CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: LIKE

Qin Zhan frowned, "What’s this blockhead doing here so late, disturbing the Commandery Princess’s rest? I’ll go send him away."

Tao Da was from the Personal Guard Camp. Qin Zhan seemed to be complaining, but he was actually being protective, fearing she would be annoyed with Tao Da.

Jiang Shaohua smiled knowingly, "I’m not annoyed, Uncle Qin, let him come in."

In front of others, she addressed him as General Qin; in private, she called him Uncle Qin. This was the Commandery Princess’s way of showing thoughtfulness and closeness.

Qin Zhan felt comforted and whispered, "Commandery Princess, Tao Da must be out of his mind and has taken a liking to a girl in the bandit’s camp, wanting to ask you to help him marry her. In matters like this, Commandery Princess, you best stay out of it, to avoid his confused mother harboring any resentment."

The women from the bandit’s den are indeed pitiable. The Commandery Princess provided them a place to stay and a way to survive, which he also approved of.

However, agreeing to let Tao Da marry one as his wife is another matter.

Tao Da’s father died early, and Tao Da was raised by his mother, also under Qin Zhan’s watch. Qin Zhan usually regarded Tao Da as half a son, naturally unwilling for him to marry someone who had lost her purity.

This is human nature.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Qin Zhan, "Tao Da was the first to break into the camp, earning the highest merit; I promised to reward him greatly. No matter what, we should at least hear what he has to say."

Song Yuan also glanced over.

Qin Zhan said no more.

Liu Hengchang felt somewhat awkward in their midst and was the first to speak up, taking his leave.

A moment later, Tao Da entered the military tent.

Qin Zhan and Song Yuan stood on either side of the Commandery Princess, the young, beautiful, and noble Commandery Princess asked warmly, "Tao Da, you didn’t finish what you wanted to say during the day, you can say it now."

Qin Zhan coughed lightly, signaling Tao Da with his eyes to say less and make fewer mistakes.

Unfortunately, Tao Da had never been one to pick up on social cues; he blurted out his heartfelt words directly, "Commandery Princess, I fancy Miss Kong and want to marry her as my wife."

Qin Zhan: "..."

Qin Zhan’s mouth twitched, wishing he could slap this foolish boy down.

Among the women, Kong Qingwan stood out particularly; he had also glanced at her from a distance. But no matter how good she looked, she couldn’t be taken home as a wife!

Jiang Shaohua sized up Tao Da, "Are you speaking sincerely? Miss Kong has been in the bandit’s camp for two years, no longer a pure maiden. You don’t mind?"

Tao Da blurted out, "I like her, I don’t mind."

"What about your mother? She doesn’t mind either?"

Tao Da scratched his head, falling silent.

He’s foolish but not stupid. His mother surely won’t be pleased. So, he hoped to come ask the Commandery Princess for help. As long as the Commandery Princess agreed, his mother would have to accept the daughter-in-law even if she’s displeased.

"Tao Da," Jiang Shaohua’s voice softened, showing great patience, "Marriage isn’t a simple matter. Liking someone is easy, but being a couple is a lifelong commitment. You can’t make decisions based on temporal impulse."

"Your mother worked hard to raise you. If she doesn’t agree, you can’t marry Miss Kong."

"Also, you like Miss Kong, but does she like you? Is she willing to marry you? I, as the Commandery Princess, cannot force others to marry you."

Jiang Shaohua spoke clearly, and Tao Da finally understood, "Commandery Princess means I need to convince my mother and have Miss Kong agree. Otherwise, I can’t get a wife."

Jiang Shaohua nodded approvingly, "That’s right."

Tao Da thought it over seriously, "I’ll follow the Commandery Princess’s advice. After returning, I’ll talk to my mother first."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Very well, once your mother agrees, come find me again. I’ll help you ask Miss Kong’s feelings."

Tao Da cheerfully took his leave.

Qin Zhan rubbed his forehead, "This foolish boy surely thinks the Commandery Princess agreed to help him."

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "If he can persuade his mother and touch Miss Kong’s heart, I’ll help him be a matchmaker."

The Commandery Princess is good in every way, except she’s too soft-hearted.

Qin Zhan muttered inwardly, but didn’t voice it, soon taking his leave quietly.

"Uncle, do you believe Uncle Qin will beat up Tao Da tonight?" Jiang Shaohua smiled at Song Yuan.

Thinking of Qin Zhan’s fiery temper, Song Yuan also smiled, "It’s something he might actually do." After a pause, he added, "Actually, Miss Kong is talented and outstanding—a good girl. If Tao Da can truly marry her, it would be a good thing."

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow, "Uncle doesn’t mind that Miss Kong is not a pure maiden?"

Song Yuan replied, "This is the fault of Miss Kong’s father and brothers, who failed to protect her, let her suffer, and then abandoned her. How can such misfortune be blamed on a weak girl."

Indeed, Song Yuan is a true gentleman.

Jiang Shaohua was silent for a moment before suddenly speaking softly, "Uncle, you’ve been alone all this time, perhaps you should find a wife. It’s good to have someone to care for you."

Song Yuan’s expression remained unchanged as he glanced at the Commandery Princess, "I appreciate the Commandery Princess’s kindness, but I’ve grown accustomed to being alone and don’t wish to marry."

At that moment, the military tent had more commotion.

This time, Sun Guangbai and Sun Zelan came seeking an audience.

...

A moment later, Sun Guangbai and Sun Zelan entered the military tent.

The siblings appeared somewhat nervous, awkward, and inexplicably excited, much like two good children about to do something mischievous.

Song Yuan tactfully took his leave, exiting the tent.

Sun Guangbai gave Sun Zelan a look, but she twisted her fingers, unwilling to speak.

Jiang Shaohua noticed this and found it amusing, "You siblings have worked hard treating the wounded with the army. I will surely reward you generously."

"If there’s anything you want, feel free to speak. I will agree to whatever I can."

Sun Guangbai discreetly clenched his fists for courage, and with one swift move, spoke, "Commandery Princess’s campaign against the bandits was greatly successful, leaving many corpses in the camp."

"My sister and I have studied medicine since we were young, familiar with the body’s meridians and internal organs from books and our father’s teachings. However, all our knowledge is theoretical; we’ve never seen it firsthand."

"So..."

Yet, he found the next words hard to say.

Sun Zelan was bolder than her brother and continued, "We want to ask the Commandery Princess for a bandit’s corpse to study. It would greatly advance our medical knowledge."

Jiang Shaohua: "..."

Jiang Shaohua was equally stunned by the siblings, silent for a while.

Thinking Jiang Shaohua was unwilling, Sun Zelan hurriedly explained, "Rest assured, Commandery Princess, we only need one corpse for tonight’s study. We’ll bury it before dawn, keeping it a secret."

Sun Guangbai solemnly vowed, "This matter is known only to the heaven, earth, Commandery Princess, and us siblings. We won’t tell anyone."

Most importantly, their father, Doctor Sun, mustn’t find out, lest he impose family discipline for leading his sister astray.

Jiang Shaohua came to her senses, "There’s no need to swear; I trust you. Moreover, you’re doing this to advance medical knowledge for saving lives in the future—it’s a good thing."

"How is one corpse enough? Find a secluded empty tent and bring several corpses."