Xiao Qinzi, having thought it through, readily produced a slip of paper, explaining, "Your Majesty, we rely on these slips of paper to communicate!"

Feng Jin quickly took the slip and presented it to Jiang Chen.

All that could be seen on the thumb-sized paper was a series of complex codes, impossible for anyone to decipher.

However, the writing possessed a sharp, imposing air, and the strokes were extremely delicate, as if they came from a woman's hand.

Jiang Chen merely glanced at it and felt a sense of familiarity welling up within him.

He thought about it for a while but gained nothing, so he temporarily suppressed the thought and questioned Xiao Qinzi, "What does this slip of paper mean?"

Xiao Qinzi honestly replied, "Midnight, set fire, break into the Imperial Prison, behead Xu Changqing!"

Upon hearing this, a thought arose in Jiang Chen's mind, and he excitedly asked, "Did that Manor Lord teach you these characters?"

Xiao Qinzi was somewhat puzzled, not understanding Jiang Chen's intention.

But judging from his tone, it didn't seem like a bad thing.

So, he nodded and said, "Your Majesty, after I was adopted by the Manor Lord, I have been learning these secret codes."

Jiang Chen excitedly slapped the armrest of his chair, just about to say something.

At that moment, an Imperial Guard suddenly appeared and whispered in Jiang Chen's ear, "Your Majesty, Commander Jing has returned!"

Jiang Chen's expression turned stern.

He had been so busy dealing with matters in the Imperial Prison that he had forgotten about the Court of Cautious Trials.

"Someone, take Xiao Qinzi down and protect him closely. Don't let anyone harm him!"

"Also, release the news that all the assassins who forcefully broke into the Imperial Prison tonight are dead, killed on the spot, with no survivors!"

Jiang Chen's expression was solemn, laced with a hint of warning.

This matter was of great importance, related to whether his subsequent plans could proceed smoothly, and no accidents could be allowed.

If news of surviving assassins leaked out, it would surely alert the mastermind behind them, who would no longer take action.

"Your Majesty, I have already confessed everything I know. You must conceal my existence!"

"If...if the Manor Lord, or the commander in the palace finds out about me...I will surely die a horrible death!" Xiao Qinzi pleaded, his eyes filled with extreme terror.

As a former member of the organization, he knew all too well how terrifying the Manor Lord's power was.

Therefore, even though the Emperor had already ordered him to be closely protected, he was still uneasy and couldn't help but speak out to remind him.

Seeing Xiao Qinzi's terrified appearance, Jiang Chen became even more wary of this Manor Lord.

At the same time, a sense of competitiveness arose within him.

He, a dignified Emperor, was not as intimidating as a Manor Lord, which made him quite unhappy.

Who exactly was this person, what background did they have, that could make an assassin so afraid?!

Glancing at the panicked Xiao Qinzi, Jiang Chen waved his hand, "I understand."

"If what you say is true, I will definitely protect your life. Take him away."

Xiao Qinzi was moved to tears, repeatedly kowtowing before being taken away by the Imperial Guards.

At this moment, Jiang Chen said to those around him, "Let Jing Yue in. Also, Xu Changqing, have him come too!"

After receiving the instructions, Jing Yue brought a woman in black into the hall in short order.

The woman was tall and sturdy, but her appearance was extremely ordinary, making her difficult to remember.

At this moment, she was bound by iron chains, making it difficult to even walk.

This woman was the very evildoer who had broken into the Court of Cautious Trials, wanting to kill and silence everyone!

Although Xu Changqing had been besieged tonight, he was not injured and was in good condition. As soon as he arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance and saw the figure of the woman in black, he was immediately stunned. Then, his eyes shot out a cold light, and he knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, this woman is the mysterious hooded figure who led me to the Grand Temple!"

A cold smile curled up at the corner of Jiang Chen's mouth, and his murderous gaze shot towards the woman.

"Raise your head!"

The woman in black was very panicked, her body tense, trying her best to lower her head, attempting to hide her face.

Seeing this, Xu Mu stepped forward, pressed down on the woman's shoulder, and forcibly raised her head.

The moment the woman's face was revealed, Jiang Chen was stunned, and then boundless anger surged into his heart as he slammed the table and roared, "It's you!"

He recognized that face; it was clearly Mei Ruoying's maid!

The long-held guess had been confirmed, and boundless killing intent appeared on Jiang Chen's face.

Those palace servants who assassinated Yun'er were instructed by Mei Ruoying. Also, Xu Changqing's framing must have been done by this woman. And that mysterious Manor Lord, might even be Mei Wenshi!

As his thoughts ran wild, Jiang Chen's eyes became increasingly cold.

"Speak, did Mei Ruoying send you to kill and silence people?"

The woman in black was named Xia Liu, and she was Consort Mei's personal maid.

She knew that Mei Ruoying must not be linked to her, so she immediately denied, "No!"

"You dare to deceive me!"

Jiang Chen was so angry that he laughed, "Heh, do you think I'm a fool? The evidence is all there, and you still dare to lie!"

"Xu Mu, go bring Mei Ruoying here. I want to confront her face to face and see how she can still quibble!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a court lady-in-waiting rushed in from outside the Hall of Diligent Governance, her face filled with panic.

"Your Majesty, something bad has happened! Consort Mei's palace is on fire. She...she has been severely burned and is on the verge of death!"

As soon as these words came out, the Hall of Diligent Governance fell silent.

Consort Mei Ruoying's palace was on fire? How could this be?

Jiang Chen, Jing Yue, Xu Changqing and the others all revealed surprised and suspicious expressions.

...

Late at night.

Hanzhang Palace.

Jiang Chen and his group arrived here.

Because of the fire, Mei Ruoying's original palace was temporarily uninhabitable, so they moved her to the nearest vacant palace.

The arsonists had also been caught; they were Mei Ruoying's own palace maids. They were imprisoned in the Imperial Prison along with Xia Liu, where they would face the most cruel torture.

Inside the room, the imperial physicians were gathered around Mei Ruoying, examining her.

After a while, the Head of the Imperial Hospital came out and respectfully said to Jiang Chen, "Your Majesty, the Consort has temporarily escaped danger, but the burns on her body are very serious. She will need careful nursing in the days to come, otherwise, infection of the wounds could be fatal."

Jiang Chen nodded, his face inscrutable, and said, "How severe are the Consort's burns? Could they be fatal?"

Hearing this, the Head of the Imperial Hospital frowned, a hint of fear flashed in his eyes, and he affirmed, "Yes!"

"The Consort's burns are concentrated on her arms and side abdomen, where there are many important organs. If she had been rescued any later, those organs would have been roasted alive, and then there would have really been no hope!"

Jiang Chen's expression stiffened for a moment upon hearing this.

Could it be that Mei Ruoying had really been wronged? Was there someone else behind the scenes?

Jiang Chen's thoughts were somewhat chaotic. He waved his hand, signaling the Head of the Imperial Hospital to step down, and then walked into the room alone.

On the bed, Mei Ruoying's brow was tightly knitted, and her face was flushed unnaturally, as if she were enduring extreme pain.

Jiang Chen stood quietly by the bed, scrutinizing the woman on the bed.

Burning was the cruelest form of punishment and the one that could bring the most pain to prisoners.

Many heroic figures could not withstand this kind of pain and had their pride crushed.

If this fire was really a self-inflicted scheme by Mei Ruoying to clear her name.

Then it was too terrifying...