Zhù Ying had spoken with Zhao Su about Yanzhou affairs for a while when the person Lady Qi had sent came back.

Zhù Ying smiled: “If your household has matters that need attending to, go back quickly. Jiang Zheng was barely appointed to Yanzhou and has already sought you out — he is clearly an attentive man. There is no harm in having a talk with him.”

“Yes.”

Zhao Su knew of Jiang Zheng’s actions and deeds, and judged him to be at least no fool. A person with a working brain was worth getting to know.

He returned home quickly. Jiang Zheng’s tea had just been refilled for the second time.

The two sat down, and Jiang Zheng spoke first: “Now that the Ministry of Personnel’s documents have come down, I will be setting out before long — I had no choice but to come and disturb you at this inconvenient time.”

Zhao Su was equally courteous, praising him for his devotion to public duty. Jiang Zheng said that Zhao Su had endured an exhausting journey. After they finished trading compliments, Jiang Zheng was the first to state his purpose clearly: “Since the gentleman has just come from Yanzhou, might I ask what the present state of things there is like?”

Zhao Su said: “They are waiting for someone to take charge.”

Jiang Zheng pressed further for details: “How is the livelihood in Yanzhou? After the bandits ran rampant, how were the common people settled? What do the people there rely on for their living? What is the reputation of the local officials? I know the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Personnel have records on file, but those are mostly old documents from several years ago.”

Hearing this, Zhao Su knew Jiang Zheng was a clear-headed man. The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Personnel files were of course important, but they gave only a general picture — applied too literally, one would fall headlong into a trap.

The two found a common enthusiasm for the conversation, and Zhao Su told him everything he knew: “The salt-workers are wretched, the farming households are wretched too, and land consolidation is severe. As for the officials… if they had truly been capable, would there have been a popular uprising?”

The two spoke at considerable length. Lady Qi then prepared a meal and kept Jiang Zheng to dine, after which they talked some more about local customs and conditions along the road before he departed.

From the fact that Jiang Zheng had not asked about Prince Qi, and had inquired about the young General Leng only in terms of how many troops would remain in Yanzhou, Zhao Su’s opinion of Jiang Zheng rose yet another notch.

After seeing Jiang Zheng off, Zhao Su finally had a proper chance to speak with his wife and child. The child was old enough to remember, and still recognized his own father. Father and son romped about for a spell, while Lady Qi sat to one side watching, cracking seeds between her teeth.

A child that age was at the most exhaustingly lively stage. Even Zhao Su found it more than he could manage, and coaxed his son to go run wild in the training yard. Lady Qi promptly set down her seeds and followed after them. Before leaving, she shot Zhao Su a glance: “Is this any way to behave? I can see you are tired of it — go do your own business. A letter came from home — it is in the study.”

Zhao Su clasped his hands in thanks for her mercy, watched his wife and child go off to play, and then went back to the study.

At the new year, it was customary for Wuzhou to send people bringing gifts for the new year — people of all sorts, who by habit gathered into one group and traveled together. Along with the gifts came letters. Both his parents missed their grandchild dearly. On the one hand they could not bear to leave behind the family business in their hometown; on the other hand, they felt some pull toward coming to the capital for a visit. A single letter veered back and forth between two inclinations, each sentence at odds with the next.

Zhao Su thought of his hometown and felt a pang of longing. Thinking of himself, he thought also of Zhù Ying, whose situation was similar to his own. He hesitated over whether to consult Zhù Ying about what she herself thought. If the capital was a suitable place, why not bring his elderly parents over?

The family letter mentioned his parents — both were still alive, so there was no reason to conceal sad news. Then why?

Zhao Su deliberated at length, and the next day went to Zhù Ying’s household to seek guidance. Whether or not to bring his parents to the capital — he felt the answer still depended on the “broader situation.”

The following day, Zhao Su went to Zhù Ying’s household, only to receive word that Zhù Ying had gone to Luo Sheng’s household. During the new year, there was an endless procession of visits. Luo Sheng’s household was one she could not skip — he had been her former superior, was the Crown Prince Consort’s own father, and his current rank was still higher than Zhù Ying’s. She had to go.

Luo Sheng was also one of Zhao Su’s former superiors, but unlike with Zhù Ying, going to the Luo household now might not mean he would even be let through the door. His household had already prepared new year gifts and sent them to Luo Sheng — the proper courtesies had been observed — so he spared himself the awkwardness of calling in person. Judging that Zhù Ying would likely not return until after she had eaten at the Luo household, Zhao Su went off to spend time with his fellow countrymen instead.

The people who had come from Wuzhou — those from the estate were staying in Zhù Ying’s household, the rest lodging partly in the local meeting hall and partly in Zhao Su’s home. They were all delighted by the progress of his career.

In broad daylight they set out wine, and Zhao Su laughed: “It is fortunate that today is such a day — in a couple more days there will be no more leisure, and we cannot drink in the daytime.”

At a time like this there was no need to speak in official speech — everyone talked in the southern regional dialect, with several phrases of the Qi Xia language mixed in. Among the conversation, someone asked Zhao Su about his journey to Yanzhou, and the talk quickly turned to Zhù Ying.

Zhao Su said: “My godfather has also gone to eat and drink, to the household of a princess. The food there is very good — no need to worry that she will eat poorly. It is only a pity that my godfather does not drink.”

Everyone laughed, saying Zhù Ying was excellent in every respect, except that she would not drink along with them, so they felt embarrassed making merry in front of her.

……——

What they did not know was that at that moment, Zhù Ying was not eating particularly well.

With the new year, one went from one banquet to the next. Today it was the Luo Sheng household’s turn. Luo Sheng’s father had died a few years before, and Princess Anren was now a widow. For the new year, besides hosting her own banquet, she also came to her son’s household to join the festivities. The two princess residences were adjacent, so coming and going was convenient.

Zhù Ying and Princess Anren crossed paths at Luo Sheng’s household, and Zhù Ying, the sort of person who was courteous to both the living and the dead, still respectfully paid her respects to Princess Anren — even in the household of the princess’s own son.

Princess Anren, however, hung a long face, as though celebrating a festival for the dead rather than the lunar new year, which left Zhù Ying quite at a loss. Today Zhù Ying was one of the more important guests, and the time had been agreed upon between her and Luo Sheng beforehand.

Zhù Ying stood up straight without any change of expression. Luo Sheng hurried to his feet and ushered his mother to one side: “Miaozhen has been waiting for you a long time — please, quickly.”

“Even you despise me now?”

Luo Sheng forced a smile: “Today all the guests are court ministers.”

Princess Anren’s face grew colder still: “What of it? A court minister is someone utterly without…”

Luo Sheng cut her off: “What has gotten into you today? The guests are here!”

“What about those who did not come?”

As mother and son spoke, a quick-witted servant had already run off to inform Princess Yongping. Princess Yongping came hurrying over, smiling as she took hold of Princess Anren’s arm: “Everyone has been waiting for you — how did he manage to waylay you here?” She then nodded in greeting to Zhù Ying and the others: “I hope you will forgive us for the poor reception. We women folk should not disturb you — we are going to the back to enjoy ourselves.”

Princess Yongping’s childhood name was Miaozhen, and she was indeed a remarkably clever woman.

After the mother and daughter-in-law departed, Luo Sheng offered Zhù Ying a sincere apology: “Since my father’s passing, my mother’s temper has gotten rather out of hand. I am sorry.”

Zhù Ying said: “They say ‘old and small, old and small’ — the older a person gets, the more they become like a child, and a child’s temper is just the same — difficult to coax.”

Those around them were perceptive enough to follow along with laughter, and Luo Sheng forced a grin as well.

Among the accompanying guests were members of the Luo clan, as well as a number of officials. Zhù Ying looked around and recognized many former colleagues — among them Ruan Cheng and others who had gone to serve as department heads in the Ministry of War. The guest list at the Luo household had been carefully assembled.

Everyone knew each other well, and everyone also knew Princess Anren’s temperament. If she had made things difficult for Zhù Ying, it certainly was not because Zhù Ying had done anything wrong — this must simply be the princess in one of her moods, looking for trouble again.

By tacit agreement, everyone steered clear of the topic, and conversation moved on to other things.

Department Head Ruan asked with curiosity: “And where is Deputy Chief Justice Shen?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Zhù Ying clearly saw Luo Sheng’s expression flicker. Luo Sheng managed to say: “He had something come up at home and told me about it.”

His voice worked hard to stay ordinary, but Zhù Ying, who had spent considerable time in his company, had perceptively caught a faint note of something off in his tone. She said to Department Head Ruan: “With so many things happening at the new year, the occasional unexpected matter is perfectly normal.”

Department Head Ruan gave it no further thought, and laughed: “You are right — just two days ago I was about to go out and found that the robe I wanted to wear had two burns from the iron…”

The topic was deflected again, and Luo Sheng gradually relaxed.

The men gathered together. Beyond swapping boasts, there was naturally some real business talked as well. After the Wang Family case was discussed, Department Head Ruan spoke of young General Leng’s triumphant return — and there would be rewards and honors to come.

Department Head Ruan was from the Ministry of War and had more news to share. With a touch of envy he said: “Though it was hard going, it has secured twenty more years of prosperity. I only regret I had no such opportunity.”

The new Dian Ke Cheng laughed: “That also depends on whom one follows — one would need to be under the command of the Prince Consort or the Honorable Zhù Ying. Both of them lead to a bright future.”

Everyone offered another round of flattery, and Zhù Ying said: “The current Grand Messenger Lord Leng — small matters he handles freely, but on great matters his head is clear.”

Luo Sheng also said: “Quite so.”

Everyone still envied young General Leng. From him, the conversation turned to Prince Qi, and someone said with curiosity: “Prince Qi still has to go inspect the western frontier — when might he return? When he comes back this time, things will be quite different.”

Luo Sheng smiled: “Whenever Prince Qi returns, the palace will have been taking very good care of the princess consort and the child.”

Everyone said Prince Qi was very much in the Emperor’s favor.

Luo Sheng felt rather hollow inside. He had said it because the matter was actually the Eastern Palace’s suggestion — they had said the new year was coming, Prince Qi had not yet returned, and it would be dismal for the princess consort and child to be outside the palace, so it would be better to bring them inside to spend the new year at Zhang Jieyu’s palace, since it was not as though they were outsiders.

The Emperor and Empress had both praised the Eastern Palace for being so thoughtful — the Crown Prince keeping an eye on his younger brother’s wife and son while the younger brother was away.

There was no one who could discern how he was truly feeling. Everyone assumed they were expressing concern for him, reminding him. Seeing Luo Sheng silent, some people who had been his former subordinates were already anxious on their old superior’s behalf — the Crown Prince was your son-in-law, and if Prince Qi grew in power, that was not a favorable position to be in, was it?

Shortly after, Princess Anren and Princess Yongping sent out a table of dishes to Zhù Ying from the back of the house. Everyone understood — Princess Anren had been persuaded to relent. Zhù Ying received it with a smile and offered her thanks.

The banquet passed in false pleasantries and social pretense for most of the day, and it was only when the red sun sank in the west that the feast finally dispersed.

Luo Sheng grasped Zhù Ying’s hand, speaking as they walked slowly toward the door. Those around them who had any social awareness quickened their steps and left.

Once most people had gone and they had still not reached the courtyard, Luo Sheng released Zhù Ying’s hand and bowed deeply: “I am sorry — my mother has been vexed by some troubles.”

Zhù Ying returned the courtesy: “I understand. It is the new year — let it not rest on your heart and ruin your mood. Please go and keep the princess company. I shall take my leave.”

With that, she stepped away.

Luo Sheng took a couple of quick steps to follow, walking alongside her toward the gate. As he walked, he sighed: “This temperament of hers — it will not settle anytime soon. Other things aside, she heard that the Crown Prince gave Palace Lady Yan’s family some farmland, and so she grew covetous and petitioned the Emperor, requesting some farmland for her own retirement.”

This was something Zhù Ying genuinely had not known about, and she asked: “His Majesty refused?”

Luo Sheng’s steps slowed again, and he said: “No, actually, he did not.”

Zhù Ying said: “Then why?”

Luo Sheng said: “I did not know the Emperor had granted it yet. Two days ago we went together to the Eastern Palace for a visit, and she brought it up again there — and told the Crown Prince that the fields and residence were not enough.”

Zhù Ying said: “And who is this Palace Lady Yan?”

“Word has it that at the wedding where the Chen Prefect’s family took a new bride, the Crown Prince attended and spoke at some length with Shen Guanghua, which prompted curious onlookers to investigate. They discovered that this Palace Lady Yan is Lady Shen’s niece from her birth family, currently in the Eastern Palace, and already with child…” At this point Luo Sheng’s voice dropped lower.

The rest of it Zhù Ying could figure out herself. She had looked into Shen Ying before and knew what circumstances his wife’s family was in, but she had not known about Palace Lady Yan in the Eastern Palace. She guessed that if this child were not born, even Xian Jing might not have known there was such a person. Without giving birth to a child, or without drawing the Crown Prince into some error, who would take notice of a palace lady?

Yet Palace Lady Yan apparently had considerable favor from the Crown Prince. Even before the child was born, he had given her family farmland. When those with curious eyes found out, the news had somehow reached Princess Anren. Strange as it was, Princess Anren had actually taken this as something to be concerned about.

Zhù Ying said fairly: “The Yan family is indeed impoverished right now. With Yan Shi enjoying such favor, the state of her birth family does look rather unflattering.”

Luo Sheng said: “I understand that. What my mother is angry about is that the Crown Prince gave Yan Shi fields and a residence, yet has never expressed anything toward our household.”

“There are gifts and rewards given on every holiday and birthday.”

“Tell her that, and she will not listen. She says she has not received so much as a handful of earth from the Crown Prince’s own hand.”

Zhù Ying could understand Princess Anren’s meaning, but this was hardly a clever way to go about things.

She said to Luo Sheng: “But being granted something by His Majesty — is that not even more honorable?”

“That was said to her too. She simply will not listen.”

Then there was nothing to be done. Zhù Ying had no wish to concern herself with these tiresome matters.

A wave of irritation rose within her. She only wanted to do useful work. Neither the Zheng faction nor the Wang faction had descended to the pettiness of spending every day eavesdropping on what went on in the Crown Prince’s private chambers. She was a court minister, not the Chief Steward of the Inner Palace.

Yet the people within the palace, not content with creating uproar behind closed doors, insisted on letting the disturbance leak outside until those beyond the walls had no peace either. Many a court minister had been caught up and suffered for the sake of such useless business within the imperial household — and now was she expected to spend her energy guessing at these people’s thinking and helping them scheme against each other?

For a moment Zhù Ying was confounded and did not know what benefit those of heavenly lineage and noble blood brought to the common people, or where exactly they were elevated and noble.

Zhù Ying said: “If it causes too large a stir, it will not be good for the Crown Prince Consort either.”

“Indeed,” Luo Sheng said.

Zhù Ying said: “The princess has gotten on in years — but you have not.”

Having said that, she patted Luo Sheng on the shoulder, offered her farewell, and walked out.

……

That meal had been truly maddening.

Zhù Ying turned a street corner and suddenly reined in her horse. Hu Shijie was caught off guard and started in alarm: “The official?”

“Go to the Chen household.”

This matter was something Zhù Ying had no desire to involve herself in, yet she could not entirely ignore it either. There happened to be one person who was most suited to take an interest in it — Chen Meng.

The Chen household was still in the middle of its own festivities. With a new daughter-in-law having arrived, and Chen Fang soon to depart for his post, there had been a constant stream of guests and banquets at home.

Chen Meng came running out: “Well timed — we have some very fine crucian carp today.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Well timed indeed — I also have a fine piece of news.”

Chen Meng drew close, smiling, and asked: “What fine news?”

“Lady Shen’s niece from her birth family is none other than Palace Lady Yan of the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince gave Palace Lady Yan’s family fields and a residence — and Princess Anren has her eye on it with envy.”

The news came too suddenly. Chen Meng had to sort through it before he understood: “What?”

Zhù Ying nodded: “I have just left the Luo family’s banquet. Princess Anren’s face — it was not something one could look at easily. You — take heed.”

Chen Meng’s face went green. Dealing with Princess Anren was not something he feared as such, but the old woman was utterly unreasonable — all over the place with her attacks. Troublesome!

He managed to say: “All right, I understand.”

Zhù Ying said: “Then I shall not disturb things further — here is something more for you.”

“Come, come — eat with us.”

“I ate myself full on frustration just now.” Zhù Ying waved her hand.

All the way back to the household, she had barely stepped inside when a gift from Princess Yongping’s residence arrived right on her heels.

Su Zhe held the gift register and smiled: “What is the occasion for this?”

Zhù Ying said: “Accept it.”

Su Zhe could see something of displeasure in her manner. She sent away the person who had brought the gift, then moved closer and asked: “Has their family got something they want to trouble you with again? Because of the Crown Prince Consort? Really — a grown adult and still cannot make up her own mind. What a princess and prince consort — I came to the capital thinking they would all be terribly clever and noble people, and now that I see them, the whole family is made up of fools.”

As it happened, Zhù Ying thought so too, and said: “The late Emperor was clever.”

Su Zhe rolled her eyes grandly.

Zhù Ying flicked her on the forehead: “Put those eyes away. Where is Qingtian?”

“She went out.”

“When she comes back, have her come see me in the study.”

“Right away!”

Zhù Ying went to the study. She felt she had been rather restless and unsettled of late, and that was not good. She took out the letters from home for the year and reread them, trying to settle her mood.

The letters were full of concern and gentle reminders. They did not scheme to get anything from her — they only wanted her to be safe and well.

As she read, the events of these past days began rising again in her thoughts. Nothing but vexing affairs. In the beginning there had only been practical tasks needing to be done. Then the factional struggles were added. And now she was expected to concern herself even with the battles of the inner chambers?

Two conflicting impulses tugged at her, leaving her somewhat troubled.

There is no way to have everything in this world. If she could not have both, what should she do? How was she to choose?

Zhù Ying sat and was lost in thought for a while.

Until Zhù Qingtian came and knocked at the door.

Zhù Ying said: “Come in. I have something to give you.”

Zhù Qingtian said: “Yes — is it to find out some information, or to spread some information?”

“Go and find out whether there have been any cases of farmland being seized by force in the capital jurisdiction recently.”

Zhù Qingtian did not ask why, but agreed, then placed a calling card in front of Zhù Ying: “This just came in at the front gate — it is a card from Lord Yue’s household.”

Zhù Ying opened it and looked — it was a card from Yue Huan, inviting her the next day to come and admire flowers over tea. Zhù Ying had social dealings with Yue Huan, but they had already attended each other’s new year banquet once. Why another invitation?

Zhù Ying saw she still had time the next day, and decided to accept.

The following morning, Zhù Ying dressed in everyday clothes. She first paid her respects to Liu Songnian, planning to arrive at Yue Huan’s neighboring household a little later and conveniently take her lunch there.

Liu Songnian’s household was in the middle of packing up luggage. Zhù Ying asked in surprise: “What are you doing?”

“Can you not see? Packing up the luggage to return to my hometown. This saves me from having to inform you specially.”

Liu Songnian was not a native of the capital. Twenty or thirty years ago he had traveled the world, and later the late Emperor had summoned him back to the capital, where he had been confined ever since. Leaving — well, it was entirely to be expected.

But “just like that, leaving?”

Liu Songnian gave Zhù Ying a languid look: “What — am I no longer allowed to leave?”

Zhù Ying had thought his staying in the capital was in part out of some lingering attachment to Wang Yunhe.

Liu Songnian said coldly: “It is not as though one is a child, with little experience of the world, taking a single event or a single person to be one’s entire life.”

Zhù Ying nodded and said: “Be careful on the road. Do not go wandering to places too remote — you are no longer young, and your mouth does not spare people.”

Liu Songnian’s face was expressionless as he raised his palm. Zhù Ying laughed and retreated out the door, then went to eat at Yue Huan’s household.

Standing at the gate of Yue Huan’s household, Zhù Ying cast an extra glance toward the hitching post. There was a remarkably fine horse there — dark as a storm cloud with white hooves, a look of great spirit — that had not been there when she arrived.

The gatekeeper recognized her and smiled in welcome as he ushered her in: “My master and Lord Yang, the Directorate Rector, have been waiting for some time.”

“Lord Yang, the Directorate Rector?”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying was somewhat taken aback. She could not see what she and this Directorate Rector Yang had in common. She did not study or attend the Academy, and this Directorate Rector Yang — she had not heard of him before. Had he just been appointed in these past couple of days?

The previous Rector had taken sick leave before the new year, but the new year holiday was not yet over — tomorrow was the first day back at work. How had the appointment come through?

Full of questions, Zhù Ying stepped into Yue Huan’s household.

Yue Huan and Yang Jing were engaged in cheerful conversation. When he saw Zhù Ying arrive, Yue Huan rose and said: “Come, come! This is Zi Zhang!”

Yang Jing stood up, and Zhù Ying looked over. One look, and she had the same thought as Yue Huan — no wonder he was smiling so broadly.

Yang Jing was a strikingly handsome man. If one were to paint a portrait of a “gentleman of virtue,” the result would probably look something like him. Warm as fine jade, one felt upon seeing him that here was a person of upright and open character.

To have such a person in your household was reason enough to smile.