Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 788: Fiery (Part 1)

The high officials were each filled with anxious unease.

Jiang Shaohua pretended not to notice and dismissed the small court meeting after discussing official matters. Then, he went to Ning An Palace to have lunch with Empress Dowager Li.

Power is the best cure for rejuvenation. In the past two months, with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng isolating herself to recuperate, all the affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs fell into the hands of Empress Dowager Li. Additionally, she had to take care of the mischievous and willful Prince Ping. Empress Dowager Li was so busy daily that she had no time to lament or brood. Her complexion was much rosier than before.

As soon as Jiang Shaohua arrived, before he could speak, Empress Dowager Li said, "Repairing the river dike is a crucial matter for the country; I will fully support it. There are still some reserves in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and I will bring them all out. I also have some personal savings here, and I will contribute those too."

Jiang Shaohua’s brows relaxed: "The silver from the Ministry of Internal Affairs I do indeed need to use. However, there’s no need for Aunt’s personal savings to be used."

Empress Dowager Li was very firm: "I have neither son nor grandson, just an ignorant Prince Ping right now. No matter how much personal savings I have, I have nowhere to spend it. Being able to use it for a great purpose now fills me with joy."

Compared to the domineering and stingy Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, Empress Dowager Li was much more sensible, never putting the Emperor in a difficult position and actively alleviating his burdens.

Jiang Shaohua felt grateful: "Aunt always thinks of me, thank you, Aunt."

Empress Dowager Li laughed: "If you feel guilty, just spread the word about my generosity and benevolence to the people."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "Alright, I will mention it at the grand court meeting tomorrow."

Empress Dowager Li also laughed.

Empress Dowager Li indeed had a profound understanding.

Money is just an external possession. For a noble Empress Dowager like her, having a hundred thousand or a million in personal savings makes little difference; they are just numbers. All her needs and desires are supplied by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. As long as the Da Liang Court remains stable and Jiang Shaohua’s Dragon Throne is secure, so too will her position as Empress Dowager be rock solid.

Therefore, she must fully support Jiang Shaohua. Such actions also show Jiang Shaohua that her management of the harem differs from the Grand Empress Dowager’s; she will be an asset to him, never a hindrance.

Jiang Shaohua reached out to support Empress Dowager Li as they affectionately went to the dining hall.

Prince Ping was soon led over.

Prince Ping had grown quite a bit taller lately and still retained a mischievous temperament that was headache-inducing.

Empress Dowager Li was very tolerant of Prince Ping, instructing Eunuch Ge to serve him well at meals, and then said to Jiang Shaohua with a smile: "I was always worried about raising Prince Ping. But after spending time with him, I found he has his merits. Since he came, Ning An Palace has never been lonely."

In life, having an animated and lively household full of chicken flying and dogs running is always better than being cold and quiet.

In the past few years, Empress Dowager Li had endured the sorrow of losing her husband, son, and father, arguably going through the worst grief a woman could face, leaving her heart hollow. But with Prince Ping around, there was little room for lament, as her ears were constantly filled with his noise.

Jiang Shaohua was well aware of the situation in Ning An Palace and smiled upon hearing this: "That’s because Aunt has been attentive, always keeping Prince Ping by your side every day."

When the Grand Empress Dowager was caring for Prince Ping, she would only see him once a day, with palace attendants and eunuchs serving him the rest of the time. Empress Dowager Li truly raised him with her heart, bringing him to her side once she completed palace affairs.

If one could grow attached to raising dogs or cats, how could they not feel attachment to a plump and mischievous child? Prince Ping’s behavior was not overly problematic; his mind seemed permanently stuck at the age of three or four. Treating him as a young child suffices.

Prince Ping was also close to Empress Dowager Li, sitting beside her during meals, occasionally tugging at her sleeve, clamoring to eat this or that. Though he couldn’t spit out fish bones, he liked eating fish. Empress Dowager Li patiently picked out a piece of fish, removed the bones, and placed it in Prince Ping’s bowl.

Prince Ping was so pleased with his meal that he even picked up a piece of meat to offer to Empress Dowager Li: "Mother, eat."

The words ’Mother’ were learned only after coming to Ning An Palace. Eunuch Ge had spent considerable effort teaching Prince Ping to call her Mother.

Upon hearing these words, Empress Dowager Li’s mind flashed with the face of her son Jiang Song, leaving her heart slightly sour. Yet, a loving smile appeared on her face as she responded and slowly ate the meat.

Jiang Shaohua observed all this, nodding quietly to himself.

This situation was very good.

The harem was truly calm and peaceful now.

After lunch, Empress Dowager Li had some tea served and said with concern, "The palace is stable now. You should bring Bao’er back! It isn’t appropriate for a dignified Da Liang Princess to always reside at the Nanyang Prince Mansion."

Jiang Shaohua replied, "Let’s wait a bit longer. After finishing the river dike repairs, I will bring Bao’er back."

Listening to words with meaning.

The main task of river dike repair is gathering the funds and grains, while other matters are for the Ministry of Industry. What could Jiang Shaohua be busy with? Who was she planning to move against using this affair?

Empress Dowager Li’s heart skipped a beat, quickly glancing at Jiang Shaohua. Unfortunately, Jiang Shaohua remained composed, revealing nothing of his true thoughts from his expression.

The words on Empress Dowager Li’s lips were swallowed back down; she only said, "Whatever you’re planning, I will support you. But be careful. The reorganization of court powers should be done gradually. Don’t push too hard."

If pushed too hard, even a dog can leap over a wall. People cornered can do more unexpected things.

The Grand Empress Dowager and Zheng Family had been gradually subdued with soft tactics. It was clear that the next step for Jiang Shaohua would be to tackle Prime Minister Wang, weakening the Wang Family’s influence. Prime Minister Wang had dominated the court for decades, with power even surpassing the Zhengs. Carelessness here could lead to significant troubles.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "Thank you for the reminder, Aunt. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

...

The next day during the grand court meeting.

The Emperor, seated on the Dragon Throne, addressed all officials, mentioning Empress Dowager Li’s contribution of all her private savings for the river dike repairs.

Officials with quick access to information had already gotten the news in advance. At this time, they immediately began praising Empress Dowager Li’s virtues. Some sycophants even suggested erecting a stone monument by the river dike to commemorate her deeds.

Ministers like Minister Dong, Minister Yang, Minister Ding, and other loyal officials were quietly calculating how much money and grain they should contribute.

However, those with crooked thoughts, like Minister Zhang and his ilk, were secretly indignant.

One enters officialdom to gain power and wealth, for fame and profit. Now, besides being busy, were they also expected to subsidize expenses from their own pockets?

From the Dragon Throne, Jiang Shaohua observed the complex expressions of the officials with a cold eye.

After the meeting, Jiang Shaohua dispatched several Imperial Attendants out of the palace to visit the Lu Family and Cui Family.

The Lu Family Master and the Cui Family Master were not in the Capital City; however, both families had residences here and capable family members present.

The Imperial Attendants relayed Empress Dowager Li’s deeds without further comment.

Lu Family and Cui Family, being sizable and influential families, reacted with keen sensitivity and speed. Two days later, the Lu Family and Cui Family jointly submitted a memorandum, expressing their willingness to donate money and grain, each committing to construct fifty miles of river dike.