Shao Shang stood coldly under the corridor, taking deep breaths of the freezing winter air until her lungs felt numb.
She had been more than willing to forget her childhood, but ever since coming to this wretched place, the gossip, the pointing fingers, the judgmental looks—it was all happening to her again! After finally surviving the hellish gaokao, getting into the best department of a top-ten university, plus having a crush on a brilliant senior—just when the future seemed promising, now she had to start all over again. Damn the heavens for being so unreasonable!
The more Shao Shang thought about it, the angrier she became. She couldn’t even stay under the corridor any longer. She had Lian Fang drape a thick fur coat over her and strode out of the courtyard, forbidding any maids to follow.
Since childhood, whenever she was upset, she liked to wander aimlessly alone until she was too tired to feel anything. At the moment, the main hall and eastern courtyard of the Cheng Residence were filled with the sounds of banquets, guests bustling about, and servants weaving through the crowd. Shao Shang cast a cold glance in that direction before turning decisively toward the western courtyard without a second look.
The estate was quite large, and since the Cheng family had moved in, they lacked both manpower and time to properly organize everything. For instance, this small hillside in the western section—rumored to be favored by Old Madam Wan for its quiet seclusion—had been left untouched. As Shao Shang surveyed the area, she saw only a few haphazardly placed rocks, a small frozen pond, and a dozen or so withered old trees of indistinguishable species.
With her previous life’s stamina, Shao Shang could have easily climbed this hillside four or five times without breaking a sweat. But now, by the time she reached the top of the small mound, she was panting like an ox. After laboriously sliding back down, she wobbled over to the pond and found a large, dry, icy rock to slump onto.
As she slowly adjusted her sitting position on the rock, Shao Shang suddenly recalled an old story she had read in her past life—
A newly retired courtesan, for the nth time, rejected a lovesick admirer who had pursued her for years, saying she was weary of the world and had no intention of marrying. Then she vanished from society. Many years later, the admirer encountered her again and found she had married an ordinary man, borne children, and was living a mundane life of daily chores.
The admirer was devastated: “If you were willing to marry, why not marry me? Your husband isn’t even much richer than I am.”
The courtesan replied: “You can play the qin and sing; he can’t even read sheet music. You’ve read countless books; he only likes magazines and newspapers. You’re dignified and imposing; he’s three inches shorter than me. But he has one advantage—he had never seen or heard of me before, so he knows nothing of my past. To him, I was just a lonely widow. That’s why I married him.”
The admirer was stunned: “I never minded your past.”
The courtesan answered: “Not minding isn’t the same as not knowing. I’m tired, and I’m not a strong person. I don’t want to bother with the past anymore.”
Shao Shang deeply resonated with the phrase “not minding isn’t the same as not knowing.” People aren’t that fragile—they don’t need so much sympathy and comfort. She could handle things herself; she just didn’t want others to know.
That’s why she completely understood why someone like Yin Xiangzhe could never accept his more noble, beautiful, considerate, and gentle childhood sweetheart, and instead chose a naive, sweet female lead. It wasn’t that the childhood sweetheart wasn’t good—it was that he didn’t actually need her understanding gaze or empathetic advice. He just needed someone who had never witnessed his unhappy youth.During her middle and high school years, Shao Shang had also envied those female classmates who laughed and played together, heading to the cafeteria or evening study sessions. It wasn’t that no girl had extended a friendly hand to her, but as if there were an inexplicable barrier, they could never become close friends.
Ironically, in her university dormitory, four bookish girls from vastly different backgrounds, with clashing habits and even disagreeable tempers, ended up getting along remarkably well, spending every day together, bickering and making up.
The root of it all, perhaps, was that they had never witnessed Yu Cailing’s pitiful childhood.
—But in this unfamiliar world, where could she find girls who didn’t know Cheng Shaoshang’s embarrassing past? Thinking of the friends she would never see again, Shao Shang felt a pang of sorrow, her head drooping dejectedly over the hard, icy surface.
"...Young Lady, I trust you’ve been well?"
A vaguely familiar, clear male voice reached her ears. Shao Shang jolted upright, sliding off the round stone to stand properly.
A young scholar in a sapphire-blue brocade Wrapped Robe had appeared by the pond, standing just five or six steps away from her. He looked to be in his early twenties, a few inches taller than her elder brother Cheng Yong, with a slender and refined figure.
Shao Shang’s first reaction was wariness, silently scolding herself for being careless enough to come without a single maidservant.
Ignoring the soreness in her legs, she straightened and performed a proper bow, tilting her eyes slightly as she spoke politely, "May I ask what brings you here, Young Master?" She thought even Madam Xiao wouldn’t find fault with her manners.
The young man frowned slightly at her unfamiliar expression. "We met just days ago at the lantern festival. Has the Young Lady forgotten?"
Shao Shang flushed with embarrassment. She’d had two romantic encounters at the festival—which one was this? Still, she refused to lose face and promptly replied, "Though we’ve met, I don’t yet know your esteemed name."
The young man smiled. "My surname is Yuan, given name Shen, courtesy name Shanjian."
Shao Shang inwardly gasped. Raising her head, she took in Yuan Shen’s elegant brows and refined, noble bearing. Just standing there, he transformed the desolate hillside into a scene of celestial grace.
—Cheng Yong had mentioned him in recent lessons. Born into the prominent Yuan clan of Jiaodong, his father was a High-ranking regional official. Three years ago, when the Emperor first summoned Great Confucian Scholars to expound the classics, Yuan Shen, then only eighteen, had earned widespread acclaim by debating on behalf of his teacher. Later, the Emperor appointed him as a Palace Attendant.
To put it in numerical terms, this Young Master Yuan hailed from a second-tier aristocratic family, with a father who ranked as a 1.5-tier minister. Given his early success, climbing to the first-tier rank of a cabinet minister seemed all but assured—barring any missteps.
But why would someone of his stature lower himself to visit the Cheng family? Had the Wan family invited him again?
Shao Shang shook off her daze and said respectfully, "Young Master Yuan honors our humble household with your presence. However, however..." Unskilled in flowery pleasantries, she cut straight to the point. "My father and the others are up ahead!" She assumed the handsome visitor must have gotten lost.
"I’m aware," Yuan Shen replied with a cultured smile. "I came specifically to see the Young Lady." His voice was soft and deliberate, lingering slightly on the word "specifically," as if pressing it into her heart.
Shao Shang’s smile faded. Her right hand, hidden in her sleeve, slowly smoothed the goosebumps rising on her left. She studied him quietly before asking, "Have I somehow offended you, Young Master?"After the lantern festival that day, she had long forgotten about the romantic encounter. Her experiences as a delinquent girl had taught her not to be too presumptuous. Sister Wenmei had once fabricated a deep unrequited love just because someone let her win two balls in a game of pool, and ended up wasting years of her life chasing after undeserving boyfriends. The gang leader had used this cautionary tale countless times to educate the younger girls.
Too much affection harms the body. For women, being a little colder leads to better health and longevity.
Yuan Shen's smile deepened.
He had secretly investigated the Cheng family and ultimately identified the fourth young lady as the best candidate. Originally, he thought that if she were just an ordinary girl, even with a bad temper, he could win her over with sincere words and gentle smiles to do his bidding.
Fortunately, he had gone to see for himself at the lantern festival that day. With just a few glances, he instinctively knew this Cheng fourth young lady was nothing like the rumors suggested.
"Young Lady, perhaps you should first ask why I'm here today?" Yuan Shen circled around the topic. "General Cheng is highly talented. During the Yiyang Battle that day..." Before he could finish, Shao Shang had already sidestepped several paces, clearly intending to walk around him back to the main hall.
Yuan Shen moved swiftly, effortlessly blocking Shao Shang's path. His previously relaxed expression turned solemn as he said gravely, "Young Lady Shao Shang, this is rather impolite, don't you think?"
Shao Shang replied coldly, "We are strangers, and our families share no prior connections. For you to stop me here is the true impoliteness."
In truth, the customs of the time were not overly strict about interactions between men and women. It was common to see young men and women singing and playing together in the countryside, and even among noble families, there were betrothed couples who traveled together or young lords and ladies who met privately during river festivals.
However, no era ever encouraged promiscuity or reckless relationships—it was always better to err on the side of caution. And her situation was special, given the ever-watchful Director Xiao, who would surely seize any mistake to lecture her relentlessly.
"Young Master, even someone as ignorant as I has heard of your esteemed name," Shao Shang said, slowly stepping back to maintain a safe distance. "If you have something to say, speak plainly. The wind is biting here, and a frail girl like me can hardly endure it. Must you start from the beginning of time itself?"
The corner of Yuan Shen's lips curled. "Very well, Young Lady Shao Shang is refreshingly direct. Then I shall speak plainly..." He paused before continuing, "Young Lady, the truth is, I have a favor to ask of you."
Shao Shang was puzzled. "Of me?" This Yuan fellow far surpassed her in social status, talent, and reputation—what could she possibly help him with? Hmph, when a king seeks help from a commoner, it’s either deceit or theft!
"I only ask that you relay a message to your Third Aunt, Madam Sang," Yuan Shen said, sweeping his sleeves in a respectful bow.
Shao Shang grew even more confused. "My family isn’t overly conservative. Young Master Yuan could simply visit and speak to Third Aunt directly. Why go through such convoluted means...?"
If only it were that simple. Yuan Shen smiled bitterly. "There are... reasons not fit for outsiders to know. I cannot speak to Madam Sang directly, which is why I must trouble you, Young Lady. This matter is neither too significant nor too trivial..."
"Fine," Shao Shang suddenly said.
Yuan Shen was taken aback. "What did you just say...?"
Shao Shang replied bluntly, "I agree. What message do you want me to deliver? Just say it."Yuan Shen fell silent for a moment. None of the girl's words or actions had matched his expectations. Despite being significantly older than her, he felt as though they were conversing as equals. Initially, he had approached the conversation with the amused demeanor of an adult humoring a child, but now he found himself taking her seriously. Raising his voice slightly, he said, "Then I shall express my gratitude. Young Lady, you need only convey this to Madam Sang: 'Holding empty words yet hoping for sincerity, awaiting the detached palace south of the city. Ascending the orchid terrace to gaze afar, the spirit wanders in distraction. What the old friend seeks is merely the sound of wind and water.' That will suffice."
Shao Shang's lips twitched. In her mind, she scoffed: "That will suffice"?!
Noticing her prolonged silence, Yuan Shen pressed, "Does the Young Lady find this difficult?"
Shao Shang hesitated before murmuring, "C-could we omit the poetic lines and just say the last sentence?"
Yuan Shen: "..."
Barren slope, withered trees, broken mountain rocks.
Cold sun, biting wind, frozen pond.
Yuan Shen felt he had truly broadened his horizons today.
With an impassive expression, he stated, "Those two lines are not poetry—they are from Teacher Sima's rhapsody." And one of the most famous ones at that.
Shao Shang matched his expressionless tone: "It seems the gentleman is currently asking me for a favor."
Yuan Shen: "..."
So, because he needed her help, he was expected to disregard scholarly integrity and call a rhapsody poetry? Was she the reincarnation of Zhao Gao?!
Yuan Shen closed his eyes briefly. Reminding himself there was no point arguing with a young girl who had barely read any books, he finally conceded, "Fine. The Young Lady may simply convey: 'The old friend is concerned and seeks but a few words for peace of mind.' That will suffice."
Shao Shang nodded and gave Yuan Shen a respectful bow before swiftly walking past him, her departure brisk and decisive.
Yuan Shen turned to watch her retreating figure, his gaze lingering on her back for a long while.
When he had first arrived, the girl had been curled into a small ball on the round stone, her head drooping dejectedly like a rain-soaked, homeless quail with sparse, bedraggled feathers—utterly pitiable. Yet the moment she sensed someone approaching, she had bristled with defensive spikes, transforming instantly from quail to porcupine.
Since he was fourteen, young ladies outside his family had either blushed shyly in his presence, showered him with admiration, or deliberately acted eccentric or aloof to catch his attention. But encountering someone like Cheng Shaoshang—whose suspicion and wariness were clearly genuine, and who couldn't wait to flee—was a first in his life.
However, Yuan Shen would soon realize that his understanding of the Cheng family's fourth daughter remained woefully shallow.
Indeed, because someone had no intention of keeping her promise.
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