Chapter 36: The Old Story of Chongyue

 

 Chapter 36: The Old Story of Chongyue 

The sword boy nearby felt that his master was like a storyteller, dropping hints at crucial points and knowing how to whet people's appetite. If not for the fact that what his master spoke of was common knowledge—except for the girl, who was unaware—he would have been captivated by his master’s style.

However, the girl seemed not too interested and had already started nocking an arrow.

But this did not dampen his enthusiasm: “Just before the battle, the North Di army's General was suddenly beheaded! The one who took his head was none other than Princess Chongyue!”

“It’s strange to say, this North Di General is the mightiest General of the North Di, said to be ten feet tall and known as a giant. Ordinary soldiers can hardly approach him. Yet, I heard that Princess Chongyue was frail and sickly, raised deep within the palace. I really can’t imagine how she managed it…” Even to this day, Chang Sui'an found it hard to believe.

“According to the servant who accompanied Princess Chongyue, she came out of the tent holding the general’s head in one hand and wielding a sword in the other—”

“Outside the tent, the North Di soldiers surrounded her with knives, but Princess Chongyue, unwilling to be captured and used as a hostage, resolutely took her own life with her sword.”

“This caused chaos within the North Di army. With their General dead and infighting breaking out over military power, our army was greatly inspired by the righteous act of Princess Chongyue—my father said that if it weren’t for this, the outcome of that battle would have been uncertain.”

Chang Sui'an ’s tone was heavy, filled with admiration and regret: “Princess Chongyue and the late Crown Prince truly deserve to be called siblings; both have such a sense of righteousness, caring for the common people. It’s truly admirable… It’s a pity that although I saw the late Crown Prince when I was young, I can hardly remember him. As for Princess Chongyue, I have had no chance to see her.”

Listening to these words, Chang Suining slightly narrowed her eyes, her arrow already released.

Chang Sui'an instinctively looked over.

The bow was light, and its range was naturally not far; the target was only ten paces away. Even so, Chang Sui'an did not hold out much hope for his sister’s shot, given that she had only begun practicing yesterday… right?

The boy widened his eyes in disbelief.

“Ning Ning, you… you actually hit the bullseye!” Chang Sui'an nearly jumped up.

Chang Suining nodded. “Yes.”

“But you only learned for one day!” Chang Sui'an was puzzled—how did she manage it? Whether hitting the bullseye or her calm demeanor!

“One day is enough to find the feeling.” Chang Suining leisurely nocked another arrow.

Chang Sui'an 's gaze followed the arrow as it flew out, and then he stepped back in shock, as if the arrow had struck not the target but his own eye.

“...Ning Ning, you can’t possibly be the shooting genius that legends speak of, right?”

The girl raised her chin slightly and seriously nodded. “That’s what I think.”

Her expression was calm as she looked at the target just ten paces away.

If she didn’t excel, she would be stuck playing with this toy for three-year-olds, wasting her efforts and finding it troublesome to perform. 

Therefore, she was destined to be a genius, not only in archery.

However, while she remained calm, Chang Sui'an could not maintain his composure at all.

For the next half day, he was busy with one thing—spreading the shocking news throughout the mansion: “Surprise! My seemingly fragile sister is actually a martial arts prodigy!”

Aside from the sword boy who witnessed it, everyone else was skeptical—after all, in the eyes of their master, the girl could do anything and be the best in the world.

This precedent included but was not limited to—when the girl learned embroidery at the age of ten, the master was amazed and rushed around the house to show off her work—while they, under pressure, could only blindly praise it without being able to discern what was even embroidered.

And when the girl first learned painting, the master again secretly brought it out to display—“Look at the plum blossom painted by my sister; does it truly convey the proud spirit of withstanding snow and frost, with a resilient backbone?!”

They all nodded in agreement, expressing that they had been moved.

However, their approval was still somewhat lacking.

Setting aside Chang Sui'an 's busyness for now.

Today, the rewards from the palace, apart from those for the Chang family, had also been delivered early to the Cui family in Anyi Lane.

Facing the palace attendant who came bearing the imperial edict, Cui Heng still wore a cold expression, showing no signs of warmth.

“My son serving the court is his duty; my Cui family cannot accept this reward for him without reason.” He stood outside on the stone steps, his arms crossed behind him, his tone icy and distant.

The attendant struggled to maintain a smile: “This is just a token of the Emperor’s goodwill…”

He didn’t even dare to mention the word “reward.”

In other places, this could easily lead to a charge of contempt for the imperial authority, but here was the Cui family—scholars were inherently proud, and the leading Cui clan was even more direct about their disdain for the royal family.

Yet, their roots were deep, their heritage rich, and their influence extensive, leaving successive emperors helpless.

Moreover, looking back through history, the royal family had attempted multiple times to form marital alliances with these great clans, but the Cui clan had always ignored them, believing that the royal family was not worthy to seek marriage with the Cui daughters, that princesses and such were unworthy to become Cui family women—traditionally, the Cui, Lu, Zheng, and Wang families only married among themselves to stabilize their power.

When the royal family had sought marriage and been repeatedly rejected, what had the emperors said?

So, this palace attendant naturally didn’t dare to show any arrogance and could only smile obsequiously.

“This coral is quite nice!” A young man in a brocade robe approached and reached out to touch the coral held by a little eunuch: “If I can place it in my study, I could write a few more characters!”

Cui Heng’s face darkened. “What kind of behavior is this?!”

Cui Lang smiled as he approached his father, whispering, “Father, grandfather is in the back hall and says he has urgent matters to discuss with you. I came to relay the message.”

Cui Heng frowned and turned to leave.

Cui Lang quickly signaled the attendant with his eyes.

The attendant let out a long sigh of relief and, bowing to the young man, raised his hand to instruct behind him, “Quick, bring it all in!”

Sigh, not only did they have to deliver rewards, but they also had to seize the opportunity to send it in… just look at how this was done!

“...Do you want to embarrass your father further today?” On the way to the back hall, Cui Heng scolded his son. “What coral do you lack? Why must you embarrass yourself in front of others like this?”

“That’s just free for the taking,” Cui Lang sighed. “Father, I truly can’t understand it. You say we have many officials in the family, and it’s the same for everyone. Why is it that when it comes to my elder brother…”

“What do you mean, the same?” Cui Heng said sternly. “Our Cui family members have always held high positions in the civil service!” 

“This is for the preservation of the family legacy and for long-term considerations! But what is he doing now? As a son of the Cui family, he willingly serves as a pawn for the Ming court; this act is nothing less than betraying the family and siding with the enemy!” 

“There are some things that are not suitable to speak of directly—Ming and Hou taking their positions unjustly, blurring the lines of legitimacy. Their interests are naturally opposed to us great families, so that wayward son’s actions are akin to muddling enemy and ally, betraying kin!” 

“Father, please calm down… If you ask me, elder brother’s stubbornness isn’t hard to cure!”

Cui Heng shot him a glare. “What ridiculous idea do you have?” 

Good noon, good noon, good noon! It’s not important, but I’ll say it three times, haha!

(End of Chapter)

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