Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 561: Honored Guest (Part 1)

"Commandery Princess, you have finally returned!"

The overworked subordinate officials, Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng, all sighed with relief upon seeing the Commandery Princess return. However, even more excited than them was Mrs. Zhang from the back courtyard.

Mrs. Zhang greeted the Commandery Princess into the inner courtyard with a sense of relief, chatting incessantly, "The bridal dress was ready half a month ago. The Commandery Princess must try it on immediately. If it doesn’t fit, we can alter it in the next few days."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and agreed, allowing Mrs. Zhang to assist her in changing into the bridal attire.

Since she was bringing a son-in-law into the household, being a noble Commandery Princess, wearing ordinary wedding clothes would not be suitable. The style of Jiang Shaohua’s bridal dress resembled that of a Commandery Princess’s formal attire. The red bridal dress was exquisitely embroidered, luxurious and precious, highlighting Jiang Shaohua’s jade-like skin and stunning beauty.

Mrs. Zhang scrutinized her closely, smiling with satisfaction, "It fits perfectly, no need for alterations."

Yin Zhu and Tu Bai beside her couldn’t stop their praises, "The Commandery Princess looks truly beautiful in the bridal dress."

"It’s not just beautiful, but also exceptionally majestic."

Jiang Shaohua looked at her radiant and dazzling self in the mirror, her mind flashing back to her wedding in the previous life.

Suddenly, she realized she couldn’t recall clearly how she looked or felt back then.

All past events have thoroughly become bygone.

Now, she was renewed, and about to embrace the most significant event of her life.

"I am going to pay respects to my grandfather." Jiang Shaohua softly told Mrs. Zhang, "I want to tell him I am bringing a son-in-law into the household."

Mrs. Zhang nodded with joy and assisted the Commandery Princess in changing out of the formal attire to head to the ancestral hall.

Jiang Shaohua knelt reverently before the shrine of Prince Nanyang, kowtowing and offering incense, whispering softly, "Grandfather, I am here to offer incense."

"In a few days, I will be married. Cui Du, loyal and sincere, is willing to become a son-in-law for the Prince Mansion. Henceforth, I will have someone by my side for a lifetime, and you can rest easy in heaven."

"In the future, when I have children, they will bear the surname Jiang to pass on the legacy of the Nanyang Prince Mansion. The incense lineage of the Nanyang Prince Mansion will be perpetuated through the generations."

Grandfather, your granddaughter still harbors greater ambitions that cannot be spoken of.

I hope your spirit in heaven will always shield me and protect Nanyang County.

...

Jiang Shaohua knelt in the ancestral hall for a long time, silently confiding to the shrine of Prince Nanyang all her secrets that must not be disclosed to outsiders.

Upon leaving the ancestral hall, Jiang Shaohua felt much lighter, as if a large burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

Chen Jinyu approached with a smile, "Commandery Princess, someone from the palace has arrived."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, "I, the Commandery Princess, will go to the main hall immediately."

As Jiang Shaohua’s wedding approached, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and Emperor Taihe sent people with generous gifts. Even Empress Dowager Li, feigned sincerity by sending someone. Imperial Concubine Fan, grateful for Jiang Shaohua’s assistance to General Fan, sent particularly lavish gifts this time.

Additionally, gifts from Princess Bao Hua and others were brought by the palace emissaries.

The one who came was none other than Jiang Shaohua’s old acquaintance, Mr. Zhao.

Mr. Zhao, nearing forty, still appeared charming, with a smooth fair complexion devoid of fine lines and a lively smile, "This servant greets the Commandery Princess and congratulates her on her upcoming wedding."

Jiang Shaohua personally helped Mr. Zhao up, both intimate and warm, "Mr. Zhao, you’ve been through a lot of trouble on the journey, please rise quickly."

Over the years, Mr. Zhao had received countless generous gifts from the Nanyang Prince Mansion, frequently whispering in the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s ear. The "deep affection" between Jiang Shaohua and the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng deserved Mr. Zhao’s great credit.

Eunuchs are human too, made of flesh and blood. After a long association, Jiang Shaohua even found Mr. Zhao’s androgynous face rather pleasing.

Mr. Zhao beamed, "The Commandery Princess’s kindness is more than this servant deserves."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mr. Zhao presented several gift lists, "This servant is here by the Grand Empress Dowager’s orders to deliver congratulatory gifts, and there are several lists here for the Commandery Princess to peruse."

Jiang Shaohua smiled in appreciation.

Chen Jinyu stepped forward to receive the gift lists and presented them at Jiang Shaohua’s side. Jiang Shaohua didn’t rush to look at the gift lists but asked, "Mr. Zhao, how is the Emperor’s health lately?"

Mr. Zhao sighed, "To be truthful with the Commandery Princess, the court affairs are complicated, with Prime Minister Wang and Duke An almost coming to blows in court. The Emperor’s health cannot endure excessive fatigue, not even able to finish reviewing daily memorials."

It was all expected.

Jiang Shaohua also sighed, "Reviewing memorials indeed consumes mental and physical energy. The Emperor should have loyal subjects to help share the burden."

Mr. Zhao glanced at Jiang Shaohua, "Several secretaries reside in Zhaohai Palace, attending closely."

So, currently, those sharing the Emperor’s burdens are Zheng Chen, Wang Jin, Li Boyuan, and Jiang Yi.

The four of them entered the palace at a young age, studying and growing up together with Emperor Taihe. Despite Jiang Shaohua’s repeated reminders to Emperor Taihe to be wary of those around him, the results were quite limited. To Emperor Taihe, Zheng Chen and the others were the most intimate and trustworthy. If not them, then who should be used?

If she had stayed in the Capital City all along, it wouldn’t be their turn to take the lead. Unfortunately, she had no reason nor could she remain in the palace indefinitely.

Deep in her heart, Jiang Shaohua sighed, revealing nothing on her face, "With several secretaries sharing the burden, the Emperor can also have a respite."

Mr. Zhao coughed lightly, hinting in a low voice, "The four secretaries hold different attitudes towards the Commandery Princess. The Commandery Princess should be cautious of any plots against her."

Those plotting against her in the shadows were certainly Zheng Chen.

Once lovers, now completely estranged and turned against each other. Given Zheng Chen’s narrow-mindedness and despicable tactics, taking action secretly was only to be expected.

Jiang Shaohua’s lips curved into a cold smile, "Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for the reminder. I, the Commandery Princess, am aware."

Mr. Zhao, wholeheartedly siding with the Commandery Princess, couldn’t help but whisper, "Supposedly, the Commandery Princess and the Zheng family both care about Jingyang Palace. Originally, they should work together to counter Prime Minister Wang’s faction."

Who would have thought that the Grand Empress Dowager’s faction would engage in internal strife? Zheng Chen, openly and secretly, kept stirring trouble, while the one truly stepping forward to safeguard the Nanyang Prince Mansion and the Commandery Princess was Wang Jin.

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly, steering the conversation to inquire about Princess Bao Hua, "Has there been any improvement in the Princess’s condition?"

Mr. Zhao answered in a low voice, "The border army has been constantly at war, and the recent battles have not gone well. The Brave Camp led by General Song has suffered successive defeats, with many soldiers lost. Rumors have erupted in the palace once again."

"The Princess’s mind is troubled, and her condition has not alleviated but worsened."

Jiang Shaohua frowned, "How could the border battles be her fault? Surely some schemers are stirring trouble, taking advantage of the situation to fish in troubled waters."

Mr. Zhao said, "The Emperor has ordered Zheng Sheren to thoroughly investigate once more. When this servant left the palace, Zheng Sheren had received the royal command. By now, the mastermind behind the scenes should have been uncovered."

A chilling light flickered in Jiang Shaohua’s eyes.

Who could this mastermind be?