Chapter 122: Hello Chang’an
.png)
"IF YOU LIKE THE TRANSLATIONS, CONSIDER SUPPORTING US ON PATREON."
**Chapter 122: Personality Differences**
Everyone knows that as the holy emperor grows older, the longing for her lost children becomes more profound...
Chang Suining's painstaking efforts to mimic Princess Chongyue's handwriting and artwork, publicly declaring this endeavor, surely aimed to garner the holy emperor’s special attention, didn't it?
This mere orphan, relying on a past connection with the late crown prince who saved her, had already received so much favor from others, yet she still seemed unsatisfied.
Watching the girl maintain her calm demeanor throughout, Ming Luo's fingers tightened discreetly in her sleeves.
If one looked closely, they could discern that what the girl was imitating likely extended beyond just the princess's handwriting...
“Does the maid want to come closer to see the painting?” a nearby servant girl softly inquired.
Ming Luo's gaze fixed on the girl’s face. “There’s no need; I’ve seen enough.”
After a moment, she withdrew her gaze, composed herself, and walked over to Cui Jing.
“General Cui.”
Cui Jing turned at the sound, giving a slight nod. “Miss Ming.”
Seeing his lack of surprise, Ming Luo realized her suspicions were correct—despite her disguise in common clothing and a veil, he had recognized her all along.
At the very least... he was indeed quite familiar with her, wasn't he?
Over the years, he had either been leading troops outside or busy with matters in the capital, going back and forth between the military and the palace. The only woman he could exchange a few words with daily was her.
She had long known, as her aunt had said, that ordinary girls raised in seclusion could not possibly catch his eye.
Only she was different—raised in the palace under her aunt’s direct guidance, she had knowledge, perspective, and even a say in political matters, making her the only one who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
Thus, she had never been anxious or worried.
But ever since his return to the capital, a figure who had not appeared suddenly came into his view, capturing the attention of everyone around...
What this person did exceeded her expectations; while it seemed reckless, it effectively disrupted the previous calm—whether it was the incident with the Madam Jie tonight or his previously unwavering focus… that focus now seemed to be straying.
Especially since he had just heard Princess Chongyue’s name from Chang Suining's lips, enough to cause his gaze to drift further away.
Both he and she knew the secret of Dayun Temple.
Thus, during each of their sacrificial ceremonies, she could sense his admiration for Princess Chongyue.
Such a brilliant yet short-lived person left no time for flaws, only a sense of regret for the world, naturally invoking admiration—even from him.
But the dead were dead; no matter how special, they were no longer in this world.
Now, however, a person was brazenly imitating Princess Chongyue’s handwriting, flaunting it everywhere, and not just the handwriting—attempting to borrow the princess's name to gain attention and favor for herself—
This behavior was truly as absurd as that of a clown...
Ming Luo suppressed her unsettling feelings, watching the girl surrounded by admirers. With a smile that held little warmth, she said, “While handwriting and paintings can be easily mimicked, Miss Chang's character and actions are worlds apart from those of Her Highness the Princess.”
Cui Jing glanced towards Chang Suining. “What the princess was like in life, neither of us can say for sure.”
Ming Luo paused, turning to look at him, trying to keep her tone casual. “General Cui seems to treat Miss Chang rather differently… is it because of General Chang?”
Cui Jing replied, “Not really.”
His clear denial only heightened Ming Luo’s tension.
He had started to lie.
He had never been one to lie.
Or perhaps he didn’t even realize he was lying...
Such an unusual reaction could hardly fail to indicate a difference in how he treated her, could it?
Ming Luo smiled lightly, seemingly unconcerned, and did not press further. “It’s getting late; I should return to the palace now. I’ll take my leave.”
Cui Jing nodded.
Ming Luo bowed slightly and turned to leave with her maid.
As they descended the stairs, a tall, thin middle-aged man with a mustache hurried up to the second floor, accompanied by a waiter who animatedly said, “...Although I’m no expert in literature, I can see that painting is extraordinary! Everyone who’s seen it has praised it... You’ll understand as soon as you take a look, Master!”
The maid beside Ming Luo couldn’t help but comment, “Tomorrow, it seems, the whole capital will know of Miss Chang’s talent.”
“Not just talent; the painting reveals more than mere skill—” Ming Luo stepped out of the restaurant, and the night breeze carried a hint of summer heat. She lifted her veil, her eyes betraying a slight mockery. “Today, Madam Jie has sacrificed her long-standing reputation, only to add glory to her.”
Not wanting to discuss the matter further, she entered the carriage and closed her eyes to rest, prompting her maid to keep silent.
Inside the building, Grand Tutor Zhu gazed at the painting, his words caught in his throat.
Sensing the old man's earlier hint of sadness, Chang Suining intentionally changed the topic. “What do you think, Master? How closely does my painting resemble that of Her Highness the Princess?”
Grand Tutor Zhu adjusted his beard and huffed lightly. “Don’t get too complacent, young lady; at most, it’s a two out of ten.”
Though she was a good girl, his own students were the best!
“Two out of ten is still quite a lot,” Chang Kuo said. “Ning Ning learned this all on her own!”
Chang Suining smiled.
If her teacher said it was two out of ten, it was likely three or four.
The remaining six points of difference—three were deliberate disguises, and the other three were likely genuine differences—after all, one’s disposition changes with the environment, and one’s art is a reflection of one’s inner self.
During those three years alone in the Northern Di, she had likely changed somewhat.
And her teacher and the Changs had not had the chance to see who she had become afterward.
Perhaps it was better they didn’t see.
There was nothing much to show them.
Chang Suining smiled as she looked at the familiar faces around her.
This reunion was wonderful as it was.
“Isn’t that Shopkeeper Meng?” Chang Kuo called out, waving enthusiastically to the newcomer. “I was just looking for you!”
He was acquainted with the owner of the restaurant, Shopkeeper Meng. After all, Shopkeeper Meng managed the bustling Dengtai Tower, the premier tavern in the capital, and had connections with the local elite and officials.
So, it was entirely natural for Chang Kuo to be familiar with him.
Shopkeeper Meng stepped forward, smiling and bowing to everyone.
Chang Suining regarded him.
The last time she met Meng Lie was fifteen years ago on a similarly muggy summer night.
But the atmosphere then was starkly different—dim lights, his face ashen, refusing to agree to her suggestion to disperse.
She had relented, drawing up a plan for them to rename the tavern, to hang on and wait for her return from Northern Di.
Shopkeeper Meng had bowed his head in tears, and as she left, she glanced back one last time, seeing him kneeling, looking up at her, nose running and tears streaming—an amusingly pitiful sight.
Now, he appeared prosperous.
With age, he had grown more stable and smooth, exuding an air of a master businessman. Ah, she had indeed had good judgment back then.
As if sensing her gaze, Shopkeeper Meng turned to her, smiling. “You must be Miss Chang?”
Chang Suining returned his smile and nodded. “That’s right.”
“I take it this is the mountain and tiger painting created by Miss Chang?” As he spoke, he examined the painting, his expression shifting to one of awe.
After a moment, he said, “I have an unassuming request—”
Under normal circumstances, Chang Suining would have replied, “Then don’t say it.” However, anticipating what he was about to ask, she nodded politely. “Please, feel free to speak.”
“Could Miss Chang’s painting remain here at Dengtai Tower?”
Chang Suining was about to agree when Chang Kuo interjected, “Though I call you Old Meng, you can’t keep making such ridiculous requests!”
Meng shrugged. “I’m not asking for it for free—”
Chang Kuo huffed. “This isn’t a matter of money! Who needs your few coins?”
He still wanted to take the painting back to hang in the main hall!
Qiao Yan also nodded in agreement. He wanted to take it back to his study!
Grand Tutor Zhu nodded as well.
He had been struggling with how to ask for it without seeming overly eager to take advantage!
Meng Lie smiled and said, “General Chang, don’t be hasty. This painting ultimately belongs to Miss Chang, so shouldn’t we first consider her wishes?”
If he wasn’t mistaken, this young lady seemed quite willing.
Sure enough, Chang Suining spoke up, “Father, I think Shopkeeper Meng’s suggestion is excellent—if this painting can remain in Dengtai Tower for people to admire, it would be a good home for it.”
Chang Kuo caught on to her meaning.
Qiao Yan looked at the painting and understood what Chang Suining was implying.
Leaving behind the painting she had used to clear her name tonight would indeed hold greater significance.
“But I truly like it very much…” Qiao Yan feigned a pained expression as if he were sacrificing something dear.
Chang Suining replied, “I can paint another one for you later.”
This brought a satisfied smile to Qiao Yan’s face.
Chang Sui'an quickly chimed in, “Ning Ning, we also need a painting at home!”
Chang Suining said, “I’ll paint a larger one next time.”
Grand Tutor Zhu sighed at the painting, making a couple of “tsk” sounds, but remained silent.
Chang Suining, seeing the hint, said, “If you like it, Master, I could paint another one for you to send over someday.”
“This…” Grand Tutor Zhu hesitated, wanting to be polite but ultimately didn’t dare to take the risk. He adjusted his beard and said, “The tiger... looks a bit fierce; seeing it at night might lead to nightmares. I prefer bamboo or rocks, things that are serene and nurturing.”
Chang Suining nodded in understanding.
“Brother… do you want to go over and take a look too?” Wei Miaoqing couldn’t resist the temptation.
Wei Shuyi chuckled, “What are you thinking? Didn’t you see it’s meant for the elders?”
For the elders, huh?
Cui Yuanxiang, beside them, spoke before thinking, lowering his voice to ask his General, “General, do you want to ask for one to hang in our Xuanzhe Manor?”
Cui Jing looked at him, puzzled. “...?”
Did he not hear Wei Shuyi’s comment? Or did he think… he was one of the elders?
Under the gaze of his General, Cui Yuanxiang took a moment to realize, stumbling over his words as he forced a laugh, “Just joking! Heh!”
It was all the General’s fault for always being with General Chang, and the doting general often called them family… it made him subconsciously view the General as one of Miss Chang’s elders!
“Mother…” Wei Miaoqing couldn’t help tugging at her mother’s sleeve.
Mothers were always the elders, right?
“Why the rush? There will be plenty of opportunities in the future,” Duan shi said with a smile, looking at her daughter. “Why aren’t you calling me ‘Mother’ and her ‘Miss Chang’ right now?”
Hearing this, Wei Miaoqing’s face turned crimson.
She had never imagined that Miss Chang could be so likable when reprimanding that Madam Jie.
When the crowd heard that Miss Chang agreed to leave the painting at Dengtai Tower, they were all pleased.
“This masterpiece deserves to be seen by more people…”
“If we ever want to see the painting, we can come back any time.”
“Wake up! Who has that much money to go to Dengtai Tower?”
This blunt remark made many cash-strapped scholars wince in pain.
At that moment, Meng Lie stepped forward, bowed to the crowd with a smile, and said, “I am fortunate to have this painting; I will certainly share it with all of you. If anyone wishes to come view the painting in the future, you may enter with a poem or essay as your invitation—though I may not be as generous as General Chang in hosting, I do have a pot of good tea.”
Everyone was overjoyed and expressed their gratitude.
Meng Lie then quietly instructed a servant to invite the best framer in the city to come.
As the night grew deep, it was finally time to disperse.
Chang Suining greeted everyone with a smile, “I hope to gather with you all again soon.”
Everyone returned the gesture, but among them, very few took her words about gathering again to heart.
As many people left Dengtai Tower, they glanced back, feeling as though the day had been a dream.
The scholars departed quickly, while the ladies lingered, wanting to chat with Chang Suining.
There was no need to elaborate on the women’s disdain and relief regarding Madam Jie; what remained were praises and reflections on the painting.
That girl in the painting wasn’t just Miss Chang alone.
“Luckily, today is the Dragon Boat Festival, with the sun’s energy at its peak; naturally, no evil spirits can approach Sister Chang!” Yao Xia said with relief.
Chang Suining somewhat agreed with this sentiment.
She was the greatest source of negativity herself; there wasn’t any other evil that could get close.
“Here, let this colorful string be for Sister Chang; it can ward off evil and disasters.” Yao Xia took off the colorful string from her wrist and tied it around Chang Suining’s wrist.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, the ladies would wear colorful strings to pray for blessings.
“Mine should go to Miss Chang too!”
“And mine…”
Unable to refuse their earnestness, Chang Suining let them tie the strings on her wrist.
“Mine looks the best!” Wei Miaoqing pouted and squeezed forward, quickly tying her colorful string on Chang Suining’s wrist.
Chang Suining examined it; it indeed looked beautiful, adorned with a few colorful jade beads.
She smiled and said, “Thank you.”
Wei Miaoqing waved her hand dismissively, “It’s just a string; no need to thank me…”
Upon reflection, she realized she had never truly disliked Chang Suining.
At first, she was just upset about losing the spotlight and couldn’t accept how someone could be so beautiful.
But now…
She instinctively looked at the girl in front of her, who was smiling back at her.
Wei Miaoqing blinked, taken aback. “…!”
How unfair! She still felt that Nuwa was unjust!
But... it was Nuwa's fault! Not Chang Suining's!
Yet Chang Suining continued to smile at her, saying, “It’s not just a string.”
These colorful strings all carried the kindest and most beautiful wishes.
After bidding farewell to the ladies, Chang Suining heard that Chang Kuo and Meng Lie had gone to the courtyard to talk, so she took Xi'er and waited outside Dengtai Tower.
The night breeze still carried the scent of fireworks, and as Chang Suining took a deep breath, she felt as if she had returned to the battlefield after a fierce clash.
Tonight, she had also fought a battle.
Though it wasn't a grand one, she was fortunate to have won.
But there was one thing she had misjudged—
Chang Suining glanced at the dimly lit street, her brows slightly furrowing.
**(End of this chapter)**
►►CLICK HERE FOR ADVANCE CHAPTERS◄◄
Comments
Post a Comment