CHAPTER 180: CHAPTER 180: REUNION (PART 3)

Jiang Shaohua entered the bedchamber, not turning back: "All of you leave, I need to be alone for a while."

Chen Sheren, who had followed the Commandery Princess back, glanced at her retreating figure, wanting to say something but swallowing his words: "Yes."

Chen Jinyu exited, and Yin Zhutu Bai also quietly withdrew.

The door was closed.

Finally, she was alone.

Jiang Shaohua felt as though she’d shed a burden of a thousand pounds, no longer holding her head high and maintaining a calm demeanor, she collapsed onto the bed, burying her head in the thick blankets.

For a long time, she did not move.

This time, she did not cry. Bewilderment, fragility, and bitterness seized her for a moment, then slowly faded away.

She maintained this posture, falling into a deep sleep.

When she opened her eyes, it was already evening.

She got up and disdainfully looked at her disheveled hair in the mirror, loudly calling: "Yin Zhu, Tu Bai, I want to bathe and change clothes."

She had to go to the welcome banquet dressed neatly.

Tonight, there was a "tough battle" to fight.

Yin Zhutu Bai had been waiting outside the door for a long time; hearing this, they immediately pushed the door open and entered. Jiang Shaohua’s spirited appearance caught the two maids by surprise.

They had been concerned about the Commandery Princess’s emotional slump and were pondering how to comfort and advise her. Now, it seems they worried in vain.

The Commandery Princess was full of fighting spirit and in great spirits.

After Jiang Shaohua bathed, Yin Zhu brought several new clothes: "These are all newly made autumn dresses this year. Which one does the Commandery Princess want to wear?"

Jiang Shaohua glanced over them and pointed with her hand: "This one."

Bright red, the most striking and dazzling one.

Jiang Shaohua’s complexion was extremely fair, and wearing the red dress made her skin appear even whiter than snow and dazzlingly beautiful. She did not wear the full set of gold and jade jewelry, choosing only a hairpin to adorn her hair.

"How do I look?" Jiang Shaohua asked with a smile as she looked in the mirror.

Yin Zhu was full of praise: "The Commandery Princess is exceptionally noble and beautiful."

Tu Bai nodded in agreement: "Tonight, let’s amaze that Young Master from the Capital City."

Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but laugh.

What kind of person was Zheng Chen, the Young Master Zheng? In a previous life, he married one of the Capital City’s famous beauties, and a few years later, his wife died in childbirth, so he took the Capital City’s courtesan as a concubine. Later on, he became a powerful minister of Da Liang, and people sought to please him, specially finding a girl resembling her to present to him.

Even though he always loved her but could never have her, there was never a lack of beauties around him.

He did not need to be amazed. She also did not need to think too highly of herself.

Thinking of these things, Jiang Shaohua’s mood surprisingly calmed down, and she said faintly: "Let’s go!"

...

The Nanyang Prince Mansion had a designated banquet place, and the welcome banquet was set there.

A high-standard banquet often had two people at each table.

"Young Master Zheng has traveled far as a guest, please have a seat of honor." Dressed in red, Jiang Shaohua approached with a smile, gesturing with her hand in invitation.

Zheng Chen had also bathed and changed into new clothes, his hair bound by a jade crown. He smiled gracefully and radiantly: "The Commandery Princess has a noble status, please go first."

Jiang Shaohua leisurely replied: "I am young and do not drink, so tonight Chief Historian Chen will accompany the Young Master."

Chen Zhuo was prepared for this and immediately accepted with a smile: "I will certainly take good care of the Young Master."

Zheng Chen was not so easily dismissed, looking deeply at Jiang Shaohua: "We are cousins, close in age; sitting together would make it easier to chat. Surely the Commandery Princess does not dare to sit with me?"

Unfortunately, the Commandery Princess did not fall for the provocation, remaining calm: "Men and women should not sit together; I will sit with Chen Sheren."

Chen Sheren immediately came over with a cheerful smile, linking arms with the Commandery Princess as they went to sit down.

Zheng Chen had no choice but to sit with Chen Zhuo. Feng Wenming and Yang Zheng shared a table, Wen An and Shen Mu another, and Cui Du sat with Ma Yaosong.

"Why hasn’t Lu Junma come?" Zheng Chen glanced around and casually asked with a smile.

Jiang Shaohua’s expression remained unchanged: "Lu Junma sent someone a moment ago saying he suddenly felt unwell and couldn’t attend the welcome banquet."

Zheng Chen merely smiled it off.

The welcome banquet soon began. The chefs at the Nanyang Prince Mansion had been instructed to take out all the stops tonight, serving dish after dish of exquisite delicacies.

Zheng Chen tasted a few bites and praised: "The chefs in the Prince Mansion are no less than the Imperial Chefs."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, accepting the compliment: "It is their fortune to be praised by the Young Master Zheng."

Chen Zhuo laughed heartily: "When the Prince was alive, he spent a lot of money to invite several famous chefs to the Mansion. Young Master is our honored guest; naturally, the chefs put extra effort into making delicious dishes."

Feng Wenming joined in with a laugh: "Having stayed at the field manor for several days, eating only homestyle dishes, this sudden switch to such exquisite delicacies must be relished greatly."

Then, he raised his glass to the Young Master.

Yang Zheng and others had been instructed beforehand to take turns raising their glasses for a toast. Though young, Zheng Chen was well-versed in handling such banquets and reciprocated each toast.

Everyone chatted and laughed, creating a harmonious and lively atmosphere.

Only Cui Du kept his head down, eating silently.

"Why isn’t Mr. Cui drinking?" Zheng Chen suddenly looked over.

Cui Du responded curtly: "I never drink."

Zheng Chen laughed: "Drinking can be harmful. Since you’re still young, it’s fine not to drink."

Cui Du replied with a sound of agreement and continued to eat heartily.

Zheng Chen: "..."

Zheng Chen discreetly furrowed his brow.

This Cui Du, though young, was markedly different in speech and behavior from ordinary people. Sitting at this welcome banquet, he was neither anxious nor constrained, eating and drinking more comfortably than even Zheng Chen himself.

Zheng Chen glanced up at Jiang Shaohua. Coincidentally, Jiang Shaohua was smiling warmly at Cui Du, her gaze gentle and bright.

An invisible string suddenly tightened in Zheng Chen’s mind.

An hour later, the banquet concluded.

Jiang Shaohua rose to leave, and Zheng Chen resolutely stood up: "I will escort the Commandery Princess."

The eyes of the attendees flitted back and forth between the Commandery Princess and the Young Master Zheng.

How to put it, some things could not be hidden from sharp-eyed observers. The Young Master Zheng’s purpose in coming to the Nanyang Prince Mansion was abundantly clear, while the Commandery Princess was extremely indifferent towards him. Throughout the evening, his gaze was almost glued to her, yet she seemed not to notice.

The two, despite having been separated by miles and having never met before, somehow displayed a peculiar familiarity.

The Commandery Princess glanced at Zheng Chen, nodded slightly in agreement.

"Commandery Princess," an unexpected voice chimed in. It was coarse, hoarse, and unpleasant, yet particularly loud, making one’s ears ache: "I will also escort the Commandery Princess back."

Everyone turned their heads to look.

Mr. Cui, who had been silent all evening, suddenly stood out without realizing it, waiting expectantly for the Commandery Princess’s approval.

Jiang Shaohua was also a bit surprised but quickly nodded.

Cui Du grinned, his smile radiant.

Zheng Chen could not smile, his gaze growing colder.

Taken with renewed interest, everyone withdrew their gazes and left the scene, while the Commandery Princess was accompanied leisurely back to her courtyard by both the Young Master Zheng and Mr. Cui.

Outside the courtyard gate, Jiang Shaohua stopped.

Just as she was about to speak, Zheng Chen was a step ahead: "I have something to discuss with the Commandery Princess, Mr. Cui, please go ahead first."