Chapter 271: Chapter 271

The Zuo Family is Da Liang’s top-notch military family, with all the men in the family serving in the military. The highest official position, of course, is Left General. As for the other fourth and fifth-rank generals, they number at least seven or eight. For example, Zuo Zhen back in the day was a fourth-rank general.

In front of her stood Zuo Yue, who held the rank of Standard Sixth Rank, which was considered quite an achievement among the younger generation of the Zuo Family.

Speaking of hierarchy, Zuo Yue is the nephew of Zuo Zhen. Zuo Zhen suffered a great loss at the hands of Jiang Shaohua and is still sitting in prison to this day. Zuo Yue has long been indignant on Zuo Zhen’s behalf, and it was precisely for this reason that he intentionally made things difficult for Jiang Shaohua and her entourage today.

Jiang Shaohua tugged at the corners of her mouth, walked past Zuo Yue, and threw out a remark: "Next time you visit Zuo Zhen in the Ministry of Justice Prison, send him my regards."

Zuo Yue suddenly looked up, sparks of anger flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t even turn her head as she spurred her horse and entered the city gates. Song Yuan, Chen Jinyu, Ma Yaosong, and Yin Zhutu Bai accompanied her together.

The rest of the personal soldiers had to stay begrudgingly outside the city gates. During the search, their hostile glares almost led to a physical confrontation, but there’s no need to elaborate.

The Emperor passed away, and the entire city was draped in white. The once bustling and noisy streets now felt exceptionally desolate. There were few pedestrians, all dressed in white.

Jiang Shaohua rode forward, the clatter of horse hooves particularly conspicuous.

Curious shop clerks peeked out to take a look and were amazed to see a beautiful young woman on horseback: "These days, officials flock to the Capital City for mourning, but who might this imposing young lady be?"

"Could it be the famous Nanyang County Princess?"

"It must be her. Apart from the Nanyang County Princess, where else in the world can you find such a beautiful and formidable woman?"

"Hush! Lower your voice. I heard that the Nanyang County Princess is ruthless, having beheaded thousands of bandits with just one order."

Though Jiang Shaohua resided far in Nanyang, her reputation had already spread to the Capital City. The common folk, unaware of the facts, passed on exaggerated tales.

The whispers, carried by the breeze, reached Jiang Shaohua’s ears.

Jiang Shaohua had no time to react, lightly kicking the horse’s belly, causing the horse beneath her to quicken its pace.

She continued on her way to the palace gates.

The scarlet palace gates were wide open, and the mourning cries from inside the palace were faintly audible.

The military general guarding the gates took one look and approached voluntarily: "This humble general Liu Hengmao greets the Commandery Princess."

The Liu Family is also one of the top military families in Da Liang, and Liu Hengmao is a legitimate member of the Liu Family, the cousin of Liu Hengchang.

Liu Hengchang served in the Nanyang Guard Camp and was highly valued by the Commandery Princess. Liu Hengmao and Liu Hengchang often exchanged letters and had a fairly close relationship.

Fully aware, Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and said gently, "General Liu, please dispense with the formalities."

Liu Hengmao was a fourth-rank general, serving in the Imperial Army. During the Emperor’s mourning period, the Imperial Army kept strict watch inside and outside the palace gates, with multiple layers of defense.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, General Liu sent someone to announce their arrival and apologized, "Commandery Princess, please wait for a moment. Someone will come to meet you once the announcement is made."

Palace protocol has always been strict. This was not General Liu deliberately making things difficult.

Jiang Shaohua nodded and waited quietly.

Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong, both entering the palace for the first time, were awed by the palace’s grandeur and majesty. The two involuntarily lowered their heads, sneaking glances with the corners of their eyes.

The wait lasted for nearly an hour.

Unable to resist, Chen Jinyu looked up and whispered to Jiang Shaohua, "Commandery Princess, we’ve been waiting for quite a while."

With a calm demeanor, Jiang Shaohua replied, "Be patient and wait."

In the palace, waiting for a summons is a common occurrence. Waiting for half an hour, or even half a day, is considered normal.

As a properly titled Imperial Commandery Princess, she ought not to be hindered. However, like before at the city gates, the Prime Minister Faction deliberately creating minor difficulties is nothing unusual. It could be seen as a veiled power play.

At that moment, a handsome young man dressed in mourning clothes appeared.

The young man resembled a tall green bamboo, with a well-proportioned figure and handsome features, exuding nobility and grace as he walked unhurriedly. Updates are released by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚫𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚫𝕟𝕖𝕥

It was none other than the Young Master of Duke An’s Mansion, Zheng Chen!

"Cousin Shao Hua," Zheng Chen gazed deeply at Jiang Shaohua, "it’s been over two years since we last met, and finally today we meet."

Cousin Shao Hua, you have finally come.

This year, Zheng Chen was fifteen years old, just beginning his teenage years.

Jiang Shaohua was also thirteen years old. Compared to three years ago, she had grown taller, her body now having developed a graceful curve. Her delicate, fair face seemed to glow naturally with radiance, captivatingly beautiful.

Jiang Shaohua maintained her composure and responded indifferently, "The Emperor has passed, and I, as a Commandery Princess, am deeply grieved. I’ve traveled day and night to come to the Capital City for mourning. Thank you for personally coming to greet me, Young Master. Please lead the way; I must go to the memorial hall to pay my respects."

At such a time, it was clearly inappropriate to "reminisce."

Suppressing his excitement and joy, Zheng Chen nodded in agreement and turned to lead the way.

Jiang Shaohua followed him into the palace gates.

The long-lost majestic palaces loomed before her eyes. The familiar palace walls, long corridors, broad blue brick grounds...

She had once lived here for six years, spending the most beautiful moments of her youth, her heart in resonance with the young man in front of her, falling in love and parting against all odds, their entanglement leaving her life forever restless...

As if sharing her feelings, Zheng Chen suddenly turned to look at her.

Jiang Shaohua did not even raise an eyebrow.

Zheng Chen barely noticeablely tugged at the corners of his mouth, leading the way, and said, "Inspectors have all come to the Capital City for mourning. By today, more than a dozen inspectors have arrived. The Imperial Family’s relatives have also come upon hearing the mourning news. However, the Commandery Princess is the first to reach the Capital City."

Da Liang assigned Vassal Kings mostly in distant states. The Prince Nanyang was deeply favored by the late Emperor, who specially chose Nanyang County as his fief. Nanyang is a ten-day journey from the Capital City.

With a sorrowful expression, Jiang Shaohua replied in a somber tone, "Upon hearing the tragic news of the Emperor’s passing, I rushed here without rest."

Her acting had improved greatly.

Zheng Chen glanced at the "grief-stricken" Nanyang County Princess and continued to lead the way.

The Emperor’s Memorial Hall was set in the Zhaohai Palace. From afar, the cries of mourning could already be heard.

No matter how heartbroken, after crying for over twenty days, one would grow weary. How much sincerity lies behind these tearful cries and how much is feigned is unknown.

Jiang Shaohua thought with a sneer in her heart, taking out a veiled handkerchief soaked in ginger juice from her sleeve and holding it to her eyes. The pungent aroma stung her eyes, immediately reddening them. Tears began to flow from her eyes.

Watching with open eyes, Zheng Chen saw Jiang Shaohua’s eyes turn red instantly as she rushed into the memorial hall. She knelt before the Emperor’s coffin, crying out loudly: "Imperial Uncle, your niece is late. Please open your eyes and look at me!"

The Crown Prince, kneeling beside the coffin, was moved by Jiang Shaohua’s genuine cries of grief, and his eyes, dry for several days, welled with tears once more.