spend time

Over the past two years, Jiang Shaohua has been keeping in touch with the palace through letters. Not to mention Empress Dowager Zheng, even Emperor Taihe wrote at least once a month.

Emperor Taihe also looked upon his cousin Jiang Shaohua with special eyes. No matter how busy he was with state affairs, he would write back, the content of the letter might be long or short.

This time, Emperor Taihe did not reply. There was only one reason, that is, Emperor Taihe was ill and unable to write.

Jiang Shaohua frowned slightly and exchanged glances with Chen Changshi.

Cui Du immediately said: "The princess has something to discuss with Chen Changshi, I will go back first."

Jiang Shaohua nodded.

Chen Changshi was secretly satisfied. Cui Du's greatest strength was that he was not interested in politics and power struggles. It was impossible to fake such details.

After Cui Du left, Jiang Shaohua opened the letter, glanced through it quickly, and his brows relaxed slightly: "The Empress Dowager has agreed to my going to Beijing."

Chen Changshi also breathed a sigh of relief: "There are rumors inside and outside the palace. Duke Anguo has been impeached and is staying indoors. The emperor is ill, and the Empress Dowager is not having a good time. The princess wants to go to the capital at this time to support and advise the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager will naturally be happy."

Chen Changshi was very smart and he guessed exactly what Empress Dowager Zheng was thinking.

Jiang Shaohua's eyes flickered, and he whispered, "Your Majesty needs my help, and I also need your support. We each take what we need."

"I will set off for the capital early tomorrow morning."

In the past half month, Jiang Shaohua had already had people pack up and pack their luggage. He did not plan to bring too many people with him, just two hundred personal guards and Chen Jinyu, and that would be enough.

The first time he went to the capital, he acted in a high-profile and resolute manner in order to establish his authority.

This time, the situation is very different. The stronger you are, the more you should keep a low profile.

These were all things that had been discussed long ago. When the time came, Chen Changshi felt a little uneasy: "The roads are not peaceful right now, and the situation in the court is unclear. Princess, you should bring more people with you!"

Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "No need. I'm going to the capital on a fast horse, and it's inconvenient to move with too many people. Besides, the court is in chaos, and it's useless to bring more guards. There are hundreds of thousands of troops inside and outside the capital, and I'm not going to attack the capital, so what's the point of bringing as many people as possible."

Chen Changshi: "..."

Chen Changshi didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Princess, this is not a joke."

Jiang Shaohua pulled the corners of his mouth, but there was no smile in his eyes: "I'm not kidding."

"The capital has sufficient military strength, so there won't be any major chaos. But the situation on the northern border is hard to say. The Rouran people have tasted the sweetness of abducting Pengcheng, and they may invade again at any time. Speaking of which, I am actually more worried about this matter."

Chen Changshi was silent for a moment, and then reminded in a low voice: "After you go to the capital, Princess, don't talk about this. The matter of General Zuo being questioned was pushed by the Empress Dowager and the Zheng family father and son from beginning to end. Now the matter is a foregone conclusion, and General Fan has also become the commander of the border army. If the Princess brings this up again, it will only make the Empress Dowager angry and unhappy."

Jiang Shaohua sighed silently: "I just said it in front of Chen Changshi, don't worry! When I get to the capital, I will try my best to restrain myself and not cause trouble."

He paused and continued, "I will be back in two to three months at the least, or half a year at the most. I will entrust all matters concerning the palace to Chen Changshi and Feng Changshi."

Since Feng Changshi was not around, Chen Changshi agreed with his old friend: "Don't worry, Princess, Feng Changshi and I will work together to take care of the affairs of the palace."

Jiang Shaohua nodded and continued, "My engagement with Lord Changning will continue. My engagement letter is kept by Mother Zhang. When you need it, just ask Mother Zhang to get it."

……

The next morning, Jiang Shaohua set off with two hundred guards. A group of officials saw him off at the door, especially Cui Du, who was reluctant to leave. If it weren't for the inconvenience of being rude to the princess in front of everyone, I'm afraid he would have grabbed the princess' hand long ago.

Jiang Shaohua also felt a little apologetic, and whispered to Cui Du: "I had originally planned to hold a grand engagement. But something happened in the capital, and I was worried, so I had to go. I'm sorry."

He feels as guilty as a husband who leaves his wife to go away right after their wedding.

Cui Du was open-minded and responded, "Engagement is just a ceremony. It doesn't matter whether it's grand or not. As long as we are engaged and have a marriage contract, that's enough."

This is so sensible!

Chen Changshi, Feng Changshi and others all cast approving glances.

Cui Ping also gave a thumbs up to the Earl of Changning in his heart. No wonder all the young men from noble families who came to propose marriage returned empty-handed. Just based on this generosity and understanding, it was enough to win the favor of the princess.

Jiang Shaohua's brows relaxed slightly and he smiled at Cui Du: "Wait for me to come back."

Cui Du nodded vigorously.

Jiang Shaohua suddenly reached out and hugged Cui Du in front of everyone. Cui Du was startled at first, then he blushed and hugged the princess's slender waist.

Lu Xuan on the side twitched his lips and suddenly felt the anger as a father. He almost blurted out "What are you two doing?"

As for the rest of the people, they turned their heads away tacitly, pretending they didn't see what happened.

After a short moment, Jiang Shaohua let go, took a step back, and whispered, "Take care!"

Cui Du's nose suddenly felt a little sour: "Take care, Princess!"

Then, he watched the princess ride away on her horse, smoke and dust rose up, and the group of people soon disappeared from his sight.

He liked staying at the farm, didn't like running around, and didn't like scheming and dealing with people. Of course, he didn't have the ability to do that. He never thought there was anything wrong with it, until this moment, when he suddenly felt guilty and blamed himself.

If he was more capable and could share some of her burden, wouldn't she have to work so hard?

"You stay in Nanyang County and cultivate high-yield grains to fill the stomachs of the people and make Nanyang County rich in grain. This will be the greatest benefit to the county lord."

Chen Changshi's gentle words of comfort rang in my ears: "Fighting in the court is not your forte, so don't blame yourself."

Cui Du came back to his senses and looked at Chen Changshi: "I just feel sorry for the princess. I have to be responsible for the people of Nanyang County, worry about the entire Jingzhou and Pingzhou, and now I have to worry about the affairs of the court."

The greater your ability, the greater your responsibility.

There is also a saying that goes, "If you want to wear the crown, you must first bear its weight."

The princess has a broad mind, aspirations and ambitions, so she can't just act for her own ease and pleasure. Even if she knows it's muddy water, she has to wade into it.

Chen Changshi secretly sighed in his heart, but smiled and said, "Don't worry, the princess can handle it."

Feng Changshi also had great confidence in the princess, and he said, "The princess should go and do the work, and everyone should not be idle, go back and do your own work. Don't slack off just because the princess is not in the mansion. If something goes wrong, Chen Changshi and I will not forgive him."

Yang Zheng was not convinced, so he just said what he wanted to say. What did it mean to glance at him? He used to love drinking and being lazy, but now he is a first-class capable minister, okay? (End of this chapter)