Qiao Chu

Chu Zhao's words in the garden were meant to calm these young ladies down.

Even if they remained agitated, they could consult their families.

Their families, being well-informed and knowledgeable about past events, coupled with her earlier ostentatious display of cursing in front of Minister Liang's residence—which he ignored entirely by closing his doors and letting the matter drop—would likely think twice. They should realize that her father, Garrison General Chu Ling, despite his tarnished reputation, was not someone to be trifled with.

As for how effective her words were on those young ladies outside, Chu Zhao couldn't gauge immediately, but she felt the impact at home that very evening.

Several extra dishes appeared at dinner.

Linglong, Chu Tang's maid, personally came to serve the food: "This is Miss A-Tang's favorite dish, but the kitchen is lazy and only makes it once every three or four days. Tonight, Miss A-Tang specifically ordered it to be prepared for you, Miss Azhao, to try."

Chu Zhao said nothing and took a bite as suggested.

"Miss A-Tang originally intended to come herself, but thinking of her past actions, she feared it might make you uncomfortable," Linglong said candidly. "So she sent me to convey her apologies."

Chu Zhao admired this about Chu Tang. Normally, people say apologies should be sincere and delivered in person, but in reality, that often pressures the other party, as if they must accept the apology, which can cause more fear and anger.

This indirect approach was more suitable for young ladies.

No wonder Chu Tang managed to socialize and befriend girls of higher status and better family backgrounds in the capital—she was indeed clever.

And also an extremely cold-hearted girl.

Chu Zhao looked at the dishes sent over. When there was no benefit or harm involved, Chu Tang didn't treat her as a sister. But once she realized the stakes were high, she immediately bowed her head and yielded.

Yet, in her previous life, when Chu Zhao became Empress, Chu Tang didn't grow closer to her. Instead, she remained aloof and disdainful. Later, when their family fell into ruin, instead of coming to cry and beg for help, she tried to kill her—

Clearly, in that lifetime, Chu Tang didn't see any significant stakes involving her.

That was why Chu Tang said during the assassination attempt, "If it weren't for my father, could you have become Empress?"

Did she marry Xiao Xun because of her father or her uncle? Chu Zhao drifted into thought.

"Miss Azhao," Linglong said cautiously, seeing her silent. "If you have anything to say, Miss A-Tang said you should speak freely. If you wish to see her, she will come at once."

Chu Zhao shook her head: "No need. Tell her I understand her intentions. Since she has realized, I am relieved."

Linglong breathed a sigh of relief, smiling and repeatedly agreeing: "Miss A-Tang said that Miss Azhao is simple and natural, graceful and generous—and indeed it is so."

Really? The unsophisticated, foolish country bumpkin had now become "simple and natural." Chu Zhao smiled faintly, picked up her chopsticks, and took a bite of the dish: "These dishes are indeed delicious. Please thank A-Tang for me. I accept her kindness."

Linglong happily said that was wonderful: "Miss Azhao, if there's anything you'd like to eat or want, just say so." She didn't linger further, tactfully taking her leave.

Once outside the small courtyard, Linglong, who had been all smiles, finally relaxed her shoulders and let out a breath.

The young maid holding the lantern to light the way giggled: "Sister, why were you really so nervous?Wasn't it just about putting on an act to coax this country girl?

Linglong had thought the same initially, but as she spoke, both her own feelings and the country girl's reactions were different from what she had imagined.As if she were facing an adult who could see right through her thoughts at a glance.

Perhaps it was psychological, but Miss Chu Zhao's demeanor and speech during this period seemed as if she had a mighty mountain backing her, exuding an imposing aura.

Chu Tang didn't dine with her parents either. After a disagreement with Jiang Shi ended unpleasantly, she couldn't be bothered to speak further with her mother. As for her father—

Chu Tang curled her lip. Was her father truly unaware, or was he feigning ignorance to maintain the image that all his misfortunes were caused by Chu Ling?

By the time Linglong returned, Chu Tang had already finished her meal. She was lounging by the window, idly holding a book while a young maid whispered and chattered beside her.

"—As you instructed, Miss, I stayed silent and deliberately let Qi Leyun's maid speak first, then followed up with an exclamation of disbelief—"

"—That way, no one would think it came from me—"

Seeing Linglong enter, the young maid stopped talking, smiled sweetly, and called out "Sister," then eagerly poured tea and fetched water for Linglong.

Everyone was scrambling to climb the ranks to become a senior maid, seizing every opportunity to get close to the young mistress. Linglong curled her lip, shooed the young maid away, and said to Chu Tang, "Everything has been taken care of."

After hearing Linglong's account, Chu Tang chuckled, still holding her book. "Miss A Zhao really is different from before. I thought she was a simple-minded fool, but it turns out she's wise yet appears foolish."

Linglong asked, "What should we do next?"

Chu Tang shifted her position against the pillow and continued reading her book. "We don't need to do anything. Just listen to her."

……

……

Chu Tang didn’t come to see her again, and the other girls didn’t visit either. While Jiang Shi and her uncle deliberately cold-shouldered her, Chu Zhao lived contentedly behind closed doors.

But she wasn’t cut off from news.

She learned that Miss A-Tang spent her days reading and writing, while Young Master Chu Ke was constantly out and about.

A Le reported, "Young Master A Ke has been spending days with a group of young masters in taverns and teahouses. Today, he went to Spring Gazing Garden and secured entry to attend the Third Prince's literary gathering."

The Third Prince's literary gathering—Chu Zhao recalled that there had been such an event in her previous life.

It was grand, with scholars flocking to the capital from all directions, eager to enter Spring Gazing Garden.

Back then, the girls had talked about it for a long time, but the Third Prince only allowed men to participate.

A few noblewomen persuaded two princesses to approach the Third Prince and request that women be allowed to join, but he accused them of ill intentions and mocked them, saying women only attended to gawk at men, tarnishing the purity of his gathering.

Infuriated, the two princesses went to the Emperor to complain, but of course, he paid no heed. They then went to the Crown Prince, who scolded the Third Prince.

After this incident, even if the Third Prince had allowed women to attend, they would have avoided the gathering, privately cursing him.

Yet the Third Prince gained even more admiration from scholars, who praised it as the integrity of a true literatus.

In truth, the Third Prince was no scholar but a brute.

This man, who always presented himself as a refined literatus, orchestrated an ambush to kill the Crown Prince, set fire to the Eastern Palace, and slaughtered everything down to the last cat and bird.

That massacre destroyed the Crown Prince, ruined the Third Prince himself, and shattered the false prosperity and peace of the Great Xia, plunging it into turmoil and fragmentation.

Chu Zhao gazed out the window. The Hope Spring Garden Literary Gathering was the prelude to this conspiracy.

And it was also the prelude to her own entanglement in the conspiracy.It was during the time when the entire capital was focused on the literary gathering that she met Xiao Xun, fell in love, and amidst the celebrations for the Third Prince's successful hosting of the literary gathering, she married Xiao Xun as another royal celebration.

Chu Zhao clenched her hands.

"After Young Master A Ke obtained the admission pass to Spring Gazing Garden, he even went to the courier station to visit the Crown Prince of Zhongshan," A Le continued from the side. "But he didn't get to see him. It's unclear whether the Crown Prince of Zhongshan was absent or simply refused the visit."

In that previous life, she hadn't struck anyone and fled. Chu Ke had been guarding the academy gate and didn't return to the capital, missing the chance to attend this literary gathering.

In this life, because of her interference, Chu Ke was wandering idly in the capital—

Chu Zhao slammed her clenched fist on the table. Perhaps she should break his legs and lock him up at home.