Ashes to Crown

Chapter 97: Chapter 56: Morning Light

Chu Zhao pushed open the window, and brilliant morning light poured in.

She raised a hand to shield her face, squinting as she took in the scenery of the Chu Garden.

It was still early, but many servants in the Chu Garden were already bustling about. The grounds had been swept and tidied after yesterday’s events, but this morning, the servants were sweeping and wiping everything down once more.

The servants in charge of the banquet had already received the menu from the Drunken Immortal Tower for the day. They were reviewing it item by item, estimating the required quantities.

The male and female attendants responsible for greeting guests were laughing as they adjusted their attire, guessing how much they might earn in tips today.

"Ah Zhao."

A woman’s voice called up from downstairs.

Chu Zhao pulled her gaze back and looked down to see Chu Tang standing below with a smile. She waved and asked, "Why are you here so early today?"

Ever since the young ladies had begun their own competitions, Chu Zhao was no longer the main attraction of the Chu Garden Literary Meeting. She spent most of her time studying and would usually only come to watch after the initial matches had started.

"Today, Qi Leyun and the others have split into two teams to compete against the gentlemen from Quan City, and I have to participate in one of the matches," Chu Zhao said with a smile. "That’s why I came early."

Chu Tang said, "It would be better if you just competed by yourself. If you lose, they’ll just blame you again. I know how petty they can be."

Leaning on the windowsill, Chu Zhao laughed heartily. "I’m not afraid of them."

"That’s true." Chu Tang smiled. "If they get too annoying, just go ahead and give them a beating."

The two of them, one upstairs and one down, looked at each other and laughed. The maids and servants nearby watched in amazement, marveling that the two sisters could have become so close.

When the young miss from the Border County first arrived, they had all seemed like one family, but the onlookers could see things clearly: no one in the household, from top to bottom, liked her.

It was truly strange. The initially unlikable Miss Ah Zhao had done so many more unpleasant things—fighting, stealing money and running away, even beating up young master Chu Ke and offending the Third Prince.

But now, it seemed the Master and Madam didn’t dislike her any more for it. In fact, their own daughter had become good friends with Miss Ah Zhao.

"You’re wrong about that. If Miss Ah Tang wants to be friends with someone, there’s nothing she can’t do," a maid said with a hint of pride.

She was a maid from the inner quarters and knew all about the schemes women used against each other.

A male servant chuckled. "You’re wrong too. If Miss Ah Zhao doesn’t want to be friends with someone, no one can force her."

He was a manual laborer from the outer courtyard and was used to seeing such defiant and untamable people—even if Miss Ah Zhao was a woman.

The servants argued and gossiped as they worked, but Chu Zhao and Chu Tang paid them no mind.

"Well, you go read for a bit," Chu Tang said. "I have to get busy. I’ll be waiting to hear your good news later."

Chu Zhao nodded with a smile. "I won’t disappoint."

Chu Tang walked away with her maid, Linglong. Chu Zhao watched them go from the second floor, but her gaze wasn’t on the mistress and her servant. It went past them, settling on Ah Le, who stood among the rockeries and plants.

Ah Le stood there and gave Chu Zhao a reassuring pump of his fist from a distance. Then he turned and followed closely behind Chu Tang and her maid.

Chu Zhao retracted her gaze. ’So, it’s finally here—the pivotal moment from my past life. When I first awoke after being reborn, I was actually a little scared, restless and anxious, wanting only to escape. But since fate pushed me back here to face this moment, it suddenly doesn’t seem like such a big deal anymore.’

’It’s just about being a good person, isn’t it?’

’Good people saved me. Good people let me have my way.’

’Then all I have to do is be a good person, too.’

’Being a good person is the easiest thing in the world.’

...

...

By the time the sun was high in the sky, the Chu Garden was abuzz with voices. Yet, it didn’t feel noisy; instead, the sounds made the garden feel even more alive.

That was the magic of this garden: tranquil when there were few people, and lively when crowded. It was perfect for both quiet contemplation and bustling activity.

"To have a garden like this is to live a life without regrets," someone remarked while strolling through.

Someone next to him chuckled softly. "The former Wang Zhiling thought so too."

At some point, Chu Ling’s name had started to come up frequently in the Capital City. On second thought, it wasn’t surprising. With his daughter causing so much trouble in such a short time, it was inevitable that people would start talking about her father.

Many old stories were being dredged up.

There were the well-known tales, and then there were the ones hidden beneath the surface, unknown to most. Qi Leyun’s father was not the only one who could see these things.

After Chu Ling angered the Emperor, some people must have tried to curry favor with the Emperor, while others would have tried to seize the Chu Family’s assets. This was what always happened; when a person was condemned, they could hardly protect themselves, let alone their property.

But more than ten years had passed. Although Chu Ling had been exiled to the Border County and never promoted, and though his elder brother Chu Lan was merely a Confucian Scholar, the Chu Family remained as they were. They hadn’t faced any harassment, their farmlands hadn’t diminished in the slightest, and they lived a comfortable, peaceful life.

This was hardly the fate of a family that had offended the Emperor and earned his resentment.

From this, it was clear that the bond between the Emperor and Chu Ling ran deep. It was true that the Emperor had grown to dislike Chu Ling, but it was also true that he cherished their old friendship. At the very least, he wouldn’t let Chu Ling’s family be ruined.

Even stranger rumors circulated, claiming that the Emperor and Chu Ling could still communicate in secret, and that nothing would stop Chu Ling if he wanted to see the Emperor.

The proof was that those who had schemed against the Chu Family back then had all had evidence of their crimes collected and placed directly on the Emperor’s desk.

But how could Chu Ling, a thousand miles away, accomplish such a feat? Most people found it unbelievable.

In any case, these half-truths and half-falsehoods only sparked more discussion. Some elderly men, who had long since retired from public life to enjoy their later years, were even sought out by their children and grandchildren to be asked about Chu Ling.

The old men were often surprised by the sudden questions. Why was Chu Ling being mentioned again? Some, confused and losing track of time, would insist on putting on their old official robes to go to the palace and teach that arrogant young fellow a lesson, lest His Majesty become a warmonger—

Their children and grandchildren would hastily stop them. What court was there to attend? The Emperor had long since withdrawn from state affairs. The Crown Prince now sat in the audience hall, but he was always accompanied by Strength Officials who could lift boulders, ride horses, and shoot arrows. If their grandfather went, a single loud shout from one of them could frighten him to death.

In short, after many years of obscurity, Chu Ling had once again become a topic of conversation in the Capital City. And when he was mentioned, it was no longer just to laugh and curse him as an arrogant martial scholar who had destroyed his own future.

"Like father, like daughter," the crowd sighed, pointing toward the waterside pavilion in the garden. "Look at the things this Chu Zhao does. If she weren’t a girl, she probably would have run off to cause a scene before the Emperor himself."

Just as they were speaking, a servant approached with a beaming smile. "Gentlemen, the competition is about to begin. Would you care to serve as judges?"

The men who had been talking smiled and politely deferred to one another before strolling toward the waterside pavilion.

Many people in the garden headed in that direction, but some were not interested. Xiao Xun emerged from a rockery up above, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I didn’t expect Chu Ling to become the talk of the town again," he said to Tie Ying.

Tie Ying was unconcerned. "So what? It just gives people more to laugh about. His reputation, in this life and beyond, is already set in stone."

’These aren’t the old days anymore. Even if Chu Ling were still strong and healthy, there’s no discerning lord left to recognize his talent.’

’Is the Princely Heir feeling sorry for Chu Ling?’

Xiao Xun smiled. "Don’t be so quick to pity others. In this world, the most foolish thing you can be is sentimental and presumptuous." He then looked ahead.

An uproar came from the waterside pavilion, mixed with the voices of young women. It sounded like they were taunting one another, yet also laughing.

Tie Ying asked, "Your Highness, would you like to go have a look?"

’He had disliked Chu Zhao from the very beginning and knew the Princely Heir felt the same. But since the Prince had ordered the Princely Heir to interact more with the Chu Family, they had to keep up appearances.’

Xiao Xun shook his head. "There’s no need."

’I didn’t come here to watch a spectacle. And I have no desire to learn anything about that woman. It’s unnecessary.’

’I just need to do what I came here to do.’

Just then, the Chu Family’s steward hurried over, looking both nervous and excited. He bowed respectfully. "The Master says everything has been arranged. He invites the Princely Heir to take a seat and watch."

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