Jiang Shaohua read the letter with an expressionless face, two flas igniting in her eyes.
The atmosphere in the study suddenly beca tense.
Beside her, Chen Jinyu noticed the Commandery Princess’s displeased expression and felt slightly anxious, tentatively asking, "Commandery Princess, has sothing happened at the court again?"
Over the past half year, Emperor Taikang has suffered a stroke and is unable to rise, Pri Minister Wang has usurped power, and Empress Dowager Zheng is restless in the palace. The letters sent to the Nanyang Prince Mansion have beco more frequent.
However, this is the first ti the Commandery Princess has shown such open anger.
Jiang Shaohua pursed her lips tightly and said indifferently, "The Emperor decreed for to enter the Capital City to et him. The imperial envoy is already on the way and will arrive at the Prince Mansion in a few days."
Chen Jinyu: "..."
Chen Jinyu’s black eyes suddenly widened in surprise: "Why? Isn’t the Emperor struck by a stroke and unable to speak at all? How did such a decree suddenly co forth?"
Jiang Shaohua’s gaze flickered with coldness as she slowly said, "The Emperor cannot speak, but he can issue decrees."
Chen Jinyu understood, her eyebrows furrowing: "Soone dared to issue decrees on behalf of the Emperor? Such audacity!"
"Pri Minister Wang has always been quite bold," Jiang Shaohua replied coldly with a smile, "The Emperor’s health worsens by the day, the Crown Prince is young and not proficient in state affairs, attending court each day rely as a figurehead. Now, the major power in court lies with Pri Minister Wang. Another decree is nothing shocking."
Chen Jinyu furrowed her brows even deeper, "We all know it’s Pri Minister Wang’s doing. But a decree is still a decree; the Commandery Princess cannot disobey."
Jiang Shaohua glanced at Chen Jinyu before suddenly saying, "Starting today, declare that I am unwell."
Chen Jinyu quickly understood and nodded.
She couldn’t disobey the decree, so she’d feign illness and make excuses when the envoy ca.
However...
"What if the Pri Minister asks the Emperor to issue another decree?" Chen Jinyu asked in a low voice, "The Commandery Princess cannot keep feigning illness indefinitely."
Jiang Shaohua said indifferently, "General Wei leads the troops to fight in Pingzhou, the North is still in drought, and the southern states that were levied for grain are discontent. The affairs of the court are nurous, and every matter requires Pri Minister Wang’s attention. How could Pri Minister Wang have the leisure to keep an eye on , the Nanyang County Princess?"
"If a second decree indeed cos, I will go to the Capital City and et with Pri Minister Wang."
...
That day, the Nanyang County Princess declared she was ill and would not leave her residence.
At the Prince Mansion, Chen and Feng, the two Chief Historians, managed affairs, everything orderly and without chaos.
anwhile, Cui Du upon hearing of this matter imdiately returned to the Prince Mansion.
Since the successful harvest of corn and sweet potatoes, Cui Du’s status in the Nanyang Prince Mansion has significantly risen. Cui Du wanted to visit the "ill" Commandery Princess, and no one stopped him. Even Chen Jinyu simply instructed, "When you et Commandery Princess, keep idle chatter to a minimum and don’t disturb her recuperation."
Cui Du nodded in agreent.
He wasn’t yet qualified to enter the Commandery Princess’s private chambers, so Yin Zhu led him to the inner hall. After waiting for a mont, the Commandery Princess arrived.
Cui Du first swiftly assessed Jiang Shaohua with a glance, confirming her complexion was rosy and normal before he relaxed and greeted her with a respectful gesture.
Jiang Shaohua didn’t bother hiding her intention of feigning illness and casually laughed, "No need for formalities here, as there is no one else."
Cui Du was naturally straightforward and candid. Having lived in Da Liang for over two years with the Commandery Princess’s favor and permission, he always spoke his mind: "Out of nowhere, why does the Commandery Princess suddenly want to feign illness?"
Both Yin Zhu and Tu Bai discreetly twitched their mouths.
Cui Du’s unrestrained attitude could only survive in the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Anywhere else, such disregard for rank and separation would lead to many hardships.
Jiang Shaohua found it amusing and glanced at Cui Du, saying, "Just know it in your heart, no need to say it aloud."
Cui Du grinned, "Didn’t the Commandery Princess just say there’s no outsider here, and thanks to Yin Zhu and Tu Bai, the two wouldn’t spread rumors? I was just curious, so I asked directly."
Jiang Shaohua laughed again, realizing there was nothing to hide, she candidly revealed, "Pri Minister Wang leveraged the Emperor’s na to decree, summoning to the Capital City to et him. I don’t wish to go, so I’m feigning illness to evade this ti."
At this mont, Cui Du beca quite perceptive: "Why would Pri Minister Wang suddenly want to see the Commandery Princess?"
Jiang Shaohua remained silent.
Yin Zhu exchanged a look with Tu Bai, who quietly nodded, and the two maids silently retreated.
Jiang Shaohua quietly said nothing, and Cui Du didn’t press further, simply observing her. After a while, the Commandery Princess’s voice broke the silence: "I have spies in the Capital City and ears in the palace too. However, I’m not omniscient yet. Pri Minister Wang’s actions are indeed a bit odd, and I am quite perplexed as well."
Cui Du’s eyebrows flickered as he looked at Jiang Shaohua, "Perhaps soone else wishes to et the Commandery Princess." Without waiting for Jiang Shaohua to respond, he muttered to himself, "No, that Young Master Zheng is at odds with Pri Minister Wang. He couldn’t manipulate Pri Minister Wang."
Then, who else could it be?
Jiang Shaohua fell silent once more.
A figure she would rather not rember flashed through her mind.
Though Cui Du seed rough and careless usually, he beca particularly perceptive and attentive before Jiang Shaohua. Noticing her slight change in expression, he remarked, "It seems there really is such a person."
Coming to her senses, Jiang Shaohua rolled her eyes at him with mock annoyance, "Stop asking. If you ask, I won’t tell."
This teasing tone also revealed a sense of intimacy and ease.
Cui Du suddenly felt a sense of sweetness, "If the Commandery Princess doesn’t want to tell, I won’t ask."
Jiang Shaohua laughed as she changed the subject, "You are busy daily at the field manor, now that it’s winter, since you’ve returned to the Prince Mansion, it’s best to stay a few days."
For over two years, Cui Du had been busily working in the fields, never having a mont of leisure. His once fair and handso face had now beco thoroughly tanned to a wheat color. His brows and eyes always brimming with vigor and vitality.
Cui Du replied with a smile, "Winter is even busier."
"Seed selection and seedling cultivation must be done, along with preparations for corn and sweet potato grain seeds for next spring’s planting. I’ll stay one night, leaving early back to the field manor tomorrow."
"Oh, I also have a matter to discuss with the Commandery Princess. We’ve harvested the first crop of pepper this year. Should we promote it next year?"
Jiang Shaohua considered and replied, "Not for the ti being. Next year will be a year of locust plagues, it’s better to prepare more food instead." No matter how precious and valuable pepper is, it cannot outweigh food in importance.
Expressing so regret, Cui Du replied, "I originally thought we could promote pepper next year. Once we have yield, selling them to southern counties and states, people could earn so silver coin for spending."
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Let’s wait until after next year."
Just then, Yin Zhu’s voice was heard outside the door, "Commandery Princess, the imperial envoy and the group have arrived outside the city gates. Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng have taken many officials to greet the envoy."
The envoy had finally arrived.
Jiang Shaohua raised her brows, "Convey my spoken command: instruct the kitchen to prepare a feast and welco the envoy to clear the dust."
Being ’ill’, she did not have to make an appearance.
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