Chu Tang had already heard about Prince Zhongshan’s heir from Chu Ke.
Chu Zhao ran too fast to catch up with, so they asked Prince Zhongshan to help intercept her, and thus became acquainted with Prince Zhongshan’s heir, who even traveled back to the capital with them.
The Prince was young and talented, refined and elegant. Chu Ke traveled the entire way with him, discussing heaven and earth, poetry and philosophy, conversing delightfully, kindred spirits appreciating each other—of course, this was all according to Chu Ke himself. Chu Tang let it go in one ear and out the other, not taking it seriously.
However, when Chu Ke said Chu Zhao was crude and displeased Prince Zhongshan’s heir, she did believe that—with Chu Zhao’s talents and appearance, well, mediocre talents and mediocre birth, Prince Zhongshan’s heir wouldn’t like her either.
But now, looking at Chu Zhao like this, did she dislike or like Prince Zhongshan’s heir?
Chu Tang didn’t directly ask about the Prince, only caring about Chu Zhao, asking sincerely: “What is it? Zhao, just say it. As long as I can help.”
Chu Zhao raised her head and smiled: “Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking about some past matters between the Prince and me.”
There were even past matters? Chu Tang didn’t show curiosity but instead looked somewhat uneasy, moving closer to sit beside her and asking in a low voice: “Is it good or bad for us? Did he come today to assign blame?”
“Really, don’t just think about that. I’m talking about past matters,” Chu Zhao complained.
If Chu Tang pretended not to be curious, she would pretend to want to confide. Wasn’t this just using pretense to make people trust you more? Who couldn’t do that?
In that previous life, Xiao Xun pretended deep affection toward her, the consorts pretended respect toward her. Even if she didn’t use pretense herself, she had learned it by watching.
Chu Tang grasped her hand, expressing apology: “I’m timid and afraid something will happen to the family. I know the Prince escorted you back. Is this Prince a good person?”
“I don’t know if he’s good or not, but he’s quite arrogant,” Chu Zhao said. “When I was on the road, I went to the river to fetch water and accidentally fell in. He saved me.”
This had happened? Chu Ke hadn’t mentioned it. Chu Tang was shocked—a life-saving debt!
“He saved me, fine,” Chu Zhao snorted. “I didn’t need him to save me. In the wilderness, no one else saw it either. He shouldn’t use this life-saving debt to threaten me—I won’t acknowledge it.”
After speaking, she stood up and left, leaving Chu Tang completely bewildered, her heart suspended in mid-air.
What was this about?
……
……
Chu Tang brought her maid Linglang to her father’s study. Both parents were there, along with the steward. The three were whispering about something, speaking quite animatedly. As soon as Chu Tang entered, the voices stopped abruptly.
“Miss Tang,” the steward said with a smile and a bow.
Since getting busy with Chu Garden matters, Chu Tang rarely came to her parents. Chu Lan and Jiang Shi naturally didn’t blame her and were happy to see their daughter.
“Have you eaten? Have you drunk anything?” Jiang Shi pulled her daughter to sit beside her. “Look, you’ve gotten thinner from exhaustion.”
“I’ve eaten and drunk. Now your daughter is like the mistress of a household—no worries about food and drink, well attended to,” Chu Tang said, holding Jiang Shi’s arm. “Your daughter has worked hard and finally understands Mother’s hardships. From now on, your daughter will never let Mother worry.”
Jiang Shi exclaimed: “Tang has never made me worry!”
Chu Tang looked at her father: “Father, the garden is full of talk that Prince Zhongshan’s heir came. If there’s anything, don’t hide it from me.”
Chu Lan laughed heartily: “Tang doesn’t need to worry. It’s a good thing.”
Chu Tang didn’t believe it: “Father only reports good news and not bad. I don’t believe it.”
Chu Lan glanced outside. The steward understood: “Master, you talk. I’ll keep watch outside.”
After speaking, he withdrew together with Linglang, personally guarding the door.
“The Prince came to discuss with me how to resolve the predicament between us and the Third Prince,” Chu Lan said with a smile. “I thought of a good idea—have Zhao fall into the water and claim illness, so the Chu Garden literary gathering can end.”
Listening to her father’s words and knowing how to pick out what to listen to, Chu Tang immediately understood this idea was Prince Zhongshan heir’s. Falling into water—
“Publicly claiming she fell into the water and got sick probably won’t work, will it?” she said with a frown.
Chu Lan laughed heartily. His daughter was so clever!
“You think the same as the Prince,” he couldn’t help but speak the truth, then coughed lightly. “But don’t worry. Your father has thought it through—we’ll have her fall into the water before everyone’s eyes. That way no one will question it.”
Chu Tang was stunned, looking thoughtful: “Before everyone’s eyes.”
“Yes,” Jiang Shi smiled, stroking her daughter’s arm. “Your father, the steward, and I have all arranged it. We’ll loosen a foothold by the lake, then lure her over there, and she’ll step into emptiness and fall into the water—”
Chu Lan said in a low voice: “This matter must be kept extremely secret. Tang, you mustn’t speak of it.”
“What are you saying? Is Tang the kind of child who doesn’t know what’s important?” Jiang Shi said with displeasure, then added, “Tang came at just the right time. She can help too. Have Tang lure Zhao over there?”
Now it was Chu Lan’s turn to be displeased: “How can we have our daughter do such a thing? Afterward she’ll surely be resented by Zhao.”
His daughter was too precious.
Such things should be done by servant women and underlings.
Jiang Shi nodded repeatedly: “I was confused. Tang, you don’t need to worry about anything. Just pretend you don’t know about this matter.”
Looking again at Chu Tang, she seemed to be distracted. Only when called did she look over.
She had no particular thoughts about her parents’ arrangements and only asked: “When Zhao falls into the water, will Prince Zhongshan’s heir be present?”
Chu Lan nodded: “Of course.” His expression carried a few traces of pride. “I must have the Prince witness my sincerity with his own eyes.”
After hearing this, Chu Tang took her leave, no longer disturbing her parents’ important matter. She didn’t return to Chu Garden either, but went back to her own courtyard.
Linglang dismissed the crowding maids and personally brought a bowl of tea. Looking at Chu Tang’s thoughtful expression, she asked in a low voice: “Miss, do you think something isn’t quite right?”
Chu Tang nodded: “Of course it’s not right. Father and Mother think very simply. This matter is definitely not that simple. I don’t believe others would be good to our family for no reason—they must have ulterior motives.”
Linglang was somewhat nervous: “What motives?”