Chapter 112: Hello Chang’an
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**Chapter 112: Suining Won't Allow It**
The voice crying out belonged to a man.
He was of short stature, around forty years old, wearing a tattered gray robe, with disheveled hair and beard, and a waxy yellow complexion. In his arms, he cradled a grayish-blue bundle.
"I want to see Lady Chang!"
He was crying heartbreakingly, trying to rush into the Dengtai Tower.
However, before he could approach the main entrance, he was blocked by two figures.
Both were young men dressed plainly, but their gestures and expressions conveyed a silent pressure that prevented the man from advancing.
The tearful man instinctively took a step back, his crying momentarily stifled, then hurriedly knelt down, repeatedly bowing his head in supplication. "I have something important to ask Lady Chang. It was incredibly difficult to find this place today... I beg you, noble sirs, to have mercy and let me in!"
His loud demands to see Lady Chang had already drawn the attention of many outside the tower. Now, seeing the impoverished man in shabby clothes kneeling in front of the brightly lit Dengtai Tower, where the nobility gathered, created a striking scene that made him appear even more pitiful and humble in the eyes of the onlookers.
"Strange, why does this person want to see Lady Chang…"
Many people gathered around, and the murmurs of speculation filled the air.
Outside the tower were all people from Cui Jing's faction, including the two who had blocked the man. Someone had already rushed upstairs to report the situation to Cui Jing.
Seeing that the evening banquet was reaching its second half, Cui Jing had intended to leave early and return to Xuanze Manor. Just as he was about to bid farewell to Chang Kuo, he was informed by his subordinate and immediately approached Chang Suining.
At that moment, Chang Suining was standing next to a screen depicting ladies, talking and laughing with Yao Xia and others.
As the handsome, otherworldly young man approached, the girls who had been chatting suddenly tensed, instinctively retreating to the side.
With each step he took, it seemed as if he were stepping not on the floor tiles but on their courage.
When Cui Jing finally stood before Chang Suining, Yao Xia, who had been stubbornly holding onto Chang Suining's arm, quietly released it, gave a slight bow to Cui Jing, and walked away.
"General Cui," Chang Suining turned to look in the direction of the entrance. "Is someone coming?"
Hearing her nonchalant inquiry, Cui Jing nodded slightly. "There is an unidentified man in his forties outside, crying out, claiming he has urgent matters to discuss with Lady Chang—"
"If it is urgent, then please, General Cui, have someone invite him in," she said.
Seeing her tone as if it were the most natural thing, Cui Jing straightforwardly warned, "The visitor may not have good intentions."
Chang Suining nodded. "Indeed, good people don’t come unannounced."
Cui Jing was taken aback, not expecting her to respond in such a manner.
Chang Suining continued, "With so many people around, if he is allowed to shout and cry outside, it will create an uncontrollable situation. Even if we drive him away, it could lead to unclear rumors being spread later."
If someone genuinely intended to disrupt her poetry gathering today, merely driving him away would likely play into his hands. It would be better to take the initiative and see what kind of act he was trying to put on.
As Cui Jing pondered, Cui Yuanxiang could not help but quietly remind her, "Lady Chang, it’s better to be cautious. Since he is alone, there’s no need to fear that he will cause a disturbance… but I just looked down, and his complexion is waxy, and his eyes are dark. He doesn’t seem like a healthy person. If he has bad intentions and something unfortunate happens, it would bring ill fortune."
"Ill fortune" was certainly a polite way to say it; if someone died during the apprenticeship banquet, it would certainly become a topic of gossip and invite unnecessary trouble.
Chang Suining nonchalantly replied, "It's fine, I enjoy watching this kind of excitement."
Cui Yuanxiang was taken aback. "What?! Enjoy watching someone die?!"
He looked at Chang Suining with a frown, feeling worried—enjoying any kind of commotion would only bring trouble to Lady Chang.
Cui Jing said, "…Go ahead."
Cui Yuanxiang suppressed his complex emotions and went to handle the matter.
The man was soon "invited" upstairs.
His previous commotion not only attracted the attention of those outside but also caught the curiosity of the guests upstairs, who had begun discussing the situation by the railing.
Now, as the man ascended the stairs, he immediately became the center of attention.
Although many of the guests today came from humble or even poor backgrounds, no matter how tattered their clothes, they were at least clean and presentable.
In stark contrast, this man appeared not only impoverished but also unkempt and disheveled. His hair and beard were wild, and his straw sandals were torn and filthy.
Such a person in this setting was jarringly out of place, drawing attention that was impossible to ignore.
As he appeared, some people instinctively stepped back.
Those who noticed him halted their conversations, puzzled by his presence.
The man was clearly uncomfortable in this environment, growing more anxious by the moment. He tightly clutched his bundle and asked urgently, "Where's Lady Chang? Where is she? Didn't you say you would bring me to see her?"
"I am the Lady you seek," Chang Suining replied, stepping closer and stopping three to five paces away from him. She looked at him calmly. "If you don't recognize me, why do you seek me?"
Before he could respond, the man suddenly knelt with a "thud."
His voice trembled as he pleaded, "I implore Lady Chang and your esteemed house to have mercy and tell me the whereabouts of my nephew!"
"Who is your nephew?" Chang Sui'an had approached as well, frowning as she asked, "Why would he come to inquire about my sister?"
"My nephew has achieved fame!" the man cried. "He is a scholar, surnamed Zhou, named Ding! He is familiar with Lady Chang!"
"Zhou Ding?!" Chang Sui'an's brow furrowed deeply. Just as she was about to speak, Chang Suining cut in, stepping forward.
"You mean your nephew is Zhou Ding, and you came to ask me about his whereabouts?"
The man nodded vigorously, "Yes, exactly…"
At this point, quite a few people had gathered, including Wei Shuyi and the Duan family mother and daughter.
"…Who is this Zhou Ding?" Wei Miaoqing whispered, furrowing her brow. "Is he a scholar? Has my elder brother heard of him?"
Wei Shuyi squinted at the man, shaking his head slightly without responding.
Duan Shi shot her daughter a warning glance—this matter seemed suspicious, and not reacting would prevent any trouble for Suining.
Wei Miaoqing sensed something and nodded lightly, falling silent while focusing intently.
Meanwhile, Chang Kuo had also come over, drawn by the commotion.
In the midst of the noisy surroundings, Cui Jing raised his hand to silently stop him.
Chang Kuo looked puzzled at the young man before him.
"General, please remain calm and listen first," Cui Jing said.
This was Chang Suining's instruction to him—there was no need for General Chang to get involved just yet.
General Chang was certainly not a mere brute who would only cause problems, but he had consumed quite a bit of wine today. Given his concern, he was bound to say something inappropriate. With many Scholars present, every word and action would be magnified, and his imposing external image might easily give the impression of intimidation.
If someone timid were to feel threatened and actually died on the spot, it would be difficult to explain.
In any case, the general’s intimidating presence was not suitable for this occasion.
Her reasoning was sound.
With Cui Jing's advice, Chang Kuo frowned and patiently listened.
Chang Suining curiously asked the man, "Why do you think I would know Zhou Ding's whereabouts?"
The man raised his head to look at her, his expression somewhat hesitant, but ultimately he steeled himself and said, "…My nephew and you, Madam, have been in a private relationship for a long time… It just so happens that he went missing right after General Chang returned to the capital victorious!"
A chorus of surprised gasps erupted around them.
A private relationship? An emotional bond?!
Wei Miaoqing, though silent, couldn't help but widen her eyes.
What kind of man could make Chang Suining fall for him…?
She wondered if this man was even better looking than her brother, since Chang Suining hardly glanced at him.
While her thoughts remained somewhat innocent, many others had already imagined a great deal from the words "long-standing private relationship." Though they didn't dare speak openly, their gazes toward Chang Suining inevitably shifted.
After all, merely making a fool of oneself might be reckless, but revealing such a thing could tarnish a woman's reputation for life!
In that moment, many people, including Cui Jing and Wei Shuyi, turned their attention to the young woman who had suddenly been thrust into the center of the storm by this single statement.
She remained remarkably calm, so calm that she did not immediately seek to explain or refute the words that could ruin her.
Moreover, she did not shy away from her wording: “So, are you suggesting that after my father returned to the capital, he learned of my private dealings with him, and thus did something to him?”
Faced with her tranquil gaze, the man felt an unexpected unease, though his face was filled with fear. “I… I just want to know the whereabouts of my nephew. I never intended to accuse General Chang…”
As he spoke, he hesitated for a moment, seemingly struggling to withstand the pressure from those around him. He then knocked his head down again and cried, “My brother and sister-in-law have only this one son! Since my nephew went missing over two months ago, they have both fallen ill! I truly have no other choice but to seek help here…”
He then turned to address the onlookers, as if desperately seeking justice. “Our Zhou family has no power or influence, and we have been farmers for generations. Perhaps my nephew, having read a few books and attained the title of scholar, has become a bit arrogant, daring to associate with a lady from the Chang family… If we can find my nephew, my brother and sister-in-law will discipline him strictly, and he will never dare to entertain such notions again!”
Tears and snot streamed down his face, making him appear ignorant and pitiable, and this ignorance only heightened the sense of tragedy.
Someone whispered, “What a fool! By saying this in public, he’s ruined the Chang family lady’s reputation—how could there be any way to remedy that?”
“Haven’t you heard? They’ve been searching for over two months. It seems they truly have no other recourse. Just look at him; he seems uneducated and desperate, resorting to such a course of action…”
“Can it really be General Chang… breaking up a couple?”
And the person had been missing for over two months… Could he still be found?
“The situation is still unclear. As scholars, how can you all jump to conclusions?” Head Master Qiao admonished sharply.
The group of Scholars bowed their heads in shame, apologizing.
Qiao Yan and his wife, Wang shi, approached.
As they passed by Chang Kuo, Qiao Yan paused and said in a low voice, “They’re calling you out by name for someone—they can’t just stand there watching like it’s a show!”
Chang Kuo, already flushed with anger, shot him a glare before looking at his arm.
Qiao Yan then noticed that Cui Jing was gripping his forearm.
Chang Kuo lowered his voice, “Suining won’t allow it!”
“Why is that? Ningning…” Qiao Yan’s expression shifted as he exchanged a glance with General Cui, and he decided to stay with Chang Kuo for the moment.
Xi'er’s fists were clenched tighter than the stones used by Nuwa to patch the sky.
Meanwhile, the man continued to cry, “It’s our fault for not teaching him properly; we were wrong… We never dared to ask for your forgiveness… But he should have learned his lesson by now. We only ask that you let us know my nephew’s whereabouts! Once we can bring him home, we will discipline him strictly!”
Chang Suining felt she had heard enough.
At first glance, the man's words seemed simplistic, but it was precisely their straightforwardness that caused such an uproar in the shortest amount of time.
However, upon further listening, it became apparent that he was just repeating the same phrases.
It was almost as if someone had coached him, and now he was merely reciting a script, adhering to a certain protocol he dared not deviate from.
If she remained silent, it would only make it harder for him to continue his performance.
Chang Suining finally spoke, “After listening for so long, I still don’t understand. First, you slander my reputation, and then you demand a dead person from us. I can’t fathom your intent!”
Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent.
The man's expression froze in shock. "Dead... dead?"
Dead!
He was really dead?!
His face turned pale with fear as he stammered, “You… you actually dare to plot against someone’s life…”
Chang Suining furrowed her brow in confusion. “You didn’t even know how your nephew died?”
“I…” The man opened his mouth, his face going ashen. “You all…”
Chang Suining understood then.
It seemed he was indeed unaware—
This explained his audacity in causing a scene.
The crowd exchanged glances, bewildered.
What did the daughter of the Chang family mean by this?
Was she openly admitting that her family had plotted to kill that scholar?
In the midst of the astonishment, the young woman turned to the crowd and said, “Everyone, please don’t misunderstand. This man’s nephew, Zhou Ding, has indeed died, but it was not at the hands of my family. My father is a good man and would never commit such an unlawful act.”
As she spoke, her gaze settled on one person. “As for the details of this matter, I believe it would be more appropriate for Minister Yao to clarify.”
Minister Yao?
Everyone instinctively looked at Yao Yi.
What does this have to do with Minister Yao?
Yao Yi, who had long been unable to bear listening, seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding and stepping beside Chang Suining.
Madam Jie, who stood not far away accompanied by several women, furrowed her brow slightly.
While she didn’t fully understand the situation, this scene was different from what she had imagined. Given the importance of a woman’s reputation, there was surprisingly no chaos or argument. Each member of the Chang family was remarkably calm and orderly…
But that didn’t matter.
In the face of evidence, even the calmest demeanor could be shattered.
For a moment, her gaze quietly fell on the bundle the man was clutching.
(End of this chapter)
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