Chapter 289: Chapter 289

There are no secrets in the palace.

The news of Jiang Shaohua going to the Imperial Mausoleum for a funeral soon reached Consort Li’s ears.

Consort Li furrowed her brows, clearly not very appreciative of such a formidable and strong-willed woman from the Jiang Family. However, after hearing the whole story, she was relieved.

Jiang Shaohua’s efforts, directly opposing Prime Minister Wang, ultimately benefited the young Crown Prince the most. Since it was advantageous to the Crown Prince, it was a good thing.

"Convey my orders to have Youlan Palace tidied up." Consort Li instructed: "When the funeral is over, and Nanyang County Princess returns, invite her to stay at Youlan Palace for a while."

Youlan Palace was quite close to Princess Bao Hua’s sleeping quarters, making it easy for the young ladies to visit each other.

The palace attendant took the order and retreated.

After another hour, Princess Bao Hua also received the news, her wide black eyes filled with shock.

"Cousin Shao Hua... berated the Imperial Censor, leaving Prince Wu’an and his son disgraced."

"Did she really berate Prime Minister Wang in front of the court ministers?"

"Did she really go to the Imperial Mausoleum?!"

A series of exclamations were not enough to describe Princess Bao Hua’s feelings at this moment.

Dongping County Princess Jiang Wan Hua gasped: "Jiang Shaohua actually humiliated Prince Wu’an and his son ?"

Jiang Yuehua also widened her eyes: "How did she act ?! Did the court ministers really let her be?"

Also being daughters of the Jiang Family, Jiang Shaohua’s words and actions left them speechless.

Fan Jaining had another feeling, whispering: "With her temperament, how will she ever marry? What family’s son would dare take such a formidable woman as his wife?"

Princess Bao Hua, coming back to her senses from the shock, instinctively responded: "Perhaps she’ll never marry at all, but instead take in a son-in-law like our aunt did back then."

This possibility was indeed very high. Prince Nanyang only had this one bloodline left. For the lineage to continue and for the title and family business to be passed on, a son-in-law must be brought into the family.

Fan Jaining sighed: "That would be too unfair to her."

Wasn’t it? How would an outstandingly pedigreed, brimming with talent and handsome young man be willing to become a son-in-law? Establishing one’s own family is no easy feat. Follow current novᴇls on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩

If Jiang Shaohua took such a path, it would be exceptionally challenging in the future.

Jiang Wan Hua whispered: "Perhaps she will be more than willing."

"From the moment she arrived, she made such a splash, eager for everything and striving to be the best. Even Prime Minister Wang suffered a silent loss, and Prince Wu’an and his son were exposed by her. With such a personality, how could she be content to marry, have children, and stay quietly in the inner residence?"

Jiang Yuehua also said: "What my cousin said is true. From what I see, our Cousin Shao Hua is far too ambitious to be confined to the boudoir."

Between the lines, there was a faint sourness.

Also being daughters of the Imperial Family, they stayed obediently in the harem, virtuous, gentle, and quiet.

Why could Jiang Shaohua be so arrogant and domineering? The Empress Dowager favored her, the Crown Prince protected her, and Prime Minister Wang couldn’t do anything to her...

It was simply too unfair!

Princess Bao Hua glanced at them but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Fan Jaining secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With the temperament and style of Nanyang County Princess, it seemed unlikely she would remain in the Capital City or become her rival in love.

Thinking of that handsome, proud young man, a slight blush crept onto Fan Jaining’s cheeks.

At this moment, Zheng Chen was accompanying the Crown Prince, assisting in moving forward with the coffin.

Looking up, from his angle, he could clearly see the back of a young girl.

This girl had a slender, delicate silhouette, not fully developed yet, of average stature.

This slender body contained astounding divine power. Just speaking subdued Prince Wu’an. As soon as she opened her mouth, even Prime Minister Wang struggled to suppress her brilliance.

She appeared so openly among the ministers, going to the Imperial Mausoleum along with all the Imperial Prince and Commandery Princes.

This was not the memory he had of her.

Not the Cousin Shao Hua who gazed at him tenderly.

Now, she was the true Nanyang County Princess.

Unignorable and incapable of being belittled by anyone.

The funeral procession, majestic and grand, with everyone who could attend present, advanced solemnly. However, amidst this solemnity, an incongruent cry could be heard.

"Boo hoo, I want to go back, I want mother consort." In the midst of silence, the crying voice of a boy was particularly conspicuous and jarring.

The Crown Prince frowned, turned his head, and instructed the Second Prince’s eunuch, Eunuch Yuan: "Hold the Second Prince and comfort him."

Eunuch Yuan answered with a feigned humility.

Eunuch Yuan, at the age of thirty-two, was the Chief Eunuch beside the Second Prince. The Second Prince’s continued crying incited the Crown Prince’s displeasure towards him.

The Second Prince was only five, round and chubby, heavy in the arms. Eunuch Yuan gingerly tried to console the Second Prince in a soft voice, but unfortunately, the Second Prince was stubborn when upset, clawing Eunuch Yuan’s face leaving several scratches: "I want mother consort! Take me back!"

Eunuch Yuan’s face burned, feeling almost like crying to death: "Your Highness, please stop crying, now we must take the Emperor’s coffin to the Imperial Mausoleum..."

"Let me go." The Second Prince struggled with all his might, slapping Eunuch Yuan’s face with both hands.

The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed even tighter.

Jiang Shaohua, who had been silent all along, suddenly said to Eunuch Yuan: "Let me take care of the Second Prince."

Eunuch Yuan was momentarily astonished, and before he could react, Jiang Shaohua had already reached out and taken the Second Prince into her arms.

The chubby, struggling, constantly crying Second Prince suddenly quieted down in Jiang Shaohua’s arms.

Eunuch Yuan, being the closest, saw it most clearly. After County Princess took the Second Prince, her right hand tapped here and there, and the Second Prince quieted down.

Just like before with Prince Wu’an. No matter how arrogant and domineering you were, the County Princess would silence you with a single move.

With the absence of the Second Prince’s sharp cries, the Crown Prince secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He turned his head to Jiang Shaohua and asked in a low voice: "How long can this control last? It won’t harm the body, will it!"

Jiang Shaohua softly replied: "Rest assured, cousin, I will take care of Second Cousin throughout this journey. I assure you he will obediently go to the Imperial Mausoleum and return safely to the palace."

The calm words of Jiang Shaohua instilled strong confidence.

The Crown Prince gave Jiang Shaohua a deep look: "I appreciate your trouble, Cousin Shao Hua."

Jiang Shaohua continued leisurely holding the Second Prince forward.

This continued for two hours. Among the ministers, many were old and frail, and walking for two hours was their limit. The coffin could not be set down, and the coffin-carrying Imperial Guards had already been replaced twice.

The Crown Prince was drenched in sweat, parched in mouth. Even the youthful and vigorous Crown Prince’s companions felt weak in their backs and legs.

Looking at Jiang Shaohua again, she was carrying the heavy Second Prince in her arms, walking with a composed and unhurried pace.

The Crown Prince frequently glanced back: "Cousin Shao Hua, you’ve been carrying him all this way, you must be exhausted, let Eunuch Yuan carry him."

Eunuch Yuan was already deeply impressed with Nanyang County Princess: "This servant will carry the Second Prince."

Jiang Shaohua casually said: "No need, I am not tired."

No matter how wonderful the acupuncture was, after half a day, the acupoints gradually unblocked. The Second Prince gradually woke up, and before he opened his eyes, he was about to pout and cry.