Having decided to straighten out her mentality, Madam Xiao acted immediately upon making the decision. She thought that since this daughter had grown up beside someone with improper intentions like Ge Shi, she must be taught from the beginning. Rather than teaching skills, it would be better to first correct her character.

The next day she sent Shaoshang over ten bamboo scroll tubes – four volumes of “Jijiuzhang,” four volumes of “Fanjiang Pian,” and several volumes of “Cangjie Pian.” Whether because it was inconvenient approaching year’s end, or because this era simply had no custom of hiring private tutors, in any case Madam Xiao didn’t specifically find a master for Shaoshang. On ordinary days, whichever of Madam Qing Cong and Cheng Shaogong was free would come teach a few characters – but this continued daily without break.

Sometimes Madam Xiao would also condescend to come instruct Shaoshang on the posture for holding a writing brush, indicating that after finishing these, she would need to begin reciting basic classics – Confucian, Daoist, and Strategist schools, the Book of Songs, Songs of Chu, Sima’s rhapsodies, making incense, arranging flowers, pitch-pot games, kickball – all varieties, so as not to fail being a qualified refined lady of a noble house.

Shaoshang disagreed in her heart. She had already decided in future to eat her own rice. What she truly wanted to learn was not these things at all. Learning characters was fine, but those various classics… Moreover, learning characters didn’t delay learning practical affairs either. After enduring two days, she finally couldn’t help saying: “Books can be memorized slowly. Right now daughter wants more to understand economic studies and worldly practical affairs.”

Who knew Madam Xiao would dismiss her with one light sentence: “Reading books to understand principles is the foundation of all things. When books are read clearly, what worry is there of not achieving something in how one conducts oneself in the world?”

Only at this moment did Shaoshang understand Yang Xiaoguo’s pain back then: you’re anxious to learn martial arts to establish your livelihood and secure your position, but she leisurely has you recite moral essays. If the day truly comes when you take a beating, which can you rely on! Shaoshang had tried bringing this up with her great backer Cheng Shi, but Madam Xiao quoted classics citing precedents one set after another – Father Cheng couldn’t withstand it either. Thus she could only continue memorizing books and learning characters, staying within doors without going out. Alas.

Before long, goose-feather snow fell outside. The northern lands were high and cold – snowflakes fell to the ground without melting. The ground quickly accumulated a thick fluffy snow carpet, covering heaven and earth in white vastness like a flour mill.

On this day, the Cheng family brothers and father rarely went out to visit friends or socialize. The whole family sat around the fire stove talking, laughing and drinking wine like in the humble years of the past. Speaking to happy moments, the three Cheng brothers even tapped their wine cups with wooden chopsticks while singing hometown folk songs. The singing voices were either rough and bold or clear and bright, the sound spiraling around the pillars. Singing to the height of interest, Madam Xiao and Sang Shi also joined in harmony. Everyone sang with rich interest – even the servants patrolling and sweeping outside exchanged smiles. Among the younger generation, only Cheng Yang could keep up for a few lines. The rest could only smile while clapping hands and striking tables.

Mother Cheng herself was tone-deaf, unable to sing even half a tune accurately. Now seeing her hall full of children and grandchildren, harmonious and happy, she was extremely pleased, no longer even finding fault with the two disagreeable daughters-in-law. Who knew at this moment, a maidservant suddenly came to report: Old Master Ge had arrived.

Cheng Cheng’s wooden chopsticks raised in midair, about to strike down, dropped with a clatter onto the food table, his face full of panic.

Everyone looked at each other, all at a loss.

Although Cheng Shi had sent people to the Ge family to inform them of everything, he thought at least they wouldn’t come until after New Year’s Day. Who knew now with only four days until New Year’s Day, Old Master Ge had actually come in person. Cheng Cheng was at a loss, standing up and even knocking over his wine cup. Only Cheng Yang, upon hearing that Old Master Ge had brought his eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law together, had her eyes light up, unable to hide the excited expression on her face.

Old Master Ge’s beard and hair were all grizzled white, his figure prosperous, his clothing simple. Probably because of rushing on the road, his face was full of weatherworn expression. At his sides, left and right, his eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law supported him. All three of these family members had gentle faces and mild speech, belonging to that type of appearance that made people feel at first glance they were good people. Shaoshang simply couldn’t connect them with Ge Shi who was full of dark, sinister hostility. Hearing from Lian Fang, Old Master Ge had also brought over ten large carts, seemingly loaded with a pile of pigs, sheep, rice, millet, wine, dried fruit and such New Year goods.

Mother Cheng couldn’t put on airs and quickly went out to welcome them. Following behind, Cheng Yang endured and endured, finally unable to restrain herself from advancing past the crowd, kneeling before Old Master Ge, saying tearfully: “Maternal Grandfather, Uncle, Aunt!”

Aunt Ge quickly came forward to help Cheng Yang up. At that moment her eyes moistened, full of loving affection she couldn’t hide, stroking Cheng Yang’s face, murmuring: “…Our Yangyang has grown taller and become much more beautiful.”

Cheng Yang cried and laughed, hugging Aunt Ge unwilling to let go, wishing she could drill her head into her warm garment front, begging Aunt to just tuck her in her bosom and take her back to the Ge family. Uncle Ge couldn’t release the old father to come over himself, only able to crane his neck constantly to look, the caring expression on his face only a truly loving father would reveal, rambling on: “Yangyang, Uncle brought you many things. Yangyang don’t cry, don’t cry, it’s cold – it will freeze and hurt your face…” Actually these words were quite impolite, but no one took issue.

Shaoshang slowly retreated a step. The playful smiling expression on her face slowly faded. She quietly leaned against the corridor edge, hiding herself in the corner. Only after everyone exchanged greetings and walked toward the inner hall did she slowly emerge. Lowering her head, she opened her clenched fist – in her snow-white palm were four deep pink fingernail marks. Gazing in the direction the crowd had gone, Shaoshang turned her head. Not caring about Madam Xiao’s scolding later, she directly returned to her own small courtyard.

– She had no opinion of Cheng Yang. Seeing her ordinary words and actions were honest and kind, one knew she had been taught very well.

It’s just that from when she was very very small, she knew the most hateful thing in this world wasn’t that both parents were callous, but watching with eyes wide open as on the left and right around her were pairs of really great parents, yet she just couldn’t get her turn.

…

Madam Xiao had no time to manage her at this moment. In the hurried circumstances, she both had to arrange guest rooms for the three Ge family members and settle the large group of people from the Ge family’s accompanying convoy. Seeing her so busy her feet didn’t touch the ground, Sang Shi volunteered to help, going to extract Ge Shi who had been confined for many days from the old residence, tidy her up, and return her properly to the Ge family.

Because Ge Shi couldn’t go out, these days she could only eat and sleep, sleep and eat, so not only hadn’t she gotten thinner, her cheeks had actually become much more plump. Knowing her family had come, she said proudly: “You all just wait! The grievances I’ve suffered these days – I must have an explanation!”

Sang Shi looked at her incredulously: “You think your father came to stand up for you?” Never mind the current Cheng family – even the Cheng family before making their fortune never spoke humbly and submissively to the Ge family.

Ge Shi choked. Although she had been confined, someone still informed her of outside news. She also knew Cheng Shi had now been promoted and gotten wealthy – her own family could no longer control them. Just now was merely her habitual stubbornness.

Sang Shi felt that continuing to speak with Ge Shi would drag down her own IQ. She quickly directed the martial maids Madam Xiao had given to drag and haul the person to the new residence’s inner hall.

At this time the inner hall still had the fire stove burning bright, warming the entire room. But it no longer had the pleasant meaning from when the Cheng brothers earlier struck cups singing loudly. The younger generation had been cleared out, wine and food re-arranged, but no one moved their chopsticks. Only awkward cold silence filled the room. Even the usually fast-talking Cheng Shi didn’t know where to begin. Still it was Old Master Ge who spoke first-

“…This old fool pitied her for losing her mother young and indulged her excessively. Knowing her many improprieties, I still had the shameless face to marry her into the Cheng family. It’s only made everyone suffer – so many years of endurance. Here this old fool apologizes first!”

Speaking thus, he was about to bow fully to Mother Cheng and Cheng Shi. On both sides, Uncle Ge and Aunt Ge also followed to bow. Mother Cheng was badly frightened, her whole person shrinking backward, nearly knocking over the food table. Cheng Shi nimbly stepped forward, forcefully helping Old Master Ge up, repeatedly saying it couldn’t be done.

Ge Shi kneeling at the side shrieked: “Father! What are you saying? It’s the Cheng family that has wronged me greatly…” Before she could finish, Uncle Ge could no longer endure. He stood up at once, striding over in a few large steps and forcefully slapping Ge Shi across the face, directly hitting half her face purple-red, half her body collapsing on the ground.

“Since you were born, Father has complied with everything you wanted, how dearly he cherished you – have you shown even one day’s filial devotion?! Day after day causing trouble and stirring up incidents! Father is already seventy this year. For your sake, he braved wind and snow traveling day and night continuously. You until now still have not half a bit of guilty conscience. You, you are worse than pigs and dogs! A beast too!”

Uncle Ge himself was also someone who had become a grandfather, quite prestigious in the countryside, yet still needed to brave wind and snow for days continuously coming to the Cheng family to apologize for his immature younger sister. Thinking of the old father’s suffering being even greater than his own, he became doubly unable to contain his rage.

Ge Shi was hit dizzy and confused. Raising her head and seeing Uncle Ge so angry he was gnashing his teeth, both eyes bloodshot – both afraid and guilty, she could only turn her head aside, not daring to open her mouth again.

Old Master Ge didn’t even look at his daughter. Using Cheng Shi’s arm for support, he rose to sit down, continuing to speak of Ge Shi’s various evil deeds. While speaking he apologized, his apology sincere. He spoke until even Cheng Shi felt embarrassed, saying: “Old Master, this way makes us feel ashamed. Thinking back to when I first raised my cause, if not for Old Master’s grain and provisions assistance, how could I…”

Old Master Ge waved his hand, stopping Cheng Shi from continuing, sighing: “General, please don’t mention these words again. Only my daughter, this kind of ignorant woman, would daily hang those grain and provisions on her lips. Back then the world was in great chaos, military turmoil and bandit disasters filled the fields. A family like mine with meager assets but no backing was nothing more than a piece of rich meat at the hungry wolf’s mouth. Outside, countless families were ruined. Fortunately the General raised his arm and called out – only then could we neighbors be preserved. As for that matter of the Chen bandit, the General need not take it to heart even more…”

Speaking thus, he smiled bitterly: “Speaking plain truth – that Chen bandit everywhere plundered wealthy families. Wherever he passed, not a blade of grass remained. Seizing wealth and resources was one thing – even people weren’t spared. Originally if the General had perished, the Ge family would inevitably have been unable to escape the path of annihilation. What is there to speak of thanks!”

Actually Cheng Shi had also rolled these words through his belly several times, feeling he didn’t owe the Ge family anything. But now that Old Master Ge himself said it aloud, and every sentence came from his heart, he felt embarrassed again. He could only silently sit to the side, thinking that good people were much harder to deal with than bad people.

Old Master Ge turned toward Mother Cheng again, saying: “Speaking from the heart, my daughter as this kind of woman – if she were a wife in my family, I would also have no choice but to divorce her. Fortunately the Cheng family is benevolent and has endured until now. These ten years in the countryside, my ears and eyes were blocked. I originally thought as her years gradually increased, her temperament would also slowly improve. But hearing the returning person’s report, only then did I know this wretched obstacle not only hasn’t reformed, but has intensified. It’s only made Zirong suffer…” Speaking thus, he looked toward Cheng Cheng, weeping: “I myself didn’t teach my daughter well, yet harmed you…”

Cheng Cheng had already been unable to sit or stand still. At this moment he fell to his knees with a thud before Old Master Ge, also weeping: “Don’t say that. I also, I also have faults. She originally…” Speaking thus he was about to state his own faults again. Cheng Shi cursed him in his belly for being useless, but it wasn’t good to speak up.

Who knew Old Master Ge wouldn’t let him continue speaking, his aged voice trembling: “You needn’t say anything more. You – this old fool watched you grow up since you were small. How could I not know your character? Originally I thought this lifetime being father-in-law and son-in-law was a great fortunate affinity. Never expected it would make you eat bitter suffering, wearing away your will and spirit! This old fool, this old fool – what face do I have to see you? Today, you just issue a letter of divorce. I’ll take this wretched obstacle back! Hereafter, hereafter if you’re still willing to acknowledge me as this neighboring old man, calling me Old Uncle will suffice!”

Speaking thus, the old man’s aged tears already flowed freely. Cheng Cheng cried even more uncontrollably.

Though he detested Ge Shi, from youth he had much admiration for this benevolent old man who supported the weak and pitied the poor. As a child he had even thought how good it would be to have a father like Old Master Ge. When first marrying Ge Shi, deep in his heart he had secretly felt satisfied, never expecting to fall to today’s circumstances.

Cheng Shi had originally thought this troublesome matter would need to be entangled for a long time. He hadn’t expected Old Master Ge to be this decisive. He was greatly overjoyed, intending to settle it on the spot. But looking at all three Ge family members and Cheng Cheng crying into tearful people, the atmosphere so moving – should he beside himself with joy immediately call people to spread out the writing table and wield the brush to write the divorce letter?! This, it seemed… lacked magnanimity, too destructive of the atmosphere.

Cheng Zhi, who had been transparent for ages, finally straightened up, clearing his throat: “Old father-in-law, allow this humble one to say a word. Now approaching New Year’s Day, writing a divorce letter at this time… this, this is inevitably inauspicious…”

Cheng Shi breathed a sigh of relief, saying: “Precisely, precisely. How about, how about…” He looked around, only then remembering Madam Xiao had fled out using the excuse of settling the Ge family. He couldn’t help secretly cursing his wife for being slippery and dodging quickly. Where could he find someone to come up with ideas at this moment!

Sang Shi, seeing things couldn’t be wrapped up well, quickly came to help, saying gently: “How about this – in any case after New Year’s Day, Second Brother also has to go to White Deer Mountain to study. Why not have Old Master take the person back first? Later…” She considered her wording carefully: “Later regardless of what decision is made, our family will send people to inform the township. All gentlemen present – how does this seem?”

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the Cheng family breathed a sigh of relief, all feeling this ‘separate first, divorce later’ plan was very good, leaving face for both families without settling matters on the spot.

Madam Xiao outside the door, hearing to this point, silently withdrew her toes. As one of the top-ranking victims of Ge Shi, she truly didn’t want to get involved. Have her go in and say what? Saying good words for Ge Shi wouldn’t relieve the anger in her heart, but saying harsh words would inevitably be kicking someone when they’re down. Thinking about it, Old Master Ge truly was a benevolent and honest true gentleman. She simply wouldn’t show her face.

Walking out of the courtyard, the thick accumulated snow along the way crunched underfoot. Madam Xiao thought about it – idle was idle anyway, might as well go scold her daughter first. Who knew just arriving at the entrance to Shaoshang’s quarters, before she could remove her shoes to ascend the steps, she heard Qing Cong’s gentle voice coming from inside.

“…Just now why did Young Lady leave on her own? You didn’t even pay respects to Old Master Ge – too impolite.”

Then came Shaoshang’s lazy laughter: “Did Old Master and his party come to visit relatives? They came to handle ‘major business.’ What are juniors doing at the side – watching Second Uncle Father write the divorce letter? These ten years Second Aunt Mother hasn’t spared any ‘effort’ on me. Should I listen to Old Master say ‘sorry’ to me, a grandchild generation? The other day Mother even told me to avoid speaking of elders’ rights and wrongs – didn’t I just avoid it? Moreover, I left for only a moment before the three elder brothers came over – they must have been sent away… Speaking of which, Aunt Qing, you really are something. Rarely do Eldest Brother and Second Brother have time to tell me about experiences at the Imperial Academy, yet you forcefully drove them away…”

The girl’s eloquence was quite good – both reasoning and acting spoiled. Qing Cong was momentarily silent.

Madam Xiao outside the door slowly shook her head. In her view, this daughter of hers was harder to deal with than eighteen Ge Shis combined. In just a few short days, in verbal exchanges Qing Cong was already no match for Shaoshang.

– Could leaving on one’s own be the same as being sent away by elders? And she still spoke so righteously.

“…Of course, leaving on one’s own and being sent away by elders are naturally not the same.” Shaoshang suddenly said. “I didn’t think it through completely. Aunt Qing, later please help me tell Mother – actually as soon as I left I knew it was improper. In future I’ll definitely change, definitely change.”

Now Qing Cong had even less to say. For a moment she pitied the girl for suffering considerably under Ge Shi’s hands – being averse to seeing Ge family people now was understandable. For a moment she also felt the girl spoke reasonably – meeting face to face to pay respects would inevitably be awkward. Better to quietly avoid it for refreshing straightforwardness.

Madam Xiao frowned. Two phrases immediately surfaced in her mind: wisdom sufficient to reject admonishment, words sufficient to gloss over wrongs.