The hangover from the Lantern Festival banquet hadn’t subsided when Father Cheng, clutching his head, was dragged from bed by Madam Xiao. Although from start to finish he had no right to nod or shake his head, he still had to sit properly and receive the Yuan family matchmakers who came with the marriage proposal, exactly like a large-headed, brainless mascot.

Afterward he couldn’t help criticizing his wife: “This time you agreed in one breath, but back when Niaoniao and Huo Zicheng got engaged, you inquired about how much old business between the Huo and Ling families?”

Madam Xiao said with mixed feelings: “Shanjian is different from Zicheng. He always waits until he has complete certainty before acting. Five years ago, I thought that after he broke off his engagement with the Cai family, he would immediately come with a marriage proposal. Who knew he’d wait until now. As for Huo Buyi… matters that don’t concern him, he ignores, but once he’s involved, he definitely charges forward regardless of danger.”

Mentioning the former prospective son-in-law, Cheng Shi also fell silent for a moment. Setting aside how he made their daughter heartbroken and hurt, that young fellow could be counted as a person of true feeling. After a long while, he finally said: “Forget it, past people, past matters—let’s not mention them anymore… Uh, right, do we still need to hold an engagement banquet?”

At these words, the couple looked at each other, difficulty simultaneously appearing on both faces—inviting relatives and friends for the third time exactly the same way, entertaining them exactly the same way, enthusiastically introducing the new prospective son-in-law exactly the same way—even Cheng Shi’s thick face couldn’t quite withstand it.

So he sighed: “Yangyang is like frost-touched Chinese cabbage—pick it and blanch it and you can eat it. But Niaoniao is like beef tendon that can’t be bitten or chewed. It’s been stewing for so long, and we still don’t know if it can be served at the table.”

“Don’t say that.” Madam Xiao retorted instead. “We should think of it this way—look, Elder Brother Wan has so many daughters, we attended all twelve engagement and wedding ceremonies. General Han also has four or five daughters. We’ll just think of it as having given birth to several more daughters, each needing to acknowledge a son-in-law. We can’t be counted as greedily accepting others’ betrothal gifts!”

Cheng Shi cried injustice: “Do you think it’s about the money? It’s about judgment, judgment! When those fellows look at me, their eyes are full of pity. Even when I suffered defeat in battle, it wasn’t like this!”

Madam Xiao was speechless. Actually, she too had been sighed over with deep sorrow several times by noblewomen who were usually on good terms with her. She felt that even if she became widowed and remarried again, it wouldn’t be more than this.

…

Shaoshang rested at home for a full seven or eight days. During this time, she went to the Ban family to check on Cheng Yang’s work environment and colleague relationships, hosted Yuan Shen’s parents once, then saw off Second Uncle and his wife and Third Uncle and his wife. Finally, she returned to the palace carrying several bundles of dried vegetables, preserved meat, candied plums, and other snacks. Cheng Shaogong followed her unhappily all the way to the palace gate but ultimately said nothing—this fellow seemed to have opinions about her marriage to Yuan Shen, repeatedly asking several times ‘are you certain?’ but then couldn’t articulate any specific reasons.

In the palace lanes, Shaoshang accidentally encountered Crown Prince Ziduan riding in a sedan chair. As usual, he raised his chin and began lecturing: “Lady Cheng, this prince hears you and Chamberlain Yuan have already settled the marriage—this is excellent. From the Tyrant Emperor’s great chaos to the current unification under heaven, spanning decades of warfare, countless common people died from injuries, illness, and starvation. Thus it’s proper to recuperate and comfort the people’s livelihood. Marriage is a great human relationship, concerning the important matter of reproducing descendants… Lady Cheng, are you listening to this prince!”

The latter half he raised his voice in dissatisfaction. Shaoshang hastily straightened her head respectfully: “Listening, your subject is listening to every word… However, your subject feels these words sound somewhat familiar. Oh right, two years ago when the Fourth Prince married, Your Highness seemed to have said these same words!”

Crown Prince Ziduan was displeased: “Are the words this prince spoke incorrect?”

—If you don’t marry, how can you reproduce descendants? If you don’t reproduce descendants, how can you restore production? If you don’t restore production, how can the nation be peaceful and the people content with universal celebration? Really an ignorant little girl! Speaking of which, today’s young people increasingly don’t know what’s what. Especially his brother-like Huo Buyi—dragging and delaying, pushing and shoving, procrastinating until now still without children. The Huo family has such excellent bloodline and physique—if he doesn’t produce ten or eight children, how can he be worthy of the righteous path of humanity!

“Right, right, right—Your Highness speaks most correctly! Your subject will definitely follow Your Highness’s decree.” How dare Shaoshang disagree? She didn’t dare provoke this gentleman even before he was made heir apparent, let alone now that he was properly positioned in the Eastern Palace.

Returning to Yong’an Palace, Shaoshang was still puzzled by the Crown Prince’s tone just now. However, she couldn’t spare time to ponder these things. Having not seen the Grand Empress Dowager for nearly half a month, she had a bellyful of things to say. Within Yong’an Palace, she received a welcome like an overseas Chinese returning home. How to put it—although her constitution often attracted incidents, wherever Cheng Shaoshang was, it would never be dull. Even catching people privately brawling, she could turn the criticism meeting into a township social gathering.

The Grand Empress Dowager sat and reclined on the daybed, listening to Shaoshang recount the interesting events of recent days—

Three years ago, the Cheng and Xiao couple wanted to arrange marriage for Cheng Shaogong. Who knew Cheng Shaogong divined for himself over a dozen times in succession, all saying his red phoenix star hadn’t moved—if he married at this time, he’d encounter an evil wife who’d beat him three times daily without giving him food. He absolutely refused to agree to matchmaking, thus delaying until now.

Old Uncle Wan’s heart stirred with spring feelings and he wanted to take another concubine, but was unanimously vetoed by his old mother, wife, and concubines: ‘In any case, we don’t need you to bear sons anymore. What concubines are you taking? Save the money to marry wives for the children!’ Old Wan wept buckets… However, this wasn’t rare. There are many parents in the world who, once they have grandchildren, forget their own children. Uncle, my condolences.

Yin Jinge’s first child was a daughter. Compared to Wan Xixi getting a son in one stroke, she cried bitterly. Cheng Yong could only coax her: ‘Our family lacks daughters. Niaoniao brought prosperity so father and brothers got promoted and enriched—which family’s sons can compare?’ Yin Jinge thus turned tears to laughter. However, several years later she learned that her husband had kowtowed to the moon dozens of times that very night, praying: ‘Niaoniao is so pitiful—we’d rather father and brothers not get promoted and enriched if only precious daughter could smoothly marry and have children!’

Wan Xixi married back into her own family and lived joyfully every day. Who knew there was a local noblewoman in Xu Commandery who loved martial arts from childhood. She admired Brother Song’s martial arts and character and was willing to be a concubine. Wan Xixi grabbed her blade and went out but couldn’t beat her. Most hateful was that her own parents not only didn’t support her but undermined her! Old Uncle Wan needless to say—he felt men taking concubines was as natural as eating and drinking. Madam Wan, though doting on her daughter, felt grateful to the Cheng family and also felt they shouldn’t overly restrain their son. Wan Xixi cried in anger. The slow-to-react Brother Song only then realized the backyard was on fire. He went to compete with that young lady in martial arts, declaring: ‘If you beat me, I’ll take you as concubine.’ That young lady naturally couldn’t beat him. Covering her wounds, she tearfully asked if Wan Xixi could beat him. Brother Song’s answer was peculiar: ‘I like Xixi—whether she can beat me or not, I’ll marry her. I don’t like you. You can’t beat me, so why should I wrong myself?’ —Mm, the logic checks out.

…

The Grand Empress Dowager kept listening with a smile. Outside, the spring scenery gradually improved, yet she no longer had even the strength to rise and sit in the corridor. Shaoshang saw this and tried hard not to think about it, still living each day laughing and joking. Sometimes when Yong’an Palace’s kitchen made something delicious, she’d pack a bowl in a food box and send someone to deliver it to Yuan Shen, demonstrating she was a very responsible fiancée.

Whenever seeing this situation, the Grand Empress Dowager would show a melancholy expression: “…I remember before, even when it rained outside, you wouldn’t think about whether Zicheng had brought rain gear.” Or, “Several times when I sent you to the Imperial Secretariat to deliver things, I actually wanted Zicheng to be able to see you.”

The first few times Shaoshang endured it, but eventually there comes a time when one can endure no more. She said dissatisfied: “Your Ladyship, why do you keep mentioning him?”

Damn, isn’t this the ex-boyfriend theorem?—When he was immature, impulsive, and didn’t understand caring, I accompanied him, consoled him, corrected him. When he finally became a mature, tolerant, responsible excellent man, the girl by his side was no longer me.

Very good. Now she could seamlessly apply this theorem too. Huo Buyi was that unlucky, pitiful, greatly contributing ex-boyfriend. Yuan Shen was the one who came down the mountain to pick peaches.

“Have I been constantly mentioning Zicheng?” The Grand Empress Dowager said, startled. “Oh, getting old, memory’s not so good anymore… But unless Yuan Shen resigns from office and lives in seclusion, or you shut yourself away, otherwise you and Zicheng will meet in the future.”

Shaoshang pouted: “Your Ladyship rest assured, I’ve already thought it through. If we really encounter each other, I’ll greet him properly—no resentment, no blame, courteous and polite. Besides, it’s still early!” By the time Huo Buyi returned, perhaps she’d already be holding one child and pregnant with another. When they met, times would have changed, they’d look at each other with mixed feelings. At most it would be a repeat of Old Huangfu and Madam Sang—what else could happen?

“You can truly manage to be without resentment or blame, courteous and polite?” The Grand Empress Dowager sat up straight.

Shaoshang said decisively: “Naturally!”

“That’s good.” The Grand Empress Dowager leaned back softly. “It’s just I didn’t expect you to settle things so quickly…”

Shaoshang said: “Look at what Your Ladyship says. In my life I most hate dragging things out. Since I’ve decided, why delay and hesitate?”

“Yes…” The Grand Empress Dowager slowly closed her eyes.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s weakness was visible to the naked eye. Imperial physicians were replaced round after round. The conclusions reached were all similar—just counting the days that remained. Shaoshang truthfully reported all this to Changqiu Palace. The Emperor and Empress were silent for a long while.

“…The day has finally come.” The Emperor had long been mentally prepared for his former wife’s physical condition, but when it came to the moment, it was still hard to accept.

Shaoshang said: “Your Majesty, do not grieve. Her Ladyship has said that though she cannot compare to longevity stars, she doesn’t count as short-lived either.”

The Emperor hesitated: “Is Shenan… resenting me?”

Shaoshang thought for a moment and said gently: “Your Majesty, in this life who has not even a bit of resentment? Your subject has followed Her Ladyship for so many years and can be counted as knowing her heart. Honestly speaking, there are many people Her Ladyship resents—she’s resented the Grand Duke of Xuan for passing away so early, leaving them orphaned mother and daughter with no one to protect them. She’s resented Your Majesty for being of the same clan as the old Prince of Qian’an, otherwise why would the marriage alliance fall to her? She’s also resented herself for not being more fierce and bold, for obediently marrying as told… Your Majesty, among all these people, you are the one she resents least. Her Ladyship often says she witnessed famine and warfare in her youth, saw bones scattered for ten thousand li. She knows that if Your Majesty were only thinking of yourself, you would never consent to divorce your wife and remarry. But with tens of thousands of lives at stake, everything was unavoidable.”

The Emperor felt his heart turn sour at the girl’s words and turned his head aside: “You speak well.” After a moment, he turned back smiling: “Aheng, do you still remember when Shaoshang first entered the palace? She couldn’t even bow properly, spoke and acted without any method—just a wild girl. Who’d have thought she’s now grown into an adult.”

Empress Yue nodded: “Shaoshang, has the Grand Empress Dowager resented me?”

Shaoshang smiled slightly: “Empress Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager has resented many people in her heart, but she alone has never resented you. Do you believe this?”

Empress Yue looked into the girl’s eyes for a while, then slowly smiled: “…I believe it.”

Emperor Uncle’s suspended heart settled. He sighed in relief: “Good, good. Shaoshang, these years you’ve cared for the Dowager Princess of Huai’an meticulously. The Empress and I have seen it all. Next month when Zicheng returns, the Grand Empress Dowager wants to hold a banquet in Yong’an Palace…”

Shaoshang’s ears buzzed. She didn’t hear clearly what came after. Only after a long while did she say: “Your Majesty, Lord Huo is returning next month?”

The Emperor said in surprise: “You actually don’t know! Though I haven’t announced it to everyone, the Grand Empress Dowager knows.”

“But, but, your subject remembers there’s still… one or two years?” Shaoshang stuttered.

The Emperor’s eyes widened: “Zicheng is guarding the border city—he’s not sitting in prison. Of course he can return if there’s a matter!” He was the eldest, possessing final interpretation rights over all decrees.

Empress Yue pushed him: “Shaoshang, it’s the Grand Empress Dowager who said her days are numbered and before departing she wants to see Zicheng once.”

Coming out of Changqiu Palace, Shaoshang ran back to Yong’an Palace in one breath to question her superior. The Grand Empress Dowager answered unhurriedly: “That’s right. It was precisely I who requested His Majesty to let Zicheng return.”

“Why?!” Shaoshang wailed.

“Didn’t His Majesty tell you? My days are numbered. Before departing, I want to see Zicheng.”

Shaoshang felt life kept playing jokes on her. Whenever some good thing was just one step from the door, complications would arise. She sat before the Grand Empress Dowager and spoke reasonably: “Your Ladyship, let’s talk properly. A few years ago… uh, three years ago I think, your subject remembers one night Your Ladyship cried and even said ‘that heartless wretch Zicheng—I never want to see him again.’ Has Your Ladyship forgotten?”

“Because after the Prince of Donghai declined the heir apparent position, he fell ill. Those were words spoken in displaced anger, not to be taken seriously.”

Shaoshang was also a woman, but at this moment she really wanted to shout ‘Women are so damn fickle!’

“When did Your Ladyship seek this matter from His Majesty? How did your subject not know at all?” She rallied her spirits and asked from the beginning.

The Grand Empress Dowager said: “It was when you left the palace to return home. I had leisure time, thought of Zicheng, and mentioned it to His Majesty.”

“Your Ladyship also said back then you’d never see His Majesty again!” Shaoshang felt she was losing control of her emotions a bit.

“That’s why I say—words spoken in displaced anger, especially a woman’s words of displaced anger, cannot be taken seriously.”

Shaoshang weakly propped herself against the floor, feeling life wasn’t just playing jokes on her but blatantly teasing her.

The Grand Empress Dowager leaned against the cushions and beckoned to the girl, pulling her to sit before herself. “These days when you weren’t by my side, I thought much, much about this life of mine—the things I’ve done, the people I’ve seen. In childhood, Father often taught me to know gratitude, to be grateful the gods granted us healthy limbs and clear minds, grateful for favorable weather and no worries about food or use. Alas, these years I forgot all that. People cannot only remember what they’ve lost—they must also think more about what they have in hand.”

She smiled: “These five years, though I’ve lived secluded in Yong’an Palace, fortunately I had you for company, constantly leading me to play and amuse myself, as if bringing me back to the years when Father was still alive. I haven’t yet thanked you…”

“Didn’t Your Ladyship bestow on your subject a very large estate? It equals two of my family’s combined.” Shaoshang muttered.

The Grand Empress Dowager teased her: “The Yuan clan’s estates are even larger and more numerous—accumulated over generations, extending across two or three counties. Would you still value what I gave you? Mm, however…”

She spoke with increasing enthusiasm: “It’s a pity you didn’t marry Zicheng back then, otherwise you’d know how much property he has… tsk tsk tsk, the Huo clan of Feng County was already wealthy—not to mention that. You don’t know how much His Majesty has bestowed on him over these dozen years. If it were spoken of, court ministers would submit memorials of remonstrance. Recently I hear His Majesty is discussing with the ministers about measuring fields. Hehehe, then you’ll know.”

“Why bring him up again out of the blue?” Shaoshang had a headache—as the imperial physician’s diagnosis results got worse and worse, the Grand Empress Dowager conversely grew happier and happier, from time to time joking and acting shamelessly about her impending death. Even Madam Zhai had no solution.

“Alright, let’s talk about proper matters.” The Grand Empress Dowager said. “Shaoshang, though that wretch Zicheng is detestable, he used his own life to fight out a conclusion clear to all—the Prince of Donghai can entrust everything to Zicheng, let him act as he wishes. In the future when he ascends the throne as emperor, he can also entrust everything to others. At that time, the realm changing hands is not impossible.”

Shaoshang said doubtfully: “Therefore, Your Ladyship doesn’t blame Huo Buyi at all anymore?”

“Don’t blame him.” The Grand Empress Dowager sighed. “Compared to these hundreds of millions of common people, compared to this realm’s stability, we are all like ants. People will die, but people won’t die. We will become dust, but the sun, moon, and stars endure. Human life is merely several decades. I no longer hold resentment toward Zicheng. You’re the same—forgive him, and also forgive yourself.”

Shaoshang heard the magnanimous meaning in her words, but thinking this was deathbed speech, couldn’t feel happy. She could only mutter: “Your subject has also let go. It’s because I let go that I’m marrying.”

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled slightly: “Then that’s good.”

“But Your Ladyship…” Shaoshang suddenly thought of something. “Why didn’t you tell your subject about this?!”

“In any case, when you meet you’ll be courteous and polite, without resentment or blame. What difference does it make whether I say it or not?”

“When an old friend returns to the city, one should know!”

“Perhaps I forgot to mention it. Oh my, I have a headache. Madam Zhai, quickly bring the medicine…”

Shaoshang didn’t know how she came out of Yong’an Palace. She wandered in confusion around the small lake before the palace for seven or eight circuits, finally waiting for Yuan Shen to come from the Imperial Secretariat looking for her.

After Shaoshang told Yuan Shen the entire sequence of events, his expression darkened.

Shaoshang couldn’t help complaining: “I was deliberately kept in the dark, but you’re at the Imperial Secretariat every day—how did you also not know?!”

“Because His Majesty summoning Huo Buyi back was never announced to the ministers.” Yuan Shen said in a heavy voice.

“Why? Ah…” Shaoshang understood.

Huo Buyi still had over a year of his ‘sentence’ remaining. If the Emperor announced it to the ministers early, some people would inevitably nag. But if he waited until Huo Buyi was already in the capital to bring up the Grand Empress Dowager’s wishes to block the ministers’ mouths, it would be foolproof.

Damn, those engaged in politics truly aren’t fuel-efficient! She looked again at Yuan Shen, thinking he too was one who ‘engaged in politics’—in moments he understood the Emperor’s meaning.

“What do you plan to do now?” Yuan Shen raised his head.

“What to do? When we meet, say ‘how have you been?’ When taking leave, say ‘farewell, no need to see me out.’ At banquets, say ‘honored guest, please eat more.’ When the banquet ends, ask if he wants digestive dried tangerine peel and sour plum soup—should I add sugar? Otherwise what else can I do…”

Yuan Shen couldn’t help smiling. He put on a stern face: “I thought upon hearing an old friend was returning, you’d immediately want to break off the engagement.”

“Do you want to break off the engagement?”

“Naturally not!”

“I also don’t want to break it off. Who loves breaking off engagements at the drop of a hat!” Shaoshang laughed despite herself. Noticing Yuan Shen’s teasing gaze sweeping over, she said awkwardly: “Oh, I’ve already broken off twice. In any case, things don’t go past three times. Heaven won’t prevent me from succeeding in marriage this time, will it!”

Yuan Shen glared at her for a long while, finally exhaling: “Forget it. We’ll treat it as normal.”