Chang Suining asked this question because when she was analyzing the forces of various parties recently, she suddenly realized that she seemed to have "ignored" a very threatening character in her subconscious mind - that was Cui Jing.
On the surface, he had lost a great support when Cui's clan expelled him, but as she had said before, the process of plucking the old wings was painful, but since he had not fallen, he would be able to grow new feathers. These new feathers might be more abundant than before.
And the thoughts that she could have, he could naturally have as well - he held the military power of the Xuan Ce Army, and now the emperor could not easily give it up. His ability and strength were not inferior to those vassal kings who were ready to make a move. If the rivers and lakes of the world were a banquet, he was also qualified to attend the banquet.
At first glance, her question seemed to lack a sense of boundaries, but since they were friends and had agreed to travel together, they were closer than others, so I guess the boundary line could be moved inward.
It was as if the world was in a bad place, and the two of them hit it off by chance and teamed up. Now she was planning to rob a big one, and they agreed in advance on how to divide the loot so that both of them would have an idea in advance.
Chang Suining asked with a clear conscience, waiting for Cui Jing's answer.
After a moment, Cui Jing replied: "There are many things I want."
Chang Suining still looked at him with a relaxed expression, tapped his chin lightly, and motioned for him to tell him.
But he asked first: "What if I say that what I want is the same as Your Highness?"
Chang Suining said without hesitation: "Then we will have a fight after the matter is settled and let's see how each of us performs."
She will definitely get what she is determined to get. Even if you are friends, there is no need to give in to each other. In her opinion, if you rely on others to give in, you will not be able to keep it for long.
If you want to hold it for a long time, you have to win it with your skills.
Hearing the words "fight", Cui Jing actually felt that it was expected. This was indeed her style.
"But that will be a long time in the future." Chang Suining said, "Before that day comes, it is better not to start a quarrel too early, so as not to let others take advantage of it. What do you think?"
Cui Jing could tell that she was very serious about preventing "premature internal strife" and her attitude was clear, yet she had absolute rationality to preserve her greatest interests.
On the one hand, she regarded the two as partners who could face the outside world together, and on the other hand, she made it clear without any hesitation that she would not give in in the future, without giving people the feeling of contradiction or division.
Cui Jing nodded: "Yes, internal strife is not desirable."
Hearing these words of approval, Chang Suining's brows relaxed and he nodded with satisfaction.
She didn't mind that Cui Jing had the same idea. For her, it was enough to avoid internal strife too early.
After deciding on this matter, she then said: "Although you and I may not necessarily be able to make it to the end alive——"
"No." Cui Jing looked at her, and this time he did not agree, but corrected her: "Your Highness can definitely do it."
Chang Suining didn't care: "This world is extremely dangerous, and the road to the end is the most dangerous. It's just short of leading directly to the palace of Hades."
"But you never know. What if we are both lucky enough?" She said with a smile, "So I asked in advance so that we can prepare early."
Although she was smiling, she was also telling him clearly that when that day came, she would not be merciful.
On the contrary, she would start preparing to fight with him from today... no, to beat him up.
Cui Jing inexplicably felt that the wound on his back, which had almost healed, began to ache again. He was silent for a moment and said, "...Your Highness doesn't have to be so frank. Why would you be so kind as to tell the other person in advance, 'From today on, I will prepare every day to beat you' before beating him?"
"Thank you for your compliment. I'm not a candid person." Chang Suining pretended to think for a moment: "For this kind of thing, it would be easier to stab you in the back when you're not prepared... But who told you to be so candid from the beginning? Of course I have to respond with candidness, otherwise I'm afraid my conscience will be uneasy, which will damage my good deeds and ruin my luck in the future."
All is fair in war, but when faced with an opponent worthy of respect, she is always willing to fight the opponent fairly and squarely.
She did not forget to praise herself: "However, not everyone is as conscientious as me—"
Cui Jing nodded enthusiastically: "I know."
He said, “I am not so honest with everyone.”
Chang Suining hummed, "I know that, too. Otherwise, you wouldn't have survived so many years of fighting."
It was because she knew that his honesty was rare that she cherished it so much.
And his rare qualities were far more than just his honesty. There were many things in him that she admired—
So she was willing to go with him and face the outside world with him first. If the two of them really had to decide the winner in the future, even if she lost to him, it would always be more reassuring than losing to someone else.
All in all, she's good, but Cui Jing is also good.
Cui Jing seemed to understand her thoughts. He poured her some more hot tea and said, "Your Highness, there is no need to fight with me."
When he put down the teapot, he looked up at her and said, "Only Your Highness can do this. No one is more suitable than Your Highness."
Chang Suining, who had already prepared himself to roll up his sleeves and fight, was stunned for a moment.
At this moment, what she saw in the young man's eyes was an expression that seemed to repeat the most constant truth in the world: "I am sure."
He is qualified to be "sure".
He was a military general, the one who had fought or won the most battles in the past ten years of Dasheng.
It was because he had fought so many wars, and yet the empire still showed no signs of stability. His position allowed him to see earlier than those civil servants in the court that cracks were forming all over the empire, and that the pillars that supported the heavens were rotten and could no longer support themselves.
Many times, even after winning a battle, he would still feel confused, because he didn't know what kind of dangerous road the world would face tomorrow, and he couldn't see where the end and the way out were.
All this happened before she returned.
The mountains and rivers of the world are the cauldron, ambition and greed are the firewood. Now the fire has started, and all living beings in the world are in this furnace. Order and good and evil are all melting.
She came back at such a time.
The moment he was sure it was her, Cui Jing believed for the first time what "destiny" meant.
"Your Highness's existence is now independent of all living beings. You are the only one in the world." He said, "The Tao in your heart has not changed after being tempered by life and death. It can be seen that you have been tested by the will of heaven and have been approved. This is the will of heaven."
His extremely serious look made Chang Suining stunned. She blinked and asked, "All this time...how could you have thought so highly of me?"
Although coming back from the dead is indeed quite amazing.
She had always thought that she was arrogant enough, but she didn't know that Cui Jing had helped her become so arrogant... Did God know that he was speculating on God's will?
But the other party nodded at this moment and said, "I didn't say much before because I didn't want to burden Your Highness."
Cui Jing's serious look made Chang Suining even want to reach out and test whether his forehead was too hot: "..."
In her opinion, the idea of God's will is just like some so-called rituals, which are just means to control people's hearts. If it is useful, she will take it and make the best use of it.
But what surprised Chang Suining at this moment was that she didn't say anything, but Cui Jing had already gotten into this trap and sat down leisurely, treating her as his destiny...
This man who has experienced hundreds of battles and is full of murderous aura has become the most devout believer at this moment.
Seeing Chang Suining's expression, Cui Jing couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, do you think there's something wrong with what I said?"
"..." Chang Suining came back to his senses, paused, and said suddenly: "I think what you said... makes a lot of sense."
She has always been generous in flattering herself, and now that someone is willing to give her this glittering coat called destiny, she naturally has to wrap herself tightly around it.
In comparison, what does face matter?
"This is the destiny, and I guess this is the meaning of your return." Cui Jing looked at her and said seriously, "And the meaning of my existence is to welcome your return home and escort your return home."
Chang Suining couldn't help but sigh: "...So this is what you think."
Jokes aside, she was really touched at this moment.
She would be happy to die with her eyes closed if such a talented person could accompany her and treat her sincerely - she was just expressing her flattered feeling, and if she really needed to die, she would just ignore what she said.
Seeing Cui Jing nod seriously again, Chang Suining couldn't help but raise his hand and gently pat his shoulder and arm, and promised him: "With your words, I will work harder and live up to your trust."
“……” Cui Jing looked at the hand that was gently holding his arm, and always felt that something was wrong.
But... whatever happens.
With her holding his arm like this, Cui Jing no longer cared about anything else. Or rather, he just wanted to follow her. He didn't want fame, and it didn't matter whether he saved his life or not.
"Your Highness just asked me what I wanted—" He only now began to answer her original question directly.
He spoke slowly and attentively: "I want Your Highness to do what he wants to do without any worries and without being bound by anything."
Chang Suining's expression became more and more moved, and he nodded: "Okay, then I'll do it well."
"And more." Cui Jing continued, "I also wish Your Highness a long and prosperous life, take care of yourself, and stay safe with the great prosperity of the country—"
And no longer die like in the previous life.
Chang Suining looked at him quietly for a while before nodding seriously again: "Okay, then I'll live well."
After a moment, she said, "You too."
Cui Jing nodded: "I know, I will."
Since he has to escort her forward, he must live as long as he can.
Chang Suining: "Then is there anything else?"
Cui Jing shook his head.
Chang Suining looked at him. Was this what he meant by “wanting a lot”?
"Okay." She nodded slightly, with a different smile in her eyes, very faint but brilliant: "Then I understand."
Meeting that pair of smiling eyes, Cui Jing was stunned for a moment, and the tips of his ears felt strangely hot - she... knew something?
He looked at her, but saw her turning her head to look into the distance through the half-closed curtain. Her expression gradually became quiet and peaceful, and she said slowly: "Actually, I don't really like the idea of destiny. It feels like everything is predetermined by heaven, and people are just struggling in vain..."
"If I could come back this time without Wu Jue risking his life to help me, what's the point of God's will? I prefer to believe that everything is in our hands. A single thought can change everything and we can fight against the heavens."
Cui Jing looked at her quietly for a moment before saying, "Yes, actually I don't believe in God's will either."
Chang Suining raised his eyebrows, thinking that he was going to regret it: "Then you just said that I was destined to be here——"
Cui Jing curled his lips slightly: "Your Highness, I believe in you."
Chang Suining exclaimed, "What you said is more reliable than believing in God's will."
but……
Since he didn't believe in God's will, then what exactly was the source of his almost blind sincerity?
Chang Suining couldn't help but ask again: "So, we really have never met before?"
Cui Jing looked outside the car: "...No."
Chang Suining was still full of doubts, and at this moment, he suddenly heard the neighing of horses, and the faint voice of A Che trying to stop them in a panic.
"Okay, it's time to go." Chang Suining finally said, "I'll have to trouble you to take care of me in the future. You must be careful when you return to the North. If there is anything, send a message in time."
Cui Jing nodded and watched her jump off the carriage lightly and swiftly.
Guiqi pulled Ache towards here, but it was not the man leading the horse, but the horse leading the man.
Chang Suining walked over and said, "Let me see whose horse is so impatient—"
Hearing her voice, Guiqi stopped his restless behavior immediately. Seeing Chang Suining approaching with his sleeves rolled up, he narrowed his eyes and grinned, looking as if he was possessed by a ghost.
As the saying goes, don't hit a smiling horse. Chang Suining nodded with satisfaction and took the reins from Ache.
Ache breathed a sigh of relief, then freed his hands to wipe his face with his sleeves, which was covered with Guiqi's saliva... Yes, Ache felt that he was scolded by a horse, and the scolding lasted for a long time.
"...Girl, you are getting impatient waiting for your return." Che whispered, "You are swearing and urging me to leave."
Hearing this, Guiqi jumped twice with a relatively restrained manner, and shouted in the direction of the army's march - those horses have gone so far! How can it fall behind those stupid horses!
"Okay, I'll go." Chang Suining answered it and looked at Chang Sui'an and Li Tong who were walking towards them.
He Wuhu and a group of people also came over, as well as Yuan Xiang and his group who wanted to go with Chang Suining. They all gathered in the direction of the carriage and said goodbye to Cui Jing.
Chang Suining turned around and saw Cui Jing getting off the carriage.
She then took Guiqi a few steps closer.
He Wuhu and the others knelt down before Cui Jing: "If it weren't for General Cui who led us out of Wuhu Mountain, we brothers wouldn't have had the chance to work under General Ningyuan!"
As he said this, he kowtowed to Cui Jing.
Cui Jing wanted to stop it but was powerless.
Thinking that it was the same if one person kowtowed, or two people kowtowed as well, and there should be no favoritism, He Wuhu took the lead and twisted his knees, and a group of people kowtowed to Chang Suining again.
"Commander-in-Chief Cui and General Ning Yuan are our brothers' reborn parents!"
"......?" Yuan Xiang was surprised when he heard this.
Chang Sui'an stepped forward again and gave his sister some instructions.
He Wuhu and others said goodbye to Chang Sui'an.
Yuanxiang also said goodbye to his own commander-in-chief.
“…”
After a rather chaotic farewell, seeing that his brother was ready to come forward again, Chang Suining mounted his horse in time.
He Wuhu, She Cai and others, as well as Li Tong, all mounted their horses upon seeing this.
Chang Suining sat on the horse, holding the reins, looked at Cui Jing and Chang Sui'an, and smiled at them: "Let's go."
As soon as she finished speaking, she rushed forward like an arrow from a bow.
The girl's tied black hair and robes suddenly fluttered up, like stars streaking across the sky.
Watching the figure disappear, Cui Jing raised his hand and looked at the cloth tied around his wrist.
Chang Sui'an looked over there with a puzzled look. Why did this thing look so similar to the one Ningning had on her scabbard this morning?
…
Chang Suining walked half a mile before he slowed down and waited for the people behind him.
During this interval, Chang Suining took out something from his arms - before going on a long journey, he would tell fortunes first.
Her way of fortune-telling was very simple - tearing the grass in the sunny day.
There is a folk saying that weather can be predicted by using sunny grass. If you tear the grass in the middle and you can tear it all the way through, it means tomorrow will be sunny, otherwise it will be cloudy and rainy.
Chang Suining tore the grass carefully and tore it smoothly to the bottom - it was a sunny day, a good sign, and perfect for traveling.
A rough calculation showed that she would definitely get what she wanted by going south - Chang Suining was very casual about it, and Qingtiancao probably could not have imagined that her small grass body could have such great abilities.
Li Tong and others quickly caught up, and the group set off in the warm fragrance of early summer.
At the same moment, Wu Jue, who was far away in the capital, also made a divination.
An update of 4,400 words has been delivered. Thanks to book friends Lazy Pippi, Fang Duoduo 123, book friend 20190309182538302, and book friend 20230515082209986 for their rewards. Thank you all for your monthly tickets. Good night!
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