Seeing his fiancée in low spirits, Ling Buyi sent her home before returning to his own residence. Before leaving, seeing the girl listless and dejected, he gently instructed her to rest another day, saying he would go to the palace to request leave for her. Who knew that as soon as he left, Shaoshang immediately bolted like a startled rabbit to Jiuzhui Hall. It turned out she only lacked emotion when facing the victim mother and son—when it came to her own parents, her gossiping enthusiasm soared unprecedentedly.

“Ling, ah no, Madam Huo… that, she’s… insane…?” Old Cheng had been at home these past two days nursing his sunburn. After hearing this retelling, the whites of his eyes appeared even whiter. “This matter probably isn’t known by many people, right?”

Madam Xiao nodded: “Mm, at least I’d never heard of it. Well, it’s not exactly something glorious. Someone as proud and arrogant as Zicheng, yet having a mad mother—would it sound good to say it aloud… However, I understand now.”

“What does Mother understand?” Shaoshang asked. Director Xiao often had some extraordinary insights that she greatly admired.

“The Huo family are loyal martyrs, yet His Majesty didn’t support Madam Huo’s divorce to the very end back then.”

The African chieftain father and daughter both assumed postures of respectful attention. Madam Xiao continued: “When I first learned about the past events of the Huo and Ling families, I found it strange. No matter how influential Old Princess Ruyang was, there’s still a distinction between ruler and subject. No matter how unreasonably she made trouble, under His Majesty’s thunderous fury, she shouldn’t have been able to withstand it—yet His Majesty still allowed Madam Huo to divorce Marquis Ling.”

“Now I understand. His Majesty is a man of sentiment. He might not have approved of Marquis Ling and Chunyu Shi’s behavior, and felt that a forced melon isn’t sweet. Even if Marquis Ling was compelled by imperial authority to abandon Chunyu Shi and welcome back Madam Huo, what would be the point? There’s also another consideration—if Madam Huo remained Marquis Ling’s wife, then the compensation and benefits given to the Huo clan would inevitably be shared by someone surnamed Ling. So His Majesty thought, might as well let Madam Huo divorce, then remarry a loyal, devoted, and meritorious son-in-law—like Marquis Cui, for instance. Not only would Madam Huo have support in the future, but Zicheng could also have a stepfather who truly cared for him. Who knew…”

“Who knew that shortly after Madam Huo’s divorce, she went mad?” Shaoshang murmured. Oh my, this time the Emperor really miscalculated.

Madam Xiao sighed: “Exactly. Who knew Madam Huo’s feelings for Marquis Ling were so deep that she actually went mad. Alas, we can’t blame His Majesty. Divorce isn’t such a big matter—one can remarry. What’s there to get over? Who could have predicted she would go mad?”

Old Cheng’s mouth moved, very much wanting to express his views on ‘divorce is not a trivial matter,’ but in the end he held back. He could only repeatedly sigh “pitiful, pitiful” at the current desolate circumstances of the loyal minister’s sister.

“Niaoniao, remember this—now this matter is known to those who know it, and His Majesty doesn’t want those who don’t know to find out. Don’t speak carelessly about it outside, lest you displease His Majesty, the Empress, and Zicheng.” Madam Xiao finally instructed earnestly.

Shaoshang solemnly agreed. She understood this much propriety and wouldn’t be so tactless.

First, old Prince Ruyang clearly knew about it, but that troublemaking old woman of his might not know, which is why she was so brazen and lacked proper discretion. The Emperor and Empress knew, so according to the Emperor’s Libra-like sense of balance, Consort Yue must certainly know too. Ling Buyi’s father should also know—otherwise he wouldn’t fear the Emperor so terribly. As for others, one would have to look to the heavens and consult divination.

The next day, after sleeping until she woke naturally, Shaoshang had wanted to laze about for another day to organize her thoughts and engage in some criticism and self-criticism. Who knew that her plan to rest another day became known to her second brother Cheng Song, who then notified Wan Qiqi with lightning speed, and then Wan Qiqi came to catch her with the speed of stealing bells while covering one’s ears.

After playing around at the Wan residence all morning—wrestling, horseback riding, and naturally gambling a few rounds (Shaoshang nearly lost even her clothes)—she finally managed to get her sworn sister drunk at the midday meal. Only then could she wobble back home. Sitting in the carriage, facing the autumn wind to disperse the alcohol fumes, she unexpectedly spotted Lou Yao on the street.

Shaoshang immediately sobered up, her eyes round as bells, craning her neck to look toward the street corner—Lou Yao rode on horseback with his head lowered, moving alone and dejectedly. His former tall, thin, melancholy appearance. In the blink of an eye, he and his attendants disappeared from view. Shaoshang sat back in the carriage dazedly, speechless for a long while.

The saying goes: though the business deal fails, benevolence remains; though the marriage fails, affection remains. Even if affection no longer remained, the gifts Lou Yao had originally sent were still being worn by Mother Cheng. Thus it was quite natural for her to worry about her former fiancé’s current circumstances.

After returning home and washing away the smell of alcohol, Shaoshang lay at the window railing, pondering bitterly—how should she inquire about Lou Yao’s recent situation?

Going boldly to the Lou family to ask was impossible—the Lou family would be scared to death, and Ling Buyi would eat her alive. Asking her mother directly wasn’t realistic either—Director Xiao most feared they might maintain lingering feelings and wished she could block all news about the Lou family completely. Among her three brothers, two and a half were double agents—if she asked them to inquire, they wouldn’t survive the ten-minute break between classes before Director Xiao would arrive with the class teacher—so what could she do?

At this moment, Shaoshang discovered that the number of people she could use was even less than the ink in her belly.

Actually, she had always been a girl with a particularly strong career ambition. If she was going to mix in society, she’d do it conscientiously; if she was going to study, she’d do it with all her heart and soul. Having been reborn into such a worry-free exploiting class family, she had intended to do some serious business—not daring to claim wealth rivaling a nation, but at least self-sufficiency within Old Cheng’s sphere of protection would be no problem.

Who knew that after coming here for over half a year, without even figuring out where the Cheng family ancestral graves were, she kept running into romantic entanglements one after another. Up to now, aside from one marriage engagement, two fiancés, and three scandals, she had accomplished absolutely nothing!

Thinking of this, Shaoshang’s eyes rolled, and she suddenly had an idea—hadn’t that big talker said he owed her once? Now that she was with Ling Buyi, who could reach the moon in the nine heavens above or retrieve hot pot from the seafloor below, there really wasn’t anywhere she needed Yuan Shen. This time she’d have that fellow repay his promise—it would count as great fortune and national peace.

Shaoshang immediately summoned Lian Fang and whispered instructions in her ear. Having climbed up to a golden son-in-law and entering and leaving the palace daily, she had long since multiplied in worth and prestige at home. No servant was not respectful, sometimes more effective than Cheng Yang, who managed household affairs. Lian Fang was utterly devoted to her young lady, so she readily agreed and turned to leave.

Having finished this matter, Shaoshang stretched greatly like a plump mole, planning to take a beautiful afternoon nap. Who knew that at this moment Madam Xiao sent someone to summon her to Jiuzhui Hall, saying: Marquis Ling’s wife has arrived.

Shaoshang’s arm, stretched halfway, froze in mid-air.

Actually, Marquis Ling’s wife Chunyu Shi had already come to the Cheng residence several times before, but both Shaoshang and Old Cheng were absent, so Madam Xiao had received her. Shaoshang knew Director Xiao’s abilities—she was best at righteously setting traps. Though she couldn’t pass off plastic flowers as fragrant lilies, fooling people into thinking they were high-grade PVC was no problem. The wife of the Lou family’s second son now regarded her as a life mentor.

After dressing properly, Shaoshang quickly moved to Jiuzhui Hall. She saw sitting opposite Madam Xiao an elegantly dressed middle-aged beautiful woman with two beautiful maids of fifteen or sixteen kneeling behind her.

Under Madam Xiao’s guidance, Shaoshang performed complete courtesy toward Chunyu Shi. When she raised her head, she faced Chunyu Shi directly. Observing her appearance, Shaoshang felt that Chunyu Shi wasn’t particularly gorgeous, but possessed a gentle, soft charm. Especially when she lowered her delicate head and spoke in soft,细语 tones, she seemed even more delicate than Shaoshang herself, let alone the spirited Director Xiao.

Shaoshang couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. Madam Xiao disliked this kind of white lotus appearance most in her life—yes, including her own daughter. These past days Madam Xiao had to suppress her nature to deal with Chunyu Shi—the complaints in her belly were probably about to overflow.

“…I came several times before. Your mother said you were in the palace all day. Today I finally get to see you in person.” Chunyu Shi had a lovely low, soft voice. Even ordinary speech sounded like murmuring. “You’re truly beautifully made. I’m delighted just looking at you. No wonder Zicheng is so anxious to marry you.”

“It’s not that anxious really, since Master Ling is already twenty-one years old.” Shaoshang lowered her eyelashes, unhurriedly smoothing her sleeves. “I heard that your eldest son is only fifteen this year but already discussing marriage prospects.”

Chunyu Shi’s smile immediately froze. She hadn’t expected such an ordinary remark to invite such a needle-like response.

Shaoshang turned her head to look at her birth mother. Madam Xiao also looked at her impassively. In the brief moment their gazes met, both understood each other’s meaning—though this mother and daughter had ordinary affection, they both had high regard for each other’s intelligence.

Before knowing about Madam Huo’s madness, Madam Xiao could still deal with Chunyu Shi blandly, occasionally exchanging pleasantries to maintain appearances. But now… the situation was different.

“Heh, that’s true.” Chunyu Shi quickly recovered her composure, drawing in her garments and lowering her head with a smile. “Young Lady Cheng is Zicheng’s future wife, Sister Junhua’s daughter-in-law, so naturally you have some… views… of this concubine. But, Young Lady Cheng, this concubine is after all much older than you. Please hear this concubine’s word—the past is gone. What’s past can never be changed. We must always look forward. As they say, ‘Father and son on the battlefield’—my lord and Zicheng are after all birth father and son. How can they keep on like this, cold and stiff? Even if Young Lady Cheng is unwilling to acknowledge me, you cannot fail to acknowledge my lord. Zicheng, out of consideration for Sister Junhua, cannot soften his stance. Mustn’t we women take the first step…”

“Madam Ling.” Shaoshang was impatient to hear this woman prattle on, so she interrupted with a smile. “This humble woman has a question—I don’t know if I should ask it.”

“Please ask, Young Lady Cheng.”

“When did Madam Ling move into the Ling family as a widow? Was it before Madam Huo married in, or after?”

Chunyu Shi’s expression didn’t look too good. She said softly: “This concubine’s fate was unfortunate. After my former husband died and I had nowhere to go, lonely and desolate, I could only rely on my aunt’s family, fortunately receiving Sister Junhua’s care.” She was admitting it was after Huo Junhua’s marriage that she moved there.

Shaoshang didn’t hide the subtle expression on her face.

Madam Xiao suddenly said: “When Madam Ling came before, she mentioned that back then she and Madam Huo got along very harmoniously, as close as sisters, serving her like a lady-in-waiting with nothing left undone.”

Shaoshang expressed admiration for her mother’s superior phrasing skills, smiling sweetly—the scheming white lotus coaxing the pampered young lady, right? Moreover, with Marquis Ling on the side beating the drum, praising his wife’s dignified generosity and virtue one moment, then commending his wife’s compassion for the weak and kind heart the next—wasn’t it easy as pie? Heh heh.

What Madam Xiao didn’t mention was that during the previous visits, when Chunyu Shi brought up her “friendship” with Huo Junhua back then, her tears were practically streaming, inspiring pity in all who saw. She nearly died of disgust but still had to endure bitterly.

She too came from a prominent local family and didn’t object to her husband taking concubines, but the prerequisite was that those concubines could only be ‘playthings.’ Governing a household is like governing a state—government orders cannot come from two sources, and there can only be one tigress on a mountain. But was Chunyu Shi an ordinary servant concubine?

Madam Xiao and Qing Cong were not only as close as sisters, sharing adversity together, but also understood each other’s views on marriage and family, so Qing Cong never had the slightest intention of coveting Cheng Shi. Someone like Chunyu Shi, taking advantage of when Huo Junhua was missing presumed dead to enter the household—she even dared mention ‘sisters’? What a joke!

“This concubine’s affection with Sister Junhua back then was even closer than real sisters. When this concubine learned that Sister Junhua and Zicheng were still in the world, I lit a hundred votive lamps at the Three Pure Ones Temple. Who knew, who knew…”

Chunyu Shi wept softly. “For great men, three wives and four concubines is ordinary. Before Zicheng was born, my cousin-in-law also took a concubine. Though she passed away soon after, Sister Junhua had nodded her approval. So this concubine voluntarily washed hands to make soup, serving my cousin-in-law and Sister Junhua. I truly don’t understand why Sister Junhua simply refused to tolerate me and wanted my life!”

This passage contained quite a lot of information. If it were an ordinary righteous person, they might develop some aversion toward Madam Huo. However, these words were wasted on Shaoshang—because she helped her own side regardless of right or wrong!

“I also don’t know why she refused to tolerate you.” Shaoshang looked at the sky and murmured. “Perhaps Madam Huo was accustomed to being an only daughter. Or perhaps she preferred sleeping in a large bed and was unwilling to have you squeeze in with her?”

Madam Xiao wanted to laugh but felt it improper, and barely restrained herself.

Chunyu Shi was somewhat stunned.

She wanted to say that even concubines didn’t necessarily serve the husband together with the principal wife, but how could she voice such words? However, she had experience. Seeing that today’s situation was wrong (actually it was Shaoshang not playing by the rules at all), she decided on a quick resolution and turned instead to Madam Xiao: “This concubine still has some trivial matters at home. I’ll take my leave now.”

As she spoke, she received a lacquered wooden box from the girl on her left. “This is the deed to some fields outside the city, which my lord and I give to add to Shaoshang’s dowry. And these two maidservants—this concubine bought them from the south for a hundred thousand cash. They can sing, dance, and cook, to serve Shaoshang and Zicheng in the future…”

“Madam, you’re truly amusing.” Shaoshang smiled sweetly. “I haven’t even touched Master Ling’s bedchamber yet, and here you come sending me two beautiful maidservants right off to share my future husband’s bed. Should I thank you for this? Is this perhaps the principle of ‘meet once, split in half’?” She loved nothing more than launching into bawdy talk at the slightest disagreement.

“Shaoshang!” Madam Xiao frowned. “Can’t you speak properly!”

Chunyu Shi indeed showed a face full of anger: “You, how can a young lady speak such filthy words…”

“Madam finds these words filthy.” Shaoshang put on an exaggeratedly reverent expression. “Madam is truly pure as ice and jade, of high moral character!” Then she smiled coldly. “In this world, some people can do filthy things yet won’t allow others to speak of these filthy matters. What does Madam think of such people? Hmph, truly hypocritical!”

“Are you throwing me out?” Chunyu Shi suddenly stood up, her face cold and angry.

Seeing her daughter about to go off-script with nonsense again, Madam Xiao quickly took the lead, saying formally: “Does Madam Ling know what it means to be caught between two sides?”

Chunyu Shi was taken aback.

Madam Xiao raised her head to look directly at the noblewoman before her: “Some matters don’t allow hedging one’s bets on both sides. Zicheng is our future son-in-law, so our family will naturally stand with him. Madam, rather than taking roundabout approaches with our family, you’d be better off going directly to Zicheng. If he’s willing to say ‘the past is past,’ then we will naturally treat you as an honored guest and welcome you with shoes reversed. Otherwise, we won’t act against Zicheng’s wishes.”

Madam Xiao’s gaze was severe, each word like a knife. For a moment, Chunyu Shi had no response.

Shaoshang clapped her hands laughing: “Mother spoke so well, truly profound words of great significance, thundering in the ears, struck by heavenly lightning…”

“If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak!” Madam Xiao turned to glare angrily at her daughter.

Shaoshang could only sheepishly close her mouth.

Chunyu Shi laughed coldly: “Just based on what your daughter said today, I don’t believe others who hear it will remain unmoved.”

“Then you just…” Shaoshang was about to smile back when she was frightened by Madam Xiao’s murderous glare.

“My daughter said nothing. She didn’t say anything.”

Madam Xiao denied it without changing expression or heartbeat. “If Madam goes out spreading anything, our family absolutely won’t acknowledge it. Though my lord cannot compare to Marquis Ling in joining the dragon early, he still has some small influence in this capital. Even His Majesty and the Empress often praise how Shaoshang has become increasingly proper lately, constantly bestowing rewards. I wonder if people outside will believe Madam’s words?!”

“Good, good, good!” Chunyu Shi laughed coldly repeatedly. “Today I’ve truly come to know you!… We’re leaving!” Without waiting for servants to see her out, she flicked her sleeves and left. The two frightened maidservants hurriedly followed.

…

Only after the visitors had gone far did Madam Xiao look at her daughter: “You kept provoking Chunyu Shi—what exactly were you trying to do? Even if you don’t want to humor her, there’s no need to become sworn enemies.”

Shaoshang, however, spoke of other matters: “Alas, seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. When Mother gets angry, you’re truly imposing and majestic. I only hope this Madam Chunyu can show the courage she had back then when competing with Madam Huo for a man, and won’t shrink back just because Mother scared her. If she can spread word outside of my evil behavior today, then perhaps I can solve the problem once and for all.”

Madam Xiao was half-believing and half-doubting, neither confirming nor denying.

Shaoshang’s plan was good, but many years later when she thought back on it, it seemed that those plans of hers that appeared very serious and proper would always end up racing madly in another direction that was both laughable and exasperating.