Chapter 15: Lao Chang’s Blood Earned Victory

Chapter 15: Lao Chang's Blood Earned Victory

It wasn't really his fault that he hadn't recognized her at first. The light had been dim, and he hadn't been able to see clearly—but now, as Chang Kuo examined her by the candlelight in the carriage, he realized this reason wasn't the primary one.

The main issue was that the child had changed so much.

The southern war had dragged on for nearly two years, during which time he hadn't returned home. His last memory of the girl was when she was fourteen.

Her features had matured significantly, indeed, but it wasn't just that; something else seemed vastly different too.

Was it because she was dressed as a boy?

Chang Kuo couldn't quite put his finger on it, and inevitably, his attention shifted more to the bewildering situation before him.

"May I ask, Prince Wei, what exactly is going on here?" Knowing his young daughter was shy and introverted, Chang Kuo instinctively turned to Wei Shuyi for answers.

Wei Shuyi glanced at Chang Suining before explaining how she had been abducted and taken to Hezhou.

"What?!" Chang Kuo exclaimed, shocked. "Such a thing happened?!"

He was both startled and furious. "How could that good-for-nothing Suan not have sent word to me about this! How does he even call himself an older brother?!"

As he spoke, his right hand slammed down hard on the small table inside the carriage, causing a loud "thud." The fragile table cracked under his palm.

"..." The carriage jolted slightly, and Wei Shuyi instinctively steadied himself against the wall.

Chang Suining looked at the cracked table and found it oddly satisfying.

Good crack.

Though he had become Lao Chang, he was still a robust Lao Chang.

Seeing the girl staring silently at the cracked table, Chang Kuo's heart ached. He raised his hands, wanting to comfort her, but hesitated to touch her, barely brushing her shoulders. He tried to keep his voice gentle, afraid of frightening her. "How... how did you end up with kidnappers?"

"Did they hurt you?"

Seeing the girl neither cry nor speak, Chang Kuo felt helpless. "Are you scared? Suining... don't scare your father!"

Chang Suining's throat tightened. "Fa—Father?"

A Li actually called him Father?

What would that mean for her future?

Hearing the strained "Father," Chang Kuo's eyes welled up. He nodded and gently patted her shoulder, turning to Wei Shuyi. "Prince Wei, my daughter Suining has always been frail and timid. Could you please explain the details?"

Wei Shuyi's brow twitched slightly.

Frail and timid...

General Chang, though a warrior, was surprisingly modest.

He glanced at Chang Suining and didn't elaborate on her brave deeds, only saying, "I learned of Lady Chang's situation through a secret letter from Yu Gong. Unfortunately, I couldn't help much. In the end, it was her good fortune that saved her."

The phrase "good fortune" encompassed all her heroic actions.

Whether to tell or not was up to Lady Chang.

Chang Suining looked over and saw a knowing smile in Wei Shuyi's eyes.

"Truly, it's a blessing in disguise! It must be the gods protecting her!"

Chang Kuo was relieved yet felt guilty toward the girl. "Suining, do you blame your father for not coming home for two years and neglecting the family? It's my fault, and I've let you suffer..."

Feeling increasingly ashamed, he promised, "But rest assured, once we get home, I'll give that good-for-nothing Suan a proper beating. I'll break his leg!"

Chang Suining: "..."

So Lao Chang expresses guilt by breaking his son's leg?

"And those damned kidnappers! I'll tear them limb from limb!"

Chang Kuo oscillated between rage and tenderness.

Not knowing how to express his affection properly, he fumbled around and pulled out a dry biscuit, unwrapped it, and handed it to her. "Here, eat this biscuit to calm yourself!"

Looking at the suddenly produced biscuit, Wei Shuyi realized the Chang family was anything but ordinary.

Chang Suining looked at the dry biscuit and the rough, calloused hand holding it.

After a moment, she took it and took a bite.

Military rations were meant only to fill the stomach, not to taste good.

But this bite of the biscuit made her feel truly... home.

Meeting Lao Chang and eating this biscuit made her feel like she had finally come home.

It felt like being escorted back to her homeland, laid to rest, and at peace.

The girl lowered her head and ate the biscuit seriously, her eyes slightly red.

"Eat slowly, don't choke!" Chang Kuo poured a bowl of water and handed it to her.

Chang Suining took the bowl and drank the water in one go. When she lifted her eyes, she met Chang Kuo's worried gaze.

She smiled, her lips curving upward.

Chang Kuo, after a moment of surprise, managed to force a simple-minded smile onto his weathered face, responding to her.

This childlike grin was so naive that it amused Chang Suining, deepening the warmth in her eyes.

This was to be her "Father" from now on. The twists of fate were truly unpredictable.

In truth, she had never called anyone "Father."

Her original father could not be called "Father."

But Chang Kuo was much older than her, and by age alone, he could indeed be her father.

Moreover, they had shared life and death for many years, and she had always regarded him as a trustworthy family member. Even if she did call him "Father," she wouldn't be at a loss.

Of course, Lao Chang would be making a huge profit.

Chang Suining held back her tears and continued eating the flatbread.

Wei Shuyi watched this scene and chuckled, saying, "Miss Chang, one might think I've been treating you harshly."

Chang Kuo laughed heartily upon hearing this and finally remembered to express his gratitude to Wei Shuyi repeatedly.

"Reporting to the Grand Commander, Prince Wei and a young man have boarded General Chang's carriage. General Chang said he has some private matters to discuss with Minister Wei and sent someone to inform the Grand Commander," Yuanxiang reported.

"Understood," Cui Jing replied briefly from atop his horse.

"I wonder who that young man accompanying Prince Wei is? He looks about fifteen or sixteen," Yuanxiang said curiously. "General Chang seems very concerned about that young man."

Cui Jing remained silent.

Yuanxiang was used to this; the Grand Commander was always like this, showing little interest in anything.

Oh, except for the Xuan Ce Army, military affairs, and... the incident at the Capital City's Dayun Temple.

He wasn't entirely clear about what secret the Dayun Temple held, but he knew that there was something the Grand Commander cared deeply about there.