Qiao Chu

Chu Tang had already heard about the Crown Prince of Zhongshan from Chu Ke.

Chu Zhao had run too fast to catch up with, so they had asked Prince Zhongshan to help intercept her, which led to them meeting the Crown Prince of Zhongshan. The Crown Prince even returned to the capital with them.

The Heir Apparent was young and talented, gentle and refined. Chu Ke traveled with him along the way, chatting about everything under the sun, discussing poetry and philosophy—they got along splendidly and admired each other. Of course, this was all according to Chu Ke himself. Chu Tang listened with one ear and let it out the other, not taking it seriously.

However, she did believe Chu Ke when he said that Chu Zhao was vulgar and had displeased the Crown Prince of Zhongshan—with Chu Zhao’s talents—well, average talents and humble origins, the Crown Prince of Zhongshan wouldn’t like her anyway.

But now, seeing Chu Zhao like this, was she displeased with the Crown Prince of Zhongshan, or did she actually like him?

Chu Tang didn’t ask the Heir Apparent directly. Instead, she focused on Chu Zhao and asked sincerely, “What’s the matter? A Zhao, just say it. If I can help, I will.”

Chu Zhao looked up and smiled, “It’s nothing, nothing. I was just thinking about some past matters between me and the Heir Apparent.”

Past matters? Chu Tang didn’t show curiosity; instead, she looked somewhat uneasy. She moved closer and asked in a low voice, “Is it good or bad for us? Did he come today to hold us accountable?”

“Oh, come on, don’t just think about that. I’m talking about the past,” Chu Zhao complained.

Chu Tang pretended not to be curious, so Chu Zhao pretended she wanted to confide. Wasn’t it all about using pretense to gain trust? Who couldn’t do that?

In her past life, Xiao Xun had pretended to be deeply in love with her, and the imperial consorts had pretended to respect her. Even if she hadn’t pretended herself, she had learned just by watching.

Chu Tang held her hand and apologized, “It’s my fault for being so timid, afraid something might happen to the family. I know it was the Heir Apparent who escorted you back. Is he a good person?”

“I don’t know if he’s good or not, but he’s quite arrogant,” Chu Zhao said. “When we were on the road, I went to the river to fetch water and accidentally fell in. He saved me.”

There was such a thing? Chu Ke hadn’t mentioned it. Chu Tang was shocked—a life-saving favor!

“So he saved me,” Chu Zhao snorted. “I didn’t need him to save me. It was in the wilderness, no one saw it. He’d better not try to hold this life-saving favor over me. I won’t acknowledge it.”

With that, she stood up and left, leaving Chu Tang utterly confused, her heart hanging in mid-air.

What was that all about?

…

…

Chu Tang brought her maid Linglong to her father’s study. Both her parents were there, along with the steward. The three of them were whispering animatedly, but the moment Chu Tang entered, the conversation abruptly stopped.

“Miss A-Tang,” the steward greeted with a smile.

Since taking charge of the Chu Garden affairs, Chu Tang had rarely visited her parents. Chu Lan and Jiang Shi, of course, didn’t blame her and were delighted to see their daughter.

“Have you eaten? Have you had something to drink?” Jiang Shi pulled her daughter to sit beside her. “Look at you, you’ve grown thin from all the work.”

“I’ve eaten and drunk. Now that your daughter is like the mistress of the house, I lack for nothing and am well taken care of,” Chu Tang said, holding Jiang Shi’s arm. “It’s been hard work, but I’ve finally come to understand how much you’ve toiled, Mother. From now on, I won’t let you worry about a thing.”

Jiang Shi exclaimed, “Oh, A-Tang has never given me any cause for concern.”

Chu Tang then turned to her father. “Father, there’s talk all over the garden that the Crown Prince of Zhongshan has arrived. If there’s something going on, don’t keep me in the dark.”

Chu Lan laughed heartily. “A-Tang, don’t worry. It’s good news.”

Chu Tang didn’t believe him. “Father, you always report the good and hide the bad. I don’t believe you.”

Chu Lan glanced outside. The steward understood. “Master, you two talk. I’ll keep watch outside.”After saying this, she withdrew with Linglong and personally guarded the door.

"The Heir Apparent came to discuss with me how to resolve the predicament between us and the Third Prince," Chu Lan said with a smile. "I've thought of a good plan—have A Zhao fall into the water and claim illness, so the literary gathering at Chu Manor can come to an end."

Chu Tang knew how to read between the lines of her father's words and immediately understood this idea came from the Crown Prince of Zhongshan. Falling into the water—?

"Announcing publicly that she fell into the water and fell ill—I'm afraid that won't work, will it?" she frowned.

Chu Lan laughed heartily. His daughter was so clever!

"You and the Heir Apparent think alike," he inadvertently spoke the truth, then cleared his throat lightly. "But don't worry, I've thought it through. We'll have her fall into the water in full view of everyone, so no one will question it."

Chu Tang stared blankly, lost in thought. "In full view of everyone, huh."

"That's right," Jiang Shi smiled, stroking her daughter's arm. "Your father, the steward, and I have arranged everything. We'll loosen a foothold by the lake, lure her over there, and then she'll step on air and fall into the water—"

Chu Lan said softly, "This matter must be kept absolutely secret, A Tang. You mustn't breathe a word of it."

"What nonsense! Is A Tang the kind of child who doesn't know what's important?" Jiang Shi said discontentedly, then added, "A Tang came at just the right time—she can help too. Should we have A Tang lure A Zhao over?"

This time it was Chu Lan's turn to be displeased. "How can we let our daughter do such a thing? She'd inevitably earn A Zhao's hatred afterward."

His daughter was far too precious.

Such tasks were better left to servants and subordinates.

Jiang Shi nodded repeatedly. "I was being foolish. A Tang, you don't need to do anything. Just act as if you know nothing about this matter."

Looking at Chu Tang again, she seemed distracted, only turning her gaze when called by "A Tang."

She had no particular thoughts about her parents' arrangements, only asking, "When A Zhao falls into the water, will the Crown Prince of Zhongshan be present?"

Chu Lan nodded. "Of course." His expression carried a hint of pride. "I must have the Heir Apparent personally witness my sincerity."

After hearing these words, Chu Tang took her leave, not wanting to disturb her parents' important matters. She didn't return to Chu Manor, but went back to her own courtyard instead.

Linglong shooed away the maids who were clustering around and personally served a bowl of tea. Watching Chu Tang's thoughtful expression, she asked quietly, "Miss, do you feel something isn't quite right about this?"

Chu Tang nodded. "Of course it's not right. Father and Mother are thinking too simply. This matter is absolutely not that straightforward. I don't believe others would be good to our family for no reason—they must want something."

Linglong grew somewhat nervous. "What do they want?"

Chu Tang said mysteriously, "Chu Zhao?"

Linglong was startled, blinking. "What? What do you mean, Miss?"

Chu Tang said, "I don't know what I mean either. But one thing is certain—the Heir Apparent's actions are for Chu Zhao's sake, not for our family, and certainly not for Father and Mother's predicament."

Linglong looked worried. "What exactly does the Heir Apparent mean by this? The master and madam can't explain it clearly either, and we know nothing about it.Chu Tang instead smiled. "Not knowing anything doesn't mean we can't act. We just need to know who's involved."

Linglong asked nervously, "Then what should we do?"

But Chu Tang said no more, propping her chin on her hand. "I need to think carefully."

......

......

The lanterns glowed dimly as the day's excitement at Chu Manor came to an end. After eating dinner and washing up, Chu Zhao sat at the desk while a young maid perfumed her hair.

A Le entered from outside. "Xiao Die, I'll take over."The little maid acknowledged with a "Yes." Chu Zhao picked up a plate of pastries from the table: "Take these to share with your companions.The little maid happily acknowledged again, holding the pastries as she left.

"Miss," A Le said with a worried expression, "I am incompetent. I couldn't find out what the Heir Apparent is secretly plotting with the master and mistress."

Chu Zhao patted her hand reassuringly: "How can this be your incompetence? Don't worry."

A Le sighed helplessly: "How can I not worry? It must be something unfavorable to you, miss. How should we respond?"

Chu Zhao smiled and blinked: "Believe it or not, someone will handle it for me."

A Le naturally trusted her mistress's words.

"Who?" she asked curiously. "When did you make arrangements, miss? Is there really someone else in this household besides me who cares for you?"

Chu Zhao laughed: "Sometimes even those who wish you ill can be helpful."

A Le understood: "You mean there are people who don't wish you well, but their actions might coincidentally serve your purposes."

Chu Zhao nodded with a smile: "A Le, you're truly clever."

A Le sighed: "This isn't about cleverness—it's just understanding the wickedness of human nature. Don't forget, miss, I've been stealing and deceiving since I was four or five. I'm no good person myself."

Had it not been for the general and the young lady restraining her all these years, who knows what she might have become.

Chu Zhao reached out and cupped A Le's face: "A Le has a kind heart. You can play the villain, but you cannot commit true evil."

A Le smiled and gently pulled Chu Zhao's hand away: "Miss, please stop praising me with kind words. Tell me what else you need me to do."

"You are the most crucial part," Chu Zhao said. "The success or failure of this matter ultimately depends on you."

A Le leaned in closer, and the two girls whispered under the lamplight, discussing how to survive this crisis and how to use others' ill intentions to achieve their goals. The room was dim, casting a yellowish haze over their delicate features.

Far from the capital, in the depth of night, rising flames illuminated the mountain foot as bright as day.

Screams and cries pierced the sky.

Countless figures danced and ran in the night—some within the firelight, others outside it.

The fire devoured everything. Water thrown at it proved useless, only enraging the flames further as they fiercely licked at those charging in.

One figure didn't retreat. Wrapped in a wet quilt, he ran through the flames, trying to rescue people. There were too many—cries and wails everywhere.

He grabbed one person and pulled, but the arm came off. The armless person, burned and stuck to the ground, waved their remaining limb while continuing to wail—

They could no longer escape this place.

The wet quilt covering the man gradually dried out, becoming wild and uncontrollable. It no longer protected him but instead conspired with the fire to keep him there, to turn him into charcoal and rotten flesh.

Looking at the dancing shadows around him, his ears filled with screams, he finally threw back his head and let out a agonized cry. Enduring the flames' licking, he reached into the fire, grabbed an unconscious child, clutched it to his chest, and charged outward.

In the distance beyond the fire stood a human wall. The heat rising from the flames made those on this side feel as if they were burning too, but there was no need to fear—the grass, trees, and houses here had been cleared away, the ground nearly scraped bare. Without fuel, even stray sparks couldn't ignite anything.

Hearing that agonized scream from within the fire, the expressions of those who had been quietly watching changed."Quickly go rescue the young master!" A steward in patterned silk clothes snarled with a ferocious expression, "If anything happens to the young master, none of you will live to see another day!"

Charging into the fire meant certain death, but staying put also meant death. If they died while attempting the rescue, their families and dependents would at least receive compensation. Gritting their teeth, a group of men rushed into the flames, determined to rescue the young master even if they had to smother the fire with their own bodies.

Just before they plunged into the inferno, a figure burst out from the blazing fire, collapsing to the ground and rolling frantically as flames erupted in a shower of sparks from their body.

"Young master!"

Overjoyed, the crowd beat at the figure with brooms and doused them with water, quickly extinguishing the flames.

The young master's clothes had been completely burned away, revealing pale shoulders and back now dotted with blisters.

His face remained unscathed, but he kept his eyes tightly shut, curled up on the ground while coughing violently with a hoarse voice.

"Young Master Yan Lai!" The steward rushed over, shouting excitedly, "Get the physician here quickly!"

The physician had been waiting nearby and hurried over to turn the curled-up young master over, only then noticing the seven or eight-year-old child concealed in the young master's embrace.

"Save him, save him," the young master croaked between coughs.

Though everyone had been willing to risk their lives to rescue the young master, at this moment no one heeded his words. They stood motionless, and even the physician paused, all turning to look at the steward.

The steward's face darkened as he glanced at the unconscious boy. Finally nodding, he pointed to a young man beside him.

"You take care of him," he said.

The young man reached out and lifted the child from the young master's arms. With this act, the child's rescue became his credit.

The young master showed no reluctance, releasing his grip with eyes still closed.

The young man carried the child away, shouting loudly for a physician as he hurried off—the Xie family caravan traveled with more than one medical practitioner.

Only then did the physician resume treating the young master. Fortunately, aside from some burns, he had sustained no serious injuries.

The deeply concerned steward finally breathed a sigh of relief, his voice heavy with anger: "Young Master Yan Lai, your drunkenness has caused a major disaster this time."

Xie Yanlai lay on the ground. After the child was taken away, he seemed completely drained, enduring silently as the physician cut away his remaining clothing, cleansed his wounds, and applied medicine—not uttering a sound despite the pain.

Hearing the steward's reproach, he pressed his cheek against the ground, slightly opening his eyes to glance up before letting out a hoarse laugh: "Do you need my life to atone for this disaster? Take it then."

The steward's gaze softened with pity in the firelight, his voice carrying paternal affection: "For every disaster and transgression, there's the Third Young Master to bear it. How could we ever bear to sacrifice your life, Ninth Young Master?"