Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 497: Inspection (6)
As they left the Ministry of Industry, a cold wind unique to autumn swept through.
Chen Jinyu, feeling a bit chilly, turned to the Commandery Princess: "It’s too late tonight, the palace gates are already locked. Will the Commandery Princess still return to the palace?"
Jiang Shaohua responded with a hum: "Of course, I must return. There is a morning court session tomorrow."
This energy and overwhelming sense of responsibility left Zheng Chen, who had been busy for half the day, in silence.
Jiang Shaohua’s visit to the Capital City involved one surprising action after another. Despite his shock, Zheng Chen was silently pondering Jiang Shaohua’s intentions. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
It now seemed that Jiang Shaohua was genuinely supporting and assisting Emperor Taihe with all her might. In the process, she naturally gained the Emperor’s trust and a part of his authority, establishing her prestige and power gradually.
A woman with such ambition for power, could it be that she intends to become regent one day?
Or does she have an even bigger ambition, wanting to become the Empress of Da Liang?
It’s no wonder Zheng Chen was suspicious. The eighteen-year-old Emperor Taihe had not yet married. Next year, after the three-year mourning period, the formal selection for marriage would take place. Jiang Shaohua’s father was a son-in-law; otherwise, Jiang Shaohua today would have been Lu Shaohua. From a bloodline perspective, she has absolute eligibility to be the Da Liang Empress.
If Jiang Shaohua wants to follow the path of Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, there is indeed room to maneuver.
As for how much of Emperor Taihe’s feelings towards Jiang Shaohua are sibling affections and how much is a man’s admiration and fondness for a young woman, it’s uncertain. For the Emperor, any prohibition is not a real issue as long as he has the desire.
Zheng Chen rode silently to the palace gates, showing his token. General Liu, guarding the palace gate, unlocked the gate, and the group entered the palace grounds.
"It’s too late today, the Emperor should have already retired." Jiang Shaohua said, "I will rest in Jingyang Palace and report the progress of the Ministry of Industry affairs to the Emperor early tomorrow morning."
Zheng Chen gave Jiang Shaohua a deep gaze: "Perhaps the Emperor has been waiting for the Commandery Princess to return to the palace."
Jiang Shaohua raised her eyebrow slightly, exchanged a look with Zheng Chen, and then said lightly: "The Emperor is not in good health and shouldn’t stay up late working hard. He should have retired by now; why would he specifically wait for this Commandery Princess to return to the palace? Zheng Sheren is a close confidant of the Emperor; you should know that while you can eat recklessly, you must not speak recklessly."
Zheng Chen, similarly expressionless, replied: "Words should not be spoken recklessly, but no one can control what people think. The Commandery Princess handles matters in the palace with ease and stirs up waves in the Six Ministries; everyone is watching. It’s wise to be especially careful in speech and action to avoid unnecessary rumors."
Jiang Shaohua coldly replied: "This Commandery Princess and the Emperor are cousins. Helping the Emperor is out of sibling affection. Those who overthink have filth in their hearts and see everything as dirty."
Zheng Chen’s heart flared with anger and he said in a low voice: "Jiang Shaohua, being overconfident is not a good thing. Just like the mythical goddess has no heart yet Prince Xiang dreams, such things are not uncommon. If you want to return to your Nanyang County, you need to avoid certain suspicions."
Jiang Shaohua sneered, curling her lips: "If I can’t return to Nanyang County, isn’t that exactly what you want? When I came to the Capital City, didn’t you hope that once I was here, I’d never leave?"
Zheng Chen: "..."
Before Zheng Chen became enraged, Jiang Shaohua had already turned and headed towards Jingyang Palace.
Zheng Chen took a few deep breaths in the autumn wind and then stepped into Zhaohai Palace.
Emperor Taihe had indeed retired and was not waiting for Jiang Shaohua to return.
Zheng Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
...
The next morning, Jiang Shaohua came to Zhaohai Palace.
In fact, Jiang Shaohua had never truly been alone with Emperor Taihe. Each time, there was either a secretary on the side or an eunuch attending.
This morning, several secretaries were present. Jiang Shaohua recounted the previous day’s visit to the Ministry of Industry: "...With someone watching, the Ministry of Industry is much more efficient. Most discussions were done yesterday, and results should come out today."
Emperor Taihe, reviewing the records made by Zheng Chen, expressed satisfaction: "Thank you for your effort, cousin Shaohua."
Jiang Shaohua casually said: "It was Secretary Zheng who recorded for most of the day yesterday, which was truly arduous. Let’s swap someone else today!"
Emperor Taihe nodded: "Let Secretary Wang go with you then."
Zheng Chen, naturally unwilling to be replaced, responded with a bow: "Your Majesty, there’s no need to replace me, I can endure it. Besides, I also need to report to the Grand Empress Dowager. It’s best for me to personally oversee the Ministry of Industry."
Jiang Shaohua interjected with a smile: "Let Secretary Wang go instead! As the beloved son of Prime Minister Wang, Secretary Wang will encounter less resistance upon meeting Minister Zhou, and tasks will be handled more smoothly."
After a brief consideration, Emperor Taihe replied: "As you said, let Secretary Wang accompany you today."
Zheng Chen: "..."
Why does everyone want to be a favored imperial minister?
This is the greatest advantage. Staying close, always beside the Emperor, allows one to understand the Emperor’s intentions and influence his heart.
In the past, when Jiang Shaohua was in Nanyang County, she wrote letters frequently, yet distant water couldn’t quench a nearby thirst. Now that she is at Zhaohai Palace, her influence on Emperor Taihe is truly astounding.
Zheng Chen was not pleased, but Wang Jin, who was named to accompany, was filled with joy.
Although Jiang Shaohua is in the Capital City, her engagement is steadily proceeding, with the Nanyang Prince Mansion already having an engagement with the Boling Cui Family, and Elder Changning set to marry into the Nanyang Prince Mansion.
Fortunately, the wedding is scheduled for three years later.
Three years is a long time. Perhaps there will be changes, and the engagement will become a distant memory. He still has a slim chance.
...
That day, Jiang Shaohua did not leave the Ministry of Industry until midnight.
Wang Jin, having written all afternoon and evening, felt his wrist was nearly broken. Exhausted physically, yet mentally vibrant and joyful, he remarked: "The Commandery Princess is indeed impressive. With her supervision, the efficiency at the Ministry of Industry has increased by more than fivefold."
Jiang Shaohua smiled: "I don’t understand the Ministry of Industry’s affairs; this is all I can do."
Wang Jin laughed: "Even accomplishing this is quite remarkable. Lately, I’ve been observing the Commandery Princess’s actions, learning diligently, and have gained much."
Pausing for a moment, he added quietly: "Minister Zhou, though unpleasant in his words and actions, is truly competent. He is a real expert in river management."
Jiang Shaohua replied with a hum: "It’s because he has some skills that I leave him some dignity."
Wang Jin, giving an unobtrusive compliment, smiled: "The Commandery Princess deeply understands the way of leadership, adeptly controlling people’s hearts with precise judgment, earning my utmost respect."
Putting aside past feelings, currently, Jiang Shaohua found interacting with Wang Jin more agreeable. At least, Wang Jin did not harbor unwarranted jealousy and treated her with exceptional respect and courtesy.
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, about to speak, when out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of a swiftly incoming cold glint.
Jiang Shaohua’s heart seized; reacting swiftly, she twisted her body, turning and kicking Wang Jin to the ground. Her right hand swiftly grabbed Chen Jinyu, who staggered and almost fell, just managing to dodge the cold gleam.
"There’s an assassin!"
Behind her, Song Yuan’s startled shout filled with anger: "Protect the Commandery Princess!"
