Chapter 281: Chapter 281

During the mourning period for the Emperor, all governmental affairs of the country were halted.

Only the military reports from Pingzhou continued unabated. Over the past month, reports have been sent one after another to the Capital City.

The Crown Prince, having knelt in mourning for many days, was exhausted, anxious, and in a gloomy mood. Upon seeing the Pingzhou military reports, he was almost beside himself with anger. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he summoned Prime Minister Wang, Duke An, and other important officials to the side hall for a discussion.

Prince Dongping and his son, Prince Huaiyang and his son, were all summoned to the side hall, along with Prince Gaoliang, whose mind had been affected, supported by his son Jiang Yi.

No one noticed when the Nanyang County Princess, dressed in white, quietly entered the side hall.

Of course, when everyone was settled in their positions, they all realized Jiang Shaohua was also present.

Prime Minister Wang frowned slightly and said flatly, "The Crown Prince summoned us to discuss military matters, and such matters of battle and conflict would surely give a young lady like the Commandery Princess nightmares. It’s better not to listen."

Minister Zhang, who had always been a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Wang, immediately echoed, "What the Prime Minister said is very true. Even the Empress Dowager has never attended military meetings. Since it concerns the safety of the Da Liang’s territories, I request the Commandery Princess to leave."

Minister Dai also spoke in agreement, asking the Commandery Princess to leave.

Duke An said nothing, but he also thought it would be wise for the Nanyang County Princess to behave honestly and leave early, so as not to disturb the proper conduct of official matters.

The Crown Prince hesitated slightly, and just as he was about to speak, Jiang Shaohua stepped forward two steps and said calmly, "The chaos in Pingzhou has far-reaching effects. Prime Minister Wang strongly recommended General Wei to pacify the turmoil, but as a result, General Wei was defeated, General Du was killed, and the Heroic Guard Camp suffered heavy casualties. Now the remaining soldiers retreat to the Capital City like homeless dogs, in panic."

"Yet, the rebel forces in Pingzhou have grown stronger, their numbers increasing. Now, taking advantage of the grand mourning in the palace, they’ve emerged from Pingzhou to raid the surrounding counties. If this continues, I’m afraid all the Northern Provinces will fall into chaos."

"Though my Nanyang County is indeed quite far from Pingzhou and the chaos won’t reach Nanyang for a while, as the Da Liang Commandery Princess, I’m deeply concerned about the fate of Da Liang Country and am willing to contribute to the court to quell the unrest in Pingzhou as soon as possible."

"Prime Minister Wang, Minister Zhang, and Minister Dai are all important officials of the court and should know well the importance of unity. Yet in such critical times, you still indulge in overt mockeries and covert jibes, criticizing a woman like me for not being involved in court politics. It is truly disheartening and disdainful."

"No wonder the court has suffered successive defeats. With officials like you, who cannot distinguish priorities and only engage in infighting for power, it is indeed the misfortune of the Da Liang Court."

These words were extremely cutting and incredibly sharp.

Prime Minister Wang’s expression changed abruptly.

Minister Zhang and Minister Dai also had their expressions change drastically, glaring at each other in anger.

If it weren’t for the presence of the Crown Prince and a group of Vassal Kings, and facing a girl who had not yet come of age, they would have likely erupted into a quarrel on the spot.

The Crown Prince was also taken aback, staring dumbfounded at his cousin displaying such authority.

Duke An and others were shocked out of their wits. In recent days, Jiang Shaohua spent most of her time in the palace accompanying Empress Dowager Zheng, and although she made appearances in the Zhaohai Palace’s mourning hall daily, she was relatively low-key and well-behaved.

No one expected that when she finally spoke, it was like a thunderclap, revealing sharp edges.

Jiang Shaohua looked at no one else, only at Prime Minister Wang, whose face was unpleasant, and said calmly, "I am a woman, but I am also the Da Liang Commandery Princess personally appointed by the late Emperor. I have troops and provisions, holding a status equivalent to a Vassal King. Of this, Prime Minister Wang is more aware than anyone."

"In the past, when I was in Nanyang County, not being able to participate in court affairs was acceptable. But now that I’m in the palace, I naturally have the qualifications to be involved in military and national matters and have a place at the table."

"Prime Minister Wang’s dissatisfaction, is he questioning the late Emperor?"

This accusation was too heavy for even Prime Minister Wang to bear.

Prime Minister Wang immediately cupped his hands, pleading with the Crown Prince, "I misspoke, never had any intention of questioning the late Emperor. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness."

Jiang Shaohua said coldly, "Prime Minister Wang says there wasn’t, but in his heart, there is. Therefore, when Nanyang County offered to the court new high-yield grains, Prime Minister Wang didn’t even send anyone to Nanyang County to investigate but declared that I, Jiang Shaohua, was talking nonsense with ulterior motives."

"Today, I must ask the Prime Minister in person. Let me ask, Prime Minister Wang, what crime have I committed by offering all the new grains of Nanyang County to the court? What ulterior motives do I harbor? What benefit is there for me?"

Nobody expected Jiang Shaohua to keep pressing on.

Yet this question was inherently difficult to respond to.

Everyone present knew that the offer of grain seeds from Nanyang County last year was a good deed, but Prime Minister Wang suppressed the matter to curb the influence of the Empress Dowager’s faction. Emperor Taikang, bedridden, had to side with Prime Minister Wang for the court’s stability. Even Empress Dowager Zheng couldn’t support and speak out for the Nanyang County. The most update n0vels are published on 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍

Jiang Shaohua had endured much suffocation and indignation, and today, seizing this great opportunity, she let it all out.

Her bright eyes were like two sharp swords, stabbing straight into the heart of Prime Minister Wang, "Why isn’t Prime Minister Wang speaking? Could it be that he’s too guilty to articulate?"

Worthy of being Prime Minister Wang, he managed to calm down quickly after the initial anger and embarrassment, "I have always acted in the interest of Da Liang. Regarding the matter of Nanyang County’s grain offering, I believed the yield was exaggerated and unreliable, so I pushed to reject the petition. At the time, the Emperor was still alive and agreed with my proposal."

"The Commandery Princess is seizing upon this matter to challenge, so I must ask the Commandery Princess what your intentions are. Could it be dissatisfaction with the Emperor and the court, harboring hidden grudges?"

Jiang Shaohua’s expression was calm, "Right and wrong, fairness is in people’s hearts. Whether it’s public or private intentions, Prime Minister Wang knows best."

Prime Minister Wang, who had navigated court politics for decades without fear even when facing Empress Dowager Zheng, found himself unprecedentedly black-faced by a thirteen-year-old girl today.

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Minister Zhang was about to speak in support when Jiang Shaohua sarcastically looked over, "Minister Zhang, as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, in charge of the promotion of officials below the third rank, is a pillar of the court. The Emperor holds you in high esteem and trusts, and the Crown Prince shows you every consideration."

"Yet, instead of contemplating how to be loyal and share the burden, you’re single-mindedly flattering the Prime Minister. With such behavior, do you deserve to be the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"

Minister Zhang, humiliated to the point of having a flushed face and trembling all over, responded, "Commandery Princess, this is an insult and trample upon my character and integrity!"

Jiang Shaohua coldly laughed, "Is it that only Minister Zhang is allowed to insult me, the Nanyang County Princess, while I am supposed to silently swallow my pride and quietly leave? Moreover, Minister Zhang’s character and integrity are evident to all. Do I still need to insult and trample upon it?"

Minister Zhang: "..."

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze swept over, landing on Minister Dai.

Minister Dai’s heart tightened, sensing something amiss. Sure enough, the storm came in the next moment.

"In the chaos of Pingzhou, what brilliant strategies does Minister Dai have? It seems there are none. Turns out Minister Dai only knows how to bully a young girl not yet of age, but when it comes to real military and national affairs, he’s utterly useless."