CHAPTER 310: CHAPTER 310: THE SMALL BANQUET (PART 1)

News from Nanyang County was continuously sent to the Capital City.

Although Jiang Shaohua was in the Capital City, she was well-informed about everything in the Nanyang Prince Mansion. She knew that the Tang Family Grain Shop was "operating" fairly smoothly, and that at least five or six counties had planted the new grain this spring. Of course, this was far from the scale of Nanyang County, mostly testing by planting some; once there was a real harvest, it would naturally spread like wildfire.

The promotion of new grain is not something that can be achieved overnight. With such a good start, it is already worth celebrating.

The three commanders of the Personal Guard Camp were not idle either, protecting the grain shop while secretly recruiting the starving and sending them back to Nanyang County. In less than two months, Nanyang County’s population increased by several thousand people.

This is an extremely astounding number. You should know that she had worked hard in Nanyang County for three years, and the number of newborns added in those three years was just about the same as this figure. Now, in just two short months, the population of Nanyang County has rapidly grown.

At this rate, Nanyang County could grow by almost twenty percent in population within the year... but no more than that. Given the current financial and material resources of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, this is the maximum number of starving people Nanyang County can accommodate.

This was the final number that Chief Historian Feng figured out after countless recalculations, turning his hair white in the process.

After reading Chief Historian Feng’s letter, Jiang Shaohua deliberately wrote a thick reply. In the letter, she highly praised Chief Historian Feng’s ability and diligence, and solemnly promised him that after the new Emperor’s ascension ceremony, she, the Nanyang County Princess, would set off back to Nanyang as soon as possible.

"Ma, arrange for someone to deliver this letter back to the Nanyang Prince Mansion." Jiang Shaohua put down her pen and casually instructed.

Ma Yaosong responded energetically.

These days, having seen the world in the Capital City, Ma Yaosong’s temperament became much more stable than before.

Chen Jinyu followed Jiang Shaohua to the palace every day, and his lively temperament was greatly restrained, appearing gentle and dignified in front of people, fully maintaining the status of an attendant to the Commandery Princess.

Of course, in private, he remained just as lively.

"Is the County Princess in such a good mood today because we received good news from the Prince Mansion?" Chen Jinyu asked with a low laugh.

Jiang Shaohua’s brows eased, and she nodded slightly, "The promotion of the new grain is going quite smoothly, with fourteen counties methodically settling the starving people. With Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng in the Prince Mansion, everything is going very well. Having such good ministers is truly a blessing for me."

Chen Jinyu laughed and said, "Having the County Princess is actually a blessing for us ministers."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Why are you flattering me, the County Princess, today?"

"Every word I say comes from the heart; my respect and admiration for the County Princess are sincere," Chen Jinyu flattered almost to the point of nausea. "The County Princess uses people without doubting them and doubts people without using them; your mind and courage are first-class. Serving the County Princess is a blessing for us indeed."

Jiang Shaohua shook her arm: "Stop it, just look at all the goosebumps on the ground."

The two were in high spirits, naturally for a reason. Tomorrow was the new Emperor’s ascension ceremony, followed immediately by the Grand Empress Dowager’s and Empress Dowager’s investiture ceremonies. Counting the days, in just another month, they would be on their way back to Nanyang. How could they not be in a good mood?

"Back when I was in the Prince Mansion, I always longed to get out," Chen Jinyu said with a laugh and a sigh, "But only after actually coming out did I realize that Nanyang County is still the best."

A complicated emotion flashed in Jiang Shaohua’s eyes, and she softly laughed, "Yes! No matter how good the Capital City is, it can’t compare to one’s home."

Chen Jinyu thought for a moment, a bit worried, "The Empress Dowager summons the County Princess daily and is very fond of you. She won’t forcefully keep you in the Capital City, will she?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "Don’t worry! If I want to leave, no one can stop me."

Her calm words exuded immense confidence.

Chen Jinyu looked at her with intense admiration, "Wow, the County Princess is really imposing!"

Jiang Shaohua laughed out loud and pinched Chen Jinyu, "Keep pretending, see how I’ll deal with you."

The joyful laughter floated out of the study and into the ears of the trusted aides. Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao exchanged glances and grinned widely.

Counting from the day they left the Nanyang Prince Mansion, it had been exactly four months to today. They too were hoping to set off for home from the Capital City soon.

"County Princess, someone from the palace has come with a message."

Jiang Shaohua’s smile faded: "Let them in."

Moments later, the fair and charming Mr. Zhao entered the study, bowed, and saluted, "Servant Zhao Chunming, greets the County Princess."

"Mr. Zhao, please rise," Jiang Shaohua smiled lightly, gesturing with a fake motion of support, "Delivering a message could have been assigned to just anyone, why did Mr. Zhao come personally?"

Mr. Zhao laughed, "To other mansions, I may not be willing to go, but to the Nanyang Prince Mansion, I can’t wait to come every day."

The silver distributed generously tightly bound the greedy Mr. Zhao. However, Mr. Zhao was somewhat principled and frequently spoke on behalf of Jiang Shaohua to Empress Dowager Zheng. The fondness and treatment Jiang Shaohua received in Jingyang Palace owed at least three parts to Mr. Zhao’s efforts.

Jiang Shaohua asked with a low laugh, "I wonder what the Empress Dowager has summoned me for?"

Mr. Zhao blinked, lowered his voice, and chuckled, "Tomorrow is the ascension ceremony for the Crown Prince. Tonight, the Empress Dowager is holding a small banquet in Jingyang Palace and naturally, the County Princess must attend."

...

In the blink of an eye, it had been more than four months since Emperor Taikang had passed away.

The deep sorrow in the harem gradually faded. Even Empress Dowager Zheng, his biological mother, was slowly recovering.

Tonight’s small banquet included Consort Li, Consort Fan, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and Princess, as well as two County Princesses, and Jiang Shaohua, the Nanyang County Princess. Additionally, Prince Dongping and Prince Huaiyang and other Vassal Kings were invited to the palace.

The most important figures of the Jiang Royal Family were gathered in Jingyang Palace. This "small banquet" was not small at all.

At such occasions, several Crown Prince’s Companion were also entitled to participate, which was extremely prestigious and honorable.

For the Crown Prince, Prince Zhengchen, Prince Wang Jin, Li Boyuan, and Jiang Yi, these four were not only companions but also friends, close confidants, and the core of the future administration. Not to mention, behind these four Crown Prince’s Companions lay heavyweights in the court, with complex, intricate relationships.

Empress Dowager Zheng might not favor Wang Jin, but she couldn’t openly show differential treatment. In tonight’s small banquet, Wang Jin was arranged to sit with Prince Zhengchen, right next to the Crown Prince.

Li Boyuan and Jiang Yi were seated slightly farther away, but they had no complaints. The beloved son of Prime Minister Wang and the Young Master from Duke An’s Mansion indeed had the qualification to be seated next to the Crown Prince.

A few young girls of outstanding beauty and poise entered the hall and took their seats opposite the Crown Prince and others.

Among these young girls, Princess Bao Hua was the leader. The only one qualified to sit alongside Princess Bao Hua naturally was the Nanyang County Princess Jiang Shaohua.

No matter how much Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua resented and felt unfair, they had to quietly withdraw.

The young girls were all dressed in plain clothes with simple and plain faces, their attire was as simple as could be. In their youthful prime, each one radiant as a blooming flower, what need was there for makeup?

Amidst the sea of flowers, Jiang Shaohua stood radiant and beautiful, her brilliance even overshadowing Princess Bao Hua.