CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 96: THE LETTER ARRIVES

Jiang Shaohua sent a letter?

Empress Dowager Zheng was somewhat surprised and reached out to take the thick envelope.

Zheng Chen’s gaze also shifted over, staring intently at the letter.

However, Empress Dowager Zheng had no intention of opening the letter immediately. Instead, she advised, "Since your health has improved, go to the Upper Study Room and read."

Zheng Chen could only comply, bowing before leaving. As he departed, he couldn’t help but glance at the envelope again, as if trying to see through it to the deeply imprinted figure in his heart.

With an indescribably complex feeling, Zheng Chen entered the Upper Study Room.

The Crown Prince cheerfully stood up to greet him, "Zixian, it’s great that you’re well. We’ve been very worried these days."

Jiang Yi interjected with a laugh, "Isn’t that right? Bo Yuan used to eat three bowls a meal, and these days, he’s been so anxious that his appetite dropped by thirty percent."

Li Boyuan grinned widely.

Wang Jin smiled and said, "Tonight, I’ll host a dinner and have the best banquet set up at Dingxiang Building to celebrate Zixian’s safe recovery."

Thirteen-year-old Fourth Young Master Wang had eyes as clear as a bright moon and stars. With a smile in his eyes, he exuded a graceful and elegant demeanor like jade.

Zheng Chen gazed steadily at Wang Jin for a moment.

Wang Jin, bewildered by the look, jokingly said, "It’s only been eight or nine days, why are you looking at me like that? Did I grow horns on my head or an extra pair of eyes on my face?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Zheng Chen gave Wang Jin a deep look and also laughed, "I just suddenly realized that you are extraordinarily handsome, and I got a bit jealous, so I couldn’t help but look a few more times."

With this remark, everyone laughed even harder.

Wang Jin chuckled helplessly and spat in jest at Zheng Chen.

A real man should compete in literature and martial prowess, in knowledge and courage. It’s not like being a young lady where looks matter!

Besides, even if it were about looks, who would dare boast about their handsomeness in front of the peerlessly handsome Young Master Zheng?

Zheng Chen slowly took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. A myriad of thoughts were suppressed in his heart: "I haven’t been here for a few days, what has the Grand Tutor taught lately? You all, quickly tell me."

The Crown Prince was mediocre in his studies, Li Boyuan only had a clever face but was actually just an empty-headed person. As for Jiang Yi, he was young and playful, his studies about on par with Li Boyuan.

The responsibility of explaining the lessons to Zheng Chen naturally fell on the exceptionally talented and intelligent Fourth Young Master Wang.

Wang Jin began explaining patiently and meticulously.

As Zheng Chen listened, he suddenly felt a bit dazed.

Was everything before him real, or was it all a dream?

Or perhaps, everything he had experienced was the true heart-wrenching dream?

Shao Hua, have you too, like a dream of a butterfly by Zhuang Zhou, returned to your youth?

...

Inside Jingyang Palace.

After Zheng Chen left, Empress Dowager Zheng casually opened the envelope and began to read. After just half a page, she sat up straight, the smile disappearing from her face, her eyes fixed closely on the letter.

Standing nearby, Mr. Zhao discreetly observed Empress Dowager Zheng’s expression, silently pondering.

What has happened in Nanyang County?

The Commandery Princess sent a letter, could it be that she has changed her mind and wants to enter the palace? Or is there something she is asking the Empress Dowager to support?

Having received benefits from the Commandery Princess, regardless of the situation, it would be appropriate to speak a few words for her.

As Empress Dowager Zheng finished reading the long letter with a sullen face, Mr. Zhao hurriedly served a cup of hot tea to the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Zheng impatiently gave a glare, "I have no interest in drinking tea."

Mr. Zhao, realizing his mistake, immediately set the hot tea aside, slapped himself, and offered an apology.

Empress Dowager Zheng’s obvious frustration was evident as she sternly said, "You all leave, I need some quiet."

Not daring to utter another word, Mr. Zhao led the eunuchs and palace maids out.

Empress Dowager Zheng sat in the chair for a long time, her expression fluctuating. Then, she slowly picked up the letter and read it over and over again.

As Mr. Zhao had guessed, this letter was asking her, the Empress Dowager, for backing.

The matter was not complicated. It could be summed up in a few words. The deeds Zuo Zhen committed in the Nanyang Army, if verified, would be enough to strip him of all his official positions. Jiang Shaohua, being the noble Nanyang County Princess, took action to reprimand him slightly, without injuring him severely, which wasn’t a big deal.

What truly struck her in the eyes and the heart were these passages in Jiang Shaohua’s letter.

"...Zuo Zhen, relying on being a loyal dog under Prime Minister Wang, does not regard me, the Commandery Princess, at all. He claims that with Prime Minister Wang’s protection, no one can do anything to him. Even if I brought out the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, he shows no fear."

"With such arrogance among his subordinates, one can scarcely imagine the power and influence Prime Minister Wang wields in court."

"Zuo Zhen suffered a setback at my hands and will surely write to Prime Minister Wang for support. To Prime Minister Wang, I, the Da Liang Princess, am probably insignificant. I have no choice but to shamelessly implore the Empress Dowager for protection."

"I understand this puts the Empress Dowager in a difficult position. Prime Minister Wang is a senior official of two dynasties, the head of the officials, and the court is filled with his followers. It is inevitable for the Empress Dowager to be apprehensive if he decides to act against me."

"Even if the Empress Dowager is unwilling to support me, I hold no resentment. My only concern is that if this continues for a long time, one side will outgrow the other, subjects bullying their lords. The officials show no regard for the Imperial Family, and the people only know about Prime Minister Wang, not the Emperor and the Empress Dowager..."

Bam!

Empress Dowager Zheng couldn’t help but slam the table heavily.

In her anger, she used too much force, causing her palm to turn red.

Empress Dowager Zheng inhaled sharply, growing even more furious, "Prime Minister Wang! Hmph! I will see if I can protect a Princess Jiang of the Jiang Family!"

"Zhao Chunming! Roll in here."

Mr. Zhao quickly rolled in, "At your service!"

Empress Dowager Zheng stood and pointed, "Go invite the Emperor to Jingyang Palace, saying I have an important matter to discuss."

Mr. Zhao departed promptly, only to return with a troubled face after a while, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is in discussions with Prime Minister Wang. The eunuchs at the gate dared not deliver the message, saying I can only report after the discussion finishes."

Empress Dowager Zheng sneered, "Prime Minister Wang has great authority! Even the Emperor’s eunuchs must heed his command! As the Empress Dowager, I have to wait behind him to see the Emperor!"

What Empress Dowager Zheng said was somewhat unreasonable.

In reality, Prime Minister Wang had simply entered Zhaohai Palace first. Prime Minister Wang had no idea that the Empress Dowager suddenly wanted to see the Emperor.

But Empress Dowager Zheng, in her anger, saw it differently.

Mr. Zhao seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, "Indeed, Prime Minister Wang’s influence is so profound that everyone in the palace flocks to curry favor with him. I, the Chief Eunuch of Jingyang Palace, am nothing compared to Prime Minister Wang’s followers at Zhaohai Palace."

Empress Dowager Zheng sneered again, "I will go personally and see who dares to stop me."

Saying this, she stormed out of Jingyang Palace.

Mr. Zhao, along with a crowd of eunuchs and palace maids, escorted Empress Dowager Zheng to Zhaohai Palace.