Without anyone needing to tell her, Cheng Shaoshang knew that Ge Shi had probably been dealt with. Not only had Ge Shi’s shrill screaming that constantly reached her ears every day disappeared, but on moving day she didn’t see this Second Aunt either.

Moving was a major matter and should normally involve the whole family. However, Madam Xiao didn’t expect Mother Cheng or Cheng Shaoshang to be of any help, so she attended to settling the new residence on her own – moving household furniture and implements, arranging the garden flowers and plants, having the heated walls and stoves in each room burning for several days, and moving over the gold-inlaid and silver-decorated objects that Mother Cheng was accustomed to using ahead of time. This was about all there was to it.

On the day of moving residences, before dawn broke Cheng Shaoshang was awakened. In a daze she was seized by A’Zhu to be dressed warmly and fed fully, then draped with a thick layer of fur cloak (newly and enthusiastically sent by Father Cheng), and bundled onto a curtained sedan chair on all four sides.

Cheng Shaoshang looked around and saw that the gold enthusiast Mother Cheng, the lame-legged Second Uncle Cheng Cheng, and the shy cousin Cheng Yang each had their own sedan chair. Even the drowsy chubby young cousin Cheng Ou, held in Foster Mother’s arms, also sat in one. A long string of people proceeded in single file toward the entrance.

The others were fine – either slender or young and small. Only Mother Cheng was stout and tall, worth two and a half Foster Mothers. Although Madam Xiao had prepared early, specially finding several broad-backed, bear-waisted sturdy soldiers rather than ordinary servant women to carry the sedan chair, it still swayed somewhat, like lilies in wind, plantains beaten by rain… Uh, congratulations to XX flower farmer on a bountiful harvest.

Cheng Shaoshang endured the deep winter cold. Even though breathing out white misty breaths, she deliberately poked her head out from the rear sedan chair to look forward, watching with great amusement in her heart. A’Zhu, walking alongside the sedan chair, saw this and said: “Young Lady, quickly sit back down. No need to worry about your Grand Mother – she’s steady.” Cheng Shaoshang: …

At this time the sky seemed covered with a layer of blue-gray gauze. The sturdy servants on both sides of the sedan chairs each held either torches or lanterns in their hands. The cold morning air set against the flickering firelight – this scene and situation seemed like something from a dream. Cheng Shaoshang felt confused and disoriented.

Actually, the original Cheng residence and the original Wan residence were only separated by a small door – going directly through the small door would be closer. However, for such a major matter as moving residences, naturally it couldn’t be done this way. Everyone solemnly walked out from the not-very-large entrance of the original Cheng residence, then even more solemnly circled around to the main entrance of the original grand Wan residence.

Cheng Shi and his wife were already smiling and respectfully welcoming at the wide-open entrance. Standing in magnificent wild-goose wing formation were extremely long rows of guard retainers and lantern-carrying maidservants on both sides. Looking inward from the gate, a group of exorcism performers dressed in ferocious masks and wearing five-colored woven feathers were already kneeling in attendance inside. As soon as Cheng Shi saw everyone approaching, he hurriedly came forward in two or three steps, personally helping Mother Cheng down from her sedan. Behind her, Cheng Cheng and several children were all helped down from their sedans by servant women. Mother Cheng was happy in her heart but said: “On such a cold day, my son must be frozen. Why not start the gongs earlier?” Cheng Shi smiled: “If the honored elder doesn’t come, who dares start the gongs? Disrespectful and unfilial – heaven won’t allow it.” He even raised his hand pointing to heaven to express sincerity.

Behind them, Cheng Shaoshang, frozen and shivering, rolled her eyes, thinking: You speak so well now, as if no one saw that quarrel you mother and son had a few days ago.

At this time, Cheng Shi waved his hand and the great exorcism drama began with ancient chanting and the sounds of bronze gongs and iron clanging. Cheng Shi helped Mother Cheng lead the way walking inside. The exorcism performers always sang and danced not far ahead, with accompanying shamans alongside continuously calling out auspicious phrases for driving out evil and welcoming the new. Though dawn had not yet broken, the surrounding torches illuminated everything like broad daylight.

Mother Cheng, born in the countryside and having never seen much of the world, when had she ever seen such grand ceremony? When they reached the pond’s edge by the willows, Cheng Shi even specially had people smash open the thickly frozen lake surface, then sent a bucket of “live fish” – whether asleep or frozen unconscious, who knows – into Mother Cheng’s hands for her to release. Then all the surrounding people very appropriately clapped and cheered together. After this performance, Mother Cheng’s heart was extremely delighted. She no longer remembered anything about the Dong family or Ge family, only knowing that her son was still filial to her – as long as she didn’t provoke Madam Xiao.

This was also Cheng Shaoshang’s first time seeing the residences of high officials and nobility of this era. How to put it – it couldn’t compare to the scale of major parks in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, but comparing it to the park in her hometown town was no problem. As for architectural style, it was neither like the soft gentleness of Jiangnan gardens she had seen before, nor like the enclosed towering courtyards of northern wealthy merchants.

The buildings here were constructed tall and grand, with straight roof ridges and clear eaves. All the buildings were aligned on cross axes, spaced apart generously from each other. Even just standing there plainly empty, whether main residence or secondary gardens, or pavilions and towers, all had an astonishing sense of symmetry. Square was perfectly square, round was perfectly round, straight was perfectly straight, spacious was perfectly spacious – not a trace of pretense.

The entire residence didn’t necessarily appear magnificent and imposing, but was filled with a simple, vigorous classical beauty.

Upon reaching the main house of the new residence, there was another round of slaughtering livestock, making offerings to this god and that immortal plus the Cheng family ancestors. One moment kneeling, one moment rising, and occasionally having to follow Cheng Shi in reciting strange verses. Cheng Shaoshang had no knowledge whatsoever of this era’s superstitious system – she only noticed there was neither Guanyin Bodhisattva nor Dizang Tathagata, which struck her as very strange. Combined with being weak after illness, she took the opportunity to lean against A’Zhu’s side breathing lightly, only slightly better than the chubby young cousin who had fallen asleep again in Foster Mother’s arms, drawing a dissatisfied backward glance from Madam Xiao.

They busied themselves like this for a full two hours, until the sun was directly overhead before completing the entire set of rituals. Mother Cheng was still full of vigor and energy, easily leaping up from the prayer mat. Even Nanny Hu at her side sighed in defeat.

Mother Cheng looked back, her brow slightly furrowing. Such a spacious and grand hall made the Cheng family’s sparse numbers even more apparent. So her nature flared up and she wanted to scold her daughters-in-law a few sentences. But Ge Shi had been confined, Third Daughter-in-law Sang Shi was even further away, and as for Eldest Daughter-in-law Madam Xiao – if her son had a stubborn fit and said something like “Yuan Yi has borne four sons while Mother you only have three sons. You reproaching her might as well reproach yourself first. Son feels the Cheng family ancestors must surely be very satisfied with Yuan Yi,” then everyone’s faces wouldn’t look too good.

Mother Cheng forcefully suppressed her tongue, turning to ask Nanny Hu: “Why didn’t we invite some guests? Just our own family – how cheerless.”

Nanny Hu smiled and said quietly: “The master hasn’t received the Emperor’s rewards yet. What’s the point of inviting guests now? Wait until his official rank is raised, then hold a grand banquet for guests – wouldn’t that be more glorious? The gift money could also collect more… This is what I secretly inquired about. In the future, you must never mention gift money or anything like that – I’d be punished by the master.”

Mother Cheng beamed with joy, nodding repeatedly. Behind her, Cheng Shaoshang leaned against A’Zhu’s side, listlessly thinking (she was truly tired now) that if she didn’t die from illness, she would definitely qualify for the Cheng family intelligence TOP 3.

For the next several days, Mother Cheng couldn’t suppress her excitement, walking all over the residence, joyfully appreciating this estate she had coveted for so long. Thinking that Old Madam Wan had once sat in this pavilion – even with the north wind howling, she wished she could sit there all day. Thinking that Old Madam Wan had observed fish and admired willows by this pond – she wished she could skewer the fish on willow branches and roast them all to eat. Thinking of how imposing and dignified Old Madam Wan must have been living in the main house – she hugged the bed and didn’t want to get up. Cheng Shi and his wife were very satisfied with this state. The Cheng family was unprecedentedly harmonious.

Second Uncle Cheng was allocated a peaceful, elegant area. Next to it was even a two-and-a-half story small tower, which could perfectly serve as a library – though currently there was only the tower and no books. Without Ge Shi at his side nagging and cursing, in just a few days Second Uncle Cheng’s complexion even became rosy. At communal meals he could actually chat a few sentences and catch General Cheng’s cold jokes.

Cheng Shaoshang was also allocated an exquisite courtyard – flowering trees in front, bamboo grove behind, one side connected to a small path paved with clean white round stones – quite romantic and refined. Beside it was an adjacent empty large house, currently unused, but perhaps in the not-too-distant future could be used to pile up her dowry – if she could marry out. The only bad thing was it was too close to Cheng Shi and his wife’s dwelling. If she wanted to do anything, Madam Xiao didn’t need a somersault cloud to arrive in moments.

With nothing to do daily, Cheng Shaoshang routinely recuperated from illness. Because her body was weak, it wasn’t her turn to study cultural knowledge either, so she could only continue being illiterate, spending leisure time looking at bamboo slips guessing characters. In a few days, Father Cheng excitedly told everyone at the afternoon tea gathering that the Emperor had not only raised his official rank by a thousand bushels but also enfeoffed him as Marquis of Quling.

Cheng Shaoshang clapped her hands and laughed: “Father must have fought a great victorious battle at Quling and established great merit.”

Cheng Shi, seeing his daughter’s complexion had been rosy lately, was happy in his heart and smiled: “Not really – that time at Quling was just a small skirmish. To truly speak of it, this time at Yiyang, your father established some modest merit… Ah, the Battle of Yiyang – now that was satisfying!” He stroked his beard and sighed, turning his face in recollection. “Truly exhilarating, exhilarating!”

Mother Cheng, sitting on the folding camp bed at the head position, put down her two-handled cup, puzzled: “Then why did they enfeoff my son as Marquis of Quling? Why not make you Marquis of Yiyang?” Cheng Yang, sitting attendantly at her side, lowered her head without speaking, gently refilling her cup with fermented milk, her manner gentle and compliant. Madam Xiao watching from the side secretly nodded in approval.

Cheng Shi said mischievously: “Niaoniao, you guess.”

Cheng Shaoshang tilted her head thinking, then said: “Last time Father told me Yiyang is an important garrison town with deep city fortifications and fierce battle conditions. This battle essentially established peace for one region, hmm…” Her eyes brightened. “His Majesty the Emperor wants to reserve the title of Marquis of Yiyang for someone else.” Madam Xiao’s ivory chopsticks paused, frowning as she looked at her.

But Cheng Shi slapped the table in great praise: “Our Niaoniao is truly clever! The current Marquis of Yiyang is precisely that General Han!” He turned to Mother Cheng again: “Although we’re only a Marquis Within the Passes, it’s still an unexpected joy. There’s another portion of rewards each year. Elder Brother Wan was raised to ranked marquis with a food estate of an entire county.” Mother Cheng was beside herself with joy, praising repeatedly: “…What official is my son now?”

Cheng Shi and his wife exchanged glances, both understanding. Madam Xiao smiled: “How could it be so fast? They have to enfeoff layer by layer. General Wan has only just been appointed to Right General. Alas, but this time he injured his leg – I don’t know if he can take the field again in future…”

Cheng Shaoshang, seeing the eye contact between Cheng Shi and his wife, slowly placed her lacquered wooden spoon on the table in front of her. Mother Cheng, displeased that Madam Xiao had interjected, glared at her and said: “What of it? The Wan family already has so much wealth and such a high noble rank. So what if he doesn’t take the field? I rather hope my son never has to risk his life on the battlefield again.” She raised her two-handled cup and drained it in one gulp. Cheng Yang at her side refilled it halfway, saying respectfully: “Grand Mother, we’ll be having the evening meal soon. If you drink too much fermented milk, I’m afraid you won’t be able to eat the evening meal well.”

Mother Cheng thought about it and put down the two-handled cup without drinking, smiling: “Yangyang is very filial.” As she spoke, she deliberately looked at Cheng Shaoshang. Who knew Cheng Shaoshang would smile and say: “Yes, Cousin is not only filial but very capable too. I heard that these past days Second Uncle Father’s and Cousin Ou’s daily needs have all been managed by Cousin – no one says it’s improper.”

Mother Cheng wanted to say more, but unexpectedly Cheng Shi had already changed his expression, coldly interrupting: “It seems Ge Shi was right to send Yang, still in swaddling clothes, back to her maiden family that year. Old Master Ge’s family instruction has even surpassed before.”

Cheng Yang’s eyes filled with tears. She only knelt quietly without daring to talk back. Cheng Shaoshang suddenly had the interesting feeling of “Oh my, I seem like a vicious supporting female character sowing discord.” Madam Xiao couldn’t bear to watch, saying gently: “Yang is a good child. The Cheng family girls should all be like her.” She shot her husband a sideways glance, not permitting him to continue. Mother Cheng also awkwardly closed her mouth.

Cheng Shaoshang lowered her head and sipped a mouthful of warm rice gruel, thinking self-mockingly that deep in her bones she truly was still that reserve-level little delinquent, not at all kind.

After finishing tea, Cheng Shi and his wife bowed and took their leave. Cheng Yang continued being filial. Cheng Shaoshang quite impolitely followed her parents out of Compassionate Heart Residence – the name General Wan had given his elderly mother’s dwelling back in the day.

The new residence was huge. Walking from Compassionate Heart Residence back to Cheng Shi and his wife’s quarters required passing through five or six corridors plus a white stone-paved open space. Halfway there, Cheng Shaoshang following behind suddenly said: “Father, are you going to campaign again?”

Cheng Shi ahead jumped in shock, turning back: “What are you saying!” He quickly looked at Madam Xiao, his eyes full of ‘I didn’t tell her.’ Madam Xiao waved her hand dismissing the attending maids on both sides, calmly looking at her daughter: “How do you know?” She wasn’t hiding it anymore either.

“I guessed.” Shaoshang’s heart gave a start, her delicate brows furrowing. “The noble rank, wealth, and rewards have all come down. It seems Father truly established real merit this time. But there’s been no official position. I observed Father’s expression doesn’t seem like he suffered any exclusion or jealousy, so it must be that those above have other uses for Father… Father, is there risk? The family doesn’t lack anything now. If you can decline, decline.” This was sincere – in this household, besides A’Zhu, the person she liked most was Father Cheng.

“My daughter is extremely intelligent!” Cheng Shi, hearing his young daughter’s childishly innocent words of concern, felt warmth fill his heart and laughed cheerfully. At the same time he carefully glanced at his wife, quickly saying: “Don’t worry. This time it’s not entirely warfare. We won’t depart until the month after New Year. Alright now, your body still isn’t completely well. Hurry back to your own room to rest – don’t catch another chill.”

…

Back at the couple’s main residence, Cheng Shi removed his thick brocade robe while complaining: “You should be better to Niaoniao. She’s suffered grievances for over ten years. Don’t always praise Yang – she’s just a child and won’t be happy hearing it.”

“She’s been in this world a total of thirteen years plus some months so far. We separated when she was three – where do over ten years come from!” Madam Xiao raised her voice, then continued: “Does Yang not deserve praise!”

She took Cheng Shi’s robe, saying: “Her birth mother is such an incompetent fool, and she lost such great face. Yet she doesn’t resent or complain, neither servile nor arrogant. Every day she does well the things around her. Now Second Brother’s and Ou’s food, clothing, shelter, and daily living are all managed by her. Filial to her father, caring for her young brother. You don’t know – Ou has stopped being unruly these past days. The characters he recognizes daily are probably more than your daughter, not to mention Second Brother – when he mentions this daughter, there’s only praise. But look at Niaoniao…”

“What about Niaoniao!” Cheng Shi said displeased. “Yang has had people teaching her since childhood. Has Niaoniao had anyone teach her? The eldest daughter-in-law of the Ge family’s main branch – that’s a famously virtuous person throughout our entire township. Old Master Ge still has good judgment. Back then he personally selected his eldest daughter-in-law, spending a small half of the family fortune in betrothal money to bring her in. Could Yang, staying at her side, turn out poorly? Our Niaoniao is so pitiful – following such a piece of goods!”

Madam Xiao stopped speaking. After a long while, she said: “However pitiful, she must be taught now, otherwise…”

“Otherwise what otherwise?” Cheng Shi smiled. “That she’s so clever – she takes after you. Whatever she guesses, she gets right. One hint and she understands. So I say, marrying a wife you must marry a clever one – it’s good for the children!”

“What use is just being clever? Upright character is most important…”

“But here I am – my character is upright! Niaoniao’s cleverness is like you, her upright character is like me!” Cheng Shi patted his chest, laughing heartily.

Madam Xiao was blocked from speaking. She glanced at her husband and lowered her head, not knowing what she was thinking. After a long while, she inexplicably sighed.

Outside the door, Madam Qing Cong stood holding hot water, having heard these few sentences. She also sighed.

– Old Madam Xiao back then couldn’t be called unclever. In all matters of seizing people’s weak points, guessing people’s deep meanings, and shirking responsibility, none of it failed to work. However, she only had petty cleverness, completely lacking great wisdom. She used that bit of petty cleverness entirely on herself, only caring about people and matters related to herself, only knowing she wanted a comfortable life, allowing her nature to be weak and love ease. When great disaster struck, she had no sense of responsibility whatsoever.