Since childhood, Shao Shang had been quick-witted and decisive. Once she settled on a course of action, she immediately dashed out of the Everlasting Autumn Palace. Along the way, she stopped several palace maids and eunuchs to ask which direction Ling Buyi and the Fifth Prince had gone, then sprinted straight to the Upper West Gate. To her dismay, Ling Buyi and the Fifth Prince had already left the palace. The guard captain recognized Shao Shang and gave her a friendly smile, but he still dutifully informed her that without an imperial decree or palace exit order, he couldn't let anyone leave casually.
Although the Empress had agreed to let her return home, she fell ill from anger caused by the Fifth Princess before issuing the formal edict. Shao Shang felt dizzy. So... she was still under confinement?!
She considered asking the guards for leniency—they usually admired Ling Buyi greatly—but the surrounding soldiers watching her began teasing her good-naturedly. One said, "Has Miss Cheng quarreled with Lord Ling again?" Another added, "What do you mean 'again'? The last quarrel hasn't even ended yet! Who would've thought Lord Ling, usually as cool as the breeze and moon, would show his anger so plainly." A third chimed in, "Of course! Why stay cold in front of his new bride? He should be warming up to her!"
—Damn those elite guards from the six garrisons! Was the selection criterion based on who had the biggest mouth?! Shao Shang's face flushed crimson with embarrassment. She stomped her foot, lowered her head, and turned to run back to the Everlasting Autumn Palace, determined to fetch the Empress's Imperial Edict and settle the score with these loudmouths later.
The distance from the Everlasting Autumn Palace to the Upper West Gate was at least half an hour even by the shortest route. Though Shao Shang had started with fierce determination, the round trip left her utterly exhausted. For the umpteenth time, she cursed this delicate body of hers—all looks and no stamina. If only she had her previous life's physique... Well, no use dwelling on past glories.
By the time she finally made it back to the Everlasting Autumn Palace, she saw Zhai Nanny standing anxiously at the entrance, scanning the surroundings. The moment she spotted Shao Shang, she grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. "Her Majesty is deeply upset. It's time for the midday meal, but she refuses to eat anything. She always brightens up when she sees you—go and comfort her..."
Shao Shang was too breathless to speak. Her lungs burned from running, and despite the biting cold, sweat drenched her back and chest. But Zhai Nanny was too frantic to wait, dragging her toward the Inner Chamber without explanation.
"Alright, alright, A'ao, ease up a little—let me catch my breath..."
"You can catch your breath inside! I'll prepare hot clotted milk to soothe your throat. Seeing you disheveled like this might soften Her Majesty's heart and make her eat!"
Like a tattered kite tossed about, Shao Shang was half-dragged, half-pulled by Zhai Nanny in a frantic rush. In her fluster, she didn't even notice the four familiar junior palace attendants and the Emperor's personal eunuch, Yellow Gate Commandant Cen Anzhi, guarding the entrance to the Empress's chambers.
Surprisingly, Cen Anzhi didn't stop Zhai Nanny. So when Shao Shang stumbled into the Inner Chamber, she was shocked to see the Emperor, dressed in full ceremonial robes, sitting beside the Empress's bed and speaking softly to her. Terrified, she immediately tried to flee. Even on normal days, the Emperor would scold her for no reason—today's incident was essentially her fault, and running into him now guaranteed a stern reprimand.
"Get in here! Am I some kind of beast that you flee at the sight of me?!"
The Emperor's sharp eyes caught her, and his stern shout yanked her back. Watching the girl cower, he felt both exasperated and amused.Shao Shang knelt before the Emperor and Empress with a pounding heart, pressing her sweaty forehead against the floor in a deeply respectful bow. She silently cursed Zhai Nanny for setting her up—later, she would tell the most captivating story only to abandon it midway, leaving Zhai Nanny hanging with unbearable suspense!
But since the Emperor was here, Ling Buyi wouldn’t immediately escalate matters to His Majesty. She wondered what he was doing outside.
"Where have you been while the Empress was unwell? The entire Everlasting Autumn Palace was searched, yet you were nowhere to be found!"
Unsurprisingly, Royal Uncle began scolding her. "The Empress has always treated you with kindness, yet at this critical moment, you weren’t by her side to offer comfort. What use are you?! Where has all your reading of books on propriety and filial piety gone?"
The Empress leaned against the hidden cushion and spoke softly, "Your Majesty, don’t be so harsh. Shao Shang must have been seeing Zisheng off. She didn’t know about my condition—why reprimand her…?"
Shao Shang cautiously raised her head. "Your Majesty, I ran all the way to the Upper West Gate."
The Emperor asked, "Then why did you return? Didn’t the Empress permit you to go home today?"
Shao Shang forced a smile. "I was also concerned about Her Majesty, so I came back. Just now, Fifth Princess… well, Her Majesty looked unwell. How could I simply leave for home…?" Men were all the same—even the Emperor! How could she go home without even packing her belongings?
"Hmm, if that’s the case, then you at least have some conscience." The Emperor’s expression softened slightly as he turned back to the Empress, continuing his reassurances. "…Though A Heng’s words were harsh, there was some truth to them. We have several children—one more or less makes no difference. Is it worth tormenting yourself over that wretched creature? You’re too soft-hearted, which is why you’re so upset. Why bother with that disgrace?"
The Empress whispered, "It’s not grief—it’s heartbreak. The day before yesterday, Shao Shang was bullied and pushed into the lake by some dancing girls, yet she endured it until today to retaliate, all for the sake of my birthday celebration. Alas, even outsiders show such consideration, yet my own flesh and blood chose my birthday to commit murder and frame others, without a shred of remorse. This… this…"
"That wretch isn’t worth your sorrow," the Emperor said coldly. "Shen An, set your heart at ease and think of our other children. Earlier, the three young princes were all vying to attend to you. The Crown Prince was supposed to go to the western camp with General Wu today, but upon hearing of your illness, he wanted to rush back immediately—I had to order him to come later. The Second Prince and the Eldest Princess are outside the palace and will take longer to receive the news, but once they do, they’ll surely hurry here to see you."
The Empress murmured, "Even if the Eldest Princess and the Second Prince come to visit, it won’t be until tomorrow. The Crown Prince lacks talent, but he is kind-hearted."
"A kind heart is the greatest virtue of all. Several Great Confucian Scholars have praised the Crown Prince for his benevolence, saying he takes after me. I must thank you for bearing me such a fine son." The Emperor gently patted the Empress’s hand.
A faint smile finally appeared on the Empress’s pale face.
The Emperor nodded, then turned to Shao Shang below. "Why are you silent? The Empress was angered into illness, Fifth Princess has been taken away for punishment, yet you remain unscathed."
Shao Shang thought, ‘Here it comes,’ and sighed helplessly. "Your Majesty, I am at fault—but my fault lies in my betrothal to Lord Ling. Had I not been engaged to him, Fifth Princess likely wouldn’t even have known who I was."
The Emperor knew this was the truth.Shao Shang looked at the Empress, whose face was pale with illness, and her heart softened. She spoke sincerely, "If time could be reversed, I would truly wish for Lord Ling and the Fifth Princess to have a happy union. That way, Your Majesty wouldn’t have fallen ill from anger. Your Majesty has always treated me with kindness, and I dare swear to the heavens that these words come from the depths of my heart."
The Emperor inwardly cursed—how could that ever be possible? Back when Princess Yuchang’s conduct was beyond reproach, he had arranged for his adopted son to marry her, yet the boy had fled straight to the borderlands. If he had tried to marry him off to his youngest daughter, the boy might have fled all the way to the Yuezhi or India, never to be seen again.
Still, the Emperor could discern the genuine sincerity in the girl’s words and decided not to dwell on the matter further. He changed the subject, asking, "Earlier, the Empress mentioned you were bullied, so you went early in the morning to set up that elaborate chamber pot trap. Hmph, you got your revenge, but you also wreaked havoc on Consort Yue’s Jade Garden."
This was indeed a serious issue. Shao Shang quickly kowtowed in apology. "I was reckless. At the time, I was solely focused on venting my anger and forgot that my actions would also defile Jade Garden. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness. I will find a way to clean it up immediately."
The Emperor snorted. "You’ll find a way? More like Zisheng will find a way."
Sweat beading on her forehead, Shao Shang remained prostrate, not daring to retort.
"Never mind. It was they who provoked you first. But—"
Shao Shang’s heart clenched again.
"That chamber pot trap was quite ingeniously designed," the Emperor remarked with interest. "A few ropes, two door bolts, and a wooden plank were enough to ensnare everyone. Where did you learn such a thing? I don’t recall the Empress teaching you the art of mechanisms."
Shao Shang gave an awkward chuckle. "I, um… when I was young… I often, well…"
The Emperor understood and nodded. "Ah, self-taught, then. Practice makes perfect. Well, it’s a skill, I suppose."
The Empress stifled a laugh and gently swatted the Emperor’s arm. "Your Majesty, really…"
Seeing the girl’s flustered state, the Emperor burst into laughter.
Shao Shang remained frozen on the ground, drenched in sweat—well, well. All the scolding she’d escaped for her pranks in her past life was being repaid now. Her middle school homeroom teacher would surely be pleased.
The Empress smiled. "Your Majesty seems to know so much about it. Did you go to see it yourself? Weren’t you afraid of the stench?"
"Afraid? Of course I was!" The Emperor feigned indignation, trying to amuse the Empress. "I covered my nose with a handkerchief when I went to inspect it, and even after more than an hour, the stench was unbearable! Thankfully, you didn’t go, or you’d have been too disgusted to even be angry." In truth, it was Consort Yue’s old habit from her youth flaring up—insisting that joy and sorrow should be shared. Once she had suffered the stench, she dragged him along to endure it too.
The Empress laughed until her lips trembled and her eyes crinkled, her earlier anger dissipating.
"...So, how does Your Majesty intend to punish those young ladies who pushed Shao Shang into the water?" the Empress asked with a smile. "Though Shao Shang has already taken her revenge, their audacity suggests they must be equally unruly outside the palace."
The Emperor replied coolly, "The Fifth Princess acts without fear because her parents are us. As for the others, if they dared harm someone within the palace, they must rely on their families’ influence. In that case, strip their fathers and brothers of their official ranks and stipends. For those without official positions, impose heavy fines instead."
The Empress pondered for a moment. "That’s fair. Let these families reflect at home. A life of farming and study isn’t a bad thing."
A chill ran down Shao Shang’s spine—this was the power of the imperial couple. This was the weight of absolute authority.She and those girls who had pushed her into the water came from families of similar standing. Old Man Cheng and Director Xiao had toiled and struggled for over a decade to attain their current status, even at the cost of abandoning their youngest daughter. All this, she had witnessed with her own eyes. Yet the Emperor and Empress had just casually reduced what might have been a lifetime's effort for others to dust, deciding the fortunes of several families as easily as picking vegetables or drinking broth.
Without Ling Buyi, in the eyes of the Emperor and Empress, there wouldn't have been much difference between her and those girls.
"But... Your Majesty, if some of their fathers or brothers truly possess talent, wouldn't they be unjustly implicated?" Shao Shang timidly raised her head. She knew she shouldn't speak up—she ought to be loudly expressing gratitude instead—but she couldn't help herself.
The Emperor looked slightly surprised and glanced at the girl. "Failing to raise one's children properly leads to this outcome. Do you think the punishment of collective responsibility is a joke?"
The Empress gazed at the girl kindly and explained, "The previous dynasty followed the laws of the pre-Qin era, where punishments like gouging out eyes, removing bones, cutting off feet, or tattooing faces were common—far more brutal than today... Ah, she's still just an ignorant child. That aunt of hers is truly detestable for teaching her nothing." The latter part was addressed to the Emperor.
Shao Shang acknowledged the lesson and bowed in gratitude—she might never grow accustomed to this era.
As the Emperor had court matters to attend to, he left without staying to dine with the Empress. Shao Shang didn't dare mention leaving the palace now and diligently attended to the Empress—serving porridge and dishes, massaging her shoulders and back, soothing her with gentle pats, and carefully feeding her small bites of vegetables and porridge.
Those with weak constitutions, especially after a bout of anger, shouldn't eat much. Shao Shang practically counted each grain of rice and strand of vegetable as the Empress ate, all while offering comforting words like, "Every family has at least one troublesome child. Look at mine—my brothers are all filial and honest, while I'm the one constantly driving Mother to despair. What does this have to do with the parents? It's all fate's doing. Other families have more than one unfilial child," and so on.
After the Empress finished her meal, Zhai Nanny directed palace maids to bring a dining table for Shao Shang.
Shao Shang ate her lunch while keeping the Empress company with idle chatter, then helped her take medicine. The herbal concoctions of this era were practically biochemical weapons. Watching the Empress drink the bitter brew, Shao Shang's face was full of sympathy as she muttered, "Heaven and earth are profound and mysterious—what crime has Her Majesty committed to suffer like this? We really ought to send a bowl of this to the Fifth Princess too..."
The Empress nearly spat out her medicine, looking at the girl as if she were a small child viewing medicine as her mortal enemy.
After all this busywork, seeing the Empress's slightly improved complexion, Shao Shang felt dazed.
In her previous life, she hadn't even kept a turtle, and her cactus had died tragically on the windowsill. Yet in this life, she had somehow learned to serve others with such meticulous care—environment was the most terrifying force in this world, indomitable and omnipotent. No one could refuse to compromise.
She wondered what Ling Buyi was doing now. This time, he must be refusing to compromise. Was he sulking in anger or racking his brains on how to deal with her? She hoped he hadn't skipped lunch—even if he wanted to discipline his fiancée, he shouldn't forget to eat.
After the medicine, Shao Shang supported the Empress as she slowly walked circles around the hall. Finally, the Crown Princess came to visit.
Strictly speaking, Shao Shang and the Crown Princess had no real grievances. But Shao Shang had disliked her since their second meeting.It was often flatteringly said that the Crown Princess resembled the Empress—both were refined and dignified, gentle and proper, and both possessed compassionate hearts, ruling with leniency. However, Shao Shang believed the Empress was the genuine article, while the Crown Princess was merely a middling imitation. The Empress’s kindness came from the heart, sincerely wishing to alleviate others’ suffering and ensure their well-being. As for the Crown Princess… well.
“I’ve long said that Fifth Princess’s behavior would lead to trouble. Alas, look how she has upset Your Majesty. The Crown Prince will surely be distressed when he hears of it.” The Crown Princess sat by the Empress’s bedside, speaking in a soft voice. Shao Shang wished she could take a needle and stitch those thin lips tightly shut.
“Your Majesty, secluded in the palace, may not know of many things. Fifth Princess has taken in many wandering swordsmen—tsk, the rumors outside are quite unsavory. The Crown Prince instructed me not to mention it to Your Majesty, but alas, it must be said. It’s precisely because Your Majesty knew nothing of Fifth Princess’s conduct that the shock was so great. Had you been aware earlier, today’s events might have been avoided… I dare not interfere with His Majesty and Your Majesty’s decisions, but I believe only severe punishment will yield results. His Majesty is broad-minded and decisive—I only hope Your Majesty will not be too lenient. Indulgence is harmful; discipline is for Fifth Princess’s own good.”
The Crown Princess spoke at length, venting her own grievances, oblivious to the Empress’s darkening expression.
Shao Shang was unimpressed. Stirring trouble and adding fuel to the fire—was this anything new? The aunties in Yu Town were experts at it; she’d seen plenty growing up. Though the Crown Princess’s words were technically correct, Shao Shang knew they weren’t spoken with good intentions. So, she decided to stir the pot herself.
“Your Highness speaks too harshly. It’s just a few skilled guards for household protection—hardly unusual. The way you put it makes it sound like Fifth Princess is plotting rebellion.”
The Crown Princess frowned. “Those are no ordinary guards, but…” She bit her lip. Knowing was one thing; saying it aloud was another.
Shao Shang feigned innocence. “But what? Please enlighten me, Your Highness. What else can wandering swordsmen do besides guarding households?” That’s right—she was unmarried, so she wouldn’t know.
What was so unusual about a princess keeping male concubines? The only difference was timing. Keeping them after widowhood was a necessity; after bearing children, it was professional ethics. Among the three married princesses, the Grand Princess favored young officials, the Third Princess preferred frustrated scholars, and only the Second Princess might have remained spotless.
But for Fifth Princess to keep male concubines before marriage was indeed excessive. Still, since her future consort was also a notorious philanderer, they were well-matched.
The Crown Princess frowned. “Most of those wandering swordsmen are handsome and robust. The princess dotes on them, frequently hosting lavish banquets with music, hunts, and outings. Some strict families forbid their daughters from entering Fifth Princess’s residence.”
Shao Shang pouted. “If they don’t wish to go, then don’t. Some love excitement, others prefer quiet—not everyone gets along.”
The Crown Princess snapped, “How can this be allowed? If all women followed Fifth Princess’s example, wouldn’t society descend into chaos?!”"Your Highness is overthinking it. How can a princess be compared to ordinary women, or even to the consorts of the princes?" Shao Shang said leisurely. "A bride can be replaced, but can children be swapped out?"
The Crown Princess was instantly silenced.
She fixed her gaze on Shao Shang, as if weighing the deeper meaning behind the girl's words. Shao Shang smiled back at her.
Being born into the right family is truly a skill, she mused. Why hadn’t she been reborn as a princess? Then she could be the one keeping male concubines now, and see if Ling Buyi could still confine her in the palace. Ah, what was he doing at this moment, anyway?
The Empress turned her head slightly, remaining silent, but the corners of her lips slowly curved upward.
After that, the Crown Princess had little left to say. Unwilling to stay at the Everlasting Autumn Palace to attend to the Empress’s ailment, she could only offer a few perfunctory pleasantries before excusing herself to avoid disturbing the Empress’s rest, then took her leave with a bow.
Watching the Crown Princess’s retreating figure, Shao Shang slowly sat back down beside the Empress and let out a heavy snort through her nose.
The Empress tapped her forehead lightly. "You little imp." Then she sighed. "But she isn’t entirely wrong. The Fifth Princess’s behavior is rather unfair to the Yue family’s future son-in-law..."
Shao Shang sighed helplessly. "Your Majesty, let’s not worry about whether the future Fifth Princess’s consort will suffer or not. Let’s think about the Crown Prince first. With the Crown Princess like this, the Crown Prince is the one suffering... Don’t scold me for being bold or presumptuous—no one is blind here."
"...The Crown Princess has done nothing wrong."
"By Your Majesty’s logic, I haven’t done anything wrong either, yet Lord Ling looks at me as if I’m never good enough. Logically, the bride of the heir apparent should have it twice as hard. But from the looks of it, the Crown Princess has it much easier than I do—the Crown Prince is so kind and magnanimous!" Shao Shang grumbled under her breath.
The Empress shook her head with a resigned smile.
"Compare him to the Second Prince, and the Crown Prince really is quite pitiable," Shao Shang continued to stir the pot. Whether in family background, looks, talent, temperament, or heirs, the Second Prince Consort outshone the Crown Princess by miles—the Crown Princess still had no children to her name.
The Empress fell silent, then sighed again. "We made the betrothal too early."
This was a classic dilemma: Why did the daughters of concubines often marry far better than the legitimate daughters?
Because when the legitimate daughters came of age, their father was still a struggling scholar in the village, so naturally, they could only be married to the sons of other scholars—a match of equal standing. But by the time the concubine-born daughters grew up, their father had risen to high office, allowing them to marry into far more illustrious families.
Thus, the conclusion was: For a family in a stable position, the earlier-born children had the advantage, as they could secure resources and influence sooner. But for a family on the rise, the opposite was true.
When the Crown Prince’s marriage was arranged, the Emperor’s fledgling court was still precarious. To secure the support of a prominent local clan, he betrothed his eldest son, not yet ten years old, to the Crown Princess’s family. But afterward, the Emperor’s fortunes soared as if fueled by divine favor. By the time the Second Prince came of age, their family had become one of the most powerful factions in the land, and even a blind man could see unification was inevitable. Thus, the Second Prince’s marriage prospects were several tiers above his elder brother’s.
The Empress sighed once more. "A gentleman’s word is unbreakable. His Majesty is a man of his word—we cannot go back on our promise just because circumstances have changed. The world is watching."Shao Shang could only sigh along. In truth, she had long noticed that the Emperor, for all his virtues—being both cultured and martial, possessing great talent and profound wisdom, as well as deep affection and kindness—had one flaw: he was overly concerned with his reputation.
"If she's fortunate enough to be the Crown Princess, why does she keep moping all day?" Shao Shang sighed as well. "In the months I've been by Her Majesty's side, I've hardly ever seen the Crown Princess smile."
The Empress paused for a moment before saying, "Actually, the Crown Prince once had someone he loved. That woman's family background and character were no less than the Second Prince Consort's, but alas..." She shook her head.
Shao Shang's eyes widened. She felt even more sympathy for the Crown Prince.
"Then, then, is that woman now in the Eastern Palace? Which Good Consort is she?" Shao Shang was very excited.
The Empress replied, "No. The Crown Prince said she was too proud and aloof, so he let her marry someone else."
"Being a Good Consort to the heir apparent wouldn’t have been demeaning," Shao Shang lamented. The Crown Princess lived too comfortably—probably because she had no rivals. None of the Crown Prince’s other consorts posed any threat.
The Empress gazed into the distance, reminiscing. "That year, the Crown Princess was pregnant but got into an argument with the Crown Prince for some reason. In a fit of anger, he pushed her, and she lost the child. The Imperial Physician said she would have difficulty conceiving again."
Shao Shang was stunned.
After a long pause, she said heavily, "This marriage was never suitable to begin with! Ah, if only it hadn’t happened."
The Empress found this amusing. "Someone said the same thing back then."
"Who?"
"Zisheng."
Shao Shang immediately fell silent.
The Empress continued, "At the time, Zisheng was still young, but he came to me and His Majesty with an air of solemnity, saying this marriage shouldn’t happen—it would harm the Crown Prince in the future. When His Majesty ignored him, he went to advise the Crown Prince to tell the Crown Princess about his feelings for another woman. Ideally, her family would then propose calling off the engagement. Even if they didn’t cite incompatibility, at least they could say the Crown Prince was in love with someone else and couldn’t let go. They could compensate her family generously elsewhere in the future."
"Did... the Crown Prince follow through?" Shao Shang asked softly.
"Alas, the Crown Prince is soft-hearted and couldn’t defy His Majesty. In the end, Zisheng privately arranged for someone to inform the Crown Princess of the truth, leaving it to her whether to tell her father, brothers, or uncles."
"That’s a good approach," Shao Shang mused, nodding. "What happened next?"
"When the wedding date arrived, the marriage proceeded as planned," the Empress said.
Shao Shang decided to give people the benefit of the doubt. "Was it because the Crown Princess’s family didn’t want to give up this marriage?"
The Empress smiled faintly. "The family His Majesty chose for the match had decent character. It was the Crown Princess—she didn’t tell her family anything." It seemed that from then on, her foster son had formed an opinion of his future sister-in-law.
Shao Shang shook her head meaningfully. "The Crown Princess wanted to marry into the imperial family—that’s not wrong in itself. But she at least had the chance to decline..." One must endure the consequences of their choices.
Presumably, the Emperor wasn’t too pleased with this eldest daughter-in-law either. After the Crown Prince, he never arranged marriages for his other sons. The Second Prince married for love, the Third Prince remained unmarried, the Fourth and Fifth Princes were still waiting, and the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth princes were still growing up.
"Wait," Shao Shang suddenly realized. "They say a leopard can’t change its spots. The Crown Prince is known for his gentle nature—why would he argue with the Crown Princess?" Like mother, like son—the Crown Prince’s temperament was a milder version of the Empress’s.
The Empress sighed. "I don’t know. Neither of them would say. But..." Her tone turned teasing. "Zisheng probably knows. That rascal is tight-lipped, though. When you coax it out of him in the future, don’t forget to tell me."
Shao Shang sighed. "Fine, as Your Majesty wishes. I, too, look forward to the day I can coax Lord Ling successfully. I just hope my hair is still black and my teeth haven’t fallen out by then."
The Empress burst into laughter, collapsing against the headboard. When she finally caught her breath, she leaned on Shao Shang’s arm and slowly settled back against the hidden cushion."Good, since even the Crown Prince's private affairs have been shared with you, now it's your turn. Let me ask you, do you like Zisheng?" the Empress asked gently.
Shao Shang answered without hesitation: "Yes."
"What do you think of Zisheng as a person?"
Shao Shang did not reply immediately. Her deep thoughts trickled like droplets along the threads of memory, slowly stretching out before dissolving into the depths of her mind.
After a long while, she finally said: "At first, I thought Lord Ling was the kind of virtuous gentleman described in the sages' books—benevolent, righteous, magnanimous, and chivalrous. One who could assist the ruler above to achieve great deeds of prosperity and relieve the suffering of the people below, upholding justice and protecting the weak."
"Now you’ve realized he isn’t such a person?" the Empress asked softly.
Shao Shang shook her head: "He is a good man, but not entirely good."
"He is actually very suspicious—not of his subordinates' loyalty, but of my feelings for him. Even the most ordinary words or actions from me, he can twist into something unimaginable, then sulk and quarrel with me over it. If it were someone like my father, he probably wouldn’t even think of such things."
Director Xiao didn’t love Old Man Cheng at first either, yet Old Man Cheng happily carried on with life, and over time, the couple developed genuine affection. Not to mention Sang Shi—she still had a lingering "white moonlight" in her heart at the beginning, but Third Uncle pretended not to notice.
Only Ling Buyi stands out, different from the rest!
"Not only is he overly suspicious and contemplative, but he’s also quick-tempered and prone to anger. Yet in front of others, he is always gentle, courteous, and kind—even to an unknown elderly villager, he treats them with respect and patience."
Shao Shang lifted her gaze forward. "But he hides it well, and no one notices. So everyone praises him for his gentleness, kindness, and noble demeanor, likening him to the virtuous gentlemen of old."
The Empress watched the girl quietly. "Since he has so many flaws, you still say you like him."
Shao Shang smiled, revealing her bright, adorable teeth. "Yes. It feels like I like him even more now."
"Before, I liked Lord Ling as if he were the moon hanging high in the sky, the distant snow atop the mountains, or the revered sages in books—figures to be admired from afar. But now, I know he is a person just like me, with sorrows and joys, flesh and blood."
She had once wanted to place him on a pedestal as an idol to worship, but he insisted on shattering her plans.
The Empress’s smile deepened.
Shao Shang was the most vivid and radiant girl she had ever met, always reminding her of the wildflowers and vines she had seen with her father in the countryside as a child—growing freely, unrestrained, yet as bright and pure as a mountain stream. You could never guess what she would say next, what thoughts filled her mind... or what trouble she might stir up.
"Zisheng has been by my side for years, so I understand him well. There is a knot in his heart—one that cannot be untied or spoken of." The Empress leaned back and murmured, "Back then, Your Majesty worried that Zisheng would never marry, but I worried whether anyone would ever truly know what kind of person he is, or if no one would ever reach him. Would he spend his whole life pretending to be that gentle, courteous man?"
"Fortunately, there’s you. Zisheng didn’t choose wrong." Slowly, the Empress closed her eyes and drifted into a weary sleep.Shao Shang gazed at her sleeping face, carefully tucked the fleece blanket around her, then sat on the floor beside the bed, resting her head on her elbow as she closed her eyes to rest.
Perhaps because the deep palace was lonely and life's pace had slowed completely, she'd had much time recently to reflect on her own issues. Across two lifetimes, she'd had two mothers—both shrewd and sharp individuals who knew how to seize the greatest advantages. No matter how poor their initial circumstances, they'd both ultimately become winners in life.
Since childhood, she'd greatly admired this attitude toward life.
After all, if one doesn't look out for oneself, heaven and earth will conspire against them. What are children? You can always have more, but you only get one life. Why be like her grandmother, widowed in her youth, who refused to remarry for the sake of her two sons and endured a lifetime of hardship and loneliness?
But now, upon reflection, neither approach to life could truly be called wrong.
The former certainly achieved self-actualization, but was there no room for compromise? Did Yu's mother have to prune away her daughter like an unwanted branch to pursue her new life? It wasn't that she wanted her birth mother to coddle or dote on her—just that at the most critical moments when she needed guidance, if someone had pulled her up, she might have walked a brighter, smoother path.
As for the latter, though it buried one's own life, being the child of such a person must be the happiest thing in the world.
The Empress was gentle, soft-hearted, kind to a fault—lacking both Consort Yue's sharp, calm intellect and Madam Xiao's decisive, resolute courage. Yet Shao Shang would rather have been her child. Had she been the Empress's daughter, she would never have wounded her heart like Fifth Princess. She would have been filial, a good daughter like Second Princess.
Unconsciously, Shao Shang also drifted into sleep. Faintly in her ears were the pattering rains of a Jiangnan town, the gentle nagging of a meticulous old woman—but she could never return.
...
She woke stiff and sore to dim light outside the window. With a yelp, Shao Shang jumped up and gently shook the Empress. Sleeping too much in the afternoon would mean sleeplessness at night.
Perhaps the medicinal soup had taken effect, or perhaps she'd exhausted herself talking with Shao Shang, but the Empress slept unusually deep and sweetly, waking with remarkable vigor. Zhai Nanny was overjoyed, bustling out to arrange food and drink.
As Shao Shang and the Empress debated whether to have steaming mutton soup cake for dinner, Zhai Nanny returned with a bewildered expression, blurting out: "...That fair-faced apprentice of Cen Anzhi's, the one with dimples—Your Majesty knows him? He just came running into Everlasting Autumn Palace, said something to me, then dashed off and disappeared."
The Empress joked, "Cen Anzhi must have sent him to sneak a message. What did he say? Has His Majesty taken a new favorite?"
Zhai Nanny shook her head. "No, no. He said Eleventh Master angered His Majesty, and His Majesty means to punish him severely... His Majesty is going to beat Eleventh Master!"
Shao Shang shot to her feet, face stricken with alarm.
Author's Note: Actually, the social customs at the time were quite liberal—somewhat like the banker couple in The Count of Monte Cristo. As long as husband and wife reached mutual understanding, once middle-aged with married children, each could seek their own pleasures. You embrace your concubines, I flirt with handsome men—as long as it didn't cause major scandals, no one minded.
Famous examples include Liang Ji's wife, Sun Shou.But this varies from person to person. I believe the vast majority of husbands would not be able to tolerate it.
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