But the carriage didn’t proceed smoothly to Wangchun Garden after leaving the gate.

The capital was under martial law.

People, horses, and carriages on the main street were all being driven away, and it happened to be on the road leading to Wangchun Garden.

Chu Zhao and Chu Tang’s carriage was herded into an alley, where the narrow lane was packed with carriages, horses, and people until not even water could trickle through.

“What’s going on?” Chu Tang’s new personal maid, sitting at the front of the carriage, asked anxiously.

A’Le jumped down from the carriage, squeezed around everywhere in a circle, and came back.

“It’s the Crown Prince going out,” she said. “The Crown Prince brought many people—the Crown Princess, the young prince, they’ve all come out.”

Chu Zhao quickly asked: “Where are they going? Wangchun Garden?”

In that lifetime, the Crown Prince hadn’t gone.

If he went to Wangchun Garden, would the Third Prince close the doors and slaughter everyone? And the Crown Princess and young prince were there too—they could all be eliminated in one fell swoop. But that was impossible. Wangchun Garden would be chaotic with so many people—

A’Le shook her head: “No, they’re going hunting, or maybe martial arts competitions. There are many soldiers and horses, and many archery and riding officials too.”

A helpful passerby nearby added: “Not only that, they’re shouting all along the way that anyone with great strength or good at archery and riding can come to the hunting grounds to compete. The victor can receive an official position from the Crown Prince.”

Compete and win to become an official—this was far more impressive than the Third Prince’s literary gathering.

Scholars rushed to literary gatherings seeking to make their name known throughout the realm, but even more so to gain official titles and advancement.

The Crown Prince doing this was really blocking the Third Prince—blocking both his roads and his heart.

There had been no such thing in that lifetime, nor had she noticed the Crown Prince having such impressive momentum. Perhaps she just hadn’t paid attention in that lifetime.

If he was going hunting, would it be safe?

But—Chu Zhao gave a bitter smile. Was staying home safe? In that lifetime, the Crown Prince was slaughtered in the Eastern Palace.

“A’Zhao, what are you thinking about?” Chu Tang asked.

Chu Zhao’s thoughts were interrupted as she looked at Chu Tang sitting beside her.

Chu Tang stared at her face, examining it carefully: “Is something wrong? Maybe I shouldn’t go after all.”

Chu Zhao laughed: “In broad daylight, under a clear sky, at such a grand event, the Third Prince is even more afraid of things going wrong than you are.” She then took Chu Tang’s hand and instructed the driver, “As soon as the road is clear, depart immediately.”

After the Crown Prince’s ceremonial procession of carriages and horses passed by magnificently, the blocked people could finally move again. However, because there were too many people, carriages, and horses, they got stuck again for quite a while outside Wangchun Garden.

Qi Leyun was in a carriage nearby, lifting the curtain and fanning herself, all the pearls and jade ornaments in her hair swaying together: “Does this count as an inauspicious start for the Third Prince?”

The girl in the carriage beside her reminded: “Don’t speak carelessly.”

But Qi Leyun wasn’t afraid: “It’s not like I’m the one making his start inauspicious.”

As they were joking, the road finally cleared. Imperial guards and palace attendants came to guide and arrange the carriages and horses. The people didn’t dare joke around anymore and entered Wangchun Garden in an orderly chaos.

Only after entering did they discover that the opening atmosphere of the literary gathering hadn’t been affected by the Crown Prince’s procession blocking the road, because the Third Prince had opened the bookshelves in one of the halls, and everyone could go in to browse.

These were imperial collection books, many of them rare editions. Whether scholars or spectators, no one could resist this temptation. They all surged into the hall, immersing themselves in the sea of books. How could anyone be anxious about the delayed opening? They wished the road had been blocked longer so people would arrive even later.

The books soothed the anxiety of those who arrived early and increased the worry of those who came late. The atmosphere at Wangchun Garden was joyful yet peaceful.

“The Third Prince is quite capable,” Qi Leyun whispered to the other girls.

Of course the Third Prince was capable—the Crown Prince would die at his hands. Chu Zhao thought to herself, not discussing this with the girls. This kind of capability was disgusting!

Chu Zhao’s gaze swept around and suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.

“Third Young Master Xie,” she called out quickly.

The young master in fine clothes on the flower path turned around. Seeing the girl, he smiled slightly, making the summer flowers blooming by the roadside instantly lose their luster.

Qi Leyun and the other girls were stunned. By the time they came to their senses, Chu Zhao had already run over. They then saw Xie Yanfang bow and apologize to the several people beside him before walking away with Chu Zhao—

Qi Leyun stamped her foot in frustration: “Chu Zhao is hogging him all to herself! We’re all good sisters, yet she doesn’t think of her sisters at all.”

Another girl also nodded in dissatisfaction: “Even after she marries into the Xie family, we won’t benefit from it or be able to see Third Young Master Xie anytime.”

The other girls were fine with the first sentence, but found the second sentence rather baffling. How had it gotten to marrying into the Xie family?

“Did Third Young Master Xie take a liking to her?” “How is that possible! It’s that, that who?” “Xie Yanlai.” “Xie Yanlai—you actually remember his name.” “Could the rumors actually be true?” “Impossible, she’s definitely using the opportunity to get close to Third Young Master Xie.”

The girls discussed among themselves. Qi Leyun and the other two girls said nothing, their expressions carrying a somewhat inscrutable air.

If it were before, they would have thought the same way. But after seeing Xie Yanlai dressed in clothes—no, dressed as a proper young master of a noble family—they had changed their minds.

Now it could be said this way too: Chu Zhao getting close to Third Young Master Xie might also be for Xie Yanlai’s sake.

……

……

“Xie Yanlai didn’t come, did he?”

Chu Zhao looked around and asked Xie Yanfang.

“I saw him wandering around on the street yesterday.”

Xie Yanfang shook his head: “He didn’t come, but he went to serve at the Imperial Guard camp.”

After saying this, he saw the girl’s eyes widen in surprise.

He smiled and voluntarily explained: “I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. He said lying at home wasn’t comfortable, and he wanted to go personally before people to see who dared mock him.”

Who would dare mock him to his face? Regardless, he still had the status of a Xie family son. Thinking of those who had originally wanted to gossip and ridicule him behind his back now having to hold it in, and perhaps even having to pinch their noses and fake concern about Xie Yanlai’s injury—

Making others uncomfortable was exactly what he liked to do.

Chu Zhao smiled and set Xie Yanlai aside: “Third Young Master, why did you come?”

Xie Yanfang smiled. He was standing right in front of her, yet she asked about someone else first, and only then asked about him—

The girl’s expression was solemn, worried, and anxious.

“You should be guarding the Crown Prince right now. The Crown Prince going out alone—how dangerous!”

Of course Xie Yanfang knew. She also knew the Crown Prince wouldn’t be going out alone. There were so many people around the Crown Prince—guards, tutors, strength officials, Yang family members, and the Emperor had sent people along too—

What she meant by that statement was that in her eyes, the truly capable one who could protect the Crown Prince was him alone.

He had grown up being praised and surrounded by admirers all his life, but at this moment, looking at the girl’s earnest gaze, he couldn’t help but break into a smile.

He put away his smile, moved closer to her, and said in a low voice: “The Crown Prince has sufficient personnel on alert there. I came here specifically to personally watch the Third Prince. With me watching him, I can detect any irregularity in his every move. Not just him—the entire Wangchun Garden, the Zhao family—I’ve had people watch them all.”

He looked at Chu Zhao.

“Please rest assured, Miss A’Zhao.”

With Xie Wolf watching the fierce beast that was the Third Prince, she was indeed relieved. Chu Zhao smiled and nodded.

The girl seemed to have unloaded a heavy burden, her happiness overflowing. Xie Yanfang couldn’t help but smile along with her. She was so happy—then let her be even happier.

“Miss A’Zhao,” he said. “Your father’s men have already arrived in the capital.”

Father’s men? Chu Zhao was startled, then shocked, asking tensely: “Who? What happened?”

“Don’t worry, your father is fine. It’s not about him.” Xie Yanfang quickly reassured her. The Crown Prince had said that Chu Ling’s life was running out, so this girl must surely know too—

Don’t frighten her.

Just now the girl’s face had turned pale in an instant, and she’d murmured something about “it’s not time yet”—he didn’t know what she meant.

“It’s a deputy general surnamed Zhong who came to the capital to submit a memorial on your father’s behalf,” Xie Yanfang continued to reassure. “And then, to bring you home.”

Chu Zhao’s breath stopped for an instant. She could feel her eyes like exploding fireworks, and also like a bursting river dike.

“Really?” she asked loudly, her eyes fixed on Xie Yanfang as if his one sentence could decide her life or death.

Xie Yanfang’s voice became gentle, as if afraid of breaking the girl before him.

“It’s true. They’re currently lodged at the capital garrison. My men personally received them. They also know you’re attending the literary gathering and said they want to come watch.”

He paused here and softly called the girl’s name.

“A’Zhao, if you want to see them right now immediately, I’ll have them brought in right away.”