CHAPTER 438: CHAPTER 438: COMING OF AGE (2)

The one sent by the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was an old acquaintance, Mr. Zhao. The one sent by Emperor Taihe was Eunuch Ge.

These two, one the Chief Eunuch of Jingyang Palace, the other the Chief Eunuch of Zhaohai Palace, could be said to be the two most powerful and influential chief eunuchs in the palace. This demonstrated the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and Emperor Taihe’s great attention to Jiang Shaohua’s coming-of-age ceremony.

As for Empress Dowager Li, unable to pretend to be oblivious, she dispatched a female official. Imperial Concubine Fan in the palace also sent valuable gifts for the ceremony along the way.

Additionally, Princess Bao Hua, Dongping County Princess, Huaiyang County Princess, as well as the reading companion Fan Jaining, all sent gifts for the coming-of-age ceremony.

Even Prime Minister Wang, who had always had conflicts with Jiang Shaohua, sent someone with a gift.

Such splendor was truly unique among the noblewomen of the Da Liang Dynasty.

Chief Historian Chen was busy with socializing and receiving guests, while Chief Historian Feng had to arrange accommodations for the numerous distinguished guests, both so busy their feet barely touched the ground. Everyone in the Nanyang Prince Mansion who could be mobilized was set in motion, with everyone bustling around.

Ordinary guests were entertained by the subordinate officials of the Chief Historian. There were only a few who required Jiang Shaohua to meet personally.

Such as Mr. Zhao.

"It’s been over a year since we last met, Commandery Princess, and your grace and charm exceed that of the past," Mr. Zhao, now growing older with increasingly thick face powder, giggled in a way that one couldn’t help but fear the powder might fall off in flecks.

Jiang Shaohua replied with a smile, "Mr. Zhao has also grown younger and more charming."

Mr. Zhao, flattered, laughed heartily, "A slave like me nearing forty can hardly be called young and charming. The Commandery Princess might not know, but a newcomer has arrived at Jingyang Palace, only eighteen this year, with handsome looks and a gentle, pleasing nature. Now the Grand Empress Dowager cannot do without him for even a day."

At the last sentence, Mr. Zhao sighed in a tone of lament.

Having displaced Eunuch Lan, there now came a truly young, handsome, and flattering Xiao Yuan Eunuch. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng herself of old age, particularly favored young lads. Since Eunuch Yuan arrived at Jingyang Palace, he has gained significant favor.

Mr. Zhao was sent to Nanyang County not unrelated to Eunuch Xiao Yuan speaking to the Grand Empress Dowager.

Jiang Shaohua, who had ears and eyes in the palace, understood the situation well, and with a laugh, comforted Mr. Zhao, "New clothes may be good, but they can’t compare to old friends. Mr. Zhao has accompanied the Grand Empress Dowager for over a decade; the one she truly cannot do without is you."

Pausing for a moment, she lightly laughed, "Last year I sent people to Nanhai County to look for new grain seeds and buy some objects from the Western countries. When you leave, you will take them all, and present them to the Grand Empress Dowager on my behalf."

Mr. Zhao felt a surge of joy in his heart and immediately replied, "This small matter, I assure the Commandery Princess, I will handle perfectly."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng grew greedier with age, ordinary gold, silver, and jewels no longer appealed to her, only novel and unique things did. Jiang Shaohua diligently "respected" her every year, and Mr. Zhao benefited greatly from it, of course frequently speaking well of the Nanyang County Princess in the Grand Empress Dowager’s ear.

Jiang Shaohua wanted to continue making use of Mr. Zhao, who in turn could not do without the support of Nanyang County.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and inquired, "How is the phoenix health of the Grand Empress Dowager? And how has the Empress Dowager been lately?"

Though Jiang Shaohua frequently exchanged letters with the palace, nothing written on paper compared to Mr. Zhao’s detailed verbal account.

"Replying to the Commandery Princess, the Grand Empress Dowager is in good health, but the Empress Dowager experiences bouts of illness every few days," Mr. Zhao whispered, hinting, "The Emperor is most filial, always personally attending to the Empress Dowager whenever she falls ill, sometimes delaying court matters. This irked the Grand Empress Dowager, who once expressed her discontent, and since then, the Empress Dowager has been ailing less."

Jiang Shaohua absorbed the meaning.

Empress Dowager Li, in terms of political wisdom, was about equal to the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. The latter had always controlled the harem, even extending her influence into the court. Empress Dowager Li remained suppressed and unable to act, inevitably feeling unhappy and restless. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law often clashed.

As for the results, they were predictable. Empress Dowager Li almost always ended up losing.

Feigning casualness, Jiang Shaohua asked about Emperor Taihe’s health: "How is His Majesty’s health?"

Mr. Zhao sighed, "Everything else is fine, just the affairs of state are manifold. Every night, His Majesty reviews the memorials until well past midnight. The Grand Empress Dowager’s heart aches for him and frequently advises him to rest early. But state affairs cannot be delayed, and not everything can be left to Prime Minister Wang."

The great Da Liang Dynasty had a mountain of state affairs and memorials to address every day. Prime Minister Wang first reviewed the memorials each day, selecting the most critical ones for the Emperor to decide upon.

It was no easy task to sit firmly on the Dragon Throne, and it was inevitable that the Emperor would have to work late into the night.

Jiang Shaohua grunted in acknowledgment, "How are the secretaries?"

The Commandery Princess was not looking for a husband to join the family, was she? Having decidedly refused Zheng Chen and Wang Jin previously, why was she now inquiring about them?

Mr. Zhao’s eyes flashed with surprise as he laughed softly, "Secretary Zheng is shrewd and capable, Secretary Wang is upright and peaceful, both well trusted by His Majesty. Secretary Li is somewhat lacking, while the Heir of Prince Gaoliang still loves indulgence, remaining inattentive to state affairs."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and continued to chat leisurely with Mr. Zhao.

Until Chen Jinyu arrived to report, "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, Governor Xue and Old Madam Xue have arrived."

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "I shall go to greet them."

...

Since Chief Historian Chen’s eldest grandson was engaged to Governor Xue’s youngest daughter, interactions between the Inspector Mansion and the Nanyang Prince Mansion had become more frequent.

Jiang Shaohua’s coming-of-age ceremony required a respectable matriarch to be the principal guest, so Old Madam Xue was invited.

In the region of Jingzhou, Old Madam Xue held the highest official rank among women, whether or not her virtue matched was unimportant. In terms of status, she barely qualified.

Governor Xue personally escorting Old Madam Xue to witness the ceremony demonstrated both respect and an intention to express closeness.

Jiang Shaohua greeted them with a radiant smile, "Having both Old Madam Xue and Governor Xue come to witness the ceremony brings great joy to this Commandery Princess."

As the fame of Nanyang County Princess rose, Old Madam Xue’s attitude towards Jiang Shaohua underwent a complete transformation, and she warmly and lovingly held Jiang Shaohua’s hand, her eyes full of affection, "The Commandery Princess inviting this old lady to be the principal guest is truly my honor and fortune."

She then called over the young man and woman beside her, "Sixth Sister, Seventh Brother, quickly come greet the Commandery Princess."

Xue Liuniang curtseyed, "Sixth Sister pays respects to the Commandery Princess."

Xue Qilang, also Xue Lin, eighteen years old, tall and graceful, with an appearance considered fairly handsome. Xue Lin lacked the courage to meet the Commandery Princess’s bright gaze, and clasped his hands in salute, "Xue Lin pays respect to the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly, "Please, both of you, rise."

At fifteen, Jiang Shaohua’s features had fully developed, her beauty radiant and captivating, her smile enchanting.

Xue Lin was so dazzled by the Commandery Princess’s striking beauty that his face turned bright red.