The Empress watched the girl lost in thought and extended her hand to her. "Help me back to the Inner Chamber. I'm feeling rather tired." Shao Shang complied, gently supporting the Empress's arm as they walked inside.
The Empress's Inner Chamber mirrored her personality—sparsely yet elegantly arranged, exuding a serene and refined beauty. Even when Shao Shang deliberately brought in a vividly painted double-eared pottery vase with a flying phoenix and filled it with bright, exuberant peach blossoms, the Empress merely trimmed and rearranged them with a few deft touches, instantly transforming them into a display of tranquil simplicity. Shao Shang felt she had at least tried.
Exhausted, the Empress lay down on the folding chair and dismissed the palace maids attending the Inner Chamber, leaving only Shao Shang by her side. She then said, "I've raised many children over the years—not just my own, but also those of Consort Yue. In those days, she followed His Majesty on campaigns east and west, leaving her newborns with me until His Majesty no longer needed to lead the troops himself. Only then did she take them back..."
Shao Shang's eyes sparkled. "Wow, Consort Yue is quite bold."
The Empress smiled. "I know you dislike hearing 'you'll understand when you're older,' but a person cannot be judged by mere words. Some can be both loyal and cold-hearted, while others may be treacherous yet filial. You must learn to see for yourself."
Shao Shang pondered this and nodded. No one had ever taught her such lessons before.
"However, of all the children I've raised, I've always cherished Zisheng the most," the Empress sighed. "Others say I've shown him deep maternal kindness, but in my heart, I know that over the years, everything he's done for me and for the Crown Prince has long since repaid any debt." She paused before continuing, "Since you and Zisheng had that... altercation, you must already know about the Fifth Princess's affair..."
"We didn’t fight! We didn’t!" Shao Shang protested hastily. "Nothing of the sort happened!"
The Empress suppressed a laugh. "You two nearly tore my palace apart. If that’s not a fight, what is?"
"Your Majesty, I’ve been wronged! Lord Ling struck first—oh, and he even tried to bite me! After that, he pinned me down the whole time. I barely had a chance to fight back! If the palace was damaged, it was entirely his doing!" Shao Shang felt utterly aggrieved.
The Empress clutched her stomach, stifling laughter. "You’re too modest, Cheng Niangzi. You held your own quite well. You infuriated Zisheng so much that when he left, he ran into Princess Yuchang. Whatever he said to her, she ran off in tears. Ah, over the years, Nuying has shed many tears for him..."
"..." Shao Shang muttered, "Actually, crying now and then is good for the health."
Unable to hold back any longer, the Empress laughed and tapped the girl’s forehead—a gesture so uncharacteristically playful for her decades of dignified composure that it could have been recorded in history.
Rubbing her forehead, Shao Shang grumbled, "Your Majesty, let’s not stray from the topic. Tell me more about Lord Ling. No more digressions..."
"You’re the one digressing, yet you accuse me of it!"
The Empress shot her an amused glare before composing herself and speaking gravely, "The matter with the Fifth Princess was deliberately concealed by certain individuals, waiting until it escalated to bring it before the Crown Prince—forcing him to choose whether to punish his own sister. Fortunately, Zisheng uncovered it early and reported it to His Majesty, sparing the Crown Prince any involvement."
Shao Shang nodded, then frowned. "But what about the Crown Princess’s estate..."
The Empress waved her left hand. "That’s inconsequential. Zisheng has already smoothed it over—there’s no evidence to exploit."
Shao Shang hugged her knees beside the folding chair, glancing at the Empress with unspoken words on her lips.The Empress said, "Speak your mind if you have something to say."
"By your order, I often visit Consort Yue, and more than once I've heard her scolding the princes and princesses. Like the Fifth Princess, the Fourth Princess has her own residence outside the palace, yet she still frequently stays in the palace to attend to Consort Yue. To be honest, I don’t think the Fourth Princess does so willingly—she just doesn’t dare defy Consort Yue. Your Majesty, why don’t you..." Shao Shang trailed off.
The Empress looked at her and said, "You want to ask why I don’t follow Consort Yue’s example and discipline my children from time to time?"
Shao Shang chuckled sheepishly—this question had been on her mind for a long time.
"Consort Yue is bright and forthright in temperament, her every movement and action admirable. But each person has their own way of living. I cannot be her, nor can she be me." The Empress turned her gaze to a piece of silk hanging at the foot of the bed.
"When I was young, I often saw Father and Mother together, composing poetry and inseparable. Our Xuan Family’s ancestral home was a wonderful place—gathering herbs in spring, grilling fish on summer nights, abundant harvests in autumn, and glistening snow in winter. Back then, I thought life would go on like that forever, unaware that chaos was already brewing outside."
Shao Shang sighed. "Your Majesty was born into a good family—wealthy, with loving parents, kind elders, and no need to manage household affairs. Unlike my parents, who often say the world was already in turmoil during their youth."
"Better to be born in hardship and die in peace than the other way around," the Empress said with a slightly self-deprecating smile.
"My father passed away from illness before I turned ten. Fortunately, before that, he had already given the entire family fortune to my uncle—"
"Wait, what?!" Shao Shang, who had been listening with melancholy, suddenly snapped to attention. "Grand Duke Xuan gave the entire family fortune to your uncle?! But... I remember Zhai Nanny said the Grand Duke was the eldest legitimate son..." What kind of family drama was this?!
The Empress covered her mouth with a light laugh, as if amused by the girl’s reaction. "You—it’s as if your own fortune was taken away. What’s the big deal? Filial piety and fraternal duty are the foundations of humanity. Besides, my late father was not adept at managing affairs—he only loved reading and making friends. My mother was the same. So they simply handed the family fortune to my uncle, letting him manage it properly. Isn’t that for the best?"
"But there was no need to give it away! He could’ve just let your uncle manage it!" Shao Shang felt a pang in her chest and decided she would later count the treasures Marquis Xuan had sent her to soothe her emotions.
The Empress said solemnly, "One who does not hold the position should not meddle in its affairs. Managing a family estate and overseeing hundreds in the Xuan Family is exhausting work. To let a capable uncle exhaust himself while my father reaped the benefits—that would hardly be righteous."
Shao Shang had nothing to say to that. "Well... fine. Then what happened after Grand Duke Xuan passed away? Did your uncle treat you well?"
Seeing the concern in the girl’s eyes, the Empress smiled. "Don’t always assume the worst in people. Both before and after my father’s passing, my uncle treated us just as well. In fact, after my father died, he even wanted to return the family fortune to my younger brother. It was Mother who firmly declined, saying it would tarnish Father’s reputation."
"Hmm, giving away such a vast fortune so readily—Grand Duke Xuan’s reputation must’ve been impeccable." Shao Shang wasn’t sure whether to admire or mock such behavior."But chaos eventually swept the land. Those self-proclaimed heroes passing through would often extort money, grain, and laborers. Uncle struggled to cope, barely managing to maintain stability. Mother's brother couldn't bear to see her suffer, so he sent for us to join him." The Empress sighed softly.
Shao Shang nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! I heard some even demanded beautiful daughters, claiming it was to form marital alliances and gain local support. Pah! How dare they? Truly despicable! Father said the initial reason he gathered villagers to train as militia was simply to protect our hometown from harm." In truth, Director Xiao's father, the village elder, had done the same, but he encountered ruthless bandits and met a tragic end—though fortunately, his formidable daughter later restored the family's fortunes.
Seeing the girl propped on the edge of the bed, her bright eyes shining with pride, the Empress smiled. "Cheng Xiaowei is indeed a true hero, bold and admirable."
"Oh, it was nothing, really! Just a small matter, hardly worth mentioning!" Shao Shang giggled modestly before pressing on. "What happened after you moved to Qian'an Royal Manor? Did Prince Qian'an treat Your Majesty's family well? And what about the others in the manor?"
The Empress fell silent for a moment, her gaze distant with melancholy. "These past few years, watching the princes and princesses, I often think of those days. Though my uncle sheltered us under his wing, we were still living under someone else's roof. Yet the three of us—Mother, my younger brother, and I—were so close, so understanding of one another, that we lived in harmony, content with what we had. Between blood relatives, sometimes not even words were needed. Just a single reproachful glance from Mother would make my brother and me burn with shame, immediately reflecting on our mistakes."
Shao Shang seemed to grasp something profound.
"...I remember one year, Mother went to great lengths to have someone bring wild vegetables and dried meat from our hometown—dishes our family often made when Father was alive. My brother and I were overjoyed, savoring them over several meals. He even hid a small piece under his pillow, intending to offer it to Mother later. But it spoiled before he could, and he cried for ages. Whether in our village or the royal manor, no matter what Mother could or couldn’t provide for us, we loved and cherished her all the same."
"But look at Fifth Princess—even gold soups and silver delicacies aren’t enough for her. And Eldest Princess, far cleverer than her sister, is always so respectful and proper in my presence. Yet after every 'filial tribute,' there are always a few requests. And the princes, born and raised in the palace, steeped in power—once they grow a little older, they all have their own schemes..."
"Sometimes, I don’t even know if they’re honoring me or the power I hold, the position I occupy."
Shao Shang watched the Empress quietly—no wonder she was always so unhappy. Deep down, what she yearned for was a pure kind of love: the untainted bond between her parents, the uncomplicated affection between mother and child. Regardless of wealth or poverty, power or disgrace, it remained clean and untarnished.
As memories surfaced, a faint glimmer of tears appeared in the Empress’s eyes. Shao Shang gently handed her a snow-white handkerchief and said softly, "Even if there were hardships in the royal manor, Your Majesty never once complained."
"Why should I complain? It wasn’t as if the manor deliberately mistreated us. My uncle had many concubines, and my aunt was too busy managing them—she did her best." The Empress took the handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her eyes."Throughout my journey, I've encountered nothing but good people. Father and Mother are good, Uncle and Aunt are good, my maternal uncle and aunt are also good... and Your Majesty and Consort Yue are especially good. When I think of my cousins who remained in our hometown, and the sisters in the princely households—some scattered and lost, their fates unknown, others married poorly and living in hardship—only Wen Xiujun remains with whom I can still meet frequently. In those war-torn years, mere survival was difficult enough. I... I've been the most fortunate of all..."
Shao Shang gently smoothed the Empress's hair, carefully removed the hidden cushion behind her back, and assisted her to lie down slowly, whispering softly, "Your Grace, don't speak anymore. Dwelling on the past only brings more sorrow. I promise I won't say thoughtless things again... Please rest now."
Precisely because the Empress had only met good people, spending decades as if cushioned in soft warmth, she never had the chance to develop sharp or harsh traits—whether this was fortunate or not remained unclear.
"No, what you said are things I've actually considered myself," the Empress turned sideways, looking at Shao Shang while lying down. "I've envied Consort Yue's temperament. She always remains unbothered, content in her own way. In earlier years, her conflicts with Old Princess Ruyang were even fiercer. Yet no matter how harsh their words were face-to-face, she could turn around and chat cheerfully as if nothing happened, infuriating the old princess to no end—it was quite satisfying to watch."
"But I can't do that. If I have a falling-out with someone, I can hardly bear to share the same room with them again. If I come to resent someone, I never wish to see them again in this lifetime. Yet... I often lack the resolve to be that decisive..."
The Empress murmured, "Honoring parents, respecting elders—even powerless elders—are such simple principles. Do you think Fifth Princess's Mother Fu, her teachers, and all those who advised her never mentioned these? If she could have listened, she would have long ago. Speaking more to deaf ears is pointless. Never mind—Your Majesty has already decided on her punishment for the land encroachment incident. She'll know when she returns. Whatever I say, she'll only pretend compliance while doing the opposite..."
"Earlier you mentioned Fourth Princess's reluctance to stay in the palace—do you think Consort Yue doesn't know? When children grow up, what's the point of forcing them? Yet she disregards such considerations. Ah... but perhaps that's how one lives freely..." The Empress's voice grew fainter.
Seeing the Empress's eyelids gradually droop, her dignified yet gentle face full of weariness, Shao Shang felt a pang of compassion—what the Empress sought was willing compliance, whereas Consort Yue would rather beat you into submission if persuasion failed. After all, with many children, losing a few matters little.
In this world, the hard-hearted often achieve more, while the tender-hearted not only accomplish little but also accumulate grievances. The Cheng Shaoshang of old, as a believer in jungle law, would have scorned someone like the Empress. But as the Empress said, no person can be judged in a few words—one must see and think for oneself.
Shao Shang knew well how patiently and gently the Empress had tolerated her these past months. Her frequent impertinence, temper, impatience—countless shortcomings that would have made Granny Rong snap a dozen needles, or earned her scathing sarcasm from Consort Yue. Yet in the Everlasting Autumn Palace, she had always felt safe and comfortable.
Shao Shang pulled the quilt over the Empress, her slender fingers gently massaging the older woman's temples. The Empress sighed contentedly with closed eyes and soon fell into deep sleep....
The next morning, the entire palace was bustling with activity—lanterns were hung, decorations arranged, insects driven away, and incense burned. The kitchen area was especially crowded, with people coming and going incessantly, smoke from the stoves rising like pillars. Luo Jitong had been assigned by the Empress to keep a close watch on the Fifth Princess, while Grand Steward Cao Cheng was so busy his feet barely touched the ground. Shao Shang and Zhai Nanny spent the morning accompanying the Empress as she received a crowd of noblewomen and wives who had come to offer birthday congratulations.
From imperial princesses to the wives of dukes and marquises, the main hall was packed to the brim. Though their voices were soft and delicate, their collective birthday wishes could be heard half a li away. The hall was also filled with gifts of all sizes and values. Zhai Nanny directed the eunuchs to move and transport them to the inner chambers, while Shao Shang wielded her brush to meticulously record rare treasures like sea pearl coral trees, rhinoceros horn, fragrant jade, and exquisite ornaments into the ledger.
At this point, she finally understood why the Empress had been reluctant to make a grand spectacle of her birthday. Even without extravagance, her hand was already sore from writing. If it had been more lavish, she might have needed a prosthetic limb.
After a satisfying midday nap, they learned that the Empress had been summoned by the Emperor to the front hall to receive birthday greetings from a few trusted court ministers. Shao Shang and Zhai Nanny finally had some leisure time. They sat opposite each other, sipping fruit nectar, nibbling on pastries, and leisurely sharing gossip.
In her previous life, the librarians at her middle and high schools had been enthusiasts of inspirational literature, collecting hundreds of volumes of Zhiyin , Reader , and Story Club . After turning over a new leaf and cutting ties with her former companions, Shao Shang had few friends at school and spent her free time in the library. Now, she could effortlessly spin dramatic and sensational tales, painting the skies with rosy clouds.
Zhai Nanny, in particular, loved listening to them. But lacking such an extensive repertoire of stories herself, she could only reciprocate by gradually sharing amusing anecdotes and old tales from her early years, maintaining the spirit of mutual exchange.
That day, Shao Shang was concluding a heart-wrenching saga she had been narrating for seven days— A Wife’s Tearful Remarriage to Care for Her Paralyzed Husband and Cruel Mother-in-Law, Then Sharing a Roof to Navigate Life Together .
The story spanned thirty years and involved nearly forty characters, including the heroine’s children with her first husband, her children with her second husband, the second husband’s children with his first wife, the child conceived out of wedlock by the first husband’s first love, the children born after the first husband’s first love married, the children from the second husband’s first wife’s remarriage, and the children from the current husband of the second husband’s first wife and his previous wife…
After hearing the grand finale, Zhai Nanny sniffled and praised, "Truly soul-stirring and tear-jerking!" Shao Shang took a sip of fruit nectar to moisten her throat and glanced at the circle of listeners gathered around. Seeing them all entranced and unable to extricate themselves, she was satisfied with the effect. Honestly, if they were this moved by a story of this caliber, imagine the flood of tears if she unleashed an ancient version of The Unforgettable in the Everlasting Autumn Palace.
Just as the crowd was begging Shao Shang to continue shining in her storytelling career, Luo Jitong’s personal maid, Chuntiao, came looking for her, saying there was something to discuss. Suspecting nothing, Shao Shang smiled and waved goodbye to her devoted audience like a superstar, then stood up gracefully and headed out the door.
The two were old acquaintances and chatted as they walked. Shao Shang couldn’t resist asking gossipily, "...Has Jitong A-jie finished packing her dowry yet?"
Chuntiao was a slightly tall and sturdy girl, but her smile was clever. "Young Lady Cheng, you’ve asked just the right question. These past few days, the household has been so busy we barely have time to eat. Since we’re heading to the far northwest, the Female Lord is worried our Young Lady might face inconveniences. She’d pack even the bowls, chopsticks, and chamber pots if she could!"Shao Shang burst into laughter. "To be honest, I feel nothing but sympathy for your Young Lady. She had already retired and returned home, but then the Empress, fearing the Fifth Princess might misbehave these days, dragged Jitong A-jie back to serve. Oh, by the way, Chuntiao, are you also going to the northwest?"
Chuntiao sighed softly. "I heard the northwest is all sand—no one wants to go. But the Young Lady has treated me so well; how could I not go? The Female lord also said I’m strong and sturdy, so the northwest would suit me best."
Shao Shang thought it made sense and glanced around. "Why aren’t we there yet? I thought we’d just talk a few words outside the palace."
Chuntiao’s eyes flickered slightly. "We’re almost there—it’s the lakeside pavilion ahead." She pointed toward the secluded Mirror Heart Lake.
Shao Shang slowed her steps briefly before quickly catching up again. "Oh, then let’s hurry." She continued teasing, "Have you met Jitong A-jie’s future son-in-law?"
Chuntiao seemed to relax and quickly laughed. "Ah, not just us—even the Female lord hasn’t met him. Only our Young Lady saw him when she went to the northwest the year before last. I happened to be sick that time and didn’t go along. Hmm, I heard the future son-in-law is quite good-looking."
Shao Shang feigned disapproval. "How shallow of you—what matters is his character. Hey, what’s his personality like?"
Chuntiao gradually let her guard down and shook her head with a smile, saying she didn’t know.
Just then, Shao Shang suddenly sneezed, followed by two more in quick succession. "Oh dear, winter’s almost here, and I didn’t bring a cloak when I came out. I should go back and get one." She turned to leave.
Chuntiao panicked and hurriedly stopped her.
Shao Shang planted her hands on her hips and glared. "You know how my health is—your Young Lady knows even better. If I catch a cold, are you going to take responsibility?"
As the evening chill of late autumn deepened, beads of sweat formed on Chuntiao’s forehead from sheer anxiety. She clung tightly to Shao Shang, refusing to let her go back.
"It’s really urgent—the Young Lady insisted I must speak with you…" Chuntiao whispered nervously, her voice low.
Hearing this, Shao Shang reluctantly nodded. But when she sneezed twice more, she absolutely refused to go any farther. In the end, she suggested waiting where she was while Chuntiao ran back to fetch the cloak. Chuntiao was strong and fast—she could hurry back without delaying matters.
Chuntiao looked at Shao Shang’s delicate, unsuspecting face, gritted her teeth, and agreed, quickly turning to sprint back.
Shao Shang smiled and waved as Chuntiao left, her expression turning cold only after the girl was out of sight. Then she decisively turned and walked away.
—Whether Chuntiao was up to something or she was just being overly cautious, it was better to be safe than sorry. There was no way she was going to that lakeside pavilion—she needed to get to a crowded place as soon as possible.
She swiftly skirted Mirror Heart Lake and strode along the western shore of Sacred Light Lake, heading straight back to the Everlasting Autumn Palace. But as she turned a corner, she nearly collided with a boisterous group of finely dressed young nobles. At their head was none other than the Fifth Prince, who had just been dragged off by Ling Buyi to testify the day before.
The Fifth Prince’s face lit up the moment he saw her. "Well, well, look who it is!"
Shao Shang had no patience for this fop and was about to walk away when a thought suddenly struck her. She turned back, studied the Fifth Prince for a long moment, and then smiled.
Author’s Note:
Why are people still complaining about the "Author’s Note"? It’s free—I’ve seen other stories do the same, and no one says anything about those.
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