Jiang Shaohua, as usual, gave orders and made decisions continuously, except when paying respects to the deceased.
"Commandery Princess, the palace has captured a dozen more rebels. How should we deal with them?" Of course, it was General Ma who ca to inquire.
Jiang Shaohua replied indifferently, "Kill them."
General Ma left to carry out the orders.
"The Heroic Guard Camp is already stationed outside the palace. Should we let them enter the palace?"
"The Imperial Army is also outside the palace. May I ask the Commandery Princess if they should enter the palace?"
Representatives from the Heroic Guard Camp and the Imperial Army ca to the palace.
Jiang Shaohua’s words were concise, "Stand guard outside the palace, no need to enter. Without palace orders, do not act recklessly."
Then there were many trivial yet necessary things to make decisions about. For instance, whether the injured officials should be sent out of the palace to recover slowly at ho, or how to handle the corpses of officials who died in the palace rebellion, whether their families should take the bodies ho for burial. Also, the many palace attendants and eunuchs who died in the turbulence, how should their bodies be dealt with?
Besides, there was another unpleasant news.
"Zheng Chen should have already escaped from the Capital City. It’s unknown where he fled to." Grand Empress Dowager Zheng whispered through clenched teeth, full of regret, "This wretch, seems like he was well prepared."
Jiang Shaohua was ntally prepared for this result. Zheng Chen had plotted the rebellion for quite so ti; given his character, how could he not prepare a retreat?
There might even be more than one retreat plan.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng clearly knew this too. She just didn’t want to say much in front of Jiang Shaohua.
Jiang Shaohua’s attitude has always been resolute; Zheng Chen must be eliminated, there’s no room for negotiation. Fortunately, the stance towards the Zheng Family remained mild, there was no imdiate intent to exterminate them completely.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng stayed in the mourning hall for half a day, took advantage of a break due to exhaustion, and went to visit Duke An.
Duke An was injured in the leg, his leg bone was broken. After being set and bandaged by the Imperial Physician, he lay motionless on the bed, his life is not in danger, but he would have to lie down for at least a year or two. It’s uncertain if he would ever recover fully.
Duke An looked dispirited, with dark circles under his eyes, indicating he hadn’t slept well these days. One reason was the severe pain from the leg injury, and the other was his missing son Zheng Chen.
Duchess An was crying beside him.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng looked annoyed, and reprimanded in a low voice, "How can you cry at a mont like this when you’re still alive."
Duchess An choked out her reply, "The Lord’s leg injury is so serious. The Imperial Physician said that even if he recovers, it’s likely to leave a lasting problem. Walking might not be smooth, he fears he won’t be able to attend court anymore."
A senior official of the court values decorum highly; a limp would hinder any possibility of being the Minister of War.
Duchess An had been kept in the dark the whole ti, unaware that the Zheng Family was facing the enormous risk of being implicated in the rebellion. The Lord’s disability seed insignificant in comparison.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng grew impatient, "Being alive is already a blessing, leave the future till later."
Duchess An wiped away her tears and asked expectantly, "Has Zixian not returned yet? It’s been days now, what task did he undertake to leave the palace?"
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng coldly replied, "Don’t pry into palace matters. I and Duke An have things to discuss, you should withdraw for now."
Duchess An had to comply and withdrew dejectedly.
The door closed, leaving only Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, Duke An, and Mr. Zhao in the corner.
Duke An spoke with difficulty, "Still haven’t caught that wretch?"
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng snorted coldly, "No one has seen him since that day. I sent people to the Zheng Family’s inner residence, but the Fan Family knew nothing."
"He must have disguised himself after escaping the palace and fled from the Capital City long ago."
Once out of the Capital City, he could flee in any direction. Given Zheng Chen’s skills, as long as he hides patiently without showing up, it will be difficult to catch him.
Knowing a son is knowing him best.
Duke An affird, "He won’t hide forever. He might flee to the border. Aunt, send soone towards Si State to check."
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s brows moved slightly, "Do you an he will seek refuge with General Fan?"
Fan Jaining is General Fan’s direct granddaughter. Zheng Chen, her son-in-law, going there for refuge is indeed possible.
The border army still has sixty to seventy thousand elite soldiers; if Zheng Chen can turn General Fan against the court, the border army revolting would be disastrous for the kingdom.
Thinking of this, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng beca furious, her head pounding painfully, she swore, "Look at your well-educated son. The Zheng Family is about to be ruined by him."
Duke An was browbeaten, but his mind was thinking, Zheng Chen went to the palace as the Crown Prince’s Companion at the age of five, how could he have raised the son by himself? It was clearly the Grand Empress Dowager who nurtured this wretch.
Saying such things out loud would likely anger Grand Empress Dowager Zheng to death. Duke An dared not speak.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng scolded for a full stick of incense’s ti, exhausted and short of breath. Mr. Zhao hurriedly supported the Grand Empress Dowager to sit down, then served her half a bowl of warm water.
Duke An whispered, "I’ll send people to Si State imdiately, and alert General Fan. As long as the wretch’s whereabouts are discovered, bind him and send him back to the Capital City."
The best outco is to exchange Zheng Chen’s life for the peace of the Zheng family.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng grimly replied, "Move quickly. Right now, the Emperor’s funeral isn’t finished, and the rebellion case is still under investigation. Use this ti to smooth over this disaster."
Duke An hesitated for a mont, then sighed softly, "I’m afraid Jiang Shaohua won’t let this matter go and destroy the Zheng Family entirely."
"With here, she can’t touch the Zheng Family." Grand Empress Dowager Zheng stated decisively, "I have my ways to persuade her. You don’t need to worry, focus on recuperating."
...
In the evening, the ministers ate stead buns with cold water.
A eunuch approached quietly and whispered a few words.
Jiang Shaohua remained calm, nodded slightly, indicating understanding. The eunuch then quietly withdrew.
Palace eunuchs often have sharp eyes and minds. Seeing the Commandery Princess firmly grasping power, those with active minds started taking action, voluntarily reporting to Jiang Shaohua.
In just a few days, Jiang Shaohua gained many inforrs.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and Duke An eting privately... What could they be discussing?
Nothing but plans to bribe her into silence and let the Zheng family off the hook.
Imperial Concubine Fan held Prince Ping’s hand and ca over, softly said, "Hao’er wants to be with the Commandery Princess."
Jiang Shaohua neither approved nor disapproved, casually nodded.
Jiang Hao imdiately sat beside Jiang Shaohua. Though he doesn’t usually like eating stead buns, he had no disdain at that mont, eating with enthusiasm.
Imperial Concubine Fan found topics to talk about, "Commandery Princess will stay long-term in the Capital City; why not settle in the palace, save running to and fro every day."
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