Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 495: Inspection (4)

"Is the Commandery Princess still staying in the craftsman room?"

In the spacious and imposing signature room, Minister Zhou frowned tightly, his tone revealing displeasure. Perhaps, there was even a trace of unease mixed in with the displeasure.

The long-term follower answered in a low voice, "Yes, the Commandery Princess has been in the craftsman room all day without moving an inch."

Minister Zhou held a pen in his right hand, but the pen tip had not yet touched the document. A drop of ink fell and stained the document with a large black blot.

Minister Zhou was extremely annoyed and threw that document to the ground: "Have someone rewrite it."

The long-term follower responded compliantly, picked up the document, and exited the signature room.

Minister Zhou put down the pen and paced back and forth in the signature room with his hands behind him. The Ministry of Industry certainly had some trivial issues, such as deceiving superiors and subordinates, double accounting books, funneling some funds bit by bit after they were allocated by the Ministry of Revenue, and also using inferior materials when buying supplies.

These are common matters in the officialdom and have become routine. In a few days, it is impossible to completely cover up all traces. If Jiang Shaohua conducts a thorough investigation, problems will certainly be found. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

He thought Jiang Shaohua might start from the accounts or conduct inspections from top to bottom. He never expected that Jiang Shaohua would unexpectedly go to the craftsman room, what did Zhao Dahong and the others reveal in this half day?

Minister Zhou waited anxiously until nightfall to finally hear the news of the Commandery Princess leaving.

Minister Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and walked towards the craftsman room.

As the Minister of Ministry of Industry, he would usually delegate tasks to the two Assistant Ministers without needing to interact with the lower-level craftsmen. Let alone going to the craftsman room in person.

In the large craftsman room, four candlesticks were burning. More than twenty craftsmen were crowded in one place, with a strong mix of sweat and body odor creating an overpowering, pungent smell.

Minister Zhou instinctively held his breath. Even he couldn’t stand it, how could Jiang Shaohua, a noble Commandery Princess, manage to stay for half a day?

"Zhao Dahong, Fang Yu, come over here."

Minister Zhou’s long-term follower ordered in a deep voice. Zhao Dahong and Fang Yu came over with faces full of confusion and unease, lowering their heads, waiting for Lord Minister to question them.

"What did the Commandery Princess ask you while staying here for half a day?" Minister Zhou asked coldly: "Speak up without omission."

Zhao Dahong replied with his head down, "The Commandery Princess asked me eight questions." Fortunately, he had a good memory and could remember those eight questions word for word.

Fang Yu added, "The Commandery Princess asked me six questions." He also repeated all the questions.

These questions concerned building the riverbank and managing the riverway, without a single word about finances or accounts.

Minister Zhou’s eyebrows knitted even tighter: "That’s all?"

Zhao Dahong replied nervously, "I dare not lie, those were the only questions the Commandery Princess asked."

As for the times he accidentally misspoke, he chose to remain silent about them.

Fang Yu, having a good relationship with Zhao Dahong, naturally covered for him as well: "Lord Minister, please understand clearly, we don’t know anything else and only know about these matters. These were exactly what the Commandery Princess asked."

Minister Zhou was silent for a moment, said nothing, and suddenly turned around and left.

Zhao Dahong quietly breathed a sigh of relief, discreetly wiping sweat off his forehead.

Fang Yu quietly reminded, "In case the Commandery Princess returns tomorrow and asks about the riverbank, just talk about how to build it. Don’t say more."

Zhao Dahong shuddered, "I wouldn’t dare speak carelessly again." Then, with hopeful whispering, he added, "In such a dirty and chaotic place like ours, it’s already impressive that the Commandery Princess endured it for half a day. If she returns to the Ministry of Industry tomorrow, she should go to Lord Minister or Assistant Minister’s signature room."

Fang Yu clasped his hands together, praying towards the West: "Buddha bless, may the Commandery Princess not come again tomorrow. I still want to live peacefully."

...

Zhao Dahong and Fang Yu’s earnest prayers clearly weren’t received by the Western Buddha. Or even if received, they were ignored.

The next afternoon, the Commandery Princess returned.

The black noble attire of the Commandery Princess highlighted her fair skin, dark eyes and red lips, making her as beautiful as a person from a painting. Beside her, Zheng Sheren, in his low-tier green official robe, which usually would make others look sallow, stood out like a graceful orchid tree.

Unfortunately, Zhao Dahong and Fang Yu failed to appreciate the view, only feeling headaches as they stared at this noble young lady and young man.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at the two craftsmen’s somewhat pained expressions and smiled slightly: "You two don’t need to accompany me today, just attend to your own duties. I can manage myself."

The Commandery Princess’s order was not something they could question. Zhao Dahong and Fang Yu, each steeling themselves, simply went about their respective tasks.

Once busy, they became completely engrossed, quickly forgetting the presence of the noble Commandery Princess. They banged on tables and shouted as needed, saliva spraying across the table.

Jiang Shaohua sat nearby, watching with great interest.

Zheng Chen’s brows furrowed and furrowed again, unable to resist asking in a low voice, "What is the Commandery Princess observing?"

Jiang Shaohua replied casually, "Watching how the craftsmen design the riverbank and prepare plans. They also mold sand tables and create models. Watching this is far better than fake account books."

Zheng Chen: "..."

Zheng Chen almost cringed, quietly stating, "The Grand Empress Dowager wishes the Commandery Princess to check the account books."

Jiang Shaohua finally turned to look at him, "If even I can find problems in the Ministry of Industry’s account books, then Minister Zhou is truly useless."

Zheng Chen was once again silenced, lost for words.

"I, the Commandery Princess, have my own reason and purpose for acting," Jiang Shaohua said calmly, exuding the demeanor of a true Commandery Princess, "When the Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager inquire, I will answer for myself, no need for Zheng Sheren to worry."

Zheng Chen, unable to bear it anymore, blurted, "Jiang Shaohua, stop using your status to oppress me."

Jiang Shaohua tugged at the corners of her mouth, "Zheng Chen, in what capacity are you speaking to me?"

You are no longer the powerful Prime Minister Zheng. I am not the Mrs. Wang locked in the inner chamber. As the Da Liang Princess, highly esteemed by the Emperor, why can’t I leverage my power?

Their gazes met. One was sharp as a blade, the other brimming with embarrassed fury.

Standing beside Jiang Shaohua, Chen Jinyu couldn’t stand it anymore and coldly reminded, "If Zheng Sheren dares to provoke the Princess again, don’t blame me for being impolite."

Zheng Chen glared, "Sharp-tongued and disrespectful."

Chen Jinyu retorted with a cold smile, "Likewise. If you want to argue or fight, come at me, the Commandery Princess Attendant. Our Commandery Princess can’t be bothered with you. Zheng Sheren should carry a copper mirror and take a good look to avoid losing respect and measures."

Zheng Chen was infuriated.

Jiang Shaohua purposely put on a stern face, "Chen Sheren, do not be disrespectful to Zheng Sheren. Don’t make me teach you the need to consider the owner’s dignity when hitting a dog."

Chen Sheren promptly admitted fault, "Yes, I know my mistake. Please, Commandery Princess, calm your anger. In the future, I won’t respond to a dog’s barking, nor will I bite back at a dog."

Zheng Chen: "..."