This indeed didn’t seem like the home Chu Tang was familiar with.

Not that it was crowded—Chu Garden had hosted quite a few large banquets before (held by other powerful families borrowing Chu Garden).

There were many servants in Chu Garden. When they saw her, they bowed in greeting, then continued busily on their way.

She really had become like a guest. One servant even said enthusiastically: “Miss Tang, there’s a pavilion over there that’s perfect for you all to sit. It’s close, you can see clearly, and it won’t be crowded.”

Chu Tang was both amused and exasperated. She had the servant lead Qi Leyun and the others to sit there.

“You don’t need to attend to me anymore.” She said to the servant. “I’m going to see Zhao.”

How ridiculous. She was also a young miss of this household—did she need their hospitality and guidance?

The servant immediately led Qi Leyun and the others away. Chu Tang could still hear him recommending today’s tea and refreshments to Qi Leyun’s group.

“…specially supplied by Intoxicated Immortal Restaurant. Young ladies, choose what you like, and it’ll be delivered in a quarter hour…”

“…Since there are many young ladies, why not order this full set? It includes both tea and refreshments, and it’s even cheaper…”

These young ladies were all wealthy and never cared about cheap or expensive, only about novelty. Sure enough, Chu Tang saw several young ladies take the menu and point at various items—

Had their home become a restaurant? Had the servants become waiters?

Chu Tang passed through the crowd and corridors to reach the Fish-Listening Hall.

Here was a spacious hall on four sides, directly facing the lake. The platform in front of the hall was wide, the pond water vast and clear, with artificial mountains, corridors, and pavilions surrounding it at varying heights. From any position, one could see this place.

She spotted Chu Zhao at a glance.

That girl wore something very simple, light pink and blue-gray, but sitting in the hall, she was radiant.

Today’s competition hadn’t started yet. Some people were chatting and laughing, some were preparing for today’s matches, and others were loudly shouting about how Miss Chu was this or that.

That girl held a scroll in her hands, reading seriously, completely ignoring the outside clamor.

As Chu Tang approached, the maids standing outside the hall seemed both surprised and pleased: “Miss Tang.”

Chu Tang glanced at the maids, recognizing them as the senior maids serving Chu Ke. She smiled: “You’ve all come to help? That makes sense. Since brother isn’t home, you’d be idle anyway.”

One maid looked awkward. In the past, she would have tearfully said that Miss Zhao had captured her—which was also true, but after being captured, she had willingly chosen not to leave. To then push the blame onto Miss Zhao—

Even just considering the money she’d received in these short days, she couldn’t be so unconscionable!

“I am the young master’s servant. With him away from home, this servant does some work for the household.” The maid said with slightly lowered eyes.

Was this sarcasm? While servants worked for the household, their young master and miss hid away?

Impressive. For Chu Zhao’s sake, this maid actually dared to engage in verbal sparring with her.

Chu Tang raised her eyebrows, about to say something, when a nearby maid called out loudly: “Miss Zhao, Miss Tang is here.”

It was better for them as maids not to confront a young miss. Let the young ladies talk among themselves.

The maid’s voice was loud, awakening Chu Zhao from her focused reading.

Chu Zhao lifted her head, her eyes momentarily blank, then she saw Chu Tang and her expression lit up: “Ah Tang, you’ve come! Come over quickly.”

Chu Tang hesitated briefly, then walked over with a smile: “This has really become quite a spectacle. I heard it being discussed everywhere outside.”

Chu Zhao nodded earnestly, not bothering with pleasantries: “Your timing is perfect.” She turned and called for A’Le.

The hall wasn’t occupied by just her alone. A’Le and other maids and servants were there. Some servants were checking the paper, desks, and chess pieces to be used in today’s competitions. Several maids surrounded A’Le, holding brushes and paper, saying something. A’Le looked like she had a splitting headache but didn’t dare disturb Miss.

Hearing Chu Zhao call her, A’Le quickly responded, but then looked distressed: “Miss, I still haven’t finished calculating—”

Chu Zhao smiled and pushed Chu Tang over: “You don’t need to calculate anymore. Miss Tang is here. From now on, leave all these matters to her.”

A’Le was overjoyed and immediately escaped from the circle of maids.

The maids were somewhat surprised. Chu Tang also couldn’t hide her surprise.

She smiled and said: “I just came to look around, and you’re already assigning me work? I wouldn’t dare interfere in your affairs.”

What Chu Zhao was doing would offend the Third Prince.

Chu Zhao understood the meaning in Chu Tang’s smiling words. What kind of person this cousin was—in her previous life she hadn’t paid attention and hadn’t seen clearly, but in this life, she saw through her at a glance.

Once a person breaks free from constraints, this world becomes very clear.

“I’m not asking you to do what I’m doing.” Chu Zhao said, pointing at those maids. “I’m asking you to do everything except what I’m doing.”

It sounded a bit convoluted, but Chu Tang understood. Her expression showed surprise again as her gaze turned to those maids.

The maids were also quick. They immediately surrounded Chu Tang with their papers and brushes.

Chu Tang glanced at them instinctively. She had been intelligent since childhood. Besides music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she had early on learned household management from Jiang Shi—keeping money in hand was how one kept hold of a household. This was a principle she’d long understood. So she immediately recognized what this was.

This was all the expenses for this Chu Garden Literary Gathering, and the income.

Actually, from the moment the servant mentioned “specially supplied by Intoxicated Immortal Restaurant” to Qi Leyun’s group, she had guessed there was big business here.

“You want me to manage this?” She said, forcefully withdrawing her gaze to look at Chu Zhao. “Ah Zhao, do you know this is—”

Before she could finish, Chu Zhao waved her hand to interrupt: “I only know my task is competing. Everything else is inconsequential to me, but because the competition must continue, I have no choice but to handle them. Now it’s perfect—you’ll handle these matters unrelated to competition, and I can focus on my work.”

Chu Tang’s gaze returned to those papers, seeing the numbers written on them. Her hanging hand couldn’t help but clench—

“You trust me that much?” She looked at Chu Zhao again and said seriously. “If these fall under my management, whether I manage them well or not, you can’t blame me.”

Chu Zhao smiled: “Of course I trust you. This benefits you, so I believe for your own sake, you’ll do very well.”

Having said this, she patted Chu Tang’s hand.

“You do your work well, I’ll do mine well. You benefit, I benefit—isn’t that good?”

She stood and walked away. She didn’t pick up her book again but walked outside the hall and said loudly: “Everyone, are you ready today? Let us compete and see who’s superior.”

By now the competition had lost its earlier elegance. Shouting voices rose from the crowd.

“What superiority? You, little woman, are no match at all.”

“Little Chu girl, let me tell you what reading really means.”

Chu Zhao walked calmly toward this clamor. On the platform by the lake outside the hall, two seating areas had been arranged.

Chu Tang stood inside the hall, watching that girl walk leisurely to her seat. She withdrew her gaze, turned, and sat down in a chair inside the hall.

“Put everything here. Let me take a look.”

The maids responded affirmatively, setting down the papers, bringing counting rods, brushes and ink, then standing aside in attendance.

……

……

Ever since the first day, Qi Leyun and the others came every day.

“That Chu Zhao, really, losing again and again. I don’t know what she’s trying to accomplish by not ending this.” Qi Leyun angrily told her family. “We felt embarrassed for her just watching.”

Just watching? Then there was no problem. Watching the Chu family daughter lose face could be considered venting anger for the Third Prince. Even if the Third Prince blamed someone, he couldn’t blame people just watching the excitement. The adults at home were relieved and stopped restricting the girls.

So even more girls came to watch the excitement.

Four servants carried a large table and set it up at Crabapple Pavilion. It was already too crowded here, with many girls standing in the corridors.

“Who’s treating for all this?” Chu Tang came over with a smile. “This must cost quite a bit.”

Qi Leyun said loudly: “We’re splitting the cost.” Then she beamed: “Who knew it would be cheaper than at Intoxicated Immortal Restaurant.”

Chu Tang smiled: “Cheap? I’ll have them make it even cheaper. For those who paid today, tomorrow I’ll gift everyone a full set.”

The girls were all very happy. Though none of them lacked money, it was about face after all.

Qi Leyun clapped her hands: “Ah Tang, you’re so thoughtful.”

But not everyone thought Chu Tang was thoughtful. A girl waving her fan to half-cover her face laughed lightly: “Ah Tang, you’re the host. Be more generous with guests—how nice it would be not to charge at all.”

Chu Tang smiled and sighed: “I’d like to.” She pressed her hand to her chest. “Unfortunately, I have the heart but not the means.” She glanced toward the Fish-Listening Hall. “I can’t really count as the host here.”

That’s right, these matters were started by Chu Zhao. Qi Leyun glared at the girl who had spoken: “Ah Tang is already pitiful enough.”

First reluctantly staying at her house, now captured by Chu Zhao to work.

That girl also glared at Qi Leyun, thinking what a fool.

She lowered her fan and stared at Chu Tang: “Ah Tang, this matter has nothing to do with you. Why suffer this indignity? If you’re tired of the Qi residence, there’s my house. My father gifted me a residence—you can come live with me.”

Let’s see how you answer, Chu Tang. Presenting working as being forced, then using cheap tea and refreshments to curry favor. Qi Leyun might be a fool, but she wasn’t. Her family owned three restaurants. This Chu Garden’s tea and refreshments flowed like water without stopping. She could almost calculate the profits.

The numbers were staggering!

Chu Tang looked at her and smiled helplessly: “No matter whose house I live in or how long, I’m still surnamed Chu. When people mention me, they’ll only say ‘Chu family daughter.’ The household’s affairs are my affairs. What else can I do if I don’t handle them?”

Having said this, she bowed.

“Enjoy yourselves. I’ll go attend to matters first.”

Chu Tang left. That girl was immediately scolded by everyone.

“How can you bully people like this?” Qi Leyun said angrily. “Ah Tang is already in such straits, and you still mock and bully her. What do you want her to do? Abandon even her family and die?”

The other girls also looked at the girl with dissatisfaction and resentment. Someone shook her head: “Ah Lan, that was cruel.”

That girl was somewhat panicked at being blamed—Chu Tang’s family background was weak, so she could be bullied at will. Making her angry didn’t matter. But these girls were different. If they became angry and ostracized her, her reputation in the capital would be ruined.

“I didn’t mean anything by it.” She could only apologize. “I just wanted refreshments without paying.”

Qi Leyun angrily threw her fan at her: “You’re just shameless!”

Chu Tang completely ignored the girls’ quarrel over there. She didn’t care about being bullied—she was used to it. She knew her family background was weak and others could bully her at will, but precisely because her family was weak, she would receive sympathy.

Compared to bullying, more people preferred to bestow favors.

So as long as she showed vulnerability at the right time, she could make those who bullied her be bullied by others.

These were all trivial matters she was tired of. Now there were more interesting things. Chu Tang walked back to the second floor of Fish-Listening Hall, where maids were organizing account books at the desk.

Still Chu Ke’s maids—the ones Chu Zhao had initially selected.

After Chu Tang took over, she hadn’t replaced them with her own maids.

She had come to work, not to show off. They were all household members—using anyone was the same.

“Let me see today’s account books.” She said.

The maids immediately stood and brought them to her. Chu Tang leafed through them while writing and sketching with her brush. On the second floor, the latticed windows were open, and occasionally scholars’ shouting voices drifted in.

Alas, Chu Tang thought, Chu Zhao was about to lose again. How pitiful.

……

……

Slap! A chess piece was slammed onto the board.

The middle-aged scholar opposite wore a cold smile: “Miss Chu, you’ve lost.”

Chu Zhao paid no attention to the scholar’s mocking expression. She bent slightly to study the board for a moment, thinking it over—there truly was no way to turn defeat into victory. Only then did she nod and bow: “I’ve lost. You’ve won, sir. I’m not your equal.”

Having said this, she extended her hand. A maid beside her immediately handed over a written acknowledgment. Now she didn’t need to write them on the spot—they were all printed, stamped with her seal. When she lost, she just took one out to present. Much more convenient than before—

But the scholar took it and didn’t hold it up to display to everyone. Instead, he tore it to shreds in two or three motions.

“I didn’t come to participate in a literary gathering. I came to teach you a lesson.” He sneered. “Little woman, you don’t know what’s good for you!”

Having said this, he swept his sleeves and turned to leave.

Mocking laughter erupted from the surrounding spectators. This wasn’t the first time. Ever since Chu Zhao had arrogantly humiliated losing scholars, she had suffered the scholars’ arrogant retaliation.

Chu Zhao’s expression remained impassive as paper scraps fell around her. She walked to another seating area—competing against ten people at once, this session wasn’t over yet.

“Your move, sir.” Chu Zhao said.

The young master sitting opposite wore a disdainful expression, placing his piece with ease: “Miss Chu, please hurry. I have an appointment and need to rush off for drinks.”

Chu Zhao said nothing, concentrating deeply before placing a piece.

Their game—every move was held up on a large display board by servants for everyone to see.

Seeing this move, several girls became anxious: “Oh no, oh no!” “That Chu Zhao, wrong, wrong!”

Another girl angrily slapped a corridor pillar: “Does Chu Zhao even know how to play chess! She’s so stupid!”

Besides eating refreshments and watching excitement, quite a few girls seriously watched the competitions. Most of these girls came from good backgrounds with deep family learning.

For instance, the girl watching chess now, surnamed Zhou—her family elders were skilled at chess.

Other girls comforted Miss Zhou: “She can’t compare to you.” “If she loses, she loses. The one losing face is her.”

Miss Zhou frowned: “She loses face, and so do we.”

This confused the other girls: “What does it have to do with us?” “We’re not competing.”

Miss Zhou looked toward the platform over there: “Just because she’s a woman, and we’re also women.”

……

……

On the platform, the chess game indeed ended quickly. Chu Zhao lost.

The young master opposite laughed heartily. Even more excessive than the previous winner, he didn’t even accept the acknowledgment slip.

“Chu family daughter, I just came to defeat you. Not for the world to see, but for you alone to know—you’re arrogant and ignorant, you don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth!” He said, pointing at Chu Zhao. “A mere little woman—read a few books, know female virtues, that’s enough. Yet you boast shamelessly. Win against one man and you become arrogant, thinking all scholars in the world are inferior to you. How laughable, a little woman.”

Chu Zhao’s expression remained calm as mockery poured down on her head.

The girls standing in the corridors also fell silent, their faces flushing red and white alternately.

Mere little woman.

Mere little woman.

That young master finished scolding and turned to stride away, but a delicate voice sounded behind him.

“Sir, please wait!”

The young master turned around, thick eyebrows raised. Having already lost, did this Chu family daughter still dare to debate him? But he saw Chu Zhao also turning to look in one direction.

There in the corridor were quite a few girls, their expressions now somewhat tense and uneasy, pulling one girl backward. That girl’s face was flushed red, looking as if she was about to suffocate.

What?

Hmm, not surprising though. The young master lightly stroked his temples. He had both talent and looks—it was natural for these women to be infatuated.

However, he wasn’t a casual person.

“This is a competition venue.” He said haughtily and distantly. “Not for you women to play, much less to select good husbands.”

Miss Zhou had acted on impulse in calling out and already regretted it. Hearing this young master say such things, her head buzzed.

The meaning was very direct and not new—the Third Prince had already scolded the princesses, saying that women attending literary gatherings were just there to select husbands.

The Third Prince’s gathering was one thing—he was a prince, so they dared not object.

But this Chu Garden—any random scholar dared to humiliate them, when they clearly hadn’t done anything!

This was infuriating!

The girls beside her felt a strong pull and could no longer hold on, leaving only a startled cry: “Ah Jiang!”

Miss Zhou, whose familiar name was Jiang, charged out from the corridor like a young bull.

“Sir.” She shouted loudly. “I’m also a mere little woman. Do you dare compete with me!”