Chapter 286: Chapter 286

Wu’an County is located in the northwestern Da Liang, remote and desolate. Prince Wu’an left the capital at the age of twenty-six, and has stayed in Wu’an County for decades. The last time he came to the Capital City was seven years ago when the late Emperor passed away.

Prince Wu’an stayed in the Capital City for half a year under the pretense of mourning, secretly frequenting interactions with Prime Minister Wang. In recent years, their contact has continued covertly.

It’s quite sad, really; a Commandery Prince far from the court, no matter how high or noble his rank, remains insignificant. In front of Prime Minister Wang, who controls most of the court of Da Liang, Prince Wu’an willingly bends his back.

Today’s unexpected confrontation is partly at the instruction of Prime Minister Wang, and also because Prince Wu’an couldn’t bear Jiang Shaohua.

During the last meeting in Zhaohai Palace, Prince Wu’an was already showing signs of impulse, but was stopped by Prince Dongping. Today, he couldn’t hold back anymore and rebuked aloud in public.

At this moment, all eyes turned towards him. Prince Wu’an, for his age, suddenly experienced being the center of attention, feeling somewhat elated. He disregarded Jiang Shaohua’s words, snorting heavily: "Prince Nanyang left early, without elders to teach you, you’re lacking manners, knowing not when to advance or retreat. Today, I shall teach you a few lessons."

"What a solemn and dignified place the Imperial Mausoleum is, how can a woman like you casually tread there? Better honestly stay in the palace, accompanying Empress Dowager and Imperial Concubine Noble Consort Bao Hua. That’s what a daughter of the Jiang Family should do. Matters in the court or military affairs have nothing to do with you. Don’t use your identity as a Commandery Princess to endlessly fuss and bring ridicule!"

What terribly cutting words!

Prime Minister Wang showed no emotion, but felt extremely pleased inwardly.

Some things, as a minister, he can’t say or is inconvenient to say. But Prince Wu’an is different; a proper Commandery Prince and elder of the Jiang Family, berating Jiang Shaohua, a junior, is perfectly justified.

Jiang Shaohua relies merely on her status as a Commandery Princess and the support of Empress Dowager Zheng. Now that Prince Wu’an has acted, how could Jiang Shaohua resist?

Duke An’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

He has long been secretly instructed by Empress Dowager Zheng to stand up at the right moment, assisting Jiang Shaohua.

However, Prince Wu’an’s move made the situation murky and unclear. Jiang Shaohua immediately fell behind!

Wang Jin silently gazed at Jiang Shaohua.

Zheng Chen also looked over, feeling not so worried, even somewhat pleased.

Jiang Shaohua was cold and distant, keeping people at arm’s length. Today, he intended to see how Jiang Shaohua would turn the tide.

Jiang Shaohua coldly eyed Prince Wu’an, who bullied with his seniority: "Today’s events, indeed might be laughed at. However, the subject of ridicule is certainly not me. I, Jiang Shaohua, wholeheartedly strive for the Jiang Family. Empress Dowager and Crown Prince know my loyalty, and that suffices."

"But Prince Wu’an, who lays the dignity of a Commandery Prince on the ground just to curry favor with a minister, such actions are repugnant and laughable!"

"When Prince Wu’an descends to the earth, meeting the ancestors of the Jiang Family, don’t claim to be a descendant. You’ve disgraced the ancestors’ names utterly."

Prince Wu’an was suddenly enraged, pointing at Jiang Shaohua’s nose intending to curse, just as he opened his mouth, Jiang Shaohua moved and was in front of him.

No one saw how Jiang Shaohua acted. Without batting an eye, the elderly Prince Wu’an’s chin was grabbed, and a cloth stuffed into his mouth.

Prince Wu’an’s face turned a bright red, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

Everyone was shocked by this sudden twist.

The Crown Prince gasped, urgently saying: "Shao Hua, don’t make trouble, quickly let go."

Listening to the Crown Prince, Jiang Shaohua indeed released her grip and stepped back. Before loosening her hold, her fingers moved swiftly over Prince Wu’an’s body.

Prince Wu’an’s arms could not move at all, his mouth blocked; he could only utter muffled sounds.

The Heir and grandson beside Prince Wu’an looked displeased, meeting Jiang Shaohua’s gaze with glaring eyes. Jiang Shaohua fearlessly returned the gaze, coldly.

Under everyone’s gaze, Prince Wu’an had no choice but to suffer silently, his son reaching out for the cloth in his father’s mouth, asking anxiously in a low voice: "Father, how are you feeling now?"

Prince Wu’an, being a local tyrant on his own turf for decades, never suffered such humiliation and resentment. He wanted to clench and swing his fist, but his arm wouldn’t move; he wanted to shout angrily but found no sound would come from his mouth.

Prince Wu’an was like acting in a silent comedy, ridiculous and laughable. Fortunately, all the ministers were seasoned actors, holding back. Those who couldn’t helped but lower their heads.

Prime Minister Wang’s expression changed as he glanced at Jiang Shaohua.

The Crown Prince was also taken aback.

Zheng Chen had once experienced Jiang Shaohua’s astonishing skill, his gaze now dark and uncertain.

Two years ago, Jiang Shaohua already possessed incredible Divine Power. Two years later, Jiang Shaohua was evidently stronger. Even he failed to see clearly the swift actions before.

The martial skills of Heir to Prince Wu’an were average; he ineffectively searched his father’s body. In frustration and urgency, he gritted his teeth angrily: "Jiang Shaohua, what have you done to my father?"

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "No rush, I’ve just made him quiet for a bit, so he wouldn’t spew nonsense, creating a stench everywhere."

Not waiting for the Heir to Prince Wu’an to vent his anger, Jiang Shaohua turned, looking at Imperial Censor Bian and Imperial Censor Fang.

Both Imperial Censors were stunned by the scene. Upon being glanced at by Jiang Shaohua’s cold and fierce eyes, their hearts chilled.

"As Imperial Censors, you have the right to report when the wind hears of news. Stepping forward today fulfills the duty of a minister. I won’t pursue this with you."

Jiang Shaohua said coldly: "I will certainly visit the Imperial Mausoleum. I am Nanyang County Princess, a subject of Da Liang, naturally attending the Emperor’s funeral."

"The Crown Prince has already given his consent, and you ministers are bullying Jiang Family Commandery Princess, taking advantage of the Crown Prince’s youth."

Imperial Censors thrive on eloquence, sweeping the land with their words. Both Imperial Censor Bian and Imperial Censor Fang were eloquent individuals. Yet today, faced with Jiang Shaohua. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥

When you reason with her, she discusses superiority and inferiority. Say she bullies with power, she drags in the Crown Prince.

Even Prince Wu’an was rendered immobile by Jiang Shaohua, how could the two Imperial Censors possibly deal with her?

Bian and Fang instinctively looked towards Prime Minister Wang.

Jiang Shaohua’s mocking voice rang clearly: "Are you two Imperial Censors checking Prime Minister’s expression before acting or speaking?"

"Even from Wu’an County, I’ve heard of Prime Minister’s authority. Court affairs, decided with a word from Prime Minister. All officials heed the commands of Prime Minister, disregarding the Crown Prince entirely. Today, witnessed firsthand."