CHAPTER 325: CHAPTER 325: PERSPECTIVE

"What’s wrong, Lady?" Lan Xiang carefully inquired.

Empress Dowager Li extended her finger, tracing over the words following the Nanyang County Princess’s name: "Go and bring the congratulatory gift from the Nanyang County Princess. I want to take a look."

Lan Xiang respectfully accepted the order and quickly returned with a wooden box.

This wooden box was carved from very precious agarwood, approximately a foot long and five inches wide, with a height of about eight inches. It looked exquisite and compact.

As the wooden box was opened, dazzling brilliance instantly burst forth.

Empress Dowager Li instinctively squinted her eyes and then examined it closely.

Inside the box lay a Ruyi. The finest mutton fat jade intricately carved, exuding a smooth and silky luster, warm to the touch.

Mutton fat jade is a cherished gem, and even within the palace, such a large piece of mutton fat jade is extremely rare. Not to mention its exquisite craftsmanship, which is truly amazing.

Today, at the investiture ceremony, everyone presented lavish gifts. Jiang Shaohua’s congratulatory gift was particularly precious and invaluable.

Empress Dowager Li grew more satisfied as she looked, casually remarking, "Although this gift isn’t as valuable as the Grand Empress Dowager’s investiture gift, it barely passes."

Lan Xiang thought, "My lady, you’re being insincere in your words when you obviously like it," and asked, "Lady, shall I return this gift to the storeroom?"

"It’s too troublesome to move it back and forth, so let’s temporarily keep it in my chamber. It also gives the Nanyang County Princess some dignity."

Lan Xiang bowed her head in agreement, her mouth twitching slightly.

...

"Princess, that mutton fat jade Ruyi is the treasure of our Prince Mansion. It was specially brought to the Capital City, intended for the most opportune moment."

In the study of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, Chen Jinyu murmured with distress, "Taking it out as a gift today is indeed a pity."

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly, "The Empress Dowager has many dissatisfactions with me. Sending a generous gift today can at least appease her somewhat. It also prevents Empress Dowager Li from constantly finding fault with me, avoiding unnecessary troubles."

Chen Jinyu pondered for a moment and couldn’t help but sigh, "The struggle between the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager has unfortunately put the Princess in a difficult position."

Jiang Shaohua casually smiled, "These are minor matters, not worth mentioning."

"With the investiture ceremony completed, we should also prepare to return."

Chen Jinyu perked up with joy, "Are we really going back? That’s wonderful! I have longed for this day."

Counting the days, it’s been almost half a year since arriving in the Capital City.

Jiang Shaohua teased with a smile, "With the Capital City being so prosperous and lush, is there not a part of you, Chen Sheren, that wishes to stay a bit longer?"

Chen Jinyu laughed, "No matter how nice the Capital City is, I’m just a passer-by. Nanyang County is my home."

"Well said," sighed Jiang Shaohua wistfully, "I’ve been in the Capital for half a year, and recently I’ve often dreamt of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, showing my longing for home."

"I’ll enter the palace tomorrow to bid farewell to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor."

Chen Jinyu immediately agreed, "Yes, yes, it’s best to leave promptly."

"Otherwise, should another disaster memo arrive at the court, the Princess would have to generously donate again. No matter how ample the surplus in Nanyang County, it cannot withstand such repeated offerings."

Jiang Shaohua corrected with a smile, "The grain seeds for Yan County were offerings; the other two counties’ grains were bought with the court’s silver."

Chen Jinyu pouted, "The Ministry of Revenue ran out of silver, issuing two promissory notes instead. Who knows when they will pay up."

Jiang Shaohua smiled leisurely, "The notes have the Ministry of Revenue’s official seal on them. The Ministry won’t run away. With these two notes, the Minister of Revenue becomes meek upon seeing me, and the Emperor takes care of me everywhere. It is actually quite profitable."

Chen Jinyu also laughed, "Counting it like this, it indeed is quite profitable."

Then, he happily began to pack the luggage.

Upon hearing that the Princess was planning to return to Nanyang, the personal soldiers were all smiles.

Only Song Yuan had some concerns and whispered to Jiang Shaohua, "The Princess wishes to return to Nanyang, which the ministers would gladly support. I only fear that the Grand Empress Dowager will not allow you to leave."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng may not excel in political acumen, but she is an expert in palace battles and manipulating people.

Jiang Wanhua and Jiang Yuehua were both brought to the palace for upbringing at a young age, along with the young Heir of Prince Gaoliang who was sent to study in the palace early. This was a favor from the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, but also a veiled form of hostage-taking.

Three years ago, the Empress Dowager sent Mr. Zhao to the Nanyang Prince Mansion, intending to bring Jiang Shaohua into the palace.

Jiang Shaohua firmly refused, spending large sums over the years to ’honor’ the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng through Mr. Zhao.

Now, with Jiang Shaohua in the Capital City, if the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng insists on not letting her go, what should be done?

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes sparkled, and she told Song Yuan, "The Grand Empress Dowager surely wouldn’t want to let me go. If I were her, I too would want to keep such a useful pawn tightly in hand."

"But worry not, I have anticipated this and laid out plans in advance. Be at ease!"

...

The next day, Jiang Shaohua entered the palace to pay her respects. In the presence of Empress Dowager Li, Imperial Concubine Fan, and others, she addressed the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, "I’ve been in the Capital for half a year now. With the Emperor’s ascension and the completion of the harem investiture ceremony, I am preparing to set out for Nanyang. I’ve come today to bid farewell to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s reaction was as expected, "You’ve been living well in the Capital City, coming to the palace every day to talk with me, advising the Emperor. Isn’t this life quite good?"

"There are competent Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng in the Nanyang Prince Mansion. If there’s anything, just send a letter back."

Princess Bao Hua gently chimed in, "Since cousin Shao Hua came, the Grand Empress Dowager is happier by the day. The palace has become much livelier. Cousin Shao Hua should remain in the Capital City."

Jiang Wanhua and Jiang Yuehua also urged Jiang Shaohua to stay.

However, Empress Dowager Li abruptly said, "Yesterday, the Emperor mentioned that the court intends to transfer new grain seeds from Nanyang County. Moreover, there’s an effort to promote these grains in the North. Such significant matters require the Nanyang County Princess to oversee."

Jiang Shaohua composedly responded, "What the Empress Dowager says is true. In yesterday’s court meeting, four more reports of locust disasters were presented, all in the northern counties. It’s challenging for the court to transport grains from the south, but buying seeds from Nanyang County is much more convenient. The journey is halved, diminishing losses significantly."

"Such an important matter cannot be left to just anyone. I must return to oversee it personally."

Compared to court affairs, whatever little scheming the Grand Empress Dowager might have doesn’t hold any weight.

Slightly displeased, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng nonetheless had no reason to detain her, softly said, "Alright then, the court’s requisition for grain seeds is indeed imperative. There’s no time to delay. I won’t hold you back; depart as you wish."

Jiang Shaohua gracefully responded.

Empress Dowager Li, observing, felt a sense of indescribable relief.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng saw Jiang Shaohua as a pawn, unaware that this piece had long had its own plans.