Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 24: Winning Over

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Winning Over

"We’ve arrived at the Prince Mansion, please let Mr. Zhao disembark." The elegant and dashing Chief Historian Chen personally opened the carriage door.

Mr. Zhao laughed cheerfully, "Chief Historian Chen, you are too kind."

Chen Zhuo extended his hand to assist Mr. Zhao off the carriage, while smiling, "Mr. Zhao has traveled from afar to relay Empress Dowager’s decree, exhausted through the journey. Once inside the Prince Mansion, you must rest well."

Chen Zhuo was known as a handsome gentleman in his youth. Though now advanced in age, among his peers, he remains one of the most handsome. His demeanor is elegant, calm, and collected.

Mr. Zhao enjoyed the flattery, chuckling softly.

Chen Zhuo remained unfazed, smiling as he supported Mr. Zhao forward.

The main gate of Nanyang Prince Mansion was already opened.

The Nanyang County Princess and Lu Junma greeted them personally, with a retinue of subordinates and trusted aides following, forming an impressive welcome.

"Servant greets the Commandery Princess." Mr. Zhao pretended to make a salute.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and reached out to lift him, "Mr. Zhao, please dispense with the formalities."

Mr. Zhao took the opportunity to rise, his gaze sweeping across Jiang Shaohua’s face, somewhat amazed, "Servant had long heard of the Commandery Princess’s exceptional intelligence, but only today sees the Commandery Princess’s extraordinary beauty."

Jiang Shaohua replied with a smile, "Mr. Zhao’s illustrious name, I too have heard much of. Seeing is indeed better than hearing. Mr. Zhao’s graceful demeanor is rare in this world."

Everyone loves to hear flattery.

When it comes from a noble and beautiful Commandery Princess, Mr. Zhao felt even more delighted, chuckling softly, "The Commandery Princess has overpraised me."

This Mr. Zhao, whose full name is Zhao Chunming, was originally from an official family. However, his family’s grandfather committed a grave crime, resulting in all adult male relatives being executed. Ten-year-old Zhao Chunming barely escaped with his life, was castrated, and entered the court as a little eunuch.

The hardships and tears of the following twenty years need not be detailed. Ultimately, the current Mr. Zhao gained the trust and favor of Empress Dowager Zheng, becoming the Chief Eunuch of Jingyang Palace at the age of thirty, truly a favored figure in the palace.

Jiang Shaohua’s praise was not offhanded. Mr. Zhao had fair skin, red lips, white teeth, and a slender figure, looking like a handsome young man at first glance.

Mr. Zhao also liked applying scented powder, and getting close, one could inhale the fragrance.

The group accompanied Mr. Zhao into the main hall.

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "Mr. Zhao, having traveled thousands of miles to Nanyang County to deliver the Empress Dowager’s decree, the seat of honor today must be yours to sit in."

Jiang Shaohua, in her previous life, spent six years in the palace and frequently dealt with Mr. Zhao, familiar with his temperament. In a few words, she made Mr. Zhao feel extremely pleased.

Mr. Zhao feigned refusal for a few moments before taking the chief seat to the left.

Jiang Shaohua sat on the right side.

Lu Xuan sat below his daughter.

Whether he felt awkward or not internally, on his face, there was no hint of awkwardness, his smile warm and proper.

Lu Xuan, in terms of fair skin, was also top-notch. Mr. Zhao had noticed him earlier, and after sitting down, asked with a smile, "Is this Lu Junma?"

"Yes, this is indeed my father." Jiang Shaohua seemed to have forgotten the coldness and distance from the past two days, cheerfully introducing her father, "My father, when young, passed the Imperial Examination and became a Scholar. He loves reading, and Mr. Zhao, being learned, could become close given the opportunity."

Lu Xuan hadn’t seen a good face from his daughter for three days. Now, suddenly seeing Jiang Shaohua smiling so sweetly, he was somewhat flattered and quickly responded with a smile, "When Mr. Zhao has time, I must seek your advice often."

Mr. Zhao was able to rise to prominence in the palace partly due to his looks and partly because he was educated in his youth. Out of a crowd of eunuchs relying on flattery and sycophancy, he emerged as a standout.

Therefore, Mr. Zhao enjoyed others mentioning these attributes. Today, every word spoken by Jiang Shaohua hit the right note for him. He formed an extremely favorable impression of this Nanyang County Princess.

Chen Zhuo noticed this and felt relieved as well.

Regardless of their private disputes, a father and daughter must maintain appearances to avoid gossip. Though young, the Commandery Princess understood this well.

Soon, Mr. Zhao spoke of the main business, "Commandery Princess, I bring the Empress Dowager’s decree."

Jiang Shaohua immediately stood up, listening respectfully.

"The Empress Dowager said that the Commandery Princess’s mourning for a year for Prince Nanyang is commendable. However, the deceased is gone, and the young Commandery Princess shouldn’t be engulfed in grief, harming her own health."

Mr. Zhao’s expression softened, his demeanor and tone resembling Empress Dowager Zheng.

Jiang Shaohua was stirred by old memories, her emotions surging.

Her six years in the court were not only filled with intrigue; there were moments of happiness.

Empress Dowager Zheng indeed had the affection of a nurturer for her. Prolonged hypocrisy could foster genuine emotion, much like her complex feelings for Lu Xuan, hard to sever completely despite the distaste.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your concern." Jiang Shaohua calmed her heart, bowed properly, and softly expressed her gratitude.

Mr. Zhao acknowledged the gesture on behalf of Empress Dowager Zheng and continued, "You are only ten years old and should be under the guidance of an elder. The Empress Dowager intends to bring you to the palace, would you be willing?"

Chen Zhuo, knowing the Commandery Princess would refuse, still felt a twinge at this moment.

Emperor Taikang, in his four-year reign, had been cautious of Nanyang County from all aspects. Now, with the Prince gone for a year, Empress Dowager Zheng set her eyes on the Commandery Princess.

If the Commandery Princess went to the Capital City, Nanyang County would lose its backbone. The court eyed it covetously, and Lu Xuan too had his designs on the Prince Mansion’s estate...

Lu Xuan’s eyes brightened, unable to resist glancing at Jiang Shaohua.

"The Empress Dowager’s benevolence, I am deeply grateful." Jiang Shaohua’s face showed fittingly moved gratitude, yet she refused without hesitation, "However, I am the Nanyang County Princess; I cannot abandon the people and subordinates to go to the Capital City."

"Please convey my thanks to the Empress Dowager for her kindness. Inform the Empress Dowager of my intentions. I intend to fulfill my grandfather’s legacy and govern Nanyang County well."

Mr. Zhao’s brow twitched, recalling Empress Dowager Zheng’s words before his departure.

"Try your best to persuade the Nanyang County Princess to leave the Prince Mansion and take her to the Capital City upon your return."

Why was it ’try your best to persuade’ rather than just issuing an order?

Because the Nanyang County Princess was conferred during the late Emperor’s time, a Commandery Princess with real power equivalent to a Vassal King.

Empress Dowager Zheng had to maintain face and could not disregard Jiang Shaohua’s wishes, forcibly taking her to the Capital City.

If Jiang Shaohua ’willingly’ went, it would be justifiable—a young girl without elders taken under palace care, a more respectable reason.

In her previous life, Lu Xuan had sent someone privately to offer Mr. Zhao substantial gifts. Mr. Zhao conveyed the decree directly issuing Jiang Shaohua’s entry to the palace. Under her father’s persuasion, Jiang Shaohua soon left with Mr. Zhao.

This time, Chen Zhuo intercepted Lu Xuan’s people. Mr. Zhao was uncertain of Nanyang County’s situation. The Empress Dowager’s decree was straightforwardly refused by Jiang Shaohua, leaving him momentarily hesitant.

Just then, Lu Xuan suddenly spoke up, "Shao Hua, the Empress Dowager is renowned for her kindness and benevolence. Having such an elder for guidance is beneficial for you. You should agree!"