Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 565: Generous Gift (Part 3)

Cui Du was drunk and did not wake up until the morning light. When he opened his eyes, everything around him was unfamiliar. He was stunned for a moment before he remembered where he was.

In two days, the Commandery Princess would be coming to marry him into the Prince Mansion.

Thinking of this, Cui Du couldn’t help but grin.

After washing up, getting dressed, and having breakfast, Cui Ping arrived. Taking a box from his sleeve, he pushed it into Cui Du’s hand: "Here’s a land deed, keep it safe."

Cui Du repeatedly refused: "The Cui Family has already prepared a lavish dowry for me, I truly feel unworthy of this. I cannot accept the land deed."

Cui Ping whispered a hint: "This is a barren mountain, not even trees can grow on it. However, people occasionally find gold nuggets when they venture into the mountain."

Cui Du: "..."

So, could this so-called barren mountain actually have a gold mine?

The Boling Cui Family actually gave him such a gold mine... no, it was really meant for the Commandery Princess!

Cui Du was dumbfounded and couldn’t speak for a long time. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Cui Ping gave Cui Du a meaningful smile and said, "Our Boling Cui Family wholeheartedly supports the Commandery Princess, naturally, we have to show our sincerity."

Cui Du felt a mix of emotions, silently accepted the box, and then said, "I won’t make any promises on behalf of the Commandery Princess."

Cui Ping said, "Don’t worry, our Cui Family will not be greedy and ask for things we shouldn’t. We certainly won’t anger the Commandery Princess."

They merely see the chaos approaching and want to bet early.

Cui Du understood the implication of Cui Ping’s words, which made him feel even more complex, with a surge of pride he couldn’t suppress.

His Commandery Princess, with a broad outlook, generous and kind-hearted, cherishing the people, yet ruthless towards enemies. Boling Cui Family indeed had foresight.

Cui Ping didn’t say anything more, advised Cui Du to keep the "private property" safe, then leisurely left.

On the other hand, Cui Du was so disturbed by this unexpected event that he couldn’t stay put, so he quietly left Cui Mansion and strolled back to the Prince Mansion.

The Gatekeeper at Prince Mansion laughed when he saw Cui Du, "Just two days to go for the wedding, and Elder Changning can’t hold back for even two days?"

Cui Du shamelessly grinned: "I’m used to staying at the Prince Mansion. I went out for a walk and without realizing it, ended up back here."

The Gatekeeper wouldn’t block him, and quickly invited Elder Changning inside. There was no need to announce anything, this was Elder Changning’s home, after all!

Usually at this time, Jiang Shaohua would be in the study discussing matters with the Prince Mansion Officials. Even though the wedding was near, this habit didn’t change.

So Cui Du simply stepped outside the study to wait.

It didn’t take long for the study door to open.

The first one out was Chief Historian Chen, who upon seeing Cui Du’s figure, was first taken aback, then quickly smiled: "The Commandery Princess is in the study, Elder Changning can go right in."

Cui Du gave a playful response and shamelessly entered the study.

The other officials who saw Cui Du were also surprised, each suppressing their laughter as they quickly bowed and left.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "Why have you come back?"

Naturally, rising to greet him, Cui Du touched his nose, held Jiang Shaohua’s hand, and softly laughed: "I have something to tell you."

Jiang Shaohua acknowledged with a hum, gave a signal to Chen Jinyu and the others. Everyone then withdrew, leaving just the two of them in the study.

Cui Du took a land deed from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Shaohua: "This is the land deed for a barren mountain, given to me by my uncle. Actually, it is meant to be presented to you through me. The barren mountain contains a gold mine, once there are enough people in the future, you can send someone to mine and refine it."

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow with a smile: "The Cui Family is indeed generous."

Cui Du felt a bit uneasy and murmured, "I also think this gift is too heavy. Will the Cui Family use this pretext to ask too much of you in the future? Or else, should I return the deed?"

"It’s already given, just accept it," Jiang Shaohua calmly replied, spreading out the deed to study it momentarily, then said, "Si State has been at war, the situation fluctuates, no one knows whether we can defeat the Rouran Barbarians. If we win it’s fine, but if we lose, the Da Liang dynasty might soon collapse."

"By that time, the North will be chaotic, without military force, it’s impossible to protect oneself. The Boling Cui Family, being a major clan of the North, will be the most obvious target. Bandits and stragglers in chaotic times will aim at noble families, the Cui Family naturally wants to cling to the Nanyang Prince Mansion’s big tree, hoping the Prince Mansion will offer some protection."

"The Cui Family gives this generous gift, and I, the Commandery Princess, can calmly accept it."

Only then did Cui Du relax: "Glad to know I can take it. Holding the deed felt like holding a hot potato, I had to deliver it quickly for peace of mind."

Jiang Shaohua smirked: "You’re too honest. Didn’t think of keeping it as private property, and taking it out someday when I urgently need money, to come to my aid?"

Cui Du beamed widely: "I’ve long said everything of mine is the Commandery Princess’s."

What followed was a display of affection between the soon-to-be-married couple, not worth mentioning.

...

Cui Du dawdled until evening before leaving.

Jiang Shaohua summoned Chief Historian Feng, handing him the land deed.

Chief Historian Feng had been inundated with recording gifts these days, growing numb to so-called grand gifts. However, learning about the gold mine on the deeded barren mountain, his spirits suddenly lifted, and his eyes gleamed: "The Cui Family is indeed lavish."

Jiang Shaohua playfully jested: "Over the years, I’ve spent silver on gifts like flowing water. This time, is it all coming back?"

Chief Historian Feng beamed: "Last year’s coming-of-age ceremony received a large sum. This year, your grand wedding brings even more gifts. In a year or two, if you have a child, you can collect another sum."

Jiang Shaohua burst into laughter: "I haven’t even married yet, and Chief Historian Feng is already counting on the child’s full moon gift."

However, Chief Historian Feng truly deserved much credit. These years, in maintaining friendly relations with courtiers and the palace, as well as spending a great sum on soldiers, it was all managed by Chief Historian Feng.

Of course, Jiang Shaohua also gave Chief Historian Feng ample respect and trust. The salt mine in Pingzhou, the copper mine in Luozhou, even the gold mine in Boling County, he gave them all to Chief Historian Feng after just a glance.

To die for a truly appreciative lord. As a subordinate, encountering such trusting and valuing rulers, one would only do their utmost.

Chief Historian Feng wasn’t good with flowery words and would never articulate such sentiments, so after receiving the land deed, he promptly took his leave.

That evening, Chief Historian Feng brought a pot of fine wine to find Chief Historian Chen.

Chief Historian Chen had been busy entertaining and attending to the officials and courtiers bringing gifts, talking non-stop, his throat hoarse, barely able to speak: "No, there are many things tomorrow, I cannot drink."

Chief Historian Feng rolled his eyes: "Who said you could drink? I’m in a good mood, I’ll drink, you just watch."

Chief Historian Chen: "..."