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“Daughter of the Chu family, come out!”
“Daughter of the Chu family, come out!”
“The Chu family is truly too discourteous!”
The people gathered in front of the Chu residence had already begun shouting. They had announced their names and stated their purpose, but the Chu family was extremely discourteous—not only did they not open the door, they locked it from the inside.
“Since you questioned the Third Prince’s inability to select people and styled yourself as learned and talented, now that the Third Prince has granted your wish, why don’t you dare come out?” Several scholars shouted angrily.
Then more voices of inquiry arose: “What’s going on?” “What’s the background of this daughter of the Chu family?” “I’ve never heard of such a person—why does the Third Prince esteem her so highly?”
The incident between Chu Zhao and Chu Ke at the wine shop that day was just a minor matter, like the countless fights and street quarrels that happened in the capital every day. Moreover, Third Young Master Xie had been at the wine shop that day, so the quarrel between these two siblings, Chu Ke and Chu Zhao, was laughed off and forgotten by those present.
Outside the gates of Hope Spring Garden, besides the original three challenges, another question had suddenly been posted, saying one must compete with a daughter of the Chu family named Chu Zhao and defeat her to pass. Most people didn’t know what had happened.
So the few who knew embellished that day’s events. The content was no longer about Chu Zhao arguing with her brother because her father had been humiliated. It became a story of her being jealous that her brother obtained the literary invitation, resenting the Third Prince’s lack of discernment, publicly defeating her brother and snatching the invitation, claiming she was the one qualified to attend the Third Prince’s literary gathering.
So arrogant!
Hearing the tumult outside growing louder wave after wave, Jiang Shi’s face turned pale. Chu Lan was both furious and desperate.
“What a fine mess you’ve caused,” he said, looking at Chu Zhao who had been summoned, as if seeing his second brother. “You—you father and daughter truly are calamities for the Chu family!”
Chu Zhao’s expression was calm, though the development of events had surprised her too.
The Third Prince had actually noticed this small matter? Who had told the Third Prince? Who had provoked and angered the Third Prince?
However, it wasn’t really unexpected. The incident with Chu Ke at Elegant Interest Pavilion could indeed easily be embellished into disrespect toward the Third Prince.
She had indeed been disrespectful to the Third Prince!
This villain had caused the deaths of so many people in the capital and plunged the Great Xia into complete chaos. He still had the face to call himself a scholar, to pride himself on his noble bloodline—he was nothing but a shameless scoundrel!
This scoundrel wouldn’t have a good end.
But that was for later. Right now, having offended this scoundrel, he could ensure she didn’t have a good end.
Chu Zhao clenched her hands tightly in front of her.
“I’ll go beat them away!” A’Le shouted.
The Master was truly useless, actually allowing those people to be discourteous outside. With so many servants in the household, they should just go out and drive them away.
It didn’t matter—even if she was alone, she could beat them.
“Insolent maid, be quiet!” Chu Lan scolded. “Those are all scholars of our Great Xia.”
He looked at Chu Zhao again.
“You—go apologize to them, hand over that invitation, and put an end to this matter.”
Chu Zhao said, “Alright.” She lifted her feet and walked out.
Chu Lan’s remaining words were left unfinished, stuck in his throat, nearly choking him. Watching the girl’s retreating back, he angrily slammed the table. “You’ve completely lost all face for the Chu family.”
What calamity! How could he ever face people again!