The crackling of New Year firecrackers gradually faded away. After the first month passed, time flew quickly, and outside Chu Zhao’s window, tender green foliage had appeared without her noticing.
“Lady A-Tang has sent another letter,” A-Le said as she entered with a thick envelope.
There was no grand court assembly today, so Chu Zhao had the rare opportunity to be lazy, sleeping until well after dawn. After rising, she wore casual home attire with her hair loosely arranged, sitting by the window, practicing calligraphy.
Hearing A-Le’s words, she put down her brush and reached out to take the letter.
“Quick, see if the marriage is going to be finalized?” A-Le sat opposite her, asking curiously.
Chu Tang had gone to the academy during the New Year festival. When she first arrived, she sent a letter confirming her safe arrival. This was the second letter since then.
Chu Zhao opened the letter and saw that Chu Tang had first written about the family’s recent situation.
Chu Lan was now single-mindedly pursuing the path of a sage, abandoning worldly possessions and no longer concerned with fame or status. He was writing books, establishing his teachings, and gathering disciples, striving to leave his name in the annals of history—not as the Empress’s relative.
“But Father no longer avoids mentioning Uncle and you, and he doesn’t complain like before. Of course, he doesn’t flaunt himself as the Empress’s elder or act superior either.”
Chu Lan declared that the Chu family was devoted to the country and its people until death. Chu Wei had sacrificed himself for the nation, and the Empress had not failed the late Emperor’s trust, continuing the Chu family’s martial valor. He only suggested that she should have read more books.
Chu Lan’s exact words were: “Living in the military camp since childhood, she neglected her studies. If she had been sent home earlier, we could have taught her to read more books.”
Those who heard this said that it was precisely because the Empress had learned her skills in the military camp that she could fulfill the late Emperor’s trust, fighting Western Liang and suppressing rebellions.
“Being accomplished in both civil and military affairs would be better,” Chu Lan said solemnly. “As the Empress of a nation, governing the world is more difficult than pacifying it.”
He showed the strict expectations of an elder toward a younger relative, while also expressing his hopes.
Of course, some people suggested that Chu Lan should be invited to the capital to serve in court—first there was Chu Wei, who secured peace through military might, now there could be Chu Lan, who would establish order through scholarship.
Chu Lan firmly refused to let anyone mention such a thing again, stating that he merely knew how to read books but not how to govern the world. Not only would he not enter court service, but neither would his sons.
Being able to pass on the academy’s legacy, teaching and resolving doubts for students—even if it meant spending all their family wealth—would be enough for him and his sons in this lifetime.
These words and his sincere demeanor made Chu Lan’s prestige even greater in the local area. Scholars from other regions also came to pay their respects and seek instruction.
“Father truly believes in this path,” Chu Tang’s letter conveyed her amusement. “This is the safest and most satisfying aspiration Father has found.”
Chu Lan was indeed greedy for fame and profit. There was nothing wrong with that—everyone inevitably harbors some greed and desire. But in that previous life, Chu Lan had blamed Chu Wei for his unfulfilled ambitions and had single-mindedly sought fame and profit through Chu Wei. Not knowing his limitations or the dangers of the world and human hearts, he had stepped into a quagmire and sought his demise.
In this life, he had been frightened enough to know what he could and couldn’t touch, and also recognized what he was good at and what he should do.
Chu Zhao smiled and put down this sheet of paper to look at the next one.
Chu Tang had not been idle these days. She had accompanied Chu Lan on visits throughout the local area, meeting with both noble families and common people. Chu Lan’s students and fellow scholars came from varying backgrounds, but he treated them all equally—now that he had gained prestige, he was content and had a more peaceful mindset, no longer judging people by their family background or status.
“The women here are also quite familiar with you, the Empress. From the literary gathering at Chu Garden back then until now, everyone has continued to discuss it enthusiastically.”
Chu Tang described in her letter that she had decided to follow that example and also organize a women’s literary gathering at Qiao Mountain Academy.
“Originally, it was just to get closer to them and have a bit of fun, but unexpectedly, word spread. Besides locals, women from surrounding areas also came after hearing the news.”
“I decided to make it a grand affair, and the competition lasted a full half month. Now I’m working with everyone to compile the writings from the gathering into a collection to send to you.”
At this point, Chu Tang changed the subject.
“Remember to inscribe a message on it, and then let people in the capital circulate it. This is what I hinted to everyone in advance, and they were ecstatic about it. Men also flocked to participate—although losing would bring shame that reached the capital, winning would mean being seen by the people of the capital. What scholar doesn’t hope for widespread fame?”
Chu Zhao smiled as she read this, then put down this sheet to look at the next one.
Beyond the festivities, Chu Tang had also used this opportunity to familiarize herself with the local noble families and common people.
“The Empress’s reputation among the people is at its peak. Although many feel that the Empress’s involvement in government affairs is somewhat controversial, even more people take pride in the Empress.”
“After this literary gathering, the women all feel closer to you, the Empress.”
Chu Zhao’s lips curved into another smile.
“What is it? What is it? Is Lady A-Tang satisfied with that young master?” A-Le, seeing her smile, asked urgently.
Chu Zhao sighed.
A-Le anxiously asked: “What’s wrong? She didn’t like him?” She then pursed her lips. “Lady A-Tang has always had high standards, and now with her uncommon status, how could she easily be impressed by others?”
Chu Zhao laughed and said: “I’m sighing because after writing two pages about state affairs, my cousin still hasn’t mentioned her matters.”
A-Le understood and smiled too. She knew that Chu Tang was now like Chu Zhao’s eyes among the common people, with a vision of the greater world.
Chu Zhao looked down at the third page and smiled: “This page talks about it. She is preparing to marry.”
A-Le gasped and stood up, unable to hide her excitement, nervousness, and a touch of disbelief: “Really?”
Indeed, Chu Zhao read from the letter that Chu Tang had met this young master as soon as she returned. He had attended a family banquet as Chu Lan’s disciple.
The young master was reserved and quiet, and Chu Tang found him unremarkable, until after the literary gathering—
Even though she was a princess, organizing a literary gathering wasn’t that simple. Chu Lan was aloof, fearing people would say he was seeking fame or flattering the Empress. He didn’t hinder her, but he didn’t help either. Chu Ke, traumatized by the previous literary gathering, incited his two younger brothers to oppose it. They didn’t help but created trouble instead. Although she had brought Xiao Tu and others with her, Xiao Tu’s team was skilled at killing and spying, but completely useless when it came to organizing literary gatherings.
That young master had quietly run errands for her and even invited many friends to help persuade their families to let their sisters participate.
And he had done all this without Chu Tang knowing.
It wasn’t until after the gathering, when Chu Ke was arguing with her, that it came out.
Chu Tang then arranged to meet with the young master to thank him and openly asked with a smile if he had done it to please her.
The young master shook his head, then nodded.
“He said he indeed helped for my sake, but not to please me. Rather, he wanted to see what kind of person I was, whether I was the wife he would cherish and spend his life with.”
When Chu Tang’s brush wrote these words, her heart must have been pounding. She wrote—
“He said, I am.”
“He said, the Lady A-Tang, who organized a women’s literary gathering, was completely different from the newly-ennobled princess he had imagined. This lady wasn’t seeking to stand in the spotlight with all eyes on her. She was quick-witted and intelligent, measured in her actions, open-minded yet crafty. Though she stayed in the background, she shone like jade.”
“He even painted a picture of her, sitting in the flower hall watching several women compete. In his painting, under his brush, she was radiant,” Chu Zhao told A-Le softly.
A-Le listened intently, covering her face with her hands at one point. “How can he say such embarrassing things!” she exclaimed. Then she complained, “Why did Lady A-Tang write these details so thoroughly! Who wants to hear this!”
Despite claiming not to want to hear it, when she heard about the painting, her eyes immediately brightened as she asked: “Where’s the painting? Where is it?”
Chu Zhao said: “That painting is A-Tang’s treasure. How could she possibly send it to us?”
A-Le snorted: “Lady A-Tang loves to show off. She might send it to make us envious.”
Chu Zhao was also amused by her.
Of course, Chu Tang wasn’t showing off but was simply unable to contain her joy. When truly happy, one wants everyone to feel their happiness.
“So it’s mutual affection,” A-Le said, sighing with relief. “Lady A-Tang is going to get married.”
Looking at the letter, Chu Zhao saw that Chu Tang wrote that she wouldn’t return to the capital for now. She had chosen an auspicious date in the sixth month for the wedding, and then during the New Year, she and her husband would accompany Chu Lan’s family back to the capital to attend upon the Empress.
“Ah!” A-Le clapped her hands. “It’s only two months away. We need to prepare wedding gifts for Lady A-Tang.”
Chu Zhao nodded with a smile. A-Le couldn’t sit still and paced around the room.
“We must prepare well. This is the first young lady from our family to get married,” she said. After speaking, she looked at Chu Zhao and paused slightly. A-Zhao should have been the first to marry, but that was different. The Empress’s wedding would be prepared by the court, and she wouldn’t need to do anything.
No, that wasn’t right—that wasn’t getting married. The young lady hadn’t married yet.
Even more incorrect—could the young lady still marry in the future?
While A-Le was lost in thought, a voice came from outside the door.
“Sister Chu—”
A-Le looked up blankly and saw a boy peering slightly into the room from the doorway.
“A-Yu has arrived,” Chu Zhao said with a smile.
Xiao Yu stepped in and asked: “Sister, what are you doing?” As he passed A-Le, he was drawn by the way she was staring at him and couldn’t help but look back at her. “A-Le, why are you looking at me?”
A-Le moved her lips, seemingly not having come back to her senses, muttering something inaudible.
“She received good news and is all busy and confused, her mind is foggy,” Chu Zhao said with a laugh, gesturing for Xiao Yu to sit beside her.
Xiao Yu no longer paid attention to A-Le and said happily: “Ah, good news, that’s wonderful!”
Chu Zhao was amused by him and poked his forehead: “I haven’t even said what it is, and you’re already saying it’s wonderful.”
Xiao Yu sat down beside her and said earnestly: “Sister’s good news is naturally wonderful!”
Chu Zhao smiled and pointed to the letter in front of her, saying: “My cousin, A-Tang, is getting married.”
Xiao Yu was overjoyed: “Really? Congratulations to Sister A-Tang!”
How nice, once she was married, she would become part of someone else’s family. One less person in sister’s family meant he and sister would be even closer.