Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 614: Vassal King (Part 1)

A direct refusal left Prince Wu’an embarrassed, his face losing all composure.

Given the fiery temper of Prince Wu’an, he might soon have a fall-out with Nanyang County Princess.

Many courtiers had already started to observe them. Vice Minister Dong of the Ministry of Rites, tasked with overseeing the mourning, looked on with wary eyes. Ready to reprimand Prince Wu’an for disturbing the memorial hall, should he utter anything disrespectful.

However, Prince Wu’an’s reaction was unexpected. He swallowed his anger and dryly agreed, "Shao Hua speaks reasonably."

In the memorial hall, raising one’s voice was inappropriate, nor was laughter fitting. Prince Wu’an soon fell silent.

In contrast, Prince Huaiyang was much more diplomatic and subtle. He whispered to Jiang Shaohua, "I wish to see Prince Dongping and his son. Might you grant me this convenience?"

Jiang Shaohua replied breezily, "The Grand Empress Dowager has decreed that no one is allowed to visit the rebel. If caught, it will be regarded as collusion."

Prince Huaiyang sensibly shifted his focus, "Where might the Grand Empress Dowager be? I would like to pay my respects to Her Lady."

Jiang Shaohua said, "Her Lady has been exhausted these past days and has been taken back to Jingyang Palace to rest. You may seek an audience there."

Prince Huaiyang quickly replied, "This is the Emperor’s Memorial Hall. We vassal kings have come to the capital for mourning; we should not leave the hall carelessly. I will kneel in mourning here, waiting for Her Lady to come."

Thus, Prince Huaiyang proved to be a cut above Prince Wu’an. His words painted a loyal and benevolent image of a vassal king for all to see.

Jiang Shaohua scoffed inwardly, coldly observing Prince Huaiyang’s disingenuous display.

Prince Huaiyang, now forty-four, was in the prime of his life. He was tall enough, though his complexion bore some marks of indulgence in wine. Yet this was a minor flaw. More importantly, Prince Huaiyang had a significant advantage: he had five sons and a daughter, and six grandchildren already born.

Compared to the dwindling lineage of the Imperial Family, Prince Huaiyang’s descendants flourished, free of concerns about inheriting.

Prince Wu’an, older by one generation than Prince Huaiyang, had gray hair and a face full of wrinkles. He indulged in luxury and had a fiery temper, which did not earn him a good reputation.

However, Prince Wu’an had a strength that Prince Huaiyang lacked. Prince Wu’an had always been associated with Prime Minister Wang, whose faction was large, even if unstable in loyalty. Half of the courtiers kneeling in mourning belonged to this Prime Minister’s Faction.

If Prime Minister Wang decided to support Prince Wu’an, Prince Wu’an indeed had a chance to compete for the throne.

"The Grand Empress Dowager arrives."

Footsteps echoed outside the hall, and shortly, the white-haired, debilitated Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, supported by Mr. Zhao, entered the memorial hall.

Prince Huaiyang reacted swiftly, stepping forward with grand ceremony, acknowledging her with family greetings, and even addressing her as Imperial Aunt.

This seemed to remind the crowd of his close bloodline to the Imperial Family as a vassal king of the Jiang Family.

Prince Wu’an, when necessary, also lowered himself in humility, kneeling deeply while crying out, "The Emperor was conspired against by rebels, the Empress Dowager grievously injured, and Bao Hua killed at the hands of assassins. Now, this palace entirely relies on the Grand Empress Dowager; Her Lady must hold firm!"

In terms of hierarchy, Prince Wu’an could address Grand Empress Dowager Zheng as Imperial Sister-in-law. Yet, his usual arrogance was replaced by extreme humility at this moment, as he bowed with his head almost touching the ground.

This demonstrated to Grand Empress Dowager Zheng that he possessed no ambition for the throne and served as a sign to the courtiers.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng maintained a frosty stance toward Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an: "Both of you may stand now!"

"Since you’ve come to the palace for mourning, stay here and kneel respectfully. Once the Emperor is laid to rest, return to your vassal territories, govern them well, and let the people under you live peacefully. That will be your contribution and devotion to the Da Liang Court."

Her meaning was clear too: the heir to the throne is not your concern. Once the mourning is over, promptly return to your territories.

What Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an thought was unknown, but their faces showed nothing but compliance.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng did not spare them another glance, summoning Prince Ping Jiang Hao over, holding one of his hands tightly, the other gripping Jiang Shaohua’s, and sighed, "Hao’er, you are still young; you will listen to your cousin Shao Hua in the future, won’t you?"

Prince Jiang Hao understood and nodded firmly, "I shall listen to Cousin."

Gratefully, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng nodded and looked at Jiang Shaohua, her voice softening slightly, "Shao Hua, do care for Hao’er more in the days ahead."

In front of the courtiers, as well as Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had now made her stance crystal clear.

Emperor Taihe was dead, succession passing from elder brother to younger. The throne ought to be inherited by Prince Ping. Though very young, unable to govern, Jiang Shaohua’s clever, capable, talented self in the form of Nanyang County Princess was present. Hence, it had nothing to do with Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an.

Prime Minister Wang, who could contend with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, lay practically lifeless upon his bed, while Minister Zhang lost face after a rebuke from the Grand Empress Dowager several days before and refused to embarrass himself further. As for the officials of the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction, they wished for everything to go smoothly along with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s wishes.

After all, Jiang Shaohua was continuously seen as part of the Grand Empress Dowager’s camp. Duke An was injured now, leaving Jiang Shaohua rightly to shoulder the banner for Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction. Consequently, court administration fell firmly under Grand Empress Dowager’s control, which suited them perfectly.

Grand Empress Dowager’s clear political stance was unexpectedly smooth.

Jiang Shaohua naturally accepted, nodding in agreement.

Prince Wu’an was inwardly furious, mind racing, determined to find a suitable occasion to visit the grievously injured Prime Minister Wang...

Prince Huaiyang also pondered how to win over the courtiers. As for Jiang Shaohua, she posed an unavoidable obstacle. If persuasion failed, a way to remove her must be devised...

Chief Historian Chen observed Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an intently, calculating how to deal with the two.

To sum up, each harbored private intentions.

Clearly, they were in the memorial hall, still kneeling in mourning for Emperor Taihe. Yet, their minds had already moved on from the sudden death of the Emperor, and shaken off the shadow of the rebellion, rapidly advancing to the next step.

Who should inherit the lands and throne of Da Liang ultimately?

...

Several days later, late at night, Prince Wu’an finally spotted an opportunity, quietly going to see Prime Minister Wang.

Prime Minister Wang was gravely injured, lying on his bed pale as death.

Wang Jin, who knelt in mourning during the day, spent the night staying beside his father. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

As soon as Prince Wu’an arrived, Wang Jin almost instantly guessed his intentions, feeling both disgusted and contemptuous. At his ripe age, nearly halfway into the grave, Prince Wu’an still harbored thoughts of the throne, which was truly the height of greed.

"I wish to speak with the Commandery Prince," Prime Minister Wang said weakly, "You may leave first."