Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 605: Quelling the Rebellion (Part 4)
Eight-year-old Jiang Hao, chubby and tall among his peers, is being held tightly by his mother in a nurturing embrace.
Imperial Concubine Fan held him too tightly, making Jiang Hao struggle for breath, and he struggled to free himself.
Imperial Concubine Fan did not let go, instead holding him even tighter, like a miser clutching his treasure.
Jiang Hao was never a well-tempered child, and he burst into tears and struggled, pushing his mother with force. Imperial Concubine Fan was caught off guard and staggered backward, nearly falling. At the critical moment, someone caught her: "Please stand firm, Lady Fan."
It was the same hands as yesterday.
It was Song Yuan, Personal Guard Commander of Jiang Shaohua.
Imperial Concubine Fan’s heart skipped twice, hurriedly raising her eyes to look at Song Yuan. Song Yuan had already withdrawn his hand and stepped aside. That resolute, masculine visage was like an indelible mark on her heart.
Imperial Concubine Fan quickly suppressed such a terrifying thought, promptly turning her gaze to her son, using this action to regain her calmness.
Jiang Shaohua’s face sank as she chastised Prince Ping: "Why do you push your mother, the Imperial Concubine?"
An intimidation to subdue another. Prince Ping, who feared nothing and constantly caused havoc, turned meek as a lamb before Jiang Shaohua, even admitting his mistake: "I was wrong."
Jiang Shaohua said coldly: "Do not cause further disturbances. Now go and kneel before the coffin."
Jiang Hao let out an "oh," and obediently knelt down.
The ministers watched this scene in amazement. For more than half a month, Prince Ping would cause a ruckus every day while kneeling in mourning, but none could handle him. Who would have thought that with just one word and a glance, Jiang Shaohua could subdue Prince Ping...
Hence, Nanyang County Princess is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate to assist the Emperor!
A woman, destined not to seize the throne. To assist in regency and gain power is a tolerable outcome. From Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and Imperial Concubine Fan’s attitudes, this seems to be their preferred result.
Indeed, allowing Jiang Shaohua to govern offers benefits far outweighing drawbacks. With precedents like Prince Gaoliang and Prince Dongping, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng would not permit members like Prince Huaiyang or Prince Wu’an from the Imperial Family to touch imperial authority.
Jiang Hao is eight this year, and in seven or eight years he can marry. As long as he produces healthy offspring then raises them for about ten years, he can be of great use.
By this calculation, there could be around twenty years during which Jiang Shaohua will assist the Emperor in governing.
The ministers who are agile-minded, have already begun to consider how to show favor and pledge allegiance to the Nanyang County Princess.
As for Vice Minister Dong and others, a sense of superiority naturally arises in their hearts. They have close connections with the Nanyang Prince Mansion and can be considered part of the Princess Party. Subsequently, in the Da Liang Court, the "Princess Party" should emerge!
Everyone focused on mourning, yet all had their gazes intentionally or unintentionally fixed on Jiang Shaohua.
Even Chief Historian Chen was watching his own Commandery Princess, constantly pondering her thoughts.
Under the watchful eyes of all, Jiang Shaohua knelt silently before the coffin, with only her straight back visible.
...
The Imperial Guards were busy all day, finally clearing all the corpses, washing twice with cold water, barely removing the bloodstains. Yet, the bloodstains in the jade stone seams could not be cleaned and would have to be dealt with later.
Everyone in the Ministry of Justice was busy for a day and recorded a rebel list spanning dozens of pages.
Behind these dozens of pages will be rivers of blood and heads rolling.
Rebels dead, family execution follows. This has been the rule of every dynasty, and Jiang Shaohua has no intention of setting a precedent otherwise. Those that must perish, indeed must be executed thoroughly.
The guards returned from searching for Zheng Chen, weary and frustrated. Zheng Chen had vanished without a trace, and his whereabouts were unknown.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was extremely furious: "Have the gates sealed and continue the search."
With Zheng Chen’s ability, it’s tough to catch him once he’s escaped the Imperial Palace. After a day and night has passed, sealing the gates seems too late.
Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed with coldness but remained silent.
The sky turned dark again, and the palace lanterns in Zhaohai Palace were lit once more. The ministers once again ate buns.
Cui Du brought over a few buns, giving one to Jiang Shaohua, and whispered: "Have something to fill your stomach."
Jiang Shaohua hummed her acknowledgment. She usually had a hearty appetite, but the past two days her appetite dwindled. The bun tasted like wax in her mouth, and after consuming one, she could eat no more.
Cui Du, somewhat worried, lowered his voice: "Eat another! You need strength when you’re full."
In the eyes of everyone, Jiang Shaohua was omnipotent, endowed with boundless energy and vitality. In reality, she too was flesh and blood, having fought all day yesterday, spending another day and night without rest, kneeling in mourning while stabilizing the situation. It was immensely draining.
Cui Du’s eyes hardly left her, aware of her fatigue, he wished earnestly to take her place.
Urged again by Cui Du, Jiang Shaohua grabbed another bun, slowly taking two bites. Her stomach churned inexplicably, causing a vague urge to vomit, uncomfortable to the extreme.
Cui Du noticed the anomaly, his heart clenched: "Are you unwell? Shall I summon the Imperial Physician?"
Jiang Shaohua exhaled deeply, saying softly: "No need, I’ll have some hot water."
Cui Du had to fetch hot water, attentively serving it to Jiang Shaohua.
Some ministers closer by watched the scene attentively, thinking it’s no wonder Elder Changning is favored by the Princess. Such careful attention, lacking masculine boldness, seems perfectly suited for the Princess.
After drinking half a cup of hot water, the uncomfortable churning in Jiang Shaohua’s stomach was barely suppressed.
At that moment, a guard rushed into Zhaohai Palace, gave a loud report: "Wang She Ren has led the Heroic Guard Camp’s troops into the city."
Upon hearing, all the ministers were reinvigorated.
Although the palace rebellion had been quelled, the arrival of the troops felt distinctly different. This was the true settling of the matter.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng realized at this moment that Wang Jin went to seek reinforcements. Although she always despised Wang Jin, she couldn’t help but praise him now: "Wang She Ren is indeed loyal and capable."
Jiang Shaohua softly said: "Wang She Ren went to the Heroic Guard Camp for reinforcements, my trusted aide went to the Imperial Army camp, news should be reaching us soon. With both armies advancing to the Capital City, safeguarding the Imperial Palace while mutually holding sway."
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng held Jiang Shaohua’s hand and sighed: "You indeed think carefully and thoroughly."
Imperial Concubine Fan chimed in agreement: "The Commandery Princess is meticulous in thought, indeed a heroine amongst women, no lesser than men."
The tone already carried the nascent style of an Empress Dowager.
Jiang Shaohua inwardly sneered.
An hour later, sure enough, someone reported that the Imperial Army had entered the Capital City.
Both armies had arrived, even if rebels still escaped inside and outside the palace, the situation was now stable. Ministers sighed in relief, some even wept.
At midnight, having spent two exhausting days and nights, weary with reddened eyes, Wang Jin stepped into Zhaohai Palace.
