Offending a member of the imperial family was a matter that could be treated as either grave or trivial. At its most severe, it could lead to the execution of nine generations; at its most lenient, it might result in nothing more than a stern reprimand. Upon returning to the Prince of Fu Lu’s estate, Yin Zhuli dropped off the Ninth Prince and quietly made her way to the residence of Yang Chonghuai, the Governor of Chang'an. Having just arrested the young master of the Fei family business, Yang Chonghuai was naturally still awake.
Yin Zhuli did not waste time with pleasantries, getting straight to the point: "Congratulations, Lord Yang. My sincerest felicitations."
Knowing she had some connection with the current Emperor, Yang Chonghuai did not dare be negligent. He hurried to welcome her into the manor and ordered his servants to serve sweet soup before smiling. "The Princess Consort must be joking. From where does this joy of mine come?"
Yin Zhuli sat with him in the hall, her smile bright and elegant. "Tomorrow, this Princess Consort shall enter the palace to have an audience with His Majesty."
The look of respect on Yang Chonghuai’s face deepened. Only then did she lower her voice. "Lord Yang, the crime of offending imperial kin can be large or small. I wonder how you intend to handle that young master of the Fei family?"
Yang Chonghuai gritted his teeth. "Rest assured, Eldest Master. Without at least ten thousand taels of silver, he won't be walking out of there."
A servant brought the sweet soup. Yin Zhuli took the bowl and shook her head gently. "Lord Yang, I specifically sent someone to deliver a fortune to you, yet you are far too kind-hearted."
Yang Chonghuai was stunned. "Eldest Master, what do you mean...?"
Yin Zhuli stirred the soup with a silver spoon, speaking unhurriedly. "Though the Fei family cannot compare to the Yin family, they have been great merchants for generations. Once I enter the Imperial City tomorrow, they will surely assume I intend to report tonight’s events to the King. If I truly were to inform the Son of Heaven, I fear the Fei family would face the immediate extermination of their entire clan."
Hearing this, Yang Chonghuai couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. He asked cautiously, "In your opinion, Eldest Master... how much would be appropriate?"
Yin Zhuli smiled and slowly extended her right hand, spreading all five fingers. Yang Chonghuai shuddered. "Fifty thousand taels?"
Yin Zhuli laughed heartily. Once she finished, she shook her head gently. Yang Chonghuai’s forehead was drenched. "Five... five hundred thousand taels?"
Yin Zhuli stood up and patted his shoulder, her demeanor remaining as calm as a light breeze. "Lord Yang, I have suffered no small loss in this matter. Four ships of fresh goods, three workers, and I even took a heavy blow to the face. Since you are gaining the profit, you cannot treat me poorly."
Yang Chonghuai’s heart had not yet returned to its normal rhythm. It took him a long moment to recover his wits. "If such a sum truly comes in, then once the matter is settled, I shall personally compensate you for all your losses. I will certainly not forget your kindness, Eldest Master."
Yin Zhuli nodded. "The hour is late; I shall return to my estate. Lord Yang, remember: paying this price to buy the survival of an entire clan is the ultimate bargain. There must be no haggling. As for the young master in the cells, I hope you will look after him well on my behalf."
Yang Chonghuai was an old fox himself; he immediately put on a troubled expression. "Eldest Master, after the incident, Fei Guanshan will surely be pulling strings everywhere. It might be difficult to move against the boy."
Yin Zhuli didn't even look back. "One hundred taels per punch. If you truly cannot manage it, I won't make things difficult for you."
Yang Chonghuai’s eyes lit up, as if he could already see the glittering gold ingots. He bowed hurriedly. "Rest assured, Princess Consort. Though there are guards in the prison, there are also many unruly convicts. If a dispute or two were to break out... how could the court possibly manage such things?"
As soon as Yin Zhuli left, he summoned the head jailer and gave careful instructions: "Find a few hardened criminals and have them start some trouble. Surround that young master of the Fei family and land as many punches as possible. Just don't kill him..."
The jailer understood and hurried off to comply. Yang Chonghuai still felt a bit unsatisfied. "Young Master Fei, oh Young Master Fei... wouldn't it be wonderful if you were made of iron?"
...
The next morning, before dawn had even broken, Fei Guanshan was already waiting outside the gates of the Prince of Fu Lu’s estate. Yin Zhuli helped Shen Tingjiao dress neatly and gave the gatekeeper only two words: "No visitors."
Upon entering the palace, she accompanied Shen Tingjiao directly to see Grand Consort He. The Grand Consort was in the prayer hall. It was Yin Zhuli's first time inside, and she found it surprisingly simple. Guanyin was enshrined upon the altar, holding a pure vase, her expression solemn and dignified. She instructed Shen Tingjiao to offer a stick of incense. Without needing to be told, Yin Zhuli also bowed respectfully and offered her own.
Grand Consort He’s voice was cold. "Do you also believe in the Buddha?"
Yin Zhuli smiled faintly. "Though I do not believe, I would never be disrespectful."
Grand Consort He’s expression softened slightly. Claiming that mother and daughter-in-law needed to share some domestic talk, she dismissed Shen Tingjiao to wait outside. The little Prince was obedient and prepared to leave immediately, but Yin Zhuli was still a bit uneasy. "Have two maids follow you. Do not wander far."
He gave an affirmative sound, then hesitated. "Imperial Mother..."
No one knows a son better than his mother. Grand Consort He immediately glared at him. "Does this Consort look like she would bully her own daughter-in-law?"
Shen Tingjiao froze and could only bow and withdraw. Seeing him lift the curtain to leave, Grand Consort He sighed with a smile. "They say a daughter’s heart turns outward once she weds, but look at my son—I raised him, yet his heart isn't with his mother. Why doesn't he worry about his wife bullying me instead?"
Yin Zhuli laughed at the remark. "Your Highness holds an exalted status. Who could possibly bully you?"
Grand Consort He sighed, gazing at the jade statue of Guanyin for a long time before speaking. "Status? What others see is but a facade. Living within these palace walls, one's joys and sorrows are known only to oneself. Zhuli, you have been married to Tingjiao for so long, yet we haven't had a proper chance to talk. Stay with me for a while today. In this inner palace, I have no one I can truly call a confidante."
Yin Zhuli laughed inwardly. Having read countless people, how could she not know what was on Grand Consort He’s mind? Nevertheless, she allowed the woman to take her hand and said calmly, "Your Highness need not be dejected. Life is like a game of chess—a landscape of unpredictable changes. Who can remain down on their luck for a lifetime?"
Grand Consort He’s heart stirred. she scrutinized Yin Zhuli subtly, but the younger woman remained poised, her conversation natural and relaxed.
While the two were sharing small talk, Fei Guanshan was frantic with worry. Knowing the gravity of the situation, he had gone to the Prince of Fu Lu’s estate early in the morning, only for Yin Zhuli to refuse to see him. He then sent people to the yamen to grease some palms, but the officers who were usually so easy to talk to didn't even dare touch the money this time. They only said the matter had blown up too much and likely wouldn't end well.
He was forced to seek out Yang Chonghuai, the Governor of Chang'an. If Yin Zhuli truly met with the Emperor and His Majesty took offense, he feared the Fei family business would be ruined by his own hand. Yang Chonghuai did see him, but remained silent. Fei Guanshan presented a pair of solid gold magpies, four pairs of Eastern pearls, and two pairs of ruyi bracelets. The Governor didn't even look at them, returning them directly. "Master Fei, it’s not that I am unwilling to help, but your son went too far. Engaging in a public brawl is one thing, but to actually strike the Princess Consort of Fu Lu? That Princess Consort has always been highly favored by the Son of Heaven. Is she someone who can be hit?"
Fei Guanshan broke into a cold sweat and pleaded for help repeatedly. Yang Chonghuai ignored him, sitting in silence for a long while before speaking slowly. "It’s not that I won't help you. Normally, you take good care of me, but this matter has pierced the heavens. Never mind Young Master Fei..." He set down his tea cup, intentionally making the situation sound dire. "I fear that when the time comes, your entire Fei clan will be dragged down with him."
How could Fei Guanshan not know this man was black-hearted? He hurriedly pushed the gifts forward again, begging only for a chance to see Fei Dingyu. Yang Chonghuai feigned difficulty, staring at the items for a good while before saying, "Master Fei, I am not one to forget your past kindness. Very well. I shall risk my official post to let you see him once. Keep it brief, speak only of what is important, and leave quickly."
Fei Guanshan had seen his share of the world, but between Yin Zhuli being a dangerous opponent and the fact that she had actually entered the palace, his composure had crumbled.
When he finally saw Fei Dingyu in the dungeon, his heart nearly shattered. The once-healthy man was a wretched mess, his face bruised and swollen, his breath as thin as silk. A father’s heart aches for his child; overcome with grief and disregarding all else, he spent the night pleading with Yang Chonghuai. He resolved that even if it exhausted his entire family fortune, he had to get his son out of that prison.
It was not until the afternoon that Yin Zhuli and the little Prince left the palace and returned directly to the estate. His inspection tour was imminent, and there were many things to pack. Amidst the bustle, Chief Steward Hao came to see her, whispering in her ear, "Eldest Master, the fish and shrimp have all been buried. The workers have been bailed out, and the families of the dead and injured have been compensated."
Yin Zhuli nodded. "I will be accompanying the Ninth Lord on his tour of Henan. Hire a group of martial artists from the underworld to set an ambush on the road from Shaozhou to Luoyang."
Hao Jian’s brow twitched, and he immediately understood. "Eldest Master intends to stage a fake ambush on the Ninth Lord?"
Yin Zhuli nodded slightly. "The play must be performed to the fullest, but you must not leave any traces of identity. As for where the bandits came from, we shall leave that to the Ninth Lord’s imagination. After this incident, the Ninth Lord will surely develop the intent to rebel."
Hao Jian cupped his hands. "This subordinate shall see to it immediately."
Yin Zhuli raised her voice. "Regarding the situation in Henan, there is no need to notify them of my itinerary."
Hao Jian nodded and turned to make the arrangements.
Yin Zhuli then summoned Tan Yue. "Draw a group of men from the martial arts hall in the west of the city. They must be absolutely trustworthy. You will lead them personally to protect us along the way. Unless something happens, they are not to show themselves."
Tan Yue was somewhat puzzled. "Does the Eldest Master not trust Steward Hao?"
Yin Zhuli smiled faintly. "I do trust Hao Jian, but it is best to be prepared for any eventuality. A little caution never hurts."
Tan Yue accepted the order and went to prepare.
Before long, someone came to report: "Eldest Master, Lord Yang has sent this for your perusal."
Yin Zhuli took it. It was a deposit slip from a major bank for the amount of three hundred thousand taels. She gave a cold laugh, muttering to herself with lingering dissatisfaction, "I’ve let that old thief off far too easy..."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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杨崇怀 | Yang Chonghuai | The Governor (Fu Yin) of Chang'an.
何太妃 | Grand Consort He | Shen Tingjiao's mother, a high-ranking consort of the late Emperor.
斐关山 | Fei Guanshan | The head of the Fei family business and Fei Dingyu's father.
檀越 | Tan Yue | A subordinate or guard commander serving Yin Zhuli.
陕州 | Shaozhou | A historical prefecture/location on the way to Luoyang.
洛阳 | Luoyang | A major historical city in Henan province.
河南 | Henan | A province in central China.
