Until being lifted onto the wide covered carriage, Shaoshang was confused about everything that had happened these two days.

That day when she returned home from the Yin residence, it was already evening. Two martial maids with solemn expressions summoned her to Jiuzhui Hall. She only saw inside the hall giant candles held high, Lady Xiao standing alone in the center, her face like cold frost. She immediately knew the matter had been exposed. When setting up the scheme initially, she had considered it was possible someone might see through her tricks—she just hadn’t expected it to be this fast. Therefore, facing Lady Xiao’s questioning, she admitted it straightforwardly.

“There’s no particular reason, just wanted to vent bad feelings.” Shaoshang’s face was cold and she showed no awareness of wrongdoing.

Lady Xiao naturally delivered a round of stern rebukes, this master and that master, sentence by sentence pulling out classical texts. Shaoshang was too lazy to distinguish them. After the verbal scolding ended, it was the turn of that legendary ‘family discipline.’ Lady Xiao had obviously come prepared. The rescue troops all seemed to be absent from the residence. Shaoshang knew things were bad, but having been stubborn since childhood, without a second word she calmly accepted punishment.

When four martial maids pressed her onto the long rectangular table, Shaoshang became somewhat panicked. Looking again at that sinister and terrifying old man approaching with a rod, sweat faintly appeared on her forehead—though since childhood her father wasn’t loving and mother didn’t care, enduring endless cold eyes and prejudice, her skin and flesh truly hadn’t suffered much!

Seeing Director Xiao clearly planning to go big, Shaoshang wanted to beg for mercy but somehow couldn’t open her mouth.

When the first rod heavily struck her body, Shaoshang’s breathing stopped. That area of buttocks and legs felt as if a fire had been lit in long-drought withered grass. The pain exploded like flames rapidly spreading through her whole body. She wanted to cry out but only heard the hoarseness in her own throat, like a fish whose scales were being scraped off while alive—she could only suck in cool air with a hissing sound.

Fearing she would say shameful words begging for mercy, Shaoshang bit her lips tightly. Even if the pain reached suffocation, she absolutely wouldn’t open her mouth to breathe—as for why not beg for mercy? Today Director Xiao wasn’t as angry as usual. She even felt that as long as she begged for mercy, she should be able to avoid this suffering. But she just wouldn’t beg! She’d rather die than submit!

In elementary school there was a homeroom teacher who was good to her, elderly and kindly. She once said to Grandmother, ‘Little Ling is so stubborn and tough. Speaking badly, it’s certainly bad, but speaking well it’s also good. Whenever she figures out she wants to study hard, she’ll definitely be able to put in fierce effort.’

Unfortunately, that teacher soon retired. Afterward, Shaoshang never encountered such a teacher again. Later when teachers were good to her, it was all when her grades had leapt to the forefront.

How many strokes total were struck, Shaoshang couldn’t remember clearly. She tasted the astringent fishy flavor in her mouth. Her body hurt until numb. Instead, the bitten place on her lips hurt more distinctly. Head dizzy and brain swollen, she was carried back to her own quarters. Only then did she hear A’Zhu’s cries and weeping. Her heart inexplicably lightened, then she knew nothing more.

Half-awake and half-unconscious, she felt her injured areas had a cool sensation—the medicine must have been applied. There was also a warm and soft hand gently caressing her, from her hair to her face, then to the injured areas. That palm’s skin was delicate, completely different from A’Zhu’s calloused hands. In her dazed state, Shaoshang thought it was probably Sang Shi.

When she woke again, the sky was already pitch black. Not knowing if it was the third or fourth watch of night, Shaoshang was startled by a huge dark furry shadow at the bedside. That shadow made whimpering crying sounds like a broken gong being blown by night wind—extremely frightening. But because of the pain from injuries, even Shaoshang’s reaction to being frightened was much slower. She didn’t even have the strength to scream, only stared blankly.

Cheng Shi sat at the bedside whimpering and crying. His imposing and tall figure shook with sobs. By the faint firelight from coals buried in ash in the brazier, Shaoshang saw her father’s beard covered with tears and snot—a bit disgusting.

Then she cried.

When receiving people’s cold looks and mockery she didn’t cry. When being bullied she also didn’t cry. Receiving severe punishment with the rod she still bit her teeth and didn’t cry. But at this moment she cried in a mess, exactly like yesterday when Cheng Little Ou at kindergarten middle class level had a stomachache—that kind of crying.

She had always disdained Grandmother as old and incompetent, neither able to shield her young self from outside wind and rain, nor enlightened enough, unable to guide her life path. Making her at such a young age face that malicious world alone.

She wore a black armband to boarding at the key high school. Back then she didn’t feel much. Not until the principal personally presented her award certificate at the celebration meeting, Great Uncle beaming like an opened wax gourd, people in town praising her for being ambitious and sensible to test into such a good university—simply the town’s glory—she suddenly very much wanted to let Grandmother see all this.

However, the old woman had already passed away three years prior. Green grass spread over the grave mound.

Only then did Shaoshang understand—in this world there was truly only herself. ‘The child wishes to show filial piety but the parent is no longer present’—these seven characters were so bloody, with no room for regret. Your apologies and gratitude had no one left to tell. You could only stiffen your neck and walk forward.

Shaoshang prostrated on Cheng Shi’s knees wailing bitterly, heart-torn and lung-split, wishing she could vomit out her heart and liver.

Why when she mixed with Big Sister in the marketplace was she always cautious and careful? Because outside no one would cover up her mistakes. Why did she dare quarrel with people at the Yin and Wan families, even brawl? Because she knew Father Cheng would definitely forgive her, handle the aftermath for her.

She was just such a despicable person who acts like a dog relying on human power!

But now she wanted to be good to Father Cheng, good to her brothers, good to uncles and aunts and also sisters—let them feel joy and pride for her instead of worrying all day about when they’d have to clean up her messes again.

Father and daughter cried facing each other, crying until even the brazier fire nearly extinguished. Only then did A’Zhu have no choice but to come in and add charcoal.

From beginning to end, Cheng Shi didn’t say anything to Shaoshang. For someone as clever as his daughter, would she not know rotten commonplace principles like ‘don’t easily take risks, don’t make too many enemies’?

After resting one day, Shaoshang was to set out with Cheng Zhi and Sang Shi. The day the Cheng household saw them off, the daylight was overcast—no wind, no snow. Lady Xiao was absent without even an excuse.

Cheng Mother as usual pulled her youngest son crying tears unable to bear parting, while simultaneously glaring at Sang Shi like a starving wolf guarding food, threatening her to properly look after ‘this old body’s dear youngest son.’ The same expression, the same nagging. Cheng Shi repeatedly told his daughter how to heal injuries, how to grow strong, eat more meat and vegetables and move around more, then instructed A’Zhu again identically.

Cheng Yang rose before dawn leading cook women to personally go to the kitchen, preparing several full baskets of pastries for Shaoshang to eat on the road. Cheng Song and Cheng Shaogong kept moving things into Shaoshang’s luggage—who knows what edibles and playthings they stuffed in.

Cheng Yong stood to the side for a long while before walking straight to the carriage. Through the curtain, he stuffed into Shaoshang’s hands a new ink stick wrapped in oilcloth, saying in a low voice: “Continue reading and writing. Don’t let it go to waste.”

Shaoshang propped up her body, poking her head out. Seeing eldest brother’s eyes were somewhat red, she said: “Eldest brother, from now on don’t stay up late reading. Be careful—before thirty you’ll be bald with blurry eyes!”

Cheng Yong touched the double buns bound on his youngest sister’s head and sighed.

With great difficulty escaping Cheng Mother and Cheng Shi’s enthusiasm, the carriage convoy could finally set out. Unfortunately, Shaoshang’s injured areas still hurt. She could only honestly lie prone in the carriage compartment, missing the magnificent scene of looking up at the dome ceiling when passing through the grand city gate.

In another covered carriage, Cheng Zhi was making idle conversation with his wife: “Why didn’t Sister Yuanyi come out today? She would never do such a discourteous thing.”

Sang Shi glared at her husband: “It’s perfectly obvious. Why do you ask?”

Cheng Zhi asked again: “That day wasn’t it agreed to strike ten rods? Still short three or four rods—why did Elder Sister smash the cup?”

Sang Shi didn’t even change her tone: “It’s perfectly obvious. Why do you ask?”

Cheng Zhi was amused by his wife: “Tell me, should we tell Niaoniao? Lest the mother and daughter become increasingly stiff toward each other.”

Sang Shi said: “How to say it? ‘Niaoniao, your father originally wanted to beat you ten rods. Your mother softened and beat you three rods less. Are you happy or not?’!”

She imitated her husband’s tone, then after speaking rolled her eyes. “If you really say it, whether the mother and daughter are good or not I don’t know, but father and daughter definitely won’t be good. At that time, watch elder brother not roast you alive!”

Cheng Zhi smacked his lips: “Alright, then won’t say it. Later I’ll go persuade Niaoniao not to always sulk with her own mother.”

Sang Shi’s eye roll nearly flew beyond the horizon: “You think in Niaoniao’s heart you’re so remarkable that she’ll listen to whatever you say? She only listens to thirty or forty percent of elder brother’s words!”

She deeply felt her husband’s self-perception was too good. “Niaoniao has firm opinions and a stubborn temperament. Some things must wait until she herself thinks them through. You’d better save your energy. After reaching the posting, find some delicious, fun, or novel and interesting things for her. I’ll handle the rest.”

Cheng Zhi dropped his shoulders, sighing: “Niaoniao is truly tough. Beaten like that yet didn’t make a sound. What a pity she has a daughter’s body. If she were a man, she’d definitely achieve some accomplishments!”

Sang Shi was silent for a long while before saying: “That Qian Zeng truly has good skills. I’ve looked at Niaoniao’s injuries—blood marks everywhere but the skin isn’t much broken. The red swelling and bruising aren’t deep, so…” She couldn’t help but reach out and press her husband’s back. “Does it really hurt very much?”

Cheng Zhi immediately shrieked like a live jumping shrimp, crying out in pain.

While protecting his back with his hand behind him, he pointed at his wife: “You you you… you’re so heartless. You’re the one who told me to take one rod strike from Qian Zeng to try what kind of pain it was. Now you still treat me like this?!” When he took the rod strike then, he hurt until almost half his body went numb.

Sang Shi’s laughter couldn’t be suppressed: “If I didn’t have you take one rod strike, just looking at the injuries, how would I know to what degree Niaoniao hurt?” After laughing, she also sighed. “Niaoniao’s isn’t toughness—it’s having a knot in her heart. Don’t bother me this while. I need to properly soothe her!”

Cheng Zhi was very dissatisfied. Just about to open his mouth, he suddenly heard horse hooves outside. A household general reported through the carriage: “Behind there’s a team of people chasing. They say it’s Grand Coachman Lou Jing’s nephew, Yanzhou Commandery Administrator Lou Ji’s son, named Lou Yao, requesting to see the master.”

“Master Lou’s nephew?” Cheng Zhi looked completely confused. “What connection does the Lou family have with us? Did elder brother just make friends with them? How come I don’t know?”

Sang Shi thought briefly, then a smile floated to her lips.

Cheng Zhi put on his coat and got off the carriage. He only saw a team of guards in neat clothing, each riding fat and sturdy tall horses, surrounding a youth full of heroic spirit waiting not far away.

That youth upon seeing Cheng Zhi immediately dismounted, bowing in salute: “This youngster Lou Yao greets Uncle Cheng!”

Cheng Zhi returned the courtesy. After saying a few polite words, he cut to the main topic: “Young Master Lou, why have you come this time?”

Probably because of galloping on horseback, Lou Yao was still panting, forehead sweating, nervously saying: “Uncle Cheng, I today… no, I previously met your niece Miss Shaoshang. I deeply felt… deeply felt she… I specially came today to see her. I wonder if Uncle will permit a meeting…”

After a whole bunch of circling, actually nothing was said clearly. The youth’s face instead flushed red.

“You know my family’s Shaoshang?” Cheng Zhi looked at the sun, feeling he wasn’t dizzy.

Lou Yao’s face became even redder and even more stuttering: “Yes, have met, don’t really know… but, but felt like old friends at first sight…”

Cheng Zhi became even more curious: “Shaoshang and you felt like old friends at first sight?” It seems elder brother and sister-in-law still had oversights. Not only can their niece cause trouble, she can also attract romantic attention. Just attended a few banquets after going out, and already attracted a son of the Hedong Lou clan to follow—excellent, excellent.

“When and where did you meet my niece?”

Cheng Zhi inexplicably became arrogant. Although his daughter Cheng Wei wasn’t even ten years old yet, he had already very consciously entered the picky father-in-law mode in advance.

“—Master, really, why ask so much?” Who knew Sang Shi, supported by servants, leisurely got off the carriage, coming to undermine her husband. “Young Master Lou said he knows Shaoshang. Could he be deceiving us!”

She smiled at the young Lou Yao again: “Shaoshang is slightly ill, in the carriage ahead. Young Master Lou, if you have words, go speak them. However, we must reach the post station before sunset. I hope Young Master Lou will be quick.”

Lou Yao was being questioned by Cheng Zhi until covered in sweat. Hearing Sang Shi’s words, his face was full of endless gratitude. When bowing and cupping hands, his head nearly touched the ground. Cheng Zhi forcibly held back from laughing.

Not only this, Sang Shi also very thoughtfully had A’Zhu and A’Mei come out from Shaoshang’s carriage compartment, allowing this pair of young man and woman to speak alone. Cheng Zhi said unkindly: “Why don’t you just arrange a matchmaking banquet for them!”

Sang Shi chuckled: “No need for a matchmaking banquet. Just don’t come make trouble.”

Cheng Zhi snorted a few times, suddenly saying: “…Are you dissatisfied with how Sister Yuanyi treated Niaoniao?”

Sang Shi was silent for a long time before saying: “I was born with good fortune. My parents were understanding, only telling me to be upright and kind—everything else was negotiable. I didn’t love needlework—Father said no need. I didn’t love staying with sisters all day talking idle gossip—Elder Brother would drive the carriage to take me see the world. Even later when I handled the Huangfu family matter that way, the family went along with me. But Xiang Jun didn’t have such good fate.”

Cheng Zhi said: “That’s your close friend, right? I remember she already…” The grave mound probably has big trees growing now.

Sang Shi’s heart ached faintly: “Speaking of talent and capability, Xiang Jun wasn’t inferior to Sister-in-law at all. Unfortunately, she neither encountered parents as good as mine, nor was forced to marry an unenlightened husband. That’s why she died early with resentment.”

Cheng Zhi recalled for a while: “So those years ago when her family came seeking your help, you just brushed them off?”

Sang Shi said hatefully: “Clearly the family had a thousand-league horse that could gallop the world. Yet they insisted on locking and restraining it. Serves them right their family fortunes declined! Hmph, didn’t they say propriety was more important than family prosperity? Then let them properly guard their propriety!”

Speaking to here, she felt a wave of sadness. “Xiang Jun was still too benevolent, couldn’t bear to betray her parents and family. If she could be like Niaoniao—no matter who you are, dare step on her head and she immediately turns hostile—then… then she would definitely still be living well now…”

Cheng Zhi sighed. Although his wife’s words had the suspicion of instigating the child to not respect elders, he understood his wife’s sorrow, so he gathered her shoulders and said no more.

…

Over there, Lou Yao awkwardly walked to Shaoshang’s carriage.

Shaoshang looked through the raised carriage curtain, very surprised: Although she’d seen this person twice, they hadn’t spoken even half a sentence.

“I wonder what Young Master Lou has to teach?” She examined herself—she hadn’t offended this person. Probably, hadn’t, right?

Lou Yao hemmed and hawed for a long time, stealing glances at the girl in the carriage. He only saw the compartment’s light was dim, making her appear even more pale and weak, eyebrows lightly furrowed, like a tiny flower with its head lowered by rainwater—clean and young and beautiful, clear as autumn water.

Thinking the Cheng family carriage convoy still needed to travel, he gathered courage: “You… I, I want to say, you’re very good, I, you’re very very good…”

Shaoshang was embarrassed: Would you like to organize your sentences again? Pay attention to subject, predicate, object, and modifiers.

“I think, that matter, you had no fault! Not a bit.” Lou Yao gathered effort for a long time, finally released a big move. “I greatly admire you in my heart.”

He thought the key point of this sentence was the second half, but the girl in the carriage put all her attention on the first half.

Shaoshang’s expression suddenly darkened: “What do you mean I had no fault? Where did you hear what?”

Lou Yao was startled: “Nothing, nothing… just that you made them fall from the bridge. You did right, no fault…”

Shaoshang’s heart jumped. She forcefully propped up half her body, her small face taut: “What nonsense are you saying! Where did you hear this!” Apart from Old Lady Wan, there shouldn’t be anyone else who saw through it. Moreover, this person doesn’t look very intelligent either.

“I, after I sent away A’Li, I turned back to find you, wanting to thank you…” Lou Yao saw the girl before him with eyes like red flames, frightened into stuttering. “But I hadn’t thought through how to say it, so I followed you for a while, saw you, you pulled out several bridge timbers…”

Shaoshang collapsed in defeat.

Indeed, heaven’s calculations can’t match human calculations. She was conceited about her hundred schemes, yet didn’t guard against this oversight. This youth should have practiced martial arts—his legs and feet were nimble. Following behind, she naturally didn’t notice.

Lou Yao, seeing her face ashen as death, quickly said: “Rest assured, I haven’t told anyone! Even my parents and close relatives I won’t tell. If I tell, let me die immediately, heaven as witness!”

Shaoshang was finally somewhat comforted. She knew people here valued oaths and curses extremely highly, no less effective than going to a notary office for property notarization. Then, at least this dark secret wouldn’t spread out, wouldn’t cause trouble for the Wan and Cheng families.

“I was young and ignorant, causing such a heaven-reaching disaster. I’m truly filled with shame.” Shaoshang’s voice was low and weak, pitiful and delicate. “Not hiding from Young Master Lou, I’m not ill now, but received family discipline rod punishment. I was driven out of the capital, ordered to properly repent.”

Seeing her like this, Lou Yao’s heart more than softened—even his voice softened: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be sad. In my view, what fault do you have in this matter? Wang Xi deserved the punishment! Yet you suffered your elders’ punishment! How many rod strikes? Does it still hurt? My family has good medicine. I’ll go get it for you!”

Shaoshang secretly complained: What are you going to get? Make the Cheng family carriage convoy wait for you to go home and get medicine?! But her voice pretended to be weak and listless: “Then thank you Young Master Lou. You slowly go get it. Let’s say goodbye first.”

The language errors in this statement were terminally ill, but Lou Yao not only didn’t hear them, he was about to cheerfully agree and take his leave. Finally remembering the most important words hadn’t been said, he stepped forward again: “Miss Shaoshang, I, I…”

The youth full of rising sun sunshine, his tone determined: “I want to marry you!” Though engaged for over ten years, this kind of confession was his life’s first time.

Shaoshang was already impatient. Hearing these words, the anger she had barely suppressed rose again. Her tone mocking: “Marry me? What about Young Master Lou’s fiancée?”

Lou Yao quickly said: “She’s getting married this month! Ah, not marrying me! Marrying that Prince Xiao!” Being jilted yet this happy—his will to survive was also quite strong.

Shaoshang sneered: “Young Master Lou’s engagement was broken, so you come tease me? You’re bullying people too much! What, now you’ve grasped my weakness, you’re fearless? I tell you, surnamed Lou, if you want to speak then go speak. I won’t accept your coercion!”

What else could young men and women in the marketplace do if not studying or starting businesses, idle and bored? Though she was still small then, the vows of eternal love she’d seen could be counted by the dozen.

Gentle A’Qiang said ‘I love you,’ so A’Zhen lived with him. Though N years later he dumped her and married someone else.

Cool A’Gou said ‘You’re my woman,’ so A’Hua had abortions for him. N times. Later it caused a hundred illnesses. Because they never married, Shaoshang didn’t know if she could still be a mother.

A’Biao, proficient in language arts, said ‘Sooner or later we’ll marry. What difference is yours and mine?’ So A’Chun’s years of work savings went toward the republic.

Trying to bully her for not having seen the world! Shaoshang was furious beyond endurance: “Get as far away from me as you can! Marry me? Can you succeed in marrying me? Have parents been informed, has a matchmaker been found, where are the betrothal gifts? Empty words to toy with me! Though the Cheng family isn’t as illustrious as your Lou family, we don’t accept this humiliation!… Steward Fu, A’Mei, quickly come! Quickly find people! Drive this lecher away!”

Lou Yao never dreamed the girl would have this reaction. He stuttered: “No, I, I really want to marry you… really… I’ve already…”

Shaoshang didn’t want to hear his nonsense and forcefully pulled down the carriage curtain. She only heard outside a confusion of footsteps, noisy voices, mixed with Lou Yao’s explanations, then everything gradually receded into the distance—clearly Lou Yao was driven away.

She prostrated on the soft cushion crying intermittently. This life couldn’t be lived—every person came to bully her!

After a while, Sang Shi smilingly climbed into the carriage compartment, hands holding a freshly wrung hot towel to wipe Shaoshang’s face, then personally helping her apply balm. Sang Shi’s hands were cool and smooth. Shaoshang felt very comfortable.

Shaoshang said embarrassedly: “Making Aunt laugh at me.”

Sang Shi smiled: “Rest assured, your uncle has already sent Young Master Lou away. However…” She was very interested. “Why don’t you believe him?”

“Why should I believe him?” Shaoshang stared blankly. “Shouldn’t one first not easily trust when encountering matters?” This way one won’t be hurt.

Sang Shi was startled, then smiled: “Also right.”

Then she drew from her sleeve a small and exquisite green bamboo horizontal flute, handing it to Shaoshang, saying: “The journey is boring. Let me teach you to play the flute.”

Shaoshang hesitated: “Isn’t it that you recently took away a musical score from Great-grandfather’s room and discovered that besides you playing the vertical flute and uncle playing the zither, you still need a flute sound to harmonize?” Actually, Cheng Mother was making things difficult for Sang Shi, deliberately having her clean the late Great-grandfather Cheng’s old residence.

Sang Shi put on a stern face: “What taking, what away! Can fellow practitioners communicating their hearts be called taking away? Uncle-in-law’s spirit in heaven—knowing we’re playing his musical score, who knows how happy he’d be! Moreover, many skills don’t weigh one down. What’s bad about learning one more thing?”

Shaoshang had eaten this aunt’s deflection. Smiling bitterly, she quickly took the horizontal flute.

At this time, outside suddenly sounded a long eagle cry, breaking through the sky, like a sharp sword cutting through the oppressive firmament. Sang Shi hurriedly lifted the carriage curtain. Shaoshang stretched her neck to look—she only saw in the gray misty sky soaring a robust and magnificent eagle.

Shaoshang’s eyes showed delight: “Such a big eagle—I’ve never seen one before!”

Sang Shi looked at the girl, also gazing toward that eagle flying farther and farther: “Yes. In the future you’ll see even more.”

At this time, outside once again sounded the drivers’ rising and falling shouts, along with the Cheng family guards’ powerful command calls. The carriage convoy slowly set out.

(End of Volume 1)