Sometimes, the meeting between two people is filled with wonder and unpredictability. A simple sentence can entirely change one’s perception of another, and this was precisely what happened to Su Xinghe.
Having experienced so much flattery and obsequiousness, she would have expected to brush off such remarks with a smile. Yet, Huo Yan’s polite comment struck her as refreshingly novel.
“To meet today, it was not a wasted life…” It felt almost as though she had harbored thoughts of this moment for a long time, like a reunion after years apart. With just this one sentence, she quickly concluded that although Huo Yan and the Crown Prince were both from the Huo family, they were entirely different people. The Crown Prince appeared kind on the surface but harbored deep cunning; the Commander of the Privy Council, on the other hand, was solemn and reserved but could still utter a few charming words.
Her smile grew even softer and more graceful. “My lord, I’ve often heard my brother speak of you, but as I’ve always been in the palace, I’ve never had the chance to visit, even though I’ve long admired you.”
Huo Yan maintained a courteous demeanor befitting such compliments. “Lady Su, you are too kind. The wind outside is strong; please come inside.” With that, he led the way toward the main hall. His elegant turn erased the flamboyance of youth, revealing a dignified and steady depth, leaving Su Xinghe momentarily dazed, perhaps in ten years, the Crown Prince would look like this as well.
She followed him into the hall. The Ministry of Military Control often convened various military generals for discussions, so the administrative space was particularly vast. The weather was gloomy, and the interior was dimly lit. With the ebony columns and chairs, it was difficult to discern faces clearly in the daytime without lamps. Two rows of candles lined the corridors, casting flickering shadows as they walked briskly past.
At the far end of the hall,, a few officials were still present. Huo Yan raised his hand slightly to signal their dismissal, saying, “When Lady Su arrived, there happened to be a military matter in the Yamen, and they were here for discussions…” He gestured toward the seat of honor. “Please, have a seat.”
Perhaps, it was because she was a female official, relying on the prestige of the Crown Prince, that she ultimately received a bit of preferential treatment. Huo Yan personally came out to greet her, something he had never done for anyone else since taking charge of the Ministry of Military Control. As a servant brought in tea, he courteously offered it to her, sipping his own tea while casually asking, “How long has the Brocade Guard Commander been in office?”
For an official with little experience to come here and interrogate a powerful minister, it sounded almost laughable.
She rose to her feet and bowed as she replied, “This subordinate has been serving at the Ministry of Military Control for just over a month.”
Huo Yan let out a faint “Oh,” lowering his eyes as he used the lid of his teacup to skim the tea leaves. That slight air of indifference quietly exuded from his every movement. Su Xinghe understood in her heart that Huo Yan, with his high status and proud temperament, was precisely as the Crown Prince had warned her difficult to sway.
She took a slow breath to calm her anxious heart, clasped her hands respectfully, and said, “Huo Yan is likely already aware of the purpose of this subordinate’s visit…”
He shifted his gaze to her, interrupting her mid-sentence, “Why is Lady Su standing? Please, have a seat and speak.”
For a brief moment, Su Xinghe felt like a fool. Truly, experience outshines youth. She thanked him and took her seat, continuing, “Please don’t misunderstand, Huo Yan. Although the Ministry of Military Control is thoroughly investigating the case of General Cao Zhan, there is neither suspicion of nor intent to accuse you. This visit to the Ministry of Military Control is merely a formality, a routine procedure. Commander Nan Yushu originally intended to come personally, but he feared that the presence of the Commander would draw too much attention, so he sent me instead, to bring his regards and, incidentally, to consult you on two matters.”
She spoke skillfully, deftly lowering her own position a strategy that undoubtedly served her well in the political arena.
Huo Yan, of course, already knew about the origins of this Brocade Guard Commander: the Emperor’s personally appointed Deputy Commander of the Privy Council, the only female official of the imperial court, and someone favored by the Crown Prince himself… To hold such favor and yet display humility before him, he couldn’t help but admire her courage and tact.
Sending a woman it wasn’t his style. Commander Nan Yushu had likely counted on that, which was why he sent her. Huo Yan set down his teacup, sat upright, and said, “General Cao Zhan is from my Rear Army Command and has always been under my jurisdiction. Now that something has gone wrong and the Ministry of Military Control is handling his case, it is my duty to cooperate fully. Lady Su, feel free to ask whatever you wish.”
Su Xinghe became even more humble, leaning forward slightly as she said, “Then I shall speak boldly… Does the Northern Army, under General Wei, report its military affairs to the Ministry of Military Control on schedule?”
Huo Yan nodded. “Reports are submitted monthly without fail.”
“And the Northern Army’s finances, does the Ministry of Military Control oversee them?”
He furrowed his brow in thought before replying, “During wartime, due to frequent personnel movements, I personally managed all military supplies. Once the Central Plains stabilized ten years ago now. the funds for the troops stationed around the capital have been disbursed by the Ministry of Military Control to each department, then to the armies, where the generals manage and allocate them.”
A trace of perplexity appeared on her face. “So, after the funds were transferred to General Wei, you no longer inquired further? Even the monthly audits were waived?”
The question struck directly at the heart of the matter, almost implying shared responsibility. Huo Yan looked at her, the corners of his lips curving slightly. “Monthly audits are my duty. But does Lady Su think any discrepancies would be evident in the documents submitted? I inspect the troops only twice a year, and even then, my visits are for the purpose of organizing the three armies, not to investigate military finances. Unless someone within the Northern Army lodges a complaint, it would be nearly impossible to uncover such issues.”
His sharp gaze hinted at traces of displeasure, so Su quickly nodded in agreement, skillfully redirecting the conversation. “With 300,000 troops stationed within and around the capital, expecting you to personally oversee every detail would indeed be unreasonable. The fault lies with those below, neglecting their duties. If the camp inspectors had been more meticulous, this matter might have been uncovered long ago.” She licked her lips and adjusted her posture slightly before continuing, “Last night, the Ministry of Military Control dispatched a Centurion to investigate the Northern Army, questioning over a hundred people. All testified in unison that military pay is distributed once every two months. However, to my knowledge, military stipends, unlike other payments, have always been disbursed monthly without exception. My lord, were you aware of this matter?”
Huo Yan leaned back in his armchair, slowly shaking his head. “This is the first I’ve heard of it, thanks to your report, Lady Su. This is a grave issue. I will send a senior secretary to conduct a thorough investigation within the army. Should the claims prove true, I will immediately submit a memorial to the Emperor, confiscate General Cao Zhan’s assets, and use them to fill the deficit he left behind.”
Su Xinghe smiled faintly. “I’m afraid filling that deficit won’t be easy. General Cao Zhan’s assets extend beyond a single residence, he owns dozens of properties. I’m currently expediting the investigation, and ten of those properties have been sealed for now. Once Commander Nan Yushu finalizes the case, we’ll submit it to the court for disposition.”
The young woman’s precise handling of official matters was no less thorough than that of her male counterparts. The stronger the challenge, the stronger she became, a common trait among their kind. What surprised Huo Yan, however, was that this young lady required such careful engagement. She had earned his admiration.
“Does Lady Su have any other questions?” His expression relaxed slightly compared to before. “If necessary, I could personally accompany you to the Northern Army for an on-site investigation.”
Su Xinghe hurriedly expressed her gratitude. “To be honest, my lord, I was quite apprehensive about your authority before I came. I was nervous even before stepping into the yamen. But meeting you in person and seeing your humble and accommodating nature, it truly caught me by surprise. No doubt it’s out of respect for my brother. I’ve been imposing on you for quite some time now, and I hope my words haven’t been inappropriate. If I’ve been remiss in any way, I ask for your indulgence.”
Huo Yan’s expression softened as he smiled and said, “Lady Su, there’s no need to underestimate yourself. Though Su Xinghai and I have been colleagues for ten years and share a deep camaraderie, I’ve always maintained the rule of separating personal feelings from official duties. You’ve handled your tasks admirably, embodying the same spirit as your esteemed brother. If there are any further complexities in the General Cao Zhan case, I am more than willing to lend a helping hand. Please, don’t hesitate to call on me.”
Well, well, well, regardless of what he might think of her behind the scenes, he had at least given her full respect on the surface. Su Xinghe stood and cupped her hands once again. “I’ve spent half the day here, asking you to clarify matters and answer my questions. Thank you, my lord, for your patience. I’ve asked everything I intended, and as it’s getting late, I’ll take my leave now. Please, there’s no need to see me out.”
Huo Yan stood as well and gestured toward the exit. “I’ll see you off, Lady Su. The year’s end is approaching, and military affairs have kept me busy. It’s been a while since I last saw His Highness the Crown Prince. Please convey my regards, and wish him good health on my behalf.”
Su Xinghe nodded, thinking that since everyone already assumed she had ties to the Crown Prince, she might as well enjoy the benefits of the association. She thanked him respectfully and replied, “His Highness is in good health. When he learned yesterday that I was coming to visit you, he spoke of you at length, praising your distinguished military achievements. He mentioned how you once quelled uprisings on the frontier and struck fear beyond the borders.”
These pleasantries were, of course, not taken too seriously. They were a means of honoring the Crown Prince’s standing and also a testament to Su Xinghe’s boldness. Su Yujin, though a scholar by trade and serving as a Grand Academician, had passed down his rebellious spirit to his son and daughter. Three high-ranking officials from one family were rare in the current court. That a female official had survived and thrived within the Ministry of Military Control spoke volumes about her resilience. A department as dark and ruthless as that, and yet she managed to establish herself, how could such a woman be simple?
Respect must be given where it’s due, a heroine in her own right. Huo Yan, typically reluctant to engage with others unnecessarily, made an exception this time and escorted her to the door.
“Safe travels, Lady Su,” he said with a cupped fist salute.
She turned back with a smile and bade farewell, “Thank you for the courtesy. It’s cold outside; you should head back.”
Finally, she exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. She hadn’t expected to achieve much on this visit, but she’d made her presence known and gotten a read on him. Future dealings would be easier now.
Perhaps it was this moment of relaxation that led to trouble. The corridor floor of the Ministry of Military Control was made of finely polished square tiles, seamlessly fitted and finished with tung oil, giving it a mirror-like shine. Her boots had powder-coated soles to prevent slipping on snowy days, reinforced with leather pads. But this combination was treacherous on the slick surface. She forgot to tread carefully when stepping over the threshold, her foot slipped, and she fell backward.
Ruined… That was her only thought before hitting the ground. Perhaps the iron-willed Chief Minister would think she was an idiot and feel a twinge of pity for her. At any rate, her dignity as a court official was shattered for now, though at least she hadn’t fallen in front of her subordinates.
Something fell when it’s large, you dodge; when it’s small, you instinctively grab. There’s no time to think, it’s pure reflex. Huo Yan reached out just in time, catching the nearly headlong-plummeting Jinyi Commissioner. Her bamboo hat had rolled five paces away, and only then did he get a clear look at her face. A woman who could catch the Crown Prince’s eye was indeed extraordinary.
She’d fallen into a deep backbend, her feet barely touching the ground, with no leverage to recover. The Chief Minister of Military Affairs regarded her with an expression akin to watching a fool. She forced an awkward smile and muttered, “I was up all night working on a case, and didn’t sleep well.”
A harmless little lie to diffuse the embarrassment, anything to salvage the carefully curated image she had painstakingly maintained.
Huo Yan hummed lightly, “A lapse on my staff’s part. There was originally a carpet laid at the entrance, but it soaked through from the snow and was removed. No one bothered to replace it.”
They exchanged pleasantries, an unexpectedly amusing first encounter, though the humor came entirely at Su Xinghe’s expense. Huo Yan helped her up with a steady lift, and she stumbled forward a few steps, retrieving her hat and setting it back on her head. She cupped her hands in a final salute. “Apologies for the disturbance. I’ll take my leave now.”
Huo Yan gave a slight nod, watching her walk down the stone path, her delicate steps reminiscent of bound feet. He figured she must have been shaken, fearing another tumble.
In truth, Su Xinghe’s difficulty walking wasn’t due to fear, she had twisted her ankle. Embarrassed to show any sign of pain in front of him, she gritted her teeth and walked the seemingly endless path with forced composure. Only after stepping outside the gate did she allow herself to limp. Ye Jinchun and the accompanying constables immediately surrounded her. “What happened, Madam? Did the Chief Minister challenge you to a duel?”
Su Xinghe shot them an exasperated glance. “No, the Chief Minister didn’t spar with me. He arm-wrestled me.” Without further explanation, she hobbled into her sedan chair.
Though the pain was bearable, she wasn’t the type to easily fold, she returned to the Bureau and spent the rest of the day working on the case, deliberating strategies with Commander Nan Yushu on the investigation of General Cao Zhan’s crimes.
Commander Nan Yushu expressed his admiration for her dedication. ” Lord Su, you’ve worked hard. Who would have thought you’d twist your ankle on this trip?”
“It’s nothing,” she replied. “Just a little slip. Where is General Cao Zhan now? Has he been escorted to the Bureau?”
A thousand-household officer nearby responded, “Since the case isn’t settled yet, we couldn’t be too rough. For now, we’ve locked him in the backroom holding cell.”
The officer then shared the difficulty they’d encountered. “The servants and maids are easy to scare; a few harsh words, and they’re trembling like leaves. But they insist their master is the General of the Northern Army. As for the concubines, they refuse to identify him. Most of them are widows who’ve received imperial commendations, some even bearing official titles. We can’t easily lay a finger on them.”
Su snorted lightly. “Can’t touch them? Assemble nine constables, have them change into plain clothes, and line them up with General Cao Zhan. Then bring all the concubines in. Let the servants identify him in front of everyone. Once he’s identified, it won’t matter if the women deny it. Do murderers usually confess? If he won’t admit guilt, does that mean we can’t prosecute him?”
Commander Nan Yushu and a few of the thousand-household officers exchanged uneasy glances. Such a woman, truly formidable. It was as if she was born to handle cases. Keeping her confined to palace duties would indeed be a waste of her talents.
Commander Nan Yushu asked, “What’s the Chief Minister’s stance on Cao Zhan’s case? Is he inclined to protect him or wash his hands of it?”
Su Xinghe, hands warming over a hand stove, replied leisurely, “The court has no intention of sparing Gemeral Cao Zhan. If the Chief Minister openly defends him, wouldn’t that be digging his own grave? He’s a smart man; self-preservation comes first. If he weren’t related to the imperial family, as an ordinary official, he’d already be held accountable for failing to supervise his subordinates. Last night, I had a private conversation with His Highness, and his stance was clear: deal with General Cao Zhan, but leave Huo Yan untouched. We’re here to serve, and since that’s the directive from above, we’ll follow orders. That said, the Chief Minister seemed quite sincere, even offering to accompany us to investigate the Northern Army if necessary.”
Commander Nan Yushu let out a long breath. “That’s a relief… There is one matter, though, where we’ll need the Chief Minister’s help. The Northern Army’s archives are highly confidential. Without the Privy Council’s special authorization, no one is allowed to open them easily. Since the Privy Council’s power was curtailed, the Five Military Commands have acted independently. The Northern Army, which oversees the capital’s defenses, stores all its military records in that archive, including logs on supplies and provisions. They often prepare one set of records for official inspection and conduct separate dealings in private. If we bring out the logs and cross-check them with the troops, any discrepancies will come to light.”
Su Xinghe seemed indifferent. Since there was no chance of toppling Huo Yan, she had little interest in further meddling with the details. She replied casually, “Commander Nan Yushu, you can visit the Privy Council yourself. I’m sure the Chief Minister will grant you this favor.”
Commander Nan Yushu chuckled. “What favor do I have with him? That great Buddha only mentioned accompanying the investigation because of you, Commissioner Su. I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you again for this. It’s almost the end of the year, and the yamen has more than just this case on its plate. Last night, an official returning to the capital was ambushed and killed. I’ve already sent three of my officers to investigate the scene, and I’ll need to examine the corpse at the public morgue later. I’m completely tied up.”
Su smiled vaguely. “If you’re short on manpower, Commander Nan Yushu, feel free to borrow some of mine. However, as I’ve said, the General Cao Zhan case falls outside my jurisdiction, I can’t overstep my authority.”
Commander Nan Yushu waved his hand dismissively. “If Commissioner Su is worried about procedural legitimacy, we might as well transfer the case to you altogether. After all, so many women are involved. Splitting the investigation and relaying messages back and forth is too much trouble.”
She pondered for a moment, then clapped her knee. “Fine. Let’s wrap this up before the New Year.”
Thus, all the documents and records related to the General Cao Zhan case were moved to her office. Noticing that dusk was approaching, she ordered the case to be set aside for the night and planned to resume the witness identifications after returning to the yamen the next day.
When she stood up, she forgot about her injured foot and put too much weight on it, causing a sharp, searing pain. Seeing this, those present asked if they should call for a military physician. She waved them off and, with Ye Jingchun’s help, hobbled into the sedan chair.
The sky gradually darkened. Inside the chair, it was dim, with only a faint glow from the goat-horn lanterns outside. She felt around her ankle and noticed it was swollen, fuming inwardly at her own weakness. Such a critical time, yet she was now limping, how could she properly carry out her duties?
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, she wondered how the Crown Prince would react when he saw her. To him, she was merely a diversion. Others might keep tigers or leopards; he, on the other hand, kept her a tool to deflect blame and solve cases.
But it seemed he wasn’t around today. Entering the palace gate, she only saw Dequan pacing under the eaves. She called out to him, and Dequan squinted, seeing a figure hobbling toward him. He descended the steps with his whisk in hand. “Commissioner Su, what happened to you?”
Su Xinghe said she had twisted her ankle, and the servant Yichen quickly came out from the side room, rushing to assist her. “In this cold weather, injuries are hard to recover from. I have some medicinal oil, I’ll massage it for you, and it will be fine.”
So, they helped her into the adjoining hall.
She removed her sock, and her ankle was swollen with a large bump. Dequan exclaimed, “Goodness, it’s like a bun now! The master will probably be heartbroken when he sees this.”
She glanced outside. “Does the master have matters to attend to today?”
Dequan nodded. “The north isn’t calm again. That ‘Wu-li-wa-la’ king, several marriage proposals were rejected, and now, in his humiliation, he’s sending troops to attack us. The master is still in the inner court discussing strategies. He’ll be back late today, so don’t wait for him.”
The “Wu-li-wa-la” king Dequan referred to was Uda Khan, the king of the Xianbei tribe in the north, who had repeatedly sought to marry a princess of the Empire but was rejected. He found an excuse to cause unrest along the border, and war was inevitable, just a matter of when. Yichen applied the medicinal oil, massaging gently as she spoke, “The court is hopeless. If they want a princess, just give them a lesser noblewoman. Then, we can marry one of their princesses to our Crown Prince as a concubine. It’s a win-win! Such a simple solution!”
Though not a new idea, marriage alliances were a desperate measure in a balanced power struggle. The Empire and Uda Khan’s kingdom were not on equal footing, marrying a princess off would be seen as a demotion, and the court could not allow that. A princess sent to the northern steppe would live in large tents, enduring the harsh conditions of migration, exposed to the elements on a wooden cart across the plains. No noble family would accept their daughter suffering in such conditions.
As for the Crown Prince, Dequan laughed, “The Crown Prince wouldn’t look at those northern girls. It’s said their women are dark, strong, and smell of sheep from eating mutton every day. You’d be doing him a disservice. He might just bury you alive!”
Yichen muttered a few words, clearly worried about being buried alive, and quickly dropped the topic of the northern princess.
Su Xinghe then remembered that she was related to Hou Yan, so she said, “I heard you call the Commissioner of the Privy Council ‘uncle’ last time. Is he close with the Chamberlain?”
Yichen responded, “Yes, they are somewhat familiar, more like distant relatives. The two families have always had interactions. Last time, when his wife’s memorial day came around, my mother helped with the arrangements.”
Su Xinghe was surprised. “His wife is no longer around? Doesn’t he have any other women in charge of household matters? Why would he entrust such things to your mother?”
Yichen poured the medicinal oil into her palm, rubbing it together until it was hot, then pressed it against Su Xinghe’s swollen ankle as she spoke casually, “The Duke’s mansion doesn’t have anyone in charge of the household. It’s always just been his wife. Since she passed away four years ago, the mansion has been managed by the Chief Clerk. When the anniversary of her death came around, there were so many relatives visiting, and the Chief Clerk couldn’t possibly recognize them all. So, he had to ask my mother for help.”
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