Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 387: Journey Afar (Part 4)

No amount of hearsay could compare to the shock of witnessing it firsthand.

Doctor Sun had been in a gloomy mood lately, even scolding his son much less frequently. Upon hearing this, he sighed deeply: "Those high-ranking officials in the court, living in wealth and comfort, should come and see for themselves. This is the result of their political infighting, disregarding the people’s welfare."

Sun Guangbai said in a low voice, "The newly enthroned Emperor cannot suppress the courtiers and is unable to control the court. There’s nothing he can do. How can he compare to our Commandery Princess!"

Doctor Sun’s eyebrows twitched as he glanced at his son: "Do not speak such words carelessly. Under the heavens, nothing isn’t sovereign’s land. Our Commandery Princess is loyal and has no ambitious desires."

Some matters can be conducted quietly in the shadows but should never be spoken aloud.

Sun Guangbai nodded to express his understanding and immediately changed the subject: "How much longer until we reach Pingzhou?"

Doctor Sun took out a map from his sleeve. It was given to him by the Commandery Princess before their departure, a reproduced map of Da Liang.

Doctor Sun spread out the map, located their approximate position, and calculated: "At this current pace, it will take another twenty days."

This was slower than expected speed. There was no other way. Along the way, they occasionally encountered refugees driven mad by hunger, and repelling them always took time.

Doctor Sun thought for a moment and then called over the commander of the personal soldiers to discuss: "We need to increase our speed."

The commander, named Qin Hai, was the younger brother of Qin Zhan and the uncle of Qin Hu. This mission to escort Doctor Sun and his son to Pingzhou was critical and dangerous, so a trustworthy person had to lead the troops. After much consideration, Song Yuan chose Qin Hai.

Qin Hai was tall, broad-shouldered, and sturdy, with a fierce expression, which naturally inspired a great sense of security.

"From today onwards, let’s travel twenty more miles each day," Qin Hai said straightforwardly, "We’ll shorten rest times, set off before dawn, and rest only after night falls."

Doctor Sun nodded: "Everyone should endure a bit more for now; reaching Pingzhou as soon as possible is crucial."

...

"I wonder where Doctor Sun and his group are now."

In the study of Prince Nanyang, Jiang Shaohua spread out the map, her slender fingers gliding over it.

Chief Historian Chen stood up and looked at the map with her: "It’s only been half a month; they’re certainly still far from Pingzhou. The predicted one-month journey was under the assumption that everything would go smoothly. Now, with chaos in the North and refugees everywhere, the journey must be anything but peaceful."

Indeed! A convoy carrying ten-plus carts of medicinal materials and dozens of carts of grain is bound to draw attention wherever they go.

Jiang Shaohua suddenly felt a hint of regret: "Was sending two hundred personal guards too few in numbers?"

Chief Historian Chen looked up at the Commandery Princess: "You’re overly worried, Commandery Princess. The personal guards have excellently equipped horses, armor, and weapons, and each can fight ten men. They can easily sweep through ordinary refugees."

"Unless they have extremely poor luck and run into massive bands of bandits numbering in the thousands."

"Now that an epidemic has broken out in Pingzhou, the Northern States are panicked. Doctor Sun’s group is going to Pingzhou to treat the epidemic, and anyone with a shred of humanity wouldn’t harm them."

"Moreover, the most crucial point is that the Commandery Princess’s fame has spread far and wide, notably in the North. Anyone who dares to harm the personal guards would become the enemy of our Nanyang County unto death. Is it worth it to have such a powerful enemy over some grain and horses? Thus, even chaos-bringing forces wouldn’t dare take action."

Jiang Shaohua slowly exhaled: "That’s the logic, but my heart is still unsettled."

"If something happens to Doctor Sun and his group due to my personal ambitions..."

"The Commandery Princess is wrong to put it like that," Chief Historian Chen interjected without a second thought, "Dispatching them to contain the epidemic in Pingzhou is a great deed benefiting both the country and its people. It serves the court above and saves the people below. It’s out of public interest, not personal ambition." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Jiang Shaohua met eyes with Chief Historian Chen, remaining silent for a long time.

How could there be no personal ambitions?

The desire to control the epidemic was genuine, and so was the desire to save the people. But serving the court? That was doubtful. Didn’t she harbor ambitions to win over the hearts of the Northern people through this endeavor?

However, these thoughts must never be admitted.

After an indefinite time, Jiang Shaohua sighed softly: "Chief Historian Chen speaks rightly; I’m overly concerned, worrying unnecessarily."

Chief Historian Chen cast a deep look at the Commandery Princess: "Your memorial has been sent to the court, and the Emperor himself issued an edict, praising your compassion, righteousness, and loyalty. The Grand Empress Dowager has praised you several times, both publicly and privately, and even the Empress Dowager cannot find fault with you."

"Occasionally, some people whisper that you are trying to win people over with ulterior motives, but those are unfounded rumors that no one believes."

The memorial written by Chief Historian Chen caused a stir at the court after it was submitted.

The young Emperor, who couldn’t control the court, was invigorated by the prompt assistance sent by his cousin. The Grand Empress Dowager’s faction’s power surged again. Prime Minister Wang’s faction was accused of being too self-serving, ignoring the people’s lives, and so they spread rumors saying that the Nanyang County Princess had grand designs on winning people’s hearts.

In short, the war of words never ceased. Fortunately, Nanyang County had "forged many friendly ties" within the court, and there were naturally people who stood up to refute the claims.

Nanyang County’s offering of grain was an undeniable fact, as was the risky endeavor to send aid to Pingzhou to control the epidemic. In this battle for public opinion, Jiang Shaohua ultimately prevailed.

Lately, Jiang Shaohua had been feeling uneasy and rather anxious, but after being reassured by Chief Historian Chen’s words, she felt much calmer: "The medicinal materials in Nanyang County have all been requisitioned. We need to go to other counties to purchase more according to Doctor Sun’s list, then send them to Pingzhou."

Chief Historian Chen replied, "Ma has already taken on the task of handling it."

Jiang Shaohua acknowledged with a hum, then suddenly asked, "Has Cui Du returned?"

Chief Historian Chen smiled, "Mr. Cui has already left Li County and will return in no more than two or three days. If the Commandery Princess has been feeling troubled recently, why not pack up and stay at the field manor for a few days to unwind and relax?"

Jiang Shaohua considered it: "That sounds good."

Chen Sheren, standing by the side, immediately took the order to make arrangements.

At the thought of reuniting with Cui Du soon, Jiang Shaohua felt her mood lighten significantly, even to the point of subtle joy, as her brow smoothed out.

Chief Historian Chen observed and couldn’t help but smile gently.

Despite the Commandery Princess’s deep concealment of her thoughts, she could not fool this Left Chief Historian. After many sleepless nights, he resolved to support whatever the Commandery Princess was planning wholeheartedly, to the point of giving his life if necessary. Having made that decision, his mind was at peace.

Just then, Song Yuan entered with a strange expression: "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, an imperial envoy from the court is thirty miles outside the gates of Nanyang County. Does the Commandery Princess wish to greet them in person?"

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow: "When did the court send an imperial envoy here?"

Song Yuan replied in a low voice, "This is not an envoy specifically sent to Nanyang County, but one returning to the capital from relief efforts in the North, passing through Nanyang County on the way."