CHAPTER 99: CHAPTER 99: YOUTH

The youthful rivalry between them was of no consequence to Prime Minister Wang, who casually remarked, "Zheng Chen is the Empress Dowager’s direct nephew, likely influenced by her, hence some hostility towards you."

The Zheng Family and Wang Family were in opposition at court, how could Zheng Chen and Wang Jin possibly become close friends?

Wang Jin, being perceptive and sensitive, felt something was amiss but couldn’t quite articulate it, so he set it aside and curiously inquired about the Nanyang County Princess impeaching Zuo Zhen in her memorial to the throne.

Prime Minister Wang’s expression cooled slightly as he glanced at his naïve young son: "You even know about this matter?"

Wang Jin nodded, "After court, the Crown Prince got the news, and as his reading companions, we naturally knew too."

"The Empress Dowager is shielding the Nanyang County Princess, intentionally putting father in an awkward position. I couldn’t help but worry, so I returned home tonight specifically to check on you."

Prime Minister Wang chuckled again, "Court matters, what does a young lad like you know? Whether you return or not, it doesn’t make much difference."

However, a filial son always brings comfort to an old father’s heart.

Prime Minister Wang continued, "I have a clear understanding of this matter, you needn’t worry. In the Upper Study Room, continue your studies as usual. If the Crown Prince asks, just say you know nothing."

He truly knew nothing!

Wang Jin, a little disheartened, said, "I’m already so grown, yet father still treats me as a child. No matter what the matter is, you refuse to discuss it with me."

Prime Minister Wang, amused, coaxed, "I’ll definitely discuss things with you in the future if anything arises."

...

In the study of Duke An’s main courtyard, the Zheng father and son were also talking.

"This Nanyang County Princess, though young, has schemes and methods. She even wrote a letter to persuade the Empress Dowager," Duke An thought of the scene in court today, laughing with schadenfreude, "The Empress Dowager used this incident to severely curb Prime Minister Wang’s arrogance."

"Truly satisfying and relieving."

The Young Master Zheng Chen silently watched his father in his elation, suddenly saying, "I wonder how the Emperor will deal with the Left General."

Duke An snorted, "No matter what, Zuo Zhen won’t be able to hold the position of the Nanyang Army’s main general."

Zheng Chen murmured, "If Zuo Zhen is deposed, someone will need to succeed. When the time comes, father might consider recommending someone from the Nanyang Army to be the main general. This way, a favor can be sold to the Nanyang County Princess."

Duke An said, "This depends on the Empress Dowager’s intentions. I have never met the Nanyang County Princess, why exert myself for her?"

Zheng Chen said, "The Nanyang County Princess has proactively aligned herself with the Empress Dowager, and will be used by her in the future. Being friendly with her could be useful someday."

There was indeed some reasoning in those words.

Duke An pondered for a moment, then suddenly laughed and asked, "Why are you suddenly showing concern for the Nanyang County Princess?"

Because she was the love he had yearned for and been entangled with for over twenty years.

Past events were like a dull knife, slicing through his heart.

Zheng Chen suppressed the bitterness and pain, feigning cheerfulness, "I am thinking solely for father’s benefit. Befriending the Nanyang County Princess might turn out to be a clever move in the future."

Duke An laughed, not engaging further with his son, only instructing, "You were unwell earlier; your body is still weak and needs proper care. Go to bed early."

Zheng Chen had to agree and withdrew.

After returning to his courtyard, he did not go to sleep but went to the study instead, holding a brush for a long time, yet failing to write a single word.

His heart was filled with endless words, impossible to express on paper.

By the third hour, the white paper remained blank. Zheng Chen threw down the brush and summoned his trusted personal soldier, "Peng Sihai, I have an urgent mission for you. Go and do it now!"

He then gave a few instructions.

At twenty years of age, Peng Sihai was tall, strong, and had a sharp look. Hearing the absurd task commanded by his master, he didn’t even raise an eyebrow, "Yes."

Peng Sihai accepted the order and left.

Zheng Chen stood with his hands behind his back at the window, gazing outside, motionlessly for a long time.

...

Nanyang County, Wan County.

At the third hour of midnight, the starry sky was full above. The Nanyang Army Camp was silent.

The soldiers, having been idle for years, were so rusty that their bones almost felt creaky. Now, after days of rigorous training, they were utterly exhausted. At night, they ate their fill and fell into a deep sleep immediately.

"So late, yet the Commandery Princess is still not sleepy?"

Tu Bai fell into a sweet slumber as soon as his head hit the pillow. Yin Zhu strained to stay awake, whispered with the Commandery Princess: "Is the Commandery Princess worried about the memorial?"

Judging by the timing, the letter should have reached Empress Dowager Zheng by now, and the memorial should have been delivered to the court as well.

Jiang Shaohua was silent for a moment, then softly said, "The situation is like a chess game. I’ve played all my pieces, done all I can, now I must wait."

The feeling of placing one’s fate in the hands of others is not pleasant.

Yin Zhu gently reassured her, "In eight or nine days, there should be some news from court. The Commandery Princess needs only to be patient."

Jiang Shaohua mumbled in agreement.

Yin Zhu quietly asked again, "Is the Commandery Princess going to stay at the Nanyang Army Camp waiting for news?"

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, "As long as I am here, Zuo Zhen has to recover quietly. Taking this opportunity, Yu Chong can unify the morale of the army."

As for Chen Zhuo and Chief Clerk Wen, they left the camp several days ago to visit Wan County, overseeing the Taiping Grain Warehouse on her behalf.

Yin Zhu’s drowsiness started to overwhelm him, and he yawned.

Jiang Shaohua smiled gently and said softly, "Let’s not talk, rest now!"

Soon, gentle snores from Yin Zhu reached her ears.

Jiang Shaohua closed her eyes, but her mind inexplicably tangled with restless thoughts. As if something unforeseen was transpiring miles away in the Capital City, and she remained oblivious to it...

Forget it, stop these wild imaginations.

Jiang Shaohua counted sheep until the fourth period of night, barely falling asleep. She slept for an hour before being awakened by the beat of the military drum.

This was the new routine in the Nanyang Army. At the fifth hour in the morning, everyone had to get up and, after breakfast, begin the drill.

Jiang Shaohua joined the soldiers daily at the Martial Arts Training Ground. Even if she was only watching as the soldiers trained, it was enough to move the rough men. Thus, although the training was harsh, the soldiers endured it with gritted teeth.

In truth, the Commandery Princess did not simply observe; every day, she sparred with Commander Song and her trusted aide."

Commander Song, though a sycophant, shamelessly always let the young Commandery Princess win. The trusted aide followed suit and routinely pretended to lose each day.

Shameless! Simply too shameless!

The soldiers ran ten laps around the Martial Arts Training Ground, stealing glances at the Commandery Princess in the open field demonstrating her prowess, inwardly brimming with sarcasm.

Yu Chong could also see this and hesitated somewhat.

Zuo Zhen had mediocre skills; the Commandery Princess bested him in just a few moves, indicating her impressive capabilities.

However, Commander Song was recognized as the best in Nanyang County, always losing to the Commandery Princess, what did that mean? Was he so willing to lose face just to please her?

What if the Commandery Princess asked to spar with him, should he follow Commander Song’s lead?

While Yu Chong was contemplating, the Commandery Princess smiled and summoned, "General Yu, spar with me today."