Love Like the Galaxy

Shao Shang hadn't expected five years to pass so quickly.

Outside her window, flowering trees budded, bloomed, then withered in endless cycles; the lake froze and thawed, its fish growing increasingly plump and sluggish. Yet sometimes, when she glimpsed her still-youthful face in the bronze mirror, she felt as though not much time had passed at all.

She had always been uncompromising by nature—once resolved to do something, she would commit herself wholeheartedly.

Since taking charge of the Palace of Eternal Peace, Shao Shang felt like a privileged newcomer parachuted into a major enterprise. Managing over a hundred people and arranging refined yet engaging court life was no small challenge—one misstep could lead to utter chaos. No longer daring to act willfully, she consulted Cen Anzhi before every decision—checking for violations of palace rules or potential taboos—and would then implement trial runs.

Such prudence had earned her a reputation for competence and kindness over the years—this time not due to Royal Uncle's favor but genuine acclaim. Many initially far-fetched regulations had surprisingly yielded good results.

Though lacking prior experience, Shao Shang knew the principle—in a vast, enclosed environment, without structured routines, people easily grew slack and resentful. Beyond assigning responsibilities and duties, she issued two new decrees: first, palace maids with proper destinations could be released after turning twenty-two; second, besides the Three Sacrifices and Five Festivals, she organized various competitions annually—embroidery, cooking, gardening, even greenhouse cultivation... outstanding performers received generous rewards.

The Empress naturally became chief judge for these events, finally putting her cultivated tastes to use—she was a connoisseur of cuisine's color, aroma, and flavor; an arbiter of floral arrangements and garden aesthetics; a discerning critic of exquisite, elegant embroidery...

Though small, the palace had all essentials. Over years, its residents grew accustomed to this rhythm of orderly work and leisure.

"Lady Shao Shang, Lady Shao Shang," a young palace maid entered smiling, "Young Master Yuan has arrived and awaits you at the Gate of Nectar."

Absorbed in a medicinal cookbook while carefully planning next month's menu for Empress Dowager Xuan, Shao Shang frowned: "Didn't I tell him to use the side gate? What if someone sees him at the main entrance?"

The maid covered a giggle: "Perhaps Young Master Yuan wants to be seen openly."

Shao Shang slapped her brush onto the desk. After adjusting her appearance before the mirror, she strode out sternly.

Outside the Gate of Nectar stood a handsome gentleman of twenty-six or seven, as poised and graceful as ever, smiling amiably at junior attendants and maids. Like a thief, Shao Shang first peered around the threshold, ensuring no outsiders were present before stepping out.

"Young Master Yuan, to what do I owe this visit?" she asked with affected reserve.Yuan Shen remained as handsome as ever, though his demeanor had matured considerably. A couple of years earlier, he had considered growing a mustache, but upon noticing the girl's look of distaste, he had shaved it off overnight. Now, he no longer mocked girls for putting on airs; instead, he was all amiability. "His Majesty summoned you, and I happened to be present, so I took the liberty of delivering the message myself."

The palace maids and eunuchs nearby tactfully withdrew to give them privacy.

Shao Shang frowned. "Have all of Cen Anzhi's subordinates died? Couldn't they have delivered a simple message instead of troubling Official Yuan? You must have deliberately drawn attention to yourself in front of His Majesty again—didn't I say it's better for us to keep our distance? The Cai Family—"

"Minister Cai Yun intends to take me on as an unattached disciple, allowing me to attend his lectures on Confucian classics in my spare time," Yuan Shen said with a smile.

Shao Shang gasped, suddenly filled with admiration. "Though I've always known you were capable, I never imagined you could sway the head of the Cai clan! Tell me, how did you manage it? For years, the Cai family either wanted to beat you up or kill you on sight. How did they agree to let it go?"

"Let's talk as we walk," Yuan Shen said, glancing at the sun. "Aren't you staying at home for a few days starting tomorrow? It'll be too late to leave the palace if we delay further."

Shao Shang agreed.

Yuan Shen walked on her right, gently brushing aside the soft willow branches along the path. "Recently, someone accused Cai Sikong of deliberately downplaying the achievements and exaggerating the faults of the Prefect of Shangdang during an evaluation due to an old grudge—His Majesty was furious and immediately threw Minister Cai Yun into prison."

"Is it true?" Shao Shang asked curiously.

Royal Uncle had a unique approach to governance, balancing internal and external affairs while maintaining clear distinctions between close and distant relationships.

Those who had rendered outstanding service as the Founding Pillars of the Dynasty often held modest official positions but were granted immense wealth. From among them, a few truly trusted confidants were selected to handle state affairs in the Department of State Affairs. As for the illustrious 'Three Dukes'—the Grand Marshal, Grand Minister of Education, and Grand Minister of Works—these positions were reserved for renowned Great Confucian Scholars.

While Royal Uncle treated these erudite scholars with great respect when appointing them, he was exceptionally strict in punishing their mistakes—a stark contrast to his leniency toward the founding heroes.

Yuan Shen replied, "Would Minister Cai Yun be so foolish as to seek revenge so blatantly? I investigated the matter for him. It wasn't deliberate retaliation but negligence and credulity, exploited by those with ulterior motives. His Majesty dismissed him as Grand Minister of Works and reprimanded him—that was all."

Shao Shang gave him a knowing smile but said nothing.

Yuan Shen found her gaze oddly pleasing and chuckled. "You're criticizing me in your thoughts again."

"Fine, I won't keep it to myself—I'll say it out loud," Shao Shang laughed. "Tell me honestly—how long have you been waiting for the Cai family to stumble?"

Yuan Shen burst into laughter. "The Cai clan disciplines its members strictly, and the elders in official positions are all cautious. If they hadn't slipped up, I might have had to take matters into my own hands."

Suddenly feeling apologetic, Shao Shang sighed. "Why go to such lengths?"

Yuan Shen bowed deeply to her and sighed dramatically. "This humble one is already twenty-seven. If I don't marry and have children soon, I fear the consequences of leaving no descendants!"Shao Shang looked up at the sky: "Actually, marriage isn't all that great. Look at the Fifth Princess—her wedding was more splendid than those of the first four princesses, with a dowry procession stretching ten miles and canopies filling the city. But ever since the marriage was completed, she and the Son of Marquis of Yue have been quarreling and fighting constantly. Last month, they nearly set fire to the Marquis of Yue's residence..."

"This is a case of the wicked meeting their match," Yuan Shen remarked. "The Fifth Princess and her consort—one is extravagant and licentious, the other is domineering and cruel. They're a perfect pair. Haven't you noticed that since the Fifth Princess married into the family, even the Marquis of Yue has lost the energy to stir up trouble?"

"How could he have any energy left?" Shao Shang lowered her voice. "Half a year ago, when I went to the Everlasting Autumn Palace to report something, I happened to run into Empress Yue summoning the Fifth Princess and her husband for a scolding! You should have seen it—the consort had three long bloody scratches on his face..."

"What about the princess?" Yuan Shen asked, equally eager for gossip.

"I heard a whole clump of her hair was torn out, and her scalp was bleeding!"

Yuan Shen clicked his tongue twice, his face full of schadenfreude. Shao Shang knew the reason—a few months after the Fifth Princess's marriage, she had run into Yuan Shen while entering the palace to express gratitude. She had the absurd idea of recruiting him as her male concubine, and Yuan Shen's face had turned green with anger.

Later, Yuan Shen somehow managed to expose the Fifth Princess's secret keeping of male concubines. The Emperor was furious and immediately revoked a large portion of the fief with tax revenue that had been added to her dowry!

—Even if she wanted to keep male concubines, she couldn't start right after the wedding! At least wait until she had children and reached middle age! Even disregarding Empress Yue's dignity, the Yue family was a distinguished and meritorious consort clan. This was far too disrespectful to their contributions!

"Princesses in our dynasty aren't as glorious as those in the previous one!" Shao Shang shook her head.

Princesses in the previous dynasty not only kept male concubines but also frequently left their mark at critical historical junctures. In our dynasty, however, the Royal Uncle seems to despise princesses meddling in politics, so their anecdotes are reduced to scandalous disputes.

"Shao Shang." Yuan Shen stopped walking and looked at the girl with burning intensity. "The Cai and Yuan families have reconciled, and the Cai Young Lady I was engaged to has long since married and had children. After your father's birthday banquet, I'll ask my elders to come and propose marriage."

Shao Shang was somewhat troubled: "Why must you marry me?"

Five years ago, when she had entered the Palace of Eternal Peace, battered and withdrawn, this blind Yuan fellow had stumbled after her all the way. She refused to open the palace gates, but he stood outside for hours on end, causing such a stir that Shao Shang had no choice but to let him in to talk.

"I will marry you! Remember this—once I break off the engagement with the Cai family, I'll come to marry you. Don't hastily promise yourself to someone else again!" Yuan Shen had shouted at her, his face still bearing the bloodstains from being beaten by the Cai family.

"My temper is so terrible—if others don't know, shouldn't you?" Shao Shang said helplessly. "Why bring suffering upon yourself? Wouldn't it be better to find a virtuous, kind wife who looks up to you like the heavens?" In her confusion, she felt she had said these words to someone else before.

Yuan Shen stepped in front of the girl and looked at her teasingly: "You clearly want to get married. Is it just that you don't want to marry me?"

Shao Shang recalled an awkward incident: "Speak properly. Don't bring up irrelevant things."Yuan Shen suppressed a laugh and plucked a willow branch by the lake. "After my mother's first husband passed away, she resolved never to remarry—no matter who came asking, not even the Emperor himself. What about you?" He turned his gaze back to the girl. "You're still willing to marry, aren't you?"

Shao Shang reluctantly nodded. "...I suppose I'll have to marry at least once." If it didn't work out, she could always divorce. She refused to let past events dictate her future.

Yuan Shen smiled. Seeing the Everlasting Autumn Palace ahead, he quickly added, "Actually, if you think about it, our marriage would be ideal—we both know each other's temperaments, no need for pretense. Even our quarrels could be amusing. Shao Shang, truth be told, we're the same kind of people. Have you ever seen a leopard nest with a deer? Only those of the same kind can endure together long."

Shao Shang was momentarily stunned.

She knew Yuan Shen spoke the truth. Marrying him might suit her better than even Lou Yao. They were both cunning, wary, guarded, even naturally somewhat cold-hearted. Through the years, they would raise children, share common interests, and trust each other implicitly.

—Yuan Shen would never rush out at midnight for revenge. He'd bide his time in the shadows to deal with the Ling Brothers, while she, as his wife, might whisper wicked suggestions beside him.

"Five years have passed. Some things are best left in the past," Yuan Shen said, veering away from the palace path. "The Lantern Festival approaches in a few days. Let me take you to see the lights then."

He suddenly stopped and turned, his smile as warm as spring breeze. "—All those reasons I gave for marrying you just now? Nonsense! I want to marry you simply because I like you."

"The first time I saw you at the Lantern Festival, my heart was secretly drawn to you. But you seemed so stubborn, hardly ideal wife material. Later, when we met again over Madam Sang's affairs, I thought—you're still young, with time you could be molded into a proper matron. Who knew my hesitation would cost me my chance?"

Standing a dozen paces ahead of her, Yuan Shen's pale blue brocade robe embroidered with mountains, rivers, and crane feathers outshone the lakeside scenery. His expression mingled joy and sorrow. "Watching you grow these years—learning prudence, diplomacy—I suddenly missed the girl who'd start throwing punches at the Yin Family over a disagreement. I realized I wouldn't mind if you never grew up, if you kept all your sharp edges forever."

Cheng Shao Shang was the most vibrant girl he'd ever met. No matter the adversity, she'd stride forward bathed in sunlight and dew, carving a path through thorns even if it left her feet bloodied.

"Shao Shang, I enjoy being with you—listening to your whispered gossip, watching you revel in your own way. Days lengthen into years, until our hair turns white and we lie together in the same grave."

With these words, he bowed gracefully once more and departed smiling, leaving Shao Shang standing dumbfounded.

Author's Note:

Apologies for the wait. The beginning of this volume may progress slowly as I'm carefully laying groundwork to avoid plot holes later.

More to come tomorrow.3. Regarding the attitudes of imperial families towards their ministers across different dynasties, one could write a lengthy thesis on the subject. Compared to the Ming emperors who "viewed officials as enemies," the Eastern Han emperors treated their founding heroes as their own people. This relationship differed from those in the Song and Tang dynasties—they genuinely regarded these meritorious officials as their own flesh and blood. Although this later led to a situation where the ruler was weak and the ministers strong, the pros and cons of this would be a topic for another paper.

In short, by the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, there were still loyal ministers like Xun Yu who dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to Lord Cao in an attempt to prolong the Eastern Han's rule. Emperor Xian of Han was also one of the few last emperors to meet a peaceful end. It must be said that the aristocratic families of that time harbored no hatred or ill will toward the Eastern Han imperial family; in fact, a significant portion of them were even grateful.

A contrasting example would be the Ming dynasty. It could be said that the relationship between the ruler and ministers in the Ming was the most strained among all unified dynasties. This tone was essentially set by Zhu Chongba and Judy from the very beginning.