This place no longer felt like the home Chu Tang was familiar with.
It wasn't because of the crowd—Chu Garden had previously hosted numerous grand banquets (borrowed by other nobles for their events).
There were many servants in Chu Garden who bowed and greeted her when they saw her, then continued with their busy tasks.
She truly seemed to have become a guest now; one servant even enthusiastically told her, "Miss A-Tang, there's a pavilion over there perfect for you all to sit—close to the action with a clear view, and not crowded at all."
Chu Tang found it both amusing and exasperating, directing the servant to take Qi Leyun and the others to that spot.
"No need to worry about me," she told the servant. "I'm going to see A Zhao."
How ridiculous—she was also a young lady of this household, yet they were treating her like a guest to be guided and entertained.
The servant immediately led Qi Leyun and the others away, and Chu Tang overheard him recommending today's tea and snacks to them.
"...Specially supplied by Drunken Immortal Restaurant. The young ladies can choose their favorites, and they'll be delivered within fifteen minutes..."
"...With so many of you, why not order this full set? It includes tea and pastries at a better price..."
These young ladies came from wealthy families—what mattered to them was never the price but novelty. Sure enough, Chu Tang saw several of them taking the menu and pointing out selections—
Had their home turned into a restaurant? Were the servants now waiters?
Chu Tang moved through the crowd, crossed the corridor, and arrived at Listening to Fish Hall.
Here stood a spacious hall open on all sides, facing the lake directly. The platform before the hall was broad, the pond clear and expansive, surrounded by rockeries, winding corridors, and pavilions at varying heights—wherever one stood, this area remained visible.
Her eyes immediately found Chu Zhao.
The girl wore simple attire in pale pink and blue, yet sitting in the hall, she seemed to glow.
The day's competition hadn't begun yet—some people chatted and laughed, others prepared for the contest, while a few called out loudly about "Miss Chu this" and "Miss Chu that."
The girl held a scroll of text, reading intently, completely oblivious to the surrounding noise.
As Chu Tang approached, the maids standing guard outside the hall showed expressions mixing surprise and delight: "Miss A-Tang."
Chu Tang glanced at them, recognizing them as Chu Ke's senior maids, and smiled. "You've all come to help? Well, with my brother away from home, you'd be idle otherwise."
One maid looked embarrassed. In the past, she would have tearfully claimed Miss Azhao had forced her to come—which was true, but after being "forced," she'd willingly stayed. Yet to shift blame onto Miss Azhao now...
Given the money she'd earned in such a short time, she couldn't betray her conscience!
"I am the young master's maid," the maid said with lowered eyes. "With the young master away, I simply contribute to the household."
Was that sarcasm? Implying that even servants served the family while their young masters and misses had left?
Impressive—for Chu Zhao's sake, this maid dared to exchange veiled barbs with her.
Chu Tang raised an eyebrow, about to retort, when another maid called out loudly: "Miss Azhao, Miss A-Tang is here."
Better for maids not to confront young misses directly—let the young misses speak among themselves.
The maid's loud call roused Chu Zhao from her focused reading.
Chu Zhao looked up, momentarily dazed, then spotted Chu Tang, her face brightening with joy. "A-Tang, you're here! Come quickly."
Chu Tang hesitated briefly before walking over with a smile. "You've really made quite a spectacle. I heard people talking about it everywhere outside."Chu Zhao nodded absently, too lazy to humor her. "You've come at the perfect time." She then turned to call for A Le.
The hall wasn't empty—A Le was there with maids and servants. Some servants were inspecting the paper, desks, and chess pieces for today's competition, while several maids surrounded A Le, holding brushes and paper as they discussed something. A Le looked utterly overwhelmed but dared not disturb her mistress.
Hearing Chu Zhao's call, A Le hurriedly responded, but then frowned anxiously. "Miss, I haven't finished calculating—"
Chu Zhao smiled and pushed Chu Tang forward. "No need for you to calculate anymore. Miss A-Tang is here—from now on, all these matters will be handed over to her."
A Le was overjoyed and immediately escaped the circle of maids.
The maids looked surprised, and Chu Tang couldn't conceal her astonishment either.
She chuckled lightly. "I just came to take a look, and you're already assigning me tasks? I wouldn't dare interfere with your affairs."
After all, what Chu Zhao was doing risked offending the Third Prince.
Chu Zhao understood the implication behind her cousin's smiling words. What kind of person was this elder cousin? In her previous life, she hadn't paid attention nor seen clearly, but in this life, she saw through her at a glance.
Once you break free from constraints, the world becomes crystal clear.
"I'm not asking you to do what I do," Chu Zhao said, pointing at the group of maids. "I'm asking you to handle everything except what I do."
It sounded convoluted, but Chu Tang understood immediately, her expression shifting to surprise again as she glanced at the maids.
The maids were quick-witted—they promptly surrounded Chu Tang, presenting the papers and brushes.
Chu Tang skimmed through them. Having been clever since childhood, she had long mastered not only music, chess, calligraphy, and painting but also learned household management from Jiang Shi. She knew early on that controlling the finances meant controlling the household, so she recognized these documents at a glance.
These were the complete expenses and income records for the Chu Garden Literary Gathering.
In fact, ever since the servants mentioned "Drunken Immortal Restaurant exclusives" to girls like Qi Leyun, she had guessed there was substantial business involved.
"You want me to manage this?" she asked, forcibly tearing her eyes away to look at Chu Zhao. "A Zhao, do you realize what this—"
Chu Zhao waved her off before she could finish. "All I know is that my task is the competition. Everything else is trivial to me, but since the event must proceed, these tasks can't be ignored. Now it's perfect—you handle all the non-competition matters, and I can focus on my own work."
Chu Tang's gaze returned to the papers, her eyes lingering on the numbers written there. Her hands, hanging at her sides, unconsciously clenched.
"You trust me this much?" She looked at Chu Zhao seriously. "If I take charge of these, you can't blame me for how well or poorly they're managed."
Chu Zhao smiled. "Of course I trust you. This benefits you—I believe you'll handle it excellently for your own sake."
With that, she patted Chu Tang's hand.
"You focus on your tasks, and I'll focus on mine. When both of us succeed, isn't that ideal?"
She stood and walked away, not picking up a book but stepping outside the hall to announce loudly, "Is everyone ready today? Let us compete and see who prevails!"
The atmosphere of the competition had long shed its earlier refinement. Shouts erupted from the crowd.
"What competition? You're no match for us, little girl!"
"Child of the Chu family, let me show you what true scholarship means!"
Amid the clamor, Chu Zhao walked calmly forward. Two seating areas had been arranged on the platform beside the lake outside the hall.Chu Tang stood in the room, watching the girl gracefully take her seat before withdrawing her gaze and turning to sit on a chair in the hall.
"Place everything here. I’ll take a look."
The maids acknowledged the order, set down the papers, fetched the counting rods, ink, and brushes, and stood by quietly, waiting.
……
……
Since the first day, Qi Leyun and the others had been coming every day.
"That Chu Zhao—really, losing over and over again. I don’t know why she doesn’t just end it," Qi Leyun fumed as she recounted to her family. "We all feel embarrassed for her."
Watching, then? That was fine. Watching the Chu family girl make a fool of herself could be considered venting some anger for the Third Prince. Even if the Third Prince were to blame anyone, it wouldn’t be the onlookers. The elders in their families felt reassured and no longer restrained the young women.
Thus, more and more girls came to watch the spectacle.
Four servants carried in a large table and placed it in Begonia Pavilion, as the seating had become insufficient. Many girls now stood along the corridors.
"Who’s treating everyone here?" Chu Tang came over and asked with a smile. "This must be quite costly."
Qi Leyun declared loudly, "We’re splitting the bill." Then, beaming, she added, "It’s actually cheaper than at Drunken Immortal Restaurant."
Chu Tang laughed. "Cheaper? I’ll ask them to lower the price a bit more. Those who paid today will get a complimentary spread tomorrow."
The girls were delighted. Though none of them lacked money, it was a matter of pride.
Qi Leyun clapped her hands. "A Tang, you’re so thoughtful."
But not everyone found Chu Tang thoughtful. One girl, lightly fanning herself and half-hiding her face, chuckled and said, "A Tang, as the host, you should be more generous. Wouldn’t it be better not to charge at all?"
Chu Tang sighed with a smile. "I wish I could." She pressed a hand to her chest. "But I’m afraid I’m powerless." With that, she glanced toward Listening to Fish Hall. "I’m not really the host here."
Indeed, this whole affair was started by Chu Zhao. Qi Leyun shot the girl a glare. "A Tang is already pitiable enough."
First, she had no choice but to stay with the Qi family, and now she was being forced to work by Chu Zhao.
The girl glared back at Qi Leyun, thinking her a fool.
She lowered her fan and fixed her eyes on Chu Tang. "A Tang, this matter has nothing to do with you. Why endure such humiliation? If you’re tired of staying with the Qis, you can come to my place. My father gifted me a residence. You can live there with me."
Let’s see how you respond, Chu Tang. Acting as if you’re forced into this, even offering complimentary tea and snacks to gain favor. Qi Leyun might be a fool, but I’m not. My family runs three restaurants—I can almost calculate the daily profits from the endless stream of tea and snacks here at Chu Manor.
The numbers are staggering!
Chu Tang looked at her and smiled helplessly. "No matter whose house I stay in, or for how long, I am still surnamed Chu. When people speak of me, they will only refer to me as a daughter of the Chu family. My family’s affairs are my affairs. What else can I do but take part?"
She then bowed slightly.
"Enjoy yourselves. I must attend to my duties."
After Chu Tang left, the girl was immediately scolded by the others.
"How could you bully her like that?" Qi Leyun said angrily. "A Tang is already in such a state, and you still mock and torment her. What do you want her to do? Abandon her family and die?"
The other girls also looked at the girl with disapproval and reproach. Someone shook her head and said, "A Lan, you’re being too harsh."The girl, flustered by the reproach, grew anxious—Chu Tang came from a humble family background and could be easily bullied without consequence, but these other girls were different. If they grew angry and ostracized her, her reputation in the capital would be ruined.
"I didn’t mean anything by it," she could only apologize. "I just wanted free snacks."
Qi Leyun, furious, threw her fan at her. "You’re utterly hopeless!"
Chu Tang paid no attention to the girls’ squabbling. She was used to being bullied and didn’t mind it anymore. She knew her family’s modest status made her an easy target, but that same humility also earned her sympathy.
More people preferred showing kindness over bullying.
So, by occasionally appearing pitiful, she could turn the tables—making those who bullied her become targets of others’ disapproval.
These were trivial matters, and she had grown tired of such games. Now, something more interesting awaited. Chu Tang returned to the second floor of Listening to Fish Hall, where maids were tidying account books at the desk.
They were still Chu Ke’s maids—the ones previously chosen by Chu Zhao.
After taking over, Chu Tang hadn’t replaced them with her own servants.
She was here to work, not to flaunt authority. They were all family; what did it matter who served?
"Let me see today’s accounts," she said.
The maids promptly stood and brought them over. As Chu Tang flipped through the pages, making notes with her brush, the sound of scholars’ clamoring occasionally drifted in through the open lattice window.
Ah, Chu Tang thought, Chu Zhao is going to lose again. How pitiful.
…
…
With a sharp clack, a chess piece was slammed onto the board.
The middle-aged scholar opposite wore a cold smirk. "Miss Chu, you’ve lost."
Chu Zhao showed no concern for his mocking expression. Leaning slightly forward, she studied the board carefully, pondering every possibility but finding no path to revival. Finally, she nodded and bowed slightly. "I’ve lost. You’ve won, sir. I am not your equal."
As she spoke, she gestured, and a maid immediately handed her a Book Tally. She no longer needed to write them on the spot—they were pre-printed and stamped with her seal. When she lost, she simply presented one, much more convenient than before.
The scholar took it but, instead of triumphantly displaying it to the crowd, tore it to shreds.
"I didn’t come for the literary gathering," he sneered. "I came to teach you a lesson. A mere girl, so insolent!"
With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode away.
The surrounding spectators burst into laughter. This wasn’t the first time—ever since Chu Zhao had arrogantly humiliated defeated scholars, she had faced their fierce retaliation.
Expressionless, Chu Zhao let the paper scraps flutter down around her and moved to the next station—she was competing against ten opponents simultaneously, and the matches weren’t over yet.
"Your move, sir," Chu Zhao said.
The young man seated across from her looked disdainful, placing a piece effortlessly. "Miss Chu, you’d better hurry. I have plans—I’m due for a drink."
Chu Zhao remained silent, concentrating deeply before setting down her own piece.
Their moves were displayed in real time on large boards by servants for all to see.
At this move, several girls grew agitated. "Oh no, oh no!" "This Chu Zhao—it’s all wrong!"
One girl even smacked the corridor pillar in frustration. "Does Chu Zhao even know how to play chess? She’s utterly hopeless!"
Aside from snacking and enjoying the spectacle, many girls were seriously following the matches—most of them came from esteemed families with strong scholarly traditions.
For instance, the girl currently watching the chess game, surnamed Zhou, had elders in her family renowned for their mastery of the game.The other young ladies comforted Miss Zhou, saying, "She can't compare to you." "If she lost, she lost—the shame is hers alone."
Miss Zhou frowned. "The shame is hers, but it's also ours."
Her words puzzled the other girls. "What does it have to do with us?" "We didn't participate in the contest."
Miss Zhou gazed toward the platform. "Because she's a woman, and so are we."
……
……
On the platform, the chess match indeed ended swiftly—Chu Zhao had lost.
The young gentleman opposite her burst into loud laughter, even more insolent than the previous victor. He didn't even bother to accept the slip acknowledging defeat.
"Chu's daughter, I came solely to defeat you. Not to show the world, but to make you understand—your arrogance and ignorance know no bounds!" He pointed at Chu Zhao. "A mere girl like you should focus on reading a few books about feminine virtues. How dare you boast after winning against one man and act as if all scholars beneath heaven are beneath you? How laughable for a petty girl."
Chu Zhao remained calm, enduring the torrent of ridicule without flinching.
The young ladies in the corridor fell silent, their faces flushing and paling alternately.
A mere girl.
A mere girl.
After his tirade, the young gentleman turned to stride away, but a delicate voice called out from behind.
"Wait, young master!"
He turned back, thick eyebrows raised. Had this Chu girl, even in defeat, the audacity to debate him? But then he noticed Chu Zhao also turning to look in another direction.
In the corridor stood many young ladies, now visibly tense and uneasy, pulling one girl backward. That girl's face was flushed crimson, as if she were suffocating.
What?
Well, it wasn't surprising. The young gentleman gently smoothed his hair—he was both talented and handsome, so it was natural for these girls to admire him.
But he wasn't one to be easily swayed.
"This is a place for contests," he declared arrogantly and distantly. "It is not for you girls to amuse yourselves, nor is it a matchmaking venue."
Miss Zhou had acted on impulse when she called out, already regretting it. But upon hearing the young master's words, her mind buzzed with fury.
His meaning was plain and unoriginal—the Third Prince had previously scolded princesses, saying women attended literary gatherings only to choose husbands.
The Third Prince's gatherings were one thing; as a prince, they dared not object. But for a random scholar at Chu Garden to humiliate them like this, when they had done nothing wrong!
It infuriated her!
The girls beside her felt a strong tug and could no longer hold her back, leaving only a startled cry: "A Jiang!"
Miss Zhou, whose maiden name was A Jiang, charged out of the corridor like a young calf.
"Young master," she shouted loudly, "I too am a mere girl. Do you dare to challenge me?"
OpenNovel