The fifteenth of the first month — snow on the lanterns — and by the sixteenth, the sky had cleared to a remarkable blue. Beneath that open sky, the world wore a layer of white snow that made everything look like a painting come to life.

Zhù Ying had already shed her prison robe and stood outside the jail clutching a small bundle, momentarily unable to control the expression on her face — something between a smile and a grimace, like someone who had no tears left to cry.

The young guard walked her out and bumped her arm from behind: “What’s wrong? You’ve just been released — so delighted you don’t know how to act? Just get yourself home! And from now on, stay away from those great noble families — don’t let yourself get arrested again! If you end up in some other prison, don’t count on finding people as good-natured as me and Old Uncle looking out for you!”

Zhù Ying wiped her face, composed her expression, and asked, clutching her bundle: “Did the head jailer get a beating?”

The guard said: “Wish him better luck than that!” Then he looked a little gloomy. “His Honor said it’s all been noted, and he’s to serve out his duty under a recorded demerit. If he doesn’t perform well, the punishment will be applied retroactively. Same for me!”

“Well, that’s not the end of the world,” Zhù Ying said.

The guard shook his head: “With other officials, that kind of thing usually ends up — raised high, let down gently. With this one, who can say?”

“Surely not that harsh?”

The guard said: “How not? You remember that business at the Ministry of Justice, with the dead prisoners being swapped out? That matter was supposedly closed — Lord Zhong the Imperial Envoy had already concluded the case. But the masterminds were a few clerks, and somehow we all got swept up in it along with them. They at least had enjoyed their gains and lived well for a while; we poor wretches were stuck in the prison day and night, getting joint disease while still young, skimming nothing but a little runoff from their dealings — and took just as harsh a punishment. And now, just when we thought it was over and time to recoup our losses, along comes this new official.”

He had been holding this in for a long time. He had urged Zhù Ying to get home just moments ago, yet now was standing outside chattering away with her, having gotten into it too deeply to stop. He kept going: “Oh, forget it — let me walk you home, at least. In case someone grabs you on the way. Even if someone did grab you, at least I’d know about it and could get word to your parents.”

Zhù Ying said: “Thank you.”

All along the way the guard talked about the workings of the system — how “the benefits were few but the beatings more than their share” — and so forth. It explained well enough why, even after the problems at the Ministry of Justice and a supposed reorganization, the prison remained somewhat disordered. It came down to lost earnings needing to be recovered.

Zhù Ying was heading for Jin Liang’s home, and the guard saw her all the way to the door.

When they arrived at Jin Liang’s gate and Zhù Ying knocked, Lai Fu called from inside: “Who is it?” — and opened the door. He looked at Zhù Ying and dared not be sure: “You are…?”

The guard started to bark: “How can you not recognize your own household’s young — you dog—”

Zhù Ying stamped on his foot, and said to Lai Fu: “It’s me. Zhù San.”

“Oh heavens! How did you get out?!” Lai Fu didn’t even bother closing the gate behind him; he sprinted inside, shouting all the way: “Mistress! Mistress! Master Zhù, Madam Zhang — Sanlang is back! He’s been released!”

Even Jin Liang’s son Jin Biao came out; they all gathered around to stare at Zhù Ying. She handed her bundle to Lai Fu and first thanked Madam Jin. Madam Jin said: “Goodness — you’re finally out! Quick, go in and talk with your parents properly. Hey — girl, heat up some water! And find some clean clothes to change Sanlang into!”

Zhù Ying said: “That can wait a moment — first, someone get me a fire basin.”

Zhang Xiangu gripped her daughter’s hand and wept without stopping, but at these words immediately said: “Yes, yes! Step over a fire basin — to ward off ill fortune!”

Zhù Ying said: “That’s not exactly what I meant — but yes, I should drive away the bad luck.”

Over to one side, Madam Jin was already pressing money into the guard’s hands. The guard accepted it with a grin: “Old Sanlang and I are well acquainted by now — by rights I shouldn’t be taking your money, but this is a happy occasion, and this is a joyful gift — that I must accept.”

Madam Jin said: “Of course you must. The house is in a bit of disorder, so I won’t press you to stay.”

The guard said: “I have other matters in any case. You all enjoy each other’s company — and stay in for the next few days!” He exchanged a few pleasantries with Madam Jin and departed in high spirits with his money. Madam Jin and the others gathered around Zhù Ying with questions.

——

Zhang Xiangu asked over and over: “No one mistreated you? No one mistreated you? How did you get out?”

Zhù Shenhan said: “She just got home — let her step over the fire basin and have a drink of water before she talks! You and your endless questions!”

Madam Jin set about ordering more charcoal braziers to be lit and placed at the doorway, and called for hot water to be heated so Zhù Ying could at least have a bath and wash her hair — this smell…

Zhù Ying had wanted the fire basin not for stepping over but for a practical purpose — she didn’t believe in any of that. But the other three were all doing it out of genuine goodwill, so she went along with them.

First, amid a round of murmured words from her parents — incantations of some sort, of questionable efficacy — she stepped over the fire basin. Then she said: “I’m out now. The jail caught fire in the night, which brought the prefect Wang Yunhe to the scene. He inquired among the prisoners and found out I had been thrown in wrongfully without cause. Once he sorted out the truth of the matter, he had me released.

Don’t take the fire basin away just yet — everyone stay back from me for now. This body of mine is full of lice and fleas, and no amount of picking will get rid of them all. Throw the clothes I’m wearing into the fire basin and burn them. Let me have a bath and wash my hair first, and then we can talk properly — otherwise the fleas will end up on all of you.”

Zhang Xiangu said: “Yes, yes, of course!”

Madam Jin thought fleetingly: So in the end, the Zheng family’s efforts didn’t come to anything — then let the thought go. She pulled Jin Biao by the arm: “You, stop cluttering up the room.” And went to the back to arrange hot water and the like.

Zhang Xiangu wanted to fling herself on her daughter and weep, but Zhù Ying stopped her. The family of three was lodged in three rooms in the front courtyard. Zhù Ying went inside and looked around: the furnishings were better than their own rented room. The door had a thick curtain hanging over it. Even in the first month of the year the charcoal brazier was still burning.

The room was piled with belongings, and she recognized some of them as things she had bought before going to prison. On the table, neatly stacked, were her pitifully few books and papers.

She exhaled quietly.

Zhù Ying removed her hat and outer robe. Zhang Xiangu received her daughter’s dirty garments and felt no regret at burning them. She held the lit fire basin herself and fed the clothes into it piece by piece, saying: “All evil, depart!” while saying to Zhù Shenhan: “The child is grown, and wants to bathe — you step aside.”

Zhù Shenhan went out and pulled the door shut behind him. Zhù Ying said: “This fur robe was bought by my godmother, and I only wore it for such a short while…”

Zhang Xiangu said: “She was a good person — don’t grieve over things. Besides, you’ve grown taller; even if it were perfectly fine, you couldn’t wear it anymore. There’s another one in the bundle. If you miss her, keep that one carefully.”

Zhù Shenhan was in his forties; Zhang Xiangu was a year or two younger, nearly forty herself. Neither was at an age where injuries healed easily. Zhù Ying watched him walk with a lingering limp, and saw the faint remaining traces of bruises on the back of Zhang Xiangu’s hand and one cheek.

Zhù Ying lowered her eyes.

Before long, the hot water came, and the large bathing tub was brought in. Madam Jin said: “Shall I have Lai Fu attend?”

Zhang Xiangu would hear none of it — she stepped in front of her daughter and said: “I’ll do it!”

Madam Jin thought: We’re both mothers. A good child suffering an injustice like this — if it were my own, I’d not want to leave their side either. She said: “Very well, Lai Fu — go and fetch more hot water!” and brought out her own bathing things: “Don’t mind using these — they’re what I use every day. On a day like this, when half the shops haven’t even reopened, there’s no time to buy new.”

Zhang Xiangu thanked her profusely: “Goodness, what are you saying? We’re grateful to have anything to use — who would be so ungrateful as to complain?”

Madam Jin, not being able to watch a “young man” bathe, quickly withdrew.

Inside the room, Zhù Ying removed her clothes one by one; Zhang Xiangu burned them one by one. As each piece burned she said: “All wickedness, disperse!” Zhù Ying lowered herself into the large bathtub; the slightly scalding water enveloped her whole body, and her skin flushed red at once. It felt wonderful.

After burning the clothes, Zhang Xiangu fetched a small bucket to wash her daughter’s hair: “Goodness, this isn’t just knotted — it’s matted into clumps!” She wet the hair and fussed over it, then said: “Madam Jin really is a good person. Is this her hair-wash — made from honey locust pods? It even has a scent! Better than what your godmother used. Ah… your godmother is gone too…”

Zhù Ying rested her neck on the rim of the tub with her head hanging out over the side. Zhang Xiangu washed her hair three times before the water ran clear; only on the final wash, when she applied Madam Jin’s fragrant hair cream, did she see clean white lather finally form. Zhang Xiangu said: “We’ve nearly used up all of hers. I’ll need to buy her a new one.”

Zhù Ying said: “Mm.”

Zhang Xiangu then ran a fine-toothed comb through the hair, flicking the lice she pulled out into the fire basin, where they popped and sizzled. “You soak a while longer — I’ll scrub your back in a moment.”

She combed the hair and then washed the face with Madam Jin’s fragrant water.

Zhù Ying scrubbed her own face, then scrubbed her body. Zhang Xiangu said: “Turn around and I’ll do your back.”

The water was changed once in the middle. Zhù Ying sat wrapped in a large bathing cloth while Zhù Shenhan himself brought in fresh hot water.

Sinking back into the tub again, Zhù Ying said: “You haven’t seen Huajie, have you?”

Zhang Xiangu had been moving and talking ceaselessly this whole while; now she finally broke down in tears: “I know — it isn’t Huajie’s doing. It’s those people in her family making trouble!” She sniffled and said: “Haven’t we always had our share of being beaten and insulted? I just… I was so afraid you wouldn’t come out…”

Zhù Ying opened her eyes: “That won’t happen again.”

“Mm…” Zhang Xiangu said: “Maybe we should give all this up — stop being officials. Doesn’t matter where you go, the earth covers you the same everywhere when you die. We don’t have to stay in the capital. Somewhere else there’d only be a few officials to worry about; here in the capital you never know what kind of powerful demon you might walk into, wu wu wu…”

Zhù Ying said: “Everything difficult is behind us now. I’m not leaving.”

“What?”

Zhù Ying said: “If I leave now, haven’t I suffered for nothing? Without an official title, wherever I go I’ll be at someone’s mercy. I refuse to leave. Don’t worry — things will get better.”

“Mm.” Zhang Xiangu was full of unease and couldn’t find the words. “Let me comb your hair again.”

——

Zhù Ying emerged from her bath completely refreshed, dressed in clean clothes, her hair still half-damp, and went to give Madam Jin her thanks.

Madam Jin said: “What is there to thank me for? You call my husband Elder Brother, and me Sister-in-law… oh my goodness — how did you get so thin?”

Zhù Ying had never had an easy life in this incarnation — she had always been thin; that she wasn’t short was already a blessing, and there was no way she could be both tall and sturdy. The weeks in prison, though she had done everything possible, had left her in a state of half-starvation — she had grown even thinner than before. In the prison, with her ashen complexion and matted hair and dirty clothes, Madam Jin had seen her as no more than ordinarily pitiable.

Now, freshly bathed and dressed, her pale skin, bright eyes, and fine-boned features were sharp and clear against her gauntness. She was tall, lean, and fragile-looking in a robe of cyan silk that clung close to her frame, a trim of clean white fur visible at the collar — like a slender bamboo stalk, liable to snap in a strong wind. She was more striking than the last time Madam Jin had seen her before the New Year, with a quality about her that was difficult to name. She was more beautiful and more endearing than most of the men Madam Jin regularly encountered — something like the pampered young son of a great household in the mold of Lord Zheng’s family.

Only this kind of clean, neat appearance was the sort Madam Jin could feel comfortable with in her heart.

Madam Jin’s chest ached, as if pricked by a needle.

She cursed under her breath: “That heartless creature — how could they torment a perfectly good person like this?!” and at the same time began fussing over tea and food, and asked: “What would you like to eat? And what would you like to do? Oh — I’ve already arranged a place for you to sleep tonight: the room across the way, all right? Fresh new bedding, I’ll have it aired right now. Yesterday was the Lantern Festival — what a pity you missed it. I have a whole collection of lanterns here; I’ll light them for you today, so you can have a belated celebration, and we’ll all enjoy ourselves properly.”

Zhù Ying said: “Whatever you say, Sister-in-law, sounds perfectly fine to me.”

Madam Jin said with mock displeasure: “Just saying sweet things to humor people.”

“I mean every word.”

“Pfft! Sit down and eat, quickly.”

Zhù Ying ate slowly while Madam Jin served dishes into her bowl. Zhang Xiangu wiped her daughter’s hair dry and held a small hand warmer near it to help it finish drying. Zhù Shenhan asked: “Did they say anything to you in there?”

Zhang Xiangu scolded: “Are you blind? She’s eating properly for the first time — and you have to bring all that up to upset her.”

Zhù Shenhan went off to sit on the threshold and played a game of marbles with Jin Biao near the door. Zhù Ying said: “It’s all right — we’re out now, nothing to avoid saying. It was Lord Zhou…”

“Pfft!” Zhang Xiangu said: “What lord? What battles has he ever won?”

Madam Jin said: “Battles? He’s never even set foot on a battlefield. Anyway — Lord Zheng the Seventh wrote a letter telling them to sort the matter out, and who would have expected Wang Yunhe to be so formidable that no one could sway him. And who knew he’d end up releasing you himself.”

Zhù Ying said: “I wasn’t arrested on a charge — that’s why he released me. It was Lord Zhou’s friend — Young Master Shi, the son of Minister Shi — who arranged it. Back when he was serving in the capital…”

“Oh my!” Madam Jin understood at once. She said to Zhang Xiangu: “These wastrels! Trading on their fathers’ power to bully people! Those underlings of theirs are all too eager to flatter them, and end up doing unconscionable things like this — honestly, they deserve every bit of what Wang Yunhe’s given them!”

Zhang Xiangu agreed: “It takes a good official to put these people in their place!”

Zhù Ying didn’t follow that thread in her own mind. She thought: Were the Chen brothers Meng and Wei such good men? And yet — if it hadn’t come down to wronging one of their own people, would they ever have done anything for someone like me? But she said nothing aloud, not wanting to dampen their spirits.

When she had finished eating and her hair was mostly dry, Zhang Xiangu pinned it up for her and slipped in a hairpin. Madam Jin said: “Wait a moment — I’ve had a medicine decoction simmered. Take a dose first.”

Zhù Ying said: “I’m not ill.”

“I know — it’s just to clear heat, dispel any harmful energy, and calm the nerves. Who knows what sort of unwholesome things you were exposed to in there? Two doses will be good for the body.”

Zhù Ying was given a bowl of medicine to drink before Madam Jin and Zhang Xiangu would let her rest. Zhang Xiangu sat on the edge of the bed and gently patted her through the covers, singing the lullaby she had sung since her daughter was small. Madam Jin sat listening to one side, her lips pressed into a gentle smile, until Zhù Ying’s breathing evened out into sleep — and only then did the two women quietly withdraw. Before pulling the door closed, they checked the charcoal brazier once more.

——

When Zhù Ying woke, it was already the morning of the seventeenth of the first month. The lanterns Madam Jin had planned to show her had gone unseen.

She slipped her feet into her shoes and pushed open the door. The Jin household had only just risen. Across the courtyard, Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Shenhan were already up and sweeping. At the sight of her, Zhang Xiangu dropped the broom and came running: “Why not sleep a little longer? Are you hungry? I’ll give Madam Jin some money and ask her to make you something nice to eat.”

Zhù Ying asked: “You’re still doing chores?”

“She tells us not to, but sitting here with nothing to do is unbearable — and we don’t dare go outside. If I don’t keep my hands busy, I’ll go mad!”

Zhù Ying touched her cheek. Zhang Xiangu said: “That man Shen Ying is a dog looking down on people from a height — his lower eyelids all turned up, like a turtle with its eyes rolling. Only looks upward, that one!”

Zhù Ying gave a quiet laugh: “Things will be better, you’ll see. Wash your hands, have some breakfast, and afterward I’ll talk to Sister-in-law Jin about going out on the street…”

“Going out again?!” Zhang Xiangu said: “Before Lord Zheng comes back, you’re not allowed to go anywhere!”

Zhù Ying said: “I still owe Wang Yunhe a debt of gratitude. I need to repay it. And don’t worry — with Wang Yunhe here, no one will dare do anything.”

Zhang Xiangu was alarmed and grabbed her daughter by the arm, forbidding her from going anywhere. Madam Jin finished her household tasks and came out: “What’s going on?”

“Sister-in-law, look at her — she’s been back barely two days and already wants to go running off again.”

Madam Jin said: “Oh — you young people can never sit still. Tell you what — why don’t you do me a favor?”

Zhù Ying asked: “What favor?”

Madam Jin said: “Eat breakfast first — even an emperor can’t dispatch a hungry soldier.”

Zhù Shenhan and Zhù Ying ate together at one table; Madam Jin, Zhang Xiangu, and Jin Biao sat at another. The food was the same at both tables. Zhù Ying, growing and having been deprived in prison, ate four meat buns and two bowls of congee before she finally slowed down. Zhù Shenhan peeled a hard-boiled egg and said as he peeled: “I think what your mother says makes sense — don’t go out.”

Zhù Ying said nothing, and ate a steamed bun with a little pickled vegetable before putting down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and said: “I’ll see what Sister-in-law needs first.”

“And don’t go chatting with a woman whose husband is away from home,” Zhù Shenhan added, showing a clear understanding of the world: “That’s what old bachelors do. When her husband comes home, what will you say to him?”

“Understood.”

After breakfast, the Jin household servants cleared the bowls and chopsticks. Madam Jin beckoned to Zhù Ying: “Our household receives the Official Gazette. Read it to me — is there any news? Are they coming back soon?”

Jin Liang had been constantly attending on Zheng Xi of late — so much so that one nearly forgot he was himself an official in his own right, a sixth-rank military officer, with legitimate access to the Gazette. With him away, the copies had been piling up at home. Madam Jin could not read well enough to work through the Gazette smoothly, so she asked Zhù Ying to read it aloud.

She didn’t know whether Zhù Ying was educated or not, but one look at her told Madam Jin this person must have some learning.

Zhù Ying read it to her. There was nothing about Zheng Xi or Jin Liang, but there was one small, unremarkable item: Zhou You had been dismissed from his post. This “dismissal” meant his actual duties had been stripped away; he was left as a well-born idler — an official without office. The inherited titles from his late father remained. Zhou You, who had barely stepped into officialdom, was in an instant knocked back to the status of a wastrel.

Madam Jin said: “Serves him right!”— and explained the situation to Zhù Ying. Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Shenhan and the others understood nothing of official grades and actual duties, only how to judge who was greater or lesser. Zhù Ying understood a little, but was not entirely clear on all the inner workings. Madam Jin, with a military officer for a father and another for a husband, knew far more about the workings of the court than the Zhù family of three, and explained it to them.

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Shenhan were both pleased.

Young Master Shi’s name, however, did not appear in the Gazette. Presumably — having not yet entered official service and amounting to nothing in particular — any punishment would not warrant a mention in the Gazette. His father’s rank was too high for the Emperor to publicly reprimand him in print, either.

After the Gazette was read, Madam Jin was thinking of going to the Zheng family’s manor to pass word to Jin Liang, and to lodge a complaint while she was at it — but she was worried about letting Zhù Ying out of the house. Zhù Ying said: “Sister-in-law, I won’t go out today. I’ll stay home and read.”

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Shenhan both watched their daughter; Madam Jin felt reassured enough to head out. Zhù Ying had not lied — she picked up a book and flipped through it. She had some of the legal texts Zheng Xi had given her; she found the passages she needed and cut small strips of paper to mark them. Then she ground the ink and began to practice her characters.

Her handwriting was terrible. Before, she had had no money to buy brushes and ink to practice. Later, there was simply no time. She still could not write small characters; her strokes were large, each character large enough to weigh half a tael. She sat bent over it and wrote for dozens of pages; then the noon meal came — there were pig’s trotters — and she helped herself unabashedly to three more.

After the meal, she kept writing.

Seeing her “diligently studying,” Madam Jin sat with Zhang Xiangu in the room opposite, cracking sunflower seeds and saying: “What a good child. If only my Biao could be as easy on the nerves as Sanlang.”

In the past Zhang Xiangu would have demurely deflected the compliment with false modesty; now she only said: “So long as she’s safe and sound.”

The two women compared notes on their children. As they talked, Zhang Xiangu began to fret: the Shen family were not human beings! How could she extract the family from this marriage arrangement? Once the child recovered some strength, she would talk to her — however wonderful Huajie might be, she couldn’t let a family like the Shen family continue to drag them down like this!

These two women had no idea what Zhù Ying was actually doing.

Zhù Ying sat bent over her writing for two full days, flipping through books continuously. On the fourth day, Madam Jin received a visitor from the Zheng manor and came out beaming: “They’re almost back! Only a hundred or so li from the city now! Once the Seventh Young Master returns, we don’t have to worry about anything anymore! You can go back home with easy minds!”

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Shenhan were both jubilant.

Only Zhù Ying said: “Then I need to go take care of a few things.”

All three of them moved to block her: “What are you up to now?” “What can’t wait until they come back?”

Zhù Ying said: “Once Lord Zheng returns, I’ll have to be taking care of his affairs — when will I have time for my own? I need to use these few days to handle my private business, otherwise I’ll be holding up his important matters.” She listed several small items, and finally said: “I also need to go thank Wang Yunhe — whether he’ll see me is another matter, but I should at least go and bow my head.”

Madam Jin said: “Take Lai Fu with you, then. I’m just worried the prefecture might not be easy to get into.”

Zhù Ying agreed at once: “No problem!”

——

Zhù Ying knew how to arrange a meeting with Wang Yunhe. Having just been appointed to the capital prefecture, he would be having his household move into the rear residence of the office any day now. Checking the Jin household calendar, Zhù Ying made a calculated guess at when Wang Yunhe’s family would be moving in — and took a stroll to the rear gate of the prefecture office at the right time. Sure enough, the Wang household was in the middle of moving.

With the front office of the prefecture entertaining well-wishers for the move, the back gate was busy with servants and laborers going in and out, which made it considerably easier to find an opening.

Zhù Ying observed that Wang Yunhe’s household belongings, though complete and decent in appearance, were by no means extravagant — in fact, not as finely appointed as the effects of Yu Li’an, who had been living across the corridor from her in prison. The person who appeared to be the head steward was also refusing every red envelope that was pressed forward, and drove away one person who looked like a merchant: “Away with you! Trying to bribe your way in here — are you trying to harm our master?”

This told her everything she needed to know. She approached the steward and said: “I was once shown a great kindness by the prefect, and I have come to repay it.” She drew from her sleeve a thick sheaf of papers and showed them to the steward.

When the steward reached for them, she tucked them back into her sleeve.

The steward said: “You’re dangling a hook in front of me.”

Zhù Ying turned and walked away. The steward said: “Young gentleman, wait!”

He had taken the bait after all.

In short order, the steward came out and invited Zhù Ying inside to the rear residence. Zhù Ying told Lai Fu to watch the back gate from a distance — and if she had not emerged by dark, to go find Madam Jin at once — and only then went inside.

In a room in the rear residence, Wang Yunhe was already there.

Wang Yunhe said: “I feel I know your face.”

Zhù Ying knelt and presented the papers she had written with both hands. The steward received them and passed them to Wang Yunhe, who began to flip through them, saying: “If you have a grievance you wish to present…” and then: “Hmm?!”

What Zhù Ying had written was extensive. It opened with the account the educated man in her cell had told her, boasting about his cases to drum up business — a pettifogger’s self-described history, case by case. Though embellished, every item had a basis in fact, and Zhù Ying had spent her time in prison quietly cross-checking the accounts against other inmates and then transcribing from memory all those cases she could verify — instances where this pettifogger had helped guilty parties escape justice.

There were more than a dozen such cases. Following those were records she had kept of what other inmates had told her: some she believed to be wrongly imprisoned; others she believed to be genuinely guilty — each one laid out and categorized.

Zhù Ying said: “Only a couple of days ago, you released me from the capital prison. I am grateful for your kindness and want to help you in return. You have received His Majesty’s favor by being appointed to the capital prefecture, and I imagine you wish to repay that trust. I give this to you; in my own heart, I will consider the debt repaid, and it may also assist you in repaying yours. If you find it useless, there is no need to tell me — I will simply consider that I served some purpose.”

Wang Yunhe looked at the handwriting, which was atrocious; but the structure was clear. People misunderstood what “writing” truly meant — they thought that learning to recognize characters was the same as knowing how to write. In fact, to describe events in a clear, logical order was a standard that many failed to meet; even when asked to repeat a straightforward account, many would get things confused, leave out crucial details, and misremember half of it.

Wang Yunhe looked at the pages, then looked at Zhù Ying — and remembered: “It’s you!”

Zhù Ying bowed her head to the floor again and then stood: “My wish is fulfilled. I hope you can remain a good official always.”

Wang Yunhe said: “You know the law? Have you studied?”

Zhù Ying shook her head: “Not seriously. I have read a little of the legal texts.”

Wang Yunhe put the sheaf of papers away, and said sternly: “You ought to study the classics and histories properly — you should not be delving into these legal codes! Looking at what you have written, the structure is clear, but it is far from the way of the sages. Young person — do not take the wrong path! You should read the Classics, read History! You should not be burrowing into statutory provisions and clouding your mind. Your heart can still distinguish right from wrong, recognize good from evil, and knows enough to write out the grievances of others — do not wear away that honest, unspoiled nature!”

Zhù Ying laughed despite herself and spread her hands: “No money.”

Wang Yunhe found this strange — Zhù Ying’s clothing suggested she was not poor, at least modestly comfortable. He frowned all the more: “Nonsense!”

Zhù Ying said: “Truly. Who doesn’t know that study is worthwhile? But I still have a family to support. What I’ve read, I eavesdropped my way through.”

Wang Yunhe said: “What have you read?”

Zhù Ying had a decent impression of him and answered honestly. Wang Yunhe pulled out a few passages from the Analects, then from Mencius, then two verses from the Book of Songs. Zhù Ying recited them all from memory. Wang Yunhe asked her to explain them; Zhù Ying recited back the commentary she had heard from a village schoolteacher. Wang Yunhe said: “Utter nonsense! What kind of village country teacher taught you this?!”

And then he himself lectured her on the passages for a while, asked: “Understood?”

Zhù Ying listened to his explanations — immeasurably better than the village teacher’s — and though she disagreed with a few points, she repeated back a summary of what he had said. Wang Yunhe was astonished: “If you are truly without means, I will sponsor your studies — your learning must not be wasted!”

Zhù Ying said: “Your Honor — it’s not just that I have no money for study. I have no money for food either. My whole family has no money for food.”

Wang Yunhe said: “How long could that possibly last?”

Zhù Ying said: “Based on the learning you describe, I would need at least ten years. I need to support my family — I cannot depend on you alone, and besides, I already have a place promised. I cannot break that commitment.”

Wang Yunhe said: “Who is it? Where is this place? I’ll speak to them myself!”

Zhù Ying would not say, only shaking her head: “We may meet again someday, and by then you will know.”

Wang Yunhe said with genuine regret: “Never mind the jinshi examination — what about the jing and rites examination? That is an easier path, and still an honest way to serve the state. In learning, whether to refine the self or serve the country, it matters not which examination you sit — what matters is that your heart remains devoted to study and to the sages, and you will achieve something.”

“That would still take three to five years — I can’t afford that, and I don’t have the opportunity.”

Wang Yunhe was still not ready to give up: “Since you know the law, there is the mingfa examination. A gentleman is not a fixed vessel — do not give up on yourself!”

“The mingfa examination?” Zhù Ying knew about the jinshi and the jing and rites examinations; this mingfa was something new. Her love of learning sparked again.

Wang Yunhe said: “You claim to have studied, and don’t even know about the mingfa? Do you?” He went on to tell her about the mingfa, the mingsuian, and others like them, as well as the different levels of schools and the system of imperial examination and degree recommendation.

When he finished, he let out a long breath and said: “Understand now?”

Zhù Ying recited back a summary; he waved her off: “I know you’ve committed it all to memory. You… must study, truly. Only through study can you understand what is right.”

“What if I’m not qualified to study? There’s also the requirement of listing three generations of ancestors — my family, well, counting from me, there are only two generations I even know of.”

Wang Yunhe paused, then said: “As long as you are not a descendant of the degraded or criminal classes, there is always a path. Even if you were — you should still cultivate yourself, to draw close to what a gentleman ought to be.”

Zhù Ying gave him three sincere bows of the head and said: “You are a good man.”

“You—!”

And Zhù Ying got up and walked away. Lai Fu had been waiting at the back gate for quite some time and came to meet her: “Sanlang — what happened?”

Zhù Ying said in a low voice: “Some business in the prison still needs to be brought to a proper conclusion.”

Lai Fu saw that she was not in particularly high spirits and dared not speak much the whole way home. He followed her, watching as she bought some pastries, then went to see the innkeeper at the lodging house and greeted the property agent — asking about whether there were any cheap properties people were reluctant to sell — and finally returned to the Jin household.

Madam Jin had fresh news: “They’ll be back tomorrow! We’ve waited so long for this!”

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Shenhan were both delighted; it felt as though a great mountain of support was coming home.

Zhù Ying smiled along with them, ate supper, went back to her room, and lay on the sleeping platform for a long while without sleeping.

She had met the county magistrate, the prefect, two imperial envoys, two deputy commissioners, the son of a prime minister, and now the capital prefect. Eight officials in total — and only one of them had ever said to her: your gifts deserve proper study and a proper path; you should not waste them, and if you are in difficulty, I can help you a little.

Eight officials. At last, she had encountered one gentleman.

Zhù Ying pulled the quilt up over her head, and slowly fell asleep.