CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 473: CLASH OF RIVALS

"Indeed."

Jiang Shaohua maintained his composure, while Zheng Chen appeared business-like: "The Grand Empress Dowager is aware that the Commandery Princess is coming, and has ordered people to observe the activity at the city gates. When the Commandery Princess entered the city gates, someone sent a message to the palace."

"I am here on the orders of the Lady to request that the Commandery Princess freshen up a bit and change into new clothes, then immediately enter the palace to meet."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "Thank you for conveying the message, Zheng Sheren. Please wait an hour."

Zheng Chen came by order of Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, so naturally he couldn’t be dismissed casually.

Song Yuan immediately stepped forward to invite Zheng Sheren to wait inside the mansion.

After dismounting, Jiang Shaohua entered the inner courtyard of the Prince Mansion and refreshed himself as quickly as possible.

The Imperial Palace is the place with the most elaborate rules under the sky. Jiang Shaohua did not want to be criticized for trivial details, so after freshening up, he changed into the usual attire of a Commandery Princess and adorned a luxurious and valuable golden hairpin.

In the shining mirror, the young girl’s brows were like indigo, her eyes like autumn waters, beautiful and noble, fully showcasing the majesty and dignity the Da Liang Princess ought to have.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at herself in the mirror, ensuring there were no oversights, and then stepped out.

Exactly an hour.

Zheng Chen watched the beautiful girl approach slowly, and his lips curled into a smile: "Commandery Princess, please follow me into the palace for the audience."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly. After leaving the Prince Mansion, she boarded the palace carriage, and in just an incense burning time, arrived outside the palace gates.

The guard at the palace gates was an old acquaintance, Liu Hengmao, Liu Hengchang’s cousin.

Upon seeing Jiang Shaohua, Liu Hengmao was not surprised and saluted: "Subordinate Liu Hengmao, greets the Commandery Princess."

There are never true secrets in the palace. The news of Jiang Shaohua entering the Capital City had already spread through the palace a few days ago.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly at Liu Hengmao: "General Liu, please rise."

Liu Hengchang is highly valued in the Nanyang Guard Camp, and due to close ties with Liu Hengmao, they frequently exchanged letters, showing particular respect and affinity toward Jiang Shaohua.

Zheng Chen’s gaze flickered, his thoughts unknown to anyone.

Upon entering the palace gates, Jiang Shaohua’s trusted aides were reduced to five, and their weapons were removed.

This, too, was palace protocol. External officials entering the palace, accompanying number cannot exceed five, and no weapons can be carried. The only ones allowed to carry swords in the palace are the Imperial Guard. Naturally, this rule is to prevent chaos in the palace.

"The Grand Empress Dowager awaits the Commandery Princess in Jingyang Palace." Zheng Chen’s voice sounded beside her ear.

Jiang Shaohua paused her steps and turned to look, "Isn’t the Grand Empress Dowager always keeping vigil over the Emperor in Zhaohai Palace?"

Zheng Chen answered without revealing any emotion: "She indeed was in Zhaohai Palace for some days. Recently, however, the Grand Empress Dowager has returned to Jingyang Palace."

It seems that Emperor Taihe’s condition improved. Otherwise, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s temper would not allow her to easily leave Zhaohai Palace.

Jiang Shaohua’s heart slightly relaxed, and she continued moving forward.

From the meeting until now, they spoke only of official business, without a single private word.

Past life love and hate have all seemingly become bygones. Between them, as clear and bright as the breeze and the moon, there were no more entanglements.

After an incense burning time, they arrived at Jingyang Palace. Zheng Chen went ahead to report, and Jiang Shaohua awaited the summons outside the hall.

She stood silently by the entrance, her gaze fixated on the vermilion red columns. Her acute hearing absorbed the subtle sounds within the hall.

"Servant Zhao Chunming, greets the Commandery Princess."

The familiar voice of Mr. Zhao sounded. Jiang Shaohua snapped out of her reverie, smiled at Mr. Zhao: "Mr. Zhao, please rise."

Mr. Zhao chuckled in delight: "I attended the Commandery Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony in Nanyang County last time and didn’t expect to see the Commandery Princess again just half a year later. Please, Commandery Princess, come inside."

Jiang Shaohua accepted the invitation with a smile.

At the threshold, Mr. Zhao’s voice, lowered to an almost inaudible level, reached her ear: "The Emperor’s health is poor, Lady’s mood is not great, Commandery Princess be cautious."

Jiang Shaohua nodded subtly.

...

Even though Jiang Shaohua was psychologically prepared, she was still quite startled upon seeing Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

Compared to two years ago, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had aged significantly. Lack of sleep over several days left dark circles under her eyes, which the thickest powder couldn’t conceal. There were several blisters at her lip corners, one about the size of a bean. This showed how deeply troubled and hard life had recently been for Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

The Emperor’s illness was one issue, and Duke An’s impeachment was another. The affair of Eunuch Lan and Eunuch Xiao Yuan seemed quickly suppressed, yet rumors continued to boil and have far-reaching effects.

The good reputation Grand Empress Dowager Zheng painstakingly built over decades was destroyed instantly, as people talked and pointed fingers. Anyone who cared about their reputation would find it unbearable. Moreover, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng valued vanity and face most highly, making this blow even greater.

Inside the hall, besides Zheng Chen, were Princess Bao Hua, Princess Dongping, and Princess Huaiyang.

Jiang Shaohua stepped forward briskly, performed a respectful bow, and upon rising, her eyes were already red: "It’s been two years since we last met, Lady looks much more haggard now. Shao Hua regrets not being able to serve by your side."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was touched by this genuine sentiment: "Good child, your concern touches my heart. Come here, let me take a good look at you."

Duke An faced troubled affairs and has been introspective behind closed doors ever since. With the strong rise of Nanyang County, Jiang Shaohua’s weight naturally increased significantly. Hence, when Jiang Shaohua wrote about coming to the Capital City, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng did not hesitate much before agreeing. The reunion was filled with warmth and affection.

Jiang Shaohua complied and approached, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng held her hand, carefully scrutinized her, and sighed: "When I saw you before, you were still somewhat immature. Now you have truly grown up. I have grown old as well."

Jiang Shaohua softly said: "In Shao Hua’s heart, Lady will never age."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng gave a self-mocking smile: "I have indeed grown old; my energy isn’t what it was. Inside and outside the palace, countless people hope for my early demise."

Upon hearing this, Princess Bao Hua couldn’t sit still, immediately stood up and said softly: "Grand Empress Dowager, please don’t say such things. Recent palace unrest is the work of treacherous ministers and scoundrels. Fortunately, with Grand Empress Dowager’s support, no serious incident occurred."

Princess Bao Hua is four years older than Jiang Shaohua and is now nineteen, at the height of her beauty. Beautiful, dignified, gentle, and filial, almost every positive adjective about beauty can be applied to Princess Bao Hua.

Princess Dongping and Princess Huaiyang also stood up subsequently, each offering gentle words of consolation and comfort.

Jiang Shaohua watched silently.

Jiang Wan Hua, now eighteen, was engaged to Li Boyuan last year, with the wedding in just over a month.

Jiang Yuehua, now seventeen, is also engaged, to the eldest grandson of Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Personnel. This marriage was presided over by Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, naturally meant to foster ties with Minister Zhang. Such is a familiar means of alliance through marriage for Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

However, Princess Bao Hua, observing three-year mourning for her father, has yet to be engaged.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, somewhat reviving from everyone’s counsel, spoke to Jiang Shaohua: "By the way, your last letter mentioned an engagement with Elder Changning. Now that you have arrived in the Capital City, wouldn’t the engagement be postponed?"