CHAPTER 121: CHAPTER 121: LIKE CHESS

The past is like an awl, suddenly piercing the chest with unbearable pain.

The helpless pain and anguish of being manipulated by others lingered like maggots attached to bones, gnawing at him over the course of more than twenty years.

In this life, he would never repeat the same mistakes, never allow anyone to dictate his life.

"Zixian," Empress Dowager Zheng’s voice sounded in his ear: "What is the matter with you? Why have you been silent? And your complexion looks so poor. I will call the Imperial Physician to take a look at you."

Zheng Chen snapped back from the long memories: "It’s nothing, I’ve just had a few nights of poor sleep, no need to trouble the Imperial Physician."

Empress Dowager Zheng chided, "A few nights of poor sleep, and you say it’s nothing." Then she turned and instructed, "Summon the Imperial Physician immediately."

In Jingyang Palace, indeed throughout the entire court, everyone must heed Empress Dowager Zheng’s words.

Emperor Taikang was famously filial, even if he was occasionally displeased with Empress Dowager Zheng’s interference in governmental affairs, he would never show it. Prime Minister Wang, with his powers stretching throughout the court, couldn’t do anything about Empress Dowager Zheng either.

There was no other way, Empress Dowager Zheng, as the Empress Dowager of Da Liang, had that kind of confidence.

Zheng Chen could only smile and thank the Empress Dowager for her grace.

Very soon, Doctor Ji arrived.

There were more than thirty Imperial Physicians in the Imperial Hospital, of varying ranks and qualifications, but only about ten were qualified to enter the palace for consultations. Doctor Ji came from a renowned medical family, with high medical skills and seniority, and was cautious in his conduct. Every three days, he would visit Jingyang Palace to take the Empress Dowager’s pulse for peace and safety.

"Doctor Ji, Zixian has been having nightmares frequently these past nights, unable to sleep well, and is often distracted during the day. Please take his pulse," instructed Empress Dowager Zheng.

Doctor Ji responded, concentrated on taking the pulse, examined the tongue coating and complexion, and carefully inquired about the recent situation.

Zheng Chen used his habitual excuse from the past few days to respond: "After waking from nightmares, it’s hard to fall back asleep, often distracted during the day, and having no appetite during meals."

Empress Dowager Zheng asked directly, "Zixian, is there no serious physical problem?"

Doctor Ji respectfully replied, "Young Master, the pulse is steady, there’s no serious problem. It’s just excessive worry and an overburdened heart. I will first prescribe a calming and heart-clearing remedy, after taking it for five or six days, it should get better."

Only then did Empress Dowager Zheng set her mind at ease.

After Doctor Ji left, Empress Dowager Zheng gently instructed, "Make sure to take your medicine on time, and don’t dump it out just because it’s bitter."

At this moment, Empress Dowager Zheng truly loved him. However, this in no way affected him from becoming a pawn in Empress Dowager Zheng’s hands in the future.

Life is like chess, in this life, he refuses to be a pawn, either sitting at the chessboard or flipping the board entirely.

A myriad of thoughts churned in his mind.

Zheng Chen showed no outward emotion, merely nodding in response.

...

Five days later, Jiang Shaohua led the group to set off for Ye County.

The newly appointed Chen Sheren cheerfully packed up his luggage, joined the Commandery Princess in the same carriage, and left Bo Wang County Government.

Jiang Shaohua smiled knowingly, "Look at you, like a bird released from its cage."

Chen Jinyu gave a playful smile, "Without my mother’s nagging in my ear, I am so happy."

Then he sighed with a small, bitter face, "That day, my mother cried and fussed, so I casually coaxed her, saying I would give her my salary for personal use. As a result, my mother took it seriously."

Thinking about it now, it’s just two words, regret.

Jiang Shaohua laughed and offered Chen Jinyu advice, "In the future, when you receive your salary, just report half of it."

Oh? Great idea!

Chen Jinyu gave the Commandery Princess a thumbs up.

Riding alongside, Song Yuan, hearing the occasional soft laughter coming from the carriage, had a glint of amusement in his eyes.

The Commandery Princess was wise and calm, with a maturity far beyond her age, beloved and supported by all as their lord. However, people can’t always be so taut, it’s good to be like this now.

For this reason alone, Chen Jinyu was very suitable for this role as a housekeeper. Not to mention, once Chen Jinyu became housekeeper, he took on the Commandery Princess’s clerical duties.

No matter how capable Chen Zhuo is, there’s an age limit, asking one person to do the work of three or four was really too much. With one person’s duties reduced, things became much easier.

After traveling for half a day, the group stopped to rest beside the main road.

"Commandery Princess, after another thirty miles, there is a post house." There were two hundred personal soldiers guarding the Commandery Princess, ensuring her safety, so Meng Dashan led the Second Guard Camp ahead to scout the path: "At our current speed, we’ll reach the post house before evening, stay overnight, and continue tomorrow. We should arrive at Ye County by afternoon."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly.

A few young personal soldiers including Qin Hu nudged and winked at each other, with Qin Hu being nudged to speak due to his boldness.

Turning his head, Meng Dashan smiled, "Qin Hu, you want to go hunting again, don’t you?"

Qin Hu grinned cheekily, "Just from a glance, Uncle Meng knows exactly what I’m up to."

Meng Dashan laughed and glared at him, "Speaking so freely in front of the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Alright, if you want to go, then go. Hunt more wild game for everyone to enjoy tonight."

Qin Hu perked up, loudly agreed, turned, and called about twenty personal soldiers to ride into the woods.

Unfortunately, good brother Meng Sanbao was left in the Prince Mansion to recover from injuries and couldn’t join in the fun... no, couldn’t join in the duties. Without a sparring partner, the days were not as fun.

After resting for an hour, the group continued their journey. Sure enough, they reached the post house before evening.

Qin Hu and the others who went hunting arrived at the post house before dark. They brought back heaps of pheasants, wild hares, and wild goats, and the cooks at the post house wished they had more hands.

Jiang Shaohua specifically instructed the kitchen to heat more water, ensuring that everyone who had traveled all day could have at least a basin of hot water to themselves. She also rewarded them with ten taels of silver.

The cooks, receiving such generous rewards, were invigorated, and worked tirelessly, cooking and heating water until midnight without feeling tired.

At night, Meng Dashan arranged for people to take turns on night watch, and everyone rested peacefully.

Ah!

A piercing scream shattered the stillness of the long night.

Jiang Shaohua was instantly awakened, flipping out of bed, grabbing a sword from under her pillow with her right hand.

Her preferred weapon was the Red Tassel Spear. However, it was inconvenient to carry such a weapon daily, so she carried this sword instead. This sword was two inches shorter than an ordinary one, flashed with a cold glint, and was extremely sharp.

Her bedmate, Chen Jinyu, was a step slower, getting off the bed in a slight rush, "Sister Shaohua, what happened?"

Jiang Shaohua listened attentively: "There’s a commotion coming from another courtyard in the post house, we’ll know soon enough."

When they had arrived at the post house earlier that day, the Posthouse Minister had nervously apologized, saying that another group had already taken residence ahead of them, probably as he had accepted silver and couldn’t easily evict them.

Jiang Shaohua wasn’t so tyrannical and casually agreed to the matter.

That sudden scream in the middle of the night must be caused by that group.

Knock, knock, knock!

The door was knocked three times, and Song Yuan’s voice came through, "Commandery Princess, there’s been a murder in the post house."

So, that scream just now was someone’s dying cry?

Chen Jinyu gasped in surprise.

Jiang Shaohua remained calm, raising her voice, "Commander Song, please wait a moment." Then she turned to urge Chen Jinyu, "Hurry and get dressed."

Chen Jinyu quickly composed himself, and together with the Commandery Princess, they tidied themselves up, then opened the door and stepped out.