Xiao Xun sat in the seat of honor in Chu Lan’s study. Only after repeated invitations did Chu Lan sit down across from him.
“Master Chu, don’t be nervous,” Xiao Xun said. “I’m only here on behalf of the Third Prince to see what the situation is.”
Chu Lan sighed and pointed outside: “To be honest, I haven’t even gone to look. She won’t let me see. That Chu Garden—this entire household is under her control now.”
Even though he had come to investigate the Chu family’s situation, hearing this statement, Xiao Xun couldn’t help but laugh.
It was indeed laughable to say a young girl ruled the household, but Chu Lan couldn’t care about saving face anymore. He said again: “Prince, you know what she’s like. You traveled with her all the way—how terrifying that girl’s temper is—”
When Chu Ke had said that Chu Zhao treated Prince Zhongshan’s heir badly on the road, Chu Lan had been very angry, feeling it affected the relationship between the two families. Now he felt fortunate instead. He wished he could grasp Xiao Xun’s hand and cry together in shared misery.
Xiao Xun said with a smile: “Miss Chu’s temper is indeed somewhat different.”
Chu Lan nodded repeatedly: “Yes, yes, she learned it all from her father. That father and daughter have lived far away in the border commandery and never listen to the family.”
Chu Ling could even point at the Emperor and curse. It wasn’t strange that his daughter would provoke the Third Prince. As the eldest brother, he couldn’t control his younger brother, and as an uncle, he couldn’t control his niece either—helpless and aggrieved.
“She—”
Chu Lan was about to continue when Xiao Xun interrupted him: “I understand. This matter has nothing to do with Master Chu.”
Though this was exactly what he meant, having the Prince state it so bluntly made Chu Lan feel somewhat embarrassed. He raised his sleeve to cover his face and sighed: “The Chu family’s misfortune.”
“His Majesty asked me to help with the Third Prince’s literary gathering. I’ve been paying attention to this matter all along. By now, it can’t be explained in a sentence or two,” Xiao Xun said. “However, Master Chu, please rest assured—I’ve come to resolve the problem, not to assign blame.”
Chu Lan looked up anxiously and asked: “Then how will it be resolved?”
Would they arrest that girl Chu Zhao? Just arrest her alone—please don’t arrest all of them.
Xiao Xun smiled slightly: “Why arrest anyone? That would only make the Third Prince seem intolerant. If Miss Chu has a little accident, won’t this matter be over?”
Chu Lan was startled.
“What kind of accident?” he asked cautiously.
Missing limbs or broken legs wouldn’t do. If that happened, he’d have no way to explain to his second brother, and when Second Brother went mad, he didn’t even respect the Emperor—he certainly wouldn’t spare him either.
“Master Chu is overthinking. I mean Miss Chu could fall ill, for instance, accidentally fall into the water,” Xiao Xun said. “Chu Garden has a lake. Miss Chu has been mentally exhausted from the competition and often walks by the lake—accidents are inevitable.”
Chu Lan suddenly understood. Yes, yes—why hadn’t he thought of that?
“What a brilliant idea!” He couldn’t help but stand up and pace in circles. “Let me think about how to do this.”
Tie her up and throw her in during the night?
Xiao Xun smiled: “Master Chu, why would Miss Chu need to actually fall into the water at night? You only need to say so publicly. But now, merely saying so won’t work anymore.”
Chu Lan was timid but not stupid. He understood Xiao Xun’s meaning. If at the beginning, when Chu Zhao refused to concede and compete with others, they had locked her up and told outsiders she had fallen into the water and fallen ill, outsiders might not believe it but would laugh it off without pursuing the matter, and the Third Prince could also dismiss it.
Now that things had escalated to this point, if he came out saying Chu Zhao fell into the water at night and was unwell, outsiders naturally wouldn’t believe it and would mock him, and the Third Prince wouldn’t forgive him either.
Chu Lan murmured: “Then what should be done?”
“Of course it must be in broad daylight, before everyone’s eyes,” said the scholar Ning Kun who had entered with Xiao Xun, finally unable to hold back.
After speaking, he even gave Chu Lan a scrutinizing look.
“Master Chu has lived in comfort with naturally filial children, never troubled by worries.”
He didn’t even know such mundane matters as how to raise children, manage family members, establish family dignity, and so on.
Chu Lan was somewhat puzzled. Where had he lived in comfort, never troubled by worries? All these years he had been distressed daily over the family clan and his prospects.
“Don’t say such things,” Xiao Xun stopped the scholar. “Master Chu is a scholar who has devoted his life’s energy to studying poetry and books, teaching and instructing. How could he attend to these mundane matters?”
The scholar quickly offered salutations to admit his error and apologize to Chu Lan.
Chu Lan hurriedly said he didn’t dare, and though he knew he was being looked down upon, he didn’t care. Someone of Prince Zhongshan’s heir’s background—who could he look up to? Many people wanted to be looked down upon by Prince Zhongshan’s heir but didn’t have the opportunity.
“Chu Lan possesses nothing and has shallow intelligence, but I know the Prince has come to help me,” he said sincerely.
Xiao Xun shook his head, not claiming credit: “Master Chu is too kind. Actually, I’m mainly here to extricate the Third Prince from difficulty. Originally, the Wangchun Garden literary gathering was something the Third Prince wanted to show His Majesty. Although His Majesty always says the Third Prince’s studies are useless, he actually expects to see him accomplish something. Who would have thought that before the grand event even began, Miss Chu would—”
Even the Emperor—hearing this, Chu Lan’s tears nearly fell. He bowed deeply: “I beg the Prince to resolve myå›°å±€. Since my younger brother caused trouble, we Chu clan members have been surviving by the skin of our teeth. Now with this unfilial daughter, the Chu clan’s days are numbered.”
Xiao Xun reached out to support him symbolically: “Master Chu, be at ease. You act for the Chu clan, I act for His Highness and His Majesty. If you and I work together in unity, that will suffice.”
……
……
Xiao Xun didn’t let Chu Lan see him out but walked out on his own. Now all the Chu family’s servants were busy at Chu Garden, so the residence was cold and deserted all along the way.
However, when a breeze passed by, his ears filled with the sound of voices again.
Xiao Xun stopped and looked in that direction—it was where Chu Garden was located.
“Does Your Highness want to go over and look?” the scholar asked.
Xiao Xun shook his head: “No need.” He wasn’t interested, and moreover, he smiled slightly, “I’ll go tomorrow.”
He hadn’t given Chu Lan much time—the arrangement would be tomorrow.
“This person is more likely to ruin than accomplish things. Give him more time and he’ll certainly bungle it,” the scholar understood Xiao Xun’s meaning, but there was one thing he didn’t quite understand. “Your Highness, why didn’t you directly mention your interest in a marriage alliance?”
Earlier they had already learned about Chu Lan and knew that raising this matter would make Chu Lan overjoyed with delight, and he would help resolve matters on Chu Ling’s side.
This had been discussed and decided at home, but unexpectedly, after Xiao Xun arrived, his words changed.
The scholar scrutinized the Prince’s countenance. The young man had handsome features and calm eyes—the Prince didn’t like the Chu family daughter. Though he had followed his father’s instructions, in the end he still refused to speak the words of marriage?
Xiao Xun said indifferently: “Because after arriving, I saw that this person Chu Lan only needs to be intimidated to obey my every word. There’s absolutely no need to use a marriage alliance to tempt him.”
This person Chu Lan was indeed even more worthless than imagined. The scholar nodded: “However, Your Highness, don’t forget—we haven’t truly come to resolve problems for the Third Prince.”
That was merely a pretense for coming to the Chu family.
“I haven’t forgotten,” Xiao Xun said. “Father’s desired marriage proposal is to establish relations with Chu Ling. Chu Lan is irrelevant. So tomorrow I will rescue Miss Chu from drowning before everyone’s eyes—”
Speaking to this point, he smiled, revealing attractive dimples.
“This time, will Miss Chu still say she doesn’t need me to rescue her?”
But this time, before everyone’s eyes, the life-saving grace couldn’t be cast aside, and physical contact couldn’t be avoided. Afterward, he would visit her sickbed a few more times, creating the situation of Prince Zhongshan’s heir and the Chu family daughter being mutually enamored—quietly and imperceptibly, yet reasonable and proper. Why would Chu Lan’s consent be needed?
Indeed, Chu Ling’s consent wouldn’t be needed either.