Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 627: Imperial Court Assembly
Today, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng will also attend the grand court assembly.
Imperial Concubine Fan had a restless night and arrived at Jingyang Palace with Prince Ping at dawn. Her heart was filled with unease, yet she couldn’t suppress her joy.
The nation cannot be without a ruler for even a single day. With Emperor Taihe laid to rest, the most urgent matter at hand is to establish a new ruler.
Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an have both been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison by the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. At today’s grand court assembly, neither of these vassal kings is even allowed to attend. With these two significant threats removed, no one can pose a threat to Prince Ping anymore.
Once Prince Ping ascends the throne, she will be the Empress Dowager of Da Liang.
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng is already advanced in years. How many more years can she live? Once the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng is gone, the harem will be hers to command. In the future, she can be like the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, drawing in courtiers, meddling in state affairs, allowing the Fan Family to replace the Zheng Family and become the most prestigious noble family in Da Liang...
This vision brings a secret and unrestrained joy to Imperial Concubine Fan’s heart. She carefully controls her facial expressions, not daring to relax her brow, and speaks with even more respect: "The grand court assembly is about to begin. I will support the Grand Empress Dowager to the Jinluan Palace."
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng rarely shows Imperial Concubine Fan a good expression: "Come, support me."
Then she said to Jiang Shaohua: "Shaohua, you come over as well."
As for Prince Ping Jiang Hao, today he must go to the Jinluan Palace as the future Son of Heaven and walk at the forefront of the crowd.
Jiang Hao was unwilling to go alone and kept causing a commotion.
Imperial Concubine Fan habitually went to comfort her son. Jiang Shaohua glared coldly at him: "Stop fussing."
Jiang Hao immediately fell silent, and Mr. Wei attended to him as he walked ahead.
While Imperial Concubine Fan sighed in relief, a bit of discomfort lingered in her heart. Thinking about it, she realized that she still needed Jiang Shaohua to manage state affairs for her son in the future. Jiang Shaohua being strong and formidable, able to control Jiang Hao, was indeed a good thing. She barely suppressed her discomfort.
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng didn’t have as many complicated thoughts. She openly praised: "Prince Ping is young and ignorant, and needs someone to manage him like this. Shaohua did well."
Jiang Shaohua smiled gently.
Let’s hope that today at the grand court assembly, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng won’t be angered to death by the outcome.
The group grandly made their way to the Jinluan Palace.
Throughout her life, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng could count her visits to the Jinluan Palace on one hand. The last time was before Jiang Song ascended the throne. When Emperor Taikang died suddenly, the sixteen-year-old Crown Prince Jiang Song seamlessly succeeded to the throne. Three years later, Jiang Song was assassinated due to conspiracies, and the palace found itself relying on Jiang Shaohua to maintain its dignity in the face of aged officials and youngsters.
The courtiers had long been waiting inside the Jinluan Palace.
Prince Ping was the first to enter the Jinluan Palace, and the courtiers all bowed together: "We respectfully welcome Prince Ping, respectfully welcome the Grand Empress Dowager, and respectfully welcome the Commandery Princess."
Imperial Concubine Fan was naturally overlooked and ignored.
Jiang Hao was startled by the grandeur, turning his head to rush into the embrace of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng hurriedly held Jiang Hao: "Hao’er, don’t be afraid."
Jiang Shaohua’s voice sounded at just the right moment: "Everyone, please rise."
The courtiers, accustomed to Jiang Shaohua’s instructions, bowed in gratitude and made way.
Next, Prince Ping should proceed to the side of the Dragon Throne to be supported and established as the new emperor by the courtiers. The courtiers were prepared to comply. However, Jiang Hao resolutely refused to move an inch due to his stubbornness. The elderly Grand Empress Dowager Zheng almost stumbled and fell as Jiang Hao twisted and turned in her embrace.
Mr. Zhao quickly went to support the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.
Imperial Concubine Fan had to tightly hold Jiang Hao’s hand, softly coaxing: "Hao’er, be good, don’t make a fuss. Go stand over there first and let the courtiers have a good look at you."
"I won’t go!" Jiang Hao cried loudly: "I don’t want to go! I want to go back!"
Despite his small size, he had a lot of strength. As he swung his arm vigorously, his palm accidentally hit Imperial Concubine Fan’s face. With a crisp sound, her cheek reddened immediately, and a strand of her hair was pulled out of place by the Prince.
The courtiers looked on, the scene chaotic, and Imperial Concubine Fan felt both ashamed and embarrassed, having to look up at Jiang Shaohua for help.
Jiang Shaohua clearly saw the plea in Imperial Concubine Fan’s eyes, yet she neither spoke up nor made any move to separate Jiang Hao.
Imperial Concubine Fan felt a jolt in her heart, a strange unease surged forth. It was as if some unexpected major event was about to unfold.
The courtiers observed all of this, each harboring their own thoughts.
Da Liang was about to be placed in the hands of a mischievous child, like a ship on the verge of breaking apart with another major fissure. The sinking of this great vessel seemed inevitable. What could they, as courtiers, do about it?
Ultimately, this was Jiang’s dominion, the Dragon Throne was destined for a Jiang. There had been options with Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an, but with the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s intervention, these vassal kings were accused of rebellion and imprisoned... 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
Supported by Mr. Zhao, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng stood firmly, casting a look around, gathering up the expressions of regret and despair on the courtiers’ faces.
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng frowned and scolded: "Why are all of you looking so mournful? My eldest grandson is gone, but there’s an heir! Da Liang’s lineage has not been severed! You are the pillars of Da Liang and must shoulder the heavy responsibility at this moment."
Prime Minister Wang, who could argue with the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, now lies on a bed in the Wang Family.
Duke An, who could pacify the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, now lies in the Zheng Family.
Minister Zhang was of no great use, and the other courtiers did not have the courage to speak up. The Jinluan Palace resonated with the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s authoritative reprimand: "Make way, the mourning family will take Prince Ping to the throne."
The courtiers silently made way.
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng strode confidently to pull Prince Ping.
Prince Ping continued his noisy commotion. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng looked at Jiang Shaohua: "Shaohua, go support Prince Ping."
This statement, made publicly, was laden with implicit suggestiveness.
Of course, this was expected by the courtiers. Given Prince Ping’s conduct, even if he sat on the Dragon Throne, he would merely be a figurehead. Someone would need to assist in governance, managing state affairs. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng could not tolerate Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an coveting the throne, so it was Jiang Shaohua who would be promoted to the position of assisting in governance.
In terms of capability, shrewdness, and methods, who else is more suitable than the Commandery Princess of Nanyang?
Now, as long as Jiang Shaohua proceeds, taking Prince Ping’s hand, and walks to the Dragon Throne, it would be logical for her to ascend to high office, becoming the first assistant Commandery Princess in Da Liang, wielding great power, and leaving a significant mark in history.
Even the original Prime Minister Faction, including Minister Zhang, Minister Dai, and Minister Zhou, helplessly accepted this outcome.
The Commandery Princess is a Commandery Princess, after all! Though a woman, she indeed possesses true capability, able to impose authority on the court and earn the respect of everyone.
Under the gaze of all present, Jiang Shaohua remained motionless.
The courtiers looked over in surprise.
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, displeased, repeated: "Shaohua, what are you standing there for? Go and support Prince Ping!"
