The hall fell so silent one could hear a pin drop.

This was truly a momentous occasion. Since his youth, the Emperor had been renowned for his composure and sound judgment, rarely finding himself at a loss for words. Yet at this moment, he didn’t know where to begin. According to his original plan, he would first sternly point out Miss Cheng’s numerous shortcomings, making her realize that obtaining this marriage was simply heaven-blessed fortune. At that point, Miss Cheng would surely be grateful and tearful toward his adopted son, serving him obediently and gently… However, what should he say next?

The Emperor clenched his fist and coughed lightly twice, glancing to the side. The dignified Empress sat motionless with a smile at the corners of her mouth, using body language to express her refusal to take over. It was still the honest Crown Prince who, three beats late, received his father’s signal and quickly said to Shaoshang: “Confucius said: To know what you know and know what you don’t know, that is knowledge. It’s rare that at such a young age you can understand this principle…”

The Crown Prince’s speech slowed more and more, his wandering gaze clearly indicating he couldn’t continue the fabrication.

The Emperor remained silent. With his usual quick wit and resourcefulness, how could he not produce polite conversation if he truly wanted to? It was just that following the Crown Prince’s line would go against his original intention.

“Miss Cheng, since the marriage has been decided, you should think about how to remedy your shortcomings rather than constantly disparaging yourself. If you’re truly so inadequate, what does that say about Zicheng who seeks to marry you?” the Emperor said sternly.

Brilliant! As soon as an expert makes a move, you know if they have skill or not. Shaoshang sat honestly and obediently like a quail, not daring to move.

“Zicheng now maintains his own residence outside. Every word and action draws much attention. As his new wife, you’ll need to be even more cautious and thorough in managing internal and external affairs in the future. If there are errors, it’s Zicheng’s dignity that will be lost. Without learning, there can be no method. Learning without purpose is negligence and slackness. In the future, you must redouble your diligence and effort before the Empress, rather than using the name of modesty to shirk responsibility.” The Emperor’s words were sharply pointed.

Shaoshang could only bow her head submissively, not daring to show any cleverness.

Seeing the girl respond obediently, the Emperor thought that her youthful mischievousness was inevitable. Who could blame his adopted son for preferring this type? She could be slowly taught in the future. The admonishment reaching a conclusion, fearing he had frightened her too much, the Emperor spoke more gently: “As for the details, you’ll follow the Empress’s instructions henceforth. That’s all for today. Do you have anything else to say?”

Shaoshang raised her head slightly and carefully glanced at Ling Buyi, seemingly with an inquiring look.

Ling Buyi said gently: “Say whatever you want to say. His Majesty manages countless affairs daily—it’s rare to find time like this.”

Hearing his adopted son say this, the Emperor stroked his beard and smiled, feeling somewhat more comfortable.

Shaoshang slowly straightened her shoulders like a tender sprout emerging from the soil, her voice clear and brave: “Your Majesty, today this subject wishes to bring an imperial complaint against someone to you. May I?”

The Crown Prince couple were both shocked. The Emperor found it quite interesting: “You’re certainly bold. Only the third time facing the Emperor and you dare lodge an imperial complaint. Do you know that presenting grievances and accusations is a serious matter? The slightest carelessness constitutes a grave offense.”

Ling Buyi looked at her quietly, his eyes showing some confusion.

Shaoshang raised her head to look directly at the Emperor and Empress, with a child-like sincerity: “The state affairs Your Majesty speaks of, this subject doesn’t understand. What this subject wishes to report today concerns matters between young people. However, though these are matters between young people, if Your Majesty can make decisions for this subject, henceforth this subject will be spared many unnecessary troubles while beside the Empress. Lord Ling often says Your Majesty is magnanimous and benevolent, and he regards you as his own father. Therefore, this subject presumes to also regard Your Majesty as my own elder. This subject doesn’t know proper etiquette and doesn’t know if this is appropriate. If not, this subject won’t speak.” This speech exhausted her.

The Emperor thought this young girl’s other qualities aside, her articulation was quite sharp, and she spoke frankly and coherently with clear reasoning—unlike the officials’ daughters he’d met before, who either spoke incoherently or were hesitant and timid. He smiled: “Good. I permit you to speak.”

Having received permission, Shaoshang first prostrated herself before the Empress and declared loudly: “The one this subject wishes to accuse today is Wang Xi, daughter of Cavalry General Wang Chun. I accuse her of improper words and conduct, slandering me at the Lou family’s wedding banquet the other day.”

As soon as these words left her mouth, both the Emperor and Crown Prince were startled. The Crown Princess exclaimed and quickly looked toward the Empress, hurriedly saying: “Miss Cheng, speak carefully. Do you know that Axi is, is…”

Shaoshang respectfully bowed to the Crown Princess: “This subject knows that Miss Wang’s mother is Your Majesty the Empress’s younger cousin, but Lord Ling still grew up in the Empress’s presence. If we allow Miss Wang to spread slanderous rumors outside, wouldn’t that be harmful both to others and oneself?”

The Crown Princess frowned: “The matter between you and Miss Wang is merely trivial bickering. How serious can it be? Why must you use Zicheng as a shield and insist on bringing it before His Majesty and Her Majesty, disturbing the Emperor and Empress’s peace?”

The Crown Prince said gently: “At least hear Miss Cheng finish speaking before discussing whether this matter concerns Zicheng or not.”

The Crown Princess’s face reddened and she lowered her head without speaking.

The Empress smiled slightly and said to Shaoshang: “Speak freely.”

The Emperor gave tacit approval.

Shaoshang said: “The Crown Princess is right—originally it was a trivial verbal matter. However, a three-inch tongue can also disrupt families and ruin affairs. At the Lou family’s wedding ceremony the other day, Miss Wang and several other young ladies jointly attacked me at the banquet, accusing me of being ‘coquettish and affected, pretending to be weak.’ They said Lord Ling was bewitched by me and that’s why he wanted to marry me, along with other such words.”

The Crown Prince let out a laugh and said with a smile: “I thought it was something serious—turns out it’s this kind of jealous talk. Since Zicheng became engaged, who knows how many young ladies in the capital have been shedding tears at home.”

The Emperor thought to himself that actually, even if these words were true, it wouldn’t matter.

Facing the easygoing Crown Prince, Shaoshang relaxed and smiled: “Your Highness the Crown Prince, this subject presumes to ask—if this subject truly is coquettish and affected, pretending to be weak, then what does that make Lord Ling who was bewitched by this subject?”

The Crown Prince’s expression changed. The Crown Princess froze. Ling Buyi looked sideways at the girl, his eyes showing some understanding.

Shaoshang turned slightly and prostrated herself before the Emperor and Empress again, saying respectfully: “Your Majesty, this subject knows she has no talent or virtue. This subject also doesn’t know why Lord Ling favors this subject, but whatever the reason, it surely cannot be ‘indulging in beauty, being bewitched by someone.'”

The Empress had been listening with a smile, as if watching fuzzy yellow chicks and ducklings pecking at each other, but hearing this, her expression slowly grew serious. The Emperor, on the other hand, remained expressionless and unperturbed.

Shaoshang looked at her, her black and white eyes clear and flawless, completely sincere: “Your Majesty, though this subject is ignorant, I still feel this is inappropriate. Miss Wang and the others didn’t discuss these things privately—they spoke bluntly in front of a large crowd. Even if the speakers were thoughtless, merely expressing the agitated disappointment of young people, one can’t guarantee the listeners won’t take it to heart.”

The Empress, always dignified and reserved, pondered slightly upon hearing this. The Crown Prince couple looked at each other uncertainly without speaking.

At this moment, the Emperor suddenly spoke: “Earlier in the palace lane, you encountered the Third Princess. She also spoke improperly and even wanted to humiliate and strike you. Why didn’t you accuse her? Could it be you’re bullying the weak and fearing the strong?!”

By the last four words, the Emperor’s voice already carried imposing authority. The Crown Princess was the first to prostrate herself in panic. The Crown Prince quickly looked at Shaoshang, afraid the young girl would be frightened by the Emperor’s imposing manner.

But Shaoshang straightened her back, neither dodging nor evading: “Reporting to Your Majesty, matters this subject herself isn’t entirely clear about absolutely cannot be reported.” Her heart pounded wildly—the Emperor already knew about something that happened just twenty-some minutes ago. Those who are bosses truly all have skills.

“How so?” the Emperor said mildly. “Didn’t both Miss Wang and the Third Princess speak improperly?”

Fine perspiration appeared on the back of Shaoshang’s neck. She forcefully suppressed her nervousness, digging her nails hard into her palms to maintain composure before saying: “This subject didn’t accuse the Third Princess for two reasons. First, though the Third Princess’s words and conduct were improper earlier, before her was the Second Princess earnestly teaching and sternly stopping her, and after came Lord Ling cutting through the chaos swiftly. By the time the Third Princess departed, though this subject saw Her Highness showed sorrow on her face, her heart had already cleared. With the Second Princess slowly counseling and persuading her in the future, this matter is resolved.”

The Crown Prince let out a long breath and, observing the Emperor’s expression, carefully said: “What Shaoshang says is true. Third Sister is just somewhat rash, but she’ll still listen to Second Sister. No matter, no matter!”

In his heart, he feared Shaoshang would incur the Empress’s displeasure. He turned to the Empress: “But Axi is different. Since Zicheng and Shaoshang became engaged, how many times has she expressed her indignation in front of others, constantly saying Shaoshang doesn’t match Zicheng—even I’ve heard about it… Isn’t that so?” The last two words were directed at the Crown Princess.

The Crown Princess was innocently struck, looking at the Empress in panic, saying awkwardly: “This daughter-in-law has also… also heard some things.” Among the many girls in the capital infatuated with Ling Buyi, Wang Xi was quite well-known.

“And the second reason?” The Emperor stared at Shaoshang intently, continuing to press.

Shaoshang took a deep breath and said carefully: “Second, this subject has long heard that the Second Princess is exceptionally talented, skilled in singing, chanting, and dance. Just now when this subject saw the Second Princess enter the palace, she hadn’t even changed out of her dance clothes, suggesting she was practicing dance at home not long ago and rushed over upon hearing this news. But the Third Princess hasn’t been frequently entering the palace these past months, so how did Her Highness know which day and time this subject was summoned to the palace, and how could she coincidentally block our party on the road—this matter this subject doesn’t quite understand. How can one accuse when one doesn’t understand?”

Translated, this meant ‘the waters are too deep, can’t wade into murky waters.’ However, Shaoshang knew that ninety percent likely it was that little bitch Wang Xi who notified the Third Princess to come cause trouble for her. At the Lou family wedding banquet that day, even if others knew about it, they had no connection with the Third Princess. Moreover, stirring up trouble within a single day—she would settle this account with Wang Xi slowly in the future!

The Emperor showed a trace of a smile: “Mm, there’s deep meaning behind the Third Princess. Is there no deep meaning behind Wang Xi?”

“Deep meaning? What deep meaning?” Shaoshang was stunned. “It’s nothing more than the goddess wanting to marry the Xiang King but can’t, what else?”

The Emperor couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince knew the alert was lifted and chuckled: “Originally it was just a small matter, but if Axi can’t think it through and continues to attack Shaoshang in the future, what should be done? If it continues to entangle, even small matters will become large.”

Shaoshang nodded vigorously in gratitude. That mad dog Wang Xi—if she wasn’t quickly chained up and allowed to run around barking everywhere that she was a fox spirit, after the lie was told a thousand times, she herself would probably really become a demon. What if they dragged her off for sacrificial rituals and made her drink talisman water?

“Shaoshang, come here.” The Empress, who had remained silent throughout, suddenly spoke.

Shaoshang’s heart jumped. Trembling, she lowered her head and crawled forward on her knees several steps, thinking she’d just accused the Empress’s cousin’s niece—she didn’t know if she’d take the brunt of it.

The Empress said: “Raise your head.”

Shaoshang did as told. Raising her eyes, she saw the Empress’s dignified and magnificent countenance.

The Empress said: “According to my original intention, I would have you live in the palace for gradual instruction, but Zicheng refused, insisting that you’ve only recently reunited with your parents and don’t have many days left to enjoy their company at their knees. So you’ll arrive at Changqiu Palace before the hour of Chen each day and leave the palace to return home at the end of the hour of Shen. Rest one day every ten days. How does this sound?”

Shaoshang was stunned for a moment—isn’t this a nine-to-five work schedule?—”Ah, oh, yes yes. This subject respectfully obeys your gracious decree.” She immediately came to her senses and prostrated herself in acknowledgment.

Day school was naturally better than boarding. Moreover, the deep palace was fearsome—which science student girl who hadn’t thoroughly read certain palace dramas a hundred times would dare stay long in the palace? Her bones probably wouldn’t be enough to pick apart. Being able to go home every day to catch her breath was truly wonderful—Shaoshang couldn’t help looking at Ling Buyi gratefully.

Ling Buyi smiled, his eyes full of mirth.

After a few more instructions, the Emperor and Empress dismissed the four juniors.

The Crown Prince patted Ling Buyi’s shoulder and made a few joking remarks. The Crown Princess took Shaoshang’s hand and said intimately: “The Eastern Palace is just east of Yonghe Palace—not very far. When you’re tired at Changqiu Palace in the future, come find me for diversion and entertainment.”

Shaoshang smiled like a winter jasmine flower, while in her heart she erected barriers and warning sirens blared—what did Lady Ruyi say? In this palace, if someone treats you well, they want to use you; if someone gets close to you, they want to harm you.

These words were too damn classic. When she got back, she’d write these two sentences in English and nail them at her bedside as a warning… Wait, wouldn’t English be mistaken for talismans? No, no—in this superstitious era, accusations of witchcraft and curses were most deadly. Better not write it—just remember it in her heart. Very good, very good—she’d already entered the right mindset in advance.

Parting ways with the Crown Prince couple, Ling Buyi’s ghostlike personal guards converged again, still following at a measured distance behind the two.

The two walked quietly side by side, about two steps apart. After a long while, Ling Buyi finally said: “Earlier I was worried about your audience with His Majesty. Turns out you had plans all along.”

Shaoshang walked slowly, saying leisurely: “Since the marriage is already settled, I should plan carefully.”

“Your accusation against Wang Xi today wasn’t only to avoid her future entanglement and slander.” Ling Buyi suddenly stopped, pressing the girl’s shoulder, saying word by word: “You were testing His Majesty and Her Majesty. Throwing a stone to feel out the path.”

Shaoshang neither avoided nor dodged, smiling: “I’m going to be making my living under the Empress in the future.”

Ling Buyi frowned: “If you wanted to know the Empress’s temperament and character, why didn’t you ask me?”

Shaoshang turned sideways and raised her head to face the dazzling sunlight, shading her forehead with her hand: “I also need to let the Emperor and Empress know what kind of person I am.” How could asking compare to experiencing it herself for authenticity?

“In my life, I’m most impatient with those who ‘bend with the wind, flow with the rain.’ Dying on the road of fighting with all one’s strength is better than sitting and waiting for death or surrendering without resistance.” Shaoshang bit her pearly white teeth, her eyes determined, as if speaking to herself.

Ling Buyi suddenly felt as if he were harboring a lively little beast in his chest—its fur fine and adorable, but stubbornly wanting to push its head out, kicking with each push until his heart and liver trembled.