That day, after speaking plainly with Yuan Shen, Shaoshang immediately wrote a letter back to the Cheng household, asking Old Master Cheng to quietly break off the engagement with the Yuan family. In the letter, Shaoshang earnestly apologized to her parents—because of her marriage affairs, the household had been thrown into turmoil.
Madam Xiao’s reply was straightforward and decisive: It’s no trouble. You are now the only unmarried girl of marriageable age in the family. Cheng Yang has already married, Cheng Wei was long ago betrothed to Bailu Mountain, and Yin E’s young daughter is still learning to walk. In any case, for the next decade or more, the Cheng family has no worries about marrying off daughters—so daughter, continue making a fuss as you please. When you’ve had enough, just settle down and live properly.
Reading the reply, Shaoshang’s heart filled with remorse, and she secretly resolved that this would be the last time she caused trouble for the family.
The Grand Empress Dowager had asked her if she would have regrets in the future. She sat upright before the couch, thought for a moment, and replied: “When I was young, I always wanted to leave home and be independent, to stand on my own without being constrained by parents and elders. So first I hoped Lou Yao would take me to a provincial post, and later I hoped some other man would marry me and allow me to act as I pleased. But thinking about it now, why must I rely on others? Thanks to Your Majesty’s blessing, I now have ample wealth and my own guard. His Majesty has also governed the realm so well that no one picks up lost items on the road. This being so, why shouldn’t I travel the world myself and enjoy freedom and ease?”
The Grand Empress Dowager gazed at the girl’s calm, confident face and let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
“So Your Majesty must quickly restore your health, so you can accompany me to travel and play outside. If Your Majesty remains so sickly, I may just go off on my own!” Shaoshang’s smile was perfectly rounded.
“Whether or not I can go out with you to see the world, you must take good care of yourself.” The Grand Empress Dowager reached out her withered hand to pat the girl—though they both knew that day would never come.
In the mountains one loses track of years; in the palace time passes slowly. Shaoshang settled her heart to attend the Grand Empress Dowager’s illness. For several consecutive days, all was calm and uneventful. Were it not for the Grand Empress Dowager’s increasingly weakening body and the half-dozen imperial physicians gathered anxiously in Yong’an Palace, Shaoshang might have felt quite leisurely.
Then one morning, the Second Prince came running in, drenched in sweat, pulling Shaoshang aside and whispering urgently: “Something terrible has happened—trouble at the Yuan family!”
Shaoshang’s heart tightened: “What happened?”
“Have you heard of General Weng Junshu, the General Who Conquered Shu?”
Shaoshang forced a smile: “Prince Huai’an jests. I’m not so ignorant as that. General Weng was one of the earliest meritorious officials who supported His Majesty’s rise. Over these years he worked tirelessly for His Majesty and established great military achievements. Sadly, heaven begrudges the talented—last year during the Shu campaign, General Weng was assassinated. At the time, His Majesty wept terribly and even personally wore mourning clothes to conduct funeral rites at the Weng residence.”
The Second Prince wiped his sweat: “Do you know who assassinated Weng Junshu?”
“Naturally it was the usurper Gongsun clan of Shu. Fearing the might of the imperial army, they resorted to such underhanded tactics. Later they even tried to assassinate the succeeding General Wu, though that time we were prepared.”
“Everyone knows the Gongsun clan was behind it. I’m asking about the actual assassin!” The Second Prince lowered his voice.
Shaoshang froze: “Who?”
“It was that Fifth Cheng!”
Shaoshang struggled to support herself against the floor, cold sweat pouring down: “…Then what does this have to do with the Yuan family? Could it be because Governor Yuan and Fifth Cheng are sworn brothers?”
The Second Prince pulled Shaoshang aside and explained the cause and effect in detail: “This matter erupted at morning court today—last year when the army was conquering Shu, a Shu scholar invited Weng Junshu to meet, saying he would persuade the Gongsun clan to surrender for the court. Weng Junshu agreed to the appointment…”
“That was too rash! When the army enters Shu, it’s not just for show. In life-and-death situations everyone’s eyes turn red. How could General Weng so easily take such risks!” Shaoshang cried out.
“Weng Junshu was a resolute and courageous man who didn’t fear tiger’s dens or dragon’s pools. Besides, he had previously accepted surrenders from local lords before, so he agreed. When Weng Junshu kept the appointment, he brought sufficient guards and escorts. The meeting place was also his choice, so if the situation felt wrong, he could instantly retreat to the rear. Especially his trusted Elite Cavalry Guards—those were heroes who could each fight ten men. Alas, who knew that night a group of masked assassins would break into the main tent. Among them was one tall assassin with peerless martial skills—his bare palms were invincible, able to split stone monuments and crack boulders with his hands alone. He forcibly carved a bloody path through the Elite Cavalry Guards’ encirclement. At that moment, another assassin shot a concealed crossbow arrow. Weng Junshu was struck by the arrow and died several days later from severe wounds!”
The Second Prince swallowed and continued: “Later our army utterly defeated the Gongsun clan. General Wu, seeking to avenge Weng Junshu, tracked down leads and discovered that all the death warriors who had participated in the assassination had been killed. After detailed inquiry, he learned it was people sent by the Yuan family. At the time, General Wu didn’t think much of it, assuming that as fellow court officials, Governor Yuan had acted to avenge Weng Junshu’s death. But, but…”
Shaoshang murmured: “But now that they know the lead assassin was Fifth Cheng, then Governor Yuan’s actions weren’t avenging a colleague but silencing witnesses for his sworn brother.”
The Second Prince slapped his leg in frustration: “Exactly! This morning’s court session was chaos. Weng Junshu’s younger sister married Prince Anyang, right? The Anyang heir wailed and cried, begging Father Emperor to seek justice for his uncle! General Wu grabbed Governor Yuan by the collar during court and demanded answers. Governor Yuan’s face turned ashen—he didn’t say a word. Father Emperor was so angry his hands trembled. He immediately ordered the Yuan father and son imprisoned and commanded Court Justice Ji Zun to begin interrogation this very day!”
“They arrested Shen too?!” Shaoshang exclaimed.
“Shangjian is Governor Yuan’s only son, already capped and in office—how could he escape! “
A massive dread rose in Shaoshang’s heart. Even when Huo Buyi had slaughtered the entire Ling clan overnight all those years ago, she hadn’t been this frightened, because she vaguely knew that as long as Huo Buyi didn’t raise troops in rebellion, Uncle Emperor would preserve his life—it was only a question of how much he would suffer.
But the Yuan clan was different. First, they weren’t founding meritorious officials; second, they weren’t old friends of Uncle Emperor. If the investigation proceeded strictly by the book, Yuan Shen wouldn’t die but would still shed a layer of skin. Amitabha, Old Ji better not rush to use torture!
The Second Prince leaned close to Shaoshang and whispered: “I remember that Fifth Cheng is still at your home. Not many people know this, but I expect the Court Justice Bureau will come for him sooner or later. Fortunately regarding your matter with Zicheng…” He struggled to phrase it, “Fortunately the Yuan and Cheng families have been discussing breaking off the engagement these past few days, so everyone hasn’t counted your family as Yuan clan partisans.”
Shaoshang cried softly: “Oh no, I’ve caused trouble for Father and Mother again! I had just resolved not to create more problems for the family!” Then she thought of something else, “Wait, though Fifth Cheng may be blunt and confused, he’s not someone who can’t distinguish right from wrong. How could he go assassinate the court’s commanding general!”
The Second Prince sighed: “Setting aside what kind of person Fifth Cheng is, Governor Yuan silenced all the others who participated in the assassination—he must have been covering for Fifth Cheng! Things are still chaotic up front. I slipped away secretly. You must leave the palace quickly and inform your parents of this matter before the Court Justice Bureau comes to take him!”
Shaoshang rose and bowed deeply to the Second Prince: “Your Highness’s great kindness—this humble woman will remember it in her heart and repay it in the future!”
The Second Prince waved his hands repeatedly: “Don’t speak of this. Years ago when you braved danger to knock on the Changqiu Palace gates in the night rain to request an imperial physician for my late wife, that was such a risk… Alas, when the Weng family lodged their complaint in court today, Shangjian was completely unprepared and at a loss. Anyway, hurry, hurry! First clear the Cheng family of involvement, then think of ways to help the Yuan family!”
Shaoshang bowed again, then flew out. She obtained a fine horse from the palace gate guards and without even changing her shoes, mounted directly in her soft-soled cloud sparrow upturned-toe slippers, galloping home. Gasping for breath, she rushed through the gate. Old Master Cheng was at work as usual, so she told the matter to Madam Xiao, who was greatly alarmed and quickly summoned Fifth Cheng to ask if this was true.
Fifth Cheng was bewildered: “When did I assassinate General Weng? The Gongsun clan is harsh and narrow-minded—I deeply despise them. Some martial world brothers once invited me to work for the Gongsun clan, but I flatly refused.”
Shaoshang pressed him: “Then did you assassinate anyone else last year!”
Fifth Cheng thought for a moment and said: “Yes. Last autumn a close friend invited me to eliminate a traitor together. He said the target was a treacherous official from the previous dynasty hiding in Shu, concealing priceless treasure in the mountains under a false name, with heavily armored guards protecting him who couldn’t be easily approached. They were determined to execute this traitor and asked for my help. The guards around that traitor were indeed formidable. My close friend’s brothers suffered heavy casualties, but I fought my way in, giving the brothers an opportunity to shoot that traitor with an arrow. I don’t know if he died or not.”
Shaoshang cried out, and Madam Xiao said helplessly: “Master Fifth, you were deceived. I’ve heard that the Gongsun clan of Shu loves to recruit martial world heroes with heavy gold. Your close friend must have been bought by the Gongsun clan and thus tricked you into the assassination.”
Fifth Cheng’s expression changed drastically: “Could it be, could it be that traitor was actually General Weng?!” He collapsed, confused and unsettled. “I thought something felt wrong…” The brothers his friend brought all had dark, shadowy gazes, were silent and taciturn, moved with coordinated ferocity—they didn’t look like martial world people but rather like well-trained death warriors.
“That was a close friend I’d known for thirty years!” Fifth Cheng shouted in disbelief.
“Let’s not discuss this now. What happened after? Did you know nothing about the imperial army’s commander being assassinated?” Shaoshang gathered her spirits and questioned again.
Fifth Cheng’s face showed regret: “That night I was also severely wounded. The pursuing soldiers pressed close behind, so I dared not return home. I could only flee into the vast mountain ranges and recuperated for two or three months at a hunter’s home in a deep mountain hollow before emerging… Actually, when I didn’t return home for so long, the old family servant went to find Yuan Pei, and the Yuan family sent people everywhere to find me—in any case, by the time I came down from the mountains, the imperial army had already broken through the Gongsun clan’s first two defensive lines. I heard people say the commander’s surname was Wu.”
Hearing this, Madam Xiao understood the full story and sighed, turning her head.
Seeing Fifth Cheng’s expression showing unwillingness to accept the Yuan family’s goodwill, Shaoshang’s anger flared: “Master Fifth acts with swift vengeance and carefree behavior, but doesn’t realize that to cover for you, Governor Yuan is about to drag his entire family down! Now the Yuan family faces imminent destruction. Master Fifth has finally gotten his great revenge—let me congratulate Master Fifth in advance!”
Fifth Cheng was startled. After Shaoshang explained clearly, his face alternated between red and white.
Madam Xiao gently chided her daughter for being ‘discourteous,’ then asked: “Master Fifth, matters have reached this point. What do you intend to do?”
Fifth Cheng gritted his teeth: “One bears responsibility for one’s own actions! Since I caused this enormous disaster, I’ll go to the Court Justice Bureau and confess myself. I absolutely won’t implicate the Yuan family, much less the Cheng family!”
Shaoshang had been waiting for exactly these words. She declared: “Very well. I’ll accompany Master Fifth.”
Before the two left, Madam Xiao suddenly said: “Master Fifth, Niaoniao, when you meet the Court Justice later, you must not be impatient with him. Strictly speaking, Master Fifth was used by others, whereas Governor Yuan’s culpability…”
She didn’t continue. Fifth Cheng didn’t understand her meaning, but Shaoshang already grasped it. She bit her lip: “One must try what one can. Even if I won’t become husband and wife with Yuan Shen, I can’t just watch him die in prison!”
Madam Xiao watched her daughter’s retreating figure, remembering how years ago Shaoshang had dragged her sick body to speak in Huo Buyi’s defense. She sighed deeply—how could she have ever thought her daughter was cold-hearted and selfish by nature?
Shaoshang and Fifth Cheng galloped out of the Cheng residence. Just as they reached the alley entrance, they encountered a troop of light-armored, bow-carrying agile guards head-on. The leader wore black robes and feathered armor with cold, stern features—it was Huo Buyi.
Shaoshang froze. Fifth Cheng spoke up first: “Are you court officials sent to arrest me? No need—I’ll go to the Court Justice Bureau and turn myself in!”
Huo Buyi saw the girl’s hairpin askew and sweat beading on her forehead. He frowned slightly, turned and gestured. The guards silently withdrew to the side. Only then did he say: “Just now I saw Prince Huai’an slip away during the chaos and guessed he was going to tip you off.”
“Did His Majesty send you!” Shaoshang reined in her horse, her expression tense.
Huo Buyi didn’t answer but asked instead: “You’re taking Fifth Cheng to surrender. What do you plan to say? That although Fifth Cheng killed the wrong person…”
“Master Fifth didn’t kill anyone. He only carved a bloody path through Duke Weng’s Elite Cavalry Guards. Someone else shot and wounded General Weng.” Shaoshang herself felt this defense was rather pointless, but it was better than nothing.
Huo Buyi’s gaze toward the girl was unusually tender: “At this point, you still want to protect Fifth Cheng. Yet the Yuan heir has repeatedly wanted this man dead… Though that’s true—if they’d eliminated this confused fool earlier, all these troubles wouldn’t have arisen.”
Fifth Cheng’s face flushed deep red: “I was confused, true, but I didn’t intentionally implicate the Yuan family… How was I to know I’d be recognized?”
“Had you remained in other provinces and commanderies, you might not have faced today’s disaster. Sadly, you refused to heed Governor Yuan’s words.” Huo Buyi glanced at him coolly. “That night when you assassinated General Weng, your bare palms could break swords and blades, split monuments and crack boulders…”
Shaoshang interrupted: “Oh, I remember you can also split monuments and crack boulders barehanded. So this is an extremely rare skill? I thought any expert could do it.”
This time even Fifth Cheng gave her a contemptuous look, clearly conveying ‘women have shallow understanding’: “My sworn brother… that Yuan Pei fellow also practiced this skill. Years ago we learned it together from a mountain master. To my knowledge, people in this world with such ability number no more than one hand’s count.”
Shaoshang closed her mouth sheepishly.
Huo Buyi suppressed his smile and continued: “You’d been in the capital only a few days when you displayed this unique skill before some ruffians to defend someone—and happened to be seen by a Weng family servant. The Weng family was cautious and found several Elite Cavalry Guards who had fought you that year to identify you. This scar at the center of your brows, plus your unusually massive build—these three things together confirmed it was you. Originally the Weng family wanted to arrest you immediately, but you’d hidden in the Cheng residence. When the Weng family’s search proved fruitless, they began investigating the Yuan family.”
Actually, over these twenty-plus years, Fifth Cheng had been busy fighting his death feud with Yuan Pei and rarely ‘worked’ in the martial world, so few people knew his signature skill. Otherwise they should have thought of Fifth Cheng the very night Weng Junshu was assassinated.
Shaoshang realized this was a dead end—leave Fifth Cheng outside and the Weng family would catch him, implicating the Yuan family. Hide Fifth Cheng and the Weng family would investigate the Yuan family—the Yuan family would still suffer. She bit her lip: “May I ask, Marquis Huo, what are you doing here today?”
Huo Buyi said: “Hand Fifth Cheng over to me. I’ll take him to the Court Justice Bureau to surrender. Then you return properly to Yong’an Palace, don’t do anything, just wait.”
Shaoshang frowned in silence. Huo Buyi gazed at her: “I know you’re unwilling to trust me, but this isn’t something you can interfere with. If you get involved, you’ll drag the Cheng family down with you.”
“No.” Shaoshang turned her head to look elsewhere. “You’re not the type to kick someone when they’re down.” Then she cupped her fists toward Fifth Cheng: “Please follow this Marquis Huo to the Court Justice Bureau.” Governor Liang would probably have a plan. She’d observe first before acting. If all else failed, she could only ask the Grand Empress Dowager to intercede—Yuan Shen was uninformed and should at least be saved.
Fifth Cheng dumbly said “Oh.” He wanted to say he could actually go alone.
“Shaoshang…” Huo Buyi tentatively spoke.
“Don’t talk yet.” Shaoshang stopped him from continuing, her eyes fixed directly on a stone on the ground. “I haven’t decided what to say to you yet. I won’t be rash and impetuous again, chasing quick results… When I’ve figured it out, I’ll speak to you then.”
The Grand Empress Dowager didn’t have many days left. She wanted to focus wholeheartedly on serving her during this time, and after her passing, then deal with the tangled mess with Huo Buyi. Before that, she didn’t plan to see Huo Buyi at all. Who knew she’d encounter him unexpectedly today—truly caught off guard.
Huo Buyi smiled: “Good. I’ll do as you say.”
Shaoshang pressed her lips together, turned her horse’s head slightly, and silently brushed past Huo Buyi without a word, galloping away swiftly—throughout the entire exchange, she worked hard not to look at Huo Buyi even once.
Fifth Cheng stared at that stone on the ground, suddenly remembering how his sister Fifth Heyi had interacted with Yuan Pei back then. Something dawned on him, and he suddenly asked Huo Buyi: “Marquis, does the young lady of the Cheng family like you?”
Huo Buyi gently pulled the reins but said nothing—the problem between them had never been whether they liked each other, but whether she was willing to take one more risk for him.