Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 798: Princess Bao’er’s First Birthday

The New Year of the third year of Zhaoping arrived quietly.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng has been "closed off in the palace for illness," seeing no visitors. Empress Dowager Li in Ning An Palace showed no interest in hosting a grand palace banquet, opting instead for a family feast in the harem.

The Emperor and Elder Changning attended with Princess Bao’er, along with several concubines from the palace. As for Imperial Concubine Fan, she was nowhere to be seen.

Empress Dowager Li spoke before the concubines: "Imperial Concubine Fan’s mind is not quite clear now; her words and deeds are rather unbecoming. During such a festive season, let’s not have her come and spoil the mood."

"I haven’t mistreated her, sent her a fine meal. In a few days, let Prince Ping keep her company."

Empress Dowager Li truly acted with the Emperor’s interests at heart.

She managed to suppress Imperial Concubine Fan without losing the dignity of the Imperial Family.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "These trivial matters in the palace, I’ll leave them to Mother."

From Empress Dowager to aunt and now called Mother, only Empress Dowager Li understood the nuances within.

Empress Dowager Li smiled joyfully, raising her cup to invite everyone to drink together.

As for the concubines, their presence in the harem was always scant. Months ago, chaos erupted in the palace, burning down three palaces, one concubine tragically burned alive. Since then, the concubines became even more low-key and restrained.

After the palace banquet concluded, the concubines left one by one.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t rush to leave, staying for some leisurely conversation with Empress Dowager Li.

Empress Dowager Li remarked with a smile: "With the New Year over, Bao’er will be a year old. The first birthday banquet should be prepared."

Bao’er was born late at night on the sixth day of last year’s New Year, reaching one year old on the sixth of this year. It’s a good date, New Year hasn’t ended, allowing Jiang Shaohua some rare leisure.

Jiang Shaohua replied with a smile: "For the child’s first birthday, there’s no need for extravagance. Invite some relatives into the palace, set up a few joyful banquets, and that will suffice."

Which people count as relatives?

Empress Dowager Li was meticulous, specially asking once. Jiang Shaohua pondered briefly: "Chancellor Chen must be invited. Lu Family and Cui Family are proper in-laws, they can be summoned to the palace. Wang Family and Li Family can also enter the palace. And Minister Dong, Minister Yang, and Minister Ding, they three can also attend the banquet."

The closeness and distance are evident from a single listen.

Even Empress Dowager Li couldn’t help but quietly envy Chancellor Chen for a moment. The relationship between the sovereign and minister as close as grandparents, intimate and akin. In Jiang Shaohua’s heart, Chancellor Chen’s importance far outweighed hers as Empress Dowager.

Chancellor Chen served as Chief Historian in Nanyang Prince Mansion for decades, watching Jiang Shaohua grow up. After Prince Nanyang’s passing, Chief Historian Chen single-handedly supported the mansion. Subsequently, Jiang Shaohua took power, and Chief Historian Chen willingly stepped back to fully assist the young princess.

Now, Nanyang County Princess has become the Da Liang Empress. Chief Historian Chen, after decades of hard work, becoming the Da Liang Chancellor, is well-deserved.

...

Princess Bao’er’s first birthday banquet was held under the attention of all.

Minister Dong and others invited into the palace for the banquet walked with straight postures, feeling quite proud and delighted.

Minister Zhang, unable to enter the palace, was sulking with pent-up frustration. He decided to visit the Ji Family, venting to Minister Ji: "Chancellor Chen attending the palace banquet is unquestionable. Lu Family and Cui Family are the Emperor’s in-laws, Wang Family and Li Family supported the Emperor’s ascent to the throne. Why can Minister Dong, Minister Yang, and Minister Ding attend the palace banquet, while Minister Zhou isn’t in the Capital City, leaving just you and me out?"

"Isn’t this intentionally embarrassing us?"

Minister Ji glanced at the indignant Minister Zhang, calmly saying: "This is not a national affair, the princess’s first birthday banquet invites the Emperor’s close relatives. Minister Zhang is neither related nor connected to the Emperor, what’s there to be upset about?"

You complain incessantly behind closed doors, tightly clutching the Ministry of Personnel without letting go, why should the Emperor favor you?

Of course, such sharp and piercing words needn’t be said outright.

Minister Zhang was slightly embarrassed by Minister Ji’s subtle rebuke: "Minister Ji is indeed magnanimous."

Minister Ji chuckled twice: "I’ve already seen enough years, with half a foot in the grave, what do I still hold onto? As for the duty of Minister of Revenue, I won’t be able to keep this post for much longer."

Minister Zhang was startled, raising his head abruptly: "What do you mean by this, Minister Ji?"

Minister Ji sighed deeply: "We’ve been colleagues for decades; now with no outsiders, just the two of us. I’ll speak a few heartfelt words."

"Although young, the Emperor shows signs of being a wise ruler. In less than two years of sitting on the Dragon Throne, his every action has been astonishing and thrilling."

"The Zheng Family is insignificant, Grand Empress Dowager closed off for illness, Prime Minister Wang retired. Three of the Six Ministries’ Chiefs were personally promoted by the Emperor."

"The Ministry of Industry is having tough times, and the Ministry of Revenue is not much better. As for the situation in the Ministry of Personnel, you know best."

"Minister Dai Voluntarily resigned, preserving his whole retreat. I plan to endure another one to two years and submit a resignation request, vacating the position of Minister of Revenue to allow Chief Historian Feng to enter the Capital City sooner. Also, to stop occupying a position, making the Emperor’s mind uneasy."

The Ministry of Revenue manages the Da Liang National Treasury, indeed of utmost importance. The Emperor’s pressure on the Ministry of Revenue is also the greatest. Among these, there is certainly an implication for Minister Ji to recognize the situation and vacate the position early.

Whether willing or not, Minister Ji must see reality and resign himself earlier.

Minister Zhang was incensed, more agitated than Minister Ji: "Absurd! The court officials’ promotions have procedures. Minister Ji, you’ve been diligent, conscientious in duty, why should you resign?"

Minister Ji laughed at himself: "Ha! There’s no why or why not. The Emperor wants trustworthy and capable people to manage the treasury; I indeed can’t compare to Chief Historian Feng."

"If I don’t wise up and remain obstinate about not resigning in favor of retirement, there might be a day when errors are pointed out, leading to a beheading and confiscation of family assets."

"It’s better to be proactive, resign, and retire early. The Emperor might spare a glance at my wise choice, and give both me and the Fan Family some dignity."

Saying this last sentence, Minister Ji looked at Minister Zhang with profound meaning.

Unfortunately, Minister Zhang couldn’t fully grasp it and kept persuading Minister Ji against the resignation idea.

Minister Ji thought to himself, since you insist on going astray, there’s nothing I can do. You don’t resign and want to continue confronting the Emperor, I’ll wait to see how you end up.

...

"Mother."

Princess Bao’er, already able to take wobbly steps, wore a bright red jacket, her fair, plump little face glowing with a radiant smile. She continuously called out to her mother.

Jiang Shaohua crouched down, patiently waiting for Bao’er to approach: "Walk over here by yourself."

Bao’er wobbly stepped forward.

Cui Du stood nervously beside her, occasionally reaching out to support her. Bao’er was also a stubborn child, pushing her father’s hand away, then proudly continued walking forward. Accidentally, she tripped her left foot over her right, plopping down onto the ground.

Cui Du rushed forward in an instant, picking up Bao’er, anxiously asking: "Did Bao’er hurt herself? Does it hurt?"