Ashes to Crown

Chapter 90: Chapter 50: Paying a Visit

Ah Le hadn’t forgotten Chu Zhao’s instructions, so she kept a close watch on the gate to see who was visiting the Chu Family.

She had been very busy since the competition at Chu Garden began, but she’d had a few of the younger maids keep an eye on things for her.

”There have been quite a few visitors these past few days, mostly the Mistress’s female relatives. The Master hasn’t had many guests. But today, two men arrived unexpectedly, saying their surname was Xiao.”

”The young maids didn’t think much of it at first—plenty of people are named Xiao. But they were sharp. Besides watching the gate, they also kept an eye on the stables. Over there, they overheard the gatekeeper telling the stable hands to take extra good care of the carriage and horses, because it was the Heir of Zhongshan King—”

Ah Le looked at Chu Zhao nervously. ”Miss, he’s the one you’ve been so wary of, isn’t he?”

Ah Le was all too familiar with Chu Zhao’s attitude toward Xiao Xun during their journey. The reason Chu Zhao had her watch the Master upon their return was precisely because she feared he would associate with Xiao Xun.

Chu Zhao nodded. ”Yes.”

’I’ve been so busy with the competition that I’d completely forgotten about Xiao Xun. But calculating the days... yes, it’s about the right time for him to show up.’

’I can’t believe he still came to visit, even after the attitude I showed him on our journey.’

’And he concealed his identity, no less.’

’In her past life, she never knew if Xiao Xun had hidden his identity back then. She hadn’t known that their meeting at Chu Garden, and the ”life-saving” favor, had all been meticulously planned.’

This wasn’t something Xiao Xun could have orchestrated on his own. That’s why, in that life, Chu Tang had said, ”If it weren’t for them, how would I have ever become the Empress?”

’The schemes of one’s own family are truly the hardest to guard against.’

Chu Zhao squeezed Ah Le’s hand. ”Thank goodness I have you, Ah Le.”

Ah Le sighed. ”Miss, don’t always praise me. Just knowing he’s here is nothing. Wait until I find out what he’s here for. Then you can praise me.”

Chu Zhao smiled. ’Actually, I don’t need to investigate that. I already know. He’s here to plot against me. What will Xiao Xun do this time? Will he try the same old tricks?’

....

....

When the guests surnamed Xiao arrived, Chu Lan was lounging in his study, idly chatting with a few friends he hadn’t seen in a while.

Mostly, he was complaining.

”What can I do?” he said with a sigh. ”The child hasn’t spent a single day with us her entire life. Her father spoiled her rotten, so now she’s completely out of control.”

His friends nodded sympathetically. ”What else can you do? You can’t hit her, and you can’t scold her.” ”You can’t just send her back, either. He’s your only brother. If you don’t look after his affairs, who will?” ”That’s just how it is for the eldest brother. It can’t be helped.”

Chu Lan heaved a long sigh. ”I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to pack our things, and the whole family will move to Qiao Mountain Academy. There’s no way we can maintain our standing in the Capital City anymore.”

His friends quickly tried to talk him down. ”It’s just a child acting up.” ”Every family has a mischievous child. You just need to be firm and discipline her.” ”It’s not so serious that it will bring ruin to the family name.”

Besides—

”The Chu Garden Literary Meeting is gaining quite a bit of fame. Brother Chu, you’re overthinking things,” one friend said. ”I heard that even Grandmaster Zhou, who supposedly only leaves his house to play chess with the Emperor, has praised it himself.”

”That’s right, that’s right.” The others chimed in, nodding as they listed the names of more patriarchs from other Aristocratic Families. ”Everyone is still letting their children come here to ’play,’ so you can see it’s not a major incident.”

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here themselves.

Being praised by those patriarchs of the Aristocratic Families made Chu Lan feel a little smug, which was the only reason he had agreed to receive guests in the first place.

”Other people’s children are genuinely talented,” he continued, shaking his head and sighing. ”As for the one in my house... it’s better not to speak of her. She’s nothing but an embarrassment.”

His friends laughed and praised him again. ”Brother Chu, you’re too modest. With your level of scholarship, what is there to fear?” ”And as you said, she’s always been with her father. Now that she’s back, you just need to teach her properly.” ”Under your guidance, Brother Chu, she’s bound to become a brilliant talent in the future.”

As the group was laughing and joking, the butler ran in. ”There are guests with the surname Xiao to see you.”

Chu Lan couldn’t recall any close friends with the surname Xiao. The others, however, smiled and offered flattering remarks. ”Brother Chu, you can’t even enjoy a moment of peace. So many visitors!”

Chu Lan smiled and told him to show them in. The butler’s expression was complicated as he glanced at the other men still seated in the room.

”What’s wrong?” one of the guests asked with a laugh. ”Are we not fit to keep you company?”

Chu Lan was also displeased. ”We are all friends here. There’s no reason to see one guest but not another.”

The butler could only repeat, ”Master, their surname is Xiao.”

”And what’s wrong with the surname Xiao?” Chu Lan demanded.

The butler stomped his foot in frustration. ”It’s *Xiao*! From the Imperial Family—”

As if struck by a bolt of lightning, everyone in the room shot to their feet. The Imperial Family? Xiao—

”This is bad,” one guest cried out, losing his composure. ”The Third Prince is here to hold you accountable!”

Chu Lan’s face went pale, and he swayed on his feet. Thankfully, the butler quickly shouted, ”No, no! It’s the Heir of Zhongshan King!”

Chu Lan steadied himself against a desk, and the other guests seemed to come back to their senses. Both were named Xiao, but the difference between the Third Prince and the Heir of Zhongshan King was like the difference between heaven and earth.

”Why is the... the Heir here?” Chu Lan asked.

Seeing his master was still muddled with fright, the butler quickly reminded him, ”Master, you’ve met the Heir before. Weren’t you always planning to pay him a visit?”

Chu Lan finally snapped out of it. ”Oh, right... oh dear. It’s my fault. I’ve actually made the Heir come to my door personally.”

The other guests asked with curiosity, ”So, Brother Chu, you’re acquainted with the Heir of Zhongshan King?” ”Is the Heir of Zhongshan King here to seek your academic guidance as well, Brother Chu?”

Chu Lan waved his hand dismissively. ”Let’s not talk about the past, let’s not talk about it.” He hastily straightened his robes. ”Quick, let’s go out to welcome him.”

Chu Lan strode out, and his guests followed. Sure enough, standing just outside the small courtyard was a young man in magnificent robes, accompanied by attendants. He was as radiant as a bright moon, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

’So this is the Heir of Zhongshan King?’

”Heir,” Chu Lan said with a bow. ”Forgive me for not coming out to greet you sooner.”

Xiao Xun inclined his head. ”Mr. Chu, there is no need for such ceremony.” His gaze shifted to the men standing behind Chu Lan.

When they saw him looking their way, Chu Lan’s guests hastily bowed as well.

Chu Lan explained, ”I was just discussing poetry with some friends. A humble gathering, I hope you are not too unimpressed, Heir.”

Xiao Xun smiled. ”It is I who have disturbed your elegant gathering.”

Chu Lan and his companions quickly protested. ”Not at all, not at all! It is our honor that you would grace us with your presence, Heir.”

Chu Lan gestured for him to enter, and the others, with excited expressions, gathered around. But Xiao Xun did not move. ”I have come this time,” he said, ”on behalf of the Third Prince—”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the previously joyful men before him instantly recoiled in shock.

So, it was true. Just as they had feared.

Chu Lan’s face went from pale to ashen. ”This... this...” He was speechless. With a sigh, he raised a sleeve to cover his face. ”I am so ashamed.”

The other guests exchanged glances before stepping forward as one. ”Brother Chu, we should be taking our leave now.” They then turned to Xiao Xun to explain themselves. ”Heir, we were just here to... see what was going on.” Without waiting for Chu Lan to react, they scurried past the two men and departed.

Soon, only Chu Lan and Xiao Xun were left in the small courtyard. He could no longer hide his face behind his sleeve.

”Heir,” Chu Lan said in a low voice, ”this matter truly has nothing to do with me. There was nothing I could do. I can’t control her.”

Fearing Xiao Xun wouldn’t believe him, he pointed toward the heavens as if to swear an oath.

”If I had any control over them, what happened with her father all those years ago never would have occurred! That father and daughter are both so arrogant and willful. I truly am powerless against them.”

Xiao Xun observed the middle-aged scholar, his face flushing then paling, his eyes filled with anxiety. He couldn’t help but recall the way that girl had looked at him—with the ferocity of a small, wild beast.

’They’re family, yet their temperaments are completely different.’

He smiled. ”Mr. Chu, do not be alarmed. I did not come to hold you accountable.”