Zhao Su had dealt extensively with the Wen family during his years at the Imperial Academy. Many of Zhù Ying’s social interactions in the capital during those years had passed through his hands. He knew both that Wen Yue and Zhù Ying were close friends, and that Wen Yue was a devoted son.

He did not presume to take charge and arrange everything at once. Instead he glanced up at the sky and offered a suggestion: “We should send word to the Court of Foreign Affairs to let Godfather know.”

He entrusted his wife to Su Zhe’s care and said to Qi Xiao Niangzi: “Don’t unload the cart yet — wait for Godfather to come back and make arrangements.”

Su Zhe said: “Leave it to me!”

Zhao Su also made a suggestion to Xiang An: “If Godfather has made no prior arrangements, hold off on sending condolence gifts to the Wen household. The Wen family is unlike others — ask Godfather first before deciding on anything.”

Xiang An said: “Understood. I’ll have everything prepared in advance. Once the Vice Director returns it will be ready to go immediately. I’ll prepare a generous amount.”

Zhao Su said: “Prepare a separate set under Auntie’s name as well.”

“Oh? Oh… right.”

Zhao Su’s new official post was that of Vice Minister of the Court of Foreign Affairs. After entering the imperial precincts and verifying his credentials — a slight delay — he waited until Zhù Ying sent Niu Jin out to escort him in.

Niu Jin was surprised: “You’ve arrived so quickly!”

Zhao Su smiled: “I had nothing keeping me elsewhere. Coming early means I can help Godfather sooner.”

Niu Jin said: “Old Vice Director Qi is doing well too.”

Zhao Su said: “That I never doubted.”

Inside the imperial precincts, his heart held a trace of feeling, though his manner remained composed. Niu Jin gave him a brief overview along the way — who was in the Court of Foreign Affairs, the general situation, the Foreign Hostel outside the precincts, and most notably that the person everyone in the Court most respected was Zhù Ying, and so on.

As they neared the Court of Foreign Affairs, Niu Jin fell silent. Zhao Su straightened his collar, wiped the sweat from his brow and neck, and followed Niu Jin to see Zhù Ying.

When he reached Zhù Ying’s room, Zhao Su bowed deeply to the floor: “Paying respects to the Vice Director.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Good.”

She looked him over. After years apart, the traces of “a man from a miasmatic southern land, son of a tribal woman” had nearly vanished from Zhao Su entirely. His face was fair, he wore a beard, and he had the bearing of an entirely respectable and handsome gentleman.

Zhao Su rose and first presented his official appointment papers and documents for Zhù Ying to verify. Zhù Ying said: “The Court of Foreign Affairs’ affairs are quite involved, and the handover cannot be completed today. Let me first take you around to meet people — the handover can begin tomorrow.”

Zhao Su agreed to everything, and then said: “By coincidence — when I arrived at the manor, the Wen household had just come to deliver a notice of mourning.”

“Madam Wen…”

“She has passed. The household is preparing condolence gifts. What are your wishes?”

Zhù Ying understood then that one reason he had rushed over this early was to bring her this news.

Zhù Ying said: “Come — let’s go see Vice Director Luo first.”

Zhao Su knew that Luo Sheng was the Prince Consort, but hearing Zhù Ying consistently refer to him by his Court title and “Vice Director,” when he paid his respects to Luo Sheng he also followed her example and used the Court title rather than “Prince Consort.”

Luo Sheng saw that Zhao Su was a man of fine bearing and said several times: “Excellent, excellent — I’ve been looking forward to your arrival. From now on, the affairs of the Court of Foreign Affairs — I’m counting on you.”

Zhao Su said repeatedly: “I would not dare presume.”

“Oh, no need to be modest!”

Zhù Ying said: “He is Qi Tai’s son-in-law. Father-in-law and son-in-law are both in the Court of Foreign Affairs.”

Zhù Ying had told Luo Sheng this before, and Luo Sheng was not particularly concerned by it: “It’s only a family connection by marriage — there’s no harm in that.”

Zhù Ying said: “Then I’ll take him to meet Lord Shen, and then lead him over to have a look at the Foreign Hostel. We won’t be back this afternoon. I’ll bring him here first thing tomorrow morning — with everyone present, he can be introduced to the remaining staff, and then tomorrow I’ll have him begin the handover and start on his duties.”

“Very well.”

Zhù Ying led Zhao Su to see Shen Ying, who offered only some routine words of official encouragement. Zhao Su listened respectfully. Zhao Su’s appearance was truly beyond reproach, and his manner was entirely correct — Shen Ying had nothing to criticize. He only told Zhù Ying that tomorrow he had official duties that would take him out, as someone else had died and he needed to attend.

Zhù Ying said: “What is happening? Summer and autumn have more deaths than winter and spring.”

Shen Ying said: “Fate, I suppose.”

Zhù Ying smiled, led Zhao Su away, pointed toward Qi Tai’s room, and said: “Old Qi is in there. Go and see him.”

Father-in-law and son-in-law exchanged a brief greeting. Qi Tai was as taciturn as ever with his son-in-law. Zhù Ying and Zhao Su were both unperturbed. After seeing Qi Tai, Zhù Ying brought Zhao Su back to her own room, sent Qiao San to summon Department Head Ke and the other junior officials of the Court of Foreign Affairs, and had them meet Zhao Su.

After introductions were made all around, Zhù Ying said: “Today, each of you should put your affairs in order. Starting tomorrow, he will take over the Court’s day-to-day matters.”

Department Head Ke and the others readily agreed.

Zhù Ying said: “Good. That’s settled. I’ll take him to look around the Foreign Hostel and the old Eastern Palace residence — we won’t be back today.”

After all this running about, Zhù Ying finally led Zhao Su out of the imperial precincts.

The two visited the Foreign Hostel and the old residence, had lunch in the Foreign Hostel’s dining hall, and then returned together to Zhù Manor.

……

The manor had also just finished lunch. The three young ones had been entertaining Qi Xiao Niangzi. Qi Xiao Niangzi and Zhù Qingjun were not well acquainted, but after learning that Zhù Qingjun was Hua Jie’s student, the two found common ground.

They were still in the main hall drinking tea and chatting when Zhù Ying and Zhao Su returned. Everyone came out together to welcome them.

Zhù Ying glanced at Qi Xiao Niangzi — a gentle and composed young woman. She made a slight gesture of support toward her: “No need for ceremony. You two — come with me.”

Zhao Su and Qi Xiao Niangzi followed her to the study. The couple bowed formally to their adoptive father. After the ritual was complete, Zhù Ying said: “Be seated.”

Husband and wife rose with a smile and sat in the lower seats.

Zhù Ying said: “It’s good that we can finally meet again. I had wanted to speak at leisure, but there is something pressing, so I’ll be brief.”

Those whom she had taught tended to take after her in manner. Both were long accustomed to Zhù Ying’s ways. Zhao Su said: “Whatever Godfather arranges.”

Zhù Ying took out a set of keys, placed them on the table, and pushed them forward: “These are the keys to the old manor. It has been cleared out and is now yours. Old Qi has no use for social calls, and his staying here is one thing, but the Qi family still has some kinsmen — you moving in would make it easier for you to conduct your own affairs.”

The Qi family could not be counted on for any social activities — that was something Qi Xiao Niangzi had long since accepted. But the surname Qi did have some relatives, and Qi Xiao Niangzi had her mother’s family and such connections. Now that Qi Xiao Niangzi had returned, one simply could not go on ignoring all ties and seeing no one — there needed to be socializing. Zhao Su was an adopted son and could stay at Zhù Manor without issue, but having the Qi family’s various aunts and cousins coming and going through Zhù Manor on social visits would be rather unsuitable.

Over several years as county magistrate, Zhao Su had accumulated some household of his own. A small space would feel cramped — they needed more rooms. Zhù Manor had always been generous with them, but it was still awkward to occupy too much space in someone else’s home. They were also genuinely intending to have children and build a family, which would make living at Zhù Manor even less convenient.

Before coming up to the capital, Qi Xiao Niangzi had already been thinking about this. Her plan was to stay at Zhù Manor for a time while looking for a suitable house for a larger household. Buying was still somewhat out of reach, but renting a larger place with more rooms was within their means.

Qi Xiao Niangzi said: “We’ll settle in and then look for a house — we won’t be taking up space for too long.”

Zhù Ying said: “The old manor is there for you to live in. These next couple of days I have things to attend to, and he needs to be at the Court keeping busy. You’ll need to oversee the move. If you need more hands, have Xiao Mei and Qingjun help you, and if you’re short on people, just let the household know.”

“Yes.” Qi Xiao Niangzi gave a graceful bow.

Zhao Su stepped forward and took the keys, handing them to his wife.

Zhù Ying said: “I still have things to do — I’ll leave the rest to you. Once Old Qi is done with the day’s session, have dinner here this evening.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying also summoned Su Zhe, Zhù Qingjun, and the others to help Qi Xiao Niangzi, then casually pulled out a bamboo court tablet and tossed it to Zhao Su: “Keep this on you. You’ll need it inside the imperial precincts.”

She then had Xiang An prepare the condolence gifts: “Also prepare a separate set in elder sister’s name.”

Xiang An said: “Young Master Zhao already reminded me earlier. Those have been prepared too.”

Zhù Ying gave Zhao Su a nod, went to the rear quarters to change into mourning white, mounted her horse, and rode to the Wen household. Zhao Su and his wife did not feel in the least bit overlooked. Zhao Su picked up the keys and said to Su Zhe: “We’re heading to the old manor.”

Su Zhe said: “Wait, wait — I’m coming with you!”

Xiang An then produced a list: “The Vice Director gave instructions ahead of time. You’ve traveled a long road and your household things may be incomplete. This is a list of items arranged for you here in the capital.”

Zhao Su opened it. The first few lines listed some bolts of fabric appropriate to the season, followed by a set of jewelry prepared for Qi Xiao Niangzi. Xiang An said: “The Vice Director said that styles in the capital change with every season. Fearing you and your wife might not have had time to prepare, this is to tide you over for now.”

Then came writing implements and supplies for Zhao Su. After that were the practical household items — pots, bowls, and other things that were cumbersome to transport from afar yet essential for daily life.

After years of managing their own affairs in a regional posting, husband and wife both knew the weight of responsibility. The moment they held that list in their hands and looked at each other, both felt they had someone to lean on, and in an instant their hearts were at ease. Full of energy, the two of them had their luggage and belongings moved to the old manor first, then sorted out the main bedchamber so they could sleep there that evening.

Su Zhe stood grinning and pointed to Hua Jie’s old room: “I love this room. If Qingjun and I come to stay, we want this one.”

Zhao Su said: “Done!”

They went on to settle the servants and check the doors and gate, and by then the sun was already sinking in the west. They made their way back to Zhù Manor — one on horseback, one by carriage — in time for dinner.

Qi Tai had already returned to the manor. Zhao Su also saw Zhù Lian again, and together they all sat in the hall to eat. Zhù Ying had not come back.

……——

Zhù Ying stayed at the Wen household for a very long time.

She had learned the news fairly early, but with no senior female member of the household to manage things, she had to wait until Zhao Su delivered the news at the Court of Foreign Affairs before she found out. Other women who learned of the death had already sent condolence gifts via servants — Zhù Ying arrived later with her gifts, but was there in person sooner than the rest. While others were still in their offices, she had already reached the Wen household.

The mourning pavilion at the Wen household had already been erected, and quite a few men and women had come to help. Wen Yue had been preparing for a funeral for years — the coffin had been ready for over a decade, refreshed with a new coat of lacquer every year, and the burial garments and such were more or less in order. So though it was busy, there was no panic.

Wen Yue came out to receive her. Zhù Ying said: “My condolences.”

Wen Yue had wept until his eyes were swollen nearly shut. Since childhood it had been just him and his mother — when the news reached him in the palace, he had first collapsed in tears. Now his beard still bore damp traces of tears and mucus. He said in a hoarse voice: “Thank you for coming.”

Zhù Ying said: “What is there to say? What do you need me to do?”

Wen Yue said: “Just your being here is enough.”

Zhù Ying’s condolence gifts arrived, and Wen Niangzi came to know she was there and came out to meet her: “Sanlang.” There was worry in Wen Niangzi’s eyes — Wen Yue’s state was truly not good.

Zhù Ying asked: “Have the mourning notices been sent out to everyone?”

Wen Niangzi said: “All the relatives and friends have been notified, and the household has been informed as well. The Marquis sent people to help.”

Zhù Ying asked what else was needed: “People, materials — just say the word.”

“We had preparations in place. There is money as well. It’s only some things that are hard to come by at short notice.”

Zhù Ying sighed: “Never mind — let me handle it.” The Court of Foreign Affairs had a Ceremonial Affairs Bureau that dealt specifically with mourning rites. Though it was Shen Ying’s domain, Zhù Ying had familiarized herself with it as well.

Wen Yue had not yet attained a crimson-robed rank, so his mother’s funeral did not fall under the purview of the Court of Foreign Affairs. Yet here was a Vice Chief of the Court standing present, and Zhù Ying mentally ran through the standards and organized this funeral in accordance with the Ceremonial Affairs Bureau’s protocols — putting together an affair befitting a fifth-rank official’s household, as magnificent as she could make it without drawing censure.

By the time Zheng Yi arrived after his day’s session to have a look, the Wen household had already been put in perfect order by her. The family’s own servants and the people sent from the Zheng Marquis’s household were each doing their assigned tasks — those recording accounts, those receiving gifts, those managing the music, those preparing food, those receiving guests, those overseeing the ritual vessels… everything in its proper place, with every person’s path of entry, exit, and which gate to use all mapped out. Wen Yue only needed to weep, and Wen Niangzi only needed to receive a final summary and keep watch over the valuables.

When some of the things the Wen household could not readily produce — white cloth and plain silk — were needed, Zhù Ying had immediately said to Zhù Wen: “Go home and bring twenty bolts of each for now.” For the obituary text and epitaph, she had used her own connections to pay Xian Jing to write them. She had even found a moment to ask whether Wen Yue’s memorial reporting his bereavement leave had been properly prepared and submitted.

Then she sat herself to the side and drank tea while watching the stream of people come and go to weep.

Zheng Yi’s jaw dropped. “Well!”

Zhù Ying waved at him. Zheng Yi finished paying his respects and offering condolences to the family, then dashed over and sat beside Zhù Ying: “You’ve…”

Wen Niangzi led a half-grown boy over and gave a bow: “Shisan Lang.” Her eyes held worry. “Thanks to Sanlang being here, he can grieve freely. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even have had the leisure to be sad.” Several people looked over at Wen Yue, who was again weeping in Jin Liang’s arms.

Zhù Ying said: “What is there to thank me for? You needn’t say any of this to us. Go on and be busy — I’ll have tea here with Shisan Lang.”

Zheng Yi also said: “Listen to Sanlang — we’re all family here.”

Wen Niangzi agreed and went back with her children to attend to the other guests and relatives.

Zheng Yi lowered his voice: “He is a devoted son — what a pity. If his mother had held on a while longer, once things changed… He has rendered service in the Imperial Guard and might have made it to a crimson-robed rank, and then the old lady’s funeral would have been even grander. There would have been no need for you to come incognito to help — it could have been done with the dignity of having the Court of Foreign Affairs dispatch an official representative.”

Zhù Ying understood what he meant: Wen Yue was one of the people who had remained in the Imperial Guard even after the Emperor’s reshuffling — a fact that suggested he had arrangements behind him. A man of his age and accumulated service was only this close to breaking through to the fifth rank. And if there were a change of power at court, he might well soar to that rank in an instant. If Wen Yue’s mother had died then, the funeral rites would have been far more magnificent.

Zhù Ying also understood that the fact Zheng Yi could say this meant Zheng Xi’s side had already made arrangements for Wen Yue in the Imperial Guard. A man of Wen Yue’s age and consistent record was only one push away from a smooth promotion to the fifth rank.

Now, Wen Yue had to observe mourning. All the plans were disrupted, and Wen Yue’s own career was set back as well.

Jin Liang and Jin Biao on the other side had also caught sight of Zhù Ying and Zheng Yi. Father and son came over to pay their respects. They bowed their fists formally to Zheng Yi, and then greeted Zhù Ying. Zhù Ying said: “Sit.”

Jin Liang’s temples had already gone white; Jin Biao was a sturdy-built man. Both waited for Zheng Yi’s nod before sitting. Jin Liang said in a low voice: “Wen Da Lang… ah… there’s no talking him out of it. A mother and child alone together from the beginning — his feelings are not like other people’s.”

The group sighed for a time. Bai Zhiqing and Liu Chang also arrived; Shu Yan was the prefect of Xinfeng and clearly could not come, but by word from the ceremonial announcer, he had sent condolence gifts. Then came the officers and commanders from the Imperial Guard — some sending gifts via servants, some attending in person.

As numbers grew, things became somewhat disorganized. Zhù Ying put the Wen household in order once more, then sat back down to eat refreshments. Several people within the Imperial Guard recognized Zhù Ying, and she waved at them, then turned to continue talking with Bai Zhiqing. Bai Zhiqing was a deputy director at the Ministry of Rites, and by coincidence, Vice Minister Wang had just gone there as department director. Bai Zhiqing asked about Wang’s temperament; Zhù Ying said: “He is not someone who creates problems.”

Zheng Yi said: “Not creating problems is a blessing! Court is already chaotic enough. Oh — Old Shao should be arriving soon too?”

Zhù Ying said: “Should be within days.”

“Then he can come by to pay his respects as well.”

After some further casual talk, Zheng Yi took his leave first. Bai, Liu, and the others, seeing that the hour was late, also left before curfew. Zhù Ying noticed Jin Liang rising to go and said: “Jin Dage, wait a moment — I have something to ask of you.”

She waited until fewer people were around before she stood and said to Wen Yue: “I have some Court of Foreign Affairs business tomorrow and will be here a little later to see you.”

Wen Yue had wept until he was drenched with sweat. He washed his face and said in a hoarse voice: “Thank you. Right now I can’t give much thought to anything… I…”

Zhù Ying said: “Any more of this and you’ll be treating us as strangers. Don’t trouble yourself with us — we’re leaving now.”

……

Outside the Wen household, Jin Biao said: “Curfew is almost here.”

Jin Liang saw that Zhù Ying was perfectly unhurried and shook his head at his son’s anxious expression. He did not know what Zhù Ying wanted to say, but Zhù Ying would never drag the two of them through the night curfew for amusement.

They arrived at Jin Liang’s home. Jin Da Niangzi was still waiting at the door, and when she saw Zhù Ying, she stood: “Sanlang is here?” Then immediately wondered if she ought to call her “Vice Director” instead.

Zhù Ying smiled: “I’ve been thinking about your braised pig trotters.”

Jin Da Niangzi said: “We have them! Plenty of them!” She invited her inside to sit and began bustling to prepare a meal.

Zhù Ying pointed to her attendants Zhù Wen and the others and said: “Please see to them as well, sister-in-law.”

“Of course.”

Zhù Ying and the Jin family had a long acquaintance. Zhù Ying said: “Sister-in-law, come sit with us.”

Jin Da Niangzi did not decline, and the family of three all sat and kept her company. Zhù Ying was still in mourning white, but the Jin family made no issue of it. She did not drink wine either, so Jin Da Niangzi brought her honeyed water.

The three of them — Jin Biao was too timid to interject — first chatted for a while, starting with how they missed Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da, then speaking of how Hua Jie had treated Wen Yue’s mother. Jin Liang said to Zhù Ying: “Today Wen Da also owes much to Sanlang — the funeral has been arranged splendidly. Sanlang has always been capable. If it had been us, all we could have done was run errands.”

Zhù Ying said: “What is there to speak of? It’s rare for us to meet like this — let’s talk about ourselves.”

“What?”

Zhù Ying said: “A’Biao — is he still at the ninth rank?”

“Ah…”

Zhù Ying said: “I know your family’s history. Has the Marquis’s household made any arrangements?”

“The ninth rank outright is already very good! We can’t trouble the Marquis’s household for everything. He has no particular merit yet, and he’s young — we’ll just have to wait it out.”

Zhù Ying said: “If the Marquis’s household has no other arrangement, I may have a path. In a few days I’ll be heading over to that household and will speak with the Lord of the Capital about how to arrange things for A’Biao.”

All three members of the family stared at Zhù Ying wide-eyed.

Zhù Ying said: “Simply waiting for seniority doesn’t work if done blindly — wear yourself down to nothing that way, or burn yourself out. You have to find a way to get his rank raised. Then when merit comes his way, he’ll be in a position to benefit from it. Otherwise it’s like growing a tree and never being able to eat the fruit.”

Jin Da Niangzi said: “Is this really something that can be done?”

Though they had ties to the Zheng Marquis’s household, they truly could not sit back and expect the Marquis to handle everything for them. The Marquis had taken Jin Liang from a household servant and elevated him to the sixth rank — that was already an extraordinarily good master.

Zhù Ying nodded. She had not been able to say this before, but now she had grounds for confidence — Vice Minister Ruan was now a department director at the Ministry of War. The management, selection, evaluation, and advancement of mid-to-low-ranking military officers was under the Ministry of War’s purview.

“All those years of pig trotters — I can’t have eaten them for nothing,” Zhù Ying said with a smile.

“Oh!” said Jin Da Niangzi.

Jin Liang said: “What are you ‘oh’-ing about?”

Zhù Ying laughed out loud, and Jin Da Niangzi laughed too.

……

The next day, Zhù Ying brought Zhao Su to the Court of Foreign Affairs. He met the remaining staff and then began the handover. After that, she naturally and without ceremony handed over great swaths of the day’s affairs to Zhao Su.

Zhao Su had been trained by her; his way of doing things bore a resemblance to hers, and working with him was genuinely restful.

Once Zhao Su was in place, Vice Minister Yang — the one Luo Sheng had recommended — was also nearly due to arrive. Word had already spread within the Court of Foreign Affairs that Zhao Su and Qi Tai were related by marriage, and there were also Little Huang and the others — Zhù Ying clearly now held sway over half of the Court of Foreign Affairs. Yet no one spoke ill of this — Zhù Ying promoted her own people, but she was never harsh to others.

Department Head Ke set his mind wholeheartedly on becoming one of “her people” and was extremely cooperative with Zhao Su.

Zhù Ying went to the Wen household again after the day’s session, and then on to the Zheng household.

Zheng Xi had just returned from the Capital Prefecture Office when he heard that she had arrived, and he received her in his study. Zheng Chuan was there at the side attending with brushes and ink.

Zheng Xi said: “It seems the Wen family matter didn’t hold you back.”

Zhù Ying said: “I fear it may have held you back, though.”

Zheng Xi raised an eyebrow. Zhù Ying said: “Wen Da Lang has been in the Imperial Guard for so many years — and at this critical juncture he has lost his beloved mother. A heaven-sent opportunity for advancement has slipped away.”

“Indeed. The princes are growing restless.” Zheng Xi took a jab at the princes, then said: “You have an idea?”

Zhù Ying said: “If you have already made other arrangements in the Imperial Guard, take it as if I said nothing. If not, you should make them soon.”

Zheng Xi nodded.

Zhù Ying continued: “I would imagine that other people’s plans have also been disrupted by that brawl at court.” The group fight at the morning audience had involved military officers as well, and the Emperor had then made a round of adjustments to the Imperial Guard.

Zheng Xi said: “Anything else?”

“When I was at Wen Da’s household, I ran into Jin Liang and his son. If you have no plans for them, I’d like to help Jin Biao move upward a little. Jin Liang helped me considerably in the past.”

Zheng Xi asked: “How would you help Jin Biao?”

Zhù Ying said: “His advancement is under the Ministry of War. Work through the Ministry of War’s connections.”

“Ruan?”

“Yes.”

Zheng Xi said: “Very well.”

Zhù Ying said: “Is that settled then?”

“Of course. You should also keep your own prospects in mind — the Court of Foreign Affairs is not a place to stay indefinitely.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “I don’t pick and choose positions.”

Zheng Xi said: “Then why place so many people in the Court of Foreign Affairs?”

“It’s not placing people in the Court — wherever I go, my people are there.”

Zheng Xi laughed and scolded: “Boastful! Don’t grow too close to Luo Sheng — do you want to be counted among the consort clan’s faction? He’s clever enough and capable enough, but he’s a Buddha statue — you can’t move him.”

“We’re just passing time together in the same place. If we’re not together, then I have no say over things there.”

Zheng Xi said: “Shao Shuxin arrives the day after tomorrow. Take a rest day to gather.”

“Agreed.”

Someone outside announced that dinner was ready. Zheng Xi said: “Join us?”

“I’ve walked in on a meal again!”

……

When Shao Shuxin entered the capital the weather had grown noticeably cooler. It was not a rest day, but Zhù Ying planned to go to his home after the day’s session to see him.

With all miscellaneous matters pushed to Zhao Su, Zhù Ying was reviewing the official gazette when something caught her eye and she felt a sudden distaste — Chen Luan’s grandson and Chen Meng’s son had entered government service, starting outright at the senior sixth rank.

She flipped rapidly through the rest of the gazette’s contents and then quietly set it down and stood.

She wondered whether Chen Luan felt at ease, sending his grandson to the capital.