Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Returning to the Estate
"What is the Commandery Princess thinking? Why did she suddenly fall silent?" Yin Zhu noticed Jiang Shaohua’s abrupt silence and felt a bit surprised.
Jiang Shaohua took a deep breath: "I need some time alone. You and Tu Bai should step back."
Yin Zhu and Tu Bai exchanged a glance and had no choice but to leave.
"What happened to the Commandery Princess?" Tu Bai scratched his head and muttered softly: "She was fine before, talking and laughing. Why did she suddenly become upset?"
Yin Zhu furrowed his brow: "It’s not just upset, there’s also a bit of loneliness and sadness."
The bandit suppression went smoothly, and the Li County government was also well managed. Everything was going swimmingly. Who could have displeased the Commandery Princess?
The two were perplexed, muttering a few words, and then fell silent. After guarding outside the military tent for a long time, they finally heard Jiang Shaohua calling them back inside.
The Commandery Princess seemed calm, but the corners of her eyes were slightly red. Apparently, she had secretly wiped away tears.
Yin Zhu quickly glanced at her and felt somewhat relieved.
Tu Bai asked: "Commandery Princess, are we returning to the Prince Mansion tomorrow?"
Jiang Shaohua responded with a hum: "We’ll set out early tomorrow. Pack up our belongings this afternoon, and dismantle the military tent early tomorrow before leaving."
The two maids responded and quickly got busy.
Jiang Shaohua also had plenty to do, summoning Song Yuan and others to discuss postwar relief, and leveraging the momentum of suppressing the Li County bandit camp to issue bandit suppression orders to the other thirteen counties.
Once she became busy with official matters, her mood quickly returned to normal.
Indeed, busyness is a good remedy for all wounds.
As for pain and scars in her heart, they will gradually get better.
...
The following day at the fifth hour, everyone packed up the military tent and set off back to the Prince Mansion.
Forty wounded soldiers were left to recuperate in the military camp, not yet heading to Li County government.
The Commandery Princess said to let the bandits’ corpses lie exposed for ten days, thus it must be ten days, not one day less. They would wait in the military camp for ten days, then handle the corpses properly, and only then head to the county government.
The journey there was the bandit suppression, rushing all the way without rest.
The return was much more relaxed, marching forty miles daily, taking five days to return to Nanyang County unhurriedly.
The personal soldiers returned to the Personal Guard Camp. Qin Zhan and Liu Hengchang escorted the Commandery Princess to the Prince Mansion all the way.
Feng Wenming and others were waiting at the main entrance of the Prince Mansion to welcome them, among them was Lu Xuan.
Father and daughter, having not seen each other for several days. At this moment of meeting, Jiang Shaohua felt nothing. However, Lu Xuan was secretly startled.
Jiang Shaohua returned from the bandit suppression with increasingly sufficient momentum, her gaze sharp as a knife.
Just like a powerful lethal weapon, previously placed among jewels and brocades, now re-tempered in blood and fire. The sharpness could not be hidden.
"Welcome, Commandery Princess!" Lu Xuan instinctively lowered his head, joining the officials in welcoming back Nanyang County Princess from the bandit suppression.
Jiang Shaohua swept her gaze over them and smiled slightly: "Everyone, rise!"
The crowd gathered around the Commandery Princess, entering the main hall like stars surrounding the moon, and then each took their seat.
Jiang Shaohua naturally sat at the head. Chen Zhuo sat on the left side, with Feng Wenming sitting below Chen Zhuo, and among the generals, Song Yuan took the lead, followed by Qin Zhan and Liu Hengchang in order.
Lu Junma silently sat at the end.
The others acted as if they didn’t see, and no one politely offered to switch seats with Lu Junma.
The Commandery Princess had already made her stance clear, who would still be willing to support Lu Junma? Not stepping on him a few times was merely to avoid damaging the Commandery Princess’s dignity.
"Commander Song, tell everyone about the bandit suppression process," Jiang Shaohua ordered with a smile.
Song Yuan responded, recounting the bandit suppression process.
It was Chen Zhuo’s first time hearing the details, and when he heard about the fierce and tense moments, he drew in a cold breath: "The leader of the bandits in Black Pine Village, Zhu Yidao, was killed by the Commandery Princess’s spear?"
Song Yuan showed a guilty and ashamed expression: "Yes. That day, I received orders to enter the mountains to suppress the bandits, didn’t expect that Zhu Yidao was cunning and treacherous, taking the opportunity to sneak into the military camp..."
Lu Xuan interjected with a worried face: "This matter was indeed dangerous. Fortunately, Shao Hua is alright. If anything went wrong, how would Commander Song explain..."
"Commander Song was following my command to enter the mountains to suppress the bandits. Zhu Yidao attacking the military camp can’t be blamed on Commander Song." Jiang Shaohua interrupted Lu Xuan: "Father, don’t worry about me. I killed Zhu Yidao with one spear thrust. Not even blood splashed on me."
Lu Xuan: "..."
Jiang Shaohua’s tone when she talked about killing was as casual as slicing vegetables.
Somehow, Lu Xuan’s back felt chilly, and the words he wanted to say naturally went unspoken, awkwardly saying: "That’s good, seems I’ve been worrying too much."
After that, he said nothing more.
Qin Zhan saw this and felt gratified.
Since the Prince passed away, Lu Junma had been jumping around restlessly, relying on being the Commandery Princess’s father, wanting to control the Prince Mansion, likely even hoping to pass the Prince Mansion’s assets to his son... All men can see through such cunning schemes.
Fortunately, the Commandery Princess was tough and ruthless; Lu Junma simply couldn’t stir up any trouble!
At noon, a banquet was set in the Prince Mansion to celebrate the victory and welcome the return.
Qin Zhan, as the first meritorious figure, was in high spirits, no need to elaborate. Liu Hengchang had been at the military camp for only four years, attending banquets in the Prince Mansion rarely, appearing modest in comparison.
After the luncheon, Jiang Shaohua personally escorted Qin Zhan and Liu Hengchang out of the Prince Mansion.
Qin Zhan and Liu Hengchang were practically overwhelmed.
"We are two big men with hands and feet, it’s unnecessary for the Commandery Princess to escort us."
"Indeed, it’s too much, Commandery Princess."
Jiang Shaohua smiled: "During this bandit suppression, both of you made great contributions, it’s only fitting that I see you off."
Qin Zhan’s heart warmed passionately, Liu Hengchang was equally gratified. After leaving the front gate of the Prince Mansion, Jiang Shaohua stopped and admonished in a low voice: "Back at the military camp, start building the camp immediately."
"Externally, claim it’s for settling families in the military camp. Regarding the court, Chief Historian Chen will write to Vice Minister Ding from the Ministry of War, asking him to aid in dealing with it."
Prince Nanyang had operated in the court for many years, maintaining relationships with numerous senior officials. Vice Minister Ding had benefited from Prince Nanyang’s support over the years, rising smoothly to become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.
During the year of Prince Nanyang’s passing, Chen Zhuo had been striving to maintain connections with the courtiers, becoming useful at crucial moments.
Qin Zhan agreed without hesitation.
Listening to this, Liu Hengchang was greatly shaken.
Vice Minister Ding is a third-rank officer of the court, holding the Ministry of War. Such a powerful official having connections with the Prince Mansion... no, having "relationships."
Clearly, he had underestimated the Prince Mansion and the Commandery Princess before.
Building the military camp and expanding the Personal Guard has great potential.
Jiang Shaohua smiled and glanced over: "General Liu can be at ease now."
Liu Hengchang rarely blushed, bowing in apology: "My thoughts fail to escape the Commandery Princess, I’m truly ashamed."
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "General Liu is meticulous and plans long-term. This is General Liu’s strength. Why feel ashamed?"
"I am indeed young, that’s a fact. General Liu can take a closer look. I believe General Liu will have a day of true conviction."