Chapter 78

In Shao Jingyu's eyes, Madam Shao was undoubtedly a mother without fault, gentle, virtuous, and understanding. Whether it was the elderly Shao couple or the children of the Shao residence, Shao Jingyu had never seen his mother show any partiality.
It was precisely because of this that even if Shao Jingyu felt something was not entirely clear, he would dismiss it, as Madam Shao had repeatedly told him that Yan Yiming was a good girl.
Now, filled with joy, Shao Jingyu told Madam Shao that he wanted to choose an auspicious date to marry Yan Yiming. The usually composed Madam Shao showed a moment of unusual hesitation.
Noticing his mother's hesitation, Shao Jingyu casually asked what was wrong. Madam Shao picked up a handkerchief to cover her lips and smiled faintly. “It's nothing. I just haven't been feeling well lately.”
She then patted the seat beside her, signaling for Yan Yiming to sit down, and continued, “Lady Yan is still weak. Getting married while ill is ultimately inauspicious. It would be better to recuperate for a while longer before discussing this matter. You are no longer just the young master of the residence but a general entrusted with important tasks by His Majesty. How can your marriage be decided so hastily? After I consult with your grandmother and have an audience with the Imperial Consort, we can select the most auspicious date.”
“It would be best if Her Majesty the Empress Dowager could grant the marriage,” Shao Jingyu pondered. “A’Ming is all alone with no one to rely on. If she could receive a title or two from Her Majesty, she wouldn’t have to worry about being bullied in the future.”
Madam Shao suppressed her fury, maintaining a smile until she saw Shao Jingyu out, after which her expression completely darkened.
She had no idea that her beloved son had such intentions. That wretched orphan girl, born without anyone to raise her, how could she possibly deserve such efforts from her son?
A title granted by Her Majesty? She wasn’t worthy.
Before Shao Jingyu’s rise, the Shao family had relied on the seventy-year-old Grand Tutor Shao and the imperial consort in the palace to maintain their standing in the capital. Master Shao, her husband, had no talent for officialdom and had remained mediocre to this day. Madam Shao’s own maternal family was not particularly distinguished, and compared to the Shao family, they were nothing. If not for her years of hard work and efforts to please her in-laws, she would never have attained her current status.
And Shao Jingyu was the most unexpected blessing heaven had bestowed upon her.
Her son was destined to rise to the highest ranks of the court and marry the most noble of wives, not throw his life away on such a lowly orphan girl.
Madam Shao had never imagined that Shao Jingyu would even consider asking the emperor to grant his marriage.
Now, with Jingyu’s illustrious military achievements and the emperor having yet to bestow significant rewards after the war, if Shao Jingyu were to make such a request, the emperor would very likely agree. If he did, out of regard for Jingyu, the emperor might even elevate Yan Yiming’s status. By then, even if she wanted to oppose it, it would be too late.
After carefully considering the situation, Madam Shao temporarily placated Shao Jingyu and seized an opportunity to secretly enter the palace to meet with the imperial consort. She took great care to conceal her movements, even ensuring that Shao Jingyu remained unaware.
Yan Yiming listened to Little A’s gossipy report and remarked coolly that this Madam Shao was truly “passing through a field of flowers without a single leaf touching her.” No matter the matter, she always used others as proxies, ensuring she remained detached from any fallout.
Even if Shao Jingyu were to resent Madam Jian, the imperial consort, or even the emperor, he would never suspect his mother.
Little A mentioned that on the day Shao Jingyu expressed his desire to ask the emperor to grant the marriage, if Madam Shao wanted to prevent it, she would have to strike first.
The imperial consort, too, understood that her interests were tied to Shao Jingyu’s. Finding him a powerful and influential wife would only benefit her. Under the guise of caring for her nephew, she could ask the emperor to select a suitable match for Shao Jingyu. If Shao Jingyu agreed, it would be a win-win situation. If he refused and angered the emperor, he would naturally be unable to bring up the matter of the imperial marriage grant.
For Madam Shao, this move was a win-win. If it succeeded, that would be ideal. If it failed, it would still dissuade Shao Jingyu from his intentions and buy her more time to prepare.
Currently, Shao Jingyu’s favorability remained at 100%, and he still felt indebted to Yan Yiming from before. No matter what, he would not agree to the emperor’s arranged marriage, so the outcome would inevitably be the latter.
At that point, Madam Shao would view her as an even greater thorn in her side.
But that was exactly what she wanted.
Everything that followed unfolded exactly as Yan Yiming had predicted. The only slight deviation was that the emperor, fond of Shao Jingyu, wanted to marry one of his own princesses to him, while the imperial consort, hoping to win over other noble families, had her sights set beyond the palace princesses.
The Emperor and the Imperial Consort had a disagreement, and in the end, it turned out that Crown Prince Nan Gongxuan had once wronged Jian Yu'er and now dragged her back into the situation.
The Imperial Consort, however, held the Jian family in high regard. With the Crown Prince speaking up, the Emperor eventually found it acceptable as well, though he hadn't expected Nan Gongxuan's good intentions to backfire.
After the court session, the Emperor retained several key ministers, including Grand Tutor Shao, Chancellor Jian, Shao Jingyu, and a few others. After briefly discussing state affairs, he suddenly brought up that Shao Jingyu had reached the age for marriage.
Shao Jingyu furrowed his handsome brows, sensing trouble. Sure enough, the Emperor's next words were, “Chancellor Jian's eldest daughter is also of marriageable age. I've heard you two grew up together since childhood. Why don't I take the liberty of arranging this match?”
Chancellor Jian, having already discussed this with the Crown Prince, expressed his gratitude. Grand Tutor Shao, thinking of the woman in his household, remained silent. Shao Jingyu frowned, his gaze sweeping over the ministers who praised the match as a perfect union, then he knelt abruptly and begged for forgiveness.
Grand Tutor Shao's eyelids twitched violently, and Chancellor Jian had not anticipated Shao Jingyu would reject the Emperor's goodwill. Everyone was taken aback, and the Crown Prince, who had first acted as matchmaker, stepped forward to ask, “General, what is the meaning of this?”
“Your Majesty's grace moves me to tears, but I already have someone in my heart whom I wish to marry. I dare not ruin Miss Jian's future.”
Chancellor Jian's face darkened, while Nan Gongxuan looked up in surprise. The Emperor, amused, chuckled, “So I nearly tore apart a loving couple.”
The crowd laughed along, and the Crown Prince joined in, asking which young lady he referred to.
Before Shao Jingyu could answer, Grand Tutor Shao interjected awkwardly, “Your Majesty misunderstands. It's merely an orphan girl he brought back upon returning to the capital, not…“
This was a far cry from his attitude when Yan Yiming had last visited the residence. Shao Jingyu, growing angry, replied, “Your Majesty, on my journey back to the capital, I was nearly assassinated. This woman saved my life. Her entire family was slaughtered by the Mongols, leaving her alone. I brought her to the capital to recover, and once she is healed, I intend to marry her.”
The Emperor nodded in approval. “It is commendable that you show such loyalty and righteousness. However, given her humble status, it would be more fitting to take her as a concubine. I will find you a suitable marriage to avoid tarnishing your reputation.”
Anyone could see the Emperor was offering Shao Jingyu a way out, but he stubbornly refused to yield.
What had begun as a well-intentioned gesture had spiraled into an awkward situation. The Emperor, losing interest, waved his sleeve dismissively and ordered them to leave.
Clearly displeased, the Emperor's anger was palpable. Shao Jingyu dared not bring up Yan Yiming again at such a time, regretting that he had not spoken to the Emperor sooner, which had led to this predicament.
Back at the residence, Yan Yiming listened to Little A's live commentary: “Nan Gongxuan, that scoundrel, has messed up again!” “The Emperor is furious!” “Oh my, Shao Jingyu stood his ground, and Chancellor Jian's face turned as dark as thunder!”
Besides the Shao and Jian families, there were other officials present as well. Shao Jingyu's resolute refusal had caused both Chancellor Jian, who was fully aware of the situation, and Jian Yu'er, who knew nothing at all, to lose face severely.
Chancellor Jian had never given up on Shao Jingyu as a capable military commander. Ignoring his wife and daughter's wishes, he collaborated with the emotionally inept Nan Gongxuan, only to end up with such an outcome, truly deserving of his fate.
As for Shao Jingyu, Yan Yiming pretended to know nothing and asked him with an innocent expression, “What happened?”
Shao Jingyu looked into the woman's clear, beautiful eyes and suddenly recalled his grandfather's disdainful tone. An overwhelming sense of shame washed over him, burning so intensely that he couldn't bear to meet Yan Yiming's gaze.
He had assured Yan Yiming that as long as he liked someone, his family would surely like her too.
This was the woman he held in high regard, Yan Yiming, who was different from all other women. But now, Shao Jingyu realized that no matter how dazzling Yan Yiming appeared in his eyes, others did not see her the same way.
Because he had erased every trace of her brilliance, wiped clean.
This shouldn't be the case, Shao Jingyu thought in confusion. He shook his head and forced a smile, unwilling to burden Yan Yiming with the emperor's marriage proposal.
He also didn't want her to know that his grandfather had not, after all, thought more highly of her because of his lies.
But things often go against one's wishes. The more uncertain and flustered Shao Jingyu became, the faster the truth came to light.
The news that Shao Jingyu had rejected the emperor's marriage proposal for Yan Yiming spread throughout the estate in less than a day. Everyone, from the masters to the servants, had heard of it.
The masters couldn't understand why Shao Jingyu was so stubbornly devoted and felt it was a foolish decision that cost him a good match. The servants, meanwhile, began scrutinizing Yan Yiming with curious eyes, and the more attractive maids started scheming silently in their hearts.
After returning that day, Shao Jingyu had a long talk with Grand Tutor Shao, but they parted on bad terms.
He couldn't reveal Yan Yiming's true identity to Grand Tutor Shao, even though he was his own grandfather. The more people who knew, the greater the risk.
Grand Tutor Shao accused him of being blinded by a woman, asking how the daughter of the Chancellor's family could compare to Yan Yiming. He even suggested that Yan Yiming might be deliberately clinging to him, while Shao Jingyu remained deceived and ensnared.
Enraged, Shao Jingyu punched the carved screen beside him, sending books crashing to the floor with a loud thud. Grand Tutor Shao stared in shock at his grown grandson, then angrily drove him out in frustration.
Overnight, everyone in the estate seemed to change. His grandparents, his father, and even his mother, who had always spoken highly of Yan Yiming, began to hesitate.
Madam Shao sipped her tea slowly and said, “Although I like A'Ming, your grandparents do not approve, and there's nothing I can do about it.” Observing the struggle on her son's face, she added hesitantly, “A'Ming is, after all, of humble birth. The position of a general's wife is beyond her, even if she could attain it, she wouldn't be able to hold it. My son, if you like her, you can take her as a concubine...”
“Impossible,” Shao Jingyu flatly refused.
How could she not be fit to be a general's wife? She was even capable of being a general herself.
Madam Shao was once again decisively interrupted by Shao Jingyu, and the last trace of hesitation in her heart vanished completely. After sending her son away, she ordered someone to summon the round-faced maid serving by Yan Yiming's side.
By now, Yan Yiming’s health had greatly improved, and the daily doses she took were merely tonics. However, Yan Yiming found them bitter and had Little A employ sleight of hand to pour most of them into the ditch outside.
Normally, the maid Tong Bao would set down the medicine bowl and leave immediately, but today she lingered a while longer. Yan Yiming, sensitive to the change, glanced up and signaled, “Why are you still standing there?” Tong Bao hurriedly withdrew.
Little A, after making a round outside, returned and reported, “That girl is still peeping through the window.”
It seemed it was her first time doing something sneaky, both excited and uneasy, she was full of flaws. Yan Yiming smiled faintly and, as usual, left the matter for Little A to handle. Shortly after, Tong Bao came in to collect the bowl, just as Shao Jingyu entered from outside. Noticing the medicine bowl, he casually asked, “Did you just take your medicine?”
“Yes,” Yan Yiming replied, glancing at Tong Bao out of the corner of her eye before adding, “I’m not sure if the imperial physician changed the prescription, but today’s medicine tasted different from before.”
Tong Bao’s eyes flickered abruptly, and she hastily explained that the physician had indeed altered a few ingredients.
Shao Jingyu saw nothing amiss. The physician had been personally invited by his mother, and the maid was also assigned from his mother’s side, so he trusted them implicitly. Dismissing Tong Bao, he said, “Grand Tutor Qin is gravely ill, and His Majesty has ordered me to temporarily take over his duties to manage daily military and administrative affairs. I may be busy in the coming days and won’t be able to stay by your side all the time.”
“His Majesty’s trust in you is a good thing,” Yan Yiming said understandingly. “I don’t need constant company anyway.”
Shao Jingyu had anticipated her response. His concern was that she might grow bored or overhear unpleasant gossip that would upset her. He also worried that in his absence, his father might act rashly.
In the end, he had no choice but to ask Yun Xiao to keep watch. Yun Xiao had grown up in the Shao residence and was familiar even to the young ladies of the house, so he could freely enter and leave the inner courtyard.
Yun Xiao found it baffling, thinking, “Why would a woman as formidable as Yan Yiming need my protection?” Yet, on his way over, he overheard several people gossiping about Yan Yiming. Even a few lowly maids spoke of her with utter contempt.
Yun Xiao suddenly flared up, unable to contain his anger. He pointed at one of the maids and scolded, “How dare someone like you speak ill of her?”
The maid was startled. Yun Xiao was regarded as half a young master in the residence, so they dared not talk back. They could only pout and leave, muttering under their breath as they went, “What a seductress! Even Young Master Yun defends her so fiercely.”
When Yun Little Arrived at Yan Yiming’s quarters in a huff, he found her wrapped in a cloak, staring blankly at the bare branches.
He waved a hand in front of her eyes. “What are you looking at so intently?”
“Winter is coming soon,” Yan Yiming said. “This year, Jinling will welcome an early snow.”
“All this mystical talk,” Yun Xiao didn't quite understand. Looking at the serene Yan Yiming before him, he recalled the maids' earlier gossip and suddenly asked, “Yiming, the General concealed everything. Do you... do you blame him?”
Yan Yiming glanced sideways at him and said calmly, “What do you think?”
“So it seems you do blame him,” Yun Xiao remarked. “Actually, I also think what he did wasn't right. Even if His Majesty was angry about your deception, balancing merits against faults would have been better than nothing. Why go to such extremes?”
Shao Jingyu wasn't ignorant, he understood all too well. Yun Xiao spoke lightly only because he didn't grasp Shao Jingyu's true intentions.
Days passed one after another. Shao Jingyu grew increasingly busy, while Yun Xiao's visits gradually became more frequent. Yan Yiming paid no heed to the gossip circulating among the household staff. Then one day, when Shao Jingyu finally found a moment of leisure and hurried back, she stood at the entrance, giving him a surprise.
Though Little A had tipped her off in advance, this chance encounter still brought Shao Jingyu immense joy. The two walked back together, and as they reached the courtyard gate, they overheard Tong Bao and several maids speaking clearly inside the room.
“If she could climb so high as to become the General's wife, then we, at least, have proper names and backgrounds, surely we're no worse than her.”
“With your looks? She might have a disgraceful background, but at least she's a beauty.”
After this, the group burst into giggles. Shao Jingyu's face turned ashen with rage, but Yan Yiming firmly held him back.
Seeing Yan Yiming's expressionless face, Shao Jingyu felt a panic like never before.
The maids' chatter grew increasingly outrageous, even suggesting that Yan Yiming must have used some seductive tricks when she followed the army camp, and that even Young Master Yun treated her so well, perhaps...
Shao Jingyu could bear it no longer. He kicked the door open with a crash. The maids, who had been laughing together, turned around in unison. Seeing Yan Yiming's impassive face and Shao Jingyu's barely contained murderous rage, they fell to their knees in terror.
Shao Jingyu was furious, but with Yan Yiming by his side, even his anger felt somewhat hollow.
Yan Yiming swept a cold gaze over the maids, her complex eyes finally settling on Shao Jingyu's face, filled with disappointment, indifference, and suppressed fury that left him nowhere to hide.
Without a word, Yan Yiming turned and walked away. Though the sun shone brightly that day, Shao Jingyu felt as bedraggled as if he'd been fished out of water.
Shao Jingyu showed no mercy. The maids were forced onto wooden benches and beaten dozens of times. By the time Madam Shao ordered the punishment stopped, they had already breathed their last.
Madam Shao gasped in shock, the bloody scene before her dizzying. Leaning on her maid for support, she demanded sharply why he had been so brutal.
“They deserved to die,” Shao Jingyu said coldly, the long-absent killing intent of the battlefield radiating from him. Even Madam Shao couldn't help stepping back two paces.
She realized then that the son she knew was no longer the person she remembered.
“They were just maids,” Madam Shao gritted her teeth, comforting herself. She couldn't quarrel with her son over a few maids, but she added this debt to Yan Yiming's account.
When she turned to explain things to Shao Jingyu, he had already strode off to find Yan Yiming.
He clearly sensed that after today, something between them was lost forever.