CHAPTER 191: CHAPTER 191: PROBING

Cui Du is straightforward, all his thoughts plainly written on his face.

Jiang Shaohua felt a warmth in her heart and chuckled softly, "You did wonderfully, far exceeding my expectations tenfold or even a hundredfold."

Cui Du, delighted by the praise, humbly said, "It’s nothing much. Did you perhaps come today because there’s news from Commander Song?"

Jiang Shaohua chuckled and said, "Commander Song sent a letter; new grain seeds have been found and packed into three carts, currently on their way. Although they can’t make it before the year’s end, they should return around mid-January."

Cui Du beamed with joy, "That’s wonderful. By then, the greenhouses will be fully built, just in time for cultivating sweet potatoes and corn. Next year, we’ll be able to plant them all in the manor, and after the harvest, they can all be used as seeds. In another year, every county in Nanyang will be able to plant the new grains."

The scene depicted by Cui Du was truly beautiful.

Jiang Shaohua smiled with bent brows, "I’m also looking forward to that day. The people will have more harvest, no longer going hungry."

For ordinary people, filling their stomachs and not starving is the happiest thing under the heavens.

With a radiant smile, Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but glance at Cui Du, "Commandery Princess, the cucumbers in the greenhouse are grown. Shall I pick one for you to taste?"

With that, he picked a bright green cucumber.

While cucumbers aren’t rare, being able to taste one in winter is quite special. Taking a bite, it’s crisp with a faint sweetness, very refreshing.

Jiang Shaohua enjoyed the freshness, and after finishing one, she reached out to Cui Du. Understanding her well, he picked another and handed it to the Commandery Princess.

The Commandery Princess’s appetite is much larger than an average young girl’s, which has long been no secret in the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Watching the Commandery Princess eat with relish, Cui Du felt inexplicably pleased.

"Cui Du, your voice seems a lot better," noted Jiang Shaohua with a casual smile, "not as much like a drake’s call anymore."

Cui Du, smiling, replied, "The other day, Young Master Zheng sent two bottles of the palace’s secret medicine. After over two months, the effects have indeed been remarkable."

He mentioned Young Master Zheng with feigned nonchalance, closely observing the Commandery Princess’s expression.

Jiang Shaohua’s smile did not waver as she glanced at Cui Du, "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think hearing Zheng Chen’s name would unsettle me?"

Cui Du: "..."

The probing was a complete failure.

Cui Du, a bit awkward, rubbed his nose, "I shouldn’t have spoken out of line, just pretend I said nothing."

What’s going on between Zheng Chen and the Commandery Princess?

For the past three months, people have been speculating in secret, getting more confused the more they think about it. A ten-year-old girl and a twelve-year-old boy, who had never met before, how could they be involved?

Cui Du’s imagination ran wild due to his interesting experiences.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Shaohua said, "I don’t want to talk about past matters. All in all, I have no ties whatsoever with him now."

This non-explanation explanation filled Cui Du with joy, and he instinctively said, "That’s good."

Only after speaking did he realize his mistake. Who the Commandery Princess associates with is not for him to judge as good or bad.

Cui Du, a bit embarrassed, hastily apologized, "I spoke out of line again, please forgive me, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled lightly, looked down to find, then picked a slender, eye-catching green cucumber and took a bite, "There’s only half a month till the New Year. You’ve been busy every day in the manor, but after delivering the stove gods, return to the Prince Mansion for a good New Year. Come back to the field manor after the New Year."

This is Cui Du’s first New Year in Da Liang.

It’s also the first New Year he spends with the Commandery Princess.

Cui Du agreed with a smile.

That evening, everyone at the manor had a bountiful dinner.

It’s considered bountiful because there were many vegetables that shouldn’t be available in winter. Without much cooking, just picked from the field, washed in clean water, and stir-fried, they were very fresh and delicious.

Cui Du personally kneaded the dough, making a batch of thin pancakes. Spreading the pancake, placing a few pieces of braised meat, a chopstick of stir-fried greens, a chopstick of eggs and cucumbers, and some stir-fried chives, wrapped up and bitten into. It evoked a sigh from deep within the soul.

It’s simply too delicious!

Of course, the pancakes Cui Du made by hand were only for the Commandery Princess.

Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong, on the other hand, ate pancakes made by the cooks.

Chen Jinyu, her cheeks puffed, ate with delight while muttering, "Cui Du is so stingy, making so many pancakes and not sharing even a bit with us."

Ma Yaosong, looking at the oblivious Chen Sheren, couldn’t help but chuckle. However, he dared not show it on his face, lest Chen Sheren takes offense and gets upset.

He dutifully rolled another pancake for Chen Sheren, adding extra meat and vegetables, "Chen Sheren, have another one."

...

In Da Liang, the New Year starts on the twenty-third and ends on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, only after the Lantern Festival is it considered over.

After a year of hard work, every household cleans the house, buys meat and vegetables, preparing for the New Year.

The Nanyang Prince Mansion also adopts the New Year atmosphere. Maidservants and handmaidens clean inside and out, the kitchen is filled with various meats and vegetables, and officers from the six houses of the Prince Mansion line up to seal their respective departments one by one.

Only the workshop remained bustling until the thirtieth day of the lunar month.

Even Jiang Shaohua felt a pang of sympathy for Shen Gongzheng, "This year, Minister of Industry Shen barely took a break. From today, let everyone in the workshop rest and start up again after half a month."

Shen Mu thought for a moment, "We have to start on the eighth of the first lunar month. If we make more new-style plows, it will save the people more effort, and they can plow the fields faster."

"Commandery Princess, don’t worry, the artisans in the workshop are all willing to do this job."

The Commandery Princess provides them with good food and drink, and their pay is double that of other workshops. Plus, they’re making tools to aid agriculture, so even if it’s tiring, they’re willing.

Jiang Shaohua was quite touched, and she immediately decided to give every officer in the six houses an additional red envelope.

Everyone received an extra bonus, their faces beaming with joy.

Though working for the Commandery Princess could be tiring, being treated so generously made it worth it.

On the last night of the year, the Nanyang Prince Mansion held a grand banquet, attended by all the officers. Lu Junma also had a rightful seat.

Jiang Shaohua specifically instructed that Aunt Mei and Lu Ying, Lu Ruohua be invited as well. In doing so, she silenced some of the subtle rumors outside.

The feast was set with round tables, with each table seating ten people.

Jiang Shaohua sat at the head, with Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng at her sides, followed by Yang Zheng, Wen An, Shen Mu, Cui Du, Housekeeper Ma, and Chen Sheren according to rank. The only regret was the absence of Song Yuan, whose spot Lu Junma naturally filled.

Over the past few months, Lu Junma was relatively well-behaved, with peace between father and daughter.

Jiang Shaohua raised her glass with a smile, "You’ve all worked hard this year, I toast to you all."

Everyone raised their glasses in unison.