Chapter 198: My Name is Ling JinSui
When you want to open a window and someone objects, just say you want to open a door, and the objector will immediately agree to you opening a window.
This theory applies everywhere! If it were before, Cheng Yu would certainly not agree to such a strange city name as ‘Li Da Wu Qiong’.
But with ‘Li Da Wu Qiong’ City as a comparison, he was afraid that if he agreed too slowly, the Prince would make the final decision and truly name it something so bizarre!
Of course, the common people of the border city would probably accept it. They call him King Li, King Li, so ‘Li Da Wu Qiong’ City wouldn’t be much. People from Yandi would definitely mock it for a while, while also feeling it fits King Li’s style.
When the Thirty-Six Stratagems were sold, many people bought them specifically for that ‘Li Da Wu Qiong’ personal seal.
Because the matter of the real and fake Li King was not widely spread, the absurd things Jin Sui had done before were inherited by Gu Changxiao.
As Liu Yun said, Gu Changxiao was corrupted by Jin Sui. He now thinks Jin Sui’s methods are quite good! Apart from being a bit embarrassing, things have become much easier.
As for the issue of embarrassment, when you are weak, everything you do is embarrassing. When you are so powerful that others look up to you, embarrassing things become jokes, and you don’t need to care at all.
So Gu Changxiao feels he should be more unrestrained in the future. When he was the Crown Prince, he followed rules and emphasized etiquette, but he was still driven out of Chang’an!
In short, no matter how much Cheng Yu objects, the new city residents must choose one of these two.
Cheng Yu’s eyes twitched wildly, his lips trembled, and he looked at the paper Jin Sui held up, at those four large characters. He felt his eyes were being defiled and sighed heavily, “This subordinate has no objections.”
As for the other officials, they had no fighting spirit at all. It felt like if Gu Changxiao wanted to name the new city ‘Wang Ba Zhi Cheng’ (City of Supreme Power), they would applaud.
“Li Da Wu Qiong City, the name sounds so imposing! I’ve long been tired of these one-character city names like ‘Li Zhou’ or ‘Yan Zhou’. Look at our Li Da Wu Qiong City, how unique, how pleasant to hear!”
“Exactly! Just hearing it makes one’s blood boil!”
“Easy to write and easy to recognize, how good.”
…
Cheng Yu felt like covering his face and decided that he would never look up when passing the city gate in the future! If anyone asked, he would say it was ‘Li Zhou’.
Jin Sui suppressed a smile and quickly reminded Gu Changxiao, “Hurry up and rewrite it and have someone engrave the city name.”
She whispered, “Don’t let my Grandpa see it yet. If he uses the excuse that the divination is not auspicious, this name will be ruined.”
Gu Changxiao felt like they were childishly doing something bad together, deceiving their elders.
With the city name decided, the banquet officially began. Jin Sui’s family of three sat at the first table below Gu Changxiao. Cheng Yu sat opposite, generals and officials had small tables, and the soldiers outside the barracks had large tables.
Bonfires were lit, lamb carcasses were roasted, Mandarin duck hot pot bubbled pot after pot, and jars of fine wine were brought out. Hei Hu was there mixing low-proof fruit wine with the distilled liquor Jin Sui brought.
He secretly took a couple of sips, his face now flushed red, constantly saying how mellow the wine was.
Soldiers brought hot dishes and soups back and forth, and baskets of washed side dishes were delivered. This was completely different from the solemn victory banquet in Chang’an; it was as lively as possible.
Except there was no singing and dancing… No, there was singing and dancing too. Hei Hu had already led people in loudly singing ‘Unity is Strength’.
Chen Yunniang also came, holding Jin Sui’s hand with teary eyes, choking out, “You’ve suffered.”
When Jin Sui was King Li, she could only feel admiration and gratitude towards Jin Sui. Now that she had become Miss Ji, admiration and gratitude were layered with maternal love.
The one who saved me from the human sacrifice pit was actually a little girl! A little girl with no parents, raising her grandfather and younger brother, venturing out like a man.
Chen Yunniang truly wanted to hold Jin Sui in her arms and dote on her, resolving to treat Jin Sui as a sister and daughter from now on.
Hearing Cheng Yu complain that the Prince and Miss Ji were too casual about naming the city, Chen Yunniang directly said:
“Miss Ji single-handedly built the border city, so she can name it whatever she wants! Even if it were called Ji Sui City, we would happily support it!
Besides, Li Da Wu Qiong City sounds quite good. You’re the only one in the whole city who’s unhappy about it.”
Cheng Yu: … My gentle and considerate Yunniang, why did she change as soon as Miss Ji returned!
Halfway through the meal, Jin Sui heard Yan Shiyi’s laughter from outside. Jin An had already lost his patience and wanted to come out to listen to Hei Hu and the others sing.
So she took her younger brother out to play. Grandpa was with Gu Changxiao, and they had been talking about building the Taoist temple.
Yan Shiyi was playing the drum and also learning ‘Unity is Strength’ from Hei Hu and the others.
Jin Sui walked up and nudged him with her elbow, “Hey, why are you here? This is a military celebration banquet, why are you, an outsider, here?”
Yan Shiyi was already very familiar with Jin Sui’s methods and knew the most effective explanation was: “I brought gifts!”
Jin Sui was stunned, thinking she hadn’t heard clearly, “Ah? What?”
Yan Shiyi gestured with his chin towards a large carriage full of things, “I brought gifts! A special guest!”
Jin Sui’s face instantly broke into a smile, “Then Young Master Yan, please eat and drink well!”
Yan Shiyi gave her a big eye-roll, once again feeling that his elder brother had problems with his eyes. Such a wise and intelligent person, how could he have fallen for this Miss Ji!
Others might be fooled by her delicate and beautiful appearance, but he wouldn’t be fooled!
If you use flowers as an analogy, she is a beautiful but highly poisonous flower!
Yan Shiyi even suspected that Ji Sui was not human, but a mountain vixen transformed. He wondered where else in the world one could find such a woman!
As Jin Sui walked forward, he made faces behind her back.
Jin Sui seemed to sense something and suddenly turned around. He immediately straightened his expression and continued playing the drum.
Hmph, childish Turtle Young Master! So petty.
Jin Sui walked around the bonfire and saw a group of female family members from the Tuntian Camp helping as cooks. Niu Da’s wife was a squad leader, leading a group of female workers in chopping side dishes.
Her two sons were helping to move things, and her youngest daughter was eating from a bowl nearby. Occasionally, a chef would ladle out a spoonful of food and put a piece of meat into each of the bowls of the little ones holding bowls.
Jin Sui didn’t go up to disturb them. She knew that if she went over now, it would only make them nervous.
Huo Zi’an was quite concerned about Niu Da’s children, but unfortunately, he had gone to Chang’an. She didn’t know when he would return.
The brothers of the Black Feather Camp were all saying, “Why hasn’t Brother Han returned?”
Hei Hu excitedly told them how Han Xing had helped King Batel to slay the Left Wise King. Han Xing had become a honored guest of King Batel, and on his return journey, he stayed to protect Lord Yan and Miss Yan.
Everyone then jokingly asked Hei Hu how his conversation with Miss Bai went. When would they hold the wedding ceremony? Hei Hu, who had been speaking loudly just moments ago, suddenly became shy.
He chuckled and said, “Soon, soon. I’ll invite all the brothers for drinks then!”
Jin Sui thought to herself that she needed to prepare Hei Hu’s wedding house. Cheng Yu had arranged for the military families to be settled in the area of the Tuntian families. Hei Hu, being a general of sorts, had a separate courtyard.
The soldiers all lived three families to a courtyard, but the houses were not small. They were in a quadrangle courtyard style, with three households living comfortably in one courtyard.
The border city had plenty of wasteland, if nothing else. The soldiers had lived in dormitories for too many years. Now that a new city had finally been built, they naturally wanted to make the living quarters for their own people spacious and comfortable.
Jin Sui couldn’t help but think of Wei Qingquan. It was a pity that Assistant Secretary Wei had served in the border city for many years without enjoying a single day of comfort. Now that things were getting better, he had returned to Chang’an.
Wei Qingquan had written to her before. At that time, she had asked him to help investigate Father Ling’s case secretly in Chang’an. Later, he wrote back saying that the Imperial Court intended to cover it up, and the case files regarding King Li’s rebellion were sealed, making it impossible for him to investigate.
Jin Sui quickly wrote back, telling him not to take risks and that it was fine if he couldn’t find anything. She was afraid that Wei Qingquan, being stubborn, would investigate this matter with the idea of repaying a debt of gratitude, which would implicate him.
Anyway, Father Ling’s case mainly required Gu Changxiao’s help; everything else was minor details.
Because wherever she walked, the soldiers who were drinking and laughing would all get up to talk to her, and they were all very reserved.
Jin Sui felt embarrassed to wander around further. She said that everyone should just be like they were in the past. But the reality was that for the ordinary soldiers, she had gone from King Li to Miss Ji, without even the transitional period of Little Daoist Ji.
How could they be like they were in the past? It was too much to ask, so she turned and returned to the barracks.
Jin An was playing with Hei Hu and eating roasted lamb chops. Jin Sui warned him, “No drinking,” and let him eat and drink outside.
There weren’t many people in the barracks. Cheng Yu felt like he was drinking alone, occasionally glancing at Gu Changxiao, wanting to speak but hesitating, then taking a sip of wine.
Jin Sui chuckled. He was still bothered by the new city name! Our Lord Cheng, ever since he started guarding the border city alone, has transformed from a carefree and unrestrained wine-sword immortal into a dejected wage earner.
He no longer dances with his sword or recites poetry, only drinking alone.
She walked up with a smile and said, “Lord Cheng, I think our victory banquet is too small and not grand enough.”
Cheng Yu immediately sat up straight, ready to explain something, when he saw Jin Sui blink and say, “Look, you can have Yan Shiyi send gifts as a special guest, so why can’t others come?”
“Our Prince brought back many good things from the Northern Frontier. We should let the gentry of Yandi broaden their horizons. How about this: send out invitations. If the time is too short and the distance is too far, they can’t make it.
Let’s set it for half a month later, for the grand unveiling ceremony of Li Da Wu Qiong City, to celebrate the Prince’s triumphant return. All the gentry of Yandi are invited as guests.”
Cheng Yu trembled when he heard ‘Li Da Wu Qiong’ City. But he strongly supported Jin Sui’s suggestion. Before the Prince returned, he had been dealing with the gentry of Yandi.
He didn’t dare to hold a grand celebration, fearing that if too many gentry came and the Prince wasn’t present, Li Heng was a fence-sitter, and what if something happened?
Now that the Prince had returned, he had nothing to fear. He dared to hold any grand celebration!
“Leader Ji’s suggestion is excellent. I will discuss it with the Prince later. Taking this opportunity, we can also spread the name of our new city throughout the land.”
Jin Sui smiled and said, “Don’t call me ‘subordinate’ when you’re talking to me. Lord Cheng, don’t think the new city name is bad. If we had truly chosen a name that overshadowed the sixteen prefectures of Yandi, the Imperial Court probably wouldn’t have allowed it!”
Cheng Yu instantly understood. So that’s how it was! The Prince was using self-deprecation to deliberately avoid attracting the Imperial Court’s attention!
Seeing Cheng Yu become happy, she quickly reminded him, “Publicize what Turtle Young Master sent as a gift, let the gentry of the sixteen prefectures of Yandi see it. Heh heh, would they dare to send meager gifts?”
Cheng Yu’s eyebrows twitched again. Miss Ji’s demeanor was exactly the same as when she was King Li!
Grandpa Ling opposite couldn’t stand it anymore, wishing he could grab her ear and ask, “Do you even realize you’re a young lady!”
“Has the Prince told you about the envoy from the Northern Frontier going to Chang’an? I suspect the Empress and Prince Yu will definitely try to tarnish the Prince’s reputation. We should be prepared. In reality, the Prince doesn’t care much about his reputation, as long as it doesn’t affect the development of Li Da Wu Qiong City.”
The Prince doesn’t care, but his subordinates like Cheng Yu cannot afford not to care! Cheng Yu said solemnly:
“Miss Ji, rest assured. This subordinate has already contacted Lord Huo. This time, we will definitely expose the true faces of the Empress and Prince Yu and show the world how they colluded with the enemy and harmed loyal officials!”
At this moment, Gu Changxiao stood up, wanting to go out for a drink with the soldiers. Grandpa Ling looked at Jin Sui with great tension and said urgently to Gu Changxiao, “Your Highness, please wait. This old Taoist has something he wishes to discuss with you privately.”
Cheng Yu, being perceptive, quickly stood up to take his leave, taking a few less perceptive officials with him. He then asked Jin Sui, “Do you need me to call Young Master Jin An back?”
Jin Sui forced a smile, “Thank you, Lord Cheng.”
She knew that Grandpa couldn’t wait any longer. Her father’s case was his heart’s ailment. He wanted to build a Taoist temple in the border city, take disciples to pass on the teachings, open branches of the Central Plains eateries, and urge Jin An to study… He refused to grow old and had many things he wanted to do.
But the prerequisite for all this was that Grandpa Ling’s case must be vindicated, and Jiang Shi’s grave must be moved. Otherwise, he could not rest in peace.
Jin Sui felt a bit cold-hearted. Of course, it was because she was not the real Ling Jin Sui. Father Ling’s matter was a burden to her, but she had no feelings for Father Ling.
Therefore, she could earn money, build the border city, and do anything else without any psychological burden. But Grandpa Ling was different. Even when he drank a sip of wine, he would think of his unjustly deceased son.
When he ate a piece of meat, he would think of his son unable to rest in peace in the Yellow Springs due to injustice. When he lay down to sleep, he would think of his son being dismembered…
This matter had dragged on for too long, so long that Grandpa Ling was about to collapse. Especially now that their lives were getting better and better, he felt more guilt and more pity for Father Ling.
Gu Changxiao saw Grandpa Ling’s solemn expression and quickly glanced at Jin Sui, hoping for a hint from her.
As a result, Jin Sui lowered her head, her expression equally solemn, with a hint of sadness.
Gu Changxiao’s heart skipped a beat. Even if he heard that a large army was attacking outside, he wouldn’t be this nervous.
Soon, Jin An came in. He glanced at the atmosphere in the barracks and instantly understood what was about to happen.
He quickly handed the meat skewers in his hand to Hei Hu outside, washed his hands and face, and then re-entered.
He felt that he was very wicked for happily eating meat just now! His parents could not rest in peace in the Yellow Springs, and he still had the mood to eat meat!
He raised his hand and slapped himself twice. Jin Sui quickly stopped him, regretting her lack of attention to Jin An again. This matter had clearly become a demon in the child’s heart, tormenting this pair of grandparents and grandson.
Grandpa Ling reprimanded Jin An, “Kneel!”
Jin Sui quickly tried to stop him. Grandpa Ling said urgently, “Let him kneel. If this old Taoist kneels, the Prince will certainly not accept the etiquette/gift. You are a young lady, you cannot kneel. Let Jin An kneel on behalf of the three of us.”
Jin An knelt down with a thud, but his back was straight.
Gu Changxiao was even more confused by the reactions of the grandfather and grandson. He quickly helped Jin An up, but the child was stubborn, bending his knees and refusing to stand.
“Daoist Ji, let’s talk properly. Let the child get up.”
Grandpa Ling lowered his head, “This old Taoist is guilty.”
Jin Sui felt that if she followed Grandpa’s logic, they wouldn’t finish discussing important matters tonight.
She sighed and said directly to Gu Changxiao, “My Grandpa’s surname is not Ji. Of course, my surname is not Ji either. The name Ji Sui is fake.”
“My name is Ling Jin Sui.”
