Chapter 19: Where Did You Hear That?

   

 **Chapter 19: Where Did You Hear That?**

 

It was indeed Cui Jing.

Today, as they weren’t marching, he didn’t wear armor, instead donning a long robe of deep green with round collar and dark patterned sleeves, cinched at the waist with a sash that highlighted his straight and flowing figure.

Yesterday, she hadn’t been able to clearly see his face, but now, standing in the morning light, it was as if the thin mist had dispersed, revealing the true beauty of the green mountains.

He looked as splendid as his name suggested, like jade imbued with light.

His brows were exceptionally well-defined, and his nose was high and straight, which only accentuated the depth of his eyes, resembling a secluded valley that concealed boundless brilliance.

Looking lower, she noticed the faint stubble on his face—

At this moment, upon clearly seeing his face, Chang Suining began to understand why he chose to keep a beard.

In ancient times, there was a general known as the Lán Líng Wáng, who was too handsome, which made it hard to instill fear in his enemies. Thus, whenever he went into battle, he wore a mask to cover his face.

Of course, Cui Jing was indeed exceedingly handsome, and the stubble didn’t conceal too much; nevertheless, it did add a certain intimidating aura.

“Come, greet General Cui!” Chang Kuo called out with a smile, waving at Chang Suining.

With no choice, she walked over.

Under Chang Kuos’s smiling gaze, she suppressed her discomfort, lowered her head, and raised her hand, saying, “I greet General Cui.”

Chang Kuo hadn’t mentioned her identity, and she hadn’t introduced herself, nor did Cui Jing inquire further, perhaps out of understanding or indifference, merely nodding in acknowledgment.

“The memorial drafted by the General, let me review it carefully, then I will have someone send it back,” Chang Kuo said.

When the army returned to the court after battle, all military reports must be submitted to the emperor, detailing not only the specifics of the battle but also the contributions and casualties of the soldiers—whether the meritorious could receive rewards, and if the families of the deceased would be compensated, all would be included.

This memorial was personally drafted by Cui Jing and then reviewed by Chang Kuo to ensure there were no errors, striving for meticulousness.

Cui Jing nodded again, gesturing to Chang Kuo with a slight bow. After Chang Kuo returned the gesture, he instructed Chu Xing, “See General Cui off.”

Chu Xing escorted him out of the courtyard, and at Cui Jing’s indication, he stayed behind.

At this moment, Wei Shuyi happened to be coming this way.

“It’s quite a coincidence that General Cui is also here,” Wei Shuyi greeted with a bow.

Cui Jing’s expression was indifferent: “What brings you here?”

“I came to pay my respects to General Chang,” Wei Shuyi replied with a smile. “Since we are both officials of the same court, as a junior and subordinate, it is only proper to come and pay a visit, both for public and private reasons.”

As he spoke, he looked at Cui Jing with a smile, “I initially planned to greet General Chang and then visit General Cui to express my gratitude and to share some good tea I brought from Hezhou, which would be delightful to enjoy together and reminisce.”

Cui Jing glanced at the items that Wei Shuyi had brought with Chang Ji, and said, “You may take the things; there is no need for you to go.”

“…?” Wei Shuyi’s smile faltered slightly.

Cui Yuanxiang had already extended his hand toward Long Ji.

Chang Ji’s expression twisted in struggle for a moment, then stiffly handed over the items.

Cui Yuanxiang snatched them up, lifting his chin slightly, as if to say four big characters—“Hand it over.”

“Let’s go.” Cui Jing said expressionlessly, lifting his foot to leave.

Once the person had gone far, Chang Ji glared and said, “My lord… what now?”

The tea was meant for General Chang!

As for why my lord had claimed it was for General Cui, aside from “my lord’s actions are often questionable,” based on past experiences, this was a sure indication that General Cui would not respond to my lord’s words—

But who knew General Cui wouldn’t play by the rules!

“This Cui Ling’an… is he intentionally trying to make me go empty-handed?” Wei Shuyi sighed, glancing at Chang Suining and Chang Kuo, who were looking at him from within the courtyard—there was no time to send someone back for gifts.

Chang Ji, who was following behind his lord empty-handed into the courtyard, felt his face burn with embarrassment.

It wasn’t just because he was going to meet General Chang empty-handed, but also because he had lost face in front of Cui Yuanxiang!

But who could blame his lord for being careless?

Chang Suining had roughly observed the awkward situation from earlier.

And Chang Kuo, being easygoing, warmly welcomed Wei Shuyi upon seeing him and discussed their plans to set out together the next day.

…

The next morning, the army departed on schedule.

For the next four or five days, they continued their journey.

As they passed towns and villages, Cui Jing did not stop anywhere, and when local officials invited him to banquets, he declined them all. During the day, they marched, and at night, they camped and rested together with the soldiers.

This way of traveling greatly saved time.

“...Following Cui Jing, one doesn’t have to worry about ambushes; it’s peaceful, but my stomach is suffering.” In the tent, Wei Shuyi, dressed neatly, sat at a small table, staring at the bowl of vegetable porridge and dry flatbread before him, unable to take a bite.

“Indeed, the Lord Wei is more like a member of the Cui family than General Cui,” Chang Suining remarked after finishing a bowl of porridge and setting it down.

It was already good to have hot food during the march; sometimes, they were in such a rush that there wasn’t even time to build a fire, but at least on the way back, they didn’t have to hurry too much.

“That is indeed true.” Wei Shuyi sighed with a smile, also being honest. “Cui Jing left home to join the army at the age of twelve; initially, he even had to adopt a false identity, and he has endured many hardships and accustomed himself to this military life, truly beyond my comparison.”

“However… if even the young lady Chang, who insists on having meat every meal, can endure this military food, then it would be unreasonable for me to continue being picky,” Wei Shuyi said, showing a look of guilt as he picked up the bowl of porridge.

After drinking a couple of sips, he silently paused.

Chang Suining had no intention of watching him force it down, saying, “Take your time, Lord Wei,” and then she left the tent.

She had intended to have a meal with Chang Kuo, but since Cui Jing was discussing matters in Chang Kuo’s tent, she chose to avoid it.

Chang Kuo had another tent set up for her, and at this time, the maidservants were still tidying it up.

“My lord!”

Just as Chang Suining approached the tent, she saw Ah Che rushing over, his eyes sparkling, stretching out his hands toward her, “My lord, look!”

In his hands, he was holding two grass fish, one of which was still thrashing its tail.

Chang Suining was somewhat surprised: “You went fishing?”

“Yeah!” Ah Che nodded vigorously. “My lord hasn’t eaten meat for two whole days, so I thought I’d try my luck in the river behind… How would you like to eat it? Should I borrow a pot to make soup?”

Spring nights were still chilly. Looking at his wet pants and sleeves, Chang Suining said, “Borrowing a pot is a hassle; just roast it directly over the fire.”

“Ah?” Ah Che was stunned for a moment, then grinned and nodded.

A fire pit had already been set up beside the tent. Ah Che took out a kitchen knife, swiftly cleaned the two fish, washed them, and salted them for seasoning, then placed them over the fire.

As the fish neared completion, Ah Che's damp clothes dried out.

Chang Suining sat nearby, gazing into the fire, lost in thought.

“My lord, it will be ready soon!” Ah Che turned the fish and asked, “Should we send one to General Chang?”

Chang Suining’s thoughts hadn’t fully returned, and she looked at the fire pit, instinctively saying, “No need. After nearly choking to death on a fishbone in my youth, he hasn’t eaten fish since.”

“Eh?”

Footsteps approached from behind, along with Chang Kuo’s puzzled voice: “Suining… where did you hear about this?”

Chang Suining jolted and immediately snapped back to reality.

As she turned around, she met Chang Kuo's large face, adorned with a scruffy beard and wide, curious eyes.

(End of Chapter)  

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