Madam Zou was startled by the words and immediately dropped to her knees.
Everyone knew that Empress Pei hailed from the prestigious Pei family of Yuzhou—a noblewoman of high birth who despised injustice. The earlier actions of Princess Yongyang and the Zou Family had clearly provoked her wrath.
Yet Zou Yue remained oblivious to the danger and boldly declared, "Your Majesty, you may not be aware, but the second daughter of the Chu family caused Princess Jiahui to fall from her horse. My aunt was merely speaking up for the princess—"
Madam Zou hastily tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to stop.
Empress Pei arched an eyebrow. "Speaking up for Jiahui? What injustice has Jiahui suffered? She lost the match first, then injured her horse, and now she’s reaping what she sowed—isn’t that just karma?"
The crowd’s expressions shifted at her words. These were thoughts they had only dared to mutter silently to themselves, yet the Empress had voiced them outright.
Zou Yue was stunned. Was the Empress out of her mind? Instead of defending the princess, she was siding with two outsiders?
Little did she know, Princess Jiahui was not Empress Pei’s own daughter, and worse, the princess often disregarded her authority, relying on the Emperor’s favor. Besides, Empress Pei currently had a favor to ask of Chu Ruoyan—what was one princess compared to that? Even if this reached the Emperor, she had her ways to handle it.
Seeing the Empress’ stance, the crowd quickly followed suit.
"Just now, we all saw clearly that Princess Jiahui fell by accident—it had nothing to do with the Chu sisters."
"Indeed, if not for Miss Chu subduing the frenzied horse, the princess might have been gravely injured."
"Princess Jiahui should actually be thanking Miss Chu..."
The chorus of voices left Zou Yue seething, nearly spitting blood.
She had painstakingly provoked Chu Ruolan into the match and maneuvered Chu Ruoyan into offending Princess Jiahui. Everything had been going according to plan—until Empress Pei intervened, shielding the Chu sisters so blatantly!
Then, Empress Pei added, "Since Miss Zou cannot distinguish right from wrong, she shall return home and copy the 'Admonitions for Women' three thousand times."
Zou Yue’s vision darkened. Three thousand copies?!
Both Madam Zou and Princess Yongyang paled.
"Your Majesty, my daughter is ignorant. I beg Your Majesty’s mercy—"
"Ignorance is no excuse. I am teaching her a lesson. Now go."
Being publicly punished by the Empress would spread through the capital by tomorrow. Zou Yue’s reputation would be ruined, and any future marriage prospects would be beneath her station.
Just then, Chu Ruoyin rushed to their side and gasped at the sight of Chu Ruoyan’s palms. "Eldest Sister! You’re bleeding!"
Those jade-like hands, once flawless, were now raw and bloodied from gripping the reins.
Chu Ruolan bit her lip. "This is all my fault! Why did I have to compete with her?!"
Chu Ruoyan, however, seemed unfazed. "It’s nothing. Just a minor injury."
Empress Pei immediately called, "Imperial Physician Du!"
The physician hurried over and examined her hands. "The skin is torn. Miss Chu should come inside for treatment."
Chu Ruoyin urged, "Yes, Eldest Sister, let’s get you treated first!"
After a brief hesitation, Chu Ruoyan nodded and turned to follow him inside—when suddenly, a sharp, predatory gaze pierced through her.
She instinctively glanced back and spotted an elderly man standing at the edge of the viewing platform, flanked by several attendants. Though his face was obscured by distance, the malice in his stare was unmistakable.
She whispered to Nanny Zhou, "Go and find out which nobles were invited to today’s polo match."
Nanny Zhou obeyed and left.
On the platform, one of the old man’s followers asked, "Your Highness, which of the Chu sisters has caught your eye?"
The man narrowed his sunken eyes, gleaming with greed. "The third is too young—no flavor. But the eldest daughter... delicate yet unyielding. Breaking her would be a rare pleasure."
The attendant hesitated. "But she is the daughter of Duke Chu Huaishan, and he dotes on her..."
"So what? My three previous wives all died, didn’t they? I’m due for a fourth. Once the deed is done, do you think Chu Huaishan would dare refuse me?"
A woman who lost her virtue had only two choices—marriage or death.
The servant bowed in assent. The old man smirked. "Make it clean. I want her in my bed tonight."
---
In the guest quarters of the polo grounds, Imperial Physician Du finished dressing Chu Ruoyan’s wounds and left after instructing her on aftercare.
Chu Ruolan took meticulous notes, determined not to miss a detail.
Chu Ruoyan chuckled. "You’re taking this seriously. But after the match, did you visit your mother?"
Chu Ruolan froze, then smacked her forehead. "I forgot! I’ll go see her now!"
She dashed off like her robes were on fire.
Chu Ruoyin softly reassured, "Eldest Sister, don’t worry. Mother only fainted from the shock. Second Aunt is tending to her."
Chu Ruoyan wasn’t truly concerned about Lady Jiang the Younger—she had merely wanted to send Chu Ruolan away.
She turned to Chu Ruoyin and recounted her earlier conversation with Empress Pei, omitting only the matter of the prince. "Second Sister, I need your honest answer. Do you wish to enter the palace or remain at home? With Her Majesty’s support, you can speak freely."
A flicker of hope lit Chu Ruoyin’s eyes, but it soon dimmed into resignation. "Eldest Sister, even if I stay, Mother will never treat me as she does Third Sister."
Since childhood, whatever Chu Ruolan desired, Lady Jiang the Younger provided without question. When Chu Ruolan took an interest in polo, her mother spared no expense to pave her way—leading to today’s dazzling performance.
But what of her?
Forced into lessons on poetry, music, and painting, no one ever asked what she wanted. No one knew she preferred mathematics. Over time, she had stopped resisting, letting the currents of fate carry her wherever they pleased.
"Second Sister, have you ever tried telling your mother the truth? I know you agreed to enter the palace to escape her, but that isn’t a solution. She is your mother—you cannot run from her forever."
Chu Ruoyin fell silent, lost in thought.
Just then, Nanny Zhou entered, her expression grave. "Miss, I’ve confirmed the guest list. Aside from Prince Qin, Prince Bao is also present."
"Prince Bao?"
Chu Ruoyan’s face tightened.
The Emperor’s uncle—a notorious lecher well past sixty, still preying on young girls!
Old Madam Xue had once threatened to marry Xue Ling to him, and Xue Ling had chosen death over submission. And now, he was here!
Recalling that predatory stare, she said firmly, "We leave. Now."
But Lady Liu stepped through the doorway. "Eldest Miss, leaving is no longer an option. Empress Pei has already departed, but she ordered the polo grounds to prepare rooms for you and Third Miss to rest overnight before returning to the capital. The manager has already delivered the keys."
