Ashes to Crown

Chapter 174: Chapter 7: Sundry Matters

Night had fallen by the time Xie Yanfang returned to the Xie Mansion.

This was not their former mansion.

Their previous home had been the first to be surrounded and set ablaze last night, though the Xie family members had already evacuated by then.

Of course, the Xie family had more than one residence in the Capital City.

When the family members saw Xie Yanfang walk in, they were overcome with emotion. A jumble of titles—”Third Brother,” ”Third Uncle,” ”Third Young Master”—rang out. The sons of the Xie family were still numerous, completely unharmed.

Xie Yanfang was dressed in blood-soaked robes. Seeing this, his icy gaze softened. Although it had been a disaster, in the midst of this sudden chaos, the disciples of the Xie family had not only escaped unscathed but had also killed the Third Prince, exacting their revenge on the spot.

And as the family members looked at Third Young Master Xie, they were overcome with ecstasy.

Their young master stood before them in blood-soaked robes, his face paler than usual. Last night, Third Young Master Xie had fought his way out of the city, to the Hunting Ground, and then fought his way back again. One could only imagine how perilous the experience had been.

They had been sick with worry, not daring to imagine what they would do if any harm had befallen Xie Yanfang.

”As long as you’re all right, that’s all that matters.” A few of the younger men couldn’t hold back their tears.

Xie Yanfang smiled. ”Even if something had happened to me, I still have all of you. As long as a single member of our family remains, the Xie family will endure. There’s no need to worry.”

His words stirred them even more deeply.

”Third Brother! How could we ever compare to you?” ”Third Uncle, we only wish we could have been of more help.”

Xie Yanfang said, ”Everyone contributes as they are able. Those who can fight our enemies alongside me are a great help, but those who can preserve their own lives amidst the chaos are just as helpful.”

At this, Du Qi stepped forward. ”All right, the Third Young Master needs to rest. Anything else can be discussed later.”

Xie Yanfang hadn’t slept in a day and a night. The crowd quickly parted to let him through.

Xie Yanfang walked past the crowd and headed inside. Then, as if remembering something, he turned and called out, ”Seventh Uncle.”

Seventh Master Xie quickly responded.

”Does Yanlai know the address of our new residence?” Xie Yanfang asked.

Seventh Master Xie replied, ”We haven’t told him yet. After the incident, we’ve kept the gates barred and stayed inside. We didn’t dare make any rash moves before you returned.”

Xie Yanfang nodded. ”Yanlai distinguished himself while guarding the Imperial City. He is now in command of the city gate guards. Remember to tell him our new address, lest he be unable to find his way home.”

Seventh Master Xie looked astonished, as did the others.

Xie Yanlai?

Performed with merit?

Xie Yanlai was... alive?

”And one more thing,” Xie Yanfang added. He called out for Uncle Cai, then reached up to press his brow. He had been going for a day and a night, and now that he was back home, exhaustion washed over him. ”Send word to all departments. From this moment on, Yanlai is to be afforded the same status as me.”

The crowd was even more stunned. The same status as Xie Yanfang? That meant Xie Yanlai would know everything Xie Yanfang knew, command anyone Xie Yanfang could command, and issue any order Xie Yanfang could issue—

”By what right!”

Many people blurted out the question.

Uncle Cai, of course, had no objections. And Xie Yanfang didn’t bother to explain himself to the others. Du Qi barked at the crowd to be quiet and escorted Xie Yanfang away.

’By what right?’ Xie Yanfang thought as he walked. ’By the simple fact that the little Highness hugged him and called him Uncle.’

Xie Yanfang closed his eyes again. ’The ways of the world are truly strange.’

’To achieve his goals, he had deliberately avoided the little Highness. He never expected that very avoidance to become a regret.’

”My lord, don’t dwell on it,” Du Qi said. ”You must rest.”

The toll of the past day and night—both physical and mental—had been immense.

Xie Yanfang opened his eyes. ’Right, no need to think about it. None of this matters. The little Highness is still here. As long as that’s true, everything can be managed.’

’Strangers can become familiar, and the familiar can become strangers.’

He reached his chambers, stripped off his bloody robes, and stepped naked into the bathing room. He lifted a bucket of cold water and poured it over his head. After repeating this twice more, he dried himself, wrapped a white robe around his body, and collapsed onto the bed.

Maidservants approached and gently began to dry his long, damp hair.

The room was silent, and their master sank into a deep sleep.

But a moment later, Xie Yanfang’s eyes shot open. He sat bolt upright. The startled maidservants nearly pulled his hair and immediately dropped to their knees, trembling in fear.

He paid them no mind.

”Something is still not right,” he said.

’Their master is thinking,’ the maids realized. They dared not disturb him, remaining kneeling on the floor with bated breath, utterly silent.

Countless events and faces flashed through his mind, only to be dismissed one by one, until only a single, small figure remained.

The girl, upon seeing him, had greeted him happily, her eyes filled with concern.

He closed his eyes, pushing the girl’s face from his mind and replacing it with other images: the words of the eunuchs, the words of the little Highness, the look in Deng Yi’s eyes—

When Deng Yi had spoken to him, his gaze would drift to that girl, as if gauging her reaction.

He opened his eyes, banishing these thoughts, until only one final image remained: the girl, walking out of the great hall. She moved with an unhurried grace among the Imperial Guard, then raised a hand. At her signal, someone stepped forward to receive her command—