Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 745: Heart and Soul (Part 1)

Song Yuan led two hundred trusted aides back to the Capital City; the letter he personally wrote had already been delivered ahead of him to the Capital City, presented before the Empress.

At the moment Jiang Shaohua opened the letter, her hand couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

This was virtually unprecedented for the Empress, as calm and cool as ice and snow.

Chen Jinyu thought the Empress was delighted because of the Heroic Guard Camp’s great victory and remarked with a smile: "The Left General is truly formidable. Not counting travel time, starting from entering Yu State to reclaiming it took less than a month. Such speed is truly astonishing."

Jiang Shaohua responded with an "Mm," and suddenly said, "I want to be alone for a while. You may leave first."

Chen Jinyu was a bit surprised but did not show it, promptly acknowledging by leaving.

Jiang Shaohua slowly extracted the letter from its envelope, unfurling it gently. The familiar handwriting came into view. In line with Song Yuan’s usual terse style, this letter was exceedingly concise, barely half a page long.

Yu State has been pacified, Lu Cheng is dead, Zhao Wu killed, Zheng Chen has surrendered. He is bringing all three heads back to the Capital City.

Zheng Chen...

Finally dead!

She felt neither a sense of relief nor particular joy—just a faint fatigue.

The grievances of the past were finally severed completely.

At last, she could fully leave the past behind and move forward with head held high.

In truth, there was nothing nostalgic about the past. In the palace during her youth, she lived cautiously, secretly loving the boy she fancied, followed by over a decade of enduring oppression. Finally, she met her end in utter despair.

Such an oppressive life truly holds no fond memories.

Zheng Chen as a person held no place worth reminiscing over for her.

It was now crucial to contemplate how to derive more benefit from this matter.

Jiang Shaohua placed the letter back into the envelope.

"Chen Sheren."

Chen Jinyu responded: "I am here."

Jiang Shaohua had already regained her usual calm composure and instructed lightly: "Go to Jingyang Palace and report the good news of our triumph in Yu State to the Grand Empress Dowager."

Pausing briefly, she added meaningfully, "Also inform about Zheng Chen’s death. The Grand Empress Dowager is advanced in years and has just recovered from illness, still weak in body. Speak gently, don’t agitate the Grand Empress Dowager."

Chen Jinyu immediately understood, saying: "I shall follow your command."

"Go on then! I will handle state affairs first, and when free, visit Jingyang Palace."

...

The Grand Empress Dowager, stricken by a severe illness, had suffered much. She had only resumed overseeing palace affairs a few days ago. At this time, a group of stewards was reporting on affairs within Jingyang Palace.

The Grand Empress Dowager propped her forehead with her right hand, eyes half-closed, half-opened.

Min, the principal eunuch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, reported respectfully: "Two palace structures requiring repair are undergoing urgent work by the craftsmen. It is estimated that it will take about two months to complete the repairs."

The Grand Empress Dowager casually affirmed with a sound.

After a moment’s contemplation, Min reported softly: "Additionally, a batch of palace attendants and eunuchs were released from the palace recently. Fifty palace attendants and thirty eunuchs, totaling eighty. According to the plan, another batch will be released this month..."

The Grand Empress Dowager furrowed her brows, expressing displeasure: "Since the new emperor’s ascension, the palace hasn’t welcomed any newcomers, and now people are continuously being let go. Such a vast court, understaffed, inconveniencing matters and losing face. Halt this for now."

The idea to release palace attendants and eunuchs originated with the Emperor, executed by Empress Dowager Li.

The Grand Empress Dowager hurriedly resumed governing affairs with considerable concern for this matter.

In power struggles, it is often the servants who suffer.

Min, who had been reprimanded by Empress Dowager Li several times over the last two months, reminded carefully: "Lady, this was proposed by the Emperor. If you wish to pause it, perhaps it should be discussed with the Emperor."

The Grand Empress Dowager impatiently glanced over: "The Emperor is busy managing a plethora of state affairs. Such trivialities in the harem, I will handle. There’s no need to trouble the Emperor."

The words were pleasant to hear.

Yet the ambition in seizing power was evident.

But the key is, can it be held?

The situation in the palace is now vastly different from before. The Emperor is gradually straightening out court matters, his prestige growing within the palace. The palace stewards are especially sensitive to the shifting dynamics of power.

Even Min, the Chief Steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs appointed by the Grand Empress Dowager herself, felt uneasy in his heart. Not to mention others.

After receiving a tick from the master, Min immediately closed his mouth.

None of the other stewards dared to utter a sound.

Just then, Chen Sheren arrived.

Head held high, Chen Sheren entered Jingyang Palace, joyously announcing before everyone: "Great joy for the Grand Empress Dowager! The Left General’s troops have subdued the Yu State Rebel Army! The Yu State Rebel Army has surrendered completely! Congratulations, Lady!"

The Grand Empress Dowager’s body wavered slightly but quickly clutched the armrest of her chair to stabilize herself, forcing a joyful smile: "Is this news true?"

"Absolutely true!" Chen Sheren spoke quickly, his voice bright and pleasant: "Commander Song’s urgent report arrived even before the court’s message. Knowing your worry over Yu State, the Emperor specifically commanded me to report this joyous event."

"Moreover, the rebel leaders have been slain—all beheaded and preserved with quicklime, and they will soon be brought to the Capital City by Commander Song."

The Grand Empress Dowager: "..."

A wave of indescribable sharp pain spread swiftly from her heart.

Her chest ached, her head hurt, even her limbs and bones felt periodically numb and painful.

Zheng Chen was brought to the palace at the age of five, becoming the Crown Prince’s Companion. Even as a child, Zheng Chen demonstrated intelligence far exceeding that of his peers—well-read, quick to learn martial arts. It could be said that Zheng Chen was raised by her own hand.

Her love for this grandnephew was second only to her eldest grandson.

As an adult, Zheng Chen was remarkably talented. Given a steady decade or two, Zheng Chen would surely become a pillar of the Da Liang Court, smoothly taking charge of the Zheng Family, becoming her mainstay.

Who would have thought, within just over half a year, Zheng Chen would transform from a promising Imperial Attendant to a court rebel...now exterminated by the court...

She once hated him fiercely, wishing him dead instantly. Now that moment had truly arrived, yet it felt like her heart and liver had been extracted, causing excruciating pain.

"Lady," the vile Chen Sheren approached with false sympathy: "The Emperor specifically instructed to ask the Lady to restrain grief."

The Grand Empress Dowager gritted her teeth, forcing out a heavy breath: "Rebel traitors deserve execution by all. I would only applaud, not mourn."

Chen Sheren sighed in relief and remarked with a smile: "That’s good."

"I was initially worried that the Lady wouldn’t withstand the news."

The Lady’s sense of duty is truly admirable. Indeed, when Commander Song returns with the rebel heads, I will bring them to Jingyang Palace for the Lady to view, alleviating her resentment... Lady!"

"Not good, quickly summon the Imperial Physician."