The flames soared into the sky, belching thick, black smoke that stained the heavens a murky, blood-tinged gray. Surrounded by deep ravines and dense forests, the air was filled with the clamor of battle. Ahead, the guards and family generals of the Cheng Residence fought desperately to hold back the surging tide of "bandits."
Truth be told, Shao Shang wasn’t even sure if they were bandits or perhaps remnants of some defeated army, as their bloodstained robes and armor suggested they might have once belonged to an organized force.
Just then, a faint groan came from a wounded bandit on the ground who hadn’t quite died yet. She glanced over and recognized him as the same man who, moments ago, had been brandishing a great cleaver and charging wildly toward the womenfolk. Turning to a nearby guard, she said, "There’s one more here." The guard obeyed, stepping forward to deliver several ruthless stabs with his blade. A low, agonized cry, a spatter of blood, and yet another life was snuffed out. Amitabha.
Half a year ago, Shao Shang had been a young woman with slightly eccentric tastes but fundamentally normal sensibilities—someone who might let out a token scream at the sight of a cockroach rat. Now, she could stare at a field of dismembered corpses without so much as a twitch of her brow.
She looked down at herself. The dark, thick brocade men’s casual robe with embroidered edges had been altered for her by Sang Shi just a few days prior, originally meant for watching a soccer match. Now, it was spattered with bloodstains. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck to her spine, sticking the soft linen undergarments to her skin—clammy and uncomfortable. Rejoicing to the fullest only invites sorrow —that was her current predicament.
After sending away Young Master Lou, whose confession had been a textbook example of how not to do it, the convoy had traveled eastward. The scenery along the way was splendid, with clear skies and no snow for days.
Before even leaving the capital region, Shao Shang’s caning wounds had nearly healed. She found it puzzling. Back in her previous life, a minor arm fracture from a fight hadn’t hurt as much as this caning, yet it had taken half a semester to recover. This time, she was almost fully healed in just six or seven days.
Was it because this body was of higher quality? But then why had she remained a swollen mess for so long before? The same medicinal ointments had been used. After pondering for days, Shao Shang concluded that this body’s resilience lay primarily in its bones and tendons, not its skin.
To put it vividly: if she were ever a victim of domestic violence, she might end up disfigured, but she could also join a self-defense class, become a martial arts master, and beat the perpetrator senseless—only to then turn around and cry, "Officer, just look at my face—isn’t the situation clear enough?" Huh, why was she plotting mischief so effortlessly?
Additionally, she discovered that this body had an innate musical talent.
When handed the flute, Shao Shang had been nervous—back in her college elective class, her playing had been likened to a steel saw scraping chrysanthemum . Yet after just a few days of instruction from Sang Shi, her fingers seemed to move on their own, producing a lively and melodious rendition of a simple bamboo branch tune . It seemed Cheng Taigong’s genes hadn’t gone to waste. Once she had the time and money in the future, she’d dabble in some Lofty Mountains and Flowing Waters to elevate her cultural cachet and stop being mistaken for an illiterate.
Once her foundation was confirmed solid, Sang Shi began teaching her breathing exercises , emphasizing steady, long exhalations. To achieve this, Sang Shi unapologetically demanded that Shao Shang ride horses, walk daily, and maintain ample sleep and nutrition. Sometimes, when exhaustion overwhelmed her, Shao Shang would collapse into sleep whether they were camping in the wild or jostling along in a carriage. Sang Shi was pleasantly surprised by the girl’s compliance—she’d expected much more resistance before getting her to follow orders so precisely.One evening, Sang Shi said to her husband, "Do you think we should send a few clever pageboys to Qian Zeng to learn his craft? Perhaps we might need it in the future." The so-called carrot-and-stick approach required a truly shocking stick to make the carrot effective.
Cheng Zhi immediately understood his wife’s meaning. His gaze drifted toward the two tents where Cheng Wei and their twin sons slept. After a long pause, he finally said, "...I was thinking, maybe we could hope for the best. Perhaps our children won’t need it?"
Sang Shi said nothing, simply watching her husband quietly. Cheng Zhi rubbed his nose and added, "But talent is hard to come by. To prevent such a rare skill from being lost, we might as well send a few over... ahem... to learn something, broaden their horizons, ahem..." But given past experience, when it came time to discipline the children, he absolutely would not play the bad cop!
At that moment, nine-year-old Cheng Wei suddenly sneezed. Shao Shang, lying beside her, quickly tucked the blanket around her and scolded, "If you keep reading at night, I’ll tell Aunt!"
"You won’t even let me read in the carriage," Cheng Wei grumbled.
Shao Shang retorted, "The carriage is too bumpy. If you strain your eyes squinting at words while swaying, you’ll ruin your vision!"
"Then I’ll sleep in A Guang and A Yuan’s carriage during the day so I won’t need to sleep at night when we camp. That way, I can read."
Shao Shang frowned sternly. "Humans follow the rhythm of the sun—rise with the day, rest with the night. If you reverse your schedule like this, you’ll ruin your health. Be careful, or you’ll never grow tall!" It was quite an achievement that she could now explain the concept of circadian rhythms in such refined terms.
Cheng Wei persisted, "The books say there’s a tribe in Western Shu who live by gathering bright sand from the valleys, and they can only collect it at night. That clan lives just as long as anyone else. Besides, I won’t keep this schedule forever. I’ll adjust back once we reach the county."
"If you don’t stop, do you really think Aunt won’t burn your books?" Shao Shang had no patience for gentle persuasion—threats were far more effective.
Cheng Wei gasped. "Burning books is what the tyrannical Qin did!"
"The First Emperor was all for enlightenment when he first invited Han Fei. Look how that turned out for Han!" After all, the line between enlightened parents and tyrannical rulers was as thin as a report card. Intellectuals were so naive!
"Fine... I’ll wait until we’re back in the county to read..."
—Indeed! Little Cheng Wei was the legendary "scholar who loved learning more than life itself." Just as Shao Shang had inherited Cheng Taigong’s musicality, Cheng Wei had inherited Sang Taigong’s habit of never setting down a book or stepping outside. Back at the Cheng Residence in the Capital City, Shao Shang had barely seen this cousin of hers. And at White Deer Mountain, aside from the schoolroom and study, hardly anyone ever caught a glimpse of Sang Taigong.
Such was the wonder of genetics. Amen.
Even more wondrous were Cheng Zhi and his wife. Truly a match made in heaven—one obsessed with refinement, the other obsessed with pretending to be refined—they had turned what should have been a straightforward journey to his new post into a leisurely tour of scenic spots, reunions with old friends, and visits to relatives.
Whenever they passed famous mountains, great rivers, or unusual landscapes, Sang Shi couldn’t resist stopping to admire the view, occasionally composing a poem. Cheng Zhi, meanwhile, would try to turn it into a grand affair, inviting nearby scholars, literati, and their families for a picnic where everyone could flatter each other.
Following Sang Shi, Shao Shang learned a different kind of "extravagance." Not the Wan family’s crude displays of gold, silver, jewels, servants, and frivolous pastimes, but something "free" and "unrestrained"—flowing like the clouds, boundless as the horizon. Though Shao Shang had not an ounce of romance in her bones, she thoroughly enjoyed these gatherings.The scholars of this era were not as rigid as the later Confucian disciples. Most of them carried long swords at their waists, possessed broad knowledge, and would even perform sword dances when inspired by wine. Their conversations were not about the nine ways to write the character for "fennel," but ranged from discussing the merits and flaws of state policies to the rise and fall of previous dynasties. They would weep with joy in moments of elation and curse vehemently in disdain.
Though the outdoor feast was simple, with only dried fruits, hot soup, and roasted meat as dishes, Shao Shang, listening and watching from the side, felt her horizons broaden and her heart lighten. The people of this time harbored hatred and love as clear and pure as the sky.
By the time the convoy entered the city of Chenliu Commandery in Yanzhou, Shao Shang could not only perform half of her grandfather’s legacy compositions in a duet with Cheng Zhi and his wife but had also grown two inches taller, with both the front and back slopes yielding impressive harvests. Moreover, after immersing herself in the arts for several days, her entire demeanor had greatly improved, finally giving her naturally good looks a chance to shine.
The Prefect of Chenliu Commandery was a close friend of Sang Shi’s brother, Sang Yu, and he invited Cheng Zhi and his wife to stay as guests. His wife, renowned for her matchmaking skills, immediately offered to arrange a marriage for Shao Shang. Sang Shi skillfully smiled and said, "My niece is still young," while her eyes sparkled with the unspoken message: "If you have good candidates, hurry up and bring them out—why the delay?"
If Cheng Zhi hadn’t needed to assume his post by the end of February, the convoy would have lingered longer in Chenliu, and the Prefect’s wife would have hosted a banquet for Shao Shang to meet several young talents.
Thus, the journey continued joyfully, with the Cheng family eating hotpot and singing songs until they finally arrived at Dong Commandery.
Then came the day when the tone abruptly shifted—before assuming his post in Hua County, Cheng Zhi insisted on making a detour through Qing County to visit his senior brother, who served as the county magistrate there.
Sang Shi chuckled dryly and teased, "You two brothers have been posted so close to each other these years, meeting constantly. What’s the rush?" Though she said this, she didn’t stop her husband.
"When I first arrived at White Deer Mountain, I was just a country boy who knew nothing beyond a few characters. Yet Senior Brother Gongsun, born into a prestigious family, never looked down on me. He not only guided my studies but also taught me how to conduct myself with grace. He was truly both a teacher and a friend!" Cheng Zhi’s face was full of nostalgia.
Sang Shi continued to jest, "That’s because Brother Gongsun found you handsome but unbearably foolish. He couldn’t stand to watch you flounder, so he took extra care of you."
Shao Shang silently translated this in her mind: Senior Brother Gongsun was a sucker for good looks.
In this era, a "county" covered a much larger administrative area than in later times, especially Qing and Hua Counties, which were medium-to-large towns with populations exceeding ten thousand households. Before entering the county town, Cheng Zhi even picked up a local elder from a neighboring village to accompany them. Shao Shang, dressed in men’s attire and riding a horse, completed her daily exercise quota.
The elder, surnamed Li and known in the village as Li Taigong, was as cheerful as the Laughing Buddha. He said, "My son recently wrote to say he’ll graduate in two more years. If not for Lord Cheng’s guidance, with his dull wit, who knows when he would have come to his senses?"
Cheng Zhi laughed. "I actually hope my junior brother stays a few more years. The Chen family of Henan is renowned, and Teacher Chen has several daughters who were recently brought to the mountain to accompany their parents. If my junior brother studies a few more years, he might just bring back a new bride for you, old sir!"
Li Taigong was overjoyed, his graying beard nearly trembling into the shape of a heart. "If that happens, it would be a great blessing for our family!"
Shao Shang couldn’t resist chiming in, "Then my uncle’s guidance is even more essential—after all, he managed to marry the cherished daughter of the White Deer Mountain master!"Everyone burst into laughter, and even Sang Shi inside the carriage couldn't stop giggling. She picked up an orange, lifted the carriage curtain, and tossed it at Shao Shang. Shao Shang pretended to be hit, crying out exaggerated "ai-yos," which only made the laughter around them grow louder.
The group chatted and laughed as they strolled along. When the city gates came into distant view, Cheng Zhi suddenly changed expression: "Something's wrong. The city looks unusual."
Li Taigong craned his neck to look and immediately turned serious: "Indeed, something's amiss!"
Cheng Zhi was a frequent visitor to Qing County. In previous years at this time, the city gates would be crowded with endless merchant caravans, farmers carrying harvests to sell, hunters bringing cured pelts for appraisal, and scattered travelers seeking relatives or directions. Yet now the gates were tightly shut, with not a single civilian or guard in sight!
Sang Shi lifted the carriage curtain and peeked out. Seeing her husband's expression, she asked tremulously, "...Are you...going into the city...?"
Cheng Zhi looked solemn: "My martial brother might be in trouble. I must go check."
Though reluctant, Sang Shi knew her husband couldn't stand idly by. She said, "Then I'll go with you."
Cheng Zhi shook his head. "If all's well in the city, you can enter without issue. But if there's trouble, a small mounted group would be more maneuverable. I'll take a squad of guards. The remaining family generals and soldiers will stay to protect you."
Shao Shang was surprised. She'd always thought of Third Uncle as jovial and easygoing—indulgent toward his wife and quick to tease his elder brothers. But faced with sudden crisis, he seemed transformed, acting with decisive efficiency.
Cheng Zhi turned to Li Taigong. "Elder, I wish to entrust my wife and—"
Li Taigong clasped his hands. "No need to explain, Lord Cheng. Have your wife lead the carriage train to my village. We have trenches, able-bodied men, and weapons enough to withstand any threat. Moreover, our village backs against dense forests with plenty of hiding places."
Peace had only recently been restored, and memories of the recent chaotic times remained fresh. Guarding against enemies and bandits was still second nature.
Cheng Zhi nodded, then told his wife, "Don't worry. I'll return soon."
Tearfully, Sang Shi nodded. She grabbed her husband's wide sleeve, her fingers whitening from the grip before she finally let go.
After the couple's farewell, Cheng Zhi rode off with seven or eight guards. Li Taigong hastily urged the carriage train to turn toward his village. Shao Shang kept gazing at Qing County's gates, watching as Cheng Zhi's party knocked for a long while and exchanged words through the gate before it cracked open just enough to admit them. Only when the gates closed again did Shao Shang turn to rejoin her group, though as she rode, an uneasy feeling grew—that perhaps she shouldn't have let her uncle go.
When she caught up, she overheard Li Taigong speaking to Sang Shi inside the carriage.
"Don't worry, madam. Your Majesty's imperial procession just passed through. With the gold baton holder ahead, the imperial guards commander behind, and the Feather Forest Imperial Guards accompanying them—it's only been days since they left Qing County. Who would dare cause trouble now?"
Sang Shi replied softly, "Your words do comfort me somewhat."
Suddenly Shao Shang interjected, "Aunt, perhaps we should send someone to request reinforcements from the governor of Chenliu Commandery. Even if it's a wasted trip, at worst we'll just pay the soldiers handsomely."
Sang Shi's worried expression lightened as she laughed. "Oh my, how generous! Has our Young Lady come into some wealth?"
Li Taigong also chuckled. "Young Lady, if you want reinforcements, Hua County is less than two days' ride away, while Chenliu would take three days by fast horse. Why not send someone to Hua County instead?""Before leaving, Father had someone bring me a whole chest of coins for spending money. I can cover the reward," Shao Shang said. "As for Hua County, let's send two people there too—better safe than sorry."
Seeing her solemn expression, Sang Shi knew her clever niece had good instincts and immediately sent messengers to both locations for help.
After traveling a while longer, the group suddenly felt the ground tremble as the thunderous sound of galloping horses grew nearer. Terror quickly spread across every face, followed by waves of rough, loud shouts. Then from the horizon emerged twenty or thirty sword-wielding bandits charging rapidly toward them.
The Cheng family's lead guard reacted fastest, immediately shouting hoarsely: "Form ranks! Protect the masters!"
Author's Note:
Volume 2 begins now—please continue your support.
There are many stories on ** that update quickly and are well-written. That you all accommodate my slow updates like this is truly something I'm deeply grateful for.
A kiss for you, mua—
To Guan Da who asked if I updated today: Are you sure you don't want to change that username?
To Xue Xi: Why did you give me negative points! What did I even write?
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