Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 631: The Struggle for the Throne (Part 4)
General Sima cupped his hands in response, his voice carrying a touch of bitterness: "Grand Empress Dowager, this humble general almost became the father-in-law of a rebel. At this moment, I truly have no right to speak out."
Among the military generals, General Sima’s rank was relatively junior, and his promotion to a commander was indeed due to the nurturing by Emperor Taihe.
Last year, the Heir of Prince Gaoliang, Jiang Yi, proposed to General Sima’s daughter. General Sima gladly accepted the marriage proposal.
Who would have thought that Jiang Yi harbored treachery, raised troops to force the palace and rebel, and was executed on the spot by Jiang Shaohua. Fortunately, there were still a few months before the wedding, and his daughter had not yet married into the Gao Liang Prince Mansion. Otherwise, she would also be awaiting execution now.
Even now, General Sima felt uneasy, waiting for the new emperor to ascend the throne and handle the major treason case. How implicated the Sima Family would be was still unknown.
How could General Sima have any interest in getting involved in the struggle for the throne?
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was truly exasperated. These martial generals who held military power had all received the favors of Emperor Taikang and Emperor Taihe. Yet, now they all played deaf and dumb, with none willing to openly support Prince Ping.
In fact, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s view was too narrow.
On the day when Jiang Shaohua stormed into Zhaohai Palace with a spear, annihilating the rebels and saving all the courtiers, even the lofty military generals were captivated by the Commandery Princess’s heroic presence. Apart from his lineage, what aspect could Prince Ping compare with Jiang Shaohua? What right had he to compel them to serve a naive and ignorant child?
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s chest heaved rapidly, her breathing quickened, and as she looked around desperately, she finally spotted General Ma of the Imperial Army. With General Bao absent from the court, General Ma held the highest rank among the martial generals in the Imperial Army and was also the most loyal.
"General Ma, convey my command, arrest Jiang Shaohua immediately! I want her imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison!"
General Ma, always steadfast in his loyalty, hesitated upon hearing such an order.
"What? Are you also rebelling?" Grand Empress Dowager Zheng shouted in fury: "Did you hear what I said?"
General Ma sighed deeply in his heart and cupped his hands in resignation: "Grand Empress Dowager, please calm your anger! This humble general has always been loyal and harbors no treasonous intent."
"The Commandery Princess competes for the throne with dignity!" At this critical moment, Vice Minister Dong stepped out, speaking with the eloquence he had honed over decades as the Assistant Minister of Rites: "Who said it was treason? Grand Empress Dowager, please be cautious with your words!"
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, furious, glared at Vice Minister Dong: "Vice Minister Dong, what promise did Jiang Shaohua make to you that, as a senior courtier, you stand here to wave her banner and cheer her on? Today’s events in the palace will be recorded in history. Do you not care about your reputation?"
Vice Minister Dong responded with an air of integrity: "Only the Commandery Princess can command the respect of both the civil and military officials. I am merely one among them. If the Grand Empress Dowager insists on Prince Ping’s accession, driven by selfish motives and disregarding the bigger picture, her reputation in history may not be favorable."
"You!" Grand Empress Dowager Zheng nearly fainted from anger.
Mr. Zhao busily supported Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.
Having resolved to support the Commandery Princess, Vice Minister Dong would not back down and continued: "The involvement of women in state affairs began with the Grand Empress Dowager. If the Grand Empress Dowager insists that women should not govern, then how did the Grand Empress Dowager’s faction emerge in the court over the years?"
"You..."
"Please, Grand Empress Dowager, open your eyes and see how many of the courtiers support Prince Ping and how many support the Commandery Princess! If the Grand Empress Dowager insists on Prince Ping’s accession, how many will genuinely yield? Who will govern in the future, who will decide major court matters, and who will seize imperial power—all these will cause the court to crumble."
"Please, Grand Empress Dowager, consider the big picture and choose the most suitable heir for Da Liang!"
Saying all this, to establish the new emperor, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng cannot be circumvented.
After all, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng is the most senior and respected member of the Imperial Family. According to the clan’s rites, unless Grand Empress Dowager Zheng resolutely opposes, Jiang Shaohua cannot justly assume the throne.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s face was pale, clearly determined to oppose until the end.
Despite Vice Minister Dong’s eloquence, if Grand Empress Dowager Zheng resolutely disagreed, there was nothing he could do. Jiang Shaohua might still ascend the throne, but it would require less than honorable methods...
Outside the doors of the Jinluan Palace, a sudden commotion arose.
Who dared to disturb the grand court?
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng turned her head towards the noise, full of anger, and was taken aback: "Mrs. Li, why have you come?!"
The white-haired woman, walking unsteadily with layers of thick gauze around her neck and relying entirely on the support of palace attendants, was indeed Empress Dowager Li.
The courtiers were also surprised, and they saluted one after another: "We pay respects to the Empress Dowager."
Chief Historian Chen quickly looked towards his Commandery Princess.
Jiang Shaohua was evidently quite surprised herself. She quietly watched Empress Dowager Li, repeatedly contemplating her intentions.
Empress Dowager Li slowly approached Grand Empress Dowager Zheng with support, mustering all her strength to utter a sentence: "Shaohua should succeed to the throne, my son in the ground would surely approve."
These words landed like a stone breaking the heavens.
It was as if a sudden thunderclap had exploded.
Setting aside the courtiers’ reactions, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng could hardly believe her ears.
"Mrs. Li, have you gone mad!" Grand Empress Dowager Zheng did not realize that she herself appeared mad: "What nonsense are you spouting!!!"
"Jiang Shaohua is a woman. How can there be a reason for a woman to become emperor!!!"
"Upon the elder brother’s death, the younger brother succeeds! Prince Ping is the legitimate heir to the throne!"
Prince Ping?
What does Prince Ping’s accession have to do with the Li Family? What concern is it to her as Empress Dowager Li?
Her son is dead, and the Li Family’s descendants also perished in the palace coup. Whoever becomes emperor, it is much the same to her.
If Prince Ping ascends, Imperial Concubine Fan will become Empress Dowager. What benefit does that bring her? She has no desire to be on equal footing with Imperial Concubine Fan, nor to spend the rest of her life living under her gaze. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
In fact, she would rather push the throne to Jiang Shaohua, gaining immense favor that could benefit the Li Family in the future.
Empress Dowager Li looked at Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, clearly weak and standing only by support, yet her demeanor was unyielding: "At this point in Da Liang’s history, the one capable should hold the throne."
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was so enraged that she trembled all over, pointing at Empress Dowager Li: "You! You insolent wretch!"
Empress Dowager Li, finding some strength, replied: "I am considering the nation’s welfare with not a shred of selfishness. Can the Grand Empress Dowager claim the same?"
Prince Ping bore the bloodline of Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, a much closer relation than Jiang Shaohua. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s insistence on Prince Ping’s accession was undoubtedly laden with personal interest.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was too incensed to speak further.
Empress Dowager Li slowly scanned the faces of everyone present: "I support the Nanyang County Princess as the new emperor!"
