Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 27: "Companionship

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: "Companionship

Mr. Zhao watched helplessly as Lu Xuan was chased away like a stray dog, and despite his contempt, he developed a bit of respect and fear for the young Commandery Princess.

Someone ruthless enough to be harsh to her own father is not to be easily provoked.

Mr. Zhao’s attitude visibly became much more courteous.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries, then invited Mr. Zhao to settle down for a rest, casually instructing, "These days, let Qiu Dianshan accompany Mr. Zhao and make sure he feels at home. If the hospitality is lacking and Mr. Zhao is displeased, I will hold only Qiu Dianshan accountable."

Qiu Yuanshang wished he could slap himself.

Why did you speak out of turn just now! You made the Commandery Princess unhappy, and immediately got stuck with this hot-potato task!

Eunuchs have capricious and unpredictable temperaments; they’re not easy to serve.

But with the Commandery Princess’s command, there was no room for negotiation.

Qiu Yuanshang pinched his nose and accepted the order, then personally got up to lead Mr. Zhao to settle down.

Yang Zheng also regretted it deeply, fearing the Commandery Princess’s wrath might fall on him, he quickly lowered his head. After Jiang Shaohua rose and left, Yang Zheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and upon looking up, he saw Song Yuan staring coldly at him, his right hand already on the hilt of his knife.

Yang Zheng: "..."

Ugh! Coarse martial artists!

Yang Zheng glared back boldly though apprehensively.

Chen Zhuo coughed lightly: "Tonight the Commandery Princess is hosting a banquet to welcome Mr. Zhao. Let’s disperse for now and come earlier in the evening."

The officials agreed in unison. Yang Zheng, having an opportunity to back down, quickly became the first to leave.

Song Yuan snorted coldly in his heart.

Chen Zhuo gently said to Song Yuan, "Even if you don’t get along, show some restraint since we’re colleagues."

Song Yuan was truly angered: "You also saw what happened earlier, Chief Historian Chen. Mr. Zhao wanted to bring the Commandery Princess into the palace, but let’s not discuss his intentions for now. Since the Commandery Princess is unwilling, we should respect her wishes. Yet Yang Zheng and Qiu Yuanshang stood with Lu Junma, both persuading the Commandery Princess to leave Nanyang County, providing Mr. Zhao with amusement."

"At a minor level, it’s belittling the Commandery Princess. At a major one, it’s betrayal."

"People like that don’t deserve my respect, not in the least bit."

"If they make the same mistake again, my long knife won’t spare them!"

That’s how straightforward and blunt the martial artists’ approach to problem-solving is.

Chen Zhuo remained patient and appeased Song Yuan. Song Yuan respected Chen Zhuo greatly, and soon his anger dissipated, bowing before leaving.

Feng Wenming, who was waiting on the side, laughed quietly, "In my opinion, Commander Song is quite commendable."

For those shameless rogues, there’s no point in excessive chatter. Just a touch on the knife hilt, and they become docile.

Chen Zhuo took his time before speaking, walking shoulder to shoulder with Feng Wenming until they entered the signature room and closed the door, "Yang Zheng isn’t much of a threat, but he has Vice Minister Yang and the Yang Family backing him. It’s necessary to remain somewhat harmonious."

Vice Minister Yang is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a Standard Third Rank official in the court. The Yang Family is renowned with numerous family members serving as officials, so it’s inadvisable to expel Yang Zheng too bluntly.

Feng Wenming pondered for a moment, "Then find a fault with him and make him leave on his own."

Chen Zhuo nodded in agreement, not elaborating further, and shifted the topic to Qiu Yuanshang, "Qiu Dianshan has been at the Prince Mansion for several years, recently becoming flighty and disrespectful to the Commandery Princess. When there’s spare time, we need to admonish him gently."

Feng Wenming replied, "All personnel matters at the Prince Mansion are under your control; you don’t need to be polite with him."

Chen Zhuo smiled helplessly, "Before his demise, the Prince entrusted the Commandery Princess to me. I must exert myself fully to honor the Prince’s trust. However, people’s words are destabilizing. What Lu Junma said today has been whispered privately."

Being a subject is tough, and being a competent and loyal subject is even tougher.

"Why let those petty words bother you?" Feng Wenming was unconcerned, "Trying to please everyone means you won’t have time to perform your duties."

"Moreover, the Commandery Princess is astute and determined, not easily swayed by such talk."

"Take today for example. When Lu Junma instigated, the Commandery Princess rebuked him unhesitatingly. Lu Junma’s face was utterly lost. Let’s see what face he has to flaunt the identity of the Commandery Princess’s father now."

Mentioning the Commandery Princess, Chen Zhuo’s eyes filled with a smile, and he said quietly, "Old Feng, I have a feeling our Commandery Princess is no ordinary being."

Feng Wenming replied matter-of-factly, "The Commandery Princess being able to hold Nanyang County is already extraordinary."

Indeed.

Lu Xuan is ambitious, Empress Dowager Zheng is scheming backstage, and Emperor Taikang on the Dragon Throne is eyeing Nanyang County covetously...

Chen Zhuo couldn’t help but sigh.

...

Qiu Yuanshang took a deep breath.

Mr. Zhao, with a fairer and more handsome face than most women, stayed close to him throughout the journey, and upon entering the courtyard, directly grabbed his hand. One of Mr. Zhao’s hands even reached for his waist.

A scent of cosmetics mixed with the unique odor of a eunuch assaulted his senses.

The hand on his waist was still restlessly touching.

Standing at eight feet tall with a dignified appearance and a full beard that showcased the charm of a mature man, Qiu Yuanshang was often amongst beauties, engaging in hand-holding and waist-touching escapades frequently.

He never expected to be flirted with by a eunuch today.

"This is my first time in Nanyang County," Mr. Zhao, clearly fond of the handsome and masculine Qiu Dianshan, giggled coquettishly, "Why don’t you tell me about the local customs and culture of Nanyang County?"

The laugh was even more girlish than several young concubines.

Qiu Yuanshang’s hairs stood on end. He did appreciate beauty, that’s true, but his taste remained normal. Young girls of sixteen or seventeen were best, beauties in their twenties were acceptable, and if need be, even women in their thirties or forties could do.

But this type right in front of him goes beyond his psychological boundary.

Qiu Yuanshang coughed, taking two steps back to escape Mr. Zhao’s clutches, "What would Mr. Zhao like to hear?"

Mr. Zhao smiled sweetly and approached again, casting a charming glance at Qiu Yuanshang’s face, "Whatever you say, Qiu Dianshan, I would love to hear."

Qiu Yuanshang: "..."

...

"Why did the Commandery Princess have Qiu Dianshan entertain Mr. Zhao?"

Elsewhere, Song Yuan couldn’t help but voice his curiosity.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Mr. Zhao is the son of a criminal official, who was castrated at a young age and entered the palace as the lowest-level attendant eunuch. Now he’s the top favorite beside the Empress Dowager."

"Guess why?"

Unaware of palace affairs, Song Yuan shook his head.

Jiang Shaohua leisurely explained, "Mr. Zhao is exceptionally handsome and acknowledged a Chief Eunuch in the palace as his adoptive father, serving by warming the bed. Eventually, he got a chance to appear before the Empress Dowager, who was then still the Empress."

"Mr. Zhao is like a sweet-talking flower, serving the Empress devotedly. When the Empress became the Empress Dowager, she immediately made Mr. Zhao the Chief Eunuch of Jingyang Palace."

"It’s rare for Mr. Zhao to leave the palace for some fresh air, so I had to fulfill some host duties and had the self-proclaimed charming and handsome Mr. Qiu entertain him as well-matched."

Song Yuan: "..."