Shao Shang didn’t know how she managed to exit that palace chamber. First, she bowed properly to the assembled ladies, then walked steadily down the palace corridor. Huo Bu Yi seemed to want to chase after her, but the Second Princess stopped him—"...Let her calm down first."
The ladies were all very polite, their faces wearing kind, teasing smiles as they made way for Shao Shang. They all thought to themselves: Who knows, we might be attending a wedding banquet at the Huo residence in the future—best not to offend the bride right from the start.
Stiffly, Shao Shang walked out of the Everlasting Autumn Palace. Once out of sight, she immediately lifted her skirts and ran as if pursued by demons—though it had been years since she last ran like this. In the Palace of Eternal Peace, she was the palace steward second only to one, managing people and arranging affairs. Outside the palace, she was even more careful not to give anyone cause for gossip.
After running for who knows how long, she leaned panting against the rocks by the lake, thinking how she used to be able to stand up to Huo Bu Yi a few times, but now she could only rely on her nails to scratch him. Even Luo Jitong could overpower her in an instant—indeed, long periods without exercise led to a decline in physical strength.
Her mind flooded with random thoughts, Shao Shang felt both flustered and annoyed. After smoothing her hair and clothes by the water’s edge, she decided that since she couldn’t sort out her thoughts right now, she might as well wander aimlessly along the lakeshore. It wasn’t until patrolling guards saluted her that she realized she had unconsciously arrived at the Upper West Gate guard post.
So, subconsciously, she wanted to go home? But home was even less safe. At least in the Palace of Eternal Peace, Huo Bu Yi wouldn’t dare act recklessly. But at the Cheng Residence? He’d scale walls and pry open windows even in broad daylight!
Just as she was about to turn back, she noticed a few familiar figures not far outside the palace gate. Driven by some inexplicable impulse, she instinctively hid behind a bronze statue of a fierce tiger.
Six years had passed, but Old Man Liang was as dignified as ever—back straight, demeanor poised. Holding his wife Qu Lingjun’s hand with one hand and supporting her waist with the other, he helped her steadily into the carriage. Just this simple, considerate gesture was enough to outshine many of the Capital City’s dashing young men.
Shao Shang had always wondered how a man of Liang Wuji’s caliber had remained a widower for so many years. Were the noble ladies blind? Or was her aesthetic taste just unique?
Over there, Liang Wuji whispered something, and Qu Lingjun laughed, her eyes crinkling and lips trembling. Their gazes met through the carriage window, their affection so palpable it even made the guards at the palace gate shift uncomfortably.
Shao Shang narrowed her eyes. Why did she feel Old Man Liang was dressed a bit too youthfully today? Shouldn’t this light blue brocade look better on a tall, slender young man like Yuan Shen’s age?
With nothing going right today, Shao Shang returned sullenly to the Everlasting Autumn Palace. Sitting by Empress Dowager Xuan’s couch, she recounted the day’s events while Zhai Nanny trimmed her nails, adding fuel to the fire: "Shao Shang did the right thing—you should’ve scratched him hard! Did it draw blood? Good, that’s how it should be! That rascal deserves to suffer a bit more..."
"Don’t talk nonsense, Zhai Nanny. Shao Shang knows her own mind," Empress Dowager Xuan said softly, leaning against her hidden cushion. She didn’t offer an opinion on the matter, merely teasing, "But Shao Shang, look at yourself—apart from your arms and nails, you’re completely unharmed. From what you just said, Zisheng is covered in wounds from head to face. The Crown Prince will surely reprimand you for this."
Shao Shang sighed silently. This was another headache for her. If she’d known this would happen, she wouldn’t have struck so fiercely earlier.Zhai Nanny chimed in, "Don't worry, don't worry. If anyone comes to trouble our lady, we'll just bolt the palace gates tight!"
Shao Shang looked at her fingers with distress. "What a pity for my nails—so well cared for, freshly stained with flower juice. Oh dear, oh dear, Zhai Nanny, don't cut them all off. Leave me some more; I still want to grow them long in the future."
Empress Dowager Xuan also stared at her fingers. "It's better to cut them short. How can you do woodwork or hold charcoal to sketch with such long nails?"
Shao Shang clenched a fist under her sleeve, maintaining her composure. "Then I just won't do it. The palace has the Imperial Workshop and the finest craftsmen in the world. Why should I show off?"
After a moment of silence, Empress Dowager Xuan said, "Never mind that. How long has it been since you played the flute? Now that your nails are all cut, play a tune for me—and don't use the excuse that the palace has the best musicians."
With no way out, Shao Shang had to send a palace maid to fetch the flute from her room. Having not practiced for so long, her fingers trembled over the finger holes, and the melody that came out was discordant and unrecognizable.
Setting down the short bamboo flute, the bedchamber fell into prolonged silence.
Empress Dowager Xuan sighed deeply. When Shao Shang asked why, the Empress Dowager murmured, "I was thinking... perhaps I was wrong..."
Shao Shang, puzzled, still tried to comfort her. "Your Majesty, don't be upset. I'll practice the flute when I return. My aunt said I have great talent in this—I pick it up quickly and master it easily. Don't worry; in a few days, I'll play for you again, and it'll sound just as good as before."
Empress Dowager Xuan gave a noncommittal smile.
...
Empress Yue's banquet was truly splendid. The noble ladies had promised the Second Princess not to gossip outside, so they wouldn't deliberately spread tales. However, blood is thicker than water—though they wouldn't speak of it publicly, they would surely share the stories with their husbands by their pillows.
That very night, two-thirds of the eyewitnesses spilled everything they had seen. The wife of the Marquis of Da Yue, being more composed and prudent, told her husband two days later, earning a reproach from the Marquis. "No wonder Eleventh Master's face was covered in wounds, as if scratched out. Yuhou and Second Brother were laughing so strangely. You should have told me earlier—I could only stand by and laugh awkwardly."
In all honesty, Huo Bu Yi hadn't meant to embarrass Shao Shang. But with the Land Measurement Decree facing unprecedented resistance and some powerful clan leaders already inciting riots, rallying commoners to bolster their influence, it was impossible for him to skip court. Thus, the wounds on his face could no longer be hidden.
Though the Emperor was fully aware of everything, he said nothing, merely casting amused glances at his adopted son's face. The Crown Prince, wide-eyed, bluntly asked what had happened. Huo Bu Yi replied with utmost seriousness, "I fell off my horse and was scratched by branches."
The Crown Prince refused to believe it. It was his cousin and Good Consort who revealed the truth, provoking him to storm off to the Palace of Eternal Peace to file a civil lawsuit against the responsible party—only to be firmly restrained by the Fourth Prince.
"Elder Brother, my dear elder brother, please spare us," said the Fourth Prince, who, though straightforward, was already married. "Zisheng's happy affair is at a critical juncture. Don't ruin it by meddling."
The Crown Prince was incredulous. "Being mauled by a woman counts as a happy affair?!"
The Fourth Prince remained unperturbed. "Don't blame me for not warning you. Mother has already said that until you marry and establish a consort, you're not to interfere in others' romantic affairs. If you disobey, Mother will... well, I don't know what she'll do, but you can imagine."The Crown Prince was fuming.
In short, unlike the previous uproar caused by Di Wu Cheng at the palace gates, which became widely known, this time, despite the more intense and severe circumstances, the gossip and whispers were confined only to the highest echelons of the Capital City.
Realizing the matter hadn’t escalated, Shao Shang secretly felt grateful to the Second Princess—and, well, Huo Bu Yi too.
However, since several prominent families were aware, the Yuan family inevitably found out—apparently, it was the Fourth Princess who secretly told Qu Lingjun, and then the Governor of Liangzhou informed the Yuan family.
Liang Wuji was a kind-hearted man who had once received favors from both Huo and Cheng, so he didn’t blame them. Instead, he gently asked his brother-in-law Yuan Pei whether they should reconsider Yuan Shen’s marriage.
It wasn’t that he looked down on Lady Cheng’s past entanglements—the Fourth Princess had clearly stated that Huo Bu Yi had knelt and begged—nor was it fear of Huo Bu Yi’s power and influence. Rather, as someone who had been through it all, Liang Wuji believed that marriage should never be forced.
And so, one day after court, the esteemed Yuan heir casually strolled to the Palace of Eternal Peace. Finding Shao Shang, the two sat on the empty steps under the setting sun to talk.
Shao Shang couldn’t help but complain, “I sent people to look for you so many times. Why didn’t you come? I had things to tell you.”
“I was afraid you’d break off the engagement as soon as we met, so I thought I’d hide for a few days,” Yuan Shen replied, not looking at her but instead picking up small pebbles from the steps one by one.
“Then why did you come today?”
“Because I realized that whether we break it off or not, Huo Bu Yi doesn’t show the slightest restraint.”
Shao Shang understood that Yuan Shen already knew. She slumped her shoulders apologetically. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you. Are people laughing at you?”
Yuan Shen spread his palm, counting over a dozen grayish pebbles, and said calmly, “I don’t care about others laughing at me. Back when I declined Your Majesty’s summons to the Department of State Affairs—since no one knew the reason—those scholars assumed I wasn’t favored by His Majesty. I was mocked even worse then.”
Shao Shang sighed weakly. “I told you so. I warned you long ago that Huo Bu Yi is hard to deal with. We should’ve called off the engagement sooner.”
Yuan Shen clenched the pebbles and suddenly turned to her. “What exactly did Huo Bu Yi say to you?! Did he also promise to cherish and respect you, to support each other and bring prosperity to your family?! Did he also say he’d entrust all household affairs to you, ensuring you’d live gloriously with no one daring to slight or bully you?! Did he also—”
“He said none of that,” Shao Shang interrupted. “He never talks to me about such things…” Seeing the faint agitation in Yuan Shen’s eyes, she hesitated. “All he ever speaks of is… ‘affection.’”
Yuan Shen opened his palm. The hard pebbles had left red marks on his soft, pale skin.
Shao Shang gazed at the clouds tinged by the sunset, her cheeks glowing red. She murmured, “He doesn’t need to say anything, because I know he’ll fulfill everything you mentioned.”
“…I see,” Yuan Shen said wistfully.
“Shan Jian, I won’t hide it from you. Even now, I feel a little afraid when I see Huo Bu Yi,” Shao Shang admitted. “He’s not like you or me. He’s the kind of person who—would draw his bow under the scorching sun, even if it meant death and ruin; who would chase the sun even in hopelessness, even if it exhausted him to the end; who would move stones day after day…”"Yi the Archer shot down the suns, Kuafu chased the sun, and the Foolish Old Man moved mountains—you can put it simply, I’ve read books," Yuan Shen couldn’t help but remark with a hint of mockery.
Shao Shang continued, "People say Huo Bu Yi is mature beyond his years, inscrutable and deep. But sometimes, he is more pure and simple than any of us." His love and hate were both intense and eternal.
Yuan Shen nodded. "True. Your Majesty dotes on him not just because of the Huo family’s heroic sacrifices or his sworn brotherhood with General Huo Chong, but also... I once heard Marquis Zhongyue say after drinking that whenever Your Majesty looks at Huo Bu Yi, his expression seems to return to his youth. Back then, the sky was high, the waters clear, and the days peaceful. The fine young men of Feng and Rao counties were either leisurely reading or busy farming, drinking and laughing in their free time. Back then, youthful passion burned bright, the world was pure, and everyone was straightforward and uncomplicated."
Shao Shang sighed softly. "Yes. Decades have passed since then. Those who once slew snakes and dogs have now become kings and marquises. The bright-eyed youths who protected His Majesty from assassins are no longer what they used to be. Everyone has gained power, land, private armies that obey their every command, and the adoration of their hometowns—only Huo Bu Yi..."
Yuan Shen smiled faintly. "I know what you mean. If Huo Bu Yi were to abandon all his current power and return with you to his ancestral home in Feng County to raise children and live quietly, I believe he would be willing—His Majesty knows this, and the Crown Prince will come to know it too."
"But you wouldn’t be willing."
"Would you?" Yuan Shen retorted with a sidelong glance.
Shao Shang laughed.
Yuan Shen looked at the girl with resolute determination, his words heavy with meaning. "I’ve said it before—in the future, I will stand among the Three Dukes, and my descendants will too. Our family will produce generations of powerful ministers, and the Yuan clan will flourish. When I rise to the pinnacle of power, I want you by my side."
He gazed at her earnestly. "Huo Bu Yi and I are different, but my feelings for you are just as precious."
Shao Shang lowered her head, looking at her neatly trimmed nails.
Yuan Shen said, "I’ve never clearly expressed my feelings to you, only talking about worldly matters. That’s because... because..."
"I know," Shao Shang said gently. "It’s because you didn’t know how to say it—and worse, you didn’t even know what you truly felt."
She looked up with a smile. "How could I not understand you? I say one thing, and you finish the next. We’re the same—both foolish and cowardly. We know everything, we’re shrewd about everything, yet we don’t understand ourselves."
Yuan Shen’s gaze softened, as if looking at the little girl who once gazed up at lanterns under the night sky—her eyes clear yet bewildered.
"But let’s call off the engagement first," Shao Shang said with a laugh. "Next time I marry, I won’t bother with a betrothal—I’ll go straight to the wedding."
Yuan Shen said nothing, only watched her.
Shao Shang patted her robes and stood up under the golden-red glow of the sunset. "This time, I won’t be so rushed or calculating. I need to figure some things out first—what kind of life I truly want in the future."
"A Shen, I’m sorry, but this is the only way for me. It has to be this way."
—To return to the beginning and truly understand who she was.
Author’s Note: 1. Resting on Sunday~2. The entire Eastern Han Dynasty was a process of powerful aristocratic families rising to prominence. However, some families fared well while others ended up on the executioner's block. Generally speaking, most noble families survived from the dynasty's founding through to the Wei-Jin period. The Yuan family, which produced four generations of Three Dukes, was among the more successful—not only did it have a long history, but it also produced numerous talented individuals.
Yet precisely because they were so successful, they directly participated in the struggle for supremacy among warlords, only to encounter Lord Cao and the Sun brothers. The power of the two Yuan factions dissipated, but the Yuan clan did not perish.
For instance, in Eastern Wu, Yuan Shu's descendants almost all married into the Sun family or other prominent clans of Wu, continuing their lineage through these influential families.
Many more aristocratic families persisted through the Wei-Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, even into the Sui and Tang periods.
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