Chapter 102: Hello Chang’an
.png)
"IF YOU LIKE THE TRANSLATIONS, CONSIDER SUPPORTING US ON PATREON."
Chapter 102: Is He Inherently Undisciplined?
“What is Second Brother talking about, making a vow like that?” Cui Tang looked in confusion at Cui Lang.
Afraid that his elder brother wouldn’t believe him, Cui Lang was holding the long box with one hand while raising his other hand in a gesture of swearing an oath—he swore on his honor that he would not let their father be involved in the celebration banquet three days from now.
Faced with such sincerity, Cui Jing could only say, “If I have the time that day, I will attend.”
Cui Lang nodded joyfully.
He knew that his elder brother was busy with official matters, and for him to be here today not only to watch his polo match but also to make such a promise was a huge honor!
He just knew that his elder brother didn’t dislike him!
It was just a pity that their father had been a barrier all along, preventing him from getting closer to his elder brother, causing them to miss many opportunities to bond.
Ultimately, their irresponsible father was the biggest stumbling block in the brotherly relationship between Cui Lang and Cui Jing!
As Cui Lang harbored this resentment, Lu Shi observed the two brothers standing together and felt greatly comforted, nodding in approval. “Very good, it should be like this…”
Cui Tang also found the scene before her pleasing to the eye.
She genuinely admired and looked up to her elder brother and hoped to see him open up a little and try to accept them.
Seeing the hope in her younger son’s eyes, Lu Shi sighed softly to herself, “I didn’t expect that persistent efforts would actually work on Da Lang… If this method is effective, then from now on, let Lang’er be bold and shameless to pester you, Da Lang.”
Cui Tang's lips twitched.
So, her mother had found an opportunity to pull this off?
Leaving aside whether her second brother dared to pester their elder brother, it was clear that their mother was disregarding her second brother's well-being just to win over eldest brother.
Lu Shi was already immersed in a beautiful vision of living comfortably in her old age: “If Lang’er can manage to catch Da Lang’s attention, then the three of us will have a good future; our fortune will surely be ahead.”
With Da Lang’s backing, she would no longer have to curry favor with her difficult husband.
Thinking this, Lu Shi looked at the two brothers with increasingly tender eyes.
Over there, Ming Luo walked up to Cui Jing, seemingly discussing something.
Lu Shi watched and smiled, then leaned in to ask her daughter softly, “Did you notice anything different about your elder brother today?”
Cui Tang replied, “What do you mean, Mother?”
“Of course, it’s about that little lady from the Chang family…” Lu Shi tilted her body slightly and whispered to her daughter, “Don’t you think your elder brother treats that young lady a bit differently?”
Cui Tang shook her head at first.
She really hadn’t noticed anything.
Lu Shi clicked her tongue. “How can you all be so oblivious…”
In her view, comparing Ming NĂĽ Shi and that Miss Chang, although Da Lang showed no particular expression toward either of them, the overall feeling was still different.
Cui Tang remained skeptical. “Are you saying that elder brother…”
Lu Shi shook her head. “I can’t say more for now… but at least it’s not the same.”
This subtle difference, which was visible all over the street, was rare for Cui Jing.
Cui Tang spoke with a complex tone: “...It’s normal for it to be different; after all, I heard that the Miss Chang just hit elder brother once, didn’t she?”
“Perhaps that’s the key,” Lu Shi boldly speculated. “What if your elder brother is actually attracted to a girl who can hit him, even if she can take on eight others?”
“?!” Cui Tang was taken aback.
Lu Shi felt more and more convinced of her idea: “Just like your elder brother, a person of such rebellious nature might be destined to need a Miss Chang like her to tame him.”
Cui Tang looked perplexedly at the young man across from her.
Does that mean… her elder brother was inherently undisciplined? She found it hard to fathom.
“If there’s a chance, you should also get to know that Miss Chang,” Lu Shi started planning for her daughter. “You can’t just rely on your second brother alone…”
Cui Tang understood clearly—if they wanted to fully support their elder brother’s ambitions, they had to make efforts from every angle and not miss any shortcuts.
Not far away, a similar exhortation was coming from the mouth of Duan Shi: “Qing’er, you and Suining are about the same age; you should spend more time together in the future…”
“Mother, why are you addressing her so intimately?” Wei Miaoqing pouted. “Do you like the Miss Chang that much?”
Duan Shi looked at her daughter with a “isn’t that normal?” expression, smiling as she said, “If you get to know her, you’ll surely like her too.”
The girl felt a tinge of jealousy in her heart: “Since you like her so much, why not just adopt her as a goddaughter? After all, that Miss Chang is in need of a motherly figure.”
“Stop talking nonsense; this matter should not be brought up again!” Duan Shi immediately reproached her daughter, instinctively glancing at her son, who was chatting with colleagues under the pavilion.
Wei Miaoqing didn’t miss her gaze, and after a moment of shock, her eyes widened in realization.
Is Mother thinking about that kind of plan?!
…
“This year’s polo match was truly exciting…”
"That’s right, not only did we watch the match, but we also enjoyed a grand performance."
A group of five or six young scholars discussed today’s competition as they walked.
"Chang Miao has been arrogant within the academy for a long time; today’s outcome is well-deserved…"
"It’s all thanks to that lady, what was her surname? Ah, yes, Miss Chang!" one of the students exclaimed. "She was truly fierce, taking down Chang Miao and the others single-handedly. I didn’t even see how she did it…"
Another one sighed, "It’s enviable that Head Master Qiao accepted her as a student."
"Indeed, speaking of which, it’s strange how Head Master Qiao treats Brother Song with such indifference while giving Miss Chang special guidance. That day, Brother Song specially went to present a gift to become a disciple, but was politely declined by head master, who has never acknowledged him as a student... yet in the end, he takes in a little girl as his personal student. It’s really puzzling." The speaker glanced at the young man walking ahead, his tone filled with regret and indignation.
The young man paused briefly, then said seriously, "Head Master is accustomed to being carefree and does not enjoy unnecessary formalities, which is why he has not agreed to my request to become his student. As for this so-called acceptance of a disciple, it is clearly just indulging a spoiled little girl at home; the two should not be confused."
"How is that merely indulgence?"
A clear voice rang from behind them, drawing their attention back.
Dressed in her narrow robe from the polo match, Chang Suining looked at the young man who had just spoken, "I sincerely seek to be a disciple and am not merely a little girl causing a ruckus."
"This is the Miss Chang…"
The group of scholars buzzed with excitement, many raising their hands to salute her, each calling out "Miss Chang," their eyes filled with unmistakable curiosity.
However, the young man named Song did not salute; he simply looked at Chang Suining without speaking, showing no sign of embarrassment from being overheard by others.
He had a face with sharp, defined features, and he was quite slender. At this moment, with his hands behind his back, he exuded a scholarly demeanor.
Clearly, he despised arguing or explaining anything to this little girl who was causing a scene.
Chang Suining seemed oblivious, gazing at him for a moment before speaking, "I recognize you—"
During her time in the Imperial academy, she had gathered information about some of the more notable scholars.
The young man frowned slightly.
Then, she casually continued, "Song Xian, Song Juren, I have read your essays. They are quite insightful and possess character, leaving a deep impression on me."
As she spoke, Chang Suining cupped her hands in a salute, "I have long admired your name."
Song Xian was indifferent, raising his gaze and not meeting her eyes: "Just a hollow reputation."
He seemed unconcerned with the opinion of a mere girl, or perhaps he felt he did not need her to appreciate him.
Chang Suining did not mind his attitude and instead extended an invitation: "Speaking of which, I consider you a half-classmate, Song Juren. In three days, I will be holding a discipleship banquet at Deng Tai Tower with head master. I hope you and the other classmates can come for a drink."
At once, someone exclaimed in surprise, "A discipleship banquet? Miss Chang is hosting one at Deng Tai Tower?"
Song Xian’s expression tightened: "The term classmate is something I cannot aspire to."
He appeared as if he wanted to brush away the dust from the sleeves of an immortal's robe, which made Chang Suining raise her eyebrow.
Finally, he looked directly at her, his expression serious as he asked, "But I must ask, is the discipleship banquet at Deng Tai Tower your idea or head master's?"
Chang Suining, hands behind her back, smiled: "If I want to be a disciple, it is naturally my own idea."
Song Xian looked even more displeased: "I believe this action is inappropriate."
Xi'er’s eyes widened at his tone—who was he to question this?
However, Chang Suining’s expression remained unfazed as she calmly waited for Song Xian to continue.
These scholars, having humble beginnings, had not yet been tempered by the bureaucracy of the official world. Upon entering the capital's ostentation and being pursued for their talent, their self-esteem and sense of responsibility grew strong, often leading them to act with a certain obstinacy.
"Head Master does not like extravagance. Since Miss Chang wishes to be a disciple, why must it be so ostentatious?" Song Xian spoke with disapproval, "Furthermore, as a woman, the ceremony for discipleship is already optional, and holding a banquet at Deng Tai Tower is excessively conspicuous. If it attracts unnecessary gossip, wouldn’t it bring trouble to Head Master?"
His lecturing tone opened Xi'er's eyes wide.
Chang Suining calmly countered, "Are you saying that because I am a woman, I should not enter the grand hall? That this act of seeking a teacher could tarnish Head Master’s reputation and jeopardize his integrity?"
Song Xian frowned, remaining silent—he had not intended to express his thoughts so bluntly, but since she brought it up, he wouldn't deny it.
If she understood, she should know to reconsider the idea of a discipleship banquet.
"Rest assured, Song Juren. Since I dare to make such an ostentatious request for discipleship, I am confident that I won’t bring shame to Head Master’s name—" In the twilight, the girl smiled, exuding confidence, "I will become an outstanding student."
Song Xian nearly couldn't hold back a derisive laugh.
What was she saying?
An outstanding student?
That was Head Master Qiao—
Did she have any idea how remarkable she needed to be to live up to Head Master's name?
Was she expecting to become a top female scholar?
Moreover, she looked more like she was suited for martial arts!
Indeed, she was willfully ignorant… even when she had publicly stated her desire to become Head Master's student during the match, he had noticed how much she sought attention.
"Since Miss Chang has this ambition, I shall wait and see," he said mockingly before turning and sweeping his sleeve as he left.
Behind him, the girl's voice remained amicable: "In three days, at Deng Tai Tower, I will send someone to deliver the invitation in advance."
"..." Song Xian felt a tightness in his chest—did she really have the nerve to invite him? Was she unable to understand him, or was she deliberately provoking him?
Regardless of which possibility it was, it did not make him happy, and Song Xian's expression darkened as he strode away.
The other scholars saluted Chang Suining and departed, chasing after Song Xian.
"Why must you be like this, Brother Song?"
"Your words just now were rather sharp…"
"Miss Chang recognizes you and holds you in such esteem; that’s a good thing…"
"This kind of good fortune, we could only dream of."
"Brother Song, you may not know, but Miss Chang's background is rather mysterious. Though she bears General Chang’s surname, both Head Master and Head Yu treat her like their own daughter…"
"Previously, there were rumors that she was the illegitimate daughter of Minister Yao, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice... Did you see today? It seemed that Minister Yao was indeed quite concerned about Miss Chang!"
One of the scholars raised his eyebrows and said to Song Xian, "If you can win Miss Chang’s favor, it will certainly help your future career..."
Song Xian's face turned red and pale in turn: "Don't speak nonsense!"
He was always the most upright; his reaction now only encouraged others to tease him further.
"There were quite a few ladies watching you quietly today, but if we’re talking about family background, looks, and martial prowess, none can compare to Miss Chang... If you can seize this rare opportunity, you could line up a row of future fathers-in-law!"
"Then we can all rise with you!"
"I hope you’ll help us out in the future!"
Song Xian’s face turned as black as ink, and he walked even faster.
"Miss, that one named Song Xian spoke behind your back earlier and then openly insulted you; why do you still tolerate him and plan to send him an invitation?" Xi'er said, somewhat indignantly.
As she spoke, a sudden thought struck Xi'er.
Could it be that the lady was actually infatuated with these talented yet impoverished scholars? Just like with Zhou Ding previously!
Xi'er felt a surge of panic, fearing that her lady might be falling back into her old habits. She cautiously glanced over and probed, "Or do you think that it’s too inconvenient to act in the Imperial academy, and you want to lure him to Deng Tai Tower to settle things?"
Chang Suining: "…"
She wasn’t someone who felt the need to fight everyone; she didn’t have such a strong urge to do so.
“Do you think he would go to Teng Tai Tower?” she countered Xi'er.
Xi'er thought for a moment and shook her head. “Probably not… He seems more stubborn than Zhu Feng.”
Chang Suining said, “Then that’s settled.”
“If you know he definitely won’t go, why do you keep inviting him and preparing to send him an invitation?”
Chang Suining walked ahead casually and replied, “To make a good connection.”
Xi'er exclaimed in confusion, “A good connection? But this connection doesn’t seem very promising…”
Worried, the young maid asked softly, “And what happens after you make this ‘good connection’?”
Chang Suining replied earnestly, “Then I’ll raise him a bit, pick an auspicious day, and eat him in one bite.”
Like a little calf that just came out of the barn and wants to fight, she’d eat him up in one go.
Xi'er stared wide-eyed—what kind of eating method was that?
…
Meanwhile, on the other side, Cui Lang and the others had rushed to the medical hall to find Qiao Yubai.
Qiao Yubai was still unaware of what had happened after he left the competition. When he saw Cui Lang and the others approach, panting heavily, and Cui Lang holding a long box in his arms, which was unmistakably...
After being in a low mood for so long, Qiao Yubai was momentarily taken aback and couldn’t help but ask, “Did we win?!”
How did they manage to do it without him?
The expressions of Chang Sui'an and Wang Shi, who had accompanied Qiao Yubai earlier, were also filled with surprise and confusion.
(End of this chapter)
►►CLICK HERE FOR ADVANCE CHAPTERS◄◄
Comments
Post a Comment