Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 707: Protecting the Pregnancy (Part 2)
This Cui Du! How dare he publicly humiliate her!
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was furious, glaring at Cui Du: "You scoundrel! How dare you disrespect me! You want to rebel against the heavens!"
Cui Du met the gaze of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "The Emperor is the true ruler of Da Liang. I am merely considering the Emperor’s health. How could it be a rebellion in Grandmother’s words? Grandmother has wielded power in the palace for decades; perhaps you have forgotten the difference between a Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor."
Well said!
In their hearts, Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao applauded Elder Changning wildly!
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was beside herself with rage, pointing at Cui Du’s nose and shouting: "Bah! You’re just a son-in-law clinging to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Without that, you wouldn’t have what you do today. How dare you stand before me with your head held high! I don’t even care to look at you. Leave at once!"
Cui Du remained unmoved: "If Grandmother is not in a good mood and wants to scold your grandson-in-law, I will take it. However, Grandmother should not think of entering the Emperor’s chamber."
"Furthermore, the Emperor has Doctor Sun and his daughter by his side, and there is no need for other physicians to take his pulse. The physicians brought by Grandmother should be taken back to Jingyang Palace. Grandmother, at your age, could use the attention of a physician for your own temper."
Wow, what a killer line!
Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao looked at Cui Du with admiration.
Elder Changning usually spent his days in the fields, cultivating crops, as agriculture is the foundation of the nation. Cui Du’s actions benefit the country and its people. However, he was not very present. These trusted aides privately murmured that if the Commandery Princess hadn’t insisted on the son-in-law, Cui Du wouldn’t have the chance to become her husband.
Little did they know, Cui Du, who had been silent until now, would suddenly make such a spectacular move! He overwhelmed the Grand Empress Dowager with his words.
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was truly enraged, and without thinking, she ordered: "Eunuch Lin, seize this miscreant!"
Eunuch Lin, usually hunched and amicable like a doughball, was actually ruthless, feared by everyone in the palace. Upon the Grand Empress Dowager’s command, Eunuch Lin responded and swiftly appeared before Cui Du.
Qin Hu, long prepared, snorted and similarly stepped forward.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged several moves.
Meng Sanbao frowned. Qin Hu was the best among the young aides. It was unexpected that facing Eunuch Lin, who seemed to struggle even to walk, he was at a disadvantage.
Never mind; it’s not a martial contest. If one can’t win alone, they might as well join forces.
Meng Sanbao, feeling no guilt for ganging up on an aged servant, boldly joined the fray.
Eunuch Lin frowned, quickly retreated, and said to the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "I am useless! These two Imperial Guards are masters, and I am no match!"
Not just the two of them; there were many strong and skilled Imperial Guards watching intently.
On the contrary, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s side, except for Eunuch Lin, only had a few eunuchs and palace maids. Never mind whether it was proper to fight here, even if they did, they couldn’t win!
If this goes on, the only one to be disgraced would be the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. After all, Cui Du is young and a son-in-law; such things as face are dispensable. Not so for the Grand Empress Dowager. Losing face here would lead to endless mockery.
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng understood the implication of Eunuch Lin’s words.
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng snorted heavily, her gaze sweeping over the people, finally landing on Cui Du’s face.
Strangely, this kid seemed ordinary before; now he appeared somewhat unyielding and fearless?
"I will escort Grandmother back to Jingyang Palace." Cui Du did not maintain a hard stance throughout, offering her an out when he saw the Empress Dowager show a moment of weakness.
The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng snorted proudly: "No need."
Then she turned around and left with a flick of her sleeves.
Eunuch Lin and his entourage followed suit and left.
Cui Du let out a long breath.
Meng Sanbao, who was most familiar with Cui Du, winked and gave a thumbs up: "Elder Changning, powerful!"
Qin Hu also grinned: "It’s a good thing Elder Changning was here today, otherwise, with just us, we might not have dared to intervene."
They were willing to go through fire and water for the Emperor. However, due to limitations of their status, they did not have the confidence to confront the Grand Empress Dowager directly.
Cui Du’s performance today was truly brave and inspiring.
Cui Du smiled: "I was just talking; when it comes to real actions, I rely on you all."
With mutual praise, everyone shared a laugh.
...
With such a commotion outside the chamber, Jiang Shaohua couldn’t possibly not hear anything. However, with a thick door muffling the sound, it was resolved before causing a scene before her, saving her much worry.
Cui Du recounted the events: "The Grand Empress Dowager has returned to Jingyang Palace. After this fuss, things should quiet down for a few days."
Jiang Shaohua scoffed: "You really don’t understand her. At most, tomorrow, she will be at Zhaohai Palace again."
Calm is impossible. Unless she agrees to give the Zheng Family a way out, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng will keep causing trouble.
Cui Du was incensed: "Why should we spare the Zheng Family? Never mind Zheng Chen, just that Zhao Wu, with the crimes he committed at the border, how many civilians and soldiers died because of him. And all this was orchestrated by the Zheng family father and son behind the scenes."
"For their factionalism and power struggles, they did such things disregarding the larger picture, acts akin to treason. Yet, the Grand Empress Dowager wants to protect the Zheng Family! The courtiers’ memorials, their words alone could drown the Zheng Family!"
Jiang Shaohua pursed her lips with a faint smile: "This logic, the Grand Empress Dowager understands very well, which is why she’s so panicked and blamed Mr. Zhao. Today she rushed to Zhaohai Palace again, only to be rebuffed."
"I want to leverage this event to finally suppress the Grand Empress Dowager."
This is the art of political maneuvering.
It’s not simply about right or wrong, but about using all favorable factors to make the most appropriate choice.
Cui Du sighed: "I really am not suited for the court."
"Do what you enjoy," Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, with a touch of indulgence in her smile: "I will handle these matters; you don’t need to worry."
Cui Du reached out and gently caressed Jiang Shaohua’s rounded belly: "Daughter, your mother is working so hard, behave and don’t be troublesome."
A slight movement in the belly seemed to respond to the father.
Jiang Shaohua smiled with pursed lips, also placing her hand on her belly: "It’s not her troubling me; I lost my temper and was unsettled, and the child also suffered from it."
"Don’t worry, I will stay in bed for a few days. Once my health is restored, I will return to court."
...
The tree wishes to be still, but the wind will not stop.
The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War were busily preparing military funds, provisions, and supplies for the expedition.
The newly appointed Imperial Censor Cao submitted a memorial, accusing Duke An and his son of treason. The memorial was written sharply, spanning thousands of words, charging the Zheng family father and son with ten major crimes.
This memorial quickly spread through the court and public, creating a feverish momentum.
