Chapter 162: Hello Chang’an
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**Chapter 162: Is It Really Love?**
The young woman spoke up, her question not the usual one but focused on war and the northern borders.
Her tone was so natural that it didn’t feel out of place at all.
Cui Jing didn’t find it abrupt either, but he still instinctively looked at her.
After a moment, he replied, “Although Da Sheng and the Northern Di have been at peace for over twelve years, the Northern Di have been politically unstable during this time. Last year, a new Khan ascended the throne, and his ambitions are dangerous, so we must be cautious.”
“Half a year ago, after returning from the southern front, I submitted a proposal to rebuild the northern defenses and station troops to prepare for the Northern Di. However, the Ministry of Revenue has yet to approve the necessary funds, which has delayed the process.”
Chang Suining nodded, understanding.
So, this had been his concern ever since his return from the southern campaigns.
“Rebuilding defenses and stationing troops requires significant expenditure. If the state treasury isn’t full, it’s understandable that the Ministry of Revenue would delay it,” she said, adding “understandably” to soften her words and make it sound less professional. “But with internal unrest already brewing, the Northern Di are likely to seize this opportunity to strike Da Sheng’s northern borders.”
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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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When internal enemies rise, external ones must be kept at bay.
Cui Jing nodded, “I brought up this issue again in yesterday's court meeting. The stakes are high, and the Emperor now takes it much more seriously than before. I will push the Ministry of Revenue to finalize the arrangements.”
He continued, “If everything goes smoothly, I’ll head to the northern border before the end of the year to begin addressing this matter.”
Chang Suining turned to look at him. “General Cui intends to go personally?”
“Yes. Since this proposal came from me, it is my responsibility to see it through. The task of rebuilding the defenses and training the troops cannot be handled carelessly. Any oversight would be futile. In such a crucial moment, I can’t trust others with it.”
The allocation of state funds had always been difficult, and since it was his suggestion, it was only right that he took full responsibility.
Chang Suining agreed with a nod. “It’s indeed most fitting for General Cui to go. Not only can you oversee the reconstruction of the defenses, but you can also serve to intimidate the Northern Di.”
“Exactly. To intimidate them, it has to be the Xuanzhe Army,” Cui Jing said, instinctively looking at the young woman beside him.
The Northern Di had always been aggressive, and the only force that had ever managed to frighten them and force them to remain peaceful was the Xuanzhe Army.
He subtly tried to gauge her reaction, but her face showed nothing out of the ordinary—she spoke in a calm and objective tone. “Even if it’s just a temporary deterrent to tie down the Northern Di, it would be a great help.”
If internal and external threats erupted at once, it would lead to even greater chaos, putting Da Sheng in grave danger.
Cui Jing said, “I will hasten the preparations for the northern expedition. Once everything is settled, I will inform you.”
Chang Suining instinctively wanted to nod, but his tone made it seem like it was especially important for her to be aware of this matter. She couldn’t help but look at him.
Noticing her gaze, Cui Jing’s hand, which had been behind his back, shifted slightly as he tried to maintain a calm expression. “General Chang entrusted me to look after you while I’m in the capital. If I go to the northern borders, I’ll inform you in advance and make arrangements for any matters that can be taken care of.”
So that was it.
Chang Suining smiled casually, “I’m not a three-year-old child. I don’t need such detailed arrangements.”
Such “care” was something one could take care of while in the capital, but once someone left, it should be left behind. It would be absurd to ask him to make arrangements for matters after he left the capital just because of a promise.
Would she be treated like a naïve child?
Cui Jing didn’t argue but simply instructed, “Then keep the copper token safe. If needed, you can take it to the Xuanzhe Army.”
The copper token was indeed useful, and Chang Suining didn’t refuse.
At that moment, Chang Sui'an, who had been quietly listening to their discussion about the military situation and the northern borders, finally spoke up to ask a polite question. “Has General Cui eaten yet? If not, would you like to stay and eat with us?”
After all… they were all heading to the dining hall together.
It wouldn’t be appropriate not to ask.
Though Cui Jing’s instinct was to decline, for some reason, he nodded. “That would be fine.”
After speaking, he couldn't help but feel a little strange about it.
His mind and mouth seemed strangely out of sync all of a sudden.
After sitting down at the Chang family’s dining hall and seeing the food being quickly brought to the table, a sense of oddness overwhelmed him.
First of all, he had never had breakfast in someone else’s house, so he wasn’t used to it.
Secondly, he had already eaten...
Cui Jing couldn’t understand why he had nodded earlier. It was as though, as he sat here now, he suddenly realized that no one had actually invited him into the house. He had simply followed in without any reason.
His strange behavior was becoming more and more apparent.
“General Cui, please don’t feel constrained. There’s no one else here. Our family’s food may not be exceptional, but one thing we guarantee is that there’s plenty!” Chang Sui'an said warmly, especially grateful toward Cui Jing.
He personally served Cui Jing some dishes and even stacked three baskets of dumplings in front of him, instructing a maid to serve porridge: “General Cui is used to marching and training. Make sure to use a large bowl.”
In the Chang household, a typical bowl was considered small, while their large bowls were enormous.
Cui Jing, knowing this, replied, “Thank you, but this is plenty.”
He had already eaten breakfast and couldn’t eat more.
It would be foolish to force himself to finish it, so he planned to eat just enough to avoid making things awkward.
Chang Suining quickly finished two baskets of dumplings, a plate of braised beef, some small side dishes, and a bowl of chicken porridge.
During this, she glanced at Cui Jing, who had barely touched his food. She felt a bit puzzled—was General Cui not hungry?
Her questioning look was noticed by Cui Jing.
He looked at the food in front of him and suddenly realized that the breakfast in the Chang family’s household was indeed quite good. The beef was a rich red color, the porridge was white, and the dumplings… were with the skins, which made them look very appetizing.
Meanwhile, Cui Yuanxiang, who had been waiting for a long time for his superior to finish, came looking for him. As Cui Jing’s personal attendant, how could he miss out on being by his side at all times?
Cui Yuanxiang arrived at the dining hall and was told that Cui Jing was eating. He was taken aback—hadn’t his superior already eaten?
He instinctively stuck his head inside to check and just happened to see Cui Jing putting down his empty bowl, with all the dishes and dumplings around him also finished.
Cui Yuanxiang’s eyes widened in confusion.
The food in the Chang household… was really that good?
No, it wasn’t the food.
His superior was obviously just trying to stay here longer, wasn’t he?
Cui Yuanxiang’s expression became complicated, his heart filled with both admiration and sympathy.
Was it really this serious? Did General Cui... truly love her that much?
When Cui Jing and the Chang siblings left the dining hall, he felt that his waist was a little tighter from his belt.
In addition to that, he couldn’t help but notice the sympathetic looks from his subordinates.
Seeing Cui Yuanxiang standing there, Cui Jing felt a twinge of nervousness.
He hoped Cui Yuanxiang wouldn’t say something inappropriate, like “Why did the general eat breakfast twice?” or any other tactless remarks.
At the moment when Cui Yuanxiang opened his mouth, Cui Jing's pupils subconsciously flickered, and he nearly reached out to cover his subordinate’s mouth.
Just then, Chang Suining spoke: “By the way, I have something for General Cui.”
What could it be?
Cui Yuanxiang looked curiously at the Chang family girl.
Cui Jing, feeling as though he had just escaped a disaster, breathed a sigh of relief.
While Chang Suining asked the maid, Xi'er, to go get the item, the group continued walking in the courtyard, conversing.
Xi'er quickly returned and handed the item to Chang Suining.
She then handed it over to Cui Jing.
It was a delicate, long-shaped wooden box, with blue-and-white orchid patterns etched onto its surface.
Cui Jing’s mind flashed with various thoughts. Was this a gift for him because of the flower banquet? But that wasn’t really necessary.
Nevertheless, he took the box.
Just as he hesitated about whether to open it right there, the girl in front of him spoke, "I should have returned this to you earlier, but I never found the right moment, and I didn’t always have it on me. That’s why it’s been delayed until now."
Return it?
Cui Jing opened the box and saw a white jade hairpin in the shape of a cloud, the kind of exquisite piece that was clearly his.
He remembered now. It was the hairpin he had lost the day she drunkenly fell into the water and had fought with him in the water. During that struggle, she had taken the hairpin from his hair.
Thinking of that incident made Chang Suining feel embarrassed again. She quickly added, “That day, I almost hurt you, General Cui. I’m truly sorry.”
Such an embarrassing act, both in this life and the previous one, was rare for her to commit.
“It’s no problem,” Cui Jing said as he carefully put the box away, then looked at her and added, “Your moves were quite good. They’re well-suited for taking down enemies.”
In his mind, he once again recalled the image of her attacking him in the water—the splashing water droplets, the scorching afternoon sun, the koi swiftly darting through the pond, and the intense murderous intent in her dark, slightly intoxicated eyes...
Not just her eyes—her whole body radiated a killing aura.
But now, recalling that scene, it felt like morning dew, gently settling in his heart. It seemed to nourish a budding guess in his mind, something that felt... not like a guess at all.
Cui Jing couldn’t quite describe the feelings he had, but it certainly wasn’t calm. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her eyes for too long. His gaze subconsciously shifted to the maple trees behind her.
The autumn sun was bright, and the maple leaves had already turned red. Beneath one of the trees, there was a stone table, which reminded him of the day he had watched her play chess with Song Xian under the ginkgo tree.
"Today… do you have time for another game of chess?" Cui Jing asked without thinking.
A game of chess.
Chang Suining nodded, “Sure.”
She owed him a game.
So, a servant brought over a chessboard and set it on the stone table under the maple tree.
The two sat opposite each other. Before making her move, Chang Suining said, “General Cui, there’s no need to hold back.”
Cui Jing picked up a black stone. “Otherwise, I’ll lose very quickly, won’t I?”
Chang Suining nodded and placed her piece. “Exactly.”
Cui Jing’s normally cold eyes lifted slightly, as if a faint smile appeared. “But I’m not bad at chess.”
“Alright.” Chang Suining made another move. “In that case, I won’t hold back.”
Cui Jing nodded. “Good.”
From there on, the two said no more.
Chang Sui'an, watching from the side, sometimes looked at them with wide eyes in surprise.
Can it really be played like this?
No, wait—Suining doesn’t seem to be losing!
Wait, no… is she setting up a surprise attack?
Chang Sui'an’s expression shifted constantly as he followed the game. If he weren’t adhering to the silent observer’s rule, his mouth would have surely worn out by the end of this game.
All that could be heard was the wind and the soft sounds of the chess pieces landing on the board. Yet beneath that tranquility, there was an intense, almost deafening clash between the pieces—a battle in silence.
The game went on for a long time.
It had been much longer than the game between Chang Suining and Song Xian.
A maple leaf drifted down onto the chessboard, adding a touch of autumn color to the otherwise black-and-white scene.
Chang Suining raised her hand to remove the leaf.
At the same moment, Cui Jing also reached out.
Their fingertips brushed briefly, and Cui Jing’s eyes flickered. He quickly withdrew his hand.
Chang Suining didn’t mind, removing the maple leaf and continuing her moves.
She grew quieter with each move.
Cui Jing, on the other hand, felt an increasing turbulence within himself.
Half a tea’s time later, the outcome was finally decided.
"I’ve won," Chang Suining said with a calm smile, her earlier composed expression fading.
Cui Jing gazed at the chessboard. "I’ve lost."
Chang Suining looked at the board as well, teasingly adding, "General Cui’s chess is good, but I’m better."
Cui Jing’s gaze lingered on the chessboard.
He knew very well how he had lost this game.
That realization made it hard for him not to feel impressed.
Yes, he was impressed—by the game itself.
But it wasn’t just the chess.
He silently curled his long fingers and looked at the girl across from him. He parted his lips, trying to keep his voice steady, "Miss Chang, you used many military tactics."
"Yes." Chang Suining replied, giving an explanation she had prepared beforehand. "I enjoy reading military books."
Cui Jing had already seen her game with Song Xian at the music house, so it would have been strange if she had altered her strategy today.
It was the expected answer.
Cui Jing suppressed the various feelings stirring within him, and after a moment, he said, "I also enjoy reading military books."
In fact, he was particularly interested in the strategies left by that prince... but he didn’t voice that part.
"I also enjoy reading military books!" Cui Yuanxiang grinned, saying in a tone of camaraderie, "Seems we’re all kindred spirits!"
Cui Jing: "…"
Having sat for a long while, Chang Suining stood up and casually asked Cui Yuanxiang which military books he usually read.
Cui Yuanxiang eagerly responded, confidently summarizing his thoughts: "I believe these military tactics are not only useful on the battlefield but also in everyday matters."
"…" Cui Jing listened, thinking about his subordinate’s frequent misuse of military tactics, and felt that if those books were his to control, he would rather burn them.
Chang Suining glanced at the sun. "It’s getting late. General Cui, would you like to stay for lunch?"
Cui Jing paused for a moment before answering, "No need. I should return to Xuanzhe Manor."
For one, he didn’t want to be too forward. And for another, it seemed he didn’t need lunch today.
Just as he was about to take his leave, a servant from the Chang residence came with a message: "Master, Miss, Tenth Young Master Wei has arrived."
Wei Shuyi? What was he here for?
Chang Suining was puzzled as she saw Wei Shuyi, dressed in his official robes, walking over.
It wasn’t that he had come uninvited, but rather that Chang Suining and the others were in the path to the front hall.
"General Cui is also here?" Wei Shuyi said in surprise, his eyes smiling as he looked at Cui Jing.
The smile in his eyes carried a touch of mockery, but Cui Jing ignored it.
Seeing that he had come in his official robes, Chang Sui'an asked, "I wonder, Tenth Young Master Wei, is there an urgent matter for your visit?"
"It’s nothing urgent." Wei Shuyi smiled at Chang Suining. "I’m just here at the request of my mother to bring you a letter."
As he spoke, he took a letter from his wide sleeve and handed it to Chang Suining.
"Thank you, Tenth Young Master Wei," Chang Suining said, taking the letter and opening it casually.
If she wasn’t mistaken, the letter from Duan Zhenyi was likely related to that matter.
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(End of this chapter)
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