Shao Shang stormed out of the Lou residence with a dark expression. The old steward Cheng Shun had already prepared the comfort carriage at the side gate with the household servants. Shao Shang glared: "Why aren't we departing from the main gate? Your young lady hasn't even broken off the engagement with the Lou Family yet! Are the Lou people giving you trouble?"
The surrounding Lou family servants bowed their heads silently, not daring to make a sound. Cheng Shun smiled as if looking at a three-year-old throwing a tantrum by stomping and flinging mud: "Young Lady, we actually entered through the main gate."
Shao Shang's face flushed with embarrassment, but she raised her voice again: "Then why aren't we leaving through the main gate?!"
"Because this is the closest route from the Cheng residence. Going through the main gate would require detouring around the eastern quarter, wasting another incense stick's worth of time." A familiar and irritating voice came from behind.
Everyone turned to see a tall, handsome young master approaching gracefully, followed by two guards and a pageboy.
At the sight of him, Shao Shang didn't even want to speak and turned to leave through the gate.
Yuan Shen, with his long legs, caught up in two strides and said with a smile, "It's been a while, Lady Shang. Allow me to escort you home."
Shao Shang whirled around abruptly, glaring at him: "I have my own carriage! Why would I need your escort?"
"You and your mother came in one carriage. If you take it now, how will she return later?" Yuan Shen countered.
Shao Shang was momentarily speechless.
Sang Guo stepped forward to defend her mistress, but before Cheng Shun could stop her, the loyal little maidservant said: "Young Lady needn't worry. Earlier I heard the Lou family's second young mistress ordering another carriage prepared for our female lord."
Relieved, Shao Shang shot Yuan Shen a sideways glance and said haughtily, "In that case, there's no need for Young Master Yuan to trouble himself."
Just then, the Cheng family driver guided a pair of yellow-maned horses pulling the comfort carriage into position. A servant retrieved the stepping stool from beneath the seat. As Shao Shang lifted her foot to board, Yuan Shen unexpectedly stepped onto the carriage first.
"What are you doing, Young Master Yuan?!" Shao Shang exclaimed loudly, clutching Lian Fang's arm.
"I came on horseback today but suddenly feel unwell. Might I trouble the young lady to give me a ride?" Yuan Shen crouched at the carriage door, looking up with a smile that glowed in the morning sun. His handsome features were refined and elegant, his light blue brocade curved robe shimmering with silver embroidery in the sunlight.
From behind, Sang Guo couldn't help glancing at Yuan's attendants, her eyes clearly conveying: Your young master seems like quite the scoundrel.
The two guards remained expressionless and silent. The young pageboy, unable to contain himself, murmured almost inaudibly: "...My young master isn't usually like this..." Truly, he'd swear on someone's hair—his master was normally scholarly and polite, his demeanor as polished as a mask. Yet whenever he encountered Young Lady Cheng, he became like this. Where had it all gone wrong?
"This is highly improper!" Shao Shang's small face was stern with disapproval.
Yuan Shen feigned surprise: "What's improper about it?" With that, he familiarly ducked inside the carriage.
Indignant, Sang Guo immediately moved to protest, but this time Cheng Shun managed to stop her in time with a warning glance.
The old steward glanced back at the now-closed side gate of the Lou residence, his mind made up: With their nearly secured Lou family son-in-law about to slip away, shouldn't the Cheng family start making other preparations? Besides, with such a large entourage surrounding the carriage, what could possibly go wrong?Shao Shang watched the carriage door curtain sway and close, taking a deep breath. She suddenly felt that the customs of this era could stand to be a bit more conservative—not like modern society where acquaintances of the opposite sex could exchange a few words and then offer a ride home!
Once aboard, Lian Fang had intended to follow and attend to her, but this time Yuan Shen didn’t mince words. He said directly, “I have matters to discuss with your Young Lady. You may withdraw for now.” Though his tone was exceedingly gentle, his hands had already decisively shut the carriage door, cutting off the little maid’s protests from outside.
“Young Master Yuan, please mind your manners,” Shao Shang said sternly, then reached to push open the window panel on the carriage wall.
Yuan Shen turned back with a smile. “You’re a strange one. Just now, you scolded the Lou Family’s matriarch like she was beneath contempt, yet here you are lecturing me on propriety.”
Shao Shang felt a pang of frustration. She knew this guy had overheard everything. With a resigned sigh, she stopped pushing the window and lowered her voice. “Some things can be done in the shadows but not in the open. After venting, we still have to face each other in the future.”
Yuan Shen raised an eyebrow. “Just now, Lou Yao was about to agree to marry both you and He Zhaojun. Are you still clinging to this match?”
Shao Shang quickly turned to argue, “If A Yao knew how humiliating a dual marriage would be for me, and still dared to say yes, I’d slap him twice without hesitation! But he doesn’t know. He thinks a dual marriage is like seeing a sword he likes, but because someone insists, he just buys an extra one.”
“Are you so certain?”
“Absolutely!” Shao Shang said earnestly. “That’s just how A Yao is. Back in Hua County, when he saw orphans and widows suffering from bandit raids, he gave them all the money he had, not realizing that such sudden wealth would only bring more misfortune to vulnerable families. I know full well that if A Yao understood the shame I’d endure from a dual marriage, he would never agree to it!”
“But if Lou Yao is so ignorant and incompetent, what use is such a son-in-law?” Yuan Shen frowned.
“Ignorance can be remedied by teaching him. As for incompetence…” Shao Shang said seriously, “No one is born capable. Take that earlier incident—I told him bluntly that simply handing out money wouldn’t work, so A Yao went to consult the experienced clerks at the county office. Together, we figured out a proper way to settle them. Before leaving Hua County, we even visited them—the widow and her new husband were farming and weaving in harmony, and their children played together like true siblings.” As she spoke, the girl’s face shone with pride.
Yuan Shen’s heart stirred. He gazed at her quietly for a moment before finally realizing, “…A son-in-law like Lou Yao is the kind who can put your mind at ease, isn’t he?”
“What do you mean by that?” Shao Shang grew wary.
“Nothing in particular. Just a passing remark. Don’t bristle like a porcupine—sit properly.” Yuan Shen lowered his head, his slender, jade-white fingers toying with the gold and jade ornaments tied with pale pink silk cords at his waist. His voice was faint. “…To be honest, if I were to choose a wife, I’d also want someone who could put my mind at ease. But in this world, how many people can truly offer that peace of mind…”
Shao Shang replied with sarcasm, “Young Master Yuan, why settle for peace of mind? You should aim for someone who suits your fancy—after all, she’ll be the Yuan Family’s matriarch. She’ll need to care for the clan, uphold every ritual, and leave nothing wanting.”Yuan Shen sighed, "Madam Lou, the wife of Lou Taipu, is also renowned in the Capital City for her virtue and competence. Yet now it seems she is narrow-minded and hypocritical, not even as good as someone who speaks harshly like you."
"Don’t say that. I’m also very narrow-minded. If I were in Madam Lou’s position, I might not resist hoarding all the good things for my own child," Shao Shang deliberately contradicted.
Yuan Shen sighed helplessly, "...What exactly do you have against me? Why do you always come at me with daggers every time we meet?"
Finally addressing the issue, Shao Shang glared at him and said, "Search your conscience. From the first time we met at my family banquet, what good have you ever done for me? Nothing but threats, and more threats! At most, you gave me a jar of ointment that didn’t even work!"
She expected Yuan Shen to be angry, but instead, he pondered for a moment and nodded. "You have a point. Very well, today I’ll give you some benefits."
"Benefits...?" Shao Shang looked at him suspiciously.
"Today, I’ll tell you the full story behind the He Family’s recent affairs," Yuan Shen said, spreading his arms and lightly brushing his brocade sleeves. "Although your parents are astute and capable, they’ve been away for years and may not fully understand the social intricacies of the Capital City. To prevent you from saying or doing the wrong thing, there are some matters I must explain to you."
Shao Shang’s expression turned serious, and she sat up straight attentively.
"Back then, although the Xiao Family was cornered by Your Majesty, they surrendered voluntarily, averting a massive military disaster and freeing up the court’s resources to deal with others. Thus, Your Majesty genuinely wanted the Xiao Family to end well, turning a blind eye to many of their oversteps to avoid outright conflict. Instead, he..."
"Instead, he set many traps to gradually weaken the Xiao Family’s influence. Mother told us about this," Shao Shang interjected.
Yuan Shen smiled and enunciated each word, "The marriage arrangement with the He Family was the first trap!"
Shao Shang gasped, her fingers digging tightly into her robe.
Yuan Shen continued, "General He’s character may not be flawless, but he is truly loyal, brave, and unambitious. His daughter, He Zhaojun, was betrothed to Lou Yao since childhood. As General He grew more favored by Your Majesty, do you think no one ever eyed He Zhaojun’s marriage? If General He were power-hungry, why did he refuse all overtures from princes and nobles before? From the time the Xiao father and son entered the Capital City for an imperial audience to the annulment of the He-Lou betrothal and He Zhaojun’s remarriage, it was barely four months. Did the Xiao Family truly wield such overwhelming power that they could sway General He’s stance in just four months?"
Shao Shang clasped her hands together, her small knuckles turning white. "...So, this was actually Your Majesty’s intention? I heard He Zhaojun was dearly loved by General He. How could he push his daughter into such a pit?"
"Your Majesty may not have explicitly said anything, but General He, having served him for so long, understood his will perfectly," Yuan Shen said with a bitter smile. "Besides, as long as the Xiao Family harbored no rebellious thoughts, with their deep-rooted influence and the Xiao heir’s handsome charm, this might not have been an unhappy marriage. Sovereign and subject united—bestowing wealth and honor upon the Xiao Family, binding them with the daughter of a trusted minister—all in hopes of gradually winning over the father and son."
Shao Shang murmured, "So, General He not only married off his daughter but also had to keep watch on his in-laws..." Damn, that’s some next-level loyalty. "And the Xiao father and son went along with it, thinking they could sway General He to their side?"
Yuan Shen tacitly agreed, his eyes filled with admiration."Even so," Shao Shang burst out indignantly, "does He Zhaojun have no other choice but to marry Lou Yao?! The Capital City is full of imperial princes and noble sons from powerful families. A Yao isn't particularly outstanding—why must she fixate on him? Wait, perhaps General He didn't know A Yao was already betrothed to me. If he knew—"
"Even if General He knew, I fear he would have left the same dying wish," Yuan Shen coldly shattered the illusion.
Shao Shang glared furiously at Yuan Shen.
"After this battle, the He Family has lost half its foundation," Yuan Shen continued calmly. "But that's the lesser issue. The tragedy is that all the adult male members of the He Family are gone. It will take at least ten years before that young He heir comes of age. Right now, the entire city praises the He Family's loyalty and bravery, but after a decade or so, when people have moved on..."
Shao Shang understood perfectly. In ten years, there was no guarantee the Emperor would even still be on the throne, let alone whether a new ruler would continue to favor the He Family or promote the young heir.
"Choosing Lou Yao as a son-in-law serves two purposes. First, Lou Taipu and his brothers are not ungrateful people, and Lou Yao is honest, kind-hearted, and benevolent—He Zhaojun's future life wouldn't be difficult. Second, apart from Lou Yao, the Lou Family's younger generation consists entirely of scholarly officials. This way, the He Family's remaining private army can be preserved as much as possible for the young heir."
Shao Shang didn't understand: "What do you mean? Are you talking about General He's remaining private army?"
A meaningful smile played on Yuan Shen's lips. "Not just the private army. There are also estates, manor fortresses, and the orphaned clan members... Though the Lou brothers may have their minor calculations, overall they are upright and not greedy. Lou Yao would temporarily manage everything until the young He heir grows up, at which point his sister and brother-in-law would return it all—a perfectly reasonable arrangement. It sounds simple, but in the decade or more before the heir comes of age, too much could go wrong. Lou Yao is the 'safest' choice."
"But—but—" Shao Shang felt like she couldn't breathe, her eyes reddening, "But A Yao doesn't like He Zhaojun!"
Seeing her like this, Yuan Shen felt a pang of pity and said gently, "You've only been betrothed for a few months. Both you and Lou Yao will get over it in time."
Shao Shang lowered her head, her face tense, and remained silent. Suddenly, she said, "In the end, General He was also remembering that debt of gratitude. Otherwise, I refuse to believe there isn't a second family in the entire city—one that's upright and admires the He Family's loyalty—willing to take in He Zhaojun!"
"You're right. The He Family is now praised throughout the land, and He Zhaojun has a generous dowry. But the families who would covet these things are untrustworthy in the He Family's eyes, while those who wouldn't covet them are unwilling to step forward. The Lou Family owes General He a great, unrepayed debt—it's only natural they would take this on."
Shao Shang felt as though she were trapped in quicksand, struggling helplessly. Her heart was a tumult of panic and resentment, her indignation with no outlet. Suddenly catching sight of Yuan Shen's composed and carefree demeanor, she blurted out, "...Why don't you marry He Zhaojun instead? You're not greedy, your family wouldn't seize the He Family's assets, and your talent, learning, and looks are a hundred times better than A Yao's. If you offered, He Zhaojun would surely..."Before she could finish speaking, Yuan Shen's expression had already darkened. He said coldly, "Welcoming a new bride like He Zhaojun is no trivial matter—it cannot be taken lightly or neglected. In the future, it will require expending much manpower and resources to help the He Family rise again. Young Lady Shao truly thinks highly of me! Hmph, it's getting late today. I shall take my leave now, no need to see me out!"
Shao Shang realized she had misspoken and was unceremoniously kicked off the carriage, looking thoroughly disheveled.
Seeing the comfort carriage stop, Cheng Shun hurried forward and asked, "Young Lady, why have you alighted?" They had only heard the intermittent sounds of argument from inside the carriage but couldn't make out the words.
Only upon seeing her family's old steward did Shao Shang snap back to reality. She quickly turned and shouted toward the carriage, "This is my family's comfort carriage!"
The carriage curtain was flung open with such force that Shao Shang was startled into silence, shrinking back. Yuan Shen vaulted out of the carriage with one hand, wordlessly took the reins from his guard, and leaped onto his horse with practiced ease before galloping away.
Shao Shang stood there dumbfounded. It was the first time she realized this guy was actually so agile.
Witnessing this scene, the deputy steward quietly sidled up to Cheng Shun and whispered, "This one... probably won't do..."
Cheng Shun shot him a glare, quietly admonishing him for discussing their mistress's affairs, though inwardly he was quite pleased: This Yuan eldest young master still has a chance!
Author's Note:
Like with Agatha Christie, there are only so many suspects. Even without any clues or evidence, some readers will always guess the murderer correctly. But the focus is on how the crime was planned, the motives, how they got away with it... and so on.
So I don't mind readers commenting with their guesses about the plot. Whether they're right or wrong, the outline of this story won't change.
However, I do dislike it when readers speculate without any basis—some theories are so outlandish they might as well be in the Western Heavens. It's not that bizarre!
There are about five or six chapters left in this volume. As per usual, I'll take a few days off afterward to organize my thoughts.
Updates will continue tomorrow.
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