Madam Xiao's joy didn't last long. When Cheng Shi returned to their chamber, she noticed a lump on his forehead. After learning the cause, her anger flared up instantly. She grabbed a lacquerwood wine vessel and struck the other side of his forehead, creating a matching lump for General Cheng.
That night, once Cheng Mu's anger had subsided, Cheng Shi—now sporting a perfectly symmetrical pair of lumps—visited her chamber again. This time, he fully unleashed both his acting skills and genuine emotions, finally reconciling with his mother.
Next came consolidating their victory.
First, Cheng Shi brought forward an elderly woman with a weathered face and graying hair. The moment Cheng Mu saw her, tears streamed down her face. Back when the Dong family was prosperous, Dong Taigong had employed tenant farmers, and this old woman had been one of the girls who worked the fields for them. Cheng Mu had grown up playing with her in the countryside, forming a sisterly bond. Later, as the family's fortunes declined, Dong Taigong was forced to dismiss the farmhands.
Madam Xiao was shrewd. While accompanying her husband on military campaigns, she had kept an eye out for scattered fellow villagers and clansmen, hoping to find distant relatives of the Dong family for support. But after much searching, she found no trace—proof that the Dong clan had indeed dwindled to near extinction.
As it turned out, it was Cheng Shi's growing reputation from his military exploits that led the old woman, surnamed Hu, to seek him out on her own. Coincidentally, when Hu Ao had left her hometown with her newlywed husband, Cheng Mu had just given birth to Cheng Shi and given him his formal name. Had it been any other Cheng son, Hu Ao might not have dared to approach.
Recognizing a golden opportunity, Madam Xiao quickly arranged care for Hu Ao's severely injured son and ailing grandson before bringing them all back to the Capital City. Cheng Shi had wanted to present Hu Ao immediately upon their return, but Madam Xiao stopped him, laying out a four-step strategy instead.
"Your mother is family, not an enemy army you can crush in one decisive battle where casualties don't matter as long as you win," Madam Xiao said with a smile. "Take it slow. Let your mother vent her decade of pent-up anger first. Once the rift between you two is mended, then reunite her with an old friend. Only then will everything fall into place effortlessly."
True to expectations, Cheng Mu was overjoyed. She hugged Hu Ao, laughing and crying, then scolded Cheng Shi playfully for not introducing her sooner. Cheng Shi quickly recited his prepared lines: "Mother was furious at the time. If I'd brought her out then, it might have seemed like I had ulterior motives. Now that you're no longer angry, I just wanted to make you happy." Cheng Mu was even more moved upon hearing this, especially when she learned that Cheng Shi had enlisted Hu Ao's descendants into his private army and kept Hu Ao by her side as a companion and steward. She felt her son had truly gone out of his way for her.
Having suffered hardships for decades, Hu Ao was worldly-wise—skilled at coaxing and advising, with an innate ability to read Cheng Mu's thoughts, honed since childhood. Having witnessed Madam Xiao's shrewdness firsthand, she knew exactly how to speak and act.
Best of all, throughout the entire process, Madam Xiao wisely stayed completely out of sight, busying herself with household affairs and comforting the bereaved families of fallen soldiers. She left the mother and son to reminisce—alternating between tearful tales of wartime hardships and animated stories of distant lands, with Hu Ao chiming in and dabbing at tears. In no time, the bond between mother and son seemed stronger than ever.Cheng Mu listened as Hu Ao recounted the brutal battles on the frontlines, where many generals had lost limbs, eyes, or ears. Stroking the old scars on her son’s body, her heart nearly shattered. Thinking of how hard her son had fought, only for Uncle Dong to undermine him by embezzling money behind his back, she wished she could carve flesh from her own brother to stew a nourishing broth for her son.
Ge Shi had tried several times to visit Cheng Mu and sow discord against Madam Xiao. But each time, she either encountered Cheng Shi in the middle of telling stories and was glared away by the mother-son pair who wanted no third wheel, or she stumbled upon Cheng Mu and Hu Ao lost in nostalgic reminiscence and was scolded away in annoyance.
Cheng Shaoshang, of course, didn’t know the specifics. She only noticed that each day, her father seemed happier than the last—until Cheng Shi told her that a new servant, Hu Ao, had been added to the household. After piecing together some of the backstory, Cheng Shaoshang couldn’t help but marvel. Previously, Madam Xiao had been too busy building the family’s fortunes alongside her husband to bother with Cheng Mu and Ge Shi. But once she turned her attention to household affairs, she resolved matters in minutes, effortlessly crushing those ignorant women.
That morning, A Zhu approached Cheng Shaoshang with a smile, saying, “Today, the whole family will have lunch together.” Instantly, Cheng Shaoshang sensed the air of a battlefield being cleared.
After finishing her medicine and pacing three laps around the room, Madam Qing Cong arrived carrying a brand-new long gown and a lacquer wood box. The gown was made of off-white brocade embroidered with bright red plum branches, its collar and cuffs trimmed with four-finger-wide vermillion satin. The underwear was pristine snow-white fine cotton. The long gown was so voluminous that Lian Fang and A Zhu had to help Cheng Shaoshang into it. Layer by layer, the exquisite brocade was fastened, then paired with a matching four-finger-wide dark red belt adorned with jade ornaments. Even without a full-length mirror, Cheng Shaoshang could feel the luxurious beauty of the attire.
Next, Madam Qing Cong personally styled Cheng Shaoshang’s hair. In the blurry bronze mirror, Cheng Shaoshang vaguely saw her hair arranged into a pair of playful twin buns, with the remaining strands tied simply at the back. Then, Lian Fang opened the small lacquer wood box, and Madam Qing Cong took out a pair of dazzling pearls, fastening one to each bun.
A Zhu frowned slightly and said, “Qing Jun, this—”
Madam Qing Cong smiled. “No need to worry.” She then leaned down and whispered to Cheng Shaoshang, “Madam has been saving these fine things for the Fourth Young Lady for a long time. Finally, they can be put to use.”
Since Cheng Shaoshang was still young, she wore only a pair of delicate gold filigree earrings shaped like lilacs and thin gold bracelets strung with bright red coral beads on her wrists. A Zhu, Lian Fang, and Qiao Guo admired her from all angles, showering her with praise.
Walking along the corridor, Cheng Shaoshang was wrapped in a gray-furred cloak, discreetly surveying her surroundings—what a small courtyard it was, with the inner gate clearly visible from a single glance. Her confusion grew. Given how lavish her attire was, why was the estate so modest? Were property prices here also exorbitant?
After fewer than fifty or sixty steps, she arrived at Cheng Mu’s quarters. Lian Fang helped her remove her shoes before stepping onto the raised platform and took off her heavy fur cloak. Her snow-white woolen socks against the dark red lacquered wood floor made her feet appear even more delicate and dainty. In those days, meals were served individually, with each person seated at their own low table arranged in two rows in the hall. Raising her head, Cheng Shaoshang realized everyone else had already arrived—she was the last. Instantly, she sensed trouble.Sure enough, the ‘kind aunt’ Ge Shi, seated in the third position on the left, couldn’t hold back any longer. She shrilled, “Oh my, all the elders are here, and we’ve been waiting just for you, Fourth Miss. What have I always taught you about filial piety and propriety? Today…”
Before she could finish, Cheng Mu, seated at the head of the table in the center, grew impatient and snapped bluntly, “Enough out of you! Everyone here is older than you except the children. None of us have spoken yet—what business is it of yours?”
Coming from a farming background, Cheng Mu spoke bluntly and had once humiliated Madam Xiao to her face in the same manner. Back then, Ge Shi had delighted in hearing Cheng Mu scold others, but now that the tables had turned, she found it rather uncomfortable.
A Zhu quickly helped Cheng Shaoshang kneel and bow to each elder in turn—first to Cheng Mu at the head of the table, then to Uncle Dong seated slightly to the side, followed by Cheng Shi and his wife in the first seats on the right and left respectively. Next was Dong Wai Di in the second seat on the right, whom Cheng Shaoshang addressed as ‘Uncle,’ and then Dong Lüshi in the second seat on the left. Before Cheng Shaoshang could finish her bow, Dong Lüshi rose with a smile, took her hand, and said, “Niao Niao is so lovely. I never noticed before, but after just a few days of care and dressing from your elder sister-in-law, you’ve become a whole new person.”
Dizzy from the bowing, Cheng Shaoshang didn’t react immediately, but the others understood Dong Lüshi’s implication. Ge Shi straightened up and retorted indignantly, “What do you mean by that? Are you saying I’ve treated Fourth Miss poorly all this time?”
Dong Lüshi glanced briefly at Madam Xiao before turning back with a smile. “Second Sister-in-law, you’re overthinking it. I merely meant that Fourth Miss, reunited with her parents after so long, is naturally happier, and that joy has brought out her radiance.”
Ge Shi sat back down angrily, but as Dong Lüshi returned to her seat, she ‘whispered’ loud enough for all to hear, “Poor child. Clearly, her father risked his life to earn these fine clothes and treasures for her, yet every time I visit, I only see her wearing the leftovers others have discarded.”
At these words, Ge Shi and a girl seated at the far end of the table flushed crimson. Rubbing her forehead, Cheng Shaoshang immediately realized, ‘This Ge Shi must have pocketed the things Old Man Cheng meant for me!’ Before she could dwell on it further, A Zhu pressed her down again to bow to Second Uncle Cheng Cheng and Ge Shi in turn. Ge Shi was now trembling with rage, unable to speak.
Three seats were arranged at the far end of the table, with Cheng Shaoshang in the center. To her right sat the still-blushing girl, and to her left was a plump, fair-skinned boy, just old enough to handle chopsticks properly. Both were dressed in lavish gold and silver attire. The girl had light honey-colored skin, thick brows, and large eyes, but she looked utterly listless and timid, as if her life were even worse than Cheng Shaoshang’s.
Just then, servants filed into the room, serving dishes to each seat. It was a modest family feast: a plate of sizzling roasted pork, a dish of winter bamboo shoots steamed with fatty chicken, a bowl of venison soup, and two pickled vegetable sides. The adults had wine, while Cheng Shaoshang and the other two children were served a steaming, fragrant pot of freshly made rice milk.
Uncle Dong raised a double-handled Lacquer Wood bowl toward Cheng Shi and said, “This first cup of wine I offer to my nephew. It’s thanks to you that we’ve returned safely. I, I…”Cheng Shaoshang stole a glance and saw that Uncle Dong bore a strong resemblance to Cheng Mu—both had tall and stout frames. However, it seemed he had recently undergone an overly hasty weight loss, leaving the flesh on his cheeks sagging. He was utterly terrified of Cheng Shi, barely daring to meet his gaze directly, and his speech was halting and stammering.
Ge Shi blinked and chuckled lightly, "Uncle, why do you seem so frightened? We’re all family here, no need to be so afraid."
Madam Xiao glanced at her and said slowly, "The Northern Army Prison is far too careless. Though they agreed to delay the punishment at the official’s request, they executed several others guilty of the same crime right in front of Uncle Dong. He must have been terrified."
At these words, Uncle Dong could no longer hold his wine cup steady. In truth, when Cheng Shi had escorted him out, he had deliberately led him past various torture chambers along the way. The wails of agony and the sight of excruciating punishments—flaying, flesh-carving, and whipping—had left Uncle Dong’s legs weak, nearly unable to walk out.
Ge Shi didn’t know how to respond, but Dong Lüshi quickly interjected, "We must thank the general. Otherwise, Father-in-law would have suffered even more." As she spoke, she shot a glare at her husband across the table. Dong Wai Di hastily raised his cup in gratitude toward Cheng Shi.
Dong Wai Di bore a name famous in operas—Dong Yong—and had the typical fair-faced, delicate appearance often seen in such stories. His eyes darted shiftily, and his slack skin betrayed a life of excess in wine and women. Even as he expressed thanks, he couldn’t resist stealing a few glances at Madam Xiao.
Cheng Shaoshang was instantly amused, thinking to herself, Does classmate Dong Yong really think everyone else is blind? Can’t he see how Cheng Shi’s eyes are bulging like a flatfish? —Because of those glances, the very next day, classmate Dong Yong was beaten up by unknown assailants on the road, leaving him bedridden for months. After that, he never set foot in the Cheng Residence again.
After glaring at Dong Yong, Cheng Shi also raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp. "Uncle should enjoy a life of leisure from now on," he said. "Just manage the family’s lands and shops and live peacefully."
Uncle Dong grew anxious and hurriedly protested, "How can that be? As the saying goes, ‘To hunt a tiger, brothers must unite; to go to battle, father and son must fight side by side.’ Nephew, you’re treating me like an outsider! How can I rest easy while you’re out there risking your life? I should at least lend a hand—"
Cheng Shi had no patience for his rambling and turned directly to Cheng Mu. Clearly, their mother-son communication had gone smoothly these past few days. Cheng Mu slapped the dining table and said sternly, "Shut your mouth! Where were you and your ‘brothers uniting’ when my son was just starting out? Where were you and your ‘father and son fighting side by side’ when my son was risking his life? The less you ‘help,’ the easier things are for him!"
Uncle Dong stared at his elder sister in shock. "Elder Sister, you—you—"
He glanced at Cheng Shi and his wife, wanting to say, Elder Sister, how could you have contended with your new bride without my help? But how could he say such a thing to their faces? His eyes darted, and he smiled ingratiatingly. "Elder Sister, you’re just being considerate of your younger brother. But your nephew and his new bride are busy all day. Who will tell you amusing stories to pass the time?"
Cheng Mu replied expressionlessly, "From now on, when I’m free, I’ll call your daughter-in-law in to chat. You and your son are men, after all—it’s inconvenient for you to come and go in a household full of women. Don’t visit unless necessary." She glanced at Hu Ao, who was serving utensils beside her, and added, "If there’s family business, have Lüshi come and speak for you. In short, don’t come yourselves. As Cheng Shi’s official rank rises, our household must also observe proper decorum. We can’t carry on like we did in the countryside, where uncles and brothers would wander in and out as they pleased."Uncle Dong was left gaping. He glared at his daughter-in-law Madam Lu and snarled viciously, "You wretched woman, what have you been telling your sister-in-law?" Dong Yong also sprang up, rolling up his sleeves to slap Madam Lu. Seated nearby, Cheng Shi didn't even move from his spot—he merely extended an arm to pull Dong Yong down. With a twist and press, he pinned Dong Yong's arm behind his back and forced him to the ground. Then, with a slight movement of his other hand, a crisp smack rang out, and Dong Yong's face immediately swelled up like a pig's head.
Cheng Shi said coldly, "This is the Cheng residence. There's no place for you to throw your weight around here." He gave Uncle Dong a piercing look.
Cheng Shaoshang thought to herself, They really are mother and son—both quick to curse and strike without the slightest subtlety.
The expressions around the banquet table varied: Cheng Mu turned her head away, pretending not to see or care; Second Uncle Cheng lowered his head, lost in thought—truly not seeing or caring; Uncle Dong trembled under Cheng Shi's gaze; Dong Lüshi covered her face with her sleeve, though the corners of her lips curled slightly upward; Madam Xiao remained unperturbed; only Ge Shi and the two children at the far end of the table watched in stunned silence.
Madam Xiao took a sip of wine, set the cup down gracefully, and said, "Uncle and nephew, what impressive authority you wield. One might mistake you for the masters of the Cheng household." She then turned to Madam Lu and spoke gently, "Husband's mother is often lonely. You should visit more often to keep her company."
Realizing the intentions of Cheng Shi and his wife, Uncle Dong immediately prostrated himself and wailed, "Elder Sister, are you abandoning your younger brother? Have you forgotten what you promised Father before he passed? How can you face Father in the afterlife?"
Such a petty scheme could never escape Madam Xiao's calculations. Cheng Mu had already been coached by Hu Ao and retorted, "How have I abandoned you? You're dressed in fine brocade and cotton, feasting on poultry and meat, with servants at your beck and call. Did you ever live this well when Father was alive? You're far more comfortable now. How have I failed Father?"
Uncle Dong stammered, "But Elder Sister, you wear silks and satins, living even more—"
"More what?!" Cheng Mu cut him off. "The Cheng family's prosperity today was earned by my son through blood and fire. What does it have to do with you? If you had contributed even a little back then, you could be living like this too."
Tears welled up in Uncle Dong's eyes as he protested indignantly, "Elder Sister, you adorn yourself in gold and silver, while your younger brother barely lives better than a peasant?" Cheng Shaoshang was thoroughly amused by now, thinking, Blame your Dong family for starting so low—there was just too much room for improvement.
Cheng Mu slammed her wooden chopsticks on the table and glared. "Shall I hand over half the Cheng family's treasury to you then?" She was impervious to coercion but susceptible to gentle persuasion. Had her brother pleaded softly, there might have been room for negotiation. Unfortunately, Uncle Dong had chosen the wrong approach. Cheng Mu scolded furiously, "All these years, you've lived off the Cheng family, eaten off the Cheng family, and now you dare to throw your weight around here?! Get this straight—you're a son of the Dong family, and I'm a woman of the Cheng family. Though we're siblings, our ancestors are no longer the same. I can't possibly drain the Cheng family dry just to subsidize you!" Her blunt and brutal words had a striking effect—Uncle Dong was left dumbfounded.
Cheng Shi was immensely pleased with his mother's performance. With his thick beard, he gave her an obedient smile. Cheng Shaoshang couldn't help but shudder, but Cheng Mu was thoroughly delighted and grew even happier.Uncle Dong snapped out of his daze and quickly gathered his words, speaking in a humble tone: "Elder sister, how could I dare to put on airs before my nephew? But now that my nephew has become more accomplished, I... I..." He began to sob, "I just wanted to share in some of the glory. It's all because I'm so useless—neither skilled in letters nor in arms. I'll truly have no face to meet Father in the afterlife..." Tears streamed down his face as he spoke.
Seeing her younger brother soften, Cheng Mu couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. Madam Xiao let out a light scoff and turned slightly to Dong Lüshi, speaking gently, "Bring the children to see me later. It's been ten years—I wonder how they've grown." Cheng Shi quickly chimed in, "Exactly! When the time comes, those who should study will study, and those who should seek employment will do so. Let’s not have them turn out like their fathers and grandfathers, who only knew how to idle and scheme!"
Dong Lüshi perked up. Having a husband was worse than having none at all, and now all her hopes rested on her children. With Cheng Shi and his wife’s words, how could she refuse?
Cheng Mu, reminded of something, immediately said to her brother, "Stop crying. You're already at the age of knowing your fate. If you've been useless most of your life, do you really think you'll suddenly change in old age? The same goes for Yong-nephew—if he had any ambition, he wouldn’t have waited until now. Since you’re all hopeless, just live an honest, unremarkable life. Stop scheming to take advantage of others and bullying people under my nephew’s name, lest you bring disaster upon the Cheng family. Focus on raising your children properly—that’s how you honor Father!"
Uncle Dong was at a loss for words.
Seeing her brother’s lips quiver as if he still wanted to argue, Cheng Mu quickly added, "And don’t think you can sweet-talk me anymore. That... what’s-her-name Empress Dowager from the previous dynasty—wasn’t she always trying to benefit her natal family? In the end, she ended up handing her husband’s entire empire over to her nephew, plunging the world into chaos and ruining countless families! Only then did she realize her regret—but it was too late. I wonder how she’ll face the ancestors in the afterlife!"
Cheng Shaoshang was stunned: Huh? There was such a ridiculous Empress Dowager? How come I’ve never heard of her? Then she remembered she was a pure STEM student—history classes seemed like several lifetimes ago.
The only famous empresses she knew were Cixi, Wu Zetian, and maybe half of Empress Xiaozhuang. Xiaozhuang couldn’t have given away the empire even if she wanted to—her grandson was the Kangxi Emperor! If Cixi had handed the empire to her natal family, what would the foreign powers have done? Could they be talking about Wu Zetian? Cheng Shaoshang looked down at her chest in confusion. Then why is the collar so high, with no cleavage showing at all? Were Tang Dynasty clothes this conservative? Even if I’m flat-chested, Madam Xiao is quite voluptuous—why isn’t she showing any skin either?
Compared to that unfortunate Empress Dowager, Cheng Mu felt she had been extremely restrained. Smugly, she declared, "And take that woman from the third branch of the Donglü family—she was always favoring her natal family too. Back then, when Scholar Wang, who was staying with the Donglüs, said he could only take one disciple to study under Yan Divine Immortal, she secretly sent her nephew instead. Hmph! As if the mighty Donglü family couldn’t produce a single clever child! Her own two sons were quite studious. And what happened? Her natal family rose through scholarship and officialdom, while the Donglüs had to grovel before them. Tsk! All women in the world should hear this story!"As she spoke, Cheng Mu deliberately glanced at Madam Xiao, who remained composed. Cheng Shi awkwardly said, "Mother, what are you talking about?" The first story had been told by Madam Xiao for Cheng Mu to hear, while the second was Cheng Mu's own addition. "If my nephews truly show promise, of course I'll help them. Besides, is the Donglü family doing poorly now?"
Cheng Mu glared and retorted, "They earned their official ranks by risking their descendants' lives fighting under your command! How can that compare to sitting comfortably in a study and becoming an official?"
Cheng Shaoshang listened with great interest. If not for fear of being scolded, she would have loved to ask, 'What happened to that ungrateful daughter-in-law in the end?'
Cheng Mu grew more confident as she spoke, turning to Uncle Dong: "Stop dreaming up nonsense. This time, you stole military supplies and caused no small trouble for your nephew. What, do you want to keep dragging him down? You take the wealth and comfort while my son suffers and risks his life—since when does such a good deal exist? Are you some Cheng family ancestor that we must worship you?"
At this point, the Dong father and son had nothing left to say. The room fell silent, save for Dong Yong's muffled sobs into his hands. Cheng Shi, thoroughly satisfied, turned to glare at them and growled, "If I find out Madam Lu has suffered even a scratch, I'll make sure you two get the exact same treatment!"
Having fought through countless bloody battles, Cheng Shi's menacing aura was formidable. The Dong father and son, already spineless, could only stammer meekly in response. Cheng Shaoshang cheered inwardly—"Bravo!" This plan was sheer genius, covering all angles flawlessly. No one inside or outside the family could find fault.
Cheng Shi glared at the Dong pair and demanded, "Understood?" Dong Yong, sitting closer and fearing another beating, nodded frantically. Uncle Dong, a beat slower, hurriedly followed suit.
"Then let's eat!" Cheng Shi barked. The Dong father and son scrambled back to their seats and grabbed their wooden chopsticks, faster than fleeing rabbits.
The rest of the table also picked up their chopsticks to dine. Only Ge Shi fidgeted uneasily. Ever since Aunt Dong had been expelled days prior, she'd sensed everything going awry. Cheng Mu seemed to have reconciled with Madam Xiao—these past days, the mother- and daughter-in-law no longer bickered during their meetings. No matter how Ge Shi tried to provoke them, she was met with indifference.
She glanced at her husband across the table, then at Cheng Mu at the head. During the earlier storm of arguments, she couldn't get a word in edgewise, especially since it involved the Dong family. The slap from days ago still throbbed faintly.
Biting her tongue repeatedly, seeing the atmosphere ease, Ge Shi finally couldn't resist forcing a smile: "Husband's mother—"
Cheng Shaoshang perked up like a delighted little mouse: Here it comes, here comes the troublemaker.
But before Ge Shi could continue, Cheng Shi announced, "Today's feast serves two purposes: first, to calm Uncle Dong's nerves, and second—I have joyous news to share."
Cutting short Cheng Shaoshang's anticipated drama, she thought grumpily: What joyous news? Are you taking a concubine?
Author's note:
Please calmly leave your paw prints~
OpenNovel