Chu Lan awoke with a start in his study, seeing the room filled with a dim yellow light.

Was it already dusk? A whole day had passed, and he didn’t even know when he had fallen asleep.

After a moment of confusion, he recalled what had happened earlier and listened carefully. He could faintly hear birds chirping and people walking softly, but there was no chaos or noise beyond that.

Only then did Chu Lan call for someone. Servants and maids ran in, exclaiming that the master was awake, and poured tea for him.

“Outside, how is it?” Chu Lan asked.

The servants knew what he was asking and rushed to answer, “Those people have all left.”

Chu Lan let out a sigh of relief, then raised his eyebrows and demanded: “Where is Chu Zhao? Tell her to come see me!”

The servants didn’t immediately run out, but instead exchanged glances.

“After the competition in the garden concluded and the guests were seen off, Miss A-Zhao sent word to the master and mistress that she was tired and needed rest. She said any matters could be discussed tomorrow,” a maid said softly.

This meant she wouldn’t come even if called. Chu Lan threw his teacup onto the table: “Does she have no respect for her elders? Who is in charge of this household?”

Madam Jiang and Chu Ke entered from outside and, hearing these words, laughed coldly.

“She hasn’t respected her elders for a long time,” Madam Jiang said. “She’s been in charge of this household for a while now.”

Chu Ke nodded: “Yes, indeed.” He sat down and hurriedly continued, “I’ve been saying all along that Chu Zhao has gone mad. We should send her away quickly. Father, you haven’t seen how she disgraced herself today.”

Although Madam Jiang had told him to hide and not leave his room, upon hearing about the events, Chu Ke had still secretly slipped out through the back door to spy.

“People went up to compete with her one by one, with others acting as judges. She was utterly humiliated before everyone’s eyes.”

“After losing, she would bow to them, then loudly proclaim ‘Chu Zhao is not as good as so-and-so,’ not just saying it, but writing it down and presenting it with both hands.”

“This wasn’t a competition, it was a trial—judging her again and again, with her repeatedly bowing her head in admission of guilt.”

By the end, Chu Ke couldn’t bear to watch anymore. If it were him, he would have jumped into the lake and drowned himself.

Although Chu Lan had imagined this scene, actually hearing about it still made his heart race. For a scholar, it was truly an unbearable humiliation. He said, “I knew she would bring shame upon herself. When she competed with you, her own brother, it was just for show. Did she really think she was that impressive?” He then instructed Chu Ke, “You must avoid going out these days, otherwise people will certainly grab you for a competition as her brother. Alas, our Chu family has truly lost all face.”

Chu Ke nodded: “I know, I know.”

Madam Jiang worried about her daughter: “She will certainly be mocked by others too.” She had a servant bring a box of money to send to Chu Tang, so she could use it to smooth things over with those around her.

The family managed to fall asleep despite their anxiety, but before dawn, they were awakened by servants.

“Master, Madam, those people have come again.”

Chu Lan sat up, wearing his night clothes: “Why have they come again? Wasn’t yesterday enough to vent their anger? Didn’t Chu Zhao already admit defeat?”

The servant said: “They say Miss A-Zhao invited them, saying they would continue the competition.”

What was going on? Chu Lan angrily sent someone to summon Chu Zhao. Once again, Chu Zhao didn’t come, but A-Le did.

“The competition isn’t finished,” she explained to Chu Lan. “There were so many people, and our Miss is just one person. It’s impossible to finish in one day, so Miss told everyone yesterday that they would compete for three hours each day.”

Chu Lan and Madam Jiang were dumbfounded and asked in shock: “Then how long will this competition last?”

A-Le said: “Miss said, since the Third Prince declared her a challenge, naturally it will continue until the Wangchun Garden literary gathering is held.”

She’s gone mad, Chu Lan and Madam Jiang had only this thought. Before, calling Chu Zhao mad was just a rebuke, but now they wondered if her mind had truly broken.

…

…

Quite a few people had gathered in Chu Garden in the early morning, even more than yesterday, but they weren’t as noisy. Most people clustered together, speaking in low voices, while others admired the scenery of Chu Garden.

“I’ve long heard that Chu Garden is elegant. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation,” someone sighed.

“I just never expected Chu Garden to have such a mistress,” someone nearby laughed. “Not elegant in the slightest.”

They hadn’t known this Miss Chu originally, but after inquiring these past few days, they learned that although she had just arrived in the capital, she had already fought with young ladies in seclusion and cursed at the gate of Liang Siqing’s house. She was indeed not an elegant person.

Everyone laughed, then heard hurried footsteps coming from ahead.

“Miss Chu is here.” “Look quickly.”

Everyone called to each other and looked toward the source of the sound. First, they saw several maids, and behind the maids was a girl walking slowly.

Among the crowd were those who had come yesterday. At a glance, they could see that compared to yesterday’s haste, today’s Miss Chu had dressed up.

The girl wore her hair in a single bun, revealing a broad forehead. Her eyebrows were like ink, her eyes like stars, and her cherry lips formed a small dot. She wore a goose-yellow garment that shone brightly in the spring garden.

Yesterday, she had repeatedly bowed and admitted defeat, writing statements of her loss for so many people, but today she showed no signs of dejection, unease, or anxiety. Instead, her eyes were full of fighting spirit.

“Competing one by one is too slow and wastes everyone’s time,” Chu Zhao said. “Let’s have ten people compete at once.”

Competing in calligraphy with ten people at once was possible—everyone could write their pieces. But what about chess and literary discourse? Those required concentration, focus, and deep thought. If she competed in chess and discourse with ten people at once, wouldn’t that be a farce?

But then again, this whole thing was already a farce. The crowd came to their senses again. The Third Prince’s intention was for everyone to humiliate this Chu girl. After yesterday’s competition, this Chu girl not only felt no shame but had become even more arrogant.

She wouldn’t just obediently bow her head and apologize.

She refused to admit her mistake and insisted on suffering this humiliation.

“Fine,” a shout rose from the crowd. “As Miss Chu wishes.”

Immediately, ten people stepped forward. Chu Zhao sat in her seat and calmly bowed to them: “Gentlemen, please.”

…

…

The Third Prince’s Wangchun Garden literary gathering had become a well-known grand event in the capital, so when the Chu girl’s name appeared outside Wangchun Garden, it immediately swept through the capital.

Even officials within the imperial city were discussing it in low voices.

Compared to the common people who merely saw it as entertainment, they felt more deeply about it.

“So she’s Chu Lai’s daughter.” “How unexpected, how could this girl do such a thing?” “What’s unexpected about it? Which of Chu Lai’s actions didn’t shock people?”

“This matter doesn’t have much to do with that girl.”

A distinctive voice suddenly interjected.

The gathered officials were startled and hurriedly turned around to see Deng Yi standing behind them.

Compared to their official robes, Deng Yi’s status was slightly lower, but this minor official, who had offended both the Zhao and Yang families and was now doing the bitter work of guarding the palace gates, often treated them to good tea and wine.

Of course, they had received gifts far more valuable than good tea and wine, but Deng Yi’s manner of giving gifts was generous and sincere, as if he weren’t giving gifts but his heart.

Although Deng Yi had offended the Zhao and Yang families, he hadn’t offended them, and they saw no need to step on this minor official to earn a laugh from the Zhao and Yang families.

“Official Deng,” they greeted with smiles. “On duty today as well?”

Deng Yi nodded.

Poor man, being a mere gate guard, not even able to rest. The officials sympathized and chatted with him. “Has Official Deng heard about Chu Lai’s daughter?” “Why do you say it doesn’t have much to do with the girl?” “Is there some inside story? Could it be that Chu Lai instructed her to do this?”

Deng Yi smiled slightly: “There’s no inside story. I mean that the girl’s competition in Chu Garden isn’t of her own accord.”

What did he mean by not of her own accord? It was she who had accepted the challenge and wanted to compete. The officials were confused.

Deng Yi said, “Because originally it was just a play between her and her brother, a private family matter. But others issued her a challenge because of it—how could she retreat without fighting?”

With that, he walked past them, slowly heading toward the palace gate.

The officials were stunned. Others? Who were these “others”? Wasn’t he referring to the Third Prince? Was this dissatisfaction with the Third Prince?

They came to their senses again, with helpless expressions. This Deng Yi dared to say anything!

No wonder he was being demoted despite giving gifts—he simply couldn’t win the favor of those above.