Within and beyond the palace walls lay two different worlds.
Power at Court could weigh down a hundred officials; a voice within the Palace could reach the sovereign's heart.
Jinghe Year Fifteen, the twelfth day of the tenth month, afternoon.
Shen Duan sought an audience with Wang Cheng, arranging to meet in a duty room outside the palace walls.
He was the Chief Minister, above the Six Ministries, beneath only the sovereign.
Yet he knew full well...
In this Great Zhou Dynasty, there was another door-not within the Six Ministries, nor within the Grand Secretariat, but beneath an old eunuch's fly whisk.
Back in his day, Feng Yan had relied on that very door to make countless matters proceed without obstruction.
Today, Shen Duan would knock upon it too.
Inside the duty room, Wang Cheng was handling a teacup. When Shen Duan entered, he rose and bowed.
"Oh, Chancellor Shen has come in person? This servant is overwhelmed by the honor."
"You are too kind, Eunuch Wang." Shen Duan smiled and cupped his hands.
"Forgive my presumption, but there is a matter I must trouble you with."
"Whatever you have to say, Chancellor Shen, please give your instructions," Wang Cheng said, smiling.
Shen Duan drew a Blackwood Box from his sleeve and gently placed it on the desk. "A small token, hardly worthy of your acceptance."
"I have only just taken charge of the Heavenly Offices, and there are countless matters to attend to. I fear someone might wag their tongue before His Majesty...
"If you hear any whispers, Eunuch Wang, I would be deeply grateful for a word or two of warning."
Wang Cheng did not take the box.
He glanced at it, then at Shen Duan, and said unhurriedly, "This servant does not understand what you mean,