Ashes to Crown

Chapter 93: Chapter 53: The Human Heart

Chu Tang had already heard about the Heir of Zhongshan King from Chu Ke.

Chu Zhao had run off too fast to be caught, so they had asked the King of Zhongshan to help intercept her. That was how they met the Heir of Zhongshan King, who then traveled back to the Capital City with them.

The Princely Heir was young, talented, gentle, and refined. According to Chu Ke, they had spent the entire journey talking about everything under the sun, from poetry to philosophy. They had gotten along famously and felt a mutual admiration for one another. Of course, this was all Chu Ke’s version of the story; Chu Tang let it go in one ear and out the other, not taking it seriously.

However, she did believe Chu Ke when he said Chu Zhao’s coarseness had displeased the Heir of Zhongshan King. A woman like Chu Zhao, with, well, average talent and a humble background, wouldn’t be someone the Heir of Zhongshan King would like.

’But given how Chu Zhao is acting now, does she dislike the Heir of Zhongshan King, or like him?’

Chu Tang didn’t ask about the Princely Heir directly. She focused her concern on Chu Zhao, asking sincerely, "What is it? Ah Zhao, just tell me. I’ll help if I can."

Chu Zhao looked up and smiled. "It’s nothing, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about some old matters between the Princely Heir and me."

’There are old matters?’ Chu Tang didn’t show any curiosity. Instead, her expression grew a little uneasy. She scooted closer to her and asked in a low voice, "Is it good for us or bad? Is he here today to hold something against us?"

"Honestly," Chu Zhao complained. "Don’t just think about that. I said it was old matters."

’Chu Tang feigned a lack of curiosity, so she would feign a desire to confide. It’s all about pretending to make people trust you more, isn’t it? Anyone can do that.’

’In that life, Xiao Xun pretended to be deeply in love with her, and the palace concubines pretended to respect her. Even if she never had to pretend herself, she learned just by watching.’

Chu Tang took her hand, expressing her apology. "It’s my fault for being so timid and worrying about the family. I know the Princely Heir escorted you back. Is he a good person?"

"I don’t know if he’s a good person, but he’s certainly arrogant," Chu Zhao said. "On the road, I went to the river to get some water and accidentally fell in. He was the one who saved me."

’There was more to the story?’ Chu Ke hadn’t mentioned that at all. Chu Tang was shocked. ’A life-saving favor...’

"So what if he saved me?" Chu Zhao huffed. "It’s not like I needed him to. We were in the middle of nowhere, no one saw anything. He’d better not try to use this life-saving favor to pressure me, because I won’t acknowledge it."

With that, she got up and left, leaving Chu Tang completely bewildered, her heart hanging in suspense.

’What was that all about?’

「....」

「....」

Chu Tang, accompanied by her maid Linglong, arrived at her father’s study. Her parents were both there, along with the butler. The three of them were whispering animatedly about something, but the moment Chu Tang entered, the sound stopped abruptly.

"Miss Ah Tang." The butler smiled and bowed.

Ever since she had become busy with Chu Garden’s affairs, Chu Tang rarely visited her parents. Of course, Chu Lan and Jiang Family didn’t blame her; they were happy to see their daughter.

"Have you eaten? Had anything to drink?" Jiang Family pulled her daughter down to sit beside her. "Look at you, you’ve gotten so thin from exhaustion."

"I’ve eaten and had a drink. I’m like the mistress of a household now, with no worries about food or drink and being well looked after." Chu Tang hugged Jiang Family’s arm. "This hard work has finally made me understand how hard it is for you, Mother. From now on, I’ll never let you worry."

Jiang Family cooed, "Ah Tang, you’ve never made me worry."

Chu Tang then turned to her father. "Dad, everyone in the garden is buzzing about the Heir of Zhongshan King’s visit. If something is going on, don’t hide it from me."

Chu Lan laughed heartily. "Ah Tang, don’t worry. It’s good news."

Chu Tang was skeptical. "Dad, you only ever share the good news and hide the bad. I don’t believe you."

Chu Lan glanced outside, and the butler understood immediately. "Master, you all talk. I’ll go stand guard outside."

With that, he led Linglong out and personally stood guard at the door.

"The Princely Heir came to discuss with me how to resolve the predicament we’re in with the Third Prince," Chu Lan explained with a smile. "I came up with a brilliant idea: we’ll have Ah Zhao fall into the water and feign illness. That way, the literary gathering at Chu Garden can be called off."

Chu Tang knew how to read between the lines when listening to her father. She immediately realized the idea had come from the Heir of Zhongshan King. ’Falling into the water, huh...’

"Just announcing to everyone that she fell in the water and got sick... I’m not sure that will work, will it?" she said with a frown.

Chu Lan let out a laugh. ’His daughter was so clever!’

"You’re thinking the same thing as the Princely Heir," he blurted out, then cleared his throat. "But don’t worry. Your father has thought it through. We’ll have her fall into the water in front of everyone. That way, no one can question it."

Chu Tang was stunned, lost in thought. "In front of everyone..."

"That’s right." Jiang Family smiled, patting her daughter’s arm. "Your father, the butler, and I have already arranged everything. We’ll loosen the ground near the lake. Then, we just need to lure her over, she’ll lose her footing, and fall into the water—"

Chu Lan said softly, "This matter must be kept extremely secret. Ah Tang, you mustn’t tell anyone."

"What are you saying? Is Ah Tang the kind of reckless child who doesn’t understand what’s at stake?" Jiang Family said, displeased. Then she added, "It’s good that Ah Tang is here. She can help. Why don’t we have Ah Tang lure Ah Zhao over?"

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