The night was brief, and the next day the Ge family was set to depart for their hometown, likely spending New Year's Day on the road. Cheng Mu's old heart unexpectedly softened with reluctance, and she tried to persuade them to stay. However, Grandfather Ge insisted, "We cannot leave this wicked girl behind to spoil the auspiciousness of the Cheng family's New Year's Day ancestral rites."
Unable to persuade them otherwise, the entire Cheng family came out to see them off, accompanying them all the way to the outskirts of the town, lingering in reluctant farewell. Shao Shang looked left and right but couldn't spot Ge Shi—whether she was obediently staying inside the carriage to avoid ruining the mood or had been tied up like a zongzi and tossed in was anyone's guess.
The parting scene was deeply moving. On one side, Cheng Yang tearfully bid farewell to her uncle and aunt, exchanging wishes for each other's well-being. On the other, Grandfather Ge patted Cheng Cheng's shoulder with earnest words—this was the second time Shao Shang had witnessed such an amicable divorce scene.
When Yu Cailing's parents divorced, there wasn't a single argument either. They even held three banquet tables at the town's first opened restaurant, clearly outlining the terms of their separation in front of relatives from both families. Apart from the frowning deputy town chief uncle and the dazed scholar uncle, everyone else was at ease, chatting and laughing. The restaurant staff nearly congratulated them on their "happy union" when settling the bill, mistaking it for a celebration. The townsfolk later recounted it as a joke, and little Yu Cailing became part of that joke.
... Shao Shang shook her head, dispelling the haunting memories. She heard Grandfather Ge saying to Cheng Cheng, "Zirong, don't be disheartened. You've loved reading since childhood. When the teacher lectured at the village school, you would listen for half a day every day while cutting grass or herding cattle, rain or shine, never missing a day. Heaven rewards the diligent—you will surely achieve great learning in the future."
Looking at Grandfather Ge's kind face, Cheng Cheng's nose tingled with emotion again.
"Don't think yourself inferior, crippled by self-doubt or age, and let it wear down your spirit," Grandfather Ge said with a smile. "Yi Yin was once a slave, yet he assisted four generations of Shang Tang's reign. Sun Bin endured the punishment of having his kneecaps removed, yet he still wrote books and led armies. As for the many ancient sages who achieved greatness late in life—you've read more than I, so I won't lecture you."
Cheng Cheng replied sheepishly, "But those were ancient sages..."
"Exactly! You don't even need a cane, and you're not old yet. With capable brothers by your side, aren't you better off than they were? We may not match their achievements, but we can surely emulate their determination."
Cheng Cheng finally laughed. Grandfather Ge patted his back and sighed, "I understand your heart. When you've achieved your learning, return to our hometown and open a private school to teach the classics to students. Regardless of wealth, even those still herding cattle or cutting grass—if they're willing to learn, teach them. Then, we'll have lived a life without regret."
These words resonated deeply with Cheng Cheng. With tears in his eyes, he smiled and declared firmly, "I accept your words, Grandfather! Zirong will not disappoint!" His voice was resolute and unwavering.
Hearing his timid second brother finally show such spirit and ambition, Cheng Shi felt both gratified and a twinge of envy.
Cheng Zhi, standing nearby, quickly whispered in his ear, "Eldest brother, after all your days of persuasion, Grandfather Ge's few words worked better than yours. Look at Second Brother's expression now..."
"Get lost!" Cheng Shi retorted irritably. "I asked you to console him, and all you did was spout useless scholarly nonsense. All that reading, and none of it practical!"
Cheng Zhi grinned. "If even Eldest brother couldn't do it, how could I?"Shao Shang stood at the back, watching the scene with amusement—a classic case study in developmental psychology.
The artist Cheng Taigong, absorbed in his own pursuits, neglected his paternal duties, while Cheng Mu lacked the wisdom to fill both parental roles. As a result, the three brothers grew up following their innate tendencies, each forging their own path.
Cheng Shi was a natural leader—mature, assertive, and capable. He shouldered family responsibilities early on, rallying his younger brothers to establish their footing. Even without the upheaval of the dynasty’s fall, his ventures—running horse caravans, managing water transport, setting up workshops—would have secured him a prosperous future. The change of dynasties merely accelerated his rise. Cheng Zhi, a decade younger, naturally looked up to his eldest brother as a father figure, though their bond was more fraternal than filial, marked by familiarity rather than reverence.
Cheng Cheng had it the hardest. Though he respected his eldest brother, their personalities—one bold and outgoing, the other reserved and introverted—clashed. With only two years between them, Cheng Cheng couldn’t see Cheng Shi as a paternal authority. Instead, a subtle rivalry took root early on, ending in Cheng Cheng’s complete defeat, compounded by constant comparisons from neighbors and family. His self-esteem withered. Grandfather Ge became his idealized father figure, but Ge Shi’s shortcomings held him back. Had it not been for her, his alignment with the Ge family might have steered his character in a different direction.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, the Ge family’s carriage gradually disappeared into the distance. Yongsong, Shaogong, and their brothers, following their father’s orders, rode ahead to escort the Ge family through the checkpoint, ensuring smoother passage.
Cheng Shi exhaled in relief and hurried his family onto their own carriage, barking orders to the attendants to whip the horses homeward. Cheng Mu urged Hu Ao to stoke the brazier inside, pulling Cheng Zhi into the carriage with a fretful murmur, “You must be freezing, my son. Come warm up by your mother.” She paid no heed to Cheng Cheng, whose frail frame trembled from the cold.
Unable to ignore it, Cheng Shi gruffly interjected, “Mother, if you stoke that fire any higher, the carriage might catch flame—and don’t count on me to put it out!” Tossing his whip to Cheng Shun, he dismounted and guided Cheng Cheng into another carriage, pulling a small leather flask from his belt and urging him to take a few warming sips.
The four women naturally shared a carriage.
Cheng Yang leaned against the wall, still sniffling about “how hard the journey must be on Grandfather at his age.” Madam Xiao and Sang Shi offered gentle consolation. Shao Shang, impatient with such sentimentality, endured half a quarter-hour before remarking, “Cousin, don’t fret. Your grandfather is formidable—he’s arranged everything meticulously. The journey will go smoothly.”
Madam Xiao shot her a glance. “Criticizing elders again? Where are your manners?”
“…Fine, I’ll say something cheerful then.”
Shao Shang sighed. “Cousin, your grandfather braved wind and snow, even on the cusp of New Year’s Day, to take Aunt Ge back. Don’t pity him too much. If Uncle and Aunt ever reconcile, it’ll be thanks to today!”
“Really?” Cheng Yang’s tears still glistened. Despite Ge Shi’s cruelty, she hoped her parents wouldn’t divorce.
Madam Xiao straightened abruptly, glaring at her daughter. “Don’t you dare spread such talk.” After a pause, she added, “Especially not to your father!” Her daughter’s insight was far too sharp for comfort.Shao Shang fanned herself with her sleeve to disperse the heat from the charcoal brazier, remarking coolly, "Oh? Just yesterday, Mother said children should be completely open with their parents, hiding nothing and keeping no secrets. So why won’t you let me tell Father now?"
Madam Xiao glared at her but remained silent.
Sang Shi finally burst into laughter, reaching out to pinch Shao Shang’s ear as she scolded playfully, "You little troublemaker! Just listen to your mother!"
—Aside from the oblivious Cheng Yang, the three in the carriage all knew full well that if Cheng Shi heard those words and learned there was still a chance for Cheng Cheng and Ge Shi to reconcile, he’d probably be so alarmed he’d start arranging a new marriage for his brother the very next day.
But Madam Xiao felt this matter shouldn’t be rushed. Cheng Cheng had lived meekly for half his life, always existing for his elder brother, his mother, and the family, never once thinking independently about his own future. Now was the time for him to reflect on it himself. Whether they would separate or reconcile in the future, or if he would meet another woman he loved and remarry, it should be Cheng Cheng’s own decision—not something Cheng Shi dictated for him. It was time for Cheng Cheng to grow up.
Shao Shang understood Madam Xiao’s thoughts but privately disagreed. People came in all temperaments—some were decisive from childhood, like herself. She had decided to become a delinquent before even finishing elementary school, and no amount of her grandmother’s tears could change her mind. She had resolved to leave that life behind and focus on studying even before her first period, and no amount of persuasion or pressure from her gang leader could sway her. But others simply lacked initiative and needed a push.
Second Uncle Cheng was soft-hearted. If Grandfather Ge summoned him to his deathbed someday, weeping and entreating him, and he saw Ge Shi’s pitiful state, he might just agree to reconcile—and then that sticky nuisance would cling to him for life. Following Cheng Shi’s approach—directly finding Cheng Cheng a gentle, virtuous woman who would care for him tenderly—would be far cleaner and simpler, wouldn’t it?
Sang Shi watched the mother and daughter, each lost in their own thoughts, and smiled without comment. She took out her brocade pouch, rummaged through it, and popped the last milk candy into Shao Shang’s mouth as a bribe for silence.
True to her word, the next day Madam Xiao took Cheng Yang along while handling household affairs. In preparation for New Year’s Day sacrifices to ancestors and deities, she personally instructed Cheng Yang in everything—from arranging the altar and offerings, replenishing sacrificial fruits, inquiring about the harvest and next year’s plans from the estate managers, to distributing holiday funds to the private army and families of the bereaved. She even taught her how to speak to the womenfolk of the private army.
As for Shao Shang, she continued reading, writing, and memorizing texts, confined indoors—though she burned with curiosity about the world outside.
At least there were two happy developments.
First, Shao Shang had grown taller. Comparing her to her own height, A Zhu estimated she’d grown at least two or three inches. With her slender waist and graceful limbs, her movements now carried a hint of elegance, no longer the clumsy, childish demeanor of before. A Zhu cheerfully let out the extra fabric in Shao Shang’s robes and skirts, feeling all the poultry, meat, dairy, and vegetables she’d been feeding her hadn’t gone to waste. She even permitted Shao Shang to roam the courtyard more freely, not stopping her even if she ran and jumped about.
Second, A Mei, now fully trained, had arrived. With this lively, clever girl chattering away by her side, Shao Shang finally felt her days weren’t quite so dreary.Along with A Mei came over a dozen new maidservants, whom Madam Qing Cong introduced one by one to Shao Shang. Their ages ranged from eleven to fourteen, with varying heights and builds, and their skills covered everything from embroidery and sewing to incense-making and pest control, even to extraordinary strength. Only now was the entourage of the Fourth Young Miss of the Cheng family complete.
This era was the exact opposite of the one Shao Shang had come from. In her time, material wealth was abundant, but human labor was increasingly expensive. An average middle-class family could only afford one nanny at most, perhaps with an additional part-time helper. But here... Faced with nearly twenty 'servants' attending to her, Shao Shang didn’t know what to think. In this daze, she welcomed her first New Year's Day in this era.
On New Year's Day, before dawn, Cheng Shi and Cheng Zhi had already left to attend the Grand Court Assembly. When they returned, both brothers were frozen to the point of turning purple. It turned out that only officials of two thousand dan or higher could enter the main hall to offer their congratulations. Those like Cheng Shi, who held only one thousand dan, had to stand on the palace steps, while those like Cheng Zhi, with a mere few hundred dan, could only stand in the courtyard to offer distant greetings—Cheng Mu was so distressed she nearly urged her youngest son to resign from his post.
Cheng Shi deliberately joked to comfort the womenfolk: "Luckily, our ranks are low. After the court congratulations, we were dismissed. Brother Wan is still waiting to receive the Emperor’s ceremonial wine." He then turned to Sang Shi and said, "I saw your elder brother. I heard His Majesty has adopted Master Huangfu’s suggestion to summon scholars for scripture discussions after the annual New Year's Day court assembly. I saw Zihai leading a group of Confucian scholars. I wonder if he’ll have time to visit us before returning to White Deer Mountain."
"Huangfu Yi? Isn’t he still..." Cheng Zhi caught himself, but before he could continue, Sang Shi pinched him sharply and smiled at Cheng Shi. "Of course, he’ll come. I wanted my brother to stay with us, but His Majesty wouldn’t allow it, herding them all to the Scripture Discussion Platform instead." She shot her husband a glare, and Cheng Zhi had no choice but to sheepishly fall silent.
At this point, Madam Xiao called everyone inside to begin the New Year's Day rituals.
In ancient times, New Year's Day was more of a ceremonial event—praying to the gods for blessings, honoring ancestors for continued protection, watching the exorcism dance, listening to the clamor of drums and gongs driving away evil spirits, slaughtering livestock for superstitious rites, and, inevitably, concluding with a grand family feast. The Cheng family, regardless of gender, was seated according to age and seniority, each offering pepper-cypress wine to Cheng Mu before raising their cups together to wish the matriarch longevity and health.
The three Cheng brothers, knowing they would soon part ways to pursue their separate paths, gathered before Cheng Mu’s seat, toasting each other back and forth, making her laugh heartily. Madam Xiao, exhausted from days of preparation, was persuaded by Sang Shi to drink more than usual, her cheeks flushed and radiant with joy. She pointed here and there, saying, "Yang Yang arranged this," and "Yang Yang organized that," prompting the entire family to praise Cheng Yang for her virtue and wisdom.
Others might not have noticed, but Cheng Yong, ever observant, sensed something amiss. After the feast, he hurried to Madam Xiao and asked with a bow, "Mother, why do you only teach Yang Yang these things and not Niao Niao?"
Madam Xiao remained composed and replied with a smile, "Niao Niao barely recognizes a few characters. Can she read the family genealogy or recite the marriage registry? Besides, understanding principles comes before action. She should at least read a few volumes of the sages’ works first. Nothing can be achieved overnight—progress must be gradual."Cheng Yong was extremely filial. Although he still felt something was amiss, he refrained from pressing further. Instead, his heart ached even more for his younger sister's troubled childhood, unable to receive the proper upbringing like other Young Ladies from official families.
After much deliberation, he decided to clear out the Qilin-patterned red sandalwood desk he had used for many years—a gift from his Teacher when he was eleven and had made progress in his studies. He instructed his attendants to clean and bundle it up to send to Shao Shang the next day as a New Year’s gift, encouraging her to study and learn her characters diligently. He would make do with an old desk for now and have a new one crafted later.
Such deep sibling affection moved even someone as seemingly heartless as Shao Shang. She knew that for scholars in ancient times, not only were long-used desks off-limits to others, but even a single brush, inkstone, or bamboo slip was not to be touched lightly.
Yet Shao Shang never expected that her first major verbal clash with Madam Xiao would be over this very desk.
Author’s note: Well, here we go again—time for a fight.
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