Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 560: Approaching

No matter how anxious and worried we are about the border army’s situation, life has to go on as usual.

After inspecting Li County, Jiang Shaohua went to Bo Wang, Bi Yang, Ye County, and several other important Upper Counties. This year’s inspection focused, as always, on spring farming and the settlement of refugees.

In the past two years, a large number of refugees have poured into Nanyang County, the incoming population already exceeding the original inhabitants of Nanyang. Since the refugees come from various places with different hometowns and customs, many incidents have occurred. County Magistrates now have many more trivial matters to manage in civil governance.

Fortunately, everything is under control, with benefits far outweighing the drawbacks.

In the blink of an eye, it was late March.

Chief Historian Chen sent a letter urging: "The Princess’s wedding is approaching soon, please return to the Prince Mansion as early as possible."

At the very least, she should try on the wedding dress before the marriage!

After reading the letter, Jiang Shaohua smiled and said to Chen Jinyu, "Let’s start our journey back."

"It’s indeed time to head back." Chen Jinyu replied with a playful smile, "The Commandery Princess is busy all day, I’m afraid she might forget about her upcoming wedding."

Jiang Shaohua laughed again and gave the order to depart. The following day, she led the guards to set off, and on the way, she "passed by" the field manor to pick up her future husband to return to the Prince Mansion together.

The two had been apart for over two months. During these two months, the border army was continuously engaged in battles with a tense situation. Jiang Shaohua submitted three memorials to the court. Cui Du was equally busy, having been occupied with spring farming and was also cultivating hybrid rice seeds suitable for northern planting. The two only exchanged one letter.

To outsiders, this engaged couple did not seem deeply in love; each was busy and clear-headed. Only when together, from the relaxed and joyful expression of the Commandery Princess and the glowing eyes of Elder Changning, could one glimpse their profound affection for each other.

"Commandery Princess," Cui Du, accustomed to addressing her as such even in private, said with particular fondness, "Shall we stay two days at the field manor?"

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Today is already the twenty-eighth of March, and there are only eight days until our wedding day. If we don’t return to the Prince Mansion, Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng might get upset. Let’s go back!"

Cui Du grinned, "Then let’s return to the Prince Mansion."

Before leaving, Jiang Shaohua specially went to see Cui Wang.

After half a year of recuperating, Cui Wang’s injury had greatly improved; he was now able to walk with the help of a servant. Eating well and sleeping well every day, his complexion was ruddy, and he had even gained some weight.

Cui Wang was about to bow, but Jiang Shaohua smiled and raised her hand to stop him: "No need for formalities. Your injury hasn’t fully healed; take your time to recover. Once you’re healed, how about working in the Prince Mansion?"

Cui Wang was overjoyed and immediately accepted: "I thank the Commandery Princess for her kindness."

Though working at the field manor was fine, to truly integrate into the Nanyang Prince Mansion, it was necessary to have an official position.

Ma Yaosong served as a secretary for five years and last year filled a vacancy, leaping to the Standard Seventh Rank as the Prince Mansion’s Chief Steward. This was a legitimate official position with documentation from the Ministry of Personnel. Entering officialdom through normal channels and reaching this rank would usually take at least ten years.[("

Ma Yaosong, a man of no notable background, had such prospects; one might say it was a stroke of incredible luck.

The Commandery Princess never shortchanges her subordinates. With the merit of saving Elder Changning, he is bound to have a promising future.

While Cui Wang was calculating in his mind, the Commandery Princess smiled and said, "When you get to the Prince Mansion, you’ll go to the Official Room and await Chief Historian Chen’s assignments. In two or three years, I will see that the Ministry of Personnel provides you with an official position of the Standard Eighth Rank."

Cui Wang composed himself, solemnly saluted to thank the Commandery Princess for her grace.

The Boling Cui Family is a prominent northern clan. Now that the border army struggles to resist the Rouran cavalry, the states near Si State live in fear. Should the border army collapse, the Rouran cavalry could advance unopposed, wreaking havoc everywhere. In such circumstances, the distant Capital City and the court are not so reliable; rather, the Nanyang County Princess is more worthy of the northern aristocrats’ trust.

Therefore, when the Cui Family acknowledged Cui Du and sent their eldest grandson, Cui Wang, to Nanyang County, it was indeed a brilliant move.

After discussing business, Jiang Shaohua jokingly said, "I heard the Cui Family has proposed marriage to the Shen Family. Has the wedding date been set?"

Cui Wang, not shy at all, replied openly, "Report to the Commandery Princess, the wedding is set for this September."

Jiang Shaohua nodded, "In half a year, your injuries should be completely healed. By then, you can serve at the Prince Mansion and welcome your bride; that would indeed be a double blessing."

The Cui Family and Shen Family’s union valued Shen Mu himself. Shen Mu’s official position isn’t high, yet as a senior official of the Prince Mansion, he enjoys the Commandery Princess’s deep trust.

Shen Mu is in charge of the workshop, where the new style plow, now known nationwide, was invented. The armor and weapons used by the Nanyang Army and the Personal Guard Camp soldiers are also produced in the workshop. Shen Mu is an indispensable Prince Mansion official, though he usually remains modest and unassuming.

On the carriage ride back, Cui Du couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, "Cousin hasn’t even met Miss Shen yet, and they’re already engaged to be married!"

Jiang Shaohua smiled casually, "In marriage matters, it’s often marriage by parental mandate and matchmaker’s word, while blind marriages are quite common. Couples like us who have known each other for years and are deeply connected before marriage are very rare."

Deeply connected, huh!

Cui Du felt as if he had been filled with honey, sweetness seeping into his heart.

Jiang Shaohua, seeing his foolish expression, couldn’t help but smile.

The carriage contained just the two of them. Cui Du, emboldened, gently squeezed Jiang Shaohua’s hand, only to find she remained completely still.

Cui Du: "..."

Jiang Shaohua: "..."

Jiang Shaohua, unusually awkward, looked into Cui Du’s eyes and said, "I don’t even know how strong I’ve become."

Cui Du, somewhat ashamed, admitted, "I’m too weak."

The conversation was indeed absurd and laughable.

Jiang Shaohua burst into laughter, leaning affectionately towards him. Cui Du put his arm around her slender waist and bent his head to kiss her lightly on the lips.

After a long while, they separated, slightly breathless.

"After we’re married, I’ll listen to whatever you say," Cui Du whispered with a smile.

Jiang Shaohua, lacking her usual imposing demeanor, leaned languidly against Cui Du, "Why? Afraid that if you displease me, I’ll beat you up?"

"Not that. You wouldn’t bear to strike me. I just can’t bear to see you unhappy. Anyway, I’ll do whatever you say."

"To say such things lacks masculinity. It’s fine to say it in front of me, but don’t let others hear you, or they’ll certainly laugh at you."

"Who dares laugh at me? Being your husband makes me the luckiest man in the world. So many would be envious and eager to take my place."

Jiang Shaohua raised the corners of her mouth, smiling lightly, "When did you become so glib?"

Cui Du leaned in seriously, "Would the Commandery Princess like to find out?"

...