Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 729: Princess (Part 3)

Princess Bao’er drank her fill of milk, closed her eyes with a satisfied burp, and soon fell asleep.

The wet nurse, Madam Pang, carefully placed Princess Bao’er on the bed, and she and Madam Wu quietly exited the room.

Elder Changning immediately entered the bedroom, and the door closed behind him once again.

Madam Pang and Madam Wu had a room dedicated for their stay. It was elegantly arranged, with a charcoal brazier burning constantly, keeping it warm enough to wear just a thin jacket. They remained there during the day, ready to be summoned at any time to feed Princess Bao’er.

The food and drink, without mention, were of the finest quality.

Madam Wu chuckled softly, "It’s been less than two months since I entered the palace, and I’ve already gained a circle in weight."

Madam Pang laughed as well, "Isn’t it so? Back at home, we could only see meat once every few days and had to let the husband and children eat first. By the time it was our turn, getting two or three bites was considered good. Now it’s chicken, fish, meat, and eggs every day. Such good days feel like a dream."

"And there’s the monthly salary of ten taels of silver. If we stay in the palace for two years, we’ll be able to save over two hundred taels and build a new house when we go back."

"Today was my first time seeing the Emperor. He’s younger and more handsome than I imagined."

"He was especially gentle and kind to us, even calling us by our maiden names!"

For these two commoner wet nurses, this last point was even more exhilarating than the generous monthly salary. They couldn’t quite articulate the reason. In short, they who were used to being called simply Madam Wu and Madam Pang suddenly felt blurred and diminished.

Guihua, Cuicui.

It was as if they returned to the carefree days of being favored girls at home... no, their backs were even straighter than at that time.

He is, after all, the supreme ruler, the most noble person of the Da Liang Dynasty. Being addressed by the Emperor with their maiden names was truly an immense honor.

"We must take good care of the princess in the future," Wu Guihua said softly.

Pang Cuicui nodded vigorously, "Once the Emperor completes the confinement period, he will have to attend court and handle state affairs. We must ensure Princess Bao’er is well taken care of so that the Emperor can focus without distraction."

In the bedroom, Jiang Shaohua was also discussing the two wet nurses with Cui Du: "When Chief Historian Chen selected the wet nurses, he set the criteria: families with a clean reputation for three generations, having raised more than two children, and having a gentle and honest nature. Both of these wet nurses were well-chosen."

"Wu Guihua is slightly bolder, while Pang Cuicui is more gentle. Both of them are deft and good at caring for children."

Cui Du smiled and said, "Anyone chosen by Chief Historian Chen is sure to be suitable."

Jiang Shaohua sighed lightly, "I have to observe the confinement period, and Chief Historian Chen will have to worry and be busy again."

Wang Jin, after all, is still young, and with Prime Minister Wang and half of the court’s Prime Minister Faction backing him, he can be relied upon but not given full power. The only one who can be completely trusted is Chief Historian Chen.

Without Chief Historian Chen, she wouldn’t be able to rest easily on the bed.

...

Princess Bao’er’s Wash Ceremony was particularly lively.

The Empress Dowager Li personally attended the ceremony, and the concubines from the harem all came to add to the occasion. The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, ill at the time, sent a generous gift through her trusted Palace Attendant.

The wet nurse, Wu Guihua, was holding Princess Bao’er, and the concubines took turns coming forward. When it was Imperial Concubine Fan’s turn, she reached out with a smile to hold the child.

Wu Guihua, noticing Imperial Concubine Fan’s somewhat insincere smile and long nails, refused without thinking: "Princess Bao’er is still young, and the Emperor has specifically instructed that she must not be passed around today."

Imperial Concubine Fan did not expect a mere wet nurse to refuse her and was a bit displeased, casting a sidelong glance: "I just want to hold the child; who do you think you are to refuse!"

During Emperor Taikang’s reign, Imperial Concubine Fan was a favored noble. In Emperor Taihe’s time, being Prince Ping’s birth mother, her status in the harem was not like that of ordinary concubines.

Had Jiang Shaohua not suddenly seized the throne (Imperial Concubine Fan never acknowledged Jiang Shaohua’s rightful claim), she would have been the Empress Dowager of the palace. Her arrogant and commanding demeanor, compared to a wet nurse of common descent, showed clear superiority.

Pang Cuicui was so frightened that she shivered.

Wu Guihua was also scared inside but straightened her back and said, "I am a simple woman and know nothing but to obey the Emperor’s words."

Imperial Concubine Fan: "..."

Imperial Concubine Fan was quite angered and was about to glare and throw a tantrum when Empress Dowager Li turned her head towards her.

That look carried a very clear warning: dare to cause trouble at Princess Bao’er’s Wash Ceremony, and I won’t let you off!

Imperial Concubine Fan had no choice but to fall silent.

When Jiang Shaohua learned of the incident, her gaze turned chilly as she said to Chen Sheren by her side, "From now on, Imperial Concubine Fan is not permitted to come within a step of Bao’er."

Chen Jinyu was filled with righteous indignation: "Let’s simply ban Imperial Concubine Fan from Zhaohai Palace altogether."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "Very well. Issue my decree, Imperial Concubine Fan is henceforth forbidden from entering Zhaohai Palace."

With this decree, Imperial Concubine Fan’s face was cast to the ground.

Imperial Concubine Fan had long harbored grievances about Jiang Shaohua ascending to the throne. She frequently made small moves behind the scenes, all suppressed by the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

Jiang Shaohua was just too lazy to bother with her. Now, Imperial Concubine Fan dared to make movements towards Bao’er, further angering Jiang Shaohua.

If you don’t want to save face, then you won’t have any!

Chen Jinyu was excited: "By the way, should this decree go through Jingyang Palace first?"

"No need," Jiang Shaohua said coolly, "Issue it directly from Zhaohai Palace; let the entire court know."

...

What?

A decree from Zhaohai Palace reprimanding Imperial Concubine Fan and strictly ordering her not to set foot in Zhaohai Palace?

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng, leaning against her soft pillow, suddenly sat up straight as if pricked by a needle: "What is this all about?"

Mr. Zhao hurriedly explained the matter in a low voice.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was quite infuriated: "That foolish woman from the Fan Family! I had just confined her for three months, and she hadn’t been out for long before causing trouble again."

She was also angered by Jiang Shaohua: "With matters like these, why wasn’t I informed? I would have dealt with the Fan Family myself. Such overstepping of decrees, where does it leave my face!"

Since Jiang Shaohua ascended the throne, she had almost never intervened in the harem. The entire harem remained under the control of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. Firstly, Jiang Shaohua did not have the time or leisure to manage the harem; secondly, power was conceded in part to placate the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

This was an unspoken agreement between them.

Now, with Jiang Shaohua’s decree, the peaceful façade was torn. The Emperor’s assertiveness highlighted the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s gradual loss of power and weakness.

Mr. Zhao quickly consoled, "My lady, please calm down. The Emperor’s deep love for his daughter led to such severe punishment of Imperial Concubine Fan. You’ve been resting in bed due to illness, and the Emperor didn’t wish to trouble you with such a minor matter. There’s no need for you to overthink it."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s expression remained grim, and she sneered repeatedly: "I know full well whether I’m overthinking or not."

"Go to Zhaohai Palace and tell the Emperor on my behalf. I am unwell and can no longer manage the harem’s affairs."