CHAPTER 321: CHAPTER 321: IMPERIAL ENVOY (PART 2)

These matters are quite distant from the prosperous and peaceful back palace. Consort Li and others showed a mournful look, but they didn’t really care, instead, they were particularly concerned about the three secretaries being appointed as imperial envoys.

"The Emperor is acting on whims again," Empress Dowager Zheng frowned, with a hint of displeasure in her tone. "The North is now plagued by war and locust infestations, with refugees everywhere, in great disorder. Zixi and the others grew up in the comfort and luxury of the Capital City, delicate and fragile, how could they endure such hardships? If they encounter a rebellion by the unruly people on the road, what should be done then?"

Consort Li also frowned and said, "You are right, Lady. After all, Zixi has been to Nanyang once, and his disposition is considered stable. As for that boy Boyuan, his temper is rough and careless, how can he handle such duties?"

Jiang Wan Hua showed a trace of nervousness and concern in her eyes, obviously also worried about Li Boyuan, yet she was neither convenient nor able to speak up. She just silently tightened the handkerchief in her hand.

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly and said, "Ladies, please set your mind at ease. The court also appointed three calm and composed ministers as Vice Imperial Envoys, accompanying the three to provide relief and care for the people. There’s no work without hardship. If they don’t know at first, they can gradually learn and they will understand."

Hearing that there were Vice Imperial Envoys, Empress Dowager Zheng and Consort Li clearly breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately became more at ease: "Indeed, young eagles must eventually leave the nest and soar into the sky."

"By the way, how many Imperial Army soldiers does the Emperor plan to send along?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "All the minor arrangements have not been discussed yet. I imagine news will come soon."

Empress Dowager Zheng immediately said, "I will send someone to invite the Emperor here right now, to give a few words of advice in person. It’s just as well everyone is here today, we can all stay in Jingyang Palace for lunch."

This is truly Empress Dowager Zheng, who sends for the Emperor at her command.

The chubby boy who had been sitting on Consort Fan’s knee twisted around, slid down from his mother’s lap, and toddled over to Jiang Shaohua’s side, looking up and calling out, "Cousin."

It was the Second Prince, Jiang Hao.

Ever since visiting the Imperial Mausoleum, Jiang Hao had shown a special fondness for Jiang Shaohua. Every time they met in the palace, he would rush over to be close to her for a while.

In front of everyone, Jiang Shaohua, as a cousin naturally, wouldn’t show a cold face, and smiled as she patted Jiang Hao’s head: "Second cousin has grown taller recently."

Jiang Hao smiled favorably and grabbed Jiang Shaohua’s sleeve with his hand. Perhaps from playing earlier, his hands were dirty, and as he reached out, a small stain appeared on Jiang Shaohua’s sleeve.

Consort Fan was caught between crying and laughing, repeatedly apologizing to Jiang Shaohua with a smile: "I’m truly sorry, Commandery Princess, I’ll take him to wash his hands immediately."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "It’s no matter, I’ll just wipe second cousin’s hands for him." She took out a clean silk handkerchief from her sleeve and carefully wiped Jiang Hao’s little dirty hands.

It was strange, the usually ill-tempered Second Prince became incredibly obedient in front of Jiang Shaohua, allowing her to wipe his hands honestly.

Consort Fan, watching this, felt an odd sense of unease.

Being his mother, she knew her son’s temper best. The Second Prince only recognized her, his own mother, in the palace, and now, suddenly, there was also Jiang Shaohua.

She intentionally avoided the times when greetings were exchanged in Jingyang Palace, significantly reducing the Second Prince’s opportunities to encounter Jiang Shaohua. Yet, even meeting only once every six or seven days, the Second Prince clearly expressed his reliance on Jiang Shaohua.

If Jiang Shaohua lived in the palace, meeting every day, it’s feared that the Second Prince wouldn’t even want his own mother, but clung to his cousin instead.

...

After two sticks of incense, Emperor Taihe arrived, accompanied by the secretaries. Upon meeting, the necessary courtesies were exchanged.

Empress Dowager Zheng did not rush to inquire but first ordered to serve the meal.

The men and women were seated separately, with a screen in between. Since there were more women, two tables were set on this side. Jiang Shaohua and Princess Bao Hua shared a table.

During this, there was an interesting little episode. The Second Prince Jiang Hao refused to sit with his elder brother, insisting on sitting with his cousin.

When Jiang Hao became stubborn, he was like an angry little bull, and no one could hold him back. Empress Dowager Zheng, being someone who indulged children, laughed and said, "Hao’er is only five years old, still a child, how could he understand the differences between men and women. Let him sit wherever he wants."

"Shao Hua, take good care of him, don’t let him go hungry."

Jiang Shaohua agreed with a smile, patiently leading Jiang Hao to his seat.

Jiang Hao was the pickiest eater, usually only eating meat and refusing even a bite of vegetables. But today, sitting next to Jiang Shaohua, he ate whatever she served him. It was astonishingly obedient.

Princess Bao Hua laughed with some surprise, "Second brother is usually the pickiest eater, yet today he is behaving very obediently."

Isn’t that true? They’ve never seen such an obedient Second Prince.

Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua each marveled, joking with a smile: "It seems cousin Shao Hua has a way."

"Cousin Shao Hua can quell all the ministers in the court, and keep second cousin in check in the palace. Especially the latter, which truly impresses us."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and continued to serve the Second Prince food. Actually, a child’s world is quite simple. The Second Prince might be a bit slow, but he also has a child’s sharp intuition, knowing whom he can provoke and whom he cannot. Simply put, he bullies the soft and fears the hard.

Those few days at the Imperial Mausoleum had thoroughly established her strong authority and aloof indifference in the Second Prince’s heart. The Second Prince both feared her and wanted to be close, so naturally, he was easily controlled.

Consort Fan, seated at the nearby table, frequently glanced back, evidently still uneasy.

Consort Li casually laughed and said, "I think Shao Hua is a meticulous child, taking exceptionally good care of Hao’er. You need not worry."

With all eyes on them, Jiang Shaohua naturally wouldn’t neglect the Second Prince. However, seeing her son listen to Jiang Shaohua so well, as his mother, she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

With no husband, only her son remains. In his mother’s eyes, her son is most important, and she must be the most important person to her son as well.

How could Consort Li fail to see this subtle thought?

Consort Fan, her thoughts exposed, smiled awkwardly and agreed.

After lunch, everyone drank tea and chatted.

Empress Dowager Zheng brought up the matter of the imperial envoy. Emperor Taihe replied, "I’ve long had plans for this. Zixi and the others have been by my side for many years without a chance to gain experience. This time, sending them to provide relief and handle locust plagues in the three counties, is also to test their abilities."

"Rest assured, Grand Empress Dowager, I will ensure they are well protected with adequate escorts."

Empress Dowager Zheng immediately said, "For each group of imperial envoys, at least a thousand Imperial Army soldiers should accompany them."

Emperor Taihe hesitated immediately.

Three groups of imperial envoys, a thousand Imperial Army soldiers per group, totaling three thousand men. Although there were enough people, the provisions and logistics for this journey would be a significant expense. He had originally planned to send five hundred elite soldiers per group...

However, with Empress Dowager Zheng’s insistence, Emperor Taihe had no choice but to agree.