Chu Zhao was unaware of the events unfolding outside the capital, though she did sense a shift in her reputation compared to before.
Visitors arrived almost daily, mostly young women, but men came too.
The girls sought friendship, sitting down to chat and addressing each other as sisters.
Some men came to make her acquaintance, others to discuss poetry and philosophy.
There were also numerous banquet invitations from prominent families.
Since they were no longer at the Chu Estate, all visitors first had to pay respects to the head of household. Jiang Shi and Chu Lan felt both pleased and displeased about this.
They were happy the Chu family residence bustled with activity, but annoyed that these enthusiastic guests would ask to see Chu Zhao after barely three sentences, reducing them to mere messengers and guides.
"This isn't surprising," Chu Lan sneered, sitting in their bedchamber. "It was the same over a decade ago when Second Brother enjoyed the emperor's favor."
Back then, men and women had streamed through their doors continuously - men seeking connections, women proposing marriages.
"We've experienced this kind of bustling activity before," Chu Lan said wistfully. "And we've tasted the dangers lurking beneath that excitement."
Jiang Shi hesitated. "Are you saying there's more danger ahead? That can't be. After all, A Zhao is just a girl, not like your second brother who moved in official circles as a man."
A young woman might cause some stir now, but eventually she'd marry, retreat into the inner chambers, serve her husband and raise children, cut off from the world.
Chu Lan snorted. "How would I know what this father and daughter might do? Heaven only knows."
As the couple spoke, Chu Tang entered cheerfully.
"Father, Mother, there's no need to worry about this," she said. "I've already persuaded A Zhao to stop receiving visitors."
Chu Lan asked, "She agreed? After all her efforts to draw attention?"
"Precisely because she wants to make a splash, I advised her this way," Chu Tang said, sitting beside her mother. "Father, she's going to participate in the Hope Spring Garden Literary Gathering. Most of those flocking to the Chu Estate are mediocrities. Truly talented people wouldn't waste time mingling with young girls - like you, for instance."
Chu Lan stroked his beard and nodded. Yes, exactly.
"So the Hope Spring Garden Literary Gathering is what truly matters. If A Zhao wants to shine, she must study diligently," Chu Tang said with a smile. "I took the liberty of offering her your study, so she can avoid visitors and focus on her studies behind closed doors."
Chu Lan nodded with a pleased smile. "Well done. Let her use it."
Jiang Shi patted her daughter's shoulder affectionately. "Thank goodness we have A Tang."
Chu Tang turned and took her mother's hand. "It's no trouble for me. I just need to humor her. But I'm afraid you and Father will have the harder task of turning away visitors."
Chu Lan and Jiang Shi nodded. "Don't worry, don't worry. We'll handle it."
They couldn't possibly make things difficult for their daughter.
......
......
Chu Tang sauntered into the study and found Chu Zhao browsing bookshelves.
"Father has collected many rare works," Chu Tang said, walking over to point them out. "Plus numerous annotations - he's spent half his lifetime on this."
She smiled.
"Father's literary skills are quite respectable."
Chu Lan had studied the Book of Documents under Mr. Zhu's personal tutelage and later inherited Qiao Mountain Academy, so his scholarly credentials were genuine. Chu Zhao nodded in acknowledgment. In that previous life, she had studied with Chu Lan and knew this well, though back then she'd learned hastily to please Xiao Xun, and Chu Lan had taught perfunctorily.
"I've secured this study for you. Use it as you please," Chu Tang continued. "And as you requested, I've asked Father and Mother to decline all visitors."Chu Zhao smiled and said, "Thank you."
"Are you really determined to make a great effort?" Chu Tang asked curiously.
Chu Zhao sat down, holding a book and shaking it gently. "No matter how hard I try, I can't be invincible at the Hope Spring Garden Literary Gathering. I know my own limitations—I wasn't even unbeatable at the Chu Garden Literary Gathering."
Chu Tang laughed. "I thought you were holding your breath, waiting to amaze everyone with a single feat."
"Amazing everyone doesn't necessarily mean winning," Chu Zhao said lazily. "I lost, but I still managed to do it, didn't I?"
Chu Tang burst into laughter.
What truly mattered was never winning or losing, but whether one dared to act.
Moreover, she had no interest in fame. It was simply that the Third Prince had challenged her, and she had retaliated. Gaining fame was only to let the world know that her father had not raised a useless daughter—her father was a hero, and she, as his daughter, was the same.
To be honest, she never wanted to participate in that literary gathering. Of course, even heroes must know how to assess the situation. When the Third Prince sent someone to challenge her, it was reasonable for her to accept. But if she had thrown away the invitation and refused to attend after he sent it, that would be seen as arrogant and ungrateful.
The Third Prince would then have ample reason to deal with her harshly.
"I'm just going to join in the excitement," Chu Zhao said. "To boost everyone's morale."
And to deal with the Third Prince's on-site provocations.
"Stay away from me when the time comes."
Chu Zhao reminded her with a smile, to avoid collateral damage.
Chu Tang nodded. "Then I won't go."
Chu Zhao chuckled and added, "Still, go and take a look."
She gazed at her cousin.
"Go and see how the imperial nobility can be as unpredictable as the weather, how their moods shift without warning. It will help you understand what dangers lie beneath the glamour."
In that other life, Chu Tang, relying on her status as the Empress, married into a good family but was eventually divorced and ended up madly attempting to assassinate her. She seemed like a fool, but now, though Chu Tang appeared cold and unfeeling, she was clever. Perhaps in that other life, she had been blinded by power and glory, her ambitions inflated, leading to arrogance and ignorance, which brought about her downfall.
"Cousin, you're smart. I hope you can see more and see clearly, with a sharp mind and keen eyes, so that the world's evils cannot easily harm you."
"Don't worry, Cousin. As long as you don't stick with me, even if I cause trouble, it won't involve you."
The girl spoke these words calmly, but Chu Tang found it strange, as if the girl didn't consider her family—
But then, they hadn't treated her as family either.
Chu Tang was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I'll go and broaden my horizons. The more I see, the better I can seek advantages and avoid harm."
As the two cousins were talking, a maid cautiously entered.
"Young ladies, Miss Qi is here."
Jiang Shi had said that Chu Zhao and Chu Tang were studying behind closed doors and not receiving guests, but Qi Leyun immediately claimed she had academic questions to ask.
"After all, we're all going to the Chu Garden together. If I don't study well, they'll be embarrassed too," Qi Leyun argued forcefully.
Jiang Shi couldn't argue with the young girl and had to let her in.
"What are you studying at home for?" Qi Leyun pushed past the maid and entered. "The Hope Spring Garden Literary Gathering is something we all fought for together. Of course, we should discuss it together."
She then grabbed Chu Zhao's hand.
"Everyone is waiting for you at the Elegant Interest Pavilion."
Chu Zhao smiled and went with her. Chu Tang called out from behind, annoyed, "What about me?"Qi Leyun waved her hand. "You should stay home and study properly."
Chu Tang spat in disdain and followed them.
……
……
When Qi Leyun pulled Chu Zhao into the private room, it was already filled with girls.
Seeing Chu Zhao, they waved enthusiastically: "Come quickly!" "Miss Azhao, sit here with me!"
Ignoring them, Qi Leyun pulled Chu Zhao to sit in the center.
Chu Tang didn’t follow further either, casually finding a seat and soon chatting and laughing intimately with the girls nearby.
"What’s the occasion today?" Chu Zhao asked with a smile, glancing around the room where no banquet was set up. "I thought everyone was treating me to drinks."
"Treat what? We have matters to discuss," one girl said.
Before she could finish, Qi Leyun raised her hand to interrupt: "Wait, close all the windows first."
Chu Zhao laughed. "In such hot weather, why close the windows?"
But the girls had already risen one after another, promptly shutting all the windows. Qi Leyun stood by the window, snorted, and shot her a sidelong glance: "So no one peeks through the window again, sees something they shouldn’t, and abandons us to run off."
This was referring to the incident with A Jiu last time. Chu Zhao laughed heartily.
"Alright, the windows are closed. I won’t run away," she said.
A girl hesitated before speaking: "A Zhao, we invited you here today because there’s been a rumor lately—"
Before she could finish, the door slammed open as a girl burst in.
"Chu Zhao!" the girl shrieked. "You shameless scoundrel!"
Chu Zhao was taken aback, looking at the girl and asking, "Who are you?"
The girl’s face was full of rage, and being questioned so abruptly nearly choked her with fury.
"Chu Zhao, stop playing dumb," she screamed.
Qi Leyun stood up beside them. "Liang Qin, speak properly if you have something to say. No need to shout."
So it was Liang Qin. Chu Zhao felt somewhat helpless. Although she had kicked Miss Liang the moment she opened her eyes, she hadn’t looked closely—after all, she had mistaken Liang Qin for Liang Fei. They hadn’t met since, and she truly hadn’t committed Liang Qin’s appearance to memory.
Liang Qin was less stunningly beautiful than Liang Fei.
Thinking of Liang Fei, Chu Zhao’s expression turned indifferent. "Miss Liang, long time no see. How exactly have I been shameless?"
Liang Qin glared at her and sneered. "You hit me just to ruin my marriage prospects! For the sake of a man, you even dragged your father into it, claiming I insulted him. By doing such a thing, you’re the one insulting your father. You’re truly shameless!"
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