Love like the Galaxy - V1C11
Author and Editor's Notes
1- Transmigration, Sickness and Recovery
2- Survival
3- Sick again, Gossips and Jealousy
4- Family Reunion
5- Awkward Meeting
6- Drama Spirit
7- Crocodile tears
8- Mother and Son
9- Family Banquet
10- Good News!
11- Mother and Daughter
12- Enough is Enough
13- Madam Xiao's unfairness
14- Siblings' reunion and a moment of reflection
15- Third Uncle and Madam Sang
Chapter 11
Mother and Daughter
Shao Shang described this as a 100% achievement and performance, and a
100-mark-score educational celebration dinner featuring river crabs on
the menu as a family, with fireworks in the background, celebrating her
parents' victory.
After the banquet, everyone ate their food and left. Old Madam, tipsy from drinking, was singing and laughing—almost dancing—until Old Hu Ao swiftly guided her back to her inner chamber to rest. Second Uncle Cheng Cheng rose to leave, and only then did Shao Shang notice his slight limp. Cheng Shi held onto him, refusing to release him and insisting they have a sincere, brotherly talk. Reluctantly, Second Uncle Cheng was pulled away.
The plump and fair little Cheng Ou’er yawned as his Mother Fu[1] led him away, while the big-eyed young girl Cheng Yang followed behind her brother with her head bowed. Shao Shang had been watching her since dinner, trying to "make friends," but unexpectedly, Qing Cong pulled her aside before Madam Xiao, claiming it was time to "see off the guests."
Old Uncle Dong and his son left frustrated and upset, while Madam Lu departed happily. Madam Xiao kindly assigned her two guards. If the Dong uncle and son tried to harm her, they could be stopped instantly. In a few years, once she completely controlled the Dong household, she would have nothing to worry about.
Madam Xiao, meticulous as always, gave Madam Lu two parting words: "From now on, there’s only one thing left that the Dong father and son can use against you. If one day Dong Wai Di loses his mind and threatens to report you to the authorities, using your children as leverage, what will you do?"
You might as well tell them this: without the children, you can divorce and remarry. But the issues of theft of military supplies and seizure of civilian land are far from resolved. If they refuse to live peacefully, they can always be reported. Let’s see if they have the guts to keep causing trouble.
Qing Cong and Shao Shang looked at each other as they stood beside Madam Xiao. Qing Cong wasn’t surprised by Madam Xiao’s comments but was more taken aback that such words were spoken in front of a young lady. Meanwhile, Shao Shang wondered: Will a wife’s report about her husband be taken seriously?
Madam Xiao turned to her with a faint smile. "My child, what do you think of what I just said?"
Caught off guard, Shao Shang was briefly stunned. She glanced at Qing Cong and then at the respectful maids kneeling several steps away in the corridor, who appeared unaware of the situation. The maids who once served Madam Ge were now barred from approaching within ten feet. Lifting her head, Shao Shang looked up at Madam Xiao, who was a head and a half taller. The jadeite earrings gently swayed, their cold, sharp glow reflecting off the snow-covered branches in the distance, casting a mystical light on her pristine, pale skin.
"Of course... of course..." Shao Shang stammered, shaking her head slightly. "Mother’s words are most wise."
"Oh? Which part was wise?"
Madam Xiao’s gaze was cold and piercing. Initially, Shao Shang felt uncomfortable under it—though if she had ever understood fear, she wouldn’t have been such a troublemaker in her previous life.
Shao Shang muttered vaguely, "Every word Mother said was right—beneficial for the Dong family and good for the Cheng family."
Madam Xiao’s refined lips quirked slightly, tinged with a touch of mockery. She gazed at Shao Shang for a moment before calmly instructing, "Return to your room first." Qing Cong gently nudged the still-standing Shao Shang , then signaled the kneeling maids to rise as a group and follow her lead.
Despite the winter cold, Shao Shang felt a thin layer of sweat on her back. She hurried to her small quarters, where Lian Fang and Qiao Guo had already filled the room with incense. Upon seeing Madam Xiao’s group arrive, they promptly bowed and greeted them. Madam Xiao headed straight to the bed in the middle of the room and sat down. She waved her hand, signaling Qing Cong to dismiss all the maids and attendants. Shao Shang quickly did the same, while Lian Fang eagerly handed the mouth-rinsing fruit juice to Qing Cong before quickly pulling Qiao Guo out of the room.
Qing Cong poured the fruit juice into two small ear cups, first offering one to Madam Xiao, then giving the other to Shao Shang, who looked exhausted after her walk.
“It’s only natural that, after ten years apart, mother and daughter have become a bit distant,” Madam Xiao said after taking a sip of juice. "I don’t know what your Aunt has taught you, but I have just one piece of advice: speak honestly. Lies and empty words serve no purpose."
Shao Shang stopped drinking and blinked several times. You haven't seen your daughter for over ten years and didn't bother to meet her alone since you returned, and those are the first words you choose to say to her?
Qing Cong interjected nervously, "Commander—"
Madam Xiao raised her hand to stop her and fixed her gaze on Shao Shang. "These days, I’ve been too busy to speak with you properly. But your Father visits you daily, and he always praises your cleverness. So why must my daughter play the fool?"
Shao Shang slowly set down the ear cup and lifted her head, answering frankly, "If I didn’t play the fool, Mother, how could I have survived under Aunt’s care? The more foolish I acted, the more pleased she became. Had I been clever from the start, Aunt would have found other ways to torment me."
Madam Xiao smiled faintly. "Is that why you pretended not to recognize any characters?"
Even someone as thick-skinned as Shao Shang couldn’t help but blush at this.
She initially believed that traditional characters were used here and confidently asked Qing Cong for books to identify her location and era. However, when Qing Cong presented several heavy bamboo scrolls, she quickly sensed trouble. Indeed, she couldn’t recognize any characters inside. The script seemed vaguely familiar—possibly from historical dramas or signboards—featuring twists and turns in oddly elegant, archaic strokes—familiar yet completely unintelligible.
Noticing her expression, Qing Cong pulled out some newer-looking bamboo scrolls. Thank goodness—this time, she could recognize three or four out of every ten characters. She was so touched she nearly shed tears.
With this, Qing Cong uncovered how illiterate she was. Once she realized it, Cheng Shi and his wife naturally found out as well. Madam Xiao took it calmly, having long prepared herself for worse things regarding the daughter raised by Madam Ge for ten years. Cheng Shi, however, was enraged and once again loudly declared, "Divorce that Madam Ge!"
Shao Shang mumbled, "I do know a few characters..."
Madam Xiao didn’t hide her sarcasm. "Can you even call that real understanding? The characters you recognize were made by petty clerks—simple and easy to read, used commonly today..." She frowned. "But the characters in pre-Qin classics aren’t written like that." She had always known that someone like Madam Ge had little education. Even if she wanted to teach, she wouldn’t have been able to do it well.
Shao Shang felt like she had gone back to elementary and middle school, when she was scolded for low grades in certain subjects. Feeling down, she muttered, "Nobody taught me properly. I struggled for hours just to read a few characters. When I told Aunt Ge I hated studying, she was very happy and stopped altogether."
Madam Ge was truly unlucky. The day after Cheng Shi found out his daughter was illiterate, he took her to visit Old Madam and coincidentally ran into Madam Ge, who was there to pay respects and cause trouble. Cheng Shi promptly scolded her, and Madam Ge quickly explained, saying Shao Shang had been lazy and unwilling to learn. Despite this, Cheng Shi delivered a stern reprimand.
"Madam Ge is truly..." Qing Cong said bitterly. "With the Commander's knowledge and learning, she actually let your Young Lady become, become..." Illiterate! Shao Shang silently completed the sentence for her. She could imagine how pleased Madam Ge must have felt every time she saw Shao Shang's uneducated behavior.
"It's alright," Qing Cong forced a smile. "There's plenty of time ahead. The Young Lady can make up for it later. You don't know, back then, the Commander's learning was famous not just in the village, but throughout the entire county."
Shao Shang sensed trouble coming and quickly replied with a smile: "Actually, Aunt Ge wasn't entirely wrong. I don't like studying — maybe I take after Father..." That day, to comfort her unlettered youngest daughter, Cheng Shi said he was quite uneducated himself. Shao Shang then realized that her parents played different roles: her father was gentle, while her mother was rigid and principled, and ultimately heartless.
Qing Cong was stunned, feeling for the first time in her life the sensation of 'stumbling while sitting still', and she looked at Madam Xiao with a helpless expression.
Madam Xiao smiled inwardly and thought, The rumors about this girl are completely wrong. Still, that's a good thing. I have grown tired of fools like Madam Ge, who never understand, no matter what we say. With fools, you must drop all pretenses and be forceful to make them fear you. Cleverness is much better than stupidity. Not only does she look like my dear mother, but she has a clever tongue.
Then learn slowly, Madam Xiao said. Your father was busy with farm work from a young age and was often at war. He only began studying in his thirties, but now he can read court memorials and regional reports with ease.
Shao Shang inwardly groaned but had to assent.
Madam Xiao asked: "You've observed the family matters these days. Do you believe your Father and I have been too forceful?"
"How could I believe that?" Now that everything was revealed, Shao Shang finally dared to respond. "The Dong family, protected by Grandmother, has been attached to Father like a bloodsucking parasite. Helping them now and then is one thing, but I’ve heard Father say they've been oppressing commoners outside as well. What if they stir up serious trouble later?" She made an effort to imitate the classical speech patterns she had picked up over the past few days, hoping it would sound convincing.
Other noble matriarchs, even when guiding their daughters, wouldn't openly reveal elders' faults or speak so directly about private matters. However, Madam Xiao, having endured great hardship in her youth, disliked raising children who were unaware of the world's dangers. Shao Shang, having been almost motherless in her previous life and feeling like an impostor now, also lacked proper mother-daughter etiquette, leading her to discuss things frankly. Ideally, she should have responded: 'How can a junior comment on elders' matters?’
But Madam Xiao clearly attributed everything to Madam Ge's 'neglectful indulgence'.
“However…” Shao Shang hesitated briefly, casting a glance at Madam Xiao. She had long suspected that Madam Xiao saw through her true nature—pretending to be naive would only irritate her and lead her to think badly of Shao Shang's character. It was wiser to be honest.
Madam Xiao said, "Speak freely."
Shao Shang replied, "Since they made mistakes that Father caught, why not let the authorities deal with it directly? After all, they are family—execution isn't an option, but I heard Father say they could be exiled. Why not send them far away? Wouldn't that lead to a more peaceful situation?"
Madam Xiao frowned and asked, "What does a child like you know about exile? With their indulgent lifestyles, could they survive banishment? It would be truly inhumane. Though..." She then smirked mockingly. "I did consider this method. Do you know why I didn't use it?" "Why...?" Wasn't it because it went against human decency? You said it yourself, yet you are asking me.
Madam Xiao bent down and gently told Shao Shang, who was kneeling, "Think it over carefully yourself."
After saying this, Madam Xiao got up and left the room, leaving Shao Shangalone to think quietly.
Shao Shang almost chuckled. Given her position, what else was she supposed to do but take a nap? As she lay on the bed, she suddenly recalled a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from her past in her small town. The mother-in-law accused the daughter-in-law of theft, claiming she had supported her family for years and even stole money meant for her grandson's school district housing to pay for her sibling's wedding. The mother-in-law demanded that her son divorce her. Whether they actually divorced, Shao Shang wasn't sure, but the man left angrily to work elsewhere, refusing to give any more money for his wife. Their son also sided with his grandmother and ignored his mother, leaving the daughter-in-law to complain on the street about her husband's lack of conscience.
The Cheng family matriarch wasn't truly a "brother-obsessed demon," unlike the daughter-in-law who preferred her own family’s comfort over her husband and children's well-being. Otherwise, Madam Xiao might have taken more severe actions. In fact, the Dong family uncle and son should be thankful to the Cheng family elder, or else Madam Xiao’s methods could have been much harsher.
Madam Xiao showed no surprise. She calmly took off her hairpins and jewelry, then asked Qing Cong to roll up her sleeves. With practiced motions, she loosened Cheng Shi's collar, exposing his sweat-soaked chest. When the maids brought a large basin of hot water and a hangover soup, she attentively wiped and cared for her husband. Cheng Shi gradually woke up, took the soup, and drank it all at once. He smiled foolishly at his wife, "Yuan Yi."
Qing Cong and the usual attendants hide their giggles behind their sleeves. Madam Xiao gives Cheng Shi a stern look, unrolls her sleeves, dismisses the servants, and sits alone next to her husband in the room. "I told you to speak properly with Second Brother, and instead you're drunk!"
Cheng Shi wiped his face with a hot towel and said, "Second Brother has been silent for so many years; I didn't know how to start the conversation. Lately, every time I mentioned moving houses, he stayed quiet. When I asked him why, he just said he didn't need to move and wanted to stay here to study. That made me angry... cough... It's only because his leg is a bit weak! If I hadn't taken advantage of his slight drunkenness to pour him a few more cups, I wouldn't have been able to get him to open up."
Madam Xiao leaned closer and asked, "So... did he finally talk this time?"
Cheng Shi draped the hot towel over his face and muttered, "All he kept saying was, 'Elder Brother, you've done nothing wrong by me. It's me who's useless.' My sleeves are soaked with his tears."
Madam Xiao was also surprised. Thinking about the past, she sighed, "In our family, Second Brother has suffered the most."
Cheng Shi gently removed the towel and softly said, "When we were young and poor, we couldn't afford to send him to school. Later, during the war, we encountered some scholars who recommended that he study under Elder Sang at White Deer Mountain, but..." Tears welled up in his eyes. "While we fought outside, someone had to take care of the family. He volunteered to stay behind, so Third Brother went instead." Cheng Shi continued and said, "Later, when Third Brother succeeded in his studies and received an official position from His Majesty, Second Brother was more delighted than anyone. But... what about him?"
Cheng Shi wiped his tears and declared, "He's different from Third Brother. He doesn't study for official positions or wealth—he just loves delving into classical texts. This time, I must fulfill his wish!"
Madam Xiao asked, "Has Second Brother agreed?"
“He finally nodded!” Cheng Shi sighed in relief and then said with a playful tone, "Sending Third Brother to study at White Deer Mountain was definitely the right choice. That rascal resembles Father the most and successfully won over Lord Sang's cherished daughter. Now, our family has a foot in the door—thanks to his connections, he can join any Great Confucian Scholar's academy."
Madam Xiao sharply struck the bed and declared, "Good! After the New Year, we'll send Second Brother away. It's just the right moment—I want to confront that vile woman!"
Upon hearing Madam Ge's name, Cheng Shi's anger flared. "Why just discipline her? Divorce her immediately! She's always insulting him as a useless man, which explains Second Brother's low spirits. That wicked woman—if she only caused trouble inside the household, it might be forgivable. But she actually tried to sell A-Ding's family behind our backs while we were away! If not for the urgency of the war, I would have gone back to punish her right away! ... Cough… Grandfather Ge was very fond of her. If she despises Second Brother, why didn't she remarry sooner? The Ge family wouldn't have objected! Why must they live in mutual disdain?"
Madam Xiao sneered, "Do you think she never considered remarrying? She thought about it more than ten years ago!"
"Then why didn't she?" Cheng Shi lamented.
Madam Xiao glared at him. "Stay out of this," she said, adjusting her robes as if ready to leave.
Cheng Shi asked with curiosity, "Where are you headed?"
Madam Xiao spun around, her tone icy. "That wretch only received our reprimand at the banquet. When you were with Second Brother earlier, she couldn't approach him. Now that you're back in our room, isn't she going to insult him and cause a scene? Since we expect her to do this, should we just let Second Brother endure her mistreatment?"
After the banquet, everyone ate their food and left. Old Madam, tipsy from drinking, was singing and laughing—almost dancing—until Old Hu Ao swiftly guided her back to her inner chamber to rest. Second Uncle Cheng Cheng rose to leave, and only then did Shao Shang notice his slight limp. Cheng Shi held onto him, refusing to release him and insisting they have a sincere, brotherly talk. Reluctantly, Second Uncle Cheng was pulled away.
The plump and fair little Cheng Ou’er yawned as his Mother Fu[1] led him away, while the big-eyed young girl Cheng Yang followed behind her brother with her head bowed. Shao Shang had been watching her since dinner, trying to "make friends," but unexpectedly, Qing Cong pulled her aside before Madam Xiao, claiming it was time to "see off the guests."
Old Uncle Dong and his son left frustrated and upset, while Madam Lu departed happily. Madam Xiao kindly assigned her two guards. If the Dong uncle and son tried to harm her, they could be stopped instantly. In a few years, once she completely controlled the Dong household, she would have nothing to worry about.
Madam Xiao, meticulous as always, gave Madam Lu two parting words: "From now on, there’s only one thing left that the Dong father and son can use against you. If one day Dong Wai Di loses his mind and threatens to report you to the authorities, using your children as leverage, what will you do?"
You might as well tell them this: without the children, you can divorce and remarry. But the issues of theft of military supplies and seizure of civilian land are far from resolved. If they refuse to live peacefully, they can always be reported. Let’s see if they have the guts to keep causing trouble.
Qing Cong and Shao Shang looked at each other as they stood beside Madam Xiao. Qing Cong wasn’t surprised by Madam Xiao’s comments but was more taken aback that such words were spoken in front of a young lady. Meanwhile, Shao Shang wondered: Will a wife’s report about her husband be taken seriously?
Madam Xiao turned to her with a faint smile. "My child, what do you think of what I just said?"
Caught off guard, Shao Shang was briefly stunned. She glanced at Qing Cong and then at the respectful maids kneeling several steps away in the corridor, who appeared unaware of the situation. The maids who once served Madam Ge were now barred from approaching within ten feet. Lifting her head, Shao Shang looked up at Madam Xiao, who was a head and a half taller. The jadeite earrings gently swayed, their cold, sharp glow reflecting off the snow-covered branches in the distance, casting a mystical light on her pristine, pale skin.
"Of course... of course..." Shao Shang stammered, shaking her head slightly. "Mother’s words are most wise."
"Oh? Which part was wise?"
Madam Xiao’s gaze was cold and piercing. Initially, Shao Shang felt uncomfortable under it—though if she had ever understood fear, she wouldn’t have been such a troublemaker in her previous life.
Shao Shang muttered vaguely, "Every word Mother said was right—beneficial for the Dong family and good for the Cheng family."
Madam Xiao’s refined lips quirked slightly, tinged with a touch of mockery. She gazed at Shao Shang for a moment before calmly instructing, "Return to your room first." Qing Cong gently nudged the still-standing Shao Shang , then signaled the kneeling maids to rise as a group and follow her lead.
Despite the winter cold, Shao Shang felt a thin layer of sweat on her back. She hurried to her small quarters, where Lian Fang and Qiao Guo had already filled the room with incense. Upon seeing Madam Xiao’s group arrive, they promptly bowed and greeted them. Madam Xiao headed straight to the bed in the middle of the room and sat down. She waved her hand, signaling Qing Cong to dismiss all the maids and attendants. Shao Shang quickly did the same, while Lian Fang eagerly handed the mouth-rinsing fruit juice to Qing Cong before quickly pulling Qiao Guo out of the room.
Qing Cong poured the fruit juice into two small ear cups, first offering one to Madam Xiao, then giving the other to Shao Shang, who looked exhausted after her walk.
“It’s only natural that, after ten years apart, mother and daughter have become a bit distant,” Madam Xiao said after taking a sip of juice. "I don’t know what your Aunt has taught you, but I have just one piece of advice: speak honestly. Lies and empty words serve no purpose."
Shao Shang stopped drinking and blinked several times. You haven't seen your daughter for over ten years and didn't bother to meet her alone since you returned, and those are the first words you choose to say to her?
Qing Cong interjected nervously, "Commander—"
Madam Xiao raised her hand to stop her and fixed her gaze on Shao Shang. "These days, I’ve been too busy to speak with you properly. But your Father visits you daily, and he always praises your cleverness. So why must my daughter play the fool?"
Shao Shang slowly set down the ear cup and lifted her head, answering frankly, "If I didn’t play the fool, Mother, how could I have survived under Aunt’s care? The more foolish I acted, the more pleased she became. Had I been clever from the start, Aunt would have found other ways to torment me."
Madam Xiao smiled faintly. "Is that why you pretended not to recognize any characters?"
Even someone as thick-skinned as Shao Shang couldn’t help but blush at this.
She initially believed that traditional characters were used here and confidently asked Qing Cong for books to identify her location and era. However, when Qing Cong presented several heavy bamboo scrolls, she quickly sensed trouble. Indeed, she couldn’t recognize any characters inside. The script seemed vaguely familiar—possibly from historical dramas or signboards—featuring twists and turns in oddly elegant, archaic strokes—familiar yet completely unintelligible.
Noticing her expression, Qing Cong pulled out some newer-looking bamboo scrolls. Thank goodness—this time, she could recognize three or four out of every ten characters. She was so touched she nearly shed tears.
With this, Qing Cong uncovered how illiterate she was. Once she realized it, Cheng Shi and his wife naturally found out as well. Madam Xiao took it calmly, having long prepared herself for worse things regarding the daughter raised by Madam Ge for ten years. Cheng Shi, however, was enraged and once again loudly declared, "Divorce that Madam Ge!"
Shao Shang mumbled, "I do know a few characters..."
Madam Xiao didn’t hide her sarcasm. "Can you even call that real understanding? The characters you recognize were made by petty clerks—simple and easy to read, used commonly today..." She frowned. "But the characters in pre-Qin classics aren’t written like that." She had always known that someone like Madam Ge had little education. Even if she wanted to teach, she wouldn’t have been able to do it well.
Shao Shang felt like she had gone back to elementary and middle school, when she was scolded for low grades in certain subjects. Feeling down, she muttered, "Nobody taught me properly. I struggled for hours just to read a few characters. When I told Aunt Ge I hated studying, she was very happy and stopped altogether."
Madam Ge was truly unlucky. The day after Cheng Shi found out his daughter was illiterate, he took her to visit Old Madam and coincidentally ran into Madam Ge, who was there to pay respects and cause trouble. Cheng Shi promptly scolded her, and Madam Ge quickly explained, saying Shao Shang had been lazy and unwilling to learn. Despite this, Cheng Shi delivered a stern reprimand.
"Madam Ge is truly..." Qing Cong said bitterly. "With the Commander's knowledge and learning, she actually let your Young Lady become, become..." Illiterate! Shao Shang silently completed the sentence for her. She could imagine how pleased Madam Ge must have felt every time she saw Shao Shang's uneducated behavior.
"It's alright," Qing Cong forced a smile. "There's plenty of time ahead. The Young Lady can make up for it later. You don't know, back then, the Commander's learning was famous not just in the village, but throughout the entire county."
Shao Shang sensed trouble coming and quickly replied with a smile: "Actually, Aunt Ge wasn't entirely wrong. I don't like studying — maybe I take after Father..." That day, to comfort her unlettered youngest daughter, Cheng Shi said he was quite uneducated himself. Shao Shang then realized that her parents played different roles: her father was gentle, while her mother was rigid and principled, and ultimately heartless.
Qing Cong was stunned, feeling for the first time in her life the sensation of 'stumbling while sitting still', and she looked at Madam Xiao with a helpless expression.
Madam Xiao smiled inwardly and thought, The rumors about this girl are completely wrong. Still, that's a good thing. I have grown tired of fools like Madam Ge, who never understand, no matter what we say. With fools, you must drop all pretenses and be forceful to make them fear you. Cleverness is much better than stupidity. Not only does she look like my dear mother, but she has a clever tongue.
Then learn slowly, Madam Xiao said. Your father was busy with farm work from a young age and was often at war. He only began studying in his thirties, but now he can read court memorials and regional reports with ease.
Shao Shang inwardly groaned but had to assent.
Madam Xiao asked: "You've observed the family matters these days. Do you believe your Father and I have been too forceful?"
"How could I believe that?" Now that everything was revealed, Shao Shang finally dared to respond. "The Dong family, protected by Grandmother, has been attached to Father like a bloodsucking parasite. Helping them now and then is one thing, but I’ve heard Father say they've been oppressing commoners outside as well. What if they stir up serious trouble later?" She made an effort to imitate the classical speech patterns she had picked up over the past few days, hoping it would sound convincing.
Other noble matriarchs, even when guiding their daughters, wouldn't openly reveal elders' faults or speak so directly about private matters. However, Madam Xiao, having endured great hardship in her youth, disliked raising children who were unaware of the world's dangers. Shao Shang, having been almost motherless in her previous life and feeling like an impostor now, also lacked proper mother-daughter etiquette, leading her to discuss things frankly. Ideally, she should have responded: 'How can a junior comment on elders' matters?’
But Madam Xiao clearly attributed everything to Madam Ge's 'neglectful indulgence'.
“However…” Shao Shang hesitated briefly, casting a glance at Madam Xiao. She had long suspected that Madam Xiao saw through her true nature—pretending to be naive would only irritate her and lead her to think badly of Shao Shang's character. It was wiser to be honest.
Madam Xiao said, "Speak freely."
Shao Shang replied, "Since they made mistakes that Father caught, why not let the authorities deal with it directly? After all, they are family—execution isn't an option, but I heard Father say they could be exiled. Why not send them far away? Wouldn't that lead to a more peaceful situation?"
Madam Xiao frowned and asked, "What does a child like you know about exile? With their indulgent lifestyles, could they survive banishment? It would be truly inhumane. Though..." She then smirked mockingly. "I did consider this method. Do you know why I didn't use it?" "Why...?" Wasn't it because it went against human decency? You said it yourself, yet you are asking me.
Madam Xiao bent down and gently told Shao Shang, who was kneeling, "Think it over carefully yourself."
After saying this, Madam Xiao got up and left the room, leaving Shao Shangalone to think quietly.
━━━━༻❁༺━━━━
Lian Fang and Qiao Guo hurried in to help Shao Shang change out of her brand-new long gown, wash her face and hands, rinse her mouth, and then tuck her into a warm bed. They drew the thick curtains and whispered, urging her to take a nap.Shao Shang almost chuckled. Given her position, what else was she supposed to do but take a nap? As she lay on the bed, she suddenly recalled a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from her past in her small town. The mother-in-law accused the daughter-in-law of theft, claiming she had supported her family for years and even stole money meant for her grandson's school district housing to pay for her sibling's wedding. The mother-in-law demanded that her son divorce her. Whether they actually divorced, Shao Shang wasn't sure, but the man left angrily to work elsewhere, refusing to give any more money for his wife. Their son also sided with his grandmother and ignored his mother, leaving the daughter-in-law to complain on the street about her husband's lack of conscience.
The Cheng family matriarch wasn't truly a "brother-obsessed demon," unlike the daughter-in-law who preferred her own family’s comfort over her husband and children's well-being. Otherwise, Madam Xiao might have taken more severe actions. In fact, the Dong family uncle and son should be thankful to the Cheng family elder, or else Madam Xiao’s methods could have been much harsher.
━━━━༻❁༺━━━━
Fortunately, Madam Xiao, who had avoided taking extreme measures, returned to her temporary quarters and found Cheng Shi half-lying on the bed, reeking of alcohol, his face—uncovered by his thick beard—flushed red.Madam Xiao showed no surprise. She calmly took off her hairpins and jewelry, then asked Qing Cong to roll up her sleeves. With practiced motions, she loosened Cheng Shi's collar, exposing his sweat-soaked chest. When the maids brought a large basin of hot water and a hangover soup, she attentively wiped and cared for her husband. Cheng Shi gradually woke up, took the soup, and drank it all at once. He smiled foolishly at his wife, "Yuan Yi."
Qing Cong and the usual attendants hide their giggles behind their sleeves. Madam Xiao gives Cheng Shi a stern look, unrolls her sleeves, dismisses the servants, and sits alone next to her husband in the room. "I told you to speak properly with Second Brother, and instead you're drunk!"
Cheng Shi wiped his face with a hot towel and said, "Second Brother has been silent for so many years; I didn't know how to start the conversation. Lately, every time I mentioned moving houses, he stayed quiet. When I asked him why, he just said he didn't need to move and wanted to stay here to study. That made me angry... cough... It's only because his leg is a bit weak! If I hadn't taken advantage of his slight drunkenness to pour him a few more cups, I wouldn't have been able to get him to open up."
Madam Xiao leaned closer and asked, "So... did he finally talk this time?"
Cheng Shi draped the hot towel over his face and muttered, "All he kept saying was, 'Elder Brother, you've done nothing wrong by me. It's me who's useless.' My sleeves are soaked with his tears."
Madam Xiao was also surprised. Thinking about the past, she sighed, "In our family, Second Brother has suffered the most."
Cheng Shi gently removed the towel and softly said, "When we were young and poor, we couldn't afford to send him to school. Later, during the war, we encountered some scholars who recommended that he study under Elder Sang at White Deer Mountain, but..." Tears welled up in his eyes. "While we fought outside, someone had to take care of the family. He volunteered to stay behind, so Third Brother went instead." Cheng Shi continued and said, "Later, when Third Brother succeeded in his studies and received an official position from His Majesty, Second Brother was more delighted than anyone. But... what about him?"
Cheng Shi wiped his tears and declared, "He's different from Third Brother. He doesn't study for official positions or wealth—he just loves delving into classical texts. This time, I must fulfill his wish!"
Madam Xiao asked, "Has Second Brother agreed?"
“He finally nodded!” Cheng Shi sighed in relief and then said with a playful tone, "Sending Third Brother to study at White Deer Mountain was definitely the right choice. That rascal resembles Father the most and successfully won over Lord Sang's cherished daughter. Now, our family has a foot in the door—thanks to his connections, he can join any Great Confucian Scholar's academy."
Madam Xiao sharply struck the bed and declared, "Good! After the New Year, we'll send Second Brother away. It's just the right moment—I want to confront that vile woman!"
Upon hearing Madam Ge's name, Cheng Shi's anger flared. "Why just discipline her? Divorce her immediately! She's always insulting him as a useless man, which explains Second Brother's low spirits. That wicked woman—if she only caused trouble inside the household, it might be forgivable. But she actually tried to sell A-Ding's family behind our backs while we were away! If not for the urgency of the war, I would have gone back to punish her right away! ... Cough… Grandfather Ge was very fond of her. If she despises Second Brother, why didn't she remarry sooner? The Ge family wouldn't have objected! Why must they live in mutual disdain?"
Madam Xiao sneered, "Do you think she never considered remarrying? She thought about it more than ten years ago!"
"Then why didn't she?" Cheng Shi lamented.
Madam Xiao glared at him. "Stay out of this," she said, adjusting her robes as if ready to leave.
Cheng Shi asked with curiosity, "Where are you headed?"
Madam Xiao spun around, her tone icy. "That wretch only received our reprimand at the banquet. When you were with Second Brother earlier, she couldn't approach him. Now that you're back in our room, isn't she going to insult him and cause a scene? Since we expect her to do this, should we just let Second Brother endure her mistreatment?"
[1] Mother Fu is a loose translation of Nanny. The translation is ‘Good Fortune’ (Fu). In ancient China, kinship terms were part of a complex system of respect and hierarchy, with specific titles for different relatives on both the mother’s and father’s sides.
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