When the Emperor first collapsed, very few people noticed. Down below, the fighting was still at full pitch, fists still flying as they battled to determine a winner.

Not until Dou Peng cried out.

Du Shi’en panicked so badly he dropped the ceremonial horsetail whisk he was holding and rushed forward: “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

The Crown Prince was positioned extremely close to the Emperor’s seat. He also ran over, crying out in shock as he reached the Emperor’s side: “A’Die!”

Old and new incidents combined, this was already the third time a group brawl had broken out in the Emperor’s presence. Those at the front — the princes and senior ministers — had accumulated sufficient experience. They showed none of the panic of the first incident, and there was no situation like the first time, when Prince Lu had attempted to drag the then-Crown Prince — now the reigning Emperor — down with him. The majority of the ministers had not personally joined in the fighting.

Hearing them call out to the Emperor, Zhù Ying and the others rushed to encircle the Emperor as quickly as they could. Among the ministers, Zhù Ying was the youngest and most agile, and she reached the front first. Among the imperial family, Prince Qi was younger still, but the Crown Prince was blocking his path.

Dou Peng was furious and simultaneously filled with anxiety — he truly feared the Emperor might simply die of rage then and there, which would go down in the historical record!

Since the Emperor had already fainted, he dispensed with ceremony, immediately ordering the Imperial Guard on duty in the hall to maintain order and separate the two brawling factions: “No one is to leave! One by one, record all their names! I want to see who manages to escape!”

Chief Censor Wang also came forward with a dark expression: “Chief Minister Dou, leave this to me. You go and see to His Majesty.” He himself had not joined the brawl, yet there were even people from the Censorate who had participated. Very well — his mood had been wretched of late. He would see exactly who still chose to pour oil on the fire at a time like this!

The Crown Prince shed tears, crying: “A’Die!”

Xian Jing said: “Your Highness, now is not the time for weeping — please take charge of…”

Zhù Ying cut him off: “Summon the imperial physicians!”

The Emperor was carried into the inner hall by many hands. The imperial physicians came sprinting, practically dragged along by the eunuchs. Everyone else withdrew to outside the curtain. Dou Peng, the Crown Prince, and Prince Qi gathered at the bedside. Du Shi’en took back the ceremonial whisk that a junior eunuch passed to him, holding it at the head of the bed, all of them waiting for the imperial physician to announce the result of his examination.

The imperial physician was sweating heavily. In his mind, he rapidly drafted an outline of his will — then immediately rescinded it as his hand settled on the Emperor’s pulse. It seemed there might still be hope.

After considerable commotion, with medicine brewing in a pot over the stove and needles inserted at points across the Emperor’s body, the Emperor finally managed a recovery breath, and his breathing gradually returned to normal.

The imperial physician broke into a survivor’s smile: fortunately, it seemed he would not have to die after all.

At this point, Dou Peng and the assembled ministers finally had time to deal with other matters. There had already been a rehearsal in the late Emperor’s time — everyone knew the procedure when the Emperor had not yet regained consciousness. Dou Peng kept the imperial princes and close imperial relatives within the palace, sent the various ministries to continue their work as normal, had Chen Meng maintain order in the capital, and summoned the Imperial Guard commanders to secure the palace.

Xian Jing still wanted to say something and was dragged aside by Zhù Ying, who rushed forward and grabbed him: “Hold your tongue!” She physically hauled him to one side.

The Crown Prince glanced at them and followed along.

Xian Jing said in a low voice: “His Majesty is ill. The Crown Prince should oversee state affairs in his stead.”

Zhù Ying said bluntly: “Do you not plan on His Majesty recovering?”

“When His Majesty recovers to find all in good order, would he not be pleased? The Crown Prince may also build up his prestige…”

Zhù Ying asked without courtesy: “And then? His Majesty goes back to sleep permanently?”

Being Crown Prince was extraordinarily difficult. If the Emperor fell ill and recovered to find state affairs in disarray, the Crown Prince would be berated; if the Emperor fell ill and recovered to find the Crown Prince had handled everything with such ability that there was no room left for the Emperor himself to insert his hand — with the Emperor able to simply depart this world at that point — the fate of most Crown Princes would be more dangerous than a simple berating.

This particular Emperor had children and grandchildren in abundance. Who could know what was going through his mind!

Xian Jing said: “Between an emperor and his son, if the father is kind and the son is filial, how can one rashly speculate that there is discord?”

“There is no discord between father and son — but the Chief Advisor has enemies. Those enemies are in the process of becoming the Crown Prince’s enemies as well. You are too impatient.”

As things stood now, Zhù Ying — to say nothing of Zheng Xi — had no desire to let Xian Jing and his faction gain the upper hand. Let them obtain power, and the consequences would be severe.

Zhù Ying said: “Is perfect filial devotion so difficult? To let His Majesty ‘rest easy’ about entrusting all under heaven — the content of ‘rest easy’ is very broad! Beyond state affairs, there is also human feeling. Think more carefully about both His Majesty and His Highness. Only when both of them are well will all under heaven be settled.”

Xian Jing’s face coloured. “Are we simply to stand by with folded arms, then?”

“This is precisely the moment of His Majesty’s vulnerability,” Zhù Ying said to the Crown Prince. “Please, Your Highness, keep your sovereign father as your first priority. The members of the Chief Advisor’s Bureau have their lives and fortunes all tied to the Eastern Palace — concern for those they love leads to confusion. Please remain calm.”

Xian Jing grew anxious, because in his contest with the Zheng faction and the military nobles, he was not gaining the upper hand. If the Crown Prince took charge of governing, the situation would improve.

But that was simply not possible — unless these people dared to commit regicide here and now. Zhù Ying had no such plans, and looking at Xian Jing, he clearly lacked the boldness for it. He would only “follow the tide of events.”

The Crown Prince reacted very quickly. He made a swift bow and immediately expressed his thanks: “I am most grateful for this counsel. I ask the Minister to guide me.”

Zhù Ying said: “Your Highness is already Crown Prince — simply hold steady. Report to the Empress and ask her to take charge and stabilise the Six Palaces. At the Eastern Palace, please maintain a strict watch over your doors; allow no careless or boastful talk, lest joy turn to grief. The matter of pacifying the rebellion is already settled. Your Highness need not worry about it for now. Court governance has Chief Minister Dou. Your Highness need only attend diligently upon the Emperor during his illness. Without the Emperor’s approval and the counsel of the ministers, please take no rash action. Have the imperial princes attend upon the sick Emperor as well — you and your brothers must not be left alone individually. The Emperor has fallen ill; it now falls to you to protect your brothers and sisters, the consorts of the rear palace, and the elder imperial relatives. If Minister Shi, Minister Zheng, or Marquis Leng requests an audience, having them remain within the palace will make you safer.”

The Crown Prince took note of everything and asked: “And the Imperial Guard?”

“Will not Marquis Leng be coming? Do not deploy them yourself. With someone to hold things in check, that is sufficient. In all things — follow the Emperor’s lead.”

“Very well. Hao Dafang, go and request the Empress.”

Zhù Ying gave the Crown Prince and Xian Jing a hurried bow, then turned and departed.

——

People came and went. Shortly, Empress Mu arrived.

The moment she arrived she asked: “How is His Majesty?”

The imperial physician answered: “A sudden surge of fury and anger has struck him, compounded by his years. That is why he fainted. We have applied acupuncture. There is no danger to his life; he should regain consciousness within a day or two.”

Empress Mu first rewarded the imperial physician, then said: “What are you all crowding around here for? Chief Minister, whatever matters of state need attending to, please see to them. I will remain here.”

Dou Peng shepherded the ministers away in haste. The brawlers first had to be punished, then court regulations had to be reasserted, then official duties had to be attended to. Whether he liked it or not, he would once again be unable to return home for several days and would have to reside in the palace. He also sent word to Minister Shi Kun, Zheng Xi, and Marquis Leng, and lamented inwardly: Liu Songnian has gotten away! Otherwise, with Liu Songnian keeping watch at the Emperor’s side at a time like this, nothing would be more fitting.

Everyone was brought before the entrance to the Council of State. Those who had joined the brawl knew they had committed a grave offence and were filled with unease. After a long while, hearing no sound of wailing, and then seeing Dou Peng and the others emerge, they all let out a partial breath of relief.

As it happened, Dou Peng and Chief Censor Wang, after brief deliberation, joined with Minister of Justice Shi Ji’xing and Lin Zan from the Court of Judicial Review, and quickly reached a conclusion: demotion of three full ranks — each of them!

The brawlers were still straining their ears, waiting for the next clause, and heard no clause following it — no “to retain current duties on probation pending observation.” In some instances, “rank” and “post” do not perfectly align. In the first brawl during the late Emperor’s reign, for example, many had been demoted in rank while still carrying out their original duties, with no change to their actual power. Later, some ranks had gradually been restored; after the current Emperor’s accession, those who had not been implicated in Prince Lu’s rebellion had mostly returned to their former status, and some had even been promoted since.

This time there was no “retain current duties” — demotion it was, plain and simple.

Dou Peng watched them all staring back at him, mouths rounded like koi in a pond, and thought: Serves you right! Are you waiting to be kept around for another round of fighting? What useful work have any of you done?

Just the right occasion to sweep out this disorderly lot and bring in some fresh faces with clean records.

Having dealt with this matter, Dou Peng issued a solemn warning: “Not a word about what has happened within the palace is to be let out! Lest all under heaven be thrown into unrest! Whoever lets it out — I will personally deal with them!”

“Yes.”

Dou Peng then proceeded to assign various matters of court governance. In particular, for the task of supplying the troops pacifying the civil unrest, Zhù Ying also received her assignment. She listened attentively to the end and then returned to the Ministry of Revenue to attend to business.

Upon arriving at the Ministry of Revenue, she found the officials there crowding around her from all sides. Word of the Emperor fainting had not yet spread, but Zhù Ying and the others had returned later than usual, and everyone had guessed that something had happened.

Zhù Ying took the opportunity to hold a morning briefing: “Put all your hearts at rest. Mind the work you have in hand. The wind has yet to reach us here.”

“Yes.”

Very shortly, Minister Shi, Minister Zheng, and Marquis Leng all entered the palace, taking up positions by the Emperor’s bedside. Prince Qi and the other imperial relatives were instead arranged by the Empress to rest in a side hall. Prince Qi paced endlessly within the side hall, appearing somewhat agitated.

Prince Wei walked to Prince Qi’s side: “Do not panic.”

Prince Qi called out “Uncle,” then said: “How can I not be anxious? When grandfather was lying there in those days, surely you too were anxious — please understand my position. I have no heart for conversation right now.”

A flash of envy crossed Prince Wei’s eyes. Speaking of the late Emperor inevitably led to the fact that during the late Emperor’s reign, military authority had been held with an iron grip — no one had any access to it. Even Leng, Zheng, and the others had spent many years in retirement at home; later the late Emperor had even arranged for their sons to take up civil official positions. So at the time, everyone had disregarded this condition, assuming that smearing one’s brothers, cultivating connections with ministers, and pleasing the father was the way to obtain the position of Crown Prince.

As things turned out, it was still Prince Lu who had been most favoured and had spent the most time at the late Emperor’s side. From that proximity he had somehow intuited on his own the importance of using the Imperial Guard. Although he ultimately failed, his approach had been the most correct one. It was only after Prince Lu’s defeat and downfall that Prince Wei suddenly understood, and he had subsequently tried to persuade Prince Zhao — now Emperor — to make greater use of imperial relatives in positions of authority, the real aim being to use the opportunity to reach for a share of power. That ambition had ultimately gone unfulfilled.

And now? His very own elder brother, the Emperor, had sent his second son to provide comfort to the troops during a military campaign and to inspect the borders — establishing a connection with the military.

How could one not be envious? If in those earlier years the late Emperor had given him such an opportunity…

Prince Wei said softly: “Your father dotes on you — he let you cultivate connections with the generals. Not like us, who were never allowed to handle military affairs throughout the late Emperor’s entire reign, until his death.”

Prince Qi stared blankly for a moment, blinking.

As the two were about to say more, sounds of weeping came from the direction of the great hall — the Princesses and imperial consorts had received the news and arrived.

——

The Princesses wept for a while. Since the Emperor was still unconscious and could not hear them, the sounds gradually subsided.

Empress Mu dried her tears and asked Princess Anren: “I heard you were also ill — are you better now? Yet you’ve made this tiring journey.”

If the Emperor fainting had any silver lining, it was that Princess Anren’s illness had improved.

Her illness was half driven by indignation, half by shame and resentment, with just a sliver of dread mixed in. The moment the Emperor fell ill, half her own illness had vanished as if by magic — she had risen from her sickbed at once and come to the palace together with her daughter-in-law Princess Yongping.

The Empress having asked, Princess Anren replied: “As long as I can still move, I wanted to come and see His Majesty.”

Empress Mu was so moved she choked up again: “It means so much, having you all here. With His Majesty’s illness, I find myself…”

At the bedside, the favoured attendants on sick duty had been replaced with a new group. In the late Emperor’s time, Princess Yongping had always been among the essential attendants; now that position had shifted to the Crown Prince, Princess Mingyi, and others.

Times had changed, Princess Yongping thought with an inward sigh. She gently consoled the Empress: “People eat the five grains — none is free from illness. Sister-in-law, please set your mind at ease. You would not want my brother to recover only to find that you have exhausted yourself into illness — that would only make him worry in turn.”

Empress Mu said: “I would rather this illness were on my own body.”

The group again broke into quiet sobs.

After the weeping subsided, Empress Mu said: “There is no need for everyone to remain here — take turns attending at the sickbed.” She added that Princess Anren was advanced in years and had just recovered from illness herself, urging her to go home and rest. She had her son and daughter-in-law see the Princess off.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess first saw Princess Yongping and Princess Anren out of the great hall.

Princess Anren was about to say something, but Princess Yongping spoke first, asking her daughter and son-in-law: “Is the Eastern Palace’s eldest boy still being raised in the Empress’s quarters?”

The Crown Prince answered: “He is.”

Princess Yongping stroked her daughter’s cheek, with its still-lingering baby softness — a young woman’s face, soft and fine, with a delicate layer of down, a face so tender it would melt one’s heart at a touch. Princess Yongping’s heart filled with gentle maternal warmth.

Princess Yongping said: “At present, the Empress cannot leave His Majesty’s side, and the eldest boy is still very young — he cannot be without someone to care for him. If there were the slightest oversight and the child suffered for it, the Empress would feel terrible, would she not? Why not bring him back to the Eastern Palace? His birth mother is still there — have her look after him for a while. That way everyone can be at ease, and you may both attend upon the sick Emperor with peace of mind.”

The Crown Prince reflected briefly, finding Princess Yongping’s suggestion sound. “What you say is quite right. I will go and speak with Mother now. Had you not brought this up, I would never have thought of it.”

“Just the sort of thing a woman should know and think about,” Princess Yongping said modestly. She gave her daughter a few more instructions before departing.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess also lost no time, turning to go inside and convey the matter to Empress Mu. Empress Mu looked at the Emperor lying ill in the bed, then looked at the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and hesitated somewhat.

Crown Princess Luo Yi said: “Bring him back. The Eastern Palace is large enough. This should be my responsibility.”

“My good child — you are very thoughtful,” Empress Mu said. “It has been a burden on you.”

That very day, Crown Princess Luo Yi sent Lan De to the Empress’s quarters, and the Eastern Palace’s eldest child — along with all his necessary belongings, his nursemaid, and his wet nurse — was moved to and settled in the Eastern Palace.

His birth mother, a palace attendant, looked on with eyes full of expectation. But the small child no longer remembered her. Small hands clutching the nursemaid’s garment, he stared wide-eyed at this woman stretching open her arms toward him. The atmosphere was both poignant and awkward.

The nursemaid coaxed him for some time before the child finally ceased his tearful expression. The palace attendant drew back her arms, straightened herself, and said: “Come this way.”

The Eastern Palace grew all the livelier — three children now: the eldest was just at the age of running and jumping, the youngest knew only eating and sleeping, and the middle one was at the age of crying the moment no one was watching him.

In all this bustling confusion for two days, the Emperor regained consciousness!

——

While the Emperor lay ill, the morning court had been suspended. Any matters were submitted in written form to the Council of State, or settled through private arrangements. A good many officials had been recently dismissed, and the Ministry of Personnel had not yet had time to fill all the vacancies. Yao Zhen promptly ordered: “Hold for now — await His Majesty’s instructions.”

He brought a list of names and pressed his way to the Emperor’s sickbed.

The Emperor was already able to sit up, but his spirits were poor and his speech showed a measure of weakness: “Demoted three ranks? That’s right — that’s right…”

Dou Peng was terrified the Emperor would say they all should be executed, and quickly interjected: “Following the precedent from the late Emperor’s time, the punishment was demotion…”

“The ringleaders — have they all been dismissed?” the Emperor asked.

Dou Peng said: “Without Your Majesty’s directive, this minister dared not act unilaterally. I will see to it immediately.”

The Emperor muttered: “All… should be dismissed.”

Dou Peng pretended not to hear.

The Emperor asked again: “The military campaign — how does it go?”

Dou Peng said: “The troops are already en route — all is under control. Yesterday’s report indicates they should by now have arrived. Deploying formations and launching the encirclement will take some additional time. A victory report should arrive within days.”

The Emperor nodded.

Seeing that the Emperor had nothing further to say, both men took their leave together.

——

Zhù Ying encountered Dou and Yao outside the hall. The junior eunuch, making no great show of it, put away his fan. He watched as the three exchanged nods of acknowledgment.

Word came from within that the Emperor would receive Zhù Ying.

Zhù Ying entered the hall, performed the full obeisance, and felt a faint thread of uncertainty in her heart.

She had been summoned by the Emperor. At the Ministry of Revenue there were no pressing matters at the moment. The grain and provisions for the front had already been dispatched; a minor disaster had been reported two days ago, and she had already coordinated the response. This year’s budget had not yet reached the stage of presenting it to the Emperor. With the autumn harvest not yet in, the regional governors had not come to the capital either. She truly could not guess why the Emperor had asked her to come.

The Emperor first bid her be seated, and Zhù Ying thanked him and sat. She glanced at Du Shi’en. Du Shi’en returned a perfectly expressionless look — he had no idea what the Emperor intended either.

Zhù Ying focused her full attention on the Emperor and waited for him to speak. The Emperor asked in a weakened voice: “Do you know whether the people in the Imperial Guard can be relied upon?”

Hearing this, Zhù Ying started slightly. She asked in return: “Relied upon?”

Perhaps sensing the ambiguity in his own words, the Emperor immediately added: “Who among them is loyal and trustworthy, capable of guarding our person and ensuring the security of the imperial palace.”

These words left Zhù Ying feeling more puzzled still. Was someone actually threatening the Emperor’s safety? But this did not prevent her from answering at once: “This minister is only superficially acquainted with the palace garrison and would not dare speak rashly. I ask Your Majesty to be cautious — a characterisation of ‘loyal’ or ‘disloyal’ can end a man’s life.”

The Emperor nodded: “I understand. Just answer.”

“What circumstances does Your Majesty have in mind when speaking of loyalty and reliability?”

In the Emperor’s estimation, Zhù Ying was reliable. When Prince Lu had launched his rebellion, Zhù Ying’s stance had been rock-solid. Liu Songnian’s and Wang Yunhe’s stances had also been entirely satisfactory to him — at such moments he could remember that Wang Yunhe was a good man. But Wang Yunhe was now dead, and Liu Songnian had already left the capital. At present, this Zhù Ying — who had kept watch through the night outside the late Emperor’s chambers — was someone he trusted greatly.

He spoke plainly: “If something were to happen to me — who could protect my safety? If I were to fall gravely ill, as the late Emperor did — who is reliable and could provide a protective cordon around me? Who could ensure that no treacherous ministers could carry out any conspiracy? Who could ensure the continuity of my imperial sacrifices?”

His eyes fixed intently upon Zhù Ying.

Zhù Ying quickly rose from her seat and knelt: “Your Majesty is in the prime of life and vigour — why speak such words?”

The Emperor said: “I am taking precautions before they are needed. I want reliable people. From your assessment, who is reliable? No need to evade the question.”

Zhù Ying already had a plan in mind. She maintained an appearance of thoughtful consideration for some time before speaking: “A person without foresight will find trouble at his doorstep. Since Your Majesty has condescended to ask, this minister will speak without pretence. If Your Majesty is concerned for your safety, two things may be done. The first is to carefully select trustworthy young men to form a close personal guard around Your Majesty. The second is to summon a reliable and controllable elite force to form a protective cordon around Your Majesty.”

“Speak in detail.”

Zhù Ying said: “Carefully selecting the loyal sons of faithful ministers to surround Your Majesty constitutes close personal protection. Summoning a reliable force serves to deter external threats from daring to cause chaos.”

“Who are the candidates for each?”

“Your Majesty’s personal attendants should all be selected from the sons of senior ministers — Your Majesty knows them better than this minister does. As for the troops — this minister knows little, being most familiar only with the northern territories. When this minister was in the north, she employed Wen Yue to train and drill a new army, selecting good sons from respectable northern families. Their families are all in the north; they are not the personal troops inherited by any particular general or individual. Their rations and pay are all allocated directly by the Ministry of Revenue, subject to no one’s control. Wen Yue’s father was originally a junior officer under Marquis Zheng, but he himself served in the Imperial Guard for many years. His loyalty is also established.”

“Zheng… Chai Lingyuan — he is Zheng Xi’s nephew of a sort, isn’t he?”

Zhù Ying thought inwardly: What are you pretending for? You served as Prince Zhao for decades — can you possibly not know the family connections of people outside the palace?

But she said aloud: “More or less — the son of a first cousin or the like.” And then she laughed.

“What is it?” the Emperor asked.

Zhù Ying said: “His uncle beat his nephew — Minister Zheng had Chai Lingyuan tied up and gave him a good thrashing. Half the capital knows about it.”

“He is being overly cautious. I have never blamed it on him.”

“This minister rather thinks it was a warning to others — showing them not to follow the example and cause a scene. Minister Zheng has always had no patience for people who cause unnecessary trouble, and this time he was genuinely angry.”

The Emperor laughed: “That is true of him — he has let people breathe easy since he was small, and plenty of people have taken out their resentment of his praises on him.”

“This minister came to the capital rather late and had not heard this story. But to receive praise is naturally also to receive some resentment — that is the natural order of things.”

The Emperor listened with great attentiveness and finally nodded: “That is so. Draw up a list of personal attendants and bring it to me.”

Zhù Ying said: “This minister is filled with trepidation.”

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively: “Why be modest? Go. And be quick about it.”

Zhù Ying had no choice but to accept the assignment and depart.

Compiling the list of personal attendants was not at all complicated for Zhù Ying. The Emperor already had personal attendants — they were all sons of powerful families. The son of Leng Yun, for instance, had been incorporated into the personal attendants after Marquis Leng’s triumphant return. What Zhù Ying needed to do was insert a few additional people. For example: Chen Meng’s son Chen Mei, or the son of Shi Ji’xing, or Zheng Xi’s second son.

She had made this choice after careful consideration. All of these individuals were of sufficiently high birth, none of them foolish, and none of them extreme in temperament. Their fathers and grandfathers were all considered pillars of the court. More importantly, with a son positioned at the Emperor’s side, Zheng Xi’s access to information would be more fluid — which would spare Zhù Ying the trouble of personally hovering around Zheng Xi. Maintaining a certain distance was necessary.

The list was sent to the Emperor with great speed and approved with equal speed. The Emperor reviewed the list with satisfaction. Zheng Xi, for instance — in those early days, it had been Wang Yunhe and others who had dispatched Zheng Xi outside the city gates to welcome the then-Crown Prince, now Emperor, back for his enthronement. Minister Shi Kun had been the one to wisely withdraw at the peak of his influence, also having rendered service in supporting Prince Zhao’s ascension as Crown Prince, and further supporting his accession. And Chen Meng’s recent behaviour of maintaining impartiality had earned him considerable favour with the Emperor.

Setting aside those already at the Emperor’s side, the remaining individuals’ families had either arranged civil service careers for them or already had positions in mind. But at this point Zhù Ying made personal visits to each family, inserting them into the list one by one.

Once this list was released, many people concluded that Zhù Ying’s allegiances were now clearly established.

It was not that Zhù Ying had deliberately excluded the sons of Xian Jing and his circle. But to serve as the Emperor’s personal attendants, one’s father or grandfather’s rank had to reach a certain level. After Wang Yunhe’s departure, virtually no one in Xian Jing’s faction had attained such a rank. Moreover, their sons were all focused on studying and sitting for the civil examinations, occasionally recommending each other — they simply were not on this particular path.

As each name on the list was confirmed, the final position settled, the Emperor wrote in his own hand: summon Wen Yue to bring his troops to the capital.

The moment the edict was issued, there was another round of celebrating in the Zheng household. Zhù Ying did not go to the Zheng residence but instead returned home to share an evening meal with her own household.

During the meal, Su Zhe asked without restraint: “A’Weng, have you thrown your support behind Minister Zheng? Then why not go to his house? Waiting for him to come and ask, perhaps? Or…”

Zhù Ying shook her head: “I simply do not want the court to descend into chaos again. Minister Zheng happened to be passing by and has benefited from this — nothing more.”

Zhao Su said: “I fear Chief Advisor Xian does not see it that way.”

Zhù Ying said: “He can think what he likes. No new policy was ever easy to make succeed. One cannot expect him to merely point from above and pronounce things ‘new’ and cry out a ‘righteous cause’ and have others charge forward and sacrifice everything for him, can one?

I respect Chief Minister Wang because Chief Minister Wang did things himself — not merely because of what he said. Xian Jing in his earlier days did accomplish something, which is why I travelled a portion of the road alongside him. Now that he has lost himself in confusion, surely we are not obliged to wander along with him and get lost as well?

With Chief Minister Wang gone, what I resent is not Zheng Xi.

There are always people in this world who are impassioned and willing to shed their blood when they are lowly and unknown, but who, having gained fame and profit, become repulsive — transforming into the very faces they once despised. Wen Yue has replaced the Wen Yue he once was; Xian Jing has killed the Xian Jing he once was.

We must all examine ourselves — and not let our own faces become difficult to look at.”

The moment Wang Yunhe was mentioned, everyone set down their chopsticks. There were a great many leftovers at that meal.

——

These past two days, Xian Jing had not escaped his own share of irritation. After Yu Qingyuan was banished, the flow of scholars in and out of his household had not lessened. Some were young and hot-blooded, some carried great ambitions — all gathering around him.

A young man dressed as a scholar said: “And still you call Zhù Ying impartial and just. Looking at things now, he is nothing more than another guest at the door of the powerful.”

Xian Jing said: “Do not address him by name directly.”

The scholar said: “He is no pure minister. Since he came to the capital, the power of southerners has grown enormously — do you know? Southern scholars who have received official appointments through his hand number no fewer than a hundred! Those whose promotions have been delayed — without even opening their mouths, a single review through him with a note of ‘diligent and capable’ is enough to speak on their behalf. Southerners call him the ‘Bodhisattva.’ Southern scholars in the capital worship two divine figures: they worship the God of Literature first, then go and worship the Bodhisattva as a byword. Is this not factionalism?

And his connections with Chen and Shi…”

“Enough!” Xian Jing cut him off with a raised voice. “Who are you, to come here and accuse a senior minister?”

A middle-aged man at his side said: “What he says is not entirely wrong, actually.”

He was dressed in casual clothes, but from the way he stroked his beard, shook out his sleeves, and lifted his teacup, he was clearly an official — what one might call carrying one’s professional bearing in one’s very bones. Such a person would find it very difficult to conceal their identity and rank during any supposed “incognito visit.”

Xian Jing gave him a sharp look and said: “You too — rein yourself in. You nearly came to blows with Chai Lingyuan!”

The middle-aged man smiled slightly: “It was he who impulsively struck others in the end, lost his official position — I am still perfectly fine. A prodigal riding on his ancestors’ coattails is nothing more than that! Minister Zhù has always looked out for their sort — in the end, he has stooped to the lower road. Unlike Sacrificial Scholar Yang, who swept through the Imperial Academy with swift resolve, bringing a completely new atmosphere. Elder brother, why not pay a visit to Sacrificial Scholar Yang?”

As it turned out, this man was the very Ministry of Rites bureau chief who had quarrelled with Chai Lingyuan. He was also Xian Jing’s younger brother. He had argued with Chai Lingyuan until both grew furious, but Chai Lingyuan had been drawn into the physical fight while he himself had slipped away — he was not among those who were demoted.

Xian Jing thought inwardly: Now there is a donkey-brain! I am not equal to Sacrificial Scholar Yang, but I can only hope that among Yang’s students there may be someone who can be shaped into talent.

I will need to pay Sacrificial Scholar Yang a visit.

The middle-aged man was now lecturing the young scholar: “Young man, do not be impulsive. Impulsiveness only traps you in someone else’s scheme. What you want is to make your opponent lose their temper and make mistakes.”

The young scholar’s lips curved slightly upward. He could no longer contain himself: “How is it that Zheng Yan came to be reported?”

Everyone stared at him in surprise, weighing the meaning of his words: “Was it you?”

The scholar smiled — very demurely restrained.

Xian Jing said: “Enough. That is all for today. It is getting late; soon there will be the curfew. His Majesty has only just recovered — everyone be more restrained and do not stir up trouble.”

——

Xian Jing assumed that with his warning, matters would settle down for a while. Unexpectedly, the very next day, Ministry of Rites bureau chief Xian Yujing delivered him a great shock!

The next day finally brought the court audience at which the Emperor would appear in person.

At such an audience, by convention nothing complex would be reported face to face — major matters had all been written up as memorials, screened by the Council of State and submitted. Everyone performed their obeisances, after which Dou Peng first reported the victory, then selected several smaller matters that had already been arranged and presented them to the Emperor. There was a brief discussion in court, a formality was maintained, and then the court session ended.

That day, the Emperor prepared to listen to Yang Jing’s instruction to the Crown Prince in the classics and principles of governance. The others gradually dispersed. Du Shi’en lingered a couple of steps behind and called out to Zhù Ying, and the two exchanged a few words in low voices.

At this very moment, Xian Yujing grinned and pointed at the two of them, saying to the colleagues around him: “Look at those two, both enjoying the Emperor’s special trust and favour — they could be called ‘Twin Jades.'”

The moment these words were spoken, two or three people around him joined in with matching laughter, the mockery undisguised. Those further away who heard it changed colour at once, not daring to join in. The tips of their feet turned in a different direction, walking around Xian Yujing and his group. Those two or three were left isolated at the centre, with the crowd giving them a wide berth, leaving a great circular empty space around them.

Chen Meng, after leaving the palace, still had affairs at the Capital Prefecture to attend to and was walking at a quick pace. Xian Yujing’s words fell directly into his ears. Upon hearing them, Chen Meng was furious! He raised his ivory tablet and was about to stride forward, only to be pulled back by Shi Ji’xing: “His Majesty has not yet gone far! Is there not always time to deal with such a creature?”

Chen Meng quickly calmed himself. True — at this moment it was nothing more than a throwaway remark. If he made a scene about it, if it grew into a great commotion, then everyone would know about “Twin Jades.” Chen Meng said through gritted teeth: “He can wait for me!” He would not rest until he had investigated every last detail about Xian Yujing’s family back eighteen generations — otherwise he’d be ashamed to call himself Chen!