Ashes to Crown

Chapter 220: Chapter 45: Receiving the Order

Despite placating the populace, the atmosphere in the imperial court saw no relief. It grew increasingly tense, and the officials were swamped with work.

Xie Yanfang was practically living in the Imperial City, only managing to return home when he could steal a moment.

”You’re back,” said Mr. Xie. ”Yanlai came back, so I figured you should be coming home as well.”

Xie Yanlai didn’t return often, but it wasn’t as if he never came back. Every time he did, he would bicker and quarrel with the younger family members. It gave Mr. Xie a headache, but he couldn’t just tie him up and beat him, so he could only have the other juniors avoid him.

”He’s currently in favor, and the country needs stability. We can’t have our own family be the first to cause trouble,” Mr. Xie said through gritted teeth. ”We’ll endure it a little longer. Next year, we absolutely won’t let him get his way.”

Because everyone else avoided him, Xie Yanlai couldn’t find any trouble to stir up or any opportunities to show off when he came home. Tossing out a ”how boring,” he stopped coming back as much, instead spending his days tearing around on horseback, gathering his friends, and flaunting his power outside.

However, after news of the war broke out, Xie Yanlai reined himself in. Whether he was being serious or just putting on an act, he too became busy.

Although Xie Yanfang was also in the Imperial City, most of his official duties had nothing to do with Xie Yanlai, so the two barely saw each other.

”He came back?” he said. ”Perfect. I have a few words for him.”

Xie Xiao chimed in from the side, ”Third Uncle, you’re finally willing to talk to him! You really need to give him a piece of your mind. He’s completely out of line! He’s going to make the Xie family lose all face. If this goes on, we’ll be worse off than the Zhao Family.”

Xie Yanfang laughed. ”What are you talking about? How could he lose all our face? He alone is not the Xie family, and the Xie family is not just him alone. There’s still all of you. If face is lost, you can earn it back.”

Xie Xiao’s small eyes couldn’t help but crinkle into slits as he smiled, both pleased and vexed. ”It’s all because you’re too good-tempered, Third Uncle. He’s not afraid of you at all.”

”I used to be good-tempered,” Xie Yanfang said with a nod. ”But now that I’m a court official, my temper can’t be too good.”

Xie Xiao was about to say more, but Mr. Xie shooed him away. ”Don’t bother him with these petty matters. He’s finally back for a moment’s rest.”

Xie Xiao ducked his head and scurried off. In any case, he had already made his complaint.

’Fool,’ Mr. Xie cursed internally. ’Even if the Third Master doesn’t come home, is there anything, no matter how small, that happens in this family without his knowledge?’

”However,” Mr. Xie said, looking at Xie Yanfang, ”he came back and then left in a hurry. He even said he wouldn’t be back for a while.”

He frowned.

”What is he trying to stir up now?”

Xie Yanfang stopped in his tracks. ”Not coming back for a while?”

’No matter how busy matters of state get, don’t I, Xie Yanfang, still come home?’

’What could possibly be keeping Xie Yanlai so busy that he can’t come home? Or rather, what business is keeping him from coming home that I, Xie Yanfang, somehow don’t know about?’

”Young Master!”

Du Qi came running in from outside.

”Xie Yanlai has left the Capital City.”

Xie Yanfang and Mr. Xie were stunned. ’Left the Capital City?’

’What was Xie Yanlai doing leaving the Capital City? Did he run away?’ The thought popped into Mr. Xie’s head, but he quickly dismissed it. He wasn’t that ten-year-old child anymore. Back then, Xie Yanlai had run away from the Xie family, only to find he had nowhere to go. He was nearly mauled to death by wild dogs before dragging his wounded body back.

’Now, enjoying all the glory and wealth the Xie family provides, where would he run to?’

While Mr. Xie’s mind was racing, Xie Yanfang had already concealed his surprise. ”How many troops did he take?” he asked.

Du Qi stood still and caught his breath. ”For now, we only know that he took two squads from the Capital Camp.”

Xie Yanfang paused for a moment, then smiled without saying anything and continued walking inside.

Mr. Xie and Du Qi were both taken aback, calling out simultaneously, ”Yanfang.” ”Young Master.” What was he doing?

Xie Yanfang turned his head. ”I came home, so naturally, I’m going to rest.”

That was only natural, and both Mr. Xie and Du Qi knew it. But now—

”What did Xie Yanlai go off to do?” Mr. Xie asked anxiously, his face flush with anger. ”To leave without a single word! Does he have any respect for us at all?!”

Xie Yanfang smiled. ”He is no longer just a Xie Family’s son; he is also a subject of the Emperor. Since he didn’t inform the family, he must naturally be on a mission for the Emperor. Of course he doesn’t need to have any regard for us.”

Mr. Xie was stunned for a moment and was about to speak, but Xie Yanfang raised a hand to stop him.

”Don’t worry. I’ll rest for a bit, then go see His Majesty,” he said. ”It’s nothing serious. No need to be tense.”

With that, he strolled leisurely inside.

’So what if he’s a subject of the Emperor? The Emperor is, in the end, a Xie Family’s son.’

...

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After washing up, changing his clothes, and taking a short nap at home, Xie Yanfang returned to the Imperial City.

Deng Yi had already arrived at the Emperor’s bedchambers. Xie Yanlai may command the Dragon Power Army and guard the Capital City and Imperial City, but military authority in Great Xia was still in Deng Yi’s hands. Xie Yanlai mobilizing troops and leaving the Capital City certainly wouldn’t escape his notice.

The Emperor was still in his lessons, so Deng Yi didn’t disturb him and waited.

The moment Xie Yanfang walked in, he was met with Deng Yi’s dagger-like gaze.

”Just earlier, court officials were questioning me about whose court this is,” Deng Yi said coldly. ”But what’s the use of knowing whose court it is? Outside the court, it’s you, the Xie family, who calls the shots.”

Xie Yanfang smiled and bowed. ”Lord Grand Tutor, please calm your anger. The Xie family wouldn’t dare.”

Deng Yi said, ”You’ve already done it. What’s the point of saying you wouldn’t dare?”

They both had the surname Xie. Naturally, Xie Yanfang would have to bear the consequences of Xie Yanlai’s actions. Did he really think the court would differentiate between the two brothers?

Xie Yanfang didn’t try to defend himself by saying he didn’t know what Xie Yanlai had done.

”If a mistake was made,” he said, his expression turning serious, ”I, Xie Yanfang, will naturally accept the punishment.”

What does it mean to be family? This is what it means to be family.

Deng Yi said, ”Oh? Fine. Then please hand over the Dragon Power Military Order.”

Deng Yi had never approved of Chu Zhao handing the Dragon Power Army over to Xie Yanlai. But while that girl was respectful and close to him, she didn’t truly listen to him on all matters.

She had a mind of her own.

’But now, Xie Yanlai has made a mistake and given me leverage. She can only be blamed for choosing the wrong person; I can’t be blamed for seizing power.’

’This is actually—’ Xie Yanfang’s eyelashes lowered slightly, then he raised his eyes. ”Lord Grand Tutor, with something like this happening, it is indeed necessary to have a more suitable person take over. However, the Dragon Power Army belongs to General Chu. The choice of candidate should still be decided by General Chu.”

’And have her decide to give it to him?’ Deng Yi looked at the young master before him and said, ”The Dragon Power Army may be managed by General Chu, but it belongs to His Majesty, and it belongs to Great Xia. General Chu is currently facing Western Liang—a matter of life and death for Great Xia. She shouldn’t have to worry about matters at the rear.”

Xie Yanfang remained unhurried and unprovoked, merely smiling as he said, ”In military campaigns, a stable rear is also crucial.”

As the two of them faced off, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door, accompanied by Eunuch Qi’s drawn-out announcement: ”His Majesty arrives—”

Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang turned and bowed.

Xiao Yu stepped inside, his gaze shifting between the two men. His expression was a little uneasy. ”Are you two gentlemen arguing?”

Xie Yanfang smiled at him. ”Your Majesty, this is just how the court is. Whether during or after the morning assembly, as long as state affairs are involved, there will be disputes. Your Majesty should get used to it. Don’t worry, and don’t be afraid.”

He wasn’t just casually placating him; he was telling him earnestly. His smile was warm and bright. Xiao Yu turned his gaze to look at Deng Yi.

Deng Yi said, ”We were discussing the matter of Xie Yanlai mobilizing troops and leaving the capital without authorization.”

Xiao Yu went, ”Ah.” ”Oh, that matter.” He looked at Deng Yi, his eyes sparkling. ”We ordered Uncle to go.”

Deng Yi frowned.

Xie Yanfang had already guessed as much, so he didn’t have much of a reaction.

”Grand Tutor, Mr. Xie, We sent Uncle to bring Sister back,” Xiao Yu continued. ”Everyone in the court says the situation is very tense and dangerous. So, I want Sister to come back. I’m worried she’s in danger. But I can’t tell anyone else about Sister’s matters, so that’s why I asked Uncle to help me.”

He looked at the two men, his expression uneasy, but he didn’t ask if what he did was wrong. Instead, his gaze was firm.

”I must ensure Sister is safe.”

Deng Yi was silent for a moment. ”Your Majesty should refer to yourself as ’We.’ You should get used to this form of address.”