Chu Zhao had no idea what was happening.
The courtyard gate was locked. Though she could climb over the wall, there was no real need to go out.
She was in her room writing a letter to her father. Besides, given the turmoil that was about to unfold, staying home was the safest option.
During that upheaval, many in the capital suffered. Some families, being close allies of the Crown Prince, were deliberately targeted and eliminated. But most were simply unlucky—caught in the chaos as the Third Prince, to amplify the unrest, fabricated a scene of bandit rebellion and indiscriminately wreaked havoc.
At that time, she and Xiao Xun had just married and were staying at the Imperial Residence outside the capital, gifted by the Emperor, awaiting their departure back to Zhongshan Commandery. When the chaos erupted, she was deeply worried about her uncle’s family in the city. Fortunately, though the Chu estate was well-known, its location was remote—far from the Crown Prince’s vicinity and without any of his close allies nearby—so they escaped unscathed.
Thus, in this life, as long as she stayed quietly at home, she would be safe.
Chu Zhao paused, her grip tightening on the brush as memories of that turmoil weighed on her heart. Though she hadn’t witnessed the horrors firsthand, her aunt and Chu Tang’s vivid accounts, when they visited her ten days later, were terrifying.
She had her own reflections too. After becoming Empress, when she hosted her first banquet, few attended the palace feast. Many young women she had previously befriended were no longer seen—some had perished in the chaos, while others, their families devastated, had no choice but to leave the capital.
And these were the ones protected by high walls and deep gates. The casualties among commoners from humble households were far greater.
“Miss?”
A Le entered from outside and noticed her mistress’s complex expression—a mix of anger and sorrow—her hand clenched so tightly around the brush it creaked.
Startled, A Le called out softly.
Chu Zhao snapped out of her thoughts and, seeing A Le’s concerned look, quickly reassured her, “I’m fine, just thinking about some things.”
Considering all that had happened, it was only natural for the young lady to be angry, A Le thought, nodding in understanding.
“Young Master A Ke hasn’t left the house—not even the courtyard or his room,” she reported on the family’s movements. “The elder master and mistress argued, but it was just arguing. They didn’t do anything to you, miss. Oh, and Miss A-Tang went out.”
Probably to gather information, Chu Zhao thought dismissively. Relying solely on family accounts was insufficient; of course Chu Tang would seek out her friends for news.
“Also, Soldier Zhang hasn’t come looking for me,” A Le added.
She had even taken several walks along the street outside their home, worried that Zhang Gu might forget how to find her.
Chu Zhao wasn’t surprised. A Jiu, tasked with delivering secret messages, had to maintain his cover and wouldn’t be easily located.
“A Le,” she called, “go to the streets and help me inquire about someone else.”
A Le promptly asked, “Who, miss?”
Chu Zhao said, “Young Master Xie the Third, Xie Yanfang.”
Oh? A Le was slightly astonished, recalling how at the tavern, her mistress had nearly thrown herself over the railing at the sight of Young Master Xie the Third. Could it be that the young lady was also interested in him?
Young Master Xie was so famous, adored by so many young ladies—it was only natural if her mistress liked him too.
“Miss,” she asked, “what should I find out?”
Chu Zhao herself wasn’t sure. In both her past and present life, she had only heard of him by reputation. “Anything, as long as it’s related to him. The more, the more detailed, the better.”
A Le asked no further and acknowledged with a “Yes,” turning to leave immediately.
Chu Zhao watched as A Le nimbly scaled the courtyard wall, sighed, and frowned slightly. They had too few people at their disposal—Not only was she short on manpower, she had no one to use—only A Le. The matters and people she needed to inquire about were increasing, and the tasks to be done were growing more numerous—
At first, she had only thought of escaping the capital, escaping the fate of marrying Xiao Xun. As for other matters, she hadn’t considered them and couldn’t afford to care.
But now that she had been pushed back to the capital, she couldn’t help but think more—for instance, she couldn’t stand by and watch that turmoil harm so many innocent people.
Moreover, if the Crown Prince didn’t die, Xiao Xun wouldn’t become Emperor, which would completely sever the fate of her previous life.
How could she prevent the Crown Prince’s death?
If she rushed over to tell the Crown Prince that the Third Prince would kill his entire family, not to mention whether the Crown Prince would think her mad and have her executed, she couldn’t even get an audience with him.
But there was one person easier to meet than the Crown Prince, and the one most capable of changing the Crown Prince’s fate: Xie Yanfang.
In terms of relations, he was the Crown Prince’s brother-in-law.
In terms of destiny, he was able and daring enough to rebel against Xiao Xun’s ascension to the throne.
As for ability, there was no need to even mention it—this man had prestige and power. Even by the time she, the Empress, died, Xiao Xun and the court had yet to successfully quell his rebellion.
If she leaked some information to him, hinting at the Third Prince’s schemes, Xie Yanfang would surely be able to do something.
If the Crown Prince’s fate changed, then the fates of Xiao Xun, Xie Yanfang, herself, and many others could also be altered.
Chu Zhao took a deep breath to focus, carefully recalling the details of the Third Prince’s plot against the Crown Prince.
……
……
Chu Tang was also carefully recollecting, but faced with the expectant gazes of the girls, she could only shake her head.
“I truly didn’t know she had so many talents,” she said helplessly. “Even I, her own sister, was kept in the dark.”
The girls looked displeased.
Qi Leyun even asked, “Are you two in cahoots, playing us for fools? One pretends to be a clueless country bumpkin, letting us mock and tease her, and just when we’re feeling smug, she reveals her true skills, leaving us stunned, pitiful and ridiculous.”
That’s how it always went in storybooks.
They had laughed while reading such tales, but when they became the characters in those stories, it wasn’t funny at all.
Chu Tang smiled wryly. “What good would that do me? Would I do something that brings me no benefit?”
It seemed she really wouldn’t. The girls nodded in agreement.
“I’m just like all of you—laughable in her eyes,” Chu Tang said. “I came out to ask and get to the bottom of this, so I can have a clear understanding and prevent our entire family from being made fools of by her. I feel sorry for my brother—he won’t be able to show his face in public after this.”
Thinking of Chu Ke, the girls felt a mix of sympathy, amusement, and resentment.
“What’s wrong with your brother?” “It does seem like she’s treating your family like fools.” “Speaking of which, who’s more skilled, you or her?” “Looking at her calligraphy, I’d say even you, A Tang, fall a bit short.”
Sitting among the girls, Chu Tang let them tease her at her expense, only sighing helplessly, “Just in terms of cunning, I’m no match for her.”
Qi Leyun snorted. “You’re both surnamed Chu—how can the difference be so vast?”
Previously, this phrase had been used to mock Chu Zhao and flatter Chu Tang. Now, turned around, Qi Leyun found it just as effective. She disliked Chu Zhao, but she didn’t care for Chu Tang’s attitude either.
If Chu Zhao looked down on people openly, then Chu Tang did so covertly.
And that “person” specifically referred to her, Qi Leyun.
She usually didn’t speak of it, but that didn’t mean she was unaware. Today, she had finally seized the chance for revenge.Chu Tang's smile was somewhat strained. This, she thought, was the downside of having an exceptionally talented sister at home. Just as she was about to speak, a young man suddenly approached from the side.
"Pardon me," he said with a bow, lifting his head to look at Chu Tang. "Are you a daughter of the Chu family? I overheard your conversation."
What did he mean? Chu Tang was taken aback. Studying the man's expression, he was far from the image of an elegant nobleman—his eyes even carried a hint of menace.
"No," she instinctively shook her head. "I am not."
The man didn't press further. Upon hearing her reply, he bowed again. "My apologies for the interruption," he said before turning and leaving.
The other girls had yet to process what had happened.
"What was that about?" "What did he ask?" "Does he know A-Tang?"
But Chu Tang remained silent. She turned and looked down from the balcony. The man had already descended, and below, a group of young men gathered around him. Though they spoke in hushed tones, the collective murmur drifted upward.
"The Chu family's daughter." "That's what it said outside Spring Gazing Garden." "Then let's go." "I'd like to see what kind of woman she is."
Then another person rushed in, waving and shouting, "I found out where the Chu family's daughter lives!" "Follow me!"
In an instant, the young men surged out in a crowd.
Chu Tang pressed a hand to her chest, her heart pounding wildly. A profound sense of foreboding washed over her.
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