The residence wasn’t large; from the guest room where Cheng Shi and his wife were temporarily staying to the main quarters of Cheng Cheng and his wife was merely two corridors and three turns. Madam Xiao, leading Madam Qing Cong and a group of martial maids, arrived in just a few steps. As expected, they heard Ge Shi’s shrill crying and cursing coming from the inner chamber.
“…You call yourself a man? Watching your wife suffer such great humiliation, yet you don’t say a single word. I might as well give you my skirt and robe for you to wear out and show others! Can’t study, can’t be an official, and you’re a cripple too. Tell me, what else can you do?! My life is so bitter, having followed such a cowardly man like you…”
This place was originally Cheng Cheng’s study. Several servant women guarding the entrance tried to block them when they saw Madam Xiao. The foremost one was Li Zhui, Ge Shi’s trusted confidant. Seeing that this time Madam Xiao had brought not ordinary servant women but sword-wielding, bow-carrying martial maids in sturdy attire, she was already somewhat panicked.
She hastily came forward, bowing in salute, saying with a forced smile: “Madam, you…” Before she could continue, Cheng Cheng’s voice came from inside again.
“Enough! If you’re indignant and displeased, you can return to the Ge family. Your elder brother will give you more gold and silver…”
“Don’t even think about it! When I married in, your Cheng family was poor and destitute. Now that your brothers have risen to prosperity, you want to abandon me? Don’t even think about it! If you had told me to go back earlier, I would have respected you for having some courage. What now? Your elder brother has returned, and you spineless worm have grown some guts, know how to talk back to me now? You’re a useless, incompetent waste for your entire life, only relying on your elder brother…”
Madam Xiao could bear it no longer. Several martial maids stepped forward and in two or three moves bound Ge Shi’s servant women with their arms twisted behind them. Madam Qing Cong directly grabbed Li Zhui’s arm, twisted it, and casually threw her to the people behind. The courtyard filled with continuous sounds of “Aiya! Aiya!” Before Li Zhui and the others could cry out, there was a loud “bang” – the doors to the main quarters were actually kicked open by Madam Xiao with one foot.
Li Zhui, with her arm twisted, was greatly startled – having followed Ge Shi in the Cheng household for over ten years, she had never seen the usually refined and gentle Madam Xiao come up and kick down a door. She even forgot to struggle.
Madam Xiao walked straight into the room and saw Cheng Cheng half-leaning against one side of the bed, his wine not yet dissipated, already trembling all over from anger. Ge Shi stood opposite him, stomping her feet and cursing loudly. Seeing Madam Xiao enter, Cheng Cheng raised his head, his face full of embarrassment and some grievance, tears in his eyes, saying: “…Sister-in-law…”
Madam Xiao’s heart ached. Since marrying into the Cheng family, she had always regarded Cheng Shi’s younger siblings as her own. Cheng Xu and Cheng Xi had married out, and Cheng Zhi had gone far away to study. In daily household management, it was actually only Cheng Cheng who had assisted her greatly. Now seeing him full of withered and haggard energy, clearly only a few years younger than Cheng Shi, yet seeming like an aged person, it made her hate this intensely.
Madam Xiao didn’t say much, signaling Madam Qing Cong to help Cheng Cheng away. Ge Shi tried to come forward to interfere, but Madam Xiao stepped forward, hiding her fist in her sleeve, and struck heavily on Ge Shi’s stomach, then backhanded her with a resounding slap. The force was so great it knocked her down directly, immediately stunning Ge Shi, who sat dumbly on the ground. At this time, Madam Qing Cong had already led people to quickly withdraw, closing the door as they left.
“You, you…!” Ge Shi’s belly hurt intensely, one hand covering her cheek, one hand covering her abdomen, unable to believe: “You dare to hit me!”
Madam Xiao was different from Mother Cheng – she was truly raised in a scholarly noble family. In so many years as sisters-in-law, Madam Xiao had never even raised her voice in scolding, yet now she acted this way.
Madam Xiao’s eyes were like cold ice, saying coldly: “Not only will I hit you, I’ll also divorce you!”
Ge Shi, enduring the pain, suddenly scrambled up and cursed: “I won’t leave! Back then the Cheng family was so poor that…”
“I heard everything you just said.” Madam Xiao said calmly. “So what? Now the Cheng family is powerful and the Ge family is weak. If I want to hit you, I can hit you. If I want to divorce you, I’ll divorce you. What can you do about it?”
She slowly stepped forward. Ge Shi involuntarily retreated several steps, fearing she would hit her again, saying: “You dare?! My father has shown kindness to the Cheng family!”
“What kindness? Contributing grain and provisions? Which wealthy household in the township and county hasn’t contributed?” Madam Xiao sneered. “The master protected the entire township, ensuring all the fellow townspeople didn’t fall into swords, spears, and warfare, preserving the lives of so many whole families. Contributing some grain and wealth can be considered a kindness? I’m afraid even Old Master Ge himself wouldn’t dare say he showed kindness to the Cheng family.”
Ge Shi looked at Madam Xiao with surprise and suspicion, saying: “How have you… how have you… completely changed?” Where was that gentle and agreeable impression, speaking properly and carefully, never arguing with her about anything – where had that Madam Xiao gone? Her expression changed, her speech changed, even her manner changed.
Madam Xiao looked at her coldly, not speaking.
Ge Shi understood somewhat, gritting her teeth: “Those years you put on that humble and submissive act, Mother-in-law had no way to deal with you, Father-in-law praised you for being gentle and virtuous until his death, saying you were the Cheng family’s blessing. On his deathbed, in front of so many people, he scolded Mother-in-law not to make things difficult for you. You, you’re so good at putting on a show…!”
Madam Xiao smiled lightly, suddenly not in a hurry anymore, saying slowly: “You think I’m a fool like you? Back then my position was weak, my maiden family was struggling desperately. How could I have the confidence to talk back to Mother-in-law? I endured, endured for over ten years – so what? Enduring until today, now I can properly settle accounts with you.”
Ge Shi was both shocked and afraid, but rallied again: “What will you do? Nothing more than divorce me.”
“Nothing much.” Madam Xiao slowly walked to Ge Shi’s side, saying: “Actually, many years ago you already wanted to remarry, didn’t you?”
Ge Shi was startled.
Madam Xiao continued speaking on her own: “The first time was when you had just married for less than two months. You incited Second Brother to set up his own household, raise his own banner, use your dowry as military funds and make a career for himself, right? But Second Brother refused outright. You angrily went back to your maiden family and stayed for over ten days, wanting your family to choose another husband for you to remarry. Isn’t that so?”
Ge Shi was quite frightened, blurting out: “How do you know…” Then quickly shut her mouth.
Madam Xiao smiled: “You always say my fate is good, that I married a heroic man. If you’re capable, you can go marry one too. If you really find a good one, Old Master Ge won’t stop you. But look at what sort of goods you picked out. What ‘Mountain-Suppressing Great King,’ what ‘Treasure Marsh Surpassing Heaven Great Emperor’ – didn’t you secretly have servants go inquire about them? Hmph, what things were they? All had their heads chopped off within months, rabbles scattered like birds and beasts. Pitiful that their concubines and sisters’ families were all divided up. The beautiful ones were still fine – someone would want them. The ordinary-looking ones – who knows if they became provisions or camp women. And that County Magistrate Chen…”
“You needn’t say anymore!” Ge Shi shouted loudly, her face completely red, utterly humiliated. The secret affairs from many years ago that even she had almost forgotten were suddenly exposed today, like being stripped naked.
But Madam Xiao wouldn’t let her off, continuing: “After this, you behaved yourself for a while, finally knowing that conquest and battle were major affairs under heaven, not child’s play. But shortly after giving birth to Second Daughter, your thoughts became active again. Hmm, let me think… before, you were so well-behaved, probably because you feared you couldn’t bear children…”
Ge Shi was furious but didn’t dare talk back. She had been married into the Cheng family for several years without becoming pregnant. At that time, Mother Cheng’s expression was already not very good. Plus with Madam Xiao beside her giving birth one after another – aside from the First Daughter who died young, the next two were both sturdy, plump boys. Who outside didn’t praise Madam Xiao as a wife who brought prosperity to the family? In comparison, she couldn’t hold her head up even more. At that time, she only feared her body had defects, and even if she remarried it wouldn’t turn out well, so naturally she lowered her flags and stilled her drums.
Madam Xiao continued with great interest: “Shortly after giving birth to Second Daughter, you said you needed to recuperate your body and went back to the Ge family again. This time you were smarter – you didn’t point east and west yourself anymore, only pestered your father and brothers to choose a good son-in-law for you to remarry to. Actually, I know your intention – you just wanted to suppress me. But what happened later? Did you get your wish?”
Of course she didn’t get her wish, otherwise how would Ge Shi be standing here now?
Ge Shi hated it intensely in her heart. After giving birth to Second Daughter, the heroes under heaven had mostly formed their forces. It wasn’t like before when those occupying mountains as kings could rise up with small fights. In the countryside, where could one find capable heroic men to marry? There were wealthy noble families, but that meant becoming a concubine. Ge Shi naturally refused – she still had that bit of pride. But if she married an ordinary person, that wouldn’t be as good as Cheng Cheng – at least Cheng Shi was about to make it. Ge Shi spent half a year at her maiden family without success, and still returned to the Cheng family unwillingly and reluctantly.
Madam Xiao looked at Ge Shi, not concealing her contempt at all, saying: “Someone as fickle-minded and foolish as you – it’s only because Second Brother is benevolent that he’s tolerated you until now. You still think you’re so capable, that you’ve tamed Second Brother?!… We’re moving residences in three days. You just don’t move – stay here and wait for the Ge family to send people.”
Ge Shi was startled, her lips trembling: “Send… send people…? You’ve already gone to find my family…”
Thinking that Madam Xiao had been watching her for many years, secretly recording her every move, waves of cold ran through her heart. Hearing this now, her fear was infinite, knowing that this time Cheng Shi and his wife truly intended to act against her.
What should she do now? What should she say? Should she or shouldn’t she divorce Cheng Cheng? What would she do after returning home from the divorce? – Ge Shi was extremely flustered, not knowing what to say.
Madam Xiao didn’t care what Ge Shi was thinking, only sneered lightly a few times, slowly walking toward the door. Halfway there, she suddenly stopped, turned back and said: “You’ve tried to remarry several times but couldn’t succeed. Here I’ll give you a guarantee – the day Second Brother divorces you, the second month I can marry him a virtuous and beautiful good wife, absolutely won’t let him suffer another bit of grievance.” Having said this, she continued walking out.
Ge Shi was truly frightened now. In her confusion and daze, she suddenly shouted loudly: “I haven’t mistreated Fourth Daughter!” The sound shook even the door frames slightly.
Madam Xiao turned back again, her face cold, looking at her indifferently. Ge Shi kept shrinking back under her gaze.
After a long while, Madam Xiao smiled slightly: “Today is cold, and Qingzhou is far away. I wonder if your foster mother has already set out on her journey?”
This statement came out of nowhere. Ge Shi didn’t understand for a moment. Looking up and seeing the sarcasm at the corner of Madam Xiao’s mouth, her heart had a sudden realization. For once becoming clever, she said: “Could it be that Foster Mother has already colluded with you…”
Madam Xiao smiled: “Your elder brother is very ambitious, unwilling to live an ordinary life. In his youth he wanted to kill enemies and establish merit, but unfortunately fell ill young and couldn’t mount a horse. After that, he thought about doing business and cultivating land to prosper the family business. We’re all one family – I always have to lend a hand.”
Ge Shi’s whole body trembled, not knowing if from anger or fear. Thinking of all the various matters over these years, she thought ‘no wonder.’
Madam Xiao’s face showed a slight expression of self-satisfaction, saying: “Otherwise why could Old Madam Wan always come to the Cheng household ‘at just the right time’?”
Ge Shi slumped to the ground, unable to believe her foster mother would betray her like this, bone-chilling cold throughout her body – no wonder every time she decided to do something, Old Madam Wan would always come over to admonish her.
Madam Xiao added: “She watched you for me for ten years, handling matters very maturely. Unfortunately, just one month before I returned, she was busy packing up household affairs preparing for the whole family’s relocation. Just this one bit of negligence, and you harmed Niaoniao to serious illness, almost fatal!” Speaking the last four words, her voice revealed a sinister intent.
Ge Shi jumped up in fear: “No no, I didn’t, I didn’t intend… I truly didn’t know Fourth Daughter would get that seriously ill. I, I, I didn’t mean to…”
“Whether intentional or not.” Madam Xiao waved her sleeve robe, saying indifferently: “If Niaoniao really had any mishap, you think you could still be standing here properly?!”
Ge Shi spoke stubbornly: “What can you do to me? At worst I just won’t be a Cheng family wife!”
Madam Xiao looked at her quietly, staring until Ge Shi’s whole body felt creepy, awkwardly closing her mouth. She knew in her heart that Madam Xiao was different from her – she had followed Cheng Shi campaigning east and west for over ten years. In all matters of pacifying rebellious people and investigating spies, her hands had truly been stained with human blood.
Madam Xiao’s eyes were like cold ice, saying slowly: “It’s not that easy. Don’t you still have children? Even if you don’t cherish your children, doesn’t the Ge family still have a whole houseful of people? Under heaven there are always people you cherish and love – I’ll properly repay them!”
Having said this, she walked out the door without turning back, ignoring Ge Shi’s cursing from behind.
The courtyard in the afternoon was illuminated warmly and brilliantly by the winter sun. Originally Ge Shi’s servant women in the courtyard were nowhere to be seen. At various points along the corridors stood two rows of servants respectfully. Madam Xiao stood under the corridor, instructing Qing Cong who came forward: “Watch her well. We’re about to move residences – such a fine day, don’t let her ruin the auspicious positive energy!”
Qing Cong understood her meaning, smiling: “Madam rest assured. It’s not that this concubine looks down on Second Madam – even if you gave her a knife, she wouldn’t be willing to harm herself.”
Years of accumulated resentment repaid today in one morning – Qing Cong felt deeply that she had vented a breath of foul air. Madam Xiao glanced at her, saying: “Family misfortune is not a good thing either. Don’t show your joy on your face.” Madam Qing Cong quickly suppressed her smile, saying: “Madam is right.”
After suppressing it for a good while, Madam Xiao herself laughed first. After laughing, she sighed: “Originally I hated until my heart and liver hurt, but these ten years following the general campaigning east and west, seeing so many tragic human affairs outside, these things don’t amount to much anymore.” Thinking for a moment, she shook her head, finding it funny herself.
Walking around the corridor back to the room, she saw Cheng Shi had already sobered from the wine. He was bowing his burly body in the room rummaging through trunks and cabinets looking for something. Madam Xiao didn’t ask him, only walking to sit on the bed. Qing Cong hastily helped her remove the brocade padded robe from her body, then went out to find hot water for Madam Xiao to wash and remove her makeup.
Cheng Shi pulled together his open襜褕 [ceremonial robe], raising his head in surprise: “You’re back so quickly?”
Madam Xiao glared at him, saying proudly: “A matter of three words and two phrases – what’s there to delay? It’s not negotiating before two armies. I’ve already had her placed under guard. In a few days, Second Brother will move with us along with the children. Keep her confined – we’ll see what the Ge family people say then.” After a moment, she sighed again: “…Just now when I scolded Ge Shi, I tested her – she still doesn’t know to this day.”
“The Ge family still hasn’t said anything to this day?” Cheng Shi was shocked again.
He stopped rummaging for things and also sat beside Madam Xiao. After a long while he said: “…Old Master Ge is truly a good person. That leg of his was broken saving me…” He paused. “It should be that he fears if Ge Shi knew, she would be even more unbridled toward Second Brother, so the old master deliberately didn’t say anything.”
Madam Xiao lowered her head looking at the bright wooden floor, saying quietly: “…It’s all my fault.”
Cheng Shi sighed: “This can’t be blamed on you. In your whole life, this was the only time you misjudged someone. It’s also that the bandit surnamed Chen was too good at acting – we all believed him and nearly had our lives plotted against.”
Madam Xiao felt sad in her heart, saying quietly: “We husband and wife are both selfish people. For the sake of this kindness, knowing Ge Shi was unsuitable, we still kept her, making Second Brother suffer grievances.”
Cheng Shi pounded the bed edge, saying hatefully: “When you and I were present, Ge Shi wasn’t this domineering. It’s also because we weren’t home – inside and out she controlled everything. Plus with Mother indulging her, she became increasingly arrogant.”
While speaking, he got up again to continue searching through trunks and cabinets, saying as he searched: “Repaying kindness must use other methods – we can’t use Second Brother’s whole life to compensate. Old Master Ge doesn’t have only this one daughter – so many sons and grandsons. When they need us, we absolutely won’t refuse. You needn’t take it too much to heart. Second Brother isn’t a young child. A great man standing between heaven and earth, being bullied by a woman also has his own fault. A good beating would do it. But he’s soft-hearted and soft-handed… Hmm, it’s precisely because of his leg problem that he’s so inferior and self-deprecating. Taking a loss is also good – later I’ll talk properly with him, have him go out to train and experience more, see the great world, make him tougher… Eh, I clearly kept it on me – where did it go…”
“…I haven’t only misjudged once.”
Madam Xiao seemed to recall some past event. Cheng Shi turned his head back to look at him, only to see Madam Xiao smile slightly, saying: “When I first married, I chose my own husband – that was a great misjudgment.”
Cheng Shi grinned in a smile, deliberately boasting: “In this matter, my eye was much better than yours. I married the right person in one go – truly can be called keen-eyed, perceiving the smallest detail.”
Madam Xiao burst out laughing, her sleeve gently brushing her slightly red cheek, making her look even more like beautiful jade. Only hearing her say softly: “It’s in the brocade pouch of your arrow case.”
Cheng Shi was dazed for a moment, saying oddly: “How do you know what I’m looking for?”
“Isn’t it that jade pendant you want to keep for Niaoniao?” Madam Xiao deliberately put on a stern face. “Only thinking of your daughter – have you thought about what to say when you see Old Master Ge later?”
Cheng Shi pretended to think hard for a moment, saying: “Hmm, how about this? I’ll say, given how Ge Shi has been stirring up trouble in the household all these years, I should have broken both her legs and then divorced her. Now looking at your venerable self’s face, I’ll just divorce her and be done with it.”
“Reckless man! Stop your nonsense!” Madam Xiao was both laughing and angry, picking up the hidden pouch beside her and throwing it at him.