Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 606: Support (Part 1)

To Wang Jin, these two days and nights have been the longest and most agonizing time he has experienced in his twenty years of life.

He rode swiftly to the Heroic Guard Camp in one day and spent an hour persuading the close confidants of the Left General, then assembled and led the elite troops of the Heroic Guard Camp to the Capital City to quell the unrest. During this long period, he didn’t close his eyes or even have a full meal, only drinking some cold water when he was extremely thirsty and remained anxious as he continued to ride swiftly.

From a young age, he was frail and sickly, growing up entirely through careful nourishment of supplements. After the age of ten, his body gradually became as healthy as other boys his age. While he couldn’t practice martial arts, riding horses was no problem.

However, such relentless exertion is indeed a great challenge for him.

When he dismounted outside the palace gates, he felt dizzy, his legs and feet weak, yet he forced himself to hold on without uttering a sound and swiftly entered the palace, quickly heading to Zhaohai Palace.

Compared to two days ago, there were fewer familiar faces in the mourning hall, with the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, Imperial Concubine Fan, and numerous officials from the Nanyang Prince Mansion now present.

The Nanyang County Princess, Jiang Shaohua, originally kneeled before the Emperor’s coffin. Upon hearing footsteps, she rose and turned around, "The housekeeper Wang has finally arrived."

Under the bright candlelight, Jiang Shaohua’s exhaustion was subtly revealed at the corners of her eyes and brows, yet her expression remained calm and composed. No matter what earth-shattering change occurred, it was difficult to shake her resolute mind.

This resilience easily gave rise to feelings of reassurance and stability.

Wang Jin, who was busy for two days and nights, finally relaxed in his heart and stepped forward, clasping his hands, "Minister Wang is fortunate to have accomplished the mission without disgrace; I’ve brought the troops from the Heroic Guard Camp. I’ve heard that the Imperial Army has also entered the city, and generals will soon come to follow orders. Commandery Princess can take a rest now."

Indeed!

The tightly stretched string in his mind finally eased a bit.

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and said warmly, "Housekeeper Wang has worked hard."

"This is all part of my duty, I dare not say it’s hard work." Wang Jin himself was unaware that he was replying in the respectful and submissive manner of a subject. Even when Emperor Taihe was alive, it was no more than this: "The one who truly worked hard is the Commandery Princess. In quelling the unrest in the palace, the Commandery Princess has made great contributions."

The Grand Empress Dowager Cheng, who had been pretending to be asleep, was awakened by the voices, and praised Wang Jin a few sentences feebly before sighing long, "Prime Minister Wang had bad luck, previously injured on his left shoulder by a rebel, losing too much blood and greatly hurting his vitality. He’s been taken to a palace room for care by the Imperial Physician. Housekeeper Wang, please go and have a look!"

Wang Jin’s heart tightened, swiftly raising his eyes to look at Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua also sighed, "I, the Commandery Princess, happen to be going to visit Prime Minister Wang too, you may accompany me."

Wang Jin felt extremely heavy-hearted and nodded to accept the order.

Turning around, Jiang Shaohua stepped forward, with Wang Jin following closely.

Cui Du, who was kneeling before the coffin, quietly raised his head for a glance, then continued to obediently kneel in mourning.

This palace turmoil seems calmed on the surface but actually holds far-reaching impact. The court’s configuration is bound to face unprecedented major changes.

Jiang Shaohua wants to spread her wings and fly high; she must strive for as much support as possible. She used to clash with Prime Minister Wang, but that’s politics. No opponent remains unchanged; when the circumstances allow it and the time is ripe, even political adversaries can cooperate.

Cui Du may not understand politics, but he understands Jiang Shaohua. What she strives for is a great feat unprecedented; he the least cannot drag her down even if he cannot help her much.

...

The injured ministers are gathered in palace rooms for medical treatment. Prime Minister Wang’s injuries are quite severe, with him remaining unconscious, occupying a room alone. The Imperial Physician caring for Prime Minister Wang is the most skilled at the Imperial Hospital.

On a short stretch, Wang Jin only managed to mutter a few words: "Commandery Princess, did Jiang Yi commit a rebellion?"

"Yes," Jiang Shaohua replied briefly, "Among those involved in the rebellion was Zheng Chen. I killed Jiang Yi, but Zheng Chen escaped amidst the chaos, and he still hasn’t been caught."

Wang Jin’s pale face became even paler, his heart mixed with various emotions, uncertain of their flavor, and subconsciously asked, "Li Boyuan is dead too?"

"Before I led people into Zhaohai Palace, he had already been killed by Jiang Yi." Jiang Shaohua turned her head: "Minister Li is also dead. Plus, Sister Bao Hua also died at the hands of the rebels."

Wang Jin felt like a knife had stabbed into his heart.

He had no romantic feelings toward Princess Bao Hua, yet having known each other since childhood, there was some childhood friendship. Or rather, he knew clearly that Princess Bao Hua had always been fond of him, if he were willing to be the Prince Consort, none could outcompete him.

However, he already had affections for another woman. Even though Jiang Shaohua had married another into her family, his heart had never wavered. He could only disappoint Princess Bao Hua’s fervent emotions.

The gentle, chaste, dignified, virtuous Jiang Bao Hua died at the hands of rebels, just at the most beautiful time of her life. It’s heart-wrenching.

"What does the Commandery Princess plan to do next?" Wang Jin asked with forced energy.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze flickered, looking deeply into Wang Jin’s eyes, "What matters most now is quelling the palace turmoil and handling the affairs for my cousin. After he is laid to rest, the necessary executions will follow."

Wang Jin paused and faced Jiang Shaohua, "It seems Commandery Princess will no longer return to Nanyang County but remain in the Capital City."

Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "All these are for later; it’s too early to speak now."

Wang Jin stated solemnly, "I don’t know what others think, but I, Wang Jin, will certainly support the Commandery Princess wholeheartedly!"

At this moment, Jiang Shaohua’s feelings were somewhat complex. In a past life, they had been married for a few short years before Wang Jin unexpectedly died young. She had no romantic love but had the bonds of spousal companionship.

Returning to this life, she had never thought of rekindling the past with Wang Jin. She wanted to walk her own path, unwilling to repeat past mistakes, and unwilling to have any entanglement with the Wang Family again.

Wang Jin actually was always quite good.

"Thank you, housekeeper Wang." Jiang Shaohua quickly accepted the goodwill, "Hopefully, when Prime Minister Wang wakes up, housekeeper Wang can persuade him to support me as well."

Wang Jin earnestly agreed, "I’ll do my best."

Jiang Shaohua said no more, stepping forward again.

Outside the door, Wang Jin stepped ahead to knock on the door, which quickly opened. Wang Jin hastened inside, and suddenly the figure of his father on the bed loomed in sight.

Prime Minister Wang is also a man in his sixties, physically aged, with declining energy day by day. This time he was grievously wounded, failing to get immediate treatment, losing too much blood, he has been unconscious, with a persistent high fever, very dangerous. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Seeing the flushed, unconscious face of Prime Minister Wang, Wang Jin felt a sting in his nose, tears rolling sharply.

Jiang Shaohua walked to the bedside, looking at Prime Minister Wang’s current appearance, also feeling sentimental.

Prime Minister Wang, despite his many flaws, had the backbone and integrity of a Da Liang Chancellor. If he couldn’t survive this ordeal, who would assume his place in the court?

Minister Li is dead, Zheng Chen committed rebellion, Duke An also has no chance to rise to power, among the remaining four Chief of Staff, who could shoulder such responsibilities?