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The plaque of the Duke of Anguo's Mansion was removed, the main gate was closed, and there was a cold and quiet atmosphere. It formed a strong and sharp contrast with the bustling crowds of people in the past.

Wang Jin came to announce the emperor's order. Duke Anguo hurriedly ordered the main gate to be opened and hurriedly came out to welcome him.

Madam Zheng fell ill on her bed, and the second and third sons of the Zheng family each had their own errands, so the ones who accompanied Duke Anguo were his concubines' sons and daughters, who were only twelve or thirteen years old.

Looking at the Duke of Anguo himself, his leg injury had barely healed, but he was still suffering from a leg disease and limped when he walked. He had lost a lot of weight, had white hair on his head, and his forehead and eyes were full of wrinkles. Compared with the high-spirited Minister of War before, he was a completely different person.

Hateful people also have pitiable qualities.

Wang Jin felt a little pity in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. He said calmly, "Duke, I am here to deliver the emperor's order."

Duke Anguo looked terrified and bowed his head. He said, "The Duke title of the Zheng family has been taken back by the court. I have no official position now. I am just an ordinary citizen. I cannot bear the title of Duke."

Wang Jin changed his address and said, "Master Zheng, please accept the imperial edict."

Duke Anguo knelt down immediately.

Wang Jin said coldly: "The Yuzhou army rebelled, and Zheng Chen was in the midst of the chaos. His intention to rebel was obvious, and he wrote a treasonous manifesto. This is the draft of the manifesto. Zheng Shibo, please take a look first!"

The Zheng family suffered a series of heavy reports, and their contact with the palace became less and less, and their information was not as well-informed as before. Duke Anguo had not received any news beforehand, and suddenly saw such a fatal article. How could he not recognize the familiar words and sentences, the familiar sharp writing style?
This rebellious son completely disregarded the life and death of his biological father, the difficult situation of the Zheng family, and the embarrassment of the Empress Dowager in the palace. He was determined to rebel!
Duke Anguo felt a sweet taste in his throat, and he swallowed it back with all his self-control. He said with a gloomy heart, "It was written by that evil creature Zheng Chen. I recognize it."

Wang Jin said, "The emperor has ordered Dong Shang to write a letter to suppress the rebel army. In addition, ask Zheng Shibo to write a farewell letter between father and son, and print it in the court gazette to announce it to the world."

Duke Anguo certainly knew what this meant.

The Zheng family's reputation was completely torn apart and thrown into the dust, leaving them to be cursed by everyone.

The reputation of Daliang's most powerful foreign relative will plummet to the bottom, and the officials who are attached to the Zheng family will quickly abandon this sinking ship.

Empress Dowager Zheng will be implicated, her prestige will plummet, and her power will be reduced.

But what's the point of knowing clearly? He has no power to refuse, nor the courage and confidence to refuse.

He tried his best to maintain his last bit of dignity: "Please wait for a moment, Wang Zhongshu Ling, I will go to the study and start writing immediately."

Wang Jin glanced at the pale-faced Anguogong who was barely holding on, and reached out to help him: "I will go to the study with Zheng Shibo."

This simple action made Duke Anguo's eyes suddenly red, and his throat seemed to be blocked by something.

Zheng Chen and Wang Jin both came from top families and entered the palace to be the prince's companions. They were inevitably compared. Zheng Chen was both civil and military, and was more favored by the emperor, which slightly suppressed Wang Jin. Duke Anguo was also proud of him. He could not beat Prime Minister Wang, but his son was better than Prime Minister Wang's youngest son.

But now, Wang Jin is a close confidant of the emperor and has a bright future. Zheng Chen has become a traitor, and the court has sent a large army to quell the rebellion and get rid of him as soon as possible.

But in half a year...

Just half a year!
Looking back on the past, it seems like a lifetime ago!
Duke Anguo was so grief-stricken that he unconsciously hunched his back when he walked and could never straighten it up again.

After entering the study, Wang Jin sat quietly by the side and waited. Duke Anguo turned his head to the side, wiped his face with his sleeve, took a long breath, and then picked up the pen and wrote it down in one stroke.

In just one stick of incense, Duke Anguo finished writing the farewell letter between father and son.

Wang Jin was very knowledgeable about the rules and did not read the contents inside. After the letter dried, he put it in an envelope and returned to the palace to report.

After Wang Jin left, the breath that supported Duke Anguo was completely relaxed. Duke Anguo's eyes went dark and he was about to collapse. His attendants hurriedly supported him and called the imperial physician.

The Zheng family was in chaos, there is no need to go into details.

On the other hand, Zheng Chen’s manifesto also caused a stir in the palace.

……

After hearing the news, Empress Dowager Li in Ning'an Palace laughed for a long time, and then suddenly burst into tears.

The palace maid Lanxiang whispered to comfort her: "I know that Your Majesty is thinking of the Emperor, Minister Li and Master Li, and Your Majesty is very upset. But they are gone, Your Majesty must live well and wait for the traitor Zheng Chen to be executed. You will not die a good death."

Queen Mother Li wiped her tears and smiled again: "You are right. I must live well and live a long life. I want to see Zheng Chen die without a burial place, and see the Zheng family completely decline."

He also had to watch as Empress Dowager Zheng's power was completely weakened and she was completely suppressed by Jiang Shaohua, so that she could no longer stir up trouble.

Although the last sentence cannot be expressed out loud, Lanxiang can naturally understand it.

Lanxiang went to fetch a cup of warm tea and served it to Empress Dowager Li. "Your Majesty, drink more tea to moisten your throat."

The wound on Empress Dowager Li's neck has healed, but her damaged vocal cords need long-term and careful care. Once she speaks loudly or gets too excited, her voice will become hoarse and unclear.

Empress Dowager Li drank the warm tea slowly.

A palace servant came in and reported: "Your Majesty, the Emperor sent Chen Sheren to pass on a message that he will come to Ning'an Palace to have dinner with the Empress Dowager in the evening."

Empress Dowager Li immediately put down the tea bowl and urged Lanxiang to go to the imperial kitchen: "Go and order a few dishes that the emperor likes."

Lanxiang smiled and took the order and left.

Jiang Shaohua inherited the throne of Emperor Taihe and took on the responsibility of taking care of Prince Ping and honoring Empress Dowager Li and Empress Dowager Zheng. Even the concubines in the harem were provided with food and clothing as usual, and never deducted anything.

Jiang Shaohua himself was not too particular about clothing and food. According to palace regulations, his diet was very simple and casual.

From this point of view alone, Jiang Shaohua is truly amazing.

Empress Dowager Li had long forgotten the previous grudges and now fully supported Jiang Shaohua and never caused any trouble.

Jiang Shaohua felt much more comfortable having meals in Ning'an Palace than in Jingyang Palace facing the difficult and overbearing Empress Dowager Zheng.

Empress Dowager Li neither cared about the court nor state affairs. At most, she would occasionally mention the Li family, and she was even cautious in seeking official positions for members of the Li family.

When Jiang Shaohua arrived today, Empress Dowager Li couldn't wait to ask, "Is it appropriate to hand over the matter of the proclamation to Minister Dong?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Don't worry, Auntie. Minister Dong is knowledgeable and talented, and he does his job efficiently and properly."

After a pause, he continued, "Duke Anguo personally wrote a farewell letter between father and son and presented it to the palace. Aunt, would you like to take a look at it?"

Empress Dowager Li's eyes lit up: "It doesn't hurt to take a look."

Jiang Shaohua signaled with his eyes, and Chen Sheren stepped forward with a smile and presented the letter to Empress Dowager Li. (End of this chapter)