Jin Liang carried her a while and then set Zhù Ying back down — the joke had run its course, and hoisting a half-grown boy really was quite tiring. Zhù Ying stood on the ground, gave him a sideways look, and tugged her clothes straight. “Too much energy with nowhere to put it? Go home and chop wood for A’Jie!”

Jin Liang gave a heh-heh laugh. “Chopping wood? My household has it delivered by the coal and wood merchants! And there’s Lai Fu besides — less talk from you!”

They passed a restaurant, and Jin Liang stepped inside to order two tables of dishes to be sent to the house. He paid on the spot and said, “Let everyone have a proper meal back home, to celebrate you.”

Zhù Ying said, “One table would do — how many people are there altogether?”

Jin Liang said, “Clearly you don’t understand — don’t we also have to show a table of respect to the seventh young lord?”

Zhù Ying genuinely didn’t understand: “What does that mean? Is this some new custom in the capital? I know you thank people who helped once something comes through — is it a specific custom here to send a table of dishes?”

Jin Liang sighed and shook his head. “Looks like what I told you on the road up to the capital still wasn’t enough! These things can’t be explained in a short sitting. I learned them from growing up in the household and in the capital — and if you ask me when I learned them, I couldn’t tell you, much less where to begin. Let’s do it this way: I’ll tell you everything I can think of, and if there are other things we come across later, I’ll say them as they come to mind.”

No matter how clever a person is, without exposure they won’t understand. And exposure takes time and experience. At least she was in the capital now, had people she could ask, and had her own eyes, ears, and mouth — she could see, hear, and ask.

Zhù Ying was not discouraged. “All right. Let’s start with this one.”

Jin Liang said, “You were brought to the capital by the seventh young lord. Don’t take offense at what I’m about to say — you’ve always wanted nothing to do with being a servant, but in everyone else’s eyes, you’re firmly in the seventh young lord’s camp.”

“I understand.”

Jin Liang then explained some of the unwritten rules of official circles — the varying degrees of closeness and distance, the customs of gift-giving in the capital — before concluding: “That’s about all of it. You’re sharp enough that you’ll figure the rest out quickly. Everyone knows you’re close to the seventh young lord. As for others, you just need to show them basic courtesies and that’s enough. If you sent a heavy gift to the wrong person, they’d start reading into it. You’re young — no savings, no property, no roof of your own, still renting. Don’t spend your money carelessly.”

Zhù Ying said, “Good. When we get back, I’ll pay you back for the tables of dishes.”

Jin Liang laughed despite himself: “So you’re already starting to settle accounts with me?”

Zhù Ying said, “I still need to move out of your house.”

“Hmm?”

Zhù Ying said, “The examination is over. It won’t do for me to keep sponging off you. Think about it — A’Jie is there with the children, and it’s just the two of them. Meanwhile, we’re a family of three. Besides — if I’m going to eat at a wealthy man’s table, why eat at yours? I should eat at Lord Zheng’s! And you’d be raising his people for him?”

Jin Liang raised his hand to cuff the back of her head: “Outrageous nonsense!”

But thinking it over, he agreed that Zhù Ying wanting her own place was perfectly in character. “All right, but today you must celebrate here properly. Once you’ve moved, I’ll come and do a housewarming at yours — I’ve never even been to your place!”

“Deal.”

Jin Liang added, “Let’s invite Gan Ze, Lu Chao, and those others too.”

“Won’t they be waiting on Lord Zheng?”

Jin Liang said, “When you send the table of dishes to the household, say something to them. If they’re willing, just tell the seventh young lord you’d like to invite some friends for a meal. He’ll most likely agree.”

Zhù Ying said, “Good.”

The two returned home. Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da looked up with faces full of expectation. Jin’s wife was pulling Jin Liang’s arm asking, “So? How did it go?” Jin Liang was about to play his trick of pretending to look unhappy before loudly announcing the good news.

Zhù Ying said, “First grade.”

Zhang Xiangu and Zhù Da let out a cry of joy and leapt up, throwing their arms around each other. Jin’s wife said, “Wonderful! Wonderful! I’ll tell the kitchen to add more dishes!” She also took Jin Biao by the arm and said, “Look at your Third Brother Zhù — look how he has brought honor to the family. You had better be the same way.”

Jin Biao asked Zhù Ying curiously, “Is the examination this easy?”

His father hauled him away for a lesson: “Of all the — you don’t know anything!”

Which made everyone burst out laughing.

The dishes arrived from the restaurant before long, and the two families gathered together. Zhù Da wanted to drink to celebrate, but Zhù Ying said, “There’s important business tomorrow.”

Zhù Da asked, “What business?”

Zhù Ying said, “Tomorrow I need to report the good news to Lord Zheng. I’ve never drunk wine before, and I don’t dare try now in case it causes trouble tomorrow.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “That’s proper business — you don’t drink tonight, then. After the important things are done, you can take your time and celebrate properly.” In the past she wouldn’t let her daughter drink wine for fear of giving things away — not because she thought drinking was bad. Once they were in their own home with the door shut, they could drink as much as they liked.

Jin’s wife agreed: “That’s right — proper business comes first. Oh, and you should come back to the household with Sanlang tomorrow? We’ve done what we set out to do, and it would be good for you to report back to the seventh young lord. We’re Zheng family people too.”

Jin Liang said, “I’ll just have a few cups.” He had two cups with Zhù Da and stopped.

Everyone was still in high spirits, talking freely and looking ahead to the future. Zhù Da was more excited than anyone, slapping the table and declaring, “The Zhù family is going to have an official! Ha ha ha! Never would have imagined it! Third one — bring honor to us, bring honor!”

Jin Biao, sitting nearby, echoed him: “Bring honor, bring honor!”

Zhang Xiangu was over at their end thanking Jin Liang and his wife, who kept deflecting the thanks. Jin’s wife said, “A’Jie can finally rest easy now!”

“She really can.”

Zhù Ying said, “A’Jie — there’s something I’d like to talk over with you.”

“Just say it — whatever it is!”

Zhù Ying said, “Today Elder Brother Jin reminded me of something, and I was thinking — I ought to invite the familiar faces from the household.”

“Leave it all to me!”

Zhù Ying smiled. “No — what I mean is, I’d like to invite you all to my own place. It could use some airing out, and I should get back to paying rent. Why don’t we say: you and Elder Brother and Biao come over too, and all of us — just our people, no one else — enjoy a meal together and make a proper occasion of it. And A’Jie can get to know where my door is — how does that sound?”

Jin’s wife looked a little crestfallen: “Oh dear — you’re leaving already.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “We’ve already imposed for so long!”

Zhù Ying said, “I’ll still need A’Jie’s help when there are things I’m missing at home.”

Jin Liang also said, “Look at you — he has to get married and have children someday. Is he going to live in our side room his whole life? That would be unseemly.”

Jin’s wife thought: by the look of things between them and Feng’s daughter, it’s not entirely over — and you go and bring that up! What a way to open a sore. She quickly smoothed it over: “Now that there’s a degree and a post coming, it’s time to set up your own household. That’s how it should be.”

And so the move from the Jin household was decided.

…—

The next morning, Zhù Ying was up early. Jin Liang said, “There’s no rush — he already knows from the table of dishes sent last night. Today…”

“Today he still needs to go to the yamen,” Zhù Ying cut in. “I know. I’m getting ready to move house. Good thing — my room is small. White-day work will be done in no time, and I can get the belongings moved over before curfew. Then, by the time he gets home, I can go and request an audience. If he agrees, we’ll meet. If not, I go home and wait for word.”

“You’re moving out so quickly!”

Zhù Ying said, “What do you mean? I’m not dying! I won’t even leave the city — what’s so rushed about it? If I get my place sorted out, you’ll have somewhere to visit, which is better, isn’t it?”

“Fine, fine — I can’t argue with you!”

Zhù Ying said no more and set to work. After breakfast at the Jin household, she let her parents stay behind to help Jin Liang’s family pack up, and went to check on the rented house herself. Jin Liang said, “I’ll come with you!”

Jin’s wife said, “What would you do there? I’ll take Xiao Ya and the others — you stay here with Elder Brother and A’Jie and talk. If anyone comes looking for Sanlang, you can speak to them.”

So with her own servants, carrying cleaning supplies, and hiring a cart, Jin’s wife went with Zhù Ying to the rented house.

When Zhù Ying unlocked the door, a neighbor peered out and asked, “Are you the new tenants?”

Zhù Ying said, “No — we rented it before. I was away for a while and now I’m back.”

“I see, I see.”

“Once we’re settled in, I’ll invite you over for tea.”

“That would be lovely.”

She pushed open the door to find a good crop of weeds had come up on the ground. A house that has been let out — the middleman won’t be coming to clean it. She opened the doors to each room, and they were all filled with the smell of dust. The cart that hadn’t yet been disposed of was still in the courtyard, looking somewhat worn and weathered.

Jin’s wife was even more efficient than Zhù Ying. She glanced around and said, “Not bad. Sanlang, see if anything is missing.”

Zhù Ying had a look around. “There wasn’t much to begin with. Nothing seems to be more or less. Perfect — starting fresh.”

Jin’s wife sent Lai Fu for water, had Xiao Ya start wiping down the tables, and sent the cook to check the kitchen. She came back saying, “There’s still some firewood and grain — the firewood got a bit wet in the rain these past few days, and the rice is old. The condiments are still here. There’s a small cellar — not big, but there are still some things stored in it.”

Jin’s wife set everyone to work. Zhù Ying went to find some tools and started pulling weeds in the courtyard. She had barely started before Jin’s wife directed Lai Fu to take over. She herself went about taking note of the furniture, finding it not up to the standard of her own home — though given Zhù Ying’s circumstances, it would have to do. Still, the trunks and chests were rather few, as were the tables and chairs. She also checked the kitchen and decided one cooking pot was simply not enough, nor were there enough buckets and large storage jars. There was no cabinet for dishes either.

Though fewer furnishings did have one advantage — easier to clean!

Working together, the rooms were swept clean in short order. The place hadn’t been unoccupied all that long, and not even the window paper needed replacing. Zhù Ying checked the floor carefully and saw no water stains — the room had not leaked at all through the entire spring. That alone was enough to satisfy her.

The group worked until after midday before heading back to the Jin household. Zhù Da and Zhang Xiangu had already packed up. They had been living as guests, so their own belongings were few — bedding rolled up, one bundle of clothes, and then Zhù Ying’s study supplies. Zhang Xiangu had taken every book and paper and nested them carefully within stacks of folded clothing, fearful of damaging anything.

Everything belonging to the three of them fit comfortably on a single cart. With the cart loaded and all three squeezed in, there was barely room; Zhù Ying climbed up front to sit beside the driver. They arrived at their own home, and Zhù Ying paid the carter, who took his money without ceremony and, as a small kindness, helped unload the luggage into the courtyard. Zhang Xiangu thanked him many times.

The family of three went into the courtyard and latched the gate. Zhang Xiangu said, “Finally back home!!!”

Zhù Ying picked up her bedroll. “It’s still early — Lord Zheng isn’t home yet. Let’s get things in order first.”

Zhang Xiangu set to work at once, at the same time directing Zhù Da to get water, and warning Zhù Ying to be careful of the bundle that had books inside. Zhù Da went to check and called back, “The water jar is full and there’s half a bucket in the pail — Lai Fu must have filled them!”

“Then get over here and help me!”

The family arranged the place for the second time, with more experience now than before. Zhù Ying’s things had grown, and she unpacked the bundles one by one, placing the books first until a good half of the bookshelf was filled — a deeply satisfying sight. She set out a writing set on the desk, and put the rest away in the cabinet in the north room. Then she laid out her bedding and clothing, brushed down the back hem of her robe, and stepped out to say, “I’m going to find Elder Brother Jin. You two take your time.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “What are you buying anything else for? Now that we’re on our own, you’re the only one earning — every coin matters! I see there’s still rice in the kitchen! In a moment, I’ll go to the little shop in the ward and get some vegetables. We’ll cook ourselves.”

“All right.”

Zhù Ying went to the Jin household. Jin Liang said, “The timing is just right — any later and it would be too late!”

…

The two arrived at the Zheng household. Not the slightest obstruction. Jin Liang murmured, “See those people by the gate? All there to press for favors. Now do you see how much of an advantage you have?”

Zhù Ying said, “Without that advantage, you wouldn’t have been able to bring me here.”

“Arrogance!”

They came to the outer corridor of Zheng Xi’s study. Gan Ze and Lu Chao were both there. Jin Liang gave them a meaningful wink, and the two understood at once. Both said to Zhù Ying, “Congratulations, Sanlang!” Zhù Ying said, “Likewise, likewise.” Jin Liang asked, “The seventh young lord has something to report — if he gives you a day off, would you two be willing to come and have a drink at their place?”

Gan Ze said, “That would be wonderful! Same food as yesterday? Good flavors. Yesterday’s table — the seventh young lord tasted a couple of dishes, then had the rest sent to us. We all shared it.”

Lu Chao added, “Of course I’ll come. Let me go announce you.”

Jin Liang said to Zhù Ying, “You have real standing now. Usually when others send things over, he’d just taste one bite and give the rest away.”

Lu Chao was back quickly: “The seventh young lord is already waiting for you.”

Jin Liang and Zhù Ying straightened their robes and went in. Zheng Xi was not sitting up very properly — he was reclining against the headboard on a daybed, saying, “Not bad!”

Zhù Ying bowed to him and said, “It is thanks to your cultivation.”

Zheng Xi said, “Young people — stop looking so stiff. Today I wouldn’t mind if you climbed up to the rafters to celebrate. Smile if you feel like smiling.”

Zhù Ying curled her lip: “My parents have smiled enough for all of us — I’ll save it.”

Zheng Xi laughed too, saying, “Good. What do you plan to do going forward?”

“Whatever you arrange.”

Zheng Xi said, “Then come to the Court of Judicial Review. The fact that you didn’t go up to the ceiling is a good sign. Your examination paper — there was debate over whether to give you first place, because your calligraphy is dreadful. Practice it! You need to practice!”

“Yes.”

Zheng Xi said, “I have a few copybooks by master calligraphers here — take them home and practice from them. I’ll be checking your work!”

“Yes.”

Zheng Xi said, “Between when the results are posted and when a post is officially conferred, there will be a few days’ interval. Even after a post is assigned, you won’t need to report to duty right away — you’ll have a few more days. The court will mainly issue you your credentials, seals, and the like. As a court official, you’ll receive a yearly stipend of coin and grain, plus some cloth for making clothing — once you have the cloth, you’re on your own for the tailoring. Use the next few days to get your official wardrobe in order, and also learn the proper rites and protocols.”

“Yes.”

Zheng Xi pointed to a thin booklet and said, “Since you’ll be at the Court of Judicial Review, you need to understand it thoroughly. What it does, who currently works there, how many officials, how many clerks, what grades, what responsibilities — commit it all to memory.”

“Yes.”

Zheng Xi pointed to a rolled paper and said, “That contains the names, rankings, and home counties of those who sat the examination with you in the same cohort. Look it over. Make connections if you like; if not, at least know who they are.”

“Yes.”

Finally, Zheng Xi pointed to a small book chest and said, “You know the legal codes well enough for now, but it would be a pity to stop studying. For the moment, start reading the Spring and Autumn Annals.”

Zhù Ying said, “That day, the Metropolitan Prefect Wang gave me the Zuo Commentary — I haven’t gotten to it yet.”

Zheng Xi was slightly surprised, then said, “The Spring and Autumn has three commentaries — read all of them.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…” He thought a moment. “That’ll do for now.”

“Yes.”

Zheng Xi said, “Something isn’t right with you. Normally you’re not this formal around me.”

Zhù Ying thought for a moment and said, “I’m testing it out — figuring out how to conduct myself around you once I’m at the yamen.”

Zheng Xi laughed and scolded her: “Conduct yourself as you would! I don’t believe you can’t read the situation clearly!”

Zhù Ying also smiled and said, “So you’re not going to invite us to sit?”

Zheng Xi said to Jin Liang, “Look at this one — give an inch and they want a mile! Sit down, both of you.”

Jin Liang and Zhù Ying sat. Zheng Xi asked about Jin Liang’s situation, learned he had come back on a leave of absence, and said, “Go and see my father — you’ve come back a few times and never called on him, that’s not right. For Sanlang’s appointment, you don’t need to come back — too many days of leave doesn’t look good. Next time you’re in for a rest day and it works out, you can all get together then. Your friendship doesn’t need to be managed by the calendar.” Then he added, “No need to worry. I’m planning to appoint them as an Evaluating Censor at the Court of Judicial Review.”

Jin Liang blinked, not quite sure what that meant. Zheng Xi said, “Eighth grade, lower rank, to start. Build up from there.”

Hah! It was a post! Jin Liang said, “Now that’s something — becoming an official young is the way to go! Seventh young lord, I’ll go and see the Marquis now.”

He left. Zhù Ying said to Zheng Xi, “Then I’d like to put on a dinner at my place. Can I get you to come?”

“You’re getting more and more brazen! When?”

“Tomorrow. I’d like to invite everyone I’m close with all at once — which isn’t many people. I’d have liked to have Huajie and the others too, but… never mind that. Let’s leave it.”

Zheng Xi said, “This is how social obligations work — if I go, they’ll be uneasy. I won’t come. You all enjoy yourselves.”

“Can you give them the day off? My place has no guest rooms, and it’s just midday for the meal.”

“Permission granted.”

“Good!” Zhù Ying turned to Lu Chao and Gan Ze: “Permission is granted! Get ready for a proper meal at my place!”

The two struggled to hold back their grins, saying, “Right! You’d better lay on a good spread!”

“Go and enjoy yourselves! When you come back, put your heads down and serve well! Work hard!”

“Leave it to us!”

Zheng Xi laughed. Zhù Ying turned at the doorstep and — it escaped her notice — she hopped over the threshold on the last step. Zheng Xi saw it and laughed in spite of himself. Once outside, they waited for Jin Liang to finish his visit with the Marquis, then the two of them left together. Jin Liang said to Zhù Ying, “Your place is that way — what are you doing? Still better at mine, isn’t it?”

Zhù Ying said, “Do you think that’s where I’m headed? I have something to talk to you about and something to ask you and A’Jie to help with.”

“Is that so? Then come quickly.”

His home was fairly near the Zheng household now — they arrived in no time. Inside the gate, Jin’s wife looked up and said, “Oh, Sanlang — you’re back!”

Zhù Ying said, “Yes. I wanted to thank you both properly.”

Jin’s wife said, “None of that! As long as you still call us Elder Brother and A’Jie, don’t speak of thanks.”

Zhù Ying said, “I mean it, really.” She reached into the money pouch at her waist and produced a gold ingot. Jin’s wife recognized it at once — it was one of the ingots the Prime Minister had given Zhù Ying. She herself had told Zhù Ying it was worth fifty to sixty guan.

Both Jin Liang and his wife said, “What is this supposed to mean?” Jin Liang was a little annoyed: “If you’re really going to be this formal about it, just leave — what’s the point of this?”

Zhù Ying held it out to Jin’s wife solemnly. “I won’t make polite speeches — I understand in my heart, and you both know you didn’t do it for any money. A’Jie, please accept this. When I was in prison, Elder Brother wasn’t even in the capital. You had only met me twice and had never met my parents, and you still agreed to take in the family of a criminal. One gold ingot can’t buy that kind of care — that was Elder Brother’s goodwill, but it also took A’Jie’s own kind heart. I’m giving this to A’Jie because this is the kind of person I am: as long as it’s within my power, I will return what others have given me.”

Jin’s wife hesitated. Jin Liang was more decisive and said, “Accept it.”

Jin’s wife took it. Zhù Ying smiled and said, “Good — now I can come and cadge a pigs’ trotter whenever I like. A’Jie, if it would make you feel better about it, you could always just give me the recipe.”

Jin’s wife said, “I’ll bring a whole pot over tomorrow, and the recipe with it.”

Zhù Ying said, “Wonderful! I’ll be expecting it. Elder Brother — tomorrow, Gan Da and Lu Er, please bring them along.”

“Done.”

“I’ll be going now.”

Watching her retreating figure, Jin’s wife said, “A person that young, shouldering so much. I don’t feel right accepting this money — feels like taking it from a child.”

Jin Liang said, “Don’t worry about that — if you hadn’t taken it, she wouldn’t have felt right either. That one has it all figured out. Look after them going forward while I’m away — keep an eye out. Those parents of hers mean well, but they have some rough country habits. Keep an eye on them for me.”

Jin’s wife said, “Perfect timing — I’ve already told them to go and buy some pots and bowls and a dish cabinet, as a housewarming gift. Tomorrow I’ll go again and buy a couple of trunks, add a few more household items. I know a shop — not in the West Market, opens before noon, no need to wait until the afternoon. All the pieces are ready-made, not custom work. I usually prefer custom to the ready-made standard sizes, worried they won’t fit properly. But this is just the right moment for them.”

Jin Liang covered his ears: “You have the money — just handle it, all this talking…”

…

Early the next morning, Jin Liang went to get Gan Ze and Lu Chao, and the three worked out between them what they would each contribute. Jin Liang already had his wife preparing gifts, so he put in one guan himself. Gan Ze had no wife and put in two guan on his own. Lu Chao had a wife but she wasn’t living with him here; without time to prepare gifts, he also put in two guan like Gan Ze.

By the standards of ordinary capital residents, these were quite generous gifts.

Zhù Ying hadn’t been stingy either — she ordered two tables of food, enough for eight people total, and no separate table was set up: even Jin Biao was called to sit with them. Once the first table was eaten and the dishes cleared, the second was brought out — and the two tables were not even the same menu.

Zhang Xiangu didn’t fret over “spending the last of the household money on two tables of food” and agreed cheerfully.

At midday the guests all arrived. Zhù Da and Zhang Xiangu dressed up properly and together with Zhù Ying received them at the door. Everyone offered congratulations.

They were all familiar faces. Jin’s wife had the gifts set aside, and Zhù Ying said, “Let’s all have a drink — Lai Fu, Xiao Ya, there’s food for you too.” She had ordered from the restaurant — nothing as lavish as the banquet, but there was meat and vegetables and soup, a good solid meal. It was real food.

Everyone sat down.

Zhù Da and Jin Liang poured drinks together, catching up with Gan Ze and Lu Chao about their shared journey up to the capital. Jin’s wife and Zhang Xiangu each drank a cup as well, talking without stopping. Zhù Ying still didn’t touch a drop, making for a vivid contrast with Jin Biao’s barely-restrained eagerness.

Jin Liang said, “We’re celebrating — at least have a little!”

Zhù Da said, “Just one cup — can’t hurt anything. What big business is there tomorrow?”

Zhù Ying said, “Lord Zheng gave me some books to read — and told me to practice my calligraphy.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “That’s proper work, though — one cup won’t interfere. Drink.”

One cup was a small thing by anyone’s measure. Jin Biao was even making fun of her: “Third Brother — you don’t dare, do you? A man drinks wine!”

A tiny little squirt like that, and he already talked like this!

Zhù Ying looked at him, then nodded: “All right.”

Jin Biao had been watching his father drink for as long as he could remember, and had long been wanting to try it himself — his father wouldn’t let him. Today he finally had his chance and was very excited! He said, “Lai Fu, pour me one too — I’ll drink to Third Brother’s health!”

Lai Fu and the little maidservant laughed and congratulated them, pouring cups for them both. With everyone watching, Zhù Ying threw her head back and drained the cup in one go! Jin Biao immediately followed with his own — and choked, eyes and nose running, smacking his lips as he said, “That’s awful!” The adults all burst into laughter, and in unison they drained their own cups, turned them upside down to show the bottoms, and laughed together.

Jin’s wife said, “Lai Fu, Xiao Ya — go and eat in the kitchen. We’ll pour our own wine.”

The servants went to the kitchen and ate their own good meal in peace.

Back at the table, Zhù Da kept pulling Jin Liang into drink after drink, thanking him in every other sentence. Zhang Xiangu had a stream of things to say to Jin’s wife. Jin Biao couldn’t get a word in edgewise, and stared at Zhù Ying for quite a while before sticking his face right in front of hers. “Third Brother? That’s not very good of you!”

Jin’s wife scolded: “What nonsense are you saying again!”

Lu Chao laughed: “A’Biao — you don’t understand! You can’t say a man is ‘not very good’!”

Jin Biao said, “Can’t hold his drink — that’s not very good! And I can still hold mine!”

The child had a decent nature at heart; he was just suffering rather badly in comparison to Zhù Ying. He was half her age and appeared to have roughly half her intelligence, which Jin’s wife observed with the deep anxiety of a mother. She kept urging him to improve, which seemed to have given him something of a bond with Zhou You in shared grievance. Now that he’d found what seemed like a weakness in Third Brother, he rushed over eagerly to exploit it.

Zhù Ying sat up properly with both hands on her knees and looked at him steadily. “A’Biao — your mother told you not to play with glass beads, so you put them all in a box and hid them in the woodshed. You wanted to sneak some wine but your father wasn’t home and there was no wine in the house, so you gave money on the sly to a passing vendor. He tricked you and gave you water instead, and you were too embarrassed to say so…”

“Ahh! Stop! Stop it! Stop it! Ahhhh—!” Jin Biao let out a piercing wail, and was promptly hauled off by his father for a lesson.

“Little brat, who do you think you are! Stealing money from the family!”

Jin’s wife said, “When did he steal money from me? Why didn’t I know?”

Zhù Ying answered seriously: “I gave it back. The copper coins you painted red — those ones.”

Jin’s wife had a habit of dissolving a little red pigment in water to dye her copper coins, then scattering them into a coin box to use as pocket money.

She said, “Oh, so that’s what that was about.” Zhù Ying said, “And A’Jie — don’t listen to those charlatans on the street. Their blessed water doesn’t work. They’re just taking your money.”

Zhang Xiangu passed her hand in front of Zhù Ying’s face. “Hang on — is something wrong? Old Three — have you had too much to drink? Old man, come look — the child is acting strange!”

Jin Liang stopped punishing his son; Jin Biao stopped howling; Jin’s wife stopped asking questions. They all held their breath and watched as Zhù Da and Zhang Xiangu questioned Zhù Ying. She remained sitting perfectly upright, and only her head pivoted to face Zhang Xiangu: “Mother — you should stop doing the spirit-summoning either. Your fortune-telling has never been accurate, and your ghost-driving has never worked…”

“Oh heavens! What is wrong with you, saying all that?! Why?!” Zhang Xiangu was mortified.

Zhù Da had the presence of mind to hush his wife: “What are you squawking about? Take her inside and let her sleep it off! Sleep, and she’ll be fine!”

Zhù Ying’s head rotated toward him: “Father, the private savings you’re keeping…”

Zhang Xiangu stopped pulling her daughter and let out a sharp shriek: “You came out of prison without a single coin on you — where did that money come from?!”

Jin Liang could see things were getting out of hand. He grabbed Zhù Ying by the arm: “Come on — I’ll walk you to your room. A’Jie, which room is she sleeping in?”

Zhù Ying’s eyes swung to meet his: “Elder Brother — A’Jie is a good person. Don’t go keeping a mistress outside…”

“Hey! You ungrateful— Darling, darling, don’t listen! I don’t have one, I never did!”

Lu Chao said, “Incredible — I’ve seen drunks who get fighting mad, drunks who sing, drunks who swear, drunks who just answer whatever they’re asked, but what kind of drunk is this?” He looked at Zhù Ying. “Sanlang, Sanlang — what about Gan Da, what does he have…”

Zhù Ying’s head swiveled over: “Lu Er — cheating at gambling is wrong. Your technique isn’t even good, and you’re using loaded dice…”

Gan Ze said, “What? Lu Er — you?!” He had long suspected Lu Chao of cheating, but never caught him — so while he enjoyed a small flutter himself, he was careful never to bet big against Lu Chao. His own habit wasn’t serious and the losses were minor, but hearing it confirmed still made him angry.

Lu Chao said, “Wait, wait — Sanlang, just stop talking! Stop!”

In short order, Zhù Da, Jin Liang, and Lu Chao together lifted Zhù Ying and dumped her in the west side room. Zhang Xiangu followed to look after her, pulled off her shoes and socks, and tucked her into the bedding.

Lai Fu, eating in the kitchen, heard all the commotion from the front and said to the maidservant, “My, it’s quite lively up front.”

The maidservant said, “Let’s hurry up and eat so we can go see what’s happening.”

By the time they finished, Jin Liang and Zhù Da were still explaining themselves to their respective wives. One said, “I don’t have one, I’ve never had one — that woman’s cart was just stuck in the mud and I helped push it free, and she thanked me! No — wait, how did that one even know? They weren’t even there!”

Jin’s wife was sobbing: “So there was someone?”

“There wasn’t! She thanked me with a sachet of spices in a pouch!”

“I’ll tear you apart!”

The other said, “I earned that money myself, set it aside bit by bit from what I didn’t spend on wine — is that not allowed? A man needs to have money of his own!”

“And whose money do you earn that with?!”

Lu Chao’s wife wasn’t there, which was fortunate. He said to Gan Ze, “Let me buy you a drink tomorrow.”

Jin Biao was happy — while his mother was going after his father, he’d slipped free — though he didn’t know that when his parents got home and thought it over, his father was furious about the stolen money and his mother furious about the wine, and they gave him a combined thrashing.

After the beating, Jin Liang touching the claw marks on his face said, “We can never let Sanlang drink again! Hey — so you had money swindled out of you by a street vendor selling charms?”

Jin’s wife said, “What, you want to bring up old business? What about your sachet?”

Both fires went out.

…

Zhù Ying waited until Zhù Da and Zhang Xiangu had seen the guests out, got out of bed, slid her feet into her shoes, and said, “No one got to finish eating properly, did they? Come on — dinner.”

Zhang Xiangu asked very cautiously, “Old Three… are you…?”

Zhù Ying said, “I paid a lot of money for that food. It would be wasteful not to eat it — there’s enough here to last us through tomorrow.”

Neither parent could make sense of it, but they were genuinely hungry, and the three of them polished off half a table of banquet dishes and stored the rest in the new dish cabinet. Zhù Da had drunk some wine and, though he’d received a scratch or two, was happy enough to go to sleep. Zhang Xiangu wasn’t at ease, and followed Zhù Ying back to her room to find her grinding ink to practice calligraphy.

She said carefully, “Old Three — shouldn’t you sleep a little? I’ll clean up the kitchen. Oh, and your A’Jie sent so many household things over.”

Zhù Ying said, “Mother — I wasn’t drunk.”

“What — you — ?!”

Zhù Ying said, “None of them are bad people, but I can’t drink wine — if I let something slip it would be a problem. By doing this once, they’ll know I have this reaction to drink. From now on, no one will try to pour it down my throat, and if anyone pushes it on me, they’ll step in to fend them off.”

Zhang Xiangu relaxed completely: “Right, right — that’s exactly right. Don’t touch it! And if you ever want a drink yourself, I’ll get the good stuff and we’ll shut the door and drink however we like in here!”

Zhù Ying said, “Mother, I don’t want wine. Wine makes your mind less sharp.”

“Then practice your calligraphy — I’ll put the house to rights.”

She said she was going to put the house to rights, and kept coming back to check in: “Your Elder Jin A’Jie sent two trunks. Shall I put one in your room? You need somewhere to store things — your room is pretty bare.”

Then a while later: “What do we do with the goods we brought from the old home?”

Then a while later, once she’d finished: “Have a drink of water and take a rest — then write some more.”

Zhù Ying had grown used to it. She put down her brush and said, “Day after tomorrow, I’d like to order a few boxes of things to send to the Metropolitan Prefect Wang, Prime Minister Chen’s household, and also the jailer from back then — and the people I shared the cell block with.”

“What for?”

“Lord Wang is a good man. Prime Minister Chen gave me money; the eldest young master Chen didn’t do me wrong either. As for the jailer — he didn’t give us any trouble either.”

“All right — I still have the money Huajie gave. Use that. Ah, Huajie…”

Zhù Ying said, “Then it’s decided.”

And the next day she really did go and buy a few boxes, filled them with some tea and fruit from old, reputable shops in the capital — not impressive enough for senior officials, perhaps, but befitting her own standing. She sent one box to the Metropolitan Prefecture, one to the Prime Minister’s household, and two to Chen Meng. The gatekeeper found it puzzling — one, why was such a modest gift being sent to the Prime Minister’s household; and two, why was there more for the young master than for the Prime Minister himself?

Zhù Ying smiled and said, “Show the young master, and he’ll understand.”

Then she took the remaining few boxes and went to the prison of the Metropolitan Prefecture. Both the head jailer and the prison warder were there and were pleasantly surprised: “Sanlang? What brings you here?”

They had seen it before — someone inside calling you uncle and grandfather, then walking free and treating you like a plague carrier, never wanting to see you again.

Zhù Ying said, “Something came up that kept me busy. I should have come to see you long ago. The two of you — how have you been?”

The warder said, “Exhausted! And the extra income has dried up too, ah…”

The head jailer said, “Don’t say such things! Sanlang, whether we’re well or not I can’t say — but you look genuinely well. New clothes, and those sweets — I wouldn’t normally buy those.”

“I don’t normally buy them either — but I’m here to see you, aren’t I? Take these — bought from the same shop as what I sent to Lord Wang.”

“Then we’ll have to taste them.”

Zhù Ying asked them how things were in the prison, and the head jailer said, “Yu Li’an — sent to banishment three thousand li away. Old Ma and Old Mu were both released. Old Wen — also banishment three thousand li — though I heard he died on the road.” He added a few more things.

Zhù Ying picked up the last two boxes of pastries. “I just came to see you. Tomorrow I’ll be busy again. When I have a free moment, I’ll come back.”

The head jailer said, “That busy? Where are you earning your keep these days?”

Zhù Ying said, “Nothing is settled yet — it will be in a few days. Once it is, I’ll make sure to tell you.”

The two men walked her out laughing.

Zhù Ying made her rounds and came home to find Zhang Xiangu had heated up a few dishes from the previous day’s banquet for dinner. Zhù Ying ate the leftovers and listened as Zhang Xiangu asked, “Did you deliver everything you needed to deliver?”

Zhù Ying nodded, thinking: Given the young master Chen’s perceptiveness, he’ll certainly find a way to pass the pastries to Huajie.