Because she was hard-won, Miss Tan was both doted upon and cherished, seldom venturing out. Her daily interactions were limited to peers from relatives and friends' families. Yet even within this narrow circle, rumors spread that Miss Tan had a terrible temper.
She disliked joking and always wore a cold expression.
Mischievous girls had even given her the nickname "Ice-Cold Jade Maiden"—the "Jade Maiden" referring to the golden boy and jade maiden flanking the Bodhisattva, as her mother had vowed to renounce the world in exchange for her from the Bodhisattva.
Chu Tang had not been certain she would come. She had discussed with Chu Zhao that even if Miss Tan didn’t attend, they could later use the excuse of delivering the anthology to visit her, enter the Tan residence, and then find an opportunity to meet Elder Tan.
Unexpectedly, Miss Tan had come in person that day, which was even better. As long as she participated, whether she won or lost, it would be recorded in the anthology. Then Chu Zhao could directly take the anthology to Elder Tan and praise his daughter, eliminating the need to even meet Miss Tan.
But it turned out her presence made no difference.
Moreover, her words clearly indicated she disliked the event.
If they went to deliver the anthology later, would Miss Tan order them barred from entering? Chu Zhao glanced across the room. The commotion had drawn the attention of everyone in the hall. Chu Tang conveyed her concern to Chu Zhao with a look.
"How dare you speak like that!"
"Lacking skill yourself, yet you mock others?"
The girls attending the literary gathering that day were all pampered at home, and none were lacking in temper. Immediately, many stood up, scowling and rebuking her.
"Tan, the Jade Maiden, your family has hired many tutors and praised you for being learned, cultured, and reasonable," someone even called out her nickname directly. "Today, why don’t you show us all how erudite you really are?"
Miss Tan had ignored the earlier accusations, keeping her eyes downcast, until she heard this—
"What kind of thing are you?!" She grabbed a teacup and hurled it.
Due to the distance, the cup didn’t hit the girl but shattered on the floor with a crisp sound, mingling with the girls’ screams.
Was a fight about to break out? Chu Zhao shifted back slightly, and Chu Tang quietly moved closer.
"Quite reminiscent of your old self," she whispered.
Chu Zhao pursed her lips into a smile and murmured, "I was very timid at first. It was only after being bullied relentlessly that I finally fought back."
"We were just bickering among girls. How can you call it bullying? Don’t keep bringing it up," Chu Tang whispered back.
Indeed, compared to what she would later endure, the quarrels among girls were nothing. Her fighting spirit hadn’t truly been ignited by that alone. Chu Zhao fell silent, watching the tense girls in the hall.
Neither she nor Chu Tang made any move to intervene. A fight would be even better—it would give them more reason to visit Elder Tan.
Chu Tang even glanced at Chu Zhao, as if asking whether to fan the flames.
"—What kind of thing am I? I, Zhang Jiao, may not be as learned as you, Tan the Jade Maiden, but I dare to compete with others."
Though Miss Tan had thrown a teacup and looked ready to fight, the girl who had spoken earlier showed no fear. Fueled by anger, she refused to back down.
Miss Tan sneered. Two maids flanked her closely, but she didn’t rush forward to grapple with the young lady, nor did she order her maids to attack. Instead, she sat down.
"So, I’m just here to see how impressive you all are," she said, raising a hand dismissively. "You’d better not make a spectacle of yourselves."The other girls also advised Miss Zhang, "Don't mind her," "We came here to have fun for ourselves," "I heard that in the past, Chu... well, someone lost and calmly wrote a certificate of defeat. What's there to fear? If you lose, you lose. Don't be arrogant in victory or discouraged in defeat," "Come on, A Jiao, channel your energy into these characters and show your edge."
The girls all sat down, and the tense atmosphere dissipated.
Chu Tang whispered to Chu Zhao, "I was wrong. Not everyone can embody Miss A Zhao's grace."
Chu Zhao suppressed a laugh, turned to fetch a new teacup, and walked over to Miss Tan.
"Miss Tan," she said softly, "Your tea."
Miss Tan didn't even lift her eyelids, about to refuse with a word, but then she noticed the cup was empty. She paused, unable to resist looking up, and saw a maid with delicate features and slightly dark skin.
The maid said nothing more and quietly withdrew.
Miss Tan averted her gaze, pursed her lips, and slowly rotated the teacup in her hand.
...
...
As expected, Miss Tan stayed until the very end. When the gathering dispersed in the evening and they stepped outside, the blue flags representing the men's victories far outnumbered the red ones for the women. However, the onlookers outside didn't mock them; instead, many lingered in front of the women's works, examining them carefully.
"This young lady's calligraphy is quite impressive—she must have practiced diligently."
"I never thought women could write essays too."
Hearing more praise than ridicule, the gloom on the women's faces faded, and they exchanged smiles. Of course, when they saw Miss Tan, they averted their eyes.
"Miss Tan must be very satisfied with the spectacle," one young lady snorted.
Miss Tan replied, "Indeed, I am. It was truly amusing." With that, she got into her carriage surrounded by her maids and attendants.
The girls could no longer hold back their whispers: "I never knew she was like this," "Why is she so unlikable?" "What does it matter whether we like her or not? She's a young lady who has everything she wants," "I hope she doesn't come next time; she ruins the mood."
Sitting in the carriage, Miss Tan paid no mind. The carriage soon departed, leaving everything behind.
...
...
In the night, the Tan residence was gently knocked upon.
Outside stood a woman and two maids.
"I am the manager of Ximo Pavilion. Miss Tan attended the literary gathering today but left in a hurry. We are compiling a collection and need her to inscribe her work. We apologize for the disturbance," the woman said respectfully, while the maid beside her held up the literary booklet for the gatekeeper to see.
Involving the young mistress, the gatekeeper didn't dare delay and quickly informed the front courtyard steward.
The young mistress's outings required the master's permission, so the steward knew she had indeed attended the gathering at Ximo Pavilion today. Since she had chosen to go, it meant she valued it. He called a maid and handed her a tally: "Take them to see the young mistress."
The three followed the maid inside. The Tan residence's gate closed, and shifting shadows seemed to multiply around the entire estate, enveloping it along with the night.
...
...
Miss Tan's courtyard was very quiet. Apart from two maids standing under the corridor, almost no one else was in sight.
Miss Tan was not in her room.
Xiao Man silently descended from the roof and approached Chu Zhao and the Ximo Pavilion manager at the side of the house.
By the flickering light from the corridor, it was clear that Xiao Man had transformed into the Tan family maid who had led them inside.
"She's crying in the study at the back," she whispered.The innkeeper's wife whispered, "Leave this to me. You two go see Elder Master Tan."
But Chu Zhao didn't leave immediately. Hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Why is she crying?"
Was it because she had been bullied at the literary gathering? Not really—if anything, she had been the one bullying others.
Xiao Man frowned. "Why bother about her?"
They hadn't come for Miss Tan’s sake anyway. Their plan was to use Miss Tan as an excuse to enter the estate, then deliver the documents to her father under the pretense of visiting her. And if negotiations broke down, they could hint to Elder Master Tan that his daughter was in their hands—
Whether Miss Tan was crying or laughing was irrelevant.
Yet Chu Zhao still didn’t leave. "Let’s go take a look," she said.
……
……
The study was lavishly decorated and spacious, almost too vast to take in through the crack in the window. Rows of bookshelves were filled with a dazzling array of scrolls and volumes.
Chu Zhao recalled what one young lady had said at the literary gathering—that Miss Tan had hired many tutors and was exceptionally learned. It seemed that was no exaggeration.
At this moment, Miss Tan was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees and sobbing. A maidservant knelt beside her, trying to offer comfort.
"Jade Maiden, Jade Maiden... I’d rather they called me a Ghost Maiden," Miss Tan murmured through her tears.
The maid said, "Don’t say such things, Miss. They’re just jealous of you. You are a blessing from the Bodhisattva."
"If the Bodhisattva was truly moved by my parents’ prayers, why didn’t she grant them a Golden Boy? Why did she give them a daughter instead?" Miss Tan lifted her head, her eyes swollen and red. "What my parents wanted wasn’t a daughter—it was a son. What use is a Jade Maiden like me?"
The maid didn’t dare answer such a question and quickly changed the subject. "Miss, don’t be upset. I know how truly talented you are. None of the poetry, calligraphy, or paintings from today’s gathering could compare to yours. You simply chose not to show off."
Tears streamed down Miss Tan’s face. "Talented? What does it matter? I’m learned and accomplished. I can even—" She groped behind her and pulled out a small wooden boat. Staring at it through her falling tears, she said, "I can even build ships. But so what? I’m just a daughter. I can’t carry on the family line, so I’m nothing—"
"My greatest purpose is to secure a good marriage for the Tan family, to win over a son-in-law."
"That doesn’t require me to be learned or master the Tan family’s secret techniques. What use is all my knowledge and skill—"
She gripped the wooden boat and slammed it violently onto the floor. The boat shattered, and splinters pierced her hand.
The maid screamed and grabbed her arm. "Miss, don’t hurt yourself!"
Miss Tan pushed her away, not to tend to her bleeding hand, but to frantically gather the broken pieces of the boat.
"I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you. You’re innocent."
She cradled the shattered boat in her hands, holding it up before her eyes.
"Even if I’m not a treasure in this world, you are my treasures. I will cherish you."
As she spoke, she pulled a box out from under the bookshelf and overturned it with a clatter. Tools—ropes, knives, chisels, rulers, and more—scattered across the floor.
Miss Tan began carefully repairing the broken boat, completely ignoring the blood on her hand, her eyes shining with intensity.
The maid covered her mouth, not daring to advise or disturb her.
This was when Miss Tan was happiest. Let her lose herself in this moment of joy.
……
……
Xiao Man gently poked Chu Zhao from behind.
Chu Zhao turned her gaze toward her.
Xiao Man shook her head, her brow furrowed, her eyes urging, "Let’s go. If we delay any longer, it’ll be too late."
"I’ve changed my mind," Chu Zhao whispered to her. "I’m not going to see Elder Master Tan. I want to see Miss Tan."Xiao Man’s eyes widened—this was not what they had discussed earlier!
Could it be, as Chu Tang had joked, that A Zhao intended to seduce Miss Tan?
But what good would seducing Miss Tan do? Miss Tan had no say in family affairs. Moreover, although she was the only daughter, when it came to the family’s future, even her life and safety might not be enough to threaten Old Master Tan.
Before she could speak, Chu Zhao had already turned and taken three quick steps to the study door, pushing it open without hesitation.
The maid inside the study was startled and looked up, but Miss Tan remained oblivious, engrossed in carving her wooden boat.
Chu Zhao strode in and casually closed the door behind her.
“Who are you?” the maid finally snapped out of her daze and shouted.
At the sound, Miss Tan shifted her gaze slightly.
“You are—” she said, “that maid from the Ximo Pavilion.”
Chu Zhao smiled. “Miss Tan still remembers me.”
Miss Tan replied, “I have an excellent memory; I never forget a face.” With that, she ignored her again and returned to her boat.
“What do you want?” the maid stepped in front of Miss Tan, her expression wary.
“Miss Tan,” Chu Zhao took a step forward and got straight to the point, “I’d like to discuss a deal with you.”
Without looking up, Miss Tan said, “I know what you’re here for. Go talk to my father.” Then she added as a reminder, “But don’t be too greedy. I can’t trade for just anything with my father.”
What a clever and interesting girl, Chu Zhao thought with a smile. Before the maid could make any desperate move, she sat down on the floor.
“I originally thought the same, but now I believe that to make this deal with the Tan family, convincing you, Miss Tan, is the key,” she said. “Only you can make your family go all out—your father might not even be able to do that.”
Miss Tan still didn’t look at her. “You overestimate me. Although I bear the Tan name, I don’t control the Tan family.”
“I know, which is why I said your family,” Chu Zhao replied. “The Tan family truly becoming your home.”
Miss Tan’s hand paused, and she looked up at her.
Chu Zhao met her gaze and continued.
“A home where you are the master.”
“A home where you can take charge like a man.”
“A home that is your sanctuary, firmly held in your own hands.”
“Only such a home, belonging to you, can join me in going all out.”
…
…
The study fell into silence.
The maid stood dumbfounded, forgetting even to call for help.
Miss Tan held the wooden boat, blood dripping from her hand and staining a corner of her robe. Suddenly, she chuckled.
The girl, whose expression had been cold and stern, now smiled brightly and charmingly.
“You understand my pain very well, miss,” her voice seemed to soften. “Your words are tempting, but you can’t persuade me.”
As she spoke, she gave Chu Zhao a once-over, a hint of regret in her eyes.
“If you were a man—brave, resourceful, bold, and insightful—and we formed a marriage alliance, using your name as a man to help me secure my place in the Tan family, I might be willing to give it a try.”
“But you are a woman, just like me. How can I trust you?”
Chu Zhao reached up and touched her own face. “Perhaps because what I aim to do is essentially the same as what I’ve promised you.”
Miss Tan seemed puzzled.
“I am Chu Zhao,” Chu Zhao said.
Miss Tan froze, the wooden boat in her hand falling to the floor with a clatter. But this time, she made no move to pick it up, no longer caring about it."Are you... Chu Zhao?" she blurted out. "The Chu Zhao who is Empress Chu?"
Chu Zhao rubbed her face a couple of times. "I'm currently in disguise. You might have seen portraits, but actually I'm even better-looking than in those—"
Miss Tan and her maid were momentarily stunned.
That wasn't important, Chu Zhao herself laughed. What mattered was that claiming to be Empress might not entice this young lady, but instead frighten her even more.
"My campaign against the Xie family is to return to court, which means to gain control over Daxia. So that in this household of Daxia, I, as Empress, can be the master. Miss Tan, if I can achieve this, then I will certainly enable you—"
Before she could finish, Miss Tan had already stood up.
"Your Highness, you need say no more," she said. "I will go see my father immediately. I will definitely persuade him to follow your command."
Chu Zhao was instead taken aback. "Don't you want to hear more? Let me tell you more about myself—"
Miss Tan shook her head. "There's no need, Your Highness. I've long been very familiar with you. Your poems, your paintings, your chess games—I can recite them all from memory. Every deed you've accomplished, I've had people promptly report back and collect. I have all your compiled works. Every word you've spoken at palace banquets, I've transcribed. Though I reside in Pingyang Prefecture, you, Empress, have always been as if right before my eyes—"
This... this... Chu Zhao asked in astonishment, "But... don't you dislike this kind of literary gathering I host? Don't you think competing with men is ridiculous?"
Miss Tan looked at Chu Zhao, flames dancing in her eyes. "But, Empress, what you do is far more than just competing with men at literary gatherings."
"Empress, I've long admired you. I never imagined I could actually meet you."
"Empress, to work together with you in unity—Tan Qi'er would die without regrets in this lifetime."
The girl's voice became cheerful. Chu Zhao felt somewhat dazed and couldn't help touching her face again.
"I really want to tell Deng Yi now that he was right—I've been too modest," she murmured, regardless of whether Miss Tan could understand. "It turns out even if I'm not as good-looking as Xie Yanfang, I can still accomplish what he has achieved."
She was completely different from that Chu Zhao of another lifetime.
She too could shine brilliantly.
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