That remark was rather inappropriate.
The men around frowned. Chu Zhao had just begun to show some improvement, yet here she was again displaying a lack of propriety—no, it was more than that. Was she trying to curry favor with the Crown Prince of Zhongshan? Was she implying that as the hostess, she too should repay the Crown Prince of Zhongshan's kindness by offering herself in service?
A young woman! How could she say such things!
However, although the young women around felt somewhat uncomfortable at these words, not all of them reacted with disdain or shame. Someone even let out a sudden chuckle.
"Chu Zhao, did you learn this from those gentlemen with impure intentions?" Qi Leyun asked loudly. "You’ve picked up the bad habits instead of the good ones."
Hearing this, the other young women, as well as the frowning men, were taken aback for a moment before recalling something.
Although the Chu Garden Literary Gathering was a competition between women and men, many of the participants were at an age of youthful exuberance, and it was inevitable that some would harbor other intentions. There was once a young master surnamed Zhu who, after winning a competition against a young lady, actually sent a matchmaker to her family to express his admiration.
The young lady, however, neither panicked nor grew angry. Instead, she told the matchmaker, "The young master only bested me in talent. If that alone warrants offering myself in marriage, then there must be countless others in the world who could marry him as well."
When this story spread, it naturally became a subject of ridicule.
Shortly after, another young gentleman, after competing with a young lady, also sent his family to propose marriage—this time, he had lost to the young lady. But that did not hinder his infatuation with her.
The young gentleman came from a prestigious family, and the young lady’s parents were tempted.
Yet the young lady remained unmoved. She told her parents, "I came here to compete, not to seek a marriage partner."
The young gentleman refused to give up and repeatedly insisted that it was precisely because of the competition that he had come to understand her better—she was the one he wished to spend his life with.
The young lady laughed and said, "What you’ve come to understand is only my talent. The person you admire is merely my painting skill. If that’s the case, why not take me as your teacher? Once a teacher, always a teacher—we could still spend our lives together."
Once again, it became a joke.
Many women sneered, saying that the Chu Garden was a place for competition, not for seeking romance—thus throwing back the words the Third Prince had once used to reprimand the princesses.
The men, too, could no longer stand it and privately issued a stern warning: no one was to indulge in romantic fantasies during the Chu Garden Literary Gathering. The gathering was for literary exchange, and the competitions were purely for skill. In the past, when men competed among themselves, had there ever been such frivolous thoughts?
If anyone failed to recognize the boundaries and brought shame upon themselves, they would be barred from all future literary gatherings, and no one would engage in scholarly exchanges with them.
Being ostracized by scholars would inevitably harm one’s future prospects, so such incidents ceased to occur.
Even if someone encountered a woman they admired at the Chu Garden, they dared not speak of it openly or inform others, waiting instead until after the gathering to seek an opportunity.
When Qi Leyun shouted these words at Chu Zhao, she meant to emphasize that the literary gathering was just that—a literary gathering—and expressing gratitude was simply expressing gratitude. To harbor ulterior motives was base.
Exchanging maidservants was considered an elegant practice, and women could do the same for men. But if a woman were to offer herself—
The person who uttered such words was base, but would the person who dared to accept such an offer be any less base?
That would no longer be the act of a noble gentleman merely extending a helping hand out of kindness!
Xiao Xun, of course, understood the implication. Gazing at the young lady across from him, his smile deepened, and his dimples became more pronounced. "Miss Chu, you jest. In that case, I shall not refuse out of courtesy." With that, he raised his hand in a salute. "I take my leave."
Chu Zhao did not attempt to stop him further. With a smile, she returned the salute and respectfully saw him off.Linglong remained kneeling on the ground, dazed and uncomprehending. What had just transpired in the verbal exchange between Miss Chu Zhao and the Heir Apparent? Had she somehow become the Crown Prince of Zhongshan’s maidservant?
A Le had already reached out and hauled her up again.
“Miss,” she called out loudly, “should Linglong go with the Heir Apparent now, or shall we send her over later?”
Chu Zhao looked at Linglong and smiled faintly. “Linglong, I think you should go now. Familiarize yourself with the place over there. Your belongings will be sent along with the gifts of gratitude. By then, you’ll be able to help sort and arrange things by the Heir Apparent’s side.”
Linglong’s heart pounded wildly. She couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Xun. How handsome and majestic the young master was! Moreover, he was the Heir Apparent, a member of the imperial family—a man from the heavens—
Hadn’t this been exactly what Miss had schemed for, planning to fall into the water? This very moment?
And now, it had fallen upon her.
As for how it had ended up falling upon her—what did it matter! To hell with questioning and pondering, to hell with explaining things to Miss!
She, Linglong, was ascending to the heavens!
“Yes,” Linglong said loudly, just like A Le, wanting everyone to hear. “This servant will go now to attend to the Heir Apparent.”
With that, she didn’t wait for A Le to support her and walked over to stand beside Xiao Xun on her own.
Xiao Xun never once glanced at her from start to finish. He only looked at Chu Zhao and, with half a glance, at Chu Tang standing behind her. Was this scheme the work of one Chu girl, or had two conspired together?
Even if it were two girls, it ultimately came down to one—this girl must have persuaded the other.
Xiao Xun looked at Chu Zhao once more. This was the first time he had truly observed this girl. This time, aside from her appearance and her surname, he remembered something else about her.
“I take my leave,” he said. “Miss Chu.”
Without giving Chu Zhao a chance to speak, he turned and strode away.
Linglong, no longer appearing weak from her recent fall into the water, trotted quickly after him, not even glancing back at her former mistress.
Chu Zhao did not speak to stop her either. She and the others bowed respectfully as they saw him off.
With this interlude, no one was in the mood for further competitions. Many had already heard the news of the Crown Prince of Zhongshan’s arrival in the capital, but since Prince Zhongshan had left the capital decades ago, the people of the capital were largely unfamiliar with him and his son.
Since his arrival, the Heir Apparent had lived in seclusion, keeping to himself and avoiding contact with anyone. Even in the capital, it was as if he didn’t exist.
It was only today that everyone had finally seen him.
“The Heir Apparent is even more handsome than Prince Zhongshan,” an elderly person remarked nostalgically, recalling the few public appearances of the young prince in the past.
Others, uninterested in reminiscing, speculated, “How long will the Heir Apparent stay in the capital this time?”
“The Heir Apparent is not yet married,” someone else whispered, surmising, “Could it be that His Majesty will arrange a marriage for him?”
In any case, new topics of conversation abounded. Some sat idly chatting, while others strolled and whispered. Chu Zhao even generously offered complimentary tea and pastries to celebrate the Heir Apparent’s grand visit.
Chu Zhao did not participate in these discussions. Excusing herself to prepare gifts of gratitude and report the matter to the family elders, she departed.
Chu Tang followed closely behind her. Chu Zhao neither drove her away nor spoke to her until they entered the room and sat down.
“Do you have anything to say?” Chu Zhao asked, looking at Chu Tang.
Chu Tang gazed at the girl seated at the desk and obediently shook her head. “I have nothing to say. Whatever I might say, A Zhao, you already know.”
Admitting faults, making excuses—such actions, when performed in front of someone clever, were utterly tedious and laughable.Chu Zhao smiled. "Then, does Sister A Tang have any questions?"
Such as why she had been pinned in the crevice of the rockery, why Linglong was kicked into the water, or how he had known all their arrangements?
Chu Tang was indeed curious about these things, but since it had already happened, there was no need to ask.
"No," Chu Tang shook her head again, her expression unprecedentedly sincere. "A Zhao, I have nothing to ask, and you don't need to explain anything to me. From now on, whatever you say, I will listen to you."
The cousin who had once beaten, scolded, and attempted to kill her in that previous life—a madwoman who couldn't even be bothered to utter a clear word—was completely different from the girl before her now.
So calm, so honest, so clever.
This was right. Her cousin had always been a smart person, and dealing with such clever people was simplest—just make sure they knew they couldn't afford to provoke you.
This time, giving Chu Tang this harsh blow was enough to sober her up.
Chu Zhao smiled.
"Since that's the case, I won't say much more about this matter. I'll only tell you my goal: our Chu clan will absolutely not have any dealings or relations with Prince Zhongshan." She looked at Chu Tang and said softly, "If anyone insists on doing so, I will make sure that person no longer bears the surname Chu."
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