CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 171: REUNION

Jiang Shaohua directly skipped over Yang Zheng and looked at Cui Du, "Mr. Cui, you’ve gotten much darker over the past six months."

The originally fair face now had a slight wheatish tint, which was actually more pleasing to the eye.

The Commandery Princess finally saw him.

Cui Du felt a surge of joy in his heart, just like the wind blowing over waves of wheat, layer upon layer. He opened his mouth, but then closed it again.

Jiang Shaohua noticed this and smiled gently, "I almost forgot, is your throat still not well?"

In fact, for the past six months, he had been drinking medicine for conditioning, and his throat could barely make some sounds. However, it sounded as unpleasant as a drake’s, so Cui Du didn’t speak in front of others.

Now that the Commandery Princess asked him directly in front of everyone, Cui Du had to reply, squeezing out a few words with difficulty, "In response to the Commandery Princess, it’s a bit better."

Jiang Shaohua was both surprised and delighted, "You can actually speak now! This is indeed a happy event!"

Chen Jinyu couldn’t help but laugh, "Why does it sound like a drake’s call?"

Cui Du: "..."

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh along.

Chief Historian Chen smiled and gave his granddaughter a look, "Don’t speak nonsense. Mr. Cui lost his voice and is now slowly recovering."

Chen Jinyu had heard from her grandfather about the legendary background of this Mr. Cui, which made her quite curious. However, it was not the time to probe further, so she smiled without saying more.

Jiang Shaohua glanced over everyone’s smiling faces, "Don’t just stand here, let’s go inside and talk."

Everyone agreed and crowded around the Commandery Princess as they walked inside.

Lu Junma, who hadn’t even received a single glance from the Commandery Princess, maintained his usual demeanor with no hint of a forced smile as he followed everyone into the Prince Mansion’s main hall.

The father and daughter had torn into each other in Ye County. He was unwilling to give up the glory and wealth of the Prince Mansion and, willing to rely on others for a living, had to lower his head.

After Jiang Shaohua sat down in the main hall, she finally "noticed" Lu Junma, "Father, how have you been lately?"

Lu Xuan felt somewhat flattered and quickly responded with a smile, "Everything is well, thank you, Commandery Princess, for your concern."

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly and then looked at Aunt Mei, "I’ve invited Li Junren from Champion County to be Ying’s teacher. It’s been about a month since Mr. Li came to the Prince Mansion. Does Aunt Mei have any dissatisfaction?"

Aunt Mei’s face was full of gratitude, "Mr. Li is erudite and very patient in teaching Ying’er. Ying’er has made rapid progress in recent days. We owe it all to the Commandery Princess!"

Jiang Shaohua had previously mentioned she would find a teacher for Lu Ying, so Aunt Mei naturally did not dare to question it further. She never expected Jiang Shaohua to specifically find a teacher for Lu Ying while inspecting Champion County.

Aunt Mei’s gratitude was genuine.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "I told Aunt Mei before, Ying is also my brother since he bears the surname Lu. As his elder sister, it’s only right for me to be concerned about him."

"I’ve spoken to Mr. Li to also teach Ruohua, and I’d like Aunt Mei to have higher expectations for Ruohua. We shouldn’t let her waste her precious time."

Aunt Mei nodded continuously.

Chen Zhuo observed this and exchanged a glance with Feng Wenming, both sighing inwardly with emotion.

The Commandery Princess’s skill in winning people’s hearts was becoming more adept.

Previously, forcing Lu Junma to clear Zhou Ying’s father’s name in Ye County was indeed domineering. Yet she turned around and extended kindness to Lu Ying and Lu Ruohua, demonstrating the magnanimity of an elder sister. Even if some people gossiped in secret, it wouldn’t affect the big picture.

That evening, a reception banquet was held in the Prince Mansion.

Jiang Shaohua and Chen and Feng, the two Chief Historians, shared a table with Lu Junma, Song Yuan, and Doctor Sun.

Yang Zheng, Shen Mu Wen An, Chen Sheren, Ma Sheren, and Cui Du sat at the secondary table.

Others aside, Yang Zheng found himself uncomfortable seeing Chen Jinyu’s charming and lively face. The Commandery Princess’s noble status rightfully placed her at the head of all the men. Yet, did Chen Jinyu, who was just a housekeeper, not find it awkward squeezing in with a bunch of men?

"Why aren’t you eating, always looking at me?" Chen Jinyu, having grown up in the Prince Mansion, was very familiar with Yang Zheng. Seeing his slightly disdainful expression, she felt a spark of irritation, "Could it be that Mr. Yang isn’t happy sitting at the same table with a ’young girl’ like me?"

Yang Zheng wouldn’t dare admit. Chief Historian Chen sat right beside them, not to mention the Commandery Princess, with her keen hearing, had already glanced over...

"Chen Sheren jests," Yang Zheng laughed dryly, "You and I both serve as sub-officials in the Prince Mansion and are colleagues, so it’s only right to sit together."

Chen Jinyu replied leisurely, with an "Oh, I thought Mr. Yang didn’t like sitting with a woman like me. Clearly, I misunderstood Mr. Yang."

Yang Zheng chuckled, "Chen Sheren is intelligent and capable, the Commandery Princess’s right-hand aide. I will have to ask Chen Sheren for more guidance in the future."

Chen Jinyu smiled elegantly, "You’re too kind, Mr. Yang."

Ma Yaosong, the other housekeeper, had much less presence. With the reticent Shen Gongzheng on his left and the busily eating Cui Du on his right...

It’s indeed strange. This Mr. Cui doesn’t hold any official position yet stays in the Prince Mansion as if favorably treated by the Commandery Princess. What exactly is his background?

After the banquet, everyone returned to their respective courtyard accommodations.

Ma Yaosong was momentarily unsure where to go.

Then he heard the Commandery Princess say with a smile, "There are two vacant courtyards for sub-officials here in the Prince Mansion. Chen Sheren and Ma Sheren can each stay in one."

Ma Yaosong felt relieved and quickly bowed to thank her.

Chen Jinyu’s eyes lit up, "Can I also have a place of my own?"

"Of course," Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow with a smile, "Chief Historian Chen needs to convene his staff daily, and you, as a housekeeper, have your tasks. Naturally, you should have your own place."

Chen Jinyu was delighted and waved to Ma Yaosong, "Ma Sheren, let me show you the empty courtyards. You choose first."

Ma Sheren knew his place and quickly said, "Chen Sheren should choose first."

The two housekeepers left together.

Cui Du dawdled and was reluctant to leave, silently lingering until the end.

Jiang Shaohua noticed and couldn’t help but smile, "Cui Du, come speak with me in the study."

Cui Du grinned and nodded repeatedly, walking with a spring in his step as he followed the Commandery Princess to the study. Once the door was closed, it typically left Yin Zhutu Bai and others outside.

Yin Zhu couldn’t help but mumble, "The Commandery Princess really favors this little mute."

Tu Bai softly reminded, "He is Mr. Cui, and now he can barely speak, so he’s not a little mute."

Yin Zhu playfully stuck out her tongue and quickly corrected herself, "What do you think Mr. Cui has to discuss with the Commandery Princess?" Tu Bai shrugged, "I can’t say. Maybe it’s something official!"

In the study, Jiang Shaohua asked Cui Du with a smile, "What have you been busy with these past six months?"

Cui Du habitually pulled out a charcoal pencil and paper from his sleeve.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Can’t you speak now?"

Cui Du looked helpless and pointed to his throat. His speaking voice was unbearably harsh and unpleasant, often drawing laughter whenever he spoke. It’s better to write instead.

Jiang Shaohua was amused, "Well, if you don’t want to speak, then draw it out as before!"