By the time Zhù Ying returned home, the sky had already darkened, and Hu the elder sister and the others had been well received at the Zheng residence.

The whole party returned to the Zhù household, full and satisfied, with the cool evening breeze at their backs. The Zhù household was especially lively that day. When Xiang the eldest son had set up this residence, Zhù Ying had felt it was too large for the number of people they had to manage it. Now, with Zhao Su’s whole family added, and beyond the original members like Zhù Yin, more people had been transferred from the private estate.

Additionally, Zhuo Jue, a bachelor who hadn’t been back in the capital for a long time, needed accommodations as well, and was to stay temporarily at the Zhù household. With A’Jin, Su Qing, and others who had hurried back upon hearing the news, the household was nearly overflowing.

Qi the young mistress, along with Xiang An and Zhù Qingjun, had been busy half the day before everyone was properly settled.

After Zhù Ying got home she said, “Everyone’s worked hard — rest first, and we’ll deal with things one by one.”

Everyone smiled and agreed.

Zhù Ying’s bedchamber had already been swept and tidied. As was her habit, she kept no one inside to wait on her; Zhù Wen, with two helpers, carried in the hot water and such, then withdrew past the inner gate and did not re-enter. Zhù Ying washed up simply, turned up the lamp wick, and slowly read through the notes Wang Yunhe had given her.

The content of the notes was very substantial. After two pages, Zhù Ying knew that finishing it today would mean reading until midnight.

And tomorrow she still had to attend morning court…

Zhù Ying lit half a stick of incense, and when it had burned down the book was still not finished. Even so, she closed the notes and went to sleep.

The next day she rose, tucked the notes into her robe, ate breakfast, and went to morning court.

With Zheng Xi in mourning, Zheng Yi and the others had clustered together — one glance made it obvious they were a tight little clump. Seeing her arrive, Zheng Yi called out, “Third Elder Brother — over here!”

Zhù Ying walked over. Leng Yun got the first word in: “Hey — you’re really not getting a leave of absence?”

Zhù Ying said, “The handover hasn’t been completed.”

Leng Yun said, “Then how are you moving house?” Leng Yun thought the Emperor had been decidedly stingy — just a house? What about an estate, servants, and slaves? What about official titles and noble rank? What about gold and silk?

Just a house and they called it done? Hadn’t he noticed people already murmuring about it?

Zhù Ying said, “For now I can still manage where I am. Once I’ve cleared the matters at hand, I’ll take a few days off and move properly.”

Leng Yun clicked his tongue repeatedly: “Only you would take things so unhurriedly. Even if not for yourself, think of the people below you.”

Zhù Ying said, “The memorial has already been submitted.”

Leng Yun gave her a peculiar look — she’d arranged everything for those under her command but had forgotten herself?

They talked a little longer, and then the time for morning court arrived. It was not a grand court today, so the numbers were smaller. Zhù Ying paid attention to the Emperor and saw him being supported by a small eunuch’s shoulder as he walked in, his steps somewhat unsteady — the appearance of someone who had just recovered from a serious illness. He did not look well.

Yet even unwell was better than dead — seeing the Emperor settle into the imperial throne, everyone’s spirits were reasonably good.

There were two major items today: first, Zhù Ying had returned victorious; second, the situation on the western frontier.

Dou Peng opened proceedings, stating that Zhù Ying had returned, but that he was very short-handed, and requested that Zhù Ying be transferred to serve as Minister of Finance.

Dou Peng held the position of Chief Minister concurrently with Minister of Finance. It wasn’t that he was reluctant to part with that power — it was simply that he could no longer keep up with the workload. He either needed another Chief Minister added — and Dou Peng had yet to find anyone both suitable and capable — or he needed to split off some of his concurrent duties and give them to someone else.

In Dou Peng’s view, Zhù Ying was a sacrificial stand-in who could not be more appropriate. Liangzhou in the south and the northern territories — one south, one north, both handled capably. What did this prove? It proved it was not a lucky coincidence, not a chance success in managing one particular place, but genuine ability to govern according to local conditions. Very soon the regional prefects would be coming in! The business of settling accounts with those below — entrusting it to Zhù Ying was exactly right.

The Emperor gave a light cough and said, “Approved!”

The princes and ministers let their eyes dart about.

Zhù Ying had come back fast and simply — which was unusual. Normally, someone returning from such a “great victory” should come in last, with a grand welcoming ceremony. Counting from Leng Pinghui’s time, this war stretched back three or four years, and the work of settling things afterward ought to take considerable effort.

Moreover, if conditions allowed, victorious commanders typically brought the envoys of foreign peoples with them on their triumphant return.

Zhù Ying had come running back on her own, and left the two great fruits of this campaign — the two Hu envoys — to Luo Sheng and the Court of State Ceremonial.

If this were called “affection” or “old bonds,” then the bond was awfully weighty. There must be something unusual afoot — it was evident that the Emperor had truly been gravely ill, and had urgently summoned Zhù Ying back.

Those with keen intelligence had previously established one point: Zhù Ying was deep in the Emperor’s favor and close to his mind.

There was no disputing this. When Prince Lu had plotted treason, Zhù Ying had seized the moment.

Now that the Emperor had suffered a serious illness, it followed that he would place people he trusted in higher positions — just as the late Emperor had once placed Yao Zhen in the position of Minister of Personnel.

Zhù Ying herself had no wish to take on this mess of an assignment. Back when she had been a minor county magistrate, she had found the entire court to be quite admirable — a vast, imposing structure, stable as a mountain. But the higher she rose and the larger her domain became, the more she saw how rotten this court was.

When she had been a prefect, she had haggled with the Ministry of Finance and thought the court collected an awful lot of money and grain from her area. Only later did she learn that the ministry was riddled with holes everywhere — patched over barely well enough when the times were good and there were no major expenditures, but now…

When she’d been at the local level, she could stall the Ministry of Finance. Now that she was heading the Ministry herself, how was she supposed to balance those accounts?!

Zhù Ying quickly stepped out and said, “I would not dare.” She sincerely explained to the Emperor that she was “too junior in seniority and rank” and dared not take on something so large. She still hadn’t completed the handover of her previous duties, and besides — she was still the President of the Court of Judicial Review, a post that suited her much better. The right person should be given the right task.

Dou Peng was alarmed: “What Court of Judicial Review? Hasn’t Shi Jihang been performing the acting duties quite well for the past two years? Let Shi Jihang continue as Acting Junior President!”

The Emperor also felt Dou Peng was right and said, “You need not be so modest — you are a pillar of the state, and no one is more suitable!” He went on to lavish praise on Dou Peng: “Look — Chief Minister Dou feels no attachment to holding onto power, and entrusts you with the Ministry of Finance. How can you bear to let him labor on? It’s settled — you. What do the rest of you say?”

Dou Peng was willing; the Crown Prince also said: “His Majesty is correct.”

Leng Yun and the rest were only too happy for Zhù Ying to rise another step. Zheng Yi and the others were equally eager for “their own people” to have a stronger standing. Xian Jing and his faction made no objection either — if Zhù Ying wasn’t suitable, then every other candidate would be even easier to find fault with.

The only thoroughly unhappy one was Zhù Ying herself. The Emperor, however, said to her, “You have always been bold in taking on responsibilities — haven’t you yourself said you don’t pick and choose your assignments?”

So he remembered! His mind had suddenly started working again.

Seeing the situation, Zhù Ying saw no way to argue openly, and could only quietly bow her head and feign compliance. In her heart, though, she was already thinking: I’ll go take a look at the lay of the land first, and if it’s truly unmanageable, I’ll negotiate proper terms with them before committing. She didn’t yet have a full picture of the Ministry of Finance’s overall situation — diving in headlong, she was afraid of being mired in someone else’s trap.

The Emperor said happily, “Now that’s more like it! You have rendered merit, and merit should be recognized and rewarded.”

Zhù Ying said again, “I would not dare. Before going north, I had not yet done a thing to merit it, yet Your Majesty conferred upon me the Senior Grand Master of Palace Leisure with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon — that I have taken as a payment in advance. Now is the time for me to repay that debt. Please allow Your Majesty to grant the soldiers their rewards according to merit — what I have already received is all I deserve.”

The Emperor smiled pleasantly: “There’s no need to be so modest.”

He had bestowed only a house the previous day, and by the time dinner came around had realized — wait, I gave away a house, but the rest is still undone!

Today he made it up. Since ancient times, military merit has always ranked highest. The Zheng and Leng families already had noble titles, so they received elevations in rank and increases in their food stipends. For Zhù Ying, who was receiving her first recognition for military achievement, he granted a noble title.

Zhù Ying again declined: “Compared to the founding heroes of the dynasty, this modest contribution of mine amounts to nothing.” If it ranked too high, she simply would not accept it.

The Emperor gave her the rank of Viscount, with a food stipend of two hundred households, and Zhù Ying finally accepted.

The Emperor felt quite satisfied, and also ordered the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel to process the merit memorial she had submitted as quickly as possible.

Zhù Ying receiving some distinction was still within the expected range — it was clear to everyone that the Emperor held a certain fondness for her. The atmosphere over this matter was still relatively harmonious.

When it came to Prince Qi, however, things took a different turn.

Zhù Ying listened patiently, piecing together from what was said, combined with what Zheng Xi had told her, a rough picture of the situation. Leili A’Tu had taken a roundabout path and raided the western cities before being beaten back by Zheng Xi’s cousin. The cousin received commendation, and this also triggered another consequence — it had caught the attention of the Western Tribes.

Both sides had clashed, with considerable noise — impossible to conceal from anyone. When the Western Tribes looked at it, they realized: so you’re actually quite vulnerable. Leili A’Tu’s people had at least come away with plunder. The imperial side, meanwhile, had lost several cities to looting.

So “roving bandits” from the Western Tribes had also proliferated, dealing the border troops several beatings and leaving Zheng Xi’s cousin exhausted.

The Emperor had issued an edict asking Zheng Xi’s cousin about conditions on the western frontier, and the reply was that there was indeed restless movement, but everything had been held off, and there was currently no major problem.

Prince Wei’s position was: even so, the danger from the Western Tribes could not be ignored. Previously everyone had said that the Hu chieftain was working hard to strengthen his rule and the Hu Chief Minister had even come in person to gather intelligence, yet the court hadn’t taken it seriously. The same mistake must not be made again with the Western Tribes.

Immediately assembling a large army was not realistic. A prominent minister should be sent to make an inspection tour as a show of deterrence.

The Emperor was no great sovereign, but the lesson of how Leng Pinghui and others had “won three battles in a row” and then been routed by Leili A’Tu was still fresh. He had grown suspicious and feared that Zheng Xi’s cousin might be another Leng Pinghui. The Emperor wanted to send someone he trusted to take a look incidentally, but couldn’t say outright that he didn’t trust the border generals and prefects — an inspection combined with a goodwill visit seemed far more suitable.

Prince Wei’s request to lead the mission was blocked; he pivoted to recommending Prince Qi instead.

Xian Jing and others urged against sending Prince Qi.

Prince Wei’s argument was: “Prince Qi’s status is exalted.”

Xian Jing countered: “A gentleman does not stand beneath a tottering wall — how can Prince Qi be sent on a long journey?”

Prince Qi himself was willing. Zhù Ying looked at this young man — Prince Qi’s face still carried a trace of youth’s rawness, and his eyes were full of longing for the wide world beyond: “This official is willing to share His Majesty’s burdens!”

The Emperor then asked the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince said, “Second Brother is still young.”

Prince Qi’s eyes went wide: “Elder Brother, that’s not what you said before!”

Before, the Crown Prince had supported Prince Qi’s going to the western frontier. Now that his good elder brother had suddenly changed his tune, Prince Qi felt a sudden sense of betrayal. He looked at his brother in aggrieved confusion; the Crown Prince looked back with an expression full of anxiety.

The Emperor then asked the Leng Marquis’s opinion. The Leng Marquis said, “It is entirely for His Majesty to decide.”

The Emperor then asked Zhù Ying.

Zhù Ying had been calculating — if the Western Tribes were to make a significant move, how much would it cost. Hearing the Emperor ask her, she said, “This official does not know the details of the western frontier’s situation and would not dare to speak rashly. Please allow me to study the matter and then present a report.”

The Emperor did not press her further.

Once people began quarreling over something, it became very difficult to reach immediate agreement. Morning court ended in argument with no result whatsoever.

After court was dismissed, Prince Qi chased after the Crown Prince all the way to the Eastern Palace: “Elder Brother, why did you change your mind?”

The Crown Prince said, “I thought it over, and Father is still recovering from illness — how could I let you leave home at such a time?”

“Father has already recovered. I want to help lighten Father’s burdens!” Prince Qi’s eyes were bright and eager.

The Crown Prince let out a sigh: “When your parents are still with us, do not travel far.”

“When you do travel, make sure they know where you are going.”

The Crown Prince said, “Think of it as staying here to help me — I can’t manage everything alone.”

“But the western frontier…”

“There are ministers and officials for that. Let them go and explore the ground first, and then you can go. Otherwise, how would I explain myself to Imperial Consort Zhang?”

Prince Qi hung his head: “Oh.”

In contrast to Prince Qi, Dou Peng was beaming, and said to Zhù Ying, “You go to the Court of Judicial Review to do your handover, then come to the Ministry of Finance! Can you finish it today?”

Zhù Ying said, “Give me two days — it’s not only the Court of Judicial Review, I imagine I also need to move house.”

“Oh, oh,” Dou Peng said amiably, “handle it in whatever way you see fit. But I must tell you — they’ll be arriving in the capital soon, and you need to be prepared beforehand.”

Zhù Ying was left speechless, and Dou Peng, hands clasped behind his back, departed with a distinctly lighter step. Left behind was Zhù Ying, who began spinning like a top — first surrounded by a crowd offering congratulations, then by Ministry of Finance officials trying to ingratiate themselves, almost squeezing Shi Jihang out of the circle.

Zhù Ying said to the Ministry of Finance crowd: “Please allow me to go to the Court of Judicial Review and sort things out there first. I’ll come to the Ministry of Finance in a couple of days.”

Many of those at the Ministry knew her and all said, “We’ve been looking forward to your arrival.”

Zhù Ying said with a smile, “The imperial edict hasn’t been issued yet — the Hall of Governance and the Ministry of Personnel still need to process it. I wouldn’t dare jump ahead.”

The Ministry of Finance officials had no choice and went back, speculating in small groups about how she would run the Ministry.

Zhù Ying said to Shi Jihang, “I’m going to argue with Chief Minister Dou.”

Shi Jihang very much wanted to follow along and watch the spectacle, but catching a glimpse of Zhù Ying’s composed face, he restrained himself: “I’ll wait for you at the Court of Judicial Review.”

Zhù Ying strode off toward the Hall of Governance. All along the way she encountered people offering congratulations, to which she returned polite nods of acknowledgment. She then politely arrived at Dou Peng’s door and asked someone to announce her on her behalf.

Inside came Dou Peng’s voice: “Is that Zichang? Come in.”

Zhù Ying walked in without ceremony and found Dou Peng looking at her with a smile, saying: “When you and I first met, I was a prefect and you were still a junior official under the Court of Judicial Review. In the blink of an eye, twenty years have passed, and you are now wearing the purple robe.”

Zhù Ying opened her mouth, and Dou Peng, with a nimbleness unbecoming of his age, pointed at the dossiers on the table and said, “Either go to the Ministry of Finance, or stay here and help me.”

Zhù Ying gave a small belch, caught off-guard for the first time: “That post, you can keep for yourself.”

Dou Peng stopped smiling: “Now that’s the right attitude! If the Seventh of Zheng were still here, would I be in this state? The Ministry of Finance — I can’t trust it to anyone else. Speaking of no one in particular, for argument’s sake — among all the others, not one can remain impartial and upright. And I don’t even ask that they be impartial and upright, only that they not use their office for private gain, and I’d count my blessings!”

He said gloomily: “My talents are mediocre, and both Wang and Zheng are unable to attend to their duties for the moment. I must ask for your help!”

Zhù Ying could only say, “I would not dare — you need not worry too much…”

Dou Peng waved her off and asked gravely, “Are you truly going to dodge this?”

All of Zhù Ying’s complaints got stuck in her throat. Suddenly her mouth was flooded with the faint, clean sweetness of raw wheat — she said, “All right. I’ll do my best.”

She took paper and brush from the side table and began to write. Dou Peng walked around behind her, watching as she wrote out the names of Ministry of Finance personnel from memory — and after one sheet of names, began writing the names of provinces and prefectures throughout the realm.

When she had finished, she placed the papers before Dou Peng: “Please review and comment. The prefects will be arriving in the capital soon!”

——

Leaving the Hall of Governance, Zhù Ying went straight to the Court of Judicial Review.

The handover at the Court of Judicial Review was not complicated. This had been her domain all along, and Shi Jihang was also a man who kept a clear account of things — during the two years Zhù Ying had been away, Shi Jihang had managed commendably.

The difficult part was saying goodbye. Everyone at the Court of Judicial Review was reluctant to see her go. They would have been happy for Zhù Ying to stay for several more years, so their lives would continue to be easier.

From the Vice President of the Court downward, every single one had reddened eyes. Zhù Ying looked at Qi Tai — he was crying the most bitterly. Zhù Ying said, “Don’t cry. You, come with me.”

Shi Jihang let out a breath of relief. Qi Tai was capable enough at his work, but truly not cut out to be an official. He had initially assumed Qi Tai must have some exceptional ability, but on close observation, there was nothing particularly special about him at all. Shi Jihang had even made inquiries at the Ministry of Finance — Qi Tai, back at the Ministry, had been entirely useless.

Having seen through Qi Tai, every time Shi Jihang laid eyes on him he felt awed by Zhù Ying. A person like this, and yet she was so loyal to old ties — carrying him south, then carrying him north. One could only say: some people are simply born lucky, having caught Zhù Ying at a time when she needed people, and so the bond was planted.

Qi Tai stopped crying and helped the two of them process the handover.

The remaining staff wept in a heap, and the female warders cried with particular sincerity and emotion. With Zhù Ying gone, they genuinely feared returning to the days of being excluded and marginalized.

Seeing everyone crying in such an unseemly fashion, Zhù Ying said, “The Vice President has treated you extremely well, and besides, I am still within the Imperial City. Go back to your duties.”

The handover at the Court of Judicial Review went smoothly, but Zhù Ying did not go directly to the Ministry of Finance afterward. The handover there would absolutely be a colossal trap — she needed to prepare herself before leaping in. When Dou Peng had taken over in his day, he had borrowed some accountants and clerks from the Court of Judicial Review as help, and even so, Zhù Ying suspected he had still ended up plugging his predecessor’s financial holes himself.

Zhù Ying needed to be even more careful.

When offices closed for the day, Zhù Ying returned home alongside Qi Tai.

She took out the notes once more. She had thought she might find a moment to read a couple of pages at the Court of Judicial Review, but Dou Peng’s antics had left her without a single word read.

Back at home, Zhao Zhen and others came to offer congratulations, as did Chen Meng and his son. Shi Jihang and others followed in succession. Zheng Chuan came on behalf of Zheng Xi, and Zheng Yi, Jin Liang, and others came of their own accord. Xian Jing, being a neighbor, also came to offer a word of congratulation.

Among all those who came, Xian Jing held the most senior position, and Zhù Ying accompanied him in conversation a while longer.

Xian Jing’s expression was somewhat complex. All those years ago, the first time he had seen Zhù Ying in the offices of Wang Yunhe’s prefecture, she had been barely more than a half-grown child. He had looked down at her then — admiring her, yes, but with the air of someone pointing and instructing from above. Now, not only did he have to look at her as an equal, he even needed to take care to court her goodwill.

How strange, the ways of fortune.

Xian Jing said, “The Ministry of Finance in your hands is better than in anyone else’s. Once you take over the Ministry, you’ll understand — the land and population of this realm are such that suppressing land consolidation and investigating unregistered holdings can no longer be delayed. You and I have both served in local posts. Doing these things locally is not so difficult, but when you hold the Ministry of Finance and wish to carry it out across the entire nation, that is an entirely different matter. Remember this well!”

Zhù Ying said, “Thank you for the guidance.”

Xian Jing saw that her expression was genuine, and felt slightly reassured: “The old teacher always wanted to see this accomplished. Unfortunately, when I was in the Ministry, I could only detect the abuses — wishing to set things right, I found my abilities insufficient. You are sharp and capable — you will surely not disappoint.”

Zhù Ying said, “Truly, I had no desire to take on the Ministry of Finance. The affairs haven’t even begun yet, and already there’s a mountain of things. I thought coming back would mean some rest.”

Xian Jing gave a light laugh: “Those most capable are made to work the hardest. Others would covet this beyond their reach.”

Zhù Ying said, “I really am in no hurry.”

Xian Jing said, “But the court cannot wait, and the people cannot wait. The north has settled, and the western frontier is stirring — all of it requires money.”

The two of them sighed together.

When the last guest finally left, Zhù Ying lit half a stick of incense and read through the remaining half of the notes.

Turning to the last page, she found it bore only a single line: The gentleman brings people together without forming factions, is harmonious without following blindly, and is impartial without being calculating.

Zhù Ying closed the notes and locked them in the chest.

——

Zhù Ying had just finished her handover at the Court of Judicial Review when Qi Tai fell ill. Left with no alternative, she had to borrow two more accountants from the Court of Judicial Review, and pulled two people from her own staff, intending to bring them all to the Ministry of Finance.

Those two staff members gave her pause — some of them were women.

Her personal staff was roughly half and half, men and women, and comparatively speaking, the women were somewhat more capable. Selecting from the same process, when one pool drafts one in three and another one in a hundred, the quality of the former will always fall a little short of the latter.

Yet when it came to actually bringing them into the Imperial City, the former — the men — had much easier access. Zhù Ying’s staff had always had many opportunities. Making use of the northern campaign, she had secured formal appointments for Zhù Qingjun and Xiang An, but the other female staff members had had no such good fortune yet. Once back in the capital, opportunities would be even harder to come by.

In the end, Zhù Ying had no choice but to keep Zhù Qingjun and the others at home to help organize the move, while arranging palace gate passes for her male staff so they could be brought to the Ministry of Finance.

The handover at the Ministry of Finance was more involved than anywhere else. Zhù Ying started first by cataloguing the old records, taking out this year’s budget submissions from each prefecture and county to review, to prepare for her upcoming negotiations with the prefects. Other matters she left to her subordinates to handle.

While she was in the middle of the cataloguing, Luo Sheng and the others returned to the capital.

Zhao Su and Su Zhe had been managing Luo Sheng with one hand while calculating around the two Hu envoys with the other. Su Zhe had quickly won Luo Sheng’s goodwill — every time Luo Sheng looked at Su Zhe, he was inclined to think of his own daughter. Zhao Su, meanwhile, still had to ensure the Hu envoys’ safety and coax Yao Jingxia into not playing “escort” anymore. Only after they left the northern territories did he finally feel somewhat at ease.

With the capital in sight, they suddenly heard the news — Zhù Ying had been promoted!

Zhù Ying’s promotion was something they had expected, but her getting the position so quickly was still beyond what either of them had anticipated.

Zhù Ying was in the middle of moving house. Su Zhe arrived and got to pick out a courtyard she liked. Zhao Su was temporarily staying in the old house — Qi Tai had fallen ill, and Zhù Ying left that house for them in the meantime.

“Once this business is done, are you willing to come help me at the Ministry of Finance?” Zhù Ying asked Zhao Su.

The Court of State Ceremonial had not been a comfortable place for Zhao Su either — with the Senior President Leng Yun and the Junior President Shen Ying above him, it truly was a tribulation.

Zhao Su said, “Willing!”

Zhù Ying said, “This current business needs to be handled with distinction before you can transfer to the Ministry. The rank has already risen — moving to be a Ministry of Finance Bureau Director is not unreasonable, is it?”

“Yes.”

“You’re already wearing the crimson robe, so you can’t be living too cramped.” Zhù Ying said, keeping that house for Zhao Su to continue occupying. The old residence could then be freed up.

Zhao Su said, “The old residence suits me just fine — I don’t have many people with me.”

Zhù Ying said, “When I tell you to stay, you stay.”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying’s move to the new residence again brought a house full of guests. People watched her unhurried manner and noted that beyond the new house being bigger, she still kept no entertainers or musicians, and put on no lavish display. Though many calling cards were left, she received each person courteously, and all came away praising her composure. At court, two factions were quarreling in a mess.

During the time Zhù Ying was moving and taking over the Ministry of Finance, the Emperor’s health gradually recovered somewhat from his severe illness. Seeing this, Prince Qi once again pressed his father and brother, wanting to go take a look at the western frontier. The Crown Prince still disagreed, and Xian Jing and the others also urged against it. But Prince Wei supported Prince Qi.

Prince Qi said, “Father has recovered — I have nothing more to worry about on that account. Surely now I may set out?”

It’s precisely because the Emperor has recovered that we can’t let you go!

Zhù Ying looked at this foolish boy and felt like rolling her eyes. When the Emperor was nearly dying, he sent you away to prevent you from competing for the throne. Now that the Emperor has recovered, he needs to keep you near, lest you go to the western frontier and accumulate military glory, reputation, and political capital for yourself.

Zhù Ying concluded: the Crown Prince’s position was secure.

The Emperor, however, also felt that Prince Qi made a reasonable point — going out to make a show of the court’s position toward the Western Tribes, with his own son, would put him more at ease. Both the Wang and Zheng factions made the Emperor feel unsettled. He felt these people couldn’t be relied upon. Give them the opportunity, and once they built up their prestige they would turn around and put him under their thumb.

That wouldn’t do.

The Emperor liked Zhù Ying precisely because she, aside from a few occasions of going along with the majority, generally didn’t butt heads with him and did whatever she was asked to do.

The Crown Prince said to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, Prince Qi has never held an official post before — sending him suddenly to that harsh, remote place, it is feared he may not be able to adapt. Would it not be better to take things gradually?”

The Emperor said, “Then let this be the start of things!”

Prince Wei took the opportunity to add: “Prince Qi is already married and has a son — a man ought to stand tall and proud in the world. Confining Prince Qi in the royal residence with nothing to do is hardly proper! Wine and women, indulgence and dissipation — is that the kind of example a father and elder brother should set for a younger member of the family?”

The Crown Prince said, “Who has been letting him indulge and dissipate?”

The two of them argued until the Emperor’s head was splitting. He said to the Crown Prince: “What harm is there in letting your younger brother go and do something useful?! If you don’t let him do things, how is he ever to grow?”

The Crown Prince was backed against a wall and fell silent.

Seeing this, Prince Wei privately spread rumors — that the Crown Prince was guarding against his own brother, and that Prince Qi, if he did not move to tarnish his own reputation, might face a threat to his very life. Within days the rumor was everywhere, and even Noble Consort Mu and Imperial Consort Zhang heard of it.

Imperial Consort Zhang was so frightened her face turned white. She first went to Noble Consort Mu’s palace to offer her apologies, then went before the Emperor to profess her and her son’s innocence: “Since the time in the former residence, Second Prince has always followed his elder brother’s lead, doing whatever elder brother told him to do. Brothers of one heart, and never any defiance. Now that the succession is settled, there will be even less cause for any divided loyalty.”

This placed the Crown Prince right back over the fire to be roasted.

The Emperor summoned Zhù Ying and asked: “The situation on the western frontier — have you come to understand it?”

Zhù Ying said, “Yes. Whether Prince Qi goes or does not go is both acceptable. However, as Prince Wei has reasonably noted, one cannot raise a child to be useless — seeing more of the world can do no harm.”

The Emperor asked, “Have you heard what people are saying outside about the Crown Prince?”

Zhù Ying said, “Is it about Prince Qi’s matter? I have been busy taking over the Ministry of Finance lately and haven’t been gathering news. But since you mention the Crown Prince and Prince Qi — something has come to mind. There was a year when I returned to the capital for my official review. When visiting a friend, I encountered two children — the elder had placed the younger in front of him on a horse and was carrying him along on the saddle, saying they were going to visit their aunt. The elder dismounted first, reached up his hand to receive the younger, and walked holding his hand into the Princess’s residence.”

The Emperor said, “He is even fonder of him than I am!”

Zhù Ying said, “The Crown Prince bears somewhat more than others. If he were to actively support this, and Prince Qi should come to any harm, the rumors would be extremely harsh. But ultimately, it is for Your Majesty to decide.”

The Emperor said, “Mm — let Second Prince go.”

Zhù Ying said, “Very well. The Crown Prince will come to accept it.”

The Emperor said to Du Shien: “Summon the Crown Prince — I will open his mind myself.”

Zhù Ying took the opportunity to withdraw.

The Crown Prince, utterly mystified, came before the Emperor and sat through a string of words along the lines of “I know you worry about Second Prince, but if he should suffer some small misfortune, no one will blame you for it.” The Crown Prince, thinking the Emperor was issuing a warning, became even more anxious.

On the other side, the Emperor, seeing that his son still wore a brow creased with worry, asked Zhù Ying to go and help open his mind: “You go and speak to him.”

——

Zhù Ying went by imperial command to the Eastern Palace.

In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince forced up something of a smile. Xian Jing’s manner, by contrast, was still at ease.

Zhù Ying greeted both of them. Xian Jing asked on behalf of both: “Zichang is done being busy?”

Zhù Ying said, “Whenever one wishes to be busy, there will always be things to do. Today, however, I come by imperial command…”

Both of them immediately rose. Zhù Ying asked them to be seated, and conveyed the Emperor’s meaning: “His Majesty says that the Crown Prince need not worry.”

Xian Jing said, “How can one not be worried?”

Zhù Ying said, “Your Highness — fledglings must always fly sooner or later. If you are truly worried about your younger brother, then make preparations on his behalf. Give generously to Prince Qi and see to his travel provisions and equipment.”

The Crown Prince said, “My mind is in turmoil — I don’t know what to prepare, and am also afraid of giving offense.”

“Then, Your Highness, may I ask the Crown Prince to open the Eastern Palace treasury, for Prince Qi to take whatever he needs!”

The Crown Prince looked over sharply. Zhù Ying met his gaze without flinching.

Xian Jing said, “Zichang is absolutely right!”

The Crown Prince also came back to himself: “Indeed!”

Zhù Ying said, “Doing something practical is always better than weeping behind people’s backs, is it not?”

The Crown Prince’s cheek gave a faint twitch; he forced his smile firmly back under control and said, “Quite so.”

Zhù Ying left it at that — point made, no more was needed. As she adjusted something casually at her waist, the Crown Prince cast his eyes downward and found himself recognizing a pendant of luminous pearls.

Zhù Ying straightened the pearl ornament and rose, saying: “Your official has delivered the message. May the Crown Prince set your mind at ease. Your official takes her leave.”

The Crown Prince rose and walked her out of the Eastern Palace, then accompanied her a good distance beyond, saying: “The Uniminister is right — my feelings for my younger brother are nothing but reluctance. And yet, in the end, I must let him spread his wings and soar.”

Zhù Ying urged him to go back, and she herself returned to account to the Emperor. The Crown Prince then gave the order, sending Lan De to go to Prince Qi and invite him to the Eastern Palace treasury to “take whatever he wished.”

On the other side, Zhù Ying also reported to the Emperor: “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has come around.”

The Emperor said with a laugh, “Now that is as it should be. That child — he has worried over every little thing since he was small!”

Emperor and official had barely exchanged two more sentences when Dou Peng arrived, his face ashen, to request an urgent audience — Wang Yunhe had passed away.

The smile on the Emperor’s face vanished, and he said with flat affect: “I see.”