Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 621: Funeral Procession (Part 2)

Jiang Shaohua had been in power for many years, naturally exuding the demeanor of a high-ranking official. Her brows and eyes were beautiful but by no means gentle.

The noisy Jiang Hao quieted down the moment Jiang Shaohua glared at him. He was carried by an eunuch to the carriage to rest.

As soon as Jiang Hao left, Jiang Shaohua naturally took her place as the first to support the coffin.

Prince Wu’an was very dissatisfied in his heart, thinking what kind of world this was, where a group of men were all suppressed by a woman and couldn’t lift their heads. When he sits on the Dragon Throne in the future, the first thing he will do is send this eyesore Jiang Shaohua back to Nanyang County...

Jiang Shaohua suddenly turned her head and glanced over.

Prince Wu’an’s heart skipped a beat, hurriedly retracting his gaze, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Prince Huaiyang was closer to Jiang Shaohua, and he whispered, "Shao Hua, it has been raining all day, and everyone’s clothes are soaked. The young and strong can endure it, but there are many old courtiers who are frail. Perhaps let them take turns to the carriage to change into dry clothes."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "Uncle Prince Huaiyang is considerate. I will send the order immediately."

The sky was approaching evening, and the rain gradually stopped. The old courtiers took turns going to the carriages to change clothes, whispering a few words while resting.

"The weather today is really not good... Achoo!"

"The Commandery Princess is kind to us, letting us change out of these wet clothes... Achoo!"

"Minister Dai was unlucky, twisted his ankle just after leaving the city gate and was sent back."

"Well, losing something can sometimes be a blessing in disguise. Without the back-and-forth hardships, Minister Dai might feel quite relieved."

Of course, such idle chatter carried a hint of accusing Minister Dai of disloyalty. The officials quickly shifted the topic.

"Prince Wu’an wants to vie for the throne; I wonder if the Prime Minister will support him." The person speaking in a low voice was clearly an officer from the Prime Minister Faction.

Another from the Prime Minister Faction lowered his voice: "Minister Zhang has been frequently meeting with Prince Huaiyang these days, clearly intending to support him for the throne."

The Prime Minister Faction wasn’t monolithic; each had their own plans. Previously, Prime Minister Wang could keep things in check, but now he was gravely injured and unable to recover, causing unease within the faction. Some started quietly siding with Minister Zhang.

"Anyway, there will be excitement to watch in the future. Let’s just wait and see!" The person speaking was part of the neutral camp, siding with whoever was more powerful. They represented the majority of the courtiers.

To them, it didn’t really matter who sat on the Dragon Throne.

If Prince Huaiyang or Prince Wu’an had the ability to seize the throne, they would pledge allegiance. If they couldn’t, then let Prince Ping ascend! Who they bowed to made little difference.

"Hush, keep your voices down. Don’t let anyone overhear your idle talk and cause unnecessary trouble."

Jiang Shaohua waited until the ministers had changed out of their wet clothes before heading to the carriage to change herself.

Cui Du quietly followed along.

At such times, there was no room for ceremony. They turned their backs to each other and changed into clean clothes.

Jiang Shaohua lowered her head to tidy her lapels, and Cui Du naturally took over, using a towel to wipe her long, wet hair, whispering in her ear, "You’ve been walking all day; do your legs hurt? Has the child been restless?"

Strangely enough, Jiang Shaohua hadn’t felt tired all day, but when Cui Du asked, she suddenly felt exhausted and hungry, sighing lightly, "Tired, hungry."

During the funeral procession, they could neither stop nor eat or drink; they had to walk to the Imperial Mausoleum on empty stomachs.

Cui Du blinked and, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a candy, slipping it into Jiang Shaohua’s mouth: "If you can’t fill your stomach, at least enjoy something sweet."

Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but smile.

The candy slowly melted in her mouth, indeed very sweet. All her fatigue was washed away by the sweetness.

"We will reach the Imperial Mausoleum tomorrow," Jiang Shaohua said softly. "There might be some unexpected events. Stay with Chief Historian Chen and the others; don’t panic."

Cui Du was startled: "What kind of unexpected events?"

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flickered slightly; she whispered, "I don’t know yet. However, based on my understanding of the Grand Empress Dowager, she won’t miss this opportunity to strike."

It was uncertain who Grand Empress Dowager Zheng would target first, or if she might strike all at once to eliminate everyone.

Cui Du felt a chill in his heart. The day of the palace coup, too many died in the palace. What he witnessed firsthand was only a small part. But such scenes of bloodshed and chaos, where life and death were decided in an instant, were truly shocking for him. He had had several nightmares since then.

What kind of unexpected events would occur in the Imperial Mausoleum?

How would Grand Empress Dowager Zheng make her move?

Cui Du couldn’t figure it out and was unwilling to delve into such questions. He whispered, "You must be cautious. If you encounter danger, protect yourself."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and Imperial Concubine Fan repeatedly emphasized protecting Prince Ping’s safety. In Cui Du’s heart, only Jiang Shaohua’s safety mattered most.

Jiang Shaohua nodded: "Don’t worry, I won’t risk myself for anyone."

...

After traveling through the night and another day, they finally reached the Imperial Mausoleum.

The Imperial Guards who carried the coffin were extremely exhausted, and there was no need to elaborate. The courtiers who had walked for two days kneeled before the Emperor’s Mausoleum, wailing mournfully.

Prince Ping had slept for half a day in the carriage, was full of energy, and cried out loudly, his voice piercing the ears.

Jiang Shaohua also knelt down.

The Emperor’s coffin was carried into the mausoleum, and the tomb was sealed.

Jiang Shaohua took the yellow paper, placing it piece by piece into the brazier. The red flames greedily devoured the paper money, casting flickering light on the faces around.

When the sound of fighting echoed in the mausoleum, the courtiers were reminded of the perilous day of the rebels’ rebellion and the forced palace entry, leaving them shocked and alarmed.

Prince Huaiyang’s expression changed as well, quickly getting up and shouting loudly, "Everyone, don’t panic, there are traitors causing chaos, stay behind me..."

Prince Wu’an, unwilling to miss the opportunity to rally the courtiers, also shouted loudly, "Come to this Commandery Prince. I will definitely protect you all."

Unfortunately, their shouts had little effect.

Amidst the panic, the courtiers didn’t know what to do; they held their heads and ran over, yet instinctively flocked behind Jiang Shaohua. Due to the crowd’s squeeze, not everyone could make it over, but they all tried desperately. In short, no one went towards Prince Huaiyang or Prince Wu’an.

Prince Huaiyang: "..."

Prince Wu’an: "..."

Such was the prestige and public trust Jiang Shaohua had garnered after demonstrating her might in eliminating rebels a few days ago. Others envied her, yet it couldn’t be easily seized.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze was steady as she ordered in a deep voice, "No one shall make any noise; sit down on the spot."

"Anyone who moves recklessly will be considered a rebel and will be executed without mercy."

"General Ma, immediately order all Imperial Guards to form a defensive formation."

Within a few short sentences, the previously chaotic scene quickly settled down. The courtiers squeezed together in one place, while the Imperial Guards stood vigilant, weapons at the ready.

...