Zhao Shu had no idea how Wang Jiyang had taken back the Wang family in her previous life, as she had already passed away and transmigrated to the modern era.
The political situation in her previous life wasn't as chaotic as it is now. Back then, the power of the princes and nobles was reduced first, and then came the struggle between the imperial power and the aristocratic families. Unfortunately, she was already dead by then.
Emperor Mingde dedicated his life to consolidating imperial power, but unfortunately, he died before he could fulfill his wish. It is unknown whether Zhao Bi, who came after him, succeeded in doing so.
In her eyes, Zhao Bi actually lacked the courage to implement new policies, but since she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, who knows?
She hadn't expected what happened in front of the East Gate. She and Wang Jize sat in front of the statues of the Three Pure Ones, her mind racing with thoughts of how to humiliate the Wang family.
He tried hard to recall what he knew about the Wang family from his previous life. After thinking for a long time, all he could think of was Wang Jize and his mother, but his mother remarried later.
Is this why this talented general is called a general from a humble background? But how could the Wang family allow their sons to be included in someone else's family genealogy? It's already quite unbelievable that the Wang family's daughter-in-law remarried.
Unfortunately, the Wang family's affairs were extremely chaotic, and Zhao Shu only heard bits and pieces of gossip, so she didn't know much about it.
She didn't know that Wang Jize's mother was at the Wang family's ancestral temple in the suburbs of Beijing; this was a surprise given to her by Xiao Zhuzi and others.
It wasn't her doing that she got someone to testify for Wang Jize; rather, it was Zhihai who inspired her. After Zhihai left, he went to talk to the imperial concubines one by one.
Those who could be granted the title of Imperial Concubine without bearing children were all daughters of prominent families. They entered the palace at a young age, and before they could even warm their beds, the late emperor passed away. Their best years were wasted in this cold and desolate Biyou Palace. How could they not hate, how could they not resent, how could they not wish to go out, even just to go out for a walk and see if the sky outside was bluer?
So, when Zhihai approached the Dowager Consorts and then came to Zhao Shu, he said, "Princess, this old servant would like to ask the Dowager Consorts for a favor. They can testify against the Dowager Consort Wang, but they have lived too long and wish to see the late Emperor."
This means he wants to fake his death and then start a new life with a different identity.
Zhao Shuzheng watched Wang Jize eat the pastries that Green Luo had brought back, then looked up at him and asked, "Has Eunuch Hai forgotten the original intention of my grandmother in sending them here to cultivate?"
Zhihai hurriedly knelt down, and said with trepidation, "This old servant has not forgotten, but now only this plan can completely destroy the Wang family. Please ask the princess to ask for a favor for the concubines."
Zhao Shu sneered, "Are you so sure that I, the princess, can obtain this favor?"
“Princess, the Empress Dowager is not an ignorant woman. If she knew that giving the Consorts a clear path would bring down the Wang family, she would definitely do it.” He lowered his head, not daring to let Zhao Shu see his eyes. He could not lie about the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was indeed not an ignorant woman, but she was a person who would seek revenge for any wrong done to her. She would never let those concubines who had tried to usurp her position lightly. If she could defeat the Wang family and help the princess, she would atone for her sins with her death.
Zhao Shu sneered, "Invite the imperial concubines over here. In front of the statues of the Three Pure Ones, I want to ask them if they still want a peaceful end to their lives."
Zhihai looked up in surprise, “Princess, you mustn’t! The families of the imperial concubines are quite powerful. Although they don’t usually come to visit, people from noble families would never allow others to bully them, especially members of the royal family.”
Yes, these are prestigious families, families that have been passed down for hundreds of years. How could they allow others to bully their own family members? They only allow themselves to kill each other.
If members of the royal family were to humiliate their clansmen, that would be even more outrageous. They would cling to their meager privileges, preferring dynastic changes to compromise. That is the nature of aristocratic families.
So today, the imperial concubines are going to use this matter to their own advantage. Very well, very well. If she were to give away the benefits on her own today, it would be difficult to explain to the Empress Dowager. She would also have to bow down to the powerful families. Wouldn't that be incredibly annoying?
Taking a step back doesn't always lead to a brighter future.
"Eunuch Hai, go and invite the imperial concubines here. You don't need to worry about the others." Zhao Shu said, then ignored him and focused on watching Wang Jize eat.
Zhao Shu didn't blame Zhihai for having such thoughts. If she hadn't gone to the modern world, she would still be an ignorant woman. It has to be said that in a society like the modern world, one can learn a lot, broaden one's horizons, and expand one's mind.
Thanks to that period of time, she was no longer ignorant.
"Is it delicious?" Zhao Shu asked.
Wang Jize flashed a smile as pure as a blank sheet of paper and as bright as the morning sun, just like the sunny boy from the next class. His features were not like Wang Jiyang's; he was more delicate-looking.
Perhaps he had been truly hungry for a long time, for he ate ravenously. No one had taught him how to eat elegantly, and he knew none of the manners of those aristocratic young masters; instead, he resembled a beggar on the street.
Seeing him like this, Zhao Shu felt incredibly fortunate to have family who loved her, and she was determined to protect all of that in this lifetime.
She lacked a magnanimous heart. If some people in this world have to suffer to highlight the happiness of others, then let others suffer instead.
As long as the people she cares about are well, and she is well, she doesn't care whether the world is upside down or murky.
"It's delicious," Wang Jize mumbled.
Zhihai knelt for a while, but Zhao Shu ignored him. He called out again, "Princess."
Zhao Shu reached out and stopped him from speaking. The inner palace should not interfere in politics, especially since she was just a princess. If she agreed to the demands of the imperial concubines, it would not only be bowing down to the powerful families, but also be suspected of interfering in politics. However, she would not say that she was interfering in politics.
“Eunuch Hai, if the Empress Dowager were here, she might compromise, but I won’t. Just now, the Dowager Consort kept saying what my Empress Dowager was. You should still remember. If the Dowager Consorts know what’s good for them, they can obediently go and testify. If they don’t, I don’t mind if they live forever in this Biyou Palace.”
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
