Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 33: Old Feelings

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Old Feelings

The familiar name reached her ears, and Jiang Shaohua’s smile slightly paused.

From closing her eyes to being reborn, it has been less than ten days in total. The shadows of people from past events left imprints in her heart, so clear that it made her tremble.

Mr. Zhao was most adept at observing words and expressions, and with just a brief moment, he noticed something unusual and smiled as he glanced at Jiang Shaohua: "Could it be that the Commandery Princess has also heard of the Young Master?"

Jiang Shaohua quickly recovered her composure, smiled unperturbedly, and said: "I heard my grandfather mention him before."

Mr. Zhao smiled knowingly: "When the late Emperor was alive, Prince Nanyang wrote two letters every month to send into the palace. The late Emperor also often sent people to Nanyang County with letters. Prince Nanyang was indeed familiar with the court’s affairs."

Prince Nanyang was the late Emperor’s full-blooded younger brother, raised by the Emperor himself, sharing a deep bond and frequent correspondence. With the late Emperor’s favor as a backing, even in the distant vassal territory, Prince Nanyang did not delay fostering relationships with the courtiers.

The Zheng family was originally a large clan in Xingyang, with many members. Empress Dowager Zheng’s lineage moved to the Capital City from the time of her grandfather. Empress Dowager Zheng was outstanding in beauty and talent when young, chosen by the late Empress Dowager to become the Crown Princess Consort, and then rose step by step to become the Empress Dowager.

This branch of the Zheng family in the Capital City also became a prominent imperial family. The title of Duke An was passed down through two generations. The current Duke An is Empress Dowager Zheng’s biological nephew.

The Young Master Zheng mentioned by Mr. Zhao is the eldest direct grandson of this generation of the Zheng family, Empress Dowager Zheng’s biological grandnephew.

This Young Master was deeply loved by Empress Dowager Zheng; he was frequent in the royal court from a young age, studying and training alongside the Crown Prince of the present court. Only twelve years old this year, he was remarkable, talented in both literature and martial arts, and exceedingly handsome. He and the Fourth Young Master Wang of the Wang family were both acclaimed as the most outstanding young men in the Capital City.

Zhao, full of conversational enthusiasm, then praised the Fourth Young Master Wang: "...The Fourth Young Master Wang is the most outstanding among the heirs of this generation of the Wang family. He has an exceptional memory and unparalleled intelligence. Born exceedingly handsome. The only thing he falls short of compared to the Young Master, is his slightly weaker constitution. It is an inadequacy carried since birth."

Jiang Shaohua listened with a smile to Mr. Zhao’s idle talk.

The Fourth Young Master Wang, with the single name Jin, was her short-lived husband in her previous life.

Young Master Zheng, styled Zixian, his full name Zheng Chen, was her youthful love, whom she adored but could not be with, their longing entangled half a lifetime.

What a coincidence.

Mr. Zhao had a little habit of chattering, and while serving in the palace, he dared not speak too much. Since coming to Nanyang County, his mouth had been active every day, speaking truly with relish. Seeing how attentively the Commandery Princess listened, Mr. Zhao became even more enthusiastic.

"I know the Commandery Princess can’t bear to leave Nanyang County, but indeed, there are many benefits to going to the Capital City. On that day, Lu Junma was right in saying, the Commandery Princess is ten years old this year, and in a few more years she will come of age. By then, where in Nanyang County would there be any young man worthy of the Commandery Princess?"

"It’s different in the Capital City. Noble families and nobles abound, and there are many outstanding young men. Just earlier, the Young Master I mentioned is two years older than the Commandery Princess, and the Fourth Young Master Wang is only three years older than the Commandery Princess, so the ages are suitable..."

At this point, Mr. Zhao intentionally paused.

Alas, the ten-year-old Nanyang County Princess had not yet come to realize such matters, and she refused without thinking: "I don’t know them, their worth has nothing to do with me."

Mr. Zhao did not get discouraged and continued to smile: "Once the Commandery Princess goes to the palace, she will be under the care of the Empress Dowager, in the company of the Princess. There are also two County Princesses in the palace, of similar age to the Commandery Princess. Young girls being together, learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, is also a delight."

The Princess referred to by Mr. Zhao is Emperor Taikang’s eldest daughter, Jiang Bao Hua, who is fourteen this year.

The two County Princesses, one is the thirteen-year-old Dongping County Princess Jiang Yuehua, the other is Huaiyang County Princess Jiang Wan Hua, who is twelve this year. They are close relatives of the Imperial Family, taken into the palace for upbringing, accompanying the Princess as they grew up.

Empress Dowager Zheng sending Mr. Zhao to bring Jiang Shaohua into the palace was not overstepping, as there are indeed precedents in the palace.

The only problem is, Jiang Shaohua is not a typical member of the Imperial Family; she is the master of Nanyang County, with a fief and real power, not an orphan to be easily manipulated.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said: "I know Mr. Zhao means well. However, my mind is made up, there is no need for you to persuade me further."

Taking from others weakens one’s stance, holding others’ hands shortens one’s reach.

Mr. Zhao, both weakened in stance and shortened in reach, could only chuckle and change the topic: "It is already the time for spring ploughing. I heard the Commandery Princess will hold the Spring Ploughing Ceremony in two days. I wonder if I might share in the excitement."

Agriculture and mulberry are the foundation of the nation. The Spring Ploughing Ceremony is a traditional rite passed down through several dynasties. On the day when spring ploughing begins, the Emperor must personally lead a plough, walking back and forth in the field. A retinue of courtiers must follow and plough as well.

The Prefectural Governors and County Magistrates on this day also don farming attire to participate in the Spring Ploughing Ceremony in imitation. In Nanyang County, the only one qualified to lead the Spring Ploughing Ceremony is Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "If Mr. Zhao wishes to join, that would be excellent. I will have someone invite Mr. Zhao then." _{free\we\bnov(e)(l).com}

Mr. Zhao agreed with delight.

...

After Mr. Zhao left, Jiang Shaohua’s smile slightly faded, and she remained silent.

Her eyes flickered with complex and obscure emotions.

Deep memories surged in her heart. It was as if a giant hand clutched her breath tightly.

Yin Zhu, unaware of the situation, misunderstood and couldn’t help but murmur softly: "This Mr. Zhao, with a pungent scent of rouge and powder, speaks with a coquettish air. Let Chief Steward Qiu handle it, why bother responding personally, Commandery Princess?"

Jiang Shaohua replied coolly: "A minor character cannot accomplish anything significant but can spoil things. Spending a little silver and showing a smile can solve the issue, which is better than having another obstructionist opponent in the future."

Yin Zhu felt a little stifled: "I understand the logic, but I just feel sorry for the Commandery Princess. If the Prince were still alive, the Empress Dowager would not dare to covet the Commandery Princess. A mere eunuch wouldn’t dare flaunt his power in Nanyang County."

But her grandfather had passed.

There was no longer anyone to shield her from the storms. Every predicament had to be faced alone.

"Yin Zhu, I’d like to be alone for a while." Yin Zhu was a little worried but did not say more, obediently retreating.

Jiang Shaohua rested her head on the back of the chair, covering her face with her wide sleeves.

All around was darkness.

In this darkness, a face with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes flashed before her.

A halo seemed to appear, dispelling the boundless darkness, and the world suddenly lit up.

The young man smiled with his mouth upturned, eyes sparkling: "Cousin Shao Hua, let’s go horseback riding and hunting together."

"Alright, let’s make a bet and see who can hunt more today." Her laughter was clear and melodious.

The young man raised an eyebrow with a smile: "You fancy my fine horse? I’ll gift it to you directly. What need for a wager. But you must give me a hand-embroidered purse in return."

Her cheeks flushed a little, she gave him a teasing glance but said nothing.

His face also reddened as he reached to hold her hand.

...

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of knocking abruptly broke the moment.

Her eyes were a bit wet.

Jiang Shaohua sniffed, wiped the corners of her eyes with her sleeve: "Who is it?"