Chapter 163: Hello Chang’an
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**Chapter 163: Is Tenth Young Master Wei a Thief?**
The letter from Duan Shi arranged for Chang Suining to accompany her to the Princess Chongyue's residence for a memorial ceremony on the Double Ninth Festival. The Princess's residence was not a place one could enter casually. Even someone like Duan Shi would need a proper excuse, and a memorial to the deceased on Double Ninth was a fitting occasion.
With just over half a month left until the Festival, the matter was settled in Chang Suining's mind. She tucked the letter away and handed it to Xi'er, saying to Wei Shuyi, "Please let Madam Wei know that I will certainly not fail to keep my appointment."
Wei Shuyi didn’t know what Chang Suining had been invited to do by Duan Shi, but he smiled and nodded in response.
He then smiled at Chang Suining and said, "Today I’ve come on imperial orders to send off General Chang. I thought I would see you at the city gate and deliver this letter then, but since I didn’t, I had to come by your residence."
He turned to look at Cui Jing, "But I didn’t expect General Cui to be here too... Are you planning to leave now?"
Cui Jing murmured a noncommittal "Hmm," though he did not move.
Wei Shuyi was known for his friendly demeanor, always ready to speak with anyone, even a passing mosquito, but he felt that Cui Jing treated Chang Suining differently than he did others.
Now that he thought about it, the first time he clearly remembered seeing Chang Suining was when she appeared with Wei Shuyi. At that time, they had been returning from Hezhou to the capital and had been attacked.
....
This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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Although he had quickly realized she was a woman and knew her identity, Cui Jing had never delved into why she had been in Hezhou or what she had gone through there.
He didn’t know the details, but Wei Shuyi certainly did.
In that case, Wei Shuyi had known her longer and shared some unspoken understanding and secrets with her.
Since she liked making friends, especially within the Imperial academy, it seemed that in her eyes, Wei Shuyi could be considered a friend as well.
Cui Jing’s expression remained calm and indifferent, but the fingers behind his back lightly tapped together from time to time. His eyes moved silently between Chang Suining and Wei Shuyi, observing their conversation.
After some casual talk, Wei Shuyi’s gaze fell on the chessboard nearby, and he curiously asked, "Were you playing chess just now, Miss Chang?"
"Mm," Chang Suining glanced at Cui Jing, her tone casual, "I played a game with General Cui."
Wei Shuyi became even more curious. "Who won?"
Cui Jing replied, "I lost. She won."
Wei Shuyi looked away from the chessboard, gazing at Cui Jing with surprise and laughter. "General Cui actually lost?"
Cui Jing calmly replied, "Her moves are exquisite. She advances and retreats with ease, decisive and ruthless in her attacks. Why would it be surprising that I lost?"
Wei Shuyi laughed again.
He could tell that Cui Jing wasn’t merely admitting defeat but seemed somewhat pleased with the loss, almost as if this was the proper way to lose.
"I’ve never heard General Cui praise anyone this much. Could it be that someone’s exaggerating?" Wei Shuyi teased, his eyes shifting between the two of them. Finally, he looked at Chang Suining and asked, "Might I have the honor of learning from Miss Chang? This way, I can judge for myself whether General Cui’s praise is warranted."
Chang Suining was about to politely refuse, intending to suggest another time. She had already been sitting for a long while, and she wasn’t about to sit for another half day, regardless of who arrived. However, before she could speak, she was interrupted by another voice.
"Since I’ve lost, there’s no possibility left for you to win. There’s no need for such an effort," Cui Jing said, his tone neither cold nor warm.
Wei Shuyi raised an eyebrow. "Grand General Cui, are you implying that I’m much worse than you at chess?"
Cui Jing maintained his composure, his hands clasped behind his back and his silence providing its own answer.
Wei Shuyi casually gestured toward the chessboard. "Words are nothing without proof. How about we have a match right now?"
It was far rarer to have a chance to play chess with Cui Jing than with Chang Suining.
Cui Jing replied, "I’m not free today, but I will be at Xuanzhe Manor tomorrow. You can come anytime."
Wei Shuyi didn’t press further. He withdrew his hand with a grin, "Good, then it’s settled."
Cui Jing nodded, "Since Tenth Young Master Wei has delivered the letter, you should be returning now."
Wei Shuyi blinked, confused.
He hadn’t even had time to finish his tea.
Cui Jing, however, invited, "Why not leave together?"
Wei Shuyi looked at him, surprised.
It was the first time Wei Shuyi had been "invited" by Cui Jing to do something together.
After a brief pause, he smiled and nodded, "Alright."
He then bid farewell to Chang Suining and Chang Sui'an, not forgetting to smile at Chang Suining, saying, "Then I’ll wait until I win over Miss Chang’s defeated opponent, and we can play chess again."
Chang Suining smiled and nodded, glancing at Cui Jing. "Sure."
Cui Jing remained unbothered, but Cui Yuanxiang, observing the situation, felt that their General was already mentally preparing an impregnable defense, as though setting up a battle plan at the mountain gates of the treacherous Shu road.
Seeing this, Chang Sui'an spoke up, "Let me see off General Cui and Deputy Minister Wei."
"No need to trouble yourself," Wei Shuyi smiled and replied. "I’m quite familiar with the path to the front yard here and can leave on my own."
Cui Jing glanced at him, silently wondering, *Is he trying to show off?*
Since Wei Shuyi had declined, Chang Sui'an didn’t insist, but he still sent a servant to lead them out.
As Cui Jing took two steps, he suddenly paused, as if recalling something, and turned back to look at Chang Suining.
"Is there something else, General Cui?" Chang Suining asked.
"I didn’t want a repeat of the last incident, so I’ve already had someone bring Liuhuo back to Xuanzhe Manor," Cui Jing replied.
That was good news, but something about it made Chang Suining feel a little strange. Why was he telling her specifically about Liuhuo?
"I remember when we were at the Furong Garden racetrack, Liuhuo was very affectionate toward you," Cui Jing explained. "You promised you would visit it again."
So, that was why?
Chang Suining snapped back to the present, thinking for a moment before nodding. "I suppose that’s true."
But hadn’t she only said that out of courtesy? Had he taken it so seriously?
Cui Jing, with all seriousness, added, "Liuhuo is exceptionally clever, and as it ages, it’s becoming more human-like. Since you promised to visit, if it doesn’t see you, it will be constantly worrying."
Chang Suining couldn’t help but agree. Since she now had a proper reason to visit Liuhuo, she didn’t mind at all. She nodded, "Alright, I’ll visit it at Xuanzhe Manor when I have time."
Cui Jing gave a brief nod before finally leaving.
On the way, Wei Shuyi glanced curiously at the young man beside him and lowered his voice, "I say, General Cui... did you drag me along just to keep an eye out for thieves?"
The youth paused briefly, turned to look at him, and without denying or avoiding the question, replied instead with a counterquestion, "So, Tenth Young Master Wei, are you a thief?"
Faced with the youth’s clear and cold gaze, Wei Shuyi froze for a moment.
The autumn wind rustled, and the two of them silently exchanged glances for a brief moment.
Wei Shuyi’s eyes shifted slightly, and he couldn’t help but smile, raising his foot and walking ahead. "I suppose you can think of me as one."
Cui Jing watched his retreating figure for a moment before continuing to walk.
Wei Shuyi slowed his pace, waiting for Cui Jing to catch up before suddenly asking, "Liuhuo... what is it?"
Cui Jing replied in a calm tone, "I don’t answer questions from thieves easily."
They must have some shared secrets and unspoken understanding, right?
Wei Shuyi felt that Cui Jing’s response had become almost absurdly direct. "I say, General Cui, could you at least try to cover it up a bit?"
But Cui Jing, undeterred, answered straightforwardly, "Everyone knows, so why cover it up?"
Wei Shuyi didn’t realize that Cui Jing was performing for the sake of appearances, and that his words and actions were meant to seem more like a game in front of others.
"Well..." Wei Shuyi laughed and shook his head, unable to stop himself from marveling. "Before this, I never imagined that when General Cui is interested in someone, he would be so... naturally unpretentious."
Cui Jing no longer paid attention to Wei Shuyi and quickened his pace.
Wei Shuyi, however, hurried to catch up and, as they crossed the gate of Chang's residence, asked, "If you don’t answer thieves, then why did General Cui agree to play chess with one?"
Cui Jing didn’t even glance at him, replying, "It’s still to guard against thieves."
"…" Wei Shuyi sighed and looked up at the sky. "This world will be hard-pressed to find another person as straightforward and sincere as you."
Cui Jing took it as praise, and as soon as they left Chang's residence, he mounted his horse and left.
Wei Shuyi watched as Cui Jing’s figure disappeared into the alley before showing a smile that was difficult to interpret.
He then glanced up at the gate of Chang’s residence and, after a brief pause, said, "Let’s go."
When Qiao Yubai got off the carriage outside Chang’s residence, he saw Wei Shuyi’s official sedan leave.
"Whose sedan was that?"
As he was led inside the residence, Qiao Yubai casually asked.
"It was Tenth Young Master Wei’s, who just arrived. General Cui also came earlier this morning to see off General Chang and just left," the servant answered.
At the mention of Cui Jing’s name, Qiao Yubai instinctively tensed, but then relaxed. He reminded himself that the gossip outside was often exaggerated, and spending so much time at the Imperial Academy made him accustomed to hearing rumors. He had almost forgotten that the incident at the Flower Banquet had been a joint performance between General Cui and Ning Ning to deceive outsiders. He still oscillated between being tense with excitement and relieved with gratitude.
Soon, Qiao Yubai met with Chang Suining.
"Since there must be lessons at the Imperial Academy today, what brings you here, Brother Yubai?"
"I took a leave," Qiao Yubai smiled. "Uncle Chang left for the battlefield today, and I went with Father to see him off. Since my father couldn’t get leave, he went back to the Imperial Academy ahead of me."
He continued, "Father and Mother said, now that Uncle Chang is not home, it wouldn’t be good for Ning Ning to be alone. Why don’t you just move into the Imperial Academy? That way, you wouldn’t have to come and go every few days."
He had come to pick someone up.
Chang Sui'an, hearing this, widened his eyes. "What do you mean by ‘Ning Ning being alone’? I’m still here!"
As soon as Father left, this scoundrel, Qiao Yubai, came to steal my sister!
Qiao Yubai, hearing this, glanced at him as if just remembering that Chang Sui'an was also in the house, but this didn’t change anything. "Our place is livelier, with Sister Sister Mianmian and Ning Ning there. Plus, it’s always better to have elders nearby to look after you."
"I’m here, aren’t I!" At that moment, Ah Dian, who had come looking for Chang Suining, raised his hand. "I’m also a senior to Xiao A Li. I can take care of her!"
Chang Sui'an muttered, "…Right, there’s also Uncle Dian!"
Ah Dian then grabbed Steward Bai and stood him in front of himself, saying, "Here’s another one!"
He then scanned the room, eyeing any servant who looked old enough to help out.
"…" Qiao Yubai could only turn to Chang Suining. "Ning Ning, what do you think?"
Chang Suining took a moment to think before replying, "Recently, the autumn harvest just ended, and all the estates are busy. I’ll take care of things here and then move to the Imperial Academy when I have time."
Knowing that she was busy with the estate affairs, Qiao Yubai didn’t press further, just reminding her not to overwork herself and to come back to the Imperial Academy when she could.
Chang Suining agreed with a smile, adding, "While I’m away, I’ll trouble you to take care of the matters in the Wuer Society."
In the future, she would probably have fewer opportunities to go to the Imperial Academy to play polo.
…
Not long after, Chang Sui'an successfully passed the re-examination for the Xuanzhe Army and was selected for the Vanguard Camp. However, that didn’t mean he could immediately go to the front lines. The Vanguard Camp was made up of elite troops, and in addition to personal ability, enough battle experience was also required.
As a new recruit, Chang Sui'an was selected for the Vanguard Camp as a backup. To truly become a qualified front-line soldier, he would need to undergo real combat training.
This was an exciting development for Chang Sui'an. His months of hard work had not been in vain.
Next, as a new recruit, Chang Sui'an had to enter the camp, adapt to military life, undergo training, and familiarize himself with the military rules.
He would be away for at least seven or eight days before returning home. Before leaving, he repeatedly reminded his sister with great care, wishing he could turn her into a small bamboo dragonfly in Ah Dian's hands and take her along for reassurance.
Naturally, this wish could not come true. After mounting his horse, Chang Sui'an secretly wiped away two tears, his back to his sister.
After sending her brother off, Chang Suining returned to the estate.
The autumn harvest had already finished in various places. Shen Sanmao, holding the well-organized account books, presented them to Chang Suining. As she flipped through them, he nervously rubbed his hands and bent slightly, smiling awkwardly. "The harvest this year wasn't very satisfactory, but don't worry, young mistress, next year…"
"No, it’s actually quite good," Chang Suining interrupted, looking at the books. "It’s already doubled."
Shen Sanmao was momentarily speechless.
It was true that the harvest had doubled, but that was because the previous harvest had been so poor, almost abandoned. It was easy to double from such a low point.
"I originally promised the young mistress that we’d at least double it twice…" Shen Sanmao said, sheepishly.
Chang Suining smiled, "There's no way to suddenly become prosperous overnight. You've only taken over this season, and it was an urgent appointment. Moreover, you’re not just managing one estate; the others have been neglected for so long, from the land to the farmhands, it wasn’t an easy task to straighten everything out. This is your first time tackling this, and such results show that you’ve put in a lot of effort."
Shen Sanmao was stunned.
He had thought that the young mistress, who dared to entrust him, a notorious liar, with such a task, might have unrealistic expectations. But now, she was so grounded, so understanding and accommodating.
Having prepared to be scolded or even dismissed for not fulfilling his boastful promises, Shen Sanmao felt unexpectedly touched, his eyes welling up with a hint of grievance, his voice choked.
"Young mistress, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Those lazy, habitual farmhands are really hard to manage. At first, they even gathered to throw cow dung at me because they were unhappy with my arrangements!"
Chang Suining looked at him sympathetically. It must have been hard, she thought, then asked with concern, "Did you throw it back at them?"
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