Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 488: Turning the Tables (Part 1)

Prime Minister Wang suddenly realized he had always underestimated the young woman before him.

He always thought she wanted to be the sharpest blade in the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s hand. Now it seemed her target wasn’t the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, but the Emperor Taihe on the Dragon Throne.

Emperor Taihe had average abilities and mediocre vision, yet he was young and impetuous, hot-blooded and impulsive. In short, his capabilities were far from matching his position, hence he couldn’t control the ministers. The conflicts and strife at court stressed him to the point of fainting, and the illness inherited in his bloodline from the late Emperor also erupted, forcing him to take to his bed to recuperate.

Originally, it seemed that he as Prime Minister would naturally return to the court, preside over the situation, and seize power completely.

But Jiang Shaohua arrived, just in time. In just a few days, she managed to suppress the ministers with her tactics, stabilize the situation, and calm people’s hearts. Now, she continually devised ingenious plans to slowly consolidate imperial power in Emperor Taihe’s hands.

Fortunately, she was just a woman. If she were a man, the true person who should be deeply worried wouldn’t be him, the Prime Minister, but Emperor Taihe on the Dragon Couch...

A series of thoughts swept through his mind.

Prime Minister Wang’s face already showed a grateful smile: "The Emperor trusts this old minister so much. I, the old minister, will certainly live up to the Emperor’s expectations and spare no effort to alleviate the Emperor’s worries."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and personally escorted Prime Minister Wang out of Zhaohai Palace. Her courteous and respectful posture was like that of a junior showing respect to an elder.

Minister Zhang, holding an evaluation form in his hand, watched Jiang Shaohua’s departing figure, feeling complex emotions that were hard to express. After a while, he finally squeezed out a sentence: "Let’s go too!"

From behind, Minister Dai echoed: "Half a day to spare is just enough to go to the office and work."

Minister Dai was nearing seventy, the oldest among the Six Ministers. Usually, he left most affairs of the Ministry of Justice to two Assistant Ministers, rarely worrying much. Now, holding that scorching evaluation form, even Minister Dai couldn’t remain idle.

The ministers, each with different moods, exchanged a few polite words, then hurriedly left the palace, returning to their respective offices.

...

After Jiang Shaohua saw Prime Minister Wang out of the palace, she didn’t return; instead, she rode a carriage to Duke An’s Mansion.

The unfortunate Duke An had been self-reflecting behind closed doors, submitting one letter of apology after another. However, Emperor Taihe, bedridden, needed to rely on Prime Minister Wang and couldn’t spare time for him. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng couldn’t plead for him during such a sensitive time either.

Even though Duke An’s Mansion wasn’t sealed, news from the palace flowed continuously into the Zheng Mansion.

Duke An was well aware of the happenings in the palace these days, and he was as anxious as ants on a hot pan, pacing back and forth in the study.

Absent from court, there was no leader for the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s faction. Jiang Shaohua’s arrival conveniently filled this vacancy. Moreover, Jiang Shaohua was obviously more trusted by the Emperor, her actions based on Emperor Taihe’s complete support.

To put it bluntly, Emperor Taihe tacitly allowed Jiang Shaohua to suppress the ministers under the guise of imperial authority. As Emperor, to allocate a portion of imperial power was an alarming signal.

How could Duke An not be anxious?

If this continued, his influence would greatly diminish upon returning to court. Even his influence on the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng would be greatly weakened.

"Reporting to Lord, the Commandery Princess is here to visit."

Duke An was startled and turned abruptly: "Jiang Shaohua is here?"

At some unknown point, when people mentioned Jiang Shaohua, they didn’t even use her title anymore. This was because Jiang Shaohua’s presence had long overshadowed Princess Bao Hua and others in the palace. Even Da Liang’s powerful ministers were especially respectful when mentioning the Commandery Princess.

"That’s right, should the Lord meet with her?" The aide cautiously observed Duke An’s expression.

Duke An quickly made a decision: "Since she has come specifically, how can I avoid meeting her? Please quickly invite her into the study... forget it, I’ll go personally to welcome her."

Nowadays, even Prime Minister Wang had to be overly polite upon meeting Jiang Shaohua. Although Duke An felt conflicted inside, he had to appear warm and friendly.

Duke An swiftly adjusted his mood, raised a smiling face, and walked out of the study to greet her.

Jiang Shaohua, dressed in dark Commandery Princess formal attire, with skin as white as snow and eyes glowing brightly, arrived with a smile.

Duke An, already in his forties, was momentarily dazzled by her beauty, thinking it’s no wonder Zheng Chen couldn’t let go of her. What young man could forget such a girl?

"I greet the Commandery Princess," Duke An cupped his hands respectfully.

Jiang Shaohua reached out with a gentle support, smiling warmly: "Speaking of the Grand Empress Dowager, I should call you cousin. In Nanyang County, I greatly appreciated cousin’s care. Today, with time to spare, I’ve come specifically to visit cousin; please don’t be so formal and distant with me."

See how warmly those cousin words were called. Anyone unaware would think they had close interactions before!

Duke An sighed inwardly, but outwardly responded with an appreciative smile: "With such earnestness from the Commandery Princess, I will shamelessly accept. Please come into the study for a short stay."

Once inside the study, the two took their seats, and a beautiful maid served them fine tea. Amidst the swirling aroma of tea, Jiang Shaohua and Duke An exchanged pleasantries, inevitably mentioning the impeachment incident in the court.

Duke An, with a face full of shame, sighed: "Speaking of which, it was all my fault for not recognizing people well and taking that scoundrel Wang Pei as a confidant, being stabbed in the back right on the court."

"Now I’m in a mire, unable to wash myself clean."

The evidence was irrefutable, with a clear bribery price list laid out, along with some low-ranking military officials coming forward as witnesses. How could this still be washed away?

If they could clear it, Duke An wouldn’t be "self-reflecting behind closed doors," suffocating for over a month.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled inwardly and spoke warmly to console him: "To err is human. Cousin was deceived and made some mistakes, but changing them is what matters."

Duke An caught some meaning from her words, his eyes brightened, looking over with hope: "I hope the Commandery Princess will speak for me in front of the Emperor, allowing me to keep this useful body to serve the Emperor."

Jiang Shaohua said: "Cousin’s loyalty is clear to the Emperor. However, the court cannot do without the Prime Minister at the moment, so cousin can only be wronged for a while. Once the case of Left General and Wang Yi is settled, it won’t be too late for cousin to return to court."

Duke An did not dare to show disappointment, repeatedly responding: "It’s no wrong; it’s no wrong. I’ll just take it as a long vacation, resting more at home."

"Thankfully, the Commandery Princess is here to help the Emperor, stabilizing the court. With the Commandery Princess present, people like Prime Minister Wang cannot create any waves."

Duke An’s straightforward flattery made Jiang Shaohua smile slightly: "Cousin overpraises me. I’m just a girl, without the Emperor’s full trust and support, I wouldn’t have such capabilities."

Oh! Such modesty! In the two hundred years since Da Liang was founded, there has only been one formidable girl like you.

Duke An internally grumbled while externally displaying a more earnest smile.

...