Shao Shang felt a slight touch against her foot. She froze for a moment before looking down to see an exquisitely crafted embroidered ball. Pure white bamboo skewer threads were intricately woven in cross knots, wrapped in sections with bright lake-blue brocade, and adorned with two or three small bells that tinkled softly when rolled, like the gentle mewling of a kitten.
"...Young Lady, my apologies for the intrusion."
A clear male voice rang out. Shao Shang quickly looked up to see a young gentleman standing about seven or eight steps away. Tall and slender with an upright posture, he wore a lake-blue curved robe that shimmered with gold-threaded patterns, his hands tucked into his sleeves. Behind him stood a massive torch, its flames blazing fiercely. Backlit as he was, Shao Shang couldn’t clearly make out his face.
Noticing her dazed expression, the man seemed to chuckle softly before slowly approaching. The martial maid and servants standing nearby immediately placed their hands on their waists in readiness. Unfazed by their wariness, the young gentleman walked right up to Shao Shang, bent down gracefully to pick up the embroidered ball, and straightened up, his figure momentarily enveloping hers. Only then did Shao Shang notice how his raven-black hair swayed faintly as he rose, the fiery glow making each strand seem to float with light.
The man gave Shao Shang a proper scholar's bow before turning and walking away, disappearing into the crowd without another word.
That was it? Shao Shang was baffled.
The art of flirting in this era was truly peculiar. Shouldn’t he have left the embroidered ball with her as a pretext to return later? That’s how Bai Niangzi and Xu Xian had done it. Or perhaps he really had just come to retrieve the ball, and she’d been reading too much into it.
Shao Shang shook her head. She’d never been well-versed in such matters.
In her past life, she’d left the dating scene too early—a flat-chested, underdeveloped bean sprout that no one paid attention to. Even the local troublemakers had standards, after all. Later, her most restless teenage years had been equally divided between pining for the boy-next-door and grueling academic studies.
Unable to make sense of it, Shao Shang shrugged it off. She wasn’t the sentimental type anyway and continued strolling leisurely along the street to admire the lanterns.
As the saying goes, the empire long divided must unite, and long united must divide. When the Cheng family reached a fork in the road at the street corner, a leadership dispute arose.
Cheng Shi, hearing the enthusiastic cheers and applause from one direction, suggested watching acrobatics and martial contests. Madam Xiao, however, noticed the brilliantly lit Phoenix Beginning Tower not far ahead, bustling with voices, and insisted on listening to scholars debate poetry and classics. The couple stood facing each other, playfully tilting their heads and glaring, though their eyes sparkled with amusement.
The Cheng family members knew the drill and promptly chose sides—Sang Shi, Shao Shang, Cheng Song, and the two children Zhu Ou and Ou Er stood behind Cheng Shi, while Cheng Cheng, Cheng Zhi, Cheng Yong, Cheng Shao Gong, and Cheng Yang lined up behind Madam Xiao.
The two factions were clearly divided, like opposing armies on a chessboard.
Only Cheng Mu was torn.
Emotionally, she wanted to stay with her youngest son, who would soon leave for his official post. Rationally, she wanted to watch the acrobatics. After wrestling with this dilemma for half a chicken leg’s worth of time, she decided to suppress her emotions and follow reason.
Cheng Cheng hesitated. "Ou Er is still young and might trouble Eldest Brother. Perhaps it’s better if he comes with us." After all, the acrobatics area would be crowded and harder to manage.
Cheng Xiaoou panicked and clung to Cheng Zhu’s arm, piping up in a childish voice, "No! I want to go with Fourth Brother!"The kindergarten toddlers looked up to the first graders as paragons of virtue. These days, Cheng Zhu had been leading his little cousin all around the manor—digging for earthworms, fighting crickets, practicing with wooden swords... All the things Ge Shi had previously forbidden were now being made up for in one go. The two cousins were practically inseparable, wishing they could even sleep together at night.
Cheng Zhu, brimming with confidence, puffed out his little belly and declared with an air of authority, "You must obey my orders!"
Cheng Ou imitated the military salute, curling his chubby arms and shouting loudly, "Aye!"
Cheng Shi glanced at his wife, feigning smugness. "Madam, it seems your side is outnumbered by mine!"
Shao Shang wanted to remind him that they only had one extra person.
Madam Xiao smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Mother-in-law is elderly, the children are young, while our side is all in our prime. If you encounter any trouble later, just call out, and we’ll come to your rescue."
The Cheng family burst into laughter before splitting up. Only Cheng Zhi kept turning back to look at Sang Shi, muttering, "Perhaps I should go along to look after my two little nephews..." Madam Xiao couldn’t stand his lack of backbone and signaled the family generals, who promptly hauled Cheng Zhi away. As he yelped in protest, Cheng Cheng laughed uproariously behind him, nearly doubling over.
Cheng Yang, seeing her father in such high spirits, felt the first flicker of doubt about her long-held wish for her mother’s return. The truth was, since Ge Shi had left, her father’s despondency had gradually faded, and he grew more cheerful day by day.
She suddenly envied Shao Shang’s decisiveness and clarity—how she never hesitated or wavered in the face of people or situations. If it were her, she’d have made up her mind in an instant, unlike herself...
Meanwhile, the object of her envy, Cheng Shaoshang, was flushed with excitement, watching the acrobats leap and flip effortlessly on high ropes, juggling pots and flipping vases—she had never seen such a performance up close before.
There were also fire-breathers and smoke-spitters. Cheng Mu got so close that her hair nearly got singed, prompting Cheng Shi to quickly pull his mother back and order the Martial Maids to hold her firmly. He then hoisted Cheng Xiaoou onto his shoulders, while Cheng Song tried to do the same with Cheng Xiaozhu—only to stagger under the weight, nearly sending both of them toppling headfirst. Sang Shi and Shao Shang burst into laughter.
Amid the cheers and exclamations, Sang Shi remained the calmest. She chatted casually with Shao Shang, who cheered while curiously asking why she hadn’t gone to the Phoenix Beginning Tower, given that Sang Shi was a true intellectual.
To her surprise, Sang Shi quipped, "One pretentious scholar is enough to make me dizzy—a whole tower of them would surely knock me out cold."
Shao Shang covered her mouth, giggling.
Among the Cheng family, Sang Shi had now become one of her favorite people. Though an elder, their daily banter felt like equals—she hadn’t even been this close with her college roommates. At first glance, Sang Shi had seemed plain, but now Shao Shang knew her as easygoing, witty, and wise—the kind of person who grew more endearing over time. Third Uncle had truly struck gold!
Leaning in, Shao Shang bragged loudly, "How did my Third Uncle ever manage to marry you? You’re like a prized sword—far too good for him!"
Sang Shi laughed, the ornaments at her ears tinkling, and flicked Shao Shang’s forehead—how dare she call her Third Uncle... that!Over there, the two brothers who had been bickering like upended onions finally had a falling out. Cheng Xiaozhu, unable to out-argue Cheng Song, pulled Sang Shi over to mediate. Shao Shang didn’t follow them, instead slowly retreating from the crowded throng to stand aside, waiting for her family to finish enjoying the spectacle.
Standing by the street, Shao Shang tightened the thick, fluffy hooded cloak around her, pressing her cheek against the soft, delicate snow-white animal fur. Gazing at the dazzling spectacle of the lantern-lit flower market, her heart swelled with joy. In her past life, she had seen neon lights weaving through the night, fireworks blotting out the sky, and even more crowded gatherings and bustling markets—yet none had moved her as deeply as this moment.
She looked up at the tranquil, deep expanse of the starry sky. Having died once, she now understood the preciousness of life. This time, she would savor every bit of beauty life had to offer, never again squandering these splendid years.
Lost in thought, she suddenly sensed something amiss and quickly turned to look around.
About twenty yards away, beneath the eaves of a building, hung several vermilion round lanterns. Beneath them stood a young man in plain robes, a crane cloak draped over his shoulders, his hands clasped behind his back. Tall and slender, his figure was striking, with only his belt and hair as dark as ink. Amid the noisy lantern-lit crowd, he stood perfectly still, as did the seven or eight heavily armored guards beside him, all silent and motionless.
Shao Shang strained her eyes to see, but the man was too tall, his face mostly obscured by a revolving lantern hanging nearby. The shifting light cast a dreamy rouge hue onto his indifferent Wrapped Robe, creating an ethereal contrast—both breathtakingly vivid and profoundly serene, exuding an air of refined elegance.
She had passed by that spot earlier and remembered the revolving lantern depicted a scene of family reunion.
Just then, a hand tapped her shoulder. Sang Shi approached, asking curiously, “What are you looking at?” Shao Shang hesitated. “...It felt like someone was watching me.” Was it her? She wasn’t sure.
Sang Shi chuckled. “Our Niao Niao is lovely. Isn’t it natural for young men to look at you?”
Shao Shang mumbled a response, but when she turned back, the vermilion lanterns still hung in place—yet the figure beneath them had vanished.
—Well, two romantic encounters in one night, and she hadn’t gotten a clear look at either face. Her luck was truly something.
As the curfew approached, the tolling of the bell from the city tower signaled it was time for the Cheng family to return home, each member having gained something from the evening.
Madam Xiao had befriended several scholars and their wives at the Phoenix Beginning Tower. After some conversation, she casually invited them to the Cheng family banquet in two days, adding a scholarly touch to the event. Cheng Shi, meanwhile, had taken a liking to an acrobatics troupe and planned to hire them for entertainment to liven up the festivities.
Shao Shang’s feet ached from walking, and she dozed off against Sang Shi’s shoulder in the carriage. Sang Shi had intended to nap as well, but she caught Madam Xiao’s disapproving gaze from across the carriage. Knowing the reason, she simply smiled and leaned her head back for a quick rest.
Sure enough, the next morning, Madam Xiao stormed in, complaining about Sang Shi giving Shao Shang brocade fabric for a dress.
Sang Shi replied leisurely, “That brocade is truly exquisite. Sichuan weavers are unmatched, but that self-proclaimed ‘Emperor of Shu’ has sealed the borders, making it hard for fine goods to circulate. This piece was a gift for my mother’s birthday two years ago. Sadly, there was only one bolt, and the color doesn’t suit me. Shao Shang has fair skin, so naturally, I gave it to her.”
Madam Xiao snapped, “You’re playing favorites!”No matter what she thought in her heart, the provisions for the two girls had always been fair and equal. Initially, her partiality toward Cheng Yang was out of consideration for the Ge family's request. At first glance, Niao Niao seemed suppressed, but in reality, her husband and sons constantly remembered and cared for her daily. Whenever they saw anything fine or handsome outside, they would always send it to Niao Niao. The servants weren’t blind—how could they dare to neglect her?
Sang Shi remarked, “That color doesn’t suit Yang Yang either.” Cheng Yang’s skin was a light honey tone, while her own complexion leaned yellowish. Her daughter Wei Wei took after her husband’s fair skin, but such precious brocade would be wasted on a small child, and brocade doesn’t keep well over time.
“That fresh, vibrant emerald shade—only Niao Niao can truly do it justice.” In truth, Madam Xiao’s skin was also fair, but nearing forty, it no longer suited her. After considering everyone, it turned out Shao Shang was the only one in the entire Cheng family worthy of that brocade.
Madam Xiao said, “Haven’t you considered whether Yang Yang might feel upset?”
Sang Shi feigned surprise. “Husband's sister-in-law, why would you say that? Yang Yang is such a kind and virtuous child—how could she entertain such petty thoughts?”
Madam Xiao was left speechless. Well, she had always praised Cheng Yang for her virtuous character.
She fought back, “Fine, let it be given. But why did Niao Niao have to wear it last night? I had prepared matching outfits for the two sisters…”
“That’s precisely Niao Niao’s thoughtfulness. The sisters already differ in appearance—if they wore identical clothes, wouldn’t Yang Yang be overshadowed even more? Wearing different styles allows each to shine in their own way.” Sang Shi replied smoothly.
Madam Xiao was silenced again.
She glared at Sang Shi, who returned her gaze with an utterly innocent expression. Before long, Madam Xiao conceded defeat. Well, everyone had their strengths—she had never been a match for Sang Shi in verbal sparring.
Author’s Note:
The beautiful women in my writing have their reasons—the female lead’s beauty genes surpass Cheng Yang’s, so she’s prettier.
And yes, the suspected male lead has appeared.
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