On the thirtieth day of the fourth month, the sky was bright and clear-a favorable day for establishing statutes, managing foreign affairs, and new appointees taking office.
By imperial decree, Qin Yan took charge of all affairs concerning the Foreign States.
From then on, traffic through the Border Passes, the reception and departure of envoys, tribute horses, tea markets, and every other administrative matter fell to him alone to decide.
And just three days earlier...
On the twenty-seventh day of the fourth month, the Son of Heaven issued an edict: the Crown Prince would establish his own household, and the Eastern Palace's subordinate officials would be selected according to established statutes.
The Grand Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel were ordered to draw up a roster together and submit it within five days for Imperial Review and approval.
Once the edict was issued, everyone at court and beyond knew: the Heir Apparent's wings were beginning to fill out.
In previous years, the end of the fourth month brought nothing more than ordinary days spent changing spring robes for summer clothes and drinking a couple of cups of green-plum wine.
This year was different.
Some were calculating appointments, some were watching which way the wind blew, and some were writing letters through the night.
For the first time, summer in the Capital set hearts on edge more than autumn did.
The thirtieth day of the fourth month, in the afternoon.
In a side hall of the Eastern Palace, two cups of tea and a plate of candied fruit sat on the table, no different from any other day.
Only today, neither man seated there had touched his tea.
Wei Nisheng entered the palace that afternoon, not by imperial summons, but at the Crown Prince's "private invitation."
Since the Fourth