Chapter 157: Hello Chang’an
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**Chapter 157: Something Must Have Happened**
A few days after the Emperor returned to the capital, an urgent report arrived.
The report came from the south, traveling swiftly via relay stations, and reached the palace gates at noon.
"Urgent military report from eight hundred miles, urgent, immediately!" The sound of hooves echoed, and a travel-worn messenger shouted hoarsely.
When the guards saw the military flag behind him, they quickly cleared the way.
The report was soon delivered to Ganlu Hall.
Before long, several palace attendants came out of the hall, directing the immediate summoning of ministers to the palace.
An inner servant also arrived at the residence of General Chang Kuo in Xingning Lane to summon him. Chang Kuo hurried to the palace.
Chang Suining, who had just gone to the Imperial College earlier in the morning, was unaware of her father’s summons. At the moment, Qiao Yan and his wife, along with Qiao Yubai, were gathered around her, asking about the Lotus Blossom Banquet.
Only Qiao Yumian had attended the banquet from the Qiao family. The invitation had been given to her merely for the sake of politeness, as the Ministry of Rites wanted to treat everyone equally. From the very beginning, Qiao Yumian had never been considered a candidate for the position of the Crown Princess. Therefore, the Qiao family had not attended, assuming that Qiao Yumian was merely accompanying Chang Suining for a casual outing.
In Qiao Yan’s view, Chang Suining should not have been in the running for the position either. However, to everyone’s surprise, there had been a series of unexpected developments—first, she almost became the future Crown Princess, then almost became the consort of the Prince Rong’s son, and even came close to marrying into the Cui family!
Truly, it had been full of twists and turns.
But at this moment, the Qiao family was most concerned about the matter with Cui Jing.
Qiao Yubai asked with some concern, “Suining, do you think that after being rejected, General Cui might make things difficult for you?”
Qiao Yan also hesitated, “Should we have Old Chang go and explain things to him?”
The young general, accustomed to making decisive actions on the battlefield, had expressed his feelings for the first time and was rejected… What if he couldn't accept it and did something extreme?
Wang Shi also showed unease.
“It’s fake.” Chang Suining, seeing no one else was around, explained. “It was all just an act.”
She briefly explained the situation.
The Qiao family members immediately relaxed.
Qiao Yubai sighed with relief, “I knew it! How could General Cui have those feelings for Suining?”
When he first heard about it, he thought it was too unreal, almost like a fairy tale. It turns out it was all a ruse.
“Why couldn't he have such feelings? Our Suining is exceptional. Even if he did have feelings, it’s only natural,” Wang Shi said, glaring at her son before lowering her voice, “But we must be cautious in speaking about this. There is still the risk of deceiving the Emperor. Outside, we must pretend to know nothing.”
Qiao Yubai immediately sobered and nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry, Mother. I understand.”
“But what about Prince Rong's son?” Qiao Yan asked, unable to stop himself. “Was his proposal also part of the act?”
Chang Suining took a chestnut from Xi'er and, while peeling it, replied, “No need to repeat the same act. It would be too costly to owe two people favors.”
“Then did Prince Rong's son truly propose out of affection?” Qiao Yan asked, still uncertain.
Chang Suining shook her head. “It’s hard to say what his true intentions are.”
After this incident, it was clear that Li Lu might not be as simple as he seemed, and it would be necessary to remain cautious of him in the future.
Qiao Yan sighed in relief. “In that case, we’re fortunate that General Cui came to her aid…”
Otherwise, Chang Suining would have found herself in a far more troublesome and complicated situation.
“Yes, thank goodness for General Cui’s timely intervention…” Qiao Yumian, recalling the scene, still felt uneasy. “If not for him, Suining’s marriage would have been out of her control.”
“But now, it’s fine,” Qiao Yumian said with a smile as she looked toward Chang Suining. “With the Emperor’s blessing, Suining can now decide who she wishes to marry, or not marry, all on her own.”
Chang Suining slowly chewed on the fragrant chestnuts, her expression relaxed as she nodded in agreement.
For her, this was truly something worth celebrating, even something to be grateful for.
She never wanted to go through again what she had experienced in her past life—being manipulated and controlled in matters of marriage.
Compared to the self-destructive strategies she had once considered, Cui Jing's approach was a permanent solution, and she was very thankful to him for it.
However, there were still many things in this world that could control her. Without a marriage, there would still be other challenges. She could not allow herself to believe everything was settled. On the contrary, she had to prepare herself for even more troubles ahead.
Since the moment she became Chang Suining, she had been preparing, but it was still far from enough.
The road ahead was long, but she had no choice but to walk it, if only to sever the possibility of ever being controlled again.
The Qiao family saw the young woman sitting in the chair, eating chestnuts with ease, but they did not realize that the chestnuts were soft and fragrant, while her silent resolve was stubborn and unwavering.
Wang Shi softly murmured a prayer, "We must properly thank General Cui."
Qiao Yan nodded. "Later, I’ll catch a few fish and send them to Xuanzhe Manor."
Wang Shi shot a glare at her husband. "And you’re still thinking about fishing today!"
"It's better than being idle," Qiao Yan responded with a soft tone, but then straightened his back and declared, "Today, I am the most important—don’t bother me about the birthday matters!"
Wang Shi gritted her teeth but let it go. "Fine, just this once. There are 365 days in a year, and I’ll allow you to be stubborn for one day. After midnight, though, we’ll settle accounts."
At that moment, a servant knocked on the study door, announcing that Hu Yi from the Wuer Society had come to find Chang Suining and Qiao Yubai.
Chang Suining went to meet him.
Hu Yi, somewhat hesitant, asked, "Miss Chang... Master Cui asked me to inquire if we are still playing polo?"
Chang Suining replied, "Why wouldn’t we?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Lang, who had been hiding behind a rockery nearby, couldn’t contain his smile and stepped out, saying, "I knew Master would still recognize me as his disciple!"
He had feared that after being rejecting his older brother, his master might be angry and distance herself from him, perhaps even throwing him out as well—this was the first time Cui Lang had considered distancing himself from his older brother.
Thankfully, it seemed that his master had not taken his older brother's situation to heart.
However, as he thought about it, Cui Lang couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for his older brother.
But this fleeting sympathy didn’t stop him from enthusiastically preparing for a Polo match with his classmates by the river.
Just as Chang Suining and the others had left, guests arrived.
"...I told you we wouldn’t hold a birthday banquet this year. What are you doing here in the middle of your busy schedule?" Qiao Yan smiled and sighed as he greeted them.
"Ah, today is your birthday?" Grand Tutor Zhu, suddenly realized.
"?" Qiao Yan's smile froze for a moment. "Then what brings you here?"
"Fishing, of course." Grand Tutor Zhu replied matter-of-factly.
Qiao Yan was half-skeptical.
By the time they reached the river and sat down, his doubts were gone.
"...You’re really holding back in this polo game," Grand Tutor Zhu grumbled, staring at the fishing rod with dissatisfaction. "It’s been half a day, and there hasn’t been a single ball flying. Why are the young ones playing so sluggishly? Have they even had lunch?"
Qiao Yan was used to it.
Ever since the old tutor had taken up the position of Minister of Rites, even the slightest thing would earn him a few complaints. If a ball flew by, he’d be angry and act like a young man again. If no ball came, he’d find fault.
Qiao Yan helplessly said, "What’s the matter with you? At your age, if a ball were to hit you, and if it happened to land in a sensitive spot, it wouldn’t be their fault for being sluggish."
Suddenly, Qiao Yan raised his eyebrows. "Wait a minute... You haven’t received the painting yet, have you?"
Grand Tutor Zhu snorted.
Qiao Yan immediately understood.
Ah, so they were here to rush for the debt again. They weren’t waiting for a ball; they were waiting for someone to retrieve it.
“This child has been quite busy recently, and I’m sure you’ve heard about those matters…” Qiao Yan first made an excuse for his child, then sent a servant to the polo field to ask Chang Suining to come over during the break.
When she arrived, Grand Tutor Zhu didn’t even look at her, just cheerfully fishing and saying, “...This extraordinary piece is hard to paint. Perhaps you can burn it for me to see after I’m buried in a hundred years.”
“Impossible,” Chang Suining smiled. “It’s already half-finished. It’s just that with so many matters recently, my mind has been too unsettled, and I can’t bear to pick up the brush when my heart isn’t calm.”
Grand Tutor Zhu’s graying eyebrows twitched. “Oh, you are indeed a busy person. I’ve been hearing about your deeds lately, and my ears are almost worn out. Something about winning a chess match against that Song Juren…”
“To be honest, I could win against Song Juren thanks to you, Teacher.” The young woman stood under the willow tree with her hands behind her back, smiling as she spoke.
At this, Grand Tutor Zhu turned his gaze toward her. “Thank me for what? I’m not your teacher, and I never taught you how to play chess.”
Chang Suining smiled slightly.
How could he say he never taught her?
But she replied, “It was because you gave my club the name ‘Wuer Society’ that it offended those in Song Juren’s poetry club. Amidst their provocations, that’s how the chess match with him came about.”
“I’m hearing that you’re blaming me for creating enemies with that name for you?”
“Not at all, I should thank you for making my name known.”
“A young girl like you shouldn’t be so fixated on fame and fortune…” Grand Tutor Zhu grumbled, “Speaking of fame, there’s been so much talk about the lotus flower banquet recently. I guess it did fulfill your intentions, didn’t it?”
Chang Suining still smiled. “I should thank you for organizing the flower banquet, Teacher.”
Grand Tutor Zhu shot her a look. “...Why does everything come back to thanking me?”
Though it was the Ministry of Rites that had organized the banquet under imperial orders, due to his busy schedule, he hadn’t gone personally and only heard about the events afterward.
Her experience there had been thrilling, but fortunately, there was no real harm done.
It was strange, though—he often found himself thinking about this young girl. It probably had something to do with the painting still not being in his hands.
Grand Tutor Zhu couldn’t help but keep prattling, “Do you know how people are talking about you now?”
“Mostly just criticisms—people saying I’m arrogant, ungrateful, and have high standards,” Chang Suining replied casually, sitting by his fishing basket. She had always liked sitting near her teacher.
Grand Tutor Zhu clucked his tongue. “Where’s the demeanor of a young lady? You’ve turned down Prince Rong’s heir, even General Cui is beneath your notice, and you won’t even become the Crown Princess. What exactly are you hoping to marry into?”
“When did I ever say I didn’t want to become the Crown Princess? It was just unfortunate that someone meddled with it. Teacher should be more careful with his words; if that gets out, I might be in big trouble.”
“I didn’t realize you were afraid of that,” Grand Tutor Zhu pressed. “Then tell me, what sort of man would you want to marry?”
Qiao Yan chuckled and asked, “Teacher, are you trying to be a matchmaker?”
Chang Suining laughed, “No need for that, Teacher. I have no plans to marry.”
Grand Tutor Zhu raised an eyebrow. “You’re not getting married, ever?”
Chang Suining nodded. “Yes.”
Marriage was too troublesome, too restricting, and simply didn’t suit her.
Moreover, her life was destined to be bound to the chessboard. Who knew, she might not survive another day. If she married someone, the least of her worries would be that the person might end up a widower one day. Worse, they could end up implicated with her entire family.
There was no benefit to anyone in it.
For the first time, Grand Tutor Zhu didn’t challenge her, instead saying, “Well, if you don’t want to marry, then so be it…”
He gazed at the calm river, his voice softening. “I had a student once... she really shouldn’t have gotten married.”
And to marry so far away... if she suffered any grievances there, he, as her teacher, wouldn’t be able to help her.
She must have endured many hardships.
“Wouldn’t listen to advice…” The old man seemed to want to say something scolding, but when the words left his mouth, there was no blame in them. “Back then, no one could persuade her. I wonder… if she regrets it now.”
Qiao Yan’s smile faded, and he fell silent.
After a long while, it was Grand Tutor Zhu who complained, “She wouldn’t regret it… she doesn’t care about others’ concerns.”
Chang Suining silently nodded in her heart.
Her teacher truly understood her.
She had never regretted it.
But she still cared about them, so wasn’t she here now?
She turned her head, smiling at the elderly man beside her.
“...What are you laughing at?” Grand Tutor Zhu huffed, noticing his own anger and sadness. Wasn’t she heartless?
At that moment, the family’s old servant hurried over.
“Master, the palace urgently summons you.” The servant panted slightly. “Someone from the palace has come with a message, saying Holy Emperor urgently calls you to the palace to discuss matters.”
“Today I’m resting!” Grand Tutor Zhu’s temper flared immediately.
The servant replied, “I know, but Holy Emperor is urgently requesting you…”
“It must be something extremely important.” Qiao Yan said, “Teacher, you should go quickly.”
“You talk like you’re not bothered. I haven’t caught a single fish yet!” Grand Tutor Zhu growled.
Chang Suining took his fishing rod. “I’ll hold the rod for you. When I catch a fish, I’ll deliver it to your house.”
Grand Tutor Zhu reluctantly handed her the rod, grumbling as he stood up, following the servant and leaving in a huff.
After watching him leave, Chang Suining turned to Qiao Yan, her expression serious. “Holy Emperor is summoning officials, even those on leave. Do you know what’s happening?”
This situation seemed serious.
....
This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
....
At that moment, she felt the fishing rod in her hand tremble slightly. Looking up, she saw a fish had taken the bait, causing the once-calm water to ripple in concentric circles. The ripples spread out, and in her eyes, the disturbance was growing.
(The chapter ends here.)
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