CHAPTER 311: CHAPTER 311: THE SMALL BANQUET (PART 2)

Empress Dowager Zheng fell ill and remained bedridden. After two months of recuperation, she finally began to recover.

In the past, Empress Dowager Zheng loved luxurious attire and heavy makeup. But now, only a few months after Emperor Taikang’s passing, she wore plain clothes, and her thin face was free of cosmetics, exposing all her wrinkles. At a glance, she appeared to be a woman in her sixties.

However, no one dared to underestimate this seemingly frail elderly woman who needed support to walk. With Emperor Taikang’s death, the new emperor would ascend the throne tomorrow. Empress Dowager Zheng, soon to be elevated to Grand Empress Dowager, was undoubtedly the most noble and powerful woman in Da Liang, second to none.

Attached to Empress Dowager Zheng were Duke An’s Mansion and many courtiers. Even Prince Dongping and Prince Huaiyang, who attended the banquet at Jingyang Palace today, maintained close relations with her.

Nanyang County Princess Jiang Shaohua also needed to leverage Empress Dowager Zheng’s influence to establish herself in the court.

Thus, at tonight’s palace banquet, Empress Dowager Zheng was destined to be the center of everyone’s attention. Even the Crown Prince treated her with utmost respect.

The Crown Prince was like a fledgling eagle, still far from spreading his wings and soaring high.

"Tomorrow is the new emperor’s enthronement ceremony," Empress Dowager Zheng said to the Crown Prince with a smile, "Tonight, I will call you the Crown Prince, but tomorrow I must change it to Emperor."

The Crown Prince immediately stood up and respectfully responded, "In front of Grand Empress Dowager, I will always be the beloved grandson. In the future, I will certainly be filial to Grand Empress Dowager and seek her guidance in difficult matters."

Empress Dowager Zheng was quite satisfied with the Crown Prince’s submissiveness but said with a smile, "I am getting old and do not understand politics. At most, I can cheer you on. The major affairs of the court still rely on Prime Minister Wang and Minister Zheng."

Today, either with the Jiang surname or palace women were seated here. Empress Dowager Zheng spoke quite casually.

Fourth Young Master Wang, seated below the Crown Prince, silently lowered his head.

General Wei was detained in the Ministry of Justice Prison, awaiting execution after the new emperor’s enthronement. Prime Minister Wang, cutting off a metaphorical arm, barely managed to stabilize the situation.

The young and impulsive Crown Prince had a temperament entirely different from the late Emperor Taikang. Emperor Taikang trusted Prime Minister Wang and was wary of the Empress Dowager Faction. In contrast, the Crown Prince trusted Empress Dowager Zheng more and harbored some discontent toward the overpowering Prime Minister Wang.

This situation left him, the youngest son of the Prime Minister, in an awkward position in the palace.

Empress Dowager Zheng cheerfully invited the Crown Prince to sit and then turned to speak kindly with a few vassal kings.

Da Liang had in total five vassal kings with real power. The eldest was Prince Wu’an, followed by Prince Dongping. By the time it reached Prince Huaiyang, a generational gap was present.

Prince Gaoliang was Emperor Taikang’s brother. In his youth, he suffered a severe fever that damaged his mind. For years, he had lived in the Capital City and had never visited his vassal territory.

The largest and most prosperous vassal territory belonged to Nanyang County Princess.

In terms of seniority, Jiang Shaohua was a junior. In terms of bloodline closeness, she was not as close as Prince Gaoliang. However, in terms of power, she was unquestionably the leading vassal king.

Empress Dowager Zheng’s "favor" towards Jiang Shaohua was significantly influenced by the strength of the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

"Shao Hua, you shall stay at Jingyang Palace tonight," Empress Dowager Zheng instructed casually, as an ordinary elder would, "Send someone back to the Prince Mansion to bring your ceremonial attire into the palace, so you don’t have to endure the hassle of traveling back and forth."

Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua felt a pang of jealousy in their hearts.

They had been in the palace for a few years, residing with Princess Bao Hua, and met with Empress Dowager Zheng daily, but had never stayed at Jingyang Palace.

Jiang Shaohua, with a smile, acknowledged without missing a beat.

Prince Wu’an, who had a past grudge with Jiang Shaohua, found everything about her displeasing. He spoke in front of everyone, "Tomorrow is the new emperor’s enthronement ceremony; young ladies should not meddle. It’s best to stay by the Empress Dowager’s side."

Jiang Shaohua seemed not to hear, turning to joke with Princess Bao Hua.

Prince Wu’an’s eyes flashed with anger, ignoring the Crown Prince’s displeased expression, and continued, "Jiang Shaohua, your daily involvement in court is utterly absurd; everyone usually turns a blind eye. You must not appear at tomorrow’s enthronement ceremony; otherwise, it would bring shame upon the Imperial Family and the world..."

"Great-aunt," Jiang Shaohua, without looking at Prince Wu’an, addressed Empress Dowager Zheng, "Tonight’s palace banquet is free of outsiders; only Jiang Family’s kin are present. As the granddaughter, I must express what I’ve been holding back."

"I, Jiang Shaohua, am a legitimate Da Liang Princess, with the vassal territory Nanyang County, overseeing fourteen counties and ten thousand citizens. Peaceful and prosperous, far surpassing Wu’an County. I’ve never spoken recklessly in court and have never disrupted state affairs. I steadfastly support my brother, the Crown Prince, and follow great-aunt’s teachings."

"I dare say my conduct is without fault. Prince Wu’an, disrespecting the elder, unjustly blames me and speaks nonsensically. Relying on age and seniority, he constantly seeks to oppress me."

"As a Jiang Commandery Prince, not siding with his juniors but instead constantly making things difficult and nitpicking—what good does it do? I ask my great-aunt for guidance."

Fury flashed in Empress Dowager Zheng’s eyes as she coldly looked at Prince Wu’an, "Prince Wu’an, this is the first time I’ve witnessed you repeatedly picking on Shao Hua."

"Everything Shao Hua does is instructed by me. It seems you’re very dissatisfied with me and full of grievances!"

Prince Wu’an’s expression stiffened, and he immediately stood up, "Empress Dowager, you misunderstand. I have always respected you and harbored no discontent. I’m just annoyed by this young girl’s reckless speech and behavior, which damages the dignity of the Imperial Family."

Empress Dowager Zheng sneered, "Where is the lack of dignity? Tell me."

Prince Wu’an was rendered speechless.

Empress Dowager Zheng was notoriously domineering and aggressive. Even the Prime Minister’s authority once clashed with her.

Prince Wu’an dared not provoke Empress Dowager Zheng further and awkwardly explained, "A young lady should be gentle, virtuous, and quiet. Matters of the court should be left to the Crown Prince and the courtiers; how is it her place to worry?"

Jiang Shaohua calmly interrupted Prince Wu’an, "Is the Commandery Prince suggesting that Empress Dowager shouldn’t be involved in state matters and should remain content in the harem?"

Empress Dowager Zheng’s face instantly darkened, her gaze sharp as flying daggers.

Prince Wu’an felt a chill in his heart, realizing he had touched a sore spot for Empress Dowager Zheng.

In fact, Jiang Shaohua dared to act so brazenly because she had Empress Dowager Zheng’s backing.

Empress Dowager Zheng’s actions served to not only showcase her power but also to subtly gauge the terrain. As the courtiers grew accustomed to Jiang Shaohua’s presence, perhaps one day Empress Dowager Zheng would extend her influence beyond the harem.

By openly arguing against the notion of women in politics in front of Empress Dowager Zheng, wasn’t Prince Wu’an essentially walking into a trap?

"Prince Wu’an has had too much to drink today." Though there had been no alcohol at the feast, Empress Dowager Zheng’s words about Prince Wu’an being drunk were filled with sarcasm and displeasure, clear to all: "Someone, escort Prince Wu’an out of the palace to rest at the Commandery Prince Manor."