From the ti the news of Emperor Taihe’s death was sent out, to today, more than half a month has passed.
Officials and ministers rushing to the capital upon hearing the mourning news arrive daily. The guards at the city gates have also moved past the initial shock and grief. Even though they wear mourning clothes, their faces show little sign of sorrow.
Song Yuan stepped forward with the insignia from the Nanyang Prince Mansion, handing it to the City Guard.
The City Guard, initially sowhat arrogant, imdiately bent over in a respectful manner upon seeing the insignia and said, "So, the Commandery Princess is entering the capital. I will go to greet the Princess imdiately."
The Nanyang County Princess’s reputation in the military was even greater than in the court. While the major officials in court fight for power and engage in sches, the military generals without such complications have a favorable view of the Nanyang County Princess, who fully supported the border army, leading to great victories.
Song Yuan slightly nodded and led the City Guard forward.
Jiang Shaohua had already dismounted. Though tall among won, she appeared slender and delicate when compared to adult n, especially martial artists.
She wore white, her face marked with grief, and the fatigue from the journey showed faintly on her face: "General Wang, no need for formalities. I am in a hurry to enter the palace today; when I have free ti, I will chat with General Wang."
The City Guard, surprised and flattered, agreed hastily, turning to command the gates open imdiately, allowing the entourage of over two hundred people to enter the city.
Trampling! Trampling!
Suddenly, the sound of hooves echoed from inside the city gate, coming swiftly from afar.
Jiang Shaohua’s eyebrows moved slightly as she looked ahead.
There ca over a dozen swift horses, led by a rider with a handso but haggard face, none other than Wang Jin, the secretary.
"Commandery Princess," Wang Jin dismounted, bowing with hands cupped: "I am ordered to welco the Commandery Princess into the palace."
Clearly, Wang Jin had been crying many tis these days, his voice hoarse and obscure.
Jiang Shaohua had sent soone ahead to the palace with a ssage of her coming to the capital for mourning, but she hadn’t expected Wang Jin would be sent to greet her.
Considering Zheng Chen’s personality, it was unexpected he hadn’t co to et her at the city gate first.
Jiang Shaohua looked at Wang Jin and softly asked, "How is the situation in the palace now?"
She had been traveling continuously for several days without eating or sleeping well, a shadow hanging over her heart. Now speaking, her voice was also a bit hoarse.
Wang Jin sighed softly, "In chaos, you’ll know once you enter the palace."
Jiang Shaohua’s brow moved slightly, directly asking, "Who is in charge of the Emperor’s funeral? Is anyone overseeing state affairs? Who is in charge at the palace?"
These three questions, each sharper than the last, were difficult to answer.
Wang Jin deeply looked at Jiang Shaohua: "The funeral is jointly handled by the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Imperial Clan Court. For now, state affairs are held up by Pri Minister Wang and Duke An, and in the palace, the Grand Empress Dowager presides."
No wonder there is talk of chaos.
Emperor Taihe had just passed, and during the period of mourning and organizing the funeral, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Imperial Clan Court combined forces to oppose the Ministry of Rites. The Minister of Rites who controls the Imperial Clan Court is none other than Jiang Yi’s father, Heir of Prince Gaoliang.
Courtside affairs should be upheld by Pri Minister Wang, head of officials, and now even Duke An is involved, showing the fierce power struggle.
As for the harem, it has always been under Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s control. Previously, Empress Dowager Li, relying on her son, still had so counteraction. But now that Emperor Taihe is dead, her world crumbles, rendering her powerless against the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.
Jiang Shaohua continued to ask, "What are Zheng Chen, Li Boyuan, and Jiang Yi doing?"
Wang Jin sighed heavily: "Both Sheren Zheng and Sheren Li have been guarding the spirit hall, and the Heir of Prince Gaoliang is also in the palace."
After a mont’s pause, he continued in a lowered voice: "Recently, there’s been a rumor in the palace, claiming that the Emperor’s sudden death was due to a potent ingredient being added to his decoction. Doctor Ji, who prescribed the Emperor’s dicine, has been imprisoned in the palace dungeon for severe interrogation. Unable to bear the torture, Doctor Ji confessed to being instructed by soone to tamper with the dicine."
Jiang Shaohua’s face turned stern, "Who is the mastermind behind this?"
Wang Jin quietly answered: "Doctor Ji confessed to being instructed by Prince Dongping."
"The Grand Empress Dowager flew into a rage, issuing strict orders to keep the news under wraps and secretly dispatching people to arrest Prince Dongping and his son."
"As of now, only a handful of people know about this."
Li Boyuan had married Dongping County Princess Jiang Wan Hua. Once the Prince Dongping father and son are implicated in the treason case, the entire Li Family would be implicated.
To stabilize the palace situation and public opinion, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng restrained her anger and kept the matter a secret. Wang Jin learned this secret from Pri Minister Wang and volunteered to welco Jiang Shaohua into the palace, revealing this confidential information upon eting.
This kindness, Jiang Shaohua had to acknowledge: "Thank you, Mr. Wang, for the information."
Wang Jin sighed: "There are no real secrets in the palace. These days people are restless and alard, I suspect the Li Family already knows the news. Three days ago, the Dongping County Princess reported being seriously ill and hasn’t appeared in public since. Li Boyuan has been in a somber mood lately, speaking very little."
Jiang Shaohua quickly considered and quietly asked, "Has Jiang Yi shown any unusual behavior?"
At this mont, Jiang Shaohua suddenly asked this, implying sothing.
Wang Jin, indeed the heir raised by Pri Minister Wang, replied with a steady expression: "The Grand Empress Dowager has already issued a secret order; as long as the conspiracy against the Emperor remains unsolved, all close kin of the Jiang clan are to remain in the palace. Jiang Yi has stayed in the palace with no unusual behavior reported."
In other words, once Jiang Shaohua enters the palace gates, she is essentially under soft imprisonnt.
From Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s standpoint, her decision was decisive.
However, for Jiang Shaohua, this was not exactly good news.
Jiang Shaohua gave a slight nod, indicating her understanding.
Wang Jin’s foremost purpose in coming out of the palace was to convey these two pieces of information. Now that his objective was achieved, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Only now did Wang Jin notice the young man standing behind the Commandery Princess.
The young man, dressed in plain clothes, had tiredness etched into his handso features, evidence of the toil from the long journey.
This young man was none other than Cui Du, the Changning Earl, and Jiang Shaohua’s consort, appointed by Emperor Taihe.
Wang Jin suddenly felt a bit uneasy. Earlier, he had eyes only for the Commandery Princess, with no attention to spare. Now that he thought about it, whispering conspicuously with the Commandery Princess in Cui Du’s presence was indeed rather inappropriate.
Cui Du, however, showed no sign of taking offense. He stepped forward, bowing with cupped hands: "Thank you, Mr. Wang, for the welco and the news."
Wang Jin cald himself, returning the salute: "Changning Earl is too kind. Will Changning Earl accompany the Commandery Princess into the palace?"
Cui Du replied: "The Emperor appointed as Changning Earl, and I have yet to enter the capital to see the Emperor and express my thanks. Now that I’m here, I must keep vigil for the Emperor during his mourning."
At this ti, the situation in the palace is tense, and it’s unclear how many upheavals may arise. If Cui Du enters the palace together with the Princess and encounters danger, the Commandery Princess would have to protect him as well...
Wang Jin glanced at the Commandery Princess, silently swallowing his words.
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