In the following two days, Shaoshang continued passing time in Changqiu Palace as usual. Whenever the Empress inquired about the war situation at the front, Imperial Uncle always displayed complete composure and confidence. Who knew that on the seventh day after the army’s departure, a memorial arrived from the front that nearly angered the Emperor to death. It was said he spent nearly half an hour furiously scolding people at the Secretariat, and didn’t visit either Changqiu Palace or Noble Consort Yue’s quarters.
When Shaoshang was ordered to deliver porridge and snacks, she was somewhat apprehensive. At a corner in the palace lanes, she pulled Yuan Shen aside to ask what had happened.
Yuan Shen frowned: “The county magistrate of Tongniu County defected to the enemy.”
Shaoshang was completely muddled about geography and could only ask: “Is that a strategic military location?”
“Though not far from Shouchun, it’s not really a major military stronghold.” Yuan Shen said, “However, that County Magistrate Yan Zhong came from a humble background and was personally promoted by His Majesty.”
Shaoshang understood immediately—Imperial Uncle had been slapped in the face.
“This Yan fellow must be ill! In this campaign against Shouchun, even the blind can see the court will inevitably win. The only difference is whether the army can return before New Year’s Day.” Shaoshang said, “Defecting to the enemy at this time—his brain definitely doesn’t work well.”
Yuan Shen clasped his hands within his sleeves, gazing skyward: “Probably Magistrate Yan harbored some resentment. I heard that several years ago, His Majesty had him serve as a commandery governor, but when he rectified law and discipline, he was too aggressive. While His Majesty was still campaigning at the front, the noble clans at the rear were nearly driven to rebellion. His Majesty, first to appease them and second to preserve him, could only demote him to Tongniu County.”
Shaoshang pursed her lips dismissively: “Now that the great army is marching majestically toward Shouchun, this Yan fellow using such a method to vent his resentment is no different from seeking death.”
“Not necessarily. Yan Zhong does have some ability, otherwise His Majesty wouldn’t have promoted him initially.” Yuan Shen smiled. “Tongniu County has a rich copper mine and an extremely large copper smelting facility. To prepare for the Battle of Shouchun, the court didn’t levy copper from Tongniu County all this year, planning to requisition it on-site when the time came. I roughly calculated—there must be at least two thousand catties of refined copper accumulated in the county.”
Shaoshang didn’t react: “You mean Magistrate Yan coveted this refined copper? Why would he want refined copper? If he’s going to be greedy, he should covet gold…”
“Fool! Clutching a pair of gold ingots would attract attention! That refined copper is already processed finished product—just pour molten copper and instantly you have countless coins!” Yuan Shen said irritably. “The memorial said Yan Zhong escaped without a trace days ago with those two thousand catties of refined copper and his wife and children. Before leaving, he even pretended to surrender, conveniently handing over that easily defended, difficult to attack Tongniu County to Peng Zhen, while he himself disappeared to who knows where. Hmph, he also played Peng the Rebel.”
“Where did he go? Under all heaven there is no land that is not the sovereign’s…” Shaoshang hadn’t finished speaking before Yuan Shen interrupted her.
“The Shu region is not yet the sovereign’s land. I heard that Yan Zhong headed precisely toward Shu. Even if His Majesty wants to conquer Shu, it will take at least several more years of preparation. By that time, who knows where Yan Zhong will have hidden!”
Yuan Shen’s expression was grave: “He comes from a humble clan background, so he doesn’t fear implicating anyone. If he goes and pledges allegiance to the pretender king of Shu, that’s fine—when His Majesty’s great army breaks through Shu will be the day he loses his head. But if he changes his name, goes to the countryside to become a wealthy squire, then truly in the vast sea of humanity, he’ll be difficult to find.”
Beyond her shock, Shaoshang actually felt a strange kind of admiration: “What a cunning rabbit with three burrows, so twisting and turning! Who’d have thought that even being a rebel these days is so sophisticated.” After her admiration, she said to Yuan Shen, “Since Tongniu County isn’t that critical, you all should advise His Majesty more, tell him not to be so angry—it harms the body.”
Yuan Shen first said nothing. After a while, he said quietly: “His Majesty isn’t angry about this.”
Shaoshang was stunned, then immediately understood. Imperial Uncle wasn’t angry about the gain or loss of a single city, nor about being slapped in the face, but because in the future when he promoted scholars from humble backgrounds, he’d easily face opposition from noble clan ministers! She sighed softly, feeling Imperial Uncle had it quite difficult, then said, “Why don’t you say that Yan Zhong is Yan Zhong, but there are still many, many scholars from humble backgrounds who are devoted and loyal to state affairs—how can you generalize from one example?”
Yuan Shen stared at the girl’s expression, a hint of knowing smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: “You understand quite quickly. However, how I advise His Majesty—what is my own background?”
Shaoshang blinked: “Don’t the sage books say one should recommend worthy people for the nation, not calculating personal relationships or grudges?”
“Where, where—how could I have read as many books as Lord Shaoshang?” Yuan Shen retorted. “However, dare I ask which sage book contains ‘recommend worthy people for the nation, not calculating personal relationships or grudges’? This humble one is poorly learned—please instruct me generously, Lord Shaoshang.”
Shaoshang was displeased. She most hated people testing her on humanities subjects: “This is exactly what’s annoying about you—knowing I’m not well-versed in books yet insisting on getting to the bottom of things.” Ling Buyi never showed off about such things!
Yuan Shen seemed to think of this too and fell silent.
Seeing this topic had been passed over, Shaoshang’s expression gradually cleared and she smiled: “Young Master Shangjian, last time I heard you’d finally found five young ladies of matching status and excellent character and appearance. How are things now?”
Yuan Shen’s face darkened: “Thank you for Lord Shaoshang’s concern—I’ve narrowed it from five to three!”
He swept his broad robe sleeves and turned to leave like dispersing wind and clouds. Halfway there, he turned back and said quietly, “Actually, knowing you’ve already read the ‘Lushi Chunqiu,’ my heart is quite pleased. However, I’m afraid I cannot be Qi Huangyang.”
Then before the girl could react, his figure disappeared around the corner.
Shaoshang didn’t take it to heart. After knowing Yuan Shen this long, the two of them rarely parted without some discord. She was now more concerned about His Highness the Crown Prince—after all, she now had half a foot in the Crown Prince’s boat.
After Qu Lingjun’s departure, the Crown Prince had been quite despondent for a while, though publicly it was still claimed as “recuperating from injury.” Ling Buyi’s consolation was simple and brutal—directly requesting the Emperor assign more work to the Crown Prince. When people are busy, they have no time for melancholy. In Ling Buyi’s view, most of that spring flower autumn moon moaning without illness was from having too much leisure.
Very coincidentally, Cui You thought the same. To control those bouncing noble sons in the army, he could only constantly assign them tasks and find things for them to do. To this end, Cui You didn’t hesitate to cross mountains and ridges investigating everywhere, painstakingly finding several small-scale bandit strongholds for the young men to practice on.
Initially, those ambitious young masters couldn’t even identify horse-tripping ropes or horse pits. In the first few battles, several were even captured alive, and Cui You had to advance ransom money first. Even more had gone scouting and encountered pitiful women crying for help—their foolish blood rushing, they nearly got completely wiped out. But the most interesting were those several carefree young masters who went swaggering to taverns in bandit territory to gather intelligence—they went in with casual elegant bearing, uninhibited and romantic. One dose of sedative later, they were stripped naked, tied up in love-death poses, and hung in the forest.
However, Cui You was quite decent. When rescuing these few, he specifically dismissed everyone and only sent a few tight-lipped trusted subordinates. After the victims returned, they were naturally full of gratitude toward Teacher Cui. After several rounds, those noble sons either wilted or became cautious—in any case, all became obedient. Among them, a third had injuries severe enough to be packaged and sent back to the capital. Cui You was very satisfied with these bandits’ performance, so with a grand wave of his hand, he pardoned them all.
Thus, before victory reports from breaking through Shouchun arrived, memorials requesting merit for Cui You from various localities piled up like a mountain. The Emperor found it rather tragicomic.
Just when Shaoshang was worried whether Uncle Cui’s dragging, dawdling march would delay military affairs, the Crown Prince came excitedly to Changqiu Palace with good news—
“Speaking of which, Marquis Cui truly has strategic wisdom in his belly. Turns out he deliberately spread news about the noble sons in the army being insubordinate, and made a great show of suppressing bandits, making Peng the Rebel’s confederates think the great army was not only far away but also in dire straits. Who knew Marquis Cui had secretly sent Zicheng to lead light cavalry on a forced march day and night via small paths! A few days ago, Zicheng already captured the first city and even beheaded one of Peng the Rebel’s vanguard generals!”
“This is openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing at Chencang.” The Empress smiled. “Everyone thought that with such disparity in numbers, Marquis Cui’s great army would advance with overwhelming force, but who knew Marquis Cui would precisely use surprise troops.”
Shaoshang worried: “Those great men entrusted their sons and nephews to Marquis Cui. If Zicheng takes all the credit, won’t it invite resentment?”
The Crown Prince smiled: “Don’t worry, Marquis Cui is shrewd. There are plenty of tasks like pursuing defeated troops and cleaning up remnants for those young men to do.”
“That’s more like it.” Shaoshang nodded. “I hope others also earn more merit so Zicheng won’t be too conspicuous.”
The Crown Prince thought privately that Father Emperor precisely hoped Ling Buyi would show off more this time, so how could it be as you wish? However, his temperament was gentle, so he went along with the girl’s words: “Don’t worry, those noble sons aren’t all wastrels. Though the campaign isn’t concluded, several young heroes have already emerged. In the future it will surely be a situation where everyone is happy.”
He turned to the Empress again: “Mother Empress, these days Grand Coachman Lou has been quite happy. Can you guess why? Turns out his nephew Lou Ben, Lou Ziwei, recently earned a great, great merit.”
“Lou Ben? He went with the army to Shouchun too? I didn’t hear about it.” The Empress said.
“How would he go with the army? He’s a carefree wanderer across the four seas, completely free and unrestrained!” The Crown Prince smiled. “Mother Empress, do you remember Tongniu County? Because there’s a copper smelting facility in the county, successive magistrates cast the city walls high, thick, and solid. If we really had to attack by force, casualties would be considerable. Who knew Lou Ziwei is eloquent and well-versed in strategic rhetoric—he actually persuaded the general of Peng the Rebel defending the city to abandon darkness for light. Thus, without expending a single soldier, that Tongniu County was lost and recovered!”
Shaoshang’s mind turned—Lou Ben? Wasn’t that Lou Yao’s biological elder brother? With this merit, Lou Yao could probably find a closer, better place to serve as a local official, and He Zhaojun wouldn’t object either.
As victory reports continued arriving from the front, though the Battle of Shouchun wasn’t concluded, the great victory was already assured.
Shaoshang set down her worries. Plus the Empress pitied her separation from Ling Buyi and relaxed her academic requirements again and again. Shaoshang lived a completely unburdened free life. Perhaps heaven saw she was too idle, because an incident flew in from nowhere.
This day, the Emperor came as usual to dine with the Empress. After wine and food, he said as if casually: “Shaoshang, I heard your father and Wan Songbai are sworn brothers?”
Shaoshang, while adding a bowl of hot steaming ginger bone soup for the Empress, respectfully replied: “Your Majesty is correct. Not only are Father and Uncle Wan as close as blood brothers, our two families are also family friends.”
The Emperor looked at that bowl of soup, feeling somewhat sour inside. Now that winter had arrived, naturally grown fresh ginger was long gone—only old ginger and such remained. This tender ginger was what the girl had painstakingly cultivated in a warm room heated by charcoal fires.
The Empress had weak vital energy and poor spleen and stomach—winter ginger was perfect for her. However, because the harvest wasn’t abundant, the girl always reserved it exclusively for the Empress alone, while others could only watch.
His face showed no emotion: “Today Censor Huang Wen came to memorialize, impeaching Wan Songbai for disrupting law and discipline.”
Shaoshang’s hand shook as she cried out: “This, this, this… what should we do…?”
The Emperor was secretly pleased: “You’re not crying injustice first?” When imperial relatives and nobility got into trouble, usually they first cried injustice, categorically denying everything. If denial didn’t work, then came all sorts of excuses.
Shaoshang quickly presented the soup bowl to the Empress, then moved closer to the Emperor herself, saying nervously: “Mother often says Uncle Wan is full of faults—fond of drinking, hot-tempered and easily angered. One day he’d be impeached! Who’d have thought… so soon…”
Because the girl’s reaction was refreshingly unconventional and different from the norm, the Emperor momentarily had no words.
Shaoshang wanted to plead for mercy, but having rigidly pushed through two lifetimes, pleading wasn’t something she was practiced at!
“Your Majesty…” She looked bewildered and pleading. “My Uncle Wan is pitiful.”
The Emperor gave her a look, thinking privately where was there anyone who pleaded for mercy like this: “Pitiful what? Those who violate laws and discipline naturally deserve severe punishment!”
“No, no, no, I don’t mean Uncle Wan violating laws and discipline shouldn’t be punished, but rather…” Shaoshang said anxiously. “Alas, I heard that a few years ago there was a governor surnamed Ouyang who committed fraud and embezzlement—supposedly embezzled over ten million coins. Though the evidence was conclusive, because he came from a prestigious family, had written books and established theories, with disciples throughout the realm, more than ten great men pleaded for him, and some even wanted to die in his place—but what about Uncle Wan? His own family is sparse, let alone relatives and old friends. Now with just one impeachment, Your Majesty immediately wants to prosecute him, without even a single colleague to plead for him…”
The Empress lowered her head to hide her smile, thinking the girl’s method of persuasion was actually clever.
“Nonsense!” The Emperor rebuked. “Today there were still people who spoke for Wan Songbai.”
Though only two opened their mouths, perfunctorily saying “should investigate thoroughly.” However, the girl had hit the mark—when he dealt with noble clan ministers, it affected the whole body from one hair, with an endless stream of people lobbying and pleading. Even old Prince Ruyang hiding in the Taoist temple could be invited out. Put this way, someone like Wan Songbai should receive more leniency…
At this moment, Matron Zhai came in carrying a warming basket. Shaoshang quickly took out a small ceramic pot from the basket and respectfully presented it to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, please have this. These kidney beans were picked in season and dried. They take a very long time to soak, which is why they’re only now stewed.”
The Emperor scooped with his spoon—it was ginger kidney bean soup. His heart felt quite comfortable. He thought this Cheng Shaoshang wasn’t completely muddle-headed after all, knowing he usually favored wine and meat, so she presented such a light, grease-cutting stew. The kidney beans melted in the mouth, the ginger was fresh and crisp. The Emperor was quite satisfied, and thus found Shaoshang more pleasing to the eye.
The Empress really couldn’t help it and laughed softly.
The Emperor drank his soup unhurriedly, saying leisurely: “Huang Wen stated in his memorial that Wan Songbai seized civilian fields and forcibly abducted several young maidens as concubines… What’s wrong with you…” The girl’s eyes had already widened like bronze bells.
“Your Majesty, this doesn’t add up!” Shaoshang said. “Uncle Wan is eighty percent wrongly accused!”
The Empress was puzzled: “How do you know?”
Shaoshang said hurriedly: “Your Majesty, Your Majesty Empress, if you two had seen Uncle Wan’s group of concubines you’d understand! My Uncle Wan, well, that… his tastes have been consistent for decades… He, he, he only likes…”
She had difficulty phrasing it and originally wanted to gesture with her hands, but realizing it was improper, forcibly held back. “Uncle Wan only likes gracefully voluptuous mature women. Among those concubines of his, when brought into the household not one was younger than twenty years old—if they’d been married and borne children, even better…” Put simply, it was Comrade Old Wan’s biological instinct pursuing fertile soil for reproduction. Lady Xiao had complained about it countless times.
The girl spoke vaguely, but the Emperor and Empress understood.
“Saying Uncle Wan forcibly abducted married women would be more plausible. Young maidens…” Shaoshang was helpless. “Uncle Wan, he… according to Father’s words, even drunk unconscious, he’d absolutely never grope wrong…”
The original words she’d accidentally overheard from Old Man Cheng were: what slender waist, what delicate graceful bearing—Old Wan never deigned to glance at them. He just liked ample bosoms and plump hips. If he groped and could feel bone, he didn’t want it!
The Emperor hesitated somewhat: “…Huang Wen has always been cautious. Eight or nine out of ten people he impeaches truly are guilty…”
“Since it’s eight or nine out of ten, there’s still one or two left? Maybe he got it wrong.” Shaoshang said urgently. Seeing the Empress’s disapproving look, she quickly prostrated on the ground. “I was disrespectful and transgressed, please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor didn’t take it to heart, stroking his beard: “How about this—summon Wan Songbai to the capital and have Ji Zun question him. If nothing’s wrong, he can return to continue as his commandery governor.”
Seeing the girl’s pitiful appearance and thinking of his adopted son, the Emperor sighed lightly: “Fine, when the Court of Judicial Review people go out, it’ll raise idle gossip for nothing. Better that I have someone summon Wan Songbai to the capital for a performance review. After all, he’s been in office for half a year—at that time he can explain things clearly.”
“Your Majesty is brilliant!” Shaoshang happily kowtowed in thanks.
“I also thank Your Majesty on Shaoshang’s behalf.” The Empress respectfully raised her arms in salute, her eyes smiling.
The Emperor gave his wife a look, struggling to keep a stern face.
Originally Shaoshang was supposed to stay overnight in Changqiu Palace, but with this incident occurring, she had to request a palace token from the Empress and leave the palace that very night. When she arrived home, everyone had already retired. Shaoshang quickly had Lady Qing Cong wake Lady Xiao and hurriedly informed her of the matter.
After hearing everything, Lady Xiao’s expression first became stern, then she pressed for details of the Emperor and her daughter’s questions and answers, then her brow relaxed: “Good. His Majesty probably also didn’t intend to immediately punish your Uncle Wan, otherwise he wouldn’t have deliberately mentioned those things in front of you.”
Shaoshang thought about it: “Mother speaks reasonably.”
“However, we can’t be careless.” Lady Xiao pulled at the undergarment draped over her shoulders. “I’ve heard a bit about this Censor Huang. He’s not someone who speaks recklessly, nor is he the type to covet merit and fame. Since he dares to impeach, he must have some confidence.”
“Could Uncle Wan really have forcibly abducted civilian girls?!” Only now did Shaoshang experience the Second Imperial Concubine’s difficulty regarding Qu Lingjun’s husband-killing case. “Mother, have I brought trouble to the family? If Uncle Wan truly committed a grave crime yet I pleaded for him…”
Lady Xiao said in a low voice: “What trouble? You did absolutely nothing wrong this time! Our relationship with the Wan family involves life-and-death bonds. Whether your Uncle Wan did it or not is one matter—whether we extend a helping hand is another. Even if your Uncle Wan truly was confused, we’ve fulfilled our obligations!”
Thinking that her daughter could unhesitatingly defend Wan Songbai even before the Emperor and Empress, showing quite her husband’s passionate and loyal bearing—no wonder Wan Qiqi constantly said their daughter was someone who could be entrusted with life and family.
Rarely praised by Lady Xiao, Shaoshang was somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Early the next morning, the Emperor’s envoy and his party galloped away on swift horses. Two more days passed before Cheng Song and Wan Qiqi proposed to Lady Xiao that they go meet Wan Songbai on the road.
Cheng Song said: “Mother, Qiqi can’t stay home for even a moment—she wants to go find Uncle Wan and get to the bottom of this. Grandmother has already agreed. I… I want to accompany her, otherwise I’m not at ease…”
Shaoshang made faces and even teasingly whooped.
Wan Qiqi’s face flushed, both proud and embarrassed: “Aunt Xiao, it’s all my willfulness. Please advise Asong—I know martial arts and archery. Taking family generals and household troops on the road, nothing will happen.”
Lady Xiao said: “Why be so formal with me? What’s our two families’ relationship—could I let you go on the road alone?” She thought about it. “Very well, let Zifu escort you. However, you won’t miss your father on the road, will you?”
“We won’t. There’s only one official road to Xu Commandery. Besides, I already sent a household servant on swift horse yesterday to report. Father won’t randomly take small paths.”
“That’s good then.” Lady Xiao nodded, looking at the happy young couple before her, hesitating: “However… though you two are betrothed, sharing meals and lodging for several days—you still must observe propriety…”
Cheng Song blushed and lowered his head. Wan Qiqi’s eyes lit up: “Aunt, why not have Shaoshang go with us?”
Shaoshang was startled, then immediately quite moved. Last time going out with Pigfoot Uncle, though she’d encountered a human tragedy, the rest of the time was still pleasant and enjoyable with many benefits.
“Shaoshang, Shaoshang.” Wan Qiqi pulled her close friend’s hand, her face full of excitement and earnestness. “Come with us! Now the further south you go the warmer it gets. Just treat it as sightseeing…”
Cheng Shaogong complained from the side: “At this time of year, mountains are covered in snow, water is frozen—what scenery is there to see?”
“You shut up! Dare undermine me and I’ll tell everyone about how you cried and whimpered when your teeth were changing!” After threatening him, Wan Qiqi said to Shaoshang again: “That Ling fellow of yours is like a man-eating tiger every day, watching you so closely. After you marry, you’ll be even less able to go out freely!”
“Qiqi.” Cheng Song smiled and gently rebuked. “Don’t talk nonsense. Be careful Niaoniao tells Ling Zicheng—you’ll regret it.”
“It’s fine.” Shaoshang waved her hand, completely calm. “Elder Sister Qiqi isn’t wrong. Truly compared, all the jailers in the Court of Judicial Review combined don’t have his prestige. So then, Mother…?” She looked inquiringly at Lady Xiao.
Lady Xiao thought briefly, then decided: “All right. Since Shaoshang is going, Shaogong, you go too.”
Cheng Shaogong was dumbstruck, wailing: “Mother, I don’t like going out! I want to stay home!”
“Less nonsense. If not for your eldest brother recently catching cold and being bedridden ill, you think it would be your turn?!” Lady Xiao said.
“Third Brother, go, go. Absorb some heaven and earth spiritual energy on the road—maybe your divination will become more accurate.” Shaoshang grinned as she tugged her brother’s sleeve.
Cheng Shaogong said irritably: “This is the foot of the Son of Heaven—where else in the realm has more abundant spiritual energy than here?” Though he said this, under Lady Xiao’s forceful suppression, he still obediently agreed.
Before the four departed, Lady Xiao began her routine instructions.
The two sons needn’t be discussed—years of discipline weren’t for nothing. Only the two girls were somewhat troublesome—one eager for action, hot-blooded and loving excitement; the other proud, fierce and unwilling to suffer grievances. Put the two together and they could pierce the heavens.
Lady Xiao said solemnly to Wan Qiqi: “On the road, travel honestly. No acting when you see injustice, no creating complications, and absolutely no playing around because you see lively cities and towns along the way.”
Wan Qiqi agreed to everything. Cheng Song teased from the side: “You agreed readily enough—I’m afraid you can’t do even one thing!”
Lady Xiao said: “No matter. Qiqi, listen well. If you won’t properly take the official road, I’ll punish Zifu. If you’re injured or ill, I’ll still punish Zifu. If you cause trouble or create disaster, I’ll still punish Zifu… Do you remember?”
Cheng Song: …
Wan Qiqi: …
Lady Xiao turned to her own daughter. Shaoshang smiled heartlessly: “Will Mother also punish Lord Ling?”
Lady Xiao said: “Naturally not. However, if you don’t travel honestly or cause trouble, I’ll tell Zicheng everything and let him deal with you. If you dare act recklessly, I want to see if you can ever leave the house again for the rest of your life.”
Shaoshang: …