Chapter 293: Chapter 293

Jiang Shaohua held the Second Prince’s hand and headed to meet the Crown Prince.

With little effort, she could brush up her favor with the Crown Prince and, meanwhile, display the noble status of Princess Jiang to the ministers. Why not?

The Crown Prince, after resting for a night, appeared pale and haggard, with bloodshot eyes.

Prime Minister Wang, Duke An, and other important ministers were by the Crown Prince’s side. A group of vassal kings, led by Prince Dongping, were also present, as well as the young companions of the Crown Prince, standing behind him.

When Jiang Shaohua and the Second Prince entered, all eyes turned toward them.

Jiang Shaohua, without glancing at anyone, calmly and confidently led the Second Prince and stood at the closest spot to the Crown Prince.

The Second Prince, being the Crown Prince’s younger brother, naturally should stand by his side. As the Nanyang County Princess, closely related by blood to the Crown Prince, she also deserved the nearest spot.

The court is a place where positions matter most. Whether by rank or status, not a single step should be misplaced. The ministers certainly wouldn’t think the Nanyang County Princess did this unintentionally.

This was indeed a deliberate act by the Nanyang County Princess.

However, with precedents in mind, those among the ministers who found it displeasing or frustrating didn’t dare to speak out at will. Orıginal content can be found at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵

Prime Minister Wang was particularly displeased. With previous lessons learned, he would not personally intervene to avoid disgrace. He cast a brief glance and then withdrew his gaze.

The Crown Prince rasped, "Father has been laid to rest, and I will stay at the Imperial Mausoleum to guard his spirit. You should return first."

It is a son’s duty to build a hut and mourn for his father, a natural bond.

However, as the Crown Prince, how can he abandon the court and his responsibilities to simply be a filial son?

Prime Minister Wang was the first to advise, "The Emperor has passed, and we, his ministers, are deeply grieved. The Crown Prince must be a thousand times more sorrowful."

"However, Your Highness is not only a son but also the Crown Prince of Da Liang. The nation cannot be without a ruler for a day. While mourning here, how should Da Liang’s court and countless subjects be regarded?"

"The rebels in Pingzhou are wreaking havoc everywhere, posing a grave threat to Da Liang. At such a time, it is imperative for the Crown Prince to support the court and stabilize the people’s confidence."

"I humbly request the Crown Prince to return to the palace immediately and hold the enthronement ceremony. Only with the Crown Prince presiding can we ministers unite and work together."

Both Minister Zhang and Minister Dai voiced their agreement.

Duke An, though slower in action by a step, was sincere and earnest, matching Prime Minister Wang’s fervor: "The Crown Prince’s filial affection for the Emperor is as clear as the sun and moon. However, Da Liang’s court cannot do without Your Highness. In the palace, the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine are waiting. Your Highness is the anchor for everyone."

Prince Dongping and other vassal kings also urged the Crown Prince to return to the palace.

Jiang Shaohua waited quietly until the end, then softly said, "The deceased are gone, while the living must undertake more responsibilities. Cousin, let’s go back!"

The Crown Prince, with reddened eyes, suddenly remembered how his young cousin Shao Hua lost her mother early and then her grandparents in succession. Despite her youth, she had already tasted the pain of parting and death.

At this moment, the Crown Prince felt a stronger bond with this cousin.

The Crown Prince finally announced, "Convey my decree, we shall return to the palace."

The ministers collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

The Second Prince, particularly obedient today, didn’t cry or make a fuss, even as they stood for a long time. He quietly left the Imperial Mausoleum with the crowd.

Of course, his right hand was always tightly clutching Jiang Shaohua’s hand.

On arrival, the group had carried the Emperor’s coffin solemnly, but the return was less ceremonial. About ten miles away from the Imperial Mausoleum, the Crown Prince boarded a carriage. The ministers also paired up and joined the carriage.

"Second Brother, sit beside me."

The Crown Prince called softly.

The Second Prince shook his head repeatedly, holding onto Jiang Shaohua’s hand tightly.

The Crown Prince sighed helplessly, apologizing to Jiang Shaohua, "Second Brother is stubborn . Once he fixes on someone, he won’t let go. In the palace, he always wants Consort Fan. No matter what, now he trusts you. These days, I’ve troubled you."

Jiang Shaohua softly replied, "This is a trivial task, hardly worth mentioning. Between us as cousins, helping during a trying time is only natural."

Being family, why stand on ceremony?

A warmth surged in the Crown Prince’s heart, and he said no more.

Jiang Shaohua lifted the Second Prince into the carriage. The Second Prince quietly nestled by Jiang Shaohua’s side, looking exceptionally well-behaved.

Zheng Chen silently watched this scene, a strange feeling rising in his heart.

Speaking of it, Jiang Shaohua’s past life ended at the hands of the Second Prince and his mother. How could she not bear resentment towards him? Yet these days, Jiang Shaohua has not shown a hint of it, managing to somehow appease the Second Prince, bringing even the Crown Prince closer to her...

Such skill and depth in scheming have naturally prompted vigilance.

The journey back took much less time than the two days and nights it took to arrive, completed in just a day’s span. By nightfall, the Crown Prince had led the group back to the palace.

Prime Minister Wang, Duke An, and other key ministers dispersed, each heading back to their residences to rest. The vassal kings also had their accommodations in the Capital City.

Jiang Shaohua saluted and took her leave: "Your Highness, I shall return to Nanyang Prince Mansion. I will enter the palace to pay my respects tomorrow."

The Crown Prince gave a slight nod.

Unexpectedly, as Jiang Shaohua turned to leave, the Second Prince trotted after her on his chubby legs: "Don’t go, Cousin."

In the presence of the Crown Prince, Jiang Shaohua displayed great patience, her tone especially gentle: "I’ve been in the Capital City for quite a while, always staying in the palace. Now that the mourning is over, I should return to the Prince Mansion."

The Second Prince clung tightly to Jiang Shaohua’s sleeve, unwavering: "Don’t go, Cousin."

The Crown Prince was somewhat helpless, also a little vexed: "Second Brother, don’t be troublesome. Cousin Shaohua has her own mansion, and she needs to spend some days there. She can’t stay in the palace indefinitely."

The Second Prince still held onto Jiang Shaohua’s sleeve without letting go: "I want Cousin."

The Crown Prince: "..."

Jiang Shaohua almost imperceptibly twitched her lips. She thought that if it weren’t for the Crown Prince’s presence, she’d surely show the Second Prince a "lesson," so he’d know who could be trifled with and who must not be provoked.

"Little Cousin hasn’t seen his dear mother for days, he must be missing her very much." Jiang Shaohua delicately hinted to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince suddenly realized and immediately ordered, "Someone, send a message to Consort Fan, inviting her to take the Second Brother back to the sleeping quarters."

At the Crown Prince’s command, an eunuch promptly ran to relay the message.

Consort Fan, her eyes swollen from crying, had been lying weakly in bed for days. Upon receiving the eunuch’s message, Consort Fan hurriedly got up, and with the support of several palace attendants, she headed to Zhaohai Palace.

When Emperor Taikang was alive, Consort Fan rarely entered Zhaohai Palace. Little did she expect, now that Emperor Taikang had passed, she could enter through the main door.

With a sigh and a look of melancholy, Consort Fan lightly stepped into Zhaohai Palace.

There, she saw her precious son clinging tightly to the Nanyang County Princess’s sleeve, unwilling to let go.

Consort Fan was somewhat surprised, instinctively glancing at Jiang Shaohua.

Coincidentally, Jiang Shaohua also looked up, and their gazes met in mid-air.