Chapter 187: Joining Forces

“Imperial Grandmother.” The Crown Prince respectfully bowed to the Empress Dowager and greeted her, asking, “How is your health?”

The corners of the Empress Dowager’s mouth twitched slightly as she lifted her chin just a little, and her tone ambiguous. “Does the Crown Prince think that I am doing well or not in this place of quiet cultivation?”

The Crown Prince’s heart tightened, becoming even more cautious as he replied, “Imperial Grandmother, you have been praying for the Great Zhou Kingdom’s prosperity at the imperial temple. Over the years, Great Zhou has enjoyed favorable weather, national peace, and the well-being of the people. You deserve much of the credit for that.”

The Crown Prince continued, “Grandson wishes to bring you back to the palace, but unfortunately, my power is limited. Now, with Imperial Uncle going on a diplomatic mission to Xiliang to attend the ceremony for the crowning of Xiliang’s crown princess, Father has ordered me to assist Uncle’s men in managing state affairs. I came today to inform you, and in five days, Grandson will respectfully welcome you back to the palace.”

The Empress Dowager’s gaze flickered, finally focusing on the Crown Prince. She scrutinized him from head to toe, realizing for the first time that the young boy she once knew had grown into a young man. His eyes were filled with ambition, even more so than Ji Ling, with a greater hunger for power.

Before the Crown Prince arrived at the imperial temple, the Empress Dowager hadn’t considered forming an alliance with him. He had grown up under the care of the Empress and secretly aligned himself with Ji Xuan to oppose the Empress Dowager. He even followed Ji Xuan’s arrangement to marry Su Mixue, giving up on marrying Su Wan. The Empress Dowager had thought the Crown Prince had become Ji Xuan’s puppet, but now, after hearing his words, she realized that was not the case at all.

He was leveraging power against power, enduring humiliation and biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike back at Ji Xuan.

“Come inside to talk,” the Empress Dowager said as she supported herself on Madam An’s hand and entered the room.

She could no longer stand being confined in the Guo temple for even a moment longer. The Crown Prince’s desire to bring her back to the palace was timed to coincide with Ji Xuan’s mission to Xiliang, giving her the opportunity to return to the palace and take control of the situation.

The Crown Prince’s current abilities were still too weak, and when facing Ji Xuan’s people, he would likely be too passive. That was why he needed her to step in. After all, she was Ji Xuan’s mother and the Empress Dowager of the nation.

The opportunity she had been waiting for, for so many years, had finally arrived.

At that moment, the two had already formed an alliance.

The Empress Dowager sat down.

Standing in front of her, the Crown Prince said, “Imperial Grandmother, Imperial Uncle’s illness is severe. Imperial Doctor Liu has been treating him, but there has been no improvement. According to the informants I placed within the Liu residence, the poison he has is the same as his adopted son’s.

Tingyuan’s poison has no antidote, and it appears the same is true for Imperial Uncle. He has no heirs, and if something happens to him, his subordinates will be leaderless.”

When the Empress Dowager heard the name Tingyuan, her gaze flickered slightly. “What about his adopted son?”

“He has been missing for nearly a year, with no news. It’s likely he is on the verge of death,” the Crown Prince replied thoughtfully. “Father has achieved nothing in court, and Imperial Uncle has thrown the state into disarray, but most of the ministers still follow his lead. I plan to ask former Grand Secretary Jiang to come out of retirement.”

“He was once the Director of the Imperial Academy and held the position of Grand Secretary, with disciples spread throughout Great Zhou. Nearly half of the officials in court could call him their mentor.

He strongly disapproved of Imperial Uncle’s actions, which is why he resigned from his position as Grand Secretary and retired to his hometown. This shows that he is a man of true character. If we can win him over, we will quickly be able to reclaim the royal authority that has slipped away.”

The Empress Dowager noticed a hint of hesitation in the Crown Prince’s expression and couldn’t help but ask, “What concerns do you have?”

The Crown Prince was thinking about how Gu Huaizhi, one of Master Jiang’s students, had married Su Wan, which stirred some discomfort in his heart.

“Nothing,” the Crown Prince shook his head.

The Empress Dowager was also aware that Master Jiang was quite stubborn and had always been at odds with Ji Xuan. Though he no longer held office, his influence remained significant.

“I will await your arrival in five days to respectfully bring me back to the palace. When the time comes, I will personally ask Elder Jiang to come out of retirement!”

The thought of returning to the palace soon made the Empress Dowager’s heavy sense of weariness lift, and her entire demeanor became radiant and full of energy.