Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 367: Together (4)

Jiang Shaohua’s hands were slender and fair, her palms small and delicate. Lying quietly in her palm was a small and exquisite arrow.

This arrow was just over two inches long, shorter even than a woman’s hairpin. The arrowhead was triangular, extremely sharp.

But how could such a short arrow fly so far?

Mr. Cui’s eyes were filled with admiration: "I only knew the Commandery Princess was skilled with a long spear, I didn’t know she also could use flying arrows."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "This is called a sleeve arrow. Before going to the Capital City, Minister of Industry Shen spent several days specially crafting it for me. There are nine in total, usually hidden on my wrists in my sleeves. The wide sleeves can cover them, making it convenient to carry."

So, when Jiang Shaohua entered the palace, she had lethal weapons on her.

Those Imperial Guards responsible for body searching certainly couldn’t search the Commandery Princess up close. So Jiang Shaohua could carry sleeve arrows into the palace for court sessions.

Of course, these sleeve arrows could only become lethal weapons in her hands. Such a short arrow looked like a toy for a five or six-year-old child. Her divine power was astonishing, and with full strength, the sleeve arrows could kill.

"Minister of Industry Shen is indeed meticulous," Mr. Cui was still in awe.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Minister of Industry Shen is usually quiet and doesn’t like socializing. However, in terms of crafting weapons, he ranks among the top three in the Da Liang Dynasty."

Being trusted and heavily used by Prince Nanyang, Shen Mu naturally had genuine skills and abilities.

Mr. Cui looked again and again. Jiang Shaohua found it amusing and simply gave the sleeve arrow to Mr. Cui: "Take a careful look, you can try it too."

Mr. Cui eagerly studied it for a while, and then, with the posture of throwing a dart, threw the sleeve arrow out.

It landed about ten meters away, on a small tree, barely piercing the bark. Before Mr. Cui could feel proud, the sleeve arrow wobbled and fell.

The trusted aides all chuckled softly.

Jiang Shaohua also laughed, "Your posture is wrong, and the force is insufficient."

Mr. Cui was not embarrassed, and laughed, "I have never practiced martial arts, and my strength can’t be compared to the Commandery Princess. Hitting a small tree is already good."

Saying this, he ran forward, picked up the fallen arrow and ran back, presenting it to the Commandery Princess with both hands. He cheekily asked the Commandery Princess for advice, "How did the Commandery Princess flick the sleeve arrow just now?"

Jiang Shaohua carefully explained the technique of using force and demonstrated again.

With a move of her right hand, the cold gleam swiftly like lightning landed on a tree dozens of meters away, piercing deeply into the trunk. Only a short feathered arrow was left sticking out.

Mr. Cui gasped and ran over, but despite using all his strength, he couldn’t pull out the sleeve arrow.

The trusted aides had quite the fun tonight, their stomachs almost bursting with laughter.

Having known Meng Sanbao the best, he teased, "Mr. Cui should focus on studying how to cultivate grain seeds! Such rough and strength-requiring work isn’t for Mr. Cui."

After speaking, he reached out and easily pulled the short arrow out.

Mr. Cui accepted the sleeve arrow, cleared his throat: "You have a point. This isn’t my field of expertise, I better stick to farming!"

Jiang Shaohua was amused to smile and casually said, "If you like it, keep it as a toy."

Mr. Cui’s eyes lit up, "Really, can I?"

Jiang Shaohua laughed, "It’s just a sleeve arrow, what’s the harm. Minister of Industry Shen previously made nine because any more couldn’t be hidden. Over these days, several hundred have been crafted gradually."

Weapons like this are most easily consumed. It’s impractical to search everywhere for them after use. There is no shortage of skilled craftsmen in the workshop, and many have been crafted.

To Mr. Cui, this sleeve arrow had been to the Capital City with the Commandery Princess and was personally given by her, carrying significant meaning. He gratefully thanked the Commandery Princess for the favor and carefully put away the sleeve arrow.

The gesture was truly too much to witness. Meng Sanbao discreetly rolled his eyes.

The next day, the Commandery Princess continued to inspect the iron mine. Meng Sanbao took a moment to sidle up to Silver Vermilion and quietly gossip about last night, "... This little mute, won’t really marry into the Prince Mansion, right!"

Silver Vermilion glared at him with a smile, "Don’t call randomly, call him Mr. Cui."

Meng Sanbao chuckled, "Talking privately with you, I have no worries, so I just called out like that. Rest assured, in front of others, I’ll call him Mr. Cui."

Mr. Cui’s status in Nanyang County had risen greatly; he was no longer the pitiful little mute of the past.

Silver Vermilion, who spent all day attending to the Commandery Princess, chuckled softly, "What happens in the future is uncertain, but presently, the Commandery Princess treats Mr. Cui very well. And Mr. Cui is doing very well too."

"Mr. Cui is handsome, good-tempered, speaks humorously, and never puts on airs. He’s friendly whenever he sees Tu Bai and me."

"Moreover, Mr. Cui is a highly capable person, who can cultivate corn and sweet potatoes. He’s saved countless people..."

Silver Vermilion praised him enthusiastically.

The more Meng Sanbao listened, the more uncomfortable he felt, muttering to himself, "Whether he is good or not is the Commandery Princess’ business, nothing to do with you."

Silver Vermilion was amused and pinched Meng Sanbao heavily, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

A pretty maid becoming a chamber maid is not a rare thing.

Meng Sanbao dared not say it aloud, but playfully cooperated with Sister Yin Zhu: "Oh, it hurts, stop! Sister Yin Zhu, please go easy!"

Tu Bai had long turned his head aside, pretending to be a tree.

...

Jiang Shaohua and her group stayed on the mountain for three days.

After inspecting the iron mine, Jiang Shaohua led everyone further into the mountains.

After walking through the mountain roads for half a day, Mr. Cui suddenly realized something, "Wait, Commandery Princess, aren’t we leaving the mountain? Why are the mountain roads getting deeper?"

Chief Historian Chen and those in the know all laughed.

Jiang Shaohua pressed her lips with a smile, "Don’t worry, in another half-day you’ll see."

Mr. Cui wanted to ask more, but Jiang Shaohua had already accelerated her pace. With his physical strength, he had to quicken his steps and exert his energy to barely keep up, and naturally had no leisure to pursue it further.

The mountain grew dark sooner. Once the sun set, the thick forest appeared gloomy, with the evening wind rustling the branches and leaves. Fortunately, with the Commandery Princess beside him, Mr. Cui felt reassured and pressed forward vigorously.

"There’s another hour of mountain road, hang on and we’ll be there," Jiang Shaohua somehow procured two branches, handing one to the elderly Chief Historian Chen and the other to Mr. Cui.

Chief Historian Chen wiped his sweat and took the branch.

Mr. Cui had been walking all day, tired, hungry, and thirsty. He barely held on through sheer endurance, "Thank you, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Mr. Cui in the moonlight, "If you really can’t walk anymore, let Uncle carry you."

Song Yuan nodded. Mr. Cui, however, would never be so forward, declining repeatedly, using the branch to prop himself up and struggling on.

Jiang Shaohua quickly walked a few steps ahead and then returned, placing something into Mr. Cui’s hand.