The elders were buzzing with gossip, but Shao Shang, the subject of their discussions, remained unshaken. She ignored A Zhu's hesitant glances, Cheng Yong's unspoken words, and even Madam Xiao's complicated expressions. Whether it was daily greetings or shared meals, she pretended not to notice—even if she had to force herself.
To put it boldly, ever since her parents divorced, she had been the center of attention—from her rebellious teenage years to her transformation into a diligent student, from a prestigious high school to a top-tier university. She had stunned the town's gossips at every turn. She had always been the queen of gossip, after all!
Only mediocrity goes unnoticed! Take Duanxinmei from her dorm, for example. She was reportedly the first college student from her village since the founding of the nation, shocking five village chiefs within a hundred-mile radius. Back then, she was sent off with gongs, drums, and colored flags, adorned with a grand red silk flower! Compared to that, Shao Shang's send-off from town was downright pathetic, completely unworthy of Yu Town's nouveau riche reputation!
—"Muxu, has my cousin been crying at night these past few days?"
Rubbing her sore wrist, Shao Shang thought about how A Zhu's enthusiasm for her calligraphy practice had become unstoppable ever since she got Cheng Yong's writing desk.
The girl named Muxu was helping Qiao Guo set up Shao Shang's dining table, her delicate oval face beaming with a smile. "After all, they accompanied our Young Lady for over a decade. If she showed no emotion at their departure, wouldn't people say she's too cold-hearted? Besides, she's already cried for three nights—it's time to move on... Oh, today there's roasted quail too! It smells amazing. By the way, has Lian Fang's injury healed? Yesterday, our Young Lady received a jar of ointment and asked me to bring it to Sister Lian Fang."
Shao Shang smiled as she watched the girl before her.
There's a saying: when the tide goes out, you see who's been swimming naked. After Changpu and Mother Fu were dismissed, Muxu—who had previously kept a low profile—suddenly stood out.
The day after the desk incident, Muxu had come to visit, bearing gifts and defending Cheng Yang's innocence. Since then, she had dropped by daily, enduring the cold shoulders and disdainful looks from the maids and A Zhu, always wearing a smile. Sometimes she helped with chores, other times she chatted, sharing stories about Cheng Yang's past in the Ge family, amusing anecdotes from their hometown, or lamenting Cheng Yang's hardships—all while occasionally complimenting Shao Shang and her maids.
Not only was her speech refined, but she was also diligent and straightforward. Within days, even A Zhu couldn't maintain her stern expression—after all, it's hard to hit someone who's always smiling.
But Shao Shang thought to herself: It seems the Ge family didn't send only fools.
"Young Lady, please don't hold a grudge against our Young Lady. You don't know this, but that Mother Fu of ours, relying on having raised our Young Lady for over a decade, often boasted in the village that she was like a second mother to her. She put on such airs! The Lady of the Ge Family didn’t want her to follow our Young Lady here, but with our general winning battles and receiving honors year after year—who in the village didn’t know? How could she bear to give up such wealth? She begged and pleaded until the Ge family, out of kindness, had no choice but to agree. Changpu was much the same..."
When Cheng Yang was first sent to the Ge family, they assumed Ge Shi would send for her in a few years, so they hastily arranged for Mother Fu and a few young maids without thinking of replacements. But as the years passed, the Ge family realized Ge Shi was heartless and had no intention of reclaiming her daughter. Cheng Yang's aunt then decided to raise her as her own, providing careful upbringing and meticulously selecting her companions—Muxu was chosen during this time."At that time, the Young Lady was already nine years old. Changpu had accompanied her for many more years than we had, so naturally, their bond was different."
Cheng Yang's situation in the Ge family was quite delicate. Logically, she wasn’t a direct descendant of the Ge family—her birth mother didn’t care for her, and she was living under someone else’s roof. However, as Cheng Shi’s fortunes rose and joyous news frequently arrived from the countryside, the entire Ge family treated Cheng Yang with increasing respect.
As the water rises, the boat floats higher. Mother Fu and Changpu had long grown accustomed to their haughty demeanor in the Ge household. The finest food, drinks, and luxuries were always reserved for Cheng Yang first. Even after the legitimate grandchildren of Madam Ge were born, their provisions couldn’t compare to the meticulous care Cheng Yang received.
Especially as Madam Ge grew older and weaker, she feared she might not be able to oversee everything properly, worried that her daughters-in-law or nieces might slight Cheng Yang. Thus, whether intentionally or not, she indulged Mother Fu and the maids in their domineering behavior.
Later, Madam Xiao sent a letter to the Ge family requesting Cheng Yang’s return, stating, "Our niece has troubled your family for many years. My husband and I will soon return." Only then did the Ge family reluctantly send the girl back. Yet, upon returning to the Cheng Residence, Ge Shi showed them no respect. They suffered setbacks for a few months, but once Cheng Shi and his wife returned, Madam Xiao doted on Cheng Yang in every possible way, and they quickly reverted to their old ways.
In the end, Mother Fu and Changpu weren’t truly wicked—otherwise, Madam Ge wouldn’t have allowed them to remain by Cheng Yang’s side. They had simply grown accustomed to being the center of attention for over a decade.
"I told our Young Lady, 'You shouldn’t be angry or sad. Instead, you should thank the Master and Female Lord for removing these two parasites—they did it for your own good. Otherwise, would you have to deal with them yourself? Or let them continue following you, causing more trouble?' Our Young Lady took it to heart and deeply regretted spoiling her servants. But she’s naturally shy, so these words had to come from me. I only hope you won’t hold any grudges against her."
Zhu spoke with complete honesty. In her view, Changpu and the others were utterly foolish. Given Madam Xiao’s affection for Cheng Yang, she was bound to marry into a noble family someday, and as her maids, they would naturally rise in status. What was the point of squabbling over trivial things?
"I also said, even I should thank the Master and Female Lord—otherwise, how would a latecomer like me ever replace Changpu’s position? Ah, thank heavens! When the Young Lady heard that, she chased me to hit me!" Zhu grinned, covering her shoulder. "…She landed a few blows, but they didn’t hurt. Had I known she was so weak, I wouldn’t have run—wasted all that energy for nothing!"
Qiao Guo and the other maids burst into laughter, while A Zhu shook her head helplessly. Shao Shang raised an eyebrow: A non-typical people-pleaser. At least this cousin knows how to care for her father, younger brother, and manage the household.
But talent truly lies among the common folk. Thanks to Zhu’s constant comforting, pleading, and bribes of snacks, everyone under her—except for Lian Fang, who was still nursing her bruised backside—had largely let go of their resentment. With Zhu’s persuasive skills, it was only a matter of time before Lian Fang softened too.
Madam Ge certainly had her merits. If only I’d been reborn as Cheng Yang—how much trouble that would’ve saved me!
Yet, ever since that day’s argument, Madam Xiao seemed to have lost some of her vigor. She no longer scolded or restrained Shao Shang as often, allowing her more freedom. Having achieved her goal, Shao Shang had been happily playing the obedient and amiable role these days…The next day was the fifteenth of the first month, the Lantern Festival. With the rare peace and no wars in neighboring regions, the Emperor had specially postponed the curfew by two hours and designated a long, wide street from Dehui Ward to the front of the North Palace for officials and citizens to enjoy the lantern displays. After dinner, the entire Cheng household went out to celebrate, except for the three youngest siblings—Cheng Wei and the others—who were left at home due to their runny noses.
Cheng Shi, worried about the crowds at the lantern market, first transported the womenfolk to the street in several large comfort carriages, then surrounded them with household guards before allowing them to proceed.
Shao Shang was brimming with excitement. The moment she stepped out of the carriage, she exhaled a long breath, the white mist dissipating instantly, making her rosy lips and pearly teeth stand out even more against the cold, her beauty radiant like morning blossoms. Sang Shi stood beside her, straightening the wrinkled hem of her dress.
Madam Xiao glanced at her disapprovingly before turning to Cheng Yang, who wore a vermilion brocade curved robe with three layers of wrapping, edged with three-finger-wide golden embroidered satin—truly dazzling.
She had prepared identical dresses and accessories for both girls to wear today. Yet, her troublesome daughter pretended ignorance and instead wore the navy-blue two-layer curved robe and snow-white pleated inner skirt gifted by Sang Shi.
Not that it wasn’t beautiful—despite her temperament, the girl’s looks were undeniable. Recently, she had grown taller, and standing there in her jade-green robe and snow-white skin, the delicate young girl appeared tender and fragile, evoking pity in all who saw her.
In less than ten breaths after stepping out of the carriage, several well-dressed young men passing by had already stolen glances. Cheng Shi walked proudly at the front, deliberately pretending not to notice, his heart swelling with pride. Having been married for years, Madam Xiao knew exactly what her husband was thinking and inwardly shook her head. Well, having a beautiful daughter certainly brought parents face.
The aesthetics of the time favored simplicity and grandeur. The streets and wards were broad and open, the narrowest sections still two zhang wide. Along the sides, lantern stands as tall as a person were placed every fifty paces, with copper basins over a foot wide filled with oil and set alight, their blazing flames turning the cold winter night as bright and lively as day.
Cheng Shi stared at the oil-filled copper basins for a long while before murmuring, "...His Majesty has really spared no expense this time." All that oil, lining the entire street, was no small cost.
Shao Shang’s fair little ears perked up, and she quickly asked, "Father, is our Emperor frugal?"
Before Cheng Shi could open his mouth, Madam Xiao’s sharp gaze swept over. Shao Shang hastily waved her hands. "Alright, alright, I won’t ask anymore! Heaven, earth, sovereign, parents, and teachers—none should be rashly discussed!" This wasn’t allowed, that wasn’t allowed—this woman was truly insufferable. Had her ancestors been headmasters for eighteen generations?!
Cheng Shi shrugged. He never contradicted his wife in public, planning to explain things to his daughter later. Instead, he grabbed Cheng Zhi and pulled him to the front of the group to amuse Cheng Mu.
Madam Xiao pondered for a moment before saying, "Some matters can wait until we return. Your elder brother will explain them to you then."
Shao Shang was startled, while the three brothers were delighted—Cheng Song and Cheng Shao Gong even beamed, thinking it wonderful that their mother and sister might reconcile. Before they could speak, Madam Xiao added, "Yong Er, you tell her." Then, to the second and third sons, she said, "You two, keep quiet. Listening to your nonsense is worse than knowing nothing at all." Cheng Song and Cheng Shao Gong stifled their laughter and obediently agreed.Madam Xiao then turned and said gently, "Yangyang, you go too. When socializing in the capital, you should learn what to avoid and what to be cautious about." Cheng Yang happily curtsied in agreement.
Starting from Cheng Yong, the three brothers' joy inexplicably diminished by half.
Sang Shi, standing at the back, silently shook her head: indeed, no one is perfect. A heroine like Madam Xiao, skilled in both military strategy and governance, could be so careless and self-assured in handling matters concerning her children.
Only Shao Shang remained unfazed, content as long as she got her way. Having endured countless cold words and looks since childhood, she wouldn't have survived to see the day she could turn the tables if she were overly sensitive.
The streets were lined with buildings adorned mostly with lanterns and revolving lanterns.
The lanterns were large circular frames, as wide as an arm's span, with blazing flames lit inside. Sturdy frames wrapped in dyed sheepskin—crimson, emerald, lemon yellow, deep blue—hung in clusters outside shops tonight, as many proprietors sought to dazzle and attract attention.
The revolving lanterns were mostly cylindrical. As the oil burned inside, the rising heat caused the outer frames to rotate, making the painted patterns on the lantern skins appear to float and move slowly—a truly marvelous sight.
Shao Shang's eyes darted eagerly from one lantern to another, her bright eyes wide with wonder. There were scenes of soldiers returning home to their wives, children playing and chasing each other, warriors bending their bows to hunt fierce beasts, and even fish and birds touching heads.
Cheng Shi, seeing his daughter's childlike delight, generously offered to buy several lanterns for her to take home and enjoy. But Shao Shang shook her head, asking for only one, saying, "I'll make my own when I get back—even prettier ones."
Of course—she was a science major, after all, the kind who could calculate square roots mentally. Though her focus was more theoretical and her hands-on skills weren't as sharp as those of engineering students, she felt confident she could master such a simple mechanism with a little practice.
The lantern market wasn't just about lanterns. There were stalls selling silk flowers, fabrics, jewelry, snacks, and even books.
A scholar, dressed in Confucian robes, was tearfully recounting to Cheng Yong and Cheng Shao Gong the tragic tale of how his scholarly family had been persecuted by Emperor Li's minions, leaving them with no choice but to sell their treasured books.
Cheng Song, holding Zhu Ou and another child by the hand, stood before a hunter's stall, examining what was claimed to be a tendon extracted from a fierce tiger—supposedly unbeatable for making bowstrings.
Madam Xiao and Cheng Cheng walked side by side, chatting and laughing, with Madam Xiao encouraging him to study diligently without hesitation. Cheng Yang followed cheerfully beside them.
Cheng Zhi, spotting some exquisitely wild-looking silk flowers in a shop, bought one for Sang Shi to wear in her hair. Cheng Mu's face darkened like an inkstone, prompting Cheng Zhi to hastily buy another for his mother. But Cheng Mu insisted that Sang Shi's flower was prettier. Sang Shi, mischievously, didn't offer to give hers up, merely smiling as she watched Cheng Zhi flounder.
Cheng Shi, stroking his beard nearby, shook his head. Why couldn't they learn from him? He had bought silk flowers and hidden them in his robe to give to his wife later at home.
Meanwhile, Shao Shang, engrossed in the lanterns, lagged at the rear of the Cheng family procession. With two martial maids and three servants accompanying her, she wasn't worried about safety and strolled leisurely. Just then, a bamboo-woven embroidered ball rolled slowly to her feet.
Author's Note: Dear readers, the story will go premium next Monday. On that day, there will be two updates—no more than that.
Your support is greatly appreciated.Also, a heads-up: I'll be quite busy with work in November and won't be able to update daily, so I'll switch to updating every other day instead. Any extra updates will be a pleasant surprise. Things should return to normal by December.
Mwah! Love you.
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