Chen Zhuo's eyelid twitched.
A daughter directly calling out her father's name — what does that imply?
Moreover, for the Commandery Princess to question him in this manner, it clearly shows her dissatisfaction with his inaction.
"Yes, I'm aware of these things," Chen Zhuo sighed and explained in a low voice, "The Commandery Princess is not yet of age and is in mourning within the inner residence. There must be someone to take charge in the Prince Mansion."
"For me to manage state affairs is already overstepping. Within and outside the Prince Mansion, there are indeed those who gossip, claiming that I am taking advantage of the young mistress to seize power. Lu Junma is the father of the Commandery Princess and rightfully represents her, so I truly find it inappropriate to obstruct him."
This past year has truly been challenging for Chen Zhuo. There are matters to handle in the Capital City, administrative affairs of Nanyang County to worry about, unrest within the Prince Mansion to suppress, and the need to protect the Commandery Princess from Lu Xuan.
As a Chief Historian, he receives a salary, yet performs the tasks of four people.
No one could question his loyalty to Prince Nanyang.
In her past life, she believed Lu Xuan and left Nanyang County; Chen Zhuo couldn't stop her and personally escorted her to the Capital City. Before leaving, he told her, "I will definitely hold Nanyang County for the Commandery Princess."
Back then, she was young and unaware of the weight of his words.
With Chen Zhuo present, Lu Xuan was never able to fully control the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Five years later, when Chen Zhuo encountered a group of bandits during a journey and died unexpectedly, no one else could stop Lu Xuan thereafter.
The truth of whether Chen Zhuo's death was truly an accident in their past life remains elusive.
Jiang Shaohua was silent for a moment before speaking, "I understand that Chief Historian Chen has concerns and difficulties. I'm not here to blame you. The reason I asked you to stay today is to speak candidly and tell you my intentions."
"Nanyang County is the fief left to me by my grandfather, and I will not allow anyone to encroach or seize it. Not even Lu Xuan!"
"From today, minor matters within the mansion will be handled by Chief Historian Chen, but major decisions must be made by me."
"The clothing, food, and living expenses for Lu Xuan and Aunt Mei will continue as usual. However, any large expenditures of silver coins must be reported to me. Without my approval, the treasurer shall not disburse any silver."
Without silver, nothing can be accomplished.
This is the quickest and most effective way to cut off Lu Xuan's means.
Suppressing his complex emotions, Chen Zhuo respectfully responded, "I have taken note of the Commandery Princess's words."
"There is one more matter," Jiang Shaohua's eyes flickered slightly, "Empress Dowager Zheng has sent Mr. Zhao from the palace; they will arrive in Nanyang County soon."
"I ask Chief Historian Chen to go and welcome them on my behalf."
Chen Zhuo agreed readily.
Jiang Shaohua did not use any subtle hints; she spoke clearly and plainly: "Lu Xuan harbors ill intentions and wished to personally go to welcome Mr. Zhao, but I prevented him. Knowing him, he will surely send someone in secret."
"Chief Historian Chen, immediately dispatch someone to intercept Lu Xuan's people."
Emperor Taikang has always eyed Nanyang County greedily.
Empress Dowager Zheng is Emperor Taikang's biological mother, the widow of the late Prince Nanyang, and Jiang Shaohua's grand-aunt. Yet the palace is never a place governed solely by familial ties. It's unlikely Empress Dowager Zheng's intentions are good in sending Mr. Zhao here.
What could Lu Xuan hope to achieve by sending someone to meet Mr. Zhao?
Chen Zhuo's mind raced with thoughts, and whatever conclusion he reached caused anger to rise in his eyes: "Rest assured, Commandery Princess, leave this matter to me."
Jiang Shaohua's brows relaxed as she smiled slightly, "Thank you, Chief Historian Chen."
Not only did her grandfather leave Nanyang County to her, but he also left behind a group of loyal, capable officials. Whether she can make them her allies depends on her skill and tactics.
...
As she stepped out of the study, it was nearing dusk.
The evening sky was filled with a fiery glow, resplendent and vibrant.
Jiang Shaohua paused, quietly gazing for a long time.
It's good to be alive, to witness such beauty, to be able to make new choices at life's critical junctures.
Song Yuan remained silent, standing quietly by her side.
"I want to go to the Martial Arts Training Ground," Jiang Shaohua withdrew her gaze and turned to Song Yuan, "Uncle, accompany me."
Song Yuan's face turned a shade of dark red, a little uneasy, "Commandery Princess, please don't trouble this humble soldier."
Behind him stood twenty trusted aides, each standing straight, eyes direct, ears attentively perked even if their expressions betrayed nothing.
Jiang Shaohua smiled, "Very well, Commander Song, accompany me to the Martial Arts Training Ground."
Song Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.
The twenty trusted aides accompanied them as well.
The scene of sharp-eyed aides surrounding a slender young girl had an unexplainable comic charm.
The Martial Arts Training Ground was located in the northeast corner of the Prince Mansion, spanning about twenty acres, enough for a few rounds of horseback riding and accommodating two hundred trusted aides for training.
In reality, there were two hundred permanent trusted aides at the Prince Mansion. The other eighteen hundred were stationed in the Personal Guard Camp.
The stables were not far, home to dozens of different breeds of horses. They were cherished by Prince Nanyang during his lifetime, gathered for his treasured granddaughter.
Jiang Shaohua stepped into the stables.
The steward of the stables enthusiastically approached, "Which horse would the Commandery Princess like to ride today?"
Jiang Shaohua casually glanced around and pointed. The steward quickly went to lead out the tall black stallion.
With exceptional riding skills, Jiang Shaohua mounted the horse with no need for assistance. She tightened her legs slightly against the horse's sides, and the steed charged out of the stables.
The twenty trusted aides had already dispersed, vigilantly guarding the edges of the training ground.
Song Yuan stood outside the stables, watching the young girl galloping on horseback.
When he first entered the Nanyang Prince Mansion at fifteen, Jiang Yan was only ten, frail, beautiful, and delicate, her clear eyes focused on him: "Cousin Yuan, Father never allows me to ride. Will you teach me to ride?"
Unable to refuse, he discreetly helped her onto the horse and led it around the meadow.
Jiang Yan was overjoyed.
His aunt reproached him, and his uncle gave him a tongue-lashing. Still, the next time Jiang Yan asked, he once again complied.
His aunt and uncle observed and tacitly permitted his closeness to Cousin Yan.
He waited five years for her to come of age. Had events gone as expected, he would have married into the Prince Mansion, spending his life by her side.
Unexpectedly, the "accident" happened so suddenly. At fifteen, Jiang Yan went to a temple to burn incense and encountered Lu Xuan…
The memories resurfaced vividly, filling Song Yuan's heart with familiar bitterness and somberness.
At twenty, Jiang Yan fought with all her might to give birth to her daughter, Jiang Shaohua. A year later, she passed away. Before closing her eyes, she softly implored, "Cousin Yuan, after I'm gone, please take care of Shaohua."
With tears in his eyes, he nodded in agreement.
He vowed to spend the rest of his life wholeheartedly protecting the Commandery Princess.
"Uncle," the Commandery Princess suddenly appeared on horseback before him, smiling as she said, "How about a sparring session with me?"
Having heard the request numerous times, Song Yuan was no longer as embarrassed, and smiling, he nodded.
There was a weapons room set along the side of the training ground, containing an assortment of armaments: sabers, spears, staffs, hooks, axes, halberds, bows and arrows, swords, and whips, all expertly crafted from fine iron, each gleaming with a cold sheen.
Prince Nanyang was skilled in both academics and martial arts, and Jiang Shaohua had practiced various weapons for several years under her grandfather's tutelage.
Her gaze swept over the weapon rack, and she selected a long spear.