Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 710: Cutting the Flesh (Part 1)

With the temperament of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, she would certainly never admit it herself.

She said in a nonchalant tone, "Eunuch Lin, you go on my behalf to see Zhao Jingming and bring him some external medicine for his wounds. Have him recover quickly."

Eunuch Lin responded respectfully.

After returning to Jingyang Palace, Eunuch Lin carried a box of medicine to Mr. Zhao’s residence.

Mr. Zhao’s back injury appeared to be bleeding heavily, but in fact, it was just superficial. Which eunuch dared to truly harm Mr. Zhao during the beating? Moreover, with the excellent wound medicine sent by the Emperor, Mr. Zhao lay in bed for five days and was mostly recovered.

At this moment, as Eunuch Lin visited, Mr. Zhao displayed a demeanor of being seriously injured and very weak, barely able to speak a few complete sentences.

Eunuch Lin glanced over, his words carrying an underlying message, "Mr. Zhao truly suffered grievances this time. Since the Lady bestowed you with medicine, your dignity is restored, and you should recover soon. There’s no shortage of clever and opportunistic servants here in Jingyang Palace."

"Perhaps, in ten days to half a month, there will be newcomers by the Lady’s side. By then, there may be no place for Mr. Zhao."

Feeling a chill in his heart, Mr. Zhao dared not pretend any longer, saying, "Please convey to the Grand Empress Dowager, my gratitude for the medicine. I will recover quickly and return to attend to the Lady in a few days."

That’s more like it.

A mere lowly eunuch, elevated by the Grand Empress Dowager to his current status, would have nothing once cast aside by her.

Eunuch Lin smirked inwardly, set down the medicine, and returned to report back.

Looking at the medicine by his side, Mr. Zhao’s thoughts were unclear, his expression complex and ever-changing.

A little eunuch attendant beside him asked softly, "Sir, it’s time to apply the medicine. Should we use the medicine sent by the Grand Empress Dowager today?"

Mr. Zhao exhaled a breath of pent-up resentment, saying, "Change it!"

After a pause, he further instructed, "Carefully store the medicine rewarded by the Emperor."

...

Inside Zhaohai Palace.

The Empress, who had not appeared for several days, came slowly supported by Elder Changning and sat on the Dragon Throne.

The ample Dragon Robe could no longer conceal the Empress’s protruding belly. Usually, the courtiers would make every effort to ignore this point. Now, the subtle consequences of the Empress’s agitation due to anger, prompting her to suspend court to stabilize the pregnancy, were becoming evident.

The courtiers, whether intentionally or not, glanced at the Emperor’s swollen belly. What each pondered was unknown.

Jiang Shaohua swept a gaze across the room, her cold and sharp presence causing a chill in the hearts of the courtiers, quickly dispelling any improper thoughts.

"Minister Ji," Jiang Shaohua began, "You first report on the Ministry of Revenue’s efforts in gathering military funding and provisions."

The Empress handled court affairs without rambling, speaking directly to the point. The courtiers, accustomed to the elaborate formalities and redundant pleasantries, initially found it hard to adapt. After several months, they slowly got used to it.

Minister Ji stepped forward obediently and reported on the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs.

Next, it was the Ministry of War’s turn.

Vice Minister Ding, in recent days, was troubled by the issue of war horses and weapons, losing sleep and appetite. In a few short days, wrinkles had appeared at the corners of his eyes.

With a face full of guilt, Vice Minister Ding reported the severe shortage of weapons and armor in the Ministry of War’s arsenal and the uneven quality of war horses. This instantly provoked the courtiers’ anger, directing their criticism at Duke An.

Even now, Duke An had not yet resigned his post in the Ministry of War. Moreover, such a significant problem occurred under his management, and he was undoubtedly the one to take the blame.

Additionally, the presence of Zheng Chen and Zhao Wu in the Yu State Army directly confirmed the Zheng Family’s involvement in the border army’s disastrous defeat back then. The memorials impeaching Duke An were nearly three feet high.

It all depended on the Empress’s stance. If Jiang Shaohua showed any intention of fully uprooting the Zheng Family, the courtiers would immediately submit memorials to severely attack the Zheng Family.

Minister Dong, being close to the Emperor, dared to address what others would not. Unreservedly, he asked, "Emperor, there have been many memorials impeaching Minister Zheng in court these past days. How does the Emperor intend to handle Minister Zheng?"

Jiang Shaohua sighed for once in front of the courtiers, "To be frank, while I rested for five days, the Grand Empress Dowager visited five times. Before today’s court, she stopped me and implored me earnestly. I truly am in a difficult position!"

The court, full of old foxes, quickly picked out the implications of these words.

The Zheng Family had to be dealt with, but out of regard for the Grand Empress Dowager, it could not be completely eradicated.

Thus, there was no need to impeach Duke An further. If emotions ran too high, it would put the Emperor in a difficult position to resolve.

Minister Dong immediately changed his tone, "The Emperor, being ever-filial to the Grand Empress Dowager, must slightly tolerate the Zheng Family for her sake."

Vice Minister Yang swiftly chimed in, "There is no conclusive evidence of the relationship between Zhao Wu and the Zheng Family. We should wait for the Left General to quell the Yu State Army and capture Zhao Wu for thorough interrogation."

Only by capturing Zhao Wu alive could they thoroughly interrogate and convict the Zheng Family.

Conversely, to give the Zheng Family a way out, simply killing Zhao Wu would mean there’d be no testimonial evidence to convict the Zheng Family.

The specific actions hinge entirely on the Emperor’s intentions.

Jiang Shaohua glanced approvingly at Vice Minister Yang, "Vice Minister Yang is right. This matter will be entrusted to Vice Minister Yang. When Zhao Wu is brought back to the Capital City, the case will then be formally examined."

Vice Minister Yang solemnly accepted the order.

To himself, Minister Zhang sneered. Zhao Wu was still in the Yu State Military Camp, and with the Left General leading troops to quell the rebellion, it would be several months or even a year or two before the matter was resolved. The Emperor’s intention to let the Zheng Family go was plain as day.

A complete waste of such a grand momentum in court!

Minister Zhang was inwardly grumbling when she heard the Emperor say, "Let’s not speak of Zhao Wu for now. The sudden rebellion of the Yu State Army is indeed related to Zheng Chen."

"The court intends to send troops to suppress the rebellion, and Duke An is no longer suitable as Minister of War. The shortage of war horses and lack of weapons in the arsenal are matters that Duke An must account for."

"I will save Duke An some face, waiting for him to submit his own memorials."

... 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Within that day, the Zheng Family received numerous messages from the palace.

After hearing the Grand Empress Dowager’s message, the Duchess An fainted once again. The attending Imperial Physician was unsurprised, calmly performing first aid.

Contrarily, Duke An let out a long sigh of relief.

Resignation, title forfeiture, cutting flesh and bleeding, were all excruciating agony. However, ultimately the Zheng Family had survived.

"Someone, support this Duke...support me to the study. I need to draft a memorial!"