Ever since waking up in that rustic country cottage, Shao Shang had been under constant supervision—the only difference was whether it was ordinary supervision, strict supervision, or the Spider Immortal's supervision. The Empress and Third Aunt merely imposed ordinary supervision on her, as long as she didn’t cause major trouble. Madam Xiao, however, enforced strict supervision—not only was she forbidden from causing trouble, but she wasn’t even allowed to speak or act out. As for Ling Buyi… well, that went without saying.
This time, with no elders around for once, Shao Shang abandoned the carriage in favor of riding a horse. Braving the crisp chill of the early morning, she cheerfully played a lively and spirited tune on her short flute, her heart brimming with joy. Playing the flute required steady and strong breath control, but the jostling of the horse made the notes soar abruptly into the clouds one moment and plunge into silence the next, much to the discomfort of those around her. Yet the flutist herself was utterly delighted, riding exuberantly into the wind, overjoyed.
Cheng Shao Gong, slumped miserably in the carriage, turned pale under the assault of this soul-shaking melody.
Even Wan Qiqi couldn’t bear it any longer and rode up beside Shao Shang. "It’s just a trip outside—are you really this happy?"
Shao Shang lowered her flute, her cute, pert nose reddened from the cold. "Going out without anyone supervising me—how rare is that!"
"What’s so rare about it? As long as I bring enough guards and servants, I can go wherever I please. Father always says married women are the most pitiable—just look at my grandmother—so he lets me enjoy myself while I’m still at home." Wan Qiqi showed no sympathy.
"Then, Sister Qiqi, maybe you just shouldn’t marry at all."
"But Father also says women who can’t marry are even more pitiable."
Shao Shang was momentarily speechless. With a sigh, she said, "Uncle Wan is truly a good man. Sister Qiqi, if only I’d been reborn as your family’s fourteenth daughter. Look at me—never mind the past, but this time, Mother showed rare mercy by letting me go on this outing…"
Cheng Shao Gong leaned out of the carriage window and remarked idly, "Do you really think she let you come out this time out of kindness?"
Shao Shang was puzzled. "Isn’t that the case?"
"I’ll tell you if you promise not to play the flute while riding."
Shao Shang was hardly one to yield to threats. She kicked the carriage wall, causing it to sway violently twice. Cheng Shao Gong let out a delicate, flower-like shriek. Undeterred, Shao Shang turned to ask her second brother, Cheng Song, instead. Cheng Song had been at the front of the procession, speaking with the leader of the household troops, but a sharp whistle from Wan Qiqi summoned him back. Upon hearing the question, he readily provided an answer, and the three of them squeezed into an empty carriage at the rear of the procession.
"To avoid some trouble," Cheng Song said.
Shao Shang looked utterly confused.
Cheng Song hesitated, unsure how to explain. "Have you ever heard of the saying, ‘A rare commodity commands a high price’?"
"Second Brother, are you testing my knowledge now?" Shao Shang was indignant. "I know the saying, but don’t ask me which book it’s from! Is it a crime to not have read much? Should I be struck by lightning for it?"
"No, no, that’s not what I meant!" Cheng Song quickly waved his hands. "What Mother means is that, because of you, our family now has something ‘rare and valuable’ too."
"How so?" Wan Qiqi was equally baffled.
"Little sister, how often do you see His Majesty these days?"
"Almost every other day."
"And how often do you speak with him?"
"Whenever I see him, we talk."
Shao Shang found this line of questioning baffling. "But what does that matter? Cen Anzhi, who attends His Majesty closely, and Sister Luo, who used to serve Her Majesty—they both see him often too, don’t they?"Cheng Song scratched his head and said, "We won’t even mention the eunuch Cen, but even Yuhou wouldn’t dare look down on him. As for that Luo Niangzi, Mother investigated—she doesn’t often have an imperial audience. Even if she does see His Majesty, she’s treated no differently from an ordinary palace maid. Unless His Majesty asks her directly, she isn’t allowed to speak."
This was the rule of the palace: those of lower status could not speak before their superiors addressed them. Shao Shang quickly added, "I’ve never spoken out of turn!" Except when defending herself during Royal Uncle’s reprimands.
"But when you do speak, it’s always brilliant!" Cheng Song remarked.
Wan Qiqi clapped her hands. "Is this about my father?"
Cheng Song nodded. "Mother said that before, when Little Sister often had audiences with His Majesty, everyone was just watching to see if she’d become another Luo Niangzi. But after what happened with Uncle Wan… Little Sister, do you know? In the past few days, the number of visitors to our home has tripled, and we’ve received many inexplicably lavish gifts. Mother says that in another couple of days, requests for favors will start pouring in. If we refuse them all, we’ll offend too many people. It’s better for you to go out and enjoy yourself for now. Once Lord Ling returns, we can leave this headache to him." In truth, Ling Buyi was a close confidant of the emperor and had even more influence, yet no one dared to ask him for favors—people just preferred to pick on the easier target.
"But I didn’t say much! Mother said His Majesty never intended to punish Uncle Wan right away," Shao Shang protested, her head spinning.
Cheng Song explained, "Later, Mother also mentioned that with someone like Huang Wen—a meticulous and trusted censor—submitting a memorial of impeachment, the usual protocol would have been for His Majesty to order Uncle Wan escorted back to the Capital City for trial. To investigate the case, Uncle Wan would have had to go through the Court of Justice at least once! But after your brief plea, not only was there no escort back to the Capital City, His Majesty didn’t even refer the case to the Court of Justice. He simply summoned Uncle Wan back to ‘report on his duties.’ Little Sister, you don’t understand officialdom—the difference here is enormous."
Wan Qiqi, hearing this, grew even more grateful to Shao Shang. She hugged her dear friend and planted several kisses on her cheeks, thanking her profusely.
Shao Shang’s mouth fell open, momentarily speechless—so, had Royal Uncle actually been very kind to her? Or was it because of Ling Buyi’s influence? Or perhaps both?
"Maybe His Majesty thought it was just a minor matter and didn’t take it seriously," she said hesitantly.
"It is a minor matter. His Majesty ordering an escort is minor, and letting it go is also minor," Cheng Song continued. "As the saying goes, ‘It’s easier to be an official when you have connections at court.’ At critical moments, having someone who can speak before His Majesty is priceless. But how many people in this world can actually sway His Majesty? Last time, when His Majesty pardoned Colonel Dou for his disrespect, it was only because the Grand Princess’s consort pleaded on his behalf."
Shao Shang said, "The Grand Princess’s consort is perceptive and eloquent. His Majesty truly dotes on him."
"Now, a whole crowd of people wants to befriend our family. If it were just socializing, we wouldn’t worry—Mother isn’t afraid of playing along. But what if someone asks you to speak on their behalf before His Majesty? What then?"
Sweat beaded on Shao Shang’s forehead as she nodded vigorously. "Mother is right. With Lord Ling away from the Capital City, it’s better for me to leave. Once we have more leverage in the future, we won’t have to fear anything."
Just as Wan Qiqi was about to embrace Shao Shang again in gratitude, the carriage door was abruptly yanked open.
"What are you three hiding in here for?!" Cheng Shao Gong, wrapped in a white fox fur cloak, stood angrily outside. "The steward couldn’t find you, so he had to come to me!"
"What’s the matter?" Cheng Song asked.
"A guest has arrived—looking for Little Sister."Upon hearing this, the three inside the carriage shrank back in unison.
“No way, they’ve chased us here?” Shao Shang panicked. If it truly was a powerful family seeking a favor, should she agree or not?
“Don’t be afraid, little sister. I’ll go check first,” Cheng Song said firmly.
“Let me go instead. My surname is Wan—they can’t trouble me,” Wan Qiqi made as if to step out of the carriage.
“Why are you all hesitating?” Cheng Shao Gong adjusted his fur coat impatiently. “It’s Lou Yao and that Lady He. They’re returning to the Capital City and happened to run into us.”
The expressions of the three inside the carriage shifted again. Cheng Song and Wan Qiqi exchanged a smile, while Shao Shang grew uneasy. Cheng Song said, “Since it’s A Yao, little sister, you should go meet him.” During the engagement with the Lou Family, he had quite liked this future brother-in-law.
After a moment’s thought, Shao Shang got out of the carriage to meet them.
Cheng Shao Gong glanced inside. “Second brother and Sister Qiqi, aren’t you coming?”
Wan Qiqi rolled her eyes. “The three of them have unresolved matters. What’s the point of us barging in when they have things to discuss? Shaogong, it’s time you grew up. Stop acting like a three-year-old.”
Cheng Song laughed. “Qiqi, you’re overthinking it. He’s not three—he’s barely two, still in diapers. Hahaha…”
Wan Qiqi joined in the laughter.
Cheng Shao Gong sneered. “Think carefully. Although Ling Buyi has left, he assigned a team of guards to escort little sister in and out of the palace daily. This time, they’ve joined our convoy. If we let little sister meet Lou Yao, do you think Ling Buyi will find out? And what will he do if he does?”
Wan Qiqi gasped first. Cheng Song paled. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?!” With that, the two hurriedly leaped out of the carriage to chase after her.
“—Brains are useful. After you two marry, at least try to scrape together one between you!” Cheng Shao Gong muttered at their retreating backs.
By the time Cheng Song and Wan Qiqi caught up, Shao Shang was saying, “…You don’t need to worry. I’m completely fine. In fact, those who pushed me into the water suffered instead.”
Lou Yao stood three steps away from Shao Shang, murmuring, “People told me… since you’re engaged now, it’s best if we meet less…”
Shao Shang felt a pang. Once, they had endless things to say to each other, but now, anything spoken between them seemed awkward.
Cheng Song strode forward eagerly and clapped Lou Yao on the shoulder. “A Yao, long time no see! You’ve changed so much!”
Lou Yao was now tall and thin, but the radiant vigor he once carried like sunlight seemed veiled, even his smile tinged with melancholy. He understood Cheng Song’s intention and said calmly, “Brother Zifu, I heard you’ve become engaged to the Wan family’s daughter. Allow me to offer my congratulations in advance.”
Wan Qiqi also stepped forward, looking around. “Hmm, Young Master Lou, where’s your esteemed wife? I haven’t seen her in so long—I miss her dearly. Why not invite her to join our conversation?” Damn that Cheng Shao Gong—didn’t he say the couple came together?
Just then, the curtain of a nearby carriage was abruptly lifted, revealing a proud and beautiful face. He Zhaojun said sharply, “I’m right here! What do you have to say to me?”
Wan Qiqi was momentarily speechless. Shao Shang stepped forward and said coolly, “Nothing much. We were just wondering—since it’s freezing outside, why are you returning from beyond the city walls at this hour? Did you two quarrel again?” It was already the twelfth month. Even if He Zhaojun had stormed off in anger, Lou Yao would have had to bring her back.A bleak, chilly wind blew past, and everyone fell silent. Lou Yao awkwardly said, "No, it's not..." He Zhaojun interrupted her husband and said to Shao Shang, "It seems you and Lou Yao can't have a proper conversation. Why don't we talk instead, and let your brother speak with A Yao?"
"Exactly what I was thinking," Shao Shang replied briskly as she lifted her skirt and boarded the carriage.
"Let me speak first," He Zhaojun said, her tone as hurried and sharp as ever, though now with a touch of composure. "A Yao and I didn't argue. We went out of the city to visit my stepmother—she's fallen ill."
Shao Shang nodded. "It's good you didn't argue, but even if you didn't this time, you must quarrel often."
He Zhaojun's face darkened. "Stop meddling in other people's marital affairs!"
"Indeed, I shouldn't interfere. But I dislike you, so I want you to be unhappy. Your unhappiness brings me joy, so I'll say whatever you don't want to hear," Shao Shang retorted, never one to follow conventional etiquette.
Silence filled the carriage.
"It seems we have nothing more to say to each other," He Zhaojun said.
"True enough."
Shao Shang rose to leave but paused with her hand against the carriage wall, murmuring softly, "Hearts are made of flesh—forgetting someone doesn't happen overnight. It hasn't even been a year, and I've already mostly forgotten. A Yao will forget too. You'll need to put in more effort."
He Zhaojun remained silent, then slid a gold armlet studded with rubies from her wrist and held it out to Shao Shang. "This was the last birthday gift my late father gave me. Thank you for your generosity."
Shao Shang glanced at the equally dazzling armlet on He Zhaojun's other wrist. "Don't you think gifts should come in pairs?"
He Zhaojun: "..."
As they traveled beyond the borders of Sizhou, the four of them chatted and laughed, teasing one another. Unfortunately, due to Madam Xiao's strict discipline, they missed many opportunities for fun along the way. It wasn't until they neared Xu County that they encountered Lao Wan on the official road, who had set out just two days prior.
Author's Note:
Updating in the middle of the night. Work has been insane these past two weeks—honestly couldn't carve out any personal time. The draft is all planned out, just no time to write. It's been agonizing.
I'll try to update more quickly. Please bear with me.
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