At the break of dawn, Shao Shang returned home utterly exhausted. Omitting the details related to the Deposed Empress, she recounted the entire sequence of events to her parents and siblings in one go. The five members of the Cheng family were left speechless for a long time, especially Cheng Xiao and his wife. Despite their vast experience, the tragic and convoluted origins of Huo Bu Yi and the sheer madness, cruelty, and meticulousness of Ling Yi far exceeded their wildest imaginations.
Shao Shang had no interest in seeking her family's opinions. She merely instructed, "Soon, His Majesty will make this matter public, and the court will issue its judgment on the Ling family and Huo Bu Yi. Father, Mother, and my three elder brothers should keep this in mind and avoid spreading it prematurely. Especially regarding Huo Bu Yi's dispatching troops in the dead of night—it must only be said that it was to reinforce the siege against the Ling family and has nothing to do with the Third Prince. If anyone outside insists on dragging the Third Prince into this, Father, Brothers, and Mother should immediately rebuke them."
Cheng Song asked doubtfully, "Is this His Majesty's intention?"
Shao Shang replied, "As subjects, if we need His Majesty to spell out everything for us, we won't last long."
Cheng Shi praised bluntly, "Well said." Then he scolded his second son, "You will one day uphold the household of Uncle Wan's family. You should learn to be more composed—think before you speak."
Cheng Song scratched his head. "Niao Niao has always been smarter than me!"
Shao Shang said indifferently, "It's not about being smart. After spending so long in the palace, composure becomes second nature."
Cheng Shi's heart ached as he looked at his daughter's haggard and detached demeanor.
Cheng Yong quickly changed the subject. "No wonder Uncle Wan wants to take A-Song to Xu County for his post. Second Brother needs some experience. Ah, Shaogong, why are you so quiet?"
Cheng Shao Gong, who was usually talkative, had remained silent until now. He finally spoke up, "Niao Niao, let me accompany you back to rest."
Shao Shang smiled weakly. "Thank you, Third Brother, but I can go back on my own." Before leaving, she turned back and said, "I have broken off my engagement with Huo Bu Yi. I beg Father, Brothers, and Mother to forgive my arrogance and willfulness."
Old Man Cheng was stunned. Cheng Song immediately opened his mouth to question her, but Madam Xiao pressed them all down and said first, "Very well, we understand. Go and rest. Your Third Aunt will arrive by noon today. You can have a good talk with her then."
Shao Shang smiled self-deprecatingly.
Originally, today was supposed to be her wedding day—Third Uncle Cheng Zhi couldn't leave his post without permission, but Third Aunt had come specifically for the ceremony. When Sang Shi arrived and learned everything, who knew what expression she would wear.
She said no more, bowed respectfully with perfect etiquette, and then took her leave.
The girl's movements were fluid and graceful. When her gaze was level, it was polite yet distant; when lowered, it was respectful without subservience. As she turned to leave, the hem of her skirt swirled in a beautiful ripple, her waist bending just enough to appear soft and elegant without a hint of coquetry—these were the exacting habits cultivated in the depths of the palace.
The Cheng family suddenly realized that this exquisitely mannered young lady before them was no longer the brash, lively Cheng Niao Niao of the past.
The three brothers exchanged glances, each feeling an inexplicable sense of loss. Cheng Shi also lingered in melancholy. When he turned to look at his wife, he noticed Madam Xiao's figure trembling slightly.
As soon as Shao Shang lay down, the illness and exhaustion suppressed for days surged back with overwhelming force. At first, it was just weakness and a sore throat, but before Sang Shi arrived, she was already burning with fever.This illness was unlike the previous night; it seemed she didn’t even have the strength to cry out in pain. Whether it was the splitting of her wounds or the aching of her bones and flesh, she was like a newborn lamb—weak and helpless, capable only of feeble bleats, utterly at the mercy of others.
In her delirium, Shao Shang heard Old Man Cheng’s shouts, Madam Xiao’s sobs (she wondered if she’d misheard), and Madam Sang’s calls—she missed Third Aunt dearly. Over the past year, she had accumulated countless things to say to her, but now, at this point, she felt there was nothing left to say.
Even Cheng Mu, who had always disliked her, visited twice. The first time, no one knew what she said, but the second time, she seemed to suggest “preparations for the funeral should be made,” which enraged Old Man Cheng. The mother and son quarreled like wild animals before Madam Xiao chased them both out.
Her high fever persisted for days without breaking, leaving the entire Cheng household frantic. Though it was the chilly early spring, sweat from the fever could easily infect her wounds, leading to inflammation—mild cases causing festering, severe ones proving fatal. Cheng Shi and Madam Xiao, both seasoned veterans of military camps, understood the gravity of the situation all too well, and their anxiety grew.
After several sleepless nights, Shao Shang’s fever finally subsided somewhat. Seeing everyone exhausted and sallow, Cheng Shi ordered the family to disperse and attend to their own duties instead of crowding around her.
Apart from Madam Xiao and Sang Shi, the one who stayed the longest in Shao Shang’s room was Cheng Shao Gong—his reasoning was sound. Unlike his eldest brother Cheng Yong, who was about to take up an official post, or his second brother Cheng Song, who had a mountain of Wan family relatives to meet, he had no pressing obligations.
Gazing at his frail younger sister on the sickbed, Cheng Shao Gong felt a pang of guilt for the first time in his life. On reflection, perhaps it would have been better if he had been the one left behind a decade ago. He wasn’t afraid of encountering troublesome men, and his sister might have found a suitable match among Father’s colleagues’ sons, just like Wan Qiqi.
Madam Xiao, unusually, turned a blind eye to her third son Shao Gong quietly taking leave from school. The reason was no secret to the Cheng family—Yuan Shen had arrived.
Shao Shang had returned home before dawn, and by that afternoon, Yuan Shen was already at their doorstep. At first, he made some excuse about “paying respects to Madam Sang,” but upon learning Shao Shang was gravely ill and unconscious, he dropped all pretense. He visited the Cheng residence four times a day—one more than meal times.
Sometimes he brought physicians employed by the Yuan family, other times he carried bundles of medicinal herbs. Even if he had just left the Scripture Discussion Hall empty-handed, he would still come to see Shao Shang—if denied that glimpse, he would sit in the Nine Dapple Hall for two hours, then be forced to stay overnight at the Cheng residence due to the curfew.
To this, Cheng Shao Gong remarked, “This fellow has finally realized that putting on airs is useless. Now he not only drops the act but has even abandoned all shame.”
The Cheng family tried in vain to dissuade him. Unable to shut him out, they had Cheng Shao Gong keep him company—what else could they do with someone who had no shame left? Fortunately, the court and the public were preoccupied with the Huo and Ling families, so few noticed Yuan Shen’s conspicuous behavior.
On the day Shao Shang awoke, the Imperial Edict was finally issued, and the Ling family faced unprecedented severe punishment.First, the treacherous acts of the Ling Brothers in colluding with the enemy and betraying the nation were inscribed on stone pillars. Then, the three were subjected to flogging corpses and hanging bones as a warning to the world. Additionally, all Ling family children above the age of five were ordered to be executed—including married daughters (lest they secretly teach their descendants to seek revenge out of filial love for their fathers and brothers). The Ling women and children under five were exiled to the northern deserts, the ancestral graves of the Ling family were dug up and destroyed, and the clan was forced to change their surname. Moreover, all close relatives and friends connected to the Ling family through marriage were demoted or dismissed.
This ruthless and far-reaching series of measures was clearly intended to eliminate any future threats.
Chunyu Shi and her son were inevitably sentenced to death. They were forced to drink poisoned wine in front of Princess Yuchang, who fainted on the spot.
As for Old Prince Ruyang, his fortunes finally took a turn. The Emperor no longer demanded that his uncle divorce his wife, believing that a letter of repudiation and house arrest were more fitting for the former aunt. When Prince Ruyang (Heir) attempted to defend his mother, the Emperor kindly remarked, "I know you are filial, cousin. You are welcome to care for the Old Princess outside the Capital City. However, that would mean you can no longer bear the responsibilities of the Heir Apparent."
Upon learning of this, the Heir’s wife immediately gathered their children and threatened to kill herself in front of her husband, forcing him to remain silent.
The thought that the evidence of Ling Yi’s treason had been hidden inside the Nuwa Statue—carried by the Old Princess day and night for sixteen years—sent chills down the spines of everyone in Prince Ruyang’s household. Though they knew the Old Princess lacked the cunning to knowingly conceal Ling Yi’s crimes without a hint of guilt, they dared not imagine how outsiders might interpret the situation.
Thus, when the Emperor arranged a new son-in-law for Princess Yuchang and ordered the marriage to be completed within three months, no one in Prince Ruyang’s household raised any objections.
Amid this thunderous storm of punishment, there were only two exceptions.
The first was the daughter of Ling the Second’s former wife. At the time of the city’s fall, she was already ten years old and vaguely aware that her maternal grandfather’s family and her birth mother had died under suspicious circumstances. Though she had not connected the dots, she harbored deep resentment toward her father. Later, when Ling the Second remarried the widowed sister of a powerful general and had new children, his life flourished, and he grew increasingly displeased with his eldest daughter. Within a few years, he married her off to a cruel and elderly widower from a noble family.
Fortunately, this Ling woman had some luck—she was widowed shortly after marriage. A kind elderly aunt in her husband’s household, pitying her for losing her mother young and enduring a cold-hearted father and stepmother, arranged for her to remarry into a modest official’s family. There, she lived harmoniously with her husband and bore many children.
After Ling Yi’s crimes were exposed, she was also supposed to commit suicide. However, her husband risked his life to petition the Emperor, pleading for her exemption from the death penalty.
The second exception was Ling the Third’s illegitimate daughter, born from a drunken encounter with a maidservant. Her birth mother was quickly sold off by Ling the Third’s wife, and she herself was "accidentally" dropped as a child, leaving her with a crippled leg. With numerous concubines already in his household, Ling the Third saw little value in this daughter, who could no longer secure a good marriage, and casually wed her to a poor family.
This family, lacking wealth or influence, could only kneel at the gates of the Court of Justice, begging Ji Zun to intercede on their behalf. They testified that since entering their household, the Ling bride had never associated with her birth family and had always been filial to her elders and kind to her siblings, earning praise as a virtuous woman in their rural community.
Old Man Ji, stern-faced but warm-hearted, faithfully relayed their plea to the Emperor.
—After carefully considering the reports, the Emperor granted both requests. The ministers sighed in relief, praising His Majesty’s wisdom.
With the Ling family dealt with, it was now Huo Bu Yi’s turn.Killing the Ling Brothers could be considered avenging his father, which was a righteous act. Given the special circumstances, Huo Bu Yi would not be held accountable for seeking private vengeance. However, the unauthorized mobilization of troops, which caused unrest among the six garrisons, was an undeniable and grave crime.
Facing the dozens of piercing eyes in the court, the Emperor was straightforward, declaring that he would certainly not show favoritism—even though "a son wielding his father's soldiers" had not been considered a crime since the previous dynasty, even though his foster son had merely called upon a few extra soldiers to ensure the success of his revenge, even though he himself didn’t take it to heart at all, even though… Nevertheless, he would handle the matter according to the law!
The ministers were speechless.
In the end, Huo Bu Yi was stripped of all official positions and exiled to a frontier city in the northwest to guard against barbarian invasions—and breaking off the engagement with Cheng Shi’s daughter was also included as part of his punishment.
Less than half an hour after the Emperor’s decree was issued, Cui You’s memorial bypassed proper channels and was presented directly. It began with a passage that seemed plagiarized from a book, lamenting the suffering of the people due to barbarian incursions, before volunteering to lead troops to garrison the frontier city.
The Emperor was furious and raged alone in the palace: "Damn you, Cui A Yuan! Ever since Jun Hua passed away, you’ve been weeping and wailing, constantly pleading illness, dragging your feet whenever I assign you tasks, and even crying about resigning when pressed—like a widow mourning her dead husband! And now you’re suddenly full of vigor, eager to serve the nation and plead for the people’s welfare!"
Despite his anger, the Emperor knew entrusting his foster son to Cui Hou was the safest option. Grudgingly, he rolled his eyes and stamped the appointment decree with his seal.
Cui You was unremarkable in appearance and disliked charging into battle, but when it came to handling affairs, he was exceptionally capable—meticulous and efficient. In just five days, he arranged all necessary provisions for the journey, covering food, clothing, lodging, and transportation.
Seasonings had to include all four flavors—roasted, grilled, steamed, and boiled. Bedding and tents were prepared for all four seasons. Physicians skilled in treating external and internal injuries were enlisted in numbers. Even mosquito-repelling incense was stocked in five different fragrances—though in truth, the Emperor had opened his private treasury to let Cui You take whatever he needed.
On the day of departure, Cui Hou led a grand procession of supplies and personnel, with colored flags fluttering overhead and spirited steeds neighing beneath them. To an outsider, it might have looked like they were setting off for a leisurely outing.
Huo Bu Yi lay fully clothed in the carriage, wrapped in thick furs, his gaze fixed out the window. When they reached the Ten-Mile Pavilion outside the city, he ordered a halt to rest. After a long while, Liang Qiu Fei rode over and called out, "Young Master, Cui Hou asks if we should set off now!"
Huo Bu Yi replied, "Wait a little longer."
Liang Qiuqi, seeing his pale face, said gently, "Young Master, don’t look anymore. She won’t come."
Huo Bu Yi lowered his long lashes. "The journey to the frontier is arduous. It’s better she doesn’t come…"
Just then, Cui Da and Cui Er dragged a young man forward. Liang Qiu Fei’s eyes lit up. "Hey, isn’t that the Cheng family’s third son? Surely the Female Lord has sent him with a message!"
A glimmer of hope flashed in Huo Bu Yi’s deep, somber eyes.
Cheng Shao Gong shook off Cui Da and Cui Er’s grip. "You two brats! How dare you take my horse the moment we meet? Such rudeness!"
Cui Da and Cui Er grinned and apologized profusely.
Huo Bu Yi’s voice trembled. "Shaogong, does she… does she have any words for me?"
Cheng Shao Gong remained silent, pulling a small brocade pouch from his robe and tossing it to Liang Qiuqi.
Liang Qiuqi felt something small and square inside the pouch before passing it into the carriage.Huo Bu Yi grabbed the brocade pouch and shook it open, only to find the personal seal he had once given to Shao Shang inside. His face instantly turned ashen.
Liang Qiu Fei said indignantly to Cheng Shao Gong, "Your sister is truly heartless. Our Young Master is in such a state now..."
"That day after leaving the palace, Shao Shang ran a high fever for three full days. Then she was in and out of illness for another six or seven days, and even now she can't get out of bed. Twice during that time, the physicians told our family to prepare for the worst. Fortunately, she managed to pull through."
Cheng Shao Gong looked at Huo Bu Yi and said word by word, "Father and Mother have been whispering in private, worried that after such a serious illness, it might shorten her lifespan. I heard you were severely wounded and lost half your life. Now Shao Shang has also lost half of hers. She's repaid you in kind."
Huo Bu Yi clenched the seal so tightly his knuckles turned white, the sharp corners digging into his fingers without him feeling any pain.
The Liang Qiu brothers and the Cui brothers exchanged uneasy glances.
Cheng Shao Gong continued, "Your father's loyalty and bravery are admirable, rare in this world. Everyone in the Cheng family deeply respects him. But one thing is one thing—if there's no fate between you, then there's none. Please, Lord Huo, don't force it anymore."
Huo Bu Yi breathed slowly in and out, trying to steady himself. "I understand your meaning. Did she... have no words for me at all?"
Cheng Shao Gong was silent for a moment. "She did. She said—'Farewell forever.'"
Huo Bu Yi immediately pressed a hand against the carriage wall to keep from collapsing.
That night's events played vividly in his mind—the cold wind and dew, the howling of surrounding vegetation cutting like knives. He had held the girl he loved tightly in his arms as they galloped on horseback. Letting her go hurt more than severing his own limbs, yet he had still abandoned her.
At that time, he had said, "Farewell forever."
This was just like her—returning every slight, unforgiving to the extreme.
Huo Bu Yi leaned back against the hidden cushion and closed his eyes briefly. "I understand. Third Young Master Cheng, you may go back. A Fei, please ask Uncle Cui to set off."
Author's Note:
What did you all say back then? "Yes, yes, of course, don't worry, just write as you see fit, no problem at all!"
Now, be honest with yourselves!
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