Lü Taifei's exquisite and pretty face paled.

How could she not understand the reasoning Jiang Chen spoke of, but to watch Jiang Zuo Wang die before her eyes... she couldn't do it!

Taking a deep breath, a resolute glint flashed in Lü Taifei's eyes, "You don't need to worry about this, Your Majesty."

"As a mother, she's capable of anything to ensure her child's survival."

"Even if the methods are a bit extreme, leading to misunderstandings and hatred from the child, as time goes on, there will come a day when he understands his mother's good intentions!"

Sensing the determination in Lü Taifei's words, Jiang Chen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

After discovering the connection between Lü Taifei and Jiang Zuo Wang, he had investigated them thoroughly, confirming that they were not blood-related.

However, seeing Lü Taifei's obsessive attitude now, she seemed to care more for him than for her own son. Jiang Chen found this somewhat surprising but had no intention of delving into it.

As the current emperor, he had too many matters awaiting his attention; two defeated opponents were not worth his effort.

He said coldly, "朕 (zhen, I, the emperor) has no fondness for torturing relatives. Even if Jiang Zuo Wang is guilty of treason, out of respect for the royal blood flowing through his veins, 朕 (zhen) will grant him a final, dignified end."

"Furthermore, one must eliminate the roots when removing weeds; 朕 (zhen) never leaves behind future troubles."

"Jiang Zuo Wang will be no exception."

Meeting Jiang Chen's indifferent, icy gaze, Lü Taifei resigned herself to her fate, knowing that she truly could not sway the man before her. Tears she had held back for so long streamed down her face helplessly.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty truly lives up to the name of the supreme ruler. Such a cold and hardened heart is astonishing! No wonder the late emperor insisted on making you crown prince!"

"It seems no one in this world can soften your heart. In that case, I won't ask for trouble, nor plead for your pity... Guards, see the guest out. Please escort His Majesty out!"

Despite being given an order to leave, Jiang Chen's face remained as calm as ever, not even a flicker of an eyebrow, completely indifferent.

He leisurely said, "Taifei, if 朕 (zhen) were you, having fallen to this point, 朕 (zhen) wouldn't say such spiteful words."

"You're arguing with 朕 (zhen) here for Jiang Zuo Wang's sake, but he might not appreciate it."

"Moreover, compared to Jiang Zuo Wang, an outsider, aren't you concerned about how your two sons are doing?"

His meaningful words caused Lü Taifei to abruptly stop in her tracks.

With her back to Jiang Chen, she took a few hurried breaths before turning around, feigning composure as she said, "You, what do you mean by that?"

"What happened to Lao Liu (Sixth Prince) and Lao Qi (Seventh Prince)? They've always been honest and lack the courage or ability to do anything taboo. What could possibly go wrong?!"

Jiang Chen heard the panic in her voice and raised an eyebrow. Without beating around the bush, he said directly, "These two imperial brothers of 朕 (zhen) are indeed incompetent, but they can't resist being incited by others."

"朕's (zhen) good imperial uncle, Jiang Zuo Wang, although under house arrest, has been making quite a few secret moves."

"The martial artists under his command are practically living in Lao Liu's (Sixth Prince) and Lao Qi's (Seventh Prince) residences, plotting many interesting things. Would you like to hear about them?"

Hearing this, Lü Taifei completely panicked.

The coldness she had been trying to maintain instantly shattered. Disregarding her dignity as a Taifei, she rushed to Jiang Chen's feet, kneeling and begging in a state of utter bewilderment, "Your Majesty, you know that Lao Liu (Sixth Prince) and Lao Qi (Seventh Prince) are both good children... They, they have no ambition!"

"They're just being deceived now; they're only involved in these plots because they're muddle-headed. I beg you to forgive them this once for the sake of the late Emperor; I will discipline them properly..."

Looking at the weak, helpless, and tearful Lü Taifei, Jiang Chen's expression softened slightly.

No matter what, she was a woman he had once been intimate with. In matters of little importance, Jiang Chen was willing to be a bit more lenient towards her.

Reaching out, he pulled her into his embrace, "Why are you crying? When did 朕 (zhen) say 朕 (zhen) wanted Lao Liu's (Sixth Prince) and Lao Qi's (Seventh Prince) lives?"

"Although these two fools dared to get involved with Jiang Zuo Wang, which surprised 朕 (zhen) somewhat, they are, after all, only accomplices. For your sake, as long as they don't go too far, 朕 (zhen) will consider leniency."

"However, the extent of that leniency will depend on your performance."

Hearing the implication in Jiang Chen's words, Lü Taifei paused, and a blush crept onto her pretty face as she thought of their previous intimacy.

Now, all she had that could catch the emperor's eye was this body... If sacrificing it could ensure the safety of her family, why not?

Although doing such things in broad daylight was shameful and did not befit the noble status of a Taifei... but for the sake of her children, she could endure it!

A determined look flashed in her beautiful eyes as Lü Taifei's jade hands trembled slightly as she untied the palace sash around her slender waist, then closed her beautiful eyes, letting her robes slip off her snow-white skin.

To serve the gods, she wore a simple, modified Kun Dao robe (female Taoist robe).

Now, without the restraint of the sash, the beautiful scenery hidden beneath the loose robes was instantly revealed to the air, the proud curves on full display.

But faced with this wondrous sight that could captivate men all over the world, Jiang Chen was only drawn in for a moment before regaining his composure.

He teasingly joked with a wicked smile, "Taifei Niangniang (Imperial Concubine), 朕 (zhen) knows 朕 (zhen) is very charming, but isn't it inappropriate for you to seduce your junior like this in broad daylight?"

"Or are you so deeply in love with 朕 (zhen) that you can't even..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Chen's mouth was covered by a pair of soft, boneless jade hands.

And in his arms, Lü Taifei, who had been relatively calm, now had a completely flushed face, frantically picking up the robes scattered on the ground to cover her snow-white body.

"You, you scoundrel... If that's not what you meant, why did you hint at it just now, making me look like a fool!" Having never lost so much face before, Lü Taifei couldn't care less about being flustered at this moment. Her concern for her children was replaced by shame and anger as she scolded him.

"Taifei Niangniang (Imperial Concubine), 朕 (zhen) only said it depends on your performance; when did 朕 (zhen) give you any hints?"

"You're the one who misinterpreted 朕's (zhen) words; why are you blaming 朕 (zhen) instead?" As he spoke, Jiang Chen's large hand had already slipped into Lü Taifei's robes, pinching her full, upturned bottom a few times.

As the saying goes, why not take advantage of something offered to you?

Although Jiang Chen was not inclined to indulge in debauchery in broad daylight, tasting a little sweetness was acceptable.

Feeling his restless movements, Lü Taifei glared at Jiang Chen with a mix of shyness and resentment, slipping out of his arms like a fish and putting on her robe.

She pretended to be cold and said, "If you don't want me to serve you, what did you mean by what you said earlier?"

Jiang Chen, smelling the lingering fragrance of the beauty in the air, raised an eyebrow and said, "Taifei Niangniang (Imperial Concubine) is truly realistic; seeing that there are no benefits, you won't even let 朕 (zhen) touch you."

"Tsk, this cold tone really breaks 朕's (zhen) heart."

Lü Taifei was not deceived by his seemingly intimate tone. Having spent many years navigating the palace, she could see the coldness in Jiang Chen's eyes.

This man's will could not be swayed by beauty.

"You're becoming more and more like an emperor: cold, ruthless, fickle, making it impossible to guess your heart... Stop wasting time; tell me straight, what do you want me to do?"