In the third month of spring, as the Shangsi Festival approached, Cheng Zhi, acting as the temporary local official, needed to preside over the purification ritual for the common folk—leading them to the river to splash water and bathe, washing away the misfortunes and gloom of the past year.
As for noblewomen, while they wouldn’t actually strip naked for such activities, they would dress much more lightly and enclose themselves behind curtains for privacy. Lou Yao hesitantly asked Shao Shang if she could splash a ladle of water on him that day as a blessing.
Shao Shang grinned and said, “Sure! But I’ll be wearing a sleeveless robe that bares one shoulder—what will you wear?” The delicate collarbones of this body were as fine as butterfly wings, absolutely stunning.
Young Master Lou immediately blushed as red as braised pork, his mind conjuring who-knows-what, and he covered his nose before running off.
Unfortunately, the day before the Shangsi Festival, Old Man Cheng and Director Xiao descended upon Hua County like a sudden storm. Strictly speaking, the couple arrived half a day apart. Now, forget baring her collarbones—Shao Shang had to mind every word and action with utmost propriety.
Cheng Shi had agreed to the marriage without hesitation, but afterward, he inexplicably felt a sour taste in his mouth. Once the pacification work was fully completed, he led his troops back to the Capital City, passing through Dongjun. Seizing the opportunity, he took a detachment of guards and rushed to Hua County to see his daughter—and incidentally, to scrutinize his future son-in-law.
Madam Xiao, too, had been caught off guard by this marriage.
First, the second madam of the Lou Family had sent someone to propose a match for Shao Shang. Before Madam Xiao could recover from her shock, she received an earnest letter from Lou Yao’s father in Qingzhou, pleading for the marriage (originally addressed to Cheng Shi, as the man had no idea his future in-laws were nearby). Just as Madam Xiao began seriously considering the feasibility of a Lou Family alliance, she received an urgent letter from her husband, stating that he had already agreed to the marriage and even exchanged tokens with Lou Er-da-ren.
Fuming, Madam Xiao couldn’t be bothered to dwell on her husband’s petty suspicions. Instead, she set off for Hua County to question Cheng Zhi and Sang Shi in person—and to bring her daughter back to the Capital City.
“Whenever it comes to Niao Niao’s matters, your elder brother treats me like a thief to be guarded against,” Madam Xiao said with self-deprecation.
Sang Shi chuckled. “Didn’t I say it before? Don’t be too harsh on Shao Shang, or the backlash will be severe.” After laughing, she asked how things were at home.
Madam Xiao replied, “Hu Ao has been helping my husband’s mother uproot all the flowers and plants in the back garden. Now they’re discussing what grain seeds to plant! She seems livelier than before. Yan Yan is still learning to manage household affairs—she’s matured a lot and even dares to give people the cold shoulder now.”
“And what do you think of Shao Shang now?” Sang Shi asked with a smile.
Madam Xiao paused, closing her eyes with a sigh. “You’ve raised her well… far better than I did.”
After months apart, her daughter had not only grown more graceful and well-proportioned, with bright eyes and pearly teeth, but the resentment that once lingered between her brows had completely vanished. Her gaze was no longer gloomy and withdrawn but instead radiated warmth and mischief. Having seen and experienced much, the girl now carried an air of open-hearted ease, her refined manners infused with a vibrant, innocent charm that made her a joy to behold.
Sang Shi glanced around proudly. “See? Shao Shang even drew the renovation plans for this place!”
Following her gaze, Madam Xiao took in the interior. Somehow, the room was warm yet not stifling, filled with bright, natural light and a refreshing flow of air."Not long ago, Shao Shang even dug a bathing stove for me, connected to the large wooden tub she had newly made. No matter how cold the weather, I could soak in it. From laying the bricks to channeling the water, it was all her idea—simple and cost-effective. Even the craftsmen were impressed."
Madam Xiao sighed softly.
Her late birth mother, even after bearing seven sons and a daughter, still had a waist as slender as a willow and the delicate appearance of a young maiden, her face tender and serene. No matter the chaos or destruction outside, nothing could disturb her peaceful enjoyment of wealth and comfort. Now that Shao Shang had grown into her features, her looks were almost identical to her mother’s, yet her demeanor couldn’t be more different.
The rear quarters of the county office weren’t particularly large. From outside, Cheng Shi’s deep, stern reprimands and a girl’s indignant voice could faintly be heard, interspersed with Cheng Zhi’s gleeful laughter. Hearing this, the two sisters-in-law found it amusing.
Madam Xiao couldn’t help but express concern, "A Yao is also the pampered youngest son of the Lou Family. I hope your elder brother doesn’t go too far!"
Sang Shi laughed. "Though A Yao is young, he’s skilled in archery, horsemanship, and swordsmanship—no mere decorative talent, so don’t worry! Besides, Shao Shang is there. Elder brother is just trying to scare him a little... Speaking of which, what do you think of this marriage, sister-in-law?"
Madam Xiao replied helplessly, "They’ve already exchanged tokens—what else can be done?"
Sensing her displeasure, Sang Shi softened her tone. "To be honest, if this marriage hadn’t been agreed to outright by elder brother but left to you to handle, what would you have done?"
After a moment of silence, Madam Xiao answered frankly, "I won’t hide it from you. The day the Lou Family sent someone to propose, I truly couldn’t believe it. Ah, Shao Shang is so unruly, and her reputation in the Capital City isn’t exactly stellar. Even if A Yao adores her, I’d have thought Madam Lou (second) would hesitate. Who knew..." She shook her head. "It happened so quickly!"
Sang Shi chuckled. "Now that He Zhaojun has married into Bingzhou, A Yao’s mother is feeling rather humiliated. If they delayed any longer, He Zhaojun might even have given birth by now. No wonder they acted fast!"
Madam Xiao nodded but then hesitated. "Do you think... if Shao Shang marries so well, and later if Yan Yan’s marital family isn’t as prestigious as the Lou Family, will the Ge Family resent it...?"
"There you go again!" Sang Shi set down her cup firmly. "I’ve told you before—eagles and sparrows can’t be raised the same way! With Niao Niao’s looks and temperament, there’s no hiding her!"
She thought to herself, Madam Xiao doesn’t even know about Ling Buyi yet—otherwise, there’d be even more trouble. "Yan Yan has her own virtues and will find happiness in marriage too. Didn’t you once say that high status has little to do with a good life? Why is it that Niao Niao can marry beneath her and live peacefully, but Yan Yan can’t?"
Madam Xiao wasn’t angered. After sighing, she spoke slowly, "Actually, I’ve come to realize many things aren’t as I wish them to be. In his letter, Elder Lou mentioned he was hesitant at first and sent someone to inquire. Coincidentally, they saw your group—injured and ill—limping toward Hua County by carriage. Exhausted and struggling, with many unable to go on, the entire convoy was managed by a mere young girl..."
Sang Shi recalled how, at the time, she had been nursing a leg injury while her husband wept and wallowed in regret, refusing to leave the carriage out of shame.
Her face flushed slightly at the memory."Minister Lou said that regardless of the rumors circulating in the Capital City, what his people have seen and heard about Shao Shang are all her virtues—responsible, courageous, filial to her Aunt, considerate to the bereaved family of Old Man Cheng, intelligent and capable, with a compassionate heart that pities the weak and orphans. Minister Lou also said that temperament is just a minor issue. Shao Shang is still young and can be taught slowly in the future," Madam Xiao continued.
Sang Shi chuckled, "Oh, I didn’t expect A Yao’s father to be so kind and generous. Shao Shang will be blessed in the future."
Madam Xiao let out a bitter laugh, her tone tinged with melancholy, "I didn’t even know my own daughter had so many virtues, yet an outsider like Minister Lou could see them. Shunhua, tell me, have I been wrong?"
Seeing her usually strong-willed and self-assured husband's sister-in-law now looking lost and full of self-doubt, Sang Shi felt a pang of sympathy and comforted her, "Shao Shang still has much to learn. Just her 'acting on her own and overestimating her abilities' gives me and her Uncle cold sweats! You don’t know—she even wanted to build a kiln and fire bricks herself before! It scared me to death. Fire and water are merciless; if anything went wrong and the kiln exploded or the bricks burst, what if she got burned on her face or body?!" She patted her chest, still shaken by the memory.
Madam Xiao laughed, "She listens when you advise her. But now, she has to be willing to listen to me too."
Sang Shi said softly, "...This child only listens to those who treat her well."
Madam Xiao fell silent.
Cheng Shi had slipped away to test (scratch that, evaluate) his future son-in-law, with his daughter watching wide-eyed beside him. Apart from a few demonstrations of archery and saber skills, he couldn’t even show off his signature stone-lock throwing.
"Father, what are you doing? Even if you find A Yao lacking, can you really ask Lou’s father to take back the betrothal token?" Shao Shang crossed her arms, suppressing a laugh. "Father, let me tell you a golden rule. Before a marriage is settled, scrutinize the other’s flaws. Once it’s settled, focus on their virtues—that’s how you’ll have a happy life!"
Old Man Cheng was no novice and wouldn’t be outdone by his daughter. Seeing that Lou Yao had already been helped away by servants to tend to his bruises, he grinned, "What do you know at your age? I was testing his martial skills for you. It’s better if your husband is weaker. That way, when you argue, you can exchange a few blows instead of waiting for your father or brothers to rescue you while you’re bruised and battered!"
Shao Shang was furious and shouted, "Father, can’t you wish me well?!" If he dared lay a hand on her, she’d make him regret it!
Now that the betrothal was settled, Shao Shang couldn’t be allowed to continue her carefree days outside. The proper rituals had to be followed, and she needed to be trained in etiquette and the basic lineages of noble families.
That night, Madam Xiao ordered the servants to pack Shao Shang’s belongings. Amid the bustle, young Master Lou shyly asked if he could accompany the Cheng family back to the Capital City. Madam Xiao looked up at the ceiling speechlessly before reluctantly agreeing. At the same time, she scoffed inwardly—no wonder her third brother and his wife had been so calm and confident. Seeing how clingy the young man was to her daughter, it was clear he was already firmly under her thumb!
Madam Xiao was a woman of action. After two days of preparations, the convoy set off on the fourth day, with Shao Shang in tow. Lou Yao, as usual, rode alongside the carriage, looking wistfully at his fiancée, who couldn’t ride with him.Shao Shang reluctantly bid farewell to Sang Shi, her tears welling up as she repeatedly urged Sang Shi to take care of her health and tend to her injured leg. Her choked words were filled with genuine emotion, making Madam Xiao watch on with a tinge of sourness.
But she wasn’t the only one feeling sour. Cheng Zhi, who had been standing in the cold wind for quite some time, also felt it. With practiced nonchalance, he pulled his wife’s hand away from his niece’s grip and then recited a few clichéd words of concern.
Shao Shang gazed at her Third Uncle with pity.
Old Man Cheng was the epitome of wisdom appearing as foolishness—he let minor matters slide but had a clear grasp of major ones. Though Madam Xiao seemed domineering, she rarely succeeded in changing Old Man Cheng’s mind once he made a decision. But Third Uncle? His intellect was far less impressive than his handsome face. Unbeknownst to him, he was entirely under Sang Shi’s thumb, yet he often strutted about with pride. Clearly, all the nutrients meant for his brain had gone to his looks instead.
Cheng Zhi also looked at his niece with pity.
He knew his elder brother well—Cheng Shi had been honest and straightforward from head to toe since childhood. His lies sounded like truths, and if his truths didn’t move people to tears, it counted as an off day. As for Madam Xiao, she was resolute and fierce, full of cunning schemes. No matter how capable his niece was, could she really outmaneuver this couple? One misstep, and she might end up with another signal to start the caning!
Cheng Zhi patted his niece’s head. "After returning home, listen more to your Father and Mother. Don’t be so stubborn."
Shao Shang patted her uncle’s arm in return. "Uncle, you should also listen more to Aunt. Don’t let your thoughts wander—following Aunt’s lead is always the right choice."
Both uncle and niece privately pitied the other, and for once, they found themselves in rare harmony, refraining from their usual bickering.
The bamboo whip cracked, and the carriage procession set off. From the carriage window, Shao Shang looked back at the city gate slowly closing behind her and let out a soft sigh—she was returning to the Capital City. She hoped to marry Lou Yao soon and then accompany him to his official post elsewhere. Only then would she truly have the freedom to soar as high as the sky and as wide as the sea.
Author’s Note:
Still recovering from a cold, so this chapter is a bit shorter. Will write more next time.
Next chapter: Capital City’s Asura.
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