Love Like the Galaxy

Chapter Thirty-Nine:
A Terrifying Journey (Part 1)

Flames surged into the sky, spewing out thick black smoke and dyeing the sky a faint bloody gray. The surrounding ditches were deep and the forest was dense. The sound of killing was deafening. In front of them were the guards of the Cheng Mansion, struggling to stop a wave of ‘thieves and bandits’ rushing forward.

Shaoshang didn’t know if they were thieves or where they came from, because their robes and armor stained with blood looked like they were woven.

At that moment, a thief on the ground that was not completely dead let out a faint moan. She looked and recognized that a moment ago, this person was still waving a large chopping knife and shouting wildly towards the women. She turned her head to a guard. “There’s another one here,” she said.

The guard was ordered to go over and poke the body hard. With a low and painful shout, and a little splash of blood, another life was lost. Amitabha.

Half a year ago, Shaoshang was still a young woman with a slightly quirky painting style but a normal outlook. When she met a cockroach or mouse, she would even scream twice. Now she can’t even furrow her eyebrows when looking upon wreckage on the ground.

She looked down at herself. The dark-colored men’s casual wear with thick brocade piping had been changed by Madam Sang just a few days ago. She was supposed to wear them to watch a Cuju match, but now they were stained with blood. Sweat flowed down the back of her neck to her back, sticking the originally soft linen underwear to her body and making her feel wet and cold. The term ‘extreme joy begets sorrow’ was the perfect portrayal of her right now.

After driving away Young Master Lou, who had falsely demonstrated his confession, the convoy traveled eastward, with beautiful scenery and sunny days without snow.

Before leaving Sili, Shaoshang’s caning injury was almost healed. She was a little puzzled. She had a slight bone fracture on her arm once in her previous life and the pain wasn’t as severe as the caning she had gotten. She was injured for half a semester then, so why did it only take six or seven days to heal?

Could it be that the quality of this body was good? If so, why did it take so long for her pig’s head to heal with the same medicine? After thinking on it for several days, Shaoshang finally came to the conclusion that the quality of this body was mainly reflected in its muscle and bones, not its appearance.

Speaking of image, if she were to encounter domestic violence, she may be disfigured but she could also participate in some self-defense counterattacks, then bite back with, ‘Uncle JC, aren’t you clear enough about my face situation?’ Ugh, why was she using her bad brain so smoothly?

In addition, she also discovered that this body carried a natural talent for music.

When she was given the flute, Shaoshang was quite nervous because she had been known as the ‘Hacksaw Pulling Chrysanthemum’ in band class. However, after a few days of teaching, Shaoshang’s fingers seemed to understand and play a simple ‘Bamboo Tune’ with a pleasant and lively sound. It seemed that Old Master Cheng’s genes were not wasted. In the future, when she had time to make a fortune, she would be able to improve her cultural level to avoid being treated as uncultured all day long.

After confirming that her foundation was good, Madam Sang began to teach her to breathe and practice qi, ensuring that her breath was evenly distributed and extended. In order to achieve this goal, Madam Sang urged Shaoshang to ride and walk every day, maintain sufficient sleep and diet. Sometimes it was extremely tiring, whether camping in the wilderness or on a bumpy carriage. Shaoshang could still fall asleep without hesitation. For the girl’s obedience, Madam Sang was surprised. She thought it would take a lot of effort to teach her.

On that day, Madam Sang said to her husband during the night, “Do you think we should find some clever servants to send to Qian Zeng to learn art? Perhaps we’ll need them in the future.” The so-called combination of hard and soft measures must be strong enough to be effective.

Cheng Zhi immediately understood his wife’s meaning and his eyes drifted towards the two tents containing Cheng Wei and his twin sons. “…Can we think more about it? Maybe our children don’t need it.”

Madam Sang didn’t speak but looked at her husband quietly. Cheng Zhi rubbed his nose. “However,” he said, “talents are hard to come by. In order not to lose such special skills, we may as well send a few of them over –” he coughed. “–learn some skills, gain insights…” He broke off coughing again. As they could learn from the past, he was determined not to play it back once the fight began!

Nine-year-old Cheng Wei suddenly sneezed at this moment and Shaoshang, who was lying next to her, quickly helped her tuck in the blanket. “I’ll definitely tell my aunt if you read at night again,” she muttered.

“You don’t let me read in the carriage,” Cheng Wei said.

“The carriage is bumpy and you’ll sway back and forth trying to read. Do you still need your eyes?” Shaoshang asked.

“So I’ll sleep in A’Guang and A’Yuan’s carriage during the day and read in camp during the night.”

“People live with the day and rest with the sun,” Shaoshang said with a straight face. “You should work with the sun and rest with the sun. If you turn the day and night upside down and damage your body, you won’t grow tall in the future!” It was really gratifying that she could talk so much about the principle of the Circadian clock now.

Cheng Wei struggled with this. “The book says there’s a tribe in Western Shu that makes its living on the bright sand in the valleys and can only gather it during the night. This tribe has a long life, too. Besides, I won’t do this once we reach the county.”

“Do you still refuse to give up? Don’t you know that Third Aunt will burn your book?” Shaoshang was too lazy to preach and decided to directly threaten the girl.

“Burning books was done by the cruel Qin Dynasty!” Cheng Wei exclaimed in shock.

“At the beginning, Emperor Shi invited Han Fei to be open-minded, but later on, what happened to the King Sun of Han?” You should know that there was only one transcript between open-minded parents and violent Qin, and intellectuals were naïve!

“So… then I’ll go back and read it again.”

That’s right! Little Cheng Wei was a legendary master in theology who believed that ‘learning was better than enjoying.’ Just like Shaoshang inherited Old Master Cheng’s sense of music, Cheng Wei inherited Old Master Sang’s habit of not letting go and not leaving the house. While they were back at the Cheng family, Shaoshang barely saw this cousin. At Bailu Mountain, apart from school and studying, few people could see Old Master Sang.

Genetics were so amazing. Amen.

What was even more amazing was Cheng Zhi and his wife. They were truly the perfect match. One was passionate about elegance, and the other passionate about artistic style. They turned a trip to the new office into a trip to visit friends and relatives.

When encountering famous mountains, rivers, or wild wonders, they inevitably had to come forward to appreciate them and occasionally write poetry. Cheng Zhi would want to make the scene even bigger by inviting three or five famous scholars and their families from nearby to have a picnic.

Following Madam Sang, Shaoshang learned another kind of ‘show.’ It wasn’t the Wan family’s simple and crude gold, silver, and jewelry that called for servants to fight chickens and gamble, but rather a style of writing that was very natural and free-flowing. Shaoshang didn’t have a romantic bone in her body, but she really enjoyed such gatherings.

Confucian scholars of this time were not like the ones in the future. They mostly had long swords hanging from their waists, had extensive knowledge and, when they were drunk, would sword dance. The content of the conversation was not about the nine ways of writing the word ‘fen,’ but the gains and losses of the natural police, down to the rise and fall of the previous dynasty, tears of joy when happy and swearing when angry.

Although the picnic was simple and the dishes nothing more than roasted meat with dried fruit and hot soup, Shaoshang felt that her vision was expanded and her heart cleared. People’s hatred and love were as clear and pure as the sky

By the time the convoy entered the city of Chenliu in Yanzhou, Shaoshang had not only been able to play half of her grandfather’s legacy with Cheng Zhi and his wife, but had also grown another two inches in height. Both the front and back slopes had yielded considerable harvests. Due to a few days of artistic pursuits, the overall temperament of Shaoshang was greatly improved and her good appearance was put to good use.

Chen Liujun Cheng was a classmate and friend of Madam Sang’s brother, Sang Yu, and kept Cheng Zhi and his wife as guests. His wife was well-known for her matchmaking skills. She was now determined to find a match for Shaoshang. Madam Sang showed off her unique skills and said with a smile, “My niece is still young.” Her eyes sparkled. “If there’s a good candidate, hurry up and bring it to the table. What are you waiting for?!”

If Cheng Zhi hadn’t arrived before the end of February, the convoy would have taken a break and hurriedly left Chenliu. Otherwise, the county magistrate’s wife would have held a banquet for Shaoshang to meet those young men.

With such a joyful journey, the Cheng family finally arrived in Donjun, eating hot pot and singing songs.

Then came the day when the atmosphere changed suddenly – before arriving at Renhua County, passing through Qing County, Cheng Zhi had to make a detour to visit his senior brother who was the magistrate of Qing County.

Madam Sang laughed and complained, “Your brothers and sisters are officials next to each other. In the past few years, you have met every other day. Why can’t you wait?” Although she spoke those words, she didn’t stop her husband.

“I was just a country boy when I first went to Bailu Mountain. I really didn’t know anything except for a few words, but he was from a famous family. Not only did he teach me knowledge, he taught me how to be a thorough person. He was really a teacher and a friend!”

Cheng Zhi’s face was full of nostalgia and Madam Sang continued to tease, “That’s because Brother Gongsun saw your beautiful face but you were too stupid. He couldn’t bear to see you like that so he took care of you.”

Shaoshang understood. Brother Gongsun liked a pretty face.

At this time, the administrative area of the ‘county’ was much larger than that of later generations, especially in Hua County, which was a medium-sized and large county town with over ten thousand households. Before entering the county town, Cheng Zhi easily enlisted a neighbor’s elder to accompany him. Shaoshang, dressed in men’s clothing, rode a horse with him which was considered to have completed her daily workload.

The elder was surnamed Li, and the villagers called him Old Master Li, and he looked just the laughing Maitreya Buddha. He said, “My son recently wrote a letter saying he will be able to start his apprenticeship in two years. If it weren’t for Lord Cheng’s care and my foolish and dull qualifications, when would I have been able to open my mind?”

Cheng Zhi smiled. “I hope my younger martial brother will come back a few years later. The Chen family in Henan is well-known, and Chen Fuzi has several daughters under his knee. Recently, he has taken them to the mountain to accompany his parents. My younger martial brother will study for a few more years, and maybe he can find a new wife to come back with.”

Old Master Li was overjoyed, his graying beard almost trembling. “If that’s the case, it would be a great fortune for our family.”

Shaoshang couldn’t help but interrupt. “That’s even more for my uncle’s guidance. He even married the pearl of the palm of the Lord of Bailu Mountain!”

Everyone laughed loudly. Madam Sang was also laughing in the carriage; she picked up an orange, raised the curtain and threw it at Shaoshang. Shaoshang pretended to be hit, and the laughter around her became even louder.

They laughed and chatted as they strolled along. As Cheng Zhi saw the city gate from afar, his face suddenly changed. “No,” he said, “the situation in the city isn’t right.”

Old Master Li also stretched out his neck to look at him. “It’s not right…” he said with a solemn expression.

Cheng Zhi was a frequent visitor to Qing County. This time of day, the city gate should be crowded with endless caravans, farmers carrying crops to sell, hunters using animal skins to evaluate, and scattered outsiders searching for relatives and paths. However, the gate was now tightly closed and, not only were there no civilians in front of the gate, but there were also no guards!

Madam Sang lifted the carriage curtain and extended her head, seeing the expression on her husband’s face. “You…” she trembled. “You’re going to the city…?

Cheng Zhi looked solemn. “I’m afraid something is wrong there. I need to go take a look.”

Madam Sang was unwilling in her heart but she also knew that her husband could not sit idly by. She could only say, “Then I will go with you.”

Cheng Zhi shook his head. “If there’s nothing wrong in the city, it’s okay for you to come in,” he said. “But if there is something wrong, it’s better to ride in and out with a few people. I’ll take a team of guards while the rest will stay and protect you.”

Shaoshang was a bit surprised. She used to think that her third uncle liked to joke around, always trailing after his wife and fighting with his brothers. However, when something big happened suddenly, his personality changed. He acted cleanly and without procrastination.

Cheng Zhi looked up at Old Master Li. “Uncle,” he said, “I entrust my wife and children …”

Old Master Li clasped his hands together. “Master Cheng, you don’t have to say anything,” he said. “I’ll take the convoy to our village. There are strong soldiers in ravines that are strong enough to withstand surprise attacks. Moreover, our village is backed by dense forests and mountains and there are plenty of hiding spaces.”

This time of peace began not long ago and many people still had a deep memory of the turbulent times. They had been accustomed to resisting enemies and thieves.

Cheng Zhi nodded. “Don’t be afraid,” he said to his wife. “I’ll check it out and come back.”

Madam Sang nodded with tears in her eyes. She reached out and grabbed the wide sleeve of her husband’s robe, exerting herself until her knuckles turned white before letting go.

After the couple bid farewell, Cheng Zhi led seven or eight guards and left. Old Master Li urgently hurried the convoy to turn around and head towards his town, while Shaoshang stayed to look at the Qing County gate. She watched Cheng Zhi and his companions knock at the door. After a long while, words were spoken across the door before it opened slightly to allow them in. Shaoshang watched until the gate closed again, then turned to catch up with the convoy. She rode her horse with an uneasy feeling, as if she shouldn’t have left her uncle.

As she caught up to the convoy, Shaoshang heard Old Master Li talking to Madam Sang in the carriage.

“Madam, don’t worry. His Majesty’s Imperial carriage just passed by. There was an official commander in the front, a guard captain at the back, and strong warriors accompanying him. It’s only been a few days since we left Qing Xian. Who would dare attack us?”

“That’s relieving to hear,” Madam Sang whispered.

“Aunt,” Shaoshang suddenly said, “why don’t we send someone to ask the governor of Chenliu County for some help? Even if it’s a waste of time, we’ll give the soldiers a heavy reward.”

Madam Sang’s crestfallen face brightened up upon hearing those words. “Oh, how wealthy you are. My young lady is getting rich now.”

Old Master Li also smiled. “Even if the young mistress asks for rescue, Hua County is less than two days away but Chenliu needs three days of light riding. Why don’t you send someone to Hua County?”

“Before leaving, Father asked someone to carry a box full of money and gave me some pocket money. I can pay for the reward,” Shaoshang said. “Hua County and Chenliu, just send two of them, to be prepared.”

Seeing her solemn expression, Madam Sang knew in her heart that her niece was alert and wise. She immediately sent people to the two places to seek help.

After walking for a while, everyone suddenly felt the ground tremble and there was a ferocious sound of horseshoes stamping the ground from far to near. Panic quickly climbed up everyone’s face, and then there were waves of rough, high-pitched hooting sounds. In the horizon, twenty or thirty bandits wielding knives on horseback appeared and rushed towards them.

The leading guard of the Cheng family reacted the fastest and immediately shouted, “Set up the formation! Guard the master’s family!”