The next morning, Shao Shang was still drowsing in bed when A Zhu came to report that Madam Xiao had fallen ill. Her heart skipped a beat—could it be from anger toward her? Not daring to delay, she quickly rose, washed, dressed, and hurried to the main residence in great strides.
Upon entering Cheng Shi and his wife's inner chamber, she found Madam Xiao feverish, her face flushed, lips dry and slightly cracked, breathing heavily and irregularly. Before Shao Shang could say much, her three elder brothers and Cheng Yang arrived.
Though weak-limbed, Madam Xiao remained clear-headed, explaining lucidly to everyone that it was due to recent travel fatigue.
Cheng Shi's face was full of worry, but he said, "Come to think of it, it's been ages since you last fell ill. The physician says minor illnesses are blessings! After all these years of constant exertion on horseback, who knows how much strain has accumulated? Take this chance to rest properly."
Shao Shang observed the couple for a moment, realizing they were making excuses for her. She remained silent but quickly discussed with Cheng Yang—Cheng Yang would continue managing household affairs while Shao Shang took over some nursing duties from Madam Qing Cong. Cheng Yang greatly admired Madam Xiao but couldn't very well compete with her own daughter for caregiving, so she nodded in agreement.
Madam Qing Cong had thought Shao Shang too young—having only witnessed her arguing skills these past months—and doubted she could tend to the sick. She assumed holding a medicine bowl to taste the brew would be the extent of Shao Shang's filial piety, which would at least sound good to outsiders. Yet by midday, Shao Shang proved unexpectedly capable—unbeknownst to her, parentless children often learn to nurse themselves.
Shao Shang first cleared the room of visitors, maintaining warmth while periodically letting in fresh air. Every quarter-hour, she wiped Madam Xiao's limbs, chest, and back with warm water, constantly urging her to drink more. Before midmorning, Madam Xiao had already been assisted to the privy six times, spending the rest of the time lying down to sleep.
With proper care and Madam Xiao's naturally strong constitution, her fever subsided considerably before the physician's second dose was even ready. Shao Shang sat quietly on the veranda, tending a medicine pot and a congee cooker, gently waving a garden fan as tranquility enveloped the household, time flowing softly by.
When Cheng Shi returned from reporting to General Wu, this was the scene he encountered—Old Cheng felt a pang of melancholy, thinking his daughter seemed to have matured overnight.
Wan Songbai, following behind, turned and said, "Qiqi, look at how filial and well-behaved Niao Niao is. When I was sick last time, how did you show your filial piety? You went out and got into a fight!"
Wan Qiqi glared at her father and retorted loudly, "Father, do you even know how to speak? Praising one while belittling another—are you trying to sow discord between me and my sister? But since you're complimenting my own kin, I'll let it slide this time!"
Wan Songbai glared back, "You insolent—"
"Enough!" Madam Wan rubbed her temples wearily. "We're here to visit Yuan Yi!"
When the group entered the inner chamber, Madam Xiao had just woken from a nap, looking much better and chatting cheerfully. As the conversation veered toward adult topics, both couples sent Shao Shang and Qiqi off to play.The two girls walked hand in hand, chatting and laughing as they headed toward Shao Shang's courtyard. The sunlight was particularly lovely today, and Wan Qiqi's light pink triple-wrapped robe woven with golden threads looked especially vibrant and radiant under the sun. Once they sat down, Qiqi couldn't wait to exclaim, "Hey, hey! First thing this morning, Mother told me you're engaged! I heard it's Lou Taipu's nephew, someone named Lou Yao—is it true?"
Shao Shang nodded openly in confirmation.
Qiqi's face lit up as she looked Shao Shang up and down, clicking her tongue in admiration. "Who would've thought? You, such a little girl, are quite something! You went out for a trip, grew taller and prettier, and even managed to snag a son-in-law on the way! You're younger than me, yet you're getting engaged before me... tsk tsk..."
If she hadn't brought it up, Shao Shang might not have dwelled on it, but now she couldn't help sighing. "Ah, I don't know if agreeing to this engagement so quickly was the right decision or not." The argument with her parents last night still echoed in her ears. Even though she had won the dispute, she felt no joy in it.
Qiqi tilted her head curiously. "That's a strange thing to say. Engagements aren't about speed—only whether you're willing or not. We were born lucky, with parents who adore us. Some elders don’t care about their children at all—they might settle a match over a single drink outside, without even letting the child voice an opinion! Uncle Cheng dotes on you so much—he must have asked for your consent before finalizing this, right?"
Shao Shang froze, suddenly realizing why her parents had looked so shocked and bewildered the night before.
Old Man Cheng and Director Xiao both had straightforward, no-nonsense mindsets—if their daughter liked the match, she should agree; if not, she should refuse. Simple as that! When they had asked for her opinion and received a positive response, they naturally assumed Shao Shang and Lou Yao had mutual affection. But last night’s conversation revealed that the reality was completely different from what they had imagined—and worse, their daughter’s reasoning was downright baffling.
Reflecting on her words from the night before, Shao Shang realized how absurd they must have sounded. Truly, one shouldn’t speak too much in the heat of the moment. She should have just insisted that she was head over heels for Lou Yao, that her love was as vast as the sky and as deep as the sea—could Old Man Cheng and Director Xiao have strapped her to a lie detector?
"...Sister Qiqi, what about you? If your parents ever ask you to take in a son-in-law, what would you do?"
Qiqi declared confidently, "I don’t care—I’m only marrying the one I love! If Father and Mother try to stop me, I’ll go straight to Grandmother!"
Shao Shang fell silent. This , she thought, is how a real teenage girl should think.
In truth, Old Man Cheng was already an exceptionally good father. By conventional standards, a family as prestigious as the Lou Clan making a marriage proposal should have been accepted eagerly without hesitation—yet he still let his daughter make the final decision. And how had she repaid him?
Director Xiao and Sang Shi had married into the Cheng family because their own families—or they themselves—had faced dire circumstances, leaving them with no other options. But Shao Shang’s situation was entirely different. By all accounts, she was in the prime of her youth, surrounded by a loving family—she should have been full of confidence and high spirits. Yet, when it came to choosing a partner, her mindset was no different from someone with their back against the wall. No wonder Old Man Cheng and Director Xiao were left feeling disheartened.
The two girls, reunited after so long, should have had endless things to talk about. But before they could exchange more than a few words, Qiqi suddenly remembered something and casually mentioned that she had acquired a bundle of fine deer sinew—which she intended to give to Cheng Song for bowstrings.Shao Shang wanted to laugh but feigned suspicion on her face. "You didn’t come here today just to deliver something for Second Brother and then happen to chat with me, did you?"
Wan Qiqi immediately put on a fiercely indignant expression and denied it outright, even quoting some literary phrase like, ‘Summer repairs to tendons should not be delayed, and since summer is approaching, it’s best to prepare early.’ She even tried to drag Shao Shang along to find Cheng Song to prove her innocence.
Shao Shang quickly excused herself, saying she had been tending to medicine for most of the day and was now exhausted. She urged the Young Lady of the Wan family to go ahead on her own and swore she wouldn’t dare suspect her again. Only then did Wan Qiqi swagger out of the corridor, swaying her head and tail.
Shao Shang shook her head behind her, laughing. "Give it up! Do you think I’m blind? I can see right through you, you pink embroidered pig trying to dig up our family’s second cabbage! But then again, the cabbage himself is practically begging to be dug up by you."
After dozing off for about half an hour, Wan Qiqi returned—not alone, but arm-in-arm with an elegantly dressed, dignified young woman. Shao Shang took a closer look and realized it was Yin Xu’e.
Wan Qiqi smirked, her smile not reaching her eyes. "I hadn’t been sitting long before Sister Xu’e arrived. Hmph, she came to see Eldest Brother, saying she brought horsehair for him to make lyre strings…" She deeply felt her own creativity had been plagiarized by Yin Xu’e. If she brought bowstrings, Yin Xu’e brought lyre strings—why not bring a nine-ringed broadsword instead?!
Yin Xu’e tugged at her sleeves awkwardly and said primly, "…My mother is very close with Aunt Cheng. If she knew Aunt was ill, she would certainly come to visit."
Shao Shang: "…"
Even if she hadn’t suspected anything before, Yin Xu’e’s blushing, fidgeting demeanor made everything crystal clear. Wonderful, just wonderful—now the first cabbage was practically sold too. Who knew how long the third cabbage would last?
With their sweethearts just outside, neither Yin Xu’e nor Wan Qiqi was willing to let Shao Shang hide indoors any longer. For once, they worked together to drag her out, and soon the room was filled with young men and women gathered in the outer hall of the three brothers’ residence. Before long, the newly minted future son-in-law of the Cheng family came bustling in as well. Upon hearing that Madam Xiao was ill, Lou Yao stood frozen for a moment before rushing out in a hurry. He didn’t return until lunchtime, bringing half a cart of medicinal tonics and the Lou Family’s physician.
When the Wan couple heard about this, they clapped their hands, laughing and sighing. Wan Songbai nearly slapped his sworn brother’s shoulder off, loudly declaring, ‘I’ve had over a dozen sons-in-law, and not one was this attentive!’ Madam Wan leaned close to Madam Xiao and teased softly, ‘Little sister, you’re truly blessed—filial children, and now even a filial son-in-law.’ What could the Cheng couple say? They could only smile wryly and shake their heads.
Madam Xiao then instructed Cheng Yang to prepare a proper feast so the young people could dine on their own without needing to attend to the elders. During the meal, the four Cheng siblings were inevitably urged by their guests to perform another ensemble. Yin Xu’e glanced at Cheng Yong and, smiling, had her maids fetch a fifty-stringed zither adorned with jade and brocade from her carriage to join the performance. Not to be outdone, Wan Qiqi stood up, drew her sword, and danced along to Cheng Song’s singing to liven the mood.
Under the bright sky, youthful passion ran high, and everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Shao Shang turned to look at Lou Yao, who had been plied with drinks by his scheming future brothers-in-law. His face was flushed, his expression dazed, and all he could do was grin foolishly at his fiancée.Shao Shang stared at him intently for a long while. The once valiant and heroic young man now grinned like a simple-minded big pumpkin. Suddenly, she smiled softly and turned to instruct the pageboy to assist him in resting in Cheng Shao Gong's room.
—This was perfect. For many, many years to come, they would gather countless times just like today, drinking merrily, siblings close at heart, accompanied by dear friends, playing qin, se, flute, and xun in harmony, followed by singing and sword dances. Could there be a better youth than this?
...
The next day, Shao Shang continued to attend to Madam Xiao, serving her medicine and helping her wash. The mother and daughter seemed to have developed a peculiar understanding—whenever they quarreled, it was as if both forgot the past, never mentioning it again. After silently finishing the tasks, with little left to say, Shao Shang sat quietly by the corridor as usual, watching over the medicine stove.
Before long, Cheng Yang arrived, leading Lou Yao and a middle-aged woman in luxurious attire. At a glance, Shao Shang noticed the plump mole at the left brow of the woman and immediately knew this was Lou Yao's mother, the second wife of the main branch of the Hedong Lou family.
Madam Lou (second) took a quick look at the young girl sitting gracefully by the corridor—her skin fair as snow, dressed in a slightly worn emerald Wrapped Robe, neither ostentatious nor disheveled. Her youthful face bore a gentle and serene expression. Before her, the flames flickered in a small Red Clay Stove, steam rising from the simmering pot, making the girl appear even more ethereal and radiant.
Everyone loves beauty. At first sight, Madam Lou already felt three or four parts fond of her. She then turned and shot her son a glance: at home, he had praised his fiancée three hundred and eighty times—how good-natured, cheerful, and lively she was—yet he never once mentioned how strikingly beautiful the girl was.
Madam Lou had naturally come to visit Madam Xiao. Not daring to be careless, Shao Shang quickly drew upon the months of training from Sang Shi, lowering her head demurely and efficiently assisting Madam Xiao to sit up halfway on the bed. Seeing her respectful and composed demeanor, Madam Lou grew another three or four parts fonder of her.
"Oh dear, why get up? I came because I was worried about you. If I tire you out, I might as well not have come!" Madam Lou was several years older than Madam Xiao, but her fair skin and cheerful demeanor gave her an almost childlike air.
Leaning against the Hidden cushion, Madam Xiao still seemed weak: "Originally, we should have discussed the important matter of the two children, but with my health... this illness couldn’t have come at a worse time..." Since both had received letters from their husbands finalizing the betrothal, she and Madam Lou had already met several times and found each other quite agreeable.
"Take your time recovering," Madam Lou said with a bright smile. "Don’t rush, and neither will I." She then playfully turned to her son, "But is my son in a hurry?"
Lou Yao wished he could cover his mother’s mouth: "Mother!"
"I’m not in a hurry either," Shao Shang quickly added with a laugh, distancing herself.
"Shao Shang!" Lou Yao suddenly felt besieged on all sides.
Seeing her son’s flustered expression, Madam Lou burst into hearty laughter. Madam Xiao managed a faint smile as well.
"...I heard Cheng-shi has completed the mission of pacification most successfully, and Your Majesty has already appointed him as the Left Deputy of the imperial guards commander?" Madam Lou said cheerfully. "Today, I came both to visit and to congratulate."
Madam Xiao handled such social exchanges with practiced ease and teased in return, "The visit is appreciated—A Yao already brought me many gifts yesterday. But as for congratulations... did you come empty-handed?"Madam Lou (second) immediately pushed her son, who was sitting beside her, forward and said earnestly, "Who says I came empty-handed? Here I am offering this rascal with both hands! Tell me, do you want him or not!"
Madam Xiao pointed her finger and shook her head helplessly, while everyone in the room burst into laughter.
Shao Shang was also laughing. Old Man Cheng had been promoted to an official rank of a thousand bushels—truly wonderful news. Even better was the fact that Madam Lou (second), as Lou Yao had described, turned out to be genuinely naive and straightforward.
Madam Lou (second) could be considered one of the rare fortunate women in these turbulent times. Born into a prosperous local aristocratic family, she had been doted on by her parents since childhood. She had never experienced the chaos of war and banditry like Madam Xiao, nor had she suffered the heartbreak that nearly consumed Sang Shi. When she reached marriageable age, her family arranged for her to wed the second son of the main branch of the Lou family, a match of equal social standing. Her eldest brother and sister-in-law were both capable and shrewd, so after her marriage, she had no responsibilities beyond bearing children. Her days were spent arranging flowers and brewing wine, enjoying a life of ease and privilege.
"However, my sister-in-law said it might be best for us to lay low these past couple of days. Who knows how many heads have rolled outside?" Madam Lou (second) suddenly fretted.
Madam Xiao remained unperturbed and smiled faintly. "It's all because of those reckless fools who ruined such fine spring days. How dare they falsely accuse the Crown Prince of involvement in Fan Ni's rebellion in Yanzhou, claiming he intended to assassinate His Majesty during the eastern tour to seize the throne early? Thankfully, His Majesty is wise. I believe things will settle soon."
"It's been days, and the city gates are still under strict lockdown! The spring scenery is so lovely right now—in previous years, we would always go for outings in the countryside at this time!" Madam Lou (second), simple-minded as she was, knew nothing of courtly affairs.
"You go for outings every year, yet the countryside only has so many places. Aren't you tired of them?" Madam Xiao chuckled. "I heard there’s a small county in Hongnong Commandery that holds a grand festival for the Hundred Spirits every late spring and early summer. Once this situation passes, I’ll take you there with a guard escort for a couple of days of fun."
This response practically radiated "boyfriend energy," and Madam Lou (second) nodded eagerly, delighted. She grew even more convinced that her future mother-in-law was forthright and warm-hearted—someone worth befriending. Love for the house extended to the crow, and she found Shao Shang increasingly pleasing to the eye.
Seeing Lou Yao’s mother so thoroughly charmed, Shao Shang maintained a demure expression while inwardly recognizing that Madam Xiao was deliberately currying favor to ensure her future mother-in-law would like her more.
From here on out, she would have to rely on herself.
Author's Note:
Many have said that the female lead resembles Minglan—both treating marriage as a job.
But that’s not the case. Minglan’s situation was systemic; she was unfortunate enough to be trapped in a rigid, feudal environment, forced to adapt herself to survive. If she were returned to the modern era, she’d passionately pursue love and freedom in a heartbeat.
The female lead in this story, however, suffers from PTSD—a psychological barrier caused entirely by her dysfunctional upbringing. Regardless of time or place, she would always make such utilitarian choices.
So, fundamentally, this protagonist is rather flawed. I hope you won’t hold it against her.
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