A queen, as long as her position remains secure, holds far greater value than an underappreciated prince.
Su Xinghe walked out of the Eastern Palace, deep in thought, pondering how to make Empress Hui rely on the Su family. Suddenly, a voice, cold and edged with sharpness, rang out ahead, accompanied by a light chuckle. “Who do we have here? I haven’t seen Lord Su come to pay respects in quite some time, yet now that the empress has been conferred her title, you’ve rushed over faster than anyone.”
Su Xinghe inwardly cursed her bad luck, another run-in with Consort Zuo Zhaoyi. This woman had once been rather shrewd, but ever since the case involving Princess Xialing’s residence took an unexpected turn, she had been like a cornered dog, lashing out recklessly. In truth, if she were truly adept, she should have remained silent and cautious at a time like this. It was difficult for others to unseat an empress who had fallen out of favor, but for Consort Zuo Zhaoyi, it was not impossible. By making enemies so openly, wasn’t she simply surrounding herself with foes on all sides? After all, one should fear the wrath of a petty person more than that of a noble one.
Su Xinghe smiled bitterly and bowed deeply with solemn decorum. “This humble servant greets Your Highness. I have been occupied as of late and have not had the chance to visit Fengchu Palace. Today, I came to the Eastern Palace early in the morning to offer congratulations to Her Majesty under the Crown Prince’s orders. After this, I must return to the yamen cases that have piled up as the year draws to a close, and I am completely swamped.”
Consort Zuo Zhaoyi sneered, a chilling sound that made one’s spine tingle. “Oh, I know. You’re quite the busy woman now. To think back to when you first entered the palace was such a clever and obedient young girl, so grateful to me for allowing the Su family’s daughter to enter the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace…”
Su Xinghe wondered if this woman had gone mad. Was she truly ready to burn all bridges? If that was the case, there was no need for pleasantries. If Consort Zuo Zhaoyi insisted on placing herself and her son in such a perilous situation, then so be it, was entirely her own doing.
At first, Su Xinghe remained bowed. But as soon as Consort Zuo Zhaoyi finished speaking, she straightened up and replied in an unhurried tone,
“I am still grateful to Your Highness. Without you, I would never have entered the Eastern Palace, nor would I have become the Jinyi Guard Commander. Back then, Your Highness must have sent me because the Crown Prince had no one to rely on. Or perhaps you foresaw that the former Empress would inevitably pass away, leaving the Crown Prince alone and vulnerable, which is why you instructed me to watch over him day and night. Otherwise, given Your Highness’s relationship with the late Empress, how could such an arrangement have come to be?
I have since served my master with utmost diligence, and I am fortunate not to have failed Your Highness’s expectations. I can at least give you an account of my service.
As for the Empress, when I went to see her earlier, she herself acknowledged that she had merely picked up what others left behind. It seems she is well aware of the situation. Your Highness, are you on your way to seek an audience with her? Perhaps you might console her as well. Whether or not she ‘picked up the scraps,’ it is what fate has already decided.
Last time, when His Majesty and the Crown Prince discussed the selection of the Empress, they worried that Consort Zuo Zhaoyi was too mild-mannered to handle the responsibility. The Crown Prince still holds Your Highness in high regard; he even recommended you to His Majesty as a Vice Empress to assist in managing the affairs of the inner palace.
Your Highness has worked tirelessly for years, and the entire palace knows it. Frankly, I felt indignant on your behalf over this matter. After all your hard work, you didn’t even receive the title of Vice Empress… But the Crown Prince’s intentions were good. Who else would have dared to remind His Majesty of this? Now that this has been settled, you can justifiably oversee palace affairs on behalf of the Empress, and at least your position will no longer be awkward.”
She spoke calmly, without spice or salt, yet every word cut to the bone.
Vice Empress? That title was more humiliating than a slap across the face.
Consort Zuo Zhaoyi’s face instantly flushed red. Someone else got to be Empress, while she was still left cleaning up after them. The Crown Prince had no good intentions; he was clearly mocking her!
Now she understood. The Su family had latched onto a higher branch; they must have aligned themselves with the new Empress. That was why they dared to taunt her like this.
She, the former head of the harem, was now reduced to this humiliation, even having to “seek an audience” at the Eastern Palace. Absolutely not!
Consort Zuo Zhaoyi flicked her sleeves and stormed off. Su Xinghe had sent her away with just a few words. Watching her retreating figure, she wore an expression that was half a laugh, half a sigh.
How could this woman be so short-sighted? She had come all this way, only to turn back halfway. The entire harem was gathered to congratulate the Empress. Was she deliberately putting on airs, or was she openly challenging the Empress?
Sometimes, an effortless victory wasn’t due to one’s own brilliance, but simply because the opponent was too foolish. With Consort Zuo Zhaoyi’s stubborn refusal to yield, Su Xinghe wouldn’t even need to bother dealing with her in the future; there would be plenty of others eager to push her down and trample her into the dirt.
Leaving the palace, she headed straight for the Kontrolling Bureau. When she arrived, several qianhu (commanders) were already waiting. She felt a bit guilty for being late and explained, “The decree to confer the Empress was issued today. Things were rather hectic in the palace.”
As she was about to head to the prison cells, Jiang Chengzi muttered as he walked, “Isn’t a general amnesty usually granted when an Empress is established? Should we even continue investigating this case?”
Everyone turned to look at Su Xinghe in silence. She curled her lips slightly. “Don’t get lazy. A general amnesty has nothing to do with General Cao Zhan. At most, he’ll be spared the death penalty, but there’s no way he’ll be reinstated to his position.”
The group hurried into the interrogation chamber, proceeding with the plan they had discussed the previous day letting the servants and attendants identify the suspect. Su Xinghe sat in a circle-backed chair and warned in a loud, authoritative voice,
“Look carefully. Identify him correctly, and you can be absolved. If you make a false accusation against a court official, you’ll be executed on the spot for perjury.”
The crowd trembled in fear, responding in staggered voices, “Yes, ma’am.”
These servants had all worked in the main residence. They had attended to General Cao Zhan’s every need, even carrying in the hot water for him after his affairs. They had seen him dressed, and undressed they could recognize him even in the dark.
Dozens of hands immediately pointed straight at General Cao Zhan’s face.
The mistresses who had been dragged here to witness the scene realized the situation was beyond saving. Their faces turned pale as they covered their mouths, sobbing in despair.
General Cao Zhan’s face was a patchwork of bruises and swelling, a pitiful sight for a once-proud general. Su Xinghe rubbed her nose and remarked, “General Cao Zhan, you bit off more than you could chew. Keeping one or two mistresses is one thing, but you went and supported ten at once. At this rate, you’d drain half of Dayin’s Dynasty dry.”
General Cao Zhan had never thought much of female officials before, but after this ordeal, he had no choice but to concede. His head drooped as he muttered, “Lord Su, I just want to know who sent the secret letter accusing me. Even if I die, at least let me die with some clarity.”
Su Xinghe pondered for a moment before replying, “Technically, I shouldn’t tell you. But considering we were once colleagues… It was your wife.”
General Cao Zhan froze for a moment, then suddenly burst into bitter laughter. His booming voice filled the prison, echoing so loudly it seemed as if the cell walls might collapse.
As Su Xinghe exited the interrogation chamber, Jiang Chengzi caught up with her, pressing, “We haven’t even confirmed who wrote the secret letter. How did you decide it was Lady Cao?”
She shot him a glance. “Do you know the best way to break a prisoner’s defenses? Strike them where it hurts the most with someone they trust implicitly. Think about it. If even his own wife has turned against him, it means the tide has already turned. What’s the point of denying anything now? He’ll confess everything.”
Jiang Chengzi blinked, just about to praise her for her cunning, when a messenger arrived at the door. Qing Wei had returned to report back. “Lord, your message has been relayed to the Minister of War. Huo Yan says you can depart this afternoon.”
Su Xinghe took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, her breath turning into a white mist before her eyes.
The snow had stopped, and the sky showed signs of clearing. She recalled an old text that described the Winter Solstice as “the extreme of yin, where yang begins to rise.” After the solstice, all things start to awaken again.
This snowfall… was likely the last of this winter.
She had to leave the city in the afternoon. Before departing, she sent Ye Jinchun back to inform the Crown Prince. If he happened to be in court at the time, discussing state matters, and the timing didn’t align, then she couldn’t be blamed for acting first and reporting later.
She was quietly making her own calculations, even rushing through her meal. The meeting was set at Lizheng Gate, and she hadn’t stepped outside this city for years. No matter the reason whether for a case or something else, she couldn’t hide a childlike excitement.
After setting down her chopsticks, she stepped outside for a quick glance. Good. Ye Jinchun hadn’t returned yet, and there was no movement from the Crown Prince either. The imperial decree to confer the Empress had just been issued today, and with all the governmental affairs piling up, he was likely too busy to bother with her.
She selected Su Xinghai and Jinyi Guard to accompany her, along with two or three constables. Once they were fully equipped, they mounted their horses and rode straight to Lizheng Gate. It was the closest route to the northern military encampment. If the snowfall truly ceased, they could make a round trip in just two hours.
Since she had arranged a meeting, she couldn’t afford to be late. Being late would make her seem undisciplined. So, she arrived early.
As she waited, she took in the scenery of the capital. The city gate was bustling with travelers coming and going. With the year drawing to a close, more street vendors were out, carrying their wares on shoulder poles. Occasionally, the sharp crack of firecrackers echoed through the air pa! a faint hint of the approaching New Year’s festivities.
Jinyi’s guard glanced left and right before finally spotting a group of riders on the long street. He called out, “My lord, the Minister of War is here.”
Su Xinghe turned her head. The bleak, wintry streets suddenly seemed to bloom with fresh vibrancy. Whether or not the approaching figure was Huo Yan, the sight itself was an undeniable pleasure to behold.
A small smile tugged at her lips as she watched the man at the front, riding his tall warhorse. Suddenly, a hint of shyness crept over her, and she unconsciously raised a hand to adjust her collar.
The Ministry of Military Control remained as serious as ever. He cupped his hands toward her and said, “Lord Su, you’ve been waiting long.”
Su Xinghe waved it off. “Not at all. I should apologize. I’m troubling you yet again, Lord Huo Yan.”
A young lady’s gentlest charm lies in that shy, fleeting smile. Amidst a group of seasoned warriors, her presence was like a flower adorning the edge of a blade. Even though she came from the cold and ruthless Ministry of Military Control (Kongrong), she still brought a sense of novelty and vigor.
Huo Yan had already experienced her sharp tongue, but seeing her now in broad daylight, she exuded an entirely different kind of allure. Watching her smile, he found it difficult to maintain his usual stern expression. Instead, he allowed a faint twitch at the corner of his lips, a subtle, almost imperceptible return of courtesy.
There were quite a few people in attendance, with men on both sides. A quick count revealed at least a dozen. This was the first time in history that the Ministry of Military Control and the Ministry of War (Shumiyuan) were working together. To be fair, the Ministry of Military Control as the emperor’s personal watchdog was often met with some degree of disdain. Yet, because this case was entangled with greater matters, cooperation was unavoidable. Such was the helplessness of duty.
Su Xinghe, however, relished this kind of helplessness. She quickly made up her mind. Huo Yan was not someone to be eliminated; he must be drawn to her side. Previously, Su Xinghai had suggested the same, but she had hesitated. Now, with the man right before her, she wavered. It turned out she truly admired his kindness.
The first time they met, she had been cautious and tense. In this second meeting, her mindset was completely different. She absentmindedly touched her own face. She had never thought that a man’s gaze could make her heart race and her breath shorten. Feeling both embarrassed and unsettled, she tugged at the fur collar of her cloak, pulling it up to cover most of her face.
As the group reined in their horses, preparing to leave the city, the distant sound of galloping hooves echoed. Turning back, they saw a squad of imperial guards in black robes and silver armor riding swiftly toward them. At the rear of the group, atop a short, sturdy horse, was Ye Jinchun. He rode forward and reported, “My lord, His Highness is occupied with state affairs and unable to come personally. He has dispatched the imperial guards for your command.”
Su Xinghe felt a headache coming on and could only sigh. “Convey my gratitude to His Highness. Su Xinghe and thank him for his kindness.”
At this moment, any trace of sentimentality was utterly wiped away. She glanced at the ever-watchful Eastern Palace guards, then at Huo Yan. Who now wore an amused expression. Utterly mortified, she tightened her grip on the reins, pressed her heels into her horse’s flanks, and bolted forward without another word.
Galloping on horseback, she rode against the wind like a man, her cloak billowing behind her. Keeping up with her required some effort, and at such speed, the entire entourage had to race after her. By the time they arrived at the Northern Military Camp, the sky was caught between dusk and daylight. The first thing that greeted her upon dismounting was not a warm welcome but Huo Yan’s stern warning.
“Lord Su has never marched with the army and may not fully grasp the risks. The roads are slippery after snowfall if your horse were to lose its footing, there would be no time for recovery. I understand your urgency to complete your duty, but your own safety is paramount. Please keep that in mind.”
His furrowed brows and serious expression bore a striking resemblance to Su Xinghai. Su Xinghe’s face constantly flushed red. She mumbled, “My apologies. Once I’m on horseback, I can’t seem to control myself… I suppose I’ve been cooped up in the city for too long. Thank you for the reminder, Huo Yan. Fortunately, no mishap occurred. I’ll be more careful on the way back. Please don’t laugh at me.”
Of course, laughing at her was out of the question; few women possessed such courage. His impression of her had always been one of boldness, and now that impression was even more deeply ingrained. To her fearless nature, she had added a reckless determination. This female officer was truly a rare and formidable figure in the Dayin Dynasty.
However, the Crown Prince’s possessiveness was just as blatant. The Eastern Palace’s imperial guards were not easily deployed, yet here they were, sent in full force. No wonder she looked displeased.
A spirited woman would hardly enjoy being constrained at every turn. He understood the Crown Prince’s temperament well though their relationship was practically set in stone, in his judgment, if Su Xinghe were to truly become the Prince’s private possession, she would have no chance of stepping into the public eye again. One was determined to protect, the other found it suffocating… He smiled faintly. The men of the Huo family had never been ambiguous about their affections.
This subtle expression did not escape Su Xinghe’s notice.
Later, inside the Northern Army’s command tent, she observed as he sat at the head of the gathering, questioning the officers. She listened quietly without interjecting, all the while contemplating how cunning Commander Nan Yushu truly was.
These Thousand Household officers were all seasoned warriors who had fought on the battlefield. While the Jinyi Guards held great authority in the capital, here in the military, their prestige meant little. Without Huo Yan’s intervention, they would have hit a dead end at every turn. And if they failed to enlist Huo Yan’s help, Commander Nan Yushu would simply refuse to come himself. In the end, he would toss the case into her lap and leave her to struggle with this impossible task. If she failed, it would reflect poorly on the Jinyi Guards’ competence, giving the Emperor grounds to say a woman in office will always fall short.
Huo Yan addressed the military affairs at hand, appointing someone to temporarily take over General Cao Zhan’s duties.
“Once the case progresses, the court will make a new appointment accordingly. General Wei’s embezzlement of military funds directly harmed all of you. You’ve spent years enduring hardship on the battlefield, only to suffer such a loss ultimately, this was my failure.”
His self-reproach prompted the soldiers to immediately absolve him of any blame. Life-and-death bonds outweighed mere money. Forget delays even if they weren’t paid at all, they would endure. That was the loyalty and camaraderie of men.
Huo Yan turned to her. “Does Lord Su have any instructions?”
Su Xinghe let out a soft “oh” and replied, “I am here solely to examine the records. I have no authority over military affairs and will defer to Lord Huo’s arrangements.”
That settled it. He had only asked out of courtesy anyway. Huo Yan summoned a subordinate, who retrieved the key to the archives. This was the most classified area of the military, containing records of past defenses, border fortifications, military edicts, and secret orders. Only high-ranking personnel were allowed entry to prevent intelligence leaks.
The Thousand Household officers Su Xinghe had brought, along with the Eastern Palace guards, had to wait outside. A records clerk unlocked the door, carefully leading them inside with a single lantern. He moved deeper into the room, lighting the lamps one by one. Unlike ordinary lamps, these were covered with horn shields to prevent fires. Once all were lit, the clerk bowed and said, “I am merely a low-ranking scribe, unqualified to remain. I will wait outside. If either of you needs anything, simply summon me.” He gave another bow and retreated quietly.
The heavy door was left slightly ajar, just wide enough for a person to pass through.
With only the two of them left inside, the atmosphere felt momentarily awkward. However, as officials, neither was the type to be flustered by such things. After a brief silence, Huo Yan gestured westward. “The payroll archives you need are on those shelves. But there are too many records to move all at once. If you wish to take them out, we may need to call someone in to carry them.”
Su Xinghe shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. Only the records from the past two years will suffice. I just need Lord Huo to serve as a witness while I take two volumes for use in the trial.”
The candlelight was too far, so she took a lamp from the stand. However, it was difficult to hold the lamp in one hand while flipping through the documents with the other. She was wondering whether to set the lamp down on the stand when Huo Yan took it from her hands and held it for her, providing light.
For such a high-ranking figure as the Privy Council to be holding the lamp was truly a waste of his talents. Su Xinghe felt somewhat embarrassed. “I’m sorry to trouble Lord Huo.”
He didn’t speak, only gave a slight nod, indicating that she should continue her work. Su Xinghe held the records and flipped through them, her eyes focused on the pages, though her mind felt empty. This was the first time she had been alone with a man other than the Crown Prince, and she felt uneasy. With him standing so close, the faint scent of his cologne drifted over to her, making her feel short of breath.
While she was nervous, he seemed unaffected. “Are the records matching up?”
Su Xinghe gave a vague answer. “Close enough…”
They remained silent for a long while. Gradually, she managed to calm herself. Suddenly, she heard him ask, “How many years has Lord Su been in the palace?”
Su Xinghe replied, “It will be eleven years this February. The years in the palace have passed so peacefully, it feels like the blink of an eye.”
He nodded slightly, “To rise from the inner court to the outer court, Lord Su is truly the first and last of your kind.”
The meaning behind those words whether they were praise or criticism was hard to decipher. Su Xinghe simply smiled. “Whether in the inner court or the outer court, it’s all about easing the worries of the master. But once you step out of the palace gates, you realize how vast the world is. Serving as an official in the outer court is far more interesting than in the inner court.”
“Does Lord Su find it interesting to serve in the Control of Military Affairs? This department deals with criminal punishment.”
She turned her gaze and glanced at him. “I thought Lord Privy Seal was different from others. Do you also think a woman can’t handle the work in the Control of Military Affairs?” That rebellious streak in her was ignited again. After all, the only person in this world who could look down on her was the Crown Prince no one else could.
Huo Yan replied, “That’s not what I meant. I just think that place is too cold and harsh. A young lady like you should avoid working there.”
Perhaps her reaction had been too hasty, and her words too sharp. After all, he had come all the way in the cold wind specifically for her work in the Ministry of Military Control. If he hadn’t shown up, she and the others wouldn’t even have been able to enter the North Army camp.
She quickly composed herself and apologized in embarrassment. “It seems I’ve been too rash. Please forgive me, Lord Huo. It’s just that because I’m a female official, even though it may seem like I have a glamorous position on the surface, I have my own fears deep down. Take the North Army with its tens of thousands of soldiers if Lord Huo hadn’t intervened, perhaps Commander Nan Yushu would still have some say. But as for me, no one would take me seriously. After all, I am a woman. In the capital, officials may give face, but when it comes to the military, that’s not the case. Being a female official has its difficulties, and there’s nothing to be done about it. So you see, our master specially sent the Eastern Palace guards to accompany me, worried that I might suffer.”
Speaking of the East Palace guards, the Crown Prince had indeed put in a lot of effort. Huo Yan didn’t comment, only offering a brief smile. Su Xinghe didn’t press the matter any further, gathering the necessary documents and holding them. She turned to Huo Yan, “This is all, Lord Huo. You can put down the lamp now, and we can leave.”
Then came the all-night investigation, summoning various officials for questioning. Their testimonies were cross-checked with the documents and records, revealing numerous discrepancies. Su Xinghe glanced at the scribe, who was taking notes. “Did you get everything down?”
The scribe replied, “Everything has been recorded.”
She nodded, “Then, have the gentlemen sign off on it.” Looking outside the tent, she noticed that it was almost dawn. She wiped her forehead, which was starting to sweat, and smiled at the Privy Council who was sitting in the chair overseeing the proceedings. “Our office’s matters have kept you up all night, I apologize.”
Huo Yan waved his hand dismissively, “It’s nothing. Back when we were marching in battle, we sometimes went days and nights without rest. One night is nothing.”
Perhaps there was no one at home to account for, so it didn’t matter where she spent the night.
The scribe handed over the neatly organized documents for Su Xinghe to review. After confirming everything was in order, she packed them away. By the time dawn broke, they had planned to return to the city immediately, but the camp cook brought in a wooden barrel and said with a smile, “The General and Lord Su have come all the way to the Northern Army, worked through the night surely you can’t go back to the capital on an empty stomach. We don’t have much to offer here, just some millet porridge and sorghum, but it will warm you up before you set off.”
The army’s rations were unlikely to be anything fancy, but Su Xinghe immediately noticed the bright green pickled vegetables on the plate. “Is this melon rind?”
The cook chuckled, “In the summer, we planted a whole field of melons outside the city. There were too many, and by the end, we couldn’t finish them all. We scooped out the flesh and left the skins to make pickled vegetables. Don’t worry, Lord Huo, we washed the rinds thoroughly, ten times at least. They’re perfectly clean, with no dirt at all. You can eat with peace of mind.”
If it had been leftovers from the soldiers, she certainly wouldn’t have dared to eat it, but since it was freshly made, there was no reason to hesitate.
She ate the millet porridge with melon rind, crunching loudly, and said between bites, “This is a good thing. I used to eat this when I was young, but once I entered the palace, I couldn’t get it anymore.”
Huo Yan watched her, noting that while she acted the part when working, she was still a young woman, and her natural nature would occasionally slip through.
She was enjoying her meal, then turned to the pickled vegetables beside her. “I like this, can I take some with me?” She called out to Jin Ci, “Give them a couple of coins, consider it my purchase.”
Jin Ci reached for his pouch, but the camp cook quickly declined. “It’s our honor that the Lord likes it. These things aren’t valuable at all, how could we accept money from you? Please, take as much as you like. If it’s not enough, there’s plenty more in the kitchen.”
She insisted that it wasn’t necessary; this amount was enough. She thought about how the Prince hadn’t tasted this before. The last time she mentioned it, he had looked at her in disbelief. This time, she was determined to let him, the precious one raised in a golden nest, have a taste. The food served to Huo Yan was also tested beforehand, so it was relatively safe. Once they got back and washed it again, there wouldn’t be anything to worry about. It would be a chance for the country bumpkin in the imperial capital to see what rustic food was really like.
She wrapped the melon rind in oil paper and tucked it into her coat to carry with her. But to the Pushe, it seemed like the girl was hopelessly greedy. He looked at her, slightly amused. “Give it to the thousand household officers, Lord Su doesn’t need to carry it yourself.”
She replied that it was fine, then gently shook the reins. “Huo Yan, let’s hit the road.”
The return journey was naturally harder. The snow had melted and the ground became muddy. The trip that had taken an hour to go out now took twice as long. The horses’ hooves splashed through the snowmelt, bubbling with each step. After a long struggle, they finally made it through the city gates, where the horses were now all covered in black, their hooves caked in the mud.
Su Xinghe bid farewell to the Pushe, repeating the formalities. The expression on his face remained indifferent, and he returned the gesture. “Lord Su, there’s no need to be polite. The Northern Army’s failure to oversee its duties is also partially my fault. If there’s anything I can help with, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Su Xinghe nodded, “I don’t think there will be a need to trouble you further, but thank you for today. Once the case is concluded, I’ll invite you to a drink.”
Huo Yan gave a slight nod, saluted her, and then they parted ways.
Su Xinghai noticed the dark shadows under her eyes and said, “The case of General Cao Zhan can be settled with these pieces of evidence and testimonies. You’ve been busy all night, my Lord. You should head back and rest today.”
Su Xinghe also felt exhausted, after all, the journey had been long, and with the discomfort from being a woman, it added to her fatigue.
She covered her mouth and yawned, “Then I’ll return to the palace first. You all should rest well too. Tomorrow we’ll go to the court to close the case, send it for review by the Twelve Ministries, and then the task will be complete.”
The thousand household officers and the foreign guards all responded in unison. She turned her horse’s head and slowly made her way south.
