CHAPTER 440: CHAPTER 440: COMING OF AGE (PART 4)

Cui Du, age fifteen, background, direct descendant of the sixth branch of the Boling Cui Family, parents deceased, went to live with his uncle Song Yuan at the age of ten. Frank, kind-hearted, enthusiastic, and upright, skilled in cultivating quality grain seeds. His achievement in growing new grain earned him the title of Elder Changning from the court.

Below is a meticulously drawn portrait. It’s still in a simple yet exaggerated style, with a big face, large eyes, a small nose, and a small mouth, hands held in front of the chest in a heart gesture.

The funniest part is the few lines of charcoal pencil scribbles below, clearly from Cui Du’s own hand.

"Compared to other suitors, I have the following advantages. First, I have true talent and learning, and can contribute to the Commandery Princess. Second, I am devoted in love, seeing no one beside the Commandery Princess. Third, I am willing to always follow the Commandery Princess, sincerely requesting the Commandery Princess to choose me."

Jiang Shaohua found it increasingly amusing and burst into laughter.

The portrait on the paper also had squinted eyes, smiling.

Jiang Shaohua laughed for a while, took out the booklet from the drawer, and specially placed Cui Du’s entry on the first page.

With this playful moment, Jiang Shaohua’s mood was extraordinarily joyful.

Yin Zhutu Bai attended to the Commandery Princess’s bath and change of clothes, jokingly asking with a smile, "Why is the Commandery Princess in such a good mood today?"

"Could it be because talented young men have gathered at the Nanyang Prince Mansion?"

Jiang Shaohua replied with a casual laugh, "Don’t talk about me, you two aren’t exactly young anymore either. Yin Zhu, you’re nineteen this year, right? Meng Sanbao’s neck is about to grow long waiting. When do you plan to marry?"

Yin Zhu and Meng Sanbao were joined at the hip from childhood, long recognized as a pair. The families had an informal marriage agreement for some time and were just waiting for Yin Zhu to be released to marry.

"I can’t bear to part from the Commandery Princess, I don’t want to marry," replied Yin Zhu, her pretty face slightly red.

Tu Bai mercilessly exposed Yin Zhu: "Don’t believe her, Commandery Princess. She secretly told me before New Year that she’d serve the Commandery Princess for another year and marry at 20."

Yin Zhu: "..."

Yin Zhu was somewhat frustrated and glared at Tu Bai: "That was said casually in jest, not to be taken seriously."

Jiang Shaohua was amused endlessly: "Alright, no need to embellish, that’s exactly what I intended. I’ll keep you for another year; then you can marry Meng Sanbao. After marrying, you can’t continue serving closely, just be my housekeeper beside me, coming and going early and late as it is."

"Marry and have children early, and maybe in the future, you can be a wet nurse for my children."

Jiang Shaohua spoke of marriage, childbirth, and being a wet nurse, with a calm demeanor, not blushing in the slightest.

Yin Zhu hesitated for a moment before replying, "Thank you for the Commandery Princess’s kindness."

Jiang Shaohua laughed, "You’ve both been with me since youth, how could I bear to let you go serve elsewhere. Even after you marry, Tu Bai, you’ll be staying in my courtyard."

Tu Bai immediately said, "Commandery Princess, I have neither a childhood sweetheart nor an affection. My marriage can wait a few more years."

Jiang Shaohua nodded with a smile: "It’s all up to you. Anyway, if you have someone in mind, let me know. I’ll make the decision for you."

Yin Zhutu Bai exchanged a smile, due to the tacit understanding between master and servant, they did not rashly ask who the Commandery Princess would choose as a spouse. The Commandery Princess had always had her own ideas, and for such significant matters, it was expected that she already had plans.

...

On the fifteenth day of the first month, the main gate of the Nanyang Prince Mansion was opened early.

Dignitaries visiting to observe the ceremony entered the Prince Mansion one after another. The mountain of gifts piled up. Chief Historian Feng, watching, felt exceedingly contented.

In recent years, the money and grain from Nanyang County had been sent continuously to the Capital City and various northern regions. Today, finally witnessing the reciprocation with gifts. The congratulatory gifts from the Capital City were abundant, and among the Nanyang County’s County Magistrates, Magistrate Ma’s gift was the most lavish. The hugely prosperous Tang Family also sent grand gifts.

The best part was that the White Cloud Temple also sent ample coming-of-age gifts.

Chief Historian Feng was mentally calculating with glee, roughly estimating that the received gifts were sufficient to offset Nanyang County’s annual tax, feeling delighted, no doubt about it.

Tang Youyin was writing the gift register, wrote for nearly half a day, and almost broke his arm.

Chief Historian Chen led a group of officials to greet and entertain the dignitaries, neither halting his steps nor his smile.

Lu Xuan, who rarely showed himself to the public, enjoyed a moment of glory today. Born with good looks, he dressed especially sharp today, looking very elegant and dignified.

People from the Fan Yang Lu Family naturally gathered around, paying court to Lu Xuan. Listening to compliments from his clan, Lu Xuan felt quite pleased.

Leading the group was the eldest son of the Fan Yang Lu Family’s patriarch, Lu Qi. Lu Qi was Lu Cong’s directly related cousin, age forty-three, usually managing clan affairs, known for being capable.

"Today is the Commandery Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony. On such an important day, why hasn’t Lu Cong returned?" Lu Qi asked quietly.

Lu Xuan replied softly, "The situation in Pingzhou is unstable and someone needs to hold their ground. The Commandery Princess specifically sent word for cousin to stay in Pingzhou, so he didn’t return."

Lu Qi had complex feelings, hiding them completely, smiled and said, "Duty comes first; having you here at the Prince Mansion is enough."

Lu Cong was the reading prodigy of the Lu Family and the highest-ranking official of his generation. Unfortunately, his official career was unlucky, becoming a criminal, only saved by Prince Nanyang placing him in the service. Years ago, Lu Cong returned to his ancestral land with his son. The Fan Yang Lu Family’s clansmen treated Lu Cong and his son coldly. Even Lu Qi himself thought that Lu Cong was finished for life.

Who would have thought, Lu Cong came to seek refuge with the Nanyang County Princess, gained her favor and support, and was reinstated by the court. Lu Cong was appointed as the Prefectural Governor of Liaoxi County—one inspector in Pingzhou had died, another had been injured, so now Pingzhou was effectively governed by Lu Cong.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before Lu Cong became the Pingzhou Governor.

Lu Qi felt both envy and resentment, but these emotions were inconvenient to show. He still had to swallow his pride and write a letter to Pingzhou, maintaining contact with Lu Cong.

"By the way, this is Hua Niang’s son." Lu Qi perked up, laughing as he introduced the young boy behind him to Lu Xuan.

Hua Niang was Lu Qi’s younger sister. Ten years after marrying, her husband died, so she returned with her son to live with the Lu Family. The young man in front of Lu Xuan was Qiao Sanlang, Lu Qi’s own nephew.

The Fan Yang Lu Family couldn’t shamelessly let a Lu Family boy seek marriage, so they chose Qiao Sanlang.

Lu Xuan, knowing their intent, nonchalantly glanced at Qiao Sanlang.

Qiao Sanlang was sixteen years old, an average student, slightly more competent than a good-for-nothing. However, Qiao Sanlang had strengths unmatched by others. Bright-eyed with sparkling teeth, exceptionally handsome. Judging by appearance alone, he surpassed the Fourth Young Master Wang and the Young Master Zheng from the Capital City by three points.

He was no less than Lu Xuan in his youth.

The Fan Yang Lu Family tasted the sweetness and wanted to replicate Lu Xuan’s success of marrying into the Nanyang Prince Mansion, seeking further alliance with the Prince Mansion.

However, Jiang Shaohua wasn’t some boudoir girl who only looked at faces.

Lu Xuan, from the perspective of a father, was picky and critical for a moment, then smiled calmly: "Let Sanlang follow me, and when there’s a chance, I’ll introduce him to the Commandery Princess."