Life is full of unavoidable compromises. Who wouldn’t want to be a good person? But being good requires resources. If she were still a young maiden confined to her boudoir, her daily concerns limited to the small embroidery frame, perhaps she could afford the leisure to care about the lives and deaths of others. But now, in her current position, too much is interconnected. A moment of misplaced compassion could bring endless calamities.
Xu Erma’s corpse lay in the open yard outside the prison cell. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to let the guards carry the body off to some desolate wilderness for a careless burial. Xu’s wife came to claim the body. At the sight of her lifeless husband, she collapsed to the ground, wailing in anguish.
Su Xinghe stood by silently, watching for a while. Only when the crying subsided did she step forward to speak.
“Compose yourself. It was a sudden illness; there was nothing we could do to save him. He was destined for exile, but at least now he can return home.”
The woman on the ground raised her tear-streaked face. Above her stood the imposing figure of a female official, draped in luxurious attire. The fox fur lining her cloak accentuated her pale face, her expression detached, her lips devoid of warmth. The lowly peasant woman had never encountered someone like her before someone with such an unnervingly cold attitude toward life and death. Trembling, she hesitated, glancing back at the cart where the body lay. Then, overcome once more, she broke into loud sobs.
Su Xinghe raised her hand slightly. A thousand-household commander stepped forward and placed a silver note before the kneeling woman.
“This money was left behind by the deceased. He entrusted me to pass it on to his wife. Please, take it. Check the belongings of the deceased. If nothing is missing, claim the body and take it home.” Turning to Jiang Chengzi, she added, “She’s just a woman, and the snowy roads are treacherous. Send two men to escort her and see to the burial.”
Jiang Chengzi acknowledged the order with a nod and waved his hand. Two black-clad guards stepped forward to lift the cart.
Su Xinghe glanced at the woman, who was still sobbing uncontrollably, and frowned.
“Xu Erma’s ancestral home is in Shandong. The capital is no place for you to stay. Gather your mother-in-law and the children and return to your hometown.”
The woman, dazed and distraught, clutched the silver note in her trembling hands. The amount written on it filled her with unease. “He only earned half a tael of silver a month. Two hundred taels… That’s more than he could make in a lifetime.”
“That, I cannot say,” Su Xinghe replied calmly. “The Princess’s estate is vast and wealthy; saving up a few hundred taels is hardly a challenge.” After a brief pause, she added, “What’s the matter? Does Madam doubt the origin of this money? If that’s the case, we can withhold it for now and decide what to do with it after an investigation.”
The woman panicked at this, quickly tucking the silver note into her bosom and stammering, “No, no… It’s my foolishness. He worked in the kitchen; maybe he performed well and earned this as a reward from his masters.”
Su Xinghe couldn’t help but sigh. This was just how twisted the world was. Injustice thrived in the bureaucracy, with no place to seek redress. A human life was reduced to a mere two hundred taels of silver. Yet for the living, life had to go on. The elderly needed care and the children’s cries couldn’t be ignored. No matter how painful, money can always ease the burden.
Xu Erma’s wife, supporting the cart, left with her husband’s body. The thousand-household commander cast a glance at her retreating figure and whispered, “Should we let her go?”
Su Xinghe thought for a moment before nodding. “She knows nothing of the real situation. Even if someone interrogated her, there would be no leads. Let her live, she has children to raise.” With that, she gazed distantly into the falling snow, which thickened into a dense veil, obscuring the departing figures. Soon, they vanished into the hazy fog.
Back in the office, Xu Tuzhi entered with his sword at his side, bringing a report. “The yamen has received another secret missive. General Cao Zhan has allegedly set up a private council and embezzled military supplies. Commander Nan Yushu has already gone to the palace to present the matter to His Majesty. The confidential letter is detailed, even speculating on the diversion of military funds, reportedly used to maintain over ten private households.
“General Cao Zhan’s family traces its roots to Empress Dowager Cao, a member of the imperial clan during Emperor Xianzong’s reign. Back then, Empress Dowager Cao ruled as regent, and General Cao Zhan’s great-grandfather served as Grand General, part of the so-called Five Ministries alongside the Grand Tutor and Three Dukes. However, Emperor Xianzong’s political acumen was unmatched. He ultimately took the reins of power unscathed, stripping the Cao clan of influence. Now, General Cao Zhan is the last of the family to hold significant authority, commanding the Northern Army garrison.”
Su Xinghe closed the document and leaned back against the chair’s armrest, saying, “Here comes more work.”
Su Xinghai was puzzled. “Commander Nan Yushu loves grabbing the spotlight and proving his worth. Even if this case is assigned for investigation, it falls squarely within his jurisdiction.”
Su Xinghe chuckled softly and asked Xu Tuzhi, “Are the details about the private households clearly outlined?”
Xu Tuzhi nodded. “Yes. It includes the locations of the alleys, the ages of the women, the number of servants in each residence, and everything is meticulously detailed.”
“Typically, when subordinates lodge accusations, charges like ‘establishing a private council’ and ‘misappropriating military funds’ alone are enough to condemn someone to death. Why bother providing such exhaustive details about his private households? The person who wrote this secret letter clearly cares more about his mistresses. And those mistresses likely aren’t just clandestine arrangements, they probably have legitimate status and have even borne him children.”
The moment she finished speaking, Xu Tuzhi slapped his thigh in amazement. “You’re remarkable, my lord, spot on as always! The earlier-kept mistresses have indeed borne children. His eldest son is already over ten years old.”
“Exactly.” She chuckled dryly. “Once the children grow older, they’ll need to be formally recognized in the family registry, attend the clan academy, be groomed for official positions, and eventually get married. When it comes to the family estate and land, even illegitimate sons are entitled to a share. If there are too many sons from outside the main household, the legitimate heir stands to lose significantly.”
A woman’s intuition had pieced it all together, foreseeing a looming familial battle for inheritance.
“So, does this mean the person who wrote the secret letter might be an insider?” Xu Tuzhi asked.
She didn’t respond, instead stretching languidly in a graceful arc, propping her head up with her hand. “We’ll know once Commander Nan Yushu’s investigation wraps up. It’s too early to draw conclusions, but there’ll definitely come a time when we’ll have to step in. Ten or so private households are enough to keep us buried in endless hearings.”
The thousand-household commander in the room chuckled awkwardly. A female superior, after all, would occasionally reveal flashes of feminine charm without meaning to. The casual allure in her gestures, like that languid stretch, made even these hardened men feel a flutter in their hearts.
Xu Tuzhi noticed the brazier was running low on coal. Despite his usual laziness, he quickly set about adding more, a speediness that earned a disdainful glance from his elder brother. The beauty of their commanding officer was like a beacon in the grim and steely yamen, a sight that pleased everyone. However, her demeanor wasn’t like most women’s, but she was sharp and decisive in her work. She was still a young and beautiful girl. And youth and beauty, no matter how formidable, never failed to captivate men.
Ye Jinchun appeared at the doorway and poked his head in. “My lord, it’s time for lunch.” He turned and beckoned, and three eunuchs dressed as palace attendants entered, carrying food boxes. Bowing slightly, they swiftly cleared the Eight Immortals table, laid out a red silk cloth, and began unveiling the dishes.
Su Xinghe looked puzzled. “What’s this all about?”
Ye Jinchun explained, “His Highness the Crown Prince gave the order. It’s too cold, and he didn’t want you eating food from outside. He instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare meals, especially for you. From now on, they’ll deliver lunch every day, three appetizers, three main dishes, and two types of pastries, with a rotating menu to keep things fresh and appetizing.”
Su Xinghe felt her head spin. “What kind of performance is this?”
Ye Jinchun smiled slyly. “That, this humble servant does not know. His Highness personally gave the order, saying it’s hard on you and that you often forget to eat when you’re busy. Or worse, you might grab just a few bites of something random, which isn’t good for your health. The Crown Prince wants to make sure you’re well taken care of.”
“Nurturing the body”, for outsiders who didn’t know the details, it might sound as if it meant preparing her body for childbearing. That was just how sly the Crown Prince was, always adding a mischievous twist to even the most straightforward gestures, like sending lunch. Su Xinghe glanced at the lavish spread before her: dishes served in imperial porcelain from the palace, looking completely out of place in the cold and austere duty office. There was no way she could finish all the food alone.
As the thousand household commanders prepared to bow and excuse themselves, she stopped them. “Stay and eat with me.”
The commanders exchanged uncertain glances. This was a meal sent from the palace, meant to nourish the Crown Prince’s favored confidante. How could mere foot soldiers like them dare to share in such a privilege?
“No, no, no…” they stammered, shaking their heads like rattling drums. “There’s the yamen’s kitchen, we’ll head there to eat.”
Su Xinghe, having served as an official among men, didn’t share the delicate habits of pampered noblewomen dining in private. Seeing their hesitation, she didn’t waste words persuading them further. Instead, she turned to Ye Jinchun and instructed, “Bring two extra sets of tableware.”
The two commanders found themselves in an awkward position, unable to leave or refuse. Su Xinghe, ever direct, gestured invitingly. “We’re all brothers here; no need to stand in ceremony.”
Brothers. The word carried a bold and heartening tone. The Xu brothers cupped their hands in salute and, no longer protesting, took their seats on either side of her.
Though their tasks were part of their duty, loyalty, and camaraderie often extended beyond strict regulations. Sharing a meal at the same table fostered a sense of kinship, deepening the bond between them and their superiors. Naturally, it also inspired greater dedication in their work.
Xu Tuzhi, the younger of the brothers, was in his mid-twenties and lacked his elder sibling’s steadiness, his temperament was more spirited and playful. After the meal, he wiped his mouth and sighed, “We’re lucky to have you as our superior, my lord. Thanks to you, we’ve had the chance to taste imperial cuisine. As mere thousand household commanders, the only time we’d step foot in the palace would be for official duties, certainly not to be treated to a feast like this.”
Su Xinghe chuckled and said, “The guards at the four gates of the Imperial City are all under the jurisdiction of our Ministry of Military Control, currently assigned and managed by Commander Nan Yushu. But as for the future, who knows? The wheel of fortune turns, and it might very well turn in our favor. If we ever rise to the position of Commanders of the Ministry of Military Control, that’ll mean serving directly within the Imperial City. If no one invites you to a feast then, I’ll do it myself. We’ll make it a grand, lively affair and open up a whole new chapter for us.”
Ambitions, after all, were necessary, not just for men but for women too. In the Ministry of Military Control, the highest-ranked officers were merely thousand-household commanders. But should they ever rise to the rank of general, even if it were just a titular position, it would still be a transformation of significant glory, akin to a dung beetle turning into a phoenix.
The thousand-household commanders’ eyes gleamed with hope, their imaginations alight with possibility. Meanwhile, some of the staff from the yamen’s kitchen. Jinyi Wei and the others, emerged to see their colleagues picking their teeth, clearly having missed out on a golden opportunity. They sighed in regret not out of a craving for the imperial dishes but for the camaraderie and chance to share in the moment.
A few trays of untouched pastries were brought back out, but the plates of whipped date cakes and sweet pea flour tarts were gone in a flash, snatched up as if by thieves. The eunuchs could only gape in astonishment before shaking their heads, gathering the empty plates, and mumbling to themselves as they left. What kind of people are these? No rules, no decorum, just a pack of uncouth brutes! It’s a miracle Lord Su can maintain her footing here.
Meanwhile, Commander Nan Yushu returned from the palace and summoned the Jinyi Wei to discuss matters. He handed over a document for her to review. “His Majesty is taking this matter very seriously. The Cao family may have fallen out of favor, but as maternal relatives and with General Cao Zhan in command of the Northern Army, they remain significant figures. I wouldn’t presume to guess the Emperor’s full intentions, but it’s clear that relatives like these are better fewer in number than more.
“In the Taiji Hall, His Majesty’s verbal order was to investigate. As I exited the East Pavilion, the Grand Eunuch personally chased after me to emphasize just two words: thorough investigation. I’ve called you here, Commissioner, because this involves ten separate private households…” He paused, muttering a curse under his breath. “The bastard, ten mistresses outside and five wives inside. Even princes and dukes don’t behave this brazenly!
“These ten private households will require your expertise to interrogate. The coarse men in the yamen aren’t suited for questioning women, neither convenient nor appropriate for such matters.”
Su Xinghe carefully read through the letter. This kind of case wasn’t particularly difficult to handle. As long as an investigation confirmed the embezzlement of military funds, the evidence would be sufficient. As for the women involved, they could be detained, their numbers tallied, and then dealt with swiftly: those guilty punished, and those deemed innocent assigned to servitude. These were surface-level matters, easy to resolve. However, what truly caught her attention wasn’t the case itself but the potential power dynamics behind it.
General Cao Zhan commanded the Northern Army, but all garrison troops outside the capital fell under the jurisdiction of the Privy Council, headed by Huo Yan. In other words, Huo Yan was General Cao Zhan’s direct superior. If General Cao Zhan dared to embezzle military funds, was the Privy Council aware of it? And if so, should they be investigated as well?
Her gaze shifted, landing on Commander Nan Yushu. “Sir, I have a thought. I’m not sure if I should say it.”
Commander Nan Yushu responded with a nod. “ Lord Su, speak freely.”
“You’ve only just shown me this letter now. Had you consulted me earlier, I would have strongly advised against presenting it to the Emperor so hastily.”
Commander Nan Yushu looked taken aback. “What do you mean? This involves military funds, a matter of grave importance. How could it not be reported?”
She lowered her gaze, placing the letter back in front of him. “If this were solely about General Cao Zhan, then of course we should investigate thoroughly. But this case implicates others in higher positions, figures neither you nor I can afford to offend.”
Commander Nan Yushu paused, his expression turning pensive. “You mean the Privy Councilor, Huo Yan?”
Su Xinghe nodded. “General Cao Zhan is a maternal relative of the Imperial Family, but Huo Yan is of the royal lineage himself. In terms of rank and seniority, Huo Yan is of the same generation as His Majesty. Even the Crown Prince must tread carefully around him. The Cao family has lost most of its influence, but General Cao Zhan remains under the aegis of Huo Yan, clearly seeking the protection of a powerful backer. If you intend to investigate General Cao Zhan, do you really think you can bypass the Privy Councilor?
“Huo Yan… I’ve never interacted with him personally, but I know he once worked in the same yamen as my brother. Are you familiar with him?”
Commander Nan Yushu shook his head as well. “Back when the Privy Council held control over the military and political affairs of the entire Dayin Empire, the Privy Councilor’s authority was unrivaled. And with Huo Yan being a member of the royal family, we ordinary officials were never even on his radar. Though the Privy Council’s power has since been distributed, Huo Yan remains unshaken, never lowering himself to mingle with the likes of us.”
That confirmed it. Su Xinghe had also heard that the Privy Councilor was excessively proud and anything but simple to deal with. If not, Su Xinghai wouldn’t have struggled unsuccessfully for years to undermine him. She found herself intrigued by this man. If she could take this opportunity to destabilize his position, Su Xinghai, as the Deputy Commissioner, would have much greater room to maneuver.
She smiled at Commander Nan Yushu. “Sir, in all your years of handling affairs, have you encountered a relationship trickier than this? Perhaps this is a chance to meet the Privy Councilor in person and see just what makes him such a formidable figure.”
Commander Nan Yushu chuckled, thinking to himself that she was, after all, still a young girl. Women often harbored a certain reverence for powerful men. Men, however, saw it differently, they first weighed their own strength against the other’s, knowing that any confrontation might result in a fight to the death.
“If we’re talking about connections,” he said, “then Lord Su, you’re actually closer to him than I am. Your elder brother served alongside Huo Yan for a decade, their positions nearly equal as chief and deputy. Privately, they must have had considerable interaction. If you were to approach him, the Privy Councilor might be more inclined to show respect for your brother’s sake, which would likely be more effective than me barging in uninvited.”
Shirking responsibility at such a critical moment, Commander Nan Yushu was certainly a character. Su Xinghe’s face took on an expression of reluctance. “I’m only responsible for matters concerning the women involved. If I were to interfere in your official duties, wouldn’t that be overstepping my bounds? Besides, there’s no guarantee that Huo Yan would even be willing to entertain me. If he takes offense at my status as a female official and refuses to engage, my visit might only end up alerting the snake in the grass.”
Commander Nan Yushu was eager to get her involved, and his words were quite flattering. “Lord Su is being too humble. The role of the Jinyi Wei in overseeing the royal women is just a title; as Deputy Commissioner, your position carries weight that not even the heavens can take away. Even if the Privy Councilor is distant, he’ll likely show some courtesy for the Crown Prince’s sake. Moreover, this is a routine matter, inquiring about military funds misappropriation under his jurisdiction. If he’s unwilling to cooperate, then we’ll have no choice but to report to His Majesty for a decision.”
Su Xinghe wasn’t entirely confident, but when it came to difficult situations, she was determined to face them head-on. However, Commander Nan Yushu’s suggestion that she rely on the Crown Prince made her uncomfortable. The way he phrased it made it seem like she would be leaning on the Crown Prince’s support, which was not something she liked.
Leaning back in her chair, she slowly rubbed her knee. Commander Nan Yushu watched her eagerly, and after a moment, she lowered her eyes and reluctantly said, “Well, if I find the time, I’ll go pay him a visit. You deal with General Cao Zhan first. Once the news spreads in the Northern Army, the Privy Council will naturally hear about it. When that happens, I won’t have to say much. As for those ten houses, I’ll need to investigate them first. The Privy Council can be left for last, it’s just a matter of procedure. What harm can they really do?”
“That won’t do,” Commander Nan Yushu suddenly became very serious, his tone full of righteous authority. “The matter with Princess Xialing’s residence needs to be resolved and made public. Although Huo Yan is of royal blood, if he’s involved in something improper, we absolutely cannot let it slide.”
This was exactly what Su Xinghe wanted to hear. If she handled things well this time, perhaps she could clear the way for her brother. After all, the Privy Council mostly dealt with military matters, offering limited opportunities for manipulation. The Control of Troops Division, on the other hand, had jurisdiction over punishments and could turn the tables easily. It would be far more convenient for her to handle things than for her brother.
Now that she had Commander Nan Yushu’s agreement, her room to maneuver had greatly expanded. But before taking action, it was best to communicate with Su Xinghai.
The secret letter clearly detailed the locations of ten residences. In the afternoon, they began by raiding the Bai Miao Alley. It was an exquisite residence designed in the style of the southern Jiangnan water towns. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by powder-coated walls and dark tiles, with winding corridors. It would have been a perfect spot for a leisurely rest.
However, their arrival shattered the peace. The calm, cautious servant women screamed in panic, running in all directions. The small servants guarding the compound tried to break through, but were beaten senseless by the brutal guards, bleeding and left to crouch obediently by the walls. Su Xinghe stood with the Qianduhu guards behind her, proudly positioned at the center of the crowd. Their eyes, full of fear and hatred, looked at the scene as if staring at a demon. She sneered and said, “Quite the setup here, one external residence is kept in such lavishness. Clearly, General Wei is living in luxury.”
With a slight gesture of her hand, Xu Tuzhi entered the back courtyard and soon drove out a young woman, adorned in gold and silver, holding a child. Upon seeing them, she began shouting and cursing: “Who are these strongmen? Do you even know where this place is?!”
The guards behind her laughed. “What’s the point of acting so proud at a time like this?”
Su Xinghe sternly replied, “The Control Troops are raiding General Cao Zhan’s external residence. Men are to be shackled, women put into the prisoner carts. Move out.”
Another round of chaos erupted, with people shouting and running around, making the air thick with noise. Su Xinghe rubbed her temples; the osmanthus wine from the other night hadn’t made her completely drunk, but the lingering effects of the alcohol had settled deep in her body, slowly spreading outward, making her feel uncomfortable. It was like the Crown Prince, completely drunk to the point where he didn’t even recognize his father, but the next day he was bouncing around as if nothing had happened, better than before.
She sighed. Jinyi Wei, standing nearby, asked, “Does your Excellency have a headache?”
Su Xinghe responded that it was nothing. “Take some people and head to the next location. This place is close to the Central Army Commander’s mansion. I’ll visit my brother and check on the Privy Councilor’s situation.”
Jinyi Wei nodded, leaving a few guards to accompany her while the rest went about their duties.
Su Xinghe circled around two alleys and entered the Central Army’s yamen. After a busy afternoon, it was already close to evening. The officers preparing for the night patrol were lining up, and she searched the crowd but didn’t spot General Lou Yueting, likely because he had already gone on duty. Her brother, Su Xinghai, greeted her as she entered the main hall. She quickly gathered herself and walked up, calling out, “Brother!”
Su Xinghai asked, “Why are you here at this hour? Has something happened?”
She replied, “I’m handling a case. Someone secretly reported that General Cao Zhan embezzled military funds to privately maintain external residences. They reported over ten locations, and we’re arresting everyone tonight. I just came from Bai Miao Alley and thought I’d stop by to see you.”
Su Xinghai led her to the inner room. She noticed his official hat was casually placed on the desk, which meant he was about to leave, so she asked how things were going at home.
“Things are fine,” Su Xinghai said, but it was clear he was facing a difficult issue. He hesitated a few times before speaking, which made Su Xinghe uneasy. She furrowed her brows and asked, “When did you become so secretive?”
Su Xinghai sat down in the rosewood chair. It wasn’t secrecy, but the matter was hard to bring up.
“Do you remember the other day, during the holiday? Guess who came to our house?”
Su Xinghe shifted uncomfortably. “Was it General Lou Yueting? Did he come to visit Father and Mother?”
Su Xinghai shook his head. “The person who came… I never expected it to be… Princess Xialing.”
She was stunned. “My informants reported that she was celebrating the holiday at Prince Jianping’s residence. How did she end up at our house?”
Su Xinghai looked frustrated, as if his mind was about to explode. “She celebrated the holiday at our place, saw Father and Mother, and even met with your sisters-in-law. She deliberately said some ambiguous things that made everyone think I had a relationship with her. Now the house is in chaos. Your sisters-in-law are acting like they’ve lost their minds, standing by the gate, wondering if they should give her the courtyard, or if they should take the children and go back to their parents’ home.”
This time, even Su Xinghe was stunned. “Is she interested in you? The young concubine just died, and now she’s.”
Su Xinghai sneered, “A delicate princess acting like a prostitute. It’s really beneath me.”
Su Xinghe suddenly found it amusing. “Maybe Prince Jianping saw that he couldn’t win the family over, so he sent his sister to seduce you into marriage!”
Su Xinghai shot her a glare. “I feel like dying, why would I want to be a prince consort!”
In any case, it was his private matter, and he would find a way to deal with it. Su Xinghe was here to ask for his opinion on how to handle Huo Yan. After a long pause, Su Xinghai said, “Huo Yan is not someone easy to deal with. Even if you question him about General Cao Zhan, you won’t get much out of him. He’ll just brush you off with a couple of words.”
Su Xinghe shared her plan with him, and Su Xinghai slowly shook his head. “It’s not that easy. Anyone in a high position is bound to have their own secrets. Over the years, I’ve never been able to catch him in anything. If you’re thinking of removing him, I’ve thought about it too. But when I consider it more carefully, why go to all that trouble? Instead of fighting him to the death, it’s better to win him over.”
This time, even Su Xinghe was stunned. “Is she interested in you? The young concubine just died, and now she’s.”
Su Xinghai sneered, “A delicate princess acting like a prostitute. It’s really beneath me.”
Su Xinghe suddenly found it amusing. “Maybe Prince Jianping saw that he couldn’t win the family over, so he sent his sister to seduce you into marriage!”
Su Xinghai shot her a glare. “I feel like dying, why would I want to be a prince consort!”
In any case, it was his private matter, and he would find a way to deal with it. Su Xinghe was here to ask for his opinion on how to handle General Huo Yan. After a long pause, Su Xinghai said, “General Huo Yan is not someone easy to deal with. Even if you question him about General Cao Zhan, you won’t get much out of him. He’ll just brush you off with a couple of words.”
Su Xinghe shared her plan with him, and Su Xinghai slowly shook his head. “It’s not that easy. Anyone in a high position is bound to have their own secrets. Over the years, I’ve never been able to catch him in anything. If you’re thinking of removing him, I’ve thought about it too. But when I consider it more carefully, why go to all that trouble? Instead of fighting him to the death, it’s better to win him over.”
