“Hey.” A voice cut short Chen Meng and Shi Ji’xing’s conversation.

The two of them followed the sound with their eyes. Not far away stood a man in red official robes.

Zhao Su.

Chen Meng felt a headache coming on, afraid that Zhao Su might act impulsively and blow things up on the spot.

“This is bad,” Chen Meng said.

Shi Ji’xing also looked over. “Him?”

The two exchanged a glance and stepped forward simultaneously, preparing to intervene.

Both of them knew: it was Zhù Ying who had brought Zhao Su out of the pestilent mists of Wuzhou. She had helped him gain admittance to the academy, helped him enter officialdom, supported him all along the road, until he wore the crimson robes.

Many sons of prominent families’ branch lines were still serving as minor officials in green robes in their forties, grinding away at seniority in remote postings. And Zhao Su? Just reaching forty, with no family connections, no influential in-laws, no teacher to claim as patron — and under Zhù Ying’s cultivation, he had already become an official able to attend court. The fifth rank: a threshold countless people never crossed in an entire lifetime.

To say nothing of an adoptive parent — even a blood father who could accomplish this was not common. If Zhao Su was willing to put his life on the line for Zhù Ying, Chen Meng believed it entirely.

Right now, Chen Meng was hoping Zhao Su would refrain from being quite so loyal — if he made a great scene and drew everyone’s attention to the “Twin Jades” connection between Zhù Ying and Du Shi’en, that would be terrible.

Chen Meng quickened his pace and reached out his hand — only to hear: “What’s the matter?”

It was Xian Yujing who had taken up the challenge.

The person who stirs up trouble dreads nothing more than being ignored. Xian Yujing had already been anxious that no one was engaging with him. When the vast empty circle had opened up around him and his small group, he had begun to sense that something might be rather off — but unfortunately one cannot unstring a drawn bow.

With Zhao Su rising to the challenge, he found his spirit returning. He tilted his chin in Zhao Su’s direction and responded with his own question.

Chen Meng’s headache worsened.

Zhao Su’s expression remained perfectly unruffled. He did not address Xian Yujing, but spoke instead to the people standing around him: “What is wrong with all of you — allowing a donkey to bray and wail openly in the palace grounds without dragging it away and stuffing bean cakes in its mouth?”

“Pfft,” Chen Meng let out a laugh despite himself. “Ha ha ha ha.”

Shi Ji’xing also could not help but smile. The laughter spread and infected many others, and amid the wave of laughter, Xian Yujing’s face swelled a deep red.

At this point, the Emperor, Crown Prince, Dou Peng, Yang Jing, Xian Jing and the others had all proceeded toward the Eastern Palace. Zhù Ying had also finished speaking with Du Shi’en. Du Shi’en took a few quick steps to catch up with the group. Neither of them knew that anything had happened.

Zhù Ying drifted slowly toward the sound of the laughter, still unclear on what had just occurred. As she drew closer, she heard Xian Yujing’s strained voice: “Who are you, to dare speak such impudence in the palace grounds?”

Zhao Su flicked the hem of his robe lightly and said in a soft voice: “I am a barbarian.”

Seeing that Zhao Su was managing perfectly well on his own, Zhù Ying stopped where she was to observe first.

Chen Meng laughed out loud again. Truly too entertaining.

At this juncture, if Zhù Ying engaged with Xian Yujing — regardless of what response she gave — it would amount to acknowledging that Xian Yujing was qualified to debate with her, implicitly elevating his standing. If Zhù Ying engaged and Xian Yujing lost, he had nothing to lose; if he won, his gains would be doubled.

So Zhù Ying should absolutely not step in at this moment. This is also why “lesser figures” are often able to say whatever they please.

Zhao Su was different — he was Zhù Ying’s adoptive son, a bureau chief of the Ministry of Revenue, his rank the equal of Xian Yujing’s. Perfectly matched.

What Chen Meng found puzzling was: could Xian Jing really be this foolish? To allow Xian Yujing to act so… idiotically?

Zhao Su was not a pushover, after all.

Like master, like student — if not seven-tenths similar to Zhù Ying, at least five-tenths.

Xian Yujing retorted: “Proudly claiming to be a barbarian, feeling no shame and taking it as honour — does that give you the right to do as you please?”

Zhao Su smiled: “I was born of a Liao woman — what need is there to ‘proudly claim’ anything?”

He noticed that Zhù Ying had begun to walk in his direction, and quickly delivered the second half: “By the grace of Minister Zhù’s refusal to look down on me, I was taught the principles of civilisation and given the opportunity to serve the court. Minister Zhù personally ventured into the pestilent mist-filled lands, guided the cultivation of fields, educated the barbarian peoples. Since she has managed the Ministry of Revenue, the granaries have been full and plentiful — making it possible for even a pig like you, who deserves only swill, to eat his fill, and yet you stand there with the energy to curse the cook.”

The refined methods of cursing Xian Yujing knew a thousand of. But Zhao Su’s direct, vivid manner of calling him a pig and a donkey left him without an “equivalent” comeback. He was stuck. He stretched out his hand, pointing at Zhao Su, and sputtered: “You — you are an absolute disgrace to decorum!”

Those watching let out a disappointed murmur — this time Xian Yujing had failed to respond in kind.

A few of his friends, having come to their senses, realised he had lost this round and quickly pulled him to one side: “Do not give in to a momentary show of words.”

Zhao Su was about to press his advantage when Zhù Ying arrived: “What happened?”

Zhao Su bowed respectfully toward Zhù Ying: “Nothing.”

“Ah. Then let’s head back — there is still work to be done.”

“Yes.”

It was already the end of summer, and preparations for next year’s budget needed to begin. Starting now would allow for a measured pace; there would be no need to rush as they had the previous year, and everything could be considered more thoroughly.

Zhù Ying gave a nod of acknowledgment to Chen Meng, Shi Ji’xing, and other familiar faces. By now those who did not need to go to the Eastern Palace had gradually gathered nearby.

Leng Yun sauntered out with an unhurried air, looked at Xian Yujing being dragged away, and spat: “What sort of creature!”

Zhù Ying asked: “What happened?”

The word “Twin Jades” — she had not heard it. She could only guess that someone had said something bad about her. No one present felt comfortable explaining it to her at that moment.

Leng Yun clapped Zhao Su on the shoulder: “Go home and explain slowly to your adoptive parent.” Then to Zhù Ying: “If you need help with anything, just say the word.” And with that, he sauntered off again.

Chen Meng had already made up his mind. Without saying a word, he also left the palace grounds.

——

Zhù Ying walked back toward the Ministry of Revenue. The expression on Zhao Su’s face remained very unpleasant. Though he had bested Xian Yujing, the term “Twin Jades” had now been put into circulation — people who bore Zhù Ying ill will would very likely use it to stir up trouble. It was truly revolting.

And he had only managed to call Xian Yujing two types of animals — the adjectives hadn’t been particularly memorable either. Xian Yujing had gotten off lightly!

The more he thought about it the angrier he became, and he began to consider whether it might be possible to ambush Xian Yujing en route and stuff him in a sack for a beating. After all, court audiences were held before dawn when the sky was still dark — a thorough beating from behind, and who could identify the attacker?

No — he had just had a public confrontation with Xian Yujing. If Xian Yujing were beaten now, would that not leave obvious traces pointing back to him?

He would need to plan more carefully.

Before he had finished planning, the Ministry of Revenue had arrived. Ye Deng, Li Yuan, and several other bureau chiefs had by now more or less learned what had just happened. They looked toward Zhao Su. Zhao Su gave them a nod. Zhù Ying noticed their exchange but acted as though she had not, going ahead with the routine morning briefing and assigning work on the budget preparations.

Then she said to Zhao Su: “Come with me.”

Ye Deng and the others had no heart for their work and pricked up their ears to listen.

A moment later, the faint sound of Zhù Ying’s laughter drifted over, and everyone’s hearts relaxed.

As soon as Zhao Su came out of Zhù Ying’s office, Ye Deng called him over; Li Yuan was already inside. Neither asked about what had happened earlier — they simply looked at Zhao Su’s expression. Though he was not smiling, that very unpleasant look was already gone. Ye Deng carelessly picked up a document and handed it to Zhao Su to handle.

Zhao Su accepted it, gave a bow, and walked out.

Back at his own desk, he opened the document and let out a long sigh — it was the report on the investigation of Yanzhou’s household registrations that he had handed to Ye Deng just yesterday…

Zhao Su closed the document and continued pondering how to deal with Xian Yujing.

As a plan was gradually taking shape in his mind, this “interlude” was also slowly spreading through the city. Compared with “Twin Jades,” “braying donkey” and “pig who deserves only swill” were considerably more vivid and accessible — easier to circulate. Before long, a great many people within and without the palace grounds had heard of the incident. As the working day came to a close and each person dispersed to their respective corners of the city, this story would inevitably travel with them.

The moment the court session ended, Zheng Yi ran to Zheng Xi’s home and relayed the day’s events in their entirety.

Zheng Xi said: “Children are debts. I had not thought that Xian Jing’s brother would also be a debt.”

“Lord Seventh, should we do something?” Zheng Yi asked. “Surely we cannot just let Sanlang be slandered by that pig?”

Zheng Xi said: “I will go and see him personally.”

Zheng Xi took a simple, unobtrusive retinue and came to Zhù Ying’s home.

Zhù Ying was just returning home, surrounded by Zhao Su and others. Today’s events had been a significant matter for the “southern contingent.” The southern scholars were all in a state of collective indignation!

This was an interesting phenomenon: to Xian Jing’s faction, the military aristocracy represented an obstacle to their own advancement. As it happened, to the southern scholars, northerners represented the very same thing. Zhù Ying was willing to assist the southern scholars, and now that someone was moving against Zhù Ying, the southern scholars were naturally outraged.

The two groups met at the gate. Zhù Ying was first to bow to Zheng Xi; Zheng Xi returned the bow. Some among the southern scholars quickly recognised Zheng Xi and called out greetings in a clamour. Zheng Xi nodded back with a smile: “Every one of them a capable and accomplished person.” A single phrase was enough to leave many people feeling a surge of emotion.

He had come; the others all withdrew to a side parlour to wait. Zhù Ying invited Zheng Xi to the main hall and to the seat of honour.

Zheng Xi dispensed with niceties. He came straight to the point: “I heard about today’s affair at the palace. Xian Yujing — what do you plan to do about it?”

Zhù Ying said: “Him? No need for me to handle it.”

“Zhao Su is a real talent!” Zheng Xi expressed his admiration, then continued: “This matter touches on me to some extent as well. I cannot simply let you suffer for nothing. But when I act, I won’t be moving against only one person.”

Zhù Ying looked at Zheng Xi calmly: “You haven’t yet been restored to your position, and you’re already laying out a grand strategy?”

Zheng Xi sighed: “Is this considered grand? Xian Jing is still the Crown Prince’s Chief Advisor — I must be careful not to harm the more valuable by trying to protect the lesser. Giving them a lesson so that they behave themselves for a while — that I can manage.” Same position, very different fates!

“Indeed — the Crown Prince,” Zhù Ying said quietly.

Zheng Xi said: “If you truly want me to act — no longer considering Chief Minister Wang’s old friendship?”

Zhù Ying replied: “Chief Minister Wang? Where is he now? They have not even a tenth of his bearing left.”

Zheng Xi said: “Very well then. Xian Yujing is just a wild boastful scholar — anyone who takes his words as truth would be making a laughingstock of themselves.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Du Shi’en has rendered service to the nation. He once saved His Majesty from an assassin’s blade. If I too could one day turn the tide in some desperate moment, then this journey would not have been in vain.”

“To say such things in praise of a eunuch — even if it is the truth, it is not appropriate to say in public.”

“This is my own home — here there is only you and I.”

Zheng Xi said: “Very well — you need not concern yourself with this matter.” He gestured casually toward the direction of the side parlour. “Attend to those guests. Young people are easily impulsive; if they don’t listen, they’ll cause trouble.”

“Understood.”

Once Zheng Xi left, the southern scholars, under Zhao Su’s lead, came to pay their respects to Zhù Ying. In the interval when Zheng Xi and Zhù Ying had been speaking, Zhao Su, Zhuo Jue, and others had already been in discussion with the assembled southern scholars about how to respond.

Zhao Su had set the tone: “Rebuttal is the most useless approach. What’s needed is a more sensational piece of news to push this one aside.”

Zhuo Jue also laughed: “Is it not simply about who can shout louder? They may well be scholars of the hour, but our voice cannot be small either! We have many fellow southerners, all of whom have gained their appointments and promotions through the Minister’s hand. There are also people of ours in the local regions — let us give them a good account of things and spread the word. A pack of ungrateful wretches who bite the hand that feeds them!”

Zhao Zhen heard this and chimed in: “Exactly! The Minister has worked for the country and the people — what has she not done? And a single braying donkey thinks it can smear her reputation? Out of the question!”

Zhao Su reminded them once more: “Do not mention what Xian Yujing said!”

“Right, right.”

——

Meanwhile, Xian Jing had also learned what his brother had gone and done.

He summoned his brother before him and said furiously: “This mouth of yours — you must also know the time and place, and the person! Zhù Zi’zhang is no mediocre dead-weight, so why did you go out of your way to insult him? And you ended up being ridiculed in return!”

Xian Yujing’s face flushed deep red: “He is obviously of the Zheng faction, intent on monopolising power and shutting out all worthy men!”

Xian Jing said: “And what of it? According to you, how should the Imperial Guard be allocated? This is not something you are in any position to discuss. The Emperor’s personal attendants have always required sons of the nobility and aristocracy — who else could serve? If you have such eagerness, go and accomplish something tangible. You — I will speak with Minister Yao, and arrange for you to go to a local posting. Experience firsthand what the people’s lives are actually like.”

Xian Yujing said: “If I leave, you will have one fewer person helping you in the capital!”

“Do as I say.” Xian Jing swallowed the profanity back down. You helping me?!

“Oh.”

“Tidy yourself up, and come with me to Minister Zhù’s residence to apologise.”

“What? I will not go!” Xian Yujing leapt up — wild horses could not drag him there. No matter what Xian Jing said, the more he was pressed, the more Xian Yujing bolted from the room.

Xian Jing drew a long, deep breath, feeling utterly drained.

With Xian Yujing fled, Xian Jing nonetheless had no choice but to clean up this mess himself. He tidied himself up and made his way to the gate of Zhù’s residence.

Zhù Ying’s household was in the midst of a meal, having set out a banquet to receive the southern scholars. As was typical, there was no wine — yet with everyone gathered together, laughter and conversation filled the air, and looking around to find only fellow southerners, every person felt a wave of joy and liveliness.

Someone in high spirits picked up their chopsticks and tapped the edge of a bowl in rhythm, beginning to sing a folk tune from their hometown. One voice joined, then another — the singing drifted out through the doors.

Xian Jing stood outside listening, wavered for a moment, and still decided to enter. Zhù Wen recognised him and hurried to welcome him inside, announcing loudly to Zhù Ying.

The hall fell quiet.

Zhù Ying smiled: “Please show him in.” And she rose from her seat and went to greet him.

Xian Jing stepped inside with wide strides, his face full of remorse. The moment he saw Zhù Ying he said: “Zi’zhang, I am sorry.”

Zhù Ying smiled: “Come, come — what good timing, Chief Advisor.”

Host and guest sat down. Xian Jing glanced at the hall full of scholars, then spoke earnestly to Zhù Ying: “The fault is mine.”

“What is past is past — let us not speak of it again.”

Xian Jing let out a sigh, and sat down at the newly set place prepared for him. Zhù Ying did not breathe a word about the day’s events, instead asking about Yang Jing’s lesson on the classics for the Crown Prince that morning.

Xian Jing offered a brief summary of the main points.

Zhù Ying said to the southern scholars: “Sacrificial Scholar Yang’s learning is exceptional. It is rare to hear him expound like this. Were it not for the Chief Advisor’s account, we would all have been unable to listen. We ought to thank the Chief Advisor.”

The southern scholars offered thanks to Xian Jing in a ragged chorus.

Xian Jing said: “The merit is not mine — I am merely passing along flowers that are not of my own planting.”

With Xian Jing’s arrival, the previously lively atmosphere shifted. The singing stopped; the quiet muttering against Xian Yujing ceased as well. Zhao Su smiled and said to Zhù Ying: “We’ve been quite noisy — afraid we might disturb you and the Chief Advisor at dinner. Shall we go and make merry over there instead?”

Xian Jing quickly said: “There is no need. I am the one who has intruded.”

Zhù Ying said to Zhao Su: “Don’t make trouble.”

Zhao Su smiled, took his chopsticks and tapped the edge of the table in rhythm, and began to sing a mountain folk song. Lin Feng and Su Zhe joined in.

All seemed as though nothing had happened — as though no conflict had occurred at all.

Xian Jing’s heart settled somewhat. He returned home and admonished Xian Yujing day after day.

Xian Yujing was thoroughly ill at ease. After the “Twin Jades” incident, there were not many people saying bad things about Zhù Ying, but a great many saying “braying donkey” about him. People who would previously have greeted him in passing now looked at him sideways. This enraged Xian Yujing tremendously; he cursed Zhù Ying in private as “scheming” and “certainly pulling strings in the background” — though he dared not say it in public.

Xian Jing could not control what his brother said behind closed doors — as long as he refrained from causing a public scene for a few days. Xian Jing himself had other matters pressing on him; he submitted his calling card to Yang Jing’s residence.

——

By rights, Yang Jing and Xian Jing should have gotten along well. In practice, the two had little interaction.

Yang Jing received Xian Jing at home.

At the sight of Yang Jing’s face, Xian Jing’s heart lifted.

The two were seated. Yang Jing said: “I observe from your expression that you must have come for a reason.”

Xian Jing said: “A serious matter — a favour to ask.”

Yang Jing said: “What is it?”

Xian Jing first lavished praise on what Yang Jing had accomplished at the Imperial Academy, sighing: “Our teacher also had such ambitions in his lifetime. It is a pity that heaven did not grant him years enough, and that with so many affairs to manage, he never managed to see it done. Now that his spirit is beyond the grave, I imagine he looks on with gratification. I wonder if among the Imperial Academy’s students there may be someone of exceptional talent who could carry on the aspirations of those who came before?”

Yang Jing said: “There are. I will not give them to you — lest you spoil the material.”

Xian Jing was somewhat startled. He looked at Yang Jing — still the same mild, amiable face as ever. Yang Jing and Liu Songnian were utterly unlike one another. Liu Songnian’s face had always shown his feelings plainly — scorn and mockery displayed as readily as anything else. Yang Jing could say the most cutting things and still wear a gentle, approachable expression.

“Why would you say such a thing, Brother Yang?”

“You have too many small-minded people around you. Good students would be corrupted by the association.”

“That is going too far.”

“Was Yu Qingyuan a good man? Is your younger brother a gentle and magnanimous soul?”

Xian Jing opened his mouth. “They are not… exactly… they would not be worse than those prodigal dead-weights.”

“So that is to say they are quite bad. You insist on shielding these people — do you want them wielding unchecked influence?”

“With them all dismissed, the structure collapses, and our teacher’s ambitions become forever impossible to realise. Doing things requires people — good or not, we must first keep them around. Give me capable people and I will gradually replace them.”

Yang Jing was very disappointed: “By the time you succeed, every upright and righteous person under heaven will have been eaten alive by the pests crawling on you — and you too will have been eaten alive by your own pests. On what basis do you ask others to endure the torment of such petty men?”

“They can…”

“They can throw their lot in with you? Scramble under your banner for the scraps left by petty men? Or endure the pettiness and exclusion and still serve you wholeheartedly, bearing no grudge? You cannot control those petty men, yet you ask the true pillars to take orders from you and submit to their abuse — that is simply absurd.”

Xian Jing still refused to leave; he made one last effort: “It is not for my sake — it is for all under heaven.

I know my own inadequacies; I know you are dissatisfied. But the affairs of the world are like this: even your own students, once they enter officialdom, will have in their hearts not only their teacher but also the sages and their teachings.

Everyone reads the books of the sages — everyone can walk the sages’ path. Each person has their own interpretation of the sages; surely a teacher’s authority cannot surpass Confucius and Mencius?

Even a teacher cannot make them heed only one voice. I can only do my best to draw them together. Our teacher in his lifetime also searched for a path forward. As long as worthy scholars remain in the court, eventually one of them will succeed. What I must do is ensure the court is not entirely occupied by incapable prodigals — to ensure there is even a narrow crack of space. If I cannot get a foothold first, then even the most brilliant strategies will have nowhere to take hold!

To accomplish things you need people! To have people, you inevitably draw accusations of ‘factionalism.’ I have no other way. If we all withdraw, the court is handed over to others, and our teacher’s ideals — no one will ever raise them again.

I also want people who share my aspirations; I am exhausted too! Brother Yang, I beg you to help me.”

“You cannot shield and indulge those people — using factional allegiances and attacking senior ministers.” Yang Jing smiled. “Chief Advisor, please see yourself out.”

If targeting Wang Yunhe tended to make bystanders resent Zheng Xi, targeting Zhù Ying would absolutely make people resent Xian Jing’s faction.

There was no other reason: both Wang and Zhù were people who worked wholeheartedly and with dedication. Their conduct and character were beyond reproach.

Regardless of one’s own position on matters.

Yang Jing understood what Xian Jing meant, but he had no intention of sympathising: “You are like a foolish student who is only focused on copying a book word for word, without the time to actually learn what the book is saying.”

Xian Jing left in low spirits.

——

In the capital, the rumours had not yet died down. To drown out “Twin Jades,” Zhao Su and his companions exerted themselves in vigorous counter-promotion. They also dragged out Yu Qingyuan and others for a thorough posthumous criticism — aside from avoiding any attacks on Wang Yunhe, they attacked Xian Yujing and his sort with every variation they could devise.

In the process, Xian Jing also received a measure of disapproval.

The matter was not yet concluded. A few days later, the Emperor suddenly issued an edict banishing Xian Yujing from the capital. Together with him, eight others were banished. The places of banishment were all quite remote — some serving as deputy regional governors, some as adjutants, some demoted to county magistrates or their assistants.

Once the edict was issued, Xian Yujing raged at home with a string of curses. He thoroughly exhausted every last ancestor of Zhù Ying’s that he could name, known and unknown alike. Curse as he might, he still dared not defy the imperial edict. In the end, he could only pack his bags with ill grace and leave to take up his new posting.

“The Empress told His Majesty that these people were behaving badly — that their sudden corrupt influence had been reaching the Crown Prince and Prince Qi, which was most improper.” Du Shi’en said this to Zhù Ying.

The two of them were in Du Shi’en’s home, drinking tea. They had both attended Lan Xing’s funeral, and at the funeral Du Shi’en had arranged to have Zhù Ying come to his home for a while afterward.

Zhù Ying said: “The Empress? When did she start disliking these people?”

“How could you be confused about this? It was naturally Minister Zheng. I do not need to conceal this from you: in earlier days, Minister Zheng and the inner palace had marriage arrangements between their families. These scoundrels were acting outrageously under the banner of the Crown Prince — that too damages the Crown Prince’s reputation, does it not?”

Zhù Ying understood. On other matters the Empress might not involve herself, but when it came to her son and her husband, those were her first concerns — and between the two, if one were to be entirely frank, the son came before the husband.

The Empress had not moved against Xian Jing — she had only quietly sent word “reminding” Xian Jing. Xian Jing was genuinely devoted to serving the Crown Prince, and the Empress was clear-eyed about gratitude and grievance alike.

Zhù Ying said: “You did not hold your tongue either.”

Du Shi’en said: “Ashamed to say — I am nothing but a servant. In the old days, many household matters were managed by the Empress. When she speaks, His Majesty is willing to listen. Our Empress is a person of good fortune: except that her family brothers are not worth much, everything else is well. Those few little troublemakers were not a major matter — it is just that they inconvenienced you.”

“Where does that come from?”

Du Shi’en said: “No need for such courtesy between us.”

Zhù Ying laughed and shook her head: “I was not bothered in the slightest. I am not a twenty-year-old unattached pure idealist who has not yet entered officialdom — why would I need their praise?”

Du Shi’en expressed a heartfelt sigh: “You are magnanimous.”

“You flatter me.”

Du Shi’en could only stay away from the palace for a short while. Before even a cup of tea had been finished, someone from the palace arrived: “Master, please come back quickly! His Majesty, His Majesty again…”

Zhù Ying and Du Shi’en exchanged a look. Du Shi’en asked: “What happened again?”

“He is complaining of headaches again.”

Though Zhù Ying had not asked, Du Shi’en still spoke quietly: “It is all being kept quiet — in truth, he always has headaches and dizziness, and frequently cannot attend to affairs. When Chief Minister Dou comes to report, he can only listen — nothing more.”

Zhù Ying nodded.