Because she was hard to come by, Miss Tan was greatly cherished and pampered. She rarely went out, and in her daily life, she only associated with peers from relatives and friends’ families. Even within this limited circle, word got out that Miss Tan had a difficult temperament.

She didn’t like to joke or laugh and always wore a cold expression.

The mischievous girls had given her a nickname, “Cold-faced Jade Maiden”—with “Jade Maiden” referring to the divine attendants of the Bodhisattva.

This was because her mother had promised to become a nun in exchange for obtaining her from the Bodhisattva.

Chu Tang hadn’t been confident she would come and had discussed with Chu Zhao that if she didn’t, they could later visit her under the pretext of delivering the anthology, then enter the Tan family mansion and find an opportunity to meet with Old Master Tan.

Unexpectedly, she came in person today, which was even better. If Miss Tan participated, regardless of whether she won or lost, it would be recorded in the anthology. Then Chu Zhao could take the anthology directly to Old Master Tan to praise his daughter, without even needing to meet Miss Tan.

But it turned out that her coming was the same as not coming.

Moreover, her words clearly showed she disliked this event.

So if they went to deliver the anthology later, would Miss Tan order them to be turned away? Chu Zhao looked across at her. The commotion had drawn everyone’s attention, and Chu Tang expressed concern to Chu Zhao through her gaze.

“How dare you speak like that!”

“You have no talent yourself, yet you mock others?”

All the girls attending the literary gathering today were pampered at home, and each had her temperament. Many immediately stood up, raising their eyebrows and rebuking her.

“Jade Maiden Tan, your family has hired many tutors for you, praising you as learned, talented, and well-mannered.” Someone even called her by her nickname. “Today, why don’t you show us all just how talented you are?”

Miss Tan had kept her eyes lowered, ignoring the earlier questions, until she heard this one—

“Who do you think you are!” she grabbed her teacup and threw it.

Because of the distance, the teacup didn’t hit the girl but fell to the ground with a crisp shattering sound, accompanied by the girl’s screams.

Were they going to fight? Chu Zhao took a step back, and Chu Tang silently moved closer.

“Quite reminiscent of your style in those days,” she said quietly.

Chu Zhao suppressed a smile and whispered: “I was very timid at first, only fighting back when I could no longer bear your bullying.”

“We were just having a verbal spat between girls. How could that be called bullying you? Don’t keep bringing it up,” Chu Tang said softly.

Indeed, compared to what she would later endure, quarrels between girls were nothing. Her resistance wasn’t really because of this. Chu Zhao remained silent, watching the tense standoff among the girls in the hall.

Neither she nor Chu Tang moved to stop them. A fight might be good—it would give them a better reason to see Old Master Tan.

Chu Tang even silently asked Chu Zhao with her eyes if they should add fuel to the fire.

“—Who do I think I am? I, Zhang Jiao, may not be as learned and talented as you, Jade Maiden Tan, but I dare to compete with others.”

Although Miss Tan had thrown a teacup and appeared ready to fight, the girl from before showed no fear and, with her temper flaring, refused to back down.

Miss Tan gave a cold smile. The two maids behind her stood protectively at her sides, but she didn’t rush over to grapple with the young lady, nor did she order her maids to attack. Instead, she sat down.

“So that’s why I came to see how impressive you all are,” she said, gesturing with her hand. “You’d better not make a fool of yourselves.”

The other girls also persuaded Miss Zhang: “Ignore her.” “We’re here for our enjoyment.” “It’s said that back then, the Empre— hmm, someone even wrote a certificate of defeat when they lost. What’s there to fear? Winning doesn’t make us arrogant, and losing doesn’t make us discouraged.” “Come on, A-Jiao, channel your energy into your calligraphy and show your brilliance.”

The girls all sat down, and the tense atmosphere dissipated.

Chu Tang whispered to Chu Zhao: “I was wrong. Not everyone can have Miss A-Zhao’s grace.”

Chu Zhao held back her laughter, turned around to fetch a new teacup, and walked to Miss Tan’s table.

“Miss Tan,” she said softly, “your tea.”

Miss Tan didn’t even lift her eyelids, about to say she wouldn’t drink it, when she noticed the teacup was empty. She paused for a moment, unable to resist looking up to see a maidservant with delicate features and slightly darker skin.

The maidservant said nothing more and quietly retreated.

Miss Tan looked away, pressed her lips together, and held the teacup, turning it slowly in her hands.

……

……

Miss Tan indeed stayed until the end. As evening fell and everyone departed, outside the shop, blue banners representing the men’s victories far outnumbered the red embroidered flags of the women. However, the onlookers outside didn’t mock them; many lingered before the women’s works, examining them carefully.

“This young lady’s calligraphy is truly excellent, showing diligent practice.”

“I never expected women could compose such fine essays.”

Hearing more praise than mockery, the gloom on the young ladies’ faces dispersed, and they smiled at each other. Of course, when they saw Miss Tan, they averted their gaze.

“Miss Tan must be quite satisfied with the amusing spectacle,” one young lady snorted.

Miss Tan replied: “Indeed, it was truly entertaining.” With that, she boarded her carriage surrounded by her maids and servants.

The girls couldn’t help but whisper among themselves: “So that’s what she’s like.” “How unlikable.” “What does it matter if we like her or not? That young mistress has everything she wants.” “I hope she doesn’t come next time. She’s such a killjoy.”

Sitting in her carriage, Miss Tan was completely unconcerned. The carriage quickly departed, leaving everything behind.

……

……

In the night, there was a gentle knock at the gate of the Tan family mansion.

Outside stood a woman and two maidservants.

“I am the proprietress of Ximo Pavilion. Today, Miss Tan attended our literary gathering but left in a hurry. We need to compile an anthology and require Miss Tan’s signature and calligraphy. I’ve come to trouble you again,” the woman said respectfully. Beside her, a maidservant held up the anthology for the doorkeeper to see.

Since it concerned the young mistress, the doorkeeper didn’t dare to be negligent and quickly informed the steward of the front courtyard.

The young mistress’s outings always required Old Master Tan’s permission, so the steward knew she had indeed attended Ximo Pavilion’s literary gathering today. Since the young mistress was willing to attend this gathering, it indicated she valued it. So he called a maidservant and gave her a token: “Take them to see the young mistress.”

The three followed the maidservant inside, and the Tan family gate closed. Shadows flickered, and many silhouettes seemed to emerge around the entire residence, enveloping the Tan household along with the night.

……

……

Miss Tan’s quarters were very quiet. Apart from two maids standing in the corridor, almost no one else could be seen.

The young mistress wasn’t in her room either.

Little Man silently flipped down from the roof and approached Chu Zhao and the Ximo Pavilion proprietress at the side corner of the building.

In the flickering corridor lights, one could see that Little Man had changed into the attire of the Tan family maid who had led them in.

“She’s crying in the study at the back,” she said softly.

The proprietress whispered, “I’ll handle things here. You go see Old Master Tan.”

But Chu Zhao didn’t leave immediately. She hesitated and asked: “Why is she crying?”

Was it because she was bullied at the literary gathering? That wasn’t the case; if anything, she had bullied others.

Little Man frowned: “Who cares?”

They hadn’t come for Miss Tan. They were using the pretext of finding Miss Tan to enter, then using her name as an excuse to deliver the anthology to her father. If negotiations failed, they would then hint to Old Master Tan that they had Miss Tan in their custody—

Whether Miss Tan was crying or laughing was irrelevant.

But Chu Zhao still didn’t leave. She said: “Let’s go see.”

……

……

This study was both elegant and spacious. Through the window cracks, one could barely see inside, where several rows of bookshelves were filled with scrolls and books.

Chu Zhao recalled what the young lady at the literary gathering had said—that Miss Tan had hired many tutors and was learned and talented. It seemed this wasn’t a joke.

At this moment, Miss Tan was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees and sobbing, with a maid kneeling beside her, trying to comfort her.

“Jade Maiden, Jade Maiden, I’d rather they called me a ghost maiden,” Miss Tan murmured between sobs.

The maid said: “Young Mistress, don’t say such things. They’re just jealous of you. You were bestowed by the Bodhisattva.”

“If the Bodhisattva was truly moved by my parents, why not bestow a golden boy? Why bestow me, a daughter?” Miss Tan raised her head, her eyes red and swollen. “My parents didn’t want a daughter; they wanted a son. What use is a jade maiden like me!”

The maid dared not answer this and quickly changed the subject: “Young Mistress, let’s not be angry. I know you’re truly capable. None of the poetry, calligraphy, or paintings done by those at the gathering today could compare to yours. Young Mistress, you simply disdained to show your talents.”

Tears rolled down Miss Tan’s cheeks: “Capable? What good is being capable? I’m learned and talented, and I can even—” She reached behind her and pulled out a small wooden boat. With tears streaming, she looked at the boat. “I can even build boats, but so what? I’m a daughter, unable to continue the family line. I’m nothing—”

“My greatest use is to secure a good marriage alliance for the Tan family, to gain a son-in-law. This doesn’t require me to be learned or talented, nor to master the Tan family’s secret techniques. What use is all my learning and capability?”

She gripped the wooden boat and smashed it to the ground. The boat shattered, and wood splinters pierced her hand.

The maid let out a sharp cry and grabbed her arm: “Young Mistress, don’t hurt yourself!”

Miss Tan shook her off, not to protect her injured hand, but to urgently gather up the shattered wooden boat.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take my anger out on you. You are innocent,” she said, cradling the broken boat pieces in her hands.

“Although I’m not the world’s treasure, you are my treasures, and I will cherish you.”

As she spoke, she pulled out a box from under the bookshelf and spilled out a pile of tools—ropes, knives, chisels, measuring rulers, and more scattered across the floor.

Miss Tan began earnestly repairing the broken boat, completely disregarding the blood on her hands, her eyes shining.

The maid stood by, covering her mouth, not daring to persuade or disturb her.

This was the young mistress’s happiest moment. Let her immerse herself in this brief joy.

……

……

Little Man gently poked Chu Zhao from behind.

Chu Zhao looked back at her.

Little Man shook her head, her brows furrowed, and her eyes urging: “Let’s go! If we delay any longer, it will be too late.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” Chu Zhao whispered to her. “I don’t want to see Old Master Tan anymore. I want to meet Miss Tan.”

Little Man’s eyes widened. This wasn’t what they had discussed earlier!

Was it as Chu Tang had joked—that A-Zhao wanted to seduce Miss Tan?

But what good would seducing Miss Tan do? Miss Tan didn’t make decisions for the family. Besides, even though Miss Tan was the only daughter, when it came to the family’s future, her life and safety might not even be enough to threaten Old Master Tan.

Before she could speak, Chu Zhao had already turned and walked to the study door, pushing it open.

The maid in the study was startled and looked up, while Miss Tan hadn’t even heard, focused on carving the wooden boat.

Chu Zhao stepped inside, casually closing the door behind her.

“Who are you!” the maid finally came to her senses and cried out.

Because of this cry, Miss Tan glanced over.

“You’re—” she said, “that maid from Ximo Pavilion.”

Chu Zhao smiled and said, “Miss Tan remembers me.”

Miss Tan replied: “I have a good memory. I never forget what I’ve seen.” With that, she turned her attention back to her boat.

“What do you want?” The maid stood protectively in front of Miss Tan, her expression vigilant.

“Miss Tan,” Chu Zhao took a step forward and got straight to the point, “I want to discuss a deal with you.”

Miss Tan didn’t look up and said: “I understand your intentions now. Just go find my father.” She then added a reminder: “But don’t ask for too much. There are limits to what I can get from my father.”

What a clever and interesting girl. Chu Zhao smiled. Before the maid could make any desperate moves, she sat down on the floor.

“That was my original plan, but now I believe that to make this deal with the Tan family, convincing you, Miss Tan, is the key,” she said. “Only you can ensure your family’s full commitment. Even your father might not be able to do that.”

Miss Tan still didn’t look at her: “You overestimate me. Although my surname is Tan, I have no authority in the Tan family.”

“I know that, which is why I said your family,” Chu Zhao said. “A Tan family that truly becomes yours.”

Miss Tan’s hands paused, and she looked up.

Chu Zhao looked at her and continued.

“A family where you are in charge.”

“A family where you have authority like a man.”

“A family that is your refuge, held in your own hands.”

“Only such a family, belonging to you, could commit fully alongside me.”

……

……

The study fell silent.

The maid stood dazed to one side, forgetting even to call for help.

Miss Tan held the wooden boat, blood dripping from her hand, staining a corner of her clothes. Suddenly, she burst into laughter.

When this girl with a cold demeanor laughed, she was bright and lovely.

“You understand my pain very well, miss.” Her voice seemed to have softened. “Your words are very tempting, but you can’t seduce me.”

At this, she looked Chu Zhao over, her eyes showing some regret.

“If you were a man, brave and resourceful, bold and insightful, forming a marital alliance with me, using your male identity to secure my position in the Tan family, I might be willing to try.”

“But you are a woman like me. How can I trust you?”

Chu Zhao touched her face and said: “Perhaps because what I intend to do is similar to what has been promised to you.”

Miss Tan seemed somewhat confused.

“I am Chu Zhao,” Chu Zhao said.

Miss Tan froze. The wooden boat she was holding fell to the ground with a thud. This time, Miss Tan didn’t anxiously pick it up.

“You are… Chu Zhao?” she asked in disbelief. “The Chu Zhao who is Empress Chu?”

Chu Zhao rubbed her face a couple of times: “I’m disguised now. You might have seen portraits of me, but I’m even more beautiful than in the portraits—”

Miss Tan and her maid were momentarily stunned.

This wasn’t important, and Chu Zhao laughed at herself. What mattered was that the Empress might not seduce this young lady but might frighten her instead.

“I am campaigning against the Xie family to return to the imperial court, that is, to control the Great Xia. I want to be an empress who can truly rule in this home called Great Xia. Miss Tan, if I can achieve this, then I can certainly help you—”

Before she could finish, Miss Tan had already stood up.

“Your Highness, you need say no more,” she said. “I will go see my father right away. I can persuade him to follow your orders.”

Chu Zhao was surprised: “Don’t you want to hear more? Let me introduce myself further—”

Miss Tan shook her head: “There’s no need, Your Highness. I’ve long been familiar with you. Your poetry, paintings, chess games—I can recite them all by heart. Every deed you’ve done, I’ve had people report back promptly. I have all the collections of your writings. I’ve copied down everything you’ve said at every palace banquet. Though I’m in Pingyang Prefecture, Your Highness, you’ve always been as if before my eyes—”

This, this… Chu Zhao asked in surprise: “But don’t you dislike these literary gatherings I organized? Don’t you think competing with men is ridiculous?”

Miss Tan looked at Chu Zhao, her eyes dancing with fire: “But, Your Highness, you’ve done far more than just compete with men at literary gatherings.”

“Your Highness, I have long admired you. I never imagined I would meet you.”

“Your Highness, to be of one heart and mind with you, I, Tan Qi’er, would die without regret.”

The girl’s voice became jubilant. Chu Zhao felt dazed and couldn’t help touching her face again.

“Right now, I want to tell Deng Yi that he was right—I was too modest,” she murmured, not caring whether Miss Tan understood. “It seems that even if I’m not as beautiful as Xie Yanfang, I can still accomplish what he did.”

She was completely different from the Chu Zhao of that previous life.

She, too, could shine brilliantly.