Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 732: Grave Peril (Part 1)

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was resting to recover, Imperial Concubine Fan was confined, and Empress Dowager Li took care of the palace’s daily affairs. The entire inner court quickly became peaceful and harmonious.

Jiang Shaohua could also peacefully undergo her postpartum recovery.

She was young and healthy, with excellent physical condition. Within just six or seven days, she was able to get up and move around. However, Doctor Sun and his daughter both disapproved, so Jiang Shaohua only took short strolls around her room before returning to bed to rest.

Soon, it was the Lantern Festival, and Jiang Shaohua’s seventeenth birthday arrived as well.

It had only been half a year since Emperor Taihe was interred, making it inappropriate to hold a grand celebration in the palace. Moreover, with the war impending in Yu State, there would be many places in need of silver in the future. It was better to be frugal with palace expenses. Jiang Shaohua’s birthday celebration was very simple, consisting of only a small banquet, attended by Empress Dowager Li and several concubines. Jiang Shaohua, still in postpartum recovery, did not make an appearance, and Elder Changning, Cui Du, attended on behalf of the Emperor.

Among the concubines, the youngest was only twenty-six or seven years old. Cui Du, being the Imperial Consort, had to avoid suspicion and left the banquet after sitting for a while.

"Why did you come back so quickly?" Jiang Shaohua asked with a surprised smile.

Cui Du chuckled softly and said, "The palace banquet was filled with women, and I was the only man sitting there, which felt awkward. The concubines seemed quite restrained and found it inconvenient to speak, so I simply left on my own. When I left, they all seemed relieved."

Jiang Shaohua broke into laughter.

Cui Du said excitedly, "I’ll bring Bao’er here to celebrate your birthday with you." He then turned and left the bedroom, quickly returning with Bao’er in his arms.

During postpartum recovery, Jiang Shaohua shouldn’t leave the bedroom to catch a chill; she ate her meals at a small table by the bedside. The table wasn’t large, and the couple sat closely together, their heads leaning against each other, gently teasing Bao’er.

In just a few days, the lanugo on Bao’er’s face had mostly fallen off, and her facial features had refined, making her look quite delicate. Her bright, shiny black eyes were particularly expressive.

Blood is thicker than water; the more one looks at their own child, the more one loves them.

Jiang Shaohua reached out and pinched her daughter’s tiny hand, smiling softly, "Bao’er only cries when she’s hungry. Once fed, she’s very well-behaved. She closes her eyes and sleeps. The nurses all praise Bao’er for being easy to take care of."

Cui Du said proudly, "Of course, consider whose daughter she is. The child born and raised by the Empress of the Da Liang Dynasty is naturally the best in the world."

Jiang Shaohua was amused, "Joking like this in private is fine, but don’t say it outside, lest the child turns out ordinary or slow-witted, and people mock us."

"Our daughter seems clever; how could she be ordinary or dull?" Cui Du declared confidently, "She will surely grow up to be like you—beautiful, intelligent, witty, decisive, and unparalleled in the world."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes were full of tenderness as she said softly, "If she’s like you, that’s good too—simple, honest, kind-hearted, upright, and broad-minded."

Cui Du blushed at the praise, "I’m not as good as you say."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes twinkled with amusement, "You are just as good as that, even better."

Cui Du was lost in the flattery, grinning non-stop. Suddenly he exclaimed, "Bao’er must have wet herself."

Upon picking her up, indeed, the little swaddle was soaked, and Cui Du’s lapel was also wet.

Cui Du hurriedly took Bao’er outside, where the nurses Wu Family and Pang Family took over, changing Princess Bao’er’s clothes and diaper, wrapping her in a fresh blanket, and soothing her to sleep.

Cui Du also changed into a clean set of clothes and accompanied Jiang Shaohua in eating a bowl of longevity noodles.

Jiang Shaohua, being in postpartum recovery, should not tire herself. All official matters had piled up on Chief Historian Chen’s desk. Wang Zhongshu Ling took on the responsibility of assisting Chief Historian Chen. The memorials were reviewed by the two of them on her behalf.

However, there were always some exceptionally important memorials that neither Chief Historian Chen nor Wang Jin could make decisions on, which had to be reported to the Emperor.

On the twentieth day of the first lunar month, Chief Historian Chen came with a grave expression to report, "Your Majesty, the Yu State Army has taken another county. Moreover, they are continuously recruiting new soldiers, forcibly conscripting able-bodied men into the military camp. They now have about twenty thousand soldiers."

Jiang Shaohua, with her makeup not applied, hair loose, wearing a soft, comfortable plain cotton jacket, sat on the bed. Despite her cool and austere demeanor, this appearance greatly softened her imperial majesty.

Fortunately, only Chief Historian Chen could enter her chamber. Wang Jin was quite tactful, always waiting a few meters outside the chamber, never peeking or making any advances.

"Zheng Chen intends to seize Yu State’s nine counties before the court’s army arrives," Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "The news that the court receives is always half a month behind. At this rate, the number of Yu State Army soldiers will only increase."

"Although they are all new recruits, the sheer number still poses a significant problem." Chief Historian Chen frowned, sighed deeply, "I hope Left General can quickly suppress the Yu State Rebel Army."

Should the conflict drag on, becoming a stalemate, the court would not only expend resources but also face severe long-term consequences.

The other stationed troops might become restless, and if a few courageous ones rise up, the Da Liang Dynasty will fall into internal strife and chaos.

Let’s not forget the strong enemy Rouran, waiting with bated breath outside the border!

In short, the Yu State Army is currently the court’s most pressing issue!

Before Chief Historian Chen, Jiang Shaohua had nothing to hide, and she muttered with a frown, "Zheng Chen is indeed not to be underestimated. Yu State is a contingency plan he prepared for himself. With his capabilities, he will surely withstand the court’s army for some time."

This familiar tone made those unaware think the Emperor had deep entanglements with Zheng Chen!

Chief Historian Chen discreetly glanced at Jiang Shaohua.

The past ruthless tactics of Zheng Chen flashed through Jiang Shaohua’s mind. To be fair, she had confidence in the Left General’s ability in warfare. However, Zheng Chen was not one to be judged by common sense. He might cause some unexpected commotion.

If possible, she wished she could personally lead the troops to suppress Yu State and kill Zheng Chen.

Unfortunately, this was an impossible desire. Not to mention that she had just given birth and needed to rest and recuperate; even after recovery, as the newly ascended Emperor of Da Liang, her position on the Dragon Throne was not yet stable enough for her to leave the Imperial Palace or Capital City.

Thus, she sent Song Yuan to act on her behalf and eliminate Zheng Chen.

She wondered whether Song Yuan and the others had reached Yu State, and if they had encountered and engaged the rebel forces.

Chief Historian Chen’s voice echoed by her ear, "I shall take my leave, Your Majesty, to handle the state affairs. Rest well, for regaining your health is of utmost importance."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and responded, "Thank you, Chief Historian Chen. Just bear with the burden for another half month."

...

Yu State.

The forcibly conscripted commoners, under the lash of whips, struggled to transport stones, inching their way towards the city walls. One of them suddenly stumbled and fell, hit squarely by a stone. With a cry of pain, he spat out blood and died on the spot.

Such tragic scenes barely caused any attention.

The stone-carrying commoners, mechanical and numb, continued their slow steps forward.