"This humble servant greets the Commandery Princess."
Six men, their combined age nearly three hundred years, bowed together and saluted a ten-year-old young girl.
This scene inevitably evoked a sense of strangeness and subtlety.
They lowered their heads only because she was the Commandery Princess.
Their loyalty was to the Prince Nanyang, who passed away a year ago, not to ten-year-old Jiang Shaohua.
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Please rise, everyone. Let's talk in the study."
Chen Zhuo and the others responded in unison.
There is a designated area for discussions in the study: a large, square sandalwood chair at the highest position, with four slightly smaller wooden chairs on each side.
Jiang Shaohua calmly sat at the head.
In her previous life, she was raised by Empress Dowager Zheng in the palace for six years, then married into the Wang Family, managing household affairs, nurturing a noble and graceful demeanor. At this moment, her every word and action naturally exuded this bearing.
Chen Zhuo's heart stirred quietly, casting an inconspicuous glance.
Jiang Shaohua was someone he watched grow up; such an obvious change could not escape him.
Moreover, present at this meeting was Song Yuan, the personal soldier commander, who usually never attended such discussions. Today, he stood by Jiang Shaohua's side, his sharp gaze sweeping over, giving an intangible sense of pressure.
Yang Zheng and Qiu Yuanshang, who were initially indifferent, exchanged glances and sat upright.
"I invited everyone here today because there is an important matter to discuss," Jiang Shaohua said slowly, her gaze sweeping over everyone's faces. "Today, my grandfather visited me in a dream."
Both Empress Dowager Zheng and Emperor Taikang had faith in Buddhism. With the court's example, the Da Liang Dynasty had more temples than schools.
The notion of visions in a dream was not at all absurd.
Chen Zhuo's expression grew solemn, and he respectfully asked, "May I ask the Commandery Princess, what instructions did the Prince give?"
Feng Wenming quickly picked up the conversation, "Please tell us, Commandery Princess. We will certainly follow the orders."
With the two Chief Historians speaking, Yang Zheng hesitated slightly but also expressed his stance, "Please instruct us, Commandery Princess."
What vision? This was clearly an excuse. Whatever the Commandery Princess wanted to do, she should just say it outright; there was no need to go around in such a big circle.
Qiu Yuanshang's expression remained respectful, but in his heart, he was muttering. What does this little girl understand, thinking of one thing after another?
Jiang Shaohua glanced over.
Lu Xuan hadn't wasted his efforts over this year; not only were the minds within the Prince Mansion wavering, but two of the seven in front of her had been swayed as well.
On the surface, they seemed respectful, but their inner disdain and disregard were apparent in their expressions.
This was a man's innate disdain for a woman. Even though she was the Nanyang County Princess, their rightful liege, they did not truly regard her.
Jiang Shaohua inwardly scoffed coldly, her expression showing a hint of sorrow, and she said softly, "Grandfather reprimanded me for not fulfilling my duties as Commandery Princess. Nanyang County is my fiefdom, yet I've been wallowing in grief, pushing all responsibilities onto my subordinates, which is truly inappropriate."
Upon hearing the name of Prince Nanyang, a genuine sorrow flickered in Chen Zhuo's eyes. He had been with Prince Nanyang for decades, being not only a loyal servant but also a close friend.
On his deathbed, Prince Nanyang entrusted the young Commandery Princess to him, holding his hand. With tears, he swore to do his utmost to assist the Commandery Princess. Only then did Prince Nanyang close his eyes.
If the Commandery Princess said the Prince came to her in a dream, then the Prince certainly did.
"Over the past year, the Commandery Princess has been wholeheartedly mourning the Prince, her filial piety moving heaven and earth," Chen Zhuo declared with determination, his voice resonant and powerful, "Now that the Commandery Princess has completed the mourning period, it is the right time for her to take over the Prince Mansion."
Feng Wenming echoed without hesitation, "What Chief Historian Chen said aligns precisely with what I think too."
In the Da Liang Dynasty, the rule belonged to the Jiang Family. Prince Nanyang, the late emperor's brother from the same mother, was raised and loved deeply by the late Emperor. Once he came of age and married, the late Emperor granted him Nanyang County as his vassal territory. All taxes, military affairs, and internal administration were under the authority of the Nanyang Prince Mansion.
Nanyang County, with its jurisdiction over fourteen counties, was celebrated as the premier county of the Da Liang Dynasty.
From the day the court conferred the title of Nanyang County Princess upon her, Jiang Shaohua was the heir to Nanyang County. With Prince Nanyang's passing, the ruler of Nanyang County was undeniably Jiang Shaohua.
No one could alter this fact.
What could a ten-year-old child do? What was she capable of doing?
Yang Zheng felt some discomfort, as if he had a toothache. Yet his rank was inferior to Chen Zhuo and Feng Wenming, making it inappropriate to voice his doubts about the youth of the Commandery Princess publicly.
He quickly glanced at Qiu Yuanshang.
Qiu Yuanshang, being proud and lacking in intrigue, couldn't help but speak up, "Please forgive my disrespect, Commandery Princess. With Nanyang County having fourteen counties and numerous daily trivial matters, at your tender age of ten, which is meant for reading, playing instruments, enjoying flowers, and chasing butterflies, why burden yourself with such worries?"
He barely stopped short of outright saying, "What do you understand about such matters?"
Song Yuan stared coldly at Qiu Yuanshang, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Chen Zhuo's face showed displeasure, about to rebuke, when the Commandery Princess spoke lightly, "Is it Chief Steward Qiu's intention for me to remain ignorant and uninvolved, turning me into a mere ornamental vase?"
Qiu Yuanshang dared not admit such an accusation and hastily explained, "I have no such intentions. I only feel for the young Commandery Princess having to get involved in governance affairs..."
"So it turns out Chief Steward Qiu is indeed so considerate," Jiang Shaohua interrupted coldly, "I initially thought Chief Steward Qiu was belittling me, the young ruler, plotting to deceive and usurp power."
Cold sweat beaded on Qiu Yuanshang's forehead, and he could no longer sit still, immediately rising to apologize, "I am completely loyal to the Commandery Princess and dare not harbor such treasonous thoughts. I misspoke earlier, please have mercy, Commandery Princess."
Song Yuan, with an air of nonchalance, retracted his hand.
Chen Zhuo quietly closed his mouth.
Jiang Shaohua, with her slender and graceful figure, sitting on the broad sandalwood chair, appeared even more delicate and petite.
Yet, at this moment, her gaze was icy cold and sharp, showing no mercy in suppressing Chief Steward Qiu, "Since Chief Steward Qiu admitted to misspeaking, it would only be proper for me to impose a penalty."
She turned to Yang Zheng, "Yang Shi, what is the punishment for disrespecting one's lord?"
Yang Zheng, under the bright and piercing gaze of her eyes, was startled and blurted out, "In response to the Commandery Princess, according to the Da Liang Law Article Twelve, the penalty for insubordination ranges from salary deductions to capital punishment!"
Qiu Yuanshang was shocked, turning his head.
He had been colleagues with Yang Zheng for several years, often drinking and chatting in private, sharing a few friendly ties. He never expected Yang Zheng to stab him in the back at this moment.
Everyone looked at Yang Zheng with complex and subtle expressions.
To be able to turn against a colleague so easily was quite something.
Yang Zheng only then realized his slip of tongue, feeling somewhat awkward, wanting to amend his words when the Commandery Princess already nodded approvingly, "Yang Shi seems to remember Da Liang Law well, being upright, impartial, and incorruptible, so let's proceed as Yang Shi says!"
Yang Zheng: "..."
Qiu Yuanshang: "..."
Qiu Yuanshang's legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud, cold sweat streaming down his forehead, "I misspoke and meant no disrespect towards the Commandery Princess. I beg the Commandery Princess to spare my life!"
Jiang Shaohua looked somewhat troubled, "It's not that I am disregarding personal feelings, but Yang Shi oversees criminal law and is proficient in it. The things he says, how can I ignore them?"
Qiu Yuanshang secretly gritted his teeth, his sidelong glance like a knife, fiercely cutting into Yang Zheng.
Yang Zheng: "..."