Chapter 275: Chapter 275

Wang Jin’s fair and handsome face blushed, and he let out a soft "hmm."

Prime Minister Wang tugged at the corner of his mouth and signaled the long-term follower to retreat. Once the door closed, only the father and son remained, and their conversation became more casual.

"What do you think of her?" Prime Minister Wang asked.

Wang Jin thought for a moment: "Today was the first time I met the Commandery Princess. She was somewhat different from what I imagined, but I have a strange feeling, as if I should have known her long ago."

Prime Minister Wang, who was deep in thought, was amused into a silent laugh by his son’s rare naivety: "That’s an interesting notion. Perhaps you and she were husband and wife in a previous life, and meeting again in this life gives you this peculiar feeling of reuniting with an old acquaintance."

Both Emperor Taikang and Empress Dowager Zheng believed in Buddhism. As the higher-ups believe, so too do the subordinates. Prime Minister Wang, too, had not escaped this trend, having believed in Buddhism for decades. He mentioned it casually, referring to Buddhism’s concept of past and present lives.

Wang Jin’s face turned even redder as he sidled up to the edge of the bed, wanting to say something but hesitating to speak.

No one knows a son better than his father.

Prime Minister Wang glanced at his son and whispered, "This Nanyang County Princess is no ordinary person. Look at what she has accomplished, one thing after another; not even old ministers who have been mingling in the court might have managed it."

"Previously, when the imperial decree summoned her, she dared to decline. If it weren’t for the emperor’s passing, which forced her to come, she probably would have stayed in Nanyang County."

"And just today, as soon as she entered the mourning hall, she wept aloud. Every word she spoke aligned with Empress Dowager’s side, showing no fear of me, the Prime Minister."

"Si Lang, don’t let yourself be dazzled by beauty. Keep your eyes open and take a good look at her."

Prime Minister Wang looked meaningfully at his son: "You are my son, Wang Rong. Even marrying a princess is not difficult."

Wang Jin was startled by this, quickly turning to glance at the closed door: "Father! I’ve never thought about becoming a Prince Consort."

Princess Bao Hua is certainly very good.

But that’s just it. He had never considered becoming a Prince Consort.

Prime Minister Wang said blandly: "The emperor has passed away, and Princess Bao Hua must observe filial mourning for her father. Her marriage will inevitably be delayed for three years. It’s too early to talk about this now, so let’s not mention it."

According to the customs of Da Liang, an unmarried daughter must observe three years of filial piety for her father. Princess Bao Hua is already seventeen, so this delay will have her marrying at twenty.

The Crown Prince is also sixteen this year, and even his marriage must wait until after the period of filial mourning.

A royal Princess like Jiang Shaohua need not observe three years; one year of mourning suffices. That means discussions about marriage can take place next year.

The ministers in the court also have to observe one year of national mourning. During this year, matters of marriage must be put on hold, and discussions about marriage can only be conducted in secret.

Wang Jin steadied himself and spoke to Prime Minister Wang: "What you say is true, Father. I am still young, and matters of marriage can wait. What is most urgent now is the emperor’s funeral, and then the enthronement of the Crown Prince."

The nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day. Once Emperor Taikang’s funeral is complete, the new emperor should be enthroned.

Prime Minister Wang’s eyes flashed as he said solemnly, "General Wei has already led the troops back to the capital, but no matter how fast, he won’t make it in time for the emperor’s burial."

Wang Jin worriedly and quietly said, "General Wei suffered a great defeat in Pingzhou, not only losing troops and generals but also losing entire control over Pingzhou. He will surely be held accountable when he returns to court."

"When that time comes, it will inevitably involve you, Father."

Prime Minister Wang let out a cold laugh: "The initial defeat was indeed due to General Wei’s incompetence. But after General Du was killed, causing turmoil and subsequent defeat, there is something very suspicious about it."

"I have already sent people to investigate this matter."

Wang Jin was startled and blurted out: "Father, do you mean that there is more to General Du’s death than meets the eye?"

Prime Minister Wang coldly said, "There is no evidence yet. But I have always felt something was wrong. Once I find out who is pulling strings behind the scenes, I will not let them off lightly!"

Wang Jin’s emotions were chaotic and he mumbled quietly, "How can court struggles use the lives of soldiers and civilians as pawns? And now, Pingzhou has entirely become a land of chaotic armies. That Tan Sheng has actually become the veritable King of Pingzhou."

Prime Minister Wang let out a cold laugh: "There are plenty of things you can’t imagine."

At the fourth period of the night, the Crown Prince got up to go to the mourning hall to keep vigil. Get full chapters from 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝕟𝕖𝕥

The Zhaohai Palace was hung with white lanterns everywhere, the white flames casting a ghastly pale light on the people’s faces.

In the mourning hall, there were still some ministers keeping vigil. The spring chill was biting, and the great coffin placed within made the hall even more sinister and cold. Some old ministers curled their bodies or dozed off lopsidedly, while one even snored softly.

The Crown Prince was not annoyed. After kneeling for so many days, even he, the son, found it unbearable, with tears nearly running dry. Let alone the ministers...

A graceful silhouette suddenly caught his eye.

The Crown Prince paused, stepped forward, knelt down in front of the young girl, and whispered, "Shao Hua, my cousin, why are you here so early?"

The girl kneeling in mourning was Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua looked up and softly said, "After Empress Dowager retired to rest, I came to the mourning hall."

Which meant Jiang Shaohua hadn’t slept all night.

Even if Jiang Shaohua was doing this to show the Crown Prince, to show Empress Dowager Zheng, and to show the ministers, this intention was commendable.

The Crown Prince felt a warm sensation in his heart and whispered, "Keeping vigil is hardest; if you can’t hold on, cousin, rest a bit."

Jiang Shaohua nodded.

As daylight approached, civil ministers and military generals who had rested for the night arrived at the mourning hall. Their hearts were stirred upon seeing the silhouette of the young girl kneeling in front.

The court belongs to men, and so does political power. In the mourning hall of Zhaohai Palace, kneeling were the officials, nobles, and relatives of Da Liang. The only exception was Empress Dowager Zheng, after all, the mother of Emperor Taikang and the Empress Dowager of Da Liang, whose daily mourning of one or two hours was silently tolerated by the ministers.

Now, there was another, the Nanyang County Princess.

A thirteen-year-old girl occupied this position openly and justifiably, kneeling in front of all the ministers.

This was not only an expression of sorrow for the emperor but also an unspoken political declaration.

The Nanyang County Princess had formally entered the Da Liang officialdom.

Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Personnel frowned, while Minister Dai of the Ministry of Justice raised his brows.

Prime Minister Wang arrived, saw the scene, and also frowned.

In the mourning hall, even the kneeling positions had their significance. For instance, the position closest to the coffin was naturally reserved for the Crown Prince. Close relatives of the imperial family, such as Prince Gaoliang and his son, and the Vassal Kings like Prince Dongping and Prince Huaiyang who were to arrive in the capital, could kneel beside the Crown Prince.

Nanyang County Princess’s grandfather, Prince Nanyang, was Emperor Taikang’s uncle, a legitimate bloodline of the imperial family, thus naturally qualified to kneel before the coffin.

The problem was, Prince Nanyang was dead. Now, the title of Prince Nanyang had been passed to Jiang Shaohua. For such a young girl, not even of marriageable age, to occupy that position so brazenly was genuinely an eyesore.

Let it be as it is? Minister Zhang’s eyes inquired.

Should we "remind" her a bit?

Prime Minister Wang’s gaze froze for a moment, then he slightly shook his head.