Now, ever since the Empress Dowager, Consort Li, had regained her sight, Lady Li had done all she could, day after day, to comfort and cheer her, and saw to it that everything went as she wished, so that in food and drink and all her daily life there was nothing that was not to her liking. The old Empress Dowager was coaxed into such contentment that her lovely face was glowing again and her spirits were twice what they had been: she was a world away from the woman in the old kiln. There was just one thing. When Bao Xing came back and said, “The master is staying at the Great Xiangguo Temple and will have his audience with His Majesty tomorrow,” Lady Li could not help feeling a little anxious. She was afraid that when he saw the Emperor and the business of Pang Yu came up, he would answer too bluntly and provoke His Majesty’s anger, and she could not set her mind at rest.

But as it turned out, when Lord Bao went to court the next day for his audience and reported everything, the Emperor praised him warmly for the upright way he had done his work and rewarded him handsomely. His Majesty bestowed on him a five-clawed python robe1, a jewelled belt set with clusters of pearls, a white jade ‘Four Joys’ archer’s ring2 and a pair of large purses trimmed with coral beads. Lord Bao gave thanks for the imperial favour. Not until the morning audience was over did he return to the Kaifeng yamen, where all the runners and the rest of the staff knelt to ask after his health. Lord Bao went straight to the inner quarters, still in his court robes, and Lady Li came out to meet him. When they had greeted each other, he said to her, “I wish to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. May I trouble you, my lady, to announce me to her?” Lady Li accepted the errand. Knowing that he would be sure to pay his respects, she had already told the serving women and maids not to follow, and she led him to the quiet room in the Buddhist chapel.

Lady Li went first and Lord Bao behind her. When they reached the middle room, Lord Bao stopped. Lady Li lifted the curtain, went in, knelt and said, “May it please the Empress Dowager: your servant Bao Zheng, Grand Academician of the Longtu Pavilion, in charge of Kaifeng Prefecture, has completed his commission and returned to the capital, and has come to pay homage to Your Majesty.” “Where is my son?” asked the Empress Dowager. “He is in the outer room,” said Lady Li. “Bring him in at once,” the Empress Dowager commanded. Lady Li lifted the curtain, and there was Lord Bao, already on his knees on the floor. “Your servant Bao Zheng pays homage to Your Majesty,” he said. “May Your Majesty live a thousand years, a thousand thousand years! Your servant’s humble house is cramped and unworthy of Your Majesty. I humbly beg your pardon.” With that he lay prostrate on the ground. “Raise your head, my son,” said the Empress Dowager. Lord Bao knelt upright in due form. Until now Her Majesty had only heard his voice; now, at last, she saw his face. It was square, with large ears, a wide mouth and a sparse beard, black as lacquer and glowing all over, and his bulging eyes flashed and glittered. He had been born with the looks of good fortune and had grown into an imposing presence, and even on his knees he was as tall as an ordinary man. Truly, here was “a red heart3, loyal and steadfast, that rises to the highest heavens, and a black face, grave and stern, that holds ghosts and spirits in awe.” When the Empress Dowager had looked him over, she was overjoyed: Renzong must be blessed indeed, she thought, to have such an able minister. Then her thoughts turned to the deep wrong she herself had suffered, and before she knew it the tears were falling. Weeping, she said, “We owe so much to all that you and your wife have done. Our cause, Minister Bao, rests wholly with you.” Lord Bao kowtowed and replied, “Your Majesty need not trouble yourself. Your humble servant will act as the moment allows, and will not fail to uphold the right and root out the wicked, so as to set the laws of the realm straight.” Wiping her tears and nodding, Her Majesty said, “Rise, minister, and go and rest.” Lord Bao thanked her for her grace, bowed and withdrew. Lady Li let the door curtain fall again and comforted Her Majesty once more. Only when the maids outside saw Lord Bao come out did they dare come in to wait on her. Then Her Majesty said to Lady Li, “Daughter-in-law, your husband has only just come home. You go too — there’s no need for you to wait on me here.” Her Majesty said it purely out of fond concern for her, but it made Lady Li so bashful that she blushed scarlet, and that set Her Majesty laughing. A maid lifted the curtain, and Lady Li had no choice but to withdraw and go back to her own room.

Outside, the luggage was being carried in, and the serving women and maids were busy taking charge of it. When Lady Li came into the room, there was Lord Bao drinking tea. He put down his cup, rose and said with a smile, “Thank you for your trouble, my lady. Your duties as herald4 are done.” Lady Li laughed too, and said how tired he must be after so long in the saddle. When they had exchanged a few pleasantries, they sat down, and she asked how the journey had gone. “I was so worried over the business of Pang Yu.” Then, in a low voice, she asked how he had come to find Her Majesty. Lord Bao told her briefly, and she did not dare ask for more. Then the meal was called for, and husband and wife ate at the same table. When they had eaten, they drank tea and chatted a little.

Lord Bao went to his study to see to official business. Bao Xing reported, “The runners from Caozhou Bridge are going back, sir. Have you any orders for them?” “How much silver did they put down for the clothes and the pins and earrings we asked for at the Tianqi Temple?” asked Lord Bao. “Have them take it back with them. And ask Mr. Gongsun to write a letter in reply, with our thanks.” Since Lord Bao had only arrived that day, nothing else was brought to him for the time being. He was rather tired himself, and went back to the inner quarters to rest. Of that night there is nothing to tell.

The next morning Lord Bao was in the bedroom, washing and combing his hair, when he heard Bao Xing give a soft cough out on the veranda. “What is it?” he asked. Bao Xing answered through the window, “Steward Ning of the Nanqing Palace has come specially to pay his respects to you, sir. He says he has something to tell you in person.” Lord Bao had never had any dealings with the palace eunuchs, and now that Steward Ning had suddenly come in person, he could not help knitting his brows. “What does he want to see me for?” he said. “Go and tell him I am busy with official business and cannot receive him. If it is something important, it can wait until tomorrow, and I will see him in the officials’ waiting rooms.” Bao Xing was just turning to go when he heard Lady Li say, “Wait!” He had to stay where he was, but he could not hear what was being said inside. After quite a while he heard Lord Bao say, “You are right, my lady.” Then he called to Bao Xing: “Show him into the study and give him tea. Tell him that as soon as I have finished washing I will come out to receive him.” Bao Xing turned and went out.

And what, you may ask, had Lady Li been whispering to Lord Bao just now? It was Her Majesty’s affair. “Consort Di lives at the Nanqing Palace,” she had said. “Who knows what Steward Ning has come about? Why not see him, my lord, and find out what brings him? If the chance comes for Her Majesty to meet Consort Di, then things can be worked out.” Only then had Lord Bao agreed. Now he hurried through his washing, put on his cap and belt, and made his way to the study.

Our story turns to Bao Xing, who had gone as he was told to invite Steward Ning in. “Our master is just getting washed and dressed,” he said. “If you will wait a little, he will come and see you. Please, sir, take a seat in the study for a while.” When Old Ning heard the words “see you”, his face broke into a beaming smile. “Thank you for showing me the way, steward,” he said. “I told myself, now that I’ve come, he’s bound to do me the honour. Old friends like us — how could he refuse to see me?” Chatting all the way, they came to the study. Li Cai hurried out to lift the curtain. Steward Ning went in and saw that the furnishings had nothing of vulgar luxury about them, only a few simple touches, and he clicked his tongue in admiration. Bao Xing quickly served tea and offered him a seat, then sat in the lower place to keep him company. Steward Ning knew that Bao Xing was His Excellency’s trusted man, and since they often saw each other at court, he did not dare treat him lightly either.

They were deep in conversation when Lord Bao’s voice was heard outside: “Has he been shown in?” “He has, sir,” Li Cai answered. Bao Xing hurried out to meet him and lifted the curtain, and Lord Bao came in. Steward Ning was already on his feet to greet him. “I’ve come specially to pay my respects to Your Excellency,” he said. “All that long, weary way — such toil and hardship! I meant to come yesterday, but Your Excellency was so worn out I didn’t dare disturb you, so I’ve come this morning instead, for fear you’d be busy after your meal. Has Your Excellency had a good rest?” With that he made a bow that almost touched the floor. Lord Bao hastily returned it. “It is very kind of you to think of me, sir. I have not yet been to call on you, and instead you have put yourself to the trouble of coming first. I am truly ill at ease.” He offered his guest a seat, and fresh tea was served. Then Lord Bao said, “You honour me with this visit, sir. May I ask what instructions you bring me? Pray tell me plainly.” Steward Ning chuckled. “It’s no official business that brings me. It’s just that His Highness the Prince of Liuhe5 has the deepest respect for Your Excellency’s loyalty, integrity and talent, and he often speaks of you to Consort Di, and Her Highness is always delighted to hear it. Then, just lately, there was the business of Pang Yu, when Your Excellency executed him first and reported to the throne afterwards. That showed all the more how loyal you are to the realm with all your heart, and how you don’t fear the powerful and the wicked. When our prince came back from court, he told Her Highness all about it, and she was beside herself with joy. ‘Now that,’ she said, ‘is a worthy minister to uphold the dynasty and set the world in order!’ And then she gave our prince a little lecture: he was young, she said, and he must always learn from Your Excellency and become a wise prince, pure of heart and upright, so as to be worthy of His Majesty’s great favour. Our prince admires Your Excellency very much too, you know — only, without some occasion, he can’t very well seek your company. So I thought to myself, it’s Her Highness’s birthday just now — why shouldn’t Your Excellency send a modest gift6 with your birthday greetings? Then you’d be on close terms from now on. For one thing, Her Highness’s fond regard for you wouldn’t go for nothing, and for another, our prince could learn a thing or two by following Your Excellency. Wouldn’t that be a fine thing? So I’ve come specially today to bring you word.” As Lord Bao listened, he pondered silently: “I have never sought the company of the powerful at court, but just now there is the Empress Dowager’s affair. His Majesty knows only that Consort Di is his birth mother7. How could he know that the mother who truly bore him has suffered such a wrong? Better to go along with this and turn it to account — thus and thus. If the chance comes, it will save a great many twists and turns. Besides, the Prince of Liuhe is a wise prince too; even if I do cultivate him, it will be no disgrace to me.” His mind made up, he asked, “But may I ask when Her Highness’s birthday falls?” “Tomorrow the birthday celebrations begin,” said Steward Ning, “and the day after is the birthday itself. Why else would we be dashing about as if we were chasing a deer? It’s only because the day is so close that I came specially to tell you.” “Thank you, sir, for your advice and your kind thought,” said Lord Bao. “How could I not do as you say? There is one more thing. On Her Highness’s birthday, I believe, we officials from outside the palace may not kneel to her in person. But my mother is staying here at the yamen just now. If I send the gifts tomorrow, and on the day itself, the day after, my mother goes in person, wouldn’t that be closer still? Would it be possible?” “Oh my!” cried Steward Ning. “So the Old Madam has come? All the better! As soon as I get back I’ll tell Her Highness.” Lord Bao thanked him. “Again I must put you to trouble, sir.” “Not at all, not at all!” said Old Ning. “Well, in that case I’ll be getting back. Give the Old Madam my respects for now. The day after tomorrow I’ll be at the palace to receive the old lady myself.” Lord Bao pressed him once more: “When my mother comes to the palace, I hope you will look after her.” Steward Ning laughed. “Does Your Excellency even need to tell me? Of course I’ll do my best for the old lady — it’s our friendship that counts. Don’t see me out — please, stay where you are.” Lord Bao saw him as far as the ceremonial gate, and only after Steward Ning had protested again and again did they part and he went on his way.

Lord Bao went inside to Lady Li and told her the whole story, and asked her to let the Empress Dowager know quietly what had just happened. Lady Li went off to the quiet room as he asked. Lord Bao came back to the study and told Bao Xing to prepare a birthday present to be sent to the Nanqing Palace the next day. He also told him to treat Fan Zonghua well — when all this was over, something would be done for him — but on no account to let him into the secret. Bao Xing knew very well how grave a matter it was. Never mind Fan Zonghua: even Mr. Gongsun and Wang, Ma, Zhang and Zhao were kept completely in the dark.

The next day Bao Xing had the birthday present ready, eight kinds of things in all, and when Lord Bao had looked it over — it was nothing more than wine, candles, peaches, noodles8 and the like — he had runners carry it on poles to the Nanqing Palace and followed on horseback himself. When he reached the cross street by the Nanqing Palace, it was already thronged with porters, sedan chairs and horses: people bringing presents, some carried between two on poles, some on a single shoulder, a din of voices and such a crush that no one could get through. He had to dismount, and told his men, “When this crowd has thinned out a little, walk the horse round to the prince’s palace.” He went on to the gate on foot. It was a gatehouse five bays wide, and on the big kang platforms on either side sat any number of officials. He saw too that everyone bringing presents, from wherever they came, held a name card in both hands and spoke in a hushed voice, while the officers of the prince’s household gave themselves airs and barely deigned to answer. Seeing how things stood, Bao Xing could only climb the steps to one of the officers, take his card out of the breast of his robe and say, “May I trouble you gentlemen to announce me?” He had got no further when the man glanced up at him with a haughty look. “Where are you from?” “I’m from Kaifeng—” Bao Xing had got out only those three words when the man suddenly stood up. “You must have brought the gifts from His Excellency Lord Bao!” “That’s right,” said Bao Xing. The man took him by the arm. “My dear brother, thank you for all your trouble! The Steward sent word out first thing this morning that His Excellency would be sure to send gifts today, and I’ve been here waiting for you. Come along, let’s go in and sit down.” Then he turned and called to the household runners, “Where are the gifts from Lord Bao of Kaifeng? Look lively and see to them!” Already the word was being passed along: “Which are Lord Bao’s gifts? Bring them over here!” By now the officer had taken Bao Xing to a study, served him tea and sat down with him. “This morning His Highness gave orders that if His Excellency sent gifts, he was to be told at once,” he said. “Now that you’re here, brother, do you want to see His Highness, or not?” “Well, since I’m here,” Bao Xing answered, “I suppose it would be best to see him. Only I’ll have to trouble you again, sir.” “My dear brother,” said the man, “from now on you can drop the ‘sir’ — we’re all brothers here. My name is Wang, and I’m the third of my brothers. I’m a few years older than you, brother, so just call me Third Brother. Next time you come, ask for Bald Third Master Wang, and that’s me. I lost my top so early that everyone calls me Baldy Wang the Third.” And he laughed. The gifts were carried in, and when Third Master Wang had looked them all over, he took up the card, excused himself and went inside to report.

Before long Third Master Wang came back. “His Highness will see you in the hall,” he told Bao Xing. “He’s waiting.” Bao Xing hurried after Wang the Third to the great hall. He climbed the jade stairs, went round by the vermilion steps and stopped outside the door of the hall. The curtains were rolled up high, and there, in a great armchair facing the door, sat a prince with his hair bound up in a gold coronet, in a python robe and a jade belt, with any number of eunuch attendants on either side. Bao Xing hastily kowtowed. A voice spoke from above: “Go back and give your master my regards. He has gone to great trouble and shown me much courtesy, and I accept his gifts. When I see him at court one of these days, I shall thank him myself.” And to the eunuchs the prince said, “Return his card to him. Give him a card of thanks, and fifty taels of silver as a reward.” The eunuchs promptly handed everything to Wang the Third, who whispered at Bao Xing’s side, “Thank His Highness for the reward.” Bao Xing kowtowed, rose and followed Third Master Wang out again. They had only just come down from the Yin’an Hall9 when Steward Ning came toward them from one side, all smiles. “Ah, steward, so you’ve come? I put you to a lot of trouble yesterday. When you get back and see His Excellency, tell him I’ve already spoken to Her Highness, and the Old Madam should feel free to come tomorrow. Her Highness says it isn’t the birthday bows she cares about — what she wants is a good talk.” Bao Xing said he would. “Forgive me if I don’t stay with you,” said Steward Ning. “Please, sir, go about your business,” Bao Xing replied. Then he went out with Third Master Wang, who wanted to take him to the study again, but Bao Xing would not go. Third Master Wang handed him the card and the silver, and Bao Xing thanked him for his trouble. At the palace gate he begged him to come no further, but Third Master Wang insisted on seeing him mount. Bao Xing had no choice. “Forgive me,” he said, and went down the steps, where his horse had already been brought round. He put his foot in the stirrup and swung up into the saddle, calling, “I kowtow to you! I kowtow to you!” Then he whipped up his horse and rode off, thinking to himself: “Our eight modest gifts cost only twenty taels of silver, and His Highness has given me fifty! He’s truly generous to those below him.”

Before long he was back at the Kaifeng yamen, where he went to Lord Bao and reported everything point by point. Lord Bao nodded, then went to the inner quarters and asked Lady Li, “When you told the Empress Dowager, how did it go?” “I have told her everything,” said Lady Li. “At first she was troubled. ‘What am I to wear?’ she said. ‘And what courtesies am I to perform?’ I said, ‘Let Your Majesty stoop for the time being to wearing the robes of a lady of the first rank10. When you get there, I don’t suppose Consort Di would ever simply sit and accept your bows. When the moment comes, take your cue from what you see, and you’ll get through it somehow. And if the chance comes to let the truth out — well, on the face of it you’ll be offering birthday greetings, but underneath it will be your chance to return to the palace. What does Your Majesty think?’ Her Majesty thought it over, and only then did she say, ‘With the moment upon us, there is nothing else for it. I shall simply have to go to the Nanqing Palace tomorrow.’” Hearing that the Empress Dowager had agreed, Lord Bao was overjoyed. He told Lady Li to send two clever maids with her; outside, he would send men of his own as an escort.

The next day, as before, the sedan chair was carried right into the third hall for her to step into, and when the bearers had withdrawn, the ceremonial gate was closed. By now Lady Li had helped Her Majesty finish washing and dressing her hair. But when it came to changing into the robes, Her Majesty wept in spite of herself. Lady Li comforted her once again, urging that the great cause must come before everything, and only then did she change. When she was ready, Lady Li told the maids all to wait in the third hall, and they went out. Then Lady Li knelt and bowed to her once more. It was only a bow — and yet, never mind Her Majesty, even Lady Li could not stop the tears from streaming down her face. Her Majesty reached out to raise her, too choked with sobs to say a word. It was Lady Li who mastered her grief and urged her earnestly, “Your Majesty, this visit touches the laws and rites of the realm. Whatever you do, don’t let your feelings run away with you at what you see and let the truth slip out. Don’t let some small thing ruin the great one.” Her Majesty nodded and said through her tears, “For twenty years We have borne this wrong in silence, and it is you two, husband and wife, We have to thank! If this visit brings Us back into the palace, We will send for you, my child, and then we can open our hearts to each other.” “It will be your handmaid’s duty to come to court and pay her respects,” said Lady Li. “How could I fail to answer your summons?” With that she helped Her Majesty out of the door, and slowly they walked to the third hall. Lady Li helped Her Majesty into the sedan chair, saw that she was seated securely and fitted the front bar in place. A maid let down the curtain. Then came the Empress Dowager’s voice: “Daughter-in-law, my child, go back now.” It was full of sorrow. Lady Li answered and withdrew behind the screen. The bearers came in from outside, lifted the chair and slowly carried it out through the ceremonial gate. There stood Lord Bao, bowing in attendance. He stepped up, laid his hand on the carrying pole and walked beside the chair out of the yamen. Her Majesty could see him clearly. “Go back, my son,” she said. “There’s no need to see me so far.” Lord Bao said, “Yes,” stopped where he was, and watched the chair go down the steps. Then he saw Fan Zonghua off to one side, at a distance, kowtow once toward the chair. Lord Bao nodded to himself. “Not only is the man blessed by fortune,” he said, “he knows his manners too.” Bao Xing rode at the head as outrider, with a crowd of escorts closing round the chair behind him, and so they went on their way.

Lord Bao turned back inside and went to the inner quarters. Lady Li’s eyes were red from weeping. He knew that parting from Her Majesty just now had been bound to grieve her, and he did not want to ask her about it; they only talked it over again in low voices. “How will it go, I wonder, when Her Majesty meets Consort Di? We can only wait quietly for news.” They speculated for a long while, and then he chatted with Lady Li about other things. “Her Majesty is so kind,” said Lady Li, “and treats everyone so generously. Who would have thought she should suffer such cruel harm!” Lord Bao nodded and sighed, then went back to the study to see to official business.

To learn how Her Majesty fared on this visit, read the next chapter.