Chapter 35: Twins

 

 Chapter 35: Twins

As he continued to speak, Chang Sui’an sighed, "Because of that matter, even though the battle was won, there were constant impeachment voices against Father in the court. After that battle, not only did Father injure a leg, but he also fell gravely ill, almost losing his life. He had to recuperate for many years."

Listening to this story, Chang Suining’s expression turned slightly dazed.

Noticing the change in her expression, Chang Sui’an’s heart skipped a beat. He feared that his words may have given the impression that their father was a bloodthirsty, battle-obsessed man, and that Father might embrace that fearsome image in return. In a hurry, he tried to salvage the situation, saying, "But Father is not a man who enjoys killing. He’s always been strict with military discipline. Although he’s never spoken about it, I believe there must have been more to the story back then."

Chang Suining glanced towards the training ground ahead, nodding lightly, "I believe so too."

Because she knew the real reason why Chang Kuo had acted the way he did, and she knew he would never easily defy imperial orders. She understood it all.

After years of fighting and surviving together, how could she not know? How could she not trust him?

Thinking of Chang Kuo’s slightly limping leg, a gust of wind swept up the dust from the training ground, causing her eyes to sting slightly. "What has Father been doing all these years when he’s not on the battlefield?"

"When he’s not at war, Father spends most of his time training soldiers with General Cui," Chang Sui’an explained. "Actually, after Father’s leg injury, there were several years where he was quite disheartened. But then General Cui—oh, back then he wasn’t yet the General—he was only about fourteen or fifteen, but he had already proven himself in battle and was awarded the title of Youqi General. He suddenly came to our house one day and insisted on becoming Father’s disciple. At first, Father refused, thinking he was crazy. But General Cui persisted for almost a year..."

Chang Suining didn’t expect such a story and instinctively asked, "Did Father finally relent, moved by his sincerity?"

"Oh no, not at all," Chang Sui’an replied honestly. "Father only agreed because he was just tired of being pestered."

Chang Suining couldn’t help but smile slightly, "Getting tired works too."

After hearing these stories, she could imagine what Old Chang had been like back then. In those circumstances, having someone come and bother him might indeed have been a good thing.

Seeing his sister smile, Chang Sui’an was encouraged and continued with even more enthusiasm. "That day, Father was so angry, his hair was practically standing on end. He rushed out intending to give General Cui a good beating!"

Chang Suining asked, "Did he actually hit him?"

"He really did! Both Uncle Chu and I saw it with our own eyes!" Chang Sui’an exclaimed. "General Cui was still so young, no match for Father. I was worried Father might accidentally kill him and that we’d have to pay for his life by offering mine... But who would have thought that General Cui could take a beating! After that thrashing, Father finally relented."

As he scratched the back of his head, Chang Sui’an added, "I still suspect that General Cui deliberately sought out a beating and Father fell for his trick."

"Perhaps," Chang Suining said. "But it was probably more than that—Father must have seen some talent in the one he beat."

Old Chang had always had a soft spot for talent, especially martial talent.

Maybe, after that beating, he saw a glimmer of hope.

"That’s true... Father often says that General Cui is a rare military talent. It's a shame he was born into the Cui family," Chang Sui’an continued. "But out of respect for General Cui’s background, Father and General Cui never referred to each other as master and disciple."

"But Father truly taught him everything he knew. Of course, General Cui is extraordinary in his own right. He achieved great merit time and time again, and by the age of eighteen, he officially took command of the Xuanzhe Army."

Chang Suining nodded, "I see."

So Cui Jing had earned Old Chang’s approval first and then, with his own abilities, assumed leadership of the Xuanzhe Army.

This showed that although Cui Jing was a man of few words, his actions were meticulous and strategic, even from a young age.

That’s good. As long as his heart was in the right place, with Old Chang at his side, the Xuanzhe Army would be more united and cohesive.

With this thought, she asked, "Who was leading the Xuanzhe Army before General Cui took over?"

At that time, Old Chang had been heavily criticized by court officials and gravely injured, leaving the Xuanzhe Army leaderless—

"Oh, don’t even mention it. It was some guy surnamed Zhao..." Chang Sui’an grumbled. "Back then, the Emperor had just ascended the throne, and things were unstable. When Zhao took charge of the Xuanzhe Army, morale plummeted. Uncle Chu and the other veterans were constantly bullied, and important positions were given to the sons of officials. The army’s discipline was falling apart."

Chang Suining furrowed her brow, "Zhao Jue?"

"Yes, that’s the one!" Chang Sui’an nodded and looked at her in surprise, "How do you know him, sister?"

Without changing her expression, Chang Suining replied, "I vaguely remember Father mentioning him before. They say he’s narrow-minded, arrogant, and mixes public and private affairs—a man unfit for leadership."

"Exactly!" Chang Sui’an exclaimed. "Thankfully, General Cui took over. Father always says that if it weren’t for General Cui, the Xuanzhe Army might have been ruined under Zhao Jue."

Chang Suining nodded, "Indeed."

It could only have been Cui Jing.

First, he had already gained enough prestige, and second, even though the Cui family didn’t support his military career, his status as the eldest grandson of the Cui family gave him the leverage to fight for power.

The fact that he managed to wrest the Xuanzhe Army from Zhao Jue’s hands wasn’t just luck.

It was the result of a combination of his own abilities and his family background—both equally indispensable.

"Thankfully," Chang Sui’an said, "Uncle Chu and the others often say that if the Xuanzhe Army had really fallen, they wouldn’t have the face to meet the late Crown Prince."

Then he turned to Chang Suining, "Do you remember the late Crown Prince, sister?"

Chang Suining lowered her eyes, "I don’t, but I know of him."

"That’s right. You were just a little child back then." Thinking of his sister’s cute appearance as a child, Chang Sui’an smiled. "You were brought back by the late Crown Prince. He was your benefactor. If it weren’t for him, there would be no Xuanzhe Army, and I wouldn’t have the chance to be your brother."

He ended his sentence with heartfelt gratitude.

Standing near the weapon rack, Chang Suining reached out and picked up a bow. It was a light and manageable one that Uncle Chu had prepared for her the day before, and even with her current strength, she could pull it back.

Yesterday, she had "learned" how to position her feet, pull the bow, and notch an arrow.

As Chang Sui’an handed her the arrows, he continued speaking, "Talking about the late Crown Prince reminds me of Princess Chongyue—"

It wasn’t that he talked too much; it was just that, in the past, there had been very few opportunities to have such conversations with his sister!

Before, she had been too quiet, and he had hardly dared to approach her. Now, with his sister's newfound enthusiasm—or rather, with this rare opportunity—he felt compelled to make up for all the conversations they had missed.

As long as his sister didn’t tell him to stop, he could talk forever, until the world ended or his tongue fell off—

"Did you know that the late Crown Prince and Princess Chongyue were twin siblings?"

"Unfortunately, the late Crown Prince passed away early, and Princess Chongyue’s life has been full of hardships..."

"When the late Crown Prince passed away, it was not long after the Emperor’s death. The court was in turmoil, and the Northern Barbarians were watching us closely. To stabilize the situation, Princess Chongyue was sent to marry into the Northern Barbarian tribe, securing three years of peace at the northern borders."

"Three years later, the Northern Barbarians broke their treaty and began harassing our borders again. Father was ordered to lead a campaign against them, but before the battle, something monumental happened!" 

Good afternoon!  

VISIT OUR |🔴 Patreon Now

►►CLICK HERE FOR ADVANCE CHAPTERS◄◄

Next Chapter▶▶