Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 610: Winning Over (Part 1)

Jiang Shaohua did not engage in conversation, slowly eating the bun in her hand.

Imperial Concubine Fan felt a bit awkward.

However, such a good opportunity to win over Jiang Shaohua should not be missed. In her view, Jiang Shaohua had great ambition for political affairs, aiming to seize power. What she was about to say would surely move Jiang Shaohua.

Imperial Concubine Fan adjusted her expression, showing a sorrowful look, and spoke in a low voice, "The Commandery Princess saved our lives, and I am immensely grateful, and I must repay the Commandery Princess."

"Prince Ping is young and ignorant; when he inherits the throne in the future, he needs someone to assist with political affairs. As long as the Commandery Princess is willing to stay permanently in the Capital City, no one else can compete for this position of assistance. Our mother and son will fully support the Commandery Princess."

Saying this, she tugged on Jiang Hao’s sleeve, "Hao’er, quickly tell your cousin to stay in the palace in the future."

Jiang Hao was enthusiastically eating a bun, not hearing clearly what his mother was saying, nodded randomly, took a big bite of the bun, and then choked.

Imperial Concubine Fan: "..."

Jiang Shaohua, who had been watching coldly, quickly reached over and heavily patted Jiang Hao on the back. Jiang Hao, after a few coughs, spat out a large piece of the bun and finally was able to breathe smoothly.

Jiang Shaohua said blandly, "Don’t rush, eat slowly, one bite at a time. Only eat as much as your stomach can hold to avoid choking or overeating."

Her words carried an implication beyond their literal meaning.

Jiang Hao didn’t understand, but Imperial Concubine Fan, with her keen intuition, understood immediately. Feeling the burning sting of the ridicule, she instinctively held Jiang Hao’s hand tighter.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze skimmed over, gently reminding, "The concubine’s grip is too strong, it hurts Prince Ping."

Imperial Concubine Fan snapped back to reality and released her hand.

Jiang Hao’s left hand regained freedom, and he happily held up the bun. Having choked just now, he slowed down this time, eating in small bites.

Jiang Shaohua softly praised, "Prince Ping, although slow to react, has a clear mind and listens to advice, much better than those arrogant and self-righteous people."

Imperial Concubine Fan refused to take it personally, following Jiang Shaohua’s words, "The Commandery Princess is right. Prince Ping is a filial, obedient, and sensible child. Whoever treats him well with sincerity, he will return the favor. He has always liked the Commandery Princess, so she can treat him as a younger brother in the future."

Everything came back to wanting Jiang Shaohua to wholeheartedly assist Jiang Hao.

Of course, Imperial Concubine Fan spoke with an air of grace. The imperial power is mighty; who doesn’t want to stand beside the Dragon Throne and wield power? No matter how capable Jiang Shaohua is, as a woman, she would face many obstacles in reaching that position. Her and Prince Ping’s attitudes were crucial.

Jiang Shaohua fully understood Imperial Concubine Fan’s thoughts and responded casually, "In a few days, the Vassal Kings will begin to enter the Capital City and the palace. What the future holds is uncertain now. Whether I stay in the Capital City depends on the situation. The concubine need not rush to make promises, just wait and see."

Imperial Concubine Fan’s heart tightened, and her tone became somewhat urgent, "Prince Dongping and his son committed treason and bribed Doctor Ji to harm the Emperor. This is a capital offense that should lead to the execution of the entire clan. Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an might also have secretly participated in this matter, with suspicion of conspiracy. When they arrive in the Capital City, they should be thoroughly interrogated."

Imperial Concubine Fan was not the least bit foolish and clearly saw the crisis Prince Ping faced.

Prince Ping’s age was not a fatal flaw; throughout history, many Emperors have ascended the throne at a young age. A lack of sufficient intelligence for governance was Prince Ping’s biggest issue. If the ministers wished to enthrone an adult Imperial Prince, Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an were ready options.

As for Jiang Shaohua, no matter how skilled and assertive she was, her gender naturally excluded her from being considered for the throne. However, anyone who secured Jiang Shaohua’s support would significantly increase their chances of ascending the throne.

Imperial Concubine Fan was eager to curry favor and win over Jia Shaohua’s support before Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an entered the palace, thus amassing the greatest support for Prince Ping.

Jiang Shaohua cast a cold glance at Imperial Concubine Fan, causing her heart to tremble.

"One more bite of food won’t hurt, but speaking carelessly can," Jiang Shaohua’s voice carried a chill, "Treason is a severe crime and requires concrete evidence. One cannot speak recklessly. If the concubine’s words are spread, and it forces Prince Huaiyang or Prince Wu’an to revolt, then the Da Liang Dynasty’s new emperor has not yet been established and would already be embroiled in internal conflict. At that time, with instability and external threats, can the concubine bear that responsibility?"

With such heavy accusations thrust upon her, Imperial Concubine Fan listened, her face turning pale, body trembling like a small white flower in the wind, "I... I was just speaking thoughtlessly, I absolutely did not intend to slander Prince Huaiyang or Prince Wu’an."

Jiang Shaohua coldly stated, "Please refrain from uttering such absurd and baseless statements in the future, Concubine."

Imperial Concubine Fan’s momentum completely waned, and she could only nod in agreement.

Elder Changning Cui Du, who was easy to overlook by Jiang Shaohua’s side, silently gave a thumbs-up to his wife while eating a bun.

Her words were as sharp as arrows, formidable and commanding!

At this moment, an Imperial Guard hurried in, reporting respectfully, "Commandery Princess, Prince Dongping and his son have been escorted into the city gate. They will arrive at the palace within two hours."

Imperial Concubine Fan was startled, quickly looking at Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua, appearing composed as ever, first ordered those around her to send a message to Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

This calm and poised demeanor was something that could not be learned.

Imperial Concubine Fan watched with some envy. Then, looking at her foolish son who only focused on eating his bun, she sighed deeply in her heart.

This despondency was quickly suppressed. No matter what, her son carried the noble Jiang bloodline and was the rightful heir to the throne. Be he young or a fool, this throne belonged to Prince Ping. No one should attempt to take it away.

She was determined to guard her son’s throne. Even if it meant humbly currying favor with Jiang Shaohua and promising countless benefits, she was willing.

...

At midnight, Prince Dongping and his son were brought into the Emperor’s Memorial Hall under escort.

Prince Dongping, in his fifties, was originally healthy and robust, showing little of his age. Now, after being tormented all the way in a prison cart, his hair was disheveled and his face full of despair, saved only by a clean white robe before entering the palace to mask his sour stench.

The Princely Heir was in even worse shape than Prince Dongping, likely resisting capture and being severely beaten. He walked with a limp, his face covered in bruises.

As the father and son entered the Memorial Hall, they were met with the ministers’ angry glares.

The young Emperor Taihe, despite many shortcomings, counted as a decent ruler. Yet, because of this father and son, he met an untimely end, leaving the Da Liang Dynasty in ruin.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was filled with deep hatred and ordered through gritted teeth, "Bring the father and son forward to the Emperor’s coffin and behead them!"