Ashes to Crown

Chapter 148: Chapter 102: A Visitor

Unbelievable.

But while others could be caught by surprise, she couldn’t afford to just sigh in amazement.

All she could say was that even though she had warned Xie Yanfang, the Crown Prince still—

The only silver lining was that since the Crown Prince was attacked outside the Capital City, the people within its walls might be spared some of the disaster.

But suffering was still inevitable.

Ah Le went to stand guard by the gate, while Chu Zhao took the maids to settle the commoners who had come to Chu Garden seeking refuge.

The people were all settled in sheltered areas outside, behind rock formations, so that if bandits broke in to burn, kill, and plunder, they would have a chance to hide.

They were a mix of old and young. There were street vendors who ran night stalls and hadn’t yet returned home. There were commoners whose humble homes had been set ablaze by firebrands, forcing them to flee into the streets. The city was overrun with warring soldiers, and death could come at any moment. In their desperation, they found every door barred and locked; it was as if there was no escape on heaven or earth. Thankfully, the gates of Chu Garden opened and took them in.

An old woman accepted the water Chu Zhao offered, her voice trembling as she said, ”Thank you.”

The maids bandaged the wounded.

Chu Zhao then had bedding brought out so the old and weak could sit or lie down more comfortably. As she was busy with this, Chu Tang arrived with her maids.

The two sisters stepped aside to talk.

”How are things at the main house?” Chu Zhao asked. ”Tell Uncle and Aunt not to panic. You should stay with them. I can handle things here.”

Chu Tang’s face was pale. She forced a smile. ”Don’t worry. They’re... fine. They’ve already sealed the gate connecting to Chu Garden.”

Chu Zhao was exasperated, half-amused. ’This was exactly the kind of thing Chu Lan would do.’

The Chu Family had been woken from their sleep. At first, they thought it was just bandits, but Chu Zhao immediately ordered the gates sealed. She told everyone to stay out of their rooms and prepare water to fight fires. Ah Le had rallied everyone, young and old, man and woman, to grab a weapon—if they had no weapon, they grabbed brooms and firewood sticks.

Chu Zhao’s actions had scared the family half to death, and Chu Lan had even reprimanded her. But they soon realized the commotion outside sounded like the entire city was overrun with bandits. There were the sounds of fighting, the heavy thundering of hooves, and bloodcurdling screams—

Something was wrong!

Chu Lan and Jiang immediately urged everyone to reinforce the doors and windows.

But then, Chu Zhao wanted to open the gates again to let in the commoners crying for help outside. Naturally, Chu Lan and Jiang refused, so Chu Zhao brought her people to Chu Garden.

Unable to stop her, Chu Lan and Jiang had instead sealed the gate that led to Chu Garden.

”Ah Zhao, don’t be angry,” Chu Tang said softly. ”You know what Father and Mother are like. They’re just timid and scared.”

Chu Zhao didn’t see the point in getting angry over them. ”Why did you come over here? It’s so dangerous. Aren’t you going to hide with them? I might have to open these gates at any moment.”

Chu Tang smiled. ”I think... I feel safer with you.”

Chu Zhao found that amusing. She wasn’t particularly moved by this show of trust, but she didn’t send her away either.

”I have a large supply of medicine stored here in Chu Garden. Take some people and get it organized for use,” she said.

’Just as I thought. Who would stockpile so much medicine for no reason?’ Chu Tang felt even more at ease. She nodded and agreed, but the thought of Chu Zhao opening the gate at any time still frightened her. She couldn’t help but add, ”Actually, it’s not that Father won’t help people. Some people ran in through the main gate earlier, and he let them stay. It’s just that it’s too chaotic outside now. The crowd is a mix of good and bad people. He’s worried a villain might slip in, and then we’d be in trouble.”

Chu Zhao just hummed in acknowledgment. ”I know. Don’t worry, Ah Le will act within his abilities.”

Only then did Chu Tang walk away, reassured.

Chu Zhao stood motionless. A gust of night wind blew past, and her mind sharpened with a sudden chill.

’What was that Chu Tang said? Chu Lan let people who were asking for help stay?’

’Is Chu Lan the type of kind-hearted person who enjoys helping others?’

’Impossible!’

’If he really did let someone stay, it must mean there was a reason he had no choice but to do so.’

’Who was it that came?’

...

...

The tightly shut doors and windows could not block out the clamor from outside. Chu Lan stood indoors, able to hear not only the screams but also, it seemed, smell the stench of blood.

His face was ashen, his body swaying as if he might collapse at any moment. He should have been sitting or lying down, but his mind was in turmoil, and he couldn’t stop pacing back and forth.

He completed one circuit, muttering, ”A disaster, a disaster.”

He completed another, muttering, ”An opportunity, an opportunity.”

He paced and paced, his muttering indistinct, his spirit lost. It seemed he would continue walking like this forever, until a knock sounded at the door.

KNOCK. The sound was neither loud nor soft, but Chu Lan jumped as if struck by lightning. ”Who is it?” he yelped, then added in a low, angry growl, ”Didn’t I say that no one was to disturb me!”

A soft voice came from outside the door. ”Mr. Chu, it’s me, Xiao Xun.”

Chu Lan’s mind was a mess. ’Xiao Xun? Who’s that?’

The person outside didn’t give him time to collect himself and offer an invitation, simply pushing the door open and stepping inside.

Only then did it click for Chu Lan. ’Xiao Xun! The Heir of Zhongshan King!’

Seeing the tall young man wrapped in a black cloak enter, he did not greet him with his usual delight. Instead, his expression grew even uglier, his lips turned blue, and he stumbled backward until he bumped into a bookshelf and was forced to stop.

”Princely Heir—” he said, his voice trembling.

Xiao Xun paid no mind to his strange reaction, speaking amiably. ”Mr. Chu, do not be afraid. I have come specifically to offer my assistance.”

Leaning against the bookshelf, Chu Lan asked, ”Assist... assist with what?”

”The Third Prince and the Crown Prince are fighting outside,” Xiao Xun said. He paid Chu Lan no further attention, unfastening his cloak and seating himself. ”The whole city is in a murderous frenzy right now. Surely Mr. Chu is aware of that?”

He continued before Chu Lan could speak.

”I have brought my men with me. Rest assured, Mr. Chu, I can guarantee your family’s safety.”

Normally, Chu Lan would be thanking the heavens and feel eternally grateful to Xiao Xun. But he remained tense, his body pressed against the bookshelf, and stammered, ”Many... thanks, Your Highness.”

Xiao Xun looked at him and smiled. ”No need for thanks. The pleasure is mine.”

Chu Lan also forced a smile. Seeing Xiao Xun reach for the teapot, he realized he couldn’t be a completely useless host and hurried over. ”Princely Heir, allow me, allow me.”

Xiao Xun didn’t insist, allowing Chu Lan to pour the tea for him.

”You must be terrified, Mr. Chu,” he said. ”This all happened so suddenly. The city is like this, and who knows what it’s like outside the walls. The streets have become impassable, and many families have met with disaster.”

Chu Lan’s hand, holding the teapot, trembled so much that tea spilled out. ”It’s terrifying, simply terrifying,” he stammered. ”What is to be done?”

Xiao Xun sighed softly and glanced toward the door. ”At this point, all we can do is leave it to fate.”

After exchanging a few words, Chu Lan felt his nerves settle. He sat down and echoed the sigh. ”Let’s hope dawn comes quickly.”

Xiao Xun took a sip of tea. It was already cold, but he didn’t seem to mind and swallowed it anyway. ”Even when dawn arrives, things won’t be the same as before, Mr. Chu—” He looked at Chu Lan. ”The sky has changed.”

Chu Lan clenched his fists and nodded. ”Yes, it has changed—”

”But you need not worry, Mr. Chu,” Xiao Xun said. ”No matter how the sky changes, I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety.”

Chu Lan’s heart began to race again. He stood and bowed. ”Princely Heir, you are too good to me—”

Xiao Xun nodded, watching him. ”But why am I being so good to you?”

Chu Lan froze. ’Huh?’

Beneath the dim lamplight, the young man in white robes, with his jade-like face, had a haunting look in his eyes.

”Chu Lan,” he said. ”The heavens are about to change. This time, it won’t be your brother Chu Ling. It will be your turn to ascend the Heavenly Ladder.”