Chapter 1 Jiang Chen's Wrath

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze piercing Mei Kang!

He knew in his heart that the mastermind behind this disturbance was most likely the Mei family. Those palace maids who assassinated Consort Shu were definitely planted by them.

In terms of influence, who in the entire Great Wei could compare to Mei Wenshi?

Moreover, his intention to support the Xu family had been obvious these days, so it was normal for Mei Wenshi and his ilk to be desperate.

Seeing that Jiang Chen didn't speak, Mei Kang put on the appearance of a loyal minister and volunteered, "Your Majesty, our Ministry of Revenue has dealings with all departments of the court. The three parties are working together on the case, and time is pressing. This humble minister can mediate and improve efficiency. I beg Your Majesty to allow it!"

As he spoke, he raised his head slightly, trying to gauge Jiang Chen's expression.

Unexpectedly, he met Jiang Chen's sharp eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts.

Jiang Chen smiled faintly, his tone indifferent as he said, "Minister Mei is truly loyal and devoted, We are greatly gratified!"

"However, We have a question. You seem particularly concerned about this matter. Could it be that those palace maids who harmed Consort Shu are related to your Mei family!?"

Mei Kang was shocked and immediately kowtowed, "Your Majesty, please be clear! My Mei family has been loyal for generations and would never..."

Jiang Chen's lips flattened, and he interrupted impatiently, "If you are truly loyal, then sort out the mess in the Ministry of Revenue!"

"The national treasury is so empty that even disaster relief funds cannot be squeezed out. Is this how your Mei family is being loyal?! Get out!"

With the emperor's order, Mei Kang had no choice but to hold back his resentment and slinked out of the hall.

Jiang Chen then dismissed the ministers.

Surrounded by Feng Jin and others, he left and returned to Consort Shu's side, guarding his only family.

Time flowed slowly, and the sun shone brightly outside the Xuan室殿 (Xuan Shi Palace).

Two hours passed, and Jiang Chen's desk was piled with memorials submitted by the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicature, and the Imperial Capital Prefecture.

They explained, through three different channels, how these palace maids entered the palace and how they forged their false identities and household registrations.

All of these dozen or so palace maids were descendants of convicted officials. Their family members had all died, and they had no accomplices. The mastermind behind them was the old woman who carried out the assassination.

They were able to enter the palace through the Ministry of Rites' selection process because of their family's past connections. Some minor officials who had once been attached to their families had been threatened with blackmail to forge their identities.

After the incident, these minor officials had all committed suicide.

Although the Ministry of Justice acted quickly, it was still a step too late. All the survivors and clues had been destroyed.

It was evening.

With the reopening of Ying 天门 (Ying Tian Gate) and the major actions of the three law enforcement departments, the news of Jiang Chen and Consort Shu's assassination attempt instantly spread, shocking everyone!

So many villains were lurking in the forbidden palace, plotting to assassinate the current emperor!

In an instant, rumors spread throughout the capital, and everyone was terrified.

With such a disaster, everyone understood that a bloody storm was coming, and many people would be implicated and lose their lives!

Subsequently, the emperor issued four edicts in his own handwriting, shaking the Great Wei.

"First, anyone who assists palace maids or eunuchs in forging identity seals will, upon verification, have their nine generations exterminated."

"Second, more than twenty officials of the Ministry of Rites will be dismissed from their posts, all their property will be confiscated, and their descendants will be barred from holding office for three generations."

"Third, the palace will be purged. The ninety-six main halls, including the Xuan 室殿 (Xuan Shi Palace), 勤政殿 (Qin Zheng Palace), and 承乾宫 (Cheng Qian Palace), will have their palace servants' identities re-verified. Those whose origins are unclear will be executed by caning!"

"Fourth, a notice will be posted, inviting famous doctors from all over the world. Anyone who can relieve Our worries will be granted the position of director of the Imperial Hospital and rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold!"

On the day the edicts were issued, the execution ground in the imperial capital was filled with blood.

More than fifty executioners were on standby, and the prisoners' blood flowed into the river, turning the entire river red.

Half of the officials in the court excused themselves with illness and stayed at home, afraid to have contact with the outside world, lest they be caught by the emperor and lose their lives.

Everyone's attitude towards those edicts was one of acquiescence. They could see that the emperor was killing the chicken to warn the monkey, demonstrating his authority.

Anyone who dared to disobey would be demoted to the end and sent to the execution ground in the suburbs of the capital!

御史大夫 (Imperial Censor) Zhang Kang, Mei Wenshi, and others had brought memorials, wanting to meet Jiang Chen to understand the situation in the palace. Mei Ruoying and other concubines had also requested to visit Xiao Shufei and the emperor.

But they were all rebuked by Jiang Chen and sent back.

Until now, the situation in the palace remained confusing.

Why did the emperor want to summon famous doctors?

And why did he cancel the morning court and refuse to see the officials? Could it be that he was also injured?!

Night fell.

The atmosphere in the forbidden palace became increasingly tense. Countless palaces were being investigated, and any concubine or palace maid with a vague background was taken away.

Many officials from the six ministries were also arrested, thrown into prison, and dismissed from their posts pending investigation.

Many people who were secretly watching Jiang Chen understood that he was taking the opportunity to seize power and weaken the forces in the court that were not loyal to him. But with the assassination case as an excuse, even Mei Wenshi could not find a reason to stop him.

At midnight.

Jiang Chen was in the 勤政殿 (Qin Zheng Palace). That afternoon, he had hastily promoted twenty officials from the Ministry of Rites and fifteen officers from the army command to the Imperial Guards.

During the afternoon's investigation, he replaced most of the military officers who had connections with the Mei family that Jing Yue had collected. Feng Jin also selected a group of attendants with clean backgrounds according to his orders.

Those people were all pitiful people who had fled from disasters, living in the outer city with clean backgrounds.

"What We have just said must not be leaked. If word gets out... death without pardon!"

As Jiang Chen spoke, his cold eyes swept over everyone present.

Everyone's hearts trembled, and they all knelt down, expressing their loyalty: "We will obey Your Majesty's decree!"

They were born ordinary, and if it weren't for Jiang Chen's appreciation and promotion, they would not have their current glory.

The grace of knowing and appreciating them should be repaid with death.

They would never betray His Majesty!

"Very well, it's getting late, you may leave." Jiang Chen's tone softened.

After everyone left.

A cold figure in black armor suddenly appeared in the 勤政殿 (Qin Zheng Palace).

"Your Majesty, this subordinate is incompetent and has not found out the truth."

Jing Yue knelt on one knee, her voice filled with self-blame.

Jiang Chen was prepared for this, his expression unchanged, and he reached out to help her up:

"Have you found any other clues?"

Jing Yue pondered for a moment and said in a凝声 (ning sheng) voice, "Your Majesty, the aftermath of the assassination has been handled very cleanly. Any clues that could harm the mastermind have been erased. Not a single survivor was left... but this subordinate still found some subtle clues!"

"This subordinate personally went to the Ministry of Justice to investigate and found that the officials who committed suicide out of fear of punishment all had traces of poisoning on their bodies. Based on this subordinate's experience, these people should have died from poisoning and were later disguised as suicides."

"Also, although these officials have been in the court for many years, their official positions are low and they do not have the ability to forge household registration seals and send those daughters of convicted officials into the palace."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly upon hearing this.

He had already thought of these situations that Jing Yue mentioned.

The person who could make such a big commotion must be a person of high position and power, such as... Mei Wenshi!

"Your Majesty, should We issue an order to have the three departments re-investigate?" Jing Yue's voice was cold.

"No need. We already have a guess as to who the real culprit is, but now is not the time to show our hand... To thoroughly investigate this matter, it is best to proceed in secret..."