When Xiao Xun received the secret letter from the Prince of Zhongshan, he was sitting in a carriage leaving the Crown Prince’s residence. After pondering for a moment, he redirected the carriage to visit the Third Prince outside the city.

Given his status, he had to be careful about whom he associated with. He couldn’t interact directly; there needed to be cause and effect, a natural progression from first acquaintance to familiarity. Only then would relationships seem reasonable and not arouse suspicion.

The cause and effect relied on coincidental meetings, and currently, the place with the most opportunities in the capital was the Third Prince’s literary gathering.

Indeed, at the Third Prince’s place, he had seen the Chu family’s young master, Chu Ke’s submission.

With the suspicious Third Prince by his side, he only needed to let his gaze linger on this name for a moment, and an opportunity was created.

Accomplishing things was never difficult, as long as one was determined.

However, though he had followed his father’s instructions, he still didn’t understand. Recalling his father’s attitude toward the Chu family’s young daughter earlier, it seemed it wasn’t merely to give him an excuse to enter the capital.

“Does Father truly want to establish connections with Chu Lan?” he asked the blue-robed scholar. “I know Father highly regards Chu Lan, but he didn’t seek to connect with him ten years ago when Chu Lan was famous. Is it necessary now that he’s just an ordinary person in the mundane world?”

The blue-robed scholar sighed softly: “Actually, right now Chu Lan isn’t just ordinary; he’s also dying.”

Xiao Xun was somewhat surprised. A thought flashed through his mind—was that why the girl was so desperate to rush to the border prefecture?

No wonder she resented him so much.

Xiao Xun shook his head again. This had nothing to do with him. If Chu Lan wanted to see his daughter, who could stop him? That was between father and daughter.

The blue-robed scholar continued talking about Chu Ling: “General Chu Ling is in charge of the Daqing Mountain Pass in the border prefecture, with a status comparable to a Grand General.”

Only comparable, and besides, even if he were a Grand General, so what? Xiao Xun smiled: “The Crown Prince and Third Prince’s people are currently eyeing military power. Even though the border prefecture is remote, they won’t give us a chance to intervene. Moreover, someone like Chu Lan, even if Father gave him an elixir of life, would not follow Father’s orders.”

The blue-robed scholar said: “The Prince isn’t trying to establish connections with Chu Lan; he needs Your Highness to appear as if you’re establishing connections with Chu Lan.”

So it wasn’t for Chu Lan’s sake, but for others to see? Xiao Xun was even more puzzled: “Why? What’s the necessity?”

The blue-robed scholar didn’t know either. The Prince of Zhongshan wasn’t one to offer explanations.

“He’s ordinary now and dying soon. The court won’t be wary if you establish connections with him,” the scholar simply said. “This is the kind of person we can associate with at present.”

They couldn’t approach other people with real power.

Better than nothing? Small amounts accumulating to something substantial? Xiao Xun smiled, knowing that if his father chose not to explain, he wouldn’t be able to discern his intentions—since breaking his leg as a child, the Prince of Zhongshan had never opened his heart to anyone.

Xiao Xun wrote a short note and handed it to the blue-robed scholar.

“Send it to Father,” he said. “I’ll handle the matter. Tell Father not to worry.”

…

…

Chu Ke didn’t follow Chu Lan’s instructions to stay home and study in preparation for the literary gathering.

What a joke—not everyone in the city knew yet that he had received an invitation to the literary gathering.

When he was very young, Chu Lan had taken him to Qiao Mountain Academy. After so many years in that remote academy, he had finally returned to the capital and immediately seized such an opportunity. Of course, he wanted to show off everywhere.

Young Chu Ke was ready to spread his wings and soar to the heavens.

Watching Chu Ke leave the alley and board a carriage, chatting and laughing with someone inside as they departed, A-Le, disguised as a vegetable-buying maid standing behind a wall corner, adjusted the basket on her arm and asked Chu Zhao, who stood nearby: “Young Master is going out drinking again. Once he’s drunk, shall we just put a sack over his head and beat him?”

Chu Zhao frowned: “If we beat him now, he’ll recover in a month.”

A-Le nodded: “Alright, then let’s beat him the day before the literary gathering, so he can’t go out or show his face.”

Chu Zhao smiled and made a sound of agreement: “Let’s first see who he’s associating with.”

In her previous life, she had no idea whom her uncle’s family associated with, didn’t know who had arranged for Xiao Xun to visit, didn’t know who had persuaded her uncle to send Chu Ke to an official post elsewhere, didn’t know whom Madam Jiang had spoken outrageous and disrespectful words to, which spread everywhere—

Ah, Chu Zhao sighed inwardly. To be so blind and confused as a person—if she didn’t die, who would?

But regarding going to the tavern, Chu Zhao felt around her person and asked A-Le: “Did you bring money?”

A-Le took out a money pouch from her basket and shook it: “Of course.”

Chu Zhao asked with a smile: “Did you take it yourself again?”

“No, not this time,” A-Le said. “I asked Madam for it. Miss, we have a monthly allowance. You have one, and I have one too. And I’m the Miss’s senior maid, so I get quite a lot.”

Chu Zhao laughed and pinched her nose: “Who says our A-Le from the countryside doesn’t understand anything? You’re completely like a first-class maid, knowing about monthly allowances and the difference between senior and junior maids.”

A-Le giggled and linked arms with Chu Zhao: “Let’s go, let’s go. Come with me. This country girl is now very familiar with the capital and knows where Young Master Chu Ke often goes.”

Chu Zhao smiled and tightened her arm around A-Le’s, and the two walked briskly along the street.

The street was bustling with people and vehicles. A carriage sped by with three girls inside. Two were huddled together, using a small mirror to apply decorative patches, while the third leaned against the window, absentmindedly scanning the crowd and street scenes. Suddenly, she let out a sound of surprise, sat up straight, and turned to tap her companions.

“Look, look,” she said.

Her companion’s hand jerked, causing the decorative patch to be applied crookedly. She angrily exclaimed: “Qi Leyun, are you jealous of my beauty?”

Qi Leyun glanced back at her: “How could you be as beautiful as me?”

The girl became even more annoyed.

Qi Leyun didn’t argue with her, but pointed outside and said: “Chu Zhao, Chu Zhao is out there.”

Chu Zhao? The two girls no longer cared about who was more beautiful and quickly crowded over to look outside. Following Qi Leyun’s direction, they indeed saw two girls walking hand in hand in the street crowd. One was dressed like a poor girl selling wares along the street, the other, though not as ridiculous, was dressed—it was indeed Chu Zhao.

“What is she doing?” Qi Leyun asked.

The two girls pouted: “Who cares? She said she wouldn’t play with us anymore, that we should each go our way.”

Qi Leyun still leaned against the window, wanting to watch.

“Forget about her, what’s so interesting about her?” One girl sat back and continued applying her decorative patch. “Let’s hurry to see if Third Young Master Xie is still at the tavern. If we arrive late, there might not be any seats left. Others went earlier than us.”

At the mention of Third Young Master Xie, Qi Leyun immediately abandoned her interest in Chu Zhao outside the window and quickly squeezed in front of the small mirror to examine her makeup.

“Is my makeup too heavy? I heard that women from Dongyang all wear light makeup.”

“Heavier is better. Third Young Master Xie is used to seeing light makeup. When he sees your face as red as a monkey’s bottom, he’ll remember you.”

“Zhang Qing, are you asking for a beating?”

“Oh my, Qi Leyun, do you think you’re Chu Zhao? Just try to hit me!”

…

…

The street was prosperous and lively, full of noise. Chu Zhao walked amidst it all, feeling somewhat dazed.

She hadn’t seen such liveliness for a long time. She had entered the palace shortly after her marriage, and then for many years, the situation was unstable. Even in the palace, everyone felt uneasy and didn’t dare to go out.

“Miss, Miss,” A-Le tugged at her hand. “We’re here, we’re here.”

Chu Zhao came back to her senses and realized she had entered a tavern, but this tavern was even more lively than the street.

Why were there so many people?