Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 774: Brilliance (Part 1)

Chen Sheren was ordered to Jingyang Palace to deliver a message.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had been intermittently ill for several months, constantly recuperating. Recently, her health had improved considerably, and she was reviewing the accounts sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Upon hearing that the Emperor was coming to visit, she sneered and said to Mr. Zhao, "The Emperor is coming to take advantage of the mourning family."

The Yellow River was flooded, and six counties had suffered from the disaster. Recently, the court had been overwhelmed with disaster relief work, leaving Jiang Shaohua with no time to visit the back palace. Suddenly, he wanted to visit Jingyang Palace today to ’check on the illness’. How could there be no reason behind it?

It must be said that Grand Empress Dowager Zheng understood Jiang Shaohua quite well.

Mr. Zhao accompanied her with a smile on his face, secretly grumbling in his heart. The entire Imperial Palace belonged to the Emperor, as did the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Emperor was busy with state affairs, not arguing with the Grand Empress Dowager who held sway over the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

If it came down to it, the Emperor could allocate however much silver he wanted from the Ministry of Internal Affairs—who could stop him? Who would have the authority to stop him?

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had no such self-awareness and righteously treated the Ministry of Internal Affairs as personal property. After all, she had managed the harem for decades, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs had always been her purse. Basically, everyone from top to bottom was her people. In the few months that Empress Dowager Li had taken over, she didn’t dare make any significant moves, only placing two or three people in key positions.

To take silver from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it required her approval as the Grand Empress Dowager.

Jiang Shaohua would have to offer some benefits in exchange for her agreement.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng pondered this and then unhurriedly gave her orders: "Pass on to the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a meal with several dishes that the Emperor enjoys."

Mr. Zhao went to carry out the order.

About an hour later, the Emperor arrived.

As a senior member of the family, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng did not need to come out to greet him. Mr. Zhao led a group of eunuchs and palace maids to greet him respectfully.

Beside Jiang Shaohua were Commander Song and Chen Sheren, with a formidable group of powerful trusted aides behind him.

The majority of the trusted aides remained outside Jingyang Palace, while about twenty stayed with the Emperor as he entered Jingyang Palace.

"Grandmother," Jiang Shaohua greeted her warmly, performing the respectful etiquette of a junior.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng responded with a smile and then sighed affectionately, "I know state affairs are of great importance, but the Emperor must also take care of his health. Look at you, the shadows under your eyes show you haven’t been sleeping well these days."

Jiang Shaohua sighed in response, "The south has been hit by floods, and thinking of the tens of thousands of people without food or clothing, how can I sleep or eat well?"

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng gently reprimanded, "This is a natural disaster, beyond human control. Disaster relief and settling the people is not something that can be completed in a day or two, no matter how urgent you must eat well and rest."

Jiang Shaohua laughed, "Grandmother still cares for me the most."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng smiled lovingly, "You are the Emperor of Da Liang, the court depends on you for the great affairs of state, and this whole lot in the harem, both young and old, all rely on you. How could I not care for you?"

While her heart ached, she never mentioned the matter of the silver.

Jiang Shaohua was not in a hurry, accompanying Grand Empress Dowager Zheng with small talk until Prince Ping arrived, and then they went to dine together.

In the past six months, Prince Ping had grown taller and fatter. His complexion was fair and tender, making him a handsome chubby boy. Carefree, he was always happy.

Prince Ping was very close to Jiang Shaohua, insisting on sitting beside him. Jiang Shaohua smiled, serving him food and wiping his mouth with fluid movements, showing how he took care of Prince Ping daily.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was joyful, presenting a picture of a loving grandmother and filial grandson.

After the meal, Prince Ping was led away, and the two, grandmother and grandson, each holding a cup of tea. It was then that the critical moment arrived.

Jiang Shaohua quickly revealed his intentions without much preamble: "Grandmother, relying solely on the Ministry of Revenue to raise funds for disaster relief is far from enough. I have already written to Nanyang Prince Mansion, instructing Chief Historian Feng to release all the money and grain he can."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng feigned ignorance, continually praising the Emperor’s righteousness.

Jiang Shaohua said, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs must also contribute funds and effort."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng reacted as if her heart was being torn out, "Absolutely not! The Ministry of Internal Affairs is the private treasury of the Imperial Family. How can it be used? I do not agree."

Jiang Shaohua raised his eyes, "The National Treasury is my treasury, Nanyang Prince Mansion is my Nanyang Prince Mansion, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs is also my Ministry of Internal Affairs. If I decide to use the stored silver of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who can stop me?"

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "..."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was rendered speechless, gasping for breath.

The anticipated pleadings, conciliatory words, compromise, and concessions were absent, and the benefits she calculated were naturally lost. Because Jiang Shaohua never intended to exchange benefits for her agreement.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng suddenly stood up, pointing angrily at Jiang Shaohua’s nose: "Jiang Shaohua! Who do you think you’re talking to?"

Jiang Shaohua remained unchanged in expression, calmly replying, "And whom does Grand Empress Dowager address?"

The attitude was notably firm, unwavering.

The flesh on Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s face quivered several times, her expression changing again and again, clearly enraged to the extreme, standing on the edge of a complete fallout.

Jiang Shaohua coldly watched Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, slowly stating, "I have been in power for nearly a year now."

"Among the Six Ministers, three have been replaced. The court officials generally respect me, politics proceeds relatively smoothly."

"Regarding the military, I have ensured full military pay and respect for the generals. It is only a matter of time before they are fully loyal. I dispatched trusted aides to garrison troops in various states, and after more than six months, there is considerable progress."

"In Nanyang County, there’s the elite Nanyang Army and the loyal Personal Guard Camp. At my command, they will heed my orders, and would not hesitate to face any dangers."

"I am the Emperor of Da Liang; everything I do is legitimate and justified."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s face twitched more violently, her usually cloudy old eyes fixed on Jiang Shaohua like a venomous snake about to reveal its fangs.

Jiang Shaohua remained unfazed, continuing, "I have always respected the Grand Empress Dowager because I inherited my cousin’s throne and should therefore care for my grandmother on his behalf. As the Emperor, I should also set an example of filial piety for the people. It’s certainly not because I fear anyone."

"Grand Empress Dowager might want to carefully consider this reasoning."

An oppressive silence fell over them.

Mr. Zhao had long lowered his head, concealing the shock in his eyes.

He had not anticipated the Emperor’s position to be this assertive, even suggesting a willingness to break ties.

If Grand Empress Dowager Zheng could not swallow her anger and leave the meeting in discord, what would happen next? A palace coup could shake the palace to its foundations. Could it be that the palace is on the brink of another upheaval?

Such thoughts were terrifying the more he thought about them.

The wordless standoff only lasted a mere moment or perhaps a very long time.

Finally, Mr. Zhao heard Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s voice: "I will need a few days to think about it." Then, she sneered, "Is the Emperor so pressed for time that he can’t wait a few days?"

Jiang Shaohua calmly said, "I have always been very patient. Having waited from my ascension to the throne until today, waiting a few more days is no problem at all."