Emperor Taihe quickly showed signs of fatigue.
Jiang Shaohua stood up to take her leave, "Cousin, please rest assured. I will now make a trip to the Prince Mansion."
Jiang Shaohua acted decisively, never procrastinating, and she certainly would not waste any ti. Emperor Taihe admired Jiang Shaohua’s conduct and said with a smile, "Whether or not you succeed, co back to the palace."
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng also said, "During these days, stay at Jingyang Palace and accompany more often."
Living in the palace was convenient for staying close to this grandparent-grandchild pair, making speech and actions more convenient. If there were any unexpected situations, one could respond imdiately.
Jiang Shaohua did not decline and nodded in agreent.
After leaving Zhaohai Palace, Jiang Shaohua headed to the Prince Mansion.
The eldest son of Pri Minister Wang was still detained in the Ministry of Justice Prison. Pri Minister Wang himself was confining himself at ho for recuperation. However, the Wang Family’s threshold was not at all cold and quiet, with countless people leaving cards seeking an audience with the Pri Minister daily.
The gatekeeper of the Wang Family held himself haughtily, and generally did not regard even sixth-ranked officials.
Song Yuan ca carrying a visiting card, and the gatekeeper arrogantly accepted the card without so much as a glance, "The Pri Minister is closing his doors for recuperation, seeing no one. Leave the card and please take your leave!"
Song Yuan glanced over indifferently, "Our Commandery Princess has co a long way, specifically to visit Pri Minister Wang. Please convey this, perhaps the Pri Minister is also eager to see our Commandery Princess."
Commandery Princess?
In these past few years, the only one whose radiance could not be ignored was the Nanyang County Princess.
The gatekeeper was startled, hastily adjusting to a respectful deanor, "I’ll report this right away, please let the Commandery Princess wait in the gatehouse."
The gatekeeper dared not delay and personally went to report.
At this ti, Pri Minister Wang was leisurely sitting in a pavilion, appreciating flowers and drinking tea, with several dancers gracefully dancing to the sound of silk and bamboo, and his advisors were painting and composing poetry nearby—a scene full of cultured elegance.
"Reporting to the Pri Minister, the Nanyang County Princess is here to seek an audience."
The gatekeeper presented the visiting card with a bowed head.
Pri Minister Wang, well-inford, naturally knew of Jiang Shaohua’s entry into the capital but did not expect Jiang Shaohua to arrive so quickly, and he couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.
Jiao’s advisor waved a hand, and the musicians and dancers imdiately stopped and quietly withdrew. Several advisors looked at Pri Minister Wang together, "The Nanyang County Princess has co to see the Pri Minister, clearly to act as an envoy."
"She and the Pri Minister have had disputes repeatedly, how does she have the face to co to the door now?"
"That’s not the way to put it. Nanyang County is the foremost vassal territory, strong in power. Her visit in person, at least, shows enough respect to the Pri Minister."
"It’s certainly better than the Grand Empress Dowager sending a palace attendant."
So, will the Pri Minister see her or not?
The advisors debated among themselves; ultimately, whether to see her or not depended on the Pri Minister’s decision.
Pri Minister Wang said indifferently, "Since she’s here, if I avoid seeing her, it would be too petty of . Invite the Commandery Princess over."
Jiao’s advisor was sowhat surprised, "The Pri Minister has been claiming illness and not going out; is it appropriate to see the Commandery Princess right here?"
Wouldn’t this obviously reveal that his illness was feigned?
Pri Minister Wang sneered, "As for the reason of my illness, the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor in the palace are well aware; there is no need to pretend in front of the Nanyang County Princess."
"Today, I want to hear what she has to say."
...
A mont later, the noble and beautiful young lady in her Commandery Princess’s regular attire appeared outside the pavilion.
The advisors all stepped back, leaving only Jiao’s advisor, who made a show of wanting to assist Pri Minister Wang in rising to give a salute.
"Pri Minister Wang is still unwell, physically weak, there’s no need for formalities." Jiang Shaohua acted as if she didn’t see Pri Minister Wang’s ruddy complexion, bending the truth with a masterful skill.
Pri Minister Wang did not rise, "The Commandery Princess took the trouble to visit this old minister; I am overwheld by the honor. Please take a seat, Commandery Princess."
Jiang Shaohua sat opposite Pri Minister Wang, with concern in her eyes, speaking sincerely, "I had heard of the Pri Minister’s severe illness in Nanyang County, but alas, being far apart, I could not visit in person to offer my regards. Now that I am in the capital, I can finally see the Pri Minister with my own eyes."
Looking at her concerned and pained deanor, anyone unaware would surely think the two had a very close relationship!
This level of acting and strategy had surpassed ninety-nine percent of the officials in court.
Pri Minister Wang never underestimated Jiang Shaohua, and now he secretly sighed, showing comfort on his face, "The Commandery Princess worries so much for this old minister, I am deeply grateful. I only regret that my body isn’t up to the task, unable to attend court to share the burden for the Emperor."
Jiang Shaohua sighed, "This is not the Pri Minister’s fault. The Pri Minister feels ashad and guilty over the questioning of the Left General, and is also troubled over the case of Governor Wang. A heart ailnt requires a heart redy. Today, I have brought two great dicines, perhaps they can cure the Pri Minister’s illness."
Pri Minister Wang’s eyes flickered slightly, remaining calm, "Where are these dicines?"
Jiang Shaohua smiled, "The Emperor asked to convey to the Pri Minister that although the Left General has erred, he is a rare fierce general of the Da Liang Dynasty. After a period of rest, he should be reinstated to continue serving the Da Liang Court."
"As for the case of Governor Wang, the evidence is conclusive and cannot go unpunished. Losing his position and becoming a wealthy landowner would also be quite carefree and happy."
Pri Minister Wang and Jiang Shaohua exchanged glances for a mont, then said slowly, "These two dications are indeed to the point, this old minister is deeply grateful for the Emperor’s grace. Regarding the impeachnt of Duke An for selling offices, what does the Emperor intend to do?"
Truly a greedy and shaless old rogue. Always seeking more benefits after gaining so advantage.
Jiang Shaohua snorted coldly to herself but maintained a calm appearance, replying, "Duke An has been confining himself in repentance, submitting several requests for pardon. The Emperor is currently ill and should not be overly troubled, so the matter is temporarily set aside. Once so ti has passed and the Emperor’s health is restored, it will be addressed again."
In other words, Pri Minister Wang, you should return to court sooner to stabilize the court, so Emperor Taihe can rest without worries.
Pri Minister Wang, however, asked, "I wonder how long this period will roughly be?"
Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flickered as she looked straight at Pri Minister Wang, "The Pri Minister should know the principle that too much is as bad as too little. Today, I bring dications from the Emperor to the Pri Minister, and it’s right to cure the disease with dicine. If it drags on too much, leading to uncontainable chaos, you’d regret it when everything’s lost."
The Da Liang Dynasty needs you as the Pri Minister; if you don’t step forward when needed, once the Emperor overcos this hardest ti, you will have no position or prestige in court in the future.
Pri Minister Wang heard the veiled threat in her words, and his mouth twitched coldly, "The Commandery Princess says she’s bringing dication for this old minister, but listening to your words, it seems there’s an undertone of forcing this old minister. I’ve been around longer, eating more salt than the Commandery Princess has eaten rice."
"Rice nourishes people; eating too much salt, however, could harm." Jiang Shaohua responded with a smile, "After taking these two dications, the Pri Minister should soon recover. Just give it two days; in two days, I will wait for the Pri Minister in Zhaohai Palace."
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