Chapter 283: Chapter 283

What kind of person is Crown Prince Jiang Song?

In a past life, Jiang Shaohua would have unhesitatingly replied that the Crown Prince was a good person.

The truth proves that good people often do not receive good rewards. At least, in the face of imperial power, just being a good person is far from enough.

The Crown Prince was open and sincere, trusting those around him without doubt. The result was that he was conspired against and murdered by the people he trusted most, losing his life.

With the Crown Prince’s death, the young and guileless Second Prince naturally became the heir to the throne. Thereafter, everyone around the Second Prince naturally sought to control the court. How could the Da Liang Court not fall into chaos?

Everyone was eager to take the stage after the other, each desiring to stand at the top and seize power.

Jiang Shaohua silently gazed at the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince felt somewhat uncomfortable being watched by his cousin and coughed, clearing his throat: "I’m not trying to comfort you. I also read the letter you wrote to the Grand Empress Dowager. The new grain in Nanyang County yields several tens of stones per mu; this is a great blessing for the country and its people. The North has suffered droughts for two consecutive years, especially last year, where in some areas the land was scorched for miles, with almost no harvest, and countless people died fleeing from the famine."

"I know all of this and it makes me anxious. So, after my ascension, I will first stabilize Pingzhou, and then promote the new grain."

However, heaven will not give you the chance to catch a breath.

Jiang Shaohua silently picked up the thread in her heart.

This year there will be a locust plague. Consecutive years of disasters will completely crush the Northern States. The North will fall into chaos, and the Tatar and Rouran will seize the opportunity to invade the borders. Da Liang is like a frail boat in turbulent waters, struggling forward but relentlessly battered by the merciless waves, slowly sinking.

Later, Da Liang had no choice but to endure humiliation, cede lands, and pay silver, and even let Princess Bao Hua marry far away to cement peace. Da Liang was left with just half its territory, living in ignoble peace.

How should she tell the Crown Prince before her all of this?

Jiang Shaohua paused for a moment, then softly said, "Thank you, cousin."

The Crown Prince felt a bit ashamed and smiled wryly at her words: "Cousin, don’t say that to embarrass me. You, a young maiden, worried about the country and the people, wholeheartedly trying to relieve the court’s burdens, wanted to contribute the hard-won new grain to the court. Yet, you end up being criticized entirely. Anyone would be filled with frustration."

"You’ve seen today what the senior ministers at court are like, displaying great heroism, tearing them apart with scathing words. But ultimately, the task still needs to be assigned, and it still has to be carried out by them."

"Today, you’ve vented your anger, but in the future, when you see Prime Minister Wang, Minister Zhang, and Minister Dai, you should still treat them with respect and courtesy. They are veteran ministers of three reigns, holding high positions. If they bear a grudge and intentionally target Nanyang County, it would be troublesome, even if I intend to protect you."

Feeling warm in her heart, Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly at the Crown Prince: "I sit and stand upright, with righteousness and confidence, and with you backing me, I’m not afraid of them. Besides, if they really band together to bully me, I’ll just throw a tantrum. After all, I’m an inexperienced young lady, and they’re all seasoned elders, they wouldn’t dare to quarrel too much."

The Crown Prince, who was in a gloomy mood, was amused: "So you had a final trick up your sleeve all along."

Jiang Shaohua said with no shame: "Whatever trick it is, as long as it works."

After a pause, she whispered, "In three days, my Imperial Uncle’s coffin will be moved to the Imperial Mausoleum for burial. Hang in there a bit longer, cousin. If you can’t hold on, just tell me, I’ll help support you."

In recent days, everyone has been telling him that he is the future Emperor of Da Liang, and he has to hold up the sky. Empress Dowager Zheng said so, his mother Consort Li said so, and his elder sister and younger brother, as well as all civil and military officials of the court, thought so too. Orıginal content can be found at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝔫𝔢𝔱

These heavy expectations and hopes were like burdens of immense weight, pressing on his heart.

In fact, he was just a sixteen-year-old young man who lost his father, filled with confusion, helplessness, and bewilderment. His cries of grief in the mourning hall were not solely because of his father’s death, but also due to the overwhelming pressure with nowhere to release it.

At this moment, Jiang Shaohua’s heartfelt and comforting words made his heart warm.

The Crown Prince gazed at Jiang Shaohua: "Today, you stood up and have already helped me a lot."

Had it not been for Jiang Shaohua’s unexpected initiative to suppress the arrogance of Prime Minister Wang and his peers, he would not have been able to dispatch General Fan so smoothly for the expedition.

Jiang Shaohua looked innocent: "I was just venting my frustration and didn’t realize I accidentally helped you, cousin."

"I’m heading to the mourning hall now. Cousin, come with me!"

"Yes, I must go. I’ve already put my words out there today, so if anyone dares to whisper, I’ll tear them down. After all, I’m still a young and headstrong girl."

The cousins shared a smile.

The Crown Prince’s companions were waiting outside the side hall.

The Crown Prince and Jiang Shaohua were speaking inside, with thick doors between them and their voices low, they naturally couldn’t hear clearly.

Wang Jin’s eyes wandered, his thoughts unknown.

Li Boyuan sighed, "I really didn’t expect the Nanyang County Princess to suddenly attack today, and with such intensity. Not to hide it from you all, at that time I was stunned, not even daring to take a deep breath."

The Heir of Prince Gaoliang, Jiang Yi, clicked his tongue twice: "This Shao Hua cousin, with her strong personality and sound reasoning, is indeed quite formidable."

While speaking, he glanced at Wang the Fourth, whose expression was absent, then suddenly nudged him with his elbow: "Wang the Fourth, what are you daydreaming about? Are you thinking about how to retaliate and vent your father’s anger?"

Wang Jin had to snap back to reality, giving him a glare: "What nonsense are you talking about? The Nanyang County Princess isn’t even of age yet; she’s just a girl. How can a dignified man of seven feet hold a grudge against a girl?"

So, one could say there is a gender advantage for women against men.

If it was a low-ranking official opposing Prime Minister Wang today, Prime Minister Wang would have uncompromisingly reprimanded them. But facing a young girl, even with reason on his side, he had to relent a little.

Unfazed, Jiang Shaohua utilized this advantage with confidence, not yielding an inch.

Hearing Wang Jin’s words, Jiang Yi and Li Boyuan naturally didn’t believe him. They exchanged a slightly mischievous look and smiled.

Wang Jin felt somewhat embarrassed, quickly averting his gaze, only to meet Zheng Chen’s directly.

Zheng Chen’s gaze was rather strange, staring intently at him, much like a fierce tiger ready to pounce.

"Zixi, why are you looking at me like that?" Wang Jin felt an inexplicable unease in his heart, half-jokingly and half-seriously asked, "Could it be that I’ve offended you with careless words lately?"

Zheng Chen tugged at the corner of his mouth, retracting his gaze: "I was just looking at you, without any other intention."

Prime Minister Wang and Duke An’s rivalry was like fire and water. Wang Jin and Zheng Chen, both Crown Prince’s companions, constantly found themselves in increasingly awkward situations.

Li Boyuan was about to step in to break the tension when he heard the door open and footsteps approaching.

The Crown Prince stepped out first, with the Nanyang County Princess following closely behind. The companions immediately fell silent and stepped forward to greet them.