After sending off her cousin, the Crown Princess did not get to enjoy any peace, as two princesses came to visit her.

The Emperor did not have many children—only two princes and three princesses. One princess was already married, leaving two princesses whose marriages had not yet been arranged.

The Emperor was too lazy to manage this, and the two princesses were happy to remain free. Being married was nowhere near as comfortable as being a princess.

The Crown Princess came from a noble family with strict rules for ladies’ conduct and etiquette. The two princesses didn’t particularly enjoy visiting her and only came when they needed something.

Indeed, they had been offended by the Third Prince.

“Wangchun Garden belongs to the Emperor. When Third Brother holds a literary gathering there, why can’t we go and enjoy ourselves?”

“He claims he’s inviting scholars from all over the empire. Haven’t we studied too?”

The Crown Princess asked, “Is it only the princesses who aren’t allowed to attend?”

The two princesses’ temperaments were no better than the Third Prince’s. The siblings viewed each other with disdain. If it were merely quarreling between brothers, it had nothing to do with the Eastern Palace.

The princess anticipated this question and pouted. The Crown Prince wasn’t a kind and gentle elder brother either, but since she dared to come, she had the confidence to do so.

She shook her head and sighed. “If it were just that he disliked us, we could let it go. But Third Brother said no women at all could attend.”

The Crown Princess tied a knot in her needlework. “Perhaps he’s worried you would find it boring, since it’s a scholars’ affair.”

“That’s not it at all. Third Brother said such awful things,” the other princess said. “He claimed that women’s so-called studying was done with ulterior motives, and attending literary gatherings was only to meet men in private.”

As she spoke, she began to cry softly.

“This is too insulting. How can a prince say such things? What will the world think? How can women throughout the empire continue to study?”

In noble families, women were supposed to study. They were expected to be educated and reasonable.

If the Third Prince’s statement spread, wouldn’t it offend the noble families?

Would the Crown Prince be interested in this?

Indeed, these words were inappropriate. The Crown Princess frowned. The Third Prince’s behavior was increasingly outrageous, but what could be done? Should she, as the Crown Prince’s wife, reprimand him?

It would be best if the Crown Prince did not get involved.

“What are you crying for!” The Crown Prince’s voice came from outside. “How does it look for princesses to be weeping? If someone bullies you, hit them back!”

The two princesses were too frightened to cry anymore. The Third Prince’s words were unpleasant, but the Crown Prince was known to hit people.

“Crown Prince Brother, we could accept this from others, but we wouldn’t dare hit Third Brother,” they said, flattering and pleading. “Only you can hit him.”

The Crown Prince laughed heartily. “I don’t need to get involved.”

The two princesses exchanged a glance, about to fan the flames again, when they heard the Crown Prince say, “Someone has already confronted him.”

Who in the empire would dare hit the Third Prince except the Crown Prince? Even the Emperor wouldn’t lay a finger on the Third Prince. The two princesses were shocked, and the Crown Princess also looked over in confusion.

“Chu Li’s daughter just defeated her brother and seized the invitation to the Wangchun Garden literary gathering,” the Crown Prince said, his expression full of mockery as he laughed loudly. “The talented scholars my third brother selected for his Wangchun Garden literary gathering can’t even match a girl. What face does he have to ridicule women and say they can’t participate?”

He pointed at the princesses.

“Go tell him that you wouldn’t even deign to attend such a literary gathering!”

…

…

Two eunuchs respectfully escorted Xie Yanfang out. As they were about to reach the gate, a palace maid rushed after them.

“Third Young Master, Third Young Master,” she called urgently.

Xie Yanfang turned around.

“Third Young Master,” the palace maid approached, catching her breath. “Why are you leaving? The Crown Princess has brought the young prince back. He’s waiting to meet you.”

Ah, the young prince. Firstly, he had truly forgotten; secondly, it was better not to meet him. Xie Yanfang said apologetically, “I have matters to attend to. I won’t see him this time.”

The palace maid exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly said, “Third Young Master hasn’t met the young prince yet. The mistress often mentions you to him, and the young prince greatly admires you.”

This palace maid had been brought into the palace from the Xie family by the Crown Princess. Upon seeing family members, her former way of address slipped out.

Xie Yanfang smiled. “The Crown Prince has assigned me a task that I must complete well. I cannot disappoint the young prince. After I finish my work, I’ll come back to pay my respects to him.”

Invoking the Crown Prince meant he was unwilling. The palace maid was somewhat helpless. She glanced at the eunuchs who had stepped back and said softly, “Third Young Master, you’re being too cautious. Being closer to the young prince wouldn’t incur the Crown Prince’s blame. Your avoidance makes it seem like the mistress has become isolated since entering the palace. How sad!”

Xie Yanfang shook his head. “That’s not why. Tell my sister not to worry. I’ve already prepared many gifts for the young prince.”

Gifts couldn’t compare to personal interaction, but once the Third Young Master made a decision, he never changed it. The palace maid reluctantly agreed, pleading, “Then don’t rush off when you’ve finished your business. Come back to see the mistress and meet the young prince.”

Xie Yanfang said “All right” and turned to get into his carriage. At that moment, an ornate carriage drove out from the palace gate, accompanied by many imperial guards, eunuchs, and palace maids.

It was the princesses.

Xie Yanfang immediately lowered his carriage curtain.

One princess in the carriage caught a glimpse of the beautiful face behind the falling curtain and exclaimed, “It’s Third Young Master Xie!”

The other princess immediately squeezed toward the window to look outside.

They had seen him once at the Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s wedding years ago. That handsome youth, standing in the magnificent palace, had shone brilliantly. Even though they were accustomed to seeing beautiful people, they couldn’t forget him.

“Third Young Master Xie is here.”

“The Crown Princess didn’t even mention it earlier.”

One princess wanted to get out of the carriage and drag Third Young Master Xie into the palace, but the other princess held her back. “Let’s not rush. Since he’s come to the capital, he’ll certainly come to see the Crown Prince and Crown Princess again. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet him. Let’s go deal with Third Brother first.”

…

…

The Third Prince was studying and had forbidden anyone to disturb him, but the princesses’ carriages could not be easily blocked. Especially since they had returned with an air of triumph, with the princesses personally whipping the palace servants who tried to obstruct them.

Moments later, the princesses’ carriages drove out of Wangchun Garden. The palace servants who had moved aside could hear the two princesses laughing joyfully inside the carriage.

Several scholars entered the hall to find the Third Prince sitting on the floor, his face dark and his eyes filled with malice.

“The princesses were truly outrageous,” one scholar cautiously said. “How dare they come and quarrel with Your Highness?”

They had thought that when the princesses were scolded, they would go cry to the Crown Prince, who would then use the opportunity to reprimand the Third Prince. At that time, a quarrel between the Third Prince and the Crown Prince would serve as a prelude to the Wangchun Garden literary gathering.

But unexpectedly, the princesses had returned to argue with the Third Prince.

Arguing with princesses had no significance.

And it seemed the Third Prince had lost the argument.

The Third Prince patted his knees. “That nephew of Chu Li—I originally had no intention of doing anything to him. He just happened to appear before me, so I thought to make use of him, to add some excitement to the Wangchun Garden literary gathering.”

“I never imagined that before I could do anything, they would slap me in the face first!”

“Fine, fine! Well played, daughter of Chu Li. Well played, declaring my invitation worthless.”

He kicked over the table.

“Come here.”

A scholar immediately stepped forward to hear the Third Prince’s instructions.

“Add another challenge to the literary gathering—” The Third Prince smiled faintly but sinisterly. “One must defeat the Chu girl—”

He stopped here, realizing he didn’t even know what this Chu girl was called.

More than half the people in the room didn’t know either. Who would care about such an insignificant person?

Fortunately, when the princesses had come to argue earlier, an attendant had heard and remembered. He stepped forward to report, “Chu Zhao.”

The Third Prince picked up a brush and wrote it down with a flourish.

“One must defeat the Chu girl, Chu Zhao.”

After writing, he tossed it aside.

“Take this and post it outside the gate. Since this Chu girl is so formidable, I’ll help her become famous throughout the empire!”

The scholar accepted the notice with both hands and acknowledged the order.

This wasn’t about making the Chu girl famous—this was using the Chu girl as a sacrificial flag!