Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey

Chapter 835: Prince Ping (Side Story III)

Jiang Shaohua’s smile was as gentle as a spring breeze.

Empress Dowager Li, however, knew that behind this spring-like smile lay unfathomable imperial intrigue. She maintained her dignity and position in the harem thanks to the grace of Emperor Taihe, and her timely support of Jiang Shaohua.

Now, nine years into Jiang Shaohua’s reign, he had firmly secured his place on the Dragon Throne, commanding the court, with civil and military officials loyal and the people supportive and adoring. No one could shake the Emperor’s position.

In other words, Jiang Shaohua, the Emperor of Da Liang, no longer needed to pay heed to anyone’s opinions. In contrast, she, the Empress Dowager, had to constantly gauge Jiang Shaohua’s thoughts.

Her intention to have Miss Li as Princess Ping was indeed somewhat self-serving. Li Fanghua’s sudden outburst had disgraced the Li Family, putting her in an awkward position, necessitating a change in the choice for Princess Ping. Perhaps, this was precisely to Jiang Shaohua’s liking.

Jiang Shaohua actually didn’t favor having someone from the Li Family become Princess Ping. Today was an opportune time to ride the tide and resolve a troublesome issue.

Empress Dowager Li exhaled a long sigh, forcing a smile: "What the Emperor says is right. Today is my birthday; let’s not let an ignorant girl disrupt it."

Then, she smiled and invited several other young ladies over for a chat.

Miss Lu, Miss Cui, and Miss Wang were all prominent young ladies, instructed by family elders before attending the banquet at the palace. After Li Fanghua’s earlier scene, they each had their own thoughts, and were cautious in their interactions.

Miss Chen, who resembled Chen Jinyu by three parts, looked familiar to Jiang Shaohua, who casually smiled and asked, "Are you Chen Jinyu’s cousin?"

Miss Chen softly replied, "Yes, separated by a few branches, I’m a distant cousin."

Jiang Shaohua felt a bit nostalgic: "She’s serving as Prefectural Governor in Yu State; her performance has been commendable these years. Next year, her term will end, and she’ll be able to return to the Capital City. I haven’t seen her for several years and truly miss her."

Thus, seeing the resemblance in Miss Chen from the Chen Family, he felt a sense of closeness.

Empress Dowager Li listened, discreetly assessing Miss Chen.

Chancellor Chen was the Emperor’s staunch ally and the leading civil servant of Da Liang. If a Chen Family girl married Prince Ping, she could keep watch over Prince Ping day and night, making her the ideal choice for the Emperor.

Miss Chen meekly kept her head down, allowing the Empress Dowager to scrutinize her.

Miss Feng, waiting nearby, peeked outside.

Prince Ping, having run around outside, was sweating profusely, and now turned to rush inside.

Prince Ping was fair-skinned, plump, and handsome in appearance. He was now exuberantly cheerful, like a child, prompting involuntary smiles from those around him.

Miss Feng couldn’t help but smile.

Prince Ping thought her smile was charming and stopped instinctively: "There are birds outside; I’m going to catch them, will you join me?"

Prince Ping’s loud voice instantly drew everyone’s attention.

Empress Dowager Li looked at the naive Miss Feng, thinking Minister Feng was amusing for picking such a simple-minded girl to attend the banquet. Prince Ping, ignoring others, spoke directly to Miss Feng.

Miss Feng was also clever, quickly nodding before whispering, "Not now, I need to wait for the Empress Dowager’s questions!"

Prince Ping was not concerned about these matters, reaching out to grab Miss Feng’s sleeve: "Come, let’s go play."

Prince Ping, with his great strength, was not stopped by anyone, and Miss Feng was pulled along for a few steps before turning her head in urgency.

Without waiting for Empress Dowager Li to speak, Jiang Shaohua started to laugh: "Prince Ping has the temperament of a child; accompany him to play for a while."

Miss Feng was delighted and went off joyfully.

The expressions of the crowd were subtle, and they turned to look at Mrs. Feng.

Minister Feng was unattractive, and Mrs. Feng was not beautiful in her youth, appearing rather ordinary. Yet, having been married to Minister Feng for many years, she could withstand his fiery and impatient temper and was unfazed by such occasions.

Mrs. Feng cheerfully said, "Wushuang has always been carefree and innocent, even at sixteen, she’s still quite playful. At home, she loves climbing trees and picking flowers, using a slingshot to shoot birds, quite unlike a proper young lady, more like a playful boy. She’s merely causing a little commotion in the palace today, please don’t mind it."

Indeed!

Minister Feng was truly clever, selecting such a spirited one from home. Prince Ping had intellectual deficiencies, yet Feng Wushuang wasn’t particularly bright either. Carefree and innocent, or more bluntly, lacking sense!

No wonder Prince Ping invited her, and Miss Feng eagerly went along. They were a match made in heaven!

Empress Dowager Li was bemused, turning to look at Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua was also surprised, eyes twinkling with amusement.

Miss Chen was fine, but Miss Feng was even better. Not letting outsiders benefit, reserving the position of Princess Ping for the Feng family was excellent.

...

"Has Prince Ping truly taken a liking to Wushuang?"

Minister Feng, returning from the Ministry of Revenue, encountered his wife and was met with an astonishingly happy news.

Mrs. Feng chuckled: "Indeed! Among the ladies who entered the palace, Prince Ping ignored the others, spending half the day playing with our Wushuang."

"When leaving, Prince Ping was reluctant, tugging Wushuang’s sleeve, clamoring to marry her."

Minister Feng was perplexed: "Empress Dowager had already decided on Miss Li for Princess Ping. I sent Wushuang to the palace banquet just to make up the numbers. How did it come to pass that the unplanned flower flourished so spectacularly? Surely people would think I was scheming to appeal to Prince Ping’s tastes."

It truly was a misunderstanding.

Minister Feng immersed himself in Ministry of Revenue duties daily, spending most of his time at the government office, with no mind for these matters. The palace issued the Empress Dowager’s decree, which he casually took with little regard, merely saying to his wife: "Find a bold and naive one to attend the palace for a day."

The Feng family wasn’t a major clan. Relatives residing in the Capital City, relying on Minister Feng, were merely five or six households. Of just three girls of age, Feng Wushuang had always been a tomboy, playful and daring. Mrs. Feng brought her to the palace.

Who would have thought Prince Ping would choose Feng Wushuang?

"Actually, you can’t say he chose her," Mrs. Feng acknowledged honestly: "Prince Ping spends every day in the palace, only interacting with palace attendants and eunuchs, with no chance to meet girls his age. Most young women are gentle and serene, and no one is like Wushuang, a naïve girl with no equal. Prince Ping found a playmate."

Of course, for Prince Ping, having a compatible playmate was enough.

Minister Feng hummed, stroking his short beard, swiftly making a decision: "This isn’t a trivial matter. Gather Wushuang’s whole family; I must discuss this thoroughly."

"Only if Wushuang is willing will we proceed with the marriage. If Wushuang is unwilling, I’ll risk my reputation to enter the palace and refuse this marriage."