Love like the Galaxy - V1C2

Characters List

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

Edits in progress

Edits in progress

Chapter 2

Survival

While Yu Cailing was pondering Fu Zhu, Fu Yi and his wife were also talking about her. "Today, I noticed that the Young Lady appeared much healthier. When I first came, her condition was really alarming," Fu Yi said, relaxing in the cozy western chamber after washing up as his wife combed his hair.

Zhu paused her comb and pursed her lips before responding, "By the time you arrived, she had already gotten better. That day, the Young Lady almost lost her life. It was my mistake—I delayed a few days, thinking A’Yi[1] would take good care..." Her expression grew darker at the mention of the name.

Seeing his wife's mood, Fu Yi said, "People change a lot in ten years. When the Commander[2]  and the general left, the Young Lady was just three. I recall the general looking back from his horse, with tears in his eyes. Don’t be too hard on A Yi—her first husband died serving under the general, and her new husband is connected to the Ge family. How could she stay loyal to the Commander?"

Fu Zhu forcefully slammed the comb on the table and raised her voice: "Blades and arrows are blind. Those in the private army follow their lord in search of fortune, fully aware of the risks. The Commander has always been generous to widows and orphans—was A Yi ever short of food or clothing? No one stopped her from remarrying! When false news spread about your death in Nanding City, I made the children wear mourning clothes. Even if I had planned to remarry, I wouldn’t have neglected the Commander’s duties! Afraid of dying? Hmph! If she truly feared death, she should’ve stayed like A Xiao and kept her man in the village. No prospects, but at least the family stays safe. Wishing for both wealth and safety—since when does life work that way?"

Fu Yi hesitated briefly. Since the battle at Nanding City, he had quickly sent a message home, so only a few months had passed. Now, he wondered if the message hadn't arrived and whether his wife might have waited longer before remarrying, maybe at least a year. Fu Yi made a face. The thought was not pleasant.

In the end, he shifted the topic. "Don’t be upset. During my recent visits to the manor, I heard that the Young Lady had become more unruly and violent, hitting servants and behaving disgracefully. However, now she appears healthy and kind, and the children like her."

Fu Zhu snorted and kept brushing her husband’s hair. "I haven’t been inside the manor, so I haven't met the Young Lady personally. I thought those wicked women had corrupted her, assuming she was still young and the Commander could set her straight when she returned. But, hmm! The Young Lady is evidently lovely—since her awakening, she’s been gentle and kind. Worrying she might be feeling down, I asked A Mei to take her out to play. On Lady Qiu’s wedding day, I also sent the two guards you provided to accompany them. After that, she was much more lively, even laughing and talking."

Fu Yi nodded in approval before abruptly asking, "Old Man Qiu is giving away another daughter?" Each time he came back, it appeared the old village head was having a wedding. "How many daughters does he have?"

Fu Zhu chuckled. "I mentioned it's the eldest daughter—weren’t you paying attention? The Qiu family has two sons and just one daughter, who was born later in life. The last time you visited, it was about her remarriage. Now, it’s her third wedding."

Fu Yi shook his head. "Old Man Qiu spoils that girl too much. A widow remarrying is fine, but her husband was perfectly good. Yet she keeps divorcing for other men—people talk."

Fu Zhu smiled and said, "Her new husband is quite handsome, with a gentle temperament." Fu Yi looked at his wife, Fu Zhu, who met his gaze without envy, instantly softening his mood. He then reassured himself—servants tend to reflect their masters' attitudes. If a master is cruel, his servants will be cruel too. If a master is kind, his servants will hesitate to be cruel and may become kinder over time. Considering himself, the general was not handsome but was fair, kind to his wife and kids, and a good man and good leader. Fu Yi felt he possessed similar qualities and believed that his role as a husband was secure.

He remembered an incident when Madam watched acrobatics and martial arts at General Wan’s residence and praised a robust performer as “quite handsome.” The master not only dared not refute her but even raised his cup in agreement: “My wife has excellent taste. Though that man is inferior to me in stamina, among all the performers, he is truly the most striking.” General Wan splattered his wine out of his nose—whether from shock or laughter, no one could tell. Madam laughed heartily.

Fu Yi looked at the small wooden slip on the table he brought back today and asked his wife, “What does the lady’s letter say?” He couldn’t read it.

Fu Zhu glanced at the slip and replied slowly, “Everything is prepared. We only await the lady’s return.”

Fu Yi nodded. “When?”

“Within the next three to five days.” 

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By the time the sun reached its peak, the children playing near the stream had mostly left and gone home. A young villager who had come to pick up his younger siblings glanced at Yu Cailing several times, blushing each time, and nervously handed three large fish to A Mei before quickly leaving. Excited, A Mei told Yu Cailing, “Young Lady, it seems someone has taken a liking to me!”

Yu Cailing kept a stern face and turned to Fu Deng. “A Deng, haven’t you found a skilled mirror polisher yet? I can’t see a thing in that bronze mirror in the house.” She desperately wanted to see what she looked like now—and to let A Mei take a good look at herself too. That village youth had been sneaking glances in their direction several times. By this large boulder, there were only she and Fu Deng—surely they weren’t here to look at Fu Deng… right?

Fu Deng chuckled and said, “New Year’s Day is coming soon. Most traveling craftsmen have probably gone back home.” Then he turned to his sister and said, "Don’t talk nonsense. Those fish were meant for the Young Lady.” He had noticed the youth stealing glances at their mistress. His sister pouted when she heard this, but after a few minutes, she forgot about it. She was too young and innocent to worry too much, and her mistress was so beautiful that it was normal for her to attract attention.

Yu Cailing silently walked down the rural path, slowly and feeling miserable. She had no idea what she looked like. Though she was a tomboy in her past life, she loved her mirror—using it to gloss her lips or check her pimples. Now, whether it was the warped bronze mirror or the stream water, she couldn’t see her eyes or mouth clearly. All she knew was that her skin was relatively fair. She wondered if that young man’s beauty standards were usual—what if his tastes were... strange?

Take her cold-hearted father, for example. In his youth, he admired her mother’s intellect and education, marrying her despite their class differences—even delaying her uncle’s Party membership by three years. After striking it rich, her father developed a taste for brainless, coquettish women and indulged in such affairs for years—until a business partner bankrupted him. Only then did he have an epiphany and marry a resilient, hardworking widow—uneducated but practical and dependable—and together they rebuilt their fortune.

Although Yu Cailing despised her father, she took pride in inheriting his sharp wit. Since arriving in this era, she has constantly planned her future. She sighed as she held and inspected a plump fish, wishing she had been reborn more beautiful[2]. While an unattractive woman in modern times could rely on education and career, options in ancient times were limited. She thought about training in martial arts, possibly to become a bandit queen. Fortunately, she wasn’t reborn as a servant or concubine—having attendants actually felt like a stroke of luck. Frowning, she realized she had been dwelling on her past more lately. Why did she have to transmigrate as a woman? It would be much better to be a man, able to rise as an official through scholarship, or to choose a trade and farming. She wouldn't mind being gay either; surely, many handsome yet poor men in this world would be waiting for her to save them.

The brisk winter wind blew as Yu Cailing arrived home, smiling and handing the fish to Fu Zhu. "Do we still have the lard from the other day? Fry the fish head until crispy, then prepare a fish soup with those fresh mushrooms. A Mei's father and brother have traveled from afar, and soup would be the most nourishing for them." At that time, the technology for making proper iron pots wasn't advanced enough for stir-frying, but shallow-frying in oil was still feasible.

Before Fu Yi and Fu Deng could respond, A Mei and A Liang cheered excitedly. A Mei clapped her hands and said, "That fish soup is the best! And the fish tail—let's grill it with ginger, pepper, and fermented bean paste like last time."

Fu Zhu chuckled. While most people cooked by steaming, boiling, roasting, or dry-frying, a few days ago, the Young Lady and A Mei watched villagers slaughter a pig and bought a basket of fatty belly meat. She told Fu Zhu to render the fat in a heated iron pan, producing a rich aroma of lard and cracklings that nearly attracted neighbors from miles away. The cracklings were tasty when mixed with rice or cold dishes, and the lard had many uses—such as mixing with rice and fermented bean paste or frying vegetables and fish—creating incredibly flavorful dishes.

When Fu Zhu asked the Young Lady who came up with this method, A Mei eagerly jumped in: While butchering the pig, a piece of fatty meat accidentally fell onto the edge of a nearby brazier. The hot iron pan pressed against the fat, causing the oil to seep out and fill the air with its fragrance—that's how the Young Lady got the idea. In truth, A Mei had been busy playing with the children at the time and hadn't seen the fat fall into the brazier; the Young Lady told her about it afterward.

“It's all gone now, but yesterday we slaughtered a few chickens, and I rendered some chicken fat from their bellies. It tastes quite good too," Fu Zhu said with a smile. In truth, this wasn't a particularly new method. Some people had already been catching the drippings from roasting fatty meat to use in cooking or mixing with rice, but no one had thought to fry fish before adding it to soup—it turned out to be delicious, with no fishy taste at all. The method was excellent, but it used too much firewood and fat, making it unaffordable for anyone but wealthy households.

Reflecting on this, Fu Zhu grew increasingly confident in the Young Lady's remarkable intelligence. She believed Yu Cailing would undoubtedly excel at managing a household after marriage. The malicious rumors circulating outside were likely spread by malicious individuals aiming to damage the madam's reputation, though Fu Zhu was truly a clever woman. If not for her intense loyalty and hopeful thoughts, she might have realized something was wrong with Yu Cailing much earlier.

Yu Cailing shivered at Fu Zhu's words, realizing the importance of not underestimating the intelligence of ancient people. Despite her modern knowledge, she wasn't necessarily smarter than they were. She had only once shown Fu Zhu how to render pork fat. Still, Fu Zhu quickly expanded that knowledge to include beef, chicken, and duck fats, and experimented with ginger, Sichuan pepper, and other spices to create fragrant, long-lasting oils. Without this clever woman, Yu Cailing would have long questioned A Mei about the current era, dynasty, and her family's background.

The freshly steamed barley rice was brought to the table. Fu Zhu drizzled meat sauce over it and served it with fish soup. "Young Lady, please eat more," Fu Zhu said, his gaze soft and tender as if to melt. Local cuisine here often features mixed rice or rice topped with various dishes, commonly with meat or vegetable stews poured over the steamed rice for simplicity. Wealthier families might include grilled fish or side dishes. Yu Cailing had already enjoyed Fu Zhu's cooking, and, modestly, she lowered her head, washed her hands, and prepared to eat.

The midday meal was truly delightful—savory minced meat stew with rice, full of flavor and aroma, and the mushroom and fish soup was light and revitalizing. It pleased everyone, including the younger crowd, Fu Yi, and Fu Deng, who ate with gusto. Traditionally, people here only had two meals a day, but since Yu Cailing recently recovered from a serious illness, Fu Zhu has been feeding her five times a day to help restore her health. This also benefited A’Mei and her siblings, whose faces have become fuller and shinier in the past few weeks.

After the meal, Yu Cailing, holding a sweet tangerine and warming herself by the stove while listening to A Mei chatter about countryside gossip, suddenly felt that life wasn’t so bad. She wouldn’t mind enduring this punishment forever because she realized that the empty, cold, and desolate room she woke up in after transmigrating resembled a jail. It wasn't a jail with bars, but it was still a jail. Of course, no one is meant to stay in such a place unless punished. But with the arrival of Fu Zhu, her life was no longer miserable. She wondered what her current body did to deserve this treatment. In the historical novels she read, when the heroine was reborn, she kept both her memories from the past and her new world. Well, it seems that was all nonsense. She didn’t retain anything from this body; she transmigrated with her mind and personality traits and jumped into this new body, which she still wasn’t sure was pretty or ugly, dammit!

Suddenly, Fu Zhu declared, "Tomorrow, someone from the family estate will come to take the Young Lady back." These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Yu Cailing’s head. She froze in place for a long moment, unsure how to start asking about it.

During her few weeks with Fu Zhu and her family, she gathered fragments of information about her birth family. It was like assembling a puzzle: she linked some pieces but couldn't see the complete picture. She only realized she was sent to this house as punishment for something she did or didn't do, and she ultimately died of pneumonia or a similar illness. Nonetheless, many questions remained: who, why, how… She didn't even know her name, except for ‘Young Lady’! Who was her family? Why were there no relatives nearby to protect her? How could she plan her future if she lacked all the facts?

The distinction between taciturn and talkative was evident: if Yu Cailing tearfully expressed, "I miss my father and mother," a talkative individual would eagerly share stories about her parents—how they met, fell in love, married, had children, and eventually parted from her. In contrast, a reserved person like Fu Zhu would either silently bow her head without speaking or let out a heavy sigh and simply remark, "Indeed."

If Yu Cailing asked, "Fu Zhu, do you know what my father and mother were like?" pretending to be filial, Fu Zhu would reply dutifully, "How dare we servants speak of our masters' affairs?" and remain silent afterward. Consequently, Yu Cailing still did not know whether this body’s parents were alive or dead.

She had tried various indirect approaches multiple times lately, but she was still reluctant to ask outright—who was in charge of the family estate now? Who handled her daily needs? What was the situation with her birth parents? Someone observant would quickly see that something was off, particularly someone as keen as Fu Zhu.

Seeing Yu Cailing’s despondent expression, Fu Zhu was reluctant but felt compelled to say something. Remembering her mistress’s instructions, she restrained herself and whispered, "Young Lady, don’t be afraid. When you return, calm your mind and face whatever comes."

Yu Cailing looked steadily at Fu Zhu, realizing she had to ask outright. She then adopted a pitiable expression and, in a mournful tone, asked, "Fu Zhu, did I truly make such a serious mistake?" The question was so delicately worded and vague that it revealed no hint of her true intent, prompting her to commend her skill secretly.

Fu Zhu indignantly said, "What mistake did the Young Lady make? You didn’t commit murder, arson, theft, or robbery!"

At least it wasn’t a criminal case. Civil disputes generally don't affect minors much. Yu Cailing eased up a bit and whispered sadly, "Then… why was I punished like this?"

Zhu angrily remarked, "Those people are trouble! They bullied the Young Lady for not having—" She suddenly paused, exhaled, and then said, "Don’t worry, Young Lady. They wouldn’t dare to act rashly toward you."

Could it be that the parents of this body were truly dead? Yu Cailing was confused. She noticed Fu Zhu wanted to speak but hesitated, which annoyed her. After some thought, she could only whisper, "I’m afraid that if I return... I may not make it." Reflecting on the girl who had been critically ill just a few weeks ago, Fu Zhu sighed and took Yu Cailing's hand, saying, "This servant will say one last thing—no one will dare to harm the Young Lady's life." She couldn't help but reveal a small hint.

Yu Cailing now had a clearer understanding. Her return signified that her punishment was over, and Fu Zhu confirmed that no one would bully her again. That was sufficient for now. 

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That afternoon, she heard Fu Zhu and her family bustling outside for hours, making clattering sounds. After sleeping through the night, she woke up to find the small courtyard entirely transformed. The once inviting and comfortable furnishings had disappeared, and the jars of sauces, condiments, and salt in the kitchen were more than half empty. The courtyard now felt cold and empty—most notably, Fu Yi and Fu Deng had left before dawn. Clearly, Fu Zhu intended to erase any warmth and comfort she had added since her arrival.

Unexpectedly, the people from the manor arrived late. Just as Yu Cailing was settling in for her afternoon nap, two carriages finally appeared. Fu Zhu thought to herself, the trip from the manor to here should only take half a day[3]. If they had left at dawn, they would have arrived by noon. It was obvious that the woman's careless aides had delayed their departure, only leaving when the sun was already high.

Yu Cailing was gently pulled into the carriage while still half-asleep. Fu Zhu wanted to offer some last words of advice but hesitated under the watchful gazes of others. A Mei and A Liang, however, were reluctant to see her go. The carriage was filled with brocade, embroidery, incense burners, and bedding. Since ancient carriages lacked shock absorbers, Yu Cailing was jolted awake after burning just two sticks of incense. She then heard a piercing, nagging female voice that continued nonstop since boarding—complaining about her improper demeanor for a young lady, her stubbornness, and how much her mistress had struggled to raise her.

Yu Cailing looked up at the slender, wiry woman and narrowed her eyes after overhearing Fu Zhu call her Li Zhui. She disliked this woman greatly; Li Zhui also looked at Yu Cailing, and it was obvious the feeling was mutual.

Li Zhui wore a deep blue Curved Robe with a crimson brocade belt around her waist, decorated with gold and silver ornaments. Unlike Fu Zhu, who usually kept her hair in a simple round bun at the back of her neck, Li Zhui’s hair was intricately styled into three large buns: two crescent-shaped buns at her temples and a triangular bun on top of her head, pierced through with three thick gold hairpins resembling sticks of incense. The powder on her face was so heavy that Yu Cailing thought she looked like a clown. Yu Cailing felt disheartened by the beauty standards of this era and again worried about her own looks.

"...Did Fourth Young Lady hear what I just said?" Li Zhui’s voice grew even shriller.

Yu Cailing was irritated. She wasn’t a meek pushover. After her parents divorced during childhood, she had once aspired to be a teenage gangster. Surprisingly, she chose a different path, went to university, and became a law-abiding citizen.

She replied flatly, smoothing her wide sleeves, 'I didn’t hear.' 

Li Zhui was furious, expecting that Yu Cailing, having endured hardships in the countryside, would have become more compliant. To her surprise, the girl stayed stubborn. She suppressed her anger and said clearly, "I told you, the mistress is generous and has forgiven Fourth Young Lady’s mistakes. Next time you return, make sure to follow the mistress’s orders properly."

Yu Cailing narrowed her eyes. She was a reasonable person—if someone treated her well, she couldn’t bring herself to be tough and would be as docile as could be. But if someone were hostile to her, she wouldn’t hold back either. She hadn’t come to this godforsaken place to swallow insults. At worst, she’d just die and start over with a new reincarnation!

“Which mistress are you referring to? There are so many mistresses! Mistress of your ancestors, eighteen generations! Why not just call her a madam?” "That lady is your Aunt!" Madam Li raised her voice sharply. "Have you forgotten who your own aunt is?"

"Of course I know," Yu Cailing replied with a mocking smile that didn't reach her eyes. "She's my uncle's old mother!"

"You... you..." Li Zhui nearly fainted from anger, her finger trembling as she pointed at Yu Cailing. "Do you not know what filial piety means? What about gentleness, kindness, respect, and frugality?! Such insolence! Do you want to be punished again?"

She found it odd. She'd watched this girl grow up—someone who bullied the weak but cowered in front of the strong. Every time the mistress harshly punished her, then later coaxed and comforted her, the girl would become more obedient.

Yu Cailing raised an eyebrow. "I nearly died from my recent illness, and I had a few moments of clarity. This is who I am now. If you think you can control me, think again! If you've got the guts, don't fetch me at all! I'll get off this carriage right now and go back!"

These past weeks were not wasted. She visited the countryside daily, observing rural life and collecting gossip from villagers. The saying goes that people tend to imitate their rulers, so noble customs and common practices often resemble each other. This region was where the estates of several aristocratic families intersected. In just a few days, she overheard farmers mention three broken engagements, four remarriages, and a newlywed couple fighting—leading her to believe that local customs were quite rough and unrestrained, much less formal than she had anticipated from ancient traditions.

Seeing the girl's ferocity, Li Zhui rapidly took on the role of the elder, loudly proclaiming: "Your father and mother have forsaken you! Your aunt has cared for you for these ten years, tirelessly and through hardships! And this is how you thank her?!"

Hearing this, Yu Cailing's initial thought was: 'So this body's parents aren't actually dead.' Her next thought was: 'Different paths, same destination—was this body also doomed to have divorced parents since childhood?'

Yu Cailing's parents were the first in their town to divorce following the economic reforms. Although many others did so later, this scandal was unprecedented at the time, leading to kindergarten-aged Yu Cailing being frequently pointed at and gossiped about. Rather than becoming shy from this attention, she unexpectedly became more resilient and emotionally tough.

Yu Cailing pulled out a hairpin, snapped open the small brazier lid on the table, then wrapped her sleeve around her hand to lift the brazier. She adopted the attitude of a young delinquent and snarled: "You lowly servant! Do you believe I won't dump these coals on your face?!"

  

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[1] New characters:

• Li Zhui | A Li : Madam Ge's attendant, main servant.

[2] Nüjiang (女將): A general term for a Female General or commander, used for historical figures like Shen Yunying (1624–1660), also known as Shen Guandi, was a renowned female military general during the Ming dynasty in 17th-century China. She is celebrated in Chinese history as a symbol of filial piety and military valor. 

[3] A half-day carriage ride (roughly 4-6 hours of travel) could cover 20 to 60 kilometers (12-37 miles), depending heavily on road quality, horse endurance, breaks, and speed; a leisurely pace on good roads might be 30-40km, while a faster pace or difficult terrain could mean closer to 20km or less.

 

Author's Note:

The female lead is sarcastic and hot-tempered.
This story starts slow—things get exciting after Chapter 5. Impatient readers might want to wait and binge it later. 

 

FD Proofreader and Editor's note:

In the novel, Madame Xiao (Shoa Shang's mother) is a renowned female military warrior. Cheng Shi is a general, and they fight alongside each other. She has her own troop, but it is not specified that she is a general. I chose to refer to her as 'Commander' instead.  

 

Qing Cong is her sworn sister. Cing Cong will refer to her most of the time as 'Commander' and not Madam Xiao. A "sworn sister" (or brother) is a non-blood relative who forms an extremely close, loyal bond through a formal or informal oath, often involving a ritual, to share mutual support, protection, and lifelong commitment, essentially becoming family, rooted in traditions like Chinese jiéyì (righteous bond) or "blood oaths". It signifies a more profound commitment than regular friendship, creating a moral duty for loyalty and aid. -FD