Pri Minister Wang continued to sneer as he spoke: "Prince Wu’an was arrogant all his life, but in the end, he died a miserable death, without even a complete corpse. His head was chopped off, his clothes stripped, and his body was exposed in the wilderness for days. It was only discovered when it started to rot and stink."
Wang Jin: "..."
Look, he only knew in the palace that Prince Wu’an was killed. But in the mansion, his father was nursing injuries and knew all the details of Prince Wu’an’s assassination.
Pri Minister Wang glanced at his son: "Your father has been navigating the court for decades, with eyes and ears everywhere. You fall far behind, practice slowly!"
Wang Jin replied impassively: "Father, your information network is impressive. In your opinion, can the Emperor guess that this was secretly orchestrated by the Grand Empress Dowager?"
Pri Minister Wang sneered: "The Emperor is young but deeply calculating; he probably predicted that the Grand Empress Dowager would make a move. He pretends not to know, making a show of neutrality."
"Look at now, the eyesore of Prince Wu’an and his son are dead, completely eliminating this hidden threat. It has given Jiang Quan and his sons a harsh warning. The Emperor’s hands remain clean."
"Such machinations! Such thods! Ha!"
Wang Jin said softly: "So, the Emperor has been honoring the Grand Empress Dowager, not just as a formality but because there is real benefit."
The dirtiest work, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng took the initiative, doing it swiftly and decisively. For Jiang Shaohua, it’s certainly a good thing.
The foolish Grand Empress Dowager, so arrogant and self-righteous, was used as a rag by Jiang Shaohua without even realizing it!
Pri Minister Wang mocked: "That old hag only has the advantage of status and seniority. Truly confronting the Emperor, she’s no match for him at all."
Don’t laugh at the Grand Empress Dowager. Father, you’re not that strong either. You’ve navigated the court for decades, yet you can’t lift your head against the Emperor’s pressure.
Wang Jin glanced at Pri Minister Wang but didn’t speak the rebellious thoughts in his mind.
Pri Minister Wang, sowhat displeased, glared: "Why are you looking at like that? I suffered a severe injury during the coup and had to retreat. Otherwise, if I were here, the Emperor wouldn’t have easily sat on the Dragon Throne! And you rebellious brat, quickly sided with the Emperor, causing the Pri Minister Faction to split in two. Now, where is the strength and courage to contend with the Emperor?"
Wang Jin, having been scolded frequently these past months, had developed the skill of turning a deaf ear, responding composedly: "Currently, the court is filled only with the Emperor’s loyal ministers, where is the Pri Minister Faction or the Empress Dowager Faction."
Pri Minister Wang was choked, unable to respond.
The Pri Minister Faction still exists, albeit divided in two. The majority followed Wang Jin. But Wang Jin, that brat, is the Emperor’s confidant, how could the Pri Minister Faction stir up any storm?
As for Minister Zhang, lacking sufficient strength and misjudging the situation, his downfall is inevitable.
The officials of the Grand Empress Dowager Faction have changed the fastest. They once had Duke An and his sons as their leaders, but now with Zheng Chen in hiding and missing, Duke An holds a nominal position as Minister of War while recuperating at ho, rarely showing up; his influence in the court is far less than Pri Minister Wang. Naturally, the Grand Empress Dowager Faction changed their attitude and beca loyalists to the Emperor.
Then, there’s the forr Princess Party, which is now a prominent group in the court, such as Minister Dong, Vice Minister Yang, and Vice Minister Ding.
Overall, the court now presents an unprecedented harmony.
Pri Minister Wang, choked by his son’s words, irritably dismissed him: "Fine, go back to your courtyard early. Stop annoying your father here."
Wang Jin smiled as he got up, saluted, and took his leave.
Pri Minister Wang huffed, not bothering to look at his son. Yet, the mont Wang Jin carefully closed the door, his eyebrows relaxed, and a smile appeared on his face.
Duke An dares to compare with him?
Hmph!
Zheng Chen, that wretch, best die silently outside. Should anything stir, it would imdiately beco an arrow against the Zheng Family!
Look at his son, though not entirely filial and obedient, his mind is clear and his path upright.
If his hand reaches too far and angers the Emperor, it won’t benefit Wang Jin at all.
Oh well! He’ll endure, consider it paving the way for his son.
...
In Zhaohai Palace.
Jiang Shaohua finished reviewing all the morials at midnight.
Chen Sheren brought in a late-night snack: "Your Majesty has been busy for so long, you must be hungry. I had the Imperial Kitchen prepare a bowl of noodles."
Jiang Shaohua smiled: "You know best, I’m indeed famished, could eat a whole cow."
Her appetite was always large, and after being pregnant for three months, it improved even further. Besides the three regular als a day, she has an afternoon snack and a late-night al.
Eats a lot, but also consus a lot, though six months into her pregnancy, apart from a rounded belly and face, her figure hasn’t changed much.
After eating a large bowl of steaming noodles, her stomach was full, and the exhaustion from a day’s work slightly relieved.
Chen Jinyu stepped forward to support Jiang Shaohua.
Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "I walk steadily and briskly, no need for help."
Chen Jinyu smiled: "Please allow to show my loyalty."
With Cui Du cultivating grain seeds at the Imperial Manor during a busy period, unable to frequent the palace, during leisure, only Chen Jinyu and Sun Zelan could chat with her.
Chen Jinyu assisted Jiang Shaohua into the bedroom. Yin Zhutu Bai imdiately stepped forward to help the Emperor change out of the Dragon Robe.
Obviously, Chen Jinyu had sothing to privately discuss with Jiang Shaohua today, and did not leave, just staying by the side. Jiang Shaohua smiled and glanced over: "Is it about Prince Wu’an’s assassination?"
Chen Jinyu nodded.
At this mont, only the four of them were in the bedroom. Whatever was said, Yin Zhutu Bai wouldn’t leak a word.
"Did the Emperor anticipate the Grand Empress Dowager would make her move?" Chen Jinyu asked softly.
Jiang Shaohua smirked lightly: "Prince Huaiyang predicted it too; otherwise, he wouldn’t kneel and linger in the Capital City, just seeking a real way to live."
Prince Wu’an lacked this foresight, leaving for the Capital City full of resentnt, deservedly becoming the Grand Empress Dowager’s target.
Chen Jinyu thought for a mont, then chuckled quietly: "In that case, it’s fine. The Grand Empress Dowager vented her anger and eliminated potential threats, the Emperor can simply feign ignorance."
Having soone handle the dirty work is indeed quite favorable.
Jiang Shaohua, in front of Chen Jinyu, had no intention of concealing: "I originally thought of killing one to intimidate the Imperial Family, leaving another to maintain the family’s dignity. Speaking of which, Prince Huaiyang is shrewd and calculating, thus more threatening. However, he truly has foresight, keeping him wouldn’t be a problem."
As for Prince Wu’an, his death is just that. Arrogant and rampant Vassal King, exploiting the people in the vassal territory, deprived of his title and full of resentnt, keeping him alive wouldn’t be beneficial.
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