Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 30: Outburst (Part 2)

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Outburst (Part 2)

Qiu Yuanshang heard his blood flowing steadily, his temples pounding. The pent-up frustration and resentment over the past few days surged within him.

If the Prince were still alive, he would have to obey in all matters, not daring to say more.

But now, standing before him was a small young girl, only reaching his waist, with a youthful face, even younger than his daughter by two years! _{free\we\bnov(e)(l).com}

How could he possibly accept this in his heart?

"I am an official sent by the court to the Prince Mansion," Qiu Yuanshang straightened his back, retorting sternly, "If I am to be dismissed, it should be by the court’s decree. The Commandery Princess thinks she can expel me with one sentence; forgive me, but I cannot be convinced!"

Chen Zhuo’s expression changed, just as he was about to speak angrily, Jiang Shaohua glanced over.

Chen Zhuo silently shut his mouth, determined in his mind. No matter how things ended today, this Qiu Yuanshang could not remain in the Prince Mansion.

Qiu Yuanshang resolved himself, swiftly scanning the study entrance, exclaiming, "All fellow colleagues are here, perfect to judge this situation. Since I came to the Nanyang Prince Mansion, though not claiming utmost diligence, I have been earnest in my duties, committing no major errors."

"Now the Commandery Princess wants to expel me with a word, treating a loyal old minister this way, showing youthful recklessness and imprudence. Today she treats me this way, tomorrow, for trivial matters, she might treat you the same."

"Aren’t you disheartened? With such a ruler, what fairness and justice can be expected from the Nanyang Prince Mansion in the future?"

Yang Zheng arrived the latest and happened to hear the last two sentences and thought to himself that this was bad.

This Chief Steward Qiu dared to shout at the Commandery Princess in the study.

This was a crime of great disrespect! A clear offense!

Sure enough, Feng Wenming was already enraged, striding into the study, pointing at Qiu Yuanshang: "Audacious! This is a restricted area, the study. You, a seventh-rank Royal Mansion official, live in the Prince Mansion’s annex, receive the salary granted by the Commandery Princess, and your expenses are covered by her. Now merely assigned a task within your duties, you dare to shout at the Commandery Princess!"

"Where do you get the nerve?"

Wen An, adhering to the principle of self-preservation, entered the study without uttering a word.

Shen Mu furrowed his brows, saying sternly, "Chief Steward Qiu, quickly apologize to the Commandery Princess. Otherwise, we also cannot accommodate you!"

Qiu Yuanshang, boiling with rage, was too angry to listen: "Yang Zheng! Come over here! Tell me, in today’s matter, who is right and who is wrong?"

Yang Zheng coughed, wishing he could sneak away. But the Commandery Princess also glanced over, speaking lightly, "Yang Shi, familiar with Da Liang Law, might as well explain what the punishment is for insubordination? How should it be handled?"

Two days ago, in the study, the words "light punishment is docking salary, heavy can be beheaded" left Yang Zheng regretting endlessly. Today Qiu Yuanshang, consumed by anger, unquestionably committed insubordination, what was he supposed to say?

As Yang Zheng hesitated, deliberating, Qiu Yuanshang glared furiously: "Five days ago, when you and I drank together, what did you say? Have you forgotten completely?"

"You said the Commandery Princess is young and ignorant, also a woman, incapable of controlling Nanyang County. That this Prince Mansion would eventually fall apart. Now why don’t you dare speak?"

Yang Zheng: "..."

Cold sweat dripped from Yang Zheng’s forehead, his knees weakened, and he knelt down: "I spoke recklessly after drinking, offending the Commandery Princess, I ask the Commandery Princess to punish me!"

"What punishment?" Yang Zheng wanted to be punished, but Qiu Yuanshang, incensed, yelled heedlessly: "This is the truth! Don’t look at their loyal words; don’t they all think the same in their hearts?"

He sneered at Jiang Shaohua: "Commandery Princess, go ask Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng. They were both confidants of the Old Prince, are they now loyal to the deceased Old Prince or to the ten-year-old Commandery Princess?"

"And Wen An, don’t shrink like a turtle, you old thing, do you really submit completely?"

"Shen Mu, why glare at me? Am I not speaking the truth? Search your conscience; do you really believe the Commandery Princess can sustain such a large Prince Mansion, hold Nanyang County?"

Jiang Shaohua remained unflinching, but Song Yuan behind her changed his expression, drawing his long knife with a clang.

"Song Yuan! If you have the guts, chop into my neck." Qiu Yuanshang motioned at his neck, sneering repeatedly: "I bet you don’t dare!"

"As a military general, stuck in the Prince Mansion all day long, don’t you feel stifled? Are you really content being a personal soldier commander, guarding a woman all your life? Have you never thought of leading troops to the battlefield, making a name?"

The study fell suddenly silent.

The expressions of the officials were not pleasant.

Qiu Yuanshang’s words were harsh but hit deeply within everyone’s hearts.

The commander’s youth brings doubt to the nation. Especially since the Commandery Princess is a woman.

In thousands of years of male superiority, there was no issue bowing to Prince Nanyang, but obeying a ten-year-old girl respectfully, how could one feel at ease?

Even the loyal Song Yuan couldn’t utter, "I’ve never thought of leading troops to gain glory!"

...

In a short moment, it was enough for Jiang Shaohua to take in everyone’s expressions.

The world is harsh on women, even as a Commandery Princess, rightfully possessing the Nanyang Prince Mansion, she had to face such doubts. It was truly a bit heart-wrenching to think.

"It seems, Chief Steward Qiu has long been dissatisfied with me as the Commandery Princess." Jiang Shaohua spoke coldly, "It’s good to have all these words spoken today."

"Judging actions, not thoughts; what you think is not my concern. As long as you diligently perform your duties, you are loyal capable ministers."

"Whether I, as the Commandery Princess, can defend the Prince Mansion and Nanyang County, will be known in time."

Chen Zhuo quickly regained his senses, the first to bow, "We are loyal to the Commandery Princess, absolutely without dissent."

The officials all echoed along.

Only Qiu Yuanshang still held his neck stiffly, wanting to make further remarks. Song Yuan had already advanced coldly, the long knife resting on his neck.

With slight pressure, the blade broke the skin, a thin stream of blood oozing out.

Qiu Yuanshang was shocked by Song Yuan’s fierce gaze, reflexively shutting his mouth.

"Commander Song, put away the long knife." Jiang Shaohua instructed calmly, "Chief Steward Qiu has served in the Prince Mansion for years, we have been master and minister, part on good terms. Leave Chief Steward Qiu with some dignity."

"Yes!"

Song Yuan swiftly sheathed his knife, stepping back beside the Commandery Princess.

Qiu Yuanshang quickly pulled out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve, covering the blood mark on his neck.

The Commandery Princess invited the officials to sit for discussion, and even Yang Zheng, who had been kneeling, quickly got up and took a seat, without glancing at him at all.

The wooden chair he usually sat in was empty. After such a commotion, he had no face to sit.

The rage came swiftly and left just as quickly.

Qiu Yuanshang, once the hot blood in his head cooled, suddenly felt regret.

Thinking about it, it wasn’t a big deal, just accompanying the dead eunuch in conversation, faking civility, occasionally being taken advantage of. He was unwilling, but the dead eunuch couldn’t drag him to bed...how did it escalate to this?