novelraw Chapter 1269 - 474: Court Intrigue Is No Match for Rebellion (Part 11)
Chapter 1269 - 474: Court Intrigue Is No Match for Rebellion (Part 11)
Empress Dowager, what does the Empress Dowager He mean by this?
Wang Yuan’s mind was racing.
He couldn’t help but think back to two or three months ago, when the Empress Dowager He "exposed her family scandal" to him.
At that time, Wang Yuan speculated: the Empress Dowager wanted to use the grand marriage as a lesson for the little Emperor.
To let him know that being an Emperor requires making choices, not acting on whims.
And now, seeing such a serious Empress Dowager He, Wang Yuan had another layer of concern.
This Empress Dowager at the imperial throne was not just trying to teach the little Emperor a lesson but was reluctant to hand over power easily.
Back then, when the late Emperor just passed, the Empress Dowager assisted the new sovereign along with three Assistant Ministers.
To show she was not power-hungry, the Empress Dowager He did not appoint a female officer.
For instance, during the Previous Dynasty, there were "female Ministers" in the palace.
They were not real Ministers but were used to help the Emperor review petitions and organize documents.
As a woman, the Empress Dowager He had the need and conditions to confer a "female Minister."
But the Empress Dowager He did not do so.
First, she wanted to reassure the Ministers, proving she was not a power-greedy person.
She was only worried her son was too young to govern, so she had to step in personally.
Second, she was probably also making a statement to the little Emperor.
The relationship between this supreme mother and son was not very close, and if the Empress Dowager He appeared too domineering, the little Emperor would undoubtedly harbor suspicions.
How many Empresses Dowager wielded power during the Two Han period?
Lady Lv, the Dou Family, and even Wang Zhengjun controlled the court, deposing and appointing Emperors, with foreign relatives reaching the peak of power.
These were all lessons from the past.
Don’t talk about close blood ties; those ruling Empresses Dowager were all the Emperor’s mothers or grandmothers!
The allure of power is captivating.
Even close fathers and sons, mothers and sons, brothers, and sisters may turn against each other for it.
At that time, Empress Dowager He wanted everyone to know she was not a power-seeker and would never become like Empress Lv or Empress Dou!
Thus, she did not appoint a female Minister.
Usually, the Palace Attendant by her side handles tasks like organizing documents.
It has been four years, and the little Emperor is about to have a grand wedding and assume power. However, the Empress Dowager He suddenly proposed appointing Wang Shijiu as Female Assistant!
What does she mean by this?
Female Assistant is not a female Minister, but both are titles conferred to noble ladies and have historical roles.
Wang Yuan could not help but think deeply.
"The Emperor is still too young, and after all, I am only one person; I need talented and virtuous noble ladies to assist!"
He Tiantian seemed not to notice the inquiry in Wang Yuan’s eyes and continued at her own pace, "Besides the Nineteenth Lady, I have also taken a liking to the Seventh Lady of the Xiao Family."
The Xiao Family?
Lanling Xiao Family!
A noble family with several hundred years of history, a prestigious family from Jiangzuo.
The Family Head of this branch in the Capital City, Xiao Tong, holds the position of Minister of Personnel, a figure with real power.
"The Twelfth Lady of the Yang Family is also good!"
He Tiantian leisurely added.
The Yang Family?
The Hongnong Yang Family!!
Wang Yuan understood the "Empress Dowager He’s" intention.
If the Wang Family is unwilling to engage in the struggle between the Empress Dowager and the little Emperor and does not allow the Nineteenth Lady to accept the appointment of Female Assistant, then the Empress Dowager He will choose women from other noble families.
Wang Yuan’s eyes flickered, his palms slightly sweaty.
Is this an opportunity or a trouble?
He evaluated quickly in his heart.
Actually, their family’s Nineteenth Lady had the most advantage—
Her grandfather was a Minister of the late Emperor’s Will, her husband is the Heir of Prince Nanping, and she herself has the Empress Dowager He’s favor and debt.
If Wang Yuan agrees, Wang Shijiu would be the most efficient and trusted female officer beside the Empress Dowager He.
Though Wang Shijiu might not be able to attend court to participate in politics, she could still access the court affairs through the Empress Dowager He and gain a certain amount of power.
This would definitely be beneficial for the Wang Family.
Of course, it doesn’t mean there’s no danger.
Once the little Emperor comes into his own, there will surely be a struggle between him and the Empress Dowager He.
Wang Shijiu, as a "confidante" of the Empress Dowager He, would certainly be affected.
She might even become a sacrificial pawn between the supreme mother and son.
...Danger and opportunity coexist.
And this is politics.
Wang Yuan was born in a noble family, skilled in scheming, and even better at early investment.
In the past, he accurately chose the late Emperor.
Allowing the Wang Family to continue to overawe the noble families in the new dynasty.
Now...
Though it’s just a small Female Assistant position, and though the Nineteenth Lady is already married, but—
Wang Yuan finally made up his mind.
However, he still politely said, "I thank you on behalf of the Nineteenth Lady for your Majesty’s grace! Your Majesty’s consideration and esteem for the Nineteenth Lady and the entire Wang Family is deeply appreciated!"