Chapter 51: Mistress of the Household, Lady Wu

“Mother!”

“What nonsense are you talking? There’s nothing between Brother Su and me!” Sun Shangxiang, her cheeks flushed, clung to Lady Wu’s arm, pleading coquettishly.

Sun Shangxiang thought to herself, Mother, how could you bring this up in front of everyone? It’s so embarrassing—how am I supposed to face people after this?

Yet, despite her embarrassment, a secret joy blossomed in her heart as Lady Wu spoke of it. She even stole a furtive glance at Su Ming, anticipation flickering in her eyes.

Ever since Su Ming’s grave injury, when Sun Shangxiang abandoned everything in Jiangdong to help him escape, the two had, in effect, pledged themselves to each other. Though neither had spoken openly of it, it was merely a thin veil yet to be pierced.

Unexpectedly, this trip back to Jiangdong, that veil was torn asunder by Lady Wu’s blunt words.

Now that the truth was out, Su Ming decided to speak plainly.

Looking into Sun Shangxiang’s eyes, he declared, “Rest assured, Lady Wu—I will not let Shangxiang down. Once I have established my own foundation, I will come with a grand procession, with phoenix crown and red bridal robes, to bring Shangxiang home as my wife.” Su Ming made his vow with utmost sincerity.

Upon hearing Su Ming’s promise, Lady Wu nodded repeatedly, her expression finally lightening. “Good! Very good!”

“Young man, you are true to your word. With such a promise, this old woman’s heart is at ease.”

Since Sun Ce’s death, Sun Quan’s rebellious ways had disgusted Lady Wu. Sun Shangxiang became her most cherished child; finding her a worthy match was all Lady Wu wished for in her remaining days.

“Come now. Pay your respects at your father’s and brother’s tombs, then leave Jiangdong as soon as you can. The farther from this place of turmoil, the better!” Lady Wu sighed, gently stroking Sun Shangxiang’s head with loving indulgence.

As they reached the gate, Lady Wu seemed to recall something and instructed a servant, “Go and tell that wayward child: I want him to pay respects at his father’s and brother’s tombs.”

“Let him see who avenged his father!”

The anger in Lady Wu’s words was unmistakable, directed squarely at Sun Quan.

Since Sun Ce’s death, Sun Quan had not dared return to Wu Marquis’s manor, choosing instead to reside in the administrative offices.

As long as Lady Wu lived, she remained the matriarch of the Wu family. No matter how capable Sun Quan was, he ruled over the six counties of Jiangdong, but upon returning to the manor, he was subject to Lady Wu’s authority.

---

Lady Wu, as head of the household, commanded the servant to summon Sun Quan, and the servant dared not disobey.

Mounting his horse, the servant rode straight to the government offices.

Lady Wu led her family onto the carriage, with Su Ming riding ahead to guide the way.

Wu County.

Gaoling Mountain.

After Sun Jian’s death, his body was originally presented to Liu Biao by Huang Zu. Sun Jian’s advisor, Heng Jie, risked everything to meet Liu Biao and convinced him, with eloquent persuasion, to return Sun Jian’s remains.

Thus, Sun Jian’s body was brought back to Jiangdong and buried on Gaoling Mountain in Wu County.

After Sun Ce’s death, his body too was interred on Gaoling Mountain.

Lady Wu and her family traveled by carriage, while the servant sent to fetch Sun Quan rode ahead on horseback.

By the time Lady Wu and her party arrived at Gaoling Mountain, the servant was already waiting at the foot of the hill.

Yet, only the servant stood there alone—Sun Quan was nowhere to be seen.

Sun Quan dared not come, afraid to face Lady Wu, and so excused himself with claims of urgent state affairs.

“Lady Wu, the Marquis says he has business to attend to today. I’m afraid he won’t be able to come,” the servant reported, nervously watching Lady Wu’s expression.

“Wayward child, wayward child, wayward child!” Lady Wu struck the ground with her dragon-headed cane, cursing three times through clenched teeth. “Does Sun Quan care nothing for his own mother?”

Seeing Lady Wu so furious, Da Qiao hurried forward to comfort her, “Mother, don’t be angry. Affairs in Jiangdong are indeed pressing, and if Quan has important matters to handle, it’s understandable that he can’t come.”

Lady Wu’s face contorted with anger, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice filled with disappointment, “He doesn’t come, not because of state affairs. He’s ashamed to face his brother, ashamed to face his father.”

After this, Lady Wu spoke with irrefutable finality, “Today, he must come!”

She handed her dragon-headed cane to the servant and ordered, “Go again, and take my cane with you. Tell Sun Quan that if he refuses to come, I’ll use this cane to bring him myself.”

Lady Wu was so incensed that the servant dared not linger a moment, taking the cane and hurrying back to the government offices in search of Sun Quan.

Within the offices, Sun Quan was discussing Jiangdong’s affairs with Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, and other ministers.

Footsteps sounded outside.

Sun Quan, seeing the servant return so soon, thought, Didn’t I just send him away? Why is he back again?

“I already said—there are important matters to attend to; I’ll pay my respects to my father and brother another day,” Sun Quan said, frowning in annoyance.

---

The servant was caught in a bind, but had no other choice.

Kneeling before Sun Quan, he raised the dragon-headed cane and said, “Marquis, Lady Wu insists you must go today. If you refuse, next time it won’t be me—Lady Wu herself will come. She says she’ll use this cane to force you to go.”

With these words, Sun Quan’s face darkened.

He knew well his mother’s temperament—though she prayed and recited scriptures, she was fierce and resolute.

If she said she would, she truly might come and beat him with that cane.

If Lady Wu were to storm the offices and strike him before his subordinates, Sun Quan’s dignity as Marquis would be utterly lost.

Sun Quan looked to Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong for help.

The two ministers averted their gaze, pretending not to understand his plea.

They thought, It’s pointless to look at us; we can do nothing. This is your family affair.

Sun Quan watched them, but they continued to feign ignorance.

Unable to bear it, Sun Quan spoke directly, “Zibu, help me decide!”

Decide? What could Zhang Zhao decide?

A wise judge cannot resolve family matters—this was Sun Quan’s business.

“Ahem!” Zhang Zhao coughed, forcing himself to reply, “My lord, perhaps you should go. If you don’t, this matter will never end.”

Sun Quan nodded, saying to Zhang Zhao, “Zibu, come with me.”

Hearing this, Zhang Zhao shook his head repeatedly, “My lord, spare me! If you go, at most you’ll face scolding and a beating. If I go, I fear my life might be forfeit.”

Zhang Zhao refused to accompany him; Sun Quan turned to Gu Yong.

Before Sun Quan could speak, Gu Yong firmly declined, “My lord, I cannot go either.”

With both Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong unwilling, Sun Quan had no choice but to steel himself and go alone.

(End of Chapter)