Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 765: A Loyal Minister’s Heart

The one who was sent to the Ministry of Justice to relay a message was still Chen Sheren.

Chen Sheren often goes to the Six Ministries on behalf of the Emperor to deliver messages. At first, the courtiers were quite unaccustomed to it, but gradually they have gotten used to it.

Minister Yang, whose position is much higher than that of the seventh-rank Chen Sheren, showed great politeness: "Chen Sheren, please take a seat. Someone, quickly bring a pot of good tea."

Who doesn’t know that Chen Sheren is the Emperor’s closest confidant and the most trusted favorite? To put it inappropriately, Chen Sheren is much more formidable than Mr. Zhao in Jingyang Palace.

After all, Mr. Zhao is just a eunuch, dependent on the favor of the Grand Empress Dowager. Once he loses the master’s favor, he could be replaced at any time.

Chen Sheren’s grandfather is the court’s "Inner Chancellor" and is also regarded by many as the future Da Liang Chancellor.

Chen Sheren’s father also deeply trusted by the Emperor. Not long ago, the Emperor issued an edict ordering County Magistrate Chen of Bowan County to go to Yu State as Inspector.

Chen Sheren’s elder brother, Chen Haoran, succeeded his father’s position and became the new County Magistrate Chen. He manages the iron mine and silver mine for the Emperor... Yes, there is no need to hide the existence of the silver mine in Nanyang County anymore; they can boldly and openly mine it.

As for Chen Sheren’s husband, Ma Yaosong, he now works in the Ministry of Personnel, similarly favored by the Emperor.

The Chen family has indeed risen, becoming the new nobility in Da Liang.

Minister Yang, always a smooth and prudent man, naturally showed great enthusiasm towards the promising Chen Sheren.

Chen Sheren smiled and said: "The Emperor asked me to deliver a message verbally, I must return to the palace after saying it. Minister Yang, please ask everyone to leave first."

Minister Yang nodded.

Once the attendants had left, Chen Sheren spoke softly about the purpose: "... The Grand Empress Dowager insists on doing this, and since the Emperor has always been respectful and considerate towards elders, he had no choice but to reluctantly agree. Regarding this matter, I ask Minister Yang to keep it a secret and not speak recklessly outside."

"Also, it avoids spreading comments disrespecting Jingyang Palace, which could damage the Grand Empress Dowager’s reputation."

Got it!

This matter needs to be immediately spread out, letting everyone know that Grand Empress Dowager Zheng is a biased old fool. Allow the Grand Empress Dowager Faction officers to further distance themselves and quicken their allegiance to the Emperor.

Minister Yang, this old fox, understood instantly, and replied: "Chen Sheren, please rest assured, this minister is not one to gossip indiscriminately. Regarding this matter, this minister wouldn’t utter a single word."

Of course, it couldn’t be him speaking directly; having a close attendant "carelessly" leak the news would be sufficient.

Chen Sheren and Minister Yang exchanged glances and smiled slightly: "Minister Yang does his job properly, the Emperor naturally trusts him greatly."

...

Minister Yang does indeed handle affairs reassuringly.

Two nights later, Minister Yang sent someone to deliver Zheng Chen’s head to Duke An’s Mansion. This was done in secrecy, and only a few people knew about it.

Duke An held the wooden box, feelings of mixed emotions swirling inside, finally squeezing out a sentence: "Please convey my thanks to Minister Yang."

The long-term follower delivering the box immediately said: "Lord Minister has instructed, this matter cannot be publicized. Please bury Mr. Zheng’s head swiftly into the earth."

Duke An nodded in agreement.

After the long-term follower left, Duke An opened the wooden box and looked at his son’s head for a long time.

He did not cry. At this stage, shedding tears and sobbing is of no use. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng clearly made a wrong move. But now he cannot even step beyond his doorstep, cannot enter the palace, nor see the Grand Empress Dowager. Even if he could, could he really be so reckless to criticize the Grand Empress Dowager?

Duke An personally prepared a simple coffin, placed Zheng Chen’s head inside, and added a set of brand new clothes and shoes.

That night, the coffin was buried quietly.

Then, unbeknownst to anyone, the word somehow leaked out.

As the saying goes, good news doesn’t exit the door, but bad news spreads thousands of miles. This matter soon reached the ears of all courtiers. The Prime Minister’s Faction officers exaggerated it, accusing the Grand Empress Dowager of ignoring court regulations and acting indiscriminately. Even the Grand Empress Dowager’s followers felt her actions lacked propriety.

Nowadays, the decline of the Zheng Family becomes increasingly apparent, beyond reclamation. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng is an old fool. Would the officials from the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction follow along with this sinking ship?

Of course not!

Is there any Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction here? They are clearly loyalists to the country and the Emperor. Receiving court salaries and alleviating the Emperor’s worries is the proper duty!

In just a few days, Chief Historian Chen received numerous invitation cards.

Chief Historian Chen, busy with political affairs during the day and night, had to squeeze in time to deal with these officials actively seeking allegiance, visibly gaining some white hair.

Jiang Shaohua saw it and felt heartfelt concern for the Chief Historian, deliberately instructing Doctor Sun: "Doctor Sun, Chief Historian Chen has been overly busy lately, visibly gaining white hair. You should prescribe some tonic, use precious herbs."

Doctor Sun smilingly took the order, meticulously concocted two large bottles of dark ointment, and sent it to Chief Historian Chen: "This is a tonic specifically ordered by the Emperor for Chief Historian Chen. Drink it twice a day, consistently for a month; it boosts energy and nourishes the body greatly."

Chief Historian Chen chuckled: "The Emperor is busy daily handling national affairs, dealing with Jingyang Palace and Ning An Palace, yet he still worries about me."

Doctor Sun laughed and teased: "Isn’t that so? Only Chief Historian Chen receives such caring attention from the Emperor."

They are aged loyalists from Nanyang Prince Mansion, known for decades, familiar to the utmost. Some words cannot be said to others, but they can certainly be spoken to Doctor Sun.

Chief Historian Chen sighed with a smile: "As the Emperor treats me this way, being busy to the point of exhaustion is worthwhile."

"Back then, I followed Prince Nanyang to take the fief, thinking a Duke Mansion Chief Historian role for this life would be ample. Who knew our Commandery Princess would have such great fortune and auspicious fate to become the Emperor of Da Liang? A fifty-something Duke Mansion Chief Historian like me now serves as the Da Liang Chancellor."

Doctor Sun laughed quietly: "I also didn’t expect that I would one day enter the palace as an Imperial Physician. I originally planned well, to retire in Nanyang Prince Mansion!"

Not only an Imperial Physician but the Medical Director of the Imperial Hospital too!

The former Medical Director of the Imperial Hospital was Doctor Ji. However, Doctor Ji was secretly recruited by Prince Huaiyang and the Heir of Prince Gaoliang, tampered with Emperor Taihe’s medicinal broth, and assassinated Emperor Taihe. Doctor Ji died in prison, and the Ji Family was obliterated.

The position of Medical Director became vacant. After Jiang Shaohua ascended the throne, she summoned Doctor Sun and his daughter into the palace. Sun Zelan is a seventh-rank Medical Officer, while Doctor Sun became a fifth-rank Medical Director.

Life suddenly reached its peak!

The surprise came unexpectedly and yet was so straightforward!

All they can do is exhaust their lives and devotedly serve the Emperor!

Two aged loyalists from Nanyang exchanged smiles.

...