The banquet ended, and the ladies emerged from within. The area before the residence’s gates grew lively, a chaotic scene of carriages, horses, and servants.
"Make way, make way."
A carriage charged forward, driven by an old servant who looked half-blind. The carriage swayed precariously, as if it would crash into the surrounding people and vehicles at any moment. Other carriages and horses scrambled to evade it.
"What’s going on?" "Whose carriage is that?" "What’s with all the pushing?" "Shh, it’s the Chu Family’s."
At these words, the clamor died down. Everyone watched as the carriage, despite its swaying, came to a steady stop before the gates.
Little Rabbit ran out from inside first, hopping lightly to sit at the front of the carriage.
"How did it go?" the old servant driving the carriage asked in a low voice.
Little Rabbit pouted. "There wasn’t even a fight."
The maidservant had run out in a panic, saying the young miss was calling for him. Then, with a trembling voice, she had explained that the people inside were bullying her miss.
"A fight might break out," the maidservant had said in a low voice. "We’re counting on you."
These days, the Chu Family was refusing all visitors. When Chu Tang went out, she was accompanied only by an old servant to drive the carriage, a young manservant to place the stool, and a single maidservant—hardly the grand entourage expected of the Empress’s family.
But what others didn’t know, the maidservant who had stuck close to Chu Tang that night knew perfectly well: this one old servant and one young manservant were worth a whole crowd of attendants. Don’t be fooled by one being old and the other young—when it came to killing, they were as efficient as slicing melons!
She didn’t even dare to speak much to them.
"You’re both Second Master Chu’s men. You must help the Miss, protect the Miss... and me," the maidservant had implored repeatedly.
’He wasn’t one of Second Master Chu’s men at all; it was more like he was one of Second Master Chu’s enemies.’
’Right after he went in, he was asked point-blank if he hated General Chu Ling. He’d almost blurted out the truth.’
’Thankfully, he’d figured it out in time: he was just playing a part in this girl’s act. After Miss Chu Tang had fabricated his life story, he played along, performing the role of a tragically pitiful orphan—good thing his gold necklace was hidden under his clothes.’
’At that moment, he saw that many of the ladies and girls in the room had tears glistening in their eyes.’
’But then, listening to the women’s conversation—’
"There was no fighting," he said, nodding. "But it was pretty vicious."
As they spoke, Chu Tang emerged with her maidservant. Unlike before, when she was surrounded by girls and welcomed by the ladies, she was now accompanied only by the hostess, along with two or three other girls. Most of the other guests were further behind, keeping their distance.
"Miss Chu, I’m sorry for being a poor hostess," the lady of the house said, her expression a little ashamed. "Please forgive me."
Chu Tang smiled. "You are too kind, madam. This has nothing to do with you." She then looked at the girls behind her. "I’ll get together with everyone again next time."
The people keeping their distance heard her, and their expressions shifted slightly. ’There’s a next time?’
’We’re not inviting her next time—’
"I’ll take the initiative and visit you all," Chu Tang added with another smile.
’That’s right. They might not invite her, but if she showed up at their doors, who would dare turn her away?’
’She was, after all, the Empress’s sister.’
’If she came and argued, throwing her weight around, that was a failing of her character. But if they shut the door on her, then they would be the ones in the wrong.’
’This Chu Tang is such a headache.’ The ladies watched her depart gracefully, then turned to the girls beside them.
"The Border County is unstable right now, and the people are suffering. You should all stay home and not go out."
...
...
Once she was in the carriage, Chu Tang immediately slumped limply against a pillow.
"Miss!" the maidservant cried in alarm.
"I’m fine. Just let me recover," Chu Tang said, motioning for the maidservant to be quiet. She then let out a long breath.
The maidservant clutched her chest, feeling like she wanted to collapse as well. "Miss, how... how did you become so bold?"
’The Miss was never this kind of person. She never argued with anyone, let alone for the sake of Second Master Chu and Chu Zhao. She must have gone mad.’
’Have I gone mad?’ Lying on the soft cushion, Chu Tang thought back to what Chu Zhao had said.
"I’ve secured the Empress’s throne, but that doesn’t necessarily mean good times ahead for the Chu Family."
"Great fortune comes with great danger. Of course, if you just want to live in peace, there’s a way."
The young woman had sat in the Empress’s Palace, smiling as she spoke.
"Your family can leave the Capital City, take up residence in a scholarly academy, and never return."
"And you and your brothers should find spouses from simple families, preferably commoners with no official rank or post."
"That way, even if something happens to me in the future, you’ll have nothing to begin with, so you won’t be implicated."
’Live like that for a lifetime? It would certainly be peaceful and safe, but—’
Chu Zhao had looked at her and continued, "But if you don’t want to just live out your days in peace, you can be like me. Take a risk, gamble everything. I’ll scheme inside the palace, and you’ll build our influence outside. I’ll be your backing, and you’ll be my eyes and ears. If we’re lucky, we sisters can both attain high status and glory. If our luck runs out, well..."
She drew a hand across her throat.
In that moment, in the magnificent hall, the girl in her palace attire had leaned back casually, a smile on her lips. It was a smile that made one’s scalp tingle, yet was also incredibly alluring—
Chu Tang shot up again.
"Back when there was a massacre outside the gates and she opened the doors to the Chu Garden, I dared to run over and join her," she said, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. "This is just a few verbal barbs. What’s there to be afraid of?"
The maidservant jumped in fright. ’Miss Ah Tang has really gone mad!’
The next moment, Miss Ah Tang flopped back onto the cushions with a long sigh.
’Oh, Chu Zhao, Chu Zhao, please come back soon.’
’And Uncle, please, you absolutely cannot be convicted—’
’Still, I should probably pack my bags at home. Then it won’t be a problem if we have to flee in the middle of the night.’
...
...
"Young Master, more than half of the slander against General Chu Ling is the work of the King of Zhongshan."
Uncle Cai walked in holding a stack of papers, encountering Xie Yanfang on his way out. A maidservant followed beside Xie Yanfang, holding a cloak.
"This is the newly investigated list of the King of Zhongshan’s network, both inside and outside the Capital City—"
Xie Yanfang didn’t even glance at it. "Eliminate them all. By any means necessary." He paused. "And pull them out by the roots."
Those three phrases made everything clear. Uncle Cai asked no more questions, put the papers away, and followed him out. Then he took out a few more sheets. "Also, half of them are not the King of Zhongshan’s people."
A maidservant gently advised, "Young Master, it’s cold. You should put on your cloak."
Xie Yanfang paused briefly, allowing the maidservant to drape the cloak over his shoulders. He turned his head and asked, "Who are they?"
Uncle Cai looked at the papers in his hand. "All sorts. Court officials, members of Aristocratic Families, and especially Military Generals—"
The maidservant at his side couldn’t help but remark, "General Chu is really hated by a lot of people."
Xie Yanfang chuckled. "It’s not him they hate, it’s his position. General Chu has been quiet for over a decade; where would he have made so many enemies?" He looked back at Uncle Cai. "I understand. These people want to take this opportunity to carve up military power in the Northwest."
Uncle Cai nodded. "It is indeed an excellent opportunity."
First, the Chu Family’s foundation is weak. Second, Chu Ling is a controversial figure, and now that he is the Empress’s father and the Emperor is young, it’s easy to accuse him of trying to seize power. Third, there has been an unexpected setback in the war.
"A proposal has already been made at court to replace the Commander of Yunzhong County," Xie Yanfang said.
Uncle Cai hesitated for a moment, then reiterated his earlier point. "Young Master, this really is a good opportunity."
The only thing the Xie family lacked now was military power.
Xie Yanfang said, "It is, of course, a good opportunity, but—"
Uncle Cai wore an expression that said he already knew. "In any case, we must prioritize Miss Chu’s interests and not harm her in the slightest." He sighed wistfully. "I never thought the Xie family would be reduced to babysitting."
"Uncle Cai, the Xie family has indeed been reduced to babysitting," Xie Yanfang sighed lightly. "But babysitting is also the easiest way to earn a reward."
’General Chu Ling is a man at death’s door. If we show him our sincerity, then he will naturally leave everything he has to us.’
’Why play the villain at a time like this?’
’Besides, to get what you want, you don’t necessarily have to kick someone when they’re down. You can also offer aid in their time of need.’
Uncle Cai looked at the papers in his hand. "Then how should we deal with these people? Also eliminate them all, by any means, and pull them out by the roots?"
Xie Yanfang glanced at the list. "These are friends who can be persuaded. We can’t turn them into enemies like the King of Zhongshan. Have Seventh Madam make some social calls."
Although they weren’t refusing visitors like the Chu Family, the Xie family elders were in Dongyang, so they had few social engagements in the Capital City.
To convey the Xie family’s intentions, it was most effective to work from within the powerful and aristocratic families. A single word of defense for Chu Ling from the Xie family’s inner residence would be enough to influence the outside world.
Hearing this, Uncle Cai laughed. "I’m afraid that might be inconvenient recently."
Xie Yanfang was taken aback. ’What does he mean, inconvenient?’
"Of course, it’s not that people are unwilling to accommodate the Xie family," Uncle Cai said with a chuckle. "It’s that no one in the Capital City is holding banquets lately. Even if Seventh Madam were to host one and send out invitations, it might not go very smoothly."
Xie Yanfang didn’t pay much attention to the goings-on of the capital’s inner residences. He asked curiously, "Why is that? Logically, with trouble in the Border County, this should be the perfect time for lively gatherings to condemn the enemy."
For many people, a crisis—as long as it wasn’t their own—was an excellent opportunity to enhance their reputation, forge closer ties, and build alliances.
Uncle Cai explained, "Miss Chu Zhao’s cousin shows up at banquets every day to argue with people about whether Chu Ling is at fault. Not only that, but she also brings along servants—supposedly orphans and widows from the Border County—to tell their tragic stories about how hateful the Western Liang bandits are, how difficult the soldiers’ lives are, and how we must all unite against a common enemy. It disrupts the banquets to the point they can’t continue. With her status as the Empress’s sister, no one dares to bar Miss Chu Tang from entry. If this keeps up, every party will turn into a banquet for singing Chu Ling’s praises. So, everyone has just shut their doors and stopped socializing."
Xie Yanfang burst out laughing, though his smile held a hint of wonder.
He knew full well what kind of people Chu Lan’s family were.
Setting the parents aside, for a cold and selfish girl like Chu Tang to charge into battle for Chu Ling’s sake—
’Why was this? He knew the answer perfectly well in his heart. It was because the other girl from the Chu Family was truly formidable.’
’She has left the Capital City, but she made her preparations before she went.’
’She once said that getting to know the Third Young Master in this lifetime was a mercy bestowed upon her by the heavens.’
’But in truth, she doesn’t rely on his mercy at all.’