Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 599: Rescue (Part 2)

Rumble, rumble!

How could there be thunder in broad daylight?

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s mind went blank for a moment.

Zheng Chen? How could it possibly be Zheng Chen?!

He was her most beloved great-nephew, raised in the palace since he was young. It’s not an exaggeration to say that in her heart, he ranked just below her eldest grandson, Jiang Song.

How could he betray his grand-aunt?

"Shaohua, could you have made a mistake?" The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng suddenly laughed, "Zixian is proud and always looks down on Jiang Yi. How could he conspire with Jiang Yi to rebel? You must have mistaken the person."

Jiang Shaohua looked at the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, "Such a major matter, I wouldn’t speak recklessly."

"Gao Shan, who led today’s rebellion, has been secretly associating with Jiang Yi for a long time. The rebel outside Jingyang Palace, Wei Xiong, is an Imperial Army general whom Duke An spent years cultivating. Wei Xiong’s rebellion, unknown even to Duke An, must have been instigated by Zheng Chen."

"It’s not difficult to find witnesses or evidence. There are many surrendered soldiers outside. Severe interrogations of some of Wei Xiong’s confidants will bring the truth to light."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng couldn’t listen to a word, stubbornly saying, "Impossible. Zixian is the heir of the Zheng Family, the entire Zheng Family will be his in the future. Why would he conspire with Jiang Yi to rebel?"

Jiang Shaohua stated calmly, "Because his ambition is too great, he cannot wait ten or twenty years. He colludes with Jiang Yi, incites Jiang Yi to harm his cousin, and then quickly raises an army to rebel. When the deed is done, he will kill Jiang Yi and support Prince Ping to ascend the Dragon Throne. At that time, the Da Liang kingdom will be his, Zheng Chen’s kingdom. Isn’t that far more satisfying than being a simple secretary?"

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s complexion gradually paled.

Jiang Shaohua continued, "Zheng Chen is ambitious and unwilling to be subordinate to others. He doesn’t want a family legacy decades later, he wants power now. He even aims to eliminate Duke An, and also wants to remove the Grand Empress Dowager."

"These matters will become clear upon investigation, even without an investigation, with your wisdom, thinking it over will make it clear."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s complexion changed constantly, her breathing grew more rapid, her hand tightly gripping the chair arm, as if she could twist Zheng Chen’s neck and break it.

"Zhao Chunming!" The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng shouted angrily through gritted teeth.

Mr. Zhao shivered, quickly stepped forward, "At your service."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng squeezed out from between her teeth, "Go, bring Zheng Chen here."

Mr. Zhao responded and rushed out hastily.

Jiang Shaohua did not speak further, silently accompanying the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

The waiting time always feels particularly long. In actuality, it was only the time to drink a cup of tea before Mr. Zhao returned. However, the person who came with Mr. Zhao was not Zheng Chen, but Duke An.

Today, Duke An killed three rebels and sustained a slight injury himself, not having time to bandage it, his clothes were stained with blood, looking miserable and pitiable.

Duke An entered and knelt down, knocking his head heavily on the ground three times, his forehead broke, fresh blood trickling down as he looked up, his voice hoarse and choked, "Aunt, save the Zheng Family."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s heart turned cold.

She suddenly gripped her right hand, her long nails breaking without her realizing it, staring viciously at her nephew, "What nonsense are you talking! The Zheng Family is maternal, aligned with the Jiang Family, sharing glory and loss together. How could the Zheng Family rebel!"

Duke An’s face was full of tears, crying, "I swear to the heavens, I have always been loyal and never done anything to betray aunt. But this rebellious son Zheng Chen used my trust in him, using the Zheng Family’s connections to secretly do many things he shouldn’t have. Once thoroughly investigated, the Zheng Family will inevitably be implicated."

"I beg you, aunt, save the entire Zheng Family’s lives."

As he spoke, he furiously knocked his head again.

One person’s treason implicates the entire family.

Once the matter arises, the Zheng Family simply can’t disentangle itself. Moreover, Zheng Chen used people from the Zheng Family, how could the Zheng Family claim to be innocent?

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng suddenly stood up, reached out to point at Duke An, just about to angrily scold, when her vision suddenly blackened.

Jiang Shaohua quickly reacted, immediately stepping forward to support the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, "Someone, summon the Imperial Physician."

"No need for an Imperial Physician." The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng unexpectedly steadied herself, didn’t faint immediately, and said breathlessly, "You, you all, step back."

Several trusted eunuchs and palace maids silently retreated, standing guard outside the door.

Only Mr. Zhao remained, worriedly supporting the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

He, as a eunuch who has been castrated, without progeny, was only half a man, and his current position and status were all due to the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s favor and promotion. Therefore, he cared more about her life and safety than anyone else.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s chest heaved continuously, her agitation was clear. She panted sharply several times, barely able to speak, "Shaohua, don’t publicize this matter."

This one sentence indicated her position.

This was not unexpected by Jiang Shaohua.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had always relied on the Zheng Family to intervene in the court, and based on blood relations, she would certainly protect the Zheng Family at all costs.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t agree, turning to ask Duke An, "Where has Zheng Chen gone?"

Duke An appeared dejected, lowering his head, avoiding eye contact with Jiang Shaohua, "In the earlier intense fight, I lost track of his movements and don’t know where he ran to."

Jiang Shaohua sneered, "There is no outsider here, Duke An needn’t say such irrelevant words. You let the mastermind Zheng Chen escape, and once this matter is pursued, you will have to bear this treasonous crime, leading the Zheng Family to the calamity of annihilation."

Duke An’s face turned ashen.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng forced out a sentence, "Shaohua, listen to me."

Jiang Shaohua turned her head, eyes sharp as a blade, "Aunt treated me with great kindness, and no matter what requests are made, I will agree. Except for this matter."

"Zheng Chen harmed his cousin, intended to rebel and seize power. Today, during the palace coup, many officials died, including Minister Li Bo Yuan, who died tragically under the rebels’ arrows. Even Sister Bao Hua died tragically by rebel blades. Numerous loyal Imperial Guards met their end in the Yellow Springs today."

"Jiang Yi is already dead by my hand, Prince Dongping and his son have already been escorted to the Capital City. Zheng Chen must also pay the due price for this."

"If Aunt wants to preserve the Zheng Family, then immediately order Zheng Chen’s capture. If Zheng Chen surrenders and confesses, the Zheng Family may still have a slim chance of survival. Otherwise, the entire family will be executed."

This was the first time Jiang Shaohua revealed her formidable strength in front of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was momentarily stunned, speechless.

Duke An now regretted it deeply.

No son, no matter how important, outweighs the life of the entire Zheng Family. How did he let him escape in a moment of confusion?

"Commandery Princess, I will have people go and recapture the rebellious son." Duke An gritted out, "And I hope that the Commandery Princess, considering the Grand Empress Dowager’s affection, will grant the Zheng Family a way out."

Jiang Shaohua said coldly, "I can refrain from publicizing this matter for the time being. However, the eyes of the court officials are as bright as snow, deceiving for a moment cannot deceive forever. The Zheng Family must provide an explanation to everyone."