CHAPTER 468: CHAPTER 468: BETROTHAL (PART 3)

Chief Historian Feng calculated more and more happily, turning to give a command to Tang Youyin. Tang Youyin responded and quickly returned with an old yet well-preserved gift list.

Lu Xuan, filled with anger and displeasure, became momentarily dazed upon seeing this age-old gift list.

In front of him appeared the face of a young and beautiful woman. She was noble and proud, yet before him, she was as gentle as autumn water, standing prettily under a tree and whispering softly, "I know it’s a grievance for you to marry into our family. But my father only has me, a daughter, and I cannot marry out; I can only take in a son-in-law. When you get into the Prince Mansion, I will certainly treat you well with all my heart."

In his youth, he indeed felt a slight unwillingness and helplessness towards marrying in. But he could not give up the upcoming wealth and glory, nor could he give up his beloved.

He held her hand and whispered, "Yan, I will surely treat you with all my heart too."

After marrying in, Jiang Yan indeed treated him with gentleness and care, and the young couple spent three loving years together. His father-in-law, Prince Nanyang, also treated this son-in-law quite well, never lacking in food, clothing, shelter, or transportation. Later, when Jiang Yan became pregnant, his father-in-law was even more joyous.

Yet he had little anticipation for the small life to come. Clearly his own flesh and blood, yet it had to bear the surname Jiang and would carry on the Jiang Family lineage. This was truly an insult to any man.

But he couldn’t show a trace of this and had to put on a façade of joy and expectation.

The moment his daughter was born, a base and subtle emotion arose in him. Prince Nanyang wanted an heir, but Jiang Yan gave birth to a daughter, and moreover, Jiang Yan was frail and, after giving birth, remained bedridden and couldn’t have another child.

What if they brought in a son-in-law? This lineage of the Nanyang Prince Mansion still faced the end of its lineage.

Afterward, Jiang Yan passed away. Little Jiang Shaohua was left without a mother, and the sorrowful Prince Nanyang took his granddaughter into his own courtyard to care for her personally.

He observed mourning for his late wife for three years, earning a good reputation as a deeply affectionate man. Prince Nanyang also didn’t neglect him, allowing the beautiful maid Mei Ran to become his concubine. Mei Ran was also fortunate, soon giving birth to a son...

The hateful part was that the son couldn’t bear the surname Jiang, but rather bore his surname Lu.

Prince Nanyang submitted a memorial to the throne, seeking the title of Commandery Princess for Jiang Shaohua. The young Jiang Shaohua became the youngest Commandery Princess in Da Liang’s history. A few years later, Prince Nanyang passed away, and Jiang Shaohua became the Vassal King of Nanyang County, holding the prosperous Nanyang County and the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

Even more infuriating was that Jiang Shaohua’s temperament was very much like Prince Nanyang, no, even more so. Over the five years, Nanyang County became increasingly prosperous, its military force strong, becoming the northern land’s gem. Jiang Shaohua, the Nanyang County Princess, gained great fame, respected and loved by all.

As for him, he couldn’t even straighten his back before his daughter. He couldn’t even have a say in his daughter’s lifelong affairs.

Countless emotions, mixed with strong discontent and anger, surged in his chest.

Perhaps his emotions were too obvious, and his fixation on the old gift list was too intense. Everyone’s eyes turned towards him.

Tang Youyin hesitated slightly, looking at the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua’s expression remained unchanged, smiling as she said, "Present the gift list."

Tang Youyin immediately returned to his senses and respectfully handed the list to Jiang Shaohua. Jiang Shaohua looked over it carefully and said to Chief Historian Feng, "This gift list is from nineteen years ago. Given the current state of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, it seems a bit scant. Let’s double the amount according to this list!"

Chief Historian Feng was just about to agree when two voices sounded at the same time by his ear.

"It’s not necessary to have so much."

"No, it can’t be!"

The one saying it wasn’t necessary to have so much was naturally Cui Du.

The one declaring no was Lu Xuan.

Everyone turned to look at Lu Xuan in unison.

Cui Du was also a person of the Nanyang Prince Mansion; his reluctance for the Commandery Princess to waste resources was understandable. But what was Lu Junma about? On what grounds was he opposing?

Could it be some inexplicable self-esteem at work, unwilling to be outdone by the new generation of sons-in-law? For a grand man to fuss over such matters was indeed quite petty.

Lu Xuan felt a little guilty under everyone’s gaze, pretending to be calm as he said, "The Prince Mansion, as it is, sustains the Personal Guard Camp and also the Nanyang Army. Extracting a large sum for the dowry might affect the Prince Mansion’s daily operations."

Chief Historian Feng showed no mercy: "Lu Junma overthinks it. I have, since three years ago, set aside a portion each year; the storehouses still have the jewelry and jade left by the Princess Consort and the Prince, enough to finance the dowry."

Lu Xuan still felt rather unhappy, saying calmly, "What does Elder Changning think?"

Cui Du, knowing Jiang Shaohua’s attitude towards Lu Xuan, unhesitatingly chose to stand on Jiang Shaohua’s side: "The Commandery Princess’s generous favor is overwhelming. However, since the Commandery Princess has such intentions, I will accept it."

After all, the dowry can all be brought back, spun around, and put back in the storeroom, to be left for their children to inherit in the future.

Cui Du’s thinking was clearly written on his face!

Jiang Shaohua looked at Cui Du with a bright smile: "Then it’s settled."

Cui Du nodded vigorously.

Chief Historian Chen cheerfully smiled: "The matter of formalizing the engagement can be entrusted to me and Chief Historian Feng!"

Jiang Shaohua replied with a smile: "I trouble the two Chief Historians."

Very naturally, Lu Xuan, the father, was overlooked.

Lu Xuan was seething inside, wishing he could get up, shake his sleeves, and walk out, leaving a stern face. But his legs had their own resolve, stubbornly remaining seated and refusing to move.

Jiang Shaohua saw this and sighed inwardly. In a past life, events transpired due to her soft heart and concessions. Now, she would no longer give Lu Xuan any chance to stir up trouble.

At that moment, the sworn follower beside Chief Historian Chen hurried into the main hall and whispered a few sentences in Chief Historian Chen’s ear, handing him a letter.

Chief Historian Chen unfolded the letter, and his expression suddenly changed.

Jiang Shaohua’s heart skipped a beat.

Normally, the Nanyang Prince Mansion kept frequent and close communications with the Capital City. All news from the Capital was first delivered to Chief Historian Chen, who would weigh the importance of matters and report to her.

"Has something major happened in the court again?" Jiang Shaohua asked directly.

Chief Historian Chen’s brows furrowed into a knot, unwilling to say more in front of all the ministers: "Indeed, some issues have arisen. Could the Commandery Princess please move to the study? I need to report separately."

In other words, something major had indeed happened, and it wasn’t suitable for everyone to know.

Jiang Shaohua’s premonition of misfortune grew stronger.

She stood up: "Chief Historian Chen, follow me. Everyone else, return to your duties."

The assembled officials all acknowledged and left individually. Lu Xuan had long been isolated from the Prince Mansion’s "major and important affairs," casting a hopeful glance at his daughter, he left without choice.

As for Cui Du, he was neither astute nor interested in politics or officialdom. He was only worried that the difficulties Jiang Shaohua encountered were too thorny.

He thickened his face to wait outside the study, together with Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong.

...