Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 528: Fury (Part 1)

Beside her, Song Yuan was most sensitive to the sudden surge of killing intent from the Commandery Princess and immediately asked in a low voice, "Commandery Princess, has something happened in Nanyang County?"

Jiang Shaohua said nothing, stuffing the thin sheet of paper into Song Yuan’s hand.

Song Yuan’s gaze quickly scanned it, and his expression changed dramatically, anger flashing in his eyes, "Who has such audacity, daring to assassinate Elder Changning!"

Chen Jinyu gasped, her pretty face turning pale, "Commandery Princess! Is Elder Changning seriously injured?"

Jiang Shaohua’s face was covered in frost, "Cui Du was injured on his left arm, Cui Wang took a fatal blow for Cui Du and is now critically injured and unconscious. Of the three assassins, two were killed, and the other took poison to commit suicide."

In this misfortune, it was the greatest fortune that Cui Du’s life was not in danger.

For Nanyang County, Cui Du was indispensable. For the Commandery Princess, Cui Du was irreplaceable. As for the unfortunate Cui Wang, whether he could survive this ordeal depended on his luck.

Chen Jinyu had mixed feelings and didn’t know what to say for a moment.

Song Yuan’s eyes gleamed with killing intent, as he murmured, "The assassination attempt on Elder Changning was aimed at the Commandery Princess. In my view, the three assassins and the mastermind from before were very likely the same person. Someone must resent the Commandery Princess for blocking the way and wanted to send her a warning!"

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes were cold and expressionless, "Our Nanyang County relays messages faster than the court. This matter is not yet known, so don’t spread it."

Song Yuan, Chen Jinyu, and others responded in low voices, agreeing.

Jiang Shaohua got off the carriage, stood outside the vermillion palace gates, and looked up at the endlessly stretching palace walls. Suddenly, she had a strong urge to immediately leave and return to Nanyang County.

The Capital City may be wonderful, but it did not belong to her.

For the stability of the court and tranquility of the situation, she exhausted herself with effort. Though she seemed to be in the limelight, in truth, everyone was wary of her in their hearts.

What she should have done and could have done, she had done. What reason was there to stay any longer?

It would be better to return to her Nanyang County.

Jiang Shaohua suddenly turned her head and said to Song Yuan, "Have them return to the mansion, pack up, and in three to five days, we will set off back for Nanyang County."

Song Yuan never doubted any decision of the Commandery Princess and immediately cupped his hands to take the order.

Chen Jinyu was stunned, subconsciously saying, "Wasn’t the Commandery Princess going to stay in the Capital City for three months and return to Nanyang County at the end of the year?"

It was only November now, and there was still a month before the originally scheduled return date!

Jiang Shaohua briefly replied, "I, the Commandery Princess, have changed my mind."

Was it because Cui Du was injured? So, Cui Du held such weight in the Commandery Princess’s heart. Upon hearing that Cui Du was attacked and injured, the Commandery Princess lost her usual calm and composure.

Chen Jinyu sighed inwardly and said no more.

The palace gates slowly opened. Jiang Shaohua led five people through the gates while the rest of the trusted aides rode back to the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

That night, Jiang Shaohua rarely experienced insomnia.

Whenever she closed her eyes, Cui Du’s pale face constantly flickered before them. The thought of Cui Du almost losing his life to the assassin caused her heart to sink again and again. With such troubled feelings, sleep was impossible.

Only at the fourth period of the night did she manage to fall asleep with difficulty. By the fifth hour, she was awake again.

Jiang Shaohua changed into her ceremonial dress of the Commandery Princess, applied some powder, slightly concealing the shadows under her eyes.

Today’s small court meeting was quite lively.

The performance appraisal form, evaluated monthly, happened to be released. The ministers, all concerned about face, appeared indifferent but were actually all ears.

Prime Minister Wang read out the ranking of the ministers himself, with the top three being Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Industry, Minister Ji of the Ministry of Revenue, and Assistant Minister Yang of the Ministry of Justice.

Minister Zhou was leading officials from the Ministry of Industry in repairing the riverbank, with much credit for labor and toil. Minister Ji was directly residing in the Ministry of Revenue for border army preparations. Assistant Minister Yang was busy investigating cases, returning late almost every day.

"This appraisal form was calculated by the Commandery Princess using the template previously distributed, scored item by item. As Minister Zhou is not in the Capital City, Minister Ji and Assistant Minister Yang will go meet the Emperor, who will personally commend them."

Minister Ji and Assistant Minister Yang held their heads high, basking in the glory amidst the envious gazes of their colleagues.

Jiang Shaohua suppressed her chaotic thoughts, smiled, and praised Minister Ji and Assistant Minister Yang, then glanced at Minister Li’s face.

All the ministers, aware of the situation, turned their gaze in unison.

Minister Li’s old face flushed with embarrassment.

Sure enough, moments later, the Commandery Princess said, "In last month’s appraisal, Minister Li of the Ministry of Rites ranked last. We can’t blame Minister Li; among the Six Ministries, the Ministry of Rites indeed has the least duties and is the most leisurely. Even if Minister Li wanted to perform, there weren’t many opportunities."

"Minister Li can submit a confession to the Emperor. I believe His Majesty will not hold him accountable."

The Emperor wouldn’t hold him accountable, but his old reputation was completely gone.

Under the gaze of his colleagues, who were enjoying the spectacle, Minister Li responded submissively. What else could he do? Coming last in the appraisal, there was no confidence to argue with the Commandery Princess.

Greedy hearts from the Li Family set their sights on having the Emperor replace the vassal territory. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng intervened to discipline Empress Dowager Li and the female members of the Li Family. Jiang Shaohua, in turn, reprimanded Minister Li in court as a form of retaliation.

Minister Li naturally understood this, growing even more ashamed and keeping silent.

After the small court meeting dispersed, Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Personnel voluntarily spoke, "The Commandery Princess has already inspected the five ministries, only our Ministry of Personnel remains. The Ministry of Personnel eagerly awaits your presence, Commandery Princess."

Since she hadn’t left yet, what needed to be done still had to be done. Jiang Shaohua smiled, "I, the Commandery Princess, was just planning to do so."

...

The Ministry of Personnel oversees the evaluation and promotion of officials below the third rank and is the head of the Six Ministries, with the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel holding authority second only to the Prime Minister among civil servants.

Prime Minister Wang’s three most important civil servants are under his command: Minister Zhou was solely promoted by Prime Minister Wang and is very respectful, almost blindly obedient. Naturally, Minister Zhou has some abilities, especially in riverbank repairs, and deserves respect.

Minister Dai, due to his age and seniority, is an old minister serving at the same time as Prime Minister Wang, with the best personal relationship. Their association is not one of dependence but of shared political views, and Minister Dai supports Prime Minister Wang in everything.

Minister Zhang presents a different scenario. In terms of age, Minister Zhang is ten years younger than Prime Minister Wang. According to Da Liang’s bureaucratic norms, once Prime Minister Wang retires, Minister Zhang is the most likely candidate for the next Prime Minister. Therefore, Minister Zhang fawns over Prime Minister Wang everywhere, hoping to become the next Da Liang Chancellor after Prime Minister Wang retires.

It can also be said that Prime Minister Zhang is quite ambitious in his career. On the surface, he is aligned with Prime Minister Wang, but privately he has his own plans.

Jiang Shaohua observed coldly for so long and was well aware of this. After entering the Ministry of Personnel today, she did not rush to inspect the four departments, but instead smiled and chatted with Minister Zhang.

Minister Zhang had prepared himself to be subjected to difficulties and harshness. Unexpectedly, the Commandery Princess was so gentle and polite, which greatly surprised him and made him feel a bit unaccustomed.