This year’s summer was impatient—arriving early and leaving early. A few days ago, a sudden rainstorm with roaring thunder announced its conclusion. The flower petals knocked down by the fierce raindrops had not yet dispersed when the cool breeze of early autumn arrived gently.
Waking from a sweet afternoon nap, the bedding emanated the warm fragrance of sun-soaked fabric. Shaoshang lay lazily, completely motionless, even her thoughts languidly emptied—this had been her normal state for a month.
By nature lively, competitive, and enterprising, even as a child throwing mud balls she had to come in first. She had never experienced such a prolonged state of idleness… Mm, it seemed rather comfortable actually.
After lying awake for half a watch in a daze, she remained there until her stomach rumbled faintly. Only then did she extend her hand from the embroidered gauze bed curtains to pull the bell rope hanging beside the bed—no more urgent study tasks, no more imminent marriage requirements. Her family members now enveloped her, returned home weak and ill, with an almost warm-water softness. Thus Shaoshang treated herself better than ever before.
Sleep until naturally waking, eat until completely satisfied. Each day after eating and drinking her fill, she simply sprawled in the dry wooden window corridor in a daze, basking in the sun, exactly like that elderly tabby cat she’d brought back from the palace, exposing her round belly in leisurely contentment.
After Shaoshang finished the nourishing lunch A’Zhu personally prepared (yes, she had slept until noon again), she stared out the window at the refreshing autumn atmosphere for a while, then suddenly felt like going out for a walk. So A’Zhu draped an outer robe over her and had Lian Fang help her outside.
Early autumn was slightly cool. The courtyard scenery at this time had a unique charm. The flowers on the branches had not yet begun to wither, the leaves were emerald green and translucent—not like spring’s brilliant intensity, nor summer’s noisy bustle, but rather a tranquil, elegant beauty.
Shaoshang suddenly said: “Her Majesty most loved the scenery at this time. I originally thought she could at least survive until now.”
A’Zhu beside her was startled and quickly said: “Young Mistress, please don’t think such thoughts. Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager has already passed to immortality. If you continue grieving for her, she won’t be at peace below either.”
Shaoshang smiled: “Where did Madam Fu’s thoughts go? I merely mentioned it casually. After all these years, don’t I know what Her Majesty’s health was like? Her chronic illness ran deep—it was only a matter of sooner or later. Fortunately she departed peacefully, so I suffer a bit less.”
Because summer didn’t allow for long preservation of remains, and all necessary items and ceremonial regulations had long been prepared, less than a month after the Grand Empress Dowager’s passing, the funeral rites were completed. She was interred in the pre-built Northern Mausoleum at Mangyuan. According to the geomancers, it was an auspicious location with excellent spiritual energy.
Shaoshang numbly completed all the procedures, distributed rewards and dismissed the palace maids and eunuchs who had served, locked up the Yong’an Palace gate keys, returned the Palace Steward’s tally and token to Empress Yue, and finally returned home utterly exhausted.
Once she lay down, it was a pig-like existence for an entire month.
She knew that during this time Huo Buyi had repeatedly come to find her, but Madam Xiao had firmly refused him every time, saying she needed to let her daughter properly restore her health. However, Huo Buyi didn’t have much time to pester her anyway. Not long after the Grand Empress Dowager’s passing, the actions of major families and military leaders from various regions resisting the land survey escalated, finally erupting into armed rebellion. So the armies that had just stored their weapons last year had to assemble and march out again.
The Crown Prince was so angry his mouth twisted. Recently his expression only switched between two states—solemn, or even more solemn. It was still the battle-tested Uncle Emperor who could keep his composure.
“Cutting off someone’s financial path is like killing their parents. They were doing fine as local tyrants, their lands growing larger through annexation, gathering more and more household slaves, even county magistrates and commandery governors having to watch their expressions. Now the government insists on interfering—naturally they won’t give up.” The Emperor remained calm and collected. “No matter. A good beating and they’ll be fine.”
Just as Shaoshang had collapsed into a heap, the Emperor had already dispatched several routes of troops to suppress the rebellion. However, things weren’t going smoothly. In a fit of anger, the Emperor summoned General Wu, who had been confined to reflect on his errors, back to service. The court immediately filled with clamorous voices, all stating that General Wu had massacred cities and killed those who surrendered, his fierce reputation widespread. Once released to quell the rebellion, wouldn’t it harm innocent common people caught up in it?
The Emperor said: “In that case, what do you all propose?”
“…These rebels gather to attack and kill local officials, then scatter and hide in mountain forests and marshlands. When government troops go to suppress them, they hide. When the government withdraws troops, they emerge again to rebel. Your Majesty, now beacon fires burn everywhere across the realm, and the people cannot live in peace! This minister humbly begs Your Majesty to rescind the order. The land survey matter should be pursued slowly!” Officials opposing the land survey wept bitterly in court.
Marquis Cui curled his lip: “It’s not exactly ‘beacon fires everywhere.’ Only the four provinces of Qing, Xu, You, and Ji are rioting most fiercely. The remaining commanderies and provinces have either been pacified by the government or have surrendered and laid down their weapons.”
The Fourth Prince didn’t understand: “Why are these four provinces the most fierce?”
Marquis Yu smiled: “Because these four provinces all have mountains and seas, enjoying the benefits of fish, salt, and maritime trade. The local powerful families have money and people—their influence is massive. Moreover, they’re all far from the court’s center—unlike Yang Province, which though it has extensive rivers, seas, lakes, and marshes, is newly cleared marshland with hardly any prestigious powerful families.”
The Fourth Prince understood.
Another official said: “The four provinces of Qing, Xu, You, and Ji are vast in territory, enormous in population, and important tax centers. Now with this chaos, the realm shakes. Please, Your Majesty, reconsider!”
Ji Zun said sternly: “Would you have His Majesty exercise restraint like one trying to kill a rat but wary of breaking the dishes, abandoning court policy midway because he fears these four provinces’ powerful family forces?!”
This official sneered: “Don’t speak so sanctimoniously! What about Jing’an Commandery, full of meritorious officials? How are things there now? Officials committing fraud, concealing land and population, protecting the meritorious officials, yet harshly demanding from other provinces and commanderies—naturally people across the realm are dissatisfied!”
At these words, half the important ministers in court glared at him angrily—to some degree, this official wasn’t wrong.
The Crown Prince’s face turned iron-blue. He said coldly: “Just yesterday, I reported to Father Emperor about fraudulent matters in Jing’an Commandery, officials unable to conduct fair land surveys. Father Emperor has already sent people to investigate. When we bring you a few heads of officials who conducted ‘unfair land surveys’ to see, ‘people across the realm’ will probably be satisfied!”
The officials opposing the land survey sat back down resentfully. One among them, still indignant, loudly asked: “Grand Prince Consort, what do you say? Your family used to be Qing Province gentry!”
The Grand Prince Consort looked awkward and spoke of other matters: “Zicheng, you’re well-traveled and always strategic. What’s your view?”
Huo Buyi glanced at that official and said coolly: “Your Majesty, honored ministers, in this humble minister’s shallow view, this rebellion should be divided into two types. The first type: innocent common people oppressed by government officials, thinking the court is calculating their houses and haystacks into their land acreage to collect more taxes from them, thus sparking popular revolt. These people should primarily be pacified, suppression secondary. Once matters are explained clearly, they’ll naturally disperse. Those still unwilling to surrender their weapons can be killed then.”
The Emperor nodded.
“The second type consists of local powerful families coercing ignorant common people to resist court policies. For these people, we should properly teach them—who exactly holds authority under heaven. Mm, for this route, we might trouble General Wu.” Huo Buyi said.
Marquis Yu noticed the Emperor’s lips curved slightly upward, the Crown Prince’s expression improved somewhat.
General Wu frowned: “I’ll gnaw the hard bones. Zicheng, what about you?”
Marquis Yu lowered his head and smiled, thinking the Emperor would never ask his adopted son to do such offense-giving work.
Huo Buyi answered leisurely: “Since youth, this minister has been gentle and refined, kindhearted and soft-handed. I should earnestly teach those common people kept in the dark with the words of sages.”
The Fourth Prince stepped back, touching his own face, crying out strangely: “You, gentle and refined?” Years ago when he spoke carelessly, discussing a few things about the Huo and Ling families, this person dislocated his jaw.
The Second Prince touched the scar on the back of his head, murmuring: “Mm, you’re kindhearted and soft-handed.”
Huo Buyi turned his face away, pretending not to know.
Finally the Emperor concluded: “We should still use both suppression and pacification. If rebellious bandits disperse on their own, I won’t pursue it further. But if they continue stubbornly refusing to see reason, once rebel leaders are identified, their entire clans will be relocated to northern Bing Province or southern Yang Province. First, these two provinces are vast and sparsely populated—they can make a living. Second, this will sever connections with their ancestral homes, and rebellion will naturally disappear.”
When an expert makes a move, you know immediately. Though the Emperor spoke pleasantly, this plan was extremely ruthless.
Fundamentally, this widespread rebellion wasn’t about personal honor or disgrace but family interests. Identify which families supported rebellion, directly uproot these families from their locations and relocate them elsewhere—this was removing the firewood from under the cauldron.
As soon as the Emperor spoke these words, the several officials who had been craning their necks immediately prostrated themselves begging for mercy: “Your Majesty, absolutely not! Since ancient times, scholars find it hard to leave their homeland, they cherish attachment to ancestral graves. Capital punishment merely means a few family members die, but seizing land and forcing distant relocation, losing property, being unaccustomed to local customs and climate—it’s practically like destroying the family and exterminating the clan!”
The Emperor looked kindly: “Your Excellency exaggerates. After relocation, the government will also give them land. How can this be called extermination? From today forward, if people truly repent and submit to punishment, entire clan relocation won’t be necessary. But those who refuse to repent stubbornly might as well go elsewhere to properly reflect—my mind is decided. You ministers need not say more!”
Outside raged bitter wind and harsh rain. Palace Steward Cheng treated this matter as gossip to tell her younger sister. Shaoshang sighed deeply: “Fortunately our family rose to prominence late, with little land and few people. We’re not afraid of surveys.”
Passing through the courtyard, Shaoshang followed the lush greenery to the waterside pavilion. Seeing maids and servants coming and going carrying octagonal lacquered wooden food boxes and fruit wine, cheese drinks, and such items in and out, she smiled and asked: “Is Grandmother completely recovered? Can she come outside to enjoy the breeze today?”
A’Zhu smiled: “The Old Madam was bored shut up in her room. These past days she’s been clamoring to come out for air. Just today, Old Madam Wan also came, so Madam set up a family banquet here in the waterside pavilion. Young Mistress, if you’re willing to join them, Master and Madam would surely be delighted.”
Shaoshang smiled without answering. She approached from behind the waterside pavilion, simultaneously gesturing for the surrounding maids not to announce her. She leaned against a corridor pillar, having A’Zhu and the others also hide to the side, listening to the laughter and pleasant conversation in the waterside pavilion—
“…Mother, really! Since you’re completely recovered, of course your son must return!” Cheng Zhi’s face showed anxiety. “Now rebellion rages everywhere. Your son is a county magistrate—I must fulfill my loyal duties!”
Cheng Shi sighed: “Alas, speaking of Third Brother’s luck, it’s truly beyond words. Wherever disasters strike, he can always avoid them… Hey, hey, has everyone heard about the Lixian County Magistrate?”
Old Madam Wan’s single eye opened slightly: “That county magistrate who surrendered to rebel forces? Didn’t he already commit suicide by drinking poison?”
“Exactly! Alas, that county magistrate was pitiable too. He had only a few people around him, rebel forces surrounding the city like a tide. He held out for dozens of days before surrendering. Then two days later, court troops arrived and he was immediately imprisoned and charged. “
Cheng Shi sighed: “Many local officials encountered such situations. After court troops withdrew, rebel forces immediately returned. Unable to resist, they either died or surrendered—no third path. Brother Zhi’s location is now managed by two county magistrates. Even if they can’t resist and surrender, the court won’t bother with two minor officials. Brother Zhi truly has luck!”
Madam Cheng clapped her hands in relief: “The four directions’ spirits protect him! Brother Zhi has great fortune and fate, turning misfortune into blessing… Bah, bah, bah, he won’t even encounter misfortune… I say, when I gave birth to Brother Zhi, the hour was auspicious. Colorful clouds filled the sky, sometimes shaped like dragons, sometimes like tigers…”
“Grandmother, you can’t say such things carelessly. Since ancient times, only when emperors, generals, and ministers descend to the world are there heavenly omens…” Cheng Yong frowned.
Palace Steward Cheng muttered: “Not necessarily.”
Madam Cheng was displeased: “What’s wrong with saying it in our own family!”
“Right, right. Maybe Third Uncle can also become a general or minister…” Wan Song delighted in stirring up trouble.
Qiqi asked doubtfully: “Third Uncle can lead troops in battle? I haven’t heard… ow…”
Yin E smiled sweetly, pinching her under the table.
“Qiqi is right.” Madam Sang said with a smile. “Forget leading troops in battle—your Third Uncle rides a horse a bit longer and his waist aches and legs hurt. This time he requested leave from the commandery governor to return home. The moment his front foot left, rebellion suddenly erupted. Fortunately that commandery governor has always understood military affairs. If anything happened, this would be the third of your Third Uncle’s superiors to die in office.”
“Third?!” Wan Song and Qiqi couldn’t believe it.
Palace Steward Cheng began fishing in his sleeve for divination coins, wanting to cast a reading for his uncle.
“Mm. Always the superiors dying heroically while your uncle escapes with his life. I haven’t escaped either—once contracting typhoid fever, once breaking a leg. Your uncle didn’t even scratch his oily skin.” Madam Sang spoke teasingly. “This time we’ll have to find another explanation.”
Everyone in the waterside pavilion laughed heartily, offering prayers for Cheng Zhi’s lifelong good fortune. Cheng Yang’s abdomen was swollen, and she exchanged smiles with the shy Ban Jia, both hoping their future child would have such luck too.
Only Madam Cheng was extremely dissatisfied, questioning Madam Sang: “What do you mean by that? Are you unhappy your husband didn’t die, waiting to remarry? Brother Zhi’s great fortune is because I gave birth at an auspicious hour…”
“What hour! This is a perfectly good family banquet—don’t look for trouble.” Seeing Madam Cheng about to rage again, Old Madam Wan said sternly: “I think Shunhua is right. Though we’re clear in conscience, we can’t avoid people gossiping, saying Brother Zhi was born with a fate that fears death and clings to life. Colonel Cheng, Yuan Yi, when Zigu and Shunhua return, give them more battle-capable retainers to help quell rebellions along the way, so there’s an explanation later.”
Cheng Shi smiled in agreement: “Aunt’s consideration is thorough. This junior is ashamed of his inferiority.”
“Return? With war and chaos outside, return for what? Brother Zhi, don’t go! The position can be held later. Don’t be this official anymore! You have your elder brother. Later we’ll find a good place for you to be county magistrate. Just stay home now!” Madam Cheng said frantically.
Cheng Cheng said gently: “Mother, this probably isn’t appropriate…”
“What’s inappropriate? What do you know? Shut up…” Madam Cheng loudly scolded her second son.
Cheng Cheng quietly shrank back. Lady Qing Cong held his hand under the table, and he returned a grateful smile.
Cheng Zhi shouted: “Second Brother is right, Mother, don’t make trouble. I’m a court-appointed official—how can I only care about self-preservation? Besides, does Mother think the court is Elder Brother’s wine shop where you can do whatever position you want?!”
“Why not! Even if your elder brother can’t arrange it, isn’t there that powerful Marquis Huo? Next time he comes to the door, just don’t refuse to let him in…”
Before she finished, the Cheng couple’s faces had already darkened.
“Before, I thought Shaoshang was too hardhearted for refusing to acknowledge you all these years.” Old Madam Wan shook her head. “Now it seems, of both families combined, she’s the only one who could see through people’s hearts—even today, you still refuse to change your nature!”
Madam Cheng seemed somewhat afraid of Old Madam Wan and mumbled: “I’ve already repented. Back then I was bewitched, listening to that bitch Ge Shi’s instigation, thinking daily about controlling my son and daughter-in-law, which delayed Niaoniao…” Then she said unconvinced again: “But wasn’t she fine later? Handsome young men seeking marriage never stopped—our family held three betrothal banquets!”
“Mother!” Cheng Shi roared. “Don’t bring up sore subjects!”
“Alright, alright!” Madam Cheng’s eardrums rang as she begged for mercy. “I was wrong, I was wrong! Heaven above, if I could do it again, I would definitely treat Niaoniao well and let her reunite with you all! These words are absolutely true. If half a sentence is false, let me go to tongue-pulling hell after death!”
For this old woman, this oath was quite sincere.
Shaoshang silently smiled behind the corridor pillar.
“Since Grandmother has recovered, don’t mention death and such.” Cheng Yong said patiently. “Thanks to heaven’s blessing, after the Grand Empress Dowager passed, Grandmother actually recovered. In the future, Grandmother should properly care for your health. Children and grandchildren will be happier than anything.”
“My eldest grandson certainly knows how to talk.” Madam Cheng beamed.
Old Madam Wan snorted coldly: “Since you won’t die for a while yet, I’ll take that golden-thread nanmu coffin back—I thought you’d need it first. Truly disasters last a thousand years.”
“Yes, yes…” Cheng Zhi casually agreed.
Madam Cheng was furious: “Rascal, you say I’m a disaster?!”
“No, no! Your son says Mother can live a thousand years!” Cheng Zhi quickly said.
Thunderous laughter filled the waterside pavilion.
“Enough, enough. Stop scolding me. I truly know I was wrong. In the future, whoever Niaoniao wants to marry is fine, whether she marries or not is fine. The family can support her anyway. I’ve already left word—after I pass, the gold and silver I’ve saved for decades all goes to Niaoniao. Even if she never marries her whole life, she’ll have support—if you don’t believe me, ask Matron Hu! Isn’t this apology sincere enough?!” Madam Cheng said with chagrin.
Madam Cheng loved money like life itself, yet didn’t know the Grand Empress Dowager had long ago rewarded Shaoshang with estates and servants to ensure a worry-free life. Everyone saw her pained expression and truly couldn’t contain their laughter.
Shaoshang shook her head and slowly withdrew, her heart suddenly completely at peace.