CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 184: FAREWELL

Field manor?

Zheng Chen instinctively showed a hint of disdain: "What can you do at a field manor? Are you going to be a steward?"

Cui Du didn’t get angry: "The Young Master Zheng misunderstood. I have other tasks at the field manor."

He didn’t elaborate on what the task was.

Zheng Chen didn’t know if he was truly curious or deliberately sarcastic, and pressed further: "What exactly is this task? Mr. Cui is being so secretive, is it something that cannot be spoken of?"

"If the Young Master Zheng is curious, you can ask the Commandery Princess." Cui Du unabashedly used the Commandery Princess as a shield: "If she approves, the Young Master Zheng can take a trip to the field manor. If she doesn’t allow it, then I’m afraid I cannot divulge any information."

After saying this, he cupped his hand in salute, turned, and left the Prince Mansion, riding away on horseback.

Zheng Chen grew up in wealth, with fine clothes and food, never troubled by daily necessities. To him, field manors were places for stewards and such.

Cui Du’s words before leaving seemed to him just a way to flatter himself.

Going to work at a field manor?

Ha, laughable!

Zheng Chen grinned and turned to Ma: "Please lead the way, today we’ll tour Nanyang County."

Ma Yaosong responded with a subtle smile, swiftly giving Chen Jinyu a meaningful look.

Chen Jinyu slightly curled her lips.

This Young Master Zheng is really conceited. Someday, he will realize Cui Du’s talent.

The two housekeepers accompanied the Young Master Zheng around Nanyang County for most of the day, returning only at dusk.

Zheng Chen did not go to see Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua also had no intention of seeing Zheng Chen, only summoned Chen Sheren and Ma Sheren: "Where did you accompany the Young Master Zheng today?"

Chen Jinyu answered: "Went to the East City Gate, took a walk around and looked."

"The Young Master Zheng showed quite an interest in the governance and livelihood within our Nanyang County, asking many questions along the way." Ma Yaosong continued: "We had lunch at the tavern near the East City Gate, where the Young Master Zheng asked about the military power, mineral resources, and taxes of Nanyang County."

"Following the Commandery Princess’s instructions, nine truths with one lie, we managed to get by."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "For the next couple of days, you will have to do it for two more days."

Chen Jinyu smiled: "Supporting the Commandery Princess is part of our duties. Besides, the Young Master Zheng is actually quite courteous and has a good demeanor when speaking to us, not at all difficult."

Jiang Shaohua faintly smiled.

Because Zheng Chen didn’t see them as opponents who could rival him.

A minister who has long resided in high positions has his pride and character, disdaining to trouble two inexperienced young men and women.

Ma Yaosong pondered for a moment, then spoke softly: "Early today, the Young Master Zheng met Mr. Cui when leaving the mansion."

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow: "Tell me the details."

Chen Jinyu, having excellent memory, recounted word for word what Cui Du and Zheng Chen said, even perfectly mimicking their expressions: "... Earlier, I underestimated Mr. Cui. Facing the Young Master Zheng, he was neither humble nor overbearing, not at all overshadowed."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed with a trace of laughter: "Cui Du has always been good."

Chen Jinyu felt a pang of jealousy in her heart: "The Commandery Princess is truly very fond of Cui Du."

"If you can increase the yield of the field manor’s grain by 30% and cultivate grain seeds, I will equally favor you." Jiang Shaohua smiled knowingly, landing a good-natured blow.

Chen Jinyu giggled: "I truly don’t have that ability. Well, maybe I just won’t compete with Mr. Cui anymore."

Jiang Shaohua was amused and laughed lightly: "You don’t need to compare with him. In my heart, you are closest, second to none."

Ma Yaosong admired this scene with envy.

As ministers, who would not wish to be close to the Commandery Princess? Chen Jinyu is the legitimate granddaughter of Chief Historian Chen, having grown up with the Commandery Princess, sharing a deep friendship. She can jest and occasionally blurt out a word or two carelessly, and the Commandery Princess would still tolerate her good-naturedly. He could only watch with envy.

...

In the following two days, Chen Sheren and Ma Sheren accompanied the Young Master Zheng around Nanyang County.

Even if Zheng Chen intended to be picky, he had to admit that although it was far less prosperous than the Capital City, Nanyang County could be considered peaceful and prosperous. The people there leisurely and calmly, spoke of the Commandery Princess with full admiration and respect. That kind of respect was not born out of fear but genuinely considered Jiang Shaohua as a protective heaven above.

His dissatisfaction and resentment unknowingly relieved somewhat.

As the three days came to an end, Zheng Chen, accompanied by his trusted aide, left the Prince Mansion and set out back to the Capital City.

Jiang Shaohua observed proper etiquette, personally riding beside the Young Master Zheng to send him off to the city gate.

The horse beneath Zheng Chen was a pure white stallion with only a tuft of red hair on its forehead. It was the rare Red Cloud.

Jiang Shaohua rode her chestnut horse, accompanying Zheng Chen.

This might be the last time the two would ride side by side. Zheng Chen unintentionally slowed down, and Jiang Shaohua silently followed suit.

The autumn breeze blew gently, like a lover’s hand soothing his cheeks.

However long the journey is, no matter how slow, they reached outside the city gate.

It was time to part.

Zheng Chen dismounted and bid farewell to each Prince Mansion Official. Only then did he stand before Jiang Shaohua, his deep dark eyes fixed intensely on Jiang Shaohua’s face: "Commandery Princess, I ask once again, do you truly not wish to come to the Capital City with me?"

Jiang Shaohua calmly looked at him: "Do you wish to stay in Nanyang County?"

Zheng Chen’s eyes showed intense pain, turning slightly red, before he finally spoke to say farewell: "Parting today, with mountains high and waters wide, who knows when we’ll meet again. Commandery Princess, please take care!"

Jiang Shaohua paused briefly, then softly replied: "You take care as well."

Zheng Chen, I hope you and I find peace in our lives.

Zheng Chen’s eyes glimmered with water, quickly disappearing into the bottom of his eyes. He took a deep breath, cupped his hands in farewell to Jiang Shaohua, and immediately mounted his horse, galloping away.

He feared he would cry in front of everyone, even more so feared he would abandon his dignity and beg her again.

During these three days, he even considered truly abandoning everything to stay in Nanyang County, and spend his life together with her as a couple.

Yet, he couldn’t do it.

He is the heir of the Zheng Family, the future Da Liang Chancellor, expected to assist the new emperor in controlling the government, to make the Zheng Family’s status and power the highest in Da Liang. How could he abandon his ideals and ambitions for mere sentiments?

Quickly, go! Don’t look back!

At full speed on horseback, the sound of the wind was fierce, and the warm liquid emerging from his eyes was almost instantly dried by the wind.

Peng Sihai and a group of personal soldiers silently followed their master, galloping forward together. Soon, leaving Nanyang County far behind.

Jiang Shaohua stood in place watching Zheng Chen depart, then turned to the ministers and said: "Let’s return to the Prince Mansion."

The ministers unanimously replied affirmatively.

Jiang Shaohua turned her horse and quickly entered within the gates of Nanyang County.

The two went their separate ways, growing more distant.