Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Schemes (Part 3)
Old Madam Xue scrutinized Xue Lin for a few moments, a series of thoughts flashing through her mind as she said, "The Commandery Princess is only eleven this year, so it’s understandable that she’s a bit willful. Perhaps in three to four years, as she matures, it might improve."
Let’s wait and see.
It would be a pity to abandon this marriage proposal.
Xue Liuniang twitched her mouth and turned her head aside.
Grandmother is still pondering the idea of a marriage... How could Xue Lin match the Commandery Princess? In her view, although the Commandery Princess is young, she is very assertive and clear-minded.
The Commandery Princess’s heart is filled with the people and Nanyang County; the matter of marriage is evidently not something she is concerned about.
"That Chen Jinyu, sharp-tongued and lacking manners."
Not daring to speak ill of the Commandery Princess, Old Madam Xue directed all her pent-up anger and resentment towards Chen Jinyu: "This shows that the Chen family’s upbringing is really mediocre. I originally thought of finding some time to meet Mr. Chen. Now it seems there’s no need."
Xue Lin never argued with her grandmother and remained silent.
Xue Liuniang couldn’t hold back and turned her head: "Grandmother, your words seem a bit one-sided. Chief Historian Chen is shrewd and capable, even Father holds him in high regard. Chen Sheren was raised by Chief Historian Chen, how could he lack manners? Today, it was grandmother who was sharp first, and only then did Chen Sheren respond."
Old Madam Xue, humiliated and angry, glared at her: "You girl, have you been enchanted today? Why do you side with them everywhere? Let me tell you, our Xue Family is a scholarly family, where men study and serve as officials through the Imperial Examination, and women are virtuous and gentle. Even thinking about working is out of the question."
Xue Liuniang lowered her eyes, remaining silent.
Old Madam Xue assumed Xue Liuniang had listened, and her temper softened somewhat, saying, "We’ve stayed at the White Cloud Temple for a few days now, it’s time to return. Don’t make a fuss about the encounter with the Commandery Princess."
Xue Liuniang and Xue Qilang both agreed.
...
"The Commandery Princess was truly domineering today!" Chen Jinyu, in the backyard of the county government, was all smiles: "Old Madam Xue was so angry her face turned green, yet she had to hold it in, it felt so satisfying."
Jiang Shaohua glanced at Chen Jinyu with a smile: "What a pity. Today, I intended to mention your eldest brother, but later found it inappropriate to bring up."
Chen Jinyu quickly changed her mind: "Forget it! Old Madam Xue is condescending, she’s already so critical of me, she might disdain the Chen family and pick fault with my big brother for not passing the scholar exams. Even if a marriage proposal was made, it would likely fall through."
Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "It’s up to the person. If it’s inconvenient to bring up with Old Madam Xue, we can mention it to Governor Xue later."
Chen Jinyu was deeply moved: "The Commandery Princess is truly good to us siblings. For the rest of my life, I’ll serve and work for the Commandery Princess. As for my big brother, once he earns his title, he’ll work tirelessly for Nanyang County."
Jiang Shaohua smiled lightly: "Won’t I be really profiting then?"
"Meow meow meow~"
A familiar sound echoed from the door. Both Jiang Shaohua and Chen Jinyu turned their heads, and a spotted young beast the size of an adult cat came into view.
It was none other than the young tiger, Little Flower.
Over the past couple of months, Little Flower had grown a bit. It no longer drank milk and had started eating fresh meat.
"Little Flower, come here." Jiang Shaohua waved, smiling. Little Flower meowed twice more and leapt into Jiang Shaohua’s arms.
Chen Jinyu watched enviously.
The force of Little Flower’s leap could only be easily caught by the Commandery Princess. As for her, she could only stroke Little Flower’s fur when it lay quietly in the Commandery Princess’s arms.
"Reporting to the Commandery Princess, Chief Historian Chen has sent a letter." Ma Yaosong reported from the doorway.
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, indicating Ma should come in and speak in detail. Only then did Ma Yaosong step in and present the letter in his hand.
Jiang Shaohua took the letter and handed Little Flower to Chen Jinyu.
After reading the letter, Jiang Shaohua frowned.
"Commandery Princess, has something happened at the Prince Mansion?" Chen Jinyu couldn’t help but feel tense.
The Commandery Princess was known for her composure and rarely showed emotions. For her to frown like this, something significant must have occurred.
"Counties in Dingzhou, Youzhou, and Pingzhou have all sent petitions to the court, reporting several months of drought and no rain, predicting this year’s poor harvest, and requesting tax relief and grain aid."
"In the court, there’s been a heated dispute over these petitions."
"Prime Minister Wang and his faction oppose the petitions. The faction of Empress Dowager Zheng advocates for the abolition of all taxes. Both factions are in a heated debate, about to boil over."
At this point, Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but sigh: "Chief Historian Chen sent a letter to remind me to prepare an early response."
Ma Yaosong wasn’t too familiar with court affairs. Chen Jinyu, having been tutored by Chief Historian Chen for years, was much sharper and promptly took the conversation: "Is Chief Historian Chen suggesting the Commandery Princess write a petition to express her stance?"
"Yes," Jiang Shaohua said slowly, "Since presenting the new style plow to the Empress Dowager, our Nanyang County has stood by her. Later incidents with Zuo Zhen were also supported by her. I even offered a golden Buddha to Jingyang Palace. In everyone’s eyes, I, Jiang Shaohua, am already part of the Empress Dowager’s faction."
In officialdom, finding balance is like being a fence-sitter. Jiang Shaohua had sided with Empress Dowager Zheng from the start. As factional struggles escalated to such heights, she had to make a political statement.
Stepping back, even from her heart, she supported tax relief.
After pondering briefly, Chen Jinyu said softly, "I understand the Commandery Princess’s intention. I’ll write the petition immediately."
Tasks like writing official documents or petitions were typically drafted by subordinates, after which the Commandery Princess would modify them, transcribe them herself, and stamp them with the Prince Mansion’s seal.
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "You write the petition; I’ll write a letter to the Empress Dowager."
Ma Yaosong, unable to interject, quietly prepared paper and ink.
Upon learning of this, Lu Sheren hurried in.
With the Commandery Princess focusedly writing her letter, and Chen Sheren drafting the petition, while Ma Sheren ground the ink, the scene was harmonious. Not wanting to be left out, Lu Cong boldly stepped forward: "I served as Prefectural Governor for six years before, and have some experience with petitions to the court. Would it be possible for me to serve the Commandery Princess?"
Chen Jinyu paused, raising her head to find Lu Sheren looking earnestly loyal.
Jiang Shaohua never minded her subordinates’ enthusiasm and nodded with a smile: "Very well. You can also write a petition. At that time, I’ll see whose is better and use it accordingly."
Lu Cong bowed in agreement, stepped back, and returned to his room to write his petition.
It indeed proved that after ten years as an official, Lu Sheren’s skills were profound. His petition was both impassioned and grand, with his sincere loyalty shining between the lines.
After reading it, Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but praise: "Lu Sheren’s writing is better; let’s use Lu Sheren’s petition this time."
Chen Jinyu felt a little unconvinced, but after the Commandery Princess transcribed it and he borrowed the original to read once, he silently accepted it.