Seeing the young eunuch drop to his knees, Feng Lin flicked his sleeve sharply.
All because of His Majesty’s kindness – these eunuchs and court officials had grown more and more insolent!
Feng Lin would not stoop to quarrel with a mere eunuch; that would be beneath his dignity. After a single reprimand, he ignored the man and started forward – only to see two eunuchs approaching from the opposite side, laughing and chatting so merrily that they failed to notice what had just happened.
“…Musician Cui looked absolutely delighted, saying he finally got to meet Lady Cheng in person and even hear her instruction with his own ears.”
“…And what did Lady Cheng say? Is it true those skills were taught to her by her immortal master? Otherwise, how could she have mastered so many arts – she’s barely of jade-girdle age.”
“…Lady Cheng was said to be born knowing them…”
Hearing this, the anger that had just subsided in Feng Lin flared up again.
“Born knowing?” he snapped, his brows shooting up. “What audacity – to dare claim to be a sage!”
The two eunuchs were startled by his sudden outburst. Before they could even see who had spoken, a gust of wind swept past them – someone had already strode swiftly toward the palace gates, his back straight and unyielding.
“Who was that?” the two asked in confusion, just as they noticed a young eunuch scrambling up from the ground to chase after him in a panic.
“Who?” they called out.
The young eunuch’s face was pale; even in the dead of winter, he wiped cold sweat from his brow.
“The Ghost Judge himself!” he gasped.
The Ghost Judge?
The two eunuchs looked at each other in bewilderment – and by the time they turned back, the young eunuch too had vanished past them like a gust of wind.
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, laughter once again rose from within the Imperial Consort’s hall.
“The Empress Dowager really said that?” she asked, holding up a golden cup.
“Yes, Your Ladyship,” a young eunuch replied with a smile. “The Empress Dowager said that Lady Cheng once suffered from a grave illness, and as such belongs among those ‘unfit for marriage.’ Her Majesty warned His Majesty to keep some distance, lest certain fawning, lowly opportunists try to use her to climb higher.”
“What a fine phrase – ‘fawning, lowly opportunists.’”
The Imperial Consort laughed again.
“So it is true – a woman is never to be offended,” she said with a smile, taking a slow sip from her cup. “All the more so when that woman is the most exalted in the land.”
She paused, setting the cup down. “Though in the end, they still didn’t drive her out of the capital.”
“Your Ladyship,” another eunuch said with a grin, “didn’t Master Gao already tell you not to worry? That Lady Cheng is nothing to fear. See – it’s only been a few days, and she’s already offended the Empress Dowager. Though she still has past merits to her name, and His Majesty still harbors some expectations, so for now she won’t be troubled. But give it time – when her cryptic airs and feigned mystique grow tiresome, His Majesty won’t have the patience for her much longer.”
The Consort nodded slightly and resumed sipping her wine in unhurried grace.
“Your Ladyship.” The eunuch quickly stepped to her other side, refilled her cup, and said with a smile, “If we were to drive her out of the capital – well, setting aside that it’s often better to stay still than to act rashly – such a move over someone so insignificant would hardly be worth it. If His Majesty were to grow suspicious of Your Ladyship or Master Gao because of this, it would be far too costly. Besides, sending her away might actually benefit that girl.”
“Oh?” the Consort asked. “How so?”
The eunuch placed the golden cup down, still smiling.
“Mountains high, emperor far,” he said. “Once she’s away from His Majesty’s sight, wouldn’t she live all the more freely? Here, under his very eyes, even the smallest misstep will be magnified. But if she’s far away, it’ll be much harder for her to offend him.”
The Consort nodded thoughtfully.
“I know what troubles Your Ladyship,” the eunuch continued with an ingratiating smile. “But you may rest easy. That Lady Cheng has already declared three times that she cannot cure His Highness. Even if she could, it’s not something she can take back overnight. Meanwhile, our Prince Ping grows each day, right before the eyes of the court.”
The Imperial Consort smoothed her robe, rising with a faint, graceful smile.
“Yes, enough of these trifles. What matters now is Duke Jin’an’s marriage. He’s the first of the nephews to wed – such a close relation. Come, let’s visit the Empress Dowager and see if there’s anything we can do to help.”
“Yes, Your Ladyship,” the eunuch replied promptly.
At the same time that the Imperial Consort learned of it, Duke Jin’an – still on his carriage, not yet returned to Prince Qing’s residence – had also heard the news.
“Your Highness, what are we to do?” the young eunuch asked anxiously.
But Duke Jin’an looked perfectly at ease.
“What do you mean, what to do?” he said with a smile. “This is excellent news.”
“Excellent?” the eunuch exclaimed. “But the Empress Dowager is cutting off Lady Cheng’s future!”
Duke Jin’an burst out laughing.
“Her future? You mean marriage? Such a trivial matter. What are you all so alarmed about?”
The eunuch fell silent, somewhat embarrassed – after all, for women, wasn’t marriage indeed their only so-called future?
“Besides,” Duke Jin’an went on, still smiling, “this is actually a great favor from the Empress Dowager.”
The eunuch frowned in confusion.
“Go and tell her the good news,” Duke Jin’an said, waving his hand with a grin. “And be sure to ask her for a reward.”
What?
Was that really to ask for a reward, and not a beating?
The young eunuch looked doubtful but still hopped down from the carriage.
At the Cheng residence, Ban Qin – who had just returned home with Cheng Jiao-niang – was surprised to see the eunuch arrive. After hearing his message, she was puzzled.
The Empress Dowager wanted His Majesty to keep an eye on her lady’s marriage prospects – didn’t that mean Second Master Cheng could no longer dismiss her so easily?
But then why did the young eunuch’s face show not the slightest trace of joy?
“This is outrageous!” the maid exclaimed, her face going pale.
Ban Qin quickly turned to look at her.
“The Empress Dowager’s words mean,” the maid explained anxiously, “that anyone who now wishes to marry our lady would be branded as a fawning, lowly opportunist! She said our lady once suffered from a grave illness and thus was among those who should not be married. So if anyone comes to propose now, it would be seen as them chasing her fame – as currying favor. Tell me, what high official or noble family would dare bear such a label? To be mocked by all and even risk arousing His Majesty’s suspicion?”
Ban Qin finally understood, and her face turned ashen in an instant.
“T-this…” she stammered, tears welling up as she looked toward Cheng Jiao-niang.
“This truly is good news,” Cheng Jiao-niang said with a faint smile. “Please thank His Highness for going out of his way to bring it to me.”
“Reward.”
Though startled, the maid reacted at once and pulled out a pouch of silver.
So she really did give a reward?
The young eunuch stared blankly at the pouch of silver in his hand, dazed.
As he hurried away, Ban Qin could no longer hold herself back – she dropped to her knees and moved closer.
“My lady, did you cause trouble in the palace again?” she asked.
“What do you mean, again?” Cheng Jiao-niang replied with a faint smile.
“Then why would the Empress Dowager do such a thing?” Ban Qin pressed anxiously.
“That is the Empress Dowager’s affair – I wouldn’t know,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, rising to her feet.
“My lady, is this truly a good thing?” the maid asked hesitantly.
“With the Empress Dowager herself taking action to weed out those fawning, lowly opportunists on my behalf,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, still smiling, “how could it not be a good thing?”
Oh – yes, when you put it that way, it does make sense.
Ban Qin nodded, though something still felt off to her.
The maid suddenly clapped her hands in realization.
“My lady, I’ve been too shallow again,” she said with a laugh.
“It’s not that you’re shallow,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied, “nor that the world is. They simply don’t know.”
She rose and walked inward, unfastening her outer robe as she went. Pulling out her hairpin and silver comb, she let her black hair fall loose over her shoulders.
They don’t know who she truly is.
They don’t know that what they value and fret over is not what she values or cares for.
They don’t know that, to her, the so-called joys and sorrows of this place are all the same.
“Sister,” Ban Qin tugged at the maid’s sleeve and whispered, “are you sure everything’s really all right?”
“Only those who dreamed of seeing our lady marry high would think this is a problem,” the maid replied with a soft laugh. “But think about it – is our lady the kind of person to harbor such thoughts?”
Ban Qin nodded. Yes – not to mention marrying high, even someone like Wang Shi’qi-lang wouldn’t tempt her lady.
“So since our lady never sought those things, how could she be said to have lost them?” the maid went on, smiling. “Those who fawn and curry favor will no longer dare to propose, and those who, fearing to appear as flatterers, shrink away – such men were never worthy matches for her anyway. Now all that’s been swept clean and clear, and what remains for our lady will be a true good man. Isn’t that a blessing?”
Ban Qin suddenly understood, her face breaking into a bright smile.
“Scared me half to death,” she said, patting her chest as though a great weight had lifted. “I’ll go make dinner.”
The maid nodded with a smile, watching her walk away lightly – then the smile faded from her own face.
“But… is there really such a good man in this world?” she murmured.
One who would not despise her for her former illness, nor seek her for fame or profit, nor fear the Emperor’s suspicion or the world’s scorn.
“Where in the world would such a man exist?” Attendant Scholar Gao said with a laugh, setting down his teacup.
“Indeed,” his subordinate replied with a smile as he poured more tea. “All in this world bustle for profit; all under heaven strive for gain.”
“Exactly,” Attendant Scholar Gao said. “So never deceive others – to deceive others is only to deceive yourself. Let her keep up her airs and mystique; you’ll see, this is only the beginning.”
Just as he finished speaking, the door was flung open and someone rushed in, breathless.
“How dare you enter unannounced! Who do you think you are?” the subordinate barked.
The newcomer was a minor clerk, panting heavily.
Attendant Scholar Gao recognized him at once – he was stationed at the Hall of Diligent Governance in the palace. Attendant Scholar Gao’s expression darkened, and he straightened in his seat.
“Is something happening at His Majesty’s side?” he asked quietly.
The clerk nodded, stepped forward, and whispered a few words into Attendant Scholar Gao’s ear.
Attendant Scholar Gao was momentarily stunned – then burst out laughing.
“Ah, so quickly it begins,” he said with a grin.
At that very moment, while the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Consort, Duke Jin’an, Cheng Jiao-niang, and Attendant Scholar Gao each had reason to be pleased, the only one not in good spirits was the Emperor, seated in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
He had started the day in a fine mood – meeting with officials who had long served outside the capital, questioning them kindly and offering words of comfort. Yet before he could exchange more than a few sentences, one of them had launched into a fierce reprimand, accusing him of indulging in play and neglecting state affairs.
The Emperor felt rather wronged. His health had never been strong; from childhood to now, he had hardly ever been able to “indulge in play.” To be scolded so left him displeased – and a little helplessly amused.
This time, Feng Lin had returned to the capital and been promoted to Imperial Censorate Deputy, taking charge of the powerful Censorate – and the very first person he chose to impeach and censure was none other than His Majesty himself.
“I understand,” the Emperor said, no longer in the mood to listen any further. He deliberately changed the subject.
“The handover of the Censorate need not be rushed. You’ve worked hard traveling back from afar, my loyal minister. The Prefecture of Jingzhao has already prepared a residence for you. Bring your family to settle in – the New Year is near; spend it well, and enjoy some time with your loved ones.”
His reputation as a benevolent and filial ruler was not something the world exaggerated.
“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless,” Feng Lin said with a bow, “but I have no need of rest.”
The Emperor smiled faintly, ready to offer a few more kind words – but in the next instant, that smile froze upon his face.
“I request,” Feng Lin declared solemnly, each word ringing against the hall’s marble floor, “that the Grand Court of Revision investigate the woman of the Cheng clan from Jiang-zhou – for spreading heretical speech, deluding the people, currying favor, exploiting merit, forming factions, plotting disorder, and presuming to call herself a sage – and that she be executed.”
The young eunuch standing outside the hall, whose complexion had only just begun to recover, sucked in a sharp breath once more; his face turned ghostly white.
Executed!
Merciful heavens! Truly worthy of the title Ghost Judge – pen in hand, dragging souls wherever he passed. He had only just returned to the capital, and the very first name he struck from the register of the living was that of the immortal’s own disciple, Lady Cheng!
