CHAPTER 312: CHAPTER 312: AFTERMATH

The "drunk" Prince Wu’an, his old face flushed to the color of pig liver, with blue veins on his forehead throbbing relentlessly.

Seeing the situation was not good, the Heir of Prince Wu’an feared that in a moment of impulsiveness, his old father might have a fierce argument with Empress Dowager Zheng, which would bring disgrace upon themselves.

Although the Crown Prince had not spoken a word, his gaze grew increasingly cold...

The Heir of Prince Wu’an immediately rose to take his leave, supporting Prince Wu’an by holding his arm, half-supporting, half-dragging him out.

It was already late spring, nearing early summer, and the night breeze carried a hint of sultry heat. The night wind blew against the heated mind of Prince Wu’an, but it did little to cool his head, and he frequently turned back in anger, glaring in the direction of Jingyang Palace.

The Heir of Prince Wu’an felt a chill run down his spine, quickening his pace until they exited the palace gates and got into the carriage, finally letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Drive the carriage back to the Prince Mansion quickly."

The driver responded with a whip of the reins, and the carriage moved steadily forward.

"Bah!" Prince Wu’an spat out a thick wad of phlegm, tinged with bright red, a testament to the fury within him: "Da Liang is on the verge of falling into women’s hands, not far from ruin."

The Heir of Prince Wu’an broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this, hurriedly whispering: "Father, such treasonous words cannot be spoken. If they fall into other ears and are conveyed to the palace, the Empress Dowager will not let it be. And that Jiang Shaohua, she’s no easy character."

Prince Wu’an angrily retorted: "It’s just you and me, father and son here; these words are known only to us, how could they reach others? Or do you plan to personally report your own father to the palace?"

Covered in spittle, the Heir of Prince Wu’an had no choice but to wipe his face with his sleeve and softly placate: "I understand your anger, father, and I am just as upset. However, the current situation is as it is. The Empress Dowager’s faction is rampant, and Jiang Shaohua is the sharp blade in the Empress Dowager’s hand, even Prime Minister Wang has to avoid the edge. Why put yourself at the knife edge?"

Each clash ends with bloodshed. This time was even better, directly expelled from Jingyang Palace, utterly disgraceful. Why not learn from this and remember it?

A son cannot reprimand his father, so he could only secretly grumble and gripe in his heart.

Prince Wu’an wore a sullen face, letting out a cold snort: "I’ve already sided with Prime Minister Wang, I must walk this path to the end, there’s no turning back halfway."

The Heir of Prince Wu’an sighed softly: "With General Wei gone, the Prime Minister’s power at the court has greatly waned."

"The border army still holds," Prince Wu’an snorted again, "What is there to fear? Prime Minister Wang has maneuvered the court for decades. Even if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, a mere wet-behind-the-ears boy is no match for Prime Minister Wang."

"Moreover, don’t be fooled by Prince Dongping and Prince Huaiyang’s silence; they’re no good either. Dogs that bite don’t bark. Just wait and see! I have a feeling this pool of the Capital City will inevitably become a quagmire."

The Heir of Prince Wu’an listened silently, thinking, father, stop making excuses for yourself. Besides, if Prince Dongping and Prince Huaiyang are barking dogs, then what are we, father and son?

...

The father and son of Prince Wu’an left midway, but the palace banquet in Jingyang Palace continued undisturbed, merrily proceeding.

The banquet only concluded near 9 p.m. Jiang Shaohua was kept at Jingyang Palace while the others dispersed.

Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua followed Princess Bao Hua back to the sleeping quarters. Understanding their unhappiness, Princess Bao Hua gently consoled them: "It’s rare for Sister Shao Hua to come to the Capital City. Grand Empress Dowager is keeping her overnight in the palace as a gesture of closeness. In a month or two, Sister Shao Hua will return to Nanyang County. You both, as elder cousins, should yield a little to her."

Jiang Wan Hua sulkily murmured: "Elder cousin, please don’t placate us. We know our worth: combined, we don’t measure up to one Nanyang County Princess."

"Isn’t that the truth?" Jiang Yuehua chimed in sourly: "Right now, Jiang Shaohua is the Empress Dowager’s right-hand woman. I think even Sister Bao Hua’s limelight is overshadowed by her."

Princess Bao Hua glanced at Jiang Yuehua: "We’re all sisters of the same family, why speak such bitter and sarcastic words? You only see Sister Shao Hua’s glory, but have you considered what she’s said and done these past few months?"

"Grand Empress Dowager values her, but has not spared her from charging ahead on the frontline. Only she can accomplish this. If you and I had such abilities, Grand Empress Dowager would naturally regard us differently too."

Jiang Yuehua never expected such sharp words from the gentle Princess Bao Hua, and her pretty face flushed red.

Jiang Wan Hua was also extremely embarrassed, coughing lightly: "Elder cousin is right. Sister Shao Hua is different from us. Though a woman, she is a Commandery Princess with real power. In terms of military strength and tax revenue in the fiefdom, Nanyang County surpasses Dongping County and Huaiyang County, and is much stronger than both Wu’an County and Gaoliang County."

"It’s good that you both understand this reasoning," Princess Bao Hua continued gently: "The strength, or lack thereof, determines the level of status."

"We’re like gilded birds raised in the palace: clothed in finery, graced with honor and wealth, yet utterly dependent on our fathers, brothers, and kin. Sister Shao Hua is different from us. Over the years, she has managed Nanyang County, spent half a year patrolling the counties, personally entered the military camp to win people’s allegiance, and fully promoted new crop planting."

"The path she has to tread is destined to be more arduous and full of trials compared to ours. I hope she can stand firmly in the court, carve out a place in officialdom, and hold her head high. Also let the world know that women are neither weak nor useless, and they too can soar to great heights."

Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua were both taken aback.

It was their first time hearing such words from Princess Bao Hua.

Looking at her two stunned cousins, Princess Bao Hua smiled slightly: "What? Are you very surprised? Did you think I should resent Sister Shao Hua? After all, I am the Da Liang Princess, yet she has stolen all the limelight."

Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua remained silent, effectively confirming it.

"Indeed, when she went to the Imperial Mausoleum, I felt a bit disheartened," Princess Bao Hua confessed: "I am the emperor’s only daughter, yet I could not accompany my father on his final journey. I could only watch the Crown Prince and my second brother go to the mausoleum. When I found out that Sister Shao Hua was going too, I wished I could join in on the funeral procession."

"But ultimately, I lacked the courage."

"I didn’t have the courage to face those peculiar gazes, to withstand the people’s criticism, to break free from the constraints of the title of Princess by conducting oneself in a manner that’s against convention."

"If I lacked the courage then, what right do I have to resent Sister Shao Hua today?"

Silence reigned.

After a while, Jiang Wan Hua quietly said: "Hearing you speak like this, elder cousin, we both feel deeply ashamed. We neither have Sister Shao Hua’s strength and courage nor your clarity and magnanimity, elder cousin."

Pressing her lips together, Jiang Yuehua quietly added: "We won’t speak such bitter and sarcastic words anymore."

Princess Bao Hua smiled gently: "It’s good that you both can see this clearly."