CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 114: PLAYMATE (2)

Looking at her childhood playmate, Chen Jinyu, who was beaming with joy, Jiang Shaohua lightly lifted the corners of her mouth and laughed.

In her previous life, she left Nanyang County for the Capital City and never met Chen Jinyu again. Over the years, she sporadically heard some news about her.

For instance, she got married after the coming-of-age ceremony, but due to differences in temperament with her husband, their relationship was not harmonious, and they lived together respectfully but distantly.

Or when Chief Historian Chen unexpectedly passed away, the Chen Family fell into decline; Chen Jinyu suffered greatly at her in-laws’ house and was eventually dismissed for not bearing a son. She returned to her maiden home, where she was melancholic and disheartened, succumbing to a serious illness before the age of thirty, her life extinguished like a burned-out candle.

In this life, she was reborn, so naturally, the people around her must start anew, live long and peaceful lives, and also live splendidly and freely.

"My grandfather and father can be convinced, but I’m afraid my mother won’t agree." Chen Jinyu expressed her joy for a moment, then sighed with her chin in her hand:

"In my mother’s eyes, women should be gentle, virtuous, and knowledgeable in household arts like embroidery and cooking; reading too many books is not proper. She always tells me that since women don’t need to pass exams to become officials, recognizing a few words to avoid being illiterate is enough. If you read too much, you’ll become restless... Initially, I often argued with her, and she would cry, accusing me of defying her will and being unfilial."

"She wishes to keep me confined in the inner chambers all day and would never agree to let me out to take up any duties."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and said, "Don’t worry, I will personally persuade her."

When referring to herself as the Commandery Princess, she naturally exuded an irresistible noble demeanor.

Chen Jinyu was momentarily stunned, as if she had just realized that the little girl she remembered was now the ruler of Nanyang County, the Nanyang County Princess whom everyone must look up to.

Jiang Shaohua glanced playfully, "Well, what do you think, did my air just now intimidate your mother?"

Chen Jinyu flashed a grin, giving the princess a thumbs up, then curiously whispered, "I heard you led troops to Li County and eradicated two nests of bandits. Did you personally take action?"

Under the joint concealment of Chen Zhuo and Song Yuan, the matter of Jiang Shaohua personally slaying bandits hadn’t spread.

At least, it hadn’t reached the ears of the young ladies in the boudoirs.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flickered, not answering directly but asking in return, "If I did kill the bandits myself, would you be afraid?"

Chen Jinyu replied matter-of-factly, "What’s there to be afraid of? Bandits who burn, kill, and plunder should be eliminated in the first place."

Sure enough, it was still the Chen Jinyu from her memory, who resented evil thoroughly.

Jiang Shaohua felt inexplicably cheerful, smiling as she said, "Sister Jin Yu speaks wisely."

Amidst their light-hearted talk, the carriage came to a stop.

They had arrived at the Bo Wang County Government.

...

County Magistrate Chen had already tidied the rear courtyard of the county government, respectfully inviting the princess to settle in.

Lady Yao, Mrs. Yao, finally made an appearance.

County Magistrate Chen’s insistence on marrying Mrs. Yao back then naturally had reasons. Mrs. Yao, with her graceful demeanor, delicate and soft, even at over thirty, was still a gentle beauty.

Chen Jinyu was bright, lively, and valiant, resembling her grandfather Chen Zhuo in appearance and temperament, unlike her mother, Mrs. Yao, in the slightest.

"I have met the princess." Mrs. Yao curtsied gracefully, her posture mesmerizing.

No wonder she was so critical of her daughter. Compared to Mrs. Yao, Chen Jinyu indeed appeared more like a tomboy.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes gleamed with amusement as she gently said, "Lady Chen, please rise."

Mrs. Yao thanked the princess for her grace and slowly stood up, her gaze briefly flicking towards Chen Jinyu.

Chen Jinyu bowed her head, slowly shuffled over.

Jiang Shaohua held back her laughter and amiably instructed, "Sister Jin Yu, please step aside; I wish to speak privately with Mrs. Yao."

Chen Jinyu’s eyes brightened, quickly exchanged a meaningful glance with Jiang Shaohua, and then feigned a formal retreat.

Mrs. Yao felt somewhat uneasy, sitting with a light posture to show respect to the princess: "I wonder what instructions the princess might have."

Jiang Shaohua gently laughed, "I have something to discuss with Mrs. Chen."

"The Commandery Princess must inspect the Fourteen Counties, having already toured Wan County and Xi’e County, with Bo Wang County being the third. There are still eleven counties to visit, and I have no companions, which feels quite lonely."

"So, I wish to discuss with Mrs. Chen the possibility of having Sister Jin Yu accompany me. I wonder if Mrs. Xie would agree?"

Mrs. Yao was momentarily taken aback and didn’t immediately react: "Jinyu is just a young girl, what role could she play."

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "I am also a young girl."

Only then did Mrs. Yao realize she had misspoken.

Indeed! The princess was also a young girl, three years younger than Chen Jinyu! By saying this, wasn’t she insulting the princess in front of her?

Mrs. Yao awkwardly smiled, "I’m slow-witted and misspoke, please forgive me, princess."

After a pause, she added softly, "The princess is youthful, beautiful, and remarkably intelligent. How could Jinyu be compared with the princess?"

The words were tactful, yet the refusal was evident.

Jiang Shaohua appeared as if she hadn’t noticed anything, smilingly said, "Sister Jin Yu grew up in the Prince Mansion as my childhood playmate and friend. Having her accompany me would certainly make the journey less dull. Since Mrs. Xie doesn’t object, let’s consider this settled."

"Princess..."

Mrs. Yao felt a sense of urgency and wanted to say something, only to see the princess looking over with bright eyes: "Does Lady Chen not trust me? Or is she worried I would mistreat Sister Jin Yu?"

Mrs. Yao’s heart tightened, she quickly responded with a smile: "The princess overestimates things. How could I not trust the princess? I am merely concerned that Jinyu’s carelessness might cause trouble for the princess."

Jiang Shaohua laughed, "How could that be. Sister Jin Yu is exceptionally intelligent and articulate, praised by all. Only you, madam, find her careless."

Mrs. Yao was momentarily speechless, ultimately unwilling to let her daughter venture out, and mustered the courage to say, "Please understand, princess. This is not a trivial matter, and as a woman, I cannot make this decision alone; I must consult the lord’s opinion."

The Commandery Princess was very understanding, nodding, "I overlooked that."

She then instructed, "Yin Zhu, relay my message, and invite County Magistrate Chen to come."

Mrs. Yao: "..."

Wasn’t the princess able to detect such a blatant excuse... No, she clearly noticed but chose to ignore it.

Mrs. Yao felt inexplicably stuck, unable to speak, and forced herself to maintain a dry smile.

A moment later, County Magistrate Chen hurried in: "The princess summoned, might I know what inquiry you have?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "There is something, the Commandery Princess wishes to inspect the counties, and asks if Sister Jin Yu might accompany her, can County Magistrate Chen agree?"

Mrs. Yao frantically signaled to her husband with her eyes.

County Magistrate Chen either didn’t notice Mrs. Yao’s signals or ignored them and readily replied, "The princess honors Jinyu so, I thank the princess on her behalf for this kindness."

Jiang Shaohua smiled, then looked at Mrs. Yao, whose expression had stiffened slightly: "County Magistrate Chen has agreed, does Lady Chen have any further concerns?"

Mrs. Yao awkwardly smiled, "No, no, thank you, princess, for your great kindness."