Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 29: Outburst (Part 1)

Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Outburst (Part 1)

Yang Zheng’s gaze was subtle, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Qiu Yuanshang’s heart raced, and his expression turned stern: "Why can’t you speak straightforwardly? If you keep hemming and hawing like this, don’t come asking me in the future."

Yang Zheng had no choice but to quietly relay what the Commandery Princess said at the banquet.

Qiu Yuanshang was so angry that veins popped on his forehead, and he fumed: "Absurd! How can I, a dignified seventh-rank officer of the court, bow down to flatter a eunuch! I’m going to see the Commandery Princess and clarify this matter!"

He was about to leave with a wave of his sleeve.

Yang Zheng didn’t hesitate and grabbed his sleeve: "Brother Qiu, don’t be impulsive!"

With too much force, there was a ripping sound as a part of the sleeve tore off.

Qiu Yuanshang: "..."

Yang Zheng: "..."

Qiu Yuanshang glared, almost fuming with anger.

Yang Zheng coughed, awkwardly laughed, and stuffed the sleeve into Qiu Yuanshang’s hand: "A momentary slip, please forgive me, Brother Qiu. This outfit is ruined; I’ll buy you two new ones another day."

Qiu Yuanshang tightly grasped the torn sleeve, as if strangling someone, and said with a grim face: "No need, I don’t lack new clothes. Don’t let this incident spread. If I hear even a whisper, I’ll hold you accountable."

Yang Zheng nodded while pinching his nose, trying to offer comfort out of comradeship and social acquaintance: "I know you’re upset. However, the Commandery Princess has a noble identity and cannot be taken lightly. Perhaps just endure it for now."

"I reckon the Commandery Princess speaks casually; banquet words should not be taken seriously."

Images of Mr. Zhao’s coquettish laughter and fluttering eyes flashed in Qiu Yuanshang’s mind, making him shiver and grit his teeth: "What if Mr. Zhao takes it seriously? Do I really have to escort that damned eunuch back to the capital? Going non-stop on horseback would take over ten days, and by carriage, it would be more than twenty days. Do I have to keep flattering and pleasing every day?"

Enduring flattery is one thing, but the pinching, touching, and leg-patting—how can one endure that?

Even the thickest-skinned Qiu Yuanshang couldn’t bring himself to say the last sentence.

Yang Zheng’s eldest uncle is a high official at the court, and their correspondence is frequent. He knows a bit about palace "anecdotes." Considering Mr. Zhao’s demeanor and Qiu Yuanshang’s distressed look, what more could be unclear?

However, the matter can only be vaguely advised; saying it explicitly would be more awkward.

Besides, what if Qiu Yuanshang throws in the towel, and the Commandery Princess turns her attention to him?

Yang Zheng calculated in his mind, patiently continuing to persuade: "Anyway, you should appease him. Mr. Zhao has to return to the palace to report, so he won’t stay in the Prince Mansion for long."

"It’s easy for you to say because you’re not the one suffering," Qiu Yuanshang retorted angrily: "This disgusting atmosphere—I can’t endure it for even a day."

Then he stomped off in anger.

Yang Zheng chased after him for a few steps. Qiu Yuanshang walked briskly and disappeared within a few breaths. Yang Zheng awkwardly turned back, thought about Qiu Yuanshang’s torn sleeve, and chuckled quietly.

...

The Prince Mansion has a subordinate compound with ten duplex courtyards. Chen Zhuo and Feng Wenming lived in the two best locations, right next door.

Qiu Yuanshang lived close to Yang Zheng, and with a few steps, he entered the courtyard. Three young, charming women immediately greeted him.

On regular days, Qiu Yuanshang would already be embracing them indulgently. But tonight, in a foul mood, his face was unpleasant: "Get lost!"

The three concubines were stunned.

Mr. Qiu usually cherished them and treated them tenderly—what happened tonight? One of them, sharp-eyed, noticed Qiu Yuanshang’s hand and gasped: "Who tore Mr. Qiu’s sleeve?"

The other two were also indignant: "Who did this?"

"I excel at embroidery; let me sew Mr. Qiu’s sleeve back."

Qiu Yuanshang’s head buzzed, and he shouted in anger: "Shut up! Go back to your rooms! If anyone speaks again, I’ll send her out of the mansion immediately."

The three concubines, in tears, reluctantly left.

Qiu Yuanshang changed into new clothes and threw the old ones into the fire basin. Watching the clothes turn to ashes, his pent-up anger subsided by half, restoring some rationality.

It was almost midnight, and the Commandery Princess had retired in the inner residence. As a subordinate, seeking an audience at night was indeed inappropriate.

In essence, young ladies should be nurtured in the boudoir, reading, playing music, admiring flowers, and catching butterflies. Shouldn’t the affairs of the Prince Mansion be left to her father?

The next morning, Qiu Yuanshang headed to the study, sporting a greenish face.

Chen Zhuo arrived first and was surprised by Qiu Yuanshang’s complexion: "Chief Steward Qiu didn’t sleep well last night? Why does your face look so bad?"

After a night of nightmares, Qiu Yuanshang coldly replied: "You must have heard what the Commandery Princess said at the banquet last night. If you were the Chief Historian, could you sleep well?"

Chen Zhuo, having served as the Prince Mansion Chief Historian for thirty years, was unperturbed by the harsh words: "When the Commandery Princess arrives, speak your mind directly."

As soon as he finished speaking, the door was filled with the familiar voice of the young lady: "Chief Historian Chen and Chief Steward Qiu are early today."

Chen Zhuo immediately bowed in greeting: "Your servant greets the Commandery Princess."

Despite his inner fury, Qiu Yuanshang also had to bow: "Greetings, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "Be at ease; speak while seated!"

Once seated, before Qiu Yuanshang could say a word, Jiang Shaohua spoke: "Mr. Zhao came to Nanyang County at the Empress Dowager’s behest to deliver a verbal edict. In both emotion and reason, he should be well taken care of. Chief Steward Qiu was thorough and meticulous yesterday and has earned merit, which I have noted."

Reluctantly, Qiu Yuanshang stood to express gratitude, then forcefully said: "Commandery Princess, I fear I’m not up to the task of accommodating Mr. Zhao..."

"Chief Steward Qiu," Jiang Shaohua interrupted with a smile, "what are the duties of your position?"

Qiu Yuanshang was speechless.

The Nanyang Prince Mansion was like a miniature court. Chen Zhuo, the Chief Historian, equated to the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Feng Wenming was akin to the Minister of Revenue. Yang Zheng handled the Ministry of Justice, Wen An and Shen Mu managed the Ministry of Industry, Song Yuan was in charge of guarding the mansion, and a Commander of the trusted aides, handling both the Ministry of War and Imperial Guard General duties.

And he, was akin to the Minister of Rites.

Receiving palace emissaries was precisely his duty.

Jiang Shaohua continued to ask: "You constantly claim you’re not qualified, so who should take care of Mr. Zhao? Should Chief Historian Chen do it, or should I personally attend to it?"

"If you don’t want to handle your duty, what do you want to do?"

"Do you want to spend your days leisurely, indulging yourself with your concubines?"

Qiu Yuanshang: "..."

Feng Wenming, standing at the door, silently halted. _{f .r e\ewebnov(e)(l).c om}

Wen An and Shen Mu, right behind him, also stopped.

The study-room echoed with the Commandery Princess’s indifferent voice: "The Prince Mansion doesn’t house idle people. If Chief Steward Qiu doesn’t want to work, he can submit his resignation; I won’t force him to stay."