That night, Shao Shang tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Images of the palace scenes flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern, alternating with Ling Buyi's cold, glaring stare. It wasn't until dawn's early light that she finally fell into a deep slumber, waking only in the afternoon. Groggily, she rose and listened to A Zhu's chatter while having a late lunch.
"...The Female Lord came to see you. She said you were exhausted and didn't want the Young Lady disturbed, so she let you sleep."
"The Female Lord returned this morning—the estate has been purchased. According to Qing Jun, though the manor isn't large, it's nestled between mountains and rivers with fertile soil. Once Lady Xu E has everything arranged, the Young Lady and the young masters can visit for leisure."
"Lady Xu E has grown increasingly capable, handling both household and external affairs with ease, no longer timid. Word of her virtue and competence has spread, and several noble families have already expressed interest in marriage proposals. Young Lady, since you're studying under the Empress, you mustn't fall behind..."
Shao Shang nibbled on her wooden chopsticks and nodded slightly. Director Xiao's approach was sound—since her cousin didn't attract suitors as effortlessly as she did, building a reputation for talent and virtue was the proper path to a good match.
"Mother Fu, you're such a worrywart. I'm already betrothed—even if I don't study well, can they really call it off?" She lazily stirred the rice in her bowl, the snow-white grains contrasting beautifully against the deep red lacquer wood.
A Zhu thought for a moment and conceded the point, then added, "Later, Lady Yin and Lady Wan will likely visit. Since you're resting today, why not join them for some fun?"
"Mother Fu, you're being silly again. Unless my two brothers are together, why would Sister Xu E and Sister Qiqi ever stay in the same room? Even if they come, they'll each wait in Eldest Brother's or Second Brother's quarters."
Yin Xu'e and Wan Qiqi were truly foes from a past life. Though they had fallen for two brothers from the same family and gained both sets of parents' approval, their mutual grudges remained unresolved. Originally, every few days, Cheng Yong and Cheng Song would set aside their studies and duties to visit the Yin or Wan families to see their beloved ladies.
But with the recent sweltering heat, Yin Xu'e 'took the lead' in feeling sorry for Cheng Yong, unable to bear the thought of him arriving at the Yin household exhausted and drenched in sweat. So, she began visiting the Cheng residence after her midday rest to wait for her sweetheart. Not to be outdone by such 'virtue,' Wan Qiqi followed suit, coming to the Cheng family to 'feel sorry for' Cheng Song.
Hearing this, A Zhu shook her head with a wry smile. "Both ladies are impeccable in character and background—it's just their temperaments that clash. What will happen when they both marry into the family?"
Shao Shang set her bowl on her lap and sighed. "By the time they marry in, I might already be wed into the Ling family. Mother Fu, you'll surely accompany me, so leave these matters to Mother. After all, she's so capable—there's nothing she can't handle..."
The last few words were muttered under her breath, but as soon as she spoke them, Shao Shang's eyes lit up. She quickly finished her rice in a few bites, announced, "I'm going to pay respects to Mother," and dashed off.
A Zhu watched the girl's lively figure skip away, shaking her head with a sigh. After ten days under the Empress's guidance, the Young Lady hadn't changed a bit. Who knew if she'd ever grow more composed after marriage?Shao Shang was a driven young woman of the new era. Though her thoughts often strayed off course and her logic could be peculiar at times, her attitude toward life was ultimately positive and bright. Problems were meant to be solved, and difficulties were to be faced head-on. Now, with the peerless Crimson Phoenix Golden Halberd of Heaven looming over her, she was determined to find a way to resolve this no matter what.
At this moment, Madam Xiao was reviewing accounts in the inner chamber. Shao Shang entered, paid her respects, then hesitantly offered a few greetings before haltingly asking, "Daughter now sees Lord Ling daily and occasionally (emphasized) feels at a loss. May I ask how Mother interacted with Father back then?"
Without looking up, Madam Xiao replied smoothly, "How did we interact? What else could it be? Major matters followed his lead, minor matters followed mine. As a woman, one must naturally respect one's husband—"
"Mother, Qing Yimu said that when you were outside, you spent eight out of twelve daily hours in Father's military tent advising on strategies," Shao Shang said expressionlessly.
Caught off guard by her daughter's words, Madam Xiao coughed a few times and hastily amended, "Well, well, not all major matters are outside affairs. Sometimes household matters can also be major—things like children's marriages, studies at the Imperial Academy... these are also very important, very important."
Just then, Madam Qing Cong entered, her sleeves still tied up with armbands. She smiled and said, "Female lord, Old Steward Cheng just brought a basket of fresh bamboo mushrooms. He said the lord heard you mention wanting to eat them before he left the estate. A few days ago, some soldiers discovered a damp bamboo grove deep in the mountains. The lord calculated your return date and had them dug up before dawn this morning, then sent them back by fast horse. Would you like them in soup or pickled?"
Madam Xiao was both pleased and embarrassed to be exposed like this in front of her daughter, her fair face flushing slightly.
Shao Shang: ...Right, I get it. Force-feeding me affection displays, are we? Fine, I'll just consult someone else.
So Shao Shang went straight to her second brother Cheng Song's quarters, where Wan Qiqi had just arrived. Qiqi was sweating profusely as she examined herself in the mirror, casually directing Cheng Song's maids to fetch warm water for her to wash up. Qiqi was generous with her spending, and with the marriage agreement between their families already tacitly settled, Cheng Song's maids attended to her with eager diligence.
Before Qiqi could even express her delighted surprise, Shao Shang cut straight to the point with the same question.
Qiqi laughed. "Heh, A'Song and I grew up together. We fight together, hunt together, drink good wine together. Hmm, I can tell just by looking at him whether he wants to practice archery or ride horses today. When I blink, he knows what trouble I've gotten into outside... What else is there to say about how we interact?"
Shao Shang: ...Great, showing off your love now. Childhood sweethearts think they're so special!
Next, she stormed into Cheng Yong's residence, where Yin Xu'e soon arrived. Once again, Shao Shang humbly sought advice.
Yin Xu'e lowered her blushing face shyly. "...Interaction isn't something you can teach. I think of him every day—whether he's eating well at the Imperial Academy, resting well, if anyone is giving him trouble... He's a gentleman of ambition and refinement. I want to follow how my mother treated my father—attending to everything meticulously, managing affairs for him both publicly and privately, so he can focus on his career without worries..."
Shao Shang: ...Alright, no need to continue. This difficulty level is too high—she'd need to be reborn to even attempt it.After asking around in circles, either the advice was useless or impossible to implement. Shao Shang sighed and slumped onto the corridor to cool off, privately lamenting that Aunt Sang Shi was far away—otherwise, she would have been the perfect person to consult. But now, who else could she turn to? Thinking about how Wan Qiqi would later drag her into a game of betting on chess, Shao Shang felt utterly exhausted. Knowing full well she lost every bet, Qiqi still suggested it—clearly up to no good. She’d have to complain to Old Madam Wan later and stir up some trouble for her sworn sister...
Shao Shang paused, straightened up, and silently pondered for a moment. Then she returned to her room to freshen up and change clothes, instructing servants to prepare her gold-and-red small chariot. A Zhu asked in surprise, "Young Lady, are you going out?" Although Madam Xiao no longer restricted her daughter’s comings and goings, this still seemed too impulsive.
Shao Shang grinned and said, "I’m off to the Western Heaven to fetch scriptures. Once I obtain the great truths, I’ll return to feast on Mother’s bamboo fungus!" Leaving a thoroughly bewildered A Zhu behind, she cheerfully headed out.
"Since when do we have bamboo fungus at home—?!" A Zhu shouted after her.
Without turning back, Shao Shang replied, "Father will grow some!"
A Zhu stumbled in shock.
...
Since Wan Songbai had recently left the capital to take up his post as a remote provincial governor—far from the Emperor’s reach—Old Wan had initially intended to depart with a flourish, leaving all his wives and concubines behind. After all, with the recent turmoil of war, women outnumbered men.
Filled with grand ambitions, he planned to single-handedly soothe the grievances of lonely women. But after his mother twisted his ear into a crimson noodle, he reluctantly took Madam Wan and the majority of his still-enthusiastic concubines along.
Afterward, the Wan residence returned to its usual quiet and solitude.
When Shao Shang met Old Madam Wan, the elderly woman was reclining against a hidden cushion on her bed, listening to a maidservant read rural tales. Surprised by Cheng Shaoshang’s sudden visit, Old Madam Wan grew even more curious when the girl knelt down and spoke evasively. Sensing the situation, she dismissed all the attendants, telling Shao Shang to speak freely.
After a pause, Shao Shang reflected on how she had stayed at the Wan residence for quite some time, laughing and joking daily with her sworn sister in Old Madam Wan’s presence. There was no need for formality. Gathering her thoughts, she briefly recounted recent events, emphasizing, "I feel like I’ve been trying my best, but Lord Ling is always displeased. Last night, he even scolded me—isn’t that unreasonable?" Best to secure an ally first.
To her surprise, Old Madam Wan showed no sympathy. Instead, she propped herself up on the hidden cushion and silently laughed for a while before saying, "...To put it simply, you haven’t truly accepted this marriage. But that’s fine."
Shao Shang exclaimed, "That’s fine?!" Truly, the boldness of the skilled—Old Madam Wan’s words were extraordinary.
Old Madam Wan continued, "In this matter, you were at fault first. Your words and actions gave Ling Buyi the impression you were interested in him. Later, he followed proper etiquette and openly proposed marriage. Yet now, you treat him with such indifference. How could he be pleased?"
Shao Shang wanted to argue: "It’s because... because..." Because the times were different, and the norms for male-female interactions had changed.
—What a damnable era. When you hoped for more conservative social customs, some random peach blossom would "properly" cozy up to you. But when you thought the times were truly open-minded, a little extra eye contact or enthusiasm in conversation could land you in a marriage contract."What's the point of discussing the past when things are already settled?" Old Madam Wan said calmly. "What you should be thinking about now is how to treat Ling Zisheng better, like Qiqi and Lady Yin do—like a proper fiancée should."
"Yes, yes, that's exactly what I wanted to ask." Shao Shang liked straightforward people like Old Madam Wan, who didn't bother with lengthy explanations and went straight to practical advice.
"It's not difficult. First, put yourself in his shoes. When you're hungry, think about whether Zisheng is hungry. When you're too hot or cold, consider his comfort too."
"..." Shao Shang was at a loss for words. If she had menstrual cramps, would she really give Ling Buyi a hot water bottle too? She hesitated before asking, "That sounds reasonable, but... does it really work?"
"Of course it works," Old Madam Wan replied. "Day after day, year after year, it becomes second nature. Eventually, you'll care for Zisheng without needing constant reminders."
Hearing the old woman speak with such certainty, Shao Shang's curiosity flared. She ventured cautiously, "...Did you use this method yourself?"
"Naturally," Old Madam Wan answered in a tone as casual as ordering food. "When I married Songbai's father, it wasn't out of love—it was out of spite."
"Spite?" Shao Shang was shocked.
"Back then, my family was poor, and the officials were corrupt and oppressive. The world was descending into chaos. I planned to join the local youths and hide in the mountains to make something of myself."
Shao Shang subtly inched backward—this "something" sounded like becoming bandits. The old lady's wording was quite tactful.
"So... among those youths, was there someone you, ahem, fancied?" Shao Shang asked, both eager and awkward.
Old Madam Wan closed her eyes, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "You're clever enough to read between the lines. Do you really need me to spell it out?"
Shao Shang understood and chuckled before pressing on, "Then how did you end up marrying into the Wan family?"
"Two months before we were to leave, I happened to meet Songbai's father. He pestered me relentlessly. I declared I'd never be a concubine, hoping to deter him, but a few days later, he returned, saying he'd marry me properly. Once that happened, my parents absolutely refused to let me go to the mountains."
Of course! What parent would let their daughter become a bandit's wife when she could be the proper wife of a prominent family in the county? Shao Shang stifled a laugh.
"I was young, but I'd struggled to survive from childhood and wasn't naive. Marrying into the Wan family meant dealing with the scheming and pettiness of a powerful clan. I was used to a rough life—it might've been easier in the mountains. But while I was still undecided, those old fools from the Wan family came after me. They threatened, bribed, even said they'd kill my whole family. Some wept and begged me to settle for being a concubine, or they'd die at my doorstep and make me step over their corpses to marry!"
Old Madam Wan continued, "I was furious. I thought, 'You insult and belittle me? Fine! I'll become the matriarch of the Wan family, the most prominent clan in Sui County!' So I hardened my heart and married him."Shao Shang: ...She felt Old Madam Wan's marriage was even more baffling than her own.
"Pity. Until I gave birth to Song Bai, not a single one of those old bastards had the decency to die." Old Madam Wan opened her single eye and concluded with a leisurely sigh.
Shao Shang broke into a cold sweat: Judging by your tone, Madam, it sounds like you're genuinely disappointed.
"So that's how it was," Shao Shang chuckled. "How long did it take before you developed feelings for the Grand Duke? Don't try to wriggle out of it—I heard from Sister Qiqi that Uncle Wan once said you and the Grand Duke were deeply in love, so perfectly matched that you couldn't bear to be apart for even a moment." Having come this far, she dared to tease a little.
"How long? Not too long." Old Madam Wan's expression grew wistful, her voice softening. "It was probably when I had nothing better to do and started remembering the kindness he showed me. How he braved a blizzard just to come see me at the foot of the mountain. How I tricked him into the mountains and nearly got him frozen to death—when he was rescued, his face was blue, yet he still managed to smile at me. How he turned pale with rage when he learned the elders of my clan had bullied me, then stormed out that very night with his men to smash down their gates and forbid them from ever setting foot in our home again. He was a scholar, gentle by nature, who rarely even raised his voice at servants..."
The old woman slowly closed her remaining good eye, her voice fading.
The one who had once been was now gone, leaving only traces of his presence. The man who had once brought warmth and tenderness to her bedside was now buried beneath the yellow earth—Shao Shang's eyes inexplicably grew moist. She quickly lowered her head, two teardrops silently vanishing into the thin fabric of her skirt.
"Does Ling Zisheng treat you well?" Old Madam Wan asked, her eyes still closed.
Shao Shang turned her gaze to a bronze incense burner on the nearby table, lost in thought.
She remembered that day when the Black Armor Army surged like a tide into the snow-dusted forest, the young general standing invincible like a god of war. Even after days of grievous wounds, his white robes stained with blood, the way he looked at her remained gentle and profound.
She remembered the depths of the flower-lined path at the Lou residence, where he promised to find her a good posting away from the capital. Tiny petals like drifting snowflakes settled on him as he stood motionless beneath the flowering trees, quietly waiting for her to leave.
She remembered outside the Returning Goose Tower, hanging from the Flying Eaves with one hand, his ink-black hair whipping in the northern wind. Sensing the girl in his arms was afraid, he had looked down and offered a reassuring smile.
...And so much more.
"He treats me... very well," she finally answered hoarsely after a long pause.
"As long as he treats you well." Old Madam Wan sighed lightly. "Between two people, there's always one who has to bend a little. You're a hundred times smarter than Qiqi—do what's best for yourself."
...
Leaving the Wan residence, Shao Shang walked slowly with her head lowered.
She understood the reasoning, but how exactly was she supposed to break the deadlock? Last night, Ling Buyi had been so cold and furious, leaving after delivering those harsh words—the fear and shock of that moment still lingered vividly. Given the current situation, it was clear she needed to take the first step, to apologize and clarify her stance. But—she bit her lip—she didn’t want to humble herself.
Ah, what an awkward predicament.
As she stepped out of the Wan estate, the servant guarding the small chariot outside hurried forward. "Young Lady, look—"
Following his pointing finger, Shao Shang saw a familiar figure standing not far away.Today, he arrived without his ever-present guards or the usual carriage and retinue—just a single man and his steed. Beneath the towering crimson walls of the noble estate, verdant branches peeked over the edges, casting dappled shadows. The tall, slender young man stood in plain robes with a silver sash, one hand holding the reins, the other clasped behind his back.
Shao Shang felt dazed, stumbling forward a dozen steps before halting about seven or eight paces away. "You... why are you here?" she asked.
Ling Buyi gazed at the girl, his face partially obscured by the dense foliage, only his striking eyes as bright as ever. "I went to Cheng Residence to find you. They said you were at the Wans'."
"Where... where are your guards?" Shao Shang blurted out, unsure why she even asked.
"Couldn't be bothered. Wanted to travel light today."
Looking at his gaunt, pale face, her heart swirled with conflicting emotions—worry and joy tangled together. Softly, she murmured, "...You didn’t have to come find me. I would’ve gone to you."
"Mm, I thought so too," he replied, his voice as gentle and deep as always.
"...I was going to apologize to you." It was all my fault—I didn’t keep you in my heart. But she bit her lip, unable to voice it.
Ling Buyi slowly stepped out from the shade of the trees, walking toward her as he spoke. "I know. But you don’t need to apologize."
Shao Shang gnawed her lip, sulking. "Is there anything you don’t know?"
"Naturally." The setting sun cast a pale golden glow over Ling Buyi’s snow-white robes, as if gilding them in delicate foil. He stopped four or five paces from her, tilting his head slightly as his eyes drifted toward the top of the wall.
"I don’t know whether you’re seeking reconciliation out of obligation or sincerity," he said, slowly shifting his gaze back to her. "But I do know this—no matter the reason, I never want you to lower yourself or force your feelings."
"So, I had to come to you instead."
His tone was calm, his long lashes gilded russet-gold by the fading light.
Shao Shang’s heart clenched. A bittersweet rush of emotion surged through her—gratitude, affection, exhilaration—as if the tenderest part of her had been gently touched. Old Madam Wan’s words echoed in her ears: Someone must always bend first.
...She had assumed it would be her. But it had always been him.
"There are two things I want to tell you," she suddenly declared.
Ling Buyi arched a brow, waiting.
"First, from now on, I’ll treat you so well—so exhaustingly well—that you’ll get sick of it!"
The corners of his lips curved, his smiling eyes like slender crescents. "I’ll hold you to that. And the second?"
"When we’re both very, very old—so old our hair turns white—and I look back on how good you’ve been to me, I’ll never forget today!" The girl spoke with solemn earnestness.
Ling Buyi froze, his striking eyes shimmering as if with unshed tears.
In three swift strides, he closed the distance and swept her into his arms, crushing her small frame against his chest. Shao Shang gasped, then laughed freely, without reservation, her soft arms looping around his neck as her toes barely brushed the ground. She could feel the strength of his lean muscles, solid as towering peaks.
Ling Buyi rested his head against the delicate curve of her shoulder, his heart overflowing with indescribable joy.
Author’s Note:
I don’t know why some little angels are anticipating a tragic turn—have I ever given you reason to doubt me? I’ve never written angsty stories! What a cheerful, optimistic, sunshine-and-rainbows author I am (pats self on back, ignore me…)
Now, let me think...
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