That evening after dinner, Madam Xiao caught Shao Shang, who was planning to seek out her elder brother to continue their discussion about the Imperial Academy, saying she needed to pay respects to the Ge family members. Knowing she couldn’t avoid it, Shao Shang agreed readily. However, when they arrived at the guest quarters, neither Grandfather Ge nor Uncle Ge was present. Only Cheng Yang lay sobbing on Aunt Ge’s lap.
"...Aunt, please take me back. I want to go home, I want to go home!"
"Ah, silly Yang Yang, this is your home now, with your parents and family..."
But Cheng Yang only cried harder: "Since childhood, you taught me filial piety. When Father was despondent, I could at least serve him. But Mother... On my second day here, she drove Niao Niao away, and I later heard Niao Niao nearly lost her life! All these days, she’s barely spoken to me, doting only on Ou Er, scolding Father, slandering Aunt in front of Grandmother, scheming vile things... I... I’m so ashamed... I can’t stay here, Aunt. Please take me home..."
Aunt Ge’s heart ached. Cheng Yang had been brought to her as an infant, when she had no grandchildren yet and her own children were grown. This little girl had been raised with her own flesh and blood, from babbling infancy to dutiful girlhood—gentle, honest, and obedient. She loved her more than life itself.
Tearfully, she said, "Yang Yang, listen to me. Your future lies with the Cheng family—" Before she could finish, Cheng Yang wailed, "I don’t want a future! I want you and Uncle!"
Madam Xiao sighed and quickly had a maid announce their arrival.
Shao Shang thought to herself: Hmm, seems Cheng Yang wasn’t close to the original Cheng Shaoshang either. That’s just as well.
Entering, they found Aunt Ge and Cheng Yang hastily wiping tears and straightening their clothes. Madam Xiao sat down as if noticing nothing, greeting them cheerfully. As they exchanged pleasantries, Shao Shang learned Grandfather Ge, frail with age, had retired early, while Uncle Ge had been dragged off by Old Man Cheng for drinks and reminiscing.
—Only her husband would think to take his freshly divorced former in-law out drinking. Madam Xiao inwardly scoffed but kept smiling, urging her daughter to perform the formal greetings. Shao Shang promptly demonstrated her training, smoothly bending at the waist with arms extended in a deep bow—a proper ceremonial salute. Considering the New Year gifts the Ge family had brought her, the courtesy wasn’t wasted.
Aunt Ge praised her profusely, though the compliments focused solely on Shao Shang’s looks and bowing form. She tactfully avoided mentioning traditional lady’s accomplishments like music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or household management.
"My sister-in-law..."
Aunt Ge began apologizing again for Ge Shi, but Madam Xiao cut her off briskly: "Elder Sister, no need. Our families are neighbors—we know everything. Haven’t you suffered under her too? As the elder sister-in-law, you’re like a mother, yet can’t truly discipline her as one. You bore it all without complaint!"
Aunt Ge sighed. "My suffering ended when she married into your family, passing the torment to you." Madam Xiao shook her head wryly. "Now that Grandfather has taken her back, it’s your burden again. Really, I’ve wronged you."Aunt Ge waved her hand with a smile. "At my age, how could I let her bully me? Before we left, my husband had already arranged for her to stay at the neighboring estate to reflect on her conduct. She still thinks she's the pampered young lady of the Ge family from back then."
Madam Xiao recalled the furious slap from Uncle Ge earlier that day and nodded. "That's good."
As they discussed Ge Shi, they observed the two girls beside them. Cheng Yang looked deeply uncomfortable hearing her birth mother being criticized, her hands gripping her knees and her head nearly touching the floor. In contrast, Cheng Shaoshang remained composed, showing neither anger nor schadenfreude. Instead, she casually examined the furnishings of the guest quarters and even rolled up her sleeves to help the maidservant serving clotted milk distribute the cups to everyone.
Aunt Ge marveled inwardly. Truly the daughter of Madam Xiao and General Cheng—despite being neglected by Ge Shi for ten years, she still carried herself with remarkable poise, neither arrogant nor timid, without a trace of hesitation.
Madam Xiao frowned as usual, thinking that after spending a decade with Ge Shi, Shaoshang's complete indifference—neither resentment nor pity—showed a lack of heart.
Aunt Ge turned to Cheng Yang and pulled her forward, speaking earnestly. "Don't feel ashamed just because you hear these things. The more you shrink back, the more others will provoke you. Don't lower your head. It's not uncommon for birth parents to separate or even remarry—this isn't your fault. You are a daughter of the Cheng family, and that's all you need to remember. Haven't I taught you before? What you inherit from your parents isn't just your body, but also your character. If your parents are virtuous, learn from them. If they have flaws, take them as warnings. Remember, your words and actions are the finest ornaments you can wear. Now, lift your head!"
Cheng Yang struggled to raise her head, tears brimming in her eyes, but she forced her shoulders straight.
Madam Xiao looked at Aunt Ge with admiration, while Shaoshang set aside her earlier disdain. She had assumed that any family capable of raising someone like Ge Shi couldn't be much better, but now she realized her shortsightedness.
Aunt Ge continued, "They say men should aspire to greatness, but does that mean women must forever depend on their parents? Children grow up and must eventually stand on their own—elders can't be your shelter forever. In my youth, I never imagined the world would fall into chaos, rendering all my studies in poetry useless. I had to work tirelessly with your uncle to secure food and protect our household, living in fear every day. And your aunt—who could have foreseen such calamity befalling her? Yet she gritted her teeth and endured."
Tears welled in Madam Xiao's eyes as she whispered, "When my family was destroyed, your sister and the Xiao family gave me immense support."
Aunt Ge patted her hand and turned back to Cheng Yang. "Yangyang, if your life remains smooth, it's by the grace of the gods. But life is long, and many unexpected things may happen. Only with a strong will and a sturdy body can you weather any storm. Wherever you go, stand tall like a great tree—not just supporting yourself, but sheltering the weak vines and flowers beneath you. Isn't that so? Now that peace is returning to the world, if you can learn even a fraction of your aunt's strength, you'll have nothing to fear."Shao Shang felt a surge of respect for Aunt Ge in her heart, but when she saw Cheng Yang beside her, sobbing uncontrollably and nodding repeatedly with trembling shoulders, she couldn't help but feel irritated again. Madam Xiao wiped her tears with a smile and said, "Sister, what are you saying? Yang Yang is so gentle and dignified now, all because she learned from you. Who wouldn’t praise her?" The two then engaged in a round of mutual flattery, while Shao Shang rolled her eyes inwardly.
After much ado, Aunt Ge finally got to the point. With tears in her eyes, she entrusted Cheng Yang to Madam Xiao, saying repeatedly, "We’re from a small rural place, never seen the world, and don’t understand the rules of the Capital City. Just teach her well. Though Yang Yang is slow, she’s honest and obedient. Please don’t look down on her." As she spoke, she placed one of Cheng Yang’s hands into Madam Xiao’s, who solemnly accepted the responsibility.
Watching their exaggerated display, Shao Shang mentally rolled her eyes: Even the legendary entrustment at Baidi City couldn’t compare to this.
Fearing they might not meet again easily, Cheng Yang stayed that night to keep Aunt Ge company. Madam Xiao led Shao Shang back, urging her along the way to remember Aunt Ge’s wise words. In truth, Shao Shang already wholeheartedly agreed with what Aunt Ge had said earlier, but the incessant nagging only made her resentful. She quickly interrupted, "...Why don’t we go find Father instead? We should also pay respects to Uncle Ge. But what about Grandfather? I haven’t greeted him yet. How could he retire so early?"
Madam Xiao’s lips curved slightly as she said, "Forget it"—the elderly slept lightly and rarely rested. He was surely reprimanding his daughter right now.
Having successfully cut short Madam Xiao’s lecture, Shao Shang glanced back as she stepped out of the guest quarters. A faint light glowed in a room three or four partitions east of Aunt Ge’s residence.
—Grandfather Ge was indeed reprimanding his daughter.
Ge Shi wept bitterly, her face streaked with snot and tears, nearly washing away the ointment applied to her cheeks earlier. She kept kowtowing, begging her father, "...Father, is there really no other way? I... I don’t want to divorce Zi Rong! I truly didn’t know you forbade the nephews from entering the Imperial Academy and arranged for another Teacher. I thought it was that wretched... no, my Husband's sister-in-law who interfered..."
Grandfather Ge’s expression was icy. "Now you regret it? Too late. Don’t blame Madam Xiao for bribing your Mother Fu either. On reflection, it was for the best. Had you done something truly irreparable, would she have spared you—or the Ge family? Tonight, I came to tell you: we leave at dawn tomorrow. Don’t make a scene. Go quietly."
Ge Shi was horrified and shrieked, "Father, how cruel! What will I do back home? Being divorced by the Cheng family will make me a laughingstock! For ten years, if I’ve contributed nothing, at least I’ve worked hard. I—"
"The villagers already know," Grandfather Ge said coldly. "After all these years married into the Cheng family, don’t you understand how General Cheng operates? Or did you think he’d spare your dignity? His personal attendant delivered the news—sparing no detail."
Ge Shi fell silent, murmuring, "Everyone knows now..." She had always been proud and domineering among relatives and friends. Now, facing such humiliation, she grew even more unwilling to return home."I won't go back! I absolutely won't go back!" Ge Shi suddenly screamed hysterically. Grandfather Ge responded with a backhanded slap—not heavy, but enough to shock her into silence. He said, "Do you think General Cheng is as easy to bully as Zirong? If you refuse to leave... Hmph! Do you remember what happened to those families who seized the Xiao family's lands and houses during the chaos? How did they leave? If you don't go willingly, he'll send soldiers to drag you away—whipped and beaten with clubs! Do you want to be humiliated like that?"
Ge Shi covered her face, fear creeping into her heart. "Surely it wouldn't come to that... If the Cheng family treats me this way, won't the villagers criticize them?"
"Even if it weren't the Cheng family, I would still make you leave," Grandfather Ge lamented. "When cattle are whipped, they know to shield their young beneath their bellies; when a mother beast is hunted, she stands in the way so her offspring can escape. But back then, because you resented Madam Xiao for bearing the Dragon-Phoenix Twins, you used the Shaman's words as an excuse, claiming Yangyang was hindering your own fertility, and heartlessly sent her back home. A child barely a year old—how could you bear to make her travel so far? My heart turned cold that day! Before, when you lacked filial piety, I excused it as childish ignorance. But now, I can no longer deceive myself!"
Ge Shi crawled on her knees to her father, clutching the hem of his robe, pleading, "No, no, that's not it..."
"Not only are you cold and ungrateful, but you're also vicious!" Grandfather Ge continued. "The Tian family was poor and relied on the Cheng family's support. Their son followed General Cheng from childhood and remained fiercely loyal after the uprising. How did he die? Protecting General Cheng's retreat—pierced by countless arrows! In the chaos of battle, not even his bones remained!"
Tears streamed down the old man's face. "General Cheng, pitying his elderly mother and widow for their gentle natures, knew that mere gold and silver would only make them targets. So he took them under his Private army's protection, intending for Tian Ding's son to inherit his position when he came of age. Everyone in our village knows this and praises General Cheng's kindness! But you—you..."
Grandfather Ge's anger flared. "That year, when General Cheng sent someone to the Capital City to fetch his daughter, you interfered. The Tian widow spoke out against you in anger. And what did you do? You tried to sell the orphaned mother and child! Such beastly behavior! Did you think no one would find out? A few years ago, when Tian Ding's widow remarried, her new husband's family lived nearby—how could rumors not spread? The whole village curses you as inhuman! When the Cheng family divorces you, the people will cheer!"
Ge Shi clung to her father's robe, weeping. "Should I just let those two lowly women slander my name outside?"
Grandfather Ge kicked her away, furious. "First, you wanted to place your own people in the estate, and the Tian widow stood in your way—you'd long wanted her gone! Second, were they wrong? Keeping the general's daughter did you no good; you only wanted to make Madam Xiao suffer! Such malice and depravity are rare even in this world!"
Ge Shi had no rebuttal and could only collapse to the ground, wailing.
Grandfather Ge sighed deeply. "For years, you've defied me in everything—that is unfilial. You've ordered your elder brother and his wife around and schemed against General Cheng and his wife—that is disrespectful. You've stirred trouble in your marital home and bullied your husband—that is unvirtuous. Greedy for wealth, you've exploited the general's name to extort money everywhere—that is theft! Such wickedness shames me to call you my daughter! If you won't leave, I'll tie you up and send you away tomorrow!"
Seeing her father's resolve, Ge Shi felt utterly lost, uncertain of what her future held.
Author's Note:Honey, I'm back. Give me a kiss.
By the way, the Ge family isn't involved in any conspiracy theories. They're genuinely good people, just not to the extent of sacrificing themselves for others.
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