Chapter 413 Facing Challenges Head-on
"I was thinking that we've arranged fireworks for tonight, but I don't know if the palace servants have made the arrangements. Please make sure there are no mishaps. I want to hold a perfect birthday banquet for Your Highness and the child," Jiang Fenghua said gently.
"It's too much trouble for the people in the Ministry of Rites to handle these small matters. Don't do them yourself." Xie Shang held her hand and said with concern, "Don't worry about the ladies' health all the time. You should also take care of your own health. The Emperor and Empress value imperial offspring the most. I value Ruan Ruan and my children even more. In the future, we should also give Yan'er and Hongyou a few more younger brothers and sisters."
Jiang Fenghua blushed and said, "I understand."
The fireworks show that night was spectacular, and people from all over Shengjing came out to climb to high places and watch the fireworks display in the imperial city.
Upon arriving at the Jiang residence, Xiao Yu was greeted by Jiang Jinyan, who had wine and dishes prepared. "Brother Xiao, please."
Xiao Yu picked up his wine glass and looked at Jiang Jinyan, who looked dejected. He said, "Brother Jiang, your family has suffered a misfortune, and I am also heartbroken. But you must pull yourself together! Some things have already happened even if they hadn't."
Jiang Jinyan smiled wryly and took a sip of wine.
Xiao Yu was worried for him, and even more worried for the person in the palace. "Brother Jiang, have you ever thought about why Su Xuan was able to transport so much gunpowder into the city? Logically speaking, the Su family is already extinct. At that time, everyone was trying to avoid the Su family, so who would help them?"
Jiang Jinyan had no idea that Ruan Ruan had secretly sent people to intercept Su Xuan, almost blocking all his escape routes. She was just waiting for him to show up so she could find an opportunity to kill him. He should have made some things clear with Mo'er. He also blamed himself for letting Mo'er catch him off guard.
"I have no clue who is helping Su Xuan," Jiang Jinyan said calmly.
Xiao Yu said in a deep voice, "These past few days, Brother Jiang has not gone to the yamen, nor has he even left the mansion. Do you know that there are rumors circulating about the Jiang family, saying that it was actually the Crown Princess who wanted to kill the Su family, because the Su family's daughter and the Crown Princess were vying for the Crown Princess's favor. Some people even say that the Crown Prince deeply loved the Su family's daughter, but now he only favors the Crown Princess. They even used the Third Miss's appearance as an example, citing King Zhou of Shang and the demon concubine Daji, saying that three generations of meritorious officials of the Su family were slaughtered overnight."
"Bullshit." Jiang Jinyan slammed his wine glass on the table. "This is utterly indiscriminate! The Su family's numerous misdeeds are irrefutable, yet people are still gossiping about the Jiang family behind their backs. What heinous things has the Jiang family done? I understand now. This is the biggest trap Su Xuan set for Ruan Ruan. Only now are these sarcastic remarks being revealed. He's using himself to create a life-or-death situation, making Ruan Ruan's future days miserable!"
Xiao Yu was also worried about this. "Su Xuan knew that the Su family's situation was beyond saving, so he returned to Shengjing to seek revenge on the Jiang family. He actually wanted to kill two birds with one stone. If he could kill the Crown Princess, everyone would be happy. If not, he would use his death to set up a scheme. So I guess there must be someone helping him behind the scenes. As for who that person is, I have no idea."
"I've also heard that there's a lot of controversy in the court regarding the position of Minister of Revenue, with Censor Zhu's faction supporting Vice Minister of Revenue Shu Lang," Xiao Yu said. "Brother Jiang, what are your thoughts on this position? If you could get it, it would definitely be a great help to the Third Miss, but..."
Jiang Jinyan suddenly looked at Xiao Yu, immediately becoming alert, and said coldly, "My third sister is already married. Don't you understand who she married? Brother Xiao, aren't you being a little too concerned about some things?"
Xiao Yu immediately realized his mistake and knew that he had lost his composure after hearing these remarks. "Brother Jiang, please rest assured, Xiao Yu will never ruin his future, nor will he cause any trouble for the Third Miss. The only way to dispel the rumors is for the Jiang family to have no power."
Jiang Jinyan said in a deep voice, "I understand what Brother Xiao means. If the Jiang family gets this position, they will become the target of everyone's criticism, which will further confirm the rumors that the Jiang family wants to seize power. Now, even if the Crown Prince wants to give me this position, the best solution is to refuse the official position and dispel the rumors."
Xiao Yu frowned, thinking to himself: Would the Third Miss also think this way?
Jiang Jinyan smiled bitterly, "If it were Ruan Ruan, she would definitely make me take this position. Now that someone wants to harm the Jiang family, even if I step down and give way, others will still harm me. I might as well seize this opportunity and rise to the challenge."
He knew his sister well; she had a rebellious streak. At this time, the Jiang family would be pushed into the eye of the storm. As long as the Emperor knew that the Jiang family and he were of one mind, and that the Jiang family would not be bullied by anyone.
Soon, Jiang Fenghua also told Jiang Jinyan that the Zhu family might have been helping Su Xuan behind the scenes, and asked him to investigate secretly. The Zhu family would definitely leave clues if they dared to do such a thing.
After the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, the Emperor's decree appointing him was issued.
With Jiang Jinyan appointed as Minister of Revenue, the Jiang family's influence soared even higher.
Jiang Fenghua thought: The Jiang family should remain still and not take the lead for the time being. In time, the rumors will naturally dissipate. However, the Zhu family did not make any moves. Even after Jiang Jinyan was appointed Minister of Revenue, Censor Zhu happily congratulated him. The position of Right Vice Minister Shu Lang remained unchanged, and he was also very honest and dutiful.
Two months later, more good news came from the Eastern Palace: Consort Song had given birth to a grandson for the imperial family, whom the Emperor named Xie Hongrui.
In fact, Jiang Fenghua was protecting Consort Song's pregnancy very closely. She already knew about the rumors outside. But rumors are just rumors. Xie Shang knew better than anyone how Su Xuan died. Her way to dispel the rumors was to ensure that all the pregnant ladies in the Eastern Palace were safe and sound and gave birth to their children safely.
In this way, people won't gossip about her being the Crown Princess who domineeringly favors the emperor.
In fact, Jiang Fenghua had always been wary of Zhu Zhenzhen. Song Qing was a concubine who entered the palace at the same time as her. When Song Qing gave birth, Zhu Zhenzhen would definitely feel unwell. However, she stayed quiet for two months and quietly recuperated.
The Crown Prince's two concubines are also due to give birth in less than two months.
That day, Jiang Fenghua had just returned from Consort Song's palace when she suddenly fell ill.
Granny Wang was anxious and sent someone to invite Physician Mei to come and examine her. This matter also alarmed Xie Shang.
Upon learning that the Crown Princess was ill, Xie Shang immediately put aside state affairs and rushed over. "Ruan Ruan, how are you feeling?"
Jiang Fenghua gestured for Granny Wang and the others to leave with her eyes, and said softly, "I'm fine. I just haven't had enough rest these past few days while I was watching over Consort Song as she gave birth. Consort Song's pregnancy lasted for three days and three nights from the onset of labor to delivery. I was just too nervous."
"Didn't I tell you that the ladies have their own maids and nannies to serve them? You don't need to worry about it too much. You're just worrying for nothing," Xie Shang said in a deep voice.
Jiang Fenghua, fearing he would be angry, added, "Your Highness, please listen to my explanation. General Peng must be worried about Consort Song's situation after going to the border. By guarding the Eastern Palace, I am sharing Your Highness's burdens. Also..."
"Anything else?" Xie Shang's tone softened.
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