CHAPTER 336: CHAPTER 336: REUNION

After half a day’s horseback ride, Jiang Shaohua showed no sign of fatigue, her eyebrows relaxed, a smile at the corner of her mouth: "All of you, rise!"

"Thank you, Commandery Princess!" This time, the response was much more orderly.

Lu Sheren, being the most astute and sensible, turned to instruct the farmers to withdraw, but was stopped by Jiang Shaohua who spoke up: "Let them continue with whatever they were doing, I am just looking around casually."

Lu Sheren immediately complied with a smile, loudly repeating the Commandery Princess’ words. The farmers then returned haphazardly to their fields to continue working.

Lin Zhuangtou, being an honest man, did not notice Lu Sheren’s frequent eye signals and walked over to the Commandery Princess with a smile, earnestly discussing the new crop plantation situation of the field manor this year.

Lu Sheren had to cough twice to interrupt Lin Zhuangtou’s continuous talking: "Lin Zhuangtou, Mr. Cui will report these matters to the Commandery Princess. Let’s go to the fields to have a look."

With that, he forcefully pulled Lin Zhuangtou away.

Only when Lin Zhuangtou was dragged into the fields did he realize: "Oh, yes, the Commandery Princess came to the manor especially to see Mr. Cui. I would certainly be an eyesore standing there."

Finally, he had some sense.

Lu Sheren silently mocked in his heart, while softly saying with a laugh: "Nanyang County has planted new grains this year, and with a bountiful harvest, the people will not go hungry, can support the Personal Guard Camp and the Nanyang Army, and still have surplus to contribute to the court. Mr. Cui is to be credited for much of this. The Commandery Princess came to see Mr. Cui personally, which shows how much she values him."

Lin Zhuangtou was not foolish either; the Commandery Princess had often come to the field manor over the years, and often spent time alone with Mr. Cui. While their interactions were harmonious between lord and servant, there were naturally other reasons as well. However, the Commandery Princess was still young, and Mr. Cui not yet of age; certain things were just left unsaid by everyone.

Lin Zhuangtou responded and turned his head.

It was nearing noon, the sun was blazing. The pair of young male and female standing by the field faced each other, smiling into each other’s eyes. This scene was exceedingly pleasing to the eye.

...

Jiang Shaohua looked at Cui Du with a smile.

Cui Du also smiled as he gazed at Jiang Shaohua.

"It’s been more than half a year since we parted, and you’ve grown taller," Jiang Shaohua said with a casual smile: "You’ve also become much tanner. If this continues, this fair, handsome face of yours might get thoroughly tanned."

Cui Du shrugged: "There’s no helping it. Being busy in the fields all day, one cannot avoid the wind and the sun, and no matter how careful, the skin gradually gets darker."

Back in the day, all his classmates were tanned, even the female students were no exception.

Jiang Shaohua found it amusing and laughed: "Getting tanned is no problem; it makes you look more masculine."

Cui Du accepted the Commandery Princess’s comfort and praise with confidence: "That’s what I thought as well."

To the side, Chen Jinyu’s mouth twitched slightly, secretly exchanged a glance with Ma Yaosong. Ma Yaosong understood and quietly withdrew with Chen Jinyu.

As for Qin Hu, Meng Sanbao, and the rest of the trusted aide, they had long dispersed in all directions, maintaining a distance that protected their master’s safety without interrupting his conversation.

Jiang Shaohua never cared for such minor details. Cui Du was slightly unaccustomed in the beginning, but over the years, he got used to having a pack of trusted aides following behind Jiang Shaohua.

The trusted aides were silent and did not approach, like the distant crops, they could be ignored.

Though surrounded by people, in Cui Du’s eyes, all were but dim shadows. Only the lively Jiang Shaohua before him filled his entire vision: "The Commandery Princess has been in the Capital City for so long, a lot must have happened."

Jiang Shaohua usually wrote letters back to the Prince Mansion, but mostly to the two Chief Historians Chen and Feng, and the three Commanders of the Personal Guard Camp and General Yu of the Nanyang Army. In fact, she had never written a letter to Cui Du.

Cui Du had no resentment or dissatisfaction. He was a Prince Mansion Official, a subject of the Commandery Princess, with a bit of personal affection as well. However, what he truly desired was still far out of reach!

"Indeed, many things happened." Jiang Shaohua recounted things she could, such as several confrontations with Prime Minister Wang, her closeness with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, and even gaining the Emperor’s trust.

Cui Du listened attentively, occasionally exclaiming: "The Commandery Princess is truly incredible!"

"The Commandery Princess is truly fierce and strong!"

Jiang Shaohua laughed at the praise: "It’s hardly all that impressive. At the end of the day, it’s nothing but using influence to bully, leveraging power from various fronts and perspectives. More importantly, Nanyang County has plenty of grains and troops, giving me enough qualification and confidence."

"When Yan County first reported a locust plague, I immediately donated new grains as relief. Later, two more counties reported locust plagues to the court, and the Ministry of Revenue came to borrow grains from me, with the Minister of Revenue personally issuing me two white letters. With this, didn’t my backbone become straight?"

"At least half of this credit belongs to you."

Cui Du listened with great pleasure, grinning widely: "Even if I have some credit, it’s not as much as the Commandery Princess says. At most, it’s a quarter or a third. Nanyang County prospers under the Commandery Princess’s far-sightedness, generosity, and compassion for the people, tirelessly promoting new grains. Because of the Commandery Princess, Nanyang County is as it is today."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "In just a few months, you’ve learned to flatter."

Cui Du extended his hand, making a heartfelt gesture: "I wish I could take out my heart to let the Commandery Princess see, my heart only harbors the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua laughed aloud: "This is so flamboyant, from whom did you learn this."

"Being with Lu Sheren every day, I’ve picked up a bit of the ministerial way," Cui Du said with a low laugh.

Jiang Shaohua laughed again.

Lu Sheren had mingled in the officialdom for years, and upon re-emerging, he valued this hard-won duty and opportunity even more. His attentiveness in his role was top-notch among the three housekeepers.

With Lu Sheren’s keen eyes, he naturally saw Cui Du’s preciousness and weight, striving to befriend and engage with him. Cui Du wasn’t hard-hearted; initially wary, over time, he grew closer to Lu Sheren.

"In another month, the corn will be harvested," Jiang Shaohua asked, "How much more yield compared to last year?"

Cui Du answered with confidence: "At least twenty percent more per acre."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes suddenly brightened, and she grasped Cui Du’s hand: "Is it really possible to have twenty percent more?"

Cui Du’s heart warmed, and seeing the brilliant light in Jiang Shaohua’s dark eyes, he quickly calmed down.

In the Commandery Princess’s eyes, he was an extremely important minister, capable of planting new grains to increase productivity and feed the people. With more grains, the Commandery Princess could free her hand to do more.

She held his hand just like she would with Chief Historian Chen, Chief Historian Feng, or County Magistrate Cai, County Magistrate Chen, County Magistrate Ma. No romantic intentions or shyness were involved.

"At least twenty percent."

Cui Du answered earnestly: "The sweet potatoes are also growing well this year, and their yield will certainly surpass last year’s. This year, Nanyang County has planted corn and sweet potatoes throughout the region and opened up many wastelands. By the autumn harvest, the Commandery Princess just wait and see, every household’s granary will be full. Even the Taiping Grain Warehouse of the Fourteen Counties can’t hold anymore."