Although Xiao Xun had concealed his identity when he arrived, as Chu Lan’s guests hastily bid farewell, the female members of Madam Jiang’s household immediately learned of it, and they too promptly found excuses to take their leave.

Madam Jiang rushed to find Chu Lan, running into his study to find only Chu Lan sitting there, motionless, with a blank expression.

“My lord, are we going to have our property confiscated?” Madam Jiang asked, choking with fear.

Chu Lan was startled from his daze and glared at her: “What nonsense are you talking?”

Then he burst into laughter.

“What confiscation? Good fortune has come to our Chu family.”

Madam Jiang became even more terrified—had her husband been frightened to the point of insanity?

“What are you imagining? Outsiders don’t know about our connection with the Young Master, but surely you do?” Chu Lan said with a smile, personally helping Madam Jiang to sit down.

She indeed had no idea what connection they had with the Prince of Zhongshan’s Young Master… Madam Jiang looked at Chu Lan with concern: “My lord, you mustn’t let anything happen to you.”

Chu Lan sat down on the other side: “The Young Master came to help us solve our problem.” He stroked his short beard, his expression calm. “We have already made plans together.”

Only then did Madam Jiang believe him, yet she still found it incredible: “Really? How?”

“This is precisely where I need your help,” Chu Lan said, moving to sit beside Madam Jiang. “This matter must be kept secret. No one else can know.”

Madam Jiang quickly leaned in to listen as Chu Lan whispered. The last trace of worry faded from her face, and her eyes filled with delight.

……

……

Chu Zhao walked through the garden, lost in thought, not noticing several people approaching her with angry expressions.

“—it’s that boy, Xie Yanlai—”

“So he’s Xie Yanfang’s brother? A-Qiang, are you sure you heard correctly?”

Liang Qiang, walking in front, stopped and fixed a fierce gaze on the young man behind him: “What? Afraid now that you’ve heard he’s Xie Yanfang’s brother?”

The young man smiled awkwardly: “I mean, the Third Young Master Xie will surely discipline him—”

“Third Young Master Xie’s discipline was just to send him away from the capital. Is that discipline? It’s just helping him avoid trouble. This scoundrel mocked my sister, mocked our Liang family—we can’t just let him off like this.” Liang Qiang said with hatred.

As he spoke, he suddenly noticed someone standing before him. Liang Qiang and his companions were startled, then looked more carefully—

“Miss A-Zhao,” Liang Qiang called out hurriedly.

Chu Zhao smiled and bowed, asking curiously: “What were you discussing?”

Liang Qiang said with hatred: “It’s just that Xie family’s—ahem, Miss A-Zhao, what brings you here?”

Was she waiting for him specifically?

Chu Zhao smiled and said: “There are many more talented than me. I’m free now, just walking around.”

What a coincidence that she would just happen to run into him during a casual stroll. Liang Qiang smiled slightly: “Miss A-Zhao, there’s no need to be modest. Without you, how would they have a chance to display their talents?”

Chu Zhao didn’t know what this young man was thinking, nor did she wish to associate with the Liang family. She politely said: “Thank you, Young Master.”

Now the young master should take his leave.

But the young master opposite her remained standing still, as if in a daze.

The young men beside him were somewhat puzzled. Someone gently pushed Liang Qiang, asking, “Shall we go?”

Liang Qiang came to his senses and looked at Chu Zhao: “I’ll go first.” He smiled again. “I’ve been watching all along. Miss A-Zhao is quite valiant as well.”

Chu Zhao was momentarily stunned. She harbored resentment toward the Liang family and maintained a guarded distance. Since the incident with Miss Liang, the two families had not interacted. Although she knew young people from the Liang family had come to Chu Garden to enjoy themselves, she hadn’t paid it any mind. She hadn’t expected Liang Qiang to praise her—

“Thank you, Young Master,” she bowed in return.

His sentiments should have been adequately expressed by now. Liang Qiang nodded: “Then I’ll take my leave first.”

Chu Zhao said: “Farewell, Young Master.”

Only then did Liang Qiang walk away with his companions.

His companions had been holding back and now burst forth with questions: “Didn’t she bully your sister too? Why are you smiling like a flower at her?” “Since when are you so familiar with Miss Chu?”

“Girls’ squabbles are nothing, unlike that Xie boy—” Liang Qiang said, and at this point his teeth clenched in anger. “Besides, that boy isn’t even a proper young master—he’s an illegitimate son born to a concubine.”

His companions recalled their earlier conversation and asked curiously, “Really?” “That’s his background?” “Third Young Master Xie has such a disgraceful brother?” “In that case, we can’t let him off easily!” “A-Qiang, tell us, how should we teach him a lesson?”

Their indignation surged instantly.

People are always quick to judge based on background. Sure enough, once this was mentioned, nobody was afraid anymore. Liang Qiang smiled with satisfaction and couldn’t help looking back. Indeed, he saw that the girl was also looking back in his direction—clearly, she was reluctant to part from him.

He had visited Chu Garden several times these days but hadn’t dared approach Chu Zhao directly to avoid causing trouble for his family. However, his presence alone was the greatest comfort to the girl.

“A-Zhao.”

A voice came from ahead, interrupting Chu Zhao’s distraction.

Chu Zhao turned her gaze to see two girls standing not far away. Now, many girls not only didn’t avoid her but would actively greet her.

“What are you looking at?” the two girls asked, also looking back to see the retreating figures of several young men.

Chu Zhao said: “That’s Young Master A-Qiang from the Liang family. After all the trouble between Miss Liang and me, I didn’t expect he would still come to Chu Garden.”

The two girls laughed: “Perhaps he came to witness your embarrassment.”

Chu Zhao smiled: “Even so, he’s still honoring me with his presence.”

Both girls laughed—how could Chu Zhao be fierce? She was quite witty.

“Miss Liang is being laughed at too, but not because of your incident,” one girl said in a low voice. “You know about her rejected betrothal, right?”

Chu Zhao didn’t know about Liang Qin’s betrothal being rejected and wasn’t particularly interested either.

The other girl nodded: “You’ve heard about it too? At first, we thought the Xie family looked down on the Liang family’s status, but it turns out the other party looked down on Miss Liang herself, saying her appearance wasn’t even as good as his own.”

Chu Zhao understood now and frowned: “Even if he didn’t approve, there’s no need to humiliate someone like that.”

The two girls exchanged a glance, somewhat surprised. They had thought Chu Zhao would gloat.

“Miss Liang is a girl. What happened to her could happen to any of us women,” Chu Zhao said. “Putting ourselves in her place, our bodies, skin, and appearances are all inherited from our parents—not something we can decide. This is not our fault, and we shouldn’t feel inferior because of it, nor should we be mocked.”

The two girls nodded: “A-Zhao, you’re right.”

Chu Zhao said, “That person is too vicious. I hope none of us ever encounters someone like him.”

The Xie family indeed consisted of no good people, but since she wouldn’t be an empress in this life, it didn’t matter to her if the Xie family rebelled.

“Enjoy yourselves,” Chu Zhao said. “I’m going to have a word with A-Tang.”

The girls smiled: “Go ahead and attend to your business.”

Chu Tang was sitting on the second floor, leisurely drinking tea. Four maids were organizing account books nearby. When they saw her enter, they all hurriedly greeted her.

“Would you like to look at—” Chu Tang asked proactively.

But Chu Zhao waved her hand, asking the maids to withdraw first.

Chu Tang felt somewhat anxious. She had just seen Chu Zhao walking with several girls, and other girls had all greeted Chu Zhao as they passed. Chu Zhao’s relationship with the girls had already become quite good, unlike before when people disliked her. She had even subtly become a central figure among the girls—was Chu Zhao planning to “remove the bridge after crossing the river” and discard her?

Chu Zhao looked at her, hesitating to speak: “Sister, do you know who came today?”

Seeing Chu Zhao’s strange expression, Chu Tang was puzzled: “Who?”

Chu Zhao lowered her head to look at her fingers: “Do you know about the Prince of Zhongshan’s Young Master?”

Chu Tang looked at Chu Zhao. She knew about the Prince of Zhongshan’s Young Master, but she didn’t understand Chu Zhao’s current demeanor—was this… coyness?