Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 656: Power Struggle

Mr. Zhao had no choice but to hurriedly roll over to Zhaohai Palace to convey the unwelcome oral decree of the Grand Empress Dowager.

Currently, outside Zhaohai Palace, hundreds of Imperial Guards were patrolling vigilantly. These elite soldiers all came from Nanyang County and were confidants of the Commandery Princess, willing to kill and set fire for her without regard for their own lives.

The situation in the palace also became subtle with the arrival of a thousand Nanyang Guards.

Previously, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was stern in words and actions, and though the Commandery Princess respected her elders, she never had disputes in front of others. Now, with a thousand loyal, reliable, and highly skilled soldiers, her confidence visibly grew. The enthronement ceremony was set for tomorrow, and this Zhaohai Palace, now with a master, gained an imposing and solemn aura.

"The Grand Empress Dowager has an oral decree; I ask you to convey it to the Commandery Princess." Mr. Zhao lowered his posture, speaking very politely.

Imperial Guard Sun An responded and went inside to convey the message.

This was another difference with Jiang Shaohua. She was not accustomed to using palace attendants and eunuchs; all messengers were her own trusted aides—of course, it might also be because most palace attendants and eunuchs were the eyes and ears of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, and Jiang Shaohua simply could not trust anyone in the palace. Naturally, using her own guards was more familiar and reassuring.

After waiting a moment, Mr. Zhao was led into Zhaohai Palace.

The Commandery Princess had gone to the Heavenly Prison, dealt with Prince Dongping and his son, warned Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an, and had not been idle since returning to Zhaohai Palace, as she was reviewing memorials.

It was already late, and Chief Historian Chen and the others had left the palace. Only Elder Changning accompanied the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua put down the memorial and looked at Mr. Zhao, her tone gentle: "What is the oral decree from the Grand Empress Dowager?"

Mr. Zhao carefully chose his words, his tone extremely circumspect: "Lady Empress Dowager heard that the Commandery Princess went to the Heavenly Prison and was somewhat surprised, wishing to invite the Commandery Princess to personally inquire about it."

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow, her tone full of understanding: "It seems the Grand Empress Dowager is quite upset with me. Does she want to summon me to reprimand me?"

Mr. Zhao awkwardly laughed: "The Commandery Princess jests." Without waiting for Jiang Shaohua to find an excuse to refuse, he kneeled down and pleaded: "Lady Empress Dowager is indeed very angry, ordering me to invite the Commandery Princess. If the Commandery Princess doesn’t go, I’m afraid my poor life won’t survive the night. I beg the Commandery Princess to pity me, and follow me to Jingyang Palace."

With the temperament of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, who knew what she might do when angry? The word "beat to death" was not a mere threat.

Perhaps the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had sensed Mr. Zhao was secretly "exchanging glances" with the Commandery Princess and intended to use this matter to warn him.

In any case, Mr. Zhao was presently caught in a dilemma.

Jiang Shaohua gave a smile and did not make things difficult for Mr. Zhao, quickly getting up: "Mr. Zhao, rise quickly. We’ve known each other for over six years now, and Mr. Zhao has often spoken and worked for me privately; how could I let him be troubled?"

Mr. Zhao was moved to tears, kowtowing three times before getting up.

Words of loyalty were unnecessary. Given his position, he shouldn’t and couldn’t say them. However, his heart increasingly weighed in favor of the Commandery Princess.

The Grand Empress Dowager was already old, how many more years could she live? The Da Liang Palace would ultimately belong to the Commandery Princess, and in all matters, the Commandery Princess should decide. The Grand Empress Dowager’s anger tonight was not because Prince Dongping and his son were executed, but because of the attitude Jiang Shaohua revealed in this matter.

In other words, this was a struggle. Jiang Shaohua taking a step forward meant that Grand Empress Dowager Zheng would have to step back. This was something the control-freak Grand Empress Dowager Zheng could not tolerate.

Cui Du wanted to accompany her to Jingyang Palace. Jiang Shaohua said: "It’s just some casual conversation between us grandmother and granddaughter, not suitable for outsiders to be present. Stay at Zhaohai Palace; there’s no need to follow."

With outsiders present, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng would be more easily embarrassed, making it difficult to conclude.

Cui Du grasped the message, nodded, and accepted.

...

A stick of incense later.

The shattered remains of the teacup on the ground had been meticulously cleaned up, and the spilled tea had been attended to, leaving no trace.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s face was sullen, staring at Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua seemed not to see the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s unpleasant expression, and greeted her with a smile as usual: "Grandmother, you’ve had dinner, haven’t you! How’s your appetite tonight?"

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng sneered: "With such a capable granddaughter, I don’t have to do anything or worry, very good indeed."

Jiang Shaohua sighed gently, speaking sincerely: "My handling of Prince Dongping and his son was for the honor of the Imperial Family. They committed grave crimes, and sending them to the Yellow Springs was apt. Public execution by slicing, allowing all citizens to witness the Jiang Family dying in agony, would do no good for the Imperial Family, only diminishing the people’s reverence for us."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng continued to sneer: "You’ve said it nicely; the truth of the matter, I know well."

What else could it be?

Prince Dongping exchanged his life’s worth for a bottle of poisoned wine using the letters hidden in a secret chamber, dying a swift death.

If not for those letters seizing the Zheng Family’s lifeline, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng would not have easily agreed to let Jiang Shaohua reside peacefully in Zhaohai Palace.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s old grievances surged within her, her face growing harder to look at: "Jiang Shaohua! Don’t forget how your cousin treated you when he was alive. Now that you’ve inherited his throne, you should avenge him. Is your treatment of Prince Dongping and his son worthy of your cousin? Worthy of this grieving widow?"

Jiang Shaohua calmly responded: "If my cousin knows in the afterlife, he would be pleased to see Da Liang having a successor."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng:"..."

Yes, Jiang Song was that kind of person, not forceful enough, not ruthless enough, gentle and kind.

If Jiang Song were alive, he would be respectful to his grandmother, never like Jiang Shaohua who pinches her on her weaknesses and struggles with her at every turn.

What’s more infuriating is that Jiang Shaohua seems to gradually gain the upper hand.

With the Grand Empress Dowager’s emotions swelling, her endless rage slowly turned into a feeling of desolation. She sighed deeply: "This grieving widow is old and inept now. You have your own ideas and capabilities; you don’t even consider this grieving widow anymore."

Jiang Shaohua could both yield and advance, immediately lowering her posture to placate the Grand Empress Dowager: "Grandmother, don’t say angry words. Grandmother, you’re not at all old; you’re astute and capable. With so much going on and so many people in the palace, I’m neither familiar nor able to handle everything, so it still needs Grandmother’s effort."

Grabbing Jiang Shaohua’s words, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng said with a stern face: "You have already dealt with Prince Dongping and his son. Whatever this grieving widow says now is too late. Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an—why didn’t you deal with them as well?"

"Don’t talk about the foolish idea of sitting righteously on the Dragon Throne. Keeping these two is leaving future troubles. If you can’t bring yourself to do it, then let this grieving widow handle it."

Prince Huaiyang and Prince Wu’an, if they gain power, would never allow Prince Ping to grow up safely. She would never let them leave the Capital City alive!