Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 718: Manifesto (Part 3)

The Duke An’s Mansion with its plaque removed, had its main gate tightly closed, presenting a scene of desolate silence. This formed a stark and dramatic contrast to the bustling atmosphere of its heyday.

Wang Jin came to deliver an oral decree on behalf of the Emperor. Duke An hurriedly ordered the main gate to be opened and quickly came out to greet him.

Mrs. Zheng was bedridden due to illness, the second and third young masters of the Zheng family were occupied with their respective duties, leaving only the twelve or thirteen-year-old illegitimate children accompanying Duke An.

Glancing at Duke An himself, his leg injury had barely healed, leaving him with a permanent limp. He appeared much thinner, with white hairs sprouting, and his forehead and eye corners covered in wrinkles. Compared to his previous vibrant self as the Minister of War, he was a shadow of his former self.

It’s often said that the hateful have their pitiable points too.

Wang Jin felt a bit of compassion, but showed none of it on his face, saying indifferently, "My Lord, I come bearing an oral decree from the Emperor."

Duke An looked fearful, bending low in respect, "The Zheng family’s dukedom has already been revoked by the court, I am now just a commoner with no title, unworthy of being addressed as Duke."

Wang Jin then changed the title, "Uncle Zheng, please receive the imperial decree."

Duke An immediately kneeled down.

Wang Jin coldly stated, "The Yu State Army has rebelled, Zheng Chen was found amidst the chaos, making his treasonous intentions obvious, and he wrote a flagrantly rebellious proclamation. Here’s the draft of the proclamation, Uncle Zheng, please take a look!"

The Zheng family had been repeatedly hit with severe blows and their ties with the palace were diminishing, making their intelligence network far less effective than before. Duke An hadn’t received a hint of warning beforehand and suddenly faced such a fatal proclamation. The familiar choice of words and sharp penmanship would certainly not go unrecognized by him.

This rebellious son completely disregarded the life and death of his own father, the difficult predicament of the Zheng lineage, and the awkward and embarrassing situation of the Grand Empress Dowager in the palace. He had clearly decided to rebel!

Duke An felt a bitter-sweet taste in his throat, swallowing it down with all the self-control he could muster, saying with deep sorrow, "It was that disgrace Zheng Chen who wrote this, I recognize it."

Wang Jin said, "The Emperor has decreed, instructing Minister Dong to write the proclamation for suppressing the rebellion. Also, Uncle Zheng is asked to write a father-son farewell letter to be printed in the court bulletin, announcing it to the world."

Duke An certainly knew what this meant.

Tear apart the Zheng family’s reputation, throw it into the dust to be scorned by all.

The powerful first consort family of Da Liang, its reputation would plummet to the bottom, and officials affiliated with the Zheng family would quickly abandon this sinking ship.

The Grand Empress Dowager would be implicated, her prestige falling, her power waning.

But what good was knowing this? He had neither the privilege nor the courage and fortitude to refuse.

He tried to maintain his dignity, "Please wait briefly, Secretary Wang, I will go to the study to write immediately."

Wang Jin glanced at the pallid Duke An struggling to maintain composure, reached to support him, "I’ll accompany Uncle Zheng to the study."

This simple gesture made Duke An’s eyes abruptly redden, seemingly choking him.

Zheng Chen and Wang Jin both hailed from elite families, entering the palace as companions to the Crown Prince from a young age, often compared to each other. Zheng Chen was talented in both literature and martial arts, more favored by the Emperor, subtly overshadowing Wang Jin. Duke An had always been proud, unable to contend with Prime Minister Wang, but his son was slightly stronger than Prime Minister Wang’s youngest.

But now, Wang Jin had become a trusted imperial minister with a bright future. Zheng Chen had become a rebel, with the court mobilizing an army to suppress the rebellion, eager to eliminate him.

Just half a year passed...

Merely half a year!

Looking back to the past, it felt like a lifetime ago!

Sorrow welled up in Duke An, causing him to hunch involuntarily as he walked, unable to straighten his back.

Once in the study, Wang Jin quietly sat on the side waiting. Duke An turned his head slightly, wiped his face with his sleeve, exhaled deeply, then picked up the pen, committed his thoughts to paper swiftly.

In just the time it takes for incense to burn, Duke An finished writing the father-son farewell letter.

Wang Jin, understanding propriety, did not look at the contents inside, and once the letter dried, sealed it in an envelope to return to the palace for reporting.

After Wang Jin left, Duke An finally relaxed, losing the last bit of support he was holding onto.

Duke An felt darkness overtake his vision, on the verge of collapsing. His long-term followers rushed to support him, also going to call for the Imperial Physician.

The Zheng family was in chaos, there was no need to elaborate.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Zheng Chen’s proclamation stirred waves as well.

...

Empress Dowager Li in Ning An Palace laughed for a long time upon receiving the news, then suddenly teared up.

Palace Attendant Lan Xiang softly comforted, "This servant knows Lady is thinking of the Emperor, thinking of Minister Li and Mr. Li, feeling very distressed. But they’ve already gone, Lady must live well, waiting for that rebel Zheng Chen to be put to death, dying a miserable death."

Empress Dowager Li wiped her tears, laughed again, "You’re right. I must live well, live long. I must see Zheng Chen have no place to be buried, watch the Zheng family completely fall."

Also, watch Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s power be completely diminished, completely suppressed by Jiang Shaohua, unable to stir anything.

This last point couldn’t be expressed aloud, but Lan Xiang naturally understood.

Lan Xiang went to fetch a cup of warm tea, serving Empress Dowager Li as she drank, "Lady should drink more tea water, to soothe her throat."

Empress Dowager Li’s neck injury had healed, but her damaged vocal cords required long-term careful maintenance. If she spoke loudly or became too agitated, her voice would turn hoarse and unclear.

Empress Dowager Li slowly drank the warm tea.

A palace attendant came to report, "Reporting to Empress Dowager, the Emperor has sent Chen Sheren with a message, saying he will come to Ning An Palace to have a meal with Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Li immediately put down the teacup, urging Lan Xiang to go to the Imperial Kitchen, "Go order some dishes the Emperor likes."

Lan Xiang accepted the order with a smile and went away.

Jiang Shaohua inherited the throne of Emperor Taihe, also taking on the responsibility of caring for Prince Ping, respecting both Empress Dowager Li and Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. Even the concubines in the harem received their clothing and sustenance as usual, never being deprived.

Jiang Shaohua’s own daily needs weren’t particularly luxurious, being quite simple and carefree according to palace standards.

From this standpoint alone, Jiang Shaohua truly was remarkable.

Empress Dowager Li had long thrown past grievances out of her mind, now fully supporting Jiang Shaohua, never causing trouble.

Jiang Shaohua dining in Ning An Palace was far more relaxed than dealing with the difficult and unruly Grand Empress Dowager Zheng in Jingyang Palace.

Empress Dowager Li neither inquired about the court nor involved herself in governance, at most occasionally mentioning the Li Family, being cautious even in securing positions for the Li Family members.

Today, as soon as Jiang Shaohua arrived, Empress Dowager Li impatiently asked, "The matter of the proclamation, entrusting it to Minister Dong, is it appropriate?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "Rest assured, Aunt, Minister Dong is learned and capable; he handles tasks efficiently and appropriately."

After a pause, she continued, "Duke An personally wrote a father-son farewell letter and presented it to the palace. Would Aunt care to take a look?"

Empress Dowager Li’s eyes lit up, "It wouldn’t hurt to see it."

Jiang Shaohua signaled with her eyes, and Chen Sheren stepped forward with a smile, presenting the letter to Empress Dowager Li.