The night was deep, lit by a new moon and a sky full of stars.
The spring evening still carried a lingering chill.
Old Master Chen drained the shallow golden cup in one go, feeling the warmth spread through him.
“Who would have thought this absurd affair would come to this?” he said with a laugh.
As Madam Zhou left the palace, news of the Empress Dowager arranging a marriage between Young Master Gao and Lady Cheng spread like wildfire.
It was rare for the imperial family to act as matchmakers – their interactions were typically with high-ranking officials and influential statesmen, whose families were entangled in complex relationships where marriage was never a matter to be taken lightly. The Empress Dowager was not some ordinary busybody meddling in neighborhood gossip. Yet today, she had not only stepped in as a matchmaker but had even issued an imperial decree for the marriage. It was clear she was genuinely angered.
“What began as an absurdity has turned into a celebrated tale. Young Master Gao’s move, though seemingly reckless, is rather ingenious,” Old Master Chen continued. “Sometimes that’s how things go – absurd matters call for absurd solutions. Every fish finds its own way to swim, every shrimp its own path to scuttle.”
“Ingenious? I doubt Lady Cheng would see it that way,” Chen Shao remarked, lifting his teacup but not drinking. “Madam Zhou was seen leaving the palace gates in tears.”
Old Master Chen chuckled.
“This Madam Zhou truly spared no thought for the Empress Dowager’s dignity,” he said.
“Indeed. The one who would have shown respect is laid up with a broken leg and couldn’t attend,” Chen Shao replied.
Old Master Chen laughed heartily again.
“That Cheng family certainly plays rough,” he remarked.
Chen Shao still held the teacup without drinking.
“So, this may not necessarily be a bad thing,” he said slowly.
This time, the Gao family had truly provoked this girl.
One only needed to recall the fates of those who had offended her before.
With Prince Ping now grown and the memorials requesting the establishment of a Crown Prince approved, the Emperor was preparing to appoint an heir. It was time for the Gao family, as external relatives, to be urged to leave the capital.
When the previous emperor died prematurely, the current emperor ascended the throne at a young age, and the Empress Dowager unconsciously relied on her maternal family. This was how Gao Lingjun had risen to such power.
Such a situation could not be allowed to repeat.
Out of consideration for the Empress Dowager, the emperor could not directly act against the Gao family, and court officials had repeatedly failed to completely dismantle their influence. But now, if this girl were to take action…
Moreover, if she stood her ground and confronted the Gao family, one of them would inevitably have to retreat and leave the capital.
Though it might sound harsh, both the Gao family and this Lady Cheng were troublesome presences.
So, this may not necessarily be a bad thing.
Chen Shao raised the teacup and drained it in one go.
“Father!”
In the Qin residence, the Qin Shi’san-lang and his father were gazing at the night sky in the courtyard.
“So the Emperor has truly agreed?”
Qin An smiled faintly.
“Why wouldn’t the Emperor agree?” he said. “Shi’san, are you genuinely unaware, or are you feigning ignorance?”
Qin Shi’san-lang chuckled.
“How is Young Master Gao any match for her? To salvage his reputation, he resorts to forcing a marriage like this – is this forming a alliance or breeding enmity?” he remarked.
“So, this may not necessarily be a bad thing,” Qin An said with a laugh. “The Son of Heaven belongs to all under heaven, not to any single individual.”
As he spoke these words, he looked up toward the horizon.
“When some stars shine too brightly, overshadowing the Imperial Star, it is not beneficial,” he said.
Though they were all part of the imperial clan, the unchecked dominance of the Gao family was not something they wished to see.
It was time for the Gao family to be reined in and reorganized.
Qin Shi’san-lang fell silent for a moment.
“What if, instead of enmity, she actually accepts the marriage?” he suddenly said.
Qin An turned to him, somewhat surprised.
“Are you suggesting that Lady Cheng would be willing to marry Young Master Gao?” he asked.
Then he chuckled to himself.
“How could that be possible?”
Qin Shi’san-lang gave a wry smile.
“Lady Cheng, your family situation may not be ideal, but you don’t have to force yourself into this.”
“I am not forcing myself.”
“If there’s a better match, you shouldn’t settle for this unfavorable one.”
“In the end, they’re all the same.”
…
“Stop crying! This is all your fault!”
While other families were speculating, watching, or even feeling excited, the Zhou household was in turmoil.
Madam Zhou’s sobbing had not ceased since the previous day, and Master Zhou’s furious shouts had been equally persistent.
For Zhou Liu-lang, witnessing his parents argue was an deeply awkward situation. He paused briefly outside the door, and Cheng Jiao-niang naturally halted with him.
“Jiao Jiao!”
When Madam Zhou saw her, she immediately rushed over, her face filled with distress.
“Jiao Jiao, I truly did my best, I really tried my hardest. It’s just that the Empress Dowager wouldn’t agree.”
Cheng Jiao-niang quickly curtsied in response.
“Madam Zhou, there’s no need for this,” the maid promptly stepped forward to support her. “My lady is actually very grateful that you were willing to enter the palace on Second Madam’s behalf.”
How would she express her thanks?
Madam Zhou was startled and took a step back in alarm.
Was she going to have her legs broken?
Following the maid’s words, two young maids entered the room, carrying gift boxes of various sizes.
“This is some calming wine that the young lady brewed herself…”
“These are some silks, and here are some pieces of jewelry… for you, Madam, to give as gifts during the New Year.”
Listening to the maid’s explanation and staring at the gift boxes presented before her, Madam Zhou stood frozen for a moment.
What… did this mean?
Gratitude? Giving her fine wine, fine fabrics, and even jewelry…
But even prisoners in the death row cells were given a lavish meal and drink before their execution…
“Jiao Jiao!” Madam Zhou burst into loud sobs, stepping forward to grasp Cheng Jiao-niang’s hands. “Spare me, please!”
Everyone in the room was stunned by her reaction.
“Stop this nonsense!” Master Zhou snapped impatiently. “Someone help Madam to her room at once.”
Zhou Liu-lang stepped forward and supported his mother, soothing her in a low voice as he guided her out of the room.
“…Are you telling me the truth? She really doesn’t blame me?” Madam Zhou asked, half-convinced and half-doubting.
“Mother,” Zhou Liu-lang said, “the truth is, she doesn’t really blame others at all.”
“She doesn’t blame others – she just kills people directly,” Madam Zhou retorted.
Well… that was also true.
Zhou Liu-lang felt a wave of helplessness.
“But this time, you helped her. She is genuinely thankful,” he said.
“Did I really help her?” asked Madam Zhou, her face full of doubt. “Didn’t I end up angering the Empress Dowager, leading directly to the imperial decree?”
“That wasn’t your doing, that was the Empress Dowager’s decision,” said Zhou Liu-lang. “You did everything you could for her. Your sincerity was conveyed, and that is what matters.”
Madam Zhou frowned, clearly still skeptical.
Zhou Liu-lang took the delivered wine, poured a small cup, and said, “Mother, this is wine she specially made for you. Please, have a taste.”
Madam Zhou recoiled in fear, taking a few steps back.
How could she dare consume something sent by her?
“Things made by her are rare treasures in this world,” Zhou Liu-lang said with a smile, looking at the small wine pot before downing the cup in one go.
Madam Zhou let out a frightened scream and rushed forward.
“Liu-lang, Liu-lang! Are you alright?” she cried, tears streaming down her face.
Zhou Liu-lang grinned at his mother.
“This wine is still too mild, not as strong as the Maoyuan Mountain wine,” he said. “But it’s more suitable for you, Mother.”
After reassuring his mother, Zhou Liu-lang hurried to the front hall, where the conversation between Master Zhou and Cheng Jiao-niang reached his ears.
“…Given the situation, there’s no need to fear. If the Empress Dowager dares to issue the decree, we dare to defy it,” Master Zhou declared with grave determination.
“Defying an imperial decree isn’t unheard of. Besides, this is a matter of marriage. If anyone is to be laughed at by the world, it will be the Empress Dowager.”
If Young Master Gao had already been turned into a laughingstock, causing all this trouble, and now the Empress Dowager were to become one too…
“What is there to fear? At worst, our Zhou family will pack up and return to our ancestral home,” Master Zhou snapped, slapping his knee fiercely.
Cheng Jiao-niang smiled.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “We are living well. Why should we harm ourselves over such a trivial matter?”
Master Zhou breathed a sigh of relief.
He was merely stating his stance; avoiding self-harm was naturally the best outcome.
“Jiao Jiao, whatever you decide, we will follow,” he declared, slapping his knee. “We would march through blades and fire without retreating.”
“Uncle, there’s no need for that,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied with a light laugh. “This small matter is quite simple. Since we cannot refuse, we should go with the flow.”
Go with the flow?
“How so?” Master Zhou asked.
“By getting married,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Married?
Zhou Liu-lang stepped into the room.
“What are you planning now?” he demanded. “You tell us not to harm ourselves, yet isn’t this self-harm? Should we really accept such a thing?”
“This… may not necessarily be a bad thing,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied.
…
“I knew she would say that.”
A hearty laugh rang out from the main hall.
“You’re still laughing!”
Zhou Liu-lang shouted, glaring at Qin Shi’san-lang, who was doubled over with laughter across from him.
“What kind of time is this! How can you still laugh!”
Qin Shi’san-lang laughed even harder.
“Since I can’t marry her anyway, why shouldn’t I laugh?” he said.
Zhou Liu-lang glared, rising to his feet.
Qin Shi’san-lang quickly reached out to stop him.
“Don’t rush, don’t rush. If she isn’t anxious, why are you?” he said with a laugh.
“Of course she isn’t anxious,” Zhou Liu-lang said angrily. “Even if you asked her to marry a dog, her expression wouldn’t change.”
Qin Shi’san-lang burst out laughing, slinging an arm over his shoulder.
“Then,” he said, “would you be willing to be that dog?”
