The competition at Chu Manor had suddenly taken a different turn.
When Chu Zhao lost a calligraphy contest, the young master opposite her prepared to lecture the girl as per tradition. Accepting the token of defeat, he began: "You—"
A girl emerged from the corridor: "Don’t get ahead of yourself! I’ll challenge you next. Beating Chu Zhao doesn’t mean you’ve beaten all young ladies!"
The young master was taken aback: "Actually, I didn’t—"
"What? Are you afraid?" the girl immediately retorted.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he could never admit fear toward a young girl. Flustered and annoyed, he cupped his hands: "Please, miss."
Chu Zhao’s spot was taken once again. She looked at the girl: "You—"
"No need to ask. Once I win, you’ll learn my name," the girl said, tilting her chin slightly.
Chu Zhao chuckled and teased: "What if you lose?"
The girl flushed with irritation: "Then I’ll still announce my name to the world."
Chu Zhao laughed heartily and called to her maid: "Prepare the ink and brush for this young lady."
Hearing the commotion, people in Chu Manor gathered again, murmuring as they saw another girl take the stage.
……
……
Girls in the corridors and pavilions also buzzed with discussion, but this time, few voiced opinions like "This young lady is close to Chu Zhao" or "She’s standing up for Chu Zhao."
Qi Leyun looked stunned, muttering under her breath.
At that moment, Chu Zhao approached them.
Since arriving at Chu Manor, Chu Zhao had never paid them any mind. At first, they expected her to sneer or drive them away. Later, they imagined she’d tearfully thank them for their support and presence—but neither happened.
Chu Zhao surveyed the crowd—more girls than before, with many unfamiliar faces.
Clearly, despite the incident with Miss Zhou Jiang, families hadn’t forbidden their daughters from visiting Chu Manor.
"Well, everyone, how do you like my way of playing?" she asked cheerfully. "Isn’t it more fun than before? You enjoy playing with me, don’t you?"
She had come to boast. The girls were astonished, some even flustered.
Qi Leyun huffed: "We’re not here to play. We’re here to watch you lose to others."
Such remarks had been common before, and no one minded. But this time, many girls felt uneasy, and one even tugged Qi Leyun’s sleeve—urging her to stop.
Chu Zhao didn’t get angry, nor did she strike her. Still smiling, she said: "I’m not afraid of losing. It seems many others aren’t either, like Miss Zhou and this young lady."
She pointed to the girl in the arena, who was focused on writing—using two brushes simultaneously, a skill that drew even more spectators.
Qi Leyun had felt a twinge of guilt after her remark. Relieved that Chu Zhao didn’t press the issue, she clenched her hands and said: "Miss Zhou and this young lady won’t lose."
"I know. They’re better than me," Chu Zhao nodded. "But before stepping forward, neither believed they were guaranteed to win. No one can truly say, 'I won’t lose,' because there’s always someone better."
This was undeniably true. The girls nodded in agreement. Qi Leyun opened her mouth but said nothing.
"I’m different," Chu Zhao said with a laugh. "Before I even step onto the field, I know I’ll lose."
Many girls couldn’t help but giggle.Qi Leyun muttered, "So you knew all along."
"Of course I knew. No one knows my own limitations better than myself." Chu Zhao spread her hands and continued without waiting for anyone to ask, "But knowing I'll lose doesn't mean I shouldn't compete. Losing after a contest is different from admitting defeat without even trying. I've lived in the Border Commandery all along. Although Western Liang has surrendered now, over the years there have still been many Xiliang soldiers causing trouble in the border areas - either roaming freely or operating under the banner of bandits, launching surprise attacks and plundering. A Le and I have encountered them several times in battles—"
She pointed at A Le beside her.
"Both the young lady and I rode with the troops," A Le declared loudly. "We carried bows and arrows, we drew our bows against the Xiliang bandits—"
Here she paused and hummed slightly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"It's just that our archery wasn't good, so we never hit anything."
The girls all laughed, though not mockingly this time. One girl whispered, "You were so young then, that's not surprising."
A Le nodded: "Yes, we were too small. But the young lady and I never stopped practicing archery, not even after coming to the capital. Next time we face Xiliang soldiers, we'll definitely shoot a few dead."
The girls giggled, looking at this maid who, though still rustic, seemed quite endearing.
Chu Zhao waited smiling for A Le to finish before continuing: "Why do I choose to lose after competing rather than conceding defeat? Because my father taught me that a warrior would rather die fighting than flee without battle. The former is a hero, the latter a coward. Compared to real battlefields, if I lose here I'll just suffer some humiliation. If I don't even dare face this, forget being a hero - I wouldn't deserve to be called human."
The girls fell silent, each lost in thought.
Suddenly Chu Zhao bowed to them: "However, my inadequate skills have implicated you all."
The girls looked surprised - Chu Zhao's actions never ceased to amaze them. Someone waved their hand instinctively: "No, no, what do you mean?"
"I'm just a young woman," Chu Zhao said, straightening up. "If I lose and get mocked as 'just a girl,' it's as if all young women have lost, bringing shame to womanhood."
She sighed softly.
"That's why Miss Zhou and this young lady couldn't accept it - they want to restore face for us young women."
For the honor of young women... The girls turned their gaze to the field, where the other girl had finished writing. Maids were unfolding her work for everyone to see. The surrounding crowd buzzed with excitement, punctuated by waves of applause.
"My poor skills don't mean all young women are like this. Like Miss Zhou, like this young lady, like all of you."
Chu Zhao's gaze swept across them.
"Each of you has your own talents. My loss doesn't mean young women have lost."
"Even if Miss Zhou and this young lady lose, it doesn't mean you've lost too."
Qi Leyun could no longer contain herself and stepped forward: "That's right, to be honest, my calligraphy is quite good too."
The girls around her laughed: "Qi Leyun, you're boasting." "I've never seen you write." "You're always dozing off during gatherings."
Qi Leyun retorted angrily: "I just can't be bothered to show you." "My parents won't let me write." "I doze off because your music-playing and chatting are so boring!"
The girls chattered noisily, but the atmosphere remained joyful.Chu Tang emerged from the side, smiling brightly as she announced, "Whichever young lady brings honor to us girls by winning—I'll treat her to complimentary tea and snacks today."
The girls' laughter grew even more spirited.
"A-Tang, you're truly generous!" "If I win and treat everyone to pastries, will yours be free too?"
……
……
After the young lady who had triumphantly written three calligraphy pieces withdrew satisfied, the young gentlemen wiped their brows, thinking it was finally over and the next round could begin. But instead of Chu Zhao, several unfamiliar girls stepped forward to open the session.
"Might anyone be willing to compete with us?" they asked. "Allow us young women to witness your elegance?"
The onlookers stared in astonishment and resignation.
"Everything's in chaos!" "Preposterous! These girls!" "It all started with that Chu Zhao—she's corrupted our customs!" "They must be taught a lesson!"
Though murmurs spread, more young men also stepped forward, and the competition continued with even greater fervor.
The spectators watched with heightened concentration, the girls observed more intently, Chu Tang became so busy she barely touched the ground, while Chu Zhao unexpectedly found herself the most idle.
She withdrew with A Le, quietly observing the scene.
"Miss," A Le whispered, "I truly never imagined things would turn out like this."
By now, it was no longer just a contest between Chu Zhao and the Third Prince, but a rivalry between young women and men.
It had transformed into an amusing, refined affair.
Of course, the Third Prince would still hold a grudge against Chu Zhao, but openly, she would no longer be subjected to relentless mockery and humiliation.
"I didn't expect it either," Chu Zhao said. She hadn't anticipated that Miss Zhou would step forward, nor that more and more girls would follow.
In her previous life, she had always believed the other girls looked down on her. Before becoming Empress, she felt inferior; after, she grew arrogant—neither willing nor wanting to engage with other women.
A Le squeezed Chu Zhao's hand. "Miss, this happened because you stood your ground first. If you had lost or retreated at the start, none of this would be happening now."
Chu Zhao smiled wistfully. "Yes, one must first disgrace oneself before others disgrace them; those who respect themselves earn others' respect."
A Le gasped in admiration. "Miss, your learning has truly deepened—you speak so eloquently, I can hardly keep up!"
Chu Zhao laughed heartily.
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