Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 347: Lesson (Part 1)

Jiang Shaohua was also quite displeased, snorting, "It’s a good thing Kong Qingwan didn’t marry Tao Da that day. If she really married into the Tao Family, she’d be worn out by this old woman."

"I’ll go to the Family Camp tomorrow and have a look at her."

Chen Jinyu clenched his fist tightly, "She needs a good lesson!"

The next day, Jiang Shaohua rode out of the military camp and headed to the Family Camp.

The core team in the Personal Guard Camp consists of the old-timers from the Nanyang Prince Mansion. When their sons grew up, they were sent to the Personal Guard Camp. Those with daughters went to work in the Prince Mansion. The families lived together, about twenty miles from the Personal Guard Camp, a one-hour ride on horseback.

In recent years, new recruits have gradually brought their families along. What used to be a small village is now a large one with nearly a thousand people, including the old and the young.

As the Commandery Princess and her entourage approached the Family Camp, many old-timers heard the commotion and came out to greet them, warmly calling out to the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua dismounted and greeted them all with a smile, "I came from the military camp to see you all. If you have any difficulties, feel free to tell me."

Most of them were old servants of the Prince Mansion, having served there all their lives, so they felt no embarrassment in making requests to the Commandery Princess. One said, "Commandery Princess, my daughter is ten years old and wants to find work in the Prince Mansion," while another said, "My grandson isn’t cut out for martial arts and wants to learn cooking to work in the military camp in the future."

But no one mentioned a lack of food, because regardless of the weather or harvest, the Prince Mansion never let them go hungry. Those who could farm did so, and those injured or unable to work were supported by the Prince Mansion, which sent money and food every month.

Jiang Shaohua listened with a smile, responding patiently to each request, "Ten years old is still young, let her wait another two years."

"Learning to cook is a good idea. The numbers in the Personal Guard Camp are growing, and we’re in need of cooks now. However, you must learn well; if the cooking skills aren’t good, I won’t have them."

An older woman’s rather grating voice suddenly arose, "Commandery Princess, my son has refused to take a wife. He’s already twenty-four and is almost an old bachelor. Commandery Princess, you must preside over this matter for me!"

Speak of the devil, and the devil comes.

This loud-mouthed woman isn’t that Old Lady Tao?

Jiang Shaohua’s smile faded as she walked up to Old Lady Tao, "How do you expect me to preside over this matter?"

Old Lady Tao hadn’t noticed the displeasure on the Commandery Princess’ face and kept rambling, "Isn’t it all because of that Kong Qingwan? Who knows what kind of seductive soup she gave my son. He doesn’t want anyone but her."

"A woman from a bandit lair who lost her virtue long ago. My son is willing to have her; it’s her fortune for eight lifetimes of good deeds. Yet she puts on airs, refusing to marry. Pah! Isn’t she just playing games with our Tao Family? If my son weren’t so stubborn, this old woman wouldn’t bow her head..."

Jiang Shaohua coldly interrupted Old Lady Tao’s incessant chatter, "So you took it upon yourself to cause trouble in the military camp?"

"Miss Kong was invited by me to be a teacher in the military camp. For more than three years, she has diligently taught the guards to read and write. I greatly admire her talents and, furthermore, her character."

"When she said she didn’t want to marry, I never forced her. Everyone has their own ambitions. She wants to do her job well and not marry, and she can earn a salary to support herself. That’s just fine."

"I don’t see what wrong she has done!"

Old Lady Tao finally realized something was amiss, and her arrogant demeanor instantly halved, with a sheepish grin, "Commandery Princess, don’t be upset. I didn’t mean anything by it, I just thought I’d talk to her, convince her to marry Tao Da. I’m straightforward and rash, not a wicked person, wouldn’t maltreat her." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Whether or not you’re a wicked person isn’t for you to decide," Chen Jinyu chimed in sharply, "Just look at what you’ve done. The lady doesn’t want to marry and you go insulting her. You say the most unpleasant things! What gives you the right to do that?"

"You think your son is great, but Miss Kong isn’t impressed. Why can’t she have a say?"

Old Lady Tao was stumped.

With anyone else, she would have made a scene and cursed them long ago. But she dared not act out in front of the Commandery Princess. Even the sharp-tongued Chen Sheren here was someone she dared not provoke!

Jiang Shaohua looked coldly at Old Lady Tao, "You’re not silent because you know you’re wrong, but because you don’t dare anger me, the Commandery Princess. Nor do you dare argue with Chen Sheren."

"Acting as you have, aren’t you just bullying Miss Kong for being alone and helpless?"

"Let me make it clear today: Miss Kong is not alone. She is under my protection, and I am her backing. If she wants to marry, I will arrange her dowry for a grand wedding. If she doesn’t want to marry, I will follow her wishes and let her teach peacefully in the military camp."

"Anyone who dares to spread gossip behind her back, I’ll chop off that gossipmonger’s tongue!"

Rarely did Jiang Shaohua speak with such urgency and severity, frightening Old Lady Tao, whose legs went weak as she fell to her knees, knocking her head on the ground repeatedly, "This old woman knows her mistake, please forgive me, Commandery Princess!"

The other elders, after understanding the whole story, began to scold Old Lady Tao as well, "You curse about everything every day, and now you dare to cause trouble in the military camp."

"The Commandery Princess has spared you this time. Next time, even without her intervention, we won’t spare you!"

Old Lady Tao, at a loss for words, didn’t dare to retort. Amidst the chorus of blame, she began to cry, "I...I was just anxious. Since Tao Da’s father is gone, he is my only son. I just hope for him to take a wife and give me a grandson so I can rest assured, reunited with his father underground."

Jiang Shaohua said coldly, "This is the last time. If there’s a next time, I will expel Tao Da from the military camp."

These words were, of course, to scare Old Lady Tao.

Among so many guards, Tao Da was her favorite, and she couldn’t bear to drive Tao Da out of the military camp.

But Old Lady Tao feared this the most, and immediately wailed, repentant, swearing an oath, "I won’t dare again. If I ever trouble Miss Kong again, may my insides rot!"

This lesson was sure to be unforgettable.

Jiang Shaohua gave Chen Jinyu a meaningful look.

Understanding the intent, Chen Jinyu stepped forward to help up the sobbing Old Lady Tao, speaking gently, "Don’t cry anymore, get up quickly."

"Tao Da is a good lad. As long as you behave and stop making trouble, the Commandery Princess will certainly put him to good use."

"Remember, don’t go causing trouble in the military camp again. Even if Miss Kong leaves the camp, stay far away from her."

Old Lady Tao nodded amidst her sobs, beseeching the Commandery Princess with tearful eyes, "The Tao Family cannot be cut off, I beg the Commandery Princess to find a wife for Tao Da!"