Chapter 26: A Sudden Omen

    

Chapter 26: A Sudden Omen

Cui Lang shook his head and shivered. "What about Grandfather?"

"The family head is out and will return this evening."

"Then it's over." Cui Lang glanced at the sky and showed a look of despair. "Elder Brother will be kneeling for a long time."

...

Inside the Cui family's ancestral hall, the air was thick with the scent of incense, and the silence was so profound that one could hear a pin drop.

Cui Jing knelt upright, just as he did in his childhood.

On the altar, rows of ancestral tablets were neatly arranged, with the Cui family's ancestors' names enshrined in the highest position. Cui Jing’s gaze, however, remained fixed on the lowest tablet.

It belonged to his deceased birth mother, Lady Zheng.

The room was utterly silent. Cui Jing remained motionless, like a statue, blending into the increasingly dim ancestral hall.

It wasn't until the door behind him was pushed open, letting in the last rays of twilight, that a voice broke the stillness.

"Get up."

A stern, elderly voice echoed from behind him.

Cui Jing rose and greeted the newcomer with respect. "Grandfather."

The old man looked at him and spoke slowly, "You've grown thinner."

The cold edge that had surrounded Cui Jing seemed to soften. "I have worried you these past two years, Grandfather."

"If you truly feel that way, then promise me one thing," the family head, Cui Ju, spoke with a calm authority. Though his tone was not harsh, it carried an even heavier pressure than Cui Heng's sharpness. "Tomorrow, you will enter the palace, relinquish your military authority, and voluntarily step down as General of the Xuanzhe Army."

After a brief silence, Cui Jing replied, "Grandson cannot obey."

A flicker of emotion passed through Cui Ju's aged eyes. "Do you understand what you're saying?"

"I am fully aware."

"Father, why waste words on this ungrateful son—" Cui Heng had arrived, his face still dark with anger.

Cui Lang, following behind him, peeked into the ancestral hall from the doorway.

At that moment, Cui Yuanxiang hurried in, glanced at the situation, and stepped forward. "My Lord, the Emperor urgently summons you to the palace."

Cui Jing raised a hand. "Grandfather, I must take my leave."

"No—" Cui Heng tried to stop him with a shout, but Cui Ju raised his hand to silence him.

Cui Jing stepped out of the ancestral hall.

"E-elder brother..." Cui Lang, who was usually arrogant, now spoke in a whisper, like a mouse in front of a cat.

Cui Jing glanced at him and merely responded with a soft "Hmm" before walking away.

Only when Cui Jing was far enough did Cui Lang dare to lift his head and exhale in relief.

"Father..." Inside the ancestral hall, Cui Heng frowned. "You weren't home earlier, so you don't know what happened... Today, when he returned, only the younger generation came to greet him. None of the elders appeared... Ever since he joined the military, there have been countless voices of discontent in the family. Today, it was clear—"

"You shouldn't have publicly reprimanded him in front of the younger generation and punished him by making him kneel for so long," Cui Ju said firmly, looking at his son. "That’s not how you assert authority."

Cui Heng's brow furrowed deeper, but he lowered his head. "It was my mistake."

...  

Outside the mansion, Cui Jing mounted his horse. “Let’s go.”

The sound of hooves echoed in the twilight as the group quickly left Anyi Lane.

To the north of Anyi Lane was the East Market, not far from the imperial city. Riding without rest, they arrived within three-quarters of an hour.

Cui Jing dismounted in front of the palace gates, where an eunuch, who had been waiting, approached and greeted him. “We’ve finally awaited the arrival of the Grand General… Please follow me to meet her Majesty.”

Cui Jing handed his horse to Cui Yuanxiang and followed the eunuch into the palace.

“Ah,” watching their General walk away, a young soldier sighed with a troubled expression, muttering under his breath, “Brother Cui Yuanxiang, I just don’t get it. Our General is so brave, so gifted—he’s achieved so many great feats over the years… If I could have that kind of success, my ancestors would be so proud, my father would rewrite the family registry overnight to put my name at the very top! But why does it seem like, for the General…”

Another soldier chimed in, “It’s as if he’s committed some terrible crime, with countless evil deeds, and his sins are too numerous to count…”

“You don’t understand,” Cui Yuanxiang rolled his eyes. “Just keep quiet.”

Because this is the Cui family.

Cui Yuanxiang watched the figure vanish behind the palace gates and sighed inwardly.

For so many years, everyone had seen how their commander was treated by his family. And truth be told, he felt a little sorry for the General.

I guess that woman has something to do with the injustice Cui Jing has been through-Shishiballs 

...

Cui Jing entered the inner palace and arrived at the Xuanzheng Hall.

“Minister Cui Jing pays respects to His Majesty.” Cui Jing bowed his head at the foot of the imperial steps.

Born into an elite family, groomed from a young age to be the future head of the Cui family, even in the presence of imperial power, the noble aura ingrained in his very being was undiminished.

Above the steps, a large jade carving of the empire’s vast territory hung on the wall, depicting the Dashing Kingdom’s lands.

Above the map, behind the dragon table, a beaded curtain hung.

The empress sat behind the curtain, and beneath the ceremonial crown, her once immaculate hair now showed signs of white.

“Minister Cui, rise.” Her voice carried no hint of age, only an unassailable authority. “You have led the army to victory. After such a long journey, I should not have summoned you so urgently—”

“Upon arriving in the capital, it is only right that the General enters the palace to see Your Majesty. It is I, Cui Jing, who am late.” The armored young man stood tall and presented a report. “The details of the battle are here for Your Majesty’s review.”

A young palace maid, still looking youthful, stepped forward, took the report, and smiled as she nodded at Cui Jing.

Cui Jing gave a slight nod in return.

The Servant presented the report to the empress.

“General Cui and General Chang have endured hardship for two years in this campaign, finally driving the Southern Barbarians from our borders. It is a great achievement.” The empress did not immediately read the report, her tone full of appreciation. “These years, without General Cui to pacify the borders, our kingdom would not have known such peace.”

“This is not Cui Jing’s achievement.” The young general’s voice was calm but unwavering. “It is the elite forces left behind by the late Crown Prince who have defended the empire.”

The empress’s smile faltered slightly, a trace of sadness flashing in her eyes.

“Yes.” She spoke in a low voice. “My son was always concerned for the Da Sheng Dynasty, always mindful of the nation’s stability…”

Her emotions did not surface too much. Through the beaded curtain, she gazed at Cui Jing. “In truth, the reason I summoned you tonight is because of the matter at Dayun Temple—”

At the mention of "Dayun Temple," Cui Jing, who had been gazing downwards, immediately looked up.

From behind the curtain, the emperor’s voice continued, “At Dayun Temple, a strange phenomenon has appeared.”

Cui Jing’s expression shifted slightly. “A phenomenon?”

The empress nodded and spoke softly. “Half a month ago, Wu Jue had monks deliver a message to the palace…”

Inside the hall, the flames of the Vermilion Bird candlesticks flickered faintly.

Before long, Cui Jing emerged from the Xuanzheng Hall.

The palace maid followed him out with a group of attendants. “Let me escort the Grand General out of the palace—”

Cui Jing declined. “No need.”

The maid was about to explain that it was the empress’s order to accompany him, but the young man had already descended the white jade steps swiftly.

He walked with such urgency that the eunuch holding a lantern had to jog to keep up.

The maid stood still for a moment, watching as the figure disappeared from sight, then returned to the hall.

“The Grand General left in a hurry and did not allow Luo’er to escort him,” she said as she approached the emperor’s desk, bowing slightly.

The empress said nothing, leaning back in her dragon chair with her eyes closed, lost in thought.

After a moment of quiet, the Servant spoke softly, “There’s no need for Aunt to worry too much…”

The empress gave a barely perceptible nod.

The servant said no more, silently withdrawing and instructing the attendants to light calming incense.

... to the chapter.) 

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