Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 533: Return (Part 1)
This handsome young man with an injured left arm is the Commandery Princess’s fiancé, Elder Changning, Cui Du.
Cui Du’s left arm suffered a sword wound, but it didn’t harm the muscles or bones, it’s just a superficial wound. After recuperating for more than ten days, it has significantly improved.
Knowing that the Commandery Princess hurried back to Nanyang County, Cui Du, who was recuperating at the Prince Mansion, could not hold back and insisted on coming along to greet her. Chief Historian Chen did not stop him.
A group on horseback arrived, with the Commandery Princess leading majestically. Cui Du stared unblinkingly at the spirited maiden approaching on horseback, his heart filled with excitement and joy.
Unable to contain himself, he took a few steps forward, waving his uninjured right hand: "Commandery Princess! I’m here!"
Jiang Shaohua leaped down from the horse, quickly approaching. Cui Du, shy yet expectant, extended his right hand to hold the Commandery Princess’s hand.
Unexpectedly, after their fingers touched, the Commandery Princess’s left hand applied slight force, causing him to involuntarily step forward, holding the Commandery Princess fully in his arms.
Cui Du’s breath caught.
Jiang Shaohua had been riding for several consecutive days, hurrying on the road, and the scent of sweat filled Cui Du’s nostrils, the smell not particularly pleasant. Yet the maiden in his arms was incredibly soft, pressed so tightly against him...
Cui Du’s handsome face flushed red.
All the Prince Mansion officials exchanged glances and tacitly shifted their gazes away.
Jiang Shaohua hugged Cui Du tightly, then released him after a moment, stepping back to carefully scrutinize him.
Cui Du coughed forcefully, striving to make his voice sound calmer: "That day, the assassin wounded me with a sword, but it was just a superficial wound. After more than half a month, it’s almost healed. The Commandery Princess need not worry about me, nor rush back just because of me."
Jiang Shaohua gazed at him, whispering, "I couldn’t rest easy without seeing you with my own eyes."
The most moving words of love in the world, it turns out, are the simplest.
The heat behind Cui Du’s ears intensified, and his heart felt aflame. No longer concealing his feelings, he quietly replied: "The Commandery Princess returned for me, and it delights my heart immensely."
Jiang Shaohua pursed her lips, revealing the first smile in days: "No matter how good the Capital City is, it’s not my home. After staying for two months, I’ve had enough. I won’t go there again."
Cui Du casually laughed: "You shouldn’t say that so lightly. Perhaps in three to five months, you might have to return to the Capital City."
Jiang Shaohua chuckled, reaching out to caress Cui Du’s face, just as she’d done in her dreams, casually yet affectionately: "As long as you’re fine, that’s what matters."
Having confirmed that Cui Du was fine, Jiang Shaohua felt relieved, and the authority and demeanor belonging to the Commandery Princess immediately returned.
She stepped forward to Chief Historian Chen and the others: "During this time, I’ve troubled Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng to manage the Prince Mansion affairs. And all of you have worked hard as well."
All the officials bowed in unison: "It is our duty to share the Commandery Princess’s burdens. We respectfully welcome the Commandery Princess back."
This place truly belongs to her.
Everyone before her are her confidants, willing to offer their all for her.
Jiang Shaohua beamed brightly: "Let us return to the Prince Mansion and hold a feast tonight, where we shall drink and be merry together."
...
That evening, the Nanyang Prince Mansion indeed hosted a welcoming feast.
All the Prince Mansion officials gathered, with civil officials including Chief Historian Chen, and military leaders led by Song Yuan. Even Qin Zhan Meng Dashan and Liu Hengchang attended.
There were two tables, with seating arranged according to rank and position.
Cui Du sat beside Jiang Shaohua. At the other table, Chief Steward Ma boldly took a seat next to his fiancée Chen Jinyu.
Having been apart for several months, they hadn’t yet had a chance for whispers of affection! Now, sitting together, they whispered: "You look a bit thinner."
"The food in the Capital City is different from our Nanyang County, and I’m not quite used to it. Busy every day with the Commandery Princess, I hadn’t time to eat or sleep well. Of course, I’ve lost some weight."
"Now that you’re back, eat and drink well, and take care of yourself. Your wedding dress was made to your previous measurements, so try it on when you have time. If it doesn’t fit, it needs altering."
Chen Jinyu sweetly agreed, her charming eyes full of sparkling light.
Their wedding date is set for the eighteenth of the twelfth lunar month. In about a month, they will be wed.
The two of them can’t always be at the Commandery Princess’s side, inevitably leading to times apart. However, becoming husband and wife requires some sacrifices.
On this side, Jiang Shaohua and Cui Du, the engaged couple, are another story.
Cui Du’s left arm was immobilized, so his right hand busily served the Commandery Princess food like a busy bee. Meanwhile, Jiang Shaohua listened to Chief Historian Chen and the others talk, habitually eating the food served, until after a moment she realized: "Cui Du, you’re still injured, take care of yourself and don’t worry about taking care of me."
Cui Du acknowledged and continued serving food.
Jiang Shaohua chuckled, seeing his bright demeanor showing no signs of fatigue or weakness, simply let him be.
After the banquet, Jiang Shaohua left the two Chief Historians to talk. The other officials gradually departed, while Cui Du boldly waited outside the study.
Chen Jinyu, as a Commandery Princess Attendant, naturally waited outside the study as well. Ma Yaosong, having long been relieved of his duties as Commandery Princess Attendant, couldn’t bear to leave his fiancée and boldly stayed too.
In the study, the Commandery Princess discussed matters of importance with the Chief Historians, while outside in the small hall, the three young people casually drank tea and snacks, speaking freely.
"How is Cui Wang now?" Chen Jinyu asked.
Cui Du sighed: "That day, my cousin took a sword for me, lost a lot of blood. Fortunately, Doctor Sun arrived in time, and with the help of Sun Guangbai and his siblings, managed to snatch my cousin’s life back from the King Yan."
"I’ve been recovering for more than half a month, and I’m nearly well. My cousin is much more seriously injured. Doctor Sun said it would take at least half a year for recovery."
"He’s still unable to get out of bed or be moved and has been recuperating at the field manor. Doctor Sun has also been staying there to treat his injuries."
Chen Jinyu couldn’t help but sigh: "Fortunately, Heaven has eyes. If something had happened to Cui Wang, not even the Commandery Princess could have explained it to the Boling Cui Family."
A well-bred young lord coming to Nanyang County for a career, if he were to lose his life, it would be truly unfortunate.
Cui Du felt heavy-hearted, quietly saying: "The Boling Cui Family also sent people to visit and care for my cousin."
Ma Yaosong lightly coughed: "It’s a blessing that Cui Wang’s life was saved. With the Commandery Princess’s nature, he’ll never be treated unfairly in the future."
Inside the study, Jiang Shaohua spoke: "Cui Wang suffered severe injuries to save Cui Du, and I, on behalf of Cui Du, accept this life-saving grace."
"Let Cui Wang recuperate first, and once he fully recovers next year, I’ll assign him a proper position."
Chief Historian Chen nodded in approval.
Chief Historian Feng said: "Commandery Princess, the assassins are all dead, and the two inside informants who aided the assassins have been dealt with. However, this incident should serve as a warning to us. Now, Nanyang County is too prosperous, and who knows how many covert gazes are envious, perhaps leading to some unscrupulous means. We must be especially vigilant."
