CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 97: BACKING (PART 1)

The imposing Empress Dowager Zheng, with a face full of anger, stormed into Zhaohai Palace.

Mr. Qi, the Chief Eunuch of Zhaohai Palace, wailed bitterly in his heart. He dared not block her path, nor had time to announce her arrival, and could only watch helplessly as Empress Dowager Zheng entered the hall.

As Mr. Zhao walked past Mr. Qi, with a mocking grin that didn’t reach his eyes, he commented, "The Empress Dowager wishes to see the Emperor. How could mere servants like us stop her?"

Most eunuchs were emasculated at an early age, not considered men, and their nature tended to be more delicate. Mr. Qi was infuriated by Mr. Zhao but had no time to glower as he hurried into Zhaohai Palace to prepare an apology.

Mr. Zhao, feeling a weight lifted from his heart, cheerfully followed behind.

The two of them bent over and stepped into the hall, and before they could open their mouths to apologize, a stern male voice rang out: "This is Zhaohai Palace, where the Emperor summons ministers to handle state affairs. The late Emperor decreed strictly that people from the harem should not enter Zhaohai Palace without permission. May I know what urgent matter brings the Empress Dowager here unexpectedly?"

Mr. Zhao, who had been loudly complaining, instinctively retracted his neck upon hearing this voice.

Mr. Qi was the same.

This man who directly rebuked Empress Dowager Zheng was none other than Wang Rong, the Da Liang Chancellor.

The Wang Family is a prestigious lineage in Da Liang, passed down from the previous dynasty to this day, already spanning several hundred years.

How many branches the Wang Family has, how many members, how many are officials, how many are landlords, how many are merchants—aside from the head of the Wang Family, perhaps no one can account for everything.

Wang Rong is the head of this generation of the Wang Family, entering the bureaucracy at the age of twenty, being appointed Chancellor by the late Emperor at thirty-five, and serving as Da Liang Chancellor for over twenty consecutive years. His kinsmen are spread throughout Da Liang, with numerous disciples under his banner.

Wang Rong is sixty-three, tall and dignified, with piercing eyes that command authority even without anger. For a chancellor’s age, he indeed doesn’t count as old.

Furthermore, Wang Rong has maintained good health and could easily continue to serve as Chancellor for another twenty or thirty years.

When Empress Dowager Zheng burst in, Prime Minister Wang was discussing state affairs with Emperor Taikang, along with the Six Ministers and Vice Ministers present.

For such a setting of dealing with state affairs, Empress Dowager Zheng’s unauthorized intrusion indeed violated palace rules. Prime Minister Wang rose to meet her, sharply rebuking without leaving Empress Dowager Zheng any face.

One must know, she is the mother of the Emperor, the Empress Dowager of Da Liang. No matter how out of line Empress Dowager Zheng’s actions are, how can a minister dare to criticize?

This only shows that Prime Minister Wang truly holds power and doesn’t fear the Empress Dowager in the least.

Empress Dowager Zheng, infuriated, retorted with a cold smile: "I, the empress dowager, wish to see my son, and must I first seek permission from Prime Minister Wang?"

Prime Minister Wang, without yielding in the slightest, replied coldly: "If the Empress Dowager wishes to see the Emperor, she can wait until the morning court session ends, then invite the Emperor to Jingyang Palace. This Zhaohai Palace is better left to visits as seldom as possible by the Empress Dowager. Otherwise, if word spreads, it might lead people to misunderstand that the Empress Dowager harbors ambitions to meddle in state affairs."

Empress Dowager Zheng, lacking the sharpness of Prime Minister Wang, was so angered her face changed color.

Duke An, the Minister of War, coughed, attempting to mediate: "The Empress Dowager has always been sensible. Her urgency today likely indicates important matters. Why must Prime Minister Wang be so aggressive?"

Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Personnel, Wang’s confidant, immediately spoke, "Prime Minister Wang’s words were harsh, yet they stem from a sincere concern for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s reputation."

Minister Li from the Ministry of Rites, the biological father of Consort Li, the Crown Prince’s birth mother, being the Emperor’s in-law, should have sided with Empress Dowager Zheng. However, he kept silent, considering his thoughts.

Minister Ji from the Ministry of Revenue, however, spoke up: "Since the Empress Dowager has come, better to hear what urgent matters she has first."

This Minister Ji, aged sixty, with hair graying, is the father of the late Empress Ji and the proper father-in-law of Emperor Taikang. The Crown Prince Jiang Song would greet him as maternal grandfather.

With Minister Ji speaking up in defense of Empress Dowager Zheng, Prime Minister Wang refrained from further remarks.

Emperor Taikang, at this point, rose with a smile, supporting Empress Dowager Zheng by the arm: "Mother, calm down. Prime Minister Wang didn’t mean to target you."

Hence, it’s said that Empress Dowager Zheng quite dislikes Prime Minister Wang.

Who knows what spell Prime Minister Wang has cast on the Emperor. Although Emperor Taikang is dutiful to his mother, he trusts Prime Minister Wang more.

Empress Dowager Zheng, suppressing her anger, said to Emperor Taikang: "Nanyang County Princess wrote a letter to me. After reading it, I was so enraged that I couldn’t hold back and came to Zhaohai Palace."

Nanyang County Princess?

Emperor Taikang was slightly surprised, as were Prime Minister Wang and the others.

After the late Emperor’s death and the new emperor’s ascension, there was much wariness towards the extraordinarily esteemed Prince Nanyang. However, Prince Nanyang passed away a year ago, his mortal remains long cold. The current Nanyang County Princess is merely a ten-year-old girl—in the eyes of the ministers, she poses no threat.

Why did Empress Dowager Zheng suddenly mention Nanyang County Princess?

Empress Dowager Zheng’s gaze swept across, landing on Prime Minister Wang’s face: "Didn’t Prime Minister Wang receive a letter from your loyal dog Zuo Zhen?"

Prime Minister Wang didn’t even flinch: "The Empress Dowager’s words are mistaken. Left General is a military general of the court. If you say he’s a loyal dog, then he’s also a loyal dog under the Emperor."

Emperor Taikang’s eyes flashed, and he asked Empress Dowager Zheng: "What happened to Zuo Zhen?"

The deployment of Zuo Zhen to lead the Nanyang Army back then was indeed at the behest of Prime Minister Wang. But it was for this Emperor’s "assistance with burdens." Empress Dowager Zheng, using this matter as a pretext for attacking, left Emperor Taikang’s expression sour.

Empress Dowager Zheng, not noticing the Emperor’s subtle displeasure, detailed the mistakes Zuo Zhen made in the army: "...He’s been receiving the court’s salary but has not devoted himself to his duties, leaving the Nanyang Army in chaos."

"What’s more detestable is when Nanyang County Princess went to question him, he dared to lay hands on the Commandery Princess. He even claimed that with Prime Minister Wang backing him, he’s not afraid of any Da Liang Princess."

"If I don’t step in now, I’m afraid the dignified Princess Jiang of Nanyang might be humiliated by a disgraceful military general."

"I cannot stand by and do nothing in this matter."

Emperor Taikang: "..."

Prime Minister Wang: "..."

All the ministers looked at Prime Minister Wang’s expression.

The faults committed by Zuo Zhen were typical of military generals, punishable by demotion or removal from office, nothing as severe as capital punishment. However, the most critical were precisely these last two sentences.

As a military general, who gave him the audacity to lay hands on the Commandery Princess?

Prime Minister Wang’s "loyal dog" dared to disregard a Da Liang Princess?

Jiang Shaohua, though young, is of Jiang Royal Family blood, and the court-administered Nanyang County Princess. For a minister to show no regard for the Monarch, that’s a dire arrogance!

Prime Minister Wang, not by any means the Chancellor for over twenty years for nothing, merely raised his eyebrows at such calumnious words: "One must not only listen to one side of the story. Let’s wait until Zuo Zhen’s memorial is presented in the court, and then deliberate on this matter."

No sooner had he finished speaking than an eunuch reported: "To inform His Majesty, there is a memorial from Nanyang Prince Mansion submitted."