Ashes to Crown

Chapter 229: Chapter 51: Innermost Thoughts (Part 2)

The man with the goatee opened his eyes, his expression sour. ”You—”

The King of Zhongshan cut them off. ”Alright now. Hot springs are for one’s health. It’s not good to get angry in the pool.”

The man with the goatee clearly didn’t want to anger the King of Zhongshan. He controlled his temper and ignored the young man with the faint, dimpled smile. Turning to the King of Zhongshan, he said, ”Besides, we are also indignant on your behalf, Prince. By all rights, either you or your son should be the one to become Emperor. That six-year-old child isn’t even the late Emperor’s son—how can a grandson take the throne?”

The King of Zhongshan removed the cloth covering his eyes. Without a hint of humility or ceremony, he clasped his hands in a formal salute. ”My thanks to the Great Liang King.” He then smiled faintly. ”I wonder, what does the Great Liang King want in return?”

The man with the goatee rose from the pool, his expression a mask of grief and fury. ”My king wants only one thing: the head of Chu Ling!”

Years ago, Great Xia had grown complacent after a long period of peace. It was then that the ambitious Great Liang launched an invasion.

The frail and sickly Emperor of Great Xia perished. Great Xia suffered one defeat after another, losing vast territories. A stalemate with Great Liang ensued, lasting until more than a decade later, when the new emperor of Great Xia suddenly placed his trust in a young General.

That young General not only reclaimed the lost lands and drove Great Liang back across the border, but he also launched a surprise raid on the Great Liang royal court, killing the Great Liang King’s most cherished Prince.

The Prince’s head was hung at the border. Wave after wave of Great Liang soldiers came to retrieve it, and wave after wave were cut down by Chu Ling. In the end, the Great Liang King himself came to the Border County. Bare-chested and with his hair unbound, he knelt to beg for mercy, pledging fealty to Great Xia. Only after the Emperor of Great Xia issued a decree did Chu Ling return the Prince’s head to the Great Liang King.

This was the most painful Chapter in Great Liang’s history, a deep-seated hatred that persisted even after more than a decade.

”On his deathbed, the late King grasped our current King’s hand, unable to close his eyes in peace. Not until our King swore to take Chu Ling’s head in tribute to his father and elder brother did the late King finally pass on.” The man with the goatee beat his chest and stamped his foot, tears streaming down his face. ”I know that in war, life and death are decided by fate, but that Chu Ling—”

The man with the goatee pointed toward the heavens.

”To kill our Prince was one thing, but to humiliate and torment him so... He is cruel, merciless—inhuman!”

”Our King’s only motive in this is to avenge his father and brother. All he wants is Chu Ling’s head.”

The King of Zhongshan watched him with a sympathetic expression and called to the Maids standing by with bowed heads. ”Quickly, help our distinguished guest to his chambers to rest. Experiencing such grief and rage after a hot spring bath can lead to exhaustion.”

The Maids surged forward, helped the man out of the pool, and wrapped him in a robe. The man with the goatee did not resist.

”Prince,” he said, his voice laced with grief. ”Our King has only this one request. He wishes to make common cause with you, Prince, and to form an eternal alliance.”

The King of Zhongshan watched him, appearing to ponder the offer. Then he asked, ”Does your King have a Princess?”

The man with the goatee froze, momentarily confused.

Xiao Xun immediately put on a pained expression. ”Father, my heart is already spoken for—”

Only then did the man with the goatee understand. ’A marriage alliance?’

”We do—” he said. Even if there wasn’t one, there would be.

The King of Zhongshan laughed. ”We can discuss that later. For now, our distinguished guest should go and rest.” He waved his hand dismissively.

At his wave, the delicate Maids supported the man and led him away. The man with the goatee truly seemed to be exhausted, offering no resistance at all.

Only the father and son remained in the hot spring.

The King of Zhongshan sighed in relief and lay back again. He took the cloth, dipped it in the hot spring, and placed it back over his eyes. ”Even monkeys know not to make a fuss in a hot spring.”

Xiao Xun chuckled. ”Father, do you believe a word he said?”

The King of Zhongshan said, ”Whether I believe him is not important. All that matters is that Western Liang believes it.” He sighed softly. ”But I fear General Chu’s time is truly up.”

Xiao Xun said, ”So, is Father going to save him? For the sake of Great Xia, for General Chu, you’ll risk exposing your secret army.” He pressed a hand to his heart. ”Such a gesture would make people both hate and admire you, Father. Unlike that iron-hearted Chu Zhao, the people of the world will surely be won over by you.”

The King of Zhongshan roared with laughter and splashed water with his hand. ”Of course! When it comes to winning over the world, you, my son, are no match for your old man.”

Xiao Xun didn’t flinch, letting the water splash against his face. The droplets rolled down his smooth, fine-featured skin like pearls.

”Father, I am willing to lead the troops for you,” he said.

The King of Zhongshan smiled, taking the cloth from his eyes to look at Xiao Xun. ”Playing the hero to save the damsel again, are we? As the saying goes, you shouldn’t try the same thing three times—”

Xiao Xun opened his mouth to speak, but the King of Zhongshan waved him off.

”However, now is not your time to act. You will make your appearance when it matters most.”

”And when you do appear, my son, you will take the world by storm.”

...

....

「Late at night, the Imperial City was ablaze with lights.」

People came and went from Deng Yi’s Grand Tutor Hall in a constant stream, but it was much quieter where Xie Yanfang was.

A posthouse soldier, travel-worn and weary, was led in by an official in a great hurry. He bowed to Xie Yanfang. ”Third Young Master, the letter has been delivered.” He added, ”Young Master Yanlai has also arrived.”