Ashes to Crown

Chapter 126: Chapter 82: Disdain

This was no time to laugh.

The reason she was smiling was that the memory of that day had come to mind.

’Ah Jiu had suspected her identity. During their confrontation by the river, she had fallen into the water. Xiao Xun had then saved her, but to avoid any association with him, she had clung to Ah Jiu and declared they would live and die together.’

’What was Ah Jiu’s expression back then when she said that? He must have been as shocked as the girls in this room are now, right?’

’It was a pity she had been buried in his arms and couldn’t see his face.’

’Though, if Ah Jiu were here right now, he’d definitely be gloating. His phoenix eyes would be dancing, his lips curved in a punchable smirk, and he’d laugh out loud, telling her, "Serves you right. You brought this on yourself."’

"Ah Zhao," Qi Leyun glared. "What are you smiling at? How can you still be smiling!"

A girl beside her whispered, "It’s because this is all so ridiculous, isn’t it?"

’It is, isn’t it? It’s completely ridiculous. It has to be fake, right?’ The girls’ eyes were glued to Chu Zhao.

Chu Zhao looked at Liang Qin with a faint smile, having already seen through her scheme.

’This rumor was aimed squarely at her, and it had been deliberately delivered into the hands of Liang Qin—the one person who would be most receptive to it.’

’Liang Qin didn’t want an explanation.’

"Who told you this?" Chu Zhao asked with a smile. She neither refuted the claim nor offered an explanation, simply posing a question.

Qi Leyun immediately chimed in. "That’s right, who did you hear this from? You can’t just go around making up lies to ruin someone’s reputation."

The girl standing by Chu Tang, evidently prompted, spoke up again. Her tone, unlike Qi Leyun’s sharp-edged one, was tinged with sympathy. "Qin, I know you feel wronged, but you can’t let yourself be manipulated. Think about it. For every person who gloated when the Xie Family’s son rejected your marriage proposal, there’s someone else who’s jealous that Third Young Master Xie is treating Ah Zhao as an honored guest."

’What a clever way to put it.’

Expressions of dawning realization spread across the faces of the girls in the room. ’That’s right, that must be it.’

Since Third Young Master Xie arrived in the Capital City, there hadn’t been a single female relative in his residence. This left the women of the city with no proper channel to pay him a visit. They couldn’t very well ask the Crown Princess Consort for an introduction, could they? Even she had only met him once.

Chu Zhao was the first to be invited—or perhaps she forced her way in. Regardless, she had made it through the Xie family’s doors. Most importantly, she was personally escorted out by Third Young Master Xie himself.

How many people must be burning with jealousy?

Girls understood the schemes of other girls best. When you hated someone, you tried to turn others against them.

"Qin, who exactly told you this?"

"Tell us! I’d like to see who this person is that could overhear such a private conversation."

The girls all began to press her for an answer.

Liang Qin was instantly besieged. Her handmaids and servants couldn’t help but pull her into a protective embrace. ’Maybe we should just take her home.’ They had watched their young miss storm out of the house, and their madam had forbidden them from stopping her. ’Was this really a good idea?’

’What if another fight breaks out?’

’Did the family servants follow us? Are the young masters here too?’

Liang Qin was so furious she could have spat blood. She was incensed that these girls were still defending Chu Zhao after hearing such a thing. Shoving her servants aside, she stood up. "The entire city is talking about it! Everyone knows! Go on, go ask them!"

Qi Leyun snorted. "I highly doubt the Xie residence has become a public street where anyone can eavesdrop on private conversations."

"I never said it happened in their home," Liang Qin yelled, glaring at Chu Zhao with hatred. "Who knows where that shameless pair was hiding to do such a thing! But walls have ears."

Chu Zhao gave a cold laugh. "An act so ’shameless’ would surely be done in secret. Besides the two of us, who could have possibly overheard it? In that case, either I started this rumor, or the Xie family did. I’m going to the Xie residence right now to ask them what this is all about!"

With that, she strode toward the door.

Liang Qin hadn’t expected her to actually leave. ’Go ask the Xie family?’

"Don’t you dare run!" Liang Qin shouted, lunging to grab her.

But there was no way Chu Zhao would let herself be caught. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the frail Liang Qin stumbling backward with a shriek. Luckily, her servants caught her. Chu Zhao didn’t even glance back as she walked away.

"Seize her!" Liang Qin shrieked at her servants.

Before Liang Qin’s servants could move, Ah Le sent a Liang Family maid who was blocking the doorway flying with a swift kick.

"Don’t block my lady’s way," she barked.

The maids crowded by the door, regardless of their household, instantly parted, watching the mistress and her servant swagger past.

Outside, a crowd had gathered. The pavilion’s staff were among them, hesitating over whether they should intervene. ’Sigh, Miss Chu may have proven her literary skills, but she clearly hasn’t forgotten how to brawl.’

There were also many patrons, pointing and gossiping. Some were trying to find out what had happened, while others who were clearly in the know were whispering to one another.

When they saw the young woman stride out, the noisy chatter instantly died down.

Ah Le’s brows shot up. "Make way!" she shouted.

The staff and patrons alike immediately took a step back.

Chu Zhao walked on at a calm, unhurried pace.

"Ah Le," she said, "settle the bill. Everyone’s outing was spoiled because of me, so I can’t let them be the ones to pay."

Ah Le acknowledged the order. The Shopkeeper, who had been observing from the side, blurted out, "There’s no hurry, Miss. You can put it on your account, if you’d like—"

Only men were allowed to open an account at Yaqug Pavilion; women could only charge expenses to their husbands or fathers.

This was likely the first time Yaqug Pavilion had ever opened an account for a woman in her own name.

Chu Zhao showed not a hint of apprehension, merely nodding. "Thank you. Put all of today’s expenses for the private room on my account."

The Shopkeeper’s words came more easily now. He even personally escorted Chu Zhao, saying in a low voice, "Miss Chu, the next time Chu Garden hosts a literary gathering, Yaqug Pavilion would be happy to provide the refreshments."

Chu Zhao inclined her head. "Very well. I’ll keep that in mind."

Accompanied by the Shopkeeper and Ah Le, she walked past the crowd and departed, leaving a trail of eyes following her. From behind came the shrill screams of the girl still inside the room.

"Chu Zhao—don’t run! You shameless hussy—you bitch—"

The staff and patrons couldn’t help but peek inside again, where they saw the girl throwing a hysterical tantrum. The contrast between her behavior and the composure of the one who had just left was stark, and not in her favor.

Servants from the Liang Family quickly shut the door.

"Why are you closing the door!" Liang Qin shrieked through her tears. "Let everyone see how shameless Chu Zhao is!"

"That’s enough," said Qi Leyun. "Liang Qin, being right isn’t about who’s loudest. If you have something to say, say it properly."

’If I spoke properly, how could I make a big scene? I came here to cause a scene!’ Liang Qin covered her face, weeping. "Who’s not speaking properly? She was the one with nothing to say, so she ran off!"

"Ah Zhao didn’t run away. She said she was going to the Xie family to ask them about it," a girl said with dissatisfaction.

’Whose side are these people on?’ Forgetting to feign her tears, Liang Qin lowered her sleeve and snapped, "So what if she goes to the Xie family? She’s clearly in league with them. Whatever they decide to say will be the final word, won’t it?"

"Qin, if she and the Xie family really have an understanding, then what’s the point of you making such a scene?" a girl said softly. "Your family was only in marriage talks with the Xie family, weren’t you? The engagement wasn’t finalized, much less were the betrothal gifts exchanged. What’s so wrong with them deciding against it?"

The reasoning made sense, and yet it felt wrong. Liang Qin’s head cleared, and she recognized this girl as the one who had been twisting the narrative with her words all along.

Then her gaze fell on Chu Tang, who was standing right beside the girl.

"Chu Tang!" Liang Qin leaped to her feet in a rage. "You two sisters are in this together! If you have something to say, say it yourself! Why hide behind someone else?"

Called out by Liang Qin, Chu Tang didn’t deny it. Instead, she shrank back a little and said timidly, "It’s precisely because Chu Zhao and I are sisters. If I were to say it, it would look as if I were bullying you."

’What kind of twisted logic is that? You sisters are the ones doing the bullying!’

’This Chu Tang... just a short while ago, they were as close as sisters, and now she was treating her like this.’

’Chu Zhao got away. I can’t let Chu Tang off the hook.’

Liang Qin lunged. "You sisters are both rotten to the core!"

This time, the other girls surged forward. "Qin, have you gone mad?" "Haven’t you caused enough trouble!" "Is this how the Liang Family teaches its daughters?"

The private room erupted into chaos. This time, the Liang Family’s servants wasted no time in grabbing Liang Qin and carrying her away.

The remaining girls surveyed the wreckage, feeling both angry and exasperated.

"But did Ah Zhao really go to the Xie family’s residence?" one girl asked, leaning out the window. Chu Zhao’s carriage was nowhere to be seen on the street.

’Or was it just an excuse to escape?’

"Of course she went," Qi Leyun said decisively. "How could she pass up such a golden opportunity? She might even be able to force Third Young Master Xie into a marriage proposal."

The remark made the exasperated girls burst into laughter.

"Qi Leyun, what nonsense are you spouting!"

"How is it nonsense? Ah Zhao’s reputation has been sullied by rumors of an improper relationship with him. Shouldn’t Third Young Master Xie take responsibility?"

"That’s hilarious! What does that have to do with Third Young Master Xie? You really know how to spin a yarn."

"Qi Leyun, I bet you wish you were the one in the rumors, don’t you?"

....

....

Chu Zhao had indeed gone straight to the Xie family residence. After announcing her name at the gate and requesting an audience with Third Young Master Xie, she was admitted without issue and led by a servant directly to the rear courtyard.

However, she did not meet Xie Yanfang immediately. A servant explained that the Third Young Master was occupied and would be there shortly. They showed her to a waterside pavilion, where maids served tea and refreshments.

"Would you care for some music, Miss?" one of the maids asked with a pleasant smile. "We can play for you."

Chu Zhao thanked them. "No, that won’t be necessary." She gazed at the pond, where colorful fish swam about, a beautiful sight. "I’m fine just watching the fish."

The maid smiled and brought over some fish food. "This is a special blend our Third Young Master prepares. The fish are very fond of it."

Chu Zhao accepted it, and the maids withdrew, leaving her to enjoy the pavilion in peace.

Chu Zhao tossed the food to the fish, and just as the maid had said, they quickly swarmed, their fins swaying in the water like blossoming flowers.

...

.....

When Xie Yanfang arrived, he was greeted by the sight of the young woman in the pavilion, playing with the fish.

She wore an apricot-colored dress, her dark hair pinned up to reveal a long, slender neck. She sat at the water’s edge, her feet dangling just above the surface, swinging gently. The reflection of her dress rippled in the water, enticing the fish to swim along with it.

She smiled faintly, revealing a line of delicate white teeth.

Xie Yanfang had seen many women at play before—some by accident, others by design. But this scene was different from all the others.

The faint smile played on her lips, but her eyes held a distant look, as if she stood alone in the world, both unrestrained and solitary.

"Miss Chu." Xie Yanfang’s voice broke the tranquil scene.

Chu Zhao turned to look at him and smiled. "Third Young Master Xie."

She lifted her feet from the water and, with a graceful turn, was back inside the pavilion.

Xie Yanfang walked in. "We weren’t the ones behind this," he said.

He already knew why she had come.

Chu Zhao said, "I know it wasn’t you." Then, with another smile, she added, "And I also know who was."

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