Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 509: Unraveled Mysteries

For example, Zuo Zhen, who was dealt with by Jiang Shaohua back in the day, had his future ruined and was full of resentment. And then there’s Zuo Yue, who also had verbal altercations with Jiang Shaohua.

Left General declared firmly, "It wasn’t them. I run my household like I run the army; no one would dare to assassinate the Commandery Princess behind my back."

The Prime Minister’s brow furrowed even tighter: "If it wasn’t the Zuo Family, then who was it?"

So, in truth, the Prime Minister also suspected the Zuo Family might’ve made a move. After all, the number of families that can afford death warriors and have had a grudge with Jiang Shaohua can be counted on one hand.

Left General sighed helplessly, "Even the esteemed Prime Minister suspects the Zuo Family; no wonder Vice Minister Yang of the Ministry of Justice is certain the assassination was the work of the Zuo Family."

"I have never spoken a false word to the Prime Minister. I swear to the heavens, this matter truly has nothing to do with the Zuo Clan."

The Prime Minister looked even more puzzled: "Then who exactly would employ such a horrifying method to go after Jiang Shaohua?"

In political battles, strategies are usually political. Sending death warriors as assassins is both vicious and despicable, earning the disdain of all. There hasn’t been such a vile incident of assassinating a high official in the Da Liang Capital for years. Moreover, Jiang Shaohua is the Da Liang Princess, representing the Emperor to inspect the Six Ministries.

The mastermind behind sending the assassin harbors malicious intent, and their heart deserves condemnation.

After contemplating for a long time, Left General finally said, "Perhaps it’s one of the Vassal Kings. Jiang Shaohua shone brightly in the Capital City, making the other Vassal Kings disdainful, wanting to teach her a lesson."

"Prince Wu’an?" The Prime Minister quickly responded, immediately naming a person.

During the national mourning when the late Emperor passed away, Prince Wu’an had a public dispute with Jiang Shaohua, repeatedly losing face, and was humiliated. Prince Wu’an, despite his gambling, harbors resentment and could very well have acted.

Left General thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "It could also be Prince Dongping or Prince Huaiyang, or even the Gao Liang Prince Mansion has suspicions."

The Prime Minister’s gaze flickered: "Prince Gaoliang is not clear-headed and struggles to speak coherently. But the Heir of Prince Gaoliang, though he appears lazy and playful, is actually clever and astute. In terms of talent, he’s somewhat stronger than the Emperor."

It goes to show, dealing with the high officials in court is not easy.

Jiang Yi thought he hid his shortcomings well, but more than one or two could see through his act.

"Perhaps, the hand that struck belongs to Duke An’s Mansion." Left General’s eyes flashed. "The Zheng Family is making use of the assassination to throw dirt on me and drag the Prime Minister into the mire. In that way, Duke An can benefit from the chaos."

The Prime Minister responded with a hum: "Grand Empress Dowager Zheng follows Jiang Shaohua’s words, and her faction has also been swayed by Jiang Shaohua’s charisma. If this continues, Duke An’s rank will be replaced by Jiang Shaohua. Secret schemes like this naturally hit multiple targets with one stone."

As for Zheng Chen’s romantic inclinations toward Jiang Shaohua, there’s really no need to discuss it. In the face of power struggles, such trivial romantic notions are insignificant.

...

"Who exactly is the real mastermind behind the assassination of the Commandery Princess?"

In one of the chambers of Jingyang Palace, came the low whispers of Chen Jinyu, puzzled and confused.

Jiang Shaohua had already bathed and changed, leisurely lying on the bed. Chen Jinyu sat at the side, pondering deeply, counting the Vassal Kings on his fingers, eventually landing on Duke An’s Mansion.

"It’s not Duke An." Jiang Shaohua’s tone was very certain.

Chen Jinyu raised an eyebrow: "After the Commandery Princess came to the Capital City, she displayed incredible prowess, winning over people’s hearts. Duke An, harboring resentments and displeasure, sends an assassin, injuring the Commandery Princess, while dragging the Prime Minister and Left General into it, a win-win. Why not Duke An?"

Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "It could be the Zheng Family’s doing, but Duke An certainly doesn’t know about it."

Chen Jinyu almost felt dizzy from the reasoning and blurted out, "The Commandery Princess doesn’t actually think Zheng Chen could have done this, right? That’s impossible! Doesn’t Zheng Chen admire the Commandery Princess?"

Jiang Shaohua tugged at the corner of her mouth: "Chen Sheren, you’ve been in the court for a few years now, how can you still be so naive! In the power struggles, there’s no room for minor romantic feelings. I, as the Nanyang County Princess, am blocking someone else’s way, so they would naturally act to remove me."

Chen Jinyu took a sharp breath, and after a while said, "So, Zheng Chen is also quite suspicious."

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Shaohua’s eyes, slowly saying, "Without solid evidence, based purely on the clues the Ministry of Justice has found so far, there’s no way to convict anyone."

"For now, we’ll set this aside. Fortunately, I didn’t suffer a loss; those eight death warriors were top-tier assassins, yet they’re all dead, which must have pained the real mastermind."

Chen Jinyu exhaled. "Shall the Commandery Princess still visit the Ministry of War tomorrow?"

"Of course, I have to go." Jiang Shaohua said, "Duke An is in self-reflection behind closed doors, and there’s no Chief of Staff presiding over the Ministry of War. Vice Minister Wang lacks integrity, Vice Minister Ding is too gentle, and the Ministry of War is in chaos. I’ll take the opportunity while inspecting the Six Ministries on behalf of the Emperor to reorganize the Ministry of War."

...

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was quite dissatisfied with easily sparing Left General and the Prime Minister.

The next morning, when Jiang Shaohua came to pay respects, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng couldn’t help but scold her a little. Jiang Shaohua smiled and reassured her, "The court has only been stable for a few days; it’s not suitable to stir up another storm. Moreover, there’s insufficient evidence to convict the Zuo Family."

"For now, we’ll focus on the bigger picture and temporarily set aside the assassination case. The Ministry of Justice will continue to slowly investigate, and when more leads are discovered, we’ll naturally capture the real mastermind."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng smiled with a sigh, "You child, always thinking of the court’s stability, not even fussing over such a major issue as assassination. No wonder I favor you the most."

Jiang Shaohua smiled modestly, her sweet words pleasing Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, making her beam with happiness.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng casually said, "On your inspection of the Ministry of War, did you find any problems?"

With a calm expression, Jiang Shaohua replied, "Minister Zheng has managed the Ministry of War for several years, working meticulously, so there shouldn’t be any issues. It’s just that recently, with Minister Zheng absent, the Ministry of War has been a bit lax. I’d like to tidy things up on behalf of Minister Zheng to prevent him from worrying when he returns."

This was to inform Grand Empress Dowager Zheng in advance.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng laughed heartily, "Good, I trust you with the matters at hand."

In the following days, Jiang Shaohua indeed stayed at the Ministry of War. She meticulously checked through each of its departments, examining all military records and documents, and even checked the weapons and supplies in the arsenal thoroughly.

The farms used by the Ministry of War to breed warhorses were too far to inspect personally, so Jiang Shaohua ordered the records of warhorses over the past five years to be brought over, carefully calculating against the number of warhorses allocated to various armies each year.

At the Ministry of War, everyone felt as if a sword was hanging over their heads, all of them were on edge.

"The Commandery Princess spent five days at the Ministry of Rites and five days at the Ministry of Industry. Why is it different at the Ministry of War, staying nearly ten days without any sign of leaving?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Don’t let the Commandery Princess hear you."

"Vice Minister Wang has been disciplined into silence; we better not speak out of turn."