Having resolved to adjust her mindset, Madam Xiao wasted no time in taking action. She reasoned that since her daughter had grown up under the influence of someone as unscrupulous as Ge Shi, she must be taught from the very beginning—cultivating character took precedence over nurturing talent.
The very next day, she sent Shao Shang over a dozen bamboo scrolls, including four volumes of Jijiu Zhang , four of Fan Jiang Pian , and several of Cang Jie Pian . Whether it was due to the inconvenience of the approaching year’s end or simply because hiring private tutors was not customary in this era, Madam Xiao did not arrange a dedicated teacher for Shao Shang. Instead, Madam Qing Cong or Cheng Shao Gong would teach her a few characters whenever they had time, ensuring daily lessons without fail.
Occasionally, Madam Xiao would even condescend to personally instruct Shao Shang on how to hold a brush properly. She also made it clear that once these basics were mastered, Shao Shang would begin memorizing foundational texts—Confucian, Daoist, and Strategist classics, The Book of Songs , The Songs of Chu , and Sima Xiangru’s rhapsodies, along with incense-making, flower arrangement, pitch-pot, and cuju—so she could grow into a proper noble lady.
Shao Shang, however, was unimpressed. She had already decided to carve her own path in life, and these were not the skills she truly wished to learn. Literacy was one thing, but those ancient texts? Besides, learning to read didn’t have to interfere with practical knowledge. After enduring two days of this, she finally couldn’t hold back: "The books can wait. Right now, I’d rather learn about governance and worldly affairs."
To her dismay, Madam Xiao dismissed her with a breezy remark: "Reading cultivates wisdom, the foundation of all things. Once you understand the texts, how could you possibly fail in conduct and dealings?"
Only then did Shao Shang grasp Yang Xiaoguo’s agony from legend—when you’re desperate to learn martial arts to secure your survival, they leisurely force you to recite moral essays. If the day comes when fists fly, which will save you? She wasn’t above appealing to her staunchest ally, Cheng Shi, but Madam Xiao’s arsenal of classical quotations was too much even for Old Man Cheng to withstand. And so, Shao Shang resigned herself to memorizing texts and practicing characters, confined indoors. Alas.
Not long after, heavy snow began to fall outside. The northern lands were vast and frigid, the flakes piling up without melting, soon blanketing the ground in a thick, plush carpet of white, transforming the world into what looked like a flour mill.
That day, the Cheng brothers and their father, unusually free from social calls, gathered around the fire pit as they had in their humble past, chatting, laughing, and drinking. At the height of their merriment, the three Cheng brothers even tapped their wine cups with wooden chopsticks and sang rustic tunes from their homeland—some voices rough and bold, others clear and bright, the melodies swirling around the room. When the mood struck, Madam Xiao and Sang Shi joined in harmony, their collective singing so lively that even the servants sweeping outside exchanged smiles. Among the younger generation, only Cheng Yang could follow along with a few lines; the rest could do little more than clap their hands or drum the table in amusement.
Cheng Mu, tone-deaf and unable to carry a single note, was overjoyed to see her children and grandchildren gathered in such harmony. Even her two disliked daughters-in-law escaped her usual nitpicking. But just then, a maidservant suddenly announced: Grandfather Ge had arrived.
Cheng Cheng’s chopsticks, poised mid-air, clattered onto the dining table, his face a picture of alarm.
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, at a loss for what to do.
Though Cheng Shi had sent word to the Ge family about the situation, he had assumed they wouldn’t visit until after New Year’s Day. Yet here was Grandfather Ge, arriving just four days before the holiday. Cheng Cheng fumbled to his feet in such distress that he even knocked over his wine cup. Only Cheng Yang’s eyes brightened at the news that Grandfather Ge had brought his eldest son and daughter-in-law along, her face betraying unmistakable excitement.Grandfather Ge had a head of white hair and a portly figure, dressed simply. The hurried journey had left his face weathered with exhaustion. He was supported on either side by his eldest son and daughter-in-law. The three of them bore gentle and refined features, their speech soft and kind—the sort of appearance that made one immediately think of good-natured people. Shao Shang found it hard to connect them with the gloomy and resentful Ge Shi. According to Lian Fang, Grandfather Ge had also brought over a dozen large carts, seemingly loaded with New Year provisions like pigs, sheep, rice, millet, wine, and dried fruits.
Cheng Mu couldn’t afford to put on airs and quickly went out to greet them. Cheng Yang, who had been following behind, hesitated before finally stepping forward, kneeling before Grandfather Ge with tears in her eyes. “Grandfather, Uncle, Aunt!”
Aunt Ge hurried forward to help Cheng Yang up, her own eyes instantly moist with affection she couldn’t conceal. Stroking Cheng Yang’s face, she murmured, “...Our Yang Yang has grown taller and prettier.”
Cheng Yang laughed through her tears, clinging to Aunt Ge and refusing to let go, as if wishing she could bury herself in the warmth of her aunt’s embrace and be taken back to the Ge family right then and there. Uncle Ge, unable to leave his father’s side, craned his neck to look at her, his face filled with the kind of tender concern only a truly loving father could show. He rambled, “Yang Yang, Uncle brought you many things. Don’t cry, don’t cry—it’s cold, your face will get chapped...” Though his words were somewhat tactless, no one minded.
Shao Shang quietly took a step back, the playful smirk on her face slowly fading as she leaned against the doorframe, retreating into the shadows. Only after the group had exchanged pleasantries and moved toward the inner hall did she emerge. Lowering her head, she unclenched her fist, revealing four deep pink nail marks on her pale palm. Gazing in the direction the crowd had gone, she turned away and headed straight back to her own courtyard, heedless of the scolding Madam Xiao would surely give her later.
—She had no issue with Cheng Yang. From her usual gentle and kind demeanor, it was clear she had been raised well.
But ever since she was very, very young, Shao Shang had known that the most unbearable thing in the world wasn’t having cold and indifferent parents—it was watching all the wonderful parents around her, one pair after another, and knowing she would never have her turn.
......
Madam Xiao had no time to deal with her at the moment. In the rush, she had to arrange guest quarters for the three Ge family members while also settling the large entourage that had accompanied them. Seeing how busy she was, Sang Shi volunteered to help by retrieving Ge Shi, who had been confined for days, from the old residence, tidying her up before returning her to the Ge family.
Having been unable to leave her quarters, Ge Shi had spent her days eating and sleeping, so she hadn’t lost weight—in fact, her cheeks had even grown plumper. Upon learning her family had arrived, she gloated, “Just you wait! After all the grievances I’ve suffered these days, I demand an explanation!”
Sang Shi looked at her incredulously. “You think your father came here to defend you?” Even back when the Cheng family was still rising, they had never bowed and scraped before the Ge family—let alone now.
Ge Shi faltered. Though she had been confined, news from outside still reached her. She knew Cheng Shi had since been promoted and enriched, making it even harder for her family to exert control over him. Her earlier words had merely been habitual defiance.
Feeling that further conversation with Ge Shi would only drag down her own intelligence, Sang Shi quickly directed the Martial Maids provided by Madam Xiao to drag Ge Shi off to the inner hall of the new residence.The inner hall was still warm and cozy with the fire pit blazing, but the joyful atmosphere from when the Cheng brothers had been clinking cups and singing heartily was long gone. The younger generation had been cleared out, and the food and wine had been replenished, yet no one touched their chopsticks. An awkward silence filled the room, and even Cheng Shi, who was usually full of bluster, found himself at a loss for words. It was Grandfather Ge who finally broke the silence—
"...This old man pitied her for losing her mother at a young age and spoiled her too much. Knowing full well her many faults, I still shamelessly married her into the Cheng family, only to burden all of you. You’ve endured much over these years—here, I first offer my apologies!"
As he spoke, he bowed deeply toward Cheng Mu and Cheng Shi, with Uncle Ge and Aunt Ge on either side following suit. Cheng Mu was so startled she nearly toppled the dining table as she recoiled backward. Cheng Shi swiftly stepped forward and firmly helped Grandfather Ge up, repeatedly insisting it was unnecessary.
Ge Shi, kneeling to the side, shrieked, "Father! What are you saying? It’s the Cheng family who’ve wronged me—" Before she could finish, Uncle Ge could no longer contain himself. He stood abruptly, strode over, and slapped her hard across the face, leaving her cheek swollen and purple as she collapsed to the floor.
"Since the day you were born, Father has denied you nothing and showered you with love! Have you ever shown him a single day of filial piety?! Day after day, you cause trouble and stir up chaos! Father is already seventy this year—yet for your sake, he braved the wind and snow, traveling day and night to come here. And still, you show not an ounce of remorse! You—you’re worse than a beast! You’re no better than swine!"
Uncle Ge himself was already a grandfather, a man of considerable standing in the countryside. Yet here he was, braving the snowstorm to apologize to the Cheng family on behalf of his unruly younger sister. The thought of his elderly father’s suffering, even greater than his own, only fueled his fury.
Dazed from the blow, Ge Shi looked up to see Uncle Ge’s teeth clenched in hatred, his eyes bloodshot. Fear and guilt overwhelmed her, and she turned her head away, not daring to speak another word.
Grandfather Ge didn’t even glance at his daughter. Leaning on Cheng Shi’s arm, he rose and sat back down, then proceeded to list Ge Shi’s many misdeeds, apologizing sincerely with each one. His remorse was so heartfelt that even Cheng Shi grew embarrassed and said, "Grandfather, your words shame us. Back when I first raised my banner, if not for your aid in provisions, how could I have—"
Grandfather Ge waved his hand, cutting him off with a sigh. "General, speak no more of this. Only a foolish woman like my daughter would harp on about those provisions day after day. In those days, the world was in chaos—bandits and soldiers ran rampant. Families like ours, with modest wealth but no powerful backing, were nothing more than fat morsels before starving wolves. Countless households were ruined. It was only because you raised your banner that our village was spared. As for that matter with the Chen bandit, General, you need not dwell on it..."
He gave a bitter laugh. "To speak plainly—that Chen bandit looted every wealthy household in his path, leaving nothing behind. He took not just wealth but lives. Had you fallen back then, the Ge family would have surely met destruction. What thanks are owed?!"
Truth be told, Cheng Shi had turned these thoughts over in his mind many times, convinced he owed the Ge family nothing. But now that Grandfather Ge had voiced them himself, with such sincerity, he felt awkward all over again. He could only sit silently to the side, thinking how much harder it was to deal with good people than with bad ones.Grandfather Ge turned to Cheng Mu and said, "To speak from the heart, if a woman like my daughter were married into my own family, I would have divorced her long ago. It is only due to the Cheng family's kindness that they have endured her until now. Over these past ten years, living in the countryside with little news, I had hoped that as she grew older, her temperament might improve. But from what I've heard, not only has this wretched creature failed to change, she has grown worse, only bringing suffering to Zirong..." As he spoke, he looked at Cheng Cheng, tears falling as he continued, "I failed to raise my daughter properly, and in doing so, I have wronged you..."
Cheng Cheng, who had been fidgeting uneasily, now knelt before Grandfather Ge with a thud, also weeping. "Please don't say that. I too... I too am at fault. She was originally..." He was about to confess his own shortcomings when Cheng Shi inwardly cursed him for his spinelessness, though he couldn't voice it aloud.
Unexpectedly, Grandfather Ge stopped him from continuing. With a trembling, aged voice, he said, "Say no more. I watched you grow up—how could I not know your character? I had thought our becoming family was a blessed fate, yet instead, I have brought you nothing but suffering, grinding down your spirit! How can I face you now? Today, you shall write a letter of divorce, and I will take this wretched creature home! In the future... if you still consider me a neighbor, you may simply call me 'Uncle.'"
By now, the old man was in tears, and Cheng Cheng wept uncontrollably.
Though he despised Ge Shi, Cheng Cheng had always held deep admiration for this kind and compassionate elder who helped the weak and poor. As a child, he had often wished for a father like Grandfather Ge. When he first married Ge Shi, he had secretly felt a sense of fulfillment—never imagining things would come to this.
Cheng Shi had initially thought this messy affair would drag on, but to his surprise, Grandfather Ge was so decisive. Overjoyed, he was eager to settle the matter immediately. Yet now, with the three members of the Ge family and Cheng Cheng all weeping, the atmosphere was deeply emotional. Would it not seem heartless to cheerfully call for writing materials and hastily draft the divorce letter? That would... perhaps be too callous, ruining the moment.
Cheng Zhi, who had remained silent until now, finally straightened up and cleared his throat. "Elder, if I may speak—with New Year's Day approaching, writing a divorce letter now... well, it would be inauspicious..."
Cheng Shi exhaled in relief. "Exactly, exactly. Perhaps... perhaps..." He glanced around, only to remember that Madam Xiao had excused herself to settle the Ge family elsewhere, silently cursing his wife for slipping away so deftly. Who could he turn to for advice now?
Seeing the situation needed resolution, Sang Shi stepped in to assist, speaking gently, "How about this? After New Year's Day, Second Brother will be leaving for White Deer Mountain to study. Why not have Grandfather take her back first, and later..." She paused, choosing her words carefully, "Later, whatever decision is made, our family will inform the village accordingly. Honored elders, does this seem acceptable?"
At this suggestion, the Cheng family collectively sighed in relief, all agreeing that this "separation before divorce" arrangement was ideal—preserving both families' dignity without forcing an immediate, irrevocable break.
Outside the door, Madam Xiao quietly withdrew her foot. As one of the foremost victims of Ge Shi's behavior, she had no desire to involve herself further. What could she possibly say if she entered? Speaking well of Ge Shi would leave her resentful, while harsh words would only add insult to injury. Considering Grandfather Ge's genuine kindness and integrity, she decided it was best to stay out of it entirely.Stepping out of the courtyard, the thick snow crunched underfoot with each step. Madam Xiao thought to herself that since she had nothing better to do, she might as well go admonish her daughter. However, just as she reached the entrance of Shao Shang's residence—before she could even remove her shoes to ascend the steps—she heard Qing Cong's gentle voice from inside.
"...Young Lady, how could you leave on your own just now? You didn't even greet Grandfather Ge. That was very impolite."
This was followed by Shao Shang's lazy laughter: "Was Grandfather's visit really just a family call? They came to handle 'important business.' What use would a junior like me be there—to watch Uncle write the letter of divorce? Over the past ten years, Aunt has certainly 'exerted herself' quite a bit on me. Did you expect Grandfather to apologize to a grandchild like me? Just the other day, Mother told me to avoid speaking ill of elders, so I simply removed myself. Besides, not long after I left, my three brothers arrived—they must have been sent away too... Honestly, Qing Yimu, you're really something. Eldest brother and Second brother finally had time to tell me about the Imperial Academy, and you chased them off..."
The girl was eloquent, mixing reason with coquetry, leaving Qing Cong momentarily speechless.
Outside the door, Madam Xiao slowly shook her head. In her eyes, this daughter of hers was more troublesome than eighteen Ge Shis combined. In just a few short days, Qing Cong was already no match for Shao Shang in verbal sparring.
—Leaving on one's own and being dismissed by elders were entirely different things. And yet she had the nerve to argue so confidently.
"...Of course, leaving on my own and being dismissed by elders are not the same," Shao Shang suddenly said. "I didn't think it through properly. Qing Yimu, could you explain to Mother later? I realized it was inappropriate as soon as I left. I'll definitely do better next time, I promise."
This left Qing Cong with even less to say. Part of her pitied the girl for the suffering she had endured at Ge Shi's hands—it was understandable that she would dislike seeing the Ge family now. Another part of her felt the girl made a fair point: exchanging greetings would have been awkward, and slipping away quietly was indeed more straightforward.
Madam Xiao frowned, two phrases immediately coming to mind: "Clever enough to reject advice, eloquent enough to conceal faults."
Author's Note:
Dear readers, I'll be taking a break this Saturday and will resume updates at the usual time on Sunday.
Muah! A kiss for you all!
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