Chapter 261.2: “Hello Chang'an
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!
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