The show of force yesterday had a remarkable effect.
At 7 a.m., the officials arrived at the study right on time.
"Why hasn't Chief Historian Chen come?" Feng Wenming was a bit surprised: "I'll send someone to call for him right away."
"No need," Jiang Shaohua said with a smile, "I have asked Chief Historian Chen to welcome Mr. Zhao from the palace. It might take two or three days."
With Chen Zhuo standing in for the Commandery Princess, what about Lu Junma, who had been causing a stir lately?
Feng Wenming hesitated briefly, then swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He began to report on the tasks completed yesterday and those planned for today.
Jiang Shaohua listened attentively, nodding silently in approval.
Feng Wenming was indeed a capable minister who truly worked hard. Unfortunately, the Da Liang Court had a bad habit of valuing appearances first. His plain and nearly unattractive face became an obstacle in his career path. Yet, it was fortunate that the Nanyang Prince Mansion gained an astute and capable Right Chief Historian.
After Chief Historian Feng's report, it was Yang Shi's turn.
Yang Zheng had a thick skin and was adept at handling situations. He stood up with confidence, as if nothing had occurred yesterday, and reported with pride, emphasizing his tireless appearance when investigating cases even after dark.
Jiang Shaohua remained nonchalant and looked toward Chief Steward Qiu.
Qiu Yuanshang instantly regretted it. He had been sulking yesterday, ignored his duties, dozed off in the guard room, and returned home to drink with three of his favorite concubines. This morning, he struggled to get out of bed, and his legs were still weak.
The Commandery Princess's bright eyes seemed to pierce through everything, as they lingered on his guilty face, "Why isn't Chief Steward Qiu saying anything?"
Qiu Yuanshang forced himself to stand up. Just as he was about to speak, a commotion arose outside.
"Outrageous! The lord is approaching the study, how dare you block him!" The voice was domineering, belonging to Bian Dong, a trusted servant of Lu Xuan.
"Our commander said, the study is a forbidden area, and without the Commandery Princess's permission, no one may enter."
"Quickly move aside!"
Qiu Yuanshang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "Commandery Princess, there's noise and chaos outside. Please allow me to check it out."
As the Chief Steward, in charge of ceremonial rites, Qiu Yuanshang felt qualified to intervene.
Jiang Shaohua's gaze flickered briefly but then allowed, "Very well, let Chief Steward Qiu handle this matter."
Qiu Yuanshang perked up and stepped out of the study.
A series of footsteps followed behind him. When Qiu Yuanshang turned his head to look, even the Commandery Princess had come along.
Indeed, today was an opportunity to showcase his skills, to let the young Commandery Princess see his exceptional capabilities. Qiu Yuanshang surveyed the scene and sternly shouted, "Stop!"
Those servants who were tangled with the trusted aide immediately let go and bowed to Jiang Shaohua, "We greet the Commandery Princess."
The trusted aides like Qin Hu, Meng Sanbao, and others also cupped their hands in salute, "Greetings to the Commandery Princess."
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and signaled with her eyes for Chief Steward Qiu to continue.
Standing aside, Lu Xuan's brows twitched, feeling displeased.
He was already quite unhappy at being stopped at the study entrance. Jiang Shaohua bringing along a crowd showed no acknowledgment of him as her father, not to mention saluting or greeting.
It was simply disregarding him as a father!
Lu Xuan restrained his anger and spoke gently, "It was merely a misunderstanding, I didn't think it would disturb so many people."
Bian Dong, still indignant, said, "The lord heard that the Commandery Princess was summoning numerous officials in the study, hence came to take a look. Yet, these guards did not have the sense to block the lord."
"Our lord is the Commandery Princess's father, does he not even have the qualification to enter the study? Surely it's the doing of some villain scheming from behind, deliberately sending people to block the lord."
Everyone silently glanced at Song Yuan.
Song Yuan was the Personal Guard Commander, and it was clear this order came from him.
Lu Xuan scolded angrily, "Do not speak nonsense! Apologize to Commander Song at once."
Bian Dong knelt promptly, "My words are blunt and grating. Commander Song is magnanimous, please don't hold it against a lowly person like me."
Song Yuan remained silent.
Qiu Yuanshang felt overshadowed and slightly displeased, stepping forward, "This is the main courtyard's study, a place for serious discussions; such clamor and noise are inappropriate."
Bian Dong was evidently disgruntled yet did not argue, lowering his head and admitting fault, "I was wrong, I accept punishment."
Even when reprimanding a dog, one should consider its master.
When Lu Xuan joined the Nanyang Prince Mansion through marriage, he brought only two attendant students. One was Fang Quan, and the other was Bian Dong. Nowadays, they're trusted long-term followers of Lu Xuan, carrying out tasks around the mansion with some measure of respectability.
Subordinate cannot act higher than superior. The Commandery Princess is the sovereign, Lu Xuan is a vassal.
However, in the relationship between father and daughter, one cannot only consider this. There is also the moral code of family, the principle that a woman follows her father before marriage.
Qiu Yuanshang stroked his beautiful beard, quickly formulating a plan, "Bian Dong spoke noisily outside the study, it's indeed inappropriate. As it's your first offense, simply kneel before the Commandery Princess and beg forgiveness."
Bian Dong breathed a sigh of relief, promptly knelt and knocked his head three times towards the young Commandery Princess, saying, "It was my mistake. I'll never dare to do it again."
Jiang Shaohua said indifferently, "If there is a next time, I will not be lenient."
Bian Dong responded compliantly, though he didn't truly care.
His master was, after all, the Commandery Princess's father.
No matter how great the Commandery Princess is, she can't be greater than her own father.
The others remained silent, but deep down, they held similar thoughts. The world values filial piety; not just a young girl, even grown men must be respectful and obedient before their father.
Jiang Shaohua observed the reactions of everyone but was not angered.
Confronting paternal authority is by no means easy. To break the prejudices seen by the world is even more challenging. Having chosen this path, she was mentally prepared.
"The study is a restricted area for discussions in the Prince Mansion, no one may trespass," Jiang Shaohua looked at her father, Lu Xuan, speaking in a steady voice, "I instructed Commander Song to guard the study closely."
"I wonder what brought Father here?"
Her voice was calm, yet carried an undertone of aloofness.
Everyone heard it, and their expressions suddenly turned subtle, their eyes shifting between the father and daughter's faces.
Lu Xuan, in public, was always the gentle, cultivated gentleman, a good father who cared for his daughter. He smiled as he replied, "I heard about your daily summoning of the officials for discussions and worried that you, being young, might be nervous due to unfamiliarity with governance, so I intended to come to the study and accompany you."
Jiang Shaohua smirked slightly, "When Grandfather was alive, I often listened on the sidelines in the study, becoming quite familiar with the officials, so there's nothing to be nervous about. Father, having spent years reading, composing poetry, and assessing paintings and calligraphy, might not be as adept in governance as I am."
Lu Xuan: "..."
Haha!
Someone couldn't hold back and let out a chuckle.
Lu Xuan's handsome face blushed with embarrassment.
Song Yuan discreetly glanced at his trusted aides. Qin Hu immediately lowered his head.
Jiang Shaohua had already opened her mouth to inquire of Qiu Yuanshang, "Chief Steward Qiu, when Grandfather was alive, did he not establish a rule against idle persons entering the study?"
Qiu Yuanshang hesitated slightly.
Indeed, such a rule existed.
Yet, two of the three concubines in his quarters were secretly sent by Lu Junma. Not speaking up for Lu Junma now would be too heartless.
"Lu Junma is the Commandery Princess's father," Qiu Yuanshang cleared his throat, "so he is not quite an idle person."