According to Yuan Shen's original plan, Shao Shang would sleep until late morning. He would have lunch at the Cheng residence, and in the afternoon, the two would visit the Winter Cypress Mausoleum, returning to the city after dark when the lantern markets were already lit. Unexpectedly, Shao Shang woke up early today, leaving them with two extra hours to fill.
Yuan Shen pondered for a moment. If he took the girl back to the Cheng family first, who knew if a long train of elders and youngsters would follow when they tried to leave again? No, that wouldn't do at all. So he suggested having dinner at the Yuan family home instead.
Shao Shang readily agreed—since she was considering marrying this fellow, it would be good to learn more about the Yuan household.
By the time they arrived at the Yuan residence, the sun was setting. Magnificent clouds dyed the horizon with the fiery hues of autumn maple leaves, the air crisp and dry, with none of the damp chill from previous days. Passersby remarked that the heavens were smiling upon them, granting favor for tonight's lantern market.
Yuan Shen had sent a servant ahead to announce their arrival. When Shao Shang stepped out of the carriage, rows of Yuan family servants and maids stood in orderly formation at the entrance, flanked by lines of lambskin lanterns that spread outward like geese in flight, their soft golden glow particularly splendid in the dimming light.
For once, Shao Shang felt a pang of guilt. Over the past five years when Yuan Shen visited her at the Palace of Eternal Peace, she had either refused to open the gate or, when pressed, only allowed him through a side entrance. Compared to this dignified and formal welcome at the Yuan residence, she felt as though she'd been taking advantage of him.
She murmured quietly, "Actually, your family could have just opened a side gate for me. There was no need for such grandeur."
Yuan Shen immediately misunderstood, displeased. "At this point, are you still worried about being seen with me?!"
Shao Shang sighed. "Must you always assume the worst of people? I was just feeling embarrassed."
Yuan Shen's expression softened slightly.
Surrounded by numerous attendants, the two walked inside. Shao Shang admired the estate's features with graceful ease, as if turning the pages of an ancient book. The courtyards were spacious, rocks dusted with snow, while dozens of towering ancient trees retained their vitality through winter. Their thick leaves fell onto the snow with muffled thuds, exuding a comforting sense of timelessness.
It was said that over a century ago, the Yuan ancestors had been appointed to the Capital City by the then-Emperor. After serving for decades, they brought over their entire family and gradually expanded a modest compound into its current grand scale.
Later, when the Royal Uncle established the capital here, other noble families either purchased new residences or were granted properties confiscated from traitors—all requiring some degree of renovation. Only the Yuan family's estate remained in its original state, giving it an unmatched sense of antiquity that others couldn't replicate.
After freshening up, a kindly elderly woman dressed in fine clothes personally helped Shao Shang change. She spoke little, simply smiling at the girl until noticing her curious gaze. "I am the young master's Mother Fu, surnamed Wang," she explained.
Prefect Yuan had only one son, so the "young master" she referred to could only be Yuan Shen.
"Shouldn't Mother Wang be attending to Young Master Yuan?" Shao Shang asked, feeling somewhat self-conscious under her gaze.
Mother Wang chuckled. "The young master has strong opinions and is quite particular. From age ten onward, he wouldn't let anyone decide his clothing or jade accessories. This old servant knows better than to invite trouble."
Shao Shang laughed—she liked this amusing elder.
The main hall for dinner was already brightly lit. Yuan Shen stood freshly dressed by the doorway, silver crown and brocade robes making him shine like fine jade.Shao Shang paused slightly, then stepped into the hall with a smile—though the elderly servant had said so earlier, the subtle details of Yuan Shen's attire still bore traces of a mature woman's care. For instance, while Yuan Shen favored green jade, in this weather he would wear warm, smooth mutton-fat jade instead.
Unlike Huo Bu Yi. Though the Royal Uncle would gladly have emptied his private treasury to adorn his foster son, certain details were inevitably overlooked. In the dead of winter, Huo Bu Yi's inner garments remained made of luxurious yet chillingly smooth pure silk. During the scorching heat of midsummer, he would sleep directly on a priceless jade mat, unaware of the need for a thin layer of linen to ward off the cold.
Shao Shang let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
Before long, Yuan Shen's parents arrived leisurely. Yuan Shen led Shao Shang to greet them with proper courtesy.
Shao Shang had met Lady Liang five years prior, and she remained unchanged—beautiful yet aloof. Even on this Lantern Festival night, she wore plain white robes, with only a blood-red jade pendant at her waist standing out conspicuously.
Tonight, perhaps for her son's sake, she smiled frequently at Shao Shang and inquired after the Cheng family's health. Yuan Shen seemed thoroughly pleased by this uncharacteristic warmth from his mother.
Prefect Yuan's features closely resembled his son's. Shao Shang knew he was only two years older than the Governor of Liangzhou, yet his hair had turned gray, his expression weary—after New Year's Day, the Royal Uncle had summoned another group of high-ranking regional officials to the Capital City for reports, and Prefect Yuan was among them.
After Shao Shang paid her respects, he had servants present a tray of gold and jade as gifts, gently urging her to eat more.
As dishes were served, the Yuan family of three and Shao Shang began their meal. During the meal, Shao Shang noticed bandages wrapped around Prefect Yuan's arm beneath his sleeve. When she quietly asked Yuan Shen about it, he curled his lip slightly and whispered, "Father was ambushed on his way here. It's nothing serious."
Shao Shang nodded, though another question arose in her mind.
When Yuan Shen had previously mentioned being an only child, she assumed he meant Lady Liang had borne no other children—surely Prefect Yuan must have concubines and other offspring while serving in office, just as the Governor of Liangzhou had daughters by his concubines. Yet later, Yuan Shen explicitly stated both his parents had only him as their child. Combining this with rumors of Lady Liang's lingering affection for her former husband, Shao Shang privately concluded this was a case of "the king's affection meeting the goddess's indifference."
But judging by the Yuan couple's behavior tonight, they appeared the very model of "mutual respect and courtesy." It seemed not only was the goddess indifferent, but the king also showed little interest—how could this be?
After the meal, servants cleared the dishes and brought out desserts and fruit wines. As the four chatted amiably, sudden commotion erupted outside—guards could be heard shouting "Stop! Block him! Spread the nets!"
Shao Shang found this odd. Shouldn't guards shout "Loose arrows!" when encountering bold thieves? Before she could ponder further, a tremendous crash came from the ceiling beams above. Something heavy seemed to have smashed through the roof, and a massive figure wielding enormous twin hammers leapt down.
Yuan Shen sprang forward, pulling Shao Shang behind him as guards rushed in, surrounding the Yuan couple and the two youths.
Shards of tile, years of accumulated dust, splattered soup and fruit wine from the dining table—everything rained down on Shao Shang. Coughing repeatedly and spitting out dust particles that flew into her mouth, she felt she'd suffered truly undeserved calamity!Yuan Shen said coldly, "Di Wu Cheng, have you had enough? Assassinating a court official is already a grave crime. Father has already let bygones be bygones, yet you still persist in escalating the matter! Guards, where are the archers!"
Prefect Yuan anxiously waved his hands repeatedly, "A Shen, don't speak yet, no one move... Elder brother, don't act recklessly. This is beneath the Son of Heaven's feet, the heart of the Capital City. If things truly escalate, it won't end well!"
The burly man with a thick beard sneered repeatedly, "Yuan Pei, you heartless, ungrateful, shameless, and faithless villain! Do you think I fear death? If you have the guts, kill me with one stroke! Otherwise, I will surely take your head to honor the spirit of my sister Heyin in heaven!"
Shao Shang supported Yuan Shen with one hand while vigorously patting her own dusty head, face, and clothes with the other, saying irritably, "Who are you, mighty warrior? If you're an assassin, you'd already be riddled with arrows by now—no time for nonsense! If you're a wandering swordsman, then make another appointment with the Prefect to settle your grievances—don't drag others into it! And if you're just a lost guest... well, forget I said anything!"
Yuan Shen, who had been stern-faced, relaxed slightly at her words. Lady Liang, who had been staying out of the matter, chuckled and said, "Shao Shang, let them handle this. Come with me to change."
With that, she walked over slowly under the escort of guards and led Shao Shang toward the door. Before leaving, Shao Shang heard Yuan Shen say, "Father, let's just arrest him first, or this will never end!"
Prefect Yuan seemed inspired by Shao Shang's words and shouted, "Listen, all! My sworn brother came to the banquet tonight by mistake. No one is to speak of this further! Now, quickly bring the nets!"
Di Wu Cheng laughed bitterly, "Yuan Pei, don't cover for me! I came here to take your wretched life! Riddled with arrows, hahaha... Heyin died under the arrows of your Yuan family..." His voice faded away.
Arriving at Lady Liang's quarters, Shao Shang went through another round of washing and changing. Exhausted and damp, she was led by the maids to a small shrine deep inside the residence.
Lady Liang knelt before the altar, murmuring prayers softly. Hearing footsteps, she turned around.
As Shao Shang approached, she noticed the memorial tablet on the incense altar bore the words "Late Husband Yuan Yu..." and was startled. Why another Yuan?
Noticing the girl's confusion, Lady Liang dismissed the maids and smiled. "It's fine to tell you some things. The man I first married was the Prefect's cousin."
This was an old, sorrowful tale.
Unlike the Qu family, who turned enmity into kinship, the Yuan and Liang families had always been close allies. Lady Liang and Yuan Yu had grown up together, deeply in love, and married under their elders' arrangement when they came of age.
Yuan Shen's great-grandfather had four sons, each of whom also had four sons. Yuan Pei was merely the third son of the fourth branch. So when Yuan Pei declared he neither loved studying nor cared for an official career, wishing only to roam the rivers and lakes as a wandering swordsman, the great-grandfather, open-minded, agreed.
Before Yuan Pei set out to wander the world, Lady Liang had attended his farewell banquet with her fiancé Yuan Yu. She clearly remembered how the Yuan family, with its flourishing descendants, had been at the height of prosperity. The banquet was lively, with cups clinking and the young men laughing heartily.
Later, when Emperor Li usurped the throne, he slaughtered the old ministers and nobles and began promoting mid-ranking scholars and famous clans. Yuan Shen's great-grandfather, renowned among scholars, had no choice but to answer the summons to Chang'an.In the early years, Emperor Li treated them with some courtesy, frequently granting them official positions and rewards, so the great-grandfather gradually let down his guard and brought some of his descendants to Chang'an. However, as the flaws of Emperor Li's "New Policies" became apparent and chaos spread across the land, his true ferocity was revealed.
The great-grandfather of the Yuan family had a lifelong friend whose son was secretly supporting rebels outside. When the matter was exposed, Emperor Li ordered executions. The great-grandfather hurriedly vouched for his friend while also seeking a chance to escape.
But Emperor Li had long been wary. After the plot was uncovered, all family members of both families in Chang'an were executed, their corpses hung from the city gates. Emperor Li also issued an Imperial Edict ordering authorities in the Jiaodong region to hunt down and kill the Yuan clan. At the time, over fifty or sixty Yuan relatives who failed to hide in time were slaughtered, and their bodies were later burned in the county town.
Yuan Yu was neither in Chang'an nor in his ancestral home. At the time, he was traveling with his newlywed wife. Upon receiving word from relatives, he could have fled far away. But with the elderly, women, and children of his family being hunted and slaughtered, how could he save himself alone? After settling his wife safely, he led the household troops back to his ancestral home to rescue them.
That journey saved the Yuan family from complete annihilation, with most of the younger members surviving. But the husband of Lady Liang never returned.
For many, Emperor Li's cruelty is but a few brief lines in history books. But for the Yuan family, it was a sea of blood and suffering. For Lady Liang, it meant the shattering of her lifelong dream of love, leaving her in perpetual agony.
Yuan Pei could no longer be a wandering swordsman either, for all his elder brothers and cousins—those of fighting age—had perished. He was the only capable warrior left in the main branch of the Yuan family. Seeing the frail, underage boys and the even younger children in the family, Yuan Pei knew his dreams of the jianghu were over—despite having met the woman of his heart, despite having sworn to her that they would roam the world together, never to part.
Meanwhile, the Qu family also faced relentless persecution as Emperor Li's nephew coveted their family's wealth. Qu Lingjun's two uncles were imprisoned on false charges and died in jail, while the Qu family patriarch succumbed to rage and despair, vomiting blood in his final moments.
Only the Liang family seemed temporarily unscathed. However, the newly appointed family head, the Governor of Liangzhou, was astute and resolute. He declared that if the Liang family stood by and watched their allied families, the Yuan and Qu clans, perish without action, they would soon face the same fate.
On a stormy night filled with thunder, the heads of the Yuan, Liang, and Qu families gathered, swore a blood oath, and resolved to raise the banner of rebellion against Emperor Li. But rebellion was no simple feast—a few drops of blood on their fingers were not enough. They needed the oldest form of insurance since the Warring States era: a marital alliance.
At the time, the Governor of Liangzhou's wife was a daughter of the Qu family. But Lady Liang had just been widowed, her heart ashen and her spirit broken. The Liang patriarch pleaded with his daughter to prioritize the greater cause and remarry into the Yuan family.
In the face of mountains of corpses and rivers of blood, personal grief seemed trivial. Yuan Pei could not watch his family perish, and Lady Liang could not ignore her father's pleas. So they both compromised.
Once all preparations were made, the three families rallied their kin, soldiers, and supporters, unearthing weapons and supplies accumulated over decades—even centuries. Within days, they slaughtered Emperor Li's lackeys in Jiaodong, expelled officials loyal to him, and seized several counties across two commanderies as their stronghold. Ironically, their banner still read "Cleansing the Court of Evil."This was merely a microcosm of the oppression under Emperor Li's reign at the time.
The three families had no ambition to dominate; they only sought to withstand Emperor Li's persecution and find a suitable 'lord' in the chaotic times. Years later, they encountered the spirited Royal Uncle. Yuan Pei and the Governor of Liangzhou were relatively fortunate, attaining high positions after military achievements, while the weaker Qu family suffered misfortune—their most capable young members either died or were crippled, leaving them unable to enter officialdom.
"Is that woman the sister of the warrior we saw earlier?" Shao Shang guessed based on age.
Madam Liang nodded. "Her name was Fifth Heyi. The siblings relied on each other since childhood and were deeply attached."
"How did Fifth Heyi die?" Shao Shang pressed.
Madam Liang said, "That year, I had just given birth to A Shen and was still in confinement. One day, Fifth Heyi suddenly came looking for A Shen's father. No one knows what they argued about in the study, but she suddenly drew her sword and stormed into the Inner Chamber, grabbing the infant from the cradle and forcing A Shen's father to leave with her."
"Uh... this..." Shao Shang didn't know how to react.
"The commotion grew loud enough to disturb my ailing father-in-law (Yuan Pei's father). In a rage, he had himself carried out. First, he tricked Fifth Heyi into putting A Shen down, then ordered the archers to fire a volley of arrows..."
"Ah!" Shao Shang gasped.
Madam Liang sighed. "Fifth Heyi died, pierced by countless arrows. A Shen's father initially wanted to die as well, but that very night, my father-in-law took his own life, leaving behind the words: 'I give my life in place of your beloved. You must protect the Yuan family.'"
Shao Shang was horrified. "Did Young Master Yuan's grandfather plan it this way from the start?"
Madam Liang avoided a direct answer. "The Yuan family had barely escaped Emperor Li's clutches. Cities needed defending, a wise ruler had to be found, and countless challenges lay ahead. How could a wandering woman be allowed to take away the young and capable head of the family?"
All three families survived, slowly healing and recovering over the long years.
Yet Yuan Pei and Madam Liang's hearts had died. Their bodies continued to fulfill their duties to the family, but all their love, hatred, and passion remained in the past—in the bygone days of their youth, when they had been deeply in love.
Only as she strolled through the vibrant lantern-lit streets did Shao Shang gradually regain her composure. Glancing at the stern-faced Yuan Shen beside her, she asked softly, "Did your uncle still let that man go?"
Yuan Shen replied grimly, "No matter what, Father couldn't bring himself to kill him. He could only endure Di Wu Cheng's repeated assassination attempts!"
Shao Shang studied Yuan Shen's handsome profile for a moment and suddenly understood him better—why he grew impatient when Master Huangfu reminisced about Madam Sang, why he mocked or ridiculed tales of deep affection and devotion.
Throughout his upbringing, the three most important figures in his life—his father, mother, and mentor—were all trapped in the past, unable to move on. Though Yuan Pei and Madam Liang never neglected their son's upbringing and care—providing him with the gentlest and most nurturing Mother Fu, assigning the most reliable attendants, securing the finest teachers, and cultivating his reputation as a prodigious youth—someone as perceptive as Yuan Shen must have noticed his parents' emotional absence long ago.Shao Shang now understood why Yuan Shen disliked the notion of "unwavering devotion" in love. Her lips itched with curiosity, and she couldn't help but ask, "If you were to die early, I suppose you wouldn't object to me remarrying?"
The frustration Yuan Shen had been holding all night deflated like a punctured balloon with a soft "pfft." Weakly, he replied, "Could you not always think of the worst? Who knows, I might outlive you!"
"But I'm seven years younger than you."
"If I live to sixty-seven, would you really remarry at sixty?"
Shao Shang rubbed her forehead, realizing that remarrying at sixty in this era would indeed be quite shocking—the Emperor would probably summon her for a talk.
Yuan Shen suddenly stopped and pointed ahead. "That's where we first met."
Shao Shang looked up to see a long row of round lanterns hanging below a bustling tavern, casting colorful reflections on the faces of passersby.
"From that Lantern Festival when we first met, seven years have passed," Yuan Shen sighed. "Madam Sang waited for her teacher for seven years before marrying your uncle. We, too, have wasted seven years... Shao Shang, don't follow my parents' example. Look forward."
Shao Shang didn't respond but continued toward the acrobatics stage nearby, with Yuan Shen silently following.
About thirty feet behind the stage stood a row of quiet, dimly lit shops. Shao Shang stopped beside them, gazing up at the deep blue night sky studded with stars, then pointed to the brightly lit commercial building opposite.
"Look, Huo Bu Yi was standing right there by the revolving lantern under that eaves," she said softly.
Yuan Shen followed her gesture, unable to suppress a twinge of jealousy. "And you took a liking to him at first sight?"
Shao Shang shook her head. "I didn't even see his face clearly. In fact, I didn't see either of your faces clearly."
"What?" Yuan Shen was baffled. "I stood right in front of you and spoke at length. How could you not see me?"
Shao Shang laughed. "Young Master Yuan, didn't you realize you were standing with your back to the light?" She turned back to the revolving lantern under the eaves. "He wasn't backlit, but he was so tall his face was blocked by the lantern. So..."
"So what?" Yuan Shen's lips curled slightly.
"So I forgot about both of you when I got home," Shao Shang admitted helplessly.
Yuan Shen chuckled softly, noticing the faint glimmer of tears in her eyes. Suddenly, he asked, "Shao Shang, do you want to go take a closer look at that revolving lantern?"
Shao Shang moved toward the lantern but stopped after a few steps, suddenly crouching down and burying her face in her arms.
Yuan Shen watched quietly from behind, not offering a hand.
After a long while, the girl slowly stood up, her gaze clear as she turned back with a smile. "In a little over a year, Huo Bu Yi's punishment will be over. His Majesty will surely summon him back to the Capital City. We should treat him as an old friend. Since you'll both serve in court, it wouldn't do to remain at odds."
Yuan Shen smiled slowly. "That's true."
"When I host Jitong A-jie at home in the future, I can't very well invite only her. You'll have to properly entertain her son-in-law."
Yuan Shen caught that "home" clearly referred not to the Cheng residence but to the Yuan household, and his smile deepened. "Naturally."
Shao Shang walked past Yuan Shen, tugging at his sleeve as she resolutely moved forward. "Shan Jian, come to my home and propose. Let's grow old together and be buried side by side in the end."Yuan Shen obediently let the girl pull him along, his heart brimming with joy, like opening a window on a quiet, stifling night to see the moon with a refreshing breeze caressing his face.
He responded softly, "Mm."
Author's Note:
Working on editing the next few chapters. Revisions now require payment too. Will update early on the 30th.
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