Love Like the Galaxy

According to Cheng Shaoshang, this was a harmonious family banquet, a peaceful family banquet, a victorious family banquet.

After the feast, everyone went about their business. Cheng Mu, having drunk a few too many cups, was singing and laughing, nearly dancing, until Hu Ao quickly helped her back to her inner chamber to rest. Second Uncle Cheng Cheng stood up to leave, and it was only then that Cheng Shaoshang noticed he had a slight limp. Cheng Shi grabbed him, refusing to let him go, insisting on a "heart-to-heart talk" between brothers. Second Uncle Cheng was dragged away reluctantly.

The plump and fair little Cheng Ou yawned as Mother Fu led him away, while the big-eyed young girl Cheng Yang followed behind her brother with her head bowed. Shaoshang had been eyeing her since dinner, hoping to "make friends," but unexpectedly, Madam Qing Cong pulled her before Madam Xiao, saying it was time to "see off the guests."

The Dong father and son left dejected, while Dong Lüshi departed in high spirits. Madam Xiao, ever generous, had directly assigned her two guards. If the Dong father and son dared to lay a hand on her, they could intervene immediately. In a few years, once she had full control over the Dong household, she would have nothing left to fear.

Madam Xiao, meticulous as always, gave Dong Lüshi two parting words: "From now on, there’s only one thing left that the Dong father and son can use against you. If one day Dong Wai Di loses his mind and threatens to report you to the authorities, using your children as leverage, what will you do?"

"You might as well tell them this: without the children, you can divorce and remarry. But the matters of stealing military supplies and seizing civilian land are far from settled. If they refuse to live quietly, they can always be reported. Let’s see if they have the lives to keep causing trouble."

Standing on either side of Madam Xiao, Madam Qing Cong and Shaoshang exchanged glances. Madam Qing Cong wasn’t surprised by Madam Xiao’s words—she was shocked that such things were spoken in front of a young lady. Shaoshang, however, was wondering: Is a father reporting his son really that serious?

Madam Xiao turned to her with a faint smile. "My child, what do you think of what I just said?"

Caught off guard, Shaoshang was momentarily stunned. She glanced at Madam Qing Cong, then at the maids kneeling respectfully several steps away in the corridor, who seemed to have heard nothing. The maids who had once served Ge Shi were now forbidden from coming within ten feet of them. Raising her head, Shaoshang looked up at Madam Xiao, who stood a head and a half taller than her. The jadeite earrings at her ears swayed slightly, their cold, piercing gleam reflecting off the snow-laden branches in the distance, casting an ethereal glow on her flawless, pale complexion.

"Of course... of course..." Shaoshang stammered, shaking her head slightly. "Mother’s words are most wise."

"Oh? Which part was wise?"

Madam Xiao’s gaze was cool and sharp. At first, Shaoshang couldn’t help but feel uneasy under it—though if she had ever known the meaning of fear, she wouldn’t have been such a troublemaker in her past life.

"Every word Mother said was right. Good for the Dong family, good for the Cheng family..." Shaoshang mumbled vaguely.

The corners of Madam Xiao’s elegant lips curled slightly, carrying a hint of mockery. She stared at Shaoshang for a long moment before finally saying, "Go back to your room first." Madam Qing Cong nudged the frozen Shaoshang, and with a wave of her hand, the kneeling maids rose in unison to follow.

Despite the winter chill, a thin layer of sweat formed on Shaoshang’s back. She hurried back to her cramped quarters, where Lian Fang and Qiao Guo had already warmed the room with incense. Seeing Madam Xiao’s entourage arrive, they quickly bowed and greeted them.Madam Xiao walked straight to the bed in the center of the room and sat down. With a wave of her hand, Madam Qing Cong dismissed all the maids and attendants. Shao Shang quickly followed suit, while Lian Fang hastily handed the prepared mouth-rinsing fruit juice to Madam Qing Cong before hurriedly pulling Qiao Guo out of the room.

Madam Qing Cong poured the fruit juice into two small ear cups, first presenting one to Madam Xiao, then offering the other to Shao Shang.

"It’s only natural that we’ve grown somewhat distant after ten years apart, mother and daughter," Madam Xiao said slowly after taking a sip of the juice. "I don’t know what your Aunt has taught you, but I have only one piece of advice for you: speak your mind. There’s no point in lies and empty words."

Madam Qing Cong interjected nervously, "Female lord—"

Madam Xiao raised her hand to stop her and fixed her gaze on Shao Shang. "These days, I’ve been too busy to speak with you properly. But your Father visits you daily, and he always praises your cleverness. So why must my daughter play the fool?"

Shao Shang slowly set down the ear cup and lifted her head, answering frankly, "If I didn’t play the fool, how could I have survived under Aunt’s care? The more foolish I acted, the more pleased she became. Had I been clever from the start, Aunt would have found other ways to torment me."

Madam Xiao smiled faintly. "Is that why you pretended not to recognize any characters?"

Even someone as thick-skinned as Shao Shang couldn’t help but blush at this.

She had originally assumed that traditional characters were used here and had confidently asked Madam Qing Cong for some books to read, hoping to figure out where exactly she was. But when Madam Qing Cong brought out several heavy bamboo scrolls on a tray, she immediately sensed trouble. Sure enough, she couldn’t recognize a single character inside. The script looked vaguely familiar—perhaps seen in some historical dramas or on signboards—twisting and turning in oddly elegant and archaic strokes, familiar yet utterly incomprehensible.

Noticing her expression, Madam Qing Cong brought out a few newer-looking bamboo scrolls. Thank heavens—this time, she could recognize three or four out of every ten characters. She was so moved she nearly shed tears.

With this, Madam Qing Cong had uncovered the extent of her illiteracy. And once Madam Qing Cong knew, Cheng Shi and his wife naturally found out as well. Madam Xiao took it in stride, having long prepared herself for worse regarding the daughter raised by Ge Shi for ten years. Cheng Shi, however, was furious and once again loudly declared, "Divorce that Ge Shi!"

Shao Shang mumbled, "I do know a few characters..."

Madam Xiao didn’t hold back her sarcasm. "Can you even call that knowing? Besides, the characters you recognize were created by petty clerks—simple and easy to understand, commonly used nowadays..." She frowned. "But the characters in pre-Qin classics are not written this way." She had always known that someone like Ge Shi had little learning to speak of. Even if she had wanted to teach, she wouldn’t have been capable of doing it well.

Shao Shang felt as if she had been transported back to her elementary and middle school days, constantly scolded for her poor studies. Sullen, she muttered, "When I told Aunt I hated studying, she was overjoyed."

Ge Shi was truly unlucky. The day after Cheng Shi discovered his daughter was illiterate, he took her to visit Cheng Mu and happened to run into Ge Shi, who had also come to pay respects (and stir up trouble). Cheng Shi immediately berated her, and Ge Shi quickly defended herself, claiming Shao Shang had been lazy and unwilling to learn. Even so, Cheng Shi gave her a thorough dressing-down."Madam Ge is truly..." Madam Qing Cong said bitterly. "With the Female Lord's knowledge and learning, she actually let your Young Lady become, become..." Illiterate! Cheng Shaoshang silently completed the sentence for her. She could imagine how pleased Ge Shi must have felt every time she saw Cheng Shaoshang's uneducated behavior.

"It's alright," Madam Qing Cong forced a smile. "There's plenty of time ahead. The Young Lady can make up for it later. You don't know, back then the Female Lord's learning was famous not just in the village, but throughout the entire county..."

Shaoshang faintly sensed trouble and quickly interjected with a smile: "Actually, Aunt wasn't completely wrong. I really don't enjoy studying—perhaps I take after Father..." That day, to comfort his illiterate youngest daughter, Cheng Shi had claimed he was quite uneducated himself.

Madam Qing Cong was stunned, experiencing for the first time in her life the feeling of 'stumbling while sitting still', and looked helplessly at Madam Xiao.

The worldly Madam Xiao smiled inwardly, thinking: The rumors about this girl outside are completely wrong; but that's good—she'd had enough of fools like Ge Shi; with fools, no matter what you say they never understand, you have to tear off all pretenses and draw blood before they learn fear. Cleverness is good, far better than stupidity.

"Then learn slowly," Madam Xiao said. "Your Father was busy with farm work since childhood, then constantly at war. He only began studying in his thirties, yet now he can read court memorials and regional reports with ease."

Shaoshang inwardly groaned but had to assent.

Madam Xiao continued: "You've witnessed the family affairs these past few days. Do you think your Father and I have been too aggressive?"

"How could I think that?" Now that things were out in the open, Shaoshang dared to answer. "The Dong family, relying on Grandmother's protection, has been clinging to Father like a blood-sucking leech. Helping them occasionally is one thing, but I heard Father say they've been bullying commoners outside too. What if they cause major trouble in the future?" She tried her best to mimic the ancient speech patterns she'd heard these past few days, thinking it might pass muster.

Other noble matriarchs, even when instructing their daughters, wouldn't so bluntly expose elders' shortcomings or discuss private matters so frankly. But Madam Xiao, having suffered great hardship in her youth, detested raising children ignorant of the world's dangers. Cheng Shaoshang had practically been motherless in her previous life, and was an impostor in this one, so she didn't know proper mother-daughter etiquette either, thus discussing things openly. Actually, the proper response here should have been: 'How can a junior comment on elders' affairs?'

But Madam Xiao clearly attributed everything to Ge Shi's 'neglectful indulgence'.

"However..." Shaoshang hesitated slightly, glancing at Madam Xiao. She'd long suspected Madam Xiao saw through her true nature—pretending to be foolish would only annoy her and make her think poorly of Shaoshang's character. Better to speak frankly.

Madam Xiao said: "Speak freely."

Shaoshang said: "Since they've made mistakes that Father caught them in, why not let the authorities handle it directly? They are family after all—execution is out of the question—but I heard Father say they could be exiled. Why not send them far away? Wouldn't that be more peaceful?"

Madam Xiao frowned: "What does a child like you know about exile? With their indulgent lifestyles, could they survive banishment? It would be truly inhumane. Though..." She suddenly smiled mockingly, "I did consider this method. Do you know why I didn't use it?""Why...?" Wasn't it because it went against human decency? You said it yourself, yet you ask me.

Madam Xiao bent down and spoke softly to Shao Shang, who was kneeling on the ground, "Think it over carefully yourself."

After saying this, Madam Xiao stood up and left, leaving Shao Shang alone to ponder slowly.

Lian Fang and Qiao Guo hurried in to help Shao Shang change out of her brand-new long gown, wash her face and hands, rinse her mouth, and then tuck her into a warm bed. They drew the thick curtains and whispered, urging her to take a nap.

Shao Shang almost laughed. With her arranged in such a position, what else could she do but nap? Lying on the bed, she suddenly recalled a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from her previous life in a small town. The mother-in-law accused the daughter-in-law of being a thief, saying she had been supporting her own family for years and had even stolen money meant for her grandson's school district housing to fund the wedding of yet another sibling in her family. The mother-in-law insisted her son divorce her. Whether they actually divorced, Shao Shang didn't know, but the man angrily left to work elsewhere, refusing to give his wife any more money. Their son also sided with his grandmother and ignored his mother, leaving the daughter-in-law to rant on the streets about her husband's lack of conscience.

At its core, the old lady of the Cheng family wasn't a complete and utter "brother-obsessed demon," unlike that daughter-in-law who would rather let her own husband and children live in poverty while ensuring her own family lived comfortably. Otherwise... well, Madam Xiao might have had to resort to more drastic measures. In truth, the Dong family father and son should be grateful to the old lady of the Cheng family, or else who knows what methods Madam Xiao might have used to deal with them.

...

Fortunately, Madam Xiao, who had avoided resorting to drastic measures, returned to her temporary quarters to find Cheng Shi half-lying on the bed, reeking of alcohol, his face—uncovered by his thick beard—flushed red.

Madam Xiao showed no surprise. She calmly removed her hairpins and jewelry, then had Qing Cong tie up her sleeves. With practiced ease, she loosened Cheng Shi's collar, revealing his sweat-drenched chest. When the maids brought a large basin of hot water, she personally wiped and tended to her husband. Cheng Shi slowly woke up, took the hangover soup, and drank it in one gulp. He grinned foolishly at his wife, "Yuan Yi."

Qing Cong and the usual attendants stifled giggles behind their sleeves. Madam Xiao shot Cheng Shi a glare, untied her sleeves, dismissed the servants, and sat beside her husband. "I told you to have a proper talk with Second Brother, and here you are, drunk like this!"

Cheng Shi wiped his face with a hot towel and said, "Second Brother has been silent for so many years, I didn't even know how to start the conversation. These past few days, whenever I brought up moving residences, he wouldn't say a word. When I pressed him, he just said he didn't need to move and would stay here to study. It infuriated me... cough... Just because his leg is a bit weak! If I didn't take advantage of him being a little drunk to pour him a few more cups, how else would I get him to speak his mind?"

Madam Xiao leaned closer and asked, "So... did he finally talk this time?"

Cheng Shi draped the hot towel over his face and muttered, "All he kept saying was, 'Elder Brother, you've done nothing wrong by me. It's me who's useless.' My sleeves are soaked with his tears."

Madam Xiao was also taken aback. Remembering the past, she sighed, "In our family, Second Brother has suffered the most."

Cheng Shi pulled the towel away and said quietly, "When we were young and poor, we couldn't afford to send him to school. Later, during the war, we met a few scholars who recommended him to study under Elder Sang at White Deer Mountain, but..." His eyes welled with tears. "While we fought outside, someone had to take care of the family. He volunteered to stay behind, so Third Brother went instead."Madam Xiao wiped her tears and said, "Later, when Third Brother achieved success in his studies and was awarded an official post by Your Majesty, Second Brother was happier than anyone. Only... it's a pity for himself..."

Cheng Shi wiped his tears and declared, "He's different from Third Brother. He doesn't study for official positions or wealth—he simply loves delving into classical texts. This time, I must fulfill his wish!"

Madam Xiao asked joyfully, "Has Second Brother agreed?"

"He finally nodded!" Cheng Shi sighed in relief, then added mischievously, "Back then, sending Third Brother to study at White Deer Mountain was the right move. That rascal looks the most like Father and managed to win the heart of Lord Sang's treasured daughter. Now our family has one foot in the door—with connections, he can enter any Great Confucian Scholar's academy."

Madam Xiao decisively slapped the bed and said, "Good! After New Year's Day, we'll send Second Brother off. It's perfect timing—I want to put that wretched woman in her place!"

At the mention of Ge Shi, Cheng Shi's anger flared. "Why just put her in her place? Divorce her outright! With such a woman constantly berating him as a good-for-nothing, no wonder Second Brother is so dispirited! That wretch—if she only stirred up trouble within the household, it might be tolerable. But she actually tried to sell A-Ding's family behind our backs while we were away! If not for the urgency of the warfront, I would have rushed back to whip her on the spot! Cough Grandfather Ge doted on her so much. If she looks down on Second Brother, why didn't she remarry earlier? The Ge family wouldn't have refused! Why must they live in mutual disgust?"

Madam Xiao sneered, "Do you think she never considered remarrying?" She'd thought of it over a decade ago!

"Then why didn't she?" Cheng Shi lamented.

Madam Xiao shot him a glare. "Stay out of this matter." As she spoke, she adjusted her robes as if preparing to leave.

Cheng Shi asked curiously, "Where are you going?"

Madam Xiao turned back, her voice icy. "That wretch just suffered our scolding at the banquet. While you were with Second Brother earlier, she couldn't approach him. Now that you're back, won't she go cry and make a scene for him? Now that we're home, should we just watch Second Brother endure her abuse?!"

Author's Note:

Let's hope the stockpile of drafts doesn't perish—I've been rather worried about it lately.