CHAPTER 476: CHAPTER 476: SIBLINGS

Jiang Shaohua silently followed Grand Empress Dowager Zheng to Zhaohai Palace.

Emperor Taihe lay bedridden, not meeting with outer ministers, and there were only a few people permitted to visit the Emperor in the palace. Outside Zhaohai Palace, layers of Imperial Guards stood watch, all clad in armor and holding weapons with sharp eyes, exuding an air of stern vigilance.

Jiang Shaohua stepped into Zhaohai Palace amidst this heavy atmosphere.

"Servant greets the Grand Empress Dowager!" Eunuch Ge came forward to welcome them. At the sight of Jiang Shaohua, Eunuch Ge was slightly taken aback but did not show it: "Servant greets the Commandery Princess."

"Rise." Grand Empress Dowager Zheng inquired: "Is the Emperor awake now?"

Eunuch Ge replied softly, "The Emperor took his medicine and fell asleep not long ago."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng paused in her steps: "I will wait outside; when the Emperor wakes up, I will enter the bedroom."

Emperor Taihe’s ailment required that he should not think too much or worry, and he needed ample sleep and restful recuperation. Jiang Shaohua and Grand Empress Dowager Zheng waited for an hour and a half.

Emperor Taihe finally opened his eyes, and with the assistance of the eunuchs, he was slowly helped to sit up. His gaze fell on Jiang Shaohua’s face.

Jiang Shaohua respectfully saluted: "Shao Hua greets the Emperor."

"There are no outsiders here, just call me Cousin," Emperor Taihe, evidently lacking vigor, spoke with a weak voice. Having not left the bedroom for a month, his face had paled considerably, yet he hadn’t lost weight and was even a bit plumper than two years back.

Jiang Shaohua softly acknowledged and took a seat on the chair beside the bed.

"You wrote asking to come to the Capital City. I was not in a position to write personally due to my lack of energy, so I asked Grand Empress Dowager to reply on my behalf." Emperor Taihe’s speech was noticeably slower than before, needing pauses after speaking for a short while. It was unclear whether this was due to a lack of breath or slow thoughts: "Since you’re here, stay for a while longer."

Jiang Shaohua verbally agreed, but a sense of unease settled quietly in her heart.

Seeing Emperor Taihe in this state confirmed that Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had not exaggerated. Emperor Taihe might not be in mortal peril, but he could no longer endure hard labor, stress, or anxiety.

Yet the role of Emperor is the most draining task in the world. How would things proceed with Emperor Taihe in such a condition?

Emperor Taihe, clearly aware of the current plight, smiled bitterly to himself: "I am truly an unfit Emperor. The chaos of the court is all due to my mediocrity and incompetence."

Though factual, it was necessary at this moment to offer words of comfort.

Jiang Shaohua gathered her spirits and comforted warmly: "Cousin, your health is delicate and requires rest; do not worry about these matters for now. Once your health is restored, you can then deal with the unruly ministers."

Emperor Taihe let out another bitter laugh: "I can neither suppress Prime Minister Wang nor deal with Duke An. What use am I!"

To say such things in front of Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was certainly inappropriate. Everyone knew Duke An was the knife in Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s hand!

The Da Liang Court’s chaos had reached its current state because of the relentless conflict between Prime Minister Wang and Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, neither side yielding. Aside from some neutral courtiers, ministers entrenched in factionalism occupied sixty percent, with opportunists swaying between sides, and low-ranking officials only able to cheer and wield flags... All court turmoil stemmed from this.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s expression indeed turned unpleasant. Considering the Emperor’s bedridden condition, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng endured this time without speaking.

Jiang Shaohua continued to comfort the dispirited Emperor: "Things have not reached an irreparable state; cousin, do not lose heart."

Emperor Taihe looked at Jiang Shaohua, but his words were directed at Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "I intend to send someone to the Prince Mansion to invite the Prime Minister back to the court."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng could no longer hold back: "I have already sent people twice, but Prime Minister Wang merely dodges, claiming grave illness. Am I to personally visit and invite him?"

Emperor Taihe sighed: "Prime Minister Wang is the Da Liang Chancellor, the head of officials. To invite him back to court requires sending someone of weight. What does it mean to send a palace maid from your side, Grandmother?"

This was akin to an insult. No wonder Prime Minister Wang refused to return to court.

Jiang Shaohua quickly glanced at Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, wondering why she had not mentioned such an important matter earlier.

Unfazed by having her thoughts revealed, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng remained justified: "If Prime Minister Wang is so committed to the court and loyal, he should not mind such trivial details."

Emperor Taihe: "..."

No wonder Emperor Taihe’s illness had shown no improvement. Daily frustrations and such grievances could wear down even a healthy person.

Jiang Shaohua internally complained, softly suggesting: "If Cousin trusts me, I could go to Prime Minister Wang’s mansion."

Emperor Taihe was momentarily stunned, and Grand Empress Dowager Zheng immediately objected: "No! You are a Da Liang Princess; you cannot humble yourself this way. Let a few secretaries go instead."

Jiang Shaohua responded: "Wang She Ren and Zheng Sheren are not suitable to go, Mr. Li is too rough and inarticulate, and the Heir of Prince Gaoliang is impulsive and reckless—going would be of no use. I am a Da Liang Princess, my status is sufficient, I can represent the dignity of the Grand Empress Dowager, and also make some promises on behalf of the Emperor. If successful, that’s best. If not, Prime Minister Wang cannot very well use harsh words on a young lady. Therefore, I am the most appropriate."

Indeed, this seemed very appropriate.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng considered for a moment and asked Emperor Taihe: "Why not let Shaohua give it a try?"

Emperor Taihe remained silent for a moment before nodding slowly: "Then I’ll trouble my cousin Shao Hua to make the trip." Pausing briefly, he added: "Tell Prime Minister Wang that I will have Zuo Feng reinstated to control the military power again. Wang Yi may not keep his position, but his life will be unharmed."

So, there are no fools. Emperor Taihe saw everything clearly and knew where the issue lay.

Jiang Shaohua earnestly replied: "I will certainly make every effort to persuade Prime Minister Wang to return to court."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng couldn’t help but mutter: "Then the minor mistakes Duke An committed should also be forgiven!"

Emperor Taihe twitched his mouth slightly.

Jiang Shaohua softly suggested: "If we’re to invite Prime Minister Wang back, Duke An will have to endure some grievances for a while. Once the court stabilizes, we can revisit and address those matters."

This was precisely what Emperor Taihe wished for.

Emperor Taihe nodded in approval.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, feeling displeased, let out a faint snort.

Jiang Shaohua, as if she hadn’t heard it, smiled and chatted lightly with Emperor Taihe. She mentioned that this year, Nanyang County sold grain seeds and earned a lot of silver.

Emperor Taihe’s eyebrows relaxed, and he smiled: "Earning silver is excellent. In the past two years, Nanyang County has contributed so much grain to the court, and the Ministry of Revenue has issued many IOUs that have not been repaid. Frankly, I feel deeply indebted to my cousin."

Jiang Shaohua laughed softly: "To alleviate cousin’s worries brings me great joy."

"There is one more matter to inform cousin. I am engaged to Elder Changning. The wedding is set for three years from now."

Emperor Taihe acknowledged: "When you marry in a few years, I will enfeoff him as the Changning Marquis."

The Emperor’s word is a binding decree.

Jiang Shaohua immediately expressed gratitude on behalf of Cui Du for the Emperor’s grace.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s brow twitched, wanting to speak but held back.