da Lang” and “Zhang Da Niang,” and Zhù San at last had an official name — Zhù Ying.

The remaining matters were handed over to Mr. Huang to arrange. Mr. Huang said, “The household registration that Yu Ping previously filed — should that be cancelled? I’ll go have it removed.”

Zheng Xi nodded and had him go take care of it.

Once Mr. Huang left, Zhù San stood up. Zheng Xi said, “Sit down. It’s not as if you’re some docile, well-behaved person — don’t put on a performance. I was about to speak to you when you stood up, and the way you stand is no proper way to stand either. That was the very first matter for today — yesterday I observed that your way of bowing in the Chen residence was quite improper. You need to learn.”

“All right.”

Zheng Xi said, “The second matter you already know about — we just attended to it. What I promise, I deliver. Even a minor clerk needs a household registration on record; to become an official, one needs to fill in three generations. Since you are not keeping the marriage contract, let that old document be disposed of as well — to avoid future conflicts with Sheng Ying’s household.”

Zhù Ying said, “All right.”

Zheng Xi said, “Third — to do the work, there are other things you still need to learn, such as who the people of the Court of Judicial Review are. These things Jin Liang and Lu Chao and the others will explain to you on the road. First get the necessary knowledge and skills learned, then come do the work. If you cannot learn them, you need not come to see me anymore. At any rate your household registration is in order — just take your parents and go home.”

“All right.”

“I have already ordered that no one is to speak again of your family’s past. After you arrive in the capital, you also may not mention it. You know nothing of any Zhu family, and you know nothing of any Zhù San. From this point on, there is only Zhù Ying.”

With the new household registration, the head of household was Zhū Shenhan — or rather, now “Zhù Da” — and Zhù Ying was listed as his son. The identity of “Zhù San” could now be erased. With “Zhù San” gone, all relationships arising from “Zhù San” would on paper no longer exist. Zhù Ying’s past would be clean and untainted — the son of a country rustic named Zhù Da, turned up during an official survey and enumeration of the population. The three members of the Zhù family had no connection whatsoever with those outsider spirit-medium frauds from Zhujia Village.

Zheng Xi needed a useful person to carry out work for him, and had no wish for the worker to be tripped up midway through by someone digging up old accounts. That would cause delays.

Zhù Ying said, “Yes.”

“Good. Go back and get ready.” Zheng Xi told Zhù Ying the time of departure and instructed the whole family to wait outside the city. Ever since the name was decided, Zheng Xi had never again mentioned Zhù Da or Zhang Xiangu to Zhù Ying. He could see clearly enough that these parents were not people who could govern their child.

……——

Zhù Ying let out a long breath and returned to her lodgings. Zhù Da was sitting in the doorway getting some sun. Zhang Xiangu also sat by the door mending a shoe sole. When they saw her return, both asked, “How did it go?”

Zhù Ying spoke quietly of the household registration matter. Zhang Xiangu intoned a prayer of thanks: “Now we are all right!” She also felt that Zheng Xi was truly a fine person, to have taken care of even this — which meant they no longer needed to worry about the marriage with Huajie, or fear that their daughter’s secret would be exposed. As for what to do next, she still had no plan, and could only take things one step at a time.

Zhù Da, on hearing that he now also had a household registration and a new name, asked, “The taxes…”

Zhù Ying said, “It’s all arranged. Father just has to follow us to the capital. Don’t do anything else, and don’t say anything rash. Above all, don’t tell anyone where we came from. There are significant entanglements in this, and if old accounts get dragged up and we’re locked back up, we’ll suffer all over again.”

Zhù Da said quickly, “I’m not a fool! Let it be like this!” If there was no tax to pay, no rent, no labor service — what did it matter whether there was a household registration?

Zhang Xiangu glanced at the room next door, saying, “Da Niangzi still hasn’t come back.”

Zhù Ying said, “There won’t be any trouble.” Yu Miaomiao was a sensible woman — she would not antagonize Sheng Ying. And while Sheng Ying and Chen Meng appeared calculating, they maintained a certain propriety about appearances. In between there was also Huajie, and both sides still gave her some deference.

Indeed — before long Yu Miaomiao returned, and on her face there was an odd kind of calm. Zhù Ying went to meet her: “Foster Mother. How did it go?”

Yu Miaomiao said, “All of you come in. Let’s talk in my room.”

In Yu Miaomiao’s room, she took the seat of honor. To her left and right were Zhù Ying and Huajie. Zhang Xiangu sat across from them. Zhù Da stood leaning on a cane.

Yu Miaomiao said, “I won’t be going to the capital with you.”

Huajie cried out, “Mother?”

Zhù Ying looked steadily at Yu Miaomiao. Yu Miaomiao nodded. “I had a conversation with that gentleman, and I have thought it through. What could I do in the capital? The matter of the Zhu family — he has handed it to Mr. Huang. Mr. Huang — you can all trust him, I think. As long as affairs at home are settled, wouldn’t I be more comfortable staying home? If I went to the capital, you would each have a home to go to or a home to make — only I would be living under someone else’s roof. That kind of life I have no wish for.”

Zhang Xiangu thought for a moment and said, “That’s true. Back home you are still the mistress. You have roots there — not like us.”

Huajie wept quietly, feeling it was her fault, and said, “Then I won’t go. I’ll stay and keep Mother company — I can’t let Mother be all alone here.”

Yu Miaomiao said, “Your birth mother is alone in the capital too. Your brothers and sisters are all gone, your birth father passed away long ago — don’t you need to go back, light incense, bow your head, and be formally inscribed in the family records? I am fine here. Don’t worry about me. As for the Zhu family — they’re not all dead yet. I can pick an honest child from among them and adopt him in — they’re of the same clan, after all. Before, it was what I wanted but they wouldn’t give. Now they have no say in it!”

Zhù Da said, “After all, she is Da Niangzi.”

Yu Miaomiao took one hand of Huajie’s and one hand of Zhù Ying’s, saying, “Now you can both be at ease. Once you reach the capital, support each other.”

Zhù Da said, “Goes without saying!”

Huajie nodded. Zhù Ying said, “Someone’s arrived.”

Opening the door, it turned out to be Mr. Huang. He had returned to the compound to finish processing the documents and had come to deliver the documents to Zhù Ying. The three family members returned to their own room, and Mr. Huang handed the documents over to Zhù Ying, who carefully tucked them away. Zhang Xiangu said, “You’ve worked hard. Come inside for some tea! What fruit would you like to have?”

Mr. Huang said, “Thank you, but I have pressing matters — I must hurry back! I cannot wait. I’ll take Yu Da Niangzi along with me. If things go quickly, I can even see your family off when you depart!”

Zhù Ying suspected this business had to do with Zhujia Village, and said nothing to detain him. In Yu Miaomiao’s room, Huajie was helping Yu Miaomiao pack her things with tear-filled eyes: “Mother, I’m not saying I won’t come back.”

Yu Miaomiao said, “Better not to come back at all — what kind of place is this? Haven’t you seen enough of it these past two months? Where you have kin, lean on your kin. Listen to me! They are your blood relations — quite different from that old coffin-stuffing Zhu Fourth! There you are a daughter; here you are a daughter-in-law. I see you both the same, but can the village see you the same? If you live well in the capital, and think of me from time to time, that would be more than enough for us to have been mother and daughter. Sanlang is a person of conscience. Her heart is heavy — don’t try to puzzle her out. Treat her with genuine care, and she will treat you well in return.”

“Mother.”

Yu Miaomiao now had very little luggage — just a bedroll and a small bundle. Zhang Xiangu, unable to bear it, steeled herself and took out a packet of silver to give to Yu Miaomiao: “For when you get home.”

Yu Miaomiao did not accept it: “Once I get home I’ll have money to spend. It’s you who will need to spend money on the road. When you’re among their sort of people, don’t be too frugal — once you reach the capital, there will be no shortage of snobbish eyes waiting for you. Keep the money. Listen to me.”

Zhù Ying silently watched her climb onto Mr. Huang’s carriage. Yu Miaomiao patted her shoulder, saying, “Don’t see me off. Live well.”

Huajie chased after the carriage for a stretch, crying, “Mother! Take me with you!” She was gently held back by the Chen family servants.

Unable to break through the servants’ human wall, Huajie wept and said, “Mother is leaving now — who knows when we’ll meet again!”

Zhang Xiangu put an arm around her and walked her back inside, saying, “Good child, she is going home. Da Niangzi is a capable person, and with your uncle’s instructions to Mr. Huang to keep watch, she will be fine.”

Zhù Ying said, “With Mr. Huang, we owe him a debt of gratitude.” She estimated that once Mr. Huang went, he would deal thoroughly with Zhujia Village. Not all the people of Zhujia Village were bad, and to bury them all together would be unjust — but with Yu Miaomiao there, since she needed the clan’s lineage to continue, she would also need the clan’s assistance, and would surely put careful thought into choosing whom to petition for and spare.

There was no need, however, to say any of this to Zhang Xiangu.

All four of them returned to their separate rooms to pack their belongings. Beyond the bedding, everything was gradually wrapped and bundled. The Chen family sent servants again to escort Huajie, and also said arrangements had been made for the Zhù family’s luggage and cart. But whether Zhang Xiangu, Zhù Da, or Zhù Ying, all declined the Chen family’s kindness equally. The Chen family servant said, “Being family by marriage, isn’t it awkward to refuse? It would make our young master appear inconsiderate.”

Zhù Ying said, “I have prepared nearly everything already, and the payment has been made. Help in urgency, not in poverty; assist in difficulty, not in laziness.” And she sent the man away.

When this servant returned to the residence and repeated the exchange, Chen Meng said, “The young person has a bit of pride.”

Sheng Ying said, “Watch her carefully on the road.”

Chen Meng said, “Yes.” He also wondered how Mr. Huang was getting along with his business.

Sheng Ying said, “Since you said he could handle it, let him handle it first. After we return to the capital, send someone to inquire. If it hasn’t been done properly, we’ll send people back again! We cannot let that pack of scoundrels get away with it!”

Chen Meng said, “Old Huang can get things done.”

……—

As it turned out, the nephew and uncle had found Mr. Huang the very previous night and spoken to him at length. They wanted revenge on Zhujia Village! Chen Meng had long been resident in this prefecture and was familiar with the local terrain. When his uncle wanted to punish the Zhu family, he mentioned that Mr. Huang was a useful instrument. Sheng Ying accordingly summoned Mr. Huang and asked his plan. Mr. Huang happened to have Yu Miaomiao’s commission in hand and had already formulated a strategy. Now with one matter he could claim two people’s gratitude — a most advantageous deal.

He said directly, “What difficulty is there? Those few sorry specimens who came into town the other day? Pursuing back taxes and outstanding dues, or conscripting them for corvée service at the government’s discretion — didn’t they just rebuild a canal recently? We can work them to exhaustion without killing them outright! If you want to go through official channels, that’s also fine. Those types are practiced hands at swallowing up families and extinguishing lines — it’s hardly their first or second time. Just let this student dig up a few more aggrieved parties to bring the suit in person! Ha! Suits brought by fellow clansmen are the most devastating of all! Strife within the clan, failure in filial duties, internal disorder — tomorrow once the city gates open, this student will hand off his current affairs and set about this matter. I guarantee that before you’ve even made it back to the capital, things here will already be settled.”

Chen Meng also made a point of asking Mr. Huang in detail about Zhù Ying.

Early the next morning, Zheng Xi summoned Mr. Huang as well. When Mr. Huang met Zhù Ying again, he mentioned cancelling the old household registration, saying he’d be making that trip anyway — it was all part of the same business. One single matter, and he had sold favors to Yu Miaomiao, Sheng Ying, and Zhù Ying — three separate debts of gratitude. Had Mr. Huang gone into commerce, he would surely have become immensely wealthy.

—