In Crown Prince Ziduan's mind, all women under heaven—whether old or young, beautiful or ugly, related by blood or not, with two legs or three eyes—could be divided into two categories: virtuous and unvirtuous. This system of judgment had saved His Highness the Crown Prince from many troublesome mistakes.
Although he found a certain young lady quite unbearable, her mother, Madam Xiao, was one of the rare women he considered virtuous.
Just as different periods required officials with varying talents, the Crown Prince believed different family circumstances called for women with distinct forms of virtue. At that time, the Cheng family could barely make ends meet, but through Madam Xiao's careful planning and proper arrangements, she and her husband elevated their humble rural household into a respectable official family of nobility.
Having personally experienced the battlefield, the Crown Prince knew that facing a hail of arrows and spears was no joke. The thought of Madam Xiao, heavily pregnant yet still supporting her husband's dangerous missions, couldn't help but command deep respect.
As for families like the imperial clan, long free from hardship and danger, women only needed to be understanding, gentle, and diligent.
Yet ironically, his family was the most prolific producer of shrews, resentful wives, and venomous women—
The late Consort Xuan had not been particularly virtuous.
His birth mother, Consort Yue, was extremely unvirtuous.
All the princesses—sisters and aunts alike—except for the Second Princess, had nothing whatsoever to do with virtue.
When his uncle, the Marquis of Da Yue, sent one of his daughters to serve by his side, in all fairness, the Crown Prince had liked this cousin. Not only was she beautiful and vivacious, with a silver tongue, but they also shared childhood memories. At one point, he had even considered making her his consort. But upon further reflection—was his cousin virtuous? No.
She loved to pout and throw tantrums, had narrow horizons, always demanded his whole heart, and believed herself to be different from other women—a perfect replica of Empress Yue. However, he was not his father, so his cousin could never become a second Empress Yue—without shared hardships and life-or-death experiences, how could there be such unwavering devotion?
Moreover, he could not allow the Yue clan to grow any more powerful. With three marquises and an empress, and numerous clan members and retainers in official positions, it was already enough. The Wang family of the previous Emperor Li had started as nothing more than a destitute household in the Capital City. But as Wang women bore sons and became empresses, the family produced ten marquises. After three generations of emperors, their power became overwhelming and uncontrollable.
More importantly, his cousin was not like Empress Yue, who truly cared for nothing beyond 'sincerity.'
Though the Crown Prince often saw his father, the Emperor, bullied by Empress Yue to the point of helplessness, he had to admit that if forced to choose between her natal family and the Emperor—short of extermination—Empress Yue would undoubtedly choose the Emperor.
On several occasions when members of the Yue clan committed misdeeds, Empress Yue grew even angrier than the Emperor. Not only would she stomp her feet and curse at the palace gates—'What little brat dares tarnish Your Majesty's name? I'll skin you alive!'—but she would also personally send envoys to the Yue residence to reprimand them and order the Marquis of Da Yue, as clan leader, to deal with them severely.
But his cousin? The Crown Prince shook his head silently.
Far from restraining her natal family like Empress Yue, within the Yue clan itself, she sought to prioritize her own full brothers.
As he was formally established as heir apparent, the Crown Prince increasingly pondered what kind of consort he should choose in the future.First and foremost, she must have upright character, absolutely not as despicable and narrow-minded as the former Crown Princess Sun. Secondly, she must be virtuous and benevolent, capable of tolerating other concubines and their children. Thirdly, her family background shouldn’t be too powerful, lest she become another Wang family of the previous dynasty. Yet, she couldn’t truly come from an insignificant household either—otherwise, how could she suppress the noblewomen in the palace?
Before the Crown Prince could reach a conclusion, he was ordered to leave the palace to inspect the implementation of the Land Measurement Decree. And then… and then… he was fed a bowl of Tranquility Soup. Like a dead pig, he was carried away overnight from the chaotic scene, only to wake up in the residence of the Governor of Yuzhou, Liang Wuji.
Both sides of his bed were bustling with activity. On the left stood his uncle, the Marquis of Da Yue, his face as dark as a pot, sternly declaring his intention to inform Empress Yue of the Crown Prince’s reckless actions (the subtext being: just wait until your mother flays you alive). On the right was Yuhou, weeping and wailing, repeatedly threatening to submit his resignation to the Emperor (the subtext being: I’m going to tattle to your father).
The Crown Prince’s head throbbed with pain. He wanted nothing more than to rush out and tear apart the little minx who had tricked him into drinking that soup. Once upon a time, Cheng Shaoshang was the woman furthest from receiving the Crown Prince’s favorable opinion. Now, she was even further away.
In the Crown Prince’s eyes, even a woman like the Fifth Princess—who abused power, seized land, and kept male concubines—was better than Cheng Shaoshang.
Because women like the Fifth Princess and Sun could wreak havoc only due to men’s inaction. The former was because the Emperor was soft-hearted and reluctant to discipline her harshly, while the latter was because the former Crown Prince was endlessly spineless, controlled by a pretentious wretch.
Whether it was the Fifth Princess or Sun, if they had encountered Huo Bu Yi or himself, they would have been subdued more obediently than a gecko, unable to make even a ripple. But with Cheng Shaoshang, it was different. She didn’t abuse power, covet wealth, or oppress the innocent—she just loved to torment people.
No matter how upright and discerning a man you were, she would still make you grope blindly along an endless path.
Unfortunately, the one Cheng Shaoshang tormented the most was Huo Bu Yi, whom the Crown Prince regarded as closer than a blood brother.
In the Crown Prince’s eyes, Huo Bu Yi was a rare, clear-headed man—as calm and wise as ice water, yet as fierce and fearless as a beast. Before Cheng Shaoshang appeared, if anyone had told the Crown Prince that Huo Bu Yi would fret over mere romantic entanglements, he would have ripped the Flying Eaves off the Imperial Ancestral Temple and eaten them dipped in fermented sauce. But then…
After the two became engaged, it was three days of bliss, three days of quarrels, and three more days of sweet nothings.
Every time the Crown Prince saw Huo Bu Yi’s frosty expression, his head ached. To make matters worse, Yuhou added that the Emperor and Empress Yue had been the same way—perhaps even worse, since the Cheng family was of humble origins, and Cheng Shaoshang still held some restraint toward Huo Bu Yi, not daring to go too far. The implication was that Empress Yue’s torment of the Emperor had been truly “unfathomable.”
The Crown Prince’s headache worsened.
Before Huo Bu Yi was exiled, the Crown Prince had deemed Cheng Shaoshang utterly lacking in virtue. After his exile, seeing how attentively and thoughtfully she cared for Empress Dowager Xuan, sparing the Emperor and Empress Yue much guilt, the Crown Prince thought, well, she was somewhat virtuous.
Now, after this bowl of Tranquility Soup, the Crown Prince felt Cheng Shaoshang could no longer be judged by virtue alone—she needed to be evaluated on whether she deserved to be flayed alive.
Just as he was grinding his teeth in fury, a eunuch announced that Yuan Shen was requesting an audience.The Crown Prince was taken aback, then, quite uncharacteristically, felt a pang of guilt creeping over him.
In all honesty, he had been genuinely delighted when Cheng Shaoshang and Yuan Shen got engaged, even planning what congratulatory gifts to give. Who would have thought that that troublemaker Huo A-Zheng would stubbornly insist on clinging to Cheng Shaoshang, this crooked little tree? As his sworn brother, what could he do? He had no choice but to help his brother steal Yuan Shen's betrothed—truly, he felt his loyalty knew no bounds!
When Yuan Shen entered, the Crown Prince noticed his pale complexion and gaunt frame after days of imprisonment, which only deepened his guilt. He personally stepped forward to assist him up, saying, "I have heard all about your situation, Shan Jian. Di Wu Cheng was merely being used. Although your father erred in covering up the crime, his efforts in eliminating Gongsun Shi's hidden spies and death squads across the region should offset his misdeeds. His Majesty often praises your great talent, saying that with a few more years of experience, you will surely achieve great things. Why must you personally take such risks?"
Yuan Shen replied humbly, "Your Majesty and Your Highness are magnanimous and benevolent, but as a subject, I cannot refrain from reflecting on my faults. When my father learned that Di Wu Cheng had been manipulated into committing grave errors, he should have personally escorted him to surrender and plead for mercy from His Majesty, even at the cost of his own life. That would have been better than attempting to conceal the crime."
The Crown Prince nodded inwardly. Indeed, he thought the same—had it been him, Yuan's father would not have gotten off so lightly.
"I sought this audience with Your Highness for two matters," Yuan Shen said, retrieving a silk scroll from his sleeve and presenting it respectfully. "I am slow-witted and found no leads in investigating Gongsun Shi's spies, so I had to grope around blindly. By sheer accident, I gained some insight into the implementation of the Land Measurement Decree in these prefectures. I have recorded in detail who resisted, who was incited, and who was coerced. Over the past two days, I transcribed my findings for Your Highness to review."
The Crown Prince accepted the scroll with a smile. "Good, very good. Shan Jian, your diligence and attention to detail are commendable. I will report this to His Majesty and ensure your contribution is recognized. And the second matter?"
Yuan Shen lowered his pale face. "I wish to take my leave of Your Highness in advance."
"Why is that? After being imprisoned for so long, you should rest here properly. Why rush to depart?"
Yuan Shen said softly, "Lord Huo has already sent word to the Capital City... regarding his betrothal to... to Cheng Niangzi. I presume His Majesty's edict of betrothal will arrive shortly. It would be best if I left sooner rather than later."
"Oh? So soon? Ahem..." The Crown Prince coughed lightly, adopting a solemn expression. "Zisheng is far too impulsive. With the chaos yet unresolved, how can he focus solely on his personal affairs?"
Yuan Shen smiled bitterly. "Upon hearing of Lord Huo's betrothal, His Majesty will surely be overjoyed. The Huo family has served with unwavering loyalty, and Lord Huo has spent years on the battlefield. Now that his wish is finally fulfilled, it is truly a cause for celebration."
The Crown Prince thought to himself—you guessed right. His Majesty would be so thrilled he'd probably rush to the ancestral shrine that very night to burn three sticks of incense, informing his sworn brother General Huo Chong that he was finally about to have grandchildren.
With matters laid out so plainly, the Crown Prince didn't drag things out. He readily allowed Yuan Shen to depart.
Such was the Crown Prince—a man of decisive resolve. When he had set his mind to stealing Yuan Shen's betrothed, he had done so with utmost seriousness, even wishing Yuan Shen would be caught in the Capital City's top courtesan's bed that very night. But now, his genuine remorse toward Yuan Shen was equally sincere.
The Crown Prince resolved henceforth not to hold the Yuan father and son's misdeeds against them. If Yuan Shen proved capable in office, he would ensure his promotion without prejudice.Not long after sitting down, the Crown Prince thought of a certain young woman again, recalling that bowl of Tranquility Soup. The more he dwelled on it, the angrier he became, grinding his teeth once more. He then called out to the attendants outside, "Summon Palace Commandant Cheng here at once! I have words for her!"
Considering that Huo Bu Yi had already reconciled with that little minx and had promptly informed the Emperor of their happy news, once the imperial edict arrived, he wouldn’t be able to vent his anger freely. Thus, the Crown Prince decided to seize the moment and give her a thorough scolding to relieve his frustration.
Since he intended to berate her, he couldn’t let Huo Bu Yi interfere. So, the Crown Prince stopped the attendant and first sent word for Yuhou and the Marquis of Da Yue to question Huo Bu Yi about the origins of this mess. Only afterward would Cheng Shaoshang be summoned.
The Crown Prince was, after all, a man of meticulous thought.
A short while later, Cheng Shaoshang arrived, tiptoeing in. She was dressed plainly and demurely, her demeanor timid and fearful. The Crown Prince’s lips twisted—seeing her cunning eyes and her feigned pitifulness, it was clear this little minx had already guessed he intended to scold her.
Before the Crown Prince could begin, Shaoshang obediently admitted her faults: "Your Highness, this humble one was wrong."
The Crown Prince said coldly, "What wrongdoings?"
Shaoshang thought for a moment, then raised her head. "Your Highness, this humble one has committed countless wrongs in her life. From which point does Your Highness wish me to begin?"
The Crown Prince slammed the table in fury. "Start with the time you had me use a battering ram to break down Empress Dowager Xuan’s palace gate!" He wondered if the historians had recorded that absurd incident. He’d have to wait until his ascension to the throne to check the records.
"Shouldn’t it start from when I became betrothed to Lord Huo?" Shaoshang asked, both surprised and delighted.
The Crown Prince choked—truth be told, after all these years, he felt it was hard to say who was more at fault between the two. While Cheng Shaoshang was undoubtedly the most unruly, unvirtuous, and inconsiderate woman in the world, Huo Bu Yi also had a knack for bringing trouble upon himself.
The Crown Prince sneered repeatedly. "All these years, you must have cursed me a thousand times in your heart. I don’t fear your resentment! This time, when you and Zisheng encountered such peril, shouldn’t I reprimand you?! And you even dared to trick me into drinking that Tranquility Soup—you, you, you reckless little minx! How dare you be so bold! Hmph, it seems you’ve grown tired of living! Tell me the truth—have you secretly resented me all this time and seized this chance to harm me?"
Shaoshang hurriedly replied, "Nothing of the sort! Your Highness has gravely misunderstood me! All these years, whether Your Highness scolded me for being shortsighted and ignorant, only caring for my own petty interests, or reprimanded me for being harsh, selfish, and unyielding, incapable of magnanimity, or even berated me for acting impulsively without any discipline—I have taken none of it to heart!"
The Crown Prince nearly laughed in anger, momentarily speechless—if you took none of it to heart, how do you remember it all so clearly?!
"Actually, Your Highness may not know this, but I’ve admired you for a very long time," Shaoshang said leisurely.
The Crown Prince didn’t believe a word of it and scoffed. "Such a thing exists? Truly unheard of. I must hear this."
Shaoshang said earnestly, "It’s true! I remember shortly after my betrothal to Lord Huo, he told me something about Your Highness. He said there was a lady in your inner court who, relying on your favor, allowed her father and brothers to oppress the common people and seize their property. When Your Highness learned of this, you immediately reprimanded the lady severely and personally handed her father and brothers over to the Court of Justice, demanding strict punishment."
The Crown Prince was taken aback, only now recalling the incident."It's just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning." A trace of melancholy arose in the Crown Prince's heart.
This had happened many years ago, when he was just a teenager, full of youthful passion. She had been the first woman he ever doted on. Had the incident not occurred, his firstborn child would likely have been born several years earlier.
"Breaking the law, harming innocent citizens—such crimes deserve severe punishment." The Crown Prince's expression was indifferent. "After this matter spread, many criticized me for being overly harsh and cruel."
"That's not the right way to see it," Shao Shang said earnestly. "Your Highness, you are indeed strict with officials and those around you, but you treat the common people with kindness and generosity. Throughout history and into the future, ordinary people have always been the most vulnerable in this world. The powerful bully them, corrupt officials oppress them—like insects by the roadside, crushed underfoot without a sound. Having a ruler like you to protect them is the greatest blessing for the people. These are my sincere words. If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, you can ask Lord Huo—I’ve told him this more than once!"
The Crown Prince was deeply moved, his tone softening. "I care not for others' criticism. My only wish is for the people to live in peace and prosperity, free from disasters, natural or man-made. If I can achieve that, I will have fulfilled my duty to heaven, earth, and our ancestors."
Originally, he had intended to scold this young woman harshly, but at this moment, he found it hard to do so. He simply waved his hand. "Forget it. Go back and rest well. After your marriage, serve Zisheng attentively. Ah, over these years, Zisheng has suffered greatly. You... you must treat him well."
Shao Shang agreed wholeheartedly and quickly retreated. Just as she reached the courtyard, the Crown Prince suddenly called her back.
Confused, she turned around—only to see the Crown Prince raise his right hand. A moment later, she felt a slight pain on her shoulder. Looking down, she saw a small pebble.
Her jaw dropped in disbelief as she stared at the Crown Prince—he, he, he, he actually threw a rock at her! The dignified heir to the throne had thrown a rock at her!
The Crown Prince, usually stern and composed, now looked ten years younger, as if he had returned to his mischievous, playful youth. He laughed heartily. "There, now we’re even. Go back and prepare happily for your wedding!"
Shao Shang stamped her foot in indignation and stormed off.
Watching the young woman pout angrily yet not dare to retaliate, the Crown Prince was greatly amused.
Still chuckling, he turned to walk back inside, but after a few steps, he paused.
A thought crossed his mind—had this little woman deliberately flattered him to avoid being scolded? But then he shook his head.
—Never mind. He had thoroughly enjoyed what she said earlier. He would double the wedding gifts for them later.
And if she bore a daughter in the future—one who wasn’t as unvirtuous as her... Well, as long as she was slightly more virtuous, he might consider arranging a marriage with his son. After all, this little woman was quite pretty, decent in character, and sharp-witted, wasn’t she?
The Crown Prince was, after all, a man of far-sighted planning.
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