Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 547: Rumors (Part 2)

Emperor Taihe felt a surge of anger in his heart and hardened his expression: "This is my decision, and it has nothing to do with my elder sister. If anyone spreads rumors again, Mother, just have the idle talker beaten to death, and stop mentioning this in my presence."

Empress Dowager Li, unprepared for her son’s outburst, felt somewhat aggrieved: "I’m only considering the stability of your throne. If you don’t appreciate it, so be it, but don’t blame your own mother."

"Currently, the border army is guarding Si State, struggling to resist. Rouran Cavalry is besieging Si State on one side while burning, killing, and looting everywhere. At this rate, who knows how many innocent people will die? Does the Emperor not feel heartache?"

Emperor Taihe’s expression turned bleak, and after a long moment, he said, "My heart aches, and I hate myself for being powerless!"

As he spoke, his body swayed.

Empress Dowager Li’s face changed suddenly, rushing forward to support Emperor Taihe, her voice trembling: "Don’t be angry, it’s all my fault for speaking out of turn and upsetting you. Calm yourself, you must not let your emotions get the better of you."

Emperor Taikang fainted a few times, and the last time, he closed his eyes forever. The symptoms of Emperor Taihe are the same as Emperor Taikang’s, so he should not overwork and must avoid emotional upheavals.

Emperor Taihe closed his eyes, slowly exhaled, and then wearily opened them: "I’m fine, just need to rest a while."

Empress Dowager Li originally intended to put a little pressure on Jiang Shaohua, the Nanyang County Princess, but no longer had the heart for it. Carefully, she helped her son sit down and sent for Doctor Ji.

Doctor Ji administered acupuncture to Emperor Taihe and prescribed medication. Once a bowl of dark medicinal soup was consumed, Emperor Taihe quickly fell asleep.

However, even in his sleep, Emperor Taihe furrowed his brows tightly, showing the weight of his worries.

Indeed, the border army could barely defend the city, while surrounding counties suffered Rouran Cavalry massacres, leaving them unattended. The country was in chaos and the reign unstable. As the Emperor, how could he not be anxious?

Princess Bao Hua was even more troubled and slept poorly that night, developing a high fever the next morning.

Upon entering Jingyang Palace to pay respects, Jiang Wanhua and Fan Jaining rushed to the Princess’s chamber when they heard the news.

Jiang Yuehua welcomed them with red eyes, speaking softly: "Her Highness the Princess is ill from worry, her internal fire is out of control, and her forehead is burning hot. Several imperial physicians are currently in consultation. Please wait outside for now."

Jiang Wanhua, with her hair styled in a married woman’s bun, exuded the unique charm of a newlywed from her rosy oval face. She said indignantly: "Who could be so malicious, spreading rumors and slandering the Princess?"

"Her Highness the Princess is gentle, virtuous, and kind to everyone, never holding grudges," Fan Jaining, with red eyes, also choked up: "Who is stirring up trouble with such venomous words to hurt the Princess?"

Fan Jaining, who had been a reading companion for several years, had a deep friendship with Princess Bao Hua. Now, seeing the Princess trapped in a whirl of rumors, Fan Jaining felt indignant and angry.

Moreover, with the border army’s unfavorable situation, General Fan, as the main general, must repel the Rouran Cavalry. Otherwise, losing territory would mean being a sinner of Da Liang.

With dual concerns, Fan Jaining felt anxious and worried.

Jiang Yuehua quietly added: "These rumors also involve the Nanyang County Princess. It’s said that it was Nanyang County Princess who first stepped up, firmly opposing the marriage alliance, and persuaded the Emperor to expel the Rouran envoys. That’s why this war started."

Jiang Wanhua, who never liked Jiang Shaohua, couldn’t help but spit after hearing such talk: "What utter nonsense! To me, it’s obvious that some petty person is spreading rumors to unsettle people. There are so many cowards in the court who, seeing the war going poorly, seek to blame others and shirk responsibility."

"What does it have to do with Nanyang County Princess?" Fan Jaining also said: "Everything Nanyang County Princess did was for the Emperor and the court’s stability. Contributing military supplies and sending aid troops, without the Nanyang Army, the border army might not even hold Si State. Nanyang County Princess clearly rendered great service!"

Jiang Yuehua sighed: "Forget it, what use is our talk? With Shao Hua’s temperament, she will certainly have a response. Let’s just take good care of Her Highness the Princess!"

...

Princess Bao Hua’s illness lingered on, making her unable to leave her sickbed.

Zheng Chen, after five busy days, reported to Emperor Taihe: "Minister, upon investigation, I found two eunuchs and a palace maid who spread the rumors. However, further probing yielded no results."

Emperor Taihe, having suffered several sleepless days and nights, had grown thinner, his complexion poor: "Just use torture!"

Zheng Chen bowed in acceptance. As a result, after applying severe torture, the palace maid couldn’t withstand it and died in prison, while the two eunuchs confessed before dying, claiming they were instructed by Prime Minister Wang.

Prime Minister Wang was furious, compelled to submit a memorial in self-defense, angrily accusing Zheng Sheren of framing him intentionally.

The faction of Duke An showed no weakness, immediately submitting memorials to impeach Prime Minister Wang for disregarding the greater good and sowing chaos in the court for personal grievances. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng stormed into Jinluan Palace again, publicly rebuking Prime Minister Wang for being unworthy of his position as Prime Minister, suggesting he should voluntarily retire for the sake of his dignity.

Prime Minister Wang was not intimidated, coldly stating: "This old minister deeply cherishes the late Emperor’s grace, having long sworn to fully support the Emperor and tirelessly work for Da Liang till death. At this moment, amidst the major war with Rouran, this old minister cannot and dares not resign. However, it’s the Grand Empress Dowager who, unsettled in the harem, meddles in court affairs daily—what ambition!"

"Da Liang is the Jiang Family’s realm. Does the Grand Empress Dowager intend for the Zheng Family to regency and change the royal surname?"

These vicious words hit hard, even the Grand Empress Dowager couldn’t endure them. Duke An immediately knelt, crying out to the Emperor about the Zheng Family’s loyalty.

The factional struggle, subdued for several months, ignited once again, with vigorous momentum, seemingly eager for a conclusive clash.

Emperor Taihe, distressed and exhausted, erupted in anger in court: "At this critical time of military conflict, when unity is needed to repel foreign enemies, you are still biting at each other and fighting. I won’t occupy the throne any longer, just let you have it."

After speaking, with an iron face, he swept his sleeves and left amidst the ministers’ alarmed pleas for forgiveness.

...

"As expected, it turned into chaos once again."

Days later, the news reached Nanyang County. In the Personal Guard Camp, Jiang Shaohua sighed to Song Yuan: "The one who spread the rumors is likely not Prime Minister Wang, but rather the father and son of the Zheng Family."

"They want to take advantage of the chaos, using Princess Bao Hua and me as leverage to attack Prime Minister Wang."

"The Emperor has already accumulated many grievances against Prime Minister Wang, and the tension is only deepening. Eventually, it will erupt completely."

"Once Prime Minister Wang is overthrown, Duke An will vie for the Prime Minister’s position. Even if he doesn’t succeed, replacing the head of the Prime Minister Faction will significantly weaken its power. When that time comes, it will be the Zheng Family’s turn to dominate the court."

Song Yuan’s eyes flared with anger: "Even at such a time, they still keep fighting. If the border army cannot hold Si State, the entire North will be trampled by Rouran’s iron hooves."