Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 484: Trust (5)

As soon as Jiang Shaohua finished speaking, Wang Jin immediately cupped his hands and took his leave.

Zheng Chen’s brows twitched, and a trace of anger flashed in his eyes. Jiang Shaohua’s condescending tone was truly infuriating. Did she really take him for a mere secretary?

Unfortunately, he had no chance to retort.

Emperor Taihe also said, "I want to have a word with my cousin, you all may leave for now."

Zheng Chen had no choice but to comply with cupped hands.

After the secretaries left the bedroom, they remained silent for a while. They used to live with the Emperor in the Eastern Palace, and now each had a place in Zhaohai Palace. Having been busy all day, they should have gone back to rest in their respective rooms. However, too many things had happened today, and each of them was bursting with words.

Li Boyuan was the first to suggest, "I’ll have the Imperial Kitchen send over some dishes, and we can have dinner together."

Zheng Chen nodded in agreement.

Wang Jin had been keeping a close eye on Zheng Chen lately, so even if he wasn’t interested in food and drink, he agreed with a smile.

Jiang Yi needed no further mention. He was famously fond of eating, drinking, and having fun in the palace, never missing any social occasion.

The Imperial Kitchen acted swiftly, and in the time it takes to burn an incense stick, they had sent four cold and four hot dishes, along with a pot of wine.

"We still have to be up early for duty tomorrow, so it’s best not to drink too much. Let’s just have a few cups to unwind," Li Boyuan said as he personally poured the wine with a smile. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

He was the eldest of the four and would be marrying Dongping County Princess at the end of the year. Perhaps because his wedding was approaching, even with frequent disturbances in the palace, he remained cheerful every day. Although the Zheng and Li families were on the verge of a fallout, it hadn’t greatly affected him and Zheng Chen. It must be said, having a big heart was his greatest attribute.

The four of them raised their cups and drank together.

Zheng Chen and Wang Jin never really got along, but facing each other every day, they couldn’t constantly be at each other’s throats. For instance, today, each was lost in their own thoughts, lacking the desire to argue, so their interactions were much calmer.

Jiang Yi suddenly sighed, "I really admire Cousin Shaohua. As soon as she arrived, she had the Prime Minister return, and today’s court discussions went smoothly, with efficiency increased tenfold. No wonder the Emperor trusts and values her so much."

Li Boyuan smirked, "We’ve been working hard to relieve the Emperor’s burdens. But we’re just lowly secretaries, our opinions carry little weight. Those high-ranking courtiers may be polite on the surface, but deep down, they don’t regard us at all. They see us merely as heirs living off family connections."

This truth made Zheng Chen and Wang Jin feel awkward.

But Jiang Yi was somewhat indignant, "In terms of blood relations, I’m the direct cousin to the Emperor, closer than Cousin Shaohua. So why can’t I compare to her?"

Li Boyuan rolled his eyes unapologetically, "Other than serving tea and snacks, what else can you do all day?"

Angry, Jiang Yi immediately grabbed a large wine cup to challenge Li Boyuan in a drinking contest.

Li Boyuan was not intimidated in the slightest, grinning widely, "Come on, I’m not afraid of you."

The two of them bickered childishly over drinks, with Wang Jin watching in amusement, volunteering to pour wine for them. Zheng Chen observed coldly, sneering inwardly.

Indeed, in terms of bloodline, Jiang Yi and Emperor Taihe shared the same grandfather, making them direct cousins. Because of this, Emperor Taihe actually harbored some wariness towards Jiang Yi.

Prince Gaoliang had suffered brain damage from a severe illness when young, missing the chance for the throne. Otherwise, the one sitting on the Dragon Throne might have been Jiang Yi.

What hidden conspiracies were behind that old affair, back when Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was just the Empress, she knew best.

After Emperor Taikang ascended, he used Prince Gaoliang’s poor health as an excuse not to let him govern a vassal state, keeping him and his son in the Capital City all along. Calling it a favor, isn’t it also a form of bondage? Jiang Yi was clearly talented, yet he wasted his studies with a lazy disposition, skilled neither in letters nor in martial arts. Though close to the Emperor, he showed no interest in state affairs. How much of this was genuine, and how much was an act, who could say?

Emperor Taihe trusted Jiang Shaohua more, firstly because the Nanyang County had strong influence, and Jiang Shaohua was exceptionally cunning and strategic. Secondly, Jiang Shaohua was a woman, posing no threat to the throne. Naturally, Emperor Taihe felt assured.

"Zheng Zixian, why are you sitting there in a daze, come drink with us," Jiang Yi shouted, "Wang the Fourth, pour him a drink."

Wang Jin reminded with a smile, "There’s a court meeting tomorrow, we’ll all be busy, don’t drink too much."

Jiang Yi grinned cheekily, "What’s there to be afraid of, it won’t interfere with official duties."

...

In the Emperor’s bedroom, a different kind of tranquility prevailed.

Jiang Shaohua spoke softly, "There is no one else here, it’s just you and me, elder brother. I want to speak candidly, regardless of the severity, please don’t blame me."

"Speak freely," he answered.

"The secretaries each have their strengths," Jiang Shaohua said slowly, "Li Boyuan has a broad heart and open mind; Wang Jin is meticulous and thoughtful; Zheng Chen, it goes without saying, is both literate and skilled, clever and resourceful. Even Jiang Yi, despite his carefree demeanor, holds deep thoughts within."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Emperor Taihe was moved, casting a deep glance at Jiang Shaohua.

"Holds deep thoughts," when applied to Jiang Yi, held profound meaning.

Jiang Shaohua looked back calmly, "But they each have their own positions, overthinking, unable to be purely loyal ministers. Nor can they fully relieve elder brother’s burdens. They might even quarrel endlessly over trivial matters."

Indeed, trivial matters can become major disputes in their words, no different from the court.

Emperor Taihe bitterly smiled in self-mockery, "Ultimately, it’s my own incompetence, unable to control even the trusted few around me."

The lack of truly useful people was Emperor Taihe’s greatest predicament.

It was the truth, and Jiang Shaohua didn’t offer insincere comfort. After a moment’s silence, she said softly, "If elder brother trusts me, let me help you eliminate the environment of shirking and inefficiency in court. As for the secretaries with their varied thoughts, I’ll manage them a bit on behalf of elder brother."

Emperor Taihe: "..."

Emperor Taihe looked at Jiang Shaohua with some surprise. He had vaguely anticipated this, yet hadn’t expected Jiang Shaohua to be so forthright.

"Nanyang County has soldiers and provisions, I’m the Nanyang County Princess, the leader of the vassals. There are courtiers in the court who support me. What I say holds weight in the court." Jiang Shaohua remained composed, "That’s the first point."

"Secondly, I won’t stay in the Capital City for long. After a few months, I’ll return to Nanyang County. Whatever I do or say, the courtiers will resist less and be more compliant."

"Thirdly, I’m a woman, even if I extend my hand occasionally, it doesn’t affect the big picture. Elder brother doesn’t need to have many concerns."

These three reasons were all very compelling.

Especially the last one, which was most crucial.

A woman, no matter how powerful, would not impact the Emperor Taihe’s throne. If Jiang Yi dared to say such things, he would be immediately seen as ambitious.

Emperor Taihe realized he was almost convinced, "What about Grand Empress Dowager...?"

"I’ll persuade Grand Aunt," Jiang Shaohua met Emperor Taihe’s gaze, "Do you, elder brother, trust me?"