Chapter 1 The Imperial Palace, Inner Court

Jiang Chen sat upright in a chair in the side hall, his expression fluctuating.

After a long while, he finally composed himself, revealing a warm smile as if nothing had happened. He leaned over and helped Prince Pingcheng up.

He said gently, "Royal Uncle, this news of yours has been a great help to朕 (zhen, I, the emperor), and 朕 will reward you handsomely. As for Li Zhiping, although he has committed a capital crime, 朕 can lighten his punishment for Royal Uncle's sake!"

"However, our conversation today involves too many secrets. 朕 needs you to control your mouth. Can you do that?"

Hearing this, Prince Pingcheng finally felt relieved and nodded hastily, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, this humble subject knows the importance of this matter and will definitely keep it secret, and not let a word of it leak out!"

Jiang Chen nodded, very satisfied with Prince Pingcheng's tact.

This was an old fox who had been in the palace for many years, and knew what to do and what not to do, so there was no need for too much prompting.

Late at night.

Prince Pingcheng secretly left the palace under the cover of several hidden guards, his resolute face somewhat solemn, as if struggling with some difficult problem.

He occasionally looked back in the direction of the Hall of Diligent Governance, as if he was wary of something...

...

Several days later, the long-awaited day of the Fengshan ceremony finally arrived!

An endless Fengshan procession set off from outside Yingtian Gate and surged towards Mount Tai.

Countless dukes, ministers, and nobles clustered around Jiang Chen's dragon palanquin, arranged according to their status, in distinct ranks.

Tens of thousands of accompanying troops were interspersed among them, constantly patrolling to ensure the safety of the convoy.

As the core of the entire convoy, Jiang Chen's dragon palanquin was placed in the middle of the procession, surrounded by trusted ministers and patrolling imperial guards, making it as safe as an iron bucket.

"Reporting, Your Majesty, the procession has successfully left the city and is expected to arrive at Mount Tai by noon tomorrow!"

"The vanguard troops exploring the road ahead have also sent news that the Fengshan site has been prepared, and everything is ready, waiting only for Your Majesty's arrival!" Meng Qi reported respectfully, with a hint of pride in his words.

Before departure, he had been personally appointed by Jiang Chen to be responsible for the detailed arrangements of this Fengshan ceremony. Now that everything was going smoothly, he naturally felt honored.

Jiang Chen was very satisfied with his work and nodded, "Yes, well done. 朕 will reward you handsomely after the Fengshan ceremony is over."

"By the way, where is the Jiang Zuo Prince? Where has he been placed?"

Meng Qi was stunned by the question. After reacting, he lifted the curtain of the palanquin and pointed to the rear right, "Your Majesty, that green carriage is the Jiang Zuo Prince's carriage."

"However, the Jiang Zuo Prince doesn't seem to like riding in a carriage. He has been riding a horse all the way and hasn't come down."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen suddenly stood up and looked intently outside the curtain, his eyes revealing scrutiny.

As if sensing this sharp gaze, the Jiang Zuo Prince, who was riding on his horse, suddenly turned his head and looked at Jiang Chen from a distance of several meters!

This was the first confrontation between the two!

Although they had secretly fought several times, engaging in deadly struggles, this was the first time they had faced each other at such close range!

In that instant of eye contact, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Beneath these two extremely similar handsome faces, what was concealed was a chilling killing intent, making people shudder!

During the eye contact, the Jiang Zuo Prince suddenly revealed a smile, very warm, as if to show his goodwill and express his loyalty to the emperor.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, nodded, and lowered the curtain.

He said playfully, "As expected of the person favored by Empress Dowager Lü, he can actually withstand 朕's aura and even face 朕 without changing his expression. He is truly remarkable."

"However, this action of his has completely exposed himself!"

"After all, a powerless and idle prince cannot cultivate such an aura."

Hearing the coldness in the emperor's words, Meng Qi frowned slightly and tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, should this humble servant invite the Jiang Zuo Prince over?"

Jiang Chen gave him a strange look and raised his eyebrows, "Invite him over? You really know how to cause trouble for 朕."

"Go, send more people to monitor the Jiang Zuo Prince's movements. Also, invite Consort Lü to come to 朕. 朕 has something to discuss with her."

Meng Qi scratched his head awkwardly, not daring to delay. He immediately bowed and accepted the order, and hurried to the phoenix-embroidered carriage at the rear of the procession.

"By His Majesty's decree, please move to the dragon palanquin, Consort, to discuss the Fengshan ceremony!" Meng Qi stopped in front of the carriage and shouted loudly with full vigor.

His voice carried in all directions, reaching dozens of meters in front and behind.

This relentless attitude made Consort Lü, deep inside the carriage, frown her delicate eyebrows, and an ominous premonition arose in her heart.

What does this dog emperor want to do again?

In this kind of situation, he wouldn't still be thinking about those dirty things, would he?

But the imperial relatives are all here, he, he shouldn't be so bold, right?!

Although she comforted herself in this way, Consort Lü's watery phoenix eyes still contained a hint of worry, and her movements to get up slowed down unconsciously.

She was not a cowardly woman, but Jiang Chen's actions that day had left her with a psychological shadow that was too deep, and she could not forget it for a long time.

So much so that now, whenever she thought about being alone with Jiang Chen in the same room, she felt inexplicably flustered and couldn't help but want to escape.

She sighed deeply, and Consort Lü put on a jacket over her dress before barely feeling at ease and heading to the dragon palanquin in front.

And dozens of meters behind her carriage.

The Jiang Zuo Prince, who had been riding on his horse, had already climbed into the carriage with a gloomy expression, shrouded in murderous intent, his eyes piercing!

Consort Lü was his mother, and also his benefactor, the most important existence in his life.

But this dog emperor Jiang Chen, humiliated her in every possible way!

How could he not be angry?!

Staring fixedly at the carriage curtain, the Jiang Zuo Prince clenched his fingers, his expression twisted like a bloodthirsty beast, as if he would extend his claws and tear the enemy to pieces in the next second.

His eyes were full of baleful aura, making people dare not look at him!

After a long while, until the sunlight began to set in the west, he slowly released his palm and regained his usual composure.

"Someone, find Mei Ruoying and pass on all the news about the dog emperor to her!"

"Remember, act cautiously and don't reveal any clues to implicate this prince… From now on, this prince is just an ordinary prince who indulges in pleasure and is obsessed with beauty, understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness, please rest assured, this subordinate knows the limits." A steady voice floated from the shadows of the carriage, but could not be traced, which was enough to show the person's outstanding skills.

The Jiang Zuo Prince slightly lifted the curtain and looked at the luxurious carriage that was surrounded by the crowd, slowly curling up a cold smile.

"Next, the good show is about to begin… Emperor Nephew, you must not disappoint this prince!"

At the same time, in the dragon palanquin dozens of meters away.

Consort Lü was sitting stiffly opposite Jiang Chen, her jade neck lowered, enduring the fiery gaze roaming over her body, without saying a word.

Although she was annoyed by Jiang Chen's unruly eyes, being alone with him in the same room, rashly breaking the balance would only make her suffer.

She could only grit her teeth and default, pretending not to know, carefully protecting her innocence.