Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 616: Vassal King (Part 3)

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng flew into a rage and smashed a tea cup, furiously scolding the restless Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an.

Later, not even Mr. Zhao dared to offer advice, shrinking his head and standing in the corner, fearing the mistress’s anger might reach him.

"Zhao Chunming!" Grand Empress Dowager Zheng turned her head in anger.

Mr. Zhao, caught in his predicament, had to muster the courage to step forward: "Your servant is here!"

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng bellowed: "Immediately take my decree and summon Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an to meet me."

It was clear that the furious Grand Empress Dowager Zheng intended to "discipline" the two unruly Vassal Kings.

Mr. Zhao knew his mistress well and knew that no persuasion would work at this time. He briskly accepted the order, went to Zhaohai Palace, and solemnly delivered the edict from the Grand Empress Dowager.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had risen from Crown Princess Consort to Empress, then Empress Dowager, and now Grand Empress Dowager, the eldest and most revered with rightful authority.

Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an were each summoned by name and dared not refuse.

Upon arriving at Jingyang Palace, they were greeted with a torrent of scolding.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng pointed a finger at Prince Wu’an’s nose, angrily scolding: "At your age, half-buried in yellow earth and living idly, you still dare to covet the position of the supreme ruler! Utterly delusional!"

Prince Wu’an strove to rebut: "Grand Empress Dowager misunderstood me. I have some private acquaintanceship with Prime Minister Wang; he was severely injured, and I merely went to visit, with no ulterior motives."

"Pah! You take me for a fool to deceive! Let me make it clear, this throne belongs to Prince Ping, and whoever dares to entertain thoughts they shouldn’t will face my wrath!"

The last sentence was spoken with gritted teeth and bulging eyes.

For a moment, Prince Wu’an dared not meet her gaze, showing some guilty weakness.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, having dealt with Prince Wu’an, started scolding Prince Huaiyang next.

Prince Huaiyang was of the younger generation, and Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had taken care of Prince Huaiyang’s daughter for ten years, making this scolding even more fluent with terms like "ungrateful ingrate," "thankless wretch," "fool’s dream," and "self-destructive path."

Prince Huaiyang didn’t rebut a word, just quietly took the scolding.

After Grand Empress Dowager Zheng finished scolding, Prince Huaiyang still brought a cup of warm water forward: "Imperial Aunt, don’t let anger harm your body, take a sip of water and rest before further admonishing your nephew."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "..."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was terribly enraged and seized the tea cup, hurling it out. With the close proximity, there was no reason to miss. The entire cup of tea splashed onto Prince Huaiyang’s lapel, and the tea cup fell to the ground with a bang, breaking into several pieces.

Prince Huaiyang didn’t move, maintaining his respectful posture, waiting to be scolded further.

At the height of anger, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng suddenly calmed down.

Vassal Kings who coveted the throne and intended to vie for power wouldn’t change their minds just because of a dressing-down from her; Huaiyang’s respectful demeanor was actually a form of disdain.

With Emperor Taihe’s passing, the royal palace was left with only vulnerable women and children. In civilian terms, it’s when sons of strong clan members aim to devour an orphaned family. Now, with Emperor Taihe’s remains not yet interred, Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an had to mind appearances for the funeral, not daring to express themselves too openly. The real battle would be after the funeral ends.

When Grand Empress Dowager Zheng raged and pointed noses in scolding, it wasn’t frightening. But now, as she calmed down, her grim gaze sent chills into Prince Wu’an’s heart.

Prince Wu’an instinctively glanced at Prince Huaiyang.

Prince Huaiyang, however, showed no panic and in a warm tone suggested: "Imperial Aunt is a few years older than Uncle Wu’an; you must take good care of your precious health. Prince Ping is so young; the palace inside and out will rely on Imperial Aunt to support. Imperial Aunt absolutely cannot fall."

Was this consolation or a threat?

At present, living beyond sixty was considered old age. Being seventy was rare through history; with Grand Empress Dowager’s age, living past seventy wouldn’t be many more years. Should Grand Empress Dowager close her eyes in peace, who else could protect Prince Ping?

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng felt her anger rolling, her gaze growing darker and colder: "You’re right, I indeed cannot fall. This Da Liang state passed from my husband to my son and then to my eldest grandson. Now the eldest grandson has gone, naturally, it should pass to the youngest grandson. Not only must I live well, I must live a hundred years. I’ll keep my eyes open, watching who dares to rebel and commit treason like Prince Dongping and Prince Gaoliang!"

Prince Huaiyang earnestly replied: "Please rest assured, Imperial Aunt, nephew will certainly support you, and support Prince Ping."

Prince Wu’an regaining composure, puffed out his chest, expressing his loyalty.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng impassively waved her hand: "I’m weary, you should return to the mourning hall first."

Prince Wu’an and Prince Huaiyang bowed to take their leave.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng sat for a long time, without moving, her mind engrossed in unknown contemplation, her demeanor increasingly solemn.

"Zhao Chunming, come here," Grand Empress Dowager Zheng commanded in a low voice: "From today, arrange more people to keep an eye on Prince Wu’an and Prince Huaiyang. Report any unusual movements to me immediately."

Mr. Zhao accepted the order in a grave voice.

"Go summon Eunuch Lin."

The ones Grand Empress Dowager Zheng could rely on, besides Mr. Zhao, included Eunuch Lin.

Mr. Zhao was outwardly the most trusted and favored by the mistress, delivering orders across the palaces. Eunuch Lin was much more low-key, usually not drawing attention, but in reality, he had a group of skilled eunuchs under him. Moreover, he had connections with two military generals of the Imperial Army.

In essence, Eunuch Lin was the one "doing the dirty work" for the mistress. More than twenty years ago, the accidental death of the eldest prince falling from a horse, and later the unexpected fever of Prince Gaoliang, all faintly had Eunuch Lin’s shadow behind them.

What was Grand Empress Dowager Zheng planning by summoning Eunuch Lin now?

Mr. Zhao felt a slight chill in his heart but dared not ask more, exiting the hall to summon Eunuch Lin.

Eunuch Lin was over fifty years old, over ten years older than Mr. Zhao, extremely well-maintained, with hardly any wrinkles on his round, white, kindly face.

Eunuch Lin nodded to Mr. Zhao and then stepped into Zhaohai Palace.

...

After dark, the ministers went for their meals and rest.

Kneeling in mourning day after day was incredibly exhausting in terms of physical energy and patience. Jiang Shaohua, upon noticing her pregnancy, also clearly felt physical changes. She was less energetic than usual, more prone to tiredness and drowsiness, had a poorer appetite, and occasionally felt nauseated.

Fortunately, there was no morning sickness. Any slight anomalies of her body were well-hidden by her. Except for those closest to her, no one could detect her peculiarities.

Day and night, Cui Du was by her side, not taking his eyes off her except during sleep.

When Jiang Shaohua rose, Cui Du immediately extended his hand to support.

After Jiang Shaohua stood up, Cui Du quickly glanced at her still-flat belly and softly said: "Let’s return to the palace chamber for dinner."