Chapter 48: A Very Round Head (Thanks to Chunhua Qiuyue85 for the reward)

 

 **Chapter 48: A Very Round Head** (Thanks to Chunhua Qiuyue85 for the reward)

Looking at the pair of astonished and delighted eyes, Chang Suining's heart sank with a "thud."  

Although she felt a bit touched, it was better not to—

 

"You’re the girl the prince brought back, Little A Li!" Ah Dian pointed at her and said.

"……" Chang Suining silently breathed a sigh of relief.

It turned out she was the one feeling guilty.  

Upon hearing this, Cui Yuanxiang reacted, revealing a look of realization.

Although General Dian did not mention the Chang family, with his cleverness, it wasn't difficult for him to deduce that "the girl Little A Li" must be a daughter of the Chang family.

He had said it!  

He had said that the daughter of the Chang family looked remarkably similar to this young lord— even General Dian mistook her for the same person!  

But General Dian was just a child; how could he not tell that the person in front of him was clearly a young man?

Cui Yuanxiang couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

"Is that you?" Seeing Chang Suining not respond, Ah Dian asked again.

"Yes." Chang Suining smiled at him and nodded, "It’s me."

She wore a man’s robe just to avoid drawing attention, and her identity in Xuanzhe Mansion wasn’t exactly a secret, nor could it really be one— except, of course, to that person named Cui Yuanxiang.

Cui Yuanxiang was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.

Then he laughed. 

This young lord was really just trying to pacify General Dian, going along with whatever he said.

"……" Cui Jing looked at his silly subordinate with some disdain.

Ah Dian circled around Chang Suining, asking questions here and there. He was tall and full of curiosity, like a big dog staring at a little kitten, wanting to reach out and poke it but uncertain whether to do so: "Why aren’t you afraid of me now?"

"Will you hurt me?" Chang Suining curiously countered.

"Of course not!" Ah Dian straightened his chest and said earnestly, "The prince has told us to protect you well!"

Saying this, he added proudly, "You don’t know, but I listen to the prince the most!"

Chang Suining smiled: "Now I know."

Combining this with his earlier statement, she said, "So I’ve decided I won’t be afraid of you anymore."

Ah Dian chuckled and showed his white teeth, happily raising his hand to pat Chang Suining’s shoulder, gently shaking it as if he wanted to lift her up and weigh her: "Little A Li, you’ve grown a lot!"

He then compared: "But you're still not taller than me!"

Looking at his sturdy, mountain-like figure, Chang Suining naturally replied, "Yes, I concede."

Ah Dian laughed even more happily.

"Ning Ning!"

Chang Sui'an rushed over, and just in time to see Ah Dian shaking his sister's shoulder, causing his hair to nearly stand on end from fright.

Seeing his expression, Chang Suining said, "I'm fine."

Chang Sui'an breathed a little easier and explained, "I just went to look for General Ah Dian, but I didn't see him. I heard he ran out, so I followed and found you here…"

Only then did Chang Suining realize that the general he was talking about was indeed Ah Dian.

"Father asked me to ask if he would like to stay at our house for a few days now that he’s back in the capital?" Chang Sui'an looked at Ah Dian.

Ah Dian hurriedly nodded: "I want to! I want to!"

He glanced back at Cui Jing and the others behind him, complaining: "They won’t let me go out!"

The several guards responsible for watching over him looked helpless.

It wasn’t that they weren’t allowed to go out, but the moment he left Xuanzhe Mansion, if they weren’t careful, he would run off to Jing Mountain's Gongling, where the late Crown Prince was buried. How could one just go in whenever they wanted? This General Ah Dian had broken in several times, and it was a miracle he hadn’t been executed…

"General Cui—" Chang Sui'an looked at Cui Jing with a questioning expression.

Cui Jing's gaze lingered on Chang Suining for a moment before nodding.

Ah Dian instantly jumped up with joy: "I can go out!"

Saying this, he hurried to gather up his fallen bundle.

Chang Suining walked over, bent down to help him pick up the scattered things, and smiled as she asked, "Are these all the things you want to bring?"

"Yes!" Ah Dian picked up a dry snack, wiped it, and stuffed it into his mouth.

As Chang Suining collected the scattered silver and copper coins, she remarked, "You were quite imposing just now, almost knocking my nose off."

Ah Dian paused in his chewing, quickly replied, "I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry!"

"I'll blow on it for you!" He leaned in and blew at Chang Suining, but a spray of snack crumbs came out.

Chang Suining leaned back to avoid it and waved her hand.

Ah Dian laughed heartily, but even more crumbs flew out.

"Little A Li, here, eat this! It’s really delicious… The prince always brought this for me when he came back!" He picked out the cleanest piece of sesame pastry and handed it to Chang Suining.

Chang Suining looked at the pastry for a moment before reaching out to take it.

The afternoon sunlight spilled into the courtyard, landing on her, golden and warm, making her heart feel peaceful and at ease.

The next moment, that sunlight was obscured by a tall figure, and Chang Suining looked up to see Cui Jing approaching.

He was backlit, leaning slightly as he extended his hand, offering a fallen piece of silver that had rolled far away.

As Chang Suining took it, her fingertips brushed against his cool, calloused fingers.

She quickly tidied up Ah Dian's bundle. Ah Dian carefully placed his bamboo dragonfly inside, then hugged the bundle and stood up: "Little A Li, let’s go quickly!"

Chang Sui'an bowed to Cui Jing: "General Cui, we’re taking our leave."

Cui Jing nodded, instructing Cui Yuanxiang to see them off and having someone prepare a carriage for Ah Dian.

When Chang Suining passed by him, he said, "Thank you."

Chang Suining looked at him.

She had met this General Cui many times but had never really spoken to him properly; it seemed this was the first time he had spoken— 

Yet it was to thank her.

For Ah Dian, he thanked her.

Did he take the responsibility of caring for Ah Dian, this former subordinate of the late Crown Prince, as his own?

Chang Suining recalled noticing just a moment ago that Ah Dian's nails and beard were clean, and he looked healthy and robust, which made her trust this seemingly indifferent young general even more.

She smiled politely: "It’s just a small matter."

Cui Jing paused for a moment before saying, "Once you get to your esteemed residence, I hope you will take care of him."

Chang Suining nodded, feeling that he seemed like an elder who repeatedly reminded a child before they left home— 

"Don’t worry, General." She also promised, "I will take good care of General Ah Dian."

"Not right!" Ah Dian leaned in to correct her: "I’m the one protecting you, Little A Li, you’re still shorter than me!"

Saying this, he took a bite of the pastry and urged Chang Suining: "If you want to catch up with me, you need to eat more like I do!"

Chang Sui'an laughed: "Haha, then she won’t catch up!"

"Maybe!" Chang Suining took a bite of the pastry and turned to Ah Dian: "Right?"

"Yes… The prince always says, one must have dreams!" He threw out a phrase he didn’t fully understand, but it was surprisingly appropriate.

Chang Sui'an laughed again.

Cui Jing watched the few of them laughing and leaving, feeling that the girl’s figure walking between two tall and sturdy young men seemed especially delicate and slender— 

This was his first time seriously paying attention to this Chang family daughter.

He saw her back straight, her long black hair tied into a high ponytail that cascaded down, her steps brisk and light, not at all giving him a sense of weakness.

And there was one thing…

Cui Jing looked at that ponytail and slightly furrowed his brow in curiosity.

How could someone’s head be so round?  

It really was very round.

It was the roundest head he had ever seen.

Cui Jing's focus was slightly different from others.

Not far away, Ming Luo noticed where his gaze was fixed and raised her brows slightly.

Chang family daughter… 

She silently repeated this in her heart, noting down this identity.

---

**Dudu: A Very Round Head, Wanting to Squish (Just kidding)**  

A small bonus chapter, see you tomorrow during the day~ Good night, everyone, try to sleep early and maintain your immunity!!  

*(End of Chapter)* 

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