Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 397: Together Yet Apart

Such a minister with a foul temper and a sharp tongue, only Jiang Shaohua is willing to use him. If he were in the court of the Capital City, he would have been ostracized long ago without a place to stay.

Doctor Jiao insanely criticized in his heart.

Zheng Chen’s feelings were different. In his previous life, the North was in constant chaos, yet Nanyang County remained stable, thanks to the tremendous contributions of Chen and Feng, the two Chief Historians. Chief Historian Chen managed personnel matters and maintained countless connections with officials in the court. Chief Historian Feng, on the other hand, was a truly competent and capable minister who supported all the internal affairs of the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

To be frank, the current Minister Ji in the Ministry of Revenue owes his stable position largely to the late Empress Ji. In terms of capability and talent, Chief Historian Feng surpasses Minister Ji by far.

Despite such talent, it’s a pity he is unwaveringly loyal to Jiang Shaohua and can’t be won over.

Zheng Chen felt regret in his heart and showed respectful courtesy to Chief Historian Feng: "Our entourage has arrived, and all arrangements for food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are in your hands. I must trouble Chief Historian Feng with this task."

Indeed, in the end, it was always Chief Historian Feng who had to arrange these trivialities one by one.

When Chief Historian Feng learned of Zheng Chen and his entourage’s arrival in Nanyang County, he was actually burning with anger.

Even though Nanyang County is wealthy, it couldn’t bear the constant strain of visitors imposing themselves. Whether it’s the Fourth Young Master Wang or Young Master Zheng, it’s clear they’re both here for the Commandery Princess. It’s not just their arrival that matters; each of them brought a thousand Imperial Army soldiers with them. That’s a lot of mouths to feed, and when they leave, they’ll need to be sent off with gifts.

Do they really think Nanyang County is sitting on gold and silver mountains?

However, no matter how displeased he felt inside, he couldn’t show it on his face. A few mocking remarks were all he could allow himself; the necessary dignified decorum must still be maintained.

Chief Historian Feng greeted everyone with a smile as they entered the city. Lu Junma, now understanding well, did not try to steal Chief Historian Feng’s limelight, he just showed his face to assert his presence.

Zheng Chen and Doctor Jiao, along with several dozen personal soldiers, settled into the Nanyang Prince Mansion, while the Imperial Army was arranged separately. The various details are not worth elaborating upon.

In summary, as Chief Historian Feng busied himself, his temper flared, and everyone in the Household Department tried to stay out of his way, lest they provoke him.

At this time, Lu Junma served his purpose, accompanying Zheng Sheren and Doctor Jiao for some leisurely chat. Although Lu Junma was living off others, he was Jiang Shaohua’s father. Not even Zheng Chen, not to mention Doctor Jiao, dared show their disdain openly.

As the saying goes, know when to respect the owner when dealing with the dog... well, the metaphor doesn’t quite fit, but that’s the gist of it. Out of respect for Jiang Shaohua, they had to show courtesy to Lu Junma.

That evening, the Commandery Princess did not return.

Even though the Commandery Princess was absent, the mansion still hosted a welcome banquet. Lu Junma smiled and said, "The Commandery Princess will definitely return to the Prince Mansion tomorrow. I ask Zheng Sheren and Doctor Jiao to be patient and wait."

Zheng Chen smiled gracefully, "It seems that there are important matters at the field manor. If the Commandery Princess hasn’t returned to the Prince Mansion tomorrow, then I shall ride to the field manor."

Doctor Jiao thought to himself, Young Master Zheng is really burning with jealousy; he openly declares in front of everyone his intention to go to the field manor to see the Commandery Princess. He doesn’t even consider that if the Commandery Princess were truly eager, she would have hurried back upon receiving the news. The fact that there’s no movement suggests she’s not that keen on seeing you.

Such heart-piercing words naturally can’t be spoken aloud. They can only be entertained internally.

But of course, Zheng Chen understood this very well in his heart.

After the welcome banquet dispersed, Zheng Chen returned to his room to rest. Now that there were no outsiders, the smile he had maintained for half the day vanished completely, leaving shadows of discontent on his brows and in his eyes.

Peng Sihai cautiously advised his master, "You came unexpectedly, so the Commandery Princess probably hasn’t had time to react yet."

Zheng Chen scoffed, "I know her temper best. It’s not that she’s slow to react; she’s deliberately keeping me waiting."

Peng Sihai, hearing these words filled with grievance and latent acidity, didn’t quite know how to respond. After coughing once, he continued to advise, "Since you’ve come, you might as well settle in. It’s typical for a young lady to have a bit of a temper. When you meet the Commandery Princess, make sure not to show your displeasure. You didn’t come all the way to Nanyang County just to bicker with the Commandery Princess, did you?"

The words made sense.

Zheng Chen exhaled deeply, glanced at Peng Sihai, and said, "You haven’t even married, yet you understand quite a bit."

Peng Sihai grinned, "Though I haven’t married, I still have a few close relationships."

For men, it’s commonplace to have several wives and concubines. For someone with status, position, and ability, having a few close female companions is hardly something noteworthy.

Zheng Chen chuckled, and indeed the pent-up resentment in his heart dissipated quite a bit: "Alright then, let’s rest now and wait for the Commandery Princess to return to the mansion tomorrow."

If Jiang Shaohua still doesn’t return... then he will go to the field manor. In any case, tomorrow he is determined to see her.

...

The next midday, the Commandery Princess and her entourage returned to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Judging by the time, they set out at dawn and didn’t delay for a moment.

The anger that had been brewing in Zheng Chen’s heart suddenly dissipated, and he quickly went out with everyone from the Prince Mansion to welcome her.

He watched with a smile as the young maiden approached, surrounded by the crowd.

After more than half a year of not seeing her, Jiang Shaohua had grown taller, her figure now possessing graceful curves, and her features had developed, becoming bright and delightful. Her bright and black eyes shined with dazzling brilliance; one might say she was like a radiant sun, needing no sunlight to shine, for she sparkled on her own.

Zheng Chen’s gaze was firmly fixed on her and he didn’t even notice the handsome lads on either side of her...

Not until the distance closed did those two youthful faces enter Zheng Chen’s line of sight.

Zheng Chen first caught a glimpse of the handsome, gentle, and elegant Fourth Young Master Wang and internally scoffed. Then he looked at the spirited, bright, and energetic Mr. Cui, Cui Du, and internally scoffed again.

What he didn’t realize was that Wang Jin also rolled his eyes internally at the same moment.

Cui Du privately wondered why these two imperial envoys wouldn’t return to the Capital City instead of sticking around Nanyang County.

"Zheng Chen greets Nanyang County Princess." Zheng Chen smiled, clasping his hands in salute.

Jiang Shaohua smiled back, "Zheng Sheren, please dispense with formalities."

Zheng Chen then greeted Wang Jin, Tan Langzhong, Chief Historian Chen, and others with bows and courtesies, engaging in lively chatter. Intentionally or not, Zheng Chen ignored Cui Du.

Cui Du didn’t care in the least. He didn’t enjoy these tedious formalities and was not interested in verbal sparring or mutual deceptions, preferring to stay relaxed on the side.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes slightly glimmered, and she suddenly smiled, "Cui Du, come greet Zheng Sheren and Doctor Jiao."

Cui Du acknowledged and came forward with a smile to greet them.

Zheng Chen’s smile slightly froze but quickly returned to normal as he cordially returned the greeting.

"Cui Du has cultivated a new grain and improved wheat strains, achieving a great feat," Jiang Shaohua’s voice resonated among the people, "I’ve already written a memorial to the court, requesting merit and titles for him."

"In no time, the court’s rewards should arrive."

"At present, Cui Du holds no office, but after a while, his position should be higher than that of Zheng Sheren and Wang She Ren."

Zheng Chen: "..."

Wang Jin: "..."

Everyone looked toward Cui Du collectively.

Cui Du, feeling a bit self-conscious under their gaze, instinctively glanced at the Commandery Princess.

The Commandery Princess’ beautiful eyes were filled with a smile, brimming with pride.

Instantly, Cui Du straightened his chest and gave a hearty laugh to the crowd.