Chapter 246.1: Hello Chang’an
Chapter 246.1: Across the Mountains of Difference
Deputy General Jin had not missed the expression on Chang Kuo’s face.
Combining it with his earlier realization — “it’s enough to bring the gift when visiting; what matters is who comes” — he deduced that his Grand General’s mood right now was probably like this:
After fainting for two days, he woke up only to find that the guest was still at home and hadn’t left.
This meal… was inevitable.
But as Deputy General Jin thought it through more carefully, he felt that something still seemed off.
He was usually only afraid of guests coming to visit because that meant he had to personally cook for them.
But the Grand General didn’t need to personally wash and cook for Princess Xuan’an!
Besides, the Grand General had always been known for being open and hospitable — so why was he acting this way now?
What Chang Kuo was truly thinking, Deputy General Jin couldn’t guess.
But toward Li Tong, who had come to pay a visit, Chang Kuo’s attitude was perfectly proper — politely respectful, with the right measure of warmth due to an elder. He showed neither a cold face nor any excessive seriousness.
Privately, Chang Kuo felt that this young girl, Li Tong, wasn’t bad at all.
She was pleasant-looking, her temperament was frank and cheerful, and most importantly — she knew how to speak “human words.”
Unlike certain people, who always spoke so mockingly that even the Black and White Impermanence would have to kneel before her and call her “teacher.”
However, Chang Kuo soon discovered that while the girl’s words were pleasant, there were simply too many of them…
Li Tong expressed concern over Chang Kuo’s injuries, then, full of admiration, began talking about everything she had heard over the past few days — one “Grand General Chang’s great righteousness” after another, one “Sister Chang’s unparalleled bravery” after another.
Her mouth never stopped, and her tone was brimming with a sense of pride and joy as if she shared in their glory.
Judging by this, she could probably talk about it for three days and three nights nonstop.
For the sake of the girl’s tongue — and for his own ears — Chang Kuo smiled and changed the subject, bringing up his “precarious” son:
“…I wonder, has my son caused any trouble to your household?”
“Of course not! Grand General Chang, you’re being too formal.”
At the mention of Chang Sui’an, Li Tong’s smile grew even brighter.
“This time, Young Master Chang originally wanted to come to Hezhou with us, but Mother said that he should focus on recovery for now, so she persuaded him to stay.”
Chang Kuo’s fist clenched silently.
Persuaded?
That was house arrest!
That woman, Li Rong — she had always been overbearing, acting without the slightest regard for anyone’s will.
She had treated him like that in the past, and now she was doing the same to his son!
All his life, Chang Kuo had lived boldly and freely, never bound by trifles.
In theory, it was only a son — something he could bear to part with.
But when it came to her— she could dream on!
Even if he had to throw his son into a dung pit, he would never let that woman have him!
Chang Kuo silently resolved that he would rather shatter jade than let it be sullied.
While his mind was full of thoughts of “shattered jade,” Li Tong’s thoughts were the exact opposite.
One wanted to split apart; the other wanted to bring together — their hearts moved in opposite directions.
To create a harmonious atmosphere, Li Tong animatedly began recounting funny little stories about Chang Sui’an in Xuanzhou.
Chang Kuo, upholding his principle of “do not vent your anger on the innocent girl,” forced a smile on his face while inwardly plotting how to retrieve his son.
Beside them, Chang Suining drank tea quietly, observing the scene with relish — though she had no melon seeds in hand, her enjoyment was as if she did.
After a while, someone from Princess Xuan’an’s residence came to deliver a message — Li Tong was to return.
Li Tong’s scalp tingled at once; she knew she would surely get scolded for this visit.
She quickly rose and bowed:
“This junior will come again to visit Grand General Chang when there’s time.”
Chang Kuo smiled politely and nodded.
Deputy General Jin escorted Li Tong out.
Then Chang Suining turned her gaze toward Chang Kuo, who instinctively sat up straighter.
“…What is it?” he asked.
Chang Suining blinked at him.
“Father, do you have… some kind of secret you’re hiding?”
Chang Kuo’s face darkened — and then flushed.
“What nonsense are you talking about!”
Chang Suining was just about to pry further when another soldier came to report:
“Young Master Yun has arrived.”
Yun Hui had come to visit and give thanks upon hearing that Chang Kuo had regained consciousness.
Along with him was Yun Gui.
His wounds had been healing for over ten days, and only today was he allowed to get out of bed and walk.
As soon as the boy entered behind his elder brother, he knelt down solemnly before Chang Kuo and spoke:
“Yun Gui thanks Grand General Chang for your life-saving grace! You not only saved our Yun family, but you saved all of Hezhou. From today onward, you are Yun Gui’s greatest benefactor!”
As he said this, he knocked his head firmly against the floor.
Seeing that his younger brother had singlehandedly raised the standard of gratitude so high, Yun Hui felt that if he didn’t kneel too, it would seem insincere — so he knelt and kowtowed as well.
Chang Kuo quickly motioned for Deputy General Jin to help the two brothers up.
But Yun Gui, just as he was lifted, turned around and — thud! — knelt down again before Chang Suining.
“And to Young Miss Chang as well — benefactor above, please accept Yun Gui’s bow!”
Over the past two days, he had heard his elder brother speak many times about this lady of the Chang family, and he now knew clearly that it was this “Young Miss Chang” who had saved his life.
Facing his savior, Yun Gui’s kowtows were loud and earnest.
Hearing the sound and looking at the girl who stood half a head shorter than himself, Yun Hui suddenly felt a strange discomfort.
He hesitated for a moment — and just as he lifted his robe, about to kneel and kowtow too, Chang Suining had already helped Yun Gui up.
Chang Kuo, too, raised a hand in time to stop Yun Hui.
“All right, both of you are still injured. You’ll only knock your heads worse that way!”
So Yun Hui changed it to a deep bow toward Chang Suining instead.
“Young Miss Chang’s great kindness — Yun Hui will remember it always. Should there ever be anything you need of me, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.”
There was too much he owed her for.
She had saved him not once, but many times.
She was his entire family’s benefactor.
She had even helped him take revenge on Ji Xi for his father and brother.
Thus his promise to go through fire and water was no empty courtesy.
He expressed his gratitude sincerely.
The young girl did not decline, but — most unusually — said,
“Then you must strive to improve yourself. Who knows, perhaps one day I really will come to collect on this favor.”
Yun Hui straightened, looked up at her, and nodded solemnly.
“Rest assured, I will.”
Chang Suining nodded in satisfaction.
“…” Yun Hui suddenly felt as though he were a dutiful student being praised by his teacher.
Seeing this scene, Deputy General Jin felt that he understood something again.
He knew too well the devastation war could bring.
Many people who were like steel during battle would collapse afterward — even if victorious — as though their taut breath had been released, plunging instantly into sorrow and despair, destroying both life and hope.
With Yun family’s younger son having gone through so much, it would be all too easy for him to follow that path.
But the young lady, as his benefactor, had instead given him a goal to look upward and forward to — saving him from being trapped in endless grief.
What a wise and kind-hearted young lady.
Deputy General Jin was deeply moved once more, completely won over by her — first by her capability, and then by her character.
He didn’t realize, however, that even Chang Suining herself would have been startled by such a noble interpretation.
In her eyes, whether she expected repayment for her good deeds depended entirely on whether she needed it.
Yun Hui had now earned great merit in defending Hezhou, and with the loyal spirits of his father and brother preceding him, his whole family were heroes.
He naturally deserved a bright future ahead.
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