Chu Zhao neither knew nor cared about these matters concerning the important figures of the outside world. She was determined to keep her distance from such people.

As expected, she no longer went to eat at her uncle and aunt’s residence, taking all three meals on her own.

Thinking of the money Chu Zhao had stolen from her, Jiang Shi felt such heartache that she decided to teach the girl a lesson.

The servant women understood her intent and deliberately mistreated Chu Zhao. Either her meals were delivered late, or the portions were meager and of poor quality.

When Chu Zhao questioned them, they would say with smirking expressions: “Miss, you eat late, so the kitchen fires had already been extinguished. We had to relight the stove.”

As for the scant and poorly prepared food, they had even more to say about that.

“Miss Azhao, the family had a large sum of money stolen. Our resources were already thin, and now we should be grateful just to have food at all.”

Chu Zhao smiled faintly: “Then we should indeed economize.” She asked no more questions.

After all, she was dependent on others—what else could she do? The servant women felt triumphant, but before they could laugh aloud, the meals being prepared for Jiang Shi in the kitchen suddenly began having problems. Either dishes that had been made would suddenly go missing, or the food sent over would be so salty it was inedible.

Jiang Shi flew into a rage and wanted to punish the kitchen servants. The servant women kowtowed and protested their innocence, creating complete chaos, until Chu Tang resolved the situation.

“Why would they do something so foolish as to destroy their own futures?” she said, pointing in a certain direction. “This is Azhao taking revenge.”

Jiang Shi came to her senses, both angry and irritated, and had someone summon Chu Zhao. When Chu Zhao arrived, she naturally refused to admit anything, even saying: “If Auntie doesn’t believe me, go ahead and search.”

The food had long since been eaten—there was nothing to find. Jiang Shi sneered coldly: “Azhao, stealing is not good behavior. I don’t believe your father taught you such things.”

Chu Zhao replied: “Auntie, don’t make baseless accusations without evidence. Who saw me take money when I left the house? I returned empty-handed.”

Evidence—that money of hers had never been recovered. Since Chu Ke had believed her words, he hadn’t mentioned a thing about the money being retrieved. She didn’t believe her uncle and aunt would dare ask Deng Yi about it.

Even if they really did ask, Deng Yi wouldn’t bother responding.

This was a flat refusal to admit anything. Jiang Shi was so choked with anger she wanted to slam the table. Chu Zhao smiled and continued: “Furthermore, when I was at home, no one ever said I had a habit of stealing things. But after arriving in the capital, you say such things about me, Auntie. That can’t be blamed on my father’s teachings. Besides, in one’s own home, why would there be any need to steal? Whatever one needs is readily available. To accuse me of stealing this and that, even food and drink—if word got out, people would think you were mistreating me.”

Good, good, very good. Jiang Shi took a deep breath: “You’re just like your father—glib and eloquent. Whatever you do, you always have your reasons, you’re always in the right.”

Chu Zhao said: “Auntie, you can’t put it that way. What’s right is right, what’s wrong is wrong—it doesn’t depend on who’s saying it.”

For every statement she made, this wretched girl immediately had a retort. She had never before noticed Chu Zhao being so sharp-tongued. Jiang Shi angrily demanded: “Where were you in the right? Was hitting someone right? Or was running away from home right?”

“I can’t say those two things were right.” Chu Zhao showed not the slightest hesitation, answering softly, “I can only say that doing those things wasn’t wrong.”

Jiang Shi was both angry and amused: “You certainly have your justifications. You say you weren’t wrong—do you know that your actions implicate the family? Back then, because of your father, your uncle was forced to resign from office. Now do you want to force us into an untenable position in the capital?”

Speaking of these painful matters, Jiang Shi couldn’t help shedding tears.

The servant women in the room all withdrew. Chu Tang rose and sat beside her mother, wiping away her tears.

Chu Zhao’s expression remained calm. She had already experienced this scene in her previous life. This was how her aunt always was—whenever she spoke of Father, she would say he had implicated the family, implicated Uncle, and would cry sorrowfully. In the past, she had been at a loss, following along in sadness and self-reproach, as well as resenting her father.

Of course that wouldn’t happen now. Having calmed down, she could view things from a different perspective.

Chu Zhao thought for a moment, then said: “I recall that Uncle entered official service later than my father.”

Jiang Shi froze. What was this wretched girl implying? Was she saying that Chu Lan had only become an official because of Chu Ling?

“Your uncle was exceptionally learned and was invited to serve as a Court Gentleman. It took three or four invitations before he agreed. If he had accepted from the start, he would have become an official even earlier than your father!” she said indignantly, quickly turning the topic back to Chu Ling. “Your father refused to study and joined the military instead. He was fortunate enough to gain His Majesty’s favor, but he became arrogant and acted recklessly, offending people everywhere. He enjoyed his freedom outside while those who couldn’t reach him turned their criticism toward your uncle—”

Chu Zhao asked: “Because others criticized him, Uncle resigned from office?”

Jiang Shi said bitterly: “Yes, and this was all because of your father—”

Chu Zhao interrupted her: “This was clearly others forcing him. How can you blame my father?”

“If your father hadn’t done those things—” Jiang Shi protested angrily.

“For the things my father did, did His Majesty condemn him?” Chu Zhao interrupted her again.

Jiang Shi paused. Of course not. That was precisely why Chu Ling appeared even more indulged, and his actions grew increasingly bold. Those officials became even more resentful and treated Chu Lan with greater hostility—

“Since His Majesty did not pronounce him guilty, my father committed no crime. When others made accusations and questioned him, what did Uncle have to fear? Not only should he not have been afraid, he should have questioned those people in return.” Chu Zhao said, “My father fought campaigns for the court far from the capital. Military affairs change in an instant—one cannot rigidly follow regulations. Being distant from the court, he couldn’t explain himself. Uncle, being within the court, should have defended Father, argued on his behalf, and cleared his name.”

Jiang Shi and Chu Tang listened in stunned silence, staring at her, momentarily forgetting to speak.

“As the common saying goes: ‘Father and son are comrades in battle, brothers together hunt tigers.'” Chu Zhao’s brows drew together as she looked at Jiang Shi. “And what did Uncle do? He feared being implicated. I recall now—at that time, only one or two people had impeached Father, yet Uncle submitted his resignation overnight. Ignoring His Majesty’s attempts to retain him, he fled to Qiao Mountain Academy.”

“You, you’re talking nonsense.” Jiang Shi stammered, trying to argue.

But Chu Zhao didn’t argue with her. She stood up: “If Uncle had shown even the slightest intention back then to defend Father, to strike back at those who accused him, today wouldn’t see only my father struggling alone outside. The two brothers working hand in hand—one upholding the reputation of civil officials, one embodying the valor of military officers, supporting each other—what glory would the Chu clan enjoy? At the very least, when two children quarreled and scuffled, it would be Court Gentleman Liang anxiously coming to apologize at our door, and the one people eagerly sought to befriend wouldn’t be Miss Liang, but Sister Atang.”

Chu Tang clasped her hands, imagining such a scene. Yes, such a scene would truly be wonderful.

Jiang Shi also inexplicably imagined herself sitting in Yan Shi’s position, looking down at others—

But she was an adult after all, and snapped back to her senses with a start.

“You’re sophistry.” she said angrily, though her momentum was not what it had been.

Chu Zhao didn’t press her advantage further, her expression becoming wistful: “What’s past is past—there’s no use dwelling on it.” But then her brows drew together again. “However, Uncle enjoyed his leisure and avoided trouble, yet now turns around to resent and blame my father for obstructing his advancement—that absolutely cannot stand. If you insist on this, then Father and I must also resent and blame Uncle for neither helping, acknowledging, nor caring back then. If Uncle had given Father even a little support, my father wouldn’t be merely a Guard General today!”

With that, she swept her sleeves and left.

Jiang Shi couldn’t react for a moment. When she came to her senses, she called out “You—” wanting to say something but unable to find the words. Her mind kept turning over what might have been then, and what today might be now.

“She’s turned the tables on us,” she finally said, turning to look at Chu Tang. “Making it seem as if we’re the ones who owe them.”

Chu Tang didn’t console and agree with her mother as usual. Instead, she rested her chin on her hand, her expression distant: “I hear that Court Gentleman Liang also started as a Court Gentleman back in the day.”

Just as the commotion on this side had quieted down, Chu Lan, hearing the noise subside, grasped his book and shuffled over in his slippers, swaying as he walked, ready to smooth things over. He arrived just in time to hear this last remark.

“What about Court Gentleman Liang starting as a Court Gentleman back then?” he asked.

As his words fell, he saw both his wife and daughter looking at him, their eyes carrying a hint of resentment.

“I might have been Yan Shi.”

“I might have been Miss Liang.”

Chu Lan was utterly baffled and confused.