Having bypassed dozens of highly skilled guards,

Yang Muxi slipped in like a gentle breeze, retrieving the ledger hidden deep within the Wan Hua Lou.

It recorded years of illicit dealings between the Mei family and various parties, as well as details of shady businesses.

Several thick stacks of evidence of their crimes.

"Um, I, this doesn't count as stealing, does it? Promoting justice can't be called stealing... Yeah, that's right!"

"There's no need to talk about law and morality with this bunch of beasts!"

Yang Muxi muttered to herself as she deftly stuffed the ledger into her sleeve.

"That should be all. As long as I hand this over to Jiang Yan, I can execute the tyrant and eliminate the greatest evil for the people!"

After whispering to herself, she drifted away, like a gentle breeze, like flowing water.

Her light footwork, having reached a perfect state, rendered those guards, fostered with great expense, mere ornaments; her skill was unmatched, far exceeding that of ordinary secret guards!

...

Late at night, the Imperial Palace.

Jiang Chen awoke from a nightmare.

He sat on the soft couch, his expression as cold as frost, surrounded by a chilling aura.

Only his eyes revealed a hint of emptiness, as if he were still immersed in the dream, consumed by an unknown terror.

"Your Majesty, what, what's wrong?"

Shu Guifei (Noble Consort Shu) was startled awake by Jiang Chen's movements, her snowy skin partially exposed, a hint of confusion on her delicate face. But after touching Jiang Chen's sweat-soaked sleeping robe, that bit of drowsy sleepiness instantly turned into wakefulness!

"Were you troubled by a nightmare? This concubine is here. Your Majesty can… Ah!"

Before she could finish speaking, Shu Guifei was tightly embraced by Jiang Chen, the force so great that she couldn't help but gasp.

The suppressed sound of pain awakened Jiang Chen's reason. A trace of self-blame flashed in his eyes, and he slightly loosened his embrace.

"Yun'er, I'm sorry. I hurt you just now."

Shu Guifei's eyes were red with pain, but she still raised a smiling face, pretending to be fine, "It's okay, Your Majesty, Yun'er doesn't hurt!"

"If this can calm the nightmare in Your Majesty's heart, then Yun'er can withstand even greater force!"

Pity filled Jiang Chen's eyes as he gently kissed her forehead, "Let me see if I injured you just now?"

As he spoke, he disregarded Shu Guifei's resistance and pulled open the silk quilt.

Because he loved Shu Guifei's tender, snow-white skin, Jiang Chen usually forbade her from wearing sleeping robes when they slept together.

Now that the only covering on her body had been removed, Shu Guifei's pretty pink cheeks were covered in blushes, so ashamed that she didn't know where to look.

"Luckily, I didn't hurt my precious Yun'er!" Jiang Chen teased as usual, his large hands familiarly roaming over her full curves.

However, Shu Guifei had been with Jiang Chen for many days and had dedicated her heart to him, so she could naturally perceive the abnormality in his emotions.

Frowning her delicate eyebrows, she asked, "Your Majesty, what did you dream about just now? You were so frightened. It pains Yun'er to see!"

"If you don't mind, you might as well tell Yun'er, and let Yun'er help you share some of the pressure!"

Jiang Chen didn't expect her to be so perceptive, and a helpless smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Immediately, he pushed Shu Guifei back into the quilt, covered her, buried his face in her plump, trembling bosom, took a few deep breaths, and spoke with difficulty.

"I, I just dreamed that a rebellious subject usurped the throne and threw me into a cauldron to be cooked... My close ministers were all executed!"

"As for the harem, many chose to commit suicide because they couldn't bear the humiliation, and many others didn't even have time to react before they were..."

At this point, Jiang Chen suddenly stopped, no longer speaking.

In the dream just now, Shu Guifei and Xu Jiaying's ends were extremely tragic, as was Liu's… It made him feel heartache even now!

"Your Majesty, it's okay. Dreams are the opposite of reality, so you don't need to worry!"

"Yun'er will always be by Your Majesty's side. As long as you don't despise me, I will..."

Jiang Chen pulled the gentle and comforting Shu Guifei closer into his embrace and fiercely sealed her rosy lips.

After a long time, the two separated.

Jiang Chen looked at the family member in his arms, her almond eyes filled with tears and gasping for breath, and a look of unprecedented determination flashed in his eyes.

The Mei family must not be allowed to remain!

"Your Majesty, what are you thinking about? It's getting late. Let's go to bed quickly, so we don't miss tomorrow's morning court."

As she spoke, Shu Guifei revealed a gentle smile, "Yun'er will give you a massage, which will surely allow you to sleep soundly!"

Jiang Chen looked at the charming and dignified beauty on the couch, and a mischievous smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Massage? I have a better idea. Would Yun'er like to try it with me?"

Although the words were a question, Jiang Chen didn't give Shu Guifei a chance to refuse. His big hand directly pinched her slender waist.

Shu Guifei exclaimed and fell into a fiery embrace following the source of the force.

"Um, Your Majesty, not yet... There, no... It's so uncomfortable..."

The coy moans of refusal and welcome echoed in the bedroom. As the curtains fell, one could faintly see two overlapping figures…

The next day.

Warm sunlight penetrated the lattice windows and sprinkled into the room.

Jiang Chen got up and got out of bed to prepare for the morning court.

Shu Guifei, who had been tossed around all night, was lying in the quilt, her whole body weak, her watery eyes filled with contentment as she looked at Jiang Chen with love.

"Yun'er, I'm going to court first. You rest a little longer... Last night, I went too far."

As Jiang Chen spoke, he lifted the thin quilt and gently stroked the bruises on Shu Guifei's body, his eyes focused and full of pity.

Although the palace servants had already retreated, Shu Guifei couldn't help but feel shy in broad daylight, and pleaded in a very small voice:

"Your Majesty, please bring my sleeping robe over for Yun'er. Like this, it's really unsightly!"

Seeing her delicate appearance, Jiang Chen felt an itch in his heart and deliberately teased her, "Oh, your courage is getting bigger and bigger now, and you dare to order me around?!"

Shu Guifei's pretty face panicked, "Your Majesty, this concubine didn't do it on purpose, it's just, it's just that my legs are really weak, that's why..."

Jiang Chen liked her charming look after the act of love, and immediately forced her with a wicked smile, "Is that so? My Noble Consort has always lived a life of luxury, so how could your legs be weak? If you don't give me a reason, I will punish you for deceiving the emperor."

As soon as Shu Guifei heard this tone, she knew that Jiang Chen wanted to play tricks again, and immediately endured her shyness and said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is so valiant, Yun'er... Yun'er couldn't hold on, that's why..."

As she spoke, she moved closer to Jiang Chen's ear and finished the extremely embarrassing second half of the sentence.

Afterwards, Shu Guifei hid in the quilt and refused to look up again.

"Hahaha!"

Jiang Chen was amused and laughed loudly, and the haze that had accumulated in his heart for days was swept away.

He sat down by the edge of the bed, kissed Shu Guifei lightly through the quilt, and said gently, "Yun'er, I'm going to court now. You rest a little longer, and I'll come back to accompany you after I finish dealing with government affairs."

Shu Guifei's little head buried in the quilt moved, but she didn't completely stick it out after all.

Jiang Chen didn't force her either, anyway, there was still plenty of time after court...