Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 668: Choices (3)

Facing adversity, everyone has their own choices.

Fan Jaining chose to end it all by taking his own life.

Jiang Wanhua was in the most pain when she first learned of her father and brother’s rebellion. Locked in a room without the ability to step outside, it was as if she was waiting to die with her eyes wide open. Yet she managed to endure even such days.

Jiang Shaohua guaranteed Prince Yundongping and his son’s remains would be left whole and instructed the Li Family to treat Jiang Wanhua kindly. With this bit of protection from the Emperor, and now discovering she was carrying Li Boyuan’s child, she could at least stay with the Li Family in the future.

Furthermore, Prince Huaiyang, unwilling to return to the vassal territory, steadfastly remained in the Capital City, dispersed his personal soldiers, and asked the Emperor to send guards to protect the Prince Mansion.

The deeper meaning of this was not easily understood by his children, but when the news reached the harem, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng merely sneered repeatedly.

"This Jiang Quan—he is truly afraid of death, retracting his head into his shell like a turtle. With the Imperial Guard protecting the Prince Mansion, even the slightest disturbance will alert Zhaohai Palace."

Mr. Zhao dared not make a sound, casting a quick glance at Eunuch Lin.

Eunuch Lin maintained his smiling demeanor, as if he hadn’t comprehended what Grand Empress Dowager Zheng meant.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng made no attempts to hide her meaning before her two confidants: "The Emperor wants to keep them to uphold the facade of the Imperial Family. I am in no position to act. Fine, I will grant this face to the Emperor."

Jiang Shaohua has already successfully ascended the throne and established his authority. Grand Empress Dowager Zheng did not wish to directly clash with Jiang Shaohua. Saying this was merely a matter of saving face.

Mr. Zhao secretly criticized in his heart while outwardly agreeing repeatedly.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng turned and called for Eunuch Lin: "I’ve heard Prince Wu’an has already left the city. Send some people to see him off. And make sure to send him far. Since the road to Wu’an County is long, and he is so eager to return, just send him all the way to Wu’an County."

Eunuch Lin acknowledged and withdrew.

Send him far? This was more likely to make Prince Wu’an die far away!

Mr. Zhao felt a chill run down his spine. If they acted outside Wu’an County, the news would take a while to reach the Capital City, at least two or three months later.

By then, Prince Wu’an’s body would be cold. Who would care about the fate of an ordinary member of the Imperial Family without a title?

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng turned her head and gestured at Mr. Zhao, who dared not show any emotion and quickly stepped forward to support her.

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng seemed to be talking to herself: "Young people are just too soft-hearted. Some people, filled with resentment, really cannot be kept."

Mr. Zhao repeatedly nodded in agreement.

...

Prince Huaiyang, along with his five sons, moved into the Huaiyang Prince Mansion. The main gate was tightly closed, and even the side gates were not opened, leaving only a small gate for servants.

The Emperor dispatched a troop of Imperial Guard, fifty in total. These fifty guards were not many but enough to handle any minor threats. More importantly, they symbolized the Emperor’s support and protection.

No fool could be found among the court officials; fools do not reach high ranks in the court. Since the Emperor wished to keep Prince Huaiyang as a pillar of the Imperial Family, these courtiers would go along with the Emperor’s wishes.

Minister Zhang even privately instructed his grandson to accompany his granddaughter-in-law back to her parental home more often.

These trivial matters aside, more important concerns loomed. Everyone from the Gao Liang Prince Mansion and the Prince Dongping Mansion was to be executed in public. Additionally, the court planned to confiscate the estates of the two mansions. Eighty percent of the assets from the Huaiyang Prince Mansion and the Wu’an County Prince Mansion would also be seized.

According to court conventions, half of the confiscated assets would enter the inner treasury, and the other half would go to the National Treasury. For the Da Liang National Treasury, which had been in a famine state for years, this was akin to a windfall.

However, such lucrative tasks as confiscating prince mansion assets weren’t usually left to the Six Ministries. The Emperor typically appointed close associates to lead the Imperial Guard on these missions.

The other three prince mansions were a considerable distance from the Capital City, requiring a significant amount of time for a round trip.

Jiang Shaohua tasked Song Yuan with a team of Imperial Guard to go to Prince Dongping Mansion and ordered Ma Yaosong to Huaiyang County, assigning Yang Zheng to the distant Wu’an County.

The Gao Liang Prince Mansion was right in the Capital City, requiring no long journey, making it the best assignment. Surprisingly, Jiang Shaohua gave the task of confiscating the Gao Liang Prince Mansion to Wang Jin.

Under the eyes of all, Wang Jin accepted the order solemnly, leading several dozen Imperial Guard to the Gao Liang Prince Mansion.

The masters of the Gao Liang Prince Mansion were detained at the Imperial Clan Court, awaiting execution soon. The mansion had only anxious stewards and servants left.

They considered fleeing with valuables, but regrettably, in the days following the palace upheaval over two months ago, Jiang Shaohua had already dispatched people to seal the Gao Liang Prince Mansion.

One or two who attempted to escape over the walls were caught and beheaded on the spot. The remaining individuals, scared out of their wits, dared not act rashly again and had waited until today.

The once bustling and splendid Gao Liang Prince Mansion had turned into a fish on the chopping block overnight. Servants kneeled on the ground; some cried bitterly, some pleaded for their lives, while the braver ones wailed to offer guidance.

This was Wang Jin’s first time witnessing such a scene, and his emotions were exceedingly complex.

To the public, his role as Secretary of the Secretariat confiscating the Gao Liang Prince Mansion was a significant honor granted by the Emperor.

In truth, it was. After Jiang Shaohua ascended to the throne, he promoted and utilized Wang Jin without holding the old grudges against Prime Minister Wang against him.

But now that he was seizing the estate, he couldn’t help but wonder: if the Wang Family ever fell, would they face the same tragic fate?

Of course, he wouldn’t engage in nefarious deeds; he intended to be a capable minister of Da Liang, wholly supporting the Empress. But the Wang Family was the first noble family in Da Liang; there were over a thousand clan members in the Capital City. Including those forming the Wang Clan scattered throughout Da Liang from their ancestral home, there were over ten thousand. Among them, many were in official positions.

If any corrupt officials emerged, like his brother Wang Yi... No matter how much imperial favor there was, it couldn’t withstand repeated entanglements. In such a case, there would be no need for others to impeach him; he would have to resign himself in disgrace.

Confiscating the Gao Liang Prince Mansion was no simple task.

Wang Jin led his people for five days, cataloging all the assets of the Gao Liang Prince Mansion in a thick stack, which he presented to the Emperor on his imperial desk.

The Empress spoke gently: "You’ve worked hard these past few days. I grant you two days’ leave to go back and rest, and you can also spend more time with Prime Minister Wang."

Since Jiang Shaohua’s ascension, he had been on duty every day without taking a single leave. Even a workhorse needed to rest occasionally; it was time for him to take a break.

Wang Jin did not decline, courteously thanking the Emperor for her kindness, and returned to the Wang Family with a weary face.

Prime Minister Wang, with the help of servants, reluctantly sat up from the bed. A deep rift of conflicts remained between father and son.

Nevertheless, what had already happened was beyond regret; they could only move forward.

Prime Minister Wang glanced over: "What is it? Feeling uneasy after confiscating the Gao Liang Prince Mansion?"