The once thriving Shang family was now a shadow of its former self, plagued by loss and internal strife. Ten years ago, the talented and good-natured Dalang succumbed to illness, leaving behind his devoted wife, Liu shi, and their only son, Shang Zhiping. Dalang’s passing marked the beginning of their family’s misfortunes.
Liuliang , aman far removed from political machinations, had spent his life training in the army with his maternal grandfather’s family. Yet, fate dealt him a cruel hand when his eldest brother and then his mother tragically passed away. With no one else to turn to, he found himself burdened with the responsibility of protecting the people of Dongyuan. He fought valiantly, striving for glory on the battlefield, while entrusting all his family’s finances and power to his sister-in-law.
Shang Xue, the Eighth Sister and youngest daughter of Shang Yukuan and Madam Gu, had, for a time, enjoyed a life of blissful contentment. But her good fortune was short-lived. The death of her biological mother forced her to retreat into the quiet confines of Dongyuan, living a subdued existence alongside her sister-in-law.
Madam. Wei, a woman of calculated discretion, also bore Shang Yukuan children: the eldest daughter, Shang Lu, the fourth son, Shang Huo, and the seventh son, Shang Lin. Her favorite, Qilang, was a young man of considerable talent, having achieved fame early in life, promising a brilliant future. Silang, the eldest son of their stepmother, possessed a character much like his father, Shang Yukuan, yet was fortunately more pliable. Madam Wei, ever the strategist, saw an opportunity to secure the Dukedom for him, thereby ensuring their lineage’s future peace.
The disdainful whispers of Erlang’s and Sanlang’s wives often alluded to Shang Lu, now the second wife of King Fu . At the tender age of sixteen, Shang Lu had entangled herself with King Fu, a man significantly older than her. Their scandalous affair was an open secret among Sui’an City’s elite. Princess Fu, who already gravely ill, was powerless against the young, beautiful, and cunning Shang Lu. Even the Prince Fu bire by her was, born prematurely, a sickly man, his life sustained only by precious medicinal elixirs. Rumors swirled for years.
In a desperate attempt to salvage the family’s dwindling reputation, Madam. Gu threatened to beat Shanglu to death. But Madam. Wei, then merely a concubine, intervened, threatening to take her own life and her children’s by leaping into a lake or consuming poison. Shang Yukuan, not one for grand gestures, detested his daughter’s disregard for their family’s honor, yet he couldn’t bear the thought of more lives lost. He swiftly sent them to a secluded village in the countryside.
Then, by an unexpected turn of events. A harsh winter descended, bringing with it an unusually heavy snowfall. Tragedy struck Prince Fu’s Mansion
repeatedly. First, Prince Fu’s son died, followed by the mysterious disappearance of Princess Fu. The relentless snowfall seemed to claim them both, leaving King Fu inconsolable. Outsiders, unaware of the true circumstances, believed he was genuinely grief-stricken.
However, a mere six months later, King Fu shocked everyone. Citing the absence of a princess in his household, he sought to marry Shanglu, who was at the time still confined to a village as a mere concubine. Such a reversal of fortune was almost unheard of in the Daxing Dynasty. From a shu daughter in the Duke’s palace, she ascended to become Princess Fu, and within a year, she bore Prince Fu a healthy, vibrant son. Her audacious feat was beyond the wildest dreams of many, a testament to her ruthless ambition and disregard for reputation or traditional female virtues.
Once Madam Wei gained power, she meticulously concealed Shang Lu’s past scandals, allowing the whispers to fade and people to gradually forget. The narrative shifted, portraying the eldest daughter of Shang’s palace as a kind-hearted soul, blessed with such good fortune. Yet, among the few who knew the full story, the whispers of Shang Lu’s past actions persisted.
When Shang Liuniang was young, the Third Old Lady had taught her an important lesson: a girl should follow the example of her uncle’s eldest daughter —because when chasing power and wealth, reputation wasn’t worth much. Those words had left a deep impression on her. Now, as she enjoyed the good fortune that came from marrying into the Jia family, Shang Liuniang firmly believed that losing a bit of face was a small price to pay when the chance to rise came along.
Thus, with a knowing look, she declared, “What the eldest sister could do back then, we can do the same.”
Erlang’s wife and Sanlang’s wife were aghast. Even if they desired such a path, suitable candidates were scarce. The two girls in Sanfang, perhaps in another ten or eight years, might be an option. But now, even if they were heartless enough to offer them, no one would likely accept. Sanlang’s wife, along with Erlang’s wife, dismissed Shang Liuniang’s words as sheer nonsense.
As Sanlang’s wife began to voice her objections, Shang Liuniang made a calculated “four” gesture with a glint in her eye. Both Erlang’s and Sanlang’s wives stared in disbelief.
“You mean Si Niang?” they asked, stunned.
Shang Liuniang nodded, betraying no mercy for her own sister. “Our third brother has been severely oppressed by the uncle’s family in recent years. Isn’t it because our family lacks support from the royal family? The second brother and the third brother are useless, and the two sisters-in-law are daily burdened with financial worries and trivial household matters. Even our parents and grandparents face criticism.”
“Though I live comfortably, I constantly use my husband’s family’s money to support my parents’ family. This cannot last forever. If we don’t let the fourth sister make an appearance, she has been back with divorce for two or three years anyway, and she has no children by her side. It will have no impact.”
“What do the two sisters-in-law think of this method?”
Hearing her proposition, Sanlang’s wife swallowed hard, a flicker of worry in her eyes. “My Fourth sister has had a hard life. Her previous marriage was not what she wanted. She finally escaped from that den of tigers and wolves. After two years of peace, are we to send her into the tiger’s mouth again?”
Sanlang’s wife genuinely considered her sister-in-law’s well-being, but Shang Liuniang remained unmoved. She grasped Sanlang’s wife’s hand earnestly. “Look, Third Sister-in-law, isn’t it limited? Our Queen Zhou of the Daxing Dynasty is already married for the third time, so it’s perfectly acceptable for a woman to be married a fourth time, let alone a second.”
The Empress Zhou, to whom Shang Liuniang referred, was the daughter-in-law of Emperor Kai Zong. The very reason the founding emperor possessed such a vast territory was largely due to the virtuous assistance of Queen Zhou. So, what did it matter if she had been married three times? Influenced by her, the laws of the Daxing Dynasty had become remarkably protective of women. Thus, marriage had never been bound by so many rigid rules.
“One must strike while the iron is hot,” Shang Liuniang declared, returning to her original spot. “Besides, this matter is not only beneficial to us. The fourth sister has been staying at home. To put it nicely, she is being raised by the family, but she must have suffered a lot of grievances behind her back, right?” As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Erlang’s wife.
Erlang’s wife was now in charge of the third house, and Shang Liuniang knew her temperament and methods precisely. To bring this plan to fruition, all she needed was to impress her. Erlang’s wife, she knew, would then find ways to arrange the rest.