Chu Zhao knew nothing of the events occurring outside the capital, but she did sense that her reputation had changed from before.

Almost every day, people came to visit, with young women making up the majority, though there were also young men.

The young woman came to socialize, sitting down to chat, calling her “sister.”

Among the men, some came to make her acquaintance, while others came to discuss poetry and principles.

There were also many invitations to banquets from noble families.

Since they were no longer at Chu Garden, visitors first had to pay respects to the head of the household. This both pleased and displeased Jiang Shi and Chu Lan.

They were happy that the Chu family entrance hall was bustling with activity, but unhappy that these visitors would exchange barely three sentences before asking to see Chu Zhao, making them, the heads of the household, seem like mere messengers and guides.

“This isn’t unusual,” Chu Lan said in the bedroom, sneering. “Wasn’t it the same when Second Brother was in high favor a dozen years ago?”

Back then, men and women had also streamed in continuously. The men came to associate with him, while the women came to discuss marriage.

“We’ve seen what it’s like when the door is as busy as a marketplace,” Chu Lan said wistfully. “We’ve also tasted the danger that lurks beneath such activity.”

Jiang Shi hesitated, “Are you saying there will be danger ahead? Surely not. After all, A-Zhao is just a girl, not like Second Brother, who was a man in an official position.”

A girl might cause a stir now, but eventually, she would marry, enter the inner courtyard, support her husband, educate her children, and become cut off from the world.

Chu Lan snorted, “How would I know what this father and daughter might do? Heaven knows.”

As the couple spoke, Chu Tang entered with a smiling face.

“Father, Mother, don’t worry about this,” she said. “I’ve already persuaded A-Zhao to stop receiving visitors.”

Chu Lan asked, “Will she listen? Hasn’t she been stirring up trouble all this time just to gain attention?”

“Precisely because she wants attention, I was able to persuade her.” Chu Tang sat beside her mother. “Father, she’s going to participate in the Wangchun Garden literary gathering. Most of those coming to Chu Garden are just part of the crowd. Those with real talent wouldn’t mingle with young ladies making a scene—people like you, Father.”

Chu Lan stroked his beard and nodded. That was exactly right.

“So the Wangchun Garden literary gathering is the most important thing. If A-Zhao wants to gain attention, she must study diligently,” Chu Tang said with a smile. “I took the liberty of giving her Father’s study to use, telling her not to receive visitors and to focus on her studies behind closed doors.”

Chu Lan nodded with a smile, “Well done. Let her use it.”

Jiang Shi stroked her daughter’s shoulder, smiling happily, “It’s good to have A-Tang here.”

Chu Tang turned and took her mother’s hand, “It’s no trouble for me. I just need to coax her. It’s just that Father and Mother will have to deal with the inconvenience of turning away visitors.”

Chu Lan and Jiang Shi nodded, “Don’t worry, we’ll handle it.”

They couldn’t let their daughter face difficulties.

…

…

Chu Tang strolled into the study and saw Chu Zhao browsing books on the shelves.

“Father has collected many treasures,” Chu Tang said, walking over to point them out. “There are also many annotations. Father has spent half his life on these.”

She smiled.

“Father’s scholarly skills are quite respectable.”

Chu Lan had received direct instruction in the Book of History from Master Zhu and had inherited the Qiaoshan Academy. His scholarship was substantial. Chu Zhao nodded in acknowledgment. In her previous life, she had studied with Chu Lan and knew this well. However, at that time, her studies had merely been to please Xiao Xun. She had learned hastily, and Chu Lan had taught perfunctorily.

“I’ve secured this study for you, so feel free to use it,” Chu Tang continued. “As you requested, I’ve also asked Father and Mother to turn away visitors.”

Chu Zhao smiled and thanked her.

“Are you going to dedicate yourself to study?” Chu Tang asked curiously.

Chu Zhao sat down, waving a book in her hand, “No matter how hard I work, I could never be invincible at the Wangchun Garden literary gathering. I know my abilities. I wasn’t even overwhelmingly successful at the Chu Garden gathering.”

Chu Tang laughed, “I thought you were determined to make a stunning debut.”

“Making a stunning debut doesn’t necessarily mean winning,” Chu Zhao said lazily. “If I lose, won’t I have achieved that as well?”

Chu Tang laughed heartily.

What had always mattered was not winning or losing, but whether one dared to try.

Moreover, she wasn’t interested in fame. It was just that when the Third Prince had come to bully her, she had fought back. She only wanted people to know that her father hadn’t produced a useless daughter, that her father was a hero, and so was she as his daughter.

To be honest, she had no desire to attend that literary gathering. Of course, even heroes need to judge situations appropriately. When the Third Prince sent people to challenge her, it was reasonable for her to accept. But now that the Third Prince had sent an invitation, refusing to attend would seem arrogant and ungrateful.

The Third Prince would then have sufficient reason to strike at her mercilessly.

“I’m just going to join in the excitement,” Chu Zhao said. “To boost everyone’s morale.”

And to deal with the Third Prince’s challenges at the event.

“You should keep your distance from me when the time comes,” Chu Zhao reminded with a smile, to avoid being implicated.

Chu Tang nodded, “Then I won’t go.”

Chu Zhao chuckled, then said, “You should come and see.”

She looked at her cousin.

“Come and see how the imperial power and nobility can be unpredictable and capricious. It will help you understand what dangers lurk beneath the glamour.”

In her previous life, Chu Tang had relied on her position as the Empress’s relative to marry into a good family, only to be cast aside, eventually going mad and trying to assassinate her. She had seemed like a muddled person. But now, Chu Tang appeared shallow and disloyal yet quite clever. Perhaps in that life, she had been blinded by power and glory, nurturing wild ambitions, leading to her downfall.

“Sister, you’re intelligent. I hope you can see more clearly, with a clear mind and clear eyes. That way, the world’s cruelty won’t easily harm you.”

“Don’t worry, Sister. As long as you don’t stay close to me, even if I get into trouble, it won’t affect you.”

The girl spoke calmly, but Chu Tang found it strange, as if the girl didn’t consider her family—

They hadn’t treated her as family either.

Chu Tang was silent for a moment, then nodded, “Very well, I’ll go and gain some experience. The more one sees, the better one can pursue advantages and avoid harm.”

As the two sisters were talking, a maid cautiously entered.

“Young ladies, Miss Qi has arrived.”

Jiang Shi had told her that Chu Zhao and Chu Tang were studying behind closed doors and not receiving visitors, but Qi Leyun immediately said she had academic questions.

“After all, we’re all going to Chu Garden together. If I don’t learn well, they’ll be embarrassed too,” Qi Leyun insisted.

Jiang Shi couldn’t argue with the young girl and had to let her in.

“What are you studying at home?” Qi Leyun pushed aside the maid as she entered. “The Wangchun Garden gathering is something we all fought for together, so of course we should discuss it together.”

She took hold of Chu Zhao.

“Everyone’s waiting for you at the Yaqu Pavilion.”

Chu Zhao smiled and went with her. Chu Tang asked indignantly from behind, “What about me?”

Qi Leyun waved dismissively, “You stay home and study well.”

Chu Tang spat in disdain and followed them.

…

…

When Qi Leyun led Chu Zhao into the private room, it was already full of girls.

Seeing Chu Zhao, they all waved, “Come here!” “Miss A-Zhao, sit with me.”

Qi Leyun ignored them and led Chu Zhao to sit in the center.

Chu Tang didn’t follow closely but found a random seat, quickly becoming friendly and chatting with the girls there.

“What’s going on today?” Chu Zhao asked with a smile, looking around the room. There was no banquet set up. “I thought you were all going to treat me to wine.”

“What’s there to eat? We have matters to discuss,” one girl said.

Before she could finish, Qi Leyun raised her hand to interrupt, “Wait, close all the windows first.”

Chu Zhao laughed, “It’s so hot, why close the windows?”

But the girls had already risen and were indeed closing all the windows. Qi Leyun stood by the window, snorting and glancing sideways at her, “To prevent someone from seeing something they shouldn’t through the window and running off without us.”

She was referring to the incident with A-Jiu. Chu Zhao laughed heartily.

“Alright, the windows are closed. I won’t run away,” she said.

One girl hesitated before saying, “A-Zhao, we invited you here because recently there’s been a rumor—”

Before she could finish, the door was suddenly thrust open, and a girl rushed in.

“Chu Zhao!” the girl shouted shrilly. “You shameless creature!”

Chu Zhao was startled and looked at the girl, asking, “Who are you?”

The girl’s face was full of anger, but when confronted with this question, she almost choked on her rage.

“Chu Zhao, stop pretending to be clueless,” she shrieked.

Qi Leyun stood up nearby, “Liang Qin, speak properly. Why are you shouting?”

So it was Liang Qin. Chu Zhao felt somewhat helpless. Although she had kicked Miss Liang as soon as she opened her eyes, she hadn’t looked at her carefully. After all, she had mistaken Liang Qin for Concubine Liang. They hadn’t met since, so she didn’t remember Liang Qin’s appearance.

Liang Qin wasn’t as beautiful as Concubine Liang.

Thinking of Concubine Liang, Chu Zhao’s expression became indifferent, “It’s been a while, Miss Liang. How am I shameless?”

Liang Qin looked at her and sneered, “You beat me back then to ruin my marriage prospects! For the sake of a man, you brought up your father, claiming I had insulted him. Doing such a thing, it’s you who humiliates your father. You’re truly shameless!”