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Chapter 643 Negotiation (Part )

During this negotiation, only Eunuch Zhao was present from beginning to end and heard everything clearly.

Despite all the threats, inducements, and persuasion from the Empress Dowager Zheng, Jiang Shaohua refused to give in, and his attitude was very clear. The Zheng family must withdraw from the center of political power from now on.

As long as the Empress Dowager is alive, the Zheng family can still enjoy some protection. When the Empress Dowager passes away, the Zheng family will surely fall.

However, this is the best outcome for the Zheng family, which has a traitorous son.

Empress Dowager Zheng was unwilling but helpless. She sighed and said, "Give all the letters to me!"

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, walked forward, and delivered all the letters to Empress Dowager Zheng.

Empress Dowager Zheng did not open the letters to read them. She tore them into pieces with her hands. Tears welled up in her eyes and flowed down her old and tired face. Her madness was filled with sadness.

The fragments of the letter were scattered all over the floor. Empress Dowager Zheng laughed for a long time, and then suddenly burst into tears.

Decades of time seem to have passed in the blink of an eye. After a lifetime of glory, in old age one has to endure the pain of seeing one's children and grandchildren die first. What's even more painful is that power flows through one's fingers like water. One cannot catch it even if one wants to.

Jiang Shaohua sat down beside the bed and comforted her softly, "Grandma is filled with sorrow. Have a good cry. After crying this time, you have to cheer up. Prince Ping is still young, so you need to take good care of him."

Concubine Fan Gui was a fool, and there was no problem in taking care of Prince Ping's daily life. I was afraid that Concubine Fan Gui had resentment in her heart and often talked nonsense in front of Prince Ping. In the future, as Prince Ping grew up, if he was instigated to do "inappropriate" things, and it became necessary to deal with him, then it would be no wonder that Jiang Shaohua was ruthless and unrighteous.

Jiang Shaohua didn't need to say these words, Empress Dowager Zheng naturally understood them.

King Ping must have an elder who is calm, rational and sober by his side.

Empress Dowager Zheng cried for a long time before she slowly calmed down: "The country cannot be without a king for a day, let the Ministry of Rites choose an auspicious day nearer and hold the coronation ceremony as soon as possible!"

Jiang Shaohua opened his mouth and responded.

Empress Dowager Zheng's eyes were swollen from crying, and her voice was hoarse. She tried to cheer herself up and continued, "With Chen Changshi's help and loyal ministers like Dong Shangshu and Ji Shangshu, it won't be difficult for you to handle the affairs of the court. As for the harem, I will take care of it for you. Do you trust me?"

Jiang Shaohua responded sincerely: "Over the years, I have been protected and supported by my great aunt, which is why I am where I am today. My great aunt is willing to continue to manage the harem and share my worries, and I am grateful in my heart. If I can't trust my great aunt, who else can I trust in this world?"

Eunuch Zhao nodded repeatedly in his heart and gave the princess a thumbs up.

The princess is really good at talking.

It’s hard to say whether Empress Dowager Zheng was moved or not, but she was so moved that she almost cried.

The Empress Dowager Zheng was obviously also moved, her voice choked with sobs: "Shaohua, I raised two grandsons and a granddaughter. Now, the eldest grandson and granddaughter are gone, and only the ignorant Prince Ping is left. From today on, you are my legitimate granddaughter, and I will rely on you for the rest of my life."

Jiang Shaohua was also moved, his eyes reddened, and he choked up and called out to his grandmother: "In my heart, grandma has always been the most respectable, amiable, and reliable relative. I am still young, and there are always inappropriate and unstable things in my words and deeds. I hope grandma will teach me more in the future."

Empress Dowager Zheng and Jiang Shaohua hugged each other and cried for a while.

This new pair of grandparents and grandchildren have become the closest and most trusting people in the world. There is no trace of the previous tension and confrontation.

Empress Dowager Zheng wiped away her tears and whispered to Jiang Shaohua, "You are going to be the emperor now. It's no use living outside the palace. From today on, you will live in the palace."

"And the Earl of Changning, who is your husband, will also live in the palace."

"There is a place to stay in Jingyang Palace. You have been used to it. Come and stay here tonight. We can talk to each other every day."

Jiang Shaohua said: "From now on, let Prince Ping live with grandmother, and I will live in Zhaohe Hall! I will come to pay my respects to grandmother every day." Empress Dowager Zheng did not force her and nodded.

Jiang Shaohua added: "There is one more thing I need to tell grandma. In fact, during my cousin's mourning period, I found out that I was pregnant. Now the pregnancy is more than three months, and the fetus is stable."

Empress Dowager Zheng: “…”

Eunuch Zhao was so surprised that he reflexively looked up at the princess.

Empress Dowager Zheng was also very shocked, her eyes fell on Jiang Shaohua's lower abdomen. Jiang Shaohua had been mourning for Emperor Taihe, wearing a white plain dress, which was loose and could not show the curve of her waist and abdomen.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier about this important matter!" Empress Dowager Zheng was furious and anxious: "You led the troops to kill people, and you also carried the coffin to the funeral. These are all unlucky things. Pregnant women cannot see blood, let alone be involved in funerals. You... have violated all the taboos!"

"Have you summoned the imperial physician?"

Jiang Shaohua was somewhat helpless: "No. These days, things have been happening one after another. I'm busy calming people's hearts and handling government affairs. How can I have time to summon an imperial physician?"

In fact, the situation was still uncertain, and the fact that she was pregnant should not be publicized, so as to avoid causing unrest among the people again.

Empress Dowager Zheng said immediately, "I will ask the imperial physician to come and take a look at you."

Eunuch Zhao got up and went outside without waiting for instructions, asking someone to summon the imperial physician into the bedroom.

There were two imperial doctors on duty in Jingyang Palace. Eunuch Zhao called both doctors over with a shout. The two doctors took Jiang Shaohua's pulse one after another.

"How is Shaohua's health?" Empress Dowager Zheng asked impatiently.

The two imperial doctors suppressed their shock and replied, "Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager, the princess is pregnant."

"The princess is already three months pregnant, and her pulse is stable and strong!"

Empress Dowager Zheng finally breathed a sigh of relief and ordered, "Explain in detail how to nourish and protect the fetus. Zhao Chunming, go get a pen and paper and write it down one by one."

Jiang Shaohua also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing that she was pregnant was one thing, but now hearing the imperial physician say it himself, she felt at ease and relieved.

……

After dark, Jiang Shaohua returned to the Showa Hall.

Chen Changshi, Cui Du and others were waiting in the hall.

"Is the Empress Dowager willing to see the Princess?" Chen Changshi asked impatiently.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "Yes, not only did he meet me, he also decided to support me to ascend the throne and become the empress."

Everyone suddenly burst into laughter.

Although Empress Dowager Zheng could not prevent the princess from ascending the throne, it was not good to have a sullen face all day. Since the princess wanted to succeed to the throne in an orthodox way, with the support of Empress Dowager Zheng, she could stand up straight and not be afraid of any rumors.

Cui Du was a little worried: "The Empress Dowager is not trying to buy time, saying nice things to coax the princess first!"

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "Of course it's a delaying tactic."

Cui Du: "..."