Without needing anyone to inform her, Cheng Shaoshang knew that Ge Shi had likely been dealt with. Not only were the daily screams of Ge Shi no longer heard, but she didn’t even catch a glimpse of this Second Aunt on the day of the move.
Moving was a significant event, and the whole family should have been involved. However, Madam Xiao didn’t expect Cheng Mu or Cheng Shaoshang to be of much help, so she took charge of settling into the new residence step by step—arranging furniture, tidying the gardens, heating the walls and fire pits for several days, and moving Cheng Mu’s gold-and-silver-adorned belongings ahead of time. By the day of the move, everything was nearly ready.
On the day of relocation, before dawn, Cheng Shaoshang was roused from sleep. Groggily, she was bundled up by A Zhu, dressed warmly, fed, and then wrapped in a thick fur cloak (a thoughtful gift from Old Man Cheng) before being ushered into a palanquin enclosed by curtains on all sides.
Looking around, Cheng Shaoshang saw that Cheng Mu, the gold enthusiast; her lame Second Uncle, Cheng Cheng; and her shy cousin, Cheng Yang, each had their own palanquin. Even her drowsy, chubby younger cousin, Cheng Ou, was carried in Mother Fu’s arms and seated in one. A long procession of people filed toward the gate.
The others were fine—either slender or young and small—but Cheng Mu was large and hefty, easily outweighing two and a half Mother Fus. Though Madam Xiao had prepared in advance, specially hiring burly soldiers instead of ordinary servants to carry the palanquin, it still swayed unsteadily, like a lily in the wind or a banana plant in the rain… or, to put it more aptly, like a certain flower farmer celebrating a bountiful harvest.
Bracing against the deep winter chill, Cheng Shaoshang exhaled white breaths as she leaned out from her palanquin to peek ahead, thoroughly amused. A Zhu, walking alongside, noticed and said, “Young Lady, sit back down. There’s no need to worry about your grandmother—she’s quite steady.” Cheng Shaoshang: “…”
The sky seemed veiled in a blue-gray haze. The strong attendants flanking the palanquins held either torches or lanterns, their flickering light accentuating the cold morning air. The scene felt almost dreamlike, leaving Cheng Shaoshang momentarily lost in thought.
In truth, the original Cheng residence and the former Wan residence were separated only by a small gate, making it much closer to go directly through it. But for such an important occasion as the move, they couldn’t take shortcuts. The family solemnly exited through the modest gate of the old Cheng residence and then, with even greater ceremony, circled around to the grand main entrance of the former Wan estate.
Cheng Shi and his wife stood smiling at the wide-open gates, ready to welcome them. Two long rows of family generals and maids holding lanterns stood in a majestic V-formation. Beyond the gates, a group of performers wearing Zheng masks and colorful feathered costumes knelt in readiness. As soon as Cheng Shi saw the procession approaching, he hurried forward, personally helping Cheng Mu descend from her palanquin while attendants assisted Cheng Cheng and the children.
Delighted but feigning concern, Cheng Mu said, “Such cold weather—you must be freezing, my child. Why not start the ceremony earlier?” Cheng Shi laughed. “How could we begin without our elders? Disrespect and filial impiety are intolerable to heaven.” He even pointed skyward for emphasis.
Behind them, Cheng Shaoshang, shivering from the cold, rolled her eyes and thought, You talk so sweetly now, as if no one witnessed the fight between you and your mother a few days ago. At that moment, Cheng Shi waved his hand, and the grand Nuo exorcism ceremony began with ancient chants and the clanging of gongs and cymbals. Supporting Cheng Mu, Cheng Shi led the way inside while the Nuo dancers sang and danced ahead, accompanied by shamans loudly chanting blessings to exorcise evil and welcome the new year. Though dawn had yet to break, the surrounding torches illuminated the scene as bright as day.
Cheng Mu, who came from the countryside and had never seen such grandeur, was utterly dazzled. When they reached the lakeside willows, Cheng Shi even had the thick ice on the lake broken open and presented Cheng Mu with a bucket of "live fish"—whether asleep or frozen unconscious—to release into the water. The surrounding crowd promptly applauded and cheered. After this performance, Cheng Mu was thoroughly pleased, forgetting all about the Dong or Ge families, and only remembering that her son was still filial—as long as she didn’t provoke Madam Xiao.
This was also Cheng Shaoshang’s first glimpse of the mansions of the nobility in this era. To put it plainly, they couldn’t compare to the scale of large parks in modern-day Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, but they easily surpassed the parks in her hometown. As for architectural style, they were neither as soft and gentle as the Jiangnan gardens she had seen before, nor as enclosed and towering as the grand courtyards of northern merchants.
The buildings here were tall and imposing, with straight ridges and clean eaves. All structures were aligned along a cross axis, spaced widely apart. Whether main halls, side courtyards, or pavilions, there was a striking sense of symmetry—squares were perfectly square, circles perfectly round, lines perfectly straight, and expanses perfectly flat, without a hint of artificiality.
The estate wasn’t particularly majestic or awe-inspiring, but it exuded a classical beauty of simplicity and vigor.
Upon reaching the main hall of the new residence, another round of rituals began—slaughtering livestock, offering sacrifices to various deities and Cheng family ancestors, alternating between kneeling and standing, and even reciting strange odes led by Cheng Shi. Cheng Shaoshang, unfamiliar with the superstitious practices of this era, noticed the absence of figures like Guanyin or Ksitigarbha and found it odd. Weak from her recent illness, she leaned against A Zhu to catch her breath, barely more alert than her chubby little cousin who had already dozed off in Mother Fu’s arms—earning a displeased glance from Madam Xiao.
This busyness lasted a full two hours, ending only at noon when the entire ceremony was completed. Cheng Mu remained energetic, springing up effortlessly from the prayer mat, even putting Hu Ao to shame.
Looking around, Cheng Mu frowned slightly—the vast hall only emphasized how few Cheng family members were present. Her temper flared, and she wanted to scold her daughters-in-law, but Ge Shi was locked up, Sang Shi was far away, and as for Madam Xiao—if her son stubbornly retorted, "Yuan Yi has borne four sons while you only had three, so instead of criticizing her, perhaps you should reflect on yourself. I’m sure the Cheng ancestors are quite satisfied with Yuan Yi," it would only make things awkward for everyone.
Suppressing her tongue, Cheng Mu turned to Hu Ao and asked, "Why didn’t we invite any guests? It’s so quiet with just our family."
Hu Ao smiled and whispered, "The master hasn’t yet received the Emperor’s rewards. What’s the point of inviting guests now? Once his official rank is promoted, we can host a grand banquet—won’t that be more glorious? And the gifts will be more generous too... I heard this secretly, so please don’t mention the gifts later, or I’ll be punished by the master."Old Madam Cheng beamed with joy, nodding repeatedly. Behind her, Cheng Shaoshang leaned weakly against A Zhu, thinking to herself (she was truly exhausted now) that if she didn't die from illness, she'd definitely rank among the top three most intelligent members of the Cheng family.
In the following days, Old Madam Cheng couldn't contain her excitement as she wandered happily through the mansion, admiring every corner of this long-coveted residence. The thought that Old Madam Wan had once sat in this pavilion made her want to stay there all day despite the howling north wind. Remembering how Old Madam Wan had watched fish and admired willows by this pond, she felt like skewering the fish on willow branches to roast them. Imagining how majestic Old Madam Wan must have looked living in the main house, she clung to the bed, reluctant to rise. Both Cheng Shi and his wife were pleased with this state of affairs—the Cheng household had never been more harmonious.
Second Uncle Cheng was allotted a quiet and elegant space with a two-and-a-half-story pavilion nearby, perfect for use as a library—though currently, it had only the building, not the books. Without Ge Shi's constant nagging and scolding, within just a few days, Second Uncle Cheng's complexion had noticeably improved. During meals, he even managed to chat a little and respond to General Cheng's dry jokes.
Cheng Shaoshang was also assigned a beautiful courtyard with flowering trees in front and a bamboo grove behind. A small path paved with smooth white stones ran along one side, adding to its charm. Adjacent to it was a large, empty house, currently unused but perhaps soon to be filled with her dowry—if she ever married. The only downside was its proximity to Cheng Shi and his wife's residence; if she tried anything mischievous, Madam Xiao could reach her in moments without needing a somersault cloud.
With nothing much to do, Cheng Shaoshang spent her days recuperating. Too weak for formal studies, she remained illiterate, passing her free time guessing characters on bamboo scrolls. A few days later, Old Man Cheng excitedly announced during afternoon tea that the Emperor had not only promoted him to an official rank of a thousand bushels but also enfeoffed him as Marquis of Quling.
Cheng Shaoshang clapped her hands and laughed, "Father must have won a great victory at Quling and earned significant merit."
Cheng Shi, pleased to see his daughter looking healthier lately, smiled and said, "Not quite. Quling was just a minor skirmish. The real credit goes to the battle at Yiyang, where I achieved some modest success... Ah, the Battle of Yiyang—now that was exhilarating!" He stroked his beard and sighed, lost in reminiscence. "Truly magnificent, magnificent!"
From her folding chair at the head of the room, Old Madam Cheng set down her two-handled cup and asked, puzzled, "Then why make you Marquis of Quling? Why not Marquis of Yiyang?" Cheng Yang, sitting quietly beside her, lowered her head and silently refilled the cup with clotted milk, her movements gentle and obedient. Madam Xiao watched approvingly.
Cheng Shi teased, "Niao Niao, take a guess."
Cheng Shaoshang tilted her head in thought and said, "Last time, Father told me Yiyang is a strategic stronghold with formidable defenses and fierce battles. This victory secured peace for the region, so..." Her eyes brightened. "The title of Marquis of Yiyang must be reserved by His Majesty for someone else." Madam Xiao paused her ivory chopsticks and frowned at her.
But Cheng Shi slapped the table in delight. "Our Niao Niao is so clever! The current Marquis of Yiyang is none other than General Han!" Turning to Old Madam Cheng, he added, "Though ours is only a marquisate within the passes, it's still an unexpected honor, with an additional annual stipend. Brother Wan was promoted to full marquis, with a fief yielding tax revenue from an entire county." Old Madam Cheng was overjoyed and repeatedly praised, "...Then what is my son's official rank now?"Cheng Shi and his wife exchanged a glance, both understanding the unspoken thoughts between them. Madam Xiao smiled and said, "Not so fast. These things must be done step by step. General Wan has only just been appointed as the Right General. Ah, but this time, he injured his leg—who knows if he’ll ever return to the battlefield..."
Cheng Shaoshang, noticing the look between her parents, slowly placed the lacquer wood spoon back onto the small table before her. Cheng Mu, displeased with Madam Xiao’s interjection, shot her a glare and said, "What does it matter? The Wan family already has wealth and high rank aplenty. What if he never fights again? I only wish my son would never have to risk his life on the battlefield either." With that, she raised the double-handled cup and drained it in one go. Cheng Yang, sitting beside her, dutifully poured her another half-cup and said meekly, "Grandmother, dinner will be served soon. If you drink too much clotted milk, you might not have much appetite later."
Cheng Mu considered this and set the cup down without drinking, smiling as she said, "Yangyang is truly filial." As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at Cheng Shaoshang. To her surprise, Shaoshang merely grinned and said, "Indeed, Cousin is not only filial but also very capable. I heard she’s been taking care of Second Uncle and Ou-di’s daily needs these past few days, and no one has found fault with it."
Before Cheng Mu could respond, Cheng Shi’s expression darkened, and he cut in coldly, "It seems Ge Shi made the right decision all those years ago by sending the infant Yangyang back to her maternal family. Grandfather Ge’s upbringing has clearly surpassed our own."
Tears welled up in Cheng Yang’s eyes, but she kept her head bowed and remained silent, not daring to retort. Shaoshang suddenly felt a peculiar amusement—as if she were the scheming villainess stirring up trouble. Madam Xiao, unable to bear the tension, interjected gently, "Yangyang is a good child. All the girls in the Cheng family should strive to be like her." She then shot her husband a warning glance, signaling him to drop the matter. Cheng Mu, too, fell silent awkwardly.
Shaoshang lowered her head and took a sip of the warm rice milk, inwardly mocking herself—she truly was still that little troublemaker at heart, far from being kind-hearted.
After tea and snacks, Cheng Shi and his wife bowed and took their leave. Cheng Yang stayed behind to continue her filial duties, while Shaoshang unceremoniously followed her parents out of Cixin Residence—the name General Wan had given to his mother’s quarters.
The new estate was vast, and the walk from Cixin Residence back to Cheng Shi and Madam Xiao’s quarters required traversing five or six corridors and a white stone-paved courtyard. Halfway there, Shaoshang, who had been trailing behind, suddenly spoke up, "Father, are you going off to war again?"
Startled, Cheng Shi turned around and exclaimed, "What are you talking about?" He immediately looked at Madam Xiao, his eyes pleading innocence—'I didn’t tell her.' Madam Xiao waved away the attending maids and calmly regarded her daughter. "How did you know?" She didn’t bother denying it.
"I guessed," Shaoshang replied, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "The titles and rewards have already been bestowed, so you must have truly distinguished yourself this time. Yet there’s no official promotion. From your demeanor, it doesn’t seem like you’ve been sidelined or distrusted, so the court must have other plans for you... Father, is it dangerous? Our family lacks nothing now. If you can refuse, please do." These were her genuine thoughts. In this household, aside from A Zhu, Old Man Cheng was her favorite.
"My child, you are truly brilliant!" Cheng Shi’s heart warmed at his youngest daughter’s innocent yet astute concern, and he chuckled warmly. At the same time, he glanced cautiously at his wife and quickly added, "Don’t worry. This time, it’s not entirely about battle. We won’t set off until the month after New Year’s Day. Now, you’re not fully recovered yet. Go back to your room and rest—don’t catch another chill."
...Returning to the main residence, Cheng Shi removed his thick brocade robe while grumbling, "You should treat Niao Niao better. She's suffered grievances for over a decade. Don't keep praising Ou Er—it makes the child unhappy when she hears it."
"She's only been in this world for thirteen years and a few months! She was three when we were separated—where does this 'over a decade' come from?" Madam Xiao raised her voice, then added, "And shouldn't Ou Er be praised?"
Taking Cheng Shi's robe, she continued, "Her birth mother was such a useless fool and brought such great shame, yet she bears no resentment or complaint, neither humble nor arrogant. She attends to her duties every day—now she manages Second Brother and Ou Er's daily needs. Filial to her father, caring for her younger brother. Did you know? Ou Er hasn't been causing trouble lately, and the characters he learns each day might even surpass your daughter's. As for Second Brother, needless to say, he has nothing but praise for this daughter. But look at Niao Niao..."
"What about Niao Niao!" Cheng Shi said unhappily. "Ou Er had someone to teach her since childhood—did Niao Niao? The eldest Ge family's new bride was renowned throughout our village for her virtue. Grandfather Ge had good judgment—he personally chose his eldest son's wife back then, spending nearly half the family's wealth on the betrothal gifts. Could Ou Er have turned out poorly staying with her? Our Niao Niao is so pitiful, having to follow that kind of person!"
Madam Xiao fell silent. After a long pause, she said, "No matter how pitiful, she must be taught now, otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?" Cheng Shi laughed. "Her cleverness comes from you—she guesses right every time, understands with just a hint. That's why I say one should marry someone intelligent—it's good for the children!"
"Cleverness alone is useless. Upright character is what matters most..."
"That's where I come in! I'm upright in character! Niao Niao is clever like you, upright like me!" Cheng Shi patted his chest and laughed heartily.
Madam Xiao, at a loss for words, rolled her eyes at her husband and lowered her head in thought. After a while, she sighed inexplicably.
Outside the door, Madam Qing Cong stood holding hot water. Hearing these words, she also sighed.
—Back then, Xiao Laofuren could not be said to lack cleverness. Whether seizing on others' words, guessing hidden meanings, or shirking responsibility, she was unfailingly astute. Yet hers was only petty cleverness, devoid of true wisdom, and she used what little she had solely for herself—concerned only with people and matters related to her, caring only for a life of ease, indulging her weak and pampered nature. When true calamity struck, she bore no responsibility at all.
Author's Note:
There's no conspiracy regarding the female lead's background.
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