Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 624: Methods (Part 3)
Jiang Shaohua never indulges anyone, especially the Prince Wu’an whom she loathes.
"These four words, ’country and estate,’ are not for just anyone to speak." Jiang Shaohua’s voice was calm yet carried disdain and mockery: "I advise you, Commandery Prince, to behave yourself during such times."
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng has already acted against Prince Huaiyang, and next it will be Prince Wu’an.
Prince Wu’an caught the underlying meaning in Jiang Shaohua’s words, and couldn’t help but shiver.
Jiang Shaohua then said to the ashen-faced Prince Huaiyang: "Since you’ve decided to go to Jingyang Palace and ask the Grand Empress Dowager for intervention, it would be best to remain silent on all else now."
Prince Huaiyang has been forced into a corner by Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s ruthless maneuver — either plead desperately for a lifeline or truly rise in rebellion... only to be cut to pieces by the Imperial Guard!
Prince Huaiyang lacked even the energy for a long sigh, standing blankly where he was. His back bowed, as though his spine had been ripped out.
Jiang Shaohua didn’t look at them again and turned to leave.
Mr. Wei dared not delay even for a moment, following closely behind Prince Ping.
The night wind came, carrying a faint scent of blood.
Prince Wu’an cleared his throat forcefully, leaning closer to Prince Huaiyang, and whispered: "Wu Wei and Si Wu have been lurking by your side for years. With these two pieces moved, you are now beyond defense. I understand you plan to return to the palace to beg the Grand Empress Dowager for mercy. However, you know the Grand Empress Dowager’s ways. Her actions are always ruthless; how can she let go of such a good opportunity to completely remove the Huaiyang Prince Mansion?"
"This path, nine times out of ten, will lead to a dead end."
Prince Huaiyang looked over blankly: "Do you want to encourage me to truly rebel?"
Prince Wu’an coughed, his voice still extremely lowered: "Rebellion is certainly not feasible. With the Heroic Guard Camp and the Imperial Army stationed in the Capital City, tens of thousands of elite soldiers are guarding outside the palace; anyone who attempts treason faces certain death."
"However, if the newly ascended Emperor wholeheartedly protects you, your situation will greatly improve."
The heavy insinuation in his words made Prince Huaiyang nearly laugh: "You want me to support your ascent to the throne? When I return to the palace, I’ll be thrown into a big prison, how could I possibly help you?"
Prince Wu’an said softly: "You’ve managed to win over a group of officials in the court. As long as they’re willing to support me, the chances of my success in ascending the throne will greatly increase. Once I’m seated on the Dragon Throne, I will definitely secure your fortune."
Prince Huaiyang remained silent.
Prince Wu’an said nothing more either, left him with "Think it over carefully," and walked away.
Prince Huaiyang stood alone at the Emperor’s Mausoleum, the cool night wind from the mountains hitting him all over, leaving him chilly.
...
Who indeed could truly fall asleep this night?
Even Jiang Shaohua, lying on her bed, was restless, with her thoughts in turmoil and unable to sleep. She contemplated the possible changes that might occur and the various means of dealing with them.
Prince Ping lay on a small bed beside her, making gentle snoring sounds. Jiang Shaohua turned her head and could see Prince Ping’s sweetly sleeping chubby face.
Hence it is said, being simple-minded isn’t without benefits. Swap a clever child, and by now they’d be scared out of their wits by this series of deadly schemes. But Jiang Hao merely cries for a while and soon recovers.
Owing to Prince Ping sharing the same room, Cui Du couldn’t stay there and went to share a room with Chief Historian Chen.
Cui Du, rarely troubled with a head full of worries, was completely unable to fall asleep. Chief Historian Chen noticed him tossing and turning and said softly: "Don’t worry, the sky won’t fall."
The next phrase is, if the sky falls, the Commandery Princess will hold it up.
In the view of all officials in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, this phrase was practically an ironclad rule.
Previously, Cui Du thought so as well. But the situation is different now, Jiang Shaohua is pregnant, her emotions prone to swings, and she is not as robust in energy and strength as before. What if she gets distressed and harms the child, even more so her health—what then?
Cui Du was filled with worry but couldn’t express it, so he merely mumbled in response.
While Chief Historian Chen was verbally comforting Cui Du, in truth, his heart was also uneasy.
If Jiang Shaohua wanted to become a Vassal King, given the current circumstances, it wouldn’t be difficult. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and Imperial Concubine Fan would both lend their full support. Prime Minister Wang wouldn’t be able to stop her.
Even if Prince Wu’an managed to seize the throne by luck, he wouldn’t mistreat Jiang Shaohua; instead, he would go to great lengths to win her over. One could say, Jiang Shaohua fully possessed formidable capabilities to establish herself in the court.
But now, Jiang Shaohua’s goals have become higher and further-reaching... which means she will become a rival to Prince Ping, becoming a thorn in Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s side.
With Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s ruthless tactics, she always strikes with severity: like Prince Gaoliang who was labeled "brain damaged by fever" over twenty years ago, and even earlier, those Princes who perished prematurely without a chance for a title—even though there was no proof, everyone knew it was Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s handiwork.
Then there’s the matter of "treason" today, almost blatantly framing Prince Huaiyang. Yet Prince Huaiyang has no way to clear his name.
If such tactics were used against our own Commandery Princess, how should she respond?
Thinking of this possibility, Chief Historian Chen shuddered.
The struggle for the throne has never been warm and emotional but filled with conspiracy and bloodshed. Can Jiang Shaohua truly step over all the thorns and obstacles on her path to reaching the supreme position in the world?
...
At the fifth hour the next day, everyone who had stayed up all night got out of bed.
After Prince Ping awoke, he habitually stayed closely by Jiang Shaohua’s side.
General Ma, who had kept watch on the rebels all night, came with blood-red eyes to report: "Commandery Princess, the sixty-seven captured rebels all had poison hidden in their mouths and bit the poison to commit suicide at dawn. I was unable to prevent it in time. Please punish me, Commandery Princess!"
They were indeed Death Warriors; showing up meant death.
Such Death Warriors cost an enormous amount to sustain. Who in the world could afford to maintain over a hundred such Death Warriors?
Jiang Shaohua did not become angry; she even opened her mouth to comfort General Ma: "The rebels sought death, and they certainly deserved to die; their death is not regrettable. General Ma, there’s no need for self-blame."
General Ma’s eyes flashed with guilt, and he responded quietly.
"What about Wu Wei and Si Wu?" Jiang Shaohua asked.
General Ma rallied and replied: "The two of them are being guarded individually, with ten-plus people watching them without blinking, so there’s been no unexpected turns."
Hence, among all these "rebels," the only ones left who can serve as witnesses to identify the "mastermind" are Wu Wei and Si Wu. It’s nearly impossible for Prince Huaiyang to clear his name.
This is the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng that Jiang Shaohua is familiar with. She doesn’t act unless it’s a deathblow.
Prince Huaiyang has also received the news at this point, his face looking paler after a sleepless night.
Jiang Shaohua glanced at him indifferently and immediately withdrew her gaze, issuing an order: "Set out and return to the palace at once."
Upon her command, the Imperial Guard cleared the way in front, the officials boarded carriages, and the massive convoy slowly moved towards the whirlpool of power.
