Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 663: Gathering Storm (Part 2)

The affair of Zheng Chen’s defection is actually known by everyone in the court.

But due to the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, no one dares to bring it up publicly.

How Zheng Chen will be dealt with, whether it will implicate the Zheng Family, will depend on Empress Zhaoping’s attitude.

Duke An has been recuperating, and the Zheng Family has voluntarily shut its doors. Zheng Chen’s wife, Fan Jaining, has also remained silent, and outsiders have no idea how she is faring.

Jiang Shaohua knows, of course. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng has mentioned more than once before her the current plight and misery of the Zheng Family. After discovering Zheng Chen’s conspiracy with Jiang Yi to rebel, Fan Jaining fell seriously ill, relying on medicinal decoctions daily to sustain her life.

Whether the letter from General Fan can rekindle Fan Jaining’s will to live is unknown.

Thinking of Fan Jaining, Jiang Shaohua feels a bit conflicted.

In her previous life, Fan Jaining met with a tragic end, dying from complications during childbirth, and closing her eyes before reaching her twenties.

This life, Fan Jaining married into the Zheng Family for less than half a year, yet she hadn’t even conceived a child before Zheng Chen committed such acts. For Fan Jaining, who was deeply devoted to her husband, this was undoubtedly a fatal blow.

Zheng Chen’s excessive ambition and ruthless tactics deserve his demise, but Fan Jaining knew nothing and did nothing wrong. Yet, as husband and wife are one, Zheng Chen’s guilt inevitably affects Fan Jaining.

"Commandery Princess... Your Majesty," Jiang Shaohua just ascended the throne, and people occasionally make slips of the tongue, calling out past titles: "Should we send someone to check the situation in Anguo Mansion’s back residence?"

Jiang Shaohua replied indifferently: "No need."

Chen Jinyu didn’t say more and turned to report other matters instead.

After a moment, Chief Historian Chen and Wang Zhongshu Ling also entered Zhaohai Palace. Jiang Shaohua handed General Fan’s letter to Chief Historian Chen.

From Jiang Shaohua’s casual gesture, one can see the trust and importance she places in Chief Historian Chen.

On the side, Wang Jin wisely kept his distance, secretly envious, and refrained from looking over.

This letter can be considered General Fan’s "pledge of allegiance." After reading, Chief Historian Chen smiled with satisfaction: "It seems the border army is quite stable. Your Majesty can be at ease."

Jiang Shaohua also smiled: "General Fan has always been a loyal minister and excellent general. I have never doubted him." Then, she turned to Wang Jin: "You should take a look at General Fan’s letter too."

Wang Jin felt somewhat overwhelmed by favor, just about to modestly decline, when the Empress smiled and said: "Do not doubt those you use, use those you do not doubt. I trust you."

No need to speak of personal emotions or admiration, Jiang Shaohua’s magnanimity as a leader alone is enough to truly convince her subjects.

Suddenly filled with warmth, Wang Jin thanked the Emperor profoundly and solemnly took the letter from Chief Historian Chen to read carefully.

Chen Sheren quietly signaled to Chief Historian Chen, who, without showing emotion, gestured for Chen Sheren to maintain composure.

The present is not the past. Back at Nanyang Prince Mansion, only few people came and went, and the Commandery Princess was not bound by many rules. Chen Jinyu acted more freely. Now that the Commandery Princess has ascended as the Emperor of Da Liang, Chen Jinyu has risen to the rank of Imperial Attendant of the Standard Sixth Rank. Countless eyes are watching the Emperor, so as the Imperial Attendant, Chen Jinyu must pay extra attention to her words and deeds. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Chen Jinyu, after being glared at by her grandfather, immediately lowered her head to reflect. She still pondered a question. Does the Emperor truly trust Wang Zhongshu Ling this much?

Isn’t she afraid Wang Jin harbors other thoughts?

Chief Historian Chen, who managed Prince Mansion personnel for decades, had a more seasoned view than his granddaughter.

Prime Minister Wang’s position remains, but the Prime Minister Faction in the court has already split in two, with most following Wang Zhongshu Ling’s lead. The remaining few gradually align with Minister Zhang. Jiang Shaohua winning over Wang Jin is indeed a clever strategy. It maintains court stability and helps suppress the restless Minister Zhang and others.

For instance, with the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng expressing support for Jiang Shaohua, officials of the Grand Empress Dowager Faction in the court are reassured and at ease.

The changing of the throne is a significant event for the country, certainly not child’s play. Court stability ensures the people’s stability.

Once chaos ensues, disturbances will quickly spread from the Capital City as the center to all states and counties in Da Liang. Will local troops rebel? Will bandits become rampant? Once turmoil arises, what cost must be incurred to restore peace?

Killing certainly can be satisfying—one swing of the blade, one head falls. But there are far too many dissidents; killing them all is impossible. Military might is to provide stronger deterrence. Every governmental affair must be managed carefully, and people’s hearts must be gradually won over.

The balance and finesse within these matters depend on the skill and methods of the ruler. If sitting on the Dragon Throne could make all subjects bow in respect, Emperor Taikang would not have been overshadowed by powerful ministers, and Emperor Taihe would not have died so miserably.

After a moment, having finished reading the letter, Wang Jin pondered briefly, and his first question was: "General Fan did not mention Zheng Chen in his letter, indicating Zheng Chen did not flee to the border army."

Growing up alongside Zheng Chen, Wang Jin knows him very well. Zheng Chen would never be content to hide in obscurity; he would eventually stir up trouble.

He initially speculated in secret that Zheng Chen’s most likely course would be to flee to the border, seeking refuge with General Fan. Even perhaps attempting to instigate General Fan to rebel.

But from this letter, Zheng Chen seems to have not gone to the border army.

So where did Zheng Chen escape to?

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze cooled, and she said coldly, "I have already sent people to Xingyang County to search for Zheng Chen’s whereabouts."

Xingyang County is the ancestral home of the Zheng Family; the Zheng Clan is a significant power in Xingyang County, akin to a local emperor. Zheng Chen may be hiding somewhere within Xingyang County.

In fact, issuing a wanted order from the Ministry of Justice and having local government offices across regions searching openly would be the best approach. However, this would completely tear apart the Zheng Family’s veil of modesty.

Jiang Shaohua needs to maintain stability with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, so she must yield appropriately in this matter.

Understanding the intricacies, Wang Jin remained silent, instead contemplating and saying, "To find Zheng Chen’s whereabouts, we must start with the Zheng Family. Your Majesty wishes to preserve the Grand Empress Dowager’s dignity, so forcing the Zheng Family is unwise. I am willing to relieve Your Majesty’s burdens by visiting the Zheng Family and explaining the stakes to Duke An."

Zheng Chen hurriedly fled. Joining him in escaping from the Capital City were only Peng Sihai and five other trusted aides who were in the palace.

These aides are all from the Zheng Family, with families still residing with the Zheng Family. Perhaps someone might send a message back while fleeing.

Jiang Shaohua looked over with approval: "Very well, it’ll be troublesome for Wang Zhongshu to visit Zheng Mansion."

As a close imperial minister and heir to Prime Minister Wang, Wang Jin visiting the Zheng Family and applying pressure is indeed fitting.

Wang Jin accepted the order earnestly.

Chen Sheren suddenly felt immense pressure.

This Wang Zhongshu Ling, adept in court personnel matters, with quick thinking and reaction, even appeared as a loyal and capable minister. She must strive to improve, or else, in the long run, she might truly end up with the idle role of serving tea, delivering water, and running errands.

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