Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 42: Farewell

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Farewell

With the Commandery Princess in his heart, Chen Zhuo wrote as if inspired.

Cui Du focused intensely, painting one piece after another.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

It was the third hour!

Meng Sanbao habitually came over to help the little mute, and the moment his hand touched the back of the robe, Qin Hu coughed loudly. Meng Sanbao instantly became alert, changed the direction of his hand, and helped the little mute up: "Little Mu... Mr. Cui, it’s time for bed."

Cui Du had drawn five drawings in a row; his right hand was somewhat sore and weak. Hearing the words, he put down the charcoal pencil and stood up.

Qin Hu immediately stepped forward and cautiously collected the five finished drawings.

Meng Sanbao held those two heavy boxes.

The eastern wing room had been tidied up, spotless, and at least three times larger than the small room he used to live in. On the spacious wooden bed was new bedding, and the sky-blue light gauze curtains looked very refreshing.

Cui Du instantly fell in love with this place, happily circling around the room. Then he gestured for Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao to leave. He wanted to open the brocade box and see the gift from the Commandery Princess.

Suppressing their curiosity, Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao left and went to sleep in the empty room next door for the night.

Meanwhile, filled with anticipation, Cui Du opened the first brocade box. Instantly, his eyes were blinded by the golden light.

Gold ingots the size of a child’s fist, neatly arranged.

Cui Du: "..."

Since childhood, he loved to read, was admitted to a top university, joined a laboratory, and immersed himself in various grain improvement experiments. He never thought he also liked gold.

Cui Du held his breath and opened another brocade box. This box glowed with a soft silver light, filled with silver ingots.

Cui Du couldn’t resist a silly smile and then carried the two brocade boxes onto the bed, placing them by his pillow.

...

Jiang Shaohua didn’t take such trivial matters to heart.

Prince Nanyang was naturally generous, and his actions were lavish. She had been influenced from a young age, having a temperament similar to Prince Nanyang. Even in her previous life when she entered the palace, she never worried about gold or silver.

When officials serve with dedication, they should be rewarded!

In fact, the real reason why Qiu Yuanshang was reluctant to leave Nanyang County was because of the master’s kindness and generosity. On the surface, the salary was similar to other vassal territories, but in reality, there were often subsidies and rewards. The silver he received in a year was at least double.

That night, everyone slept soundly, except for Qiu Yuanshang, who tossed and turned all night.

Mr. Zhao had completed his duties and was to return to the palace to report. The Commandery Princess instructed him to escort Mr. Zhao back to the Capital City. As long as he hadn’t received any official documents from the Ministry of Personnel, he was still an official of the Prince Mansion. There was no refusal for the tasks assigned by the Commandery Princess.

If he had such awareness back then, would he not have ended up being driven away?

There’s no medicine for regret in this world.

If there were, he would have taken a big bowl of it.

His three favored concubines were also anxious throughout the night. Early the next morning, they tearfully came before the Chief Steward Qiu, wanting to leave with Qiu Dianshan.

Qiu Yuanshang had no mood for pitying beauties, and with a stern face said: "I’m on official duties, escorting Mr. Zhao back to the Capital. It’s unseemly to bring you along."

"But master, once you leave, you might not return. What are we three sisters supposed to do?" The most favored young concubine, teary-eyed, clung to Qiu Yuanshang’s sleeve.

The other two beauties also lightly sobbed.

Qiu Yuanshang, irritated by the sound of crying, glared: "Stop crying, all of you. After I finish my duty, I will stay in the Capital for a while, waiting for a position. Once my prospects are settled, I’ll send someone to fetch you."

With these words, he flung his sleeve and strode away.

Leaving behind the three beauties, crying softly: "That Mr. Zhao, even more charming than a woman, the master loves enchanting beauties, perhaps he’s been captivated."

"The master tends to forget the old with the new; with Mr. Zhao’s company, he might not favor the three of us anymore."

Fortunately, Qiu Yuanshang didn’t hear these complaints, or he might have been so disgusted he’d want to vomit.

He, standing tall at eight feet, preferred tender beauties and had no interest in effeminate eunuchs.

Harboring such thoughts, when he faced Mr. Zhao, he naturally switched to a graceful demeanor: "Mr. Zhao sets off today. By the Commandery Princess’s decree, I am here to escort you back to the Capital."

Mr. Zhao was pleased, softly gazing at the masculine Chief Steward Qiu: "Thank you, Mr. Qiu. Should Mr. Qiu need a place to stay in the Capital, feel free to use my residence. I also have acquaintances in the Ministry of Personnel and can put in a word for Mr. Qiu."

Qiu Yuanshang’s back unconsciously relaxed, and he smiled, thanking Mr. Zhao.

Behind, a noise of footsteps arose.

The Commandery Princess was leading the officials to bid farewell.

Qiu Yuanshang, suppressing a mix of sadness, regret, and resentment, turned around with feigned serenity to say goodbye to the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua was still adorned in her Commandery Princess attire today, luxurious and dignified, her aura overwhelming. Her black eyes were calm and deep, bright enough to render others unable to meet her gaze: "This is the Commandery Princess’s final task for Chief Steward Qiu. We, as master and servant, part on good terms. The Commandery Princess wishes Chief Steward Qiu a bright future."

Qiu Yuanshang swallowed his bitterness, maintaining his last bit of dignity: "I also wish the Commandery Princess success in all matters and fulfillment of all desires."

The last four words inevitably carried a hint of unwillingness and resentment.

This is a man’s arena of power, where a woman holding onto her power will inevitably face endless challenges and obstacles.

He intended to wait patiently and watch with open eyes, looking forward to the future chaos in Nanyang County, seeing how the Commandery Princess would lose everything.

Qiu Yuanshang’s shameful, dark thoughts were clearly reflected in Jiang Shaohua’s eyes.

Jiang Shaohua slightly tugged the corner of her lips, no longer paying attention to him, and turned to warmly smile at Mr. Zhao: "Mr. Zhao sets off today. I will personally escort you out of the city."

The Commandery Princess personally seeing him off at the city gates was the ultimate gesture of respect for Mr. Zhao.

Mr. Zhao accepted this kindness, gladly thanking the Commandery Princess for her grace.

The group set off in a grand procession, one and a half hours later, the convoy exited the city gates. After another round of emotional farewells, with tears flowing, Mr. Zhao finally commenced his journey.

The convoy traveled a long distance.

Sitting in the carriage, Chief Steward Qiu couldn’t resist lifting the curtain to look back.

The familiar tall city gate had become a blurry black dot.

Chief Steward Qiu used his wide sleeve to cover his face, and only after a long while did he let it down, the sleeve already wet. It was inconvenient and shameful for him to cry aloud, so he took out a handkerchief and wiped away the tears on his face.

He carried a letter with him, a recommendation letter written by Chen Zhuo. Additionally, he had a silver note worth two thousand taels, enough to settle in the Capital for a year or so.

The Commandery Princess indeed expelled him but did not treat him unfairly.

Jiang Shaohua watched the convoy go away, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

In her past life, she was in the convoy, accompanying Mr. Zhao to the Capital. For over twenty years after, she never returned, even her death occurred in the Capital.

In this life, she wanted to stay in Nanyang County, not letting anyone force her away even half a step.

...