Ashes to Crown Episode 17 Recap
> Ashes to Crown Recaps
When Xiao Hong obtained the Imperial Jade Seal of the State, it could be considered a decent conclusion, but he realized that the biggest beneficiary was still Chu Zhao. Knowing that Xiao Hong had no intention of keeping her in Xiaonan, Chu Zhao sensibly thanked him and bid farewell.
Seeing Xie Yanlai's loyalty, Xiao Hong began to sow discord among them, pointing out that Xie Yanfang and Chu Zhao had worked in tacit agreement to withdraw the troops, cooperating from the inside and outside to make his efforts in vain. Looking at Xie Yanlai, he remarked that he did not at all look like a child raised by the same family.
Hearing Xiao Hong ridicule him as unfit to enter the ancestral hall, Xie Yanlai anxiously prepared to draw his sword, but Chu Zhao hurriedly stepped forward to hold him back. Knowing that the two would not dare to cause trouble in Xiaonan, Xiao Hong remained contemptuous in his speech. Before leaving, Xie Yanlai told him that he held a grudge even more than Xie Yanfang did.
If Xiao Hong and his son ever fell into his hands one day, they would surely face a miserable end. Walking out of the military tent, Xie Yanlai could not stop praising Xie Yanfang. Since he could remember, Xie Yanfang had always done things reliably, like a mature elder, so he also tried to imitate his every word and action.
Especially when he saw that Chu Zhao spoke highly of Xie Yanfang, he became even more willing to be Xie Yanfang's shadow. Chu Zhao hastily expressed that to her, Xie Yanlai was the most unique one, surpassing Xie Yanfang in every aspect. If they grew apart because of this, they would fall right into others' traps. Learning that Chu Zhao had left Xiaonan, Xiao Hong worried that Xiao Xun would blame him.
The housekeeper informed him that people had already been secretly dispatched to take care of things in The Capital, and Xiao Xun would surely understand his father's painstaking efforts. Currently, Xiao Hong could not see through Xie Yanlai at all. While others sought fame or fortune, Xie Yanlai desperately followed Chu Zhao for reasons he could not fathom. But regardless of his intentions, he felt that Xie Yanlai was a key piece to break the deadlock.
Chu Zhao was somewhat curious about Xie Yanfang. Xie Yanlai said that he had not been accepted by the family since childhood, yet Xie Yanfang had always treated him well. When he was driven out by the clan, he received Xie Yanfang's Qianji Blood-Burning Drink, and was told it was a secret recipe unique to the Xie family that could save lives at critical moments, which was why he gave it to Chu Cen to take.
However, he now realized that Xie Yanfang had far more intentions, so he decided to return to Gaoyang to investigate, letting Chu Zhao return to The Capital first. Xie Yanfang was in no hurry to return to The Capital either. Instead, he traveled through Xiaonan to congratulate Chu Zhao on her great achievement. Chu Zhao credited this to Xie Yanlai.
Had they not coordinated from the inside and outside with tacit cooperation, it would have been hard to make the troops withdraw smoothly from Xiaonan. It was just that at the beginning, he had planned to sacrifice the Chu family, taking a risky step. Xie Yanfang explained that it was a last resort, and besides, Chu Zhao had handled it properly without any losses, making them closer than soulmates.
Chu Zhao suddenly asked Xie Yanfang about his relationship with Xie Yanlai. Somewhat surprised, Xie Yanfang stated that they were biological brothers, leaving no room for others to criticize. Chu Zhao inquired whether he would return to The Capital next. Xie Yanlai expressed that he needed to inspect Jiangnan on behalf of Xiao Yu, hoping Chu Zhao would return to The Capital soon to assist Xiao Yu.
After Chu Zhao left, a confidant suggested taking the opportunity to get rid of Chu Zhao, but Xie Yanfang stated that Chu Zhao must never die at the hands of the Xie family. Chu Zhao asked Chu Tang to call upon the noble ladies to organize a literary gathering to ease the people's minds. Xiao Yu was slightly late for court, causing several veteran officials to whisper among themselves.
A moment later, Deng Yi entered the court alongside Xiao Yu and Chu Zhao. Chu Zhao insinuated that there had been a lot of idle gossip during her journey to Yunzhong Prefecture, warning that if she heard anyone making reckless remarks again, they would be severely punished. After the court session, she immediately rushed to Deng Yi's manor to thank him for assisting the Emperor during the rebellion suppression.
Although Xiaonan was now stable, the Xie family had placed many spies around them. The two of them knew the family's true intentions best. Deng Yi expressed that, like Chu Zhao, he only wished to protect the common people of Great Chu, and therefore would not let Xie Yanfang have his way.
On the night of the full moon, Chu Zhao saw her past-life self again, reminding her that to gain power, besides winning over the prominent families, she also had to rely on Xie Yanfang, while Xie Yanlai was of almost no use. On the other hand, she thought of how Xie Yanlai treated her with utter sincerity. These two thoughts clashed fiercely. Xie Yanlai had returned to the Xie Manor in Gaoyang.
Forcing the housekeeper to open the storehouse, he discovered the Qianji Blood-Burning Drink and asked about its purpose. The housekeeper informed him that five years ago, Xie Yanfang had suddenly found a life-prolonging prescription, which was exactly when Xie Yanlai was embroiled in the trouble of Wei Village.
