Chapter 1719: Arrangements for the Laborers

 Chapter 1718: Our Forces

 Chapter 261.2: “She is not mine, but I am hers

Someone mentioned Hezhou: “I heard the court has decreed that the son of the Hezhou's Prefect, who died defending the city, will succeed his father as Prefect! That boy seems only sixteen or seventeen!”

“His whole family is renowned for loyalty and valor. Because of this battle, all of Hezhou looks to him with trust. The court’s decision is both a reward and a measure to stabilize the people’s hearts…”

“Young age doesn’t matter. Skill is what counts! When we first enlisted, weren’t we just kids ourselves?”

An old border general, his hair streaked with gray, said: “Speaking of youth… have you heard of the feats of General Chang’s daughter? What is that girl’s name again? Chang—”

“Chang Suining.”

The answer came from Cui Jing, who had remained silent until now.

“?” Everyone turned to him, feeling curious.

The old general surnamed Lü laughed: “Grand General Cui knows of this girl too?”

Cui Jing nodded. “I know.”

“Of course the Grand General knows!” A middle-aged general, half drunk, chuckled: “Don’t you all know? That young lady is the Grand General Cui’s heart’s…”

He stopped mid-sentence when he caught Protector Qin’s warning glare, “Say anything else and you’re asking for trouble,” and quickly shut his mouth.

Beads of cold sweat formed on Protector Qin’s forehead as he raised his cup and smiled awkwardly at Cui Jing.

Whether the rumors were true or not, even if they were, the girl had rejected Grand General Cui. Mentioning it now would be like opening a sore wound.

What if unrequited love turned into resentment… right?

Yet the young man showed no sign of disturbance. Instead, he smiled: “No matter.”

Protector Qin: “!”

It was the first time he had seen a smile from this Grand General!

“No matter?”

Now he understood.

It meant an open acknowledgment.

Though the love was unreciprocated, there was no hint of resentment whatsoever.

Protector Qin understood and smiled: “I also heard that this young lady is no less valiant than General Chang himself! It is said that half the reason Hezhou city held is thanks to General Chang’s daughter. I wonder if that is true?”

Upon hearing this, Cui Jing, who had intended to remain seated quietly, spoke firmly: “The rumor is not false. It is all true.”

His seriousness gave Protector Qin a strong impression—if someone were about to fall under the Grand General’s blade, they could merely shout, “Wait! I have heard of Lady Chang,” and the Grand General would surely sheath his sword, offer a seat, and have tea brought, allowing a full account of Lady Chang to be told.

He finally understood. The three characters “Lady Chang” were not just a title—they were like a spell that disarmed Grand General Cui.

Protector Qin reflected, realizing at last the Grand General’s inclinations. From now on, it would be easier to appeal to his tastes.

Others in the hall gradually understood, and the conversation turned lively, everyone contributing to the discussion.

The women of the Qin household watched the young man’s smiling eyes. Their initial surprise slowly turned into resigned admiration once they grasped the situation.

One young woman, who had long fancied Cui Jing, rested her chin on her hand with a sigh.

She had figured it out: the Grand General was truly captivated.

Though not a word expressed affection directly, every sentence seemed imbued with love.

Ordinary men, when speaking of a girl, often imply, “She is mine.”

But Grand General Cui was different. It seemed as if he had inscribed the words “She is not mine, but I am hers” on his very being, letting it become an open secret.

The girl, unwilling, glanced over, but ultimately gave up. She did not have the courage to devote herself entirely to one person as Cui Jing had. She would rather set her sights elsewhere.

The New Year’s Eve banquet at the Anbei Protectorate thus felt unusually prolonged because of the two words “Chang Suining.”

Cui Jing remained calm, but the others were exhausted from speaking; they could no longer praise him—truly, they could not.

When the feast ended, it was nearly the hour of Jiazi.

Back at his residence, an attendant approached with a long box: “Grand General, it has been forged according to your instructions. Please inspect it.”

Cui Jing opened the box, drawing the long sword. In his long, slender hand, the blade gleamed pure white.

“Seventy percent similarity. That is sufficient,” he said, sheathing the sword and returning it to the box. “Send it discreetly to the Xuanzhe Office in the capital. Be cautious.”

“Yes!” The attendant acknowledged and withdrew.

Cui Jing stood on the corridor, gazing toward the southern night.

He stood silently for a long moment before the sound of firecrackers rang out.

With the firecrackers came the New Year.

The young man continued gazing southward, voice soft as the wind: “The new festival begins. Auspiciousness and health… May Your Highness be at peace with the mountains and rivers, and may we meet again in the days to come.”

The firecrackers continued, loud and lively, seeming to drive away all embodiments of misfortune—ancient year beasts, as well as the lingering echoes of battles.

The firecrackers stretched on, carried from the Anbei Protectorate throughout the northern lands, across Hedong, through the Eastern Capital Luoyang, crossing the Huai River, all the way to Jiangnan.

Amid the firecrackers, Ah Dian covered her ears and ran to Chang Suining’s side.

Even the military camp celebrated New Year’s Eve, with bonfires and soldiers drinking and laughing.

But as Chang Kuo returned to the camp, the laughter, fueled by wine, gradually carried tones of discontent.

This discontent was directed at Chang Suining.

Good night!

 Chapter 261.1: “She is not mine, but I am hers”

The military officer in charge of Cui Jing’s paperwork answered, “Reporting to the Grand General, during your absence, letters arrived from all quarters. From the south alone, there are seven or eight letters.”

“Seven or eight letters?”

Cui Jing quickened his pace.

The officer ran to keep up.

Once they entered the study, Cui Jing removed his cloak and sword, handing them to his attendant, and immediately turned to the letters.

The officer swiftly carried the entire stack of correspondence over.

There were letters from the south, and others from various parts of the capital. The officer had been meticulous, organizing the letters by origin and date, arranging them neatly on the desk so that Cui Jing could view them at a glance.

There were so many letters that the organized rows took up most of the desk.

Yet Cui Jing’s eyes immediately fell on the letter from Chang Suining.

Her handwriting was unmistakable—or perhaps he was simply too familiar with it—especially the handwriting on the envelope, nearly identical to the notes and military strategies he had repeatedly reviewed over the years.

Standing by the desk, he had no time to sit before opening the letter.

Although he had been away for half a month, he was already aware of the outcomes in Hezhou and regarding Li Yi, so he read the letter purely out of his own desire, not concern.

At first glance, he saw a vivid drawing of a chestnut on the paper.

Seeing the chestnut, a faint smile flickered across his brows, and in an instant, the chill he had brought in from outside seemed to vanish.

The officer, emboldened, stole a glance and found it curious.

Is this… the effect of the New Year? Even the Grand General’s face now carried the festive warmth of the season.

Cui Jing began reading the letter carefully, word by word, without skipping a single line.

He returned at the late Shen hour; the study was dim. The officer lit a lamp, and red lanterns were hung in the corridor.

Cui Jing reached the end of the letter for the second time.

“Strive in your path, let the thousand-mile winds carry you together…”

The lamplight cast a rare warmth over his sharp, clear features; the corners of his mouth curved into an arc.

His eyes were on the letter, yet it was as if he were seeing, through it, only what he alone could see.

“…Grand General, you—” the officer’s voice sounded, faint and distant in Cui Jing’s ears.

Cui Jing half-snapped out of his reverie, looking at him: “I am reading a letter.”

The officer’s mouth opened and closed in surprise, then he said, “Understood… I only meant to remind you, Grand General, that you must be weary after your journey. You may wish to sit and read carefully.”

He had already said it once, but the Grand General had not heard; it seemed Cui Jing was truly tired.

Cui Jing responded with a low, “Mm,” then suddenly asked, “Have you ever heard of Zhou Xingji’s poem ‘Seeing a Friend Off to the East’?”

The officer blinked in surprise, then nodded. “Yes, sir…”

So the Grand General was engaging in casual conversation.

The officer, feeling privileged, ventured further: “Do you favor this poem, Grand General?”

Cui Jing lowered his eyes to the letter, smiling as he nodded.

He liked it—truly liked it.

He intended to copy it down.

Considering this, Cui Jing surveyed the study, pondering the best place to display it, where he could see it at a glance while attending to affairs.

The officer noticed his good mood and said with a smile, “It seems this letter is from a close friend of yours, Grand General… surely a very important confidant.”

Cui Jing did not reply.

Not just important.

To him, she was more than important.

Considering other letters that required immediate attention, he temporarily put Chang Suining’s letter aside—but not aside carelessly; he tucked it into his robe.

The officer’s surprise deepened. What kind of friend could this be?

He wanted to inquire further, but his rank and decorum restrained him, and his superior had already adopted the demeanor expected for official business.

Together, they first handled some official correspondence, including letters from the Xuance Office in the capital and letters from the court.

After completing those, Cui Jing opened the letter from Chang Kuo.

Chang Kuo’s handwriting was larger than usual, the content simple: a message assuring him not to worry about matters in Jiangnan, along with a brief New Year greeting.

Next came letters from Yuan Xiang, two in total. When Cui Jing touched the thickness of the envelope, he hesitated slightly but opened them nonetheless.

Most of the content was trivial; he skimmed quickly, picking out the details he wished to see.

Yuan Xiang described his actions alongside Wei Shuyi, then quietly added that during a quarrel with Chang Ji, he had overheard Chang Ji inadvertently reveal that Wei Shiyi’s trip to Jiangnan was self-recommended by the Holy Emperor.

Here, Yuan Xiang’s handwriting shrank, as if the letters had a voice, creating a sense of secret observation, almost conspiratorial.

He wrote further:

“From my discreet observation, Wei Shiyi treats Lady Chang with utmost attention, never straying three words without mentioning her. Coupled with his self-recommendation, I have a bold suspicion: Wei Shiyi may harbor ill intentions toward Lady Chang.”

Cui Jing noted the “also” character had been crossed out: “….”

Yuan Xiang ended with a vow to watch Wei Shiyi closely, ensuring he had no opportunity to act improperly. The strokes were firm, like a snarling wolfdog bristling with resolve.

Cui Jing then opened the second letter from this vigilant “wolfdog.”

This letter, delivered a few days later, contained one key point: Wei Shiyi had returned to the capital. Rest assured, Grand General!

The handwriting this time was lively, like a proud wolfdog wagging its tail.

Finally, Cui Jing opened letters from his family: from his grandfather, several uncles, and a trio—Lu Shi, Cui Tang, and Cui Lang.

The trio’s letters were weighty, even more elaborate than Yuan Xiang’s, yet with a similar meticulousness.

If he lacked sufficient time, he would not dare open these letters casually.

Perhaps because this was the last correspondence before the New Year, it felt especially substantial. Judging by the handwriting, all three had contributed: one wrote until exhausted, then another took over.

The order followed family rank; Cui Lang’s writing appeared first.

Cui Lang detailed family affairs and clan matters, lightly touching on court affairs, repeatedly mentioning “Master,” taking pride in Chang Suining’s rising renown in the capital, hailed as the reincarnation of a military star.

The “reincarnation of a military star” — Cui Jing read these words quietly, smiling.

Having read all the letters took half an hour.

Along with the letters from Lu Shi and the other two, a box had been delivered.

Cui Jing had it opened: it was neatly packed with new clothing and shoes.

Lu Shi had written that, pressed for time, she had sent these before the New Year, asking tailors to prepare them; she would make the spring and summer garments by hand once there was time, adding, “My craftsmanship is ordinary; I hope you will not dislike it.”

Attendants prepared hot water. Cui Jing bathed and changed into the clean, fitting robes and shoes, keeping Chang Suining’s letter close to his chest.

At that moment, a guard reported: “The feast is ready. Protector Qin invites the Grand General to attend.”

The feast marked both Cui Jing’s formal return and the New Year’s Eve banquet.

All officials of the Protectorate of Anbei and other border generals rose to greet the young man as he entered.

He wore a deep-blue long robe with round collar and wide sleeves, his hair bound with a jade crown. His black, sharp features were striking, blending the noble bearing of the Cui clan with the sharp edge forged on the battlefield, making him exceptionally distinguished.

The northern people were rugged and open, and the ladies of the Protector’s household were present, though seated separately.

Several young women rose to greet him, their gaze fixed on Cui Jing, unable to look away.

Cui Jing sat first; only then did the others take their seats.

Throughout the meal, he spoke little, his usual taciturnity well known to the officials present.

“Do you think the Grand General will manage to speak ten sentences before leaving?” A few young ladies whispered at their table.

Protector Qin felt uneasy; he suspected Cui Jing was not listening to their idle chatter at all.

After three rounds of wine, Cui Jing still said little. The border generals, however, loosened tongues under the influence of alcohol.

 Chapter 904: The Matchmaker Comes to the Door (2)

In the Mo family’s hall, a middle-aged woman dressed in bright-colored clothing was enthusiastically praising the Cui family as if all the blessings in the world were destined for them!

Mo Qingze listened to the matchmaker’s endless flattery with a neutral expression. Had it not been for his good self-control, he would have kicked her out long ago.

As for Mo Yan, she listened with great interest, curious to see what kind of family Fan Meijiao had gone to such lengths to find for her. 

However, the fact that such a family had sent a matchmaker meant one of two things: either they didn’t take this marriage proposal seriously, or they were so confident that they believed the Mo family wouldn’t refuse. Regardless of the reason, it left an uncomfortable feeling in her heart.

The weather in June was unbearably hot, and the shrill sound of cicadas outside only added to the oppressive atmosphere.

The matchmaker’s words were almost exhausted, yet she hadn’t received a single word in response from the main parties. Her smile began to waver, but she still maintained a degree of politeness, mindful of the Mo family’s status. She said, “Lord, Your Highness, the Cui family is a well-known and prestigious family. Not to mention their talented offspring, their heritage alone far surpasses that of ordinary families. To marry into such a family, what more could one ask for?”

It is often said that a royal dynasty comes and goes like flowing water, but the Cui family had been standing strong for over five hundred years. Their ancestors had fought alongside the first emperor of the previous dynasty to build their fortune. Even though the dynasty had fallen two hundred years ago, the Cui family still stood firm.

To this day, they continued to receive favorable treatment from the royal family of Da Chu. Such a family was unreachable for most people, but here they were, offering a match to the Mo family, and yet, they didn’t seem interested. Truly, they were a bunch of ignorant bumpkins!

The matchmaker sneered inwardly but remained extremely respectful on the surface. She knew that if this marriage went through, it would bring great benefits. Even if she didn’t take on any other business for a year, she wouldn’t have to worry about feeding her family.

Mo Yan had indeed heard of the Cui family. While they didn’t have the political power of the Marquis of Wu'an’s family, their deep-rooted heritage made them far more formidable. Even the royal family treated them with great respect. Such a family was not to be underestimated, and she couldn’t afford to offend them.

Mo Yan’s expression remained calm, but internally, she was furious at Old Madam Zhao and Fan Meijiao for causing all this trouble. She had already made up her mind to “repay” the two of them for their “sincere affection.” But for now, she had to focus on dealing with the Cui family.

She stole a glance at her father, who had a grim expression on his face, clearly showing no interest in the matter. Mo Yan cleared her throat and decided to send the matchmaker away herself. “The Cui family’s background is too illustrious for me, a mere County Princess, to match. Please go back and convey my apology to the old lady of the Cui family. Tell her that I’m truly sorry.”

With that, she took out a purse from her sleeve and handed it to the matchmaker, whose expression immediately darkened.

When the matchmaker saw the bulging purse, a flash of delight crossed her eyes. However, she pretended to decline, saying, “Ah, how could I accept this from the County Princess when I haven’t been able to secure a good match?”

Mo Yan’s smile grew even gentler. “It’s just a small token for your trouble. It’s not a big deal. Please accept it, and kindly convey my message to the Cui family.”

The matchmaker, no fool, quickly understood Mo Yan’s meaning. After a brief hesitation, she took the purse. Weighing it in her hands, she estimated it to contain about ten taels. Satisfied, she thought to herself that this trip hadn’t been in vain.

Seeing the County Princess looking on, the matchmaker quickly agreed, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will make sure your message is relayed accurately. The old lady of the Cui family is very understanding. I believe she will understand your feelings.”

Mo Yan smiled faintly, her tone polite, “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

The matchmaker repeatedly expressed her gratitude, flattering Mo Yan a few more times before leaving the Mo family, happily riding off on her donkey.

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 903: The Matchmaker Comes to the Door (1)

Mo Yan couldn’t refuse and smiled as she said, “Uncle Lu, once the villas are built, pick whichever one you like to live in. It’s my gift to you as a token of respect.”

“Ha ha, each of these villas will cost at least five hundred taels of silver to build. You’re so generous, letting Uncle Lu pick one without hesitation. Just be careful that when the time comes, you won’t regret it when I move in!” Master Lu, pleased by her thoughtfulness, couldn’t resist teasing her.

Mo Yan pretended to be a bit greedy and said, “Well... in that case, Uncle Lu, please take extra care to make sure the villas are especially beautiful. When the time comes, we can make a lot of money from wealthy customers, and we’ll quickly earn back the silver, won’t we?”

Master Lu was taken aback, laughing helplessly, “You’re really something. You want Uncle Lu to do all the hard work, and here you are trying to get the villa for free! What’s going on? It seems like I’m the one who’s getting the short end of the stick!”

“Of course, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world,” Mo Yan said, blinking her eyes with a serious face, showing not the slightest hint of embarrassment.

She knew that even without saying these words, Master Lu would certainly put in all his effort for the villa project. The reason she said it was to give him a villa as a token of her appreciation, making it easier to reject any payment from him when the time came.

Master Lu sighed in resignation, his gaze softening as he looked at Mo Yan. “You girl... I really don’t know what to say to you.”

After working together for a couple of years, if he didn’t know the girl’s nature, he might have thought she was impossible to please. Now, he only felt that she was incredibly thoughtful, even coming up with an excuse to give him a villa so that he couldn’t refuse.

Mo Yan smiled, putting the matter to rest. “This is settled then, Uncle Lu. You can’t back out now, or I’ll go to the Liu family and cry to Sister Lan!”

Master Lu wasn’t the type to be shy about these matters. He quickly agreed, “Fine, Uncle Lu won’t back out. I’ll build every villa exactly as you want, and I’ll make sure you profit handsomely.”

“Ha ha, thank you in advance, Uncle Lu!” Mo Yan beamed and cupped her hands in gratitude.

In just two days, the designs for the villas were finalized. By next spring, more than twenty elegant and exquisite villas would be scattered throughout the Mo family’s orchard.

On the day Mo Qingze returned from his break, Mo Yan asked about Zhao Fengnian. She was relieved to learn that Zhao Fengnian hadn’t “bothered” her father any further, seeming to truly give up. She relaxed, thinking that if they abandoned the idea of a marriage alliance, then the troublesome Fan Meijiao would no longer have a reason to scheme against her.

If they backed off, she couldn’t be bothered to waste energy on such people. After all, the Zhao family’s head was a high-ranking official with solid connections in court. Although the Zhao family wasn’t a deeply entrenched, powerful clan, Zhao Fengnian had been in government for years and made many connections. Especially with his relatively high rank, he had plenty of people under him trying to curry favor. If Fan Meijiao used her influence to cause a rift with the Mo family, it could easily end up harming her father, creating obstacles for him.

Mo Yan’s concerns weren’t without reason. However, what she didn’t realize was that the Zhao family wasn’t about to let go so easily. So, when the matchmaker arrived at her door with a proposal, she realized just how wrong her assumptions had been!

Some people were like poisonous snakes—if you don’t want to get bitten, you can try to drive them away, but they’ll chase you relentlessly. Such snakes need to be dealt with decisively, striking their weak point to ensure they can’t hurt you anymore.

“…Ah, don’t think this old woman is exaggerating without conscience, but the Cui family is really a rare good match. Moreover, the old madam of the Cui family is extremely satisfied with the Princess, otherwise, I wouldn’t have come all this way!” 

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 1716: Xia Yi Reveals Her Identity