Xiao Xun glanced at him: “Since I put people at ease, why does Father still need to go give people money?”
Ning Kun laughed heartily: “This is called reinforcement. The Prince considers all aspects—only this way can we live up to the Prince’s wisdom and prevent his past tragedy from repeating.”
Father Prince had been so wise back then, but those around him hadn’t paid enough attention, resulting in the Empress Dowager easily moving to harm him.
Xiao Xun fell silent for a moment. When he was young in the capital, Father Prince had toiled in Zhongshan Commandery, scheming for him and ensuring he had protectors by his side—
During those years, all the money from Prince Zhongshan’s estate was spent on him. Only after he finally returned home did he discover that his younger brothers and sisters dressed and ate like commoners—
“Is this person Deng Yi worth spending so much on?” he asked.
Ning Kun said: “We can’t approach important people, and important people don’t care about our money. Only such minor figures both love money and can play a crucial role at key moments. Isn’t there that saying—a thousand-mile dike collapses from an ant hole. So yes, worth it.”
Xiao Xun pressed no further and said: “Then let Father Prince continue spending money while I sit leisurely at the post station.”
Ning Kun nodded, his expression grave as he said in a low voice: “The Capital Guard Camp is indeed not quite right.”
Xiao Xun spoke with some anticipation: “I wonder what kind of good show will unfold.”
……
……
The first day of the望Spring Garden literary gathering passed both lively and peacefully.
Lively because many people participated; peaceful because the scene wasn’t as intensely confrontational as the Chu Garden literary gathering had been at the start.
Chu Zhao also didn’t become a target of public criticism as predicted, nor did she fight back due to others’ contempt. All day she smiled, grinning at everyone she met—making people turn and walk away when they saw her—
“So happy because Master Xie Three is here,” Qi Leyun said with a curl of her lip, then rolled her eyes and leaned in to whisper, “We’re good sisters—tell me, do you really like Master Xie Three or Xie Yanlai?”
Chu Zhao laughed and pushed the young girl’s head away with her finger: “Qi Leyun, since when are we good sisters?”
With that, she walked away laughing.
Qi Leyun stamped her foot in frustration.
……
……
People, carriages, and horses streamed out of望Spring Garden.
But quite a few people stayed behind. Today’s outstanding participants were invited by the Third Prince to lodge at望Spring Garden and attend the evening banquet.
Of course, the young ladies were still not included.
However, the young ladies no longer minded.
Chu Zhao and Chu Tang walked out together with the other girls.
“Elder Sister,” Chu Zhao said, “take Qi Leyun’s carriage home.”
Before Chu Tang could respond, Qi Leyun huffed: “I’m not your good sister. Why should I take your orders?”
Chu Tang smiled and took her arm: “Then pity me for being abandoned by my good sister and take me home.” Without waiting for an answer, she pulled her away, not asking what Chu Zhao was going to do.
Chu Zhao wasn’t worried that Qi Leyun would kick Chu Tang out of the carriage. She took A’Le to their own carriage and instructed the driver: “To the Capital Guard Camp.”
The driver didn’t dare ask questions and drove toward the Capital Guard Camp as instructed.
“Miss, is it really Uncle Zhong who’s come?” A’Le asked excitedly for the umpteenth time while sitting in the carriage.
“Yes,” Chu Zhao said with a smile. “Unbelievable, right?”
A’Le cupped her face and squeezed hard, making a funny face: “Unbelievable—”
The carriage raced along quickly. As the curtain fluttered, A’Le’s peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a figure. She quickly stuck her head out the window and called: “A’Jiu!”
A’Jiu?
Chu Zhao hurriedly looked out and indeed saw a troop of Imperial Guards passing on the main road, among them a young man staring straight ahead.
The other Imperial Guards heard the shout and looked over, curiously examining the two girls in the carriage.
“It’s Chu Zhao,” someone said quietly.
Among them were several who had gone to watch the commotion at Chu Garden and recognized this girl.
When Chu Zhao’s name was called out, everyone’s eyes immediately turned to Xie Yanlai, their expressions meaningful—
The young man in dark Imperial Guard uniform with a bright red sash and long sword still stared straight ahead.
“A’Jiu,” Chu Zhao asked with a smile from the window, “your injury still hasn’t healed—why are you running around?”
Xie Yanlai didn’t even glance at her but looked at the sky instead: “Some people are truly arrogant. After fighting with people all day, they still won’t go home. Are they looking to cause more trouble?”
A’Le huffed: “A’Jiu, be nicer. We won’t bring you medicine anymore.”
Xie Yanlai laughed sharply and finally looked over: “That would be wonderful—my injury would heal faster.”
With that, he spurred his horse and galloped ahead, leaving behind his Imperial Guard companions and Chu Zhao’s carriage.
Chu Zhao didn’t mind. She withdrew her gaze and nodded with a smile at the other Imperial Guards.
The Imperial Guards also smiled and nodded at her without saying much, then carriages and horses crossed paths and went their separate ways.
The Imperial Guards caught up with the young man, and things became noisy. “Yanlai, so that’s Miss Chu.” “Miss Chu brings you medicine?” “Of course—Miss Chu publicly scolded Master Three in the street for Yanlai.”