Ashes to Crown

Chapter 170: Chapter 3: What Is Seen

Xie Yanfang said nothing more, only watched the child in Xie Yanlai’s arms.

Xie Yanlai, however, was clearly uncomfortable. He pressed on the child’s shoulders, wanting to lift him away like a kitten.

”What’s wrong?” he asked.

The eunuchs also gathered around.

”His Highness was sleeping, but he ran out as soon as he woke up.” ”His clothes aren’t even on properly.” ”His Highness must be careful not to catch a cold.”

Xie Yanlai gripped the child’s shoulders and asked with a frown, ”What do you need? Just give them your orders.”

Xiao Yu looked up and asked, ”Where is the big sister?”

’The big sister? A palace maid who looks after the little prince?’ Xie Yanfang wondered from the side. He still said nothing, merely watching Xiao Yu and Xie Yanlai.

Xie Yanlai obviously knew which ”big sister” he meant. He frowned at the eunuchs. ”Where is she?”

The eunuchs naturally knew who he meant as well. They quickly said, ”His Majesty sent for her a moment ago.”

But the eunuch from the Emperor’s retinue had just said His Majesty was resting. Both Xie Yanlai and Xie Yanfang stared at the eunuch who had spoken.

That eunuch hastily added, ”She left. She left right after they finished talking. We don’t know where she went.”

Xie Yanlai snorted. ”Always running around.” Then, as if thinking of something, he pursed his lips. ”She’s probably with Lord Deng.” He patted Xiao Yu. ”You go back for now. I’ll go get her.”

Xiao Yu nodded and let go of his grip, no longer resisting the eunuchs, allowing them to wrap him in his robes.

Xie Yanlai turned to leave, but then pivoted on the spot and turned back.

”Your Highness,” he said, pointing to Xie Yanfang with a smirk. ”This is Third Young Master Xie, Xie Yanfang. You know of him, right?”

Xiao Yu glanced at him, then bowed his head and saluted Xie Yanfang. ”Greetings, Third Uncle. Thank you for taking care of my father and mother.”

As he spoke the last sentence, the child’s soft voice grew hoarse.

’Such a clever child. Of course he knows who Xie Yanfang is, and of course he can guess what this Third Uncle went to do. He didn’t want to face him because he didn’t want to face the tragedy of his parents.’ Xie Yanfang walked over and knelt before him, looking up at the child’s face.

”Your Highness, they were my sister and brother-in-law,” he said softly. ”Go and get some rest first. I will come back later and tell you everything. Yu is a brave boy; you should know and remember what happened.”

Xiao Yu nodded.

Xie Yanfang said no more. He stood up. ”Yanfang takes his leave.”

Xiao Yu did not linger, leaving with the eunuchs.

After watching Xiao Yu leave, Xie Yanlai spoke again. ”Third Brother, let’s go see the Grand Tutor.”

Xie Yanfang nodded and, with Du Qi, followed Xie Yanlai back toward the outer hall.

The two brothers walked one behind the other in a somewhat awkward silence. But that wasn’t surprising. Even when they were home, they rarely exchanged more than a few words, especially since Xie Yanlai was always a loner.

”I’m relieved to see the little prince is safe,” Xie Yanfang said. ”He was the one our sister was most reluctant to leave behind before she died.”

Xie Yanlai grunted in agreement. ”The eunuchs have checked on him. The little prince is fine.”

Xie Yanfang asked, ”How is His Majesty?”

A blunt enough question.

Xie Yanlai glanced back at him, leaned in, and said in a low voice, ”Not good. Neither in mind nor body.”

An equally blunt answer.

Xie Yanfang nodded. ”I understand. I’ll be careful with my words when I see His Majesty.”

Xie Yanlai turned his head away, then turned back with a smile. ”Maybe you won’t have to. After you see the Grand Tutor, you probably won’t need to see His Majesty at all.”

Those words— Xie Yanfang was thoughtful. He more or less understood. Although he had only briefly inquired about Deng Yi while focusing on Chu Zhao, he was fortunate to have an excellent memory, never forgetting what he saw or heard. This Deng Yi was a Palace Gate Official.

Overnight, he had transformed into the Grand Tutor, able even to decide who could or could not see the Emperor.

It was clear he had gained the Emperor’s deepest trust and was shouldering great responsibilities.

The master of the Imperial City, at this very moment, was Deng Yi.

’Deng Yi.’ Xie Yanfang repeated the name silently to himself, feeling a sense of wonder. The court was filled with illustrious high officials, and the Royal Family flaunted their power. Who would have thought that a minor Clerk, whom no one would spare a second glance, would soar to the heavens overnight?

Such is life. It seems unchanging, but in reality, you never know what the next moment will bring. Unpredictable, unfathomable—this, too, is the joy of being human.

He asked no more questions, and Xie Yanlai didn’t volunteer any more information. The two brothers passed through the Imperial Guard and arrived at the front hall. There were fewer Imperial Guards here, but more officials. They scurried back and forth, their expressions numb, terrified, or whispering to one another in hushed discussions. The atmosphere was tense and bizarre.

”....Where’s Grand Tutor Liao? Did he know better than to show up?”

”....Knew better? Even if he didn’t, he was made to. Grand Tutor Deng sent troops to tell him not to bother coming...”

”....So he really calls all the shots now?”

”....He’s purging the remnants of the Third Prince and the Zhao Family. You tell me if he calls the shots. If he says you’re one of them, you are, even if you’re not. Who would dare disobey?”

”....Where did all these soldiers come from? They don’t look like the Imperial Guard.”

”....Did the Capital Camp get in? Impossible, the gates were never opened.”

Seeing the armor-clad Xie Yanlai approach, the officials clustered in discussion immediately fell silent. But when they saw Xie Yanfang, they grew excited.

”Third Young Master Xie!”

”Third Young Master Xie is still here!”

”Third Young Master Xie is indeed safe and sound.”

Xie Yanfang stared straight ahead, not stopping to chat with any of the officials, and followed Xie Yanlai at a brisk pace.

They arrived before a hall. The guards here were far fewer than at the Emperor’s bedchamber, yet Xie Yanlai, who had been striding unimpeded, stopped well short of it.

”Announce to the Lord Grand Tutor,” he said loudly to the guard at the door. ”Xie Yanfang, brother of the Crown Princess Consort, has returned and requests an audience.”

...

...

The Grand Tutor Hall was not crowded with officials.

At this moment, there was only Deng Yi and the girl.

Deng Yi sat looking through documents, while Chu Zhao paced back and forth with a frown.

”Miss Chu,” Deng Yi said, ”what are you so anxious about?”

Chu Zhao stopped in her tracks. ”How can I not be anxious? Xiao Xun escaped!”

Once things in the palace had settled down a bit, the first thing she did was immediately send Uncle Zhong to capture Xiao Xun. But when Uncle Zhong arrived at the post house, all he found were bodies on the ground. The Heir of the King of Zhongshan and his entourage were nowhere to be seen. After searching the city, they finally discovered a hidden tunnel in a residence near the city gate. That was how the Heir of the King of Zhongshan had escaped the city—

”What’s so strange about the Heir of the King of Zhongshan escaping?” Deng Yi said. ”He’s not stupid, and his father is even less so. Since they dared to come, they would naturally have a way to retreat unscathed.”

’That’s true. Xiao Xun has all the luck.’ Chu Zhao sighed. ”He’s a threat to the little prince, Lord Deng—”

Deng Yi looked up and saw the girl’s expectant gaze—whether it was genuine or not was another matter.

Chu Zhao said, ”The little prince’s safety now rests on your shoulders, my lord.”

Deng Yi said, ”It seems I needn’t concern myself with the Empress’s safety.”

Chu Zhao shook her head and said with a smile, ”I’m not the Empress yet, Grand Tutor. It is enough to call me Crown Princess Consort.”

This time, Deng Yi couldn’t hold it in and let out a laugh. It was a complex laugh. He looked at the girl before him, recalling what had happened in the hall earlier.

She had stormed the city with troops. Although that was surprising, once he learned that Chu Ling had secret forces, that part was no longer a surprise.

But then she said she wanted to be the Empress.

’Does she know what she’s saying?’

’Does she know who she’s talking to?’

In that instant, even Deng Yi, who felt he’d seen his share of surprises, was shocked speechless.