Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 602: Quelling the Rebellion (Part 2)
At this moment, what was Chief Historian Chen feeling?
Decades ago, he went to Nanyang County with Prince Nanyang and became the Chief Historian at the Nanyang Prince Mansion. He and the Prince had a harmonious relationship, and their private interactions were very close. His life at the Nanyang Prince Mansion was smooth and tranquil.
However, after the death of Prince Nanyang, the mansion was left with only the young Commandery Princess, and it felt like a thousand pounds of responsibility rested on his shoulders. He managed the external affairs of the mansion, maintained good relations with the court ministers, and sent lavish gifts, exhausting his efforts for all of this.
Vice Minister Dong and Vice Minister Yang, in the past, he had to bow and scrape to show goodwill as the Chief Historian of the Prince Mansion. But now, both of them took the initiative to greet him respectfully with cupped hands.
He, the Chief Historian of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, relying on the power of his own Commandery Princess, stood calmly in the Zhaohai Palace filled with officials of the Da Liang Dynasty, enduring their complex stares.
Chief Historian Chen, having lived for over fifty years, prided himself on having a heart as calm as a deep pool. Yet today, this pool was bubbling uncontrollably, as if a grand unexplained future was awaiting him.
Chief Historian Chen steadied his mind, stepped forward, and returned the salute: "Vice Minister Dong, Vice Minister Yang, such politeness, I am not worthy of this honor."
With Vice Minister Dong and Vice Minister Yang setting the precedent, soon other officials exchanged greetings and respectful gestures.
The severely injured Prime Minister Wang had long fallen unconscious, regrettably missing this scene. Minister Li, who had been carried aside, had his eyes closed. The future of the Li Family was likely dimming with the deaths of Minister Li and Li Boyuan. Duke An and his son were taken away by Jiang Shaohua and had yet to return to Zhaohai Palace.
Now in Zhaohai Palace, the highest-ranking civil officials were Minister Zhang, Minister Dai, Minister Zhou, and Minister Ji.
The first three always aligned with Prime Minister Wang and naturally would not lower their status to show goodwill to Chief Historian Chen. But Minister Ji, trembling, approached and sighed to Chief Historian Chen: "During this rebel uprising, we were all held hostage by the rebels with our lives in danger. Fortunately, we were saved by the Commandery Princess. In the future, if there are any tasks, I will surely do my utmost."
Chief Historian Chen solemnly replied: "The Commandery Princess has a heart of righteousness and would never seek repayment for her kindness. Please be at ease, Minister Ji." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Minister Ji secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was good not to seek repayment. The Da Liang Ministry of Revenue was already so poor, there wasn’t much to repay the Commandery Princess with. Besides, the court and palace, after this turmoil, who knows how long it will take to recover. Now there are many areas relying on the Commandery Princess!
The military generals were more straightforward and direct.
General Bao was taken aside for treatment, while the Left General and others had lighter injuries and were able to express their gratitude to Chief Historian Chen.
Chief Historian Chen responded to each and then solemnly introduced Cui Du to the ministers: "This is Elder Changning."
Is this the husband of Nanyang County Princess, Cui Du?
The ministers scrutinized Cui Du with looks filled with inspection and criticism.
Regardless of whether the ministers were convinced, they must admit to the prowess of Jiang Shaohua. Having been collectively saved this time, they had to acknowledge the kindness. Now, seeing the Princess’s son-in-law, they were especially critical and harsh.
Medium build, not very fair-skinned, somewhat coarse-looking, and his appearance was just barely passable! If not for the Princess taking a son-in-law, each prominent family had outstanding young men lined up, where would it have been this boy’s turn?
Under such scrutiny, Cui Du showed no trace of embarrassment or panic, and he calmly cupped his hands to the ministers.
What are they scrutinizing so thoroughly?
As long as the Commandery Princess favors him, that’s all that matters.
After that, there wasn’t much more to say. At this moment, the palace chaos had not been completely settled, and the situation was unclear; all that could be done was to wait.
...
And they waited until nightfall.
More than a dozen palace lanterns were lit in the hall.
There was no food or water. Everyone was hungry and thirsty, feeling weak and lightheaded. The initial shock and fear had all been worn down by the long wait. Most gathered in threes or fives, speaking in hushed tones.
"The Prime Minister has not woken up; I wonder if he can survive this ordeal." Minister Zhang’s face was filled with worry, his brows nearly knit into a knot: "If the Prime Minister has any mishap, what will happen in the future."
Such words carried an air of ominousness and a hint of ambition wanting to replace him.
Minister Zhou cast a glance at Minister Zhang but said nothing.
Minister Dai, being the most senior and having the closest personal friendship with Prime Minister Wang, was displeased by these words and snorted: "What nonsense you’re speaking. The Prime Minister has weathered so many storms, he’ll surely get through this."
Minister Zhang, after hitting a brick wall, had to change the topic, lowering his voice further: "Do you think today’s events have anything to do with Housekeeper Zheng?"
There are no fools among those who have navigated the court to become the Six Ministers. Zheng Chen’s behavior today has already shown some traces.
Minister Zhou’s eyes flickered, and he whispered: "Such a serious case of treason will surely be thoroughly investigated. Any traitor or villain will have nowhere to hide."
Minister Dai, being seasoned, thought deeper and sighed: "It’s not as simple as you say. With the Grand Empress Dowager around, who can touch the Zheng Family?"
And that was the end of that topic.
Minister Dai glanced towards Prince Ping’s direction. Prince Ping was completely frightened today and had been sitting foolishly in the corner since Jiang Shaohua left, neither crying nor moving.
He was already quite silly; now he looks even sillier.
Yet Prince Ping is Emperor Taihe’s brother, and with the Emperor having no offspring, it’s natural by tradition that the throne passes to the brother. Thinking of the Dragon Throne of the Da Liang Dynasty being occupied by such a fool in the future sank everyone’s hearts.
The sound of hurried footsteps reached their ears.
The distracted ministers subconsciously stood up.
The palace doors were pushed open, and a graceful silhouette walked in first.
She was covered in blood, exuded a murderous aura, her eyes cold, her presence imposing. It was the Nanyang County Princess, Jiang Shaohua.
Following her, two blood-stained generals entered Zhaohai Palace. One was Song Yuan, and the other was the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, Ma Ji.
Chief Historian Chen immediately stepped forward to greet.
Cui Du, initially moving the fastest, suddenly realized something and deliberately slowed his pace, allowing Chief Historian Chen to take the lead.
He is indeed the Princess’s husband. Yet, at this moment, what the Princess needs isn’t his caring greeting. His presence serves as a constant reminder that Jiang Shaohua is a woman who ought not to be in Zhaohai Palace.
Chief Historian Chen noticed this subtlety and added another layer of appreciation for Cui Du in his heart.
Cui Du truly was a smart man. His normally carefree manner was just due to his indifference to power. In fact, he was observant and insightful, understanding everything, and knew the bounds well.
"Commandery Princess, how is the situation in the palace now?" Chief Historian Chen, on behalf of the ministers, asked the most pressing question.
Jiang Shaohua swept her gaze: "We’ve been searching the palace for half the day and killing for half the day. Now, the rebels have been mostly eradicated. There might still be a few escapees hiding, but their numbers shouldn’t be many and they won’t be able to create much chaos."
