That day when he came to Chu Garden, he naturally wasn’t truly acting on the Third Prince’s orders. But after leaving Chu Garden, he immediately went to see the Third Prince.

“The Chu Garden literary gathering should end now,” he told the Third Prince. “I went to see for myself. If this continues, it will be disadvantageous to Third Brother.”

The Third Prince sneered coldly: “Am I afraid of her? What disadvantage do I fear? The Crown Prince is already disadvantageous to me. Am I so afraid that I should immediately kill myself?”

Xiao Xun smiled bitterly: “Third Brother, please don’t jest. My meaning is that if this escalates, it could be both good and bad. Third Brother should turn it into something good.”

The Third Prince glanced at him: “You’ve always had many ideas since you were young. Tell me, how do I turn this into something good?”

“Of course, by enjoying it together, celebrating with all under heaven,” Xiao Xun said sincerely. “Third Brother is magnanimous and tolerant, accommodating a young lady’s actions.”

The Third Prince looked at him coldly: “I am neither magnanimous nor tolerant.”

“Then take action first, and discipline the young lady later,” Xiao Xun said with a smile, moving forward a few steps on his knees to get closer to the Third Prince. “Third Brother, His Majesty is still waiting to see your literary gathering. You must make it lively and joyful, so His Majesty can also be happy.”

The Third Prince looked at him, his gaze sinister: “Then you, being so devoted to this cause for me—is that also for happiness?”

Xiao Xun smiled bitterly: “Third Brother, this matter started because of me. If I hadn’t spared an extra glance at the Chu family young master’s submission that day, none of this would have happened. I came to the capital once and caused such trouble. I can never be happy again in this lifetime. So yes, my devotion really is for the sake of happiness.”

The Third Prince laughed loudly.

He said: “This isn’t your fault. It was the Crown Prince who instigated it. He encouraged our royal sisters to use that young lady to humiliate me.”

Xiao Xun earnestly said: “That’s why Third Brother mustn’t fall into their trap.”

The Third Prince glanced at him: “Alright, I understand. You’ve finally come to the capital. I can’t let you suffer such a fright.” He then called to someone, “Bring the invitation cards.”

The eunuchs brought in the invitation cards and handed them to Xiao Xun.

Now, as Xiao Xun entered again, his hands were empty—the matter had been taken care of.

The Third Prince still showed no joy. A perfectly good literary gathering had been ruined like this.

“Just wait,” he said coldly. “I won’t let any of these people off!”

He raised an arrow in his hand, and a jar in the distance shattered in response.

“Your Highness, since you can accommodate the world, why not invite the Crown Prince’s brother-in-law, Third Young Master Xie, to attend as well?” Xiao Xun suggested.

The Third Prince naturally knew of Xie Yanfang’s reputation and was aware that he had entered the capital, but he hadn’t planned to invite him to the Wangchun Garden gathering.

The Crown Prince disdained his literary gathering, and he likewise disdained having the Crown Prince’s people attend.

But now, unable to vent his anger on the Crown Prince, he would make the Crown Prince’s followers bear it instead.

“Someone, go deliver my invitation to him,” the Third Prince said with bitter resentment and a cold smile. “If he doesn’t come, it shows he doesn’t acknowledge me. I’ll make him leave the capital and never set foot in it again for life.”

Xiao Xun smiled: “Third Young Master Xie surely wouldn’t be so unwise.”

A eunuch immediately took the invitation and left. In less than half an hour, he returned, still holding the invitation—

The Third Prince’s face turned icy: “He’s only the Crown Prince’s brother-in-law, not the Crown Prince himself. If I kill him now, the Crown Prince won’t make me pay with my life.”

The eunuch hurriedly said: “Your Highness, Third Young Master Xie said there’s a problem at his home, and he’s too ashamed to attend Your Highness’s gathering.”

A problem?

Both the Third Prince and Xiao Xun were stunned. What problem could the Xie family have?

…

…

The Chu Garden literary gathering had ended, and Chu Garden returned to its quiet state, no longer filled with the comings and goings of people and the hustle and bustle of voices.

Chu Tang leaned against the railing and sighed softly: “It feels so deserted.”

As soon as she spoke, footsteps and laughter came from behind, with girls calling out, “Where’s A-Zhao?” “Chu Zhao, hurry up!”

Perhaps it was better when it was quiet, Chu Tang thought as she turned to look at the approaching girls: “Why come to my home so early? For breakfast?”

“Are the pastries from Zuixian Tower still being delivered?” Qi Leyun rubbed her stomach. “I got used to eating them. It feels strange to suddenly stop.”

Chu Tang spat: “If they deliver just for you alone, it would be quite expensive.”

Qi Leyun grabbed her: “You miser! Don’t think I don’t know how much money you’ve made. Hurry and treat me.”

The other girls also came forward, laughing and joking.

“Sister A-Tang is treating us?” Chu Zhao’s voice came from behind.

Chu Tang struggled free from the girls: “In all the time you’ve known me, who has ever seen me treat others? I’m the one who always eats and drinks at others’ expense.”

All the girls burst into laughter.

“Then I’ll treat,” Chu Zhao said with a smile. “We’re tired of Zuixian Tower. I’ll invite everyone to Yaqu Pavilion instead.”

The girls immediately cheered happily. Chu Tang glared at Chu Zhao.

Chu Zhao glanced at her and said, “The money will come from my share.”

Chu Tang’s face immediately bloomed with a smile: “Great! I want to go too.”

The girls laughed again. Everyone knew that thanks to the Chu Garden literary gathering, Chu Zhao and Chu Tang had earned quite a bit of money. So they didn’t stand on ceremony and crowded around Chu Zhao as they went out.

Today, Yaqu Pavilion wasn’t as lively as the last time they visited.

Because Third Young Master Xie wasn’t there.

However, with Miss Chu Zhao’s presence, a new kind of liveliness emerged.

The waiters welcomed them warmly. Chu Zhao reserved half of the third floor, and when it was heard that Chu Zhao was hosting a banquet, other girls who were originally in the restaurant also came up to seize the opportunity to make acquaintances.

The third floor was filled with chatter and laughter. The girls played zithers, composed poems, and wielded brushes with ink, then sent their works to guests on the first and second floors for appreciation.

The guests on the first and second floors all received fine wine from Chu Zhao as thanks for their appreciation. They didn’t find the girls’ behavior annoying at all and praised them profusely.

“One can imagine how lively the Wangchun Garden gathering will be.”

“It’s a pity we can’t participate.”

“But I heard that even if you can’t compete, you can still go to watch.”

“Really? Then I can’t miss such an event.”

“I’ll go offer a toast to this Chu lady now.”

Yaqu Pavilion became even livelier. The street outside suddenly became very busy too, with people running in one direction and shopkeepers looking in the same direction.

Although they were now playing together, not just listening to boring zither music and insincere flattery, Qi Leyun still occasionally let her mind wander as she gazed at the street scene. Leaning by the window, she was the first to notice the commotion.

“Look, everyone! Who’s coming?” she called out.

Could it be Third Young Master Xie?

Third Young Master Xie rarely went out. He had been in the capital for so long, yet they had only seen him once—truly a case of hearing the name but not seeing the person.

Hearing Third Young Master Xie’s name, the other girls also looked outside. Chu Zhao was no exception. These days, A-Le had been inquiring about Third Young Master Xie, but unfortunately, although she had gathered a lot of information, upon closer examination, there was nothing substantial—

This Third Young Master Xie was renowned throughout the land, yet no one knew any personal information about him—what he liked, what he did daily, what he excelled at, who his friends were—all such details were completely unknown.

He was an extremely cautious person, which made Chu Zhao even more determined to meet him.

“Will the Third Young Master also attend the Wangchun Garden gathering?”

“Then we can compete in the same arena.”

The girls chattered and laughed while watching the street, seeing many people approaching from a distance.

Was it Third Young Master Xie going out?

“No, no,” some maids returned after gathering news, their expressions excited.

Hearing it wasn’t him, more than half the girls turned away, but they were confused. If it wasn’t Third Young Master Xie, why such excitement?

“But it’s someone from Third Young Master Xie’s household,” the maids said excitedly, then furrowed their brows, placing hands over their hearts with worried expressions. “Third Young Master Xie’s family member has caused big trouble. He must be so anxious right now.”