Qinzheng Hall.

Silence reigned, so profound one could hear a pin drop!

Jiang Chen sat upright behind the imperial desk, a furious smile playing on his lips. "Excellent! This Mei Kang is truly excellent!"

"Extorting the people, seizing their property, forcing virtuous women into prostitution! Mei Wenshi has truly raised an accomplished son!"

As Jiang Chen spoke, a surge of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

Although embezzling court funds, intercepting tributes, and stealing treasures from the national treasury angered him, this anger paled in comparison to what he felt upon hearing these crimes against the people!

After all, stolen goods could be recovered by raiding the Mei family, but the families ruined by Mei Kang and his lackeys could never be restored. This was a dereliction of duty on his part as emperor!

Jiang Chen's heart felt heavy. He said coldly, "Do you have any evidence of Mei Kang's crimes?"

The shadow guard replied, "Your Majesty, the time was too short. All I could find were the persecuted people."

"They recorded their confessions and had someone write accusations, but the Yamen of the Imperial City refused to accept them. I thought they might be useful, so I brought them back… As for the serious crimes of intercepting tributes and stealing treasures from the national treasury, it will take more time to investigate."

Jiang Chen nodded, not disappointed.

It was already impressive that they had discovered this much in such a short time.

He pondered, "This evidence is not enough. Forcing women into prostitution and seizing property are not enough to condemn the Mei family. Continue to investigate and find solid evidence!"

"Understood!" The shadow guard accepted the order and departed.

Jiang Chen remained seated, motionless, his eyes deep in thought.

Suddenly, he turned to Feng Jin and said in a deep voice, "How is Yuan Buyi progressing? Has the unrest in the army been quelled?"

Feng Jin bowed and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, Lord Yuan has safely arrived and sent word that the situation has been initially stabilized, but it will take some time to investigate the cause of the matter."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen felt relieved and couldn't help but praise, "This Yuan Buyi is truly a talent! He has not disappointed my trust!"

Seeing this, Feng Jin also smiled and said, "Your Majesty has the discerning eye to recognize talent and is willing to delegate authority. This result is only natural!"

Jiang Chen shook his head and smiled wryly. "You certainly know how to talk, but Yuan Buyi did the work. This credit has nothing to do with me."

Feng Jin solemnly explained, "Your Majesty is mistaken!"

"If you were not supporting Lord Yuan from behind, would those local officials give him face? I fear that he would have been captured by the local powerful clans as soon as he arrived."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen suddenly thought of something, and his expression turned cold again.

He frowned and said, "Feng Jin, send another team to Yunzhou and have them protect Yuan Buyi in secret."

"I want him to investigate not only the army but also Mei Wenshi's collusion with local powerful clans to embezzle finances!"

"If this matter is leaked, those local snakes will definitely resort to desperate measures to silence him. I am truly worried."

Feng Jin's expression tightened as he understood the importance of this matter. He immediately assured, "Yes, this old servant will handle this matter well and ensure Lord Yuan's safety!"

After speaking, he comforted, "Your Majesty, you don't need to worry too much."

"Lord Yuan has been an official for many years and acts cautiously. He will certainly not let the local powerful clans discover anything amiss. Moreover, Lord Yuan himself is well prepared and has already asked his good friends in Yunzhou to help with the investigation."

Jiang Chen listened attentively and nodded. "Yes, with the help of friends, plus the people I sent, there should be no problems."

After speaking, Jiang Chen got up and walked towards the side hall, preparing to rest.

It was getting late, and a pile of troubles awaited him tomorrow, so he needed to rest well.

Just as Jiang Chen was preparing to go to bed, Feng Jin suddenly spoke with a troubled expression.

He hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, there is something that this old servant has hesitated about for a long time but still feels should be reported to you."

Jiang Chen paused and raised an eyebrow. "Speak, I'm listening."

Feng Jin lowered his head and whispered, "Your Majesty, since Consort Ying's return to favor, she has been requisitioning many precious spices and medicinal powders from the Department of Imperial Affairs under the guise of blending fragrances."

"Precious?" Jiang Chen smiled freely, not taking it seriously. "Just some spices. Since she likes them, how could I be stingy?"

"Life in the deep palace is lonely. It's good to have something she enjoys doing. I possess all the wealth under Heaven and am not afraid of her spending it."

Feng Jin was troubled and sweating profusely. He said anxiously, "Your Majesty, this old servant doesn't mean that!"

"The main thing is, among the spices Consort Ying has requisitioned, there is a lot of musk!"

Musk?

Jiang Chen's expression froze slightly.

He knew that this spice had the effect of preventing pregnancy and inducing abortion.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Chen said with a cold expression, "Why would the people from the Department of Imperial Affairs give her musk? Can't they replace it with other spices?"

Feng Jin sighed, "It's because Consort Ying insisted on taking it, saying that without this spice, she can't fall asleep!"

"This old servant didn't believe it at first and stubbornly refused to give it to her. Who knew that Consort Ying would actually stay awake for three days and three nights, and she collapsed from exhaustion."

"This old servant couldn't persuade her, so I had no choice but to let her!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen fell silent.

The tragic death of the Xu clan was a taboo between them, and they would tacitly avoid mentioning it when they were together.

But not mentioning it didn't mean it didn't exist.

Jiang Chen understood Xu Jiaying's knot in her heart, so he wasn't angry, he just remained quiet for a while.

He slowly said, "Keep this matter secret and don't let anyone else know, especially those ministers outside."

"Also, replace the musk with other similar spices, and don't let Consort Ying know."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Feng Jin nodded, not saying anything more.

…

The next day.

Golden Luan Hall, Grand Court Assembly.

"Your Majesty, you promised yesterday to re-examine the case of Imperial Concubine Mei. Can we start making arrangements today?" Grand Astrologer Xu Zhongxuan held his tablet and pressed aggressively.

Jiang Chen's gaze was icy, and there was no warmth in his eyes.

This person had already been taught a lesson by him once, but he still dared to contradict him. There was no need for him to continue living.

It would be more to his liking to replace this Grand Astrologer with a more obedient official.

While Jiang Chen was thinking about the candidate for the new Grand Astrologer, he said indifferently, "My words are as good as gold. I will definitely fulfill what I have promised, so do not be impatient, esteemed minister."

Xu Zhongxuan refused to back down, applying pressure. "Your Majesty, it is not that I am impatient, but this matter is important and cannot be delayed!"

"If Lord Mei does not return to court to oversee matters, I fear that within a few days, the Gate of Heavenly Response will be besieged again!"

Jiang Chen did not have the habit of getting angry at dead people, so he looked at Xu Zhongxuan with a very calm gaze.

In addition, Yuan Buyi was investigating Mei Wenshi's background in Yunzhou and needed someone to stall the Mei faction, so he exceptionally conceded:

"Alright, I understand. After the court session ends, I will prepare and visit Lord Mei tomorrow to discuss this matter with him in detail, how about that?"

Hearing this, Xu Zhongxuan and Mei Kang exchanged glances and reluctantly agreed.

Although they were unwilling, Jiang Chen was, after all, the Son of Heaven and should not be pressed too hard, so they could only take a step back for now.

But they had already decided that if Jiang Chen did not take any actual action afterward, they would have to be impolite!