Chapter 272: Chapter 272

Jiang Shaohua made her first appearance in front of the ministers.

Day and night, she rushed to the Capital City as quickly as possible for the mourning, leaving an unforgettable impression as she wept uncontrollably in front of the Emperor’s coffin.

Regardless of how genuine her grief was, this moment of sorrow affected Crown Prince Jiang Song, and the Empress Dowager Zheng, who had been resting for a moment and was helped to the memorial hall.

Empress Dowager Zheng had cried for more than twenty days, fainting more than ten times, her appearance was haggard, her eyes swollen, hair disheveled, and deep wrinkles at her temples. At this moment, Empress Dowager Zheng was just a pitiable old woman who had lost her beloved son, no longer possessing the noble and imposing demeanor of her past.

Listening to Jiang Shaohua’s cries, Empress Dowager Zheng felt a pang in her heart, and tears fell again.

"Great Aunt," Jiang Shaohua, with tearful eyes, turned her head and called out to Empress Dowager Zheng in an affectionate tone: "Uncle has just left us, leaving behind an orphan and a widow. What are we to do in the future?"

Empress Dowager Zheng was pierced to her heart and lungs, and instantly she wailed and cried out loudly in the memorial hall: "My son, you have just left us, how will your mother endure it? In the future, when your mother is bullied, there will be no one to support me."

Jiang Shaohua threw herself into the Empress Dowager’s embrace, and they cried bitterly together, holding each other’s heads.

Crown Prince Jiang Song cried, clutching the Empress Dowager’s arm: "Grandmother, don’t cry, you still have your grandson."

Empress Dowager Zheng tremblingly extended a hand, tightly grasping the Crown Prince’s hand.

Prime Minister Wang, kneeling at the forefront of the ministers, was infuriated as he stared fiercely at Jiang Shaohua.

This Nanyang County Princess, truly is no easy opponent. Immediately upon entering the memorial hall, she delivered a heavy blow with her display of sorrow. The once all-powerful Empress Dowager and the soon-to-be-crowned new Emperor should have nothing to do with the orphan and widow.

Yet Jiang Shaohua chose to say it publicly, reminding Empress Dowager Zheng to take this good opportunity to completely suppress him, the Prime Minister.

Minister Zhang and other important officials kneeling behind Prime Minister Wang quietly raised their eyes to observe Nanyang County Princess. But this young and beautiful Commandery Princess, now crying together with the Empress Dowager, her face could not be seen clearly by anyone.

The reading companions kneeling behind the Crown Prince were slightly closer.

Wang Jin quietly raised his head, from his angle, he could only see the side of Jiang Shaohua’s face. Her long eyelashes trembled ceaselessly, tears rolled down her cheeks like pearls.

Luckily Fourth Young Master Wang remembered that this was the Emperor’s Memorial Hall, inappropriate for lingering gazes, so he quickly lowered his eyes.

Empress Dowager Zheng fainted once more. The rıghtful source is 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥

Crown Prince tearfully ordered the palace attendants to help Empress Dowager Zheng to rest. Jiang Shaohua, with red eyes, softly said: "Cousin, I will attend to Great Aunt for her rest."

The Inner Spirit Hall was set up in the harem, where all the fateful ladies and consorts entering the palace to mourn were gathered. In Zhaohai Palace, besides Empress Dowager Zheng, Jiang Shaohua was the only female. With Jiang Shaohua accompanying, it indeed provided more reassurance.

The Crown Prince’s eyes were red, his voice hoarse: "I’ll trouble you, cousin Shaohua."

After Jiang Shaohua stood up, she bent down and picked up Empress Dowager Zheng.

Empress Dowager Zheng, having fainted, was languid and weak, previously it took four palace attendants to carry her down. Now Jiang Shaohua, alone, without seeming to exert much effort, just carried Empress Dowager Zheng to the side room.

The several palace attendants dared not show astonishment, quickly following along.

Jiang Shaohua gently laid Empress Dowager Zheng on the couch, as two imperial physicians came in for emergency acupuncture. Jiang Shaohua, with reddened eyes, quietly watched over them from the side.

"The Empress Dowager is not in serious condition, it is just due to excessive sorrow and intense emotions."

Doctor Ji, advanced in years, also worn out these days from guarding the Zhaohai Palace day and night, waiting for any summons. At this moment, when Doctor Ji spoke, his voice seemed to grind like stone: "However, Empress Dowager should not return to the memorial hall today."

Jiang Shaohua, with red-rimmed eyes, softly responded: "Thank you, Doctor Ji. I will stay here to watch over Empress Dowager."

Doctor Ji was somewhat surprised, lifted his eyes to look over: "I have never met the Commandery Princess before."

Jiang Shaohua softly said: "Doctor Sun often tells me about the imperial physicians in the palace, always praising Doctor Ji for his exquisite medical skills. At this moment, only Doctor Ji has the qualification to remain on duty at Zhaohai Palace."

This was not a moment for small talk or forging friendships.

Doctor Ji felt appreciated in his heart but showed no expression, respectfully stepping aside.

Jiang Shaohua turned her head, looking at another familiar face beside the bed: "Mr. Zhao has worked hard during these days."

Mr. Zhao, as the Chief Eunuch of Jingyang Palace and Empress Dowager Zheng’s confidant, had endured so much worry and labor over these past twenty days, hustling and worrying, which need not be mentioned.

This single sentence from Jiang Shaohua nearly brought Mr. Zhao to tears on the spot: "It is my duty to serve. It’s the Commandery Princess who has truly undertaken the hardship of coming to the Capital City so swiftly."

On the bed, Empress Dowager Zheng’s eyelids trembled, indicating her impending awakening.

Jiang Shaohua caught this with the corner of her eye, her expression grew even more pained and sorrowful: "With the Emperor’s passing, it feels like the sky of Da Liang has collapsed. I wish I could grow wings and fly to the Capital City, to Great Aunt’s side. Who cares about the hardships of the journey?"

"For the past three years, Great Aunt has watched over and protected me in every way possible, allowing me to live a peaceful life in Nanyang County. In my heart, Great Aunt is the elder who loves me most in this world. Thinking of Great Aunt’s current suffering, I wish I could take her place."

Mr. Zhao, hearing this, wiped tears from his eyes with his sleeve: "The devotion of the Commandery Princess to the Empress Dowager is truly touching. With the Commandery Princess nearby, the Lady may find some comfort."

Empress Dowager Zheng’s fingers twitched again, clearly awake, yet kept her eyes closed.

Jiang Shaohua acted as if she hadn’t noticed, and softly sighed: "I also hope to ease her troubles, hoping the Lady will recover soon and not let Prime Minister Wang off easily."

"Pingzhou’s current chaos, seventy percent of the fault lies with Tan Sheng, this treacherous minister. Thirty percent of the fault lies with Prime Minister Wang’s poor personnel appointments. If not for the great defeat at Pingzhou, the Emperor would not have been so angered that he suffered a stroke and passed away. Ultimately, Prime Minister Wang cannot shirk this responsibility and must bear this heavy blame."

"On the day the Emperor passed, the mourning lady reprimanded Prime Minister Wang in front of the ministers." Hearing these words, Empress Dowager Zheng on the couch finally couldn’t bear it any longer and opened her eyes, a hoarse and weary voice filled with resentment: "I wished I could have dealt with him on the spot."

"But, Minister Zhang, Minister Dai, and others spoke in favor of Prime Minister Wang. Prime Minister Wang insistently argued that the Emperor’s funeral should be handled first, giving the Emperor peace in the afterlife. I had no choice but to swallow this grievance."

In short, the moment Emperor Taikang closed his eyes, no one in the palace could truly suppress the faction-filled Prime Minister Wang. It’s not that Empress Dowager Zheng didn’t want to deal with Prime Minister Wang, but she was unable to.

Moreover, Emperor Taikang’s funeral is indeed a matter of utmost importance. There’s no way to keep making a fuss at the memorial hall. This suppressed anger can only be dealt with later.

Jiang Shaohua tucked the quilt around Empress Dowager Zheng: "The Lady’s concern is that after the funeral is over, and once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, then we slowly settle accounts."