Startled by Ling Buyi's warning, Shao Shang remained on edge for two days. Yet as her day off approached, everything remained calm. It was the last day before her first break from palace duties. After the noon nap, the Empress felt slightly fatigued, so Shao Shang volunteered to massage her shoulders and back while chatting idly.
"...Relax, relax, Your Majesty. Don't tense up. Slowly loosen your bones, muscles, and skin... Yes, yes, just like that..."
Zhai Nanny watched as the Empress's brows gradually smoothed and praised, "Who knew Shao Shang had such skills?"
Shao Shang smiled modestly—of course! Duanxinmei's father was a certified massage therapist who retired early from a top-tier hospital to open his own practice, and her mother was a first-rate bone-setting master from the same institution. Duanxinmei could name every bone in their bodies, describe their characteristics, and predict potential future ailments.
"...The day before yesterday, the Crown Princess invited you to the Eastern Palace. Why did you keep making excuses not to go?" the Empress asked, eyes closed.
Shao Shang replied quickly, "The Crown Princess once wanted to marry her cousins and clansisters to Lord Ling."
The Empress immediately opened her eyes to look at Zhai Nanny. "Mother Fu, did you tell her this?"
Zhai Nanny chuckled awkwardly. "Ah... I should check if Luo Niangzi's mung bean soup and cakes are ready. Your Majesty, take your time scolding her..." With that, she hurried out of the chamber.
"Your Majesty, don't blame Zhai Nanny. Everyone in the palace knows about it," Shao Shang said, straining as she worked her hands. "I also found out that on the day the Crown Princess invited me, those cousins or clansisters of hers were present too. She must have planned to introduce us. But after that, if she wanted me to acknowledge them as 'sisters,' should I agree or not?"
The Empress murmured, "You're thinking too far ahead."
"Those who don't plan for the future will soon find trouble at their doorstep."
The Empress turned her head to look at the girl and suddenly asked, "If the Crown Princess insists on giving Zisheng a concubine from her clan, what would you do?"
"I won't allow it. If Lord Ling accepts, I'll break off the engagement," Shao Shang answered bluntly, then sighed. "Ah, it's all because of my looks. Jitong A-jie said that as long as I don't move or speak, everyone assumes I'm weak, pitiful, and easy to persuade. No matter—once my reputation for jealousy spreads, it'll be fine."
"Do you think 'jealousy' is a good reputation?" the Empress frowned.
Shao Shang slowly kneaded the stiff neck muscles. "A concubine with a bad temperament can try to change. If she can't, then there's nothing to be done. Hmm? Your Majesty..." She suddenly thought of something. "Why didn't you say that my jealousy would make Lord Ling suffer?"
The Empress glared at her. "He chose you himself. You tried to break off the engagement, and he refused to let go. Whatever comes his way, he'll have to endure it. Why should I worry about him?"
Shao Shang laughed. "Then why don't you feel sorry for the Crown Princess either?"
The Empress frowned and smiled wryly. "His Majesty and I once thought she was wronged and pitied her. But the more we indulged her, the more she felt victimized, and she spent all her time thinking of ways to compensate for her grievances." Seeing Shao Shang's confused expression, she sighed. "Some things, you'll understand in time.""Again with that phrase—'You'll find out later.' Jitong A-jie loves saying that. Last time I asked Lord Ling about Consort Yue, he said the same thing. I really don't like hearing that phrase now. The moon shines bright in the sky, and the palatial towers stand clear on the ground—why can't things just be said plainly?"
The Empress heard Shao Shang muttering under her breath, her plump red lips pouting so much they could hang an oil jar. She found the sight rather endearing and said gently, "The depths of the palace are unpredictable. Sometimes, a person or a matter truly cannot be explained in just a few words."
Shao Shang grumbled, "...Fine."
As they spoke, Luo Jitong entered with mung bean soup and pastries, smiling. "Wen Xiujun and the Wang Family's Young Lady have arrived."
Hearing it was Wang Ling and her mother, Shao Shang quickly seized the chance to slander them. "Your Majesty, this is the imperial palace—a restricted area. Wen Xiujun and her daughter can't just come and go as they please without even sending a notice."
The Empress shot her a look and scolded playfully, "If you were an official in court, you'd surely be a sycophant. Wen Xiujun is here by His Majesty's order, bringing her daughter to apologize."
"Apologize? More like coming to demand an explanation." As she spoke, Shao Shang saw Wang Ling stepping into the hall, her face tight with clenched teeth, looking as if she were ready for battle.
The Empress shook her head with a soft sigh, smoothing her hair and makeup. "A Ling lacks experience, but she's still slightly better than the Third Princess who picked a fight with you the other day."
"Not by much," Shao Shang said, helping the Empress adjust her attire. "If A Ling had been born a princess, she might have been even worse." After all, the Third Princess was the Emperor's own daughter—she deserved some face.
Once the Wang mother and daughter had paid their respects and taken their seats, Shao Shang got a clear look at Wen Xiujun. Her features weren’t bad, but her sharp eyebrows and thin lips gave her a haughty, aloof air.
Wen Xiujun glanced at Shao Shang a few times, her eyes filled with disdain.
Shao Shang silently filled in the blanks for her: This delicate, pitiful little white lotus has bewitched Ling Buyi with her act—utterly unremarkable.
Wen Xiujun then looked at her daughter, and Wang Ling immediately stepped forward to kowtow and apologize for her improper behavior at the Lou Family's wedding banquet. Though her words were textbook-perfect, her expression remained resentful.
Wen Xiujun still didn’t speak, instead casting another glance at the Empress.
Shao Shang grew increasingly irritated by her silent, sweeping looks—Madam, who do you think you are? Copying the overbearing CEO’s aunt, scanning people with your eyes like some reincarnated X-ray machine!
Knowing Wen Xiujun’s temperament well, the Empress sighed inwardly and said, "Shao Shang, take A Ling to your quarters for a chat. Jitong, you may withdraw as well."
Shao Shang and Wang Ling exchanged a glance before reluctantly rising to take their leave. Luo Jitong smiled and dismissed all the palace maids.
Once they parted ways, Shao Shang indeed led Wang Ling to her own chambers. Though her words had been cheeky lately, her conduct never dared to slip.
Wang Ling circled the room, surveying it with a disdainful tilt of her chin. "The furnishings here are so sparse and shabby. It seems my aunt doesn’t treat you all that well. When I stayed in the palace as a child, I used nothing but carved red and gilded lacquerware, slept on silk brocade, burned phoenix horn incense, drank—"
"Lady Wang," Shao Shang interrupted with a smile, "You might not believe it, but I actually like you very much."
Wang Ling froze, unsure what to make of that."...Because you're foolish—so foolish that just opening your mouth gives others a handle against you. The first time I saw you at the Wan family's, I thought it'd be best if you never spoke."
Wang Ling's face flushed red and then paled.
Shao Shang continued, "His Majesty advocates frugality, and I've seen the furnishings in the Empress's inner chamber. What carved lacquer and gold filigree? What silk brocade? What nonsense are you spouting? Spouting such lies without fear of your tongue slipping—do you believe I won’t report this to the Empress right now?"
Wang Ling's mouth fell open.
"Fine. Let’s say what you said is true. But when you were young, His Majesty was at a critical juncture in unifying the realm. So, are you implying that the Empress ignored the treasury’s difficulties and indulged in extravagance for her own pleasure?" Shao Shang leaned back leisurely against the armrest, utterly composed.
Wang Ling panicked. "No, no, no—!"
If such words spread, regardless of how the Empress might react, she herself would be the first to lose all face.
In her fluster, Wang Ling suddenly had a flash of inspiration and exclaimed, "It wasn’t my aunt’s extravagance! Those were furnishings left behind by the former palace—yes, it was the old feudal lords who were wasteful and extravagant! No state funds were used!"
Shao Shang slowly stopped laughing, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Hmm, that’s a plausible excuse. Very well, let’s drop the matter." —What a fool. If it were her, she could have come up with eight excuses on the spot!
She spoke lightly, but Wang Ling was seething with rage. Shao Shang’s mudslinging had nearly made her forget she still had a score to settle. Dropping all pretense, she stepped forward, grabbed Shao Shang’s sleeve, and hissed, "You vile wretch! As if you’re any better! Running to His Majesty to tattle on me—hmph! Have you forgotten what your family is? Upstart commoners who’ve barely risen in status! Just wait till my father deals with you!"
Shao Shang didn’t even blink, merely staring calmly at Wang Ling.
Wang Ling grew uneasy under her gaze. "W-what?"
"It’s true I reported you to His Majesty. But how did you know it was me?"
Wang Ling faltered. "Of course it was you—who else—?"
"Many people at the wedding banquet witnessed your improper behavior. Why assume it was me?" Shao Shang’s tone was even. "His Majesty summoned your father, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and reprimanded him for failing to educate his daughter. Do you think His Majesty would, like some petty woman, explicitly tell your father it was me who reported you? Logically, shouldn’t it be that His Majesty’s own sources brought it to his attention? Hmm, if I recall correctly, among the guests that day were several ladies whose husbands serve under the Imperial Censor."
"As for the report itself—that day, His Majesty dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids. Only six people remained in the chamber: His Majesty, the Empress, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, Lord Ling, and myself. Lady Wang, since you’re so certain it was me, how did you find out? The Emperor and Empress wouldn’t say. Lord Ling and I wouldn’t say. The Crown Prince is kind-hearted and would sooner see us reconcile as sisters—he certainly wouldn’t say. That leaves only the Crown Princess... Tsk, I’ll go demand why she told you. Does she want us to feud forever?"
"No, no! It wasn’t her!" Wang Ling cried out hoarsely, terrified. "It wasn’t the Crown Princess!""Fine! If it wasn't the Crown Princess, then it wasn't!" Shao Shang's voice was sharp as an arrow as she slowly rose to her feet. "Then you must have found out yourself. But that day's imperial audience was held in the rear hall of the Department of State Affairs—His Majesty's small court chamber! How did you bribe the attendants there? That's a heavily guarded political hub with strict security. Yet you managed to catch wind of affairs there—just what are you Wang Family plotting?!"
Wang Ling was terrified out of her wits and lunged at her with a shriek.
Though petite in stature, Shao Shang (with her past life's experience) was well-versed in physical altercations. With a slight sidestep, she twisted Wang Ling's right arm and kicked the back of her knee, forcing her to kneel involuntarily before pinning her down firmly by the arm.
"No, no, it wasn't me!" Even in her panic, Wang Ling knew the consequences of spying on state affairs. Her haughty facade crumbled as she screamed hoarsely, "...It was... it was the Crown Princess! The Crown Princess told me...!"
Expressionless, Shao Shang gave her a hard shove, sending Wang Ling sprawling onto the floor, where she lay sobbing pitifully. Shao Shang knelt on one knee beside her, leaning down to growl, "I never bothered with you before because of your noble family background, not because you were any threat. Now you see—as long as I can get close to you, crushing you is effortless."
With a sharp twist of her wrist, Wang Ling cried out in pain, clutching her right arm as tears and snot streamed down her face. Never in her privileged life had she been bullied so mercilessly.
Shao Shang slowly released her and patted her shoulder with a smile. "Stop crying. You're still nobly born after all. Remember how you cursed me so viciously at the Lou Family that day? You only got ten days of house arrest, and now you're back to your lively self, aren't you?"
"Wuuu... You don't understand! His Majesty severely reprimanded my father, ordering him to marry me off quickly. After today's apology to you, I'm barred from entering the palace again. To appease His Majesty, Father is sending me far away—to some backwater like Jiangxia County in Jing Province! I've never even met the man! Wuuuu... I don't want to go somewhere so remote...!"
Wang Ling wept uncontrollably, but when no response came after a long while, she looked up to find Shao Shang gazing out the window, lost in thought.
"Jitong A-jie is marrying to the northwest, you're heading south, and I... I'll remain here..." After a long pause, Shao Shang murmured wistfully, "Jiangxia is actually a lovely place. I'd like to visit the south someday too."
"What's so good about that barbaric hinterland...?!" Wang Ling forgot her tears, utterly baffled.
Suddenly reinvigorated, Shao Shang grinned. "In a few years, I'll visit you in Jiangxia. You can play the gracious host then."
Wang Ling flared up in anger. "Are you bringing Eleventh Master to flaunt your triumph in front of me?!"
Shao Shang blinked in surprise before sighing. "Why must you bring up Ling Buyi every three sentences? There are far more important things in life, you know."
"What would you know!" Wang Ling frantically wiped her tears with the back of her hand, scrambling to kneel properly. "You grew up in the Capital City, never venturing beyond. Do you think all those princesses, noblewomen, and lords with fiefdoms stay away from their territories by choice? Those remote domains—daily life there is so crude! No proper lacquerware, no soft fabrics, even the incense is just acrid smoke!"Shao Shang couldn't help but laugh. "I don't know about princesses and noblewomen. But those princes and marquises haven't left the capital—it's not necessarily because they can't bear to part with its wealth and comfort." The emperor's tactics of restraint, nothing surprising about that.
"Then what else could it be?" Wang Ling flared up in anger. "Everyone knows the capital offers wealth and safety!"
Shao Shang smacked her lips and said helplessly, "So, do you want to stay in the capital for a comfortable life, or do you want Ling Buyi?" —As for Ling Buyi, you've been trying hard since childhood, yet achieved nothing. The capital—you could have stayed, but now you've ruined it yourself. What a fruitless life.
Wang Ling was stunned. She began to rack her brains, carefully considering this question. Meanwhile, Shao Shang leisurely fanned herself with a lacquered bamboo fan, sighing about how every era has young girls with swimming pools in their heads.
Before long, a palace maid came to summon Shao Shang and Wang Ling back. Noticing the maid's anxious expression, Shao Shang grew curious. When they reached the palace corridor leading to the hall, they saw Zhai Nanny and Luo Jitong waiting anxiously outside the tightly closed doors.
"Shao Shang, you and Lady Ling go inside," Zhai Nanny stepped forward and said. "Her Majesty and Wen Xiujun are having some... disagreements."
Shao Shang nodded in confusion, then walked into the hall with Wang Ling. As soon as the maid opened the door, they heard the Empress's weary voice: "...I do not interfere in court affairs."
Wen Xiujun shrieked sharply, "What do you mean you don't interfere? In earlier years, when he went off to war, you even governed from behind the curtain. Now my younger brother suffers in his fief, merely asking for the right to mint coins, yet you refuse to help..."
"Every time His Majesty left, everything was arranged perfectly. I merely followed established rules—civil matters were handled by Yuhou, military affairs... no one ever reached the capital walls..."
Hearing this, Shao Shang strode decisively into the hall. Wang Ling hesitated for a moment, then followed.
Luo Jitong watched as the hall doors slowly closed again, her expression complicated.
Seeing this, Zhai Nanny said, "Luo Niangzi, don't take it to heart. Some old taboos are better left unheard. Lady Ling is one thing, but Lady Shao... ah..."
Luo Jitong patted the old woman's hand understandingly and smiled. "Eleventh Master is as dear to Her Majesty as her own son. She treats Shao Shang like her own new bride—it's fine if she knows some things... I understand all this, Zhai Nanny, no need to worry." But she herself was to marry far away to the northwest, and some palace secrets should not be taken with her.
Inside the hall, as Shao Shang approached, she heard Wen Xiujun's mocking tone: "...Back then, when you and your mother and siblings depended on our family for survival, I treated you well—shared all the best food and clothes with you! My father treated you like his own daughter, even choosing the best son-in-law for you. Have you forgotten all that?"
The Empress said bitterly, "I will never forget Uncle's profound kindness and generosity!"
"But Father is dead!" Wen Xiujun wept. "He's dead! His family generals and private army—some died, others scattered. The power he held in life collapsed like a mountain. Only a younger brother remains, made a living symbol by His Majesty, now barely clinging to life, just so the world won't say the emperor is cold-hearted and ungrateful, that he relied on my father's troops to survive, yet—"
"Mother!" Wang Ling screamed, dropping to her knees at her mother's feet. "Stop! Please stop!"Wen Xiujun kicked her daughter aside and continued to advance toward the Empress.
Shao Shang swiftly stepped in front of the weakened Empress, who was seated to the side, and shouted, "Wen Xiujun! Do you know why the palace doors are tightly shut and no one is allowed in? Don’t think it’s because Her Majesty fears you—she’s trying to protect you! With the words you just spoke, if they were to spread, do you think you and your children would escape unscathed?!"
Wen Xiujun stood where she was and said coldly, "A mere death—do you think I fear it?"
"If you’re not afraid to die, why don’t you go and bring your matter to His Majesty yourself?" Shao Shang retorted without hesitation. "You don’t even need to walk far—I reckon His Majesty will be coming to see Her Majesty soon. You can wait right here! Then you can ask for the winds of Mount Tu Gao or the waters of Jinming Lake directly from His Majesty. Why trouble our Empress with it?"
Wen Xiujun sneered. "What a sharp tongue. No wonder that brat favors you—you’re certainly cut from the same cloth. I’m not afraid to die, and His Majesty wouldn’t let me die anyway. I merely wanted to see if our noble Empress still remembers the kindness of my father—"
Suppressing her anger, Shao Shang forced a smile. "I’ve heard that the ancients bestowed favors without expecting repayment. I wonder if the late Old Prince Qian’an, your esteemed father, took in and cared for his sister’s family back then with the expectation of future gratitude?"
Wen Xiujun was momentarily speechless.
Shao Shang pressed on, feigning a sigh. "Ah, Old Prince Qian’an really should have married his own daughter to His Majesty back then. Then today, as Empress, Wen Xiujun could have made her own requests to His Majesty…"
Enraged, Wen Xiujun took a large step forward. "You insolent wench! How dare you mock me?!"
The Empress whispered, "Shao Shang! Mind your manners!"
Wang Ling, observing the escalating tension, timidly added, "N-no, it’s not like that… My grandfather and His Majesty are of the same clan…"
"Ah." Shao Shang paused—this was news to her.
Cursing herself inwardly for not paying closer attention to gossip, she pretended to have an epiphany. "So that’s how it was. The two families wanted to unite through marriage, but they were of the same clan and couldn’t wed. So Old Prince Qian’an had no choice but to offer his niece instead. Ah, the debt our Empress owes is truly immense…"
"Shen An, are you just going to stand by and let this wench insult my father?" Wen Xiujun demanded icily.
Gritting her teeth, the Empress said sternly, "Shao Shang, kneel and apologize to Wen Xiujun."
Without hesitation, Shao Shang dropped to her knees and kowtowed respectfully to Wen Xiujun, leaving Wang Ling utterly dumbfounded.
After the kowtow, Shao Shang declared clearly, "My earlier remarks about Old Prince Qian’an were improper, and I will accept punishment for them later. It’s common knowledge how foolish I am. If Wen Xiujun is unaware, she need only ask Sister Wang Ling to confirm just how dim-witted I truly am. I beg Wen Xiujun not to take offense."
Wang Ling was stunned. Her mother’s temper was legendary—no one in the Wang family dared stand in its path. Yet this girl, two years her junior, remained utterly unruffled, speaking with such composure."Although I am not entirely clear on what matter Wen Xiujun wishes Your Majesty to handle, it is evidently something of great difficulty." Shao Shang knelt upright, her gaze lifted directly upward. "A few days ago, when the Grand Princess came to visit Your Majesty and encountered His Majesty, she requested an official position for her youngest son. But His Majesty said, 'I have heard that in ancient times, those skilled in employing people would follow Heaven's will, comply with human nature, and enforce clear rewards and punishments. Following Heaven's will means achieving great merit with little effort; complying with human nature means...'—well, I actually understand the rest but haven't memorized it yet. Since Wen Xiujun is so exceptionally talented, you must surely know it, so I won't continue..."
Wang Ling twisted her fingers, wanting to laugh but not daring to.
The Empress, who had been feeling bitter, couldn't help but smile and shake her head.
"...In the end, His Majesty did not grant the Grand Princess's request. Wen Xiujun, she is His Majesty's only remaining sister. The Empress told me that when His Majesty first rose in rebellion, the Grand Princess suffered greatly. Yet even so, for the sake of upholding the wise governance and appointment principles of ancient sages, His Majesty painfully refused the Grand Princess. By forcing the Empress to plead with His Majesty today, you only bring her distress and suffering without achieving anything. Therefore—"
Shao Shang took a deep breath and declared loudly: "Wen Xiujun, please leave. Do not trouble the Empress any further."
Wen Xiujun staggered back several steps, caught between laughter and tears: "Truly, times have changed. In the past, the Qian'an Royal Manor held such prestige, yet now even the daughter of a petty official dares to shout at me. Hahaha... Father, if only you were still here..."
"'When Qin lost its deer, all under heaven chased after it, and the swift-footed with great talent caught it first,'" Shao Shang no longer knelt but slowly rose to her feet. "During the chaos of the fallen empire, the world's heroes staked their lives and fortunes in the greatest gamble of all. At that time, no one could say for certain whether they would succeed in seizing the throne or die in defeat—what do you think, Wen Xiujun?"
Wen Xiujun stood frozen in place. Shao Shang walked over unhurriedly, pulling up the collapsed Wang Ling along the way before pushing her into Wen Xiujun's arms.
Shao Shang said gently, "The departed are gone, Wen Xiujun. The Old Prince Qian'an has passed. But you still live, and your children are still young. The living must take precedence over the dead. Elder Sister Wang Ling says the General of Chariots and Cavalry intends to marry her far away. She's terrified—not only is the place unfamiliar, but she hasn't even seen what her future son-in-law looks like. You're her mother—at least have some pity for her..."
Thinking of her impending marriage, Wang Ling clung to Wen Xiujun's arm, weeping and pleading. Even someone as strong-willed as Wen Xiujun couldn't help shedding tears.
—Once again, thanks to Stanislavski's teachings, Shao Shang was moved by her own tender demeanor and emotional delivery. Though inwardly, she had little patience for this old woman clinging to past glories. She refused to believe Wen Xiujun would prefer having the old Qian'an prince resurrected if it meant she'd have to toil as a peasant woman in the fields. Ridiculous!
Just as the hall was filled with this touching scene, a cough suddenly came from the side.
Shao Shang reacted first, immediately turning to look, followed by the Empress, then the Wang mother and daughter.
From behind an ornate screen by the side door emerged the Emperor in his vermilion ceremonial robes, followed by two silent junior palace attendants and... a tall young man in black robes—Ling Buyi.
Fireworks of alarm exploded in Shao Shang's mind—she had only two questions:
First, how much had they heard? She hoped she hadn't said anything inappropriate.
Second, why did palaces need so many doors? Side doors, back doors, hidden doors—as if there weren't enough ways to heaven and no path to earth! Truly, the palace was the least secure place in the world!
Author's Note:
The Empress likes the female lead not just because of her Mary Sue powers, but because she's 'one of us.'
It's almost the weekend—this week has exhausted me!
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