The 10th day of the 12th lunar month, in the 32nd year of Jianing.

Suitable for hanging plaques, setting up beds, cleaning, ground-breaking, burying, enlightenment, beam raising, opening businesses, felling trees, and praying for children.

Avoid buying houses, traveling, worshipping ancestors.

In Clumsy Grass Hall, Mrs. Zhang slowly sipped porridge from a blue and white porcelain bowl while listening to Nuanchun reading the almanac. When she heard the part about praying for children, she smirked, unsure of what she was thinking.

Nuanchun paused for a moment: "What's the matter, Madam?"

Mrs. Zhang casually put down the porcelain bowl: "It's nothing. Just laughing at a couple of kids fussing like a child's play, making a mess of their own doing. I'm curious to see how long they'll plan to sleep in separate beds."

Nuanchun chuckled: "The young master is just concerned about the young lady."

Mrs. Zhang dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief: "Don't go making excuses for them. Get things ready to welcome the guests. Prepare the tea and snacks, also the return gifts, so no one thinks our Zhang Family is taking advantage to grab any benefit."

Nuanchun fetched a large black cloak to drape over her shoulders and added two more pieces of glowing new charcoal to the copper hand warmer before lifting the door curtain.

Mrs. Zhang gracefully walked towards the gate of the manor and asked the gatehouse servant: "How many people are waiting outside?"

The gatehouse servant looked troubled.

Mrs. Zhang frowned: "What's the matter? Speak up!"

The servant quickly replied: "Reporting to Madam, there are only two Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel waiting since 3 AM outside..."

Mrs. Zhang was stunned on the spot.

It wasn't surprising that only two Vice Ministers from the Ministry of Personnel had arrived. After all, the doctors and chiefs had to first deliver New Year's invitations to their superiors' homes.

But now Zhang Zhuo, as a cabinet minister, and in charge of the metropolitan evaluation, how can it be that only people from the Ministry of Personnel are making New Year visits?

Nuanchun quietly tried to make an excuse: "They might be planning to come tomorrow. After all, there are still several days left."

Mrs. Zhang stood calmly in front of the door and said, "Perhaps the incident at the Xu Mansion yesterday has already spread far and wide. The shrewd ones in the Imperial Capital know that the Zhang Family and the Xu Family have parted ways, so they intend to visit other cabinet ministers' homes first. Waiting a day to visit the Zhang Family isn't a hurry."

Officials in the capital certainly wouldn't overlook visiting the Zhang Family for New Year's, but in this capital, even who to visit first on the 10th of the 12th lunar month is a matter of etiquette. Whether a day early or a day late makes a world of difference.

Official Xu is about to depart, and with the Grand Secretary position about to be vacant in the Cabinet, naturally, the visits would first go to those most likely to ascend to the position of Grand Secretary. Presumably, the Hu Family and Chen Family are bustling with visitors at this moment.

Nuanchun looked at Mrs. Zhang: "Madam, what should we do?"

Mrs. Zhang smiled: "These short-sighted people, how could they understand the master's capabilities? To govern is much like farming, you sow in spring and reap in autumn. There's no rushing it. Some only see this year's harvest and hurry to cling to high branches, but they forget that the land needs to be farmed every year. This year's harvest might not be good, next year's might be. This year's good harvest might not guarantee next year's. Open the door."

The servant pulled open the door, and two Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel stood at the foot of the steps, each followed by four bearers carrying New Year gifts.

They were dressed in brand-new official robes, with frost still hanging on the edges of their hats from the morning.

As the door opened, the two straightened their garments and walked up the steps: "Madam, wishing you an early New Year. We came a bit early, hope we didn't disturb your rest?"

Mrs. Zhang nodded slightly: "Lord Zhou, you're too kind. The master was in the government office reviewing papers last night and didn't return, sorry to have made you two come in vain."

Zhou Xingwen quickly said: "Not in vain, not in vain, paying respects to Madam is the same."

He made way for the servants behind him, pointing to the two gift boxes tied with red silk: "A small token, not much courtesy. One box is Lu'an Gua Pian, which the master loves to drink. The other is silk from the Suzhou Weaving Bureau, for Madam to make a few spring dresses."

Mrs. Zhang glanced at the gift boxes, the smile unchanged: "Mr. Fang is considerate, Nuanchun, accept it."

Following Zhou Xingwen was the Right Vice Minister Fang Yanqiu, just over fifty, looking honest.

He stepped forward and saluted: "Madam, I also wish the master and you a happy New Year."

His gifts were a jar of Shaoxing old wine and a pair of blue and white porcelain vases, standard and proper.

Mrs. Zhang thanked him and instructed Nuanchun to bring out the return gifts.

The return gifts had already been prepared yesterday, each household receiving two boxes of Zhengxin House snacks, tied with red string, looking festive.

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said: "It's cold outside, Mr. Zhou, Mr. Fang, would you like to come in for a cup of hot tea before you leave?"

Fang Yanqiu and Zhou Xingwen exchanged glances, simultaneously saluting: "We wouldn't want to disturb Madam, we have official duties to attend to today. We shall come to visit again another day."

Mrs. Zhang didn't press, nodding slightly: "Then I won't hold you. Nuanchun, see the two gentlemen out."

Nuanchun answered and led the two Vice Ministers down the steps.

Mrs. Zhang stood within the threshold, the copper hand warmer cradled in her sleeve, the collar of her cloak slightly turned up by the wind.

When Nuanchun returned to her side, she sighed softly: "Hurrying to the next visit, such deft individuals."

Nuanchun whispered: "Madam, let's go back inside to rest."

Mrs. Zhang agreed with a nod and was about to return when she suddenly saw, at the far end of Xuanwu Gate Street, about a dozen people approaching together.

She stopped in her tracks and looked carefully, noticing that none of these people had servants following them; they were all carrying New Year gifts themselves. Someone was carrying a jar of wine, another a pig's hind leg, and others had a string of sausages, oranges...

As the group arrived at the gates of the Zhang Mansion, Mrs. Zhang saw their faces clearly and was surprised, saying: "Hospital Director, Dean?"

The ones who had arrived were the Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Hospital.

The Hospital Director walked at the forefront, panting heavily, wearing a somewhat worn-out gray squirrel fur coat and holding a pig's hind leg tied with a straw rope.

He stopped at the foot of the steps, looked up at Mrs. Zhang, and quickly saluted: "We arrived a bit late; we originally agreed to gather at the Imperial Hospital for the New Year's greeting. But who would have thought that Zhou Fangping had an upset stomach, which delayed us a bit."

Mrs. Zhang looked at the pig's hind leg in the Hospital Director's hand, puzzled: "Why would you all come to offer New Year's greetings to my husband?"

The Hospital Director was taken aback: "Lady, there's been a misunderstanding. We are here to offer New Year's greetings to Chen Ji, Mr. Chen."

Mrs. Zhang was speechless for a while, and Nuanchun hesitated: "You are… here to offer New Year's greetings to my son-in-law?"

The Hospital Director spoke sincerely: "That's right, some time ago, Mr. Chen served as a director at our Imperial Hospital for a few days, helping us solve several major problems. First, he raided the house of a fake medicine dealer, then raided the home of Ye Yan, a Minister of the Ministry of Rites' Rituals and Ceremonies Bureau, and later raided the homes of Wang Zhan, the Director of the Imperial Palace, and Wang Kui, the Chief of the Imperial Hall."

Listening to the Hospital Director mention several raids, Mrs. Zhang's eyelid twitched: "The Hospital Director is also a revered elder; how could you speak so fondly of such acts of the Eunuch Party?"

Zhou Fangping muttered under his breath: "We are now part of the Eunuch Party too..."

The Hospital Director glared at him and attempted to remedy the situation: "In previous years, we offered New Year's greetings to Old Doctor Yao, and now offering them to his apprentice also shows our respect for Doctor Yao. Please accept these New Year gifts, Lady."

Mrs. Zhang looked at the pig's hind leg in his hand: "Nuanchun, call someone to take these gifts... Would the gentlemen like to come inside for a cup of hot tea?"

The Hospital Director, rubbing his frostbitten hands together, asked: "Is it convenient?"

Mrs. Zhang was initially being polite, but now found herself in a difficult situation. She thought for a moment and instructed Nuanchun: "Lead the esteemed elders to the main hall, then quickly summon Chen Ji to entertain them."

Nuanchun agreed with a smile, turned to the Hospital Director and the others, saying: "Esteemed elders, please come inside."

Once the area in front of the door had quieted down, Mrs. Zhang held her copper hand warmer and exhaled slowly. Just as she was about to head back inside, she heard the sound of hooves ringing from Xuanwu Gate Street.

She turned her head to see Jiao Tu and Yun Yang leading over twenty spies galloping toward them.

Over twenty people arrived looking travel-worn, their clothes and hats covered with the signs of frost, as if they had just returned from outside the city.

Beside each person's saddle hung freshly hunted hares and pheasants, and one spy's horse carried a live deer on its back.

Jiao Tu dismounted in front of the gate, brushed the frost blossoms from her clothes, and with a playful smile approached the steps, bowing to Mrs. Zhang: "Greetings, Lady."

Mrs. Zhang gave a lukewarm reply with a hum.

Unperturbed, Jiao Tu continued to smile as she directed the spies to pile the game at the door: "We won't go inside to bother you. Please relay to Mr. Chen that we visited. The pheasants and hares can be roasted, and the deer is meant for him to drink its blood for nourishment."

Before Mrs. Zhang could respond, Jiao Tu led the group of over twenty riders away, riding swiftly toward the end of the street.

Mrs. Zhang stood on the steps, looking at the heap of game at her feet, silent and speechless.

Pheasants, hares, a live deer—they occupied nearly all the space on the steps at the entrance.

Nuanchun peeked out from the entrance and, upon seeing the pile of game, took a sharp breath: "Lady, this is..."

Mrs. Zhang took a deep breath: "Bring them inside, send the pheasants and hares to the kitchen, and tie the deer in the backyard for now."

Nuanchun acknowledged, calling for the doorman and servants to move the items. But before the household staff could carry the game inside, another group of riders arrived.

Mrs. Zhang turned and looked; in the morning light, a few horses emerged slowly from the thin mist. The first rider wore a black official robe, a winged hat, a jade belt around his waist, and rode a jet-black steed.

The man rode his horse, approaching the Zhang Mansion at a leisurely pace.

Behind him were four attendants, all quiet and saying nothing.

It was none other than Prince Fu, who had been stationed outside until now.

Mrs. Zhang performed a courtesy bow: "Your Highness, Prince Fu."

Prince Fu hastily returned the bow: "No need for such courtesy, Lady... Is Chen Ji at home? I just returned to the Imperial Capital this morning and heard about his wedding to the Second Miss Zhang. I regret missing such a grand event; knowing this, I should have changed horses at the post station to hurry back."

With that, he turned to give orders to those behind him: "Zhou Kuang, bring forth that horn bow I acquired in Jinling to present as a wedding gift to the Second Miss Zhang."

Zhou Kuang obliged, unfastening a horn bow from beside the saddle. The entire bow was pitch-black and glossy, and when it struck against the stirrup, it made a sound like clanging metal.

Mrs. Zhang did not accept the horn bow, instead advising: "Your Highness should first pay a visit to the palace upon returning to the capital. Arriving at a cabinet minister's house immediately could be seen as forming a clique."

Prince Fu dismounted, handed the reins to Zhou Kuang, and walked directly into the Zhang Mansion: "No need to worry, Lady. I'll just see Chen Ji for a moment and then leave. As for forming cliques, I already led his horse once; those ties were formed back then."

Mrs. Zhang dared not prevent Prince Fu from entering, and could only watch as he walked inside.

She stood at the entrance, glancing around Xuanwu Gate Street, and only after confirming again that no one else was coming to visit Chen Ji for New Year's did she head back inside.