That evening, Shao Shang expressed her homesickness to the Wan family and firmly declined their warm attempts to persuade her to stay longer. Amidst Uncle Wan’s hopeful words—"Next time your mother wants to hit you, come to your uncle’s house again!"—her holiday came to an end.
By the time she returned to the Cheng household, the lanterns had just been lit. Without even reuniting with her siblings, Shao Shang urgently sought a private audience with Cheng Shi and Madam Xiao. She deliberately omitted any mention of Ling Buyi and quickly relayed the fragments of conversation she had overheard beneath the bridge.
As soon as Shao Shang finished speaking, Cheng Shi turned to his wife in astonishment, muttering, “No way? Didn’t we already ask my elder brother to hand over that map?”
Madam Xiao’s expression darkened. “...Ling Buyi visited twice. General Wan must have concealed the map.”
Cheng Shi slapped his thigh and sighed. “My brother’s temper! If I’d known, I would’ve taken the map myself and handed it over!”
The couple fell silent, while Shao Shang shrank back, not daring to make a sound.
“I’ve said it before—our foundation isn’t solid. Ordinary gold, pearls, jade, even weapons and bronze vessels, we can keep without issue. But the Imperial Seal and the Topographical Map must never be withheld.” Madam Xiao frowned at her husband. “You should go and talk to him. If he’s already handed it over, that would be for the best.”
“Best? What best!” Cheng Shi glared. “My brother is so reckless! Whether he’s handed it over or not, I’m telling Old Madam Wan—she needs to give him a good beating to teach him a lesson!”
Madam Xiao shook her head and sighed, then turned to her daughter. “About this eavesdropping…”
Shao Shang had been waiting for this. She quickly interjected, “I didn’t go there to eavesdrop! I just happened to overhear. If you punish me for this, I won’t tell you anything I hear in the future! And Father, don’t let anyone know I was the one who reported this from under the bridge. If Uncle Wan finds out I snitched, how can I ever visit them again?”
With his beloved daughter’s words, the devoted General Cheng naturally complied. “Yes, yes! How can Niao Niao be blamed this time? If my brother still hasn’t handed over that Topographical Map, it’s all thanks to Niao Niao’s warning. She prevented disaster—she should be rewarded! Niao Niao, don’t worry. I’ll say I heard it from somewhere else. It won’t involve you.”
Madam Xiao sighed inwardly. She hadn’t actually intended to scold her daughter—she just wanted to ask why she had gone under someone else’s bridge. Ah, never mind.
Meanwhile, Cheng Shi cheerfully moved closer to his youngest daughter and revealed the family’s decision.
Shao Shang was overjoyed. “Really?! I can go with Third Uncle and Aunt to their new post?!”
Cheng Shi beamed. “Of course! Haven’t you always wanted to travel and see the world? What’s so great about the Capital City? The real beauty lies in the vast landscapes beyond—where the skies are high, the clouds stretch endlessly, fish leap, and eagles soar! After attending your Uncle Wan’s family banquet, you can set off.”
Shao Shang was ecstatic. She tugged at her father’s sleeve repeatedly, thanking him profusely and showering him with praise, declaring him the best father in all of history—from the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors down to the butcher next door.
Madam Xiao silently watched the father and daughter shower each other with exaggerated compliments, choosing not to expose their mutual flattery.
She knew her husband was worried that during his upcoming military campaign, their daughter might suffer under her strict discipline, and their sons might not be able to intervene. That was why he had arranged for her to be entrusted to his younger brother and sister-in-law in advance. She was certain—once he returned, he would immediately fetch their daughter back.Raising her eyes, Madam Xiao saw that although her daughter's injuries had not yet fully healed, she was radiant and full of energy, far more lively and cheerful than she had been at home. An inexplicable sense of loss washed over her, as if something had been snatched from her grasp.
After finishing her report, Shao Shang divided the fine wine gifted by Thirteenth Sister into three portions. The first portion naturally went to Old Man Cheng, the second was offered to her future protector for the coming months, Third Uncle, and the third was presented to her three elder brothers as thanks. She also asked Cheng Shao Gong for another Amulet of Exorcism.
"Everything has been going so smoothly lately!" Shao Shang beamed with joy. "Uncle Wan, Aunt Wan, the Old Madam, and Qiqi have all treated me wonderfully. Just now, Mother even said I should focus on recovering from my injuries first and wait until I go out with Third Aunt before slowly completing my punishment writing."
She wriggled over to Cheng Shao Gong's side and fawned, "Third Brother, draw me another amulet for the road. Make this one even more powerful, more miraculous—able to turn misfortune into blessing, calamity into good fortune, ensure favorable weather, and make everyone adore me..."
Cheng Shao Gong rolled his eyes. "How about one that makes you pick up gold coins on the road?"
Shao Shang was both surprised and delighted, suddenly feeling her own ignorance. "There’s such an amulet? Then... give me two of those too!"
"Dream on! How about I pack you some extra Wooden Slips for your punishment writing instead?"
—Cheng Yong and Cheng Song, who had been toasting each other, burst into laughter. Shao Shang deliberately put on a stern face, but her heart felt as soft as cotton candy. She thought that Director Xiao wasn’t so bad after all—at least she was good at raising sons. These elder brothers were all very, very good.
After delivering the wine, Shao Shang was about to leave when her eldest brother, Cheng Yong, stopped her in the corridor and whispered, "In the next day or two, the Yin Family will likely send someone over. When they apologize, you must put on a pleasant face."
Shao Shang was startled. Only then did she learn that during her absence, Madam Yin had brought Yin Xu'e to apologize multiple times, and the elders of both families had long since resolved their grievances. Sure enough, the day after she returned home, Madam Yin sent a visiting card and arrived with her daughter.
Seeing Yin Xu'e again gave Shao Shang another shock.
The former Yin Xu'e had been like a haughty balsam flower, fastidious and slow, proud and self-satisfied. Now, she resembled a humble and unassuming little cabbage, her brows gentle and her eyes soft. Unlike Shao Shang, who had been enjoying her days like a vacation, Yin Xu'e had clearly been thoroughly disciplined, as if she had grown up overnight.
After exchanging pleasantries and formalities, Madam Yin, Madam Xiao, and Sang Shi retreated indoors to discuss adult matters. Coincidentally, Cheng Yang was still at the estate inspecting the grain seeds for spring planting and hadn’t returned yet, leaving only Shao Shang and Yin Xu'e sitting face to face in awkward silence.
"...I didn’t expect your injuries to still be unhealed," Yin Xu'e finally broke the silence, unable to bear it any longer.
Shao Shang touched her face and smiled wryly. "Neither did I." This skin of hers looked good but was of poor quality—even such minor bruises healed at a snail’s pace.
"And your injuries, Elder Sister? I didn’t hold back that day either."
Yin Xu'e smiled sheepishly. "They only hurt for three or five days. They’ve long since healed."
Shao Shang thought to herself, had she known her own injuries would heal so slowly, she should have punched her a couple more times back then."...It's all my fault." Yin Xu'e spoke with heartfelt sincerity. "Everyone in this world has their share of sorrows—no one lives a life completely free from hardship. These past days, I've learned many things about my mother's family..." Her voice suddenly choked with emotion. "So much blood and tears! I truly don't know how my mother endured it all back then! If anyone had mocked my mother for being orphaned the way I did, I would have skinned them alive!"
Shao Shang silently handed her a handkerchief. Yin Xu'e took it to wipe her tears. "My mother hadn't thought about those painful memories for years, but because of me, she cried for several nights and even fell ill. My father, sister, and brothers all blame me, saying I'm cold-hearted and ungrateful..."
Shao Shang hadn't expected her accidental jab to hit so true, unsure whether to feel smug or uneasy.
"Today, I sincerely apologize to you, little sister. It was entirely my fault for being too arrogant and sharp-tongued without realizing it. I promise to change from now on." Yin Xu'e bowed properly to Shao Shang.
Shao Shang hastily returned the gesture, awkwardly mumbling, "Well... I also made mistakes..." Polite words were so hard to say!
Seeing Shao Shang struggle, Yin Xu'e considerately took over with a smile. "In a few days, the Wan family is hosting a banquet. Uncle Wan has always been generous—it's sure to be lively and fun. Let's go together then."
Shao Shang twitched her lips and replied dryly, "Mother said if my face hasn't healed by then, I can't go. Otherwise, walking around with this face would spread rumors, and soon everyone in the Capital City would know how formidable Sister Xu'e's fists and feet are. Other girls might need to bring personal guards when they see you in the future."
Yin Xu'e was both embarrassed and amused. "Ah, Aunt Xiao is truly thoughtful and thorough..."
"Yes. Our mothers are good people. But us? Probably bad shoots from good bamboo." Shao Shang emphasized.
Hearing "bad shoots," Yin Xu'e covered her sleeve and laughed uncontrollably. Shao Shang playfully flicked her own sleeve, and the two shared a smile, finally putting their feud behind them.
As she smoothed her robe, Yin Xu'e hesitantly added, "At least there's only one bad shoot per family. My sister and brothers are all wonderful, and Shao Shang, your sister... and brothers must be just as good..."
Shao Shang nodded vigorously. "Of course! My brothers are the best! I wouldn't trade them for all the gold in the city!"
Outside Nine Dapple Hall, Cheng Yong sat quietly in the side room. Hearing the girls' cheerful laughter inside, he finally relaxed and left, thinking to himself, Good. At least until this little troublemaker leaves home, she won't have any more reasons to clash with Mother.
Having settled her grudge with Yin Xu'e, Shao Shang felt remarkably lighthearted. The thought of soon leaving the city gave her a sense of freedom—like "laughing away past enmities and moving on with life." Whether it was Cheng Shao Gong's mystical charms at work or not, by the eve of the Wan banquet, General Cheng's youngest daughter no longer resembled a pig's head.
On the day of the banquet, the Wan residence was draped in silks and bustling with guests. Wan Songbai stood inside the main gate to welcome visitors, hands resting on his round belly and beaming jovially—though with a slight limp.
Shao Shang whispered to Wan Qiqi, "Didn't Uncle's leg injury heal? Why is he limping again?"Wan Qiqi lowered her voice and said, "I don’t know how Father managed to anger Grandmother, but just the second day after you left, she suddenly flew into a rage and ordered the guards to hold Father down in the garden and give him a good beating. It was so harsh! The paddle was this wide..." She spread her hands apart, "It made loud smacking sounds. See, now his leg is like this again!"
Shao Shang felt a pang of guilt as she watched Uncle Wan, who had always treated her kindly, limping around.
Wan Qiqi was too energetic to sit still indoors engaging in polite flattery or sipping drinks while composing poetry. Instead, she had cleared a large space in the back garden and filled it with all sorts of games, from football to battledore, and even set up several archery targets.
The young ladies made themselves at home. Those who preferred quiet gathered under the corridor to warm themselves by the fire, eating, drinking, chatting, or playing board games together. The more active ones pushed and jostled each other on the ground, laughing and playing noisily.
"...I’ve long heard that Sister Xu E is talented in both literary and martial arts. Why not have a match with me today?" Wan Qiqi raised her chin, holding a soft bow in one hand and pointing at a distant target with the other.
Unexpectedly, Yin Xu'e, now reformed, remained unprovoked and smiled. "Where did you hear such praise? It’s just the polite words of my little sisters. A target that far—I doubt my arrows could even reach it."
Wan Qiqi sulkily put down her bow and arrows.
This was already her fourth verbal provocation against Yin Xu'e that day, and the fourth time her efforts had met with no resistance—she couldn’t help but think how much better it would be if Yin Xu'e had remained as stubborn as before. Life without a rival was as lonely as snow.
Since the two biggest contenders hadn’t clashed, the young ladies in the garden ate, drank, and enjoyed themselves immensely—until the last group of elegantly dressed noble ladies arrived fashionably late, shifting the atmosphere once again.
At the forefront was a young lady with a face as round as the full moon, crimson lips, and dark eyebrows, her expression haughty, surrounded by a flock of girls dressed in brocade and silk.
Shao Shang secretly compared her to Yin Xu'e from before and felt this person carried even more grandeur. Yin Xu'e hadn’t deliberately gathered followers but merely enjoyed the flattery when others gathered around her. This one, however, clearly led an organized entourage.
The young lady smiled and said, "Qiqi, why didn’t you come to greet me?"
Wan Qiqi’s expression darkened, but remembering her role as the hostess, she had no choice but to step forward and welcome her.
Though Wan Songbai had merits, a noble title, wealth, and power, his family was far from being among the top-tier aristocratic houses in the court. Naturally, he couldn’t invite all the influential nobles, so this banquet was limited to families connected to his own. Unfortunately, Wang Ling’s father was among them.
Shao Shang leaned close to Yin Xu'e and asked, "Who’s that?"
Yin Xu'e whispered, "That’s the daughter of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, named Wang Ling. She’s the Empress’s niece..." She paused, then added, "A distant one."
"Thirteenth Sister doesn’t seem happy to see her." Even a blind person could tell.
Yin Xu'e curled her lip. "I’m not happy to see her either. She’s always currying favor with the powerful, and she’s sly and malicious—utterly detestable."
Hearing the bitterness in her voice, Shao Shang chuckled. "Did she bully you?"
Yin Xu'e bit her lower lip. "...I was fine. My father has never had dealings with her family. But some of my close friends suffered at her hands—families with weaker influence, humiliated for no reason at all."
"What’s the big deal? You bullied me too. The two of you should’ve been fast friends." Shao Shang teased.Yin Xu'e pretended to hit her, then thought about her own previous behavior and found it amusing. She said, "So, if I want to make things difficult for someone, I should at least have a plate of Bird's Nest Jujube as an excuse. But her, hmph..." Her face showed disdain. "Wang Ling only sees two types of people: those she needs to flatter and win over, and those she can bully and order around. It all depends on whether they have power or not."
Shao Shang shook her head vigorously. "That's shallow thinking. Power isn't just black and white. Take my family, for example. Although my father's official rank isn't as high as General Wang's, and we don't have the Empress as a relative, as long as we don't need anything from her, why should I flatter her?" Official rank doesn't represent everything. It also depends on family status, the authority of the position, and whether the Emperor values you. What if the Emperor just wants to give you a high salary to retire comfortably?
"Exactly!" These words resonated with Yin Xu'e, and she found herself liking Shao Shang more and more. Although her father didn't hold a key position, the Emperor had always treated the Yin Family well, often praising Yin Zhi in public as 'a sincere and honorable gentleman.'
Wang Ling wrinkled her nose as if smelling something unpleasant and looked around the garden critically. "Is this how you entertain us? Such a shabby setup isn't even as good as a common eatery."
"My humble home is indeed unworthy of your esteemed presence! But it's not like you don't know me. You know how I like to host guests," Wan Qiqi retorted sharply. "If you look down on my home, why did you come today?!"
Ignoring her, Wang Ling said nonchalantly, "I heard Eleventh Master is here today?"
Wan Qiqi paused for a moment, but her mind worked quickly, and she soon smiled. "Is he? I didn't know."
Wang Ling's expression darkened, and a slightly younger round-faced girl popped out from behind her, shouting urgently, "Don't lie! We already found out! Eleventh Master is here!"
Wan Qiqi deliberately spoke slowly. "So what if he's here? So what if he isn't? What does it have to do with me? I don't even want to see him. But little A Li, does your mother know you came out with Wang Ling today to see Eleventh Master?"
Shao Shang was delighted: So they're just a bunch of fangirls!
The girl called A Li blushed at Wan Qiqi's words. Seeing this, Wang Ling quickly interjected, "Don't drag A Li into this! Talk to me! We just heard your father is taking the young men who came today to the Martial Arts Field for some fun. We wanted to watch the excitement. Since this is your home, we didn't want to barge in without permission, so we came to ask you." After she finished speaking, the girls around her chimed in agreement.
Wan Qiqi smiled. "I haven't lived in this new house for long. The Martial Arts Field... where is it again... hmm, where could it be..." She deliberately avoided answering, teasing them with roundabout replies.
Wang Ling wasn't one to be trifled with either. Seeing Wan Qiqi's deliberate stalling, her eyes darted around, and she spotted Shao Shang standing nearby. Smirking, she said, "Stop making excuses! Even if not for us, do it for your dearest Cheng family sister!... Shao Shang, come here. Don't tell me you don't want to see Eleventh Master either..."
Shao Shang had been leisurely watching the show with Yin Xu'e, amused by her friend's effortless handling of the situation, when suddenly her name was called. It took her a couple of beats to react—she realized she was now part of this group of starstruck fangirls!
"Eleventh Master... heh heh..." She struggled to recall the name but couldn't place it. Finally, she said, "I don't want to see him."Wang Ling sneered, "I've long heard that ever since General Cheng and his wife returned, Shao Shang no longer plays with her old friends. But of course, with rising status comes higher standards—naturally, one must associate with prestigious families like the Wan and Yin. As for former playmates, mere trifling affections can be tossed aside without a second thought. It's a pity those unaware of the truth might think Shao Shang is a social climber who turns her back on old friends. But of course, we know better—Shao Shang isn't that kind of person!"
Yin Xu'e, who had initially wanted to stay out of it, suddenly recalled her mother mentioning the awkwardness of lacking parental guidance in her youth. Her expression darkened as she retorted, "Wang Ling, stop beating around the bush. If you want to see Eleventh Master, go see him yourself. Shao Shang was young and didn't know how to choose friends wisely before, but now that she has her parents' guidance, things are naturally different."
Just as Wang Ling was about to fire back, a young man's voice suddenly rang out—
"A-Li! What are you doing here?!"
The girls immediately turned to look. Standing at the garden entrance was a finely dressed youth carrying a quiver of arrows, staring at them in surprise.
Shao Shang blinked. Huh? Wasn't this Lou Yao from the Hedong Lou clan—the one with the formidable fiancée?
At the sight of Lou Yao, A-Li let out a startled cry and frantically hid behind the other girls. But Lou Yao strode forward, grabbed her by the arm, and scolded, "A-Li! Aunt forbade you from coming, yet you sneaked out anyway!"
"Cousin, cousin... please spare me!" Lou Li pleaded. "Don't tell Mother!"
Lou Yao showed no mercy, immediately dragging his younger cousin toward their family carriage to send her packing back home.
Wang Ling stepped forward and yanked at him, shrilly protesting, "What business is it of yours? Stop meddling—let go of A-Li!" Her grip was strong; with a ripping sound, Lou Yao's sleeve tore. She froze mid-tug.
Lou Yao turned back and snapped, "A-Li only learns bad habits from you! Last time, after listening to your nonsense, she went around crying to everyone that Aunt favored her siblings over her, claiming she was bullied and neglected! Frankly, it'd be best if she never saw you again!"
Wang Ling hadn't expected Lou Yao to air such grievances in public. For a moment, she was speechless.
But she was nothing if not sharp-tongued and thick-skinned. "Whether there was bullying or not, only your family knows," she shot back. "I'll say what I want—you can't control me! If everything were truly fair, why would A-Li have anything to cry about? Perhaps..." She smirked coldly. "Perhaps she really was wronged!"
Lou Yao was livid. "You're spouting nonsense! Who—who ever bullied A-Li?! She's the youngest in our family—how could we possibly...?"
Wang Ling grew even more smug and vicious. "And you have time to worry about A-Li? After being engaged for over a decade, only to have the betrothal broken off so your fiancée could marry someone else? Who knows what flaws you must have, what incompetence, for Zhao Jun to discard you so eagerly. If I were you, I'd be too ashamed to show my face!"
Lou Yao's face flushed red with anger. He pointed at Wang Ling, stammering "You—you—" but couldn't form a coherent retort. As a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth raised to be steady and reticent like his father and brothers, he was no match for a shrew like Wang Ling in a war of words.
Seeing Lou Yao flounder, Wang Ling grew even more triumphant. She turned back to Shao Shang and continued, "Well, Shao Shang, if you truly don't want to see Eleventh Master... I heard you were once so infatuated with him that you vowed to marry no one else! Heh heh heh..."Shao Shang raised an eyebrow. "Am I the only one in the Capital City who's vowed to marry no one but Eleventh Master?" In truth, she had no idea whether this so-called Eleventh Master was round or flat.
Wang Ling's laughter abruptly ceased.
Wan Qiqi burst out laughing. "Of course not! Half the young maidens in the Capital City have probably said the same thing!"
Lou Li struggled to peek out from under her cousin's arm. "It's not the same! We're open and honest about it, unlike you—pretending you don’t want to see Eleventh Master when you clearly adore him! Utterly hypocritical!"
Wang Ling smiled again.
"Then, are all the young ladies in the Capital City who once vowed to marry the Eleventh Master but later obeyed their parents' arrangements to wed others hypocrites to the core?" Shao Shang said lightly, her expression unchanged.
Yin Xu'e laughed. "Of course there are. The Eleventh Master has always refused to marry, and those ladies, as they came of age, had no choice but to wed. Many of them are likely mothers by now."
Shao Shang gave a grateful glance at Wan Qiqi and Yin Xu'e while reminding herself not to stir up trouble so easily again.
She turned to Wang Ling and said, "Elder Sister Wang, how many people in this world remain entirely unchanged from childhood to adulthood? Some loved fish as children but cannot stand the smell of it now; others were timid in youth but grew into resolute and decisive adults. My elder brother once told me of a great general during the era of warring states who was bullied relentlessly as a child, unable to even fight back verbally. Yet later, wherever his troops marched, none could stand against him. Is it so strange for people to change as they grow up?" Forgive her for not paying close attention to the story—she had long forgotten the general's name.
Lou Yao unconsciously loosened his grip on his younger cousin's arm, staring blankly at the delicate girl.
Wang Ling sneered. "You certainly know how to flatter yourself, comparing yourself to a general. Are you even worthy?!"
Ignoring her provocation, Shao Shang continued, "The sisters I used to play with—perhaps they looked down on me, or perhaps there were other reasons—but when I made mistakes, they never corrected me; when I struggled, they never helped me; when I was timid, some even mocked my foolish actions for amusement. I no longer associate with them. My mother says this is for the best and that I should choose my friends carefully from now on. Now, I've befriended Elder Sisters Wan and Yin. Elder Sister Wang, do you think I’ve made the right choice this time?"
Wang Ling stiffened slightly and was about to speak when Shao Shang cut in, "I know Elder Sister Wang will accuse me of social climbing. But let me ask you and all the sisters here—have none of you ever befriended someone of higher status than yourselves? Does befriending those from more prestigious families always amount to social climbing?"
The girl spoke calmly and steadily, and the others listened quietly.
Lou Yao was reminded of the times he accompanied his elder brother to the lecture hall to listen to the Great Confucian Scholars. She was like the most outstanding student there, speaking eloquently while the rest listened attentively.
"As for the Eleventh Master..." Shao Shang smiled. "I was once infatuated, but now I’m not. Is that so wrong? If any of you doubt me, I’m willing to swear a solemn oath."
The girls clustered around Wang Ling grew somewhat awkward—some secretly pleased to have one less rival, others regretful to lose a fellow conspirator. Wang Ling stood there, her face dark with displeasure.
Shao Shang turned to Wan Qiqi, Yin Xu'e, and the others, playfully cupping her hands in salute. "Since my parents returned, these are the two changes in me. I wonder if such changes are for the better or not?"
"Absolutely for the better!" Wan Qiqi was the first to cheer.
Yin Xu'e chuckled, clapping her hands. "The better you change, the better! Excellent, excellent!"
The other girls in the garden who weren’t part of Wang Ling’s faction finally caught on, some quickly, others slowly, some loudly, others softly, all voicing their approval.
Wang Ling bit her lip hard and sneered. "What silver-tongued eloquence...""Lady Wang!" Lou Yao suddenly spoke up. "I recall that in your childhood, you were very close with the daughters of several generals under your grandfather's command. Later, when your grandfather fell from grace, although His Majesty showed mercy and did not punish the families, those young ladies gradually distanced themselves. Why didn't you continue your friendships with them?"
This directly struck Wang Ling's sore spot. Her eyes turned red as she snapped sharply, "Lou Yao! You..."
"If you keep whispering nonsense to A Li, I... I'll..." Lou Yao stumbled over his words, unable to think of a proper threat in his panic. His wandering gaze happened to meet Shao Shang's clear, limpid eyes.
Suddenly inspired, he declared loudly, "I'll ask my uncle and father to inquire of General Wang what exactly the Wang family intends by interfering in Lou family affairs!"
Wang Ling's face turned pale then flushed red, torn between hatred and humiliation. In her fury, she stormed off with a flick of her sleeve, her followers hastily trailing behind, leaving only Lou Li standing there dumbfounded.
Wan Qiqi clapped her hands and laughed uproariously, calling after them between guffaws, "I haven't even told you where the Martial Arts Field is yet..."
Yin Xu'e gave her a playful shove, teasing, "What time do you think it is? Hurry up and lead us to the banquet!"
Wan Qiqi laughed so hard she could barely stand straight, supporting Shao Shang with one hand while gesturing the other young ladies toward the feast with the other. Lou Yao bowed to the remaining girls, excused his cousin from the banquet, then dragged away the still-protesting Lou Li.
Amid the cheerful chatter, the girls drifted toward the inner hall in small groups. No one noticed that while Shao Shang wore a smile, her eyes were cold. When no one was looking, she glanced back in the direction Wang Ling's group had departed.
In this world, the only reason she would endure being bullied was fear of the consequences. But if she could eliminate those consequences... why not retaliate?
All that was past was as yesterday's death; all that was to come was as today's birth. She intended to start anew, but some people simply wouldn't let her. She resolved to set a little trap to teach Wang Ling and her crew a small lesson.
A very small one, truly.
Author's note: Once again, there are no perfect characters in this story.
This chapter was also very long—exhausted me to death!
Happy weekend, everyone.
OpenNovel