That night, Shao Shang tossed and turned until dawn. The next day, before daybreak, she sent someone to the Yuan residence with a message, specifically requesting their "top talent" to escort her back to the palace. Thus, Yuan Shen had his servants prepare an ostentatiously gilded carriage and hurried to the Cheng Residence before court began, only to hear his fiancée—her eyes swollen—solemnly demand that he break off their engagement.
“What did you say?” Yuan Shen wondered if he had misheard. “Just the day before yesterday, you swore you’d never break the engagement. Now, after just one day and two nights, you’ve changed your mind? Did you oversleep?”—With the chaos in court these days due to local resistance against the Land Measurement Decree, Huo Bu Yi shouldn’t have had time to stir up trouble.
Shao Shang braced a hand against the carriage wall and confirmed, “You heard right. I advise you to call off the engagement quickly. If you delay, things might get worse.”
“What happened yesterday? Who came to see you?” Yuan Shen was sharp.
Shao Shang recounted Luo Jitong’s visit. Yuan Shen’s expression darkened. “...So soon. I didn’t expect him to have no regard for the Luo family at all. I thought he’d hesitate to act against them immediately out of some lingering sentiment.”
Shao Shang turned and leaned back against the carriage wall, silent.
Yuan Shen struck his palm with a fist and sneered, “But this isn’t surprising. The Grand Empress Dowager of Huai'an and the Prince of the East Sea treated him with such trust and affection, yet Huo Bu Yi betrayed them without hesitation!”
Shao Shang found his words grating but couldn’t refute them.
After muttering curses under his breath, Yuan Shen forced a playful tone. “Even if he’s severed ties with the Luo family, why are you asking me to break off the engagement? The moment he’s free to marry, are you planning to throw yourself at him?”
“You know that’s not it,” Shao Shang scoffed. “In my life, I’ve always despised the word ‘forgiveness.’ Because of it, people harm others without restraint, knowing that once time passes, a simple apology will make others say, ‘Let it go.’ Hah! Some things, once done, are done. Some wounds, once inflicted, stay inflicted. Why must we always forgive?” Like her—she would never forgive Cheng Mu or Ge Shi.
—Old Man Cheng and Madam Xiao could at least claim they were striving for the family’s future, and she had indeed benefited from the wealth and stability they secured. But Cheng Mu, selfish and manipulative, had harmed an innocent child just to control her son and daughter-in-law. Even in death, she would never forgive her. Not all elders deserved respect!
Yuan Shen fell silent for a moment before asking, “Then why are you in such a hurry for me to break off the engagement? The Luo family isn’t some insignificant household. After suffering such humiliation, do you think they’ll let Huo Bu Yi off easily? This matter won’t be resolved so simply.”
Instead of answering, Shao Shang said, “Do you know Huo Bu Yi’s habits when it comes to handling matters? The year the Prince of the East Sea abdicated his position as heir, I helped clean out the Eastern Palace and came across old records of commendations for Huo Bu Yi and letters he wrote to the prince.”
Yuan Shen eyed her skeptically.
“There was one incident—he must have been around sixteen or seventeen at the time. The Emperor assigned him and Zhang Yao to suppress two bandit strongholds in Yu Province—one in Liang, the other in Lu. To be honest, the Liang stronghold was indeed weaker, so the Emperor originally sent Huo Bu Yi there. But Zhang Yao was resentful, complaining to others that he was just playing second fiddle to the Emperor’s adopted son. So Huo Bu Yi voluntarily switched with him.”
Yuan Shen remarked, “Zhang Yao was indeed petty, begrudging a youth barely out of his teens. No wonder the Emperor never favored him, despite his martial prowess.”"The Prince of the East Sea was worried about Huo Bu Yi, but Huo Bu Yi reassured him in a letter, saying that although the bandits in Liang were few in number, they were from the same clan, bound by blood and kinship, united in purpose. On the other hand, the group in Lu County, though larger, was a motley crew gathered from all corners, united only by profit—once the benefits were gone, they would scatter."
Yuan Shen noticed the details: "When was that letter written?"
"Shortly after the two forces had just left the Capital City."
"So, long before His Majesty intended to send them to suppress the bandits, Huo Bu Yi had already gathered detailed information about those two bandit strongholds."
"Exactly."
Yuan Shen stroked his sleeve, lost in thought.
Shao Shang continued, "Later, things unfolded exactly as Huo Bu Yi had predicted. Zhang Yao struggled to make progress, suffering heavy casualties, while Huo Bu Yi, after sowing discord among the bandits, took the stronghold with ease... Hmph, some of the bandit leaders' heads were even chopped off by their own men seeking to atone for their crimes."
Yuan Shen frowned, "...That was just luck. What if Zhang Yao hadn’t been so narrow-minded? What if the two forces hadn’t been swapped? Who knows how it would have ended?"
"Don’t worry. Two years later, you got your answer," Shao Shang said irritably. "At that time, His Majesty had just taken Longdi and was pursuing several fleeing enemy troops. Whether someone had it out for Huo Bu Yi or not, he was sent to chase the route led by the enemy chieftain’s younger brother. Pitifully, Huo Bu Yi himself had just emerged from a brutal battle, his men exhausted, his horses spent, and casualties heavy. Meanwhile, the enemy forces were either long-trained Death Squad members or kinsmen from the same clan."
Yuan Shen remembered, his expression darkening: "I know of this. Huo Bu Yi caught up with the fleeing troops and fought them to the death without hesitation. In the end, he returned with the enemy chieftain’s head to report his success, then spent nearly half a year recovering at Cui Hou’s residence."
The Emperor had been heartbroken. When rewards were distributed, he deliberately suppressed the commendations for certain individuals—likely to vent his anger on behalf of his foster son. Yet, it was precisely this brutal, head-on battle that made the court officials take notice of the still-underage Huo Bu Yi, praising him as 'General Huo Chong’s worthy successor,' completely overlooking Ling Yi.
Shao Shang nodded. "Now you understand. If he dares to suddenly sever ties with the Luo family, it’s either because he has a backup plan—ensuring the Luo family won’t dare retaliate—or because he’s ready to throw caution to the wind, unafraid of making enemies with them."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Yuan Shen asked suspiciously.
Shao Shang replied, "By the same logic, if he dares to suddenly demand that I break off our engagement, it’s either because he’s planned his next move or because he’s prepared to go all out. Young Master Yuan, how do you plan to respond?"
Yuan Shen bristled. "As if I’m afraid of him!"
"If it’s the former, that’s manageable. Your Yuan family isn’t to be trifled with, and you’re no less cunning than Huo Bu Yi. But if it’s the latter, and he abandons all decency, causing a city-wide scandal with people pointing fingers at you—what then?" Few men would willingly become the subject of gossip, let alone one suspected of wearing a cuckold’s horns.
Yuan Shen was indeed stunned.
As they reached the palace gates, Shao Shang patted Yuan Shen’s shoulder. "Think carefully. When Huo Bu Yi loses his temper, he bites. You can’t very well bite back. Don’t worry about me—though I’ve suffered plenty at his hands, he hasn’t come out unscathed either."
Yuan Shen assumed Shao Shang’s mention of biting was metaphorical. In truth, she meant it literally.The two parted at the palace gates, Yuan Shen so preoccupied with his thoughts that he nearly took the wrong path to the Department of State Affairs.
Empress Dowager Xuan remained bedridden, her mind hazy and unaware that Shao Shang had returned to the Palace of Eternal Peace. Shao Shang felt deeply sorrowful. After feeding her the medicinal broth, the Empress Dowager drowsily inquired about Huo Bu Yi's legal troubles. Shao Shang vented her frustration by harshly criticizing Huo Bu Yi, eliciting faint laughter from the Empress Dowager.
Several days later, the youngest daughter of the Cheng family once again became the talk of the Capital City.
First, Colonel of the Long River Luo Bin publicly announced his intention to find a new husband for his widowed daughter who had returned home, startling the nobility of the Capital. Those with sharp ears had long known that the Crown Prince favored Luo Jitong to marry Huo Bu Yi and that the Luo family was overjoyed at the prospect. Given the current situation, it was clear that either the Luo family had suddenly gone mad, or Huo Bu Yi had changed his mind.
Without needing prior discussion, everyone turned their gaze toward the Cheng family. The unfortunate Old Man Cheng could no longer avoid the Luo family and had to feign illness to escape further encounters.
Even more peculiar was the fact that, following the precedent of Yuan Shen breaking off his engagement with the Cai Family, Huo Bu Yi should have shown some remorse toward the Luo family. Yet, judging by the Luo family's actions, this did not seem to be the case. Luo Bin first secluded his daughter to recuperate, declining all invitations and social gatherings. Then, while claiming to seek a new husband for her, he rejected all proposals from relatives and friends, as if planning to marry her off to a distant frontier—suggesting the Luo family harbored some hidden fear of Huo Bu Yi. Truly strange.
Meanwhile, Huo Bu Yi had loaded carts with rare treasures—tiger bones, bear bile, deer antlers, wild ginseng, sable furs, hunting falcons—along with gold, gemstones, ivory, spices, fine horses, and fierce mastiffs brought by merchant caravans from the distant northern deserts, all heading in a grand procession toward the Cheng Residence.
Cheng Shi, recalling how his daughter had fallen gravely ill from heartbreak years ago, was so furious he wanted to strike someone. Huo Bu Yi knelt before him, willing to endure any beating or scolding, but Madam Xiao tightly held her husband back—"Even the Emperor has never struck him! You must not lay a hand on him!"
The three remained locked in a stalemate for a long time before each finally spoke their piece.
Madam Xiao's words were more refined: "You need not apologize to us. Though we are Niao Niao's parents, we failed to care for or guide her since childhood, and now it is too late for regrets. Whatever path Niao Niao chooses in the future, whoever she wishes to marry, we leave it to her decision... Take these things back with you."
Huo Bu Yi naturally refused, saying, "I do not seek your intercession on my behalf. It is only that the trouble I caused years ago nearly implicated the entire Cheng Residence. Whenever I think of it, my conscience is deeply troubled."
Cheng Shi clenched his fists and said gravely, "Five years ago, Niao Niao nearly died from her illness. Do not think your suffering during exile compares to the times she was beyond cure. If you doubt me, go to the rear courtyard and see the half-finished coffin still stored there for her."
Huo Bu Yi abruptly looked up, then calmly and silently took his leave.
After he departed, Madam Xiao asked her husband, "Why did you tell Huo Bu Yi about Niao Niao's grave illness? I thought you always favored Yuan Shanjian as her husband." Now, that man surnamed Huo would never let go.
Cheng Shi sighed. "If Yuan Shanjian had wronged Niao Niao, do you think she would have fallen so gravely ill?"—The depth of love matches the depth of hatred, and thus the depth of the wound. As someone who had been through it, he hoped his daughter would not regret her choices in the future.In the courtyard, Old Steward Cheng was dazzled by the mountain-high pile of gifts. Among them was an astonishingly enormous set of deer antlers, with over twenty thick branches sprawling nearly ten feet wide. It was too large to fit through any ordinary gate, forcing the old steward to dismantle both sides of the main entrance just to move the priceless antlers inside.
After counting gifts until his hands ached and his mouth went dry, nearly out of breath, the old steward contentedly remarked to his old friend’s son, Fu Yi, that the family head should have had more daughters—just imagine how glorious the Cheng family would be then.
Fu Yi thought to himself: With just one daughter, things are already chaotic enough. If there were more, who knows how many times the Cheng family gates would need dismantling.
Seeing the residence in a flurry of activity, Cheng Shaogong called for Di Wu Cheng to help with the moving. Di Wu Cheng glared: "Why should I help?"
"Because you ought to be delighted," Cheng Shaogong said with a grin. "The future bride of the son of Prefect Yuan—whom you despise with every fiber of your being—is about to be snatched away!"
Di Wu Cheng was stunned.
After such a grand spectacle, everyone in the Capital City, from high-ranking nobles to common laborers, was buzzing with excitement, unanimously turning their attention to the Huo, Yuan, and Cheng families. In teahouses, taverns, and after court sessions, discussions were rampant—
It was said Old Marquis Ban once sighed, "I wonder if I’ll live to see Huo Chong’s son marry in my lifetime."
It was said Ji Zun of the Court of Justice quietly withdrew his retirement petition, vowing to resign only after witnessing Huo Bu Yi’s wedding.
It was said Yuan Shen had fought tooth and nail to break off his engagement with the Cai Family solely for Young Lady Cheng—was this now his retribution?
It was said Prince Ruyang, after drinking, "slipped up" and vividly recounted the tender affection between Huo Bu Yi and Cheng Shaoshang during their outings. Once the floodgates opened, onlookers eagerly chimed in with their own accounts of witnessing the intimate moments between the Huo and Cheng pair…
For a time, the lush foliage of the ancient trees above the Yuan residence seemed to grow even more verdant.
Yet what fascinated the Capital City’s populace most was how this affair would unfold.
Some claimed Young Lady Cheng would heed her family’s advice, abandoning Yuan Shanjian for Huo Bu Yi. Others insisted she and Huo Bu Yi would soon embrace in tears, unable to resist their emotions. There were also whispers that she would stubbornly refuse to break off the engagement, leading Huo Bu Yi to forcibly seize her, leaving Yuan Cheng as star-crossed lovers. A few even speculated that Huo Bu Yi, ruthless as he was, would find a way to eliminate his rival—though others countered that he was honorable enough to challenge Yuan Shen openly for the beauty’s hand… Oh heavens, just thinking about it was thrilling!
Even the Crown Prince, inundated with gossip, sighed, "Zisheng, why are people so idle? His Majesty just executed over a dozen commandery governors for falsifying land measurements, yet no one discusses that—only your affairs."
Huo Bu Yi fell silent for a moment. "This outcome was… unexpected for me as well."
—He had deliberately chosen this time to visit the Cheng Residence without the Luo family, assuming public attention would be fixed on the land measurement issue. Little did he know he had underestimated the Capital City’s appetite for gossip. Now, the situation had reversed: with his scandal stealing the spotlight, few grumbled about the Emperor’s strict enforcement of land measurements.
The Emperor, finding his foster son’s diversion quite effective, was thoroughly pleased.
As rumors spread like wildfire, even Cai Yun, now idle at home, couldn’t help but pity his former disciple and almost-nephew-in-law. He remarked, "Shanjian, why did you insist on breaking off the engagement back then? Had you not, you and my niece might already have children by now."
Yuan Shen remained silent.Upon returning home, Yuan Shen changed his clothes and went to see his father, only to find his mother, Lady Liang, present as well. He froze momentarily.
"...That is how things stand. Please believe me, Shao Shang has done nothing improper. It was all Huo Bu Yi acting recklessly. For bringing gossip upon our family, I am at fault." Yuan Shen knelt in apology.
Yuan Pei had also heard the rampant rumors outside but laughed heartily: "Fair maiden, a gentleman's desire; sought but not gained, tossing and turning restlessly. In ancient times, mutual admiration between men and women was considered an elegant affair. Let them talk." He coughed lightly twice.
"Father..." Yuan Shen was astonished.
Lady Liang smiled. "When your father returned from his travels and announced his wish to marry Fifth Heyi, he turned the household upside down. Your grandfather beat him countless times, and your grandmother wailed that she couldn't go on living. Back then, the entire commandery watched the Yuan family become a laughingstock. Whenever our women attended banquets, they were teased with remarks like, 'Has your Pei settled down yet?' Haha, yet here we are."
She took an outer robe handed by a maid and gently draped it over Yuan Pei. Seeing his parents' affectionate gestures, Yuan Shen felt uneasy and muttered, "This... this is different. This is 'the hatred of a stolen wife.' If we show weakness, won't the Yuan family become a laughingstock?"
"Shanjian, come here," Yuan Pei beckoned gently. Yuan Shen obediently knelt beside his father.
Yuan Pei rested a hand on his son's slender shoulder and spoke softly, "You've been disciplined and self-restrained since childhood, excelling in studies and arts without needing supervision. Whether pursuing education or serving in court, you've brought honor to the Yuan family. In the blink of an eye, you've grown up and become capable, yet I feel regret—I've never truly spoken with you."
"Breaking off the engagement with the Cai family and seeking to marry Lady Cheng was likely the first decision you've made in your life that wasn't based on gains or losses." Yuan Pei's expression was tender, as if gazing at the chubby little boy who had clung to his trousers, blowing bubbles with his soft lips when he left for war at just three years old.
"I want you to think carefully: Is your refusal to let go of Lady Cheng now truly because you love her and must marry her, or is it for pride, refusing to admit defeat? If it's the latter, you might as well be magnanimous and let it go. Granting them their marriage would still make you an upright and gallant gentleman. Marquis Huo would remember your kindness and surely support our Yuan family in the future. If it's the former... my son, have you truly thought it through?"
His father's eyes, weathered yet wise, seemed to pierce his heart. Yuan Shen felt lost—
The first time he saw Shao Shang at the lantern festival, he hadn't thought much of her. After meeting her a few more times, he merely found her clever and amusing—even her unruly, defiant nature was endearing. He thought, marrying her wouldn't be bad.
But then, time and again, he was always a step too late. Over time, it became an obsession. Yet, with Huo Bu Yi blocking the way, he resigned himself to finding another suitable wife. Until... until over five years ago...
His mind flashed to that cold, starry night when he rushed to the palace upon hearing the news and saw her walking out along the palace corridor.
The girl's frail figure moved sluggishly along the palace wall, her shoulders weighed down by endless grief and resentment. Like a live fish stripped of its scales, she had been cruelly robbed of her former vibrancy, leaving only exhaustion in its wake.When she looked up, her tear-dried eyes, larger and darker than usual, pierced him with a cold, mocking gaze that instantly seared his heart—Yuan Shen felt an overwhelming surge of emotion, a pity so profound it bordered on reverence, a sensation he had never experienced in his meticulously ordered twenty-one years of life.
Yet, he never quite knew how to handle such feelings.
Author's note: Finally wrote the showdown scene, so happy 2333333.
OpenNovel