CHAPTER 185: CHAPTER 185: NO ACHIEVEMENT

After a fortnight of hard riding, Zheng Chen returned to the Capital City.

The Capital City, as the Imperial City of Da Liang, boasted a garrison of two hundred thousand troops and sprawled over an area more than three times that of Nan Yang County. Unlike the sparsely populated Nan Yang County, the Capital City was densely populated with a total population exceeding a million, which was ten times more than Nan Yang County.

This was the political center of Da Liang, a hub of Da Liang’s culture, and the most prosperous economic region. Many renowned clans have been here for several generations, even over ten generations.

Of course, such comparisons were inherently unfair. No matter how prosperous or grand, the Capital City belonged to the Emperor, to the Imperial Family, and even to all the civil and military officials.

Nanyang County, however, belonged to Jiang Shaohua alone.

The party of Young Master Zheng rode their horses to the city gates, where the City Guard, sharp-eyed and quick-witted, personally came to welcome Young Master Zheng into the gates with a face full of eagerness.

After days on the road, Zheng Chen had long since buried all his grief and reluctance deep within. Except for the travel-worn dust, there was no sign of any unusualness.

After riding through the city gates, he first returned to Duke An’s Mansion.

When Mrs. Zheng heard her son had returned, she was overjoyed and hurried out to warmly greet him, grabbing his hand and scrutinizing him carefully: "Finally, you’re back. Every day these days, I’ve been burning incense and praying to the Buddha for your safe return."

"In the future, don’t be so willful. Whether the Nanyang County Princess comes to the Capital City or not is something for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to worry about, not you. You insisted on intervening and even promised in front of the Empress Dowager. And now look at you, after rushing about for a month, you’ve returned alone. Did the Nanyang County Princess completely ignore you?"

Zheng Chen was deeply stung by his mother’s unintentional words, yet his handsome face still displayed a smile: "It’s only right to share in my grandaunt’s worries. Unfortunately, I have returned with nothing to show for it, and I must disappoint her."

Mrs. Zheng didn’t notice anything wrong with her son, continuing to chatter endlessly: "It’s not your fault. From what I see, that Nanyang County Princess isn’t one to be obedient. What an honor for a young girl to be brought into the palace to be taught by the Empress Dowager. She refuses to come and insists on staying in Nanyang County."

"As good as Nanyang County may be, can it be better than the Capital City, better than the Imperial Palace?"

Zheng Chen’s smile paused for a moment, then he suddenly said, "Nanyang County is far less than the Capital City. However, there, she is the Nanyang County Princess. But once she enters the Capital City and the Imperial Palace, she’ll merely be a member of the Imperial Family."

If it were him, he too would choose to stay in Nanyang County.

Only, she had once again let down his feelings, and his heart was filled with anger and resentment, difficult to quell.

One day, he would make her regret her actions dearly.

"Never mind, let’s drop it. After all, whether the County Princess comes to the Capital City or not has nothing to do with you." Mrs. Zheng barely gave the never-before-met Nanyang County Princess a thought: "Your round trip can be considered as showing respect to the Empress Dowager."

"Go have some rest, and report back at the palace tomorrow."

Zheng Chen took a deep breath: "No need, I’ll bathe and change, and immediately head to the palace."

...

An hour later, Zheng Chen’s figure appeared outside Jingyang Palace.

"Please wait a moment, Young Master," the palace maid said with a smile, "The Empress Dowager is still taking her afternoon nap."

Empress Dowager Zheng, having aged, had developed the habit of napping every afternoon.

Zheng Chen casually asked, "Is Eunuch Lan attending?"

The palace maid replied with a laugh, "It’s Mr. Zhao."

Zheng Chen’s eyes flickered for a moment.

Eunuch Lan was one of the Zheng Family’s people, who had been sent to the palace after being castrated a few years back and had gained favor with the Empress Dowager, threatening to replace Mr. Zhao.

However, ever since Mr. Zhao brought back the new plow from Nan Yang County more than six months ago, he had secured his position as the number one person in Jingyang Palace. The youthful and handsome Eunuch Lan couldn’t overpower the clown-like, giggling Mr. Zhao, much to many’s anger and frustration.

The Zheng Family relied on Empress Dowager Zheng for their wealth and power today. While Zheng Taishi could not take direct part in court affairs, the Zheng Family was the sharp sword in her hand, both sides relying on and complementing each other, indispensable to either.

Thus, the wait amounted to more than half an hour.

Although young, Zheng Chen was very patient. He waited patiently until Empress Dowager Zheng finished dressing and grooming before stepping forward for an audience.

Mr. Zhao stood beside Empress Dowager Zheng with a face as bright as flowers. Eunuch Lan stood somewhat farther away.

Zheng Chen was not particularly friendly with Eunuch Lan in public, giving him a mere glance before advancing to salute the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Zheng smiled and waved her hand: "You’ve been gone a month, and I’ve been thinking of you every day. Come quickly and let me have a look at you."

Zheng Chen obeyed, stepping forward, and Empress Dowager Zheng took his hand with deep affection: "Traveling such a long distance, you must be tired."

Zheng Chen showed a face of remorse: "Before I left, I swore that I’d be able to convince the Nanyang County Princess. Unfortunately, she was resolute and unmoved, and I had to return empty-handed, disappointing you, Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Zheng wasn’t concerned: "She’s just a young girl, reluctant to leave home, it’s understandable. Perhaps after two or three years, she may change her mind and voluntarily wish to enter the palace."

Zheng Chen’s brows slightly moved.

He was well aware of the Empress Dowager’s temperament.

Jiang Shaohua had already refused to enter the palace twice, and it was impossible for the Empress Dowager not to be upset. Clearly, someone had gotten wind of it in advance and whispered ’slander’ in the Empress Dowager’s ear...

Who could this person be?

Mr. Zhao, smiling, took up Empress Dowager Zheng’s words: "With Your Highness’s benevolent heart, how could the County Princess not know? It is said that the County Princess once swore by Prince Nanyang’s bedside that she would stay in Nanyang County. Empress Dowager’s understanding reflects the County Princess’s filial piety."

Empress Dowager Zheng chuckled at Mr. Zhao: "How much benefit did Shaohua give you in private that you speak on her behalf?"

Mr. Zhao replied solemnly: "I belong to Your Highness, and my heart is entirely for Your Highness. I speak for the County Princess because I know Your Highness treasures the County Princess for losing a beloved elder, showing much tolerance."

"Should the County Princess dare betray Your Highness’s generosity, I would be the first to rush to Nanyang County to reason with her."

Empress Dowager Zheng laughed aloud: "Enough, stop flattering me with your slick talk."

Zheng Chen witnessed this, mockingly tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Jiang Shaohua had surely sent someone ahead on horseback to the Capital City, bribing Mr. Zhao with a heavy sum... A second life has indeed altered her disposition drastically.

She once stood firm, unwilling to yield; now she’s learned to ally with eunuchs for aid.

Zheng Chen stayed in Jingyang Palace for half a day before excusing himself and leaving.

Eunuch Lan was ordered to escort Zheng Chen out of Jingyang Palace, leaning in to whisper: "Young Master, the Nanyang County Princess sent a golden Buddha to the palace three days ago, and Empress Dowager adored it greatly."

Zheng Chen halted: "A golden Buddha?"

"Indeed," Eunuch Lan replied in a low voice, "A three-foot golden Buddha made of pure gold."

Not plated, but pure gold inside and out.

Such a golden Buddha would consume several thousand taels of gold! Enough to equal a year’s tax revenue of Nanyang County.

What grandeur!