CHAPTER 464: CHAPTER 464: HOLDING HANDS (PART 1)

Whizz!

Jiang Shaohua drew the bowstring back, the arrow flew like lightning, accompanied by a sharp screech, a dark figure fell from the sky.

Meng Sanbao and Qin Hu immediately went forward, soon returning with a wild pheasant that had been shot through the throat.

"The Commandery Princess is indeed a master of archery," Meng Sanbao flattered exuberantly, "to hit the target from such a distance."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Meng Sanbao with a smile, "Meng Guard has been particularly fawning lately!"

"My admiration and respect for the Commandery Princess come from the heart, genuine and devoid of any pretense!" Meng Sanbao stood tall, his words resonating with confidence.

Even Qin Hu was struggling to listen, rolling his eyes beside them.

Come on! Isn’t it just the desire to get married? Attending to the Commandery Princess every day, hoping she’ll soon consent to Yin Zhu’s marriage. One compliment after another, making goosebumps rise all over his body.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled softly and continued to lead her trusted aides in archery and hunting.

In the blink of an eye, it was already July, the peak of the scorching summer. The Ma Family was efficient, secretly sending two batches of Rouran Horse Slaves into the military camp. Now there were over forty horse slaves in the camp, barely enough for daily training and formation.

Training the soldiers was Liu Hengchang and his team’s responsibility; Jiang Shaohua did not intervene much. After staying in the camp for over a month, she resumed her inspection of various counties. Completing her circuit, her final stop was the field manor.

The current field manor had become Nanyang County’s base for grain seed cultivation. To be precise, the seed grains planted in Jingzhou and Pingzhou were all cultivated here.

Tang’s Grain Shop, operated by the Tang Family in various northern states, not only sold new grain seeds but also began introducing quality seeds from Nanyang County and various fruits and vegetable seeds into the shop. Northern aristocratic families competed to purchase them at high prices.

Everyone understood that Tang’s Grain Shop was actually the Commandery Princess’s business. As for those powerful "Tang Family Guards," their true identities were not hard to guess. Their formidable strength ensured the safety of Tang’s Grain Shop, also showcasing Nanyang County Princess’s strong capabilities. Northern aristocrats naturally wanted to align themselves with the Commandery Princess.

More importantly, the diverse seeds purchased from Tang’s Grain Shop really had a high yield. Vegetable and fruit seeds were indisputably good, no need to think much before buying blindly.

The issue now was that the seed quantity was limited, demand exceeded supply.

Even Jiang Shaohua hadn’t expected that the grain shop, initially thought to be losing money, was now consistently earning Silver.

In the sweltering summer, the field manor remained bustling. Cui Du led a group of farmers and folks, working hard in the fields daily. With nothing much to do, Jiang Shaohua led a group of trusted aides out hunting, and with the game caught, they could treat everyone to some extra meat for dinner.

At dusk, Jiang Shaohua and her group rode back.

Cui Du, Cui Wang, Lin Zhuangtou, and others met them outside the field manor.

As usual, Cui Du was dressed simply, his handsome face reddened by the sun, looking plain yet particularly pleasant.

Jiang Shaohua dismounted with a smile and naturally walked to Cui Du’s side, "Is today’s work done?"

Cui Du replied with a smile, "Almost done. I’ve been so busy these days, haven’t had the chance to properly accompany the Commandery Princess, I’m truly ashamed."

"Your dedication pleases me greatly, what’s there to be ashamed about?" Jiang Shaohua smiled brightly, "I went hunting today and caught a pair of game; tonight we’ll have roasted meat."

Cui Du grinned widely, nodding repeatedly.

Lin Zhuangtou stepped forward to take the game, immediately heading to the kitchen to arrange preparations.

Cui Wang, observing quietly, couldn’t help but feel secretly encouraged. Ever since the Commandery Princess came of age, there’s been no shortage of families seeking to marry... no, rather hoping to enter the Nanyang Prince Mansion through marriage. It’s heard that Chief Historian Chen even compiled a list for the Commandery Princess to review and decide.

Fortunately, the Commandery Princess is not just a girl who judges based solely on appearances. In terms of family status, the Boling Cui Family holds its own well. Not to mention, having grown up together in Nanyang County for over five years, Cui Du and the Commandery Princess share a unique tacit understanding and affection.

The cooks in the field manor busily prepared the game, some making soup, others stewing meat, meanwhile slicing choice cuts thinly and seasoning them with salt, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic; all the better for having pepper.

The meat, sizzling and smoking over the charcoal, sprinkled with finely ground pepper, released a bold and intense aroma that immediately permeated the air.

Jiang Shaohua’s appetite was instantly aroused, savoring a skewer and greatly admiring: "With pepper, the roast is indeed exceptionally delicious."

Cui Du, knowing the Commandery Princess’s appetite, handed her one skewer after another without stopping, while laughing, "Now Nanyang County is abundant in grain, no longer short of food, each county has planted vegetables and fruits. Li County, with its abundant mountains and forests, and suitable climate, planted several hundred mu of pepper last year. After harvesting, they were all sent to Jiangnan to be sold at an exceptionally high price, making a fortune."

"County Magistrate Cai, encouraged by the profits, organized the people to plant pepper on a large scale this year."

County Magistrate Cai was shrewd and bold, seeking Jiang Shaohua’s help for selling the pepper. With the roads unsafe, merchants heading south needed guards. Jiang Shaohua had dispatched a hundred trusted aides to accompany the trip, naturally knowing the entire story.

"This year, Li County planted five thousand mu of pepper," Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Other counties have followed suit, each planting some."

Food is always welcome; the people continue to prioritize grain cultivation. Vegetables and fruits are planted around homes, and allotting some land for pepper is mostly done by families with a good enough livelihood.

Ma Yaosong was also roasting meat, though his skills couldn’t match Elder Changning’s, he was eager to learn. After burning several skewers, he managed to master the technique, diligently delivering the grilled meat to Chen Jinyu.

Chen Jinyu laughed softly, "Don’t focus only on me; you should eat too."

Ma Yaosong lowered his voice with a laugh, "Watching you eat makes me full."

Under the red glow of the charcoal, Chen Jinyu’s pretty face blushed.

The Chen Family had consented to the marriage proposal, and the Ma Family presented the betrothal gift a month ago. Their wedding was scheduled for the end of this year, and they were now officially engaged.

Ma Yaosong’s duties as housekeeper had come to an end. Upon returning to the Prince Mansion from the field manor, he would assume the role of Chief Steward. Official documents from the Ministry of Personnel were already on the way.

That evening’s roast meal left everyone satisfied.

After dinner, Jiang Shaohua strolled around the field manor to digest.

Cui Du naturally accompanied her. At some point, the accompanying trusted aides quietly disappeared. Along the path by the field, Jiang Shaohua and Cui Du walked side by side.

Moonlight was soft and bright, and under the moon, the Commandery Princess’s complexion was jade-like, turning her head with a smile, her eyes sparkling, exceptionally beautiful.

Cui Du’s heart raced, inexplicably feeling parched. He wanted to reach out and hold her hand. His fingers moved slightly, yet lacked the courage to extend them.

Suddenly, Jiang Shaohua smiled delicately, reaching out to grasp his hand.