Qiao Chu

Chu Zhao pushed open the window, and brilliant morning light poured in.

She raised a hand to shield her eyes, squinting as she gazed at the scenery of Chu Garden.

Though it was still early, the garden was already bustling with servants hard at work. Despite having been cleaned and tidied after yesterday's conclusion, the servants were once again sweeping and wiping everything down this morning.

The servants in charge of the banquet had received today's order list from the Drunken Immortal Restaurant and were carefully reviewing it, estimating how much would be needed.

The male and female attendants tasked with guiding guests were laughing and adjusting their clothing, speculating about how much tip money they might receive today.

"A Zhao."

A woman's voice called from downstairs.

Chu Zhao withdrew her gaze and looked down to see Chu Tang standing below with a smile, waving as she asked, "Why have you come so early today?"

Since the young ladies had begun participating in the competitions, Chu Zhao was no longer the main focus of the Chu Garden Literary Gathering. She spent most of her time studying, usually only coming to observe after the initial matches had begun.

"Today, Qi Leyun and the others have split into two teams to compete against the group brought by Young Master from Quan City," Chu Zhao explained with a smile. "I'm participating in one match too, so I came early."

Chu Tang said, "You might as well compete on your own. If you lose, they'll just blame you again. I know all about their petty minds."

Leaning against the window, Chu Zhao laughed heartily. "I'm not afraid of them."

"True enough," Chu Tang chuckled. "If they say anything too annoying, you can just beat them up."

The two sisters laughed while looking at each other from upstairs and downstairs, causing the surrounding maids and servants to marvel at how close they had become.

When the young lady from the Border Commandery first arrived home, though they appeared to be one family, bystanders could clearly see that the entire household disliked this young lady.

How strange—though Miss A-Zhao was initially unlikable and had done many disagreeable things like fighting, stealing money and running away, even hitting Young Master Chu Ke and offending the Third Prince...

Yet now, it seemed the master and mistress didn't dislike her any more, and Miss A-Tang had actually become friends with Miss A-Zhao.

"You're wrong about that," a maid said with a hint of pride. "If Miss A-Tang wants to befriend someone, there's nothing she can't accomplish."

As an inner chamber maid, she was well-versed in the tactics among women.

A servant smiled and retorted, "You're not entirely right either. If Miss A-Zhao doesn't want to, no one can befriend her."

As an outer courtyard laborer, he was accustomed to such unruly individuals—even though Miss A-Zhao was a woman.

While the servants busied themselves with work, they argued and discussed, though Chu Zhao and Chu Tang paid them no mind.

"Then you can read for a while first," Chu Tang said. "I'll go attend to my duties now. Looking forward to your good news later."

Chu Zhao nodded with a smile. "I won't disappoint everyone's expectations."

Chu Tang left with her maid Linglong. Standing on the second floor, Chu Zhao watched them go—but her gaze wasn't fixed on Chu Tang and her maid. Instead, it traveled past them to A Le, who stood among the rocks and foliage.

A Le stood amidst the scenery, clenched her fist toward Chu Zhao from afar, then turned and followed closely behind Chu Tang and her maid.

Chu Zhao withdrew her gaze. The critical moment of her past life had finally arrived. When she first woke up after rebirth, she had been somewhat afraid, anxious and unsettled, wanting only to escape. But since fate had pushed her back here, facing this moment suddenly didn't seem like such a big deal.

Wasn't it just about being a good person?

Good people had saved her; good people had granted her wishes.

Then she would become a good person too.

Being a good person was truly the simplest thing in the world.

...

...When the sunlight grew bright, Chu Garden was bustling with voices, yet it did not feel noisy but rather more vibrant.

This was the charm of the garden: serene when few people were present, lively when crowded—a perfect balance of tranquility and activity.

"To have such a garden in one's lifetime is truly without regret," someone walking through it couldn't help but sigh.

Beside them, another person chuckled softly: "Wang Zhiling of the past thought the same way."

At some point, the name Chu Ling had begun to surface frequently in the capital. Upon reflection, it wasn't surprising—Chu Ling's daughter had stirred up so much trouble in such a short time, inevitably leading everyone to speak of her father.

Many old matters were thus dredged up.

Not only Qi Leyun's father could see these things—both the widely known and those hidden beneath the surface, unknown to most.

After Chu Ling angered the Emperor, it was inevitable that some would either curry favor with the Emperor or seize the opportunity to plunder Chu Ling's family assets. Such occurrences were commonplace throughout history; those who fell from grace could hardly protect themselves, let alone their property.

Yet, over a decade had passed. Though Chu Ling had been exiled to the Border Commandery without any promotion, and though his elder brother Chu Lan was merely a scholar, the Chu family remained as they were, having suffered no harassment or loss of land, living in modest comfort and peace.

This hardly resembled a household that had offended the Emperor and earned his lasting resentment.

From this, it was evident that the bond between the Emperor and Chu Ling ran deep. While the Emperor's displeasure toward Chu Ling was genuine, so was his regard for their past ties—at the very least, he would not allow Chu Ling's family to be ruined.

Even stranger rumors circulated, suggesting that the Emperor and Chu Ling still secretly corresponded, and that Chu Ling could meet the Emperor without any hindrance.

The evidence lay in the fact that those who had plotted against the Chu family had their crimes collected and laid directly on the Emperor's desk.

But how could Chu Ling, thousands of miles away, accomplish such a thing? Many found it hard to believe.

In any case, these half-truths and fabrications only fueled more discussion. Some elderly who had long withdrawn from worldly affairs to focus on their retirement were even sought out by their descendants to inquire about Chu Ling.

The elders were initially taken aback—why was Chu Ling being mentioned again? Some, confused and oblivious to the present era, even insisted on donning their official robes to go to court and reprimand that arrogant youth, lest His Majesty exhaust the people and resources with militarism—

Their children and grandchildren hurriedly stopped them: "There is no court to attend now; the Emperor long ago ceased attending to state affairs. The Crown Prince may sit in the hall, but he is accompanied by officials strong enough to lift stones, ride horses, and shoot arrows. If Grandfather goes, a single shout from them might frighten him to death."

In short, after years of obscurity, Chu Ling had once again become a topic of conversation in the capital, and not merely as the object of scornful remarks about a reckless military man who ruined his own prospects.

"Like father, like daughter," people sighed, pointing toward the Water Pavilion in the garden. "Look at what Chu Zhao has done. If she weren't a woman, she'd probably rush to confront His Majesty and stir up trouble."

As they spoke, a servant approached with a smile and called out, "Young masters, the contest is about to begin. Would you care to serve as judges?"

The speakers chuckled and modestly deferred to one another before strolling leisurely toward the Water Pavilion.

Many in the garden headed in that direction, though some showed no interest. Xiao Xun emerged from the rockery above, his expression thoughtful.

"I never expected Chu Ling to be on everyone's lips again," he said to Tie Ying.

Tie Ying was indifferent. "So what? It only adds to the mockery. His reputation, in life and after death, cannot be changed."Times have changed. Even if Chu Ling were in good health, there is no discerning ruler to recognize his talents.

Is the Heir Apparent feeling sorry for Chu Ling?

Xiao Xun smiled faintly. "Don't pity others too easily. In this world, nothing is more pitiful than unrequited affection and self-righteousness." Having said this, he looked ahead.

Noise came from the Water Pavilion, mingled with women's voices, seeming both provocative and mocking.

Tie Ying asked, "Your Highness, would you like to go take a look?"

He had disliked Chu Zhao from the start and knew the Heir Apparent didn't like him either. But since the Prince had instructed the Heir Apparent to maintain contact with the Chu family, they had to keep up appearances.

Xiao Xun shook his head. "No need."

He wasn't here to watch the commotion, nor did he want to learn more about that woman. There was no need.

He only needed to do what was required.

The Chu family steward approached nervously yet excitedly, bowing respectfully. "The master says everything is arranged. Please come take your seat and observe, Your Highness."