Chapter 262.2: Only Seeking a Defeat

After a brief moment of surprise, he asked, “I dare to inquire, Lady Chang, there are rumors in the army that Commander Xiao and Deputy Commander Chang intend to appoint you as General Instructor. May I ask if this is true?”

Chang Suining nodded openly. “Though it has not been formally decided, such a plan does exist.”

The camp around them was noisy, and the soldiers’ reactions varied—so the rumor was indeed true! A seventeen-year-old girl was to become General Instructor for the entire army?

If word got out… this would be unprecedented, and it was uncertain how much ridicule it might invite.

“Then we naturally do not submit!” Instructor Zhu said. “With over 170,000 soldiers in the army, it is not enough that you silence me alone today, Lady Chang; all must be made to submit!”

Chang Suining nodded compliantly. “Reasonable. That is indeed how it must be. To consolidate the army’s spirit, if I cannot win obedience, then I am unfit to take this position.”

Instructor Zhu frowned. This young girl seemed remarkably perceptive, able to distinguish what was important from what was trivial.

Naturally, Chang Suining understood, which was why she had come here.

Though her appointment had not yet been made public, discontent could already be anticipated. Many still doubted her slaying of Ge Zong and Li Yi, and most attributed her current position solely to her being Chang Kuo’s daughter.

The army, however, was different. Far from the intrigues of the capital, birthright mattered less here. Battle and bloodshed revealed the truest nature of men; strength and victory commanded obedience.

In her previous life, entering the camp as a prince, she faced countless doubts, scorn, and subtle mockery. Now, as Chang Suining—a woman—she would be scrutinized all the more.

If the soldiers were to accept her solely for killing Ge Zong and Li Yi, and otherwise harbor no doubt, that would be unrealistic.

Earlier, Ah Che and the others had reported the murmurs of discontent to her. Xi’er was angered on her behalf, telling her not to stoop to such petty concerns. Yet Chang Suining could not ignore them.

Private gossip today could become internal strife or insubordination tomorrow. If spies or ill-intentioned individuals lurked within, it could fracture the army.

An army divided could achieve nothing.

Chang Suining swept her gaze over the crowd and asked loudly, “May I inquire, gentlemen, what conditions must I meet to be worthy of the position of General Instructor? Must it be based on ability and talent, or is it because I am not a man?”

The question was deliberate.

A self-respecting man, when faced with such a challenge, rarely admitted outright that gender bias alone could invalidate the other. To do so would appear petty and evasive.

Regardless of their thoughts, for the sake of pride and dignity, they would answer, “Of course it is the former!”

“Indeed!”

“We do not underestimate Lady Chang. But the post of General Instructor is no trivial matter. This is about principle, not person.”

Chang Suining nodded and began: “Then let us first discuss qualifications. In terms of time served in the army, I cannot compare to you.”

“However, qualifications are not measured merely by time, but by experience and achievements.”

The girl looked at them calmly. “I have experience defending Hezhou, and I have killed enemies in battle. Ge Zong was slain by me; the Chuzhou crisis I resolved; Li Yi was captured and executed by my command—these are my achievements. In terms of these, none of you surpass me.”

The crowd was silent, faces complicated. Many had accompanied Li Yi or stayed in garrison, marching or traveling, and had never faced true combat.

The crisp voice continued: “The battlefield differs from the bureaucracy. Military promotion differs from civil service. Historically, low-ranking soldiers who killed enemy officers were often rewarded with ranks. My battlefield merits, whether some deem them lucky or not, suffice for a fifth-rank general and the post of General Instructor.”

Her youthful vigor shone in her eyes as she spoke.

“Now, regarding ability. Do any of you know why there was no General Instructor previously, yet now I am appointed?”

The men looked at her, waiting.

From the moment she arrived, her words had been courteous. She presented her achievements confidently, but without arrogance.

Yet her next words immediately changed the mood.

“Because, under your training, this army of 170,000 is like withered wood—unfit for real battle.”

She spoke with a faint smile, yet it only provoked more anger.

Instructor Fang, sitting by the fire and previously ignoring her, finally turned, eyes burning with suppressed fury.

Chang Suining met his gaze: “That is why I am needed for training.”

One instructor could no longer contain himself, sneering: “Though Lady Chang is young and slight, her words are audacious!”

“Does Lady Chang mean to say we are all nothing but drunkards and gluttons?!”

“Lady Chang, mere talk cannot train soldiers! I have long heard of Lady Chang’s ‘renown.’ Today, may we have the honor to witness it? May we spar a few moves?”

Chang Suining neither confirmed nor denied, smiling slightly at Instructor Fang: “I would rather spar with you, Instructor Fang. Are you willing?”

The crowd erupted in surprise and chatter. Some were astonished; others thought it a great joke.

Instructor Fang looked into her smiling eyes and, after a moment, put down his wine jug and stood.

He was dark-complexioned, under seven feet tall, broad-shouldered, with thick limbs and a slightly protruding belly—not flabby, but solid muscle under fat. Experienced fighters knew this body offered both defense and power; he was a formidable opponent. His stance alone signaled stability and resistance.

He stood, exuding authority and a strikingly aggressive presence, far beyond the other junior instructors.

Finally, he spoke to her, voice rough as if sanded: “Lady Chang, you wish to spar with me?”

“Yes.” Chang Suining raised her hand. “I, Chang Suining, humbly request your guidance, Instructor Fang.”

Fang regarded the seemingly reckless girl: “On New Year’s Eve, bloodshed or injury would be unlucky.”

Chang Suining smiled: “No matter. I shall exercise proper control and pay heed to force.”

The crowd paused, then a wave of discontent erupted.

This girl spoke politely, yet treated no one with deference!

Even Instructor Fang’s expression darkened: “Lady Chang, do you not know that arrogant soldiers meet defeat?”

“I am inexperienced, yet have never been defeated,” she replied, raising her hand once more, posture straight: “Today, I only seek a defeat. Please instruct me.”

Fang inwardly scoffed, narrowed his eyes, and raised his large, coarse hand: “So be it. Respectfully, I will comply.”

 Chapter 262.1: Only Seeking a Defeat

Chang Kuo was strict in his military discipline. Since Li Yi’s death, Xiao Min had taken over command and, together with Chang Kuo, reorganized the army. The previous laxity had been swept away, and much of the army adopted the discipline of the Xuanzhe Army, greatly improving morale.

In the days before the New Year, they had faced several bands of rebel forces under Xu Zhengye and won all three engagements, boosting the soldiers’ spirits.

Today, the army permitted the soldiers to drink. On one hand, it was a feast to celebrate victory; on the other, it was New Year’s Eve, a time to ease the soldiers’ homesickness.

Victory and strong liquor combined to create a rousing, exhilarating atmosphere, which also led some to vent long-suppressed grievances.

In front of several bonfires, men sat or stood in clusters. Judging by their attire, most held ranks—either as company commanders or platoon leaders. At the center of attention was a man in his forties.

“...How can the responsibility for training the entire camp be handed to a young girl? What sort of reasoning is that? I’ve never heard of such a thing!”

“Our units normally have training overseen by various instructors. Now suddenly everything has to follow her orders? Previously, only the commander and deputy commander had this authority. And now she’s stepping in? How is that justified?”

“I heard that Commander Xiao and Deputy Commander Chang plan to create a position of General Instructor for her...”

“General Instructor?! There has never been such a post in our army!” One company commander, shocked and dissatisfied, asked the man by the fire, “Instructor Fang, are you aware of this?”

Instructor Fang led the instructors of one army unit—twenty-five thousand men. Positions like his were rare in the seventeen-thousand-strong army: only seven such posts existed, carrying considerable weight and experience.

Each army unit was subdivided into camps, each camp into battalions, each battalion with two hundred men and a junior instructor. Major training exercises were normally directed by the army commander. Under Li Yi, the post of General Instructor had never existed.

Yet now, this young girl was to serve as the General Instructor for the entire army?

Instructor Fang sipped his wine and, with a hoarse voice, said, “Who gave her this authority? She killed Ge Zong and Li Yi, and her fame has spread. And, coincidentally, her surname is Chang.”

“No matter what, she’s just a novice! What qualifications does she have to train the army?”

“Exactly. Training is the most important matter. Not anyone can give arbitrary orders. Soldiers go to the battlefield; if trained improperly, they risk their lives!”

“General Chang cherishes his daughter as his own life; we can’t speak on that. But this is the army...”

“Besides, who even saw her kill Ge Zong and Li Yi? How do we know it wasn’t exaggeration? Her body is smaller than my spear!”

“Exactly. Tomorrow, if she stands on the training platform, can she truly command the soldiers?”

“With arrangements like this, I do not submit!”

Their voices were loud enough to attract more listeners, and those who hadn’t gathered near began whispering.

Just after midnight, while the camp distributed dumplings, Jiang Cai carried two large buckets of freshly boiled dumplings and heard one instructor speaking disrespectfully to Chang Suining. She immediately slammed the buckets down with a “bang”: “How dare you speak!”

The instructor recognized her as one of Chang Suining’s female attendants, but instead of being intimidated, he scoffed: “The brothers only speak the truth!” He even tried a patronizing tone: “Women should stay at home, sewing and bearing children. Fighting and killing is beyond your ability. Overreaching will only get you killed!”

Jiang Cai mimicked his tone mockingly: “People like you, short-sighted and blabbering nonsense, should sew your mouths shut. Your chatter makes you sound like a frog in a well, croaking away, and only earns others’ ridicule!”

The instructor’s face turned red and black: “Women are truly unreasonable!”

Jiang Cai exclaimed: “You were hiding behind others gossiping, yet now I catch you and it’s unreasonable for me? You…”

“You what?” she interrupted, hands on hips. “Our Lady Chang can kill enemies and train troops! Back in Hezhou, she raised forty thousand new recruits from a city of civilians, training them in only five days! With paper armor and iron weapons, following her formations, they repelled Xu Zhengye’s hundred-thousand-strong army!”

“This I witnessed personally. You may choose not to believe it, but spreading whispers and inciting conflict behind our backs—what sort of heroes are you?”

Feeling all eyes upon him, the man, embarrassed and drunk, began speaking recklessly: “There has never been a precedent of women training troops as a General Instructor! This is an ancestral tradition! And she’s only sixteen!”

“No.”

A crisp dissenting voice spoke. The crowd parted to let a girl with a rat-fur-lined cloak approach.

Instructor Fang glanced at her, then returned to his drink.

“Speaking of traditions, I too am something handed down by my ancestors.” The girl, hair in a ponytail, walked in with her hands behind her back. Her face was calm, even smiling—after all, it was New Year, a time for harmony.

She asked politely: “If all ancestral traditions have reasoning, then surely my being older is also reasonable, isn’t it?”

Who isn’t a treasure left by the ancestors?

The instructor’s face flickered with confusion.

The girl continued: “Also, I am not a sixteen-year-old girl. New Year has passed; I am seventeen.”

Seeing her confidence, the instructor dared not speak further. Yet under so many eyes, he could not deny her, and mustered the courage to say: “Since Lady Chang is here, then we shall speak frankly!”

Chang Suining replied: “Please, Instructor, speak freely. I am willing to hear the full details.”

The instructor’s expression stiffened, somewhat surprised. He was only a junior instructor in charge of two hundred men, and had met Lady Chang just once before. Yet she remembered his surname? He considered himself neither handsome nor exceptional.

Ps. From now on I'll be using Jiang Cai instead of Jucai or Jicai

 Chapter 906: The Matchmaker Comes to the Door (4)

Mo Yan nodded quickly. “Don’t worry, Father. I won’t do anything rash.” She would only torment the two women from the Zhao family to no end.

Seeing his daughter acting so innocent and obedient, Mo Qingze did not detect the underlying "wickedness" in her actions. He said, “Then we’ll leave it at that for now. If anything comes up, I’ll write you a letter!”

Speaking of letters, he was reminded of the clever mynah bird. Clearing his throat, slightly awkward, he added, “That mynah bird is quite good. If you can train another one, I’ll keep this one to myself.”

“Ah, you want it?” Mo Yan was a little surprised. But then, thinking that her father was alone in the top scholar's residence and might not have much to talk about with Uncle Sun and Aunt Sun, keeping a bird could be a good way to pass the time. She added, “It depends on whether the bird agrees. Please wait here, I’ll call it over.”

She then called the mynah bird, which was perched on a tree branch in the backyard, into the hall. The other dozen or so birds followed suit, eager to join in.

Mo Qingze stared blankly at the many birds in front of him, their curious eyes fixed on him. He felt the need to have a serious conversation with his daughter.

“Yan’er, did you train all these birds in such a short time?” Mo Qingze asked with difficulty, knowing that just ten days ago, there hadn’t been a single bird in the house.

“Yes, I’ve raised them in this short time!” Mo Yan smiled proudly. “I didn’t expect that not only Xiao Hua and the others, but even these little guys are charmed by me.”

“Has anyone else found out about this?” Mo Qingze ignored his daughter’s shamelessness and asked seriously. He wasn’t concerned with how she trained the birds but worried that her actions might bring trouble. Taming fierce beasts had already been astonishing enough. If she could easily tame birds as well, was she even human?

Mo Yan understood her father’s concerns and shook her head. “Only Father and I know. Even Xin'er and the others think the birds just came here to eat and drink.”

While people have tamed birds for various purposes, it takes more than ten days to accomplish what Mo Yan had. For instance, Maomao, being highly intelligent, was tamed by its owner soon after birth, but it took three years for it to only relay messages, and another five years for it to be fully accurate.

Mo Qingze sighed in relief but then admonished her seriously. “I know you have abilities that others don’t, and that’s a good thing. But if someone with ill intentions finds out, it could bring you trouble. You must be cautious and never speak of it.”

Three years ago, during their escape, Mo Yan had a knack for finding food, which had already made Mo Qingze suspicious. Later, more clues led him to confirm that she had abilities beyond ordinary people’s. Though he didn’t know exactly what those abilities were, he understood that if anyone found out, he wouldn’t be able to protect her. For that reason, he never asked about it, fearing that his accidental slip of the tongue might bring trouble to Mo Yan.

The taming of fierce beasts could be explained away as them having a spirit that formed a bond through mutual understanding. But taming birds in such a short time was harder to explain.

Mo Yan, sensing her father's worries, felt warmth in her heart. She said seriously, “Father, I understand the importance of discretion. I only let my guard down in front of you. If it were anyone else, I would be much more cautious.”

Mo Qingze also understood that some things had already been revealed to him three years ago, and since he knew that he would never harm her, Mo Yan had been more open this time, not hiding the taming of the birds.

Looking into his daughter's trusting eyes, Mo Qingze felt his heart soften. He gently stroked her head and sighed, “I don’t ask what your abilities are, but you must never speak of them to anyone, including your future husband or your children, do you understand?”

Mo Yan nodded earnestly. “Father, I understand.”

Mo Qingze’s expression softened, and he patted her shoulder. He then turned his attention to the birds in front of him. Although there were three mynah birds, he quickly identified the one that had previously delivered a message. He reached out his hand toward it.

Recognizing him as the one who had delivered the message earlier, the mynah flew obediently onto his hand, chirping happily with its bright yellow beak.

Although it was pleased to know that it would be kept by Mo Qingze, it had agreed to deliver messages primarily because of the tempting food in Mo Yan’s space. It wasn’t as eager to follow Mo Qingze now.

Mo Yan, understanding the little glutton's thoughts, made an arrangement with it. When her father went to the government office, it could come back to enjoy the delicious food.

The little bird was happy with the arrangement and agreed.

One of the parrots, fond of excitement but lazy and gluttonous, usually stayed in the tree unless it was hungry. Now, seeing that it didn’t have to fly and could go to the city to watch the hustle and bustle, it eagerly hopped onto Mo Qingze’s thoughts, squawking loudly, “Go, go, master, master!”

Startled by the parrot speaking, Mo Qingze’s hand shook, nearly dropping the mynah.

The parrot’s loud squawking made Mo Qingze’s ears ring. He quickly grabbed the noisy bird and curiously examined it. When he realized it could speak human language, he found it amusing and decided to keep it in the top scholar's residence to keep the mynah company.

Mo Yan didn’t hesitate to agree. The parrot was a chatterbox and constantly squawked in her ear. It had nearly driven her to the point of exhaustion, and she was glad someone else would take it.

[End of Chapter]

 Chapter 905: The Matchmaker Comes to the Door (3)

“Too much! This is absolutely too much!” Inside the room, Mo Qingze was seething with anger, raising his hand to throw a cup. This was the first time he had ever lost his temper like this.

Mo Yan looked at the intact set of white porcelain cups, now missing one, and felt distressed. When she saw her father reaching for a second cup, she quickly stepped forward to stop him. “Father, why ruin your own things because of someone else’s mistakes! Those two women will eventually get their comeuppance. Let them vent your frustrations, but don’t let yourself get worked up…”

After some coaxing from Mo Yan, Mo Qingze finally calmed down. Looking at his daughter, who was smiling, he narrowed his eyes and said, “How can you still smile after hearing that about the Cui family?”

Mo Yan immediately stopped smiling and put on a pitiful expression. “Then what should we do?”

Seeing this, Mo Qingze sharply flicked his daughter on the forehead. “You have no sense of propriety!”

Mo Yan rubbed her forehead and grinned. “Propriety is for outsiders. Why should I bother with it in front of you?”

Hearing this, Mo Qingze's bad mood was instantly lifted. He helplessly patted his daughter's forehead. “You…”  

Mo Yan laughed, relieved that her father was no longer angry. Then, she got to the point. “The matchmaker from the Cui family is here because they want to marry off one of their illegitimate grandsons. In such a family, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is paramount. The fact that the old lady of the Cui family is taking an interest in this grandson and personally arranging his marriage shows that his status is not ordinary. This means the marriage proposal won’t be treated lightly. At the very least, the bride must come from a noble family, yet the Cui old lady has set her sights on us! Although I am a County Princess and you are a newly appointed top scholar, we come from humble origins. The old lady of the Cui family should have overlooked me. There must be some reason we don’t know. If we can figure it out, perhaps we can avoid making an enemy of the Cui family!”

Earlier, when dealing with the matchmaker, Mo Yan had said she was unworthy of the Cui family’s attention. However, that statement likely came across as dismissive to the Cui family, who might have taken it as a casual excuse. It could be interpreted as a form of disrespect toward the Cui family, which would be a grave mistake.

The Cui family, after all, was a deeply rooted, prestigious family. They wouldn’t tolerate such a slight. Although they might not make a scene in public, no one knew what kind of subtle traps they might set behind the scenes. After all, Mo Qingze was a government official, and the Cui family had many influential figures in the capital!

Mo Yan had no personal conflict with the Cui family, and she didn’t want to make an enemy out of such a powerful force. While she spoke lightly, she was deeply concerned about the potential consequences.

Mo Qingze, who was still puzzled, considered what his daughter had said. He had just entered the official world, but he was already aware of the Cui family's power. Many officials with the surname Cui served in the capital, but most held lower ranks, with the highest being at the third rank. However, there were so many of them that when someone shouted "Lord Cui" during the early court session, several officials would turn their heads.

Furthermore, the Cui family had been entrenched in the capital for many years and had numerous complex relationships with high-ranking officials. Almost every government department had some connection, either direct or indirect, to the Cui family, and some of their younger members even served in local offices.

If the Cui family’s officials ever united, their influence on the imperial court would be formidable. Of course, the reason the Cui family had lasted for centuries was partly due to their prudence. They never used their power recklessly or disrupted the governance. If they had, the current emperor would not have tolerated it. As for the inner workings of the Cui family’s household, Mo Qingze was completely in the dark.

Mo Qingze did not want to make an enemy out of such a powerful family either. After some thought, he said, “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the government office to investigate the matter and find out the cause. Until then, don’t take any rash actions. Don’t provoke the Zhao family’s two women either.”

[End of Chapter]  

 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.