Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 731: Loss of Power (Part 2)

"... Today, the Grand Empress Dowager’s face was black with anger."

Chen Jinyu returned to Zhaohai Palace to report, vividly recounting the scene before: "This time, the Grand Empress Dowager has to stay calm for a while."

Jiang Shaohua curled his lips slightly, his gaze cool: "For the sake of the Zheng Family, she can swallow this anger. But we must not be careless. Go through the palace attendants and eunuchs of Zhaohai Palace again; replace those with active minds."

Chen Jinyu nodded in agreement.

The original palace attendants and eunuchs in Zhaohai Palace are mostly idle now. Those appointed around Jiang Shaohua are all brought from Nanyang County. Yin Zhu Tu Bai handles daily needs, Chen Jinyu runs errands and delivers messages, Doctor Sun supervises all the food, and there are loyal trusted aides on guard in turns.

The Grand Empress Dowager secretly wants to reach into Zhaohai Palace, but the security is so tight that it’s impervious. The spies previously planted in Zhaohai Palace can’t even get close to the confidential areas; the messages they can pass are trivial.

Now with the newly born Princess Bao’er, the employment in Zhaohai Palace must be more cautious.

Jiang Shaohua pondered for a moment, then asked Chen Jinyu to convey a message to Ning An Palace.

An hour later, Chen Jinyu returned to report: "I met with Empress Dowager Li and conveyed the Emperor’s intention to her. She agreed readily."

Empress Dowager Li and the Grand Empress Dowager have had deep-seated grievances; now with Jiang Shaohua’s backing, she can finally confront the Grand Empress Dowager. Why wouldn’t Empress Dowager Li be willing?

Even if it means being Jiang Shaohua’s instrument, she is more than happy.

After all, she has nothing to fear, nothing to lose, and certainly doesn’t fear the Grand Empress Dowager.

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "Go again to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and say that starting tomorrow, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will report to Ning An Palace upon the orders of the Empress Dowager."

Chen Sheren hurriedly ran to relay the message.

Mr. Min of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the Grand Empress Dowager’s confidant; upon hearing Chen Sheren’s verbal instruction, he said with some sarcasm: "Chen Sheren, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has always gone to Jingyang Palace to report, why suddenly change to Ning An Palace?"

As the Imperial Attendant, Chen Jinyu often interacts either with noble palaces or high court officials. She truly didn’t take the Chief Eunuch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs seriously.

She slightly raised her head, glanced down: "The Emperor instructed me to convey the message, and here I am. As to why, I don’t know. If Mr. Min is puzzled, perhaps he should go to Zhaohai Palace and ask the Emperor himself."

Mr. Min almost rolled his eyes.

Whose Ministry of Internal Affairs is it, after all?

Of course, it’s the Emperor’s.

Even though he, the Chief Eunuch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is the Grand Empress Dowager’s man, he cannot act against the Emperor’s wishes. However, ever since the Emperor ascended the throne, he hasn’t paid attention to him. Going to Jingyang Palace is convenient, but he couldn’t take even a single step into Zhaohai Palace; any attempt made outside the hall was rebuffed.

Chen Sheren’s remark was a taunt, mocking him for not being able to meet the Emperor.

After Chen Sheren left, an angry Mr. Min entered the palace before dusk. Unfortunately, he couldn’t meet the Grand Empress Dowager; Eunuch Lin came out to dismiss him: "The Grand Empress Dowager instructed that the Ministry of Internal Affairs should follow the Emperor’s orders and report to Ning An Palace tomorrow."

Mr. Min’s heart sank.

The Grand Empress Dowager is firmly suppressed by the Emperor, unable to stir any waves. Well, if the master can tolerate it, what is there for a servant to not tolerate? Tomorrow, he will go to Ning An Palace.

...

The next day, Mr. Min went to Ning An Palace.

The stewards from all parts of the palace also came.

Before the Empress Dowager arrived, the stewards whispered together: "The Emperor has always ignored palace trivialities, why suddenly order us to Ning An Palace?"

"I heard it’s because Imperial Concubine Fan angered the Emperor, and the Emperor reprimanded her. The Grand Empress Dowager was also annoyed and used illness as an excuse to push responsibilities away..."

"Is this true? I heard it was the Emperor’s idea. The Grand Empress Dowager suffered a silent loss this time!"

"Empress Dowager is really benefitting. All these years, she never fought against the Grand Empress Dowager, now with the Emperor’s backing, she is truly in power..."

"Stop talking. If the Emperor or the Empress Dowager hears such gossip, do you still want your position?"

"Shh! The Lady is here!"

The stewards immediately fell silent, adopting a submissive posture, and respectfully greeted: "Servants greet the Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Li swept her gaze over them, calmly said: "No need for formalities, rise!"

Everyone thanked and stood up.

Empress Dowager Li has been in the palace for a long time, though she never contended with the Grand Empress Dowager, she is not unfamiliar with palace affairs. The Chief Eunuchs and palace stewards, though muttering quietly in their hearts, dared not show disrespect on the surface. According to usual practice, they stepped forward one by one to report their duties.

Empress Dowager Li’s neck injury has healed, but her voice remained hoarse and obscure, so her speech was especially concise.

The stewards felt relieved, seeing Empress Dowager Li handle everything as usual.

In the battle between the two palaces, the Emperor’s attitude is crucial. Currently, Jingyang Palace is weak, Ning An Palace is in favor; they must bow their heads.

Empress Dowager Li spent half a day dealing with palace affairs, lightly admonished Mr. Min, then dispersed the group.

Lan Xiang laughed quietly: "These stewards, usually flattering the Grand Empress Dowager, are more restrained than I expected when they came to Ning An Palace today."

Empress Dowager Li was clear-headed: "None of them want to stand out and be used by me as a warning to others."

Lan Xiang thought for a moment, whispered: "They all belong to the Grand Empress Dowager. Lady, it’s not easy to control them. Better find an opportunity, gradually replace them."

Empress Dowager Li glanced at Lan Xiang: "Why rush? I am just temporarily managing palace affairs for a few days. Once the Grand Empress Dowager recovers, it must be returned."

Lan Xiang was taken aback: "Must be returned?"

"Otherwise?" Empress Dowager Li said with a chuckle, "The Grand Empress Dowager has managed the harem for decades; the entire palace is filled with her people. If provoked, it would cause a major disturbance. The Emperor is still in confinement, and there’s the newly born Princess Bao’er. At this time, a slight shake of Jingyang Palace is acceptable, but complete fallout is impossible."

"I am just providing the Grand Empress Dowager with a bit of frustration."

Lan Xiang acceded verbally but couldn’t hide her regret and disappointment.

If Empress Dowager Li rose to prominence, suppressing Jingyang Palace, and seizing control of the harem, she, as Chief Palace Maid of Ning An Palace, would naturally rise with the tide.

Empress Dowager Li smiled and gradually said: "Thinking back, how imposing and powerful the Grand Empress Dowager was before. With a word, she could seal Ning An Palace, and confine me."

"The tables have turned; now I also can enjoy the lively spectacle of Jingyang Palace."

"I am quite content."

"I am younger than her, and can steadily compete. I have time and patience."