When Xiao Xun received the secret letter from Prince Zhongshan, he was riding in a carriage leaving the Crown Prince's residence. After a moment's thought, he turned the carriage around to visit the Third Prince outside the city.
Given his status, any association he formed couldn't be direct—it needed cause and effect, progressing from unfamiliar to familiar. Only then would it appear reasonable and avoid drawing attention or suspicion.
The cause and effect lay in serendipitous encounters, and currently, the place with the most opportunities in the capital was the Third Prince's literary gatherings.
Sure enough, at the Third Prince's residence, he came across the submission letter from Young Master Chu, Chu Ke.
With the suspicious Third Prince by his side, all he needed was to let his gaze linger on the name for a moment longer, and an opportunity was born.
Getting things done was never difficult—it only required intent.
Although he had followed his father's instructions, he still had some doubts. Recalling his father's earlier attitude toward the young daughter of the Chu family, it seemed it hadn't merely been about giving him a pretext to enter the capital.
"Is Father truly seeking to befriend Chu Ling?" he asked the scholar in blue robes. "I know Father holds Chu Ling in high regard, but why not befriend him a decade ago when he was renowned? Is it necessary now when he's just an ordinary man?"
The scholar in blue sighed softly. "In truth, Chu Ling is not only ordinary now—he is also nearing death."
Xiao Xun was somewhat surprised, a thought flashing through his mind: Was this the reason the girl had been so desperate to rush to the Border Commandery?
No wonder she harbored such resentment toward him.
Xiao Xun shook his head again. This had nothing to do with him. If Chu Ling wished to see his daughter, who could stop him? It was a matter between father and daughter.
The scholar in blue continued speaking of Chu Ling: "As the Garrison General, Chu Ling commands the Daqing Mountain Pass in the Border Commandery, a position and status comparable to that of a Grand General."
But only comparable. And even if he were a Grand General, what of it? Xiao Xun smiled faintly. "Both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince are currently eyeing military authority. Even if the Border Commandery is remote, we won't get a chance to intervene. Moreover, Chu Ling is the kind of man who wouldn't obey Father even if offered an elixir to prolong his life."
The scholar in blue said, "His Highness isn't seeking to befriend Chu Ling—he needs Your Highness to appear as though you are befriending him."
So it wasn't for Chu Ling's sake, but for others to see? Xiao Xun grew even more puzzled. "Why? What's the necessity?"
The scholar in blue didn't know either. Prince Zhongshan was not one to offer explanations.
"He's ordinary now and nearing death. The Heir Apparent associating with him won't draw the court's suspicion," the scholar merely said. "Besides, he's one of the few people we can interact with at present."
Others who held real power were beyond their reach.
Better than nothing? Accumulating little by little? Xiao Xun smiled, knowing that if his father didn't explain, no amount of questioning would reveal his intentions—ever since he broke his leg as a child, Prince Zhongshan had never opened his heart to anyone again.
Xiao Xun picked up a brush and wrote a small note, handing it to the scholar in blue.
"Deliver this to Father," he said. "I will handle the matter. Please assure Father of that."
...
...
Chu Ke did not heed Chu Lan's advice to obediently stay home, study, and prepare for the literary gathering.
What a joke—the news of his receiving an invitation to the gathering wasn't even known throughout the city yet.
When he was very young, Chu Lan had taken him to Qiao Mountain Academy. After all these years in that remote mountain academy, he had finally returned to the capital and, in one stroke, gained such an opportunity. Of course, he had to flaunt it everywhere.
And so, the young Chu Ke spread his wings like a great roc, soaring to the skies.Watching Chu Ke exit the alley, board a carriage, and depart while chatting and laughing with someone inside, A Le—disguised as a vegetable-selling maid behind the corner—adjusted the basket on her arm and asked Chu Zhao standing beside her, "Young Master is out drinking again. Shall we ambush and beat him when he’s drunk?"
Chu Zhao frowned. "If we beat him now, he’ll recover in a month."
A Le nodded. "Alright, let’s beat him the day before the literary gathering so he can’t go out or see anyone."
Chu Zhao smiled and hummed in agreement. "First, let’s see who he associates with."
In her previous life, she had been completely unaware of whom her uncle’s family interacted with—who facilitated Xiao Xun’s visit, who persuaded her uncle to send Chu Ke to a provincial post, and with whom Jiang Shi shared those arrogant and disrespectful remarks that spread like wildfire.
Ah, Chu Zhao sighed inwardly. To be so blind and foolish—no wonder she had died.
But to visit a tavern... Chu Zhao patted her clothes and asked A Le, "Did you bring money?"
A Le pulled a coin pouch from her basket and shook it. "Of course."
Chu Zhao smiled. "Did you take it yourself again?"
"Not this time," A Le said. "I asked the madam for it. Miss, we both have monthly allowances—yours and mine. And as your chief maid, I receive quite a sum!"
Chu Zhao chuckled and pinched her nose. "Who said our A Le, a country girl, knows nothing? You’re every bit a first-class maid—aware of allowances and the difference between chief and junior maids."
A Le giggled, linking arms with Chu Zhao. "Let’s go, follow me. This country girl knows the capital well and knows where Young Master A Ke often goes."
Chu Zhao tightened her grip on A Le’s hand, and the two hurried along the street.
The bustling street was filled with people and carriages. One carriage sped by, carrying three girls inside: two huddled together applying floral decorations with a small mirror, while one leaned against the window absentmindedly, her gaze drifting over the crowd and scenery. Suddenly, she straightened up with a gasp, turned, and patted her companions.
"Look, look!" she said.
Her companion’s hand slipped, misplacing the decoration. "Qi Leyun, are you jealous of my beauty?" she snapped.
Qi Leyun glanced back. "Where could you possibly be more beautiful than me?"
The girl grew even angrier.
Ignoring the argument, Qi Leyun pointed outside. "Chu Zhao—Chu Zhao is out there!"
Chu Zhao? Forgetting their rivalry, the two girls crowded to the window, following Qi Leyun’s finger. Sure enough, they spotted two girls walking hand-in-hand through the crowd—one dressed like a poor street vendor, the other plainly attired but unmistakably Chu Zhao.
"What’s she doing?" Qi Leyun wondered.
The two girls sneered. "Who cares? She said she wouldn’t play with us anymore, that we’re done."
Qi Leyun remained by the window, trying to keep watching.
" Forget about her. What’s so interesting about her?" One girl returned to her decorations. "Hurry to see Young Master Xie the Third! Who knows if he’s still at the tavern? If we’re late, there might be no seats—others arrived earlier."
At the mention of Young Master Xie the Third, Qi Leyun immediately abandoned her interest in Chu Zhao outside and squeezed in front of the small mirror to check her makeup.
"Is my makeup too heavy? I heard women in Dongyang prefer a lighter look.""A bold look is good. Young Master Xie the Third is used to seeing subtle makeup, so when he sees your face as red as a monkey's bottom, he'll definitely remember you."
"Zhang Qing, are you asking for a beating?"
"Oh my, Qi Leyun, do you think you're Chu Zhao? Just try hitting me."
......
......
The streets bustled with noise and excitement. Walking among the crowd, Chu Zhao felt slightly dazed.
It had been a long time since she had seen such liveliness. Not long after her marriage, she had entered the palace, followed by years of political instability. Even within the palace walls, her mind had never been at peace, let alone venturing outside.
"Young mistress, young mistress." A Le tugged at her hand. "We're here, we're here."
Chu Zhao snapped out of her reverie and realized she had walked into a tavern—but it was even noisier inside than the streets.
Why are there so many people here!
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