Chapter 269: Chapter 269

At this moment, Prime Minister Wang was feeling utterly uncomfortable.

The unexpected defeat of the Heroic Guard Camp had dealt a heavy blow to his reputation. Not to mention, Emperor Taikang was so overcome with fury over the defeat that he passed away in agitation. The charge of angering the Emperor to death was one he couldn’t bear, no matter how powerful he was.

Emperor Taikang fell into a coma for a night, and during that entire night, the Prime Minister stayed by the Dragon Couch, watching Emperor Taikang gasp his last breath. It was yet another heavy blow to him.

Emperor Taikang was weak and mediocre, and held great respect for him as Prime Minister. Their relationship was also quite deep. How could he not feel heartbroken and sad over the death of Emperor Taikang?

Empress Dowager Zheng seized the opportunity to attack, Duke An added insult to injury, exacerbating the situation.

However, at the moment, he absolutely could not admit guilt. Once he accepted the charge, it would be difficult to recover in the future.

"Duke An, please watch your words!" Prime Minister Wang coldly retorted, "The cause and effect of this matter must be thoroughly investigated. General Du was in the army, surrounded by hundreds of personal soldiers, so how could he be assassinated by several thousand rebel soldiers right in front of him? How could the Pingzhou rebels have such experts? There must be a conspiracy involved."

Duke An dared not and could not be caught off guard, glaring at Prime Minister Wang: "Indeed, this must be thoroughly investigated, to give an explanation to the Emperor, to Empress Dowager, to Consort Li, to Crown Prince, to the entire court and military officials, to everyone in the nation!"

"Wang Rong! Whether intentionally or unintentionally, it was you who recommended General Wei, and it was you who advocated sending General Du out. You must take responsibility for this!"

The grieving Empress Dowager Zheng suddenly struggled to her feet and rushed over, reaching out to scratch Prime Minister Wang’s face: "You killed my son, give me back my son’s life."

Prime Minister Wang was caught off guard, and Empress Dowager Zheng managed to scratch him. She was wearing long claw guards on her fingers, which deeply cut into Prime Minister Wang’s face, nearly blinding him.

Prime Minister Wang retreated hastily, crying out in pain.

Minister Zhang and others hurriedly gathered around him: "Prime Minister Wang!"

"Where is the Imperial Physician? Hurry over! Quickly treat the Prime Minister’s injuries!"

The Crown Prince was shocked and rushed forward to support the seemingly crazed Empress Dowager Zheng: "Grand Empress Dowager!"

Empress Dowager Zheng turned and collapsed into the Crown Prince’s arms, wailing in grief: "Crown Prince, your father is gone, my son is gone!"

Young losing father, middle-aged losing husband, elderly losing son. This is the greatest sorrow in a woman’s life. Empress Dowager Zheng’s cries of despair lingered in the air above Zhaohai Palace for a long time.

The Crown Prince held Empress Dowager Zheng and cried loudly.

Empress Dowager Zheng lost her son, he lost his father. From now on, he felt a lack of shelter above him. Even this sky of Da Liang, he had to hold up himself. The young Crown Prince, thinking about these things, did not feel excited or joyful, but somewhat anxious and fearful.

Crying filled the palace.

Zheng Chen knelt in a quiet corner, bowing his head and shedding tears like everyone else. When no one was watching, he quietly curled his lips.

The Emperor has passed away, a great mourning for the nation.

The mourning news quickly spread from the Capital City to the various states of Da Liang.

For a time, the whole nation was in mourning. Even ordinary people put on mourning clothes and cried in their homes. Inspectors from various states set off for the Capital City to mourn the Emperor. The Vassal Kings of Da Liang, upon hearing the mourning news, also set off immediately for the Capital City.

When the mourning news reached Nanyang Prince Mansion, it was already the sixth day of the first month.

Chief Historian Chen and the other officials shed tears and cried for a while.

Even Jiang Shaohua, who had a heart as hard as stone, felt somewhat dazed and forlorn upon hearing the news of Emperor Taikang’s death.

Emperor Taikang died in the previous life in April of Yangchun, but in this life, it happened several months earlier. Perhaps, from the moment she opened her eyes in rebirth, from the moment Zheng Chen also returned to youth, the fortunes of Da Liang were quietly changing.

The court army was defeated in Pingzhou, and Pingzhou completely became the domain of Tan Sheng, the King of Pingzhou. Emperor Taikang was killed by anger. All these events reeked of the same long-lost familiar conspiracy.

She had been staying safely in Nanyang County, far away from the Capital City, and away from the people and events of her previous life. However, now the time had finally come to face everything.

"When does the Commandery Princess plan to set off for the Capital City to mourn?" Chief Historian Chen asked with red eyes.

The Vassal Kings had to mourn, Jiang Shaohua, the Nanyang County Princess, couldn’t be an exception and had to set off quickly.

Jiang Shaohua said, "I will depart tomorrow."

Chief Historian Chen immediately said, "I will accompany the Commandery Princess."

"No, Chief Historian Chen will stay at the Prince Mansion." Jiang Shaohua looked deeply at Chief Historian Chen: "I am going to the Capital City to mourn, and I may need to stay for a while before returning. It may be three to five months, or it could be a year or two. Chief Historian Chen staying at the Mansion will put me at ease."

Chen Zhuo understood the meaning behind the Commandery Princess’s words.

The Commandery Princess wanted to go to the Capital City to "meet" Prime Minister Wang, perhaps also Empress Dowager Zheng. Nanyang County cannot have any disturbances. She needed someone she absolutely trusted to guard the Prince Mansion for her.

Chen Zhuo nodded solemnly in response: "Commandery Princess, rest assured, with me here, the Nanyang Prince Mansion will not fall into chaos."

Jiang Shaohua whispered, "I certainly trust Chief Historian Chen. There’s one more thing I want to tell Chief Historian Chen. If Lu Junma causes trouble, Chief Historian Chen need not be polite; just confine him within the Mansion. I will bear all the blame."

Chief Historian Chen: "..."

Now in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, everyone was united, obeying the Commandery Princess’s orders. The only possible variable, or rather "hidden danger," was Lu Junma and his father.

Chen Zhuo agreed with exceedingly complex emotions, whispering: "Commandery Princess, return soon." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥

Jiang Shaohua murmured in agreement.

Yin Zhutu Bai brought mourning clothes, helping the Princess to change. All the golden hairpins and accessories in her long hair were removed.

Song Yuan had already given the order, two hundred personal soldiers quickly prepared warhorses, weapons, provisions, and so on. As for the accompanying officials, Jiang Shaohua took only Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong.

Early the next day, Jiang Shaohua rode out of the Prince Mansion on a mottled Hua Ma.

After traveling a short distance, a familiar roaring sound came from behind. Soon, a half-grown tiger with smooth and shiny fur burst out of the Mansion.

"Little Flower, go back." Jiang Shaohua frowned slightly: "I’m going to the Capital City, the journey is long. You cannot follow."

Counting fully, Little Flower wasn’t even two years old, hadn’t grown fully. Its size was still smaller than a leopard; running alongside the tall warhorse made it look even more petite and cute.

Little Flower refused to go back, darting to the side of Hua Ma.

Hua Ma had long been accustomed to Little Flower running alongside it, even slightly slowing its pace so Little Flower wouldn’t fall behind.

Jiang Shaohua felt somewhat helpless and turned to Song Yuan: "Uncle, please send Little Flower back to the Mansion."

Song Yuan replied and, after dismounting, grabbed Little Flower, then returned to the Mansion on horseback. The group continued forward, and half a day later they exited the city gates and took to the main road.

Jiang Shaohua had sharp hearing and heard roaring again.

This time she didn’t ask anyone to send Little Flower back, sighing helplessly: "Well, then, let’s take Little Flower with us to the Capital City for an adventure."