Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 637: Reassurance (Part 2)

Prime Minister Wang did not even intend to decline, and immediately instructed Wang Jin to express gratitude: "You should thank the Commandery Princess for her grace."

Wang Jin bowed deeply and saluted: "I thank the Commandery Princess immensely."

Jiang Shaohua accepted the salute calmly and said to Wang Jin: "Once I ascend the throne, I will formally issue a decree to promote you. With your talents, you are fully capable of taking the role of Secretary of the Secretariat. You need not feel indebted to me; I employ people based on capability, disregarding their origins."

Wang Jin replied earnestly: "I will wholeheartedly fulfill my duties, never to betray the Commandery Princess’s favor."

Jiang Shaohua slightly nodded, turned to Prime Minister Wang on the bed, and smiled: "Wang She Ren is a pillar of the state, your future achievements will not be beneath the Prime Minister, perhaps even surpass him. Both you and your son will be remembered in history as a great tale."

Such a promise dispelled the final shadow of doubt and dissatisfaction from Prime Minister Wang. Of course, he couldn’t accept this overtly, as it would seem too unhumble.

Prime Minister Wang humbly replied: "The Commandery Princess excels in utilizing talents and even better in guiding ministers. Please feel free to assign him tasks, allowing him to gain experience."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said: "Wang She Ren has a limitless future, the Wang Family should not hold him back."

This was a subtle admonition to Prime Minister Wang.

Prime Minister Wang immediately understood and replied solemnly: "Rest assured, Commandery Princess, I will take care of my health and strive to live another ten or twenty years. With me here, no one in the Wang Family will dare to cause trouble."

Thus, the meeting was settled.

Jiang Shaohua gently urged Prime Minister Wang to rest and recuperate, then stood up to take her leave.

Wang Jin dutifully escorted the Commandery Princess for a while.

After walking a short distance, Jiang Shaohua stopped. Song Yuan, Chief Historian Chen, and others sensibly retreated a few steps, allowing the Commandery Princess and Wang Jin to speak privately.

"Today at the grand court assembly, your expression of support bolstered my influence, thank you," Jiang Shaohua’s bright gaze fell upon Wang Jin’s face.

Wang Jin rarely had such opportunities to speak with her alone, much less to meet her eyes directly in this manner.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he replied earnestly: "I support the Commandery Princess’s ascent without personal motives. There is no need for thanks. I hope that upon ascending, the Commandery Princess will cleanse the decadence from the Da Liang Court, bring clarity to official administration, and ensure peace for both court and people."

Jiang Shaohua nodded: "That is also my intention. With so many tasks, impatience is futile; it must be done one step at a time."

Wang Jin hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice: "What does the Commandery Princess intend to do about the Grand Empress Dowager?"

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze flickered: "I have sent people to search for evidence in the secret chamber of Prince Dongping Mansion; in two or three days, they should return to the Capital City."

Wang Jin understood immediately: "With letters as evidence, we can convict Zheng Chen. Then, ’persuading’ the Grand Empress Dowager won’t be difficult."

Jiang Shaohua acknowledged: "From tomorrow, come to the palace for your duties. Government affairs and memorials have been delayed for over a month and must be dealt with swiftly."

Wang Jin bowed in agreement.

Having said what needed to be said, Jiang Shaohua showed no sign of lingering reluctance and continued moving forward.

Wang Jin silently followed, accompanying the Commandery Princess to the main gate, and only after her departure did he return to see Prime Minister Wang.

Despite Prime Minister Wang’s friendly conversation with Jiang Shaohua, as soon as the Commandery Princess left, he turned a harsh gaze on Wang Jin: "Go kneel in the ancestral hall, and do not get up until I give the order."

Wang Jin was a bit troubled: "The Commandery Princess specifically instructed me to enter the palace early for duty tomorrow."

Prime Minister Wang coldly snorted: "Then kneel for the night."

... Don’t make your father angry unto harm’s way. Wang Jin obediently complied, immediately going to kneel in the ancestral hall.

...

Jiang Shaohua, after leaving the Wang Family, did not return to the palace but went to the Li Family instead.

The Li Family’s ancestral home was in Zhao County, and Minister Li’s branch was of the Li’s legitimate line. Since the Li Family produced a Noble Consort and Crown Prince over ten years ago, Li clan members have flocked to the Capital City in allegiance. In recent years, the Li Family has rapidly ascended to new prominence in the Capital City, showing an air of contention with the Zheng Family.

In a single night of upheaval, the demise of Emperor Taihe shocked the world, as Minister Li and Li Boyuan perished tragically in the palace coup. Empress Dowager Li was also severely injured.

For the Li Family, it was an unbearable, fatal blow.

The bodies of Minister Li and his grandson have already been interred, and mourning clothes shroud the Li Family, with a heavy and somber air about them.

Until today, the lifeless Li Family finally saw a ripple of change.

Without Minister Li and his grandson, other members of the Li Family still held official posts in the court. Today’s grand court assembly was tumultuous, particularly Empress Dowager Li’s final appearance and her support for Jiang Shaohua, as sensational as if shattered through a stone.

The Li Family members were shocked by such a twist, hurriedly returning to the mansion to deliberate after the assembly. Naturally, their discussions revolved around two main points. First, how to support the Commandery Princess. Second, what tangible benefits could the Li Family gain once the Commandery Princess ascends?

Jiang Shaohua left the palace to visit the Wang Family, and the Li Family received the news, with mixed feelings about Wang Jin getting a head start in garnering credit. Then, the Commandery Princess arrived at the Li Family.

The Li Family almost immediately became lively with excitement.

"The Commandery Princess is here! Quickly, quickly, everyone go to the main entrance to greet her."

"Everyone must go, not a single person should be left behind!"

Leading the welcome was Minister Li’s eldest son, the elder brother of Empress Dowager Li, and Li Boyuan’s father, Li Weishang.

Li Weishang is forty-three this year, having served as an official outside of the Capital City and currently as Inspector of Wuzhou. When the news of Emperor Taihe’s demise reached Wuzhou, Inspector Li immediately hurried back to the Capital City for the mourning. Moreover, while en route, he received the further blow that his father and son perished in the rebellion.

Inspector Li fell ill on the journey, barely managing to return to the Capital City to conduct the funerals for his father and son. At this time, he appeared worn and frail, swaying even as he saluted.

Jiang Shaohua personally helped Inspector Li up, sighing publicly: "Minister Li and Mr. Li rebuked the rebel vehemently on that day, and were murdered by the rebel, it deeply grieves the heart. But, the deceased are gone, the living must look forward and live well, only in this way can we honor the deceased’s memory."

Inspector Li, moved to tears, red-eyed and brimful: "The Commandery Princess’s words, I have remembered them all."

Jiang Shaohua comforted softly: "The loyalty of the Li Family is recognized by all, and this Commandery Princess sees it all. Inspector Li, take courage and, in the future, serve the court with all your heart."

At this moment, Jiang Shaohua’s political stance was of paramount importance to the Li Family.

Inspector Li again thanked her with teary eyes.

Jiang Shaohua stayed at the Li Family for only a moment, not tarrying long. Just as she was about to leave, she asked: "Where is Dongping County Princess now?"

Mrs. Li, with reddened eyes, answered softly: "Ever since Prince Dongping and his son were escorted to the Capital City, she has stayed in her room and has not emerged."

With Prince Dongping and his son convicted of treason and rebellion, Dongping County Princess lost her public face. Whether she chose to stay inside or was confined matters little now.

Jiang Shaohua faintly said: "The treason case has not yet been concluded, take good care of Dongping County Princess."

Mrs. Li felt her heart tremble and responded duly.

...