“Third Aunt, stop laughing.” Shaoshang’s face was full of helplessness. Sitting across the table was Madam Sang, trembling with laughter like a flowering branch. “What’s so funny about this matter?”

Madam Sang straightened herself: “Five years ago, when you saw the Emperor being close to the Dowager Princess of Huai’an, you sourly said to me, ‘I wonder how His Majesty and Empress Yue get along.’ These five years you finally saw, and the result is you’re still sour. Tell me, the Emperor has only had two women total—what exactly do you want him to do?”

“Alas, that’s different.” Shaoshang propped her chin and sighed. “Five years ago, the most intimate behavior between His Majesty and the Dowager in front of us was at most leaning their heads together to look at scenery—even then I felt something wasn’t right. These past years, I’ve finally seen what truly intimate and inseparable husband and wife should be like.”

Why had the girl felt something was off back then? Naturally, it was because she compared it to how she and Huo Buyi got along, and discovered there was always a sense of distance between the Emperor and Empress. Madam Sang didn’t expose this point, but instead said: “You rarely leave the palace, and I rarely return to the capital. If you still want to ramble on about the Dowager Princess of Huai’an’s matters, I’m really leaving.” She made a gesture as if to depart.

Shaoshang hastily detained her. Speaking of which, it was strange—she and Madam Sang were as close as intimate friends. Their views on worldly matters, hobbies, habits, even the way they complained about others all coincided perfectly. Yet regarding the Grand Empress Dowager alone, the two ran completely counter to each other.

Especially after Madam Sang learned that Shaoshang had become the Palace Directress of Yong’an Palace, her opposition was even more intense. Over these five years, she had countless times given Shaoshang various suggestions—retiring due to illness, hiding due to injury, going on matchmaking dates… In short, she demanded Shaoshang quickly leave the palace and return home.

“Why does Aunt always dislike the Dowager? She’s a good person.” Shaoshang couldn’t understand it no matter how hard she tried.

Madam Sang turned around and said mockingly: “Your Second Uncle is also a good person, but I never thought highly of him. However, since he married Qing Cong, he’s become much more pleasing to the eye. You’ve stayed in the palace for five years—your horizons have grown increasingly narrow, your mind increasingly shallow. All day long you think about trivial matters like needles, thread, and ephemeral trifles—take a mirror and look at yourself. Do you still recognize yourself!”

Shaoshang retorted: “His Majesty is also in the palace, and he governs all under heaven. Does that mean his horizons and mind are also small?”

“But you’re staying beside the Dowager Princess of Huai’an. Those near ink become black, those near vermillion become red! I fear that after being with her so long, you’ve also learned to be like a resentful woman!” Madam Sang walked over and shut the window tight, speaking her mind in one breath. “Although Empress Yue has a bad temper, I’d rather you stumble and clash in Empress Yue’s palace than muddle along confusedly beside the Grand Empress Dowager!”

“This isn’t fair! Back then with wind and rain turbulent, His Majesty had to personally go into battle to fight. But heaven is unpredictable, swords and spears have no eyes, so before going on campaign, he hastily established the not-yet-two-year-old Prince of Donghai as heir apparent to stabilize the realm—His Majesty cannot do this: when he needs them, he makes her empress and establishes the crown prince; when he doesn’t need them, he finds fault left and right. Neither Her Ladyship nor the Prince of Donghai asked to do these things themselves!” Shaoshang said indignantly. “Ultimately, it was all the old Prince of Qian’an who pushed Her Ladyship into the fire pit!”

“Lady Xuan’s fate was good enough!” Madam Sang wasn’t moved in the slightest. “Back then I personally collected the corpse of my close friend with my own hands. Her family background and status were no worse than the Xuan family! Unfortunately, she didn’t have an uncle ‘pushing her into a fire pit’ to protect her. Once their defenses were careless, their hometown suffered a blood-washing by fierce bandits. She and her daughters died miserably beyond description. Has your Lady Xuan ever suffered such suffering?!”

“Aunt, this is great disrespect!” Shaoshang frowned.

“Go ahead and report me!” Madam Sang directly cursed. “Good food, good drink, good days for decades—all day long complaining about this grievance and that grievance, and you chime in from the side! If I’d known, five years ago when you were unconscious, I should have carried you onto the carriage and taken you along to let you see the people’s livelihood and the common people’s suffering outside. Hmph, all the problems of resentful women who’ve eaten and drunk their fill under heaven can be cured by starving them for a few meals!”

Shaoshang protested defiantly: “Because I serve the Dowager, Father and elder brother even got promoted!”

Madam Sang immediately retorted: “The promotions and wealth gained by trading you away—your father and brother’s hearts hurt worse than having their flesh carved out!”

Under Aunt’s oppressive gaze, Shaoshang had no choice but to shut her mouth.

Only after Madam Sang had glared to her satisfaction did she continue: “Think about that era of eating raw meat and drinking blood—people relied on their abilities to defeat powerful and fierce giant beasts and became the spirits of all things. When did people start praising stupidity as honesty and touting weakness as refinement? It’s truly laughable!”

“Aunt, you’re getting off topic.” Shaoshang tried to turn her body aside to avoid sitting there. Madam Sang grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “Between heaven and earth, everyone survives by their own abilities. Lady Xuan became empress relying on that alliance agreement back then and His Majesty’s respect for her. Lady Yue relies on His Majesty’s affection. The day His Majesty’s love fades and affection cools, see if Empress Yue will accept defeat gracefully!”

Shaoshang reluctantly admitted: “Empress Yue probably won’t be like the Dowager—once, when I reported to her that the Dowager’s illness was severe, she muttered to herself, ‘I won’t fall ill. When His Majesty’s affection for me is no more, that will be my death day.’ Oh my, Third Aunt, it scared me to death!”

Madam Sang nodded: “Mm, sounds like a person of true feeling.”

“Empress Yue is truly peculiar.” Shaoshang raised her head in recollection. “She truly doesn’t care about empty titles like rank and honor—His Majesty didn’t hold a grand enthronement ceremony for her, she wasn’t angry. His Majesty’s tribute fruits for the Dowager are fresher than hers, she also isn’t angry. But if His Majesty asks a few more questions about whether the Dowager is well, her eyes aren’t eyes and her nose isn’t a nose.”

Perhaps from living long-term in a safe and stable environment, Shaoshang felt her thinking had become somewhat closed off. At this moment, after Madam Sang’s guidance, for the first time she looked at the deadlock among the three imperial figures from an outsider’s perspective.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s temperament indeed had negative and affected aspects. If she were in Lady Yue’s position, having occupied a concubine’s rank for decades, she probably would have died of depression long ago. If she encountered ceremonies that were somewhat disrespectful or provisions that were somewhat lacking in consideration, she’d probably sigh endlessly again.

Why could Empress Yue completely disregard these things? Because she was certain of the Emperor’s feelings for her—unlike the Grand Empress Dowager’s bitter youth, Yue Heng grew up in a beautiful environment doubly abundant in both spirit and material goods. From childhood she was beautiful and intelligent, treasured like a jewel by her powerful family.

When the three imperial figures came together, the two who shared the same experience of living under another’s roof produced no resonance. Instead, the Emperor and Lady Yue, whose temperaments were completely opposite, remained compatible in heart and mind throughout.

Shaoshang had personally witnessed the Emperor telling Empress Xuan about the heartache of his parents’ early deaths. The Grand Empress Dowager related with deep empathy about her various grievances in the Prince of Qian’an’s residence—it seemed very compatible and beautiful, but the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly depressed.

And what about Empress Yue? She would probably say straightforwardly, ‘I’ll split my father and mother in half for you!’

The Emperor had some of the common ailments of straight men—it was fine if his own woman suffered a bit of grievance, but he had to be more courteous to ‘others.’ Empress Yue understood this point. Moreover, children watered with sweet water often aren’t very sensitive, so when the Emperor was somewhat lacking, she would turn a blind eye and let it pass. Empress Xuan also understood this point and was also meticulous, so she suffered doubly.

Over these years, Shaoshang had coldly observed and discovered that Empress Yue had a peculiar possessiveness toward Emperor Uncle—in Empress Yue’s eyes, the aged Emperor Uncle from head to toe, even a single white hair, a wrinkle, sleep-talking, or drunken madness… all belonged to her. The greatest pain in her life was having to share the Emperor by half.

So when Lady Xuan was deposed as empress, she was overjoyed—not because she herself could now be empress, but because from now on the Emperor would belong to her whole and complete. Naturally she wouldn’t bother calculating over matters like enthronement ceremonies.

Madam Sang carefully scrutinized the girl’s expression, knowing she was moved, and continued to add fuel to the fire: “Moreover, no matter how much His Majesty likes Empress Yue, he didn’t depose the empress because of it. The Grand Empress Dowager’s deposition was purely because of the court situation!”

Shaoshang sighed: “The Prince of Donghai is also too honest.”

“You’re in the capital, what you see and hear day and night is the Prince of Donghai constantly making mistakes, so you assume he’s completely worthless. Actually not so.” Madam Sang said. “I only figured it out after returning to White Deer Mountain two years ago.”

Shaoshang said nervously: “What do you mean?”

Madam Sang said: “The Prince of Donghai has long had a reputation for worthiness and is quite renowned among the common people. Mountain scholars often compare him to Fusu of Qin—loyal, honest, benevolent, and loving. But what good does praise from common people and mountain scholars do? He can’t control those important ministers and aristocratic clans in court—major and minor matters arise one after another, endlessly.”

“Shaoshang, from my teaching you to read, you should know two points. First, whenever a new dynasty is established, the most critical are the first two rulers. As long as it continues to the third generation ruler, people’s hearts will settle, all ministers will submit, and the dynasty can continue—like the brutal Qin perishing in the second generation because they chose the wrong Huhai.”

Shaoshang listened carefully: “What about the second point?”

“Second, a weak ruler with strong ministers is truly no great fortune.” Madam Sang said softly. “So trouble comes—the second ruler is critically important, yet the Prince of Donghai cannot suppress those tiger-wolf ministers. What should be done then? Actually, His Majesty has another method—Shaoshang, do you still remember the story of Duke Mu of Qin ordering three worthies to be buried with him?”

“I remember, I remember!” Shaoshang nodded vigorously and also spoke softly. “At that time, Aunt said that Duke Mu of Qin recruited and accepted talent, gathering a group of unprecedented capable men and scholars, but Duke Mu’s son Duke Kang was mediocre. Needless to say, the burial was false—clearing obstacles for Duke Kang was true. But…” She said with difficulty, “His Majesty is benevolent—how could he bear to greatly slaughter those ministers who are like brothers to him?”

“You finally understand.” Madam Sang nodded with satisfaction and lowered her voice. “Although Duke Kang of Qin succeeded to the throne peacefully, Qin’s accumulated talents of decades withered away completely, causing Qin to become weak again. But Emperor Gao was much cleverer—except for several kings of different surnames, he barely touched the other founding meritorious officials—”

“Let me say it, Aunt.” Shaoshang spoke softly, her eyes burning like the blazing rising sun.

She leaned close to Madam Sang’s ear: “It’s not that Emperor Gao couldn’t depose Empress Lü and her son, but which of those old brothers under his command who conquered the realm was an easy lamp to deal with? Someone like Consort Qi who only knew how to serve with beauty, a deep palace woman, and Ruyi who was young and weak—facing a group of fierce generals and scheming ministers like wolves and tigers, it was like a sheep entering a tiger’s mouth. So Emperor Gao could only go so far and no further. But it was different with Empress Lü. Heroes famous throughout the realm like Han Xin and Peng Yue—she said kill and killed them. Which of the officials dared not submit to her?”

Madam Sang smiled slightly, feeling she had finally lit the fire.

“Although His Majesty’s temperament is completely different from Emperor Gao’s, since he became the ruler, he must prioritize the greater situation!” Shaoshang pressed against Madam Sang’s ear, word by word. “Actually, if the Prince of Donghai were the heir apparent of the third generation or later, he might not be unable to be a ruler. But the dynasty has just been newly established, people’s hearts are unstable! Since His Majesty is unwilling to kill a few close ministers to sacrifice to the ancestors, he can only change the heir.”

Madam Sang said through gritted teeth: “Those few sovereigns and ministers are all old foxes—what don’t they know in their bellies? They just haven’t spoken it aloud! You used to be so sharp and decisive. These past years in Yong’an Palace you’ve been raised stupid—to actually propose marriage to the Prince of Donghai, simply lost your head. You truly deserved a severe beating—fortunately the Prince of Donghai didn’t agree. I tell you, an heir apparent who can’t become ruler—even if others don’t scheme against him, his heart will never be at peace. Do you want to accompany a man who’s anxious about gains and losses and worried all his life?!”

“Aunt, Shaoshang was wrong!” Shaoshang hastily prostrated herself.

Madam Sang nodded, satisfied: “At least the Dowager has a heart and knows she should release you to marry—if you still have the ambition of a swan goose like before, you should soar high in all directions.”

She forcefully flung her long sleeve. “Originally this trip back I found a marriage match for you—my elder brother’s outstanding disciple who delayed marriage because of mourning. His character and appearance are both good, plus his family is wealthy. In the future, he’ll cultivate learning while you tinker with waterwheels and tile kilns and such. When you have time, you’ll travel the world. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!”

“Aunt!” Shaoshang smiled bitterly.

Madam Sang showed a mischievous smile: “I also underestimated you. I worried in vain—I didn’t expect that even hiding in Yong’an Palace, someone would kick down your door every day! I think that Yuan fellow is quite good, stronger than my brother’s disciple. Calculating his qualifications, it’s about time he’s assigned to an outer commandery. At that time you can go outside with him and walk around. Mm, this is quite good!”

Shaoshang was amused by Madam Sang’s talking to herself. She was about to express that she still needed to think more carefully—since she’d decided to marry, she should marry well. Who knew that just then, Madam Qing Cong arrived.

Madam Qing Cong came in carrying a tray, smiling: “You two are truly closer than birth mother and daughter, hiding in the room for so long talking about what? Could you be trying to finish five years’ worth of conversation in one go?”

Madam Sang laughed: “We were just talking about you—talking about how you married Second Brother without a sound.”

Madam Qing Cong set down the tray, and after sitting sighed: “Even if I were reborn ten times, I couldn’t imagine I’d marry a husband like Lord Zirong.”

Madam Sang said with interest: “Then what kind of person did you want to marry?”

Madam Qing Cong said: “Someone like Elder Sister Yuan Yi.”

—Madam Sang burst out laughing, and Shaoshang nearly slid off the table.

“I’m not joking. Since age thirteen I’ve felt Elder Sister Yuan Yi was the most courageous and responsible person in the world!” Madam Qing Cong smiled bitterly. “I had no father or mother from childhood and lived with distant relatives, ordinarily treated only slightly better than servants. That year when my aunt quarreled with Elder Sister Yuan Yi, she forced me to become a concubine to my cousin. My cousin couldn’t resist and could only take out his anger on me. Instead, Elder Sister Yuan Yi pitied and cared for me… Later when the Xiao family met disaster and Elder Sister Yuan Yi divorced my cousin, I followed Elder Sister Yuan Yi away.”

When a husband and wife divorced, the minor concubine followed the former wife away—this was truly a remarkable event at the time. Originally the Xiao family’s former mother-in-law wanted to make critical comments, but Madam Xiao threatened to have Qing Cong report them for forcing a good person to be a concubine, and the cowards rolled away.

“Originally I didn’t want to marry. The Cheng family would provide for me in old age anyway.” Madam Qing Cong was very melancholy. “Who knew through an error of fate and coincidence, it would come to this state.”

This marriage came about very dramatically—two years ago, when Cheng Cheng returned home from White Deer Mountain for the New Year and passed through Madam Xiao’s newly purchased remote estate, he conveniently brought Madam Qing Cong, who was tallying accounts at the estate, back home together.

As a result, Cheng Cheng, who’d been unlucky his whole life, didn’t know whether this time was fortune or misfortune. The carriage convoy encountered a mountain snow slide. Madam Qing Cong and Cheng Cheng rolled off the cliff together. They were only found after three days and three nights.

To survive the calamity, the two had no choice but to support each other at the bottom of the cliff, so when they came out, everyone saw their skin touching and clothing disheveled—Cheng Shi was delighted and overjoyed. With lightning speed, he completed the divorce procedures between Cheng Cheng and Lady Ge, then with a combination of emotional manipulation and threats, hastily sent his unlucky younger brother and Madam Qing Cong into the bridal chamber. Mission accomplished!

Madam Xiao originally didn’t want her sworn sister to live alone for life, so she tacitly approved without a sound.

Madam Qing Cong regarded her sworn sister’s words as divine decree. Since she’d promised Madam Xiao to properly care for the ‘hard to feel at ease about’ pitiful second younger brother Cheng Cheng, these two years she had been attentively serving Cheng Cheng’s daily life at White Deer Mountain.

“Originally you didn’t think you’d marry Second Brother—what about now?” Madam Sang teased.

“…Passable, I suppose.” Madam Qing Cong sighed again. “Lord Zirong is also a pitiful person.”

—Shaoshang agreed with this. In the entire Cheng family, no one was more unlucky than Cheng Cheng. He spent twenty years beside his biased and violent birth mother, then over ten years beside the narrow-minded and malicious Lady Ge. Most of his life he didn’t know what a gentle and meticulous woman was like. After he married the considerate and gentle Madam Qing Cong, the result was predictable.

The three hadn’t said much when Cheng Cheng silently crept over and stood outside the door, hesitating to advance.

Shaoshang called out cheerfully: “Second Uncle, why don’t you come in!”

“Come in for what? Do you think your Second Uncle wants to see you?” Madam Sang cooperated appropriately.

The two exchanged knowing glances at Madam Qing Cong. They saw a rare blush rise on her face as she called softly and gently toward the door: “If there’s something, we’ll talk about it when we return.”

Cheng Cheng said awkwardly: “No, nothing really. Just came to see you. If there’s nothing, come back to the room.”

This was truly the most nutritionless thing Shaoshang had ever heard—more boring than the Fifth Prince flirting with palace maids.

Madam Qing Cong was both annoyed and amused. She walked over and patiently instructed while also tidying her husband’s lapels: “I still need to go with Niaoniao to see Elder Sister. We’ll be talking for a while. You go back first and place the water vessel on the fire stove, grind the ink well, and wait for me to return… Don’t get too close to the fire. Last time your palm got scorched, and the injury still hasn’t healed.”

Cheng Cheng responded emphatically, his face glowing with joy.

Inside the room, Madam Sang walked to Shaoshang’s side, smiling at her.

Shaoshang smacked her lips and sighed: “I know what Aunt means—marry well, don’t think wild thoughts, right? But Aunt, what if after I marry in the future we fight every day!” She felt this possibility was rather large.

Madam Sang put on a stern face: “Then win the fight before divorcing. In any case, you must marry at least once first!”