Qiao Chu

Chu Zhao had never set foot in the Liang residence before.

In the past, the young ladies of the Liang family had disdained to invite her. Not long after, Minister Liang encountered trouble, was dismissed from his post, and left the capital in disgrace. Later, when she became Empress, she had even less reason to visit the Liang residence.

Only members of the Liang family came to the palace to pay their respects to her, and even then, they were not guaranteed an audience.

Lady Liang had to rely on her aunt's introduction to gain entry to the palace and see her. She wept and pleaded, claiming that the Xie family had framed them back then and that they now wholeheartedly wished to serve the court. She also offered a large sum of money—

Of course, Chu Zhao did not accept the money. Having heard Uncle Zhong mention the shortage of military supplies, she directed the Liang family to send the money to him.

Because of this, Minister Liang's brothers and nephews were able to join the army and serve under Xiao Xun. The third Liang lord even became a general, and Minister Liang's youngest daughter entered the palace as a consort.

In the end, they replaced her.

Standing outside the Liang residence, Chu Zhao looked at the two haughty maidservants and recalled how Lady Liang had knelt before her, weeping and begging. After the third Liang lord was appointed to an official position, he had specifically come to the palace to see her, respectfully and sincerely treating her as an equal despite his advanced age, even addressing her father as an elder.

Such obsequiousness concealed grand ambitions.

She never wanted to see the faces of the Liang family again.

Of course, she would not recklessly vent the resentment from her previous life—after all, those events had not yet occurred.

"Where is your young lady?" Chu Zhao asked. "I've come to see her."

The two maidservants snapped back to reality, their surprise turning back into arrogance. "You still dare to see our young lady? You nearly killed her! Even if you came to apologize with a bundle of sticks, it wouldn't be enough to make up for it."

Chu Zhao laughed. "Apologize with a bundle of sticks? What crime have I committed?"

"You injured our young lady," the two maidservants frowned. "Why are you playing dumb? Otherwise, why did you run away? Why did your uncle and aunt come to our residence every day to apologize?"

"Why my uncle and aunt came to your residence, I don't know," Chu Zhao said indifferently. "I left the capital to see my father and report your young lady."

The two maidservants stared wide-eyed.

"A Zhao!" a voice called out softly as a young girl rushed out from inside. "What are you doing?"

She stepped forward and grabbed Chu Zhao's hand, her face full of reproach.

Chu Zhao looked at Chu Tang, momentarily almost unable to recognize her. The Chu Tang before her was still in her youthful form, delicate and bright, and though her expression showed dissatisfaction, it was not filled with the hatred she had seen in their final meeting in that other life.

"Elder Sister, you were there that day. You saw it—she pushed me off the rockery," Chu Zhao said.

Chu Tang was taken aback.

That had indeed happened—Chu Zhao had fallen from the rockery. Fortunately, the rockery wasn't very high. Everyone had laughed, and then they saw Chu Zhao get up from the ground and kick Liang Qin into the water—

"You're lying!" Liang Qin's maid, who had followed them out, shouted. "Our young lady did not push you!"

Chu Tang also felt somewhat helpless. "A Zhao, A Qin wasn't even on the rockery—she was sitting below it."

Was this cousin not only foolish but now also daring to lie? And such a stupid lie at that.

She hadn't? Chu Zhao actually didn't remember. How could she recall what had happened when she was thirteen? She had even forgotten the Liang young lady's name.

She had just said it casually. If it wasn't true, then so be it.

"If she didn't push me, then she insulted me," Chu Zhao said without the slightest hesitation. "She insulted my father, insulted my mother, and mocked me. It was because I was angry that I lost my footing and fell. After being humiliated and suffering such a great fright, of course I had to teach her a lesson."She looked at Chu Tang, then at the maidservant.

“Do you dare claim she didn’t do this either?”

Chu Tang froze momentarily, and the maidservant seemed at a loss for words.

Mocking Chu Zhao had always been something everyone did—it was a habit, and Liang Qin was no exception.

“You—” the maidservant began to speak.

More servants emerged from inside the gate, surrounding a lady—Madam Liang, the wife of Minister Liang. Her round, plump face bore a trace of displeasure. “What’s going on? Miss Azhao is here, yet you don’t invite her in. What are you talking about at the door?”

Chu Zhao looked at her—she couldn’t clearly recall Madam Liang’s appearance, but she could still see traces of Liang Fei’s expression and demeanor in her face.

“No need. My father is a convicted official, and I have no mother. Someone like me wouldn’t dare set foot in your Liang residence,” Chu Zhao said coldly. “If I were to hear any more unpleasant words and end up hitting someone again, it would only cause more trouble.”

This Chu Zhao—Madam Liang naturally knew of her. Her daughter had often recounted how this country girl imitated them, speaking with a rural accent yet insisting on carrying herself like a young lady of the capital. Madam Liang had found it amusing.

“That child comes from a poor background,” she had even cautioned her daughter. “Don’t associate with her—it would disgrace your status.”

Now, it seemed this country girl was not only of lowly origins but also had a violent temper. What nonsense was she spouting?!

“You—you are truly audacious!” Madam Liang scolded.

The servants also grew angry. “Audacious!”

“Chu Zhao,” Chu Tang said anxiously, “what madness has taken hold of you? Apologize to Madam Liang at once!”

Apologize to Madam Liang?

She had already shown the utmost restraint by not physically attacking Madam Liang.

The events of that past life had not yet occurred—she could not seek revenge, but there was no need to preserve any semblance of dignity.

In this lifetime, she would have no dealings with the Liang family.

“It is your daughter who is audacious,” she said coldly. “My father is the Garrison General of the court. Though his rank may not compare to Minister Liang’s, he is not a convicted official. Your daughter repeatedly claims my father is guilty, as if she were speaking on behalf of His Majesty. This time, I merely disciplined her in the name of filial piety. If she dares to do so again, I will accuse her of treason.”

With that, she shook off Chu Tang’s hand, turned, and mounted her horse.

Madam Liang was stunned, staring at the girl on horseback. The girl looked back at her—her dress was simple, without any adornments, her small face still youthful and somewhat immature. Yet her expression was haughty, her aura imposing. As their eyes met, Madam Liang unconsciously lowered her gaze and looked away.

Chu Zhao withdrew her gaze, swept a glance over the main gate of the Liang residence, then raised her whip, urging her horse forward. With her maidservant A Le, she galloped away.

Chu Tang stood helpless, but she knew there was no way she could enter the Liang residence now. Stamping her foot in frustration, she cried, “Chu Zhao, just wait until I tell Father how he’ll discipline you!” Then she, too, hurried after her.

In the blink of an eye, both young ladies of the Chu family had departed. Madam Liang let out a sharp breath, her face turning ashen.

“Fine,” she exclaimed. “Fine, what a fine Miss Chu!”

“Madam, Madam,” the servants rushed to support her, urgently trying to calm her. “Please, don’t be angry.”

Madam Liang pushed the servants away. “She wants to accuse me of treason? Hurry and summon the master back!”

…

…

Not far from the intersection in front of the Liang residence, a group of young girls watched the scene unfold, their expressions filled with shock.When they arrived, Chu Zhao didn't enter the house, and they couldn't approach either. After all, if they entered, they could claim they were visiting Liang Qin, but now with Chu Zhao blocking the door, should they go in or not? Moreover, Chu Zhao was arguing with Liang Qin's maid—if they went over and got entangled with her, how embarrassing would that be?

Later, when Madam Liang also came out, it became even more impossible to approach.

Now that the spectacle was over, it was completely different from what they had imagined. There was no scene of Chu Zhao admitting guilt, kowtowing, or weeping bitterly.

Had Chu Zhao gone mad? This thought crossed everyone's mind.

Qi Leyun, standing at the front, thought of something else.

"Chu Zhao said she hit A-Qin because she mocked her father," she turned and asked the others, "We've all mocked her too—she wouldn't come after us as well, would she?"