Ashes to Crown

Chapter 49: Chapter 13: What Was Seen

The Emperor and the Crown Prince were used to such scenes, so they weren’t angry.

"It’s so noisy," the Emperor said. "Aren’t scholars supposed to be civilized?"

The Crown Prince laughed. "Father, if you stop the Third Prince from reading so many books and find him a few more archery and riding masters, he won’t have the energy to make such a fuss."

The Emperor looked at him and sneered, "Archery and riding masters?" He grabbed his other shoe and threw it. "Does having strength from an archery and riding master give you the right to beat up a court official? If you dare turn my throne hall into a training ground again, I’ll make you an archery and riding master for the rest of your life."

The Crown Prince caught the shoe. "Yes, yes, I understand." He shuffled forward on his knees and put the shoe back on the Emperor’s foot. "Father, you’ve always been too good-tempered, and you’ve spoiled those officials. They really go too far sometimes. A good beating would set them straight."

The Emperor kicked him.

The Crown Prince was sturdily built; the Emperor’s kick barely budged him. Laughing, the Crown Prince let himself fall backward onto the floor, then turned to call to Xiao Xun. "Xun, come talk to His Majesty. You’re the only one who doesn’t make him angry."

Xiao Xun smiled. "I often anger my own father back home. But he only gets angry with me. If anyone else tried to make him angry, he couldn’t be bothered."

The Crown Prince roared with laughter. "See? You really know what to say."

The Emperor looked at Xiao Xun, his expression turning somewhat wistful. "You look so much like your father."

Xiao Xun touched his own face. "My mother always said I’m not as handsome as my father. Especially my eyes—they’re too small, like my mother’s. I didn’t inherit the large, expressive eyes that my father and Your Majesty have."

The Emperor burst out laughing, and the Crown Prince laughed loudly as well.

"My eyes are like Father’s, though," he said, pointing to himself. "Not like my mother’s."

The Emperor glanced at the Crown Prince with a look of disdain. "Your mother had beautiful eyes. If you had taken after her, you might have been better-looking."

Beyond his disdain, a hint of melancholy returned. He was thinking of the Empress, who had passed away so young. They were childhood sweethearts, but they never had the chance to grow old together.

"I can barely remember what she looked like anymore."

"Father." The Crown Prince flexed his arm to show off his strength. "What good are looks? Strength is what’s useful. Being strong and healthy is better than anything."

The Emperor grew angry again. "And what about brains? Do you think you can rule the realm without a brain?"

The Crown Prince replied calmly, "Father, my brain alone is hardly enough. It’s sufficient to know how to make good use of all the intelligent people in the world."

The Emperor fell silent. Ignoring the Crown Prince, he turned to Xiao Xun and asked, "How is your father now? Does his leg still bother him often?"

Xiao Xun shook his head. "He’s fine most of the time, though it aches a bit on overcast days." He smiled again. "My father is in high spirits. He eats well, sleeps well, and enjoys himself. My biggest headache is that he’s gotten so fat, and I can’t get him to eat less."

The Emperor laughed heartily again. "What are you afraid of? That your father will eat through your inheritance? Don’t worry. However much your father eats, I’ll reimburse you double."

Xiao Xun chuckled. "Thank you, Your Majesty. In that case, I hope my father eats a lot more."

The Emperor laughed so hard he had to press a hand to his chest to catch his breath. The Crown Prince laughed too, full of admiration. "I told you! Xun is the best at making Father happy. You really should come to the Capital City and stay for a while."

"Brother." Xiao Xun used the childhood term of address they had shared. He smiled and said, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder. If I stay by His Majesty’s side for too long, he’ll grow tired of me. It’s better to keep my distance so that His Majesty always remembers me fondly."

The Crown Prince and the Emperor laughed again.

"Alright, alright." The Emperor waved his hand and yawned, as if exhausted from laughing. "Since you’re here, stay in the Capital City for a few more days."

The Crown Prince said, "That’s right. Come to the training grounds with me. I’ll show you some real fun."

The Emperor shot him a glare. "What’s the point of going to a training ground?" He pointed a finger. "Xun can go to the Third Prince’s reading club. Although it’s all completely useless, at least it’s lively."

Though he insulted it, the Emperor was still mindful of the Third Prince’s request. A flicker of understanding passed through the Crown Prince’s eyes, and he smiled. "That’s a great idea. My third brother doesn’t like me going, but he’ll definitely welcome you."

Since the Emperor had spoken, Xiao Xun naturally bowed his head and agreed.

Seeing that matters were settled, the eunuchs stepped forward with smiles. "Your Majesty, it is time for your medicine."

The Emperor waved a hand at the Crown Prince and Xiao Xun. "Alright, you may leave. When you have free time—don’t come looking for me even if you have free time."

The Crown Prince laughingly agreed. Seeing a eunuch bring over a tray of medicinal pills, he couldn’t help but say, "Father, you don’t really need to take all these pills. If you just came riding and shooting with me every day—"

Before he could finish, the Emperor picked up the lid of the pill jar and threw it at him.

"Get out!"

...

...

Xiao Xun declined the Crown Prince’s invitation to go riding and shooting and returned to the post house alone. As he reached the palace gates, a familiar face approached him.

"Lord Deng," Xiao Xun called out, waving his hand.

Deng Yi stopped and bowed to Xiao Xun. "Princely Heir."

They had traveled together for the whole journey, and Deng Yi had been a man of few words, showing no particular warmth toward him. Still, since they had run into each other, Xiao Xun felt he should at least greet him. ’If it were that Chu Zhao, though,’ he thought, ’I’d just pretend I didn’t see her.’

’Then again, she would probably pretend not to see me first, or just turn and walk away.’

Xiao Xun couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

"You seem to be in a good mood, Princely Heir," Deng Yi remarked. "You must have just seen His Majesty."

Xiao Xun nodded with a smile. "Yes, I saw His Majesty with the Crown Prince." It wasn’t proper to speak at length about matters concerning the Emperor, so he casually changed the subject. "Are you here on official business, Lord Deng?"

Deng Yi said, "No. I’m going to deliver a gift."

Xiao Xun was taken aback. ’Is he joking, or is he serious?’

He had always considered himself adept at social interactions, but after meeting Deng Yi and Chu Zhao, something always felt off.

Deng Yi raised his hand in a salute. "Take care, Princely Heir. This humble official will take his leave."

Xiao Xun nodded, watching as Deng Yi walked past him and headed toward the Imperial City West Garden. That was where the court officials of the Six Ministries worked. ’Could he really be going to deliver a gift?’

Standing there, Xiao Xun couldn’t help but chuckle. This trip to the Capital City was certainly showing him all sorts of strange things.

...

...

The post house wasn’t far from the Imperial City. Xiao Xun returned quickly by carriage, washed up, changed his clothes, and was resting in his room when a scholar in blue robes entered. Seeing this, Tie Ying withdrew to stand guard at the door.

"Princely Heir, did you see His Majesty?" the blue-robed Scholar asked.

Xiao Xun nodded. "I not only saw His Majesty, but the Crown Prince and the Third Prince as well."

The blue-robed Scholar asked again, "And what are your impressions, Princely Heir?"

Xiao Xun held the white porcelain teacup, gazing at the clear liquid within.

"It’s just like when we were children. The Emperor is suspicious and favors the Third Prince. The Crown Prince is arrogant but knows how to make the Emperor pity him. The Third Prince is cunning and duplicitous." Xiao Xun shook his head. "Why would Father insist I come to a Capital City like this? Isn’t it even more dangerous for people of our status?"

’It’s not just the mad Emperor, the Princes, and the Royal Family. Even a minor Clerk like Deng Yi and a young woman like Chu Zhao are full of eccentricities.’

’This Capital City seems prosperous, but it’s like a pile of dry tinder, ready to explode at the slightest spark.’

’Shouldn’t we stay as far away from such a dangerous place as possible?’

"Today, His Majesty even asked about Father, and the Crown Prince suggested keeping me in the capital as a hostage. They are still as wary of Father as ever."

The blue-robed Scholar said, "Princely Heir, the most dangerous places are often where one finds the most unexpected opportunities."

For an ordinary person, "unexpected opportunities" could mean many things. But for someone of the King of Zhongshan’s status, it had only one meaning.

Xiao Xun’s grip on the teacup tightened. After a moment of silence, he said softly, "Then I, Xun, will pray for my father’s success."

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