Chapter 68: Self-Proclaimed Busybody (Request for Monthly Votes)

  

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  **Chapter 68: Self-Proclaimed Busybody (Request for Monthly Votes)**

The bold question startled the figure behind the rockery, who hesitated for a moment before finally stepping out.

When Chang Sui'an recognized the young man, he was somewhat surprised. “Cui Lang?”

 

He and Cui Lang were not exactly close, but they were of similar ages and had grown up in the capital. Cui Lang was also known as a notorious rake, so they had crossed paths a few times.

Cui Lang recognized him too and smiled casually, raising his hand in greeting. “Oh, it’s young master Chang”

 

He attempted to act as if nothing had happened, but Chang Sui'an's mind wouldn’t let the matter slide easily. He pressed on, “Why are you hiding, Cui Lang?”

Meeting the boy’s puzzled gaze, Cui Lang laughed heartily to mask his embarrassment. “Of course, I’m here to find my elder brother!”

“…” Chang Sui'an looked at him in confusion.

His father always said that Cui Lang’s responses were like a donkey’s lips trying to match a horse’s mouth—completely off. It was obvious that if he were in his house, this kind of behavior would warrant a slap and a “warning from the rejuvenation hall” afterward.

He suspected that Cui Lang was likely a potential guest of the rejuvenation hall, and yet Cui Lang was warmly dragging him along. “You’ve come at just the right time, let’s go in together!”

Although he claimed he was there to see his elder brother, he had been lingering outside and was too scared to go in. With someone as robust as Chang Sui'an by his side, he felt it was just the right encouragement!

Cui Lang pulled Chang Sui'an into the monastery without waiting for a response, asking as they walked, “By the way, what brings you here to find my elder brother?”

“I’m here to return this cloak to General Cui,” Chang Sui'an replied.

Such a matter could have been easily handed off to a servant, but since General Cui had helped him today, he wanted to come personally to show his gratitude.

Cui Lang looked at the cloak in Chang Sui'an’s hand and suddenly understood. “I see… But why isn’t the young miss Chang with you?”

“My sister is injured, so I came in her place.”

Cui Lang felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this.

He had witnessed how well Cui Jing and that Chang girl cooperated in a crisis today, and afterward, his brother lent her the cloak. He thought that such back-and-forth exchanges would lead to something more...

Sighing, Cui Lang said, “What a pity.”

“What’s a pity?” Chang Sui'an looked puzzled at the boy beside him.

Cui Lang coughed lightly and replied, “Just a random thought.”

Chang Sui'an was left speechless. 

“By the way, during the ceremony today, I noticed that young miss Chang was exceptionally quick and agile. She’s not an ordinary woman, I assume she practices martial arts?” Cui Lang asked curiously.

Chang Sui'an’s interest piqued immediately, and he put aside his biases. “Actually, my sister hasn’t practiced for long, but she’s a genuine martial arts prodigy. She learns quickly; I’ve never seen anyone with such astounding talent!”

One was bold enough to say it, and the other was eager enough to believe it. Cui Lang praised him in surprise. “As expected of a daughter of the Chang family; she truly has the spirit of a military household!”

Chang Sui'an puffed out his chest, pride evident on his face. “Right!”

It seemed destined that his sister and he would become one family!

The monastery was not large, and by the time they finished speaking, they had already reached Cui Jing.

The young man stood at the corridor, instructing his subordinates about the night’s patrol duties. Although the issue with the Pei family was resolved, they still had five days left for the prayer ceremony, and there could be no further mistakes.

After the subordinate left, Chang Sui'an and Cui Lang stepped forward to pay their respects.

“General Cui, I’m here to return the cloak.” Chang Sui'an handed the cloak over.

Cui Jing nodded, and Cui Yuanxiang stepped forward to receive it, casually asking, “How is the injury of young miss Chang?”

After all, he was somewhat familiar with her—he had mistakenly thought of her as a boy due to his heavy thoughts before.

Seeing Cui Jing looking at him, Chang Sui'an replied, “The physician has examined her and said there is no serious issue; they prescribed her a calming medicine.”

Calming medicine, you say?

Cui Jing recalled the young girl’s demeanor today—this prescription couldn’t be said to be necessary; it could only be said to be completely unnecessary.

She showed no fear at all.

When faced with a giant, she remained calm and composed, with no trace of fear.

That rare lack of fear left a deep impression on him, as if she had plucked the very word “fear” out of her body without reservation.

Such a sight was extremely rare, even more so than her round little head.

And this rare lack of fear reminded him of someone he had encountered many years ago.

Cui Jing's gaze shifted slightly, landing on the cloak that Cui Yuanxiang was holding.

This cloak was unique to the generals of the Xuanzhe Army, and when he had seen that person years ago, such a cloak was draped over their shoulders.

It had been winter, and that traveler rode through the snow, with soft, white snow accumulating on the cloak and on the shoulders of its owner.

The person had sat on the horse, removed the hood, and unfastened the cloak, revealing a delicate, pale face, not much bigger than the palm of a hand.

That person had tossed the cloak to him—

That heavy cloak, laden with wind and snow, had struck him, and he instinctively reached out to catch it.

“Glad to hear that.” Cui Yuanxiang sighed in relief and gave a thumbs up. “Speaking of which, young miss Chang was truly brave today.”

“Of course! My sister is a martial arts prodigy!” Chang Sui'an seized every opportunity to boast.

A martial arts prodigy? Cui Jing snapped back to reality, his mind flashing back to the moment in the post station when she attempted to draw her weapon and her declaration of “I will pick it up sooner or later.”

She was confident, and very much so.

Hmm… whether or not she was a martial arts prodigy, it was clear that she believed in her own potential.

“Young Master Chang, may I ask a bold question…” Cui Lang, unable to suppress his curiosity, ventured. “Is it true that the Chang girl’s father is Minister Yao?”

Such a question was indeed bold, but because it came from Cui Lang, it felt oddly normal.

Chang Sui'an was eager to clarify, “Of course not! This afternoon, Minister Yao visited my father, and the misunderstanding has been resolved.”

Cui Lang understood. “I thought so… she really doesn’t seem like it!”

Chang Sui'an immediately regarded Cui Lang with the eyes of a confidant. “Exactly! That’s what I think too!”

Cui Yuanxiang nodded along. “Yes, it really doesn’t add up.”

Cui Jing remained silent.

A world where only Yao Yi was injured has come to fruition.

It can be foreseen that as this rumor spreads and is subsequently debunked, the harm caused will have significant and lasting effects, potentially accompanying Yao Yi for the rest of his life.

"My sister also asked me to thank General Cui," Chang Sui'an said as he raised his hand to salute Cui Jing. "Thank you for your assistance today, General Cui."

"No need," Cui Jing replied. "I didn’t help much."

By the end of the matter, it was clear to him—despite his lack of action, the girl had more than enough ability to handle everything herself.

Whether it was the troubles with the divine elephant or the issues involving the Pei family.

He even thought to himself later, wondering if, during his repeated interference, she was thinking—hopefully, this meddler doesn’t disrupt her plans, and—can this person just stay out of it?

In summary, he seemed to have been busy, but in reality, he was merely providing ineffective help.

Coming from the Cui family, a young man who had honed his skills on the battlefield from a young age appeared indifferent and aloof, characterized by an air of invincibility. Yet, he was deeply knowledgeable about the principles of war, with self-awareness that was never lacking, perhaps even excessive.

General Cui, who prided himself on being a meddler, was genuinely refusing gratitude.

However, Chang Sui'an insisted on thanking him. Finally, he added, "My father said that once we return to the capital, we must invite General Cui to our home for a drink!"

Cui Lang quickly said, "That sounds great!"

Cui Jing looked at his younger brother in confusion.

Cui Lang shrank back his neck, forcing a smile as he explained, "I just thought that the wine at General Chang's residence must be exceptionally good..."

Chang Sui'an was not modest either, laughing as he replied, "Of course! When General Cui comes, we will surely present the finest wine to entertain him."

Saying this, he did not linger any longer and raised his hand, saying, "Then I won't disturb General Cui any longer."

Cui Jing signaled Cui Yuanxiang to see him off.

Only two people remained in the corridor; Cui Lang suddenly felt a chill wash over him, and his smile was about to fade.

"What brings you here?" Cui Jing asked.

Cui Lang became cautious and uncontrollable: "I just came to ask if my elder brother was injured today and if he has called for a physician."

After asking, he hurriedly added, "...It was Ah Tang who asked me to inquire; she's timid and doesn't dare to see you."

Cui Jing looked at him, saying, "You don't seem very bold either."

Cui Lang paused for a moment, then forced a laugh and bravely flattered, "Who told my elder brother to shine so brightly that no one dares to look up at him easily..."

Cui Jing's lips twitched slightly; he only replied, "I am not injured."

Cui Lang secretly glanced at his elder brother's hands.

He felt that if his elder brother's hands could speak, they would surely feel aggrieved and ask: Do I not deserve a name?

Those hands had already been washed, yet the wounds weren’t even bandaged.

In Cui Jing's eyes, this indeed could not be considered an injury.

Cui Lang dared not say much more, obediently nodding, "That's good..."

"Is there anything else?"

Realizing he was being dismissed, Cui Lang shivered and quickly shook his head, "No more!"

He hurriedly bowed and said, "Elder brother, I’ll take my leave now."

Cui Jing replied with a slight "Mm."

As Cui Lang was about to exit the corridor, he slowed down and hesitated, wanting to say something.

Cui Jing: "Speak if you have something to say."

Cui Lang forced out a smile: "It’s nothing urgent, I just wanted to ask... In half a month, it’s Father’s birthday; will you return?"

Cui Jing replied, "I will."

Cui Lang was overjoyed: "Then I will wait for you at home!"

He grinned and bowed to Cui Jing again, then exited the corridor.

However, he paused at the stone steps and turned back to quietly ask, "Do you need me to help prepare a birthday gift? You must be busy with official matters, so I thought you might not have time for this..."

If elder brother returns empty-handed, Father will surely make a fuss.

"No need," Cui Jing looked at him and said, "I have already prepared it."

Cui Lang was somewhat surprised: "That’s good!"

He again bowed to Cui Jing, "Elder brother, I’ll take my leave now!"

Yet seeing him bow three times, each time adding a phrase, Cui Jing couldn't help but ask, "Are you conducting some kind of farewell ceremony?"

Cui Lang’s eyes widened in shock, his expression awkward as he hurriedly corrected, "I didn’t mean to, elder brother, please don’t mind!"

Cui Jing stood with his hands clasped behind his back: "Go home."

"Yes!" Cui Lang kept bowing as he retreated.

This time he truly left.

Once outside the Zen courtyard, he secretly sighed and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead with his sleeve.

After walking for a while, Cui Tang approached him: "How’s elder brother’s injury?"

"Elder brother is fine," Cui Lang complained, "You should care more about your second brother! I nearly lost my nerve!"

Cui Tang couldn’t be bothered to respond to him: "For Father’s birthday, will elder brother return?"

"Elder brother not only will return but has also prepared a gift, showing that he has always kept it in mind," Cui Lang said, then sighed, "Ah Tang, don’t you think that the most disadvantageous aspect for elder brother in front of Father is that he does too much and says too little?"

After a pause, he added, "Moreover, he is just too good-looking."

Cui Tang glanced at him: "?"

"Think about it, with elder brother’s face, which man wouldn’t be jealous? Father is a person too, and whenever he sees elder brother looking much better than him when he’s angry, how could he not become even angrier?"

"..." Cui Tang gave him a look that said, "I don’t really understand you men," and remarked, "Well, you certainly don't have those worries."

Whether it's "saying too little" or "being too good-looking"—

After all, even if her second brother read an extra page of a book today, he wouldn’t hesitate to invite a lion dance troupe to celebrate and let everyone know.

As for looks, that was clearly visible.

"That’s true." Cui Lang first nodded in agreement, but then sensed something off: "Wait... Cui Tang, what do you mean? Are you scolding yourself? It turns out we don’t share the same face?"

The two siblings bickered all the way without stopping.

In the end, Cui Lang suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "Ah Tang, what do you think of elder brother’s heroics today?"

"What heroics?" Cui Tang retorted, "That was clearly a hero saving a beauty."

Cui Lang thought for a moment and nodded: "That’s true."

He couldn’t help but add, "In that case, they are even more of a match."

Cui Tang shot him a glance: "What nonsense are you talking about? Don’t forget that elder brother has the same surname as you."

How could a member of the Cui family marry outside the three prominent families?

"You’re limiting yourself," Cui Lang replied. "Elder brother has joined the army, so what’s impossible? Just think, if the two can overcome all difficulties and break through societal norms... wouldn’t that contrast perfectly with elder brother’s earth-shattering rebellious spirit?"

"Mm, very good." Cui Tang commented, "I’ve heard plenty of things that are utterly unrelated; this is the first time I’m hearing something completely irrelevant."

Elder brother and that Young Miss Chang hardly even know each other, and he’s already playing matchmaker for them.

Seeing that his younger brother seemed unconvinced, Cui Tang suggested, "How about when we return to the city, you ask Father about his thoughts?"

"Forget it, Father is celebrating his birthday, not cutting it short."

Under the moonlight, the two siblings’ figures gradually faded away.

At that moment, Chang Suining had already gone to bed.

Today, the Duan shi sent someone to see her and brought some supplements.

In the evening, Wu Jue insisted on reading her the calming mantra.

Thanks to the supplements and the calming mantra, Chang Suining had a deep, sound sleep.

The next day, she woke up at the usual time. After washing and changing, she took Xi’er and Ah Zhi out of the Zen courtyard.

"Miss, where are we going?"

Chang Suining replied, "To accumulate merit."

Xi’er understood—she realized the miss intended to go to the main hall to listen to the master lecture and join the morning session with the other women.

However, during today’s morning session, Chang Suining was notably absent.

(End of this chapter)

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