Chapter 153 Empress Cheng's Concerns
The next day, Jiang Fenghua entered the palace early in the morning.
When the Empress saw her arrive, she happily took her hand and sat down beside her, asking with concern, "Are you feeling any better lately? Are you still vomiting?"
"I'm much better now, Mother. I have a good appetite and I'm not vomiting anymore," she answered honestly and truthfully.
The Empress saw that Jiang Fenghua was still so thin even after more than four months, but her appearance was still stunningly beautiful. Her breasts had grown quite a bit, making her look even more charming. She had an ethereal air about her. The more she looked at her, the more satisfied she became with the beautiful and pleasing wife she had chosen for her son.
She said with concern, "Ruan Ruan must eat more. You are now eating for three people. Don't restrict your food intake for the sake of beauty. The baby is the most important thing. You can control your figure later."
"Your Majesty, I understand. Please rest assured, the children are all doing well." Jiang Fenghua spoke respectfully, but her mind was elsewhere. This was also the purpose of her visit to the palace today. She added, "I am pregnant and it is inconvenient for me to serve Your Highness. Fortunately, Consort Su has returned. With her taking care of Your Highness, I am at ease."
The Empress's face darkened at the mere mention of someone surnamed Su, even though her relationship with the Emperor had inexplicably improved and Su Qingqing had gone mad.
But as long as Su Qingqing lived, the Empress felt uneasy and became more talkative. “What’s there to be worried about? That vixen Su Tingwan is ugly and always causing trouble. I know her thoughts better than anyone. She just wants to take advantage of Ruan Ruan’s pregnancy.”
Jiang Fenghua listened quietly and said gently, "The young general of the Su family has returned. The prince has his reasons."
She blinked her big eyes and said, "Consort Su and the Prince are indeed deeply in love. She has been recuperating for more than three months before the Prince went to bring her back to the manor."
With Empress Cheng's eyes at the Prince's residence, news of what happened there would reach her ears immediately, and Empress Cheng naturally knew the details of Su Tingwan's return to the residence.
Empress Cheng knew that Jiang Fenghua understood better than anyone why Su Tingwan had returned—it was because the Su family held power. But what would happen to the Cheng family if the Su family were to take power?
Her relationship with the emperor had improved considerably, but she dared not mention the Cheng family. She feared that mentioning the Cheng family would cause the emperor to bring up old grievances again. Therefore, if the Cheng family wanted to achieve anything, they would ultimately have to rely on their son's support.
Empress Cheng knew that Jiang Fenghua's elder brother had been working with her son and had achieved results. The emperor praised him repeatedly and even bestowed a marriage upon him.
The Emperor values the Jiang family because they have always been a family of integrity. Jiang Huai is still just a schoolteacher and does not associate with powerful figures, posing no threat. Therefore, the Emperor values Jiang Jinyan. This was also an important reason why she decided to let her son marry Jiang Fenghua after careful consideration. Now that her son's heart is not entirely with Su Tingwan, she is very happy.
However, Shang'er is entangled with Su Tingwan because of the Su family's power. If she gets pregnant, the Su family will probably become arrogant towards the Cheng family again. She absolutely cannot allow such a thing to happen. But Jiang Fenghua is pregnant, so the honey trap seems to be ineffective.
Because of that incident, the Cheng family was implicated and disliked by the emperor. To this day, General Cheng's mansion has not been given important positions by the emperor, also because the Su family has always been in the way.
She also secretly received news from the Cheng family that many of them were learned men who knew that Empress Cheng had regained the emperor's favor and wanted her to help them.
But the son wasn't close to the Cheng family either.
Empress Cheng thought to herself: If I join forces with Jiang Fenghua, I can get her to speak on behalf of the Cheng family to my son. After all, she is his maternal uncle, and I should help her out.
Empress Cheng spoke frankly, “Shang’er’s uncle was once a renowned general. The relationship between the court and the harem has always been closely intertwined. In the past, I was always overshadowed by that vile woman Su Qingqing, which led to the Cheng family also being overshadowed by the Su family. The Cheng family has many learned people, but none of them have been given important positions… I won’t keep you in suspense any longer, Ruan Ruan. Go and say a word for Shang’er’s maternal uncle’s family, the Cheng family.”
Jiang Fenghua knew the Cheng family's predicament; it was the same in her previous life. When Empress Cheng was having a hard time, the Cheng family naturally had a hard time as well.
Although she was Xie Shang's legal wife, she also caused the Jiang family to live a difficult life, so she could understand Empress Cheng very well.
Hearing the Empress speak to her personally changed her mindset; at least Empress Cheng treated her as one of her own.
If Empress Cheng is willing to help her deal with Su Tingwan, she wouldn't mind saying a few good words for the Cheng family in front of Xie Shang.
As long as General Cheng can seize the opportunity, their desire to climb the ranks will not hinder the Jiang family's development.
Their common enemy is the Su family, so why wouldn't she be happy to do so?
Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager means that if the Prince is to go on a campaign, she hopes that the young men of General Cheng's mansion will be taken along as well." She could only prioritize the young men, because General Cheng had not seized this opportunity in his previous life. If he rashly requested permission, he might anger the Emperor.
Empress Cheng's eyes lit up. "You mean the younger generation of the Cheng family, Shang'er's uncle..."
Jiang Fenghua took the initiative to grasp Empress Cheng's hand and said affectionately, "I heard that Uncle is not in good health and has not had any combat experience for a long time. It is also freezing cold outside. I am worried that Uncle's body cannot handle it, which may affect the progress and backfire. Your Majesty, this battle is very important to the Prince. He is determined to win." Therefore, she did not want the elderly General Cheng to hold Xie Shang back.
Empress Cheng felt as if she had been enlightened upon hearing this, and became even more enthusiastic towards Jiang Fenghua, saying, "Among the younger generation of the Cheng family, Cheng Yang and Cheng Ming are quite promising; they are twins..."
Empress Cheng recounted her story slowly, and Jiang Fenghua listened quietly. She had no impression of these two people because the Cheng family was not only not favored by the current emperor, but also not favored by Xie Shang after he ascended the throne.
"I will find an opportunity to speak with Your Highness, but it will have to be a very subtle opportunity. Otherwise, I'm afraid my words alone might arouse Your Highness's suspicion." Jiang Fenghua did not believe she could influence Xie Shang's thoughts and decisions.
Empress Cheng frowned. "What kind of opportunity does Ruan Ruan say she needs? And what should Your Majesty do? If it can really help the Cheng family rise again, it can also be considered as preparing for Shang'er to consolidate her position."
Jiang Fenghua naturally understood her meaning, but she did not agree with Empress Cheng's words. Everyone wants power, and if the Cheng family had no interests or benefits to rely on, they would not help Xie Shang for no reason. Just because of the word "uncle"?
When interests are involved, even family ties can be very fragile.
The word "uncle" is a joke.
She also pretended to be naive and said with a smile, "What Mother said is right. If the prince had more of his own people in the court, he wouldn't have to work so hard. I will try my best to say a good word for my uncle."
"Alright, Your Majesty, we will await news from Ruan Ruan," said Empress Cheng.
The Emperor was probably wary of Empress Cheng promoting her relatives, which is why he neglected her!
Whether it's the Cheng family or the Su family, isn't their aligning with the royal family simply a way to gain power and influence?
Jiang Fenghua wasn't aloof either; in this life, she gravitated towards Xie Shang for the same reasons.
As long as there is no love in her heart, she will continue to feign friendship with Xie Shang for the rest of her life, regardless of how many women he has; all she wants is that position.
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