Resumen del episodio 9 de Ashes to Crown
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Xie Yanlai and Chu Zhao prepare their defense against Tie Ying's impending assault. Xie Yanlai explains that Tie Ying's elite force is notorious for successful night attacks, having devastated Wuyang Pass, Panying Pass, and the Qingshi Stronghold. Noting that their success relies on their exceptional hearing, he suggests setting traps in the bamboo forest to catch them off guard before ambushing them with arrows. Madam Ge gives Xie Yanlai a code whistle to coordinate the stronghold's defenses.
When night falls, Tie Ying's men indeed raid the forest, only to trigger a barrage of hidden mechanisms. Although the invaders suffer heavy casualties, a fierce battle ensues, and Chu Zhao sustains an injury to her arm. In the safety of the stronghold, Xie Yanlai tends to Chu Zhao's wound. His hands shake, prompting Chu Zhao to tease that he is steady when killing but unsteady when applying medicine.
Xie Yanlai blames himself for failing to protect her, admitting that while safeguarding her began as a duty, it has now become his willing devotion. Madam Ge arrives with medicine, reporting that Tie Ying has retreated but warning that Xiaonan Prefecture will surely send more troops. She advises them to leave quickly. To repay the stronghold's sacrifices, Chu Zhao leaves her father's jade pendant, promising they can present it in the Capital to request rewards.
Both Chu Zhao and Xie Yanlai notice Madam Ge's unusually tender gaze, though they sense no ill intent. Before they depart, Chu Zhao presses Madam Ge for the truth about her father's past bandit suppression and Mu Mianhong's death. Madam Ge instead asks what Chu Zhao thinks of her father. Chu Zhao confesses that while the world views him as a hero, she only ever wanted a normal father to carve wooden dolls, watch fireworks, and braid her hair.
Asked about her mother, Chu Zhao describes her as an elegant noblewoman from the Capital, though she has no memory or portrait of her. Looking at her own rough hands, Madam Ge remains silent about her identity but reassures Chu Zhao of her parents' profound love. Outside, Xie Yanlai comforts Chu Zhao, reminding her that her father's willingness to let his guard down for her letter proves his devotion.
Meanwhile, Tie Ying reports the disastrous raid to Xiao Xun, admitting they lost half their men to the traps. Realizing Chu Zhao must pass through Wangcheng to reach Yunzhong Prefecture, Xiao Xun decides to lay an ambush there. He sends word to the Northern Desert King, proposing an alliance where three thousand Northern Desert cavalry will bypass Xiaonan Prefecture to seize Wangcheng, trapping the Yunzhong forces in a pincer movement.
In the Capital, the young Emperor Xiao Yu plays weiqi and frets over Chu Zhao, though his attendant A'Le reassures him that the signs point to her safety. Late at night, Xie Yanfang visits the Emperor, warning that the ailing General Chu Ling may not survive the winter. Xiao Yu suggests appointing Xie Yanlai to command the frontier troops.
Xie Yanfang urges him to prepare the imperial decree, but Deng Yi arrives to halt the process, accusing Xie Yanfang of nepotism. In the Northern Desert camp, the King receives Xiao Xun's message. Recognizing Wangcheng as the weakly guarded rear of Yunzhong Prefecture, he agrees to the swift cavalry strike. In Xiaonan, Xiao Hong expresses concern over his son's dangerous alliance with the Northern Desert.
Xiao Xun insists that Chu Ling's failing health makes this the perfect moment to use the Northern Desert's blade to clear their path, and his father eventually relents. In the Capital, Deng Yi's attempts to replace the Yunzhong generals are thwarted by Xie Yanfang, who intercepts the order. Confronting Deng Yi, Xie Yanfang presents the Grand Princess Token to veto the command, pointing out that Chu Zhao must remain alive to preserve the court's stability.
He also taunts Deng Yi for moving the golden-thread nanmu coffin Chu Zhao had previously bestowed. In the Capital's teahouses, gossip runs wild. Chu Tang overhears noble ladies criticizing her uncle's military leadership. Furious, she defends him, lecturing them on the immense scale and complexity of the frontier before storming out.
She runs into Deng Yi, who remarks that her outspoken nature is bold, especially since she has the Grand Princess to back her up even if her uncle is convicted. Chu Tang retorts sharply but later regrets her impulsiveness, fearing the consequences of offending the Grand Tutor and praying for her uncle's victory and Chu Zhao's swift return. On the road to Wangcheng, Chu Zhao and Xie Yanlai decide to get captured by local patrols to bypass Xiao Xun's spies.
They are stopped by two guards, one of whom Chu Zhao recognizes as Liang Qiang—a brilliant vanguard in her past life who is currently just a low-ranking soldier. Knowing his family's downfall following the Third Prince's rebellion, Chu Zhao offers him a chance at military merit if he escorts them into the city as captured bandits. Liang Qiang agrees but warns them against any tricks.
As they approach Wangcheng, Xie Yanlai notices deeply grooved tracks left by straw-hauling carts, deducing that heavy weapons and equipment have been smuggled in disguised as military supplies. He warns Chu Zhao that Wangcheng is being compromised from within. Upon entering Wangcheng, Liang Qiang presents his captives, but the arrogant local commander immediately orders the bandits executed.
Chu Zhao warns him of the smuggled weapons and the imminent Northern Desert invasion, but the commander accuses her of inciting panic and orders the execution to proceed. Just as the guards move in, Zhong Changrong arrives with his troops, revealing Chu Zhao's identity as the Grand Princess. The terrified commander begs for mercy, and Chu Zhao orders him to secure the city gates and root out the hidden weapons.
Zhong Changrong explains that Xie Yanlai had secretly sent a message to the military, and the anxious General Chu Ling immediately dispatched him to intercept and protect her. Their reunion is cut short when a scout rushes in with dire news: three thousand Northern Desert cavalry have been spotted just fifty li from the city.
