Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 403: Severance (Part 2)

What a must-do!

Zheng Chen tugged at the corner of his mouth, his smile full of mockery: "I’ve known you for half my life, and only today do I know that you are so concerned about the people and have the world in mind."

Jiang Shaohua met Zheng Chen’s gaze: "These two words from your mouth do indeed sound a bit sarcastic. Since when did being concerned about the people and having the world in mind become derogatory terms to be mocked?"

Zheng Chen said coldly: "Don’t forget your identity. You are the Da Liang Princess, a status equivalent to a Vassal King. But look at Prince Dongping, Prince Huaiyang, Prince Wu’an, and Prince Gaoliang trapped in the Capital City; none of them are sticking their necks out. You’re making such a spectacle, expanding your power without any worries, aren’t you afraid of provoking dissatisfaction from the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor?"

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed slightly, and she suddenly laughed: "At least for now, the Grand Empress Dowager is very satisfied with me, and the Emperor doesn’t have a shred of apprehension. The only person dissatisfied with me is you."

"Zheng Chen, what are you afraid of?"

"Could it be that you’re worried I’ll gain too much power and replace you, becoming the Emperor’s close minister of Da Liang?"

Zheng Chen didn’t become angry out of embarrassment at being understood, and even openly admitted: "I am a bit uneasy. Jiang Shaohua, you are a woman; you shouldn’t have too much ambition. Da Liang is like a giant ship full of holes, slowly sinking. Everything you’re doing on this ship will only make it sink faster."

"Whether it’s politics or the court, it’s all men’s business. If you want to be the Nanyang County Princess, then be content to guard Nanyang County. Why stretch your hand to the Northern States?"

"What exactly are you trying to do? As a woman, do you actually want to become a Regent King?"

These words are extremely sharp and direct.

Jiang Shaohua did not admit nor deny, and responded lightly: "I have my reasons for doing these things. I don’t need to explain to you."

Zheng Chen’s expression finally changed, stepping forward, he reached out to grab Jiang Shaohua’s hand.

Jiang Shaohua did not dodge, swiftly reaching out to block. Zheng Chen had to retract his wrist, followed by a fierce kick sweeping in.

Without thinking, Zheng Chen retreated to avoid it.

Jiang Shaohua stood unmoving, waiting for Zheng Chen to be driven back slightly embarrassed, and said coldly: "Publicly, I am the Commandery Princess, you a secretary. Privately, our past relationship is over, long without entanglement. What qualifications do you have today to question me?"

"Zheng Chen, we seek different paths and cannot work together. From now on, we are completely severed!"

Zheng Chen looked at the cold and sharp young woman, his heart seemingly gripped by a giant hand, pained to the point of not being able to breathe: "Jiang Shaohua, are you really going to be so heartless?"

"I thought I made it very clear two years ago." Jiang Shaohua’s face was indifferent, her words even colder: "The past is forever in the past. I will not repeat old mistakes, our fate is already spent."

The heartache at its extreme feels somewhat numb.

Just like a hero severing his arm, amidst the intense pain, there is a certain pleasure in cutting everything off.

Zheng Chen stared at her closely, then started to laugh: "Fine, this is the path you’ve chosen, as long as you don’t regret it in the future."

Jiang Shaohua said lightly: "I never regret anything I’ve done."

Zheng Chen took a deep breath, as if trying to draw all the pain inside, into his heart: "I will leave tomorrow. After that, I won’t come back."

"Jiang Shaohua, you are ruthless, but I still wish you well. One last piece of advice, don’t grow ambitions you shouldn’t have."

"Keep to your Nanyang, marry your husband, live peacefully, that’s fine. But if you aim to disrupt the court for power, you will be my opponent, Zheng Chen. You know how I act, don’t be my enemy."

Jiang Shaohua tugged at the corner of her mouth, her eyes devoid of any laughter: "Wait till you become the Da Liang Chancellor to say such harsh words, it’s not too late."

And thus, the two had no more to say.

Zheng Chen took one last look at her, then turned and strode away.

This time, he did not look back.

...

Jiang Shaohua sat expressionless in the chair for a moment, then suddenly got up and left the study, saying to the surprised Chen Jinyu: "I shall go to the Household Department."

Earlier when Zheng Chen left, his face was dark as a pot bottom, cold as ice. Now as the Commandery Princess leaves the study, her expression is particularly cold.

What happened exactly?

Chen Jinyu wondered silently in his heart, but didn’t show it, answered promptly.

Jiang Shaohua led the group to the Household Department. Chief Historian Feng was busy beyond measure, surprised upon knowing the Commandery Princess had arrived, quickly getting up to greet.

In the short distance, Jiang Shaohua’s expression had returned to normal.

Chief Historian Feng also found it strange. The Commandery Princess could simply instruct if anything was needed, why personally come today?

"Chief Historian Feng, bring me the Prince Mansion’s grain records for this year."

Chief Historian Feng acknowledged, then instructed Tang Youyin. Tang Youyin was quick-handed, soon bringing a stack of books over.

Annual grain and tax payment is a paramount matter. Each of the Fourteen Counties has its own grain record, and the Prince Mansion and Personal Guard Camp of Nanyang Army Camp each have their books as well. Now there’s also an account for Tang’s Grain Shop, the grains offered to the court listed separately.

In addition, there’s a general grain record. One can see Chief Historian Feng’s meticulous work. The Household Department’s work never ends, also understandable.

Jiang Shaohua sat in Chief Historian Feng’s usual seat, slowly flipping through the grain records.

Chief Historian Feng thought for a moment, instructed Tang Youyin and others to get busy with their own tasks. The signature room indeed became much quieter.

Jiang Shaohua looked for a long time before raising her head: "There’s indeed a lot of grain stored this year."

Chief Historian Feng smiled and agreed.

"Zheng Sheren will set off back to the Capital City tomorrow," Jiang Shaohua mentioned Zheng Chen with a calm tone, as if nothing had happened: "Perhaps Wang Sheren will depart together. The Prince Mansion must prepare two acceptable travel gifts and some grain. It will be a bit of extra work for Chief Historian Feng."

Wasn’t it said to wait five days, why leave after just three?

Chief Historian Feng hid his surprise, bowed to accept the task.

As for how many gifts and grains to prepare, just listening to the Commandery Princess’s tone, one knows passable is fine—not stingy, but no need for extravagance.

Jiang Shaohua finished speaking about business affairs and did not leave, sat quietly for a moment.

Chief Historian Feng, though not as detailed as Chief Historian Chen, also noticed the Commandery Princess was not in a good mood today.

Chief Historian Feng, having watched the Commandery Princess grow up, respected her increasing majesty but didn’t fear speaking his mind.

"The Commandery Princess doesn’t need to worry about money and grain."

Chief Historian Feng whispered: "I am hasty by nature, and my temper isn’t great when busy, speech unfriendly. In fact, Nanyang County isn’t short on silver, nor lacking grain. The Commandery Princess need not worry."

Jiang Shaohua gave a sound of acknowledgment, just about to speak when the familiar footsteps of Chief Historian Chen sounded outside the door.

"Commandery Princess, the court has sent a decree." Chief Historian Chen’s expression was not pleasant: "The Divine Martial Camp returning to the Capital City requires a batch of military grain from Nanyang County."