The crackling of New Year firecrackers gradually faded away. After the first lunar month passed, days flew by swiftly. Before anyone noticed, Chu Zhao's window was framed with tender green foliage.
"Miss A-Tang has sent another letter," A Le announced, entering with a thick envelope.
With no grand court assembly today, Chu Zhao had seized the rare chance to sleep in until full daylight. After rising, she dressed in casual home clothes, loosely tied up her hair, and settled by the window to practice calligraphy.
Hearing A Le's words, she set down her brush and reached for the letter.
"Quick, see if it's about the marriage arrangement!" A Le sat opposite, curious.
Chu Tang had left for the academy during the New Year festivities, sending one letter upon arrival to report her safe journey. This was the second.
Unfolding the letter, Chu Zhao read Chu Tang's account of family news first.
Chu Lan now wholly devoted himself to sagehood, casting aside worldly wealth and showing no regard for official rank. He focused on writing books, establishing his legacy, and gathering disciples, striving to secure his name in history—not as a member of the Empress's Imperial Relatives.
"However, Father no longer avoids mentioning Uncle and you, nor does he complain as he used to. Of course, he doesn't flaunt his status as the Empress's elder either."
Chu Lan emphasized that the Chu family served the nation and its people wholeheartedly, even unto death. Chu Ling had sacrificed his life for the country, and the Empress had upheld the late Emperor's trust, continuing the Chu family's martial valor—though it would be better if she read more books.
Chu Lan's exact words were: "Having grown up in the army, she neglected her studies. If she had been sent home earlier, we could have taught her to read more."
Those who heard this remarked that it was precisely her military training that equipped the Empress with the skills to honor the late Emperor's legacy, campaign against Western Liang, and quell rebellions.
"Mastering both civil and martial arts is preferable," Chu Lan said sternly. "As the nation's Empress, governing the realm is harder than pacifying it."
This revealed an elder's strictness toward his junior, as well as his expectations.
Naturally, some suggested inviting Chu Lan to the capital to serve in court, arguing that just as Chu Ling had secured the state through military might, Chu Lan could now stabilize it through civil means.
Chu Lan firmly forbade such talk, stating that he only knew how to study, not how to govern. Not only would he not enter court, but his sons wouldn't either.
To pass on the academy's teachings, educate students, and resolve doubts—even if it meant exhausting the family fortune—he and his sons would find their lives fulfilled.
These words and sincere conduct further elevated Chu Lan's local prestige, drawing scholars from other regions to visit and study under him.
"Father has truly found his calling," Chu Tang's letter conveyed amusement. "This is the safest and most satisfying ambition he has discovered."
Chu Lan did crave fame and profit—nothing unusual, as everyone harbors some greed. But in that other life, he blamed Chu Ling for his unmet ambitions while simultaneously seeking fame and profit through him, ignorant of the world's dangers and his own limits, until he stepped into a quagmire and courted his own doom.
This life had frightened him into understanding what was within his reach and what wasn't, what he excelled at and what he ought to do.
Chu Zhao smiled faintly, set aside that page, and turned to the next.
Chu Tang hadn't been idle these days either, accompanying Chu Lan on visits to local areas—meeting both noble families and commoners. Chu Lan treated his students and fellow scholars equally, regardless of background—now that he had gained renown, he felt content and at peace, no longer judging people by family status or position.
"The women here are all very familiar with you, Empress," the letter continued. "From the initial Chu Garden Literary Gathering to now, everyone still talks about it with great enthusiasm.""In her letter, Chu Tang described how she decided to emulate the past by organizing another Qiao Mountain Academy women's literary gathering.
"Originally, it was just to build closer relationships with them and have some casual fun, but word spread unexpectedly. Besides the local area, women from surrounding regions also came upon hearing the news."
"So I simply expanded the scale, holding competitions for a full half month. Now I'm compiling the literary collection with everyone to send to you."
At this point, Chu Tang's writing took a turn.
"Remember to inscribe it with your calligraphy, then let people in the capital circulate it—this was what I subtly hinted at earlier. Everyone is ecstatic about it, and those men have swarmed in too. Although losing would bring shame to the capital, winning would also gain recognition from capital residents. What scholar doesn't wish for widespread fame?"
Chu Zhao smiled faintly upon reading this, then set down this page to continue with the next.
Beyond the excitement, Chu Tang also used this opportunity to familiarize herself with local noble families and commoners.
"The Empress enjoys immense popularity among the people. Although many criticize her involvement in state affairs, even more take pride in her."
"After this literary gathering, all the women feel closer to you, Empress."
The corners of Chu Zhao's mouth curved upward again.
"How is it? How is it? Is A-Tang satisfied with that young master?" A Le asked urgently upon seeing her smile.
Chu Zhao sighed softly.
A Le asked nervously: "What? She didn't take a liking to him?" Then she pursed her lips, "Miss A-Tang has always had high standards, and now with her elevated status, how could she easily fancy anyone?"
Chu Zhao laughed and said: "I sighed because our State Aunt is so busy with government affairs that she's written two pages without mentioning her own romantic matters."
A Le understood and laughed too. She knew Chu Tang now served as Chu Zhao's eyes among the people, seeing the greater world.
Chu Zhao lowered her head to read the third page, smiling: "This one mentions it—she's preparing for marriage."
A Le stood up with a gasp, unable to conceal her excitement, nervousness, and disbelief: "Really?"
It was true. As Chu Zhao read the letter, Chu Tang said she met this young master right after returning home. He attended a family banquet as Chu Lan's direct disciple.
The young master appeared reserved and silent, leaving Chu Tang unimpressed—until after the literary gathering concluded.
Although she was a county princess, organizing the literary gathering wasn't smooth. Chu Lan, being aloof, feared accusations of seeking fame or currying favor with the Empress—neither hindering nor helping. Chu Ke, still haunted by past literary gatherings, incited their two younger brothers to oppose, creating trouble instead of assisting. Though she brought Xiao Tu and others, they were experts at assassination and intelligence gathering but completely useless in organizing literary events.
That young gentleman quietly ran errands for her back and forth, even inviting many friends to help persuade their families to let their sisters participate.
And all these things were done without Chu Tang's knowledge.
It wasn't until after the literary gathering, when Chu Ke argued with her, that everything came to light.
Chu Tang then invited the young master to thank him, straightforwardly asking with a laugh whether he had done it to please her.
The young master shook his head, then nodded.
"He said he indeed helped because of me, but not to please me—rather, he wanted to see what kind of person I am, whether I'm the woman he'd wish to share his life with."
Chu Tang's pen tip must have trembled with her heartbeat as she wrote—
"He said, I am.""He said that Miss A-Tang, who organized a women's literary gathering, was completely different from the newly ennobled princess he had imagined. This young lady didn't seek to stand before the crowd basking in adoration that forced others to notice her. She was clever and wise, knew when to advance and retreat, both open-minded and cunning. Though she remained in the background, she shone as brilliantly and warmly as fine jade."
"He even painted a portrait of her, depicting her sitting in the flower hall watching several young women compete. In the painting, she glowed under his brush," Chu Zhao said softly to A Le.
A Le listened intently, occasionally covering her face with her hands. "Such embarrassing words, how could he say them out loud!" she complained. "And how could Miss A-Tang write them down in such detail! Who wants to hear this!"
Though she claimed not to want to hear, when she learned about the painting, her eyes immediately sparkled as she asked: "The painting? Where's the painting?"
Chu Zhao replied: "That painting is A-Tang's treasured possession. How could she possibly send it to us?"
A Le humphed: "Miss A-Tang loves to show off the most. She might actually send it to make us envious."
Chu Zhao was amused by her words.
Chu Tang wasn't actually showing off, but rather couldn't contain her joy. When truly happy, she wished everyone could share in her delight.
"So it's mutual affection," A Le said, relieved. "Miss A-Tang is really going to marry."
Chu Zhao looked at the letter where Chu Tang wrote that she wouldn't return to the capital recently. She had chosen an auspicious date in June for the wedding, and then during the New Year, she and her husband would follow Chu Lan's family back to the capital to attend the Empress.
"Ah!" A Le clapped her hands. "That's only two months away. We need to prepare wedding gifts for Miss A-Tang."
Chu Zhao smiled and nodded. A Le couldn't sit still anymore, pacing around the room.
"We must prepare carefully. This is the first young lady from our family getting married," she said. After speaking, she looked at Chu Zhao and paused slightly. Actually, A Zhao should have been the first to marry, but that was different. The Empress's wedding was arranged by the court - she didn't need to do anything.
No, no, that wasn't getting married. The young lady hadn't married yet.
Even more wrong - could the young lady still marry in the future?
While A Le was lost in thought, a voice came from outside the door.
"Sister Chu—"
A Le looked up dazedly to see a boy peeking in through the doorway.
"A-Yu is here," Chu Zhao said with a smile.
Xiao Yu stepped inside and asked: "Sister, what are you doing?" Passing by A Le, he was drawn by the way she was staring at him and couldn't help looking back at her. "A Le, why are you staring at me?"
A Le moved her lips as if not fully conscious, mumbling something indistinct.
"She's received good news and is so busy and flustered that her mind has gone blank," Chu Zhao said with a laugh, gesturing for Xiao Yu to come sit beside her.
Xiao Yu stopped paying attention to A Le and said happily: "Ah, good news, that's wonderful!"
Chu Zhao was amused and poked his forehead: "I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already saying it's wonderful."
Xiao Yu sat down beside her and said seriously: "Any good news from sister is naturally wonderful!"
Chu Zhao smiled and pointed to the letter before her: "My cousin, A-Tang, is going to marry."
Xiao Yu was overjoyed: "Really? Congratulations to Sister A-Tang!"
How wonderful. Once married, she'll become part of another family. Sister will have one less family member, making him and sister even closer.
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