CHAPTER 176: CHAPTER 176: HEART TO HEART (PART 1)

This question was so direct it bordered on sharp.

Cui Du’s smile paused, and he stopped walking, exchanging a glance with Jiang Shaohua. He felt as if those bright, mirror-like eyes had seen through all his obscure and unexpressed thoughts.

After a while, Cui Du finally said softly, "I have been here for over half a year. I eat well, drink well, sleep well, and live well. With such a vast field manor and the Commandery Princess’s strong support, I can freely do what I love. To claim I am unaccustomed to it would be too pretentious."

"I don’t know why the Heavens brought me here. But since I’m here, I’ll move forward, live well, and won’t look back."

Yes indeed! Some things remain meaningless even if pondered. The only way is to look ahead and move forward.

Jiang Shaohua remained silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and held Cui Du’s hand.

Cui Du: "..."

Cui Du’s whole body trembled, his handsome face suddenly turned red. He wanted to withdraw his hand but was reluctant, just foolishly gazing at the Commandery Princess.

From a distance, Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao also widened their eyes.

Separated by the distance, they couldn’t hear the voices, yet their eyes were fixed on the Commandery Princess and Cui Du. It was undoubtedly the Commandery Princess who made the first move... What virtue or capability does this mute possess to deserve such favor from the Commandery Princess!

"Cui Du," Jiang Shaohua said sincerely, though her words had nothing to do with romance. "You are a person of great talent, and Nanyang County is in need of someone like you. Rest assured, stay in Nanyang County, and I, Jiang Shaohua, will never treat you poorly."

"You are still young and cannot serve as an official. In a few years, I will petition personally to have you formally appointed as a Prince Mansion Official. Your monthly stipend will be double, and each year there will be generous rewards. Every aspect of your living will be the best, and when you are ready to start a family and marry, I will personally act as a matchmaker for you and help arrange your marriage."

"You need not worry about supporting your wife and family; I will take care of everything. All you need to do is stay in Nanyang County and do what you want to do."

With such generosity from the master, the servant can only return the favor by working tirelessly.

The heat on Cui Du’s face faded, and his mind returned to clarity. He solemnly replied, "That day when I fell from the sky, it was the Commandery Princess who saved my life and provided a place for me. The Commandery Princess gave me a background and identity, allowing me to stand upright before everyone."

"The clothes I wear and the food I eat all come from the Commandery Princess’s kindness. Not to mention, the Commandery Princess’s magnanimity and trust in me fully supports me in building greenhouses, cultivating experimental fields, and promoting new grain varieties."

"Let alone that I have nowhere else to go. Even if there were other places to go, I would never leave. Please, Commandery Princess, rest assured!"

Jiang Shaohua beamed, "Hearing you say this, I feel at ease."

Jiang Shaohua momentarily forgot to let go of the servant’s hand.

For some reason, Cui Du, too, did not remind her, and simply held hands with the Commandery Princess and gazed at each other: "I know the Commandery Princess is deeply worried about the impending drought and locust plague. As long as Commander Song... Uncle can find corn seeds and sweet potato seeds, I can plant them and ensure that the people of Nanyang County won’t go hungry."

"Even if these two seeds can’t be found, we can vigorously promote the cultivation of sorghum. These matters, Commandery Princess, just leave them to me!"

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes shone brightly, and the corners of her mouth curled up. "Cui Du, you truly are my lucky star."

Cui Du was so flattered that he couldn’t help but laugh with delight.

Jiang Shaohua, in a good mood, released Cui Du’s hand and continued walking forward.

Cui Du moved his fingers a bit with a slight sense of regret, as if he could still feel the tender touch upon his fingertips.

Jiang Shaohua smiled casually, "Tell me about your previous life."

Cui Du had always kept quiet about his background and usually kept his thoughts to himself. Only in front of the Commandery Princess could he reveal a bit: "I was just an ordinary person before, living a plain, uneventful life."

"Come on, tell me," Jiang Shaohua turned her head, her smiling profile softly glowing under the bright moonlight. "I want to know a bit more about you."

A feeling like being tickled a little struck Cui Du’s heart, and the back of his ears grew warm. Calming his mind, he said, "My father is a businessman, and my mother is a politician. They had high expectations for me. Unfortunately, I have never liked business nor politics since I was young. I refused their plans, and got myself admitted to an agricultural university. Just before I came here, I was close to finishing my doctoral degree."

Cui Du’s words contained many new terms, ones unheard of before.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t really understand, like what an agricultural university was, or a doctorate. However, she did not interrupt Cui Du and listened quietly.

Having such a listener, Cui Du naturally continued to pour out his heart: "Father and mother are very disappointed in me. In their view, I am not doing legitimate work. But I just love agriculture, I love cultivating grains, and I love farming."

"Life is short, just a few decades, I don’t want to live life according to someone else’s plans. I want to do what I love."

"What’s wrong with cultivating grains and farming?" Jiang Shaohua picked up the conversation very naturally: "Agriculture is the foundation of the nation. Millions of people depend on farming to sustain themselves. If we could develop high-yield grain varieties to increase production, this would benefit the country and its people. In comparison, commerce is mundane and profit-driven, and politics is treacherous and deceitful."

These words struck right at Cui Du’s heart.

Moved, Cui Du reached out and held Jiang Shaohua’s hand: "The Commandery Princess is absolutely right! This is exactly how I feel! In this world, only the Commandery Princess understands me."

From afar, Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao widened their eyes again, about to rush over to chastise the mute for his audacity.

It’s one thing for the Commandery Princess to take the initiative, but how dare this mute be so impudent with the Commandery Princess?

Jiang Shaohua gestured with her left hand to stop Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao’s anger. She then gently spoke to Cui Du, "In any case, I will fully support you. Just do what you love, everything else will be settled by me, without troubling your mind."

Cui Du nodded firmly, raising the corners of his mouth.

Only at this moment did Cui Du realize he had been somewhat impulsive. Offering an awkward smile, he released his hand and stepped back two paces: "I was too rash just now, I hope the Commandery Princess will forgive me."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "I am not an ordinary young lady; I am the Nanyang County Princess. With me, there is no distinction between men and women, no need to avoid suspicion in trivial matters, only the rare friendship and understanding between sovereign and minister."

The Commandery Princess really knew how to speak.

Cui Du suddenly discovered that he was not embarrassed at all anymore and even laughed heartily along with the Commandery Princess.

"You are twenty-five years old, are you married?" Jiang Shaohua casually asked.

Cui Du laughed: "In our place, twenty-five is still very young. There are plenty of people who don’t marry until thirty."

So he is not married.

A sense of relief washed over Jiang Shaohua’s heart. No ties meant it would be easier for him to stay in Nanyang County: "What kind of girl do you like? Tell me, and I’ll keep an eye out for you."

Cui Du fell silent.

Jiang Shaohua laughed and glanced at him, "Don’t tell me you’ve lived to twenty-five without ever having liked a girl."