CHAPTER 181: CHAPTER 181: TAKING ACTION

Zheng Chen, with a stomach full of pent-up anger, looked slightly cold, and his words were no longer as polite as during the day.

Cui Du’s mood tonight was not very pleasant either. Upon hearing this, he raised an eyebrow: "It’s already late, the Commandery Princess needs to rest. Young Master Zheng, even if you have something to say, can wait until tomorrow. Why the rush?"

Besides, what gives Zheng Chen the right to point fingers and drive people away?

He is a Prince Mansion Official, the Commandery Princess’s man. The Commandery Princess hasn’t driven anyone away, who does Zheng Chen think he is!

Zheng Chen’s eyebrows moved slightly, pulling up the corners of his mouth in a mocking smile: "The matters between me and the Commandery Princess are not for you to meddle in. Step aside!"

Cui Du wasn’t accustomed to his superior attitude, he pushed back firmly: "The Commandery Princess hasn’t spoken, it’s not your place to speak, Young Master Zheng."

Zheng Chen sneered, looking at Jiang Shaohua: "Cousin Shao Hua, what do you say?"

Jiang Shaohua pondered slightly: "I am indeed a bit tired, let’s talk tomorrow."

Cui Du straightened his back, casting a disdainful glance.

Zheng Chen was infuriated, his face turned completely cold: "I came from afar to see you, can’t you even listen to what I have to say?"

"Jiang Shaohua, treating me like this—do you have any feelings at all?"

"Furthermore, if you must anger me, at least find someone deserving. This Mr. Cui who eats in the Prince Mansion, forget it! Don’t embarrass Nanyang County Princess with such low standards when the news spread."

With these words, Jiang Shaohua and Cui Du were both displeased: "Shut up! Where is Mr. Cui low?"

Such a tacit understanding!

Zheng Chen burned with jealousy, coldly sneering again: "Cousin Shao Hua has a father who became a son-in-law, she wouldn’t also get a son-in-law in the future! If she’s going to get one, she should pick someone decent."

Jiang Shaohua’s face turned cold too: "Zheng Chen! Matters concerning me are not for you to meddle!"

Cui Du was even more furious, pointing a finger at Zheng Chen: "Don’t look down on others with dog eyes!"

"The last person who dared to point a finger at me now has grass three feet high on his grave." A deadly air flashed through Zheng Chen’s eyes.

Cui Du sneered: "The last ones who dared to anger the Commandery Princess were five hundred bandits from Li County. You can go inquire about what happened to those five hundred bandits!"

The story of the Nanyang County Princess slaying five hundred bandits from Li County and exposing their corpses for ten days had long spread to the Capital City.

A look of deep annoyance crossed Zheng Chen’s face as he watched Cui Du’s confident demeanor: "I dislike you personally, it has nothing to do with the Commandery Princess."

"How is it unrelated!" Cui Du boasted shamelessly: "I am the Commandery Princess’s man. If you belittle me, you belittle the Commandery Princess." Then he turned to seek the Commandery Princess’s support: "Didn’t you say, whoever dares to bully me, will have the Commandery Princess backing me?"

Zheng Chen: "..."

Zheng Chen was stunned by Cui Du’s shamelessness.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "That’s right, I indeed said that. Rest assured, on the land of Nanyang County, I will back you, and no one dares to humiliate you."

"Young Master Zheng, apologize to Mr. Cui, and we shall forget about tonight."

Zheng Chen was about to explode with anger, gritting his teeth: "Jiang Shaohua, this joke is not funny at all."

Jiang Shaohua replied calmly: "This is not a joke. Mr. Cui is young and does not yet hold an official position. However, he is indeed a Prince Mansion Official. You humiliate him, you humiliate me. Now you apologize to him, or else, I will restore his dignity."

Zheng Chen laughed furiously, suddenly attacked, his right fist swiftly moving towards Cui Du.

Jiang Shaohua was closely watching his reaction, as soon as he moved, she immediately attacked as well, and her hand was faster.

With a muffled sound, Jiang Shaohua’s right fist collided with Zheng Chen’s right hand mid-air, and then there were several more muffled sounds, in an instant, they had exchanged several moves.

Cui Du, knowing his limits, quickly retreated several steps, eyes locked on the two engaged in combat.

Yin Zhu, Tu Bai, and other personal soldiers were startled, Qin Huma, Meng Sanbao, and others quickly formed a formation, ready to act if the Commandery Princess showed any sign of falling behind.

Fortunately, the Commandery Princess didn’t give the personal soldiers a chance to act.

Another muffled sound.

Young Master Zheng backed away several steps with a pale handsome face, eyes filled with disbelief as he stared at Jiang Shaohua.

The once familiar cousin Shao Hua seemed reborn, turning into another person. Except for that familiar face, her expression was so cold and estranged: "Young Master Zheng, feeling convinced now?"

Whether it was because his blood was still unsettled or the pain in the crook of his fingers was unbearable, Zheng Chen didn’t speak.

Jiang Shaohua ignored Zheng Chen, turned to Cui Du warmly: "I’ve already taught him a lesson, don’t bother with his nonsense. You are worthy of being unparalleled."

Cui Du, comforted by the Commandery Princess, grinned: "Then I’ll leave now."

The Commandery Princess nodded with a smile.

Cui Du turned and left, his figure was quite dashing.

Within the heart matter the Commandery Princess didn’t want to mention, Zheng Chen must be there. He deliberately came tonight to see if the Commandery Princess could handle it.

Now that the Commandery Princess has steeled her heart, he’s reassured.

"Qin Hu, Meng Sanbao, you all retreat." Jiang Shaohua ordered: "Yin Zhu, Tu Bai, you two go inside first. I have something to discuss with Young Master Zheng."

Moments later, everyone retreated.

In front of the courtyard gate, only Jiang Shaohua and Zheng Chen remained.

Zheng Chen kept his previous stance, fists clenched, his face unsightly.

Jiang Shaohua patiently waited for a moment, then calmly asked: "Now, will you seriously listen to what I have to say?"

Zheng Chen pressed his thin lips tightly, particularly the right hand’s crook of the fingers hurt fiercely, if not for his steadfastness, he would have lost composure earlier: "When haven’t I seriously listened to what you said."

"No, you’ve never seriously listened to me." Jiang Shaohua slowly said: "I haven’t wronged you, I’ve simply chosen the path I want to walk. You believe I’ve betrayed you, everything you did afterwards was forcing me to bow down to you."

"I’ve refused again and again, yet you turned a deaf ear each time. You stubbornly persist in your beliefs, determined despite setbacks. You’ve taken me as a regret in your life. To fulfill this regret, you’ve exhausted every means, up until the moment I died."

Zheng Chen trembled, suddenly lifting his gaze.

Jiang Shaohua did not evade his eyes: "Now, both of us are back. You sent Red Cloud, I clearly told Peng Sihai to take it back. I’ve expressed my stance, I won’t go to the Capital City. You absolutely refuse to accept."

"You think that by personally coming to Nanyang Prince Mansion, you could take me to the Capital City. Is it true or not?"

"Zheng Chen, what makes you think I would follow you to the Capital City?"

Something in her words struck Zheng Chen in the weakest spot of his heart.

A faint glimmer of water shimmered in his eyes, his voice trembled: "Cousin Shao Hua, I’m not here to coerce you, I’m here to plead with you."

"Heaven has granted us the chance to do it over again. Will you come with me?"

...