CHAPTER 442: CHAPTER 442: HIGHS AND LOWS (PART 1)

As soon as Cui Du arrived, the young men in the main hall became somewhat uneasy.

In terms of age, they were all peers. But they all stayed by their elders’ side, being extremely respectful in front of the Commandery Princess, sneaking glances at her occasionally, and barely speaking at all.

Cui Du was different. He was Elder Changning, an official of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, and grew up with the Commandery Princess, well familiar with each other. His respect for the Commandery Princess was mixed with a casual familiarity, and after saluting, he said, "In another month, it will be time for the spring plowing. I need to go to the field manor to prepare the grain seeds and am here to bid the Commandery Princess farewell."

Preparing grain seeds is a top priority. Jiang Shaohua immediately said, "The task is important, you should go to the field manor first. In a few days, when I leave the mansion for inspection, I will first visit the field manor."

Jiang Shaohua’s annual inspections of various counties and military camps have long become routine, and visiting the field manor is even more common.

Cui Du replied with a smile, casually reporting a matter: "Nanyang County no longer lacks grain. I have planted pepper in the manor for several years, and plan to promote its cultivation this year. Last year, County Magistrate Cai tried planting a few hundred acres and benefited from it, so this year, Li County will promote large-scale pepper planting."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "County Magistrate Cai is well-informed and acts quickly."

That’s why County Magistrate Cai can become Nanyang County’s top county magistrate! He constantly keeps the people’s livelihood in mind, exhausting every effort to ensure the people live well. Whenever there are new grain seeds or new varieties of vegetables and fruits, Li County is always the first to promote cultivation.

County Magistrate Cui, sitting aside, couldn’t help but speak up with a smile, "Our Ye County has also allocated a thousand acres of fertile land for trial planting. When I return, I’ll send people to learn how to cultivate pepper."

Learning from County Magistrate Cai in everything has long become County Magistrate Cui’s motto.

Cui Du had a good impression of this capable young County Magistrate Cui of the same surname and responded with a smile.

After discussing official matters, Cui Du bid farewell once again with a cupped hand.

Jiang Shaohua personally stood up, escorting Cui Du out of the main hall before returning.

Old Madam Xue, who had been left aside, coughed and laughed, "I’ve heard of Elder Changning’s great talents, and today I’ve witnessed them firsthand."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "The people of Nanyang County can all eat well, and every household has surplus grain. The Nanyang Prince Mansion can continuously offer grain to the court, all thanks to Cui Du’s efforts. The court’s conferment of the title Elder Changning is far from enough. However, Cui Du is still young, and it’s important to leave room for his promotion."

In front of Cui Du, things like reputation, good looks, and noble family background all pale in comparison; their superiority is immediately evident.

Cui Jiulang, Qiao Sanlang, and Xue Lin all lowered their heads in unison.

The Commandery Princess hadn’t said a single bad word about them from beginning to end, yet they couldn’t help but feel ashamed.

Beside the radiant Commandery Princess, it should be a young man shining just as brightly. What face do they have to approach the Commandery Princess?

...

Two days later, County Magistrate Cui and his wife left, and the Qinghe Cui Family members also bade farewell and departed.

Lu Xuan took Qiao Sanlang to appear twice in front of Jiang Shaohua, but seeing Jiang Shaohua’s indifferent attitude, Lu Xuan had no choice but to privately tell Lu Qi: "Recruiting a son-in-law can’t be rushed, you should take Sanlang back first."

Lu Qi sighed, "Compared to Elder Changning, Sanlang indeed falls short by far. The Commandery Princess is not someone who only values beauty... Oh well, I’ll take Sanlang back to Fanyang first. In the future, whisper more in the Commandery Princess’s ear. Maybe she will change her mind."

This possibility is really slim.

No one knows Jiang Shaohua’s temperament better than Lu Xuan. She is strong-willed and very decisive, never swayed by others. Even him, playing the fatherly role, or the meritorious Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng, could only obey her orders.

Not wanting to appear discouraged in front of his clansmen, Lu Xuan forced a smile and agreed.

Lu Qi softly said, "Don’t forget to write letters to Lu Cong, who works in Pingzhou."

Lu Cong’s comeback couldn’t have happened without Jiang Shaohua’s support and promotion, and Lu Cong himself indeed has real skills and abilities. Pingzhou had been occupied by rebel forces, and there was an epidemic with bodies everywhere. Lu Cong risked his life to go to Pingzhou to soothe the people’s hearts and manage public affairs, creating the current scenario.

Undoubtedly, Lu Cong remains the most outstanding and prominent figure of the Fan Yang Lu Family, and maintaining good relations is essential.

Lu Xuan nodded, "Rest assured, cousin, I have always corresponded with those in Pingzhou. Dalang stays by Ying’er’s side as a reading companion."

Lu Qi glanced at Lu Xuan, "The court has already pardoned Lu Cong’s status as a criminal. Dalang couldn’t participate in the Imperial Examination before, but this year he can give it a try."

With Lu Dalang’s talent in studying, he will soon excel in the Imperial Examination. Stop treating Lu Dalang as an attendant student.

Lu Xuan felt a bit uneasy, discerning Lu Qi’s underlying meaning, and said, "When Lu Cong came to join us, Dalang was also brought to the Prince Mansion. Making Dalang a reading companion for Ying’er was the Commandery Princess’s idea. Over the years, despite the label of a reading companion, Dalang has been studying diligently. When Ying’er went to Jingzhou Prefecture School, Dalang also followed. There, guided by great scholars, he made significant progress. Testing for a Scholar title this year is not a problem."

Lu Qi smiled with satisfaction, "It’s fortunate Dalang never arranged a marriage. Once he becomes a Scholar, arranging a good marriage won’t be difficult."

Lu Xuan thought this went without saying? Now, both Lu Cong and his son belong to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Even if the Commandery Princess is too busy to ask about it, there is still him, the Prince Consort. This matter isn’t for the Fan Yang Lu Family to decide.

Lu Qi paused for a moment before saying, "Tomorrow I will bid farewell to the Commandery Princess."

...

Once Lu Qi and others left, the "distinguished guests" in the Prince Mansion were reduced to just Old Madam Xue and her two grandchildren.

Old Madam Xue wanted to shamelessly "stay for a short while," but Governor Xue repeatedly urged in daily letters, so she finally spoke to the Commandery Princess to take her leave. Before leaving, she didn’t forget to mention Xue Lin: "... The Commandery Princess wants to secure a son-in-law for Nanyang Prince Mansion. In my opinion, the son-in-law should be honest and peaceful. Then, he can live peacefully with the Commandery Princess in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, much like Prince Consort Lu, who has been steady and honest all these years."

"Young men with too much ability won’t be willing to stay under the Commandery Princess’s shadow forever. Later, they might develop ambitions, doing things like seizing nests built by others. By then, the Commandery Princess would regret it."

"Commandery Princess, don’t you agree?"

Xue Liuniang wished desperately to cover her grandmother’s mouth.

Jiang Shaohua’s smile faded, and she glanced at Xue Lin indifferently.

Under the Commandery Princess’s gaze, Xue Lin’s face flushed quickly. Then, he heard the Commandery Princess’s calm voice: "Regarding recruiting a son-in-law, I already have my own ideas, so don’t worry about it, Old Madam Xue."

Old Madam Xue: "..."

Recently, the Commandery Princess has been gentle and polite, leading people to mistakenly think she is easygoing. This hard refusal felt like hitting her forehead against a brick wall.