Jiang Chen wasn't some fool blinded by lust who would be soft on a poisonous woman.

As someone who commanded assassins in the palace, Consort Lu could never be a weak woman.

If he really mistook this poisonous weed for a dodder flower, he would die without a burial!

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and Jiang Chen leaned down and said, "Royal Mother, we've reached this point, are you still going to play dumb with me?"

"If you want something to remain unknown, don't do it in the first place… Some things, once done, will leave traces, and it's not difficult to follow the clues to investigate."

These meaningful words made Consort Lu narrow her phoenix eyes slightly, but she quickly adjusted her expression and resumed her terrified look.

Her voice trembled as she said, "Emperor, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"I'm warning you, if you come any closer, I'll kill myself right here!"

"Kill yourself?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, speaking calmly, "Then you can try."

"But let me make things clear, I'm not a good-tempered person. Any act of disobedience from you will be repaid a hundredfold, a thousandfold, on the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince."

"If you don't want your own sons to live a fate worse than death, then be obedient and don't anger me!"

Consort Lu's delicate body stiffened, and panic and madness surfaced in the depths of her eyes.

She could disregard her own life, but the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince were untouchable sore spots.

"Emperor, do you know what you're saying? If you really lay a hand on those two brothers, I'll risk everything to take you down with me!"

She suddenly looked up, her phoenix eyes staring fiercely at Jiang Chen, all traces of her previous weakness gone.

Jiang Chen wasn't surprised by her change of face. He teased, "No more acting? Do you think this little threat has any deterrent power?"

"To be honest, I really want to throw those two guys, the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince, into the imperial prison right now, and see how you're going to take me down with you."

"You, you…" Consort Lu's expression faltered.

Jiang Chen didn't want to waste any more time with her, and said, "I don't have time to waste with you. The reason I came here is not only to warn you, but also to give you a chance to turn over a new leaf."

"As long as you confess everything you know, I'll leave you with enough dignity. Otherwise, not only will the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince be implicated, but your entire Lu clan will also be dragged down by you!"

Consort Lu bit her lip tightly, and a hint of struggle flashed in her phoenix eyes.

How much did this dog emperor actually know? Was he trying to trick her?

Hesitating, Jiang Chen spoke again, his voice cold, "What? Still not planning to talk?"

Consort Lu's delicate body trembled slightly, and she came back to her senses and said, "I…"

She had only said two words when she suddenly stopped. No!

If this dog emperor had really found out the truth and had evidence, then would he still be using this method to force her to confess? Given this tyrant's usual style, he would have definitely thrown her into the imperial prison already!

Consort Lu took a deep breath, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her phoenix eyes. She raised her head and said, "Your Majesty, I don't understand what you're saying."

"I'm just a woman, living deep in the palace, living a very ordinary life. If you have any suspicions, I can let you investigate as you please."

Jiang Chen was amused by her uncooperative attitude, and a murderous aura erupted between his eyebrows: "Lu Wangshu, do you think I can't do anything to you?"

"Or do I have to put the heads of the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince in front of you before you're willing to confess your crimes?"

Consort Lu lowered her head, although her delicate body still couldn't help but tremble slightly, her emotions had returned to reason, and she said airtightly:

"Your Majesty, you are the ruler of the world. What you want to do is not something that I, a mere consort, can stop."

"If you really are determined to kill the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince, causing all the vassal kings of Great Wei to become hostile, then I have nothing to say."

"If this leads to uprisings everywhere and chaos in the world, then the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince can be considered to have died worthwhile!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen's expression froze.

He was also wary of this, which was why he hadn't used force against Consort Lu.

Without concrete evidence, Lu Wangshu was his elder in name, and even if he knew she was the leader of the assassin organization, he couldn't easily offend her.

It seemed that this probing attempt would still be in vain.

A layer of gloom covered Jiang Chen's handsome face, and he curled the corner of his mouth and said, "Royal Mother, I admire your composure in the face of danger."

"I hope you can continue to perform so well in the future, and not disappoint me… As for today, let's just end it here!"

After saying that, Jiang Chen took a few steps back and turned to leave.

Just as Jiang Chen reached the door of the inner hall, he suddenly stopped and reminded coldly, "By the way, pretending won't work. If you ever cry and demand to guard the imperial mausoleum again, I will directly grant your wish, and won't come to remind you again."

"Also, don't do anything behind my back. No matter what kind of accident happens, I will repay it a thousandfold, a hundredfold on the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince."

After uttering these words, Jiang Chen strode out of Changle Palace, leaving behind a stern and upright figure.

Behind him, Consort Lu breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed on the bed, her phoenix eyes filled with fear and resentment.

"This cold-blooded and cruel dog emperor, I will not let him go, I will not let him go…"

Outside Changle Palace.

Jiang Chen boarded the imperial carriage, surrounded by a group of palace servants.

Just as he sat down, preparing to leave, Jing Yue suddenly appeared and reported softly.

"Your Majesty, there's an urgent report. Scouts say that Headmaster Yang from the suburbs seems to be about to leave."

"Leave? Isn't she planning to settle in the imperial capital?" Jiang Chen frowned.

"No, the scouts said that Headmaster Yang seems to have received an invitation to attend a gathering… However, she took away a lot of luggage!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen couldn't help but sigh.

This girl was really worrying him!

Packing her luggage, she was probably going to travel the world, completely avoiding him, the emperor, right?

Jiang Chen rubbed his temples and said, "Prepare the carriage, I want to travel incognito."

"Yes!" Jing Yue nodded, and then asked softly, "Your Majesty, should this subordinate seal off Changle Palace, or make some arrangements in advance?"

Jiang Chen disagreed: "No need, Consort Lu isn't that stupid yet."

"If today's events are revealed, she will also be discredited. She won't do something that hurts the enemy a thousand, and harms herself eight hundred."

Jing Yue nodded, her cold and pretty face a little red.

Although she was outside just now, her superb skills allowed her to clearly hear the sound of tearing silk in the room.

She was already thinking in her heart about how to pave the way for Jiang Chen to bring Consort Lu into the harem…

…

About an hour later.

Jiang Chen and his party, disguised, appeared outside the palace, and sped to the garden where the gathering was held.

The organizer of this gathering was Jixia Academy, but the invitees were varied and not limited to literati.

Of course, this was also related to the nature of the gathering. For this kind of gathering that emphasized the exchange of ideas, knowledge and literary talent were not the only criteria. As long as one aspect could be recognized by the organizer, one could obtain the qualification to participate.

After getting out of the carriage, Jiang Chen was about to enter the gate, but was stopped outside.

"Young master, please show your invitation, otherwise you can't enter." The gatekeeper said politely.