CHAPTER 480: CHAPTER 480: TRUST (PART 1)

That night, Jiang Shaohua stayed in Jingyang Palace.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was a master at winning people’s hearts. The bedroom, where Jiang Shaohua once stayed, was tidied up neatly and elegantly. The night snack brought by the palace attendants included all the foods Jiang Shaohua loved to eat.

Yin Zhutubai both entered the palace to take care of Jiang Shaohua’s daily needs, and Chen Jinyu accompanied her daily, also staying in Jingyang Palace. As for Song Yuan and several other trusted aides, they were settled elsewhere, not worth detailing.

After a day of toiling back and forth, expending physical and mental energy, Jiang Shaohua finally showed signs of fatigue.

Yin Zhu, feeling heartbroken, said, "Tomorrow the Commandery Princess has to get up early to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, so let’s rest early tonight!"

Jiang Shaohua murmured in agreement, and as soon as her head hit the soft pillow, she quickly fell asleep.

The next day at the fifth hour, Jiang Shaohua opened her eyes and woke up.

There was no place to practice martial arts in Jingyang Palace, and with all the chatter among the palace folks, it was somewhat inconvenient for her to practice martial arts. So she just performed a set of boxing moves in her room. The room was quite spacious, allowing Jiang Shaohua to move gracefully like a swallow.

After practicing boxing, Jiang Shaohua washed, dressed, and enjoyed a hearty and delicious breakfast, charging towards the "battlefield" with vigor.

She first went to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, exchanging pleasantries with Princess Bao Hua, Dongping County Princess, and Huaiyang County Princess. The reading companion, Fan Jaining, was nowhere to be seen, and Jiang Shaohua casually smiled and asked, "Why hasn’t Miss Fan come to the palace?"

Princess Bao Hua glanced at Jiang Shaohua and said, "Jianing is sixteen this year and has reached the age for marriage discussions, so it’s inappropriate for her to enter the palace as a reading companion anymore. She hasn’t been to the palace for two months now."

Fan Jaining was a year older than Jiang Shaohua. As the legitimate granddaughter of General Fan and niece of Imperial Concubine Fan, Fan Jaining was one of the most esteemed noblewomen in the Capital City, with very few young men matching her stature, most of whom worked as secretaries by the Emperor’s side. Considering alliance and marriage ties, the Fan Family had taken Fan Jaining out of the palace.

Without changing her expression, Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and said, "Miss Fan has outstanding talent, beauty, and virtue. Surely, the Fan Family has a hundred suitors for a daughter like her."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng chuckled and chimed in, "Exactly, ever since Jianing left the palace, the Fan Family has been overwhelmed with proposals."

Fan Jaining was exceptionally beautiful, and more importantly, General Fan had taken command of the border army, becoming the foremost figure in the military. Many were eager to be allied with General Fan’s family.

The Dongping County Princess glanced at Jiang Shaohua and suddenly said, "Speaking of which, the Zheng Family was originally discussing marriage with the Fan Family. Minister Zheng was suddenly impeached, so the engagement had to be put on hold. Otherwise, Cousin Shaohua would have heard the good news."

In the Dongping County Princess’s view, Jiang Shaohua refused Zheng Chen and Wang Jin only because she insisted on recruiting a husband into her own family. Although this is not a big deal, Zheng Chen could still marry into a prominent noble family. How could Jiang Shaohua not feel a twinge of jealousy after hearing such news?

Unfortunately, Jiang Shaohua didn’t show any reaction, merely responding with a faint smile, "Zheng Sheren is both scholarly and martial, a perfect match for Miss Fan."

The Dongping County Princess wanted to speak further, but the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng glanced over with slight displeasure, and the Dongping County Princess immediately fell silent.

The Huaiyang County Princess was not one to keep quiet, laughing as she said, "In terms of age, Wang Sheren is even older than Zheng Sheren by a year; he’s eighteen this year. He hasn’t discussed marriage yet, and one wonders what kind of girl he will marry in the future."

Princess Bao Hua lowered her eyes, hiding the sadness in them.

No matter whom Wang Jin marries, it is almost certain he will not want to become a Prince Consort. Prince Consorts of Da Liang Dynasty can only hold honorary or idle positions. Wang Jin has great ambitions and naturally does not wish to live off another person.

The Huaiyang County Princess aimed to prick Jiang Shaohua’s heart, but unknowingly, it was Princess Bao Hua who was deeply hurt as Jiang Shaohua remained indifferent.

After exiting Jingyang Palace, the young women all headed to Ning An Palace to pay respects.

Upon seeing the haggard and frail Empress Dowager Li, Jiang Shaohua naturally showed surprise and concern without pretending: "It’s been two years since we’ve met. How has the Empress Dowager become so thin and weary?"

It was partly because the Li Family had been continuously suppressed, and she was under heavy pressure from the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng in the palace. Additionally, it was because of Emperor Taihe’s illness.

Hearing that Emperor Taihe had inherited the late Emperor’s illness was undoubtedly a shock to Empress Dowager Li. She did not know how many times she had cried.

In front of Jiang Shaohua, Empress Dowager Li maintained the dignity and pride of an empress dowager, saying, "I am worried about His Majesty’s health, which has left me unable to enjoy food or rest, hence the haggardness."

After a pause, she added, "I did not expect you to rush to the Capital City. I heard that you also went to the Prince Mansion yesterday to invite Prime Minister Wang back to court. Your efforts to share the Emperor’s burdens speak to your loyalty."

This was considered an olive branch from Empress Dowager Li, despite her haughty attitude.

Jiang Shaohua did not mind the somewhat stiff tone and less than gentle demeanor of Empress Dowager Li, responding with a smile, "This is my duty, not worthy of the Empress Dowager’s praise."

After some socializing, the group headed to Zhaohai Palace.

Emperor Taihe’s illness was no secret in the palace. Princess Bao Hua was worried, and Jiang Shaohua softly reassured her, "Cousin, there’s no need to worry; His Majesty’s condition is not serious and will surely improve with time."

Emperor Taikang fell unconscious from overwork a few times and never woke up again. Could the current state of Da Liang allow Emperor Taihe the time to recover slowly?

In front of everyone, Princess Bao Hua couldn’t voice these thoughts and replied with strength, "Cousin Shaohua is right."

Stationed outside Zhaohai Palace today was Secretary Li Boyuan.

Seeing her fiancé, the Dongping County Princess blushed, her eyes constantly flickering towards him. Li Boyuan also glanced at her a few times, then solemnly said to the young women, "The Emperor needs to rest and is not seeing visitors, so please return."

Princess Bao Hua felt a bit disappointed but remained silent.

Then they heard Li Boyuan say, "Nanyang County Princess, please wait. The Emperor has instructed for the Commandery Princess to be admitted."

The young women were speechless.

No noise was allowed outside Zhaohai Palace.

Upon returning to the princess’s sleeping quarters, the Huaiyang County Princess spoke out in anger, "The Emperor needs rest and cannot see anyone. Why is Jiang Shaohua allowed into Zhaohai Palace?"

The Dongping County Princess also felt indignant on behalf of Princess Bao Hua, "Your Highness is the Emperor’s legitimate elder sister, yet the Emperor trusts Jiang Shaohua over the Princess. It’s utterly absurd. Jiang Shaohua is from the Jiang Family in name only; she is actually of Lu Family descent. Why does she deserve such trust from the Emperor?"

Indeed! This is what Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua couldn’t come to terms with.

They were the true Jiang Family daughters. As for Jiang Shaohua, she was of Lu Family blood, simply bearing the Jiang surname through her mother. Compared to them, she was inferior in terms of blood relation.

Princess Bao Hua looked at the indignant Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua and spoke softly, "It’s because Cousin Shaohua contributes a large amount of military provisions to the court every year, because she can ease His Majesty’s burdens and solve problems, because she possesses the prosperous and peaceful Nanyang County, and because she commands a powerful military force and loyal Prince Mansion Officials."

"If you both had such capabilities, solving problems for His Majesty, the Emperor would naturally regard you with high esteem as well."