Shao Shang walked into her home with her back straight. On her way back to her residence, Cheng Shao Gong sidled up to gossip. "So, so? Did Huo Bu Yi get acquitted? Was your testimony useful?" Shao Shang was furious: "Testimony? That man is so mighty and omnipotent, he had already prepared all the evidence! Even if I hadn’t gone today, Huo Bu Yi would have walked out of the Court of Justice safe and sound!"
Cheng Shao Gong was greatly disappointed: "I thought that Zhang Yao guy had a surefire way to win. Turns out he’s so useless, couldn’t even last a single round."
Mentioning that waste who kept questioning her for details made Shao Shang even angrier: "Don’t bring up that scoundrel. Right now, Lord Ji is probably sentencing him. According to Yuan Shanjian, falsely accusing a meritorious minister like this will at least get him dismissed and exiled."
"So, Huo Bu Yi is fine now? Ah, Niao Niao, you made a wasted trip. He doesn’t even need to thank you."
Shao Shang stopped and turned, frowning. "Third brother, you’ve been acting strange lately. First, you inexplicably opposed my marriage to Yuan Shanjian. Then, ever since Huo Bu Yi returned, you’ve been hinting about his situation all day—I remember you used to be terrified of him, even pretending not to know him and sneaking away if you accidentally bumped into him on the road."
Cheng Shao Gong laughed awkwardly and ran off while speaking: "Niao Niao, what are you talking about? With eldest brother and second brother both away, I’m the eldest at home now. Naturally, I have to care for my little sister… Heh, heh…"
Shao Shang glared at her brother’s retreating figure for a while before continuing on her way. It wasn’t until she stepped into her room that her shoulders finally slumped. A Zhu noticed the girl’s distress and asked with concern, "What’s wrong, Young Lady? You seem so tired after just half a day out." She then instructed Sang Guo to fetch some soup and told Lian Fang to prepare a heated sandbag for Shao Shang to soothe her fatigue.
Shao Shang sighed softly. "For some reason, I feel like something bad is about to happen."
A Zhu studied the girl’s expression and asked gently, "Is it because of Lord Huo?"
After a long pause, Shao Shang replied, "Yes."
When Huo Bu Yi held great power, Yuan Shen was lying low. It wasn’t until Huo Bu Yi was exiled that Yuan Shen began to shine in political affairs. However, merely observing from the sidelines was one thing; only by truly working with, opposing, and struggling to outmaneuver someone could one fully grasp their methods.
If theory alone were enough, Han Feizi—who systematically compiled the strategies of imperial statecraft—wouldn’t have died so easily to Li Si’s schemes.
Unlike Yuan Shen, Shao Shang had spent several months with Huo Bu Yi. She had deeply experienced his sharp methods, profound cunning, and decisive actions. There was one thing Huo Bu Yi was right about: if he truly decided to act recklessly, only the even more cunning Royal Uncle could stop him—the Crown Prince might not even be up to the task. And that was what made it so despairing.
In court, Huo Bu Yi was the Emperor’s most useful minister. But when it came to marriage, the Royal Uncle was Huo Bu Yi’s loyal lackey. If Huo Bu Yi wanted to roast her alive, the Emperor would immediately hand him the soy sauce. So not only would the Emperor not stop him, it would already be considered restrained if he didn’t cheer from the sidelines.
Overwhelmed by frustration, Shao Shang tried to distract herself by asking her mother about the progress of the "Fifth Warrior’s" reformation. Madam Xiao smiled smugly and casually remarked that victory was near. If handled well, they could even secure a martial arts instructor for her brothers and nephews in the future.Shao Shang looked at Cheng Xiao and his wife with newfound respect and eagerly asked how they had managed it. Madam Xiao briefly recounted the process.
First, they locked Di Wu Cheng in an empty cellar, providing food and drink but not speaking a single word to him, driving him to the brink of madness. When the time was right, Old Man Cheng went in to talk to him. At that point, Di Wu Cheng could no longer maintain his icy demeanor and instead flew into a rage, cursing eighteen generations of the Cheng family.
—As long as he was roaring with anger, the first stage was a success.
Next, Old Man Cheng employed the same persuasive skills he had once used to incite the villagers to rebellion (strike that, uprising) and began his speech—back in the day, the officials in the neighboring county were corrupt and cruel, often oppressing and abusing the common folk. Then, a nameless hero descended from the heavens and slaughtered every official in the county office in a single night, yet no one could ever apprehend him. After that, none of the newly appointed officials dared to go too far.
This also led to officials in the counties near the Cheng family’s rural home becoming very tactful, keeping taxes and corvée labor within reasonable limits, fearing that one day they might be slaughtered in their sleep. Later, when Old Man Cheng raised the banner of rebellion, these officials turned a blind eye, feigning ignorance. When banditry and warfare erupted everywhere, they even joined forces with Old Man Cheng to deal with the chaos, resulting in remarkably harmonious relations between officials and the people.
"...At the time, I was still young, but I learned then that it wasn’t just wise rulers and virtuous ministers who could save the people from suffering—righteous and heroic warriors could also rescue them from peril!" Cheng Shi, who had directly benefited from this, spoke with deep emotion.
"I’ve heard that the martial master who taught Fifth Hero was a renowned warrior of the previous dynasty. In just one month, he razed seven bandit strongholds, all to retrieve the granddaughter of a helpless old couple. To prevent the government from massacring several villages suspected of harboring a plague, he emerged from seclusion in his twilight years, sword in hand and covered in blood, kidnapping a renowned physician from a prince’s mansion to treat the villagers. I’ve heard that the people in that region still honor their revered master with longevity tablets, and the incense offerings remain abundant. Ah, truly, ‘A great man should be like this!’"
Old Man Cheng slapped his thigh in admiration, his face filled with reverence. Di Wu Cheng, however, wore a look of shame and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
—Realizing that he had accomplished nothing in over twenty years was good. The second stage was a success.
Only then did Old Man Cheng begin to speak on behalf of the Yuan family.
Back then, the Yuan family had indeed been on the brink of destruction. The banner of rebellion had already been raised, and Emperor Li’s troops were at their doorstep, shouting for blood. The slightest misstep would have meant the annihilation of the entire clan, young and old alike. In such circumstances, as the only adult and capable male in the direct line, Yuan Pei could never have left with Fifth Heyi. As for Fifth Heyi, who was oblivious to the gravity of the situation and only clung to Yuan Pei, demanding they stay together forever, the anxious elders of the Yuan family wished they could tear her flesh from her bones.
Old Man Cheng, with his naturally honest and kind appearance, delivered his comforting words with double the effect, and Di Wu Cheng finally opened his heart: "Our parents died early, and my younger sister grew up following me around the country. I spoiled her, and she became wild and unruly, developing a proud and unyielding temperament—she would rather break than bend."
Back then, as soon as he learned of the Yuan family’s crisis, Di Wu Cheng knew his sworn brother Yuan Pei had no choice but to return. So he told his sister: either become Yuan Pei’s concubine or cut ties completely. But Fifth Heyi, who had never faced hardship, stubbornly insisted that her beloved keep his promise and elope with her, relentlessly pestering him. Having roamed the martial world for years and seen much of life, Di Wu Cheng knew his sister’s behavior was highly inappropriate—it was like rubbing salt in the Yuan family’s wounds.
—Beginning to reflect on the events involving the Yuan family back then was excellent. The third stage was a success."...I see that you, sir, are a reasonable man. Since you clearly understand the situation, why didn’t you try to dissuade your sister back then? Had you succeeded, the tragedy that followed might have been avoided," Old Man Cheng asked.
Di Wu Cheng remained silent for a long time.
He had tried to persuade her—but he had never truly hardened his heart to discipline his sister.
For one, he doted on her and couldn’t bear to see her heartbroken. For another, he secretly hoped that his sworn brother, who had loved his sister deeply, might be willing to abandon his family and choose her instead. Yet he knew this thought was selfish and dishonorable, utterly unworthy of the Yuan family. So much so that he dared not speak it aloud—he didn’t even allow himself to dwell on it.
Then it was Madam Xiao’s turn to speak.
"Prefect Yuan must have been cursed for eight lifetimes to have befriended you and your sister, even swearing brotherhood with you! Hmph! If you truly regarded him as a brother, you should have shared his suffering. When the Yuan family was drowning in blood, where was the mighty warrior Di Wu Cheng to lend his strength?!"
Di Wu Cheng’s face twisted in pain. When the Yuan family had been struck by calamity—orphans and widows forced into hiding, those who couldn’t escape captured, tortured, and hanged—what had he been doing? Ah, yes. He had been busy comforting his sister over the loss of her beloved.
Madam Xiao sneered. "My husband also has a sworn brother—Wan Songbai, the governor of Xu Commandery. For over twenty years, the Wan and Cheng families have shared joys and sorrows, standing together as one family! I dare say that if it meant saving my husband’s life, aside from Old Madam Wan, Governor Wan would willingly sacrifice everything—his own life, his wives and concubines, even his children!"
These words filled Di Wu Cheng with shame. Old Man Cheng shifted uncomfortably in his seat. If he were to be brutally honest, he… probably wouldn’t be willing to trade Madam Xiao or his children for his sworn brother Wan Songbai.
"The words ‘standing together through thick and thin’ are easy to say but hard to live by. In your heart, Di Wu Cheng, your sworn brother’s family drowning in blood and teetering on the brink of death mattered less than your sister’s tears!"
Madam Xiao’s words were sharp and merciless. "Though your sister died tragically, Old Master Yuan also paid with his life. What more do you want? Hah! Is your sworn brother’s father’s life worth less than your sister’s? For over twenty years, in private, you have betrayed your sworn brotherhood—selfish, self-pitying, wallowing in guilt. In public, you have betrayed your master’s teachings. These past decades have been a time of chaos and suffering for the people, yet you wasted them on useless vengeance and resentment, contributing nothing to the world! Hmph! Your master must have been blind to pass his skills to someone like you!"
—Di Wu Cheng was utterly lost. The fourth stage was complete.
"And now?" Shao Shang pressed for the fifth stage.
Madam Xiao smiled faintly. "We’ve moved his heart, reasoned with him, and struck him with harsh truths. Now, let him recover. Once he catches his breath, all will be well. A Zhu and Ou Er adore him—they pester him daily to chat and teach them martial arts. Later, I’ll arrange a marriage for Di Wu Cheng. Once he has children and rebuilds his family, this matter will be behind him..."
Skeptical, Shao Shang sneaked to Cheng Zhu and Cheng Ou’s quarters to spy. Sure enough, she saw Di Wu Cheng sitting in the courtyard, patiently correcting the boys’ grappling stances while carving two delicate wooden swords. The weathered middle-aged man’s former hostility had vanished, replaced by endless patience."Father and Mother are truly remarkable!" Shao Shang sighed in admiration.
Cheng Shao Gong said, "People are all like this—helpless with their own affairs but effortlessly capable with others'. Even now, you refuse to reconcile with Grandmother, and Father and Mother have no solution either, do they?"
Shao Shang frowned. "I heard Grandmother is ill."
"Yes, but no one can pinpoint the cause. She's eating poorly and growing thinner by the day. The physicians say it's just old age," Cheng Shao Gong replied. "Truthfully, Grandmother isn’t young anymore. Mother said if Grandmother doesn’t improve, she’ll summon Uncle and the elder brothers back."
Shao Shang understood this meant preparing for the end—yet she remained silent, refusing to offer any comfort to Cheng Mu in her final days. It wasn’t that her heart was cold, but someone had to remember the real Cheng Shaoshang who had died unjustly.
Her attention successfully diverted, Shao Shang slept soundly that night, undisturbed by dreams. Meanwhile, in the Luo residence on the other side of the Capital City, a noble lady renowned for her virtue lay awake all night.
Early the next morning, before dawn had fully broken, Luo Jitong rose to wash and dress. Without even informing Madam Luo, she ordered the servants to prepare a carriage and set out. Half an hour later, she arrived just as the main gates of the Huo residence were opening, and a group was about to depart.
Huo Bu Yi, clad in crimson court robes, tall and imposing atop a majestic steed, looked even more dignified and handsome than usual.
Luo Jitong gazed at him with admiration and said softly, "This humble one greets the General."
"Why have you come?" Huo Bu Yi asked, slightly surprised.
Luo Jitong lifted the carriage curtain slightly, her expression sorrowful yet composed. "I have something to say to the General. My father yesterday... I am utterly distraught and at a loss..." She trailed off.
"I thought you were intelligent," Huo Bu Yi said coolly. "An intelligent person should know how to proceed from here."
"Five years by your side—does the General not owe me an explanation?" Luo Jitong pleaded.
Huo Bu Yi looked at her. "I have been with another woman—shared meals, laughter, quarrels, intimate moments. I know what 'companionship' means. You and I have never 'been together.'"
Surrounded by guards and family generals, all watching intently, Luo Jitong was mortified, her eyes brimming with tears. Liang Qiuqi remained expressionless, while Liang Qiu Fei looked sympathetic.
"Without an explanation from the General, I cannot rest," Luo Jitong murmured.
Huo Bu Yi considered for a moment. "His Majesty holds the Grand Court Assembly today. We’ll speak when I return."
Watching the man she loved depart without a backward glance, Luo Jitong felt her heart wrench in pain. Looking down, she realized her palms were bleeding where her nails had dug into them. Unwilling to return home or wait idly at the Huo residence, she instructed the driver to head for the Cheng Residence instead.
Though the Cheng family was newly prominent, their servants were well-mannered. Learning that Madam Xiao was not at home, Luo Jitong was escorted by a maid to Shao Shang’s quarters, only to discover that the Young Lady of the Cheng household was still fast asleep despite the late hour.
Bitterly, Luo Jitong thought, This is my rival—utterly lacking in propriety in every way, yet Huo Bu Yi is devoted to her.
Shao Shang was equally disgruntled. On her rare day off, sleeping until lunchtime was the least she could do for the sake of the nation and its people. Instead, she had to dress properly and sit politely across from Luo Jitong. Suppressing a yawn, she asked, "What brings Luo Niangzi here today?"
Luo Jitong gave a faint, mocking smile.Cheng Shaoshang was of such temperament—once a rift appeared, she couldn't even be bothered with superficial pleasantries. Ever since that unpleasant encounter at the Palace of Eternal Peace, she had refused to address her as 'Jitong A-jie,' sticking rigidly to the formal 'Luo Niangzi' instead.
"...My words that day were improper. It's only right that you resent me for slighting Consort Xuan," Luo Jitong said softly. "But I hope you can forgive me. With my impending marriage to General Huo suddenly interrupted, I... I grew somewhat anxious."
Shao Shang curled her lips slightly, offering no comment.
No matter how sweet the words, they meant nothing. Luo Jitong had yet to pay her respects to Empress Dowager Xuan since returning—why bother with such pretenses? Still, she couldn't be bothered to expose the woman and only replied lazily, "No matter, no matter. I'm anxious too—anxious to get back to resting. What exactly brings you here today, Luo Niangzi? Please get to the point."
Luo Jitong's expression stiffened briefly before resuming its sorrowful, pitiable demeanor. "I've admired General Huo since childhood. Before, we were both bound by other engagements, and I thought all hope was lost. But heaven took pity and allowed us to reunite in Liangzhou. Shao Shang, you can't possibly imagine how overjoyed I was at that moment... Ah—"
Shao Shang wagged a finger playfully, cutting her off. "Three things. First, how many noble ladies in this Capital City do you suppose have 'admired Marquis Huo since childhood'? If gathered, could they fill an entire vanguard battalion?"
Luo Jitong's face darkened.
"Second, you claim to have admired Marquis Huo since childhood and were overjoyed upon reuniting in Liangzhou. So, while you were still married to your late husband, you were already pining for Lord Huo in your heart?"
"How dare you speak like this! My late husband and I—my late husband and I—" Luo Jitong was both shocked and furious. "We treated each other with respect and lived in harmony! How can you make such baseless assumptions?"
"Fine, fine. Let's say you 'admired' Marquis Huo until right before your marriage, and then, once your husband died, your 'admiration' came rushing back. How about that?"
Luo Jitong was left speechless with anger.
Shao Shang's smile faded slowly. "Third, you know my temper—I'm neither magnanimous nor understanding, and I certainly don't soften at the sight of weakness. So don't expect to sway me with a few pitiful words. Once I form a dislike for someone, I can't even be bothered to pretend. Luo Niangzi, whatever you came here for, say it quickly. I still need to go back to sleep."
Luo Jitong sighed mournfully. "Aren't you afraid word will spread of how you bully and slight me?"
"No matter. My reputation has never been good, and it hasn't stopped me from getting engaged over and over again. Hmm, each son-in-law has been quite decent too, so Luo Niangzi needn't worry on my behalf." Shao Shang was well-versed in self-deprecation—as long as it didn't wound her, it would infuriate the other party.
"Very well, I'll speak plainly." Luo Jitong's composure was remarkable—even after such mockery, she maintained an air of dignified sorrow. "My father has been on duty outside the city these past few days. Yesterday evening, he suddenly sent a trusted aide home with word that General Huo had presented him with a mirror screen in front of many people, explicitly stating it was for my dowry. I can't even imagine how humiliated my father must have felt!"
Shao Shang was taken aback. "Your father didn't go confront Lord Huo about it? Weren't you practically engaged in the northwest?"
Luo Jitong smiled bitterly. "But we weren't formally engaged, were we?"
"The Crown Prince holds you in high regard, doesn't he?"
"His Highness holds General Huo in higher regard."Though Shao Shang disliked Luo Jitong, she couldn't help feeling some sympathy for a woman abandoned at the altar. "Then... what do you plan to do?"
"I don't know," Luo Jitong's eyes welled up with tears.
Shao Shang scratched her head.
When a man didn't want to marry a woman, unless there was an extreme disparity in power and interests, it would be nearly impossible to force the matter. Even Royal Uncle had failed to pressure Huo Bu Yi into compliance—what hope did Luo Jitong's father have? Especially since Huo Bu Yi and Luo Jitong had never been formally engaged.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I don't want anything to do with Huo Bu Yi," Shao Shang said, seeing the hopeful look in Luo Jitong's eyes and understanding her thoughts. "I won't plead your case to Huo Bu Yi, nor will I beg him to marry you—that's your own affair."
Luo Jitong lowered her head despondently.
"...Besides, if he'd actually listen to my requests, then I'd ask him to stop bothering me. But does he ever listen?" Shao Shang grew increasingly irritated the more she thought about it.
Luo Jitong knew she was right, which only made her more upset.
At that moment, A Mei entered the room with freshly brewed fruit wine for the two. Before leaving, she noticed the wind chime hanging high on the corridor had stopped moving and making sounds, so she tried to take it down for repairs. Seeing that A Mei wasn't tall enough even on tiptoe, Shao Shang chuckled and stood up to help.
It was already April, with warm and pleasant weather. Shao Shang wore a loose, soft, and slightly worn sleeveless robe.
She first raised her right arm, the wide sleeve sliding down her fair skin. Just as it was about to slip past her upper arm near the shoulder, she reflexively clutched the sleeve, then lowered her right arm and switched to her left to reach for the wind chime.
Luo Jitong's heart skipped a beat.
After handing the wind chime to A Mei, Shao Shang turned back with a smile, only to see Luo Jitong looking strangely at her. "What's wrong with you?"
"Let me see your arm," Luo Jitong said bluntly.
"What are you talking about?" Shao Shang was puzzled.
"Let me see your right arm," Luo Jitong stood up.
Shao Shang instinctively pulled her right shoulder back. "What nonsense... Fine, we've said all there is to say today. Luo Niangzi, you should head back now. Safe travels."
Luo Jitong's expression turned almost frenzied. Seeing Shao Shang about to call for her maids, she grabbed her arm, twisted it, and kneed her in retaliation—a stark contrast between an unrefined troublemaker and a truly accomplished noblewoman skilled in both arts and martial prowess.
Luo Jitong yanked up Shao Shang's right sleeve and stared. On the plump, fair arm were two neat rows of teeth marks, long scarred over, leaving only faint yellowish traces.
She remembered now—back in the northwestern border town, Huo Bu Yi often made a strange gesture: he would occasionally touch his own right upper arm, lost in thought, with a hint of tender melancholy.
"Ah, I see, I see now!" Luo Jitong let out a bitter, mirthless laugh. "Now I understand everything!" Seeing no point in continuing the conversation with Cheng Shaoshang, she released her grip, staggered back a few steps, and stormed off with a flick of her sleeve.
Rubbing her arm as she got up from the floor, Shao Shang shouted angrily at Luo Jitong's retreating figure, "You're insane—go take your medicine!"
Author's Note: Finally wrapped up the busy period. The typhoon wasn't so bad—it improved both the temperature and rainfall.
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