Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 407: Cui Family (Part 3)

That’s indeed the case.

Cui Du had never been obsequious to the Commandery Princess. A few days ago, when he was with Fourth Young Master Wang and Young Master Zheng, he showed no sign of inferiority or retreat.

First, he possesses genuine skills himself, and second, it’s also because the Commandery Princess wholeheartedly backs him.

Song Yuan’s eyes flashed with amusement: "This is how one should be, straightforward and composed, neither servile nor overbearing." He paused and then said softly, "You should get closer to the Cui Family, but also remain vigilant."

"Cui Ping is so eager with you because you’ve cultivated new grains, and because the Commandery Princess has pleaded for your credit. Once the court officially rewards you, you’ll be the one with the highest position in your generation of the Cui Family. No profit, no early rise, that’s the practice of noble families."

"Today, you’re in the limelight and they can’t wait to announce to the world that you’re a member of the Cui Family. But one day if you fall from grace, they will be the first to sever ties and clear themselves of any associations."

Cui Du nodded, indicating that he had duly noted it all.

Song Yuan continued, "Cui Ping will definitely speak with you privately tomorrow. Regardless of what he says, don’t agree right away."

Cui Du replied with a "hmm": "Uncle, rest assured, I’m not a child, I’m not easily coaxed or deceived." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Song Yuan raised his eyebrows: "With the Commandery Princess protecting you, even if they want to deceive you, they must weigh their options carefully."

The bigger fist, this is the true principle.

The Commandery Princess has troops and grain, she has connections and prestige in the court, and she’s loved by the Grand Empress Dowager and trusted by the Emperor. Therefore, the Cui Family, after weighing options, has come on board. If it were the Huaiyang or Dongping County Princess, the Cui Family wouldn’t be so invested.

Cui Du nodded again.

There was no need to say more reminders. The Commandery Princess was still young, and Cui Du was yet to reach adulthood. Some things were not appropriate to elaborate on.

Song Yuan thought for a moment and gave two final pieces of advice: "In any case, never harbor ill intentions towards others, but always guard against them. Be extra cautious."

...

The next day, under Cui Du’s lead, a group including Cui Ping visited the field manor. The entire day was spent wandering through the fields and greenhouses.

Cui Ping and the others were all awestruck by what they witnessed. No matter how prepared they were beforehand, it was nothing compared to the shock of seeing it firsthand.

The winter wheat was lush green, stretching endlessly to the horizon.

The various fruits and vegetables in the greenhouse were fresh and pleasing to the eye.

And the new seedlings in the experimental fields reportedly yielded much more than ordinary grains...

Heavens!

Cui Du truly was remarkable!

No wonder the Commandery Princess held him in such high esteem. Such talent shines brilliantly like a pearl no matter where it is!

Cui Ping couldn’t help but praise: "The court truly ought to reward you. At the very least, they should confer you the title of Viscount."

Cui Du had little knowledge about the ranks and positions in the Da Liang Dynasty, so he casually asked with a smile, "How high is that position?"

Cui Ping patiently explained: "Titles and official positions are different. Titles can be inherited; official positions are actual roles."

Lu Cong, the Lu housekeeper beside them, chuckled softly: "Titles are very rare. Only those who have achieved great merit will the court consider bestowing them. With a title, comes land and income. Da Liang Dynasty has five ranks of titles: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. There are only two Dukes. Three hold the rank of Marquis. Earls and Viscounts are also rare."

In short, titles are more valuable and rarer.

Cui Du suddenly understood and said with a smile: "With the way Lu Sheren puts it, I get it now."

Cui Ping glanced at the smiling Lu Sheren, thinking the Commandery Princess was really open-minded in employing people, even employing former criminals.

Cui Ping thought this to himself, and outwardly spoke warmly to Lu Cong: "Lu Sheren’s explanation is profound yet simple."

Lu Cong, who had mingled in official circles for many years, could certainly detect the slight disdain in Cui Ping’s eyes.

It didn’t bother him.

His life had been full of ups and downs, with glorious times as well as times when he was down and scorned by everyone. As he had climbed out of the mire, he paid no mind to anyone’s odd looks.

To be blunt, while Cui Ping could act superior and proud in front of others, it was entirely unnecessary in front of him.

In terms of family background, the Fan Yang Lu Family and the Boling Cui Family were both noble families of Da Liang. In terms of knowledge, he was a two-time Advanced Scholar by age twenty, whereas Cui Ping repeatedly failed, stopping at scholar. In the political arena, he had risen and fallen while Cui Ping never even engaged in officialdom, managing Cui Family affairs in Boling County. Regarding future prospects, Cui Ping would become the Cui Family Master of Boling, while he followed the Commandery Princess. As the Commandery Princess soared high, he had no fear of a lack of bright prospects.

Lu Cong smiled serenely: "I’ve been a Prefectural Governor for several years, I’m naturally aware of these basics."

Cui Ping chuckled: "These past two years, you, Lu Sheren, have been working at the field manor, somewhat wasting your talents."

Lu Cong smiled: "Serving and aiding the Commandery Princess is a blessing in my life. Moreover, what Mr. Cui does benefits the country and the people, and aiding him is also my honor."

"Now that the Cui Family has sent people over, it further proves that the path I chose was right."

Cui Ping pretended not to hear the sarcasm in Lu Cong’s words and responded cheerfully: "Frankly speaking, Lu Sheren, I came this time, first to pay respects to the Commandery Princess, and second, to meet Cui Du. In the future, the Cui Family will undoubtedly provide manpower and resources."

Cui Du thought, here we go again.

He couldn’t understand why these people couldn’t speak plainly, always speaking in circles, making double entendres, enough to give anyone a headache.

Song Yuan, on the other hand, was reassured. With Lu Cong there to mediate, Cui Du wouldn’t suffer any loss.

Song Yuan said to Cui Ping: "You can stay at the field manor with peace of mind, I will return to the Prince Mansion tomorrow." He turned to Lu Cong, "Cui Du is young and not very worldly. Please, Lu Sheren, take good care of them."

Lu Cong understood and agreed with a smile.

After Song Yuan returned to the Prince Mansion, he first reported to the Commandery Princess: "...Cui Ping is very close to Cui Du and has been very accommodating. It seems he wants to leave his son in Nanyang County to assist Cui Du."

Jiang Shaohua slightly raised an eyebrow and said thoughtfully: "The Cui Family is looking to place their bet on Cui Du."

"Are they impressed by Cui Du’s ability or do they assume he will marry into the Nanyang Prince Mansion?"

Song Yuan: "..."

The Commandery Princess spoke about her lifelong affairs without a hint of shyness, straightforward and direct.

Song Yuan coughed and cleared his throat: "The Commandery Princess’s esteem for Mr. Cui is evident to all. Cui Ping is a smart person and surely knows the score."

Jiang Shaohua gave a faint smile: "Either way, the fact that the Cui Family is willing to place a bet is always a good thing."

"If they want to stay at the field manor and get close to Cui Du, let them be."

Cui Ping was quite patient and, after settling in at the field manor, followed Cui Du around every day. Cui Du was busy giving lectures to the farmers and busy improving grain varieties, leaving little free time.

Cui Wang sought his advice, and he held nothing back, you could say he gave everything he had.

After a few days, even Cui Wang was convinced: "Father, cousin has remarkable skills yet is not at all arrogant and has a broad mind. He will surely achieve great things in the future."