The banquet concluded, and the ladies emerged from the inner chambers, making the estate's entrance lively and bustling with carriages, horses, and bustling servants.
"Make way, make way."
A carriage rushed over, driven by an elderly servant who appeared dim-sighted and frail. The carriage swayed unsteadily, as if it might collide with other people and vehicles at any moment, causing the others to hastily retreat in panic.
"What's going on?" "Whose carriage is that?" "Why the rush?" "Shh, it's the Chu family's."
At these words, the clamor quieted down, and everyone watched as the carriage wobbled but came to a steady stop before the gate.
Xiao Tu dashed out first, hopping lightly onto the front of the carriage.
"How did it go?" the elderly driver asked in a low voice.
Xiao Tu pouted: "There wasn't any fighting at all."
A maidservant rushed out in a fluster, saying the young lady was calling for him, and tremblingly recounted how the people inside were bullying the young lady.
"It might come to blows," the maidservant whispered. "It all depends on you now."
Currently, the Chu family kept their doors closed to guests. When Chu Tang went out, she was accompanied only by an elderly servant driving the carriage, a young attendant to hand her the stool, and a single maidservant—a far cry from the grandeur expected of the Empress's family.
But others didn't know what the maidservant, who had closely followed Chu Tang that evening, understood all too well: this one elderly servant and one young attendant were worth a crowd of servants. Despite one being old and the other young, when it came to killing, they were as efficient as slicing melons!
She didn't dare speak much with them.
"You are all Second Master's people," the maidservant urged repeatedly. "You must help the young lady, protect her, and protect me too."
He was hardly Second Master Chu's man—more like his enemy.
As soon as he entered, he was abruptly asked if he hated General Chu Ling, and he nearly spoke the truth.
Fortunately, he quickly realized it was all an act to play along with the girl. After Miss Chu Tang fabricated his background, he performed the part of a pitiful orphan—thankfully, the gold necklace was hidden under his clothes and couldn't be seen.
At that moment, he noticed many of the women and girls in the room had tears glistening in their eyes.
But then, listening to the women's chatter—
"Although there was no fighting," he nodded, "it was still quite fierce."
As they spoke, Chu Tang emerged with her maidservant. Unlike before, when she was surrounded by girls and welcomed by ladies, now only the hostess and two or three girls were by her side. The rest kept their distance behind them.
"Miss Chu, my apologies for the poor hospitality," the hostess said, her expression somewhat ashamed. "Please forgive us."
Chu Tang smiled. "You're too kind, Madam. This has nothing to do with you." Then, glancing at the girls behind her, she added, "Next time, I'll gather with everyone again."
Those keeping their distance slightly changed their expressions upon hearing her words—there would be a next time?
They wouldn't invite her next time—
"I'll take the initiative to visit," Chu Tang said with another smile.
Indeed, even if they didn't invite her, if she showed up at their doors, who would dare turn her away?
After all, she was the Empress's sister.
If she quarreled and flaunted her power, it reflected poorly on her character, but if they refused her entry, the fault would lie with them.
This Chu Tang was truly a headache. The ladies watched her depart gracefully, then turned to the girls beside them.
"With the Border Commandery unstable and the people suffering, you should all stay home and not go out."
……
……
Once Chu Tang boarded the carriage, she immediately slumped weakly against the cushion.
"Young lady!" the maidservant cried out in alarm.
"It's nothing, let me catch my breath," Chu Tang said, signaling for the maidservant to be quiet, then let out a long sigh.The maid clutched her chest, feeling as if she too might collapse: "Miss, how—how have you become so bold?"
This wasn’t like her young mistress at all—she never argued with anyone, let alone for the sake of Second Master Chu and Chu Zhao. Had she gone mad?
Had she? Chu Tang lay on the soft cushion, recalling Chu Zhao’s words.
"I may have taken the Empress’s seat, but that doesn’t guarantee the Chu family a good life."
"There’s great wealth but also danger. Of course, if you want safety, there are ways."
The girl sat in the Empress’s palace, smiling as she spoke to her.
"Your whole family leaves the capital, settles in a remote academy, and never returns."
"You and your brothers should seek simple marriages—ideally with those who hold no office or rank, commoners with no ties to power."
"That way, even if I meet misfortune someday, you’ll have nothing to lose and won’t be implicated."
Live like that for a lifetime? It would indeed be safe, but—
Chu Zhao looked at her and added, "If you don’t want to settle for safety, you could take a risk like I did. I’ll scheme within the palace, you’ll maneuver outside. I’ll be your backing, you’ll be my eyes and hands. If luck favors us, we sisters can both rise to high positions and enjoy glory. If luck turns against us, we’ll—"
She drew a finger across her throat.
Back then, the hall was magnificent, the girl in Palace Attire lounging at ease, a smile on her lips—a smile that was both chilling and irresistibly tempting—
Chu Tang abruptly sat up again.
"Earlier, when there was fighting outside, she opened the gates of Chu Manor, and I dared to run here and stand with her," she said, her hands clenched tightly in front of her. "Now it’s just some sarcastic remarks—what is there to fear?"
The maid was startled. Miss A-Tang had gone mad!
The next moment, Miss A-Tang slumped back onto the cushion with a long sigh.
Chu Zhao, oh Chu Zhao, please come back quickly.
And Uncle, please don’t be convicted—
I should still pack my belongings at home, so we can flee overnight if needed.
…
…
"Young Master, most of the slander against General Chu Ling originates from Prince Zhongshan’s machinations."
Cai Bo entered with a stack of papers, meeting Xie Yanfang on his way out, accompanied by a maid holding a cloak.
"This is the newly uncovered list—Prince Zhongshan’s connections in and outside the capital—"
Xie Yanfang didn’t even glance at it: "Eliminate them all, by any means necessary." He paused. "Root them out completely."
These three sentences settled the matter. Cai Bo asked no further questions, tucking the papers away as he followed Xie Yanfang out. He produced a few more sheets: "Also, half of it isn’t from Prince Zhongshan’s faction."
The maid softly urged, "Young Master, it’s cold—please wear your cloak."
Xie Yanfang halted slightly, allowing the maid to drape the cloak over him, and turned to ask, "Who are they?"
Cai Bo scanned the papers: "All sorts—court officials, noble families, especially military officers—"
The maid couldn’t help exclaiming, "General Chu is so widely hated?"
Xie Yanfang smiled faintly: "It’s not him they hate—it’s his position. General Chu has been quiet for over a decade; he doesn’t have that many enemies." He looked back at Cai Bo. "I understand—these are the ones trying to seize the opportunity to carve up the Northwest military authority."
Cai Bo nodded: "It is indeed a prime opportunity."First, the Chu family has a weak foundation. Second, Chu Ling is highly controversial. Now, as the Empress’s father and with the Emperor being young, he is more easily labeled as a hegemon. Third, the military campaign has encountered unexpected setbacks.
"Proposals have already been made in the court to replace the commander of Yunzhong Commandery," Xie Yanfang said.
Cai Bo hesitated for a moment before reiterating his earlier words: "Young master, this is indeed a good opportunity."
The only thing their Xie family currently lacks is military power.
Xie Yanfang replied, "Of course, it’s a good opportunity, but—"
Cai Bo wore an expression that suggested he had anticipated this: "In any case, everything must prioritize Miss Chu, without causing her the slightest harm." He sighed wistfully, "Who would have thought our Xie family would be reduced to the point of babysitting?"
"Cai Bo, our Xie family has indeed been reduced to babysitting," Xie Yanfang said with a light sigh. "But babysitting is also the easiest way to gain rewards."
General Chu Ling is a dying man. If he sees their sincerity, then everything he has will naturally be left to them.
Why play the villain at such a time?
Moreover, to obtain what one desires, it is not always necessary to kick someone when they are down; one can also offer warmth in times of need.
Cai Bo looked at the papers in his hand: "Then what about these people? Should we eliminate them all, by any means necessary, and uproot them completely?"
Xie Yanfang glanced at them and said, "These are friends who can be persuaded. We must not turn them into another Prince Zhongshan. Let Seventh Aunt go out and socialize."
Although not as reclusive as the Chu family, the Xie elders are in Dongyang, and they have almost no social interactions in the capital.
To convey the Xie family’s intentions, it is most appropriate to do so within the circle of noble families. If the Xie family speaks up for Chu Ling within the inner chambers, it will be enough to influence the outside world.
Cai Bo laughed upon hearing this: "I’m afraid it won’t be convenient recently."
Xie Yanfang was taken aback. What did he mean by "not convenient"?
"Of course, it’s not that people are unwilling to accommodate our Xie family," Cai Bo explained with a smile. "It’s just that no banquets are being held in the capital recently. Even if Seventh Aunt hosts a banquet and invites people, it might not go smoothly."
Xie Yanfang, who rarely paid attention to the happenings in the inner chambers of the capital, asked curiously, "Why is that? Logically, with the trouble in the Border Commandery, this should be the time for lively discussions and condemnations."
For many people, when trouble arises—as long as it’s not their own—it’s an excellent opportunity to enhance their reputation, build relationships, and form alliances.
Cai Bo said, "Miss Chu Zhao’s cousin has been attending banquets every day, arguing about whether Chu Ling is at fault. Not only that, she brings along servants claiming to be widows and orphans from the Border Commandery, sharing tragic stories about how despicable the Western Liang bandits are and how difficult life is for the soldiers—disrupting the banquets to the point where they can’t continue. With Miss Chu Tang leveraging her status as the Empress’s sister, no one dares to bar her from entering. If this continues, the banquets will turn into glorification ceremonies for Chu Ling. Everyone has no choice but to stay indoors and avoid socializing."Xie Yanfang burst into laughter, his expression tinged with a hint of emotion."
He was well aware of the temperament of Chu Lan’s family.
Regardless of the couple, Chu Tang—a cold and selfish girl—was now charging into battle for Chu Ling.
He knew very well why this was happening. It was because of the other remarkable girl in the Chu family.
She had left the capital, but before departing, she had made preparations.
She said that being able to meet the Third Young Master in this lifetime was heaven’s mercy upon her.
But in truth, she did not rely on his mercy.
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