Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 747: Heart and Soul (Part 3)

Who can’t speak grand principles? The pain of having one’s heart and soul plucked is indeed real and palpable.

At some point, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng became accustomed to showing weakness and confiding in Jiang Shaohua. She trembled as she grasped Jiang Shaohua’s hand, tears flowing: "Shao Hua, there are no outsiders here, let me speak some heartfelt words to you. Zixian grew up before my eyes. I cherished and loved him as if he were my eldest grandson."

"He harbored rebellion and became a rebel, deserving death. I wish he could have died sooner. Yet, hearing the news of his death, I am still deeply saddened."

She spoke while crying.

Jiang Shaohua took a handkerchief to wipe the tears of the Grand Empress Dowager, comforting her: "Cry a bit, and let it be. Think of the Zheng Family, think of Prince Ping, and think of me; none of us can do without Grandmother. Even for our sake, Grandmother must hold on."

The Zheng Family.

Prince Ping.

These were all the Achilles’ heels of the Grand Empress Dowager, easy to exploit.

As for Jiang Shaohua herself, the contest between her and the Grand Empress Dowager had never ceased. There was a bit of genuine affection, but in the palace where murder leaves no bloodstains, this bit of affection could be set aside anytime.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng cried for a while and then said: "With Zheng Chen dead, the Zheng Family can finally live peacefully in the future."

See, it is still for the Zheng Family.

Jiang Shaohua smirked inwardly, putting on a difficult expression: "It’s just us two here, no need to hide our words. In the previous minor court meeting, Minister Dong proposed handling the Zheng Family’s crimes according to the laws of Da Liang, and the other courtiers all echoed in agreement. I find myself in a dilemma."

Who doesn’t know that Minister Dong is a loyal dog to the Emperor? It is clear he is setting her up in collaboration with the Emperor!

But, with the Zheng family involved, even if the Grand Empress Dowager saw through it, she could only step into the trap: "You are the Emperor of Da Liang, you can decree to pardon the Zheng Family."

Jiang Shaohua said: "The Heir of Prince Gaoliang rebelled, resulting in implicating the entire Gaoliang Prince Mansion. Even vassal kings face such consequences, the Zheng Family is merely an in-law, how can we easily let them go and quell the public both inside and outside the court?"

"Previously, Duke An had already surrendered half of his estate, and his noble title and official position were forfeited. Isn’t that enough?" The Grand Empress Dowager took a heavy breath.

Jiang Shaohua sighed: "Treason is a grave crime punishable by extermination of nine generations. The Zheng Family still lives well, with a vast estate intact. It’s inevitable that the courtiers would feel indignant."

The Grand Empress Dowager was momentarily choked, so she became unreasonable: "I don’t care. Anyway, you promised me to preserve the lives of the Zheng Family. If the Zheng Family is prosecuted, then I will no longer live."

Not living means tearing everything apart, creating a situation where both sides are doomed.

Jiang Shaohua looked at the Grand Empress Dowager: "Grandmother, why speak such hasty words? You married into the Jiang Family, and have long been part of it. Would you risk your dignity and wealth and gamble your life for the Zheng Family?"

"Prince Ping is only nine after the New Year, and it will take six to seven years for him to grow up. Doesn’t Grandmother want to watch over Prince Ping, seeing him grow up safely, marry, and have children?"

The Grand Empress Dowager was struck to the core, instantly rendered speechless.

Jiang Shaohua sighed leisurely: "Let’s not talk about this now. I will postpone the court discussion until the Left General returns with his army to discuss again. There are a few months for a buffer, perhaps the situation will ease somewhat. Grandmother need not worry about this, just rest assured and recuperate."

The Grand Empress Dowager could only nod.

After leaving Jingyang Palace, Jiang Shaohua exhaled a breath, her brows relaxed: "I want to go to Ning An Palace."

...

In Ning An Palace, the Empress Dowager Li had a dinner prepared. Hearing the Emperor coming, Empress Dowager Li even greeted him with a smile.

Jiang Shaohua quickly approached with a smile, supporting Empress Dowager Li’s arm: "Why did Aunt have to come out to greet personally."

Empress Dowager Li smiled and said: "Today is a day of great joy, I am truly happy. I anticipated the Emperor would come, so I had dinner prepared early. It’s just the right time to serve it now."

Meeting a joyful event lifts one’s spirits. The news of Zheng Chen’s death was like the best news in the world to Empress Dowager Li.

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly and escorted Empress Dowager Li to the dining hall.

With a good mood, Empress Dowager Li’s appetite was much better than usual, eating two bowls before putting down her chopsticks.

Since coming out of confinement, Jiang Shaohua’s appetite had returned to normal, her eating was amazing. Empress Dowager Li couldn’t help but laugh seeing her eating heartily: "The Emperor eats so much every day, yet doesn’t gain a bit of weight."

In a short span of more than two months, Jiang Shaohua had already regained her slim figure, almost as if she hadn’t just given birth.

Jiang Shaohua smiled with pursed lips: "I expend a lot of energy every day, if I don’t eat more, I can’t hold up."

After dinner, the two moved to the bedroom to talk.

Empress Dowager Li said in a low voice: "Shao Hua, thank you for avenging Song’er."

"The death of the rebel Zheng Chen truly makes me happy."

Jiang Shaohua softly responded: "Zheng Chen was a rebel of Da Liang, also a thorn in my eye and a pain in my flesh. His death was indeed satisfying to me."

"Even Duke An wished for Zheng Chen’s quick death to prevent further implication of the Zheng Family." Empress Dowager Li sneered, continuing: "Truly heartbroken, is the Grand Empress Dowager."

"When Zheng Chen was brought into the palace, he was only five. The Grand Empress Dowager pampered and cherished this nephew greatly. One might say, she raised Zheng Chen single-handedly."

"And in the end? Zheng Chen disregarded the Grand Empress Dowager’s situation entirely, and even more so the fate of the Zheng Family, acting without restraint, leading to his current end."

"He deserved his end today!"

The Grand Empress Dowager’s heart-wrenching anguish was self-inflicted!

Empress Dowager Li, after repressing her feelings for who knows how long, finally spoke them all out, feeling unrestrained and joyful.

Jiang Shaohua remained silent, letting Empress Dowager Li vent her pent-up thoughts. Once Empress Dowager Li’s emotions calmed slightly, Jiang Shaohua said: "Grandmother fainted once today, the Imperial Physician advised her to rest for a few days. In this case, I’ll have to trouble Aunt to manage palace affairs again."

Empress Dowager Li was not resentful at all, and replied with a spirited laugh: "You take care of your own business, leave the palace affairs to me."

After returning to Zhaohai Palace, Chen Sheren couldn’t help but speak in a low voice: "Why doesn’t the Emperor seize this opportunity to take control from the Grand Empress Dowager?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled and glanced at her: "Why rush? I’ve been on the throne for less than a year, palace personnel are complex, and hearts are tumultuous; it must be sorted out slowly."

Moreover, one cannot give all power to Empress Dowager Li. Currently, Empress Dowager Li stands entirely on her side because their positions and interests fully align. But people’s hearts easily change, who knows if after Empress Dowager Li gains power, she won’t turn into another Grand Empress Dowager?

Chen Jinyu, having great rapport with Jiang Shaohua, understood immediately: "Jingyang Palace and Ning An Palace alternately manage palace affairs, ensuring smooth transition and mutual constraint; this is most beneficial to the Emperor."

Thus, the Emperor intentionally fostered the current situation where the clam and the snipe are fighting, while the fisherman benefits.

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly.