Ashes to Crown

Chapter 177: Chapter 8: Discussions

On this day, Qi Leyun fell off a ladder.

On this day, the entire city was in an uproar.

The Emperor had issued an imperial decree, signaling the end of the rebellion.

Soldiers still patrolled the main streets, hunting for the last of the rebels. Occasionally, cries and the clash of steel echoed from the alleys—remnants of the plot putting up a desperate, final struggle. But for the most part, the people finally felt at ease.

The people were both surprised and unsurprised by the Third Prince’s rebellion. The Crown Prince’s death, however, was a genuine shock, though one could only sigh in response.

Thankfully, the Imperial Grandson was still alive and was immediately named the new Crown Prince. Though young, he would one day grow up. The Dynasty had an heir.

But... what was this about the Crown Princess Consort?

A daughter of the Chu Family, Zhao... Chu Zhao was to be the Crown Princess Consort?

This Chu Zhao... she was—

Well, it wasn’t as if anyone was unfamiliar with this Chu Zhao.

She was the daughter of Chu Ling. More than a decade ago, Chu Ling’s name was renowned throughout the Capital City. Now, more than a decade later, his daughter had also made a name for herself—for starting fights, cursing at people, and provoking the Third Prince into holding a literary competition.

But no matter how they wracked their brains, no one ever imagined she could become the Crown Princess Consort. One day, she would be the Empress!

Chu Zhao as Empress?

However, amidst the wave of astonishment, there were some who weren’t surprised at all.

”Why not Chu Zhao? Didn’t you hear the Emperor’s announcement? It was Chu Zhao who saved the Imperial Grandson. She wielded a sword, rode a horse, and broke through the siege.”

”A tiger father raises no dog of a daughter, it’s true.”

But this very statement gave rise to another point of view.

”It is the duty of every subject to protect the Imperial Grandson. For saving him, His Majesty can bestow praise and rewards. But why have the Imperial Grandson marry her? Is the Emperor himself expected to offer his hand in marriage every time his life is saved?”

”So, is this about repaying a debt of gratitude... or is it about the ’tiger father’?”

The implication was clear: with the Crown Prince dead, the Third Prince branded a traitor, the Emperor ill, and the Imperial Grandson still a weak child, the formidable general Chu Ling had seized the opportunity to strong-arm the throne.

After all, one mustn’t forget how renowned Chu Ling was over a decade ago—how brilliant he was in battle and how many elite soldiers he commanded.

”That’s complete and utter nonsense!”

Leaning on a wooden staff, Qi Leyun limped over to see Chu Tang. Filled with righteous indignation, she jabbed the staff at the ground, making it go THUMP, THUMP.

”’Strong-arming?’ What nonsense! Why can’t our Chu Zhao become Empress? Even setting aside the credit for saving the Imperial Grandson, our Chu Zhao is talented, beautiful, and famous in her own right! She’s no nobody!”

Chu Tang just grunted in response. At the time the news arrived, she had been standing at the base of the wall while Qi Leyun was perched on a ladder, leaning over the top. The servants had frantically relayed the contents of the imperial decree. The moment they finished, Qi Leyun had fallen off the ladder, and Chu Tang herself had been left in a stunned daze.

Qi Leyun had injured her foot in the fall, but it only seemed to invigorate her. Chu Tang, on the other hand, still hadn’t snapped out of her stupor.

Noticing her dazed expression, Qi Leyun called out to her a few times to get her attention, then leaned in close. ”Did Chu Zhao really save His Highness with a sword and a horse? Did you see it with your own eyes?”

Chu Tang turned to face her. ”I did. It happened right outside the Chu Family estate. It was... a massacre. Bodies and blood everywhere.”

Qi Leyun rubbed her arms, a shiver running through her.

”’You’d never know it to look at her,’ she murmured. ’No wonder you didn’t want me staying at your home back then.’”

”That’s right,” Chu Tang said. ”You have no idea what we went through that night. Your house was just burned down. This place... this was a slaughterhouse.”

Qi Leyun gripped her staff and banged it hard on the floor. ”Incredible! Who would have ever thought Chu Zhao was so capable!”

With that, she began to limp toward the door.

”Chu Tang, have a carriage prepared for me.”

Chu Tang frowned. ”You’re going out in your condition?”

”Of course I’m going out! I’m going to find the others right now, and we’re going to set them straight. Chu Zhao absolutely deserves to be Empress,” Qi Leyun declared, her expression alight with excitement and her eyes shining. ”Our Chu Zhao is accomplished in both scholarly and martial pursuits, she is virtuous and talented, dignified and wise, a true model for the entire realm—”

Chu Tang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’Virtuous and talented, dignified and wise,’ she muttered to herself. ’How on earth did you come up with that?’

As she thought this, her eyes began to sparkle.

’Virtuous and talented, dignified and wise... So it wasn’t about possessing those qualities first and then waiting for others to notice.’

’It’s about standing in a place where everyone can see you. Then, you’ll have whatever you want.’

’Even if you don’t have it, you’ll have it!’

’Crown Princess Consort...’

’Empress.’

’Chu Zhao... is going to be the Empress!’

Chu Tang stood in the main hall, her hands clasped tightly. A tremor shot through her, from the soles of her feet to the crown of her head.

’I, Chu Tang, am going to be an Imperial Aunt!’

...

...

In contrast to the clamor on the streets and the excited chatter of the young women, the sprawling estate of the Xie family was utterly silent.

Well, it wasn’t that there hadn’t been an uproar. The Xie family had received the news before the Emperor’s imperial decree even left the Imperial City, and the resulting commotion had nearly torn the residence apart.

”Crown Princess Consort!”

”How can they possibly decide on a Crown Princess Consort now? His Highness is only six years old!”

”Chu Zhao? But she’s already thirteen!”

”This isn’t about age! It’s about what right she has!”

”Did they even consult us about His Highness’s marriage?”

This was the crux of the matter. They were His Highness’s family too. With both the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort gone, they were his only remaining imperial kin.

How could they not consult the Xie family on a matter as important as marriage?

”Third Brother, Third Brother, did you know?”

People and their voices surged toward Xie Yanfang’s quarters, but they were all blocked by Du Qi.

”Everyone, quiet down!” Du Qi commanded coldly, standing under the covered walkway. ”You are not to disturb the Third Young Master’s rest.”

The crowd fell silent instantly but refused to disperse.

”Does the Third Young Master know about the Crown Princess Consort?” they asked eagerly.

Du Qi replied, ”He knows.”

’He knows? Oh, that’s good.’ The crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief. ’If the Third Young Master knows, then he either doesn’t oppose it or already has a plan. Everything is still under the Xie family’s control.’

Watching them retreat, Du Qi remained silent on the walkway. What he’d meant was simply that Third Young Master Xie was now aware of the situation.

Just like them, he had only just found out.

Inside, Xie Yanfang sat by the window, slowly sipping from the teacup in his hand.

”What is His Majesty’s meaning in this?” Uncle Cai asked, sitting opposite him with a grim expression. ”And what is Chu Ling’s meaning?”

Xie Yanfang lowered his gaze, his eyelashes reflecting in his teacup. Suddenly, he let out a soft chuckle, sending ripples across the clear tea.

”Uncle Cai,” he said, ”remember when the Liang Family was causing a stir? The rumors implicated both me and Yanlai in some ambiguous relationship with Miss Chu. And now, in the end, Miss Chu becomes the Crown Princess Consort. I doubt anyone saw that coming.”

Uncle Cai found nothing amusing about the situation.

”Young Master, the rest of the world can be shocked, they can let their jaws drop, laugh it off as mere gossip, but the Xie family cannot,” he said, his voice laced with anger. ”Where does this leave the Xie family!”

Xie Yanfang drained his tea in one swallow. ”Whatever status the Xie family holds in the eyes of His Majesty is the same status we hold in the eyes of His Highness.”

We are all his subjects. If he considers you family, then you are family. If he doesn’t, you are nothing.

He set the cup down on the table.

”Uncle Cai, this affair... I believe it wasn’t the Emperor’s idea, nor was it Chu Ling’s. It was Miss Chu’s idea.”

Uncle Cai was aghast. ’What does he mean? This was Chu Zhao’s idea? How is that possible? How could she—’

’Of course, she could.’

Xie Yanfang gazed out the window, his eyes gleaming.

’Because if it were him, he would have thought of the same thing. And he absolutely would have done it.’

’That girl... she really is a bit like me.’