Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 320: Imperial Envoy (Part 1)

The young Emperor on the Dragon Throne suddenly spoke, startling the courtiers as they looked at each other, then quieted down.

Emperor Taihe, in a negotiating tone, said to Prime Minister Wang and Duke An: "The Prime Minister is prudent and recommends seasoned ministers. Minister Zheng has also recommended capable officials. However, the six ministries of the court are in need of personnel, and it is more appropriate for them to remain in the court."

"I plan to send three secretaries."

Secretaries hold the rank of Standard Seventh, responsible for conveying imperial edicts and involving in confidential matters, making them the Emperor’s close officials. This position is low in rank but high in authority.

Emperor Taihe had just ascended the throne a few days ago and had not yet had the opportunity to promote his trusted aides. With just one declaration, he conferred seventh-rank positions to his companions in reading.

The courtiers were not particularly surprised by this.

Wang Jin is the youngest son of Prime Minister Wang whom he adores, Zheng Chen is the future Duke, the eldest son of Duke An, and Li Boyuan is the legitimate son of the Li Family, with his grandfather as the Minister of Rites. The youngest, Jiang Yi, is the heir to Prince Gaoliang and also the Emperor’s cousin.

These four youths entered the palace at a young age, accompanying the Crown Prince in his studies. Being together day and night, they developed a deep friendship and were the closest and most trusted by the Emperor. Naturally, the Emperor would heavily utilize them when he came into power.

It’s just that the Emperor moved faster than the courtiers expected...

And, as the Emperor opened his mouth, he said he would send three secretaries as imperial envoys. Who would be the one left behind?

Would Prime Minister Wang and Duke An try to stop him?

"Since Your Majesty has already decided, the old minister will comply," the Prime Minister unexpectedly was the first to acquiesce.

Duke An, a step slower, also quickly bowed and said, "I respectfully follow Your Majesty’s decree. However, these secretaries are still young and lack experience in managing affairs. I request Your Majesty to send some seasoned ministers along with them."

This showed Duke An’s cunning. He pleased the Emperor while also supporting his own son, and conveniently found a scapegoat to accompany them.

If the task is accomplished, the three secretaries will gain reputation and qualifications. If it fails, there’s someone to take the blame.

It’s rare for Prime Minister Wang and Duke An to be on the same side, and he echoed, "Minister Zheng’s suggestion is indeed prudent."

Everyone has personal motives. Wang Jin, being sixteen, having stepped into the officialdom, should indeed undergo some "temperament through experience."

After a brief thought, Emperor Taihe nodded, appointing three individuals. Among them, two had been previously recommended by Prime Minister Wang, and one by Duke An, ensuring each region had a deputy imperial envoy.

At this time, Jiang Yi voluntarily stepped forward and earnestly requested, "Your Majesty, I also wish to leave the Capital City for official duty."

Though Emperor Taihe didn’t expressly say, it was clear the three secretaries referred to by the Emperor did not include Jiang Yi.

Firstly, Jiang Yi was only thirteen, too young. Secondly, being the heir of a Vassal King, Jiang Yi’s identity was somewhat awkward. Comparatively, Zheng Chen and the others were more suitable.

Emperor Taihe comforted him warmly, saying, "Being an imperial envoy is a hardship; the three places hit by locusts are very far. It takes three to four months to go and return. You’re too young to endure this hardship, better stay in the palace. I cannot do without you each day."

Jiang Yi reluctantly agreed.

The newly appointed secretaries Zheng Chen, Wang Jin, and Li Boyuan were utterly thrilled, stepping forward together to express their gratitude.

Emperor Taihe, having accomplished this task, was in high spirits, solemnly instructing, "You three are to aid the people on my behalf. Do not be slothful or neglectful, ensure you complete this assignment properly."

The three replied in unison.

...

Jiang Shaohua glanced over, sweeping past the three spirited and promising young faces, and the slightly lonely and unwilling Jiang Yi, as scenes of the former Emperor’s untimely death flashed through her mind, leaving her with a long sigh.

Born of Jiang bloodline, ambition for the throne is almost inherent. Tangled grievances trace back over twenty years.

Back then, the frail and young Emperor Taikang hadn’t been designated as Crown Prince yet; the exceptionally intelligent Prince Gaoliang was more favored by the Emperor. The Emperor often praised Prince Gaoliang publicly, hinting at intentions to make him Crown Prince. If things continued this way, no one could say for sure who would finally become Crown Prince.

Unexpectedly, Prince Gaoliang suddenly had a severe fever, damaging his brain. Though his life was saved, he turned into an idiot, unable to speak fluently.

With no rival, Emperor Taikang soon became Crown Prince and ascended the Dragon Throne. Despite having a short life, ruling for only a few years before passing away, the throne was securely passed to Crown Prince Jiang Song.

No one cared whether the Prince Gaoliang’s lineage held resentment or dissatisfaction.

The young heir of Prince Gaoliang, Jiang Yi, served as Crown Prince’s companion in the palace, and was the most overlooked in the study group.

Now Emperor Taihe, in one word, appointed Zheng Chen and others as secretaries. As for Jiang Yi, he had a superior title waiting to be inherited, making it inconvenient to serve as a seventh-rank secretary.

Whether Jiang Yi felt angry or dissatisfied was equally unimportant to anyone.

This accumulated resentment festered over the years, eventually transforming into a poisonous sting, striking silently and lethally. The former Emperor’s "unexpected death" stemmed from this. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

With Emperor Taihe’s death, Prince Gaoliang’s and Prince Dongping’s mansions were all exterminated. A country cannot remain leaderless even for a day, and a foolish child was enthroned. Thus, Da Liang descended completely into a chaotic era of power struggles among ministers...

"If you have matters to report, do so promptly; otherwise, court is dismissed!"

Emperor Taihe rose from the Dragon Throne, Zheng Chen and others following suit as they left, and the courtiers bowed to see him off.

Jiang Shaohua steadied herself, withdrawing from Jinluan Palace, and then headed to Jingyang Palace.

Today was rather fortunate; Consort Li came to greet Empress Dowager Zheng, with Princess Bao Hua and others present, and the Second Prince joined along with Consort Fan.

"Shao Hua, you’ve come just in time." Empress Dowager Zheng’s spirits improved day by day, her complexion gradually turning ruddy, she laughed, "Jingyang Palace is bustling today, only missing you. I was thinking of you, come sit by me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wanhua and Jiang Yuehua’s expressions turned slightly strange.

Even Princess Bao Hua felt somewhat uneasy. Her typical spot near Empress Dowager Zheng was hers by right. Now that Empress Dowager Zheng grew more affectionate towards Jiang Shaohua each day, even the legitimate granddaughter had to shift back in line.

Jiang Shaohua smiled brightly, stepping forward to sit beside Princess Bao Hua: "Thank you, Lady, I’ll sit beside Sister Bao Hua. This way, it’s easier to talk."

Empress Dowager Zheng found Jiang Shaohua’s cleverness pleasing.

She was indeed doing the right thing. Empress Dowager Zheng’s uplifting was one matter; knowing one’s place was another. No matter how capable Jiang Shaohua was, she could not surpass Princess Bao Hua.

Princess Bao Hua felt slightly relieved, smiling at Jiang Shaohua, "Sister Shao Hua, did anything significant happen in court today?"

Jiang Shaohua sighed lightly and recounted the day’s court affairs.

...