Love like the Galaxy - V1C13
Chapter 13
Madam Xiao's unfairness
Shao Shang knew that Madam Ge had probably been taken care of without anyone telling her. The usual screams of Madam Ge were gone, and she didn’t see Second Aunt at all on the day of the move.
Moving was a significant event that required the whole family’s participation. However, Madam Xiao didn’t expect Old Madam or Shao Shang to provide much, so she personally oversaw the entire process of settling into the new home. This included arranging furniture, tidying the gardens, heating the walls and fire pits over several days[1], and pre-moving Old Madam’s gold-and-silver-decorated belongings. By the time of the move, everything was nearly prepared.
On the day of the move, just before dawn, Shao Shang was roused from her sleep. Still drowsy, she was gently dressed in warm clothes by Nanny Zhu, fed, and then swathed in a thick fur cloak, a caring gift from her father. She was then carried into a curtained palanquin. Shao Shang was still in recovery, so they needed to avoid the cold and wind.
Looking around, Shao Shang noticed that Old Madam, the gold enthusiast, her pitiful Second Uncle, Cheng Cheng, and her shy cousin, Cheng Yang[2], each traveled in their own palanquin. Even her drowsy, chubby younger cousin Cheng Ou Er was carried in Mother Fu’s arms and placed in a palanquin. A long line of people moved toward the gate.
Everyone in a palanquin was fine—either slim or young and small—but Old Madam was big and heavy, easily outweighing two and a half Mother Fus. Although Madam Xiao had made preparations in advance by hiring strong soldiers instead of usual servants to carry the palanquin, it still wobbled unsteadily, resembling a lily swaying in the wind, a banana plant in the rain, or more fittingly, a flower farmer rejoicing in a bountiful harvest.
Bracing against the cold winter air, Shao Shang exhaled a visible white breath as she peeked out from her palanquin, clearly amused. Nanny Zhu, walking slightly ahead of her palanquin, noticed and advised, “Young Lady, sit back down. There’s no need to worry about your grandmother… she’s quite steady.” Shao Shang remained silent but still tried to look outside since it was her first time leaving the manor. However, she saw little, so she sat back in her seat.
The sky was shrouded in a blue-gray haze. Strong attendants flanked the palanquins, holding torches or lanterns whose flickering light highlighted the chilly morning atmosphere. The scene seemed almost dreamlike, causing Shao Shang to drift into thought for a moment.
In truth, the original Cheng manor and the former Wan manor were separated by just a small gate, making it much easier to pass through. However, for such an important occasion as the move, they couldn’t afford to take shortcuts. The family respectfully exited through the modest gate of the old Cheng residence and, with even greater ceremony, circled to the grand main entrance of the former Wan estate.
Cheng Shi and his wife greeted visitors with warm smiles as they neared the open gates. Two orderly rows of family warriors, now serving as guards, along with maids holding lanterns, created a large V-shaped formation. Behind the gates, performers dressed in Zheng masks and vibrant, feathered costumes knelt quietly. Seeing the procession approach, Cheng Shi quickly moved to assist Old Madam out of her palanquin, while servants helped Cheng Cheng and the children.
Old Madam, although pleased, pretended to worry and said, “With such cold weather, you must be freezing, my son. Why not start the ceremony earlier?” Cheng Shi chuckled. “How could we proceed without our elders? Disrespect and filial impiety are intolerable to heaven.” He even gestured upward for emphasis.
Shao Shang, trembling from the cold, closed her eyes, rolled them back, and thought, You talk so sweetly now, as if no one saw the fight between you and your mother a few days ago. At that moment, Cheng Shi waved his hand, and the grand Nuo exorcism ceremony started with ancient chants and the sound of gongs and cymbals. Supporting Old Madam, Cheng Shi led the way inside, while the Nuo dancers sang and danced ahead, with shamans loudly chanting blessings to banish evil and welcome the new year. Although dawn hadn't broken yet, the surrounding torches lit up the scene as brightly as day.
Old Madam, a simple woman from the countryside who had never seen such luxury, was entirely amazed. When they reached the lakeside willows, Cheng Shi even broke through the thick ice on the lake to give Old Madam a bucket filled with "lucky Koi and Arowana fishes[3]"—either asleep or frozen—so she could release them into the water. The nearby crowd cheered and applauded excitedly. After this, Old Madam felt very happy, forgetting all about the Dong or Ge families, and only remembering that her son remained filial—so long as she did not upset Madam Xiao.
This was also Shao Shang’s first look at the mansions of the nobility during this era. Clearly, they didn’t match the size of modern large parks in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, but they still overran the parks in her hometown. In terms of style, they were neither as delicate and graceful as the Jiangnan gardens she knew nor as enclosed and towering as the large courtyards of northern merchants.
The buildings here were tall and imposing, marked by straight ridges and neat eaves. All structures aligned along a cross-axis and were spaced well apart. Whether it was the main halls, side courtyards, or pavilions, there was a clear sense of symmetry—squares were exactly square, circles perfectly round, lines straight, and surfaces flat, all appearing natural and unforced.
The manor wasn’t particularly majestic or awe-inspiring, but it exuded a classical beauty of simplicity and vigor.
Upon entering the main hall of the new residence, another series of rituals began—sacrificing livestock, offering prayers to various gods and Cheng family ancestors, switching between kneeling and standing, and reciting unusual odes led by Cheng Shi. Shao Shang, unfamiliar with these superstitions, noticed the absence of figures like Guanyin[4] or Ksitigarbha[5] and found it odd. Weak from her recent illness, she leaned on Nanny Zhu to regain her strength, barely more alert than her chubby little cousin, who had already fallen asleep in Mother Fu’s arms—drawing a disapproving glance from Madam Xiao.
This activity lasted a full two hours, concluding only at noon when the entire ceremony was over. Old Madam stayed lively, rising easily from the prayer mat and even surpassing Old Hu Ao in energy.
Looking around, Old Madam slightly frowned—the empty hall showed how few members of the Cheng family were present. Her temper flared, and she wanted to scold her daughters-in-law. Still, Madam Ge was confined, Sang Shi was far away, and as for Madam Xiao, her son retorted stubbornly, "Yuan Yi has four sons while you only had three, so instead of criticizing her, maybe reflect on yourself. I’m sure the Cheng ancestors are pleased with Yuan Yi," which only created awkwardness for everyone present.
Old Madam restrained her tongue and asked Old Hu Ao, "Why didn’t we invite any guests? It’s so quiet with only our family here."
Old Hu Ao smiled and whispered, "The master hasn’t received the Emperor’s rewards yet. What’s the point of inviting guests now? Once his official rank is promoted, we can hold a grand banquet — wouldn't that be more glorious? The gifts will also be more generous... I heard this secretly, so please don’t mention the gifts later, or the master’ll punish me." Old Madam Cheng beamed with joy, nodding repeatedly.
Behind her, Shao Shang leaned weakly against Nanny Zhu, thinking, Mother is definitely the smartest in the Cheng family. She found so many people who are willing to follow her exact orders. Old Hu Ao is a gem for influencing and calming the Old Drama Spirit Madam. Shao Shang sighed, but I love drama shows. She looked at the Old Madam for a while and smiled, Nah, impossible to change a tiger into a kitten overnight.
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Over the following days, Old Madam Cheng eagerly explored the mansion, delighting in every part of her long-awaited home. The memory of Old Madam Wan sitting in this pavilion made her wish to stay there all day, despite the howling north wind. She remembered how Old Madam Wan watched the fish and admired the willows by this pond, even imagining skewering the fish on the willow branches to roast. Envisioning Old Madam Wan's grandeur in the main house, she was so captivated that she stayed in bed for a few days, daydreaming of her new splendor and reluctant to get up. Cheng Shi and his wife were very pleased with this harmony—never before had the household been so peaceful.
Second Uncle Cheng was assigned a quiet, stylish pavilion with two and a half stories nearby, ideal for a library—though it only had the structure, not the books. Without Madam Ge's frequent nagging and scolding, his complexion improved noticeably within a few days. At meals, he even engaged in some simple conversation and responded to General Cheng's dry humor.
Shao Shang was given a lovely courtyard with flowering trees in front and a bamboo grove behind. A small, smooth white stone path ran along one side, enhancing its charm. Next to it stood a large, empty house, unused for now but possibly soon to be filled with her dowry—if she ever married. The only drawback was its closeness to Cheng Shi and his wife's home; if she planned any mischief, Madam Xiao could reach her quickly without any effort.
With little to do, Shao Shang spent her days resting and gradually recovering, slowly gaining weight. Still too weak for proper studies and unable to stay seated for long, she remained illiterate, passing the time by guessing characters on bamboo scrolls. However, she was now invited to the main hall every day for a family meal, and along with the small group of Cheng family members, she felt more at ease. Though uncertain about her mother, her father was gentle towards her, and their conversations grew more like those of a father and daughter. She enjoyed this greatly, especially since in her previous life, she felt like an orphan who never received love from her parents.
A few days later, Cheng Shi excitedly shared during afternoon tea that the Emperor had promoted him to an official rank of a thousand bushels and granted him the title of Marquis of Quling.
Shao Shang clapped her hands and laughed, "Father must have won a great victory at Quling and earned significant merit."
Cheng Shi, happy to see his daughter looking healthier recently, smiled and said, "Not entirely. Quling was just a small skirmish. The real achievement was at Yiyang, where I had some minor success... Ah, the Battle of Yiyang—that was truly exciting!" He stroked his beard, sighed, and reminisced. "Absolutely magnificent!"
Old Madam, seated in her folding chair at the room's head, placed her two-handled cup down and asked, puzzled, "Then why make you Marquis of Quling? Why not Marquis of Yiyang?" Cheng Yang, sitting quietly beside her, lowered her head and silently refilled the cup with clotted milk, her actions gentle and obedient. Madam Xiao watched with approval.
Cheng Shi teased, "Niao Niao, take a guess."
Shao Shang nodded thoughtfully and said, "Father once mentioned that Yiyang is a heavily fortified strategic stronghold with strong defenses and intense battles. Since this victory brought peace to the region..." Her eyes brightened. "The title of Marquis of Yiyang should be given to someone else by His Majesty." Madam Xiao paused, set her ivory chopsticks aside, and looked at her with a frown, Indeed, she is very smart—like my mother. Maybe a bit too smart.
Cheng Shi eagerly slapped the table, exclaiming, "Our Niao Niao is so clever! The current Marquis of Yiyang is actually General Han!" He then turned to Old Madam and added, "Although ours is just a marquisate within the passes, it's still a significant honor, along with an annual stipend. Brother Wan has been promoted to full marquis, with a fief producing tax revenue from an entire county." Old Madam was delighted and kept praising, "...Then what is my son's official rank now?" Cheng Shi and his wife exchanged knowing looks, understanding each other's unspoken thoughts. Madam Xiao smiled and said, "Not so fast. These things need to be done step by step. General Wan has only recently been appointed as the Right General. Ah, but he injured his leg this time—who knows if he’ll ever return to the battlefield..."
Shao Shang, observing her parents' exchanged looks, gently put the lacquer wood spoon back on the small table. Old Madam, displeased with Madam Xiao’s interruption, cast her a sharp look and declared, "What does it matter? The Wan family already has wealth and high status. If he never fights again, so what? I only wish my son would never have to risk his life on the battlefield." She then raised her double-handled cup and drank it all in one sip. Cheng Yang, sitting beside her, carefully poured her another half-cup and gently reminded, "Grandmother, dinner will be ready soon. If you drink too much clotted milk, you might not feel hungry later."
Old Madam considered this and set the cup down without drinking, smiling as she said, "Yang Yang is truly filial." As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at Shao Shang. To her surprise, Shao Shang merely grinned and said, "Indeed, Cousin is not only filial but also very capable. I heard she’s been taking care of Second Uncle and Ou Er’s daily needs these past few days, and no one has found fault with it."
Before Old Madam could reply, Cheng Shi’s face turned grim, and he coldly interjected, "It appears Madam Ge's choice to send infant Yang Yang back to her maternal family all those years ago was wise. Clearly, Grandfather Ge’s upbringing has been better than ours."
Tears welled up in Yang Yang’s eyes, but she kept her head bowed and stayed silent, not daring to reply. Shao Shang suddenly felt a strange amusement—like she was the cunning villainess stirring trouble. Madam Xiao, unable to handle the tense atmosphere, softly intervened, saying, "Yang Yang is a good girl. All the girls in the Cheng family should aim to be like her." She then gave her husband a warning look, telling him to stop the discussion. Old Madam also fell silent, feeling awkward.
Shao Shang lowered her head to sip the warm rice milk, secretly mocking herself. Using only a few words here and there was all it took. She still had a troublemaker's heart and was far from truly kind. But she was unhappy. Recently, she observed a noticeable change in Madam Xiao's behavior: she was now kinder to Yang Yang and spent more time helping her learn, whereas her daughter continued to get scolded without any praise. Shao Shang was not jealous but frustrated and bored: If I had teachers to assist me with reading and writing, I would surely become a good student fast.
After tea and snacks, Cheng Shi and his wife bowed and said goodbye. Cheng Yang remained to fulfill her filial duties, while Shao Shang casually accompanied her parents as they left Cixin courtyard, the name General Cheng gave to his mother’s quarters.
The new estate was large, and the trip from Cixin courtyard to Cheng Shi and Madam Xiao’s quarters required passing through five or six corridors and a white stone courtyard. Shao Shang , who had been walking behind, was tired and asked to rest halfway, saying, "Father, are you heading to war again?"
Startled, Cheng Shi turned around and exclaimed, "What are you talking about?" He immediately looked at Madam Xiao, with eyes pleading innocence, 'I didn’t tell her.' Madam Xiao dismissed the attending maids and calmly looked at her daughter. "How did you know?" She didn’t deny it.
"I guessed," Shao Shang responded, her delicate eyebrows slightly knitting together. "The titles and honors have already been awarded, so you must have truly distinguished yourself this time. Still, there’s no official promotion. Based on your merits, it doesn’t seem like you’ve been sidelined or mistrusted, so the court probably has other plans for you... Father, is it risky? Our family has everything it needs now. If you can refuse, please do." These were her honest thoughts. In this household, besides Nanny Zhu, Cheng Shi was her favorite and only genuine supporter.
"My child, you truly are brilliant!" Cheng Shi’s heart warmed at his youngest daughter’s innocent yet quick concern, and he chuckled softly. He then glanced cautiously at his wife and quickly added, "Don’t worry. This time, it’s not just about battle. We won’t leave until the month after New Year’s Day. You’re not fully recovered yet, so go back to your room and rest, don’t catch another chill."
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Cheng Shi returned to the main residence, took off his thick brocade robe, and muttered, "You should treat Niao Niao better. She has endured grievances for over a decade. Stop praising Yang Yang so much. She gets upset when she hears it."
“She's just thirteen years and a few months old! She was only three when we were separated—so where does this 'over a decade' come from?" Madam Xiao raised her voice, then added, "And shouldn't Yang Yang be praised?"
Taking Cheng Shi's robe, she continued, "Her birth mother was such a useless fool and brought such great shame, yet she bears no resentment or complaint, neither humble nor arrogant. She attends to her duties every day. Now she manages Second Brother and Ou Er's daily needs. Filial to her father, caring for her younger brother. Did you know? Ou Er hasn't been causing trouble lately, and the characters he learns each day might even surpass your daughter's. As for Second Brother, needless to say, he has nothing but praise for this daughter. But look at Niao Niao..."
"What about Niao Niao?" Cheng Shi asked with a hint of displeasure. "Yang Yang has had her Aunt Ge guiding her since she was a child—what about Niao Niao? Grandfather Ge's oldest daughter is well-known in our village for her virtue, kindness, and knowledge. He has good judgment and personally selected his son-in-law, investing nearly half the family's wealth in the betrothal gifts. Could Yang Yang have gone wrong by staying with her instead of staying with us? Our Niao Niao is so pitiful; she has no one to care for or teach her!"
Madam Xiao, unable to recognize her husband, spoke the truth and fell silent. After a long pause, she finally said, "No matter how pitiful she is, she must be taught now; otherwise..."
Cheng Shi chuckled. "Taught her what? Otherwise, what?" He smiled, adding, "Her cleverness comes from you. She always guesses correctly and understands with just a hint. That's why I believe marrying someone intelligent is beneficial for the children!"
"Cleverness alone is useless. Upright character is what matters most."
"That's where I come in! I'm upright in character! Niao Niao is clever like you, honorable like me!" Cheng Shi patted his chest and laughed heartily.
Madam Xiao, feeling speechless, rolled her eyes at her husband and lowered her head in contemplation. After some time, she let out an inexplicable sigh.
Madam Qing Cong stood outside the door holding hot water, and upon hearing these words, she also sighed.
Back then, Old Lady Xiao, Madam Xiao’s mother, was not lacking in cleverness and beauty. She was sharp at catching others' words, guessing hidden meanings, and avoiding responsibility. However, her cleverness was superficial, lacking genuine wisdom, and she used it only for her own benefit, focused solely on herself and her affairs, seeking a comfortable life and indulging her weak, spoiled tendencies. When real trouble arose, she refused to take any responsibility.
[1] Ritual to remove insects
[2] Cheng Yang, courtesy name Chuo Er, will now be called Yang Yang. Chuo was the courtesy name given by Cheng Shi and Madam Xiao, but their first daughter, who died at age two—presumably from cold or hunger—died, and to forget this sad memory, they informally renamed her Yang Yang. Chuo Er was the courtesy name Madam Ge chose out of jealousy and meanness. See chapter ‘Mother and Son’.
‘A‘ and ‘er’, as well as doubling the given name like A Zhu, Shi Er, and Niao Niao, are commonly used among close relatives and friends. This practice is a sign of affection, very common in China.
[3] The primary lucky fish in China is the Koi (鯉 / 鲤), also known as the "swimming jewel," symbolizing prosperity, wealth, luck, and perseverance, often appearing in art, feng shui, and culture; another significant one is the Arowana (龙鱼), or "dragon fish," believed to bring immense fortune, particularly the golden or red varieties.
Key Lucky Fish in China:
- Koi (鯉 / 鲤): These brightly colored carp are revered for bringing good fortune, success, and strength, especially in Feng Shui, representing overcoming obstacles and wealth.
- Arowana (龙鱼 - Dragon Fish): Highly prized, especially the Golden and Blood Red Arowana, for their dragon-like appearance and ability to attract wealth and power, often seen as a powerful Feng Shui enhancer.
[4] Guanyin (Chinese: 觀音) is the East Asian Bodhisattva associated with compassion and mercy. Known in English as the "Goddess of Mercy," she is one of the most beloved figures in Chinese Buddhism, Taoism, and East Asian folk religion. Her name is a translation of the Sanskrit name Avalokiteśvara and means "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World," referring to her vow to hear the cries of all suffering beings.
[5] Kṣitigarbha (Sanskrit: क्षितिगर्भ, "Earth Store" or "Earth Treasury") is one of the four principal bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism. He is most renowned for his "Great Vow": to take responsibility for instructing all beings in the six worlds and to remain in the realms of suffering—specifically hell—until they are entirely emptied.
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