Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Little Flower
By afternoon, everyone descended the mountain together under the Commandery Princess’s leadership.
The villagers gathering herbs each carried a basket full of medicinal plants, truly returning with an abundant harvest. Witnessing the Commandery Princess slay a fierce tiger firsthand was enough for them to boast for a lifetime.
County Magistrate Cai perspired profusely, hoping to persuade the Commandery Princess to safely return the tiger cub in her arms to the forest. However, upon seeing her cheerful, flower-like smile, he couldn’t utter a word.
County Magistrate Cai discreetly leaned towards Commander Song and whispered, "The tiger cub is as small as a cat, and looks very cute right now. However, it’s still a tiger, not a cat. The Commandery Princess raising such a tiger cub should be extra cautious, lest the tiger cub harms her."
Song Yuan smiled lightly, "County Magistrate Cai, rest assured. With the Commandery Princess’s skills, capturing a fierce tiger alive is no challenge. This mere tiger cub can bring the Commandery Princess joy for a time, so let her have it. When the cub grows up, it won’t be too late to deal with it then."
Only then did County Magistrate Cai feel slightly reassured, wiping his forehead sweat with his sleeve.
Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, Lu Sheren led a group of trusted aides to welcome them.
"Commandery Princess, for personally entering the mountain today, you have worked hard." Lu Cong greeted with a hand gesture, his gaze inevitably drawn to the young beast in the Commandery Princess’s arms.
There was no choice; the small beast, less than a foot in size, was incredibly adorable, especially the pattern on its forehead that closely resembled the character for "king"...
Wait! A king character pattern!
A thought suddenly flashed in Lu Cong’s mind, his handsome and elegant face turning pale, his voice trembling, "May I ask, Commandery Princess, is this young beast possibly..."
"It’s a tiger cub!" Jiang Shaohua joyfully interjected, gently stroking the tiger’s head with her right hand, "Today, I went into the mountains, killed two tigers, and this newborn cub was left in the tiger’s lair, so I brought it down to raise for fun."
Lu Cong: "..."
Shouldn’t raising a tiger lead to trouble? How did it become a source of amusement for the Commandery Princess?
Lu Cong’s throat tightened, forcing a smile, "The Commandery Princess possesses unusual courage."
Jiang Shaohua smiled sweetly. Beside her, Chen Jinyu watched enviously, proactively offering to ease the Commandery Princess’s burden, "When the Commandery Princess is busy and has no time for Little Flower, delegate it to me. I’ll definitely relieve the Commandery Princess’s worries."
Having held the cub all the way, satisfied her craving, Jiang Shaohua laughed at his proposal and handed Little Flower to the eager Chen Sheren.
Delighted, Chen Jinyu cradled Little Flower. Ma Yaosong, very clever, immediately went to fetch the mother goat, with the two housekeepers busy feeding the tiger cub alongside, creating a harmonious scene.
Lu Cong worried once again about his path as a housekeeper.
The two housekeepers around the Commandery Princess were all young, smart, and daring types, perfectly in tune with the Commandery Princess. Unlike them, he seemed particularly clumsy, incompatible.
No, this can’t continue.
He needed to change himself, find ways to fit in.
Lu Cong steadied himself, respectfully asking the Commandery Princess, "Will the Commandery Princess be returning to the county government tonight?"
"No," Jiang Shaohua apparently had planned ahead, "Since we’re here, I’ll stay in the camp for a few days, taking advantage of this time to clear out the mountain beasts. That way, the villagers can enter the mountains much more safely later."
"Commander Liu, you’ll arrange this matter."
Liu Hengchang, energized, accepted the order with a bow.
Nanyang County is quite peaceful now, with hardly any scoundrels in sight. The trusted aides practice daily, feeling quite bored and restless, making this beast-clearing an excellent chance for training.
Jiang Shaohua also instructed County Magistrate Cai with a smile, "You can just return to the county government and continue your duties. Come back in seven or eight days."
County Magistrate Cai didn’t say much, complied promptly, and led the villagers and officials back to the county town.
...
The next morning, as the sky was barely light, the Third Camp’s trusted aides had already entered the mountain.
Six hundred trusted aides were divided into twelve teams of fifty each. Each team was further split into groups of ten. This arrangement ensured flexibility while providing enough manpower when encountering fierce beasts.
Each trusted aide wore soft armor, carried bows and arrows, and wielded long spears or long knives.
Jiang Shaohua didn’t go up the mountain today but remained stationed in the camp. Song Yuan led two hundred trusted aides to guard the camp.
Jiang Shaohua and Chen Jinyu gathered together, watching Little Flower drink milk, hiccup, and roll on the ground, spending a good half-day laughing lightly.
By afternoon, the trusted aides started descending the mountain. The bloodied prey piled up at the bottom quickly formed a small hill.
There weren’t many goats, deer, chickens, or rabbits; most were muntjacs and leopards, along with two big wild boars baring their tusks.
It would be a pity to simply discard these wild animals.
Jiang Shaohua pondered for a moment, then instructed the trusted aides to skin the animals, as the pelts could be made into clothing to keep the trusted aides warm during winter.
With so much meat, even eight hundred people working together couldn’t finish it all. Jiang Shaohua had some aides send two carts of meat to the county government, allowing everyone there to enjoy a feast.
This continued for seven days, during which the forest barely echoed with the cries of wild beasts.
The rosy-cheeked County Magistrate Cai approached the mountain, joyfully commenting, "Thanks to the Commandery Princess commanding the Personal Guard Camp to hunt fierce beasts in the mountain. In recent days, I’ve eaten so much meat I’ve gained some weight."
Jiang Shaohua pursed her lips with a smile, "I have lingered in Li County for so many days; it’s about time I set off without returning to the Li County government."
"Once the spring plowing is over, the task of developing the medicinal farms can begin."
County Magistrate Cai responded earnestly.
Just as they were speaking, Meng Sanbao excitedly came to report, "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, Commander Liu stated there was a harvest in the mountain today and seeks to personally report to you."
Whether calling him steady or clever, Liu Hengchang typically conducted himself with composure and seldom proactively reported things, making his use of the word "harvest" quite rare.
Jiang Shaohua’s curiosity piqued, smiling as she responded, "Please invite Commander Liu inside."
County Magistrate Cai discerningly rose to take his leave.
A moment later, Liu Hengchang entered.
Aside from Huang Xin and other personal soldiers, there was a young trusted aide.
Jiang Shaohua had an excellent memory, never forgetting anything she saw. As her gaze swept over him, a name flashed in her mind, "Is this Li Tianxi?"
Liu Hengchang smiled, bowing, "The Commandery Princess’s memory serves her well."
Among two thousand trusted aides, those whose faces Jiang Shaohua could remember and names she could call certainly had some special qualities. This Li Tianxi wasn’t an elder of the Personal Guard Camp, but a newcomer to the Third Camp. Li Tianxi’s mother was Liu Hengchang’s cousin.
Meaning Li Tianxi was Liu Hengchang’s nephew.
Liu Hengchang, in caring for his nephew, brought Li Tianxi along this time.
"Li Tianxi, explain it yourself." Liu Hengchang smiled and instructed.
At eighteen years old, Li Tianxi wasn’t tall and looked quite ordinary, but he was very brave, showing no fear upon seeing the Commandery Princess. Upon hearing the command, he stepped forward confidently and declared loudly, "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, today I found a nest of eaglet chicks."