The few trusted aides who received first-class results in the examination imdiately bead with joy and clasped their hands in gratitude: "Thank you, Commandery Princess!"
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, her tone full of encouragent: "You all study hard and learn to read and write. During your free ti, read more military books. Perhaps in the future, you’ll beco the next Liu Hengchang, skilled in both literature and martial arts."
The three commanders of the Personal Guard Camp each had their strengths. Although Liu Hengchang was the latest addition, he was unanimously recognized as the most formidable.
The Commandery Princess used Liu Hengchang as a role model to motivate them, undoubtedly holding them in high regard.
The trusted aides were invigorated, responding loudly.
The others who received second and third-class results watched enviously at those who drew all the attention.
Jiang Shaohua’s gaze swept over the faces of the trusted aides one by one: "Don’t be discouraged. Think about it, there was a ti when you couldn’t even recognize a single character, and now you’ve all made great progress. Even Tao Da can understand official docunts now."
As soon as they heard Tao Da’s na, the trusted aides all grinned.
Luckily, Tao Da wasn’t present; otherwise, he would certainly be glaring with anger.
Kong Qingwan also smiled, the image of the burly young man flashing in her mind.
Tao Da was a straightforward and stubborn fellow, but also a man of his word. When he promised not to bother her, he really never sought her out again. Even when he attended classes in his free ti, he sat quietly listening and never spoke to her again.
These past two years, her days had been peaceful and stable.
After class, the trusted aides left one after another.
Jiang Shaohua smiled as she looked at Kong Qingwan: "After a busy night, you must be hungry. Let treat you to a late-night snack."
Kong Qingwan felt touched yet a bit nervous, about to find an excuse to decline, when Chen Jinyu swiftly headed to the kitchen.
"Don’t be nervous," Jiang Shaohua noticed Kong Qingwan’s unease and comforted her with a smile: "Actually, I’m the one who’s hungry. Eating a late-night snack alone is no fun, so just consider it as keeping company."
Kong Qingwan softly agreed.
She was a lady of a noble family, bound by strict family rules, and accustod since childhood to keeping her actions and laughter discreet. The word ’propriety’ was etched into her bones and ran through her veins. Even after three years in the military camp, surrounded by rough soldiers, she remained cautious and self-restrained.
For example, sitting beside Jiang Shaohua, she perched on just half of the bench to show her respect for the Commandery Princess.
Jiang Shaohua took note but said nothing more.
People are different, and there’s no need to force everyone to be the sa.
"Is your monthly stipend sufficient?" Jiang Shaohua asked casually.
Kong Qingwan answered earnestly: "In the military camp, I have food and lodging, and receive two sets of new clothes and shoes every season. There’s really nowhere to spend the silver. To be honest, I’ve saved up all my salary from the past three years, and now it’s a total of 168 taels."
This wasn’t a small sum, enough to buy a small residence in a good area of Nanyang County to settle down. It could also buy enough grain to feed her for five or six years.
Jiang Shaohua chuckled in surprise: "You have four days off every month. You can leave the camp, walk around, and buy so costics and jewelry that girls use. Why don’t you spend a bit?"
Kong Qingwan replied softly: "Since the Commandery Princess asked, I’ll speak frankly."
"I have no intention of marrying, so I prefer to keep a low profile. This is still a military camp, after all, with won only in the Wounded Soldier Camp and kitchen. Everywhere else, it’s all n. Even wearing plain clothes makes stand out."
If she dressed up, given her looks and deanor, who knows how many admiring glances she’d attract.
That last part, Kong Qingwan was too shy to say out loud, but Jiang Shaohua naturally understood: "Well, as long as you feel at ease and comfortable, it’s all good."
Kong Qingwan felt warmth in her heart, showing a grateful expression in her eyes: "Thank you for your understanding, Commandery Princess."
She always knew that her current stable life and confidence in the camp were all due to the Commandery Princess.
If the Commandery Princess had favored Tao Da back then and spoken on his behalf, could she have refused?
Jiang Shaohua detected the aning in Kong Qingwan’s words and smiled: "Tao Da hasn’t co looking for you again, right?"
Kong Qingwan nodded and bravely complained: "But his mother did co to the camp once."
What did Old Lady Tao co for?
Jiang Shaohua furrowed her brows: "Did she cause trouble in the camp?"
"Not exactly trouble," Kong Qingwan said softly. "She ca to demand why I refused to marry and accused of harming Tao Da. Because of , Tao Da won’t marry and remains a bachelor. She believes it’s all my fault."
Old Lady Tao was notorious for being fierce and aggressive, even Qin Zhan preferred not to provoke this shrewd old woman. Kong Qingwan’s unwillingness to marry Tao Da was at least partly out of fear of Old Lady Tao.
Yet Old Lady Tao seed oblivious, often scolding her son at ho for being useless, and then she ca to the camp. Upon seeing Kong Qingwan, she unleashed a torrent of vulgar and obscene language.
Kong Qingwan, having never dealt with such an old woman in her life, was humiliated until her face flushed and her eyes filled with tears. Fortunately, Lin Huiniang and others ca over upon hearing the commotion and had a big argunt with Old Lady Tao. A few strong won dragged Old Lady Tao away, bringing the matter to rest.
The more Jiang Shaohua heard, the angrier she beca, her brows furrowing: "How could so many people in the camp let Old Lady Tao cause such a scene?"
Kong Qingwan, however, spoke on their behalf: "It’s not their fault. Tao Da is a captain in the camp and highly regarded by the Commandery Princess. That’s Tao Da’s own mother; how could they dare to lay hands on her?"
"Besides, after this incident, there are new rules in the camp prohibiting Tao Da’s mother from setting foot in the camp again."
So as long as she remained in the camp, Old Lady Tao couldn’t bother her.
Jiang Shaohua understood: "You don’t want to leave the camp because you’re afraid Old Lady Tao will co looking for trouble again."
Kong Qingwan downplayed it: "It’s not that; I just don’t like going out."
Jiang Shaohua’s gaze darkened slightly.
At this mont, Chen Jinyu ca over with the late-night snack. She sensed sothing was off: "What happened, Commandery Princess?"
Jiang Shaohua replied calmly: "Nothing, let’s eat first."
Tonight’s snack was prepared by Bao Er.
Bao Er wasn’t too bright and was rather plump, but he was a good cook. Tonight, he made dumplings stuffed with pork and cabbage. There were three bowls in total: two small, delicate bowls and a specially made large bowl. The large bowl had about three tis the serving size of the small bowls.
The dumplings were plump and white, piled high and emitting a mouthwatering aroma.
Food is the greatest thing in the world.
Jiang Shaohua invited Chen Jinyu to sit down, picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks, and delivered it to her mouth, nodding in satisfaction. In no ti, the delicious dumplings were devoured.
After returning to the military tent, Jiang Shaohua recounted the incident of Old Lady Tao causing a scene to Chen Jinyu.
Chen Jinyu was also annoyed: "That fool! How could she bla Miss Kong for her own son’s unwillingness to marry? How dare she cause such a commotion at the camp!"
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