CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126: FATHER AND DAUGHTER (PART 1)

Jiang Shaohua leisurely completed the grain warehouse inspection and returned to the county government.

Yang Zheng, in his letter to Vice Minister Yang, expressed his grievances, yet he dared not let out a single word of discontent in the presence of the Commandery Princess, greeting her respectfully.

Lu Xuan also joined in, bowing and addressing her as Commandery Princess.

Initially, such a scene felt a bit incompatible, but as time went by, everyone got used to it, and no one found it odd.

However, the young and promising County Magistrate Cui couldn’t help but glance at Prince Consort Lu.

What kind of feelings does a father have towards his daughter, being so meek and respectful?

Thinking again of the unresolved case of Zhou Ying murdering his father, County Magistrate Cui found himself contemplating deeply.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve had a tiring journey, please rise," Jiang Shaohua said indifferently, "It is about an hour or two before nightfall, please County Magistrate Cui open the court and proceed!"

Everyone was taken aback, yet no one opposed.

County Magistrate Cui was not familiar with the Commandery Princess’s temperament, boldly suggested, "Commandery Princess has inspected the grain warehouse for most of the day, why not rest for a while and open the court tomorrow morning? Then let the common people also witness the Commandery Princess presiding over the case."

Finished! This County Magistrate Cui is certainly going to be scolded harshly by the Commandery Princess!

This thought flashed unanimously in everyone’s mind.

Unexpectedly, the Commandery Princess actually listened and pondered slightly, "County Magistrate Cui has a point, then open the court tomorrow morning. Let the officials put up notices; those common people who have the time can come to watch the courtroom proceedings."

County Magistrate Cui quickly bowed and accepted.

Yang Zheng quietly let out a sigh of relief. There is plenty of time before tomorrow’s trial, just enough to privately consult with Chief Historian Chen and ascertain the Commandery Princess’s intention.

As for asking the Commandery Princess directly about such matters, whoever dares may go; he definitely didn’t have the courage.

Upon the Commandery Princess’s signal, the welcome dinner was rather simple. There was no wine, no singing girls to enliven the mood, everyone ate a little hastily, and then dispersed.

After the feast, Prince Consort Lu came to see the Commandery Princess.

The newly appointed housekeeper Chen Sheren went in to announce, and quickly came out again, "The Commandery Princess is discussing matters with Chief Historian Chen, please Prince Consort Lu wait for a moment."

Lu Xuan smiled gently, "Thank you, Chen Sheren."

Yet he snorted internally. A young girl, what abilities does she really possess? Clearly, it is Chief Historian Chen’s selfish resort!

Chen Jinyu, who grew up in the Prince Mansion, naturally was familiar with Lu Xuan, her grandfather had privately mentioned Prince Consort Lu several times. Her impression of this Prince Consort Lu was rather average.

Chen Jinyu waited outside the study for half an hour, only after Chief Historian Chen left did she announce Prince Consort Lu.

After Prince Consort Lu entered the study, Chen Jinyu stood outside the door again. Being idle, she began to quietly speculate. What intention did the Commandery Princess have for bringing Prince Consort Lu to Ye County? What would Prince Consort Lu say upon meeting the Commandery Princess?

...

"Shao Hua," in private, relaxed and assuming the fatherly figure, Lu Xuan said naturally, "Haven’t seen you for many days, I’ve been thinking about you all along. Look at you now, you’ve become thinner than before. It seems the journey and inspection work must have been very tiring."

"No matter how urgent the official duties are, they cannot surpass the importance of your health. You must take care of yourself."

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly, "Father, don’t worry, I am more concerned about my health than anyone else. Only by living a long life can I safeguard everything grandfather left me."

Lu Xuan seemed not to perceive the sarcasm in Jiang Shaohua’s words, replied with a smile, "Rightly spoken. Your father-in-law in heaven would definitely be very gratified seeing you being so promising and successful."

Pausing and lowering his voice, he said, "Chen Jinyu was your playmate in childhood, it is appropriate for her to be your housekeeper. However, she’s after all Chief Historian Chen’s granddaughter; there are some matters you must avoid letting her know everything."

Jiang Shaohua raised her eyes to look at Lu Xuan, "Both grandfather and grandson are loyal and capable, I employ them because I trust them. Prince Consort Lu need not be wary. I am not an ignorant child, will not let anyone manipulate me."

Lu Xuan met a hard resistance, smiled awkwardly, "It’s good that the Commandery Princess is aware."

The atmosphere noticeably cooled.

Jiang Shaohua said indifferently, "Prince Consort Lu came to see me, is it regarding the case to be tried tomorrow?"

Lu Xuan steadied his mind, responded, "Yes." "Qin Hu has told me the entire story behind this murder case. The ins and outs are clear; it can be adjudicated according to the Da Liang Law. Why go through so much trouble, for me to accompany Yang Shi here to Ye County?"

Jiang Shaohua looked fixedly at Lu Xuan, suddenly sneered, "Prince Consort Lu appears to want to feign ignorance before me, doesn’t he?"

Lu Xuan: "..."

Jiang Shaohua disregarded Lu Xuan’s unpleasant expression and coldly said, "I want to spare Zhou Ying’s life, which is why I request Prince Consort Lu’s presence for listening at the trial."

"Prince Consort Lu’s position is akin to Zhou Family’s son-in-law, your plea for Zhou Ying carries more persuasion, and aids public acceptance."

"I also plan to use this situation to submit a memorial to the court, proposing Da Liang Law amendments: that as a son-in-law, inheritance of the wife’s family estate and assets is prohibited. Even if the wife’s family perishes completely, the estate shall be inherited by the clan. Without a clan, it will be forfeited to the county government."

"During tomorrow’s court session, Prince Consort Lu should know what to say, shouldn’t he?"

Lu Xuan’s handsome face flushed and reddened, his hands trembled continuously, finally unable to hold back standing up, "Jiang Shaohua! I am your father!"

"Acting in such a manner, you disregard my dignity entirely, placing me in such a position!"

"You want to make me a joke within Nanyang County, ridiculed by everyone!"

The more Lu Xuan spoke, the more furious he became, his eyes almost bulging out of their sockets, the usually gentle face contorted into ferocity, "I am your biological dad, no matter if you bear the surname Jiang, my blood flows within you. How dare you treat me like this! How can you treat me like this!"

"Don’t you fear being reprimanded by all for your lack of filial piety?"

The last sentence was almost shouted out.

Compared to Lu Xuan’s intensity, Jiang Shaohua was calm like ice, unmovable by eight winds, "Prince Consort Lu, keeping you in the Prince Mansion is already my greatest concession. Or else, I’ll have someone send you back to the Fan Yang Lu Family, and what can you do?"

Lu Xuan: "..."

The veins on Lu Xuan’s forehead throbbed repeatedly.

Jiang Shaohua leisurely enjoyed her biological father’s furious look of being almost driven up the wall, speaking relaxedly, "Father, I’m merely ten years old, youthful and capricious, any absurdity isn’t surprising."

"Even if news of my defiance and lack of filial piety spreads, as long as I don’t care myself, after people gossip for a while, it’ll pass."

"I am different from ordinary Imperial Family girls, I am the Commandery Princess of Nanyang ordained by the late Emperor, possessing vassal territory, a Prince Mansion, soldiers, power, silver, and grain. Having a good reputation is the icing on the cake. Even if the reputation for lack of filial piety spreads, it doesn’t affect me continuing being the Commandery Princess of Nanyang."

"As for you, would anyone stand up for you as a son-in-law?"

"At least, the Fan Yang Lu Family doesn’t have the guts!"

"Hasn’t father endured for so many years, is content just to fail at this point, and be driven out of the Nanyang Prince Mansion by me?"