Character Index
Yu Bianfu: A female officer who is the daughter of General Yu, was also Xianchun's childhood friend. She formerly served as the commander of the Empress Dowager's guards, a primarily ceremonial title, but has since been transferred to the Southwest where her post is lower-ranking but more concrete.
Liu Boyue: Xianchun's childhood friend and strategist, the two have grown estranged through Kayla's interference.
Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince, a contender for the throne. In the original timeline of the story, he had an impressive harem, but remains single in the current timeline.
General Yu: Yu Bianfu's father, a commander in the Southwest who has since been promoted to the Southeast instead of the North, due to the Third Prince's interference via the Minister of War.
General Yan: A general who is posted in Xiazhou, recommended to Kayla by the Third Prince. Though he had no interest in the politics of the capital, he was roped into becoming Kayla's ally during her trip to the northern border. Kayla's candidate for commander of the reinforcements to be sent to aid Chuluo Khagan.
Ashina: Personal name is Ibilga, a princess of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and Kayla's bride.
Shegui Khagan: Khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate, Chuluo Khagan's rival.
Chuluo Khagan: Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, Ashina's father.
Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince, a contender for the throne.
Lady Lin: A blind divinator who worked with the Imperial Princess. Died after showing Kayla the future.
Qiu Yun/Yun'er: A teenage girl with plain looks and a bubbly personality, Kayla's personal servant. Originally named Yun, she became known as Yun'er due to her friendship with Yan'er, who is a year older.
Housekeeper Li: Kayla's loyal housekeeper, formerly served Wenyuan and his father as Matron Li.
Sun Ruhui: Right Secretariat of Justice, Kayla's supporter and advisor. Very mindful of Kayla's mental state and how it'll impact her choices.
Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: Lord of the Liang clan and Vice Censor of the Office of Censure. Kayla's close friend and supporter.
Zhang Dingyong: Minister of Justice, Kuang's supporter. Came from very low birth but was adopted by a decent household that lacked a son. Can have a sadistic streak sometimes.
Secretary Song: A secretary who works in the Ministry of Justice, he is half-Persian. Kayla tasked him with establishing a network of Persian and Sogdian clients for her after he offered his services. A man of few words and sharp insight.
Empress Gongsun: The deposed Empress who hailed from the Gongsun clan, mother of Zhou Yong and Zhou Hong, the first and second princes who would've been the heirs apparent if not for the fall of the Gongsun clan.
Zhou Zhen: The Fourth Prince, he died after suffering from mental and physical deterioration after being disowned by the Emperor following the death of his younger brother and the fall from grace of Archduke Qi. Though this was often seen as evidence of the Emperor's temper, the surviving princes admit that there were political considerations about Zhen's maternal clan at play.
Chen Caichun: A young female official who serves as a Chamberlain in the Court of Judicial Review. Kayla's supporter.
Zhao Kangyu: Wenyuan's biological father and adopted heir of the Grand Duke. Was poisoned by the Grand Duke.
Wei Guang: The Imperial Edict Bearer and Minister of the Office of Censure. Was also the Emperor and Imperial Princess' teacher.
Lin Jie: An Attendant Censor with a bad arm. As a former provincial official, he bonded with Zhang Wuxian as fishes out of water in the capital after being promoted due to Kayla's investigations clearing out a number of officials from their posts.
Feng Yi: A good-natured merchant who has since come to work for Kayla after a series of manipulations from Liu Boyue and then Kayla herself.
Zhao Chao: Kayla's retainer and bodyguard, accompanied her North.
Zhang Wuxian: An Attendant Censor, friends with Lin Jie.
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The Seventh Prince sat in a teahouse, watching the bustling streets below from the balcony seat. He was dressed as a well-off commoner, using cosmetic talismans to obscure his easily recognizable face. It had been months since he had last made an incognito trip, and Xianchun found that he didn’t really miss it. Half the fun had been going with Yu Bianfu and Liu Boyue. Now one was thousands of miles away, and the other was right next to him but might as well have been on the other side of the country.
Yu Bianfu used to tease him about the encounters he had with pretty young women during these trips, claiming that Xianchun would end up with a veritable harem of women in the near future. Bianfu’s father had certainly expected that she would be one of them. But ever since Wenyuan had started stirring things up at court, Xianchun hadn’t had even a spare moment to entertain the thought.
From behind the folding screen that afforded them a modicum of privacy, Xianchun listened intently to the conversations around them.
“Everyone’s talking about the commander nominations,” Liu Boyue remarked. “I suppose it’s hardly a surprise. When was the last time we conducted a war outside our own borders?”
“No one seems to expect anything from General Yu,” Xianchun said drily.
“I suppose not. It’s too bad, General Yu is immensely talented, even if he’s never fought in the North before. But it’s surprising how popular General Yan has become in such a short time,” Liu Boyue remarked. Xianchun scoffed and sipped the mediocre tea.
“So that’s what Wenyuan was hiding up their sleeves,” Xianchun muttered. “General Yan, was it? He has no background or reputation to speak of, but he’s suddenly become such a well-loved figure for the Northerners.”
“You suspect bribery, my prince?” Liu Boyue asked.
“Bribery or not, Zhao Wenyuan’s clique in the North is much more powerful than I’d expected,” Xianchun said. “All the Tiele tribes and even the nearby Governors are backing him with everything they have. In only a few weeks, Wenyuan’s built up quite a formidable presence, hasn’t he?”
“It would seem that General Yan has quite the reputation among the common people in the North as well,” Liu Boyue remarked. “That’s not a feat you could accomplish in just one or two days. Zhao Wenyuan seems to have been preparing himself well in advance.”
Xianchun glanced over at him. “You mean he anticipated this?”
“I do not know, my prince, but I find it hard to believe that his bride would have been entirely ignorant of the tensions between her father and Shegui Khagan,” Liu Boyue said. “Certainly, I am not the only one to think so.”
Liu Boyue subtly nodded, the small movement in the brim of his hat directing Xianchun’s eyes to a group of women murmuring amongst themselves, vegetable baskets hanging forgotten on their arms.
“Rumors will spread themselves,” Liu Boyue murmured.
Xianchun’s eyes narrowed. “Indeed.”
Once the rumors had begun circulating, anything the Zhao household did would only add fuel to the fire.
“The Turkish delegation will have to pay their respects to the princess once they arrive,” Xianchun noted. “I doubt they would go empty-handed either.”
“It will surely stir up a fuss even if we do nothing,” Liu Boyue said. “It might be best to minimize our role in any of the rumors. Who knows what opportunities may end up emerging? After all, it’s yet to be seen what the Emperor’s position is. If Zhao Wenyuan is consolidating his hold in the North with the Emperor’s full support, we’d do well to avoid trouble. If his actions do not have the Emperor’s support, we will gain the fisherman’s benefit.”
Xianchun shook his head slightly, setting down his teacup. “More importantly, Third Brother’s decision will be the one to shape the outcome. He still hasn’t nominated anyone yet, has he?”
“He’ll have to do so soon. They say the Khagan’s envoy is getting close to the capital,” Liu Boyue said. “Everyone wants to settle this before the Khaganate can get a word in, but time is running out.”
Xianchun sighed, placing a few coins on the table. “I’ve seen enough. Let’s go.” The payment was too much, but Xianchun didn’t wait for his change. He didn’t think he would be coming here again.
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Kayla frowned down at the reports from the Bureau, reading and rereading them before carefully feeding them to the flames.
The Western Turkic Khaganate had launched several more attacks across the Altai Mountains, but the Eastern Turkic defense held strong. Casualties were mounting on both sides as they tested and prodded at each other, and everything seemed to be heading towards a full-out war.
But still no declaration from either side, Kayla noted, her frown deepening until her brows felt strained. Realizing how much her face had twisted, Kayla smoothed out her expression, running a hand over her forehead as if to flatten it out.
The Bureau’s agents suspected inner turmoil within the Western Turkic Khaganate. Shegui Khagan had supposedly ordered all of the attacks, yet they were all led by commanders from different political factions, and the Khagan himself had been nowhere to be found. He hadn’t made a public appearance in months, and only held counsel with a small number of his closest counselors while keeping his eldest sons and closest brothers far away from him. The fact that there had already been more than seven incursions and dozens of skirmishes but still no official diplomatic envoy to declare war or ask for negotiations was suspicious.
More likely than not, Shegui Khagan was dead or indisposed, and his Khatun had seized power with her in-laws and youngest son. Rumors were spreading fast within both Khaganates, still whispers for the moment, but soon to become a tumultuous force.
What does that mean for us? If it’s true, then did Chuluo Khagan expect this? Did he engineer the situation?
Kayla sighed, watching the fire burn away the last of the letters. She stoked the flames, making sure it got every last scrap. She’d seen enough detective shows where burned fragments of a letter uncovered some devious plot or another. Kayla had no intention of letting some nosy servant do anything of the like while cleaning out the brazier.
Shaking out her robes to get rid of the smell of smoke, Kayla headed over to Ashina’s sitting rooms. The princess had reluctantly accepted reconciliation for being ejected from the call with Chuluo Khagan after initially turning Kayla away, but had refused Kayla’s offer to take her to the Imperial Princess’ villa. She remained uneasy and unhappy in the Zhao household as the court argued over whether to send reinforcements and who to send. Ashina had wisely chosen to refuse any and all visitors save for the wives of a few nobles, and even then only when they did not discuss international affairs.
Kayla found herself caught in an awkward position as a husband. On one hand, she needed to wheedle information out of the isolated princess, and on the other, Kayla felt the urge to please the princess however possible. After some deliberation, Kayla settled on pursuing both.
“My princess,” Kayla greeted Ashina, poking her head into the doorway while half-hidden behind the door. Ashina let out a small huff at the undignified display and quickly ushered Kayla in, dismissing her attendants.
“What are you thinking, acting like an overgrown boy?” Ashina scolded Kayla, but a smile of amusement kept pulling at the princess’ lips.
“If I don’t let loose once in a while, I’ll go mad with all the work piled on me,” Kayla said lightly. She stopped to admire a flower arrangement that was probably made by the princess. “This is rather well done.”
Ashina preened slightly.
Bingo.
“It’s just something I did offhandedly,” Ashina dismissed the compliment despite being visibly pleased.
“I like it,” Kayla said. “I wanted to update you on the situation with the Khaganate. Father-in-law’s envoy is expected to arrive in the capital within the next two days. The Emperor will be hosting a banquetfor them, and you, of course, will be one of the guests of honor. Would it please you to get some new ornaments for the occasion?”
“No need, I have plenty from my trousseau,” Ashina replied.
“Will you wear the red jade bracelet I gave you?” Kayla asked, sounding as earnest as she could manage.
Ashina flushed slightly. “I’m not sure it would match my outfit, but if you like.”
“I’ll also wear my pendant,” Kayla promised. Having sufficiently plied Ashina into a good mood, Kayla moved onto her second objective.
“It seems that General Yan will be selected as the commander, now that the Third Prince has also chosen to support him,” Kayla said. “I’m not sure if you’ve seen the materials on General Yan…”
“I did,” Ashina replied. “He seems to be rather hardy and capable, and the fact that he’s acclimated to the North should make it easier for him to adapt.”
“I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear of your approval,” Kayla replied. “He’s not of very high birth, and he’s honestly a little too straightforward and sharp-tempered, but he’s extremely reliable as a commander. It might sound a little strange for me to ask for the envoy to be understanding, so could I trouble you to do so?”
“Alright. I’m sure they won’t mind. We have plenty of warriors who have strong personalities in the Khaganate,” Ashina said.
“I’m only a little worried that some might take offense at his background,” Kayla admitted.
“My father would not,” Ashina replied. “And if he does not, who else would dare to?”
“That’s good to hear. There’s also been some questions about budget and costs, since we can’t just leave all the preparations to our allies. I was hoping to discuss it more with the envoys so we could hammer it out in court, but I thought you’d know better than me. Has your father been preparing for war against Shegui Khagan for long? That is, does he have enough intel on the Western Turkic Khaganate?” Kayla asked.
Ashina stiffened slightly at the turn of the conversation.
“Father’s always been prepared for war with Shegui Khagan, just like your Uncle has always been prepared for war with my father,” Ashina said defensively. “It’s only common sense as a ruler to prepare for what has not happened yet!”
“Of course,” Kayla comforted her. “It’s only natural to do so. But there are differing levels of threats, are there not? From your understanding, will it be a long and bloody war or merely a series of skirmishes? It’s hard to send reinforcements in with confidence if I’ve no grasp on the situation. Has your father ever mentioned anything to you?”
“I don’t know,” Ashina said, her voice sharpening with frustration. “Father never spoke to me about these things! But the courtiers have been murmuring about a war for years now. There’s a new rumor almost every other month. Some say Shegui Khagan is losing control over his retainers who’ve absorbed the habits of the Persians, some say he’s lost his wits and his khatun is the one running the affairs of the Khaganate. There’s even rumors that he’s dying and his sons have conspired to use him as a puppet. But it’s all just gossip, nothing solid.”
Kayla reached out, gently taking Ashina’s arm and silently noting down the information. Ashina scowled but didn’t move to pull her arm away, allowing Kayla to guide her to the couch and sit down. Kayla sat down next to Ashina, carefully positioning herself to be neither too close nor too far.
“The tensions must have been high,” Kayla murmured. “Was it nerve-wracking to hear that all the time?”
“No,” Ashina replied. “Our warriors are brave, our tarkhans wise. What do we have to fear from the Persianized Onoq? The courtiers often said that when the sword gets rusty the warrior's condition suffers, when a Turk assumes the morals of a Persian his flesh begins to stink. I don’t know how reliable those words are, since I have sisters who married into Sogdia, and I myself left my fellow Turks to come live among the Han people. But perhaps warriors who willingly allow themselves to be seduced by the luxury of Persian lifestyles are different.”
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Kayla nodded along, letting Ashina’s words drive the conversation. “What do you think, from what you’ve seen of the Western Turks? Do their flesh stink?”
“I’ve not gotten close enough to one to know,” Ashina replied. “But though it’s foolish to fear them, it would also be foolish to underestimate them. There will be great misfortune, the shaman said as much, and father never said anything, but from how he regards Shegui Khagan, I’ve no doubt it’ll come from the West.”
Goosebumps shivered up Kayla’s spine. She hid it with the same look of casual interest she wore before.
“The court shaman?” Kayla asked.
Ashina’s back tensed. She turned away from Kayla to hide a flustered flush that crept up the back of her neck anyways, heedless of its mistress’s intentions.
It’s just as I thought–she didn’t mean to say that.
“Yes, the old court shaman who passed away,” Ashina said, her tone purposefully vague. “He gave a great many prophecies.”
“A great misfortune…your father never spoke of it to you?” Kayla asked as casually as she could manage.
Ashina drew herself up, the lines of her body growing straight and rigid.
“He never spoke of it to anyone.” Ashina’s voice was frosty now, and Kayla beat a tactical retreat.
“Speaking of, I remember the court divinator was called to read my fortune before,” Kayla remarked. “My mother was in charge of safekeeping the results. I never asked, and now that she’s passed, I don’t know who to ask. Do you think we should get our fortunes read again?”
Ashina relaxed minutely at the change in subject.
“I’m not interested in such things, but if you want to, I don’t see the harm in it,” Ashina replied.
“Hmm, perhaps when things are less busy. But when we have a child, we should get their fortune read,” Kayla said. Ashina flushed again, redder this time.
“What–you–what child?!” She smacked Kayla in the arm for want of a suitable retort. Laughing, Kayla cajoled Ashina into having dinner together. Only when she was alone again in her study did Kayla’s face pull into a grimace.
A great misfortune? A shaman? Did the Khagan also have someone like Lady Lin?
The more she thought of it, the more it unsettled her.
Does he also know the future then? Kayla’s fingernails clenched into her palms. Someone other than me might have seen what will happen, and that someone might just be the Khagan.
Then again, the Imperial Princess was reincarnated. Lady Lin could see the future and even the souls of candidates for Wenyuan’s replacement. What was to say that they were the only ones?
A chill went down Kayla’s spine, and she wrapped her arms around her midriff, hunching in on herself. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? No, of course it can’t be good for us. After all, the North will be hit hard by the Little Ice Age, the current technology we have can’t circumvent that. Unless he finds new lands for his people to reside in, they’ll have to make incursions South or West, most likely both. Does that mean the request for reinforcements was a trap for us? Or perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. I don’t know what the Khagan knows.
Kayla shook her head and collected herself, smoothing down the front of her robes as the sound of footsteps approached the door.
“My lord, Right Secretariat Sun is here to see you,” Yun’er’s voice informed him, her short silhouette showing the curve of her rounded cheek through the paneling of the door.
“Have Housekeeper Li see him in,” Kayla called back.
“As you wish, my lord.” Soft pattering, and the small shadow retreated from the hallway. A few moments later, Kayla heard Housekeeper Li’s voice and opened the door, stepping into the hallway with her arms spread. Housekeeper Li tactfully stepped to the side, head lowered respectfully as Kayla welcomed Sun Ruhui.
“What a wonderful sight! I have not seen you in days, Ruhui, much too long for my liking,” Kayla greeted him. Sun Ruhui smiled and happily accepted the friendly hands on his shoulders. Kayla nodded in thanks to Housekeeper Li and led Sun Ruhui inside her study. At her gesturing, he sat on the couch Hu Qing had moved in from Wenyuan’s old rooms, the couch that Ashina always avoided by instinct.
Kayla sat across from him, gently pushing a tray of tea and snacks towards him.
“How have things been at the Ministry recently?” Kayla asked.
“All is well on my part, thanks to your continued patronage,” Sun Ruhui said. “Zhang Dingyong has not given us any trouble, though he has taken to teasing me quite regularly.”
He gave a wry smile at the look of befuddlement on Kayla’s face.
“His actions are harmless, but I suspect he’s wanted to do this for some time now,” he said, a small note of exasperation in his voice.
“Well, so long as it does not bother you,” Kayla said. Her mind flashed to the exchange she had with Zhang Dingyong at the Third Prince’s celebratory banquet, back when she was still a Left Secretariat of Justice, when Wenyuan and the Grand Duke were still alive. It felt like a lifetime ago as much as it felt like it had only been days ago.
“But be careful of him,” Kayla added on as an afterthought.
“Of course,” Sun Ruhui replied. “I also have good news for you. Secretary Song has amassed an impressive network of Persians and Sogdians for you–I’d say his reach extends as far as the Western border by now.”
“That is impressive, and for such a taciturn man! Or is he only like that with me?”
“From what I’ve seen, he is capable of being very sociable in private in small bursts, but his quiet nature seems to stir up the protectiveness of his fellow Persians,” Sun Ruhui explained. “The more quiet he is, the more vigorous they are in their efforts to see to his personal network.”
“That’s an…” Kayla took a longer pause than she meant to. “An interesting way of getting things done, for sure. I’ll have to see him aptly rewarded for pulling through–but I have another reward in store for him if he sees to another matter for me.”
“I’m sure he’d be glad to be of service if possible,” Sun Ruhui said.
“I need him to work his magic in Canton as well, best if he can establish connections with the Arabs as well,” Kayla said, leaning forward and folding her hands on her knees. “I’ll get him an official commission to Canton on some business or another, and see to it that he gets a promotion out of it. But I need him to get it done quickly.”
“Should he have no family matters binding him, Secretary Song will certainly be honored to accept,” Sun Ruhui said. “He would like to introduce a few key members of his connections to you, perhaps he can do so before leaving.”
“Of course. And I will be covering the fees for everything he needs en route, and anything he wants as well. I do ask he not go overboard, but within reason, everything will be charged to my account,” Kayla said. “Do make sure to tell him that.”
“I am sure he will appreciate it.”
Sun Ruhui waited patiently for Kayla to get to the matter she had summoned him for, the serenity in his eyes hiding a deep-rooted concern. He would not have been called in person for something as minor as the delegation of a task. Surely something was wrong.
The Duke was embroiled in far too much danger for his own good, as always, and no amount of kindly advice or remonstration could lower the stakes or clear the path for him. Sun Ruhui feared, as he had from the start, that one day, the young Duke would reach his limit, and only grief could come of that.
“I’ve already contacted you about my mother’s scrolls and my plans for them,” Kayla said, oblivious to the man’s silent worries. “But there are some scrolls that I don’t know what to do with.”
“May I inquire as to what they are, my lord?”
“Evidence of my grandfather’s dealings with the Gongsun clan, including correspondence with the deposed Empress and her father that encouraged them to interfere with the First Prince’s marriage,” Kayla said grimly. She raised her eyes to Sun Ruhui’s, her brows creased together. “And with the Fourth Prince’s clan. And with the Shu clan. And with countless other in-laws who grew too troublesome for the Emperor to handle.”
And once that happened, the Grand Duke was called in to help. The realization dawned upon Sun Ruhui almost instantaneously.
“He raised the bandits to grow his own power,” Sun Ruhui murmured. “I had suspected it, but…”
“There’s been no evidence until now,” Kayla finished for him. “I’m in quite a difficult position right now. The Grand Duke actively encouraged the Gongsun clan’s mounting arrogance and then benefited greatly from their downfall. If you look at it in the worst light possible, then he’s at least partly responsible for the succession crisis. So the question is, what do I do with my mother’s evidence?”
“Destroy them.” Sun Ruhui spoke without a shred of hesitation. “You must destroy them thoroughly. It does not matter how many people you could pull from their positions with the evidence, how much revenue you could obtain for the Treasury, or how much short-term benefit you could gain. Evidence of your grandfather’s dealings with the Imperial in-laws will come to haunt you in the long run. Think, my lord, of what happens in ten–no, perhaps twenty or more years in the future, when the next Emperor grows suspicious of a Consort’s family and suddenly remembers your lineage. What then? Does he question your actions based on those of your grandfather’s? You cannot afford such a thing. There is enough suspicion towards you already.”
He carefully evaluated Kayla’s face. “My lord, do you perhaps disagree?” Sun Ruhui did not think that was the case. Most likely, the Duke needed someone else to provide the unfilial solution to the problem the way he had needed with killing the Grand Duke.
“Not really,‘’ Kayla admitted. “I just…feel sorry for my mother, I suppose. She must have felt very alone.”
Sun Ruhui kept silent, quietly swallowing his surprise as Kayla intertwined her fingers in her lap.
“I have often felt that way, but at least I had you, and Hu Qing and Chen Caichun too,” Kayla said, her voice growing distant. “But she had…who did she have? A kind husband who died because he was too weak to protect himself? A useless son who she had to protect? A teacher who…who is stubborn to his own elusive ideals? I…sometimes I just feel like her sacrifices have been wasted.”
“To have a son who can think that is enough to prove that they were not a waste,” Sun Ruhui said gently. “Her goal was ultimately to protect her child. That she kept you in the dark was not a sign of your uselessness, but a testament to the boundless virtue of maternal love. As they say, a parent who loves their child should think for their future. In that regard, she surely exceeds anyone.”
Kayla thought of Wenyuan’s despair at being trapped helplessly in his own body, his fear and anger, and of the nullification magic that grew stronger in the capital, and the scrolls lining the vault beneath her feet.
“Certainly,” she agreed.
“Since it was for your protection in the first place, then you should use it however necessary to serve that intended purpose,” Sun Ruhui went on. “If it serves you, keep it or leverage it. If it does not, destroy it. Even better, use it to track down any incriminating evidence or witnesses and take care of them. Your path is still long, you would do yourself a great favor by eliminating obstacles in advance.”
“I will heed your sound advice, Ruhui,” Kayla murmured. “I am truly glad to have your counsel.“
“It is my honor to give it,” Sun Ruhui replied, turning the conversation to his concerns. “I know you are already doing so, but please tread carefully in the coming days, my lord. The marriage alliance has only been officially in effect for a very short time, but already there is a request for reinforcements. People will celebrate a wedding, especially if it ensures peace, but that fond appreciation soon fades when they must send their soldiers out to fight in a foreign land.”
“I know. The rumors aren’t good right now, are they?” Kayla sighed.
“As Director of the Bureau, you surely know more than I do,” Sun Ruhui said by way of a reply. “Your support of General Yan has also sparked controversy, and the matter of the First and Second Princes remains unsolved. If anything happens…”
“I want to send guards, but the Emperor is very touchy about the subject,” Kayla complained. “I would send private guards of my–”
“Please do not do that,” Sun Ruhui cut in sharply. “It would spark too much controversy should anyone catch wind of it.”
“Everything I do is controversial anyways,” Kayla said.
“It cannot always be so, my lord. It makes you too tempting of a target,” Sun Ruhui said, not unkindly. “Right now, there are more people who want you dead than you can imagine.”
“Now that you mention it, no one’s tried to kill me in a while,” Kayla muttered.
“Please don’t tempt fate, my lord,” Sun Ruhui quickly interjected.
“I’ll ask Hu Qing to have Lin Jie move the investigation along,” Kayla relented.
“The Attendant Censor? Is he the one handling it?”
“Yes, I’ve given him full access to the archives of the Bureau for the investigation,” Kayla said. “As a precaution, though, I’m keeping an eye on what he requests.”
“A wise choice. Keeping Hu Qing out of it was also a good decision,” Sun Ruhui said. “He is far more valuable, and far closer to you as well. It would be unwise to let him take the risk.”
Kayla winced a little. “I’ll do my best to protect Lin Jie should something come up,” she said uneasily.
“He would be easier to protect than Hu Qing, and should you fail, he would take less of a blow,” Sun Ruhui said. “I do not say this to reprimand you, my lord, but to remind you of your position. These are men who cannot refuse your bidding, but circumstance would have them thank you for placing them in danger instead of protesting. For some it will be genuine, as for Feng Yi. But that will not always be the case.”
“I know,” Kayla said quietly.
“There will only be more people like Feng Yi and Lin Jie in the future. Plenty will offer their services to you as Secretary Song has, but there will always be others who you must rope in regardless. People who you send to ply important persons with gifts, people you send to threaten bystanders into silence, to pay off guards and clerks and servants, to watch and listen,” Sun Ruhui went on. “You cannot avoid it, but you can be mindful of it and act as a benevolent master.”
“No matter how well you treat a chess piece, you’re still treating it as a chess piece,” Kayla said with a frown, thinking of the Empress Dowager. “It breeds resentment.”
“Then don’t treat them as chess pieces,” Sun Ruhui said matter-of-factly. “With clear rewards and clear risks, one cannot be said to be a chess piece but a retainer. It would be ideal, of course, that they should come to choose this path of their own volition, but circumstances cannot always be ideal.”
“No, they cannot,” Kayla admitted. “But even so.”
“It must happen anyways, you may as well make your peace with it,” Sun Ruhui said.
He really is good at anticipating my worries. Kayla smiled, relieved and sheepish.
“I will,” Kayla promised.
“And please increase your security,” Sun Ruhui added. “I heard you’ve increased protections for your wife, but you ought to mind your own safety as well.”
“I’ll drag Zhao Chao with me everywhere,” Kayla agreed.
The two shared a smile, contentedly soaking in the moment of mutual understanding.
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Zhang Wuxian stretched his limbs in the empty corridor, glad for the moment of peace away from the clerks and subordinates who always seemed to have a million questions at any given moment. He caught sight of a familiar figure and smiled as Lin Jie approached, but the man was too buried in a document to see him.
“Brother Lin,” Zhang Wuxian called. Lin Jie glanced up, a small smile on his lips.
“Don’t call me that in the workplace,” Lin Jie said.
“I’m on break and there’s no one here,” Zhang Wuxian said. “My wife packed me extra meat pies to share with you. Won’t you do me the favor of joining me so I can report back to her your appreciation?”
Lin Jie’s eyes softened. “Thank you, but I’ve already eaten. If it would please her, I can take them back for dinner instead.”
“Now you’re just conniving to avoid cooking,” Zhang Wuxian accused him jokingly. “I’ll wrap them up for you. Are you in a hurry?”
“I have to submit a request for the archives,” Lin Jie said. He paused and glanced around before leaning closer to Zhang Wuxian.
“I think I’m on the verge of uncovering something important,” Lin Jie said quietly. “A truth that could shake this nation.”
Zhang Wuxian looked at him, confused but impressed.
“Congratulations, Brother Lin! If anyone could do it, it would be you.”
“Keep quiet about this, but I’ll be sure to loop you in once I’m sure it’s safe to do so,” Lin Jie said, laying a hand on Zhang Wuxian’s shoulder.
Zhang Wuxian nodded.
“Then I'm off,” Lin Jie said. He squeezed Zhang Wuxian’s shoulder and walked away.
“I’ll leave the meat pies on your desk!” Zhang Wuxian called after him. Lin Jie raised a hand in acceptance and rounded the corner.
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Cultural Notes
茶楼/Teahouse: Often served as resting spots and sites for social gatherings in Ancient China. They usually served food as well. Higher-end places may also provide entertainment.
渔翁之利/Fisherman's benefit: An Ancient Chinese proverb referring to benefiting by sitting back and letting events unfold.
Altai Mountains: A mountain range in Central and Eastern Asia, including parts of modern-day Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and China.
Khatun: A title for the wives and female relatives of the Khagans of the Gokturks. The title continued to be used in the Mongolian empire.
防患于未然/Prepare for what has not happened yet: An Ancient Chinese proverb.
Onoq: The Western Turkic Khaganate was sometimes also referred to as the onoq, or Ten Arrows (On oq), or the tribal federation that composed the backbone of the Khaganate.
Sogdia: An Ancient Iranian civilization located in modern-day Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Had extensive contact with the Turks and Persians. There was also a significant Sogdian presence in Tang Dynasty China.
When the sword gets rusty the warrior's condition suffers, when a Turk assumes the morals of a Persian his flesh begins to stink: A Central Asian proverb from before the 11th century. Its exact origins are unclear, but it was recorded by Mahmud al-Kashgari, a 11th century scholar of Turkish languages.
Little Ice Age: Often used to refer to periods of regional cooling, these occurred several times in Ancient Chinese history, almost always heralding the end of a dynasty and subsequent chaos that lasted for decades.
托您的福/By [thanks to] your blessings/fortune: A Chinese saying that is usually used to be polite. It's similar to saying "our family is well, thanks to your blessings."
Canton: Modern-day Guangzhou, the port of Canton was a significant hub of the maritime Silk Road, hosting various foreign populations and resulting in intermingling between different ethnic groups. There was a semi-permanent settlement of Arabs and Persians in the city, who were permitted to build their own mosques and have semi-autonomous self-governance within the restrictions of Chinese law.
养寇自大/Raising bandits to enlarge your own position: An Ancient Chinese proverb that means to purposefully make your enemy stronger in order to gain more power for yourself. Ex: Secretly funneling funds to a terrorist group and using their actions to gain support for your own political platform.
父母之爱子则为之计深远/A father and mother's love for their child is to plan deep and far [for their future]: An Ancient Chinese proverb from the pre-Qin era, it originated from a story from the pre-Qin kingdom of Zhao, where the Queen Dowager was advised to send her young son as a hostage to an allied kingdom in order to gain the military reinforcements needed to preserve her kingdom. Being understandably worried for her son, she initially refused, but relented after realizing that her son would have no future if she did not take this course of action and would only inherit a greatly weakened kingdom while having no political support of his own. As such, this is often used to refer to situations where parents take actions that do not benefit their child in the short-term in order to benefit them in the long term.
自知之明/The clarity of self-understanding: An Ancient Chinese proverb that essentially refers to self-awareness.