Ashes to Crown

Chapter 199: Chapter 29: Summon

A month had passed since the new emperor’s ascension. The late Emperor had been laid to rest in the Imperial Mausoleum, and the turmoil in the Capital City had been buried along with him.

After a rainfall, summer passed, and the chill of autumn settled over the Capital City.

The Chu Garden seemed to have transformed overnight, like a beauty shedding her fresh summer clothes for a vibrant autumn wardrobe.

Pavilions and terraces were surrounded by leaves of gold and crimson.

”It’s so beautiful,” Qi Leyun said, picking a fallen leaf from her skirt. She held it up to her eyes, then pointed to the side. ”It’s even more beautiful over by Fuyun Pavilion.”

With that, she gathered her skirts and led the way with a light step.

”Everyone, follow me!”

She then instructed a maid beside her.

”Move the tea and snacks over there.”

But the other girls didn’t follow cheerfully. One of them pouted. ”Qi Leyun, this isn’t your house.”

Qi Leyun heard her and huffed, ”I’m a guest here, which makes me the hostess for now.”

Qi Leyun’s family was still living in the Chu Garden. Rebuilding the Qi Family estate would take time, and even after learning that Chu Zhao had been named Empress, the Qi Family discussed it and shamelessly decided to stay—they certainly couldn’t pass up such a rare opportunity to get closer to the Empress.

It was said that Mrs. Qi had told Mr. Qi in the dead of night that their house burning down might have been fate’s way of allowing them to forge a connection with the Empress.

Mr. Qi rebuked his wife’s foolish words, saying it should be called ’a blessing in disguise.’

In any case, the couple swept aside their sorrow over losing their home and cheerfully settled into the Chu Family residence with no intention of leaving. When friends and relatives suggested this might be inappropriate,

Mr. Qi would retort, ”This is a sign of the Empress’s generosity and kindness. Besides my family, many others have also received shelter in the Chu Garden.”

Qi Leyun saw nothing wrong with it at all.

”What kind of person is Chu Zhao, anyway?” she said.

Before she could finish, she saw the other girls’ strange expressions. Everyone knew exactly what kind of person Chu Zhao was—she’d hit people, cursed at people, and was arrogant and domineering—

Qi Leyun huffed again. ”Chu Zhao is exactly the kind of person who is righteous, despises evil, and helps the weak against the strong.”

The girls couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

”Alright, Qi Leyun,” one of the girls chided. ”Stop calling her ’Chu Zhao’ over and over. She’s the Empress now.”

Though they had only not seen her for a short time, Chu Zhao was no longer their companion, but the most esteemed Empress.

”Chu Tang—” a girl asked in a low voice, gesturing to the other side, ”has she still not seen anyone?”

Since the turmoil, the main gates of the Chu Family estate had remained tightly shut. For the late Emperor’s funeral and the new emperor’s coronation ceremony, everything outside the gates was arranged according to protocol, but the gates themselves were never opened. Many who came to visit were turned away at the door.

It was because of the late Emperor’s passing and the Crown Prince’s death; the Chu couple had fallen ill from excessive grief. They couldn’t sit with guests to share in their sorrow, nor could they accept anyone’s congratulations.

...

...

A ladder was propped against the wall. As Qi Leyun climbed up, the other girls, though a little nervous, were ultimately still young and couldn’t hide their curiosity. They watched her with a mixture of anxiety and excitement.

”Chu Tang! Chu Tang!” Qi Leyun called out.

A moment later, the sound of light footsteps was heard from the other side, followed by Chu Tang’s voice. ”Qi Leyun, what are you doing climbing the wall again?”

’She’s here!’ The girls below grew excited, and some began to call Chu Tang’s name softly.

Qi Leyun leaned over the top of the wall and said to the girl on the other side, ”Everyone was worried about you, so we came to see you.”

Chu Tang laughed. ”Worried about me? You’re here to fish for gossip, aren’t you?”

Though they couldn’t see her through the wall, her familiar tone and coquettish words brought the Chu Tang they all knew back before them. The girls called out to her even louder.

One of the girls even started looking for a ladder to climb up herself.

”No need to climb the ladder, and no need to ask me,” Chu Tang said from her side. ”We’ll all be seeing each other very soon.”

What did she mean by that? From her perch on the wall, Qi Leyun asked curiously, ”Seeing each other where?”

Chu Tang looked up and smiled. ”The Empress is hosting a banquet. She’s summoning the ladies-in-waiting, and they can bring their children.”

A banquet!

A summons!

Qi Leyun threw her hands up and yelled, ”Wonderful!” She nearly fell off the ladder, sending the girls below into another fit of laughter.

...

...

Holding a banquet in the Imperial City once again was a sign that the Dynasty had returned to normal. ℯℯ𝘭.

Before the Imperial City, carriages and horses created a bustling scene. Imperial Guards, eunuchs, and officials stood in rows, directing traffic and maintaining order, but a noisy clamor was still unavoidable.

Walking through the crowd, Qi Leyun couldn’t help but look around. She had heard that the Imperial Palace suffered a disaster even worse than her own family’s, but looking at it now, there was no sign of it at all—

”Don’t gawk.” Mrs. Qi, who had been watching her daughter from the corner of her eye, immediately hissed in a low voice.

Qi Leyun quickly averted her gaze, but her eyes still darted about, taking in who was here, who was there, and what everyone was wearing and carrying.