Ashes to Crown

Chapter 138: Chapter 94: Nothing to Ask For

Uncle Zhong had arrived in the Capital City.

In her previous life, Uncle Zhong hadn’t come at this time.

In that life, Uncle Zhong had said he was coming to the Capital City to deliver Father’s resignation request, but before he had the chance, the city descended into chaos.

In this life, Uncle Zhong had arrived early, and he even said he was here to take her home.

’Home, back to the Border County!’

’Father is actually taking me back!’

Chu Zhao felt as if she had grown wings and was soaring, but Xie Yanfang’s next words brought her crashing back down to earth.

’Bring Uncle Zhong to Wangchun Garden?’

’Better not.’

’My competition isn’t much to see, and Uncle Zhong is Father’s man. If he comes, the Third Prince and Xie Yanfang might start watching him. I’m just an insignificant girl, but Uncle Zhong is different. His every move represents Father.’

’At a time like this, I absolutely can’t let that happen.’

”That won’t be necessary.” Chu Zhao quickly shook her head and smiled. ”Thank you, Third Young Master Xie, but Uncle Zhong is a simple, uncultured man. He can barely read and wouldn’t understand any of this. A place like this would just make him uncomfortable. It’s better for him to stay at the military barracks. He came to see me, so I’ll go see him as soon as my competition is over today.”

Xie Yanfang didn’t really care whether Vice General Zhong came or not. His offer was just to placate the girl. Since she disagreed, he let it go.

”Very well.” He nodded. ”I have men at the barracks. They will look after Vice General Zhong and ensure he and his men are not treated poorly.”

Chu Zhao did not refuse this kind offer. After all, her father hadn’t returned to the Capital City for many years and had a poor reputation. People in the capital were notorious for treating others based on their status. With Xie Yanfang putting in a word, Uncle Zhong and his men wouldn’t be mistreated.

Uncle Zhong had suffered too much following her father, both in this life and the last. She hoped to make things a little more comfortable for them.

”Thank you, Third Young Master Xie,” Chu Zhao said sincerely, then turned to leave.

Xie Yanfang called out to her. ”Miss Ah Zhao.”

Chu Zhao quickly turned back, looking at him earnestly. ”Do you have any other instructions, Third Young Master Xie?”

Xie Yanfang asked, ”I should be asking if *you* have any instructions for me, Miss Ah Zhao.”

Chu Zhao was puzzled and shook her head. ”I don’t have any.” Then she added again, ”Third Young Master Xie, you must keep a close eye on the Third Prince. He is far more cruel than you know. He’s even more bloodthirsty than the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince’s martial inclination is on the surface, but the Third Prince’s is in his very bones—hidden from sight, so no one is on guard against him.”

Xie Yanfang nodded gravely. ”Alright, I’ll remember that.” He then asked, ”What I mean is, Miss Ah Zhao, you are helping me with such sincerity. What can I do for you in return?”

’Ah, so that’s what he meant.’ Chu Zhao smiled. If she were to list them, she had many grievances, but upon second thought, they were nothing. All her problems were her own. As long as she didn’t let love make a fool of her, all her problems could be easily solved.

And now, her only worry—returning to her father and being with him—was also resolved.

’Although I don’t know why Father changed his mind, perhaps the heavens saw my change of heart and finally opened their eyes.’

’Father is here to get me!’

’I can return to Father’s side!’

’After ten years spanning two lifetimes, I can finally see my father again!’

’I have nothing else to ask for!’

”I don’t need anything.” She smiled, her eyes sparkling like stars. ”I am perfectly content and have no worries in the world.”

With that, she waved at Xie Yanfang, turned, and walked briskly away to join her maid, Ah Le, who was waiting nearby. The two girls put their heads together and whispered something, and then the maid also became incredibly happy. One after the other, they skipped away joyfully.

Xie Yanfang stood where he was, unable to stop himself from smiling as he watched them. Then, his smile gradually faded.

He had never met someone who asked for nothing.

Most people, just by standing before him, revealed their desires even without speaking a word.

There was no one in this world without desires.

Of course, Chu Zhao had them too. She asked him to be wary of the Third Prince and to protect the Crown Prince.

He didn’t find it strange. Although Chu Zhao had said it wasn’t because the Third Prince had targeted and humiliated her, a young girl like her wouldn’t do something without a reason. She must have a motive.

He believed Chu Zhao’s goal was for Chu Ling’s sake.

Chu Ling could not be reinstated; his life was nearing its end. However, he could be given a peaceful end—for example, a posthumous title and promotion. This would not only clear his previous crimes but also bring honor and benefit to his family.

At this very moment, Chu Ling’s attendant, Zhong Changrong, had also arrived in the Capital City with the resignation request.

That was why he had just proactively asked if she needed help.

For the sake of the girl’s dedication to the Crown Prince, he wouldn’t have minded giving Chu Ling a hand.

But unexpectedly, she had refused.

The girl said she didn’t need anything, that she had nothing to ask for.

’Nothing to ask for? He, Xie Yanfang, had never met a person with no desires.’

And he knew with certainty that the girl was telling the truth. She truly wanted nothing for herself.

Just now, she had been as happy as she claimed—perfectly content and without a care in the world.

Xie Yanfang looked at the empty flower path before him, and a strange thought popped into his head. ’Could it be that what the girl wants... is me?’

’Just like the rumors on the street say, she’s trying to get close to me?’

Xie Yanfang couldn’t help but laugh at himself. ’Others might not know better, but why should I entertain such nonsense? When that girl stands before me, can’t I tell whether there’s any affection in her eyes?’

When that girl faced him, her gaze was only one of scrutiny, assessment, and urging. She might seem to stand close, but in reality, she always kept her distance. It wasn’t like her interactions with Xie Yanlai, with whom she could even argue—

Arguing is also a form of emotion, and not an emotion one can have with just anyone, especially for someone skilled at hiding their feelings.

Xie Yanfang then had an even stranger thought. ’Could that rumor actually be true? Is Miss Chu willing to live and die by Xie Yanlai’s side?’

He threw his head back and roared with laughter.

Beside him, Uncle Cai could no longer hold back and interrupted him, ”Young Master, what are you thinking about that’s making you so happy?”

Xie Yanfang chuckled. ”I’m thinking about matters of love.”

Uncle Cai looked astonished. ’Since when does Third Young Master Xie think about matters of love?’

Xie Yanfang was very pleased to have startled the old man and walked away with a smile.

Uncle Cai came back to his senses, feeling a bit helpless. ’The Young Master is getting more and more mischievous, especially after meeting and speaking with Chu Zhao—’

’Hm?’

”Young Master,” Uncle Cai couldn’t help but follow, asking hesitantly, ”Whose matters of love are you thinking about?”

Xie Yanfang’s laughter grew even louder.

His laughter attracted many gazes from all around. Some saw his joyful expression, while others looked hesitant and began to whisper amongst themselves—after all, Xie Yanfang was the Crown Prince’s man, and the Crown Prince and the Third Prince had just had such an unpleasant falling out.

’Xie Yanfang actually came to the Wangchun Garden literary gathering.’

’Is he planning to embarrass the Third Prince at the gathering?’

’And how could the Third Prince possibly let him off the hook?’

Ignoring the various expressions and speculations around them, Uncle Cai caught up to Xie Yanfang and asked in a low voice, ”When will you return to the Crown Prince’s side?”

Xie Yanfang said, ”Being here is also doing work for the Crown Prince.”

Uncle Cai said helplessly, ”But it doesn’t have to be just about work. The Crown Princess Consort and the little prince are here too. Family should get together and have a good time.”

’Family?’

”If you want family to be happy in the long run,” Xie Yanfang said with a faint smile, ”you have to get things done. As for the little prince—”

He glanced at Uncle Cai.

”He is the future pillar of the Xie family, but he is not *my* pillar.”

So, in terms of family, the little prince was just the little prince. In terms of a lord, the little prince was not his lord either.

He didn’t need to interact with the little prince too much.

...

...

「At the Royal Hunting Ground, nestled in the mountains outside the Capital City, a cacophony of shouting men, neighing horses, and barking hounds tore through the forest.」

Sitting on a high slope, one could feel the vibrations.

A small figure seemed unable to sit still. He stood up on his tiptoes to look, not down at the commotion, but up toward the higher mountains and the dense forest.

”My little prince,” Eunuch Qi said, panting as he climbed up. ”Why did you run all the way up here?”

He glanced around. Of course, there were Imperial Guards standing watch, but he was just a child, after all.

”Eunuch Qi,” the child said, his voice tinged with sadness. ”I’m waiting for my uncle. Mother said that Uncle would shoot his arrows from a high place, and that he never misses.”

But he had waited all day, even deliberately standing at the highest point, yet he hadn’t seen a single glimpse of his legendary uncle.