Chapter 284: Chapter 284
Jiang Shaohua pretended not to notice the crowd’s complex and subtle glances, quietly following behind the Crown Prince. He was a different person from before, when he was imposing and unrelenting.
Once inside the mourning hall, Jiang Shaohua continued to kneel firmly beside the Crown Prince.
However, this time, no minister dared to look at her with eyes that questioned why a woman was kneeling in the Zhaohai Palace.
Prime Minister Wang, Minister Zhang, and Minister Dai were all scolded mercilessly by the Nanyang County Princess. Who did they think they were! Better to keep their heads down!
The news from Zhaohai Palace quickly reached Empress Dowager Zheng’s ears.
Empress Dowager Zheng first covered her face with her sleeve, silently and joyfully laughing for a moment. Once she put down her sleeve, her face had returned to seriousness: "Mr. Zhao, go to Zhaohai Palace and convey a message, asking the Nanyang County Princess to come to Jiaofang Palace. I have something to say to her."
Mr. Zhao respectfully accepted the command and left.
Half an hour later, Mr. Zhao returned, and accompanying him was the Nanyang County Princess, Jiang Shaohua.
"Shao Hua, I heard you had a quarrel with Prime Minister Wang, Minister Zhang, and Minister Dai today," Empress Dowager Zheng chided with a stern face: "They are important ministers of the court; you, a commandery princess, should not use your status to bully them."
This was hardly reproach; it was clearly a vented displeasure, wanting to hear the details!
Jiang Shaohua understood in her heart and showed an indignant expression on her face: "Empress Dowager, please listen to me in detail. It was Prime Minister Wang and the others who first provoked, bluntly saying that women should not meddle in politics, intending to drive me out."
"What about women? Women can care about politics too, and can still contribute to Da Liang. I am the Nanyang County Princess personally conferred by the late Emperor, equivalent to a vassal king. My Nanyang County developed a new plow and immediately presented it to the court. New grains were grown and unhesitatingly shared."
"You know the outcome, Lady. Prime Minister Wang seizes power with selfish motives, suppressing Nanyang County, and turning a blind eye to such a matter benefitting the nation and the people, which is truly chilling."
"He dared to humiliate me today. How could I swallow this frustration without retaliating fiercely!"
Then, she recounted the situation in detail, especially highlighting the look of Prime Minister Wang’s face turning dark, describing it with particular vividness.
Although Empress Dowager Zheng was absolutely delighted by what she heard, her face slightly sank: "This time, let it be. Do not be so presumptuous in the future."
Jiang Shaohua nodded in agreement.
Her demeanor was extremely obedient and gentle.
Empress Dowager Zheng saw it in her eyes, feeling perplexed. Jiang Shaohua appeared so well-behaved, amiable, and filial in front of her. She could hardly imagine Jiang Shaohua with a bold and sharp demeanor.
"In three days, the Emperor’s coffin will be buried," Empress Dowager Zheng said softly, "According to convention, women should not go to the Imperial Mausoleum. However, since you’ve already broken the precedent of women not entering the court, going to the Imperial Mausoleum once more is also no issue."
Empress Dowager Zheng had also been holding a grudge in her heart!
That old rascal Wang Rong frequently spoke of "the palace interfering in politics, hen crowing at dawn." Jiang Shaohua is an appointed Da Liang Princess by the court, equivalent to an imperial prince. Since Jiang Shaohua can enter the court, she certainly has the right to go to the Imperial Mausoleum.
Even if there’s no substantial effect, it would be satisfying to vex Prime Minister Wang once.
Moreover, with Jiang Shaohua taking the lead, Empress Dowager Zheng didn’t need to step forward. Whether successful or not, Empress Dowager Zheng wouldn’t lose anything. No wonder she spoke so lightly.
Jiang Shaohua understood Empress Dowager Zheng’s thoughts very well but did not expose it, nodding in agreement.
Empress Dowager Zheng’s expression softened, and she softly soothed Jiang Shaohua again.
After nightfall, the ministers each left the palace and returned to their mansions.
The funeral was nearing its end; even the greatest sorrow cannot withstand so many days of turmoil and exhaustion. Prime Minister Wang, full of fatigue, entered his bedroom with the support of his long-term follower.
He was truly exhausted, without the energy to gather his advisors for discussion, and soon lay on the bed. Read complete versıon only at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝘯𝘦𝘵
As soon as he closed his eyes, Wang Jin arrived.
Prime Minister Wang opened his eyes: "Why aren’t you staying in the palace and are rushing back here?"
Wang Jin sat at the bedside, whispering, "I was worried about Father, so I came back to check on you." He was afraid his father would be infuriated by the Nanyang County Princess.
With such a filial son, Prime Minister Wang felt quite comforted. Yet, thinking about the sharp-tongued Nanyang County Princess, he suddenly got angry and couldn’t help but let out a heavy snort.
"Empress Dowager, relying on her status, acts arbitrarily, while this Nanyang County Princess, on the other hand, uses her youth and behaves unruly."
Wang Jin thought the princess’s words actually made a lot of sense, and it was clearly his father who was unreasonable and out of arguments. This had nothing to do with the princess being a mere teenage girl.
However, as a son, he could not prick his father’s heart.
Wang Jin followed Prime Minister Wang’s words: "You are a prime minister of the current dynasty, broad-minded and magnanimous, there’s no need to contend with a girl."
Prime Minister Wang snorted coldly: "The Nanyang County Princess was raised solely by Prince Nanyang; her behavior is just like his, and she is not someone easily bullied. Anyone treating her like an ordinary girl will suffer silently."
He paused, then said in a deep voice: "In three days, the Emperor will be buried. Judging by this stance, Jiang Shaohua probably wants to follow to the Imperial Mausoleum."
Wang Jin was startled: "That can’t be possible! It’s a tradition for women not to escort coffins or enter the Imperial Mausoleum."
"It’s also a tradition for women not to enter the court." Prime Minister Wang sneered: "Didn’t Jiang Shaohua go today?"
Not only did she go, but she also demonstrated her might, rebuking the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
The Crown Prince’s silence was actually an attitude. At least, in this matter, the Crown Prince was on Jiang Shaohua’s side.
Additionally, there was an Empress Dowager, a Duke An, and many officials secretly in contact with the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Taking all this into account, Jiang Shaohua unexpectedly had a formidable force behind her.
This force usually hidden in the shadows now finally revealed its sharpness.
Wang Jin still looked shocked: "So, according to Father, if the princess insists on escorting the coffin to the Imperial Mausoleum, there’s nothing anyone can do to stop her."
A cold light flickered in Prime Minister Wang’s eyes: "This matter doesn’t allow her to act recklessly."
Wang Jin knew his father’s temper; since he spoke , he would do everything to stop her.
In his mind flashed that sharp yet radiantly beautiful face, his heart suddenly flickered like a candle flame.
"You better give up any inappropriate thoughts early on." Prime Minister Wang said coldly: "Such an ambitious woman cannot be brought home as a daughter-in-law."
Wang Jin’s face blushed slightly, he coughed uncomfortably: "Why is Father suddenly saying this? I was indeed curious about the Nanyang County Princess before, so I wanted to see her."
"Now that I’ve met her, she is very disrespectful to Father. How could I still have any contact with her?"
"It’s best if you think clearly." Prime Minister Wang’s face was expressionless, but his voice was particularly cold: "Stay away from her."
Wang Jin quietly agreed.