CHAPTER 318: CHAPTER 318: APPRAISALS

Jiang Shaohua opened the letter in front of Wang Jin.

Prime Minister Wang’s apology letter was meticulously worded, expressing his sincerity without losing dignity.

Apology it might be, but it’s still an apology. In this round, Prime Minister Wang undoubtedly lost. The price she had to pay was to supply Yan County with a new batch of seeds for replanting. This was no small extra expense for the Nanyang Prince Mansion at present.

Nevertheless, making Prime Minister Wang bow his head was worth it. She also garnered the goodwill of the new emperor and Empress Dowager Zheng, boosting her presence and favorability in the court. A win-win-win situation.

"I shall keep this document," Jiang Shaohua said slowly as she put down the letter. Chen Sheren, standing by, swiftly stepped forward to take it away.

"Please inform Prime Minister Wang, through the Fourth Young Master Wang, that starting today, the grudges between me and Prime Minister Wang are nullified," Jiang Shaohua stated.

"I hope Prime Minister Wang does not cause any more trouble. Otherwise, it won’t be as simple next time."

Wang Jin’s brow twitched. His youthful enthusiasm was doused with cold water.

Jiang Shaohua’s attitude was unexpectedly firm. Her words, instead of signaling a resolution, were more like adding fuel to the fire. Between them, it was as if a chasm had been drawn.

This chasm was called divergent paths.

Suppressing his complex emotions, Wang the Fourth calmly replied, "I will certainly convey the Commandery Princess’s words to my father."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and rose like a victor, "I will not keep the Fourth Young Master then."

Wang Jin had to clasp his hands in farewell.

Jiang Shaohua did not even personally see him off. Instead, she called over Ma Yaosong, "Ma, see off the Fourth Young Master Wang on my behalf."

Full of vigor, Ma Yaosong accepted the order and respectfully sent off the Fourth Young Master Wang.

...

Wang Jin, carrying an indescribable anger, silently boarded the carriage back to the Wang Family.

Over the years, the Wang Family had seen a constant stream of visitors, with countless officials daily submitting visiting cards seeking an audience with Prime Minister Wang. Throughout the forty states, three hundred counties, and over a thousand prefectures of Da Liang, officials in various regions were vying to get close to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. The gatekeeper at the Wang Family was quite imposing, not even batting an eye at officials below the Sixth Rank.

In the past two days, however, the number of visiting cards had notably decreased.

Like blades of grass bending with the wind, the officials sensed something unusual in the new emperor’s actions and adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

"This is the bureaucracy, where people worship the high and trample the low, fawn upon the powerful," Prime Minister Wang taught his son emotionlessly: "Now you should understand, the so-called Prime Minister Faction is far fewer than you imagine. When I am in power, they are the Prime Minister Faction. Once I am out of power, they definitely will not go down with me but will quickly cling to another ship."

Wang Jin exhaled a deep breath, "I have taken this to heart, father."

Prime Minister Wang continued calmly: "However, this is nothing. I have weathered the ups and downs of the bureaucracy for decades, even if I occasionally suffer setbacks. It’s not a little girl who can defeat me."

"This Jiang Shaohua, using the authority of the Empress Dowager and the new emperor against me, is indeed formidable. Fortunately, she is a woman, limited by her identity, able to do only so much. If she were a man, the Da Liang Court would be her domain in the future."

Wang Jin was somewhat shocked, looking up at Prime Minister Wang: "Father has such high regard for her?"

Prime Minister Wang snorted coldly: "Even utilizing her circumstances, to make me suffer such a loss, is by no means ordinary. Compared to her, you are indecisive and soft-hearted."

"Zheng Chen is too arrogant, overconfident, and ruthless."

"Jiang Yi is restless and unfit for great responsibilities, Li Boyuan is rough-hewn and unlikely to succeed greatly."

This round of sharp criticism caused Wang Jin to break out in a cold sweat. He couldn’t help but ask softly: "In father’s mind, none of us measure up to the Commandery Princess?"

Prime Minister Wang coldly retorted: "Could you, at thirteen, as a young girl, have done so many things?"

Wang Jin remained silent.

"Princess Bao Hua, Dongping County Princess, and others are incomparable to the Nanyang County Princess," Prime Minister Wang was evidently in an unstable mood today, uncharacteristically commenting on several noble girls in the palace: "Princess Bao Hua is a legitimate princess, but she lost her mother early and was raised by the Empress Dowager, much like a flower nurtured in a greenhouse, beautiful but unable to withstand the storm."

"The Dongping County Princess is narrow-minded and jealous, the Huaiyang County Princess lacks vision and is petty, and the girl from the Fan Family who became a reading companion is too naive and simple."

"Compared to Jiang Shaohua, they are all like birds in a cage."

For some reason, listening to his father praise the Nanyang County Princess so highly, Wang Jin felt a chill.

He knew his father’s temperament very well.

To think so seriously and cautiously about someone meant his father already saw them as a true opponent. Once he made a move, he would be merciless.

"Father," Wang Jin couldn’t help but utter softly, "the investiture ceremonies of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager are going to take place soon. The Commandery Princess will soon leave the Capital City to return to Nanyang County, and will not easily set foot in the Capital City in the future."

Prime Minister Wang curled a corner of his mouth, immediately targeting his son’s heart: "What’s this? Are you pleading for Jiang Shaohua, afraid I will take action against Nanyang County?"

Is there even a need to fear? Given Prime Minister Wang’s temper, he is bound to take action.

Wang Jin sighed inwardly and said softly: "Father also said, no matter how formidable the Commandery Princess is, she is still a girl. Eventually, the court is not where she will remain. She will return to her Nanyang County, and you, father, can continue to be the Da Liang Chancellor, why make an enemy?"

"Naive! Foolishness!" Prime Minister Wang’s face sank, mercilessly scolding his son: "I just said so much, did none of it sink in?"

"With her strength, her shrewdness, her means, you still see her as an ordinary young girl and expect mercy from me? Now what needs consideration is how she will make her move next, and how I should respond."

"When she says she will return to Nanyang County, do you believe she really will? Just something said to deceive those around her. Once she’s tasted the flavor of power, who would willingly let go? At present, she has influence in Jingyang Palace, can sway the Emperor’s attitude, and has a good relationship with Duke An."

"Do you even know how many courtiers secretly have dealings with the Nanyang Prince Mansion? Among them, there are even two who are supposedly Prime Minister Faction!"

"For such a political enemy, even if I am to take action, I must not be rash. I must prepare thoroughly, waiting for the most suitable opportunity. Either I do not strike, or if I do, I must hit the mark with one blow."

Wang Jin inhaled sharply, unsure of what to say.

Prime Minister Wang stared at Wang Jin, sternly saying: "Cast aside those youthful thoughts early. Our Wang Family cannot tolerate such an ambitious woman."

Wang Jin was silent for a moment, then said: "Rest assured, father. I have no other thoughts towards the Commandery Princess."

"Even if I occasionally had some notions, the Commandery Princess wouldn’t take any interest in me."

Prime Minister Wang: "..."