The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 141
by Little PandaAn Imperial Exception for the Pillar’s Daughter
The people of the Qu Marquis Residence watched Qu Sheng’s departing figure, then looked at Lin Xizhao standing to the side, a complicated feeling in their hearts.
“Xizhao-meimei, let’s go inside,” Qian Shuangying said softly.
Lin Xizhao gazed at Qu Sheng’s back, and when she turned around, she hadn’t had time to hide the trace of worry in her eyes.
Standing by the residence gate in a red wedding robe, she would inevitably be seen. Lin Xizhao followed the others back into the residence.
They waited in the Ceremonial Hall for a while. Jin Yunfei took Lin Xizhao’s hand, her touch both intimate and apologetic. “Zhao’er, although the ceremony was not completed, this mother and your father have long considered you a member of our Qu family.” Jin Yunfei changed her form of address at that moment.
It had been true before, and it was even more so now. Otherwise, they would not have poured so much effort into helping find her mother’s murderer, nor supported Qu Sheng in taking revenge for her in private.
“Mother.”
Lin Xizhao recognized this as well; she felt no distance from the Qu family. Hearing Jin Yunfei change her address, she followed suit. Before, she had called them Adoptive Father and Adoptive Mother. Now, they were Father and Mother.
How many years had it been? The word “Mother” felt unfamiliar coming from her lips.
“Yes,” Jin Yunfei replied, nodding excitedly.
“Father.”
“Yes.” Qu Jinian nodded, his reply just as solemn.
For a woman who knew the great body like Lin Xizhao to marry Qu Sheng was a blessing for their Qu family. When Qu Sheng had left just now, she had only exchanged a few simple words with her. Had it been an ordinary woman, she would have been causing a scene by now.
But Lin Xizhao did not cry or make a fuss; she even supported Qu Sheng. The Qu family had wronged her, and for that, they respected her all the more.
“Sheng’er left in a hurry. Allow this daughter to serve tea to you both in her place,” Lin Xizhao said, glancing at a nearby maidservant.
The maidservant understood and went to fetch the tea.
Lin Xizhao knelt on a rush cushion and served each of them two cups. The final rite had not been performed, but since they had all tacitly acknowledged their bond, it was right to serve the new couple’s tea.1
Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei sat in the seats of honor in the high hall,2 drinking the tea Lin Xizhao served, their faces filled with gratification.
Even as her own daughter, Jin Yunfei felt that Lin Xizhao was being wronged by following Qu Sheng.
Standing to the side, Lin Xirui quickly understood what was happening. He had seen the gold-patterned mask on Qu Sheng’s face as she left.
He had heard that the vanguard of the new Crown Prince’s army on its march to the capital was led by an unknown general wearing a gold-patterned mask. His troops were valiant, and the man himself was said to use soldiers like a god.
So that person was Qu Sheng.
He thought back to when Qu Sheng had been blind, and he had read books on military strategy to her…
Lin Xirui gave a wry smile. At the time, he had assumed Qu Sheng would find the military texts obscure and hard to understand. It turned out that the one who found them obscure and hard to understand was himself.
After the tea ceremony, Lin Xizhao looked around at the assembled people. Her “one frown, one smile” and movements were so gentle and graceful that everyone in the room couldn’t help but admire her.
“Everyone has worked hard. The banquet will proceed as planned today.”
Qu Sheng was gone, but everyone else was still here. They had toiled for two days, and Lin Xizhao didn’t want them to have an empty joy session.
Hearing this, Qu Jinian rose with a smile and said, “Listen to Zhao’er. The banquet will proceed as planned! The wine will be plentiful, the food will be filling, and everyone will receive an extra two liang for their monthly pay!”
The servants, who had been feeling regretful, broke into smiles at Qu Jinian’s words.
Lin Xizhao smiled and looked back at Qu Jinian, who gave her a nod before turning to his wife.
Jin Yunfei stood up and joined Lin Xizhao, taking her hand. “Today, we’ll treat it as a family banquet,” she said with a smile. “Come, have a drink with this mother.”
As Jin Yunfei led her out, Lin Xizhao passed Lin Xirui and gave him a look, signaling for him to follow.
Lin Xizhao returned to her room and changed into a set of red regular attire. She removed the floral coronet and hairpins, replacing them with the white jade hairpin Qu Sheng had given her two days prior.
At the banquet, Lin Xirui sat with Lin Xizhao. He remained silent throughout the meal. When it was over, Lin Xizhao led him to her courtyard.
“Xirui.” Once inside the courtyard, Lin Xizhao paused and suddenly called his name.
Lin Xirui took two extra steps forward, coming to a stop in front of her. “A-jie.”
Seeing his nervousness, Lin Xizhao’s lips curved slightly. “Don’t be nervous. What you saw today is no longer a secret.”
She was referring to Qu Sheng leading troops.
Qu Jinian had been enfeoffed as an Upper Pillar of the State.3 Anyone with a discerning eye would have already guessed that the Qu family was backing Prince Zhangning. Otherwise, the new emperor would know that the small force from his own fiefdom was nowhere near enough to hold onto the throne he had usurped.
Lin Xirui nodded. “Mm, I understand.”
Qu Sheng wore the gold-patterned mask only to temporarily conceal her identity, but she wouldn’t do so forever.
“Sheng-meimei abandoned A-jie like that. Don’t you blame her?” Lin Xirui frowned, his eyes filled with pain. He still felt it was an injustice to his sister.
First, there was the matter of the former Crown Prince’s betrothal, and now Qu Sheng had left on their wedding day. In his eyes, these things were difficult to forgive.
Lin Xizhao’s brows arched. “They are all trivial matters.” In her view, as long as nothing affected the feelings between her and Qu Sheng, everything else could be ignored.
“Come inside and talk with me for a while.”
The two entered the room. Lin Xizhao poured him a cup of tea and watched him take a sip before asking gently, “How has Xikuan been recently?”
Lin Xizhao rarely asked about Lin Xikuan, and Lin Xirui knew it was likely because he had hurt her too deeply. He looked up and saw her placid expression, suppressing the flicker of joy on his own face. “He’s fine. His leg has mostly healed. As long as he doesn’t walk too quickly, he looks no different from anyone else.”
A faint, though not entirely genuine, smile appeared on Lin Xizhao’s face. “That’s good,” she said warmly.
Lin Xizhao fell silent, and Lin Xirui felt a little awkward. The last time he was here, he had caused a huge scene. The foolish things Lin Xizhao had said in her infatuation had infuriated him, and he had even been scolded by Lin Jianhai upon returning home.
“I went back to the residence the other day and saw that Father was unwilling to eat. You should take Xikuan and go back. More people means more care.”
Lin Xizhao desperately wanted to go back and care for Lin Jianhai, but she knew that she was a part of his troubles. It was better if he didn’t see her.
Besides, she had already held the wedding ceremony with Qu Sheng here. Though it wasn’t fully completed, they had acknowledged each other. She was the Qu family’s daughter-in-law and should remain here to wait for Qu Sheng’s return.
“Alright, I’ll go see Father in a little while,” Lin Xirui promised hastily.
He hadn’t been back to the residence recently, and no one had informed him.
“It’s too late today. Just rest here for the night. Tomorrow, you can go directly to the Yu Residence to pick up Xikuan and go back together,” Lin Xizhao said gently.
Lin Xirui was stunned for a moment, then nodded after a short pause. “Alright. Then I won’t disturb A-jie’s rest.” He made to stand up.
“Don’t be in such a hurry. I have something else to say.” Lin Xizhao looked up at him, her warm eyes showing a hint of concern for her younger brother.
Lin Xirui, halfway to his feet, paused. He looked at Lin Xizhao and slowly sat back down.
“The new emperor has ascended the throne. Although things are not yet stable, His Majesty will soon announce a Special Examination.4 When that time comes, you can strive for an official position again.” Lin Xizhao said no more.
The imperial examinations concerned the future of all of Tiansheng’s scholars. Though she didn’t care for it herself, Qu Sheng had spoken to her about this. After ascending the throne, the new emperor would surely need to cultivate his own power base.
But once the emperor was secure, he would grow wary of their Qu family. For that reason, she wanted Lin Xirui to do his best. Their Qu family did not have many civil officials. As long as Lin Xirui passed the examinations and reached the Palace Examination,5 she could find a way to secure an important post for him.
Although Lin Xirui was not a great talent, he was no fool. With a little guidance, he still had the wisdom root. And most importantly, there was his character, and his devotion to her.
Qu Sheng rode straight for the city gate, summoned Cai Daozheng, and dispatched men to the various military garrisons around the capital to call up troops.
By the time the imperial palace received the news, Qu Sheng had already ordered her forces to prepare to move out.
Qu Jinian was summoned to the palace in the middle of the night. The emperor, hearing that Prince Xingji was marching on the capital with an army, lost all desire for sleep and immediately had Qu Jinian brought in.
He only relaxed slightly upon learning that Qu Sheng had already led troops out to meet them.
Winter nights were exceptionally dark. The occasional calls of birds and beasts were startled into silence as Qu Sheng’s army passed.
Qu Sheng ordered her men to set an ambush along the route Prince Xingji’s army was certain to take. Prince Xingji had ten thousand soldiers under his command and had mobilized his entire force—indeed, “the whole nest came out”. Along the way, he had also persuaded the garrisons of various prefectures to join him. According to scout reports, his army now numbered around one hundred and fifty thousand.
Qu Sheng had only brought twenty thousand troops, leaving the rest of the forces in the capital outskirts.
Between the enemy and us, a great disparity existed. Their only hope was that reinforcements would arrive quickly.
Prince Xingji was too close to the capital; there was no time to set traps in the terrain he would cross. Qu Sheng had studied his route earlier. There was a Mountain-Peak Pass here.
Qu Sheng had her men lie in ambush there, and she had also brought a large quantity of strong spirits.
Soon, a scout reported from the front: Prince Xingji’s army would arrive in half a shichen.
Qu Sheng was uneasy. Prince Xingji had been on the battlefield before. This place was a natural chokepoint, a fact he couldn’t possibly ignore.
“Pass down the order! The Right Army is to hold its position. The Central Army and Left Army will follow me on a ten-li detour.”
After giving the order, Qu Sheng instructed Cai Daozheng to hold the position here. She had to lead her soldiers away before Prince Xingji arrived.
She was going to circle around to Prince Xingji’s rear.
Qu Sheng departed with her troops, leaving Cai Daozheng to stand guard. Before she left, she had instructed him: if Prince Xingji did not pass through here, he was to withdraw ahead of time, rendezvous with the reinforcements, and only then engage the enemy.
Not long after Qu Sheng left, Prince Xingji’s scout force arrived. Cai Daozheng watched them pass through and then quickly double back.
He had thought Prince Xingji was an incompetent fool who would march his army straight through, and he had planned to set the enemy ablaze. But after waiting and waiting, there was no sign of them. Soon, his own scout force reported, “General, Prince Xingji has made camp five li to the west.”
“His grandma’s!” Cai Daozheng cursed.
They had waited here for so long, only for those bastards to set up camp. Cai Daozheng thought it over. He couldn’t let them rest peacefully. It was a rare opportunity to have the enemy exhausted while his own troops were fresh. He had to seize it. Even if they didn’t fight, he had to harass them until they couldn’t get a moment’s peace.
After such a forced march, they must be “men weary, horses tired”.
Having made up his mind, Cai Daozheng gave the order. One thousand soldiers were to remain here, while the rest would follow him to harass the enemy camp.
By now, Qu Sheng’s group had already circled around and was trailing Prince Xingji’s army. She dismounted and examined the horse droppings on the ground and the extent to which the grass had been trampled by the marching army, then decided to implement her plan.
In warfare, provisions are paramount. Prince Xingji had arrived here as soon as he got the news, which meant the bulk of his baggage train—the provisions—had not yet passed through.
Qu Sheng had no confidence in winning a battle of twenty thousand against one hundred and fifty thousand. But to cut off their baggage train and provisions, her ten thousand-plus soldiers were more than enough.
Under the cover of darkness, Qu Sheng’s army force-marched for ten li. Just as the sky was about to lighten, she sent out her scout force to investigate.
Learning that Prince Xingji’s supply train was five li behind, Qu Sheng ordered her men to lie in ambush and wait.
The supply train was crucial to the soldiers’ survival, so it was certain to be guarded. But Prince Xingji only had so many men in total. With his main army at the front, he must have thought that any army from the capital would have to get past them to reach his rear. Thus, he had only dispatched half his men—a few thousand soldiers—as an escort.
Sure enough, as the sky grew faintly light, Prince Xingji’s supply train arrived, “men weary, horses tired”. Qu Sheng gave them no chance, immediately ordering her troops to slaughter the escorting soldiers.
Half a shichen later, all the soldiers escorting Prince Xingji’s supply train had been killed. The remaining drivers and laborers, Qu Sheng had them all released.
“Miss, what about these provisions?” an assistant commander from the Qu family army asked, staring at the grain.
Qu Sheng glanced at him, her brow furrowed. “Burn it.”
“And the horses?”
“Kill them.”
Qu Sheng wanted to take the provisions back, but if they were to return now, they would have to pass Prince Xingji’s encampment.
If they didn’t burn it, her force was small. There was no guarantee that Prince Xingji, upon not seeing his supply train for a long time, wouldn’t lead his army back. At that point, all these supplies would fall right back into their hands.
It was a pity, but the battlefield was inextricably linked with death. There was no room for wishful thinking. Moreover, destroying the supply train would cause the enemy’s “square inch to be in great chaos”.6
Qu Sheng watched as the grain on the carts was set ablaze and the horses were all killed. Then she turned, mounted her horse, and led her troops away.
Meanwhile, Cai Daozheng had been leading four thousand cavalry to provoke Prince Xingji’s encampment. They were swift on their horses, “not attached to battle”. The moment Prince Xingji sent out troops, he would lead his men galloping back towards the natural chokepoint.
But every time they reached the foot of the mountains, Prince Xingji’s troops would turn back.
Later, Prince Xingji’s side simply stopped coming out of their camp at all. No matter how vile Cai Daozheng had his men curse, not a single soldier emerged.
As the sky began to lighten, Cai Daozheng, mouth dry, tongue parched from leading the shouting, was taking a drink of water when a soldier came to report that Prince Xingji was ordering his men to break camp and prepare to retreat.
Cai Daozheng did “not understand the why”, but he was worried about Qu Sheng and the others. In a moment of anxiety, he ordered a charge into the enemy camp to create a diversion.
The cavalry under Cai Daozheng’s command were not all from the Qu family army; there were also many of the new emperor’s troops and soldiers from the original Capital Outskirts Garrison.
Some of them charged in, but their horsemanship was poor, and they were immediately unseated. Seeing this, Cai Daozheng cursed his mother but didn’t forget to rescue a few of the soldiers.
Cai Daozheng led his men in, killed a few enemies, and then ran, “not attached to battle”. After several such rounds, he thoroughly enraged Prince Xingji.
The prince stopped breaking camp and directly ordered his troops to pursue Cai Daozheng.
Seeing that these men finally had the will to fight, Cai Daozheng’s face split into a grin. Wielding his long spear, he excitedly skewered several enemy soldiers, strung their bodies together, and flung them at the oncoming enemy before riding away.
When Cai Daozheng’s troops reached the ambush point at the chokepoint, Prince Xingji’s army halted again.
Because Cai Daozheng’s force was so small, his intention to lure them into a trap was painfully obvious every time they reached this spot.
Seeing that they wouldn’t follow, Cai Daozheng started cursing again. “A bunch of ‘cowardly goods’! You think you can seize the throne like this? Dream on!”
Even at such a critical juncture, Prince Xingji’s army managed to restrain themselves and did not advance.
After a forced march day and night, coupled with the harassment from Cai Daozheng’s troops, Prince Xingji’s army was severely fatigued. Prince Xingji himself had not slept for several nights. The soldiers gathered around him were all offering strategies.
“Your Highness, the sky is bright now. We can ascend from the side,” one of Prince Xingji’s officers suggested.
When they had arrived yesterday, it was nighttime. Although they didn’t know if the enemy had set an ambush, it was better to be cautious. Moreover, it was dark, and there were no clear paths up the mountain, so they hadn’t dared to ascend rashly.
Now that it was broad daylight, the officer suggested they go up the mountain and annihilate the capital forces lying in ambush.
“Report! Our supply train to the rear has been ambushed by the rebel army!” A messenger from outside rushed in with an urgent report.
Prince Xingji and his generals frowned upon hearing that the supply train had been ambushed. They had initially only suspected this might happen and had wanted to retreat to rendezvous with it sooner, but they hadn’t expected it to actually be attacked. Prince Xingji demanded in a harsh voice, “How much is left?”
“It’s all gone.” The soldier lowered his head.
Hearing this, Prince Xingji’s vision went black, and he nearly stumbled.
His soldiers steadied him, helping him to a chair. For a moment, they were all like ants on a hot pan.
Prince Xingji held his forehead, his eyes slightly closed. The imposing aura he had upon arrival was gone. “Issue the order immediately: lock down the news and advance on the capital.”
He wanted to take the capital in one fell swoop. If word got out that the supply train had been burned, the army’s morale would surely be shaken. But if they couldn’t provide food for the soldiers, a major disturbance was one thing; he feared mutiny and “to switch sides on the battlefield”.
After Prince Xingji gave the order, his soldiers began to clear the ambushers from the mountain, but by this time, Cai Daozheng had already had his men come down.
When Prince Xingji’s troops went up, they found the mountain empty. They immediately waved a flag to signal. Prince Xingji, watching from below, saw the message. His lips twitched involuntarily, his face twisting with the ferocity of one who has been deceived. He commanded, “Full speed ahead!”
Cai Daozheng heard the report from his scouts that Prince Xingji was advancing on the capital. He immediately led his men galloping towards the capital outskirts.
Qu Sheng and her forces, having received the news, followed close behind.
With their supply train lost and their men and horses exhausted, Prince Xingji’s army entered the capital outskirts. But before they could even get close to the Capital City, they ran into a massive ambush that surrounded them completely.
The hundred-thousand-strong reinforcements from the Shoulin Qu family had arrived, along with the garrisons from the areas surrounding the capital.
Though both armies had force-marched, the Shoulin army was several times stronger than Prince Xingji’s.
When the two sides clashed, Prince Xingji’s soldiers had no will to fight. The one hundred and fifty thousand men were like frost-bitten grass in winter, completely unable to withstand the Qu family’s army.
Prince Xingji’s army was quickly defeated. After losing half their men, they fled towards the southwest.
But someone spread the news that the supply train had been destroyed. The soldiers had just fought a fierce battle, only to return to empty stomachs. A mutiny quickly broke out in the army. The ringleaders tied up Prince Xingji and surrendered to the Qu family army.
The imperial palace received the news, and the dragon’s heart was greatly pleased. The emperor ordered the three armies to be rewarded.
Qu Sheng also had Prince Xingji escorted into the palace.
The morning court session had long since dispersed, but the emperor ordered everyone to be summoned back to the palace.
Qu Sheng, dressed in armor still stained with blood, threw the bound Prince Xingji onto the floor of the great hall.
The emperor looked down at his half-brother with contempt, but when he saw Qu Sheng in her gold-patterned mask, his face was all smiles.
The emperor was eager to reward Qu Sheng, but she had not yet revealed her identity, and for a moment, he was unsure what to do.
Just as the emperor looked to Qu Jinian, wanting to ask what to do next, Qu Sheng took off her mask.
Most of Tiansheng’s high officials had seen Qu Sheng at Yan Fengwu’s birthday banquet. With her red lips and white teeth, Qu Sheng’s beauty was a rare sight in the capital. One look was enough to make her such that one would “pass the eyes, not forget”.
Now, seeing her standing before them in blood-stained armor, her expression chillingly cold, a low murmur broke out across the hall.
Qu Sheng’s gaze swept over the officials before finally landing on Qu Jinian.
The Qu family’s army had arrived. Qu Sheng no longer needed to “feign civility and coil like a snake” with these people. By removing her mask in front of all the officials, she was telling them that it was her Qu family who had helped the new emperor ascend the throne.
Her Qu family supported the new emperor. Who would dare to object?
“For the Pillar of the State to have such a heroic daughter7 serving our Tiansheng, This Emperor must entrust her with great responsibility. Tiansheng has never before had a female general. Today, This Emperor shall make an exception and bestow a title upon the daughter of the Pillar of the State… How about Upper Protector of the Army?”8 The emperor’s tone was tentative. He had already drafted this meritorious title earlier.
Qu Sheng looked up at the sound of his voice, while Qu Jinian lowered his head in thought.
Just then, an official stepped forward to voice his opposition.
“Your Majesty, since ancient times, there has been no precedent for a woman to hold office. Although the Pillar of the State’s daughter has merit in repelling the rebel army, her status is unique. She has neither an official rank nor any extraordinary military achievements to her name. To grant her a ‘level-step added enfeoffment’ will likely cause the subjects to be discontent. To prevent Your Majesty from having ‘later generations criticize’, your subjects object.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. While the Pillar of the State’s daughter has military merit, she is a woman. The matter of leading troops is no child’s play. The bestowment of a title should not be decided so rashly. In this subject’s opinion, it would be most prudent to reward her with material goods.”
“This subject seconds the motion.”
“We subjects second the motion.”
One person took the lead, and the rest all stepped forward. On the day the new emperor ascended the throne, Qu Sheng had killed many people, but now everything was settled. They knew this person was Qu Sheng, so they were no longer so fearful.
Once they knew her name and identity, they had a target. If Qu Sheng were to kill people wantonly now, the infamy would be attached to Qu Jinian’s name.
Even with his vast army, Qu Jinian would not dare to execute ministers at will and risk inciting a crusade from all the vassal kings and marquises in the nation.
At present, not many of the vassal kings knew of the new emperor’s ascension. Prince Xingji had immediately marched his army on the capital upon hearing the news. It was likely that the remaining powerful lords would also take the opportunity to rise up.
“This…” The emperor, flustered by the rising tide of objections, was unable to make a decision and looked to Qu Jinian for help.
Qu Jinian raised his head and met the emperor’s gaze, his voice ringing out. “Your Majesty.”
As soon as Qu Jinian spoke, the discussions in the hall ceased.
Qu Jinian stood in his place. Though he was old, it was not hard to see that his posture still held the imposing straightness of his years on the battlefield. “This little daughter has studied military strategy since she was young and possesses considerable martial skill. In this battle, the soldiers hold the primary merit, which cannot be disputed. This little daughter’s action to ‘at the crucial moment, decide and cut’ and burn the rebel army’s provisions, causing eighty thousand rebel soldiers to ‘not fight and yet surrender’, is also a meritorious achievement. Our dynasty has no precedent for appointing female officials, and this little daughter should not be an exception. This subject requests that Your Majesty retract the order of enfeoffment and change it to another reward.”
Qu Jinian acknowledged Qu Sheng’s achievements but did not support her appointment as a general.
Hearing her father’s words, Qu Sheng’s brow twitched. She had revealed her identity in the great hall today without discussing it with him, precisely to have the emperor bestow an official title upon her.
It didn’t matter if the officials objected. But for her own father to object as well… it felt as if something was blocking her chest, making it hard to breathe.
The emperor looked down at Qu Sheng, saw her head bowed in silence, and then glanced at Qu Jinian. The emperor blinked, pondering how to handle the matter, when the Crown Prince-Designate spoke up.
“Father Emperor, this son and subject believes that anyone who serves our Tiansheng dynasty, be they man or woman, makes no difference. The Pillar of the State’s meaning is likely that Qu Sheng’s military achievements are not yet sufficient. This son and subject suggests that if Qu Sheng achieves further military merit, the matter of enfeoffment can be carried out.”
There had never been a female official in Tiansheng, but the Crown Prince-Designate had seen Qu Sheng lead troops in battle. If they were to lose a resourceful and brilliant general because of the objections of the ministers and Qu Jinian, it would be their greatest loss.
Furthermore, Qu Jinian had sent Qu Sheng to lead the troops in the first place. His lack of support today was most likely out of fear that Qu Sheng’s “cutting edge too sharp” and would attract unnecessary trouble.
But what Qu Sheng wanted, and what her actions today demonstrated, was by no means limited to a minor official post. This was only the beginning.
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “Ambition swelling…”
Lin Xizhao: “I miss my wife.”
Qu Sheng, instantly turning into a doting fool: “Jiejie, I’m coming!”
Footnotes
- New couple’s tea (xīnrén chá). A key part of a traditional wedding ceremony where the bride serves tea to her new in-laws, symbolizing her formal acceptance into their family.
- High hall (gāotáng). A formal and respectful term for one’s parents, often used when they are seated in a place of honor during ceremonies like a wedding tea ceremony.
- Upper Pillar of the State (Shàng Zhùguó). An extremely high and rare honorific title granted to a subject for supreme service to the nation.
- Special Examination (ēnkē). An additional session of the imperial civil service examinations, often proclaimed by a new emperor upon his ascension to recruit a new batch of loyal officials.
- Palace Examination (diànshì). The final and highest stage of the imperial examinations, presided over by the emperor himself.
- The ‘square inch’ is a metaphor for the heart or mind.
- Heroic daughter (jīnguó zhī nǚ). Jīnguó, literally ‘kerchief and cap,’ is a literary epithet for a woman, often used to praise one who displays heroic or martial qualities.
- Upper Protector of the Army (Shàng Hùjūn). A high-ranking military title. The source text uses the character hù (户, household) instead of the more common hù (护, protect), which may be a typo. In either case, it denotes a top-tier military commander.
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