Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 36: Joyful Laughter

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Joyful Laughter

This form of communication is certainly unique.

Jiang Shaohua glanced over with a smile. The picture depicted a field, with a small boy standing at the edge, and a group of figures behind him.

This Cui Du has a distinctive drawing skill. With just a few strokes of a fine charcoal pencil, he creates vivid images. Jiang Shaohua immediately understood: "You’re saying that your body has healed now, and you can lead people to farm the land."

Cui Du straightened his chest and gestured with his hands to imply that the bigger the field, the better. _{fr\(e)ew(e)b.(n)o (v)(e)l.com}

Jiang Shaohua was amused and casually said, "Alright, after the Spring Ploughing Ceremony, I’ll have someone take you to a field manor. You can do as you wish for a year. After a year, I expect to see some results."

Cui Du’s confidence was almost overflowing, as he patted his chest loudly.

He’s only twenty-five! Just like a ten-year-old child at heart.

Jiang Shaohua smiled again: "Yin Zhu, escort Cui Du out. Also, remind Meng Sanbao to be kind to Cui Du, and not to bully him."

Yin Zhu and Meng Sanbao have been childhood companions, growing up together. Both families have long considered a matrimonial alliance. Yin Zhu is only fourteen this year, the right age for service. Meng Sanbao is also young; waiting a few years is no problem.

In her previous life, Yin Zhu couldn’t marry Meng Sanbao and died in the palace. Meng Sanbao fell gravely ill and hadn’t smiled for years after.

In this life, she wants everyone around her to live well.

Yin Zhu, unaware of her mistress’s complex emotions, replied with a smile and, holding a box of pastries, said to Cui Du, "Follow me outside."

Cui Du nodded silently, got up, and walked towards the exit. As he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped and looked back.

It was already evening, and the candles were not yet lit, making the light in the inner hall somewhat dim.

Jiang Shaohua sat elegantly, her delicate and fair-skinned face seemed to glow, with a slight smile on her lips, looking in good spirits.

But her eyes were profound and distant.

This noble high-ranking Commandery Princess is also just a young girl. She has to shoulder heavy responsibilities, no wonder her thoughts are heavy.

Cui Du took a charcoal pencil and paper from his sleeve, spread the paper in his palm, and quickly began to draw with his right hand.

Yin Zhu had taken a few steps before realizing something was wrong, turned back, and was almost amused: "What are you doing?"

He really doesn’t understand the rules!

Cui Du paid no heed, finished the sketch in a few strokes, and quickly walked to Jiang Shaohua, handing over the paper. Jiang Shaohua accepted the paper and glanced down.

It was a portrait of her.

A round face with two little horns on the head, eyes squinted into a line, and the corners of the mouth stretched to the ears. Strange yet very cute.

Jiang Shaohua let out a chuckle, her previously somber mood lifted.

Cui Du also smiled and gestured with his hands.

In life, no matter what, the most important thing is to be happy.

Jiang Shaohua strangely understood, and lightly laughed: "If you work diligently like today and present more new plough designs a couple of times, I will be happy."

Cui Du put on the most serious and solemn expression of his life and nodded vigorously.

Yin Zhu was a bit surprised. This little mute, unable to utter a word, yet is quite adept at making the Commandery Princess happy.

Oh well, let’s overlook his out-of-line behavior this time.

Yin Zhu waited for a moment, then after Cui Du came out, she spoke: "In the future, when you see the Commandery Princess, be respectful and follow the rules, no rudeness. By the way, you haven’t learned the rules of the Prince Mansion. I’ll have Third Brother Meng teach you."

Cui Du wasn’t very interested in listening, letting the words go in one ear and out the other.

Meng Sanbao and Qin Hu were waiting outside in the courtyard, and when they saw Yin Zhu coming out, Meng Sanbao darted over: "Silver Vermilion, why did you personally escort the little mute out?"

Yin Zhu quietly laughed: "The Commandery Princess values him a lot, and asked me to take him back. She also specifically instructed me to remind you not to bully him. These pastries are also a reward from the Commandery Princess."

Meng Sanbao was puzzled: "This little mute, with his small arms and legs, isn’t even worth a punch or a kick, and he can’t speak a single word. Why does the Commandery Princess treasure him so much?"

Qin Hu chimed in with a laugh: "Earlier, the Commandery Princess summoned Shen Gongzheng, and he left holding the documents like a treasure. Perhaps the little mute surprised the Commandery Princess with something!"

The little mute usually stayed indoors, rarely coming out, often sketching with charcoal. Could he have actually produced something useful?

Meng Sanbao couldn’t figure it out and gave up thinking. Whatever the Commandery Princess ordered, he would just follow.

He immediately adjusted his attitude and, politely said: "Little mute, you go first."

Cui Du: "..."

Pah! You’re the little mute! Your whole family are mutes!

...

Shen Mu strode into the workshop, his black and thin face full of excitement, and his voice louder than usual: "Everyone, come over."

The workshop had a row of duty rooms, with three craftsmen occupying each room. The duty rooms contained various tools like axes, saws, and ink rulers.

With Shen Mu’s call, a dozen craftsmen came bustling in.

As soon as Shen Mu presented the blueprint, it sparked a heated discussion among the craftsmen.

"I’ve long disliked the cumbersome and laborious long straight ploughs. This blueprint’s new-style plough is compact and will save a lot on materials."

"This is actually a curved plough, which should be much easier to maneuver around corners."

"Whether it’s good or not, let’s build it and see."

"The wood is ready, we can make one overnight from the blueprint. But the ploughshare and ploughwall need to be made from fine iron. That will have to wait until daytime tomorrow."

Shen Mu glanced over the craftsmen: "The Spring Ploughing Ceremony is in two days, and I’ve boasted in front of the Commandery Princess that the new plough will be ready for use. Everyone, work hard over the next two days to complete it."

A craftsman named Lu eagerly responded: "Rest assured Shen Gongzheng! The Prince Mansion has provided us with good food and drink, now it’s time to be useful. Staying up two nights is nothing."

The other craftsmen also chimed in their agreement.

They were all born into craftsman households; their status wasn’t the lowest but not high either.

Prince Nanyang was generous and their wages were sufficient to support their families. A year has passed since the Prince’s death, the duties at the Prince Mansion were few, yet their wages had never been reduced. They were bored long ago.

The Commandery Princess issuing more tasks gave them purpose!

Shen Mu nodded with satisfaction and began to assign tasks. According to the blueprint, the new plough consisted of eleven parts. The ploughshare and ploughwall had to be cast in iron, so those were given to two blacksmiths. The remaining nine parts were made of wood, each assigned to a different craftsman.

Lu the craftsman, almost unable to part with the detailed dimensions on the blueprint, asked: "Shen Gongzheng, who drew this blueprint?"

Shen Mu did not disclose: "There’s no need for you to know, just focus on your work."

Lu the craftsman nodded while still reluctantly glancing at the blueprint.

Having worked with his hands for half a lifetime, teaching apprentices by word of mouth, he wished he could also draw blueprints.

That night, the workshop’s candles burned until dawn.