Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 612: Winning Over (Part 3)

The sound of light footsteps emerged.

A familiar figure quickly appeared before Prince Dongping and his son.

Prince Dongping, who had been leaning against the wall, forced himself to sit up straight. The Princely Heir of Prince Dongping, who had been lying on the ground like a dead fish, also sat up as if his butt was on fire, unwilling to lose the last shred of dignity in front of the visitor.

"Now you care about saving face," Jiang Shaohua dropped her public facade of solemnity, her eyes full of disdain and resentment, her voice icy: "You two conspired to murder the Emperor; how will you face the Jiang Family ancestors in the Yellow Springs?"

No wonder he dared to plot rebellion in secret, even when facing death he remained stubborn: "Jiang Song is weak and unworthy of the throne. The throne should belong to the capable. I have no regrets even when underground."

Prince Dongping’s son, fierce in voice but weak in strength, blustered: "Jiang Shaohua! Don’t think you’re going to end well! Right now, the palace needs you to stabilize the situation; Old Devout Woman Zheng is manipulating you, and the courtiers are accommodating you. When the court stabilizes, you, the Nanyang County Princess, will be discarded like a hunting dog after the rabbit is caught!"

"We father and son will go ahead first, wait for you on the Yellow Springs road!"

These words were aimed to destroy her intentions.

Both being of the Jiang bloodline, they understood well the vassal king’s frustration at being bound and the ambition to vie for the throne. The Dongping King and his son were defeated; Jiang Shaohua, as a woman, interfering with royal power was even more taboo at court. Once tasted power, stepping back is no easy feat.

It’s like walking on the edge of a cliff; one false step could lead to a fall.

Jiang Shaohua was unmoved: "What my fate will be, you won’t live to see. However, I can calmly watch you two be executed. For the crime of murdering the Emperor, you face the extreme penalty of dismemberment. I can sit back and watch for three days and nights."

Prince Dongping and his son shuddered all over.

They were doomed to die. However, how they ’journeyed’ made a world of difference. The best outcome for them was a cup of poison wine, to die from the poison immediately in their cell, quietly and without alarm.

Dismemberment involved being cut into 3,000 pieces, dying a painful death... not only dying without a whole corpse but also scattered, unable to reincarnate properly in the next life.

Jiang Shaohua recited their most feared fate indifferently.

Cold sweat dripped from the Princely Heir of Prince Dongping’s forehead, his face as white as a sheet.

Approaching his sixties, Prince Dongping was less afraid of death due to his deep mind, forcing himself to respond: "If that’s so, why did you come secretly without telling Old Devout Woman Zheng?"

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng publicly ordered no one to visit father and son. Jiang Shaohua visiting in the dead of night was evidently not out of benevolence to send them off.

Jiang Shaohua must have an agenda.

As long as they had something exploitable, there was room and chance for negotiation.

Jiang Shaohua curled her lips: "Truly Prince Dongping. Indeed, I have something to discuss with you."

The Princely Heir of Prince Dongping shivered again, blurting out: "As long as you can save our lives, we are willing to do anything."

At these words, even Prince Dongping couldn’t help but give him a look: "Having a quick death with a whole body is already a mercy."

What a foolish thought. How could Jiang Shaohua save them? She didn’t have the power, and even if she did, her sibling bond with Jiang Song wouldn’t allow her to extend a hand.

The Princely Heir of Prince Dongping instantly deflated, suddenly feeling pointless sitting up, simply closing his eyes and lying back down.

Anyway, death awaited.

It was just a matter of speed and whether the corpse could be preserved.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t look at the Princely Heir, her focus was on Prince Dongping: "When did Prince Dongping Mansion and Gaoliang Prince Mansion start conspiring together?"

Prince Dongping responded readily: "We’ve been scheming since six years ago."

So, Jiang Yi harbored murderous intent toward his cousin Jiang Song since he was ten.

"If the rebellion succeeded and Jiang Yi became the new Emperor, what benefits would you two receive?"

"Divide the land governed by the Yangtze," Prince Dongping spoke forthrightly: "Everything north of the Yangtze would be mine."

The land north of the Yangtze constitutes half of Da Liang’s territory. Nanyang County naturally was included. Jiang Shaohua’s voice was full of mockery: "To believe such nonsense."

Prince Dongping surprisingly burst into laughter: "Jiang Yi wouldn’t be satisfied with half, and I would never be willing. Even if the great affair succeeded, another dispute and unrest would surely follow. At that time, it would be a matter of who was more capable."

"When you’re underground, you can compete with Jiang Yi again." Jiang Shaohua coldly sneered.

Prince Dongping was unfazed: "To the victor goes the spoils. Since I failed, anything you say now is correct."

Eyeing Jiang Shaohua closely, the cunning old fox on death’s doorstep scrutinized her: "Jiang Shaohua, you as a woman refuse to stay confined to the inner chambers, striving for power at court. With your abilities, it’s the most opportune time to assist that fool Jiang Hao. You came to see me; what do you actually intend? What do you wish to discuss with me?"

What could this dying rebel possess that was worth plotting for?

Jiang Shaohua didn’t answer but instead asked: "Besides Jiang Yi, who else conspired with you?"

Prince Dongping reacted quickly, squinting his eyes and laughing: "Ah, so you want to use this opportunity to deal with the Zheng Family. Losing her claws and teeth, the Grand Empress Dowager would have no choice but to rely on you more. Smart plan!"

"I might as well tell you the truth, I’ve had close contact with Jiang Yi all along. Over the years, Jiang Yi mentioned Zheng Chen in his letters. Those letters are hidden in a secret room in Prince Dongping Mansion. Only I know the exact location."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flickered slightly.

The letters hidden by Prince Dongping could serve as a weapon against Zheng Chen and the Zheng Family, further forcing Grand Empress Dowager Zheng to yield.

Prince Dongping stared at Jiang Shaohua: "If I tell you, and you go back on your word, my son and I won’t even have a place to make a complaint. Why should I believe you?"

Jiang Shaohua remarked indifferently: "Because you have no choice."

"The Grand Empress Dowager has been running the palace for decades; she has forbidden anyone to see you, besides me, who else dares, or is capable enough, to enter this cell?"

"The only person you will see before you die is me."

"I, Jiang Shaohua, mean what I say. Once you tell me the location where the letters are hidden, I will immediately send someone to retrieve them. Once in hand, I will persuade the Grand Empress Dowager to grant you and your son a dignified death."

"Of course, if you don’t trust me, it’s no matter. Pretend I never came. There’s more evidence that Zheng Chen colluded with Jiang Yi; Wei Xiong’s trusted subordinates were captured alive, they will serve as witnesses. As long as Zheng Chen cannot clear his name, it’s certain to implicate the Zheng Family."

"I give you the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Think carefully!"

After Jiang Shaohua finished speaking, she stopped.

The prison cell fell into silence.