Chapter 20: She Has Come Home
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Chapter 20: She Has Come Home
After a brief moment of eye contact, Chang Suining blinked in confusion.
"Did Father not say so himself?"
"Did I say that?" Chang Kuo thought for a moment and shook his head to himself. "That can't be..."
It was certainly true that everyone around him knew he didn't eat fish. However, he had always claimed it was due to disliking the fishy smell. As for the incident years ago when he nearly choked to death on a fishbone, he had never mentioned it to anyone, fearing that such rumors would tarnish his reputation.
Seeing his expression, Chang Suining had a rough idea and added, "Father mentioned it once when he was drunk. Did he forget?"
The word "forgot" was quite incisive—
Her expression was so puzzled that it suppressed his own confusion.
Sure enough, Chang Kuo couldn't help but show signs of self-doubt.
Moreover, thinking about how he often blurted out the truth when drunk, he hadn’t dared to get drunk in front of others for quite some time...
Chang Kuo believed her.
"Oh, I see..." Chang Kuo laughed a couple of times, stroking his messy beard like a king, and said, "That must have been when Father was drunk and talking nonsense! It's not true! Father doesn’t eat fish because he can't stand the muddy fishy smell!"
"..." Chang Suining smiled slightly.
She was really starting to believe him—if not for the fact that she had seen him shed tears and leave a farewell message back then.
"But this fish is indeed quite fragrant... Ah Che's skills aren't bad!" Chang Kuo praised with a laugh, changing the topic.
Ah Che, who had already stood up to pay his respects, scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. Spotting someone approaching, he hurriedly greeted, "General Cui!"
Hearing this, Chang Suining looked over.
It was Cui Jing, who had just walked out of Chang Kuo's tent.
"Ah, where did this fish come from?" Cui Yuanxiang sniffed, his gaze landing on the two roasted fish.
"It was caught from the river by my subordinates," Chang Suining replied out of courtesy, asking, "General Cui, do you eat fish?"
Recalling the outcome of Wei Shuyi's "courtesy" with this person at the post station, Chang Suining felt there was a gamble involved in her question.
Fortunately, Cui Jing's response was as neutral as ever, with no visible joy or anger: "No need."
Chang Suining didn't press further and lowered her head to eat fish earnestly.
The fish skin was roasted to a slight crisp, the smoky aroma masking the fishy smell.
Sitting by the fire, the "youth" took a bite, his brows slightly relaxing in satisfaction.
This time, it truly felt like a cat eating fish—
Cui Jing withdrew his gaze and walked aside to speak with Chang Kuo. The two discussed the current situation at the borders.
As Chang Suining picked the fish bones while listening intently, she couldn’t help but frown slightly. Suddenly, a voice interrupted her thoughts: "… Did you not see? Why are you cooking your own meal here?"
Chang Suining looked up and saw Wei Shuyi, so she asked, "Deputy Minister Wei, do you eat fish?"
The outcome of her courtesy this time was quite evident—
Wei Shuyi graciously accepted, sitting on the ground while having Chang Ji bring him a small table and mat, along with a fish plate and long chopsticks, even a pair of silver tweezers specifically for eating fish, all neatly arranged beside the fire by Chang Ji.
"..." Ah Che was dumbfounded, feeling that this wild grass fish he had caught would likely never have been treated so formally in its life.
"Catching grass fish means there are many bones, so be careful," Wei Shuyi said, slightly rolling up his wide sleeves. His movements of picking out the fish bones were pleasing to the eye, and then he took a piece of boneless fish meat, placing it in a dish and handing it to Chang Suining.
Without waiting for her to refuse, he smiled and said, "A token of appreciation, otherwise I won't be able to enjoy this fish."
Not far away, Cui Yuanxiang witnessed this scene and said in surprise, "… Your Wei Shuyi has always been so proud and aloof, how is he now preparing dishes and picking bones for others?"
Chang Ji felt a surge of anger, although she also thought her lord's behavior was unusual. However, she retorted, "My lord is demonstrating grace beyond others; can your lord do the same?"
Cui Yuanxiang's competitive spirit was immediately ignited: "My general has recently led troops to drive back the southern barbarians; can your lord do that?"
"My lord offered suggestions for the flooding in Jiangnan, and they were adopted by the sage; can your lord do that?"
"My lord laid in ambush for the enemy, lying in wait for two days and two nights in the rain, only eating moldy cakes; can your lord do that?"
"My lord handled urgent matters in the Ministry of Personnel, going three days and nights without closing his eyes; can your lord do that?"
As the verbal sparring continued, the two's stubbornness brought them closer together, almost colliding head-on.
Cui Yuanxiang, unwilling to concede, began to play dirty: "… When my lord was staying at the post station, an official offered a beauty; did your lord have that?"
"My lord..." Chang Ji’s eyes widened, his mouth opened to say something to overpower the other, when suddenly a coarse porcelain tea bowl flew straight toward Cui Yuanxiang—
Cui Yuanxiang, alert, caught it and held it in his arms, glancing at his general.
Though the bowl still held half a bowl of water, it was hardly because the general thought he was thirsty and needed to moisten his throat, right?
Cui Jing, sitting at another fire nearby with Chang Kuo, didn’t even turn his head: "Hold it there and stand for two quarters of an hour."
Cui Yuanxiang, feeling aggrieved, answered, "Yes," balancing the bowl on his head and adopting a horse stance.
Chang Ji just revealed a hint of schadenfreude when he saw his lord wave him over.
Chang Ji walked over.
Wei Shuyi handed her a fish plate with one hand, smiling gently, "I know you won't fall behind, so go ahead and stand for two quarters of an hour as well."
"..."
Chang Ji walked over to Cui Yuanxiang, his expression resentful, and also stood in a horse stance with the fish plate.
"You must know, standing alone is for two quarters of an hour," Chang Suining remarked while watching the two in their rooster-like stance. "But if two people stand together, it’s hard to say."
When these two were put together, if they were sent to grind at the mill, the mill would probably be overturned by them.
Wei Shuyi nodded in deep agreement.
The answer would be reflected in the way the two tried to appear more normal as they walked the next day.
Along the journey, listening to their increasingly creative banter turned out to be a great pleasure.
After another three days, the capital was finally in sight.
When Chang Suining lifted the curtain of the carriage, she saw Chang Kuo sitting atop his horse, smiling at her. "We're almost home!"
Chang Suining looked ahead.
The majestic city gates were faintly visible.
On the straight path to the capital, oxen and white horses pulled fragrant carriages, and groups of young men and women dressed in spring garments strolled about, with young ladies in spring dresses and young lords leading white horses, the new willows swaying as if stepping into a painting.
Spotting the Xuanzhe army flag, the passing people all made way, looking up in admiration.
"Look, the Xuanzhe army has returned!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, their lively demeanor a far cry from the distant memories in her dreams.
For a moment, Chang Suining felt her gaze become scattered.
On a delayed day, the landscape was beautiful, and the spring breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and grasses.
As this spring passed once again, when would the day of return come...
Leaning against the window, Chang Suining gazed outside, her heart surging with emotions.
Today marks her return, and this day is her day of coming home—
She has come home.
...
As the triumphant army entered the city, the streets were filled with people, and flowers filled the sky.
The spring pollen filled the air, and the enthusiastic citizens made Cui Yuanxiang, who was riding beside Cui Jing, sneeze as he turned his head.
A branch of pink and white crabapple brushed past Cui Jing and landed squarely against Chang Suining's window.
Chang Suining picked it up, and when Cui Jing turned to look, he noticed that the "youth" was not looking at him but at the jubilant crowd welcoming them.
That focused expression and those indifferent eyes made Cui Jing feel as if the citizens were welcoming the "youth" rather than their Xuanzhe army—
This thought was absurd, and Cui Jing shook it off, turning his gaze forward and slowly guiding his horse onward.
...
After parting ways with Zhuque Street, Chang Kuo went in a different direction from Cui Jing, as for Wei Shuyi, he had already taken Prefect Magistrate Zhao into the capital early yesterday afternoon and did not accompany the army back.
As they neared the gate, Chang Kuo’s demeanor shifted.
"Just return to the manor to rest," he said quietly.
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