Ashes to Crown

Chapter 91: Chapter 51: The Solution

Xiao Xun took the main seat in Chu Lan’s study. Only after being invited repeatedly did Chu Lan finally sit down opposite him.

"Mr. Chu, please don’t be nervous," Xiao Xun said. "I am simply here on the Third Prince’s behalf to see what the situation is."

Chu Lan sighed and pointed outside. "To be perfectly honest, I haven’t even been over to look. She won’t let me. That Chu Garden, this entire household... she’s the one in charge now."

Even though he was there to probe the Chu Family’s situation, Xiao Xun couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this.

The idea of a young woman running the household was certainly laughable, but Chu Lan had no time for decorum now. He spoke again, "Princely Heir, you know what she’s like. You traveled with her. You know how dreadful that girl’s temper is—"

When Chu Ke had told him how horribly Chu Zhao had treated the Heir of Zhongshan King on their journey, Chu Lan had been furious, thinking she had damaged the relationship between their families. Now, however, he felt it was a blessing in disguise. He practically wanted to grab Xiao Xun’s hand and weep with him over their shared suffering.

Xiao Xun smiled. "Miss Chu’s temperament is... certainly unique."

Chu Lan nodded emphatically. "Yes, yes! She learned it all from her father. The two of them live way out in the Border County and have never listened to a word the family says."

Chu Ling was capable of cursing out the Emperor to his face, so it was hardly surprising that his daughter would provoke the Third Prince. As the elder brother, he couldn’t control his younger brother; as an uncle, he couldn’t control his niece. He felt utterly helpless and wronged.

"She—"

Chu Lan was about to say more, but Xiao Xun cut him off. "I understand. This matter is unrelated to you, Mr. Chu."

Although that was precisely what he meant to imply, hearing the Princely Heir say it so bluntly left Chu Lan slightly embarrassed. He raised a sleeve to hide his face and sighed. "Misfortune has befallen the Chu Family."

"His Majesty tasked me with assisting at the Third Prince’s literary gathering, and I’ve been following this matter closely. At this point, the situation can’t be explained away in a sentence or two," Xiao Xun said. "However, please rest assured, Mr. Chu. I’m here to solve the problem, not to assign blame."

Chu Lan looked up and asked uneasily, "Then how are we to solve it?"

’Are they going to drag that girl Chu Zhao away? Just take her, that would be for the best. Don’t take all of us.’

Xiao Xun smiled. "Why would we arrest anyone? It would only make the Third Prince seem intolerant. But if Miss Chu were to have a little accident, wouldn’t this whole affair be over?"

Chu Lan was taken aback.

"What kind of accident?" he asked, his voice laced with caution.

’Losing an arm or a leg is out of the question. If something like that happened, I’d have no way to answer to my younger brother. When he flies into a rage, he doesn’t even show the Emperor respect. He certainly wouldn’t spare me.’

"You’re overthinking things, Mr. Chu. I meant that Miss Chu could fall ill. For instance, by accidentally falling into the water," Xiao Xun said. "Chu Garden has a lake. After the mental strain of the competitions, Miss Chu often walks by the lakeside. It’s only natural that a little slip-up could happen."

It dawned on Chu Lan. ’Yes, of course! Why didn’t I think of that?’

"What a brilliant idea!" He couldn’t help but stand up and pace back and forth. ’Let me see... how should we do it?’

’Should we tie her up and throw her in during the middle of the night?’

Xiao Xun chuckled. "Mr. Chu, why would we need Miss Chu to fall in the water in the middle of the night? We would only need to announce it publicly. But now, a mere announcement won’t be enough."

Chu Lan was cowardly, not stupid. He understood what Xiao Xun was implying. If, from the very beginning, when Chu Zhao refused to concede, they had simply locked her up and announced she’d fallen into the water and become ill, it might have worked. Outsiders wouldn’t have believed them, but they would have laughed it off without pursuing the matter, and the Third Prince could have dismissed it as well.

But now that things had escalated to this point, if he suddenly claimed that Chu Zhao had fallen into the water in the middle of the night and was unwell, of course no one would believe him. They would ridicule him, and the Third Prince would never forgive him.

Chu Lan murmured, "Then what should we do?"

"In broad daylight, in front of everyone, of course," said Ning Kun, the scholar who had entered with Xiao Xun, unable to restrain himself any longer.

He then shot Chu Lan a sidelong glance.

"Mr. Chu must live a pampered life, with naturally obedient children and not a single worry in the world."

’He doesn’t even know how to handle worldly matters like disciplining his children, managing his household, or upholding the family’s reputation.’

Chu Lan was rather baffled. ’Pampered? Free of worries? How? I have spent years agonizing over my family’s fate and my own future.’

"Don’t say that," Xiao Xun said, stopping the scholar. "Mr. Chu is a man of letters. His life’s work has been dedicated to studying the classics and imparting knowledge. How could he have time for such worldly affairs?"

The scholar hurriedly bowed, admitting his fault and apologizing to Chu Lan.

Chu Lan quickly said he couldn’t accept the apology. Although he knew he was being looked down upon, he didn’t mind. A man of the Heir of Zhongshan King’s standing looked down on everyone—many people would have loved the opportunity to be disdained by the Heir of Zhongshan King and were never given the chance.

"I may not have any great skills and my mind may be simple, but I know the Princely Heir has come to help me," he said with utmost sincerity.

Xiao Xun shook his head, not taking the credit. "You’re too kind, Mr. Chu. In truth, I’m primarily here to get the Third Prince out of this predicament. The literary gathering at Wangchun Garden was something the Third Prince intended to present to His Majesty. Although His Majesty always says the Third Prince’s studies are useless, he is, in fact, eager to see him accomplish something. And yet, before the grand event could even begin, Miss Chu—"

Even the Emperor... The words brought tears to Chu Lan’s eyes. He gave a deep bow. "I implore you, Princely Heir, to help me out of this crisis. Ever since my younger brother caused trouble, our Chu Family has been living on borrowed time. Now, with this unworthy girl, the Chu Family’s days are surely numbered."

Xiao Xun extended a hand in a gesture of helping him up. "Rest easy, Mr. Chu. You act for the Chu Family, I act for the Prince and His Majesty. We simply need to work together."

....

....

Xiao Xun did not allow Chu Lan to see him out, leaving by himself. With all the Chu Family servants busy at Chu Garden, the main residence was quiet and deserted as he walked.

But as a breeze drifted past, it carried the din of voices to his ears.

Xiao Xun stopped and looked in that direction, toward Chu Garden.

"Does Your Highness wish to go take a look?" the scholar asked.

Xiao Xun shook his head. "There’s no need." He wasn’t interested. Besides, he added with a small smile, "We’ll go tomorrow."

’He wasn’t giving Chu Lan much time. The plan was set for tomorrow.’

"The man is incompetent. Give him more time, and he’s sure to bungle it," the scholar said, understanding Xiao Xun’s reasoning. But there was one thing he didn’t quite get. "Your Highness, why didn’t you directly mention the prospect of a marriage alliance?"

They had already researched Chu Lan and knew he would have been ecstatic at the proposal. He would have gladly helped them deal with Chu Ling.

That had been the plan they’d agreed upon at home. He didn’t expect Xiao Xun to change his tune upon arrival.

The scholar scrutinized the Princely Heir’s face. The young man was handsome, his expression impassive. ’Does the Princely Heir dislike the Chu Family’s Daughter that much? Did he obey his father only to refuse to speak the word ’marriage’ at the final moment?’

Xiao Xun said lightly, "Because after I got here, I realized that a man like Chu Lan only needs to be intimidated to become completely obedient. There’s no need to entice him with a marriage alliance."

Chu Lan was indeed even more pathetic than they had imagined. The scholar nodded. "However, Your Highness, don’t forget that we aren’t really here to solve the Third Prince’s problems."

That was just a pretext for visiting the Chu Family.

"I haven’t forgotten," Xiao Xun said. "The marriage my royal father wants is for the sake of forming an alliance with Chu Ling. Chu Lan is irrelevant. That is why tomorrow, in front of everyone, I will rescue Miss Chu from the water—"

He smiled at the thought, revealing charming dimples.

"I wonder, will Miss Chu still insist she doesn’t need my help this time?"

’But this time, with so many witnesses, she won’t be able to shrug off the debt of having her life saved. Physical contact will be unavoidable. Afterwards, a few more visits to check on her recovery will create the public perception of a mutual affection between the Heir of Zhongshan King and the Chu Family’s Daughter. It will be subtle and perfectly reasonable. Who needs Chu Lan’s permission for that?’

’He wouldn’t even need Chu Ling’s permission.’

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