Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 483: Trust (4)

It was not until evening that the court meeting dispersed. Astonishingly, two-tenths of the towering pile of government affairs had been handled. This efficiency is truly impressive.

Not to mention the elderly Prime Minister Wang, even the likes of the capable Minister Dong felt exhausted, their minds filled with piles of governmental memos.

Vice Minister Yang approached with a smile and said to Vice Minister Dong, "May I ask Vice Minister Dong for a ride?"

Vice Minister Dong nodded gladly.

Vice Minister Dong is the most formidable ally of the Nanyang County Princess. Vice Minister Yang has been eyeing the Nanyang Prince Mansion for some time, not just overnight. These past two years have made it clear. Because of this, Vice Minister Dong and Vice Minister Yang are considered part of the same camp, with their friendship growing deeper.

After boarding the carriage, Vice Minister Yang first massaged his forehead and sighed softly, "I never expected the Commandery Princess to come to the Capital City."

Vice Minister Dong also sighed with a smile, "As soon as the Commandery Princess arrived, she went straight to the Prime Minister’s Mansion and persuaded the Prime Minister to return to court. In today’s meeting, she truly shone brilliantly!"

The two exchanged glances, both feeling a bit of poignant lamentation in their hearts.

To speak bluntly, even if Emperor Taihe were present today, he might not have been able to suppress the ministers. Yet Jiang Shaohua did it.

She didn’t speak much nor express specific opinions on governmental affairs. She merely observed the ministers silently in an authoritative manner and only spoke at critical moments. When she did speak, her words incisively hit the mark.

For some reason, the ministers were exceptionally compliant today.

"The Commandery Princess rules the Nanyang Prince Mansion with such deft command over her subordinates; her strategies of governance are truly masterful." Vice Minister Dong couldn’t help but praise, "Chief Historian Chen often praised the Commandery Princess in letters, and today I finally witnessed and experienced her prowess firsthand."

Vice Minister Yang nodded in agreement, "Indeed, today has been an eye-opener for me as well."

If Emperor Taihe had such boldness and methods to suppress the ministers, how could the Da Liang Court be in such disorder?

This rebellious thought crossed both of their minds simultaneously. Of course, no one spoke it out loud.

"Since the Commandery Princess has come to the Capital City and shown full support for the Emperor, she’ll at least stay for a while," Vice Minister Yang said, "It seems the court can remain stable for a period."

Vice Minister Dong spoke in a low voice, "These matters are not for you and me to worry about. We should do our best to fully support the Commandery Princess."

...

Minister Zhang also boarded the carriage of Prime Minister Wang.

The two have known each other for decades, with a deep friendship in private, so their conversation was unrestrained. Minister Zhang said directly, "Prime Minister, today the Nanyang County Princess has shown prominence, making it so we couldn’t raise our heads. This can’t continue in the future, can it?"

Prime Minister Wang replied flatly, "As the Prime Minister, I have just returned to court, and it’s not appropriate to have disputes with her for the time being. Besides, there are indeed so many accumulated governmental affairs that need handling, so I won’t bother arguing with her."

Minister Zhang frowned, "I feel indignant swallowing this indignity of bowing to a mere girl."

"That ’mere girl’ is the Nanyang County Princess," Prime Minister Wang looked at Minister Zhang, "Duke An has been impeached and is staying behind closed doors for self-reflection without returning to court. Jiang Shaohua just happens to replace Duke An’s position. In fact, the Emperor’s trust in her far surpasses that of Duke An. The Grand Empress Dowager also heeds her advice."

"You witnessed her prowess today. Whenever she speaks, it is at a critical moment. Her words are as sharp as knives, well-reasoned, and impossible to refute."

"This grievance, whether you or I can endure it or not, we have to endure."

Minister Zhang’s expression changed unpredictably and after a long time, he let out a stuffy breath, "Luckily, she’s a woman and won’t stay long in the Capital City. Otherwise, if time goes on, who’d decide on the court, it’d really be hard to say."

Prime Minister Wang felt a sting, naturally displeased, but didn’t show it: "She has an engagement with the Elder Changning and plans to recruit a husband. Sooner or later, she’ll return to Nanyang County. We just have to endure her for a while."

...

After being busy nearly the whole day, Wang She Ren, whose hands were about to write to exhaustion, carried the hefty records to the Dragon Couch.

Jiang Shaohua also had a busy day, but she was spirited, smiling as she spoke to Emperor Taihe, "Your Majesty, today’s court meeting was quite effective; two-tenths of the accumulated government affairs have been dealt with. Here are the records Wang She Ren made. Your Majesty, when you have time, you can take a look."

Eunuch Ge had been watching closely, and the commotion in the main hall had long reached Emperor Taihe’s ears.

Emperor Taihe, in high spirits, had someone receive the records and complimented Wang She Ren. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Jiang Shaohua added, "There is still a lot of accumulated governmental affairs. I spoke with Prime Minister Wang and others that we would continue the court meeting tomorrow and the day after. The meetings will conclude once all accumulated governmental affairs are resolved."

Wang Jin instinctively moved his nearly numb fingers.

Tomorrow he still has to write for another day?!

"Wang She Ren has worked hard today, so we’ll have Zheng Sheren take over tomorrow," Jiang Shaohua said with a casual smile.

Wang Jin sighed in relief, turning to look at Zheng Chen. How Zheng Chen felt inside, no one knew, but his words were quick, "Your Majesty, tomorrow I’ll take care of the record-keeping."

Enjoying the Emperor’s salary, one must shoulder his troubles. The record-keeping method proved effective; as the secretary, he had no option to refuse. Reporting back to Emperor Taihe was his final show of defiance and persistence.

Emperor Taihe smiled, "Very well."

Jiang Shaohua, not minding these details, said with a smile, "The day after tomorrow, it’ll be Mr. Li’s turn. The day after that, it’ll be the Heir of Prince Gaoliang."

Others remained silent, but Jiang Yi, relying on small advantages, jokingly jabbed at Jiang Shaohua, "Shao Hua cousin seems to have arranged it all quite smoothly, appears you’ve had it figured out for a while."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Jiang Yi with a smile, "Exactly. On my way to the Capital City, I kept pondering how to alleviate the Emperor’s burdens. Today I tried a little trick, and the record-keeping method proved to be simple yet effective."

So, you secretaries who are daily by the Emperor’s side, what’s your purpose? Why can’t you even think of such a simple method?

The secretaries felt humiliated.

Despite Jiang Yi’s thick skin, he couldn’t retort.

Jiang Shaohua did not intend to let the secretaries off the hook and continued, "You few are secretaries, the Emperor’s confidants, yet you hold your own familial positions. Sometimes you can’t help yourselves, can’t blame you."

"However, now with the Emperor ill, the court in chaos, and unrest in people’s hearts, everyone must work together to get through this difficult time."

"Whatever thoughts you may have, calm them down and focus on doing your tasks well."

Such words, no one can withstand.

Zheng Chen was the first to bow expressing, "In my loyalty, there is no divided heart towards the Emperor. I ask His Majesty to see this clearly."

Wang Jin immediately followed, "Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parent, Teacher, loyalty comes before filial piety. I have a heart of loyalty; I ask His Majesty to discern."

Li Boyuan and Jiang Yi also professed their loyalty.

Just as Emperor Taihe was about to tell them to rise, Jiang Shaohua gave a look, and Emperor Taihe remained silent.

Jiang Shaohua calmly stated, "Whether loyal or not is not based on words, but on what you do. Since you all claim to be loyal ministers, serve well and relieve the Emperor’s burdens."

"I have matters to discuss with the Emperor; all of you may withdraw."