Ever since waking in that country earthen house, Shaoshang had constantly been under strict supervision. The only difference was between ordinary supervision, strict supervision, and Spider Silk Great Immortal supervision. The Empress and Third Aunt only imposed ordinary supervision on her—as long as nothing major happened, it was fine. Lady Xiao imposed strict supervision—not only could nothing happen, she couldn’t speak out or act out either. As for Ling Buyi… that needn’t be mentioned.

This time, rarely without elders by her side, Shaoshang abandoned the carriage to ride horseback. Facing the crisp, clear cold of early morning, she played her short flute with great interest. The melody was lively and spirited, delightful and carefree. Playing the flute required steady, powerful breath, but with the horse’s jolting, the flute sounds sometimes soared into the clouds, sometimes plummeted into empty space, making everyone around quite uncomfortable. Yet the player herself was incredibly happy, her spirits flying in the wind all the way, overjoyed.

Cheng Shaogong shrank listlessly inside the carriage, his face turning green from being tormented by this soul-piercing flute music.

Even Wan Qiqi couldn’t bear to watch anymore. She rode her horse beside Shaoshang: “It’s just one trip out—are you this overjoyed?”

Shaoshang lowered her short flute, her cute, pert nose tip frozen slightly red: “Going out without anyone supervising me—how rare is that!”

“What’s so rare about it? As long as I bring enough guards and servants, I can go wherever I want. Father always says married women are most pitiful. Just look at my eldest mother—he tells me to enjoy myself more while at my natal family.” Wan Qiqi had no empathy.

“Then Elder Sister Qiqi, just don’t marry.”

“But Father also says unmarried women are even more pitiful.”

Shaoshang was speechless for a moment, sighing: “Uncle Wan is truly a good person. Elder Sister Qiqi, I wish I’d been reborn as your family’s fourteenth daughter. Look at me—the past needn’t be mentioned, but Mother showing such compassion once in eight hundred years to let me travel and play…”

Cheng Shaogong leaned against the carriage window, saying idly: “You really think Mother letting you out this time was great compassion?”

Shaoshang was puzzled: “Isn’t it?”

“If you promise not to play the flute while riding, I’ll tell you.”

As if Shaoshang was someone who’d be threatened! She flew up a kick against the carriage wall. The carriage immediately swayed twice. Cheng Shaogong shrieked like a delicate flower, then Shaoshang turned to ask Second Brother Cheng Song instead. Cheng Song was at the very front of the convoy talking with the household troops’ leader. Wan Qiqi called him back with a flying whistle. Upon learning the reason, he very readily provided answers. Thus the three squeezed into an empty carriage at the rear of the convoy.

“To avoid some trouble,” Cheng Song said.

Shaoshang looked bewildered.

Cheng Song didn’t know where to start, considering carefully: “Have you heard the allusion ‘rare goods worth hoarding’?”

“Second Brother is testing my knowledge too!” Shaoshang was somewhat indignant. “I know this allusion, but don’t ask me which book it’s from, okay? Should people who haven’t read much be struck by heaven’s thunder?!”

“No, no, no, that’s not what I meant!” Cheng Song hastily waved his hands. “Mother’s meaning is that because of you, our family now has some ‘rare goods worth hoarding.'”

“How so?” Wan Qiqi was also completely confused.

“Little Sister, how often do you see His Majesty nowadays?”

“About every other day, I suppose.”

“How often can you speak with His Majesty?”

“As long as I see him, we talk.”

Shaoshang felt baffled. “But so what? Cen Anzhi who’s close to His Majesty, Elder Sister Luo who used to accompany Her Majesty—they can all see His Majesty often!”

Cheng Song scratched his head: “Eunuch Cen needn’t be mentioned—even Colonel Yu doesn’t dare look down on him. But that Lady Luo—Mother investigated. Actually she doesn’t frequently have imperial audiences. Even when she sees His Majesty, she’s no different from ordinary palace maids—she can’t speak unless His Majesty questions her.”

This was palace etiquette—subordinates couldn’t speak first unless superiors opened their mouths. Shaoshang quickly said: “I never speak at will!” Except for her own defense when Imperial Uncle reprimanded her.

“But when you do speak, it works!” Cheng Song said.

Wan Qiqi clapped her hands: “Is it about my father’s matter?”

Cheng Song nodded: “Mother said before when Little Sister could frequently have audiences, everyone just observed, watching to see if she was another Lady Luo. But after Uncle Wan’s matter came out… Little Sister, do you know? These past days, visitors to our home have tripled, and inexplicably heavy gifts have been sent. Mother says in another two days, requests for favors will likely arrive. If we refuse them all, we’ll inevitably offend people. Better to let you travel and play, and when Lord Ling returns, hand this difficult problem to him.” Actually, Ling Buyi was close to the Emperor and could speak up even more easily—why didn’t people dare request his help? They were simply picking the soft persimmon to squeeze.

“I didn’t say anything much! Mother said His Majesty never intended to immediately punish Uncle Wan anyway.” Shaoshang’s head swelled.

Cheng Song continued: “Later Mother also said that with a rigorous, imperially-favored censor like Huang Wen memorializing an impeachment, according to usual practice, His Majesty should first have someone escort Uncle Wan back to the capital under guard to await trial… To investigate the case, Uncle would have to enter the Court of Judicial Review at least once! But after you pleaded a few times, forget escorting him back to the capital under guard—His Majesty didn’t even send the case to the Court of Judicial Review. He just summoned Uncle back for a ‘performance review’—Little Sister, you don’t understand official circles. The difference here is huge.”

Hearing this, Wan Qiqi became even more grateful to Shaoshang, hugging her dear sworn sister and kissing her several times, thanking her profusely.

Shaoshang’s mouth fell open, momentarily speechless—so Imperial Uncle actually treated her very well? Or was it benefiting from Ling Buyi’s reflected glory? Or both?

“Probably His Majesty thought it was just a small matter and didn’t take it seriously,” she said hesitantly.

“It is a small matter. His Majesty ordering an escort is a small matter; casually letting it pass is also a small matter.” Cheng Song continued, “The saying goes ‘having someone at court makes being an official easy.’ At critical moments, having someone who can speak before His Majesty is worth a thousand gold pieces. But how many people in this world can persuade His Majesty? Last time when His Majesty pardoned Colonel Dou’s crime of disrespect, it was the Grand Princess’s Prince Consort who obtained the pardon from His Majesty.”

Shaoshang said: “The Grand Prince Consort is understanding and eloquent. His Majesty truly dotes on him.”

“Now there’s a pile of people wanting to associate with our family. If it’s just association, that’s nothing to fear—we can be perfunctory. Mother doesn’t fear that. But what if someone asks you to speak before His Majesty? What then?”

Shaoshang’s forehead broke out in sweat as she nodded vigorously: “Mother is right. With Lord Ling not in the capital, I’d better go out. When we have more confidence in the future, we won’t fear anything.”

Wan Qiqi was just about to embrace Shaoshang intimately in thanks when the carriage door was suddenly yanked open.

“—What are you three hiding here for?!” Cheng Shaogong, wrapped in white fox fur, stood furiously outside the carriage. “The steward couldn’t find you all and could only come find me!”

“What is it?” Cheng Song asked.

“A guest has come, looking for Little Sister.”

At these words, all three inside the carriage shrank back together.

“No way—they’ve pursued us here?” Shaoshang was quite alarmed. If it really was a powerful family coming to request favors, should she agree or not?

“Little Sister, don’t be afraid. I’ll go see first.” Cheng Song said in a low voice.

“Let me go instead. I’m surnamed Wan—they can’t trouble me.” Wan Qiqi made to get out of the carriage.

“What are you pushing back and forth for!” Cheng Shaogong pulled his fur closer, saying impatiently, “It’s Lou Yao, and that Lady He. They’re returning to the capital and just happened to encounter us.”

The three faces inside the carriage changed again. Cheng Song and Wan Qiqi exchanged smiles while Shaoshang felt somewhat uneasy. Cheng Song said: “Since it’s Ayao, Little Sister should go see him.” During the engagement period with the Lou family, he’d quite liked this future brother-in-law.

Shaoshang thought about it and got out to see them.

Cheng Shaogong looked into the carriage: “Second Brother and Elder Sister Qiqi aren’t going?”

Wan Qiqi said sideways: “The three of them have past entanglements and things to say. What would we go there for? Shaogong, you should grow up too. Stop always having a three-year-old’s temperament.”

Cheng Song laughed: “Qiqi, you’re thinking too much. Where’s he three years old? He’s only two, still wearing diapers! Hehehe…”

Wan Qiqi laughed along.

Cheng Shaogong laughed coldly: “Think clearly—though Ling Buyi has left, he left a team of guards for Little Sister who escort her in and out of the palace gates daily. On this trip, they’ve also been incorporated into our convoy. We’re letting Little Sister go see Lou Yao—do you think Ling Buyi will know or not? What will he do when he knows?”

Wan Qiqi cried out first. Cheng Song’s expression changed: “Why didn’t you say so earlier!” The two hurriedly jumped from the carriage to chase after her.

“—Brains are good things. After you two marry, you’d better come up with one between you!” Cheng Shaogong called out sarcastically at their retreating backs.

When Cheng Song and Wan Qiqi arrived, Shaoshang was saying: “…You don’t need to worry. Nothing happened to me at all. On the contrary, those who pushed me into the water all suffered.”

Lou Yao stood three steps before Shaoshang, saying quietly: “Everyone told me you’re betrothed. It’s better if you and I meet less…”

Shaoshang felt somewhat uncomfortable. Once the two had endless things to say; now it seemed whatever they said would be awkward.

Cheng Song strode forward, eagerly clapping Lou Yao’s shoulder: “Ayao, long time no see! You’ve changed a lot!”

Lou Yao was now thin and tall, but his formerly sunlight-like vigorous heroic bearing seemed veiled by a thin gauze. Even his smile carried some melancholy. Understanding Cheng Song’s intent, he said with resignation: “Elder Brother Zifu, I heard you’ve become betrothed to the Wan family young lady. Allow me to offer congratulations first.”

Wan Qiqi also stepped forward several paces, looking around: “Hey, Young Master Lou, where’s your wife? I also haven’t seen her in a long time and miss her very much. Why not call her to talk together?” That damned Cheng Shaogong—didn’t he say the couple came together?

At this moment, the curtain of the nearby stopped carriage suddenly lifted, revealing a proud, beautiful face. He Zhaojun said: “I’m right here. What do you have to say to me!”

Wan Qiqi was momentarily at a loss for words. Shaoshang stepped forward, saying coolly: “Nothing much. We just wanted to know—with the weather so freezing cold now, why are you two returning from outside the city at this time? Did you quarrel again?” It was already the twelfth month. Even if He Zhaojun was being stubborn outside, Lou Yao had to bring her back.

A desolate cold wind blew past. Everyone fell silent. Lou Yao said awkwardly: “No, it’s not…” He Zhaojun interrupted her husband, saying to Shaoshang: “Seems you and Lou Yao can’t talk. How about we chat instead and let your brother talk with Ayao.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Shaoshang very efficiently lifted her skirt and got in the carriage.

“Let me speak first.” He Zhaojun hadn’t changed a bit—speaking quickly and urgently, though with a bit more composure. “I didn’t quarrel with Ayao. We went outside the city to see my stepmother. She’s ill.”

Shaoshang nodded: “Not quarreling is good. But even if you didn’t this time, you two must quarrel constantly.”

He Zhaojun’s face darkened: “Mind your own business about other couples’ affairs!”

“I really shouldn’t interfere, but I find you displeasing, so I want you unhappy. When you’re unhappy, I’m happy. So whatever you don’t want to hear, I’ll say it.” As if Shaoshang was someone who played by the rules.

Silence filled the carriage.

“It seems you and I have nothing to say,” He Zhaojun said.

“Correct.”

Shaoshang stood to exit the carriage. Her hand pressed against the carriage wall as she paused her movement, saying quietly: “Human hearts are made of flesh. Forgetting someone doesn’t happen that quickly. It’s not even been a year yet—I’ve already forgotten most of it. Ayao will forget too. You’ll need to work harder.”

He Zhaojun was silent. She removed a golden armband inlaid with rubies from her hand and held it before Shaoshang: “This was my late father’s last birthday gift to me. Thank you for your magnanimity.”

Shaoshang looked at the equally radiant armband on her other hand: “Actually, don’t you think gifts should come in pairs?”

He Zhaojun: …

Traveling out of Sizhou’s borders, the party of four constantly chatted and laughed, teasing each other. Unfortunately, due to Lady Xiao’s strict constraints, they passed up many opportunities for fun along the way. Not until approaching Xu Commandery did they encounter Comrade Old Wan on the official road, having just set out two days prior.