Chapter 16: Something's Wrong with the Mind

   

 **Chapter 16: Something's Wrong with the Mind**

The Xuanzhe army set up camp outside the city one after another, while Cui Jing and Wei Shuyi were received by the city’s Prefect Magistrate at the post house.

The officials in the city were very attentive. They were originally worried about how to receive both the Grand General Cui and the Deputy Minister Wei upon their simultaneous arrival, but seeing the two enter the city together relieved their concerns, although they still had to make sure everything was in order.

 

In terms of official rank and power, Grand General Cui Jing, who also held the title of Grand General of Bingzhou, was the legitimate grandson of Cui Gong, making him someone no one dared to overlook. Moreover, accompanying him was the esteemed General Chang Kuo.

However, Deputy Minister Wei, hailing from the Marquis Zheng's residence, was young and talented, and as a specially appointed envoy from the sage, he could not be treated lightly either.

Fortunately, although the former had a cold demeanor and carried the fierce aura from the battlefield, he was not difficult to deal with. After the meal, he ordered his subordinates to send them off. The latter, on the other hand, was affable, showing no signs of having just survived a terrifying assassination attempt outside the city.

As the group of officials exited the post house, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

They whispered as they walked, “I heard before that Grand General Cui and Deputy Minister Wei don’t get along, but it doesn’t seem like there’s any animosity between them…”

“I also heard that Grand General Cui and Deputy Minister Wei were childhood playmates. They don’t look like they really… Rumors are not to be trusted.”

“Have the remaining matters been arranged?”

“Rest assured, Prefect Magistrate.”

…

Chang Kuo, citing his injuries, did not attend the welcoming banquet set up by the officials but stayed in his room to have dinner with Chang Suining.

He was not in the mood to deal with others, especially after his child had just experienced such an incident.

Before the meal, Chang Suining asked about his injury: “Was it on the leg?”

At first, she hadn’t paid much attention, but just now, when he got out of the carriage in front of the post house, she noticed that he had a strange gait in his right leg.

Chang Kuo smiled and replied, “It’s on my left shoulder; it’s just an arrow wound, nothing serious! But General Cui insisted on keeping me in the carriage!”

Not on the leg?

Then what about his leg… 

Chang Suining stared blankly at his right leg, concealed beneath his robe.

It seemed to be an old injury.

How did it happen? 

It had always been like this?

She wanted to ask directly but could only probe: “So… does your leg still hurt?”

Chang Kuo laughed and patted his thigh: “It’s been over ten years; it doesn’t hurt anymore!”

Over ten years…

When she left the capital, he was clearly fine. It could only be… the battle with the Beidi twelve years ago?

That battle was led by him.

Chang Suining fell silent for a moment.

Injuries and casualties are commonplace on the battlefield, but it’s always saddening to see a former hero suffer.

So, was the Xuanzhe army handed over to others because of this?

She had so many questions she wanted to ask.

Noticing her change in mood, Chang Kuo lowered his voice and asked with concern, “What’s wrong, Suining?”

Though he was a martial general, he was observant and not foolish; he had noticed the girl’s emotional fluctuations.

Chang Suining raised her eyes to look at him.

Just now, during their first meeting, Old Chang didn’t have time to think deeply, but in the days to come, she would surely have many “strange” things to explain.

“There’s something I need to tell you, Father.”

Feeling inexplicably nervous at meeting her gaze, which was different from his memories, Chang Kuo asked, “What is it?”

“I can’t remember a lot of things from the past.”

Chang Kuo’s eyes widened in shock: “What do you mean? Why would this suddenly happen? When did you start experiencing this symptom?!”

Chang Suining remained calm: “I’ve been like this since I woke up at those kidnappers' house. They used a lot of sleep-inducing drugs on me, so perhaps that’s why.”

“Then… was your head injured? Do you have any other discomfort?” Chang Kuo could no longer sit still; he suddenly stood up: “I’ll find a physician!”

 

“No need,” Chang Suining quickly stopped him: “When I was in Hezhou, Deputy Minister Wei already asked a physician to check on me; everything is fine.”

This was the truth; Wei Shuyi had indeed arranged for a physician.

Chang Kuo hurriedly asked, “Did the physician say if this… memory loss symptom can be treated?”

“I didn’t mention this symptom to Deputy Minister Wei or that physician” Seeing Chang Kuo's puzzled expression, Chang Suining explained, “I just escaped with my life, and with you not by my side, I didn’t dare to mention this lightly to outsiders.”

When she first brought back A Li, a group of old men surrounded the little girl, both curious and excited. 

A Li smiled widely, and Old Chang was overjoyed—“I’ve melted!”

A Li pouted and cried, and Old Chang was heartbroken—“I’ve melted!”

He seemed like a snowball that could melt at any moment.

Evidently, he had melted again, and his eyes were red as he nodded: “Good child… be cautious while alone outside; that’s a good thing.”

“If you don’t want outsiders to know, then when we return to the capital, I’ll ask the physicians at home to examine you closely. As for this matter in Hezhou, I’ve already spoken to Deputy Minister Wei; nothing will be leaked.”

After comforting her, he gently asked, “Now, tell me what you remember?”

Chang Suining replied, “I remember you, and I remember who I am.”

This was not a lie—

Except for herself, she only remembered her dad!

Chang Kuo was deeply moved again, and his eyes reddened: “Good… that’s enough.”

Saying this, he wiped his tears and summarized: “So, it’s to say your mind is broken… but not completely broken?”

Chang Suining: “That… sounds about right.”

Chang Kuo calmed himself down, sat back down, and comforted her: “It’s nothing; you’ve just forgotten some trivial matters. As long as you can eat and sleep, the rest isn’t a problem!”

“We’ll find a physician later… and practice with me. Once your body is strong, who knows? You might remember one day!”

Chang Suining remained silent.

In Old Chang’s world, nothing could be solved with a little “practice.”

But at that moment, she wholeheartedly agreed and nodded: “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Father.”

She needed to “practice” so that she wouldn’t find some matters too difficult to explain.

Seeing her agree, Chang Kuo was greatly relieved.

At this moment, someone brought in the meal, setting the bowls and chopsticks. Chang Kuo didn’t ask further, but kept piling food into Chang Suining’s bowl.

Chang Suining let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

Given the current situation, she was not ready to lay everything bare and could only muddle through for now.

Rather than telling one lie after another later on, it was better to tell a big one now and avoid a lot of trouble.

As for her mind being broken… let it be broken.

Having a broken mind was not so bad—in a sense, it meant she could say anything and do anything—after all, she had a broken mind.

Hmm, thinking this way, the sky was high and the earth was wide, and there were no restrictions; the future was full of possibilities.

…

After the meal, Chang Kuo took Chang Suining out.

Though they had eaten in one place, Chang Kuo insisted that Chang Suining return to the location where Wei Shuyi and the others were resting. His side was filled with soldiers, making it inconvenient, while the envoy's side had servants to take care of their needs.

 

“Are you Ah Che?” Chang Kuo asked the young boy guarding the corridor.

Ah Che quickly came over, nervously saluting, “General…”

“I heard Suining mention earlier that you could leave Hezhou with her this time; that’s quite a fortunate opportunity.” Chang Kuo patted the boy’s thin shoulder, then walked around him, inspecting him: “Hmm… too thin, weak. Once we get home, eat more and practice; you’ll be fine!”

Chang Kuo could not tolerate weaklings; if anyone in the house did not follow along to train, he would feel uncomfortable.

Ah Che was flattered and looked excited and determined.

At that moment, a commotion suddenly arose from the neighboring courtyard—

Chang Suining instinctively looked over.

Listening closely for a moment, amidst the chaos, it seemed there was a woman’s weeping sound.

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