Chapter 230: Hello Chang’an
Chapter 230: May I Call You Sister?
Li Tong had already lifted the beaded curtain and stepped out. Hearing those words, she was struck with shock and panic, as if thunder had exploded above her head.
“Why does Sister Chang suddenly wish to leave?”
She hurriedly grasped Chang Suining’s hand and asked anxiously, “Is it the food that doesn’t suit your taste? Are the servants inattentive? Am I being too noisy? Or is the weather in Xuanzhou lately making you restless?”
“None of that. Everything has been well,” Chang Suining explained gently. “It’s just that I’ve lost contact with my father. I need to go to Shouzhou to confirm whether he’s safe.”
“General Chang?” Li Tong’s expression changed. She instinctively turned to glance behind the beaded curtain.
The Grand Princess had already risen from her beauty couch. Upon hearing this, her steps faltered slightly, and when she emerged, her face had turned solemn. “Lost contact?”
Chang Suining nodded and briefly recounted what had happened.
The Grand Princess’s heart thudded rapidly — as though the unease that had lingered in her chest these past days had finally found its cause.
She, too, had sent people to Shouzhou to gather information. The reply should have arrived within these two days, but she hadn’t expected to first hear from Chang Suining that something had gone wrong on Chang Kuo’s side.
“Don’t panic yet, and don’t act rashly,” the Grand Princess said, soothing her first. “I will send additional men to investigate in Shouzhou. The situation is still unclear — you should remain here in Xuanzhou and wait for news.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, but precisely because the situation is unclear, I must go.” Chang Suining’s tone was steady. “To be frank, my journey from the capital was meant for this very purpose — to find my father in Shouzhou. I am already fully prepared, so please do not worry.”
The girl spoke with calm composure, her eyes reflecting firm resolve. Seeing this, the Grand Princess still hesitated. “But now that the Xu clan’s rebels are running rampant, bandits are everywhere, and all of Huainan Circuit is in chaos… only Xuanzhou remains peaceful. For a young girl like you to travel to Shouzhou — even your father would not rest easy!”
“The rebel army’s chaos lies mainly in forced conscriptions and levies of coin and grain. As for ordinary bandits, those I bring along should be enough to handle them,” said Chang Suining. “I will act cautiously. Your Highness need not worry.”
She had experience surviving amidst war-torn lands.
Of course, danger could never be wholly avoided — but compared to her father’s safety, her own risk hardly mattered. At such a critical moment, when a single thread could pull the whole situation apart, how could she entrust this matter to others and simply sit idly waiting for news?
Besides, even without her father’s matter, she would still have gone.
In times of war, those strong in body and skilled with sword or blade should exert themselves — only then could chaos ever be subdued.
The Grand Princess could tell she was not asking for permission — merely offering her farewell.
This girl’s mind was steady and decisive.
After days of interaction, she understood her temperament well.
The Grand Princess sighed softly.
“The reason I came, besides taking my leave, is also to make a small request,” said the girl. “My eldest brother has not yet recovered from his injuries and is unfit to travel. I fear he will have to impose on Your Highness for a while longer.”
After these days, she was nearly certain her earlier suspicion was correct. Hence she dared to make this request openly.
“What is there to impose? It’s only right.” The Grand Princess nodded. “Since your mind is made up, I shall not try to stop you. You may rest assured — Young Master Chang will be safe in Xuanzhou for as long as needed.”
She then added a “condition” — she would assign a trusted group to secretly accompany and protect Chang Suining on her way to Shouzhou.
“If you refuse even this,” she said with both firmness and affection, “then as your elder, I truly cannot allow you to leave.”
Chang Suining smiled, having no intention of declining. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
The Grand Princess nodded in satisfaction and gave her instructions. She also reminded Chang Suining of various things to be careful of, before finally lowering her voice and saying, “If something truly happens… do not act rashly. Return to Xuanzhou and tell me.”
If that old man really met with misfortune, she — even for the children’s sake — would avenge him herself.
In these troubled times, the Grand Princess had already prepared herself for the worst.
At this moment, Chang Sui’an finally caught up.
Chang Suining, in the Grand Princess’s presence, reminded him to rest and recover properly.
She truly meant to leave him here alone.
Chang Sui’an felt uneasy, but looking into his sister’s eyes, he didn’t dare say anything impractical. He could barely walk a circle in the courtyard each day; how could he possibly go to Shouzhou?
If he followed, even the most capable sister would be burdened.
Once things were settled, Chang Suining bid farewell and returned to prepare for departure.
Li Tong followed beside her, repeatedly giving reminders along the way.
At first, her fondness for Chang Suining had come from admiration and curiosity. But after eight or nine days together, she had genuinely grown fond of this younger sister.
All these years, she’d had few friends her age — the noble ladies of Xuanzhou always seemed superficial to her. Now she’d finally met someone she truly liked, and just when she was thinking how to keep her longer, the girl was leaving — for a dangerous place, no less.
It truly felt like having her heart stirred only for the other to leave at once — she couldn’t help but feel reluctant and worried.
While she was still lost in thought, Chang Suining emerged from the inner room dressed in a robe and had tied her hair up, appearing entirely as a young man. Her posture and bearing, too, carried a distinctly masculine air.
Li Tong stared for a long moment, then craned her neck toward the inner chamber.
Had her Sister Chang been hidden away somewhere?
On closer look, that face had hardly been disguised — yet somehow, she looked every bit the part of a young gentleman.
The “young man” walked into the outer hall. Chang Ren stepped forward to report, “My lady, everything is ready… except — should we bring along the person in the secret room?”
Chang Suining shook her head. “This journey must be swift. We cannot afford any burdens.”
Ah Che, who had been standing nearby, hesitated before quietly stepping toward Chang Sui’an’s side.
“?” Chang Sui’an looked at him in confusion.
The two little ones, Xiao Duan and Xiao Wu, remained where they were, standing as straight and proper as the guards.
Ah Che: “…”
If only he had their confidence.
Chang Suining looked at him. “Ah Che will come with me. Xiao Duan and Xiao Wu are too young — they’ll stay.”
Ah Che’s eyes lit up, and he stepped forward eagerly.
The two little ones walked reluctantly to Chang Sui’an’s side.
“When Brother has the time, instruct them in martial arts and writing. Don’t let them grow lazy.” With one sentence, she had given all three of them something to do.
She had always cherished talent — but talent rarely fell from the heavens; it needed to be found, fought for, and cultivated.
Chang Sui’an nodded solemnly. “Ningning, you must be careful in all things.”
“I will,” she answered softly.
She looked around, not seeing Ah Dian, and was just about to ask — when a tall figure appeared, carrying a bundle and holding an orange cat in his arms.
Ah Dian rubbed his cheek against the cat, inhaled deeply several times, and reluctantly handed it to Chang Sui’an. “Little Sui’an, I’m entrusting Orange to your care.”
Then he hurried to Chang Suining’s side. “Xiao Ah Li, let’s go!”
“You’re coming too?” she asked. “This journey may be dangerous.”
“I’m not afraid!” Ah Dian’s eyes were filled with pure earnestness. “I only want to be with you!”
Hearing those words, she almost heard again that faraway voice — ‘Ah Dian only wants to be with Your Highness.’
To him, the world had only two places: the one where his Highness was, and everywhere else.
Chang Suining smiled. “Very well, let’s go together.”
Ah Dian was overjoyed and followed close behind her.
Chang Sui’an insisted on escorting his sister out of the Grand Princess’s residence.
At the back gate, the Grand Princess’s men awaited them, bringing a travel pass and a map of Huainan Circuit.
Chang Suining opened the map, glanced briefly, then rolled it up and tucked it beneath her cloak. “Let’s move out.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Ah Dian stood tall, responding with utmost seriousness.
Chang Suining looked back at him — their eyes met, and she seemed to smile slightly before raising her whip and urging her horse forward.
Ah Dian froze for a heartbeat, scratched his head, then quickly followed.
As the dust settled behind them, Jian Tong pushed Chang Sui’an’s wheelchair back into the Grand Princess’s residence.
At that moment, Chang Sui’an felt both worried for his father and sister, and lonely in their absence.
Sensing his mood, Li Tong said gently, “Don’t worry too much. General Chang and Lady Chang are both blessed people — they’ll be safe.”
Then she reached out and patted his head twice, as if comforting a child.
Chang Sui’an froze completely, looking up in disbelief.
Was she already getting handsy the moment his sister left?
Seeing his expression, Li Tong asked kindly, “What’s wrong?”
His lips trembled. With sudden inspiration, he cautiously said, “I… may I also call you Sister?”
He was trying to draw an ethical line — a form of self-preservation.
With Ningning gone, he had to learn to protect himself.
Li Tong blinked in surprise, then smiled brightly. “Of course you can!”
She joyfully ruffled his hair again. “Come on, let me hear it.”
Chang Sui’an forced a smile. “S… Sister.”
Li Tong’s smile widened. “Eh!”
Somehow, Chang Sui’an felt calmer inside.
Jian Tong, eyes forward, continued to push the young master with his hair now tousled.
Apparently, between selling body or soul, the young master had chosen the latter — a difficult choice to judge either way.
——
Chang Suining’s group rode out of Xuanzhou and headed north.
Their horses’ hooves kicked up dust, splashed through shallow streams, pierced through morning fog, and chased the evening glow. The girl in the dark blue cloak led the way. By the next day, they reached Luzhou.
Night had fallen. Even Chang Suining dared not travel the roads of Huainan by night these days, so they stayed in Luzhou for the night to rest and gather news of Shouzhou. At dawn, they set off again.
On the road from Luzhou to Shouzhou, it was clear the peace of Xuanzhou did not extend this far. Refugees in rags could be seen everywhere, and the banners of unknown armies occasionally passed swiftly by.
Chang Suining had Chang Ren distribute their remaining provisions among a group of elderly and weak refugees, mostly women and children. From an old woman leading them, she learned they had fled from Yangzhou months ago.
The woman wept as she spoke — the Xu clan’s rebels had not only conscripted the able-bodied by force but also demanded grain and silver from common folk.
Repeated battles had ruined farmlands; city gates were often closed tight. With no livelihood and constant looting disguised as “recruitment,” countless civilians could only flee to survive.
Hearing that Xuanzhou was still peaceful, they planned to head there — but with Runzhou also seized by the rebels, they had to detour through Luzhou.
That route was perilous — full of soldiers, bandits, unfriendly officials, and desperate refugees.
Chang Suining glanced at the children devouring the food, said nothing more, and handed over some scattered coins. The old woman looked around warily, hid the money quickly, then kowtowed gratefully to the “young master” before her.
Chang Suining lifted her up.
This was all she could do for now.
By dusk, before the gates closed, they reached Shouzhou safely.
Thirty li outside the city lay the army’s main encampment.
That night, they stayed at an inn, where one of Lao Kang’s men soon arrived.
“Greetings, my lady!”
“Have you heard any news of my father these past few days?”
“We still haven’t seen the General. Today we tried again to ask after his recovery, but we couldn’t even enter the camp!”
Last time, with money and supplies in hand, they had managed to talk their way in. This time, the soldiers directly barred them — even warning that if they approached again and disturbed military matters, they’d be dealt with by blade and spear.
“So the camp cannot be entered openly,” said Chang Suining.
She had expected as much.
Lao Kang’s men began to discuss strategies, but she looked toward the door. “No hurry. Eat first — we’ll wait for Ah Zhi’s return.”
When they entered the city earlier, she had noticed three soldiers dressed in rebel army uniforms driving two empty carts into the city. She’d ordered Ah Zhi to follow and observe.
Ah Zhi soon returned with news.
“Reporting to my lady — those three soldiers went to an inn, changed into civilian clothes, and went to drink with courtesans.”
At the words drink with courtesans, Chang Suining’s eyes flickered with disdain — mostly directed at Li Yi.
So much for Li Yi’s discipline.
In wartime, spies were everywhere, yet his men dared to drink and play in brothels while on duty. Such carelessness would give schemers every chance — such as her.
“What are your orders, my lady?” Chang Ren asked.
Chang Suining turned to Xi’er. “The usual way.”
Xi’er nodded and began rummaging through her pack.
The veterans and guards exchanged puzzled looks. The usual way?
They would soon find out.
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