Ashes to Crown

Chapter 183: Chapter 14: Of One Heart

Previously, when they had to get the Capital Camp in order, Zhong Changrong had been spread too thin. His lady had told him not to worry, that they had Ah Jiu, and that he could just leave this side of things to him.

That was one thing. He was only splitting his focus on matters outside the Capital City. If anything happened in the Imperial Capital City, he could be back in a flash.

But now he had to return to the Border County, which was a far cry from being just a stone’s throw away from the Capital City.

’How can my lady trust this kid so much!’

”My Lady,” he said in a low voice, ”he’s one of the Xie Family.”

When the Imperial City was in danger before, the young Emperor and Chu Zhao were one and the same. To protect His Majesty, the Xie Family had to give their all, so naturally, they did their utmost for Chu Zhao as well.

But His Majesty has now been proclaimed Emperor. He has all the court officials, Grand Tutor Deng Yi as Regent, and Xie Yanfang has also entered the court. As the Emperor’s uncle, his status is undoubtedly special, and the Dongyang Xie Family itself is massive and influential—

An Empress, by comparison, isn’t so important anymore.

They won’t give their all for the Empress, too.

The only thing that can keep them in check is the Dragon Power Army, and now my lady is actually handing the Dragon Power Army over to a member of the Xie Family.

”I’m not handing it over to him,” Chu Zhao said with a smile. ”I’m just letting him command the troops. The Dragon Power Army is still ours, and they only recognize us.”

Zhong Changrong knew this in principle, but still, he was a member of the Xie Family—

”Uncle Zhong, being family doesn’t necessarily mean you’re of one mind,” Chu Zhao said. ”Do you think that I, my father, and my uncle were of one mind?”

’Of course not,’ Zhong Changrong thought without hesitation.

Chu Zhao said softly, ”So no matter what his surname is, he is his own person first, not an accessory to anyone.”

Zhong Changrong frowned. Just then, Xie Yanlai, who had been strolling over at a leisurely pace, finally arrived.

”Greetings, Your Highness,” he said, bowing respectfully. ”All is well in the Imperial City. Personnel are moving in and out in an orderly fashion. I have been diligent in my duties and have not dared to slack off.”

He looked the part, but what he was really saying was, ’I’m busy, don’t bother me.’ Chu Zhao hid a smile.

”Xie Yanlai, Vice General Zhong has something to say to you,” she said. With that, she gave Zhong Changrong a wink and turned to walk away.

Zhong Changrong froze. He wanted to call out to his lady but didn’t want to put her in a difficult position, so he said nothing and turned to look at Xie Yanlai.

Xie Yanlai paid no mind to his fierce glare. He straightened up and asked lazily, ”Mr. Zhong, what are your orders now?”

’Look at how lazy this brat is, completely unreliable! Though he hasn’t made any mistakes these past few days...’ Vice General Zhong reached out and grabbed his arm. ”Come with me.”

Xie Yanlai was dragged away reluctantly.

Mr. Xie, who was kneeling among the courtiers, saw this and couldn’t help but nudge Xie Yanfang. ”Look,” he whispered, ”what are they talking about now?”

Xie Yanfang’s head was bowed, his eyes closed in rest. The officials weren’t expected to stay up all night; they took turns. But no matter how they divided the time, one could never rest well while keeping vigil in the palace.

Xie Yanfang didn’t deliberately wear himself out to look grief-stricken and haggard. He rested when he could. Since he was able to sit here, he had no need to please the world with his appearance.

When Mr. Xie nudged him, he didn’t even open his eyes. ”Whatever they’re talking about, it’s for Yu’s good. As long as Yu is well, everything is well.”

’That’s true.’ Mr. Xie glanced in the direction Vice General Zhong and Xie Yanlai had gone, then back inside the hall. The girl had already gone in; he could faintly see her kneeling behind the curtain. ’For that Chu Family’s Daughter to secure her position as Empress, she has to rely on Yu, and on our Xie family. She can’t and won’t dare to do anything that harms the Xie family’s interests.’

Mr. Xie looked at the figure in the hall one more time, then withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes to rest as well.

In the latter half of the night, Chu Zhao took a short nap. When she awoke, she saw Xiao Yu kneeling beside her.

Seeing her awake, Xiao Yu scooted closer and whispered, ”Sister, you should sleep a little longer. I’ll keep watch.”

Chu Zhao reached out and gently pinched his nose. ”I’ve slept enough. Now it’s your turn.”

Xiao Yu looked like he was about to shake his head, but then he nodded and hummed in agreement. He always listened to his sister.

But Chu Zhao didn’t let him lie down right away. She asked if he had drunk any hot tea or eaten anything, then touched his hand and forehead to make sure he was alright.

Xiao Yu obediently let her check him over, nodding to confirm that he had eaten and drunk.

Only then did Chu Zhao let him lie down to rest, not forgetting to place the bamboo tube he kept hidden to the side into his arms—even during the mourning period, Xiao Yu carried the bamboo tube with him at all times.

Chu Zhao never objected or asked about it, and even had Eunuch Qi order the Palace Maids and eunuchs to turn a blind eye.

Xiao Yu looked slightly embarrassed, but mostly, he felt a sense of security. He hugged the bamboo tube tightly and closed his eyes.

He was, after all, only a six-year-old child. Even though he wasn’t doing anything, just kneeling here was utterly exhausting, and he quickly fell asleep.

After he was asleep, Eunuch Qi entered from outside the curtain.

”Your Highness,” he said softly. ”Go have a late-night meal. This old servant will keep watch here.”

Chu Zhao didn’t refuse. She was secure in her position as Empress and didn’t need to please the world by appearing perfectly filial and grief-stricken.

As Chu Zhao walked out, other eunuchs came in. Someone handed Eunuch Qi a cup of hot tea—as a man of great merit for having rescued the young Emperor, Eunuch Qi’s word was now law among the eunuchs in the Imperial Palace.

The eunuchs all scrambled over one another to show him their loyalty.

”Eunuch Qi,” someone whispered, ”why do you always step aside when Miss Chu is here?”

Eunuch Qi said, ”His Majesty is alive and has made it to this day all because of Miss Chu. He should be close with her. I must not interfere.”

”But what about you?” the eunuch asked with concern.

’His Majesty is alive and has made it to this day thanks to your meritorious service as well, Eunuch Qi. You should also fight for a more important place in His Majesty’s heart.’

Eunuch Qi naturally understood his meaning. He smiled and said, ”If I were to vie for His Majesty’s affection, I would only be harming him.”

He looked down at the sleeping child, his eyes full of affection. When he looked back up at the eunuch, his gaze turned icy.

”Miss Chu is the Empress. Don’t let me hear you use the wrong title for her again.”

The eunuch hastily knelt and agreed, not daring to utter another word.

Chu Zhao had already walked out. She neither knew nor cared what the eunuchs were whispering behind her. With Xiao Man in tow, she passed in front of the courtiers keeping vigil and headed toward a side hall.

Food had been prepared in the side hall for those on watch; they weren’t really going to wear everyone down to a frazzle.

But just as Chu Zhao was passing through a corridor, someone jumped out from the side and grabbed her arm—

At the same time, Xiao Man’s hand also grabbed the person’s arm, and a dagger slid out into her palm—

It struck the person’s arm with a sharp CLINK.

It was armor—

”Xiao Man,” Chu Zhao said hurriedly, having already recognized the person. ”It’s fine. He’s one of us.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Man retracted her blade and stepped back, as if she had never moved at all.

”One of us?” Xie Yanlai muttered, giving her arm a tug. ”Come with me.”

’If he wasn’t one of us, why would she go with him?’ Xiao Man thought. She watched as Chu Zhao indeed started to follow him, even signaling for her not to come. Xiao Man pouted but didn’t follow.

Xie Yanlai pulled Chu Zhao into the shadows in a corner of the palace wall where the light couldn’t reach. Although there were Soldiers nearby, they acted as if they didn’t see them.

”What did you want to say?” Chu Zhao asked with a quiet laugh. ”Is it something that can’t be seen in public?”

Xie Yanlai let out a scoff. ”Isn’t it because of you? What’s the meaning of this? Making me take over the Dragon Power Army from Vice General Zhong.”

He wasn’t an idiot. Did she think that just because Vice General Zhong was the one to tell him, he would believe she had nothing to do with it?

Without her permission, Vice General Zhong would never have brought this up. He would just keep cutting him down with his glares.

Chu Zhao smiled. ”It’s just as Vice General Zhong said. He has another assignment, so he’s delegating this task to you. What, as an Imperial Guard, you’re not going to obey a military order?”

Xie Yanlai spat. ”There’s no one else here, so cut the crap. Is this a military order?”

Chu Zhao looked at him, her dark eyes shining as if in confusion. ”What else would it be?”

Xie Yanlai looked down at the girl, and it was as if he were back at the post station, with that pitiful girl kneeling and begging the kind-hearted people to please, please save her life—

But she wasn’t really asking someone to save her life. She was asking for someone else to lose theirs.

He braced one hand against the wall, leaned down to her ear, and said, ”You want me to fight to the death with Xie Yanfang.”