Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 579: Heaven Collapses (Part 2)

Chief Historian Chen suddenly whispered, "This old official will also accompany the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua was taken aback, turning her head to look over: "Chief Historian Chen also wants to go?"

Chief Historian Chen raised his head and met the eyes of the Commandery Princess: "Yes. This old official has been in the Nanyang Prince Mansion for decades and hasn’t returned to the Capital City for a long time. Over the years, I’ve had correspondence and some relations with many courtiers. However, the letters are too slow to respond to urgent matters in time."

"The Commandery Princess is going to the Capital City for mourning, and may encounter unexpected trouble and predicament. This old official will stay by the Commandery Princess’s side, able to contact the courtiers in a timely manner, and provide support for the Commandery Princess."

These words were spoken with deep meaning.

What kind of trouble could attending the mourning in the Capital City bring? What predicaments would arise? What do they intend to do by contacting courtiers?

Jiang Shaohua was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Chief Historian Chen will accompany the Commandery Princess to the Capital City. The internal and external affairs of the Prince Mansion will be entrusted to Chief Historian Feng."

Chief Historian Feng agreed without a second word. Everyone has their strengths, and Chief Historian Chen is skilled in maneuvering and has a wide range of connections, being old and cunning. Having Chief Historian Chen accompany the Commandery Princess to the Capital City is most appropriate. His temper is stubborn and tough, so it’s better for him to stay and guard the Prince Mansion!

Suddenly, Cui Du also interjected: "I will also go with you."

"Not appropriate!" Both Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng simultaneously voiced their opposition. Chief Historian Chen spoke a step faster: "Elder Changning is not skilled in court politics and is clueless about the personnel in the Capital City; going there wouldn’t be of any practical use."

Chief Historian Feng took over the conversation: "If Elder Changning goes, it would instead burden the Commandery Princess, causing distractions. Moreover, the cultivation of grain seeds at the field manor cannot do without Elder Changning. Elder Changning should prioritize the task at hand."

Though the words were harsh, the reasoning was correct. Cui Du neither knows martial arts nor understands the intrigues and struggles of the court, so what could he do if he went? He would only be a weakness and a burden to Jiang Shaohua.

Usually compliant, Cui Du was unusually persistent this time: "I wish to go to the Capital City with the Commandery Princess. If any risk arises, I can advance and retreat with the Commandery Princess."

Sharing joys and hardships, living and dying together.

These eight words were not spoken by Cui Du, but the determination was fully displayed in his gaze.

Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng were inwardly moved and thought in unison, having such a husband, the Commandery Princess’s life was not lived in vain.

"You are my husband, Jiang Shaohua, and the Emperor personally conferred you as Elder Changning, indeed you should go to the Capital City for the mourning, to send the Emperor off on his final journey."

Jiang Shaohua took a deep breath and slowly said: "Once we reach the Capital City, stay by my side at all times."

The Commandery Princess had spoken, so the matter was settled.

Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng ceased opposition, and Song Yuan, after a brief thought, stated: "The situation is unpredictable this trip to the Capital City, take more personal soldiers."

Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong almost simultaneously agreed, and both volunteered to accompany.

Shen Mu spoke up: "The workshop has produced a batch of new weapons, which are extremely sharp, and a batch of high-quality soft armor. Equip the trusted aides with them."

Wen An, usually a mild-mannered person, surprisingly carried a murderous air: "Commandery Princess take my incompetent grandson as well. He has studied and practiced martial arts since youth, barely considered competent in both literature and martial arts. If anything happens, just instruct him. Even if it’s climbing a mountain of swords or going through a sea of flames, let him be the first."

With that said, the officials all expressed their wish to accompany.

Jiang Shaohua calmed her mind, her gaze swept over the determined faces of everyone, a surge of warmth washed over her heart.

Her ambitions and desires, unknown to outsiders, were guessed by the officials before her. If she was simply content to be a vassal king with real power to influence the court, she would have long achieved it. Why would she supply grain and troops to help the border army repel the enemy? Why continue to expand her power towards the North? Why consistently recruit refugees to enrich the population?

This time, going to the Capital City, she not only intends to mourn, but also stabilize the situation, subdue the courtiers, and perhaps do some things that would be considered outrageous by outsiders.

And they are her most loyal subjects, willing to follow her through fire and water.

"Chief Historian Chen will accompany, Elder Changning will also go, and Chief Steward Chen, Ma Dianshan will accompany as well, Yang Shi too. The rest will stay in the Prince Mansion."

Jiang Shaohua quickly decided: "No need to take too many trusted aides, just two hundred will do."

Song Yuan furrowed his brows: "If there’s any upheaval, two hundred trusted aides wouldn’t be enough."

Jiang Shaohua looked at Song Yuan: "There are hundreds of thousands of troops stationed in the Capital City, with ten thousand of the Imperial Army permanently guarding the Imperial Palace. What upheaval could happen in the palace?"

"Even if there’s an upheaval, what’s the difference between two hundred and five hundred soldiers?"

On the surface, a vassal king is only allowed to have five hundred personal soldiers. So-called complete manpower would be five hundred personal soldiers.

If the palace were in chaos, when it came to outright combat, the difference between two hundred and five hundred soldiers indeed wouldn’t be significant.

Song Yuan had no response.

Jiang Shaohua then looked at Shen Mu: "The newly manufactured weapons from the workshop, first deliver them to the Personal Guard Camp, then prepare a batch to be sent to the Nanyang Army Camp."

"Liu Hengchang and Yu Chong have already led their troops back, and they’ll return to Nanyang County within half a month or so. The soldiers are weary from the long journey and should rest well. Also, ensure the pension silver is distributed adequately."

The last sentence was an instruction to Chief Historian Feng.

Chief Historian Feng nodded in agreement.

With heavy hearts, the gathering was adjourned, Jiang Shaohua had no interest in speaking further: "Let’s end it here today, everyone disperse and rest. We’ll discuss further tomorrow."

...

Cui Du went to the kitchen, personally made a bowl of noodles, and brought it to Jiang Shaohua: "I know you’re grieving and upset, but one must eat to have the strength to face everything."

The bowl was large, the noodles al dente, the broth aromatic.

Jiang Shaohua slowly took a couple of bites, but it was tasteless, making it hard to swallow.

She put down her chopsticks, lightly shaking her head under Cui Du’s worried gaze: "I really can’t eat."

Cui Du sighed softly, took the bowl, ate a bite himself, and then offered another bite to Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua opened her mouth and slowly chewed.

Like this, with her taking a bite, and Cui Du taking a bite, the bowl of noodles was finished.

"You’re upset, cry once more in my arms." Cui Du softly whispered, pulling her into his embrace.

Jiang Shaohua had never felt so despondent and low. At this moment, leaning into Cui Du’s arms, thinking about Emperor Taihe returning to the Yellow Springs, a sharp and intense sorrow welled up, two lines of tears quietly falling.

Cui Du silently wiped her tears away.

The tears were wiped off, only to quickly well up again.

The handkerchief in Cui Du’s hand was soaked, so he simply used his sleeve to wipe her tears.

Jiang Shaohua cried for a long, long time. Unbeknownst to her, she closed her eyes and dozed off in Cui Du’s arms.

In the dimness, her body felt light as she was carefully lifted up by a pair of arms, gently placed on the bed. A soft quilt was placed over her, and she instinctively burrowed deeper into its warmth, falling into a deep sleep.

She had a dream.

In the dream, ahead was a lonely, solitary figure of a young man. The youth was of average build, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe.

She knew it was her cousin who had entered her dream, and with a grieving heart, she slowly approached: "Cousin."