Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 696: Dire News

The temperament and disposition of Jiang Shaohua are most familiar to Chief Historian Chen.

Like Minister Ji, who is often admonished and warned, it is because the Emperor still wants to employ him. The methods of Vice Minister Ding of the Ministry of War are slightly too gentle, so the Emperor will give him a boost to help him establish his footing and authority in the Ministry of War.

As for Minister Zhang, who does not bow his head or change his frequent private maneuvers, Jiang Shaohua will not touch the Ministry of Personnel for the time being.

If there is no action, then it’s fine, but when there is action, it will be earth-shattering.

"The matter of Imperial Censor Cao should be noted for now," Jiang Shaohua instructed Ma Yaosong, "You, working at the Ministry of Personnel, need not do much. Just record what you see, hear, and know. Later, I will settle all accounts."

Ma Yaosong solemnly accepted the order.

As the monarch and his ministers were discussing, Qin Hu entered the hall looking grave and reported, "Your Majesty, Yang Shi has sent a message. On their way back to Wu’an County, Prince Wu’an and his son encountered a band of unknown bandits. They were killed by the bandits, beheaded, and met a tragic death. All their money was stolen."

Chief Historian Chen was startled and quickly looked at the Emperor.

Song Yuan’s brows also furrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Which group of bandits dared to attack Prince Wu’an and his son?"

Chen Jinyu wanted to say something but, after a glance at the calm Jiang Shaohua, swallowed his words.

Jiang Shaohua, upon hearing such bad news, did not react much, only instructing, "Convey my decree: order Yang Shi to investigate this case."

When the Emperor sent Yang Shi to confiscate the property of Prince Wu’an’s mansion that day, perhaps he had already anticipated this outcome! Whether intentionally or coincidentally, it is reasonable for Yang Shi, who is skilled in criminal investigation, to take over this case.

In fact, it takes more than half a month to send a message from Wu’an County to the Capital City. With Yang Shi’s shrewdness and efficiency, he should have already uncovered most of the details about the case of Prince Wu’an being murdered within this half month.

However, the necessary procedures still need to be followed.

Chen Jinyu received the oral command and went to ask Secretary of the Secretariat Wang to draft the decree and sent the imperial edict to Wu’an County.

Wang Jin, upon hearing the tragic news of Prince Wu’an’s death, felt very complicated but managed to keep his composure. After receiving the Emperor’s order, he quickly completed the task.

At the same time, the news of Prince Wu’an’s murder spread like wildfire inside and outside the palace.

It is said that Empress Dowager Li sighed deeply, lamenting the short lives of the Jiang Family men.

Imperial Concubine Fan, who was recuperating in her sleeping quarters, was so frightened by the bad news that she had a high fever that very day and spoke a bunch of nonsense. What exactly she said, the palace attendants serving Imperial Concubine Fan did not dare to repeat.

In Jingyang Palace, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng sighed after hearing the bad news and said to Mr. Zhao, "Wu’an County is remote with many forests; it’s not uncommon to have bandits. It’s a pity for Prince Wu’an and his son to meet their end in the Yellow Springs like this."

Mr. Zhao echoed with a face full of sorrow, "Indeed a pity. Who would have thought, after walking over a thousand miles safely, they would encounter misfortune near Wu’an County."

"It seems that heaven wanted to take them. Well, in the underworld, they can serve Song’er," the Grand Empress Dowager said plainly. "You go to Huaiyang Prince Mansion on my behalf and deliver this mourning message to Prince Huaiyang and his sons. After all, they are kin of the Jiang Family; such matters cannot be hidden from them."

Mr. Zhao respectfully accepted the order.

Bending over in Jingyang Palace, Mr. Zhao straightened his back and walked arrogantly once outside the palace. Upon entering the Huaiyang Prince Mansion, devoid of a plaque, his arrogance was even more pronounced.

"By the order of the Grand Empress Dowager, I come to deliver a message to you all," Mr. Zhao said without even bowing, standing there brazenly, with the corners of his mouth upturned and his eyes downcast, "Prince Wu’an and his son encountered bandits on their return journey and were killed by the bandits."

Prince Huaiyang, Jiang Quan, with red-rimmed eyes, mourned in the direction of Wu’an County.

Prince Huaiyang’s several sons were all taken aback by this sudden bad news... or rather frightened, each looking grim. They could not regain their composure even after Mr. Zhao swaggered off.

The eldest son of Prince Huaiyang, in a daze, murmured, "How did they meet bandits? How could it be such a coincidence!"

The youngest brother suddenly blurted out, "No wonder Father was unwilling to leave the Capital City. If we insisted on leaving, would we have also met bandits before reaching Huaiyang County?"

Prince Huaiyang sharply and sternly rebuked, "Nonsense! Shut up! Speculating without evidence—this kind of talk is a path to destruction!"

"Anyone who doesn’t want to live should find a rope or take a dagger to end themselves. Don’t drag others down."

The sons immediately fell silent.

Yet now they could all understand their father’s heartfelt intentions behind his actions that day.

Even though most of the family property was confiscated, at least a portion remained. When Ma Yaosong returned to the Capital City, he had already delivered the remaining portion of the gold and silver to Huaiyang Prince Mansion. As long as they behaved, this amount of money was enough for them to live a life without worry.

Compared to the tragic deaths of Prince Wu’an and his son, what more was there to be dissatisfied with?

The Huaiyang County Princess, who was married off, returned to her natal home that afternoon.

The Huaiyang County Princess came with red eyes, having cried before arriving. Upon seeing her father and brothers, she choked up and said, "Fortunately, father insisted on staying in the Capital City that day, or if we had left, we might have encountered ’bandits’ before reaching Huaiyang County."

Prince Huaiyang smiled and comforted his daughter, "It shows that your father has some foresight and luck."

After a pause, he advised, "When you enter the palace to greet the Grand Empress Dowager, don’t mention these things. The Grand Empress Dowager is aged and doesn’t like to hear about matters of life and death."

To survive in the Capital City, they must rely on the Emperor’s protection and also be sensible and tactful themselves.

The Huaiyin County Princess nodded and agreed.

... 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

That night, after Wang Jin returned home, Prime Minister Wang immediately sent someone to call him.

Wang Jin was aware of the situation, and when the attendants withdrew, he spoke before Prime Minister Wang could, "Even though I’m at the palace, I am not clear about Prince Wu’an’s murder. All I know is that he was killed by a gang of unknown bandits."

Prime Minister Wang sneered, "A good one, ’unknown.’ Does the Grand Empress Dowager really think the courtiers are all deaf and blind?"

Wang Jin remained silent.

Prime Minister Wang, recuperating on the bed and unable to attend court, still understood the dynamics of the court, "If the Emperor had allowed Prince Wu’an to leave, it meant he had no intention of silencing him. This matter must be the handiwork of the Grand Empress Dowager."

"That old hag! Who knows how many Hidden Guards and Death Warriors she has secretly nurtured. The previous assassination case at the Imperial Mausoleum, which implicated both Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an, was orchestrated by her. In the end, it paved the way for the new emperor, and she must feel incredibly resentful and regretful."

"Prince Huaiyang is a smart man; he refused to leave the Capital City and shamelessly stayed. He even pleaded with the Emperor to dispatch a team of Imperial Guards."

"The Grand Empress Dowager dared not move against Prince Huaiyang, so her pent-up rage naturally targeted Prince Wu’an."