CHAPTER 530: CHAPTER 519: WANTING TO CARESS HER, KISS HER

The Cui Family Army is returning to the capital.

The common folks push and shove each other, lining the streets to welcome them. Everyone is craning their necks, waiting. The chatter never ceases.

"General Cui is brave and skilled in combat, protecting our Da Qi’s territory, driving back the barbarian enemies. Yet, this time he has fallen ill. It’s said that the situation was extremely perilous, and it’s a great fortune that he didn’t get an arm chopped off."

"They say Young General Cui is as flawless as jade and as upright as pine trees, most handsome and extraordinary. No wonder Princess You Ning has taken a liking to him. Who knows what he really looks like."

"Why bring her up all of a sudden? Eldest Young Master Cui is already married; he even took great risks to marry Miss Qiao initially."

Inside the private room of First-tier Sky, Miss Qiao leans gracefully by the window, her beautiful eyes reflecting a gentle smile.

Eventually, the crowd begins to stir.

"Look! They’re coming!"

The impressive procession arrives in unison. Leading on a tall horse is none other than Cui Bai, clad in heavy armor, majestic as a tree of jade branches, his demeanor bold and valiant.

Following him is a carriage, inside which the ’injured’ Cui Yang is riding.

Prince Gong, under Imperial orders, leads a group of soldiers to greet them.

Cui Bai dismounts, ready to pay his respects, but Prince Gong stops him.

"Ah! There’s no need for such formalities."

"It’s fortunate for Da Qi that both you and your son have returned victoriously."

As he speaks, he pats Cui Bai on the shoulder and approaches the carriage.

"General Cui, are you well?"

Only coughing is heard from inside.

Prince Gong: ...Rascal! Not even showing your face, huh?

Cui Yang’s voice is weak: "It’s nothing serious."

"As General Jin is still stationed at the border, both you and Young General Cui should report to the Imperial Palace."

More coughing follows.

"It should be so, I... *cough* I can still hold on."

Seeing this, Cui Bai gently says, "Prince, you may not know, but during this tough battle against the barbarians, my father, mindful of the official family’s concern for the people and delighted by their support, disregarded the rough journey. In haste to report, he ignored medical advice and did not rest at all. The wound healed then reopened, and despite worsening, he was always accompanied by a military doctor."

"Even so, as long as he has breath left, my father insists on kowtowing and reporting to the official family."

Prince Gong: ...

Clever boy.

He struggles to keep his lips from twitching.

Hearing this, all the people’s eyes well with tears.

Their general is truly loyal to the core!

This naturally prompts some resentment towards the official family.

"General Cui is in such a state, and they don’t even summon the Imperial Physician to treat him, yet they insist he goes to the palace."

Can’t they wait even a moment?

See how he’s coughing!

Last year! General Cui took a stab in the stomach. Yet he still rode back to Shengjing!

This reveals how severe his injuries are now! He can’t even be exposed to the wind.

Prince Gong is convinced, still unaware of the father and son’s scheme: "Nonsense."

"Given this, how can General Cui persist? You’ve achieved great merit; if something happened, how could the official family accept it? Take my advice and go back to your mansion to recover."

"Your candid devotion to the official family, I will also inform them."

"Young General, come with me for this visit."

Cui Bai nods slightly. He mounts his horse again and grips the reins. Just as he is about to head towards the Imperial Palace, he seems to notice something and suddenly, his gaze shifts to the upper right.

He meets Qiao Si’s beautiful eyes, as clear and uplifting as spring water.

Cui Bai gazes deeply for a long time.

Yet, it’s still not enough for him.

He wants to talk to her, touch her, kiss her. To tell her, this time he’s here.

And there is time for that.

A smile like a clear spring overflows from his eyes.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Qiao Si’s beautiful cheeks blush softly.

"The Eldest Young Master is looking at you," says the old woman at her side, knowing of her shy nature. The young couple had been apart more than together since their marriage; shortly after they wed, Cui Bai left for the frontier, and it had been months since.

Just then, noises arose from the neighboring side.

"Commandery Princess! Eldest Young Master Cui is looking over at us."

Princess You Ning’s heart thumped rapidly.

She too felt that Cui Bai was looking at her, those eyes filled with restrained admiration; just one glance softened her to the bone.

She had been fond of Cui Bai for many years, had she finally received a response? She always knew that Cui Bai would regret marrying Qiao Si.

Qiao Si was merely a hunter’s daughter. Considering she bore Cui Yun heirs, in the future, she could still let her be a concubine, staying within the Cui family.

Princess You Ning was about to respond, to throw her wallet and all her affection down. But then she saw Cui Bai give a few instructions to Qiong Kong next to him, then he left with Prince Gong.

The carriage headed towards Duke Chaoyangling Mansion, while Qiong Kong strode into First-tier Sky.

"Commandery Princess, this must be for you. He is a person close to the Eldest Young Master, he must be coming to pass a message."

Princess You Ning felt the same.

The long-suppressed anger gradually dispersed.

She sat nobly, yet did not wait for Qiong Kong to come.

Qiong Kong went next door. He smiled and greeted Qiao Si.

"The Young General is worried, needing to delay a moment at the palace, unable to come himself. He specially asked his subordinate to take you back."

Qiao Si did not refuse. She felt very warm inside. Supporting her belly, she left with the support of the old woman.

"It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have left the mansion, making you come here."

Qiong Kong, who had a slick tongue, respectfully responded.

"You’re thinking of the Young General. He’s very pleased indeed."

Princess You Ning stepped out of the room only to see Qiong Kong nervously protecting Qiao Si from behind.

And still talking incessantly.

"No hiding from Young Madam, the letter you wrote for the Young General, he reads it several times every day, treasures it immensely. The black boots you made, he doesn’t even want to wear them, afraid he’ll wear them out during military drill and feel distressed."

Princess You Ning’s face suddenly turned cold.

Her hands under her sleeves clenched tightly into her flesh, yet she hardly felt the pain.

Qiao Si, Qiao Si, always Qiao Si, why is she everywhere?

She, Princess You Ning, how could she not compare! To the extent that Cui Bai has never truly looked at her!

Princess You Ning’s face was especially contorted. She spoke word by word.

"Isn’t Chengbo Marquis Mansion thinking of marrying me? "

"Return to the palace, I will tell the Empress Dowager right away, I agree to this marriage."

She wanted to let Cui Bai know, she was not irreplaceable!

Alas, her affections and thoughts were of no concern to anyone.

————

Cui Yang returned to Duke Chaoyangling Mansion. Dowager Cui was just about to show her concern, but he waited until the outsiders left. Then he energetically rose from the couch. Using his rumored-to-be-seriously injured arm, he greeted Dowager Cui.

Seeing this, Old Master Cui furrowed his brow tightly.

"Tell me, why did you commit the crime of deceiving the king?"

Dowager Cui, suspicious, refrained from speaking further.

The silent Cui Xuan half-lowered her eyelids. She respectfully supported her. Seemingly respectful, she actually couldn’t wait to leave. She hardly glanced at Cui Yang.

She didn’t want to see him even more.

Cui Yang responded to Old Master Cui. But his peripheral vision lingered on Cui Xuan.

"This matter would take long to explain."

"Then make the long story short."

"Tired of it, unwilling to serve the king loyally."

This statement truly was startling to hear.

In the room, just the four of them, yet not one person showed shock or scolded him for his impudent words.

Cui Xuan still had no reaction.

He couldn’t stop blaming himself.

It must have been how he got up when he greeted her earlier, not gracefully enough.

On the journey back, in order to feign illness, he was unkempt and scruffy, even perhaps smelly.

She must not have liked that.