Ashes to Crown

Chapter 58: Chapter 22: Going into Town

Xiao Xun was just leaving the Crown Prince Mansion in his carriage when he received a secret letter from the King of Zhongshan. After a moment of thought, he had the driver turn around and head out of the city to visit the Third Prince.

Given his status, he couldn’t just directly associate with whomever he pleased. There had to be a cause and effect, a process of moving from strangers to acquaintances. Only then would it seem reasonable and not arouse suspicion.

That cause and effect meant finding a chance encounter, and right now, the place in the Capital City with the most opportunities was the Third Prince’s literary salon.

And just as he expected, there at the Third Prince’s residence, he saw a submission from a Young Master of the Chu Family—Chu Ke.

With the ever-suspicious Third Prince nearby, all he had to do was let his gaze linger on the name for a moment longer than necessary, and a fortuitous opportunity would present itself.

Getting things done is never difficult, as long as one has the will.

However, while he did as his father commanded, he still didn’t quite understand. Thinking back to his father’s previous attitude toward the Chu Family’s young daughter, it seemed his trip to the capital was not the only reason for it.

”Does my father truly wish to associate with Chu Ling?” he asked, looking at the Scholar in green robes. ”I know he holds Chu Ling in high regard, but he didn’t seek an alliance when he was famous ten years ago. Now that he’s just an ordinary man, is there any need?”

The Scholar in green robes sighed softly. ”In fact, not only is Chu Ling ordinary now, but he’s also on the verge of death.”

Xiao Xun was rather surprised. A thought flashed through his mind. ’So that’s why that girl was in such a desperate hurry to rush to the Border County?’

’No wonder she resented me so much.’

But Xiao Xun shook his head. ’It has nothing to do with me. If Chu Ling wanted to see his daughter, who could possibly stop him? That’s a matter between them.’

The Scholar continued, speaking of Chu Ling, ”As General Wei, Chu Ling commands the Daqing Mountain Pass in the Border County. His status and position are comparable to that of a Great General.”

”Only comparable,” Xiao Xun said with a small smile. ”Besides, so what if he were a Great General? Both the Crown Prince’s and the Third Prince’s factions are eyeing military power right now. Even if the Border County is remote, they won’t give us an opportunity to interfere. What’s more, a man like Chu Ling wouldn’t obey my father even if he were given a Life-extending Immortal Pill.”

The Scholar said, ”The Prince does not wish for you to actually ally with Chu Ling. He needs Your Highness to make it seem as though you are.”

’So it’s not about Chu Ling at all, but for others to see?’ Xiao Xun grew even more confused. ”But why? What’s the point?”

But the Scholar did not know. The King of Zhongshan was not a man who enjoyed giving explanations.

”He is an ordinary man now, and on the brink of death. The court won’t be wary of the Princely Heir associating with him,” the Scholar said simply. ”He is also the only person we can afford to associate with at the moment.”

They could not touch those who held real power.

’Better than nothing? A little adds up to a lot?’ Xiao Xun smiled. He knew that if his father didn’t volunteer the information, no amount of asking would reveal his intentions. Ever since breaking his leg as a child, the King of Zhongshan had never again opened his heart to anyone.

Xiao Xun picked up a brush, wrote a short note, and handed it to the Scholar.

”Have this sent to my father,” he said. ”Tell him not to worry. I’ll handle it.”

...

...

Chu Ke did not listen to Chu Lan and stay obediently at home studying to prepare for the literary salon.

’Are you kidding me? The whole city doesn’t even know I got an invitation to the salon yet!’

When he was very young, Chu Lan had sent him to Qiao Mountain Academy. After so many years at Huangshan Academy, he could finally return to the capital. And now that he had seized such a grand opportunity right off the bat, of course he had to show it off everywhere.

The young Chu Ke was about to spread his wings like a great roc and soar into the sky.

Watching Chu Ke walk out of the alley, climb into a carriage, and leave laughing with the people inside, Ah Le—disguised as a servant girl out shopping—adjusted the basket in the crook of her arm. Standing behind a corner, she asked Chu Zhao, who was beside her, ”The young master is out drinking again. Once he’s drunk, should we just throw a sack over his head and beat him up?”

Chu Zhao frowned. ”If we beat him up now, he’ll have healed in a month.”

Ah Le nodded. ”Right. Then let’s beat him up the day before the salon so he can’t leave the house or show his face.”

Chu Zhao smiled and hummed in agreement. ”First, let’s see who he’s been associating with.”

In her past life, she had no idea who her uncle’s family associated with. She didn’t know who had pulled the strings to get Xiao Xun to visit their home, who had persuaded her uncle to let Chu Ke take a post in another province, or who the Jiang Family had been speaking to when they spread those arrogant, treasonous words that flew all over the city—

Sighing internally, Chu Zhao lamented, ’To have lived so blindly and foolishly... if I hadn’t died, who would have?’

But if they were going to a tavern, Chu Zhao patted herself down and asked Ah Le, ”Did you bring any money?”

Ah Le pulled a coin pouch from her basket and shook it. ”Of course.”

Chu Zhao asked with a laugh, ”Did you take it yourself again?”

”Not this time,” Ah Le said. ”I asked the mistress for this. Miss, we get a monthly allowance. You get one, and so do I. And since I’m your head maid, I get quite a bit.”

Chu Zhao chuckled and pinched her nose. ”And who said our Ah Le is just an ignorant country girl? You’re a proper first-class maid, knowing all about monthly allowances and the difference between a head maid and a junior one.”

Ah Le giggled and linked arms with Chu Zhao. ”Let’s go, let’s go! Follow me. This country girl is very familiar with the Capital City now. I know where Young Master Ao Ke likes to go.”

Chu Zhao smiled and tightened her grip on Ah Le’s arm, and the two of them hurried down the street.

The street was bustling with people, horses, and carriages. In one carriage that was speeding along sat three girls. Two were huddled together, applying decorative flower decals to their faces using a small mirror. The third was leaning listlessly against the window, her gaze sweeping idly over the crowd and streetscape. Suddenly, she let out a little ”Eek!” and sat bolt upright, turning to smack her companion.

”Look, look,” she said.

Her companion’s hand jerked, causing her to stick the decal on crookedly. She cried out in annoyance, ”Qi Leyun, are you just jealous of my beauty?”

Qi Leyun glanced back at her. ”What beauty? You’re not as pretty as me.”

That only made the other girl even angrier.

Qi Leyun didn’t argue, simply pointing outside. ”It’s Chu Zhao! Chu Zhao is out there.”

Chu Zhao? The two girls forgot all about their beauty contest and squeezed over to look out. Following Qi Leyun’s finger, they indeed saw two girls walking hand-in-hand through the crowd. One was dressed like a poor girl selling wares on the street, and the other, while not as ridiculously dressed, was still plain and unremarkable. It was indeed Chu Zhao.

”What is she doing?” Qi Leyun said.

The other two girls pursed their lips. ”Who cares? She’s the one who said she doesn’t want to hang out with us anymore. We go our separate ways.”

But Qi Leyun still leaned against the window, trying to watch.

”Forget about her. There’s nothing to see,” one of the girls said, sitting back down to continue with her makeup. ”Let’s hurry up and go see Third Young Master Xie. I wonder if he’s still at the tavern. If we’re late, there might not be any seats left. The others all left earlier than us.”

At the mention of Third Young Master Xie, Qi Leyun immediately forgot about Chu Zhao and scrambled over to the small mirror to inspect her own makeup.

”Is my makeup too heavy? I heard the ladies from Dongyang all prefer a lighter look.”

”Heavy is good! Third Young Master Xie is used to seeing a lighter look. When he catches a glimpse of your face, as red as a monkey’s butt, he’ll definitely remember you.”

”Zhang Qing, are you asking for a beating?!”

”Oh please, Qi Leyun. You think you’re Chu Zhao? Go on, hit me. I dare you.”

...

...

The streets were bustling and clamorous, and walking amongst the noise, Chu Zhao felt a little dazed.

It had been a long time since she had seen such a lively scene. Not long after she married, she had entered the palace. That was followed by years of political instability. She had lived in constant anxiety within the palace walls, and had never dared to venture out.

”Miss, Miss,” Ah Le said, shaking her arm. ”We’re here, we’re here.”

Chu Zhao came back to her senses and found herself walking into a tavern, but the commotion inside was even louder than on the street.

’Why are there so many people?!’