Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 780: Turmoil (5)

a.m.

The sky was bright, the sun dazzling, and the glazed tiles on the palace roof reflected the light, almost blindingly bright.

Jiang Shaohua stepped into Ning An Palace.

Empress Dowager Li, eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night of anxiety, hurriedly came out to meet her, lacking any semblance of a stately Empress Dowager, and grasped Jiang Shaohua’s hands: "Shao Hua! It’s such a relief that you’re alright! I was terrified out of my wits when I heard noises last night. I had no one to rely on, and didn’t dare meddle recklessly. I also didn’t want to add to your troubles, so I ordered the palace gates sealed. What exactly happened now?"

Jiang Shaohua looked up at Empress Dowager Li, smiled slightly: "Rest assured, Empress Dowager, those who disrupted the court have all been executed."

Jiang Shaohua was exceedingly beautiful, and at the prime of her youth, her smile was like a blossom in full bloom.

Yet somehow, Empress Dowager Li felt a chill looking at the beautiful smile so close: "Really... all executed?"

What about the Grand Empress Dowager?

Could it be that Jiang Shaohua killed her too?

If Jiang Shaohua dared to kill the Grand Empress Dowager, would she not smooth out all the "hidden threats" in the inner palace as well, including her, the Empress Dowager?

Noticing the flash of fear in Empress Dowager Li’s eyes, Jiang Shaohua spoke warmly: "The palace attendants and eunuchs in Jingyang Palace caused trouble, and I executed them all. The Grand Empress Dowager was terrified and will be secluded in the palace to recuperate. From now on, Empress Dowager, please take care of the palace affairs."

Empress Dowager Li’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, somewhat returned to its place.

The meaning in Jiang Shaohua’s words was clear, the royal family’s dignity must be maintained, announcing externally that the palace attendants and eunuchs rebelled, were all executed. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had all her claws clipped, turned into a caged sick tiger, never to flaunt her might again.

Though Empress Dowager Li always resented the Grand Empress Dowager who suppressed her for more than twenty years. After all, after such a long mother-in-law, daughter-in-law relationship, if the Grand Empress Dowager truly died, Empress Dowager Li couldn’t help but feel a desolation like lips losing teeth.

Confining Jingyang Palace was much better!

Feeling reassured, Empress Dowager Li said to Jiang Shaohua: "I will surely manage the rear palace well, to spare you any worry over trivial palace matters."

Before Jiang Shaohua could speak, she added: "In the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a loyal eunuch must be appointed. Let the Emperor select someone."

In charge of the rear palace, besides personnel, the most crucial is the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Much like the ladies of the inner court, who must manage the household as well as the storerooms. Everything else is insubstantial, money and provisions are the most concrete and vital.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "Such trivial matters, the Empress Dowager may decide."

This genuinely afforded Empress Dowager Li dignity. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

It did not imply seizing control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Empress Dowager Li breathed another sigh of relief, smiled broadly: "Very well, I will select someone from my side to manage the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Every month I’ll have the Ministry’s accounts sent to Zhaohai Palace for you to review. When you need to use funds, just send someone to Ning An Palace to leave word."

Empress Dowager Li indeed became much more savvy, and proactively brought up disaster relief in the six counties affected by the flood: "This year the Yellow River overflowed, and I’ve heard of six counties affected, with people’s homes and farmlands destroyed. The court and Nanyang County are dispatching provisions for relief. The Ministry of Internal Affairs should also contribute, so the people may know the Emperor’s compassion."

"Match what Nanyang County contributes, and have the Ministry of Internal Affairs allocate the same."

Nanyang County is indeed wealthy, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has accumulated for years, managing all the Imperial Manors’ yields, and receiving tributes from all over for the Royal Family. Compared to Nanyang County, the wealth of the Ministry of Internal Affairs must add a further degree.

With the Ministry of Internal Affairs making such efforts, Jiang Shaohua was quite satisfied, smiling as she said: "The matters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Empress Dowager, please take much care."

From Empress Dowager to Aunt, changing address made all the difference.

Empress Dowager Li’s heart was completely at ease: "We’re all family, the Emperor’s matters are mine as well, why speak of effort?"

Jiang Shaohua nodded with a smile: "Indeed, Aunt, I won’t stand on ceremony. Also, regarding Prince Ping, I have had him sent to Ning An Palace. Please take care of Prince Ping."

Empress Dowager Li agreed without a second thought.

Prince Ping is a minor trouble, previously raised by Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. Now that Jingyang Palace is sealed, it’s appropriate to send him to Ning An Palace, which is reasonable externally as well.

Jiang Shaohua handing over the power to manage the rear palace to her, it was only right she should ease Jiang Shaohua’s worries in return.

"There are many trivial matters to handle today, I must return to Zhaohai Palace." Jiang Shaohua said: "Dealing with killings and bloody matters, it’s ominous and inauspicious, there’s no need for Aunt to involve herself. Close the gates, and only emerge tomorrow."

Empress Dowager Li nodded in agreement, and after escorting Jiang Shaohua out, indeed closed the palace gates immediately.

Dealing with intelligent people is such a relief.

As for Imperial Concubine Fan and the other concubines in the rear palace, they were not in Jiang Shaohua’s consideration. Keeping them well-fed is enough.

Throughout the entire day following, heads rolled in the palace.

Clearing the court, seemingly complex, was not that difficult. The standard was simple: those involved in the rebellion, all executed. Those intending to act but hadn’t yet, also executed. Another group, those who habitually obeyed the Grand Empress Dowager and showed loyalty but did not participate in the turmoil. These did not have to be killed, but imprisoned in the jail, eventually sent to labor in the mines, never to see daylight again.

The several hundred Imperial Guards who stormed Zhaohai Palace were all executed. The families involved with these guards also had to be implicated. Whether it be confiscation of properties, clan extermination, or exile, that was all the business of the Ministry of Justice.

Minister Yang, upon receiving the task, felt his scalp tingle, but quickly summoned strength, gathered the Ministry of Justice officials, and followed the lengthy list to arrest and interrogate, household by household, to pronounce guilt. The Ministry of Justice Prison was far from sufficient; in the end, cells meant for three held ten to twenty people each.

The once busiest Ministry of Revenue now appeared leisurely compared to the Ministry of Justice.

This rebellion, seemingly occurring only in the palace, actually had profound impacts on the court.

The remaining officials of the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction were terrified and lost, scrambling to switch allegiances. Chief Historian Chen was busy with disaster relief, too preoccupied to see them. So they shamelessly sought out Housekeeper Chen.

Housekeeper Chen, needing to nourish her pregnancy and care for Princess Bao’er, shut out all visitors seeking an audience.

Unable to see Housekeeper Chen, they then sought Ma Yaosong or Tang Youyin or Yang Zheng, resembling a swarm of headless flies, bumping around chaotically.

This was only natural. With the Grand Empress Dowager’s complete collapse, if they wished to survive in the officialdom, they needed to change course and gain the Emperor’s forgiveness.

All three, Ma Yaosong, Tang Youyin, and Yang Zheng, being in the Six Ministries’ offices, could not avoid them, and had prepared responses: "The Emperor is presently preoccupied with disaster relief, having no time for old scores, so rest assured."