Upon seeing the Emperor, the Empress, Shaoshang, and Wang Xi each performed their respective bows. Ling Buyi also bowed to the Empress. Only Lady Wenxiu stood motionless in place. Wang Xi was nearly anxious to tears, but Shaoshang secretly cheered: ‘Auntie Wang, you absolutely mustn’t kneel—you must maintain this arrogant and domineering character design!’ But the moment her thought landed, Lady Wenxiu’s body softened and she knelt before the Emperor in obeisance.
Shaoshang made a disdainful sound.
The Emperor slowly walked to the seat of honor in the hall, arranged his sleeves, and sat down. Ling Buyi walked over and pulled his dazed fiancée (who was waiting to watch the show) to sit together at the Emperor’s right side below.
The Empress knelt beside the Emperor and said quietly: “Your Majesty has arrived. Please forgive this subject for not greeting you.”
The Emperor lightly patted her hand to comfort her, then turned toward those below: “Just now I heard Lady Wenxiu repeatedly reminding the Empress not to forget old Prince Qian’an’s kindness. Is this so?”
Before others could react, Shaoshang’s heart sank first, crying inwardly that this was bad—the Emperor had been listening from that early! She couldn’t help looking at Ling Buyi with pleading eyes for help, but Ling Buyi didn’t move a muscle, his gaze downcast, only pinching her palm.
Shaoshang angrily tried to withdraw her small hand—the Constitution stipulates that rights and obligations must match, so if you won’t help, you don’t get to hold hands!
…But she damn well couldn’t pull it back. Then she remembered her fiancé’s strong, powerful palm could directly crush an inkstone. Better forget it—the Constitution was something few people read anyway.
Lady Wenxiu had been lowering her head. Hearing this, she raised it and declared loudly: “The Xuan family’s uncle died early. My father supported the widowed aunt and raised her children to adulthood. Doesn’t this count as kindness? Can I not even mention it?”
The Emperor gave a brief smile and glanced at his adopted son.
Ling Buyi understood and nodded, saying unhurriedly: “Between in-laws, discussing kindness is difficult to sort out clearly. Decades ago, Lady Wenxiu’s grandfather once met great disaster. It was entirely thanks to the vigorous assistance of the Xuan clan that he passed through the crisis of life and death. Therefore, your grandfather betrothed his beloved daughter to Grand Lord Xuan. Is this not so?”
Lady Wenxiu bit her lips and remained silent.
Ling Buyi continued: “Later, Grand Lord Xuan died early. The Xuan clan’s reputation declined somewhat, but ultimately they left family assets—not enough to leave the wife and daughter lacking clothing or food. It was old Prince Qian’an who, seeing the world unstable, moved his sister’s family to care for them during the chaos of war. Isn’t this what should be expected?! Does Lady Wenxiu think such ‘kindness’ is worth mentioning again and again? Aren’t you afraid of inviting the world’s ridicule? As for the marriage match…” He raised his slender lashes, looking toward the Emperor above, and stopped speaking.
The Emperor pretended to glare at his adopted son and turned to say: “When I and Prince Qian’an jointly raised our cause, I said a blood oath would suffice. It was your father who insisted on sealing the alliance through marriage. But I and your father were of the same clan, so none of the women from the great Qian’an clan could marry into our family. In those circumstances, besides betrothing the Empress who had been raised at his side since childhood, did your father have any better option?”
Shaoshang occasionally glanced at the Empress. She saw that when the Emperor said ‘your father insisted on sealing the alliance through marriage,’ the Empress’s face instantly paled somewhat, yet the Emperor didn’t notice at all.
“Moreover, back then old Prince Qian’an and His Majesty’s alliance lasted less than three years before he wanted to ‘part ways’…” When Ling Buyi said these four words, he deliberately paused. Lady Wenxiu lowered her head and gritted her teeth, avoiding eye contact.
Shaoshang understood immediately: What ‘part ways’—he definitely wanted to set up his own operation or even rebel!
“At that time, the old Prince’s various actions showed no consideration for the Empress who had already married and borne children.” Ling Buyi finished slowly.
When Lady Wenxiu lowered her head, her face showed resentment. When she raised it, she put on a weeping appearance: “But Your Majesty, my younger brother is now strictly supervised by the State Tutor. His food, clothing, and living are all without freedom. Thinking that I once had dozens of siblings, and now scattered in all directions, only this one young brother remains—I earnestly hope Your Majesty, for the sake of past affection…”
“The right to mint coins is an important state matter, not for a mere woman to discuss.” The Emperor suddenly interrupted. “If you truly care, why not have the Cavalry General present the matter in court? Better than making things difficult for the Empress here.”
Shaoshang gave the Emperor one hundred eighty thumbs up in her heart—Auntie Wang talks to you about feelings, and you talk to her about propriety and law. Brilliant, truly brilliant! You know that once you start discussing feelings with women, it never ends. And that you would say this surely means Uncle Wang has long since switched from his lukewarm old father-in-law’s household to cling to your thigh, so of course he won’t listen to his wife and seek benefits for his young brother-in-law!
Indeed, when her husband Wang Chun was mentioned, Lady Wenxiu’s expression became even worse, nearly biting her lips bloody.
But the Emperor wouldn’t let Lady Wenxiu off, continuing: “One matter is one matter. Today you showed disrespect to the Empress, your words and conduct overstepped bounds, you didn’t respect propriety and law—how should this offense be judged? To judge contempt…”
“Your Majesty!” The Empress suddenly interrupted, her face showing pleading. “This subject’s body is unwell. Let’s stop here for today.”
The Emperor knew she wanted to plead for Lady Wenxiu, but he wanted to suppress the arrogance of this Prince Qian’an’s daughter, so he pondered in silence. Shaoshang also thought the Empress was being too kind—Auntie Wang should be severely dealt with!
Seeing the Emperor’s expression, the Empress knew his mind. She could only anxiously look at her adopted son, signaling with her eyes.
Shaoshang saw the young man beside her lower his head and sigh softly. Then she heard him say: “Your Majesty, didn’t you have something to say to Shaoshang today? It’s already late. If you don’t speak now, she’ll have to leave duty and return home. Tomorrow…” He laughed lightly. “Tomorrow is her rest day.”
Shaoshang’s head buzzed. She never dreamed Ling Buyi would actually throw her under the bus to rescue the Empress! She was so angry she stuttered: “You, you… how could you…”
—This heaven-damned bastard whose eighteen generations of ancestors lacked virtue, this pit-digging party member! Did I dig up your family’s ancestral grave and turn it over to the state, or practice Seven Injuries Fist on you to make your head a green grassland? You really need a beating every three days or you’ll tear off roof tiles. Indeed, husband and wife are birds of the same forest who fly separately when disaster strikes. She wanted a divorce! No wait, she wasn’t even married yet—she wanted a refund!
Her eyes reddened with anger. At this moment, she couldn’t spare time to curse her unscrupulous fiancé and hurriedly said to the Emperor: “No, no, no—Your Majesty, don’t listen to Lord Ling’s nonsense. Whatever you want to say to Lady Wenxiu, please absolutely continue without considering this young woman! This subject’s matters are merely trivial, unrelated to court affairs above or harem below. Lady Wenxiu’s coin minting rights and Prince Qian’an’s residence—those are important matters! Besides, Your Majesty’s golden words are already spoken—how can they be interrupted? Wouldn’t that be breaking gold and shattering jade? Lord Ling truly doesn’t understand affairs…”
Even the Emperor with his dignified face couldn’t help turning aside to suppress a smile. The Empress, tears in her eyes, nearly laughed out loud. Lady Wenxiu was also provoked to angry laughter. Wang Xi had been in a daze since earlier, unable to recover.
Ling Buyi suppressed a laugh and pressed on: “Your Majesty, why not let this subject first escort Lady Wenxiu and her daughter out?”
The Emperor turned his face without speaking and waved his sleeve in agreement.
Ling Buyi clasped his hands to the two young eunuchs. They understood and immediately directed several palace maids to help Lady Wenxiu and her daughter up and walk them outside. Ling Buyi followed along. When they reached outside the hall doors, Lady Wenxiu suddenly turned back and said quietly: “The Emperor and Empress truly didn’t raise you in vain. Whatever they can’t say, you say. Whatever the princes and princesses can’t do, you do. What a fine hunting dog!”
Ling Buyi seemed amused and laughed, then directly addressed Wang Xi at the side: “Miss Xi, after returning home, immediately inform your father of today’s palace affairs. Your mother’s mind is currently unclear. In her heart, neither husband, children, nor family lives are as important as young Prince Qian’an living comfortably. If she isn’t restrained, the Wang family may face great disaster.”
Wang Xi was both shocked and frightened, tears in her eyes, bowing in thanks: “This daughter respectfully thanks Eleventh Brother. Father often says that in ordinary times when there are difficulties, you’re most generous with assistance.”
Ling Buyi slightly clasped his hands, completely ignoring the still furious Lady Wenxiu, and turned back into the hall. Just as he stepped inside, he heard the Emperor using a tone of joy imperceptible to others to scold his dear fiancée: “…I’ll point it out to you. Your error isn’t elsewhere—it’s only regarding Zicheng.”
The corners of Ling Buyi’s mouth lifted slightly as he slowed his pace and gradually moved over.
Shaoshang was already so anxious sweat broke out on her forehead: “Lord Ling? Lord Ling… what did this subject do to him? No, no, that’s not right—this subject rises before dawn every day and returns home when the sky is dark. Where would this subject have time to do anything wrong to Lord Ling!”
The Emperor supported his right elbow on his knee, leaning his upper body forward: “Think again carefully. Even now, you feel you haven’t wronged Zicheng at all?! This shows your heart is cold!”
Shaoshang was nearly crying with anxiety, saying in panic: “This subject is foolish—this subject is truly foolish! Your Majesty, please give a few more hints.” Where exactly did she go wrong? She truly couldn’t think of it. Could it be because she didn’t let Ling Buyi kiss her a few days ago? No way—would the Emperor scold her just because she wouldn’t let his adopted son take advantage of her? This world had gone fantasy.
Seeing her anxiously spinning in circles, the Empress gently reminded: “Shaoshang, think about it. You rise before dawn and arrive home when it’s dark. Every day Zicheng escorts you in and out—what about him?”
Shaoshang’s mouth fell open, her mind completely blank. Even though her quick wit dominated Yuzhen, for a moment she didn’t know how to respond—because she’d never thought about this matter! Looking at it this way, saying her heart was cold wasn’t wrong.
The Emperor sobered his expression and said sternly: “Do you know that these ten days, regardless of clear or rainy weather, cold or warm, no matter how busy or exhausted, Zicheng has left his residence in the deep of night to fetch you from the Cheng residence, then carried a lantern back? When you’re happy, you even make him eat dinner at the Cheng residence before leaving. But when you’re unhappy, you send Zicheng away without even a meal!”
At this point, he slapped his knee and said coldly: “I ask you—do you even have a heart or liver! Do you know how to feel sorry for your husband? What use does Zicheng have for such a cold-hearted, cold-blooded woman like you!”
“I, I, I…” Shaoshang was tongue-tied. Just now she almost said ‘Then let me break the engagement,’ but her survival instinct made her bite her lip hard.
“You can still claim youth and ignorance, but what about your parents? Did they also just watch Zicheng suffer?!” The Emperor struck his knee again with a palm, the force seeming to strike Shaoshang’s heart.
Shaoshang could no longer stammer. She hurriedly said: “Your Majesty’s clear judgment—this is all due to this subject’s ignorance, unrelated to Father and Mother. Ten days ago, Father was summoned by his superior to a neighboring commandery. On the same day, Mother also went outside the city to handle the purchase of farmland. Both have not yet returned. They don’t know about this matter at all! It’s all this subject’s fault. Your Majesty, please don’t blame Father and Mother. They’ve always been most careful and prudent in conducting themselves—how could they commit such an error!” By the end, she was nearly crying.
“At least you have some filial piety, knowing misfortune shouldn’t involve parents.” The Emperor’s expression cleared slightly. “Then tell me—when Zicheng is exhausted, why can’t he occasionally stay overnight at the Cheng residence?”
Shaoshang explained with sweat all over her forehead: “No, it’s not that. This… Your Majesty, this doesn’t accord with propriety!”
“Oh, you want to discuss propriety with me? Then recite the Book of Rites for me to hear.”
“This, this, this…” This time Shaoshang truly cried. The Emperor was a bad old man who shouldn’t bully people like this. When others discuss propriety and law with you, you discuss feelings with them. “Wu wu wu, this subject couldn’t recite it…”
The Empress watched the girl like a trapped small beast hitting walls everywhere, both wanting to laugh and feeling pity. Several times she wanted to speak but was stopped by the Emperor’s gaze.
“This subject, this subject isn’t heartless either. This subject truly didn’t think of it…” Shaoshang was frightened into crying—rarely speaking the truth.
The Emperor kept a cold face: “Didn’t think of it—meaning you don’t have Zicheng in your heart. Ordinary girls can’t wait to show care and concern for their fiancés. How could there be someone like you? You tell me yourself—what should be done?”
“It’s all this subject’s fault. This subject, this subject will definitely show care and concern for Lord Ling from now on, attentive in every way…” Shaoshang clutched her sleeves sniffling. “From now on, Your Majesty, please don’t have Lord Ling escort this subject anymore.”
“These are evil words!” Though the Emperor’s face showed severity, his eyes already held a smile. “This young girl’s heart has absolutely no affection at all! When feelings first arise, one can’t wait to see each other daily. Zicheng is like this—aren’t you?!”
“Then, then… what exactly should be done…” Shaoshang sought medical help in desperation, only able to lower her head and plead guilty. “This subject is foolish. Please, please Your Majesty instruct…” She was in despair—You’re an Emperor who manages countless affairs daily—is it really okay to keep talking about feelings?!
“Your Majesty…” The Empress truly couldn’t bear it anymore, looking at the Emperor with disapproval. “Following Your Majesty’s instructions, the family banquet has been set in the side hall!”
The Emperor stroked his beautiful beard, feeling it was about enough, and lightly coughed to clear his throat: “Shaoshang, you and Zicheng will ultimately spend a lifetime together. Conduct yourself well from now on.”
Shaoshang made a mournful face, repeatedly assenting: “This subject respectfully obeys Your Majesty’s decree…”
“Decree? So if I didn’t instruct you, you would turn a blind eye to Zicheng’s feelings?” The Emperor’s voice began rising again.
Shaoshang’s scalp tingled as she hurriedly pleaded: “No, no, no—this subject misspoke. From now on, this subject will definitely treat Lord Ling with affection, with sincerity, absolutely not disappoint…”
Only then was the Emperor somewhat satisfied. He rose with a wave of his sleeve and leisurely departed the hall. Halfway out, he even turned back to say: “Tonight’s family banquet—Shaoshang should come too.”
Shaoshang’s emotional intelligence wasn’t adequate, so she instinctively responded: “This subject thanks Your Majesty for the grace. However, this subject just committed an error—how could this subject have the face to accept Your Majesty’s gracious decree…” The point was tonight was the night before the holiday—who wants to work overtime on Friday night!
Seeing the Emperor glare again, this time even the Empress had to touch her forehead, smiling bitterly: “Shaoshang, listen to His Majesty.”
Shaoshang could only kowtow in thanks.
Watching the Emperor and Empress depart together, only then did Shaoshang see Ling Buyi who had been kneeling behind her all along. She immediately became angry with embarrassment, crying and scolding: “It’s all your fault! If you had something to say, why not tell me yourself instead of letting His Majesty severely scold me! Did you do it on purpose, deliberately watching me make mistakes, then watching me make a fool of myself… wu wu wu…”
Ling Buyi’s gaze was gentle as he touched the girl’s tear-reddened face, finding her adorable even in such disheveled tearfulness: “Don’t mind His Majesty. I’m willing to escort you in and out of the palace every day. We’ll continue as before from now on.”
“Continue as before?” Shaoshang was nearly choked to death. “…Do you think I still dare?!”
Ling Buyi lowered his long lashes, his tone melancholy and cool: “I hope that one day, you’ll want to treat me well on your own, rather than only thinking to treat me well after being scolded by His Majesty.”
After saying this, he walked out alone and solitary, leaving behind Shaoshang, who seemed like a villainous evil supporting female character, sitting powerlessly and woodenly in the hall—to this day, she could finally say that the longest road she’d walked was the imperial family’s schemes!
When Shaoshang sighed for the thirteenth time, Luo Jitong walked in smiling and sat beside her: “What did you say just now to please His Majesty so much?”
“His Majesty likes me?” Shaoshang felt she’d entered a fake palace—he likes her yet scolded her bloody?!
Luo Jitong smiled: “Naturally. Otherwise, why would he let you join the family banquet? This is treating you as his own daughter-in-law. You should know, even the Crown Princess wasn’t allowed to attend before her marriage.”
“This, is this very remarkable?” Shaoshang was stunned. “Last time at my betrothal, wasn’t that also a family banquet? Sister Jitong was there that day too.”
Luo Jitong covered her mouth laughing softly: “That time doesn’t count—you just happened to coincide with it, and I went to serve. Aiya, you’ll know when you go. Come on, follow me quickly. Lord Ling instructed me to take you to wash up…”
Shaoshang nodded blankly as she rose, saying as she walked: “Okay okay… But does His Majesty really like me? What does he like about me?”
This time, Luo Jitong didn’t laugh. She looked Shaoshang up and down, then said seriously: “I think, probably because you’re both clever and innocent.”
Both clever and innocent—what did this mean? Shaoshang still didn’t understand.
—If you said she was clever, before the Emperor and Ling Buyi she had no power to fight back. If you said she was innocent… compared to Wang Xi and Lou Si and their ilk, she wasn’t innocent either.