spend time

Chapter 24
  "We've arrived at the palace, please get off the carriage, Eunuch Zhao." The elegant and suave Chen Changshi opened the door himself.

Eunuch Zhao smiled happily and said, "Chen Changshi is too polite."

Chen Zhuo stretched out his hand to help Eunuch Zhao out of the carriage, and said with a smile: "Eunuch Zhao came all the way to deliver the Queen Mother's oral instructions. The carriage and horses were very tiring all the way, and it was extremely hard. After entering the palace, you have to take a good rest."

Chen Zhuo was a famously handsome man back then, but now that he is older, he is still the most handsome among his peers. Elegant and unhurried.

Eunuch Zhao was very pleased and chuckled.

Chen Zhuo's expression did not change, he held Eunuch Zhao's hand and stepped forward with a smile.

The main entrance of Nanyang Prince's Mansion has been opened.

The princess of Nanyang and the father and daughter of Lord Lu greeted them personally, followed by a group of subordinate officials and personal guards. The formation was mighty and dignified.

"I have seen the princess." Eunuch Zhao gestured to salute.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and stretched out his hand to help: "Eunuch Zhao, hurry up and forgive me."

Eunuch Zhao stood up and glanced at Jiang Shaohua's face. He was quite surprised: "I have long heard that the princess is very intelligent. When I saw her today, I realized that the princess has such outstanding appearance."

Jiang Shaohua responded with a smile: "I have heard of Eunuch Zhao's famous name for a long time. Hearing a hundred times is better than seeing it once. Eunuch Zhao's appearance and magnanimity are hard to find in the world."

Everyone loves to hear flattery.

The one who was flattering was the princess who was noble and beautiful. Eunuch Zhao felt even happier. He chuckled and said, "The princess praised me highly."

This Eunuch Zhao, whose full name is Zhao Chunming, was originally a son of an official. Later, the grandfather of the family committed a serious crime, and all the adult men in the family were beheaded. Ten-year-old Zhao Chunming was lucky enough to save his life, but was tortured and sent to the palace to become a young eunuch.

The heartache, blood and tears that followed for the next twenty years need not be described in detail. In short, Eunuch Zhao is now so trusted and respected by Empress Dowager Zheng that he has become the eunuch in charge of Jingyang Palace at the age of thirty, and is a real celebrity in the palace.

Jiang Shaohua was not just boasting casually. Eunuch Zhao has fair and tender skin, red lips and white teeth, and a slender figure. At first glance, he still looks like a handsome young man.

Eunuch Zhao also likes to apply fragrant powder. When he gets close, the fragrance fills his nose.

Everyone welcomed Eunuch Zhao into the main hall.

Jiang Shaohua said with a smile: "Eunuch Zhao traveled thousands of miles to come to Nanyang County to convey the decree on behalf of the Queen Mother. It is most appropriate for Eunuch Zhao to sit here today."

Jiang Shaohua lived in the palace for six years in his previous life. He had frequent interactions with Eunuch Zhao and was familiar with his temperament. In just a few words, Eunuch Zhao was elated.

Eunuch Zhao pretended to decline a few words and then sat on the upper left side.

Jiang Shaohua sat on the right side.

Lu Xuan sat down on his daughter's head.

Whether you feel embarrassed or not is another matter. Anyway, Lu Xuan's face is not embarrassed at all, and his smile is gentle and decent.

Lu Xuan's face is also top-notch in the world of white faces. Eunuch Zhao had noticed it a long time ago. After sitting down, he smiled and asked, "Is this Lu Junma?"

"Yes, it's my father." Jiang Shaohua seemed to have completely forgotten the indifference and alienation of the previous two days, and introduced his biological father with a smile: "My father passed the imperial examination when he was young and was a scholar. He likes to study the most. Eunuch Zhao has just studied. People, if you get the chance in the future, you might as well get closer to them."

Lu Xuan had not had a good look on his daughter's face for three days. Now he suddenly saw Jiang Shaohua's smiling face. He was a little flattered. He smiled and agreed: "When Eunuch Zhao is free, I will definitely ask for more advice."

Eunuch Zhao was able to stand out in the palace, firstly because of his appearance, and secondly, because he had studied at a young age. He stood out among the eunuchs who shamelessly flattered others. Therefore, Eunuch Zhao is most happy for others to mention these things. Today, Jiang Shaohua opened his mouth, and every word he spoke scratched his itch. He had a very good impression of the Nanyang Princess.

Chen Zhuo felt relieved when he saw it.

It doesn't matter what the relationship between father and daughter is, or how they quarrel in private. You have to put on a show in public to avoid getting a bad reputation. Although the princess is young, she understands the truth.

Eunuch Zhao quickly got down to business: "Princess, this servant is delivering oral instructions on behalf of the Queen Mother."

Jiang Shaohua immediately stood up and listened respectfully.

"The Empress Dowager said that the princess has kept her filial piety for King Nanyang for one year, and her filial piety is commendable. However, the deceased has passed away, and the princess is young. She cannot indulge in sadness and hurt her body."

Eunuch Zhao's expression calmed down, his voice softened, and his demeanor and tone actually resembled Queen Mother Zheng's.

Jiang Shaohua was reminded of old memories, and for a moment, he was filled with emotions.

The six years in the palace were not all intrigues, there were also happy times.

Empress Dowager Zheng was indeed nurturing to her. If you have been lying for a long time, how can you not have a trace of true love? Just like she hated Lu Xuan, it was difficult to cut him off with a single blow.

"Thank you, Queen Mother, for your concern." Jiang Shaohua calmed down, saluted decorously, and thanked her softly.

Eunuch Zhao accepted this gift on behalf of Empress Dowager Zheng and continued: "You are only ten years old, and you must be taught by elders. The Ai family plans to take you into the palace, are you willing?"

Chen Zhuo knew clearly that the princess would not respond, but at this moment, his heart still pounded.

For four years after Emperor Taikang took the throne, he was always on guard against Nanyang County. Now that the prince has been gone for a year, Empress Dowager Zheng has set her sights on the princess again.

Once the princess went to the capital, Nanyang County lost its backbone. The imperial court is watching with eager eyes, and Lu Xuan is also planning to occupy the prince's family business...

Lu Xuan's eyes lit up and he couldn't help but look up at Jiang Shaohua.

"The Queen Mother is so kind, and I can't thank you enough." Jiang Shaohua's face showed the appropriate feeling of gratitude, and he refused without hesitation: "However, I am the princess of Nanyang, how can I abandon the people and officials to go to the capital."

"Please, when my father-in-law returns to Beijing, thank the Queen Mother for her kindness on my behalf. Tell the Queen Mother my thoughts. I will uphold my grandfather's legacy and govern Nanyang County well."

Eunuch Zhao's brows moved, and the Queen Mother's instructions before leaving flashed in his mind.

"Try your best to persuade Princess Nanyang to leave the palace and take her to the capital on your return."

Why try your best to persuade instead of directly issuing an order?
  Because the Princess of Nanyang was canonized by the late emperor when he was still alive, she was a princess with a fiefdom and real power, which was equivalent to the vassal king.

Empress Dowager Zheng also had to lose face and could not force Jiang Shaohua to come to Beijing regardless of her wishes.

If Jiang Shaohua "volunteered", it would make sense. For a little girl who has lost her elders, she enters the palace and is educated by her elders. This reason is much more honorable.

In his previous life, Lu Xuan secretly sent someone to find Eunuch Zhao and gave him a heavy gift. When Eunuch Zhao delivered the oral instructions, he directly took Princess Nanyang into the palace. Jiang Shaohua quickly left with Eunuch Zhao under the comfort of his own father.

In this life, Chen Zhuo stopped Lu Xuan's people. Eunuch Zhao couldn't figure out the depth of Nanyang County. The Queen Mother's oral instructions were passed on, but Jiang Shaohua refused flatly, and he hesitated for a while.

At this moment, Lu Xuan suddenly opened his mouth: "Shaohua, the Queen Mother is famous for her virtuous nature, generosity and kindness. It is a good thing for you to have such elders to raise and teach you. You'd better accept it!"

(End of this chapter)