Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 409: Power Struggle (Part 2)

"This is absolutely impossible!" Zheng Chen’s eyes were slightly dim, his tone firm: "A dignified man of seven feet, how can he dwell beneath a woman."

Duke An chuckled lightly: "At least you haven’t completely lost your mind. Look at you and Wang Jin, both went to Nanyang County sequentially, and this matter spread to the Capital City, becoming the subject of much mockery."

"If it weren’t for Prime Minister Wang and me standing our ground, who knows how many rumors and jokes would have proliferated."

"Jiang Shaohua is no ordinary woman; she has skills and ambition. Such a woman will not be content in the inner chambers. Our Zheng Family cannot have such a mistress. You’d better give up on this idea sooner rather than later."

Zheng Chen remained silent for a moment before speaking softly: "Rest assured, Father, this was my last act of recklessness, it won’t happen again."

Duke An was somewhat surprised, sizing up Zheng Chen before suddenly asking: "Could it be the Commandery Princess rejected you outright?"

Zheng Chen: "..."

Duke An didn’t know whether to be angry or to laugh, and after a while, he sighed: "Well then! Since there is no fate, simply sever the ties cleanly. There are many outstanding young ladies in the Capital City. Whichever one you fancy, our Zheng Family can go and propose, for there is no reason it wouldn’t succeed. Henceforth, don’t think about that Nanyang County Princess anymore."

Zheng Chen still remained silent.

Duke An switched topics, mentioning the uproar caused by Cui Du’s reward: "When Nanyang County Princess wrote the first memorial, she merely listed the merits achieved by Cui Du, asking the court for a reward."

"Had the court agreed at that time, conferring a viscount title would have sufficed. But Prime Minister Wang intervened, complicating matters further, dispatching documents to Nanyang County demanding military supplies."

"Nanyang County Princess is no pushover, accepting on one hand, while submitting another memorial, requesting the court to confer a marquis title upon Cui Du."

"Clearly stating that without a reward from the court, Nanyang County would not provide military supplies!"

"Now the matter is deadlocked, and the Emperor is quite troubled by it."

Zheng Chen looked up: "Father, what do you think of this matter?"

Duke An laughed self-deprecatingly: "Nanyang County’s private tribute is endless, and the Grand Empress Dowager is thoroughly enraptured by Jiang Shaohua. Even the Grand Empress Dowager agrees, what can I think."

The will of the Grand Empress Dowager is the will of the Zheng Family, how could he oppose or support it.

Zheng Chen spoke softly: "In a couple of days, I will enter the palace to see Grand Aunt, and advise Aunt to press down on Cui Du’s reward."

"Conferring a viscount is a bit low, while a marquis is too much; compromising with an earl would do."

Duke An glanced at his son and suddenly remarked: "The Commandery Princess elevating Cui Du single-handedly, you should understand the intention behind this."

Zheng Chen felt a stab to his chest, painfully bleeding, yet his handsome face remained unchanged: "I know. She intends to marry Cui Du into her family, giving him a position that matches her status. So that Cui Du won’t be mocked for living off a woman."

Now it’s different. Cui Du, having earned his title through his own merits, can stand upright beside her, with no one qualified to criticize Cui Du.

Duke An made a sound: "As long as you understand. However, your suggestion is quite good. In a couple of days, go and discuss it with the Grand Empress Dowager."

...

In Prime Minister Wang’s Mansion, inside the study.

As expected, Prime Minister Wang wore a severe expression, first scolded his son. The content was nothing more than saying he was blinded by beauty and made a fool of himself by running to Nanyang County.

Wang Jin obediently lowered his head to take the scolding, without arguing. After Prime Minister Wang finished venting his anger, Wang Jin softly said: "After going this time, I have completely given up."

Prime Minister Wang, still slightly irritated, sneered: "The Nanyang County Princess repeatedly submitted memorials, requesting rewards for Cui Du. The intention behind it is clear to anyone with eyes. You have no choice but to give up."

"Zheng Chen has also lost his mind, actually going to Nanyang County as well. Three people competing for one Nanyang County Princess, the joke almost spread throughout Capital City. Even more embarrassing, they failed in the competition, losing face entirely."

Wang Jin’s dark eyes dimmed, and he sighed: "If I were the Commandery Princess, I would also choose Cui Du."

Prime Minister Wang was amused: "I never expected, my son Wang Rong to be such a romantic."

Wang Jin raised his head and met his father’s eyes: "If you, Father, were to meet Cui Du in person, see the new grain he grows and cultivates, and spend a few days with him, you would think the same as I do."

"Though he is a rival in love, I truly admire him."

Prime Minister Wang was left speechless and waved his hand: "Forget it, as long as you’ve given up on the idea now."

Wang Jin remained silent for a moment, then softly said: "Today in the palace, the Emperor mentioned the reward for Cui Du. I sensed that the Emperor seemed slightly dissatisfied with you, Father."

Prime Minister Wang said indifferently: "The Emperor is still too young, easily influenced by others. Indeed, merits should be rewarded, but Cui Du is not yet of age, and being conferred a marquis title so early, what should be done with greater achievements in the future?"

"Conferring a baron title is already extraordinary. Conferring a marquis is absolutely impossible."

Wang Jin pondered for a moment: "Keeping at an impasse like this is not a solution. Perhaps, if each side steps back, conferred Cui Du with an earl title."

Prime Minister Wang did not respond, merely instructing: "Rest well for a few days. Such matters needn’t concern you."

...

Two days later, Zheng Chen entered the palace to meet Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

After half a year apart, the Grand Empress Dowager had recovered from the grief of losing a child in old age. Her previously thin face had been nourished to a significant plumpness, and upon closer inspection, she had applied a good deal of makeup, appearing full of vitality.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng joyfully grabbed Zheng Chen’s hand, saying repeatedly: "It’s good to be back. Since I heard about the plague in Pingzhou, I’ve been on edge. If those rogue soldiers and bandits were to escape everywhere and reach Yan County, what would we do."

"Now that you’re back, it’s good. Stay peacefully in the Capital City from now on, don’t go to the North again."

The Grand Empress Dowager’s words were selfish and foolish.

However, they did genuinely express her love for her great-nephew.

Zheng Chen obediently agreed.

The Grand Empress Dowager couldn’t help but nag a bit about the affairs in Nanyang County: "... Shao Hua is a girl with her own ideas. She wrote to me saying she doesn’t wish to marry, but would instead bring a husband into the Nanyang Prince Mansion. The children born in the future must bear the Jiang surname, not letting the Nanyang Prince’s lineage cease."

"She is beautiful, intelligent and capable, so it’s no wonder you admire her. However, just on this point alone, you two are unsuitable."

"Listen to Grand Aunt, stop thinking about her. Grand Aunt will find you another fine girl..."

Zheng Chen tugged the corner of his mouth, smiled and said: "Grand Aunt misunderstood. I just happened to pass by Nanyang County at that time, letting the wounded soldiers rest for a few days, and had no other intentions."

The Grand Empress Dowager squinted her eyes and chuckled: "As long as you’ve thought it through."

Zheng Chen calmly changed the subject: "Grand Aunt, I heard that the court is in a heated dispute over Cui Du’s reward from Nanyang County."