After Jiang Shaohua returned to the palace, she first went to see Emperor Taihe and then returned to Jingyang Palace to deal with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. By the ti she finished everything and was alone, it was already midnight.
Only then did she have the ti to look at the letters.
Chief Historian Chen reported in his letter about various affairs in Nanyang County over the past half month, while Chief Historian Feng complained in his letter about the rapid expansion of the Personal Guard Camp, which put a considerable strain on the Prince Mansion’s finances. Her father, Lu Xuan’s letter was set aside, unopened.
Cui Du’s letter was much more interesting.
It featured an amusing and succinct charcoal drawing, with a familiar exaggerated style, showing a large-headed boy and girl gazing at each other from afar.
Cui Du had infused all his longing into this drawing, leaving no need to write anything further; she naturally understood it all.
She stretched out her finger, pausing on the boy’s cheek in the drawing, as if touching his face from a thousand miles away.
Yin Zhu and Tu Bai had already sensibly retreated.
"The little mute really knows how to keep his patience, having only written two letters to the Commandery Princess all this ti."
"You just don’t understand, do you? The Commandery Princess is busy all day; where does she have ti for love affairs? The little mute knows the Commandery Princess’s temperant well and handles matters with precision. He expresses his longing, yet doesn’t cling too much to distract the Commandery Princess."
The two maids chatted privately, still accustod to calling him the little mute.
Tu Bai playfully tugged on Yin Zhu’s sleeve: "Stop talking about the Commandery Princess, let’s talk about you and your Brother Sanbao. Are you planning to marry when you return to Nanyang County this ti?"
Yin Zhu looked a bit distressed, holding her face in her hands and sighing: "I want to wait until I’m twenty to get married. Brother Sanbao originally wanted to delay too, but his parents are quite anxious, urging us to marry soon. Regardless of them, I’ll wait two more years."
"Tu Bai, what do you plan to do? With so many people in and out of the Prince Mansion, you haven’t found soone you fancy?"
Tu Bai nodded slightly: "I don’t want to marry; I want to stay by the Commandery Princess’s side as her personal maid."
Yin Zhu laughed quietly: "Don’t speak so surely. You just haven’t t soone you like yet. Maybe in a year or two, you’ll be begging the Commandery Princess to let you marry."
After laughing and chatting for a while, and still not being summoned by the Commandery Princess, Yin Zhu couldn’t hold back and gently knocked on the door: "Commandery Princess, it’s late, rest early! You have to rise early for court tomorrow!"
Only then did Jiang Shaohua put away Cui Du’s letter.
Lying on her bed, she couldn’t fall asleep, with Cui Du’s face repeatedly flashing in her mind.
To be fair, Cui Du’s looks weren’t exceptional, but he had a distinctive personality and disposition that she found very pleasing to the eye.
Without grand declarations or solemn oaths, they naturally ca together, becoming an engaged couple.
It was like a gentle stream flowing, soothing and secure.
After pondering silently for a long ti, Jiang Shaohua slowly fell asleep, smiling even as she dreamt, not knowing what beautiful dreams she had.
...
That sa night, Zheng Chen tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Flipping over once again on the bed, Zheng Chen suddenly rose: "Peng Sihai!"
Peng Sihai, his personal soldier, quickly entered.
A single candle flickered in the corner of the room, casting a dim light over Zheng Chenjun’s handso but unusually grim face: "Send so n to Nanyang County to secretly find an opportunity to kill Cui Du."
Peng Sihai was taken aback, looking up sharply: "Why does the Young Master want to kill Cui Du?"
Zheng Chen looked over coldly: "I have my reasons for my actions; just do as ordered, no questions."
Peng Sihai, bold as ever, not only did not retreat, but knelt down: "Young Master, I truly shouldn’t question your actions. But the last ti the Commandery Princess was attacked, the case has still not been solved. She may already be suspicious of you."
"If Elder Changning encounters another assassin in Nanyang County, whether the assassination succeeds or not, it will likely expose the Young Master’s power and thoroughly provoke the Commandery Princess. Please reconsider!"
Zheng Chen’s eyes flashed with cold light.
Who was behind the attempted assassination outside the Ministry of Industry’s governnt office? Everyone had their speculations. Only he and Jiang Yi knew the truth of the matter.
He had anticipated the assassination would fail. It was ant to sow discord and cause chaos. Unfortunately, Jiang Shaohua didn’t fall for it and turned the assassination into an unsolved case, doing a favor for the Left General and Pri Minister Wang.
Jiang Shaohua had repeatedly tested Jiang Yi, clearly suspecting it was Jiang Yi’s doing. As for whether she suspected him, even he couldn’t tell.
This also showed the depth of Jiang Shaohua’s scheming.
Dispatching Death Warriors and Secret Guards to assassinate Cui Du was indeed unwise and would do no good for the bigger picture. But the fire of jealousy burning within him was hard to suppress.
"Proceed as instructed!"
Knowing it was futile to persuade him further, Peng Sihai had no choice but to bow and take his leave.
Zheng Chen stared at the candle fla in the corner, as if envisioning Cui Du being shot down and blood splattering five steps away. The stifling air in his chest finally slightly eased.
...
The small morning assembly the next day was fraught with a heavy atmosphere.
Besides the civil servants, several military generals in the Capital City also attended the small court assembly. General Bao, in charge of the Imperial Army, General Liu, General Song, Left General, and General Sima, who replaced General Fan, were present.
When Pri Minister Wang presented Rouran’s Letter, the ministers were filled with indignation. Especially the Left General, who was visibly furious: "This Fu Mingdun kills our border army, kidnaps Da Liang’s citizens as slaves, and now dares to send a letter requesting to marry a Da Liang Princess! It’s sheer audacity, utterly hateful, an unbearable humiliation!"
General Bao and the other military generals also voiced their outrage: "Ugh! Fu Mingdun is old enough to be the Princess’s grandfather and still has the audacity to propose marriage!"
"Fu Mingdun already has a Kedun, and our Da Liang Princess is of such noble status, yet he dares to ask for her as his Yan Shi! Absolutely shaless!"
"This is an insult to Da Liang! We cannot tolerate it!"
"Pri Minister, please report to the Emperor imdiately and have Rouran’s emissary executed, with the head displayed on the city wall."
Most of the military generals, with their fiery tempers, were deeply insulted by the shalessness of Rouran’s Letter, their anger palpable, eager to draw swords for vengeance.
The civil servants’ reactions were much calr. Minister Zhang spoke: "Generals, please calm down. Political marriages have existed since ancient tis. The Rouran cavalry is fierce, and their military strength is formidable. If they fully commit to warfare, our border army suffers greatly with each defeat, resulting in many casualties. Left General, you know this best."
All ministers turned to look at the Left General.
Being from the Pri Minister’s faction, the Left General and Minister Zhang never saw eye to eye. Having his shortcomings exposed in public by Minister Zhang, the Left General felt quite displeased and said coolly: "Does Minister Zhang favor the Princess’s marriage?"
The military generals glared furiously.
Minister Zhang coughed: "Such significant matters are not for you or to decide. Let’s hear what the Pri Minister and the Commandery Princess have to say."
Pri Minister Wang’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Jiang Shaohua: "Commandery Princess, what do you think?"
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