Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 531: Fury (4)

The Imperial Guards were all taken aback and repeatedly shouted to stop: "Princess, please stop!"

"Please stop, Princess! How is Zheng Sheren injured? Do we need to summon the Imperial Physician?"

Jiang Shaohua’s voice came over clearly: "Don’t worry, he won’t die. None of you come over, I have something to say to Zheng Sheren alone."

After speaking, she reached out and grabbed Zheng Chen, dragging him under the tree a few meters away.

The Imperial Guards dared not leave, wanting to step forward but were stopped by Song Yuan, and could only watch with eyes wide open.

With a thud, Zheng Chen was thrown to the ground, in unbearable pain, vomiting a mouthful of fresh blood.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t move again, just stood there coldly looking down at Zheng Chen.

Zheng Chen gasped heavily, barely recovering some strength to speak: "Jiang Shaohua, what do you mean by this? Why did you suddenly attack?"

Jiang Shaohua said coldly: "Zheng Chen, it’s just you and me here, they are far away, no one can hear us talk."

"Stop pretending in front of me. The assassin outside the Ministry of Industry that day was instigated by Jiang Yi, but the attempt to assassinate Cui Du in Nanyang County had nothing to do with Jiang Yi, it was you who ordered it."

"I have no evidence, nor do I need any. I know it was you!"

It was indeed too secluded here, the nearest palace lanterns were five or six meters away.

Moonlight filtered through the sparse branches, casting down on Zheng Chen’s dark and uncertain face, with complex emotions surging in his eyes, finally turning into a single sentence: "You have no evidence, what right do you have to say it’s me."

Jiang Shaohua sneered, curling her lips: "Dare to act and not admit it! This is not like the Prime Minister Zheng I know!"

In front of Jiang Shaohua, Zheng Chen could not stand mockery, his eyes bursting with flames of anger: "Jiang Shaohua! What if it was me who did it?"

"If you have the ability, go to the Emperor right now and accuse me, or go to Jingyang Palace and complain to the Grand Empress Dowager. Let’s see whom they believe in the end, you or me."

Jiang Shaohua said coldly: "You are the Emperor’s Companion, growing up in the palace from a young age. The Emperor trusts you greatly, the Grand Empress Dowager dotes on you immensely. I have no proof, naturally, I cannot accuse you on a whim. You determined before you acted that I could only swallow this breath."

Zheng Chen spat out two more mouthfuls of fresh blood, his mouth full of a metallic tang, and the kicked waist and abdomen were in excruciating pain. He held his waist and abdomen with his hands, slowly exhaling, striving to keep his voice calm: "Think and say whatever you want."

"Have you vented your frustration? If you have, help me up. I still have to escort you to Jingyang Palace."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed with coldness: "You should be grateful that Cui Du is unharmed. If something were to happen to him, today next year would be your death anniversary!"

Zheng Chen was thoroughly enraged: "Did you really want to kill me? Jiang Shaohua! You are ambitious, unwilling to marry, insisting on recruiting a son-in-law. That’s why you chose someone like Cui Du with humble origins but some farming skills. Don’t tell me you fell for him for real!"

"Who told you I was pretending?" Jiang Shaohua’s eyes were exceptionally bright: "I took Cui Du as a son-in-law because I like him."

Zheng Chen’s pupils suddenly contracted, his body trembling as if he were a wounded beast, heavily struck at a sore spot, not knowing if the pain or anger and jealousy were greater: "You like Cui Du? What a joke! How does he compare to me! Even compared to Wang Jin, he is far inferior."

He could accept losing to Wang Jin. After all, a day as husband and wife is a hundred days of grace, in the previous life Jiang Shaohua and Wang Jin were married for three years. This Cui Du who appeared midway, what is he? Why can he make Jiang Shaohua fall for him?

Jiang Shaohua beat Zheng Chen up, and the stifling frustration in her heart dissipated slightly. She looked at Zheng Chen’s slightly twisted and ferocious face and said coldly: "Put away that face of yours! You have no right to dictate him!"

Zheng Chen was extremely angry and resentful, instead, he laughed: "Fine! Jiang Shaohua, since you are so heartless towards me, I don’t need to show mercy anymore. From today onwards, you and I are completely strangers."

Jiang Shaohua sneered, suddenly reaching out to punch him again. Not on the face, but on the left shoulder. Zheng Chen was a tough guy, and though he was in such pain that sweat dripped from his forehead, he didn’t cry out for mercy.

"If you have the guts, kill me in front of so many people!" Zheng Chen squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "I want to see how you will explain to the Grand Empress Dowager, to the Emperor, to the whole court of civil and military officials, and to the people."

Jiang Shaohua sneered: "Spare me your ridiculous provocation! I only gave you a beating today to vent my frustration. However, if you dare reach out to Nanyang County again in the future, then you will be my mortal enemy!"

"What you said back then, I return to you word for word. I hope you don’t become my enemy!"

After speaking, Jiang Shaohua turned and left.

Zheng Chen wanted to get up, but at a slight movement, he was in unbearable pain.

"Commander Song, help Zheng Sheren up." Jiang Shaohua instructed faintly: "Zheng Sheren and I were exchanging martial arts, I accidentally injured him. Escort Zheng Sheren back to rest and have the Imperial Physician take a look at him."

Song Yuan cupped his hands to take the order, and went to the tree to pull Zheng Sheren up. Being a martial artist, it’s inevitable to be a bit rough. Zheng Sheren’s wound was agitated again, causing him to inhale sharply in pain.

Song Yuan gave him a cold glance: "If Zheng Sheren can’t walk, how about I carry you back?"

"That’s not necessary!" Zheng Chen endured the intense pain, gritted his teeth, and said: "I’ll walk on my own."

...

A stick of incense later, Jiang Shaohua stepped into Jingyang Palace.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was not yet aware of Jiang Shaohua’s thrashing of Zheng Chen, but news had spread from Zhaohai Palace, informing the Grand Empress Dowager that Jiang Shaohua was leaving the Capital City to return to Nanyang County, which made her quite reluctant.

She held Jiang Shaohua’s hand and sighed: "I truly can’t bear for you to leave. Shao Hua, how nice it would be if you stayed in the Capital City, by my side."

Jiang Shaohua, like a frail maiden, leaned her head into the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s arms: "I can’t bear to leave Auntie either. But I am the Nanyang County Princess, I cannot abandon the officials and the people of Nanyang County. I’ve been in the Capital City for so long, now that Cousin’s health is gradually improving and court affairs are becoming well-managed, it’s time for me to return."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng sighed softly: "Elder Changning encountered an assassin at the manor and was fortunate to only hurt his arm. I know you are worrying about him, that’s why you are going back early."

"Oh well, I won’t stop you. The Emperor has given you permission, allowing you to come to the Capital City at any time. You can stay in Nanyang County for a while, and then come again after the new year."

But Jiang Shaohua said: "If there’s nothing major, I won’t come. I also hope to never have to come to the Capital City again in the future."

She came to the Capital City twice, the first time for a funeral and the second because of Emperor Taihe’s sudden illness. As a Vassal King, there’s no reason to leave the vassal territory and enter the Capital City at will.

The Emperor could grant permission, but if she really came and went from the Capital City as she pleased, it would show her ignorance.