A month had passed since the new Emperor’s ascension to the throne. The late Emperor now rested in the imperial mausoleum, and the chaos in the capital had been buried along with him.

After a rain, summer had departed, and autumn’s coolness enveloped the capital.

Chu Garden seemed to have transformed overnight, like a beauty who had shed her light summer attire for vibrant autumn clothes.

Towers, pavilions, and gazebos were surrounded by golden and crimson leaves.

“It’s so beautiful,” Qi Leyun picked up a fallen leaf from her skirt, held it up to examine, then pointed to another area. “It’s even more beautiful over by the Floating Cloud Pavilion.”

She spoke as she lifted her skirt and cheerfully led the way.

“Everyone, follow me.”

She also instructed her maids.

“Move all the tea and refreshments over there.”

The girls, however, didn’t follow enthusiastically. One girl even pouted: “Qi Leyun, this isn’t your home.”

Qi Leyun heard this and snorted: “I’m staying here, so at this moment, I am the hostess.”

Qi Leyun’s family was still living in Chu Garden. Rebuilding their house would take time, and although they had learned that Chu Zhao had been made Empress, the Qi family had a discussion and still brazenly continued to stay at Chu Garden—such a rare opportunity to get closer to the Empress couldn’t be missed.

It was said that in the middle of the night, when no one was around, Madam Qi told her husband that their house being burned down might have been heaven’s will, allowing them to form a connection with the Empress.

Mr. Qi had rebuked his wife for her foolish words, saying this should be called “blessing and misfortune coming together.”

In any case, the couple had cast aside their sorrow over losing their home and were happily staying at the Chu residence without any sign of leaving. When friends and relatives reminded Mr. Qi that this might not be appropriate,

Mr. Qi, in turn, scolded those who reminded him: “This is due to the Empress’s magnanimity and kindness. Besides our family, many others have also received shelter at Chu Garden.”

Qi Leyun felt even less that there was anything improper about it.

“What kind of person is Chu Zhao anyway?” she said.

Before she could finish her sentence, she noticed the girls’ strange expressions. What kind of person was Chu Zhao? Everyone surely knew someone who had beaten and scolded others, arrogant and tyrannical—

Qi Leyun snorted again: “Chu Zhao is precisely the kind of person who stands by what is right, hates evil with a passion, and helps the weak against the strong.”

The girls couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Enough, Qi Leyun,” one girl chided. “Stop saying ‘Chu Zhao’ all the time. She’s the Empress now.”

Although they hadn’t seen her for only a short time, Chu Zhao was no longer their companion but the most noble Empress.

“Chu Tang—” a girl asked softly, pointing to another direction, “Is she still not to be seen?”

Since the turmoil, the gates of the Chu family had remained tightly closed. During the late Emperor’s funeral and the enthronement ceremony, arrangements were made outside the Chu family gates according to protocol, but the gates had never opened. Many who came to visit were turned away.

Because of the late Emperor’s passing and the Crown Prince’s demise, the Chu couple were said to be overwhelmed with grief and had fallen ill, unable to sit with visitors to share tears and sorrow, let alone accept congratulations.

…

…

A ladder was set against the wall, and Qi Leyun climbed up. Though the girls felt somewhat uneasy, they were young and couldn’t hide their curiosity, watching Qi Leyun with nervous excitement.

“Chu Tang, Chu Tang,” Qi Leyun called out repeatedly.

Soon enough, the sound of light footsteps could be heard, and Chu Tang’s voice came over: “Qi Leyun, why are you climbing the wall again?”

She had appeared! The girls below became excited, and some called out to Chu Tang softly.

Qi Leyun leaned on the wall top and said to the girl on the other side: “Everyone’s worried about you and came to see you.”

Chu Tang smiled: “What worry? You’re just here to gather information, aren’t you?”

Though separated by a wall and unable to see each other, the familiar tone, the coquettish words—the familiar Chu Tang appeared before everyone again, and the girls called out to her more loudly.

Some girls were also looking for ladders to climb up.

“There’s no need to climb ladders, and no need to ask me,” Chu Tang said from the other side. “We’ll all meet soon.”

What did that mean? Qi Leyun curiously asked from the top of the wall: “What kind of meeting?”

Chu Tang looked up with a smile: “The Empress is hosting a banquet, summoning the noble ladies, and they may bring their children.”

A banquet!

An imperial summons!

Qi Leyun raised her hand and excitedly shouted “Wonderful!” nearly falling off the ladder, causing another burst of laughter and commotion among the girls.

…

…

The imperial palace was once again hosting a banquet, indicating that the imperial court had returned to normal.

Outside the palace, there was a steady stream of carriages and horses. Imperial guards, eunuchs, and officials stood in rows, guiding and maintaining order, though inevitably, there was still some commotion.

Walking among the crowd, Qi Leyun couldn’t help but look around. She had heard that the damage to the imperial palace during the unrest was even worse than what had happened to her family’s home, but from what she could see now, there was no sign of it—

“Don’t look around,” Madam Qi, watching her daughter from the corner of her eye, immediately rebuked in a low voice.

Qi Leyun quickly withdrew her gaze, but her eyes still darted around, looking to see who was where, what they were wearing, what they had brought.

Madam Qi could only take her hand, gritting her teeth and saying softly: “This is the imperial palace. If you don’t behave properly, I’ll send you back.”

In the past, such words might have frightened her, but not anymore. Qi Leyun was even more spirited: “The Empress specifically wants to see us.”

Some of the girls nearby heard Qi Leyun’s words and immediately began to giggle quietly, exchanging glances.

The procession instantly became more lively.

The matrons all felt somewhat helpless. Although there had been no explicit decree, the news of the Empress’s banquet had first reached these girls, who had then brought it home. Considering that the Empress was Chu Zhao, everyone could guess what it meant.

According to protocol, when noble ladies entered the palace, they could at most bring their daughters-in-law. Girls of fourteen or fifteen would not normally be brought. This time was different; they had to bring them.

Look at these children—they truly had no sense of propriety.

“What is there to fear?” Qi Leyun muttered. “Back then, she had even less regard for rules than we. She won’t blame us.”

These words were truly insolent. Madam Qi, disregarding propriety herself, raised her hand and struck her daughter: “Say one more word, and see if I dare to send you back! I am your mother, and no one can blame me for it. Besides, do you all forget how disrespectful and unfriendly you were to her back then?”

Adults might not have cared about things that happened among girls, but that didn’t mean they were unaware. Most of the time, they simply chose not to intervene.

“How did you treat her before? When she first arrived, she was unfamiliar with everything and didn’t dare to act out, but now things are different.”

“Today you’re invited to reminisce about old times, but which old times will be recalled remains to be seen.”

After her mother’s torrent of words, Qi Leyun was stunned. Yes, she had almost forgotten—Chu Zhao’s temperament! When Liang Qin had said a few words against her father, Chu Zhao had both beaten and scolded her. In the end, the Liang family had been charged with crimes and exiled to the border commandery—

Before the Chu Garden literary gathering, their attitude toward Chu Zhao had been even worse than Liang Qin’s!

Could today be about settling old scores?

At once, all the girls hunched their shoulders, cautiously looking ahead—by now, they had reached the inner palace. All the noble ladies stopped, waiting for the Empress to ascend her throne before they could enter the hall.

However, there was one exception.

A girl moved past the crowd and walked forward, ascending the steps one by one. Her attire was ordinary, but the girls recognized her immediately.

Chu Tang.

“Chu Tang has also come,” someone who hadn’t caught on muttered.

This comment was immediately cursed in the hearts of those around as stating the obvious.

Although since Chu Zhao had been made Empress, the Chu family had seemingly disappeared from the capital, with doors and windows tightly shut, once they opened their doors and came out, they were imperial relatives.

Of course, the Chu family would attend this banquet. Although the Chu couple still hadn’t appeared, only a girl had come.

This girl was Chu Zhao’s cousin, a legitimate imperial relative.

Chu Tang walked up the steps with her head lowered, feeling countless gazes upon her back—envious, reverent—

She, Chu Tang, had always followed behind others, casting envious, reverent, and flattering glances. She had indeed dreamed of being treated this way herself, but she hadn’t expected this day to come so quickly.

Moreover, the scene was even more striking than anything she could have dreamed.

Chu Tang raised her head, looking toward the great hall where a woman could be faintly seen sitting in the center.

…

…

The light in Chu Tang’s eyes, Chu Zhao could see it, though she was somewhat distracted. In that lifetime when she had become Empress, when Chu Tang first saw her, there had also been light in her eyes.

But that light had been directed at the palace, not at her.

When looking at her, Chu Tang had made no effort to hide her coldness.

But now it was different.

“How should I pay my respects?” Chu Tang asked softly, tentatively bending her knees in a curtsy. “Greetings to Her Highness the Empress.”

A-Le, standing nearby, laughed: “Miss A-Tang, you’re a lady from the capital. Don’t you know how?”

Chu Tang sighed: “Not every lady from the capital has the privilege to enter the imperial palace. This is my first time here.”

As she spoke, she looked around, her expression full of amazement.

“This is the imperial palace hall.”

Despite her words, apart from excitement, Chu Tang didn’t seem nervous, even with many palace maids and eunuchs standing at attention in the hall. Perhaps it was because the girl sitting in the center, dressed in the Empress’s ceremonial robes and holding a cup of tea, seemed as relaxed as if she were at home.

Chu Zhao smiled slightly: “There’s no rush for these formalities. You can learn them at a glance. Please sit first.”

Chu Tang responded affirmatively and sat down at a position below Chu Zhao.

“Is everything well at home?” Chu Zhao asked.

Since that night when she had entered the palace, she hadn’t gone out again. Little Man’s people were keeping watch over the Chu household, and any instructions she had were conveyed through Little Man, such as having Zhang Lan locked up and prevented from seeing anyone.

Chu Zhao asked further: “Uncle hasn’t been angry, has he?”

Chu Tang nodded, then shook her head: “Everything is fine at home. Father hasn’t made a fuss and doesn’t say anything.”

She specifically added this to indicate that she knew nothing.

When she had seen her father’s terrified expression and recalled the events of that night—the young Emperor hiding in their home, being taken away by Chu Zhao, who fought her way out—what did it mean?

It meant that the young Emperor had nearly faced danger in their home.

And this danger must have been related to Chu Lan.

Otherwise, with Chu Zhao being rewarded by the late Emperor for her protective service, how could Chu Lan not rush out to claim credit? Instead, he had fainted from fear, muttering that he was finished, that his entire family was finished.

Chu Tang had immediately confined Chu Lan and Madam Jiang, dismissed everyone around them, and personally kept watch, ensuring that not a word of news leaked out from the Chu household.

Madam Jiang had also guessed something, clutching Chu Tang’s hand while crying: “Will she silence us?”

Chu Tang had also considered this but shook her head: “No.”

Silencing them now would do Chu Zhao no good. If she had truly wanted to silence them, those people standing guard at the door that night would have cleaned them all up, which would have added to Chu Zhao’s merit—the entire family had sacrificed themselves to protect the young Emperor.

Silencing them now would only invite speculation.

Chu Zhao wasn’t that foolish.

Chu Zhao also wasn’t that… heartless.

The girl before her nodded: “Good, I trust you to handle things.”

Chu Tang said: “I dare not say I’ve done well, after all, the things you do, A-Zhao, are great matters.” She placed her hand on her heart. “I do my best, only hoping not to cause you trouble.”

Chu Zhao glanced around: “A-Le, take them away first.”

A-Le responded affirmatively, raising her hand to gesture. The palace maids and eunuchs in the hall immediately withdrew.

“That night, Uncle intended to kill the young Emperor,” Chu Zhao said to Chu Tang.

Chu Tang’s face instantly went pale. She stood up from her chair—her suspicions had been confirmed. The words Chu Zhao spoke next, she seemed to both hear clearly and not clearly, her ears buzzing—

It was over. Even with Chu Zhao as Empress, the Emperor would not spare them.

“But you needn’t be too afraid,” Chu Zhao’s voice came again. “Uncle is Uncle, and you are you. It’s different.”

Is it different? Parents and children were considered one entity, children paid for their parents’ debts. Chu Tang looked at her with bewildered eyes.

“Uncle was deceived by the Prince of Zhongshan’s heir, tasked to serve Zhongshan,” Chu Zhao said. “But you needn’t be deceived by Zhongshan; you need only serve His Majesty.”

She smiled slightly.

“Just like me and my father. See, the late Emperor and His Majesty still harbor no misgivings toward us.”

That’s true, Chu Tang’s spirit returned, and she sat back down: “A-Zhao, I am naturally the same as you and Uncle.”

Chu Zhao nodded and pushed the tea in front of her toward Chu Tang: “Try it, palace tea.”

Chu Tang took it without ceremony and drank it all at once: “It’s indeed better than what we have at home.”

Chu Zhao couldn’t help but laugh: “Sister A-Tang, your courage is much greater than I imagined.”

Having just heard what her father had done, she could immediately drink tea with ease.

“That’s because I have you, my sister A-Zhao,” Chu Tang said sincerely.

Chu Zhao looked at her: “What if I weren’t here?”

If she weren’t here? What did that mean? Chu Tang was stunned.