Qiao Chu

Chu Zhao stepped out of the carriage and lifted her head to survey the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion.

Prince Zhongshan was the late emperor's youngest son. After breaking his leg, he was originally meant to remain in the capital, but he insisted on leaving, declaring he did not wish to spend his entire life confined there. The late emperor had no choice but to grant him a princedom and allow his departure.

After leaving the capital, Prince Zhongshan never returned, remaining in this mansion until his death.

As the prince's daughter-in-law, she had never visited the mansion before.

In that previous life, she and Xiao Xun had married in the capital. Before they could return to the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion, the imperial princes' rebellion erupted, the capital was placed under strict curfew, and soon after, Xiao Xun was named Crown Prince.

Once he became Crown Prince, he was effectively the emperor's son and no longer tied to Prince Zhongshan. They never returned to the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion again.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Chu Ke remarked with a snort. "The Zhongshan Prince's Mansion was designed by the late emperor himself—like a miniature version of the Imperial City."

Chu Zhao shot him a glance. "As if you've ever seen the Imperial City."

The Chu family's status wasn't high enough to grant them entry to the Imperial City—though it should have been, if not for this second uncle's disgrace dragging them down. And he had the nerve to boast! Chu Ke fumed, "One doesn't need to see the Imperial City to know it's magnificent."

Deng Yi cleared his throat softly nearby. These two siblings bickered whenever they spoke—their interactions were far from pleasant. Perhaps that was why Miss Chu had fled the capital without a word.

"Let's go in," he said. "His Highness is likely waiting."

Chu Ke hurriedly agreed, shooting Chu Zhao a glare and whispering a warning, "Mind your manners. Don't embarrass us in front of the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion."

Chu Zhao remained silent. Once inside, she was indeed quiet and composed, keeping her head lowered without a single curious glance. Even when she sensed Prince Zhongshan watching her intently, she pretended not to notice.

"Miss Chu, you must be weary from your journey," Prince Zhongshan said, after exchanging pleasantries with Chu Ke and Deng Yi.

Chu Ke bowed his head. "I am not weary. It is Your Highness and the Heir Apparent who have been inconvenienced."

Xiao Xun stifled a laugh beside him, shooting his father a meaningful look. He had warned him—this Miss Chu felt no gratitude toward them. If not for their intervention, her plan would have succeeded.

This girl truly disliked them.

Prince Zhongshan observed the girl's meek, bowed posture and chuckled. "My apologies. I was unaware of the circumstances. Upon receiving word that someone was lost, I merely assisted in the search. I did not realize the young lady only wished to see her father."

Chu Ke hastily rose. "Your Highness, you are too kind. There is no need for apologies. This is entirely my sister's foolish recklessness."

Xiao Xun couldn't resist teasing, "So Miss Chu was coerced into coming? She previously told me she wouldn't."

How dare this wretched girl say such things! Chu Ke glared at Chu Zhao in shame and anger, scrambling to smooth over the situation. Ah, this was his first time traveling so far from home, his first encounter with nobles like the prince and heir apparent—

"I was not coerced," Chu Zhao interjected, lifting her head but avoiding eye contact with Xiao Xun and Prince Zhongshan, instead turning to Deng Yi seated nearby. "If it were only my brother and I, we would naturally avoid visiting Your Highness and the Heir Apparent to prevent gossip. But with Lord Deng present—an appointed official of the court—there is no need for such concerns."

When he first heard that Miss Chu was avoiding the mansion to prevent gossip, Deng Yi had genuinely believed it was on Chu Ling's orders. But hearing this, he now understood—it was just another of Miss Chu's impulsive fabrications.

She simply disliked Prince Zhongshan and his son.He was seeing this kind of girl for the first time. Deng Yi suppressed a laugh and didn't refute, while Xiao Xun didn't mind either, having long been acquainted with the girl's temper. Prince Zhongshan was momentarily stunned, then burst into hearty laughter.

"So that's how it is," he said, clapping his hands and nodding. "Miss Chu is very thoughtful."

Chu Zhao replied, "Thank you, Your Highness," then lowered her head and fell silent again.

Chu Ke, standing nearby, anxiously bowed. "Please forgive her, Your Highness. My sister is just willful. Ah, if it weren't for her willfulness, we wouldn't have troubled you this time."

Prince Zhongshan waved his hand with a smile. "There's no need for formalities, Young Master Chu. It's nothing. If we're talking about willfulness, my own children are no better." He then called for a servant. "Since you're here, why not meet my children and see the sights of the mansion? Sitting here must be rather dull."

The mansion steward smiled and said, "The Princess Consort is already waiting with the others."

Chu Ke was both surprised and delighted. Meeting the Princess Consort and the prince's children would mean establishing connections. He hurriedly stood up.

But Chu Zhao remained seated calmly, only glancing at Deng Yi beside her.

Noticing her gaze, Deng Yi asked, "Do you need something, Miss Chu?"

"Are you going?" Chu Zhao asked.

Deng Yi chuckled. How could he enter the inner quarters? He was neither a woman nor a child. "I'm not going."

Chu Zhao nodded, seeming relieved. "Then I won't go either."

All eyes fell on her again. Chu Ke flushed red, wishing he could kick his cousin upright. He'd always ignored this cousin before and never realized how infuriating she could be.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness," Chu Zhao said, rising. "You must already know I was pursued by Lord Deng because I committed an offense in the capital. So I'm still technically a prisoner and shouldn't leave Lord Deng's side. Moreover, I'm in no mood to meet the Princess Consort and the young ladies. Conversation would be awkward."

Here, she glanced at Prince Zhongshan.

"If I'm fortunate enough to return safely from this affair and have the chance to see you again, I'll certainly pay my respects to the Princess Consort."

Her earlier words had been somewhat diplomatic, but this last part dropped all pretense. Prince Zhongshan understood—the girl saw his mansion as complicit in her capture. She had no interest in socializing with her "enemies."

Chu Ling's daughter was truly like a little beast. Prince Zhongshan paused slightly, finding it hard to recall what Chu Ling had been like. Probably similar: handsome and scholarly in appearance, seemingly gentle, yet his words cut like knives. No wonder he'd so pleased the emperor—such fiercely loyal officers were exactly what His Majesty favored.

He'd wanted to see Miss Chu out of curiosity about her appearance, but upon meeting her, he hadn't noticed her looks at all. What she reminded him of wasn't her mother, but Chu Ling.

Prince Zhongshan nodded. "Miss Chu is right. I was inconsiderate. This isn't the time for social pleasantries."

Chu Ke urgently interjected, "You're too kind, Your Highness. Please pay no mind to her nonsense."

Prince Zhongshan smiled. "Young Master Chu, you're the one being too polite. Miss Chu." He ignored the Chu youth and focused on the Chu maiden. "Please understand—as a prince of Great Xia, when entrusted by court officials, I must fulfill my duties diligently. This isn't personal prejudice against you."Chu Zhao bowed respectfully to Prince Zhongshan. "One who receives an emperor's stipend must serve the emperor faithfully. Your Highness did nothing wrong. This humble girl bears no resentment toward you. The blame lies solely with—"

"With this official?" interjected Deng Yi, who had remained silent until now.

Just look at this wretched girl—she's managed to offend both sides at once! Chu Ke was utterly furious. At this moment, he deeply regretted bringing Chu Zhao to the prince's residence. Who could have imagined that even when facing a powerful noble like Prince Zhongshan, Chu Zhao would dare to spout such nonsense.

"Of course, I don't blame Lord Deng either," Chu Zhao said, turning to him with a smile. "This matter is firstly my fault for striking someone, secondly for fleeing without reporting, and lastly for being full of flaws and lacking skill, resulting in my exposure and capture. Therefore, all blame rests with myself and no one else."

Deng Yi burst into hearty laughter, Prince Zhongshan also laughed heartily, and Xiao Xun smiled faintly at the side, his dimples deepening.

Chu Ke stood dumbfounded, unsure whether to laugh or not. What was everyone laughing about?

"I came this time to thank Your Highness and the Heir Apparent for your assistance," Deng Yi said, turning to Prince Zhongshan with a bow.

Prince Zhongshan nodded with a smile. "There's no need for formalities, Lord Deng. Please convey my regards to Zhou Weiqing."

Deng Yi acknowledged the request and rose. "The culprit has been apprehended. I came to inform Your Highness, and now I shall take my leave."

As he mentioned the culprit, he pointed at Chu Zhao.

This time Chu Ke understood, his face stiffening. Damn Chu Zhao! With all your reckless talk, now you're really being treated as a criminal!