This was not the time to laugh.
She laughed because she recalled the scene back then.
A Jiu had doubted her identity, they confronted each other by the river and fell into the water, then she was rescued by Xiao Xun. To avoid getting involved with Xiao Xun, she grabbed A Jiu and shouted those words about sharing life and death.
What expression did A Jiu have when she said those words back then? Probably as shocked as the girls in the room right now?
Unfortunately, she was buried in his embrace at that time and didn’t see it.
However, if A Jiu were here at this moment, his expression would undoubtedly be one of schadenfreude—his phoenix eyes lifted, a thoroughly punchable grin on his lips, and he’d laugh at her, saying, "Serves you right, you brought this on yourself."
"A Zhao," Qi Leyun glared, "What are you laughing at? You’re still laughing!"
A girl nearby whispered, "It’s because it’s ridiculous, isn’t it?"
Yes, isn’t it ridiculous? It’s fake, right? The girls’ gazes fixed intently on Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao looked at Liang Qin with a smile, seeing right through her thoughts.
This rumor was aimed at her, and deliberately delivered into the hands of Liang Qin, who needed it most.
Liang Qin didn’t want any explanation at all—
"Who said this?" Chu Zhao asked with a smile, neither refuting nor explaining, but posing a question.
Qi Leyun immediately followed up, "Yes, who did you hear it from? Making up falsehoods to tarnish someone’s reputation is unacceptable."
A girl standing beside Chu Tang, having been prompted, spoke again. Unlike Qi Leyun’s aggressive tone, she sounded somewhat sympathetic: "A Qin, I know you’re upset, but you mustn’t be manipulated by others. Just as many people take pleasure in your rejection by the Xie family son, there are just as many who envy A Zhao for being treated as an honored guest by Young Master Xie the Third."
That was a sharp remark.
The girls in the room showed even more understanding—yes, that’s exactly it.
Since Young Master Xie the Third arrived in the capital, there hasn’t been a single female relative in the Xie residence, leaving all the women in the capital with no way to visit. They couldn’t possibly ask the Crown Princess to introduce them to Young Master Xie the Third, especially since the Crown Princess herself had only met him once.
Chu Zhao was the first to be invited—or perhaps she barged in. Regardless, she entered the Xie residence, and most importantly, she was personally escorted out by Young Master Xie the Third.
Just imagine how many people would be jealous?
Girls understand the tactics among themselves best—if you hate someone, you’ll try to stir up trouble.
"A Qin, who exactly said it?"
"Tell us quickly. I want to see who could have overheard such intimate words."
The girls pressed her one after another.
Liang Qin was instantly besieged. Her maids and servants couldn’t help but hold her tightly—maybe it was better to take the young lady home first? Watching her rush out of the house, with the madam forbidding anyone to stop her—was this really alright?
What if they ended up fighting again?
Were the family servants all following? Were the young masters around too?
Liang Qin grew even more furious, almost spitting blood in anger that these girls, after hearing such words, still sided with Chu Zhao. She pushed her maids and servants away and stood up: "Everyone on the streets is saying it, everyone is talking about it. Go ask them, go ask!"
Qi Leyun snorted, "I don’t believe the Xie residence has become a public street where everyone can overhear what’s said inside a home."
"I never said they said it at home," Liang Qin shouted, glaring hatefully at Chu Zhao. "Who knows where those two, a man and a woman, hid to do such shameless things? There are no walls in the world that don’t have cracks."Chu Zhao sneered coldly, "Such shameless deeds must be done in secret. Aside from the two of us, who else could have easily overheard? So either I spread those words, or the Xie family did. I’ll go ask the Xie family right now what exactly is going on!"
With that, she strode out boldly.
Liang Qin hadn’t expected her to leave so abruptly—to confront the Xie family?
"Don’t you dare run!" Liang Qin shouted, lunging forward to grab Chu Zhao.
But how could Chu Zhao be caught so easily? With a flick of her hand, the frail Liang Qin cried out as she stumbled backward, fortunately caught by her maids and servants. Without even a backward glance, Chu Zhao marched away.
"Seize her!" Liang Qin shrieked, urging her attendants forward.
Before the nearby maids and servants could react, a Liang family maid crowded by the door was kicked aside by A Le.
"Don’t block my lady’s way," she barked.
Instantly, all the maids by the door—regardless of whose household they served—parted, watching as the mistress and servant swaggered through.
Outside, a crowd had gathered: shop assistants hesitating whether to intervene—ah, Miss Chu had already competed in literary arts, yet she hadn’t forgotten martial prowess—and numerous guests, some pointing and gossiping, others inquiring about the commotion, while a few clearly knew the details and whispered among themselves.
As the young woman strode out, the noise abruptly stilled.
A Le scowled and yelled, "Step aside!"
Both shop assistants and guests immediately retreated a step.
Chu Zhao walked calmly and steadily.
"A Le," she said, "settle the bill. Since our outing was ruined because of me, I won’t let everyone else pay."
A Le acknowledged the order. The shopkeeper, watching nearby, blurted out, "No rush, Miss—you can put it on your account—"
At the Elegant Interest Pavilion, only men could open tabs; women had to charge expenses under their husbands’ or fathers’ names.
This was likely the first time the pavilion had opened an account for a woman.
Chu Zhao showed no trace of unease, merely nodding. "Thank you. Put all today’s expenses from the private room on my tab."
The shopkeeper’s words flowed even more smoothly now, and he personally escorted Chu Zhao out, murmuring, "Miss Chu, whenever the Chu Garden holds another literary gathering, our Elegant Interest Pavilion can provide refreshments."
Chu Zhao inclined her head. "Good, I’ll remember that."
Accompanied by the shopkeeper and A Le, she passed through the crowd and departed, leaving everyone’s eyes trailing after her, while behind them, a woman’s shrill cries echoed from inside.
"Chu Zhao—don’t you run—you shameless wretch—you vile creature—"
The shop assistants and guests couldn’t resist glancing inside, where they saw the girl throwing a tantrum and weeping. Ah, compared to the composure outside, it was truly disgraceful.
The Liang family servants hurriedly closed the door.
"Why shut the door? Let everyone see how shameless Chu Zhao is!" Liang Qin wailed.
"Enough," Qi Leyun said. "Liang Qin, reason isn’t measured by volume. Speak properly if you have something to say."
But how could she stir up trouble by speaking properly? She had come here to make a scene! Liang Qin covered her face and sobbed, "Who isn’t speaking properly? She had nothing to say and just ran away."
"A Zhao isn’t running; she said she’s going to ask the Xie family," one girl retorted discontentedly.
How biased these people were! Liang Qin forgot to feign tears, lowering her sleeves in frustration. "So what if she goes to ask the Xie family? She’s in cahoots with them—whatever they say will be what counts, won’t it?""A-Qin, since they had already reached an agreement with the Xie family, why must you make such a scene?" a girl's voice said softly. "Initially, your family and the Xies were merely discussing a marriage proposal, weren't they? It wasn't an official engagement, nor had betrothal gifts been exchanged. Why can't they change their minds?"
The logic was sound, yet it felt wrong. Liang Qin snapped back to reality and recognized this girl as the one who had been twisting words with sophistry earlier!
Her eyes fell upon Chu Tang standing beside the girl.
"Chu Tang!" Liang Qin sprang up in fury. "You and your sister are of one mind. If you have something to say, say it yourself. Why hide behind others?"
When directly confronted by Liang Qin, Chu Tang didn't outright deny it but shrank back timidly, saying, "Precisely because Chu Zhao and I are sisters, if I speak, it would seem like I'm bullying you."
What nonsense! You sisters are the ones bullying people from the start!
This Chu Tang—who had previously acted so sisterly and affectionate—was now treating her like this.
Since Chu Zhao had run off, she wouldn't let Chu Tang get away.
Liang Qin lunged forward: "You sisters are both no good!"
This time, the girls swarmed around. "A-Qin, have you gone mad?" "Haven't you caused enough trouble?" "Is this how your Liang family raises its children?"
The private room descended into chaos. Without further hesitation, the Liang family's maids and servants escorted Liang Qin away.
The girls looked at the mess around them, both angry and exasperated.
"But did A-Zhao really go to the Xie residence?" one girl asked, leaning out the window to look. Chu Zhao's carriage was no longer visible on the street.
Or had she simply seized the chance to run off?
"Of course she went," Qi Leyun stated decisively. "How could she pass up such a golden opportunity? She might even try to force Young Master Xie the Third into marriage."
The previously irritated girls couldn't help but laugh at this remark.
"Qi Leyun, what nonsense are you spouting!"
"How is it nonsense? With A-Zhao's reputation tarnished by rumors of impropriety with a Xie son, Young Master Xie the Third must take responsibility."
"That's hilarious! What does this have to do with Young Master Xie the Third? You're truly talking rubbish."
"Qi Leyun, it seems you wish those rumors were about you, don't you?"
……
……
Chu Zhao had indeed gone straight to the Xie residence. Arriving at the gate, she gave her name and requested to see Young Master Xie the Third. The door opened smoothly, and without delay, a servant led her directly to the inner courtyard.
However, she didn't meet Xie Yanfang immediately. The servant explained that the young master was temporarily occupied and would come later, then settled her in the Water Pavilion. Maids brought tea and refreshments.
"Would the young lady care to listen to some zither music?" a maid asked with a smile. "We can play for you."
Chu Zhao declined politely: "That won't be necessary." She gazed at the pond, where many fish swam, their colorful scales quite lovely. "I'll just watch the fish."
The maid smilingly brought fish food: "This is specially prepared by our Young Master the Third. The fish love it most."
Chu Zhao accepted it, and the maids withdrew, leaving her to enjoy the Water Pavilion in solitude.
Holding the fish food, Chu Zhao began feeding the fish. Soon, they gathered around, swaying in the water like blossoming flowers.
……
……
When Xie Yanfang arrived, he saw the scene of a girl amusing herself with the fish in the Water Pavilion.
The girl wore an apricot-colored dress, her jet-black hair tied up to reveal a slender neck. She sat by the water's edge, her feet dangling almost touching the surface, gently swaying. The shadow of her dress rippled in the water, enticing the fish to follow its movement.
She smiled faintly, revealing delicate white teeth.Xie Yanfang had witnessed many scenes of women at play—some by chance, others deliberately arranged for his viewing. But what he saw at this moment was different from all before.
The girl wore a faint smile at her lips, her gaze distant and profound, as if standing alone between heaven and earth—unrestrained yet solitary.
"Miss Chu," Xie Yanfang spoke, shattering the tableau.
Chu Zhao turned to look at him, smiling: "Young Master Xie the Third."
She lifted her feet from the water's surface, pivoting lightly as she returned to the Water Pavilion.
Xie Yanfang stepped inside and stated: "This matter was not our doing."
He had already discerned Chu Zhao's purpose in coming.
Chu Zhao replied: "I know it wasn't you." Then she smiled again, "And I also know who did it."
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