The Crown Prince’s arrest of a group of scholars did not throw the capital into panic. Third Prince’s counterattack was to announce that the Wangchun Garden literary gathering would officially begin, drawing even more people flooding into the capital.

The literary gathering would be tomorrow.

Compared to that previous lifetime—Chu Zhao thought for a moment, but couldn’t recall whether it was the same or different.

In that previous lifetime, the young ladies hadn’t participated. At most they cursed a few times, and paid no more attention. She cared even less—at that time she had been busy preparing for her betrothal to Xiao Xun. Her heart and eyes held only Xiao Xun. Even if the sky fell, she wouldn’t have cared.

Chu Zhao didn’t deliberate too much over the literary gathering matter.

In this, she had no choice. Although Third Prince’s path to survival was nearly at an end, if she dared not go now, Third Prince could cut off her path first.

The young ladies gathered daily, either at Chu Garden or at wine houses, reviewing the records of previous competitions in books, refining their skills.

“Minister Liang’s household has been sentenced, but they’ve all kept their lives,” Qi Leyun brought new information. “They’re being exiled to a border commandery.”

For young girls, this was no better than death. Some even murmured that if they faced such a fate, they’d rather die quickly.

“Once they go, they probably can never return to the capital in this lifetime,” someone sighed.

Chu Zhao sat to one side, her face showing no reaction whatsoever. Hearing this statement, she glanced at the girl.

The other girls immediately noticed. Someone quickly poked the girl who had spoken.

“What are you saying?” “Who’s to blame for this?” “Who told them to commit crimes?” “Though the women are pitiable, having enjoyed glory before, they must bear disaster.”

The girls spoke over one another.

They thought she was displeased to hear sympathy for the Liang family. After all, one of the charges against the Liang family was spreading rumors and malicious retaliation—referring specifically to spreading rumors about Chu Zhao and the Xie family’s son.

Chu Zhao smiled slightly, her feelings somewhat complex. Of course she didn’t pity the Liang family. What right did she have to pity others? In that previous lifetime when she met such an end, who knew if anyone had pitied her even once?

The reason she glanced at that girl was because she remembered that in that previous lifetime, though the Liang family was convicted and driven from the capital, they were still able to return to the capital. Not only did they return, they rose meteorically and even became imperial relatives.

As for this lifetime—

Chu Zhao’s fingers lightly stroked her teacup. Who could say?

“Tomorrow the Wangchun Garden literary gathering will begin,” she said to the girls. “But recently many things have happened in the capital. The situation is different from before. Everyone must be cautious in words and deeds to avoid bringing disaster to your families.”

The girls nodded.

Qi Leyun snorted. “Chu Zhao, you’re the one who needs to remember that—you’re the biggest troublemaker, all right?”

She sat down beside Chu Zhao.

“When the time comes, don’t get into a fight with Third Prince.”

The girls all laughed. Chu Zhao laughed too, poking Qi Leyun’s shoulder with her finger.

“I know,” she said with a smile. “A gentleman knows when to advance and retreat—when not to retreat, when one should yield. I know what I’m doing.”

Zhou Jiang, who excelled at chess—aside from when playing chess, this young girl remained as before, sitting inconspicuously in the crowd, not fond of talking, easily overlooked. Now she rarely spoke up. “We’ve already proven ourselves at Chu Garden, shown the world not to look down on us. That’s enough. We don’t need to compete over everything. That would lower us, and we’d be mocked again for being mere girls.”

Having said this, the young girl thought for a moment, paused, then nodded.

“But if it’s chess, I absolutely must win.”

The girls who had been about to nod all burst into laughter, swaying left and right.

“A-Jiang! Are you guiding us or leading us astray?”

But these two rounds of laughter dispersed the previously solemn atmosphere.

“Tomorrow we go to Wangchun Garden,” Chu Zhao said. “Everyone should go home early today and rest.”

Qi Leyun laughed again. “Rest? I need to prepare clothes and accessories. The jewelry my mother ordered for me has arrived. I need to go try it on.”

The other girls also laughingly said their garments were ready, new ornaments prepared, lively and spirited—they were, after all, girls in their teens.

“I see,” Chu Zhao said with a smile. “Then I’ll go browse too and buy some good things.”

The girls dispersed from the wine house and went their separate ways. Chu Zhao indeed didn’t go straight home, but took A’Le shopping.

A’Le said, “Miss A-Tang has already prepared clothes and jewelry for you, young miss. Though of course you can buy more.”

“Not buying clothes or jewelry,” Chu Zhao said. “We’re going to browse the medicine shops.”

A’Le was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. “For A’Jiu? The pills from last time aren’t even finished yet. Even eating lots of medicine won’t make him softer toward you.”

Actually, she wasn’t buying medicine for A’Jiu. She wanted to buy medicinal materials to keep at home as reserves. After all, after the Wangchun Garden literary gathering ended, the major conflict between the princes would arrive. Although she’d warned Xie Yanfang, even if the Crown Prince struck first to eliminate Third Prince, the turmoil would inevitably be significant—

Better to be prepared.

Chu Zhao was about to explain when something flashed before her eyes—a familiar figure passed by—

“A’Jiu!” she called out involuntarily.

Before A’Le could react, she saw Chu Zhao run off. She hurried to catch up.

……

……

Xie Yanlai was cutting through an alley across the main street into another alley. In just those few short steps, he was discovered?

He frowned at the girl blocking his path.

“What do you want?” he said irritably.

Chu Zhao looked him over. The young man wore dark clothing, black with red undertones, the belt trimmed with gold thread—ordinary yet concealing luxury. This was the favorite style of aristocratic sons.

Completely different from how he looked as a courier soldier.

This was the first time seeing him in normal dress. The previous two times—once he’d been half-naked, beaten and in a wretched state; once he’d been recuperating in bed, wearing loose plain clothes.

“You really do look different with clothes on,” Chu Zhao said with a smile.

What kind of talk was that! Xie Yanlai sneered. “Even with clothes on, Miss Chu can still recognize me. You really are quite obsessed with me.”

A’Le, who had just caught up, was shocked to hear this. What kind of talk was that!

“A’Jiu,” A’Le said angrily. “Our young miss is concerned about your injury. Right now we were specifically going to buy medicine for you.”

Chu Zhao smiled and didn’t deny it.

Xie Yanlai’s phoenix eyes lifted as he looked at the girl. “Is that so? Not bad, not bad. Buy plenty and serve this young master well. There’ll be benefits for you.”

Chu Zhao immediately reached out and produced a letter. “Excellent! Then I’ll trouble you to deliver this letter to my father for me.”

Xie Yanlai was both annoyed and amused. “You actually carry a letter with you? So certain you’ll run into me anytime, anywhere?”

Chu Zhao smiled. “Having encountered you, I won’t miss the opportunity.”

Xie Yanlai snorted with laughter. He didn’t take the letter, waving his hand dismissively. “Move aside, move aside. I’m still an invalid—I need to go back and recuperate.”

Chu Zhao didn’t block him, stepping aside.

“How did you get out?” she asked, watching the young man’s back.

The young man’s shoulders and back were straight. Without turning his head, he said, “I came out so Miss Chu could catch me.”

Someone like him probably couldn’t decide for himself whether to go out or not. Chu Zhao didn’t tease him further.

“Does it hurt?” she asked softly.