That evening, Shaoshang expressed to the Wan family her feelings of homesickness, risking her life and forgetting death to decline everyone’s enthusiastic pleas to stay. Amid Uncle Wan’s hopeful tone of ‘if your mother wants to beat you again in the future, come to Uncle’s house,’ she ended her vacation.
Returning to the Cheng residence, lamps were just being lit. Not having time to reunite with her siblings, Shaoshang urgently went to see the Cheng Shi couple alone. Skipping over Ling Buyi without mentioning him, she quickly told them the fragments she had overheard under the bridge.
As soon as Shaoshang finished speaking, Cheng Shi turned to his wife with a face full of surprise, murmuring: “It can’t be? Didn’t we already have elder brother hand over that map?”
Lady Xiao’s expression was grave: “…Ling Buyi visited twice. Wan must have hidden that map.”
Cheng Shi slapped his thigh, sighing: “Elder brother’s temperament really! If I’d known, I should have forcibly taken that map myself and gone to hand it over!”
The husband and wife fell silent. Shaoshang shrank to the side, not daring to make a sound.
“I said it long ago, our foundation is not solid. Ordinary gold, pearls, and jade, even weapons and bronze vessels—all can be taken without harm. But imperial seals and topographical maps absolutely cannot be kept.” Lady Xiao frowned, saying to her husband, “You should still go speak to him. If elder brother has already handed it over, that would be best.”
“What best!” Cheng Shi glared. “Elder brother is so reckless. Whether he’s handed it over now or not, I must tell Old Lady Wan. She must give elder brother a good beating to teach him a lesson!”
Lady Xiao shook her head and sighed, then turned to her daughter: “This time eavesdropping…”
Shaoshang had been waiting all along. Hearing this, she quickly said: “I didn’t specially go to eavesdrop. I encountered it unintentionally. Mother, if you punish me for this, then in the future even if I hear something I won’t tell you!… Father, you also shouldn’t tell people that I heard things under the bridge. Otherwise, if Uncle Wan learns I was the one who informed, how can I visit in the future!”
The idol had spoken, so naturally the iron-clad personal guard captain General Cheng accepted the order, hurriedly saying: “Yes, yes, how can Niaoniao be considered wrong this time? If at this moment elder brother still hasn’t handed over that topographical map, it’s all thanks to Niaoniao’s tip-off. Avoiding disaster, she should be rewarded!… Niaoniao, rest assured. I’ll say I heard it elsewhere—it has nothing to do with you.”
Lady Xiao sighed secretly: Actually, she hadn’t planned to scold her daughter at all, only wanted to ask why she ran under someone’s bridge. Alas, forget it.
Over there, Cheng Shi had already moved to his youngest daughter’s side with a smile, revealing the plan the family had already discussed—
Shaoshang was overjoyed beyond expectation: “Really? I can accompany Third Uncle and Third Aunt to their new posting!”
Cheng Shi said proudly: “Naturally! Haven’t you always wanted to go out and see things? What’s so interesting about the capital? Going to tour the great mountains and rivers outside, that’s where the sky is high and clouds broad, fish leaping and eagles flying! After attending your Uncle Wan’s family banquet, you can set out.”
Shaoshang was so delighted she grabbed her father’s sleeve and repeatedly thanked him, full of praise for Cheng Shi. Simply from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors above to Neighbor Ali the pig butcher below, he was the very best father in the whole world.
Lady Xiao silently watched this father-daughter pair mutually boast, not puncturing their illusions.
She knew in her heart her husband feared that during the period of being summoned for campaigns, their daughter would suffer losses at her hands and the sons might not be able to stop her. That was why he entrusted her in advance to his younger brother and sister-in-law. Just wait and see—when he returned, would he immediately go fetch his daughter back?
Raising her eyes to look, though the injuries on her daughter’s face still hadn’t healed, she was in high spirits, full of energy—who knows how much more lively and cheerful than when at home. Lady Xiao felt inexplicably somewhat lost, as if someone had snatched something from the palm of her hand.
Having finished informing, Shaoshang divided the fine wine Miss Thirteen had given her into three portions. The first portion naturally went to Father Cheng, the second filially presented to Third Uncle, her backer for the next several months, the third portion she carried to reward her three brothers, and asked Cheng Shaogong for another evil-dispelling talisman.
“Things have been so smooth lately!” Shaoshang beamed. “Uncle Wan, Aunt Wan, Old Lady, and Qiqi all treated me couldn’t be better. Just now Mother actually said to have me rest and heal my injuries now, and when I go out with Third Aunt, I can slowly do the punishment writing.”
She twisted over to Cheng Shaogong’s side, fawning: “Third Brother, draw me another talisman to use on the road. This time draw it even more powerful, more miraculous—turning misfortune into fortune, transforming disaster into blessing, favorable weather, loved by all who see…”
Cheng Shaogong rolled his eyes: “Want to be able to pick up gold just walking on the road?”
Shaoshang was both surprised and delighted, deeply feeling her own shallow knowledge: “There’s actually this kind of talisman in the world? Then… give me two of those too!”
“Two your head! How about I bring you two more wooden slips for punishment writing instead!”
—The Cheng Yong and Cheng Song brothers who were raising cups to each other heard this and burst into loud laughter. Shaoshang deliberately put on a stern face, but inside her heart was like cotton candy. She felt Director Xiao actually wasn’t that terrible. At least she was very good at raising sons. This group of brothers were all very, very good.
Having delivered the wine, Shaoshang was about to return when Elder Brother Cheng Yong stopped her in the corridor, saying in a low voice: “Tomorrow or the day after, the Yin family will probably send someone. When they apologize to you, your expression must look better.”
Shaoshang was startled. Only then did she learn that during the days she wasn’t home, Lady Yin had already brought Yin E’e to apologize several times. The elders of both families had long since resolved their differences. Sure enough, the day after Shaoshang returned home, Lady Yin sent a card and visited with her daughter.
Seeing Yin E’e again gave Shaoshang another shock.
The former Yin E’e had been like a proud impatiens flower, picky in her slow and measured way, arrogant and triumphant. Now she had become a low-key and simple little cabbage—her brows had softened, her eyes had gentled. Unlike Shaoshang who had spent these days happily vacationing, Yin E’e had obviously been dealt with very comprehensively and thoroughly. She seemed to have grown up overnight.
After exchanging pleasantries and courtesies, Lady Yin, Lady Xiao, and Sang Shi—three women—went inside to discuss adult topics. Unfortunately, Cheng Yang had been at the estate checking grain seeds for spring use these days and hadn’t yet returned. Only Shaoshang and Yin E’e sat facing each other, looking at each other without words.
“…I didn’t expect your injuries still haven’t healed.” In the end, it was still Yin E’e who couldn’t endure and spoke first.
Shaoshang touched her face, smiling bitterly: “I didn’t expect it either.” This skin had good appearance but poor quality. Such small bruising injuries healed as slowly as a snail crawls.
“What about Sister’s injuries? That day I also didn’t hold back.”
Yin E’e smiled with shame: “It only hurt for three to five days. Now it’s all completely healed.”
Shaoshang thought to herself, if she’d known her own injuries would heal this slowly, she should have hit her two more punches back then.
“…It’s all my fault.” Yin E’e was full of sincerity. “Being born into this world, everyone has a few painful matters. Where is there a life without worries or sorrows? These days, I learned many things about my maternal family’s past…” She suddenly choked up. “Truly blood and tears everywhere. I really don’t know how Mother endured it back then! If someone had mocked my mother for being without father or mother like I did, I would have skinned that person alive!”
Shaoshang silently passed over a silk handkerchief. Yin E’e took it to wipe her tears: “Originally Mother hadn’t thought of those past sorrowful matters for many years. It was all because of me—Mother cried for several nights and even fell ill. Father, Elder Sister, and my brothers all blame me, saying I’m callous, heartless and unrighteous…”
Shaoshang hadn’t expected to have accidentally hit the mark. She didn’t know whether to feel proud or apprehensive.
“Today I sincerely and earnestly say ‘I’m sorry’ to you, little sister. It’s all because I was usually too proud, harsh without knowing it. In the future I will definitely change it all.” Yin E’e properly performed a bow to Shaoshang.
Shaoshang quickly returned the courtesy, awkwardly saying: “This… this, I also had faults…” Polite phrases were so hard to say!
Seeing Shaoshang couldn’t continue, Yin E’e considerately took over, smiling: “In a few days the Wan family will host a banquet. Uncle Wan has always been lavish. This banquet will certainly be lively and interesting. We can play together then.”
Shaoshang’s mouth twitched, saying dryly: “Mother said, if by that day the injuries on my face still haven’t healed, she won’t let me go. Otherwise, going out with this face for a round, if some gossip-loving person spreads it around, Sister E’e’s reputation for excellent fists and feet will spread throughout the capital. In the future when other sisters see you, they’ll have to bring personal bodyguards.”
Yin E’e was both embarrassed and amused: “Alas, Aunt Xiao truly is a thoughtful and thorough person…”
“Mm. Our mothers are both good people. But as for us, we’re probably good bamboo that produced bad shoots.” Shaoshang said emphatically.
Hearing the words ‘bad shoots,’ Yin E’e covered her sleeve laughing endlessly. Shaoshang mischievously shook her sleeves. The two looked at each other and smiled. This grudge was finally settled.
While smoothing her robe sleeves, Yin E’e said hesitantly: “Fortunately, just one bad shoot per family. My elder sister and brothers are all very good. Shaoshang, your elder sister… and your brothers, presumably are also very, very good…”
Shaoshang nodded: “Naturally! My brothers are wonderful! Even if you brought a mountain of gold from the whole city, I wouldn’t trade them!”
In the side room outside Jiuzhui Hall, Cheng Yong sat quietly. Hearing the cheerful laughter of the girls inside, knowing there was no problem, he finally felt relieved and left. He thought to himself, this is good now. Until this little ancestress leaves home, there won’t be any more reasons for her to clash with Mother.
Having settled the grudge with Yin E’e, Shaoshang herself felt extraordinarily relaxed. Thinking again that she would soon leave the city for distant travel, she had a kind of carefree feeling of ‘smiling to dissolve enmity, thus passing through the world.’ Who knows if it was Cheng Shaogong the charlatan’s talisman continuing to work—by the day before the Wan family banquet, General Cheng’s youngest daughter finally wasn’t a pig head anymore.
On the day of hosting guests, the Wan residence throughout was adorned with brocade and decorations. Guests crowded shoulder to shoulder, coming and going in great numbers. Wan Songbai stood inside the main gate receiving guests, hands resting on his fat belly, smiling amiably, though one leg slightly limped.
Shaoshang whispered to Wan Qiqi: “Didn’t Uncle’s leg ailment already heal? How did it become like this again?”
Wan Qiqi lowered her voice: “I don’t know where Father angered Grandmother. Just the second day after you left, Grandmother inexplicably became furious and had the guards press Father down in the garden for a good beating. The beating was so harsh! Such a wide board…” She put her two palms together. “Beaten until it smacked loudly. Look, now his leg is like this again!”
Shaoshang looked at Uncle Wan who had treated her so well limping along, immediately feeling extremely guilty.
Wan Qiqi was active by nature and couldn’t do the sitting indoors for commercial mutual flattery routine. She also didn’t love drinking pulp and composing poetry. She directly cleared out a space in the back garden, placing various entertainment items—from kickball to shuttlecock, everything was available. There were even several sets of bows, strings, and arrow targets.
The young ladies each took their leisure. Those who liked quiet sat under the corridor roasting by the fire, eating and drinking, either chatting and laughing or sitting in circles playing games. Those who liked activity pushed and jostled on the ground, giggling and playing around.
“…I’ve long heard Sister E’e is talented in both civil and martial arts. Today why not have a match with little sister?” Wan Qiqi raised her chin, one hand holding a soft bow, the other pointing at the distant arrow target.
Who knew Yin E’e, having now reformed, wasn’t provoked at all and smiled: “Where does this civil and martial talent come from? It’s just that ordinarily the young sisters are polite to me. Such a distant arrow target—I’m afraid my arrow couldn’t even touch it.”
Wan Qiqi disappointedly put down the bow and arrows.
This was already the fourth time today she had verbally challenged Yin E’e, and the fourth time her punch landed in cotton wool, ending without result—she couldn’t help but secretly think, if only Yin E’e’s bad nature hadn’t changed, that would be so much better. In this life, without an opponent, it’s truly as lonely as snow.
Because today’s two biggest heads couldn’t clash, the young ladies in the garden ate and drank, their spirits high for play. Until the last group of luxuriously dressed noble young ladies arrived fashionably late, the atmosphere in the garden changed again.
The leading young lady had a face like the full moon, vermilion lips and dark brows, her expression frivolous, surrounded by a group of girls wearing brocade and silk.
Shaoshang secretly compared and felt this person was even more impressive than Yin E’e that day. Because Yin E’e didn’t specially recruit little sisters—she just received flattery and bootlicking when gathering together. But the person before her eyes obviously led gang members with organization.
That young lady smiled: “Qiqi, why didn’t you come welcome me?”
Wan Qiqi’s face darkened, but remembering her host family status, she had to go forward to greet her.
Though Wan Songbai had merit and title, money and power, he was far from being a first-rank aristocratic family at court. Naturally, he couldn’t cast a net to catch all the current powerful and noble. This time hosting guests, he could only invite families related to his own. Very unfortunately, Wang Xi’s father was precisely among this group.
Shaoshang nudged Yin E’e: “Who is this person?”
Yin E’e said in a low voice: “This is the daughter of the Cavalry General, named Wang Xi. She’s the Empress’s niece…” She thought about it and added a sentence: “By relation.”
“I see Miss Thirteen is very unhappy to see her.” Even a blind person could see it.
Yin E’e curled her lip: “I’m also unhappy to see her. This person most loves to cling to noble people. Her character is sinister and harsh—extremely detestable.”
Shaoshang heard her speak through gritted teeth and laughed: “Could it be you were bullied by her?”
Yin E’e bit her lower lip: “…I’m alright. My family father has never had dealings with her family. However, I have several good friends who suffered losses from her. Just because their family circumstances were slightly weaker, they were horizontally subjected to humiliation for no fault at all.”
“What of it? You also humiliated me. You two should have met and regretted not knowing each other sooner.” Shaoshang teased.
Yin E’e made as if to hit her. Thinking of her previous behavior was also laughable, she said: “Saying it this way, if I wanted to make things difficult for someone, I at least needed a plate of golden nest swallow dates as a pretext. But she, hmph…” Her face showed disdain. “In Wang Xi’s eyes there are only two kinds of people—either those who must be flattered and courted, or those who can be bullied and ordered around. All depends on whether there’s power and influence.”
Shaoshang vigorously shook her head: “She’s being shallow in this way. Power and influence aren’t black and white matters. Take my family—although my family father’s official rank is not as high as General Wang, and we don’t have the Empress as a relative, as long as we don’t need anything from her, why should I flatter her?” Official rank couldn’t represent everything. One also had to look at family position and official authority, as well as whether favored by the emperor. What if the emperor just wanted to give you high salary for retirement?
“Who says otherwise!” These words very much suited Yin E’e’s heart. She looked at Shaoshang more and more favorably. Although her father wasn’t in an important position, the emperor had always treated the Yin family very well, often saying in front of people ‘Yin Zhi is an honest gentleman.’
Wang Xi wrinkled her nose as if smelling something bad, looking at the garden critically: “You receive us like this? Such simple arrangements aren’t even as good as marketplace eateries.”
“My humble abode is simple and meager—it originally doesn’t deserve your grand presence! But this isn’t the first time you’ve known me. Don’t you know how I like to host guests?” Wan Qiqi said impolitely. “Since you look down on my family, what did you come today for?!”
Wang Xi ignored this, saying indifferently: “I heard Eleventh Young Master also came today?”
Wan Qiqi was stunned for a moment, but her brain turned quickly. She then smiled: “Did he come? I don’t know.”
Wang Xi’s expression changed. Behind her emerged another somewhat younger round-faced girl, urgently shouting: “Don’t deny it! We already inquired! Eleventh Young Master came!”
Wan Qiqi deliberately drawled: “So what if he came, so what if he didn’t come? What does it have to do with me? I don’t want to see him anyway. But Little A’Li, you came out with Wang Xi today to see Eleventh Young Master—does your mother know?”
Shaoshang was greatly amused: So it turns out they’re a group of star-chasing girls!
That girl called A’Li’s face turned completely red from Wan Qiqi’s words. Seeing this, Wang Xi quickly said: “Don’t drag A’Li into this. If you have something to say, say it to me! We just heard your father wants to lead today’s young men to the martial arts arena to play around. We want to go watch the excitement. This is your home. We can’t just barge around, so we came to ask you.” Having said this, the girls beside her chimed in agreement.
Wan Qiqi smiled: “I moved to this new residence not long ago. The martial arts arena, where exactly is it… Mm, where is it…” She deliberately didn’t answer, going in circles to tease them.
Wang Xi also wasn’t easy to provoke. Seeing Wan Qiqi intentionally delaying, her eyes turned. Seeing Shaoshang standing to the side, she smiled: “Don’t make excuses. Even if not for us, you should do it for your currently closest Cheng family sister!… Sister Shaoshang, come, come over to us. Could it be you don’t want to see Eleventh Young Master…”
Shaoshang, seeing her sworn sister responding with ease, was leisurely watching the show with Yin E’e. Caught off guard by being called out, she was two beats slow to react—so it turned out she was also part of this gang of brain-dead star-chasing girls!
“Eleventh Young Master… hehe…” She struggled to recall this name but really couldn’t remember, so she could only say: “I don’t want to see him.”
Wang Xi mocked: “I’ve long heard that since General Cheng and his wife returned, Sister Shaoshang no longer plays with her former sisters. But of course, when the tide rises the boat lifts—naturally one should associate with families of status like the Wan and Yin families. Previous playmates, such trifling affection—discarded as soon as you say so. Hatefully, those who don’t know the inside story still think Sister Shaoshang is a social climber who turns her back and doesn’t recognize people. But naturally we know Sister Shaoshang isn’t that kind of person!”
Yin E’e beside her originally didn’t want to interrupt, but now remembering what her mother said about the awkwardness of not having parental guidance in her youth, her expression immediately darkened: “Wang Xi, don’t drag things around. If you want to see Eleventh Young Master, go see him yourself. Shaoshang was young before and didn’t understand, didn’t know how to choose friends. Now that she has parental guidance, naturally it’s different.”
Wang Xi was about to retort when suddenly a youth’s voice came—
“A’Li, what are you doing here?!”
The girls immediately turned to look. They saw a youth in fine clothes with arrows on his back standing at the garden entrance, looking this way with surprise.
Shaoshang looked—hey, isn’t this Lou Yao from the Hedong Lou clan whose fiancée is very formidable?
Upon seeing Lou Yao, A’Li cried out and frantically hid behind other girls. Who knew Lou Yao stepped forward several paces, grabbed her out with one hand, scolding: “A’Li, Aunt forbade you to come, yet you secretly snuck out!”
“Cousin, cousin… spare me… ” Lou Li pleaded. “Don’t tell my mother!”
Lou Yao showed no pity for the fairer sex. As he spoke, he was about to drag his little cousin to find their family carriage to pack her up and send her home.
Wang Xi pulled and grabbed, shrilly saying: “What business is this of yours! Mind your own business, quickly release A’Li…” Her strength wasn’t small. With a ripping sound, Lou Yao’s sleeve was torn with an opening. She involuntarily stopped.
Lou Yao turned back: “A’Li only learns bad things with you. Last time she listened to your words and insisted Aunt favors older siblings, crying to everyone saying she’s bullied and not valued! If you ask me, it would be better not to see you again!”
Wang Xi hadn’t expected Lou Yao to say these things in front of everyone. For a moment she was embarrassed.
However, her face was thick and heart hard. She retorted: “Whether there’s bullying, only your own family knows. I can say whatever I want—you can’t control it! If it really was treating everyone equally, what would A’Li have to cry about? Perhaps…” She smiled coldly. “Perhaps A’Li really did suffer grievances!”
Lou Yao was half-dead with anger, saying excitedly: “You’re talking complete nonsense! Who, who bullied A’Li?! A’Li is the youngest in the family. We, we how could…”
Wang Xi became more and more pleased with herself, increasingly harsh: “You still have time to manage A’Li? After an engagement of over ten years, the other party broke the marriage contract in one day and is about to marry someone else. Heaven knows how inadequate you are, how muddle-headed and incompetent, that Sister Zhaojun would be this impatient. If I were you, I’d long since have no face to see people!”
Lou Yao’s face reddened with anger. Pointing at Wang Xi, he ‘you, you’d for a long time. The sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth ordinarily learned from his father and brothers to be steady and taciturn. How could he have the verbal skills to quarrel with a shrew woman like Wang Xi?
Seeing Lou Yao at a loss, Wang Xi was greatly pleased. Continuing toward Shaoshang: “I say, Sister Shaoshang, you truly don’t want to see Eleventh Young Master? I heard that back then you were infatuated with him, declaring you’d marry no one but him! Hehehe…”
Shaoshang raised her eyebrows: “In this capital, am I the only one who declared I’d marry no one but Eleventh Young Master?” In fact, she had no idea whether that Eleventh Young Master was round or flat.
Wang Xi’s laughter came to an abrupt halt.
Wan Qiqi laughed loudly: “Isn’t that right! Half the young ladies in this capital have probably said such words!”
Lou Li struggled to poke her head out from under her cousin’s arm: “That’s different. We were open and aboveboard. Unlike you—clearly liking him in your heart yet insisting you don’t want to see Eleventh Young Master! Truly the height of hypocrisy!”
Wang Xi revealed her smile again.
“Then, among the young ladies in this capital who declared they’d marry Eleventh Young Master, are there none who were arranged into other marriages by parental command? Are they all the height of hypocrisy?” Shaoshang said indifferently, her expression not changing in the slightest.
Yin E’e smiled: “Of course there are. Eleventh Young Master has never been willing to marry. When they reached age, they had to marry. Quite a few are probably mothers by now.”
Shaoshang looked gratefully at the two Wan and Yin girls, while striving to remind herself not to easily provoke trouble again.
She turned toward Wang Xi, saying: “This Elder Sister from the Wang family, in this world how many people remain completely unchanged from childhood to adulthood? Some people loved eating fish when young but when grown don’t touch the slightest fish scent. Some people were cowardly when young but became resolute and decisive when grown. I heard my brothers say, during the time when various states were in conflict there was a remarkable general. In his youth he was always bullied and couldn’t even talk back. But later where his military might pointed, he dominated the world. People change after growing up—is this rare?” Forgive her for not listening carefully to stories—she had long forgotten what that general was called.
Lou Yao unknowingly released his grip on his little cousin’s arm, staring blankly at that slender young girl.
Wang Xi sneered: “You’re quite good at gilding your own face, even comparing yourself to a general now. You’re worthy?!”
Shaoshang didn’t respond to her provocation, continuing: “Among those sisters who played with me before, perhaps they looked down on me, perhaps for other reasons. But when I made mistakes they never corrected me. When I was in difficulty they never helped me. When I was cowardly, some even took my foolish actions for amusement. I no longer associate with them. My mother said this is very good. In the future she wants me to choose friends well. Now I’ve befriended the two Elder Sisters Wan and Yin. Elder Sister Wang, do you think this time I was right?”
Wang Xi’s expression stiffened slightly. Just as she was about to speak, Shaoshang rushed ahead: “I know Elder Sister Wang is going to say I’m social climbing again. Then dare I ask Elder Sister Wang and all the sisters—have none of you ever befriended good friends whose family status is higher than your own? Could it be that befriending sisters whose family status is higher than one’s own must definitely be social climbing?”
The girl’s expression was composed, her tone calm. The surrounding girls all quietly listened to her speak.
Lou Yao recalled the scene of following his brother to the Bright Hall to hear great scholars expound on the classics. She seemed like the most outstanding student in the Bright Hall, speaking confidently while other students listened earnestly.
“As for Eleventh Young Master…” Shaoshang smiled. “I was infatuated before. Now I’m neither infatuated nor dizzy. Can’t I? If all the sisters don’t believe it, how about I make a poisonous oath?”
Those girls clustering around Wang Xi also felt somewhat embarrassed—both a kind of secret delight at having one less rival and a kind of regret at having one less accomplice. Wang Xi stood there with a dark expression, not speaking.
Shaoshang turned around. Facing the two Wan and Yin girls and all the other girls, she mischievously cupped her hands and smiled: “Since my parents returned, these are the two changes in me. I don’t know whether these changes are good or not good?”
“Couldn’t be better!” Wan Qiqi was first to praise loudly.
Yin E’e smiled lightly, clapping her hands: “This is changing for the better. Good, good, good—changed well!”
The other girls in the garden not in Wang Xi’s camp finally reacted. Whether fast or slow, whether loudly or softly, they all praised in succession.
Wang Xi bit her lip hard, sneering: “Truly a good tongue…”
“Miss Wang!” Lou Yao suddenly spoke up. “I remember when you were young, you were very close to the daughters of several great generals under your maternal grandfather’s command. Later your maternal grandfather’s affairs failed. Although His Majesty was lenient and didn’t punish the family members, those young ladies’ families still gradually grew cold. How come you didn’t continue being friends with them?”
This directly struck Wang Xi’s sore spot. Her eyes turned red as she shouted sharply: “Lou Yao! You…”
“If you say nonsense to A’Li again, I, I’ll…” Lou Yao wasn’t good with words. For a moment he couldn’t think of a powerful killer move. In his panic, his gaze turned and happened to meet Shaoshang’s eyes, clear as water.
He suddenly became mentally clear, loudly saying: “I’ll ask my uncle and father to go ask General Wang—why does the Wang family insist on interfering in Lou family affairs? What exactly are your intentions!”
Wang Xi’s face turned alternately green and red. Both hating and losing face, in shame and anger she swept her sleeves and left. That gang of girls following her quickly departed as well, leaving only Lou Li standing dazed.
Wan Qiqi clapped her hands laughing. While laughing, she shouted from behind: “I haven’t told you where the martial arts arena is yet…”
Yin E’e pushed her, laughing and scolding: “What time is it already? Why don’t you lead us to the banquet!”
Wan Qiqi laughed until she could almost not straighten her waist. One hand supporting Shaoshang, the other inviting all the young ladies to the feast. Lou Yao cupped his hands toward the remaining girls, also declining the banquet on his cousin’s behalf, then grabbed the still cursing and struggling Lou Li and left as well.
Amid the laughter, the girls walked in twos and threes toward the inner hall. No one noticed that though Shaoshang’s face smiled, her eyes were ice-cold. Taking advantage of when no one noticed, she turned her head slightly back to glance in the direction Wang Xi’s group had departed.
In this world, the only reason that could make her suffer bullying and endure it was fear of the consequences that would follow. But what if she had a way to eliminate the consequences? Then why not retaliate?
All things past, like yesterday’s death. All things future, like today’s birth. She was determined to start anew, but there were always those who wouldn’t let her go. She planned to set up a scheme to make Wang Xi’s group suffer a small, small hardship.
Small—truly.