Chapter 165: Hello Chang’an
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**Chapter 165: The Great Opportunity to Fool Me**
Ming Luo’s gaze first fell on Cui Jing’s face.
Just one glance, and she immediately sensed something different about him.
Although his expression remained mostly unchanged, the cold, distant aura that usually emanated from his sharp features had softened. This subtle yet undeniable shift in his demeanor was something she had only ever seen when he was in the presence of that person.
So, before her gaze moved to the person standing beside him, she already knew the answer.
When she saw the young man disguised as a boy, the only thought that crossed her mind was, *As expected*.
It had to be Chang Suining.
Her gaze flickered for only a moment before silently retracting, and she turned to Cui Jing, calmly extending her hand in greeting. “General Cui.”
Cui Jing looked at her. “County Princess Ming.”
Ming Luo wore an appropriate, polite smile. “I have been sent by Her Majesty to discuss the details of the Chongyang festival and the ancestral worship with you.”
“If you have official business, there’s no need to see me off,” Chang Suining interjected. “I’ll take my leave now.”
Cui Jing nodded, but as she began to leave, he suddenly called out, “Wait—”
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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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Chang Suining turned to look at him.
Cui Jing continued, “I’ve prepared a birthday gift for Ah Dian, but I won’t be in the capital on that day. Would you mind taking it with you and delivering it to him on my behalf?”
Chang Suining naturally agreed with a smile. “Of course.”
Ah Dian’s birthday was the day before Chongyang. When she had first taken him in, the copper lock he wore had his birthdate engraved on it.
But she hadn’t expected that Cui Jing would know this, let alone remember to prepare a birthday gift for Ah Dian in advance.
He was so thoughtful toward the people and things from the Xuanzhe Manor. Even the old her would have felt ashamed in comparison.
She recalled a time when, during her years in the army, she had absentmindedly stared at a sand table inside the tent. Wu Jue had brought her a bowl of noodles, which she ate hastily before resuming her work. The next day, when she had some free time, she finally asked him why he had gone to the trouble of making noodles for her. Wu Jue had been stunned for a moment, then replied, “It’s customary to eat noodles on one’s birthday.” She had been surprised, asking, “Who’s birthday was it?” Wu Jue had stared blankly and then said, “It’s Your Highness’s birthday!”
Only then did she realize that the previous day had been her own birthday.
As such, once she became busy, she tended to forget about these things.
In comparison, Cui Jing was much more reliable when it came to such matters.
Cui Jing ordered Cui Yuanxiang to fetch the gift, then turned to Chang Suining. “Would you like to sit in the front hall and have some tea?”
“No need,” Chang Suining replied, pointing to a small pavilion at the end of a path. “I’ll wait there.”
Cui Jing nodded.
Ming Luo, the entire time, kept her gaze focused ahead, never once looking at Chang Suining. However, every word exchanged between the two of them—especially the way Cui Jing spoke—was noted with acute attention.
After the subtle expression he only seemed to wear when addressing Chang Suining, she noticed the way his tone and manner of speaking were entirely different when he spoke to her.
She had originally thought that pushing Chang Suining into the position of Crown Princess would sever any bad omens surrounding him, but instead, it seemed to have pushed him even closer to Chang Suining. Truly, the ways of the world were unpredictable.
Ming Luo did not show any unusual reaction on her face, only following Cui Jing as he led the way to the outer study of Xuanzhe Manor for their meeting.
The security arrangements for the Emperor’s travels were not new, and the procedures were already in place, so there wasn’t much to discuss in detail.
Once everything was decided, Cui Jing said, “This matter shouldn’t have required you to come in person, County Princess Ming. In the future, you can just send a messenger to convey any instructions.”
He was always so straightforward, and Ming Luo had long grown accustomed to it. But thinking back to how he had treated Chang Suining earlier, she couldn’t help but feel an emotional disturbance that she usually would not have experienced in this setting.
For a moment, she finally spoke, "This concerns the safety of the Emperor's travels; I cannot afford to be careless."
Cui Jing did not comment, closing the official documents in his hands. Just as he was about to see her off, he suddenly heard Ming Luo, who had been seated, speak. "There’s one thing I’m curious about, and I’d like to ask General Cui to clarify."
Cui Jing looked up at her.
Since they were discussing matters related to the Emperor’s travels, and the details were not meant to be disclosed, the only people in the vast outer study were Cui Jing, Ming Luo, and one of Cui Jing’s trusted subordinates.
Ming Luo smiled slightly, speaking in a tone that was as if she were conversing with an old friend. "I wonder, General Cui, what is it about the Chang family’s young lady that you find admirable?"
Cui Jing seemed a little caught off guard by the question, but after a brief pause, he answered without hesitation or evasion, "Everything."
Ming Luo’s smile slightly faltered.
Everything about Chang Suining? That included her arrogance and self-righteousness, perhaps?
She found it amusing but refrained from commenting further, only asking, "But the Chang family’s young lady claims to have no interest in you... In that case, are you truly willing to waste your life for her?"
Cui Jing answered, "Even without her, I had never planned on marrying. My decision is not about wasting time; it’s simply a matter of personal choice."
Ming Luo only smiled.
So, his point was that, without Chang Suining, he would have remained alone, and would never have chosen anyone else. For him, solitude was the norm, and wanting to marry Chang Suining was the exception, correct?
But she did not believe that a person would only make an exception for one person in their lifetime.
If there was one exception, there could be another; if there was one person, there could be another.
"To meet someone you truly admire is naturally a good thing," she said in a calm voice. "I can also see that you are sincere toward the Chang family’s daughter. But true sincerity should be met with sincerity in return, or it will be a wasted effort..."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "I have no prejudice against her, but since she has publicly rejected you, I wonder what her intentions are now in seeking you out?"
Cui Jing casually continued to sort through the documents on the table and replied softly, "She is not seeking me out today."
Ming Luo smiled.
Did he really believe that?
"As a woman, I naturally understand other women’s intentions better," she said, pausing mid-sentence. Her tone was not accusatory, but rather carried the air of an observer who was merely offering a reminder. "From what I see of the Chang family’s young lady’s actions, she is certainly not someone with a simple or pure mind."
Cui Jing raised his gaze slightly to meet hers. "Why must I only like someone with a simple and pure mind?"
True simplicity and purity were indeed rare, but what truly attracted him was never the shallow simplicity or purity of a person. What he admired and longed for was strength, something profound, with an inner fire that burned brightly—someone who could confront their fears without yielding.
After the storm, he had learned to admire strength. He was only drawn to those whose power made him look up in awe, and in his eyes, those who were beneath him were just ordinary beings. He could feel pity or offer protection, but he could never be moved by them.
Perhaps he had been attracted to her from the very beginning.
From the moment she faced the divine elephant without fear, to the murderous intent she showed him while drunk, to the time she sat outside the dengtai Tower, sharing buns with two little beggars—there were so many moments...
Whether or not she was "the one," what she had now was the kind of soul that naturally captivated him.
At that moment, as he answered Ming Luo, Cui Jing suddenly became aware of this, and he looked down at the teacup beside him, watching the ripples in the tea. A subtle wave of emotion stirred within him.
Upon hearing this, Ming Luo also felt a stir in her heart.
"People’s temperaments are naturally diverse, and there is no high or low. It’s not that only those with simple and pure minds are worthy of being loved," she said, first agreeing with his point, then adding, "I only do not wish for you to waste your sincere feelings on someone who might manipulate or deceive you. That is why I took the liberty to remind you."
Chang Suining had clearly rejected him in public, yet she kept appearing before him. Wasn’t that manipulation and deceit?
Cui Jing glanced at her and replied, “Even if she’s trying to manipulate or deceive me, I don’t mind.”
The flower banquet was something he had strongly advocated for; if anyone had been using anyone, it was he who had recommended her to do so.
Ming Luo’s eyelashes trembled, and she even doubted her own hearing.
What?
What was he saying, such irrational words?
Was this still the same Cui Jing—always calm, collected, and flawless in his actions, never revealing any weaknesses in public or private?
So, it wasn’t that he didn’t know that Chang Suining had impure intentions, but that he was willing to be deceived by her? At this moment, Ming Luo felt as though the man before her had been possessed.
Yet, he remained composed, without any emotional fluctuation, his eyes clear and calm.
He was still the same person, but somehow, something felt entirely different...
Cui Jing finally spoke again, “In any case, this is a private matter between her and me. There’s no need for you to concern yourself with it, County Princess Ming.”
If it weren’t for the suspicion that Ming Luo was bringing up this matter under the Emperor’s orders to test his true feelings, he wouldn’t have said a word more.
“Understood...” Ming Luo lowered her eyes, her voice steady. “Today, I was impudent; I hope General Cui won’t take it to heart.”
Cui Jing gave a slight nod but didn’t speak further.
Out of a sense of pride, Ming Luo could no longer remain. She stood up and excused herself.
Her demeanor remained composed, but inside, turmoil was already surging.
She had thought that once she understood the reason for his affection toward Chang Suining, there would be an opportunity to destroy that reason. But his feelings had no apparent cause, no reason, not even a principle!
Ming Luo forced herself to calm down.
She didn’t believe that anyone could truly love someone for no reason.
Before he took command of the Xuanzhe army, he had been close to Chang Kuo. If he was indeed destined to be attracted to Chang Suining, why had it taken him so long to develop feelings for her?
When did his attitude toward Chang Suining start to change?
Images flashed rapidly through Ming Luo’s mind, and among them, she recalled the point when she first started paying attention to Chang Suining... It was when Chang Suining began deliberately imitating Princess Chongyue’s style!
The secret in the Heavenly Maiden Tower at Dayun Temple, both she and Cui Jing were privy to it; in fact, Cui Jing had even been involved. Over the years, she could sense his admiration for Princess Chongyue—this made her realize...
Was it because he saw a reflection of Princess Chongyue in Chang Suining that he was drawn to her?
The thought made Ming Luo’s heart suddenly swell with frustration and almost unmanageable panic—was it that Chang Suining resembled Princess Chongyue more than she did?
Coupled with the words of the National Master of Tianjing, and her aunt’s increasing hints about Chang Suining, Ming Luo couldn’t shake the feeling that her aunt was gradually leaning toward some form of speculation regarding that matter...
But what made Chang Suining resemble her more?
Apart from handwriting, what else did she share with Princess Chongyue?
Unable to make sense of it, she grew increasingly restless and agitated.
In all these years, she had never felt such a sense of panic. It seemed she would only ever feel this way about one thing.
She wasn’t necessarily deeply in love with Cui Jing, nor did she care so much about her aunt’s opinion, but if she wanted to rise in status rather than be knocked back down, she had to hold on to her foundation.
That was her foundation, and she knew it well.
At least it used to be, and still was...
Before Ming Luo could gather enough leverage to shed the cloak of "shadow" once and for all, she couldn’t allow anyone to destabilize her position and take it from her.
She didn’t realize how far she had walked until a figure appeared ahead in her line of sight.
That figure stood out, particularly in her eyes, at that moment.
"Young Master Chang... When will you come again to see the Liuhuo?" Cui Yuanxiang, seeing Chang Suining cross the threshold of Xuanzhe Manor, asked softly.
"I'll come when I have time," Chang Suining replied, stopping outside Xuanzhe Manor. He took the box from Cui Yuanxiang’s hands. "Thank you for running around today."
Cui Yuanxiang smiled and waved his hand. "It wasn’t hard at all, not at all. I was hoping you'd come every day... to see the Liuhuo!"
Chang Suining smiled back. "Alright, go back to your duties now."
Cui Yuanxiang nodded and, cupping his hands, bade farewell. He turned back happily into Xuanzhe Manor.
As he entered, he saw Ming Luo walking out with her maid and quickly stepped aside, smiling and bowing. "Miss Ming, have a safe journey."
Ming Luo nodded, not stopping her steps.
Chang Suining reached the carriage, where Xi'er got off. She took the box from the young lady’s hands with one hand and pulled up the curtain with the other.
Just as Chang Suining was about to get into the carriage, a voice called from behind her. "Miss Chang, please wait."
Chang Suining turned around and saw Ming Luo.
She raised a hand in greeting. "Miss Ming."
Ming Luo looked at the calm girl who had greeted her with a neutral expression. Her voice carried no trace of joy or anger. "I wonder if Miss Chang would be willing to join me at the tea house for a chat?"
Chang Suining looked beyond the expansive Xuanzhe Manor and replied, "The nearest tea house is still a good quarter of an hour away."
As she shifted her gaze back, her eyes landed on Ming Luo's carriage, and she casually suggested, "Your carriage looks spacious enough. Would it be possible to sit and talk inside?"
Ming Luo gave a slight, almost imperceptible smile.
She had never intended to speak with the girl, but now, having taken the initiative, she found Chang Suining responding with a dismissive attitude, as if avoiding trouble and trying to save effort. It was truly beyond her comprehension.
How could this person, who appeared so unconcerned, possibly resemble the flawless, lauded Princess Chongyue in the eyes of the world?
Despite her frustration, Ming Luo didn’t let it bother her too much. She nodded graciously. "Very well."
The two then entered the carriage one after the other.
After sitting for a short while inside, Chang Suining once again felt that inexplicable, strange sensation that she had experienced before.
This time, however, it seemed that she was beginning to understand the source of that strange feeling that had lingered since their first meeting.
Ming Luo had not allowed her maid to follow into the carriage, so it was just the two of them sitting across from each other.
"I wonder what business Miss Ming has in wanting to speak with me?" Chang Suining asked.
(End of chapter)
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