Shaoshang entered the house with her back straight. On the way back to her quarters, Cheng Shaogong came over to gossip: “So how was it? Did Huo Buyi clear his name? Was your testimony useful?” Shaoshang’s anger flared: “Testimony my foot! That man is mighty and imposing, capable of anything—he’d already preserved his evidence long ago! Even if I hadn’t gone today, Huo Buyi would have emerged from the Court of Judicial Review safe and sound!”

Cheng Shaogong was greatly disappointed: “I thought that fellow named Zhang Yao had absolute certainty of victory. Turns out he was so useless he couldn’t even complete one round.”

Mentioning that waste who kept pressing her for details made Shaoshang even angrier: “Don’t mention that bastard. Right now Minister Ji is probably determining his sentence. According to Shanjian, groundlessly slandering a meritorious minister like this carries at least dismissal and exile.”

“In that case, Huo Buyi is fine now? Alas, Niaoniao, you made a wasted trip. He doesn’t even need to be grateful to you.”

Shaoshang stopped and turned, frowning: “Third Brother has been acting very strange lately. First he inexplicably opposed my marriage to Yuan Shanjian, and after Huo Buyi returned, he’s been probing about his situation day and night—I remember Third Brother used to be extremely afraid of him. Even if he accidentally ran into him on the street, he’d pretend not to recognize him and take a detour to slip away.”

Cheng Shaogong laughed awkwardly while running off: “What are you saying, Niaoniao? Now that Elder Brother and Second Brother aren’t home, I’m the eldest in the household. Naturally I should care about my sister… hehe, hehe…”

Shaoshang glared at her brother’s retreating back for a while, then continued walking back. Only after stepping into her own room did her shoulders slump. A’Zhu noticed the girl’s worry and asked with concern: “What’s wrong, Young Lady? You’ve only been out for half the day and you’re already this exhausted.” As she spoke, she instructed Sang Guo to bring soup and water, and told Lian Fang to prepare a hot sand bag for Shaoshang to apply to relieve her fatigue.

Shaoshang sighed softly: “I don’t know why, but I always feel something improper is about to happen.”

A’Zhu looked at the girl’s expression and asked gently: “Is it because of Lord Huo?”

After a long while, Shaoshang said: “Yes.”

When Huo Buyi wielded great power, Yuan Shen was still lying low. By the time he was exiled, Yuan Shen had just begun to show his talent in political affairs. However, merely observing from the sidelines was ultimately separated by a layer—only by truly conducting official business, opposing each other, and racking one’s brains to deal with the other could one personally experience his methods.

If theory alone were sufficient, Han Feizi, who systematically compiled imperial psychology and strategic scheming, would not have so easily died from Li Si’s plot.

Unlike Yuan Shen, Shaoshang had after all spent several months with Huo Buyi. She had deep experience of this person’s fierce methods, profound scheming, and decisive actions. There was one thing Huo Buyi said correctly—if he truly became reckless, probably only the even more cunning and crafty Imperial Uncle could stop him. Even the Crown Prince might not have enough strength—this was what made it truly despairing.

In court, Huo Buyi was the Emperor’s most useful subject. But regarding marriage matters, Imperial Uncle was Huo Buyi’s loyal lackey—the kind who would immediately pass the soy sauce if Huo Buyi wanted to braise her. So forget about the Emperor stopping him; if he didn’t cheer from the sidelines, that would already show great integrity.

All sorts of irritation welled up in her heart. Shaoshang could only find things to do to distract herself, so she went to ask her mother how the reform of Fifth Warrior was progressing. Madam Xiao smiled with satisfaction and casually indicated that victory was not far off. If handled properly, the boxing and martial arts instructors for your brothers and nephews would all be reserved.

Shaoshang looked at the Cheng couple with new respect and hurried to ask how they’d accomplished this. Madam Xiao briefly recounted the process.

First they locked Fifth Cheng in an empty cellar, giving him food and drink but not speaking a single word to him, driving him crazy from the isolation. When it was about right, Old Master Cheng went in to chat. Fifth Cheng would no longer pretend to be cold as ice but would rage furiously, cursing eighteen generations of the Cheng family ancestors.

—Being able to rage and roar was good. First stage complete.

Next, Old Master Cheng brought out the skills he’d used years ago to persuade fellow villagers to rebel (crossed out, rise up), and began his speech—it was said that years ago, officials in a neighboring county were greedy and tyrannical, frequently bullying and abusing the common people. An unnamed vigilante descended from the heavens and in one night slaughtered all the officials in the county yamen, yet no one could arrest and prosecute him. After that, newly appointed officials didn’t dare go too far.

This also led officials in several counties near the Cheng family’s rural area to be very sensible, keeping taxes and corvée labor moderate, fearing that one day their whole family might be killed in their sleep. Later, when Old Master Cheng raised his banner in revolt, they turned a blind eye, played deaf and dumb, and when violent bandits and military disasters arose, they could even join hands with Old Master Cheng to respond. The relationship between officials and commoners was very harmonious.

“…At that time I was still young, but I already knew that it wasn’t only enlightened rulers and virtuous ministers who could save the people from hanging upside down—righteous and heroic warriors could likewise support the endangered and aid the distressed!” As a direct beneficiary, Cheng Shi spoke very emotionally.

“I heard that Fifth Warrior’s master who taught him his arts was a famous vigilante from the previous dynasty. Within one month he leveled seven bandit strongholds just to find the granddaughter for a helpless old couple. To prevent officials from slaughtering several villages suspected of plague, in his twilight years he emerged from seclusion. One man with one sword, covered in blood, he kidnapped a famous physician from a certain prince’s manor to treat the villagers. I heard that the common people in that area still worship memorial tablets to the honored master with flourishing incense. Alas, this is truly ‘how a great man should be!'”

Old Master Cheng slapped his leg in praise, his face full of longing and admiration. Fifth Cheng’s face showed shame as he shifted his hands and feet uneasily.

—Knowing that these twenty-some years had accomplished nothing was good. Second stage complete.

At this point, Old Master Cheng began speaking up for the Yuan family.

Back then, the Yuan family had truly already been on the brink of destruction. The rebel banner had been raised, the Tyrant Emperor’s troops were shouting for battle up ahead—the slightest mistake would mean not one person, young or old, from the entire clan would survive. Under such circumstances, as the only adult male with ability in the direct line, Yuan Pei absolutely could not have left with Fifth Heyi. And for Fifth Heyi, who didn’t know the gravity of the situation and only clung to Yuan Pei demanding they stay together for life, the worried Yuan clan elders wished they could devour her flesh raw.

Old Master Cheng was born with the appearance of a loyal and honest good person. When he spoke heartfelt words, the medicinal effect doubled. Fifth Cheng finally opened his heart: “Our parents died early. My sister followed me wandering north and south from childhood. I spoiled her and let her run wild, raising her to have an arrogant and fierce temperament—she’d rather break than bend.”

When he first learned the Yuan family was in trouble, Fifth Cheng already knew his sworn brother Yuan Pei had no choice but to return. So he told his sister: either you go to the Yuan family as a concubine, or we sever ties completely. However, Fifth Heyi, who had never suffered setbacks, stuck to her stubbornness, insisting her beloved keep his promise and live with her in conjugal bliss, ceaselessly pestering him. Fifth Cheng had wandered the jianghu for many years and was experienced in worldly affairs. He knew his sister’s behavior was very improper, just like rubbing salt in the Yuan family’s wounds.

—Beginning to reflect on the Yuan family matter from back then. Very good. Third stage complete.

“…I observe that the warrior is also a reasonable person. Since the warrior understood everything in his heart, why didn’t you stop your sister back then? If you had stopped her, the later tragedy wouldn’t have occurred.” Old Master Cheng asked.

Fifth Cheng fell into long silence.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t tried to persuade her, but he truly hadn’t been ruthless enough to discipline his sister.

First, he doted on his sister and couldn’t bear to see her heartbroken and grief-stricken. Second, he also secretly hoped that his sworn brother had deep feelings for his sister—perhaps he would be willing to abandon his family estate and choose her? However, he himself knew this thought was base and disloyal, utterly shameful toward the entire Yuan clan. Therefore, he not only didn’t dare speak it aloud, he didn’t even dare think it much.

This was when it was Madam Xiao’s turn to appear.

“Prefect Yuan suffered eight generations of bloody bad luck meeting you siblings and swearing brotherhood with you! Hmph, if you really treated him as a brother, you should have empathized with him. When the Yuan family was drowning in a sea of blood, where was the martial arts expert Fifth Hero offering strong support?!”

Fifth Cheng’s face showed painful expression. When the Yuan family suffered disaster, orphans and widows hid everywhere. Those who couldn’t escape in time were captured, imprisoned, tortured, killed, and their corpses hung. What was he doing then? Oh, he was desperately consoling his sister who had lost her beloved.

Madam Xiao laughed coldly again and again: “My lord also has sworn brothers—namely Prefect Xu, Lord Wan Songbai. Over these twenty-some years, the Wan and Cheng families have been true as liver and gallbladder, sharing fortune and misfortune, close as one family! I dare say this—as long as it could exchange for my lord’s life, aside from Old Madam Wan, everyone in the Wan household, including Lord Wan’s own life and his wives, concubines, and children, he would be willing to cast aside!”

These words made Fifth Cheng extremely ashamed. Old Master Cheng shifted his sitting posture slightly guiltily. To speak without much conscience, asking him to exchange his wife Xiao Yuanyi and children for sworn brother Wan Songbai—he… that… should be… not very willing.

“These four words ‘true as liver and gallbladder’ are easy to say but hard to do. In Fifth Hero’s heart, your sworn brother’s family drowning in mountains of corpses and seas of blood, life hanging by a thread, couldn’t compare to the importance of your sister’s few tears!”

Madam Xiao’s words were sharp and merciless. “Although Miss Fifth died tragically, Grand Duke Yuan also paid with his life for hers. What more do you want? What, your sworn brother’s birth father’s life can’t equal your sister’s? These past twenty-some years, privately, Fifth Hero, you’ve failed your sworn brotherhood—selfish and self-centered, only knowing how to wallow in self-pity. Publicly, you’ve failed your master’s teaching and grace. The past twenty-some years were precisely when the world was in great chaos and the common people suffered. Yet you remained entangled in useless revenge and resentment, of no benefit whatsoever to the people of the world! Hmph, your honored master was also blind—teaching all those fine skills to someone like you!”

—Fifth Cheng was completely bewildered. Fourth stage complete.

“What about now?” Shaoshang pressed about the fifth stage.

Madam Xiao smiled faintly: “Move him with emotion, enlighten him with reason, give him a wake-up call—now let him recover slowly. Once he catches his breath, it’ll be fine. A’Zhu and Ou’er both like him, pestering him daily to chat about everything under heaven and teach martial arts. Later I’ll arrange a marriage match for Fifth Cheng. In the future he’ll have children, revitalize his family business, and the matter will be turned over…”

Shaoshang didn’t believe it and ran to spy at Cheng Zhu and Cheng Ou’s quarters. Sure enough, she saw Fifth Cheng sitting in the courtyard instructing the two boys in hand grappling techniques, his hands still carving two delicate wooden swords—this middle-aged man who had experienced the vicissitudes of life no longer showed the hostility that had filled his face before. Replacing it was endless patience.

“Father and Mother are truly capable!” Shaoshang sighed in admiration.

Cheng Shaogong said: “People are all like this—helpless with their own family matters but completely at ease with others’ affairs. Even now you still refuse to reconcile with Grand Mother. Don’t Father and Mother have no solution for that either?”

Shaoshang frowned: “I heard Grand Mother is ill.”

“Yes, the cause isn’t clear. She just can’t eat properly, growing thinner day by day. The physicians all say it’s an ailment of old age.” Cheng Shaogong said. “Actually, Grand Mother’s age isn’t young anymore. Mother says if Grand Mother doesn’t improve, they’ll have to summon Uncle and the brothers all back.”

Shaoshang understood this meant preparing for the end—yet she still said not a word, refusing to provide deathbed care to Mother Cheng. It wasn’t that her heart was hard, but someone had to remember the real Cheng Shaoshang who died unjustly.

Her attention was indeed diverted. That night Shaoshang slept soundly and comfortably, dreamless through the night. On the other side of the capital at the Luo residence, a genteel lady from a distinguished family known for her virtue couldn’t sleep all night.

Early the next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, Luo Jitong got up to wash and dress. Without even informing Madam Luo, she had servants prepare the carriage and left. Half an hour later, Luo Jitong barely caught the moment when the main gate of the Huo residence opened wide and a group was about to depart.

Huo Buyi wore crimson court robes. His trim, tall figure mounted on a magnificent steed made him appear even more handsome and dignified, upright and elegant.

Luo Jitong’s heart filled with admiration. She said softly: “This humble woman greets the General.”

“Why have you come?” Huo Buyi was slightly surprised.

Luo Jitong slightly lifted the carriage curtain, her expression gloomy yet maintaining dignity: “This humble woman has words for the General. Yesterday my father was already… I’m extremely panicked and at a loss…” She didn’t continue.

“I thought you were an intelligent person.” Huo Buyi said calmly. “An intelligent person should know how to act next.”

“After five years together, doesn’t the General owe me an explanation?” Luo Jitong pleaded.

Huo Buyi looked at her: “I’ve been together with another woman—dining together, laughing, quarreling, intimately close. I know what ‘being together’ means—you and I have never ‘been together.'”

The surrounding guards and household servants either stood or rode, all eyes watching. Luo Jitong felt utterly humiliated, tears welling in her eyes. Nearby, Liangqiu Qi showed no expression while Liangqiu Fei felt compassion.

“If I cannot obtain the General’s explanation, this humble woman cannot resign myself to it.” Luo Jitong said in a low voice.

Huo Buyi thought for a moment: “Today His Majesty holds a grand court assembly. After I return, we’ll talk.”

Watching her beloved depart without any reluctance, Luo Jitong’s heart ached unbearably. Looking down, she discovered her palms had been gouged bloody by her fingernails. She was unwilling to return home and unwilling to wait idly at the Huo residence. After brief consideration, she had the driver head toward the Cheng residence.

Though the Cheng family was a newly risen household, the servants were quite courteous. Learning that Madam Xiao was not at the residence, Luo Jitong was led by a maid to Shaoshang’s quarters. Only then did she learn that although the sun was already high in the sky, the Cheng family’s Young Lady was still sleeping in complete darkness.

Luo Jitong’s heart felt bitter. She thought: this is her rival—improper in every way and every matter, yet Huo Buyi was devoted to her unto death.

Shaoshang was also quite depressed. Rarely getting a day off, not sleeping until lunchtime would be letting down the nation and its people. Yet at this moment she had to dress properly and sit politely facing Luo Jitong. She forcibly suppressed a yawn: “I don’t know what matter brings Lady Luo here.”

Luo Jitong smiled bitterly.

Cheng Shaoshang was just this kind of temperament—once there was a rift, she wouldn’t even maintain surface courtesy. Ever since that day at Yong’an Palace when they had friction, she refused to call her ‘Jitong Elder Sister,’ only addressing her formally as ‘Lady Luo’ by the book.

“…That day my wording was improper. If younger sister blames me for treating Her Majesty the Empress lightly, that’s deserved.” She said in a low voice. “But please forgive me, younger sister. Seeing my marriage to General Huo imminent yet interrupted, I, I was somewhat anxious.”

Shaoshang pulled at the corner of her mouth, noncommittal.

No matter how nicely she spoke, it was useless. Since Luo Jitong’s return, she still hadn’t gone to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager. Why bother putting on an act? But she was too lazy to expose this woman. She just said lazily: “No matter, no matter. I’m also somewhat anxious—anxious to continue resting. What exactly brings Lady Luo here? Please inform me as early as possible.”

Luo Jitong’s expression stiffened, then immediately resumed her pitiful, grieved appearance: “I’ve admired General Huo since childhood. Previously, he and I each had marriage arrangements. I thought this life was hopeless. Who knew heaven took pity and let me reunite with General Huo in Liangzhou. Younger sister Shaoshang surely cannot imagine how overjoyed I was then… uh…”

Shaoshang playfully shook her finger, interrupting her: “Three things. First, genteel ladies from distinguished families who’ve admired Marquis Huo since childhood—guess how many there are in this capital? If we gathered them together, could we fill a vanguard battalion?”

Luo Jitong’s expression showed displeasure.

“Second, you say you’ve admired Marquis Huo since childhood and were overjoyed to reunite in Liangzhou. Therefore, when you and your late husband were still married, you were still thinking about Lord Huo in your heart?”

“How can you speak like this! My late husband and I, my late husband and I…” Luo Jitong was both shocked and annoyed. “My late husband and I treated each other with respect, harmonious and happy. How can you presume!”

“Fine, fine, fine. Then let’s say you ‘admired since childhood’ Marquis Huo up until before your marriage, then after your husband died your ‘admiring feelings’ made a comeback. How about that?”

Luo Jitong was so angry she was helpless.

Shaoshang’s smile slowly faded: “Third, you know my temperament—I’m neither magnanimous nor understanding, and even less soft-hearted or compassionate. So I won’t be fooled by your few words of pretending to be pitiful. Once I form a prejudice against someone, I’m too lazy to even pretend. Lady Luo, whatever business brought you here today, speak quickly. I still need to continue sleeping.”

Luo Jitong said quietly: “Aren’t you afraid of the bad reputation spreading that you bullied and slighted me?”

“No matter. My reputation has never been very good, but it hasn’t prevented me from getting engaged again and again. Mmm, each time the prospective husband has been quite good. Lady Luo needn’t worry for me.” Shaoshang was well-versed in self-deprecation—as long as it didn’t hurt herself, it would infuriate the other party.

“Fine, I’ll speak.” Luo Jitong’s cultivation was profound. Despite such mockery, she still maintained complete dignity and sorrow. “My father has been away on duty outside the city these past days. Yesterday evening he suddenly sent a trusted aide home, saying General Huo had given him a mirror screen in front of many people, specifically stating it was for my dowry. I dare not imagine how humiliated my father was then!”

Shaoshang was startled: “Your father didn’t go find Lord Huo to reason with him? Didn’t you two in the northwest lack only the formal betrothal?”

Luo Jitong smiled bleakly: “But we weren’t formally betrothed, were we?”

“Doesn’t His Highness the Crown Prince value you highly?”

“His Highness values General Huo more.”

Though Shaoshang found Luo Jitong disagreeable, she also felt a woman abandoned at the last step was rather pitiful: “So… what do you plan to do?”

“I don’t know either.” Luo Jitong’s eyes brimmed with tears.

Shaoshang scratched her head.

When a man doesn’t want to marry a woman, unless there’s an extreme disparity in power and interests, it’s extremely difficult to achieve. Yet even Imperial Uncle hadn’t succeeded in forcing Huo Buyi. Minister Luo clearly had even less ability, not to mention Huo Buyi and Luo Jitong had never had formal status.

“Hey, hey, don’t look at me. I’m unwilling to deal with Huo Buyi.” Seeing Luo Jitong looking at her hopefully, Shaoshang understood what she was thinking. “I won’t plead with Huo Buyi on your behalf, and I won’t ask Huo Buyi to marry you—this is your own business.”

Luo Jitong lowered her head dejectedly.

“…Besides, if I asked him and he agreed, then when I ask Huo Buyi not to bother me, just see whether he’ll listen or not.” The more Shaoshang thought about it, the more irritated she became.

Luo Jitong knew this was correct and grew even more vexed and confused.

At this moment, A’Mei entered the room to serve the two freshly made fruit wine. Before leaving, she saw the wind chime hanging high under the corridor wasn’t turning or making sounds, so she wanted to take it down for repairs. Seeing her stature wasn’t sufficient and she couldn’t reach it even on tiptoe, Shaoshang smiled and got up to help.

It was already the flowery month of April, the weather warm and mild. Shaoshang wore a loose, soft, slightly worn襜褕 robe.

She first raised her right arm. The wide sleeve slid down along her fair and tender arm. Just as it was about to slide to her upper arm near the shoulder, she reflexively covered the sleeve, then naturally lowered her right arm and switched to using her left arm to reach for the wind chime.

Luo Jitong’s heart jumped violently.

Shaoshang handed the wind chime to A’Mei, smiled, and turned back. Seeing Luo Jitong’s strange expression, she asked: “What’s wrong with you?”

“Let me see your arm.” Luo Jitong said blankly.

“What are you saying?” Shaoshang didn’t understand.

“Let me see your right arm.” Luo Jitong stood up.

Shaoshang instinctively drew back her right shoulder: “What nonsense are you talking about… forget it, everything that should be said today has been said. Lady Luo should leave early. Safe travels, I won’t see you out.”

There was actually a trace of madness in Luo Jitong’s expression. Seeing Shaoshang about to call for a maid, she directly grabbed her arm, bent her knee, and twisted backward. Shaoshang groaned in muffled pain—this was the difference between an unqualified petty hoodlum and a truly accomplished genteel lady skilled in both civil and martial arts.

Luo Jitong swept up the sleeve of Shaoshang’s right arm and stared intently. On the tender, snow-white, round arm were two rows of neat tooth marks. The teeth marks had scabbed over long ago, leaving only a circle of shallow pale yellow.

She remembered now—in the northwest border city, Huo Buyi often made a strange gesture—from time to time he’d stroke his right upper arm, falling into prolonged silence, subtly revealing a kind of tender sorrow.

“Good, good, good, so that’s how it is, so that’s how it is!” Luo Jitong laughed coldly in misery. “Now I understand everything!” She felt there was no point continuing to talk with Cheng Shaoshang, so she released her hand, trembled backward several steps, flung her sleeve, and left.

Shaoshang rubbed her arm and climbed up from the ground, cursing at Luo Jitong’s retreating back: “You’re sick! You need medicine!”