CHAPTER 475: CHAPTER 475: CHAOS ERUPTS

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had held back her worries for many days, and now as she spoke, they poured out completely: "Heaven is truly unjust. My son is gone just like that. Now my grandson, only eighteen, unmarried without children, unable to exert his authority on the court, is diagnosed with such a serious illness. What can be done in the future!"

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

At this moment, the extreme grief of Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was not feigned.

She loved power, but after all, she was aging; her love for her descendants was genuine.

Jiang Shaohua felt heavy-hearted but had to muster up the energy to comfort Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "The emperor is so young; with slow and careful recuperation, he will surely recover."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng choked with emotion: "The Imperial Physicians say the same. But the court officials, like wolves and tigers, disregard the larger picture and constantly fight. How can they allow the Emperor to recuperate carefully? It’s only been a month of absence, yet the court is already in chaos."

Prime Minister Wang claimed he couldn’t attend court due to illness, and Duke An was impeached, unable to attend either. Officials from both the Prime Minister Faction and the Empress Dowager Faction haven’t ceased their infighting, with one memorial after another being submitted. The governance of various states and counties of the Da Liang Dynasty doesn’t halt due to Emperor Taihe’s illness, with countless memorials flooding in.

Yet, Emperor Taihe cannot attend court nor review these memorials. It’s no exaggeration to say that the stacks of memorials in Zhaohai Palace indeed pile up like a mountain. The calls for an audience with the Emperor are growing louder by the day.

"Who is the heartless scoundrel spreading the rumor that I have imprisoned the Emperor to control the government?" Grand Empress Dowager Zheng angrily gritted her teeth: "The Emperor is my own eldest grandson, dearest to my heart; how could I imprison him? Besides, at my age, what purpose would controlling the government serve?"

However, the rumor spread rapidly. Mixed with the previous vague incident of male lovers being kept in Jingyang Palace, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s reputation fell to rock bottom.

Being reviled and scorned by all is not a pleasant experience.

There’s no smoke without fire; this rumor directly targeting Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had an unseen hand behind it.

Jiang Shaohua remained silent momentarily, then asked softly: "How many people know the details of the Emperor’s illness?"

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng frowned: "More than a dozen Imperial Physicians couldn’t be kept in the dark, so I’ve issued a gag order. If any word gets out, I’ll have their heads. Empress Dowager Li cried daily wanting to see her son; I stopped her for seven or eight days, but eventually, I didn’t. After all, she is the Emperor’s biological mother and should know."

"Then there’s Eunuch Ge in Zhaohai Palace, Zhao Chunming by my side, and a few Imperial Attendants. Besides them, no one else knows."

Jiang Shaohua: "..."

Is that not many?

The palace is already a sieve; it’s hard to keep secrets. With so many people in the know, how can it be concealed from the ministers?

The Emperor is gravely ill, unable to attend court, leaving ministers leaderless, resulting in inevitable chaos.

"Prime Minister Wang should have already guessed." Jiang Shaohua tactfully expressed: "His constant claim of illness and abstention from court and governmental affairs is a leverage against the Lady and the Emperor to back down."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng angrily slapped the tea table, causing the teacup to jump and a crisp sound to echo: "I’ve already sent someone twice to visit the Prince Mansion and request his return to court. What more does he want? Does he expect me to personally pay him an apologetic visit? Even if I went, could he afford such a gesture?"

"Wang Rong is the Da Liang Chancellor, a senior minister for three reigns, held in high regard by the late Emperor. At this juncture, he doesn’t stand up to support the court, neglecting the larger picture for personal grudges. What makes him fit to be the Da Liang Chancellor!"

Jiang Shaohua said: "Now is not the time for stubborn disputes. No matter what, we must first have Prime Minister Wang step forward to support the situation. If this chaos continues, it will likely lead to more calamities."

"The unrest in Pingzhou has just settled. The Lady surely doesn’t wish for another outbreak of refugees and troops, plunging Da Liang into war again, do you? And the Rouran cavalry, having tasted benefits, might take advantage of an empty, chaotic court to invade the borders again. Can just General Fan and the border army, not yet fully loyal, withstand it?"

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was rendered speechless.

Jiang Shaohua softly said: "I know what’s in your heart, full of pent-up frustration. However, matters must be prioritized. To speak bluntly, the court won’t collapse without Duke An. It’s alright for Duke An to stay in the Zheng Mansion for introspection for a while. Once the Emperor has recuperated, the matter of Duke An’s impeachment will fade, handled lightly, and it will pass."

"The most urgent task now is to quickly stabilize people’s hearts and the court. This person must be Prime Minister Wang."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng remained silent.

Jiang Shaohua sighed internally. Even at this point, there’s still a struggle for superiority. The Da Liang court is truly rotten to the core.

Such words, of course, couldn’t be spoken.

Jiang Shaohua continued to softly advise: "Prime Minister Wang harbors resentment because of two matters: the impeachment of Left General and Governor Wang’s imprisonment. To have Prime Minister Wang return to court, mere light words won’t suffice. It has to start with these two matters."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s brow moved, looking at Jiang Shaohua: "Zixian’s opinion is the exact opposite of yours. He said that in times like this, we must not yield. Otherwise, once Prime Minister Wang returns to court, he will become more arrogant and domineering, and no one will be able to keep him in check."

Behind the chaos are self-interests and manipulative hands.

Jiang Shaohua raised her eyes, meeting Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s gaze: "Duke An is Zheng Sheren’s father; Zheng Sheren, as a son, naturally wants to support his father. From his position, it makes sense to think this way."

"I am Commandery Princess Jiang, and I must consider the Jiang family’s reign and stability. The palace must not be chaotic, nor can the court be, and the Capital City must remain stable. This conflict must be resolved swiftly."

"In the heart of Great-Aunt, what is more important?"

Is it more important to preserve her face and Zheng’s family strength, or the peace and stability of the court, dynasty, and people’s hearts?

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s expression turned unsettled.

Jiang Shaohua sighed internally once more. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng initially wasn’t someone who considered the larger picture; she was merely a greedy old woman with mediocre political acumen. Bringing the inner palace strife to the court indeed resulted in great upheaval.

"Great-Aunt, I wish to see the Emperor." Unable to persuade Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, Jiang Shaohua changed the topic.

Five years of persistent persuasion finally bore fruit.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s trust in Jiang Shaohua was second only to the Zheng family father and son. With affairs in disarray and lacking firm decision, Jiang Shaohua’s clear, calm, and orderly mindset naturally resonated with her.

"Very well. You siblings haven’t seen each other for two years; your concern for him led you to rush to the Capital City. You should indeed see him."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng quickly made up her mind: "I’ll lead you to Zhaohai Palace."