Qiao Chu

Chu Lan felt utterly bewildered.

As usual, he was lying in his study reading books—without official position, power, or prospects, what else could he do besides read?

Jiang Shi refused to accompany him to the academy, despising its remote and desolate location. He disliked it just as much, but what could he do?

However, things would change now. Death settled all matters—his death would evoke the Emperor's nostalgia for past affections, securing a proper official position for the Chu family. With death voiding all worldly concerns, the grave offense of insulting the Emperor would be forgiven—

Chu Lan took a sip of tea and let out a long, heavy sigh.

A servant came to report, "Master, many people have arrived outside."

Chu Lan was taken aback. Though he held no official post, he was widely learned and not entirely unknown; he had many acquaintances. Were these old and new friends coming to drink tea, share laughter, and chat with him?

The servant initially thought the same, but—

"They're all strangers, and they said—" the servant glanced timidly at Chu Lan, "they're looking for the Chu family's daughter."

Chu Lan was baffled. He knew his daughter A-Tang was intelligent, erudite, and had gained some renown in the capital, but that was only among women.

Jiang Shi, who had come upon hearing the news, was also puzzled. She had assumed they were Chu Lan's guests and came to scold him for inviting people without informing her. To her surprise, they weren't here for Chu Lan but for the Chu family's daughter.

Never had a group of people come to a household specifically for a daughter—unless it was for a marriage proposal.

But even for marriage proposals, a crowd of men wouldn't arrive together.

"It's not for a proposal," another servant rushed in, his expression shifting from timid to panicked. "Master, Madam, they say they want to challenge the Chu family's daughter."

Jiang Shi was even more confused. What did "challenge" mean?

But Chu Lan instantly realized something. He had felt something was amiss earlier, sensing that he had stirred up some trouble—so this was it!

The book in his hand clattered to the floor.

"Before one trouble ends, another arises," he cried out. "What cursed fate!"

...

...

"We're here, we're here," Qi Leyun said, lifting the carriage curtain to look outside. "Spring Gazing Garden is so crowded now."

She glanced at Chu Tang, who was shrinking back in the carriage, using a fan to cover her face.

"There's no need for that," Qi Leyun said, amused. "Why act as if you can't show your face?"

She made to step out of the carriage but was pulled back by Chu Tang.

"There are too many people," Chu Tang said. "Don't go."

Spring Gazing Garden was originally an Imperial Residence where commoners were forbidden to approach. However, the literary gathering had attracted countless scholars, and now, aside from the palace gates guarded by imperial soldiers, every other spot was packed with people. Even small vendors had set up shop, creating a bustling, crowded scene. If they stepped out, they would surely attract attention.

Chu Tang sent her maid instead.

Qi Leyun asked Chu Tang, "Aren't you overthinking this? How could anything happen?"

Earlier, when they were interrupted at the tavern, Chu Tang had brushed it off as a case of mistaken identity. The other young ladies didn't pay it much mind—being beautiful and of noble birth, they were accustomed to people using various excuses to approach them. With their high status and numerous maids and servants in tow, there was no need to worry about ill intentions.

But Chu Tang had been distracted throughout. After the gathering ended and the other girls left, she held Qi Leyun back.

"My family might be in trouble," she whispered. "Can you help me with something?"

Qi Leyun didn't particularly like Chu Tang, as Chu Tang often acted as if she looked down on her.

But seeing Chu Tang clinging to her sleeve, anxious and uneasy, she couldn't help feeling smug. Even if Chu Tang looked down on her, she still had to ask for her help. Qi Leyun agreed immediately.She had initially thought Chu Tang was frightened by the man who suddenly appeared in the tavern. Although Chu Tang often played with them, her status was not as high as theirs, and she lacked luxurious carriages or attendants for protection.

But instead of heading home, Chu Tang had her carriage diverted to Spring Gazing Garden. Along the way, Chu Tang remained silent, her expression grave, occasionally sighing as if the sky were about to fall. This made Qi Leyun increasingly uneasy.

"Did you offend some enemy?" Qi Leyun asked again.

Chu Tang looked at her: "I've offended fate itself—fate has given me a sister."

What nonsense is this? Qi Leyun glared, about to press further when her maid hurried back, trembling. "Miss, miss, something terrible—"

The maid was scolded by Chu Tang into boarding the carriage. The curtains and windows were drawn shut, casting the interior into dimness. The maid's face was pale.

"Miss A Zhao's name is posted at the entrance of Spring Gazing Garden," the maid stammered. "It says that to enter the garden, one must defeat the Chu family daughter, Chu Zhao."

Qi Leyun turned to Chu Tang in shock. "Has Chu Zhao become so talented? Even the Third Prince knows of her?"

"What talent?" Chu Tang covered her face with a fan. "This is revenge."

As she had guessed.

"The incident at the tavern where Chu Zhao challenged my brother became known to the Third Prince. She snatched my brother's invitation, but that invitation was originally given to him by the Third Prince. By calling him an unworthy mediocrity, she indirectly insulted the Third Prince's judgment."

"The Third Prince is furious and seeks revenge. Since she defeated my brother in a contest, the Third Prince is now having everyone challenge her!"

"Chu Zhao may have beaten my brother, but can she defeat everyone?"

Qi Leyun snapped out of her astonishment, only to grow even more dumbfounded. This was truly—

Chu Tang grabbed her hand. "A Yun, I can't go home for now. Let me stay at your place."

After all, she too bore the surname Chu.

When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer!

……

……

"Chu family daughter, come out!"

"Chu family daughter, come out!"

"The Chu family is utterly disrespectful!"

The crowd gathered at the Chu residence had begun shouting. They had announced their names and stated their purpose, but the Chu family behaved rudely—not only refusing to open the door but locking it from the inside.

"If you questioned the Third Prince's judgment and boasted of your erudition, why do you now dare not step out when the Third Prince has granted your wish?" several scholars angrily yelled.

More inquiries followed: "What's going on?" "Who is this Chu family daughter?" "We've never heard of such a person. Why does the Third Prince hold her in such regard?"

Initially, the dispute between Chu Zhao and Chu Ke at the tavern had been a minor incident, akin to the countless squabbles and fights occurring daily in the capital. Moreover, with Young Master Xie the Third present that day, the siblings' quarrel was dismissed with a laugh by those who witnessed it.

Outside Spring Gazing Garden, aside from the original three challenges, a new task had suddenly been posted: to compete against a Chu family daughter named Chu Zhao. Only by defeating her could one pass. Most people were unaware of what had transpired.

Thus, the few who knew embellished the story. It was no longer about Chu Zhao defending her father's honor against her brother but had twisted into her envying her brother's invitation, resenting the Third Prince for his poor judgment, publicly defeating her brother to seize the invitation, and declaring herself the only one worthy of attending the Third Prince's literary gathering.

How audacious!As the clamor outside the door grew increasingly louder, Jiang Shi's face turned pale while Chu Lan seethed with fury and despair.

"You've brought this upon us," he said, staring at Chu Zhao who had been summoned, as if seeing his second brother in her. "You—you and your father—are truly the scourge of our Chu family!"

Chu Zhao remained composed, though the turn of events had taken her by surprise.

How had the Third Prince taken notice of such a trivial matter? Who had informed him? Who had provoked and incited his anger?

Yet it was hardly unexpected. The incident at Elegant Interest Pavilion involving Chu Ke could easily be twisted into an act of disrespect toward the Third Prince.

And she had indeed disrespected him!

That brute—responsible for so many deaths in the capital, plunging the Great Xia into chaos—dared call himself a scholar and flaunt his noble lineage? He was nothing but a shameless villain!

Such a scoundrel would meet a wretched end.

But that was for the future. For now, having offended this vile man, he could easily ruin her.

Chu Zhao clenched her hands tightly before her.

"I'll go drive them away!" A Le shouted.

The master of the house was utterly useless, allowing those ruffians to behave so rudely outside. With so many servants at home, they could simply chase them off.

No matter—even if she had to face them alone, she could still fight them.

"Shut your mouth, you wretched girl," Chu Lan snapped. "Those are scholars of our Great Xia."

He turned his gaze back to Chu Zhao.

"You—go apologize to them. Hand over that invitation and put an end to this."

"Very well," Chu Zhao said, and strode out without hesitation.

Chu Lan’s remaining words caught in his throat, nearly choking him. Glaring at the girl’s retreating figure, he slammed the table in fury. "You’ve disgraced the Chu family name!"

What a calamity! How would he ever show his face in public again!