Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 667: Decision (2)

The two Vassal Kings, their standings are immediately apparent.

Prince Wu’an, full of resentment, left the palace with anger etched on his face. Prince Huaiyang, in contrast, bore no resentment. On the contrary, he knelt with gratitude, awaiting an audience.

Chen Sheren thought to herself, no wonder the Emperor specifically instructed her to come and watch, it seemed he had anticipated this would happen.

"Please wait a moment, I will go and report."

Prince Huaiyang knelt obediently.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Chen Sheren came back out: "Please, Prince Huaiyang, follow me to see the Emperor."

Prince Huaiyang immediately said: "From today onwards, I am no longer a Vassal King. Chen Sheren, you may simply address me as Jiang Quan."

Chen Jinyu was quite impressed, secretly admiring him once again. This Prince Huaiyang, finding a way to survive in such a desperate situation, indeed had exceptional qualities.

Names, naturally, shouldn’t be casually called out. Even if he is no longer a Vassal King, he is still a relative of the Jiang Family! It’s not the place for a minister to insult.

Chen Jinyu became more courteous to Prince Huaiyang, leading him into the Zhaohai Palace.

After entering the hall, Prince Huaiyang immediately knelt and kowtowed, loudly thanking the Emperor for his grace.

Jiang Shaohua put down the memorial, looking at Prince Huaiyang: "Rise and speak."

Prince Huaiyang did not rise, still kneeling, not even raising his head: "Your Majesty, I was born in the vassal territory, lived over forty years, and spent very few days in the Capital City. Now demoted to a commoner, Huaiyang County and I are no longer connected. I do not wish to return to Huaiyang County. I would like to stay with my children and grandchildren in the Capital City, pleading for Your Majesty’s approval."

Jiang Shaohua tugged at the corner of his mouth, speaking blandly: "Prince Wu’an is eager to return, yet you wish to stay in the Capital City. You’d better think it through. Living under my eyes from now on, you’ll have to be cautious in your words and deeds, and cannot privately raise personal soldiers anymore."

Without hesitation, Prince Huaiyang responded: "Without a title, I am an ordinary relative. Living in the Capital City with tens of thousands of elite soldiers guarding the city, I have no need to raise personal soldiers. Moreover, the betrayal of Wu Wei and Si Wu has already given me a fright. Therefore, I will only keep a few trusted soldiers as house servants, and the rest will be dismissed."

Should there be another one or two "trusted" men like Wu Weisiwu jumping out in the future, he won’t even need to argue—he’d just hang himself altogether.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Prince Huaiyang: "Since you have figured it out, I will give you some dignity. The Huaiyang Prince Mansion in the Capital City will remain yours, just change the plaque, and the structure of the mansion will stay the same."

Being able to stay is good enough.

At this moment, he truly managed to save his life.

Prince Huaiyang slowly let out a breath in his heart, solemnly kowtowing to thank for the grace. Then, he stood up. After standing, he kept his hands at his sides, lowered his gaze, maintaining absolute reverence towards Her Majesty the Empress.

Jiang Shaohua turned to instruct: "Chen Sheren, go out of the palace and escort Uncle and his party back to the mansion. Convey my decree that no one is allowed to slight Uncle and his cousins."

Chen Sheren acknowledged with a bow.

Whether true emotions or a mere act, Prince Huaiyang’s eyes reddened, tearfully saying: "The Emperor treats me so generously, I am immensely grateful."

Jiang Shaohua faintly smiled: "Even if you are not Prince Huaiyang, you are still a relative of the Jiang Family. With me around, no one dares to bully you."

Of course, if Prince Huaiyang is restless, always running out, and gets bullied outside, he shouldn’t expect the Emperor’s protection.

Such a smart person as Prince Huaiyang would certainly catch the warning in those words, immediately responding: "I practiced martial arts from a young age, and my literary knowledge is average. From now on, I plan to stay behind closed doors, teaching my children and grandchildren to study diligently as well."

Having dismissed the personal soldiers, there’s no need to practice martial arts. From now on, he will live a simple life behind closed doors. Leisurely reading books!

...

An hour later, Chen Sheren escorted Prince Huaiyang and his five sons back to the Huaiyang Prince Mansion.

Prince Huaiyang personally took down the plaque and earnestly requested Chen Sheren to relay a message to the Emperor: "Please, Sheren, report back to the Emperor that from today onwards, I, Jiang Quan, will not step out of the mansion. I earnestly request the Emperor to send some guards to prevent petty thieves from climbing the walls to steal."

Chen Sheren nodded and quickly left.

Prince Huaiyang’s sons couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke up all at once: "Father, why request the Emperor to send people?"

"Doesn’t this mean more eyes are watching us? We will be virtually detained inside the mansion, not daring to even talk in our sleep."

"Indeed! This is asking for a shackle around our necks! Father..."

Prince Huaiyang frowned, giving them a sharp look. The five tall sons were instantly as silent as cicadas in winter.

"First of all, my title is gone. I am no longer the Prince of Huaiyang. You should call me father, not father prince."

"Secondly, it is I who voluntarily requested to stay in the Capital City, not the Emperor wanting to detain me."

"Furthermore, I also voluntarily requested the guards. The reason behind this, you do not understand now, but you will in time."

"No more talking. Go wash and change your clothes. When your sister comes back, you all should be joyful. The fact that we’ve survived is better than anything else; no one is allowed to wear a long face!"

Huaiyang County Princess Jiang Yuehua, who was married into the Zhang Family, returned to her maiden home with red eyes, expecting to cry together with her father and brothers, only to find them all washed, dressed neatly, and looking quite spirited.

Prince Huaiyang even joked: "From now on, father and your brothers will live in the capital long-term. In a few days, we’ll have your mother, sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces brought here. You can come often too, and we’ll be a bustling family together."

Jiang Yuehua: "..."

Jiang Yuehua, full of bitterness and grievances, found her tears stuck in her throat and only asked in a low voice after a while: "Father, are you really not going back to Huaiyang County?"

"Oh! That place in Huaiyang County, the wind and sand are fierce in winter, and the summer is scorching. I’ve lived there for decades and have long had enough," Prince Huaiyang continued to speak cheerfully with no sign of resignation: "From now on, I’ll live in the Capital City and nowhere else."

"But I heard that Prince Wu’an and his sons have already left the city gates, rushing on their way back, and will return to their vassal territory in a month. Although they were stripped of their titles, with mountains high and the Emperor far, life might indeed be more relaxed..." Jiang Yuehua mumbled quietly.

Prince Huaiyang tugged at the corner of his mouth, a hint of sarcasm flickering in his eyes, cutting his daughter off: "Each person has their aspirations. If he wants to go, he can go. As for me, I won’t be going."

Pausing, he further advised: "Court affairs have nothing to do with us. In the future when you and your husband come back, there’s no need to bring these things up."

Jiang Yuehua nodded in agreement, suddenly remembering something, softly spoke: "I went to the Li Family yesterday to visit Cousin Wanhua."

"Cousin Wanhua has been crying herself to sleep every day, and she has lost a lot of weight. But there is also good news, a few days ago she couldn’t stop vomiting, and the doctor diagnosed her with a pregnancy pulse."

This is Li Boyuan’s posthumous child.

With this child, Jiang Wanhua may be able to get through the grief of losing her husband and father and brothers.