Chapter 105: Hello Chang’an
.png)
"IF YOU LIKE THE TRANSLATIONS, CONSIDER SUPPORTING US ON PATREON."
### Chapter 105: The Late Crown Prince is Quite Witty
In response to Chang Suining's question, Cui Jing calmly replied, "I heard it from Senior Ah Dian."
As he spoke, he also glanced at the chestnut flowers blooming on the tree.
Chang Suining understood, "So that's it."
It made sense if it was Ah Dian; he was her top chestnut-peeling guard.
Mentioning Ah Dian, Cui Jing continued, "He learned that Miss Chang would return to Chang Mansion today and went back to Xingning fang early."
Only then did Chang Suining realize Ah Dian had been waiting for her at the General's residence. She turned to glance in the direction of Qiao Yang's bedroom and said, "I'll go back when my brother comes out."
Cui Jing nodded, withdrawing his gaze from the chestnut tree, and turned to leave first.
Chang Suining watched the young man's tall figure and suddenly furrowed her brow in confusion.
Why did she feel as though… she had seen him somewhere before?
This "before" referred to a time when she was not yet Chang Suining.
From Li Shang to A Li, she had lost a full twelve years of her life. If she had seen him back then, it must have been at least more than ten years ago. At that time, he would have been quite young—had she met a young Cui Jing?
But why couldn’t she remember anything at all?
Chang Suining pondered for a moment but still couldn't recall anything.
That fleeting feeling of déjà vu lingered in her heart, refusing to dissipate.
With these thoughts in mind, Chang Suining kept her eyes fixed on Cui Jing's disappearing back.
At that moment, a man's cough came from behind her.
Chang Suining turned to look: "Minister Yao—"
Yao Yi nodded, casually asking, "Is Miss Chang not returning yet?"
"I'm waiting for my brother," Chang Suining played dumb in response. "Why hasn’t Minister Yao gone back yet?"
"I had a bit too much to drink at the banquet, so I came out for some fresh air… I saw the moonlight was nice, so I wandered over to the bamboo grove for a bit," Yao Yi said, pointing to the bamboo forest in the back courtyard.
Chang Suining nodded knowingly, "Minister Yao has quite the taste."
If she hadn’t heard that the Minister of Justice had been extremely busy lately, she might have believed his words.
If Yao Yi’s appearance at the Imperial academy to watch the Polo match was merely coincidental, then his staying for dinner, suggesting he’d attend her apprenticeship banquet, and now "happening to meet" her was far more than mere coincidence could explain.
But since he didn’t make a move, neither would she.
Chang Suining waited calmly.
Yao Yi looked in the direction where Cui Jing had just left and casually asked, “It seems like you and General Cui are quite familiar?”
Chang Suining replied, "It’s due to my father's reasons; we have some connections."
Yao Yi responded with an "oh" of understanding, "That makes sense."
Seeing him wear a demeanor akin to that of a senior, Chang Suining curiously asked, "Speaking of which, with the rumors still circulating, does Minister Yao plan to avoid misunderstandings with me?"
Yao Yi stroked his short beard at her words, "Rumors stop with the wise; there’s no need to pay them mind."
"That's true," Chang Suining nodded in agreement at first, then added, "But those rumors might just come back to haunt Minister Yao."
Yao Yi raised an eyebrow, looking at the young woman under the tree.
“If Minister Yao appears at my apprenticeship banquet, even the wise will see things differently, and in the end, it’ll be hard to separate truth from rumor,” the young lady looked at him seriously and asked, “Isn’t it said that a gentleman should not stand under a dangerous wall?”
“Isn’t Young Lady Chang also standing under a dangerous wall?” Yao Yi sighed, lamenting the young girl’s actions, “You not only like to stand under dangerous walls but have caused them to collapse more than once.”
Her fights were the best proof of that.
“But I’m not a gentleman,” Chang Suining replied indifferently, “I’m still just a child.”
“I’m not a gentleman either,” Yao Yi sighed, “I’m just a lowly case handler.”
Chang Suining raised an eyebrow, “Does Minister Yao even hear what he’s saying?”
Yao Yi seemed to regain his composure and sighed, "It seems I've had a bit too much to drink tonight..."
Chang Suining silently observed the man acting foolishly—she had met her match.
This Minister Yao bore none of the burdens typical of officials or elders.
However, this was not a sign of shallow thinking but rather a display of profound thought. People like him were adept at adapting to circumstances, placing few unnecessary restrictions on themselves. Their differing attitudes and behaviors, even seemingly nonsensical chatter unbefitting their status, were all aimed at achieving different objectives.
"Attending Miss Chang's apprenticeship banquet... perhaps this matter wasn't fully considered," Yao Yi pondered for a moment and said, "If Miss Chang feels it's inappropriate..."
Chang Suining remained noncommittal, "If Minister Yao thinks it's appropriate, then I'm fine with it."
Yao Yi then showed a pleased smile, "Then it's settled."
Chang Suining also smiled slightly, "In that case, I’ll have someone deliver an invitation tomorrow."
After all, she had a father who could shield her.
If he didn’t mind the rumors, then neither did she—or rather, she was quite pleased about it.
After all, no one knew who her real father was, and having multiple supposed fathers to bolster her confidence in public was to her advantage.
This was a dignified Minister of Justice; she stood to gain without losing anything.
As for the rumors surrounding her being someone’s illegitimate daughter—whether it was disgraceful or would attract controversy—it would all be fleeting. Once that matter was brought to light, any dissenting voices would vanish on their own.
Would these be Minister Yao’s true thoughts as well?
Having settled the invitation, Yao Yi leisurely stroked his beard as he gazed at the chestnut tree.
"Minister Yao is still searching for an old friend’s daughter?" Chang Suining inquired out of curiosity.
Yao Yi nodded, "It's only right to be loyal to one’s trust."
"Do you have any new leads?"
Yao Yi sighed ambiguously, "Searching for someone is quite tricky..."
Chang Suining also looked at the chestnut tree and casually asked, "If you find her, what are your plans, Minister Yao?"
Yao Yi replied, "I would take proper measures to ensure her well-being."
Chang Suining did not respond further.
What constitutes "proper measures" is a thought-provoking question.
After all, hiding someone could be considered safeguarding, and using them for one's own gain could also count as care.
Even exterminating potential threats and sending someone to the underworld could be seen as a form of “proper measures.”
One must consider for whom this "proper" is meant.
"By the way, does young miss Chang know her true origins?" This time, it was Yao Yi who asked her in a casual tone.
Chang Suining nodded, "Of course I do."
Yao Yi, somewhat surprised, responded with an "oh" and turned to look at her, "Then Miss Chang must know who your biological parents are?"
"They've long passed away." Chang Suining paused appropriately before continuing, "Who they were doesn't seem important anymore."
"How could it not be important?" Yao Yi replied earnestly, "One must know where their roots lie."
Chang Suining nodded, "What you say is indeed correct—this I understand very well."
But she simply wouldn’t speak.
Or rather, she wouldn’t fall for empty rhetoric or ambiguous guidance and probing.
The unspoken understanding between them at this moment didn't reveal much.
Yao Yi found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
After a long moment, he finally gave up on his impatient questioning and advised in a tone befitting an elder, “That said, Miss Chang, being reckless is ultimately not a good habit... Take today’s events as an example; it was indeed risky. What if you were to come to harm?”
Chang Suining nodded, “Thank you for the reminder, Minister Yao.” But in this treacherous world, merely surviving was a risk in itself.
What she aimed for was to ensure that she had enough means of self-defense before true danger arrived. Just like training in martial arts, no one could achieve a strong physique without enduring pain; to reach her goals, she couldn’t fear injury.
She had her own choices; if she sought to take the initiative, she could not shy away from danger.
Seeing the young woman nod, Yao Yi felt much reassured.
He was about to say something else when he heard footsteps approaching, followed by a young boy’s voice calling out, “Sister, Minister Yao?”
It was Chang Sui’an and Wei Shuyi.
Chang Sui’an walked a bit faster, a hint of wariness in his eyes.
What was Minister Yao doing? Hadn’t they already made everything clear? Why did he keep appearing around his sister like an old meddler?
With more people present, it became inconvenient to speak, so Yao Yi exchanged pleasantries with Wei Shuyi before leaving.
“Ning Ning, what did Yao Yi just discuss with you?” After they left, Chang Sui’an asked cautiously.
“Minister Yao also enjoys playing polo,” Chang Suining replied immediately.
Chang Sui’an was half convinced—believing his sister, but doubting Yao Yi; his skepticism was quite clear-cut.
Wei Shuyi chuckled, “Let’s go; if we don’t head back now, it’ll be dawn soon.”
Chang Sui’an then asked, “Are you joining us, Tenth Young Master Wei?”
“Don’t mind if I say this, but since I was young, I’ve never feared anything as much as walking alone at night; I dread running into ghosts... If we could travel together, that would be splendid,” Wei Shuyi said, looking at Chang Suining and asking, “I just wonder if Miss Chang would mind?”
Chang Suining generously replied, “Of course I don’t mind. Let’s go together.”
Wei Shuyi smiled broadly, raising his hand that held the folding fan, “Then thank you, Miss Chang.”
Chang Suining smiled back, “No need to mention it.”
...
The moonlight was like water, spilling over the stone steps outside General Chang’s residence.
At that moment, a sturdy figure sat on the steps, hugging his knees in sleep.
He seemed to have fallen into a deep slumber, but as the sound of hooves and wheels approached, he jolted awake.
As the carriage came to a stop, Chang Suining had just alighted when she saw Ah Dian, who had been sitting on the steps, jump up excitedly, his face lighting up with joy, “Xiao A Li, you’re back!”
Seeing that joyful smile, Chang Suining paused for a moment.
In the past, Ah Dian had waited just like this outside the Xuanzhe residence.
No matter what anyone said, he wouldn’t listen, waiting for his prince to return.
She wondered if, after she had gone to Beidi, Ah Dian had tried waiting like this for a day, two days, a month, through winter and summer, over the years—how long had it taken for him to realize that sitting at the door wouldn’t bring her back?
While Chang Suining was briefly lost in thought, Ah Dian had already hurried to stand before her.
“What are you doing waiting here?” she asked.
Ah Dian rubbed his slightly groggy eyes with his rough hands and grinned, “I wanted to see you as soon as possible!”
“How’s your time at the Imperial academy?” he asked in a tone that resembled an adult, “What have you learned recently? Tell me about it; I’ll test you!”
“Let’s do it tomorrow; it’s already so late.”
“That’s true,” Ah Dian yawned, and accompanied her into the residence, saying, “I’m almost dead tired.”
Just as they stepped over the threshold, he suddenly turned and sniffed the top of Chang Suining’s head.
He was quite tall, bending down to catch the scent of the young girl.
Chang Suining looked up at him, “What are you doing?”
Ah Dian curiously asked, “Why do you smell like chestnut blossoms?”
Xi’er was surprised, “General Ah Dian is impressive; he can smell that!”
“Of course! I’m His Highness’s first-class chestnut peeler guard!” Ah Dian said proudly, “Personally appointed by His Highness!”
Chang Sui’an was astonished—how could there be such a position before the Crown Prince?
Ah Dian continued, “And then there’s Liuhuo, who’s also a first-class guard with hooves appointed by His Highness.”
Chang Sui’an asked in confusion, “Who is General Liuhuo?”
Why does he have hooves?
Ah Dian explained, “He’s His Highness’s warhorse!”
Chang Sui’an was stunned for a moment, walked eight or nine steps before reacting, and couldn’t help but burst out laughing: “A chestnut peeler guard, a hooved guard, haha…”
Chang Suining looked at him: “…”
“The Crown Prince is really amusing!” Chang Sui’an couldn’t stop laughing: “Right, Ning Ning!”
“…”
Chang Suining forced a smile.
...
The next day, Chang Suining sought out Chang Kuo to discuss the apprenticeship banquet.
Chang Kuo slapped his thigh in delight, immediately calling for Steward Bai, and they gathered together to draft the guest list for the invitations.
“Dengtai Pavilion is great!” Finally, Chang Kuo stroked his still bushy beard with a smile, saying, “Suining has picked a fine place!”
Chang Suining knew that the “fine place” he mentioned was not only about Dengtai Pavilion’s fame.
Dengtai Pavilion hadn’t always been called that.
The name Dengtai Pavilion was something she had someone change before leaving the capital for Beidi.
Although it had a new name and changed ownership, those truly in control of the restaurant were still the same people; she just needed them to adopt a foolproof identity to live safely.
And now, besides old Chang and his trusted aides who knew the secrets of Dengtai Pavilion, the only other person aware of its hidden past was Yuxie.
The restaurant she had kept Ah Che guarding for these days was Dengtai Pavilion.
But Ah Che had been unable to wait for Yuxie to appear.
Thus, about seven or eight days ago, she instructed Ah Che to disguise himself as a little beggar and try wandering near the back alley of the Princess’s residence.
Five days ago, Ah Che came to the Imperial academy to find her, bringing news of Yuxie—on that day, Yuxie had tried to walk out from the back door of the Princess’s residence, but after hesitating for a moment, she turned back inside.
This meant that Yuxie had attempted to leave—though Ah Che had only seen it once, it didn’t mean it was the only time.
Yuxie hadn’t yet mustered the true courage to make a firm decision.
But she believed that this determination would spread like wildfires, eventually engulfing everything in its path.
...
On the night before the Dragon Boat Festival, the heat from the blazing sun had baked the houses and ground all day, making the atmosphere exceptionally stuffy.
Inside the Princess’s residence, Yuxie woke up in a sweat from a dream and found it difficult to fall back asleep.
Unknowingly, the sky gradually brightened.
At that moment, a strong smell suddenly wafted in from outside, causing her pupils to tighten as she sat up abruptly, “What… what are you burning?”
(End of this chapter)
►►CLICK HERE FOR ADVANCE CHAPTERS◄◄
Comments
Post a Comment