Ashes to Crown

Chapter 193: Chapter 23: A Request

Standing in the imperial court, Xie Yanfang was the youngest official there, both in age and in experience.

He owed his position there to his status as the Emperor’s maternal uncle.

Of course, he didn’t mind this status. In fact, he had always planned to use it to secure a place in court—just not so soon.

It was too rushed.

Too many surprises.

”Third Young Master Xie, what is the meaning of this from Deng Yi!”

A voice asked from behind.

Xie Yanfang turned to see a group of officials catching up to him. They were of varying ages and ranks, but they all wore expressions of righteous indignation and showed a clear affinity for him.

Even with his rushed appointment, the Xie family had been laying the groundwork for a long time, and Xie Yanfang himself was exceptionally well-connected. Though he had few direct dealings with these officials, their families had all received his patronage and owed him favors.

A relationship built on reciprocity.

He wasn’t truly a fledgling. He had simply stayed out of the court until now. The moment he stepped in, he could spread his wings and soar.

These men referred to Deng Yi by his full name, scorning his official title of Grand Tutor.

’If anyone’s a fledgling, it’s Deng Yi.’ Xie Yanfang smiled at the group of officials.

”First, he had the Empress attend the enthronement ceremony with His Majesty, and now he’s having the Empress attend court with His Majesty,” one official said in a heavy tone. ”What in the world is he trying to do!”

”Whatever he says, goes.”

”Has the court become Deng Yi’s personal domain?”

The other officials chimed in, their voices thick with anger and discontent.

Xie Yanfang listened with a mild expression, neither interrupting nor agreeing. After everyone had vented, he finally said, ”He’s doing it for His Majesty’s sake. His Majesty does indeed need to learn and grow quickly. Think about it, everyone. Who could be better suited than the Empress to stay by His Majesty’s side at all times, guiding him personally?”

An official started to speak, but Xie Yanfang held up a hand to stop him.

”I know any of you could do it, but would Deng Yi allow it?”

That role involved accompanying and teaching the Emperor. To a six-year-old monarch, that person would become someone incredibly close, someone he would trust and rely on.

Deng Yi, who held the reins of power, would never allow anyone else to gain the Emperor’s trust.

”He’s doing this for His Majesty,” Xie Yanfang continued, ”but also for himself. As Regent, he cannot divide his attention to personally tutor His Majesty, yet he’s unwilling to let any of us do it. Therefore, the Empress is the most suitable candidate.”

After all, the Empress is a woman. Once His Majesty comes of age, she will have to withdraw to the inner palace. She won’t be able to interfere in court politics, nor would she be allowed to.

The officials nodded in understanding, but—

”Then we’re just supposed to tolerate Deng Yi?” they asked, annoyed.

Xie Yanfang said, ”His Majesty is still young. The most important thing right now is the stability of the country. So I ask you all to safeguard the court and fulfill your duties—not for Deng Yi’s sake, but for His Majesty’s.”

He bowed to the assembled officials as he spoke.

The men hurriedly returned his bow, saying, ”You are too kind, Young Master,” and ”My lord, it is our duty.”

As they watched Xie Yanfang depart at a leisurely pace, the officials began to disperse. Their moods were much calmer than they had been right after court was dismissed.

’This court doesn’t belong to Deng Yi. He still has to contend with us, and more importantly, with the Xie family. When it comes to trusted relations, they are closest to His Majesty the Emperor. Deng Yi was merely a choice born of circumstance, a last resort for the late Emperor.’

The late Emperor was gone. How much longer could Deng Yi last?

Still, for the time being, Xie Yanfang hadn’t opposed any of Deng Yi’s actions.

”Perhaps Deng Yi already discussed this with the Third Young Master,” an official said in a low voice.

’It was highly likely. Deng Yi wasn’t a fool. Did he really think he could do as he pleased just because he held the Jade Seal and commanded the military? If Xie Yanfang had objected, what could Deng Yi have done? Banish him from court? Have him executed on the spot?’

’He wouldn’t dare!’

’So, he must have consulted him beforehand and won his approval.’

’Deng Yi did have things to fear, then. That was good.’

The officials’ expressions relaxed further as they continued on their way. But then, one of them stopped in his tracks.

”However, Deng Yi can’t bear to leave his position in court to teach His Majesty... but doesn’t that mean Third Young Master Xie is unwilling as well?” he couldn’t help but mutter.

’Deng Yi doesn’t want anyone else teaching His Majesty. But if Xie Yanfang insisted on doing it himself, could Deng Yi really stop him?’

’In fact, Deng Yi would probably love for Xie Yanfang to take the job. It would weaken his standing in the court and confine him to the palace—’

’And Xie Yanfang isn’t a fool!’

’Yes, it was just as Xie Yanfang had said. His Majesty is still young, and it will be a long time before he can rule in his own right. For now, that wasn’t the priority. Controlling the court was what mattered most.’

’Third Young Master Xie’s actions were perfectly logical.’

By the time Xie Yanfang returned home, the Xie Family already knew what had happened in court. Although he was the only member of the Xie family currently holding a position there, as he himself had said, not being in the court didn’t mean one was removed from it.

In fact, it was often easier to get things done from the outside.

”Did Deng Yi come to you to discuss this?” Uncle Cai asked, frowning. ”What is he really trying to do? Curry favor with Chu Ling?”

Xie Yanfang looked at Uncle Cai and arched an eyebrow. ”No.”

’No’ to what? Uncle Cai froze for a second. He refused to believe that Deng Yi was genuinely acting in the Xiao Emperor’s best interests.

”I mean it wasn’t Deng Yi who came to me,” Xie Yanfang said, stepping into the room and undoing his court dress.

Uncle Cai was even more bewildered. ’Then who was it? One of Deng Yi’s underlings?’ He knew many in the court had already flocked to Deng Yi’s side, ’but have those riffraff gotten so bold as to spout nonsense in front of you?’

”Uncle Cai, don’t be angry,” Xie Yanfang said, tossing aside his court dress with a smile over his shoulder. ”It was Chu Zhao. Our Empress.”

Uncle Cai was first stunned, then furious.

”How audacious!”

”What does she think she’s doing!”

...

...

’Audacious?’

Xie Yanfang recalled being summoned to the palace. He remembered his feelings as he listened to the girl sitting across from him speak those words—he was surprised, yet somehow not surprised at all.

The girl was still dressed in a simple skirt and top, looking no different from the Miss Chu who had barged into the Xie residence demanding to see him.

Her eyes were as bright and clear as he remembered, full of spirit, but now they held an additional glimmer.

Xie Yanfang was no stranger to that kind of glimmer. He remembered when he was thirteen and heard the Crown Prince had arrived for a hunt. The moment he’d grabbed his longbow, climbed the mountain, and looked down, his own eyes must have shone with that very same light.

It was a look of restless ambition.

He wasn’t surprised, nor did he immediately agree. He calmly voiced his question: ”Why?”

The girl looked at him and said frankly, ”Because I don’t want Yu to become dependent on Deng Yi. I want him to stand independent of the court.”

Xiao Yu was still a child. Whether it was Deng Yi or any other courtier who tutored him, the boy would develop a sense of dependency. And when a sovereign becomes dependent on a courtier, he is inevitably constrained by them.

Xie Yanfang, of course, understood this principle. But by saying this, Chu Zhao was telling him one thing clearly: she did not trust Deng Yi.

”I will stay with Yu. I will teach him,” she said, before giving Xie Yanfang a deep bow. ”Please, Third Young Master Xie, permit me to do this. Entrust Yu to me.”

’She was asking for his permission.’

Xie Yanfang smiled, pulling himself from his reverie. He picked up the teacup from the table and said to Uncle Cai, ”Of course, I can’t hand Yu over to Deng Yi. Entrusting him to her is the most suitable option.”

After listening to his explanation, Uncle Cai’s expression flickered through several emotions. ”It sounds reasonable in theory... but we don’t know what this girl is truly thinking—”

Ever since he’d learned that the girl had asked the late Emperor for the title of Empress herself, he couldn’t help but be wary of her.

’This was the title of Empress, after all.’

’And now she wants to attend court with His Majesty.’

’This girl’s ambition is far too great.’

”What else would you expect?” Xie Yanfang said with a smile, holding out his cup for Uncle Cai to refill. ”Did you think she risked life and limb simply to be a Good Samaritan? Attending court is exhausting. Being in the public eye is exhausting. All that talking...”

Uncle Cai poured his tea with a resigned sigh. ”You talk plenty when you’re at home, too.”

Xie Yanfang downed the tea in one go.

”It doesn’t matter what she’s thinking. Right now, her only thought can be that if Yu does well, she does well,” he said. ”And for Yu’s sake, we must treat her well.”

Uncle Cai set down the teapot. ”Fine, fine. If you say it’s for the best, then it must be.” He then stood up. ”You should get some rest. There is still much for you to do behind the scenes.”

Xie Yanfang watched the old servant leave, then leaned back to rest, only to snap his eyes open a moment later.

’He had been persuaded by that girl.’

’But what about Deng Yi?’

’How did she persuade him?’