Chapter 1726: Granny Fang

 Chapter 1725: The Mi Family Clinic

 Chapter 264.2: That is His Highness’s Marksmanship

Fang, the senior instructor, blocked again.

After five or six exchanges, he was steadily pushed backward. He quickly realized that the girl seemed to anticipate his moves—every attack she launched suppressed any chance for him to counter, giving him no opportunity to strike back.

So… her earlier purely defensive stance had been to probe his sword techniques, mapping out his patterns?!

Everyone knows the saying, know yourself and know your enemy, but truly achieving that is no small feat—especially when the duel itself is already heart-stoppingly intense. How could one observe and analyze from a calm, detached standpoint? There was only one possibility:

The one “who knows the enemy” had a mind and skill far surpassing the person being tested.

This realization struck Fang like a bolt of lightning. As the girl’s attacks grew faster, he found himself retreating, his sword technique starting to falter under the pressure.

The spectators were astonished.

Unlike the mounted archery earlier, which involved circling the training ground, this duel was happening right in front of them. Even so, many couldn’t comprehend how the tide of battle had suddenly turned.

And it had all shifted within just a few moves!

Murmurs spread, and one deputy commander couldn’t help but exclaim: “…Such nimble and striking skill in such a young body!”

Sweat formed at Fang’s temples.

He could no longer remain purely defensive—he needed to break free from this predicament.

In a desperate move, he thrust a punch toward the girl’s forehead while blocking her horizontal strike.

Caught off guard, Chang Suining’s gaze sharpened and she tilted her head to evade.

Fang intended to seize this opening, but she was faster. With a single leap, she moved to his rear flank. Her horizontal sword swept from behind to strike across his chest, slicing through his robe!

Fang froze, staring down at the blade now resting before him. A chilling realization struck him—he had already lost.

“Senior Instructor Fang, my apologies.”

The girl withdrew her sword, flipping it to a reverse grip behind her, and stepped back.

For a moment, silence fell—then cheers erupted.

Xiao Min was stunned.

He had never doubted Miss Chang before, because he had witnessed her kill Li Yi. But this was the first time he saw her full skill in action.

In that instant, he suddenly understood General Chang’s calm demeanor.

He shifted from questioning General Chang to understanding him.

“The first match, second round—sword duel, Miss Chang wins!”

The first match consisted of three rounds. Having won two, only the spear duel remained. No matter the outcome, she had already won the first match.

“He just now broke the rules!” Ah Dian pointed at Fang. “This was a weapons duel, yet he threw a punch at her—he was in the wrong!”

Fang’s expression shifted.

“It doesn’t matter,” Chang Suining said. “The duel is with weapons, but weapons are wielded by a person. As long as one can overcome the opponent, it counts.”

Fang said nothing.

Chang Suining asked, “Shall we proceed to the final round, Senior Instructor Fang?”

“Fang, continue!” a senior instructor called out.

“Yes, continue!”

Many instructors echoed in agreement.

Although the first match’s victory was settled, to forgo the final round would be tantamount to admitting defeat.

Besides, compared to swordsmanship, spear technique was the senior instructors’ daily strength—Fang would not lose here.

Some instructors, prideful, scowled at the thought of a girl’s defiance, wishing they could take the field themselves.

Without a word, Fang took up the long spear, holding it upright at his side, fixing his gaze on Chang Suining.

She set aside her sword and picked up a spear in response.

This time, Fang said nothing and offered no warnings.

At the drumbeat, he lunged like a powerful, agile tiger.

Chu Xing, still recovering from his earlier amazement, watched Chang Suining’s movements closely. He had seen her spearplay before, when she practiced with her companion—then he marveled at her innate skill.

Now, her spear technique was refined and precise, but her strength was limited compared to Fang’s solid foundation, and subtle weaknesses began to appear.

Sure enough, during one evasion, Fang’s spear grazed her shoulder, piercing her robe.

“Well done, Old Fang!” called an instructor holding a wine jug.

Chang Suining glanced down at the tiny hole in her robe.

Fang did not attack recklessly but held his spear, watching her closely. “Do you wish to continue, Miss Chang?”

His tone was that of the assured victor.

“Until the target is struck, it’s not over,” she replied. “Again.”

Fang gripped the spear tightly, letting out a hoarse shout: “Good! Come!”

The moment he finished, the girl moved with sudden speed. Her spear whistled like the wind, and her technique shifted dramatically.

Had he not seen it himself, he would not have believed the spearplay before and now could come from the same person.

Earlier, her technique had been impressive yet conventional; now…

Fang blocked desperately and glimpsed the fierce martial energy in her eyes—like a deep abyss, a cold pool, containing infinite peril and silent killing intent.

She moved rapidly, hair streaming behind her. Her spear’s motion left afterimages in the firelight, resembling a golden dragon. Spear and wind merged, producing a sound like a dragon’s roar.

In that instant, everything else seemed to slow. Only the roar, only the image existed.

Then Ah Dian blurted in shock:

“This… this is His Highness’s spear technique!”

He grabbed Chang Kuo’s arm. “Uncle Chang, look! That’s His Highness’s technique, right?!”

Chang Kuo patted his hand gently, eyes fixed on the duel.

Spectators saw the girl wield the spear with one hand. Their spears clashed, but she did not rely on force. Instead, she spun and twisted her spear like a dragon, wrapping and encircling Fang’s weapon, inching ever closer with lightning speed.

Fang’s face froze in terror. He felt his spear beginning to crack, the fissure splitting into two, then more, as if the shaft might be shredded alive.

Under this tremendous impact, he forgot to react.

“Senior Instructor Fang!” an instructor shouted. “Watch out!”

The girl twisted her spear, no longer pressing forward, but deflecting Fang’s.

The spear fell to the ground.

Fang stared at the empty hands, still frozen in his stance.

The crowd fell silent.

Thud!

The girl recovered her spear, holding it by her side.

She had proven the instructors’ earlier mockery wrong—her body did not exceed the spear’s height, yet her skill surpassed all expectation.

Battle concluded.

This scene establishes Chang Suining’s emergence in the army, showing her tactical brilliance and martial talent in vivid detail.

 Chapter 264.1: That is His Highness’s Marksmanship

The arrows used by the competitors were identical, except for the fletching: one set remained the original white, while the other was dyed red for distinction.

The red arrows were Chang Suining’s choice—she picked them deliberately, hoping for a bit of luck on New Year’s Eve.

Everyone’s gaze followed the officer counting the arrows, scanning the row of fifty targets, trying to keep track. Soon, murmurs and exclamations of surprise rippled through the crowd.

“Hooray! Xiao Ah Li won!” Ah Dian raised both arms, cheering loudly.

A nearby instructor frowned: “They haven’t finished counting yet!”

—And here he was shouting nonsense!

He didn’t dare voice the latter part of his thought because of Ah Dian’s status. Even the first half, however, betrayed his agitation. If the outcome were obvious, he wouldn’t bother correcting a mentally unsteady child—let him shout all he wanted.

But since the targets made it difficult to discern a clear winner at a glance, the premature cheer unsettled and annoyed them.

On all fifty targets, two arrows were embedded—one white, one red—indicating that neither competitor had missed.

Looking closely, most arrows were tightly grouped; no target had arrows placed far apart.

And it was precisely in the rare cases where spacing differed that the winner could be determined…

After several checks, the officer overseeing the match announced loudly: “Instructor Fang hit the bullseye forty-seven times!”

Forty-seven!

The crowd buzzed with commentary.

The junior instructors who hadn’t managed to get to the front breathed a sigh of relief, speaking in tones of expectation: “I knew it—once Instructor Fang takes aim, he won’t miss!”

This match followed the strict standards used in senior instructor evaluations.

In ordinary shooting, Instructor Fang could reportedly hit all fifty targets. Even in mounted archery with obstacles, he rarely scored below forty-seven, missing no more than three.

Moreover, this was a nighttime match, which should have affected visibility—yet he hadn’t failed once. Truly formidable.

“Good,” Chang Kuo stroked his bristly beard, nodding appreciatively. “Observing the white arrows, nearly every shot pierced the bullseye. Instructor Fang’s arm strength is extraordinary.”

Hearing this praise, soldiers behind him whispered: “General Chang is indeed fair and generous…”

Though the victor was not his daughter, he did not hesitate to commend her opponent.

Fang, however, responded differently, bowing slightly: “General Chang overpraises me.”

Normally, such praise would be a coveted honor—but not this time.

He glanced at the targets once more. As the white arrows were removed, only the red arrows remained, now looking even more orderly and striking.

The instructors in front exchanged uneasy glances.

“Lady Chang hit all fifty targets!” the officer announced loudly.

—Fifty?

—Every single arrow hit the bullseye?!

The crowd erupted in astonishment.

“Truly?”

“How is that possible?!”

Soldiers pushed forward to get a better look.

At this point, victory or defeat didn’t matter; they wanted to see what fifty perfect bullseyes looked like!

Instructor Zhu’s face went pale—he couldn’t believe it either.

Fang had not missed, yet even so, he had still lost. The impossibility of the situation was staggering; no excuse could account for it.

“The first match, first round of mounted archery—Lady Chang wins!” the officer announced.

Fang’s face tightened, silent.

Under obstacle conditions and a strict time limit, missing was normal, let alone hitting every bullseye.

He had never before seen anyone strike fifty targets dead center.

This was a prodigy among prodigies, honed by diligent practice.

Losing to fifty arrows was not shameful.

But losing to a little girl…

“Xiao Ah Li won! We won! We won! Nyah nyah nyah…” Ah Dian made faces at the instructor who had scolded him earlier.

The instructor’s expression was priceless, his fists clenching.

Curiosity and skepticism stirred among the crowd. Under Chang Kuo’s direction, the officer had all fifty targets moved to an open area for everyone to view.

Many spectators hurried forward, while the next part of the match continued.

Soldiers brought forward weapon racks, holding two swords and two spears. The swords were the standard cross-blades of the Da Sheng army, and the spears were ordinary white-shafted, red-tasseled long spears.

Swords first, then spears.

The instructors composed themselves and watched intently.

Mounted archery was only one component of the first match. If Fang could win the sword and spear contests, he would not have lost the first match overall.

But that was yet to be determined.

While archery tested personal skill without interference, the following close-quarters events would magnify the differences in size and strength between the two. Fang’s advantage still lay ahead.

Both competitors picked up their weapons. Fang eyed the girl, still calm, and warned in a coarse voice: “Swords and spears have no mercy, Chang Suining. Be careful.”

Chang Suining saluted with her sword: “Understood.”

They faced each other, stepping back slightly.

The drumbeat sounded again.

Fang advanced with a commanding force, his sword striking with overwhelming power.

Chang Suining did not move or evade. She lifted her sword to block, and his force drove her backward five or six steps, kicking up sand and pebbles.

Using this as momentum, she sidestepped to redirect his attack.

Fang struck again; Chang Suining still did not retreat. This time she angled her blade to collide with his horizontally. A humming clang rang out as their swords clashed, firelight dancing across the blades, sparks flying—reflected in her eyes.

The crowd held its breath. Yuan Xiang, half-hidden behind Ah Dian, bit his lip nervously.

Even he had never felt this tense in battle!

Fang’s strikes were fierce; a single lapse could have resulted in disaster. Chang Suining, for the moment, seemed on the defensive.

It appeared that Fang controlled the offense while she blocked; the advantage seemed his.

Xiao Min noticed the situation and looked at Chang Kuo: “General Chang…”

But Chang Kuo, ever the father, reassured him: “No need to rush. It will be over soon.”

Xiao Min’s heart raced—what kind of “over” did he mean?

The atmosphere was taut.

When Chang Suining was last pushed back a few steps, she glanced at the nick in her blade, then at the relentless Fang advancing toward her. She said: “It’s my turn.”

Fang furrowed his brow. Before he could react, he attacked again.

This time, he lowered his sword, aiming at her midsection.

Like the wind, she moved, spinning to evade while simultaneously slicing from his side. The blade cut with a fierce precision, matching her sharp gaze.

This single move startled Fang. He raised his sword to block, but she did not engage in a forceful clash. Instead, she quickly redirected her strike toward another opening.

 Chapter 910: Hidden Truths and the Encounter with Rebirth (4)

There was another point to consider: the Mo family had no foundation in the capital, and it would be difficult for the County Princess to propose a marriage to a high-ranking family unless the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne soon, or if the newly appointed top scholar gained great favor. Otherwise, within the next three to five years, the Mo family would still be regarded as nothing in the eyes of true noble families. 

Thus, even though the marriage between the Cui and Mo families was not entirely a good match in terms of social standing, the County Princess’s identity could compensate for this, ensuring that neither side was seen as "climbing above" the other.

Hearing this, Cui Qingrou finally understood the old madam’s deep concern. She thought back to the past and felt a deep sadness in her heart.

If… if that person hadn’t intervened between her cousin and her third brother, if her cousin, little Seven’s mother, were still alive, if third brother hadn’t fallen so low, striving to protect little Seven, then her mother wouldn’t have to worry so much about little Seven’s marriage.

Seeing her daughter’s melancholic expression, the old madam gently wiped away the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief and comforted her, "Rou’er, don’t be sad. Mother’s health is still strong. I will still look for a good match for you, so there’s no need to worry about me."

Cui Qingrou didn’t want to upset her mother further, so she gradually stopped crying. "From now on, I’ll stay by your side and won’t go anywhere. If you find me annoying, I’ll try to avoid being in your way. But you can’t chase me out."

"You child…" The old madam tapped her daughter’s forehead helplessly. She couldn’t bear to chase her beloved daughter away, but she also didn’t want to see her remain alone forever. Still, knowing her daughter didn’t want to hear this, she chose not to continue and instead began considering suitable candidates for a match.

Worried that her mother might bring up old topics again, Cui Qingrou turned the conversation to her nephew, Cui Ping’an. "I saw little Seven looking down today. When I asked him, I found out he had another episode of sleepwalking last night. He was calling out a girl’s name all night long."

"A girl’s name?" The old madam was surprised. Little Seven had always had episodes of sleepwalking, likely dreaming about his time in the southern villa, unable to wake up. This time, though, he had called out a girl's name. It was something new.

Seeing her daughter’s troubled expression, the old madam’s heart sank slightly. "Rou’er, is there something you’re hiding from me?"

Cui Qingrou knew some things couldn’t remain hidden forever. Sooner or later, her mother would find out, so it might be better to tell her the truth now. Perhaps this would even help satisfy her poor nephew’s wishes.

Resolved, Cui Qingrou glanced at Hong Shang, who understood that this matter wasn’t for her to overhear. The young maid quickly bowed and said, "The kitchen has just finished making fresh lotus cakes. I will go check if they’re ready."

The old madam nodded slightly, allowing her to leave.

After the door was closed, Cui Qingrou finally spoke. "Little Seven got to know a girl from a tenant family while he was at the villa in the south. As you know, he lived there since he was five, so it was normal for him to find a couple of playmates. The tenant family had many children, but he played with that girl, who was two years younger than him. They’ve been together for years, and their bond is deep. Last night, little Seven was calling her name. I think the reason he wanted to return south was most likely for her."

The old madam’s face darkened as she listened, and after a long silence, she said, "In that case, send someone to the south to bring the girl back to take care of little Seven. Once he is married, we can send her back with a substantial dowry to return to her hometown. If she doesn’t want to go back, we’ll find her a suitable match in the capital as a reward for taking care of little Seven."

"But…" Cui Qingrou thought her mother had misunderstood and was about to speak, but the old madam interrupted her. "I understand what you’re going to say. But little Seven cannot marry the daughter of a tenant. His feelings for her are no more than that of a passing affection. Rou’er, do you understand?"

Cui Qingrou understood but didn’t agree with her mother’s approach. However, seeing the firmness in her mother’s expression, she knew there was no changing her mind. She suppressed her concerns and decided to let her nephew decide for himself.

Before leaving, she couldn’t help but offer one last piece of advice. "Mother, you know little Seven’s temperament. If you push too hard, he might hold a grudge. He has only just returned, so please consider his feelings more carefully."

The old madam pressed her lips together and didn’t respond, her expression growing colder. Whether she had listened or not was uncertain.

Cui Qingrou sighed inwardly, silently hoping that her nephew wouldn’t let his feelings for that girl cause his grandmother any grief.

Meanwhile, the old madam, lost in her thoughts, did not notice a small gray bird quietly land on the window. It flapped its wings and disappeared into the vast sky.

To the right of the old madam’s courtyard, there was a small, exquisite garden. Tall maple trees grew there, and the sunlight filtered through their layered leaves, casting scattered spots of light on the ground. Beneath the trees sat a delicate-looking young man in white, his appearance strikingly handsome.

At that moment, the young man, weak and frail, leaned against a bamboo couch, ignoring his personal servant, Can Dou, who was standing beside him. His brows furrowed deeply as he puzzled over something: In his past life, his grandmother had arranged a marriage with his maternal cousin’s daughter. But this time, he couldn’t understand where this County Princess had come from. Had his memories gone wrong?

[End of Chapter]   

 Chapter 909: Hidden Truths and the Encounter with Rebirth (3)

The old madam, Cui, was pleased to hear her grandson’s praises. However, a thought seemed to darken her mood, and the smile on her face faded: “It’s also my fault as his grandmother. I left him alone in the southern villa, rarely seeing him. He finally comes home, but…” Her voice trailed off, and she sighed. “This time, I must find him a good match. I cannot let him go back again.”

Hong Shang, aware of the old madam’s lingering worries, kept silent. As a servant, it was not her place to offer advice.

Just then, a woman in her thirties, elegantly dressed, entered the room. She exuded a noble aura, her features were delicate, and the gentle and serene expression in her eyes was captivating.

This woman was the aunt of the seventh master, Cui Ping'an’s aunt—Cui Qingrou. She was the youngest daughter of the old madam, married at eighteen to the Min family from the south, a family with a centuries-old reputation. Unfortunately, she had been unable to conceive after ten years of marriage.

Not wanting to endure her in-laws’ contempt or watch her husband continue to take concubines, she left the Min family, taking her dowry with her, and returned to the capital with her nephew, Cui Ping'an, whom the Min family had refused to take back.

In the Cui family, only she and Cui Ping'an could enter the old madam’s courtyard without prior notice.

“Daughter pays her respects to mother!” Cui Qingrou stepped forward and greeted the old madam with a bow. Her voice, like her demeanor, was soft and gentle, bringing a sense of calm and peace to those around her.

“You child, I’ve told you many times, no need for formalities here with me,” the old madam said, scolding her lightly but smiling warmly, gesturing for her to sit by her side.

Hong Shang quickly fetched a chair and placed it in front of the old madam.

Cui Qingrou smiled and gracefully took a seat. After asking about her mother’s well-being, she softly inquired, “Mother, I heard that you sent a matchmaker to the Mo family to propose a marriage for little Seven. Has the proposal been successful?”

The old madam’s eyes flashed with an unreadable expression as she shook her head. “The Mo family refused.”

Cui Qingrou was momentarily stunned. Someone had actually rejected a marriage proposal from the Cui family?

“Surprised?” the old madam asked with a faint smile. “I was surprised too.”

Cui Qingrou hesitated, sensing something deeper in her mother’s words, and said cautiously, “Perhaps we didn’t show enough respect. Maybe we should send someone of higher status to accompany the matchmaker next time, to show more sincerity.”

“You think I didn’t think of that?” The old madam replied in a neutral tone but with a hint of satisfaction. “If the Mo family had agreed under such circumstances, they would have been the kind of family looking to climb higher by marrying into ours. What kind of girls would be raised by such families? I didn’t expect the Mo family to reject the match for that reason. It doesn’t seem like they’re deliberately being difficult. Let’s see how it goes. If she is a good match, we will try again next time and settle the marriage for little Seven.”

The Mo family’s rejection, based on their genuine assessment of their status, actually caused the old madam to respect them more. This only strengthened her resolve to pursue the marriage.

Cui Qingrou, now understanding her mother’s deeper reasoning, couldn’t help but ask, “Since you are concerned about this, why not select a bride from a higher-ranking family for little Seven?”

The old madam sighed, her expression dimming for a moment. “Do you think I don’t want that? But little Seven is an illegitimate son, and there’s someone above him who stands in his way. Do you really think anyone would want to marry their legitimate daughter to him? As for the illegitimate daughters… they’re not without merit, but their status is still lacking. That person might not hesitate to mistreat such a daughter-in-law, which would harm little Seven. How could someone like that truly care for him? The Mo family’s daughter, though of humble birth, is low-key in the capital. But she’s a county princess, bestowed by the Emperor himself, and her father is closely connected with the crown Prince and the Marquis of Wu’an. As long as she doesn’t make foolish mistakes, she has the best protection. Even that person would have to consider her status and would dare not be too excessive. On a personal level, I also hope that little Seven marries someone of noble status, so that others will respect him. One day, I will grow old, and I can’t protect him forever.”

[End of Chapter]

 Chapter 1724: Acting Separately