Ashes to Crown

Chapter 176: Chapter 7: Trivial Matters (3)

”Alright, then,” she said, looking at Mr. Qi. ”Chu Garden is still empty. If you don’t mind, Mr. Qi, you are welcome to stay here.”

Before Mr. Qi could speak, Qi Leyun threw her arms around Chu Tang and said happily, ”I just knew it! All the friends I, Qi Leyun, make are so incredibly loyal.”

Chu Tang said with a complicated expression, ”As long as you’re happy.”

...

...

After settling the matter of lending Chu Garden to the Qi Family and seeing the father and daughter off, Chu Tang breathed a sigh of relief and glanced outside.

At the end of the street, a ten-year-old boy squatted, grinning at her as he tossed a small knife up and down. Across from him, an old woman also looked her way, the needle in her hand glinting coldly. Chu Tang couldn’t help but shudder before she SLAMMED the door shut.

”Bolt the door twice more,” she ordered a servant.

The heavy THUD of the bolts sliding into place brought Chu Tang a sliver of reassurance. ’That naive Qi Leyun,’ she thought. ’Saying it’s safe outside, that the elderly and children are out playing. Are those really elderly and children? Those are people who can kill!’

’Besides, are they really playing? They’re watching the Chu Family.’

’Safe and sound at the Chu Family’s residence? What the Chu Family has experienced is something none of you could ever imagine.’

In truth, even now, she wasn’t entirely sure what had happened. How had Chu Zhao suddenly left? How had a bloodbath suddenly erupted outside? How had a half-grown boy and a white-haired old woman leaped into her home? How had so many strangers suddenly appeared, and how had that boy and old woman killed them all—

Then, the ground had trembled with the heavy pounding of hooves and feet, and figures had darted across the rooftops. It was as if a mighty army had gathered outside the Chu Mansion. Later, that army departed, but the mansion did not fall silent.

It was still that same group of the elderly and children, coming and going as they pleased, cleaning up the corpses.

They had even found the rockery where she was hiding.

”Miss Chu Tang, Sister Ah Zhao says to leave the family’s affairs to you. Make sure you keep your parents calm,” the half-grown boy had said, squatting on the rockery and twirling a small knife with a grin. ”We’ll stand guard outside to ensure your safety. But if your father and mother try to run, we won’t be so courteous.”

’Ensure our safety? This is clearly imprisonment.’

’Sister Ah Zhao’s orders...’

’This Chu Zhao... where on earth did she find a follower like this...’

’Still, since she’s the one who gave the order, it should be... fine. Right?’

Chu Tang pulled herself together, instructed the servants, and comforted the townspeople hiding in Chu Garden. Then she went to check on her father and mother. Her father had fainted from fright—for real this time, not faking. Lady Jiang had also been terrified. She said that when the killing started outside, Chu Lan had cried out, ”My life is over!” and passed out cold.

Chu Tang had a maidservant brew some ginseng soup and pour it down Chu Lan’s throat. Though he had yet to wake, his breathing was steady. She reassured Lady Jiang again and again that it was only government soldiers executing rebels and that the danger had passed. Then, she personally locked the room from the outside, leaving Lady Jiang and her father inside.

By the time she had done all this, day was breaking. And then that half-grown boy—

”My name is Little Rabbit,” the boy said.

This Little Rabbit told her that government soldiers had taken control of the Capital City and all was calm. Rushed off her feet, Chu Tang immediately relayed the news to the people hiding in Chu Garden. Those worried about their own homes and families cautiously stepped outside. When they saw the elderly and children cleaning the streets, they were convinced it was truly safe and left one by one.

A day and a night passed.

Outside the Chu Mansion, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

The Capital City seemed to have returned to normal, so much so that Qi Leyun could come over and ask to borrow a place to stay.

There was no news of Chu Zhao.

Chu Tang pressed a hand to her chest. ’I’m not too worried, I guess. No news is good news.’

’The things Chu Zhao does are getting more and more frightening.’

’I have no idea what’s going to happen next.’

...

...

The Qi Family moved into Chu Garden, making the area outside the Chu Mansion even livelier.

Although they were staying in Chu Garden, they were still busy repairing their old residence and purchasing daily necessities. The adults bustled in and out.

In contrast, the tightly sealed gates of the Chu Mansion looked rather strange.

”Chu Tang!” Unable to get an answer by knocking, Qi Leyun found a ladder, propped it against the wall, and called Chu Tang over. ”Why are you still so scared? Everything’s fine now! How is Chu Zhao? Open the gate. I know a really good doctor who can come take a look at her.”

Chu Tang shook her head and waved her hands dismissively. ”No, no, that’s not necessary. She doesn’t need a doctor, just some quiet rest.”

Qi Leyun rested her arm on top of the wall, a smug look on her face. ”We’ll see who dares to call her fierce in the future. She’s clearly just timid as a mouse.”

Chu Tang let out a dry laugh.

”Zhou Jiang and the others have all come out of hiding. They even sent someone to give me their regards,” Qi Leyun said, leaning against the wall. ”Thankfully, everyone’s safe. A few of our friends hurt their legs while running to hide, but no one’s scared anymore. We’ve all agreed to go drinking at a tavern to celebrate cheating death as soon as the restrictions are lifted. Hey, it would be a shame if Chu Zhao isn’t better by then. That would be so embarrassing, and I won’t be able to cover for her—”

As she chattered on, Chu Tang’s ears suddenly perked up.

”Listen,” she said. ”Outside... there are hoofbeats.”

Qi Leyun fell silent. Sure enough, she could hear the urgent pounding of hooves outside, growing louder and more frequent, as if many horses were galloping.

The nightmare of that night was still seared into her mind. It boiled up with the frantic sound of hooves, instantly engulfing her. The girl’s face went white, her hands gripped the top of the wall, and her eyes filled with terror.

’What’s happening?’

’Could it be... happening again—’

”An edict from His Majesty—”

A high-pitched, piercing voice cried out, the call repeating again and again.

...

...

In the summer of the Fifth Year of Yongning, the Third Prince, Xiao Zhu, committed treason. He murdered his brother, slaughtered the Yang Family, and terrorized the Capital City, resulting in thousands of casualties. His crimes are an affront to heaven and earth.

Xiao Zhu is hereby stripped of his rank and made a Commoner. The entire Zhao Family is sentenced to execution, with extermination of their nine relations.

A daughter of the Chu Family, heroic and wise, wielded her sword and rode a steed to protect the Imperial Grandson.

To ensure the everlasting stability of the country, the Imperial Grandson, Yu, is hereby named Crown Prince, and the Chu Family’s Daughter, Zhao, is named Crown Princess Consort.

By Imperial Decree.