"She is well," says Liu Mingyan. "She has been--indispensible since your absence in interpreting your will on matters of state." This is true, but perhaps shocking to hear from Liu Mingyan. She licks her lips behind her veil. Maybe best to deliver both of her surprises at once. "I have appointed Sha Hualing as your head political advisor in military matters and admiral of your navy."

This is quite a jump from her previous title, and one that, arguably, makes her more powerful than Mobei-jun. Liu Mingyan had spoken with him first; he had not minded, so long as it was she who made this call and it did not in fact indicate a genuine shift in Luo Binghe's affection. She likes Mobei-jun. At heart, he is a shockingly simple man.