CHAPTER 179: CHAPTER 179: REUNION (PART 2)

As soon as Zheng Chen finished speaking, everyone’s expressions changed slightly, and they all looked at the Commandery Princess in unison.

Jiang Shaohua was not at all surprised and responded in a calm voice, "More than half a year ago, Mr. Zhao came with a letter from the Empress Dowager. I have already stated my position: I will not go to the Capital City. I will remain in Nanyang County forever."

"Young Master Zheng should know this very well from reading in the Upper Study Room. Why make another wasted trip?"

Zheng Chen stared intently into Jiang Shaohua’s eyes, "How can Mr. Zhao be compared with me?"

Jiang Shaohua raised her eyelids slightly, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm, "Indeed, they cannot be compared. Mr. Zhao has always been tactful and persuasive, unlike Young Master Zheng, whose tone is so forceful. It seems if I don’t comply, a great disaster will befall."

Zheng Chen: "..."

Zheng Chen’s expression stiffened for a moment, then he quickly softened, "My earlier words were ill-conceived. Please forgive me, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at him, "I forgive you. However, my stance remains unchanged — I have no intention of going to the Capital City. You may return to report to the Empress Dowager."

Being repeatedly rebuffed, the flames of anger in Zheng Chen’s heart flared up again.

However, given his current status, he could not afford to publicly clash with Jiang Shaohua, nor should he.

He needed to take it slow.

Zheng Chen reminded himself inwardly, smiling as he responded, "This is my first visit to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. I wish to stay for a while. As the host, Cousin Shao Hua should extend some hospitality."

This request was made with confidence and justification.

Indeed, Jiang Shaohua could hardly refuse again. Not to speak of Zheng Chen’s status and background, only considering past feelings and this life reunion, she had to entertain him for a few days.

Jiang Shaohua responded lightly, "Naturally."

She then turned to instruct Ma Yaosong, "Ma, arrange accommodation. The personal soldiers accompanying the Young Master should also be settled."

Ma Yaosong bowed and agreed.

Jiang Shaohua also spoke to Chen Jinyu, "Tonight, the Prince Mansion will host a welcome banquet to greet the Young Master. Chen Sheren, you should start the arrangements now."

Chen Jinyu opened his mouth and agreed.

Zheng Chen finally shifted his gaze and said, "The Prince Mansion actually has a woman serving as Sheren? That’s quite unusual."

This single sentence offended Chen Sheren.

Chen Sheren responded with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "Our Commandery Princess has keen insight and talent in using the right people. However, even if I were to explain this to Young Master Zheng, he probably wouldn’t understand."

This Chen Sheren was sharp-tongued, much like Jiang Shaohua in her youth.

Zheng Chen smiled graciously and finally glanced at Cui Du, "Cousin Shao Hua, who is this?"

Jiang Shaohua calmly replied, "He is named Cui Du, a legitimate son of a collateral branch of the Boling Cui Family. With his guardian elder having passed away, he has come to seek refuge with Commander Song."

As the heir of the Zheng Family, Zheng Chen had memorized the Da Liang Clan Tree by the age of eight. Such intricate relationships were immediately clear to him, "Mr. Cui’s grandmother was the younger sister of the late Princess Consort. So, by this reckoning, Mr. Cui is also a cousin to Cousin Shao Hua."

Jiang Shaohua nodded, "By blood, indeed this is the case."

"Cui Du, come and greet Young Master Zheng."

Cui Du obliged, bowing to Young Master Zheng, "Cui Du greets the Young Master."

These past days, Cui Du had been accompanying Jiang Shaohua around the warm sheds or fields, talking almost nonstop, making his voice increasingly hoarse and unpleasant.

Zheng Chen, with the demeanor of a gentleman from a noble family, did not tease him but instead asked with concern, "Mr. Cui’s voice is hoarse, it seems your vocal cords are damaged. I brought some fine medicine concocted in the palace, I’ll have someone deliver it to Mr. Cui later."

Cui Du didn’t respond immediately, first looking at the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua’s moody disposition brightened considerably, and she smiled, "With so many Imperial Physicians in the palace, fine medicines abound. Young Master Zheng’s kind gesture, you should accept."

Only then did Cui Du bow in thanks.

Zheng Chen’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and his smile faded a bit.

He knew Jiang Shaohua too well. So well that he could tell the familiarity and closeness between her and Cui Du just from her smile at him.

Jiang Shaohua stood up, "Ma, lead the Young Master to settle in! I’ve been out for many days and need some rest. See you at the banquet tonight."

With that, she gracefully left under the salute of the crowd.

Zheng Chen also got up to send her off.

For him, this was yet another new experience.

In a previous life, after Jiang Shaohua entered the palace, she accompanied Empress Dowager Zheng every day. He, being the direct nephew of the Empress Dowager, traversed the palace as if it were second nature. When they were together, their statuses were equal, with mutual respect. Truth be told, as someone alone in the palace, Jiang Shaohua wasn’t favored as much by the Empress Dowager as he was.

Later, when Jiang Shaohua married into the Wang Family, he was considered an honored guest when visiting the Wang Family.

Later still, after he replaced Wang Rong as Da Liang Chancellor, everyone deferred to him. When he visited the Wang Family to see her, he mostly had an air of superiority.

Now in Nanyang County, she was the Commandery Princess while he was a Zheng Family son visiting from afar. As she departed, he had to rise and bow to see her off...

After rising, Zheng Chen stood gazing at Jiang Shaohua’s departing figure for a long time, unmoving.

"Young Master," Ma Yaosong courteously and politely smiled, "The Prince Mansion currently has an empty courtyard, the one where Qiu Dianshan once stayed. It’s been vacant for half a year now and is clean and tidy, ready for Young Master to reside for a few days."

Zheng Chen came back to his senses, nodding with considerable poise, and casually asked, "Where does Ma reside?"

Ma replied with a smile, "The Prince Mansion has ten courtyards, I live in one of them. If the Young Master needs anything, just send someone, and I’ll be at your service within a cup of tea’s time."

Ma Yaosong was smooth and adept, with a deferential attitude.

Zheng Chen felt quite satisfied, smiling as he said, "Then I shall trouble Ma."

Ma quickly responded, "I am here on the Commandery Princess’s orders, doing my duty. I dare not claim it a trouble."

As he spoke, he led the way ahead.

Zheng Chen walked at an unhurried pace, speaking with subtle probing intent, "I see that Ma is rather young to be acting as the Commandery Princess’s sherenship, which shows her considerable favor."

Even though I’m young, I’m still two or three years older than you!

Ma silently complained in his heart while replying with laughter, "My father is the County Magistrate of Biyang. When the Commandery Princess inspected Biyang County, she greatly admired me and summoned me to serve as sherenship."

Zheng Chen smiled glancingly at Ma, "The Commandery Princess does have discernment. Ma speaks and acts with propriety, and will surely achieve greatness in the future."

"Young Master overpraises. I used to consider myself a talented youth, but meeting the Young Master today, I truly understand what exceptional talent is."

Zheng Chen smiled with delight, "Oh, not at all. In the future, we and Ma should get along well."

Ma’s face was filled with surprise and joy, "It would be my greatest blessing for three generations."

Cui Du, following behind them, listened to their mutual flattery and rolled his eyes grandly in his heart.

...