Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 808: Extra: Entering the Capital

Minister Ji’s resignation seemed to symbolize the decline of an old era.

The arrival of Chief Historian Feng, just like the new policies initiated by Her Majesty the Empress, injected fresh blood into the entire court.

"Chief Historian Feng!"

Her Majesty the Empress, with an increasingly majestic presence, had eyes sparkling with joy. She rose up and helped Chief Historian Feng, who hadn’t yet knelt, to his feet: "It’s been five years, and I’ve missed you terribly."

Chief Historian Feng was also brimming with emotion, his eyes even glistening with tears: "I have also been constantly thinking of you, Commandery Princess."

The old form of address, coming from Chief Historian Feng’s mouth, felt especially intimate.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes grew hot as well.

It had been over ten years since she was reborn at the age of ten. Her life had been turned upside down, and the same was true for those around her.

Chief Historian Chen, who had unexpectedly died in a previous life, was now the Chancellor of Da Liang. Loyal and diligent Chief Historian Feng had finally emerged successfully and arrived in the Capital City to serve as Minister of Revenue, managing Da Liang’s finances.

"Actually, over two years ago, Minister Ji submitted a memorial, wishing to retire and resign," Jiang Shaohua choked up a bit: "I didn’t approve it until this year because I wanted to first reorganize the Ministry of Personnel and remove Minister Zhang, to completely control the court."

"Chief Historian Feng endured two more years of waiting."

Chief Historian Feng was also approaching sixty this year. Upon hearing such heartfelt words from the Emperor, he was moved to tears: "With Your Majesty holding an old minister in such high regard, I could close my eyes in peace even now."

"A reunion is a joyous occasion; we shouldn’t say such inauspicious things." Chancellor Chen, suppressing his excitement, said with a smile: "The Emperor has summoned you to the Capital City to head the Ministry of Revenue. The entire court is watching. You’ve got to set an example and not make any blunders that would cause the Emperor to be ridiculed by his ministers."

Chief Historian Feng, whose temperament had not changed over the years, immediately glared at his old friend: "Don’t use the method of provocation on me. I’m five years younger than you! How could I be old bones? I can eat and sleep well, and can still serve the Emperor for at least another ten years!"

Chancellor Chen, delighted to reunite with an old friend, coaxed with a smile: "Yes, yes, that was my mistake just now. Minister Feng is in the prime of his life; serving for another twenty years is no problem at all."

Chief Historian Feng raised an eyebrow with a confident smile.

Jiang Shaohua was also amused to laughter.

Such conversations were, of course, not unfamiliar to her. In her youth, as Commandery Princess, she often left the Prince Mansion for inspections, sometimes for half a year. Chief Historian Chen would accompany her on these inspections. Only Chief Historian Feng remained at the Prince Mansion every time, in charge of logistics and internal affairs, inevitably holding some grievances. Each time, Chief Historian Chen would coax Chief Historian Feng in this manner.

Chief Historian Feng easily fell for it, and bantering with Chief Historian Chen was a common occurrence.

"With Chief Historian Feng’s arrival, my heart is completely at ease," Jiang Shaohua said with eyes full of smiles: "Chief Historian Feng has had a long and tiring journey; rest for a few days before heading to the Ministry of Revenue."

Chief Historian Feng responded, "I shall go tomorrow."

Ah, the familiar Chief Historian Feng.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "No need to rush. The Ministry of Revenue has been operating quite well in recent years, with many small issues but generally manageable."

Minister Ji, regularly chided, was also diligent in his service.

Chief Historian Feng, being at Nanyang Prince Mansion, was, however, very familiar with the affairs of the Capital City Ministry of Revenue. Tang Youyin, serving as an Extraordinary Minister in the Ministry of Revenue, would write him a voluminous letter every month.

"There are indeed many small issues," Chief Historian Feng’s smile faded a bit when mentioning the Ministry of Revenue: "Old corrupt practices and bad habits aren’t all easy to change. There’s no fear of major corruption now, but minor corruption persists. Each one shirks responsibility, not proactive, all waiting for a superior’s prompt. The first thing I’ll tackle at the Ministry of Revenue is this procrastination problem!"

With reforms underway in both the Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Rites, the critical Ministry of Revenue naturally needed changes, too. Minister Ji, recognizing his lack of capability and resolve, wisely stepped aside for Chief Historian Feng. With Feng’s arrival, sweeping reforms are certain.

Jiang Shaohua said with a smile: "In any case, I’ll entrust the entire Ministry of Revenue to Minister Feng."

At noon that day, Jiang Shaohua kept Chief Historian Feng for lunch at Zhaohai Palace and even specially had Princess Bao’er come to meet him.

The moment four-year-old Princess Bao’er appeared, Chief Historian Feng’s eyes brightened: "Her Highness, the Princess, looks almost identical to Your Majesty when young."

Her pink, chubby cheeks, large, lively eyes, and windy manner of moving were utterly endearing.

Indeed, very much like Jiang Shaohua in her youth.

Chancellor Chen stroked his beard with a smile: "Her Highness the Princess has begun martial training this year, with exceptional talent, no less than Your Majesty in youth. She has also started her studies, even surpassing Your Majesty in her early years."

Both of them had watched Jiang Shaohua grow up from birth, and at the mention of her youth, they were filled with nostalgia and recollection.

Back then, Prince Nanyang was still alive, and they were in their prime.

Time flows on, and more than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye. The young Commandery Princess grew up, sat on the Dragon Throne, became the Emperor of Da Liang, and had Princess Bao’er.

Princess Bao’er curiously looked at Chief Historian Feng and turned to ask Jiang Shaohua: "Is this the Chief Historian Feng mother often mentions?"

Those words made Chief Historian Feng beam with joy: "Indeed, Her Highness the Princess, it is I, the old minister."

Princess Bao’er knew of him, showing just how much the Emperor thought about him.

Chancellor Chen noticed this and secretly chuckled. Having been friends with Chief Historian Feng for many years, he knew Feng’s temperament well. Diligent in his duties without fear of hardship or exhaustion, indifferent to salary amount, and disliking extravagant luxury, Feng cared very much about his status in his monarch’s heart.

To put it bluntly, with some flattery, this stubborn mule would be soothed.

Jiang Shaohua also thought of these things and exchanged a knowing smile with Chancellor Chen.

Chief Historian Feng’s gaze landed on another clear-featured young boy: "And this must be Kang."

Three-year-old Kang spoke in a babyish voice: "Yes, I’ve seen Chief Historian Feng, great-grandfather."

Again, joy spread across Chief Historian Feng’s face as he jokingly glanced at Chancellor Chen: "This surely was taught by your great-grandfather, was it not?"

Chancellor Chen stroked his beard and replied with a smile: "Kang’s parents have taken assignments elsewhere, so now he resides in the palace and keeps company with Princess Bao’er. While I’m working in the palace, I can look after him regularly."

Princess Bao’er, having the air of an elder sister, greeted and then led Kang to play nearby. Kang was like a little follower, continuously calling Princess Bao’er his sister.

Whenever Princess Bao’er grew impatient and threw a little tantrum: "Stop calling, it’s giving me a headache."

Kang would obediently close his mouth, still following Princess Bao’er.

Watching this, Chief Historian Feng couldn’t help but give Chancellor Chen a sidelong glance.

Chancellor Chen remained calm, offering a gentle smile.

Chief Historian Feng stayed in the palace for half a day before taking his leave. Chancellor Chen personally escorted him out of the palace, all the way to the former Nanyang Prince Mansion, now known as Chancellor Chen’s Mansion.