Ling Buyi noticed his fiancée was in low spirits, so after escorting her home, he returned to his own residence. Before leaving, seeing the girl listless and dispirited, he gently instructed her to rest for another day and promised to request leave on her behalf at the palace. However, the moment he left, Shao Shang immediately dashed off to Nine Dapple Hall like a startled hare. It turned out she was only disinterested in the victimized mother and son—her enthusiasm for gossip reached unprecedented heights when it came to her own parents.
"Ling—no, Madam Huo... she's... insane...?" Old Man Cheng, who had been recuperating at home from sunburn these past two days, listened to the retelling, his eyes widening even more. "I doubt many people know about this, right?"
Madam Xiao nodded. "Indeed, at least I hadn't heard of it. Then again, it's not exactly a glorious matter. A proud man like Zisheng having a mad mother—how would that sound if it got out? But now I understand."
"What does Mother understand?" Shao Shang asked. Director Xiao often had remarkable insights, and she had always admired that.
"The Huo family was loyal and heroic, yet Your Majesty didn't fully support Madam Huo in her divorce back then."
The father-daughter duo, resembling African tribal chiefs in their rapt attention, leaned in as Madam Xiao continued, "When I first learned about the past between the Huo and Ling families, I found it odd. No matter how much face Old Princess Ruyang had, there was still a distinction between ruler and subject. No matter how much she could stir up trouble, she wouldn't have been able to withstand Your Majesty's wrath—yet His Majesty still allowed Madam Huo and Ling Hou to divorce."
"Now I understand. His Majesty is a man of feeling and likely disapproved of Ling Hou and Chunyu Shi's actions. He also believed that forcing things wouldn't yield sweet results. Even if Ling Hou had abandoned Chunyu Shi under imperial pressure and taken Madam Huo back, what good would that have done? Moreover, if Madam Huo had remained Ling Hou's wife, the benefits bestowed upon the Huo family would inevitably have been shared with the Lings. So His Majesty thought it better to let Madam Huo divorce and then remarry a loyal, devoted, and meritorious son-in-law—someone like Cui Hou. Not only would Madam Huo have had support in the future, but Zisheng could also have had a stepfather who genuinely cared for him. But who knew..."
"Who knew Madam Huo would go mad not long after the divorce?" Shao Shang murmured. Oh dear, the Emperor had miscalculated this time.
Madam Xiao sighed. "Exactly. Who could have guessed Madam Huo's feelings for Ling Hou ran so deep that she would lose her mind? Well, you can't blame His Majesty. Divorce isn't such a big deal—remarry and move on. Who could have predicted madness?"
Old Man Cheng's lips twitched as if he wanted to voice his opinion on how 'divorce is no small matter,' but he held back in the end, only sighing repeatedly with pity for the tragic state of the loyal minister's sister.
"Niao Niao, remember this: those who know about this now know, and those who don't, His Majesty doesn't want them to know. Don't speak carelessly outside, lest you upset the Emperor and Empress or Zisheng," Madam Xiao earnestly instructed in conclusion.
Shao Shang solemnly agreed. She understood the situation well enough not to be so tactless.
First, Old Prince Ruyang was clearly in the know, but his troublesome old wife might not have been, hence her brazen lack of propriety. The Emperor and Empress knew, and given the Emperor's Libra tendencies, Consort Yue must have known as well. Ling Buyi's father likely knew too—otherwise, he wouldn't have feared the Emperor so much. As for everyone else, they'd have to consult the heavens for answers.The next day, Shao Shang woke up naturally and initially planned to laze around for another day, organizing her thoughts and engaging in some self-criticism. However, her plan to rest an extra day was discovered by her second brother, Cheng Song, who swiftly informed Wan Qiqi. In turn, Wan Qiqi wasted no time in coming to fetch her.
After a lively morning at the Wan residence—playing Bopu, horseback riding, and naturally, gambling a few rounds (Shao Shang nearly lost even her clothes)—she finally managed to get her sworn sister drunk during lunch and staggered her way home. As she sat in the carriage, letting the autumn breeze sober her up, she unexpectedly spotted Lou Yao on the street.
Instantly alert, Shao Shang’s eyes widened like round bells as she craned her neck to peer down the street corner—Lou Yao rode on horseback with his head lowered, moving slowly and alone, looking just as tall, thin, and gloomy as before. In the blink of an eye, he and his attendants vanished from sight. Shao Shang sat back in the carriage, stunned and silent for a long while.
Even if a deal falls through, goodwill remains; even if a marriage doesn’t work out, affection lingers. And even if affection fades, the gifts Lou Yao had once given were still being worn by Cheng Mu. So, it was only natural for Shao Shang to start worrying about her former fiancé’s current situation.
After returning home and washing away the scent of alcohol, Shao Shang leaned against the windowsill, deep in thought—how could she discreetly inquire about Lou Yao’s recent circumstances?
Boldly going to the Lou Family to ask was out of the question; the Lou Family would be terrified, and Ling Buyi would probably devour her alive. Directly asking her mother was also unrealistic—Director Xiao was adamant about severing all ties between them and would likely block any news related to the Lou Family entirely. As for her three brothers, two and a half of them were unreliable gossips—if she asked them to investigate, Director Xiao would storm in with the homeroom teacher before the ten-minute break was even over. So, what could she do?
At this moment, Shao Shang realized that the number of people she could actually rely on was even fewer than the drops of ink in her stomach.
Truth be told, she had always been a highly ambitious girl—when she mixed in society, she did so diligently; when she studied, she poured her heart and soul into it. Reborn into this privileged, exploitative family where she lacked for nothing, she had originally intended to build a career for herself. She didn’t dare dream of amassing wealth rivaling a nation’s, but at the very least, under Old Man Cheng’s protection, she could have established her own independence and self-sufficiency.
Yet, after more than half a year here, she still hadn’t even figured out where the Cheng ancestral graves were. Instead, she kept stumbling into romantic entanglements—so far, all she had to show for her time was one betrothal, two fiancés, and three scandals. She had achieved absolutely nothing!
At this thought, Shao Shang’s eyes gleamed with sudden inspiration—that chatterbox Yuan Shen had once claimed he owed her a favor. Now that she was with Ling Buyi, capable of plucking the moon from the sky or diving into a hotpot at the bottom of the sea, there really wasn’t much she needed Yuan Shen for anymore. This time, she’d make him repay that promise—auspicious and peaceful, just as it should be.
Immediately, Shao Shang summoned Lian Fang and whispered her instructions. Now that she had landed a golden son-in-law and frequented the imperial palace, her status at home had skyrocketed, her authority surpassing even Cheng Yang’s, who managed household affairs. The servants treated her with utmost deference, and Lian Fang, utterly devoted to her Young Lady, agreed without hesitation and hurried off to carry out the task.
With that matter settled, Shao Shang stretched lazily like a plump little mole, ready for a delightful afternoon nap. But just then, Madam Xiao sent someone to summon her to Nine Dapple Hall with the message: Ling Hou’s wife had arrived.Shao Shang's outstretched arm froze mid-air.
In truth, Lord Ling's wife Chunyu Shi had visited the Cheng Residence several times before, but neither Shao Shang nor Old Man Cheng had been present, leaving Madam Xiao to receive her each time. Shao Shang was well aware of Director Xiao's capabilities—she excelled at delivering righteous lectures with hidden agendas. While she couldn't pass off plastic flowers as fragrant lilies, turning them into high-grade PVC was no trouble at all. The wife of the second young master from the Lou family now regarded her as a life mentor.
After finishing her preparations, Shao Shang quickly made her way to Nine Dapple Hall. There, seated opposite Madam Xiao was an elegantly dressed middle-aged beauty, with two lovely maidservants, about fifteen or sixteen years old, kneeling behind her.
Under Madam Xiao's guidance, Shao Shang performed a full and proper greeting to Chunyu Shi. When she raised her head, she found herself face to face with the woman. Observing her features, Shao Shang noted that Chunyu Shi wasn't particularly stunning, but she carried an air of gentle grace. Especially when she lowered her head and spoke softly, she seemed even more delicate than Shao Shang herself—let alone the spirited Director Xiao.
Shao Shang couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Madam Xiao had always detested women with this delicate, flower-like appearance—yes, including her own daughter. These past days, Madam Xiao had been suppressing her temper to deal with Chunyu Shi, likely bottling up enough sarcasm to overflow.
"...I've visited a few times before, but your mother mentioned you were always at the palace. Today, I finally get to meet you in person," Chunyu Shi said in a soft, melodious voice that made even ordinary speech sound like a whisper. "What a lovely appearance. Even I find you charming—no wonder Zisheng is in such a hurry to marry you."
"It's not exactly a hurry. Lord Ling is already twenty-one," Shao Shang replied, lowering her lashes and smoothing her sleeves unhurriedly. "I heard your eldest son is only fifteen this year, yet discussions for his marriage have already begun."
Chunyu Shi's smile stiffened. She hadn't expected such a seemingly innocuous remark to draw such a pointed retort.
Shao Shang glanced sideways at her birth mother. Madam Xiao met her gaze with an inscrutable expression. In that brief moment, they understood each other perfectly—though their bond wasn't particularly close, they held each other's intelligence in high regard.
Before learning of Madam Huo's madness, Madam Xiao had managed to keep up a lukewarm pretense with Chunyu Shi, occasionally engaging in polite conversation to maintain appearances. But now... the situation was different.
"Ah, true enough," Chunyu Shi quickly regained her composure, folding her hands and smiling demurely. "Lady Shao Shang is Zisheng's future wife, the new bride of Sister Jun Hua. Naturally, you must have some... opinions... about me. But, Lady Shao Shang, I am much older than you, so allow me to offer some advice: what's done is done. The past cannot be changed, and we must look forward. As the saying goes, 'Father and son stand together in battle.' After all, our lord and Zisheng are father and son by blood—how can they remain so cold and distant forever? Even if you refuse to acknowledge me, you cannot deny our lord, can you? Zisheng, out of respect for Sister Jun Hua, finds it difficult to soften his stance. So isn't it up to us women to take the first step...?"
"Lady Ling Hou," Shao Shang interrupted with a smile, growing impatient with the woman's rambling. "There's something I've been meaning to ask, though I'm not sure if it's appropriate."
"Please, Lady Shao Shang, go ahead."
"When exactly did Lady Ling Hou become a widow and enter the Ling household? Was it before or after Madam Huo married into the family?"Chunyu Shi's expression turned somewhat unpleasant as she said softly, "This humble one has been unfortunate in fate. After my former husband passed, I had nowhere to go and was left alone and helpless, forced to seek shelter in my aunt's household. Fortunately, Sister Junhua took pity on me." This was essentially admitting she had moved in after Huo Junhua's marriage.
Shao Shang made no effort to conceal the subtle expression on her face.
Madam Xiao suddenly interjected, "When Madam Ling Hou visited previously, she mentioned getting along famously with Madam Huo back then—as close as sisters, attending to her every need without fail."
Shao Shang admired her mother's masterful phrasing and flashed a sweet smile—this was clearly the classic act of a scheming little white flower coaxing a spoiled young mistress. With Ling Hou chiming in from the sidelines, praising his wife's dignified magnanimity and compassionate heart, how could it not succeed? Heh.
What Madam Xiao didn't mention was that during earlier visits, whenever Chunyu Shi brought up her past "friendship" with Huo Junhua, she'd get teary-eyed in a pitiable manner that nearly made her sick. Yet she'd had to endure it.
Coming from a prominent local family herself, Madam Xiao had no issue with her husband taking concubines—so long as they remained mere "playthings." Governing a household was like governing a state; there could only be one source of authority, one tigress ruling the mountain. But was Chunyu Shi some ordinary maidservant-turned-concubine?
Madam Xiao and Qing Cong were not only as close as sisters, having weathered hardships together, but also shared the same views on marriage and family. Thus, Qing Cong had never entertained the slightest thought of coveting Cheng Shi. As for someone like Chunyu Shi, who seized the opportunity while Huo Junhua's body remained missing to install herself in the household—how dare she speak of being "sisters"? What a joke!
"My bond with Sister Junhua back then was even closer than real sisters. When I learned Sister Junhua and Zisheng were still alive, I lit a hundred gratitude lanterns at the Three Purities Taoist Temple. Who would have thought... who would have thought..." Chunyu Shi wept quietly. "It's common for great men to have multiple wives and concubines. Before Zisheng was born, my brother-in-law had taken a concubine—though she passed not long after—and Sister Junhua had consented. So I willingly set aside my pride to serve my brother-in-law and Sister Junhua. I truly don't understand why Sister Junhua refused to tolerate me, why she wanted me dead!"
This speech contained considerable implications. An ordinary righteous person might have felt some antipathy toward Madam Huo upon hearing it. But these words were wasted on Shao Shang—because she favored kinship over principles!
"I don't know why she wouldn't tolerate you either," Shao Shang murmured, looking skyward. "Perhaps Madam Huo was accustomed to being an only daughter. Or maybe... she preferred sleeping in a large bed alone and didn't want you crowding her?"
Madam Xiao nearly laughed but managed to restrain herself, sensing it would be inappropriate.
Chunyu Shi was dumbfounded.
She wanted to say that even concubines didn't necessarily serve the husband together with the principal wife, but how could she voice such things? However, being experienced, she recognized today's situation wasn't favorable (mainly because Shao Shang wasn't playing by conventional rules) and decided to make a swift exit. Turning to Madam Xiao, she said, "This humble one has some trivial matters at home and must take my leave now."
With that, she took a lacquered wooden box from the young maid on her left. "These are deeds for some farmland outside the city, our humble contribution to Shao Shang's dowry from the Marquis and myself. These two maids were purchased from the south for a hundred thousand coins—skilled in dance, song, and cooking. They shall serve Shao Shang and Zisheng in the future...""Madam, you are truly amusing," Shao Shang said with a smile. "I haven't even set foot in Lord Ling's Inner Chamber yet, and here you are, gifting me two beautiful maids to share my future son-in-law's bed. Should I thank you for that? Is this the principle of 'see one, take half'?" She loved nothing more than to make bawdy remarks at the slightest provocation.
"Shao Shang!" Madam Xiao frowned. "Must you speak so crudely?"
Chunyu Shi was indeed furious. "You—how can a young girl like you utter such filthy words..."
"If Madam finds these words filthy," Shao Shang put on an exaggerated look of admiration, "then Madam must be truly pure as ice and lofty in virtue!" Then she sneered coldly. "In this world, some people can do filthy deeds but forbid others from speaking of them. What do you call such people, Madam? Hmph, hypocrites!"
"Are you driving me out?" Chunyu Shi stood abruptly, her face icy with rage.
Seeing her daughter about to veer off into another inappropriate tirade, Madam Xiao quickly interjected sternly, "Does Ling Hou's wife know what it means to 'run with the hare and hunt with the hounds'?"
Chunyu Shi froze.
Madam Xiao lifted her head and stared directly at the noblewoman before her. "Some things cannot be bet on both sides. Zisheng is our future son-in-law, and our family will stand with him. Madam, rather than circling around our household, you should go directly to Zisheng. If he is willing to let 'bygones be bygones,' then we would naturally welcome you as an honored guest. Otherwise, we will not act against Zisheng's wishes."
Madam Xiao's gaze was sharp, her words like knives. Chunyu Shi was momentarily speechless.
Shao Shang clapped her hands and laughed. "Mother, you spoke so well—such profound wisdom, thunderous to the ears, heaven-striking and earth-shattering—"
"If you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all!" Madam Xiao turned and glared furiously at her daughter.
Shao Shang had no choice but to sheepishly close her mouth.
Chunyu Shi smirked coldly. "Given what your daughter has said today, I doubt others would remain unmoved upon hearing it."
"Well, you—" Shao Shang was about to retort with a smile when Madam Xiao's murderous glare silenced her.
"What did my daughter say? She said nothing at all."
Madam Xiao denied it without batting an eye. "If Madam goes out and spreads rumors, our family will absolutely not acknowledge them. Though my husband may not have risen as early as Ling Hou, he still holds some influence in the Capital City. Even His Majesty and the Empress often praise Shao Shang for her recent improvements, frequently bestowing gifts upon her. Who knows whether outsiders would believe Madam's words?"
"Fine, fine!" Chunyu Shi sneered repeatedly. "Today, I have truly come to know you all!... Let's go!" Without waiting for the servants to see her out, she stormed off, her sleeves flaring. The two stunned maids hurriedly followed.
...
Only after the guests had left did Madam Xiao turn to her daughter. "Why did you keep provoking Chunyu Shi? Even if you didn’t want to humor her, there was no need to make an enemy of her."
Shao Shang, however, dodged the question. "Ah, seeing is believing. Mother, when you lose your temper, you are truly awe-inspiring. I only hope this Madam Chunyu summons the same boldness she once showed when competing with Madam Huo for a man and doesn’t shrink back from your intimidation. If she spreads word of my disgraceful behavior today, who knows—I might just solve my problems once and for all."
Madam Xiao was half-convinced but remained noncommittal.Shao Shang's plans were well-intentioned, but many years later when she looked back, it seemed those seemingly serious and earnest plans of hers would always end up galloping off in some absurd direction that left her torn between laughter and tears.
Author's Note:
This was originally a massive chapter of over ten thousand words— sobs —but these past two days, tedious meetings at work completely disrupted my schedule.
Let's see if there'll be any shooting stars tomorrow.
OpenNovel