Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

By combining excessive flattery with meticulous record-keeping, the Empress Dowager, if she cared about her reputation, would absolutely not dare to rule from behind the curtain.

The overall situation is settled; the next step is to deal with the Empress Dowager!

Chapter 172 Harmony in the Palace!

Fushou Palace.

The altar, about ten feet long, is decorated with pastries, fruits, and an incense burner about a foot in size.

Three incense sticks were inserted into the incense burner, and wisps of smoke rose from it. A memorial tablet, about a foot in size, was erected in the center, serving as a place of worship.

In the side room, there was a sandalwood dining table about ten feet in size, with several dishes of pickled vegetables and a small bowl of rice porridge on it.

The Empress Dowager held chopsticks and occasionally took a bite.

Nearby, several eunuchs and palace maids stood respectfully, one of them standing about two steps away from the Empress Dowager, whispering something.

The more she spoke, the worse her complexion became.

until

"What?" After the eunuch finished reporting, the Empress Dowager was startled, and her face immediately darkened.

My appetite for food has almost completely vanished.

A small mouthful of rice porridge picked up with chopsticks wobbled slightly from side to side, making it really difficult to put into one's mouth.

The chopsticks were gently placed on the small bowl, and the Empress Dowager broke out in a cold sweat and fell silent.

The side chamber was unusually quiet, with only barely audible breathing sounds remaining.

After a long while, only a long sigh remained.

"What a fine Duke of Lu!"

The Empress Dowager's face darkened, her eyes darting around, and she showed a rare hint of panic: "The late Emperor's high regard for this man was not without reason!"

"Your Majesty."

The official asked doubtfully, "What should we do next?"

The Empress Dowager remained silent.

After a few breaths, the Empress Dowager shook her head and sighed, "Jiang Zichuan came to the palace for a chat and asked me if I wanted to rule from behind the curtain."

"I didn't admit it!"

"I originally thought Jiang Zichuan was being reckless. Who would have thought that it was these words that would harm me?"

The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly: "These words have already been recorded in the daily records of the emperor's life."

"The new emperor and Jiang Zichuan put on a show during the regular court sessions, praising each other as virtuous and gentle, a model of womanhood."

“They kept saying that Empress Dowager Ling of the Northern Wei Dynasty and Jia Nanfeng of the Western Jin Dynasty were greedy for power, corrupt, cruel, jealous and tyrannical.”

"I'm already in a precarious position!"

The emperors who came of age and whose empress dowagers ruled from behind the curtain were Empress Dowager Ling of the Northern Wei Dynasty and Empress Jia Nanfeng of the Western Jin Dynasty!

This is a negative example.

She has been a model mother to the nation for thirty years, and an exemplary woman for thirty years!

This is a positive example!

She could be a positive example or a negative example.

Furthermore, at the very least, it would be "greed for power," resulting in the complete ruin of one's reputation.

Even if we take a step back, the treacherous ministers sowed discord within the royal family, while the Empress Dowager was virtuous and exemplary, a model of womanhood.

The gap is too large; one wrong step and you're in hell.

Upon realizing this, the Empress Dowager was momentarily lost in thought, her mind in turmoil.

She has already lost!

The two chief officials of the Imperial Clan Court who advocated "ruling from behind the curtain" have both been demoted.

By making an example of him, the other members of Emperor Taizong's family would certainly not dare to submit any more memorials.

Otherwise, it would be considered sowing discord within the royal family.

Two members of Emperor Taizong's lineage were demoted, and two new members of Emperor Taizong's lineage were promoted.

The Grand Master of the Imperial Clan and the Vice Minister of the Imperial Clan were both from the lineage of Emperor Taizong.

This move was the new emperor sending a signal to the Taizong lineage—I still value you!

In this way, those descendants of Emperor Taizong who were worried about being suppressed were appeased.

In just one court session, Jiang Zichuan completely isolated and helpless her.

The so-called "ruling from behind the curtain" is simply a joke.

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply and slowly closed her eyes.

"They will come looking for me."

As a loser, she had already accepted her fate.

In a moment of folly, he even entertained the idea of ​​ruling from behind the curtain!

No injustice!

As soon as you speak of the devil, a eunuch in plain clothes announces: "Your Majesty, Minister Jiang requests an audience."

"Minister Jiang?" The Empress Dowager opened her eyes and asked, "Where is His Majesty?"

"I have not seen His Majesty," the eunuch replied.

The Empress Dowager nodded, her thoughts unreadable.

"Let him in."

Less than ten breaths later, Jiang Zhao, dressed in plain clothes, approached.

"Your humble servant Jiang Zhao greets Your Majesty." Jiang Zhao bowed respectfully.

"Please take a seat." The loser, seeing the victor, felt a momentary relief, but a slight tension inevitably returned.

A woman alone, isolated and helpless, can truly suffer a terrible fate.

Jiang Zhao took his seat, sitting up straight.

"What brings Minister Jiang to the palace?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"I have come to negotiate peace," Jiang Zhao said calmly and earnestly.

"Make peace?"

The Empress Dowager was taken aback, and a strange, indescribable feeling welled up in her heart.

"After my defeat, a single greeting from me would take half an hour, deliberately making things difficult for the new emperor." The Empress Dowager asked doubtfully, "Would he agree to make peace?"

"Your Majesty is mistaken."

Jiang Zhao respectfully replied, "His Majesty is a man of great courage and vision. The country and its people are inherited from the late Emperor. How could he hold a grudge against the Empress Dowager just because of a few difficult times?"

Jiang Zhao sighed, "When I entered the capital, I heard that the Empress Dowager intended to rule from behind the curtain, and I knew that she had been instigated by treacherous people."

"Firstly, the Empress Dowager's reputation for virtue is renowned throughout the land. The new emperor is already twenty-eight years old, no longer a child. Given the Empress Dowager's character, how could she possibly follow the example of the wicked Empress Jia Nanfeng and go astray?"

"Secondly, the Grand Secretaries are all ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor, and it is absolutely impossible for them to allow the Empress Dowager to rule from behind the curtain. Without Grand Chancellor Han's approval, no matter how much the people from the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs make a fuss, it will be to no avail. With the Empress Dowager's wisdom, how could she not have thought of this?"

"Thirdly, the late emperor's prestige was hard-earned, and since he passed the throne to the lineage of Emperor Taizu, Your Majesty will certainly hold him in high esteem. The Empress Dowager and the late emperor were in love for over thirty years; how could she possibly harm the late emperor?"

"Fourthly, since ancient times, the successive generations of relatives of the emperor have been the result of taking shortcuts to gain favor and honor, and it is normal for such successes to come and go."

Fortunately, the Emperor was favored by the late Emperor and was a kind and benevolent person. The Empress Dowager, inheriting the influence of the late Emperor, naturally also inherited the Emperor's gratitude towards the late Emperor.

With the emperor in power, the Cao family of Zhending can still enjoy its former glory. Given the Empress Dowager's experience, she would never relinquish her martial prowess, let alone assume a regency behind the curtain.

Jiang Zhao said solemnly, "I am deeply grateful for the late Emperor's favor in selecting me."

"Since learning that there might be treacherous people trying to sow discord between the grandfather and grandson, I have been unable to sleep day and night."

"Fortunately, the treacherous minister has been eliminated, and the Empress can still enjoy her old age in peace."

After speaking, he stood up and bowed deeply.

After hearing those few words, Cao felt inexplicably guilty.

Based on this analysis, her desire to rule from behind the curtain is simply beyond comprehension.

After a few moments of silence, the Empress Dowager slowly said, "Minister Jiang, rise."

"Thank you for your trouble, Jiang Qing."

Everything, in just a few words from Jiang Zhao, can be simply summarized as the instigation of treacherous officials.

This is an attitude.

This means that she, as a "loser," will not be as miserable as one might imagine.

Jiang Zhao stood up.

"Send someone to invite His Majesty," the Empress Dowager said slowly, looking at the eunuchs standing by.

Jiang Zhao's arrival must be at the behest of the new emperor.

If we can truly reach a reconciliation during this opportunity, that would be the best outcome.

About half an incense stick later, footsteps were heard.

Judging from the frequency of his steps alone, he walks with an extremely hurried pace.

"Royal Grandmother."

At a call, the new emperor Zhao Ceying strode in and burst into tears.

"I was appointed by my grandfather to ascend the throne, which should have been a joyous occasion. However, a villain has stirred up trouble between us, grandfather and grandson."

Zhao Ceying bowed and wept, saying, "Fortunately, Minister Jiang eliminated the traitors, which cleared up the misunderstanding between grandfather and grandson."

"Your Majesty." The Empress Dowager was quite surprised.

This statement marks the new ruler's stance.

All the difficulties, even the fact that she ruled from behind the scenes, were simply glossed over with a "misunderstanding."

Zhao Ceying approached, bowed deeply, and solemnly said, "I inherited the legacy of my grandfather, so it is only right that I take care of my grandmother in her old age."

"The Cao family of Zhending is full of talented people, and I will certainly attach great importance to them."

With a single word, he promised that the Cao family would continue to shine.

The Empress Dowager was taken aback and quickly helped the new emperor up.

"Your Majesty is serious."

"Your Majesty has inherited the will of the late Emperor and has the qualities of a wise ruler."

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, then straightened her posture and said, "This time, I was misled by the treacherous minister and lost my mind."

As the loser, if there's a chance to reconcile, then of course you should reconcile.

"Fortunately, Minister Jiang has rectified the situation. You and I will surely live in harmony and peace, just like direct grandparents and grandchildren."

This statement is also a promise.

The new emperor is the legitimate successor, the one who carries on the legacy of the previous emperor!

Both the grandfather and grandson made a promise.

The grandfather and grandson reconciled, chatting happily about everyday things.

Chapter 173 The Posthumous Title of the Late Emperor!

Ministry of Rites, Office of the Minister of Rites.

At the head of the table, there was a small wooden table about ten feet long, on which some documents were placed, and Jiang Zhao would occasionally glance at them.

The Empress Dowager and the new emperor reconciled, and the two were very happy together.