Xiao Xun sat in the host seat of Chu Lan’s study, and only after repeated invitations did Chu Lan finally sit down across from him.

“Don’t be nervous, Mr. Chu,” Xiao Xun said. “I’m just here on behalf of the Third Prince to see what the situation is.”

Chu Lan sighed and pointed outside: “To be honest, I haven’t even gone to look. She won’t let me see it—that Chu Garden. She’s taken charge of this entire household.”

Even though he was here to investigate the situation of the Chu family, upon hearing these words, Xiao Xun couldn’t help but laugh.

Saying that a young girl was in charge of the household was indeed laughable, but now Chu Lan no longer cared about saving face. He continued: “Young Master, you know what she’s like. You traveled with her. You know how terrifying this girl’s temper is—”

When Chu Ke had previously mentioned that Chu Zhao had been hostile toward the Prince of Zhongshan during their journey, Chu Lan had been furious, believing it damaged the relationship between their two families. Now, however, he felt grateful for it. He almost wanted to grasp Xiao Xun’s hand and weep together in shared misery.

Xiao Xun smiled and said: “Miss Chu’s temperament is indeed somewhat unusual.”

Chu Lan nodded repeatedly: “Yes, yes, she learned it all from her father. Father and daughter lived far away in the border prefecture and never listened to the family.”

Chu Ling could point at the Emperor and curse him, so it wasn’t surprising that his daughter would offend the Third Prince. As the elder brother, he couldn’t control his younger brother, and as an uncle, he couldn’t control his niece. He felt both helpless and wronged.

“She—”

Chu Lan wanted to continue, but Xiao Xun interrupted him: “I understand. This matter has nothing to do with you, Mr. Chu.”

Although this was exactly what he meant, having the Young Master state it so bluntly made Chu Lan feel somewhat embarrassed. He raised his sleeve to cover his face and sighed: “The Chu family is truly unfortunate.”

“His Majesty asked me to help with the Third Prince’s literary gathering. I’ve been following this matter closely, and at this point, it can’t be explained in just a few words,” Xiao Xun said. “But please rest assured, Mr. Chu, I’m here to solve problems, not to assign blame.”

Chu Lan looked up anxiously and asked: “Then how will it be resolved?”

Take that girl Chu Zhao away? Just arrest her alone, please don’t arrest all of them.

Xiao Xun smiled slightly: “What’s the use of arresting anyone? That would only make it seem like the Third Prince is intolerant. If Miss Chu were to have a small accident, wouldn’t this matter be resolved?”

Chu Lan was startled.

“What kind of accident?” he asked cautiously.

Missing an arm or breaking a leg wouldn’t be acceptable. If that happened, he would have no way to explain to his second brother. When his second brother became enraged, he wouldn’t even respect the Emperor, let alone spare him.

“Mr. Chu, you’re overthinking. I mean Miss Chu falling ill, for example, accidentally falling into water,” Xiao Xun said. Chu Garden has a lake. Miss Chu is preoccupied with the competition and often walks by the lakeside. Accidents are inevitable.”

Chu Lan suddenly understood. Yes, yes, why hadn’t he thought of this?

“What a brilliant idea!” He couldn’t help but stand up and pace around. “Let me think about how to do this.”

Tie her up and throw her in during the middle of the night?

Xiao Xun smiled: “Mr. Chu, there’s no need to make Miss Chu fall into the water at night. We just need to say so publicly. But at this point, mere words won’t suffice.”

Chu Lan was cowardly but not stupid. He understood Xiao Xun’s meaning. If, at the beginning, when Chu Zhao refused to concede and insisted on competing, they had confined her and told others she had fallen into water and become ill, people might not have believed it but would have laughed it off without investigating further. The Third Prince could have dismissed the matter as well.

Now that things had escalated to this point, if he were to announce that Chu Zhao had fallen into water at night and was unwell, people certainly wouldn’t believe it. They would mock him, and the Third Prince would not forgive him either.

Chu Lan muttered: “Then what should be done?”

“Of course, it must happen in broad daylight, before everyone’s eyes,” said the scholar Ning Kun, who had entered with Xiao Xun and could no longer hold back.

After speaking, he gave Chu Lan an appraising look.

“Mr. Chu lives a life of privilege, with naturally filial children, free from worries.”

He didn’t even know how to discipline children, manage household staff, or maintain family reputation and other mundane matters.

Chu Lan was confused. How was he living a life of privilege without worries? For years, he had been in constant anxiety about the family and his career.

“Don’t speak that way,” Xiao Xun stopped the scholar. “Mr. Chu is a scholar who has devoted his life to studying poetry and books, teaching and passing on knowledge. How could he attend to such mundane matters?”

The scholar hastily bowed and apologized to Chu Lan.

Chu Lan quickly said it was nothing. Although he knew he was being looked down upon, it didn’t matter. Someone of the Prince of Zhongshan’s Young Master’s background—who could he possibly respect? Many people wished to be looked down upon by the Young Master, but never had the chance.

“I possess neither wealth nor intelligence, but I know the Young Master has come to help me,” he said sincerely.

Xiao Xun shook his head, not taking credit: “Mr. Chu is too kind. I’m mainly here to help the Third Prince out of his predicament. Originally, the Wangchun Garden literary gathering was organized by the Third Prince to impress His Majesty. Although His Majesty often says the Third Prince’s studies are useless, he looks forward to seeing him accomplish something. Unexpectedly, before the grand event could even begin, Miss Chu—”

Even the Emperor was—Chu Lan listened until tears nearly fell from his eyes. He bowed deeply: “I implore the Young Master to solve my dilemma. Since my younger brother caused trouble, the Chu family has been barely surviving. Now with this unfilial daughter, our Chu family’s days are numbered.”

Xiao Xun raised his hand in a gesture of reassurance: “Be at ease, Mr. Chu. You act for the Chu family, I for His Highness and His Majesty. Together, we shall succeed.”

……

……

Xiao Xun did not allow Chu Lan to see him off and left on his own. Now all the Chu family servants were busy in Chu Garden, leaving the main residence quiet and deserted as he walked through.

But as a breeze passed by, his ears were filled with voices again.

Xiao Xun stopped and looked in that direction, where Chu Garden was located.

“Does Your Highness wish to go and take a look?” the scholar asked.

Xiao Xun shook his head: “No need.” He wasn’t interested, and besides, he smiled slightly, “I’ll go tomorrow.”

He hadn’t given Chu Lan much time; the arrangement was set for tomorrow.

“This man cannot accomplish things. Give him more time, and he’ll certainly botch it,” the scholar understood Xiao Xun’s meaning, but there was one thing he didn’t quite understand. “Why didn’t Your Highness directly mention the intention of marriage?”

Having already gained some understanding of Chu Lan, he knew that if this matter were brought up, Chu Lan would be overjoyed and would help resolve the issue with Chu Ling.

This had already been decided back home, but unexpectedly, Xiao Xun had changed his approach after arriving.

The scholar studied the young man’s face—handsome features with indifferent eyes—did the Young Master dislike the Chu daughter? Although he had followed his father’s instructions, in the end, he still refused to speak the words of marriage.

Xiao Xun said coolly: “Because after arriving, I saw that Chu Lan is the type who will obey my every word out of fear alone. There’s no need to use marriage to manipulate him.”

Chu Lan was indeed more worthless than imagined. The scholar nodded: “However, Your Highness, don’t forget that we’re not here to solve problems for the Third Prince.”

That was merely a pretext for coming to the Chu family.

“I haven’t forgotten,” Xiao Xun said. The marriage proposal my father wants is to establish a connection with Chu Ling. Chu Lan is inconsequential. So tomorrow, in front of everyone, I will rescue Miss Chu when she falls into the water—”

At this point, he smiled, revealing attractive dimples.

“This time, will Miss Chu still say she doesn’t need my rescue?”

But this time, in front of everyone, she couldn’t dismiss the life-saving grace, nor avoid the physical contact. Afterward, he would visit a few more times to check on her illness, creating the impression that the Young Master of Zhongshan and the Chu daughter were in love. It would be quiet and reasonable, requiring neither Chu Lan’s consent.

It wouldn’t even require Chu Ling’s consent.