Love Like the Galaxy

"Third Aunt, stop laughing," Shao Shang said helplessly, watching Madam Sang across the table shake with mirth. "What's so funny about this anyway?"

Madam Sang straightened up. "Five years ago, when you saw the Emperor being affectionate with the Grand Empress Dowager of Huai'an, you sourly told me, 'I wonder how His Majesty and Consort Yue interact.' Well, these five years you've seen exactly that, and you're still sour about it. Tell me, with only two women in his life, what exactly do you want the Emperor to do?"

"Ah, but it's different," Shao Shang sighed, resting her chin in her hand. "Five years ago, the closest gesture between His Majesty and the Empress Dowager in our presence was just leaning their heads together to admire the scenery—even then I felt something was off. Over these years, I've come to understand what truly intimate couples should look like."

Why had the girl sensed something amiss back then? Naturally, she had compared it to her own interactions with Huo Bu Yi and noticed a certain distance between the Emperor and Empress—though Madam Sang tactfully avoided pointing this out. Instead, she said, "You rarely leave the palace, and I seldom return to the Capital City. If you're going to keep harping on about the Grand Empress Dowager of Huai'an, I might as well leave." She made as if to rise.

Shao Shang hastily stopped her. Strangely enough, though she and Madam Sang were kindred spirits who shared similar views on worldly matters, tastes, habits, and even their way of mocking others, they stood diametrically opposed when it came to Empress Dowager Xuan.

Especially when Madam Sang learned that Shao Shang had become the Palace Administrator of the Palace of Eternal Peace, her opposition grew vehement. Over the past five years, she had repeatedly suggested various schemes to Shao Shang—pleading illness, feigning injury, arranged marriages—anything to get her out of the palace and back home.

"Why do you always dislike the Empress Dowager? She's a good person," Shao Shang mused, utterly perplexed.

Madam Sang turned to her with a sneer. "Your second uncle is also a good person, but I've never thought much of him. Though I must say, since he married Qing Cong, he's become slightly more tolerable. You've spent five years in the palace, and your perspective has narrowed, your mind grown shallow, preoccupied with trivial matters—look at yourself in the mirror! Do you even recognize who you've become?"

Shao Shang retorted, "His Majesty also lives in the palace, and he rules the entire realm. Does that mean his perspective and mind are small too?"

"But you're staying by the Grand Empress Dowager of Huai'an's side! One takes on the color of one's company! I fear if you stay with her too long, you'll turn into a resentful woman yourself!" Madam Sang strode over to shut the window tightly, venting her frustration. "Though Empress Yue has a temper, I'd rather you endure her occasional scolding than waste away in a daze beside Empress Dowager Xuan!"

"That's unfair! Back when the empire was in turmoil, His Majesty had to lead the charge himself. But fate is fickle, and blades have no eyes—so before setting off to battle, he hastily named the Prince of the East Sea, then not yet two years old, as heir to stabilize the realm. His Majesty can't have it both ways—using them when convenient, crowning an empress and naming a crown prince, then nitpicking when they're no longer needed! Neither Empress Yue nor the Prince of East Sea asked for these positions!" Shao Shang fumed. "In the end, it was Old Prince Qian'an who pushed Empress Yue into this pit of fire!""Consort Xuan has had it good enough!" Madam Sang was unmoved. "Back then, I personally collected the corpse of my dearest friend. Her family background was no worse than the Xuan Family's! Pity she didn’t have an uncle to 'push her into the fire pit' for protection. One careless moment of defense, and her hometown was ravaged by brutal bandits. The way she and her daughters died was utterly tragic—has your precious Consort Xuan ever suffered like that?!"

"Aunt, this is highly disrespectful!" Shao Shang frowned.

"Go ahead and report me!" Madam Sang snapped back. "After decades of good food, fine drinks, and comfortable living, she’s still whining about grievances left and right—and you’re egging her on! Had I known, five years ago when you were unconscious, I should’ve hauled you onto the carriage and taken you away. Let you see how common folk live, the hardships they endure. Hmph! All the complaints of well-fed, discontented women in the world could be cured by a few skipped meals!"

Shao Shang retorted indignantly, "Because I serve the Empress Dowager, Father and my brothers even got promotions!"

Madam Sang shot back, "Promotions and wealth bought with you—your father and brothers must feel worse than having their flesh carved out!"

Under her aunt’s piercing gaze, Shao Shang had no choice but to fall silent.

Only when Madam Sang was satisfied with her glare did she continue, "Think back to the age when people drank blood and ate raw meat. They relied on their skills to defeat powerful, ferocious beasts and became the wisest of all creatures. Since when did people start praising dullness as honesty and weakness as refinement? It’s laughable, truly!"

"Aunt, you’re straying from the point," Shao Shang tried to shift away, but Madam Sang yanked her back by the arm. "Between heaven and earth, everyone survives by their own abilities. The Xuan Family became empress because of that old alliance and His Majesty’s respect for her. The Yue Family relies on His Majesty’s affection. The day his love fades, let’s see if Consort Yue will accept her loss gracefully!"

Reluctantly, Shao Shang admitted, "Consort Yue probably wouldn’t act like the Empress Dowager—once, when I reported to her that the Empress Dowager was gravely ill, she muttered to herself, 'I won’t fall ill. The day His Majesty’s affection for me ends is the day I die.' Ah, Third Aunt, it scared me half to death!"

Madam Sang nodded. "Hmm, sounds like a woman of true temperament."

"Consort Yue is truly unusual," Shao Shang mused, looking up in recollection. "She genuinely doesn’t care about empty titles or honors—when His Majesty didn’t hold a grand ceremony for her enthronement, she wasn’t angry. When the tribute fruits for the Empress Dowager were fresher than hers, she didn’t mind. But if His Majesty asked a few extra questions about the Empress Dowager’s health, her face would turn sour."

Having lived in safety and stability for so long, Shao Shang felt her thoughts had grown somewhat narrow. Now, guided by Madam Sang’s words, she viewed the deadly stalemate between the Emperor and his two empresses from an outsider’s perspective for the first time.

Empress Dowager Xuan’s temperament did have its passive and affected aspects. If she had been in Consort Yue’s position—subjugated as a concubine for decades—she might have succumbed to depression long ago. And if faced with ceremonial slights or neglect in provisions, she’d likely sigh and lament endlessly.

Why, then, did Empress Yue remain utterly indifferent to such things? Because she was certain of the Emperor’s love for her. Unlike Empress Dowager Xuan’s bitter youth, Yue Heng grew up in an environment rich in both spirit and material comforts. Beautiful and intelligent from childhood, she was treasured by her powerful family.When the Emperor and his two Empresses came together, the two women who shared the experience of relying on others did not find common ground. Instead, it was the Emperor and Empress Yue, with their contrasting temperaments, who remained deeply in harmony.

Shao Shang had once witnessed the Emperor confiding in Empress Xuan about the sorrow of losing his parents early. Empress Dowager Xuan, empathizing deeply, shared her own grievances from her time at the Qian'an Royal Manor—it seemed like a perfect, heartfelt exchange, yet the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly somber.

As for Empress Yue? She would likely have straightforwardly said, "I'll share my Father and Mother with you!"

The Emperor had some typical "straight man" flaws—he could tolerate his own women suffering a little, but he was more courteous toward "others." Empress Yue understood this well. Moreover, children raised in sweetness often lack sensitivity, so she turned a blind eye to the Emperor's shortcomings. Empress Xuan also understood this and, being meticulous, suffered doubly.

Over the years, Shao Shang observed coldly and noticed that Empress Yue harbored a peculiar possessiveness toward the Royal Uncle—in her eyes, every inch of the aging Royal Uncle, from the top of his head to the tips of his toes, even a single white hair, a wrinkle, his sleep-talking, or drunken antics... all belonged to her. The greatest pain in her life was having to share the Emperor with another.

Thus, when the Xuan Family was deposed, she was overjoyed—not because she could become Empress, but because the Emperor would now be entirely hers, whole and complete. Naturally, she paid no mind to the coronation ceremony.

Madam Sang studied the girl's expression carefully, sensing her wavering, and added fuel to the fire: "Besides, no matter how much His Majesty favors Consort Yue, he never deposed the Empress for her sake. Empress Dowager Xuan was deposed purely due to court politics!"

Shao Shang sighed. "It’s also because the Prince of the East Sea was too honest."

"You’ve been in the Capital City, surrounded by tales of the Prince of the East Sea stumbling at every turn, so you assume he’s utterly incompetent. But that’s not the case," Madam Sang said. "It wasn’t until I returned to White Deer Mountain a couple of years ago that I figured it out."

Shao Shang tensed. "How so?"

Madam Sang explained, "The Prince of the East Sea was renowned for his virtue from a young age, earning great respect among the common people. Mountain hermits and scholars often compared him to Fusu of Qin—loyal, kind, and benevolent. But what good did the admiration of commoners and recluses do? He couldn’t control the powerful ministers and aristocratic families in court. Troubles, big and small, kept arising endlessly."

"Shao Shang, when I taught you to read, I emphasized two points. First, in any new dynasty, the most critical figures are the first two rulers. If the line continues to the third ruler, people’s hearts will settle, the ministers will submit, and the dynasty will endure—like the tyrannical Qin, which collapsed in its second generation because they chose the wrong heir, Huhai."

Shao Shang listened intently. "And the second point?"

"Second, a weak ruler and strong ministers are no blessing," Madam Sang said softly. "And here lies the trouble. The second ruler is crucial, yet the Prince of the East Sea couldn’t suppress those wolfish ministers. So, what could be done? In truth, His Majesty had another option—Shao Shang, do you remember the story of Duke Mu of Qin ordering his three virtuous ministers to be buried with him?"

"I do, I do!" Shao Shang nodded vigorously, lowering her voice. "Back then, Aunt said Duke Mu of Qin gathered an unprecedented assembly of talented and virtuous men, but his son, Duke Kang, was mediocre. It’s possible the burial decree was a pretense—to clear the shadows for Duke Kang. But..." She hesitated. "His Majesty is kind-hearted. How could he bear to slaughter those ministers who were like brothers to him?""You finally understand." Madam Sang nodded in satisfaction, lowering her voice. "Although Duke Kang of Qin ascended the throne peacefully, decades of accumulated talent in Qin had withered away, leaving the state weak again. Emperor Gao was much wiser—aside from a few non-imperial kings, he left most founding ministers untouched—"

"Let me continue, Aunt," Shao Shang said softly, her eyes blazing like the scorching morning sun.

She leaned close to Madam Sang's ear: "It wasn't that Emperor Gao couldn't depose Empress Lü and her son. But which of his old comrades who fought for the empire was easy to deal with? A palace woman like Lady Qi, who only knew how to please with her looks, and young, weak Ruyi—facing those fierce generals and cunning ministers would be like lambs thrown to wolves. So Emperor Gao could only make a half-hearted attempt. But Empress Lü was different. Even renowned heroes like Han Xin and Peng Yue—she executed them without hesitation. Which minister dared disobey her?"

Madam Sang smiled faintly, feeling she had finally ignited the spark.

"Although His Majesty's temperament differs greatly from Emperor Gao's, as ruler he must prioritize the greater good!" Shao Shang pressed close to Madam Sang's ear, enunciating each word. "Actually, if the Prince of the East Sea were heir three generations later, he might have made a fine ruler. But the dynasty is newly established, and hearts are unsettled. Since His Majesty can't bear to sacrifice a few key ministers to appease the ancestors, he has no choice but to change the heir."

Madam Sang gnashed her teeth: "Those rulers and ministers are all old foxes—they know everything in their hearts but just haven't said it aloud! You used to be so sharp-witted, but these years in the Palace of Eternal Peace have dulled you. To think you'd propose marriage to the Prince of the East Sea—utter madness! You deserve a good beating—thankfully he refused. Let me tell you, an heir who cannot become ruler will never find peace, even if no one schemes against him. Do you want to spend your life with a man full of anxieties and insecurities?!"

"Aunt, Shao Shang was wrong!" Shao Shang quickly bowed in apology.

Madam Sang nodded, satisfied. "At least the Empress Dowager has sense, knowing it's time to let you marry—if you still harbor lofty ambitions like before, you should soar freely."

She flicked her long sleeve emphatically. "Originally, I found you a match upon returning—my elder brother's prized student, whose marriage was delayed by mourning. Excellent character and looks, with substantial family wealth. He could pursue his studies while you tinker with waterwheels and kilns, traveling the world in your free time—wouldn't that be wonderful?!"

"Aunt!" Shao Shang smiled wryly.

Madam Sang showed a mischievous grin: "But I underestimated you—wasted my worry for nothing. Who'd have thought someone would come knocking daily even while you hid in the Palace of Eternal Peace! That Yuan fellow seems quite good, better than my brother's student. Considering his seniority, it's time for him to be assigned to a commandery. You can travel with him then—yes, that would be perfect!"

Amused by Madam Sang's monologue, Shao Shang was about to say she needed more time to think—if she was to marry, she wanted to do it properly—when Madam Qing Cong arrived.

Holding a tray, Madam Qing Cong entered smiling: "You two are closer than real mother and daughter, hiding here so long. Are you trying to say five years' worth of words at once?"

Madam Sang laughed: "We were just talking about you—how you quietly married Second Brother."

Setting down the tray and sitting, Madam Qing Cong sighed: "Even if I were reborn ten times, I'd never imagine marrying someone like Lord Zirong as my son-in-law."Madam Sang asked with interest, "Then what kind of person do you want to marry?"

Madam Qing Cong replied, "Someone like Elder Sister Yuan Yi."

Madam Sang burst out laughing, while Shao Shang nearly slipped off the table.

"I'm not joking. Since I was thirteen, I've thought Elder Sister Yuan Yi was the most courageous and responsible person in the world!" Madam Qing Cong said with a bitter smile. "I was orphaned young and lived with distant relatives, treated only slightly better than servants. That year, my aunt was quarreling with Elder Sister Yuan Yi and forced me to become my cousin's concubine. My cousin couldn't refuse and took his anger out on me. Instead, it was Elder Sister Yuan Yi who showed me kindness and cared for me... Later, when the Xiao family fell into trouble and Elder Sister Yuan Yi divorced my cousin, I left with her."

For a divorced wife to take the concubine with her was quite the scandal at the time. Madam Xiao's former mother-in-law wanted to make a fuss, but Madam Xiao threatened to have Qing Cong sue them for forcing her into concubinage, and the cowards backed down.

"I never intended to marry. The Cheng family would have provided for me in my old age," Madam Qing Cong said wistfully. "Who knew a twist of fate would lead to this?"

The marriage came about in a rather dramatic fashion. Two years ago, Cheng Cheng was returning from White Deer Mountain for New Year's Day and passed by a remote estate Madam Xiao had recently purchased. He offered to escort Madam Qing Cong, who was there auditing accounts, back home.

In what might have been either fortune or misfortune for the perpetually unlucky Cheng Cheng, their convoy was caught in an avalanche. Madam Qing Cong and Cheng Cheng tumbled down a cliff together and weren't found until three days later.

To survive the ordeal, they had no choice but to rely on each other in the ravine. By the time they were rescued, everyone could see they had been in close contact, their clothes in disarray. Cheng Shi was overjoyed and swiftly arranged Cheng Cheng's divorce from Ge Shi. After some emotional persuasion and intimidation, he promptly married off his hapless younger brother to Madam Qing Cong, mission accomplished!

Madam Xiao, who had never wanted her sworn sister to remain alone, silently gave her approval.

Madam Qing Cong revered her sworn sister's words. Having promised Madam Xiao to take good care of the "troublesome" and pitiful second brother Cheng Cheng, she had spent the past two years diligently attending to Cheng Cheng's daily needs at White Deer Mountain.

"You never imagined marrying someone like Second Brother. What about now?" Madam Sang teased.

"...It's not bad," Madam Qing Cong sighed again. "Zirong-jun is also a pitiful soul."

—Shao Shang agreed with this. In the entire Cheng family, no one was more unfortunate than Cheng Cheng. After twenty years under a biased and harsh mother and over a decade with the narrow-minded and malicious Ge Shi, he had spent most of his life never knowing the tenderness of a caring woman. The results were predictable once he married the considerate and gentle Madam Qing Cong.

Before the three could speak much more, Cheng Cheng quietly approached, hesitating outside the door.

Shao Shang called out cheerfully, "Uncle, why don't you come in?"

"Why would he come in? Do you think your uncle wants to see you?" Madam Sang played along perfectly.

The two exchanged knowing looks and turned to Madam Qing Cong, who had a rare blush on her face. She softly said to the door, "Whatever it is, we'll talk about it later at home."

Cheng Cheng awkwardly replied, "N-no, it's nothing. I just came to see you. If you're not busy, let's return to our room."

This was truly the most pointless conversation Shao Shang had ever heard, even more dull than the Fifth Prince flirting with palace maids.Madam Qing Cong was both exasperated and amused as she walked over to patiently instruct her husband, even straightening his collar as she spoke: "I still need to take Niao Niao to see elder sister, and we'll be talking for a while. You go back first, put the water basin on the fire pit, grind the ink, and wait for me to return... Don't get too close to the fire this time. The burn on your palm from last time hasn't even healed yet."

Cheng Cheng responded emphatically, his face beaming with joy.

Inside the room, Madam Sang approached Shao Shang and looked at her with a smile.

Shao Shang smacked her lips and sighed: "I know what Aunt means—marry well and don't overthink things, right? But Aunt, what if after I get married, I end up fighting every day?" She thought this outcome was rather likely.

Madam Sang's expression turned stern: "Then win the fights first before divorcing! At any rate, you must get married at least once!"

Author's Note:

Opening for business! Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or nourished me with nutrient solutions~