What Chu Zhao said in the garden was meant to make those girls think twice.

Even if they didn’t reflect, they would ask their families.

Their family members, with broader experience and knowledge of past events, combined with her recent public spectacle of scolding in front of Minister Liang’s gate—to which Minister Liang had no response, simply closing his door and letting the matter drop—would, upon consideration, likely become more cautious. They would realize that her father, General Chu Wei, although having a poor reputation, was not someone to be trifled with.

Chu Zhao couldn’t immediately gauge the effect on the girls outside, but by evening, she could certainly feel the impact within the household.

Several extra dishes appeared at dinner.

Lingrong, Chu Tang’s maid, personally came to serve: “This is Miss Tang’s favorite dish, but the kitchen is lazy and only makes it once every three or four days. Tonight, Miss Tang specifically ordered it to be made for you to try, Young Lady Zhao.”

Chu Zhao didn’t say anything, just took a bite as suggested.

“Miss Tang wanted to come herself, but considering what happened in the past, she was afraid it might make you uncomfortable,” Lingrong said candidly. “So she sent me to express her apologies.”

This was something Chu Zhao truly admired about Chu Tang. Normally, people say that a sincere apology should be made in person, but in reality, this often becomes a form of coercion, as if the other person must accept the apology, causing even more fear and anger.

This indirect approach was more suitable for young ladies.

It was no wonder Chu Tang could maintain good relationships with girls of higher status and family background in the capital. She was indeed a clever girl.

Also an extremely cold-hearted girl.

Chu Zhao looked at the dishes sent over. When there was no benefit involved, Tang didn’t treat her as a sister. Once she discovered a significant advantage, she immediately bowed her head in submission.

But in her previous life, when Chu Zhao became Empress, Chu Tang didn’t get closer to her. When they met, she still maintained a cold and disdainful attitude. Later, when their family fell into that state, she didn’t come to cry and beg for help but instead tried to kill her—

Clearly, in that life, Chu Tang didn’t believe she had any leverage.

That’s why when Chu Tang attempted to assassinate her, she said, “If it weren’t for my father, how could you have become Empress?”

Was her marriage to Xiao Xun because of her father or her uncle? Chu Zhao became lost in thought.

“Young Lady Zhao,” seeing her silence, Lingrong became even more cautious. “If you have anything to say, Miss Tang said you should feel free to speak. If you want to see her, she’ll come right away.”

Chu Zhao shook her head: “No need. Tell her I understand her intentions. Since she understands now, I can rest easy.”

Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief, smiling and repeatedly agreeing: “Miss Tang said that Young Lady Zhao is pure and natural, gracious and generous. Indeed, it’s true.”

Is that so? From an ignorant, foolish country girl to pure and natural? Chu Zhao smiled slightly and picked up her chopsticks to taste another dish: “These dishes are indeed delicious. Please thank Tang for me. I appreciate her gesture.”

Lingrong happily replied that it was wonderful: “If Young Lady Zhao has anything she wants to eat or needs, just say so.” She didn’t linger any longer, tactfully taking her leave.

Walking out of the small courtyard, the smiling Lingrong finally exhaled, relaxing her shoulders.

The young maid holding the lantern to light the way giggled: “Sister, why were you nervous?”

Wasn’t it just about putting on an act to appease this country girl?

That’s what Lingrong had thought initially, but as she spoke, both her feelings and the country girl’s responses were different from what she had imagined.

It felt as if she was facing an adult who could see through her thoughts at a glance.

Perhaps it was psychological, but Young Lady Zhao’s recent behavior and speech seemed as if she had a great mountain supporting her back, giving her tremendous presence.

Chu Tang wasn’t dining with her parents either. Her conversation with Madam Jiang had ended unpleasantly, and she didn’t feel like talking more with her mother. As for her father—

Chu Tang pursed her lips. Was her father truly unaware, or just pretending to be confused? All to maintain his image of being hindered by Chu Wei.

When Lingrong returned, Chu Tang had already finished eating. She was lounging by the window, holding a book that she was glancing at intermittently, while a young maid whispered beside her.

“—As you instructed, Miss, I didn’t speak up. I deliberately let Qi Leyun’s maid speak first, then followed with a surprised and incredulous repetition—”

“—This way, no one would think it came from me—”

Seeing Lingrong enter, the young maid stopped talking, sweetly calling her “sister” and attentively serving her tea.

Everyone was trying to climb to the position of senior maid, seizing every opportunity to approach the young lady. Lingrong pursed her lips, sent the young maid away, and said to Chu Tang: “Everything has been taken care of.”

After listening to Lingrong’s report, Chu Tang smiled while holding her book: “Young Lady Zhao is truly different from before. We thought she was a simple-minded fool, but she’s profound in her simplicity.”

Lingrong asked: “What should we do next?”

Chu Tang changed her position, leaning against the cushion, and continued reading her book: “We don’t need to do anything. Just follow her lead.”

…

…

Chu Tang didn’t come to see her again, and those girls didn’t visit either. While Madam Jiang and her uncle deliberately tried to neglect her, Chu Zhao enjoyed her secluded life.

But she wasn’t cut off from the news.

She knew that Miss Tang was reading and writing every day, while Young Master Ke was constantly out.

A-Le said: “Young Master Ke has been frequenting taverns and teahouses with a group of young gentlemen for many days. Today, he went to Spring View Garden and obtained entry qualifications. He can now participate in the Third Prince’s literary gathering.”

The Third Prince’s literary gathering—Chu Zhao remembered it from her previous life.

It was a grand event. Scholars from all directions flocked to the capital, hoping to enter Spring View Garden.

The girls had discussed it for a long time back then, but the Third Prince only allowed men to participate.

A few noble young ladies persuaded the princesses to approach the Third Prince about allowing women to participate as well. The result was that the Third Prince accused them of improper intentions, mocking that the women came to the literary gathering to look at men, ruining the purity of his event.

This infuriated the two princesses, who ran crying to the Emperor. The Emperor, of course, didn’t intervene, so they went crying to the Crown Prince, who scolded the Third Prince.

After this incident, even if the Third Prince had allowed women to participate, they would have avoided the literary gathering. Privately, they all cursed the Third Prince.

But the Third Prince gained even more adoration from scholars, who called this the integrity of learned men.

In reality, the Third Prince was not a scholar at all, but a thug.

This Third Prince, who always posed as a scholar, committed the atrocity of ambushing and killing the Crown Prince, setting fire to the Eastern Palace, not sparing even a cat or a bird.

That massacre destroyed the Crown Prince, destroyed the Third Prince himself, and also destroyed the Great Xia’s false prosperity and tranquility, beginning an era of turbulence and division.

Chu Zhao looked out the window. The Spring View Garden literary gathering was the prelude to this conspiracy.

It was also the prelude to her being drawn into the conspiracy.

It was when the entire capital was focused on the literary gathering that she met Xiao Xun, fell in love, and then, amid the congratulations for the Third Prince’s successful hosting of the literary gathering, as another royal celebration, she married Xiao Xun.

Chu Zhao clenched her fist.

“After obtaining the entry qualification for Spring View Garden, Young Master Ke also visited the Zhongshan Prince’s heir at the post station,” A-Le continued beside her. “However, he didn’t see him. It’s unclear whether the heir wasn’t there or simply refused to meet.”

In her previous life, she hadn’t hit anyone or run away. Chu Ke had remained at the academy as a gatekeeper and hadn’t returned to the capital, so he had no chance to participate in this literary gathering.

In this life, because of her, Chu Ke was now wandering around the capital—

Chu Zhao slammed her clenched fist on the table. She should break his legs and keep him locked up at home.