Qiao Chu

When the sky was fully bright, Chu Zhao arrived at the courtyard where Chu Lan and his wife resided.

Chu Tang stood under the corridor, looking at her with dissatisfaction: "A Tang, you're late again, making Father and Mother wait for you to eat."

Chu Lan sat inside, slapping the book in his hand onto the table to express his reprimand.

"A Zhao," Jiang Shi said with a half-smile, "have you forgotten the household's breakfast time again?"

In the few days since Chu Zhao had returned, she had been late every day. Even when maids were sent to urge her, they always came back with replies like "coming soon," yet she still arrived late.

Chu Zhao walked in and saw that most of the dishes had already been cleared from the table.

"Your uncle and brother have matters to attend to, so they ate first," Jiang Shi said, motioning for Chu Tang to sit down. "Your sister and I waited for you."

Chu Zhao washed her hands in the basin brought by a maid and said, "When I was at home, I used to eat very late. I had to ride horses and practice archery, and only after finishing would I go to eat. Let's have separate breakfasts from now on, so Uncle and Aunt won't have to wait for me."

Chu Lan frowned in displeasure: "When it was just your father and you, it was fine. Now that you've returned home, you can't be so undisciplined."

Jiang Shi chimed in: "What your uncle means is that the three daily meals are one of the most important matters and a crucial rule. A Zhao, you can do as you please in your own home, but when you marry in the future, will you eat alone too? Will you ignore your husband, your father-in-law, and mother-in-law?"

This was how her uncle and aunt always worked in tandem. In the past, she would feel both nervous and comforted, trusting their words completely and obeying without question.

But now, Chu Zhao remained calm: "That? We'll talk about it when the time comes." She even smiled. "Maybe I won't have in-laws."

What kind of talk was that! Chu Lan and Jiang Shi were stunned, and Chu Tang glared wide-eyed.

In truth, this was how it had been in her previous life—she had no in-laws. When the Emperor appointed Xiao Xun as Crown Prince, he also issued an edict ordering Prince Zhongshan to commit suicide.

After Prince Zhongshan died, the Emperor passed away, the Empress had long since perished, and Imperial Concubine Zhao was convicted and executed. In the rear palace, she alone held sway. Xiao Xun was always busy with state affairs, so she typically ate alone.

Later, as more imperial concubines filled the palace, they came to pay their respects and dine with her, but she no longer wanted to see them—

After all these years, she had grown accustomed to eating alone.

Why dwell on such things? Chu Zhao picked up her chopsticks and decisively declared: "Starting tomorrow, I'll eat by myself. It'll be more convenient for everyone."

She was always an unruly, reckless girl. After this trip, she had returned even more defiant, as if she had nothing left to lose.

Chu Lan slammed the table again: "Forget breakfast. From now on, you'll eat all your meals alone. You're not allowed to go out anymore either. That way, you won't cause any more trouble, and it'll be more convenient for everyone." He then called to Chu Tang: "Assign her lessons. Make her study behind closed doors."

Chu Tang stood up and acknowledged the order. Chu Zhao, however, was unfazed. She finished her meal in a few bites, set down her bowl and chopsticks, and said, "I take my leave." With that, she turned and walked away.

"Look at her attitude," Chu Lan fumed.

Jiang Shi was equally angry: "Her attitude is only because Second Uncle backs her. Now that she's feeling proud, she casually strikes Minister Liang's daughter and scolds Minister Liang's wife. Since Second Uncle is so powerful, why doesn't he recover the money she squandered?"

The thought of the money Chu Zhao had stolen and wasted made her so upset she lost her appetite.

Chu Ke walked in from outside: "Father, Mother, I'm heading out." Noticing their expressions, he asked, "Who are you angry with?"

Chu Tang, still leisurely eating at the table, replied: "Who else? Chu Zhao, of course."Chu Ke snorted, "Why get angry with her? Just ignore her."

Jiang Shi pulled him over and asked, "You've just returned and haven't fully recovered yet. Don't rush out in such a hurry."

Chu Lan glanced at him, "Don't neglect your studies."

Jiang Shi didn't like hearing this, "If he's neglected his studies, it's because of Chu Zhao. For her sake, A Ke has been running around for days, delaying his studies and exhausting his energy. A Ke, you said A Zhao gave all the money to those swindlers? Since it's been uncovered, why not get it back?"

Chu Ke's eyes shifted slightly. As Chu Zhao had instructed, he didn't mention that the money had been recovered only to be stolen again by Chu Zhao, but only said it had been squandered by her from the start. After all, this matter couldn't be connected to him.

"I don't know about that," he said. "It's Deng Yi who's handling it."

This wasn't entirely a lie—the money had indeed been given to Deng Yi by Chu Zhao.

And as for Deng Yi, his father knew him to be greedy.

"I knew it," Jiang Shi said immediately. "It must have been embezzled by that Deng Yi." She turned to urge Chu Lan, "Go and demand it back."

How could Chu Lan be willing to deal with someone like Deng Yi again!

"I'll write to Second Brother," he said sternly. "If he can make Your Majesty reprimand Minister Liang, he should also be able to get our family's money back from Deng Yi."

Mentioning this matter made Jiang Shi even angrier, "And ask him again—does he not care about A Ke's future? First, he ruined your prospects, and now he's going to destroy A Ke's. Ask him if he even considers himself a Chu!"

Chu Lan was agitated, "I know, I know."

"It's all because you, as the eldest brother, lack authority. What's the use of knowing?" Jiang Shi said angrily. "Even if you know, you can't control him."

Seeing his parents arguing again, Chu Ke looked at his sister. Chu Tang gave him a helpless expression.

"Father, Mother, let's not talk about Second Uncle for now," Chu Ke said. "He's unreliable, so we won't rely on him. I'm not going out for fun—the Third Prince is hosting a literary gathering at Spring Gazing Garden."

Hearing about the Third Prince, Jiang Shi and Chu Lan stopped arguing, and Chu Tang put down her chopsticks, no longer eating.

"I'm going to find out how to participate. It's a chance to showcase my talents, and besides, the Crown Prince of Zhongshan is sure to attend the Third Prince's gathering. I may not have the opportunity to speak with the Third Prince, but perhaps I can talk to the Crown Prince of Zhongshan," Chu Ke said, sighing. "He helped us greatly this time and is a great benefactor to our family. Because of Chu Zhao's rudeness, we weren't able to properly express our gratitude."

Though he sighed, the young man's eyes sparkled, full of energy.

Whether it was the Third Prince or the Crown Prince of Zhongshan, both were members of the royal family. Jiang Shi, Chu Lan, and even Chu Tang nodded in agreement.

"This is necessary, absolutely necessary. You should go quickly."

...

...

Chu Zhao walked slowly back to her residence. The maids who had been chatting and laughing together quickly fell silent.

"Leave," Chu Zhao said. "Do not come near me unless I summon you."

The maids curled their lips and scattered in a rush.

A Le ran forward to lift the curtain for Chu Zhao, but Chu Zhao shook her head at her, "A Le, you don't need to serve me here either."

A Le was shocked, "Miss, are you abandoning me again?"

Chu Zhao smiled, "No, don't be afraid. I'm asking you to do something else."

A Le breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest, "Miss, just give the order."

Chu Zhao said, "I want you to keep an eye on the Eldest Master and A Ke, see who they interact with. Also, watch the main gate and note any visitors."At this, she sighed.

"I have no one else to spare, so I can only rely on you alone. You'll have to work hard."

A Le smiled and said, "It's just keeping an eye on someone—how is that hard work? It's much easier than washing clothes and sweeping floors. Don't worry, Miss. I alone can do the work of ten people."

Chu Zhao reached out and gently cupped A Le's face, giving it a soft rub. "This time, I'll have to trouble you, A Le."