Knowing full well that his family wanted to establish connections with the Chu clan, yet he kept silent.
Looking at Xiao Xun, on the other hand—knowing she repeatedly retreated, he pressed forward step by step, again and again, always using such base tactics between men and women—
Zhang Gu watched as the girl’s expression turned solemn and stern. He couldn’t help but step back and shiver.
Was she speaking ironically?
Chu Zhao noticed her lapse in composure and quickly collected herself, saying gently, “It really wasn’t him. We’ve already met, and we also know who did it.”
“We”? Zhang Gu caught that word, and the weight in his heart completely lifted. So the two had indeed met face to face. Good, that was good. Between men and women, misunderstandings were the most troublesome. Meeting face to face and clearing things up was best.
Miss Chu had already been to the Xie residence, which meant she’d met the elders too.
Since the elders knew about it, this matter was no longer a matter at all.
“Is A’Jiu doing well?” Zhang Gu couldn’t help but ask.
Chu Zhao smiled. “Not well. He was beaten quite badly—lying on the bed unable to get up.”
Yet she smiled quite happily? Was this the playful banter between young lovers? Zhang Gu forced out a smile, then remembering why A’Jiu had been beaten, his smile faded.
“So did he really do that thing?” he asked.
This military man was simple and honest. His expression was now complex—showing heartache, indignation, and bewildered uncertainty. Chu Zhao put away her smile and said seriously, “I don’t know. I asked him, but he didn’t answer me. Officer Zhang, if he truly did it, then what he’s suffering now is exactly what he deserves.”
Zhang Gu nodded. “Yes, Miss Chu is right. If he committed evil, then he’s an evildoer and deserves retribution.”
If he didn’t, then there would be no retribution.
Chu Zhao smiled. “I know you all must be uneasy. I should have sent someone to inform you first, but I really don’t have anyone I can trust, so I troubled Officer Zhang to make the trip yourself.”
Zhang Gu’s heart trembled again, different from his earlier fearful trembling—this time it was a soft flutter. This clever, kind, approachable girl who treated people with such sincerity was truly—truly General Chu’s blessing.
Who wouldn’t want such a daughter?
“Miss A’Fu, with you saying this, I really can’t accept such words,” he said.
This address of “A’Fu” made Chu Zhao’s smile deepen. “That’s right, Officer Zhang. When I first met you all, I was A’Fu. In front of you all, I’ll always be A’Fu. We got to know each other through conflict—we know each other well.”
Zhang Gu laughed heartily, the oppression in his chest completely swept away.
“Good, A’Fu,” he said, clasping his hands in salute. “If you ever need anything in the future, just speak up.”
Chu Zhao returned the salute. “Good. Then I won’t be polite when the time comes.”
After seeing off the military officer, Chu Zhao rode home in the carriage.
Chu Tang was waiting for her.
“Did you really go see Third Young Master Xie?” she asked.
Chu Zhao said with a smile, “These rumors about relations between men and women—it’s not just my affair alone. Of course I had to go find the man involved.”
Chu Tang breathed a sigh of relief. “You can still joke about it, which means the matter is resolved?”
“At any rate, I’ve left it to Third Young Master Xie,” Chu Zhao said. “He said he would resolve it. I’m just a weak woman, so I won’t worry about it anymore.”
Chu Tang sat down, fanning herself. “This matter isn’t easy to resolve. Even if Third Young Master Xie comes out to clarify that there’s nothing between you, it won’t help much. After all, this concerns you and a son of the Xie family. However the Xie family explains it, it will seem like they’re trying to cover something up.”
She placed her fan on the table and looked at Chu Zhao.
“Even if they say your connection with the Xie family son was ordained by your parents, it won’t work—it would only confirm the rumors.”
She picked up her fan again and waved it back and forth.
“This matter isn’t easy to handle.”
But the next day, the matter was resolved simply and decisively.
Minister Liang was convicted and thrown into prison. The Liang residence was surrounded, and the entire household—old and young, men and women—were all detained.
Besides the usual charges, there was one inconspicuous accusation that nevertheless caught the attention of the capital’s citizens.
Spreading rumors and malicious retaliation.
Overnight, all the rumors about Chu Zhao and the son of the Xie family vanished without a trace.
“Impressive,” Chu Tang said, sitting once again with Chu Zhao, gripping her fan.
Chu Zhao held her teacup and nodded. “Indeed impressive.”
She too had thought this would be difficult to handle, that there was no good way to dispel the rumors. She hadn’t expected that Xie Yanfang would simply deal with the person directly, leaving the rumors as nothing but rumors.
Impressive. Indeed worthy of being the Yan Wolf.