The residence was not large, and it was only a short distance from the guest quarters where Cheng Shi and his wife were temporarily staying to the main residence of Cheng Cheng and his wife—just two corridors and three turns. Madam Xiao, accompanied by Madam Qing Cong and a group of martial maids, arrived in just a few steps. As expected, they heard the shrill cries and curses of Ge Shi coming from inside the room.
"...You call yourself a man? Watching your wife suffer such humiliation and not saying a word—why don’t I give you my skirt to wear outside and let everyone see? You can’t succeed in studies, can’t become an official, and you’re a cripple on top of that! Tell me, what else can you do?! My life is so bitter, married to a coward like you..."
This was originally Cheng Cheng’s study. Several maids guarding the door moved to block Madam Xiao as soon as they saw her. The one at the front was Ge Shi’s confidante, Li Zhui. Seeing that Madam Xiao had brought not ordinary maids but martial maids in close-fitting outfits armed with swords and bows, Li Zhui grew nervous.
She hurried forward, bowing with a forced smile. "Female Lord, you—" Before she could finish, Cheng Cheng’s voice came from inside.
"Enough! If you’re so resentful, you can return to the Ge family. My elder brother will give you plenty of gold and silver..."
"Don’t even think about it! When I married you, the Cheng family was in dire straits. Now that your brothers have risen to prominence, you want to cast me aside? Never! If you had told me to leave earlier, I might have respected you for having some backbone. What, now that your elder brother is back, you’ve grown a spine and dare to talk back? You’re a useless, spineless coward your whole life, relying on your brother..."
Madam Xiao could bear it no longer. Several martial maids stepped forward and swiftly twisted the arms of Ge Shi’s maids, binding them. Madam Qing Cong directly seized Li Zhui’s arm and tossed her to the others behind her. The courtyard echoed with cries of "Aiyo, aiyo!" Before Li Zhui and the others could shout out, there was a loud "bang!"—the door to the main residence was kicked open by Madam Xiao.
Li Zhui, whose arm was still twisted, was startled out of her wits. Having followed Ge Shi in the Cheng household for over a decade, she had never seen the usually gentle and refined Madam Xiao resort to kicking down a door. She was so shocked she forgot to struggle.
Madam Xiao strode into the room. Cheng Cheng was half-leaning against the bed, still reeking of alcohol, trembling with rage. Ge Shi stood opposite him, stomping her feet and shouting. When Madam Xiao entered, Cheng Cheng looked up, his face filled with shame and a trace of grievance, tears in his eyes. "...Husband's sister-in-law..."
Madam Xiao’s heart ached. Since marrying into the Cheng family, she had treated Cheng Shi’s younger siblings as her own. Cheng Xu and Cheng Xi had married away, and Cheng Zhi had left to study far from home. In daily household matters, only Cheng Cheng had truly assisted her. Now, seeing him so haggard—though only a few years younger than Cheng Shi, he looked like an old man—filled her with fury.
Without a word, Madam Xiao signaled Madam Qing Cong to help Cheng Cheng leave. Ge Shi tried to interfere, but Madam Xiao stepped forward, her fist hidden in her sleeve, and delivered a heavy blow to Ge Shi’s stomach, followed by a sharp backhanded slap. The force was so great that Ge Shi was knocked to the ground, stunned. By then, Madam Qing Cong had already led everyone out, swiftly closing the door behind them.
"You... you...!" Ge Shi clutched her aching stomach with one hand and her stinging cheek with the other, disbelief in her voice. "You dare hit me!"
Madam Xiao was not like Cheng Mu. She had been raised in a true scholarly and noble household. In all these years as sisters-in-law, Madam Xiao had never even raised her voice, let alone resorted to violence. Yet now, she had done this.Madam Xiao's eyes were as cold as ice as she said sharply, "Not only will I beat you, I'll divorce you too!"
Ge Shi endured the pain and scrambled up abruptly, cursing, "I won't leave! Back when the Cheng family was poor—"
"I heard everything you said earlier," Madam Xiao said calmly. "So what? Now the Cheng family is powerful while the Ge family is weak. If I want to beat you, I can. If I want to divorce you, I will. What can you do about it?"
She took a slow step forward. Ge Shi involuntarily retreated several steps, afraid she would strike again, and said, "How dare you?! My father showed the Cheng family great kindness!"
"What kindness? Donating provisions? Which wealthy family in the village or county hasn't contributed?" Madam Xiao sneered. "The lord protected the safety of the village, ensuring the people wouldn't fall into the chaos of war and saving countless families. Giving some provisions and wealth can hardly be called a great kindness. I doubt even Grandfather Ge would dare claim he showed the Cheng family such favor."
Ge Shi stared at Madam Xiao in shock and confusion. "You... you've... completely changed." Where was the gentle, amiable Madam Xiao from her memories—the one who spoke with grace and refinement, never stooping to argue with her? Her expression had changed, her words had changed, even her demeanor had changed.
Madam Xiao watched her coldly without speaking.
Ge Shi began to understand and gritted her teeth. "All those years, you put on such a meek and humble act that my husband's mother couldn't do anything to you. My father-in-law praised your gentleness and virtue until his dying breath, calling you a blessing to the Cheng family. On his deathbed, in front of so many people, he even scolded my husband's mother for not allowing her to trouble you. You... you're such a skilled actress!"
Madam Xiao gave a soft laugh, suddenly in no hurry. She said slowly, "Did you think I was a fool like you? Back then, I was weak, and my own family was struggling to survive. How could I have had the confidence to argue with my husband's mother? I endured it. What did it matter if I endured for over a decade? I endured until today, and now I'll settle accounts with you properly."
Ge Shi was both frightened and furious, mustering her courage to retort, "What will you do? At most, you'll divorce me."
"Nothing much," Madam Xiao said, walking slowly toward Ge Shi. "Actually, many years ago, you already thought about remarrying, didn't you?"
Ge Shi stiffened in shock.
Madam Xiao continued as if speaking to herself, "The first time was less than two months after your wedding. You tried to persuade Second Brother to break away and start his own faction, using your dowry as military funds to build his own enterprise, didn't you? But Second Brother flatly refused. In anger, you returned to your family home for over ten days, demanding they find you another husband to remarry. Isn't that right?"
Ge Shi was terrified and blurted out, "How did you know—" before quickly clamping her mouth shut.
Madam Xiao smiled. "You always said I was lucky to marry a hero. If you're so capable, why didn't you go marry one yourself? If you'd truly found a good match, Grandfather Ge wouldn't have stopped you. But look at the trash you picked. That 'Mountain-Quelling Overlord,' that 'Precious Blessing Surpassing Heaven Great Emperor'—didn't you secretly send servants to inquire about them? Hmph, what worthless men. They were all beheaded within months, their ragtag followers scattering like birds and beasts. Their concubines and female relatives were divided among the victors—the pretty ones at least found takers, but the plain-faced ones? Who knows if they were used as provisions or camp whores. And then there was that Magistrate Chen—"
"Enough!" Ge Shi shouted, her face burning with shame and fury. These long-buried secrets, nearly forgotten even by herself, had been laid bare today—it was as if she'd been stripped naked.Madam Xiao, however, wasn’t about to let her off. She continued, “After that incident, you behaved for a while, finally understanding that warfare and conquest were serious matters, not child’s play. But not long after giving birth to Second Miss, your restless thoughts stirred again. Hmm, let me think… Your earlier docility was probably because you feared you couldn’t conceive, wasn’t it…?”
Ge Shi’s anger flared, but she dared not retort. She had been married into the Cheng family for years without bearing a child, and by then, Cheng Mu’s expression had already darkened. Meanwhile, Madam Xiao kept producing children one after another—aside from the eldest daughter who died young, the next two were robust, healthy boys. Everyone outside praised Madam Xiao as the woman who brought prosperity to the family, making Ge Shi feel even more humiliated. At the time, she feared her body was defective—even if she remarried, she wouldn’t fare any better—so of course, she had no choice but to quiet down.
Madam Xiao went on with relish, “Not long after giving birth to Second Miss, you claimed you needed to recuperate and returned to the Ge family. This time, you learned your lesson—you didn’t boss people around anymore. Instead, you pestered your father and brothers to find you a good husband for remarriage. I know what you were really after—you just wanted to outdo me. But tell me, did you get your wish?”
Of course, she hadn’t. Otherwise, Ge Shi wouldn’t be standing here now.
Ge Shi seethed with hatred. By the time she gave birth to Second Miss, the heroes of the realm had already established their power—it wasn’t like the earlier days when anyone could rise by occupying a mountain and making a small stir. Where in the countryside could she find a truly outstanding hero to marry? There were noble and powerful families, of course, but they would only take her as a concubine—Ge Shi naturally refused. She still had that much pride. But marrying an ordinary man would be worse than staying with Cheng Cheng—at least Cheng Shi was on the verge of rising in the world. After half a year of fruitless waiting at her family home, Ge Shi had returned to the Cheng household, resentful and unwilling.
Madam Xiao looked at Ge Shi, not bothering to hide her contempt. “A fickle, foolish woman like you—it’s only because Second Brother is kind-hearted that he’s tolerated you this long. Did you really think you had tamed him with your so-called skills?!... We’re moving to a new residence in three days. You stay here and wait for your family to come fetch you.”
Ge Shi jolted, her lips trembling. “C-come fetch me…? You’ve already contacted my family…?”
The thought that Madam Xiao had been watching her for years, silently recording her every move, sent chills down her spine. Now, hearing these words, her fear knew no bounds—she realized Cheng Shi and his wife were truly about to act against her.
What should she do now? What should she say? Should she divorce Cheng Cheng? What would happen to her if she returned to her family in disgrace—Ge Shi was utterly panicked, at a loss for words.
Madam Xiao paid no heed to Ge Shi’s turmoil. She merely let out a few soft, mocking laughs and leisurely walked toward the door. Halfway there, she suddenly paused and turned back. “Every time you tried to remarry, you failed. Let me give you this guarantee: the day Second Brother divorces you, I’ll have a virtuous and beautiful new wife for him within the next month—one who’ll never let him suffer the slightest grievance again.” With that, she resumed her exit.
Ge Shi was now truly terrified. In her dazed panic, she suddenly shrieked, “I never mistreated Fourth Miss!” Her voice was so loud it made the door tremble slightly.
Madam Xiao turned back once more, her face cold as she regarded Ge Shi with indifference. Under that gaze, Ge Shi shrank back uncontrollably.
After a long silence, Madam Xiao finally smiled faintly. “The weather is cold today, and Qingzhou is a long journey. I wonder if your Mother Fu has already set out?”The words came out of nowhere, and Ge Shi couldn't grasp their meaning at first. When she looked up and saw the mocking smile on Madam Xiao's lips, a shiver ran down her spine, and for once, she had a flash of insight. "Could it be that Mother Fu has already conspired with you..."
Madam Xiao smiled. "Your elder brother was quite ambitious, unwilling to live an ordinary life. From a young age, he dreamed of making his mark on the battlefield. Unfortunately, illness in his childhood prevented him from riding horses. Later, he turned to commerce and land cultivation to prosper the family. Since we're all family, I naturally had to lend a hand."
Ge Shi trembled all over, unsure whether from anger or fear. Recalling the events of these past years, she thought to herself, 'No wonder.'
A hint of self-satisfaction appeared on Madam Xiao's face. "Otherwise, why would Old Madam Wan always 'coincidentally' visit the Cheng family at just the right time?"
Ge Shi collapsed onto the floor, unable to believe that her own Mother Fu could betray her like this. A bone-chilling cold enveloped her—no wonder Old Madam Wan always came to reprimand her whenever she resolved to take action.
Madam Xiao continued, "She kept an eye on you for me for ten years, handling matters with great experience. Unfortunately, just one month before my return, she was busy preparing for the family's relocation and neglected her duties for a brief moment. And in that moment, you nearly killed Niao Niao with your cruelty!" Her voice turned icy as she uttered the last few words.
Ge Shi jumped up in fear. "No, no! I didn’t—I never meant... I truly didn’t know Fourth Miss would fall so gravely ill. I—I didn’t do it on purpose..."
"On purpose or not," Madam Xiao flicked her sleeve dismissively, her tone indifferent, "if anything had truly happened to Niao Niao, do you think you’d still be standing here unharmed?"
Ge Shi stubbornly retorted, "What can you do to me? At worst, I’ll just stop being a Cheng family wife!"
Madam Xiao stared at her silently, making Ge Shi’s skin crawl until she awkwardly shut her mouth. Ge Shi knew Madam Xiao was different from her—she had followed Cheng Shi on campaigns for over a decade, pacifying rebels and uncovering spies, her hands truly stained with blood.
Madam Xiao’s gaze was as cold as ice as she spoke slowly, "It’s not that simple. You still have children, don’t you? Even if you don’t care for them, the Ge family is full of people you hold dear. There must be someone in this world you love. And I will repay them in kind."
With that, she turned and walked out without another glance, ignoring Ge Shi’s curses behind her.
The afternoon courtyard was bathed in warm, dazzling winter sunlight. The maidservants who had once served Ge Shi were nowhere to be seen, replaced by two rows of servants standing respectfully along the corridors. Madam Xiao stood under the eaves and instructed Qing Cong, who approached her, "Keep an eye on her. We’re about to relocate—such a joyous occasion shouldn’t be marred by her ill omens."
Qing Cong understood her meaning and smiled. "Female lord, rest assured. It’s not that I look down on Madam Ge, but even if you handed her a knife, she wouldn’t have the courage to take her own life."
Years of pent-up resentment were finally avenged today, and Qing Cong felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Madam Xiao glanced at her and said, "Family misfortune is no cause for celebration. Don’t let your joy show too plainly." Madam Qing Cong quickly stifled her laughter and replied, "You’re right, Female lord."
After a pause, Madam Xiao herself couldn’t help but laugh. But once her laughter subsided, she sighed. "Back then, the hatred burned like fire in my heart. But after ten years of following the general on campaigns and witnessing so much suffering in the world, these things don’t seem so significant anymore." She shook her head after a moment, amused at her own thoughts.Walking along the corridor back to the room, Cheng Shi had already sobered up from his drunkenness. His burly figure was hunched over as he rummaged through chests and cabinets, searching for something unknown. Madam Xiao didn’t bother to ask him and simply walked to the bed to sit down. Qing Cong quickly helped her remove the brocade-lined cotton robe before stepping out to fetch hot water for Madam Xiao to wash and remove her makeup.
Cheng Shi adjusted his open sleeveless robe and looked up in surprise. “Back so soon?”
Madam Xiao shot him a glare and said haughtily, “It was just a few words. Why delay? It’s not like negotiating on a battlefield. I’ve already had her confined. In a few days, Second Brother and the children will move with us. Let’s see what the Ge family has to say when she’s locked up.” After a pause, she sighed. “...I tested her while reprimanding Ge Shi just now. She still doesn’t know.”
“The Ge family hasn’t told her to this day?” Cheng Shi was shocked again.
He stopped searching and sat beside Madam Xiao. After a long silence, he said, “...Grandfather Ge is a good man. That leg of his was broken saving me...” He paused. “He must have kept it from her deliberately, fearing that if Ge Shi knew, she’d become even more unrestrained toward Second Brother.”
Madam Xiao lowered her head, staring at the polished wooden floor, and murmured, “...It’s all my fault.”
Cheng Shi sighed. “You can’t blame yourself. This is the only time in your life you’ve misjudged someone. That bandit surnamed Chen was just too good at acting. We all believed him and nearly lost our lives.”
Madam Xiao felt sorrowful and whispered, “We’re both selfish people. For the sake of this debt of gratitude, we knowingly kept Ge Shi despite her faults, making Second Brother suffer.”
Cheng Shi slammed his fist on the edge of the bed and said bitterly, “When we were around, Ge Shi wasn’t this domineering. It’s only because we weren’t home, leaving everything in her hands, and with Mother shielding her, that she grew so arrogant.”
As he spoke, he stood up and resumed rummaging through the chests, muttering, “We can repay the debt of gratitude in other ways. We can’t sacrifice Second Brother’s entire life for it. Grandfather Ge has more than just this one daughter—so many children and grandchildren. There will surely be ways we can help them in the future, and we won’t refuse when the time comes. Don’t take it too hard. Second Brother isn’t a child anymore. A man standing between heaven and earth, if he’s bullied by a woman, it’s partly his own fault. A good beating would’ve solved it, but he’s too soft-hearted... Hmm, it’s because of his leg injury that he feels so inferior. Maybe suffering this setback is good for him. I’ll talk to him properly later, then send him out to gain experience and broaden his horizons. That’ll toughen him up... Hey, I’m sure I kept it close by. Where did it go...?”
“...This isn’t the only time I’ve misjudged someone.”
Madam Xiao seemed to recall something from the past. Cheng Shi turned to look at her and saw her smiling faintly as she said, “The first time was when I chose my own husband. That was a huge misjudgment.”
Cheng Shi grinned and deliberately boasted, “In that regard, my judgment was far better than yours. I married the right person at once—truly sharp-eyed, discerning the finest details.”
Madam Xiao burst into laughter, brushing her sleeve lightly against her slightly flushed cheek, making her appear even more like a piece of fine jade. Softly, she said, “It’s in the brocade pouch inside your arrow case.”
Cheng Shi blinked in surprise. “How did you know what I was looking for?”
“Isn’t it the jade pendant you wanted to leave for Niao Niao?” Madam Xiao deliberately put on a stern face. “Only thinking of your daughter. Have you even considered what to say when you meet Grandfather Ge later?”Cheng Shi pretended to ponder for a moment before saying, "Hmm, how about this? I'll say that given how Ge Shi has been stirring up trouble in the household all these years, she should have both legs broken before being divorced. But out of respect for you, old man, we'll just settle for divorcing her."
"You reckless brute! Stop talking nonsense!" Madam Xiao laughed in exasperation as she picked up a hidden cushion nearby and threw it at him.
Author's Note:
The draft manuscript says it can still be salvaged and has been working hard to survive this weekend too.
Thank you to all who left comments and reviews. Your careful reading makes all my hard work feel worthwhile. bows
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