With a dark expression, Shaoshang walked straight out of the Lou residence. Old steward Cheng Shun had already had the household servants prepare the covered carriage at the side gate. Shaoshang glared at him: “Why aren’t we boarding at the main gate? Your young mistress hasn’t broken the engagement with the Lou family yet! Did the Lou family make things difficult for you?”

The Lou family servants around them lowered their heads and bowed, not daring to make a sound. Cheng Shun smiled, as if looking at a three-year-old child throwing a tantrum by stamping feet and throwing mud: “Young mistress, we entered through the main gate.”

Shaoshang’s face showed embarrassment, then she said loudly: “Then why aren’t we entering through the main gate?!”

“—Because coming from the Cheng residence, this way is closest. If we went through the main gate, we’d have to go around the eastern ward, wasting the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.” A familiar voice, annoying in its familiarity, came from behind.

Everyone turned to look and saw a tall, handsome young master walking leisurely over, followed by two guards and a young servant.

Upon seeing this person, Shaoshang didn’t want to talk. She turned and walked toward the gate.

Yuan Shen, with his tall stature and long legs, caught up to her at the gate in two steps, smiling: “I haven’t seen Jun Shang in quite a while. Let me escort you home.”

Shaoshang abruptly turned around and glared at him: “I can ride home in my carriage. Why would I need you to escort me!”

“You mother and daughter came in one carriage. If you leave by carriage now, how will your mother return later?” Yuan Shen said.

Shaoshang was momentarily speechless.

Sang Guo stepped forward to defend her mistress. Cheng Shun couldn’t pull her back in time, and the loyal, honest little maid said: “Young mistress needn’t worry. Just now I heard the Lou Second Young Madam order someone to prepare another carriage for our lady.”

Shaoshang’s heart eased. She turned and gave Yuan Shen a sideways glance, saying arrogantly: “In that case, I won’t trouble Young Master Yuan to concern himself.”

At this moment, the Cheng family’s driver was already calling out to a pair of chestnut-maned horses, slowly bringing the covered carriage over. A household servant took out the stepping stool from beneath the seat. Just as Shaoshang was about to lift her foot to step up, unexpectedly Yuan Shen again stepped ahead of her and climbed onto the carriage.

“What is Young Master Yuan doing?!” Shaoshang, holding onto Lian Fang’s arm, called out loudly.

“I rode a horse here today, but suddenly feel unwell, so I’m requesting the young mistress give me a ride.” Yuan Shen crouched at the carriage entrance. As he spoke and looked up smiling, the morning sun bathed him in light. His eyebrows and eyes were refined and elegant, and the light blue brocade curved-hem deep robe on his body gleamed with silver silk embroidery in the sunlight.

Standing behind, Sang Guo couldn’t help but glance at the several Yuan family attendants nearby. Her eyes clearly conveyed: Your young master seems like a shameless scoundrel.

The two guards showed no expression and said nothing. The young servant, being young, couldn’t help but say in a voice as faint as a mosquito: “…My young master isn’t usually like this…” Really, he swore on his life—his young master was usually refined and courteous, his face wearing a mask of graceful elegance. Who knew why, but upon seeing Miss Cheng, he became like this. Where exactly did things start going wrong?

“This isn’t appropriate!” Shaoshang’s small face showed stern disapproval.

Yuan Shen asked in surprise: “What’s inappropriate about this?” Having said this, he familiarly ducked into the carriage.

Sang Guo was indignant and immediately wanted to step forward to argue. This time Cheng Shun finally pulled her back in time and used his eyes to signal she mustn’t move.

The old steward looked back at the now-closed Lou family side gate. He had his own thoughts: seeing that the well-cooked Lou family son-in-law was about to fly away, shouldn’t their Cheng family quickly start preparing? Moreover, with a large group of people following in front, behind, left and right of the covered carriage, what could happen?

Shaoshang looked at the swaying closed carriage curtain and took a deep breath. She suddenly felt this era’s customs could be a bit more conservative—not like modern society where acquainted men and women could chat a bit and then share a ride home!

After boarding the carriage, Lian Fang was about to follow to serve, but Yuan Shen didn’t stand on ceremony this time. He said directly: “I have something to discuss with your young mistress. You may withdraw.” Though his words were very amiable, his hands had already closed the carriage door without allowing objection, blocking out the little maid’s protests from outside.

“Young Master Yuan, please observe propriety.” Shaoshang’s face was stern as she moved to push open the window lattice on the carriage wall.

Yuan Shen turned back and smiled: “You’re a strange person. Just now you scolded the Lou First Madam like a tortoise’s grandson, but now you’re talking to me about propriety.”

Shaoshang felt depressed. She knew this fellow had heard everything earlier. She sighed helplessly, stopped pushing the window, and lowered her voice: “Some things can be done in the dark but not openly. After satisfying yourself verbally, you still have to see each other in the future.”

Yuan Shen raised his eyebrows: “Just now Lou Yao was about to take both you and He Zhaojun as wives, yet you still haven’t given up on this marriage?”

Shaoshang quickly turned around and argued: “If Ayao knew what a great humiliation sharing a marriage would be to me and still dared to say yes, I’d slap him to death! But he doesn’t know. He thinks taking two wives is like seeing only one sword he fancies, but because of someone’s endless pestering, he’ll just buy one more.”

“You’re so certain?”

“Of course!” Shaoshang said seriously. “Ayao is that kind of person. In Hua County, when he saw orphans and widows suffering from banditry, he gave out all the money on him, not knowing that a weak and vulnerable family receiving such windfall wealth would attract more trouble. I know in my heart that if Ayao understood what difficulties I would face after sharing a marriage, he absolutely wouldn’t agree!”

“But if Lou Yao is so ignorant and incompetent, what use is such a husband to you?” Yuan Shen was displeased.

“If he’s ignorant, I can tell him. As for incompetent…” Shaoshang said seriously, “Who’s born with great abilities? For instance, in that matter just now, I said giving people money so directly and crudely wouldn’t work. Ayao then went to consult the old clerks at the county office. We discussed it together and finally settled the people properly. Before leaving Hua County, we even went to check. That widow and her new husband were farming and weaving harmoniously, and the children from both families played together, no different from blood siblings.” Speaking of this, the girl’s face showed pride.

Yuan Shen’s heart stirred. He looked at her quietly for a while, finally understanding: “…A husband like Lou Yao is what gives you peace of mind, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean by that?” Shaoshang became vigilant.

“Nothing special, just saying it casually. Don’t be like a startled porcupine—sit properly.” Yuan Shen lowered his head, his slender, jade-white fingers playing with the gold and jade pendant at his waist tied with light crimson silk cord, his voice ethereal. “…Honestly speaking, if I were to choose a wife, I’d also want to find one who could give me peace of mind. But in this world, how many people can truly give others peace of mind…”

Shaoshang said sarcastically: “Young Master Yuan shouldn’t look for someone who gives you peace of mind. You should look for someone suitable, someone to be the Yuan clan’s matriarch. Someone who looks after clan members, observes all proprieties—can’t be lacking in anything.”

Yuan Shen sighed: “The Grand Coachman Lou’s wife is also famous throughout the capital for being virtuous and capable, but as we see now, she’s narrow-minded and hypocritical—not as good as you with your harsh words.”

“You can’t say that. I’m also very narrow-minded. If I were in the Lou First Madam’s position, I might not be above trying to scrape all the good things into my own children’s bowls.” Shaoshang deliberately sang a contrary tune.

Yuan Shen sighed and said helplessly: “…What exactly are you dissatisfied with about me? Why do you always have barbed words every time we meet?”

Finally reaching this topic, Shaoshang glared at him and said: “Feel your own conscience. Since we first met at my family’s banquet, what benefit have you shown me? Nothing but coercion, always coercion, at most you gave me a jar of medicine that didn’t work!”

She thought Yuan Shen would be angry, but unexpectedly he thought carefully and actually nodded: “You make a good point. Well then, today I’ll give you some benefits.”

“Benefits…?” Shaoshang’s face was full of suspicion.

“Today I’ll tell you the ins and outs of this He family matter.” Yuan Shen stretched out his arms, gently brushing aside his brocade sleeves. “Your honorable father and mother, though shrewd and capable, have been away for many years. They may not be clear about many worldly affairs in the capital. To prevent you from doing or saying the wrong things, there are some matters I must tell you.”

Shaoshang’s expression became solemn as she sat up straight and properly.

“Back then, though the Xiao family was trapped by His Majesty, they voluntarily surrendered, which truly prevented an enormous military disaster. The court could also free up personnel to deal with others. Therefore, His Majesty genuinely wanted the Xiao family to end well. He turned a blind eye to many of their presumptuous actions, trying as much as possible not to tear apart the facade, but instead, instead…”

“Instead set up many restraints to gradually erode the Xiao family’s power. Mother told us about this.” Shaoshang interjected.

Yuan Shen smiled slightly and said word by word: “This marriage with the He family was the first restraint!”

Shaoshang was shocked, her fingers digging tightly into her robe.

Yuan Shen continued: “General He’s character—I dare not say he was perfect in every way, but his loyalty, bravery, honesty, and lack of greed for fame and fortune were genuine. His daughter He Zhaojun was betrothed to Lou Yao since childhood. As General He became increasingly valued by His Majesty, do you think no one had designs on He Zhaojun’s marriage? If General He coveted power and position, when princes and imperial sons previously hinted at it, why did General He politely refuse them all? From when the Xiao father and son entered the capital for an imperial audience last year to when the He and Lou families broke the engagement and He Zhaojun remarried—barely four months. Could the Xiao family truly have such overwhelming power that in just four months they could make General He change course?”

Shaoshang clasped her ten fingers together, her small knuckles slightly white: “…This was actually His Majesty’s intention? I heard He Zhaojun was extremely beloved by General He. He just pushed his daughter into a fire pit like that?”

“His Majesty may not have said anything, but having followed His Majesty for so long, how could General He not know the Emperor’s heart?” Yuan Shen smiled bitterly. “Moreover, as long as the Xiao family harbored no treasonous intentions, the Xiao clan has deep roots and flourishing branches, Prince Xiao is handsome and graceful—this might not be an unhappy marriage. Monarch and minister of one mind, granting the Xiao family glory and wealth, winning them over with a trusted minister’s beloved daughter, only hoping to gradually influence the father and son.”

Shaoshang murmured: “You mean, General He both married off his daughter and had to monitor his in-laws…” Damn, this is way too loyal and devoted. “And the Xiao father and son went along with it, thinking they could win General He over to their side?”

Yuan Shen tacitly confirmed, his eyes full of approval.

“…Even so,” Shaoshang angrily whispered, “does He Zhaojun only have one path—marrying Lou Yao?! The capital has so many princes and imperial relatives, so many sons from powerful clans. Ayao isn’t particularly outstanding—why must they target him! That’s right, General He didn’t know Ayao was already engaged to me. If he had known…”

“Even if General He knew, I’m afraid he would have left the same dying words.” Yuan Shen coldly shattered the illusion.

Shaoshang glared at Yuan Shen angrily.

“After this campaign, half of the He family’s foundation is gone.” Yuan Shen continued calmly. “This is still a small matter. What’s lamentable is that all the He family’s adult males are gone. Until that young Master He comes of age, it will be at least ten-plus years. Right now, the entire city praises the He family’s loyalty and bravery, but after ten-plus years, when people leave, the tea grows cold… this, this…”

Shaoshang’s mind was crystal clear. After ten-plus years, whether the Emperor would even still be alive was questionable. Whether the new emperor could continue to treat the He family generously and promote and elevate young Master He—that would be uncertain.

“Choosing Lou Yao as the husband. First, Grand Coachman Lou and his brothers aren’t ungrateful people, Lou Yao is honest and kind-hearted with a benevolent nature—He Zhaojun’s future days won’t be difficult. Second, among the Lou clan’s sons and nephews, except for Lou Yao, they’re all Confucian scholars and civil officials. This way, the He family’s remaining subordinates can be passed to young Master He in the greatest numbers possible.”

Shaoshang didn’t understand: “What does this mean? Are you talking about General He’s remaining retainers?”

The corner of Yuan Shen’s mouth revealed an intriguing expression: “Not just retainers, but also estates, fortresses, orphaned clansmen… Though the Lou brothers have some small calculations privately, overall they’re upright and honest, not greedy. In the future, Lou Yao will temporarily manage everything. When young Master He grows up, his sister and brother-in-law will return it all—reasonable and proper. This matter sounds simple, but during the ten-plus years until young Master He comes of age, there are too many variables. Lou Yao is the most ‘comprehensive’ choice.”

“But, but, but…” Shaoshang felt she couldn’t catch her breath, her eyes reddening. “But Ayao doesn’t like He Zhaojun!”

Seeing her like this, Yuan Shen felt pity in his heart and said gently: “You’ve only been engaged for a few months. Both Lou Yao and you will gradually get over it.”

Shaoshang lowered her head, keeping her face taut, saying nothing. Suddenly she said: “In the end, General He also remembered that debt of gratitude. Otherwise, I don’t believe there isn’t a second family in the entire city with an honest heart who admires the He family’s loyalty and righteousness willing to accept He Zhaojun!”

“You’re right. The He family now has praise throughout the world, and He Zhaojun’s dowry is abundant. But families who would covet these things, the He family can’t trust. Families who don’t covet these things are unwilling to stick their necks out. The Lou family received great kindness from General He back then and has never repaid it. Their taking on this responsibility is logical.”

Shaoshang felt as if she were in quicksand—no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t escape. Her heart was both panicked and resentful. She felt wronged but couldn’t vent it. Suddenly noticing Yuan Shen’s leisurely, carefree appearance, she blurted out: “…Why don’t you go marry He Zhaojun? You’re not greedy either. Your family won’t swallow the He family’s possessions. Your talent, learning, and appearance surpass Ayao a hundredfold. If you spoke up, He Zhaojun would certainly…”

Before she finished speaking, Yuan Shen’s expression had already changed. He said coldly: “Welcoming a daughter-in-law like He Zhaojun—she cannot be neglected or slighted. In the future, I’d have to subsidize much manpower and resources to help the He family rise again. Jun Shang truly thinks highly of me! Hmph, it’s getting late today. I’ll part ways with Jun Shang here. I won’t see you out!”

Shaoshang knew she’d misspoken and was kicked off the carriage in disgrace.

Seeing the covered carriage stop, Cheng Shun quickly stepped forward and asked: “Young mistress, why did you get off?” They had only heard arguing voices rising and falling from inside the carriage but couldn’t make out the content.

Only upon seeing her family’s old steward did Shaoshang react. She quickly turned and shouted toward the carriage: “This is my family’s covered carriage!”

The carriage curtain was forcefully flung open with vigor. Shaoshang was frightened into silence and shrank back. Yuan Shen braced himself with one hand and flipped down from the carriage. Without a word, he took the reins from the guard’s hand, nimbly straightened up and mounted the horse, then galloped away.

Shaoshang stood there in a daze. For the first time, she discovered this fellow actually had such agile movements.

Seeing this situation, the deputy steward slowly moved closer to Cheng Shun’s ear and said in a low voice: “This one… I’m afraid won’t work out…”

Cheng Shun gave him a withering look and quietly rebuked him for gossiping about the master’s affairs, but inwardly he was quite pleased: This Young Master Yuan—there’s hope yet!