The Crown Prince looked at Jiang Shaohua with the admiration of an elder brother for his younger cousin.
The feelings of the Crown Prince’s companions varied greatly.
Li Boyuan’s eyes flashed with amazent, while Jiang Yi’s eyes showed curiosity. Zheng Chen’s face remained calm, but his emotions surged like a stormy sea.
As for the Fourth Young Master Wang, he finally had the chance to glimpse the true face of the Nanyang County Princess. For so reason, he did not dare to look longer, only stealing a quick glance before hastily lowering his eyes.
"Cousin Shaohua, you have worked hard." The Crown Prince’s voice was hoarse and obscure, filled with endless fatigue.
Jiang Shaohua stood quietly and replied softly, "I am not the one who has worked hard; it is you, Your Highness. The Emperor has passed, and it is you who are holding up the sky of Da Liang. No matter how grief-stricken you are, you must take care of yourself. The court needs you, and the palace needs you."
"I, Jiang Shaohua, am Your Highness’s most loyal servant and will certainly do my utmost to serve and ease your burdens in the future."
Although the tone was gentle, it carried imnse power and determination.
The Crown Prince felt deeply moved and his expression softened, growing more intimate: "I understand your intentions. However, the court is filled with capable civil servants and military generals, and I have people at my disposal, so for now, there’s no need for a young lady like you to step forward. Stay by the Grand Empress Dowager’s side and rest assured."
The Crown Prince did not intend to disregard or underestimate Jiang Shaohua. It was simply the truth; the court was full of competent officials, and the Eastern Palace had subordinates and several companions who were all smart and capable. There was no need for a young lady to run around and serve.
With the passing of Emperor Taikang, grand funeral arrangents were being made in the palace. In the imperial harem, only Empress Dowager Zheng appeared in front of the ministers, while others like Consort Li, Consort Fan, and Princess Bao Hua remained in the Inner Spirit Hall, mourning in kneeling positions, having no contact with the courtiers.
Jiang Shaohua, as the Nanyang County Princess equivalent to a Vassal King, was allowed to co to Zhaohai Palace to mourn. Otherwise, she would have been led to the inner spirit hall of the imperial harem long ago.
Jiang Shaohua responded softly with assent.
The Crown Prince gathered his energy, walked to the bedside seat, and asked softly about the health of Empress Dowager Zheng. Empress Dowager Zheng affectionately held the Crown Prince’s hand, choking with emotion: "These old bones of mine, if they hold up, it’s good; if not, it’s nothing serious. But you must hold on. This Da Liang will have to be upheld by you in the future."
The last sentence weighed like a mountain, heavy enough to almost take one’s breath away.
The Crown Prince nodded with a weary and darkened expression.
Empress Dowager Zheng raised her eyes and said to the Crown Prince’s companions, "You all keep a good watch over the Crown Prince and don’t let him overwork. If sothing happens to the Crown Prince due to exhaustion, I will hold you accountable."
The so-called Crown Prince’s companions were, of course, not just study companions. Since last year, the Crown Prince began attending court, listening to governnt affairs, and handling court matters, accompanied by Zheng Chen and the others. When the Crown Prince reviewed the docunts, they all followed along to read them.
It could be said that they were the Crown Prince’s inner circle and future important ministers of Da Liang.
Jiang Yi was the first to respond: "Rest assured, Grand Empress Dowager, I will watch over my cousin’s als and rest every day."
Li Boyuan stood tall: "The few of us will stay by His Highness’s side, and not let him be exhausted."
"Please don’t worry, Empress Dowager." Zheng Chen joined in, "We will always be by His Highness’s side and will definitely not let him overwork."
Only Wang Jin remained silent.
On the day Emperor Taikang passed, an excessively grief-stricken Empress Dowager Zheng angrily scolded Pri Minister Wang, scratching his face, repeatedly blaming him for the Emperor’s passing. It was only when the Pri Minister’s faction mbers stepped forward that Empress Dowager Zheng held back sowhat.
Since then, Empress Dowager Zheng had a complete falling out with Pri Minister Wang. Wang Jin, caught in the middle, found himself in an awkward situation. As a Crown Prince’s companion, he frequented the palace and indeed crossed paths with Empress Dowager Zheng quite often. But he was also Pri Minister Wang’s beloved youngest son; how could a son not care for his father’s feelings?
Therefore, these days, Wang Jin almost never spoke in front of Empress Dowager Zheng.
Empress Dowager Zheng didn’t look directly at Wang Jin, instead summoning Zheng Chen and giving him detailed instructions. The difference in treatnt was glaringly obvious.
Jiang Shaohua, standing aside, witnessed the whole scene and smiled inwardly.
Empress Dowager Zheng’s behavior was truly small-minded and narrow. In fact, her political acun was average at best, stronger than an ordinary old woman’s, yet far from that of a true ruler.
"Shao Hua, co here," Empress Dowager Zheng suddenly beckoned to Jiang Shaohua.
Jiang Shaohua quickly collected herself and stepped forward.
Empress Dowager Zheng said, "These few are the Crown Prince’s companions, so they can be considered young n I watched grow up. You’ve seen Zixi, but this is the first eting with the other three. Co, pay your respects."
The Crown Prince took over, introducing each: "This is Li Boyuan, the legitimate son of the Li family and my legitimate cousin."
"He is Jiang Yi, the Heir of Prince Gaoliang. You should call him Cousin Yi."
"You’ve t Zixi, and finally, this is Wang Jin, the youngest son of Pri Minister Wang, Wang the Fourth Young Master."
With the grand mourning in the palace, regardless of true feelings of grief, everyone must appear somber and express no levity. Jiang Shaohua politely greeted each of the Crown Prince’s companions.
Zheng Chen gave Jiang Shaohua a deep look, then glanced at the unusually silent Wang the Fourth today.
"Greetings to the Fourth Young Master Wang." Jiang Shaohua’s courtesy was elegant and appropriate.
Wang Jin appeared sowhat embarrassed and clumsy as he cupped his hands in return: "I’ve long heard of the Commandery Princess’s renown, and today I finally have the chance to et you."
Jiang Shaohua responded courteously with a polite comnt: "The Fourth Young Master Wang is noted for his outstanding literary talent and far-reaching reputation. I hope you’ll guide in the future, should the opportunity arise."
Wang Jin mustered the courage to et Jiang Shaohua’s gaze: "The Commandery Princess praises too highly. In your presence, who dare claim a great reputation?"
Indeed.
No matter how discreet she may be, Jiang Shaohua was the first Commandery Princess of Da Liang with real power and substantial holdings, commanding wealth, soldiers, and supplies. Her composed deanor and grace were not comparable to ordinary maidens.
Even Princess Bao Hua, despite her noble status, seed to lack sothing compared to Jiang Shaohua.
Jiang Shaohua regarded Wang the Fourth with a steady gaze: "Fourth Young Master Wang overpraises ."
After all, he was her husband in a previous life; they had shared a brief but sowhat affectionate ti together, and even had a son who turned out quite ungrateful.
Even as her heart had turned to iron, seeing an old acquaintance from a past life inevitably stirred so sentints of sighing and lancholy.
This one glance made Wang the Fourth’s heart race, and he involuntarily looked away first.
Zheng Chen’s heart was filled with cynical amusent, the swirling jealousy almost overwhelming him.
...
After nightfall, the elderly ministers who had been kneeling in the Emperor’s morial Hall were finally helped away to rest.
Weeping by day and keeping vigil by night is hard to endure even for those made of iron.
Pri Minister Wang, also advanced in age, after a day of kneeling, was so exhausted that he couldn’t straighten his back. He was carried back to his chamber by his long-term followers, ate so cold food hurriedly, and closed his eyes in fatigue.
Knock, knock, knock!
After the door opened, ca the familiar footsteps: "Father!"
Pri Minister Wang responded with a sound, made an effort to open his eyes, and saw his youngest son by the bedside: "You went to see the Nanyang County Princess?"
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