The Empress saw the girl with her head lowered in thought and extended her hand to her: “Help me back to the inner chamber. I’m somewhat fatigued.” Shaoshang did as told, gently supporting the Empress’s arm as they walked inside.

The Empress’s inner chamber was like herself—arranged in light and tranquil beauty, sparse and refined elegance. Even when Shaoshang forcibly brought in a double-eared ceramic vase painted with colorful meandering phoenixes and inserted bright, intense peach blossom branches, who knew that after the Empress casually arranged and trimmed it a few times, immediately a leisurely and indifferent intent came rushing forth—Shaoshang felt she had already tried hard.

The Empress lay tiredly on the couch, waving her hand to dismiss the palace maids attending in the inner chamber, leaving only Shaoshang by her side before saying: “I’ve raised quite a few children by my side, not just my own blood, but also those Consort Yue bore. During those years when she followed His Majesty in eastern campaigns and western expeditions, she would send the children to me after giving birth. Only after His Majesty no longer needed to personally lead campaigns did she take the children back from me…”

Shaoshang’s eyes widened: “Wow, Consort Yue’s heart is quite big!”

The Empress smiled: “I know you most dislike hearing ‘you’ll understand later,’ but how can a person be determined by just a few words? Some can be both loyal and callous. Some can be both treacherous and filial. You must learn to observe yourself.”

Shaoshang thought about it and nodded. No one had taught her this kind of lesson before.

“However, among all these children, I feel most for Zicheng.” The Empress sighed. “Others all say I have deep grace of nurturing toward him, but I know in my heart that over these years, what he’s done for me, what he’s done for the Crown Prince—he’s long since repaid it far beyond.” Pausing, she said again: “Since you fought with Zicheng, you naturally know all about Fifth Princess’s matter…”

“We didn’t fight, we didn’t fight!” Shaoshang quickly said. “How could that be!”

The Empress suppressed her laughter: “You two nearly demolished my chamber—that doesn’t count as fighting?”

“Your Majesty wrongs me! Master Ling struck first. Oh, he also wanted to bite. The whole way he pressed down on me and beat me—how could I have the strength to strike back? Even if the chamber was demolished, that was all his doing alone!” Shaoshang felt she’d been wronged to death!

The Empress suppressed laughter until her belly hurt, saying softly: “Young Lady Cheng is too modest. You weren’t inferior either, making Zicheng so angry. When he left and encountered Princess Yuchang, I don’t know what he said, but the princess ran out crying. Alas, over these years, Nuying has shed quite a few tears over Zicheng…”

“…” Shaoshang said: “Actually, crying from time to time is good for the body.”

The Empress finally couldn’t hold back, laughing as she tapped the girl’s forehead once—this action could be written in large letters in the history of her decades of refined and dignified words and deeds.

Shaoshang held her forehead: “Your Majesty, don’t get sidetracked. Continue talking about Master Ling. Let’s not ramble…”

“You’re the one rambling, yet you dare say I’m rambling!”

The Empress smiled as she glared at her. After catching her breath, she said gravely: “Actually, Fifth Princess’s matter was originally deliberately concealed by someone with ulterior motives. When the matter blew up, they planned to bring it before the Crown Prince in the future to see whether he’d punish his own sister. Fortunately Zicheng discovered it early and reported to His Majesty first, thus clearing the Crown Prince of involvement.”

Shaoshang first nodded, then felt puzzled: “But isn’t there also the Crown Princess’s estate…”

The Empress waved her left hand: “The Crown Princess’s matter isn’t critical. Zicheng long since completely covered it. There’s no handle to grasp.”

Shaoshang sat hugging her knees beside the couch, looking at the Empress, hesitant to speak.

The Empress said: “Say what you want to say.”

“This subject, on Your Majesty’s orders, often goes to Consort Yue’s place. More than once I’ve heard her scolding princes and princesses. Fourth Princess, like Fifth Princess, has already established a residence outside, yet she still frequently lives in the palace, being filial at Consort Yue’s knee. Honestly, I feel Fourth Princess may not be willing, but simply doesn’t dare disobey Consort Yue. Your Majesty, why don’t you…” Shaoshang didn’t continue.

The Empress looked at her: “You want to say, why don’t I learn from Consort Yue and periodically discipline my children?”

Shaoshang laughed foolishly several times. She’d hidden this question for a long time.

“Consort Yue’s nature is bright and straightforward. Her sitting, standing, walking inspires envy in those who see her. But each person has their own way of living. I cannot become her, nor can she become me.” The Empress turned back, looking toward a piece of silk hanging at the foot of the bed.

“When young, I often watched Father and Mother gather together with poetry and literature as companions, inseparable. Our Xuan clan’s ancestral home is a good place—spring gathering bracken ferns, summer nights roasting fish, autumn with plump millet, winter snow gleaming. At that time, I thought life could continue like this eternally, not knowing chaos was already rising outside.”

Shaoshang sighed: “Your Majesty was born into a good family—abundant property, loving parents, gentle elders, and no need to manage household affairs. Like my Father and Mother—they often say the world was already becoming unstable when they were young.”

“Born in adversity, dying in comfort is always better than the reverse.” The Empress smiled with slight self-mockery.

“Before I was even ten, Father passed away from illness. Fortunately, Father had already transferred the entire family property to Uncle…”

“What what!” Shaoshang had been listening with melancholy in her heart but suddenly jolted awake. “Grand Duke Xuan transferred the entire family property to Your Majesty’s uncle?! That what… I remember Granny Zhai saying Grand Duke was the legitimate eldest son…” What kind of household struggle operation is this!

The Empress covered her mouth with a light laugh, seeming to find the girl’s appearance especially interesting: “You act as if your family property was seized. What’s wrong with this? Filial piety and fraternal duty are fundamental to being human. Besides, Father wasn’t good at managing and operating—he only loved reading and making friends. Deceased Mother had the same temperament. Might as well transfer the family property to Uncle for him to manage properly. Wouldn’t that be very good?”

“But there’s no need to transfer it out! Just let Uncle manage it!” Shaoshang felt her heart aching and decided to count the gold, silver, and treasures Marquis Xuan sent later to recover her emotions.

The Empress said seriously: “Not in that position, don’t seek that administration. Managing a family business, controlling several hundred members of the Xuan clan—how arduous. Having the capable uncle exhaust his mind and energy, spend all his heart’s blood, while Father sits back and enjoys the fruits—how could that be a benevolent and righteous act?”

Shaoshang had nothing to say. “Then… that works too. What happened later? After Grand Duke Xuan passed away, did Your Majesty’s uncle treat you well?”

The Empress, seeing the girl’s concerned eyes, smiled: “Don’t always think of people in the worst light. Whether before or after Father’s death, Uncle treated us the same kindness. Actually after Father passed, he even wanted to return the family property to younger brother, but Mother sternly and politely refused, saying she couldn’t ruin Father’s reputation.”

“Mm, such a large family property transferred just like that—Grand Duke Xuan’s reputation naturally became incomparably good.” Regarding this behavior, Shaoshang didn’t know whether to admire or mock it.

“But the world ultimately became chaotic. Those self-proclaimed heroes and good men passed through, demanding money, grain, and people at will. Uncle struggled left and right, barely able to maintain. Maternal Uncle felt for Mother and sent people to bring us over.” The Empress sighed quietly.

Shaoshang said: “Yes, yes! I heard at that time some even demanded people’s beautiful daughters, saying things about forming marriage alliances, becoming pillars for village elders in the future. Bah! As if they were worthy—truly detestable! Father said the initial reason he gathered village braves to train troops was only to protect the village from harm.” Actually Director Xiao’s father who served as a village elder did the same back then, but unfortunately encountered vicious bandits, ending in death and family ruin. Fortunately he had a capable daughter who revived the family business.

The Empress watched the girl lean proudly on the bed edge, a pair of large eyes bright and sparkling, and smiled: “Colonel Cheng is truly a fine man, an outstanding hero.”

“Not at all, not at all! A trivial matter, not worth mentioning!” Shaoshang smiled foolishly while being modest for a few sentences, then pursued: “After going to Prince Qian’an’s residence, did Prince Qian’an treat Your Majesty’s family well? What about the other people in the prince’s residence?”

The Empress was silent for a moment, her eyes full of melancholy: “These years, watching the princes and princesses, I always recall former days. Though Maternal Uncle protected us under his wings, we were ultimately dependent on others. Yet our family of three were considerate of each other, living harmoniously and contentedly, lacking nothing. Between blood relatives, sometimes even words weren’t needed. Just Mother giving us a reproachful look, younger brother and I would be ashamed beyond measure, examining our faults.”

Shaoshang seemed to gain some understanding.

“…I remember one year, Mother went to great trouble asking people to bring some wild vegetables and dried meat from our hometown—things our family often made when Father was alive. Younger brother and I were extremely happy, dividing it into several meals before willing to finish it. Younger brother even secretly hid a small piece under his pillow, wanting to take it out later to show filial piety to Mother. Who knew it later became moldy and couldn’t be eaten? He cried for a long time. Whether in the village or in the prince’s residence, whether or not Mother could obtain anything for us siblings, we equally respected and loved her, felt for her.”

“But look at Fifth Princess—golden soup and silver water chestnuts are still insufficient. And Eldest Princess is much smarter than her younger sister. Before me she’s respectful and proper, but every time after ‘showing filial piety,’ there are always several requests. And the princes—born in the palace court, raised amid power and influence, once they grow up a bit, they all have their own thoughts…”

“Sometimes I don’t even know whether they’re truly being filial to me or being filial to the power in my hands, to my position.”

Shaoshang quietly looked at the Empress—no wonder the Empress was always so unhappy. In the depths of her heart, she pursued a kind of pure emotion, like the pure marital affection of her parents, like the pure parent-child relationship between mother and children. Regardless of wealth or poverty, power or disgrace, always clean and flawless.

Recalling the past, the Empress’s eyes faintly brimmed with tears. Shaoshang gently handed over a snow-white silk handkerchief, saying softly: “Even if there were some unsatisfactory things in the prince’s residence, Your Majesty never complained.”

“Why complain? It wasn’t the prince’s residence deliberately treating us poorly. Maternal Uncle had many concubines. Maternal Aunt was too busy maneuvering among them to spare time. She also tried her best.” The Empress accepted the handkerchief, lightly wiping the corners of her eyes.

“All along the way, the people I encountered were all good people. Father and Mother were good people. Uncle and Aunt were good people. Maternal Uncle and Aunt were also good people… His Majesty and Consort Yue are even more good people. Thinking of the several cousins who remained in the hometown, then thinking of the cousins in the prince’s residence—either scattered and separated with unknown fates, or married to unsuitable people, passing days in panic. Now only Lady Wenxiu remains, able to meet occasionally. In those years of continuous warfare, just staying alive wasn’t easy. I, I already have the best fate…”

Shaoshang helped the Empress smooth her hair at the temples, gently pulled out the hidden pouch behind her, serving her to slowly lie flat, saying in a low voice: “Your Majesty, don’t speak anymore. Thinking more about past events only brings more sorrow. From now on I won’t speak inconsiderate words anymore… Please rest.”

Precisely because the Empress encountered all good people, for decades she was as if placed in soft sponges, thus never having the opportunity to develop a sharp, harsh temperament. Whether this was fortunate or unfortunate was hard to say.

“No, the things you said, I’ve actually thought about myself.” The Empress turned on her side, lying while looking at Shaoshang. “I’ve envied Consort Yue’s temperament. She can always be as if no one’s around, enjoying herself. In earlier years when she quarreled even more fiercely with Old Princess Ruyang, no matter how harsh the words spoken face to face, turning around she could joke as if nothing happened, making Old Princess half dead with anger. Watching it gave me such satisfaction.”

“But I can’t do it. If I tear off pretenses with someone, I can hardly share a room with them again. If I detest someone, I never want to see them again for my whole life. But often I also can’t make such a resolute decision…”

The Empress said quietly: “Being filial to parents, treating elders with courtesy—even powerless and influential elders, such a simple principle, didn’t Fifth Princess’s foster mother, teachers, and many people who went to advise her say so? If she could listen, she’d have listened long ago. If she can’t listen, saying more is useless. Forget it. This time His Majesty already has punishment for the land enclosure matter. When she returns she’ll know. Anyway, whatever I say, she just outwardly complies while inwardly disobeying…”

“Just now you said Fourth Princess is unwilling to stay in the palace. Does Consort Yue not know? I feel that once children are grown, what’s the point of forcibly keeping them? But she doesn’t care about such things. Alas, actually this way of living is more satisfying…” The Empress’s voice became increasingly low.

Shaoshang saw the Empress’s eyes gradually close, her dignified and gentle face full of fatigue. A few points of pity arose in her heart—the Empress wanted willing hearts. Consort Yue, however, would beat you into submission even if she couldn’t persuade you. Anyway I have many children—wasting a few doesn’t matter.

In this world, it’s always those with hard hearts who can accomplish things. Those with soft hearts not only often accomplish nothing but also easily end up full of complaints. If it were the former Cheng Shaoshang, as a believer in the law of the jungle, she would definitely have scoffed at someone like the Empress. But as the Empress said, a person cannot be judged in just a few words. One must observe and think for oneself.

Shaoshang knew deeply how patiently and gently the Empress had tolerated her these past months. She occasionally spoke presumptuously, was irritable, impatient—all sorts of many deficiencies.换成 Nanny Rong, she could have poked through two dozen steel needles. If it were Consort Yue, she’d probably already be mocked into a sieve. Yet in Changqiu Palace she’d always been very safe, very comfortable.

Shaoshang pulled over bedding to cover the Empress properly, slender fingers gently pressing her head. The Empress, eyes closed, made comfortable sighing sounds and soon fell into deep sleep.

…

Early the next morning, the entire palace busied itself—hanging lanterns and colored decorations, expelling insects and burning incense. The kitchen area especially had people flowing in an endless stream, stove smoke rising like pillars. Luo Jitong was assigned by the Empress to keep Fifth Princess under close watch. Grand Chamberlain Cao Cheng was so busy his feet didn’t touch the ground. In the morning, Shaoshang and Granny Zhai accompanied the Empress in receiving a pile of noble ladies and wives who came to offer birthday congratulations.

From princess consorts to marquis and duke wives, they stood filling the entire main hall. Though speaking in delicate, refined voices, their unified birthday congratulations could still be heard half a li away. They also received a whole room of precious gifts large and small. Granny Zhai directed eunuchs to move and transport them to the inner hall. Shaoshang, meanwhile, waved her brush on the side, recording precious items like sea pearls, coral trees, rhinoceros horn incense, and exquisite jade into the account books one by one.

She finally understood the Empress’s intention not to lavishly celebrate her birthday. Fine, even without being lavish she’d copied until her eyes were dazzled and hands ached. If it were more lavish, she estimated she’d need prosthetic limbs.

After sleeping fully through the afternoon nap, learning the Empress had been summoned by the Emperor to the front hall to receive birthday congratulations from several trusted court ministers, Shaoshang and Granny Zhai finally had leisure. Sitting opposite each other, drinking fruit nectar, eating snacks, leisurely gossiping.

In her previous life, the middle and high school library administrators were all chicken soup literature enthusiasts, collecting several hundred volumes of Zhiyin Reader Story Collections. After Shaoshang reformed and cut ties with sisters in the trade, having no friends at school, she idly soaked in the library. Now telling these kinds of melodramatic stories was simply at her fingertips, filling the sky with rosy clouds.

—Granny Zhai especially loved listening, but she didn’t have such a vast story reserve. To reciprocate, she could only gradually reveal old tales and anecdotes from early years, showing courtesy demands reciprocity.

This day Shaoshang wanted to end a story that had been serialized for seven days—’Wife Tearfully Remarries to Care for Paralyzed Husband and Malicious Mother-in-Law Then Shares Room Through Life.’

The time span covered thirty years, involving nearly forty people, including the female lead’s children with her former husband, the female lead’s children with her current husband, the current husband’s children with his former wife, children secretly conceived by the former husband’s first love back then, the first love’s children after marrying, the former wife’s children after remarrying, the former wife’s current husband’s children with his former wife…

After hearing the grand finale, Granny Zhai sniffled in praise: ‘Truly soul-stirring, moving to tears.’ Shaoshang drank some fruit nectar to moisten her throat, looking around at the circle of gathered audience members. Seeing each one entranced, unable to extricate themselves, she was satisfied with the effect. Speaking of which, with just this level she’d moved them like this—if she brought out the ancient version of ‘Unforgettable Love,’ wouldn’t Changqiu Palace be flowing with tears?

Just as everyone was begging Shaoshang to continue shining in the storytelling profession, Luo Jitong’s personal maid Chunliao came to find her, saying there was a matter to discuss. Shaoshang didn’t suspect otherwise. Like a superstar, she smiled and waved goodbye to her faithful listeners, then gracefully rose and went out.

The two were old acquaintances, chatting as they walked. Shaoshang gossiped: “…Has Elder Sister Jitong’s dowry all been packed?”

Chunliao was a girl of slightly tall and sturdy build, but smiled cleverly: “Young Lady Cheng, you’ve asked the right question. These days the family’s been so busy they can’t even eat meals. Going to such a distant place in the northwest, the lady fears our young lady will be inconvenienced—she practically wants to bring bowls, chopsticks, and chamber pots!”

Shaoshang laughed heartily: “Honestly, my heart is full of sympathy for your young lady. Already retired and returning home, who knew Her Majesty feared Fifth Princess might do something improper these days and forcibly captured Sister Jitong back to work. Hey, by the way, Chunliao, are you also going to the northwest?”

Chunliao sighed slightly: “I hear the northwest is all sand. No one wants to go, but the young lady treats me so well—how can I not go? The lady also said my build is good, I have strength—going to the northwest is best.”

Shaoshang thought this made sense too. Looking around: “How come we haven’t arrived yet? I thought we’d just speak a few words outside the palace.”

Chunliao’s eyes slightly evaded: “Almost there. It’s the lakeside pavilion ahead.” She pointed toward Jingxin Lake ahead where few people ventured.

Shaoshang’s steps slowed slightly, then quickly caught up again: “Oh, then let’s walk faster.” Then continued teasing: “Sister Jitong’s future son-in-law—have you all met him?”

Chunliao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, quickly smiling: “Alas, never mind us—even the lady hasn’t met him. Only our young lady, when she went to the northwest the year before last, saw him. That time I was sick and didn’t go along. Mm, I hear the future son-in-law’s appearance isn’t bad.”

Shaoshang smiled with feigned dissatisfaction: “How can you be so shallow? What’s important is character. Hey, how is his character?”

Chunliao slowly lowered her guard, smiling and shaking her head to say she didn’t know.

At this time Shaoshang suddenly sneezed, then sneezed twice more: “Oh my, winter’s almost here. I came out without a cloak hood. Better go back and get one first.” Saying this, she was about to turn back.

Chunliao panicked, quickly blocking her.

Shaoshang put her hands on her hips, glaring: “You know my physical condition. Your young lady knows even better. If I catch cold and get sick later, will you compensate?!”

In the evening of late autumn turning to early winter, the cold air gradually intensified. Chunliao’s forehead sweated from anxiety, only firmly grasping Shaoshang not letting her return.

“It’s truly urgent business. The young lady ordered I must speak with you…” Chunliao said in a panicked lowered voice.

Hearing these words, Shaoshang helplessly nodded. Who knew at this time she sneezed twice more? She absolutely refused to continue walking. Finally she proposed waiting in place while having Chunliao go back to fetch a cloak. Chunliao had good stamina and quick legs—a quick round trip wouldn’t delay matters.

Chunliao looked at Shaoshang’s completely unguarded delicate face, bit her teeth and agreed, quickly turning back to run.

Shaoshang smiled and waved to send Chunliao off. Only after her figure disappeared did her face turn cold. Then she decisively turned and left.

—Regardless of whether Chunliao had problems, even if she was being overly suspicious, caution sails the ship of ten thousand years. She absolutely wouldn’t go to the lakeside pavilion. She had to quickly go to a crowded place.

She quickly circled around Jingxin Lake, walking in one breath from the west side of Shengguang Lake back toward Changqiu Palace. Who knew she ran head-on into a group of young masters in luxurious clothing laughing boisterously? The one in front was precisely Fifth Prince, who had just yesterday been captured by Ling Buyi as a witness.

Fifth Prince, seeing it was her, immediately beamed: “Oh my my, who is this!”

Shaoshang couldn’t be bothered with this wastrel. She was about to turn and leave when her heart suddenly stirred and she stopped. She turned around, looked at Fifth Prince for a long time, then smiled.