Next, it was ti for the performance by the Emperor and Pri Minister Wang.
The Emperor was reluctant to let Pri Minister Wang resign and repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay.
Pri Minister Wang was deeply grateful for the Emperor’s eagerness to retain him, but his resolve to retire was firm.
Helpless, the Emperor had no choice but to agree, emphasizing repeatedly that even when Pri Minister Wang was enjoying his retirent at the mansion, the court would still need his wisdom to deal with major affairs.
Pri Minister Wang gladly expressed that his old bones would be ready to face any challenges as long as the Emperor required it.
When the topic turned to the offering of the hundred-mile riverbank, the Emperor greatly praised Pri Minister Wang’s noble character and requested that he supervise the Ministry of Industry’s construction of the riverbank. The reason was ready-made. Since the Wang Family contributed a significant portion of their wealth, the Ministry of Industry must ensure that the riverbank would be sturdily built. If there were any mistakes, it would waste Pri Minister Wang’s devotion.
Pri Minister Wang repeatedly agreed, firmly stating that he would not tolerate any laziness or negligence from the Ministry of Industry.
The officials watched a grand performance, secretly amazed.
The Emperor’s way of warning Pri Minister Wang was unyielding. Not only did Pri Minister Wang have to provide the silver, but he also had to ensure that Minister Zhou would complete the construction with quality and quantity.
Of course, the Emperor never used his officials for nothing; in front of the officials, he granted Pri Minister Wang the title of Duke.
"The Da Liang Dynasty previously had two Dukes, but unfortunately, one passed away, and the other committed a grave error and had his title revoked," Jiang Shaohua slowly said. "I confer Pri Minister Wang the title of Duke Ning."
The deceased Duke was not ntioned, but the one who lost the title was precisely Duke An.
The title Duke Ning sounded good, and upon closer inspection, it had a deep aning.
Ning signifies peace. As long as Pri Minister Wang did not cause disturbances, the Wang Family could be at peace, and the Da Liang Court could also be at peace.
Pri Minister Wang, moved to tears, expressed his gratitude for the Emperor’s grace.
The officials all congratulated Pri Minister Wang with folded hands.
Pri Minister Wang, no longer displaying his previous arrogant deanor, thanked all his colleagues warmly and humbly added, "My son, Sir, is still young and may not be thorough in his actions, so I ask for your understanding."
Minister Dong imdiately smiled and said, "Wang Zhongshu Ling is loyal and capable. We are all humbled."
Ministers Yang and Ding echoed this sentint.
Minister Zhang, feeling complicated, also offered his congratulations to Pri Minister Wang. Pri Minister Wang, looking at the unlucky face of Minister Zhang, sneered internally.
If you don’t retreat now and keep extending your hands everywhere, just wait for the Emperor to take action against you!
That day at noon, the Emperor invited Pri Minister Wang to have lunch at Zhaohai Palace, giving him ample respect.
After Pri Minister Wang took his leave, the Emperor instructed Wang Zhongshu Ling, "There’s nothing major happening in the palace today; you escort Pri Minister Wang back to the mansion."
Wang Jin accepted the order with folded hands and supported his elderly father out of Zhaohai Palace.
Pri Minister Wang moved slowly forward; once he exited the palace gate, he stopped and looked back.
Everything once so familiar suddenly beca strange and distant.
From today, he would no longer need to enter the palace.
The Da Liang Court now had a wise and diligent ruler and many loyal and capable ministers. He was no longer needed.
A familiar hand wiped his face with a clean handkerchief. Only then did Pri Minister Wang notice that he had shed two murky tears.
"Father," Wang Jin finally felt sorry for his old father. "Let’s go ho."
Pri Minister Wang nodded, looked one last ti, then turned and got on the carriage.
Inside Zhaohai Palace, Jiang Shaohua let out a long sigh of relief.
Pri Minister Wang had finally retired!
She had spent a year weakening the Zheng Family and forcing the Grand Empress Dowager to step down. Now, Pri Minister Wang had also left the court. The situation where the Pri Minister Faction and the Grand Empress Dowager’s Faction dominated the Da Liang Court had finally ended.
From this day on, she truly beca the Emperor of Da Liang.
Unfortunately, Chief Historian Chen and his grandson were not there, and Cui Du was still busy at the Imperial Manor. She could only share this joy with Song Yuan.
"Uncle, from today on, I can fully exert myself; no one can restrain anymore." Jiang Shaohua’s eyes glead with crystalline light, like an ordinary girl who had obtained her heart’s desire.
Song Yuan looked indulgently at the Empress. "Yes, from now on, Your Majesty can address the maladies of governance and create a realm of peace and order."
Jiang Shaohua relaxed her eyebrows and smiled brightly.
Song Yuan smiled and said, "Should we bring Princess Bao’er back to the palace?"
Jiang Shaohua nodded, "I will personally bring Bao’er back to the palace."
The Nanyang Prince Mansion was very close to the Imperial Palace; it took only a quick horseback ride after leaving the palace gate. But over the last few months, Jiang Shaohua had been resolutely hard-hearted and had not been there even once.
Now, having the thought of bringing her daughter back to the palace made her unable to wait even a mont.
Jiang Shaohua changed into her usual attire, took a group of trusted aides, and rode to the Nanyang Prince Mansion.
Chen Jinyu, with her pregnant belly of more than five months, greeted her with a smile, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, for eliminating your greatest concern."
It is said that the person who understands her best is Chen Sheren.
Jiang Shaohua’s eyebrows arched, and she laughed, "Indeed. With Pri Minister Wang’s retirent, most of my worries are gone."
By taking in officials from the Pri Minister’s Faction through moderate asures, isn’t it a huge relief?
Chen Jinyu laughed, "Unfortunately, I am now heavy, unable to be by Your Majesty’s side all the ti."
Jiang Shaohua laughed, "After a few months, once you’ve had your child and completed your confinent, you can co to the palace and serve."
A woman focused on her career naturally has little ti to care for her child. Like Jiang Shaohua, Bao’er was over eight months old, and she could count on one hand the tis she’d personally slept with her. Usually, it was the wet nurses who took care of her. It’s an unavoidable situation.
"Your Majesty plans to bring Princess Bao’er back to the palace today?"
Jiang Shaohua smiled and nodded.
At this ti, it was almost September, and the weather was still sowhat hot. Bao’er wore a thin red dress, and her fair little face was rosy and extrely cute.
Jiang Shaohua’s heart softened like water, and she reached out to embrace Bao’er, kissing her daughter’s small cheek, "Bao’er, Mother is taking you ho."
Bao’er, who hadn’t seen her mother for months, showed no signs of unfamiliarity at all, obediently stayed in her mother’s arms, looking up and smiling broadly.
Chen Jinyu felt slightly envious, "I accompany Princess Bao’er every day, but I’ve never seen her smile at this way."
Jiang Shaohua was amused, "Trees must take root, and children must favor their biological parents. Once your baby is born, they will naturally be most attached to you."
While laughing, a familiar figure appeared before them.
It was Cui Du who had arrived.
Cui Du rode swiftly from the Imperial Manor to the Prince Mansion, dusty from the journey. Seeing Jiang Shaohua and Bao’er, Cui Du brightened up, his fatigue dissipating, and he grinned, "You’re bringing Bao’er back to the palace?"
Jiang Shaohua nodded with a smile, "Yes, Pri Minister Wang submitted his resignation. The palace has quieted, and the court is stable."
"We can bring the child ho now."
Cui Du felt warmth in his heart, reached out to hold Jiang Shaohua’s hand, "Good, we’ll take Bao’er ho."
Jiang Shaohua smiled sweetly, holding her daughter in one hand, her husband in the other, and together, they returned to the palace.
She had dealt with the Zheng Family and suppressed the Wang Family; in the future, there would be the Lu Family, the Cui Family, as well as the up-and-coming Chen Family, Feng Family, Yang Family, and Dong Family to contend with.
The road ahead was long and fraught with challenges.
But she was determined to keep moving forward.
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