CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186: GOLDEN BUDDHA

Zheng Chen’s brow shifted slightly, his expression slightly tense.

This golden Buddha must have been prepared in advance, not something done in haste. Only the financial power of Nanyang County could support such an endeavor.

If it were the Zheng family, it wouldn’t be that they couldn’t produce so much gold. However, he is young now and not the family head. Even if his father agreed, using such a large amount of gold would still need the approval of the family members.

Empress Dowager Zheng, being the Empress Dowager, draws attention with every move in the palace. Moreover, being ambitious with a significant reputation, she too is unable to use thousands of taels of gold to craft a golden Buddha.

Jiang Shaohua is different. As the Nanyang County Princess, she possesses the wealth of the Nanyang Prince Mansion and decades of savings. Nanyang County and affiliated counties have mines and horse farms, which are all Jiang Shaohua’s properties.

If she crafted a golden Buddha to win the Empress Dowager’s favor, it would spread, and people would praise the Commandery Princess for her filial piety.

A gentleman should be regarded with new eyes after he has been away for three days.

Jiang Shaohua’s move was both swift and precise!

Eunuch Lan saw Zheng Chen remaining silent and said quietly, "The Nanyang County Princess also sent an ancient book to Mr. Zhao, who loves to feign elegance. After receiving the book, Mr. Zhao speaks for the Commandery Princess everywhere."

Zheng Chen came to his senses and said indifferently, "There must be a silver note hidden in the ancient book. Otherwise, why would Zhao Chunming exert himself on her behalf?"

Eunuch Lan, somewhat anxious, said, "Then what should be done? This Zhao Chunming, fawns everywhere to please the Empress Dowager, pushing us so hard that there’s no place for us to stay."

Zheng Chen furrowed his brow slightly, glancing at Eunuch Lan, "Stay calm. I am aware of this matter."

Eunuch Lan had no choice but to remain silent.

Before leaving, Zheng Chen left a word, "Don’t be anxious. Some things require a gradual plan."

In his heart, Eunuch Lan silently grumbled.

The Young Master isn’t anxious. The Empress Dowager favors him as much as the Crown Prince. He, a eunuch without descendants, could never have such fortune as the Young Master. With Mr. Zhao in power, he oppresses him everywhere. His days in Jingyang Palace are truly difficult.

After Zheng Chen left, Mr. Zhao attentively served the Empress Dowager as she went to worship Buddha.

The Da Liang Royal Family has always been devoted to Buddhism. For the Empress Dowager Zheng and Emperor Taikang, it’s even more pronounced. Especially Empress Dowager Zheng, probably because of many guilty deeds in her youth, constantly seeks Buddha’s forgiveness and mercy, offering incense and chanting for an hour each day.

Jingyang Palace has a small Buddhist Hall. Originally, there was a six-foot-tall gilded Buddha statue. Starting yesterday, it was replaced with a three-foot-tall red gold Buddha statue.

The statue is half the size, yet the gold is real, thus demonstrating the Empress Dowager’s devout heart for Buddha.

This statue was meticulously crafted over half a year by over a dozen skilled artisans from Nanyang County. Its peaceful face is lifelike. Under detailed observation, its gentle brows and eyes vaguely resemble the Empress Dowager Zheng.

This is the fundamental reason for the Empress Dowager’s delight.

"This Shaohua girl truly has a heart," Empress Dowager Zheng said with joy after burning a stick of incense, casually smiling at Mr. Zhao, "She even specially copied a box of scriptures and sent it."

Whether these scriptures were personally handled by the Commandery Princess or not doesn’t matter. If the Commandery Princess says they were, then they surely were.

Thinking of the thick silver notes within the ancient book, Mr. Zhao’s heart warmed up like hot coals, and he smiled in agreement, "The Commandery Princess shows great filial piety toward the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager might slightly care for her in the future."

After a pause, he sighed regretfully, "That new-style plow is beneficial to the country and people. The Commandery Princess specifically offered it to the Empress Dowager. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Wang obstructed it, and the Ministry of Industry is still delaying, unwilling to promote it."

The mention of this matter caused the Empress Dowager’s face to turn cold, as she snorted, "In the matter regarding Zuo Zhen, Wang Rong suffered silently. Wang Rong is trying to use this to regain face."

"For the sake of competition, he ignores the benefits of this agricultural tool. Such narrow-mindedness makes him unworthy of being Prime Minister."

Mr. Zhao, with a sycophantic expression, said, "When the Emperor comes to Jingyang Palace, the Empress Dowager should definitely have a good talk with him. Prime Minister Wang should not be easily let off."

Once more, the Empress Dowager snorted coldly.

...

Filial piety is a foundational value in Da Liang. Emperor Taikang is genuinely filial towards his mother, Empress Dowager Zheng, visiting Jingyang Palace almost every day to pay his respects.

In the evening, after attending to state affairs, Emperor Taikang came to Jingyang Palace.

Empress Dowager Zheng happily welcomed Emperor Taikang into the hall, instructing someone to invite the Crown Prince and Princess Bao Hua. As for the two-year-old Second Prince, he was still a child who couldn’t be separated from his wet nurse.

Upon the Crown Prince’s arrival, his four reading companions followed. Besides Jiang Yuehua and Jiang Wan Hua, there was a new face with Princess Bao Hua.

A graceful thirteen-year-old girl, dressed in a pink gown, with fair skin, sweet and lovely, her cheeks dimpling when she smiled.

This girl, surnamed Fan, with the maiden name Jaining, is the granddaughter of General Fan, niece of Consort Fan, and the Second Prince Jiang Hao’s first cousin.

In a previous life, when both Emperor Taikang and the Crown Prince passed away, the young Second Prince was elevated to the Dragon Throne. Empress Dowager Zheng strongly promoted the marriage alliance between the Zheng family and the Fan family.

Back then, he had no power to resist, marrying Fan Jaining. A few years after she married into the Zheng family, she died in childbirth, both mother and child, a short and beautiful life.

In his life, she was like a fleeting star, passing by without leaving much of a mark.

Originally, there should also have been the Nanyang County Princess Jiang Shaohua here!

Zheng Chen gave a faint glance and quickly withdrew his gaze.

Empress Dowager Zheng smiled and said, "Zixian, you went to Nanyang County, and there’s a new princess companion in the palace. This is the first time you’re meeting! This is the granddaughter of General Fan and niece of Consort Fan."

Zheng Chen cupped his hands in greeting, "Miss Fan."

Fan Jaining blushed slightly, bowing to the exceptionally handsome Young Master Zheng, "Greetings, Young Master."

This was the formal exchange of pleasantries.

With a group of young boys and girls in front of her, Empress Dowager Zheng enjoyed the lively atmosphere, arranging three tables—one for the young men, one for the young women, and one for the Crown Prince and Princess to accompany the Empress Dowager and Emperor Taikang.

After dinner, as Empress Dowager Zheng conversed with Emperor Taikang, the young people took their leave.

Having only been in the palace for half a month, Fan Jaining, who usually stayed in the princess’s quarters, quietly walked beside the Commandery Princess, and whispered, "Princess, is Young Master Zheng always this proud and aloof?"

Jiang Bao Hua chuckled, "Not really. He’s usually quite charming and easygoing. Perhaps tonight, seeing you for the first time, he’s too shy to speak up."

"Or maybe he went to Nanyang County, returned empty-handed, and can’t let go of his pride yet," Jiang Yuehua teased with a grin.

Jiang Wan Hua giggled, covering her mouth, "We all advised him not to go. He insisted on hitting this hard nail. Who can he blame?"

Fan Jaining, aware of the story, pursed her lips in a light laugh, "This Nanyang County Princess also has a stubborn nature. The Empress Dowager meant well, wanting to bring her to the palace. There are princesses and two County Princesses as companions. Why wouldn’t she wish to come?"

Jiang Yuehua and Jiang Wan Hua exchanged a secret glance.