CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 113: CHILDHOOD FRIENDS (PART 1)

Two days later, Jiang Shaohua, along with her officials and a group of trusted aides, set off for Bowan County.

Bowan County, like Li County, is abundant in mountains and forests. The difference lies in that Li County’s mountains produce wild game and herbs, while Bowan County’s stretching mountain ranges conceal iron and silver mines.

The adult men of Bowan County, who farm the fields during spring and autumn harvests, are mostly conscripted to work in the iron mines on regular days. Mining is a tough job, but fortunately, the wages are ample, with payments settled every ten days, and the meals are good. Hence, the locals are eager to mine and earn some hard-earned money.

So much so that many people work in the iron mines year-round, leaving the farming to the women, the elderly, and the weak in the family. As a result, agriculture in Bowan County is naturally greatly affected, which is unavoidable. One can’t have both sides of the sugarcane sweet.

Because of this, when the Prince Mansion issued a document to replenish the granary, County Magistrate Chen of Bowan immediately sent people to purchase grain.

"I pay my respects to the Commandery Princess and the Chief Historian."

Outside the city gates, County Magistrate Chen, accompanied by a group of county government officials, greeted them with a salute.

Jiang Shaohua dismounted her horse and smiled as she helped County Magistrate Chen up. County Magistrate Chen repeatedly thanked her.

About thirty-five or thirty-six years old, County Magistrate Chen would be considered quite decent-looking if not compared with his father. However, Chief Historian Chen is famously handsome, and compared to his father, County Magistrate Chen falls short by more than just a margin. Moreover, County Magistrate Chen has been running back and forth between the fields and the iron and silver mines, enduring sun and rain for years, making his skin darker and coarser, showing signs of weariness at first glance.

In contrast, Chief Historian Chen is well-maintained, with a graceful demeanor, looking about forty years old.

Chen Zhuo glanced at his son with some disdain: "Getting filthier by the day. Standing next to me, who knows who looks more like the father."

County Magistrate Chen, a witty person, replied earnestly: "Appearance doesn’t matter. Even when I’m eighty, I’m still Father’s son."

Chen Zhuo shivered slightly at his son’s shamelessness.

Jiang Shaohua burst into laughter.

Song Yuan and the others also laughed. When Chen Zhuo came to the Nanyang Prince Mansion as Chief Historian, this County Magistrate Chen was just a few years old. Later, he studied all the way, took the Imperial Examination, and filled official vacancies, never leaving Nanyang. Everyone was very familiar with him.

County Magistrate Chen turned his head and called his children over to meet their grandfather.

Chen Zhuo finally showed a smile, waving at his grandchildren: "You two come over and pay your respects to the Commandery Princess."

The pair of youngsters hurried over to pay their respects.

The sixteen-year-old boy, named Chen Haoran, had a clear and bright demeanor, and last year passed the Scholar exam. Now, he is diligently studying, preparing for this year’s Autumn Examination.

The girl named Chen Jinyu, thirteen years old, had a slender figure and lively eyes.

Chen Jinyu grew up in the Prince Mansion and is a playmate of Jiang Shaohua. After the death of Prince Nanyang last year, Chen Zhuo got very busy and couldn’t care for his granddaughter, so he had her sent to Bowan County.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said: "No need for formalities, Mr. Chen." She was less formal with Chen Jinyu, affectionately calling out Sister Jin Yu with a smile.

Having grown up together as playmates, their bond was unlike others. Chen Jinyu responded happily.

Jiang Shaohua invited Chen Jinyu to join her in the carriage to enter the city, but Chen Jinyu didn’t immediately accept; instead, she glanced at County Magistrate Chen first.

County Magistrate Chen smiled: "The Commandery Princess summons you to accompany her, so you should agree."

Only then did Chen Jinyu nod, getting into the carriage with the Commandery Princess. After sitting down, she neatly arranged her skirt with her hands properly placed on her knees.

"Sister Jin Yu, it’s been a year since we last met." Jiang Shaohua teased affectionately: "I remember you used to love to joke, but why are you so reserved today?"

Chen Jinyu first peeked outside the carriage to ensure her voice wouldn’t reach her grandfather and father, then sighed with a pretty, pained face: "Don’t mention it. Ever since I came to Bowan County a year ago, my mother has been nagging in my ear all day, saying that as a girl grows up, she needs to be reserved and graceful, no showing feet, no smiling broadly. If I resist even a little, she starts crying. What can I do?"

Jiang Shaohua, full of empathy, said: "It’s unavoidable; she’s your own mother, after all. You have to bear it a bit."

The Chen Family also has its worries. For example, when County Magistrate Chen insisted on marrying the woman he loves, his own mother was very critical of her daughter-in-law, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship was not harmonious.

When County Magistrate Chen came to Bowan County, he brought his wife and son with him, but his daughter Chen Jinyu was left by her grandmother’s side. Three years ago, after the grandmother passed, Lady Chen wanted her daughter back, but County Magistrate Chen stopped her: "Mother has passed away, and Father is lonely, so it’s better to leave Jinyu at the Prince Mansion to relieve some of Father’s loneliness."

Two years later, Chief Historian Chen personally sent his granddaughter to Bowan County. Lady Chen and her daughter finally reunited. Little did they know, having been separated for years, mother and daughter found their temperaments and dispositions didn’t quite match.

As a daughter, Chen Jinyu naturally had to always yield to her mother. Over time, it inevitably became stifling to her.

Today, being reunited with a dear friend, Chen Jinyu couldn’t wait to pour out her heart’s troubles: "My mother always criticizes me for not being elegant enough, hinting that Grandmother spoiled me too much when she was alive. I don’t like hearing her belittle Grandmother, so I have to argue a bit. Then, my mother says I’m unfilial and that I have no heart for her, crying for half a day. I have to apologize and make amends."

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "You weren’t like this before."

Being able to become close companions with Jiang Shaohua, Chen Jinyu was one who could ride and shoot, climb trees and catch birds, with a quick tongue and eloquent speech.

Chen Jinyu held her face in anguish: "If I stifle myself any longer, I’ll go crazy! You have to help me."

Jiang Shaohua was amused again: "How do you want me to help you?"

Chen Jinyu immediately perked up, tugging on Jiang Shaohua’s sleeve and swaying coyly: "Aren’t you going to inspect the granaries in various counties? Let me go with you! I understand official documents and can draft them; how about letting me take on some assignments at your side?"

Jiang Shaohua’s heart stirred, and she carefully sized up Chen Jinyu.

Having grown up by her grandfather Chen Zhuo’s side, Chen Jinyu had an excellent memory and top-notch reading skills, having been influenced to master official paperwork, and could write beautifully.

With Chen Jinyu’s abilities, taking on an assignment related to paperwork by Jiang Shaohua’s side would be more than sufficient.

With a face full of hope, Chen Jinyu batted her limpid eyes rapidly: "Is that okay? Even if I’m not working, just talking to you would be good."

Jiang Shaohua smiled: "Let’s agree on this. You chose this path yourself, and no matter how hard or tiring it may be, you’ll have to keep going."

Chen Jinyu’s face flushed with excitement, utterly oblivious to the deeper meaning in the Commandery Princess’s words, nodding her head like a chick pecking at grains: "I promise not to complain about being tired or hard, and I’ll focus on the work diligently."

Jiang Shaohua smiled gently, holding Chen Jinyu’s hand: "Good, I remember your words today. I’ll talk to Chief Historian Chen and County Magistrate Chen. Once you get back, you can start packing your luggage."

Chen Jinyu was extremely happy and hugged Jiang Shaohua tightly: "Sister Shaohua, you truly are my savior."

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