Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 604: Pacifying the Rebellion (Part 3)
The families of the officials who received the news of the deaths stumbled and cried their way into Zhaohai Palace.
Eleven officials perished in Zhaohai Palace this time. The highest-ranking among them was Minister Li. The first to rush into the hall were Mrs. Li and her daughter-in-law. Upon seeing the corpses of Minister Li and Li Boyuan, grandmother and granddaughter fainted one after another.
The skies of Da Liang have fallen, and so have the skies of the Li Family.
The other women all cried out in grief, with several fainting from their wailing.
Jiang Shaohua had already instructed the Imperial Physician to stand by, ready to administer emergency acupuncture to those who fainted and did not wake.
Additionally, the hall housed heavily injured high officials, such as Prime Minister Wang, who was still unconscious; General Bao, who struggled to speak; and the Left General, whose injuries were lighter. Their families were also summoned. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
Marshal Ma had been searching the court for rebels in hiding, ensuring no one could leave Zhaohai Palace.
The lights in Zhaohai Palace were bright, and the sound of crying echoed unceasingly.
Jiang Shaohua had to oversee everything and inquire into all matters, leaving no time to rest. Most of the time, she silently knelt before the Emperor’s coffin.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng fainted from grief but upon waking, finally remembered to ask, "Where is Duke An?"
Jiang Shaohua replied, "Duke An fought bravely against the rebels and was unfortunately injured. The Imperial Physician is treating him, and his life is not in danger."
As long as he is not dead.
So many have died in the court, including Princess Bao Hua, who also fell at the hands of the rebels. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was stricken with grief to the point of numbness. Having heard that Duke An’s life was not in peril, she didn’t bother asking more. She only whispered, "I’ve already sent someone to find Zixian. As soon as he is located, bring him to Zhaohai Palace. At that time, I will personally seek clarity."
The involvement of Zheng Chen in the conspiracy, or perhaps being the mastermind, deeply pained Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.
She wanted to personally question the heartless fiend to determine if he truly conspired against Emperor Taihe!
Even if she loved Zheng Chen dearly in the past, she could not tolerate such a matter! She desired to personally deal with this wretch! To ensure his death!
Of course, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng intended to execute Zheng Chen, heap all the crimes upon him, and preserve the Zheng Family.
At this moment, only Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and Jiang Shaohua remained before the Emperor’s coffin. Prince Ping was still sleeping soundly in Cui Du’s arms, and Cui Du was so exhausted that his eyes were closed; he probably didn’t hear them speaking.
Jiang Shaohua looked at Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and slowly said, "The nation has laws, and how to proceed will be decided by the Ministry of Justice."
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was too drained, lacking the mood or energy to argue with Jiang Shaohua, and quickly fell silent. Yet in her heart, she was calculating how to protect the Zheng Family.
This night was exceedingly long.
Time seemed to halt, thick with sorrow.
The sky revealed a faint light, and dawn quietly slipped through the door crack.
Marshal Ma, who had been busy all night, finally appeared, bearing more fresh blood on his body and a terrifying scent of blood, respectfully reporting, "Commandery Princess, this humble servant found over fifty hiding rebels throughout the night and has slain them all."
Jiang Shaohua slightly nodded, "Send someone to continue searching the court. Furthermore, the day has broken; have the able Imperial Guard tidy up the corpses."
The night made it difficult, but now that it was day, it was time to tidy up the aftermath outside Zhaohai Palace and Jingyang Palace.
Marshal Ma was indeed ruthless, having killed for a whole day and night; he was still holding on, respectfully accepting the command.
"These tasks should be assigned to the soldiers under your command," Jiang Shaohua gently said, "Marshal Ma, go rest for half a day."
Marshal Ma replied, "This humble servant can still manage."
Cleaning up requires the supervision of trustworthy people. Seeing that Marshal Ma spoke with strength, Jiang Shaohua let him be.
Jiang Hao, who had slept through the night in Cui Du’s arms, yawned as he woke up. Upon opening his eyes, he disdained Cui Du and began to struggle, "Cousin, I want my cousin."
Cui Du, who had held the little chubby one all night, hadn’t quite adjusted his posture and was sore all over. After being pushed and fussed by Jiang Song, his headache grew.
Yet this Prince Ping possessed an exceedingly noble status, watched by so many people; he could neither be beaten nor scolded. Soft words to soothe him, yet not a single word would stick. Cui Du was left flustered and in disarray.
Then Jiang Shaohua coldly glanced over, "No more fussing!"
Jiang Hao immediately calmed down.
Cui Du was truly amazed.
At this moment, an eunuch came to report, "Commandery Princess, Imperial Concubine Fan is outside the hall, requesting whether she should be invited in."
According to palace regulations, Imperial Concubine Fan shouldn’t have come to the Emperor’s Memorial Hall on her own.
Yet, so much had transpired over this day and night, with past protocols broken time and again. Last night, many women entered Zhaohai Palace. One more Imperial Concubine Fan would not make a difference.
Jiang Shaohua nodded, "Invite Imperial Concubine Fan in."
Moments later, Imperial Concubine Fan, clad in mourning attire, entered Zhaohai Palace.
Having walked past a path of blood and corpses, Imperial Concubine Fan was pale with fright, her skirt hem stained with blood marks, her legs weak with each step.
The ministers who had the strength to kneel before the coffin were present, all turning to look at Imperial Concubine Fan.
Over three years, Imperial Concubine Fan had secluded herself, rarely appearing before others. Being watched by the ministers now made her uneasy, her legs trembling. She forced herself to appear calm, striving to project the demeanor and presence of Prince Ping’s birth mother.
Soon, Prince Ping would be the Emperor of Da Liang, and she would become the Empress Dowager of Da Liang. She must not let the ministers underestimate her.
Such superficial intentions from Imperial Concubine Fan were apparent to the ministers at a glance, certainly not hidden from Jiang Shaohua.
Watching Imperial Concubine Fan approach, feigning fearlessness, Jiang Shaohua’s mind flashed to the Imperial Concubine Fan from her past life, who had ordered her poisoned. Surprisingly, Jiang Shaohua felt no intense hatred.
A narrow-minded woman from the harem, suddenly elevated to Empress Dowager, determined to combat powerful ministers for her son, falling for vile slander, believing that by gifting a glass of poison to her, she could seriously harm Zheng Chen.
Her death in the past life had indeed been wrongful, yet without that demise, where would her rebirth from the ashes be in this life?
She had long abandoned past enmities, no longer dwelling on such grievances.
Imperial Concubine Fan certainly did not know what Jiang Shaohua was thinking. At this moment, she was eager to extend goodwill and win over Jiang Shaohua. She first embraced her son, then gratefully whispered, "Thank you, Commandery Princess, for saving us. In the future, both of us will certainly repay you generously."
Imperial Concubine Fan’s ’future’ referred to after Prince Ping ascended the throne.
This promise meant Jiang Shaohua’s path as Regent Prince would be smoother. It was indeed a most valuable ’gift of gratitude.’
Jiang Shaohua did not pick up on this topic, calmly saying, "The mourning period for the Emperor remains; please take good care of Prince Ping, Imperial Concubine."
Imperial Concubine Fan nodded repeatedly, holding Prince Ping Jiang Hao tightly.
