Chapter 144: Hello Chang’an
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Chapter 144: The Best Candidate for Crown Princess
March 19, 2023, Author: Fei 10
After a moment, he saw a crimson figure emerge from the bamboo courtyard, accompanied by a maid.
As soon as the girl stepped out of the courtyard, her gaze searched, and she quickly spotted him.
The autumn afternoon sunlight was almost transparent gold, with occasional winds stirring the ginkgo trees, their leaves swaying softly. The light danced in the air, creating a shimmering effect across the scene.
The moment their eyes met, the girl smiled. It was as if the surrounding world, though serene and still, had suddenly blossomed, akin to the shifting light in the wind.
In an instant, Cui Jing felt an unfamiliar sense of helplessness stir within him. His face remained composed, but instinctively, he tightened his grip on the hand behind his back that held the white chess piece.
When he regained his composure, Chang Suining had already approached him, smiling knowingly, "So, General Cui, you’ve come here as well. How coincidental."
Earlier, Cui Lang had casually mentioned that his elder brother was outside, and as her friend, she felt it wasn’t right to ignore him. She decided to come out and say hello.
Cui Jing, holding the piece, felt a strange sense of guilt that he couldn’t quite understand. To cover it up, he casually remarked, "I didn’t expect your chess skills to be this good."
"Did General Cui see the whole thing?" Chang Suining asked.
Cui Jing nodded and gestured toward the half-open window on the second floor. Chang Suining followed his gaze and understood immediately.
"Then, what did you think, General Cui?" she teased. "Not only is my chess good, but my manners are decent too, don’t you think?"
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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As she spoke, she casually sat down at the stone table and motioned for him to join her.
Her movements were natural, and by the time Cui Jing snapped out of his daze, he was already sitting across from her.
He realized something was off with him today, but he guessed it was because… more and more secrets seemed to be surrounding her.
As usual, he reminded himself not to pry too much. He followed her earlier question, responding, "Your manners are indeed quite good. You even treated your opponent with considerable tolerance."
"I’ve read his writings," Chang Suining said sincerely. "He’s a man of true talent. I’ve always respected those with skills. And who knows, such a person might rise one day. It’s better to leave some space for them to act, so why not build a good relationship?"
Song Xian wasn’t a bad person at heart, even if his personality wasn’t the most likable. After all, not everyone in the world was born to be liked. It didn’t matter if they had flaws as long as their strengths were more prominent.
For capable people, she was always willing to tolerate their flaws within reason.
Of course, it was also true that she liked to make good connections.
Hearing her speak of "building good relationships," Cui Jing glanced again at the winding chessboard, then asked, "Was it also to give your opponent some face when you initially said you wouldn’t compete in painting and calligraphy?"
"Ah..." Chang Suining looked around and, seeing no one, answered him quietly, "It was to give myself some face."
Cui Jing looked up at her.
"There’s one thing I’m not good at," she smiled, being very honest. "My poetry is terrible."
"..." Cui Jing was silent for a moment before saying, "So, you mentioned not wanting to compete in painting, calligraphy, and archery, and claimed victory was unfair, all to get him to give up on challenging you to a poetry contest?"
Chang Suining nodded, "Yes."
This way, she could maintain her manners and win at the same time.
Cui Jing chuckled softly, "Meeting you is truly his fortune."
Chang Suining sighed, "He should be grateful."
A faint smile played on the corners of Cui Jing's mouth.
"A person of his background, rising to this point at such a young age, is indeed rare," Chang Suining said, looking at the western sky where the sun was setting. "I hope that next year, he’ll get what he deserves in the imperial exam."
Cui Jing looked at the sunset with her. "He will."
The Holy Emperor was resolute in her reforms to the imperial examination system. Next year’s spring exam, overseen by Grand Tutor Zhu, would be the most fair in history for these scholars from poor backgrounds.
"Yes... it would be best if we could have a top scholar this time," the young woman continued. "Though I don’t participate in the exams, if the top scholar happens to be one of my subordinates, rumors might spread that he’s my student—wouldn’t that be more glorious than if I had won the title myself?"
Cui Jing laughed softly, "In that case, you would gain fame once more."
"Exactly," Chang Suining smiled at him. "After all, I can’t let this game be for nothing."
Cui Jing nodded thoughtfully, then said seriously, "But you mustn’t let that Song scholar hear this—"
"Why?" she asked.
Cui Jing said seriously, "If he ever finds out you’re plotting this, the first thing he’ll probably do when he gets back is burn every book he owns. He’d rather not take the exam than give you an advantage."
Chang Suining chuckled and said with a touch of amusement, "Oh, that sounds like something he would do... You’d better keep this a secret for me."
"Of course," Cui Jing replied, then suggested, "How about we exchange a game of chess for it?"
He really wanted to play another game with her.
Chang Suining readily agreed, "Sure."
"There's no rush," Cui Jing said. "Today is your ‘Society’ banquet, so let’s play when you have time. We can keep the promise then."
Unlike him, who had no other friends, she was always busy and had many people to attend to, much like the five-colored strings from the Dragon Boat Festival.
"Then I’ll wait for whenever you’re free," she replied.
As she spoke, her gaze fell back on the chessboard, and she suddenly said, "Why is there one less piece here?"
Cui Jing's brow twitched, following her gaze, "Is there?"
Chang Suining confidently pointed to the spot where the last move had been made. "There’s a white piece missing right here."
Cui Jing was speechless.
Was her observation really this sharp?
He tried to sound natural as he explained, "Earlier, one of the attendants came by to take the chessboard away. It must have been when it was moved."
It wasn’t exactly a lie—he had only told part of the story. But why would one piece be worth hiding?
When Cui Lang had spoken earlier, he could have just placed the piece back without hesitation. That would have been the normal reaction, wouldn’t it?
So, what was he doing now?
Cui Jing felt confused. Glancing over at his subordinate, Cui Yuanxiang, standing nearby, he couldn’t help but wonder: Could it be that he had been influenced by Cui Yuanxiang’s strange ideas?
Noticing his superior’s gaze, Cui Yuanxiang felt puzzled.
Behind the moon gate leading to the bamboo courtyard, the boy in the pink robe whispered, "Did you see? My master and eldest brother are sitting and talking!"
The attendant, Yi Hu, nodded repeatedly. "I saw, I saw..."
Why did his lord insist on forcing his head and eyes to look?
"Make sure you remember to tell mother later!" Cui Lang insisted, making Yi Hu look again. "This is my credit!"
"Yes, yes..." Yi Hu muttered.
A sudden look of deep emotion appeared on Cui Lang’s face. "Don’t worry about whether it will succeed. I’m doing my best for Mother. I’ve endured so much hardship for this family, suffered countless slights... Cui Lang, this family would fall apart without you."
With that, he turned and waved his sleeve with an air of finality. "Alright, let’s go."
Chang Suining didn’t stay long with Cui Jing either. As she got up, they agreed to play chess together another day.
Cui Jing watched her return to the bamboo courtyard before he left the music house. He told Cui Yuanxiang to pay extra for the tea before heading out.
As he mounted his horse, the young man thoughtfully placed the chess piece back into his chest pocket, making sure it was secure.
The young man spurred his horse onward, quickly disappearing down the long street.
As the setting sun sank lower in the sky, in the Dengtai Tower, a person stood silently for a long time, gazing at the famous "Mountain Tiger" painting.
The four words "famous" had once sounded somewhat ironic to him, but now...
People moved around him, some there to view the painting, others to enjoy their meals. But none of that mattered to him. His focus remained entirely on the painting hanging high in the tower.
His face was calm, but inside, his heart never settled.
As the lights began to flicker on in the building, signaling the approach of curfew and the end of business for the night, the attendants began preparing to close the establishment.
Yet, the young man, who had been standing there for half the day, was still there, now sitting on the floor. Upon hearing this, Meng Lie did not order the attendants to ask the man to leave, instead instructing, "Leave a lamp on for him tonight."
Although it had only been half a day, the news of the scholar Song losing the chess match had already spread.
"Speaking of it, this girl from the General Chang’s house..." Meng Lie squinted, his eyes narrowing. "She’s really a completely different person from before."
The Shopkeeper, who was tallying the accounts, smiled and said, "But you’ve rarely seen her before, have you, Master?"
"Exactly," Meng Lie sighed, looking up at the painting hanging on the second floor. "But now, almost every day, I hear something about her."
In the capital, every day brought new events. To be remembered and constantly talked about wasn’t something easily achieved.
"That’s because you spent four thousand taels to buy this painting and hang it in our tavern," the Shopkeeper said with a smile. "Who sees that painting without mentioning the artist?"
Meng Lie felt a sharp pain in his chest.
His four thousand taels!
"No, it's His Highness's four thousand taels!"
If His Highness were still here, learning of this, he would surely feel pain, and he would certainly scold him for not protecting the family business properly! Meng Lie cursed the old rascal Chang Kuo inwardly once more.
Not long after, he returned to the back courtyard and entered his bedroom.
He had no children, and although he had another residence in the capital, he spent most of his time here.
Only a single gauze lamp was lit in the room. Meng Lie walked to the back of the bed, turned the mechanism in the hidden compartment in the wall, and retrieved a box that had been stored inside.
Opening the wooden box, inside was only half of a medallion.
Meng Lie picked up the half medallion; it was cold and heavy.
When His Highness had left many years ago, he had left this item with him, saying that if there were any matters to assign him, someone would come with the other half of the medallion to meet him.
Was it just meant to give him something to think about? He preferred not to entertain this possibility.
"Your Highness, it’s been over ten years…" he sighed. In the dim light, the lines around his eyes had grown more pronounced with each passing year. "If there are no further orders, I’ll soon be getting old."
In his lifetime, would he ever have the chance to see the other half of the medallion?
The night breeze brushed against the window, leaving a silent stillness behind.
As a crescent moon rose higher in the sky, the fragrance of osmanthus flowers filled the capital, marking the arrival of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
With it came the long-anticipated Mid-Autumn flower banquet.
Aside from admiring chrysanthemums and osmanthus, it was also a perfect time for lotus viewing.
This year's flower banquet was held in the lotus garden on the outskirts of the capital.
The banquet started on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival and would last for three days. Every family that received an invitation had to bring their eligible daughters to the lotus garden.
By the time Chang Suining and her father and brothers arrived at the garden, it was already afternoon.
The crisp autumn air, the pleasant scenery, and the blooming lotus flowers made it an ideal place for sightseeing.
But everyone knew, no one came to this garden for the view.
Every year, on Mid-Autumn, the Emperor would host a banquet for the officials, and today’s banquet was for the ministers, with the ladies only accompanying them. Tomorrow’s flower banquet would be the day for the young women to show themselves.
Thus, the ladies’ table cleared out earlier, as they needed to prepare for the next day’s event.
After leaving the banquet, Chang Suining stepped out of the hall, descended the stone steps, and paused for a moment, her gaze instinctively drifting toward the eunuchs stationed by the corridor.
"Is something wrong?"
A voice suddenly came from behind, and Chang Suining turned to see Cui Jing approaching.
He was dressed in the general’s uniform from the Xuanzhe, clearly just returning from handling some business outside. His clothes seemed to carry the chill of the night air, but the usual coldness in his eyes was gone, replaced by a gentler demeanor.
"It’s nothing," Chang Suining said casually, growing more at ease with him as time passed. "I just noticed I haven’t seen Eunuch Yu today."
It had been a long time since she last saw Ah Zeng. She hadn't seen him since learning of that incident from Yu Xie’s mouth.
She hadn’t made any effort to find him—he was busy with palace duties and rarely had the opportunity to leave the palace.
"Eunuch Yu is staying behind in the palace. He didn’t accompany the Emperor this time," Cui Jing explained.
Chang Suining understood immediately.
He hadn’t come.
"If you need anything, feel free to send someone to find me," Cui Jing added.
Chang Suining glanced at him, realizing that he probably thought she was looking for Ah Zeng’s help.
She smiled. "There’s nothing I need right now."
At that moment, Ming Luo, dressed in the attire of a female official, exited the hall. Upon seeing the two of them, she paused for a moment before quickly composing herself and walking over.
Her gaze didn’t linger on Chang Suining but moved straight to Cui Jing. After greeting him, she said, "The Emperor summons General Cui for a post-banquet meeting."
Cui Jing nodded and turned to Chang Suining. "I’ll head over first."
Chang Suining nodded.
As Ming Luo turned with him, a barely noticeable frown appeared between her brows.
Just as Chang Suining was about to leave, a group of brightly dressed young women emerged from the banquet hall.
"Sister Chang!"
Yao Xia quickly walked over, and as usual, affectionately linked her arm with Chang Suining's.
However, Chang Suining’s attention was drawn to a young woman in green, surrounded by a group of admirers. "Is that… the young lady from the Changsun family?"
Yao Xia nodded and whispered, "Yes, that’s the youngest daughter of the Prime Minister, Seventh Miss Changsun Xuan."
Chang Suining nodded, recognizing her.
It was indeed her.
The seventh young lady from the Changsun family, Changsun Xuan, bore a striking resemblance to her great-aunt — the former empress, Changsun Huanghou, who had been the consort of her late father, the Emperor.
The Changsun family had produced two empresses, and not only were they noblewomen, but their sons had also married princesses. Changsun Xuan's father, Changsun Yuan, was the current left prime minister and the superior of Wei Shuyi. Although his family did not follow the same practices as the Cui family, who refrained from marrying into the imperial family, the Changsun family, hailing from the prestigious Guanlong aristocracy, was undeniably an elite noble family.
On matters such as opposing the recent excessive powers of the Empress, the Changsun family held views that aligned closely with those of other prominent scholar families.
Setting aside these political matters, the Changsun family’s enmity with the current Empress stretched back much further.
When Changsun Yuan's elder sister, Empress Changsun, passed away, it was then that the current Empress replaced her as the ruler of the harem.
The Third Prince, who had been beaten by her for bullying Ah Xiao, had been raised by Empress Changsun and was the person the Changsun family had hoped to support—
Chang Suining had personally been involved in the internal strife over the throne during the time she served Li Xiao. The tactics used by the Changsun family in these power struggles were something she knew all too well.
"I’ve heard people whisper that… Changsun Xuan is the best candidate for the Crown Princess," Yao Xia said softly.
Chang Suining did not respond directly.
Indeed, Changsun Xuan was regarded as the best candidate for Crown Princess by many of the aristocratic families.
However, in the eyes of the holy Emperor, it was quite the opposite.
The real question was: Which family would the Empress choose to contend with the Changsun family for the position?
Good night, everyone.
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