Chapter 164: Hello Chang’an
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**Chapter 164: The Liuhuo Family**
Shen Sanmao nodded. "Yes, I threw it back at them, along with the people from the estate. We even splashed some manure on them. After all, I need to maintain the young mistress's authority if I'm to manage things well in the future."
Upon hearing this vivid description, Chang Suining nodded, "…That’s good."
Though, she couldn't help but imagine the scene.
Shen Sanmao wiped away his tears. "Don’t worry, young mistress. We only threw it in the fields, not outside."
Chang Suining smiled approvingly. "Very well."
This must be the highest form of managing the household—making sure no good resources go to waste.
Shen Sanmao, encouraged by her understanding and support, gathered his spirits. "Don’t worry, young mistress. This season, I’ve gained a bit of experience. Next year, it will be even better!"
Chang Suining smiled and nodded at him.
How things would unfold next year was still uncertain, but the current tasks were meaningful, from planting a seed to watching it grow and bear fruit—every small step counted.
"The harvest is all accounted for in the books. Apart from the amounts we need to supply to the house, there’s half remaining. Would you like to store it or sell it for cash?"
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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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"Store it all," Chang Suining said. "The silver from the accounts doesn’t need to be sent to me. Change it all into rice and store it together."
The harvest from the estate wasn’t limited to just the grain.
Though surprised at her decision to store the grain, Shen Sanmao didn’t hesitate to agree.
The two spoke for half a day, and then Chang Suining left the estate.
When the carriage entered the city, Chang Suining gazed out through the carved window, looking toward the direction she used to return to most often when entering the city. Casually, she instructed, "Make a stop at Xuanzhe Manor on the way."
She had been busy with many affairs lately and hadn't yet fulfilled her promise to visit Liuhuo.
The carriage rumbled on toward Xuanzhe Manor.
When it finally stopped, Chang Suining stepped out, now dressed in men's robes, her hair tied back, and she instructed Xi’er to wait in the carriage.
She didn’t want to draw attention while entering Xuanzhe Manor.
The guards outside the manor frequently changed shifts. Seeing a stranger approach, the guards raised their long spears and blocked the way, sternly stating, "Xuanzhe Manor is a restricted area. No one is allowed near without permission."
Despite the intimidating display, the "young man" remained calm and said nothing. Instead, he raised his right hand to show a bronze token.
At the sight of the token, the guards immediately relaxed. They lowered their spears and stepped aside, bowing as they allowed passage.
One of the guards led the way, while another quickly went ahead to inform someone inside.
Chang Suining crossed the threshold of Xuanzhe Manor. As a breeze brushed her face, she caught the familiar scent of the manor. The wind seemed to carry memories of the past, and faint echoes of laughter from old times reached her ears.
She followed the guard along the path she knew so well, one she could walk with her eyes closed, until they arrived at the main hall.
As she entered the hall, she saw the same arrangement as last time—the Yao Ri sword was still placed there.
Incense burned in the censer on the table, with three sticks still lit, half-burned.
Looking at the incense that was almost finished, Chang Suining couldn’t help but wonder—if she were truly in the underworld, receiving such continuous offerings of incense, she would surely be revered as a wealthy and influential figure.
"Chang..." The voice of Cui Yuanxiang came from behind. "Young Master Chang, you’ve arrived!"
Chang Suining turned around.
Cui Yuanxiang bowed and smiled broadly, "I presume you’ve come to see the Grand General?"
Chang Suining chuckled, "I’ve come to see Liuhuo."
Cui Yuanxiang, somewhat heartbroken for his master, still maintained his cheerful expression. "The Grand General is here at the moment."
"If Grand General Cui is busy, I won't trouble him today," Chang Suining replied. "You can just tell him I’ve come by."
She had only come to check on the horse, and didn't want to disturb him while he was handling state matters.
"He’s not busy at the moment!" Cui Yuanxiang quickly assured her. "In fact, just so happens that he is with Liuhuo right now. I’ll take you there right away!"
Chang Suining nodded at this.
Cui Yuanxiang led the way, and as they passed several soldiers from Xuanzhe Manor, they kept their eyes straight ahead, giving no sign of noticing them.
Along the way, Cui Yuanxiang made desperate, but fruitless, attempts to catch the attention of familiar faces, his eyes twitching in frustration. He thought to himself, These people don’t know what’s good for them. Once they realize it was Miss Chang who came today, they’ll surely regret not responding!
Liuhuo was being kept in a separate stable area. When Chang Suining arrived, she was surprised by the sight.
Under the afternoon sun, the tall young man, with his sleeves rolled up and the hem of his robes tucked into his waistband, stood by two water buckets. He was bent over, carefully brushing Liuhuo’s legs with a horse brush.
Sensing someone approaching, Cui Jing instinctively looked up. When he saw Chang Suining, he froze for a moment.
Chang Suining smiled at him. "Grand General Cui."
Cui Jing immediately stood upright, still holding the horse brush in his hand. Realizing his appearance was less than presentable, he fumbled for a moment, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.
Cui Yuanxiang approached and, in a low voice, gleefully informed his master, "Grand General, it’s Miss Chang who has arrived!"
Cui Jing: "..." Wasn’t it a bit late to announce her arrival?
Cui Yuanxiang, sensing the questioning look from his master, felt a bit wronged. Miss Chang didn’t need to be announced, as the Grand General had specifically instructed that she could come without prior notice.
But when his eyes caught sight of his master’s wet boots and disheveled robes, he suddenly understood.
Oh, so the Grand General was upset that he hadn’t given a heads-up earlier. Now he didn’t even have time to change or fix his appearance before meeting her… It was his mistake, and he’d definitely pay more attention next time!
Just then, a splash of cold water hit both Cui Yuanxiang and Cui Jing. Liuhuo had shaken off the excess water from its fur, running toward Chang Suining with excitement.
It greeted her with a joyful call, nuzzling its head against her shoulder and neck.
Soaked through, Liuhuo quickly wet Chang Suining’s robes, and she instinctively leaned back, reaching out to push its forehead with two fingers.
Sensing her reluctance, Liuhuo lay down with a thud and started rolling on the ground, trying to dry off the water on its body.
Cui Jing: "…"
Well, there went the cleaning effort.
He too was almost as wet as the horse, but he couldn’t help smiling at the scene.
He set down the horse brush and wiped the water from his face, walking toward her.
Not far off, two horses stuck their heads out. When they saw Liuhuo rolling on the ground, they stared, puzzled.
Once Liuhuo had finished rubbing itself dry, it shook off the excess water and then called out to the other two horses, who quickly trotted over.
Chang Suining looked at the horses with curiosity, and Cui Jing explained, "These are Liuhuo’s wife and child."
Seeing Liuhuo bringing its family over to her, Chang Suining felt a pang of embarrassment. She hadn’t brought any gift for this first meeting.
Liuhuo continued to call out happily, as if introducing its family to her.
The two horses stared at Chang Suining.
She observed them for a moment, then her gaze settled on the youngest horse, nodding. "It does resemble Liuhuo."
Not only in appearance, but it had a strong build, on par with Liuhuo, a truly remarkable horse.
Cui Jing added, "It has a similar temperament to Liuhuo. A stubborn horse with a strong character. It's just turned three and hasn't been claimed by a master yet."
Chang Suining raised her eyebrows in surprise, then commented, "A homebred horse can have such a fiery temperament? It seems like it was spoiled and raised without ever experiencing the harsh realities of the world, much like a pampered young master."
Cui Jing agreed, "Yes, it can almost be considered the offspring of a noble family."
After all, Liuhuo did hold an official title.
Chang Suining smiled softly and turned her gaze to him. "With the daily bustle of affairs at Xuanzhe Manor, Grand General Cui, instead of taking a rest, you’re personally giving Liuhuo a bath?"
Cui Jing looked at Liuhuo. "For me, this is rest."
He was accustomed to being around the old people and things of Xuanzhe Manor. Every time he saw Liuhuo, his heart would settle.
Noticing the rare sense of relaxation in Cui Jing, Chang Suining smiled as she watched him gently stroke Liuhuo's neck. The scene felt peaceful, as if time had slowed down.
"Does the noble offspring have a name?" she casually asked.
"It does," Cui Jing said, his hand still resting on Liuhuo’s neck. He paused for a moment, then looked at her. "Guiqi."
"Guiqi," Chang Suining repeated, looking at the young horse. "A very good name."
To the soldiers of Xuanzhe Manor, battlefields were their fate, and she added, "For a soldier, having a return date is a good omen."
The afternoon sun shone brightly as Cui Jing quietly watched her. After a moment, he said, "Yes, if there is a return date, that would indeed be good news."
Chang Suining instinctively turned to look at him. Her eyes were clear and seemed to hold a fleeting curiosity.
Cui Jing withdrew his hand and glanced at Liuhuo, who had become restless again. "I should go change," he said.
Chang Suining came back to herself and nodded. "Of course, Grand General, please go. Don’t catch a cold."
"Right," Cui Jing responded and left with Cui Yuanxiang.
The stable was quiet now, with only two servants standing watch from a distance. Liuhuo, excited, tried to nudge Chang Suining’s forehead with its head. This time, she didn’t move away but smiled and gently touched its damp forehead, reaching up to rub its neck.
Guiqi, watching this, leapt back in surprise—was this really happening? His father, at his age, was getting so close to someone like this?
As a veteran soldier who had seen many battles, Liuhuo had always acted as a strict father figure in front of his son. Now, he turned to his son, calling him forward.
Liuhuo nudged his son’s neck with his head and then called out again to Chang Suining, as if to signal something.
Chang Suining hesitated. "Wouldn’t this be a bit inappropriate?"
She was meeting Guiqi for the first time, and now Liuhuo wanted to send his son over for her to ride?
Not only did she feel it was wrong, but Guiqi also seemed reluctant, hopping about like a lamb.
Liuhuo raised his front hooves and gave his son a gentle kick, grumbling under his breath.
—This was a golden opportunity, a legacy to be passed down through generations. Who would inherit such a fortune if not his son? Hadn’t Liuhuo fought for his position and titles in his youth? Would the son not take over the family business and continue the legacy?
—This was an incredible stroke of luck! Other horses would fight tooth and nail for such an opportunity!
Guiqi’s mother came over, seemingly advising him too.
Finally, Guiqi settled down a little.
Liuhuo turned to Chang Suining, continuing his introductions, as if proudly presenting his family.
The warmth of the invitation was hard to refuse. If she didn’t ride, it would seem as though she was disrespecting them. Chang Suining reluctantly said, “Well, then I’ll give it a try?”
Liuhuo immediately kicked its son again.
Guiqi, reluctantly, took two steps forward.
Without stirrups or reins, Chang Suining held the horse's back and, with a swift motion, jumped onto its back, lightly steadying herself by holding its neck.
Guiqi, unfamiliar and uneasy, tossed its head a couple of times, which earned a mixed rebuke from both parents.
Liuhuo trotted ahead, leading the way and keeping a watchful eye on his son, occasionally looking back to intimidate or urge him forward.
Guiqi, with Chang Suining on his back, trotted leisurely around the stable for two laps, causing the two stable hands to stare in stunned silence.
“That young master... what’s his background?” one of them asked.
The other clicked his tongue in understanding. “Looks like he saved Lord Liuhuo’s life... He’s even willing to let his son go with him.”
Having spent so much time around horses, they could understand the body language of the animals to some extent.
After dismounting, Chang Suining took the grooming brush left by Cui Jing and gave Liuhuo a quick brushing, followed by a wipe down with a soft blanket from head to hoof.
Liuhuo, refreshed, shook himself, almost returning to his youthful vigor.
Chang Suining smiled and patted his head. “All done, I should be going now.”
Liuhuo turned and called out, and his wife and son immediately ran up to him.
As Chang Suining took a few steps, she sensed something was off. Turning around, she saw the three horses following her. Though they had no packs, there was a look of burden in their eyes.
It seemed like the family of three had prepared to follow her.
She turned to Liuhuo. “...You can’t come with me.”
Liuhuo, incredulous, pricked his ears—wasn’t she supposed to be here to take him?
“Not yet,” Chang Suining whispered, soothing him by gently patting his head. “When the time comes, I’ll come to fetch you.”
Though Liuhuo was reluctant, he accepted her words as a command and stood still, watching her leave.
As Chang Suining reached the edge of the stable, she glanced back. Liuhuo was still looking at her, and when he saw her turn, hope seemed to reignite in his eyes as he tapped his hooves in anticipation.
Not daring to meet his eager gaze, she quickly turned and left.
On her way out, she encountered Cui Jing, who had changed his clothes and was returning.
“Are you leaving already?” he asked.
“Mm, it’s getting late,” Chang Suining replied.
He walked alongside her toward the front courtyard.
On the way, Chang Suining seriously considered asking Cui Jing for Liuhuo, but ultimately decided against it.
Firstly, Liuhuo had military achievements to his name and was getting old. She didn’t have a proper excuse to ask for him, and bringing it up abruptly would seem suspicious.
Secondly, her path ahead was still uncertain. Bringing the aging Liuhuo with her wouldn't be as peaceful and comfortable as letting him stay in the Xuanzhe Manor for his retirement.
For now, she would simply visit him when in the capital. When circumstances allowed in the future, she would find a way to bring him back to her side. She hoped for that day to come.
“The funds for the reconstruction of the northern border defenses are about to be allocated,” Cui Jing spoke as they walked.
Chang Suining snapped out of her thoughts and immediately replied, “That’s very good.”
“But the allocated funds are only half of what I requested,” Cui Jing continued. “Though there’s still a shortage, this matter can’t be delayed any longer. I’ll lead the army to the northern border first, and we’ll find a way to urge the court and the Ministry of Revenue to make up the difference.”
Chang Suining nodded, understanding that the half they had managed to secure must have been hard won, given the poor state of the Da Sheng treasury.
She turned to Cui Jing. “When do you plan to depart?”
“After the Chongyang ancestral worship,” Cui Jing answered. “In three days, I will go with the Emperor to the imperial tomb for the ancestral rites. Will you accompany us?”
The ancestral worship was an occasion where many officials’ families would also join. However, with Chang Kuo not being in the capital, the Chang family’s participation was more flexible.
The preparations for the worship needed to be made in advance, and since Chang Suining was in the Xuanzhe camp, she wouldn’t have enough time to return.
Chang Suining replied, “I won’t accompany the ancestral rites at the imperial tomb. I’ve already made arrangements with Madam Wei to visit Princess Chongyue’s residence to offer our respects on Chongyang. Madam Wei had informed the Emperor in advance, and we have received his approval.”
Cui Jing paused for a moment, then nodded. “Very well.”
By the time they finished speaking, they had reached the front courtyard.
At that moment, under the guidance of a guard, Ming Luo, dressed in official robes, appeared with her maidservants, walking toward them.
Good night, everyone! (づ￣3￣)づ
(End of this chapter)
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