Xiao Yongjia wore an elegant high chignon and luxurious robes, her makeup exquisite, presenting a magnificent appearance as Luoshen was accustomed to seeing. With her face slightly raised, she stood before the Li family gate. Seeing Luoshen rushing out, her eyes brightened immediately and a smile appeared on her face. She quickly stepped forward, extending her arms to embrace her daughter, calling out “my precious heart” and “my precious heart,” then saying “Mother missed you to death.”

“A’Niang, I missed you too!”

Xiao Yongjia smiled and nodded, looking over Luoshen with her gaze sweeping around her body. Her smile then disappeared, her brow furrowed, and she turned toward A’Ju who stood to the side.

“How have you been serving A’Mi? Why is A’Mi dressed like this?”

When Luoshen first arrived in Jingkou, her clothing and adornment still followed her previous habits at home—she would wear only beautiful clothes and adorn herself with only gold and jade. When she went out, her ornaments would chime melodiously, and when she entered, they would ring crisp and clear. Her jewelry was resplendent and magnificent, displaying an imposing nobility.

But after just a few days, she felt that such attire was out of place in the Li household and rather ostentatious, so she reduced her daily makeup and dress somewhat.

By these recent days, with Li Mu not at home and her rarely going out, plus having been intent on wrestling with the spinning wheel and spindle these past few days, for convenience of movement, her clothing and appearance became increasingly simple.

Like today, Luoshen had arranged her hair in a spiral chignon with only a jade hairpin inserted at her temples, small pearl drops the size of rice grains in her ear piercings, and wore everyday light apricot-colored layered clothing. Though the style was simple, the material was soft and very warm. Combined with light boots and silk stockings, it allowed complete freedom of movement, which she quite liked—but this attire, falling under Xiao Yongjia’s gaze, inevitably appeared shabby, naturally leading to her questioning A’Ju.

The Eldest Princess’s sudden arrival in Jingkou came without prior notice. By the time they knew, she had already entered the gate, leaving them unprepared and caught off guard.

Seeing her displeasure, A’Ju hurried to apologize, but Luoshen had already said: “A’Niang, it has nothing to do with them. It’s because I myself like it that I chose to wear these clothes! This isn’t Jiankang after all—why must we be so particular!”

Xiao Yongjia still looked somewhat displeased, but since her daughter had said so, she had to let it go. Instead, she took her hand and gripped it, causing those two willow-leaf eyebrows to furrow again.

Luoshen realized with alarm and wanted to withdraw her hand, but it was too late. Her hand was firmly caught by Xiao Yongjia, who turned it over and stared at her palm. Her expression darkened again as she turned once more toward A’Ju: “What has become of A’Mi’s hands? What exactly has she been doing here each day?”

Luoshen’s pair of hands had truly “never touched spring water” since childhood, having been pampered and kept extremely tender. These days, due to being busy with spinning, her palms and fingers had been constantly rubbed by the spindle and yarn, inevitably causing discomfort. The day before yesterday at the worst point, several fingers had swollen slightly. After applying cooling medicinal ointment, today the swelling had subsided, but several shallow light red marks from the friction still remained.

A’Ju truly had grievances she couldn’t voice. Facing Xiao Yongjia, how could she dare mention that Luoshen spun yarn daily? She hemmed and hawed, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

“A’Niang, what else could I be doing? It’s just that having nothing to do, to pass the time, I played at spinning yarn for a few days! My hands are fine!”

Luoshen withdrew her hand, glanced outside, and saw that the high carriage and ceremonial procession stopped outside the gate had nearly blocked the road. Many neighbors who had come upon hearing the news stood at both ends, all looking toward the gate with expressions mixing curiosity and awe—very different from usual days. She hurriedly pulled the still-grim Xiao Yongjia’s hand, dragging her inside.

“A’Niang, come in quickly. My mother-in-law’s eyesight is somewhat inconvenienced—let me take you to see her…”

As she spoke, the sound of a walking stick tapping the ground came from within the moon gate. Lu Shi, having heard the news, was already being supported by A’Ting as they hurried out to greet them.

A’Ting had just called out “Sister-in-law,” when she saw the middle-aged beautiful woman beside Luoshen—luxuriously dressed with noble bearing, but with furrowed brows and an expression that didn’t look too pleasant. Knowing this was her sister-in-law’s mother, the current Eldest Princess, she froze, her smile solidifying on her face. Not daring to approach, she stopped in her tracks.

“Has the Eldest Princess arrived?”

Lu Shi was already speaking with a smile.

“The Eldest Princess has traveled far to come here—the journey must have been arduous. Please come in quickly and rest first, would that be acceptable?”

Xiao Yongjia’s gaze swept over Lu Shi without immediately responding.

The atmosphere grew tense.

“A’Niang!”

Luoshen immediately leaned close to Xiao Yongjia’s ear, lowering her voice: “Mother-in-law has been extremely good to me! Don’t take your anger out on her, and especially don’t be rude to her!”

Xiao Yongjia was startled and looked at her daughter. Seeing her wide bright eyes looking at her with gazes full of pleading, she hesitated, then finally reluctantly suppressed her displeasure and responded: “So you are Li Mu’s mother? Since your eyes are inconvenienced, why come out? I can go in myself.”

Due to her daughter’s sake, though Xiao Yongjia had responded, her tone still carried undisguised coldness.

How could Lu Shi not hear this? Yet her smile remained as she stepped aside, saying to Luoshen: “A’Mi, quickly invite your mother inside.”

Luoshen agreed and tugged at Xiao Yongjia’s sleeve: “A’Niang, let’s go in.”

Xiao Yongjia entered the moon gate, passed through the courtyard, and came to the main hall. Her gaze swept around the surroundings, and she looked at her daughter beside her with pitying eyes. Her lips pressed tighter, brows furrowed, saying nothing.

A’Ju ordered Qiongshu and Yingtao to prepare tea and water while she attended at the side.

Under Luoshen’s repeated hints, Xiao Yongjia finally reluctantly took a seat. Arranging her sleeves, she began: “Lu Shi, I always speak straightforwardly without beating around the bush. If I give offense, don’t take it amiss. The purpose of my trip to Jingkou is to take my daughter back to Jiankang. I raised her for sixteen years, and she never left my side for half a step. Now she’s married far away to your place here. When your son was at home, it was acceptable, but now he’s gone off to war with no knowing when he’ll return. I truly miss my daughter, so I’ve simply come to take her to my place for some time.”

After finishing, she turned toward A’Ju.

“Go, pack A’Mi’s things. She’ll come with me today.”

The smile on Lu Shi’s face gradually disappeared. She remained silent, not speaking for a moment.

Luoshen was stunned.

During these days of marriage here, though Lu Shi had been extremely good to her and her sister-in-law got along with her like a real sister, it was still a completely unfamiliar place after all. Food, clothing, shelter, daily life habits—everything was vastly different from what she had been familiar with before.

Though she was making herself adapt, and by now had not only gradually integrated but even found some small pleasures she’d never had before.

But from deep in her heart, facing Li Mu—such a “husband” she was not satisfied with yet had to face—she truly had no anticipation whatsoever for the days ahead.

Sometimes in the deep of night, listening to the breathing sounds from that man on the couch outside her bed-curtains, when she couldn’t sleep, she had also secretly shed tears from missing her parents.

She did indeed want to return to Jiankang a little.

But not in this high-handed manner of her mother’s.

Her face quickly flushed hot as she looked at Lu Shi.

“A’Niang, I won’t go back for now!”

Xiao Yongjia was stunned: “What did you say?”

“I won’t return with you! A’Niang, I’m very happy you came to see me, but I don’t want to go back just yet.”

“A’Mi, say that again? Will you return or not?”

“I won’t return for now. A’Niang, you’ve come from far away—why don’t I accompany you to stay at the estate for some days, then see you off when the time comes.”

Xiao Yongjia was frozen.

She couldn’t believe it. Her daughter, who had been forced to marry into such a family, in just short of a month’s time, was already so protective of her mother-in-law.

Not only that, but she actually refused to return with her?

Looking at her daughter who was contradicting her in front of outsiders, that surge of anger and bitterness that had been building since she stepped into this residence could no longer be contained and began rolling through her heart in waves.

“What good is there in this place? Why won’t you return with A’Niang?”

Her expression was extremely ugly. After speaking, she coldly swept a glance at Lu Shi.

“If someone is restraining her with so-called filial duty, there’s no need. I can take just my daughter back alone. The rest of the people she brought can remain here for your disposal. If that’s not enough, I can send another hundred or so people—no problem at all, as long as your place can accommodate them!”

“A’Niang! How can you speak like this? My not returning has nothing to do with mother-in-law! Earlier, mother-in-law herself suggested I return, but I chose not to!”

Luoshen felt both ashamed and angry as she stood up abruptly.

Xiao Yongjia clearly didn’t believe this and snorted: “Then tell me why you won’t return?”

Luoshen was momentarily speechless.

Lu Shi, who had been silent, suddenly coughed lightly, turned toward Xiao Yongjia’s direction, and said: “Eldest Princess, please calm your anger and hear my words. Since A’Mi came to my family, she has conducted herself perfectly in all matters. Not only does my whole family praise her, but even the neighbors have nothing but compliments. Whether in bearing or in dealing with people and affairs, only a family of Gao Shi’s caliber could raise such a fine daughter. Her coming to my Li family is a blessing my Li family earned over several lifetimes. This matter started from my lack of consideration. How could I not know that mother and daughter share one heart? It’s no matter on my side—A’Mi can certainly return with you to Jiankang first to stay for some time. Eldest Princess, your journey was also arduous—there’s no need to rush back immediately. Why not rest at the estate tonight and set out tomorrow morning with A’Mi?”

She spoke with a slight smile, and after her words ended, the room fell into complete silence.

Xiao Yongjia looked at her once, her brow moving slightly as if wanting to speak, but finally held back.

“Mother-in-law!”

Luoshen walked to Lu Shi’s side, her eyes still containing the glimmering tears from being angered moments before.

Lu Shi softly comforted her: “Mother-in-law truly has no concerns—Sister-in-law Jiang will look after things. Your mother traveled far without sparing hardship to fetch you—such devoted affection moves me. You can go with her in peace.”

Things having reached this point, Luoshen knew she could only return for now, otherwise with her mother’s temperament, it would likely be even more difficult here. She could only nod.

Seeing her daughter willing to return, Xiao Yongjia’s expression finally cleared somewhat. She stood up, looking at A’Ju.

A’Ju understood and stepped forward: “In that case, I’ll have people pack the young lady’s luggage. Young lady, rest tonight with the Eldest Princess at the estate and depart tomorrow.”

Lu Shi felt for Luoshen’s hand and gently patted the back of it, smiling: “Go then. When Mu’er returns, I’ll have him come fetch you.”

…

Luoshen said goodbye to A’Ting, who was shedding tears, and accompanied Xiao Yongjia to the estate.

Jingkou Magistrate Sun Ning and local and neighboring county gentry, hearing the news, all rushed to pay their respects.

How could Xiao Yongjia socialize with these people? She had them all sent away without seeing a single one. After spending one night, early the next morning, she took her daughter to board a carriage to the dock, boarded the ship waiting there, and took the water route back to Jiankang.

The dock area was bustling to begin with, and this day happened to coincide with the local market day, making the roads even more crowded with vehicles and horses. But with the Eldest Princess’s ceremonial procession leading the way and the Jingkou Magistrate personally seeing them off, passersby naturally made way. Though slower, the journey encountered no blockages.

Because Luoshen still harbored anger in her heart, though she followed Xiao Yongjia back, she hadn’t spoken much to her since last night. At this moment sitting in the carriage, she was the same—sitting alone with her knees hugged, saying nothing.

Seeing her daughter’s gloom, Xiao Yongjia couldn’t help but recall yesterday’s meeting with Lu Shi.

In her imagination, since Li Mu was such a scoundrel and despicable person, the mother who bore and raised him naturally couldn’t be anything good either. With this preconceived notion, plus being convinced her daughter was suffering at their house, her attitude yesterday was naturally not courteous.

She hadn’t expected the other party to be unlike what she’d imagined—not only that, but quite gracious. In comparison, it made her own behavior seem rude. Moreover, last night when she asked A’Ju why she hadn’t advised Luoshen to return home earlier, A’Ju mentioned that the day before Li Mu left home, Lu Shi had indeed proactively suggested the young lady return to Jiankang, but the young lady herself had refused. She couldn’t help but feel somewhat regretful, but thinking about it again made her angry. She couldn’t help but complain: “A’Niang wholeheartedly wanted what’s best for you. Knowing that Li Mu had left and not seeing you return, fearing you were too thin-skinned to speak up, I simply came to fetch you. But you—not only don’t you appreciate my kindness, you even get angry with me over an outsider! What’s so good about that place? I bore and raised you for sixteen years, and in just these few days, can I really not compare to the mother of a warrior who forcibly took you from A’Niang’s side? Your partiality has reached such a point—it truly breaks my heart…”

Her husband was already cold toward her, and her always caring daughter, having been married for just these few days, was no longer on her side either.

Xiao Yongjia’s heart turned sour as she turned her face away.

Luoshen glanced at her mother and saw her face turned away with her eye circles seemingly slightly red. Remembering how good she usually was to her, her heart softened. How could she remain stiff any longer? She turned and hugged her mother’s arm.

“A’Niang, how could I not know how good you are to me? It’s not that I don’t want to return, nor am I being partial, and I certainly didn’t mean to anger you on purpose. It’s just that mother-in-law is truly a good person. When you arrived and said those things, how do you think mother-in-law felt hearing them?”

Seeing her daughter finally willing to talk to her, Xiao Yongjia felt somewhat better. She held her soft body in return, embracing her, and snorted: “I don’t care how she felt! Why doesn’t she think about how I felt when her son forcibly took you from my side and ruined your whole life?”

Luoshen’s heart was a tangled mess, not knowing what to say for the moment.

Xiao Yongjia gently wiped the corner of her eye and showed a smile: “Enough, let’s not speak of it! This time you’re returning with A’Niang—just settle down peacefully and don’t think about anything else…”

As she spoke, the carriage suddenly stopped and ceased moving forward.

Xiao Yongjia called toward the carriage window: “What’s happened?”

An attendant replied: “Eldest Princess, don’t be anxious. The road ahead is blocked—it will clear shortly.”

Xiao Yongjia lifted the curtain and glanced out, seeing a high sedan chair carried by eight men in the middle of the road ahead, with a female Celestial Master seated on top.

The female Celestial Master’s face was covered with white gauze, concealed completely with only a pair of eyes visible. Due to the distance, they couldn’t see very clearly. They could only see her in Daoist robes, flowing and trailing, yet unable to conceal her graceful figure. She sat solemnly on the high sedan with an air of transcendent otherworldliness. Behind her followed dozens of believers—men and women, old and young, mixed together, chanting Daoist principles in their mouths, moving in a grand procession, parading through the streets right down the middle of the road, coming toward them from the opposite direction.

Looking at that display, it was actually several degrees more impressive than her own.

When Xiao Yongjia was at Bailu Zhou, though she often visited Daoist temples and sometimes, when the mood struck, would wear Daoist robes herself, in truth she followed her husband and didn’t worship the Celestial Master religion. Going to the temple was only because that old Daoist nun would actively come visit her, and seeing her well-traveled and witty in speech, she gradually developed relations with her to pass the long, difficult days and nights.

Xiao Yongjia furrowed her brow and gave a low snort: “Playing gods and ghosts!” She casually dropped the curtain, waiting for the other party to yield.

Unexpectedly, that female Celestial Master seemed to think highly of her own status and refused to give way, leading the crowd of believers behind her to stop in the middle of the road.

Jingkou Magistrate Sun Ning, seeing the situation, rushed forward.

Celestial Master believers were now spread throughout the Three Wu regions, with followers worshipping them like gods. When encountering such situations on the road, ordinary local officials like Sun Ning would have no choice but to yield to them.

But at this moment, over there was the Eldest Princess Qinghe. With the Eldest Princess’s exalted status, how could she possibly yield to a female Celestial Master?

Sun Ning recognized the accompanying guard Shao Fengzhi among them and went over to explain that the opposite party was the Eldest Princess’s carriage, asking this side to yield first so the Eldest Princess could pass through.

Shao Fengzhi quickly glanced at the opposite side and hurried to the high sedan, whispering: “Elder sister, perhaps we should yield first…”

But the female Celestial Master on the sedan seemed not to hear, keeping her eyes lowered, still sitting upright, motionless.

Roadside passersby, seeing this, showed expressions of surprise and stopped one after another to watch these two groups of people facing each other in the road yet neither yielding, whispering among themselves.

Not knowing who started it, the believers behind the female Celestial Master suddenly began chanting Daoist principles in unison again, clustering around the high sedan as if to continue forward—a stance of forcing the Eldest Princess to yield first.

The Jingkou Magistrate silently drew a sharp breath, sweating from anxiety. Just as he was about to speak again, from the carriage over there suddenly came an icy woman’s voice: “After the old Daoist leader of the Celestial Master religion died, the succeeding leader Zhang Xiang just recently came to Jiankang to present his calling card, wanting to pay respects to my husband. What are you supposed to be? Not bowing when you see me would be fine—I wouldn’t quibble with you—but to be so arrogant! Do you really think you’re some divine being descended from heaven?”

“Clear the way! Anyone blocking the road shall be arrested for the crime of defying superiors!”

Everyone under heaven knew that Prime Minister Gao had married the Eldest Princess.

It was said that the Eldest Princess had a fierce temperament and was extremely formidable.

Today, though they couldn’t see her in person, just hearing her voice, she truly lived up to her reputation.

The roadside immediately quieted down, everyone becoming silent as mice, staring wide-eyed.

When Xiao Yongjia traveled far from home, guards and ceremonial procession naturally accompanied her. At her command, the dozens of armored guards in front all responded in unison, holding their halberds and staffs, continuing to walk forward.

The eight strong men carrying the high sedan, usually mighty and imposing with eyes looking down on everyone, now saw the situation was wrong.

Those armored guards opposite were imposing and majestic, carrying weapons, and in a moment had pressed close—where did they find the courage to continue opposing them? They all retreated, causing the high sedan to become unstable for a moment. The female Celestial Master on top couldn’t sit steady and swayed several times, nearly tumbling down headfirst. Fortunately, Shao Fengzhi was quick-eyed and swift-handed, catching her in time and hurriedly ordering people to yield to the side.

After a chaotic commotion, the Eldest Princess’s carriage passed through and quickly departed with great fanfare.

Though the female Celestial Master quickly regained her composure, she was inevitably somewhat disheveled. Shao Fengzhi hurriedly lowered the curtains, then busied himself reorganizing the group and ordering them to continue forward.

The woman’s body was concealed behind the curtains, but her eyes stared fixedly through the curtain gaps at that high carriage gradually receding in the distance, shooting out resentful and vicious glares. Her fingernails dug deeply into her palms, yet she felt no pain whatsoever.

Nearly twenty years!

Back then, she had been robbed of her beloved by this woman surnamed Xiao, who had also destroyed everything for her.

All these years, she had endured humiliation and carried heavy burdens, living as if in eternal night, no different from the walking dead.

But this woman still possessed everything—status, husband, daughter, still so high and mighty, holding power over life and death, insufferably arrogant.

How unjust this world was!

She, Shao Yuniang, swore that one day she would have her revenge, would overturn this unjust world, would crush this woman under her feet!

She swore it!

…

Her mother’s way of conducting affairs had always been like this.

Moreover, in today’s matter, it was indeed that female Celestial Master on the other side who was rude first. Perhaps she really did think of herself as some divine being—she brought the humiliation on herself.

Luoshen didn’t take it to heart either. Following Xiao Yongjia to the dock, she got out of the carriage and looked back one last time in the direction of the City God Temple, then turned around. Just as she was about to board the boat, she suddenly heard a voice behind her: “Sister-in-law!”

Luoshen turned back and saw A’Ting and Shen Shi standing in a corner of the wharf. Shen Shi’s face bore a smile, while A’Ting hid behind her, looking toward them as if wanting to come over but not daring to.

Luoshen hurriedly walked over, greeted Shen Shi, then looked toward A’Ting.

A’Ting revealed a smile and quickly glanced at the Eldest Princess standing at the bow, then brought out something she had brought from behind her back and offered it over, saying softly: “Sister-in-law, didn’t you say a few days ago you wanted a new spindle? I had Carpenter Yao carve this for you—it’s made from the finest boxwood, and I had him polish it smooth so there wouldn’t be a single splinter. It happened to be finished this morning, so I brought it for you. Do you want it?”

She bit her lip looking at Luoshen, seeming somewhat anxious.

Luoshen was startled, took the spindle, felt it over, and smiled: “Of course I want such a fine thing. Wait for me to return, and we’ll compete again to see who spins faster.”

A’Ting finally relaxed, showing a joyful smile: “Then I’ll wait for you at home. Sister-in-law, you must remember to come back—don’t forget me, mother, and brother.”

For some reason, Luoshen suddenly felt her nose tingle with emotion, but pretending nothing was wrong, she smiled: “Don’t worry, A’Ting. Sister-in-law is just going back to stay for a short while—in a few days, I’ll return.”

A’Ting smiled and nodded.

Shen Shi handed over a bamboo basket covered with a clean handkerchief.

“Hearing that the young lady was returning today, I had nothing special to give, but these are eggs saved up by a few reed chickens at home, plus some dates. I hope the young lady won’t disdain them.”

Luoshen hurriedly accepted it with repeated thanks.

Shen Shi smiled: “Young lady, don’t worry. I’m here. I’ll take good care of mother-in-law.”

She glanced toward the bow and whispered again: “Young lady, go quickly now so the Eldest Princess doesn’t have to wait.”

Luoshen nodded, patted A’Ting’s head, turned around and boarded the ship, entering the cabin.

Xiao Yongjia glanced at the bamboo basket full of eggs and dates she had brought aboard and the spindle in her hand, frowning as if to say something, but finally forcibly held back and only ordered the ship to depart.

The ship left Jingkou dock and sailed leisurely toward Jiankang’s direction.