Chapter 256.2: Hello Chang'an
Chapter 256.2: Selling Miseries for the Grand General (Part Two)
The evening wind swept past the encampment, carrying the faint chill of early winter. Inside the tent, the light from the oil lamp cast warm reflections upon the bronze utensils, mingling with the faint fragrance of tea.
Ah Zhi and Ah Che were tidying the space quietly when Yuan Xiang, full of liveliness, sat straight across from Chang Suining, his expression as bright as if he were about to announce some great success.
“...The Grand General said that if Young Miss asks after him,” Yuan Xiang declared proudly, “then I should tell you—he is perfectly fine!”
Chang Suining paused mid-motion, her brows slightly lifted, the corners of her lips pressing into an almost helpless line. “Perfectly fine?” she repeated, doubtful. “What does that mean—‘perfectly fine’? Is he truly well, or pretending to be so?”
“Ah, well... truly fine, but not entirely fine,” Yuan Xiang admitted, scratching his head with a sheepish grin.
As he spoke, he recalled how the Chief Dai had once tried to persuade the Grand General to speak less heroically in his letters. “A man should sometimes show a little frailty,” Dai had said, “else the lady will never pity you. Being too steadfast leaves no room for tenderness.”
So now, tasked with “selling miseries,” Yuan Xiang cleared his throat solemnly and began to recount, in great detail, the supposed tribulations of his revered commander.
He described how the Grand General often stayed up through the night drafting military orders and reviewing defense maps by candlelight until dawn, how the freezing winds of the northern frontier had grown so bitter that ink would freeze in the inkstone, yet the Grand General still rode the snowy fields daily to oversee drills personally.
“Just last month,” Yuan Xiang went on dramatically, “a patrol discovered traces of Northern Di troops near the border. The Grand General led a team to investigate himself. On the way back, a blizzard fell without warning, blocking the return path. We had no shelter in sight—only an abandoned cave to hide in. But, as fate would have it, a wild bear had taken refuge there first.”
At that, he lowered his voice, eyes widening for effect. “The beast was enormous—bigger than two horses combined! It lunged at us without warning, and the Grand General fought it head-on with only his saber! In the end, he slew the beast but took a deep wound across his arm. When we returned to camp days later, the Physician said the injury could have cost him his life!”
By the time Yuan Xiang finished his tale, even Ah Che and Xi’er were listening wide-eyed, their tea forgotten.
Chang Suining rested her chin on her hand, her eyes narrowing in quiet thought.
“Remarkable indeed,” she murmured at last.
For a moment, Yuan Xiang straightened with satisfaction—until her tone shifted, curious and musing. “Though, if it were me back then... perhaps I might have managed it too. But I’ve never slain a bear before, so I cannot say for certain.”
The poor soldier nearly coughed blood on the spot.
So much for sympathy—her fighting spirit had been roused instead!
He stared at her for a long moment, unsure whether to laugh or weep. Perhaps he had made the tale too vivid, and instead of stirring compassion, he had awakened a sense of competition.
As he wallowed in silent despair, Chang Suining’s calm voice broke through again, steady and clear. “Even so,” she said, “the Grand General must take care of his health. At such a critical time, should he fall ill, who else could hold the northern frontier?”
Yuan Xiang blinked, then exhaled in relief.
It was not the tender concern he had been ordered to provoke, but it was concern nonetheless—and for his commander, that was victory enough.
Composing himself quickly, he beamed. “Yes, yes, Young Miss speaks truly! I shall faithfully convey your words to the Grand General!”
Chang Suining inclined her head. “And when do you intend to return north?”
“Our mission here is complete,” Yuan Xiang replied. “The troops we escorted will set out for the northern border by tomorrow.”
She regarded him thoughtfully. “And you?”
He grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Before I left, the Grand General said—if the situation allows, I should stay behind to assist Young Miss!”
Then, as though to prove his worth, he began listing his qualifications with boyish enthusiasm.
“...I’ve served under the Grand General for many years. Whether on the battlefield or in the camp, I know every task inside and out! Even if I can’t be of much help, I can at least run errands for you, Young Miss!”
Truthfully, he would be more than happy to stay.
Partly, it was for the Grand General’s sake—someone had to safeguard his interests, or at least make his presence known in spirit.
But partly, it was also selfish. Whenever the Grand General involved himself with the affairs of the Chang family, Yuan Xiang always ended up being sent back and forth between north and south like a courier of fate. If he could stay, his legs might finally rest.
He clasped his hands before him, adopting the most obedient expression he could muster.
“Of course, it all depends on Young Miss’s wishes,” he said earnestly. “If you would have me stay, I shall stay. If you would have me return, I shall return!”
In collection
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