Ashes to Crown

Chapter 141: Chapter 96: Without Trouble

Ning Kun said approvingly, "The Princely Heir’s work puts one’s mind at ease."

Xiao Xun glanced at him. "If I put people’s minds at ease, then why is my father still out there paying people off?"

Ning Kun laughed heartily. "This is called providing support. The Prince has considered every angle. This way, he does justice to the Princely Heir’s intelligence and can prevent the tragedy he himself suffered from happening again."

’My father was brilliant back then, but those around him weren’t vigilant enough, which allowed the Empress Dowager to harm him with such ease.’

Xiao Xun fell silent for a moment. When he was a child in the Capital City, his father had been back in Zhongshan County, pouring his heart and soul into scheming for him, ensuring he had protectors by his side—

For those few years, all the wealth of the Prince Zhongshan Mansion had been spent on him. It was only when he finally returned home that he discovered his younger siblings’ food, clothing, and daily necessities were no different from that of commoners—

"This man, Deng Yi... is he really worth spending so much on?" he asked.

Ning Kun said, "We can’t get close to the major players, and they wouldn’t care about this amount of money anyway. It’s only minor figures like him—greedy for wealth, yet able to play a key role at a critical moment—who are useful. As the saying goes, a massive dam can be brought down by an anthill. So yes, he’s worth it."

Xiao Xun didn’t press the matter further. "Then let my father continue spending his money. I’ll just sit back and relax at the post house."

Ning Kun nodded, his expression turning grave. In a low voice, he said, "Something is definitely not right in the Capital Camp."

A hint of anticipation entered Xiao Xun’s voice. "I wonder what kind of show we’re in for."

....

....

The first day of the Wangchun Garden Literary Meeting passed in a flurry of excitement, yet remained peaceful.

It was exciting because of the large number of attendees, and peaceful because it lacked the intense conflicts that had marked the beginning of the Chu Garden Literary Meeting.

Chu Zhao, contrary to speculation, did not become a public target. Nor did she get into fights over the disdainful looks she received. Instead, she spent the entire day beaming, smiling at everyone she met—smiling so much that people started turning tail and walking away the moment they saw her.

"Is it because Third Young Master Xie is here that you’re so happy?" Qi Leyun said with a pout. Her eyes darted around mischievously as she leaned in and whispered, "We’re best friends. You have to tell me, who do you actually like? Third Young Master Xie, or Xie Yanlai?"

Chu Zhao couldn’t help but laugh, pushing the girl’s head away with a gentle poke. "Qi Leyun, since when were we ’best friends’?"

With that, she walked away, laughing heartily.

Qi Leyun stomped her foot in frustration.

...

....

A stream of people, carriages, and horses flowed out of Wangchun Garden.

But a fair number of people remained. The most outstanding participants of the day had been invited by the Third Prince to stay the night at Wangchun Garden and attend an evening banquet.

Of course, the women were, as usual, not included.

Not that the women minded.

Chu Zhao and Chu Tang emerged with the other young women.

"Sister," Chu Zhao said, "you should ride back in Qi Leyun’s carriage."

Before Chu Tang could even speak, Qi Leyun huffed, "I’m not your ’best friend.’ What gives you the right to order me around?"

Chu Tang smiled and linked arms with her. "Then take pity on me for being abandoned by my own sister, and see me home." Without waiting for an answer, she pulled Qi Leyun along, not even asking Chu Zhao what she was planning to do.

Chu Zhao wasn’t worried that Qi Leyun would actually kick Chu Tang out of the carriage. She led Ah Le to her own carriage and instructed the driver, "To the Capital Camp."

The driver didn’t dare to ask any questions and immediately drove toward the Capital Camp as instructed.

"Miss, has Uncle Zhong really come?" Ah Le asked again, sitting in the carriage, bubbling with excitement.

"He has," Chu Zhao said with a smile. "Hard to believe, isn’t it?"

Ah Le cupped her face in her hands and squeezed, contorting her features into a grimace. "So hard to believe—"

The carriage galloped along, its curtains fluttering in the wind. A figure suddenly appeared in the corner of Ah Le’s eye, and she quickly leaned out the window, shouting, "Ah Jiu!"

’Ah Jiu?’

Chu Zhao quickly poked her head out to look. Sure enough, a squad of Imperial Guards was passing on the main road. Among them was a young man staring fixedly ahead.

Hearing the shout, the other Imperial Guards all looked over, curiously sizing up the two girls in the carriage.

"It’s Chu Zhao," someone murmured.

A few of them had been at the Chu Garden to watch the spectacle and recognized her.

At the mention of Chu Zhao’s name, everyone’s gaze immediately shifted to Xie Yanlai, their expressions taking on a knowing look.

The young man—dressed in the dark uniform of the Imperial Guard, cinched with a vermilion sash and carrying a long saber—continued to stare straight ahead.

"Ah Jiu," Chu Zhao called from the window with a smile, "Your injury hasn’t even healed yet. What are you doing running all over the place?"

Xie Yanlai didn’t even glance at her, looking up at the sky instead. "Some people are so arrogant. After a full day of picking fights, they’re still not home. Are they looking to stir up trouble everywhere they go?"

Ah Le snorted. "Ah Jiu, you’d better watch your tone, or we might just stop bringing you medicine."

Xie Yanlai let out a short laugh, finally turning to look at them. "That would be wonderful. Maybe my injury will finally start healing faster."

With that, he spurred his horse and galloped ahead, leaving both his fellow guards and Chu Zhao’s carriage behind.

Chu Zhao didn’t seem to mind. She drew her head back in and offered the remaining Imperial Guards a smiling nod.

The Imperial Guards smiled and nodded back at her without saying anything more. Their paths diverged, and they went their separate ways.

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